UK - XTA's iCore software package was developed to provide the interface for sister company MC² Audio's Ti Series and XTA's DC1048 integrated audio management system. Now, the new iCore2 package has been extended to support all 4Series products as well as adding a number of features that will make operating systems - whether in live sound or fixed installations simpler.

iCore2 sees upgraded control features including the aforementioned control of 4 Series devices, Parameter Linking, Custom Control Panels, application auto-update and wireless kit compatibility.

The XTA 4-Series is completely supported by iCore. Although Library Manager files cannot be handled by iCore, presets and memories (including those with locked parameters) can be uploaded from 4-Series devices to iCore. Settings can be intelligently copied and pasted from 4 Series memories and presets into DC1048 device

UK - Belfast-based Production Services Ireland (PSI), supplied lighting, video (including screens and media servers), trussing and rigging to BBC Northern Ireland for the 2010 Belfast Children In Need concert staged at the city's Odyssey Arena.

PSI has been involved with this annual fundraising event for at least seven years, but this was the first year that they have supplied such a comprehensive package of technical equipment and crew for the show, which was presented by John Daly and BBC Radio 1's Reggie Yates. The capacity audience enjoyed live performances by Westlife, The Script and Jedward among others, and it was broadcast live across the region, with link ups to the simultaneously running London event at the BBC.

PSI's Brian Reilly project managed, commenting: "We were delighted to be so involved with Children in Need this year as it's a fantastic cause, and it w

The Netherlands - 2011 will see Dutch rockers Golden Earring celebrating a remarkable 50 years in show business. Famed for 'biker anthem' Radar Love, Golden Earring are celebrated as one of Holland's most enduring rock acts. Although these days the touring schedule is a less hectic than in the past, the band is committed to delivering the very best live productions. The Hague-based rental company Bourgonje Sound & Lighting which (backline apart) supplies all of Golden Earring's production equipment.

Front of house engineer Arjan van Egmond has worked with the band for 23 years, using the Yamaha M7CL mixing console since it was introduced. "The M7CL is easy and simple to operate, its layout is clear and logical and, most importantly, it always works," says Arjan. "I have tried all the other brands of digital console and came across bugs in all of them - except Yama

Oman - The Oman Tattoo is held every five years and is unquestionably the biggest event for the Oman government. So when Wizcraft entrusted Sound.Com to provide the complete sound design and equipment after the company's successful work at the Commonwealth Games, they prepared to ship two containers of audio equipment on their maiden voyage overseas - including a full Optocore fibre optic system.

"This time we provided total audio solutions and not just engineering solutions as we did in the past," states the company's managing director, Warren Dsouza "That is why this event goes down as a milestone and Sound.Com's first international show."

With all the experience gained from the Commonwealth Games, it was a matter of successfully redeploying a winning formula for the sound design at the Al Fateh Stadium. System integrators Sunil Karanjikar and Warren D'so

Downsizing - Sir Paul McCartney performed an intimate lunchtime gig at the 100 Club on London's Oxford Street, the historic music venue that is threatened with closure. Around 300 fans were treated to a set lasting almost two hours, comprising songs by the Beatles, Wings and from Sir Paul's solo back catalogue. It was the smallest gig the star has played in the UK for nearly 10 years.

The club, which began life as a restaurant in the 1940s, has played host to the Sex Pistols, the Rolling Stones and Metallica down the years. But rising rent in the centre of London has pushed the venue into the red. Unless a new buyer or sponsor is found, the club could close before the year is out.

A campaign to keep the 100 Club open has attracted support from Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie and Sir Mick Jagger. Fellow Rolling Stones member Ronnie Wood played a benefit gig for the venue earlie

Germany - ABBA - The Concert performed by AbbAgain is a live reconstruction of the legendary 1979 Abba performance at Wembley featuring more than 13 musicians and 150 minutes of Abba songs. To distribute the audio at the various tour locations, the show uses a RockNet digital audio network from Riedel Communications.

To connect the stage and the FOH into a single audio network rental company PRG Germany uses a set of three RockNet 100 interfaces at the event. RockNet 100 is a flexible, digital snake solution and a cost-effective entry to RockNet digital audio networks. Based on the RockNet 300 technology, RockNet 100 provides 80 audio channels with 48kHz/24-bit digital audio quality.

The RockNet 100 interfaces are combined with six RockNet RN.141.MY interface cards for digital Yamaha consoles. With RockNet's Independent Gain feature it is possible to control each input

UK - Unusual Rigging may be the appointed points rigger for Earls Court - which means they're the only company with the licence to attach things direct to the ceiling - but that doesn't mean they automatically get to rig everything else. But when it came to choosing a supplier for the T4 show Stars of 2010, event producer Done & Dusted didn't need to think twice.

"We've worked with Unusual many times before, and we know they always do a fantastic job," says event director Rachel French. "The show is Channel 4's roundup of the year's highlights in music, TV film, featuring three presenters and 15 live music acts - so it was bound to be big - with stunts and special effects.

"Our designer, lighting designer and CAD artist all work closely with Ruthie Buchanan, Unusual's Earls Court service manager, to make sure everyone knows what's happening and agree

Norway - After a 28-year career, Norwegian trio A-ha have decided to split, saying farewell to their fans with a major world tour. Two DiGiCo consoles, plus a full complement of Sennheiser microphones and in-ear monitoring systems, ensured that the band's career - as the tour's name suggested - ended on a high note.

Taking in Asia, Europe, North and South America, the tour finished on home ground in December with four sold-out dates at the Oslo Spektrum. Having used a DiGiCo SD7 on the band's previous Foot Of The Mountain tour, front of house engineer Sherif El Barbari was happy to use it again. This time he was joined by monitor engineer Kursten Smith using an SD8.

"When the band asked me to do this tour, as far as equipment goes, all I asked for was an SD7," says Sherif. "It has never let me down and, with its full redundancy, I have complete confidence

USA - FLI Rigging is a new company formed to service the entertainment lighting, film, AV and installation markets with professional equipment for sale or rent, along with safe, certified services.

Headquartered in Belleville, Michigan, FLI Rigging operations director Kevin Phail says the company was originally borne out of a need for recognised professional rigging services in their own home state, along with the neighboring Ohio and Indiana.

However, since it opened its doors this year, FLI Rigging has expanded its temporary and permanent rigging solutions nationwide. Stage productions, special events, concerts, trade shows, corporate functions, sporting events, film production, architectural installations and other markets have found a need for their services.

This demand led to the creation of two divisions within FLI Rigging. One division handles the sales and rentals o

South Africa - A grandMA2 full-size console was chosen by LD Mauritz Jacobs to control all lighting for the 2010 Final of Miss South Africa, staged at Sun City Superbowl. Lighting equipment for the show - also a live MNET telecast - was supplied by Johannesburg Dream Sets, who purchased their grandMA2 from MA's South African distributor DWR earlier in the year. They were one of the first companies in South Africa to run the new grandMA2 with the latest software version.

The lighting brief was a bit of a departure from that of the normal beauty pageant with "lots of effects" requested to go with the up-beat vibe and general excitement of the presentation, which also included guest artists and dance performances plus the 12contestants appearing onstage.

The creative look and feel of Miss SA's lighting followed the clean, streamlined set designed by Dewet Meyer. Dream S

Hong Kong - Lighthouse screens was chosen to be one of the focal points at MAHA2010, one of Malaysia's biggest public events, held between 26 November and 5 December.

The Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Show (MAHA) is claimed to be the largest event of its kind in the region. Taking place every two years at the Malaysian Agro Exposition Park in Serdang, it showcases the best of the country's food growing and production industry.

The 6 x 5 panel (6.12m wide x 3.8m high) screens were supplied by Selangor-based Nova Spectra Sdn Bhd and had signals simultaneously routed wirelessly to them from a central server, displaying information about the wide range of demonstrations, seminars, tasting sessions, promotions, product launches and performances which took place each day.

"As the largest and most comprehensive show of its kind in the region, if not all o

Australia - Sydney's Sefton High School has recently upgraded its auditorium following advice from Jands and The PA People who were contracted to supply and install drapes, audio and lighting equipment. The refurbishment was undertaken to coincide with the school's 50th anniversary.

The narrow stage had almost no wing space which severely restricted backstage circulation and technical space. Barely one metre either side of stage is a wall that supports a platform that, at a higher level, provides valuable storage as well as somewhere for dimmers and patching to reside.

The curtain and drapes staff at Jands developed a design in partnership with the school that reduced the width of the performance space thus providing somewhere for performers to stand off stage. This was achieved by providing dog leg wings rather than flat or diagonal wings and a full tab across the back of the

UK - Lewden Electrical supplied a variety of cable and hose protection systems at the recent Taste of London 2010 event. The four-day festival took place in Regent's Park and included product stands and demonstrations by top chefs and restaurants cooking up a vast array of gastronomic delicacies.

With the event attracting over 50,000 visitors, Taste Festivals have become a global phenomenon and a brand which now holds events in 15 cities around the world. With safety of paramount importance for visitors and exhibitors alike, Lewden's Linebacker and Guard Dog Low Profile of cable protection systems were used throughout the site.

(Jim Evans)

Hungary - An English-style pub in Budapest has been refitted with QSC's K-Series and AcousticDesign loudspeakers. Situated in the trendy downtown area of the Hungarian capital, Pub Silenus boasts international cuisine and a wide selection of beers downstairs, while up on the first floor a full evening entertainment package, ranging from soft ambient music to karaoke, disco and live music takes place nightly.

Owner, Ákos Bankó, wanted to replace his old PA system with a loudspeaker brand that would sound clear right across the volume spectrum - whether fed from a band or the resident CD background system. QSC's K-Series was chosen on recommendation from a colleague of QSC's Hungarian distributors, Interton.

The resellers were soon carrying out a live demo of the moulded enclosures to show how matched components (including a 1K Class D amplifier present in all models) would op

UK - With a full television crew recording his every move, and 'meet and greet' packages (which also took into account a private sound-check viewing) on offer at every show, Peter André's big arena tour this December would not make life easy for the production company.

But for Mark 'Knocker' Neil's sound and lighting company Production Hire, the budget thrown at the stage and set design for this extravagant show could hardly have been more generous, as he rigged three different Martin Audio line array systems scalable to the different venue capacities.

At the UK's largest arena, O2 in London, his main weapon was the W8L Longbow - 13 elements a side, plus two W8LD down-fill boxes at the base. Borrowing a couple of enclosures per side from Capital Sound Hire for this gig, Production Hire serviced all remaining UK arenas from their own inventory - including hangs of W8LC C

Singapore - Impact Engineering - one of the biggest technical production houses in Singapore, Hong Kong and China - has made a major investment in Robe moving lights, purchasing 116 units - 50 ColorSpot 700E ATs and 66 Robin 300 Beams.

It's the first investment in Robe that Impact has made, explains director Johnny Ong, although the company has been working with the brand for some time. They actually first used Robe lights for a club installation in Taiwan seven years ago using XT Series fixtures which are still going strong.

"Robe is being specified more and more frequently for productions, so we wanted to expand our inventory and get the brand onboard to ensure that as a leading rental house we can supply what LD's are asking for," he states, adding that they also had a gap in their hire stock for both a 700 and a 300 type fixture. The deal was sealed by Louis Teo

UAE - To support its strategy of expansion in the Middle East market, Proel Group organised the first Proel Middle East Conference at the Novotel World Trade Centre in Dubai, a three-day event devoted to Middle Eastern markets. The conference also hosted professionals from the Northern African countries, such as Morocco and Egypt.

Fabrizio Sorbi, president of Proel Group, took part in the event together with Massimo Signor, Proel's managing director, and Simon Sinclair, business development director. Sorbi stressed how strategically important these emerging markets are for Proel. He went on to explain what the Group's strengths are - the R&D department, logistics, and the investments in the new management system that will "lead to an even greater general efficiency in the future".

The event hosted several specific product sessions, divided by line and brand, during w

Italy - First opened to the public in 1928, Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia in Bergamo has a storied history as home to the Atalanta and Albinoleffe football teams. Sound reinforcement was, until recently, a sore subject for attendees of the ageing stadium's various events. As part of planned refurbishments, that issue has now been rectified - thanks to an ambitious new sound system drawn from the catalogue of Valencia, Spain-based D.A.S. Audio.

Sound Services by Angelo Pelliccioli was contracted to renovate the sound system at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia. Luciano Biamino, head of D.A.S. Audio's Italian distributor Kennell and who collaborates with Sound Services and D.A.S. Audio on a variety of projects, commented on the challenges of the installation.

"Since most of this large stadium lacks a roof," Biamino explained, "we had limited structural support for t

France - After missing last year's event, lighting designer Richard Knight returned to the Wella International Trend Vision Award 2010 (ITVA), held this year at Paris's Halle Freyssinet, to make his contribution to a dazzling spectacular.

Drawing on around 80 GLP impression (impression 90 and impression 120 RZ zoom) LED moving heads, the lighting designer, who specialises in theatrical and corporate events such as this, had a mission-critical role for the fixtures in each location.

Zone 2 became the location for the morning and afternoon catwalk shows and Zone 1 was used for the evening gala dinner and award presentations. These two areas were linked by a central 'hub', in the form of a 'live' TV studio, where interviews took place throughout the day, as well as four 'trend zone' exhibition spaces.

Working alongside event production company Jack Morton Worldwide's production

Europe - Back in the summer, Danish lighting designer Christian Bonde prepared to scale up the Bullet For My Valentine lighting production he had successfully taken round a US club tour, in preparation for European arenas.

Knowing the vagaries of heavy travelling and short load in times, he needed a powerful floor rig, which required no more than a one man set up. And the impressions fit the bill.

The Download Festival in the UK marked the start of the upscaling process - from an inventory of 10 original impression RGB moving heads to 44 RZ 120 Zooms - in anticipation of the Welsh rockers' current tour. The RZ 120s and 700W profile discharge moving light became the mainstays of the new rig - with the lighting support for the European leg coming from Neg Earth.

The complement of floor lights was extended, with 20 GLP impressions now deployed along with strobes and blinders, w

UK - A.C. Special Projects were approached by London's Southbank Centre to specify and supply a high power outdoor gobo projector to provide a visually impactful logo above the entrance to the Hayward Gallery's trendy Concrete cafe and late night bar, which takes its name from the building's striking 1960s architecture.

Based on the available throw distance to achieve a 6m wide projection of the logo, the company specified a Griven GoboStorm IP65 rated outdoor gobo projector with a powerful 575W metal halide lamp and high precision zoom optics to achieve the required image size, brightness level and clarity.

A.C. Special Projects were also contracted to specify and supply outdoor LED lighting to highlight an area under a railway bridge leading from the Royal Festival Hall to a restaurant and other visitor attractions along the South Bank area.

To overcome planning restrictio

UK - St Paul's Church in the Hertfordshire town of St Albans is one of the largest in the county, accommodating over 1000 people at capacity. The church's traditional design has been successfully modernised in terms of its comfortable interior furnishings and its technology, having recently been equipped with an all-new Electro-Voice sound system for its worship services and concerts.

Having supplied an extensive multimedia system in 2008, installation company Creative Digital Solutions was commissioned to design and fit a new multi-speaker live system, integrating it with the original AV equipment.

The system design drew on the different characteristics of several EV products, notably the Vertical Beam Shaping of the Xi2123A/106F which is appropriate for the flown central speaker.

CDS used an extensive EASE model of the Church's interior to determine that an Xi2123A/106F sh

Italy - Italian fashion designer Valentino SpA recently commissioned a Lighthouse screen installation in Milan.

The 5 x 2 panel (6.4m x 0.97m) P10 i/o SMD screen has been installed in the company's Milan showroom. While not open to the public, the venue is where all the company's Italian resellers can see the latest products, so it has to present the garments in the best possible way.

The screen was installed by Lighthouse technicians, along with a TV One scaler and LIP-HDI processor, in a space specifically designed around the P10 panel dimensions.

Content is created and edited by a collaboration of video companies Lab8 and Eltec, both based close to Milan. When approved by Valentino, videos are uploaded via the internet to the company showrooms in Milan, Rome, Paris and New York, as well as retail outlets across the globe, maintaining a consistent company presence.

"

Italy / Ukraine - Coemar lighting fixtures have been employed on the X-Factor talent show, both in Italy where the fourth edition has just finished and in the Ukraine where the programme is currently achieving high audience figures.

In Italy, where the programme has been highly successful since 2008, Coemar supplied 70 Infinity Wash XL to light the audience, judges and stage perimeter. The 94 ParLite LEDs were chosen for their high light output and limited consumption.

In the Ukraine, where the programme is in its first edition, lighting designer Ievgen Tsybinogin has chosen the power of the Infinity Wash XL, the Infinity Spot M and the Testa 2500 and Testa 1200. The products were supplied by Alight, a Ukrainian rental company which in turn bought them from Lightek, the official local Coemar representative.

(Jim Evans)

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