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Germany - After nearly five years in Las Vegas, Celine Dion has returned to the international stage with her Taking Chances tour, which started in South Africa in February 2008. Every show features six Pandoras Box Media Servers from Cologne- based coolux to help create the visual design of the show.

Lighting designer Yves Aucoin is using Pandoras Box Media Servers and Pandoras Box Media Manager, all communicating with a grandMA lighting desk. The three Media Server GREEN systems render the imagery in real time, all of which are running simultaneously as well as independently on different display technologies.

One system is controlling the extensive LED stage-floor, the second is feeding the Element Labs Stealth package and the third is used for the video switcher that is

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UK - A total of four iLive digital systems were used across three stages at the recent Surfstock festival in Cornwall. Organised by festival stalwarts, Mean Fiddler, the event included headline performances from Santogold, The Go! Team, Alphabeat and The Gossip.

Howard Marks was compere for the event, which involved two days of music across five stages - three for live music and two DJ tents - and the annual surf awards.

SPS Systems managed the PA requirements for the event, with support from fellow hire companies APR Audio, Evosound and Fearless Audio. Two iDR10 stage racks with iLive-144 control surfaces were selected for the FOH and monitors on the main stage, with an iDR10 and iLive-112 surface on the second Local Heroes stage managing both functions. Also managing FOH and monitors, there was an iDR10 with the compact iLive-80 surface for the Rabbit Hole tent, which requir

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USA - Bandit Lites recently wrapped up a lighting renovation project at the Nashville Convention Centre. Bandit design and consultation associate, Chris Barbee collaborated with Wolf and Travis Electric and ARDEE Design Group on the project.

The convention centre requested that proposals be submitted to replace the dimming and control equipment from the original installation in the eighties. The team from Wolf and Travis Electric, ARDEE Design Group, and Bandit created a system that would function to the specifications that the convention centre clients had outlined in their request.

The team decided to use ETC Sensor dimming equipment and their Unison architectural control system to replace the existing dimmers and control stations. Lutron XP Panels were used to control the switched loads. One of the prime client requirements was to have front-end control software that allowe

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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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Tanzania - On 5 July 2008, six adults with different disabilities set off on an amazing journey to scale Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Accompanied by their individual "buddies", a medical crew, a team of guides and porters as well as a world-class film crew, the explorers set out to demonstrate what can be achieved when people with disabilities work together to overcome their individual limitations. The project was organized by Enham, a UK charity that aims to give disabled people the opportunity to fulfill their ambitions.

To aid the filming of the feature documentary, The Mountain Within, Rosco provided the crew with 6 units of Rosco LitePad HO 12" x 12" and 6 units of 6" x 6" as well as accessories. The thin light source generates a soft even illumination which is dimmable - a feature which proved invaluable during the expedition as it en

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UK - An Avolites Pearl 2008 console has been touring the summer festivals with Firefly Solar, claimed to be the UK's first fully mobile, reliable solar power solution for the outdoor events industry, based around the Orion solar powered generator.

The console was specified by Firefly's production manager Andy Mead and lighting designer Doug Currie to control all lighting on the Firefly Stage throughout its extensive summer festival tour, which started in May and has included Glastonbury, Shambala in Northamptonshire, Lovebox, The Secret Garden Party, Retrofest in Scotland, the Loop Festival in Brighton and many others.

Firefly puts high production values at the top of its agenda along with the utilisation of solar energy. Mead explains, "We've been working with a number of different companies and organisations over the years to find high end, low energy technologies with

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UK - Stage Electrics reports "outstanding success" at this year's Edinburgh Festival. Some 14 trucks (13 artics and one 18 ton) full of technical equipment including lighting, sound, rigging, staging, drapes made the long journey to Scotland from the company's Bristol headquarters. For six weeks over the summer, Stage Electrics serviced all venues operated by Assembly, Gilded Balloon, Underbelly and Universal Arts, as well as most productions for the Edinburgh International Festival.

Almost 30 miles of cable, 600sq.m of staging and over 2000 generic lanterns from Stage Electrics' rental stock were employed to transform a variety of spaces including churches, student unions, masonic lodges and assembly halls into professional theatre venues.

Stage Electrics' long association with the various Edinburgh festivals, was strengthened this year with Underbelly and Universal

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UK/Dubai - Unusual Rigging opens a new office in Dubai early in 2009. Offering a service to match the rigorous standards currently operating in the UK & Europe, Unusual will focus on specialised project rigging, the rental of high quality equipment and sales of rigging accessories.

Alan Thomson, a leading figure in the industry and formerly a director of PRG Europe, has joined Unusual to manage this new venture.

Alan brings over 30 years of experience in the provision of technical solutions within the entertainment industry and will be a valuable asset to Unusual.

Alan Jacobi, managing director of Unusual confirmed: "This is a major investment for the company. There is no doubt that the market in the Middle East continues to grow with an increasing demand for proven expertise in temporary and permanent rigging installation projects.

"Unusual Dubai will replicate

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China/UK - Chinese manufacturers PR Lighting made a massive advance on the world stage at this year's PLASA show, reporting an excellent response to both their new range of automated moving lights and LED displays. This was backed up by some major orders from both installation and rental customers - including literally hundreds of PR Lighting's popular XL 250.

Cui-Lin, director of international marketing and sales, stated that the company had sold 100 of their XL 1500 projectors to Belarus distributor, FE Belimlight, whose Maxim Yugov confirmed that these will be used on a major project in Moscow. This versatile, feature-packed fixture utilises a powerful 1500W short arc discharge lamp, optimised by the use of a high quality and efficient optical system - making it one of the brightest projectors in the market, say the company.

Meanwhile, on the adjacent stand, PR Lighting's U

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The Netherlands - This month's IBC exhibition in Amsterdam sees Audio-Technica host daily presentations focussing on the brand's involvement in the 2008 Beijing Games and launching new models in both its studio and broadcast and production microphone ranges.

Unveiled at the show are the AT2035 large-diaphragm condenser, AT2050 multi-pattern large-diaphragm condenser, AT4021 cardioid and AT4022 omni-directional condensers - the new broadcast and production models are the AT8022 X/Y stereo microphone and BP4025 X/Y stereo field recording microphone.

Sound designer of the Games Dennis Baxter is giving daily seminars on the Audio-Technica stand throughout IBC.

Richard Garrido, Audio-Technica Europe's president said, "We are very pleased that Dennis Baxter is able to join us at IBC this year. To have someone of Dennis's expertise being able share his knowledge with visitors

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For the fourth consecutive year, Prolyte awarded its best performing distributors at the PLASA show.

This year's distributor award was received by Xaxier Drouet of Axente, while the award for special contribution went to Jan Siemons of Relight.

According to Fokko Smeding, Axente won the Award due to "their long-term and non-relenting promotion of the Prolyte products in France". Axente has been Prolyte distributor for almost 15 years and has grown steadily over those years.

Jan Siemons of Relight received the award for special contribution for his dedication to the Prolyft products and critical and in-depth product testing and reviews.

Displaying three new products at the show, the rotating stage, the mammoth truss and the Stage DEX support frame for multi-level stages, Prolyte reports much interest from visitors.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - - Radial Engineering confirms that Shure Distribution UK (SDUK) has been appointed the exclusive distributor for Tonebone in the UK.

Peter Janis, president of Radial, commented, "Over the past few years, SDUK has been tremendously successful with our Radial professional products. They have done a terrific job at elevating the awareness of our direct boxes and audio distro systems throughout the UK. Recently, SDUK also took on our Primacoustic brand with vigour. It only makes sense for us to consolidate the last piece of the puzzle and bring our Tonebone pedal range into the fold.

"The timing could not be better either. We've just released the Radial PZ-Pre acoustic instrument preamp to our international customers and it has immediately leaped to become our best selling Tonebone pedal. We also anticipate to deliver the new Bones pedals within the next 60 days whi

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UK - Avolites reports an action-packed PLASA exhibition at Earls Court, receiving "a fantastic response" to the launch of its new Titan operating system for the Pearl and Diamond 4 series of consoles.

Sales director Steve Warren comments: "We had a sensational show. This is our 19th PLASA and I am amazed how we just get busier each year. We saw thousands of people and it proved the perfect opportunity for us to meet up with many industry friends, show them the fantastic Titan operating system and also say thanks for their enormous support throughout the year."

(Jim Evans)

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Germany - axxent has introduced a new power mixer in a 19" steel case, with a height of 2 RU (88 mm) - that may also be used without rack ears as a table top power mixer.

The new power mixer features two microphone inputs with 48 V phantom voltage, plus two phone jacks, while the left one is a stereo input for easy connection to appliances such as MP3 players.

The GPX2500 power mixer delivers four times 100W r.m.s. into a four ohm load. Two of the amplifiers are used for the stereo output and one each for the two monaural zones.

A very special feature for the entertainment industry is the built-in multi band limiter made by THAT Corp, that allows reduction of all output levels up to 30 dB.

(Jim Evans)

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Europe Coldplay is out on the road with a Martin rig that includes the new MAC 2000 Wash XB luminaire.

Touring Europe and North America in support of their new album, Viva La Vida, the show uses no LED screens or crowd imag at the band's request. Lighting, set, and production designer Paul Normandale makes sure of that, opting for visual impact from video projection and Martin MAC 2000 Wash XBs, MAC 700 Profiles, MAC 250 Washes and Atomic 3000 strobes.

"Coldplay are a high impact band that require dynamic looks with lots of cues," Normandale comments. "The MAC 2000 Wash XB is used primarily as a rear wash light and is so bright it means I can use less than I would with other fixtures. Plus we trim at 48ft so I needed a wash that would reach with cover to spare."

The MAC 2000 Wash XB is a new 1500W Fresnel that takes the proven optical and effect qu

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Europe - Bandit Lites continues its working relationship with innovative US-based lighting designer, Susanne Sasic and maverick alternative rockers, REM, supplying full lighting production for the current UK outdoor stadium shows, European arena tour and UK/European festival circuit section of the Accelerate tour.

Lead singer Michael Stipe was very involved in the visuals from the outset, and Sasic - collaborating closely with video director Blue Leach - evolved the stage set which consists of five columns of Barco MiTrix screen and two horizontal strips of SoftLED upstage of the screen. The effect is a subtly layered video texturing to the stage and also structurally mimics the city skyline theme of the album artwork.

Stipe was keen on having video as the main visual centrepiece, so Sasic's gently asymmetric lighting design is largely positioned around the perimeters o

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UK - Dover harbour will host a dramatic and ground-breaking fire show, by internationally acclaimed pyrotechnicians The World Famous (TWF), to remember and celebrate Dover's rich history. Featuring a 12m torch image, the event marks the first national push for Kent's campaign to welcome the Olympic torch relay into the UK through Dover as it did at the last UK Games in 1948.

Fireworks in the harbour and lighting the medieval beacon at Dover Castle link the sea, the harbour, and historic white cliffs. A moving soundscape of nostalgic songs with a contemporary twist will complete this show.

Partners and supporters for this event include Kent County Council, Dover District Council, Dover Pride with substantial support from Arts Council England and Dover Harbour Board.

"Just as rugby, karate and roller sports struggle to be recognised as Olympic Sports, so fireworks struggl

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UK - The Events Division of presentation and communication company, DRP Group, was one of several companies who boosted their lighting inventory at last week's PLASA Show in London by opting to purchase the new GLP Lighting Impression luminaire from UK distributor LED-Lites.

The Kidderminster-based conference and events specialists placed their order for 24 of the RGB LED spots which compete favourably against discharge lamps - for example, they offer greater output than a 575W washlight (with their white version) and in excess of 700W (in the RGB version), say LED-Lites.

Ian Ruhback, from DRP's technical division, was impressed with the output from the 90 Luxeon K2 LEDs, which give it the capability to achieve a higher light yield than any existing comparable LED fixture, since 30 each of the RGB colour LEDs are able to create the entire colour spectrum.

DRP Group had previ

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EU Update - The governing board of a new European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has held its inaugural meeting in the Hungarian capital Budapest. The European Union is providing initial funding of more than 300m euros (£238m) for the institute, aimed at generating more European technological advances. The EIT hopes to pool the expertise of universities, research bodies and businesses in new partnerships. Renewable energy and new-generation IT projects are among the priority areas.

European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso described business involvement in the EIT as "crucial, because the lack of business-funded R&D [research and development] explains almost 85% of the gap between the EU and the USA, for example".

Internet News - Only Japan has the broadband quality to cope with next-generation internet applications, a new study has revealed. Swe

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UK - With PLASA 08 hosting the world premiere of Stagetracker FX, its new performer tracking and audio localisation system, Norwegian theatre specialists TTA reports that its four-day show attendance brought a flood of enquiries from Europe's leading cultural centres.

"Last year, we came to PLASA as visitors," said Stuart Kerrison, sales director of TTA."This year we were exhibitors and the show has given us great insight into how far TTA and the Stagetracker product have come in 12 months. We've met industry professionals from all over the world - Canada, Iceland, Singapore, Greece - who have heard about and read about our system. At both distributor and end-user level, a lot of people indicated to us that they are really excited about this genre of technology and its implementation."

Co-exhibiting with new UK distributor Ambersound, TTA was demonstrating

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The Canary Islands' Heineken Jazz Festival is the most popular jazz event on the Islands' calendar. Held each year between June and July, it is staged at different venues around the islands, from open-air events and concert halls to intimate salons. There have been 15 festivals so far.

The 2008 season included performances by The Crusaders, Madeleine Peyroux, Spyro Gyra and many more.

This year sound engineer Hilario Benìtez introduced a new PA system to the event at two of the venues on Gran Canaria. "I've tried the Q-Series loudspeakers from d&b audiotechnik several times on the mainland in recent years," he said, "and I've always believed it would prove an ideal system for this event. I'm so pleased David Rosello from d&b's Spanish office was able to support us with two systems for the festival this year."

Benìtez placed a simple Q1 loudspeaker rig, with a

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Canada - Directed by Frédéric Dubois and staged in the recently renovated Capitol Theatre, Quebec City's new production of Les Misérables has broken new ground in terms of its simple and direct staging, and audio quality. With 32 live microphones on stage, the new Sennheiser MKE 1 lavaliere mic proved to be an asset.

Richard Lachance, vice-president of international development at Solotech, oversaw audio production and managed the selection of the required clip-on microphones and wireless systems for the show.

"One of the main sound challenges for Les Mis was that the audio had to be 5 dB to 6 dB louder than the average Broadway-type show," he explained, "resulting in an average level of 88 dB to 90 dB SPL. And for such a small theatre like the Capitole de Québec, this was a real challenge. So, we turned to Sennheiser an

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