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UK - XL Events supplied LED screen for the UK premiere of Iron Man 3 - the latest installment of the blockbuster Paramount Pictures and Marvel Enterprises franchise - at an event staged in London's Leicester Square.

To display logos and character images from the movie, the design called for vertical LED "banners" which towered above the waiting crowds in the Square's gardens. Each banner was 3m high and mounted on a 2m high plinth to ensure that the LED was visible from all around the cinema.

XL Events supplied 147 tiles of Pixled FX-11 outdoor LED which was rigged in XL's special 3x2 touring frames - allowing the LED tiles to be pre-cabled ahead of installation - saving valuable time on the day.

Working in the gardens of Leicester Square proved challenging du

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Belgium - ArKaos Pro has announced the appointment of ESL as its new exclusive distributor for France. The agreement is the first new appointment since the formation of ArKaos Pro was announced at Prolight & Sound, Frankfurt.

ESL will be exclusively responsible for promoting, distributing and servicing ArKaos Pro's stage and stadium media servers as well as the ArKaos MediaMaster Express and Pro software across the whole of France.

Established in 1992, and with offices in Montpellier and Paris, ESL introduced the first comprehensive catalogue of stage lighting in France and has provided top class distribution and service across the country ever since. The company prides itself on enabling companies of all sizes to have easy access to high performance products at the best possible prices.

ArKaos Pro customers in France will now be able to benefit from ESL's accessibility and

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USA - Two new sessions have been added to the PLASA Focus: Orlando 2013 Professional Development Programme, a two-day programme of free educational seminars and workshops running alongside PLASA Focus: Orlando 2013, taking place at the Wyndham Orlando Resort, on 15-16 May 2013.

Sound engineer and designer Wayne Trevisani will present Music Mixing for Live Performance on Thursday, 16 May at 1pm. Wayne has mixed Front of House for a number of music legends including Jay-Z, Kanye West, Dolly Parton and John Hiatt. In this session he will give his advice on how to build a successful career as an audio engineer, as well as telling some of his own road stories which will are sure to be of interest to both the aspiring audio engineer and the experienced working professional.

On Wednesday, 15 May at 11am, a panel of representatives from the Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas (SI

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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 - Audio-Technica has revealed exciting plans for PLASA Focus, taking place at Leeds Royal Armouries between 30 April - 1 May. Featuring a brace of Allen & Heath GLD digital mixing desks, the Audio-Technica stand will give visitors the unique opportunity to mix a 35 channel live acoustic performance by UK rockers Deaf Havana, recorded at London's Union Chapel in April.

The band's sold-out unplugged UK tour was mixed by front of house engineer Ben Hammond using an Allen & Heath iLive system and full complement of Audio-Technica microphones.

A competition running throughout PLASA Focus will see the winner collecting their choice of Audio-Technica or Allen & Heath products to the value of £500. Visitors will get the chance to record their mix of a Deaf Havana song from the Union Chapel set, with entries being judged by Hammond and band frontman James Veck-Gilodi.

In add

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UK - The ABTT will once again be exhibiting at next week's PLASA Focus, taking place Tuesday 30 April - Wednesday 1 May, at the Royal Armouries, Leeds, as well as participating in its Professional Development Programme.

Are You Competent: Can You Prove It? forms part of a continuous series of seminars the ABTT is presenting during 2013, aimed at working technicians in the theatre sector, looking to benefit from having their vocational competence assessed.

Since qualifications do not necessarily confirm competence, this seminar will look at what competence means, how it relates to training & assessment and how you can be sure that you can prove you are competent.

Ric Green, Opera North's operations and technical director now joins the panel, alongside the ABTT's associate executive officer Robin Townley and Chris Higgs of Total Training Ltd.

The seminar takes place i

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UK - Telling the extraordinary story of French chanteuse Édith Piaf - Leicester Curve's production of the eponymously-titled biographical drama enraptured audiences in March and April. Sound designer Ben Harrison chose a Yamaha CL3 for the production, which helped it to earn four star reviews in the national media.

Starring Frances Ruffelle - renowned as a West End musical star, as well as other roles - the production was initially staged in the Curve's Studio theatre. Such was its success that further performances were subsequently added in the larger main theatre.

A long-time Yamaha user, it provided the perfect opportunity for Ben Harrison to design his first show on a CL series console. "I first used the PM1D on a theatre tour back in 2002 and have almost exclusively specified Yamaha consoles ever since - I currently have five PM1Ds and two PM5Ds out on nationa

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USA - Schnick Schnack Systems LED Accent Lighting literally spins with the hot seats on NBC's The Voice. Chosen by designer Oscar Dominguez of Darkfire Lighting Design, Schnick Schnack Systems' quality, camera-friendly, calibrated colours light the triangular podium on the front of each judge's chair. Naturally, whenever a critical red decision button is pushed, the LEDs behind the Plexiglas podium change colours and the chair spins around.

"The system consists of 42 10" LED S-Strips and 14 5" LED S-Strips, all driven by a Schnick Schnack Systems Long Distance (LD) Controller," states Melanie Lekaj of TMB Sales. "All in all it proved to be a trouble-free installation and was easily integrated into the show's DMX control system. That's the beauty of the Schnick Schnack system; it's specifically designed to be 100% colour consistent and reliable, an

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UK - Pro Audio Stash (PAS) has launched an innovative new captive nut design - the Threaded Rack Rail Clip Nut. This is set to become the much-anticipated alternative to traditional cage nuts, suggests the company.

The PAS Clip Nuts contain a threaded extrusion which simply and neatly slides over the square rack rails and clips closed - saving masses of time as well as the potential of pain, bruises, stabbings - not to mention the complete and utter frustration that anyone attempting to grapple aged nuts into place will be familiar with.

Once in place, the retaining bolt is then screwed through the Clip Nut in a civilised manner to secure the rack device or panel into place.

Currently PAS's Threaded Rack Rail Clip Nuts are available as standard in black or silver, and with M6, M5 or 10/32 threaded holes.

PAS's Rob Platt syas: "Quite simply, it's the nuts! We have been

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South Africa - Calibre UK has extended its global reach still further with the appointment of Prosound as its new distribution partner for sub-Saharan Africa. Based in South Africa, Prosound is an experienced distributor and rental company with several decades of expertise in supplying professional sound and lighting equipment under its belt.

With more and more of its customers also requiring hardware solutions for multi-screen shows and installations, the link with Calibre UK was a natural progression, according to Prosound's technical director, Mark Malherbe: "Our reputation has been built on using only market-leading products in both our sales and hire departments, so when the opportunity arose to add Calibre to our roster, we jumped at the chance.

"We supply a number of high-end production companies not just in South Africa but in East and West African countries

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USA - To strengthen support for the global AV installation network, Meyer Sound has appointed Marc Goossens to the newly created position of business development manager, installation markets.

Goossens will serve as a key point of contact supporting principal players in the global installation market. Goossens will identify growth opportunities and coordinate company efforts to ensure that consultants are equipped with the necessary tools for all stages of their Meyer Sound projects, from initial systems concept through to final commissioning and user training. Working as part of the company's sales team, Goossens will report to Antonio Zacarias, vice-president of worldwide sales.

"Collaboration with consultants is pivotal to Meyer Sound's ability to extend our presence in the installation market," says Zacarias. "Marc has worked on some of the most complex AV s

Details
UK - The Cloud Electronics DCM-1e is a new addition to the popular DCM-1 range of eight-zone digital mixer and accessories from Cloud Electronics Ltd. With the addition of an ethernet port and web control interface the new DCM-1e this allows on/off-site management and configuration by mobile device, touch-screen, PC or third party control interface solutions.

In addition to providing eight zones of independent music source, independent level control and independent paging by zone the Cloud Electronics DCM-1e provides a host of remote input / control options via a comprehensive range of wall input plates and remote controls.

(Jim Evans)

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Italy - Early 2013 has seen Yamaha CL series digital consoles in demand for work in sub-zero temperatures. As well as featuring in the broadcast facilities at the Alpine World Ski Championships in Austria, the 2013 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships saw CL systems deployed as the main mixers for the event arenas.

The championships were held in northern Italy's Val di Fiemme, with the audio infrastructure supplied by rental company Jam Session.

"We were considering new digital consoles for our rental stock and particularly for the Nordic World Ski Championships. After looking at both the digital mixers and audio networking currently on the market, we felt that the Yamaha CL series was the best for our needs," says Jam Session's Michele Garbari. "Dante can also manage extremely complex network situations which would require a much bigger investment u

Details
UK - XL Video is supplying nearly 400sq.m of LED screen, plus 72 VersaTUBE LED battens and crew to Blink TV for the UK and European legs of One Direction's Take Me Home world tour.

The Pixled F-12 and F-30 screen has been specified by the tour's production designer Paul Normandale, who's worked with XL on many previous occasions including Coldplay's 2012 Mylo Xyloto tour, when he first used the then just launched F-12 surface.

"It was faultless," he comments. "It's always a pleasure dealing with Phil Mercer and XL - everything is very smooth and easy."

Phil Mercer (project managing for XL) says: "I really enjoy our on-going relationship with One Direction and with the tour's production director Steve Levitt and production manager Karen Ringland of Production North. Apart from that, it's great to see the band keep breaking records."

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USA - Bandit Lites is on the road with American rock band, Needtobreathe on the second leg of their tour entitled The Reckoning. The tour began on 2 April and will continue through 17 August.

The first leg of the tour featured a custom-made typewriter, an addition that, while elaborate and impressive, could be distracting for audience members. Fortunately, inspiration struck guitarist Bo Rineheart as he looked over at the fly rail system lit by back light.

Jay Waddell, Needtobreathe's lighting designer of the last five years, drew upon that inspiration to create a different but "less flashy" set production: 1800ft of rope hang from a custom-built touring frame with a rope nail attached underneath, creating a look of a fly rail system. VL 2500s and Martin MAC Auras light the set from all angles, a task for which Waddell said the Auras were especially well suite

Details
UK - In an ongoing commitment to raising the health and safety standards for dancers, Harlequin Floors was exclusive sponsor of the Dance and Lifelong Wellbeing conference which took place on 26 - 28 April at the Royal Academy of Dance and London College of Fashion.

Combining interviews, presentations, panel discussions, demonstration classes and a live performance, the conference brought together leading experts in dance, health, community arts and education to explore the ways in which dance can enhance lives.

"Harlequin Floors is delighted to be a part of such an important event," said Mark Rasmussen, group marketing manager for Harlequin Floors. "Our sponsorship of the conference is further evidence of our commitment to delivering the very highest standards of health and safety for the world's dance community."

Harlequin was present on all thre

Details
UK - Embracing diverse and varied projects has always been Star Events Group ethos and 2013 will be no exception, says the company.

Star Events Group brought its advanced QP (Quasi Parabolic) seating system to the market only three years ago and is already establishing itself as a leading quality seating supplier in the UK.

To continue this growth and development and with a strong focus on training ahead of the season, Star Events ran an extensive two day training exercise with Salima Ltd supplying 20 crew for product specific training.

The two days were split between classroom-style training and hands-on building of specific grandstand layouts. Salima were chosen as they were able to demonstrate the same focus and dedication to safety and service, says Star Events.

Star Events Group reports a much busier than expected season now taking shape, having already signed extende

Details
Belgium - After more than two years of restoration work, the 1875 built Théatre Royal de Liège, home of the Opéra Royal de Wallonie (ORW), re-opened its doors to the public at the end of last year in Liège. The whole renovation project, unique in its kind, represented an investment of 31m euros and includes a fully-fledged L-Acoustics system.

In 2008 Riva Audio were appointed by the main contractor Putman, to carry out preliminary research, design and install the new audio system, using their expertise in stage mechanics and technical installations of theatres and studios.

"The big challenge was to persuade the city officials and opera management to place new audio gear in a classified 19th century building - they wanted the venue to be 'sound reinforcement less'," says Frédéric Vard, managing director of Riva Audio. "For example, i

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Australia - The 55th Annual TV Week Logie Awards was held on Sunday 7 April 2013 at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne, Australia and broadcasted live on the Nine Network.

For several years the lighting has been designed and operated by Rohan Thornton in his role of lighting director at the Nine Network, however he left the network last year to freelance. Fortunately Nine realised they needed his talent and expertise and employed him on a contract basis.

On request from Rohan, Show Technology, Clay Paky's Australian distributor, rushed in the new Clay Paky Sharpy Wash 330 fixtures.

Thornton first saw the Sharpy Wash at the LDI show last October and he rated it the standout product of the show. "I thought they were brilliant," he remarked. "The speed, quality of beam, quality of colour and all the features were amazing. They have great intensity, power eff

Details
Lebanon - X Factor is one of the most successful casting shows worldwide, and the same is true for X Factor Arabia which started broadcasting in March 2006. The current run of 20 shows is again based on the original British concept.

Video for X Factor Arabia, recently produced in Beirut, Lebanon, relied on an MA control system consisting of two grandMA2 light and six MA VPU plus (Video Processing Units).

Stephan Flören of LichtUnit GmbH, who worked as video supervisor and specified the MA VPU, the grandMA2 consoles and the video system, explained why he chose MA, and especially the MA VPU: "It was the reliability of the MA VPU and the grandMA2 system as it would have been very difficult to source any spare parts in Beirut.

"Furthermore, the new MA software release 2.8 has some excellent new features like the new 'output mixes' or the 'variable

Details
Ireland - Leading Irish lighting rental company Just Lite, based in Dublin, is the first recipient in the UK of Robe's new RobinPointe moving head fixtures. The much-anticipated product was officially launched by Robe at the 2013 Prolight+Sound exhibition in Frankfurt. "The initial round of confirmed orders - just at the show alone - have been phenomenal," says the company.

Just Lite's Paul Smith was one of those visiting Frankfurt to ensure that his order for the company's first 12 Pointes was at the top of the pile to be processed. They will be supplied by Robe UK.

Smith got straight to the point when asked why he's buying the fixtures: "I needed a small multi-purpose unit that was versatile and did many different things - which is exactly The Pointe - in fact, it does so much more than it says on the tin."

Just Lite already owns over 400 Robe moving li

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UK - POLARaudio has announced the exclusive UK distribution of Cornered Audio speakers. These loudspeakers are ergonomically designed for the provision of background music in a range of settings from retail environments to bars, entertainment venues and cafes. With a distinctly Scandinavian edge to design, form and function, they represent an interesting and decidedly original addition to POLARaudio's range, says the company.

POLARaudio MD John Midgley comments: "Cornered Audio represents another exciting opportunity to make available some extremely well designed and engineered audio products into the UK market. These specialist speakers are rugged but still aesthetically pleasing and take the concept of wall-mounted sound reinforcement to a very high level."

Cornered Audio speakers will be exhibited on the POLARaudio stand (N-C13) at PLASA Focus Leeds. Also on displ

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