Details
Europe - i-Pix' new Satellite LED fixtures are being used to illuminate the elaborate stage set for R 'n' B diva Rhianna's current A Girl Like Me tour. dates includes a high-profile opening slot for the Pussycat Dolls' ongoing UK and European arena tour.

Rhianna's stage set - along with her lighting - was designed by Alex Skowron and was built by Lite Structures, On the road, the lighting is being looked after and operated by Dallas-based Bruce Dare who also works with the Black Eyed Peas.

Rhianna is touring her full set for the PCD tour. She plays for 45 minutes, and her show also features a complete lighting rig of 'specials'. These are supplied by Neg Earth and include the 18 Satellite fixtures and a WholeHog II console. Additionally, they're 'borrowing' some moving li

Details
USA - Vestax has announced the new VCI-100 DJ MIDI controller. USB based and featuring two jog wheels with sensor and control technology from Vestax's industry standard turntables, the VCI-100 provides professional DJs and Producers with the "feel" of hardware mixing in the software realm.

Vestax says the VCI-100 provides features that "blur the line between hardware mixing and software control". The chassis is roughly the size of a standard Laptop, thin but highly durable, compact, and convenient for transportation.

The Jog wheel controls on the VCI-100 are constructed with high resolution pulse sensors, touch sensors, and acrylic platter mechanisms. With this combination, operations such as pitch bending, scanning and scratching can be performed with speed and accuracy. Sixty-sixsoftware parameters are assignable to the VCI-100's control section.

The cr

Details
Eire - Midas and Klark Teknik's Irish distributor Sound Communications has supplied Dublin's National Concert Hall (NCH) with a new monitor system consisting of a Midas Siena 400 console and Klark Teknik Show Command hardware and software. This is one of the first complete packages to be supplied where Klark Teknik Show Command and Midas are united via Solo Tracking System (SOS).

The NCH's system consists of the Midas Siena together with a KT DN9331 RAPIDE graphic controller which gives direct access to the functions of KT digital EQs, providing instant recall of fader positions via 31 long travel motorised faders; three KT DN9344E quad equalisers and two KT Square ONE Dynamics units. Wireless control of the system is provided by KT's ELGAR software. The three amplifier racks are each run by a KT DN9848E System Controller to provide 12 bi-amped wedge monitor mixes, again all und

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

Details
UK - The Switched On London lighting festival runs until February 16 in The Pool of London, encompassing the Thames, bordered by Tower Bridge and London Bridge. The event is billed as a celebration of the relationship between light, architecture and the city, and consists of temporary lighting installations and a series of light related events with an overall concept of theatre.

The IALD (International Association of Lighting Designers) has involved some of the UK's most celebrated lighting designers who, together with leading manufacturers which include Martin Architectural are realising these projects.

Martin Architectural is lighting HMS Belfast and showcasing its new Exterior 1200 Washes which are lighting the side of the ship. Twelve Exterior 600s have been installed in the main guns to produce the effect of the guns shooting, and a further four Exterior 200's have

Details
UK - Stage Electrics has added the Chroma-Q Color Web 250 system to its hire stock - 500 square metres of the product is now available. The Color Web 250 is a flexible low resolution LED matrix system offering 16 individually addressed colour mixing cells per square metre. Each piece of Color Web has connectors on all four sides allowing for any shape and size system to be built, to fit most applications. Rated at IP65, the Color Web is designed for both indoor and outdoor events.

Stage Electrics has also added the Pixelmad media server to its hire stock to support the Color Web system. When used together, Color Web is transformed in to a fully controllable low resolution display allowing the lighting designer to play back animated images across custom built areas. For less intensive applications there is a simple DMX control mode available to the user.

Adrian Searle, head of

Details
UK - A.C. Lighting has announced a new staff appointment at the company's Northern Sales office in Leeds. Paul Hadfield joins the company's Sales department as rigging and trussing sales executive, providing office and in-the-field support for the company's expanding range of leading rigging & trussing brands.

A well-known face in the industry, Hadfield brings many years of technical experience and industry knowledge to the new role, having previously worked in a variety of entertainment industry sales roles.

Previous roles include working in the Sales department of Tomcat UK supplying CM Lodestars and trussing equipment to a Global network of dealers and working in the rental hire departments of Lifting Gear Hire. Hadfield also gained a knowledge of rigging and various other lifting equipment whilst working in the Sales department at PCM.

Phill Capstick, A.C. Lighting's UK

Details
UK - Vortex Lighting took on the challenge of producing something dynamic for the Royal Television Society Awards (North Eastern Region) at The Sage Gateshead at the end of January. They decided to use the new Martin 1.6 RGB Laser to project the logo of the RTS, which then morphed into the logo of The Sage Gateshead at the entrance to the ceremony.

Graeme Sewell, director of Vortex Lighting Ltd, says: "We are proud to be the first company in the UK to have the new Martin Laser available for hire." Vortex had been contemplating the purchase of a Laser for at least a couple of years but took the decision to wait until the technology had developed before investing.

Sewell says: "There are quite a number of products on the market now and a few of them have some good features, but we wanted a quality piece of kit from a respected manufacturer with all the relevant sa

Details
USA - The ESTA Foundation's Behind The Scenes has announced The Challenge Grant Programme, an opportunity for donors to see contributions double in value while providing help to peers in their time of need. Established challenge grant slots are currently available for the Behind the Scenes / Long Reach Long Riders 2007 USITT Raffle, March 15 - 17 in Phoenix, Arizona (six openings) and The Long Reach Long Riders 2007 New England Charity Ride, July 29 - August 6 (two openings).

"Our industry's history is full of strong partnerships that have led to technological advances, artistic reaches, and goals we continually strive to achieve," says Behind the Scenes committee chair Rick Rudolph of the new initiative. "Many of these partnerships have also led to lasting friendships that are at the foundation of our industry. We hope that the relationships and partners we work

Details
UK - PLASA Events Ltd, the new wholly-owned events division of the Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA), has revealed the first details of the PLASA07 Show at Earls Court - including a new layout that extends the show over one floor into both Earls Court 1 and Earls Court 2.

A host of innovations, based on exhibitor and visitor research, are designed to build on the show's reputation as the premier international new product showcase and PLASA Events anticipates a record number of new product launches this September.

The most radical development is the new show floor layout, which sees PLASA07 transformed into a two-hall, single-level show by expanding into the adjacent Earls Court 2. Essentially, this re-draw will secure premium exhibition space for the future growth and expansion of the show, whilst addressing industry and exhibitor demands.

The show design t

Details
UK - The regulatory bodies associated with the latest voice alarm systems have designed their compliance certification in such a way that it embraces the complete installed system. This ensures that every component and facility which is part of the system complies with the regulation. There have been cases where companies are inappropriately claiming that individual items of equipment bear the requisite certificate - in some cases they may even offer a Test House certificate claiming compliance. Any such claim needs to be carefully vetted, and professional assistance may well be necessary.

The Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers has always had a close working relationship with the statutory regulation bodies and is available to answer any questions that may arise from this particular issue - contact the e-mail address below. Voice Alarm is a life safety system and on

Details
USA - Alpha One's Falcon 3K xenon lights premiered in the US for the first time at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards. Following a premier of Falcon 7K Beams on the recent Super Bowl halftime show, lighting designer Bob Dickinson will use six Falcon 3K Beams and six 3K Falcon Flowers during the three-hour live-to-air television special.

The 49th Grammy Awards, produced by Cossette Productions took place on 11 February, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and were broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network.

The Falcon Beam, available in 3K to 8K for both indoor and outdoor applications, uses the very latest xenon technology, with a built-in electronic ballast and upgraded optics. These compact fixtures are specifically designed for both floor-mounted and suspended / inverted use. The Falcon Beam converts into a multiple-beam Falcon Flower. With the Flowe

Details
UK / The Netherlands - The Ampco Flashlight Group won the Total Production International Award for 'Favourite International Production Company' in the recent TPi Awards 2007 ceremony at the Novotel hotel, London.

The award, which was voted for by readers of Total Production International (TPi) magazine, reflects the group's strength on the international concert production scene and its reputation for combining top quality service and equipment with constant innovation.

Ampco / Flashlight Group rental companies, both independently and jointly, have provided a wide variety of audio, lighting, rigging and motion control systems for major tours in the past 12 months including Madonna, Black Eyed Peas, Blue Man Group, Coldplay, Lenny Kravitz, Paul McCartney, Rammstein, Mariah Carey, Riverdance and Lionel Richie, and hundreds of festivals including North Sea Jazz, Lowlands and WOMAD

Details
UK - XL Video has won its fourth Total Production International Award (TPi) for 'Favourite Video Services Company' of the Year. The 2007 TPi Awards - which recognise the industry's most innovative and ambitious technical, creative and production achievements - were presented at a ceremony in west London on 5 February.

The award was collected by members of the XL Video UK team. XL Video also won this coveted award in 2002, 2003 and 2005. XL UK's Chris Mounsor says: "Winning the 2007 Award means a huge amount to us, particularly as its voted on by our peers, giving it even more credibility and significance.

"The imaginative use of LED technologies has definitely stepped up a notch during 2006," says Mounsor, adding, "I'd also like to take the opportunity to thank all our crews and those out there representing us on the 'frontline', on tours, events and festiv

Details
UK - The Rigging Partnership has designed, supplied and installed the latest capital acquisition of Stage Machinery into the Young Vic Theatre. As part of the Theatre's ongoing investment strategy TRP provided a lockable tracking beam system into the main auditorium, new truss grid systems into their two new studios and chain hoist motors for use in either space.

The Young Vic is one of the most creative venues in the UK having been completely refurbished over the last two years. TRP worked in close collaboration with the Young Vic management and technical team on this important project that will secure the versatility and functionality of the theatre for years to come.

TRP were contracted to design, supply and install 25 bespoke lockable travelling spreader-beams, which provide suspension points to any position in the auditorium. These spreader beams are telescopic, removable

Details
UK - GE Lighting and New Look have today announced an £6.5 million exclusive contract for branch lighting for the next five years. GE Lighting will continue to provide lighting for all 570 New Look and 230 Mim stores and to supply expansions and refits.

New Look has decided to specify GE Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH) lamps because of their lumen maintenance and life span as well as colour rendering, ideal for retail environments. The retail chain used the GE CMH lamps for 18 months before this contract win. Historical data built up during this period confirmed to New Look that GE lamps were the right choice, with fewer failed lamps and better light levels.

The CMH lamps offer a low 8% failure rate allowing for fewer re-lamping procedures and help to drive down overall maintenance costs, the company says. In addition, GE has supplied the lamps with a pre-determined warranty

Details
USA - At the world-famous Walt Disney Concert Hallin Los Angeles, independent consultant / sound designer Fred Vogler andhead of A/V Kevin Wapner recently upgraded the venue with a Dolby Lake Processor and Lake Contour digital loudspeaker processingnetwork. The new wirelessly-controlled setup, which provides powerful signalprocessing tools for the optimisation of live performance and studioloudspeakers, is being used to control the venue's flown JBL VerTec andcustom stage-level ATC sound reinforcement systems.

Designed by internationally renowned architect Frank Gehry, the Walt DisneyConcert Hall is a $272 million live entertainment complex in the heart ofLos Angeles that became an instant landmark upon openingin late 2003. The hall is the winter home of the L.A. Philharmonic and hostsa broad range of musical events.

(Chris Henry)

Details
Italy - Following the results of 2006 and the outlook for 2007, Coemar reports that it has updated its company structure.

Under the lead of Massimo Fontanesi, the management had started various changes aimed at strengthening Coemar's position in the world market. Renato Molinari, former managing director, has also become president of the company.

Coemar says it is entering a new phase characterised by innovation, following a "more than positive response" to the launch of the new products , the Infinity Wash and the whole LED range.

(Chris Henry)

Details
Italy / UK - Italian manufacturer Proel spa announced today that it has acquired the assets of Turbosound Ltd in a deal that looks set to transform the profiles of both companies in key market sectors.

The acquisition will add depth to Proel's position in the marketplace, allowing it to benefit from the strengths and reputation of an internationally renowned company which, for 25 years, has specialised in the design and manufacture of high end sound reinforcement products. The Proel Group is strongly committed to a strategy of growth and development which is built on a policy of carefully nurturing and exploiting the intrinsic skills of its various companies.The basic structure of the companies will remain unaltered, each continuing to operate independently on a day-to-day basis. By joining the Proel group, Turbosound will benefit from additional financial backing, enabling it t

Details
Portugal - Summit Steel supplied trussing, motors, rigging and automation for a gala dinner and awards ceremony at the 2007 European Sales Meeting (ESM) of a leading US-based medical device company. It was their third year working on the project, which this year was staged at the massive Pavilhão Atlântico (Atlantic Pavilion) arena in Lisbon, Portugal.

Summit's team of six riggers headed by Jon Bray started two days before the dinner. It was just one of a series of events, conferences, seminars, workshops and presentations taking place all around the city. They installed over 300 metres of trussing and 60 conventional motors, plus seven Kinesys-modified hoists, two powered beam trolleys and a Kinesys' K2 control system to fly and move a nine-metre diameter truss. This was used for lighting effects and as a large circular projection screen.

The trussing was used to form three

Details
UK - Lighting Technology Projects (LTP) has installed and programmed a new piece of interactive light art, composed from 10,000 nodes of ColorKinetics' iColor Flex SL LED-based strand, custom-produced for the project, complete with transparent channels.

Artist Tim Knowles was commissioned to create several contemporary artworks in the regenerated Harbourside area by developers Crest Nicholson PLC, of which "Field of Play" is the largest.

Measuring an impressive 48 metres wide by 12 metres tall, it's constituted from 288 vertical lines of Flex, staggered - as per the original design concept - at between 50 and 700 mm widths, with varying drops. It runs along the sides of two buildings in the at the ever-evolving Bristol Harbourside development.

"Field of Play" is an interactive light drawing created - sometimes unwittingly - by the public as they move arou

Details
USA - The Long Reach Long Riders and The ESTA Foundation have announced their annual raffle to benefit Behind the Scenes at the USITT conference. This popular event will be held on 17 March at the Sapsis Rigging/ESG/Behind the Scenes booth (#525-625) on the trade show floor of the USITT conference in Phoenix. Tickets, which are $5 each or five for $20, may be purchased at the booth throughout the show.

Every dollar raised will be tripled thanks to challenge grants sponsored by I. Weiss and Sapsis Rigging. The list of twelve terrific raffle prizes, which have been donated by industry companies, can be viewed at www.lrlr.org/LRLRsponsors.html or www.estafoundation.org/bts/events_USITT.htm

All proceeds of the raffle go directly to The ESTA Foundation's Behind the Scenes programme, which provides entertainment technology industry members with grants for emergency situations, such

Page 2034 of 3465

Latest Issue. . .