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USA - The new V-Tower Ground Support System from Total Structures allows you to build audio delay towers without the need for guy wires, reducing the footprint in audience areas. This system, based on standard Total Structures 12" Tower Truss and standard Light Duty box truss, gives you 30ft of trim height to fly up to 1500 pounds of line array audio gear.

Thanks to its self stabilizing design, and its use of the PA equipment to self-ballast the structure, this system requires no external ballast blocks or guy cables in most applications. The system has been fully engineered, and allows PA systems to be flown in conditions up to 40 mph 3 second wind gusts.

Users can cover the inclined mast with graphics for additional signage space by reducing the maximum wind speed to 30 m

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UK - The 128th Convention of the Audio Engineering Society, the international audio technology organisation and standards body, takes place in London this year, from 22-25 May at the Novotel Convention Centre, Hammersmith.

The Convention consists of technical presentations and discussion sessions, workshops, and student-orientated activities. The associated equipment exhibition takes place in the neighbouring Novotel Exhibition Hall.

An international mix of speakers is lined up for the Convention, in sessions ranging from white-paper presentations on the latest developments in psychoacoustic research, forensic audio restoration techniques and surround sound, to practical discussion sessions on the future of running commercial studios and producing audio soundtracks for console and computer games.

Roger Furness, executive director of the AES, comments: "We're delighted t

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USA - Audio-Technica provided wireless solutions for the 45th Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, broadcast live on the CBS Television Network from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday 18 April 18.

Several performers used Audio-Technica's Artist Elite 5000 Series UHF Wireless System during the course of the show. Country/pop singer-songwriter Taylor Swift paired the 5000 Series system with the AEW-T4100 Cardioid Dynamic Handheld Transmitter for her lead vocals. Audio-Technica endorser Jason Aldean performed with the 5000 Series and the AEW-T6100 Hypercardioid Dynamic Handheld Transmitter. Darius Rucker and A-T endorser Kenny Chesney each performed with the AEW-T5400 Cardioid Condenser Handheld Transmitter.

"Some of the best ears in the business choose Audio-Technica every day," said Soundtronics Wireless's Dave Bellamy, wireless engineer for the ACM A

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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USA - In preparing for the 2010 summer tour season, Rat Sound knew it would be adding some new equipment to its inventory. Starting the season doing five stages at the Coachella festival in April and with several arena tours booked, the company is poised for a big summer. "We're seeing demand we haven't seen in several years," notes company president Dave Rat. "This will definitely be our strongest year ever."

One area of need was a new digital mixing console. Rat says: "Knowing our client requirements, we tested several consoles. There were two different angles I look at in evaluating a board - me personally as an engineer, and of course, the company as a sound vendor. Basically, we found that the Midas PRO6 has features and usability that I have not been able to find in other digital consoles."

From a business perspective, Rat Sound's needs were

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UK - Prog rock band Aeon Zen is the first band in the UK to embrace fully the system functionality and interconnectivity of the Roland Systems Group suite of sound and video control products, investing in a portable digital mixing and stage monitoring package put together for them by Wigwam Sales. This compact system, contained in just two custom flightcases, includes a six-way stage monitoring system using RSS M-48 individual mixers, and a RSS M-400 digital mixing console with Digital Snake for use at front-of-house.

The band is now trying to ramp up its live touring schedule ahead of the release of a second album. "The only way this music will work live is if we recreate the studio sound with the right gear," explains Aeon Zen's founder and songwriter Rich Hinks. "It's too technical to sound good in a normal set-up so we take advantage of MIDI triggers and effec

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UK - At this year's PLASA Focus: Leeds 2010 exhibition, Lightfactor's stand will major on new products from Italian lighting manufacturer DTS, for which it is the exclusive UK distributor. These include the Titan LED wash light, the XR3000 Spot and the new XR300 Beam, which utilises FAR technology to give full 360° rotation on both pan and tilt axes.

From Novalight, the ever popular Nova Flower 2K will be on show; from LDR a wide range of fresnels, profiles and PC fixtures, plus a brand new 2K discharge source follow spot.

From UK manufacturer Cogent will be a selection of the latest LEDs - white light, RGB and colour changing along with a selection of drivers including the new mains dimmable drivers.

Lightfactor reports it is enjoying unprecedented success with DTS's range of professional lighting products - including a full range of moving lights and a robust architect

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USA - Celtic Woman merges modern elements with Celtic tunes through the voices of five female soloists backed by a full band and an eight-member choir. Since its formation in 2004, the group has sold over 50m albums and has played to sold-out arenas throughout the world. The current 75 city tour, Songs From the Heart supports the latest release of the same name and made its way in late February through New York City.

The group invited the Internet phenomenon P.S. 22 Chorus to share the stage at Radio City Music Hall. Under the direction of Gregg Breinberg, the P.S. 22 Chorus is a school chorus from Staten Island, New York, whose performances have "gone viral" on YouTube.com, inspiring over 13m views. In addition to the large amount of Sennheiser wireless and wired microphones and personal monitors that Celtic Woman normally travels with, FOH engineer Wayne Paule

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Russia - The premiere of Vladimir Khotinenko's new film Pop (aka The Priest) which took place on Easter Sunday in the Church Council's Hall of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, was a landmark event in the history of the Russian motion picture industry. Kinoproekt Company provided the technical support and installed the digital projection system, which was supplied by Christie.

Pop had become a phenomenon amongst the Russian motion picture industry even before its official release. It is the first to be blessed by the Russian Orthodox Church. The production was sponsored by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.

Alexander Rubin, general director of Kinoproekt, commented on the venue for the premiere, "The hall is intended for church assemblies. It is a rather large hall with an amphitheatre and side balconies, but it is not fit for mo

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France - Innovason, French manufacturer of live digital mixing consoles, has announced the appointment of Marcel Babazadeh to the position of international sales director.

Philipp Lawo, CEO of the Lawo Group which has a majority shareholding in Innovason, is pleased to welcome Babazadeh to the Innovason team: "Marcel has extensive experience in audio hardware sales; his commercial success with leading companies in our industry provides irrefutable evidence of this", he says. "I was particularly impressed with his excellent relationship with users, pre- and post-sales support, and his thorough product knowledge."

Prior to taking over the Innovason sales operation, Babazadeh was sales director for digital mixing consoles in the European and South American markets, as well as Sales Tonmeister for an internationally known company in the professional audio indus

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UK - Fifty Nine Productions (War Horse, Waves, Satyagraha) has teamed up with Sigur Rós frontman Jónsi to create a spectacular new live show combining theatre, film, animation, art installation and live music. The production opened in Vancouver in early April and is now touring the world with London performances on 26 and 27 May at the HMV Forum, Kentish Town, plus numerous festival appearances throughout the year.

Fifty Nine has previously designed sets, video and film projection for a variety of theatrical and operatic production companies including the National Theatre, ENO, Royal Opera House and Metropolitan Opera New York. The company is now making its first foray into the world of rock music.

Jónsi's live show has been conceived of as a collision of two worlds - the immediacy and energy of rock and roll with the sophisticated production values of a theatrical s

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UK - Specialist UK LED manufacturer i-Pix shows its latest products at PLASA Focus in Leeds, UK, next week, all of which build on the success and popularity of the BB4 and BB7 series wash lights.

Totally new is a range of white LED engines - initially to be shown at the exhibition in i-Pix's BB1 fixture. Also new is the BB2, a self contained two-cell fixture and the BB 2x2 which is made up of a pair of BB2s.

The versatility of the BB series, plus i-Pix' innovative LED control technology and attention to quality engineering and detail will be demonstrated in full.

i-Pix launches a range of white light LED engines, absolutely hot off the production line from Germany. Initially shown in the BB1 fixture, these are available now across the full BB range in Warm White, Cold White and a super-smooth Warm-to-Cold white mix.

The Warm White has a colour temperature of 3000 degrees K

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UK - On 5 June, Charcoalblue projects director and motorbike enthusiast Jack Tilbury accompanied by pillion riding, camera wielding journalist Sarah Rushton-Read, will join The First Night Riders - a group of motorbike riding entertainment and theatre professionals - for a seven-day, tour of new, interesting and historically significant UK theatres.

The trip will take riders to venues up and down the UK and raise much needed funds for The Theatrical Guild (TTG) - a charity dedicated to supporting individuals who have been or are currently employed in professional theatre - backstage and front of house.

The First Night Riders will depart from outside London's National Theatre on 5 June and return in time for the start of the International Theatre Engineering & Architecture Conference on 13 June. In all, riders will cover 1400 miles in eight days and finish up at Hampstead Theat

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China - KV2 Audio has announced the appointment of Aivin Audio as its new distribution partner in China. Having a wealth of experience in audio installations as well as the thriving Karaoke market, Aivin is well positioned to build on the success of the KV2 brand in the rest of the world.

Currently working towards the forthcoming PALME show in Beijing next month where KV2 will have a demonstration room for the first time, as well as increased exposure on the floor, a new purpose built club demonstration facility is also being constructed for customers to experience the KV2 systems at their Guangzhou facility.

Commenting on the appointment, whilst attending a training seminar for KV2 dealers in China, CEO Jonathan Reece-Farren says: "2010 looks like an exciting year for both companies and we look forward to reporting back on their mutual success over the coming months.&quo

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Israel - L-Acoustics has announced the appointment of Lightone as its new distributor for Israel. Lightone has extensive experience of the Israeli sound reinforcement market, and boasts a knowledgeable sales and technical team.

"Having previously worked with Lightone I am excited to renew my contact with them," says Tim McCall, L-Acoustics sales manager. "I anticipate that their appointment will open up new possibilities and markets to further strengthen the L-Acoustics brand name in Israel."

(Jim Evans)

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UAE - Al Laith Events Services - Dubai's new specialist event staging and roofing company - supplied a 25m, three-bay Space Roof, complete with full stage decking system and two 12mhigh goalposts flanking the stage for Il Divo's concert at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.

It is the first time that the Space Roof design from Serious Stages and goalposts have been used in combination together in the UAE.

Al Laith Events Services was again working for Flash Events, a regular Abu Dhabi based client. Al Laith's project manager was Jacques Smalberger, and he and his crew - numbering of up to 80 people - worked closely with site manager Jean-Carl Saliba, and Flash Events production manager Lee Charteris.

In addition to providing the stage and roof, Al Laith also supplied the gig with a 2500 seater grandstand, two VIP platforms and assorted other structures, including a FOH platfor

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France - Robert Juliat has announced the arrival of the Aledin LED Profile Framing Spotlight. The Aledin is the first product of its type to achieve significant output and "superlative framing and projection ability" from an extremely low-powered LED light source, says the company.

Based around Robert Juliat's 600SX Series profile, the Aledin™ benefits from the famed double condenser optical system and retains all the features of a standard Robert Juliat profile.

Aledin's low power consumption is of value where power availability is limited, whilst the choice of colour temperatures make it equally at home in a theatre or opera house lighting rig, whether tungsten or discharge. Aledin is also suitable for environments such as historic theatres or museums, since there are no UV or IR emissions to damage sensitive fabrics or exhibits.

The Aledin LED Profile Spotl

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UK - GDS (Global Design Solutions) is celebrating a "phenomenal response" to its attendance at last month's ProLight&Sound, Frankfurt and USITT, Kansas City.

The Bristol-based manufacturer started its international trade show run in Frankfurt where it exhibited alongside its German distributor on the Lightpower Village. Showcasing LiteWare HO (High Output), the newest edition to the LiteWare range, GDS received an exceptional response. In addition to its successful product launches the manufacturer signed four new international distributors at the show.

Managing director Matthew Lloyd comments, "The response we received at this year's ProLight + Sound has surpassed all expectations. The launch of the new LiteWare HO and the new TCP/IP CueSystem were very successful and attracted great interest from both international customers and press."

The following we

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Germany - During the Light+Building Fair in Frankfurt from 11-16 April Megaman, a designer, manufacturer and distributer of innovative, eco-friendly, energy saving lamps, demonstrated its passion in lighting at a state-of-the-art booth created by renowned lighting designer, Tino Kwan, and top interior designer, Kinney Chan.

Thousands guests from around the world visited the booth to enjoy the Life in Light experience, that exhibits Megaman's full range of eco-friendly products and innovative designs including the latest LED member - Megaman LED MR16 which was unveiled at the fair. The product capabilities in design applications have impressed the architects, interior designers, engineers as well as media and trade representatives.

Alongside the exhibition, Megaman also held a series of press and customer events including a press conference, a designer meet and greet, a

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UK - PRG Distribution will be showcasing a wide range of entertainment technology at PLASA Focus next week, including the Philips Vari*Lite VLX, on stand number C18 in the Saviles Hall.

Demonstrations of the Vari*Lite VLX will be available on both days at stand C18 and are a not-to-be missed opportunity to see the VLX up close and personal. On Tuesday 27 demonstrations are at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm or on Wednesday 28th at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.

The stand will also feature other products distributed across the UK, Europe and the Middle East by PRG Distribution including Lycian, Seachanger, Pathway, Nila, Gekko Technology and GDS.

Visitors to the stand will also have the opportunity to enter a free prize draw to win a copy of the Lewis Lee book A Different Light which is a must-have for any lighting professional, wanting a unique and special photographic record of some of t

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Hungary - Loud And Pro has become the first Hungarian rental company to own a Midas PRO6 live audio system, purchasing two for its fast-growing PA inventory. Loud And Pro, which started life 10 years ago, is now the biggest backline supplier in the country, and has diversified into PA hire.

"We have a small PA system at the moment but it was time to upgrade," says Loud And Pro's sales and marketing manager Levente Csecsi. "We contacted many Hungarian distributors including Midas distributor Bluesound, who suggested we try a PRO6 and invited us for a demo. It wasn't hard to convince our boss. We bought two, enabling us to provide a dual FOH/monitor system. We'll be mainly using them for festivals, for open-air stadium gigs, arena concerts etc."

CEO Thomas Balog has long been an admirer of Midas consoles, and was delighted when the PRO6 was launched, finding

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Australia - Situated on the scenic Central Coast in Gosford, Bluetongue Stadium has earned a reputation as one of Australia's most picturesque venues.

With a total capacity of 20,059, Bluetongue Stadium has played host to many major events. These include International Rugby Union, National Rugby League and National A-League Football matches, branching out to boxing, motorcross and open-air rock concerts as well as a multitude of local sporting and community events.

The construction of Bluetongue Stadium was completed in February 2000, bringing to Gosford a premier multifunctional facility overlooking the beautiful Brisbane Waters. The speaker system installed at that time had been adversely affected by the salt air.

"Some of the speakers weren't working because their components had been corroded," explained Chris Fanning, director of Newcastle-based A1 Audio & Ligh

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