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USA - Located just outside of Dallas in Grapevine, Texas, the Fellowship Church has grown from a few hundred followers in an office complex 13 years ago, to a spacious new facility that hosts up to 19,000 people each weekend. The Church features the very latest in audio and video technology for services that offer the musical and visual impact of a contemporary concert event.

Senior audio engineer Matt Wheeler comments: "We try to stay on the cutting edge, to do what we do creatively, so it's not the older, more traditional 'just sing the hymn' kind of service. We want to keep things interesting and relevant, so, in doing that, technology plays a large role in what we do."

Because Fellowship Church has to both provide the full-range audio for musical performances and clear vocal and speech reproduction for sermons and prayers, finding the right microphone has proved

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UK / Eire - Acclaimed at its launch at this year's PLASA Show and most recently enjoying success at LDI 2003 in Orlando, the Hippotizer digital media server range is acquiring fans around the world, with a number of new installations having taken place around the UK and Eire in recent weeks.

In Northern Ireland, The Lounge@Cellar Bar in Lurgan, Co. Armagh, has installed a Hippotizer system to provide visuals to a video projector and to plasma displays throughout the bar. The Hippotizer complements the lighting and sound in the bar, and is kept fresh by the club's owner, who creates his own images and uploads them to the Hippotizer through its easy-to-use Media Manager.

The Lounge's system was installed by RG Design, who also installed a Hippotizer system in Holborn St - a live venue and club spread over three floors in Sligo, Eire. At the venue's centre is a stage used by band

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UK - The date for the trial of Simon Brophy - the former head of lighting at the Millennium Dome charged with conspiracy to defraud the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) - has been set for 4 October 2004.

In total, nine individuals have been charged as a result of the investigation, including David Gordon, a former company director of Prodesign, and Brophy's wife Margaret Bragg. Of the other six individuals, we understand that three represented a well-known lighting company in its involvement with the Millennium Dome.

The Fraud Squad arrested Brophy, Gordon and Bragg in October 2000, following scrutiny into the awarding of contracts at the Millennium Dome.

(Lee Baldock)

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South Korea - Cadac's recently-appointed Korean distributor, Dream Sound, has had an unusual start to its representation - doing battle with the elements on the current production of the musical Cats! The show's home in Seoul is a 1,700-seat tent in the Big Top Theater at the Jamsil Sports Complex, where it returns in December after a three-month sell-out tour of the country.

September's devastating typhoon caused substantial damage to the tent while on tour, and the Cadac F-Type console - the first console supplied by Dream Sound as the local Cadac distributor - was shipped back to the UK for a thorough check as a result. It has subsequently been given a clean bill of health despite the battering it received, and is due to return to Korea ready for the show's new season back at the Big Top Theater in December.

Dream Sound's Jin Yoon Cho commented: "We are very pro

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Hong Kong - In August 2002, The Hong Kong Tourism Commission engaged Laservision to develop the idea of creating a permanent light show based on the illumination of significant buildings in Hong Kong and Kowloon, which overlook Victoria Harbour.

Laservision's objectives included the selection of suitable buildings and key viewing areas. A draft design for each chosen structure was completed, taking account of energy efficiency and light pollution issues. A series of reports was then sent to the Hong Kong Government and Laservision was invited to showcase techniques incorporated into the Harbour Lighting Plan during Chinese New Year of 2003. The demonstration consisted of illumination of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the creation of a multi-media show, attracting a public audience of up to 45,000 per night.

The Hong Kong Government engaged Laservision to prepare a launch e

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France - Large format projection specialists E//T//C Audiovisuel supplied 16 PIGI 6kW DDRA Xenon projectors and two Pigi'S 700 projectors to the 2003 Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights) from 5-8 December in Lyons. Equipment from Paris-based E//T//C, pioneers of large format scrolling projection equipment and techniques, was used in three sites across the city during its famous four-day lighting festival.

The popular Fête des Lumières - a rich fusion of light, colour and architecture - has been taking place for over 150 years, and this year's theme was 'Light in motion: dynamic light, interactive light'. Staged in Lyon's imposing central square, the Place des Terreaux, Skertzò (renowned for their work with light and projections) created the 'Zone d'ombres' (Theatre of shadows) show. This centrepiece show of the festival used 16 PIGI DDRA (automatic rotating double scrolle

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UK - Lighting designer Bryan Leitch and video designer Nick Whitehouse have created an innovative visual mix for Feeder's latest European tour, utilizing six RADlite digital media server systems - the most RADlites toured together to date. The RADlites were supplied by rental company Siyan - the first UK company to invest in this then new technology, back in 2001. Siyan now owns eight RADlites and Leitch and Whitehouse pioneered its use on the epic Coldplay tour that ended earlier this year.

The Coldplay tour was instrumental in boosting general interest in the technology: Whitehouse wanted to use RADlite again on Feeder, and was brimming with ideas about what could be achieved by running the video in this configuration. The Feeder show was heavily video-based - a medium they have always enthusiastically embraced. Whitehouse operated the RADlite servers using a Avolites Diamond

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USA - In response to customer demand, Prelite has opened an office in Los Angeles, adding to its existing offices in New York and San Francisco. Prelite's Tom Thompson explains: "A number of our clients have homes and offices in the LA area, so it seemed logical that we add another level of service by making our studio more conveniently accessible. David Hunkins will be running our new studio, located in the heart of Hollywood. David is a 10 year industry veteran, growing from the club scene to working as a touring lighting designer and programmer. As an early adopter of visualization software and with his field experience, he brings a broad scope of expertise to Prelite and our clients."

Prelite LA can be contacted at 1680 North Vine Street, Suite 709, Hollywood, CA 90028, USA. Tel: +1 323.462.0043, fax +1 323.462.0047.

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - Canegreen supplied the PA and successfully managed the complexities of eight live sets by the artists at Capital Christmas Live 2003. This year's line-up of artists was supported by a production team under the management of Mark Ward for the annual Capital Radio Christmas gathering at Earls Court.

Two stages were incorporated in the production: on the main stage the Sugababes, Enrique Iglesias and Busted wowed teen fans, as did sets by Sting and Texas, who added something for the more mature members of the audience, in line with the radio stations widening demographic. From a smaller stage in the centre of Earls Court Kym Marsh, Jamelia and Lemar played shorter acoustic sets. The whole show was broadcast live on AOL broadband, sponsors of the show, with live radio edits also featured on Capital FM across the night.

For the fourth-consecutive year Canegreen provided a PA

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UK - This autumn has been the busiest ever for Skan PA Hire, the Reading-based rental company that continues to thrive. Directors Abby Llewellyn and Chris Fitch, along with the rest of the team, have found themselves at the centre of this season's hottest music acts. The Darkness, Muse, The Faming Lips, Moloko, Feader and Tindersticks have all taken advantage of Skan's latest investment, the L'Acoustics V-Dosc and dV-Dosc systems along with their large inventory of Turbosound Floodlight cabinets.

Muse toured Europe before returning to an excited British audience, visiting eight arenas and making good use of Skan's Midas mixing consoles, an XL4 for front-of-house and Heritage 3000 for monitors. While The Darkness, one of the biggest names on the music scene at present had an exhausting schedule of dates spanning 10 weeks. UK venues included Manchester Apollo and Brixton Academy,

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Australia - Global Television, Australia's leading service provider to the television and broadcast industry, recently upgraded its Melbourne television Studio A to a digital ADB Vision 10 lighting desk, finally retiring its 20-year-old analogue desk. Global has extensive facilities in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, both in studio and OB services, and produces major national and international productions such as Neighbours, Rove Live, Australian Idol, Playhouse Disney, Hi-5 and Hi-5 USA.

Don Collins, one of Global's lighting directors, commented: "The demands on the studio had been constantly increasing and we were looking for a replacement desk that would offer us the features we required. Richie Mickan from LSC Lighting Systems showed us the ADB Vision console and we were immediately impressed at how easy it was to operate. We run a number of 'live-to-air'

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USA - Bandit Lites is out with Kenny Rogers on his sixth annual Christmas tour. Lighting designer Jeff Metter said: "The show is a departure from the usual type of show for Kenny Rogers. It is more of a theatrical production that is partly traditional and partly a play presentation."

The show opens with a traditional Christmas-themed set that has a nativity scene and other Holiday visuals on the stage. Metter continued: "There is about 25 minutes of traditional Christmas music and then the focus turns to the kids." In each town, the production uses a local choir as well as local children in the show. There are vignettes that are performed by the children, with Kenny Rogers coming out to sing with them on several numbers.

The second part of the show is an adaptation of The Toy Shoppe - a one-act play that Rogers performed on Broadway. Metter went on t

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The Netherlands - Midas has announced the creation of new business structure in the Netherlands: from 1 January 2004 a new company, Midas Consoles Holland, will be the exclusive source for Midas products and service in the territory.

Midas sales and marketing director Dave Cooper says: "The nature of both international distribution and our target markets is changing fast, and it's vital to both Midas and KT that our distribution partners are able to meet the new challenges that face them. The new structure in Holland is perfectly placed to deal with this and we are delighted to welcome them to the Midas global family."

Although the actual details are a still a closely-guarded secret, the company promises that Midas Consoles Holland is taking a genuinely new approach to pro audio distribution: all will be revealed at the forthcoming Vakbeurs Theater Techniek show whic

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UK - Star Events Group is the first company in the UK to offer rental of this new Arena Deck indoor stage system, which has been the preferred choice of large touring productions in recent years. The system available for rental on tours, one-off shows or runs of events, offering time and cost savings, say the company.

Earls Court was the first UK venue to hire the system, for a run of concerts in November and December 2003, including Capital Christmas Live, Iron Maiden, Radiohead, Metallica and the Stereophonics. Capital Christmas production and show director, Mark Ward, commented: "I was extremely happy with the stage's performance, the speed and decking quality of the new system made a huge difference in the show build."

The system, manufactured by Birmingham-based Total Fabrications, allows quick, safe and efficient construction, requiring no tools. Arena Deck ha

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UK - In a move strengthening its position in the pro audio market, SkyTronic Group has acquired the current product portfolio of Citronic, with effect from 15 December 2003. Citronic Ltd, based in Melksham, Wiltshire, has for 32 years played a leading role in establishing and developing the UK DJ audio market.

Phil Williams, MD of Manchester-based SkyTronic Ltd commented: "We're delighted to have successfully completed the acquisition of Citronic's well-respected Brand and product portfolio. This opportunity has allowed us to further strengthen our position in the market. We have committed to a substantial investment in both existing and new product. Existing Citronic customers will, of course, benefit from the same high level of customer service and technical support that we provide to our existing customer base. We will also be putting tremendous effort into further devel

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UK - Marquee Audio recently supplied Bristol Old Vic with a digital theatre playback system, featuring a Yamaha DM1000 console and Stage Research SFX show control software, which has radically improved the operational experience of the theatre's in-house sound designer.

"Although the price tag is very cost-effective for this kind of functionality, it is a lot of money to a regional theatre," says Jason Barnes, head of sound at the Old Vic. "However, it's bought us an immense improvement. Putting a show together is now far less stressful and we can do it a lot quicker."

Jason Barnes' own ideas and research took him in the direction of the SFX software programme, rapidly becoming an industry-standard, and, with the input of Andy Huffer from Marquee Audio, a complete system was designed: the Yamaha DM1000 digital console, with the SFX sound playback software p

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UK - Lightfactor is holding three product awareness days in the New Year - from the 4 - 6 February 2004. With a history of hosting very successful open days, the Greenford-based events have always proved an ideal method of updating the industry with current technology, innovation and trends, plus the best forum for social interaction, lively debate, gossip - and in this case - seeing off the New Year Blues! The format is informal, visitors will be free to look around, watch demonstrations, and operate and examine the products at their own pace.

The Lightfactor team will be on hand to answer all questions, and representatives from Lightfactor's supplier-partners - like SGM, Apogee Lighting, LightProcessor, Xilver, and others - will also be there to offer advice and information.

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

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UK - Capital Sound Hire fielded its newly-acquired Martin Audio W8LC compact line array for Eddie Izzard's Sexie world tour, presently nearing the end of its UK leg. The scalable system (measuring 16-box hangs per side at the arena venues) has been specified to provide evenly-dispersed high speech intelligibility, as well as pre-show, intermission and outro music. Further W8C's - two wide and three deep - are used for outfills, W2's are used for front fills, and in the large auditoria, nine delay points are manned by further W8C's - in clusters of four. Six WSX subs, configured in a standard block, are ground-stacked either side of the stage.

The delay taps - and all the system settings - are contained in a combination of XTA DP-224 and DP-226 digital processors, with head system engineer Scott Scherban carrying out remote management via XTA's proprietary AudioCore software, loa

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UK - XL Video is supplying equipment to the award-winning Jerry Springer The Opera production, now enjoying a successful West End run at The Cambridge Theatre - so successful that the production has just extended its booking period by more than nine months, to 8 January 2005.

Video is a vital production element of the show, and equipment includes two of the new Catalyst V.3 digital media servers - specially purchased for the show along with a Jands Wholehog 500 DMX lighting desk. The show's video designer is Jon Driscoll with whom XL has also collaborated on Up For Grabs (starring Madonna) and the Madness musical Our House. XL's clients are JSTO Ltd for Blue Box Entertainment (Iain Gillie - production executive) and The Production Desk (Dan Watkins - production manager)

The XL equipment supplied also includes two flown NEC XT5000 DLP projectors, matrix rou

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Italy - Following the news before Christmas of the sale of RCF (Mackie Designs Italy Spa) by Loud Technologies Inc, we have learned that a group of investors, led by Arturo Vicari, has bought all of the assets of Mackie Designs Italy Spa and immediately renamed the company RCF Spa. Arturo Vicari is the major shareholder of RCF Spa and will take up the position of managing director of the new company, the position he held prior to the sale of the company to Mackie Inc (now Loud Technologies) in June 1998.

Alfredo Macchiaverna, a well-known consultant in Reggio Emilia, the home of RCF for more than 50 years, has been nominated President of the Board, and will be representing the group of shareholders, while the Italian bank Banca Aletti will act as financial advisor to the business and has a representative on the new Board of RCF Spa.

Arturo Vicari commented on the acquisition:

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UK - Entec Sound supplied a d&b audiotechnik sound system and crew to cult US band The Kings of Leon, for their first - and totally sold-out - UK tour. Brent Rawlings is the band's FOH engineer and production manager. He started working with them in November 2002, when they were looking for someone who could mix sound and offer a number of other on-the-road skills - like production and tour managing, driving the truck etc. However, as the band has gained popularity, he has been able to concentrate increasingly on the sound, as more crew have come onboard.

Kings of Leon played the UK twice previously, but used house systems, and this time they stepped up to touring their own production. When Rawlings was casting around for a sound company, Entec was recommended by several sources, so he asked them - and others - to bid, and Entec won that process. He specifically wanted a d&b sy

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USA - Macy's Parade is one of the most enduring Thanksgiving Day traditions in America. Millions have seen the parade on television since it was first broadcast by NBC in 1948, and in recent years the biggest crowds along the route have heard the sound of the parade through Meyer Sound loudspeakers.

For the past fifteen years, audio consultant Randy Hansen of ADI Group has served as sound designer for the parade, and for the last ten parades he has relied on New York-based Sound Associates to provide audio equipment and system engineering. "I generally prefer to use Meyer Sound loudspeakers whenever I can," says Hansen. "We've been doing this parade so long with Sound Associates that I guess I just take the Meyer speakers for granted. Perhaps that's because we haven't had any problems with them, they've always performed flawlessly."

This year's parade, star

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UK - SSE Hire's investment in digital audio technology continues with the purchase of two Yamaha PM1D digital mixing desks for Sarah Brightman's upcoming Harem Tour which kicks off early this year in Mexico.

Brightman's FOH engineer Colin Boland specified the Yamaha after trying a range of alternative digital consoles. He commented: "Having used Yamaha equipment for many years I find that the layout, programming and facilities follow a logic that has been consistent and fits in with the way I work. Also having used the PM1D on several previous tours I have been impressed with the performance, sound, reliability and backup."

The particular requirements of the show, with its large number of inputs, made gain control and the ability to add inserts, effects and recording feeds at both ends of the multicore imperative. Thus each console has its own set of 96-channel input

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USA - The US Patent Office has awarded Meyer Sound its 17th US patent, this time for the rigging system used on the M3D line array and M3D-Sub directional subwoofer. The patent recognizes the rigging system's innovations including the CamLink system, which allows splay angles to be changed more easily than in other rigging systems, say Meyer.

The system features a rigid design, which offers numerous advantages - no pullback cable, often required by other systems, is necessary. Without pullback cables, cabinet angle adjustments can be accomplished without having to release the array, while the rotating cam at the rear of the frame means that only the front of the cabinet need be adjusted to change the splay angle; no parts need to be exchanged. Rigid mounting also enables arrays to be transported intact, maintaining cabinet splaying, saving truck space, and simplifying setup.

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  2. Strand 550 console donated to leading Drama College
  3. Mission Pro appoints distributor for Netherlands
  4. G-LEC lifts the curtain for Jay-Z
  5. Audient quality across the boards
  6. Warning about Fair Guide scam
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