UK - HSL supplied lighting, LED screens, rigging, staging, structures and power for the Sainsbury's UK Schools Games Opening Ceremony at Gateshead International Stadium. The Blackburn-based company was working for show production company Fast Track Events and also for Modular Projects who together delivered the show for end clients, the UK Youth Sport Trust. The ceremony was hosted by BBC Sports presenter Jill Douglas

HSL's Mike Docksey co-ordinated a masterpiece of planning which ensured that everything ran like clockwork on site, with Howard Dean production managing HSL's crew and liaising closely with show producer, Fast Track's Bob Caple.

Says Docksey, "This was a real team effort from all angles, requiring a lot of transparent and lucid communications. It was a pleasur

UK - Positioned as the digital mixing solution for all sizes of sound company or user, the new Soundcraft Si Compact Series is billed as "a power-packed range of digital consoles that brings all the experience of Soundcraft's digital mixing platforms to a very affordable price level for tour sound, corporate event, house of worship and theatre applications, amongst others".

With full DSP functionality built-in to a small-footprint chassis, the Si Compact provides up to 40 inputs to mix in three frame sizes, the smallest of which is also rack-mountable. Motorized faders with Soundcraft FaderGlow operate on two layers, but the main difference from similarly priced mixers is the provision of a full encoder set for all the functions on a channel, from input gain through EQ and dynamics to bus controls, says the company.

Drawing on its bigger brothers; Soundcraft's Si Ser

UK - TC Group International has announced the appointment of John Hornby Skewes & Co. as UK & ROI sub-distributors of Tannoy's VQ Live touring PA system.

JHS takes on responsibility for driving sales and promotion of the recently launched VQ Live range from 1 September.

"Since introducing VQ Live to the market earlier last year, Tannoy has, for the first time perhaps, a dedicated high-performance PA solution specifically aimed at live sound applications and we've been extremely encouraged and enthused by the early feedback," says Miguel Hadelich, TCGI's VP international sales (touring). "It's clear that there's real potential with this system, particularly in the small and medium scale live music and corporate AV sectors, sectors where the benefits of VQ Live offer real advantage to hire companies."

TCGI UK sales manager (touring), Simeon Ludwell adds, &q

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

UK - Line 6, Inc., an industry leader in digital modeling technology for music production, is currently showcasing its new XD-V digital wireless microphone systems at PLASA 2010.

Line 6 digital wireless microphone systems offer a simple and effective alternative to conventional core TV band UHF wireless systems. XD-V systems operate in the 2.4GHz band, which permits worldwide license-free operation while delivering future-proof solutions from any further re-allocation of the core UHF spectrum to the pro audio user.

"Since its release, Line 6 digital wireless technology has received unanimous praise for its unmatched performance, simplicity and sound," remarks Simon Jones, vice president of new market development at Line 6. "PLASA 2010 is the perfect venue to bring this new, advanced technology and simple user experience directly to a key audience of audio profes

UK - Why look at a loudspeaker when you can listen to one, that's the message once again being sent out by Duran Audio at this year's PLASA Show. For the second year running, Duran Audio will have a demo room at PLASA where potential customers can listen to the products and discuss their merits with members of the Duran Audio team.

The company will be demonstrating products from its Scope, Source and Flex ranges. In addition to this, the flagship Intellivox products and the new range of Beam Shaping Subwoofers, which take low frequency control to another level, will also be on show.

A few surprises are in store for visitors to the demo room with Duran promising to launch three new products at the show.

The AXYS demo room is in the Westminster Suite, Earls Court 1. Public demos will be held daily at 12 noon and 4pm. Private listening sessions are also available by appointment

UK - LumenRadio, a leader in wireless lighting control technology, releases support for RDM over Art-Net in all CRMX RDM transmitters at PLASA this year.

"Our CRMX wireless products already supported all the common entertainment lighting protocols: DMX, RDM, ArtNet I & II, Streaming ACN (draft & standard), ETCNet 2 & 3, Strand ShowNet, and Pathport. We are now taking it a step further by adding support for RDM over Art-Net. This means that we now have extended the bi-directionality of RDM into the Ethernet domain with the obvious advantages that has for networked connectivity on the controller side", explains Niclas Norlén CTO of LumenRadio.

All CRMX hardware is designed to last for "a life time" in the most demanding applications, including professional production and touring environments. The hardware longevity is paired with an extensive ongoing s

UK - PLASA2010 sees the European launch of Yamaha's DSR series, a new range of active loudspeakers. Being shown on Yamaha's stand 1-G31, the DSR series takes full advantage of Yamaha's expertise of many years as one of the world's leading pro audio manufacturers, says the company.

Comprising the DSR112, DSR115, DSR215 and DSR118W, all feature a Yamaha-designed Class D power amplifier and D-Contour multi-band dynamic processing, which provides intelligent dynamic control and ensures consistent clarity at both high and low output levels.

The new amps allow the DSR112, DSR115 and DSR215 to deliver 1300w of crystal clear audio, with the DSR118W providing 800w of sub-bass punch. The amplifiers include a PFC switching mode power supply, while the power supply, amplifiers and transducers are continuously monitored with the latest DSP protection technology.

All models also feature i

UK - Hot on the wheels of this year's highly successful, inaugural First Night Riders' (FNR) sponsored motorbike ride, comes the announcement of the next exciting, high octane adventure.

Having already raised £10,000 for The Theatrical Guild (TTG), many of this year's participants, along with some new bikers from the industry, will trade their blacks and hard hats for leathers and helmets and hit the open road. Riders will boldly go where no First Night Rider has been before, as they visit even more of the UK's most significant and historic theatres and opera houses.

The 2011 ride will depart from the National Theatre on Saturday 18June 2011, and finish on Friday 24 June. The exact route and places FNRs will visit will be confirmed later in the year.

Lending their support to the cause are familiar faces from stage and screen including: Peter Benson, James Fleet, Cyril

UK - Five years after introducing HiQnet, Harman Professional continues to invest in the widely-used AV networking toolset.

Now, with over 500,000 HiQnet components in the field and a user community of over 35,000 AV professionals, Harman Professional's System Development & Integration Group (SDIG) is debuting HiQnet System Architect version 2.2 at PLASA 2010, representing a significant step forward in the new design paradigms introduced with version 2.0.

According to Adam Holladay, senior market manager, Harman Professional System Development & Integration Group, the newest iteration of System Architect is at once evolutionary and revolutionary: "System Architect version 2.2 is a strong, positive evolution of the design capabilities and user interface introduced in version 2.0 but also a great leap forward in its monitoring and control functionality," Holladay noted

UK - AKG is introducing the Perception Wireless System at PLASA 2010. The new wireless microphone system comes complete with bandwidths up to 30 MHz and low-current transmitters.

The Perception Wireless is designed to accommodate musicians and entry-level audio technicians, although it has the capabilities to handle even the most difficult audio setups with up to 8 channels per band, says the company.

The Perception Wireless Series consists of a Vocal Set, with the handheld transmitter HT 45 featuring a dynamic cardioid capsule; the Instrumental Set, which comes with the pocket transmitter PT 45 plus instrument cable; the Sports Set with the pocket transmitter as well as a C 544 head-worn microphone; and a presenter set, complete with the PT 45 and a CK 99 L lavaliere microphone. All sets include the stationary receiver SR 45, a single AA battery and a switched mode power supp

UK - Allen & Heath and Audinate are showing a Dante networking audio interface card for the iLive digital mixing series at PLASA 2010.

The Dante audio interface card allows iLive systems to work with Audinate's Dante audio networking solution, providing capacity for 64x64 bi-directional audio with full network redundancy. iLive MixRacks and modular surfaces with the RAB2 module can be fitted with the new slot-in card. A Dante Virtual Soundcard license will be included with purchases of the card, turning a PC or Mac into a Dante enabled device.

"We know from our customers that there are many iLive users who want to be able to integrate with Dante," stated Glenn Rogers, managing director of Allen & Heath. "We have been pleased to work with Audinate in the development of their new 64 channel module, which will provide a great solution. The new audio interface ca

UK - PLASA 2010 sees UK audio distributor SCV London showing products from Sony Pro Audio, a new line for the Essex-based distributor, Audix, Turbosound and Fostex.

On display are Sony's UWP and DWX systems, the latter being its definitive Channel 38 solution, which will help to ease its customers' upgrade path in advance of the frequency switchover scheduled for 2012.

DWX (digital wireless microphone) systems will now be sold with modification packages in order to safeguard audio investments in the run up to Channel 38 switch-over. In addition to this, an optional upgrade path will be made available on Sony's WL series analogue wireless microphones.

This announcement coincides with the launch of two new products in the DWX range of digital wireless audio solutions, both of which are being shown at PLASA: the DWR-R01D dual-channel rackmount receiver and DWM-01 integrated han

UK - North Wales-based ETASound has extended its long relationship with the Harman Pro brands by investing heavily in JBL VerTec, Crown VRACK amplifiers and Soundcraft's new Vi1 compact digital desk.

The large order - placed with Harman Pro's UK & Ireland distributors, Sound Technology Ltd - comes at the end of a hectic 12 months during which the company's founder Eddie Thomas has supplied many events at the O2 Arena (from his secondary base in London), completed six major voice alarm projects in London and Burnley FC's Turf Moor stadium.

It was to replace their VerTec VT4888DPAN compact line array enclosures and VT4880 subs, which are now permanently domiciled in South Africa, that ETASound placed an initial order for 16 x JBL VerTec VT4889 three-way line array enclosures.

"We expect to add more VerTec later in the year," confirmed Thomas. "The decision to go

UK - After a record breaking 2000 visitor registrations in the final week alone, the opening day at Earls Court on Sunday 12 September has been packed with activity, as over 350 companies launch more than 500 new products.

A major strength this year has been the return of several leading audio brands and over 60 new exhibitors overall, including Ateis, Avid, Baldwin Boxall, Bosch, Bose, EAW, Electro-Voice, Intertek, Korg, Mackie, Martin Audio, Penton, and SCV/ Turbosound, as well as over 250 loyal exhibitors.

In one of the show's numerous innovations for 2010, visitors were able to watch the PLASA Awards for Innovation judges assess this year's exciting nominations in a series of live presentations on the interactive Innovation Gallery at the entrance to Earls Court 2.

Video of those presentations will be screened in the Innovations Gallery throughout the show, allowing othe

UK - The new Han-Eco series from Harting is a range of lightweight rugged plastic IP65 connector hoods and housings which are suited to the requirements of theatre and concert tour operators.

The new devices can help to minimise the weight of flight-case or light-bar mounted lighting dimmers as well as truss-mounted hoist controllers and automation systems for theatre and concert touring, says the company.

Key features of the Han-Eco Series include inserts that accommodate tool-free, snap-in, rear-mounting modules from Harting's Han-Modular series fitting into front or rear mounting adaptor frames. The extensive range of modules available provides a high degree of flexibility by allowing connectors to be assembled to handle data, control, power, fibre-optic, coaxial and pneumatic signals. A separate PE module provides the necessary full grounding and finger-safe user protectio

UK - Orbital Sound has a series of PLASA firsts lined up. These include the latest products from d&b audiotechnik - the keenly awaited E6 loudspeaker, and the new PLASA 2010 Innovation Award-winning B4-SUB - as well as the latest range of Da-Cappo Micro Microphones, and Zaxcom's recently-announced TRX900LT digital wireless audio transmitter, which offers operation on Channel 38 and adjacent bands.

An innovative new concept in 24/7 hire services is also making its debut: Orbital is launching its easiHire online hire product selection, estimation and quotation tool at PLASA, designed to make researching and selecting hire equipment easier and more convenient.

The full product line-up on Orbital's stand comprises loudspeakers from d&b audiotechnik, Da-Cappo Micro Microphones, CSC3 Show Control Software, HM Electronics Digital Wireless Intercoms and digital wireless microphone sys

UK - Fred Foster, Chief Executive Officer of ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.), and one of the best known designers and developers in the industry, was confirmed last night as the fourth winner of the prestigious Gottelier Award, presented at the PLASA Awards for Innovation at Earls Court on the second night of PLASA 2010. The Award was voted for by readers of www.lsionline.com.

Foster started ETC in 1975 with the goal of installing the first memory lighting-control system in the New York Metropolitan Opera House. During his time he has developed a wide range of innovative products including Mega-Cue, perhaps the first console to utilise digital multiplexed data over two conductors between the desk and dimmers; the Concept console that led to the Expression / Express line of control desks; the Obsession Console and the Sensor Dimming System.

He contributed to the design

UK - Midas has launched the VeniceF, a new 'digi-log' ultra-compact mixing console designed by Alex Cooper, complete with FireWire multi-channel digital audio interface, XL3 EQ and Propellerhead recording and processing trial software bundle. The VeniceF can be seen on Stand 1-F19 at PLASA 2010.

The VeniceF is the first all-new Midas product to be unveiled following the Music Group's acquisition of Midas Klark Teknik. It features the full functionality and sound quality of the Midas XL3 EQ and filter section, Midas mic preamps, 100mm faders, increased channel and input count, a dual 7x2 matrix and a reorganised master section layout.

The VeniceF's 32x32 FireWire capability adds 32 channels of multitrack recording and playback (VeniceF 320) using any suitable FireWire-equipped computer, without the need for additional costly interfaces. This also offers the possibility of virtu

UK - Winners of the 2010 PLASA Awards for Innovation, and the 2010 Gottelier Award, were announced yesterday evening in a special presentation at PLASA 2010 in Earls Court, London - after a hotly contested nomination process that saw 62 products entered and six contenders for the Gottelier Award.

The Awards for Innovation, for the first time, were judged 'live' at the Innovation Gallery by an independent panel of 16 expert judges, in front of show visitors and a camera team on Sunday 12 September. Show visitors are able to watch the judging process replayed on large screens in the interactive Innovation Gallery for the rest of the show.

Seven Awards for Innovation and one Gold Award were presented by PLASA CEO Matthew Griffiths, while ETC founder Fred Foster was honoured with this year's Gottelier Award in recognition of his work on such legendary products including the compan

Help For Heroes - Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow have performed live together for the first time in 15 years. The Take That pair, who announced this year they were working together again, performed their new single Shame at a Help For Heroes concert in London.

Earlier, Barlow and Williams said: "It's great that people like Shame so much and we can't wait to perform it live for the first time." Also in the line-up were Tom Jones, Alexandra Burke and Pixie Lott. The concert, which took place at Twickenham Stadium also featured comic talent including Bruce Forsyth, Peter Kay, Michael McIntyre and Jack Dee.

Some 60,000 people were at the event - including 150 personnel injured in combat who attended the show free of charge. Proceeds will go to the Help For Heroes charity, which raises funds for wounded troops and their families.

In The Courts - An attemp

UK - Optocore has created new firmware for its DD4ME MADI network device to allow consoles from Digidesign, a subsidiary of Avid Technology, to operate on its network.

The new firmware enables the coaxial (BNC) ports to function not as MADI, but as Digidesign Venue's proprietary coaxial digital snake.

"With this release, Digidesign's Venue consoles and stage racks can be connected via a DD4ME to the Optocore network," states Optocore founder, Marc Brunke. "The audio flowing between the Stage Rack and Console (or vice versa) can be output via other Optocore devices in the network, thus enabling networking functionality to Digidesign products."

Several consoles and racks can be placed on the same network, and an unlimited number of splits of any input channel are possible.

(Jim Evans)

Latest Issue. . .