UK - Limelight Presentation Systems has ended a long search for a mid-sized loudspeaker array by investing in Martin Audio’s MLA Compact. The delivery of 24 MLA Compact elements and 13 MLX subwoofers ended a journey that had begun many years earlier, when Martin Audio first revealed the MLA platform to audio professionals at Wembley Arena back in March 2012. Having been a Martin Audio house for 10 years Limelight head of audio, Dave Plant had reviewed all the premier brands before deciding that the time was right to invest in MLA Compact. “We service an eclectic mix of events and we’ve been looking at MLA Compact ever since it came out with a view to replacing the LCs, but because of the varied nature of our work - providing coverage for 10,000 people at a festival one moment and then doing a corporate show for 500 the next - we thought long and hard. “S
UK - Edinburgh theatre and live event production company Blue Parrot has recently enhanced its rental inventory with the purchase of an MDG Ice Fog Compack HP low fog generator and an MDG ATMe haze generator. Blue Parrot provides full production services and dry hire of lighting, sound, video, staging, rigging and power distribution, which it has done for more than 18 years. The Blue Parrot team was actively looking for alternative low fog and haze generators which would give a better output with less noise and the durability to withstand the high demands of life in a rental house. “We made a conscious decision to invest in MDG because the demand for the brand in Scotland is growing fast,” says Blue Parrot MD, Jonnie Clough. “We already have low fog and haze generators from other manufacturers but were not really satisfied with the effect they produced and found them v
USA - Media solutions and control specialist ArKaos will be at the LDI expo in Las Vegas next week on the stand of US distributor Elation Professional (# 931) showing their latest range of products, including MediaMaster, ArKaos video servers, GrandVJ and LEDMaster. In a dedicated demonstration room at the Las Vegas convention Centre, the ArKaos team will be presenting two free training workshops on Friday, 19 October, and Saturday, 20 October. The Friday session is taking place from 1pm-4pm local time. Topics covered will include ArKaos’s flexible range of media servers; an overview of the MediaMaster software; the highlights and uses of the KlingNet protocol and Kling-force interface and an overview of the new ArKaos An-Ki remote control and digital content management solution. On Saturday, the workshop are running 9am-1pm and will focus on the MediaMaster wo
UK - Manchester-based tube UK is holding expanded sessions on Yamaha’s Rivage PM7 digital mixing system on 15 October (Monday) at the city’s Albert Hall. The sessions are being run in conjunction with Yamaha Commercial Audio and will be an engineering focussed, hands-on introduction to both the Rivage PM7 and PM10 digital mixing systems. Sessions will begin with an introduction to the key features of the Rivage range by Yamaha’s technical staff, after which both systems will be setup in two areas with virtual soundcheck media, to simulate mixing a live show. The sessions are being held at 2pm, 4pm and 6pm and are strictly on an RSVP, first-come first-served basis. Contact PM7@tubeuk.com to confirm your preferred time slot. (Jim Evans)
World - Yamaha and Audinate are teaming up to present a free webinar entitled Live Multi-track Recording Made Easy: The Power of the Dante-Yamaha Connection. Taking place on 24 October (Monday), the webinar will be moderated by Tom Kenny (content director, ProSound News) and will feature Andy Cooper (manager, Pro Audio Application Engineering, Yamaha R&D Centre) and Kieran Walsh (Audinate director of application engineering, EMEA) and Colin Sheen, a studio owner, recording engineer, composer and musician with many years’ experience of digital audio systems and use of Yamaha equipment with Dante. It will help participants learn how to make successful multi-track recordings and virtual soundchecks using Dante audio networking and Yamaha professional audio products, including the TF, QL and CL series digital mixing consoles, as well as the Rivage PM7 a
UK - European stage automation specialist VisionLite invested in a new Kinesys Apex hoist system - comprising 21 x Apex motors - plus Kinesys K2 control to help facilitate its busy summer work schedule. The new Apex products went straight out on the Resistance summer season in Ibiza where they helped create a spectacular production design for the popular club experience. Resistance embraced its underground roots in curating a serious line-up of superlative techno, led by artists like Carl Cox and Sasha & John Digweed in the 10,000 capacity Privilege venue, running for nine incendiary events over the summer. The Resistance creative team has developed a distinctive dynamic industrial aesthetic for their live shows which is often based on moving video and lighting pods transforming the architecture and shape of the space as the night unfolds. Thirteen mo
UK - On 16 October (Tuesday), Mountview drama school will be holding an open day for prospective Production Arts students. Participants will take part in taster sessions in lighting, sound and stage management, speak to current students, find out about funding and accommodation, and tour Mountview’s new building in the heart of Peckham, South London. A further open day, details of which are yet to be announced, will be held in December. With a history spanning over 70 years, Mountview has a reputation for providing the highest standard of training in lighting, sound and stage management, working closely in recent times with industry partners White Light and Autograph. Graduates of Mountview’s Theatre Production Arts course have gone on to be the chief electrician at the Royal Shakespeare Company, design lighting and sound across the West End as well as stage
Australia - Well-known Italian manufacturer of professional lighting brands, Prolights, Tribe and ArchWork (under the parent company Music & Lights) will be hitting Australia, following an agreement with Show Technology. Professional AV and lighting distributor, Show Technology, will soon be launching their first official selection of hand-picked solutions from Music & Light’s Prolights range. Some of the products Show Technology will be bringing to the Australian and New Zealand markets this summer include the IP65-rated high-output LED wash light, the Panorama IP wash with pixel ring designed to bring the workhorse LED wash light to outdoor events, as was featured at the 2018 PLASA conference in London last month. Show Technology’s founder and managing director, Emmanuel Ziino, comments: “I recently visited the company headquarters and was very impresse
UK - Edinburgh-based lighting, sound and AV company Black Light is the latest dealer join the group of High End System’s Hog 4 master dealers in the UK. Black Light has worked with ETC for 25 years as a respected sales and project company. With an active hire department, this relationship continues to grow with the High End Systems brand adding Sola Frame 750 moving heads to their hire inventory along with a number of Hog 4 consoles. The appointment confirms the company’s key role in the distribution of Hog consoles around the UK. Calder Sibbald, director at Black Light, comments: “I am delighted that Black Light has been appointed as a master dealer for High End Systems. It is currently a very exciting time for ETC and High End Systems and I am really looking forward to Black Light being part of the evolution of the brand and product. Being appointed, trul
UK - PLASA has announced three new professional development training events aimed at industry professionals looking to broaden their skillset. The events, taking place in November and February, will cover creative branding, problem-solving solutions and the latest electrical and wiring regulations, coming into force from January. The branding, communications and strategy workshop is taking place on 21 November at Leisuretec’s HQ in Leighton Buzzard. It will be led by PR specialist Lauren Rogers of Burnt Orange (the Big Chill Festival; FIFA Club World Cup Abu Dhabi) and explore the importance of unique branding and how to differentiate in an authentic way. Businesses of all types and sizes are encouraged to attend. On 22 November, LSi columnist and electrical consultant James Eade will provide updates to the 18th edition Wiring Regulations in a seminar and wo
UK - The Ladder Association, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting work at height safety practices, is stepping up ladder safety through training with its Get a Grip on ladder safety campaign. With falls from height still one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities and injuries - accounting for 35 fatalities in 2017/2018, according to the organisation - and with businesses facing record fines for failing to keep workers safe, the campaign sets out to ensure that everyone using a ladder is fully trained and competent to do so. Steve Booker, chair of the association’s training committee, comments: “Safety and competence in the workplace begins with thorough and consistent training. The saying ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ is all too familiar where ladders are concerned. It’s an attitude that encourages a complacent, over-conf
USA - Spitfire Creative Technologies has completed the acquisition of Green Hippo. Spitfire also owns tvONE and Magenta Research, manufacturers of premium video processing and signal distribution products. Green Hippo will continue to go to market with sales, branding, and distribution independently as further growth synergies materialize over the next few quarters, says a statement. Emma Marlow, CEO of Green Hippo, comments: “For 18 years Green Hippo and Hippotizer have been part of live events around the world. We have grown well and want to continue growing. Becoming a member of the Spitfire family allows Green Hippo to focus on growing further and faster. We look forward to their strong organisational support so we can do more to help our customers and users around the world deliver the best live video experiences.” Denise Nemchev, president and C
Here We Go Again - Comedian and Great British Bake Off host Sandi Toksvig will adapt the story for the Mamma Mia! spin-off show when it opens at the O2 in London next August. The writer and broadcaster will adapt Calle Norlen, Roine Soderlundh and Bjorn Ulvaeus’ original story into English for the immersive theatrical and dining experience, Mamma Mia! The Party. Set in a Greek taverna, Mamma Mia! The Party will take place in a venue within the O2. It will seat 500 audience members, who will experience the show alongside a Mediterranean meal. The show has been created by Abba’s Ulvaeus, with producer Ingrid Sutej, and features music and lyrics by Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson. It will be directed by Soderlundh, with set by Bengt Froderberg, costumes by Annsofi Nyberg, lighting by Patrick Woodroffe and sound by Gareth Owen. Welcome News - Th
USA - DPA microphones is embarking on a ‘house of worship tour’ to share practical tips on how to achieve good sound in any sanctuary. Company representatives will visit Washington (9 October) and Charlotte (23 October) in a bid to educate attendees on the best practices on mic’ing drums and vocals, and teach them how to solve any microphone challenge. DPA’s entire line of microphones, including its sub-miniature line of d:screet and d:fine lavalier and headset microphones, will also be on display. Christopher Spahr, VP of sales and marketing, comments: “DPA is an ideal solution for mic’ing worship leaders, speakers, singers and instrumentalists as well as live streaming or broadcasting sermons. The first leg of the tour allows us to travel to regional churches to educate how professionals about our solutions and how our mics can help worship services deliv
Europe - Harman Professional Solutions is extending its distribution agreement with Fairlight to include tour audio solutions in Benelux. Fairlight was initially appointed to distribute lighting brand Martin by Harman in the region. Under the new agreement, the Dutch company will also distribute Harman’s full range of tour audio products, including JBL, Crown, Soundcraft, dbx and BSS. Scott Aslett, regional director at Harman Professional Solutions (Northwest Europe), comments: “We are delighted to extend Fairlight’s distribution rights to Harman audio brands. We already have a strong established partnership with Fairlight, and given their prominence in the touring industry, this expansion of our partnership will support the great demand for Harman solutions and yield improved service to our customers in the Benelux region.” Michael Arntz, general manage
Germany - Green Hippo has named technology supplier Cast as its distribution partner in Germany. Effective 1 October, Hagen-based Cast will manage the exclusive distribution of the Green Hippo’s product line throughout the country. Heinz Siller, CEO of Cast, comments: “Green Hippo is going to be a perfect round up to our mission to offer professional products to the creative cloud in our markets.” James Roth, head of sales and marketing at Green Hippo, adds: "The rate of growth that the company is experiencing as a whole, but particularly in Germany, necessitates our appointing the very best commercial partner in the territory, Cast. Hippotizer is being specified on so many new shows and events and we look forward to working with Cast to maximise the opportunities that are being placed before us." (Jim Evans)
UK - Equipment hire software companies Current RMS and InspHire have been acquired by integrated ERP solutions provider Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS). The deals will allow KCS to strengthen its presence within the rental industry. InspHire and Current RMS will operate as independent business units within KCS, under their existing management teams. Current RMS will remain tailored to the needs of the AV, production and events industries. InspHire, which supplies software to companies that rent heavy plant and construction vehicles, will be backed to expand into the US market. Chris Branson, managing director of Current RMS, comments: “I’m delighted that a company as prestigious and well regarded as KCS Group has chosen to invest in Current RMS. We’ve achieved so much in the four years since we launched and through this acquisition we’ve now got th
South Africa - The SOS Charity Fund, an initiative by DWR Distribution, supported the two-day Inspired2Unite Mega Masterclass Bootcamp hosted at the GrandWest casino on 2-3 July. Over 350 young people were mentored and attended a programme, which was a combination of life coaching sessions alongside performance masterclass workshops in music, vocals and dance. A counselling and mentorship project saw people over the age of 19 who had been through the Inspired Stages programme demonstrate leadership and role model qualities to those attending the bootcamp. SOS donated R10 000 to these volunteers. Workshops were presented by special guests and artists in South Africa including Rudi Smit, international jazz funk / hip hop choreographer and dancer from Cape Town, talented pianist Garth Tavares, performer Sophia Vorster, Cape Flats saxophonist, Donveno Prins, life coa
France - Paris-based AV supplier MATCHevent has extended its stock of ROE Visual LED panels by adding over 400 Black Pearl BP2 LED panels. The new panels will be used fir a number of events this autumn, says the French company. Jean-François Lienard, founding partner of MATCHevent, comments: “The Black Pearl LED panels have a great track record in the rental market and are regarded as the best product in the market. That alone would be a reason to select ROE Visual as LED supplier. On top of that, the quality and unmatched service we get from ROE Visual makes the investment worth it. “ROE Visual serves us both with technical support when needed and swift delivery. [The company] stocks its products in vast quantities in Europe, so we can always trust we’re served for last-minute projects.” MATCHevent offers AV technical services for various events
Mexico - Community Professional Loudspeakers and its Mexican distributor Ampere Manufacturas Electrónicas sa de CV held a product training event and evening party to celebrate 25 years of business partnership. Attended by dealers from across the country, the event was also the official launch of Community’s IV6 modular vertical array in Mexico and was attended by the company’s president and founder Bruce Howze, Christine Howze, CEO Steve Johnson, director of technical services Dave Howden and Latin America sales manager Steve Goodwin. Jaime Celis, director general, Ampere Manufacturas Electrónicas, comments: “We are very proud to represent Community in Mexico, a brand that combines genuine engineering and innovation. Community continuously sets new standards in loudspeaker technology and the reliability of their products is outstanding. We have thoroughly enjoy
UK - A special benefit concert is being held for musician and loudspeaker manufacturer, Paul MacCallum at the O2 Academy Islington, on October 29th. The popular bass player, who was diagnosed with an advanced form of Multiple System Atrophy some years ago, was not only the brainchild behind PLASA member company Wembley Loudspeaker, but also bass player with Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band, and other major names. In addition to playing their own set, Zoot will provide the rhythm section for guest musicians who will appear on the night. Affectionately known as ‘The Womble’ from his days as Uncle Bulgaria in Mike Batt’s original Wombles, MacCallum has also played in many bands during his career including those of Helen Shapiro and Billy Fury. Sadly, Paul MacCallum is now confined to a hospice, and all proceeds from the event will go towards funding his med
Canada - To support and grow its rapidly expanding user base, global design and BIM software solutions provider Vectorworks has opened a new corporate office in Canada. To facilitate this new office, Vectorworks has acquired Resolve Software Solutions and the assets of Paxar Technologies Corp, both long-time distributors of Vectorworks software. The Vectorworks Canada office is located in Vancouver and led by Geoff McBeath, former director of Resolve Software Solutions, who has more than 20 years of experience in Vectorworks support, training and sales. “The opening of a Vectorworks office in Canada will allow us to better serve our growing community of users in North America, offering improved resources and a direct connection with our product development team,” said Vectorworks CEO Dr. Biplab Sarkar. “Geoff McBeath has provided significant contributions to the
India - K-array has confirmed the newest member of the K-family, ISD India. The newly-formed network partner will be responsible for the sales and service of the K-array brand throughout the entire country. ISD (Italian Sound Design) is a specialised distribution chain of K-array and has been conceived with the aim of servicing major markets through an independent sales development approach. The launch of ISD India follows this new strategy that was put into motion earlier this year with the establishment of K-array China and ISD Japan. ISD India is run by Sawan Nichani, Sameer Nichani and Sidharth Dham and their team and offers easy access to K-array products and services to the pro audio industry. The newly-formed, but experienced group will aim to bring the K-array brand to the forefront in India. K-array has high expectations for their partner in this larg
UK - EI Live!, the trade show for the AV and automation industry, is spreading its wings and moving to a new venue in 2019, as well as embracing new industry sectors in an expanded format. In 2019 EI Live! will expand to incorporate the commercial AV and automation, and electrical contracting sectors. The show will also move to the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, a new venue in the South East of England. The Residential, Commercial and Electrical zones will have “something for everyone working in the industry; whether they’re directly installing smart building technology, or working in related fields such as architects, interior designers, developers or specifiers”. New for 2019: The commercial AV and automation sectors will play a major part in the newly-updated EI Live! trade show. For the first time, technologies cov
