Details
USA/Germany - Funktion-One has delivered upgrades to sound systems at four iconic venues - Cielo and Output in New York, Beta in Denver and Berghain in Berlin. The four nightclubs have benefitted from an intensive period of R&D that has enabled Funktion-One to take product performance to new levels.

The loudspeaker manufacturer's latest development is having a positive impact on owners, operators and their clientele. Company founder, Tony Andrews, reveals, "Funktion-One's continuous quest for fidelity has led to a breakthrough in cone stabilisation, almost eliminating diaphragm breakup and its associated non-linear acoustic behaviour."

All four venues are united by their focus on sound quality. Owner of Cielo and Output, Nicolas Matar, highlights: "Output and Ciel

Details
UK- Hire company Richmond Film Services has invested in a DPA d:dicate 4041-SP condenser microphone, making it one of only two companies in the UK to own this product.

Designed to work in a standard 48V phantom power environment, the d:dicate 4041-SP offers a totally transparent audio path with a low noise floor. With a one-inch diaphragm, this microphone is the largest product in DPA's extensive range.

Nigel Woodford, owner and founder of Richmond Film Services, says: "I bought the DPA d:dicate 4041-SP to satisfy a request from a customer who wanted to use it for Foley work. It was teamed with a Nagra Seven recorder, which has sufficiently high quality mic pre-amps to do it justice. Apart from Foley work, I can see a future for it in capturing vocals, particularly in the studio, where its low noise floor and very high SPL handling, will make it a very popular choice.&quo

Details
UK - Aurora Lighting Hire is supporting lighting director Gurdip Mahal and gaffer James Tinsley on the new BBC One adventure quiz Prized Apart.

Working with production company Electric Ray and set designer Julian Healey, Aurora has provided a full service installation to the extensive studio lighting set up at Farnborough Five.

In keeping with the dry heat of the show's Morocco based location adventures, LD Gurdip Mahal has bathed the set in a desert glow created using a blend of MAC Viper Profiles, MAC Auras plus Vari-Lites VL3500 and VL2000 that mirror the arid on screen conditions.

Adding to both the vibrancy and versatility of the lighting design, Martin Viper Performances and Rush PARS are mixed with Sunstrips and Shapeshifters whilst Super Nova Flowers, Sharpys and Source Fours take care of highlights and keying.

Julian Healey and Gurdip Mahal have previously

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

Details
UK - XL Video, working for Production North, supplied all video production - LED Screens, IMAG cameras / PPU and crew - for the most recent UK tour by hi-energy pop-rockers, The Vamps.

The tour included several arena shows and was the largest to date for the rising stars who originally met via You Tube around 2012, as well as the first for Global Live, the new 'live' division of Ashley Tabor's UK-based Global Entertainment - and a co-promotion with AEG Live

The Vamps stage / set and video design was evolved by the tour's technical director Iain Whitehead (Production North) and lighting designer Peter Barnes, and included 145sq.m of XL Video's ROE Visual MC-7T LED screen. The lively IMAG mix was cut by Dan Ormerod, and video was a major part of the overall aesthetic that made the show and its presentation exciting, interesting and enjoyable to watch.

Video screens were the mo

Details
USA - After taking a year off from the road to concentrate on recording, Kenny Chesney has launched The Big Revival Tour across North America in support of his album released last year. A large complement of Clay Paky Mythos, Sharpy Washes and Stormy Strobes help Chesney amp up the excitement at his arena and stadium dates.

Chesney kicked off the tour at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena with guests Grace Potter, Taylor Swift, Uncle Kracker, Dave Lee Murphy and Joe Walsh. A four-time Country Music Association and four consecutive Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, Chesney has always worked to make sure his production is as cutting edge as possible.

Production and lighting designer Mike Swinford says the look of the tour is "very typical" of Kenny Chesney's road shows. "It's a relatively simple design that's big and bold," he says. "Ke

Details
UK - Aurora Lighting Hire is constantly reviewing and updating its available hire products. Most recently, the company turned to Ambersphere Solutions to replenish their followspot stock.

From the Robert Juliat range of followspots, Aurora picked 'Victor', an 1800W discharge spot and 'Alex', a 2000/2500W tungsten model, both from the compact range. Both these units were chosen primarily for their excellent illumination properties, however Robert Juliat has an enviable pedigree in developing products specifically for the television and event markets in which Aurora specialise and the practical, compact styling of these followspots also proved an important feature.

"To purchase a sizeable number of Clay Paky Mythos from Ambersphere was an easy decision for us to make" says Aurora managing director Nick Edwards, "The beam power delivered from such a compact unit is

Details
UK - After the success of the New Year Eve specials, Jason Manford's latest venture, It's A Funny Old Week has been commissioned for a series with ITV.

It's A Funny Old Week will take a look at the week's news "from international political crisis to bus stop disputes". Each week Jason is joined by a guest stand-up comedian, looking at the funny side of what has been going on in the world in the past seven days.

Filmed at The London Studios, the new show is lit by lighting designer Roger Williams. His plot comprises of Robin 600 LEDWash, VL1000TS, Sunstrips and MAC Auras. The lights which are supplied by Richard Martin Lighting (RML) enhance the bright and bold set which is heavily made up of video screen, used throughout each episode to show the chosen news stories.

(Jim Evans)

Details
UK - "It's a voice that's so distinctive and familiar. You don't even need to see him. The minute Al Pacino steps on stage and utters his first word you are instantly transported to any number of characters he has played. For me it was Michael Corleone in the Godfather: softly spoken, and with that stillness the camera loves, he conveyed enormous power." No wonder Front of House engineer Chris 'Privet' Hedge was excited. "I have to say I was as nervous doing this as any of the big rock and pop shows I regularly do, certainly more nervous than I have been in a long while."

The event was three live interviews with Al Pacino staged in Dublin, Glasgow and London theatres. Britannia Row Productions was responsible for the sound, drafting in the deft hand of Hedge to manage the show. As director Bryan Grant said at the time, "This was an unusual challenge and

Details
South Africa / Poland - Johannesburg-based Surgesound and Polish distributor Soundtrade recently undertook successful roadshows across their respective countries to introduce Powersoft's new X-Series, with its worldwide compatible three phase power supply and advanced channel routing system.

Headed by Surgesound MD, Andrew Rowan, and technical product manager, Ruan Joubert, the tour started in Bloemfontein and travelled through Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London and Durban before finishing in Johannesburg. Supporting the event from the manufacturer was Sound School Trainer and Powersoft sound engineer, Luigi Chelli.

The sessions were attended mainly by touring, production companies and consultants who were eager to see whether X Series lived up to its claim. Explaining their approach, Andrew Rowan said, "Although we used conference facilities in the major cities, a lo

Details
Germany - gerdon MEDIADESIGN's Thomas Gerdon recently created another lighting extravaganza at Dortmund's giant dome inside the Westfalenhalle 1 for Mayday, an event that has become an essential fixture in the calendar of Germany's electronic dance music (EDM) fans.

Since 2012, Gerdon has been igniting the Mayday dancefloor with his far-reaching concepts for promoters I-Motion, often integrating LED fixtures from the GLP catalogue. And this year was no exception.

"It is always a challenge to produce an entirely new design every year - especially as it should never remind guests of something they have already experienced previously," he said. "For this reason, I try to use new and innovative products, and find 'tools' that give me the opportunity to create new looks.

"I also ensure that the design works within the [oval] shape of the venue, because I want

Details
USA - Legendary FOH engineer 'Big Mick' Hughes, who has mixed more than 1,500 Metallica shows over three decades, is confirmed as a guest speaker on the Meyer Sound Mixing Workshop webinar series. Hughes will be joining programme host and veteran mixer Buford Jones.

In the webinar, Hughes will share his lessons from mixing Metallica, the evolution of his techniques, as well as his approach to selecting equipment from consoles and microphones to loudspeaker systems. An open Q&A will be available for attendees' questions.

The Mixing Workshops take place Wednesday 1 July and Thursday 2 July.To attend these sessions, sign up for free here:

(Jim Evans)

Details
Spain / Portugal - Currently underway throughout Spain and Portugal until October, the Crambo 360° Experience is intended to educate and create awareness of Absen LED technology for end users, integrators and rental companies in the Iberian AV industry.

Organised by exclusive Spanish distributor for Absen, Crambo Visuales, the roadshow - which began on 29 April in Bilbao - recently stopped at Madrid, La Coruña, and Barcelona, as well as Valencia, Sevilla and Malaga in June before hitting Lisbon, concluding on 15 October in Valladolid.

"The 360 Experience is our most important marketing exercise of 2015," commented marketing manager of Crambo Visuales, Mercedes Fuster. "It is an ideal opportunity for us to meet our clients in their natural habitat, and ultimately improve relations trough learning about their real needs."

With a showroom filled with va

Details
Germany - Martin Audio technology partners, Complete Audio recently fielded their premier MLA PA system when the Casper 'Castival' tour - a series of six open air festival type shows in Germany - arrived at the Kindl Bühne Wuhlheide in Berlin (where Complete Audio are based).

"We are supporting the entire Castival Tour - but only with lights, rigging, FOH and monitor desk - the PA systems are usually locally provided," explained Complete Audio MD, André Rauhut. "So basically [in Berlin] we were the local sound provider for our own tour production."

The venue represents a challenge since the measurement point for the local authorities is right behind the FOH position, on top of the bleachers, he notes. "It is always a bit tricky to achieve high SPL levels and then drop down on the top of the audience area in order to get good results at the meas

Details
UK - FOH sound engineer, John Delf, has spent the past few years working with a succession of leading artists, ranging from Plan B to the Script and The Feeling - while maintaining his own Edge recording studios in Manchester. During that time he has never been far from Soundcraft's Vi platform as his digital console of choice.

But back in 2012 he also added another rising band to his portfolio when he joined Australian band 5 Seconds of Summer as FOH engineer and tour manager, as they embarked on a two-year arena and stadium world tour supporting One Direction. In just under two years the band played live in front of over four million people.

In between, the band undertook their own theatre headline tours, before this year graduating to a sold-out 70-date headline arena tour. For the theatre dates opted for the Soundcraft Vi4 with Realtime Rack. But on this latest arena tour

Details
Middle East - When the latest Disney On Ice production Princesses & Heroes was brought to the Middle East by Sports & Entertainment Solutions FZ LLC this May and June, Showforce were on hand to provide the full spectrum of staffing solutions including stage crew, skilled technicians, logistical personnel, demonstrators, follow spot operators and event staff.

The first part of the tour took place at the Qatar National Convention Centre from 27-30 May before moving to the Dubai World Trade Centre from 10-13 June.

An experienced Showforce team of stage crew led by a crew manager assisted with all aspects of the production.

During show days almost one hundred of Showforce's event staff were on-hand to help front of house, from selling tickets and merchandising to VIP hostesses and ushers guiding guests to their seats.

Ali Haidary, founder & CEO of Sports & Entertainment

Details
UK - Hammersmith's Lyric Theatre now showcases state of the art rehearsal, film, cinema, dance and recording studios with technical systems designed by theatre consultancy Charcoalblue.

The new facilities are part of the Lyric's mulit-million pound expansion and modernisation designed by Rick Mather Architects.

The new extension, called The Reuben Foundation Wing, houses new state-of-the-art facilities and will enable the Lyric to expand its programme of activity with young people, emerging and professional artists. Part of the Lyric's future business model is to work closely with resident partner organisations who will contribute new art form expertise in dance, music, film and digital media alongside the Lyric's specialism in theatre.

Charcoalblue joined the project in 2011, and worked closely with the design team and Lyric team: including Jessica Hepburn (executive direct

Details
UK - This year's ABTT Exhibition saw Lift Turn Move Ltd (LTM) introduce its new Entertainment Sales Manager, Alex Cowan to its Entertainment customers.

Alex has worked in the industry for 15-plus years, he previously worked for City Theatrical as European Sales Manager and James Thomas amongst others. He brings his considerable knowledge in this specialist area to LTM as well as a new outlook and plenty of enthusiasm.

Alex comments: "Having known John Jones and David King for a long time I was aware of the respect that they and LTM have in the industry, l didn't have to think twice when the opportunity arose to come and work with LTM. The first day everybody made me feel so welcome, and immediately made to feel part of the team. I am excited to work for a company where their customers are treated so well."

"It is a pleasure offering the range of hoist's that L

Details
Sweded - Lab.gruppen has announced the release of version 1.2.0 of CAFÉ (Configuring Amplifiers For the Environment), incorporating new features for system design and commissioning of the company's PLM+ and D Series amplifier platforms using either Windows or Mac computers.

Ease of use has been enhanced with added help sections at the top of each view together with tool tips for all fields. Also, the user interface now supports use of imperial units on cable lengths and in other parameters.

CAFÉ's ESP (Equipment Specification Prediction) feature, which helps system designers move from specified loudspeakers to an optimal selection of amplifiers throughout the system, has been greatly improved with this second generation release. The Automap algorithm in ESP has been updated for more logical leveling out of headroom throughout the system, and the channel sorting h

Details
USA - With the new ACL Series, Elation Professional has taken the intensity of a tight ACL beam and repackaged it in a versatile line of Advanced Collimator Lens effects," perfect for adding those eye-catching ACL beam looks to any stage, show or venue". Five models are available - ACL PAR 200, ACL BAR, ACL Curtain, ACL 360 BAR and ACL 360 Matrix.

The ACL Series features a new highly-advanced collimator lens optic, the largest single multi-chip LED lens optic to date at the same size of a PAR 20 lamp. Using the latest high-output RGBW 15W multi-chip LED, its wide optical design emits a laser-like yet dense homogenized 4-degree colour-changing beam from each lens.

Each unit in the series offers individual pixel control for greater design options along with built-in effect / chase macros for quick programming when needed. Strobe effects and full-range dimming with dimm

Details
UK - Martin Professional introduced its new JEM ZR fog machines at the 2015 ABTT Theatre Show.

JEM ZR is a family of powerful fog machines designed to "deliver superior and uninterrupted performance in demanding professional applications". Equipped with 1,150-2,000 W heat exchangers they deliver large amounts of fog and excessive peak output, ideal for venues of all sizes in both install and rental markets.

The JEM ZRs feature variable output control for more subtle effects and are fully up-to-date with digital remote, DMX and RDM.

The entire JEM ZR range is compatible with a wide range of JEM Pro fog fluids. As machines designed and built to last, the JEM ZRs will continue to perform with great output and low consumption.

"Over the past two years we've successfully renewed our professional range or water-based hazers, including the CO2 driven JEM Ready 365

Details
USA - Holo-Gauze, the 3D display solution for hologram effects, has been utilised as part of the key performance presentation on the opening day of the eighth annual World Science Festival in New York. Light Falls: Space, Time & An Obsession of Einstein extensively featured Holo-Gauze to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Einstein's discovery of the general theory of relativity.

World Science Festival took place 27-31 May at venues throughout New York City. Designed by 59 Productions, Light Falls combined Holo-Gauze holographic effects animation and dramatic portrayals to trace Einstein's electrifying journey to the conception of his theory. World Science Festival founder Dr Brian Greene and an ensemble cast saw their dramatic performances enhanced by Holo-Gauze.

"It was an honour to be able to contribute to the eighth World Science Festival," says Holo

Page 3360 of 3465

Latest Issue. . .