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South Africa - Effective 1 September, Pro Audio has become Audio-Technica’s new consumer and pro audio distributor in South Africa. The company is based on the Linbro Business Park, Frankenwald near Johannesburg and its portfolio also includes Turbosound, TC Electronic, HK Audio and Klark Teknik.
Audio-Technica export sales manager Dre Klaassen comments: “We’re delighted to welcome Pro Audio to the Audio-Technica family. We are very confident that it is the right company to build Audio-Technica’s profile in both the pro and consumer markets in South Africa. The company’s wide experience and drive in distribution is unique in the territory and I very much look forward to working with them in the future.”
Neil Schofield, Audio-Technica’s export sales manager for consumer products adds: “Pro Audio joins as distribution partner at an exciting time, with man

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UAE - Gamma Illumination, UK based designer and manufacture of low energy lighting solutions, has expanded its operations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) with the opening of its first office in the region and the appointment of Arsalan Bari as vice president.
Gamma Illumination has been active in the MENA region for the past five years. This expansion will enable the company to develop closer relationships with its clients and support the rapidly growing business demands in the region.
“Gamma has already built a reputation for its fusion of high quality and great value, whilst providing industry leading turnaround times and a trusted service to its customers,” says Bari. “I look forward to working with the team to continue to do this throughout the region.”
Cate Hickling, sales director at Gamma Illumination, adds: “These are exciting times

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UK - Troxy has joined forces with DICE to become a mobile-only, and “now tout-proof venue”.
The move to digital will put fans first by implementing DICE’s mobile-only tickets to stop reselling, as well as selling tickets through the night and allowing refunds up to moments before an event starts.
The secondary ticketing market continues to be a nightmare for music fans, and this partnership ensures that touts are locked out of Troxy for good, says the venue.
Adam Webb, campaign manager for FanFair Alliance, comments: "DICE have been long-time supporters of the FanFair campaign, and this is another welcome step forward to ensure ticket resale works for fans and not touts. Recent legislative and regulatory changes are helping reshape the market, but some of the most exciting developments will involve adoption of new technology that improve the gig-going expe

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Russia - Linea Research has announced the expansion of its worldwide distribution network with an appointment in Russia. “It’s been a busy season at Linea Research”, comments Davey Smalley, director of Linea Research, “and as part of our growth strategy we’ve been adding to our already extensive distribution network with the addition of Hi-Tech Media in Russia.”
Founded in Moscow in 2011 Hi-Tech Media has rapidly become one of the leaders in the Russian AV distribution and integration markets.
Andrey Kogtev, head of pro audio at Hi-Tech Media comments, “When we started looking for opportunities to expand our brand portfolio with high power multichannel amplification systems Linea Research was already on our radar. Our team members were familiar with the products and their exceptional performance and there was no doubt this is the brand we should be workin

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UK - Eaton’s Zero 88 series continues its enthusiastic support for professional lighting, audio and AV distributor Leisuretec’s Introduction to Lighting Basics course, an innovative one-day fly-through of some of the fundamentals of stage, event and venue lighting, devised and presented by their lighting specialist, Andy Friedli.
This is the third of four Lighting Basics sessions being run by Leisuretec throughout 2018. Over 30 customers and interested parties attended over these latest three one-day courses, and Leisuretec has now trained over 170 people via this straightforward, hands-on process, with great results.
Friedli devised and developed the course - initially for Leisuretec staff - three years ago, having joined the Leighton Buzzard based company five years ago. With a background in theatre and a 25-year career that includes working for

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USA - Four documents have been posted for public review on the ESTA website.
BSR E1.29 - 2009 (R2014), Product Safety Standard for Theatrical Fog Generators that Create Aerosols of Water, Aqueous Solutions of Glycol or Glycerin, or Aerosols of Highly Refined Alkane Mineral Oil
This standard is being considered for reaffirmation. It's intended to help guide product safety testing laboratories in evaluating fog-making equipment for design or construction defects that might create unacceptable hazards. It is based on UL 998 - 2006, Humidifiers, with modifications. Products covered are theatrical fog generators intended for use in professional theatrical entertainment, film and video production, theme parks, and fire safety training.
BSR E1.62, Minimum specifications for mass-produced portable platforms, ramps, stairs, and choral risers for live performance

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Denmark - Supplier of pro audio amplifier electronics Pascal has unveiled a redesigned website that represents “a major upgrade of the look, functionality and content of its online presence”.
A new design aesthetic is allied to enhanced functionality, providing for improved navigation of a greater breadth and depth of content. Much of that content has been revised and repurposed, to provide the company’s roster of leading pro audio industry clients with better tools to match their development projects with Pascal’s expanding range of ultra-compact, high performance amplifier modules.
In addition to essential technical references, the website provides extensive background and insights into the origins, growth, and organisational values of a company that, in just over 10 years, has risen to be among the top 0.07% highest performing companies in Denmark, the world

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UK - Ofcom has published its long-awaited response to the consultation on the 700MHz compensation scheme, to which the British Entertainment Industry Radio Group (BEIRG) - an independent and non-profit association, working for the benefit of all those who use radio spectrum - has released the following statement: "The original proposals [from Ofcom] fell short, and since submitting our consultation response, BEIRG has been lobbying hard to ensure that PMSE is treated fairly. Our contact with Ofcom, DCMS and Treasury has been frequent and we have a host of new supporters in Parliament. BEIRG has briefed the Labour, Liberal Democrat and SNP Culture spokesmen who have been vocal in their backing for our campaign. BEIRG would l

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Missing Out - The number of GCSE students sitting creative subjects this year has slipped by 10% on last year, prompting yet further warnings that young people are missing out on “essential” life skills. GCSE drama uptake has fallen by 5.3% on 2017, according to this year’s final figures, released by the Joint Council for Qualifications on GCSE results day.
The 10% decline in entries for creative subjects in England comprises statistics for drama, art and design, design and technology, film and TV studies, music and performing / expressive arts. This is a further 10% on the 9% decline recorded between 2016 and 2017.
Those taking performing / expressive arts fell by 45% - from 15,641 to just 8,646. As of 2017, this course is being phased out of the curriculum, which accounts for the dramatic decline, but the numbers are not being made up elsewhere. The drop in cre

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USA - LumenRadio has announced an OEM partnership with Hive Lighting, with LA-based Hive set to utilise LumenRadio’s wireless technologies.
Hive Lighting provides lighting solutions for the film, photography and broadcast industries as well as science and sports, and also has an architectural fixture line, ArcHIVE.
Robert Rutherford, Hive Lighting founder, comments: “LumenRadio is the entertainment industry standard for adding reliable wireless DMX control for production lighting. We chose LumenRadio to allow our fixture to be compatible with all of the control systems in place throughout the film, TV and digital production industry.”
Robert Larsson, sales director at LumenRadio, adds: “We are very happy to have Hive Lighting onboard as an OEM partner. Hive is an innovative company with great people and great products and we are delighted they have decid

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World - P!NK’s 2018 Beautiful Trauma world tour is set to be her highest ever grossing tour, with over $100m already taken in ticket sales. The singer is bringing her hallmark mixture of exotic staging and aerial acrobatics combines with quality vocal reproduction – courtesy of a Sennheiser Digital 6000 system – to venues around the world.
Sennheiser has a long association with P!NK through her RF coordinator and monitor engineer for the band, Horst Hartmann. For her 2013 The Truth About Love Tour, he specified an integrated in-ear monitor and microphone system to help facilitate her technically and physically challenging show.
For the current tour, the microphone system has been updated with Sennheiser’s latest technology, including its Digital 6000 system, both handheld and bodypack, an improved custom mic/in-ear combo, and wireless monitoring v

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Japan - Martin Audio Japan has been featuring the MLA loudspeaker array at Rock in Japan for eight years, and it has now become an essential item on the four principal stages.
For the 19th edition of the festival, which took place in Hitachinaka Seaside Park over two consecutive weekends in August, MLA was again seen on the largest Grass Stage, the second Lake Stage, Park Stage, and Sound of Forest.
From new, cutting edge performers to veterans, more than 200 artists appeared on these stages over the four days, enhancing the Japanese music scene, with tickets once again sold out in a matter of minutes.
“It was back in 2011 when we first introduced MLA on the Lake Stage,” reports Shuzo Fujii, president of MSI Japan. “This is now the eighth year that the system has been adopted, and its high degree of control has become essential for the festival.

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Australia - Out Board has announced tm stagetec systems as exclusive Australian distributor and support specialist for its immersive spatial audio and showcontrol products TiMax SoundHub and TiMax Tracker.
As a result of the deal, tm stagetec systems staff have undertaken training for TiMax products in Sydney from Out Board director Dave Haydon.
Mark Lownds, general manager at tm stagetec systems, comments: “We are thrilled to welcome TiMax into the tm stagetec systems’ suite of brands. The fit between our technology-driven ethos and the leading edge, high-quality technology offered by TiMax products is a perfect match.”
(Jim Evans)

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EMEA - Production Resource Group (PRG) and VER have completed their merger in Europe and the Middle East, becoming the largest entertainment and equipment and services provider.
The entities will be controlled by The Jordan Company, GSO Capital Partners and PRG Management.Jere Harris will serve as chairman and CEO of PRG and VER, and Stephan Paridaen will be president and COO.
Harris comments: “For more than 20 years PRG has been diligent in offering its clients the best production service and equipment in the entertainment industry. Growth across disciplines, markets and geographies has always been a key part of our strategy. Now, our ability to support all types of entertainment productions globally will take on new meaning, raising an already high bar to an unprecedented level.”
According to a statement, combining PRG and VER’s strength will now offer

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Music & Politics - Lana Del Rey has hit back at critics defending her decision to perform at Meteor festival in Israel. She tweeted: “I believe music is universal and should be used to bring us together. Performing in Tel Aviv is not a political statement or a commitment to the politics there, just like singing here in California doesn’t mean my views are in alignment [with] my current government’s opinions or sometimes inhuman actions.”
In response, The Palestine Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel issued a statement urging the singer "to reconsider". The debate about artists performing in Israel is still very politicised. Roger Waters, Lauryn Hill and Elvis Costello have boycotted Israel in recent years. But there are also plenty of artists who have played Tel Aviv, including Justin Bieber, Radiohead, Elton John, Guns N' Roses and Lady Gaga

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Australia - Chameleon Touring Systems has re-designed its website as it marks 30 years in business this year.
The new website, www.chameleon-touring.com.au, features a comprehensive inventory list as well as a news section and gallery. Various 30th anniversary celebrations are in the pipeline, according to the company.
(Jim Evans)

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Europe - Laser module development company Atenlaser has joined the Laserworld Group at the beginning of August. Barcelona’s Atenlaser will remain based in Spain, but will form a laser specialists team with Munich-based Ray Technologies (RTI), where Laserworld Group’s core product development department for laser systems is located.
Jordi Luque, CEO of Atenlaser, comments: “Atenlaser has many years of experience in developing high precision laser modules with a special focus on optical components. I am very happy about getting the opportunity to join the expert team at RTI and to participate in the future development of their excellent products. It will be very exciting.”
(Jim Evans)

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Australia - Central Audio Visual are headquartered in Thebarton, a stone’s throw from Adelaide’s CBD. A family owned and operated AV company, they work in many major venues in SA, and pride themselves on providing the best gear, technicians and customer service to the corporate, events, exhibitions, broadcast, and sporting markets.
Being the in-house AV providers at prestigious venues like Adelaide Oval, Central AV needed lighting control that’s fast, flexible, robust, and reliable, which is why they’ve added a High End Systems Full Boar 4 to their existing Hog 4 inventory.
Central’s in-house lighting tech Benny Sigal is a long-term Hog user, harking back to the days of the Full Boar 3. “The Hog platform is all about the ease of patching,” observes Benny. “It’s really quick and easy to repatch from one show to the next. I love the Hog’s speed and fl

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UK - Audio specialists tube uk followed their sense of adventure, love for the unusual and challenging site-specific installations to Cammell Laird Shipyard in Birkenhead, Merseyside, where, working for live event production company Mills Media Creative, they supplied a sound system for the launch of the RRS Sir David Attenborough.
The 128.9m-long vessel which has a 24m beam and a draft of 7m, is owned by the Natural Environment Research Council and will be operated by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).
It replaces two existing ships and will be engaged in essential research and logistical support for the Survey.
The event at Cammell Laird saw the distinctive red hull (number 1390) launched following an impassioned speech by Sir David Attenborough himself, who focussed on the importance and centrality of the work undertaken by the BAS for the benefit and the lo

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South Africa - The team at the University of Johannesburg Arts Centre and DWR Distribution invited students to explore the world of a backstage technician with a lighting design workshop two-day class hosted earlier this year. It was aimed at UJ students who follow subjects other than theatre, with the hope that they would develop a love for the arts and possibly sign up as crew for the many festivals and productions the theatre is involved with.
“The first evening was testing the boundaries of their awareness of the industry,” said Michael Broderick from DWR who presented the course. “I think the students were a bit overwhelmed by the theory and expected to be playing with lights from the outset. To be honest, without the background and without the theory you can’t actually do anything.
“On the second night, they were a lot more prepared and their minds were

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USA - Platinum recording artists AJR got their start over a decade ago busking covers of hits by Simon and Garfunkel, Imagine Dragons and other artists in Central Park. The freewheeling band got to rekindle those improvisational skills in mid-July at the Orange County New York Fair, when the power suddenly went out during their performance. Not missing a beat, they broke into an acoustic version of their set to keep the crowd entertained.
“Dynamic Productions, the producers of the event, did a great job responding fast and restoring power quickly,” said Jason Blends, the festival’s lighting designer. “But you had to be impressed by AJR’s quick thinking.” Also impressive was the nimbleness and responsiveness of Blend’s lighting rig, which was anchored by 12 Chauvet Professional Maverick MK2 Profiles.
The county fair’s main stage hosted a mix of performe

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USA - Adamson Systems Engineering has confirmed Livella Brand Group as the latest U.S. addition to the Adamson Network. Headquartered in Lenexa, KS, Livella is now Adamson’s manufacturer’s representative covering Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Southern Illinois.
"Adamson is committed to continuing our strong year-over-year growth in the Americas, and by welcoming Livella Brand Group to the Adamson Network, we’ve further strengthened our U.S. sales force with an elite partner,” says Marc Bertrand, managing director, Americas for Adamson Systems Engineering.
“Adam’s team has a wealth of experience and a strong market position when you combine their individual strengths and their impressive line card,” adds Adamson’s U.S. sales director, Lin Buck. “I’ve been close with Adam Livella and his family for over 20 years and have never been surprised b

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USA - The Howard Hughes Corporation (HHC) recently opened the doors on a new development located in the South Street Seaport district. Pier 17 offers dining, retail and entertainment options along with a large 1.5-acre rooftop concert space that can hold 3,400 for its standing general admission shows, or 2,400 seated, with the Brooklyn Bridge as the stage’s backdrop.
HHC brought in SIA Acoustics to identify and design a system that would deliver pristine audio quality while keeping the sound contained to the listening area. After reviewing multiple products, it was determined that an Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW) Adaptive sound reinforcement system was the only solution. It would not only reduce the amount of audio that would impact the adjacent neighbourhoods – Wall Street to the west and Brooklyn to the east – but also produce sonic clarity beyond expectations.

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UK - Theatres Trust Conference 18: Adapt & Thrive will take place on Tuesday 16 October at the Lyric Hammersmith, London, exploring how changing artistic, business and operating models in the theatre sector are impacting on how we build, adapt and run theatres.
Through a mixture of inspiring plenaries and lively breakout sessions, the conference will look at how we can ensure our theatres remain viable in challenging economic times and how we can continue to invest in renewal of our theatre infrastructure.
Joining Michael Ellis MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Arts, Heritage and Tourism and Cameron Mackintosh, producer and theatre owner will be speakers from Bristol Old Vic, arguably the country’s oldest continuously operating theatre and Manchester’s Factory, probably the newest, discussing how they are adapting to new artistic and busines
  1. Unlimited Robe for Breda Live
  2. ImmersAV Technology stages hearing experience
  3. Avolites drives projections at Columbia games
  4. L-Acoustics has the answer for Boston Calling
  5. Chauvet colours Counting Crows’ catalogue
  6. CUK in Sounds and Sorcery extravaganza
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