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UK - Loudspeaker manufacturer PMC has strengthened its corporate structure so that it is better placed to deal with ongoing expansion.
For the first time in its 30-year history PMC now has a formal board structure, with owner and founder Peter Thomas acting as chairman and former group finance director Jeff Willcocks confirmed as CEO. Also on the board – and reflecting the fact that PMC remains a family owned business – are Thomas’s son Oliver Thomas, who is now commercial director, and Tom Loader, son of PMC’s co-founder Adrian Loader, who is operations director.
“PMC is expanding fast and it is not feasible to expect one person to have intimate knowledge of every aspect of the business,” Peter Thomas says. “Having a formal board of directors allows us to tap into the huge pool of expertise that already exists within the company, and across many differen

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Silent Spaces - Venues and spaces that have remained largely unused due to the pandemic feature in a new series of films in which performers and musicians take over the spaces. The series of films, called Silent Spaces, is described as a “creative lockdown response driven by a pervading sense of Covid-induced personal and professional loneliness”. It has been created by musician and composer Soumik Datta and directed by his brother Souvid Datta.
Featuring a team of British Asian, black and ethnic minority musicians and dancers, the film-makers and performers create works in the British Museum, the Royal Albert Hall, Depot Mayfield in Manchester and Sage Gateshead, alongside Hawkwood College and London King’s Cross station. The six films explore “resonant themes in keeping with the choice of venue”, the producers said, and tackle issues around mental health,
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UK - The Institute of Sound, Communications and Visual Engineers (ISCVE) has announced the launch of its remote invigilation service for HS&E assessments. The new online service means applicants who need a valid HS&E certificate to accompany ISCVE ECS card applications, can now take their HS&E assessment online.
Prior to the launch of the new service in conjunction with ECS, applicants for HS&E assessments were required to take a test at an approved centre or at an event organised by ISCVE. The new online service reduces the requirement for travel to centres and allows applicants to take the assessment without having to leave home or the office.
The new service means applicants now have the opportunity to securely and safely complete their HS&E assessments online using just a web browser, thereby avoiding any unnecessary delays. Results are publishe

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UK - In 2018, London post-production facility Clearcut Sound Studios invested in a Yamaha Nuage system to control Steinberg Nuendo, the software it has relied on since 2009. The investment in Nuage was so successful that the company has since purchased two more systems.
For many years Clearcut used Yamaha DM2000 digital mixers for I/O and remote control of Nuendo. “As we all know, the DM2000s are fantastic units, with solid I/O, but we felt we were lacking in physical controls to fully unlock Nuendo’s creative ability,” says managing director Chris Wrigglesworth.
“We’re lucky enough to work on a variety of projects, from online content to sound design-heavy, multi-channel cinema commercials independent shorts to feature length documentaries. With the need for multiple deliverables becoming standard, the time was right to streamline our processes. Nuage was a

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UK - The live events and music industry will work with the Government on COVID-status certification to support full reopening and sector recovery.
Industry organisations including PLASA, Music Venues Trust, Live and Association of Festival Organisers, alongside major venues including the 02 and NEC Group, have issued a statement that outlines this support.
“The live events and music industry which includes exhibitions; conferences; music arenas; festivals; theatres and indoor sporting events, welcomes the establishment of the Events Research Programme and the safe return of live events as part of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown,” says the statement.
“The industry is committed to working with the Government to ensure a swift delivery of the Event Research Programme’s pilot events and stands ready to establish protocols based upon the informatio

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UK - PLASA, the lead association for the entertainment technology industry, is hosting a second PLASA Online from 10-13 May, following on from a successful debut in October 2020. The programme will address the most pertinent issues facing the industry, present pioneering technology, and deliver several sessions on technical theatre in partnership with the ABTT.
The free-to-view programme will span four days, bringing you creative presentations, business panels, industry advice and technical training, each led by experts in their field. Furthermore, each day you will have the opportunity to watch live product presentations hosted by leading manufacturers. Running alongside the programme is a virtual Exhibitor Showcase featuring an extensive A-Z of brands from audio, AV, lighting, rigging and staging.
The ABTT will deliver the very latest amendments to

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UK - Following recent news of restructuring, the BEIRG Steering has announced further new members joining the team, this time in the shape of IPS (Institute of Professional Sound) and Raycom. These new members ‘reaffirm BEIRG’s commitment to meet the challenges still faced by the PMSE community as a result of ongoing spectrum changes, especially in the UHF frequency bands’.
The IPS provides support, training, standards, community, and professional recognition for members in the media industries. The Institute is a limited company and a registered charity. It is run by an elected executive committee assisted by the secretariat.
In addition to the key brands they currently distribute, including Wisycom, Lectrosonics, and Phonak, Raycom continues to build its range of accessories from a number of well-respected suppliers including Sennheiser, Sound Devices and DPA.<

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Switzerland - Qu solutions has been named a certified integrator by L-Acoustics Creations.
Qu solutions, owned by Dominic Schilt, develops customised sound system designs. Clients include the Royal Hotel Gstaad Palace and numerous chalet owners in the Swiss Alps. For more than 15 years Schilt has worked on corporate and live shows, including the Gurtenfestival Bern or the Swiss Wrestling and Alpine Festivals that provide some of the world’s largest temporary sports arenas with seating for more than 56,000 spectators.
Paul Keating, L-Acoustics Creations director of private and corporations comments, "We are very pleased to welcome Qu solutions to the L-Acoustics Creations family. Their heritage and DNA come from the world of professional audio, so it’s a great fit with Creations and very much aligned in ‘bringing the concert experience home’.
“We have al

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Russia - Alcons Audio has appointed a new Moscow-based dealer, Blackroom, for its CRMS home cinema systems.
A passionate movie enthusiast and home cinema aficionado, in 2013 Anton Zadnepryannyy co-founded Cinemalounge and Acoustic Solutions. After seven successful years building these businesses from the ground up with his partners, Anton decided to create a new company, Blackroom, which focuses solely on premium, turnkey home cinema design and installation in Russia and overseas.
As well as design and installation, Blackroom manufactures its own acoustic treatment panels, soundproof doors and home cinema recliner chairs. Anton also hosts the only Russian home cinema YouTube channel, which has attracted over 27000 subscribers since 2019.
“My first experience of Alcons pro-ribbon systems was at the CEDIA Expo in 2016 and I was overwhelmed with performance of th

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UK - Rental production company, Neg Earth has added the new Prolights EclPanel TWC LED softlight to its rental fleet.
On recommendation from a number of top lighting designers, Neg Earth decided to demo the new EclPanel TWC and was impressed with its performance and notable list of features.
Neg Earth’s Sam Ridgway commented; “After several recommendations for the EclPanel TWC, I had high expectations and I am pleased to say the fixture certainly lived up to them. The fixture’s output is brighter than a number of competitors products at only a fraction of the cost. The performance and features of the EclPanel TWC really set it apart. Its quality whites and rich colour capabilities make it a truly versatile product.”
The EclPanel TWC has individual pixel control enabling the colour and output to be varied per section. In addition, the EclPanel TWC comes wi

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UK - disguise has announced that it is receiving research and development funding from Innovate UK to expand its work in virtual production. Innovate UK is part of the United Kingdom Research and Innovation organisation whose purpose is to accelerate UK economic growth by stimulating and supporting business-led innovation.
With the grant, disguise will focus on pure research, outside its usual engineering innovation work, while maintaining a competitive development timeline within the technology sector.
The disguiseVP R&D project focuses on scalability and flexibility as key improvements to the current disguise workflow. Addressing mainly virtual production, disguiseVP is targeted to a totally immersive virtual production environment where extensive control and fast calibration lead to more informed decisions on set, improved collaboration and absolutely uncompromi

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UK - The Autograph Group of companies has re-organised its operating base. As of next month, Autograph Sales Ltd., t/a Autograph Sales & Installations, will be incorporated into Autograph Sound Recording Ltd.
Group managing director Scott Arnold describes the move as a restructuring “that has been in consideration long before the spectre of COVID-19 and its devastating effect on our industry became a harsh reality. Weathering this storm for both companies has been a significant challenge only serving to cement our strong leanings towards this amalgamation”.
Arnold continues: “Whilst our sales and hire divisions have always collaborated closely, our focus has been shifting towards providing a complete solution for our customers. Autograph is dedicated to continuing to provide a proven and unique hire, design, support, sales, installation and integration servi

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World - PRG has set up a worldwide network of 20 studio environments suited for scalable production of pre-recorded and live content in a COVID-compliant setting.
The studios are housed in the immediate vicinity of major facilities, to enable PRG to react to project-specific technical requirements from clients by utilising its portfolio of lighting, audio, video, scenic and digital solutions. Each studio has its own character, catering to the markets it serves, whilst an expert team is in place to supervise and staff each location. There are two types of environment – the PRG Virtual Production Studios, designed for productions that require more demanding technology such as extended reality (xR), and PRG Digital Studios for pre-recorded or live broadcasts.
The Virtual Production Studios – located in Hamburg, Los Angeles, and Paris – are equipped with xR technology,

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UK - Version 2, which specialises in lighting hire specifically for the television industry, has expanded its stock of MDG products with the addition of two ATMe haze generators. “Our clients trust us to specify the right products and we know that MDG produces the best haze for the television market,” says Nick Edwards, managing director of Version 2.
Edwards has 25 years of dedicated television lighting experience, having held technical, commercial and management positions at PRG, Panalux and Aurora, after his training at the flagship training facility in BBC Wood Norton, prior to founding Version 2 in 2016. This experience puts him in a strong position when it comes to choosing the best products for his clients, many of whom have worked with him for years and trust his technical know-how.
“All our equipment investments have been rigorously researched and teste

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Blossom Time - Music fans in Liverpool are to get the chance to enjoy a near-normal gig as part of a government pilot event. A crowd of 5,000 will see headline act Blossoms without having to social-distance or wear face coverings. But they will only get into the 2 May event by having a negative Covid test.
The outdoor concert at Sefton Park will operate below its capacity of 7,500. Ticket-holders will be required to take a lateral flow test, which can produce a result within 30 minutes, at a local testing centre before entry, the Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport said. Attendees will also be asked to take a test after the concert - and will have to provide contact details to NHS Test and Trace to ensure they can be reached if someone who attended tests positive.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: "We're one step closer to a summer of live events

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UK - Green Hippo has expanded its international sales network with two new distribution appointments in Northern Europe.
In Estonia, Green Hippo has appointed Frequency OÜ, a live event specialist offering expertise in video engineering and equipment for live concerts, conferences, expos and more, founded in 2017 by Matt Villis, a video professional with over 15 years’ experience in the event production industry.
“Hippotizer Media Servers provide a great range of products for all aspects of the market,” says Villis. “With events and installations beginning to move again, clients are mindful of their spending. But with Green Hippo’s diverse range, we’re able to offer clients a specific product to match their exact needs, and with expandability when it’s required.”
He adds, “We need media servers that can handle anything, whether it’s project

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UK - Audio-Technica has announced their appointment as distributor for Optimal Audio – Focusrite plc’s new commercial audio brand – in 17 territories across Europe and Africa. The company will assume distribution activities following today’s launch.
Focusrite Group’s seventh brand, Optimal Audio has been in development over the past three years to simplify the often unnecessarily complex world of commercial audio, as Focusrite CEO Tim Carroll explains, “Optimal Audio provides a streamlined product offering working seamlessly together to deliver high quality sound that is easy to install and can be operated by anyone, not just engineers.”
Dom Harter, now managing director for both Martin Audio and Optimal Audio, describes the focus of the brand as “offering a one-stop solution of control, amplification and loudspeakers for small to medium-sized commercia

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USA - “Historically, younger engineers believe that it is impossible to record in a professional studio,” says Music & Arts Production Studio (MAPS) owner Mike Willson, who hopes to change this with his pioneering new business model. Keen to attract engineers and producers who don’t have their own space to develop their craft, MAPS offers autonomous access to the studio, whilst keeping costs down by removing the need for multiple, full-time staff members.
After an induction - which includes a thorough training session on their AudientASP4816 mixing desk - MAPS clients are ready to access the space whenever they like. Mike explains, “All of our clients are freelancers that we’ve developed close relationships with. They just hop on our Producer Dashboard, book the session and let themselves in.
“Luckily, the Audient is so easy to navigate and I always fee

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World - Registration for Virtual Showlight is now open. Tickets for the unique online event can be secured via Hubilo, here. Tickets are free of charge but delegates are encouraged to make voluntary donations when registering, as all proceeds will go to support industry charities Backup and Behind the Scenes.
The event will be hosted on behalf of Showlight by MaxLive Events and takes place on 25 May between 15.00 BST and 23.00 BST.
“We have an exciting programme of speakers lined up for your entertainment and education,” say the organisers. “These will be interspersed by a number of ‘Video Shorts’ - short stand-alone papers, some of which will be forerunners to the full Showlight event that we hope will resume next year. A discussion panel of international speakers will focus o

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Spain - Integrated Systems Events’ managing director Mike Blackman recently took part in the Barcelona reACT Conference, a four-day working event to relaunch the city’s economy after a year of pandemic.
Speaking at the conference and looking forward to June, Blackman said: “We recognise that the world needs events to get back to business and we are thankful for the support we have had from the national, regional and City authorities, the team at the Fira and of course to the pro AV industry for its enthusiasm in the face of what has been an incredibly difficult period. Whilst 2021 will offer a different experience we are confident of delivering a great event which will pave the way for ISE 2022 in Barcelona.”
Blackman added: “Whether joining online or in-person in Barcelona, attendees can access inspiring content from innovation leaders, networking opportunit

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UK - PPL, the UK’s music licensing company for over 120,000 performers and recording rights holders, has again chosen to support touring crews and event production workers during the live industry’s ongoing unemployment crisis, with a donation of £75,000.
PPL previously made a significant donation to Stagehand’s COVID-19 Crew Relief Fund earlier in the pandemic. Further strengthening its commitment to the future of live entertainment and the value placed upon its workers, PPL has stepped in to support the ecosystem surrounding the wider music industry.
As the roadmap to easing lockdown in the UK gets underway, Britain’s event and concert touring personnel remain unable to return to work in any meaningful capacity. While restrictions on audience gatherings remain in place, skilled crews are left without the opportunity to earn a consistent income. Funding from

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The Netherlands - Emerging victorious after an extensive tender period, Dutch supplier Ampco Flashlight has been selected to supply audio, lights and rigging for the 65th Eurovision Song Contest to be held in the Rotterdam Ahoy Arena in May 2021. After being postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19, preparations are already in full swing for the live 2021 broadcast.
Dick van Berkum, CEO Ampco Flashlight comments: “We are extremely pleased and proud to be able to cooperate -after a one-year delay- on this unique worldwide event, organised and supplied by Dutch professionals. It is an honour that after ESC Lisbon 2018, where we supplied lights and rigging, we have now been selected as supplier in Rotterdam, adding audio to the portfolio.”
Ampco Flashlight, based in Utrecht, has been a leader in professional lighting, sound, rigging and motion for almost five decades. Besi

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The Netherlands - Elation continues its informative and entertaining Coffee Break presentation series on 15 April with a thorough look at the two latest luminaires in the company’s popular Key Light (KL) Series: the KL Fresnel 8 FC and the KL Par FC, both theatrical and broadcast grade luminaires.
The KL Fresnel 8 FC and KL Par FC high-quality wash luminaires offer full-spectrum LED engines for a wide array of soft field saturates and pastels, including tunable white light. “Ideal for broadcast environments, film, theatre or any production requiring outstanding colour quality, they offer colour rendering of the highest quality and meet the strict standards of performance venues that are light critical and noise sensitive,” says Elation.
Join Alistair Smyth and Frederik Afif live on Thursday, 15 April at 11:00am CEST. Tune in at

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Back Home - An arts venue in Manchester is to open a new 400-seat socially distanced outdoor theatre space. Home said the temporary venue would provide shows, music, cabaret and comedy for people "looking for a safe and fun night out as lockdown eases". Named Homeground, it will open on 28 May on a future development site in the city's First Street.
The project will create 450 new jobs for freelance artists and creatives, the venue said. Over the summer the venue plans to stage musical versions of A Midsummer Night's Dream and Alice in Wonderland. It will also host work by partners including Frog & Bucket, Contact and Trans Creative.
Park Life - Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre will reopen in the summer with an extended season and has announced a new co-production with London’s Unicorn Theatre. The previously announced production of Romeo and Jul
  1. MGG supports TUT’s alternative programme
  2. Martin Audio turns Atomic in Sydney
  3. Vitec Group acquires Quasar Science
  4. CC in sales team partnership with AED Audio
  5. Algam appointed SSL distributor for France
  6. Renkus Heinz partners with Prase
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PLASA Media Limited is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 4111709 - VAT Number GB 762 5913 14
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