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Norway - The original Arena in Bislett, Oslo, host venue for speed skating at the 1952 Winter Olympics, was organized as a stadium for sporting events as far back as 1922 and its present shape dates from just before World War ll. In the following years, the arena served speed skaters in the winter and footballers and athletes in the summer, but by the end of the century the neglect of maintenance resulted in the inevitable decision that a new stadium had to be built.

As a much-treasured building in the region, the decision was taken to construct the new stadium in the form of the old one, but with 21st Century facilities and to current standards. So true was the new building to the design of the original that, at the opening for the "Bislett Games/GoldenLiege", some loca

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Switzerland - Switzerland-based rental company, Livesound B AG, has become an Adamson European rental pool partner with the purchase of 24 Y18, 16 Y10, 8 SpekTrix and a planned November delivery of 12 units of the Adamson T-21 subwoofer.

Livesound, founded in 1976 by Werner Christen and Thomas Gfeller, has grown to become one of the most important production companies in the European, and Swiss, pro audio industry. "We knew that investing in a large line array system was a very important step for us", says Thomas Gfeller. "Therefore we investigated intensely, for more than 18 months, before we made our decision. We evaluated most of the famous systems available and came to the conclusion that the Adamson Y-Axis system is the perfect tool for us. Not only is it well accepted by sound engineers, but we discovered very early that the people at DV2 (Adamson's European

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UK - Pro Musik GmbH from Trier was responsible for design and implementation of the sound reinforcement system for a two-night open-air event - a lakeside festival beside the Losheimer Dam, near Saarburg, Germany. Pro Musik manager Elmar Hubert chose a Nexo/Camco combination sound system for the job.

The main PA consisted of 19 GEO T4805s plus 1 GEO T2815 cabinet in left and right arrays, coupled with 12 GEO CD18 sub basses on each side of the stage. This was supplemented by Nexo Alpha near and sidefills and all monitoring was supplied by highly effective Camco and Nexo products. The entire sound reinforcement system was driven by Camco amps, 44 Vortex-6s, eight Vortex-200Vs and five Texton 38.4s.

Elmar Hubert, the manager of Pro Musik GmbH, commented: "The sound left absolutely nothing to be desired. We had nothing but positive feedback from the bands and sound engineers

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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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USA - ESTA has announced that a revised version of the existing ANSI E1.1-1999, Entertainment Technology - Construction and Use of Wire Rope Ladders is available for public review until 13 December 2005. The document is available on the ESTA website here. The revised version of E1.1 is being offered for public review because substantive changes were made to the SI measurements given in the last public review version. The SI and American customary dimensions were substantially different, so these have been modified to make them functionally the same.

Reviewers are asked to see if the document now gives adequate and accurate guidance on the construction and use of wire rope ladders, and are also asked to identify any protected intellectual property they might see in the draft document. ESTA doe

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UK - Bosch Security Systems has launched the Plena Loop Amplifier, an addition to its Plena Public Address and Voice Alarm System range introduced in response to increasing legislation with respect to disability, specifically for the hard of hearing. The Plena Loop Amplifier also follows the launch of another innovation - Bosch's Integrus infrared (IR) wireless language distribution system for hearing-aid assistance.

The EVAC-compliant Plena Loop Amplifier integrates inductive-loop hearing-aid facilities for the hard of hearing (T-mode) into the public address and voice alarm system allowing hearing-aid users to clearly hear announcements including emergency announcements, music or soundtracks within a selected area.

The Plena Voice Alarm System is EVAC-compliant and meets the requirements of the IEC60849 standard and its national equivalents for emergency messaging. EVAC comp

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USA - The phenomenally popular Tonight Show with Jay Leno, which NBC broadcasts to viewers around the world, has become the first show in the US to run with the new Congo lighting desk by ETC. The show's two Congo boards debuted behind the scenes on the 6 September broadcast, which included an elaborate moving-light sequence for rock group Lifehouse. The consoles are now busy controlling the lights for each night's show.

"We needed a high-speed console with great reliability and a lot of channels for moving lights," said Gilbert Quintanar, head electrician on the Tonight Show and 29-year veteran with NBC studios. The Tonight Show keeps a full rig of some 475 devices - including 300 conventional fixtures - with numerous ETC Source Fours among them, plus a growing rig of over 90 moving lights. There's no small amount of pressure on this set where the technical crew crea

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UK - Manchester's contemporary arts theatre, the Green Room, recently installed an Allen & Heath multi-purpose live sound GL3800 mixer as the venue's main FOH console.

The Theatre stages an assortment of local, national and international productions throughout its calendar year, comprising original dance, music, poetry, play and film performances. The new 24-channel desk was chosen predominantly for its capacity to manage the larger musical events and theatrical productions, running in conjunction with the Theatre's existing Allen & Heath MixWizard 14:4:2 to run line level sources such as CD, mini-disc, or DAT where required.

"We're extremely pleased with the purchase. The GL3800 is a great desk and provides us with a huge amount of versatility for the diverse performances we manage, for instance, one of the productions scheduled this month involves constantly changing ro

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USA - Al Crawford, the lighting director for the hugely popular Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, has praised the efforts of PRG Europe in helping to make the group's first ever UK tour go so smoothly. Renowned for its high energy performances, the company is regarded as one of America's greatest dance companies and performs a vast range of styles, including modern, jazz, hip hop, folk, gospel and ballet, and everything in between.

"It's a very eclectic mix of dance, which means the lighting has to be just as flexible and diverse," explained Crawford. "For example, our signature work, Revelations, was first lit in 1960, so one of the challenges is having this recreated with today's more advanced equipment. Other work in the tour repertory can be quite modern, with contemporary lighting effects and lots of vivid qualities - we have the very classical and the very

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Germany - CAVIS - the Congress for Audio-Visual Installation Systems, which runs alongside the annual ProLight+Sound exhibition in Frankfurt, has changed its name, the organizers have announced. From 2006 it will be called Prolight+Sound Media Systems Congress. "System integration and media technology are both areas which have been successfully involved in the congress for the last three years and they are firmly established in the fair - so it was time to give this fast-growing trade-fair segment its own proper place in the congress title", says Cordelia von Gymnich, vice-president of Messe Frankfurt GmbH. "We think this is a brand-policy decision whose time has come."

A central theme running through the expert talks in 2006 will be that of "Multiple-purpose halls and arenas." Featuring some 40 sessions, the Prolight+Sound Media Systems Congress is

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UK - Stage Electrics have taken delivery of the complete range of RCF's new Acustica speakers. Acustica is a compact series which consists of six speakers and two subs and is designed for both portable and installation applications.

RCF's Phil Price explained: "With the introduction of Acustica I feel that we have produced a range of speakers equal to any of kind on the market today. The positive thing about the Stage Electrics investment is that they have the complete range on active demonstration at their showrooms in Bristol, London, Cardiff, Plymouth, Newcastle and Exeter, whilst also holding stock at their other branches.

The demonstration systems at each branch allow customers to audition all the different models within the Acustica Line Up. Furthermore each system is powered by RCF 'HC' Series Professional Power Amplifiers and the systems utilize RCF's new DX4008 d

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UK - Glassheart Audio Services, known for its custom cabling and panelling solutions, has now expanded into Sound Equipment Hire - although it could be said the company is going full circle as that is where it all started. MD Chris Mellors has taken delivery of 10kW of Court Acoustic RAMJET speaker system from Stephen Court, MD of Court Acoustic systems.

Mellors says: "We have been all over the place trying out different manufacturers products but the only speaker that provided the clean bass we were looking for was the Court Acoustic RAMJET, it won hands down!" The major feature of the Glassheart Audio Services touring rig is the attention to matching individual components to give an exceptional clarity to the systems delivery.

"Power with clarity is the one thing that I personally have found lacking at performances I've attended in recent years - I used to get

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UK - The PLASA Show has again proved itself one of the most influential events in the industry calendar. Around 13,000 (subject to ABC audit) key industry people visited London in early September to participate in what is now the major international gathering-point for the entertainment, event and installation industries. The emphasis was very much on business, with exhibitors not only generating significant leads, but also reporting an unprecedented number of orders being placed.

As in previous years, the Show had a strong international profile with a third of exhibitors based outside the UK, and an increasing international visitor attendance, which is now nudging the 30% mark.

One of the key reasons for the Show's continued momentum is its focus on new developments and its ongoing investment in interactive feature areas, awards that recognize the best design work in the indu

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USA - Color Kinetics has appointed Ellen Bossert as vice-president of marketing, and says Bossert will "lead the company's worldwide marketing strategy and manage the evolution of its brand as an industry leader in intelligent solid-state lighting solutions".

"We're very pleased to welcome Ellen, who joins the company during an exciting time of growth and positioning for the future," said Bill Sims, the company's president and CEO. "We have successfully transitioned from an emerging start-up organization to a growing public concern, and the opportunity to penetrate the larger, general lighting market presents a host of new research, marketing and communications requirements. As such, Ellen's considerable expertise will help us identify these new requirements and accordingly shape the new public face of Color Kinetics and its brand."

Color Kinetics

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Australia - Newcastle Stadium, the home of legendary Aussie rugby league team, the Newcastle Knights, has upgraded viewing capabilities for its fans through the installation of a giant outdoor video screen, manufactured and designed by Lighthouse Technologies. The screen, a Lighthouse Technologies P12-ER high resolution LED display, will relay to rugby fans spectacular, live images of their favourite Newcastle Knights players in action. Spectators will also be able to view true-to-life images of instant replays, game statistics, player interviews and advertisements, all from different angles of the stadium's pitch.

Australian systems integrator Bytecraft Entertainment was Lighthouse's local partner responsible for the installation of the 5 x 4 panel (38.4sq.m) video screen, which is positioned centrally in the Newcastle Stadium grounds in full view of the main spectator stands.

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USA - Miami-based Laser Production Network - LaserNet - has announced the recent completion of laser installations in three nightclubs. The latest nightclub in Port of Spain, Trinidad is 'Zen' - described by LPN as "the most impressive nightclub in the Caribbean". This Asian-flavoured club features LaserNet's LaserPro projector with a 7W white light laser and 32 bounce mirrors which send beams throughout the three-storey club. Aerial graphics created with Pangolin make the install complete.

Metropolis, in Downtown Miami opened recently featuring LaserNet's 1W Argon air-cooled laser Matrix beam/scan projector, while new nightclub Tao in Las Vegas, billed as an Asian Bistro, features LaserNet's 5W Copper Bromide ScannerPro amid the Asian artifacts. The Pangolin-based projector targets 16 bounce mirrors over the dance floor.

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - Leading entertainment lighting supplier White Light has introduced the new White Light Smart Touring Rack. A versatile new touring dimmer system, demonstrated at this year's PLASA show, the Smart Touring Rack is now available for both hire and sale.

Designed in response to the needs of touring productions which now freely mix conventional and automated lanterns and so need easy access to a mixture of dimmers and switchable hard power. Each Smart Touring Rack contains four 12-way modules; each module can either be a 12-way ETC SmartPack 10A dimmer pack or a 12-way 10A MCB power module. Each 12-way module is RCD protected, and each dimmer module has its own 'brain', so that if one brain does fail only those 12 dimmers are lost but the rest of the rack continues to function normally. Every rack also offers six ways of independent power, meaning that non-dimmed power is availab

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UK - The Solent was the location for AIR 2005, the newly-launched Audio Industry Regatta, held this year on 24-25 September. Formerly known as the DAMMSTY weekend, this annual event has been organized since 1989 by Ken Walker and Brenda White. The DAMMSTY sailing trophy, introduced in 1993, is awarded in memory of Dave Martin of Martin Audio.

This weekend raises money and awareness for the Elizabeth Foundation for Deaf Children. Based in the Portsmouth area, the Elizabeth Foundation offers support nationwide to deaf children, from birth to five years old, and their parents.

This year's splash and dash event was held over two days, with 13 sponsored boats from the pro audio world competing over five races. Saturday evening's fundraiser event at Gunwharf Quays included dinner, auction, raffle and the obligatory pop quiz, all washed down with more than the odd tot of rum.<

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Malaysia - Ten Lake Contour Pro 26 Digital speaker processors have been integrated into the installed and mobile sound reinforcement systems at the newly opened Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Six Lake Contour processors are integrated into the audio system in the main Plenary Hall, a two-level, tiered seating venue that accommodates 3,000 people and is intended for concerts, opening ceremonies, conferences, and product launches. The processor system, controlled by a wireless touch-screen tablet, is being used to optimize a Left-Center-Right (LCR) speaker system. In addition to advanced sound, lighting, and audio-visual systems, the hall incorporates state-of-the-art conference facilities, including an interactive microphone system and built-in multilingual interpretation systems.

The smaller Plenary Theatre on the convention centre's third floor is outfitted with three Lake C

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UK/USA - Brian Auger is touring with a pair of Allen & Heath MixWizard mixing consoles. The desks - one based in the U.S. and one in Europe - provide onstage pre-mixing and monitor processing for Auger's multiple keyboard set-up.

"These mixers are one of the best investments I've made in a long time. They've done quite a few miles on the road and I couldn't be more pleased with them," says Auger. "I don't need any DI boxes, I just plug the keyboards straight into the WZ and use the main outputs to feed the PA system."

Whether Auger is touring North America or Europe, the MixWizards are available to pre-mix his Hammond B3 organ and a Korg SG Pro X piano, as well as a rack-mount Korg X5DR module.

The consoles also allow the keyboard player to add reverb to his monitors as a performance aid. "In bigger halls, I use some reverb on the keyboards," he

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USA - Peavey has made a number of key improvements to its Messenger Series enclosures. Both ST models now offer additional power with the aid of a new 1" compression driver, lifting the performance of the 12" model from 125 to 175W RMS, while the new 15" model increases the power from 150 to 200W RMS. With the price remaining the same, Peavey has also added Neutrik connectors.

Additionally, the non-powered 12 and 15" Pro units are now being fitted with more powerful 3" voice coil woofers and a 1.75" titanium diaphragm HF compression driver. This has resulted in increased power handling from 200 to 250W RMS in the 12" model and from 250 to 300W RMS in the 15" model. The non-powered Pro Sub unit has had its power raised to 300W, again with the addition of a 3" voice coil woofer. Prices remain the same.

Finally, the UL range has benefi

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UK - Ms. Dynamite used a range of TL Audio gear for both the recent Live8 concert in Hyde Park, London, and several live appearances - including an exclusive live set at Abbey Road studios and her appearance at the tenth annual MOBO awards. The performances are all building up to the imminent release of her second album.

The singer's band have been thoroughly enjoying using the TL Audio gear for their performances, especially at live 8. Trevor Axeman McKinley commented, "They [TL Audio products] were great for us at Live 8; we were doing a cover of a reggae classic - Redemption Song by Bob Marley and the sound had to be right to take on such a well loved and respected song. The set was an acoustic one sandwiched between two rock bands. It was major play for us and we needed to stand out. TL Audio gear enabled us to do that and [we] stood out strong!"

(J

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