project news

New Symetrix 780 Handles AV for Times Square Hong Kong

In addition to being one of Hong Kong's foremost shopping and office centers, Times Square Hong Kong is home to the first AV system to benefit from the Symetrix Automix Matrix 780. This product is the newest to join Symetrix' acclaimed Integrator Series. The single-rack space unit includes an impressive suite of DSP tools and works seamlessly with Symetrix' ARC-series of wall-mounted interface panels. The 780 provides solutions for AV designers and installers of small to medium-sized projects with unparalleled power and flexibility at a low cost. Recently, Hong Kong-based AV integrator Sound Classy took advantage of the Automix Matrix 780's unique features to design a system for Times Square Hong Kong that sounds natural and seamless across its many zones, and that provides remarkably simple user control.

Sound Classy has worked hard to become one of the leading AV design and installation firms in Hong Kong by having a knowledgeable staff and supporting a range of brands that offer maximum value for money. For digital signal processing, Sound Classy relies on Symetrix and SymNet equipment for powerful algorithms, transparent audio quality, and intuitive user-friendly control. Symetrix is distributed throughout China by Sanecore Audio Ltd.

The recent installation at Times Square Hong Kong serves as a perfect example of the reasons for Sound Classy's success. The system provides a video and audio feed from in-house edited or broadcast material for public display in an expansive plaza area. Although many potential solutions existed, Sound Classy steered the client toward one that would reliably meet their needs. The Times Square Hong Kong system relies on the Symetrix Automix Matrix 780 to handle automatic gain control, equalization, and signal routing. Source material and volume is controlled from a simple-to-use Symetrix ARC-2 wall-mounted panel.

"The Symetrix Automix Matrix 780 packs a lot of processing power into a single-rack space," said Chan Wei Him, systems integrator for Sound Classy. "With twelve inputs and eight outputs, each with the capacity for unique processing and routing, we were able to address the individual characteristics of each source and apply customized levels, EQ, and delay to each output zone in the Times Square system. User control is very easy with the Symetrix series of ARC wall-mounted panels."

Even for less technical requirements, Sound Classy keeps costs low and audio quality high with Symetrix technology. For example, Ocean Park Hong Kong, which is consistently rated as one of the top twenty theme parks in the world, pulls out all the stops to deliver a spectacular Halloween show for its visitors in October. In the haunted house, the park technicians decided to set a spooky tone by introducing visitors to its ghostly history in one of three reception rooms. Within each reception room, visitors could select to hear Cantonese, English or Putonghua in their headphones.

Sound Classy recommended a Symetrix 581E distribution amplifier to source the three separate audio players for each of the separate languages and then route them to the reception rooms. The 581E features four balanced inputs and sixteen balanced outputs. "We used the 581E in 4x4 mode, with a spare channel on either end," said Him. "The Symetrix 581E is the kind of thing you can include in a system and know it will work reliably for decades."

From small straightforward installations, to large and more complicated audio projects, Sound Classy can rely on Symetrix for incredible quality and unparalleled value.

In picture: The Symetrix Automix Matrix 780, the latest product in the Symetrix Integrator Series line, was selected by Hong Kong's Sound Classy to handle automatic gain control, equalization, and signal routing for Times Square Hong Kong's multi-faceted needs.

Dynamic Martin Lighting a Central Element of "Garden Play with Light"

Martin Professional Exterior Series luminaires are being used to illuminate dynamically the restaurant facade and outdoor garden at the Four Seasons Hotel in the Tokyo area of Chinzan-so. Chinzan-so is a Japanese Garden and Restaurant located in an historical and scenic area of the city. The area, also known as "Camellia Mountain," was the estate of Prince Aritomo Yamagata, a noted politician during the Meiji Era (1868-1912), and was later adorned with historic monuments and beautiful gardens.

The Chinzan-so Garden, rich in history and decorated with stone monuments, shrines and artefacts from Japan's past, covers an area of 66,000 square meters. In 1992, the Garden welcomed the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo, a luxury hotel offering a blend of classic European décor, distinctive Japanese art, modern technology and superior service.    

On November 1st, 2008, in collaboration with the Garden's landscape gardener, an illumination program, "Garden Play with Light," commenced. Two concepts define this Japanese style of illumination: "Static Vision," in which the Garden radiates a dreamy atmosphere; and "Dynamic Vision," a series of pleasing colour changing programs that shift with the season. Some programs are synchronized to music and offered as an optional service to customers on special occasions like weddings or birthdays.

Lighting design is by Reiko Chikada of Reiko Chikada Lighting Design Inc. Chikada and her team chose IP65-rated Exterior Series luminaires from Martin Professional to illuminate the Garden's three-story Pagoda and surrounding forest, as well as the entrance façade of the restaurant. All Martin lights were supplied through Martin Professional Japan Ltd.

The full colour mixing luminaires create a distinctive, visually expressive atmosphere in the Garden. Martin Exterior 200 LED fixtures highlight trees around a central pond area while Exterior 200 luminaires (21o lens) reveal the trees on the upper half of the mountain.

The Exterior 200 is a programmable, 150W luminaire with CMY colour mixing and an asymmetrical wide throw flood beam useful for applications with a limited projection distance. The Exterior 200 LED is a long-life luminaire with full RGB + Amber and White colour mixing with the added benefits of low maintenance and low power consumption. In fact, by using the Exterior 200 LED, power consumption for lighting of the Gardens has been reduced by half. Both luminaires are housed in attractive weatherproof casings that allow them to fit discreetly into the aesthetically tranquil environment.

The Pagoda that sits atop the mountain is 1000 years old and is the focal feature of the Gardens. It is illuminated using Martin 575W Exterior 600 luminaires (8o lens) that are mounted on the roof of the restaurant. The Pagoda shows up vividly even at a projection distance of 100 meters.

The entrance of the Chinzan-so restaurant and banquet hall is illuminated using Exterior 200s (21o lens), some of which are mounted with extended snoots in order to reduce the glare for visitors exiting the building.

www.martin.com

Alcons Pro-ribbons Heard in Malaysia

With its giant dome already established as a distinctive feature of the Malaysian skyline, the 12,000-capacity Stadium Tertutup offers the very latest indoor sports and conference facilities. Quality is the watchword throughout, with an Alcons Pro-Ribbon audio system ensuring event attendees enjoy the very best quality sound.

Located at Gong Badak in peninsular Malaysia's north-eastern Terengganu state, Stadium Tertutup is part of the bigger Terengganu Sports Complex. Built by the country's government with the intention of attracting high quality, international sports-related tourism to the country, the whole complex features eye-catching design, taking many of its visual references from local Malay and Islamic culture.

The completely enclosed Stadium Tertutup is circular, to offer an unobstructed view from all seats, and features a large Alcons system, comprising 48 LR14 pro-ribbon arrays and 16 LR14B subs, flown in 16 clusters of three LR14 and one LR14B.

Twelve of the arrays are spaced equidistantly around a catwalk on the circular roof to cover the main seats, while four further hangs are located on a frame which hangs down from the centre of the roof, covering the central area and additional,  retractable seating. Power for the system is from 16 Alcons ALC2 amplifiers, with a 32 channel Soundcraft GB832 mixer and Sennheiser wireless microphones providing input. System processing is by a four in, eight out Lake Technologies Dolby Processor, while system calibration was done using EAW Smaart V.6.

"The Alcons System was chosen for its superior speech intelligibility and the excellent 120° x 15° coverage of the arrays," says Muraly Archunan, project manager for audio installation company Rapid Orbit Sdn Bhd.

"We had to do a demo of the system before we were awarded the contract and intelligibility was a primary concern, as the main purpose of the system is announcements during sports events. Coverage was also a key issue, as the sound is broadcast at quite an acute angle from the 12 clusters beneath the catwalk. Load factor on the catwalk was also a major factor and the client was extremely impressed with the way the Alcons system addressed all of these issues. Alcons was the ideal choice."

As a government-funded facility, there are of course some very high-powered people who need to be satisfied by all the facilities at Stadium Tertutup and the Alcons system has passed those tests with flying colours.

"State Minister Datuk Ahmad Said was extremely impressed with the speech intelligibility of the system during a forum organized by the state in May," says Muraly.

"Stadium Tertutup was also used for one of Mayalsia's most important sporting events, the SUKMA XII Games, and the coverage and intelligibility of the Alcons system was praised by Datuk Abdul Rahin Dato' Mohd Said, Malaysia's sport secretariat chief for the event."

With the initial brief satisfied and subsequent events commended, Stadium Tertutup's Alcons Audio system looks set to bring enjoyment to the sports fans of Malaysia and visiting nations for many years to come.

www.alconsaudio.com

dimMA and grandMA Play Major Role at Singapore's Victoria Theatre

Recently equipped with a high quality dimMA dimming and grandMA control system, the renown Victoria Theatre in Singapore becomes an up-to-date theatre venue.

The National Arts Council decided to approach the renovation in phases and to do a replacement of the existing dimming system in the first phase. The new MA Lighting dimMA solution consists of four 19" racks with 228 channels of 3kVA and 12 channels of 5kVA. Each dimmer rack was equipped with one MA Network Dimmer Processor (NPD): Two to operate the dimmers and two as a backup. If the main MA NDP fails the backup system takes over ‘control' without interruption. Each dimmer module is cooled by a temperature-controlled fan activated only if needed. This reduces the noise compared to a permanent and centralized cooling and makes the entire cabinet more reliable. Another big advantage is the option to replace a broken dimMA module during operation of the system with its hot-swap capability.

In the second phase a grandMA2 full-size console will be installed for control because it very well addresses the theatre needs with demanding shows and advanced technology. As the shipment of the grandMA2 consoles will not start until 2009 a grandMA full-size "series 1" will be used until the new console arrives. Both consoles have the same syntax and command line, so it is very easy for the users to switch from one console to the other - even showfile compatibility is given. Furthermore grandMA remotes are in use to give the lighting designer and crew more flexibility especially during the setup. With the help of the remote control nobody needs to operate the console during focussing, which saves a lot of time and manpower. The upcoming new grandMA remote will run on iPod and iPhone for grandMA "series 1" and grandMA2.

The grandMA and the dimmers are connected via the bi-directional MA-Net that allows the lighting designer and programmer to configure and control the dimming system from the console while at the same time getting all important information from the dimmers on the console. For easier programming between shows the dimmer-configurations for individual shows and setups can be saved.

Raymond Yong was the project manager. DeSisti Asia Pte Ltd delivered the lighting equipment. The electrical contractor was Xin Bao. Mohammed Hassan Asufar is the manager of the Victoria Theatre. Tiang Oon Kheng worked as programmer/operator. Mohammad Shaffiq Ilyas andPatrick Wong Han Loon are the lighting technicians.                           

www.malighting.com

Theatreplan's Futuristic Theatre Plan is a Success at Fusionopolis

Perched between three office towers in a science park in Singapore, the Genexis multi-purpose theatre was always going to be a challenge. But London-based theatre consultants Theatreplan, in association with Arup Acoustics Australasia, made sure that the facilities lived up to the forward-looking expectations of Singapore's science, technology and research agency which surrounds it.

Spread over 30 hectares, Fusionopolis is Singapore's iconic centre for research into interactive media, physical sciences, engineering and technology. Theatreplan's project manager, John Whitaker, said: "We were presented with an empty shell of space with every surface curved, something like an egg in appearance, and accessible by escalators. The specification was for an experimental theatre with the versatility to be transformed into a whole range of stage and auditorium styles."

It is the first theatre to be built by developers JTC, Singapore's largest industrial landlord. They initially replied to the needs of their scientific and media tenants for a space to launch products and hold conferences with a plan for a simple auditorium, but decided to increase the budget to expand the project to create Genexis, a multi-purpose experimental theatre for both science and arts-based events. Local arts groups, who felt that an experimental theatre would add value to the local performing arts scene, welcomed this idea.

Theatreplan was deeply involved with the theatre's internal design from the start, and specified an ingenious seating arrangement, which provides 560 seats on retractable platforms that may be moved in any direction and rearranged to suit the performance, or stored at the back of the space for flat-floor events.

The curvature of the walls and roof posed unusual problems. "We had to devise novel header and tormentor designs to provide borders suited to the shape of the auditorium walls and roof, including a curved track for the rear curtain track," explained John Whitaker. "And owing to structural loading restrictions we were limited to 20 multiline motorised suspensions over the stage for lighting and scenery. To maximise their utilisation, they were mounted on rolling beams, which can be tracked up and down stage to their required positions. Above the auditorium, we specified a tensioned wire grid - the first to be installed in a theatre in Singapore." The wire grid stretches underneath the lighting positions in the roof and provides technicians with easy access to reposition and maintain any spotlight without the need to lower lighting bars or manoeuvre an access tower.

Theatreplan specified and designed the auditorium layout and sightlines, the motorised rigging system, flown proscenium and side masking panels and the theatre lighting installation.

Following a successful opening ceremony on October 17th in the presence of the Prime Minister of Singapore, the clients announced that they were very happy with the result. They are now discussing its use with several arts companies and are about to appoint a theatre manager.

Martin Colours for Banpo Bridge in Seoul

Banpo Bridge in Seoul, South Korea used to be a rather ordinary connection across the Han River. But no longer. Thanks to a one-of-a-kind fountain feature that dramatically shoots jets of water from the sides of the bridge, and a Martin Exterior range lighting scheme that dynamically illuminates the water show after sundown, the extraordinary water and light display has become a major attraction in the capital city.

The Banpo Bridge water feature shoots 60 tons of water every minute from some 380 nozzles located on each side of the 1.4 kilometre long bridge. Water is pumped up from the river below and reminiscent of a waterfall, arcs gracefully 20 metres to the Han below. The fountain was unveiled in September as the world's first large-scale water fountain from a bridge.

The jets of water ‘dance' to music in 100 different choreographed movements. Creating an even more fantastic scene at night is a dynamic lighting scheme from 190 Exterior 600 color changing luminaires.

Water management and technology firm OASE designed the fountain and supplied the water feature equipment for client Seoul Metropolitan Infrastructure. Lighting design was done by Jack Chung, technical manager, Light & Sound at OASE Asia Pacific Pte Ltd in collaboration with Martin Singapore.

The lighting brief was straightforward - to light the fountain in a variety of attractive colours - and to that end Chung chose the Martin Exterior 600 for its "overall quality", and the angle of the light was just what he needed, he states.

The Exterior 600, supplied locally by Martin's South Korean distributor Hansam System Co. Ltd. and mounted beneath the bridge, is a programmable, IP65 rated luminaire with full colour mixing, full-range continuous dimming and uniform distribution of light and colour.

"The beam angle, the coloir, the illumination, the IP rating and the price were all just right," Chung stated. "This light was the answer for this project. It is of great quality and the effect is much better than I imagined it would be."

As the water jets move up or down, individually, in waves or in unison, shades of colour also shift, subtly or dramatically, to the music. The effect needs to be seen to be appreciated with hundreds of shifting water streams mixing with ever-changing color in a powerful yet strikingly graceful water dance. Both fountain and lighting control is from three OASE Show Controllers.

The city of Seoul operated the water fountain on a trial basis throughout the month of October. After reviewing ways to minimize energy consumption and maximize the dramatic effect of the fountain, it will go into full operation in the spring. Also in the plans are a bridge café, viewing decks and Han River cruise viewings.

www.martin.com

Coemar De Sisti installs the latest European Hoist Technology at University of Technology Sydney

In August 2007 Peter Kemp (Coemar De Sisti's managing director) met with James Hurley (UTS - Media Centre manager) to discuss the planned revamp of a space they referred to as Shooting Stage/TV Studio/blackspace.

The first consideration for the space was an efficient rigging system for lights that would suit a variety of uses for the space and also take into account the regulations etc. regarding the use of ladders etc when rigging lights. James visited the installation Coemar De Sisti Australia had done at Foxtel Studios and was very impressed with the De Sisti lighting hoists. As discussions took place Peter introduced a new version of the De Sisti lighting hoists whereby the normal stainless steel ropes have been replaced with stainless steel flat band, which due to the reduction in thickness (as compared to stainless steel rope), on a pile winding system enables a more or less constant torque during movement. And another advantage is the reduction in variation of speed from the bottom position to the top position when compared to rope systems.

In addition to the lighting hoists James wanted to install a dimming system, new lighting console and an extensive patch system for audio and video.

A submission was prepared and accepted by UTS which included Coemar De Sisti Australia, strengthening the existing grid structure for suspension of the new lighting hoist system and installation of all the equipment.

Some early installation work was carried out prior to Christmas 2007 which then allowed UTS to have the floor of the space totally resurfaced, Coemar De Sisti's installation team then went back on-site in January 2008 to prepare for the arrival of the lighting hoists from Italy in Feb/March. All wiring and fixings for the lighting hoist was completed as well as the dimmed and hot circuit wiring, data distribution, audio and video wiring and patch system plus dimmer installation just before the hoists arrived on-site. The installation team then proceeded to install the hoists and commission the complete installation for handover to UTS.

For dimming Coemar De Sisti installed LSC Eko dimmers (a tried and proven dimming system Coemar De Sisti have installed in many studios throughout Australia) plus a Coemar De Sisti data distribution system to provide lighting data throughout the studio.

Dazzling New Theatrical 'Brain' in Singapore Showcases Arup Expertise

The Singapore skyline was transformed by a fusion of creativity and knowledge as the long-awaited Fusionopolis development officially opened in October at One-North.

The centrepiece of the development - designed by the late Japanese architect Dr Kisho Kurokawa - is a S$20m (£8.6m) performing arts space suspended six storeys up between three 24-storey towers. Designed to look like a brain, the theatre - Genexis - is a flexible, curved performance space set to become a magnet for Singapore's most exciting artists.

The 120,000m² complex is intended to become a hub for the media and information technologies of the future and a creative environment where brilliant ideas are born: a nerve centre and, almost literally, a neural network.

Keeping with the idea of neural signals, Genexis glows and flickers with an interactive light show programmed to synch with activity inside the complex at night: from cool flickers when only a few people are present, through orange, to a warm red glow when fully occupied.

Genexis was built with the expertise of Arup - the global firm of design, engineering and business consultants - which provided a range of services using consultants from the US, UK and Australia.

Arup's regional acoustics leader, Andrew Nicol, who led the theatre design team for Genexis, says: "This place sizzles with a synergy of cultures, languages and creativity. A building like this has to be more than simply floors and walls - it has to have a spirit. What really matters is the way the building interacts with the people who live and work there.

"This is a serious matter because people - creative people especially - are much more productive when they are comfortable in their surroundings. Arup is particularly oriented towards a human approach, so our involvement was a perfect fit. What's also remarkable, from our point of view, is the convergence of so many of Arup's niche skills - sophisticated lightweight steel design, specialist theatre consulting and acoustics, tailored fire engineering and interactive lighting design."

Two of the most interesting aspects of the complex are hidden from view. The development's plans originally called for 20% more steel than was eventually used. The reduction in steel is a credit to design refinements engineered by Arup consultants in Singapore and has resulted in both an environmental benefit and a significant cost saving. "At Fusionopolis, less was more," says Brendon McNiven, Principal at Arup in Singapore.

Despite the theatre being suspended mid-air, Arup's fire engineering team has also devised an effective evacuation plan which will ensure the safety of patrons in the event of an emergency. Evacuation is made via the linkbridge to the adjacent towers instead of using traditional vertical stairs.

The complex brings together state-of-the-art studios and business incubators - ‘fused' with residential, recreational and retail facilities. "Our job was to help realise the Fusionopolis vision shared by the owner, JTC, and the architect," adds Nicol. "To make it a vibrant place receptive to outside trends, rather than inwardly focused. This small theatre is a vital element of the concept, because it's important that a complex like this attracts visitors from outside. Fusionopolis will attract theatre people and patrons, who, rather like bees, will cross-pollinate with new ideas."

As design leader for the theatre's interior - a complex task involving many different disciplines - Arup worked with Singapore's up-and-coming WOHA architects. Strikingly, the theatre's curved walls are covered with panels composed of over 400,000 mahogany beads which help achieve the desired acoustic.

"The shape of the sphere has broken all the rules of conventional theatre design, but visually, acoustically and practically, Genexis works," says Nicol.

Rundle Lantern - a Beacon of Innovation in Adelaide

When the city fathers (and mothers) of Adelaide, capital of South Australia, wanted to enliven their city precinct by night, they conducted a design competition to see what might be offered. Local design firm Fusion, knocked them out with a proposal to permanently wrap an eight-story car park building with a moving illuminated canvas.

Fusion's concept was not for yet another giant video screen suitable for watching football, motor racing or music videos. According to designer Damien Mair: "The vision for the Lantern was to create an experience that would capture the imagination of the city and add beauty to people's lives."

Wrapping more than a thousand square metres of display around a car park building that relies entirely on natural ventilation to clear away the exhaust fumes from its occupants, calls for an unusual screen format. Mair's solution was to construct the display from 754 individual anodized aluminium "tiles" individually angled to allow maximum viewing from the streets below, but offering minimal impediment to the building's natural air flow.

Each of the 714 active tiles is illuminated from below by a pair of custom-built Space Cannon Bisquit LED luminaries, for a total of 1428 "pixels". The Bisquit luminaires deployed on the Rundle lantern are IP66 rated exterior fixtures containing12 high-efficiency LED sources (four red, four green and four blue). They are configured for full-spectrum RGB colour mixing via DMX512A, and remote addressing using the RDM protocol.

Images are fed over Ethernet to the Rundle Lantern from a Hippotizer V3 Stage media server in the bottom of the building, and distributed by Enttec's Datagate and Ethergate decoders via banks of Technical Art Solution DMX splitters. System design and configuration was undertaken by Fabian Barzaghi and Dan Ditmann of Space Cannon Australia.

Content creation and management for the Lantern is supplied as part of an ongoing contract by the design team at Fusion, using Green Hippo's Pixel Mapper software and the Zoo Keeper remote management software, from their facility in central Adelaide.

HK Audio at Jackie Chan Café Singapore

In the past year, martial arts master and presumably Asia's best known matinee idol Jackie Chan launched a line of cafés bearing his name in Singapore, Malaysia, and Beijing, China. Furnished with cozy sofas and several TV sets showing the latest of Jackie Chan's big-screen adventures, these cafés offer a little something for every craving, from the usual coffee to go for caffeine-lovers to official Jackie Chan merchandise for dyed-in-the-wool fans. Most of the earnings from the café chain flow into the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation, an initiative launched by the iconic actor to help ailing children and build schools.

The local HK Audio reseller Peak Fusion equipped the Singaporean café with eight IL 60 TB cabinets from the HK Audio Installation Line to provide background sound reinforcement. Prized for their ability to render speech crisply and clearly, as well as for their excellent audio quality, the IL 60 TB full-range enclosures turned out to be the perfect solution for this venue's given conditions. Installed at unobtrusive spots under the ceiling, they distribute sound evenly, ensuring audio signals come across loud, clear, and easily understood throughout the premises. Announcements, background music, and screenings of Jackie Chan flicks on the monitors - it all sounds great.

During the official opening, Jackie Chan personally served the first round of coffee to guests, with HK Audio equipment providing audio support. Four each CTA 208 Mid/High units and CTA 118 Sub bins served as the PA for the local band's gig and the opening speech. Two D.A.R.T.s were used for monitoring.

Jackie Chan stated on his website blog how delighted he was with the opening ceremony's great success and again called attention to the children's fund that every guest of the café automatically supports with every purchase.

Chapel off Chapel Update Lighting Systems

After recommendation from a number of industry professionals, Chapel off Chapel approached Coemar De Sisti Australia with regard to upgrading their theatre's lighting system.

The existing dimming system at Chapel Off Chapel utilised LSC wall packs which have done an excellent job over the years, however they wanted to update the dimmers including adding additional channels and getting rid of their patch system, plus having a system that would meet their future requirements.

After reviewing the lighting systems and working with Simon Prentice (Chapel Off Chapel's venue technician) on operational aspects of the theatre, Coemar De Sisti Australia proposed a system of five LSC Eko dimmer racks and a Houston monitoring system, plus the replacement of the main switchboard feeding the dimmers and other lighting facilities within the main theatre.

Chapel Off Chapel are extremely busy throughout the year and had a small window in late December and early January in which they wanted the work carried out, so Coemar De Sisti's installation team worked within this tight time-frame and delivered a complete, installed and commissioned system for Chapel with handover in early January this year.

The new system gives Chapel Off Chapel increased capacity for large theatre shows and all of the updated features of the LSC Eko range, plus the remote monitoring facilities of Houston system.

Fast Expanding Bar No. 88 Chain Enjoys Turbosound Quality

Turbosound loudspeakers are becoming an increasingly common fixture in a range of venues across China, the latest being in one of the country's fastest growing bar chains.

Situated in Ningbo, one of China's oldest cities and a key trading port for at least 2000 years, the eighth in the rapidly expanding chain of Bar No.88 venues is enjoying the ultimate in sound quality, thanks to Turbosound NuQ, TXD and TCS series loudspeakers.

The No.88 chain is inspired by American-style venues, with music by in-house DJs and live performances by in-house singers. Installed by Chengdu Ruisheng Audio Equipment Co. Ltd with help from Mac Lo, technical director of Turbosound's Chinese distributor Phoenix Audio, the system at the Ningbo bar comprises 21 Turbosound NuQ-15 full-range loudspeakers and 22 TXD-218 subs, with 12 TCS-101C for infill beneath the club's balcony.

"The speakers are strategically installed to achieve a very even and consistent coverage, making sure all clients in the bar get the same high quality sound," says Shirley Zhuang of Phoenix Audio.

"As the ceiling is around four metres high, both the NuQ-15 and TCS-101C had to be installed horizontally by rotating their HF horn. This solution provided exactly the excellent sound quality and uniformity that the client needed."

The ease with which the Turbosound loudspeakers could be installed was also very important, as the technical fitting schedule was very tight with Bar No.88's remarkably fast expansion programme - the chain's owners are aiming to open a new bar in a different Chinese city every 35 days.

"Phoenix Audio and Chengdu Ruisheng Audio worked very closely together to ensure the supply, installation and tuning of the system were done smoothly within a very tight schedule - less than 30 days from confirmation of the contract to the system needing to be up and running," says Shirley.

"The Turbosound speakers were all installed in less than three days and the system delivers a really clear and detailed sound, with even coverage throughout the venue and plenty of headroom. The owners of the Bar No.88 chain are really happy with it."

Turbosound Loudspeakers Aid Learning and Leisure in Nanjing and Shanghai

The versatility of Turbosound loudspeakers has been recently proved yet again, with the company's Chinese distributor Phoenix Audio & Lighting Technology Ltd supplying equipment to three very different establishments in two of China's most important cities.

The Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications and Nanjing Agricultural University are two of the region's major seats of learning. Phoenix Audio has supplied a wide range of TCS and TXD series loudspeakers in three locations for installation by Ao-bang Audio And Lighting Engineering. 

In the theatre of Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Ao-bang installed a system comprising TXD-081 and TXD-151 full range cabinets, TXD-218 subs and TXD-12M wedge monitors.

Meanwhile at Nanjing Agricultural University, the company installed six TXD-151 in the Academic Hall and, in the university's Multi-function Hall, a range of TXD and TCS Compact loudspeakers, with control by Turbosound LMS-D24 processors.

They are the first Turbosound products to be installed in either University, the TXD range being particularly suited to all three installations as the loudspeakers combine excellent sound quality with portability, meaning they can be utilised for different events and spaces throughout the campuses, if required.

"With the TXD range, one series offers all the models you need for a wide range of installations and uses," says Shirley Zhuang of Phoenix Audio.

"From main front-of-house speakers to balcony fills and monitors, they are easily installed. But they are also extremely portable. It is a cost-effective solution for a wide range of applications and, with the excellent sound quality that Turbosound is renowned for, the universities are very happy with the audio performance and stability of the systems."

In Shanghai, Turbosound loudspeakers have been installed in a very different environment - at Malone's, a Western-themed bar and live music venue, which has been thriving for 13 years.

Specified and installed by 2A3 Audio Technik, the venue's new sound reinforcement system comprises TCS-56 full range enclosures and TXD-218 subs, controlled by an LMS-D24 processor.

"The system was chosen because of Turbosound's reputation for sound / build quality and cost effectiveness," says Shirley Zhuang.

"Zane, the stage tech manager of Malone's, thinks only Turbosound could offer such clear and pure mid-high sound performance in this price category of loudspeakers.

"In addition, the Canadian manager of the venue simply says that the Turbosound system is ‘GREAT!'  They have used a different manufacturer's loudspeakers for other venues but now they are seriously looking at using more Turbosound loudspeakers for their future ventures."

In picture: the Academic Hall at Nanjing Agricultural University

Frankston Waterfront LED Feature

As part of on-going waterfront developments and upgrades, the city of Frankston, gateway to Melbourne's booming Mornington Peninsula, negotiated the manufacture of a customised sign utilising a weatherproofed version of Coemar De Sisti Australia's highly successful RGB XChip.

The sign is made of 19 individual stainless steel letterforms, which combine to read ‘Frankston Waterfront'. Fitted and pre-wired to each letter are RGB XChip modules, which were supplied ready for simple on-site installation to an artistic rock wall.

Working in close collaboration with the manufacturer of the letterforms, Coemar De Sisti Australia were able to supply custom looms for power feed to each letter from the XChip drivers.

All responses to date have been incredibly positive, with many comments being particularly impressed with the ease with which the project was supplied. Additionally, the sign has made a big impact with the locals, who seem very impressed with the colourfulness and vibrancy of the LED illumination.

W-DMX on the Singapore Flyer

Wireless Solution Sweden AB recently saw their award-winning W-DMX reach new heights. The Singapore Flyer is the world's largest observation wheel on the southeast tip of the Marina Centre in Singapore. Reaching a groundbreaking height of 165 metres (541 ft), the wheel exceeds the height of the London Eye by 30 metres (98 ft). Opened to the public on March 1, 2008, the Singapore Flyer is as much a treat to spectators as it is to the passengers, bejewelled with an array of coloured lights.

Lighting designer Douglas Brenan of Project Lighting Design (PLD) envisioned a dynamic display of light and changing colour with an eco-friendly solution. PLD worked together with Philips SSL Solutions for the lighting design. Philips SSL Solutions, who acquired Color Kinetics, recommended Color Kinetics LED modules to don the spokes and capsules. The biggest challenge was getting the DMX signal to the units. This required some innovative wireless technology. After careful planning, W-DMX by Wireless Solution was chosen as the most reliable choice.

The LED modules consist of 280 4-Foot Color Kinetics iColor Accent Powercore, 112 2-Foot Color Kinetics iColor Accent Powercore, 224 Color Kinetics iColor Blast, 12 Powercore, and 1 Color Kinetics Light System Manager. 4 W-DMX BlackBox Transmitters were placed to handle four DMX Universes, together with 28 W-DMX BlackBox Receivers.

The W-DMX Generation 3 system includes the world first Wireless Co-Existence tool, allowing the user to choose settings on the W-DMX products so it works in harmony with all other wireless networks in the area. This unique feature was launched on W-DMX products in March of 2007.
Because the wireless system was installed on a moving object, it required advanced cell planning by a Wireless Solution radio technician. It involved thousands of channels of DMX and it was essential to make sure that all LED had 100% signal when the wheel was moving and to make sure all wireless systems worked flawlessly without interference from each other or other public wireless equipment.
"Working on a large moving structure made this a very challenging project," says Tony Symms, project lighting manager for Creative Lighting Asia, who supplied the equipment. "All installation, testing and commissioning work had to be organised with the main contractor to get the wheel into the right position when required. We also had a very limited working period, as we could only work from late at night until early morning, in order to prevent delaying other work and the completion of the wheel."

Symms continues: "The Singapore Flyer installation would have been impossible using cable. W-DMX also gave the lighting designer new possibilities, for both indoor and outdoor installations, that were simply not possible in the past. We are all extremely pleased."

ETC Help Palazzo Las Vegas Achieve Leadership Standard

Thanks in part to ETC lighting products, the Palazzo Las Vegas is not only the newest, tallest and most luxurious hotel and resort complex on the Strip, it is also the greenest. The $1.9 billion (£1.1 billion), 50-storey Palazzo Las Vegas opened in December 2007, and now holds a Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the US Green Building Council.

The largest LEED structure in the world, Palazzo Las Vegas presages a new era of conservation minded building construction in the area. According to an article in USA Today, plans are underway to build more than 50 million square feet (4.6 million sq m) of new casino resort projects to LEED standards on and around the Strip, and existing resorts are looking at improving their energy efficiency.

Energy efficiency is a cornerstone of LEED compliance, and ETC lighting products were one element that enabled Palazzo Las Vegas to meet the standard. An ETC Unison lighting control system and ETC Sensor+ dimming were part of the installed lighting package, plus more than 100 ETC Source Four luminaires, which are an energy-frugal standard of the industry. The Unison system is programmed to save energy through automated functions such as occupancy sensing (dimming the lights when no people are present in a space) and daylight harvesting, where lights are dimmed in response to the amount of available natural light.

"We're starting to automatically approach projects from a green mindset," says Buddy Pope, senior project manager with the Las Vegas office of 4Wall Entertainment. 4Wall Entertainment established the general lighting control guidelines and specified the lighting control package that was provided to supplier Gexpro, to meet the requirements of the various lighting designers for the space. "For instance," he continues, "we make the most of sky-lit areas through the use of daylight sensors, automatic dimming and the ability to turn off entire circuits. The ETC Unison control is well suited to that because it is designed to perform astronomical functions and to interface with photo cells."

The Palazzo complex includes a hotel tower of over 3,000 guest suites surrounded by a vast, sky-lit podium/atrium area designed by architect HKS Inc, featuring luxury retail shops and world-class dining and entertainment. The theatre there is a permanent venue for the Tony Award winning musical Jersey Boys.

Kaplan Gehring McCarroll Architectural Lighting Inc (KGM) provided lighting design for much of the complex. "The aesthetic challenges are a little different when lighting an interior that already has so much natural light," comments KGM partner Martin van Koolbergen. "You're no longer dealing with space as a box. In certain areas, you have to counter the intensity of the natural light and balance it with uplighting and decorative features. At night, the lighting control system has to be balanced to maintain the proper foot candles on the ground to meet emergency standards, deemphasise the ‘black holes' of the skylights and retain the monumental feeling of the architecture. A lot depended on the use of energy-efficient lamps and sources, and the ETC control system with its dimming capacity."

The Palazzo's annual savings in electricity is reckoned to be more than 10.6 million kilowatt hours, enough to power 700 homes for a year, or brew six million cups of coffee.

"This project is a new benchmark for the industry," says van Koolbergen. "It demonstrates that the developer of a major upscale property - on the Strip or elsewhere - can maintain standards for quality, drama and experience and also be environmental good guys. Not only do you create more efficient spaces, you create a setting that is pleasant and healthier in which to live and work." KGM worked closely with owner Las Vegas Sands Corp, HKS and consulting firm Ernst & Young on the specifics of LEED compliance.

Additional lighting designers on The Palazzo project included Pivotal Lighting Design (Canyon Ranch), First Circle (Cut Restaurant), IDC New Jersey (Carnevino Restaurant), Bliss-Fasman (Charlie Trotter Restaurant), Tom Ruzika (Morels Restaurant), Isometrix (Sushi Samba), Arc Lighting (Bath House) and Focus Lighting (Dos Caminos and Table Ten restaurants).

The lighting gear list includes a total of 50 ETC dimmer racks, 97 ETC Unison stations, over 1,800 ETC dimmer modules, 52 Source Four HID 150W luminaires, and 50 Source Four 375W luminaires.

In picture: The lobby at Palazzo Las Vegas

www.etcconnect.com

QSC Rolls Out Red Carpet for Club Bud in Beijing

Away from the action on track and field, velodrome and water cube, there was plenty of social ambience at the recent Beijing Olympics - much of it created by official sponsors, Budweiser.

 

For aside from their many other duties in new-build sporting facilities across the city QSC Audio systems was also deployed in Club Bud, Budweiser's hospitality venue.

 

The beer giant presented its largest Olympic party venue every Friday for the duration of the Games, giving journalists a sneak preview during the opening ceremony.

 

Designed by Image Design Studio of Italy, the venue was located in the National Agricultural Exhibition, a massive conference centre measuring roughly four storeys high. Invited guests were invited to walk down a red carpet past a barricade and stage for the media before entering a circular grand entryway.

 

From the lobby, guests could exit to one of three areas: a club area, a lounge area or an outdoors area with a swimming pool. Each had its own bar and DJ booth.

 

The first Club Bud had been held at the Torino Winter Olympics 2006 - measuring 1800 sq. meters, holding 1000 people and hosting four parties. In Beijing, Budweiser doubled the size, the invitation list and number of parties it would throw. In Beijing they built a 3600 sq. metre area that would hold 2000 people and host eight parties.

 

Needing a series of high-pedigree sound systems, they returned to Torino for their audio supply, where A.d.M. EVENT - a major user of QSC components in their hire fleet - were ready to respond.

 

Based in Rivalta, near Turin, A.d.M. EVENT, run by Andrea de Marco, purchased all its QSC equipment from the company's Italian distributor AudioLink. They supplied QSC PowerLight series amplification to drive the system in the discotheque, with signal processing and transport implemented by QSC's proprietary BASIS^TM 922az devices via the built-in CobraNet network.

 

AudioLink's Giammario Piumatti was deployed to Beijing to assist with the set-up and assist with the QSC BASIS programming.

 

As a result, the lounge area was served by QSC HPR-122s, while four further HPR-122 and a pair of HPR-181s played out to the swimming pool area. Finally, a further pair of HPR-122s was stationed at the entrance to the Reception area.

 

After raising the brand's awareness at the Winter Olympics in Italy, Budweiser executives' aim was to do the same in Beijing, with point-of-sale promotions in Shanghai and Guangzhou, and a sweepstake.

 

"To set something up like this in Beijing - where we're not as strong as we are in Shanghai and the south of the country - has allowed us to start establishing the brand in this market," said Bruce Hudson, senior director of international sports marketing.

 

The Beijing parties ran from 9pm to 4am, with the guest list including athletes, local celebrities, customers and hospitality guests.

 

Opening with the MTV China party it was followed by theme nights featuring Feng Shui elements (metal, wood, water, fire and earth), a red dragon and a gold medal celebration.

 

"There were certainly American elements to the club, like the dance floor, but it was important for us to integrate some of the Chinese culture into what we were doing," said Mike Thompson, senior manager of international sports marketing. "We really wanted to expose some of our international guests to the culture of China."

 

The disco area was originally to have been served by a QSC Wideline 10 line array, explained AudioLink MD, Stefano Cantadori. "But A.d.M. EVENT were informed that these could only be shipped back to Italy by sea during October - and they couldn't afford to be parted from their primary system for such a long period!"

 

However, the exercise proved to be a huge success and Club Bud was clearly the highlight of Olympic nightlife. Sales of Anheuser-Busch (Budweiser's brewers) grew by 36 per cent during the final week in Beijing compared with the same week a year ago - and executives credit the Beijing Games with helping pump up sales.

 

In picture: QSC Audio in action at Club Bud

Frankston Art Centre Upgrades with d&b audiotechnik

The Frankston Arts Centre is an iconic landmark in one of Melbourne's fastest growing areas. Designed by renowned Australian architect, Daryl Jackson, the Frankston is one of the largest metropolitan and regional arts venues in Australia. It is a major focus for the performing arts in the region with facilities that contribute to the growing stature of local companies and provide a venue for local dance schools, as well as tertiary and secondary student productions.

It was decided that they needed a new world class loudspeaker system to take the venue's bookings and offerings into the next level. The previous system was locally designed and built and had been the in-house system since the venue opened in 1995. When the time came to upgrade, venue sound technician and long time fan of d&b audiotechnik systems, Ben Thompson contacted Simon Moran of Optim Audio who ultimately installed the new system.

Three clusters arranged in a left, centre and right configuration make up the main system. Each of these clusters consists of one Ci60 and one Ci90 loudspeaker arrayed in a vertical setup. d&b audiotechnik loudspeakers are also installed in delay positions with E3s in the upper balcony, E0s covering under the balcony delays and further E0s employed as front fills. Rounding out the low end are d&b Ci7-SUBs.

The whole system is driven by d&b E-PAC amplifiers while system control and monitoring are accomplished via the d&b Remote network. A bespoke application for the R1 Remote control software was created jointly by Stefan Goetz from d&b's Education and Applications Support team in Germany and Shane Bailey from National Audio Systems, the d&b Distributor for Australia and New Zealand.

Ben Thomson takes up the story: "I believe the Frankston Arts Centre now has one of the best sound systems available and is the first proscenium arch theatre to install a d&b system in Australia. Since installation, we have received outstanding feedback by providing this world-class, quality sound system. Not only does the d&b system improve the sound of performances coming into the Centre (i.e. Adam Brand & John Stevens; David Hobson) but it also provides unique opportunities for community groups to access a state of the art sound system."

Meyer Sound MICA Provides Power and Versatility for Tokyo's Akasaka ACT Theater

Recently installed with a versatile Meyer Sound system, the 1,324-seat Akasaka ACT Theater in Tokyo is a multi-use venue designed to host a wide range of shows, from Broadway-style productions to symphonies, opera and dance. It is also part of the city-within-a-city of Tokyo Broadcasting System's Akasaka Sacas as other large corporations successfully created complexes that are essentially micro-neighborhoods surrounding their headquarters in the high-density environs of Tokyo, including Fuji Television's Odaiba, TV Asahi's Roppongi Hills and Nippon TV's Shiodome.

As systems designer Kazuyuki Ikedo explains, his goal for the Akasaka ACT Theater was to create a sound system of exceptional quality, and to encourage productions to use the house system rather than bringing in a rental system. "The theater has been designed with a very low reverb time, making the audio system's performance even more critical," Kazuyuki says.

Kazuyuki specified a system comprising left and right arrays, each with six MICA line array loudspeakers, one UPA-1P loudspeaker and two 700-HP subwoofers, along with a center hang of eight MICA loudspeakers. Six UPM-1P loudspeakers provided additional under-balcony coverage, augmented by 22 UPJunior VariO loudspeakers and four UPA-1P loudspeakers for side fills. Five MM-4 loudspeakers are mounted on the stage lip as front fills. A Yamaha PM1D console covers FOH duties, with 30 channels of Sennheiser 5000-series wireless microphones on stage.

"With the diversity of programs and events at the theater, versatility was also an important concern in designing the system," Kazuyuki states.

Indeed, in its first four months of operation, Akasaka Theater has seen recitals by the Tetsuya Kumakawa K Ballet Company, as well as performances of Beethoven's 9th Symphony and opera Turandot. "The Meyer Sound system offers the power and versatility to handle each of these events with excellent quality and performance," concludes Kazuyuki.

Hong Kong's International Christian School Opens Theatre with Meyer Sound System

The International Christian School of Hong Kong unveiled its new campus in the city's Shek Mun area. The modern, purpose-built facility includes an integrated community center, computer and language labs and a state-of-the-art Performing and Fine Arts Theatre featuring a Meyer Sound system.

Audio for the theatre was designed and installed by systems designer Keith Au Yeung of Macostar Hong Kong Ltd., in collaboration with Audio Dynamic Ltd. The high-performance system comprises a left-right-center design utilizing three pairs of UPJ-1P VariO loudspeakers, with left and right USW-1P subwoofers supplying low end. Loudspeaker processing and system drive are handled by a Galileo loudspeaker management system using a single Galileo 616 unit. Additionally, a 40-channel Allen and Heath console is installed at Front of House to complete the system.

As Audio Dynamic's Paul Poon explains, the two companies were called to take over the project midway through the installation phase, and immediately faced significant challenges. "The original design didn't provide for any frontfill loudspeakers, and it was too late to amend the plans," says Paul. "We had to address a lack of adequate coverage to the front seating. Using MAPP Online Pro (acoustical prediction program), we were able to overcome the coverage problem by calculating the optimal positioning of the speakers and settings for the Galileo."

This was the first cooperative project between Macostar and Audio Dynamic, and Paul reports it was a resounding success. "Mr. Au Yeung remarked that he would be pleased to include Meyer Sound in all his future projects," Poon says.

Of course, the customer is the ultimate judge, and according to Poon, the school's headmaster was quite impressed, stating "The quality of sound is consistent with the state-of-the-art design of the theatre, and provides exceptionally high standards for both student and community projects."

Several of the school's teachers initially voiced concern over the system's diminutive size, questioning whether it would be powerful enough. "After we aligned the system, those same teachers were quite surprised and impressed with the system's power and performance," Poon explains.

"When you look at the relatively small size of Meyer Sound loudspeakers like the UPJ-1P or the M'elodie^TM (line array loudspeaker), it's truly remarkable how well they can fill such a large space," Poon concludes. "It's a level of sound quality and performance we cannot find anywhere else."

SoBar, So Good

The SoBar Nightclub at Sydney's, Australia lower north shore Cremorne Hotel has recently been transformed and reinvented with a AUD $2M fit out by Design Innovators - SJB.

DJW Projects were contracted to undertake the sophisticated audio and lighting install, emphasising their own philosophy of "total integration of all systems." Dave Croxon, DJW's MD, commented: "One of the key issues we had to undertake was selecting a dimming and control system that was easy to use, provide enough useful features and was rock solid and reliable. After evaluating a number of commercially available systems, we chose the LSC EKO wall mount dimmers and e-PLATE wall controllers."

Dave continued: "I was attracted to the EKO dimmer by the immediate support provided through the integrated touch screen on the front panel. No matter what else was happening in a commercial installation, if there is a problem somewhere, the touch screen lets you go straight to the dimmer and set a channel to 100% so the client has some lights on and the venue continues to operate."

Another key feature that Croxon liked was the separate install frame of the EKO dimmer that allowed him to connect all lighting circuits to the terminals on the frame and test continuity without the actual dimmer being present. Prior to official opening, the dimmers were then connected to the install frames and final commissioning commenced, thus not exposing the dimmer internals and electronics to dust, paint and other particles that play havoc with sensitive equipment during the construction phase.

Dave concluded "When integrated with LSC's e-PLATE remote wall controllers, we have provided SoBar with a very simple to use and highly reliable Lighting solution. It was so successful we now have chosen LSC EKO dimmers for a number of our new projects."

www.lsclighting.com

Martin Equips P&O Cruises Ventura

The largest superliner built exclusively for the British market, the 116,000 ton P&O Cruises Ventura, calls Southampton her home port. On April 18, soon after delivery from Italy's Fincantieri shipyard, the Ventura sailed on her maiden voyage to the Mediterranean, decked out in a full complement of colour and effect lighting from Martin Professional.

"In my role as entertainment consultant to P&O Cruises I was instrumental in selecting Martin as the lead supplier to provide the ‘moving light' elements of the entertainment systems for Ventura," states Chris Blackburn of Snap2Black.

Ventura incorporates flexible Martin lighting systems into several areas of the ship. Its many unique features - multiple bars, lounges, and show spaces, not to mention a variety of pools and relaxation areas - means she offers fantastic choice. "Most major entertainment areas are multi-use, although they do have a main use focus," says Chris. "They all have an identity."

The two-deck Arena Theatre is the ship's primary show space. "The brief was to augment the generic rig with moving light and mirror fixtures. There were three or four companies all with equipment that we could have used, but the decision went to Martin to supply, which we are all very pleased with," Chris says.

Chris mentions reliability, maintenance, ease of use, ease of installation and lighting effect as key factors in choosing the Martin lighting gear, but light output and technical support were of paramount importance. He states: "We were looking for brightness as a key element, as well as flexibility of the unit. But one of the most important for me was the confidence I felt with Martin as a company to provide the backup and support in what is always a difficult time when launching a ship.

"It's a very harsh environment with vibration issues which you don't have in land based productions. There is the constant change in temperature and the gear is really hammered. The ship is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year with something going on virtually all of the time so the equipment is used for more than just evening performances. We're looking for reliability in the mechanics of the fixture because once we put it up in a rig it's pretty much set there."

Positioned in the theatre rig are 11 MAC 700 Profiles, 35 MAC 700 Washes, 14 MAC 550 Profiles and 16 Atomic 3000 strobes. The rig supports more than the main shows but a variety of on board activities from cabaret performances and theme nights to marketing activities.

The Arena Theatre stages several quality productions produced by Jean Ann Ryan Productions. Lighting designer for the on-board productions is Jim Ryan of Infocus FX and Lighting. Permanent lighting technician onboard Ventura is production manager Greg Edrich.

You can dance the salsa to Latino rhythms in Havana or relax in the exotic show lounge, The Tamarind Club. In either venue, you'll be enjoying yourself beneath a Martin rig of 4 Mania SCX 700 effect lights, 4 MX-10 Extreme scanners and 4 Martin smartMAC moving heads. In Havana are an additional 12 Wizard Extreme effect lights and 2 Atomic 3000 strobes. In both venues, a Martin Magnum Club Smoke system, a unique multi-headed fog delivery package with a ground based fluid supply, provides the mid-air projection canopy for light beam and atmosphere enhancement. The Martin gear is used to augment an existing rig and adds a high energy element to both areas.

"Everyone onboard fell in love with the smartMAC," comments Chris Blackburn. "I first saw it at PLASA. The profile, the size, the fact that it actually looks quite funky for that environment, and with energy savings more important than even a few years ago, it's a good fixture for ships. It's also quick to get at and easy to service."

The smartMAC is a bright 150 W moving head profile luminaire that offers superior reliability, long service intervals, total silence and reduced power bills thanks to a unique fanless cooling system (no dust and pollutants are forced into the fixture). Extremely bright, the smartMAC houses eight interchangeable dichroic colours and six interchangeable effects.

Both Havana and The Tamarind Club feature small stages and dance areas. Most of the Martin fixtures are located above the dance floor, MX-10 and Manias rigged front and back. Others are positioned upstage to project across the bandstand and onto the dance floor. The effects are used as a disco effect when required or used in the cabaret show set up or for other activities.

Havana, the aft lounge and the ship's second major cabaret venue, serves as the main disco two thirds of the year. It is used for children's cruises and as a family/youth area the other third of the year. When Havana functions as the main disco, The Tamarind Club, smaller and located in the center of the ship, is used for more niche late night entertainment for those who want a bit quieter environment. When Havana features family activities, The Tamarind Club serves as the adult disco. Because of its customizable nature, the Martin gear adjusts accordingly.

Specified by Project International for the ship's atrium are eight MAC 700 Profiles and four MAC 700 Washes. The atrium serves as the ship's hub, a three deck high entrance area from where you find shops, an elegant piano bar, coffee shop bar, art gallery, reception and more.

Installed as a colour changing architectural element along with LED, the Martin fixtures alter the look and therefore the atmosphere of the space as the day progresses. Chris states that, although it has yet to be realized, there are plans for a short show in the atrium, which the Martin lights will be instrumental in lighting. "It was important that we had equipment that would serve a dual purpose," he says. "We also swing the lights into position to light the Captain when he hosts the Captains Cocktail Party, and for other events."

As a high profile family ship, it was important that outdoor events were a part of the program on Ventura, therefore another Jean Ann Ryan Production takes place at the Laguna Pool. "We needed powerful fixtures out there because the show goes from sunset into early evening into the night," Chris says, "hence we went for the MAC 2000 for their power and the flexibility a fixture like that offers, augmented by the MAC 700."

The production and other events take place on a dedicated stage - a raised platform - across one end of the pool. Here are six MAC 2000 Profiles in Tempest domes along with four MAC 700 Profiles and 4 MAC 700 Washes. On occasion, the MAC 700s are moved and used in the atrium.

Elsewhere, four MiniMAC Profiles and four Raptor effect lights keep the energy level high in the Teen Centre, where teens can indulge their fantasies of musical stardom by attending Rock School.

Installation of the Martin lighting gear for Ventura was handled by John Fearon of Eclipse Lighting & Sound of the UK.

Ventura is based in Southampton during the spring and summer months, offering holidays of between two and 16 nights in duration in the Mediterranean, Baltic and Atlantic Isles. Between October and March each year she will offer 14 night Caribbean fly-cruise holidays from Barbados.

photos: P&O Cruises

www.martin.com

National Centre for the Performing Arts furnished with grandMA

The National Centre for the Performing Arts, formerly known as the National Grand Theater, Beijing, was recently equipped with MA Lighting technology. The Centre, an ellipsoid dome of titanium and glass surrounded by an artificial lake, seats 6,500 people in three halls and is 200,000m² in size. It was designed by French architect Paul Andreu. Four grandMA full-size and one grandMA ultra-light are used to control three major performance halls: the Opera House for operas, ballet, and dances (seats 2,416) the Concert Hall (seats 2,017) and the Theatre, for plays (1,040 seats). All grandMA consoles are connected via MA-Net which is based on fibre optical. Besides other fixtures the National Centre for the Performing Arts has got 200 moving lights installed.

ACE - Advanced Communication Equipment Co Ltd. provided the lighting equipment. Lighting design was a joint effort by NGT, ACE and ADPi.

www.malighting.com

Community State-of-the-Art Sound for Guangzhou University City

Guangzhou University in Guangdong Province is one of the largest and most prestigious university communities in China.  With the largest investment in infrastructure in China's higher education facilities to-date, Guangzhou University City is comprised of ten universities and educates 200,000 students on a campus that houses 10 stadiums, 10 gymnasiums, 1 natatorium and 1 large central stadium.  Sanecore Audio Ltd was appointed as the sound system designer and supplier for 16 venues within this "university city" and its team of engineers was set the task of meeting the very highest criteria for audio, with results that were to be world-class.

Eight gymnasiums were outfitted with Community R-Series loudspeakers, Crest amplifiers and Symetrix DSP systems.  In a classic athletic venue like the multipurpose 4,986-seat Guangdong Pharmaceutical University Gymnasium, 16 Community R2 and 4 R.5 loudspeakers were installed, along with 11 Crest Audio CPX amplifiers and Symetrix Express Cobra DSP systems for audio control.  Similar equipment was supplied to the each of the Gymnasiums situated within the vast campus.

Community R-Series was also chosen for installation in the outdoor stadiums of the South China University, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University, Sun Yat Sen University and Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.  "The university desired a state-of-the-art sound system," said Jun Zhu, Sanecore's director of sales.  "Community R-Series was the natural choice for these athletic venues due to their outstanding performance and weather-resistant qualities, and simply because they are proven to be the best for stadium sound."  The 97,000-square meter Central Stadium for track and field is the largest of all the venues, with 50 R2 loudspeakers installed, as well as six Symetrix Cobra DSP systems, 29 QSC CX1202V amplifiers, four CM16A monitors and an Allen & Heath GL3800/40 console.

In total, the multiple venues of Guangzhou University City utilized 124 Community R2, 124 R.5 systems, 14 R1's, 30 R.25's and 6 RMG200 loudspeakers; 47 Crest Audio amplifiers and 20 Symetrix DSP systems. The new sound systems made an impressive debut during China's Eighth National University Students' Athletic Competition which was held in various facilities throughout Guangzhou's campus in 2007.

In picture: the Central Stadium.

 

 

 

QSC Provides the Jewel in Indian Gold Shopping Mall

QSC Audio has entered the world of glamour and retail in Southern India following a successful installation in a Gold Shopping Mall in Chennai.

Bangalore-based MRH Digital Systems Pvt Ltd, the QSC Audio distributors, say that this is part of an attempt by the operators to connect with the younger generation. "They are finding that quality, hip and trendy music is winning over the traditional pipe background music," says the company's Poncho Gopinadhan.

"In this instance they were launching a new range of jewellery for youngsters and wanted the music in their showroom to be in keeping with their new offering and target group. Their specifications were clarity of sound and subtlety - a set up that will allow their customers to enjoy the ambient music and at the same time enable them to converse without having to scream." One of the conditions of the contract was that the equipment had to be delivered and installed inside 24 hours.

The interior designers, Murali Architects, were impressed with the low end response produced by the complement of AcousticDesign AD-C52T and the AD-S52 loudspeakers, which are fed from professional CD players and powered by QSC ISA 300Ti and ISA 500Ti amplifiers. Given the restricted space available, the ceiling-mount AD-C52T's were spaced at 10ft distances while AD-S52's were used in areas where there was no false ceiling available.

"GRT's original concern was whether they would get sufficient bass from a ceiling speaker and small surface mount speakers - but they need not have worried," states Gopinadhan. "QSC's line of ceiling and surface mount speakers were chosen for their sonic excellence against other manufacturers."

All equipment was supplied by Michael Nicholas of Chennai-based Radioaktiv Enterprises, who had also responded favourably to the AD-C and AD-S series when he auditioned them. "The quality and clarity of sound were impressive at low volume, and I'm a firm believer that it's the demonstration that makes the sale."

The owners of the Mall GRT were also delighted that the installation and consultation fully matched the requirements and are now looking for a QSC Audio DSP solution for their next project - which is a dedicated Jewellery Mall.

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