Chile - To establish a thorough communications infrastructure at the 52nd Viña del Mar Song Festival in Chile, the organiser used a comprehensive system combining wired and wireless communications equipment from Riedel Communications. Riedel, one of the leading manufacturers of real-time networks for video, audio and communication, installed a system comprising Artist digital matrix intercom, Performer digital partyline and Acrobat wireless intercom.

The Viña del Mar Song Festival is one of the largest music events in Latin America spanning several days and attracting more than 15,000 visitors each day. Besides the two competitions for best international song and best international folk song, wildly renowned artist play the festival every year such as Nelly Furtado or Simply Red

Describing it as 'the future of lighting control', TMB's stand will showcase the new LumenRadio CRMX Nova Flex and Outdoor Flex. Any Flex unit can be configured as a DMX transmitter or receiver with RDM.

CRMX stands for Cognitive Radio Multiplexer and is, says TMB, the first automated and adaptive wireless technology specifically developed for the lighting industry.

Standard features include Automated Cognitive Coexistence for zero interference; fail-safe error correction through triple packet redundancy; guaranteed 5ms response time for precise synchronisation of all control data; and unique 128-bit encryption for security.

The model range includes Nova models that support 1-2 universes of DMX, RDM, and Ethernet protocols sACN, Art-Net, ETCNet, Pathport, and ShowNet; outdoor models that support 1 universe of all the above protocols above, plus DALI; Nova Flex models, configurable

UK - Sound designers Jon Higson and Ross Portway recently specified an AXYS Scope system for the UK Productions production of Cinderella , the Bournemouth Pavilion pantomime. The venue itself is a challenge for theatre sound designers as it does not have the most friendly acoustics, but Higson and Portway combined their experience and got "a fairy tale ending" with the AXYS system.

"Ross and I had been looking for an opportunity to use the Scope system for a while and Bournemouth pantomime proved to be a great time to put the system to the test." commented Jon Higson. "We designed the system as a stalls and circle pair (of AXYS Scope T2115) with a split L/R centre-fill for the stalls. The AXYS B-121 Subs (21" subwoofers with built in amplification and DSP) were stacked two per side in the stalls left and right.

"The system performed fl

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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

France - Christophe Genix is one of France's best known monitor engineers whose career spans more than two decades. A specialist in in-ear monitoring, he has worked with international stars such as Cesaria Evora, Sinead O'Connor and Ismael Lo, and the top French names including Indochine, Pascal Obispo, Renaud and Claude Nougaro amongst many others, and currently, a young French folk rock group who sing in English, Yodelice.

Thanks to Christophe Genix, Yodelice is now touring with a full complement of DX15 stage monitors. At their recent sold-out date at the Parisian venue, the Olympia, Genix made use of no less than 14 DX15s as well as an APG TB118S sub for drum-fill. He took the decision to specify DX15 after a meeting at the JTSE show in Paris last November which resulted in a demo of the new DX Series monitor speakers from APG. "It only took me a few minutes to decide

South Africa - The international award winning Broadway musical Dreamgirls, produced by Hazel Feldman of Showtime Management recently opened at the Teatro at Montecasino, Johannesburg and moves to Artscape, Cape Town in June.

Alistair Kilbee, managing director at Gearhouse Splitbeam reports, "The Lighting rig came from White Light in the UK , and they have a very good reputation and have worked with Showtime Management before on other productions. Bringing equipment in for a production is always tricky, but it is all about back-up at the end of the day. As Splitbeam is handling the technical management of the production, it makes things a bit easier and through our relationship with DWR we keep all the equipment working.

"White Light have been very professional and have supplied a number of spare units and also have sent parts as and when needed. With a lighti

Germany - Robe lighting will launch five new products at the 2011 Prolight + Sound exhibition in Frankfurt. Additionally, the company will again be highlighting the importance of enhanced environmental sustainability, with its Think of the Future - Consider Nature green initiative. This underlines the company's long term commitment to reducing environmental impact, and a special booth in the foyer of Hall 11 - C91 - will further showcase Robe's latest green and white technologies.

The new RobinMMX Spot is the first in a new generation of 1200 Series fixtures offering a neater, smaller, lighter and brighter more energy efficient package; the Robin 300 LEDWash is the smaller version of the best-selling 600 LEDWash; the Robin 600 PureWhite is a warm, cold and smart white light version of the successful 600 LEDWash RGBW specifically for studio environments, and the DigitalSpo

UK / Germany - DiGiCo has announced the adoption of Audinate's Dante digital networking solution and the launch of two new Dante implemented products at this year's Prolight+Sound.

"The first, an eight channel I/O module for the SD-Rack, is something we believe the industry would expect from DiGiCo," says managing director James Gordon. "The module allows our users to drop audio on and off a Dante network for connection to system control, amplifiers and general audio networks.

"The second is a little more unexpected and comes from our Solutions Division in the shape of Dante DMI (DiGiCo Multichannel Interface) card."

The Dante DMI card can be added to either a D-Rack or SD-Rack and allows the user to connect the I/O rack, via CAT5, to a standard PC or MAC.

Using the newly released DiGiCo-Control software, the user can control all the functions of t

Germany - The multi-functional LD UA1 from LD premium is a multiple sound solution equipped with two 12" (Low/Mid) drivers plus 1.4" HF compression driver and a 10" coaxial-type speaker on the angled end of the cabinet.

The multi-angle FOH speaker system offers power handling of 950 W rms. It is suitable for use as a full-range solution for all voice and music applications in large arenas, amphitheatres, stadiums and sport halls, with eight UA1 units covering an area of 360°.

In addition, the LD UNO array matches up with the V-218B 2 × 18" (1.6 kW) and VA-PS215 2 × 15" bandpass subwoofers for a more dynamic sub-bass. The uniquely-designed cabinets are made of multiplex ply and have DuraCoat LX coating, helping them stand up to the tough daily demands of touring and live applications.

According to Andrew Richardson, Managing Director of Adam Hal

Germany - For the first time, Robert Juliat's ProLight&Sound stand (D74, Hall 11.0) will be lit with a predominance of low energy products from the company, including the award-winning Aledin 630 LED Profile spot which offers a choice of warm or cool LED light sources.

To complement the Aledin Profile, Robert Juliat will be launching the Aledin 330 LED Wash, the new, variable beam angle, LED washlight.

Aledin 330 Wash offers a choice of two colour temperatures (3500K or 5800K), a flicker-free, integrated, dimmable electronic ballast, a beam angle range from 20° - 98° and a 200mm Fresnel lens for maximum light output. Together with the Aledin Profile, the Aledin Wash provides the perfect low energy, high quality lighting solution.

Robert Juliat's LED capabilities are also extended to its followspot range: the Aledin LED followspot is an adaptation of the 575W MSD Buxi

UK - Canford Group has announced the appointment of Leif Friestad to head the company from March following the retirement of Charles Kennedy who has held the post for more than 10 years.

Friestad comes from United Technologies Corporation where he was responsible for a number of activities; business integration, operational productivity and efficiency working with brands such as Chubb, Sikorsky, Otis and Pratt and Whitney. Prior to that he held senior management roles with Johnson Controls and Lapp Group.

Canford chairman Hugh Morgan Williams comments: "I am delighted that Leif is to join the company as chief executive. He brings great expertise from a cross-section of electronic industries and a wealth of international experience at a time when the company is focused on developing its brands and growing in both domestic and international export markets. Leif's track reco

UK - Showsec's ongoing expansion, across England, Scotland and Wales, has meant that the internal structure has progressed from two to three regions. Breaking these down to Northern, Midlands and Southern regions "will allow the company to better support client services throughout the country, and to allow further expansion into 2012".

The newly created Midlands region will be managed by Richard Church who has worked for the company for 16years. Ieuan Fury moves from his post in Wales to become the area manager for the West Midlands, whilst Joe Milner takes the step up from senior operations executive to role of area manager for the East Midlands.

Replacing Fury in the Wales and South West office will be Martin Lewis who moves up from operations executive. Martin previously was part of Showsec's Management Training Academy and becomes the first graduate to be promote

USA - All Access Staging & Productions, a consortium of companies, has announced the addition of Brian Sullivan, who joins All Access from B & R Scenery, to work as a consultant and engineer. Sullivan has years of invaluable industry experience after owning and operating B & R for over a decade.

"We look forward to a successful future with our new business associate and are eager to expand our staging effect product offerings," notes Clive Forrester, CEO of All Access. "We are delighted to have him as a member of the All Access family."

In addition, All Access has acquired equipment previously operated by B & R Scenery, which includes a wide selection of electro-mechanical lifts and effects.

B & R Scenery will be winding down its Camarillo operation within the next two to three months.

(Lee Baldock)

To help architects and system designers and installers meet the ever increasing demand for new technology in broadcast, theatre and professional AV environments, Neutrik's OpticalCON - launching at PLASA Focus: Leeds 2011 - offers an industry standard solution to installing digital infrastructure without the megabucks price tag. Neutrik OpticalCON is a solution for any number of different fiber optic applications, from video for TV Studios and outside broadcast to theatre sound and DMX lighting control.

Neutrik says its reputation for high-quality connector products is reflected in OpticalCON as a flexible, robust and reliable product. For applications requiring high-end copper-based data solutions, the Neutrik Ethercon CAT6 connectivity solution could be the answer.

PLASA FOCUS S-B11

Health and Safety requirements can seem overwhelming, especially in an industry going through an intense process of standardisation. Harry Box of UK Rigging and Chris Higgs of Total Solutions Group know a thing or two about the issues that riggers face on a day to day basis. "The current trend seems to be in trying to establish who is actually in charge and who is going to be held responsible should anything go wrong," comments Chris. "Typically people in this industry are genuinely concerned with working safely and have done so for years - we just don't like being told what to do!"

Working in the rigging industry means keeping abreast of current thinking and responding to the changes. One of the best ways to do this is to lead the discussion. "The National Rigging Certificate is helping us all raise standards and having a positive effect on riggers, employers

Blakley Electrics Limited, an ISO 9001:2008 accredited manufacturer of high performance power products for temporary and permanent installations, will show its latest products specifically aimed at the outdoor event film & TV market at PLASA Focus: Leeds 2011. Products are manufactured to customers' specification as well as sold from stock, and the company's markets in the UK and around the world include construction, industrial, military, special applications, and outdoor events. Customers include MOD, Network Rail, major construction and industrial companies, electrical contractors as well as event, film & TV companies.

Products include switchgear rated from 100A to 3000A, CT Chambers, AFM Panels, Power Clusters, Transformers, Socket Assemblies, Pillars, Halogen and cool running Low Energy Lighting systems.

PLASA FOCUS RA-A6

Rope Assemblies Ltd will be showing its Tailored Woven Round Slings and Soft Steels, which are now available displaying a customer's name or logo, at a price premium of just 10% over the 'unbranded' price.

The company says these are ideal for "those wanting corporate identity or where traceability and security is a priority", and emphasises the importance of carrying your brand logo. The woven logos, it adds, are bold and effective and are designed to be long-lasting through frequent exposure to all the elements.

Branding is available for 2t Round Sling, Soft Steels or sleeve only, and in a minimum order of 3000 metres over a 12 month period. The lead time, initially one month, reduces to five days thereafter. Logos are available in a single colour, and colour swatches can be provided.

PLASA FOCUS RA-D5

OHM(UK)LTD will be hosting the UK launch of two new stage monitors at PLASA Focus: Leeds 2011.

The HD-MX15 is a 600 W coaxial 15" + 1" neodymium driver in unique convex shape cabinet. This low profile cabinet has 30 degree slope angle and its extremely light weight.

Designed for high performance in confined areas and small stages it is eminently suitable for television studios, theatres and houses of worship. The HD-MX12 is a 500 W coaxial 12" + 1" version with the same low profile shape.

PLASA FOCUS RA-17

Prism Sound and SADiE's high end audio recording and editing equipment will be on show at PLASA Focus: Leeds 2011, including the company's range of SADiE 6 LiVE branded systems which are essentially hardware multi-track recorders consisting of a SADiE hardware unit and dedicated multitrack recorder software. The full SADiE software and modules can be added, turning these into full editing systems.

Additional important features include the ability to make mirrored recordings on two hard-disks providing a simultaneous safety copy, high track counts, and the ability to connect to consoles via MADI, MADI-X, AES-3 or analogue connections.

There are three platforms for the SADiE 6 LiVE system, each of which can be configured with a range of I/O cards. On show at PLASA Focus will be the LRX2 LiVE Multichannel location workstation, which includes 64 channel DSP, a hardware front panel with m

dBTechnologies is to launch several new products at PLASA Focus: Leeds 2011. Visitors to the Italian acoustic specialist's stand will be introduced to three new Flexsys stage monitors, the FM8, FM10 and FM12.

dBTechnologies says the new Flexsys range offers tailored monitoring solutions using innovative technologies. Each of the active coaxial speakers is housed in a compact multifunctional enclosure, which can be tilted at two different angles for accurate sound-to-audience alignment. Designed to deliver extraordinary sound quality, the FM Series been engineered for precise directivity and uniform throw patterns, providing the same satisfying audio experience at every listening position, with a surprising resistance to feedback.

The FM8 is designed for small stages, and equipped with an 8" woofer and as such is the ideal ultra-compact monitor for speech and vocals. The FM10 use

UK - Transformation and Revelation: UK Design for Performance is an exhibition featuring the work of over 200 designers involved in all aspects of theatre design, from costume to scenography, lighting and sound. The exhibition, which runs from 18 March to 16 April - is currently being held in the stunning new building at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Curated by Karen Lauke, senior lecturer in sound design at Edge Hill University, the Sound Booth presents work from some of the UK's top sound designers whilst also opening up the opportunity for up and coming sound designers to showcase examples of their work.

The intention of the exhibition is to draw people's attention to sound design whilst also illustrating some of the processes involved when working in sound design, with production notes and presentations from John Leonard's recent production of The M

UK - Blackburn- based HSL continued its mega busy start to the year supplying lighting equipment and crew for Alexandra Burke's All Night Long UK tour for Production North.

It was Burke's first solo headline tour, for which the lighting design was created by Phil Wiffin. Together with special video content made by Helena Spencer, choreography by Sisco Gomez and Burke's highly energetic performance, the show was a slick cocktail of entertainment encompassing a variety of styles and genres from urban to pop.

HSL's project manager Mike Oates says, "It was good to be working with Production North again. The show looked great, and Production North produced a brilliant result with real diversity and value which was flexible and adaptable to fit into the range of venues on the itinerary."

Dominic Crookes was out on the road operating the show, working with HSL tech

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