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Germany - German loudspeaker manufacturer K.M.E. will be exhibiting at Integrated Systems Europe in Amsterdam later this month, where it will introduce new developments in the areas of digital and network technology. The presentation will include DAP 26 - a user-defined configured digital controller featuring dual analogue inputs, a digital AES/EBU-input and six analogue outputs including compatible software K.M.E.-control.

The DAP 26, launched in spring 2004, is now also available with CAN port, the Can-Bus interface, say the company. The K.M.E. CAN-port connection to the PC is fed through a built-in USB connector. This allows an easy connection to up to 63 units via a double wire cable (e.g. a free return in the audio multicore) with up to 400 m length and the connection of the

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UK - Green Hippo and Scene Change, creator and distributor of the acclaimed Hippotizer digital media server range, have announced H-MAP, the Hippotizer Media Access Protocol. H-MAP offers the ability for any lighting console to access information from Hippotizer servers, including clip previews and corresponding DMX control values. A console could therefore show programmers thumbnails of all of the images or movie clips available in a Hippotizer allowing direct, immediate selection. The link between Hippotizer and console is via ethernet, and is dynamic and so can be automatically updated as the Hippotizer's contents change - unlike 'one off' schemes offered by some manufacturers where clips are manually transferred from media server to console.

"Until now, controlling digital media from a lighting console has involved keeping lists of which DMX value corresponds to which

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UK - Software providers Stardraw.com has announced the public availability of a Beta 1 version of its award-winning application Stardraw Control. During the Beta-test period, Stardraw is inviting manufacturers and systems specialists to become test partners in this new project. In return, test partners are asked to provide as much detailed feedback as possible via the dedicated Stardraw Control forum that has been set up especially for this purpose.

Stardraw Control generates standalone, customized control programs, offering a new approach to solving the problem of controlling heterogeneous systems; for too long, systems integrators have been locked into closed architectures wherever system control, monitoring or signal routing has been required. Stardraw Control, by contrast, offers a software-based, unified control framework that can manage any type of addressable equipment fr

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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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UK - A diverse range of stars from the world of entertainment and music performed at the 2004 Royal Variety Performance in front of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales at the London Coliseum on 14 December, screened on BBC 1 the following day. The event used Sennheiser 1046 radio throughout, with London-based Hand Held Audio hiring in their recently purchased 16-channels to supplement the BBC's existing stock.

Steve Locking was responsible for radio mic operation at the event with product support from Richard Kemp (radio mic and talkback operations co-ordinator for BBC Resources) and technical support from Sennheiser UK. After the show, Kemp commented: "Using Sennheiser 1046 for such events is a standard as it gives the broadcast quality we require with absolute reliability".

The 76th Royal Variety Performance is a charity event in aid of the Entertainment Artis

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Denmark - Martin Architectural has added a new dimension to its Cyclo range of full colour mixing T5 fluorescent fixtures - directional track mount and surface mount versions. The Cyclo Directional provides a simple dynamic light solution for retail and other commercial applications. Easy to program, and simple to fit, the Cyclo Directional offers an almost endless variety of colour choices say Martin.

The Cyclo Directional uses RGB technology to generate both coloured and white light of variable temperature. Technically this is achieved by combining dimmable T5 fluorescent lamps in the primary colours red (R), green (G) and blue (B) in a process known as additive colour mixing. The patented optical system produces a broad, even wash of ready-mixed colour. Three 54W T5 tubes create the high output necessary to cut through the high ambient light levels typically found in retail

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Europe - LA-based lighting designer Jason Deboer specified eight Martin MAC 550s for the European section of the Maroon 5 tour, which completely sold out as the band's album and singles sales continue to rocket. The 550s are the core of his rig and the basis of most scenes and looks. Four are rigged on the rear truss and four mounted upstage on vertical trussing sections. The rest of the rig otherwise comprises 60 Par cans and 11 strings of ACLs. Deboer created bold, colourful classic rock 'n' roll looks and 'beam technology' for the band's all-action set.

He likes many features of the 550s, including their intensity and power, and the functionality of the animation wheel. "They've been really consistent and reliable as moving fixtures," he says. "The colour wheels have a nice selection of very rich shades and hues and there's also a great selection of gobos.&quo

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UK - Rubix, the main entertainment venue on the University of Surrey's campus, has taken delivery of a new Soundcraft MH3 audio mixing console from Marquee Audio. The 1600-capacity nightclub features live music throughout the student year, culminating in extensive end-of-term celebrations, this year featuring performances by The Commitments.

The 40-channel MH3 is replacing an older Soundcraft desk, which has given good service to the owners of Rubix, the University of Surrey Union. Technical manager Ian Lipp explained: "The MH3 has a good balance of features without being over-specified and confusing. It does everything we need at the right price, and most importantly, at the right weight. Some of the other consoles we looked at were just too heavy. We do move this desk around - for example it will be used during the Guildford Festival, so it needs to be portable."

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UK - The University of Sheffield has invested in a substantial number of Marantz PMD670 professional recorders, which are being used in the ground-breaking speech therapy unit, the Philippa Cottam Communication Clinic in the Department of Human Communication Sciences. The Teaching and Research Communication Clinic is actively engaged in the treatment of, and research into, children and adults with speech problems. These include both adult stroke victims and children with facial deformities such as cleft palate.

The Clinic's professionals are now using PMD670 solid state audio recorders from Marantz Professional to record meetings and therapy sessions with their clients. These high-quality recording devices are compact and portable, yet extremely simple for non-expert users to operate. The unit can record audio in a variety of data formats, including .WAV and MP3, and a computer

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USA - Robe Show Lighting's ColorSpot 1200 AT fixtures were integral to LD Tyler Littman's eye-catching design for the 32nd International Emmy Awards Gala, staged at the New York Hilton. Lighting design and consultancy for the high profile event and TV broadcast was provided by Littman's New York based company Sholight, with equipment supplied by See Factor.

This was the first time that Littman has used these Robe moving heads, which were recommended by several people including two of his crew for the Emmys, Ed Duda and Eric Perry: both had worked with the Robe fixtures on Deep Purple's 2004 'Bananas' world tour for LD Louis Ball. Littman specified 18 ColorSpot 1200s - Robe's top-of-the-range fixtures - for the Emmys design, combined with assorted generic fixtures which he programmed and operated via a GrandMA console. Littman was highly impressed with the ColorSpot 1200's perfo

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Saudi Arabia - HAV Productions, a division of Allen & Heath's Saudi Arabian distributor, Halwani Audio Visual, designed and managed the audio system for the recent Jeddah Economic Forum (JEF) 2004, selecting a 48 channel Allen & Heath ML4000 live sound VCA console to mix the audio.

This annual Forum, first held in 1999, has become the region's strategic 'think tank', focusing on local, regional, and international economic and social issues, and setting the benchmark for business gatherings across the Middle East. This year's prestigious guest speakers included former U.S. president, Bill Clinton; HM Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan; HE Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey; HE Rafik Hariri, former Prime Minister of Lebanon; HE Mr. Yengeny Primakov, President of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of the Russian Federation, and former Russian Prime Minist

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South Africa - South African reality TV show Project Fame based on the format of Fame Academy in the UK, sees contestants living together in the Academy and receiving professional training as well as grooming for stardom. The contestants competed against each other in weekly live television broadcasts until only the winner remained.

The venue chosen to stage the live events, The Pyramid Convention Centre in Downtown Johannesburg, was a shell which was transformed by the temporary installation of an enormous lighting rig, sound system and AV screens. Matrix Sound, the Johannesburg-based audio company, was awarded the sound supply contract and owner Trevor Peters created the sound design. Peters says: "It was one of the most challenging designs we have undertaken in that the show, stage and space we were working in was so fluid. Each week the line up of musicia

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UK - Projected Image Digital has supplied UK lighting rental company Lite Alternative with the first Catalyst XPress software package - following its appointment as exclusive UK dealer for the award wining digital media.

Lite Alternative's Catalyst system immediately went out of the Human League's UK tour, designed by Paul Normandale and programmed and operated by Rob Sinclair. PID supplied the full digital media system, including the dual 2GHz PowerMac on which it runs, to which PID installed an ATI9800 video card along with a Decklink Black Magic video input card and an Artistic Licence Ethernet to DMX input unit.

Catalyst XPress is a cost-effective version of the full Catalyst package. It's now available through PID as a software only purchase - making the Catalyst universe more versatile and accessible to another layer of users and viable for small to medium tours - like H

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Canada -Adamson Systems Engineering has announced the appointment of Eastern Acoustic Development (EAD) as exclusive distributor for the Adamson brand in the regions of Hong Kong and China.

Eastern Acoustic Development, with head offices based in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, was established in 1997 and is involved in public communication, audio/video system engineering, and international trade business. EAD is a leading edge system design and professional products supplier in Hong Kong and China, and act as sole distributor in its region for pro audio brands including Allen & Heath, Lab.gruppen, Symetrix, Lake Contour, Ashly, and RCF.

"We're extremely pleased to have EAD as our partner in China," said Keith Vanderkley, Adamson's director of sales. "Their past experience, product expertise and large client base makes them a superbly qualified distributor for the Adamso

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UK - The Pogues toured the UK and Ireland in December with the classic '87 to '93 line-up of Shane MacGowan, Spider Stacy, Jem Finer, Philip Chevron, Terry Woods, Andrew Ranken, James Fearnley and Darryl Hunt, which last toured the UK in 2001. Cait O'Riordan, the original bass player from '82 to '86, also joined the band on vocals.

East Anglia-based AudioLease supplied the PA for the nine-date tour, which included Glasgow, Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester, London and Dublin. AudioLease used its Lab.gruppen powered Adamson Y-Axis Y10 line array system for all but the Dublin gig, as there was insufficient time to ship it from the previous night's concert.

Steve Sunderland of AudioLease explained the choice of PA, "For dynamic Irish Folk, with a lot of acoustic instruments, The Pogues engineer Paul Scully wanted a PA that was extremely precise, clean and with genuine hi-fi

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UK - For the production of the new play Fresh Kills at the Royal Court's Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, designer Ultz created a set featuring a large American truck which had to be pushed on and off stage by the performers. Once on stage it needed the internal lighting to be controlled as part of Trevor Wallace's lighting design for the show.

"In the old days, we would have fed a DMX line into the floor and then up into the truck," commented Johanna Town, the Royal Court's head of lighting. "However, having seen City Theatrical's Wireless Data System at the PLASA Show I wanted to give it a go!"

Town contacted White Light - City Theatrical dealer and it supplied a system consisting of a WDS Transmitter and a WDS Receiver.

"We have created wireless systems in a number of ways for previous productions," comments Dave Isherwood, White Light's hire

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USA - The new Krypto Sync from American DJ, is a compact 4.9mW green laser, designed for smaller users who want the excitement of green laser effects, but don't have the big budgets of large clubs.

The Krypto Sync comes pre-programmed with a whole arsenal of different geometric shapes - just plug it in, and you get continuous variety of visual patterns. Users can create their own custom shapes when the unit is in the manual mode, one of three different operational modes that the Krypto Sync can be run in. The other two modes are sound active and master slave.

In the sound active mode, the Krypto Sync's will automatically move to the beat of the music, and in master slave mode multiple units can be linked together for a synchronized light show across larger areas. The Krypto Sync is fan-cooled and comes with a 4.9mW green laser diode. Compact and lightweight, it measures 8"

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UK - Switchcraft has been expanding its range of audio and video patchbays and patch cords in recent times and can now offer a wide selection of products that are suitable for HDTV/digital applications.

Recent introductions of digital-ready products include: high-density video patchbays rated to 3GHz (with 32 jacks per 1RU panel); audio patchbays fitted with 48, 52 and 96 jacks per panel; audio patchbays in which the normalling can be changed from the front of the panel; mixed audio/video patchbays; audio and video patch cords made using 110 ohm cable; and BNC plugs. All Switchcraft products are complemented by a lifetime warranty.

Not only has the range expanded but so has the worldwide customer base that includes major broadcasters, OB facility companies and post-production houses.

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

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Denmark - A classical music past took Denmark's Uffe Savery and Morten Friis to such prestigious concert venues as the Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House. A present of dance music hasn't done them bad either. Savery and Friis formed the band Safri Duo back in the late 1980s, playing classical music in an unconventional percussionist style. By the late 1990s the band had mixed in pop, techno and trance to their signature drums to form a unique and raw energetic style all their own.

Touring in support of their latest CD, Safri Duo 3.5, the band is using a Kasper Steen-Lange designed Martin MAC rig of 26 MAC 500 profile spots and 12 MAC 600 washlights with six Atomic 3000 strobes and 100 assorted conventional lights. Equipment supplier is Seelite A/S of Denmark. "We had to design a production that would fit in both sports arenas and theatres," com

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Australia - ARX Systems, the Australia-based pro audio manufacturer is pleased to announce the addition of the new Pro DI direct box to its AudiBox range of precision tools, designed to perform essential professional audio functions in a compact, flexible package. The Pro DI will convert single-ended unbalanced signals to low-impedance balanced signals and features a normal 1/4" jack input with hardwired Loop Out and a Speaker Level input at -40dB attenuation.

Typical applications, say the company, include interfacing musical instrument and consumer level product to professional standard systems for performance, broadcast and Installation use. For Stereo and Dual Channel applications, the Pro DI is also available in ARX's unique 'double header' two-channel format as the 'Pro DI Duo'.

The Pro DI is powered by an external 12 VDC supply or +48 VDC phantom power and is hous

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UK - Supporting Role Ltd, a specialist provider of support services to smaller companies within the entertainment technology industry, has moved to new offices In Chiswick, west London. The move. It says, will provide extra space for the expanding variety of projects currently under way or in the pipeline. The company also reports it is currently recruiting IT staff with production industry experience for its team.

Supporting Role, headed by Marco Van Beek, provides a range of specialist consultancy services to businesses operating in the entertainment industry, including project management, IT consultancy, technical and business consultancy, health and safety consultancy, PAT testing, CE marking consultancy and more.

The company can now be contacted at Grove Park Studios, 188-192 Sutton Court Rd, London W4 3HR, UK. The new contact numbers are tel: 0870 757 2824, fax: 0870 75

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UK - Stage Technologies ended 2004 with the automation of its third, large-scale, west-end musical in almost as many months. Following hot on the heels of Andrew Lloyd-Webber's The Woman in White and the Broadway hit The Producers is the largest automated system ever installed by the company in the West End for the smash hit Mary Poppins.

Stage Technologies' rental department has never been busier. In addition to these most recent productions, the company is ensuring round-the-clock support for in excess of 50 theatre venues around the world and also automation equipment on film and television shoots. The company offers access full diagnostics and give remote support on many projects, without the need to visit the venue.

The company says that 2004 has been an exciting year for rental automation design, proving that this technology is accessible to small a

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