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USA - Wybron Inc has appointed Kara O'Grady as north-eastern sales manager. O'Grady has been involved in the lighting industry for 10 years, including spells as assistant lighting designer for The Opera Company of Philadelphia, and assistant master electrician for the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina. In addition, she has a wide range of freelance work as a lighting designer and electrician in industrial and corporate events in addition to theatre and television.

Her sales experience has included sales work for Rosco Laboratories and Barbizon Capitol, and most recently as a manufacturer's representative for Fogel & Associates in New Jersey. Ron Fogel of Fogel & Associates says of Kara's appointment: "I am so very proud of Kara and couldn't be happier for her. Al

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Russia - MC2 Audio recently made its Russian debut with distributor Pro Audio & Light at Music Moscow 2005 held at the Cultural Exhibition Center 'Sokolniki' in Moscow. "We are now in our 21st year of business," says Pro Audio & Light's Sergei Korovin. "We've been exhibiting at Music Moscow since it started 11 years ago, but this is the first time we've shown MC2 amplifiers there, although we have exhibited monitor loudspeakers from MC2 sister company Quested for many years."

"We had 12 MC2 amplifiers in our system rack, plus racks that were powering Turbosound's Aspect system on another booth in the 'Loud Hall'. The Russian market hadn't seen such a top class product before and they were very well received. Conversely, Quested is a very well known product in Russia and the CIS countries and there is an increasing trend for people to use these monitors i

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Italy - Italian lighting manufacturer SGM has introduced Imago-Mediasynth - a new media server which the company says can handle a practically unlimited number of combinations of images, special effects, video sequences and 3D objects, all in real time.

Imago puts 24 layers at the user's disposal, all able to be superimposed in live mode, plus two video layers and an input layer that enables an external feed to be imported with connection to video camera. Manipulation of 3D objects is carried out in real time during shows, by means of a few easy operations, say SGM.

The system enables the creation of an extraordinary number of effects, say SGM. The on-board library includes over 4,000 different objects, all of which can be previewed, while chromakey effects are also available.

The processing of all types of images in live mode is facilitated by the MIDI control surface, whic

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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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Europe - GearSource Europe Ltd, the web-based company marketing used and ex-demo equipment to the entertainment industry in conjunction with USA-based GearSource Inc, has announced that its website has gone live.

The site - at www.gearsourceeurope.com - is aimed at anyone looking for a bargain or interested in turning their excess stock into cash, and more than 1,500 lighting, audio, staging, and audio-visual items already listed, say the company.

(Lee Baldock)

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USA - What is very likely the performance lighting industry's first market development research has just been completed at LDI in Orlando, by US manufacturer Wybron. With a successful first phase accomplished at PLASA 2005 in London two months ago, this USA-focused research sought to add further understanding and richness to the uncovered hidden dimensions of product design requirements, product performance characteristics, and customer satisfaction.

"We desperately need a more comprehensive way of understanding our industry," says Keny Whitright, founder and president of Wybron. "Technology is impacting our business in ways that were almost unthinkable a decade ago. To some, technology provides for easier ways of doing what we could only accomplish with long, costly hours in the past. But today's and tomorrow's technologies are also providing opportunities to fur

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UK - Metropolis AV has supplied its Met3 LED lighting for an installation at the Darli Bar in Warrington to illuminate two glass walls in the newly opened art-house bar. The town centre operation is independently owned by local entrepreneur Paul Bond, who has four other Darli Bars in the area, and contacted Metropolis's David Linger to supply LED lighting.

Bond, who created the look and feel of the café/bar's contemporary interior, already knew that he wanted LED lighting. He'd wanted to do an LED design for some time, seeing the great potential of lighting and colour as a mood enhancer, but was waiting for the fixtures to become cost effective and bright enough to do it properly.

Bond had experimented with a few LED brands before Metropolis was recommended to him. Once he'd tried their Met3 LED product that was it - his mind was set on this brand because of its brightn

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USA - ESTA recently awarded the first Frank Stewart Volunteer of the Year Award, created to honor Frank's incomparable service to the Association over the last 18 years. This award recognizes extraordinary effort by a volunteer or group of volunteers during the previous year.

At ESTA's annual dinner on 10 November in Orlando, ESTA's past and current presidents gathered to honour the only Treasurer ESTA has ever had. Glenn Becker, ESTA's first President, told the assembled crowd: "For most of us, life, as we have become accustomed to, is about to end. Our Treasurer for Life is hanging up his Stetson and riding his motorcycle off into the sunset. Frank Stewart will be sorely missed. Frank is the epitome of what this Association stands for, the mutual benefit of its members. No one has volunteered more of his or her time, talents and personal funds than Frank Stewart. No one i

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UK - The Association of Britiush Theatre Technicians (ABTT) has announced the dates of forthcoming technical training opportunities in early 2006, to be held in Stockport.

.On Saturday 7 January, 'Knots & Splicing' will cover the handling of different ropes and tying knots proficiently and safely. Knots that are useful in a theatre situation will be taught by practical demonstration. Attendees will learn knots including bowline, clove hitch, reef knot, wagon hitch, rolling hitch and sheet bend, and also the tools for splicing ropes, and to differentiate between the different natural fibre ropes. The tutor will be Spike Thorrington and the course will cost: £100 + VAT.

On Saturday 14 January, 'Counterweight Flying' will teach the safe handling of counterweight sets and will cover: terminology, parts of a counterweight set, loading and unloading, operating, first line main

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Canada - Cast Software, maker of the WYSIWYG design and visualization suite, is offering registered end users the opportunity to catch-up to Release 15 plus step-up to a higher product level for half the regular price of an upgrade - for a limited period. The 'Catch-up' scheme will aow users to access WYSIWYG's new features including streaming video, transitions between lighting looks, performance enhancements in CAD views and, for the first time in WYSIWYG, very realistic people, say Cast.

At the same time, WYSIWYG Report users can upgrade to Design or Perform; Design users can upgrade to Perform, and all channels of Perform can upgrade to Perform Unlimited.

(Lee Baldock)

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Germany - The Colour Line Arena, Hamburg, and the Congress Centre in Essen have recently taken delivery of new chain hoists from ChainMaster. The Saxon company equipped the two major events centres with BGV-D8plus systems. These versatile chain hoists have a load capacity of 500 kilograms and are equipped with a manual controller with an integrated load display.

ChainMaster also reports that it has expanded the lifting gear in the Weser-Ems Hall in Oldenburg. The BGV-C1 chain hoist system from ChainMaster already in use in the hall has been retro-fitted with 12 drives for loads ranging from 500 to 1,000 kilograms and a controller.

Finally, the Dutch theatre Harmonie Leeuwarden is also relying on lifting gear from ChainMaster. The theatre recently took delivery of 28 BGV-C1 chain hoists with a load capacity of 1,250kg. The installation was performed by BEO of the Netherlands.

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UK - For the second consecutive year, Pioneer received the award for 'Most Innovative Technology' at the House Music Awards, held on 17 November 2005 at London's famed Hammersmith Palais. Last year, Pioneer collected the Most Innovative Technology award for the CDJ-1000s series, but this year the genre-splicing DVJ-X1 DVD decks took the award.

During the ceremony, hosted by the Cuban Brothers with special guests including Erick Morillo, Arthur Baker and BBC Radio 1's Pete Tong and Annie Mac, over 20 innovators were revealed as award winners. Among these, the House Music Awards honoured David Guetta (DJ of the Year, Best Live Set and Stand Out Event), Mylo and his Breastfed imprint (Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Best Breakthrough Label), dance music diva Barbara Tucker (Outstanding Vocal and Best Live PA), and Pete Tong who received the Outstanding Contribution to Hou

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UAE - Regional media technology provider, MultiSell Technology Middle East FZCO and niche digital motion specialists Xische Digital have teamed up to form a new joint venture - 'MX2' - which will implement a unique range of interactive presentation and media display solutions from offices in the USA, Europe and the Middle East. MultiSell's CEO, David Holm-Glad, said: "This venture is a win-win situation for all parties involved, first and foremost for our joint blue-chip clientele and I am very excited about pioneering this unique fusion together into the future."

Danish Farhan, CEO of award winning digital innovation agency Xische Digital - is enthusiastic about the prospects and growth of MX2, offering a new, unique and engaging digital experience solution to an increasingly demanding market. "MX2 will strategically focus on Xische's digital innovative competenc

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UK - Canford Audio has announced the launch of over 800 new products via the internet, with more to come. The new additions are available either online (www.canford.co.uk) or via the company's telephone sales lines. All pricing, full technical details and application notes are initially to be found online.

Canford's already wide range, encompassing over 12,000 lines, has just grown by more than 800 items. Canford took the decision to launch the new products through their website immediately, in advance of the imminent publication of their catalogue due early in 2006. The full-colour 2006 edition will mark Canford's 30th anniversary and will contain the 800 new products and many more, say the company.

Canford signalled its commitment to a fully interactive online store some years ago and has been steadily developing the site over the last five years. The size of Canford's portf

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UK - Music Live, now firmly established as the UK's premier annual public music show, once again chose HK Audio to be the PA system of choice throughout the event at the NEC in Birmingham. Handling sound reinforcement duties from the main live stage to individual on-stand demo performances, this is the fifth year in succession that the HK brand has been associated with Music Live.

The show setting proved ideal for the UK launch of HK Audio's innovative COHEDRA Compact line array PA system last year, with HK's flagship COHEDRA line array system taking pride of place for 2005, specified by Q Audio due to the increased scale of this years main stage. Arrays consisted of 12 flown CDR208 mid/high units per side plus 24 ground-stacked CDR210S subwoofers, with 28.8kW of power courtesy of two of each of HK's PR8 and PR16 amp/controller racks. Eight of the new ConTour Series CT115 multi-

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UK - Pro Audio Systems, the Bradford-based audio and AV rental, sales, installation, conference, and events production company, has been appointed a Midas and Klark Teknik dealer for the north west of England by the manufacturer. The deal saw Pro Audio Systems purchase three consoles for hire and demo stock: Midas Siena 480 and Verona 320 touring packages, and with a Venice 160.

Established in 1988, the fast-growing company is already a major dealer for Audio-Technica, Meyer Sound, and Sennheiser, among others. The company is experiencing particular growth in sales - both on-line and contact - while its hire and installation business also continues to expand. The requirement for a high quality audio console brand was key to the expansion of the company's product portfolio.

Operations, sales and marketing director Andy Turner is clear as to the positive effect that the addition

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UK - Stage One clients - including Jack Morton Worldwide, PCI Fitch and TRO - have been winning awards in abundance this year and the team at Stage One says it is "delighted to have played a part in that success", having worked on several of the high profile, award-winning events for companies such as Toyota, General Motors and Mini UK.

"We feel great pride when our clients win awards for projects we've contributed to," said Mark Johnson, managing director of Stage One. He added: "It is of vital importance to Stage One's team of dedicated professionals that excellent working partnerships are forged with our clients and the direct result of this can be seen in the quality of the work we then produce."

Event Magazine's annual awards were announced recently, with Stage One being a key supplier to four Gold Award winners and the two winners of the spe

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UK / USA - The latest version of Dataton Watchout - the production and presentation system used in large-scale, high-impact presentations, picked up an LDI Product of the Year award in Orlando this month. The new version, Watchout 3, is faster and more responsive, and features a completely remodelled user interface, say the company.

Watchout 3 offers easy access to offline programming and client demos, while the Stage window is improved and offers high-quality previews. New settings for preview quality and the masked preview mode help enhance both the producer's and the client's experience, say Dataton: users can even preview live video and remote computers in the Stage window.

(Lee Baldock)

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Canada / Australia - Canadian loudspeaker system manufacturer Adamson has expanded its distributor network to include Australia. ATT Audio Controls is based in Melbourne, and is distributor for such companies as Lake, Cadac and Kling & Freitag.

The company's founder, Frank Hinton, explained the new partnership: "In Adamson we discovered a similar corporate culture to our own. We encountered a company whose business activity is relationship based, rather than opportunistic, with a 'tell it how it is', no nonsense persona, which is exactly how we like it. Their higher than normal investment in, and allocation of resources to, client/product support, impressed us greatly. When considering the product the company produces, we looked at issues such as relativity in our particular market place along with product performance worldwide. They are clearly at the elite level."

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Liechtenstein / USA - Neutrik's OpticalCon fibre optic connector system picked up its second award of the year at the LDI exhibition in Orlando, Florida on 12 November. Earlier in the year, the company collected the Pick Hit Award at the InfoComm show in June. At LDI, OpticalCon was chosen as Product of the Year 2005 in the sound category.

Neutrik's OpticalCon particularly impressed with its robustness and favourable price. A unique feature is the automatic sealing shutter with silicone gaskets to protect the optical fibre against dust and dirt. OpticalCon is available with the approved push-pull locking mechanism, say Neutrik.

The Neutrik group is the worldwide leading manufacturer of professional connector systems for the entertainment industry. The array of products ranges from XLR connector systems, jacks and plugs, loudspeaker connector systems, patch panels, coaxial conn

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UK - The Sage Gateshead has successfully delivered The North East's biggest music congress of 2005 - the globe's largest World Music Expo, WOMEX. Over 2,000 delegates from across 90 countries and more than 1,000 members of the public visiting WOMEX Showcases, enjoyed a rousing mix of international music including over 50 Showcase performances, numerous conference sessions, film screenings and a Trade Fair with over 200 exhibitors. WOMEX 2005 is one of the year's two biggest congresses in Gateshead generating an estimated £2.5m for the region's economy; the other was the Labour Party Spring Conference, again hosted at The Sage Gateshead.

Stage Electrics' Ed Gamble worked closely with Dan Adams, production manager for the event to provide a host of showcase equipment to complement the event including Mac 700 fixtures and Atomic strobes from Martin Professional, an ETC AVAB C

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Portugal - The success of Novembers annual MTV Europe Awards, held in Lisbon, has demonstrated Stage One's reliability and professionalism, as once again the company has constructed key sets and props for this major live event.

For the fourth year in succession, Stage One was brought on board by MTV Networks International to build the house stage for this high-profile event and was also responsible for building specific sets and props for several of the artists, including Madonna, Black Eyed Peas, Akon and the Gorillaz.

"It's fantastic to be working with MTV Networks International again on such an exciting and vibrant live event," said Steve Dolan, project manager for Stage One. He continued: "Stage One offers a great deal of expertise for events like this and that's why our clients return year after year to use our services."

To ensure a greater degree o

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