Spain - Focus S.A. continued to show its support for EAW products by recently holding an in-depth seminar and workshop for freelance sound technicians. Focus serves as a rental company for many high-profile touring companies in the area, so it is very common for third party and freelance technicians to be setting up and operating Focus-supplied EAW units.

This seminar was intended to prepare those individuals to properly handle EAW equipment and make educated decisions on the setup and configuration of such products, along with some basic discussions of the technology involved. Pepe Ferrer and Ferran Diez of Focus acted as the event's primary lecturers.

Part one of the seminar focused on the basics of acoustics, including signal coherence, phase issues, crossovers and LP/HP filters, acoustic and electric delays, sub-bass characteristics and pointers, and vertical and horizonta

UK - ChamSys is in use on the current Ting Tings tour. Designed by Jvan Morandi, the show fuses lighting and video onto multiple projection surfaces to create a truly live feel to their show.

Morandi successfully overcomes the challenges of lighting a two-person band to make the energy fill the whole of the stage using creative visual and lighting FX. Lighting consists of moving spots and washes whilst video content is controlled through a Catalyst Media Server.

Out on the road, lighting designer Sam MacLaren operates the system. Both Morandi and MacLaren are long-time Hog II users and have found the jump to MagicQ straight forward. With 18 Universes, in-built network switch and 8 encoder wheels it provides the power to handle larger shows with complex fixtures.

The keypad syntax can be configured in multiple ways, enabling them to choose the way that is most familiar to the

UK - In a new initiative announced by PLASA Events Ltd, this year's PLASA Show (13-16 September, Earls Court, London) will include a new focus on developing business opportunities for the industry's service providers and consultants.

PLASA Connect, an idea developed in conjunction with RH Consulting and sponsored by L&SI magazine, will provide service-based operators - including consultants, installers and rental companies - with an opportunity to find new potential clients from a wide range of vertical markets.

People involved in large projects in many different walks of life often have very little idea of who to go to for the supply of sound and lighting equipment. The idea behind PLASA Connect is to help those people gain information and make an informed choice. The result will be a targeted business development opportunity which will bring genuine business benefits to all

UK - Purple Audio has been chosen to supply full production for The 1-2-3-4 Shoreditch Festival in July this year. The festival includes acts including The Rakes and Patrick Wolf.

Purple Audio's Funktion-one Resolution 5 system will be used for the main stage and its Funktion-one Resolution 4 systems for the second stages together with the new Funktion-one RM18 stage monitors.

Purple Audio has also been booked for Offset Festival in September where they will be supplying sound and light for the main stage along with two others.

Davis Roberts managing director of Purple Audio reports that he is very pleased with the ongoing progress the company is making. "Bookings into 2010 are very strong and it promises to be a very exciting year with at least 50% growth," he says.

(Jim Evans)

UK - For many years now HK Audio Portable Sound products from a small Lucas to full stack Projector system could be found on various stages and performance areas at Glastonbury, and this year was no exception. For the second consecutive year, HK Audio has been part of the action at the John Peel Stage (third largest stage of the festival) providing the on-stage monitoring.

18 HK Audio CT 115 15"/1.4" cabinets in biamp-mode and powered by DSM 2060 controllers and Labgruppen FP 10000 power amps were used for monitors. A ConTour Array was used as a side-fill and for drum-fills, a combination of active CTA 118 subwoofers and CT 115 mid/high units.

Mike Taylor, production manager for the John Peel Stage remarks: "Last year we used all HK Audio gear for this stage, and the results were outstanding. Rarely have I ever experienced such stress-free monitoring at a festiv

Italy - The Proel Group was selected to provide PA systems and screens for the Pescara Stadium during the recent 2009 Mediterranean Games which ended at the beginning of July.

Inaugurated in 1955 as a multipurpose facility, the Stadio Adriatico has hosted several matches of the Italian National Football Team and is the main stadium of Pescara. It is currently a CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee) sports centre.

Renovation works, which ended last May, were carried out in order to enlarge, restyle and modernise the facility in preparation for the 16th edition of the Mediterranean Games.

After completion of the works, which included a 15m euro allocation to ensure standards compliance, the stadium has now an all-seater capacity of 25.000. The Majella Stand is now covered and an air-conditioned VIP lounge, a new press stand and an area reserved for the Stadium Security Coo

UK - The successful West End season produced by London's Donmar Warehouse Theatre - which since the middle of last year has featured Ivanov starring Kenneth Branagh, Twelfth Night starring Derek Jacobi, Madame de Sade starring Judi Dench - has now reached its final production, Hamlet, starring Jude Law.

Entertainment lighting supplier White Light has been involved throughout the season, providing the core rig shared by lighting designers Paule Constable and Neil Austin - including Martin TW1 and ADB Warp moving lights and Rainbow colour scrollers - and then the variations of equipment demanded by each show. For Neil Austin's design for Hamlet, this meant supplying six DHA Digital Light Curtains, a set of Aero Par units with individual transformers and a selection of L&E battens mounted in the show's floor.

For Hamlet, White Light was a

UK - Automation experts Kinesys designed and supplied the bespoke motion control system that moves and shapes the 'transforming' video screen for U2's 360° world tour.

The system consists of 40 Kinesys Evo zero-speed chain hoists and eight custom built winches, all controlled by their K2 3D software control package.

Kinesys' Dave Weatherhead comments: "This was the heaviest, most complex and interconnected system we have undertaken to date, with 48 motors following unique motion profiles to allow the deployment of over 52 tonnes of video screen."

The screen was originally conceived by Willie Williams and Mark Fisher, long term creative collaborators on U2 shows. New York based designers/architects Hoberman Associates assisted Innovative Designs in engineering and realising the revolutionary centrepiece for the show, which consists of 888 individual hexag

UK - Prism Sound and SADiE have now confirmed the UK dates for their next series of free educational seminars. Universities around the country will be taking part in the programme, with each participating venue hosting two evening seminars - one covering music recording and the other covering either mastering or radio broadcast.

For the music recording fraternity, Prism Sound's Mic To Monitor tour makes a welcome return. This series aims to dispel many of the myths surrounding the recording process. Each seminar will feature short presentations from Prism Sound staff and from guest speakers, including recording professionals who can answer audience questions on recording techniques.

The mastering and radio broadcast seminars will focus on how SADiE digital audio workstations can be used in these specific environments. Guest speakers, along with staff from Prism Sound an

UK - Communications company drpgroup has purchased the first Midas PRO6 live audio system to be sold into the British corporate events market.

Established almost 30 years ago, drpgroup has grown into one of Europe's largest and most experienced fully integrated communication and presentation organisations. Until four years ago all equipment was dry-hired, but the company has undertaken a concerted investment programme, building up a state-of-the-art inventory to which the PRO6 is the latest addition.

drpgroup took the decision to purchase the PRO6 having outgrown its previous digital console within a year of buying it. "After having a PRO6 on demo, we took the decision that we needed one immediately," says Ian Ruhback, drpgroup's head of sound. "Everything is instantly accessible and nothing is menu-based. A lot of the other digital consoles we have encountered

The Netherlands - Europe's biggest Christian youth event, EO Youth Day, has celebrated its 35th anniversary at the Gelredome Stadium in the Netherlands before a crowd of more than 30,000. An L-Acoustics Kudo line source system was provided by local Rental Network agent Rider Audio and Media, with L-Acoustics trainer and system tech Paul Van Baasbank taking care of design and system engineering duties.

The event, aimed at young people between 15 and 25 years of age, featured guest speakers, choirs, Christian bands and worship, and was broadcast live on Dutch national TV.

Van Baasbank's system design incorporated 72 Kudo cabinets powered by 30 LA8 amplified controllers. The system was deployed in two right and two left hangs of 18 cabinets each, with 24 SB218 subwoofers powered by 12 LA48s under the stage in cardioid mode. 16 Kiva ultra compact line source cabinets powere

UK - Stage Electrics recently supplied Transmitta with a new L'Acoustics dv-Dosc sound system. Delivered to Transmitta one month ago, the system was immediately put into service. It has already enhanced a number of events including award ceremonies, the Kiddstock Hard Dance Festival, a James Morrison acoustic concert and is about to service the VIP arena at Oasis' home-coming shows at Heaton Park, Manchester. Stage Electrics' business development Manager Ed Gamble says: "it sounds awesome."

The client's criteria included that any system chosen had good longevity. It was therefore essential that Stage Electrics' Ed Gamble specified one that was both future-proof and best for purpose. The subsequent investment included 12 dv-Dosc full range WST enclosures, four dv-SUB compact high power subs, four SB118 high power subs, LA8 amplified controllers and all associated

France - A British stage technician has become the second fatality resulting from the collapse of a stage being constructed for a Madonna concert at the Velodrome stadium in Marseilles, France. The partially-built roof fell in yesterday evening when one of four cranes lifting the roof toppled onto the structure below it.

Although eyewitnesses said the collapse happened slowly enough for some of those below to get out of the way, a 53-year-old French worker was killed outright. A number of other people were injured in the accident, some of them seriously, including a 32-year old British man who later died after undergoing emergency surgery for severe head wounds. A US citizen was also seriously injured, while around 30 people in total were treated for minor injuries and shock. French Police have begun a criminal investigation.

Madonna's Sticky and Sweet tour was in Udine

UK - The recent CM Lodestar training courses held by A.C. Rigging, a division of A.C. Entertainment Technologies, were well received by all who attended the fully booked events, the company reports.

Dave Carmack, entertainment product trainer for Columbus McKinnon, led the training sessions along with Adam Beaumont, sales manager for the A.C. Rigging division, at the company's Leeds premises. Course attendees were taken through various levels of training, from the basic course covering overcoming daily scenarios, to an advanced two-day course covering inspection procedures and certification of the Lodestar and Prostar motors.

Trevor Hanna, senior technician for Production Services Ireland, commented: "Having attended the advanced course, it has now provided me with greater knowledge and confidence to work on CM Lodestar chain hoists. The methods and instruction from David

USA - As President Barack Obama made his marks with the graduates of 2009 at the Arizona State University Sun Devil Stadium - a venue plagued by a resonance problem common in large sports venues - a suitable solution was found in Meyer Sound's SB-2 parabolic wide-range sound beams.

The task of providing intelligible audio for the historic event was handled by Phoenix-based Clearwing Productions, using two SB-2 sound beams. Clearwing's general Manager David Temby explains that the SB-2 worked well with the house PA and achieved adequate coverage without obstructing the sightlines of attendees or multiple network cameras. "Without the SB-2s, it would simply not have been possible to reach the upper corners of the seating areas," he says. "Any other solution would have called for additional delay stacks, adding significant expense and creating issues with both line-o

Macau - An Element Labs Cobra 16 LED display stopped traffic in Macau last month when the City of Dreams resort opened its doors on the evening of 1 June. The resort's extravagant opening event included, as one of its most dazzling features, a giant circular Element Labs video marquee display, using Cobra 16 technology, which was erected at the road frontage.

The opening show and activities were simulcast onto the 250sq.m LED display, prompting road users on the adjacent multi-lane highway to simply park and watch the show, drive-in-movie style. During its first month of operation, the City of Dreams resort has already attracted over 1.2 million visitors, which averages 41,000 visitors per day.

"Casino developer Melco Crown Entertainment had a clear vision for the development of the City of Dreams resort: they wanted a state-of-the-art display solution that would enhance

South Africa - Gearhouse South Africa supplied lighting, sound and video production plus crew for singer/songwriter R Kelly's first visit to South Africa.

The five days of production rehearsals at Sun City Superbowl was followed by one show there and another at Cape Town's Grand West Casino. The project was managed for Gearhouse by Michael Lewis, and their teams worked very closely with R Kelly's lighting designer Nook Schoenfeld and FOH sound engineer Rob 'Cubby' Colby.

Llewellyn Reinecke, Gearhouse Audio's systems engineer also looked after FOH. Colby specified a V-Dosc system, which was flown in Sun City as 12 elements a side for the main left and right hangs, complete with three dv-Doscs underneath for front down-fills. He also specified a 1:1 ratio for subs and V-Dosc, so the 24 subs were ground stacked three high and four wide on the floor of the Superbowl. Additional ha

UK - With very important issues due to be resolved in the coming months, and some impending questions needing to be answered, especially with regards to potential funding for the industry vacating channel 69 and the remainder of the 800MHz band, the BEIRG Steering Group have launched an information Group on the popular business network site Linkedin.

To access the BEIRG Group on Linkedin all you have to do is go to www.linkedin.com and sign up for free. After you have completed a very quick and easy sign-up, just search under groups for BEIRG and apply to join.

Commenting on the new Linkedin initiative, BEIRG Steering Group member Alan March said: "With the increasing amount of decisions that are starting to be made it's very important that as many people as possible come forward and give us their input. In the coming weeks

UK - Eurohire Sound and Light recently decided to bolster its arsenal of stage monitors and processors. After considering the options, Eurohire selected a complement of products from EAW. Included in the sale were over 20 EAW MicroWedge Series MW15 Stage Monitors, a pair of MicroSub Stage Monitors/Subwoofers and four UX8800 Digital Signal Processors. With the purchase, Eurohire now holds the largest European rental stock of EAW MicroWedges, a line of products developed by EAW in close partnership with Rat Sound Systems.

Eurohire has, in recent years, provided equipment and services for such varied events as rock and pop concerts by UB40, Steve Winwood, Dionne Warwick and the Kooks, classical showcases by the likes of the Royal Philharmonic, and a number of festivals, plays/musicals and corporate events.

"With our busy and varied itinerary, we needed versatile products tha

UK - Summer 2009 sees one of the world's leading video services companies, Creative Technology, as busy as ever with a raft of festivals and tours on its itinerary including London's Hyde Park events, Glastonbury and tours from Rod Stewart and Elton John, all of which feature its stock of Lighthouse Technologies' R7 7mm pixel pitch LED screen.

In Hyde Park, Hard Rock Calling saw The Killers, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen headline, whilst Blur reformed to play two sold out dates and the Wireless Festival completed another successful year with Basement Jaxx and KanYeWest top of the bill. All three events made good use of two R7 stage wing IMAG screens, each measuring 7.11m wide by 4.57m high, with processing via a Lighthouse LIP XGA unit. Images were provided from a live camera feed supplied by XL Video.

At Glastonbury, two 23.2m2 R7 screens, mounted back-to-bac

UK - Il Divo are currently engaged on a world tour promoting their latest album, The Promise. Production director, Mark Ward of Proper Productions, met with Brilliant Stages in December 08 to discuss the tour's multi-faceted staging requirements before construction of the set began in January in readiness for the tour's first date in February.

The stage design involves a multi level 'necklace' stage composed of two curved arms sweeping down from a back walkway to the main promoter's stage and forward into the audience to a B stage, giving several performance areas on different levels. With so many venues on the tour, the stage dimensions and construction needed to be flexible to allow for different configurations within each venue.

Access to the main stage is via access stairs situated towards the rear, down which the four singers descend to the mid-air walkway level, a

UK - XL Video UK continues its long association with Oasis, supplying full video production for their ongoing Dig Out Your Soul world tour, plus a fully HD PPU/camera package for the summer stadium and outdoor special shows on the itinerary.

XL is also supplying kit for a third variation on Oasis' video design - similar to but larger than the original touring version - for their festival headline slots.

XL's project manager Des Fallon says: "Respect to the Oasis production management team lead by Michael O'Connor. Their attention to detail is second to none, they totally understand the importance of video and the role it plays in the show, and making things happen smoothly and efficiently in video world is very easy."

For the large shows, XL Video is working both directly for Oasis and for live video director Dick Carruthers' company, Cheese Film & Video. Th

India - Based in Bangalore, Infosys Technologies is one of the world's leading software technology companies. Chief mentor (and one of the founders), N. R. Narayana Murthy remains passionate in his quest to match and exceed the standards set by many world class organisations in their chosen fields of expertise.

With this in mind he decided to build a world class convention centre on the Infosys campus in Bangalore, which would also be capable of hosting live dance and music events (including a 60-piece symphony orchestra), theatre and international conferences. The ability to telecast and webcast these events live to all their campuses and offices worldwide was a further pre-requisite.

In addition to live performances, the 1,400 seater auditorium also had to be able to play back movies on a giant screen in both the latest 2K digital format as well as in regular 35mm, with 7.1

UK - Lighting designer Peter Barnes along with Production North production manager Iain Whitehead selected Bandit Lites as the lighting supplier for the 2009 Boyzone Tour. Tour Manger was Paul Bultitude andBandit crew chief was Mike Humeniuk. The lighting crew consisted of Martin Garnish and Joe Simpson.

Barnes chose for his most recent tour to use VL 3000 Spots, VL 3500 Washes, Pixel Pars, Super Cycs, Stadium Hazers, Lycian 1290 follow spots and the Hog 2 consoles.

Bandit C.E. Lester Cobrin worked with Barnes on the tour and said, "Peter is such a true professional and always a pleasure to work with."

(Jim Evans)

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