Europe - Jan Huewel, former CEO of coolux GmbH and former senior director at Christie Digital, has teamed up with Martin Kuhn, former creative director of auviso, to start a new AV business - ioversal. The new company is planning to release a universal AV production suite that “combines and advances proven workflows and concepts with cutting edge technological developments in the fields of IT hardware, network technology and software development”. In a joint statement, the founders comment: “We aspire to offer a new, simplified way to handle media production for everyone, ranging from projects in digital signage to fixed installations, rental staging and even complex interactive experiences.” Huewel comments: “Founding coolux and developing it along with its key products Pandoras Box & Widget Designer over the past 15 years into a thriving and succes
USA - Global supplier of truss, staging and rigging equipment Eurotruss has acquired US structural systems manufacturer Total Structures, becoming the sole owner of the Ventura-based company. The deal is hoped to allow Total Structures “to offer a greater product range and use the knowledge, expertise and scale in continuing to be a leading brand and partner in the US market”. The US company’s new management will be led by former Tomcat employees Scott Johnson as CEO and Bill Berrier as CFO. Martin Kuyper, founder of Eurotruss, comments: “This acquisition strengthens our product portfolio and supply chain, being the first truss brand providing nationwide coverage from our two factories in Ventura, CA and Knoxville, TN. “We will honour, respect and continue the products, values and business of Total Structures while integrating the Eurotruss brand and
UK - Broadcast and event lighting specialists Version 2 has continued its investment into its power distribution equipment offerings. The company offers state-of-the-art monitoring utilising its propriety SMARTdistro technology. The company once again turned to its manufacturing partners SES Entertainment Services who have built the companies entire distribution inventory since its inception. The design process was led by Sam Crook, Version 2’s technical director who collaborated with SES managing director Mark Cooper on the specification of the latest units. SES’s Mark Cooper comments: “SES love working with companies like Version 2; they come to us with a clear outline of what they want both technically and physically, but still allow us to build their units to meet our exacting standards.” Sam Crook of Version 2 concludes: ‘’This significant inves
UK - HD Pro Audio's next technology workshop is taking place at London's Hospital Club in the Oak Room in Covent Garden on 19 March from 11am to 5pm GMT. The presentations will include system design, setup and pro tips for Yamaha CL and QL consoles with RIO interfaces and a session on the new Shure Axient digital wireless microphones with Wireless Workbench 6 software. There will also be a demonstration of the new KOS 3.0 software, which introduces a host of new features including parametric EQ for KLANG:technologies unique 3D In Ear Mixing system. Audinate's Dante audio network protocol will also be a common theme throughout. Manufacturers' representatives will be on hand to provide an overview of all technologies on show as well as hands-on demonstrations. The event is free but numbers are limited, so anyone wi
UK - Bristol-based LED lighting manufacturer GDS has confirmed Glantre Engineering as an installation partner. Wokingham-based Glantre are experts in designing and installing comprehensive entertainment solutions across various sectors including theatre, broadcast, hospitality and education. The company's installation projects encompass theatre, TV studios and architectural lighting. GDS managing director Matt Lloyd comments: “We’re very much looking forward to working with this internationally renowned and respected company. As the scope of GDS’s technologies continues to widen across a whole variety of market areas, it’s important that we develop and maintain strong partnerships with trusted installers on a global scale. “Glantre’s reputation for service delivery is of the highest order and we’re certain that GDS products will prove to be an invalu
Elf on Tour - An arena version of the West End musical Elf will tour the UK this Christmas, it has been announced. The musical, which is based on the Will Ferrell film of the same name, will feature Martine McCutcheon and David Essex, and Tam Ryan in the lead role of Buddy. The company also includes Louise English and a cast of more than 70 performers. The show previously ran in the West End in 2015 as well as on tour in 2017. It was also filmed and shown on Channel 5 over Christmas. The tour will visit Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena from 14-16 December, before visiting the Genting Arena in Birmingham from 20-24 December and Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena from 28-30 December. The original staging will be upscaled to include giant screens showing computer graphic backdrops and live action close-ups. It will be presented on a 70ft stage with scenes taking place aro
Europe - Sixty82, a new trussing and staging engineering company, launched operation on 1 March. The company brings together prominent professionals from the Netherland’s Prolyte Group and France’s Axente, along with Adrian and Lee Brooks from the UK. The company is planning to introduce a track-and-trace technology that guarantees every individual component is traceable, safe and properly engineered. Fokko Smeding, Prolyte Group founder and CEO of Sixty82, says: “With some of the trussing world’s most experienced and trusted individuals behind our product line, we are extremely excited to launch Sixty82. “Our passion has always been to supply the industry with safe, well-manufactured products, and back that up with our trademark - superlative, knowledgeable customer service. We have focused on the introduction of new technology that will become an ind
UK - Fibre infrastructure specialist BroaMan has appointed HHB Communications as its new UK and Ireland distributor. BroaMan managing director, Tine Helmle, comments: “We are delighted to be working with HHB, whose pedigree and track record speak for themselves.” HHB director of sales, Martin O’Donnell, adds: “This partnership with BroaMan further proves HHB’s reputation as the ultimate supplier for all audio, video, data and GPIOs transport and systems solutions.” Broaman’s newly announced Repeat48-2Fibre module made its debut at BVE. BroaMan’s technical sales manager, Maciek Janiszewski says: "The new module complements the Repeat48 and Repeat48WDM series, making it fully flexible for literally any type of signal.” (Jim Evans)
UAE - Ayrton has named DYNLIGHT LLC. of Abu Dhabi as its new exclusive distributor for the GCC region and Lebanon. To mark the occasion, production director Thomas Linke has been appointed as DYNLIGHT’s brand manager for Ayrton products. Originally from Germany, Linke joins DYNLIGHT from his position as area manager of A&O Technology Middle East, where he spent a decade building a comprehensive understanding of the region. “We are especially excited to be the exclusive distributor for Ayrton in this region,” says Linke. “The entertainment industry is growing at a phenomenal rate in the GCC and the demand for Ayrton products is keeping pace with it as Ayrton’s reputation for quality, reliability and innovative lighting fixtures precedes it. We want to be able to supply our customers with world-class products and already have enquiries from lighting designe
UK - When Mike Smith and Brian Glover of Halifax-based audio providers Sound Alliance began considering a new audio brand to enhance their hire inventory they turned to KV2 Audio products to help make the step up. Smith explains: “Having recently purchased two Roland M5000 consoles and REAC V mixing systems we were in the market for a high quality professional point source sound system to add to our existing audio rental stock.” KV2 Audio’s True Point Source approach to loudspeaker design was the right fit for Sound Alliance, with Mike having had the opportunity to experience KV2’s ES system “up-close-and-personal” in the real world whilst touring with the Chicago Blues Brothers show. “Having been able to experience a single ES system delivering consistently stunning sound for an 11-piece band on in excess of 150 theatre shows we became convinced t
USA - Ashly Audio reports that Alliance Audio Visual Group will represent all of Ashly’s DSPs, amplifiers, user interfaces, and digital mixing consoles throughout southern California and southern Nevada. With origins stretching back over two decades and a strong, stable network of clients, Alliance has been helping A/V consultants, and contractors, touring sound companies, and related companies connect with audio-video equipment that makes their projects successful. “Ashly Audio has a well-earned reputation for building processors, amplifiers, and interfaces that are thoughtfully designed, and are rock-solid-reliable right out of the box and into the distant future,” said Matthew Jensen, owner and principle rep at Alliance Audio Visual Group. “Ashly offers a range of solutions that complements our existing line card and that completes the synergy of prod
South Africa - DWR Distribution has partnered with South African technician Jacob ‘Jakes’ Mogale to form a new installation company, The Install Crew. While the new company will run independently from DWR, it will operate from the DWR offices. Mogale, who formerly owned DimBright, comments: “For me, this is the ultimate partnership. We share the same values, we care about quality workmanship and we have also worked on projects together for the past ten years which means we have built a relationship. This is an exciting venture for both my team and me.” Robert Izzett of DWR says: “This will be an installation company with no products involved. It means that The Install Crew will offer skilled labour and good workmanship, backed-up with outstanding service.” Mogale adds: “The aim is to be of service to any theatre or company in the country who n
UK - With just days to go until ISCEx 2018, the Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers reports a record number of visitor registrations and exhibitor bookings for its seminar and exhibition event, taking place on 7 March (Wednesday) at Coombe Abbey Hotel, Binley, Warwickshire. The event will see 35 leading audio manufacturers and distributors on hand in the exhibition zone to discuss market opportunities, technology developments and your projects, alongside a programme of seminars throughout the day, open to all exhibition attendees. This year’s seminars include: Busting the myths of Mass Evacuation - Dr Chris Cocking, School of Health Sciences, University of Brighton; How do we react to Sound? - Hanieh Motamedian, Sound Directions & Sam Wise, Venue Strategies; Don’t Drop the Ball - Matthew Archer, Audio Technica Ltd. Visitor
UK - With three hours of stand-up comedy and live music, Backup’s upcoming comedy night at the Royal National Theatre’s Dorfman Theatre on 25 March promises to be a great night. The evening will be headlined by Al Murray - The Pub Landlord, and other comedians set to perform include Susan Murray, Mike Gunn, Tiff Stevenson, Danny Posthill, Nick Revell & Matt Price, with live music from The Cloggz. Tickers are available from www.backuptech.uk. The annual Charity Golf day is also taking place on the day and organisers promise a ‘surprises galore’ as 18 teams go Tee – Tee. A new challenge for 2018 is Fastest Hole of golf by a team of four. Go up against the clock for the fastest hole of golf. Who drives, who plays the fairway, the lay up, the putt? all to play for to claim the bragging rites. Kartfest 2018, the chairty’s karting day, i
UK - Theatre design associations and trade unions have formed a working group to address workplace issues affecting professional lighting designers. The Society of British Theatre Designers (SBTD) and the Association of Lighting Designers (ALD) have for the first time joined forces with Equity and BECTU to “evaluate and unpack the complex nature of current working terms and conditions for designers” and address fair pay, career paths, workplace abuse, harassment and bullying. The aim is to “work towards fair, clear and robust models of engagement”, increase diversity and ensure transparent career paths and address concerns about fees and contracts “within the wider context of fear, bullying and harassment that we are now beginning to evidence has been endemic across the whole of our industry”. In a joint statement, the organisations say: “If a profe
Qatar - Martin Audio has appointed IAC Qatar as its new distributor in Qatar. Representatives of the Doha-based company have already received training from Martin Audio’s technical team in Qatar and IAC audio engineers will be undergoing further technical and sales marketing training in the UK. Elie Salameh, projects & sales manager, comments: “We came across Martin Audio, and felt they would be the perfect partner to take advantage of this opportunity. We were aware of the versatility of their products and their global reputation for providing world class audio across the board.” “We are presently working on many contracts related to fixed installation projects, at the same time supplying many event and rental companies specialising in sports, hotels, clubs and hospitality assignments,” confirmed Salameh. (Jim Evans)
India - The Atlona On-Tour Roadshow, the company’s residential AV roadshow, recently wrapped its first leg in Mumbai, India following events in Delhi and Bangalore. The ‘Zero to 60Hz’ training sessions focused on education and pain points for AV professionals aiming to keep pace with the latest industry trends. Each day-long event offered focused segments on AV over IP, BYOD-powered collaboration, and networked control from Atlona Academy trainers, followed by an open house period for networking, hands-on product trainings, and personalized Q&A opportunities. “We’ve reached a critical point in time where end-users in corporate, higher education and other facilities are confident and ready to move forward with transitioning their AV operations to the network,” said Sanket Sawant, Atlona’s director of business development, Middle East, India and Southe
Northern Lights - The Kaiser Chiefs, Postman Pat and Turner Prize-winning artist Lubaina Himid are all on the line-up for the Great Exhibition of the North, which will take place this summer. The 11-week festival will celebrate "great art, culture, design and innovation from the north of England". Staged in Newcastle and Gateshead, it will be paid for with £5m from the government's Northern Powerhouse fund. After the opening ceremony on 22 June, the event will run until 9 September. It will begin with performances by the Kaiser Chiefs and poet Lemn Sissay and will feature what's said to be the UK's largest water sculpture - an 80m-long fountain - on the River Tyne. On the opening weekend, members of the public will be invited to join in with wandering groups of dancers, while three choirs will make their way through the cities. John Lennon's last piano and the original Post
South Africa - DWR is presenting Prolyte Campus, a Prolyte Group training initiative, with guest speaker Ruud de Deugd from Prolyte on 13-16 March. Prolyte Campus offers a complete programme of learning activities to create awareness on the safe use of Prolyte products. (Jim Evans)
USA - US entertainment laser projectors manufacturer X-Laser has become an official dealer of Avolites lighting control hardware in the United States. At LDI 2017, the company worked with the Avolites team on a setup which featured Avolites lighting consoles used to demonstrate and unveil the X-Laser Mercury laser control system. Adam Raugh, president of X-Laser USA, says: “The team at Avolites were extremely helpful both on site at LDI and especially in the run up to the show while we were finalizing the necessary fixture profiles as we prepared the launch of our Mercury laser control system. Now that we’re on board with Avolites, we can provide our clients turn-key laser fixture packages including projectors equipped with our Mercury laser control interface, as well as powerful Avolites control hardware that’s pre-loaded with our laser fixture profiles.”
Canada - Solotech has been awarded the contract to provide and install a new speaker system at the National Arts Centre (NAC) as part of the Centre’s $225m Production Renewal and Architectural Rejuvenation Project. The equipment, including d&b audiotechnik production equipment and loudspeaker systems, will be installed in the NAC’s three largest performance halls: Southam Hall, the Babs Asper Theatre and the Azrieli Studio. (Jim Evans)
Norway - Second Warehouse, a web-based service that can simplify cross-rental of pro AV gear, has been launched. The platform unites AV suppliers and rental companies in one place where they can organise sub-hire of equipment, make safe payments, arrange transport and trade with minimal or no commission. Stuart Kerrison, founder of Second Warehouse, says: “I know how important cross-rental is and also what a time-wasting drag it can be, because I’ve been the guy spending hours on the phone, calling friends in the hope of finding that one bit of gear I need for a show. Second Warehouse solves those headaches and lost hours, while making sure that your equipment is always out being used and earning you money.” Second Warehouse includes a wealth of features. Users can quickly and simply expand their cross-hire network, get quotes, negotiate prices and organis
The Netherlands - One of the most unusual sound reinforcement applications in Nexo memory has been completed in Holland. The Sauna Theatre Thermen Soesterberg, one of Europe’s top venues for the curious art of Aufguss, has been equipped with Nexo’s super-compact ID Series loudspeakers. How are these robust little cabinets dealing with temperatures of more than 150°F? One of the host venues for the 2017 Aufguss world championship, the Sauna Theatre of Soesterberg can accommodate 150 people. The Aufguss (also called "gettata di vapore" - “Steam blow” in Italy) is a wellness / purification / entertainment ritual which is performed in the sauna, either by an employee of the wellness-centre or by an authorised guest called aufgussmeister (Steam Master). The rite revolves around the centre stove, where attendants pour water mixed with essential oils on the hot ston
Singapore - The Production People (TPP) has recently invested in an Alcons Audio system. TPP services a wide range of events and clients throughout Asia and owner Sheldon Gooi is always looking for equipment which can improve the experience of the company’s clients. Eugene Tay (of Alcons Singapore representative Creator’s Solutions) invited Sheldon to listen to Alcons products at the company’s off-site demo during the ProLight+Sound show in Frankfurt, an experience which left Sheldon very impressed. "The Alcons demo really caught my attention," says Sheldon. "The sound quality was of a higher standard than our existing systems and I saw a brand that is actively pursuing perfection with its designs and technology. Discovering something that could outperform our existing inventory made me want to invest in some Alcons products to push our boundaries further."
