Sweden / UK - Wireless Solution Sweden AB is gearing up for its third consecutive year exhibiting at the PLASA Show in London, where all visitors to the stand can enter a draw to win a W-DMX system valued at 1200 Euros.

A complete new range of W-DMX products will be on display, including W-DMX T-512 Outdoor Transceiver, W-DMX Micro, and W-DMX D-512, the world's first wireless 3-way truss splitter. Two of these products have been entered for the PLASA Awards for Innovation - the D-512 and W-DMX Micro, a mini DMX receiver with built-in battery backup of 6-8 hours use, signal display indication and battery lifetime. As a bonus preview, the RDM specification on W-DMX will be shown for the first time at PLASA.

The company reports that 2006 has been a great year for W-DMX: in just eig

USA - Aviom, Inc., manufacturer of the Pro16 Monitor Mixing System, is announcing that the company is now shipping the new AN-16SBR System Bridge, which will be featured at AES 2006 (Booth 123).

All Pro16 Series products are compatible with the AN-16SBR System Bridge, which is designed to be used with Pro16 Series products when digital snake and audio distribution systems larger than 32 channels are required. One AN-16SBR is used at each end of every 48- or 64-channel run. The AN-16SBR supports the configurations of 64x0, 48X16, 32x32 or smaller.

Features of the new System Bridge include two identical 1U rack-mount modules, each with four Neutrik EtherCon connectors (16 channels each) and one Neutrik EtherCon connector for Bridge output (up to 64 channels).

Multiple AN-16SBR units can be used to create complex systems and, at each end of a main run, one AN-16SBR is used to c

UK / Bulgaria - Switchcraft has strengthened its international representation by appointing Sofia based AT Company to stock and supply its connectors, patchbays and cable assemblies to the broadcast and professional audio markets in Bulgaria.

Stephen Waldron, Switchcraft's director of international sales, says: '"AT Company is a well established supplier within its market place and we are very pleased to enter this new relationship that will increase the availability of our products and introduce the Switchcraft range to new customers."

(Chris Henry)

featured content

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

UK - Epic Dickens tales have been the name of the game recently for the in-house designers at Autograph. They have been involved in the new productions of Nicholas Nickleby and Two Cities at Chichester Festival Theatre and Salisbury Playhouse respectively.

Nick Lidster and Matt Mckenzie designed the David Edgar version of one of Charles Dickens' greatest novels, which formed part of the 2006 Season at The Chichester Festival Theatre. Broken down into two parts, the captivating story was told in a marathon six and a half hours of wonderful ensemble theatre, accompanied by new music written by Matthew Scott.

Not content with this ample workload, Nick Lidster also found time to design Noel Coward's Tonight at 8:30 in the Minerva Theatre, the studio space at the Festival Theatre. Meanwhile in Salisbury, Chris Full has designed The Playhouse's new musical produ

UK - At PLASA 06 Void Acoustics will be unleashing their most recent creations that combine the latest in cutting edge materials and technological advances. These advances have been made possible by working with construction materials like Carbon fibre and Kevlar composites. Void have also utilised the latest advances in active sensing systems, which have been implemented to increase reliability and vastly increase the output level of the product.

The company says that they continue to show endurance, stamina and growth in a market that places ever-increasing demands on its products. One new product launched this year is Airten, which is part of the Air Series. The Airten features a new type of sensing circuit that is built into its enclosure and requires no outboard processing or external powering. The protection device monitors all components at source and is used to maximise

UK - With its broadest agenda in the show's history, the seminar programme at this year's PLASA '06 (September 10-13 at Earls Court One) will offer an insight into technical developments, as well as addressing some of the key issues facing businesses today.

New technologies lead the way with Sunday's opening seminar - Out of Home Leisure Entertainment - considering the application of interactive and 4D technologies and the growing crossover between the themed attraction and theatre sectors.

This trend continues throughout the four days, with a range of technical seminars providing the core of the programme: sound system designers and operators of public spaces and transport networks will be interested in Intelligible Intelligibility - how to make PA and VA systems understandable and meet intelligibility standards, whilst those more focused on lighting can attend

Luxembourg - For a long time the large area around Luxembourg, Saarland-Lorraine, has lacked one thing, a multi-functional hall designed primarily for music events and concerts. With its technical, acoustic and logistic facilities the new 'Rockhal' fills this hole, catering for any show from international artists to local music events.

The opening concert featured The Prodigy and Korn, attracting sell-out audiences. Since opening, many acts have featured at the Rockhal including Simply Red, Michael Bublé, Duran Duran, Clawfinger, Soulfly, Fish, Marillion and Chris Rea. Apart from live performances 'Rockhal' was also the venue for the MTV-produced iDance.

The 'Rockhal' has two venues, the Club Hall which holds up to 1,200, and the Main Hall which can accommodate 6,500 people. There are also six extra rooms for rehearsals, a ballroom and a recording studio. A uniqu

Ukraine - Kiev-based PA company, Sendi Pro Sound & Stage, recently managed sound reinforcement for the largest international youth worship festival, which was held at the Sports Palace in Kiev, Ukraine, employing four Allen & Heath consoles - two ML5000 VCA mixers a GL4000 and GL2200.

Over 4,000 young people from Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, as well as Western Europe, USA, Canada and Australia attended the two-day My Time festival, making it the largest gathering of young worshipers from all denominations.

The event comprised motivational sermons, DJ's, and live performances from leading religious rock, pop and folk bands. Headline artists were Delirious (UK), New Jerusalem (Belarus), Drujki (Russia), and Masada (Ukraine/Canada), with support from GX International, Kick Off, Calvary Chapel Band (Ukraine), Hill Song Praise Band (Ukraine), and Team X-Treme.

Yury Khomenko,

UK - New York City-based City Theatrical will launch two new products in its award-winning WDS Wireless Data System product line at the PLASA Show - a WDS Four Port Opto-Receiver and a WDS Candle Adapter. The WDS Four Port Opto-Receiver receives a universe of DMX data via wireless broadcast from a WDS transmitter, and turns it into four fully optically isolated five-pin XLR outlets. An external power supply allows for either mains or battery operation.

The WDS Candle Adapter allows the City Theatrical Candle Lite electronic flicker candles to be controlled or dimmed through WDS Dimmers, allowing for full wireless operation of stage candles. Recent installations of WDS Candle Adapters include the New York and Las Vegas companies of The Phantom of the Opera and the New York production of The Coast of Utopia.

City Theatrical - stand F33.

(Lee Baldock)

UK - At the forthcoming Firex North exhibition (17-18 October, Harrogate, UK), Baldwin Boxall Communications will be displaying the new Vigil Eclipse2 stand-alone voice alarm/public address system. Visitors to the stand will also be able to witness a demonstration of the increasingly popular VIGIL CommuniCare Advance (disabled refuge system) and VIGIL FireCare (fire telephone system).

The cost-effective, wall-mountable Vigil Eclipse2 voice alarm system has the ability to handle up to seven single or four dual circuit zones. Eclipse2 contains the EVAS DSP controlled routeing matrix at its heart and, as a result, has many features. The unit, which is smaller than its predecessor (480mm (W) x 200mm (D) x 680mm (H)), houses one 2U amplifier mainframe providing space for the power supply and up to two amplifiers from Baldwin Boxall's Vigil2 Class D range. Up to 128 Eclipse2s can be l

UK - Laser Visuals Research will present a one-day course in laser display safety at the Kent Science Park on 20 September, covering the key aspects that need to be considered by anybody involved in working with laser displays. The course combines theory with practical examples of many topics, enabling attendees to gain valuable knowledge and insight into what is necessary to perform safe and enjoyable laser displays.

In addition to the subjects covered in the course, attendees will be given a copy of the company's 200-page handbook on laser display safety, and a certificate of attendance. Each Certificate of Attendance includes a unique serial number allowing the attendee to register free of charge on the company's new online database of Registered Laser Safety Operators. The cost of the course is £245 + VAT for one delegate, or £445 + VAT for two. Please contact Ju

UK - dpa lighting consultants are delighted to announce the appointment of four new designers. Ben Acton, Stuart Barrett, Carole Grainge and Louise Mari Santiago. Ben, Stuart and Carole are based in the Oxfordshire office, and Louise is based in the Dubai office.

Nick Hoggett, partner, commented: "We are delighted with the new designers who further strengthen the dpa teams, both in Oxfordshire, and our fast growing Dubai office. The most encouraging thing is that they all come from different backgrounds, which fits entirely with our approach of making sure the Practice and our clients can benefit from the widest possible range of experience."

Ben joins dpa with a degree in Industrial Design & Technology and three years' experience of home sound and lighting installations, whilst Stuart has worked in film and television lighting over the last seven years and has recen

UK - PLASA' 06's DJ Sunday will have loads to offer the next generation of DJs with more special features and events being planned for this year's Show than ever before.

New technologies continue to define the pace with all the latest developments in DJ and VJ technology on show from leading names such as Pioneer, Allen & Heath, Stanton, Gemini, DMC, Ebsel / Proxfade, Numark, Rane and US Blaster. PLASA '06 will also give aspiring DJs the opportunity to mix with some of the best-known names in the business, as well as a chance to witness the record-breaking music event of the year, as world renowned DJ, Cut La Roc, simultaneously mixes on 20 CDJs and 10 mixers.

In addition to on-stand demos, giveaways and workshops - including TalkZones where music industry experts talk about different aspects of DJ'ing and dance music - there'll also be the Gemini 'Extreme V' DJ Competition -

UK - There's less than 48 hours to go to PLASA '06 - the key exhibition for professionals in the audio, lighting and AV industries.

Pre-registration is still available, with entry at half-price, to take advantage of the opportunity to see leading-edge products, and catch up with friends and colleagues.

For a full round-up of what's happening at PLASA '06 - from product launches from the industry's leading 500 brands, to new feature areas addressing specific technologies, and from a greatly expanded programme of events and seminars, to the chance to win £1,000 in a major prize draw competition - check out the Show website link below.

(Chris Henry)

Belgium / UK - Belgium-based company Amelia nv will introduce its new and innovative ShowLED Animation System at PLASA 2006. For the fourth year in a row, ShowLED will decorate the rear wall of Earls Court using a huge ShowLED curtain. A new product will be launched like it was performing on a real 'show'.

Designed in response to customer feedback, ShowLED Animation is designed to add some extra dynamism to the traditional starcloth. As in other ShowLED systems, the LEDs are placed randomly, ideal for creating starcloth effects. Features include high output RGB LEDs on thin socket cables, a velcro mounting system, excellent LED dimming curve, fast LED response time and additive colour mixing, says Amelia nv.

Contrary to most existing 'LED to fabric' video applications, ShowLED Animation retains the randomly-positioned LEDs, with a significantly raised density. The LEDs can be

UK - London-based event services company PSL has enjoyed its busiest season ever, supplying the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) with giant LED screens for cricket grounds throughout the UK. The 2006 contract has included a significant increase in the number of domestic games, more than 40 fixtures in the NatWest Pro40 League alone.

For the increasingly popular international matches, PSL is providing the ECB with Lighthouse 16mm LED screens. Two such screens, 6.84m x 9.14m, leapfrog one another around the country to the main grounds where they are mounted on goal-post type structures, built by PSL and branded by main match sponsors NatWest and Npower.

For each match, PSL provides the LED display with content from a dedicated PSL OB truck. The unit, which is using SDI transmission, is a fully-equipped production centre, capable of accepting eight SDI and two analogue input

UK - A.C. Lighting Ltd has announced details of a major online competition to win a Jands Vista S3 lighting control system and bonus Vista prize draw at this year's PLASA Show. The competition coincides with the launch of the new Vista S3 and Vista App hardware and software solutions, and is open to participants living in Europe, North America and the Middle East.

The main online competition officially launches on the A.C. Lighting stand at PLASA 06 - where the company will be showing final production models of the new Vista solutions - and runs until Friday 1st December 2006. Entrants have the chance to win a 1024-channel Vista S3 (with a list price of £4,200 / $9,244) or one of 100 free one-day Vista training vouchers.

The online competition consists of two stages. Entrants first download the Vista App PC software and follow instructions provided to build a basic light

UK - Among the notable features of the new Big Chill House, spread across four floors at London's Kings Cross, is the signature sound system of Funktion One. Co-designed by installation company, Marquee Audio, and Funktion One dealers, Production Hire, the reconfigurable Res4/F-218 ground floor system is a favourite of Chillfest's Pete Lawrence.

Marquee Audio were introduced to the project as a result of installing the sound infrastructure at the original Peacock in Brick Lane, upgrading the venue when it was later taken over and converted into The Big Chill Bar. The festival promoters had started to get serious about venue development after merging with the Cantaloupe Group at the end of 2002, for whom Marquee Audio had also installed the high profile Cargo in Shoreditch.

The new venue occupies a large footprint on the Pentonville Road, giving them 1,246sq.m of net operating

UK - Liverpool's Mathew Street Festival - Europe's largest free urban live music festival - proved another success for organisers The Liverpool Culture Company. The event kicked off with a classical concert on the main Pier Head stage by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and guests. The Pier Head site again ran two stages for all three days this year - after the success of introducing the second new bands stage last year.

The Culture Company was responsible for staging the event, co-ordinating and designing the complete technical infrastructure, booking and liaising with all artists and scheduling nearly 100 performances across five stages over the period.

Liverpool Culture Company's team was divided into three areas - Operations managed by Susan Lees, Site and Traffic Management managed by Alastair Stott and Production/Artist Liaison managed by Kirstie Blakeman. Whil

UK - PLASA will be holding a prize draw at the PLASA Show for an amazing limited edition lithograph of Sir George Martin's score for the Beatles song 'Yesterday'. PLASA purchased the lithograph, which is signed by Paul McCartney and Sir George, to help support the rebuilding of a new cultural and community centre in Montserrat.

Tickets for the prize draw - which cost £10 each - can be purchased from the PLASA stand (FF1) on the Upper Deck of the PLASA Show. The proceeds of the draw will provide further help to complete the centre, which will provide a much-needed focal point for the regeneration of the island.

PLASA 2006 takes place from Sunday 10 September to Wednesday 13 September 2006 at Earls Court in central London. The show attracts professionals from all over the globe and is Europe's leading exhibition for new developments in the entertainment, event, corporate,

UK - At the PLASA Show, Lab.gruppen will unveil its latest amplifier models. First up is the expansion of the popular C Series of installation-dedicated amplifiers with addition of four new amplifiers, two each in 8-channel and 4-channel formats. The new models, on show at PLASA '06, are the C 20:8X (8 x 250W), C 10:8X (8 x 125W), C 10:4X (4 x 250W) and the C 5:4X (4 x 125W). Power ratings for each are the same at 70V, 4 ohms, 8 ohms, and 16 ohms. The C 20:8X and C 10:8X weigh 9.5kg, while the C 10:4X and C 5:4X weigh 8.5kg. All models are in 2U cabinets and backed by Lab.gruppen's six-year, "no-quibble" warranty, say the company.

The new amplifiers employ a unique Class D implementation ideally suited to lower power levels where the benefits of Class TD are less easily realized and where cost versus performance is paramount. A newly developed universal switching power

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