USA - Harman Professional Solutions has announced new six-year extended warranties on all new Crown product sales in 2020.
All Crown products sold between 1 January 1 and 31 December 2020 will automatically receive an extended six-year warranty. This warranty extension applies to all markets globally, excluding Brazil, India, Russia, and China.
“Audio professionals rely on Crown amplifiers to deliver clean, stable and reliable power every day,” says Karam Kaul, vice-president, audio, Harman Professional Solutions. “We stand by the quality and workmanship of our award-winning products and back them with some of the best warranties in the business. Now, for a limited time, when customers purchase any Crown product, we’ll extend their warranty to six years at no add

Europe - The sell-out crowds that fill Italian and Swiss concert halls to see the Legend of Morricone can be forgiven if every now and then they forget where they are, and are transported back to a time when they sat in their favourite cinemas. Such is the redolent power of the musical scores written by this four-time Academy Award winning composer.
Dating back to his seminal score for the Sergio Leone, Clint Eastwood spaghetti western The Good the Band and The Ugly up to his current work for films like Quinten Tarantino’s The Hateful 8, Morricone has demonstrated a genius for weaving music into the very fabric of a film.
Conveying the intense imagery of the maestro’s music in light during the Legend of Morricone tour is a nuanced and richly textured Patrick lavarone design that features Chauvet Professional Maverick fixtures supplied b

USA - Italian luxury brand Bulgari, known for its shimmering diamonds and daring design, recently held the B.zero1 Rock event to roll out the brand’s newest rendition of its B.zero1 collection, with Brompton Technology’s LED processing ensuring captivating visual experiences at the event.
Hosted by group CEO Jean-Christophe Babin, the party brought Rome’s sensual and exuberant style to the heart of New York Fashion Week. Full-service event-technology and video-production company Essay Video, that was subcontracted by KCD.INC for to run the production side of the event, chose Brompton Technology’s Tessera SX40 LED processor and two XD 10G data distribution units to deliver Bulgari’s vision on LED screens.
Held at Duggal Greenhouse in Brooklyn, guests were led through an entrance tunnel and into a featured concept room entitled ‘Exuberance Room’ where 36 R
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Indochine X PixMob Fan Immersion

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's - 40 thousand LED pixels on a ceiling!!! Indochine's whirlwind tour transports fans to another level of the live experience - immersing them from floor to ceiling with PixMob's X4 wristbands, and an LED ceiling made entirely of its NOVA Minis! With the vision of Indochine's creative team, PixMob used its LED fan-technology to turn attendees and venues into an ocean of effects, and a starry sky of LED magic. Très très cool!

Read more about the Indochine tour in the latest issue of LSi

Germany - Following the announcement of Prolight+Sound 2020’s postponement until late May, MDG has moved its planned anniversary celebrations to next year.
MDG president and CEO Martin Michaud comments: “We are sorry to announce that, in view of the current situation regarding the coronavirus, (Covid-19), we have taken the decision to postpone MDG’s 40th anniversary celebration at the Union Halle in Frankfurt.
“We have given this careful consideration and strongly believe that the safety and security of our MDG Family comes first. Seeing the increasing measures being taken on an international scale to contain its spread, we feel a social responsibility to play our part in reducing the chances of transmission, and feel it is a prudent move to postpone the gathering.
“We are, of course, very disappointed but have no doubt this is the right decision for ev

Albania - Tirana recently welcomed a new two-tier leisure venue, with the restaurant and night club Lost hosting live bands and DJs, and Tema Lounge - occupying a separate space in the same building - providing background music by day, notching up to foreground music after dark.
The sound in both venues (along with control and production lighting) is reinforced by a Martin Audio BlacklineX system, specified and installed by Prosound, the manufacturer’s Albanian distributor.
The company’s audio system installer, Armand Dosti, was entirely comfortable specifying Blackline, having earlier introduced other high-profile venues to the same solution. Furthermore, Prosound already had a relationship with Lost/Tema owner Filip Fermanis from earlier projects.
Surveying the two spaces - the former holding 200 people and the latter with a slightly reduced capacity - the

USA - grandMA3 consoles made their Super Bowl Halftime Show debut at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium where they joined a complement of grandMA2 consoles to control video elements, stage effects and the LED wristbands worn by approximately 65,000 spectators.
Super Bowl LIV featured one of the most talked about Pepsi Halftime Shows in years with Shakira and Jennifer Lopez turning up the heat with their high-energy, bilingual performances on the main stage.
Jason Rudolph, a lighting director for the halftime show for the last decade, was equipped with a pair of grandMA3 light consoles and four grandMA3 processing unit M to control all the video elements in the show as well as the LED lighting not from moving head fixtures.
“We pixelmapped the KNV LED cubes on media servers and fed that via Art-Net to the grandMA3, where I merged it so that I coul

USA - Every week for the past seven years, Jimmy Fallon steps onstage in Studio 6B at Rockefeller Centre in midtown Manhattan and leads a viewing audience of over 2.4m through an hour of comedy, talk, and music, always opening and closing the show with Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey, the show’s jazzy/funky theme song, composed and performed by The Roots, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’s Grammy Award-winning house band. Sound is managed through the show’s three DiGiCo SD7 consoles paired with five SD-Racks.
Artless Poole, Jr. has been with The Roots for 20 years, mixing the band’s live shows as their front-of-house engineer, and is there for them on The Tonight Show as the house mixer for the band, as well as the show’s diverse guest artists, and everything else that happens on that stage. It all goes through Poole’s SD7 console, supported by a Di

USA - From its humble, garage-based beginnings in 1992 as a mobile DJ service, Technotrix has grown over the decades into one of Chicago’s leading event services providers, supplying audio, lighting and staging systems for everything from relatively modest productions to arena-sized concerts, large festivals and major corporate events.
Technotrix has now become an L-Acoustics certified provider for the rental market (CPr) and expanding its equipment inventory with its first L-Acoustics purchase, a K Standard Kara package.
The company’s new gear complement is primarily comprised of two-dozen Kara enclosures paired with eight KS28 and eight SB18 subs. Four coaxial X8 enclosures flexibly serve both monitoring and short-throw PA applications, and a new P1 audio processor brings powerful processing and AVB compatibility to the full rig. Two LA-RAK II - each loaded with

USA - Increasing its presence in the US, Solotech has announced the acquisition of Pro Sound, Inc., an audio, video, lighting and broadcast integration company, headquartered in Miami, Florida with offices and warehouses in Orlando, Pensacola and Los Angeles.
Solotech has also acquired Pro Sound, Inc.’s Stage Equipment and Lighting (SEAL) brand as well as affiliates Pro Sound CA, Inc., and Show Systems, Inc.
“Pro Sound Inc. and its divisions have an incredibly strong reputation in the North American marketplace. Under the leadership of Rod Sintow, CEO, who has built a well-respected management and operational team, the company has been trusted to work in some of the most renowned venues throughout the United States,” states Martin Tremblay, president and CEO of Groupe Solotech.
“Rod and his team share our unwavering dedication to quality work, innovative

Europe - This year, Sennheiser will mark its 75th anniversary with a range of events and initiatives and limited editions. During the year, Sennheiser will be “giving voice to the people that make magic sound moments happen, while saying thank you to all Sennheiser fans with exciting promotions, competitions and special editions”.
“We are very happy to celebrate our anniversary this year. It is a celebration of our 75-year history, which has not only been shaped by exceptional ideas and innovations, by taking on challenging projects and achieving numerous successes - above all, we are celebrating an enduring passion for great sound”, comments Dr. Andreas Sennheiser, co-CEO of Sennheiser, who alongside his brother Daniel Sennheiser is the third generation of the family to lead the company.
“This passion still drives us today. We are constantly innovating new t

UK - Solid State Logic (SSL) and UK distributor Sound Technology have announced that the new SSL 2 and SSL 2+ USB audio interfaces are now shipping in the UK.
SSL has been designing mixing consoles and processing tools for the world's recording studios for over four decades, and the new SSL 2 and SSL 2+ interfaces takes this technology and know-how, and places it in the hands of today’s creatives and aspiring professionals.
“When SSL's founder, Colin Sanders set about making his first mixing console in the early 70s, he did so because every other console at the time fell short of his expectations and needs,” comments SSL director of new products, Niall Feldman. “Fast-forward 40 years, that same philosophy has inspired the team to create the SSL 2 and SSL 2+ for the personal studio market, and share some of that amazing technology in a new format.”
The 2

USA - Vari-Lite has announced that its new Vari-Lite VL5LED Wash fixture is now shipping. Originally debuted at LDI 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada, the VL5LED Wash is the successor to the Emmy-winning VL5.
With an RGBALC colour system, onboard motorized zoom, and LED blade lights, this compact VL5LED Wash brings a host of modern features to a familiar form factor.
“Often imitated but never duplicated, customers continue to use both the original VL5 and the VL500 many years after the end of their original production because of their love not only for the unique look of the front face, but the high quality of the wash and the compact build of the fixture,” explains Martin Palmer, senior product manager, Vari-Lite and Strand Luminaires at Signify. “The new VL5LED Wash carries over the size and quality of light from the original VL5, but with features for a modern market.

Norway - Sound engineer Tom Meyer has built up a large collection of DPA microphones over the years and has always been very happy with the results they deliver. He is now spreading the word to artists he works with and has recently persuaded pop singer Lisa Skoglund to switch to one of the company’s new 2028 Vocal Microphones.
“As soon as the 2028 Vocal Microphone was released, I ordered one for Lisa and she is so happy with it that she takes it with her wherever she is singing,” Meyer says. “I take a selection of DPA microphones with me on every gig I do because they make my job much easier - and they are popular with my clients, as well.”
Based in Bardu in northern Norway, Tom Meyer has been tackling live sound engineering projects since 1990 and now runs his own company, TM Tour Production. He first became aware of DPA through the 4011 Cardioid Microphone

UK - P&J Live at TECA, the North of Scotland’s new events venue, has invested in over 700 Prolights fixtures to provide in-house production services for events ranging from conferences to gala dinner dances.
P&J Live’s deputy operations manager technical, Steve Morrison needed a moving wash fixture to provide flexible, high-quality lighting during events. He specified 140 Prolights PixieWashXB units after being impressed by their versatility, size and quality of light output.
The additional 560 LED fixtures included RA2000 moving LED profiles, Eclipse HD LED ellipsoidals, Eclipse 1K and 2K LED Fresnels, StudioCob LED PARs, Lumipix 16H LED battens and SmartBat Plus battery uplighters.
Stev

USA - After debuting last year at The Strat in Las Vegas, Celestia, a Cirque du Soleil-type entertainment show, has emerged as one of the city’s top North Strip attractions. With a troupe of performers highlighted by ‘an otherworldly lighting design’ by Tom Sutherland of DX7 Design, the fast-moving circus-style production is a carnival of thrills.
The LD entered the project somewhat late as part of a creative team hired a relatively short time prior to opening night to ‘cast their eyes over the production’ and enhance the show’s look.
“They had brilliant acts and a state-of-the-art theatrical tent but there was no real glue or production value,” Sutherland states, explaining that the new creative team only had a few weeks to implement their ideas, which included an extra build and additional lighting fixtures. “We stripped out some rigging, pu

Australia - The J Noosa opened its doors in October 2006 and quickly became a functionally and versatile youth and commercial event space for the Noosa Community and the Sunshine Coast. Positioned in the heart of Noosa, The J offers flexible meeting spaces, conference rooms and facilities for hire, complimented by covered outdoor decks and stylish open foyers.
The centre’s J Theatre, a multi-use auditorium and theatre space has installed a Clair Brothers kiTCurve12 system.
The project was commissioned and designed by Wayne Grosser, Clair Brothers’ expert audio consultant in Australia, who worked directly with preferred integrator Jason Howley from Distinct Audio & Production for the install.
The complete upgraded system in the theatre’s 338-seat main floor and its 64-seat mezzanine section consists of four kiTCurve12s on the left and four on the right a

USA - SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire, has filled many roles since it opened in 2001. Not surprisingly, being in the heart of the state that holds the first-in-the-nation presidential primary, it has hosted rallies for virtually every candidate in this century who’s aspired to take up residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue not to mention sports, concerts, and conventions of every type.
On Wednesday 5 February, the spacious arena assumed a somewhat different appearance. Instead of swelling with crowds of 10,000 or more as it does for political rallies and concerts, it welcomed a more intimate gathering for a sales event for IT services provider Connection. Once inside the arena, the conference’s thousand or so guests were immersed in a welcoming environment that featured an Events United lighting, video, audio, and scenic design anchored by over 70 fixtures and 56

USA - Theatre lighting design specialist Tyler Micoleau recently collaborated with New York-based Public Theatre’s Public Works programme, lighting a production of the musical Hercules, a world-premiere presentation of a stage musical adaptation of the Disney film, developed in a collaboration between The Public Theatre and Disney Theatrical Productions.
To add poignancy, the venue chosen was the outdoor Delacorte Theatre in New York’s Central Park, and helping Tyler to achieve his objectives were 34 Fusion by GLP FP7 Par and 20 Fusion by GLP FS10 Stick battens, operating alongside the repertory house rig.
Tyler has a long history of working on productions with Lear deBessonet, founding director of Public Works, and has designed four productions for The Public Theatre at the Delacorte.
The LD said: “Musicals are not the typical production at the Del

UK - Marking the 15th year of Christie’s partnership with the National Film and Television School (NFTS), this year’s Christie prize for Most Promising Student was awarded to Michael Pearce, NFTS graduate in digital effects. Michael received a monetary prize, a certificate, and a crystal trophy to celebrate the win at the NFTS Graduation Ceremony. Already employed as a colourist, Michael has already gained vital experience having worked on numerous short films, music videos, commercials, documentaries and feature film credits.
John Rowe, head of digital effects at NFTS said of the win: “Michael has earned his reputation as a diligent and trustworthy ally, working tirelessly across every genre to help finish projects to the highest possible standards. His determination to succeed and his resourceful nature have resulted in him earning a full-time contract at world-leadi

USA - Vectorworks has partnered with the IATSE Entertainment & Exhibition Industries Training Trust Fund (IATSE TTF). The IATSE TTF facilitates training opportunities for IATSE workers to ‘achieve and maintain the skills, ability and knowledge necessary to meet the ever-changing technologies in the entertainment and exhibition industries’. Further, IATSE TTF develops state-of-the art training tools, resources and methods for their members.
“The IATSE Training Trust Fund is thrilled about this new partnership with Vectorworks, which will make additional training and craft skills development opportunities available to IATSE members and individuals working under IATSE agreements,” says IATSE Training Trust Fund executive director Liz Campos. “These types of endeavours that help expand career opportunities for our members are exactly what the Training Trust Fund st

Germany - Mega Audio is to take on the exclusive distribution of Point Source Audio’s products for Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The distributor had been looking to add a miniature microphone brand to its portfolio having previously experienced success with this type of product and was keen to find a company that had the potential to grow substantially.
“I had heard of Point Source Audio as one of the top miniature microphone manufacturers in the USA and one of the major US brands in the theatre market,” says Burkhard Elsner, CEO at Mega Audio. “When we took a closer look at their product range, we found them to be very interesting and exciting. I am very happy and proud to be able to offer this brand and its fine products as our new distribution line, it means we can now offer some new and unique products to the market.
“We believe that Point Sourc

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