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USA - EAW, one of the pro audio brands owned by Loud Technologies, has announced a two-stage plan which will result in the sale of its SMAART real-time sound system measurement and control software to Rational Acoustics.

In the first stage of the plan, Rational Acoustics is being awarded worldwide distribution of SMAART software: with immediate effect, all of the mechanics and infrastructure associated with the sales and distribution of SMAART are being modified, so that sales of SMAART is now conducted and supported by Rational Acoustics. Then, within six months, Rational Acoustics will purchase SMAART outright and assume immediate responsibility of the management of the products.

Rational Acoustics, founded in early 2008 by Jamie and Karen Anderson, Calvert Dayton and Adam Bla

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Germany - Rigging Europe will show several new products at the 2009 Prolight + Sound Show in Frankfurt. Highlights will include the worldwide launch of the new Kinesys Evo vari-speed hoist controller from the UK, plus the latest Lodestar and Coffing chain hoist products from Columbus McKinnon.

Rigging Europe is a new company formed from a partnership between two of Europe's most experienced and well respected sales companies - Louis Reyners from the Netherlands and Sonoss from France. Conceived as a one-stop rigging supplier, RE works all over Europe embracing multiple entertainment industry sectors - concert touring, theatre, film and TV, corporate and special events and installations and venues of all types - distributing a full range of the highest quality rigging and automation products from leading international brands.

The Evo is the new precision variable speed chain ho

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UK - The end of 2008 saw Wembley Stadium host the Race of Champions, which saw leading drivers from across the world of motorsport, including Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button and David Coulthard, pitted against each other in identical cars on a specially constructed track. Lighting the way for the drivers was White Light.

White Light had a team of seven at the event, led by lighting designer Jason Larcombe and production electrician Steve Richardson. The White Light team was called upon by the event's producers to provide lighting for the entrance of the cars, in the press area and in the drivers' lounge, working through some quite challenging conditions imposed by both the weather and the building.

"In freezing conditions, we constructed two 5m square, 4.5m high box trusses in the North service road, squeezing the trusses between the concrete pillars

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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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South Africa - The Baxter Theatre Centre in Cape Town is the first in South Africa to purchase a grandMA2 ultra-light, but while they await delivery, a grandMA full-size has been set to work on the production of The Tempest.

"The Tempest was a very large and important project for us, and changing to a new lighting console as we moved onto stage was cause for trepidation," commented production manager Patrick Curtis from the Baxter. "The grandMA, under the capable fingers of Nick Britz from DWR Distribution, responsible for MA Lighting in South Africa, performed faultlessly, and we have had a smooth run ever since."

The Baxter also needed to replace consoles in their Concert Hall. With lighting needs not as demanding, a smaller console was sufficient and they opted for a grandMA pico. "The grandMA pico will form a valuable backup function, altho

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UK - Summit Steel and PRG Lighting are supplying a complete rigging package to the current ll Divo UK and European tour. The package, co-ordinated by Jon Bray for Summit and the tour's production director Mark Ward, includes trussing, motors, rigging and control, which is being used to facilitate the hanging of audio, video, special effects and lighting.

During the pre-planning stage the tour's production rigger Jim Allison, Jon Bray and PRG Lighting's crew chief Ben Holdsworth collaborated closely in planning the hoist control and cable routing alongside lighting.

The majority of the rig has to be linked by cable runs, which then requires a simultaneous lift of 37 hoists over a wide area. The Summit Steel six-way rack mounted controllers were specified for this task. The complete control system is housed in a single dolly combining several control units and power distribution

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Germany - For the first time this year, distributor Mega Audio will be showing a range Turbosound's loudspeakers on its stand at ProLight&Sound (Frankfurt, 1-4 April), having just been appointed as the company's new German distributor.

Turbosound will be showing its TCS series sound contracting products, and its Flex Array system in both flown and ground-stacked configurations.

The TCS series is a complete range of installation products ranging from a large-format double 18" subwoofer and two single 15" arrayable subs, through 12" and 15" active/passive two-way mid-highs to an ultra-compact 6.5" passive model. Turbosound has also developed a high power three-way switchable bi-amp / tri-amp loudspeaker to provide contractors with a full complement of solutions, rounded out with a ceiling speaker for background sound applications.

Directly benefiting f

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UK - A fund-raising walk following the route of Hadrian's Wall will be undertaken in May by friends of freelance logistics manager Howard Kerr, who died last year of Pancreatic Cancer.

Following his diagnosis, Howard embarked on a series of activities with the aim of raising awareness and providing funds for the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, and specifically for sponsoring ongoing research. In April 2008, even while battling against his illness, Howard, accompanied by 12 industry colleagues, walked the Ridgeway, an ancient track running from Hertfordshire to Wiltshire.

Howard lost his personal fight against Pancreatic Cancer last August, but his brother-in-law Nick Grecian, managing director of events crewing firm Gallowglass, has taken up the challenge for 2009 on Howard's behalf, with friends and supporters who had joined the original walk.

Nick Grecian told L&SI Online

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Spain - Ecler has launched the Nest 106 architectural cabinet, a two-way full range speaker with integrated 100V line transformer designed for background music and public address in a variety of installations such as shopping malls, retail stores, schools, hotels, industries, offices, museums or conference rooms.

The shape of the Nest 106, with a front panel in the shape of a partial sphere and the back in the shape of a triangular pyramid, permits a wide variety of potential installations, ranging from an individual sound box fitting perfectly in a corner to several units to make portions of a sphere or even a complete sphere. Additionally, the grille of the Nest106 can easily be painted as required.

The Nest 106 can operate at 8 ohms or at 100W in 7, 10, 15 or 30W power mode, and features Euroblock connection, accessories for wall mount and IP54 for outdoor installation.

(

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Ireland - When opera singer Andrea Bocelli appeared at the new 14,500-capacity O2 Dublin (formerly The Point) recently, locally-based vision specialists CAVS were on hand to meet the production spec with a powerful Christie projection rig.

Brought in by Ian Smith of Just Lite, who were responsible for the lighting and trussing, the CAVS team, led by Rowan McDonagh, were tasked with meeting an exacting brief by the opera singer's production.

"They were very specific in what they wanted - from the PA down to the camera lenses for the live show relay," stated McDonagh. "While that's not unusual at this level, it proved quite a challenge as it had been rehearsed just once in Italy and no-one was quite sure how it would translate to the O2, which is still a new venue."

The two-day show involved a pair of Christie Roadster S+20Ks positioned atop two Christie S+

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Germany - Bosch Communications Systems has announced the release of IRIS-Net V2.0. Since its debut in 2002, IRIS-Net has been used in thousands of high-profile and cutting-edge live, touring, and installed applications around the world. IRIS-Net V2.0 continues to expand IRIS-Net's array of features by adding new devices such as EV REV Wireless Microphones.

IRIS-Net V2.0 also brings FIR-Drive technology front and centre. EV's FIR-Drive combines transducer development, FIR processing, and optimised DSP protection algorithms to create a holistic approach to system development. IRIS-Net V2.0 provides additional FIR-Drive controllers, a new Peak Anticipation limiter, and new speaker settings for EV concert sound products to take sound and performance to a whole new level, says the company.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - MA Lighting has announced the appointment of Philip Norfolk as sales director of MA Lighting UK, with immediate effect. During his many years of experience in the entertainment lighting industry, Norfolk has worked with some of the best technology suppliers in the professional market.

Michael Althaus, managing director of MA Lighting, comments: "Phil is a perfect match for building a common future, especially in view of our mission to provide the brain and central intelligence for every lighting system."

Norfolk adds: "I am overwhelmingly pleased to join the very highest echelon of our industry in the form of MA Lighting. With the control and management of visual mediums becoming ever more integral to the wishes of all types of designers, it is great to be at the forefront of the technology here at MA. With so many new and exciting products and a core philo

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UK - Trade distributor Impact Products (Europe) Ltd, has announced that its South London branch, operated by parent company Solutions Group (UK) Plc, is relocating to brand new purpose-built premises in the Belvedere area of Kent.

The move is scheduled to take place during the first weekend of April, in time for the new unit to be open and operational from Monday 6 April 2009. Just 6 miles away from their previous home, the new site is conveniently located just off the A2016 dual carriageway on the Belvedere Business Park.

Ample free parking directly outside the trade counter and warehouse entrances makes stock handling for both collection and delivery much quicker and far more convenient, whilst a much larger storage area means increased stockholding, with a greater quantity of products available immediately from stock.

Commenting on the new premises, Solutions Group sales

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UK - Over the years, the Loppington Players have put on pantomimes, pageants and plays originally with no stage at all, then with demountable chipboard staging bought second-hand as a catwalk from a nearby department store. This stage did sterling service but it was heavy, hard to erect and dismantle and had suffered from many years of being stored in a garage.

In December 2008 Loppington Players were awarded a grant from the 'Grassroots Fund' administered by the Community Council of Shropshire and this, together with a generous contribution from Loppington Village Hall, enabled them to buy new staging from Maltbury Staging. After visiting the Glasshouse Studios which already owned a substantial package of Metrodeck, Lally Cheeseman was sure that this was the appropriate system for their requirements.

Members of Loppington Players have built wings and a proscenium arch for th

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UK - High Technology Lighting has teamed up with Keighley Cougars RLFC on a flagship government-funded sustainable technology research project that has the potential to drastically reduce energy usage across the UK.

The Leeds-based lighting design specialist has been chosen as the lighting industry's representative on a project to develop ecologically sound lighting practice across the UK construction sector.

High Technology Lighting chose Cougar Park - home of the Co-operative Championship 1 side - as one of ten high-profile sites across the country in which to install new LED lighting technology.

A total of 26 low-energy LED lights have been mounted in the club's Diamond Suite, lobby and stairwell of the main stand. Extensive end-user validation trials will now be conducted over an 18-month period.

The results will then be submitted to the School of the Built Environment

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Germany - Logic System returns to the 2009 Frankfurt ProLight&Sound show on the back of their best ever show in 2008. Following on from last years' show, new export dealers were appointed in China, Indonesia, Romania, Russia, Switzerland and Singapore, leading to a 200% increase in export turnover in 2008. That impetus has been carried over into 2009, so they enter the showwith an air of optimism.

The company will be located in hall 8 on stand J18, and the show will be used to showcase the existing Ethos VA and CA live sound products, along with products from the ML and LMranges.

New at the show will be the Nd115 bass enclosure. Designed principally as a bass option for use with the Ethos CA enclosures, the cabinet can be used as the basis of a pole mounted system or flown above a CA array. The cabinet features the same 1000w, long excursion, neodymium cone driver as its large

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UK - The Great Easter Switch On Stage Electrics' free launch event, tailored to be of special interest to people responsible for live events, will be an informal day of stimulating presentations and product demonstrations featuring: LED Screens Launch; Temporary Ice Rinks (live demonstration); New SPLnet noise and sound monitor; Health & Safety for live events.

The event will be held at The Pavilion (WH Smith entrance), The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol on Tuesday 7th April between 10.30am - 2.30pm.

Register for this event at the address below.

(Claire Beeson)

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Israel - Following closely on the heels of the announcement in January of the formation of its Live Division (www.waveslive.com), Waves Audio is quickly becoming increasingly popular for live audio processing applications.

Also, since its release in November 2006, Waves Live Bundle has been used extensively with Digidesign's Venue consoles. Prominent Pennsylvania-based A/V contractor Clair Brothers owns and uses Waves Live Bundle, SSL 4000 for Live and MaxxBCL for high-profile concerts. FOH engineers Mick Hughes (Metallica, Led Zeppelin), Ken Van Druten (Linkin Park, System of a Down, Guns N' Roses), Phil Strong (Kanye West), Cirque du Soleil's Jonathan Deans and Leon Rothenbergcurrently use Waves processing in all sectors.

Alex Hadjigeorgiou, of UK-based Wigwam Acoustics comments: "Within my capacity as technical specialist at Wigwam Acoustics, I have been responsible fo

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UK - Stardraw.com has awarded its Master European distributor with two separate awards. German communications technology distributor, COMM-TEC, has earned the double recognition of both Distributor of the Year 2008 and Most Improved Distributor of the Year 2008. Both awards were presented at the recent ISE show in Amsterdam.

Based near Stuttgart, Germany, with offices in throughout Europe, COMM-TEC boasts an impressive portfolio of brands. They cover all AV market sectors from audio, lighting, video, presentation technology, signal management and show and event control right down to racks and bespoke equipment housing. COMM-TEC is the exclusive distribution channel for all Stardraw products throughout continental Europe, including Ukraine, Eastern Europe and Turkey.

According to Stardraw.com marketing director Rob Robinson, COMM-TEC's success with Stardraw is due in large part

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USA - A new online, self-paced class allows installers and technicians to learn the non-technical skills needed for success in just a few short months. NSCA University's Quick Start for Systems Contractors is designed for new employees or staff who were never properly trained on these essential aspects of the job.

Quick Start contains five modules that focus on industry knowledge, customer service, troubleshooting, project documentation and responsibility.

"In today's economy, setting yourself apart from your competitors is key," said Norah Hammond, NSCA senior director of professional development. "Simple exercises - such as practicing consistent customer service, knowing the industry, and understanding a range of products and services - show your customers that you will get the job done right, and also improves your representation of your organis

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USA - Element Labs reports that its Cobra display has been chosen as the preferred LED display solution to replace the existing LED screen at the Hard Rock Live venue at Universal Studios in Orlando. The new COBRA LED screen totals 14.88sq.m and has a (virtual) resolution of 16mm.

The Hard Rock Live, dubbed "Orlando's best concert venue" by performer Elton John, features imposing columns, majestic archways and a grand entrance, as well as all the latest in sound and lighting technology, making it one of the country's foremost performance venues for today's top performers. To maintain its reputation, Hard Rock Café chose to replace its existing LED display with the COBRA.

Installed in cooperation with Message Centers of Fort Myers, Element Labs adds that it was able to deliver and complete the installation well before the deadline of Thanksgiving. "We beli

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Denmark - Intelligent lighting manufacturers Martin Professional and JB-lighting have entered into an agreement that allows Martin Professional to market JB-lighting's JBLED A7 moving head fixture in a MAC 301 Wash version.

The mutually beneficial agreement gives Martin the right to market the LED moving head through its extensive global distributor network while JB-lighting gains the benefit of greater international exposure in a fast growing segment of the market.

The JBLED A7 has been well-received in the market since its introduction last fall, including several positive product reviews by both German and international trade magazines. Martin will launch the MAC 301 Wash version at the Pro Light + Sound exhibition in Frankfurt in early April.

Peter Skytte, moving heads product manager at Martin, commented, "We see great potential in this agreement and are pleased to

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