USA - Two Robert Juliat Victor 1800W followspots have been installed at the new Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Centre in New York City. The elaborate transformation of the world-famous Tully enclave of music, theatre, dance and film was part of a full renovation of all Lincoln Centre theatres. This massive project required the pick-up and refurbishment of 150 existing fixtures and included the purchase of a few new ones, including two Robert Juliat Victor followspots.

Consultant Fisher Dachs specified the product, which was purchased through Barbizon Lighting. The Hall's associate director of concert hall production Terence Larsen was thrilled to get the Victors for Tully Hall. "I'd taken one of my stagehands with me to see the Victor at Fisher Dachs," says Larsen. "I th

Canada - Unusual fish-shaped LED luminaires developed by Toronto-based Lumolar can shift from looking like Chinese lanterns to changing colours like the aurora borealis, with the help of LED solutions support provided by Future Lighting Solutions. Engineers from Future Lighting Solutions guided development of the custom colour-mixing application that drives the RGB fixtures, which are built with Luxeon Rebel LEDs.

Lumolar's 'Baby Fish Tide' luminaires resemble tropical fish lit from the inside. They are made out of naturally fire-retardant industrial felt with holes stamped out of the fabric, utilise Cypress Semiconductor's EZ-Colour controller as their RGB colour-mixing platform, and come with a master board that can control up to 90 fixtures as well as software for designing light sequences utilizing a drag-and-drop GUI.

Future Lighting Solutions assisted Lumolar in executin

Poland - Eight F30 sx+ DLP projectors from projectiondesign were used to create two high-resolution animated panoramic displays directly on to the historic walls of Sanguszko Fortress in Poland's capital Warsaw for the 10th birthday event of Polish company, AT Media.

Polish live events specialist Moov More Video used the eight F30 sx+ projectors which were combined with Dataton WATCHOUT4 software to geometrically blend and correct images on to two 24m diameter cylindrical 120-degree panoramic surfaces. Each panoramic display produced a resolution of more than 5 Megapixels and formed part of a system that wowed AT Media staff and customers with a two-hour long animated programme in high definition.

Industry veteran Thierry Ollivier, regional sales manager for projectiondesign, says: "The unique way in which our projectors are integrated is testament to their durability, hi

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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

UK - Creating a fine balance between a teaching facility and a professional audio theatre is no easy feet. With the help of leading audio specialists Shure Distribution UK, The Royal Grammar School was able to transform the school venue into a professional sounding theatre that has become a huge hit for pupils and attracted professional artists from outside the school.

The new equipment, provided by Shure Distribution UK, has been installed following the theatre's first year of operation, which was originally designed for theatrical and classical orchestral events. The equipment had to be of a professional standard for hosting live rock and jazz concerts and portable enough for use in performances outside the school.

The new installation includes a PA system consisting of QSC's HPR 122I monitors, HPR 153I mid-high range speakers and HPR 181I sub woofers. The Shure DFR22 digita

USA - Shure Incorporated has introduced three new products - the PG27USB and PG42USB Side-Address Condenser Microphones and the X2U XLR-to-USB Signal Adapter. In addition, Shure has added XLR models of the new microphones, the PG27 and PG42.

"Over the past several years, more and more musicians, both professional and amateur, have taken recording into their own hands at home, on the road, in their bedroom, basement, tour bus...wherever," said Chad Wiggins, category manager, Wired Microphones. "With these new products, we're bringing the legendary heritage of Shure microphones to every level of performer and home recording artist as the proliferation of digital recording continues."

The PG27USB and PG42USB microphones connect professional-calibre Shure microphones to any USB computer port with 'Plug and Play' performance. The cardioid condenser microphones f

USA - The new building for the Booker T. Washington High School of Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, TX, features a theatre with automated rigging and control provided by J. R. Clancy.

Working with theatre consultant Encore Design Group and Dallas installing dealer StageLight, Clancy supplied a total of 24 PowerLift Automated Hoists: nine with 0-180 fpm variable speed and eight with 0-120 fpm variable speed, all with 1,250-pound capacity, for use with scenery, travellers and a portal tormentor; and seven with 2,000-pound capacity and a fixed speed of 20 fpm, for electrics and the orchestra shell.

In addition, Clancy provided a Zetex Plus fire safety curtain with a motorised line shaft hoist, for easy opening and closing during normal use. The line shaft is equipped with a hydraulic speed control to allow regulation of speed during an emergency descent. Zetex Plus fabric me

UK - Martin Audio has announced that David Bissett-Powell is stepping down as managing director and Robert Lingfield is stepping down as sales and marketing director of Martin Audio Ltd.

David said: "Last year, as part of our succession planning, I appointed Anthony Taylor as Joint managing director and he has filled this position admirably. With his 14 years of experience within the team I am now happy to hand over the reigns to him fully although I shall remain involved with the company as a Consultant and, amongst other roles, will support the distribution in China by becoming Ambassador to the Region. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the amazing team that I've had the privilege of working alongside over the last 17 years. We have built a business that has been consistently profitable with strong business partners, superior engineering skills and excellent rela

China - Shure Incorporated reports that it has struck two further blows in the company's fight against counterfeiting as a result of close cooperation with Chinese authorities.

An investigation initiated by Shure in Futian District, Shenzhen, in mainland China led to a raid by the Shenzhen Administration for Industry and Commerce (AIC) on a wholesale shop, Sanze Electronics, in the Zhongdian Electronics and Technology Building on Huaqiang Road, and another at an associated warehouse.

"Counterfeiting is not just a problem for Shure," said Sandy LaMantia, Shure's president and CEO. "This is a serious issue that impacts our entire industry. Every brand of professional audio and consumer electronics is at risk because of this criminal activity. Shure continues to cooperate with other brands in joint actions and criminal prosecutions in China to present a united fron

UK - Peacocks feathers, the twisted branches of trees and other non-traditional Christmas images have been projected onto the Grand Theatre in Blackpool over the past fourteen weeks by EMF Technology.

Stuart Roberts, of EMF confirms that it was a challenging brief, including the installation of a fully automated 7kw Hardware Xenon projector with slide changing system. The client, Blackpool City Council, required the projection to run for six hours per night, automatically switch on and off and reset without a live operator being present.

Drawings were completed for a custom made cabin, with bespoke cooling, ventilation, weatherproof and security features, so that the projector could be situated outdoors in some of Blackpool's most in-hospitable winter weather.

EMF designed and produced a specialist switching system to enable the smooth running of the projector and the automa

UK - Music tutors at Preston College have torn up the timetables for 94 students in its Performing Arts Academy this week. The students will spend a fortnight working in mini-production units, in a move reminiscent of the hit film, School of Rock.They are tasked with project managing eight live band performances for the opening of the College's state-of-the-art Roland Music Academy. The official launch event takes place at the College's Park Campus on Moor Park Avenue, on the evening of February 10 with celebrity guests invited to attend.

Each project group is made up of students of mixed ages and abilities, including performing artists, music technologists and sound engineers. At the end of the fortnight, students will have to submit a detailed summary of their learning experiences to be eligible for credit towards their formal qualifications.

Dan Clarke, the Preston C

USA - Bandit Lites is working with the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business again in 2009. This is the fourth consecutive year that Bandit will be providing equipment as well as assisting in the lighting design and direction for the six-concert showcase series.

The Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business Showcase Series is a student production run by Belmont University students. The students assist in all aspects of the showcase, from lighting and sound to stage design to the acts performing. As a result, students receive hands-on experience in concert production. The series of concerts represents a wide variety of genres including Christian, Urban/Pop, Country, Rock, and everything in between. There is also a final showcase featuring the Best of the Best.

Belmont student and Country Showcase producer, Erik Parker commented, "From personally bein

UK - The Event Studio was founded in January 2009 by Jamie Simon, after recognising a gap in the events market for an independent and dedicated design & production agency that provided its clients with a flexible and dedicated partner, say the company.

Having spent 5 years at Impulse Events and risen to the position of event director, Jamie produced a wide range of corporate events for a plethora of clients; spanning from a Jewellery launch for Calvin Klein, summer party for TalkBack Thames, an 'around the world party' for 2500 employees of Lloyds TSB at Olympia, to producing 3 christmas party venues, catering for over 2500 guests, each Christmas season, culminating in winning 3 Silver Eventia Awards at the 2008 ceremony.

In addition to working with corporate and private clients, The Event Studio is well placed to partner with event management companies, venues, caterers and p

USA - NSCA has announced the winners of its 2009 Excellence in Business Awards today: Copp Systems Integrator will receive the Strategic Advancement award; Sharp's Audio Visual is being honoured for its Marketing Strategies; Halco Life Safety Systems will be recognised for Project Development; Verrex Corporation is receiving the honour for its Growth Strategies; and Safeguard Security and Communications is the recipient of the Recurring Revenue award.

"Business owners and managers are all evaluating ways to run their companies more smoothly and cut costs," said Ray Bailey, president of Lone Star Communications and Business and Leadership Conference planning committee member. "These companies exemplify the strategies needed to ensure a growing and stable business during tough economic times."

Copp Systems Integrator was looking for additional ways to grow bu

Germany - Movecat of Nufringen has introduced new touring racks for setups with 16, 24 and 32 chain hoists. The equipment is due to start shipping in the spring of 2009 following an extensive testing programme.

The features of the new touring racks include automatic phase and rotating field detection and switching, Up and Down master runs with only one switch, illuminated display of all operating conditions (such as faults and run directions), and the possibility of connecting external enabling ('dead-man') switches.

Up to 256 drives can be linked in one network, which represents a considerably more affordable solution than the corresponding number of individual controllers, says the company. The M-Link system is also compatible with the Movecat MPC 4ED8 and 4ID8 controllers and can therefore be integrated with existing controllers from the 'smaller' series.

(Jim Evans)

USA - Aviom continues to add to its Pro64 Series with the introduction of the 6416o v.2 Output Module. The output levels featured on this module simplify connectivity with other manufacturers' mixing consoles, amplifiers, powered speaker systems, and recording devices, and increase the flexibility of Aviom's high-fidelity digital audio networking solution, says the company.

The 6416o v.2 is compatible with a wide range of signal level requirements, making it suitable for live sound reinforcement, broadcast, and other audio distribution applications. Each channel on the 2U rack-mount 16-channel digital-to-analogue converter has a four-position output level switch with settings for +24, +18, and +4dBu line-level, or mic-level output, as well as three-segment level metering. With the 6416o v.2, complex installations are easy to configure and manage by specifying the channel/slot ra

UK - The 100th Midas PRO6 console has now shipped, and an ever-growing order book is heading towards the next 100, which are being shipped as fast as they can be built, says the company.

"We seem to have judged the market exactly right with the launch of PRO6," says Midas sales and marketing director David Cooper. "We knew during our planning phase that we had a great concept for the second Midas digital system in terms of its superb audio, features set, build quality and price, but the overwhelmingly positive response from both owners and users has surpassed our wildest dreams.

"With other manufacturers focusing on the low end we're confident we are very well placed to meet the rigorous demands of national and international touring riders, as well as those performance audio installations where good enough just isn't good enough."

One of the latest e

UK - A new, £6 million swimming centre, in the north Wales seaside town of Llandudno, has a weatherised Renkus-Heinz PNX61 loudspeaker system, with Biamp NPS and Audiaflex control, that allows the calls of trainers and event announcers to reach every corner of the facility with perfect clarity.

Llandudno Swimming Centre, designed as a fully equipped regional facility and fully compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act, has a 25m, eight-lane international short course main competition pool, with a moveable floor that allows its depth to be varied, a 20m four- lane pool for teaching and training, and seating for 427 spectators and 250 competitors.

Both pools, seating areas and changing rooms, are covered by a six-zone, digitally based audio paging and background music system, installed by system integrators Martin Dawes with the backup of Renkus-Heinz and Biamp UK d

Canada - The second week of January 2009 saw Adamson distributors gather in Port Perry for a series of seminars and meetings.

The meetings were held at the Adamson Headquarters and at the historic Port Perry Town Hall, the home of local community theatre. The first day saw distributors engaged in conversation on all new developments at Adamson, including a new five stage in-line wash system, an automated powder line and the automated driver assembly line among other topics. For some, this visit marked their first visit to the factory, therefore a detailed factory tour highlighting the many new advancements, was a must for many.

Over 30 Distributors from France (DV2), Italy (Reference Laboratory), Spain (Seesound), Portugal (Merging Select), Scandinavia (Adamson Scandinavia), Germany (Trius GmbH), Netherlands (Sound & Light Import), Poland (Megamusic), Greece (DN'A), Brazil (So

USA - The California Lottery's newest lottery TV game show set for Make Me a Millionaire features a 33ft wide by 12ft high LED video display from Lighthouse Technologies. The LED technology provider partnered with Background Images to install the display, which opens and closes and provides onstage graphics and entertainment for the game show.

"Officials at the California Lottery made it clear they wanted a large display that could open and close and change the look of the set with a variety of graphics," said Alan Barber, vice president of Background Images. "Lighthouse Technologies' R6-B 6mm LED video panel was a clear choice due to its durability, the clarity of the display and how well it functioned on set."

(Jim Evans)

Europe - Kanye West had a successful tour across Europe in late 2008, making stops in Brussels, Rotterdam, Manchester, and at London's O2 arena. After supporting West on previous tours with Meyer Sound systems, London-based Canegreen provided a multifaceted Meyer Sound MILO and MICA line array system for the rapper's latest shows.

Working alongside West's FOH engineer Horace Ward, systems tech Dan Seal used Meyer Sound's MAPP Online Pro acoustical prediction program to plan out the system configuration and streamline setup time. "MAPP is absolutely stunning," Seal says. "To me, it's part of why we use Meyer Sound. I can plan my PA hang so precisely, I know I'm going to get the best out of every show."

The main system included 12 MILO, two MILO 120, and four M3D line array loudspeakers per side, augmented by sidefills of 12 MICA line array loudspeakers each.

USA - Raymond James Stadium, Tampa's host venue for the Super Bowl, has been temporarily illuminated with state-of-the-art LED technology as part of a city-wide beautification effort for the championship game on February 1, 2009. From January 27 through game day, the stadium will be illuminated from dusk until dawn with Philips ColorReach Powercore - a newly launched LED floodlight - becoming a dynamic, visual focal point for Tampa residents and visiting fans.

Design firm Infinite Scale Design was responsible for designing and branding the overall look of the city of Tampa for Super Bowl XLIII. Working with lighting designer Dall Brown, they chose to accentuate the stadium's exterior crown with colourful, customizable lighting. Approximately 70 ColorReach Powercore fixtures were used in total, with just two required to evenly illuminate each 40 by 80 foot bay. Mounted on a concr

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