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

Installation

Details
Japan - The idea of providing even audio coverage for Tokyo Dome's massive 55,000 seats - without the need for delays - has always been the holy grail of incoming production teams.

Finally this dream became a reality - when the Martin Audio MLA Multi-cellular Loudspeaker Array made its debut there recently, supporting one of Asia's most successful acts, TVXQ (an abbreviation of their Chinese name, Tong Vfang Xien Qi).

Major rental company, MSI Japan had chosen this venue for the début of its new MLA system - supporting the Korean electronica pop star sensations (now a duo featuring U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin). As a result, they put one of their senior FOH engineers, Takashi 'Shiro' Murata, in charge of the mix.

Traditionally, with all large concerts at the Tokyo Dome, delay towers have needed to be set to provide even coverage throughout the venue. These have been

Details
Switzerland - Over 300 Robe Robin 600 LEDWash and PureWhite moving lights were specified by lighting designer Peter Heilig of SfS Project Aschaffenburg to light a special pavilion area showcasing the new BMW 6 series Gran Coupe on the BMW stand at the 2012 International Geneva Motor show.

The high profile event was staged at the Palexpo Centre in Geneva, and BMW's special launch concept was originated by Mutabor Design GmbH from Hamburg, Germany.

A steel superstructure was designed in collaboration with architects Puchner & Schum from Munich, together with engineers Structure GmbH from Frankfurt.

This was then clad with fibre glass to create two curved three dimensional latticed set piece walls surrounding the two Gran Coupe vehicles, one of which was on a revolve. There was a circular ceiling above the area with three rings of trussing for lighting positions, and at the bac

PLASA Show 2025 - Banner - June-Aug 2025

Details
South Africa -The newly built Soweto Theatre, designed by Afritects, is the first professional performing arts venue developed in a former township. Since opening it has been grabbing headlines worldwide for its eye-catching, colourful exterior. Nevertheless for project theatre consultant Denis Hutchinson it's the innovation inside, including Philips Strand Lighting dimming and Selecon luminaires, that he hopes will have an equally dramatic impact on artists, theatre staff, audiences and community residents.

After the inevitable tender process with city funds, Hutchinson recommended Philips Selecon luminaires and Philips Strand WallRack for all three of the groundbreaking Soweto Theatre's venues. The theatre, which will be used by professional and amateur companies, national and international alike, called out to be technically equipped with kit that can be commonly found in pro

Details
Denmark - There's a price to pay in always being first, as head of sound at Aarhus Musikhuset Per Adel explained. "Sometimes you have to wait a long time to be first." Adel has a reputation for the enigmatic but for once he was not being ironic. "For the Musikhuset the V-Series is exactly what we wanted to have; size, weight, performance; dispersion, character and quality."

The Musikhuset is the premier concert venue in Denmark's second city, Aarhus; what Adel had idealised in his mind's ear for the venue was, for want of any other description, the V-Series line array from d&b audiotechnik, a system only recently launched at prolight+sound in Frankfurt 2012. "We have been using d&b systems in this venue for more than 25 years. We were one of the first houses to purchase an F2/B1 system and have the legendaryF1220 loudspeakers which we used for near-fill.

Details
Poland - The Karol Szymanowski University in Katowice not only boasts one of the most famous music faculties in Poland but is also among the oldest and most highly respected educational institutions in the entire country. Since 1929, the university has been able to offer excellent learning and training conditions for its 850 students - not least because the governing body has evinced a determination to ensure they are provided with the finest possible equipment with which to work.

The sound systems in particular have been chosen with a view to ensuring the closest possible correspondence between the studying environment afforded the university's aspiring musicians and sound engineers and the environment they will encounter in their day-to-day work after graduating. Aside from the technical education, the declared objective of the new Sound Engineering degree of the Department of

Details
USA - The submission deadline for the fifth annual Rock Our World Awards is only weeks away, all nominations must be submitted by 1 July 2012. The awards, which recognise ground-breaking achievement by PLASA Members, were designed to acknowledge the genius of both the creator of technology and the designers or integrators who apply it. The awards were originated by ESTA and are now expanded as a worldwide program under PLASA.

Submissions can range from the simplest problem-solving product to unusual or complex uses of technology to projects that highlight the collaborative nature of our industry. If you've seen something that's impressed you in the last year, now is your chance to tell the world. It could be a piece of equipment you worked with, something you saw at a trade show, read about in an industry magazine, or an event you experienced. It could also be something your com

Details
UK - The development of SA1 waterfront in Swansea aims to reconnect the Prince of Wales Dock to the rest of the city. The vision for SA1 is for it to be a "lively, attractive waterside destination, fostering a high standard of urban design and architecture with an emphasis on innovation, modernity and flexibility". The Ice House Square forms a key public realm space in the development as well as a landing point for the Wilkinson Eyre architects bridge.

The design of the square is based on a formal rectangular grid seamlessly connecting with the riverfront promenade and the surrounding developments. The abstract place making quality of the square is accentuated by 16 boxed trees and a lighting installation by artist Peter Fink. The art work creates an informal overlay over the paving grid using embedded LED programmable strip lighting. The presence of people in the squa

Details
UK - After first installing, and then extending a BSS Audio digital Soundweb network at the Baitul Futuh mosque in South London around the mid-2000s, RG Jones Sound Engineering recently streamlined the audio transport by fitting BSS Audio's new generation Soundweb London processing.

Two new pairs of BLU-160 and BLU-120 DSPs will provide the mosque with greater flexibility and redundancy, advanced functionality and substantially increased processing power - which is essential since this is the largest mosque in Western Europe.

Originally Inaugurated in October 2003, the giant complex in Morden, South London, provides the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community with a focal point for meetings, social and religious events, which are broadcast worldwide on Sky Channel 787 by MTA - Muslim TV and translated simultaneously into eight different languages.

With the available processing power in t

Details
USA - The distinctive white vaulted roof of Oklahoma City's First Christian Church stands as an eye-catching landmark to residents and visitors alike. One of this city's founding houses of worship, First Christian Church has inhabited several locations since its 1889 origin, moving to its current location in 1956.

The massive domed structure - referred to by local press as "The First Christian Church of Tomorrow" during its dedication ceremony - was designed by R. Duane Conner of Conner & Pojezny Designs, a congregation member during the 1950s. The expansive, thin-shelled concrete dome covers the main sanctuary, which seats 1200 in theatre-style pews. The sanctuary houses a large pipe organ and frequently features performances by symphonic orchestras, bell choirs and other chorale groups.

While the building has won much acclaim as an architectural masterpiece, it has

Details
UK - Duran Audio UK has recently supplied AXYS Scope T2115 (three-way full range loudspeakers) and AXYS B-07 (18" Subwoofers) to the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama for use in the Richard Burton Theatre, located on their site in the centre of Cardiff.

The Richard Burton Theatre is a 160 seat theatre complete with a dress circle and teaching gallery. The theatre forms part of the recent development at the RWCMD. This project has not only has transformed the look of the site, and added another iconic building to this architecturally rich area of Cardiff, but has also delivered the RWCMD dream of having their own world-class performance and rehearsal spaces on site. Students are now learning in a performance arts centre that is the hub of cultural life in the capital city.

The delivery of AXYS loudspeakers for the Richard Burton Theatre is a continuation of the relation

Details
UK - 49 theatre buildings across the UK are at real risk of being lost unless owners recognise they are responsible for community assets and work with trusts and local communities to secure their future, says The Theatres Trust.

Publishing its 2012 Theatre Buildings At Risk Register (TBAR) today, changes since 2011 highlight how a lack of care and investment leaves theatres particularly vulnerable to neglect whilst opportunities to harness the social and cultural value of theatres are being lost. It also shows how local champions, with the support of councils, grant making trusts and Lottery distributors are providing a new lease of life for theatres at risk.

The passing of the Localism Act in November 2011 and its emphasis on social well-being means local authorities now have to prepare lists of assets of community value, which include cultural interests such as theatres. The

Details
Australia - Sydney Opera House is about to undertake the largest technical infrastructure development since the world renowned performing arts centre and architectural icon opened in 1973.

Called the Stage Management System Project, the new infrastructure aims to prepare the house for the production of content for all its major clients by integrating broadcast quality high-definition camera and video systems along with an audio distribution network, communications systems and new studio facilities especially designed to house the operation.

Sydney Opera House has awarded the tender for the Stage Management System Project to a partnership between Australia's Rutledge Engineering and German company Salzbrenner Stagetec.

Custom made Stage Management desks will be constructed in Germany to control paging, communications and show relay. The project will also completely update all

Details
Qatar - A sizeable Peavey MediaMatrix system was chosen for Phase II of the massive AV installation at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) to create the perfect audiovisual control system solution.

One of the biggest AV projects the world has ever seen, QNCC utilises more than 250km of fibre optic cabling to connect all systems to a central hub, and the project incorporates everything from BGM to broadcast. It took almost two years for a 60-strong workforce of specialist technicians to complete.

From the offset, systems integrator Techno Q was handed the task of designing a system whereby each of the building's three main areas (exhibition halls, meeting rooms, and connecting public areas) could be controlled centrally as well as locally. And this place is vast - the exhibition space alone totals 850m (over seven halls), and there are 42 separate meeting rooms and seve

Details
Norway - The Norwegian Television School has replaced its existing stock of miniature microphones with 20 DPA 4060 omnidirectional miniature microphones, which were chosen for their ruggedness and reliability.

Supplied by DPA's Norwegian distributor Lyd-Systemer AS, the new microphones are being used with Senheisser wireless systems, including eight channels of stationary wireless receivers for multi camera applications. Originally designed for use with wireless systems in theatre, television and close-miked instrument applications, DPA's 4060 miniature microphones are exceedingly accurate and highly unobtrusive.

Erik Sutterud, technical supervisor at the Television School, says, "Every time we purchase new equipment we research the market to look for the best products. A manufacturer that specialized in one type of product is likely to put more effort into its equipment

Details
USA - Champagne Sunday Brunch in the Eden Courtyard at the Best Western Eden Resort & Suites in Lancaster, PA has become a local area tradition, attracting patrons with an ever-changing menu that draws from the region's finest seasonal ingredients. But while the Courtyard is known for its dining and social events, the room's acoustics have long made it a challenge to attract speaking engagements. With its 40ft high glass ceiling, hard stone floor and hard walls, the room's reverberation made intelligibility nearly non-existent.

"This is a gorgeous space and great for social events - cocktail receptions and so forth," says Stephen Sikking, managing partner, Eden Resort & Suites. "But when a speaker wanted to present something to the entire room, it was very problematic to articulate so that people could hear intelligibly."

Bob Bickelman, senior audio designe

Details
USA - Norway's projectiondesign has supplied core technology to Electrosonic for the new building of the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia. Electrosonic was the main contractor involved with the installation of audiovisual equipment and systems throughout the building.

Electrosonic was tasked with delivering AV systems that met the needs of media consultancy RomeAntics and media designer and producer Local Projects.

"Almost all the smaller screens at the NMAJH that require projection use projectiondesign," explains Bryan Abelowitz, system sales consultant at Electrosonic.

Depending on the throw distance, image brightness and resolution required at each location, Electrosonic selected projectiondesign F12, F22, or F32 projectors, and Abelowitz is pleased with their size and performance.

Anders Løkke, marketing director, projectionde

Details
South Korea - Robe moving lights have been installed in the E&M TV studio in Seoul, Korea. Owned and operated by CJ Entertainment & Media, the studio is dedicated to producing music shows - both pre-recorded, live and often with live audiences - for the MNet broadcasting network's 24-hour music channel,

The Robe fixtures (30 x Robin MMX Spots, 24 x Robin 100 LEDBeams and eight ColorBeam 2500E ATs) were specified by Mr JaeWoo Choi, owner of rental company RGB, and supplied via Robe's Korean distributor, ArtTech Lighting Co.

RGB services all the lighting needs of the E&M Studio and the MNet music channel, and when the time came for new moving lights in the studio, Robe was an obvious choice. RGB has been using the brand for 10 years - ever since it was launched - and knows first-hand the reliability and creative potential of the products.

JaeWoo Choi comments: "After 10 y

Details
UK - Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre in Armagh, Northern Ireland, has become one of the first venues in the world to install Allen & Heath's new GLD digital mixer, comprising a GLD-80 mixer plus an AR84 I/O rack in the control room, and an AR2412 rack down on the stage floor.

Replacing an existing analogue desk, the installation is part of a wider overhaul of the venue's analogue audio infrastructure, which includes installing Cat5 around the building to allow connection of an expander I/O rack to the GLD-80 mixer.

"We have a team of four technicians, and we all put forward names of desks we thought may be suitable, as well as consulting industry colleagues. We demoed a few desks before making our choice but the GLD came out on top for price, ease of use and input capacity. Moreover, it sounded the best in our comparison listening tests," commented technician, Gar

Details
UAE - Dubai-based AV company, MediaPro International, recently fielded three Christie Roadie HD+35K projectors (along with two Christie HD18K 3-chip DLP projectors) to beam the action for the Etisalat Pro League football finals - a major event in the Abu Dhabi city of Al Ain.

Contracted by Al Ain Football Club, the production company ensured that the high output 35,000 lumens projectors, brought the event to life for the 11,000 people who gathered in the Tahnoun bin Mohamed Stadium, showing HD content and bespoke graphics throughout the event.

Images were projected onto a huge 60m x 90m canvas, using the Christie Twist module in the projectors, with the show run through a Dataton Watchout system.

With a throw distance of around 55 metres, MediaPro used 1.45-1.8:1 zoom lens on the projectors, which were mounted on scaffolding platforms positioned in the upper grandstand. This

Details
Denmark - Parken Stadium is Denmark's national football stadium and the current home of FC Copenhagen. Built between 1990-1992 it currently has a capacity of 38,065 (for football matches) although for other events the stadium can hold as many as 50,000 people with an end-stage set-up and 55,000 with a centre-stage set-up.

In 2006-07 the club qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in its history, and three years later became the first Danish club to ever reach the knockout stage of the Champions League.

Keeping pace with the club's recent success, the Parken Stadium is equipped with a modern infrastructure, with a recently upgraded audio system. Danish company Nordic Sales (part of the Matrix Group) delivered and installed a premium RCF loudspeaker system, working in close collaboration with the RCF project department, who specified the individual products,

Details
UK - The Royal Albert Hall, London's landmark venue, has recently purchased Coemar ParLite LED fixtures as part of a major re-vamp of its auditorium lighting.

Entertainment lighting specialist White Light, Coemar's exclusive distributor in the UK, supplied the hall with 54 ParLites, which have now been installed to uplight the columns that encircle the iconic auditorium at gallery level.

The Royal Albert Hall's team, led by senior technical manager Ollie Jeffery, chose theParLites after carrying out an extensive set of auditions encompassing a wide range of lighting fixtures. They ultimately opted for the ParLites because of their colour consistency, silent fan-free operation, and energy saving compared to traditional tungsten lighting fixtures. The ParLites now allow dramatic transformations to the mood and feel of the hall to be made quickly and easily from the lighting cons

Details
Serbia - ETC's Serbian distributor, Studio Berar, has installed and commissioned the latest generation of lighting at the Palilula Cultural Centre and theatre in Belgrade - complete with ETC lighting, dimming and control.

Studio Berar's marketing manager Lazar Josanov, says, "The theatre's managers were looking for a complete new lighting system which would last them well into 21st century, and which would come with the backup and support that they would need.

"Studio Berar has a long relationship with ETC, and we were quick to recommend them - ETC has always provided an efficient and helpful service, with 24 hour customer support where necessary."

Studio Berar project manager Aleksandar Kruscic, who designed the system, explains, "We supplied ETC's latest update to the Source Four range, the Fresnel, as well as Source Four Zoom, Source Four jr Zoom and S

Details
Music in Schools - Violinist Nicola Benedetti has attacked the spending squeeze on music tuition in schools. She said young people needed a cultural identity to replace their obsession with celebrities and in becoming a celebrity. Benedetti began violin lessons at the age of five and went on to attend the Yehudi Menuhin School in Surrey. The 25-year-old told the Radio Times, "I'm fiercely furious about the provision of music in schools."

Benedetti secured a £2m, six-album record contract after winning BBC Young Musician of the Year at 16 and has risen to international fame. She has also been involved in supporting the Big Noise orchestra in Raploch, Stirling - inspired by the Venezuelan El Sistema scheme to help poorer children. The violinist said: "So many people up and down the country are trying to create a better foundation for musical education.

Details
South Africa - Dan Riley has confirmed his retirement from DWR Distribution. A friend to all, Dan Riley has been in the industry for over 30 years and was one of the first people in South Africa to offer sales and support for 'Rank Strand' as it was known. He has been involved with a list of prominent theatre installations and the owners of many rental companies purchased their very first lighting equipment from him.

A DWR statement says, "Dan, as most know, is the father of Duncan and Bruce Riley, who have followed in his footsteps, working in the same industry as he did, and more importantly, learning from him how to have great people skills. Dan has walked his road with ethics, has always been supportive to others and no one can deny his great sense of humour.

"Three years ago Dan joined DWR Distribution in sales. He was instrumental with dealing with theatres and

  1. Showtech flies high for Olympics
  2. PLASA 2012: professional development programme goes live
  3. Architainment Lighting adds Philips Dynalite
  4. Grand designs for music trivia show
  5. Northern Light installation for Shetland complex
  6. HHB kits out new £5m Nottingham youth centre
Page 173 of 190
Astera - Large MPU - June 2025
Sennheiser - MPU - June 2025

Latest Issue. . .