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UK - Christopher Bushell has chosen to use a Diamond 4 Avolites console from Neg Earth for the Hoosiers Tour 2008. Their UK number 1 album The Trick to Life which quickly became double platinum was released in October last year and is now being played live in UK and France.

Bushell comments: "After trying most consoles, I always go back to Diamond 4. I like to have everything laid out and palletted-up in front of me so it's all easy to grab. The layout of menus, shapes and playback editing is the best with Avolites."

Amongst many dates and different venues, Bushell and The Hoosiers were at London's Brixton Academy for a Halloween gig. The Knight of Illumination nominated lighting designer created an intimate and cheerful atmosphere. A total of 77 Movers and LED blinders were required for the show.

Bushell used the new iPix BB7's as back light on floor and on

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USA - The Soundcraft Vi6 was among the attendees invited to the final stop of a 24-hour non-stop party hosted by Diesel to celebrate its 30th anniversary around the world. The Diesel xXx Rock and Roll Circus took place in 17 major cities across the world; commencing in Tokyo and moving to Beijing, Dubai, Athens, Amsterdam, Milan, Zurich, Munich, Paris, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Oslo, Helsinki, London, Sao Paulo, and finally had its grand finale on Pier 3 in Brooklyn, New York on 11 October.

ESP New York chose the Vi6 for its audio quality and its ability to handle The Rock and Roll Circus that hosted numerous music artists performing in front of thousands of VIP guests.

T.I., N.E.R.D., Franz Ferdinand, M.I.A., Hot Chip, and Chaka Khan performed on the Brooklyn waterfront in front of a crowd of 5,000 VIP attendees.

All the engineers involved with the s

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UK - These days, archiving nightly shows on tour is standard fare, with many A-list bands spending upwards of $50,000 to build a touring recording rig. But as Jim Ebdon found on the current world tour with Maroon 5, he was able to turn his DiGiCo D5 and Apple Mac PowerBook into a powerful and flexible mobile workstation with RME's HDSPe MADIface 128-Channel 192 kHz MADI PCI ExpressCard.

"With this setup, I'm able to have a fully functioning recording studio on the road," Ebdon reports. "The MADIface card takes up virtually no space and I can get it in my computer bag. With that, along with the D5's fantastic functionality and very small footprint-I've got one small rack at FOH and one on stage with one thin cable linking it all-I can get great results."

Ebdon has been able to get most of what he needs from the D5's onboard sound palette, and is carrying on

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UK - For the MTV Europe Music Awards at the Liverpool Echo Arena Mojo Barriers provided a black aluminium barrier system to meet the needs of the security and television teams.

The company installed 155m of aluminium stage barrier, 100m of cable ramps and 200m of pedestrian barrier, for the ceremony, which saw Paul McCartney receive an Ultimate Legend Award, with other honours going to Britney Spears, Kanye West, Pink and Lil' Wayne.

"It was important that the barrier fitted in with the overall look of the production," says Kevin Thorborn, Mojo Barriers' UK manager. "We were delighted to be able to respond flexibly when MTV Europe specified a black aluminium barrier. Meeting the production values of our clients is a key part of our service."

(Jim Evans)

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UK - Lighting designer Andy Webb of Tigz Productions utilised 47 Anolis ArcLine RGB LED strips plus Robe ColorWash 750 AT Tungsten and ColorSpot 700E AT moving lights in a ghost-busting lighting scheme for a special production of Goth, staged at Woodchester Mansion near Nympsfield, Stroud, Gloucestershire.

Woodchester Mansion is an enchanting, unfinished Gothic revival mansion house that was created by William Leigh, abandoned by its builders in 1870 and never completed. It is also one of the most haunted houses in the UK - allegedly.

The house provided an atmospheric site specific location for the show created by youth theatre group Dramarama, based on stories and folklore from the Mansion. It was a promenade performance taking place in 13 different locations on three levels around the rambling shell, including the chapel, the cellar and numerous galleries and unfinish

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Canada - Adamson's M-215, first revealed at this year's PLASA in London, was introduced to the North American marketplace at the AES in San Francisco. The M215 power wedge is Adamson's newest addition to the M-Series Monitor line, which will soon see two more products added; the first being the sub-compact symmetrical M12 Monitor, for which a prototype was also displayed at the AES Show.

The trapezoid cabinet features symmetrical driver placement with a 50 x 50-degree conical waveguide. Designed for use as a stage monitor, it can also double as a superior drum- or stage-fill enclosure, specifically aimed for performers wanting extra high SPL without losing intelligibility.

The M215 exhibits low distortion thanks to the qualities of its multilayer Kevlar cone driver. The two long excursion, lightweight Neodymium ND15-L drivers, supply power handling with a solid low frequency r

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USA - As a continuation of its green initiative, Apollo Design Technology Inc announced at the recent LDI exhibition in Las Vegas its complete process switch to laser technology for all gobo production. Starting with steel gobos in 2007, laser technology is now being used to produce Apollo glass gobos. The change from chemical etching to laser technology eliminates thousands of gallons of hazardous waste annually, the company says.

"Working with laser technology for the past three years has been amazing," states company founder and president Joel Nichols. "The image consistency lasers provide will catch the user's attention. The additional benefits to the environment and workplace safety that this technology provides make this change a win-win for everyone. With a transition to more eco-friendly packaging also in the works, we are extremely pleased to be deliverin

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UK & Ireland - Snow Patrol has performed four gigs in 48 hours across four different cities: Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh and London. A Midas PRO6 Live Audio System for monitoring travelled with them for the first three shows, with an XL8 Live Performance System used for the final gig in London. Both systems were provided by Britannia Row, with Heritage 3000s sourced locally for front of house.

The epic undertaking started at 01.00 on Sunday 26 October, when Irish rental company Litton Lane loaded their Midas Heritage 3000 and speakers into the Gate Theatre, Dublin. Meanwhile the PRO6 was loaded with new software and set up. Monitor engineer Tristan Farrow had transferred the show files from the XL8 during production rehearsals in London and the band sound-checked at 10.30 for the midday show.

The show finished at 14.00 and half an hour later the crew hightailed it up to Belfas

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Argentina - The 13th edition of the Atahualpa Festival opened at the Club Central Córdoba, Argentina, earlier this year. This folk music marathon lasted over eight hours and was a colourful gathering of the leading Argentinean folk music stars. The festival was held in conjunction with a regional gastronomy fair. The esplanade that hosted the event was packed with over 30,000 people. D.A.S. Audio Aero line array systems provided sound reinforcement for this major event.

Martí Audio, under the direction of Ariel Martí was in charge of the installation and handling of the PA, comprised of 18 Aero 48 systems. The impressive low frequency reproduction was achieved by using 16 units of the new LX-218 for bass reinforcement. As front-fill, two Aero 28 systems were installed to provide coverage for the first rows.

Given the large audience, Marti also set up eight array syst

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USA - October saw Rosco along with The Hemsley Lighting Programmes, and its media partner Lighting&Sound America, present the royalty payment from the colour Roscolux 361 Hemsley Blue.

The check amount for this year was $3,848, making a total of $9184 since the colour was introduced in 2006. Receiving the cheque on behalf of the Hemsley Lighting Programme was board member John McGraw. The presentation took place at LDI in Las Vegas on the Rosco stand and was presented by Stan Miller, chairman, Rosco Laboratories.

Hemsley Blue was created by Mark Stanley, resident lighting designer for the New York City Ballet and theatre professor at Boston University at the suggestion of Stan Miller, in memory of Gilbert Hemsley. Rosco has pledged to donate royalties from the sale of Hemsley Blue to support the Hemsley Lighting Programmes, a not-for-profit foundation offering internshi

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UK - XL Video is supplying a substantial projection system, cameras, PPU, Catalyst and Hippotizer digital media servers and crew for the current Coldplay Viva La Vida world tour.

Working closely with Edinburgh-based Pufferfish, XL has also jointly developed six internally projected spheres - and steel cage housings - which are a major scenic feature of the show.

The show's inventive set and lighting was created by Paul Normandale, with video playback content specially commissioned and produced by Justine Catterall, technical support by Richard Turner and live video directed by Andy Bramley. Des Fallon is International account handler & project manager for XL.

Five 2m diameter globes are onstage, three attached to the two rear trusses (which are horizontal ladder beams shaped like waves), and the other two downstage left and right at the sides of stage, flown on two mo

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Ukraine - Sound and lighting specialists Cortmi has provided dramatic exterior illumination for two landmark buildings in Ukraine, using architectural lighting fixtures from PR Lighting.

The Chinese company's territorial distributors have used eight Century Spot 2500s and eight Century Colour 2500's to provide a permanent installation for Akula business centre in Donetsk, while a four further Century Spot 2500s are providing a dramatic temporary wash at the dwelling house constructed by the local construction company DISC (Donbass Investment and Construction Company. The Class A building occupies a prime location in the downtown area alongside other similar buildings.

The pieces were recommended by Cortmi's project department (led by Viktor Markov) to meet the inventive design of LD Alexander Kirichok.

Cortmi's marketing manager, Stanislav Serbin, says that the PR Lighting f

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USA - A high powered Renkus-Heinz ceiling loudspeaker system is at the heart of an acoustical solution for a large, multi-purpose dividable lecture room at the Great Hall of the Centre for Continuous Learning at Mount Royal College in Calgary, Alberta.

The Great Hall is a 'L.E.A.D.S.' energy efficient design with exposed concrete surfaces that warm up and then release the stored energy back into the building. The room, being walled in concrete with tall glass windows, posed a tough challenge for consultant Fred Gilpin and local contractor Apex Audio Visual.

The room can be used either as a single large space or can be reconfigured as two or three smaller seminar rooms by giant brushed stainless steel room dividers. Either way the space presents a battery of hard, reflective surfaces. A single audio system was required to serve the needs of both configurations and, the design b

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Romania - Litestructures has developed a new manufacturing base in Slatina, Romania, to supply its European customers. The new 30,000sq.ft factory was officially opened by the Mayor of Slatina, Darius Bogdan Valcov and the British Ambassador, Robin Barnett, in the presence of Ion Prioteasa, president of the county of Dolj and Ioan Ciugulea, Vice-President of the Olt County Council, Romania.

Commenting on this initiative, Litestructures managing director, Adrian Brooks observed: "Even in these hard economic times, perhaps even more so, Romania remains an attractive area for inward investment. Slatina has many connections with the wider aluminium industry, so we were confident of finding the skills and support we needed for this venture."

Christmas 2008 marks the fifth anniversary of Litestructures' relationship with Romania. The Romanian factory will take over product

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China - The Tennis Masters has returned to Shanghai this month and Lighthouse Technologies (Lighthouse) is providing Qizhong Stadium with nearly 40 m2 of R4 4mm LED screens to bring more viewers closer to the action than ever before.

Lighthouse LED panels are appearing at more and more sports venues around the world. "The Macau and Bahrain Grand Prix, Rugby Sevens in Hong Kong, stadiums in US, Australia, Italy, Denmark, Holland, Austria and London just to name a few, as well as the famous Lord's Cricket ground in London have all been excellent examples of how Lighthouse LED screens are creating dramatic impact at major sporting events around the world," said Peter Chan, general manager of Lighthouse Technologies.

"We are also extremely proud to be the LED screen provider for the 2008 Tennis Masters. The R4-S screens we have installed at Qizhong Stadium reflect o

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UK - Sennheiser UK has confirmed that it is now the exclusive distributor of K-Array products in the UK. At PLASA08 Sennheiser UK introduced K-Array to a select group of individuals. Designed and manufactured in Florence, Italy, K-Array loudspeakers and amplifiers are designed for a range of applications.

For medium to large-scale live performance applications, the K-Array range includes the KH4, a self-powered two-way line array speaker with impressive power reserves.

The KH4 has been designed to be easily integrated with other K-array products, including the KS4 self-powered dipole high performance subwoofer, which itself is only 16cm in depth, while weighing just 37Kg. In terms of dispersion, the KH4 offers a variable vertical coverage pattern of between seven and 37 degrees, and a broad 120-degree horizontal coverage pattern. Both the KH4 and KS4 have been designed for fas

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The Netherlands - Dutch rental company Triple Showtechniek is one of the first companies worldwide to pair the new Midas PRO6 Live Audio System with the Midas XL8. Triple Showtechniek is using its PRO6 for monitors on the current Jan Smit tour, which also features an XL8 at front of house.

With FOH engineer Marc Pardon having already used the Midas XL8 earlier in the tour, monitor engineer Donovan Kemper insisted on starting this leg with the PRO, and Midas Consoles Holland was able to supply Triple Show techniek with the second system off the production line.

"Based on my experience of using both the Midas Heritage 3000 and XL8, I didn't want to work with another brand of digital console, so I had to wait until PRO6 was available," says Kemper. "And it was worth waiting for. Having used the H3000 in the past, I wasn't prepared to accept a reduction in sound qua

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USA - In an ambitious project to provide the optimal audio system, 4X Audio has looked to BSS Audio to provide control and ease of use for its recently developed sound system at the new TRE Nightclub, in Sacramento California. TRE is a new upscale nightclub that also includes a full restaurant and lounge.

For the project, 4X Audio utilised both BSS Audio Soundweb London BLU-80 processors and sw9012 remote source/preset selectors. "We utilise the BLU-80s constantly because of their input and output flexibility, as well as their reliable functionality, programming and rock solid networked audio," stated 4X Audio sound integrator Doug Pumphrey. "The client wanted to create something larger and of higher quality than anything that had ever been installed in a Northern California nightclub."

Additionally, JBL speakers were used throughout the restaurant, bar and

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USA - Peace Apostolic Church in Carson, California has installed an Allen & Heath iLive-112 Digital Mixing System in the 900 seat main worship hall and a GL2800 in the adjacent 300 seat Fellowship hall. Handling multiple services each week in addition to rehearsals, bible studies, and other events, the iLive system is configured with 40 inputs and 32 outputs in the Mix Rack with an additional eight inputs and eight outputs on the Control Surface.

"We are running a full band," says Andre Lamb, Peace Apostolic's music director, "with acoustic drums, guitar, stereo keys, mono, keys, stereo piano mics, MPC click, six praise team mics, six choir mics, minister wireless, and pastor wireless. We've also integrated a full Aviom system in addition to overhead and floor monitors for the podium and Choir area.

"The pre-amps are what really stood out for me - such a wa

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Hong Kong - October was a busy month for TAO Group's personnel with events in Canada, Croatia, Dubai and latterly Hong Kong - providing production management for the AsiaHedge Awards 2008.

The event, held in the Grand Ballroom of The Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong, acknowledges the achievements of the Asia-Pacific hedge fund industry; bringing together both international and Asian managers and investors to celebrate the best performing Asia-Pacific hedge funds.

TAO were contracted three weeks prior to the awards by Matt Stowe of London based design agency NewSubstance to provide production management and consultancy for the event.

TAO's Managing Director Andy Cotton started by liaising with the hotel's supplier, Simon Lam of Hong Kong based company Base Create, and hotel events manager Samantha Chow. The set was designed as all white with a central 12' x 9' rear projection

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UK - Stage Electrics is supplying its biggest outdoor ice rink of the year to The Mall at Cribbs Causeway for its spectacular Winter Wonderland in Bristol. Stage Electrics is providing complete event management for the shopping centre's Christmas attraction, from installing the 1,000sq.m ice rink, to sound, lighting, ice marshals, chalets housing skating equipment, a Christmas market and catering, to health and safety management.

The rink, the largest outdoor rink in the South West, will be open from 13 November until 4 January 2009, offering hour-long skating sessions each accommodating 300 skaters. This year's rink is 50% bigger than last year and aims to attract even more skaters than before. Last year 30,000 skaters used the rink. A 30ft Christmas tree adorned with 2,000 LED lights, creates a stunning focal point in the centre of the rink.

Ian Tregaskis, live events

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USA - The number one selling artists on Billboard's Christian/Gospel charts at the end of last year, the band Casting Crowns has secured a fan base spanning continents. Slated to return from Europe later this month just in time for the launch of the holiday season in the US, the contemporary Christian rockers will begin their Christmas Celebration Tour in Southeast Texas at the Berry Centre on 28 November.

The 14-city Christmas Celebration will travel with a 20-piece orchestra throughout the latter half of November and first half of December. Guest artists on the bill will include Natalie Grant, Denver & the Mile High Orchestra, Avalon, Michael English, and pureNRG.

Shure microphone products will occupy a prime place in the show as well, having been chosen by Casting Crowns FOH engineer Carter Hassebroek to fulfill wide duties onstage.

With UHF-R wireles

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Lebanon - EvenLED, Martin Professional's bright system of LED panels for uniform projection, has been utilised in several TV studios around the world. One of those studios, Future TV in Lebanon, has implemented the modular system in its newsroom where two vertical columns of five EvenLED panels rise around a video wall to form a decorative background.

"Originally, the client wanted simply to change the set of the daily news show from a studio-based set into a newsroom environment set," says Ali Wazani, managing director of Wazani & Associates, an architectural firm responsible for some of the region's top television studio designs.

"Most of today's TV stations, international events and productions base their design on a branding and identity brief. It is the exceptional image that we are all striving to achieve. EvenLED can easily brand large surfaces with dyna

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UK - The Fellow, a new dining room and cocktail bar in the Kings Cross area of London, opened this autumn with an array of APart and DAS speakers supplied by the British distributors of both companies products, Sennheiser UK.

After spending almost a year refurbishing the building, The Fellow's owners wanted all three of its floors to sound as good as they look. Which is why they got in touch with audio installation company Paris London. Their solution was nine black APart Mask 6 speakers on the ground floor dining area, four DAS DR8 speakers in the corners of the cocktail lounge on the first floor, and another pair of APart Mask 6 on the top floor's exclusive private dining room.

"The DAS DR8s sound good and are punchy enough to provide a proper party atmosphere," says Andy Noble of Paris London. "On top of that, the DR8s are the lightest unit of its power ratin

  1. Digital refit for Phantom at Her Majesty's
  2. ACF Florentina scores with Lighthouse
  3. Tina Turner returns with Clay Paky
  4. Adamson's new partner takes on Sazavafest
  5. Lab.gruppen PLMs debut on Hot Chip dates
  6. PixelLines frame Elisa's dream performance
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