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USA - Regional rental company Farber Sound, LLC of Medina, Minnesota provided the live audio system for the Family Values Tour concert in Somerset, Wisconsin. The event took place at the Float-Rite Park Amphitheater and featured performances by Korn, Evanescence, Flyleaf, Trivium, and more.

A crowd in excess of 10,000 was served by a JBL Vertec system with 16 mid-size VT4888 line array elements per side and 12 JBL SRX728 (2 x 18") subwoofers per side, with six VRX932LAs in use for front-fills. Farber Sound's Brad Van Voorst was system engineer for the event.

The primary rental sound provider for this year's Family Values Tour is Clair Brothers/Showco. All shows on the current summer tour except the concert at the Float-Rite Park Amphitheater in Somerset, Wisconsin are being

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UK - Event security specialist Showsec was tasked with looking after the security work at all The Police's shows in England and Wales during the band's much-anticipated reunion tour.

The company was tasked with providing all artist and production area security for The Police dates at Twickenham, Birmingham National Indoor Arena, the MEN Arena, Manchester, Wembley Arena and the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. This included securing back stage areas, the stage itself, dressing rooms and all production assets. A key part of the role was to liaise with venues and local authorities, ensuring proper access and effective security procedures for the band. Showsec's operations director Mark Logan coordinated and designed the staffing and security management procedures of the tour, drawing from the 2,000 fully trained staff based in nine offices around the country.

Mark stated: "It is

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UK - Vertigo celebrated the worldwide launch of Vertex at PLASA07 this week - where the joystick-controlled 3D flying system scooped a prestigious PLASA Award for Innovation.

The first use of Vertex was in the making of the latest Harry Potter movie, and the system is now available from Vertigo, the London and Pinewood based rigging, motion control and entertainment structures specialists, for sale or hire worldwide.

Designed and engineered to fly people, cameras and objects across large areas in real time without complicated programming, Vertex is billed as the first 3D flying system that can be controlled and programmed in real time via a joystick. This system has been designed to ensure the simplest of set-up and control with the highest technical capability. Crucially, it is certified to the most stringent (BGV-C1) safety standard.

Unlike other flying systems, moves can

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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

Details
USA - EAW is to be the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of the MicroWedge Series of stage monitor products under the terms of a new agreement between Loud Technologies and MicroWedge developer Rat Sound Systems of Oxnard, California.

The Perpetual License agreement between the two entities calls for current products to be branded 'EAW MicroWedge', fully supported by the resources of EAW. Further, Rat Sound Founder Dave "Rat" Levine, creator of MicroWedge and other sound reinforcement designs, will be working closely with the EAW Engineering Department on the development of new MicroWedge models as well as other EAW touring products.

"In securing this pre-eminent floor monitor line for our worldwide customer base, EAW is once again demonstrating its commitment to true performance audio by bringing the best in both design and talent to the EAW brand," e

Details
USA - Elation Professional reports that its two new 6-channel dimmers - the RMD-620 and DP-640B - have been granted UL approval. Both models are hybrid Dim/Switch packs; the RMD-620 is a 19" rack mount unit, while the DP-640B is an upgraded version of Elation's popular DP-640 model.

"We are very pleased that the RMD-620 and DP-640B have received UL approval. This signifies that they have met or exceeded the most rigorous safety standards in the industry," said Eric Loader, director of sales for Elation Professional. "We anticipate a widespread demand for these two new dimmers from clubs and installations where UL-listed lighting gear is required, as well as from lighting designers and rental businesses who want to offer their customers the highest assurance of safety and professionalism."

The RMD-620 comes with a standard terminal output panel on the r

Details
USA - Bosch Communications Systems has appointed Gary Pace as the national sales manager for Dynacord.

"Gary's experience is unique in that he has worked closely within the MI, corporate, house of worship, recording and live sound markets," says Thomas Hansen, VP sales, Bosch Communications Systems - Americas. "More than 25 years of entertainment technology experience - along with a solid background in global sales management and brand management - will make him a great asset. Gary will team with Jeff Taylor (Dynacord product manager, Americas) to provide a dynamic force for the Dynacord brand and products in the Americas."

Most recently, Pace held a sales and marketing position with LSI, a lighting and rigging production company specialising in corporate events, press events and trade shows. He also spent more than nine years as the global sales and market

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UK - In the world of high-fashion retail, Abercrombie & Fitch has remained a frontrunner with its popular, youthful brand of casual apparel. When the successful retail and catalogue operation decided to create a new class of flagship stores, they opted for Meyer Sound systems.

Each of the three locations selected for the new stores - on New York's Fifth Avenue, at Los Angeles' The Grove shopping centre, and in London's Mayfair - has been designed for maximum audio and visual impact. "The vision for these stores was to design a retail environment that is as much about fashion as it is entertainment," says David Schwartz, Abercrombie & Fitch's director of audio/video technology. "We wanted to design an audio system that could deliver the impact of a full-blown theatre experience."

For the London location, Schwartz designed a distributed system that includes 5

Details
UK - In keeping with Martin's affectionate theme at this year's PLASA Show, the company showed its distributors a little bit of love by handing out a number of distributor accolades at a special dinner and awards banquet on Saturday, 8 September, at the Vinopolis wine-tasting venue on the south bank of the Thames. The Martin 2007 Distributor Awards recognised exceptional performance in a number of areas.

Distributor of the Year: - For best sales performance/improvement over the past 12 months and the largest sales growth over the past five years. Winner: A&T Trade, Russia.

Martin Gazelle Award: - For fast collection of orders and rapid market penetration for new products. Winner: Fairlight, Holland.

Most Outstanding Projects: - For strong dedication to extraordinary project sales. Winner: Martin Professional Middle East.

Best Customer Relations:

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UK - The Swansea Bay Summer Festival is one of the UK's biggest carnival events watched by crowds of over 35,000. Celebrating 200 years since the abolition of slavery, this multi-cultural event builds to a crescendo of samba drums and high energy street dance with the City Streets - Summer Beats concert held on the 26 August.

Total Sound Solutions turned to Harman Pro for the sound system. Company director, Chris Hooke chose a JBL VerTec VT4887 compact line array set-up for the job. He reports: "This was right on the edge of a residential area in Swansea so obviously we had to be very careful with the sound. We were able to use JBL's Line Array Calculator software to tell us exactly what angles to use to get the exact coverage without sound over-spilling into the residential area. There were two hotels literally about 20m past where we wanted to fire so the main adva

Details
USA / UK - The Renkus-Heinz Audio Operations Network (RHAON), what the company calls "the first practical technology to offer maximum control over self-powered loudspeakers", has made its public débute as a full production product at PLASA 07 (9-12 September 2007), in the shape of the all-new Sygma SG Series loudspeakers.

RHAON from Renkus-Heinz offers an industry-first combination of integral amplification, DSP, digital audio networking, control and monitoring, which will available for the entire Renkus-Heinz powered product lineup, the company says. Under the headline 'Maximum Control', RHAON technology will become a standard option in every new Renkus-Heinz powered loudspeaker, beginning with the all-new Sygma SG Series.

Also now shipping is the RHAON-Empowered CF Series, which brings RHAON and the CF Series' exceptional technologies to a broad market acros

Details
UK - Avolites launched the latest in its series of pearl consoles - The Pearl Tiger - at PLASA 2007. The Pearl Tiger is a powerful, streamlined 10 roller playback version of Avo's most popular 'live' lighting console.

Aimed at a wide range of sectors and applications, the Pearl Tiger is equally suited for small theatres, conferences, schools & colleges, small to medium scale productions or production companies, tours, venues and nightclubs, says the company.

The Pearl Tiger is fully show compatible with all Avo Pearls and shows can be loaded and swapped between these consoles.

(JIm Evans)

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UK - beyerdynamic GB Ltd has announced that as from PLASA07 (9-12 September) they are sole UK distributor for MC² Audio. Due to MC² Audio's alignment with sister company XTA electronics, beyerdynamic can now offer a more complete audio solution, the company says.

beyerdynamic managing director John Midgley said: "The introduction of MC2 amplifiers alongside the XTA range of signal processors means that we can now offer an unbeatable combination for any live or installed application. The coming together of these two brands which are synonymous with the very best in world class audio and innovation makes our future look very exciting."

MC² Audio managing director, Ian McCarthy said: "We are really excited about this appointment as our UK sales definitely need a fresh approach. I am delighted that John and beyer are taking this over in the UK as I feel that cust

Details
USA - Bandit Lites recently worked with the University of Tennessee Athletics Department and Host Communications/The Vol Network to host the first-ever Big Orange Blast.

The free community-wide pep rally kicked-off the 2007 UT home football season. Festivities featured performances by Bandit's own public relations manager, Kimberly Ainge in addition to Waycross and Jason D. Williams. Tennessee head football coach, Phillip Fulmer and select members of the Tennessee football team also participated with the Pride of the Southland Marching Band, UT cheerleaders and Smokey.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - Star Events Group has launched its new website (www.stareventsgroup.com) that offers "a host of new and unique features that will make choosing a Star Events Group stage or service even easier than before".

Features include 'Stage Choosing Wizard' which allows the visitor to quickly and simply determine which stage will suit a particular event by choosing options from the drop down menus. The Stage Comparator compares all the main technical specifications and other useful information of any, or all, of Star Events Group's range of stages, while the Gallery shows what can be achieved with each staging line.

Users with Login codes can get access to all the documents pertaining to a particular event. Star Events Group can host this service on request and the service will soon extend to venues that it operates in on a contract basis.

There is also a Useful Links s

Details
UK - You can drive right through St John's Town of Dalry almost before you have finished saying its name. Yet this picturesque town in southwest Scotland now offers a range and quality of live performance which puts much larger places in the shade.

Local resident Mark Stoves invited Maltbury to advise on the staging as part of a major refurbishment plan. MD Philip Sparkes made a site visit to view the hall and a Metrodeck package was agreed on which offered a wide range of stage and tiering layouts for the space.

After only a few months the hall is buzzing with activity once again. As Mark Stoves says: "Since purchasing the Metrodeck, the Hall has seen a significant increase in the number and variety of new events and its success has exceeded all expectations."

Then, shortly before Christmas, Jenny Harvie of local Dalry School saw a performance at the hall and like

Details
Dubai - Following the appointment of PALME Middle East exhibition director, Alexander Heuff, show organisers IIR Exhibitions Entertainment & Installation Technology Group have announced the arrival of Neil Hickman as group exhibitions director. Most recently he has spent four years as director of the Cityscape series of events, based in Dubai.

Commenting on the continuing potential for sound and vision integrators in the region, Hickman said, "The boom in hotel build and future tourism attractions shows no sign of letting up - new projects are being announced on an almost daily basis. As a result, the professional sound, light, music, audio visual and systems integration industries are expected to quadruple in the next three years as a result of opportunities in both the commercial and residential sectors."

(Jim Evans)

Details
UK - Martin Audio has incorporated a number of "significant improvements" throughout its Blackline Series of loudspeakers.

Drivers and crossover networks have been improved and all low-frequency drivers used in two-way systems now benefit from the addition of aluminium demodulating rings to minimise the variation in voice coil inductance as the coil moves in the gap. The result is improved midrange clarity and reduced intermodulation distortion at high excursions, ensuring that the sound balance and quality are maintained even at high levels, says the company.

In the development of the Blackline Series special attention has also been given to matching the directivity of the low frequency drivers to the HF horns in the crossover region. This has been achieved by careful choice of LF cone profiles, together with improvements in crossover design.

The new design ethos

Details
UK - Overt Light to Sound Ltd, UK distributor for DAP Audio, DMT (Dutch Media Tools), Showtec Lighting, Antari (smoke and effect machines), Sweetlight, Shure, QSC, Phonic and Yamaha Commercial Audio, have announced the appointment of Dave Hartley as area sales manager. Hartley, who was on the Highlite International stand meeting and greeting his new clients at the PLASA Show in London last week, will be covering the North West UK, Midlands and North Wales.

Malcolm Burlow, managing director, says Hartley brings a wealth of knowledge to the company, having been within the sound and light industry for many years.

(Lee Baldock)

Details
UK - Projected Image Digital (PID) has supplied, installed programmed and commissioned a stunning live video artwork in the atrium of Edinburgh College of Art's Evolution House building. The customised system comprises four Catalyst DL1 moving head projectors, two special Catalyst digital media servers and a Pharos LPC2 DMX controller.

Originally constructed as multipurpose offices, the building was recently acquired by the College and now houses its main library, several art studios and administration.

New York-based architect/designer Shashi Caan of the Shashi Caan Collective - and a former ECA graduate - was asked to design an interactive public artwork for the new building that would create a special ambience and imbibe the space with meaning.

Utilising different elements of projected art - stills, video and animations - created by the students, offered the opportunity f

Details
Belgium - AED Rent has become the first European customer for QSC Audio's new PowerLight 3 Class D amplifier. The Belgian company this month confirmed an initial investment in 80 top-of-the-range PL380's as it upgrades its rental stock.

AED Rent specialises in providing dry-rental support to production and rental companies (rather than end users); although sharing its early history with QSC's territorial distributors, AED bvba, the two companies today operate independently, though co-operatively, under separate ownership.

Managing director of AED Rent, Eddy van Nuffel, says that the new amplifier was earmarked for purchase as soon as it was announced, and they began beta-testing back in March. "We conducted listening tests and the amplifier sounded extremely musical, with impressive Class D efficiency right across the frequency spectrum," Eddy van Nuffield reports.

Details
USA - A revamped sound exhibit of the Detroit Science Center has seen the installation of Chauvet COLORtubes EQ by DJS Commercial. The LED tubes offer the possibility of mounting a real-time sound frequency visualiser. As a result, visitors in the experimental room view and show off the sound they create. Each tube can be addressed to respond to a different frequency, from bass to treble, in the pulsating manner of a graphic equaliser on a stereo. DJS Commercial hung 28 of them horizontally encased in a window, so that they can be seen flashing from outside the Jam Room, throughout the centre.

Next, designers turned their attention to the room itself. Exhibit facilities manager Ed Gorczyk wanted to give it a "high tech" feel. The 15sq.ft room was set up like a Saturday Night Live stage of the Seventies, with a huge, slowly whirling fan set into the wall behind m

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