Albania - A version of The Million Pound Drop TV show is being produced for the first time in Albania with Martin MAC 101 LED luminaires providing lighting.

Leading Albanian television station Top Channel began airing 100 Million in January to top ratings. Martin Professional distributor Prosound Audio & Light of Albania provided the MAC 101 LED moving head wash lights for the opening show and the station was so impressed they decided to purchase the units.

"They chose the MAC 101 for the beam effect, nice colour reproduction, flicker free on camera looks and not least its low price. Also, for the low power consumption vs output," states Prosound sales manager Kliton Gjika. "Beside them are 300 watt fixtures and it is easy to see that the MAC 101 outperforms them.

"The MAC 101 has performed very well and I think everyone in the industry now

Germany - Loudspeaker manufacturer Fohhn Audio recently supplied a range of Linea Focus, Linea LX and AL series speakers and control technology for an extensive audio and media technology installation in the magnificent setting of Mainz Cathedral. The historic building is one of Germany's largest and most architecturally significant houses of worship.

Fohhn's Linea Focus series proved an appropriate choice for the 116m long cathedral with its 12-second reverberation time and ceiling heights ranging from 28 to 53m. The electronically steerable active line array systems have been specially developed to provide clear transmission of both speech and music in acoustically challenging environments with long reverberation times. The speakers are also designed to visually integrate into a range of architectural settings.

In the main aisle, two 450 cm LFI-450 loudspeakers, each contain

UAE - Philips Vari-Lite has announced delivery of 42 VL3500 Wash and 30 VL3000 Spot luminaires to Production Technology located in Dubai, for use on lighting productions throughout the Middle East. Since its founding by Steve Lakin in 1999, Production Technology has become one of the region's largest production companies with over 70 highly-trained staff members.

Sold through authorized Philips Vari-Lite Sales distributor VTI, the VL3500 Wash luminaire has an output that exceeds 50,000 lumens, as well as internal zoomable beam optics, an interchangeable front lens system, and an aperture wheel. The fixture provides CYM colour mixing, variable CTO color temperature correction, dual five-position colour wheels, a separate dimmer, and an independent dual blade strobe mechanism.

"We are very excited to see continued growth in the Middle East." said Bob Schacherl, Philips

UK - Audio Light Systems were picked to deliver a package of audio, lighting and AV that would entertain and educate the students and visitors at Buckie High School in Moray.

The set-up includes 48 ways of Strand dimming. More than 30 Selecon lanterns of different types, truss and internally wired bars were designed to produce a versatile system able to tackle the most demanding of performance.

The audio system utilises QSC AD282s speakers powered by QSC amplification, which gives a clear powerful response. To finish the project off, full drapes and a cyclorama provided a theatre that any school would be proud of, says the company.

(Jim Evans)

USA - StageCo has been sued in Texas state court by Christie Lites for damages sustained when a 90ft lighting tower erected by StageCo collapsed prior to a nationally televised motocross event at the historic Fort Worth Stockyards in June, 2009.

Christie Lites alleges that StageCo was negligent in the design and construction of the tower. A specialised lighting array and equipment owned by Christie Lites, elevated atop the tower was totally destroyed.

Christie Lites' CEO Huntly Christie commented that it was extremely fortunate that the collapse of the

tower occurred just days prior to the scheduled event, with only physical damage to the lighting array,

grandstands and general admission area. Had the tower collapsed during the event it might have caused severe injury and possible loss of life to spectators and field personnel.

"Christie Lites has an outstanding saf

Italy - Parla con me (talk to me) is a television show first broadcast in 2004. It is based on an idea by Serena Dandini, who hosts the programme together with comedian Dario Vergassola. It is currently shown late night on Italian state channel Rai 3. The director is Igor Skofic and set designer Maurizio Marchitelli.

The director of photography Valerio Leccese reports, "Parla con me is a weave of different genres, including television, theatre, live show, talk show, and even cinema. The scenery and lighting were therefore designed in synergy, in order to reflect this variety of styles and combine them."

The lighting equipment consists exclusively of Clay Paky lights: 14 Alpha Profile 1200s, 22 Alpha Spot HPE 575s, 22 Alpha Wash Halo 1000s and six CP Color MHs. Valerio Leccese says that he specifically asked for lights made by the Italian company because

Germany - German roots reggae artist, Gentleman, has developed a fanbase all over the world. Dividing his time between Germany and Jamaica and singing almost exclusively in English, he is one of the few white European artists to have been truly embraced by the reggae community.

Currently touring his fifth studio album Diversity across Europe and the US, Gentleman recently played the Rothaus Arena in Freiburg where local rental company Coco Sound supplied a Uniline line array system from APG. Philip Sachsenheimer, who has been Gentleman's FoH engineer for the last ten years comments, "Over the last 10 years we have played to audiences ranging from 100 to 50,000 people in every type of venue on every type of sound system.

"However, there is a first time for everything, and this was the first time I'd had the pleasure of using a Uniline system from APG." Coc

UAE - Dubai's newly completed Meydan Racecourse Hotel was the venue for the latest seminar organised by Sennheiser Middle East and UAE distributor, Venuetech. It included a live workshop and presentations on the complete digital signal path, starting at Sennheiser and Neumann's digital microphones, through the interface with the latest digital mixing desks, to the output stage, be that recording, live broadcast or loudspeaker systems.

A host of industry professionals were on hand to give the 40 plus attendees the benefit of their experience.

The main thrust of the seminar discussed audio developments using the digital format and how this benefits both the listener and the user; in particular how the AES 42 protocol is having a positive impact on the capabilities of audio engineers.

AES 42 has been developed by the Audio Engineering Society and Neumann and is now integrated i

UK - West Midlands and Bristol based AV specialist Central Presentations (CPL) has boosted its stock of Sony HD digital cameras, lenses and accessories with a new £250,000 investment.

This is to service current and ongoing work due to an excellent end to 2010 and a busy start to 2011, as well as to meet the increase in client demands for HD video, and to maintain the company's policy of keeping abreast of the latest technology in this fast moving world, says the company.

The cameras are Sony HXC-100 HD/SD studio spec units. These are HD/SD switchable, can also run both formats simultaneously and have an array of programmable function buttons on the camera head. The camera uses the latest 14-bit A/D conversion circuit and 2/3-inch Power HAD FX CCDs for superior picture quality.

(Jim Evans)

USA / Europe - Mojo Barriers ensured the safety of millions of fans and famous acts from six out of 10 of the top grossing worldwide tours during 2010, the company reports.

As Mojo Barrier's US office wrapped up 2010, the barrier specialists, led by J.B. Dolphin US manager, were delighted to learn the company had provided barriers and expert crowd safety services at over half of the top ten tours during the year.

"We pride ourselves on being industry leaders; during 2010 Mojo Barriers, as a company, provided product and services over 750 touring shows," says Dolphin. Six of these made the top 10 list for highest grossing world tours and the fact they trusted us with the safety of their audiences and acts reflects our investment and ongoing efforts to improve concert safety."

The barrier company created bespoke parts for both the top grossing act Bon Jovi and t

UK - An unusual multi-media installation was recently completed in the City of London, led by A.Jay Services Ltd with Pro Audio Systems providing the audio infrastructure. The nature of the client's business as a major international investment bank demanded an exceptional level of security and discretion from its chosen suppliers.

The demanding technical requirement was for a combined AV system capable of providing visual coverage and audible intelligibility throughout a very large room which the client (whose identity remains confidential) variously uses for presentations, recruitment open days, corporate events and product launches. Due to its location, flexibility and technical infrastructure it is also used on occasion by other companies as guests of the client.

Designed and commissioned by Giuseppe Mallozzi of A.Jay Services, the entire integrated system is controlled cen

UK - Matrix Amplification is a new company with a familiar name. Over the past 18 months, from its base in Wales, the company has developed, manufactured and field-tested a new range of lightweight switchmode power amplifiers.

Amplifier designer Andy Hunt, the man behind the original Matrix amplifiers, has now re-established the brand along with business partner Matt Button. Save for some metalwork which is sourced from a local supplier, the new manufacturing operation is remarkably self-sufficient, with the design and manufacture taking place in-house, including the switchmode power supplies and surface-mounting of the PCBs. Button told L&SI that following extensive end-user testing and feedback, the company now has 13 product lines in production, all of which are either Class AB or Class G topologies.

So successful has the field-testing been that Matrix is already providing

Lebanon - Pro audio specialist Technosound has recently designed and commissioned audio systems for two substantial theme venues in Beirut, both outdoors and using Community loudspeakers.

The first venue is a driving experience called Rio City. It is actually a small village with a comprehensive road network around which electric-powered cars are driven. Rio City is a new concept in Lebanon, being entertaining but with and the serious goal of teaching youngsters how to drive responsibly while respecting the law, other road users and pedestrians. The Malouf Group has launched the project in response to the increasing number of road accidents in Lebanon, and the lack of public awareness of traffic laws.

Technosound was commissioned to design and provide a music system to cover all public areas of Rio City. In addition to all-weather durability, sound quality was important and th

USA - Following the acquisition of the Imerge media server brand in the UK, the Prism Sound group has entered into another strategic alliance: Prism Media Products Inc, the group's US distribution business, has taken on the combined US distribution operations for PMC Speakers and Prism Sound group.

The change in USA distribution meets with PMC's global expansion plans following recent enhancements to its product lines as well as its international sales & marketing teams.

The newly-expanded and combined operation will be jointly led by VP sales Maurice Patist and VP operations Janice Norton. PMPI will retain the staff and facilities of both PMC's Irvine office and PMPI in New Jersey, handling all importation, service, sales and marketing for both brands.

Graham Boswell, sales and marketing director for Prism Sound group, says, "There is an obvious synergy between the Pri

The Netherlands - On the eve of ISE 2011, Norway's projectiondesign is reaffirming its commitment to education by scheduling dozens of tutorial sessions on its stand during the show, and by partnering with InfoComm International to provide specialised seminars that have been independently evaluated to provide Renewal Units (RUs) for CTS certification.

During all three days of ISE 2011, projectiondesign will host a series of tutorial sessions for its distributor and end-customer partners on its stand, with the aim of bringing as many industry contacts as possible up-to-speed with the latest projection technologies and their applications. These will be hosted by the newly appointed Andre Jensen who has been promoted within projectiondesign to support the company's partner and education focus.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday 2 February, the company's David Aleksandersen will present two

China - Its popularity in western countries may have been largely transitory, but karaoke is still a huge attraction in the Far East, with high specification facilities providing entertainment for many thousands of people. The latest raft of karaoke - or KTV - clubs has recently been unveiled in China, with Apex Intelli-X48 processors at its heart.

Dalian Wanda Group is one of China's biggest real estate development companies, with the construction of many hotels and other high profile facilities to its name. The hotels are managed by a range of global chains - including Hilton, Sofitel, Intercontinental and Crown Plaza.

2008 saw Apex audio processors recommended for use in a Sofitel-managed hotel's private KTV club. Supplied via local distributor Budee Technology Development Co, the system has proved a great success and so Apex Intelli-X48 processors were specified for Wanda

Australia - Robe CitySkape Xtreme and CitySource 96 LED wash lights were used to illuminate the picturesque and iconic Hanging Rock, a rare volcanic formation located near the townships of Woodend & Mount Macedon in Victoria, Australia, making an already beautiful natural environmental feature into an extra special backdrop to a concert by Leonard Cohen.

Lighting for the concert - which took place on an open air stage in front of the rock face - was supplied by Melbourne & Sydney based Frontier Touring, who proposed that the rock itself became an atmospheric element of the performance as part of the event's integral lighting scheme.

For this, they needed a high powered lightsource requiring minimal power and with low environmental impact on the surrounding flora and fauna. They decided that the CitySkape Xtreme met all the criteria after a demo and coming highly recommended fo

UAE / Oman - Melody House, distributors of HK Audio speaker systems have recently supplied Music Connections with the first Icon system in the Middle East. After a positive experience the company quickly decided to purchase a second system a few weeks later. Music Connections, based in Muscat are professional service providers for sound, lights, video and backline for various corporate events and concerts.

"After demonstrating the Icon system to Music Connections, we had great feedback and a confirmed order for a system," commented Dino Drimakis, business development manager at Dubai-based Melody House. "However after they actually used it for an event and realized how convenient and effective the system was, we quickly received a second order for another system. We are happy to see that HK Audio is represented by a major rental firm in the Sultanate of Oman."

UK - Pentewan Sands Holiday Park near Mevagissey in Cornwall is one of the country's leading camping and caravan parks and was voted Britain's best beach holiday park in 2008.

When the owners decided to expand the facilities to include a new on site leisure facility complete with two pools, jacuzzi, gym, fitness centre, bars and restaurant, they asked Pyramid Presentations to design and install high quality lighting and AV systems throughout.

Since the audio brief required 20 different sources and outputs to 12 different areas, Pyramid saw it as an opportunity to design an audio system around a Bose ControlSpace ESP-88 audio management system. An additional requirement was for speakers that blended into a clearly defined interior design, and the Bose FreeSpace range was chosen.

According to Bose Pro Partner, Nic Black of Pyramid, the audio brief consisted of two main element

Brazil - For his recent DVD shoot, popular artist Luan Santana played the HSBC Hall in Rio de Janeiro. The show's lighting was designed by Danny Nolan using two grandMA2 consoles, four MA 2Port Nodes on PC PRO plus two MA VPUs (Video Processing Units).

Nolan stated, "We used the latest version of grandMA2 software for the show and pre-programmed everything using grandMA 3D. Via the MA-Net2 the two MA VPUs delivered the video content to low res panels and Barco Versa TUBEs. The network and multiple consoles were the key to this big show which needed to control many elements and also run completely on timecode from start to finish. It really worked well and allowed for a cue perfect show."

The lighting rig featured, amongst others, 20 DTS XR300 Beam FARs. Polar Films and Spectrum Lighting supplied the lighting equipment. Nolan also worked as programmer and operator for

USA - Behind the Scenes, an initiative of The ESTA Foundation, announces its second annual holiday card student design contest, open to any lighting, set, video or costume full-time design student interested in creating an original design for a 2011 card.

The winner will be chosen by an all-star panel of previous holiday card designers including Bob Bonniol, Beowulf Borrit, Ed Coco, Christine Jones, Scott Pask, Bruce Rodgers, Douglas Schmidt, and Tim Hunter Design. The winner's design will be among the cards offered for sale to raise money for Behind the Scenes, which provides financial assistance to entertainment technology professionals who are seriously ill or injured.

The winner will also receive a free pass to a Live Design Master Class in lighting, sound, or projection (winner's choice) to be held in May in New York City.

"This is an incredible opportunity for stu

USA - Chauvet reports the installation of 100 fixtures inside Bing Bar, an exclusive Microsoft-sponsored lounge in the historic Claim Jumper Hotel, during this year's Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The festival takes place annually as part of the programmes offered by Sundance Institute, established in 1981 by Robert Redford and his colleagues.

All but four of the Chauvet fixtures were LED-fitted and specified by dealer Justin Chatterton, owner of The Beat of Time located in Clinton, Utah. Bing, the decision engine from Microsoft, created an invitation-only lounge for exclusive film premiere after-parties, happy hours, press junkets and musical performances by the likes of Snoop Dogg, Lil Jon and Janelle Monae.

Inside Bing Bar, every corner and wall were washed orange and blue - the colours of Bing - with COLORdash PAR and COLORstrip wash lights. The Jack Daniels-s

UK - Status Quo lighting designer Pat Marks and production manager Glen Smith continued their long-standing relationship with Bandit in 2010 as the group toured the UK and Europe.

Marks patented lighting system for 2010 included ACL's, 8 lights, PARs and Source 4 Lekos, Martin MAC 2000 Washes, Clay Paky Alpha Beams, Atomic Strobes, LED PARs and a full on LED screen, all provided by Bandit. Marks worked his magic with the grandMA console speaking to Catalyst Media Servers.

Crew chief Ian 'Mac' MacEwan, technician Tom Crosby and video technician Alain Demy kept the system on the road throughout 2010. Bandit C.E. Lester Cobrin is especially proud of Status Quo and loves working with such a well-oiled, professional machine. "Bandit and Quo are both experienced road veterans, and the marriage is a great one" says Cobrin.

(Jim Evans)

USA - A Midas PRO6 emerged the clear winner for the World Outreach Church in Murfressboro, Tennessee, US when selecting a console for its new 2,800 capacity main sanctuary. "The sound quality and navigation are unbeatable," reports church technical director Derric West.

West got to work demoing several different consoles onsite while the new sanctuary was in its design phase, swapping test consoles in an existing sanctuary every other weekend, but keeping the same mics and PA. "The console was the only variable," reports West, "and it was any easy choice once we put the PRO6 in."

Regular services are likely to include around six vocals in addition to the pastor, choir and soloists, plus contemporary bands with drums, bass, guitars, keyboard and additional vocals. West configures the PRO6 with 80 inputs to facilitate swapping bands and inputs with

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