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UK - Experienced live sound technician Richard Rowley has joined leading rental/production company SSE as hire manager, replacing Emma Barwell. Most recently, Rowley was sales director for BSS Audio, where he was enjoying his second stint after operating as product manager at Martin Audio for the intervening seven years. At BSS he supervised all commercial aspects including the launch of Soundweb London.

Prior to that he fulfilled a number of high-profile roles in different sectors of pro audio, including electronics engineer for Midas and Klark Teknik. He also engineered for Trevor Horn on a number of projects, was system designer for several high calibre dance venues, including Fabric, and cinema sound designer for Warner Brothers and VUE Cinemas.

During this time he also deve

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Hong Kong - Erfurt in the east of Germany is one of the latest international airports to boast a Lighthouse screen and is the first in a planned countrywide airport advertising network. The P6, ultra high resolution 6mm pixel pitch screen, installed by systems integrator Super Screen International (SSI), is positioned at the busiest part of the terminal. It shows a mixture of advertising and airport information, adding interest for both visitors and passengers waiting at check-in.

Content for the screen is remotely managed by SSI from their offices in Weimer and displayed via a play-out unit located at the airport. "The Lighthouse P6 6mm screen is the best quality screen at the best price for this application," comments SSI's Karsten Witt. "The airport is very pleased with the screen as it's good for their profile to have this sort of installation, as well as givi

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UK - Global Display Solutions (GDS) has introduced a new self-diagnostic service for video monitors that, it says, will almost eliminate downtime in the field for its customers. GDS can fit all of its displays with a proprietary self-diagnostic system, which enables the monitors to alert GDS (via a USB connection with the display server) if it develops a problem or needs replacing. The service is available to all customers with GDS display products across its markets in the passenger terminal, transport, banking, medical and industry sectors, and is particularly suitable for monitors where 24 hour operation is a requisite.

With more than one million displays installed worldwide, GDS has introduced this service to ensure that, if its units go down in the field, customers receive immediate replacement delivery. This new programme is also designed to reduce the number of failed di

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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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Ukraine - When the Kiev Underground Railway System wanted to update its 44-year-old passenger communication system, they turned to Kramer Electronics for a solution that would provide high-resolution video in every car and withstand the rigors of the Underground environment. "They needed a video network, primarily for advertisement purposes, but they also wanted to provide station information inside the train cars," said Serge Dmitrenko, chief of Kramer Electronics Ttechnical support team in Russia. "They intended to use hardware made locally in Kiev, but were unable to get the required signal quality underground. So, they began searching for a branded solution."

The requirements included XGA resolution, compact size and reliability in the underground environment, which has high levels of electro-magnetic interference. In addition, the Kiev Underground team

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UK - Following the launch on its website of a complete range of training courses, Stage Electrics has now announced the first pair of course dates, both of which will be hosted by the Newcastle Theatre Royal.

The first, on February 8, is entitled Electricity at Work - The Entertainment Environment; this was recently presented at the National Theatre and is designed for technicians, senior technicians and chiefs across all disciplines. The second course, on February 9, is Pyrotechnic Safety Awareness, presented in partnership with Lincoln Parkhouse of Just FX. It is, says Stage Electrics, the 'must-do' pyro course for anyone controlling, using or licensing pyro in venues.

Brian Cleary, business development manager for Stage Electrics' safety services department, said: "Our intention is to work with our customers and partners within the industry to provide aff

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UK - LiteStructures is showing its product range at the 2005 Event Show on Stand 447, which will also be the launchpad for a new northern England multipurpose venue - XS!TE. The latter, with an audience capacity of over 2,000 and more than 15,000sq m of space, is within reach of the major conurbations of Bradford, Doncaster, Leeds, Sheffield and Wakefield and is complemented by bespoke staging and lighting capabilities.

Located within the established Xscape recreation complex at junction 32 of the M62, the venue offers event organisers the additional benefits of a real snow ski slope, ice wall, bowling alley, ski ride and numerous bars and restaurants. The site has more than 1500 free parking spaces and excellent transport links and, with its own railway station and hotel on site, the venue is an event organisers dream come true. The unique £2 million development of XS!TE is be

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The Netherlands - Dutch projection screen specialist Projecta, part of the Indiana-based DaLite company, is expanding its range with the introduction of four new large projection screens and made-to-measure screens at the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) show in Amsterdam this week.

Projecta supplies large projection screens from 3 to 20 metres wide and can create a made-to-measure projection screen suited to meet special needs. Each of the four new large screens has its own specific features and the screen fabric ensures an entirely flat screen for both optimum image quality and fire safety (M1) standards, and is equipped with a sturdy case and a strong motor; they can also be wall or ceiling mounted. The GiantScreen electrol is available in widths varying from 4.5 to 7 metres. One size up is the GiantKing electrol, which ranges in widths from 7 to 10 metres. Larger yet is the J

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UK - Outline professional audio has announced an installation in England that takes its number of working venues worldwide to over 3000. Klub Kudos at Ashford, Kent recently joined the list of venues equipped with Outline systems.

Audio Energy was contracted to find the solution. Owner Chad Jenner commented: "This is the fifth install we have done in the last six months. We chose Outline because of its reliability and terrific sound delivery. The venue is spread over two levels and we have used Outline Topsubs for the sub system, as it is the only sub we have found that generates frequencies down to 25 Hz with true musicality. The mid highs are Outline Omnia 12" and 1", eight of which have been utilised over the two levels. Power is supplied by Chevin A6000 and A3000 amplifiers respectively. The thing we like about Outline is we can order on a Monday and receive

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UK - Robe Show Lighting fixtures have been installed at Spearmint Rhino's busy London Heathrow venue. Spearmint Rhino's is the world's highest grossing upscale Gentleman's Club chain, operating worldwide and rapidly expanding across all territories. The Heathrow club - one of the original UK sites - asked Wes Matthews of 360 Services to undertake the design and installation of upgrading their lighting rig. Matthews has worked with them for the last two and a half years, and looks after all their production technology.

Lighting for 'table dancing' and strip clubs is an area of expertise for Matthews and, over time, he's refined the very specific requirements of the environment into the art of capturing mood and creating an aura of tension and drama. "It's very similar to theatre" he explains, adding that the era of tacky and tasteless lighting in these types of venues

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USA - Former Vari-Lite product designer Mike Bell has joined High End Systems in Austin, TX as senior product manager, the company announced today.

Bell had spent eight years at Vari-Lite in Dallas, where he held the positions of Vari-Lite engineering manager, program manager and principle design engineer of the VL3000, VL2000 and VL2500 spot luminaires. He also has five years of design and project management experience working for Texas Instruments developing military and commercial infrared night vision and DLP products.

Bell commented, "I'm looking forward to working with Richard Belliveau and the engineering team to develop new and cutting-edge products." Said HES chief technology officer Richard Belliveau, "We are thrilled to be working with Mike. His wealth of experience in bringing new lighting products to market is a valuable asset to High End Systems.&q

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Denmark - LD Phil Karatz has specified a Martin Maxxyz console for the current US leg of Ani DiFranco's world tour to control both the lighting rig and his media server. Described as a type of 'punk folksinger', Ani DiFranco's unique socially conscious style of music appeals to a wide audience and she has been on the road for some time, including last autumn's Vote Dammit tour aimed at registering voters and a recently-completed European tour. The winter and spring US dates' rig includes a Maxxyz-controlled MAC rig of MAC 2000 Profiles, MAC 2000 Wash and Jem ZR 24/7 Hazers, supplied by See Factor. Production manager is Steve Schrems.

Karatz used a media server on the Vote Dammit US shows and decided to switch to a console that could run the media server. He comments, "I did some research and found the Maxxyz to be well suited to the way I like to set up and ru

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UK - Salisbury based Stagecraft has announced a new special effects package for hire and sales, aimed at schools, theatres, production companies and lighting designers, which includes the Rosco Image Pro and Vortex 360. Stagecraft will also be one of the first companies to stock the new Rosco X-Effects 3-D Projector.

Stagecraft hire manager Paul Harte explained: "Special effects equipment has long been an expensive luxury for schools and production companies, and we have worked hard to put together a package which suits all budget sizes. Whether hiring or looking to buy, we now have special effects equipment which is versatile, easy to use, and most importantly produces spectacular results."

The Rosco Image Pro, he added, is one of the most cost effective ways of projecting images onto stages, buildings and screens. Using acetate gobos and a simple system which fits

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Italy - Leading Spanish PA company Milan Acustica has become the first Spanish PA company to purchase a Cadac S-Type Compact Live Production Console, selecting the desk on the basis of its superior sonic design and engineering. The contract for the two consoles was negotiated by Cadac's Spanish representative, Salvador Serra, of Imaginamusica. The S-Types are being configured to Milan Acustica's requirements, comprising two 33-way frames with twenty-four mono inputs, four stereo channels, four Group/VCA/Aux modules, and a Master module. This provides the option to operate the two S-Types individually or combine the frames into a single large console, underlining the inherent flexibility of the Cadac 'plug anywhere' module design.

Milan Acustica Director David Castello commented: "Our reputation is based on quality sound reinforcement, gained over some 27 years, and we alway

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Australia - A fresh insight to PA system specification for stadiums was promised by audio consultant Olaf De Ceuster on being asked by Australia's Major Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA) to set standards for a full range PA system to be installed at the Cowboys Stadium (capacity 35,000 seated, 12,500 standing) in Townsville, Queensland. "The 105 dBA standard was borrowed from the standards set at ANZ Stadium," he explained, "where I looked after all the production facets and operated sound for eight years with The Broncos, another National Rugby League club." That's 105dBA over 95% of the audience.

"On this consultancy I took a different approach: since this was a stadium for people, not engineers, I decided to let a cross-section of normal people liking this particular rugby football code (NLR) to decide what they liked best. We played them music and h

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Italy - Clay Paky has revealed that several new products will be showcased for the first time in France at next month's SIEL 2005 show (Paris 6-9 February) on Stand N61. Commercial director Enrico Caironi said the company's participation in the Parisian event will feature the launch of a number of 'very innovative' new products, full details of which will be available at the show.

(Mike Lethby)

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Norway - Each December, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Consideration is given to a wide variety of work including 'advocacy of human rights, peace movements, mediation of international conflicts and arms control and disarmament'. This year's recipient is Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai, for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace.

Maathai had a busy schedule before her when she arrived in Oslo, including a series of meetings, the formal awards ceremony and a torchlight parade through downtown Oslo. Proceedings culminated in the Nobel Peace Prize Concert. The concert, carried live in more than 100 countries to up to 450 million viewers, was held at Oslo Spektrum, where the 6,500-strong audience heard a stellar cast through a Meyer Sound system provided by Oslo's own AVAB CAC. Maathai was the guest of honour at t

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UK - Soundcraft has announced the dates for the next in its popular Going Live training course series, held in conjunction with Adlib Audio of Liverpool and some of the UK's top tour sound engineers. Going Live 05 takes place on March 21-23 at the Liverpool Community College. Monday 21st is 'Intro' day, essentially a precursor for the main event held over the 22nd and 23rd. This acts as a basics-of-live-sound refresher, ideal for people relatively new to live sound engineering as a career.

The main course covers all the main subjects of live sound, from microphone and loudspeaker placement to front-of-house and monitor mixing. As well as providing course tutoring, the engineers are on hand to answer questions and provide tips on how they mix live sound in the real world. Engineers planned to be tutoring include 'Big Mick' Hughes, perhaps most famous for his work wi

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USA - In advance of the Winter NAMM Show, Neutrik observed that, for more than a quarter of a century, it has designed and manufactured at least one industry standard professional audio connector - the "X" series XLR cable connector. At Anaheim this month, the company duly unveiled its next generation of XLR cable connectors, the NC**XX series.

Similar in style to the NP*X series of quarter inch phone plugs, the NC**XX series is designed to be easy to assemble and simple to use and will be available in 3 to 7 pole configurations. The compact, uniquely-styled die-cast shell has internal threads that mate with the external threads on the boot to eliminate damage sometimes found on exposed threads. It incorporates Neutrik's unique chuck-type strain relief and will provide stylish colour-coding on the boot. Additional features, says the company, include a unique female cag

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UK - Visitors to London's famous Somerset House have been soaking up the winter atmosphere and the grandeur of the Victorian era with Calor, the UK's leading supplier of liquefied petroleum gas, lighting the way. The open-air Winter Ice Rink located in the venue's main courtyard has attracted thousands of visitors for a fifth consecutive year. An added attraction this year is the use of real Victorian-style gas flame lamp standards, installed by specialist events company EMF Technology. The chosen fuel for the authentic lighting is Calor LPG.

Stuart Roberts of EMF Technology, which provides bespoke special effects and audio and video displays for major events and local authorities, commented that, to provide the right flame effect for the facility, LPG was the only answer. "We wanted to have the right ambience and an authentic look for the Victorian scene. We also had to en

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UK - Mid January saw DiGiCo host its inaugural 'White Gloves Master Class' at its Chessington, UK premises. With over 100 new and current users in attendance over the two two-day events, it proved a resounding success, says the company. Designed for sound rental companies, sound engineers, system technicians and maintenance technicians, the two days of classes saw DiGiCo's premises transformed into a live sound stage, with breakout rooms affording attendees the opportunity of a live mixing session, either individually or in small groups.

A total of seven consoles were set up, all wired and configured from a single Stage Rack, comprising a D5 at front of house and monitors for the main area stage, a D5 RE also at FOH and a Soundtracs DS-00 for an OB truck positioned stage left. Further D5s were set up for an in-depth training session for existing users, another in the 'Black Room

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