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UK - Status Quo have had more hit albums (33) in the British Albums Chart than any other band apart from The Rolling Stones. 2005 was the band's 40th year and they show their determination that they are not stopping yet, by launching into another UK & European tour in 2006.

They are currently near the end of the UK leg of Just Doin' It tour, playing to a mixture of theatres and arenas, which will then continue in July 2007.

Pat Marks, who has been lighting designer to Status Quo for the last 18 years says: "I'm usually given 'carte blanche' when designing Quo rigs, so I'm never given a brief, as such. However, I fancied going 'retro' this tour as I'd been dabbling with some high tech stuff over the last few years. I'd played around with loads of PixelLine and Pixel P

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UK - Primal Scream's three-month UK tour mounted an aural assault on fans across the nation. Headed by former Jesus & Mary Chain drummer Bobby Gillespie, this is a band that truly rocks, needs an audio system that truly delivers and front of house engineer Tim Sunderland's choice of Britannia Row's Turbosound Aspect system certainly hasn't disappointed.

Sunderland wanted to use a point source system because of the nature of venues the tour visited, which ranged from the 10,000 capacity SECC in Glasgow through to the 1,800 capacity Bristol Academy. "A line array system's dispersion just wouldn't work for these venues," says Sunderland. "In some of them you're right on top of the band and the stage, so a line array would have been too much of a compromise."

This is Aspect's first extended foray into "really loud rock band territory" as Sunderland pu

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UK - Le Mark Group has announced that Donna Wilson has been appointed for the new roll of export sales coordinator within the company.

Wilson's position has seen her move to Le Mark's Export office and tasked to give close support their international dealer network. "The position is a demanding one," says managing director Stuart Gibbons. "Donna has worked hard at all levels within the Company and has shown a true 'flair' for overseas development and export support."

Wilson starts 2007 with her first 'solo' trip to Scandinavia. Supplying both 'product support' and training with the Multitechnic team at the LLB exhibition (Lyd Lys & Bilde) in Oslo. From LLB, she flies to Sweden for further dealer product training before returning to the UK.

"2007 is set to be an exciting year for Le Mark," continued Gibbons. "Le Mark has always prided itself

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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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Denmark - Martin Professional has released application software Version 2.0 for both the Maxxyz and Maxxyz PC controllers. Martin has also released Maxxyz OS (Operating System) 2.0. Version 2.0 software adds a host of features and updates to the Maxxyz controller range and is available for download. The key features of Maxxyz Version 2.0 are outlined below.

A redesign of the Graphical User Interface (GUI) provides more flexible control including saveable GUI configurations, new window docking and 16 views per touchscreen. Martin's Maxxyz and Maxedia Media Composer now share the same User Interface, making programming and operation easy and logical between different Martin Professional controller products.

Cloning allows users to copy fixtures for expanded lighting systems or to replace fixtures within the showfile between different types. Clones show content like cues, presets

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UK - Live music venues in the West Midlands are being offered funding to help improve their acoustics in response to a recent report carried out by Digital Central. The report, which looked into audiences' views on the quality of live music venues in the West Midlands found that a high percentage of people (82.3%) felt that the venue having a good PA system is the most important aspect to a great music venue. The report summary also indicates that 78% of audiences questioned felt that layout of the venue was important and considered good acoustics/sound, cost of drinks, quality of atmosphere and view of the stage as the most significant aspects to a great live music venue.

The survey gained responses from audience members with a wide range of music tastes and live music experiences, one of the respondents felt that the most important factor in a great music venue was: "Good

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USA - Crown International has ensured its on-going reputation for high quality products by establishing a Strategic Quality Team and upgrading its factory in Elkhart, Indiana, to incorporate a Reliability Test Lab equipped with the industry's most sophisticated and rigorous testing equipment.

Crown has always operated its own test equipment but in recent years its own testing criteria has become more stringent, which meant that some items had to be sent to outside laboratories for evaluation. By establishing its own comprehensive lab in-house, the company can now accelerate testing during the early phases of product development and conduct quality audits on lines already in production.

Heading up the Strategic Quality Team is Crown senior director of engineering Bob Chadderdon, who says: "This initiative has replaced older equipment and supplemented our existing tools wit

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USA - Effective immediately, Ableton Inc. will assume distribution of Ableton products to the US dealerchannel. Sales will be made via Ableton Inc., located in New York. To support the US sales and marketing effort, Ableton has established a new office in New York City managed by Dave Hill Jr.

"This is an important stage in Ableton's growth," said Hill. "We look forward to working closely with dealers on how to best sell Live in their markets. For the last few years, I've worked closely with M-Audio in the US market and feel honoured to take this next evolutionary step for Ableton."

"Since 2001, when we began selling Live, we have experienced tremendous growth in the US dealer channel. We are confident that our increased investments in the US market, combined with a dedicated end-user focus, will result in even more growth for our sales partners and ou

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UK - UK cable specialist VDC Trading is supporting anew live audio training initiative being established by Wigwam Acoustics inconjunction with the School of Sound Recording in Manchester.

The Charlie Jones Scholarship Scheme, which was launched at the end of 2006, isin memory of Wigwam engineer Charlie Jones who died earlier this year. Charlieplayed an important part in the growth and development of Wigwam over the pasttwenty years and was widely regarded as one of the industry's best live soundengineers, as well as a teacher and mentor to many young, up-and-comingengineers. Charlie not only recognised the importance of education in theindustry, but also enjoyed investing his own time to inspire and develop traineeengineers.

The Charlie Jones Scholarship is linked to SSR's Audio Engineering Course and isintended for young people who would otherwise not be able to afford this

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USA - Meyer Sound has announced the MJF-212, a self-powered stage monitor loudspeaker designed to meet critical requirements in professional applications, such as use as a main vocal monitor, high-output drum or keyboard monitor, or as a side-fill monitor in small- to medium-scale systems. Exhibiting flat amplitude and phase responses, full-range bandwidth and exceptional impulse response, the MJF-212 far exceeds the capabilities of conventional stage monitors while offering the simplicity of setup and use provided by self-powered systems.

"We named the MJF-212 in recognition of the role our 20-year relationship with the Montreux Jazz Festival has played in our product development history," says executive vice president Helen Meyer. "The festival has often been the site for the first serious field testing of our new products. At this year's festival, the newcomer

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USA/UK - Lighting designer Rich Locklin was called upon to light the 2006 Paul Simon tour, his first time working with America's seminal singer-songwriter. "Paul Simon is an American icon," says Locklin. "You don't go to one of his shows for the lighting; you go for the songs, so I wanted to complement the music in a tasteful way. I tried to program each song as a story. When you think of a particular Paul Simon song you just know what type of lighting goes with it."

Locklin spec'ed an all MAC 700 Profile rig with a handful of conventionals available for support. Lighting control is from a Martin Maxxyz. "I wanted to take out the latest fixture and learn a new console; it's been a good exercise."

Specifying a rig that is all spot fixtures is unique in the world of show touring. "A wash fixture, that's all it can do, but a profile can do so mu

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Qatar - Bruce Jackson, audio director for the 15th Asian Gamesheld in Doha, Qatar in December, utilised 10 Dolby Lake Processor, sevenLake Contour and seven Lake Mesa Quad EQ units in the sound system employedduring the spectacular opening and closing ceremonies. The digitalloudspeaker processors, supplied by Australian sound contractor NorwestProductions Pty Ltd. were networked using Ethernet and were used tooptimise large ground-stacked L-Acoustics and flown Adamson delayloudspeaker systems at the recently renovated Khalifa International Stadiumduring Doha 2006.

"The comprehensive remote control over Ethernet of the Dolby Lake Processormakes it invaluable," says Jackson, who utilised similar widely distributedsound systems for the opening and closing ceremonies at the most recentCommonwealth and Olympic Games. "What's nice is that you can prioritise theinputs. T

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UK - If you use or work for a small business which you think is worthy of an award, then the organisers of the British Small Business Champions (BSBC) 2007 would like to hear from you. And, if the business you nominate is selected as a regional champion you will receive a bottle of champagne.

To let BSBC know about the business you think is great all you have to do is e-mail: bsbc@fsb.org.uk or write to BSBC 2007 PO Box 335, Lymington SO41 6WJ giving the name of the business, its address, a line or two about why you think it is outstanding, and your name and address. An entry form for British Small Businesses 2007 will then be sent to the business.

The business you nominate must not employ more than 50 people and have been trading for five years or more. Closing date for entries is 31 January 2007.

The annual British Small Busin

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UAE - Eid el Fitr marks the end of the 30-day fasting period of Ramadan and is a great celebration throughout the Muslim world. Celebrations take place all over Dubai and on the evening of Eid el Fitr it is common to get together with friends, families and loved ones for a huge feast.

Middle East Vari*Lite distributor Sultan Thomas, has been involved with the festivities for a number of years. And this year in collaboration with Music Plus Television, two shows were hosted in Dubai at the Madinat Jumeirah Arena Hall.

Lighting designer Amir Touma specified 20 VL3000 Spots and 20 VL3000 Washes to provide the dynamic core of the lighting, supported by an assortment of other fixtures all controlled by a Jands Vista. The stage concept was created by Resources Stage Technologies who provided the stage, sound and lighting.

Sultan Thomas states: "Vari*Lite fixtures are very muc

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USA - In a city known for great entertainment, The Pearl, the new theatre at Las Vegas' Palms Casino Resort, is destined to become an attraction in itself. Scheduled to open in the spring of 2007, the venue features innovative stage and seating designs and state-of-the art performance technology. PRG engineered the lighting, dimming and control systems and provided all the lighting fixtures for The Pearl and a nearby ballroom.

"When we set out to build the most advanced live performance space in Las Vegas, The Palms naturally turned to PRG, the world's leading entertainment technology company. Their expertise in theatrical lighting and rigging is apparent in The Pearl concert theatre," said H.C. Rowe, entertainment director at The Palms Casino Resort.

Flexibility was key in lighting The Pearl's stage, which will serve as a luxury showcase for top-flight events, rangi

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UK - A.C. Lighting's Audio division have appointed Andy Orme as audio sales executive, working out of the company's UK headquarters in High Wycombe.

Orme brings over 25 years of audio installation, technical support, sales and project management experience to his new role, which involves providing office and field support for A.C.'s growing range of leading pro audio brands for customers throughout the UK.

Orme joins A.C. from Martin Professional, where he fulfilled a technical sales and support role for the Mach speaker brand in the UK. He's also worked in a variety of audio roles in past years with Kelsey Acoustics, Glantre Engineering, Maverick Presentation Products, Lancelyn Theatre Supplies, The Oxford Sound Company and Elliott Brothers Audio Systems, and undertaken freelance work on projects in many industry sectors.

Projects worked on include leading UK music festival

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UK - Ex-public relations professionals Duncan Stirling and Charlie Gilkes have teamed up with designer Ed Godrich to open the exclusive Kitts nightclub in Chelsea's Sloane Square - complete with a sound system largely supplied by Fuzion plc.

Since the bijou, 160-capacity club is situated in the basement of the new Sloane Square Hotel; the operating team knew they had to make every square metre count.

While Goodrich and his team of collectives have provided design inspiration around the perimeter wall, with a million hand-drilled holes, LED backlit to create a kind of pointillist fresco, complemented by silver leaf flecked flooring, a curved bronze bar and discreet booths, Duncan Stirling has come up his own piece of sonic magic.

His father Andrew Stirling is a highly-experienced pro audio design consultant, with a rich pedigree in the studio world. While Stirling Senior does

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Belgium - AED Rent Belgium, one of Europe's largest dry-hire rental support companies with headquarters in Willebroek, Belgium and subsidiaries in the Netherlands, France and Germany, has just taken delivery of six Innovason digital consoles packages from Innovason's Belgian distributor, A. Prévost.

AED Rent opted for a total of four Innovason Sy48 Evolution stand-alone packages and a custom configuration of two Sy80 consoles complete with Stage-Box and DioCore that will form one of AED Rent's signature P.A. Kits, capable of handling FOH and monitors for large scale events.

According to AED Rent CEO's Glenn Roggeman and Eddy Van Nuffel, the acquisition makes perfect sense under today's market conditions. "There is no doubt that the digital era has arrived," remarked Roggeman, "and as a service company, we have to ensure that we cater for the demand. Innov

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Spain - Stonex SA, MA Lighting's distributor in Spain, continued its workshop tour through Spain and held another successful workshop in Granada recently. 30 operators, lighting designers and associates from rental and theatre companies joined the training in the Centro de estudios escenicos de la junta de Andalucia. Miguel Angel Valera of Stonex used four grandMA full-size, one grandMA light, two grandMA ultra-light, three grandMA micro and grandMA video cosnoles to show the participants the extensive abilities of the grandMA system. In addition everyone had a laptop with grandMA onPC and grandMA 3D in use. "Everyone enjoyed the training. The grandMA has become very popular," Valera adds.

(Lee Baldock)

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Spain / Italy - Spanish loudspeaker designer and manufacturer Vieta has announced the appointment of Sisme S.P.A to represent Vieta's products in Italy.

Sisme is one of Italy's most distinguished pro audio companies, representing Shure, L-Acoustics and Celestion amongst other internationally recognised brands. Well-known as a distributor of sound reinforcement systems and pro audio products, Sisme has gained an excellent reputation as a partner for equipment dealers, installers and rental companies, say Vieta. The company was formed in 1967, and is located in Ancona, near Bologna.

President of Sisme Claudio Bugari welcomed the appointment, saying: "Vieta's Do Line speakers complement perfectly our existing range of high-quality installation lines, and the new, wireless So Line speakers are a perfect solution for the intelligibility problems associated with corporate prese

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Norway - Soundcraft's Vi6 digital audio console has found acceptance at the very heart of European dramatic theatre, installed at the distinguished Nationaltheatret in Oslo, popularly thought of as the spiritual home of Norway's most famous playwright Henrik Ibsen.

Soundcraft's Norwegian distributors LydRommet AS secured the prestigious order through quick reactions: when the theatre's existing digital console failed, spectacularly taking out all the HF drivers on the house PA system, LydRommet's Espen Andersen was able to supply the 32-fader Soundcraft Vi6 within days, according to sound engineer Roy Knudsen.

"LydRommet brought in their demo console on Friday, we had preparation time on Monday, we soundchecked on Tuesday. We exchanged the demo desk for our permanent new Vi6 on Wednesday and started rehearsals that very day."

The six-man sound team at the Nationalt

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Belgium - Located in Zwalm, a municipality in Belgium's Flemish province of East Flanders, Calypso Event Production provides sound for a variety of applications, including corporate functions, shows in theatres, and outdoor events. Calypso CEO Serge Cosijns was looking to grow his company and set out in search of a line array system that would meet his needs. His search ended at Meyer Sound, where he placed an order for a complement of self-powered M'elodie ultracompact high-power curvilinear array loudspeakers.

"I was present the first day M'elodie was shown at the Frankfurt Pro Light+Sound Exposition," Cosijns says. "I was immediately impressed by the product and the Meyer Sound philosophy. Later, when I attended the first European demo of M'elodie together with the people of Meyer Sound Belux, I became convinced about the system and decided that my business exp

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