Details
Portugal - Stageland, the new sound and lighting company, based in Coimbra, Portugal, 200km north of Lisbon, has made a substantial investment in a Nexo Alpha system. Stageland has been set up by Rui Silva, António Cunha and João Moreira. All three are experienced professionals who worked formerly with another Portuguese PA company, PRO2, service providers for international artists such as Joe Cocker, Skunk Anansie, The Pretenders, Ben Harper and Moby.

Newly independent, Rui Silva and his team have invested in a 24-stack Alpha system, largely as a result of a concert in Pavilhão Atlântico in Lisbon last year, staged as a cooperative venture with Belgian PA company Philing Live. It was such a success that Stageland decided to rent the Nexo Alpha system for the summer season. W

Details
USA - The ESTA Board of Directors has voted unanimously to approve a detailed business plan to establish a personnel certification programme for entertainment technology technicians provided the required funds can be raised. Two key areas have been identified for initial development - electrical skills and rigging skills. In addition, a curriculum-based certificate programme will be created to address essential skills which comprise a fundamental body of knowledge needed to work in the entertainment industry.

The business plan for the programme has been developed under the guidance of a professional certification consultant using detailed research and extensive market surveys. In order to implement this business plan, the Board has defined the administrative structure needed to establish and run the programme, including the management skills that are essential to the governing

Details
Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: Spanish manufacturer TSA introduced the new 'Compact Line Array Series' (more of a columnar speaker approach) aimed at installations that might otherwise have relied on the more conventional line array systems. The Series consists of the AX-1205 and AX-1010: the reduced size AX-1205 box (18.5cm x 138cm x 21cm) mounts eight 5" speakers in addition to two 120° tweeters for horizontal coverage to boost frequencies from 10Hz - 20kHz. The AX-1010 cabinet carries four 10" speakers for mid and bass frequencies, plus six 1" drivers with polyester diaphragms for optimizing HF response. The frequency range is given as 50Hz - 20kHz with a 100° horizontal and 6° vertical coverage. Additional low frequency can be provided by the TSG-218 bass system if necessary. TSA has also added new models to the PX Series: the PX-2612C has the same c
featured content

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

Details
USA / China - Barco’s Media & Entertainment division has acquired the assets of US-based Trans-Lux West and China-based Beijing Leyard Electronics Technology Co Ltd, in order to further strengthen its position in the full-colour LED (Light Emitting Diode) display market.

Trans-Lux West Corporation, based in Logan, Utah, is a manufacturer of full colour and monochrome displays, message centres and scoring systems for sports applications; Leyard Electronics Technology Co Ltd is a privately-owned company that designs, manufactures and installs LED displays for the Asian market, with strong focus on China. The two investments confirm Barco’s strategy for continued growth in the full colour LED display market by consolidating and expanding its presence in the key North American market and entering the fast growing Chinese market. The two investments are expected to delive

Details
USA - Cerwin-Vega are now in production on a trio of new subwoofers, spearheaded by the new AB-36 folded horn bass cabinet. Featuring the company's most advanced technology and design, the AB-36 was previewed at the Winter NAMM Show back in January.

The AB-36 'Afterburner' is an advanced design aimed at demanding environments where pure bass power is the goal. New features include a signature front panel design which acts as a convection heat-sink to provide greatly increased thermal power handling with decreased power compression; a new 4" diameter voice coil; a new and contemporary cabinet and castor design; a universal pole mount and the choice of gray carpet or textured paint finishes.

Cerwin-Vega has also announced two further 18" folded horn bass cabinets. The JE-36 'Junior Earthquake' succeeds the LR-36 and features design improvements including a new enclosur

Details
Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: TC Electronic showed the EQ Station-8, EQ Station-4 and the MotoFader, which together form a high-end equalizer system designed for use in demanding touring monitor and FOH applications. The 8-channel EQ Station-8 and the 4-channel EQ Station-4 are 2U racks with high quality AD/DA conversion and powerful DSP processing. Each channel includes simultaneously: 6-band Parametric EQ, 29-band Graphic EQ, 3-band Dynamic EQ and Delay. Internally, EQ Station uses 48-bit processing for wide headroom analogue EQ modelling and processing. The EQ Station is expected to ship in June 2003.

Details
UK - Martin Audio has extended its range of Wavefront loudspeakers with the introduction of the W8LS Line Array Subwoofer. The high performance 2KW design features dual very long excursion 18" (460mm) direct radiators in a twin-ported enclosure.

The exceptionally high power drive units have magnetic structures and suspensions engineered for maximum linear excursion. Extensive research by Martin Audio’s R&D team has led to the development of an exceptionally rigid high-pressure enclosure to minimize cabinet wall energy absorption. This maximizes electro-acoustic efficiency to give better bass definition and more punch from lighter power amp racks when compared with other manufacturers’ products.

The W8LS is constructed from internally braced multi-laminate birch ply, is fitted with generously sized handles and is supplied with a slam-latched wheelboard for fast

Details
Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: Pioneer showed the CDJ-800 digital deck first seen at PLASA last year, which is built around the innovative Jog Wheel seen on its flagship CDJ-1000. Also on show was the DMP-555 - Pioneer's response to the demand of DJs to utilize digital audio available from the Internet. In recognizing this, Pioneer has manufactured a CDJ player that's complemented with new software capable of CD ripping and managing compressed audio files, such as MP3.

Details
Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: Renkus-Heinz has consolidated its vast product range into three main product series, in order to make them much simpler to understand, specify, and use: these are the TRX line of passive two-way enclosures; the PN/PNX top-of-the-range two-way enclosures; the ST/STX series of three-way enclosures with ST (active) products being internally tri-amplified with the option of Cobranet connectivity.

Renkus-Heinz finally entered the arena of the line array with its new PowerNet Line Array system - the first of a range which the company says aims to 'bring line array technology to a much wider market'. Targeted at small-to-mid sized touring companies and installations, the system is compact and lightweight, with very wide horizontal dispersion. It falls within R-H's PN/PNX (PowerNet) series, and is dubbed the 102/LA. The bi-amplified PNX102/LA (self-powered

Details
Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: Danish company MTI has been manufacturing loudspeakers for over 30 years, and is a leading brand in its home market, supplying high-quality touring systems to no less than 12 of the country's leading rental companies and boasting an impressive number of fixed installations. Now, with an injection of outside investment, MTI is launching itself onto the world stage. Blazing the trail is the LARC 1 - a 2-way, full-range line array system and the MPA82000 multi-channel power amplifier, which according to MTI is 'the most versatile amplifier in the world' (with no 'probably' in sight, they're bolder than Carlsberg). The MPA82000 incorporates Bang & Olufsen's ICEpower modules, offers 8 channels with built-in DSP with full matrix, local and global delay and up to 16 presets. Up to 16 amplifiers can be controlled via a single PC. In addition to these new ite

Details
Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: TOA showed its new VX-2000 broadcast and public address system, designed to satisfy all requirements for general purpose and emergency broadcasts, across a wide range of environments. Configurable for simple, as well as complex, installations, the system components include System Manager, Surveillance Frame, Power Amplifiers, Power Supply, Emergency Power Supply, Fireman's Microphone and a user-specified number of remote microphones. The VX-2000 features a scalable architecture and fully modular configurability. It can accept a maximum of eight input slots for various input source modules, up to eight remote microphones, including four fireman's microphones, two voice announcement boards and a built-in announcement chime. Up to 50 output zones, using a maximum of five surveillance frames, can be covered.

Details
UK - Donny Osmond's UK and Ireland tour has benefited from two EV line arrays, the choice of front-of-house engineer Lars Brogaard, and provided by rental company Major Tom Ltd. Osmond's three-week tour encompassed a variety of venues, from 2,000-seater theatres to the 14,000-capacity Manchester Evening News Arena. Given the wide variations in size, Brogaard had specified not only an Electro-Voice X-Line Array system but, additionally, an XLC System, provided by Shuttlesound. Last year, Brogaard was the first engineer in the world to tour with the prototypes for EV's new compact line array, on the road with Rod Stewart. This year, he rates the XLC as "a great, great-sounding box, a real PA in its own right."

Brogaard has worked with Donny Osmond before, back in the 70s when the Osmonds were a force in world pop music. Today, the set list is the same, but the underwear

Details
UK - Friday 6 June: Coombe Abbey, Coventry

This year, PLASA has put together an impressive business event designed to address its Members’ professional needs. Built around the Asociation’s AGM, the day will feature a series of workshops which will give Members access to expert advice, information, ideas and research, thereby arming them with information that they can use in the day-to-day running of their businesses.

The two anchor sessions will see specialists provide members with valuable advice on business issues: Keen to be Lean? will reflect on the current trends in Lean Manufacturing - a technique already implemented by some PLASA Members - and the ways in which manufacturers can effectively reduce costs. Effective Marketing for Tough Times will look at what marketing can do in terms of improving your bottom line, identifying ways in which companies c

Details
USA - A weekend of hands-on technical training sessions will be held in New York City on Saturday and Sunday 28-29 June, immediately following the ninth annual Broadway Lighting Master Classes. The courses are organized by ESTA's Training and Seminars commitee, part of the association's ongoing technical training effort. All proceeds from these events will go to ESTA.

On Saturday 28 June, beginner-level hands-on training on the Wholehog III console will be held at High End Systems' New York facility. Limited to just eight students, this intensive day-long session is taught by Vickie Claiborne, training specialist for High End Systems. The cost of the class is $190 with a small breakfast, box lunch, and soda break included.

On both days, WYSIWYG intensive training will be taught in the Fordham University Theatre by Ben Sanford, WYSIWYG product manager for ETC. This two-day cour

Details
USA - DiGiCo has announced its first US sale of the D5 Live digital mixing system, to Chicago’s dB Sound. The console is already in action on a European tour this month by metal rock Ministry, with dB Sound’s VP of tour development, Lee Popa, at the controls.

The D5 Live is proving a hit with Popa because the large band line-up presents him with no less than 67 inputs from stage and an endless stream of effects and processing cues. Popa comments: "There’s a new generation of bands and a new generation of young sound engineers, people who have come out of their bedrooms and DJ mixers and want to mix real bands live and who are really good at it - new talent with fresh ideas. That’s one of the many reasons we’ve gone for the D5 Live - there’s a whole new wave happening out there and we intend for dB Sound to remain at the cutting edge."

Details
Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: Symnet Designer version 3.0 was on show from Symetrix. The main feature of this fourth major upgrade to the control software is the addition of what they call 'logical control' - or the ability to set up decision making, or sequential triggered events by using tools from the 50 modules in the new Control Modules category. A new class of modules called VCA has been added - offering a virtual imitation of hardwired VCAs. Dynamics processors such as Automatic Gain Controllers (AGC) or compressor/limiters are able to generate control signals based on audio input, and send them to virtual VCAs watching over groups of audio signals, offering a sophisticated level of mix possibilities.

Details
Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: Nexo's new GEO T 'Tangent Array System' was seen at the Siel show in Paris in February (see L&SI March), but got its first major airing in Frankfurt. The GEO T expands on the experience gained from the development, testing and successful operation of Nexo's first tangent array design, the GEO S. The components of the Geo T system are the T4805 (Vertical Tangent Array Module) and T2820 (Vertical/Horizontal Tangent Array Module), along with the new Controlled Directivity Subbass, the CD18. Designed as a scalable system for audiences from 1000 up to 100,000 or more, Geo T has been successfully field tested by SSE Hire (with Tori Amos) and by Show Company in Singapore (with Alan Tam).

Proprietary technological features of the system include the Hyperboloid Reflective Wavesource (HRW) - an acoustical reflector derived through rigorous mathematical trans

Details
Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: Proel Introduced the 'Next' Series of polypropylene moulded cabinets for portable applications, available in both powered and passive versions. The cabinet is equipped with a 90°H x 60°V constant coverage horn on a 1" compression driver, with a 12" neodymium LF driver with an aluminium die-cast basket for low weight. The bi-amped powered versions include a custom crossover with electronic protection, plus an integrated mixer with three separate balanced input channels. Two-band EQ, volume and ground lift switch complete the control panel. All amplifiers feature thermal, DC voltage and short-circuit protection.

Details
UK - Silverdown Studio has installed a complete 5.1 Genelec monitoring system featuring 1034B, 1031 and the new LSE 7073 sub-woofers, to cope with the heavy demand it has been experiencing for 5.1 work. The Hertfordshire studio is owned by Jeff Calvert, who has had a string of hits over the years, starting with a massive number one hit Barbados which he wrote, followed quickly by Starship Trooper. Calvert, who started at Morgan Studios in the 70s, left to set up Silverdown, which was originally located in London. After many successful years, he decided get out of ‘the smoke’ and re-locate to the gently rolling countryside of Hertfordshire.

Calvert’s production partner Chaz (Dabat) Kkoshi says: "We have just completed the intro music for a new PlayStation game in 5.1 called Dance Flight, a new album by Mona for the record company TLC, and we are in negotiat

Details
UK - More new members have signed up for Association services.

Joining as Full members are London-based Kinesys Projects (Tel: +44 (0)20 8704 0603), a manufacturer of control equipment for motors, hydraulics and pneumatics, and also power distribution equipment; DMC Ltd of Slough (Tel: +44 (0)1628 667124), a long-established provider of CDs for DJs. The company is also the official UK music merchandiser for Technics; Burnley-based Rubber Box (Tel: +44 (0)1282 830965), is a supplier of rubber distribution boxes, cable reels and handlamps; London-based Live Business International (Tel: +44 (0)20 7801 1732), a specialist sound, lighting and AV installer and consultancy.

Joining as Full EU members are Italian company Coemar Spa (Tel: +39 0376 775 21) a veteran of the lighting business and a pioneer of intelligent lighting; Behringer Spezielle Studiotechnik GmbH of Germany (Tel:

Details
USA - Vari-Lite and Entertainment Technology have relocated into one central facility in Dallas, Texas. Genlyte Controls has completed the relocation of the three brands which comprise the Genlyte Thomas Group's controls division. Entertainment Technology, Lightolier Controls and Vari-Lite all began working from a new single location on 1 April. The move to he new facility, which has more than 70,000sq.ft of manufacturing and office space, consolidates all operations of the three companies in one facility.

"Each of the three brands will continue to operate and function as individual companies," said Genlyte Controls general manager Steve Carson. "But having each of the companies in a single location, and under the same roof will allow us to operate more efficiently and take greater advantage of the synergies and resources that the companies share."

The new

Page 1521 of 3465

Latest Issue. . .