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Maplin Electronics has launched a new premium range of disco and PA equipment, designed to appeal to DJs, venue managers, event organizers and managers of small theatres looking for value for money equipment. The new ProSound range includes speakers, lighting effects, fog and bubble machines and a wide selection of mixers. The new range of speaker cabinets and monitors has been designed and manufactured in the UK specifically for ProSound, and includes the ‘ProSound Blue’ speaker cabinets which feature Celestion drive units. The range of ProSound equipment will be expanded over the next few months to include everything from decks and audio leads to piezo tweeters and amplifiers.

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The Arts & Entertainment Technical Training Initiative (AETTI) has announced that 12 more candidates undertook the AETTI - Loughborough College Intermediate BTEC Award (General Theatre Technician) during the recent PLASA Exhibition at Earls Court (9-12 September).

Thanks are owed to PLASA for making the space available and to White Light, Blackout-Triple E and Rope Assemblies Ltd for providing teaching materials. Many other companies supplied useful product information for the candidates to take back to their theatres. The course held at PLASA followed previous courses and was one of several in the pipeline at various locations. The General Theatre Technician course, which is divided into three modules, was held across the first three days of the PLASA Show. Attendees could either choose to complete all three modules at the Show, or begin with one or two modules and complete the course

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ESTA has announced that two draft American National Standards are now available for public review via the ESTA website. BSR E1.6, Entertainment Technology - Powered Rigging Systems is available for public review until 18 December 2001. This draft American National Standard establishes safety requirements for the design, manufacture, installation, and use of motorized rigging systems in theaters, theme parks, studios, and other places of public assembly and performance. This document does not address manually powered systems or lifting equipment used in the construction of these spaces.

The second draft standard - BSR E1.4, Entertainment Technology - Manual Rigging Systems is also available for public review until 18 December. This draft American National Standard describes the design, construction, installation and use of manually-

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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

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Hacousto International has expanded its Accent on Audio Solutions Range with the introduction a new 200W amplifier, the ACE2.200. The ACE2.200 features two powerful and highly efficient Class-T independent audio amplifiers, housed in a compact and lightweight 2U 19" rack mountable unit. The power efficient design and switched mode power supply offer Hacousto’s customers an addition to the Accent 8x8 digital mixer-router system launched at PLASA last year.

Suitable for 50, 70 or 100 volt line distribution systems, the ACE2.200 amplifier offers two individual channels with a 200W RMS output capability. Powered by either 115/230V AC mains or 24VDC supplies, the ACE2.200 is ideally suited for voice supported evacuation systems. Each amplifier channel features two individual inputs with switchable sensitivity and priority functions. Standard features include an extensive overloa

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Vari-Lite Inc has announced the appointment of three lighting industry veterans to fill vital positions as regional sales managers. Craig Burross, Sean Hoey and John McDowell will play key roles as Vari-Lite increases sales and creates new dealer relationships. "The sales experience and extensive background in entertainment production and design that Craig, Sean and John have is going to make a major impact as we move forward with our sales and establish our dealer base," said Bob Schacherl, Vari-Lite's vice-president of sales and marketing. "Each one has already been a top sales rep in this industry and been instrumental in developing new sales strategies and programs. Getting these lighting industry pros to Vari-Lite is a major coup for our company."

An 18-year veteran of entertainment production and design, Burross was key in helping get automated lighting system

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Marquee Audio has been appointed a dealer by Crestron UK, manufacturers of touch-screen automation and e-control networking systems. Already a market leader in the corporate boardroom, video-conferencing and home automation markets, where their processors form the hub of sophisticated networking systems, they see the move into entertainment as a logical progression - and Marquee Audio as the ideal company to partner with.Marquee’s sales director Andy Huffer, told us: "Increasingly, we have been asked to integrate DSP matrix systems such as BSS Soundweb into overall control systems - whether in boardroom, theatre or conference facilities - so Crestron seemed to be the natural choice."

Crestron UK’s technical sales manager, Andy Butler, said: "Each component that forms part of a modern audio system comes complete with its own control facility. Whilst relatively

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Designed for demanding applications, the XR-20 is the first in a line of professional Crest Audio X series rack mount mixers which address a wide range of applications. The XR-20 meets the varying needs of project studios, houses of worship, broadcasters, musicians and all facets of live sound reinforcement where it can be used as the primary mixer or as a highly flexible submixer.

AES-suggested grounding procedures are followed, resulting in excellent rejection of RF interference and ground-related noise. X-Rack mixers exhibit less than ±30° of input-to-output phase shift. XLR connectors are used on all primary inputs and outputs, while 1/4in TRS connectors are used for inserts, making it easy to interface with most professional audio gear. As with all of Crest Audio's mixing consoles, top quality components and advanced manufacturing techniques are used throughout, and the product

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West London-based Ampekko, the sole UK distributor for German loudspeaker manufacturer WHD, has signed an exclusive arrangement with Uckfield-based installers Blucat at the recent PLASA show, Earls Court, 9-12 September. Blucat, a specialist in supplying and installing independent breweries, leisure and retail units with sophisticated 47-channel satellite music systems, has ordered an initial consignment of WHD MX40s and WHD MX50s, along with specialist amplification from Commax. The company has plans for their imminent use across a variety of integrated systems designs this Autumn.

As Jennifer Linstead, Blucat’s sales director explained: "We are tremendously impressed with the range from WHD. It offers huge potential, particularly as its standard build quality and clarity are well represented in the MX 40 and MX 50. They both offer value through high performance, they&rsquo

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Twenty years ago, Vari-Lite Inc revolutionized the entertainment lighting industry. On Sept. 25,1981, in a dusty bullring in Spain during the first night of the Genesis Abacab tour, Vari-Lite debuted the world’s first automated lighting system. "We couldn’t have known back then what kind of impact we would have on the lighting industry," said Rusty Brutsché, chairman and chief executive officer of Vari-Lite. "But we’ve continued to change with the times, creating innovative new luminaires and control consoles, moving into new markets and always trying to provide excellent, versatile lighting products to lighting designers in all segments of the lighting industry. As we move into the next 20 years, we will continue developing new products for the lighting and production industry."

Vari-Lite’s humble beginnings trace back to a "eureka mom

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The Guild of Firework and Pyrotechnic Operators (GFPO), has announced that a National Firers Register is available that aims to register all firework and pyrotechnic firers in order to create a central database of personnel operating within the industry and provide a framework for recording skills and proving competency.

The register is Internet-based, with registered persons receiving a personalized ID card that includes name, ID number and expiry date. Details of the registered person are included on the GFPO website which also has a skills and services search facility. Information, a code of practice, links and news articles will be available on the website for those registered. The launch is set for the beginning of October and any interested persons should visit the GFPO website where they will find further details on how to sign up.

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The mighty Embrace launched their third album earlier this month with a special acoustic set for 600 fans at HMV's flagship store on Oxford Street in London. The show kicked off at 11pm to finish in time for the midnight launch of the new album, If You've Never Been. In a continuation of the company's long-standing relationship with the band, Dobson Sound provided all of the audio requirements for the exclusive gig.

Dobson's Bill Woods explained that the system was "nice and straightforward" with a d&b C4 stage system and the customary d&b MAX monitors. Dave ‘Milky’ Millward on FOH used a Yamaha PM3500 while Basil Ferneley on monitors went for a Midas Heritage 3000. "Everything ran like clockwork," said Woods. "The only fly in the ointment, if indeed it could be called that, was the lack of sleep for the crew! The band were due to play another live

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UK-based Navigator Systems has added a low-cost rental management software package called RentalDesk to their product range. Launched at PLASA, RentalDesk has been designed for the Small Business Enterprise which requires asset tracking but cannot justify the expense of larger and costlier systems. Commenting on RentalDesk’s debut at PLASA, Navigator’s David Rose told us: "The response to RentalDesk at PLASA was overwhelming. We had more serious enquiries on the first day than at the whole show last year."

Rose continued: "This is by no means a replacement for our larger systems, but a move to address the needs of smaller businesses which are looking to improve their operations, but don’t have the large amount of capital needed for new systems. During tougher economic times, those companies that have cut costs and become more efficient have a better cha

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Liverpool-based Ad Lib Audio is the first UK hire company to purchase JBL’s new VerTec line array system. The deal was sealed between Ad Lib and JBL’s UK distributors, Arbiter Pro Audio, at PLASA. The initial order of 16 boxes will go into Ad Lib’s hire stock. The line array is already booked out for a series of events and shows over the upcoming months.

Ad Lib has a reputation for producing some of the country’s most talented live sound engineers working with some of the highest profile international acts. "We are widening our target markets all the time," explains Dockerty. "VerTec looks and sounds excellent and is also popular among American engineers." Ad Lib researched their line array decision carefully. First they heard and saw the VerTec system in action at Arbiter’s demonstration days at the Hammersmith Apollo in May. They then

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Martin Audio has increased its range of MA power amplifiers with the addition at PLASA of the MA900 (2 x 450W into 4 ohms), MA1400 (2 x 700W into 4 ohms) and the MA200Q (4 x 200W into 4 ohms). These models have been designed to meet the increasing demands of both the rental and installation markets, whilst remaining cost efficient.

By utilizing a conventional power supply with a toroidal transformer, in conjunction with the latest semiconductor technology and proprietary copper cooling, these fully featured amplifiers offer excellent sonic performance in a compact 2U package. They are capable of delivering maximum power into all impedances, including a two ohm load. The amplifiers have several new features specifically designed to make the products easier to use: these include a multiple position gain switch, to meet the demands for a flexible gain structure in the system; a removable

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Color Kinetics Inc has appointed William J. Sims as president and chief operating officer. Sims will also join the company's Board of Directors. Color Kinetics co-founder George Mueller - who Sims succeeds as president - will remain CEO, focusing on overall company direction and the development of strategic partnerships. In his new role, Sims will drive the company's sales, marketing, operations and product development, delivering the next wave of advanced digital technologies and positioning the company for growth in the illumination market, which analysts predict will reach close to $30 billion dollars by the year 2010.

Sims brings to Color Kinetics over 20 years of experience in growing both established and emerging companies gained through senior positions at Zenith, JVC and e-SIM. As president and CEO of e-SIM's Live Products division, Sims oversaw all aspects of a successful star

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Lamba plc gave a PLASA Show debut to the PSS range of amplification from France, having recently acquired the distribution rights for the UK. The products’ innovative chassis design is matched by a cooling system, which blows fresh air directly towards the power transistors, allowing greater cooling and a more uniform temperature to the output stage.

PSS’ high headroom, dual transformer supplies independent power to both channels, providing extra power for the musical transients. This technology reduces background noise and results in an excellent signal-to-noise ratio. Meanwhile, new exclusive component placement design on the PCB creates the highest quality sound this type of amplifier can deliver. PSS amplifiers are equipped with high-grade components, including stainless steel encased bipolar power transistors for optimum cooling, extensive circuitry protection, 1% prec

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Audio Engineering, the UK-based designer and manufacturer of Micron wireless microphone and communications systems, launched several new models in its 700 Series at IBC 2001 in Amsterdam. The new Micron 700 Series models - the TX700 belt pack transmitter, TX703 hand-held transmitter, SDR770 small diversity receiver and MR700 monitoring receiver - now feature tough, but lightweight, one-piece aluminium cases, with a unique design of quick-access battery compartment. Available with a choice of switching bandwidths to suit individual applications, and with up to 100 frequencies, the 700 Series now includes a 32-frequency entry-level system - comprising a matching TX700 transmitter and SDR770 receiver.

Also launched at IBC as part of the revised 700 Series was the Micron MDR762 twin diversity receiver, a mains-powered 1U rack-mounting system incorporating two audio channels, and aimed at s

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Commissioned by event production company Aztech Productions, Screenco provided LED screens and crew for V2001 in both Chelmsford and Shropshire recently. At Chelmsford, two 32sq.m 25mm LED screens were used stage left and right, whilst two 32sqm JTS17 Jumbotron screens were used stage left and right at Weston Park. As an additional enhancement, a 21.5sqm Lighthouse 20mm daylight screen was used upstage centre as a backdrop for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers set.

In addition to live footage supplied by Mission TV and XL Video, pre-recorded programming for intervals was supplied by Blink TV. Blink also commissioned Screenco to provide LED screens at both the Reading and Leeds festivals this summer. Two 17.5sqm 15mm LED screens were used stage left and right for both venues, whilst an 8.5sqm 15mm LED was also situated FOH at Reading with pre-recorded footage again produced by Blink.

Scree

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Barco LED displays were selected by Coca Cola to revolutionize its famous digital billboard at the heart of Piccadilly Circus in London. Coca-Cola Great Britain wanted to ensure that the sign was capable of continuously displaying dynamic images 24 hours a day and therefore the decision was taken to replace the previous projector installation with a highly advanced LED daylight display. As a result, over 52sq.m of DLite 10 has been used to replace the old installation. Barco’s Dual Pixel Technology offers a visual resolution of 10mm, allowing for a smoother picture, shorter viewing distance and enhanced performance. The system features built-in intelligence that enables auto-configuration and allows hot swapping of tiles without interrupting the display of the pictures.

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A new organization representing professional audio and lighting rental companies has been established in The Netherlands. PRESA - Production Rental Equipment Services Association - like fellow organizations ESTA and PSA, has been set up to promote safe working conditions, high technical standards and regular contact between professional rental companies.

Behind the new association are Ampco Pro Rental, Flashlight, Focus Show Equipment, Improve and R&R Show Equipment, all well established companies in the entertainment industry. Chairman Antoinette Wijffels told PLASA Media: "We have finally managed to create a platform where members can exchange ideas, and one which we hope will lead to an even more professional attitude towards clients. We can now also negotiate on important matters at government level, which, as individual companies, was not possible before."

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Federal Signal’s contract to supply advanced voice alarm (VA) equipment for London’s prestigious Canary Wharf development has passed two major milestones. The company has delivered a new VeriFire voice alarm system to Citigroup’s European head offices at Canary Wharf. System acceptance has also been received for a 14-rack VeriFire installation in the HSBC building. This is the latest contract for Federal Signal in its long association with Siemens Building Technologies, which manufacture, supply and install life safety systems for Canary Wharf Contractors Ltd.
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