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USA - Rycote, the UK-based manufacturer of hi-tech microphone windshield and suspensions, is announcing a new product at the 2010 NAMM show in Anaheim this week - the InVision USM, an affordable universal mic suspension for large-diaphragm recording microphones. According to Rycote, the mic mount offers substantially more isolation from unwanted vibrations than that afforded by traditional elasticated 'cat's cradle' mic suspensions.

The InVision Universal Studio Mount (or USM) has been designed to provide a 21st-century alternative to elasticated suspensions, the basic form of which has remained essentially unchanged for several decades. Based around the resilient 'u'-shaped Lyre suspension mount used in Rycote's existing InVision suspension range for smaller-barrelled microphones

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USA - The exterior of the Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles was awash in colour and patterns recently for the LA Philharmonic's Annual Gala. In concert with the energy of music director Gustavo Dudamel, lighting designer Raymond Thompson (Images by Lighting) created vibrant colour and pattern combinations using Martin MAC III Profile luminaires to give the iconic concert hall a glowing effect.

Thompson's lighting rig, supplied and operated by Kinetic Lighting of Los Angeles, consisted entirely of new luminaries including the MAC III Profile, LED sources, and other automated lights. Thompson sought a rig that featured LED, but also needed a luminaire that could handle the long throw distance and challenging surface of the building and turned to the MAC III.

Thompson comments, "We had to project colour and patterns from the east side of G

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China - Swiss digital signage manufacturer SpinetiX has appointed Beijing-based Avopo Technologies as certified distribution partner (CDP) for China.

Avopo will distribute the SpinetiX HMP100 Hyper Media Player. The HMP100 is able to completely replace PC based digital signage platforms. It utilises open software standards and has a small footprint with a very practical feature-set.

"Not only will Avopo increase the accessibility of our HMP100 to Chinese companies, they will manage and develop the Chinese partner and customer channels. This includes the provision of dedicated customer-based training at their Beijing demonstration centre, events support and project support for a wide variety of customers and markets in regional Chinese territories," says Nikola Knezovic, vice president of sales of SpinetiX.

"The partnership with Avopo Technologies is an excitin

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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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Colombia - From 10-12 October 2009, music enthusiasts had the opportunity to enjoy live performances of their favourite artists at this fall's Festival Altavoz. Each year, Festival Altavoz is sponsored by the Medellin Municipal Government and the event attracts the best musical acts from throughout the region as well as a few international performers. Key acts at this fall's festival included Germany's Kreator, Exodus (from the United States), as well as Colombia's own La Pestilencia.

For a crowd of roughly 80,000 people, the sound reinforcement system had to be a solid performer. That's why Medellin-based Grupo HANGAR - the firm contracted to produce the concert and provide sound - deployed a sizeable loudspeaker setup consisting of components from the D.A.S. Audio catalogue.

Alvaro Alzate, general manager for Grupo HANGAR, reports: "As in the previous five

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The Netherlands - QSC Audio has announced an extension to its AcousticDesign ceiling speaker range, with the release of two new high-output models: the AD-C1200 and AD-C820/C821 at ISE in Amsterdam next month.

The AD-C1200 high-output Ceiling Mount Loudspeaker System features 12" low frequency woofer, 1.75" diaphragm compression driver, 300W continuous power rating, and a 70V / 100V multi-tap transformer (enabling the system to operate in distributed or low-impedance mode).

The AD-C1200 has been designed for music playback, public address and distributed audio in applications that require high output from a ceiling mounted loudspeaker.

The AcousticDesign Series of installation loudspeakers has been designed for trouble free operation and versatility. Utilising custom designed transducers and crossover networks, in combination with an acoustically optimised enclosur

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UK - Within months of switching its distribution model in the UK, Nexo has confirmed the members of its new dealer network, creating widespread availability for the French brand.

In addition to Fuzion and SSE Audio Group, companies which have had a long and steady association with the Nexo brand, the new members of the dealer network are: LMC Audio, Adlib Audio, Sysco AV, RG Jones, TG Baker, A.C. Entertainment Technologies, Northern Light, Leisuretec, ETA Sound, Musicland, Whitwam and Batmink. Rea Sound will continue to be the most prominent representative for Nexo in Ireland.

Nexo's UK sales manager Gareth Collyer comments: "These are some of the most recognisable companies in the UK industry, with top-flight track records in retail, installation, live performance and entertainment. Within the team, we have the skillsets necessary to work with consultants and architects,

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USA - TMB has announced the expansion of its North American Sales Group with the addition of Bryan Reiss. Reiss arrives at TMB NY with over 15 years experience in the industry. His role will be primarily in customer development; enhancing customer relations and service, increasing awareness of TMB's products and value-added services, and strengthening and expanding TMB's Northeast customer base.

"Bryan has the perfect combination of sales experience with hands-on touring and theatrical experience," says Linda McDonald, TMB NY sales manager. "His career path is ideal for TMB Sales: First doing shows, then supporting shows, and now servicing those who support the shows."

"My early years on the road were a great boot camp," says Reiss. "Dealing with various personalities - designers, stagehands, actors - taught me how to listen."

(Jim Eva

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UK - Belfast based lighting rental company Production Services Ireland (PSI) supplied lighting, rigging and crew for the 2009 Young Voices Christmas Concert, staged in the city's Odyssey Arena with a lighting design by Joe Byrne.

It was at least the 5th year that PSI has been involved with the Belfast YV Christmas concert, produced by London based Sound & Light Productions and featuring a mass choir of 5000 schoolchildren, plus featured artists which this year included VV Brown and classical superstars, All Angels.

The Odyssey Arena was used in a 'back-to-front' format for this show, with the stage at the opposite end to normal, due to there being more bleacher seating in the rear of the venue to accommodate the enormous choir, which was wrapped around the back and sides of the stage.

This presented its own challenges for the PSI team - who had to light all the choir

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UK - TOA has launched the D-2000 series all-in-one digital mixing system that combines the functions of auto mixing, matrix switching, and signal processing. While the system's table-mounted remote console unit boasts a small footprint, the D-2000 can be expanded to comprise up to four rack processing units for a total of up to 128 audio inputs and outputs.

CobraNet compatibility means the processing modules can be connected to a LAN for remote operation. The D-2000 also provides interfaces directly with AMX and Crestron control protocols so that it can be smoothly integrated into multimedia conferencing and presentation systems.

A wide range of input, output and control modules is available for each rack-mount processing unit, including mono or stereo analogue microphone inputs, analogue and digital inputs and outputs, and VCA modules for connection to an optional VCA control

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UK - Users of the portable signal processing Black Series from Audient can now carry API 500 standard modules in their Black Rack system with the simple addition of the new Black 500 Adapter.

Made up of a neat metalwork caddy which slips neatly into the Black Series BB4 and BR10 racks, it adapts the Black Series power to suit the API specification, so that any single 500-system compatible module can be housed alongside original Black Series modules.

"The Black 500 Adapter gives users more flexibility when using their Black Rack," explains sales & marketing director, Luke Baldry. "There are numerous manufacturers producing 500 series variants, opening up many more possibilities for their Black Rack system." The Black Adapter is now shipping.

(Jim Evans)

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Germany - With the K&F NOMOS XLC, Kling & Freitag has launched a new subwoofer series for the ProRental sector. The cardioid 3x 18" subwoofer with multifunction capabilities has been designed for high-performance applications. The range of applications goes from theatre and opera to disco, club, live show and big open air events, says the company.

The NOMOS XLC combines clean reproduction of low range sounds with "the appropriate punch". The bass reproduction of a large range is well-balanced, rapid and precise and thus represents a new generation of subwoofers. From its acoustical and mechanical conception, the K&F NOMOS XLC has been designed as resonance-free and with a minimum group delay time.

The cardioid application permits efficient easy working, due to the reduced disturbance sound and due to the directed bass shares of the front speakers.

Importance h

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UK - XL Events enjoyed a very busy 2009, and here is a roundup of some of the highlights:

The Clothes Show Live was hosted at the Birmingham NEC in December for Haymarket Exhibitions. Production manager Paul Divine worked with XL Events on an ambitious set where all three screens were built onto revolves. The rear of the screens were dressed seasonal style to resemble giant bow-wrapped Christmas presents! These were constructed from three large Lighthouse R7 screens with varying panel counts and a right angle in each.

Tim Riley, project manager for XL Events says, "This was a challenging yet rewarding project. We had great support from Stage One who created the structure supporting the screens and the dressing at the back, and coupled with cool graphics, all elements combined to make an excellent show."

In November 2009, XL Events secured the contract to sup

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USA - Technomad reports that Hatboro-Horsham High School in the Philadelphia suburbs is now using a Technomad Turnkey PA System to enhance audio quality and coverage for sporting events in its outdoor campus stadium. The high school successfully used the system for its Fall 2009 football season and will use this system this spring for track and field events, as well as other outdoor sports and events.

"The clarity and functionality of the system from voice to music is amazing," said Louis James, athletic director at Hatboro-Horsham High School. "The system is used for all our home stadium athletic events along with band competitions. The system as a whole is much better than I could have expected for high school events."

The Technomad system, featuring two Technomad Noho weatherproof loudspeakers and a turnkey signal processing rack, replaced a pair of agin

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UK - D&M Business & Professional Group (Europe) announces the launch of the Denon DN-F300, the first in a new series of solid state players from Denon Professional for the sound contractor and AV integrator markets.

The DN-F300 is an advanced professional solution for the playback of MP3 and uncompressed .WAV music libraries stored on SD and SDHC flashcards (up to 32GB), portable USB flash drives, and self powered HDDs. The compact 1U/HE rackmount player offers technology and features derived directly from Denon Professional's leading broadcast CD players, in providing dedicated hardware control for the navigation, management and programmable play of digital music files for BGM and other applications in bars, restaurants, clubs, retail complexes, visitor attractions, houses of worship, and fitness centres.

With no moving parts, the DN-F300 offers virtually maintenance free ope

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Germany - One of the largest and most prestigious holiday season celebrations in Germany, The National Press Association's annual ball (Bundespresseball 2009), took place at the Inter Continental Hotel in Berlin. The 2,500 strong event guest list included politicians, media and corporate personalities, all headed by Horst Köhler, Germany's president and official Head of State.

The Intercontinental hotel was completely transformed by a team of builders, artists, and technical designers taking 5,600 man hours to complete. Decorative structures were supplied by Deco Sun. L&S & Co. KG, Hupfer Beschallungstechnik, and Darkselection & Co. KG all whom own Adamson inventory, came together to provide complete sound production. Kaluza&Schmid managed the event, and PAM Events, Jands , LichtBlick Bühnentechnik provided lighting.

A discreet sound design was created for four separate stag

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USA - Electro-Voice has added to the ZX loudspeaker family with the new ZXA1 - the self-powered version of the ZX1 compact two-way loudspeaker.

Launching globally at Winter NAMM 2010, ZXA1 is powered by an 800W amplifier module derived from EV's Tour Grade series.

ZXA1is designed for a wide range of applications including live sound, mobile DJ, stage monitoring and permanent installation.

(Jim Evans)

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USA / The Netherlands - BTX will show its ProBlox-D all-in-one connector system at ISE in Amsterdam next month (2-4 February 2010). The patent-pending ProBlox-D all-in-one connector system is the AV industry's first to incorporate multiple data, HD video, audio, and control signals in a single connector, the company says.

The system contains two Cat 5e connectors along with 16 HD video and 18 audio and control contacts - all field-terminatable. The addition of the Cat 5e components takes advantage of all the signals, including HDMI, DVI, and VGA, that can now effectively be run over one or two Cat 5e cables. The ProBlox-D connector system simplifies setup for AV applications in classrooms, houses of worship, conference rooms, or any setting where multiple signals of different formats need to be delivered to a single connection point. In addition to saving installers time during

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Malawi - By supplying a complete DVX monitor system to the four-day vinspired Lake Of Stars (vLOS) festival recently, dBTechnologies provided headliners The Maccabees and many other UK and African bands with a calibre of sound reinforcement never before heard on the palm-fringed shores of Lake Malawi.

A total of eight DVX DM15s, a DVX12 and a DVA S10 subwoofer were loaned to the festival, much to the delight of vLOS stage tech/engineer, Craig Williams. "They were incredibly easy to set up and had a sonic clarity and detail you would not usually expect from a self-powered monitor," he reports.

"They are awesome products that I would take anywhere in the world, especially in a situation where weight, size and reliability are an issue," continues Williams. "The limiting system meant I could spend more time with the African artists and less time wor

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USA - Crown has introduced its next generation line of XLS Series amplifiers, which it says provide "a new benchmark for amplifiers in the MI category". The four models in the XLS series implement a flexible PureBand Crossover System: a user can select crossover points from 50Hz to 3kHz, allowing for precise matching of specified crossover points on most bi-amplified loud speakers. Increased Control is also highlighted by the three selectable channel modes and clip limiters designed to protect loudspeakers that can be turned on and off by channel.

PeakX limiters allow higher output levels than conventional analog limiting while providing driver protection, and deploy algorithms derived from the OmniDrive HD loudspeaker processing in Crown's flagship I-Tech HD Series.

The new XLS series amplifiers also feature Integrated DriveCore Technology to keep the power supply p

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Italy - This past fall, Italian singer-songwriter and rock musician Gianna Nannini was out on her 15 date GiannaDream Tour with lighting and set design by Mamo Pozzoli.

Pozzoli incorporated a visually stunning cylindrical LED screen made up of Martin LC Series LED panels into the design. He explains his decision to use the LC panels, "I needed LED panels with a medium pitch between 30 and 60mm to ensure intelligibility and transparency simultaneously. Rental company Giochi di Luce offered me the LC Series so I took the opportunity to test them in combination with Martin's Maxedia media server and Maxxyz lighting console."

The LC panels formed an arcing 6m wide by 4m high cylindrical structure positioned at centre stage, the visual centrepiece of the set.

"With both concave and convex sides facing the audience, in practice we achieved two superimposed sc

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Australia - The North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast is a function organised by the North Melbourne Football Club on the morning of the AFL (Australian Football League) Grand Final - marking the traditional start of Australia's landmark sporting day.

In addition to being a major social highlight and an annual must-watch ritual for thousands of footy fans, it plays a huge role in the pre-match build up. The breakfast includes a Grand Auction, with all proceeds donated to the Starlight Children's Foundation.

Clifton Productions were employed to provide lighting and visuals for the 1500 guests, including a veritable who's who of Australian sport, politics and culture plus performances from some of the biggest acts in town.

Robe moving lights were employed to creatively light the event, with 28 Robe ColorSpot 1200 ATs and 24 Robe ColorWash 1200 ATs rigged above the triangular s

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