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USA - BSS Audio has added a cost-effective break-out box to its Soundweb London family of digital signal processors. The new BLU-BOB output expander, shown at AES New York, compliments the seven other members of the Soundweb London family and represents an inexpensive solution to increasing the number of outputs in a Harman HiQnet networked system, says the company.

The BLU-BOB features eight analogue audio outputs on standard terminal block connectors and the 256-channel, low latency, fault tolerant digital audio bus, also found on the BLU-800, BLU-320, BLU-160 and BLU-120 devices. In addition to providing a backbone for the transportation of multiple channels, this bus also facilitates the creation of large, fault-tolerant, centralized matrices containing multiple devices.

Th

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UK - On a world tour to promote their new album Humbug, which runs through to February next year, the Arctic Monkeys are carrying a range of Sennheiser microphones to give them their signature sound.

Having previously worked as front of house engineer with acts including the White Stripes, Mark Ronson, Keane, and The Flaming Lips, Matthew Kettle has adopted the approach that 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it', and has continued with the previous FOH preference for Sennheiser microphones scattered liberally throughout the stage.

The drum kit features a mixture of e901 and e902 dynamic cardioid mics, one of each on the kick drum and 904s on the rack and floor toms.

"I've loved both of these mics since they came out, both have a very sturdy design and sound great," says Kettle. "I'm a particular fan of the 902. It's got a fantastic deep, low end thump to it

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USA - Crown announced at AES New York the latest update to its Macro-Tech i series of amplifiers, featuring increased power and new dual port capability. Comprised of three models, the MA-5000i, MA-9000i, and MA-12000i, the Macro-Tech i series features Class-I circuitry, which delivers greater power while reducing the amplifier's weight by more than half.

The new Macro-Tech i series also features dual-port capability. An additional network port now allows a user to daisy chain the network control down the rack of amplifiers instead of having to run a separate cable from a switch to each individual amplifier.

"The professional sound reinforcement community knows what to expect from the Macro-Tech i series. They are getting the best sounding, most reliable analogue power amplifier in the world. The best just got better with these updates. The upgraded power and features re

featured content

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 - Tower Productions site power team ended an otherwise largely wet Summer in the sunshine of a sell out Bestival on the Isle of Wight.

A team of eight led by James Mitchelmore (days) and Kris Love (nights) installed some 16,000m of festoon, 40 generators of varying sizes and several hundred other assorted items of lighting and power distribution.

"The site is not without its challenges but good weather made all the difference and the installation was completed in record time, with the Tower daily festoon-hanging record broken," notes Mitchelmore. "It was a good conclusion to a busy summer season including Rock Ness, the Wickerman Festival, the World Mountain Bike champs, the Scottish game fair, the Tartan Heart Festiva, Edinburgh Festival and many other smaller projects."

(Jim Evans)

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UK - A.C. Special Projects has supplied a cutting edge LED lighting system for Centre of the Cell, an interactive science education centre. Located at Queen Mary, University of London, one of the UK's leading research focused higher education institutions, the Centre is the first in the world to be based within a working bio-medical research laboratory.

The Centre offers children and teenagers an insight into what scientists actually do and how their work influences real life, through a series of interactive games. Visitors can try their hand at virtual experiments, observe real body parts and diagnose disease using high-power microscopes. This combination of digital technologies and real-world science creates a science education experience not available in the classroom.

Centre of the Cell is designed by Land Design Studio and lit by David Atkinson Lighting Design (DALD). The

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Sweden / USA - Milab Microphones has confirmed that FDW-Worldwide is now the exclusive distributor for Milab Microphones in North America, a collaboration that will mean a big improvement in availability and customer service for Milab products.

"We have put a lot of work into finding just the right partner to handle the North American markets." says Mattias Strömberg, marketing manager for Milab Microphones. "That means someone who feels as strongly about our brand as we do and who has both the brains and the muscles to represent and market Milab appropriately."

"We are delighted that we have FDW-Worldwide as our chosen partner to bring Milab closer to our customer in this part of the world. I am confident that we both are looking at a very bright future with this partnership" says Thomas Nöjdh, president of Milab Microphones.

FDW-Worldwide Pr

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China - Hong Kong-based ACE Professional Sound and Lighting, deployed a large integrated audio system featuring components from JBL Professional, Soundcraft, Crown Audio and BSS Audio and configured using Harman HiQnet System Architect to support China's National Day celebrations.

Held 1 October 1 - the 60th anniversary of the 1949 revolution - this year's celebrations featured 200,000 participants, an array of large, festive floats representing cultural, sporting and national successes and culminated in a 60,000-person evening rendition of I Love China in Tiananmen Square accompanied by a 300,000-shell fireworks display.

Overall sound design was delegated to Radio Film and TV Design Institute of the China Media Group, with the bulk of audio-specific systems integration shouldered by Hong Kong-based ACE Professional Sound and Lighting. Although the sheer magnitude of au

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USA - Genelec displayed its 1038CF tri-amplified active monitoring system at AES New York.. It features loudspeaker drivers, slim speaker enclosure (only 9.25"/235 mm), dual eight-inch long throw bass drivers, multiple power amplifiers and active, low level crossovers. Designed for medium-sized control rooms, this system is suitable for music recording studios, project studios, film and video postproduction and broadcast monitoring, says the company.

The 1038CF is based on full-range Genelec 1038B three-way monitoring system and developed as a response to market feedback and customer requests for the same Mid/High performance in a compact package. The Genelec 1038B model, the basis for the new 1038CF, is a full-range monitor with "great low-end response. Today's audio production rooms are often small, and most multichannel environments use a subwoofer combined with bas

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Poland - The 40th anniversary of Woodstock was celebrated in Poland with Woodstock Trainstop 2009 - the 15th such festival to be held in the country. The free concert was attended by 420,000 people, and the main stage was entirely equipped with Midas, with both analogue and digital consoles provided.

Taking place in Kostrzyn on the Polish-German border, rental company Fotis Sound provided a Midas XL8 and XL4 for front of house, with a choice of PRO6 and H3000 on monitors, a Venice 160 for communications and a Klark Teknik DN9696 high resolution recorder, which was used to record the Saturday Anniversary Concert attended by original Woodstock founder Michael Lang.

Special guests at this year's festival were Nobel Peace Prize-winner and former president of Poland, Lech Walensa, and Tadeusz Mazowiecki, the first prime minister of Poland post- 1989. Forty internation

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Denmark - Since the latest Maxxyz PC version 2.60 release, Martin has decided to open up two DMX universes of its flagship controller product so any owner of the Martin Universal USB/DMX box can take advantage of Maxxyz PC power.

connecting the Martin Universal USB/DMX box to any Maxxyz PC will generate 1024 DMX channels. This is an opportunity for Martin LightJockey users with larger requirements to experience all the power and benefits of Maxxyz PC, says the company. Users can download the new software from the Maxxyz support site at www.martin.com/maxxyz/support.asp

(Jiom Evans)

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USA - Lexicon recently updated the software to the PCM96 and PCM96 Surround to make them compatible with both Pro Tools 8 as well as Mac OS X 10.5.7. In addition, software version 3.2.0.1 represents "a major effort towards the improvement of streaming audio and control functionality of both systems".

"This new software update emphasizes Lexicon's commitment to provide PCM96 and PCM96 Surround users with regular software updates that expand DAW and Mac OS X support, along with providing enhancements to improve software performance and make the system more stable and reliable", said Randy Garrett, director of marketing for Lexicon. "With this software update we have taken the industry's best processors, and made them even better."

(Jim Evans)

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Brazil - Rent All Show based in the Guarujá, State of Sao Paulo recently bought the first grandMA2 in Brazil. The owner of the company, Pancho, decided on a grandMA2 light.

Pancho comments: "We chose the grandMA2 for two primary reasons. First of all the console is one of the most universally accepted worldwide as well as in Brazil, especially the grandMA2 light, which addresses all the requirements of both large and smaller tours. The other reason is because of the fantastic support offered by the local MA Lighting office in Brazil, MA Lighting Latin America.

Rent All Show is a company with 20 years experience in the market. It provides professional lighting and audio solutions for the entertainment business, mainly for the concert touring sector and already owns MA equipment.

(Jim Evans)

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Russia - Pop diva Anastacia's four month tour of the UK and Europe's theatres and arenas finished in style in the middle of September - with what was commonly considered its best sounding date - in Kiev, Russia. DiGiCo D5s sat at both Front of House and monitor positions throughout, in the safe hands of Tony Blanc and Becky Pell.

Blanc is no stranger to working with Anastacia, having performed FOH duties for her on and off since her first single broke some eight years ago. He is also no stranger to DiGiCo and was happy to be able to specify a D5 for her latest tour.

As the tour didn't carry a full PA system, Blanc utilised 56 of the D5's inputs and fed the varying systems with five sends: main PA, front-fills, subs and delays as required.

"The show was her usual pop style, where the songs vary in colour and intensity," he recalls. "Most programmers work at hom

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UK - Litestructures is committed to raising safety in our industry through the publication of information, the encouragement of training and sharing of knowledge. As part of this, the company are launching a new service (introduced at PLASA09) by offering a manufacturer approved inspection service to customers old and new.

The company says: "According to BS7906-2:2000, initial and periodic inspections of truss should be both implemented and recorded, to ensure the safe use of trussing systems and assemblies. It is also a requirement of LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998), that all parts of a lifting system must be subject to a specific inspection regime. Furthermore, these inspections must be carried out by a qualified person - which can be notoriously difficult to determine or monitor.

"Inspection therefore, is often a discipline that i

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USA - Fayette Local Schools, a public K-12 school in the small rural community of Fayette, Ohio, has installed two pairs of Renkus-Heinz Iconyx digitally steerable line arrays to maximise the utility and value of two key spaces in its new building.

AV systems, including the security cameras, building security, classroom sound reinforcement, public address and sound system for the cafetorium and gymnasiums, were installed by Muzak of Toledo of Toledo, Ohio. Muzak of Toledo's engineer, John Raymond worked closely with Beuhrer Group to optimize the AV systems.

As in many small towns, the high school is also a centre for community activities of all kinds, including theatrical productions and musical concerts as well as athletics. All of these and more can take place in Fayette Local Schools, in a multipurpose space that includes both a gymnasium and cafétorium. A central st

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USA - D-Tools has announced that it is expanding its customer focus to enable systems integrators in the energy, IT, and security markets to quickly and easily generate accurate, professional looking project proposals with SI5.5 Estimator. The downloadable software is available now.

"We have provided residential and commercial AV integrators with a solution that has had a positive impact on their bottom line, and we are excited to extend our solution to Energy, IT, and Security system integrators," said Adam Stone, president and CEO of D-Tools. "In addition to establishing partnerships with leading manufacturers, we are adding significant improvements to our product line that will greatly benefit integrators in these markets."

(Jim Evans)

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UK - VDC Trading Ltd has launched a range of cables that represents a "leap forward" for marine A/V, data and communications connectivity. The Van Damme Marine Range delivers technical specifications usually associated with live sound, music studios and beyond, now adapted for the rigors of a marine environment and the challenges associated with ship installations.

Niall Holden, managing director, VDC Trading, said: "In the world of super yachts, on-board systems have entered the domain of HD television and audiophile sound systems, so pro-audio and broadcast levels of installation have now become the entry level. This means there has never been a greater need and demand for a range of A/V cables that are capable of handling the legal and technical requirements of these systems without compromising the infrastructure and quality of the ship itself."

"U

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UK - Available now at www.prglighting.co.uk, the new PRG Lighting site has been created as a resource for customers to learn about the people and services at PRG, as well as access detailed technical information about the extensive range of equipment available.

The site is accessed through four portals, Concert Touring, Theatre, Television and Live Events, each providing access to news, services, people and equipment tailored to the market sectors that PRG Lighting's teams serve.

The site's core sections are linked together allowing the visitor to see the recent shows and events that each project manager has supported, what equipment each show featured, and browse images and videos to see what it all looks like in action.

(Jim Evans)

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Singapore - The opening of the 1st Asian Youth Games (AYG) in Singapore was attended by some 6,200 spectators, who provided enthusiastic support to the 1,400 young athletes taking part.

No fewer than 170 chain hoists from ChainMaster were deployed during the opening ceremony in the Indoor Stadium. Eighty-eight of them were already installed in the stadium, being BGV-D8 hoists with a safe working load of 1,000 kg equipped with encoders, load sensors and computerized control. These were complemented by a further 82 BGV-D8 rigging lifts, also with SWLs of 1,000kg brought in specially for the event.

The opening ceremony combined three themes: Garden in the City, Asian Zest and Spirit of Evolution. It began with 400 schoolchildren from Singapore dancing to a medley of songs in a variety of Asian languages. The climax of the ceremony came when all the lights wer

Details
Germany - The Telex RadioCom BTR-80N Narrow Band wireless intercom system offers a comprehensive, user friendly and versatile set of features. Providing 25 kHz of modulated band width, the BTR-80N Narrow Band system will allow more users per channel in the cramped UHF spectrum.

In addition to providing excellent audio performance, the Narrow Band system inherits all the standard features of the BTR-800 system including DSP digital processing, Intelligent Power Control, and many others. The BTR-80N Narrow Band system offers up to four full duplex wireless TR-80N or TR-82N beltpacks per base station. An unlimited number of additional beltpacks can be added in half duplex operation.

Additional features include selectable transmitter power output, selectable receiver squelch control, RF meter display on base station and beltpack displays, remote battery indicators on base station

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New Zealand - Billed as New Zealand's new home for live music, the Juice Bar at the Windsor Castle in Aukland caters to all genres of the musical spectrum- from live Hip-hop and R&B to acoustic folk, pop, and heavy rock.

Adjacent to the Windsor Castle, a favourite social gathering point, the new Juice Bar was specifically created as a cutting-edge music performance venue for bands of all styles to ply their trade. As an extension of the Juice Music Television brand, the ability to provide world-class sound quality was a design prerequisite for the new nightspot. With the expertise of Auckland, N.Z.-based Edwards Sound Systems, a new sound reinforcement system from D.A.S. Audio has been installed.

Jonathan Hardie-Neil, managing director of Edwards Sound, comments: "The primary challenge we faced was that the Juice Bar was to be multi-purpose. Our clients, whose expectation

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