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USA - The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences recently recognized the lighting design team from the 2004 Olympic Opening Ceremonies with its top Emmy Award for Outstanding Lighting Direction. PRG was the main lighting contractor providing equipment, programmers and technicians for the Athens 2004 Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies. The lighting system included over 2000 automated luminaires controlled by Virtuoso consoles and a Virtuoso fiber optic control network.

The 57th Annual Emmy Awards recognizes outstanding programming and individual achievements in primetime television. The Awards was given for Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic, Multi-Camera) for VMC Programming. The lighting team were lighting designers Bob Dickinson and Eleftheria Deko, and lighting dir

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USA - The new SeaChanger Colour Engines from Ocean Optics made their theatrical debut in July at the USA's largest community theatre. The CYM colour changers, which install easily into ETC Source Four ellipsoidal spotlights and require no cooling, were used at the Omaha Community Playhouse. John Gibilisco, resident designer and production electrician, said he was "very impressed".

The innovative SeaChanger Colour Engine uses robust dichroic filter technology to create millions of brilliant, rich, reproducible colours that will not fade, degrade or shift colour with time or temperature. "The simple and smooth colour transitions are impressive," said Gibilisco. "I'm using the extreme magenta feature to produce saturated reds that I could never sustain using conventional colour filters."

The SeaChanger colour engines are quiet in operation and elimin

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France / Italy - InnovaSON digital mixing consoles have been at the heart of many jazz events, including two prestigious European Jazz festivals - Jazz à Vienne in France, and Umbria Jazz in Italy. A total of seven InnovaSON consoles - four Sy80s, two Sy48s and a Grand Live - were put to use at both FOH and monitor positions at the two festivals.

In Vienne in the Rhone Valley, the principal concert venue was the stunning Théâtre Antique, the largest Roman amphitheatre in Europe. Over the festival's 25-year history, the venue has played host to jazz legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, George Benson, Stan Getz, Stonny Rollins, Al Jarreau, Lionel Hampton, James Brown, Michel Petrucciani, Claude Nougaro and others. This year audiences were delighted to welcome the likes of Pat Metheny, BB King, George Clinton and Oscar Peterson. Handling it all in smooth and capab

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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 - Star Events Group was once again back in Belfast for the Last Night Of The Proms. For the fourth year, crew boss Tom Taylor and project manager Phil Addyman were to be found on the lawns of Belfast's stunning City Hall. They provided a VT2015 stage for the event, complete with a video goalpost, which took eight crew three days to build. This was then handed over to the BBC for three days of set dressing, to achieve the final, stunning look. The two-day derig was made more interesting given the ever-present threat of disruption from the more militant members of the city's populace. The last truck was loaded and the majority of the crew sent to the airport just before gridlock ensued. "

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - Yamaha's Commercial Audio Division in the UK has announced that Nick Cook, previously sales and marketing director with InnovaSon S.A.S, has been appointed as its new general manager. This is a newly created position and coincides with the announcement of the company's latest digital console, the M7CL (see other news today) and significant additions to the existing range of live and installation power amplifiers and follows the company's successful introduction of a new range of installation series speakers.

Cook's role is to continue the huge success the Commercial Audio business has been enjoying since 2001 when Yamaha first introduced the PM1D, he will expand this success and spearhead Yamaha's longer term strategy to become a market leading systems solution provider. Cook is particularly well qualified to develop Yamaha's ' system' plans, say the company, since during h

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UK - 5 Star Cases, the Cambridgeshire-based flightcase manufacturer, showcased its recent major investment into 3D modelling software at the recent PLASA Show. 'Solid Edge' from UGS, was demonstrated over the four-day event by 5 Star's Andy Stockdale, who has been implementing the system into the company's facilities over the past few months.

The main software capabilities were demonstrated including the fabrication of case fittings and hardware, case assemblies and photo-realistic rendering. Integration into other company facilities were also demonstrated, such as generation of production ready geometry for use with CNC machining systems. XpressReview, a free 'client-based' application was also shown.

Keith Sykes, 5 Star's works director, said: "The interest shown by both new clients and existing customers in this new software was fantastic. The company will be 'rolling

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UK - Glasgow City Council today unveiled the programme for a new festival, which will allow Glaswegians to see their city in a spectacular new light. The streets of the Merchant City will be transformed by celebrated lighting designers and visual artists from around the globe, alongside local emerging artists, as part of Radiance, Glasgow Festival Of Light.

Taking place from 25-27 November, 2005, Radiance will ensure that a walk through the Merchant City will become a dazzling journey of discovery for a wide range of audiences of all ages, from art lovers to people working or shopping in the city, as the often hidden, but beautiful buildings are illuminated by stunning light installations and captivating visual artworks in unusual and unexpected places. Developed and funded by Glasgow City Council, as part of their £5.2 million investment into the city's lighting strategy,

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UK - QXi215, the eagerly awaited addition to Celestion's popular QXi Series is now in full production and shipping to customers worldwide. Designed for applications that demand a big bass sound from a single unit, QXi215 features some exciting new design developments, say the company.

Two 15" Celestion Truvox drivers - one direct radiating, the other mounted inside the ported, birch-ply cabinet at 90 degrees - form a modified band pass system. This ingenious driver loading arrangement results in pure, natural sounding audio with a solid, tight bottom end.

This full-range, quasi 3-way, sound reinforcement system also incorporates a 75W Celestion CDX1-1745 ceramic compression driver, delivering the optimum balance between performance, efficiency, weight and cost. Not only does the QXi215 easily out-perform other 2 x 15" cabinets at this price point, this forward-thinki

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UK - Paul Gill is appointed managing director of JFMG Limited with effect from 1 November 2005 following the decision of Ron Little to leave the company. Paul is currently Technology Director of the company, and was previously with the BBC.

JFMG Chairman Mike Snalam said: "I am extremely pleased that Paul has accepted this key role in the company. He brings with him unparalleled knowledge and experience of the business, having been with the company since its inception as well as having been actively involved in frequency management for programme making and special events in previous organizations."

Paul Gill said: "With its unique expertise and tools, JFMG is ideally positioned to support spectrum users and owners as market methods of spectrum management are introduced. In parallel, there is also the unprecedented challenge of numerous changes in spectrum alloca

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UK - In a move to bring the cost of high-quality wireless systems substantially lower, Sennheiser launched its new freePORT range at the recent PLASA Show. The three versions - Vocal, Instrument and Presentation - all allow four switchable frequencies to be operated simultaneously, ensuring high transmission reliability and flexibility.

"FreePORT offers outstanding quality at a tremendously low price," said Michael Polten, industry team manager for the music industry at Sennheiser. "The systems can be operated without licensing and without a fee in many European countries."

All three have a Diversity receiver installed in a sturdy metal housing, ensuring optimum reception. Other features include a dynamics processor for a clear and natural sound, XLR and jack plug outputs, and an adjustable squelch to protect against interference. Low battery drain means th

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France - Music Plus, based South East of France, has purchased a 12 box Kudo system for this summer to provide more than 20 shows supporting 50 artists and bands with L-Acoustics latest technology. Paul De Luca, ,managing director, explained: "We were looking for a system capable of addressing the needs of a wide variety of applications in a broad range of venue gauges. Actually, we have been seduced by Kudo's versatility, ease of use and sound quality. Our first date with the Kudo system took place for a local festival and both the public and the sound engineers were enthused!"

De Luca continued: "Our team has already provided Kudo to many different types of shows and venues, from firework to dance shows, from concerts to one man shows, and I must confess that all artists and technicians have appreciated the sound quality and power of Kudo. This confirms that we'

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UK - When Glasgow Royal Concert Hall was looking to replace some luminaires at the end of last year, they chose six ETC Source Four Revolutions. They were so happy with the new moving lights that when they then decided to refurbish most of the rest of their equipment, they looked again to ETC. Chief stage and lighting engineer Graeme Ironside tested three lighting control consoles. "ETC's Congo won on simplicity and power," he said. "We have had two desks since the hall opened in 1990 and wanted a replacement which we were sure would last at least that long again."

In addition to the Congo (the first installed in the UK) Ironside also chose a SmartFade from ETC as a compact backup console, a further eight Source Four Revolutions, 20 Source Four Junior zooms, eight Source Four 10º profile spotlights and 80 Source Four PARs, all supplied by A.C. Lighting.

&q

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UK - Since demerging from the Evenser Group in February 2004, the Blitz Charter Group has gone from strength to strength, the company reports. The group, which has just announced a first period operating profit of £1.8 million in the 10 months to 31 December 2004, has made significant investments in new equipment, built on its key strengths and continued to attract the best people in the industry, it says.

Continuing its recruitment drive, the Group has confirmed that Ed Everest, founder and current managing director of Outside Broadcast specialists, O21, has been appointed as the new managing director of Charter Broadcast beginning in October 2005. Everest comments: "I'm delighted to be able to join the Blitz Charter Group; I have worked with Charter many times through the years, and their skill and enthusiasm for what they do has always been impressive. I have been

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UK - At therecent PLASA Show, Sennheiser showed the MS-88 - the first bi-directional ready product to be introduced by NetCIRA. This unit will allow a mix of input and output devices to be used at any point in the network allowing a two-way flow of information around the network utilizing a single Cat 5 cable. The MS-88 also includes an RS 232 port for external PC or integration with third party products, and word clock on a BNC connector. Other features include automatic transmitter or receiver configuration, front or rear fittable interface cards, and an extensive range of input and output cards.

Also introduced at PLASA was the new MI-6C input card which allows mic/line operation configurable via your PC. Designed for PA, stage, logging and conference situations, features include: configurability on a per channel basis, mic/line input, 48 volt phantom power, PAD (mic/line), h

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Spain / UK - Spanish pro audio manufacturer Vieta has added to its loudspeaker product portfolio with the introduction of a number of new products, shown for the first time at the recent PLASA exhibition, by UK distributor KV2. All of the new designs have been produced in response to input from Vieta's growing network of international distributors and customers.

The Vieta DO-80S is a new sub-bass design, added to the Vieta DO Line, which consists of high-performance passive speakers, specifically designed to ensure accurate sound reproduction in different types of acoustic spaces, such as auditoriums, theatres, pubs, discotheques, and shopping centres. The attractive and discrete design of the DO Line cabinets enables them to be easily integrated within differing styles of décor, and all models are both acoustically and mechanically resilient.

The DO-80S passive sub-bas

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UK - Navigator Systems' latest software release, HireTrack Eclipse v2.3 is also available in a new 'Try-it' download. Try-it has no time restrictions or missing features and when users are ready to buy, any data they have put into the 'Try-it' version can be easily transferred to the full version, say the company.

This new version of HireTrack Eclipse is the result of almost 18 months of work, including over six months spent in testing and stabilization. It is, by far, the most solid version released and includes hundreds of new and updated features, most of which came from requests by Navigator Systems' customers. The program also now includes an auto-updating feature, so users can be sure that they always have the latest version.

The 'Try-it' version is now available for download from the company's website, plus full details and manuals for the product.

(Sarah Rushton-Read

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UK - The 2005 Scottish Lighting Show is nearly upon us and this year hosts black light are showing the way in a very appropriate manner - by holding the show in a lighthouse. But this is no ordinary lighthouse. It's as easy to get to as black light's Edinburgh premises - indeed it's right next door! Built as a training tower for the Northern Lighthouse Board, the lighthouse is a perfect venue for the leading visual technology show in Scotland and the north of England.

This year's Scottish Lighting Show takes place on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th September between 10.30am and 4.30pm. It builds on the success of previous shows, with many exhibitors returning and more exhibiting for the first time, drawn by its well-deserved reputation for high quality visitors and calm atmosphere. Visitors can discuss business in a quiet and informal environment, without being deafened by the PA

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UK - Allen & Heath's Xone DJ mixers dominated at the recent Global Gathering festival, with Xone:92s, Xone:464s and Xone:62s selected for use in seven of the site's arenas. Leading hire company SSE managed sound for the entire event. Corporate sales manager Miles Hillyard, commented: "Allen & Heath DJ mixers were listed on a majority of technical riders for the Global Gathering event and we installed them as the generic mixer where none was specified. The Xone mixers - particularly the fantastic Xone:92 - are SSE's mixers of choice for all the events we manage. In our experience, the Xone mixers are very rider friendly and we find that all the DJ's we cater for can use them comfortably."

On the first day, Xone:92s were installed on the Get Loaded, Radio 1 Beach, and Essential selection stages, with performances from Pete Tong, Mylo, Paul Oakenfold and Sasha. On the Sat

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UK - Turbosound has announced the expansion of its sales team with the appointment of Paul McMullan to the post of UK sales manager. As a result of this appointment, previous UK sales manager Tim McCall moves into the post of Middle East and Asia sales manager - a natural move considering his extensive former experience in this area with BSS - in order to dedicate more attention and marketing resources to Turbosound's distributors in this rapidly expanding region.

These strategic moves reflect Turbosound's growing customer base, fuelled by the company's expanding product portfolio, which now ranges from the flagship Aspect series, through the QLight and QLight digital powered ranges, to the TXD and TCS musician and contractor products. The changes also reinforce Turbosound's approach of ensuring that each major territory is managed by a dedicated resource, say the company.

In

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Europe - Available throughout Europe since 2000, the IES Matrix dimming system was created to take advantage of a new generation of sine wave technology which allowed dimmers of different ratings and dimming techniques to be mixed in the same installation. Now, with just 44mm additional headroom, the new IES Matrix Mk II from ETC is one of the most flexible systems available, with the greatest choice of channel ratings and module options available, plus higher density and improved efficiency, say ETC.

The extra 44mm has enabled ETC to increase the density of the rack up to 180 dimmer channels. With space for up to six dimming channels per module, Matrix Mk II is customisable with up to 180 x 3kW or 90 x 5kW dimmers per rack. Sine wave modules are available as 4 x 3kW, 4 x 5kW and 1 x 10kW, with an even greater choice of channel ratings for SCR Basic and high filtering modules. W

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UK - Hall Stage collected an Innovation Award from the PLASA exhibition in London for the second year running. Following last years' success with the DGS Counterweight Drive system, this years launch of the D8++ chain hoist represents Halls' first product in the sector and proves the depth of technical development coming out of the 100-year-old business in recent months, say the company.

Designed by ASM to meet the exacting requirements of the German BGV C1 safety categorisation, D8++ means a rig will not require a 'secondary' or safety suspension line, saving hours of valuable stage time and hundreds of pounds in kit.

D8++ is also virtually silent, so can be used in quiet stage conditions. On board electronics mean the unit can be controlled with a cheap power inversion system instead of an expensive compliant system required by the competitive hoists.

Charles Haines, Hall

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