Germany Rosco Europe has announced the arrival of Katrin Schlüter who joins as development manager. Working from Rosco's German office, she will be responsible for the development and management of Rosco's business in Scandinavia, Benelux, Iceland, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovak Republic.

Schlüter brings nearly 10 years experience in the lighting and entertainment industry to Rosco. Most recently, she worked for Lightpower (Rosco's German dealership) and MA Lighting / Rainbow International as the international key account manager.

"I really enjoyed my long-term work with the team of Lightpower and MA Lighting, but now look forward to a new step in this exciting industry. Rosco represents a whole new challenge to me. When the opportunity c

USA - Hall Stage Limited, the long-established British theatre rigging manufacturer, has joined forces with a number of US distributors & manufacturers to form Hall Stage North America Incorporated and has started shipping selected ranges from its extensive catalogue of over 1,200 products.

Launching the venture at the USITT expo in Phoenix, HSNA announced the deal, with an initial roll call of 10 key dealers including Thern inc, John S. Hyatt & Associates, Gopher Stage, Centre Stage Lighting & Rigging, Schell Scenic Studios, and Westbury National Stage Equipment already confirmed. HSNA will be accepting applications for new dealerships until later this year.

Charles Haines, Hall Stage owner and UK CEO says, "We have been planning an entry into the North American market for over two years, but could not have imagined such a positive response - the reception has been truly

UK - Stuart Myles, technical manager of the Coade Hall theatre - part of Bryanston School in Dorset - has declared himself "blown away" by their new ETC Congo desk, recently purchased through dealer Stage Electrics.

Myles explains: "We looked at several desks within our price range and Congo was the one that fitted our needs and requirements. It offers us the ability to run generic lights for theatrical shows in a traditional way, while also enabling us to bolt on the moving lights when we do rock concerts. We also really like the fact that the software updates, which ETC brings out on a regular basis, are free of charge, so as a growing school theatre, we are confident that Congo will grow with us.

"ETC's Jeremy Roberts came to demonstrate the desk to us, and it was not long after we first took delivery that our 15 to 18 year old stage crew were flying aro

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 - FourFourTwo called upon the services of Blitz Vision and its sister company, Charter Broadcast, to support the Football League Awards incorporating the FourFourTwo Top 50 Football League Players ceremony, which took place at Grosvenor House< London, earlier this month.

For the second year running, Blitz Vision provided a range of audio and visual equipment including high specification projectors, all of which complemented the installed rig at the venue. Utilising a wide array of OB kit, a variety of up to eight wireless and cabled cameras, as well as its own support crew, Charter recorded the event live for broadcast to Sky Sports viewers.

Hosted by Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling, the occasion is an annual gala event, which recognises all who contribute to exceptional achievements both on and off the field, including a Fan of the Year award.

In

UK - FeONIC is to unveil its latest generation of loudspeaker driver systems, which it says can turn any resonant panel or surface into a loudspeaker. The sounders can be placed onto the hidden side, say the company, so no wiring, speaker grilles or boxes are visible.

Currently aimed at domestic applications, but also likely to attract attention from designers of retail and leisure spaces, FeONIC technology can be used with any audio system with sufficient power rating, replacing conventional speakers in 2.1, 5.1, 7.1 and even 9.1 systems, the company says.

FeONIC says its audio systems can be created from standard plasterboard, MDF, plywood or blockboard, and hardwood floorings, creating a truly integrated, hidden sound system. It also offers the benefits of an even dispersion, rather than the 'sweet spots' associated with conventional loudspeaker technology.

(Lee Baldock)

Australia / Germany - This year's ProLight&Sound exhibition in Frankfurt promises to be LSC's biggest and best, the company says. What they have in store for the show is "top secret", with the only clues a teaser advertisement campaign in the run-up to the show.

All they'll say about the new product release is: "It has legs, it's powerful, it's built well, and more importantly it's want you've been asking for."

Alongside the new product release will be the full LSC catalogue including: the maXim control consoles with built in Capture Visualisation Software allowing the user to fully integrate with their programming, and the complete range of dimming and power distribution products.

(Lee Baldock)

USA - Aviom debuted its AV-M8 Mic Input Module at NSCA 2007. Promoted as "ideal for distributing audio in boardrooms and conference rooms", the Aviom AV-M8 Mic Input Module saves contractors time, money, and labour, says the company.

The AV-M8 converts 8 analogue audio channels to a digital stream and provides eight mic-level inputs. It offers plug-and-play simplicity that runs over an easy-to-install Cat 5e cable, requiring no drilling of conduit.

Two channels include a 30dB switchable pad, allowing line-level signals to be connected. Eight channels of digital audio may also be input via ADAT, from a second AV-M8 module. Analogue audio is input via eight latching 5.0mm Euroblock connectors. Each analogue input channel features a set of configuration DIP switches for individually selectable gain settings, +48V phantom power, and low cut filter.

Analogue input chann

France - The new 8XT and 12XT from L-Acoustics represents "the next generation of single-point-source coaxial loudspeakers" according to the manufacturer. Drawing on two decades of leading edge experience dating back to the MTD coaxial concept in 1987, the new XT systems promise to deliver "the ultimate sonic performance in a compact and versatile multi-tasking package".

Featuring a compact and lightweight design, the 8XT cabinet is the most compact model of the L-Acoustics coaxial range. Operating on a frequency bandwidth of 65Hz to 20kHz, this response can be lowered to 32Hz with the addition of the SB118 subwoofer.

The 8XT contains a 1.5" diaphragm compression driver, coaxially loaded by an 8" low-frequency transducer in a bass-reflex tune enclosure. The internal passive crossover network uses proprietary third-order filters with built-in phase

UK - Stage One has recently taken delivery of a Routech Chronos CNC machining centre, a nine tonne, five-axis machine with a working size of 3m x 1.5m x a 800mm Z height - one of only four in the UK.

This technology enables Stage One to machine out both scenery and 3D objects such as moulds or sculptural pieces, in wood or plastic, with the utmost precision, making "an astonishing variety of 3D models a possibility and allowing the company to offer a rapid prototyping service to customers.

"Machines such as these have been used in other industries, such as furniture making for some time," says Stage One production director Chris Augur. "We believe, however, that this machine is unique to our industry and added to our portfolio, will allow us to provide yet another exclusive service for our clients; in fact it has already caused quite a stir."

Purchas

UK - The stage version of JRR Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings which played to great acclaim in Toronto last year, winning its design team numerous awards, is transferring to London. It will play to its first audience on 9 May, with its opening night set for 18 June 18.

To supply lighting designer Paul Pyant's epic rig for this epic show, London-based White Light has teamed up with Q1 Production Technologies in Canada, who provided equipment for the original production. Together they are supplying a rig that includes over 300 ETC Source Fours and Source Four Pars, seventy conventional Par Cans, Arri 2.5K HMI fresnels and almost 150 Wybron scrollers.

The moving light rig includes 13 DHA Digital Light Curtains, 34 ETC Source Four Revolutions, 13 Vari-Lite VL3500Q Framing Spotlights, 77 VL3000Q Spotlights, 34 Clay Paky Alpha Wash Halos as well as 24 Martin Atomic Strobes an

USA - Blues System's North American debut at USITT, Phoenix was a great success, according to the company. The product range, manufactured in the UK by Global Design Solutions and specifically designed for backstage lighting applications in the working theatre, won the PLASA 2006 Innovations Award at its European launch last year and Blues System has already been installed at various venues in Europe.

TMB has been appointed the exclusive distributor for Blues System in the Americas, Asia and the Middle East. Said Chris Curran, TMB's architectural sales director: "Blues System is truly one of those 'why didn't I think of that?' new products. It solves many backstage lighting problems as well as offering options that were previously impractical. We were almost overwhelmed by the positive response at USITT and also by the various possible new applications that arose during con

Greece - Chios has long been considered one of the most beautiful Aegean islands. Now, with the 1,200 capacity Palazzo club, Chios has gained a new attraction. In addition to an elegant ambience, the club boasts a Dynacord alpha sound system.

To ensure that the dance floors of the 1,200 capacity Palazzo remain packed at all times, the management regularly brings in internationally famous DJs from abroad to relieve the house roster.

Club manager Tsatsalis Leonidas comments, "Whilst in terms of location and ambience, the Palazzo can easily hold its own with the best in Greece, it's our sound system that really sets us apart. There we really are setting new standards, as we've been told now, repeatedly, by visiting DJs."

The sound system that gives the Palazzo the edge is an alpha system from Dynacord. In use now in many of the world's top discotheques (including the

USA - Clear-Com will launch Tempest 2400 and Tempest 900, a "revolutionary wireless intercom system", at NAB 2007. The new Tempest has been engineered to avoid the need for licensing and frequency coordination, says Clear-Com. Utilising Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) in conjunction with TDMA technology, Tempest operates in both the 2.4 GHz and 900 MHz bands.

Tempest is a timely solution for the dilemma wireless communication system users will face when the DTV transition is completed in early 2009, suggests Clear-Com. Those used to operating wireless equipment in the 500 to 600MHz portion of the UHF band will find that spectrum crowded with UHF DTV transmissions, while the 700MHz band frequencies are scheduled for auction to new users later in 2009.

However, Tempest operates in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz and 900 MHz bands, so it is unaffected by the reallocatio

USA - Utilising JBL Professional PD Series loudspeakers, Westbury National Show Systems designed and installed the audio system at the new Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, IL. The 11,000-seat arena opened in October 2006, and has already hosted concerts by Bob Dylan and Duran Duran. The Sears Centre is also the new home of the Chicago Hounds (United Hockey League), the Chicago Storm (Major Indoor Soccer League), the Chicago Shamrox (National Lacrosse League) and the Chicago Slaughter (Continental Indoor Football League).

The seating area of the Sears Centre is arranged in a horseshoe pattern, to which Westbury National designed the system accordingly. Four clusters of three JBL PD5212/64 loudspeakers were placed along the north and south sides, while two clusters of two were hung in the northwest and southwest corners. Additionally, two clusters of three PD5212/64's are located

Eire - A collaboration between Dublin-based High Resolution Lighting and London based E//T//C UK resulted in the first large format PIGI projections to grace Dublin's world famous Saint Patrick's Festival.

The projections featured the heads of a selection of individuals who received the rare distinction of gaining The Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin. The images measured 10m wide by 15m high, and were beamed onto the side of the City Hall building in Dame Street, central Dublin, for the five evenings of the Festival.

High Resolution's Peter Canning has pitched the idea of monumental projections to Dublin City Council for some time, and this year festival director Donal Shiels decided to give it the go-ahead. Shiels also suggested the theme of those who have received the Freedom of the City.

As soon as they had the green light - with only two weeks to go before the even

USA - Shortly after Sharon Osbourne made the announcement that this year's Ozzfest is free, organisers turned to sponsors to provide added support for the festival's new incarnation as a FREEfest. In stepped Jägermeister, offering its own state-of- the art mobile stage as a secondary stage for the summer's biggest heavy metal festival. And it enlisted Chauvet as a lighting sponsor.

Dubbed "revolutionary" by Osbourne, the Jägermeister stage is a 34ft long, fully self-contained stage complete with a full audio sound system provided by JVC Mobile. The entire PA system, provided by Peavey Electronics and Schecter Guitars, will be hung for optimum sound. Lighting consists mostly of LED-fitted fixtures (COLORpalette and LEDrain 56 washes, LED white Technostrobes) and 10mW Scorpion lasers. All lights are controlled via Chauvet ShowXpress software.

"We are incr

UK / Germany - Visitor registration for PLASA07 (which runs from 9-12 September at Earls Court in London) will be officially launched at the forthcoming Pro Light+Sound exhibition in Frankfurt.

Industry professionals visiting Frankfurt can take advantage of free registration to PLASA07 by visiting the PLASA Stand (J80) in Hall 8.0 where special registration forms will be available.

12,852 (ABC audited) trade buyers attended PLASA06 and the 2007 event - which has been extensively redesigned - is set to draw much bigger numbers. Re-bookings for exhibition space at Earls Court 1 and 2 are strong, ensuring that PLASA07 will be the key exhibition this year for emerging technologies and innovative ideas.

Online registration will be available from Monday 2 April enabling potential visitors to sign up via the newly redesigned and user-friendly website which will serve as the Informa

USA - Aviom introduced its new AV-P2 Output Module at NSCA 2007. It is designed for use in a wide variety of applications. The AV-P2 offers simple plug-and-play installation and secure 'set-and-forget' channel configuration.

Audio is distributed to the AV-P2 over standard Cat 5e cables, using Aviom's A-Net digital audio protocol. A-Net supports realtime distribution with sub-millisecond latency, and long cable runs up to 500ft/150m.

There is no limit to the number of devices that can be daisy chained, or to the number of parallel splits in a single system, says the company.

Power can be supplied to the AV-P2 with an external DC power supply or over the Cat 5e cable (with an A-Net Distributor). Additionally, Pro16 A-Net audio streams can be transmitted over single- or multi-mode fibre optics using certain standard third-party media converters.

The AV-P2 has reversible mount

USA - For the 10th consecutive year, a broad range of Audio-Technica microphones was selected to outfit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. A-T supplied over 100 mics to capture the audio for this widely celebrated musical event, which took place at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The 22nd annual event was held on 12 March, with inductees including Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, R.E.M., The Ronettes, Patti Smith and Van Halen. The show was broadcast live on VH1 Classic, and for the first time, streamed live on the Internet.

Audio-Technica's Artist Elite 5000 Series UHF Wireless System was used with the AEW-T5400 handheld microphone/transmitter for frontline vocals on performances by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five (Kid Creole, Cowboy, Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel, Mr. Ness, Raheim), Aretha Franklin, Sammy Hagar, The Ronettes featuring

Germany - ProLight + Sound will see a comprehensive range of Rosco products on its distributor Lightpower's stand and with partner CAST (C.Adolph & RST Distribution). The two companies will be showing different product lines with Lightpower focusing on Rosco's range of filters and CAST concentrating on projection.

Lightpower will show a selection of products including Permacolor, ChromaSleeve and E-Colour as well as the newly re-certified B1 for Supergel - still the most widely used colour filter.

Permacolor dichroic glass filters are specifically designed not to fade or shift colour. Rosco's manufacturing process also allows for precise batch to batch colour consistency. Permacolor filters are available in 24 colours and five standard sizes on durable borafloat glass 1.1mm, 1.75mm or 3.3mm thick. They can be custom cut in any size up to 342.9mm in diameter.

ChromaSleeve is

UK - Leisuretec Distribution has been appointed a UK distributor of the Digital Lounge, a range of products offering a complete high-end package to the AV, conference room and venue markets.

The latest creation from Harman Kardon, the Digital Lounge is billed as "the ultimate in digital entertainment, providing a 360 degree AV experience in legendary Harman Kardon surround sound, on the latest 32", 40" and 46" high-definition LCD flat-screen TV's".

The Digital Lounge speakers are designed to work optimally together to maintain a coherent sonic and visual signature across the entire entertainment system. The 10" powered subwoofer uses an efficient 200-watt amplifier to deliver more power with less distortion.

"Everyone can produce an LCD screen. This range combines an LCD screen, AV amplifier, high definition DVD player and 5.1 surround soun

Latest Issue. . .