Robe - LEADERBOARD - Feb 2025
Doughty - Banner - from 6 June 2025

Business

Details
On Stage - Colombian rock star Juanes is going ahead with a peace concert in Cuba despite receiving threatening messages, his manager has said. The event, due to take place on 20 September, has been criticised by some US-based Cubans for supporting the country's communist government. Latin Grammy winner Juanes, who lives in Miami, told police he had received threats via his Twitter account.

His manager said the star feared for his safety and considered pulling out. Fernan Martinez Maecha told the Associated Press: "The concert is still on, and Juanes is maintaining a positive attitude throughout all of this." Mr Maecha said there is "absolutely nothing political" about the peace concert, which is set to take place in Havana's Revolution Plaza. Juanes held a peace concert in March 2008 on the Venezuela-Colombia border when tensions were high over a Colombian c

Details
USA - Lab X Technologies has added a larger conference room and four new offices and expanded the reception area at its headquarters in Rochester, New York. Lee Minich, President of the engineering design firm, says that the decision to grow in the midst of a broadly shrinking economy almost made itself.

"We looked at the accelerated pace of connectivity proliferation, the continued growth of our client list, and the positive impact of emerging technologies such as AVB (Audio-Video Bridging)," he says. "Our need for growing room was immediately obvious. Product manufacturers in many industries are turning to Lab X for help in leveraging the IEEE's emerging AVB standards that make Ethernet ready for reliable real-time streaming of high-quality audio and video."

The new facilitiesalso give Lab X and its visiting clients access to a new entrance and additional

Doughty - Banner - from 6 June 2025

Details
USA - Technomad reports that its Vernal weatherproof loudspeakers are providing audio for narrated tours by Shoreline Sightseeing of Chicago on the waters of the Chicago River. More than 80 Vernal loudspeakers are installed on 18 boats, broadcasting clear speech with supplemental background music on boats ranging from 15 to 50ft in length.

Shoreline Sightseeing operates tours on the Chicago River and the Great Lakes that give visitors a historical overview of nearby architecture and other attractions. According to Chad Rice, director of fleet management for Shoreline Sightseeing, the live and pre-recorded audio narrations are significant to the tours, and the audio is intelligible from the shoreline as boats pass through the centre of the Chicago River.

"We take up to 300 people out at a time, and audio is the most dominant aspect of the experience," said Rice. "

Details
USA - Audio-Technica has announced that Patterson, New Jersey-based On the Road Marketing has been presented with A-T's President's Award. The award was presented by Marc Lee Shannon, Audio-Technica vice-president, sales, to Doug Brown, On the Road Marketing president. On the Road Marketing received this honour at an awards ceremony during this year's InfoComm Expo.

Doug Brown, principal of On the Road Marketing, accepted the award which recognises a leading manufacturer's representative for outstanding commitment and dedication during the Audio-Technica 2008/2009 fiscal year. The firm sells Audio-Technica professional products to retailers and sound contractors in New York City, surrounding areas and additional regions of New Jersey.

Marc Lee Shannon, Audio-Technica vice president, sales, commented, "Audio-Technica is lucky to have such an exceptional group of reps, and

Details
Switzerland - The SWX Stock Exchange in Zurich selected AKG's GN 30 E 5PIN gooseneck microphones, CK 31 Capsules and H 600 shock-mounts for deployment. The installation used several different loudspeaker systems strategically positioned to optimise the acoustics in the glass-walled conference room known as the 'crystal palace'.

The system was completed by Erwin Herzog of Kilchenmann and used 33 AKG GN 30 E 5PIN Gooseneck microphones, 33 AKG CK 31 microphone capsules, 33 AKG H 600 shock mounts, and a retractable column with a 360-degree loudspeaker in the centre of the room.

"We chose AKG products for their high quality, high gain before feedback, and flexibility," Herzog said. "Using AKG products, we managed to hand over the project on time in spite of a close deadline and still fulfilled all of the client's requirements and wishes. We even kept the price apprec

Details
UK - Having enjoyed sold-out events for four years running in London's Finsbury Park, Madstock - the festival featuring self-styled 'nutty boys' Madness - disappeared for over a decade. But in July 2009 it enjoyed a triumphant return at a new venue, Victoria Park. AP Security wasin charge of crowd management and stewarding for it and the ensuing Lovebox weekend.

AP was in charge of safety and stewarding throughout entire site for both events. The site featured three stages with a 'Golden Circle' in front of the main stage for Madstock and two stages (but no Golden Circle) for Lovebox. Both also featured the usual array of concessions stands, alternative entertainment and sponsored areas.

"The planning started, as usual, many months in advance," says Chris Hollands, AP's southern operations manager, who managed the planning and operation at

Details
Chechnya - After six years of rebuilding the structure, which was destroyed during the Chechen wars, the State Theatre and Concert Hall in Grozny, the capital of the Republic of Chechnya, was reopened late last year. ETC dealer Sistema played a prominent role in bringing back the hall's previous grandeur by installing new stage technology, including a lighting system full of ETC equipment.

Sistema faced a difficult task when they came on the project. "Our employees' first impression was daunting," says Pavel Petryanin, director of Sistema's projects department. "The grounds of the facility were seriously damaged during the war. The sun was shining through a hole in the roof. We had to carry out a complete reconstruction project, practically starting from scratch."

Sistema installed 560 conventional luminaires - including dozens of ETC Source Four PARs - and

Details
UK - Notifier by Honeywell and Ateis UK report that they have been awarded Network Rail Acceptance for their Voice Alarm and Public Address (VA/PA) solutions.

This significant accreditation by Network Rail follows much research into the Ateis/Notifier range as meeting stringent EMC requirements for products used on the rail network. It was awarded after the successful installation of a Notifier by Honeywell system at Shepherd's Bush overground station which has operated without fault for five months.

Notifier by Honeywell has extensive experience in the development of specialist VA/PA solutions and uses Ateis equipment in its range of VA/PA systems. The system was engineered specifically to meet Network Rail's precise requirements, designed to ensure effective communication of passenger information as well as controlled evacuation in the event of an incident.

With a strong t

Details
UK - Lighting Technology projects (LTP) has completed the first UK installation of Martin Architectural's Rail Light - running along the handrails of the Tradeston Bridge in Glasgow.

The new wave-like pedestrian footbridge links Tradeston on the south bank of the river Clyde with Glasgow's financial services district. It was devised by Glasgow-based civil engineers Halcrow in partnership with Scandinavian architects Dissing & Weitling, and reflects Glasgow City Council's objective to improve cross-river accessibility and create a landmark waterfront structure.

LTP's expertise and penchant for intricate and detailed installations (which recently includes the London Eye and Sidings Bridge, Swansea) was called into the project by Martin Architectural, who tasked them with delivering the lighting and providing their direct client BAM Nuttalls with a fully project managed scheme. T

Details
UK - At approximately 3am on Monday 6 July 2009, thieves broke into a commercial premise in Clevedon, North Somerset, where over £80,000 worth of lighting equipment was being stored following its use for a private event.

The offenders used a large blue Mercedes Sprinter van to remove the equipment from the premises; the van was last seen driving through Clevedon at approximately 3.30am, believed to be heading towards Portishead and possibly the M5 motorway.

A majority of the stolen lighting equipment was, at the time, on hire from Norwich stage lighting company Viking Stage Lighting. Some of the equipment stolen included expensive Robe Colourspot 1200, Robe Colourwash 575 AT Zoom, and Robe Colourwash 250 AT moving head fixtures. The lights would have been stored in, predominantly, light blue flight cases with the Viking Lighting logo screen printed on the sides.

Also s

Details
USA - Illumination Dynamics (ID) has moved to a new location in San Fernando, California that features easy access, ample space and thoughtful amenities for production crew. With 70,000sq.ft of warehouse space to house ID's expanding inventory of motion picture lighting and grip, automated and theatrical lighting, HVAC equipment and expendables, the rental house "offers improved equipment accessibility, working environment and customer service".

In addition to doubling the warehouse space, ID provides 11,000sq.ft of air-conditioned offices, repair, conference, and demo rooms - including separate production crew offices with convenient telephone and wi-fi internet connectivity.

Repair facilities offer maintenance in-house as well as equipment servicing for customers. Dedicated entries and spacious loading docks for each department facilitate easy equipment pickup and

Details
UK Sound designer Jason Barnes chose the new Duran Audio AXYS Scope range as the FOH PA for the UK tour of the rock opera Quadrophenia.

"I chose the Axys Speakers over alternatives because of their dynamic sound, energy and ability to deal with the full range of frequencies whilst not sounding over processed. I wanted to take the risk and try something new and powerful that had never been used in theatre before to create a more individual mix," says Barnes. "I also wanted a 15" speaker with punch rather than anything larger, because of the varied venues we are touring to. These boxes fit the bill and are light enough to throw up the pros and punchy enough to throw a rich rock and roll sound to the back of the house."

In total 12 AXYS Scope T-2115s were supplied to specialist theatre sound rental company Stage Sound Services for the tour together

Details
UK - Despite the challenging economic climate, console manufacturer Audient has reported 9.9% sales growth in its half year to June 30th compared to the same period last year.

Managing director Gareth Davies comments: "We entered 2009 with a good deal of caution and it's certainly true that a number of markets and territories have lost some momentum during the last six months. However, programmes we initiated last year in product development, distribution and manufacturing have enabled us to continue moving forward despite these constraints. These same programmes will also enable us to reap benefits when market conditions start to improve."

Second half sales have seen a strong start with Audient's small format Zen console starting to ship. Luke Baldry, sales and marketing director at Audient says "We're overwhelmed with the enthusiasm for Zen, it's been a great

Details
UK - It continues to be a busy Summer for Adlib as another recent project involved the supply of audio production and crew for Nine Inch Nails' final UK Arena shows at Manchester Evening News Arena & the O2 Arena in London.

The Liverpool based company has toured with NIN before and US-based FOH engineer Pete Keppler has also used them on a number of previous occasions for other artists including the last David Bowie European tour.

Keppler specified a JBL VerTec system, with Adlib's Tony Szabo as systems engineer & crew chief. In Manchester, they utilised 14 VT4889s with 14 VT4880A flown subs per side for the main hangs, and 16 VT4889s per side for the side hangs. The subs were powered from Adlib's new Labgruppen PLM14000 amplifiers, with onboard Lake processing. A centre cluster of six L-Acoustics dV-Dosc was positioned just in front of the stage, pointing almost directly down

Details
Switzerland - As a consequence of Martin Professional's ongoing European sales optimisation and development of a regional sales organisation, Martin EMEA, the company has decided to implement a new distribution setup in Switzerland effective 1 September.

Taking over sales responsibilities, service and local support of the Swiss region is Martin's German sales staff headed by Peter Kroul working together with the Martin headquarters customer care department. Switzerland's French-speaking western region will be supported by Martin's French team.

The move, a part of Martin's larger European sales reorganisation, is aimed at greater operational efficiencies while creating a stronger, more uniform approach to the market. "The change is a natural progression in our plans to regionalise parts of our distribution set-up within EMEA in order to serve and support our end customers

Details
UK - PRG Lighting's newly purchased Nova-Flower 2Ks are being utilised on the U2 360 world stadium tour, as part of show director/designer Willie Williams' lighting design.

Seven of the fixtures - specially developed by Italian manufacturer Novalight for the tour and now in full production - are positioned around the stadiums in the audience bleachers, pointing back at the stage.

Say's PRG's group asset director Paul Weaver, "They are an incredibly powerful effect, even contending with all the other lighting and LED screens, we're really impressed with their effect". He also reports that they are withstanding the rigours of touring extremely well.

The fixtures were sold to PRG, U2's main lighting contractors, by Lightfactor Sales, Novalight's exclusive UK distributor.

Ahead of the tour, Williams initially examined the original 1.2K Nova Flowers among other

Details
USA - With a 3,000 seat main sanctuary, Calvary Chapel of Melbourne on Florida's east coast has upgraded to Turbosound's Flex Array as the existing sound system was transferred to a new smaller satellite campus in nearby Viera.

"Ever since we re-hung our previous system in Melbourne to try and provide line array coverage to the balcony level two years ago, we knew we needed an upgrade," states Greg Branch, senior audio engineer for the contemporary church. "So, after transferring the existing system to the new campus, we had the perfect opportunity to explore new options for the main sanctuary."

Calvary Chapel brought in Craig Beyrooti, president of Atlantic Pro Audio of Altamonte Springs, to consult on the design and integration. After considerable research, including a number of demos and shootouts, Branch and Beyrooti decided on the Turbosound Flex array

Details
UK - Eat To The Beat (ETTB), part of the Global Infusion Group, has added the V Festival in Chelmsford to its expansive festival rosta, alongside Glastonbury, Leeds, Reading, Big Chill, Latitude, Download, Lovebox and the Hyde Park series of shows.

Team leader Susie D'Andrea managed her 45 strong crew to take on the impressive task of serving over 12,000 meals during the 12 days on site.

Eat to the Beat's operations director Mary Shelley-Smith said, "What a great festival - the sun was shining down all weekend and everyone was in good form. It's great to see so many of our regular touring clients performing together on the festival circuit. We've had a fantastic season and will be finishing off this year with Reading, Leeds and another first for us: Bestival."

(Jim Evans)

Details
UK - PEL Music & Media has designed, supplied, installed and commissioned a Bose Professional sound system at Kelsey Park Sports College in Beckenham, Kent. The school, which only recently became a sports college, is open to boys from Years 7 to 13 with 940 students currently in attendance.

To ensure they get the best from their students, Kelsey Park decided it was time to replace the existing, overly complex sound system in the main hall with one that combined quality, simplicity and flexibility. The latter was important because the school wanted to be able to use the system across two areas: the hall being the priority, but with the option to use the system in the dining room partitioned off from the hall by a moveable wall.

Kelsey Park Sports College turned to Bose for a solution, who recommended they work with Bose Pro-Partner PEL. Bose and PEL worked closely on the projec

Details
UK - In two special free seminars at PLASA09 Renkus-Heinz are offering a free opportunity to explore how Iconyx Digital Beam Steering loudspeakers, along with RHAON digital networking work.

"Many audio professionals, installers and architects haven't yet had the opportunity to see and hear for themselves why and how the Iconyx series and RHAON (Renkus-Heinz Audio Operations Network), has already been so successful in the US and elsewhere," said Margie Ulm, Renkus-Heinz marketing manager. "These two free live seminars at PLASA offer audio pros and architects the chance to find out."

Both sessions will be held in the Whitehall Room at PLASA09 on Tuesday 15 September and will feature the new IC LIVE digitally steerable array for live applications

The first seminar, at 11:00-12:00 am, is titled RHAON - Demystifying Digital Networking. It will provide a

Details
USA - The Fillmore Charlotte, a 20,000sq.ft venue at the North Carolina Music Factory's entertainment complex in Charlotte, North Carolina's Fourth Ward neighbourhood, stays true to the tradition of the original Fillmore theatres. The venue, which opened on 19 June with Georgia acoustic rocker Corey Smith headlining, has the Fillmore's trademark red velvet draperies, ornate chandeliers, custom lighting and vintage concert posters.

The building, once an historic Charlotte manufacturing site, was reinvigorated by Live Nation as the latest in its growing chain of clubs bearing the Fillmore name. Soundcraft Vi4 digital live mixing consoles feature at front-of-house and monitor positions. These work in conjunction with a PA system using components from JBL, Crown and dbx, creating a scaled sound system that couples the Fillmore's grand musical heritage with 21st century technology.

Details
UK - As legislation changes to ensure that, when it comes to education, nobody with a disability is at disadvantage, Ampetronic induction loops are becoming increasingly common in colleges and universities throughout the UK. But whereas the proximity of other loop-equipped rooms and metal loss have to be overcome in the majority of such installations, a recent example at the University of St Andrews provided a very different challenge.

One of the university's most iconic buildings is Parliament Hall, now part of St Mary's College but originally constructed as the lower hall of the King James Library. Completed in 1643, its name derives from the fact that the Scottish Parliament sat in the hall from 1645-1646, due to an outbreak of plague in Edinburgh.

These days it is used primarily as a debating chamber by the University Debating Society and as a hired venue for a wide range

Details
France / UK - Celebrating its 90th Anniversary this year, French lighting manufacturer Robert Juliat is a three-generation family business which has specialised in the manufacture of lighting equipment since 1919. To mark its 90th Anniversary, Robert Juliat has undergone a total branding re-style which includes a new logo, a completely redesigned sales brochure and a new website which goes live later this year.

The new sales brochure was well received when it was first distributed at ShowTech, Berlin in June. Robert Juliat will now be following on from this success by distributing it from their stand at PLASA 09. 70 pages of information, illustrations and technical specifications cover the full range of Robert Juliat products.

"Quality is all-important at Robert Juliat and we wanted to produce a brochure that would reflect this, whilst at the same time giving our customer

Details
Spain - Leading Spanish multi-media/audio provider Focus was recently contracted to furnish sound reinforcement for Pride Barcelona 09, a huge GLBT event attended by an estimated 15,000 people. The event was held 28 June at Avenida Maria Cristina in Barcelona, Spain.

Focus turned to EAW for loudspeakers and processors for the night's main stage concert, which featured several live musical artists and DJs performing well into the early hours of the morning.

The main PA system consisted of 16 EAW KF760 line array modules (eight on each side of the stage), eight EAW KF730 compact line array modules (four on each side) and 16 EAW SB1000z large format subwoofers, all processed by EAW UX8800 digital signal processors. Onstage sound for the bands was accomplished with eight EAW JFX260i compact full-range loudspeakers, and for stage monitoring for the DJs, Focus used two side-fills fo

  1. Electro-Voice in Sharm El Sheikh
  2. Tannoy QFlex is the solution for Croatian church
  3. The Week in Lighting & Sound
  4. Boston House of Blues goes digital
  5. Apt Suspensions offers rigging solutions
  6. Raoul Simpson gets artistic with Pixelline
Page 1080 of 1803
Astera - Large MPU - June 2025
Sennheiser - MPU - June 2025

Latest Issue. . .