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Australia - Green Day is currently on their mammoth 21st Century Breakdown world tour which started in 2009 and is scheduled to continue towards the end of 2010. The band has just finished the Australian leg of the tour.

Featured in the lighting rig are 37 Martin MAC III Profiles. "The MAC IIIs do a really good job for the throw distances that we have as some of them are very long," commented Kevin Cauley, lighting director for the tour. "Our upstage truss is trimmed at 42ft off the ground so there are some very long throws required.

"This is the first show that I've used the MAC IIIs on and I think they're great. The effects wheel is awesome. It's just a really good, heavy-duty light and the crew has had no real problems with them. We've found that t

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UK - RCF has announced the appointment of Linton Smeeton to its UK sales organisation to strengthen the company's Commercial Audio Division. Smeeton, who has worked for RCF previously, was a founding director between 1990 and 2000.

Smeeton says: "It's great to be returning to RCF, the brand has grown so strong over the past decade and I'm really looking forward to being part of it."

RCF's Phil Price comments: "We are all looking forward to having Linton back on board with us, with his experience in the audio market he'll be a great addition to the team. During 2010, RCF will be introducing some major new products and systems to the Commercial Audio catalogue which will allow us to grow our UK network of solution providers. Linton will be concentrating particularly in these markets."

(Jim Evans)

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In The Money - U2 had the most successful North American tour of 2009, according to music trade publication Pollstar. The Irish band's 360° stadium tour sold 1.3 million tickets in the US and Canada, worth $123m (£76.3m) overall. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band came second, with tour takings amounting to $94.5m (£58.6m). Elton John and Billy Joel's joint tour was the third most successful tour, with ticket sales worth $88m (£54.5m). Britney Spears and rock band AC/DC completed the top five with takings of $82.5m (£51.1m) and $77.9m (£48.3m) respectively.

Show Business - Recently honoured Status Quo are the hardest-working band in British music, according to a list compiled by the Performing Rights Society (PRS). The band performed to more than 250,000 fans at 27 arenas in 2009 - more than any other band. "Performing in

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 / USA - Following a hugely successful first joint venture fund raiser this year between Light Relief in the UK and Behind the Scenes in the States, the two charities are doing it again in 2010. And once again they have the full backing of award-winning designers Paule Constable, Ken Billington and Ken Posner, along with Light Relief's co-founder, Rick Fisher.

Established in 2007 as Light Relief Day and now renamed By Design Day, 24 April is the day that, each year, people in the professional lighting design business give back to help others less fortunate than themselves. The first 'joint venture' between Light Relief and Behind the Scenes raised £7,500 - £3450 for Light Relief and $5,700 for Behind the Scenes. The money came through a variety of channels, including a bucket collection among the audience of the London production of Hairspray o

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UK - St Anne's Church on Alderney in the Channel Islands has long been central to island life, both as a church and more recently as a venue for concerts and events. Often referred to as the 'Cathedral of the Channel Islands' because of its size and grandeur, it has a capacity for a congregation or audience of up to 650 people, and makes the perfect setting for visiting choirs and bands.

With the church actively encouraging appropriate use of the church for outside events, a high quality sound system is imperative, but over the years it became increasingly difficult to hear and enjoy both the spoken word and recorded or live music over a system that was installed more than 25 years ago. When a bequest from a local island resident made money available for 'a project that would benefit both the church and the congregation', the sound system was top priority.

With local resident

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Austria - In an introduction that couples AKG's wireless performance with Harman System Architect's ease of use, AKG recently updated its System Architect plug-in for the HUB 4000 Q to version 3.5 with the introduction of the Harman System Architect 2.1 release.

The professional digital wireless microphone system DMS 700 is now fully integrated into System Architect. Users have the ability to setup and monitor multichannel DMS 700 systems with tools such as 1 Click Setup, RF Monitor, Environment Scan and Offline Configuration. With AKG's 1 Click Setup, the frequency coordination of DMS 700 multichannel systems can be done with ease with just a single click.

The 1 Click Setup allows for optimal frequency coordination for all of AKG's wireless systems. With a single click, the algorithm completes a full frequency coordination by performing an environment/frequency scan, calculat

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UK - Robe moving lights are at the core of the spectacular Brilliance installation in Blackpool, a major light art work consisting of six alluminium clad architectural arches traversing the seaside town's Birley Street, combined with additional lighting pods along the surrounding Church, Corporation and Clifton Streets.

The £3.5 million 'regeneration by light' scheme, commissioned by Blackpool Council, has been funded by the Northwest Development Agency, the European Regional Development Fund and Blackpool Council. The design concept was developed by Manchester based BDP, the lighting was conceived and programmed by Greg McLenahan of World Wide Lighting Design working in close conjunction with Blackpool's Illuminations department. The installation was overseen and co-ordinated by principal building contractors, J. McCann & Co (Nottingham).

Blackpool has historical

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The Netherlands - Integrated Systems Events has announced the positioning of a Digital Signage Expert Showcase within ISE 2010. Co-located next to - and integrated with - a number of other attractions to form a larger Digital Signage Area in Hall 10 of the Amsterdam RAI, the Showcase is intended to show ISE attendees a complete signage system, with content creation, management, delivery and display solutions from a range of vendors, all viewable in a single location.

Mike Blackman, managing director, Integrated Systems Events, comments, "With over 250 digital signage exhibitors at our tradeshow and our DOOH Business Conference now firmly established as Europe's premier networking event for digital advertising, we felt the need to provide an additional Digital Signage Area for 2010.

"The Digital Signage Expert Showcase is a key element of this, and we believe i

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UK - DB Systems has developed "a revolutionary solution that will help companies save money and reduce their environmental impact when exhibiting at events all around the world".

EcoXpress is a touch-screen based software solution installed on to DB Systems' hardware, either kiosks or regular PCs and screens. The terminals allow event delegates to browse exhibitors' literature onscreen, select what is most relevant to them and then email that information to themselves.

At present, delegates who attend events and exhibitions inevitably collect a library of brochures and various forms of corporate literature. Very often these items are lost, damaged, left behind, thrown away or don't contain the information that the delegate wants.

Oliver Richardson, DB Systems' sales director, says, "As a service supplier, DB understands that budgets are tight. One of the benef

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Spain - What, for 14 years, was the European design centre for Audi - Seat and Volkswagen is now a cultural art centre that hosts many different events in the Barcelona region.

This cultural centre now houses a main room of about 700sq.m with a height of 4.7m and a banquet room able to accommodate up to 650 people. It also features a theatre hall with 520 seats, a large space that can be split into two smaller rooms, in case of need.

In accordance with the high quality required for all materials used in this cultural centre, the lighting system is provided by Spotlight.

Atrezzo has provided, through the Spotlight exclusive distributor for Spain, over 50 projectors from the PAR and Synthesis families, designed and constructed by Spotlight, the Italian manufacturer.

To light this multi-functional space different PAR 64 and projectors with Fresnel (Area 12) and PC lens (Vario

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UK - David Fitch Services Ltd provided the large mirror balls for the recent series of Strictly Come Dancing - as it has done for all seven seasons of the popular show.

The largest mirror ball used on the show, which was broadcast by the BBC during autumn 2009, is a 54" (1.4m) diameter which has 92,350 mirrors measuring 8mm square. The company has two of these 54" mirror balls, and six 48" mirror balls, available for hire, as well as a large number of smaller models from 32" down to 8"as well as a series of unique mirror sculptures which can be seen on the company's website.

David Fitch warns: "It's important to remember how big these mirrorballs are, and to measure the get-in door and the route. And remember the flightcase. You would be surprised how many people forget and find that their mirrorball won't fit!"

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - Visitors to ISCEx2010 will have the opportunity to network among the professionals from the sound industry and view the latest products during the ISCE's annual exhibition and seminar day at the Park Inn Hotel, Watford on 2 March 2010.

The seminars, which run alongside the exhibition, will provide the latest information on a wide range of topics. They are: The Regulatory Reform Order (Fire Safety) 2005 by Andy Scott of SigNET AC; The pitfalls of voice alarm contract project management, from specification to handover by Rupert Moon; Switching amplifier topologies - exposing the sub-classes by Anthony Smith of Current Thinking, and Digital audio networking - which technology?, by James Kennedy of Peavey Electronics.

Exhibitors who have already signed up include; Baldwin Boxall Communications, Cloud Electronics, Communication Technology, CUK Audio

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UK - When Wendy and Jonathan Joseph were running Mama Stone's live music venue in its former location, they contacted Tad Barker at Tickle Music in London to provide a rental studio to a standard that would enable Wendy's daughter - the singer Joss Stone - to record an album.

But Mama Stone's duly became a victim of its own success. When the club's popularity outgrew its location in Wellington, and the council started to receive noise complaints from neighbours, the Josephs sought to upgrade the operation, moving to larger premises in the centre of Exeter.

This time they approached Tickle Music for a fully-installed public address system, including a Soundcraft Si2 digital desk. Once again the technical infrastructure needed to be equal to Joss Stone's performance criteria, since she would be opening the new venue.

Wendy and Jonathan Joseph spent in excess of £500,000

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Turkey - Akalin Musik, newly appointed Turkish distributor for pro audio manufacturer Audient has just taken delivery of the first Zen high resolution mixing console to arrive in Turkey.

"We had known about Audient's brand reputation and product quality for a long time. It was seeing Zen at Messe Frankfurt this year that gave us the impetus to work with them," says import and project manager Seha E. Akbas.

Audient joins ranks with many other manufacturers already in the company's portfolio and with a history of 18 years in the business, Akalin Muzik now ranks amongst the biggest professional audio distributors in Turkey.

"The Audient brand is new to our market, but already we have had some great success with the range," reports Akbas, who ordered the Zen for stock and demonstration purposes. "Zen and monitor controllers are our priority at the moment

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Australia - Allen & Heath has appointed a dedicated distributor in Australia for the sales and promotion of its Xone range of DJ products. Based in Sydney, Major Music Wholesale (MMW) represents a range of hi-tech DJ and musical equipment brands.

MMW offers Allen & Heath the specialist skills and experience to represent the Xone range, whilst Allen Heath's existing Australian distributor, Technical Audio Group (TAG), will continue to represent the manufacturer's growing pro audio lines, focussing on the iLive digital range and small-format ZED series, says the company.

"We chose Major Music Wholesale because of their track record with high tech brands and their commitment to a technical sales rep model," says Allen & Heath's regional sales manager, Bardy Hayes. "With the increasing complexity of software controller based DJ products, we were looking for a partne

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Europe - Brilliant Stages were approached by Jon Perry of Perry Scenic to collaborate on the supply of the staging for German band Rammstein who tour Europe and the Eastern block from November 2009 and well into 2010.

The brief from designers Roy Bennett and Peter Aquinde was for a heavy metal 'iron foundry' look which would incorporate the main stage into the array of lighting pods, collapsing tower blocks and the vast quantity of pyrotechnics which even includes a shower of exploding dolls.

Brilliant Stages collaborated with Perry Scenic on this venture and employed project manager, Nick Evans, to work alongside Rammstein's production manager, Nicolai Sabottka, and Perry Scenic's project manager, Tony Guest, in delivering this taxing piece of set.

The staging mainly consists of tiered band platforms surmounting the main stage, with four collapsible towers forming the indus

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France - To manage field contribution from reporters or to transmit programmes from A to B, typically for STL (studio-to-transmitter links) or SSL (studio-to-studio link) over IP networks, broadcasters face a variety of challenges. They might need to stream audio over building-to-building distances or more likely over long distances, to remote locations (e.g. transmitters).

The transmission line quality and bandwidth they have to cope with might also vary in the same proportions, depending on available network infrastructures.

For that reason, Digigram, as a key manufacturer of IP audio codec equipment, says it is committed to offering its partners and customers the widest range of options when it comes to audio compression algorithms.

Recently, and in addition to existing options, Digigram R&D labs heavily - and successfully - tested the apt-X Enhanced audio compression enc

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USA - A new Bosch DCN-NG (Digital Congress Network - Next Generation) installation is providing a balance of form and functionality at the renovated County of Hawaii Council Chambers in Hilo, Hawaii.

Featuring Bosch's DCN flush-mounted desktop consoles and accessories, the system provides the county's lawmakers with user-friendly flexibility for communication and voting at council meetings, all with software-controlled display monitor interfacing and videoconferencing capability. Hawaii-based AV specialists The Audio Visual Company (AVCO) integrated the system, which was designed and specified by D.L. Adams Associates.

The Bosch system's low-profile hardware compliments the newly renovated space. Ten positions are equipped with DCN flush-mounted units mounted to a custom Koa wood counter on a dais (for eight delegates, one chairman and one clerk), with two additional discussio

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UK - Event branding specialist Sunbaba provided site and stage branding at Edinburgh's Hogmanay for client Unique Events Limited.

80,000 revellers in Edinburgh city centre ensured that the new decade was welcomed in style over a massive five days of celebration across five live music stages.

Sunbaba provided its branding for the Concert In The Garden area of the celebrations. PA scrims in the company's digisound material flanked the stage as headline acts Madness and the Noisettes preformed in front of a capacity audience.

Sunbaba director Jonathan Booth comments, "Using this speciality air permeable material ensured that all performers were heard at their very best with minimal sound distortion whilst sponsors logos maintained a highly visible presence."

(Jim Evans)

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USA - LEDtronics has announced the latest members in its series of high-brightness, energy-efficient LED replacements for A19-style light bulbs for home and commercial use. The DEC-A19-5X1W DécorLED Series comes with softly diffused, precision domed lensing that directs light at a 95-degree beam, and is available in Warm White (3000 Kelvin) and Pure White (6000K).

These A19-style LED bulbs offer long-term durability, low power consumption, environmental sustainability and money savings, says the company. They run on a flexible voltage range of 85-265 VAC requiring no special adapters, and replace 40W to 50W incandescent bulbs while consuming less than 7 watts of power.

In addition, the series DEC-A19-5X1W DécorLED boasts a colour quality of up to 85 CRI, a horizontal beam spread of around 130 degrees, powerful 416 (XPW) and 340 lumens (XIW) of brightness, easy dr

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USA - The 10th Annual Latin Grammy Awards at the Mandalay Bay Events Centre in Las Vegas on 5 November 2009 turned in the best television performance in the show's history, honouring the top artists in Latino music. The event, which featured performances by stars including Alicia Keys, Daniela Mercury, Reik, Alejandro Sanz, Calle 13 and Ruben Blades, set a record for the telecast with over 12 million viewers.

TV viewers heard a musical soundscape, embellished by layers of percussion, large horn sections and passionate vocals. Grammy and Emmy Award-winning music mixer Eric Schilling chose a pair of JBL LSR4328P bi-amplified studio monitors and an LSR4312SP powered subwoofer to create the music mix for the broadcast and he plans to expand the system for future 5.1 surround mixing projects, as well.

Schilling first became familiar with the LSR4328P and LSR4312SP monitors on anoth

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