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UK - The Backstage Academy has announced a new training partnership with software developer TroikaTronix, the company behind the visual control software Isadora.

The companies united to demonstrate the capabilities of the software to peers and industry professionals as part of the Education and Learning Programme at the PLASA exhibition at Earls Court, London.

Backstage Academy specialises in training for the live events production industry and will be offering courses on Isadora, an award-winning graphic programming environment that facilitates interactive control of digital media and real time manipulation of digital video.

Isadora expands on the traditional media-server concept by offering interactive control over video and audio. Isadora's easy-to-learn user interface and reliability has led to its rising adoption by designers, artists and performance groups across the g

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UK - The 2011 Michael Northen Bursary (MNB) Awards saw not three winners but four, plus a dramatic change of criteria for the entries.

This year, for the first time, entrants for the Michael Northen Bursary were required to submit a portfolio which demonstrated imaginative and creative lighting design, together with an explanation of how and why the end result was achieved, for between two and four productions. Until now students were required to submit just one production and the ALD, which manages the Bursary, felt that this change would not only demonstrate consistency in the entrant's work, but also provide the students with the basis of a portfolio which they could use in their future careers.

The change in criteria did not, however, make the judges' task any easier, as organiser Jack Knowles explains, "The quality of work was exceptionally high and this was reflecte

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UK - One of the best known designers in pro audio and a veteran of some 40 years in the industry, Terry Clarke of amplifier manufacturer MC2, was this year's recipient of the prestigious Gottelier Award, presented last night at the 2011 PLASA Awards for Innovation.

In 1975 Terry Clarke founded Klark-Teknik with his brother Phil. During his time at KT, Terry designed several products that became industry standards in the touring and installation sectors - including the DN70 delay line, the DN27 and the DN360 Graphic EQs, and the DN780 digital reverb - many of which are still in use worldwide.

In 1984 KT bought DDA and in 1985 bought Midas, going on to launch the popular XL2 and XL3 consoles before selling the company to Mark IV. In 1992 he founded XTA Electronics and launched amplifier manufacturer MC2 Audio in 1994, going on to design the well regarded MC, T and E Series ampli

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UK - The popping of champagne corks heralds one of the major highlights of the PLASA Show - the PLASA Awards for Innovation presentation and the announcement of the prestigious Gottelier Award, which took place last night in a special ceremony at PLASA 2011.

During the show's opening two days, 48 products were judged 'live' in front of a crowd of show visitors and camera crew by an independent panel of expert judges who toured the show floor to view each product presentation. The winning entries are replayed throughout the show on large screens in the Innovation Gallery, where all the nominated products are showcased.

Terry Clarke of amplifier manufacturer MC2 was honoured with this year's Gottelier Award in recognition of his work on a host of standard-setting products at Klark Teknik, Midas, XTA Electronics and MC2.

Eight Awards for Innovation were presented - including a

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Licence Free - Pubs, clubs and other small venues offering live music would no longer have to apply for an entertainment licence, under government proposals. The plans - going out to consultation - would apply to premises in England and Wales with a capacity of under 5,000. Ministers say the changes could also apply to school and charity events. The government says the consultation paper on activities defined as "regulated entertainment" under the Licensing Act 2003 is part of its attempt to eliminate red tape.

Tourism Minister John Penrose said changes could provide an "important source of new income to struggling businesses such as pubs, restaurants and hotels". He said extra costs and red tape had also been imposed on school plays and discos where ticket sales went to Parent Teacher Association funds, Punch and Judy shows, street artists, park brass bands

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A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) Ltd., a leading one-stop provider of cutting-edge new and used professional equipment to the entertainment industry, showcases a selection of lighting, audio, rigging and video solutions available from its vast range of premium brands on Stand 1-E10, Hall 1 at PLASA 2011.

Teams from all of AC-ET's specialist product divisions will be there to discuss the massive multi-million pound stockholding of over 200 leading brands available from AC-ET's High Wycombe and Leeds offices for worldwide dispatch to over 80 countries - as well as in-house filter and cable manufacturing facilities and wide range of consumables - backed up by an emergency evening and weekend delivery service.

The A.C. Lighting division will showcase the new GLP Impression Wash One and Spot One high powered LED spot and washlight moving heads. The latest moving lights available fr

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Launching at PLASA 2011, the Martin Professional MAC Aura is the first compact LED moving head wash light with zoom that offers never-before-seen "eye-candy aura" effects as well as functioning as a highly capable single-lens wash with fully pre-mixed color.

The Aura's ground-breaking optical system combines two illumination systems in one luminaire - multicolor beam LEDs and a backlight LED lens array - to produce an all-new visual palette that, says Martin, takes the synthetic look out of LED wash lights for truly unique lighting design possibilities.

The fixture can be used as a powerful single-lens wash or to employ a separate set of individually controllable multicolor LEDs for radical to subtle eye-candy looks, allowing the designer to mix, match, and create new effects that take the unnatural LED look out of LED lighting. For the ultimate in easy-to-produce visuals,

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Chroma-Q™ will showcase their award-winning range of LED lighting & visual effects products and original lighting accessories, designed for a wide range of entertainment, broadcast and architectural applications, on Stand 1-E12, Hall 1, at PLASA 2011.

The exceptional light output, colour blending and dimming qualities of Chroma-Q LED range, which utilises the latest cutting-edge technologies, will be fully showcased in the stand's demo theatre and TV broadcast studio areas.

Products featured include the new Studio Force™ daylight white (6,100K CCT) and Studio Force variable white (3,000K - 6,100K CCT) LED fixtures, producing an extreme output of up to 28,000 lumens. Both models are available in 300mm / 12", 1.2m / 48" and 1.8m / 72" lengths.

The Studio Force range complements the popular Color Force™ RGBA

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A.C. Special Projects Ltd (ACSP) will attend PLASA 2011 (Stand 1-D32, Hall 1) to showcase and discuss examples of the many leading performance lighting, audio and AV system installations provided by the company.

ACSP design, supply and install lighting, sound and AV systems - as well as track and curtains, intercom and show relay. The company's previous installations range from a basic six circuit lighting bar, with a dimmer pack and lighting desk, to full blown theatre systems.

Working alongside designers and architects or directly for the performance venue, the company's fully qualified team of engineers will provide a first class finished system installation, on time and on budget.

ACSP has access to over 200 quality brands, including popular performance ranges from Chroma-Q™, Jands, Spotlight, ETC, Philips Selecon, Pulsar, Sennheiser, Shure, Soundcraft, Allen & He

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UK/Germany - Cloud Electronicshas announced S.E.A. Vertrieb & Consulting as the exclusive distribution channel for the full range of Cloud audio mixers, zoners, multi-channel amplifiers, and audio distribution systems throughout Germany, effective 15 October 2011.

S.E.A has been distributing audio and music equipment in Germany for more than 12 years and has sales, marketing, administration, technical and logistical facilities in Emsbúren, but also utilises third party logistics and warehousing to provide nationwide coverage for all its brands, including Cloud.

Uwe Kirchfield, director and founder of S.E.A, states, "Our whole team is excited about our relationship with Cloud Electronics. Cloud products fit perfectly within S.E.A's portfolio and are designed for lots of commercial applications. With S.E.A's focussed and energetic approach we expect to achieve an excellent

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Lake Processing introduces a brand new standalone system processor, the LM 44 - being unveiled at the PLASA show in London.

The LM 44 is a powerful, full-featured digital audio processor based on the highly acclaimed Lake Processing technology, which builds on the run-away success of the LM 26, and marking another major step for the Lake brand under the stewardship of Sweden's Lab.gruppen.

Identical in many respects to the LM 26 Digital Audio Loudspeaker Processor, the LM 44 is distinguished primarily by a different input/output configuration. The LM 44 provides four analog input and four analog outputs, in contrast to the LM 26's 2-in/6-out. In addition, the LM 44 accommodates 8-in/8-out AES3 and 4-in/8-out Dante digital audio transport. The LM 44 benefits from the latest implementation of Lake's iconic 'Mesa EQ' configuration, utilising 4 Mesa modules, each with an

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Jands will showcase their award-winning range of Vista lighting and media control solutions, including the recently launched Vista v2 software, on the A.C. Entertainment Technologies Ltd stand (1-E10, Hall 1) at PLASA 2011.

The exciting Vista v2 software gives all levels of user the ability to get the most from whatever technology they have available - whether it be dimmers, moving lights, LED, or media.

Vista v2 offers the simplicity to work fast, with the power to control the finest details, so everyone can focus on creating a great looking show, rather than on programming a desk.

Before choosing to use anything else, take the opportunity to visit the stand and see for yourself the power and simplicity of the new Vista v2 software.

For the latest Jands Vista show news, product launches and events before and during PLASA 2011, please follow Jands on

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UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) Ltd has recently gained BS EN ISO9001:2008 certification - the internationally recognised quality management system standard - reflecting the importance the company places on continually improving customer satisfaction and complying with all relevant standards for the products and services it provides.

The ISO9001 certification continues AC-ET's investment in its staff and systems as part of the company's customer-focused ideology. In August, the British Standards Institution independently certified AC-ET after completing vigorous internal audits on procedure implementations required to meet the ISO9001 quality standard.

ISO9001 is a valuable asset to AC-ET, providing a model for enhancing customer satisfaction, achieving continual improvements to the company's performance and ensuring that it meets this high standard required by an

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Siberia - The first Russian installation of QSC's advanced integrated Q-Sys network system has been carried out at the Nordic Ski Centre in the city of Khanty-Mansiysk.

A complete facility upgrade - which included the sound system - was required by the International Biathlon Union to conform with the latest technical requirements, and enable the Centre to host this year's 46th World Biathlon Championships.

Installation companies Avintel and High Tech Security were responsible for carrying out the technological upgrade, with QSC's proprietary Q-Sys audio signal processing and transmission components supplied by Mixart Distribution, their exclusive distributor in the Russian Federation.

The audio has been placed on a fully-redundant Q-Sys platform and comprises two Core 1000 64 x 64 hubs and 12 I/O Frame modules (with full redundancy provided in the back-up network in the even

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The Netherlands - At IBC 2011 in Amsterdam, HHB Communications and Japanese cable manufacturer Mogami presented a cheque for £5,000 that will be donated to the Red Cross Japan Tsunami Appeal .

The donation is a result of the recent appointment of HHB as Mogami's exclusive distributor for the UK and Ireland. HHB pledged that it would donate 10 per cent of the proceeds from all Mogami cable sales made from the beginning of the partnership earlier this year up to the IBC 2011 trade show. HHB's large stock of Mogami cables and the popularity of the product have already made it possiblefor HHB to exceed £50,000 in sales and donate £5,000 to the Red Cross.

The cheque was presented by HHB MD Ian Jones and Mogami's president of sales Lew Hirabayashi during a press ceremony held on the first day of the show on the HHB stand.

"We are delighted to help our friend

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Belgium/UK - Orbital Sound reports that its fast deployment of HME's 2-channel DX210 digital wireless communication system has rescued an escalating radio-frequency problem being encountered by the international production of We Will Rock You, which has just opened at the Stadsschouwburg in Antwerp, Belgium.

The show has used the same RF format for over a decade, with some 12 radio-comms channels, as well as numerous radio mic frequencies, but the reducing RF spectrum available across Europe - due to the growth of digital TV - meant that there was simply insufficient clear radio space available in Antwerp.

The sound for We Will Rock You - a Stage Entertainment production - is being supplied by Orbital Sound, with Orbital's Dan Bailey as production sound engineer, and Richard Sharratt the show's associate sound designer.

Tom Byrne, sales director at Orbital Soun

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UK - Following half a year of planning and preparation, the 2011 Edinburgh Festival and Fringe was Black Light's biggest and most successful ever. Over the month-long event, the company supplied thousands of pieces of equipment, including 627 miles of cabling and 22.7 tons of staging. It also reports a 100% product satisfaction record - with no calls received on its 24hr emergency help line.

"This has been an exciting year for us as we have consolidated our working arrangements with some of Edinburgh's biggest venues and also joined forces with some exciting new names," says Black Light's head of company development, Phil Haldane. "This was definitely the largest festival for us, so far, in terms of the volume of kit and number of venues served. We were therefore delighted that everything we sent out worked perfectly and our help line went unused."

Among th

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UAE - Melody House, distributors of HK Audio speaker systems in the United Arab Emirates has recently supplied 22 Premium PR:O stage monitor cabinets to Dubai based rental firm, SLS Productions. Established in the early 90's, SLS Productions' beginnings as a small sound and lighting production company were short lived as the business quickly transformed into a major rental firm serving an ever-growing and diverse client base.

"SLS Productions have been very happy with the performance of their new purchase," commented Dino Drimakis, business development manager at Melody House. "The compact size of the speakers are a great advantage as it allows them to be flexible for various events."

(Jim Evans)

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UK - Following the release of their new album, I'm With You, the Chili Peppers' production team has said they are 'with Tait' for the extensive European tour kicking off on 7 October.

Tait Technologies has been awarded the contract to provide staging and automation elements for the forthcoming tour, with this leg spanning 11 countries and finishing in Madrid on 17 December.

The elements are being designed and manufactured in the Tait Towers US headquarters, where project manager James Erwin has liaised with lighting designers, set designers and video providers to co-ordinate the designs into tour-friendly items.

European CEO Frederic Opsomer said, "Tait Technologies will ensure that Tait's impeccable high standards are achieved throughout the tour. The company's expanding European capabilities will ensure optimum logistical delivery of the technical elements supp

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Singapore - The largest light and water spectacular in South East Asia has opened on the doorstep of the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Using lasers, searchlights, LEDs, video projectors and giant water screens to create stunning visual effects, Wonder Full is a breathtaking 360-degree sensory experience portraying light and water creating Life, choreographed to an inspiring original score.

Wonder Full features new and exciting technology that took Laservision three years to develop and refine. A team consisting of 100 specialists in architectural, design, creative, musical, engineering, technical and IT resources was drawn from its Hong Kong, Australian and Singaporean offices.

Three massive water screens illuminated by high definition video projection and optically pumped full colour laser systems face the audience at the Event Plaza, Marina Bay Sands entertainme

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UK Rental company, Production Services Ireland (PSI), supplied lighting equipment and crew to the popular 2011 Belsonic Festival, staged at Customs House Square in Belfast.

It's the fourth year that the Belfast and Dublin based company has been the festival's lighting contractor - since it started in fact - and this year the event was expanded to 10 days, showcasing a line of leading international artists including 30 Seconds To Mars, Tiesto, Primal Scream, Dizzee Rascal, Beady Eye, Elbow, Tinie Tempah and many more.

PSI was working for the event's co-producers MCD and Shine, and a production design for the stage at the 6000 capacity site was created by PSI's Sean Pagel. For the first night the rig was built to the spec of headliners 30 Seconds To Mars. It was then changed to the festival production design overnight and remained with that rig until the penultimate night, when

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UK - Green arts organisation Julie's Bicycle has launched its new UK-wide Better Batteries campaign at PLASA 2011. The campaign aims to bring together the music and theatre industries in a drive to switch over to rechargeable battery systems, particularly for portable sound equipment, and increase the rate of recycling for both disposable and rechargeable batteries. Focused on venues and individual productions the campaign is backed by scientific research and case studies from commercial theatre productions which prove the reliability of the technology, environmental benefits and cash savings available.

The environmental benefits associated with using rechargeable batteries and recycling after use include less pressure on natural resources, less pollution from the manufacturing process, less waste created and less carbon emissions resulting from transport and distribution, due t

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UK - The Backstage Academy is exhibiting in association with Jigsaw Systems at PLASA 2011, consolidating their new partnership.

Backstage Academy's training for the live events production and entertainment industries includes courses on Apple based software such as Logic and Final Cut.

Jigsaw Systems has been working with Backstage Academy as it has developed its course portfolio and invested in new technologies over the past two years. The two companies have now formalised their relationship, with Backstage Academy becoming Jigsaw's official training partner for their UK-wide business and professional customers.

Backstage Academy's Apple courses, which currently include Logic 101, Logic 301, Final Cut Pro 101, Final Cut Express 101, Final Cut Pro 300, Final Cut Pro X, Motion 101, Colour Correction 101, DVD Studio Pro, Soundtrack Pro, Intro to Apple Macs and iLife, will be d

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South Africa - SGM has appointed South African importer Prosound, as its new distributor for Sub-Saharan Africa, with immediate effect.

It joins an already rich brand portfolio of globally-recognised sound and lighting companies - which includes SGM's parent company, RCF - and will be managed under Prosound's Theatre & Architectural Lighting (T&A Lighting) subsidiary.

T&A Lighting general manager Ian Blair stated, "We were particularly keen on SGM's newly-developed LED range, for both the architectural and entertainment markets; this will fill a gap in the product portfolio and at the same time offers great value for a highly professional range. With Peter Johansen heading up the R&D initiative at SGM we foresee some interesting times ahead."

With operational bases throughout South Africa, Prosound is no stranger to the Italian lighting company's catalogue. Set up

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