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USA - Even by LA standards, the 2014 BET Experience Concert at the Staples Centre was a star-studded affair, with the likes of Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige and Grammy winners Maxwell and Jill Scott gracing the stage for three glittering nights.

Visions Lighting of Brea, CA created a lighting design that looked right at home with this on-stage glitz by using a visually powerful combination of video panels, strobes, and moving fixtures, along with some unique "light diamonds" created with 64 Nexus 4x4 LED panels from CHauvet Professional.

"We rigged the Nexus panels in diamond shapes to create a different look and project an image of glamour in keeping with the character of this event," said Todd Roberts of Visions Lighting, which built the lighting and trussing system for the BET concert. "This was a big stage with big stars, so the lighting had to ma

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UK - Hastings-based lamp and LED lighting specialist CLD Distribution has taken a major shareholding in bespoke lighting manufacturer Iberian Lighting - also based in Hastings - in a merger that unites CLD's rapid expansion into LED lighting technology with Iberian's experience in the design of specialist commercial and architectural products.

Iberian, this year celebrating 50 years of successful business, is renowned for designing some of the world's largest lampshades and custom feature lighting elements.

CLD has a fast-growing technical department dedicated to the development of LED lighting technologies and producing an increasing range of LED luminaires aimed at a wide range of commercial and industrial applications.

CLD's MD, Rob Platt states, "The merger amalgamates both these specialities. With CLD's strong sales force and Iberian's talented and imaginative crea

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USA - The AES and OCA Alliance will be working together at the forthcoming 137th AES Convention in Los Angeles towards the ratification of the alliance's proposed Open Control Architecture as an AES public standard.

At the same time, the alliance will be exhibiting on the exhibition floor (booth 1152), explaining and demonstrating the benefits of the OCA standards-based control and monitoring architecture, with a live demonstration of control and monitoring across networked audio devices from different manufacturers.

OCA defines communications protocols for reliable and secure control and monitoring of AV device networks of 2 to 10,000 nodes. AES project "AES-X210" is currently working to render OCA into a ratified AES standard.

At the convention alliance members will be participating in panel discussions to increase the understanding of the benefits and impact of

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UAE - Nicolaos M Kyvernitis Electronics Ent, the designated Shure distributor in the Middle East, has recently supplied UHF - R Wireless Technology to Almoe AV Production and Rentals, rental division of the Almoe Group of Companies.

UHF -R components acquired by Almoe include 10 UR4D+ wireless dual channel receiver units, five UR4S+ single channel receivers, 25 UR2 wireless handheld microphone transmitters with Beta 58A, twenty-five UR1 wireless body transmitters and 25 WL185 lavalier microphones.

Almoe AV Production and Rentals provides full audio-visual and production support services for conferences, events and exhibitions. Emerging as one of the leading AV Rental companies in the region, this division deploys state-of-the-art equipment, trained technical staff and the right creativity and imagination required for ensuring highly successful events.

"At Almoe, we prid

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The Netherlands - Leading Dutch technical solutions provider Ampco Flashlight Rental has made another major investment in Robe products with the purchase of 55 x CycFX 8 fixtures, which were delivered by Robe's Benelux distributor, Controllux.

Marco de Koff, Ampco Flashlight's operations manager explains how they were impressed by the functionality of the CycFX 8 and the fact that the fixtures are "unique and versatile" and therefore would be ideal to have in their rental stock.

Already several of their clients and various lighting designers are enthusiastically embracing the CycFX 8, and so far, the units have yet to be spotted in the Utrecht based company's warehouse as they have gone from one job to the other in a virtually unbroken sequence.

De Koff likes the zoom feature of the CycFX 8 and the fact that they can be used for cyc and set lighting as well as for

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UK - The PLASA Professional Development Programme (PDP) is renowned as a platform for sharing ideas and showcasing industry expertise. This year, the PDP will occupy two spaces at Excel London - the Audio and AV Theatre and the Lighting and Stage Theatre.

The PDP made its debut in 2010. Since then over 300 speakers have taken part in its panels, which have welcomed thousands of attendees. The programme's aim is to test theory, inspire debate and positively impact the different strands of the entertainment technology industry.

The Lighting and Stage Theatre is preparing to welcome a wide range of expertise and talent, from companies like Martin Professional, Theatre Projects, Marshmallow Laser Feast, IQ Magazine, The Backstage Centre and Avolites Media, and from organisations including ABTT and the Association of Lighting Designers.

Leading lighting manufacturer, Martin Profe

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USA - Corner Entertainment is a recently-opened entertainment constellation located in Houston, Texas. It features a restaurant (Corner Table) a bar/nightclub (The Oak Bar), and a second wine and mixed drinks bar (1919).

Though distinctly named, the three concepts flow together, both physically and in the vibe that unites them. That vibe is perhaps best described as high-class, but relaxed. Though the aesthetic and the quality of the libations and cuisine might justify it, Corner Entertainment is decidedly not stuffy. Houston-based integration firm LoGo Audio Video Music designed and installed Corner Entertainment's high-performance, cost-effective audio system using two Symetrix Jupiter 8 fixed architecture standalone DSPs with smartphone control for the managers provided by Symetrix ARC-WEB.

"For small- to mid-sized installations, the Symetrix Jupiter is the only proces

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UK - Battersea Power Station was the iconic background for part of this year's Totally Thames festival organised by the Thames Festival Trust featuring Carabosse, a French Fire Art company who deliver picturesque installations for audiences and passers-by throughout the world.

Illuminate Design hasworked with the Thames Festival Trust for the past eight years, helping to deliver a variety of events, predominantly the annual Mayor's Thames Festival in London.

This year, Jonathan Bartlett, production manager for the Trust contracted Illuminate Design to provide a complete service for the Fire Garden by Carabosse at the Battersea Power Station. The project brief included Site management, PA, and lighting the famous chimneys.

To tackle the task, Robin Shephard-Blandy, director for Illuminate Design chose the new SGM G-Spot. Robin said, "The G-spot was a perfect solution for

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USA - Recently, the EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG) invited its members to attend the annual North American EtherCAT Plug Fest - held at the North American headquarters of Beckhoff Automation in Savage, Minnesota, USA.

For a period of two days, participants subjected their EtherCAT masters and slaves to rigorous interoperability testing, discussed open questions, and prepared the devices for future marketing. Additionally, the ETG shared exclusive information about prospective EtherCAT device test developments to the members.

The 2014 North American EtherCAT Plug Fest was also highlighted by the location of the two-day event. The Savage, Minnesota facility of Beckhoff Automation LLC also houses the North American EtherCAT Test Centre (ETC), which was accredited by the ETG at the beginning of 2014. The goals of the event were to test EtherCAT devices from the 35 participants fo

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UK - In 2013 Le Maitre invested in increasing productivity at its pyrotechnics factory in Peterborough UK, in order to cope with demand. The pyrotechnic manufacturing process is a very labour intensive process and Le Maitre had reached almost full production capacity the year before.

The company therefore researched alternative methods, exploring different industries before subsequently identifying a completely new production process which can output a phenomenal 24,000 to 26,000 units per hour, regardless of diameter, and is now resulting in a terrific increase in capacity.

Moving from the previous moulded stars method to the new format has been far from straightforward. The production process greatly affects how the pyro behaves and the Peterborough team have had to spend a huge amount of time and resource in the careful adjustment of product composition.

Le Maitre confirm

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Canada - On the shores of Lake Ontario, Queen's University's Isabel Bader Centre for the Arts - the newest addition to Canada's cultural landscape - is set to open its doors this weekend, marking the culmination of more than seven years of planning, design, and construction.

Theatre Projects collaborated with Snøhetta and N45 Architecture on the design of this 80,000 square-foot arts centre that will provide Kingston, Ontario with a state-of-the-art teaching facility, a world-class showcase for student and professional musicians, and a breathtaking architectural addition to the university campus.

The $65m centre, which combines historic preservation and modern architecture, features a concert hall, flexible theatre, orchestra rehearsal room, film screening room, film production studio, classrooms, and a full suite of support spaces.

The centrepiece of the lakeside art

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UK - There has been a theatre on the site of Sadler's Wells since 1683. Christian Wallace is the technical manager for this, the sixth incarnation to bear the name of the original proprietor along with a nod to the health giving spring that still lie beneath the theatre. He explains the theatre's current remit: "Sadler's Wells presents all sorts of dance from Britain and from international companies, including tango, hip hop, ballet, flamenco, and contemporary dance. We present high profile and internationally recognised works so we need to provide the best possible equipment, which of course includes our lighting stock."

The current building was opened in 1998 and the majority of the lighting stock is now 16 years old. Wallace freely admits that, despite sustaining a rigorous maintenance programme, it was time to explore the newer, more advanced fixtures now on the ma

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South Africa - As the worldwide launch of Robe's new long-throw 1700W BMFL Spot luminaire continues apace across all continents, two South Africa launch events staged in Cape Town and Johannesburg attracted nearly 200 people from multiple industry sectors, including all the major industry players in SA.

The two SA events were organised by Robe's SA distributor DWR, whose team of MD Duncan Riley and director Nic Britz was joined by Robe's sales director Harry von den Stemmen and technical sales manager Ond?ej Hegar. For the first launch event in Cape Town, Robe's CEO Josef Valchar also jetted in.

The Cape Town event took place at the Grandwest Arena, a venue chosen as it was important to demonstrate in a large space so guests could appreciate the power - a staggering 250,000 lux at 5m - and throw capabilities of the BMFL Spot.

A constant stream of visitors all day heard a bri

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UK - The Grade II* former circus theatre, Brighton Hippodrome, tops the 33 theatres on The Theatres Trust's Theatre Buildings at Risk Register 2014, launched at the Theatre Royal Brighton on 18 September. The annually published register features the most 'at risk' theatre buildings across the UK under threat of demolition and redevelopment, theatres that lie abandoned, neglected and decaying, and theatres in use at risk of closure.

Brighton & Hove City Council has approved demolition and redevelopment plans for the Grade II* Brighton Hippodrome to create a cinema multiplex and restaurant. Designed by Frank Matcham the theatre is of national significance as one of only three remaining Victorian circus theatres in the UK. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has yet to decide if he will call-in the planning and listed building applications and hold a

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UK - Lift Turn Move (LTM) is now the UK and Ireland agent for Planeta Hebetechnik GmbH, which manufactures hoists and other lifting equipment suited to construction, engineering and special environments.

The agreement adds explosion proof manual chain hoists up to 10t capacity and air hoists up to 25t capacity to LTM's already impressive product offering. LTM is also able to offer ultra low headroom chain hoists.

Operations director David King says, "The range of products from Planeta are perfect for clients, especially those who supply equipment into harsh working environments such as utilities, construction and offshore industries, The products complement our existing range and create new opportunities for our clients."

Herne, Germany-based Planeta manufactures a wide range of products, including manual lifting equipment, rope winches and air hoists in addition t

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USA - Students at California Baptist University's (CBU) Collinsworth School of Music are not only taught the art of making music, but the best possible way to enhance the performance aspect of their instrument or voice. That's why their professors and mentors turn to DPA Microphones for on-stage amplification, which ensures that students gain first-hand experience with world-renowned professional equipment.

With an audio locker thaDirectional Headset Mics and a stereo pair of d:screet 4061 Omnidirectional Miniature Mics, the school is guaranteed an audio solution that covers the variety of music department needs for on-campus performances as well as on-the-road ensembles.

Matthew McConnell, technical director for the School of Music at California Baptist University, was familiar with DPA's reputation of quality products, but it was his test seven years ago of a stereo pair of

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South Africa - LEDVision (Pty) Ltd, a full-service LED screen supplier, and part of the Gearhouse Group of Companies, has expanded its rental stockholding once again to offer more innovative options to the local live event market.

The company's latest investment in over 100sq.m of Radiant 7mm indoor/outdoor panels gives LEDVision the capacity to build two HD resolution screens of the new product.

This is the first acquisition of this particular LED product for use in the South Africa market and offers not only the most sophisticated lightweight touring frame of any mesh panel to date, but also the option to stack, fly or curve screens, depending on the requirements of the event. These extremely versatile panels can be configured in any format and have the capability to curve at a +/-10% horizontal degree.

The M7 is a black diode 3in1 SMD screen with the highest contrast rati

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USA - On 1 and 2 October 2014, veteran FOH engineer Jim Yakabuski will join Meyer Sound instructor Buford Jones as a special guest in the newest sessions of the company's Mixing Workshop webinar series.

The interviews will cover Yakabuski's long mixing career working with artists from Matchbox Twenty to Journey. He will also share how technology advancements like linear sound systems and plugins are creating new opportunities for FOH engineers as well as practical tips for aspiring audio practitioners.

The Mixing Workshop is free of charge and is conducted at four different times across the two days. Full details are at www.meyersound.com.

As part of Meyer Sound's worldwide education programme, Buford Jones brings his lessons from almost four decades of mixing career to his online Mixing Workshop and hands-on sessions around the world. Jones's illustrious mixing credi

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Germany - The Ballei Sports Centre, a community leisure facility in Neckarsulm, Western Germany used for handball and other spectator sports, has refitted its PA and sound reinforcement systems, choosing a system based on TC Group equipment: Tannoy VQ speakers and Lab.gruppen PLM amplification.

The system was specified by local pro audio, hi-fi and sound reinforcement specialist Joe Ritter and his company Ritter Medientechnik, based in Heilbronn, a few kilometres south of the installation.

Neckarsulm is a small town of under 30,000 inhabitants not far from Stuttgart, in Baden-Württemberg, south-western Germany. The town has a sizeable Audi factory, and is also the home of budget food retailer Lidl.

Ritter Medientechnik was approached by the administrators of the Ballei last year to assess the centre's superannuated PA system with a view to upgrading it. "However, the s

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Germany - The first major outing for satis&fy's new Nexo STM modular line array system was the Rock'n'Heim rock festival at the Hockenheimring motorsports racetrack. It was an opportunity to demonstrate STM's sound quality and coverage to a 27,000-strong crowd watching a diverse line-up on the Revolution stage, including Outkast, DeadMau5, Jan Delay, Die Fantastischen Vier, Pretty Lights, Die Antwoord and Parov Stelar Band.

satis&fy worked closely with Nexo to design the system, which required maximum cardioid sub efficiency to minimise spill to the second stage. It also needed to provide even coverage while controlling spill outside of the audience area.

The site itself came with a number of challenges for the team. The truss wasn't designed to support a flown sub system, and, because of video and photography sight lines, the subs could only be groundstacked 2-high.

System

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USA - The Sayers Club in Las Vegas features a captivating blend of edgy and opulent touches running through its intimate space, from the long golden-lit bar and over-stuffed couches to the strategically hung gothic-inspired drapes. Then there's the distinctive designer cocktails, small plate specialties, and of course the music. Where else can you see name artists like Macy Gray and Florence and the Machine perform in a room that holds only 250 people? Or be treated to a surprise 3 am appearance by Prince?

As exceptional and rare as the original Sayers Club is, however, its owners Micah Otano and Jason Scoppa have been able to recreate their Hollywood magic in Las Vegas with the opening of a new location at the SLS Casino (the former Sahara at the north end of The Strip). The pair even managed to add a dash of extra Vegas visual sizzle to the new Sayers Club with the help of som

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Belgium - Belgian commercial TV channel VTM (Vlaamse Televisie Maatschappij) celebrated 25 years of success in a son et lumière spectacular staged on the beach at Nieuwpoort, which was attended by 17,000 people who were dazzled by the visual impact and audacity of the production.

Lighting was designed by Painting With Light's Luc Peumans, who has worked on many music based projects for VTM, and was commissioned to add his own elements of eye-catching magic to the mix.

The 25 minute Great Big Musical Thank You show was directed by Dirk Decloedt and set to a specially composed soundtrack. It featured 250 dancers, a troupe of huge Dundu puppets, a 75m wide by 12m high waterscreen projection surface, dancing fountains and over 2000 pyro cues, all linked together by the vision of scenographer / art director Marcos Viñals Bassols and Peumans' dynamic lighting.

The 'stage'

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UK - This year's globally-renowned Creamfields dance festival featured an EDM first in the form of TiMax dynamic 3D audio spatialisation for duo Axwell & Ingrosso's blockbuster set, dubbed "360" in reference to the encircling array of moving lights and the club-style surround PA system that enveloped the crowd.

Originally two-thirds of the legendary Swedish House Mafia, A&I have a massive following, which on Sunday night at Creamfields were spilling out of the vast tented stage at 10 rows deep.

A new arena to Creamfields, Departures was inspired by the A&I Ibiza club night born only last summer. The duo was joined in the 10-thousand capacity tent by acts such as Alesso, Dirty South, Deep Dish and Otto Knows.

The 360 production was specified by A&I's sound engineer Wayne Rabbit Sargeant who also handles shows for Aviici. Rabbit designed an eight-channel surround sys

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USA - Elation Professional's new high-energy Sniper multi-effect light and laser simulator, which launched recently at the PRO trade show in the UK, is enjoying its touring debut on American rock band A Day to Remember's (ADTR) Parks & Devastation US tour with lighting design by Steve 'Cowboy' Stemac.

ADTR is a passionate band with Steve running 10 of the powerful hybrid effect lights through their paces as specials on the hard-driving show. "We took the band and put them in a national park environment and then, as we do, make it jocular and surreal," Steve states of the show's tongue-in-cheek yet highly entertaining set theme that has each Sniper representing a band member's eye in the set's large Mt. Rushmore-inspired backdrop.

"It's more like a cosmic circus of sorts with lots of sounds and staccato noise. For the eyeballs in our set piece we needed so

  1. PM Center Thailand invests in W-DMX
  2. Robe joins Eminem X Rihanna Monster tour
  3. CLD Distribution joins forces with Iberian Lighting
  4. Avolites announces RES Ltd
  5. Durban's Playhouse Company upgrades lighting
  6. Navigating the wireless world of Lollapalooza
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