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14 March 2016

An impressive line-up of international artists included Jamiroquai, Nick Cave, Pulp, James Zabiela, Fedde le Grand, Underworld, Marco Cariola, Beirut, Laibach were enjoyed by over 100,000 people over four days, with the Festival welcoming its two millionth visitor over the weekend. Some performances were also broadcast live on national television, adding an extra pressure to the production lighting and visuals teams.

Lighting, audio and scenic LED screen for Exit 2011 was supplied by locally based Studio Berar. They have been supplying cutting edge production equipment to the festival since it started in 2000, and have also been using Robe products

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14 March 2016

Directed by Tony Award-winning Matthew Warchus, the show opened in July at the Piccadilly Theatre and is currently booking through until January next year. Working closely with associate Simon King and Ghost's head of sound, Ben Evans, Aitken designed a system that had to work very closely with the other production disciplines.

"The SD7 is more of a production hub than just an audio mixer on this show," he says. "It does so much. Of course it mixes the band, the vocals and audio streams from various playback machines, but it also serves as

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14 March 2016

Although they had not yet been named, it has been reported that the five dead are all Belgians: four died at the scene and one died later in hospital.

Video footage recorded at the Pukkelpop Festival, at Hasselt, Belgium, yesterday shows the site being struck by very heavy wind and rain prior to the collapse of the stage. The storm hit at around 6pm local time. Belgian news reports have said that the strong winds uprooted trees which then smashed into the stage structure: photography from the aftermath of the storm seems to show trees amid the stage d

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14 March 2016

Creative Technology (CT) is on hand to assist in the 4D mapping process. Working from Drive Productions' brief and drawings detailing the venue's limitations and the production restrictions of the pillars positioned in the middle of the floor, CT provided three Barco FLM R20 projectors, complete with lenses and fibre to feed the projectors from Drive's D3 processor.

Overnight rigs between the store shutting on the Saturday evening and the installation needing

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14 March 2016

For the past three years, they have been working with owner / operator Franco Lumbar, whose portfolio includes Club Essence in Kingston and the Pink gentleman's club in Windsor; however the most significant has been the recent renovation of Club Vanilla, situated at Windsor's Royal Arcade.

MSL project manager Bradley Watson says that wherever possible the audio distribution will be placed in a digital BSS Soundweb London environment to preserve signal fidelity and increase flexibility and processing power; Club Vanilla is no exception.

Club Vanilla had been operating from its subterranean site for a number of years before MSL were called in to overhaul the venue's lighting and audio system.

Followi

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14 March 2016

The Port of Los Angeles is one of the busiest cruise ports on the West Coast, with Disney Cruise Line and other major cruise lines calling at the World Cruise Centre. Electrosonic was tasked with the design of an audio, video and show control system that would meet the needs of the Port of Los Angeles and the cruise lines operating out of Berth 93. Once the design was approved by all parties, Electrosonic engineered, manufactured, installed and programmed the new system.

"One of the main challenges was scheduling", says project manager Guy Fronte. "As is often the case, a cruise s

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14 March 2016

From the brief from Kissy Sell Out, Know1's Matthew Pitman and Cy Dodimead realised they needed a design that was "pretty adaptable but quite technically advanced". To achieve this, they designed a pixel-mapped video screen background formed from Martin LC video panels, surrounded by vertical booms loaded with MAC 101s. The show was controlled from a Martin M1 console and Maxedia Compact media server, the system configured so that the lights could be operated manually or switched to mimic the video screen.

"Both Cy and I have grown up working with White L

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14 March 2016

This epic production from St Petersburg's renowned Mariinsky Opera is masterminded by two British artists, stage director Jonathan Kent and production designer by Paul Brown. The play contrasts an imaginative spirit world with the stark reality of human existence.

Dunn's video designs are key elements in evoking the mystery and beauty of the spirit world. From a technical perspective, the rig consists of one 20K Christie front of house projector and four on-stage Barco DML 1200 moving head projectors. The show, originally plotted on a Grand MA and run on the Catalyst media server, has been re-p

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14 March 2016

Keith Wood of promoter AEG and production manager Sarah Hollis of Production North hailed the installation "a huge success", with Hollis stating it was the fastest build she had witnessed of a stage of such size at Wembley.

The 23m wide stage hosted performances by JLS, Jennifer Lopez, The Wanted, Nicole Scherzinger, Ne-Yo, Katy B, Cee Lo Green and Enrique Iglesias.

The stage included side wings to accommodate one of the biggest video screens that Wembley has seen (provided by XL Video), PA supports for speaker hangs (supplied by Adlib Audio) and incorporated specific loading points as requested.

LS-Live introduced the Space Roof to the UK earlier this year, following their merger with Acorn Event Solutions. Acorn's Andy Nutter, who i

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14 March 2016

The 15-month fast-track foundation degree, which is being validated by the University of Bolton, is set to begin in November and includes modules on lighting, sound, staging and live visuals as well as production design and specialist skills such as handling lasers and using 3D technologies. The foundation degree is suitable for anyone with a Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience working or volunteering in the live events industry.

The open day will take place this Saturday 20 August from 10am and places can be booked for an interview by phoning 01977 659880. The Academy is also happy to arrange interviews at other times if the 20th is not convenient.

(Ji

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14 March 2016

Acclaimed designer Michael Gill was responsible for the set design for the gala event held in the Ballroom, with manufacturing by Just Sets. Robert Grobler from Techrig, along with Dennis Hutchinson, was responsible for the lighting design. "It was a big set that had to be lit properly and with a slick line-up, it had to be perfect," commented Grobler. Performances by George Meiring, Vicky Sampson, Jay and Lianie, Yollandi Nortjie, Flip A Coin, Dozi and Nianell, further complemented with stunning decor, ensured an evening that did not disappoint.

"We had to work around limitations of weight and availability of points to rig," said Grobler. "Height was another problem so a mother gr

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14 March 2016

Speed Audio's Juan Gabriel Fernandez and Miguel Guerra declare that the overriding factor for their investment is the SD8's purity of sound.

"It is an exceptional console and unique in the live sound arena," states Guerra. "The more we get to know the SD8, the more it fascinates us. It's really easy to use and has a lot of shortcuts that are

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14 March 2016

Colour Sound's Steve Marley explains that with an increasing number of lighting designs now incorporating scenic and ambient video visuals as integrated elements, it made sense - both creative and commercial - to be able to offer an 'in-house' product to fulfil this criteria. "The industry has been talking about 'convergence' between the two mediums of lighting and video for some years, and this is now happening everywhere, so we are in a position to offer a proactive solution." he confirms.

Having the kit in rental stock also enables CSE to offer the most cost-efficient packages to their clients, and it is also a perfect complement

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14 March 2016

The management of Gliwicki Klub Sportowy Piast Gliwice in Polish soccer's premier division - the Ekstraklasa - recently decided in favour of the second option, replacing a stadium constructed just after the Second World War with a completely new and ultra-modern one.

When it is finally completed at the end of 2011, the Stadion Piast will seat up to 10,000 spectators and will be the first stadium in the Silesia region to comply with UEFA's stringent regulations for international stadia - including those dealing with sound reinforcement and evacua

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14 March 2016

Working with production company Ear to the Ground and event production manager Charlie Canavan, Transmission 001 featured headliners, The Flaming Lips and took place in the shadow of the towering Lovell Telescope.

The giant dish, which has been probing deep space for over 50 years in search of alien life, became an epic interstellar projection screen and backdrop to a unique performance by the cult band.

Canavan comments: "This gig was always going to be remembered for the projection and I was charged with making sure that it was for all the right reasons. Unusually the projection played a starring role in the overall creative concept of the event rather than being something that complements i

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14 March 2016

It is estimated that 110 in every 1,000 people worldwide has been diagnosed with autism. Charity organisation Autism Independent UK is a non-medical advice and information centre for professionals, caregivers and parents who are working with and caring for people with autism. As part of its activities, the charity organizes various training courses and workshops throughout the year.

"Our training courses attract a constantly growing number of attendees. To make the presentations perfectly visible to every trainee in the room, we really needed a powerful yet small projector," says Ke

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14 March 2016

As part of its ongoing commitment, Audio-Technica will continue to serve as the official microphone provider of the Tour Bus, supplying a complete line of A-T microphone products for use on the Bus itself (including 40 Series, Artist Elite, Audio-Technica Wireless and other key A-T products and accessories). In addition, A-T will be contributing to the prize packages of the related John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus travels around the US throughout the year. Outfitted with traditional musical instruments as well as high-tech professional audio and video gear, the bus has provided free hands-on programmes since 1998 for hundreds of high schools, colleges, boys and girls clubs

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14 March 2016

Alford Media Services is an AV and lighting company known for its high end video capabilities as well as imaginative integrated visual designs and solutions. They work on a wide variety of live events for a diverse range of premium clients with exacting standards.

One of two full time lighting designer/directors, Kurt Wunsch has been with the company for 10 years. He was an early adopter of the Jands Vista control platform, and has been an enthusiastic user since.

Their first T2 console was bought soon after Vista was launched, and along with the others they have bought since, is still going strong even after constant use.

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14 March 2016

With rigging to both fly and stack the system, SSE LA8 patch panels and all cased by Sigma Fabrications, Pearce Hire are ready to 'rock with the newest line array from L-Acoustics', says the company.

Pearce Hire has also invested in another brand new Yamaha M7CL-48 digital mixing console alongside the KARA system, expanding its stock of digital desks as well as PA.

Shaun Pearce comments: "We are very excited to get KARA out on the road and we feel it will open new doors for us in the world of Audio Rental. KARA is a hot product for sure and we are very pleased to be a part of the L-Acoustics Rental Network."

"We chose SSE Sales because we have a good working relationship with SSE Hire and Caneg

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14 March 2016

Introduced to the wide acclaim of consultants and dealers in Istanbul earlier this year, these products provide sound designers with "unprecedented scalability and configurability" for venues including arenas, performing arts centres, live music venues and houses of worship. They enable concert-quality sound to be delivered more consistently and efficiently, regardless of room size, shape, or acoustic properties.

Also on show at PLASA 2011 will be updated Bose Modeler software including features for designing systems with RoomMatch array modules, and new Bose ControlSpace D

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14 March 2016

A new and advanced lens design provides a narrower, more concentrated field of light for better beam control and greater light intensity for overall improved floodlighting capability. A choice of lens options, which includes an opal diffuser lens for scenic on-camera looks, provides designers with beam angle flexibility.

Overall responsiveness has been improved for much faster color and intensity control. Additionally, fan noise from the automatic heat management system has been reduced for the benefit of TV studios and other noise-sensitive environments.

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14 March 2016

Programmed in Pharos Designer, the TPC has the same advanced playback and show control engine as the popular and award winning Pharos Lighting Playback Controllers. Over an Ethernet network it can interface with other Pharos controllers, button panels and remote devices. The companion Interface Editor application allows installers and integrators to build themed user interface pages, creating and organising multiple pages of buttons, sliders and colour pickers to suit the installation and customer needs.

The elegant wall-mounting design features a magnetic overlay within the sleek, plated bezel to produce a modern, streamlined design; a

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14 March 2016

Olympic Countdown - Edinburgh Festival Fringe venue bosses have warned that the technical demands of events surrounding next summer's London Olympics could drain available technical staff away from the Scottish capital.

The crucial period will be the opening week of the Olympics, from 27 July, which is when Edinburgh's

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14 March 2016

They were specified by production manager/show designer Ray Woodbury of RK Diversified Entertainment, who is accustomed to the output and performance of the German company's LED platform, having run the Volkslichts on a number of events (such as the huge E3 computer games exhibition) and at the recent NKOTBSB sell-out arena tour, where he was creative director.

Woodbury has worked with the state-run OC Fair for the past eight years, taking on multiple tasks, including production management of several venues and lighting vendor for the Pacific Amphitheatre and The Hangar. His company also provides the event with staging and rigging services.

The production manager ha