Poland - Christie projection was tested to the limit during an adventurous production for the recent technological congress staged by Plus GSM - one of Poland's leading mobile telephone operators.

The fifth annual event took place at the Warsaw University of Technology in front of an international audience of 2,000, and since the special guest of honour was to be Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, president and CEO of Nokia Corporation, Christie partner Trias devised a novel concept, using full 360° degree projection onto the walls, along with 3D holography.

To accomplish this they called on a Christie S+20K SXGA with the addition of two other stacked pairs offering 10,000 lumen output, a total of seven projectors were able to provide stunning projections onto the walls of the University: "Using the latest multimedia solutions and advanced technologies we were able to create an ex

UK - In late December at London's Royal Albert Hall the modern Son-et-Lumiere known as Classical Spectacular celebrated its 200th show beneath a large MAC rig. Lighting designer Durham Marenghi is again at the helm.

"We strive to give the audience a visual accompaniment to the music to which they listen," says Marenghi. "The lighting shifts from subtle beautification of the Royal Albert Hall architecture to dramatic impact driven by the mood of the piece. Classical music purists might decry the use of such technology but the music in the programme was often originally written for firework displays, large scale military events or grand royal and civic occasions, all of which had an important visual element. We seek to replace this with lighting to entertain our audience.

"The core principle of the show is absolute synchronicity and sympathy with the score -

UK - In an effort to cut fixed costs, The English National Opera (ENO) has announced it is to cut 10% of its staff - around 45 jobs - which will include both performers and technical staff. BECTU, the union representing those working in broadcast, film, theatre, entertainment and leisure, has said it will "strongly" fight any cuts, and representatives will shortly be meeting with ENO management.

ENO says it fears reduced funding if government money to the Arts Council does not increase. ENO chief executive, Loretta Tomasi, was quoted on the BBC News website as saying: "Many options have been considered to achieve increased flexibility and a decrease in these 'fixed' costs and, whilst we believe it is vital that ENO retains a strong core of staff, the contractual overhaul includes the potential loss of around 45 jobs across the company."

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UK - The Celtic Connections Festival annually takes place within around a dozen of Glasgow's premium venues (including the popular City Halls and Old Fruitmarket). However, the focal point is the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, where performances take place in every available space, from workshops in the foyers to shows by world-class artists in the main auditorium and Strathclyde Suite.

Wigwam Hire, who have carried out sound systems installations in these venues and have a long association with Celtic Connections, provided the production control for this year's major hosting venue - supplying the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall with a Digidesign D-Show Profile at front-of-house and D-Show in the monitor position.

Wigwam appointed Sean Horsman to offer support to the incoming sound engineers having their first run out with Digidesign, offering an analogue desk alternativ

UK - The Cambridge Arts Theatre has upgraded its audio control facilities to the digital domain with the purchase of a new Yamaha M7CL mixing console from Marquee Audio.

The 666-capacity theatre first contacted Marquee Audio in September to discuss a range of digital options to replace an ageing 24-channel analogue console that had reached the end of its useful life. Chief electrician Julian Brooks reports that: "We considered analogue and digital consoles, but quickly realised that, although we could have stayed analogue for half the price, we didn't want to accept its functional limitations. We wanted all the benefits of digital."

Checking out the Yamaha range of compact digital consoles, Julian Brooks favoured the Yamaha M7CL, with its touch screen, generous channel allocation and future expandability. "Marquee Audio was really accommodating, keen to demonstr

UK - Martin Audio loudspeaker enclosures are found in a wide range of applications - but until recently it is unlikely that the list would have included an equestrian centre. All that has now changed thanks to Stroud-based Contract Audio Visual (CAV), who have equipped both the internal and external enclosures of a private Olympic-standard equestrian centre near Windsor with Martin Audio components.

CAV won the contract on the strength of a referral, and immediately carried out a survey on a 60m x 25m enclosure that hosts international show jumping events on the 90-acre site. Previously the Centre had hired in its audio (interfacing with a less than adequate 100V line installed system, fed from a CD) and clearly needed to upgrade.

The company demoed a Martin Blackline system with the option of additional AS118 horn-loaded subs - and the Centre purchased the full package. "

UK - A specially customised version of Radical Lighting's VideoDrive software was supplied to the 2007 Mountbatten Music Festival, a three-night charity spectacular featuring the Massed Bands of Her Majesty's Royal Marines. This was staged at London's Royal Albert Hall in aid of service charities and Click Cancer Care.

Production manager Karl Westlake first introduced video to the show last year. One of the things it did was replace a large four tonne scenery flat of the Marine's crest logo with a more flexible projected version.

This year they wanted to make visuals a bigger element of the show and to run sequences of still images plus some video animation throughout most of the performance. This was beamed onto a three-metre diameter circular screen hung centre stage.

The screen, two Christie projectors and the VideoDrive were all supplied by Entec, who also sent Richard H

USA - DPA Microphones have again been used on the annual Jazz Cruise on the MS Oosterdam, which sailed from San Diego down the Mexican coastline to the accompaniment of some of the greatest contemporary jazz musicians.

Long time DPA ambassador Gary Baldassari was chief sound engineer for the week-long cruise, working closely with five other engineers who included none other than DPA marketing director Morten Stove together with American engineers Jim Fay, Gary Faller, Nils Warren and Mark Deadman.

The Jazz Cruise has been running for more than 25 years, switching to the prestigious Holland American Line in 2002. With this move, organiser Traveline LLC decided to upgrade the sound and contacted the above engineers, all known for their acoustic jazz work.

DPA mics were used exclusively for all 75 musicians playing on four different stages. Performers included 19-piece swing ba

USA - PRG's proprietary Mbox Extreme media server and Virtuoso DX2 lighting console helped renowned international lighting designers jkld inc. create a dramatic, high velocity showcase for adidas' Y-3 line of athletic wear at New York's Fashion Week.

"It is exciting to collaborate with outstanding designers on an event of this quality," says Jere Harris, founder and chairman of PRG. "The fact that we were able to provide creative solutions with our proprietary products makes the work all that much more gratifying."

Staged on the basketball court at Manhattan's Hunter College, the Y-3 event featured a raised U-shaped runway, with the audience seated on bleachers alongside. Colours chased along the inside and outside edges of the runway through borders of Versa Tubes. Three additional rows of tubes on the inside wall of the runway, suggesting the three

UK - For the first live BRIT Awards since 1989, Sennheiser commissioned Crystalroc (www.crystalroc.co.uk) to produce two special Union Flag designed SKM 5200 hand-held microphones for presenters Russell Brand and Fearne Cotton. This was also the sixth consecutive year that Sennheiser has provided support to leading sound designer Derrick Zieba and Britannia Row Productions on the UK's top music awards show.

Sennheiser UK's director of marketing John Steven said: "We first worked with Crystalroc when they produced some dazzling gold and diamond microphones for the Kylie Showgirl Homecoming Tour. Everything worked out so well that we thought it would be nice to do something special for The BRIT Awards. We ran it by Derrick and the producers, and everyone was really pleased with the results."

Performers on the night using Sennheiser systems included Corinne Bailey Rae,

UK - The Barracuda Bar in Newquay - the largest live music venue and nightclub in the area, with a capacity of 1,456 - has recently commissioned the services of Willow SoundVision to perform a technical refurbishment, redesign and installation of new, flexible lighting for the venue.

Mark Pearmain, project manager for Willow SoundVision explained that the lighting system had to bring a "wow" factor to the venue, the lighting had to be exciting and make a huge visual impact. The design needed to utilise a large space and also serve live entertainment events such as regular hosting of Radio 1 in the summer months, live acts such as the Levellers and the main purpose of the venue, as a bar/nightclub. Budget and product reliability was a large factor in choosing Martin Professional products, said Pearmain.

The lighting design included two custom lighting structures with

Sweden - Sweden based United Audio Starlight, one of the biggest live entertainment companies in Northern Europe, has committed to changing out their existing stock of over 400 Lab.gruppen amplifiers to replace them with 200 of the new Lab.gruppen FP + Series FP 10000Q 4 x 2500 watt-per-channel amplifiers.

"We were one of the beta test sites for the prototype FP 10000Q amplifiers during summer 2006," says Björn Lehnberg, branch manager, Audio, United Audio Starlight. "And our engineers and road crews were astonished by the new 4-channel monster. In our application, one FP 10000Q can replace two fP6400s so we halve the weight and halve the space taken up. These factors alone made the decision to replace our entire inventory very attractive."To help make the change over as swift as possible, United Audio Starlight chose to utilise their existing racks as a sho

USA - Bandit Lites has been nominated for a Pinnacle Award,presented by the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce. The Pinnacle Awards recognisewinners in eight different categories and celebrate the accomplishments of businesses inthe Knoxville area.

Bandit has been nominated specifically in the Business Excellence category. This awardis presented to a company headquartered in East Tennessee or a company with asignificant presence in East Tennessee that has shown remarkable profitability, growthand stability. Nominees must be recognised regionally, nationally and/or internationally intheir respective business sector, while demonstrating leadership in the sector as well.Nominated companies should have made significant investments in facilities andemployees.

The Pinnacle Business Awards Ceremony will be held on 27 April, 2007 at the KnoxvilleConvention Centre. More than 600 peop

USA - Victoria's Secret launches 'Secret Embrace' (a one-piece technology bra) with a special PR event at Herald Square today, using FogScreen technology.

FogScreen projection produces a thin curtain of "dry" fog that serves as a translucent projection screen, displaying images that literally float in the air. FogScreen projection screen uses ordinary tap water and does not contain any chemicals, thus earning the distinction of being "the audiovisual innovation of the decade".

In the 'Secret Embrace' launch guests - and supermodels - walk through a wall created with FogScreen projection screen. "Victoria's Secret is able to create a stunning display that is so captivating and attractive that it cannot help but to grab people's attention," says Mika Koivula, CEO of FogScreen, Inc. "This year we have launched FogScreen projection screen into th

UK - RF specialist, Trantec reports that its innovative 4-channel UHF S4.4 mic system has been taken on board by Rocktronic Centres - the buying consortium of independent musical equipment retailers in the UK.

Rocktronic Centres comprises over sixty independent MI stores nationwide and is headed up by Ian Barnes. The aim of Rocktronic Centres is to offer a combined buying power that allows more product choice, better deals and ultimately an increased service capacity.

Trantec's S4.4 was launched last Autumn and offers "a cost effective and flexible alternative for vocals, presentations and musical instruments".Additionally, the system offers four licence-free switchable UHF frequencies, which can operate simultaneously.

The system is available as a Vocal system, which comprises a hand-held transmitter with a dynamic capsule and a diversity receiver. The Lapel syste

UK - Yeovil-based systems integrator IVC is celebrating after winning the InAVation award for the Most InAVative large Commercial Project, for its £2.7M AV project in the iconic Senedd, the home of the Welsh National Assembly.

Held in Amsterdam, the InAVation awards have been developed to recognise, celebrate and encourage professional excellence within the commercial and residential AV integration industries. Almost 8000 individual votes from over 60 countries throughout the EMEA region decided the winners of the 2007 event, selecting IVC's project over the Moscow Government Boardroom in Russia, the Adi Dassler Brand Centre in Germany and Tadco-De Beers Diamond World in South Africa.

IVC managing director Ray Harding commented, "The Senedd has been defined as the arena in which the future of Wales will be shaped, so it was hugely exciting to be involved, ins

UK - Adlib Audio supplied a JBL VerTec sound system and full audio production and crew for Brand New's recent UK tour - the New York based Indie rockers' largest production tour to date. In control of Brand New's FOH mix is engineer Chris Cole who recommended Adlib to tour manager Jamieson Shea, having working with them several times in the past.

VerTec and also three of the latest Dolby Lake processors for EQ were employed. They used ten elements of flown VerTec a side and six Adlib DF4 twin 18" subs. The VT was powered by Camco Vortex 6 amplifiers and the subs by Crown VZ5000s.

Cole used a Midas H3000 console, which he describes as "a great desk for sound quality and ease of use, and generally excellent for the band". For compression, he used a combination of dbx 160s and BSS901s chained together. Adlib also supplied a rack of four dbx 160s which he put across

USA - Northeastern Production Systems of Rochester, NY is celebrating its 35th Anniversary in 2007 and, by extension, its 35-year relationship with JBL. Since 1972, Northeastern has evolved from a local sound production supplier to become one of the region's premier audio/lighting/video systems providers.

Over the years, artists for whom Northeastern Production Systems has provided live production services include Al Green, Heart, Patti LaBelle, Bill Cosby, KC and The Sunshine Band, Public Enemy, Chuck Mangione, the Spinners, and the Goo Goo Dolls.

According to founder Ray DiBiase, the key to Northeastern Production's success and growth has been its ability to provide a variety of different services as the company has evolved. "First we added lighting in the late 1970's, then in 1990 we decided our destiny was in total production packages," DiBiase said. "We pro

Denmark - One of Scandinavia's premiere ballet companies, The Peter Schaufuss Ballet based in Holstebro, is a leading touring troupe that was established ten years ago by renowned ballet dancer, choreographer and director Peter Schaufuss. The company tours nationally and internationally with new productions staged every year.

Since 2005 lighting design for the Ballet has been handled by technical manager and chief of lighting, Bo Kudsk Kristensen who has traditionally had a large conventional lighting rig at his disposal. Last year he welcomed the addition of a Martin automated lighting package consisting of 17 MAC 2000 Performance and 17 MAC 2000 Wash fixtures, with control via a grandMA.

In 2006 Peter Schaufuss initiated collaboration with the British cartoonist Gerald Scarfe who created part of the scenography for Satisfaction, Schaufuss' dance concert based on the m

Australia - Established in 1859, the GPO is a famous Melbourne landmark, transforming from postal hall to popular night spot and function centre in the 1990's. Managed by Robertson Hospitality Group, the GPO most recently underwent a comprehensive update of its audio systems,selecting Allen & Heath mixing products throughout.

"CEO Ian Robertson and music director Scott Thompson were looking for a premium quality audio system that could stay in the background visually, but be very much in the foreground acoustically," commented system designer and contractor Nathan Pugh of One Productions.

The GPO offers four key function areas, The Lexington, The Music Room, The Library and The Terrace. The Lexington makes use of the heritage architecture of the GPO building, with grand archways, 7-metre high ceilings, huge period windows, Swarovski crystal chandeliers, draped privat

USA - A complement of grandMA consoles controlled an array of fixtures employed by lighting directors Patrick Dierson and Kevin Lawson of Artfag, LLC at two pre-Super Bowl concerts. grandMAs also controlled lighting by Artfag lighting & video directors Richard Wold and Pat Brannon for a pre-game NFL party for VIPs.

The VH-1 Presents Pepsi Smash Bash featuring John Legend, Fergie and Kanye West, was hosted by Taye Diggs outside Dolphins Stadium on the NFL Experience Concert Stage. Recorded to HD by MTV Networks the Thursday before the game, the concert was telecast on Saturday night. Friday night Telemundo's Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Fiesta featuring Don Omar, Ivy Queen and Aventura was taped on the same stage for broadcast as well. Spike Brandt at Artfag provided production design for both concerts.

"The same equipment and rig was used for each event," not

UK - Lighting designer Steve Douglas is using an Avolites Diamond 4 Vision console to control lighting for Las Vegas-based The Killers' Sam's Town world tour which is currently playing UK arenas.

Dublin-based Douglas has used Avolites consoles since the start of his professional career. He used a D4 on the previous US leg of the tour, "so it was a natural choice to continue" he says. He's also the show's programmer and operator, so he wanted a powerful desk that he knew was fast and easy to set up. He adds that with their schedule already including a festival season in the summer, "Features like Fixture Exchange are really invaluable".

Equipment for the European section of the tour is being supplied by Siyan. The stage features some spectacular red curtains, borders and legs, with monitor and guitar worlds onstage also wrapped in matching red materia

USA - A substantial quantity of SymNet DSP and expansion devices have been installed at the Alabama State House in Montgomery, where they provide processing, auto-mixing, matrixing and distribution functionality for the legislative spaces. This installation is part of an audio/visual upgrade at the State Legislature building which was designed by special systems engineering firm NBTA Engineers, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

"We worked very closely with the owner to develop a system tailored to their specific needs. The project was well executed and on budget, and will meettheir needs for many years to come," claims Trez Traylor, president of NBTA Engineers.

The House and Senate chambers are each identically outfitted with a SymNet 8x8 DSP hardware module together with 12-channel BreakIn12 and BreakOut12 expansion devices. Principal inputs into each DSP matrix include mi

South Africa - DPA microphones have played a major role in the South African production of We Will Rock You which premiered at the 1,069-seat Nelson Mandela Theatre in Johannesburg before transferring to Cape Town and Durban.

The show, which plays tribute to rock band Queen, was written by British author Ben Elton together with band members Brian May and Roger Taylor and has sold more than four million tickets worldwide. A futuristic struggle between good and evil, We Will Rock You is based on Queen's back catalogue which spans more than three decades.

A combination of DPA 4065 and 4066 omnidirectional headband mics were used for all cast members. The mics were supplied by DPA's South African distributor Prosound, whose Mark Malherbe was also the sound designer for the show's South African run. Malherbe loosely based his design on the original, which also specifi

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