UK - BRIT award-winning artist and songwriter Emeli Sandé has switched to a DPA d:facto Vocal Microphone for live gigs after taking advice from her sound engineers. Sandé's FOH engineer Gerard Albo, who has been mixing her recent arena tour, has long been a fan of DPA Microphones and regularly uses the company's products. However, it was while chatting with Sandé's monitor engineer Andy Williamson that the subject of vocal microphones came up. "It was actually Andy who suggested the d:facto for Emeli," says Albo. "The d:facto, in conjunction with our Sennheiser 6000 wireless system makes her voice sound very natural, with beautiful definition at the top end. This gives a HiFi feel to her live performances without much spill. On this tour, when Emeli sang and played piano in the middle of the Arena for six songs, I had no feedback issues. The microphone is incredibly
UK - Since Pearce Hire first committed to an intern development programme with local Further Education College Peterborough Regional College (PRC) over four years ago, the main Pearce Hire team has expanded with a number of permanent members of staff who honed their skills through the project. The internship programme at Pearce Hire is headed up by Jim Brown, warehouse manager, and students are given the opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience of working at the HQ of this busy rental production company. Brown picks up the story: “This year there have been some new requirements set down for the students and their course work, and because we acknowledge the value the intern programme brings to Pearce Hire on a number of levels, then we were more than happy to adapt our structure to suit.” As a result, throughout 2017, Pearce Hire has embarked on v
USA - Clair Brothers has added two new companies in their growing sales network - Marshank Group and Quest Marketing. The Marshank Group serves southern California, southern Nevada and Arizona. Paul Hugo, principal of the Marshank Group, says: “I first mixed on a Clair Brothers PA back in the early 80’s at Radio City Music Hall when I was touring with Jose Louis Rodriguez. The S4 was ground-breaking back then and to have an opportunity to work with Clair Brothers, the company that has set so many standards since that time, is a lot of fun and an honour for me personally. “And with the Marshank Group, I relish the opportunity to take one of the best-known brands in the touring industry and introduce it to a large group of potential customers that didn’t know they could purchase that brand for use in their own designs and applications.” Quest Marketing is
UK - Dubai-based Protec has acquired Birmingham-based Aventeq. The UK company, which offers a comprehensive suite of services, including creative & technical design, production, lighting, audio, video, staging, rigging and venue support services, will be renamed to Protec European Events and continue to be lead by its founder Chris Bramwell. Stephen Lakin, Protec’s founder and CEO, says: “I have a lot of time for Chris Bramwell and the team. They have built up a strong business and I’m thrilled to welcome them into the Protec family. I am looking forward to the opportunity to introduce their customers to a wider global reach and more exciting tools & technology to create unique and memorable event experiences.” Bramwell adds: "Aventeq, which of course I’m thrilled to say, is now Protec European Events, has a similar passion to Protec. We are very
Germany - Kassel-based event service provider JS Event & Medientechnik recently invested in 24 x XR 440 BWS moving heads from PR Lighting, responding to the ever-increasing quality demands of events of all sizes. This was the company’s first investment in PR Lighting technology, and all fixtures were supplied by Focon Showtechnik, PR Lighting’s German distributor. Since being set up in 1999, the team at JS Event & Media Technology has been managing the technical requirements of events of all sizes, from large-scale projects to congresses and weddings. "With the XR440 BWS from PR Lighting, we are adding a genuine highlight to our rental fleet thanks to the extraordinary prismatic effects,” says Jens Berthold, managing director of JS. “The good rental prospects and excellent product references left us in no doubt that in the BWS we had found the right pr
UK - Polar is to become a commercial UK distributor for US-based AV distribution specialist ZeeVee. Polar will carry ZeeVee’s full AVoIP product range, offering solutions for all network bandwidths, budgets and applications. Stuart Leader, director of Polar’s integrated solutions division comments: “We’re firmly established as a distributor of intelligent audio solutions but our increasing involvement with video in recent years has seen our integrated solutions division assist with the delivery of many large scale, complex AVoIP projects. “To be partnering with an industry leading marque like ZeeVee, is a very exciting development which further strengthens our position. They have shown leadership and have a full product range that includes ZeeVee’s management platform, MaestroZ, which provides a unique value add, allowing for easy set-up, configurati
Australia - Harman Professional Solutions has consolidated the distribution of AKG, BSS, Crown, dbx, Lexicon, JBL and Soundcraft solutions in Australia by strengthening ties with long-time distribution partners AV Technology (avt) and CMI Music & Audio Pty Ltd (CMI). From 1 February, support, warranty and repair of Harman Professional products in Australia will transition to avt and CMI. Avt, who already distributes AMX audio video control systems, will take the complete Harman integration and installation audio product suite. CMI will represent the retail, recording and prosumer audio in addition to current Harman portfolio including Digitech and Axys Tunnel Solutions. All other Harman distribution in Australia and New Zealand remains unchanged. “At the conclusion of an extensive review process, we identified reducing complexity and taking a solutions-driven ap
Film on Hold - A controversial French film about the 2015 terror attack at the Bataclan theatre in Paris, in which 89 people died, has been put on hold. Broadcaster France 2 said the love story Ce soir-la (That Night), would be postponed until victims' associations had been "widely consulted". Claire Peltier, whose partner David was among those killed, has called for the "scandalous" film to be shelved. She has started a petition to block the film, attracting 39,000 signatures. She said it was too soon for "such a painful" story. France 2 said the film was still being edited, adding: "No transmission date had been fixed for the film..., which has not yet been seen by the station's management." Arthur Denouveaux, from the victims' group Life For Paris, told the Agence France Presse news agency: "Even if we have never asked for censorship, we are glad that modest
Germany - The Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association (AVIXA) presented a session on the role of AV technology in higher education at OEB Global 2017 in Berlin. The cross-sector conference focused on the latest developments in learning, with insights and best practices from leading organisations in the field. AVIXA took part in OEB Global for the first time and was a gold sponsor of the event. Moderated by AVIXA CEO David Labuskes, the session The Power of Integrated Audiovisual Experiences in Higher Education demonstrated that AV experiences were important not only as a way of drawing the best students to their institutions, but also for improving their learning outcomes. “Your next new class of students has grown up in a world that’s totally connected,” Labuskes said. “They live their social lives in the palm of their hands. They speak
Australia - Live events technical solutions provider NW Group has recently added 370 L-Acoustics cabinets to its inventory, including a substantial L‑Acoustics K2 system. The purchase has been made in anticipation of the upcoming Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games for which NW Group’s audio brand Norwest has been chosen to supply the sound system for the opening and closing ceremonies. The new system comprises a total of 124 K2, 24 K1-SB, 60 KS28, 72 Kiva II, 24 SB15m, 24 SB18m, 42 ARCS WiFo, and 18 LARAK II with 28 LA4X amplified controllers. “We have had enormous success with our V-DOSC, dV‑DOSC and Kudo inventories. They have delivered a great return on investment and have been the cornerstone of our success in the sports ceremonies market,” says NW Group general manager, Gra Whitehouse. “Adding K2 made perfect business sense. It’s a ‘do everything
USA - Adamson Systems Engineering will lead a training session as part of the inaugural AES@NAMM educational programme during the 2018 NAMM Show running 25-28 January in Anaheim, CA. The company is a first-time exhibitor and will occupy booth 17305. Jeremiah Karni, head of education at Adamson, will lead the session alongside senior applications engineer Brian Fraser. Karni says: “As part of our commitment to on-going education for our users, we’re excited to support the AES@NAMM Line Array Loudspeaker System Academy. During the half-day courses comprised of software and practical hands-on sessions, we will give a comprehensive taste of our two-day Adamson Applied Certification training and share our many years of experience in the application of line arrays and the theoretical principles behind line array technology. This is a great opportunity to bolster people
UK - Our daily online news service is taking a short break over the holiday season and will resume on 2 January 2018 (Tuesday). Thank you for reading and supporting LSi both online and in print throughout 2017. From the entire LSi team, we wish you a Merry Christmas, happy holidays and all good things for 2018! (LSi Online)
UK - The Association of Lighting Designers (ALD) announced the first full-year Lumière Scheme at this year’s Annual Lighting Lunch held in London on 18 December (Monday). The scheme, which will run in continued partnership with Chichester Festival Theatre, underlines the ALD’s commitment to emerging talent, enabling them to work in mainstream theatre with established lighting designers, fostering important relationships with those whom they may work again as assistants or associates on future projects. They will receive first-hand experience of the collaborative nature of creative teams together with knowledge of how various departments work together, creating further opportunities in the industry as they develop their careers. Having previously run two successful six-month pilot schemes, the intention is to build up to three Lumières per year. ALD chair
UK - Backstage Academy, a training provider for the live events industry, will visit schools and colleges in England and Wales from 22 January to 9 February to talk to students about career opportunities in the sector. Shure, d&b audiotechnik, VER, A.C. Lighting and Melody VR are supporting the tour, which will see a tour bus from Beat the Street visit schools and venues up and down the country from Cornwall to Newcastle to offer students a glimpse of life on the road and hands-on experience about safe load-in and load-out practices. Glen Rowe, managing director, Backstage Academy says: “I’ve sustained a career in tour management for over 20 years and am now on the lookout for young talent to take over the reins. There are so many opportunities for people to develop careers in live events we just need to go out there and show them how to do it.” Jörg P
UK - Audiotonix has acquired Solid State Logic (SSL) as part of its expanding group that already includes DiGiCo, DiGiGrid, Calrec and Allen & Heath. James Gordon, CEO of Audiotonix, says: “We are growing the Audiotonix Group with professional audio brands that have exceptional technology, committed people and a real passion for what they do. With their incredible history and reputation, their enthusiasm and loyal customer base, SSL is ideally placed to be the next partner in the group. The whole group will benefit by having SSL as an integral part of the team going forward. Having their help to further expand our international reach, technology and customer base will be a lot of fun.” Antony David, MD of SSL, adds: “I am very proud of the achievements our team have made to date with the expansion of SSL. To reach our full potential we need the support and
USA - ASTC and USITT have announced the fifth collaborative project between university students and ASTC member theatre consultants. Projects will be presented at the USITT 2019 Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky on 20-23 March 2019. By working together with a professional theatre consultant as a mentor, students will learn more about how venues are designed or renovated. Additionally, students will see performance spaces differently and therefore will be exposed to other available career paths within the entertainment industry. Teams may consist of undergraduate or graduate theatre students and should be under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Working together, the teams will select a theoretical project of a building that is on, or accessible, from the team’s campus. They will survey and study the current conditions and develop a plan to transform the su
Live in London - The first live acts for The BRITs 2018 have been confirmed: Ed Sheeran, Stormzy, Sam Smith and Dua Lipa will perform at the BRITs show on 21 February. BRITs chairman Jason Iley said: “I’m very excited to confirm such a strong British line-up as our first four live acts for the main show in 2018: Ed Sheeran has had an exceptional year, across the world and we are thrilled to have him back on the show. Then we have previous Critics’ Choice winner Sam Smith returning to our stage following the incredible success of yet another No.1 album this year. Stormzy has had a phenomenal 2017, putting grime firmly on the map with his No. 1 album Gang Signs & Prayer and Dua Lipa has been the biggest British female breakthrough story of the year.” West End Return - Chicago is to return to the West End next year following a five-year ab
UK - Cymatic Audio has appointed Riverside Audio to handle the exclusive sales representation of all Cymatic products in the UK from 1 January 2018. Riverside Audio is headed up by UK sales veteran Nick Longland, whose background in the MI and pro audio industry spans almost 20 years, including nearly 13 years with Sennheiser UK. During that time, he has gained an immense knowledge of the industry and built strong relationships with his customers. Cymatic Audio CEO Arie van den Broek comments: “Nick’s experience and vast network of contacts in the UK across both MI and pro audio markets make him ideally placed to represent Cymatic products in the UK. His personal and personable approach and ‘rep firm’ business model are a perfect fit for us, and we are looking forward to a mutually profitable working relationship.” Longland adds: “In setting up River
USA - Katy Perry recently kicked off her Witness: The Tour in support of her eponymous new album, with Claypaky Scenius Unicos and Scenius Profiles prominent in the tour’s lighting rig. The fixtures have been selected by the show’s producer and lighting designer, Baz Halpin of Silent House, who is using Claypaky’s Scenius range for the first time. The stage design is dominated by a 130ft eye-shaped LED screen, and Halpin was given the brief to “create big, strong, powerful looks that would complement and work with the shape and power of the screen”. To that end, he’s deploying 80 Scenius Unico and 50 Scenius Profile fixtures supplied by Upstaging. “Their power and versatility made them the perfect choice to stand up to the intense light coming from the LED screen,” says Halpin. “As we had 130ft lighting trusses with a single fixture type
USA - Hughston Engineering, a provider of full-service solutions for events, trade shows, conventions and out-door events, presented its second cheque to Behind the Scenes at LDI, reflecting sales over the past year of their Male and Female SOCAPEX Cable Testers. The Female Tester features an Edison input, rotary dial for each circuit, 20A circuit breaker, and 6 indicator lights. The Male Tester includes a continuity tester and 6 indicator lights. These products are made in-house by IATSE Local 16 employees and are rigorously tested to ensure the utmost quality. Eddie Raymond of the BTS Foundation Board of Directors, stated upon accepting the cheque, “Hughston Engineering is one of the more generous companies in the business. Whether it’s supporting family, employees or the union, Lance can always be counted on to lend a hand when needed. Hughston Engineering’s
Australia - Professional lighting distributor Show Technology opened a new facility in Port Melbourne on 6 December. The new location is three times larger than the previous office and has enabled the company to adopt new service facilities as well as expand their stock holding in Melbourne. Over 150 guests toured the new premises and could test lighting fixtures in the new showroom, including the latest offerings from Claypaky, Martin, and Ayrton. “Having a showroom much bigger than the last has allowed us to put all the latest gear and gadgets on full display and when customers and partners come through the office they are able to get full demonstrations of what we have to offer as well as gain an experience,” said Emmanuel Ziino, managing director at Show Technology. Melbourne branch manager Paul Nicolaou says: “I encourage all lighting profession
Poland - To take advantage of new business opportunities in Poland, MultiDyne Fiber Optic Solutions has appointed Twenty4Seven as its exclusive in-country distribution and systems integration partner. Twenty4Seven will exclusively specify MultiDyne fibre optic solutions into its broadcast and commercial AV integration projects throughout the country. Twenty4Seven specialises in customised solutions and services for broadcast and production systems in TV and radio facilities, houses of worship and live event venues, among other customers. Twenty4Seven partner Jakub Antoszewski says: “Poland is a very technologically-advanced country, and the broadcast and commercial AV markets here are focused on top quality products and services,” said Antoszewski. “Twenty4Seven was founded by and remains comprised of experts from the broadcast industry, and we thoroughly unders
Argentina - Tecnica Vidal is the largest rental and production company in the west of Argentina, and one of the top five in the country. Founded by Miguel Vidal in the 1980s, it is located in Rivadavia the centre north of Mendoza province, internationally renowned for its wine production. The company has 20 full time employees and supplies the full range of technical production services, encompassing lighting, audio, video, staging, rigging and power, a ‘single-source’ solution business model that has proved very successful. Their specialist areas are concert touring, festivals, music shows and rental / staging, and they also have a healthy roster of corporate clients and event venues. The first Robe investment was made in 2011 / 2012 when the brand was still emerging in Argentina. This was the first year of Robe’s partnership with Buenos Aires based TSD Group as
USA - Atlona’s Launch & Learn series of educational events, launched this October, continues to help partners around the world to learn how the company’s latest products solve integration challenges, and align with today’s most important AV trends. Last week Atlona held its first event for Latin America partners at its Silicon Valley HQ, flying in representatives from more than 20 dealers, distributors and systems integrators from Mexico, Colombia and the Dominican Republic. Hosted partners included Novotech, Anixter, Crambo Mexico, OOH Redes Digitales, Smartlife, Musitempo, Construcciones Acusticas, ISA Corporativo, Virtus Life, Serprotel Networks, M&D Asesores, Neuroservices Communications, Opentel, Teccom Seesa and Group de Negocios TSA. Launch & Learn events offer two distinct educational tracks: Networked AV and Modern Meeting Sp
