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UK - The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 means that it is illegal for an owner of a workplace to expose workers to sound pressure levels over 85dB without adequate hearing protection. However, in pubs and clubs it's not always straightforward to ensure that those levels are adhered to, especially in situations where visiting DJs and guests are in control of the venue's music.

The APart Audiolock, distributed in the UK by Sennheiser, is an automatic decibel level controller that ensures that the sound pressure level will never exceed the maximum level as set by the venue.

The Audiolock is "sabotage proof", both electronically and mechanically, while a remote control unit allows the owner or manager to adjust the maximum level from outside the DJ booth. The max

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Germany - Audica Professional will again be exhibiting at ProLight&Sound with its German distributor Trius. In addition to showing the complete range of MICROseries electronics and loudspeakers for background music, AV and audio communication applications, the company will be launching the new MICROplus 4-channel power amplifier.

The Audica Professional MICROplus is an ultra-compact unit with the same size and style of head-unit mounting as the company's MICROzone pre/amp/controller, which it is designed to partner. Features include four-channel limiting and protection and individual channel bar indicators showing output level, clip and fault. The unit has rear-mount level control, phono in/out and screw terminal loudspeaker outputs for each channel.

Being a straight gain amplifier, the MICROplus is designed to be used in conjunction with the MICROzone, which provides pre-amp

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France - Marseille-based PA company, L'Art Scene, selected a recent performance by renowned Corsican band, Canta, held at Paris' 1000-capacity historic music hall, Le Bataclan, to test out Allen & Heath's iLive digital system for monitor sound.

"It did not take long for me to find my way around the control surface - it is very intuitive," comments monitor engineer, David Copin. "I love the precision of the EQ, the quality of the effects, and the surface ergonomics, which allow me to make adjustments without having to consult the touch screen."

Accompanied by the house orchestra, the band comprised 10 singers and five musicians performing on bass, guitars, drums, keyboard and accordion. Using an iDR10 mix rack with iLive-144 surface, L'Art Scene provided eight line stereo in-ear and eight line mono in-ear and wedge feeds.

"iLive is great for monitor a

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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 - Stirling-based professional sound and lighting specialist, Scotaudio, selected Community I/O8 loudspeakers for the new Hydrotherapy Pool installation at Raploch Campus, Stirling. The pool is designed for children with special needs, and comprises innovative interactive lighting which can be controlled via floating radio switches. The install presented some challenges in terms of controlling both sound and lighting within an IP rated environment.

Scotaudio technical director, Andy Greig, commented: "We needed loudspeakers that were aesthetically pleasing and could cope with the high humidity environment whilst delivering a solid and accurate reproduction in an acoustically live room - the Community I/O8 was a perfect choice. For some of the children who will use this facility, sound is one of the main senses they use to explore their environment, and we needed the best

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Austria - The Hahnenkamm races in Kitzbühel are to the international ski circus what Monte Carlo is to that of Formula One or Wimbledon to that of tennis: the top event of the season. To meet the huge, international expectations, the organizers of the event, Skiclub Kitzbühel, has for the last six years put its faith in the Fieberbrunn-based sound and rental company Murdock Music Entertainment. "Each year, we learn something new about taming the Hahnenkamm," says Peter Auer, Murdock Music Entertainment's production manager, "but it remains nonetheless a formidable challenge.

"On the one hand, you have to provide even coverage to all 45,000 spectators attending the races, but on the other, you must avoid interfering with the efforts of colleagues to provide TV and radio coverage to those following the event from the comfort of their homes. And then there's t

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Hong Kong - Long-term LED screen user JM Rental has invested in 1,000 additional panels of R16 LED screen from Lighthouse Technologies. Equivalent to an area of 770sq.m - which would cover much of an average-sized football pitch - the investment by Hong Kong-based JM Rental demonstrates the company's total commitment to servicing the Asian event market's ever-increasing demand for large-scale LED screens, says the company.

Such is the demand for the R16 that the new panels were immediately put to work on the national annual celebration in Singapore, the Chingay Parade, which took place in February. JM Rental was appointed as the official LED Screen Partner for the iconic event, supplying a turnkey solution from technical support through media production. The key elements were the two 12.24m (W) x 9.12m (H) screens where the 30 Chingay Parade sponsors broadcast their bran

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UK - XL Video UK is again supplying video production and crew for the X-Factor Live 2008 tour, an all-action performance featuring a strong line up of the 10 finalists from the 2007 BBC TV series.

Dan Omerod is the live video director. Show director is Tim Byrne, the set has been designed by Iain Whitehouse from Production North and production manager is Sarah Hollis. The tour is being project managed for XL by Jo Beirne and Phil Mercer, and is one of a number of shows they are working on this spring for Leeds-based Production North in conjunction with Blink TV.

Phil Mercer adds, "As screen supplier for the recent ITV series it's been a good challenge for XL to adapt the system for touring whilst still maintaining the overall scale, variety and quality of the original TV studio based design."

Similar to the TV show, X-Factor Live is fast-paced and involves l

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UK - Allen & Heath has made an addition to the Xone DJ range, with the launch of the Xone:42 high performance 4-channel DJ mixer with USB audio interface.

"Designed to seamlessly interface with current leading edge DJ technology, the Xone:42 has an ergonomic, intuitive layout, making it one of the easiest to use hi-tech mix tools around," comments Xone designer, Andy Rigby-Jones.

The Xone:42's feature set is built around four dual-input stereo channels; channels 1 and 4 are phono/line, while channels 2 and 3 are line/line. All four channels have a powerful +6dB to total kill 3-band EQ, a nine-segment three-colour bar meter, gain control, and 60mm VCA faders with illuminated X/Y crossfader selection. Xone's legendary Voltage Control Filter is included on each channel via illuminated assignment switches, with selectable filter type, resonance, and frequency controls.

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USA - The new MR16 3W LED lamp from Acclaim Lighting is billed as "an effective way for commercial lighting users to pull the plug on skyrocketing energy costs". A high-efficiency LED-powered lamp, the MR16 3W was designed as an energy-saving replacement for halogen bulbs in standard, low-voltage MR16 fixtures.

The MR16 3W can fit into most standard MR16 12V fixtures with a GU5.3 base, like those commonly found in buildings, hotels, restaurants, retail stores and displays.

"There are an enormous number of MR16 12V fixtures out there - in everything from elevators to cruise ships. Retrofitting them with our new MR16 3W LED lamp can save building owners and commercial establishments a ton of money on their energy costs," said Eric Loader, director of sales for Acclaim Lighting.

"LED technology has advanced to the point where it's now a viable replaceme

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USA - LEDtronics has announced its latest generation of PAR 30-style LED spotlight bulbs. The PAR 30 LED bulb is made up of five three-Watt high-power LEDs. PAR 30 LED bulbs are direct incandescent PAR 30 replacements, combining advanced Light Emitting Diode (LED) technologies, standard 25mm Edison screw-in bases, and light optimizing designs producing 480 to 544 lumens of vivid light depending on the bulb model.

PAR 30 LED bulbs are available in a 40° light-emitting viewing angle, running on 80V to 260V AC current. Other voltages like 12Volt AC or DC are optionally available for qualifying customers. The LEDtronics PAR 30-style lamp replaces a 50W to 75W PAR 30 incandescent bulb but has a maximum power draw of only 15.8W.

(Jim Evans)

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USA - Bandit Lites recently donated $100,000 worth of lighting for the 23rd annual Knoxville Heart Gala. The black tie fundraiser took place on 9 February at the Knoxville Convention Center. The event raised over $600,000, of which all proceeds benefited the American Heart Association.

This year's theme was Wild at Heart. Bandit CEO, Michael T. Strickland and wife, Nicole Strickland co-chaired the event, which included silent and live auctions, and dancing to live music.

Lighting designer Steve Hoover chose to use Martin MAC 2000 Washes, Profiles and Performances, MAC 600s, MAC 300s, Vari*Lite 3500 Washes, Vari*Lite 3000 Spots,Coemar LED PARs, Color Kinetics 4 ft. iColor Accents and Bliss lights to light the event. Lighting was controlled by a Whole Hog II.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - Three DiGiCo D5s were used on the Spice Girls reunion tour which took in 47 shows, including 17 dates at the 20,000-capacity O2 Arena in London.

With seven musicians on stage (drums, bass, percussion, two guitarists and two keyboard players), sequencer tracks and the five girls plus spares, the show is running around 109 inputs, including VT feeds and talkback mics.

Monitor engineer Matt Napier is using two D5s, one for the band and one for the girls, with both the musicians and Spice Girls using Ultimate ears UE7s with Sennheiser G2 IEMs, plus flown d&b C4 side-fills for the dancers.

"I decided to use two D5s as I wanted to be able to approach the in ear mixes for the girls in a different way to those for the musicians," he says. "The band all have a relatively conventional in ear mix, with minimum EQ and compression. For the girls, on the other hand, I

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UK - Ballast and lighting control manufacturer, Helvar, will be showcasing both its new Digidim Router and 458 Dimmer at Light and Building, Frankfurt.

The eight-channel inductive 458 Dimmer, complete with LCD display and intuitive cursor control, comes in a compact, pre-wired, wall-mountable unit for maximum convenience and versatility. It is suitable for architectural and residential use, as well as a variety of commercial applications, says the company.

Compatible with Helvar's existing Imagine and Digidim routers, multiple 458 dimmers can be networked through both DALI and SDIM ports. The 458 can accommodate a range of user interfaces, including push button, rotary, sensors and touch panel controllers.

This Digidim Router, the new central element in Helvar's Digidim system links up single DALI networks to form a scalable lighting control system for all types of commercia

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UK - Arena Seating has launched its new parabolic seating system. clearview is a demountable system designed to offer uninterrupted sight lines for every audience member, says the company.

clearview is the first system of its kind, a parabolic reconfigurable seating design that allows each row of seats to be altered to deliver optimum sightlines for different events or venues. For event organisers in live music, stadia and sporting events, the system also affords the flexibility to increase capacity in restricted areas, while offering audiences a better view in comfort.

clearview is the result of three years research and development by the UK-based company's team of engineers and the new product has already been awarded international patents for its numerous engineering advances.

Arena director John Poyner comments, "At the core of clearview is some relatively simple bu

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Australia - To coincide with the release of their third album Grand National, the John Butler Trio embarked on a world tour, which started in Dublin in September 2007 and has already taken in the UK, Germany and France. The band is currently in Australia, and will be flying to Japan before finishing off in North America in May of this year.

XTA DP224s managed the majority of the Adamson loudspeaker system used on the French leg of the tour. The main loudspeaker system consisted of 16 Adamson Y10 speakers - two racks, each containing a DP224, provided system control for eight cabinets apiece. DP224s also featured in the slave racks used for the Adamson T21 subs, as well as for the ground-stacked loudspeakers that consisted of eight Y10s. Eight Adamson SpekTrix and four SpekTrix bass were used as out-fills, once again managed by DP224s. And for lipfills, four SpekTrix were

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Germany - Audio-Technica is exhibiting major new products at this year's prolight+sound exhibition, including the company's first wireless in-ear monitor systems and USB interface production microphone.

Harvey Roberts, senior UK marketing manager, commented, "We are especially excited about our presence at this year's prolight+sound, as we have a strong line up of new products that demonstrates the diversity of Audio-Technica's product engineering for the professional audio market. And, of course, visitors will be offered our customary stress free hospitality, including our popular chill out zone with professional massage; all highlighting how relaxing it is to do business with Audio-Technica."

On the new product front, the M2 and M3 IEM systems are high performance systems, each appointed for distinct sectors of the professional audio market. The M2 provides a mid m

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UK - Located between Trent Bridge ground, home to Nottinghamshire's county cricket team, and the City Ground, home to Nottingham Forest FC, is the Southbank Bar. When there's a big match in progress, football or cricket, the venue fills to capacity.

Nottingham-based design and installation company OneBigStar has rejuvenated the venue for its owners Great Northern Inns.

Although OneBigStar has subsequently provided AV and lighting systems to other venues in the Great Northern Inns portfolio, the Southbank Bar was their first collaboration. An extensive refurbishment at the end of last year has produced an impressive video network of 12 HD plasma screens plus two large drop-down projection screens.

The screens are complemented by 12 Electro-Voice ZX1 full-range loudspeakers. "On a match day, this venue is absolutely packed with people," explains Simon Taylor of OneBi

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Germany - ADB will feature its new zoom profile spotlight, WARP/Daylight, the most recent member of the growing WARP family.

Fitted with a 575W daylight discharge lamp, it outperforms the light output of competitive 2500 W fixtures, says the company. All the operational benefits of the halogen WARP are preserved, namely the patented ring control system.

Also on display at Frankfurt will be the recently released MENTOR/XT control desk, now featuring a sophisticated motion control module; plus the new Mikado from the upcoming Domino range. The EURODIM Twin Tech, which combines Thyristor and Sinewave technologies in a cabinet that can contain up to 128 channels, will also be on debut.

(Jim Evans)

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Ireland - Dublin-based CAVS (Corporate Audio Visual Services) were awarded the contract to provide the visual support for this year's Meteor Ireland Music Awards which featured a number of Ireland's top acts, including Westlife, Boyzone, Shayne Ward and Sinead O'Connor.

Promoted by MCD, Ireland's National Music Awards have been held annually since 2001, and is held at the 7000-capacity RDS Simmonscourt pavilion in Dublin. The show was televised by RTÉ in a special programme directed by Niamh White.

CAVS have many years experience handling similar large-scale events for the Awards' production company, Diffusion Events, and have rigged many shows at the venue. For this event their crew included Brian Moran (head technician) and Malcolm MacDonald, on main stage, while in the media centres and VIP rooms were Neil Whelan, Austin Agnew, Jeff Doolin and Eoin Devitt.

"Fr

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Germany - Clay Paky will present four compact 300W moving body projectors for professional use at Frankfurt: the Alpha Beam 300 moving light beam, the Alpha Spot HPE 300 and Alpha Spot 300 effect projectors, and the Alpha Wash 300 washlight.

The Alpha Beam 300 produces a "superconcentrated parallel light beam" and is billed as the ideal moving light beam for "live" professional use, especially "long throw", to penetrate the background brightness of the stage washes or LED systems with Aircraft Landing light effects that have never been seen before.

The Alpha Spot HPE 300 features a wide Zoom, CMY, 8+1 Colour wheel, 15 Gobos (eight fixed and seven rotatin), Morphing Effect, Rotating Prism, Frost, 0-100% Dimmer on dedicated channel, iris and stop/strobe.

With the same optical, lighting engineering and constructional qualities as the Alpha Spot HPE

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Czech Republic - Milos has launched its new MR5 Roof, its largest roof system to date that builds on their successful MR3 Roofs. It utilises Milos' M950 QuickTruss in combination with six of their MT3 towers, and is designed for large indoor and outdoor events needing a serious amount of space, headroom and weight-loading, says the company.

The MR5's maximum dimensions are 27.8m wide by 17.8m deep, which offers 13.5m of headroom - enough to accommodate a wide range of large lighting and sound rigs and video systems. The maximum loading on this version of the MR5 is 15 tonnes.

Milos' M950 trussing is the largest system in the current trussing range and is designed to make long spans and for flying heavy loads. It utilises 60 x 5 mm main tubes with 32 x 3mm bracing spars, and is available in Quatro and compact Folding versions as well as a variety of standard lengths.

(Jim Eva

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