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Ireland - Robert Juliat, has supplied a substantial quantity of its 1K and 1.2K fresnels and PC fixtures to Ireland's first custom-built opera house. Wexford Opera House, in South East Ireland, is concealed behind a re-instated street front in the town's main street.

Occupying 4.5 times the space of the old opera house it replaces, Wexford Opera House has been built to the highest standards with quality and attention to detail given to every aspect of its development and construction. The result is an exciting new multi-purpose performance space capable of offering a varied, year-round programme of opera, theatre and dance.

The specification of Robert Juliat lanterns had been on the cards with the Opera House's design team since the initial conception in 2005. Amongst this team were theatre consultants, Carr & Angier, which was involved throughout in the design of both the mai

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Spain - Indalo Sonido, located in the region of Extremadura, Spain, has invested in D.A.S. Aero line array systems. Heading Indalo Sonido is Indalecio Montero, founder and director of the company located in the historical city of Merida, capital of the region of Extremadura. Powered D.A.S. Aero 38A units are among the inventory of audio systems the company has for sound reinforcement projectsplus an army of Aero 218A 2K subwoofers, their respective D.A.S. SM-12A stage monitors and Compact-115 units for side-fill.

This selection of equipment enables the company to offer a complete range of audiovisual rental and installation services for live events. One of their more recent success stories using Aero systems, was the Peoples International Folk Festival held at the Roman Theatre in Merida, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993.

For this particular festival, the firm's

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USA - Big Mick Hughes' tenure as front-of-house (FOH) engineer for Metallica is almost as long as the band's existence. "This is my 25th year. I was 25 or 26 when I started with the guys, and I'm going on 51 in a minute," says Hughes. Although the band has evolved and grown, a key to its longevity is its constant dedication to hard-rocking heavy metal, showcased on the 2008 hit album Death Magnetic. Another constant for the band has been Hughes' selection of Audio-Technica as the microphones of choice for Metallica's live stage setup, the most recent incarnation of which is crisscrossing the United States, soon to be followed by Europe, as the Death Magnetic World Tour.

"I've been using Audio-Technica for years, because of the way A-T mics sound. I can't really imagine using anything else," Hughes says. "They sound great and have tremendous

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Australia - Brisbane-based IJS continues to expand its operations with the recent purchase of two Soundcraft Vi6 digital audio consoles.

"We were finding that the Soundcraft Vi6 was regularly being specified on riders and we like to keep up to date with the market trends," said IJS's managing director Ivan Simon. "I also noticed that the Vi6 was selling well overseas. Digital consoles are obviously the way of the future - they're easy to set up, everything is in one place and the boards are really reliable these days especially the Vi6. I believe that the Vi6 is definitely one of the easiest digital consoles to use and get your head around. It's also a really great sounding board."

(Jim Evans)

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UK - Lighting designer Nathan Wan used over 80 Robe moving lights for the Live Action Arena at the Autosports International 2009 show, staged in the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham.

It was the first time that Wan has lit the event, for which lighting and audio equipment was supplied by Network Productions. The Live Action Arena was co-ordinated for exhibition organisers Haymarket Events by Waltham Services.

With up to six sold out shows a day watched by 4700 people each time, the Live Action Arena saw some serious seat-clutching speed, smoke and burning rubber from an array of fast vehicle genres, all completing in a series of hair-raising races.

Wan's brief from show director Roger Burlinson was to bring a real flow and continuity to the pacey, highly choreographed show which segued seamlessly from one set of hot-rodded vehicles to another. They zoomed round the trac

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Australia - Bosch Security Systems Australia has sold the country's first Midas PRO6 Live Audio System to Osmond Electronics. This follows a tradition of firsts for Adelaide-based company, which also bought the first Midas XL3 and XL200 consoles in the country during the nineties.

Osmond specified the PRO6 with the DL431 Input splitter and DL451 I/O box usually supplied with the XL8. The DL431 will allow a total of five output splits from a single input with dual variable gain pre-amps providing both digital and analogue splits, with an additional transformer isolated analogue output as the fifth split. Increased functionality will also be provided by the DL451 I/O box by way of remote inputs and outputs for the system, in addition to the DL451 I/O cards fitted into the PRO6 surface. Each DL451 box and the PRO6 surface contain three module slots that allow input and output modul

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USA - Carnival Cruise Lines recently upgraded its fleet with a series of three Electro-Voice and Dynacord audio installations. Each installation was performed by SES Live Professional, a sound production company based in Senoia, Ga. Since its foundation in 2008, SES has earned a reputation across the Southeastern United States for quality sound, performance, and consulting.

SES was first commissioned to refit the main theatres of Carnival's four Spirit Class liners - the Pride, Legend, Spirit, and Miracle - with EV NetMax N8000 System Controllers to control all matrix routing, equalizing, and time alignment of each multi-speaker cluster throughout the ceilings of the main theatres.

Steve Stapleton, owner of SES LivePro, comments: "To ensure a smooth and seamless installation, we walked Carnival through every step of the process. They needed a partner with the proper profe

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USA - Stageco US was at the heart of the production team putting together the celebratory concert welcoming President Barack Obama into office in Washington DC. Stars including Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, Mary J Blige, Stevie Wonder, U2 and Elvis Costello feted the president elect, while hundreds of thousands of people attended the free concert.

The event footprint was 2.5 miles long, stretching from the Lincoln Memorial in the west, around the Washington Monument, to the Capitol Building in the east, with a main stage and an extensive system of delay and video towers running the entire length of the site.

The stage-building team installed a 166ft x 60ft multi-level stage including two audio/video support structures, two lighting support towers and two 122ft x 80ft audience viewing platforms with video support platforms built at the rear.

In one of the biggest event-building

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Austria - Luxury crystal glass brand Swarovski recently graced its headquarter building in Wattens (Tyrol), Austria with a 250m long transparent metal curtain. The fabric, made of 26,250,000 flexible stainless steel rings, rises 10m in height and is dynamically illuminated by 133 Martin Professional Inground 200 colour changers.

The Martin Inground 200 fixtures are embedded in the ground along the inner path of the curtain. The curtain's sleek, sculptural fabric, which defies weather and corrosion, interacts with the sun and passing clouds in a play of light and shadow. At dusk, the light show begins as static colour scenes interact with the shifting shades of the evening sky.

"The main task was to illuminate the stainless steel curtain in the evening and to that end powerful and visually appealing inground luminaires were sought," commented lighting designer Stephan

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USA - FiberPlex reports that its LightViperTM audio transport system was recently acquired by Taylor, Michigan-based audio production company, Thunder Audio, who has employed the advanced fiber optic technology in an innovative sound support touring system for Metallica's Death Magnetic World Tour which kicked off last October and will wrap up a US performance schedule in New Jersey next February. The tour, with high-energy concerts predominantly in large arenas, continues throughout Europe from February through July 2009.

At the heart of the large touring sound system developed by Thunder Audio, a 64-channel LightViper fibre optic audio system is configured as a 'drive snake' to provide AES/EBU digital audio signal distribution from FOH equipment racks to a massive, 44-zone loudspeaker array. Nearly 200 self-powered speakers are arranged in an 'in the round' configuratio

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China - Italian pro audio manufacturer Outline has appointed Shoushan system integration as its sole distributor for China, Hong Kong and Macao, with effect from 1 January 2009.

Since its foundation, Shoushan, headquartered in Guangzhou Panyu, has been committed to the professional audio field. Its key market areas include theatres, radio and television broadcasters, multi-function halls, meeting, conference and exhibition centres.

The company's CEO Mr. Tempo has been committed to China's audio industry for many years, holding key sales positions with top Chinese and International brands since 1991.

(Jim Evans)

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USA - Like most secondary schools, Shakopee High's football field is a multi-purpose venue, used for football, track and field, rallies and ceremonies. And like many high school football fields, Shakopee's was somewhat lacking in audio coverage, with an underpowered system that was being pushed well beyond its reasonable limits.

"The system was two speakers and a 150W amp," says Dohn Fadden of Shoreview, MN-based Electronic Design Company. "In the few areas where the loudspeakers could be heard, the sound was largely unintelligible."

Fadden's new system design faced a few challenges, including the logistics of covering both the home and visitors' seating from a single point. "Mounting the speakers above the press box on the home team's bleachers was really the only viable solution, since trenching for cabling across the field would have been expensive

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Germany - Rosco has provided X24 X-Effects Projectors to give a shimmering and realistic watery effect to a new Aquarium in the German city of Stralsund, with 39 tanks, which are home to rare coral fish and other marine life from around the world.

Inside the Giants of the Sea exhibition, a series of rooms with 20m high ceilings, there are full scale models of a 26m long Blue Whale, a 16m humpback whale accompanied by a baby 5m humpback whale as well as a 10m sword whale. Most spectacular however, is a battle between a 15m sperm whale and a giant squid. The X24 projector gives large scale ripple effects, to help create the sense of habitat.

German engineering agency Walter Bamburger had seen the X24 in use in the Deutches Meeresmuseum, and specified 10 Analogue X24 Projectors for the Giants of the Sea exhibition.

The Giants of the Sea project was organise

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UK - A set of three Compulite Vector Greens ran a complex lighting rig that included moving lights, media servers, LED screens and conventional lights on the recent X Factor live finals. Lighting designer for the finals was Dave Davey, with Bill Peachment, John Ford and Russ Grubiack working as programmers.

Peachment comments: "All 3 Vector systems performed very well on this fast moving show. We used a vector PC to back up the systems but this was never needed. I think that the Vector is a very fast and flexible desk to program on these complex TV shows. "

The lighting rig included: 4 Vari-Lite VL 3500 washes; 18 Vari-Lite VL 2000 washes; 29 Vari-Lite VL 3000 spots; 22 Vari-Lite VL 3000 washes; 2 Nova flowers; 18 Vari-Lite VL6c spots; 36 James Thomas PixelPar 90s; 46 James Thomas Pixel line 1044s; 12 Vari-Lite 1K Tungstens; 3 Chroma 12 RGBs from Pulsar; 20 ACL PAR b

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The Netherlands - Omnisport, the new multi-function hall in the Dutch town of Apeldoorn is designed for bicycle races, a variety of other sporting events, and large concerts. The new building can seat up to 11,000 spectators - making it one of the largest and most comfortable halls in the Netherlands.

When the time came to choose a sound system, the hall's managers opted for a central cluster of 14 Electro-Voice FRX+ coaxial loudspeakers, which can be used for the playback of recorded music as well as announcements and evacuations.

"The Electro-Voice enclosures are able to play all their trump cards - compact format, precise control, reliability and versatility, and ease-of-use - in this modern hall," says Axel Nagtegaal, managing director of the Dutch Electro-Voice distributor, E-audio benelux. "This is one fixed installation that will really make people in thi

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Singapore - In 1969, on the advice of the Science Council of Singapore, the Government decided to convert the National Museum into an art and historical museum and to build a new institution which would be devoted to scientific and technological education. The Singapore Science Centre is a non-formal educational institution for the promotion of science and technology among students and members of the public.

It has the country's largest collection of educational exhibits devoted to science, and has been acclaimed as one of the top science centres in the world. More than a million visitors come to the Singapore Science Centre every year.

With the advent of multi-media, the Ministry of Education financed video/chroma keying/animation Studios for the teaching of the subject.

Following the tender process and the approval of the consultant engineers, Zero 88's distributor Combine

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Spain - Located on an industrial estate on the outskirts of Las Franquesas del Vallès - a short distance from Barcelona - the shell of a standard factory unit has been converted, at great expense, into the new nightclub, Incognit. Owners Guillem Soler, Jordi Galcerán and Gerard Guerra have divided the spacious venue into two distinct rooms - one playing commercial hits, the other house music.

With over 12 years experience in the club market the owners realised the value of a good sound system - and they contacted Carles Xandri, from Xandri Brothers SL to help make the selection.

Xandri were already familiar with the attributes of QSC Audio, having been impressed by their performance in other venues in the Barcelona region. As a result 14 active HPR152i loudspeakers have been flown across the two rooms, underpinned by 12 floor-mounted HPR181i powered (single 18in) subwoofers.

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USA - Loud Technologies used the forum of the recent Winter NAMM exhibition in Anaheim, California to refute rumours that the company was bankrupt. Earlier, at the opening of the exhibition, Convention TV had reported that Loud Technologies would either be purchased or file for bankruptcy protection.

By the end of the exhibition, on Sunday 18 January - following what discussions between Loud's management and the show's organisers one can only imagine - a front page story on the show newspaper, UpBeat Daily, said the rumours were unfounded.

Speaking to UpBeat Daily and Music Inc publisher Frank Alkyer, Loud CEO Rodney Olson, who took over management of the group last August, said the earlier news report was "totally unsubstantiated and painted the wrong picture of our situation. The truth is Loud has an envied senior management, supportive owner

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UK - After opening a dedicated sales office in the UK on 1 January 2009, Klotz a.i.s is now able to provide the UK's MI and ProAVM market with rapid, customer-oriented service and support. The new regional sales manager Grant Roomes will coordinate all sales and marketing activities for Klotz a.i.s. in the UK and Ireland. He has worked previously with Harman Pro Distributor GSL in Dubai and most recently as sales manager for Soundcraft with responsibility for the Latin American market.

The new sales office is the latest addition in Klotz's expansion of branches into core and key markets including France, The Netherlands and Singapore/Asia. Grant Roomes will provide support for the entire UK & EIRE market from his North London office. He comments: "I'm delighted to take over responsibility for the UK/EIRE market on behalf of such a prestigious company as Klotz. In my years w

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USA - The TAO of Wood represented a new venture for Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart into the world of visual arts. The exhibit debuted at the Dennis Rae Fine Art gallery in San Francisco, with a reception event featuring a duet performance by Hart and percussionist Zakir Hussain who played on an eight-foot-tall functional sculpture and multitimbered percussion instrument named Ramrod, amplified and played back through a Meyer Sound surround system.

From his days with the Grateful Dead to his globetrotting studies in musicology, Mickey Hart has lived and breathed percussion. The choice of wood as a musical instrument was hardly a new concept for Hart. "The wood is old growth, hundreds of years old, and very sonorous," says Hart in a report in Marin Independent Journal. "It has these extremities that make different sounds. They're beautiful in

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UK Litestructures' latest project is for the Pussycat Dolls current Doll Domination tour.. It's the second time the company has worked with the American girl band.

The stage measures 15m(w) x 10m(deep) and 8ft tall - made to fit on 60ft x 40ft house stage. The main feature includes three sets of staircase - all custom-built. Steps made of a small aluminium frame with a makrolon top. The other main feature of the stage includes five scissor lifts all from Litestructures' hire stock. The top of the decks on the lifts had to have special fixings to accept on stage motorbikes and dancing poles.

The production spent six days in the Litestructures Studios for full production rehearsal. Production manager Bryan 'Froggy' Cross comments, "When it comes to set fabrication and rehearsal space for a full production, Litestructures is the only place I trust with all of my artis

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Russia - Moscow's "MODI", which serves as an Arts Center for the Kuzminki region, recently underwent a major renovation that included new audio and lighting equipment, cabling, power equipment, new seats, complete hall renovations (ceilings and flooring) and more. On 18 December official dignitaries commemorated the opening of the renovated theatre.

LTM Music supplied the lighting and audio equipment for the theatre which houses two venues. The first includes 593 seats in the main hall and a further 191 seats in the balcony area, whilst the second venue has 199 seats.

Compulite lighting equipment included: Vector Red; Vector Blue; 7 CompuDim 96/48 cabinets (244x5kW, 100xRelay 25A); 2 CompuDim 72/36 cabinets (100x3kW, 24xRelay 16A); and 4 MobileDim (40x5kW, 32x3kW).

LTM engineers worked closely with in-house technical management when selecting the lighting consoles

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Spain - Wybron has expanded its global distribution network to Spain. Based near San Sebastian with offices in Madrid, Entertainment Equipment Supplies will distribute Wybron products across the western European country. Founded in 2004, EES sells a variety of lighting equipment and mainly serves the rental, television and theatre markets, said CEO Nacho Acha-Orbea.

EES chose Wybron because of its reputation for reliability, Acha-Orbea said: "We're just focused on high quality brands and equipment with which we can be confident we're offering the best products with the best service."

Wybron sales manager Miles Dudgeon added: "EES has been great to work with, and we're excited to have a bigger presence in such a beautiful country."

(Jim Evans)

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UK - Pearce Hire has been awarded a three year contract to provide all the power and lighting for the Forestry Commission live music tours.

The Forestry Commission Tours bring a range live music to locations situated within woodland or forests to encourage people to appreciate the beautiful world around them, whilst also generating valuable income to plough back into the woodland.

Artists already confirmed for the 2009 series of concerts around the seven venues are Paul Weller, McFly, Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Vanessa-Mae, Katherine Jenkins and Status Quo, with the competitively priced tickets already achieving good sales.

Pearce Hire provided power for the first series of tours in 2000 and has been providing power and lighting for eight years. One of the main challenges of the tour is designing equipment that fits the wishes of all artists and delive

  1. JAM takes on D&M Professional in Canada
  2. The Week in Lighting & Sound
  3. Orbital sets theatre sound course dates
  4. Power Logistics targets smaller events
  5. Black Box joins K1/Kudo programme
  6. Slovakia celebrates Euro with Robe
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