Robe - LEADERBOARD - Feb 2025
Doughty - Banner - from 6 June 2025

Events

Details
Panasonic showed the world's largest plasma screen - a huge, and hugely impressive 103" monster. With full 1920 x 1080 HD resolution and a 3000:1 contrast ratio, the screen incorporates Panasonic's high-speed pixel drive. Don't attempt to lift this one on your own . . .

Details
Danish Interpretation Systems showed its range of systems, incorporating a host of features including integrated automatic camera control. See Technical Focus for more.
PLASA Show 2025 - Banner - June-Aug 2025

Details
UK / Germany - Allen & Heath will be showing its latest products at the forthcoming Pro Light & Sound show in Frankfurt, 29th March - 1st April 2006, with primary focus on the iLive digital mixing system and Xone:3D mixer/controller.

The heart of the iLive system is the iDR-64, a 19" rack-mounting modular mix engine, providing 64 channels into 32 mixes, which is a stand-alone mixer comprising 8-channel audio interface cards, DSP processing, and communication ports. The unit is controlled via an Ethernet network and can be connected to a variety of controllers, including a range of newiLive control surfaces, Allen & Heath's PL range of remote units, or a laptop/PC.

Two EtherSound ports are provided for low latency remote audio distribution, connection of an additional unit to expand the system to 128 channels, FOH/monitor signal splitting, and the connection of multi-track

Details
Belgium - ISE spread its wings even further at its third event, held in Brussels at the beginning of February. The show which broadly styles itself 'The European meeting point for AV systems Integrators' is proving to be just that: with a huge increase in both exhibitors (about 50%) and visitors (in excess of 30%) in 2006, it's an undeniable force on the installation technology circuit.

With regard to the elements particularly of interest to L&SI (i.e. installed audio and lighting, show control and display technologies for professional, as opposed to home markets, and with the emphasis on entertainment and leisure, rather than industrial applications) the growth was perhaps less significant, although still worth a look.

Details
German manufacturer KME showed its latest loudspeaker products including the Pano mini line array and the RCM V2.0 remote control module for its self-powered speakers - the follow-up to the TCP/IP remote control module. Hardware improvements include a Power Over Ethernet circuit which gives the user a redundant power supply for added reliability in installations, and an automatic speaker impedance control system.

Details
Lighthouse introduced its highest-ever resolution LED screen (in a pre-production version). The 4mm pixel pitch P4 and R4 screen offers high quality viewing from as near as 3m, say the company. The design adopts the fanless approach of the company's P10 and R10 screens, making them ideal where silence is a requirement. Features include light weight, wide vertical and horizontal viewing angles, 2000 NITS brightness, and remote monitoring of LED failure, power failure and temperature. Of interest to display designers, the screen modules are of the same dimensions as the company's 6mm and 10mm pixel pitch screens, allowing displays of varying resolutions to be created.

Details
Evolvision offered eye-catching screen products designed to surprise, challenge and trick your brain. Displayed to great effect was the pyramid screen - literally a pyramid-shaped screen surface (viewed point-on). Content is distorted over the four planes to create an image from the optimum viewing angle that appears to be flat, yet 3-dimensional in depth. Alternatively, this multi-dimensional screen can project four different images at the same time, using only one projector. Various-shaped screens work on the same principle, but in different forms. The pole, for example, has a 360° viewing surface, requiring two projectors.

Details
Stardraw told us that day one of ISE was more successful for them in financial terms than all the exhibiting they did in the whole of 2005 put together - and they did a lot of exhibiting in 2005. No small boast then, and it's all down to Stardraw Control, which now seems to be reaching its tipping point.

This all-singing software package, which allows system integrators to create control systems which can address any piece of equipment via any protocol now seems set to fulfil the promise it made when it picked up its PLASA Award in 2004. Over 3,200 downloads of the free software have now been made, and new users are signing up at the rate of around 250 per month. Meanwhile, agreements with manufacturers such as 3touch and Simply Reliable Software, both of which were announced at ISE (see news, page 8), open up whole new avenues, bringing potentially thousands of new users to the fold.

Details
KEF Audio, known more for their high-end home entertainment loudspeaker products, showed the latest pro custom installation speakers, including adjustable, motorised in-ceiling and in-wall units. Among them was the Ci3-80QT - a quiet, motorised 3-way, 4-driver system, incorporating a 75mm Uni-Q drive-unit array, plus two 75mm LF units in a sealed white enclosure. Mounted in a rectangular flush baffle, it's designed for in-ceiling applications.

Details
Meyer Sound, showing examples of its own installation speaker products as well as its Galileo loudspeaker management system (its first time live and functioning in Europe), reported much the same thing as Martin in terms of visitor interest in their installation products: the two reports taken together are perhaps an indication that on the installed audio front, ISE hasn't made the ground with visitors that it has in other areas, such as home entertainment or industrial display solutions, for example.

Details
Spain - Vieta Pro's commercial loudspeaker business has increased more than 10-fold since the company's last visit to the ProLight+Sound Expo, a dramatic rise which is all the more impressive when it is revealed that the company is still looking out for new distributors in many international territories.

Most of the growth has been delivered by the popular Do Line of compact full-range installation speakers. Two new additions to this range will be unveiled in Frankfurt, packing even more punch into small weather-proof cabinets that are ideal for use in challenging environmental conditions.

But the main draw will undoubtedly be the launch of Vieta's radical new So Line, a range of uniquely-styled speakers and accessories which use Garwood-specified wireless technology and state-of-the-art battery power to provide clear, controllable sound in situations where conventional speake

Details
USA - Allen & Heath's American distributor, American Music & Sound, chose therecent NAMM show in California to announce the winner of their 'Great UK Giveaway' competition.

Unprecedented for a pro audio promotional campaign, the coveted grand prize was a brand new Mini Cooper, awarded for U.S. sales of Allen & Heath's ML Series of VCA mixing consoles - the ML3000, ML4000, and ML5000.

The lucky winner was Dave Kenagy of Hoffman Music, Spokane, WA, who exclaimed:"The ML Series consoles have incredible sound and offer tremendous value. It has been a pleasure to be responsible for so many successful installs; and WOW, I can't believe it, a Mini Cooper! Thanks Allen & Heath!"

Second place went to Tim Huff of Entertainment Arts, who was presented with an Allen & Heath MixWizard3 16:2, whilst third and fourth place winners - Paul Simms from AMtech Pro Audio, and Kent Laab

Details
UK - Celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2006, the annual JHS Event, to be held over four days this year from 18-21 June inclusive, offers the first opportunity for music dealers and the music press to assess the many new product additions being introduced to the JHS catalogue, the company says.

Dealers and press can also take the opportunity to discuss these items with representatives of the suppliers who will be on site to assist with such queries and information. The JHS Event 2006 will again offer its informal mix of business, including attractive show-only offers, and socialising on this 10th anniversary year. Held at the JHS Garforth head office site, Event is easily accessible at literally two minutes' journey from M1 Junction 47, and already confirmed trade attendance figures are starting to multiply, say JHS.

Product demonstrations and musical entertainment will again

Details
UK - The 1995 Disability Discrimination Act was designed to enhance communication for the hard of hearing in public places - something normally achieved either through induction loop or infra-red systems. Both of these require specialised engineering techniques in the planning and installation, to ensure complete coverage of the area in question as well as intelligibility.

However, according to the Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers' president, David Hopkins OBE: "This has been a charter for the opportunist to install ineffectual systems - a little like the Emperor's new clothes, but in this case it is only those with impaired hearing that can tell the difference. By the time that such inadequacies have been discovered it is usually too late."

At the Institute's ISCEx2006 Conference and Exhibition at the Park Inn Hotel in Watford on 28 February, this is

Details
UK - Delegate booking is now open for the second Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference (June 11-13 2006, London). According to the organizers, this Conference provides a structured review and discussion about historic, recent and planned performing arts projects, while at the same time allowing those new to planning or constructing such buildings an opportunity to learn from the experts.

Successful design and completion of drama studios, dance venues, recital halls, theatres and opera houses requires specialist knowledge and skill and there are many failures, as well as successes, to be seen in the UK and around the world. A number of these projects will be analysed by experienced theatre architects, consultants and engineers in order to provide a perspective on the vital aspects of planning, designing and equipping buildings for performances. In addition to speakers f

Details
Indochina - Thailand will play host to the inaugural professional audio, visual and lighting international trade exhibition, AVL Thailand 2006, from 28-30 June. Taking place in Impact - the largest exhibition centre in Thailand - AVL Thailand 2006 will showcase a wide array of the latest equipment in professional audio, visual, lighting, staging, and entertainment technology to a targeted buyer audience from the emerging market of Thailand and its surrounding Indochina region, according to organizer Singex Exhibitions.

Steady economic growth in Indochina is fuelling continuous new build and refurbishments of commercial buildings, theme parks, sports facilities, performance centres, cinemas, casinos and shopping malls across the region, while the "phenomenal growth" in Indochina's club scene looks set to continue - offering huge opportunities for entertainment technolog

Details
UK - The annual BRIT Awards are the highlight of the British recording industry's year, and the 2006 show reflected the impressive health of the current music scene by moving to a much larger London venue.

The ove to Earls Court One meant that sound designer Derrick Zieba and regular PA supplier Britannia Row had to re-think the sound system. Once again using the Electro-Voice X-Line array system, Zieba chose to manage the larger rectangular auditorium by effectively splitting the room into two halves and "making sure that the delay system worked as a substantial primary system."

Half way down the venue, three delay hangs each comprising eight Xls boxes, were spread in a L/C/R configuration right across the room. The main PA system featured left and right hangs, each using 12 EV Xls plus six Xlt cabinets and a downfill; additionally there was a centre hang of six Xlc

Details
France - One of the highlights of the recent SIEL expo in Paris was the presence of dance station radio FG, where among the presenters making guest appearances in their makeshift studio was Paris-based producer and electro/house exponent, Patrice Strike.

With a string of production credits (and top club residencies) to his name the station's Saturday night presenter played an hour-long set to a packed house.

Patrice Strike now uses exclusively Denon DJ equipment as a result of a new sponsorship agreement set up this month with D&M Professional France.

When he returns to Ibiza this summer it will be with the new DN-S3500 CD/MP3 player and DN-X1500 mixer package - a combination which he says has revolutionised his art. For monitoring he is using Denon's HP1000 high performance headphones, which utilise a dynamic, closed back design for better isolation and large 53mm speaker d

Details
UK - Vertigo Rigging last week pulled off the daunting task of flying five giant LED video screens in heavy winds and rain, high up on the famous façade of the Odeon, Leicester Square as part of the star-studded BAFTA Film Awards gala night. The company also rigged a number of temporary structures to accommodate the media and their equipment in Leicester Square.

Designer / producer Lucy Smail of production company West Design and Production was contracted by BAFTA (the British Academy of Film and Television Arts) to turn the exterior of the Odeon, the red-carpeted scene of many a film première, into a high-visibility showcase for the awards night. She and production manager Andy Cheeseman brought in Vertigo to handle the multi-screen installation on behalf of video supplier PSL.

Project manager Paddy Burnside was in charge of a job that took a team of up to 14 riggers at a t

Details
UK - Working with West Design & Production, PSL, the London-based events services company, has provided one of the most visible elements of this year's Orange British Academy Film Awards in Leicester Square, central London - a massive Lighthouse LED screen hanging from the front of the Odeon Cinema, the first time such a large screen has been featured in such a way.

LED screens played a vital role in the concept of West Design & Production, the agency responsible for conceiving the design and overseeing the production of the exterior areas of the BAFTA Awards ceremony. Director Lucy Smail explains that she wanted to: "Include moving imagery rather than a static backdrop on the theatre, so we've mixed elements of the nominated films which, as you pull back, give way to more and more images. Eventually, the thousands of tiny images reveal the BAFTA mask."

Details
UK - Mojo Barriers joined the cream of the UK's music industry at the prestigious Brit Awards, held in Earls Court, London. Production manager Mick Kluzcynski assembled the team of leading supply companies to create a set that looked great for the live audience and the millions who watched on TV.

Mojo Barriers UK office, delighted to be part of that supply team, installed their aluminium front of stage barrier system to keep the stage and camera runs separate from the exuberant fans.

February proved a busy month for the UK office of Mojo Barriers supplying at range of shows. Managing UK operations, Jim Gaffney has overseen barrier systems being supplied to gigs by Oasis, The Darkness, Kelly Clarkson, Jack Johnson in UK Arena's in Sheffield, Newcastle and Cardiff, along with numerous smaller shows at Portsmouth Guildhall and Leas Cliff Hall, Folkstone, to promotional shows in V

Details
UK - Harlequin's Reversible dance floor played a key role at British Dance Edition 2006 when nearly 500 guests from 37 countries gathered in Leeds from 9-11 February to attend the UK's prestigious dance showcase.

Supplied by British Harlequin plc for the event, Reversible provided the dance floor surface in two main venues - The Courtyard Theatre at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and at The Carriageworks.

The organisers of the event, Yorkshire Dance and the Association of National Dance Agencies, explained: "British Dance Edition 2006 featured the latest choreography from 41 different dance companies. British Dance Edition occurs every two years, taking place in 2006 in the Yorkshire region for the very first time to fantastic reviews. Over the last decade, BDE has become one of the biggest dance events in the UK, and a main focus of any dance company's tour plans. British

Details
UK - Blackout will reveal their complete range of starcloth (coloured fibre optic, colour RGB LED, white LED and peabulb) and pipe & drape on stand G58 at this year's RSVP exhibition between 29 - 30 March, 2006 at Olympia, London.

"We literally do thousands of corporate events and parties each year and each one of them requires that special touch. The RSVP show, with over 5,000 visitors, provides the perfect platform for us to show and inspire ideas for parties and special events," comments Steve Tuck, managing director at Blackout Ltd.

Visitors and guests will be treated to a video presentation highlighting major exhibitions, parties, productions and events over the past year and will also be entertained by a surprise guest performer.

(Chris Henry)

Details
Germany - In its combined roles as one of the world's leading 'boutique' amplifier manufacturers and as German distributor for Nexo, Camco GmbH is anticipating more traffic than ever before on its stand at the ProLight&Sound expo in Frankfurt in March, the company reports.

Alongside its successful Vortex Series and Tecton Series of amplifiers, Camco will be showing its new DSP Module, which allows both Tecton and Vortex models to become a UCA, or Universal Controller Amp. Full parametric EQs, delays, IIR-filters, X-over and limiters are naturally selected and controlled via the multithreading Camco WinCai remote control application. The new UCA module is fully integrated with Camco's amplifiers, and data exchange is achieved via internal interfaces, say the company.

In addition to freely programmable controller software, 'parameter sets' can be downloaded into the UCA from an

  1. Outline in Turin
  2. Lighting Up the Stars at the Olivier Awards
  3. Community UK Brave the Elements
  4. Cadac is an Olivier Award Nominations Winner
  5. K2 for Chanel
  6. The Theatrical Guild exhibit at ABTT
Page 157 of 322
Astera - Large MPU - June 2025
Sennheiser - MPU - June 2025

Latest Issue. . .