Lighting

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The Netherlands - Midas Consoles Benelux has sold the fourth Midas XL8 Live Performance System into the region, together with its first Klark Teknik DN9696 hard disk recorder for the live market. Both went to Dutch rental company Triple Showtechniek, based in Purmerend near Amsterdam.

The day after Triple Showtechniek received the XL8 it was deployed on its first gig for Dutch band the Three J's, with FOH engineer with Marc Pardon at the helm. "We are responsible for some of the major Dutch artists like the Three J's, Jan Smit and Nick and Simon, says Triple Showtechniek owner, Rene Tielen. "These artists are highly critical of their own performance and expect the highest levels from us, so that's why we only invest in industry leaders like Midas."

Chief technical officer Marco Hovius adds: "I am responsible for these shows running smoothly and the Midas XL

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UK - Lighting designer Dan Hardiman used over 80sq.m of Chroma-Q Color Web 125 LED panels to provide the core element of his show design for the recent sold-out UB40 UK arena tour.

Hardiman and his company, THC Design, began their long association with UB40 at the band's 21st Anniversary show in their hometown of Birmingham, and have since gone on to design the show elements for the band's last four successive international tours.

The central point of Hardiman's design was a series of moving trusses providing the rig lighting positions, which he also wanted to make a scenic feature of, so decided this could be an interesting application for a video truss border.

Hardiman chose the Chroma-Q Color Web 125 LED display system after being impressed by its modular and lightweight design, and the band approved after seeing the results of his rendered fly throughs showing the panels

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Italy - ETC's Ion lighting control desk was seen for the first time at a southern Europe trade fair, at SIB in Rimini this week.

Also on show at SIB was ETC's SmartSoft, a new software application that runs on a PC and can be used to get to know the ETC SmartFade ML lighting control console, using its on-screen virtual console face panel.

ETC controls product manager Sarah Clausen says: "SmartFade ML show files can be employed with SmartSoft as an offline editor and the file can then be saved to computer's hard disk. And, by connecting the PC to a SmartFade ML desk using USB, users can access direct data editing tools as well as display the show."

There was also a sneak-preview of ETC's new Congo v5.0 - the new software version for ETC's Congo and Congo jr lighting control systems, which includes a new effects engine.

(Jim Evans)

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Singapore - Selecon has announced the addition of Tony Tan to the sales team at Selecon Asia. As the sales manager for South East Asia, Tony will be responsible for working directly with end users to build the Selecon business in the region whilst maintaining relationships with current dealers in South East Asia.

Reporting to Phil Sargent, Selecon's market manager for Asia & the Middle East, Tony will work out of Singapore to assist with the on-going development and support of Selecon's position as a leader in fixed luminaire technology for theatrical and entertainment lighting.

"Tony's appointment as a full-time Singapore-based member of our global team is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure the highest levels of service to our customers and is a direct result of our strong success in South East Asia. Together with Tony's appointment Selecon is also happy to announc

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UK - Lighting designer Matt Arthur used a Jands Vista T2 console to provide lighting control for the recent Mark Ronson UK tour. The Brit award-winning solo artist returned with his formidable live show for a string of UK dates, with an array of special guests performing against the backdrop of a 10-piece band.

LD Matt Arthur had been impressed by the Jands Vista's capabilities after seeing it used for last year's Keane arena tour, so decided to try it out for himself on the Mark Ronson tour. Production meetings led to the idea of re-creating a 60s style TV show set, so the band were placed on a series of risers in a V shape, ranging in height from 0.6m to 1.5m. To give the lighting a suitably retro feel, Matt's design incorporated some 5K Fresnels retro fitted with LED fixtures inside. The set also featured all red drapes, legs and swagged borders to give it an 'old school' fee

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UK - As part of the master plan for the Greater Ashford Area, Ray Dolby of Control Lighting Ltd was asked to provide a lighting solution to enhance the riverside walkway, linking the new Stour Centre Leisure Centre and Ashford International Railway Station.

Dolby designed the lighting scheme according to the remit; provision of new exterior luminaires which would be fixed onto seven new street lighting columns positioned in the same location as the old columns, and with no extra resources for cabling or additional installation. The exterior luminaires had to be high brightness LEDs, colour changing, provide directional light, and be waterproof and vandal proof. A total of 28 LED luminaires (four per lighting column) were installed and each LED cluster individually controlled by the sophisticated lighting control system.

The new LED luminaires were focused on the walkway to pro

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UK - Producers and remix duo Simian Mobile Disco (SMD) are currently breathing fresh new life into global clubland, using PixelLine fixtures to help give impact to their shows. Lighting designer James Thompson says: "I wanted to create a futuristic look, featuring high light output fixtures that looked the part. The PixelLine 1044 is one of the most versatile LED fixtures I have used, and as yet, in my eyes unsurpassed by any other LED fixture on the market."

The visual show surrounding SMD's silhouettes consists of a 2m circular table laden with synths, keyboards, drum machines, laptops and a multitude of effect pedals. The duo dash around the table triggering the different effects and samples - and the show evolves into an eclectic mix of sound and light. Thompson continues: "The tour varies a lot depending on venue size, so we have a huge back catalogue of plan

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Luxembourg - 31 January saw Codex Productions of Luxembourg incorporate a host of Martin MAC moving heads and Martin LC Series LED panels at the launch of Jaguar's new XF model car. The event was held in the local showroom of Jaguar Luxembourg.

Codex Productions, with a rental inventory of over 200 moving heads, is Luxembourg's market leader in the presentation of high quality events. The lighting concept for the XF launch consisted of moving heads, all Martin, as well as a high impact LED wall. The equipment list included 20 MAC 600 NT washlights, 14 MAC 250 Washes, 12 MAC 250 Entours, four MAC 2000 Performances, four MAC 700 Profiles and Martin LC Series LED panels.

The Jaguar showroom's front window was filled with six columns of Martin LC Series LED panels, used to highlight Jaguar logos as well as a commercial video. Codex had previously used the LC panels only as a decor

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Germany - Sommer Cable's multipair SC Transfer Highflex was especially developed to be suitable for tough outdoor applications, but is also suitable for use on stage and in permanent installations.

Its special notch-free 'Master Blend' jacket (a PUR jacket with the flexibility of PVC, the company says) is resistant to soiling and easy to clean and is also resistant to cold temperatures down to -40°C, warm temperatures up to +80°C). A thin paired wire insulation made of 'Special-TPE-Hytrel', plus the tight stranding of the 18 x 0.1mm copper litz wires guarantee outstanding audio transmission properties, say Sommer, while the use of oxygen-free or low-oxygen copper also ensures high bending cycles and consistent performance. The paired copper spiral shielding, in conjunction with the tightly-braided overall shielding made of tin-plated copper braiding, also help to prevent

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USA - Apollo Design Technology Inc, the US-based manufacturer and distributor of custom gobos and lighting effects accessories, has announced two staff changes, with one promotion and one new addition to its team.

To best support its growing sales outside the US, Milad Khouli has been promoted to senior executive - international sales within Apollo's marketing group, while new recruit Rachel Arroyo has joined the inside sales team and will be the main contact and provide daily support to Apollo's international dealers.

"In our search for the best candidate to further Apollo's position in international markets, we decided we already had him," said Monty McWilliams, Apollo's VP of marketing. "Milad's industry experience, proven ability to develop strong relationships, loyalty to the Apollo philosophy, and willingness to travel and be more visible in these markets,

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UK - With many lighting designers already giving their support, the second annual Light Relief Day, which this year takes place on Thursday April 24, looks set to top the £5000 raised in 2007.

Already pledging to donate their royalties for April 24 to Light Relief are the lighting designers of many shows, including a couple of overseas productions: Paule Constable, The City at Royal Court Theatre, Chris Davey, (no specific show); Rick Fisher, Billy Elliot UK and Australia; Rob Halliday, Equus UK tour and My Fair Lady US tour; Paul Pyant, Lord of the Rings; Malcolm Rippeth, Brief Encounter; Ian Scott, 39 Steps; Kevin Sleep, Woman in Black, James Whiteside for The Wedding Singer tour and Never Forget, donated in advance of its West End premiere in May; and Willie Williams, We Will Rock You, UK and French and Saunders Live Tour. Thanks to all these for their early commitment

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UK - Northern Light has today announced the culmination of over a year's worth of heavy investment within the hire and events departments.

Colin Cuthbert, managing director of Northern Light, said: "Since early in 2007 Northern Light has invested over a quarter of a million pounds and hundreds of hours of staff time in improving our hire and events departments. The ethos behind this programme of continuous improvement stemmed from an upturn in business for our hire department and our successful expansion into technical event production."

Investment has been spread over various areas of the business, covering equipment, staffing, training and process management. Increased business has meant employing further experts for the team. Northern Light is delighted to welcome Al Dalgarno as hire operations manager, Galo Dominguez and Jon Pike as technicians, Marcin Buczek as

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Spain - Sonorde S.L., one of the premier equipment sales and rental companies of professional audio and lighting in Galicia in north-western Spain, has recently invested in an Sy48 Pro FX digital console package from InnovaSon. The console was supplied by InnovaSon's recently-appointed Spanish distributor, Doscientos Veinte Sonido SL, also referred to as Doviente.

According to Dosviente CEO Jose Maria Mendez, who has a long-standing relationship with Sonorde, the company had been considering the purchase of a digital console for a while, and were delighted when Dosviente took over distribution of InnovaSon. "It was perfect timing for all concerned," noted Mendez. "I knew that Sonorde were looking for something, and now I had the ideal product to show them!"

"Sonorde is a company that prides itself on the quality of both their equipment and service, and

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This week's news included the deal that never was: the proposed TC Group / Gibson Guitar merger that had the industry talking at the end of January this year finally turned out to be a non-starter, as both parties agreed to end talks and go their separate ways.

Arriving with little fanfare, the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 now applies to employers involved in the provision of live or recorded music in restaurants, bars, nightclubs etc, following a two-year period of grace, which expired on 6 April.

Employers are now responsible for protecting their employees' hearing. And that's not all on the legislation front - employers are now also faced with the Corporate Manslaughter Act, which also came into force on 6 April. Bosses are now responsible if their company's negligence results in death in the workplace. The message is this: review your business procedures now, to make

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Hong Kong - As part of its ongoing programme of education in automation, Stage Technologies recently worked with the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) to deliver a five day course to its students. The course combines a number of theoretical lectures and practical site visits and presents the students with an overview of theatre engineering and automation systems.

Mark Ager, Stage Technologies' managing director, lead discussions on how automation is used in entertainment venues, including the practical advantages, cost implications and safety issues, as well as giving a technical overview of the equipment used. This information was then augmented with visits to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Wynn and Venetian hotel complexes in Macau, where Stage Technologies has recently completed commissioning several large systems.

The course was designed for students cur

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UK - When NME decided to move their award ceremony to the O2 arena last month, they wanted it to be an event that would herald it as the music award ceremony. Staged at the Indigo and O2 Arena in London and broadcast on Channel 4 the following night, the event saw the likes of the Manic Street Preachers, Klaxons and Bloc Party take to the stage.

Winners included The Arctic Monkeys, The Killers, Muse and, er, George W Bush for 'Villain of the Year'. (Unfortunately he was not able to collect his award personally). Organisers for the event turned to Remedy Productions and veteran LD Vince Foster to make it a show to remember. In the last year Vince has been working on Kylie, George Michael, Peter Gabriel, Duran Duran and Janet Jackson to name but a few.

Within the nanoseconds he had free between shows, Vince said of the NME gig: "We had to design a lighting show that could w

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Denmark - Martin Professional has given its www.martin.com website a thorough makeover. The new look site, optimised for bigger bandwidths and wider screens, features an enlarged format with bigger images, expanded segment pages and a brighter appearance for greater clarity and visual impact, says the company.

The site includes project references, product information, technical specifications, photometric data and marketing material, as well as company and Martin Partner info, global support access and online service.

(Jim Evans)

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Denmark - For the first few months of this year Friday nights in Denmark were reserved for X Factor, a televised talent competition that approximately 2.0 million Danes - nearly 40% of the population - tuned in to watch each week. The show aired on Denmark's DR1 network and commanded some of the country's best television rating ever.

Lighting designer for the series was Kasper Steen-Lange, who coloured the set using Martin's Stagebar 54 LED luminaire and rig of Martin Professional MAC moving heads that included MAC TW1 tungsten wash lights, MAC 700 Profiles and MAC 250 Washes as well as Atomic 3000 strobes. Other automateds and an LED video display were also used. Supply of the Martin gear was by rental company Litecom A/S of Copenhagen.

"We needed to find a small color changing fixture that would fit inside the set," stated Kasper Steen-Lange. "We were l

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USA - The University of Tennessee Women's Basketball Team recently celebrated its 64-48 win over Stanford University in the women's NCAA tournament championship game. The hometown party took place at Thompson-Boling Arena and served as both a celebration of the win and a thank you to the local fans for all their support.

Lighting Designer Will Twork said that the primary objective for this event was to light the stage and the podium. He used Martin MAC 600s to wash the stage. Twork also staggered six Martin MAC 500s with custom glass gobos to project the Lady Vols logo onto a 50ft filled white cyc. Lighting was controlled by a Whole Hog II.

(Jim Evans)

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USA - The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery's 2008 Symposium & Congress, which recently met in Chicago, was one of the first corporate events to use High End Systems' DL.3.

Production supplier and lighting designer Dale Sahlin of Fusion Design LIVE, Las Vegas specified eight DL.3 digital light fixtures and two Road Hog Full Boar consoles for the event's show producer Audio Visual Management Group (AVMG) of Dallas. Intelligent Lighting Creations of Arlington Heights, Ill., supplied the equipment.

Sahlin says: "We were fortunate to use DL.2s with AVMG over the last year on numerous shows and when we talked about this show, they were excited to be the first to use the DL.3s on show site."

DL.3 is a digital lighting fixture equipped with a 6500 lumen three-chip LCD projector and an onboard media server. New features include an SDI input/out for profes

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UK - Bandit Lites UK supplied lighting for Westlife's recent UK arena tour, which was produced by Production North with Karen Ringland at the helm as production manager. Bandit has been associated with Westlife since 2001.

Bandit Lites UK Chief Executive, Lester Cobrin comments, "It has been a pleasure to watch Westlife mature into an extremely talented group of performers over the last 10 years. It continues to be an honour to be part of their production team."

The 2008 show was designed and directed by William Baker, who also designed the set, with the lighting design created by Baz Halpin.

Halpin went for a very theatrical look with all the structures concealed, apart from a centre stage 'W' shaped truss. Lighting fixtures were all positioned on a series of angled trussing sections, some of which moved.

Starting upstage, there were six moving trusses, all susp

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Brazil - More than 170,000 people were recently attending for four days the 10th edition of the Festival de Verao in Salvador, Bahia in North-East Brazil, featuring bands including Ivete Sangalo, Babado Novo, Jammil, Eagle Cherry, Margareth Menezes, Beth Carvalho, Asa de Aguia, Timbalada and many more. For this large show lighting designer Marcelo Marino used a grandMA system consisting of one grandMA full-size, one light, one ultra-light, three video media servers, two MA NSPs and grandMA 3D for pre-programming.

Marino reported: "Due to the flexibility, the power and the reliability of the equipment, grandMA was our first choice. We preprogrammed the show and ran it with the total accuracy that is typical for the grandMA. The system is very strong and reliable."

Ivete Sangalo Band, with the programmer and operator Junior Luzbel, who used his own grandMA full-

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UAE - Robe Lighting has confirmed that Dubai-based GSL will be its exclusive distributor for the UAE and Iran.

"We are choosing to work with them because they are a fast growing company and highly proactive in a diversity of markets," says Elie Battah, Robe's regional sales manager.

GSL has already been working with Robe for more than one year, and is an independent company, owned and run by Fouad (president) and Faegh (MD) Fowzi. They distribute a selected range of leading audio, AV and lighting products.

"Being the sole representative for Robe in these territories will be a great opportunity for us and for Robe and we look forward to penetrating new sectors and carving out a healthy market share for Robe," says Fouad Fowzi.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - Adlib Lighting supplied equipment and crew for the recent Velvet Revolver UK tour. They first worked with the band on their successful 2007 tour. Adlib Lighting's Pete Abraham says: "It was a pleasure to be back working with Velvet Revolver again. It was an extremely well thought-out design and looked great in all the venues, even when reduced to fit the smaller stage sizes."

Working closely with LD Fuji (David Convertino), the Adlib Lighting team consisted of Andy Rowe, Tim Spilman and Richard Babington. The tour visited a wide variety of different sized venues - from regional Academies to London's Brixton Academy and the Brighton Centre, so the rig had to be adaptable.

With traditional rock 'n' roll aesthetics at its core - beam technology, high contrast bright and bold colours - the lighting design was based on two trusses. The front truss contained 60 PARs a

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  2. Paradiso gets the Blackline treatment
  3. Anolis shines on Sydney casino
  4. Watford Music Centre refurbished
  5. PRG Distribution established in North America
  6. Element Labs signs EES as Spanish distributor.
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