Details
USA - Harman Pro North America (HPNA), the U.S. distributor for AKG, Soundcraft and Studer, announces that it will be hosting two afternoons of product training sessions next month, at NSCA Expo in Orlando.

According to HPNA vice president and general manager Kim Templeman-Holmes, "These classes are an exceptional way for NSCA attendees to gain a more in-depth and hands-on understanding of our product offerings than would otherwise be possible on the busy exhibit floor."

HPNA's training schedule is as follows:
Thursday, March 15
1:00 - 2:00 p.m AKG: New Products for NSCA
2:00 - 3:00 p.m AKG: Recording and Headphone Solutions
3:00 - 5:00 p.m Soundcraft/Studer: Hands-on Training for Digital Consoles
Friday, March 16
1:00 - 3:00 p.m Soundcraft/Studer: Ha

Details
Switzerland - Based in Wohlen but operating throughout Europe, the media service provider Winkler Veranstaltungstechnik AG has just brought its kinetic equipment up to date by investing in equipment from Movecat (distributed by Think Abele). Winkler now has twenty VMK-S 500-24 hoists, a low-noise model with noiseless brakes, and twenty V-Motion 30 power packs for motors up to 3 kW. The VMK-S hoists have a capacity of 500 kg, raise and lower their loads at speeds of from 0 to 20 metres per minute, and as a closed loop system are capable of achieving a genuine hovering state as well as reversing the run direction without incursion of the brakes.

The two Expert-T controllers used here, which are also from Movecat, were developed for the systemic control of kinetic drives in complex projects where up to 240 fixed- or variable-speed drives may be in use simultaneously. The selected c

Details
USA - Group One Ltd, a distributor of professional audio equipment, has appointed John Sanchez as sales associate. Sanchez now provides internal customer support on all product lines that Group One distributes, including UK-based brands MC2 Audio and XTA Electronics, while offering an emphasis on the renowned Celestion line. He covers such key topics as product specs, application and operation, along with pricing, availability and follow-up on orders.

Sanchez brings specialised experience and a comprehensive skill set to his new role at Group One. A former sales associate for prominent retailers Manny's Music and Alto Music, he is also an affirmed music lover who has toured nationally with metal outfit Blood Has Been Shed. Sanchez is technically proficient in critical areas including instrument repair and PA installation as well, and counts years of experience as a guitar teache

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
South Africa - One grandMA light accompanied Ronan Keating during his tour in South Africa. When playing his New Year's Eve concert at the 15,000 capacity Coca Cola dome in Johannesburg, Lighting director Pryderi Baskerville relied on grandMA video and one grandMA full-size console.

"I'm very impressed by grandMA video," says Baskerville, "It's really unique on the market, because it allows you to control a media server like a fixture. The thumbnails make content selection a lot easier. Control via the Smart window is extremely intuitive. This made the process of finding appropriate clips in the myriad of content a breeze - rather than having to scroll through a list of libraries. I also had a really positive experience with the console, it was an enjoyable learning curve. I was able to tailor the console to the way I like to work; I can't wait to get behind one a

Details
UK - BSS Audio, a Harman International Company, has provided a versatile matrix control and routing solution for a sophisticated two-tier dining and corporate hospitality complex in London's Drury Lane. With the opening of the Bollywood-themed Sitaaray restaurant above last year's much-vaunted Tamarai, entrepreneur Rohit Khattar has completed his mission to combine a restaurant, 5.1 cinema, dance venue, art gallery and corporate entertainment under one roof.

To create the ultimate in flexibility was the challenge handed to the Sound Division Group (SDG), which were recommended to parent company Old World Hospitality, and arrived on site soon after Rohit Khattar had purchased the former Millennium Club, in June 2005.

SDG MD David Graham opted for a BSS Audio Soundweb London solution to link the world of continuous Bollywood films upstairs in Sitaaray, with the flexibility of Ta

Details
The Netherlands - Playing on "home-turf" Alcons Audio were present at the ISE show in Amsterdam with a representation of its pro-ribbon speaker systems of both the general product line-up as well as the (home)cinema product line-up. Both offering solutions for a wide variety of installations.

The CRMS, Cinema Ribbon Monitor System is a hybrid 3-way main- /2-way surround-system. Featuring a RBN401 pro-ribbon driver, the MHF section can act both as MHF section for the main/front system, as well as full-range surround system. This design results in a very uniform sound stage throughout the listening area. Applications include screening-rooms, post-production houses, dubbing-stages, as well as pro-level home-cinema systems.

The 3-way CR1 sound system offers a wide frequency-response in an unusually-shallow cabinet depth of only 17cm. Due to the small size and light weigh

Details
Germany - In sound reinforcement applications, the highest possible quality is required for the widest variety of events. Speakers that are universally applicable are therefore particularly prized. Both the acoustic and the mechanical design of all cabinets in Dynacord's Variline range have been optimised for multi-functional applications.

The Variline loudspeaker boxes are equipped with premium components, says the company. Ideal for use as full-range boxes capable of delivering top quality reproduction of music and the spoken word, the systems are suitable as satellites or delay boxes in larger audio systems, says the company.

When used in horizontal format to cover a wider variety of applications - particularly high-quality installations - the midrange and high-frequency horns can be rotated through 90°; from the 12" two-way box upwards, all the full-range models c

Details
UK - Kinesys automation system was used for the fourth year running on this year's Brit Awards - to raise and lower a large video screen on stage left to allow access for between-band backline and set changeovers.

The high profile event was staged at Earls Court in London and broadcast live on ITV 1. The screen - measuring 12 metres wide by 7 high, made up from Lighthouse R16 LED panels, weighing approximately six tonnes and supplied by XL Video - was rigged on eight Kinesys-adapted 1 tonne CM Lodestar motors.

All rigging was undertaken by Outback, with the overall operation co-ordinated by head rigger Dave Morrell, working closely with production manager Mick Kluczynski and his team from MJK Productions. The Kinesys system - run by its proprietary Vector software - was operated by Mylan Lester.

Kinesys' Dave Weatherhead says: "It's a great show and good to be ba

Details
Czech Republic - The newly opened City Club in Roznov pod Radhostem, Czech Republic, is fully fitted out with a complete Robe Show Lighting moving light rig and is already creating a buzz in the area.

The 900 capacity venue is something totally new in Roznov. It's part of the main City Casino complex and features an industrial-chic interior design, stripped back, full of metal and brick surfaces and a dynamic music policy.

Coincidentally, Roznov is also the home town of Robe Show Lighting. Despite the close proximity of the factory, this is the very first installation of Robe lighting products in the locality.

The City Club's Independent owner, local entrepreneur Pavel Zet, wanted to create something completely different. The aim is to be hip, trendy and also to appeal to an 'over 25' audience, with the intention that the club and adjacent casino might feed each other with c

Details
New Zealand - "An enormous variety of shows, and that was just our first week," said Andrew Craig of Western Audio in Wellington. "We took delivery of our new d&b audiotechnik Q-Series system on a Friday and I did the first show that following Sunday. I wanted to be the first to mix with it." The d&b system delivered to Western Audio comprises Q1s, Q7s and Q-SUBs all driven by d&b's D12 amplifier with system remote capabilities. "It was easy to use, in fact I forgot the PA was there," said Craig.

Two days later, Craig was into an altogether more challenging environment: "The Opera House in Wellington is a fairly classic lyric theatre; the 2,000-strong audience is on three levels. If you look at the auditorium in profile, in terms of the audio image there's a focal point for the audience about 20ft upstage. I flew two Q1s high up to cover the go

Details
USA - Color Kinetics Inc is marking its 10th year in business with the debut of a new corporate identity. "Color Kinetics has been credited for sparking the beginning of a lighting industry transformation back in 1997, and in many ways our original corporate identity embodied the spirit of defying convention. Since that time, performance and application trends indicate that LED technology is integral to the future of lighting - not a passing fad - and our company's role and influence have grown in parallel," said Bill Sims, President and CEO, Color Kinetics. "We've proven ourselves a dominant player in an increasingly important category, and this in turn guided the creation of our bold new mark."

By refining its corporate identity to better match its leadership position, Color Kinetics aspires to broader recognition as one of the lighting industry's foremost

Details
UK - Pulsar has announced the appointment of Enrico Tamaro as architectural sales manager. A qualified architect, Tamaro has a strong background in architectural lighting, and will be responsible for building business relationships with architects worldwide, as well as being available to assist customers with developing their architectural projects.

Simon Cox has been promoted to the position of field sales manager, supporting the company's sales network. He has been with Pulsar for many years and offers a wealth of support and product knowledge, the company says.

(Lee Baldock)

Details
UK - The Single purchase counterweight flying system at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, has been refurbished in the short space of only six days between two productions in the venues' very busy current season.

The project was comissioned to Hall Stage Limited, who also installed the original systems in the theatre when it was built in the 1960s.

The flying system has been upgraded to the highest professional standard, providing an increased number of flying bars - up to 42 x 14m ladder bars, with a far quieter, safer performance.

Jon Woodley, Abbeys stage production manager says: "A tremendous amount of work was achieved in a short space of time, all thanks to an excellent team of skilled people working very hard.

"I could not be more happy with the project and I am most grateful to all involved, and highly praise the level of expertise and professionalism displayed

Details
USA - It's been described as "the best new musical nobody has heard of", Striking 12, which made its sold-out New York premiere last year, was back in New York for a second season at Union Square's Daryl Roth Theatre. Directed by Tony Award winner Ted Sperling (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Light in the Piazza), Striking 12 is a witty and entertaining blend of musical theatre and live concert starring the three members of the pop-rock group GrooveLily.

Written by the group's Valerie Vigoda (violin) and Brendan Milburn (keyboards) in collaboration with playwright Rachel Sheinkin, the show's minimalist approach helps the clever lyrics and distinctive musical score truly stand out. Sound designer Robert J. Killenberger created an audio system that was exceptionally well suited to the intimate yet distinctive venue.

The system was based around two arr

Details
UAE - Some 280 MAC 2000 Wash fixtures made the trek from the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar in December to Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE for the January 17 opening of the 18th Gulf Cup.

Lighting designer for the biennial football tournament's Opening Ceremony was Paul Collison. "These fixtures in particular were amazingly reliable," Collison comments. "They had already spent almost three months in dessert like conditions in Doha, Qatar, for the Asian Games. Over there we were hit with rain and dust. Once we got onsite in Abu Dhabi every single fixture was stripped and cleaned out. The Procon service staff did an amazing job getting every fixture back online. Once the system was installed, I could count on one hand how many MAC 2K Washes were swapped out. They performed admirably.

"As far as I know, there is nothing that even comes close to a MAC 2000 Wash. Th

Details
UK / Germany - Turbosound has appointed a new distributor for its products in Germany. With effect from 1 March 2007, Turbosound professional loudspeaker systems will be exclusively available from eas GmbH (Excellent Audio Support), based in Emsdetten in the north of Germany.

Building on almost three decades of innovative pro audio developments, and endorsed by internationally renowned acts such as David Gilmour, Jamiroquai, Primal Scream, Robbie Williams, Pink Floyd, Dire Straits, Iron Maiden, Oasis, Brit Award winners The Fratellis, and Depeche Mode, Turbosound is looking to develop strong business opportunities in Germany together with its new German distribution partner.

"Eas's major strength is their positive attitude towards customer support," says Turbosound's European sales manager Chris Hinds. "Availability of spare parts and direct access to knowledgea

Details
New Zealand - Theatrelight has announced that a date has now been set in September 2007 by the High Court of NZ for a defended hearing of Theatrelight's case against Charlie Zheng, once a director and general manager of Theatrelight NZ. Charlie Zheng is now the manager of "Tai Li Lighting" of Zhuhai, PRC, Selecon's sole distributor for China.

Theatrelight is suing Charlie Zheng for losses of US$3 million suffered by Theatrelight in New Zealand in the period 1994 to 2002, when he was dismissed from the board of Theatrelight. The company says "this sum does not include losses in China due to difficulties with our one-time joint venture partners, estimated conservatively in excess of US$10 million, including the loss of all rights and equity in Theatrelight's joint venture 'Zhuhai Tai Li Theatrelight', the theft of all Theatrelight designs and intellectual property u

Details
UK / Germany - Cambridge-based Audica Professional has announced the further expansion of its rapidly growing international distribution with the appointment of Trius GmbH & Co. KG for Germany.

Trius are a leading distributor in the German market, handling many top live sound, MI and installation brands including Audix, Cloud, Focusrite, Furman, Lab.gruppen, L-Acoustics, Sabine, Symetrix, t&m, Amina, Apex, Countryman, Lucid, TSC Music and Australian Monitor.

Trius' sales manager, Kai Böckmann, says: "We are very happy to become the exclusive distributor for Audica Professional in Germany. They understand the specific needs of high profile background music systems and offer an excellent combination of products and features for a highly attractive price. Audica's products complement our existing portfolio perfectly and we are looking forward to a successful business!"

Details
UK - Lightfactor Sales, UK distributor for SGM has supplied 16 of the new Giotto Synthesis moving light fixtures to leading Scottish design and rental house, SKL. This boosts SKL's existing SGM inventory which includes Palcos, Ribaltas and the workhorse Giotto 400s.

Edinburgh-based SKL works in all areas of the industry, including corporate events and conferences, parties, rock 'n roll tours and festivals. They have also used various SGM fixtures to realise architectural lighting schemes.

The Synthesis deal was cut between Simon Kennedy of SKL and Lightfactor's Peter Coles. There were many reasons Kennedy made this latest investment - complimenting his existing SGM stock was one, and knowing he can rely on comprehensive, quality service from Lightfactor was another.

Operational and creative considerations were also high on the agenda. "It's a more precise unit than othe

Details
UAE - Two giants of control automation have again given their backing to PALME Middle East in May - and will be exhibiting a range of systems aimed at both the residential and commercial sectors.

Crestron will be demonstrating its 'Every Room Connected' philosophy, with new products including the Media Processing System (MPS), the latest generation of facility-wide network control software (RoomView 7.0) and the latest Isys i/O WiFi touchpanel, the TPMC-8X.

"We are looking forward to the opportunity of showcasing our single platform solution and related product portfolio to decision makers at this, the most important AV event in the Middle East.," explains Vincent Philippo, regional director, Crestron Middle East. "We will be able to demonstrate that Crestron can deliver the only complete control and connectivity solution for every room, every application and ev

Details
UK - Theatre sound specialist Orbital has appointed Keith Hutchinson to its busy operation, in the role of project manager. Based at the company's recently expanded south London HQ, he will work closely with end clients' and help realise their high production values, the company says.

He brings a wealth of experience to the company having commenced his career some 28 years ago at Darlington Civic Theatre where he started a technical career in theatre. Following this Hutchinson has worked on numerous musical productions in the UK and across the world, including Fosse, Miss Saigon, Jerry Springer, Blue Man Group, Mamma Mia! and Phantom of the Opera, as well as "over 10,000" pantomines.

Hutchinson commented: "I've always been very impressed with the ethos of Orbital and the way the company has expanded into the organisation it is today - so I'm very p

Page 2036 of 3465

Latest Issue. . .