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UK - Chauvet will debut two new fixtures at PLASA 2010: COLORdash Accent UV and COLORdash Accent VW. These complement the existing COLORdash Accent fixture creating a family of high-powered LED lights which are billed as 'small in size, but big on performance'.

"The COLORdash Accent is massively well received," said Michael Brooksbank, sales manager for Chauvet UK. "They're perfect for shop displays, museums, restaurants - the possibilities are nearly endless. Plus, the on-board driver and dipswitches make for 'plug & play' application without need for programming."

The COLORdash Accent family features seven high-power, 1-watt LEDs. Their cast aluminum housing helps dissipate heat. Its compact size, measuring 174 mm x 108 mm and weighing 0.6 kg, makes them di

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USA - The 2010 International DJ Expo takes place in Atlantic City on16-19 August 16 - 19 at the Trump Taj Mahal Hotel and Casino. American DJ and American Audio will be featured guests at this gathering, as they get set to showcase all-new products, including the long-awaited International debuts of "several never-before-seen lighting effects".

On the audio front, the show marks the first time the American Audio VMS4 arrives on the market. This versatile four-channel 'MIDILOG' controller fuses both MIDI and analogue audio control into one sleek unit. Billed as "the ultimate DJ performance tool," the VMS4 can be used with either a PC or MAC. If the computer crashes, it will kick into analogue mode, where CD players or turntables may be used, or a DJ can use an external power supply. The unit can also be personalised with the option of customised skins.

The 2

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USA - Chaos Visual Productions is video contractor for Tom Petty and the Heartbreaker's 2010, North American Mojo Tour, which his promoting the band's album of the same name. The tour kicked off in Raliegh, NC in May and will cover the US and Canada through the summer.

Chaos worked with Petty's long-time lighting designer, Jim Lenahan, to come up with six 8mm Winvision walls, which flew on a downstage, curved truss, that gently embraced the band. There is also a Sony Camera package of four D50 cameras and five BRC 300 robo cams, all switch through three Encore processors, using a Control Freak Interface.

"After working with Jim for many years, I expected this design would be top notch, and he didn't disappoint," says Chaos' president, John Wiseman.

(Jim Evans)

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 - White Light has been appointed as lighting supplier to the new live production of The Railway Children, adapted from the classic 1970 film and E Nesbit's original 1906 novel, staged within the abandoned Eurostar terminal at London's Waterloo Station, and featuring a real steam locomotive.

The show was originally created by the York Theatre Royal at the National Railway Museum, directed by Damian Cruden, designed by Joanna Scotcher with lighting by Richard G Jones. "I have lit a lot of shows at York over the past ten years, and know Damian Cruden, the artistic director - so when the idea came up for The Railway Children he asked me to be involved, and I was very happy to be part of such an unusual project," Jones recalls of the show, for which he received a nomination in the 2008 TMA Theatre Awards.

In London, the show is presented in a 'black box'

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USA - Richmond, Virginia, is home to some of America's most legendary architecture, including the majestic building that now houses the Science Museum of Virginia. Built in 1917 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the former Broad Street Railway Station is a grand and vast space replete with massive rotunda, soaring domed roof, granite floors and marble walls. It's also an unintentional case study for how not to design an acoustical space.

"I've worked in professional sound for over 30 years, and I don't think I've ever been in a more acoustically challenging room," says Nelson Hoyt of Virginia-based Onyx Engineering. "I think of it as the Taj Mahal's evil twin." Indeed, Hoyt reports that sound in the venue has been an ongoing problem for many years. "If you get 30 or 40 people talking in there, the sound just reverberates and the vol

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Brazil - Drawing thousands of people from across Brazil, the annual Sao Joao Da Bahia festival is an opportunity for tourists and nationals alike to enjoy a wide variety of food, music, dancing, games, and more. Held each June, the festival attracts both regional and nationally recognized musical performers and this year's event was no exception.

Sao Joao Da Bahia 2010 ran from 11 -26 June and included Gilberto Gil, Elba Ramalho, Geraldo Azevedo, Candlebox, Dominguinhos, Leonardo, and Alceu Valenca among the 60 performing artists. A substantial outdoor stage erected for the performers and the sound system consisted of numerous models from the Aero Series catalogue of D.A.S. Audio.

Salvador - Bahia, Brazil-based Arena Áudio Eventos was contracted to provide sound services for the event. Alberto Viana, Managing partner, comments, "This event attracts huge crowds. We had au

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USA - Providing design engineers of LED light engines with the ability to perform the precision testing required for uniform colour temperature and intensity, TT electronics OPTEK Technology's LED lab offers a comprehensive range of services and customized testing capabilities for the design and development of solid-state lighting applications.

Built specifically for the testing and analysis of LED light engines, OPTEK's lab capabilities include 100% colour temperature and/or intensity screening for the tightest binning specifications (CIE colour coordinate testing with a repeatability of .002 with respect to X and Y; intensity testing with an accuracy of ±2%; and wavelength testing with accuracy of ±0.75 nm).

"Our lab's ability to provide screening for LED binning smaller than ANSI standards enables our customers to deliver uniform colour temperature and consistent col

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The Netherlands - - Elation Professional has launched "a major breakthrough in LED colour-mixing" with the introduction of the Color Tone 50. An advanced DMX-controllable LED colour changer for staging, entertainment and architectural applications, the Color Tone 50 utilises the all-new 50-watt Philips Lexel LED module.

Unlike previous RGB LED fixtures that produced colours by combining red, green and blue beams from different LED lamps, all of the Color Tone 50's colour blending is done within its single Philips Lexel module, resulting in superior colours and a whole spectrum of whites that are perfectly even and consistent in tone, says the company. This new technology completely eliminates issues that can sometimes occur with RGB mixing, such as uneven output, discoloration, and "halos" or rings around beam edges.

"This is truly the next big leap fo

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UK - London based event production company DesignScene delivered glitz, glamour, imagination and excitement - including the full creative concept, technical production and the sourcing of artists and performers - for Starstruck, the 2010 Superdrug charity fundraising event, modelled on an X-Factor/Brit Awards/Best of British theme, including a full 'pop star' talent competition.

The event took place at London's Grosvenor House Ballroom. It was attended by 700 top Superdrug personnel and suppliers and raised approx £200,000 for threecharities - Cancer Research UK, Childline and the Teenage Cancer Trust.

DesignScene was working in conjunction with CL Events, who took care of all the administration, sponsorship deals and selling elements.

The event was presented by Justin Lee Collins. It included a full sit down dinner and live auction, with a silent auction

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UK - Glastonbury 2010 saw an impressive seven modular LiteConsoles in action across four stages - including the Pyramid stage.

Kelis, Tinchy Stryder and Simian Mobile Disco were among the names whose stage sets incorporated LiteConsoles. On the Dance Village East stage, Kelis performed with three DJs all using single LiteConsoles. Tinchy Stryder used a single console on the Pyramid stage, while on the Dance Village West stage, double consoles were used by Boys Noize, Nick Warren and Dubfire. On the Glade stage, Way Out West and System 7 also used double format consoles.

LiteConsole's clear presence at this festival heralded the launch of the product becoming commercially available in a modular format. LiteConsole modules comprise just four primary pieces of high-grade easy-to-connect aluminium sections and are designed to house a 50" plasma screen, although this open spac

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Australia - Star Struck is a live three-hour variety spectacular presented by the Hunter Central Coast Region public schools. Held annually at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre, the show features a cast of over 3500 young people.

The 2010 production was lit by Mark Hammer with Bytecraft supplying all of the lighting and crew. The whole floor of the entertainment centre is used for the production, so Hammer needed a lighting system that was versatile and delivered many different looks. A total of 37 VL3000 Profile and 37 VL3500 Wash helped him to do just that.

"The VL3000 Profiles are almost like the industry standard at the moment," comments Hammer. "They're very bright, have a great range of gobos and some great onboard effects. For a production like Star Struck they were ideal as they could give me different looks on the floor. Also, with the VL

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UK - After eight years with Pro Audio Asia and Pro Audio Middle East magazines, industry journalist Tim Goodyer has established an open-agenda international blog for the pro audio and A/V communities - Fast-and-Wide.com.

In addition to relaying the latest pro audio news, and providing access to a selection of technical papers and instructional videos, Fast-and-Wide enables visitors to comment on items, as well as follow through social media including Twitter and YouTube.

With wide-ranging news of international business and equipment announcements, and supporting services in place, Fast-and-Wide will soon host a discussion forum for industry issues and developments.

"I aim to encourage a free exchange of ideas, information and concerns, with the best interests of our industry in mind," Goodyer says. "With the global economy, 'green' initiatives, c

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USA - Scala, a global provider of digital signage and advertising management solutions, has appointed media industry veteran Tom Nix as vice president of American operations. In this role, he will be responsible for overseeing the US, Latin America and Oceania regions.

"Tom has significant experience in proactive business development efforts and growing sales," said Robert Koolen, president of Scala. "With his in-depth knowledge of the signage industry and a proven track record, I am confident that Tom will be a significant contributor to Scala's continued growth."

Prior to joining Scala, Nix was vice president and general manager of Dynamax Technologies. During his tenure, Nix was instrumental in growing the North American operations of the UK-based digital signage software developer.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - XL Video supplied video packages for the three Pyramid Stage headline acts at Glastonbury 2010 - Gorillaz, Muse and Stevie Wonder, account handled by XL director Des Fallon. XL also supplied a PPU and three cameras for the Pyramid Stage in a package co-ordinated for host broadcaster, the Production Network, by XL's Paul Wood. Des Fallon, Lee Spencer and Ian Woodall spent the weekend at the festival to ensure everything ran smoothly on site.

The 97mof PIXLED F11 screen was a prominent piece of stage architecture for the Gorillaz show which features the visuals of co-collaborator Jamie Hewlett. The high resolution screen was configured in 16:9 format, 13.2 metres wide, with XL also supplying VVTR playback decks and a Barco Encore screen management system operated by Richard Turner.

Muse is another account that's been serviced by XL since 2001 - and they took their festival

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China - DPA Microhones has supplied some 4023 compact cardioids and 4028 compact wide cardioids to the Nordic Lighthouse, a Scandinavian consortium taking part in the Shanghai Expo 2010. The mics, along with flamingo and table stand solutions, are being used for Nordic Lighthouse's conferences.

More than 60 companies representing Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Iceland, as well as sponsors, are participating in the Nordic Lighthouse to promote market opportunities for Scandinavian companies in Asia. The consortium is housed in a three storey converted warehouse lit up like a beacon to reflect its name.

Among the speakers using the DPA mics was His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, who visited the Expo to present some speeches at a Sino-Danish business conference.

"Given our presence in the Chinese market, and as a manufacture of professional micropho

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Germany - tarm Showlaser GmbH has moved to new and expanded premises at Berthastrasse 6, D-44793 Bochum, Germany. Tel. +49 234 5793700.

The new building features modern and enlarged offices, production studios, and storage-facilities.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - Summit Steel has just completed one of its busiest phases at The O2 arena in London, where the Kent based company provides the venue's in-house rigging services.

The all-action schedule included a 12-night residency by Bon Jovi and shows by Leona Lewis, Aerosmith, Rod Stewart, George Benson & Marti Pellow and Al Green & Michael McDonald, with the real logistics-twister presented by the dates for Leona Lewis's four shows and Aerosmith's one, all dotted within Bon Jovi's run. Leona's show entailed four separate ins and outs - three of them either side of Bon Jovi's, with Aerosmith slotted right in the middle of both of these.

In the Summit office, the technical requirements and logistics for the busy contract are co-ordinated by project manager Simon Frost and administrator Kate Parsons.

The Bon Jovi show was the most complex in terms of rigging, involving 117 points - 33

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Finland / USA - Engineering and consulting firm FUNA International, has outfitted Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas cruise ship with a multitude of BSS Audio Soundweb London processing devices. FUNA has deployed Soundweb London devices extensively in various projects throughout the past eight years, including the last four new cruise ships built out of its Turku, Finland manufacturing facility.

The ship's audio system, covering everything from background music, acrobatic, musical and comedic entertainment, is handled by 29 Soundweb London BLU-800 and 21 BLU-120 devices, with BLU-10 programmable touch screen remotes for local control outfitted throughout the ship as well.

"As BSS Audio signal processors have continued to become more advanced in their ability to provide comprehensive system networking and control, we have been able to use them in more complex and larger a

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Australia - After 30 years of entertaining the locals, The Ford Theatre at the Geelong Performing Arts Centre (GPAC) recently underwent an extensive makeover thanks to a $3 million grant from Arts Victoria. The theatre re-opened recently as The Playhouse a modern 797 seat venue.

One of the key design concepts was to make the venue much more attractive on the eye than it had been previously. Studio 101 Architects took the dated auditorium and transformed it into a stylish and modern-looking venue, through a combination of green upholstered seats with walnut timber frames, padded rear auditorium walls that accentuate the green of the seats and reference the red of the new house curtain, which is all complemented by a fashionable lighting design.

Lighting design consultancy Electrolight was contracted by Arts Victoria for the architectural lighting design of the auditorium. The r

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Australia - In an effort to embrace green technology, The Videoplus Group has been researching more environmentally friendly light sources and this lead to them recently trialling the new Vari*lite VLX LED wash light.

Two of the Vari*lite VLX fixtures were utilised on the Breast Cancer Awareness Gala Dinner hosted by Olivia Newton John and held at Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast. The VLX supplied general room wash and effect as well as stage lighting for acts such as James Blundell.

"We're actively trying to become a greener company," remarked James Dee, regional manager Queensland for The Videoplus Group. "The new Varilite VLX moving wash was very impressive. They deliver such richness and variety of colours in the LED - in fact the colour rendering is spectacular, also through the colour correction and skin tone."

Dee adds, "The smooth operation

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UK - Mark Knopfler's Get Lucky tour marks the first time video has ever been incorporated into his performance, projected courtesy of four Robe DigitalSpot 7000DTs.

The DigitalSpots were specified by lighting designer Simon Tutchener, who has been working with Knopfler since 2002 and completed his first major tour with him in 2005.

Tutchener specifically wanted a neat, tourable, flexible lightweight video solution that would integrate seamlessly - both physically and creatively - with the lighting.

The four units are rigged on the front lighting truss. They are soft-edged together and project one large image onto a 26ft wide by 16ft deep video screen hung on the back truss, which is covered by a pair of starcloth curtains for most of the show. They are controlled via ArtNet protocol over Ethernet from Tutchener's grandMA lighting console.

The video clips are all sto

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