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UK - With the opening of the new Beach Blanket Babylon, The Sound Division Group has carried out its second sound system installation for owners Robert Newmark and Graham Rebak.

A stark contrast from the original 17-year-old restaurant in Notting Hill, with its eclectic décor, the new four-storey warehouse, which will open in phases, is typical of the Shoreditch area. David Graham's installation company has opened its account by fitting a highly-specified DJ booth and supplying a transparent Martin Audio sound reinforcement system (finished in custom black), under the project management of JLC's Richard Astley and Sound Division's Elliot Patterson.

They have provided optimum sound quality in both the basement (dominated by its central bar) and ground floor, while the firs

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USA - The world's largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference, Lightfair International (LFI), returns to Las Vegas this May featuring a line-up of seminars and courses which the organisers say are strategically designed to educate and inform attendees on the industry's latest trends and innovative ideas. Offering 70 courses, totalling more than 200 hours of programming, this conference is the industry's largest and most diverse educational initiative, say the organisers. The LFI Conference and Trade Show will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Centre, 26-30 May, 2008.

LFI partners with some of the industry's leaders and experts to address essential topics in lighting and business practices. Topics include software and lighting applications, business and technology initiatives, design innovation, daylighting, case studies, sustainability and

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Germany - K.M.E. will introduce additions to its Versio series at ProLight & Sound in Frankfurt.

Versio VSS 15 is a completely digital system unit integrating a 15" subwoofer and three Class D amplifiers (1 x 750W + 2 x 500W) with a digital signal processor 24bit / 48kHz and weighs just 26kg. The analogue input signal is digitalised directly inside the input amplifier using an intelligent 24bit AD converter and remains digital to the Class D amplifiers' output. The new technology avoids conversion losses, increases the utilizing dynamic range and achieves a much better sound quality due to a precise reproduction of the audio signal, says the company.

Versio SD 3 and SD 4 are DSP-controlled active PA systems, while the Versio VL 240 is a small, powerful active 8" + 1" loudspeaker with two digital amplifiers of 200 W RMS bass/mid and 50W RMS power, which can be us

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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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UK - Production company ML Executives has invested in a Soundcraft Vi6 digital console, which will form an integral part of the sound system they are providing for the Iron Maiden world tour.

Provided by Harman Pro UK, the desk itself was chosen specifically for the forthcoming tour after meticulous research by the iconic British metal band's FOH engineer, Doug Hall, and will be added to ML Executives' arsenal of touring equipment after the band return home at the end of summer.

Des Jabir, operations manager of ML Executives explains their choice: "In previous years we have shipped the entire sound system to each Iron Maiden venue around the world, including stacks, racks, and monitors. This year we are putting together a more streamlined control/monitors package for the 'plane section' of the tour - India to South America - to reduce the weight and footprint of what is s

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UK - Themes Incorporated highlighted its LED video flooring system at the recent Event Show at Olympia. The modular floor panels display an endless stream of moving images, animations and live, or recorded, video footage. The system can be arranged in a variety of sizes and shapes and can display logos and text, making it suitable for both private and corporate applications.

David Churches, managing director of Themes Incorporated commented: "We were so pleased with the reception that the video floor achieved - we always felt it was an excellent addition to our extensive event equipment stock, but it is reassuring when you see the reaction from clients at a prestigious show such as this.

Although we originally bought the system with dance floors in mind, we have received just as many enquiries to use it at product launches and promotions - this really illustrates the vers

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Denmark - Martin Professional's Controller Team has released a series of updates for the Windows-based lighting controller - LightJockey.

An updated version of the LightJockey software is now available that adds new fixture profiles for the MAC 575 Krypton, smartMAC, Exterior 1200 and Exterior 200 LED. Free of charge to all LightJockey users, Version 2.7.8 is available for download from the company's website.

New to LightJockey Manager is LED-Trix, a new LED effects engine for control of LED lights. The LED-Trix plug-in facilitates the programming of colour mixing fixtures, such as LED-based lighting fixtures. But it can do more then just LED lighting fixture control - any RGB, CMY, HSI, RGBAW or single dimmer channel can be controlled by LightJockey LED-Trix.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - Artistic Licence has announced the launch of Rail-Flip. Housed in a DIN-Rail enclosure, Rail-Flip can switch four universes of DMX512 between A and B inputs.

The primary purpose of the product is the automatic 'fail-over' switching between two lighting consoles. In automatic mode, the product senses data on its 'A' input. If DMX512 stops on any universe, the 'B' input is selected. Rail-Flip also features detail configuration. This allows, for example, the user to configure how to handle data returning on the 'A' input.

Rail-Flip can also be switched manually which allows it to be used as a source selector between different lighting positions.

The product can be cascaded to increase the number of universes. Status and data indicators show both data activity and switch status. Rail-Flip uses electromechanical relays which ensure that the product will fail safe in a power

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Malaysia - Coveled from Dialight Lumidrives have been used to provide high quality LED lighting in six prestigious retail locations across the Far East for Royal Selangor of Malaysia, the world's largest pewter designer and manufacturer.

Coveled replaced a traditional halogen lighting system to illuminate display shelves of pewter products. Coveled provides low energy consumption of approximately 10W per metre and a long lamp life of around 50,000 hours rather than 20,000 with the previous alternative.

Lighting designers and specifiers were M-Lux of Malaysia. Coveled was supplied by Dialight Lumidrive's Asia partner and distributor Achieva Electronics of Singapore.

Locations were Raffles in Singapore, in Malaysia -Queensbay Mall Penang, the Pavillion Kuala Lumpur, Mid Valley the Garden Kuala Lumpur and Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Installation was also carried out at Roya

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UK - The new Square One Splitter from Klark Teknik features a user-friendly, high-performance, Midas XL8-derived pre-amp design, packaged in a 2U, eight channel format.

To increase versatility and provide additional value, a third set of transformer-isolated independent (fixed gain) outputs are provided. The Square One Splitter also has the ability to function as a 1-16 media split.

(Jim Evans)

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USA - As the hockey teams battled it out on ice, a lighting team enhanced the 27 January NHL All-Star Game with a large production. High End Systems equipment played a role in the nationally televised broadcast from Philips Arena in Atlanta, specifically Showguns, Studio Color 575s and a Wholehog 3 console.

HES sent its Los Angeles-based programmer/trainer Mike Hanson to assist LD David Agress and programmer Paul Turner. Agress had not yet experienced Showgun, while Turner had only recently undergone Wholehog 3 training at HES.

The Showguns were used to highlight the goals and to project logos. Agress says: "The Showguns will be part of my big-show list from now on. Really a wonderful light. They were the work horse and show horse of this year's NHL All Star Game."

Mainlight supplied the Showguns to production supplier Entertainment Design Group of Atlanta.

(Jim

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The Netherlands - Spanish sound reinforcement manufacturer Vieta continues its expansion across continental Europe with the appointment of Match Audio & Vision as its distribution partner in Holland.

With a special interest in the audio-visual sector, as well as sound reinforcement and system installation, Match Audio & Vision first discovered Vieta's product range via the wireless So Cubes. Robert Pigeaud, co-owner of Match, was quick to sell and supply a 10-cube hire system to Generation Audio, a rental company based in Oss. This is now in regular use for company events and conferences.

"The market in Holland is quite slow-moving," admits Robert Pigeaud, "but I'm certain customers will be convinced by the quality of the wireless So Line and the specifications of the high-performance Do Line for indoor and outdoor installation."

(Jim Evans)

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The Netherlands - Visual Productions' continued focus on supplying lighting control equipment for fixed installations has resulted in a new line of DIN Rail mounted control devices. The first device in this series to be released is the DIN Rail DMX Splitter.

The DIN Rail DMX Splitter provides six DMX ports and is designed with installers and system integrators in mind. The Splitter features a DIN Rail enclosure that allows easy mounting. All connections have detachable screw-connectors for a quick replacement of the unit.

The input port is protected through optical isolation, safe guarding the splitter/booster and its connected equipment against power surges and dangerous ground loops.

(Jim Evans)

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This year's ISE in Amsterdam had a vibrant atmosphere and was very well attended. Next year's event - also in the Dutch capital city - will be even bigger, say the organisers. All these factors, together with the release of a raft of new products, reflects the buoyant state of the fixed installation sector.

On the live music front, the strangest gig we have reported on in recent times must be Queens of the Stone Age performing down a salt mine in East Germany. Iron Maiden are about to tour the world again and next summer's festivals are selling out as soon as the tickets become available. And the move to digital in live music production continues with this week's official London launch of Cadac's new digital desk.

Manufacturers are now gearing up for Frankfurt, while end-users are still trying to digest the wealth of product developments, company announcements and mergers unveiled at

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UK - Navigator Systems Ltd. experts in rental management software design have released a significant update for their low cost, easy to use, software package, RentalDesk NX, which continues to sell in high volume to audio visual rental companies world-wide.

The software is now 100% Microsoft Vista compatible and has been designed with a new and improved user interface making RentalDesk NX even easier to operate, says the company.

RentalDesk NX is a complete software package and solution to help small to medium sized companies process bookings, schedule and bill equipment rentals. It includes many of the functionalities normally only present in larger packages and is available from a single user to five concurrent users.

As RentalDesk NX gains market dominance, the product is now more affordable than ever, says the company. For less than £200.00 (price of single user sy

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UK - Lighting designer Stephen Page used a Jands Vista T2 console to provide lighting control for The People's Opening event to launch Liverpool's year as the European Capital of Culture.

Using the stunning architecture of St George's Plateau as a backdrop, the show featured a cast of 600 to represent the City's rich cultural heritage, including artists Ringo Starr and Dave Stewart, a choir of 300, 40 aerial performers, 80 guitarists and hundreds of local school children.

All lighting equipment was supplied by Blackburn based rental company HSL and project managed by Mike Oates.

Lighting designer Stephen Page's brief from the creative team was to light a musical, multi-cultural event featuring a diverse mix of performers on a large outdoor scale in the middle of Liverpool's city centre.

The Vista controlled a lighting rig featuring over 200 moving lights, 360 ways o

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UK - mcm Productions has announced the acquisition of Southampton-based, AV and technical production company Lite Relief, as a new division within its business.

Over the course of 10 years, mcm has established its position as one of the UK's leading providers of event management, video production and graphic skills, with a client base which boasts John Lewis, Royal Bank of Scotland, Warburtons and Mothercare. mcm's acquisition of Lite Relief comes with a large store of AV equipment, warehouse space and an existing client portfolio including Southampton FC, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Hampshire Cricket Club.

The purchase will further strengthen mcm's business, and allow it to broaden its in-house technical service and capabilities, resulting in creative and cost effective solutions for new and existing clients, says the company.

With nearly 30 years industry expertise,

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UK - Strand Lighting's latest software promises "a completely new look and feel". Command operations are faster, simpler and more intuitive, says the company. Displays are more informative and flexible and the entire operator experience "will change the minute users begin to work with the software".

Users of the original Light Palette V6 and V8 consoles will recognise the heritage of this software with its familiar command line interface.

Version 10 builds on the strengths of Strand's years of experience in lighting control and improves thepower of moving light programming with its Universal Attribute Control.

Features in this release include full command line programming, enhanced colour control including gel manufacturers' colour libraries, Smart touring options with magic update, directive updates and fixture offset.

"We now have partial show lo

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The Netherlands - Lumin AG presented its new Multitouch Terminal at this year's Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) in Amsterdam. The Multitouch Terminal is billed as a revolutionary new solution for human-computer interaction. The user controls the device with simple and intuitive movements directly on the screen.

Similar to the Apple iPhone, no keyboard or mouse is needed. The Plug and Play device is now available for purchase and can display presentations in conference rooms or at trade shows. The Lumin Multitouch can also be used to implement intelligent information systems in office building reception areas, museums, or point-of-sale locations. The included standard software allows customers to quickly adapt the device to their own applications.

The Lumin Multitouch standard terminal includes a 42-inch display and an integrated computer. It is operated with simple and intuiti

Details
The Netherlands - Martin Audio's OmniLine received its first gong recently when it picked up the InAVate Award for Most InAVative Loudspeaker Product for Commercial Use.

The award was presented by Dr. Walter Wehrhan, editor in chief of Production Partner (sponsors of the category) at a gala dinner - this took place at the Hotel Okura, Amsterdam during the recent ISE Show.

*XL Video won the InAVate Award for Most innovative Rental & Staging project (corporate) for its work on the launch of High Speed 1 - St Pancras International Station, the high speed Cross Channel Rail Link and the UK's new Eurostar terminal.

XL Video's business development manager Al Green was on hand to receive the Award on behalf of the company at the ceremony.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - BRIT Award-nominated English pop-rock band The Feeling had a busy 2007. They spent much of the first part of the year on a major British tour, and took the stage again in June to steal the show at The Concert For Diana at Wembley Stadium. 2008 promises to be even busier, as the promotional circus for second album 'Join With Us' begins in earnest this February.

The band spent much of last year holed up in a stately home in Wiltshire writing and recording 'Join With Us', the follow up to the smash hit, 'Twelve Stops And Home'. And an essential part of that process was the delivery of a selection of Sennheiser and Neumann microphones that enabled the band to create release-quality audio in a house not designed with 21st Century recording as its primary concern.

"We took advantage use of the wonderful acoustics in the wood panelled, tapestry-lined dining hall," expl

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USA - Community Professional Loudspeakers has awarded the Mac West Group their Representative of the Year award for 2007. The award, which recognises outstanding sales and support, was announced at Community's rep meeting at this year's NAMM show in Anaheim.

"All of Community's reps have done an outstanding job this year, and selecting just one company for Rep of the Year was a difficult decision," remarked Rod Falconer, Community's western regional sales manager. "But Steve, Pat, Zeke, and Greg at Mac West have really been top notch. We're pleased and proud to be represented by such a great group of people."

Mac West Group represents Community Professional Loudspeakers in Southern California, Arizona and Las Vegas.

(Jim Evans)

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