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Germany - Having started the beam steering revolution back in the 1990's with their Intellivox range Duran Audio are once again embarking on another adventure with their range of Beam Shaping Subwoofers which will be launched at Prolight and Sound in Frankfurt.

The AXYS range of Beam Shaping Subwoofers are designed to be totally versatile, scalable and easy to use. Those who invest in the technology can achieve maximum control for the minimum of investment. One day you could use a huge array of subs to control the low end at a large arena or stadium gig and the next day you could use one unit on its own in a simple conference setup or three units combined in a hyper cardioid set up in a theatre, says the company.

(Jim Evans)

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Germany - TOA Europe will reveal their EN-54 European standard fire alarm audio products at this year's Prolight&Sound. TOA is one of the first companies that can offer a complete audio control and speaker system with EN-54 compliance.

The new products that meet EN-54 standards include the VM-3000 series PA/VA system that combines digital audio PA, paging and BGM functionality. In the speaker range, the PC-1867 FC 12-cm flush ceiling mounted speakers and BS-680FC public address speakers are also EN-54 compliant. More compliant products from TOA will be revealed at the show.

"The European EN-54 standard is set to be a hot topic at ProLight&Sound. We expect the new standard to change the voice alarm industry, what equipment you can use and how voice alarm systems are installed," says Brett Downing, sales & marketing director at TOA Europe.

"Demonstrating our com

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USA - BSR E1.6-3--201x, Selection and Use of Chain Hoists in the Entertainment Industry, is available for public review at www.esta.org/tsp/documents/public_review_docs.php through 3 May 2010. The review is over when the posted 'Review End Date' of 4 May is reached.

The draft standard is part of the BSR E1.6 powered theatrical rigging system project. This part, BSR E1.6-3, establishes minimum safety requirements for the selection and use of serially manufactured electric link chain hoists having capacity of two tons or less in the entertainment industry. This standard does not address the design or maintenance of these hoists. The standard is intended to provide for the protection of life, limb, and property.

(Jim Evans)

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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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USA - The Who's Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey lent a musical flair to the Super Bowl XLIV press conference, rocking the house courtesy of Renkus-Heinz's IC Live line array systems.

Press conferences are generally fairly droll affairs, and reporters aren't easily impressed, but the crowd at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Centre's Floridian Ballroom was anything but sedate as the two original members of The Who picked up acoustic guitars and provided them with a short but intimate set of the band's classics, including Pinball Wizard and Won't Get Fooled Again.

The vast ballroom was packed to capacity with some 1200 media-turned-fans as NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy introduced the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers to the crowd, who were treated to a stellar sounding performance through four IC Live systems provided by AVW-TELAV Audio Visual Solutions. AVW-TELAV's Sean

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UK - Blackburn UK based lighting rental company HSL is supplying all lighting equipment and crew to Production North for the current six-week UK tour by popular boyband JLS.

HSL's project manager Mike Oates says, "It's good to be back on the road with the Production North team and working alongside production manager Karen Ringland on this. The design is straightforward and uncomplicated, well thought-out and works perfectly for the band and the style of presentation."

The lighting was designed by Peter Barnes. He and show producer Beth Honan - who have previously worked together on Blazing Squad and Girls Aloud - collaborated closely during production rehearsals at Rhyl Pavilion in Wales, together with lighting programmer/operator Dave Lee. Lee is overseeing lighting the show on tour, working alongside HSL technician Johnny Harper.

Barnes had to maximise an expedi

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China - Multiform will be displaying their latest product releases, the MultiBar portable stage lighting system and the new AmbiLED range at the China Import and Export fair in Guangzhou this week.

Their International distributor Adelto will also be displaying their range of pro audio products from Hill Audio and the OEM range of budget lighting effects from Lumicraft.

(Jim Evans)

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Germany / Spain - VMB has released the new ARK series of processors, replacing the Arkeops and DAC range which will debut at ProLight+Sound this month. The ARK-70 and ARK-20 are the latest in the series of digital processors designed, assembled and manufactured by VMB, offering seven different models with two or four inputs each and with up to eight outputs (analogue or digital and Ethersound optional).

Double Dynamics are standard in all ARK-70 models. An RMS limiter is used to adjust the transducer reproduction level, maintaining the original dynamics whilst at the same time respecting the original transients and achieving a better acoustical result. A peak limiter controls the movement of the speaker, protecting it from any damage and also reducing distortion caused by over-excursion. These double dynamics lower levels of distortion and provide protection for all the speaker

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UK - For only the second time in history, the arena floor of the Royal Albert Hall was frozen with ice as a 25-strong cast of World, European and National Championship skaters brought the story of Cinderella on Ice to London. However, it was the first time in history that production services company the SFL Group brought their expertise into the 6,500-capacity arena, providing sound reinforcement in the shape of a d&b main PA and a shiny new 10-way personal monitor mixing system from RSS.

Although the Imperial Ice Stars have toured their balletic ice-skating productions across the world, the eight Albert Hall performances broke a long-standing convention and featured a live 20-piece orchestra, under the baton of composer Tim A Duncan. An innovative solution was needed to handle the monitoring requirements of the musicians, positioned behind the stage rather than in the pi

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UK - In response to customer demand plus changes to UK electrical requirements, ETC has released versions of its Sensor dimmer modules fitted with six and 10 Amp MCBs (miniature circuit breakers) which allows Sensor dimming to be installed in many venues which could not previously accommodate higher rated Sensor standard modules.

The new 6A and 10A breakers can be used to limit loads to 1.3kW and 2.3kW respectively. The UK IEEE 17th Edition Wiring Requirements (BS7671:2009) lowered the permissible wiring distance from the dimmer rack to the socket outlet for standard wire gauges by up to 25% of 16th Edition values. Previously some venues would have had to completely rewire in order to take advantage of Sensor dimming, but the new lower amperage breakers mean that Sensor can be installed in many more buildings.

Mark White, ETC's regional manager for UK and Ireland, says, "

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UK - The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust has opened a new exhibition and visitor centre In Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. The attraction is set within the grounds of the house where Shakespeare was born and is entitled Life, Love & Legacy: A New Introduction to William Shakespeare. It takes visitors through five zones in an immersive experience, bringing the history of Shakespeare to life.

Following a competitive pitch, the Trust appointed UK creative design and AV specialist Sarner to redevelop the visitor centre and give the Bard a modern makeover. Utilising its in-house creative and AV departments, Sarner designed a fully automated dark 'walk through' experience using the latest in AV technology, including seamless widescreen projection, and "has presented fascinating Shakespeare-related artefacts in a dynamic way that encapsulates the excitement and passion of t

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USA - Apollo Design Technology recently made the first donation to Behind the Scenes from first year sales of the winning templates in their annual Design-A-Pattern Contest. Each year, Apollo is committed to adding new gobo designs to their library of standard patterns but they wanted to get the actual users more involved so in 2008 they created the Design-A-Pattern Contest. Anyone can submit a design and those entries that meet Apollo's basic criteria for what makes a good standard pattern are posted on Apollo's website and the public votes for their favourite.

The first contest resulted in 30 entries and five winning patterns submitted by R. Christopher Stokes, Dwayne Thomas, Morgan Landrum, Todd Proffitt, and Gary McGarity. As recognition for being selected, the designer's name is included in the pattern name, the designs are added to Apollo's marketing material

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Germany - D&M Business & Professional Group (Europe) is exhibiting its Denon Professional and Marantz Professional product ranges, based on SD flash and Blu-ray disc media at ProLight + Sound in Frankfurt. Products for broadcast and AV systems integration, and professional and commercial audio applications include the new range of solid state players from Denon Professional and flashcard recorders from Marantz Professional. Also being shown is a new professional Blu-ray disc player for the display of HD content in DOOH and digital signage applications.

The two initial models in Denon Professional's new solid state player series address specific applications in pro audio and commercial AV. The DN-F300 is an advanced 1U/HE rackmount 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 s

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Canada - Daniels Electronics and Telex Radio Dispatch have jointly announced the development of a P25 standards-compliant Digital Fixed Station Interface (DFSI) between their products, enabling direct digital connection from the Daniels LMR radio to Telex dispatch consoles, in accordance with the TIA P25 Fixed Station Interface (FSI) standard.

The Daniels digital Universal Interface card (UIC) provides the P25 DFSI connection via Ethernet from the Daniels MT-4 P25 radio system to other LMR subsystems, such as IP-based dispatch consoles in a P25 network. In accordance with the TIA P25 general system model, this interface interconnects the fixed station (Daniels Radio) to a console or RF subsystem at the Ef connection. The Ethernet universal interface provides the P25 encoded (and optionally encrypted) digital audio signal directly to the console, as well as a comprehensive suite

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Sweden/Spain - Wireless Solution Sweden has announce the appointment of Entertainment Equipment Supplies (EES) as the new W-DMX dealer in Spain. EES, with locations in Madrid and San Sebastian, represents some of the top industry brands to live entertainment, television productions and special events in Spain, as well as supporting training seminars for their product lines.

"EES has proven to be the strongest contender in Spain, representing some of the best brands in entertainment lighting products", said Lotta Schiefer, EMEA sales manager for Wireless Solution. "Our products fit in very naturally with the EES portfolio, and we look forward to a long and successful relationship with them."

Nacho Acha-Orbea, CEO for EES added, "We are focused on high quality brands and equipment with which we can be confident we are offering the best products with the

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USA - Barco reports that 30 Barco/High End Systems DL.3 Digital Lights were used to create a seamless, 600ft circular blend of graphics - the first time a collage of this scale has ever been staged. Sponsored by a major pharmaceutical company, the remarkable corporate product launch was held in January at the Sands Expo Centre in Las Vegas - a facility large enough to accommodate the over 3000 sales representatives and executives in attendance.

For production and staging services, the client enlisted the help of New York City-based Todd Street Productions, who in turn reached out to Joe West, senior creative and lighting director for Digital Stage Chicago. West's challenge was not only to create a seamless ultra large-scale 600 x 20ft circular blend, but to create a design that could transform into two other completely different sets over the course of the conference - and all w

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USA - American Zoetrope, the film studio created and used by filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola since 1970, recently completed the mix of Sofia Coppola's upcoming film Somewhereusing their new Meyer Sound Cinema Experience monitoring system. This same system was used to mix Mr. Coppola's 2009 release of Tetro.

"I'm very impressed with the effortless power and clarity of sound of the Meyer Sound cinema system," says Francis Ford Coppola. "If only every theatre had a system like this, they would have the same remarkable experience I have on my stage."

The Meyer Sound Cinema Experience system, based on the Acheron screen channel loudspeakers, which has been installed in Zoetrope's mixing stage, is part of a complete, integrated cinema sound line that enables sound designers and mixers to achieve unprecedented range and clarity of sound - and for audi

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USA - American DJ has upgraded its popular P64 LED par can. The company has added master/slave capabilities to this RGB-mixing LED par can with the introduction of the upgraded P64 LED Plus. Now, all it takes is a three-pin XLR cable to link multiple units of the fixture together, and they will all follow a 'master' programme - allowing users to produce a synchronized light show with ease.

Like the original, the new P64 LED Plus also operates in stand-alone configuration if preferred. Also like its predecessor, which won the 2005 DJZone.com Crystal Disc Award for Technical Innovation, it features full RGB colour mixing. The DMX-compatible par can comes equipped with 151 bright 5mm LEDs (51 red, 49 green, and 51 blue), allowing the creation of a virtually infinite palette of colours and to constantly change colours on the fly.

"The original P64 LED truly revolutionized sta

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Germany - ARX will be releasing a spread of new products at the upcoming Frankfurt Pro Light and Sound Exhibition including the USB I / O Universal Transformer Isolated USB Interface, the Q Switch Quad Channel Stereo Switcher and the re-chargeable DI Plus RC Single & Dual Channel Active Direct Boxes with internal NiMH batteries.

ARX's Melbourne- based managing director Colin Park said, " This year ARX is exhibiting with our German Distributor I.A.D. "We're looking forward to spending the exhibition working with Thomas Shrill, Frank Swierzy and their team showing I.A.D's local dealers and customers and all our international visitors ARX's new and current product ranges."

(Jim Evans)

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Norway - The Norsk Film Institute (NFI) in Oslo is the axle upon which the Norwegian film industry revolves. And with over 2000 screenings a year in its Oslo premises, roughly half of which are previews of major international releases for press and cinema owners, having quality vision and sound facilities are a fundamental requirement. It is with this in mind that the NFI has recently installed the first of Alcons' new Cinema Ribbon Monitor Systems (CRMS).

The NFI's Lillebil Room (named after the famous Norwegian actress Lillebil Ibsen) is a 68 capacity screening facility, where a constant series of daytime previews and evening showings keeps its equipment and staff busy.

"The sound has to be fantastic because of the status of the NFI," says the facility's Jan Olsen. "I had been aware of the Alcons pro-ribbon technology for some time and was eager to try somethi

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UK - Small businesses are hoping to beat the recession by stepping up their sales and marketing strategies, a new survey has revealed. After cutting operating costs to the bare minimum, many smaller firms are hiring sales staff, improving their websites and boosting marketing activities in an effort to tackle tough trading conditions.

Research carried out by the not-for-profit Forum of Private Business (FPB) also found that business owners expect their efforts will pay off. More than half (56%) of those surveyed expect to increase their turnover in 2010 and 44% believe their business will grow.

The findings are the first of the FPB's new 'economy watch' panel - a body of more than 350 members who are sharing their experiences as the economy heads away from recession. The panel is designed to provide an accurate and timely reflection of what small businesses are experiencing on

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Germany - The Proel Group will showcase its sound reinforcement and lighting lines at this year's Prolight + Sound.

After last year's world's first preview of the prototypes, show visitors will be able to appreciate the whole series of Net, which will be available for purchase as of next spring, and Edge Active.

Net is a series of loudspeaker designed "with a particular care for all the details which make a speaker valuable and for the technical solutions allowing these features to be implemented without raising costs". The result is a completely new line combining high value, excellent performances and reasonable price, a high-end product available to all users both for commercial and entertainment purposes.

At Prolight 2010, exhibition also of Active Edge systems: Proel's new solutions for high power professional applications. There are five models in the series:

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