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South Africa - The first Avolites Tiger console in South Africa was delivered by distributors DWR to Pretoria-based lighting rental company, Stage Effects.

The Tiger's first gig in the country was Gospel Times, a show broadcast from the South African Broadcasting Association (SABC) Studios, Johannesburg. From there it went directly on to Tempo's, a Johannesburg venue where Stage Effects runs moving and generic lighting. "It's smaller than the Pearl but just as powerful," enthuses Stage Effects' Theo Papenfus. "On many of these shows where you are just adding moving lights to a studio generic rig, you don't need a large console."

The Tiger joined the two Pearls already owned by Stage Effects, which works across all industry sectors, but specialising in

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UK - The UK's latest 'super club', the 1200-capacity, three-level State Club in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, has opened its doors with the UK's largest installation to date of the Dynacord XA PA system, installed by Doncaster based Electro Music.

Created by Peter Swann, the entrepreneur behind the successful Sands Jazz Club in the same town, the spacious State Club resides in the totally renovated shell of a former cinema. In its new guise it makes abundant use of the space to offer four venues in one - nightclub, live music venue, café/lounge and digital cinema.

The main stage hosts live acts and, using its retractable 20m screen and dedicated DLP digital cinema projector, daytime movie screenings. It is flanked by a pair of ground stacks of Dynacord FX12 mid-high tops from the XA range that focuses sound on the dancefloor, with a row of eight matching FX20 Planar waveg

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Germany - At ProLight + Sound this week, HHB introduced the UDP-89 universal DVD/CD player which "combines broadcast-quality audio and video replay, a full complement of video and audio outputs and a massivefeature set to create a compact 1U rack mounting player that systems integrators and AV professionals can install with complete confidence".

Features including professional cueing functions, DVD-Audio and SACD compatibility, RS232 and touchscreen X-Y coordinate control equip the UDP-89 for use in a wide range of applications and demanding installations in whichconsumer DVD players simply won¹t cut it, suggests HHB.

Commenting at the show, HHB managing director Ian Jones said, "We¹re delighted to be here with our German distribution partners Innoton, with so many ground-breaking HHB products on show. The UDP-89 is the most highly specified DVD/CD player avai

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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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USA - GE Global Research, the centralised research organisation of General Electric and GE Consumer & Industrial, reports the successful demonstration of the world's first roll-to-roll manufactured organic light-emitting diode (OLED) lighting devices. This demonstration is a key step toward making OLEDs and other high performance organic electronics products at dramatically lower costs than what is possible today, says the company.

"Researchers have long dreamed of making OLEDs using a newspaper-printing like roll-to-roll process," said Anil Duggal, manager of GE's Advanced Technology Programme in Organic Electronics. "Now we've shown that it is possible. Commercial applications in lighting require low manufacturing costs, and this demonstration is a major milestone on our way to developing low cost OLED lighting devices."

Duggal continued, "Beyond OLE

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USA - Stage Technologies has confirmed its platinum sponsorship of the forthcoming North American Theatre Engineering & Architecture Conference. The two day conference will be held in New York 20-21 July 2008.

Based on the model of the London TEA conferences, produced by Richard Brett in 2002 and 2006, NATEAC promises to bring together many world-leading theatre consultants, architects, engineers, technicians and technical managers. The conference will offer a forum to address issues concerning planning, design, construction and equipping all manner of entertainment venues, from grand opera houses through to school theaters.

Stage Technologies' decision to become platinum sponsor of NATEAC, follows the success of the London TEA 2006 conference, for which it was the sole platinum sponsor.

Kevin Taylor, CEO of Stage Technologies Inc said, "By supporting the conference as

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Germany - Dolby Laboratories confirmed at ProLight + Sound the scheduled release of version 5.0 of the Dolby Lake Controller software, together with firmware updates already in production. Dolby Lake Controller version 5.0 adds powerful new networking, routing, and control features and functionality to the Dolby Lake Processor, including Dante networking technology from Audinate, says the company.

Dolby Lake Controller version 5.0 enables new input and output routing. Each input source may be routed to any number of available outputs, which provide audio distribution to multiple physical outputs and output types. Input AutoSelect allows assigning of up to four input sources to each mixer channel to enable input audio redundancy. Input/output pass-through and processing module output routing is fully flexible. Version 5.0 will also include the ability to configure the output card

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UK - Wandsworth's Cancer Resource Centre offers a pioneering model for the future, according to world-renowned cancer doctor Professor Karol Sikora of Imperial College. His appointment as President of the Centre was announced at the Centre's 25th anniversary celebration on 27 February at Battersea Power Station, attended by stars and users and supporters of the centre - and accompanied by a rare lighting up of the chimneys of the power station.

Martin Professional contributed to the evening's celebration by creating an atmosphere in light over Battersea Power Station. Martin products used to illuminate this event were eight Exterior 600 washlights, which were placed on the flat roof of the power station to light the side face of two of the large chimneys.

Peter Western at Martin Professional commented, "We were approached to offer some lighting for this event and were hap

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UK - The Stage Electrics audio department has recently added the new L-Aacoustics Kiva / Kilo line array systems to its growing inventory of L-Acoustics loudspeakers. The company's existing stock has been in high demand since a UK dealership agreement was signed with the French manufacturer in August 2007.

In total, 16 Kiva Mid-Highs and four Kilo Lows have been purchased, with the possibility of increasing the numbers later in the year. The system is being powered by the addition of a further two LA4 controller amplifiers.

Stage Electrics audio production manager Andrew Taylor commented, "We had been looking to add a small format line array system to our hire inventory for some time and were interested in the soon to be released Kiva / Kilo system. The demo system L-Acousticss provided was enrolled on a couple of high profile shows with spectacular results, our clients w

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Germany - JBL Professional introduced eight new compact AE Series loudspeaker models at ProLight + Sound in Frankfurt this week. The new AE Compact loudspeaker series provides even more options for system designers and integrators in a variety of applications, says the company.

"The demand for loudspeaker systems that provide added flexibility and even greater sonic clarity continues to grow with the evolution of the systems integration industry," said Jon Sager, director of market development, installed sound, JBL Professional. "The new AE Compact loudspeaker series addresses these demands, enabling sound designers and installers to best meet the needs of any given environment, including performing arts venues, houses of worship, sports facilities, corporate board rooms, and dance clubs."

The new AE Compact loudspeaker family consists of eight high-output,

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UK - The international professionals responsible for the safety of audiences worldwide were themselves looked after by crowd management company, Showsec, this March. The International Live Music Conference (ILMC) welcomed 950 live music promoters, agents and managers to London's Royal Garden Hotel to discuss the issues affecting live music and events, including secondary ticketing, audience safety and emerging markets.

"Live music promoters understand the responsibilities and challenges of providing top class crowd management, stewarding and security," says Showsec's managing director, Mark Harding. "So we were delighted to be able to provide the friendly, professional and effective service they demand. Showsec is increasingly being asked to work in a management capacity on international events including Bestival Romania, Desert Storm in Dubai and MTV Europe. We f

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Germany - Steinberg Media Technologies presented a technical preview at Frankfurt Musikmesse of its new CC121 Advanced Integration Controller. Offering dedicated maximum-quality hardware controllers and an innovative and flexible new controller concept, CC121 provides full Cubase 4 integration and control. CC121 will support Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X, and will be available in Q3 2008, says the company,

"Built to an extremely high manufacturing and component standard, CC121 provides totally integrated tactile control of Steinberg's Cubase range of production systems, with a unique design architecture that keeps producers and musicians 100% focused on their Cubase project and the creative process," comments Helge Vogt, Steinberg's product marketing manager for Cubase. "The revolutionary and ultra-flexible AI Knob combines with a range of dedicated contr

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UK - Unsigned Heroes, the competition run by microphone manufacturer AKG to find the best unsigned UK or Irish band of 2008, continues to gather pace. The first live heat of the contest was held on 29 February, pitting three unsigned bands against one another at Shoreditch's Comedy Café, London, during new music evening The Break. The winner, by unanimous agreement of the assembled industry judges, was Warrington's ska'n'surf trio Bill Davro.

Unsigned Heroes returns to the Comedy Café in Shoreditch with three more unsigned bands for the second heat of the contest on 28 March. Once again, the heat coincides with The Break, the new evening of new music and performances by up-and-coming bands sponsored by AKG and Strummerville, the charity set up to promote new bands in the name of late Clash frontman Joe Strummer.

(Jim Evans)

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Germany - Crown International's Macro-Tech Series has undergone "a careful yet significant refresh of the range", which is being globally re-launched at Musikmesse Prolight+Sound in Frankfurt this week.

Comprised of three models - the MA-5000i, MA-9000i and MA12000i - the Macro-Tech i Series builds upon its predecessor by incorporating Crown's advanced, patented Class-I circuitry, which delivers significantly greater power while simultaneously reducing overall amplifier weight by more than half. The new lineup is also equipped with comprehensive status, fault, and load monitoring via standard Ethernet networking and Harman Pro's HiQnet and System Architect software. A universal power-factor corrected power supply ensures that the new models can be used literally anywhere in the world, delivering full rated power regardless of where touring schedules may lead.

"B

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USA - American DJ is going on tour, starting 27 March, 2008 in Florida. In the months to come, the company will be stopping at dealer locations throughout the country to introduce the latest sound and lighting equipment by offering hands-on training and "amazing deals for customers". The ADJ Tour aims to showcase the benefits of the latest technology, and help DJs get the most out of new equipment, says the company.

Also stopping in California, Nevada, New York, Washington, and Oregon, the ADJ Tour gives DJs the opportunity to attend a hands-on demo featuring the latest gear from Reflex LED, Pearl LED, Revo 3, Dual Gem LED, and the Revo LED Sys in lighting and the TT Record, SDJ-1, and QSD in audio. Factory reps will be offering training on the products, so attendees will be learning straight from the professionals.

"New technology is changing the landscape of t

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Europe - Ohm's Northern European sales coverage has been augmented by the opening of Ohm Europe, announced at ProLight & Sound in Frankfurt. Already strong in Eastern Europe with distributors based in Slovakia, Poland, Russia, Finland, the Ukraine and Scandinavia represented by the Kinovox Group. The newly formed Ohm Europe will complete the northern European coverage in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Based at their substantial premises in Nuremberg, South Germany, the company is headed up by Daniel Danzer and Sebastian Kamm. They possess many years experience in the sales of Ohm products as well as rental and installations, making them ideally qualified to advise OHM customers on the use of the full range of Ohm equipment, says the company.

"This is a great opportunity for us to be further involved with Ohm" says Daniel Danzer. "We have sold, used and instal

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China - Midas's Chinese distributor Rightway Audio has sold four Midas XL8 Live Performance Mixing Systems into the country. Three have gone to the Suzhou Science and Cultural Centre (SSCAC) while a further has been sold to Shenzhen Poly Cultural Centre.

Two of the XL8 systems at the SSCAC have been installed into the 1,200-capacity Grand Theatre, with the third residing in the 500-capacity Dinner Theatre. A Verona has also been installed into each theatre, along with four Klark Teknik Square ONE EQs and an 8-channel Square ONE Dynamics processor.

The centre, built alongside Lake Jin Ji in the Arts and Entertainment district of Suzhou Industrial Park, is the largest multi-functional complex in the region, housing exhibition and function halls, a commercial centre, a Cineplex and an IMAX Theatre as well as the two XL8-equipped theatres.

Theatre Projects Consultants was the au

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USA - Isaac Young, a clong-serving member of the American DJ family, passed away on 7 March after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer. Young served in numerous capacities at American DJ during his 14 years with the company, and was widely known and well-liked by associates and customers throughout the industry. Most recently, he was responsible for American DJ's South American Sales.

"Isaac was a valued member of our team, as well as a truly kind individual who was always ready to help those around him," said Chuck Davies, president of the American DJ Group of Companies. "His skill, talent and warm, friendly personality will be greatly missed by all of us at American DJ."

"We've lost a great co-worker and a great friend," said Scott Davies, general manager of the American DJ Group. "Isaac made valuable contributions to our company

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UK - At last week's ProLight&Sound exhibition in Frankfurt, DiGiCo gave visitors a closer look inside the new SD7 console - the cutting-edge mixing platform which was first introduced as a "concept" at the PLASA Show in London in September - confirming that it is now very much a reality.

Explaining the five-year development process of the SD7, DiGiCo's MD James Gordon said that John Stadius, the SD7's designer, was inspired by technological and user interface developments in the automotive, aerospace and marine industries. The SD7's Stealth engine uses the latest high-power Super FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and Tiger SHARC processing technology and is, impressively, eight times as powerful as the D5 Live. The SD7 also offers innovations such as HTL (Hidden Till Lit) display on the desk interface; new larger TFT screens which allow 12 faders per screen; SMS tex

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Dubai - The relentless drive in hospitality project development throughout the Middle East now valued at in excess of US$90 billion, has proliferated the number of top international technology brands lining up alongside local distributors at this year's PALME Middle East show, say the organizers.

Taking place at Dubai International Exhibition Centre on 27-29 April, and now the region's largest entertainment and integrated technology show, PALME has an impressive exhibitor portfolio that includes AMX, Dutco Tannant, Sanyo, Christie, Extron, NEC, Martin Professional, Bose, Tannoy, Adamson Pro, Robe, Clay Paky, MA Lighting, Vogels and Barco, while a Smart Residential Area will be supervised by Eon, distributors of the Philips Pronto.

Exhibition director, Alexander Heuff, claims technology companies involved in the hospitality and residential sectors are backing the show in increa

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UK - Carling Academy Sheffield, AMG's latest £3,500,000 live music and club venue, opens on Friday 11 April 2008.

The venue is Liverpool-based Adlib Audio's first AMG project, for which they have specified and installed a Nexo Geo D sound system, with Soundcraft digital consoles.

The sound design was created by Adlib's Andy Dockerty in conjunction with Roger Kirby and Mark Burnley, working closely with AMG's group technical manager, Ed Jackson and group operations manager, Richard Maides. The final system optimises the venue's requirements for the live environment with the diversity of a leading dance/club system.

Carling Academy Sheffield features a deep balcony wrapped around a dancehall style room, so the team chose traditional side-hangs stage left and right, each comprising nine elements of Nexo Geo D10. These are complimented by a block of six a-side ground stack

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UK - As part of an ongoing sponsorship arrangement, Compulite and Fuzion, its UK distributor, have recently upgraded RADA's Compulite Vector Orange console to a Vector Green.

The console was first used on the production of Little Women staged in the Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre at the beginning of February. The main design concept for the show utilises video, designed by Nigel Sadler from Green Hippo, to transform the set into numerous different locations for the different scenes in the production.

Lighting designer Matt Prentice used moving lights as specials to keep the light off the video projection, these included three ETC Source 4 Revolutions and six Clay Paky Alpha Halos all supplied by Stage Electrics London, another major RADA sponsor.

(Jim Evans)

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