UAE - Clair Brothers has appointed Dubai-based Provision AVL as distributor for the UAE and Middle Eastern market.
Founded in 2014, Provision AVL General Trading LLC, as they’re known officially, is a proven sales, distribution and design company providing high-end solutions for a wide range of engineering projects and applications in lighting, audio, and stage design in the Middle East.
While Clair Brothers has been on Provision AVL’s radar for quite some time, pen was finally put to paper for a distribution partnership at ISE 2018. Explains Kevin Boujikian, general manager of Provision AVL, “The idea to approach them about distribution was always there since we met the Clair Brothers guys a while back, but it was at this year’s ISE Show where we decided to take

Germany - This week, HK Audio is preparing to roll out the largest product launch in the firm’s 35+ year history. In the past year, HK Audio has taken on a number of new audio specialists, and this new team has been instrumental in the development of the new pro audio range, which are on display at HK Audio’s main Prolight+Sound booth.
First up is the Cosmo integrative line array system family, which is comprised of three different system models and was developed under the premise of offering an extremely flexible and easily configurable solution in the professional PA sector. Cosmo combines state-of-the-art audio qualities with ingeniously simple handling and unbeatable economic efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Next up is Contour X, a new point source PA flagship series designed to offer extreme sound pressure levels from compact solid birch multiplex enclosur

Germany - Follow-Me has announced its distribution agreement with A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) Ltd, who will demonstrate the remote follow spot control system at Prolight+Sound 2018 this week.
Follow-Me is a network-based software package that allows the user to harness multiple moving lights from any manufacturer in any orientation to follow multiple targets or performers. Independent and flexible, the system requires no sensors, belt-packs or proprietary hardware, and provides seamless fixture takeover with any lighting console.
The Follow-Me product line offers both creative and commercial benefits over traditional Front of House or truss mounted follow spots. Creatively these include freedom in lamp positioning; multiple fixtures following a single performer, improved follow spot angles; and consistent timing for cues. From a production perspective, oper
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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

USA/Europe - In an announcement made at both NAB and Prolight+Sound 2018, Stage Tec has become the latest manufacturer to join the RAVENNA partnership. The Berlin-based manufacturer of professional audio mixing consoles and routers is one of the leading pioneers in the transition from analogue to digital audio technology.
“With our engagement in RAVENNA we are pleased to be able to offer an even wider spectrum of IP solutions to our customers”, explains Helmut Jahne, CEO of Stage Tec. We have been providing IP-based technology since 2012 with the NEXUS Dante card XDIP. With the launch of our RIF67 Router Interface in 2017, Stage Tec also offers IP audio transport via AES67. A second interface card to be introduced this year, the NEXUS Fiber and IP Interface (XFIP), will also feature full AES67 compatibility. Both cards are also fully RAVENNA-compatible.”
Andreas

Germany - Adamson Systems Engineering is reinforcing the focus on its global education strategy with the formal introduction of its Advanced Certification training programme at Prolight+Sound 2018.
The new training initiative builds on Adamson’s Applied Certification programme, which over the past eight months has been deployed in over 30 countries and attended by more than 1,000 technicians.
“In 2017, we launched an initiative to build an education standard for our user base and network”, says James Oliver, director of marketing and sales for Adamson. “Applied Certification was its first phase, and today, we’ve already delivered this programme in more than 30 countries. As our network has grown, so has the demand for knowledge. The Advanced Certification programme is an indication to major productions that Adamson and its partner network are committed to imp

The Knight of Illumination Awards (KOI) committee has announced that the inaugural Knight of Illumination Awards USA (KOI-USA) will launch this year, culminating with a ceremony in Las Vegas on 20 October, timed to coincide with the LDI show.
The competition, known for celebrating the work of lighting and video designers, will be co-produced by Informa, producers of America's leading event for lighting designers, the LDI show, and The Fifth Estate, specialist content creators and long-time managers of the KOI Awards in the UK.
"We are thrilled to bring such high-quality awards ceremony to LDI," says David Johnson, managing director of LDI. "The KOI Awards are well-known throughout the industry as a reputable, high-class affair, and its special focus of honouring design work aligns perfectly with the goals of the Live Design franchise to raise awareness about this very specia

UK - Rick Wakeman recently recorded a live version of his successful 2017 Piano Portraits release in front of an audience at Lincoln Cathedral.
Longtime Wakeman studio engineer / producer Erik Jordan employed an Allen & Heath dLive system for the project, comprising an S7000 surface with M-Dante card, DM64 MixRack and DX32 Expander, supplied by Tech-Serve Audio Consultants.
Jordan found that dLive’s ease of use and fast, flexible routing made it the perfect choice for a challenging live recording scenario.
“I knew from Ian Barfoot, Rick’s FOH engineer and a longstanding dLive user, how flexible and intuitive the system was to use and although this was my first real dLive experience, it took very little time to become familiar with. We had around twenty mics for Rick’s vocal, piano, audience and ambient pickup and – because the show was filmed

The Netherlands - Don’t Let Daddy Know (DLDK) is one of the biggest international EDM parties taking its Ibiza roots and transitioning into a worldwide dance phenomenon known for spectacular production values. The 2018 Amsterdam edition, produced by Dutch7, returned to the renowned Ziggo Dome for two nights, for the first time with creative lighting designed by Bas Knappers from Netherlands based creative practice, Live Legends.
Live Legends has previously provided programming and operating teams for the event and in the design ‘hot seat’ Bas specified 122 x Robe Pointes and 40 x MegaPointes as part of a large lighting rig? supplied by Rent-All together with video and sound.
An all-star line-up included Axwell Λ Ingrosso, Steve Angello, Nervo, Nicky Romero, Timmy Trumpet, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Headhunterz, Wildstylez and much more superlative music.

Germany - TMB and Company NA will once again partner this year at Prolight + Sound, Frankfurt, bringing a blend of fellowship with innovative, high-performance technology.
Now a tradition at select Messe Frankfurt shows, Solaris Flare IP HD outdoor LED fixtures can be seen lighting the Grandhotel Hessischer Hof, opposite the Messe main entrance, every night during the show. HD Single-head and HR dual-head versions of Flare IP are available for a variety of architectural applications and can be seen up close at the show stand.
This year TMB introduces the ProPlex IQ Tester, the FIRST Ethernet tester for entertainment production. Inspired by input from top production and staging professionals, the IQ Tester is a true “all in one” device, and a watershed addition to the ProPlex range of Data Distribution Devices.
Several additional new products can be seen, inc

Australia - When Ben Hunt, head of lighting at the Empire Theatres, Toowoomba, in Queensland first fired up their new Robert Juliat Dalis LED cyclorama lights, his first impression was “finally we’ve found something up to the task”.
“It’s no secret that to light a cyclorama with conventional asymmetrical floods is going to require some serious power along with its consumable lamps and colour filters – especially when you’re lighting a 14m by 9m cloth,” commented Ben. “That task had been dealt with by sixteen, four cell Selecon Aurora cyc floods and you could hear the power meter groan every time we flicked the switch on!”
Ben added that the theatre had been looking at the LED cyclorama light market intently for the last few years waiting for the right product to pop up that would allow them to light their cyclorama with a quality light, but also giv

Tunisia - Clair Brothers has added Tunisia’s Pro Audio & Light (P.A.L.) to its growing international sales and distribution network. P.A.L. is a systems provider, consulting agency, and sole distributor of high-end products to the robust Tunisian entertainment industry. Founded in 2005 in La Marsa, Tunisia, the mission for P.A.L. was, and continues to be, to deliver the best products, expert service and smart solutions at the highest level of what the entertainment production market demands.
“As market leader, we’ve come to be associated with always having the most innovative, highest quality equipment and technology on the current market,” explains Sami Sidhom, P.A.L. general manager “It’s why we firmly believe Clair Brothers is the right company for us.” When the team at P.A.L. got an earful of the new C-Series speakers, it made their decision to partner

UK - Richard Black has joined stage track and engineering specialist Triple E in a newly created technical sales and marketing role.
Previously the projects manager at Flint Hire and Supply, Black’s new job will utilise his 10 years’ experience in scenic construction and rigging with a focus on client relationships, training and marketing Triple E’s expanding portfolio.
David Edelstein, managing director, says: “We’re delighted to have Richard on board. He’s familiar with our products and ambitions and fully equipped to communicate the company’s product solutions.”
Richard Black comments: “I’ve admired Triple E since I started working in this business. David wants people in tune with his designs, who recognise their merits. The tech sales and marketing position is a perfect fit for me and I’m looking forward to exciting challenges as Triple

Germany - Crest Audio’s Versarray PRO powered line array, makes its entrance at ProLight + Sound 2018 this week.
Comprising the Versarray PRO VR112 line array element and the VR-PRO 215 sub, Versarray PRO is suitable for all mid-sized line array applications including live entertainment, theatres, houses of worship and more. With integrated Dante audio networking, built-in DSP, innovative flying hardware and world class components, the Versarray PRO powered line array delivers premium quality audio in a versatile, easy-to-set-up, networkable package, says the company.
The VR112 benefits from Crest Audio’s latest-generation Mark III ribbon drivers and proprietary CLEAR FORM Waveguide for crystalline high end reproduction. The low end is served by the 12” NEO Black Widow neodymium loudspeaker with dual 4” voice coils which works in conjunction with Crest’s pate

UK - Adlib’s Scottish operation continues its active support and strategic partnerships in the region with another sale of premium brands L-Acoustics and DiGiCo to rental company AudioCP, a busy operation based in Glasgow and headed by Scott Young.
AudioCP was founded by Scott in 2012 and specialises in providing carefully crafted sound systems for the live music sector. Scott, who originally studied popular music at Edinburgh’s Napier College before working as a professional drummer for 10 years, has also owned and run a recording studio and a rehearsal room.
By late 2016, he was looking to invest in a premium audio system for AudioCP complete with a state-of-the-art mixing console to enable the company and its business to move up several levels, consolidate their current client base and also pitch for larger and higher profile projects.
Coincidentally - ju

Portugal - Portuguese National Broadcaster RTP, in a joint initiative with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), selected the combination Ampco Flashlight and local Portuguese partner Pixel Light as supplier for lighting, rigging and motion for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon.
The combination of Ampco Flashlight’s international experience and local Pixel Light’s professional knowledge proved a winning team for one of the most demanding and popular live TV shows in the world, with a live TV audience of over 200 million.
Dennis van der Haagen, CCO/COO Ampco Flashlight Rental comments, “For years we have been the supplier of motion systems through our CyberMotion technology. The experience we have with this production and our international acclaimed status as a full-service company convinced us that we should apply for the lighting and rigging packa

Canada - AV Stumpfl, the Austrian AV technology manufacturer, has announced the appointment of Theatrixx as its official projection screen distributor for Canada.
The Montreal-based company distributes and manufactures technical equipment for the performing arts industry. Theatrixx Technologies also designs custom equipment that offers solutions for video, lighting, audio, power and cabling challenges.
AV Stumpfl CEO Fabian Stumpfl comments, "Theatrixx has a great eye for detail, which is not surprising, given that they develop highly innovative AV equipment themselves. Our partnership started in 2017 when Theatrixx began to distribute our media server technology in Canada. The trust that was built during the past year makes this next step a natural development. We are confident that Jacques and his great team will be very successful in the Canadian market."
Thea

Germany - Powersoft will leverage the international platform of this year’s Prolight + Sound show to ensure the widest possible audience their first look at the new M-Force. Announced as M-force 301P01, the innovative transducer has been updated with a series of additional features to simplify the workload of OEM partners and will be unveiled on the Powersoft stand (Hall 3.1 C17).
M-force is now available as the M-force 01 long throw linear motor for infra sub applications and the M-force 02 short throw linear motor for high acceleration applications. With longer linear displacement, M-Force 01 is the perfect tool for direct radiation and bandpass applications, enabling manufacturers to keep cabinet sizes to a minimum whilst allowing for flawless infra-bass reproduction. M-Force 02 is designed to grant reliability under extreme loads, such as bandpass applications and load

Germany - The Chauvet Professional Maverick, STRIKE and COLORado series of fixtures have earned widespread praise as well as a large following in recent years, thanks to their high output, brightness and reliable performance. Now the company is “taking these popular series to the next level” by introducing products at Prolight + Sound that “open even more creative possibilities for lighting designers”.
Visitors to the Chauvet stand will get a first- hand look at the new Maverick Storm 1 Wash, an IP65-rated LED moving fixture; the STRIKE P38, an IP65-rated compact warm white LED blinder/strobe; and the COLORado Solo Batten, an IP65 RGBAW LED batten that produces a seamless and unique edge-to-edge homogenized appearance without visible round “eyes” or pixels.
“The new fixtures allow us to offer more versatility in three very important series of products t

Germany - Outline is set to announce the launch of its latest concept at Prolight+Sound 2018. Following an evolutionary path from the influential Butterfly design, the new Superfly compact line-source enclosure “sets new standards in performance for a loudspeaker of these dimensions”.
Weighing under 38kg (83.8 lb) per module yet with prodigious acoustic potential and class-leading dispersion control, Superfly integrates within the existing Outline portfolio and can be readily paired with any of their subwoofer designs.
Powered by the company’s own DSP-equipped X8 amplifiers, Superfly-based systems are flexible, powerful, predictable, quick and easy to deploy and convenient to transport, contributing vital operational efficiencies to any live sound scenario, says the company.
Visitors to the show will be able to hear Superfly for themselves in the PL+S Live

USA - The North Carolina Museum of Art amphitheatre has used various PA systems over the years but has now settled on a Martin Audio MLA Compact, deployed by RMB Audio.
Asked to describe the current system, RMB’s Tobias Cannady says: “We’d originally used speakers stacked but then negotiated for the ability to fly MLA Compact for an improve the Joseph M. Bryan Jr. Theatre is known for its summer concert series.
“The set-up includes eight flown MLA Compact cabinets per side with four Martin Audio DSX subs ground-stacked on each side of the stage and CDD-LIVE 15’s for side fills and delays.
“There’s been a significant improvement in several areas with the new system,” Cannady continues. “Even though the stage is lower than most of the seating, the MLA Compact system is able to throw much further, with a more cohesive sound quality while cleaning

South Africa - Vectorworks Trainer Francois van der Merwe presented Basic to Advanced training from 12 to 16 March 2018 at DWR Distribution in Johannesburg.
As a respected lighting designer and a seasoned Vectorworks user, van der Merwe’s main concern was to assist delegates in increasing their workflow.
Van der Merwe has presented training at DWR, distributors of Vectorworks in South Africa, since 2012. “The programme for every course is unique, and we go through all the changes, updates and added features of the software,” he says. “Vectorworks has been the platform to work on, and in my view, the best choice for our industry.”
With many users relying on tutorials that are focused on architecture, van der Merwe instead demonstrates how to approach a show which is a very different process to how an architect would tackle a building. “Over the years,

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