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UK - Edinburgh's Pleasance Theatre, owned and run by the Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) has installed a Yamaha LS9 digital console.

The 300-capacity Pleasance Theatre stages drama, live music, dance and comedy throughout the year, as well as hosting lectures, conferences and film screenings. Both professional and amateur companies use it and, with the venue also rented out for performances during the Fringe, it's rare to step inside and not find something going on.

"The theatre had previously had been an empty space with some tabs, a few hemp bars and a 125a socket," says Tom Lawes of EUSA. "It was used by a variety of student societies to put on various shows and occasionally some in-house events. We bought the LS9-32 in preparation for redeveloping the theatre, which was mainly the installation of a technical infrastructure which would allow

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UK - Star Events Group has confirmed that it has bought the assets of SRC and Stages UK Ltd, in the process creating probably the largest rental fleet of mobile stages in Europe.

The company now offers a range of 12 competitively priced mobile stages. Sizes now available are from 8m x 6m up to the 15m x 12m SAM stage. Included in the acquisition were cable ramps & front of stage barrier all of which can travel inside the stages along with motors and risers offering a saving in transport costs and 'one stop shop" to event organisers.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - inspHire reports that they have won the Hire Awards of Excellence - Supplier of the Year 2011.

The award was presented to inspHire on Saturday 7 May at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London by award sponsors HSS and host Paul Ross.

The Hire Awards of Excellence are designed to y recognise excellence throughout the hire industry. The award acknowledges the success of inspHire as a supplier to the hire industry and is one of the industry's most sought after accolades.

Chris Branson, CEO of inspHire commented, "This particular award means so much to us as it is voted on by our existing customers and reflects how well thought of we are in the industry. We take great pride in our customer service and to have this recognised is a fantastic pat on the back for all of the team at inspHire who work so hard."

(Jim Evans)

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UK - West London based Entec Sound & Light supplied the lighting design, equipment and crew for Punjabi pop/singer/songwriter superstar Gurdas Maan's recent sold out shows at London's Royal Albert and the LG Arena at Birmingham NEC.

The lighting design was created by Entec's Ryan Brown. With no production rehearsals, scant on-site programming time and some seriously high profile shows ahead of him, he took full advantage of Entec's newly updated WYSIWYG system to visualise and pre-plot the show in their Northolt HQ. This proved "Absolutely invaluable" he comments.

It's the third time that Entec has worked with Maan's management, UK Box Office, who approached them to create a "fabulously elegant" lightshow after being inspired by seeing archival images and hearing about previous projects that the company has undertaken.

Gurdas Maan's spectacular career has

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UK - Entertainment lighting specialist White Light has announced the latest addition to the White Light Family of products the company distributes in the UK - Leader Light, the Slovakia-based manufacturer of LED lighting fixtures.

Founded in 1994 by a team who had worked together since 1991, the company first concentrated on manufacturing custom fixtures for architectural projects or to solve specialist requirements for customers. In 2002 Leader Light used their experience in the field to create a range of standard fixtures - a range which has continued to grow ever since.

Today, Leader Light offers products including LED battens, floodlights, panels and washlights for both indoor and outdoor use. Many of their products are available in a choice of white LED, for maximum light output, or RGB or RGBA sources where colour versatility is required.

"We first met Peter Threa

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Belgium - Flashlight/APR and DEE Sound & Light will as of now closely cooperate in the field of renting out professional sound, lighting, backline and rigging equipment.

Both parties are no strangers to each other and have regularly worked together as colleagues and neighbours over the last years, also as Synco Network partners.

Due to this cooperation, the companies have even decided to change the name Flashlight/APR into Ampco Flashlight Rental. DEE's managing director Andre Schneider will be responsible for the general management of Ampco Flashlight Rental in Belgium as well as DEE Sound & Light within the scope of this new cooperation.

Andre Schneider comments, "Ampco Flashlight is a market leader in the Netherlands and an important player in Europe. DEE is known as a small, but extremely high-quality company in Belgium and abroad. Both companies are reputable renta

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UK - A historic 18th century Grade II-listed congregational church in Merthyr Tydfil has been lovingly restored following a six year bid to secure development grants.

Following a spend of £1.4m the building, which had fallen into disrepair, has been converted into a multi-cultural arts, community, educational and Welsh Language Centre, incorporating a new 250-seat amphitheatre; this has been equipped with an end-to-end Harman Pro sound system, supplied Sound Technology and installed by Adlib.

The project is the brainchild of the Soar Project's chief officer, Lis McLean, who secured a total of 13 grants - including £527K from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £300,000 from Heads of the Valleys funding programme - with contributions coming from their own Welsh language bookshop, based in the adjacent vestry opposite. But she says the dream for a Welsh community cen

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Destination: Music - UK Music has published Destination: Music - the first study of its kind to scope the economic contribution of music festivals and major concerts to tourism throughout the UK.

Drawing on unprecedented access to more than 2.5m anonymised ticketing transactions, the report's main findings are as follows:

Large-scale live music across all regions of the UK attracts at least 7.7m attendances by domestic and overseas music tourists

Collectively they spend £1.4bn during the course of their trip

This is a positive contribution of £864m (GVA) to the national economy and equivalent to 19,700 full-time jobs

Although 5% of all music tourists come from overseas, they contribute 18% of total music tourist spending

From these findings UK Music has issued a list of recommendations to Government - including the implementation of a national live m

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Czech Republic - Five days dedicated to lighting and sound design will literally light up and resonate the programme of this year's Prague Quadrennial (PQ) of Performance Design and Space, the world's largest event dedicated to performance design, held in Prague every fourth year since 1967. This year, the PQ will occupy the city centre and public spaces around town from 16-26 June, with Light and Sound - one of PQ's seven sub-projects, bringing Prague's National Theatre to life from 19-23 June.

Light and Sound is being organised by PQ's general commissioner, scenographer Boris Kudli?ka, and by UK-based sound designer Steve Brown. The section will feature an exhibition, interactive presentations of the latest approaches to sound and lighting, and panel discussions, with the personal participation of famous artists such as Scanner, Tod Machover, Olaf Winter and Feli

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Czech Republic - Set to take place during this year's Prague Quadrennial, Scenofest is an educational project of the Prague Quadrennial and OISTAT which looks at more than just sound and lighting design - it also presents workshops focused on the entire range of performative and theatre arts. As with the PQ's other projects, inter-disciplinarity plays an important role in the educational programme, meaning that audiences can look forwards to novel approaches such as the combination of sound and costume design in a workshop led by a team from Purdue University (USA), headed by professor Richard K. Thomas. Another workshop, Pop Up Your Ears (led by the réaltympanica arts group and Tania El Khoury) will aim to uncover the subjective perception of reality through sound. Sound compositions and their relationship to the visual aspects of performance will be explored

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Turkey - The first TRT Music Awards, celebrating the best of Turkey's musicians, singers and music productions, took place recently at the Lütfi K?rdar Convention and Exhibition Centre, Istanbul. The inaugural event included performances from the ?stanbul Music and Jazz Orchestra and the ?stanbul Chamber Orchestra, on a stage illuminated by Robert Juliat 714SX 2.5kW profile spots which turned the TRT Music Awards Ceremony into a spectacular light show.

The RJ 700 Series zoom profiles were provided by local Robert Juliat distributor, Elit Light & Sound Technologies. "The lighting designers and technicians who worked at the award ceremony agreed that it is always problem-free working with Robert Juliat equipment," says Elit's Elif Defne Alp. "As one of the oldest manufacturers of theatre lighting equipment, Robert Juliat has adopted a policy of customer satisfactio

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Turkey - Leading Turkish football team, Galatasaray recently moved to its new Türk Telekom Arena - and immediately established a world record as officially having the loudest fans in the world.

Passionate and partisan, when they played local Istanbul rivals Fenerbache on 18 March, an impressive 131.76dB was registered in the 52,695 capacity, all-seater stadium, qualifying it for entry in the Guinness Book of Records.

It was left to Asimetrik (QSC and EAW's Turkish distributors) who were awarded the AV installation contract, to design a networked QSC system, based around DataPort-equipped ISA and CX amplifiers, and BASIS signal transport operating under QSControl.net, to overcome the mighty roar on match days.

Using the HD15 DataPort facilities on the CX amplifiers, Asimetrik set up a QSControl.net network to control the main system, creating two IP-rated rack spaces

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Czech Republic - The distinctive style of Bobby McFerrin filled the Vodova arena in Brno twice over, with 8,000 people in the audience and 100 of them on stage with the artist. The lucky 100 had a good look at Bobby's four Nexo 45°N-12 line monitors, the newest element of an all-Nexo PA system supplied by Rental Pro.

The 60-year-old musician has an impressive vocal range of four octaves, and is famous for the interaction he has with his concert audiences throughout the world. He is a particular favourite in the Czech Republic, and this is his third tour of the country.

Rental Pro asked Nexo to ship the new 45°N-12 stage monitors into the country for the first time, setting up McFerrin with two pairs of the revolutionary wedges.

Using a Nexo Geo T system for the main PA, 10+2 per side, with out-fill arrays of 16 Geo S8 modules, and 8x CD18s for subbass. Geo S8s were a

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India - The Indian Recording Arts Awards (IRAA) aim to highlight the esteemed technical and creative talent contributed by leading sound recordists, music composers, music directors and recording engineers. IRAA was launched in 2006 as the Recording Arts (RA) Awards for music recording, sound designing & soundtrack by Pro Sound Systems - India's only trade publication on music production and live sound - and the Audio Engineering Society (AES) India.

The 2010 Expo saw the rebranding of RA to IRAA, but despite the name change the awards retain the same goal of recognizing the creative art forms of sound recording, mixing and mastering and, of course, creating music, say organisers.

Awards are given across a number of categories including: Best Recording Engineer; Best Mix and Mastering Engineer; Best Record Label; Album of the Year; Record Company of the Year, and Life T

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India - PALM Expo, India's most established exhibition and conference on pro audio, lighting and musical instruments is scheduled for 2 - 4 June, 2011 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon (E), Mumbai, India. This June, the Expo will celebrate 11 successful years in operation.

With 15,000sq.m spread across two halls, the PALM Expo 2011 has increased 20% since its last successful staging in 2010.

"A 50% increase in exhibitors showcasing over 400 international and local brands will keep the show floor buzzing with action on all the three days. The 2011 Expo will not only see international product and brand launches, but also product clinics, workshops and an extensive three day Seminar and Conference programme. The Harman sponsored Performance Arena, an open-air line array demo area, an Indian Acoustic Musical Instruments Village, the Integrate Expo Kramer Technical Cla

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Germany - The centenary festivities at OBO Bettermann's headquarters at Hüingsen, Germany, were a fiesta of superlatives. On hand for the celebration were an audience of invited guests and prominent personalities from 60 countries around the world.

Former German foreign minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher and Frank-Walter Steinmeier, along with former Volkswagen top manager, Peter Hartz, were among those on hand to personally present their congratulations.

While an OBO-orchestra formed from musicians specially engaged for the occasion played, actors and actresses performed a play portraying the 100 years of the company's history that was culminated by a laser show that bathed the interior of its manufacturing plant in a sea of light and colours.

(Jim Evans)

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USA - With a focus on bringing new technology to the attention of key designers and users, Total Structures has stepped up to sponsor the Broadway Lighting Master Classes, being held 24-25 May at NYU's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.

In its 17th edition, the Broadway Lighting Master Classes give attendees the opportunity to learn from some of the best known lighting designers in their field and see the latest developments in lighting technology from industry leaders.

After being named the best new product by Live Design at last year's awards, the RSC Lightlock will be on display during this year's manufacturer showcase, giving students the chance to see this technology in person. They will also have the chance to speak with Don Holder, the first lighting designer to employ the RSC Lightlock in a Broadway production.

"It makes perfect sense for us to spon

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USA - Donny and Marie's headlining act at Las Vegas' Flamingo Hotel recently celebrated its 500th show, and Audio-Technica has been the microphone of choice for the show since its premiere.

Donny and Marie Osmond have been headlining at the Flamingo Hotel since September 2008, and the show has proved to be a huge success, with the duo set to continue their run through at least December 2011. Both performers use Audio-Technica's Artist Elite 5000 Series UHF Wireless System with the AEW-T5400 Cardioid Condenser Handheld Transmitter, AEW-R5200 True Diversity Frequency-Agile Dual Receiver, the AEW-DA550C UHF Antenna Distribution System and the ATW-A49 UHF Wide-band Directional LPDA Antennas.

Sax, trombone and trumpet are handled by the 3000 Series Wireless System with ATM350cW Cardioid Condenser Clip-On Microphone. Also used are the Artist Elite AE3000 Cardioid Condenser Instrumen

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USA - From their home base in Augusta, GA, Quest Sound covers the East Coast from Washington, D.C. to the Florida panhandle, providing sound for a wide range of live events. Quest's go-to rig is built around the Renkus-Heinz CF101-LA modular point source array loudspeaker system.

"We handle everything from local gigs with small combos to larger national acts, and the CF101 cabinets provide the versatility to cover it all," says Rob Boggs. "Recently we used a pair them on sticks with a jazz band, playing to around 100 people here in Augusta. The same week we did a festival down in Florida with close to 1000 people, and ran 14 different bands through the system."

Versatility is one reason the CF-Series fits the bill for Quest Sound. "In the past few months we've used them on music ranging from the Julliard Jazz Band to Shawn Mullins to the band Saliva, a

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UK - It may have finished a few weeks ago but Philips Entertainment Lighting (PEL) is still receiving a steady flow of positive feedback in response to the latest Philips Selecon and Strand Lighting products, exhibited for the first time, at PLASA focus in Leeds.

Amber Tomlin, recently promoted to UK key account manager for PEL, comments, "PLASA Focus, Leeds was a wonderful opportunity to discuss, face to face, with our UK customers my new role in the company and the benefits it offers them. Even though my job title has changed I'm still very much the same person! However I'll be spending more time developing PEL's UK business in collaboration with our key UK account customers and distributors. I'll also be ensuring customers understand our current and 'new to market' product ranges and what they can offer the end user."

Alongside existing products such as the Philip

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Germany - A network of Midas PRO9 andPRO6 live audio systems and an analogue XL4 was used at FOH and monitors respectively for the recent PRG LEA German Live Entertainment Awards held at the Frankfurt Festival Hall.

The event featured top acts on stage and celebrities on the red carpet. Bandleader James Last was the surprise guest while Michael Bolton, German country star Helene Fischer, mezzo soprano Anne Sofie von Otter and pop artist Juli entertained the crowd.

PRG's Kai Reiss handled FOH duties for the artists on the PRO9 following some training with Lars Lüdemann from German distributor Mega Audio. "It's the best sounding digital desk I've used so far," he says. "It immediately reminded me of the first time I encountered a Midas XL3 back in the early nineties. The EQ is second to none and I really liked the dynamics and effects - I've been a great fan of t

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UK - Matt Napier is monitor engineer for Kylie Minogue and has been with her since the summer of 2010. His mixing console of choice is a DiGiCo SD7, chosen because it is a desk that can grow as the tour's remit expanded.

"We're at the end of the UK leg of the Aphrodite - Les Folies tour and heading off to America," says Napier. "The SD7 has done a fantastic job so far. It's done everything we hoped for."

The console, part of audio supplier Solotech's inventory for the tour, is currently running at just 60% of its capability. There are approximately 86 inputs from stage and, with the addition of talkback and effects returns, the channel count runs to around 110. There are 14 stereo and six mono sends for effects subs and thumpers, plus several stereo mic groups, which are used for shout mics around the stage, and a 16x12 matrix, used for backups and s

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South Africa - Described as one of the best parties to hit Durban, some 3,000 people attended the Miller Experience 2011 held recently at the Durban Exhibition Centre. The festivities only ended at 5am the following day and featured DJs Fresh and Euphonik, Roger Goode, Gareth Cliff, Sasha Martenigo, Grant Nash and Sam Boylan.

East Coast Productions were the organisers and technical supplier for this event, with lighting design by Jacques Marais. Given free reign, East Coast Productions came up with the concept and design.

"The Robe beam lights on the circle truss were amazing," said Jacque Marais. "The truss was on an electric hoist and moved over the crowd. Miller were very impressed and extremely pleased with the exposure they received from this event."

All fixtures and trussing were suspended from the roof trusses in the Exhibition Centre using Loadgua

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UK - Baldwin Boxall has confirmed BS EN 54-16 certification on all of its VIGIL2 voice alarm products. The complete range (including touchscreen control , microphones, amplifiers and routers) passed the rigorous testing procedures by an accredited third party testing house. In addition, the VIGIL2 power supplies have been BS EN 54-4 tested and certified.

The company believes it is the first voice alarm manufacturer in the UK to achieve BS EN 54 certification on a complete product range. Due to the number of products and their diversity, the product testing took in the region of six months overall then a further months wait was required for the certification process to be completed.

Marketing director Nick Baldwin commented, " We were determined to have full certification prior to the Standard becoming adopted in parts of Europe. The whole company is delighted that we have

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