News Archive for November 2017

Allen & Heath Adds SE Electronics to ProFactory Mic Presets

30/11/2017 - Equipment News

Allen & Heath has announced the availability of the latest ProFactory channel libraries for its Qu series digital mixers. Following successful collaborations with Shure, Sennheiser and Audio Technica, the new presets cover a range of popular SE Electronics microphones, including the V3, V7, VR, 4400a and RNR1.

GLP Announces “Massive Success” at LDI 2017

30/11/2017 - Event News

USA – GLP US president, Mark Ravenhill, described the recent LDI Show in Las Vegas as “phenomenal”, providing the company with “massive success”, as he announced yet more awards for his company.

White Light Gets Into the Spirit with A Christmas Carol

30/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Written by Jack Thorne, the Old Vic’s A Christmas Carol is a brand-new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ timeless classic. It tells the iconic story of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge who is visited by four ghosts on Christmas Eve. Over the night, Scrooge is forced to confront his past and is given a final chance to see the error of his ways. The show opened last night to rave reviews and White Light provided the lighting equipment.

Adamson Appoints Marc Bertrand as Managing Director of Americas

30/11/2017 - People News

Americas – Adamson Systems Engineering has announced the appointment of audio industry veteran Marc Bertrand (pictured) to the role of managing director for Adamson Americas. In his new role, Bertrand will lead sales growth and network expansion in both the touring and installation markets in North and South America.

MLA Compact Makes Lingfield Park Fireworks Go Off with a Bang

30/11/2017 - Production News

UK – For the second year in succession, AvensysLive provided a Martin Audio MLA Compact PA for the Lingfield Park Resort fireworks display in Surrey, marking the beginning of a new three-year contract with the site.

Bandit Brings Beams to Good Morning America CMA Stage

30/11/2017 - Production News

USA – It is hailed as “Country music’s biggest night,” but Kelsea Ballerini was up bright and early for a performance on Good Morning America to kick off the festivities. Bandit Lites supplied the lighting package for the outdoor stage that overlooked the city’s skyline and Nissan Stadium as millions tuned in to hear Ballerini and find out the first two winners of the 51st Annual CMA Awards.

New Ovation E-930VW Variable White Ellipsoidal from Chauvet Professional

30/11/2017 - Equipment News

Chauvet Professional has introduced its first variable white LED ellipsoidal fixture, the Ovation E-930VW. Featuring a groundbreaking and unique six-colour LED system, the new fixture can perfectly match ambient natural light at different times a day, making it ideal for broadcast applications that are exposed to sunlight.

POLAR Supplies Largest Ever Wyrestorm AV over IP Solution at London Metropolitan’s Superlab

30/11/2017 - Project News

UK – London Metropolitan University came in to existence in 2002, with the merger of the University of North London and the London Guildhall University. In 2006 as part of an ambitious programme to make the university a leading choice for science students, London Metropolitan University invested more than £30 million developing a state-of-the-art Science Centre. At the time, the ‘Superlab’ as it has become known, achieved a host of firsts. It was the first open plan laboratory that offered the whole range of science to be carried out simultaneously at 280 work stations, the first educational lab to use advanced AV technology as a central part of teaching and learning, on its completion was the largest single UK investment in science education and was one of only two university labs to achieve a BREEAM excellent rating. This 8000m2 space thus offers exceptional teaching and research facilities and remains the largest and most advanced science teaching facility in Europe.

Claypaky Scenius Lighting Fixtures Shine on Halsey’s “Hopeless Fountain Kingdom World Tour”

30/11/2017 - Production News

USA – Halsey has embarked on the North American leg of her “Hopeless Fountain Kingdom World Tour” and Claypaky Scenius Profile lighting fixtures, provided by 4WallPA, are lighting her way.

Meyer Sound Hits New Lows with Introduction of the VLFC Very Low Frequency Control Element

30/11/2017 - Equipment News

Meyer Sound has announced the introduction of the VLFC very low frequency control element, the latest addition to Meyer Sound’s Leo Family of line array systems. VLFC is the first large-scale loudspeaker system specifically engineered to create visceral impact at frequencies below the threshold of hearing. By focusing energy into a narrow band between 30Hz and 13Hz, VLFC is uniquely capable of generating extreme variations in air pressure that are sensed by the entire body as compression waves while those frequencies at the upper end of its range are perceived as thunderous bass sound.

Avolites adds the Tiger Touch to Morocco's Oasis Festival 2017

30/11/2017 - Production News

Morocco – Lighting designer Chris Binks selected an Avolites Tiger Touch II and Tiger Touch Fader Wing to facilitate his authentic live control and design approach for the third edition of Oasis Festival, an electronic dance festival held at The Source Marrakech Private Resort Music & Spa in Morocco.

ETC's ColorSource CYC makes an award-winning debut at LDI 2017

30/11/2017 - Event News

USA – Visitors to the 2017 LDI Show in Las Vegas this November found ETC’s booth awash in colour, thanks to the new ColorSource CYC luminaire. Two 5.5m-tall cyc panels bookended the booth, each lit evenly and brightly in a range of tints and hues by the new LED fixtures. Show-goers were impressed, as were LDI’s judges, who honoured the ColorSource CYC with a Best Debuting Lighting Product award at a ceremony on Saturday night.

Green Hippo and MOBB Helsinki Take it up a Notch to Amaze Finnish Arena Shows

30/11/2017 - Production News

Finland – Profeetat is the project of Cheek and Elastinen, Finland’s two biggest hip-hop artists. Formed in 2016, this year the duo marked its rapid rise by selling out three arena shows in its homeland.

Hippotizer Media Servers Make a Good Heart Easy to Find

30/11/2017 - Production News

UK - Green Hippo is understandably proud of its associations with massive events – think the Super Bowl Halftime show and Eurovision for starters – where its media servers are trusted to run the ‘real-time show’, but its high-performance video processing also gets lots of love from those working on smaller but, undoubtedly, equally important projects.

Real Basílica-Santuario de la Vera Cruz Upgrades with Yamaha for Septennial Holy Year

30/11/2017 - Project News

Spain – Every seven years the Real Basílica-Santuario de la Vera Cruz in south-eastern Spain celebrates a Jubilee (or Holy) year. 2017 is such a year and, to assist worshippers during this special time, a new audio system has been installed, based on the Yamaha MTX3 matrix processor.

SGM Illuminates Aarhus and London for We Believe Project

29/11/2017 - Production News

Denmark & UK – To celebrate Aarhus as European Capital of Culture 2017, Danish artist and lighting designer Tine Bech from Tine Bech Studio in London developed We Believe, an interactive lighting project taking place in Denmark and the UK simultaneously over a period of ten days. Using SGM wash and flood lights, participants in Aarhus controlled the facade lights at both Aarhus City Hall Tower and The Royal Danish Embassy in London.

Martin Fournier Joins Chauvet

29/11/2017 - People News

France – Chauvet has announced that Martin Fournier has joined the company as its European sales director. Fournier is an experienced lighting industry figure in Europe, having spent the last 22 years serving the professional lighting market in Europe. He comes to Chauvet from Harman International, where he most recently served as that company’s sales director for France and Benelux Professional Solutions. Fournier began his career in 1995 with Martin Professional.

Colourblind Give Rüfüs Du Sol GLP’s X4 Treatment

29/11/2017 - Production News

USA – Australian electronic band Rüfüs Du Sol recently began their 2017 North America Autumn tour playing two sell-out shows at Oakland’s Fox Theater, along with headlining slots at CRSSD Fest in San Diego, CA and Austin City Limits in Austin, TX. LD Matthew Smith, of Australian lighting design team, Colourblind, provided stunning visuals to match Rüfüs’ style.

Airstar European Network Appoints Thierry Beynet as New CEO

29/11/2017 - People News

France – Airstar, the world leader in lighting balloon technology, has announced the appointment of Thierry Beynet as the new CEO of Airstar European Network. This strategic hire is a major step in Airstar’s plan to strengthen its presence in the European market, as part of the overall business strategy instigated by the company in 2016.

SSL System T Hits the Stage at the Austrian National Theatre

29/11/2017 - Project News

Austria – The Burgtheater, the Austrian National Theatre, is part of a group of three Austrian theatres, together with the Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera) and the Volksoper Wien opera house, and is generally considered to be one of the most important German language theatres anywhere in the world. As part of a recent upgrade to its audio systems, the theatre has installed two SSL System T networked production systems along with a building-wide, redundant Dante Audio-over-IP network and SSL Network I/O. The system was specified by David Müllner (manager, Sound & Multimedia, Burgtheater), supplied by TSAMM Professional Audio Solutions, and installed by Klangfarbe GmbH.

Le Maitre celebrates 40th Anniversary with Party at Wynn, Las Vegas

29/11/2017 - Business News

USA – This year Le Maitre is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Since 1977, the company has been manufacturing pyrotechnics, smoke, haze and flame machines and special effects. Le Maitre now has over 1,500 state-of-the-art products in its extensive product range.

Straz Center gains time and saves power with Philips Lighting

29/11/2017 - Project News

USA – Philips Lighting has announced that the David A. Straz Center in Tampa is enjoying significant savings in labour and power costs after upgrading its TECO Theater lighting rig with LED products from Philips Entertainment Lighting's Showline range.

Jim Fitton Joins Electrosonic as Head of Solutions

29/11/2017 - People News

UK - Electrosonic Ltd, an international audio-visual solutions company, has appointed Jim Fitton as head of solutions to drive forward their technology design service.

White Light Goes for Goldie on New UK Tour

28/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Widely considered as one of the most influential British electronic musicians of all time, Goldie has been creating music for over two decades, with his 1995 album Timeless considered to be an all-time classic. For the first time ever with a live ensemble, the musician recently travelled across the UK with The Journey Man Tour in which he performed tracks from his iconic repertoire along with material from his recently released album of the same name. Having previously supplied Goldie’s Timeless anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall, White Light was called upon once again to supply the lighting equipment on this latest tour.

The Bodyguard in Madrid

28/11/2017 - Production News

Spain – After 647 shows and a massively successful run of almost two years at the Beatrix Theatre in Utrecht delighting more than 800,000 fans, Stage Entertainment Holland’s blockbuster production of “The Bodyguard” has opened at the Teatro Coliseum in Madrid.

Robe MegaPointes for X-Factor UK

28/11/2017 - Production News

UK - For the second year running, Robe’s newest moving lights including the just-launched MegaPointe multi-purpose moving light, featured prominently on the UK’s much anticipated 2017 X Factor final series. Six weeks of nail-biting live show excitement with lighting designed by Tim Routledge will reveal some incredible singing talent and culminate on the final at Wembley Arena this weekend.

Feeling the Energy at the Wärmespeicher

28/11/2017 - Project News

Germany – Eighty Anolis ArcSource 4MC LED fixtures were specified to illuminate the indicator for a new heat storage tank (Wärmespeicher) installed in the Drispenstedt residential district of Hildesheim in Lower Saxony.

Kenny Rogers Bids Farewell with Bandit Lites

28/11/2017 - Production News

USA – It was an evening of memories, music and celebration as Kenny Rogers celebrated his retirement from an incredibly illustrious career. Bandit Lites provided the lighting for Blackbird Presents' “All In for the Gambler: Kenny Rogers’ Farewell Concert Celebration,” a one-night only send-off to one of music’s most successful artists of all time.

Chauvet Professional Provides Intoxicating Looks For The Toxic Avenger – The Musical

28/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Based on the 1984 cult film by Lloyd Kaufman in which an aspiring earth scientist transforms into an unlikely superhero after falling into a vat of toxic waste, The Toxic Avenger – The Musical is now earning critical praise in the UK. Driven by an intense rock score by Bon Jovi band member David Bryan and a book by Joe DiPietro, the show is running in London’s West End.

Avolites Ai v10.1 software wins PLSN Award for Best New Software 2017

28/11/2017 - Event News

USA – Avolites had cause for celebration last week at the LDI exhibition in Las Vegas. The British manufacturer of creative lighting and video control tools scooped the 'Gold Star Best Software Award 2017' for its newly launched media server software update, Ai v10.1.

Balanced Input Upgrades Historic Cochran Chapel with Martin Audio CDD

28/11/2017 - Project News

USA – Mark Waker, owner of the New England-based integration and consulting firm Balanced Input, faced a variety of challenges for an audio upgrade at Phillips Academy Andover’s historic Cochran Chapel in Massachusetts.

Powersoft’s Ottocanali Drives One of the Largest Indoor Theme Parks in Europe

28/11/2017 - Project News

Ukraine – Four years in its construction, Ukraine’s impressive Lavina Mall has opened the doors to its vast 140,000 sq. m. shopping and leisure concept, the largest in the country.

World’s first L-ISA installation gives Mercury Space Moscow a sound image clear enough to touch

28/11/2017 - Project News

Russia – Mercury Space Moscow is a 975-square metre, ultra-luxury, multi-functional venue located on the 40th floor of Mercury City Tower in the Russian capital. The owner of this new space, which has been designed for celebrity events and parties, wanted a unique sound system that would set it apart from every other venue in the country. When Sonoruss, L-Acoustics certified distributor for the region, suggested an L-ISA immersive audio system – the first Nightclub installation in the world – it was agreed that there was simply no other choice.

DiGiCo at heart of 54th Polish Song Festival’s complex audio system

28/11/2017 - Production News

Poland – On a late September weekend, the 54th edition of the most popular Polish Song Festival, the National Festival of Polish Song, was held in the Millennium Amphitheatre in the city of Opole in south-western Poland. This festival is the annual celebration of the Polish music scene, transmitted live by the national public broadcaster TVP to a multimillion audience. This year it was also a tribute to one of Poland's greatest artists Maryla Rodowicz, who celebrated her 50th anniversary on stage at the festival. DiGiCo’s SD5, SD12 and SD-Racks, equipped with the latest 32-Bit Mic Pre-Amp cards, played a central role in the event.

The next generation of the Batten 2

28/11/2017 - Equipment News

The latest model of the popular Batten 2 fixture includes 18 x15W RGBWA LEDs, and is convection cooled, eliminating the noise of the fans and producing a completely silent fixture. Due to high demand, place orders now to receive delivery before Christmas.

The Batten 2 range has become an industry standard for the rental, hire and production industries, with over 3,000 units supplied to over 100 of the largest rental companies in Europe.

Tourflex Cabling Supplies Nearly 900 Metres of Cabling for Marjan Television Network Studios Lighting Infrastructure Upgrade

28/11/2017 - Project News

Tourflex Cabling has supplied nearly 900 metres of various length power, data and hybrid cabling all made to order, for a complete lighting infrastructure upgrade to the studios of Marjan Television Network which is one of the leading Persian-language broadcasters.

Spectacular Light Show Illuminates Man-Made Hill with SGM’s P-series

28/11/2017 - Production News

Sweden – On one of the brightest nights of the year in Kumla, Sweden, lighting designer Fredrik Jönsson showcased an amazing, drama-filled light show using products from the SGM P-family. The show took place on a man-made hill, with smoke pouring from the ground, complementing the spectacular artistic light show on this bright summer night.

Community Launches the I SERIES Modular Vertical Array 600

27/11/2017 - Equipment News

Community has expanded the system design versatility of its I SERIES family with the new IV6 Modular Vertical Array 600 system. Aesthetically designed for installed indoor or outdoor applications, IV6 is a scaleable, adaptive sound reinforcement system featuring wide-dispersion IV6-1122 array elements (12-inch, two-way) available in two complementary vertical coverage angle versions (5° and 15°). Up to 5° of splay between elements eliminates excessive overlap or coverage gaps, overcoming the physical limitations and acoustical tuning difficulties of conventional line arrays and constant-curvature arrays, while maintaining the best qualities of each in long-throw line arrays, medium-throw progressive curvature arrays and compact constant-curvature arrays. The single 18-inch IV6-118S subwoofer can be flown above or behind any array to provide additional low frequency impact.

Artiste Dali Best Debuting Product Accolade Completes Remarkable LDI Show for Elation

27/11/2017 - Event News

USA – It truly is awards season at Elation Professional as the company’s new full-featured Artiste Dali LED moving head won the accolade for Best Debuting Product: Lighting at the recent LDI trade show in Las Vegas. It is the second notable industry award in the past two months for the Artiste Dali, having won a PLASA Award for Innovation in September. The award came just a day after the Elation Chorus Line 16 LED batten was awarded a Gold Star Product Award by the editors and writers of PLSN magazine, and with the Proteus Hybrid also a 2017 PLASA Innovation Award winner and the Artiste DaVinci WH a Best Moving Light Award winner at the recent WFX show, the Elation trophy case is bulging.

Ultrasound Production Studios Upgrades (Twice?) To Heritage

27/11/2017 - Project News

USAAn ASP8024 Heritage Edition console has recently been installed at Ultrasound Production Studios, a commercial venture owned by John Hanna and Joe Clapp.

Rita Hits the Road Again with Robe

27/11/2017 - Production News

Israel - Iranian born Israeli singer, songwriter and superstar Rita Yahan-Farouz is back on the road after a break of five years, complete with a new album, “Transparent Miracles”, and a fabulous new lighting and visual design by Ronen Najar, featuring Robe Spiiders and BMFL Spot moving lights.

De Sisti Open UK Sales and Projects Operation

27/11/2017 - Business News

UK – De Sisti has been a world leader in professional lighting systems since 1982. Innovation, technological research, high performance products, substantial attention to detail and highest attention to international safety standards are the most significant company priorities. All products are designed, manufactured and tested at De Sisti’s factories, where total quality control is the primary goal. De Sisti has made substantial investment in its products, system upgrades and development to ensure users benefit from the technology advances and their significant optical experiences. As part of this investment De Sisti has now opened De Sisti UK to support the substantial existing and potential customers based in the UK and Ireland as well as providing project concept and design, a complete installation service, and maintenance support with annual inspections if required. The office is currently based close to Junction 11 of the M25 to make access across the UK easy with support for TV and film studios, performance spaces, rental companies and photographers.

Ayrton Honoured at LDI 2017 Awards

27/11/2017 - Event News

USA – Ayrton was delighted and proud to receive the LDI 2017 Award for the Most Creative Use of Light at last week’s LDI Show in Las Vegas.

wysiwyg helps create unique, innovative light show for ØKUBE

27/11/2017 - Production News

Ask lighting designers what gives them most pleasure, and the chances are they’ll answer “the opportunity to be creative”. But, a stunning design eventually needs to be translated into a working reality. Waiting until the show itself to see if the design can actually be implemented isn’t an option but neither, in the majority of cases, is it feasible to put together a ‘live’ trial.

White Light Goes Inside Pussy Riot at Saatchi Gallery

27/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Created by the Olivier-nominated Les Enfants Terribles, Inside Pussy Riot is inspired by the all-female punk rock group who staged a protest inside Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in 2012. This immersive theatre experience is currently taking place at the Saatchi Gallery to coincide with their Art Riot exhibition. Having supplied a range of immersive theatre projects already this year, White Light was called upon to supply the lighting equipment.

Maestra London Announces Four New Team Members

27/11/2017 - People News

UK – Fast growing London and Dubai-based event technical design and production specialist, Maestra, has welcomed four new team members in London, in time for the busy autumn and winter season.

Contact Distribution wows AES with EM Acoustics and Xilica Audio Design

24/11/2017 - Event News

Canada – EM Acoustics’ Canadian distributor, Contact Distribution, recently participated in the monthly meeting of the Toronto chapter of the AES to deliver a presentation/demo on the challenges, merits and benefits of fixed versus floating point DSP algorithms. For over two decades the mandate of the industry has been to achieve higher sample and bit rates. Now that 192kHz is possible, the question is whether clients need it or appreciate it, especially in view of the cost of the increased performance.

Ayrton Magicburst break through at Richard Martin Lighting

24/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Richard Martin lighting (RML) has long been known for its fantastic and varied collection of creative lighting effects. From the early TV music shows to the modern-day extravaganzas, RML has helped countless designers realise their creative designs.

Elation Proteus an “Illumination Sensation” at the State Fair of Texas

24/11/2017 - Production News

USA – The State Fair of Texas has been an institution in the Lone Star State since 1886. Although the fair’s nightly spectacular, “Illumination Sensation,” hasn’t been around for quite that long, it’s become one of the big draws of the yearly event, which this year ran from 29th September through to 22nd October. Lighting designer Nick Belley and show producers Interlaced Productions upped the shows visual appeal for 2017, incorporating effects from Elation Professional’s award-winning IP65-rated Proteus series moving heads, along with other Elation gear.

Introducing tube-driven overdrive pedal

24/11/2017 - Equipment News

Tube Pilot Overdrive from TC Electronic is built on the truly classic ingredient of foot-stomping rock licks, the glowing 12AX7 vacuum tube immortalised by vintage full stacks.

Tears for Fears – In perfect balance

24/11/2017 - Production News

UK – The expression ‘negative space’ might sound a contradiction terms when used in the context of lighting and video, but then when haven’t Tears for Fears challenged commonplace assumptions? Certainly not for their recent concert at the Royal Albert Hall, where show designer Alex Reardon and production manager JB Blot successfully transplanted a full-scale US arena production into this most enigmatic of venues.

Penn Elcom Announces India Operation

24/11/2017 - Business News

India – Multinational flightcase hardware and 19inch racking manufacturer Penn Elcom has announced the launch of a new distribution centre in Mumbai.

Chroma-Q Inspire XT Wins a 2017 PLSN Gold Star Product Award

24/11/2017 - Event News

USA – Chroma-Q, a world-renowned brand of premium performance LED lighting solutions, manufactured in North America, has announced that the newly released Chroma-Q Inspire XT won the 2017 PLSN Gold Star Product Award for Best New Interior Architectural Light at Live Design International (LDI) in Las Vegas (November 17th - 19th, 2017).

Could It Be Magic or Just Some Unusual Rigging?

24/11/2017 - Production News

UK – The Band is a new musical written by Tim Firth, featuring the music of Take That. Cast through the 2017 BBC reality television show Let It Shine, it is produced by David Pugh and is currently touring the UK through until July 2018, with more dates being added to the schedule.

Picturall strengthens software development team with new appointment

24/11/2017 - People News

Finnish media server specialist, Picturall, has announced the appointment of Markku Myllymäki to the position of senior software developer. Myllymäki comes to Picturall with over two decades experience in software development in a variety of roles for multinational corporations including Nokia Networks and Elektrobit.

Adamson and Ampco Provide Regal Audio for 538 Koningsdag Festival

24/11/2017 - Production News

The Netherlands – Tens of thousands of Dutch music fans celebrated the national holiday of Koningsdag (Kingsday) in Breda with international EDM superstar Armin Van Buuren and over 20 other artists at the annual 538 Koningsdag festival. As usual, Dutch production rental powerhouse Ampco Flashlight was called on to provide the audio and lighting equipment for the hallmark event, and relied on a premium loudspeaker system from Adamson Systems Engineering to deliver a live music experience fit for a king.

“We had a line-up of leading national artists and DJs, a big crowd, and some of the world’s most skilled engineers asking for a premium PA, and that’s why we have a system like Adamson’s E-Series in our inventory,” comments Dennis van der Haagen of Ampco Flashlight.

Osram’s new LED chip factory goes into operation in Kulim

24/11/2017 - Business News

Malaysia - sram’s new LED chip factory in Kulim, Malaysia, begins operation on time. “We are both on schedule and within budget,” pointed out Olaf Berlien, CEO of Osram Licht AG, during the opening ceremony in Kulim on Thursday. “Given our enormous re-cent growth rates of 19 percent in the LED business, we are pleased to have the new production capacities. Our investment in Kulim also attests to the technology shift and our transition to becoming a high-tech corporation: At the beginning of this decade, conventional lighting still accounted for 80 percent of Osram's business. Today, two-thirds of our sales are based on optical semiconductors.”

Jon Daggett and Iluminarc Pay Homage to History at Craddock Terry Hotel

24/11/2017 - Project News

USA – Something is afoot at the Craddock Terry Hotel. From the large shoe over its entrance, to the free shoe shines available to every guest, flourishes at this upscale hostelry celebrate its heritage as the site of what was once one of America’s largest shoe factories. Developers of the popular boutique lodging also honoured its past when designing its interior, evoking its original industrial character with exposed wood beam ceilings, thick stone walls and 9’ windows. Also accenting the building’s industrial roots, while at the same time giving it a distinctively modern flair, is the richly coloured light that washes its front columns, courtesy of Iluminarc Colorist 8Qa Panels installed by Jon Daggett of Castle Lighting.

Live Systems confirmed as an Adamson Certified Reseller

23/11/2017 - Business News

UK – Live Systems Ltd based in Edinburgh are the latest UK company to become an Adamson Certified Reseller.

SD10 sounds supreme on J Balvin tour

23/11/2017 - Production News

Central and South America – Multiple Latin Grammy Award winning superstar J Balvin has recently embarked on his Energia world tour, bringing his own brand of Colombian ‘Reggaeton’ to the masses. FoH engineer John Buitrago has followed J Balvin’s relentless journey for the past nine years and knows that when putting together his production, only the very best in audio quality will do. This is precisely why he chose a DiGiCo SD10 for the tour and why he has been using the British manufacturer’s consoles for many years.
Keeping up with the growing demands of any world class artist is no easy feat when it comes to sound, and J Balvin is no different. With a consistently expanding input list from tour to tour, John needs to make sure that all demands are catered for.

“I’ve been using a DiGiCo SD10 and SD Rack for the last two years wherever I’ve been in the world,” John explains. “So using it for the current tour, with the new requirements I have for the input list, was pretty easy. In fact, after a quick virtual sound check, I ran the whole show into Snapshots and boom, I was ready to go!”

John is using a 56-channel configuration including instrument channels, vocal mics, guest vocals, DJ supports and talkbacks, with the console’s AES outputs used for the main PA and the analogue outputs of the SD Rack for comms between FoH, technicians, lighting and video.

There is always an amount of personal preference when it comes to choosing the right console for any given job, but for John what it comes down to is whether the consoles delivers the best possible sound for show.

“The sound quality of any DiGiCo, plus their amazing headroom, is pretty easy to recognise,” he says. “I chose the SD10 because it has the DiGiCo sound I love and everything else about it is just right for my show.”
John has also been making good use of a DiGiCo/Waves SoundGrid on the tour.
“I’m a really big fan of the DiGiCo and SoundGrid interaction; the way I can get everything connected through the Soundgrid Network,” he adds. “It streamlines access and controls so well!”

CPL’s Got Constructive Talent

23/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Technical production specialist Central Presentations Ltd. (CPL), working with producers Constructive Communications, delivered full technical Production including a bespoke iPad App for “Construction’s Got Talent”, a team-building / gala dinner conference event with a difference for leading independent construction and property services company, Wilmot Dixon.

Martin Audio CDD Equips New De Krook Building in Ghent

23/11/2017 - Project News

Belgium – The new De Krook building in the Belgian city of Ghent is described as “the inspiration for knowledge culture and innovation”. The initiative of the City of Ghent, Ghent University and IMEC the hub of the complex is a library for the 21st century supported by a full range of facilities, including IPEM’s ArtScienceLab. The facility has been designed as an open house for all citizens to use.

L-Acoustics Makes a Grand Entrance at the Palace Theatre

22/11/2017 - Project News

USA – The Palace Theatre is one of Saint Paul, Minnesota’s downtown gems. First opened in 1916 as a classic vaudeville and movie venue, it was rescued by the city exactly a century later, after three decades in the dark, and renovated as a live music destination. Within a few months of the new Palace’s first show in March of 2017, the 2,500-capacity venue once again received the royal treatment, this time in the form of a new L-Acoustics K2 PA system installed by local integrator and rental vendor Allied Productions and Sales.

Anthony Van-Sertima Becomes Business Development Manager at SGM UK

22/11/2017 - People News

UK - SGM has welcomed Anthony Van-Sertima as the new business development manager at the UK branch. Anthony was first introduced to SGM in 2005 and has loved the products ever since. With his knowledge of SGM and a background as both light technician and designer, Anthony is the perfect link between SGM and lighting designers.

Star stages event industry first at Structural Awards

22/11/2017 - Event News

Star Events’ VerTech Ultra stages for the Adele 25 tour are the first ever event industry design to win at the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) Structural Awards, which recognises exemplary engineering, creativity and innovation on a worldwide basis.

Marjan Television Network Upgrades its Studio Facilities with Spotlight LED Fresnels

22/11/2017 - Project News

UK – Over 100 Spotlight Green Line LED Fresnels have been supplied to Wimbledon, London-based Marjan Television Network as part of a major upgrade of the broadcaster's studios, which transmit programmes to over 25 million Persian-speaking viewers across the globe.

Library of Congress Glows Bright White with Chauvet Professional

22/11/2017 - Production News

USA Critics have rightly hailed the US Library of Congress’ Great Hall as a monumental triumph of architecture. Effortlessly balancing form and function within its spacious confines, the two-storey room alternately awes and inspires with its towering Corinthian columns, Romanesque arches, double staircase and a gold-ornamented ceiling that exudes the unbridled optimism of its 19thcentury designers.

L-Acoustics Appoints Tony Szabo to Head Touring Applications Team

22/11/2017 - People News

France – L-Acoustics announces the appointment of industry expert Tony Szabo as head of application, touring. Tony will work directly with Florent Bernard, director of applications, Touring to deploy the application strategy for the touring market and manage the touring applications team. As part of the senior leadership team, he will ensure the continued success and strength of the global network of L-Acoustics partners and will support major projects around the globe.

Britney Spears Wraps Up Her Four-Year Vegas Residency at AXIS with DiGiCo

22/11/2017 - Production News

USA – When the latest in a series of remodels stretching back two decades was completed in 2013 at the newly named AXIS at the Planet Hollywood resort in Las Vegas and it was announced that pop star Britney Spears had been signed to a two-year residency deal, no one – including gurus of the entertainment world, and even most of the crew – really expected it to last more than six months. Today, with that residency wrapping up an overwhelmingly successful four-year run and other pop residencies having taken hold, the venue boasts the highest number of ticket sales in Las Vegas and, most weeks, the highest in the country. In a world of dizzying changes, one of the few constants has been the presence of DiGiCo consoles at both ends of the snake.

grandMA2 gets satisfaction with the Rolling Stones: Rock'n'Roll history live on tour

22/11/2017 - Production News

There are four names right at the centre of Rock'n'Roll history: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood, currently all members of the Rolling Stones, a band, that has been a constant in the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame for more than 50 years!

Hawthorn Put on Purr-fect Performance at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Annual Fundraising Gala

22/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s annual Collars & Coats Gala Ball returned for its ninth year earlier this month, with Hawthorn on hand – or should that be paw – to deliver full technical production for the star-studded occasion. Taking place at Battersea Evolution, a Smart venue, the creative technical production expert provided lighting, sound, video and staging for the charity’s biggest fundraising event of the year.

Claypaky leads at 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games

22/11/2017 - Production News

Turkmenistan – Internationally renowned lighting designer, Durham Marenghi, used more than 800 Claypaky fixtures to deliver the two large-scale lighting designs for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG), produced by Balich Worldwide Shows, held this year at the Olympic Stadium in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

Robe for Rolling Stones No Filter

22/11/2017 - Production News

Europe – Thirty-Six Robe BMFL Spots were workhorse moving lights on the recent Rolling Stones 'No Filter' European tour, part of a spectacular and epic lighting design created by Patrick Woodroffe.

Phoenix Rises on a Bed of Video and GLP X4 Bar 20 Battens

22/11/2017 - Production News

France – Paris lighting designer Pierre Claude has created a highly original concept for evergreen band Phoenix, based around multiples of GLP’s versatile X4 Bar 20 batten.

Stage Electrics January Showcase Announced

21/11/2017 - Event News

UK – Stage Electrics has announced a Broadcast and Theatre Equipment Showcase to take place on 10th January 2018 at SS Great Britain, Great Eastern Hall in Great Western Dockyard, Bristol. Join them for the chance to discover some exciting equipment and meet with manufactures and staff of Stage Electrics.

ADB Presents New Technologies tor the Present and Future of Theatre at JTSE

21/11/2017 - Event News

France – Twelve months after the change in management, ADB is now introducing itself to the French market with a new look and innovations which bear witness to the historic brand’s total commitment. What’s more, ADB is doing it with the backing of Claypaky and the Osram Group, which took over this important brand in 2016. Through in-depth market insight and advanced technological know-how, it aims to optimise the brand’s excellent products after having updated production all over the world.

SGM launches the first ever reliable motorised barndoor LED luminaire on the market

21/11/2017 - Equipment News

SGM has released the high-power and practically maintenance-free G-4 Wash motorised barndoor – a true Fresnel-based luminaire with optimal performance and easy-to-operate wireless control, perfect for stages, theatres film and TV studios.

Maverick MK Pyxis Tours with Louis The Child

21/11/2017 - Production News

USA – Success has not spoiled Louis The Child, nor has it made this pair of Chicago-bred DJs any less daring when it comes to reshaping their distinctive brand of EDM music. Since bursting on the scene two years ago with the highly original and spacey tune “It’s Strange,” the duo has continued to jump head first into the creative cauldron. Rather than resting on their laurels, they show a fearless willingness to experiment with novel eclectic synths, push percussion assemblages to the limit, and in general do whatever it takes to reach new musical heights.

Pollstar Nominates Bandit Lites for Lighting Company of the Year

21/11/2017 - Event News

USA – Bandit Lites has announced that it is heading into its 50th anniversary with a nomination for Pollstar’s Lighting Company of the Year.

APG to Unveil Live Manager Software at JTSE 2017

21/11/2017 - Event News

France – APG, a French manufacturer of professional loudspeakers and the inventor of the Modular Line Array concept, will unveil APG Live Manager at the 2017 JTSE (Paris, 21st - 22nd November, stand 94). The new software will be presented alongside the successful Uniline Compact loudspeaker system, which is currently proving a resounding success in fixed installations as well as staging applications, both in France and overseas.

Manchester Gets Switched-On by tube

21/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Audio specialist tube uk returned to the familiar urban territory of Manchester’s Albert Square to help deliver the city’s 2017 Christmas Switch-On ceremony, which officially fired up the city’s Christmas lights for the run up to a bumper fun-packed festive season.

Ayrton gets the Fun Radio Ibiza Experience at Accor Hotels Arena

21/11/2017 - Production News

France – The second edition of the Fun Radio Ibiza Experience, organised in association with Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel, took place on 14th April 2017 at the Accor Hotels Arena in Paris. Around 17,000 people gathered at this huge EDM event which transformed the venue into a massive dance floor to the sounds of top DJs Robin Schultz, Nervo, Sam Feldt, W&W and headliners, Afrojack and Hardwell.

Mojo Barriers appoints New Budapest Distributor

21/11/2017 - Business News

Hungary – A range of Mojo Barriers aluminium crowd safety barriers are now based in Budapest with the announcement of a new Mojo distributor giving convenient, cost effective barrier rental for festival organisers and tours coming to Eastern Europe, 17th November, 2017.

Robert Juliat’s Lancelots Rock in Rio

21/11/2017 - Production News

Brazil – Four Robert Juliat Lancelot 4K HTI followspots took pride of place front of house at Brazil’s Rock In Rio Festival this summer. Held over two weekends at the Cidade do Rock at Rio de Janeiro’s Parque Olímpico da Barra, this amazing festival saw headliners Aerosmith, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Bon Jovi, Maroon 5 and the Red Hot Chili Peppers play to over 700,000 during seven fantastic nights.

TiMax spatially herding CATS

21/11/2017 - Production News

Switzerland’s Thunerseespiele is well-known for its beautiful scenic location, providing the most stunning backdrop to the high-energy performances gracing stage every summer. The energy is fully matched by the immersive spatial audio perennially delivered by award-winning sound designer, Tom Strebel, using TiMax Tracker stage tracking and object-based TiMax SoundHub spatial reinforcement to deliver transparent vocal clarity and intelligibility. As usual, Strebel’s seasoned audiopool engineers also crewed the production and Out Board’s Robin Whittaker provided TiMax spatial tuning and programming support on site.

L-Acoustics takes L-ISA and Syva to CUE

21/11/2017 - Event News

The Netherlands – L-Acoustics has announced that it will be exhibiting at CUE, on 15th - 17th January at the Rotterdam Ahoy, where it will welcome visitors to stand 122 to meet the L-Acoustics team and learn more about the L-ISA Immersive Sound Art platform, view the new Syva colinear source system and the upcoming P1 networked digital audio processor.

Martin Audio MLA Wins the War on Drugs

21/11/2017 - Production News

UK – The unique multi-cellular controllability of Martin Audio’s award-winning MLA was put to the test recently at the notoriously difficult Alexandra Palace, when The War on Drugs played to a 10,000 sell-out crowd.

Yamaha Delivers Turbulence-Free Sound at Aeroscopia

21/11/2017 - Project News

France – Aeroscopia is a museum which celebrates the huge contribution that the Midi-Pyrénées region has made to French civil and military aviation. As well as aircraft and themed exhibition areas, the museum features spaces for hospitality events, meetings and presentations. In all of them Yamaha audio systems deliver smooth, turbulence-free sound.

Queen’s University Belfast SARC welcomes new immersive studio installed by HHB

21/11/2017 - Project News

UK – Globally recognised institute the Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC) at Queen’s University Belfast has welcomed a brand new immersive sound facility featuring an Avid S6 M10 with MTRX, Dolby Atmos HE-RMU and Genelec 8040 + 1032 Sub monitoring set up supplied by HHB Communications.

Community Partners with DV2 for Distribution in France, Belgium and Luxembourg

20/11/2017 - Business News

Benelux – Community Professional Loudspeakers has announced the appointment of DV2 Belux for distribution in Belgium and Luxembourg, effective immediately, and DV2 France in France, effective 2nd January 2018.

Robe Rocks LDI 2017

20/11/2017 - Event News

USA – The 2017 LDI (Lighting Dimensions International) expo started on a high note for Robe Lighting. As soon as the show was declared open, Robe’s brand new MegaPointe moving light was presented with a 2017 PLSN Gold Star Product Award for ‘Best New Hybrid Light’.

Derek Black Joins HHB Canada as Broadcast and Systems Sales Manager

20/11/2017 - People News

Canada – HHB Canada has announced the appointment Derek Black to the new role of broadcast and systems sales manager. This appointment is effective immediately.

TENFEET Takes First Steps with Hippotizer Montane +

20/11/2017 - Production News

Benelux – Hippotizer Montane + launched in October and TENFEET swiftly stepped up to request delivery of a significant number of the newest Hippotizer + media servers, supplied by Ampco Flashlight Sales, the exclusive Green Hippo distributor in Benelux.

Anna Valley First to Land Hippotizer + Media Server Range

20/11/2017 - Production News

UK – The new Hippotizer + range of media servers recently launched at LDI, brings a host of added benefits to the maker’s powerful machines, and the first UK outfit to take delivery of the latest models is Anna Valley.

Green Hippo Says Prepare for PREP

20/11/2017 - Equipment News

Green Hippo has announced Hippotizer PREP. Enabling users to encode, pre-programme and visualise, Hippotizer PREP is the complete pre-programming tool and is the latest addition to the award-winning media server software.

Green Hippo Launches Hippotizer + Media Server range and Releases Hippotizer V4.3 Software

20/11/2017 - Equipment News

Green Hippo reveals Hippotizer + media server range, its new product range of media servers. The new line comprises the Amba +, Boreal +, Karst +, Montane +, and Taiga +. Building on already incredibly powerful and talented machines, Hippotizer + range brings many user benefits, including the below standout features:

Chroma-Q Color Force II Delivers Subtle Pastels and Powerful Output for Cue One Ireland's Clients

20/11/2017 - Production News

Ireland – Galway-based stage lighting equipment supplier, Cue One Ireland has invested in the multi award-winning Chroma-Q Color Force II luminaire for servicing its theatrical and corporate events clients.

Rider-friendly L-Acoustics K Series delivers scalability for John Legend Darkness and Light tour

20/11/2017 - Production News

Europe – Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter John Legend’s Darkness and Light tour hit Europe this autumn, playing venues that ranged from the intimate 3,500-seater Merh! Theatre in Hamburg to the cavernous 20,000 capacity O2 Arena in London and MEO in Lisbon. An L-Acoustics K2 system, provided by UK rental company BCS Audio, provided both scalability and superb sound.

Meyer Sound Leopard Hits the Sweet Spot at Victoria’s Royal Theatre

17/11/2017 - Project News

Canada – The Royal Theatre in Victoria, British Columbia has upgraded its in-house production audio with installation of a new Meyer Sound system with Leopard compact line array loudspeakers. According to the theatre’s 30-year veteran technical director, Blair Morris, the move up to Leopard was largely a matter of patiently awaiting the Meyer Sound Leo Family solution that offered just the right fit.

Nena Celebrates 40th Stage Anniversary with GLP JDC1

17/11/2017 - Production News

Germany – When pop icon Nena celebrated her 40th stage anniversary, the radio and TV host Thomas Gottschalk led a constant stream of top international stars coming and going to honour the occasion. Peter Maffay, Gianna Nannini, Wolfgang Niedecken von Bap and Dieter Meier of YELLO were among the illustrious guests along with other well-wishers like Sasha, Samy Deluxe, Frida Gold or The Boss Hoss. Even Dave Steward insisted on passing by for a duet.

TiMax creates atmospheric complexity and calm in off west end theatre, The Space

17/11/2017 - Production News

UK – The off-West End fringe venue the Space, and its in-house company, Space Productions, are building a solid reputation around great acting and direction as well as new and challenging drama. The company’s sound designer, Keri Chesser, is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of sound design within the intimate site, confidently manipulating the audio framework of productions using a TiMax SoundHub spatial audio matrix. Not only are sound effects cleverly integrated but also the intimacy of the theatre’s atmosphere is enhanced and also exploited for benefit of audience reaction.

Claypaky AXCOR 300: Small body, big personality, mass appeal

17/11/2017 - Equipment News

The new Axcor 300 family of moving LED fixtures brings Claypaky’s no-compromise quality and performance to the broad mid-market. The range consists of a spot light, a wash light and a beam light, all driven by a white LED engine with a rated power of up to 180 Watts. The quality of their effects, their construction, and their high light output derive from the high-end products Claypaky specialises in.

Pinewood MBS Lighting support Rodents of Unusual Size on David and Bathsheba

17/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Rental specialist, Pinewood MBS Lighting, has worked alongside Cinematographer Josie Williams on the award winning David and Bathsheba by directors Sammy Patterson and Dagmar Scheibenreif.

Doughty Engineering awards future star at annual gala dinner

17/11/2017 - Event News

UK – Doughty Engineering has awarded an aspiring performing arts student for his achievements at a gala dinner hosted by Brockenhurst College. Cayton Francis was chosen to receive the accolade at the awards ceremony on 15th September,

BroadWeigh looks forward to exciting networking opportunities at LDI

17/11/2017 - Event News

USA – BroadWeigh is set to meet with several of its Product Partners and end users at LDI in Las Vegas to introduce them to the latest updates and additions to its product range.

A.C. Entertainment Technologies Partners with Steve Warren to Develop Chroma-Q UK and Ireland Sales

16/11/2017 - Business News

A.C. Entertainment Technologies Ltd. (AC-ET) is delighted to announce that well known industry face, Steve Warren is now working in partnership with the company to develop sales of Chroma-Q's award-winning lighting fixtures range, as the brand's exclusive dealer for the UK & Ireland.

Five London theatres awarded vital funding to secure their buildings for future use

16/11/2017 - Business News

UK – Theatres Trust, the national advisory public body for theatres, have announced five small theatres in London to benefit from the third round of its London Theatres Small Grants Scheme. The awards have been made to theatres in need of immediate repairs, addressing accessibility issues and improving conditions for staff, performers and audiences. Recipients of the £5,000 grants include Applecart Arts, Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Chats Palace, Park Theatre and The Space.
The scheme was launched in Summer 2015 by Cameron Mackintosh’s Mackintosh Foundation in partnership with the London Mayor’s Office, to help small theatres in the city with vital capital funding. In Spring 2016 Fawn James joined the Mackintosh Foundation as the second major donor to the London Theatres Small Grants Scheme.
The recipients:

Eighth Day Sound Joins Adamson Sales Network and Installs IS-Series Systems

16/11/2017 - Business News

USA – Building on a long and successful business relationship, Cleveland, OH’s Eighth Day Sound has officially joined Adamson Systems Engineering’s sales network on the back of significant installations at the corporate headquarters of a US-based Fortune 500 company and the University of Buffalo.

Chroma-Q Space Force Fixture Provides Powerful Soft Lighting for Marjan Television Network Studios

16/11/2017 - Project News

UK – The award-winning Chroma-Q Space Force fixture has been selected to provide powerful soft lighting for the studios of Wimbledon, London-based Marjan Television Network – one of the leading broadcasters to the Persian-speaking world with over 25 million viewers.

Chauvet Professional Brightens Imagine Festival’s Inferno Stage

16/11/2017 - Production News

USA – In 1997 race car driver Geoff Bodine put the pedal to the metal and reached 197.479mph on the famed Atlanta Motor Speedway. No one has ever equaled that speed on the big course since, but the action was probably even more blistering on the weekend of 22nd - 24th September, as close to 100,000 fans descended on the site for the Imagine Festival. Nowhere was the action hotter than on the Inferno stage, where Deadmau5, Flux Pavilion, The Floozies and other stars jammed under the intense output of Chauvet Professional Rogue fixtures supplied by 4Life Entertainment.

Jack & Jack Hit The Road With Bandit Lites

16/11/2017 - Production News

USA – Bandit Lites is out with viral pop stars Jack & Jack for their Fall 2017 Tour promoting their latest EP Gone. Comprised of Jack Gilinsky and Jack Johnson, the duo has amassed a following online of millions with their music, witty antics and relatability. The tour kicked off in October and concludes this December.

Hanslee Lim Joins Chauvet to Direct Sales in Asia

16/11/2017 - People News

Asia – In another sign of Chauvet’s commitment to expanding its global reach, the company has announced that well-known industry figure Hanslee Lim will be spearheading its sales efforts in Asia. Lim comes to Chauvet after directing Asian market sales for Robe and prior to that SGM.

Christie introduces Crimson Series of 3DLP laser phosphor projectors with 25,000 lumens and BoldColor Technology

16/11/2017 - Equipment News

The new Christie Crimson Series of 3DLP laser phosphor projectors deliver up to 25,000 ISO lumens, 60Hz processing, and Christie BoldColor Technology in a compact and rugged package with a low cost of ownership for rental, staging and fixed installation customers. For further cost savings, customers can upgrade from their existing Christie M Series and Christie J Series to experience the lamp-free technology of the Christie Crimson WU25 and HD25 without needing to purchase new lenses.

J&C Joel crowned National Business Awards Exporter of the Year

16/11/2017 - Business News

UK – J&C Joel has won the Exporter of the Year category at the Lloyds Bank National Business Awards.

Alamo Drafthouse Entertains with Allen & Heath

16/11/2017 - Project News

USA – Known for “dinner, drinks, movies and events, all under one roof,” Austin, Texas-based Alamo Drafthouse recently upgraded its Highball location with an Allen & Heath Qu-24 digital mixer and its Barrel O’ Fun location with a Qu-24 mixer and an AR-2412 AudioRack.

Britrow goes Heavy on Entertainment

16/11/2017 - Production News

Europe – Never one to rest on his laurels, Robbie Williams' Heavy Entertainment Show is a robust demonstration of how this consummate performer defies all his critics with his irreverent mix of wit and self-deprecation nicely served up on a bed of enduring hits, sing-alongs and rousing anthems. Between the 2nd June and 10th September, Williams plays to sell out audiences at arenas, stadiums and even the occasional muddy field across seventeen European nations. From arenas to 70,000 people in the open air is as broad a demand as can be imagined for any PA. Sound engineer Simon Hodge is mixing on an Digico SD7 using an L-Acoustics K1 based system from Britannia Row Productions (Brit Row) and has not found it wanting.

AKG C636 master reference hand-held condenser microphone now available

16/11/2017 - Equipment News

AKG by Harman and UK distributor Sound Technology Ltd have announce immediate availability of the new AKG C636 master reference hand-held condenser microphone. Building on the legendary studio-quality sound of the acclaimed C535 microphone, the C636 innovates by providing professional singers with unparalleled stage reliability and performance. In addition to a custom-tuned capsule with hand-selected components, the C636 is engineered to reject feedback, handling noise and pop noise so vocalists can fully focus on their performance.

Lady Antebellum, P!NK, Reba McEntire, and Others Shine with Stellar Audio Quality

16/11/2017 - Production News

USA – The 51st Annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards once again brought together the biggest names in country music for an evening of memorable performances. The three-hour telecast found 14.3 million viewers tuning in to listen to their favourite artists, while watching award presentations of country music’s highest honours. Sennheiser microphones and wireless systems were present throughout the broadcast, which turned out to be ABC’s most highly viewed Wednesday night program in three years.

Alcons is an Offstage (and Onstage) Success in Poland

16/11/2017 - Production News

Poland – Alcons Audio has recently added another new territory to its global spread of users, with Polish event production company Offstage using its QR, QM and VR series pro-ribbon systems on a wide range of events. Two of the most recent have been corporate orchestral concerts in the Baltic resort of Sopot.

ProLights StudioCOBs in High Demand at Impact Production Services

16/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Rental company, Impact Production Services (IPS) is experiencing unprecedented demand from its customers for the ProLights StudioCOB Plus LED PAR, which has been hugely popular across a wide range of events ranging from outdoor live music concerts to film premieres and corporate functions in high end hotels.

Hawthorn Hits the Road Again with OMD

15/11/2017 - Production News

Europe – Hawthorn is once again heading out on tour with influential 80s' new wave group, OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark). The company will be supplying lighting and crew to the band as they take their ‘The Punishment of Luxury Tour’ around the UK and Europe.

ADB, the Brand that Made Stage Lighting History has Now Landed in America with Big Goals

15/11/2017 - Event News

USA – ADB has landed in America, at the LDI show in Las Vegas. What’s more, ADB is doing it with the backing of Claypaky and the Osram Group, which took over this important brand in 2016. Through in-depth market insight and advanced technological know-how, it aims to optimise the brand’s excellent products after having updated production all over the world.

Arena UK & Europe supply BFI temporary cinema

15/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Working with People, the live creative agency who ran the project on behalf of the BFI, teams from Arena Structures and Arena Seating built the 829-capacity cinema in Victoria Embankment Gardens.

Gareth Clark Joins 11th Hour

15/11/2017 - People News

UK To meet growing demand for its services, Cardiff-based event service provider 11th Hour has appointed electrician of 20 years, Gareth Clark, to its team. Gareth has extensive experience across the commercial electrical sector on landmark projects such as the O2 Arena, The Reuters Building and a number of other London locations, perhaps most notably as a supervisor for Honeywell during the construction of the new Wembley Stadium, where he had responsibility for turnstiles and escalators as well as installing PAVA and fire alarm provision. Closer to 11th Hour's Cardiff base, Gareth is very familiar with regular 11th Hour territories, including The Principality Stadium and Celtic Manor. Although very comfortable handling large scale projects, Gareth has a broad-based background and recently completed a foundation degree in Live Event Technology at the University of South Wales.

RabCup Reveal Exhibit Details of Wiess Energy Hall's Highlight Installation, “Energy City”

15/11/2017 - Project News

USA – RabCup, hired by Paul Bernhard Exhibit Design and Consulting (PBE) to bring the famed “Energy City” to life are now unveiling the details of this epic installation which took over two years to develop.

Hollywood Bowl Enhances its L-Acoustics System with New Amplified Controllers

15/11/2017 - Project News

USA – Set against the striking backdrop of the Hollywood Hills with its iconic Hollywood sign, the Hollywood Bowl is the summer home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and has been L.A.’s signature live-music venue for nearly a century.

PLASA Focus returns to Glasgow with over 80 brands and leading programme

15/11/2017 - Event News

UK – PLASA Focus Glasgow, Scotland’s only dedicated event for entertainment technology, returns to the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) on the 17th - 18th January. Free registration is now open for the show, which hosts leading international brands, networking events and a programme of seminars and workshops.

Visitors will have access to over 80 pro audio, lighting, AV, rigging and staging brands including Avolites, Chauvet, Bose, ETC, Funktion-One and Robe, with representatives on hand to discuss and showcase the latest releases.

Industry professionals can take advantage of a diverse programme including: lighting designer duo Simon Hayes and Kate Bonney will talk about their work on The Enchanted Forest, Scotland's largest outdoor light and sound show. In addition to attracting over 70,000 visitors this year, this innovative show has won a host of prestigious awards including the UK Event Award for Best Cultural Event. The team will discuss their experience of working in the challenging environment, what state-of-the-art equipment helped them realise their vision and lessons they’ve learnt for lighting other outdoor events.

Lighting professionals can also get hands-on training courtesy of ChamSys. Over two days, attendees can learn the basics of MagicQ, MagicVis Visualisation, MagicHD media player, and find out more about the latest MagicQ software.

For audio professionals, Oran Burns of d&b audiotechnik will offer a fresh voice on the much-debated topic of frequency response for live sound systems. He will consider hearing sensitivity, creative preferences, room acoustics and cultural trends, and will ask the sound engineers in the audience: “are you listening?”

High Frequencies: Yamaha Flies in the DOX Airship

15/11/2017 - Project News

Czech Republic – Perhaps one of the most unusual cultural buildings in Europe, from ground level the airship at DOX Centre for Contemporary Art in Prague appears to float above the surrounding buildings. For those that venture inside it, a Yamaha audio system proves that great sound in an airship is no flight of fancy.

ETC gets 'CYC-ed' for LDI 2017

15/11/2017 - Event News

USA ETC’s booth at LDI 2017 will be awash in colour as the new ColorSource CYC luminaire makes its debut at the Las Vegas Convention Center. From 17th to 19th November, visitors to booth #2773 can demo the new fixture – a compact, affordable five-colour LED cyclorama light that specialises in smooth washes and rich colour – and see its striking optics in action on the booth’s cyc.

Proteus Bridge of Light for Reformation Anniversary in Worms, Germany

15/11/2017 - Production News

Germany – It has been 500 years since Martin Luther sparked the Reformation and the German city of Worms, which played a central role in the movement, has been marking the event throughout the year. From 27th October 27th to 1st November, a spectacular "Ecumenical Bridge of Light" was cast between the city’s St. Peter’s Cathedral and the Luther Church using Elation Professional Proteus Hybrid moving heads.

Tommex Provides Zatoka Sportu with Community’s Quality Sound

14/11/2017 - Project News

Poland – Tommex Żebrowscy Sp. J. has recently completed the design and installation of the audio systems for Zatoka Sportu (Sports Bay), the new water sports facility at the Academic Sports and Teaching Center of the Technical University of Łódź.

Capital Sound Invests in Second SSL L500 for the Killers and Avid Venue S6L for Emeli Sandé

14/11/2017 - Production News

Capital Sound, one of the UK’s largest live sound hire companies, has added a second SSL L500 and an Avid Venue S6L to its console inventory in a recent purchase from professional audio specialist HD Pro Audio.

Colour Sound Finds Common Ground with Above & Beyond

14/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Lighting and visuals rental specialist Colour Sound Experiment delivered lighting and video equipment for Neil Marsh’s stunning show design for popular alt.trance aficionados Above & Beyond at London’s O2 Arena. The high profile one-off was effectively a ‘soft’ album launch for their new “Common Ground” work and comes ahead of an extensive 2018 tour which will kick off in the US.

Lighting Gets Savage for Gary Numan Tour

14/11/2017 - Production News

Gary Numan is back with industrial strength impact to match the success and acclaim of his 21st album, “Savage (Songs from A Broken World)”, which stormed into the UK charts at number 2, energising a massive interest in the artist who has influenced a generation of electronic music with innovative sounds and ideas whilst maintaining a super-loyal cult following.

Party in the Pines Lighting Pops with Bandit Lites

14/11/2017 - Production News

USA – Country fans turned out to enjoy the hits from country music’s biggest names at the inaugural Party in the Pines Music Festival. Bienville Entertainment turned to Bandit Lites, the world’s premier concert lighting company and the industry’s best in festival lighting systems to supply the lighting for the two stages.

Yves Aucoin Puts Celine Dion in the Frame with Ayrton MagicPanel-R

14/11/2017 - Production News

Europe – This summer’s Celine Dion LIVE 2017 tour, in support of her 2016 French-language album Encore un soir, took the Canadian songstress on a 25-date tour of Europe in her first major tour for eight years. Celine Dion LIVE 2017 sold out at every venue as it visited stadiums and arenas in Denmark, Sweden, England, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland and Germany, and received stellar reviews that confirmed Dion is an artist at the height of her career.

Rob Clark Named Managing Director of Allen & Heath

14/11/2017 - People News

UK – Allen & Heath has announced the appointment of R&D Director, Rob Clark to the role of managing director, following the decision by long-standing company figurehead, Glenn Rogers, to pass on the reins to the next generation.

ChamSys MagicQ Stadium Wing Showcased at LDI

14/11/2017 - Event News

USA – A MagicDMX Basic USB-DMX interface giveaway and a new addition to the award-winning MagicQ Stadium series are among the highlights at LDI for ChamSys. The company will be giving interfaces to the first 100 visitors to its booth (1415) who have downloaded and installed MagicQ on their PCs, Macs or Linux systems.

Preston Trail Mckinney Church on the Move with Martin Audio WPM

14/11/2017 - Project News

USA – A portable church setup designed to go in and out of a middle school gym every weekend, Preston Trail McKinney obviously required streamlined equipment for its audio, video, lighting, staging and furniture setups. Given the venue’s limitations, it turned out to be an ideal setting for Martin Audio Wavefront Precision Mini (WPM), the first of many installations for the popular new system in the US.

Earpro steps up to distribute Green Hippo’s product line in Portugal and Spain

14/11/2017 - Business News

Iberian Peninsula Green Hippo has announced the appointment of Earpro as its distributor in Portugal and Spain. This announcement heralds a further exciting addition to the Green Hippo distributor ranks and, with immediate effect, Earpro will put its considerable commercial weight and industry experience behind taking Green Hippo’s award-winning line of real-time video playback technology into these two valuable markets.

Elation IP65 Lighting Complements Innovation Theme at Boston’s HUBweek

14/11/2017 - Production News

USA – Innovation is the key theme of HUBweek, a unique civic festival held each year in Boston that brings together creative minds who make an impact in technology, science and art. This year’s HUBweek saw entertainment solutions company High Output decorate Boston’s City Hall Plaza in colour and effects using Elation Professional IP65-rated lighting, a boost of eye-catching appeal for the festival’s new, centralised format.

Aarhus Musikhuset Joins the Spiiders Web

13/11/2017 - Project News

Denmark – Musikhuset Aarhus (also known as Aarhus Concert Hall) in Aarhus, is the latest in a number of high profile theatre venues in Scandinavia to invest in Robe, with a substantial purchase of 78 Spiider LED wash beam fixtures.

TMB Offers Technology and Hospitality at LDI 2017

13/11/2017 - Event News

USA – At LDI this year,TMB will once again feature exciting new technology in a comfortable, laid back setting. From fixtures, control, and networking to cabling, power distro, and rigging accessories there’s plenty to check out at TMB.

Libera on the Beach

13/11/2017 - Production News

Italy – The remarkable LITEC Alusfera 76 II roof was recently selected to serve as the main stage for one of the most unique concert beach events of the year – the “Summer Beach Arena”

Fit for a King: Yamaha Helps Transform Former Abbey into the Heart of a Community

13/11/2017 - Project News

The Netherlands – As society evolves, the uses for historic buildings also change and, sometimes, disappear. Some of these buildings are replaced, others stand empty before submitting to nature or demolition contractors. However, happily some are restored and enjoy a whole new lease of life. This is the case at Ons Koningsoord, a former Trappist abbey and monastery, where a major Yamaha audio system has helped it to become the vibrant new heart of the Dutch village of Berkel-Enschot.

Le Maitre Unveils New Wireless Salamander Quad Pro flame machine at LDI 2017

13/11/2017 - Event News

USA – This year Le Maitre is celebrating its 40th anniversary. To mark the occasion the company will be unveiling its new wireless Salamander Quad Pro at this year’s LDI, as well as showing a whole host of their other smoke, haze, flames and pyrotechnics.

Elation Lighting Enhancement at Fashion Drive Shopping Centre in Monterrey, Mexico

13/11/2017 - Project News

Mexico – Fashion Drive is a world-class shopping centre in Monterrey, Mexico, that offers all the amenities of modern retail. Located in the city’s contemporary municipality of San Pedro Garza Garcia, Fashion Drive is a high profile shopping centre whose modern design goes beyond shopping to embrace leisure, entertainment, dining, and even a hotel. Opened in March 2017, the modern shopping mall features top fashion brand stores and stretches across four levels.

Minneapolis Convention Center Installs Unconventional L-Acoustics System

13/11/2017 - Project News

USA – When Milwaukee-based Clearwing Productions took on the job of designing a new audio system for the Minneapolis Convention Center, it was even more of a blank slate than a typical install. The nature of the space itself and the wide range of events it hosts demanded an extreme level of flexibility, and that’s before taking into account the complications inherent in any government job. To meet the often conflicting audio and production needs and stay within a very tight budget, Clearwing turned to a large system centred on Kara and Kiva enclosures from L-Acoustics.

Kinesys at LDI 2017

13/11/2017 - Event News

USA - Automation and motion control manufacturer Kinesys exhibits at LDI for the first time on its own booth (843) where it will be creating a strong presence with an international team and an eye-catching design showing a selection of key products which will be moving and working in situ.

Robe at LDI 2017

13/11/2017 - Event News

USA - Robe will showcase its dynamic new MegaPointe multi-functional moving light, bringing all the excitement and buzz of real live performance to the exhibition floor at the Robe City Music Hall (on booth 715) which will present the MegaPointe Live show, an hourly extravaganza not to be missed!

Ayrton’s New Products Make US Debut at LDI Show

10/11/2017 - Event News

USA – Ayrton will continue to celebrate its 15th anniversary at the LDI Show in Las Vegas Convention Center (booth no 2443) with an exciting new variation on its much-anticipated light show. Visitors to the booth are in for a treat as they enter a ‘crystal dome’ to witness over 300 new Ayrton fixtures presented in a spectacular display, and even have the chance to sit in one of the special gaming chairs.

Tracey Dear Makes Chicago River Glow with Chauvet Professional

10/11/2017 - Production News

USA – “Why would you light a bridge with moving fixtures?” Tracey Dear heard this question on more than one occasion when he spec'ed Chauvet Professional Rogue R2 Washes to bathe the Clark Street and Dearborn Street Bridges in a vibrant purple for the Susan G. Komen Ignite the Fight fundraiser to aid cancer research. For Dear, the answer revolved around a single word, “flexibility.”

Robert Juliat announces new partner for Chile with Santiago-based company, VGL

10/11/2017 - Business News

Chile – Robert Juliat and VGL have entered into a new agreement for VGL to become the official partner for the distribution of all Robert Juliat products in Chile.

Mojo Barriers Supplies Multiple Artists’ Tours Across The Globe

10/11/2017 - Production News

Worldwide – Mojo Barriers is supplying almost 2km of its specially designed touring barrier this autumn to a range of this year’s most anticipated tours.

White Light Installs Pharos System at Churchill War Rooms

10/11/2017 - Project News

UK – At Churchill War Rooms, visitors can walk in the footsteps of Winston Churchill and glimpse into what life would have been like during the tense days and nights of the Second World War. Situated within the Churchill War Rooms is the award-winning interactive Churchill Museum tells the story of Winston Churchill’s remarkable 90-year life, from his childhood to his military career, two periods as Prime Minister and beyond. Last month, IWM added a new display to the Churchill Museum exploring Winston Churchill’s relationship with the Middle East. With the new display relying heavily on technical equipment, IWM approached White Light to install a brand new technical system in Churchill and the Middle East, which was driven by a Pharos Controller.

HD Pro Audio Holds Showcase Event for DiGiCo and KLANG:technologies

10/11/2017 - Event News

UK - HD Pro Audio has announced it is holding a one day technology showcase event, featuring the DiGiCo SD12 and the latest developments from KLANG:technologies’ 3D binaural IEM mixing system.

Bandit Lites Nominated for Lighting Company of the Year

10/11/2017 - Event News

USA – Bandit Lites, renowned concert lighting company and nearly 50 year veteran of the touring industry, is rounding out an incredibly successful 2017 with a nomination for Lighting Company of the Year from PLSN and FoH Magazines’ 18th Annual Parnelli Awards. Bandit Lites has been nominated every year since the inception of the event and has won six times.

Chase & Status Brixton

09/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Popular UK DnB band Chase & Status played a high-profile sold-out show at London’s Brixton Academy, it was only their second live appearance in the UK this year after headlining the Lovebox Festival for which show designer/director Andy Hurst created a high-energy collage of lighting, lasers, set and video to keep their enthusiastic fan base stoked with visual treats!

Digital Dynamite Productions’ “Organic Wall” Uses Chauvet Professional F3 Panels

09/11/2017 - Event News

USA – There is an elegant simplicity to Oracle software, a fluidity of design that makes even the most complex computing tasks appear seamless and natural. This almost magical quality was very much in evidence in early October at the Oracle Open World conference in the new products unveiled by the host company. It was also on display in a booth set up by one of the conference’s vendors, Vexata, where a dynamic social media-connected video wall blended effortlessly into its surroundings with help from some Chauvet Professional F3 LED panels.

Adamson and The Warehouse Welcome Hawthorn as a Certified Reseller

09/11/2017 - Business News

UKAward-winning creative technical event production company Hawthorn has officially become an Adamson certified reseller in the UK.

Green Hippo Adds to Tech Team

09/11/2017 - People News

UK - Green Hippo has announced that it has recruited Alex Kirby to its London HQ. Alex joins as junior support technician, bringing seven years’ experience working with All Safe and Sound, the AV solutions provider, as well as a technology degree earned at Northumbria University.

HK Audio unveils the new generation of the Lucas Nano family

09/11/2017 - Equipment News

HK Audio has introduced the new generation of its bestselling Lucas Nano family of portable, high-performance stereo PA systems. New for November 2017 are the Lucas Nano 302, Lucas Nano 305 FX and Lucas Nano 605 FX, joining the already available 608i and 602 models.

L-Acoustics Implements the World’s Largest AVB Touring System for Arcade Fire’s Infinite Content Tour

09/11/2017 - Production News

North America – Supporting their latest release, Everything Now, Canadian indie rockers Arcade Fire have just wrapped up the two-month North American leg of their Infinite Content tour, performing in-the-round at more than two dozen arenas across the continent. The band, which is celebrated by music critics and fans alike for pushing the envelope of multiple genres, similarly pushed the boundaries of AV technology on this trek by carrying the world’s largest audio video bridging (AVB) system to date for touring concert sound reinforcement.

Triplex relies on DiGiCo for London Grammar tour

09/11/2017 - Production News

Worldwide – Trip-hop trio London Grammar has been touring its new album Truth is a Beautiful Thing since March. The band’s atmospheric performance is enhanced by a cinematic set and needed a clarity and depth of audio to match. “Because of that, we chose DiGiCo consoles for both front of house and monitors,” says Ross Cornwall, managing director of Triplex Productions, which supplies the band’s audio system.

GDS Appoints Harry Pain as Sales and Marketing Support

09/11/2017 - People News

UK – GDS has announced the appointment of Harry Pain to the post of sales and marketing assistant, supporting its growing team. Harry is a dynamic recent graduate, holding a BA (Hons) in Event and Hospitality Management, who joins the company after three years experience in administration, office support, research and content creation for Penny Brohn UK, a major cancer support organisation. His academic background combined with the wide-ranging experience gained in his previous role makes him a perfect fit for the demands of his new position, which will see him offer support across the GDS team as well as liaising with customers and outside agencies.

Elation DARTZ 360: New projection possibilities from a narrow-beam luminaire

09/11/2017 - Equipment News

Elation Professional is offering the DARTZ 360, a unique LED beam/spot fixture that offers new projection possibilities from a compact, narrow-beam luminaire. The DARTZ 360 is the first RGB source beam/spot to combine such a high level of output with smooth colour-mixing, gobos, effects and sharp optics in such a small package.

LSC Lighting Consoles Offer Powerfully Simple Control for PKE Lighting's Film and Television Customers

09/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Leading Manchester-based film, television and photographic equipment rental company, PKE Lighting, has invested in 16 LSC Lighting Systems consoles to provide its customer base with simple manual control of fixtures on high-profile film and television production projects.

Marjan Television Network Upgrades Studios to Cutting-Edge LED Lighting Rigs Supplied by AC-ET

08/11/2017 - Project News

UK – Wimbledon, London-based Marjan Television Network, one of the leading broadcasters to the Persian-speaking world, has just completed a major refurbishment of its four-studio complex to cutting-edge new LED lighting rigs featuring Chroma-Q, Spotlight, ProLights and Quasar Science fixtures supplied, along with all associated cabling, by A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) Ltd.

ETC introduces ColorSource CYC

08/11/2017 - Equipment News

ETC’s newest addition to the ColorSource fixture family is the ColorSource CYC. A dedicated cyclorama fixture with a sole purpose of creating beautiful, smooth washes of light on a cyclorama or wall, ColorSource CYC produces a wide range of bold colours using a unique, all-LED, five colour mix of red, green, blue, indigo, and lime.

Carmen Savarese named Sales and Marketing Director at Tomcat and JTE

08/11/2017 - People News

Tomcat USA, Inc. manufacturer and distributor of the well-known Tomcat and James Thomas Engineering truss brands, has announced that Carmen Savarese will step into the position of sales and marketing director effective from 6th November, 2017.

Steve Bewley Goes Dizzee for GLP JDC1

08/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Among lighting designer Steve Bewley’s high profile roster of artists is champion of hip-hop, Dizzee Rascal, in a relationship dating back eight years.

Little Ceasars Arena and Elation Custom Light Ceiling in a Class by Itself

08/11/2017 - Project News

USA – Little Ceasars Arena in Detroit opened in September to praise as one of the most innovative and technologically impressive sports and entertainment complexes in the world. Part of the credit can be taken by the venue’s unique dynamic ceiling, a 43,000-square-foot wire grid onto which nearly 1,700 custom LED strip lights from Elation Professional are mounted.

It’s a Love Thing for Robe at Laver Cup Tennis

08/11/2017 - Production News

Czech Republic – A mix of 108 Robe BMFL Spots, WashBeams and Wash XFs, plus 80 Spiider LED wash beams proved a perfect match to light the first Laver Cup international tennis tournament.

Meyer Sound Leopard Powers Critically Acclaimed Danish Staging of a Disney Classic

07/11/2017 - Production News

Denmark – Chalking up a new record as Denmark’s most acclaimed musical theatre production, a Danish language version of Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame: The Musical was showered with an unprecedented 27 six-star reviews for its sell-out performances in Copenhagen. Produced by the Fredericia Theatre, Klokkeren Notre Dame – the Danish title – has enraptured audiences at the Royal Danish Theatre’s Old Stage with inspired performances, extravagant visuals and enthralling music as reproduced by a Meyer Sound reinforcement system with Leopard line array loudspeakers.

Bandit Brings the Lighting to IEBA Annual Conference

07/11/2017 - Production News

USA – The International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) held its annual conference 15th - 17th October at the Omni Nashville and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Bandit Lites worked with the team at Chris Lisle Lighting Design to provide lighting for the weekend, where keynote speakers were musician and actor Ice-T and the head of William Morris Endeavor’s music division, Marc Geiger.

New UK distributor to host Martin by Harman Open Day on 14th November

07/11/2017 - Event News

New Martin UK distributor Sound Technology Ltd has announced an Open Day on 14th November at its 4000 sq ft demonstration facility at its Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire head offices. The event will showcase a range of Martin products, in particular the acclaimed new MAC Encore. It's also ideal an opportunity for customers and LDs to meet the Sound Technology team.

Ayrton Magic Takes to the Skies with Enter Shikari at UK Slam Dunk Festival

07/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Ayrton’s magic touched audiences once again at the UK’s 2017 Slam Dunk Festival tour, which was headlined by innovative and futuristic band, Enter Shikari, in celebration of the tenth anniversary of band’s debut album Take To The Skies.

Dürlin’s Bladerunnaz Dance to BG’s MLA Compact

07/11/2017 - Production News

Hungary – Around 1,000 dance aficionados arrived at the Dürlin Budapest Event and Performance Space in Hungary recently to celebrate Bladerunnaz, the traditional annual opening of the Autumn/Winter season.

A.C. Special Projects Appoints Louise Dickson as Project Manager

07/11/2017 - People News

UK – Bespoke integrated lighting, audio and AV equipment solutions and installations provider, A.C. Special Projects Ltd. (AC-SP) has expanded its team with the appointment of new project manager, Louise Dickson.

A.C. Entertainment Technologies Appointed Panasonic Solutions Partner for Projectors and Displays

07/11/2017 - Business News

UK – A.C. Entertainment Technologies Ltd. (AC-ET) has been appointed as a Panasonic Solutions partner for the Panasonic range of professional projectors and large format display screens, bolstering the line-up of technologies available from its specialist video sales division.

Adlib Puts L-Acoustics and DiGiCo in the Limelight

07/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Leading UK audio specialist Adlib’s Scottish operation has recently supplied a substantial L-Acoustics package with DiGiCo control to Limelight Event Services, a busy and successful production and rental company based in Inverness, owned and run by Craig Duncan.

ACTLD utilises SGM lights for high-scale projects

06/11/2017 - Project News

World-wide renowned Koert Vermeulen is the principal designer, founder, and managing partner of ACTLD, directly leading 50% of all of the agency’s projects and highly involved in the end-result of every single project. The company is constantly innovating and has evolved from being a pure lighting design company for entertainment projects back in 1995, to embracing first video design, to architectural design, to now being a team of 20 people with a great diversity of skills. Today, ACTLD has a broad project span of exterior, interior, temporary and permanent entertainment and architectural installations.

Robe Gets Hï in Ibiza

06/11/2017 - Project News

Ibiza – A sizzling 2017 Ibiza summer season saw new clubbing experience Hï burst on the scene with fresh energy and impetus mainlined into the heart of the Balearic dance scene, fuelling the buzz, hosting the world’s most significant DJs, attracting a huge fan following and etching extraordinary memories on the psyche via incredible visual productions created by Romain Pissenem and his team from High Scream.

La Beriso Gets Power Look with Chauvet Professional

06/11/2017 - Production News

Argentina – In their hit single “At Dawn,” Argentinian rockers La Beriso sing about the undying resilience of dreamers. It is an apt theme for this hard-rocking group of seven musicians who struggled for some years after they formed their band in the gritty port city of Avellaneda, before breaking through as one of South America’s hottest artists, an accomplishment that led Rolling Stone Argentina to proclaim them “the new hope of street rock.”

ProLights Luma 1500 LED Spots Added to Blitz’s Rental Stock

06/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Full-service technical production company Blitz, A GES Company has recently invested in 24 ProLights Luma 1500 LED luminaires for use on high-profile corporate and live events.

International Code of Practice for Entertainment Rigging Now Available

06/11/2017 - Standards News

ESTA and PLASA announce the release of an International Code of Practice for Entertainment Rigging (ICOPER) which is available as a free download at www.esta.org/icoper or www.plasa.org/icoper.

Mountain Christian Church’s Abingdon Campus Reaches Peak Performance With L-Acoustics’ New Syva System

06/11/2017 - Project News

USA – When the leadership team at Joppa, Maryland-based Mountain Christian Church (MCC) found a prime location in nearby Abingdon to establish its fourth area campus, there was one thing that wasn’t quite so ideal, the facility’s low 13-foot ceilings, which limited sound reinforcement options for the planned 600-seat worship space. However, AVL systems provider Mankin Media Systems of Franklin, Tennessee was able to recommend a highly effective and elegant solution in the form of L-Acoustics’ brand new Syva colinear loudspeaker system.

Stage Production Co. Chooses Elation Effects for Birmingham’s Crane

06/11/2017 - Project News

UK – Full service production company, Stage Production Co., is supplying all the production for a new and unique multi-purpose event space in Birmingham called Crane and has turned to Elation Professional products to fulfil the lighting brief.

Helsinki City Theatre reopens after full refit designed by Theatreplan

03/11/2017 - Project News

Finland – Helsinki City Theatre, the biggest professional repertoire theatre in Finland, has recently reopened its doors after an extensive three-year refurbishment and upgrade process. The technical part of the multi-million Euro renovation project was designed and managed by leading international theatre consultants, Theatreplan.

Krystof Celebrates 25

03/11/2017 - Production News

Czech Republic – Czech pop rock band Kryštof celebrated their 25 year anniversary in style with a sold out arena tour and a massive two night concert at the Stadion Evžena Rošického in Prague, where they played two tumultuous shows to over 70,000 fans marking this incredible career achievement. They also released a special new album this year – ‘25’ – to coincide with an extensive live performance schedule.

11th Hour Supplies Turnkey Solution for Cardiff Ice Rink

03/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Cardiff-based events specialist 11th Hour is beginning preparations for another busy winter season which begins on 9th November with the opening of its flagship ice rink in the centre of the city. The rink is part of Winter Wonderland, Cardiff's premier seasonal attraction, which is presented by Sayers Amusements, running for nine weeks and boasting an extensive fairground with big wheel, rides, stalls and an authentic alpine village, complete with Bier Keller. Last year, a record-breaking 60,000 people attended the rink and as a consequence of such huge demand, this year's rink will be the largest to date, accommodating up to 290 skaters. The increased capacity of the rink is expected to see even higher attendances at this exceptional facility.

Washington National Cathedral

03/11/2017 - Project News

USA – The Washington National Cathedral is widely referred to as America’s “spiritual home.” Designated by an act of Congress as the “National House of Prayer,” the 1907 structure symbolises the emotional heart of the nation in the middle of its political capital. However, the Washington National Cathedral has the same economic concerns as any church or other non-profit institution, it has to operate as cost effectively as possible.

Chauvet Professional Maverick Gives Creative Edge to Auckland War Memorial Museum

03/11/2017 - Project News

New Zealand – The Auckland War Memorial Museum is one of New Zealand's most important landmarks. In addition to exhibits commemorating nation’s involvement in World War I and World War II, the museum features a rich collection of New Zealand natural and historical artefacts.

Airstar Sets the Course for the Régates Royales Cannes Lighting

03/11/2017 - Production News

France– After five consecutive years of successful co-operation, leading French manufacturer and provider of lighting balloons for the event industry, Airstar, became an official partner to the prestigious Régates Royales Cannes this year. Airstar’s lighting solutions were once again installed at the heart of the historic classic yachting event, the 160th edition of which took place between 23rd and 30th September.

PUR in Schalke – A Family Festival with Extra Class

03/11/2017 - Production News

Germany – If the six musicians of PUR keep their fans waiting for a whole year, there has to be a very good reason. A gigantic, one-off concert provided the answer, as for the sixth time at the Veltins Arena, 65,000 fans flocked to the ‘PUR & Friends’ concert. This gave them the chance not only to celebrate their band, but also a number of high-profile guests. Among them were Andreas Bourani, Daniel Wirtz, comedian Bülent Ceylan and Max Giesinger. The success of this mega-event was assured at the beginning of the year, when all tickets were sold out in a very short time.

Luminex Provides Show-Critical Networking Solution for Queensferry Crossing Bridge Reveal

03/11/2017 - Production News

UK – A.C. Entertainment Technologies Ltd. recently supplied Edinburgh-based rental and production company, Black Light, with Luminex GigaCore switches to provide a dual redundancy fibre network for the stunning 'reveal' of the new £1.35bn Queensferry Crossing bridge.

grandMA2 and Ian Livie Lighting: a perfect Free Spirit

03/11/2017 - Production News

UK - The Ian Livie Concert & Corporate Lighting has been in business long enough to need little introduction. Livie himself has been part of the industry since the early '80s and through to the 2000s when he established professional premises that now form the headquarters of his successful rental company that have the likes of Katy Perry, Little Man Tate and Paul Rodgers on its client list.

Avolites and Group One to unveil Ai v10.1 at LDI 2017

03/11/2017 - Event News

USA – UK manufacturer Avolites will be joining its US distributor, Group One Limited, at this year's LDI exhibition in Las Vegas, Nevada. Avolites and Group One team members will be ready to show visitors the very latest developments from the Avolites control and Ai media server product ranges.

Video Design and the class of Lady Antebellum

03/11/2017 - Production News

Europe – As boutique touring goes, the recent visit to Europe by Lady Antebellum had all the right elements, not least that classy touch of production which allows audiences to know they are witnessing something special. “We arrived 27th September and by the time we departed 11th October had played six shows in three countries,” said production manager Will Wilkison. “When you tour with such a tight schedule at an arena level the key is being able to source close what we use in the US.”

A little Imagination and Unusual thinking lights up Central Saint Martins for Tech Fest 2017

03/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Technology with Heart was the theme of Jaguar and Land Rover's inaugural Tech Fest which took place at Central Saint Martins in London in September. Organised by London based creative agency Imagination, the event explored how technology contributes to the auto industry and was packed full of innovative displays which demonstrated how technology is being used to make a positive difference.

Protec and Bumat Team Up in the Middle East

03/11/2017 - Business News

UAE – Protec, one of the world’s leading event solutions providers, headquartered in Dubai, UAE, has entered into an agreement with Bumat Motion Systems GmbH, the world’s leading manufacturer of turntables and revolves since 1948. Through this agreement, Protec will be better-positioned to provide its partners and customers with a more comprehensive product offer, and the industry’s leading source in the Middle East for turntables and revolving platforms rentals for events and exhibitions held in the region.

Butch Allen’s Dazzling Design for Paramore uses Elation ACL 360i

03/11/2017 - Production News

USA – Lighting designer Butch Allen created a stunning visual design for American rock band Paramore’s “Tour Two” US tour using a bevy of Elation Professional’s compact ACL 360i beam effect lights. Supplied by LMG Touring for the fall leg of the band’s US tour, which wrapped up on 17th October, 72 of the single-beam moving effects formed the aerial lighting focal point throughout the show.

Stylus Productions makes first investment in DiGiCo consoles

02/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Stylus Productions is a new, London-based company providing production management services and pro-audio rental. Founded in 2016 by Sam Thomas and Oliver Weeks, the company delivers a comprehensive service for the touring and live events industry and has an uncompromising approach to technical excellence. In line with this, all its hire stock is of the highest standards, which is why it has recently invested in DiGiCo mixing consoles, adding an SD10 and SD11 to its inventory.

Colours of Ostrava Bolstered with Vivid Chauvet DJ Installation

02/11/2017 - Production News

Czech Republic – Colours of Ostrava is the biggest international music festival in the Czech Republic and one of the largest in Central Europe. With its unique location at the Dolní oblast Vítkovice, an old Czechoslovak mine with UNESCO World Heritage status, the festival draws some of the biggest musical acts from around the globe. This year, it treated fans to performances from the likes of Imagine Dragons and alt-J on five stages.

Alison Krauss Tours with Bandit Lites

02/11/2017 - Production News

USA – Alison Krauss recently concluded a 21-city fall tour with a lighting package provided by Bandit Lites. The multi-instrumentalist bluegrass singer-songwriter, who currently holds a record number of 27 Grammys awards, released her Windy City LP, which quickly climbed the country and bluegrass charts.

Altman Lighting gets set to Bring Imagination to Light at LDI 2017

02/11/2017 - Event News

USA – As the lighting industry gets set to gather in Las Vegas for LDI 2017, Altman Lighting is preparing a showcase of its award-winning theatrical and architectural lighting innovations. Highlighted by the complete family of Chalice LED recessed and pendant downlights, along with the line of Gallery LED architectural luminaires, Altman Lighting will be in Booth 2236, and will also feature the award-winning Pegasus LED Fresnels and PHX LED profile ellipsoidals.

Prolyte Group adds partner to distribution network in North America

02/11/2017 - Business News

USA – Prolyte Group has added a new distribution partner to its global partner network. ProVision Staging LLC have become distribution partner for Prolyte in North America, serving the Hawaii region. Based on their experience in selling trussing and stage solutions, they aim to become a fully-fledged Prolyte distributor.

Harman Professional Solutions awards distribution of the full Martin by Harman brand portfolio to Sound Technology Ltd in the UK

02/11/2017 - Business News

UK – With effect from 1st November 2017, the full range of Martin by Harman professional lighting will be supplied and represented in the UK by Harman partner Sound Technology Ltd.

White Light Provides Lighting for Dinosaurs in the Wild

02/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Dinosaurs in the Wild is a unique and exhilarating blend of live-action theatre, theme park fun and the very latest palaeontological knowledge which transports visitors back 67 million years to encounter living dinosaurs as they’ve never been seen before. The multi-million pound experience launched at the NEC, Birmingham in June. It has now moved to Manchester’s EventCity, before arriving in London early next year for an eight-month long run on Greenwich Peninsula. The show uses cutting-edge audio-visual effects and dramatic storytelling to create an unforgettable prehistoric adventure. The lighting designer for the show is Adam Bassett from Woodroffe Bassett Design and he approached White Light to supply the majority of the lighting equipment and to also lead on the installation.

Caroline Beverley joins J&C Joel in Business Development Role

02/11/2017 - People News

UK – Leading manufacturer of flame retardant fabrics, drapery and stage engineering solutions, J&C Joel, has appointed Caroline Beverley in a business development role covering London and the south.

L-Acoustics K2 tames Tomorrowland’s challenging Lebanese venue

01/11/2017 - Production News

Lebanon – Tomorrowland held its first edition in the Belgian town of Boom in 2005 with an audience of just 10,000. Today it is one of the biggest EDM (electronic dance music) festivals in Europe. This year, it went truly global for the first time. Dubbed Unite, the concept connected Tomorrowland’s main stage in Belgium with eight locations around the world, attracting in excess of 400,000 people.

Experience Drives Education at Wichita Falls School with Help from Chauvet Professional

01/11/2017 - Project News

USA – A cosmetology salon with 26 stations isn’t something you normally find at a high school. Neither are an industrial certified welding shop, nor a fully scaled commercial kitchen, but the $28 million Career Education Center opened this year by the Wichita Falls Independent School District is clearly not your ordinary high school. Dedicated to providing its 1,300 students with real-world experience in everything from microbiology to farming, the 123,000 sq. ft. school provides students with realistic learning centres in 26 different career pathways.

Total Electronics Goes Full Circle with Ashly Gear

01/11/2017 - Project News

USA – Completed in time for the 2017-2018 school year, Neosho Junior High School in Neosho, Missouri is a welcomed addition to the Neosho School District. The 134,000 square-foot facility currently accommodates approximately 700 students and has space for 300 more. Prior to its completion, those students were awkwardly split between the middle school and the high school. The district hired Total Electronics Contracting (TEC) of nearby Joplin, Missouri to install a sophisticated sound reinforcement system for Neosho Junior High School's combination gym/auditorium. Because of their solid performance and reliability, TEC designed and installed a system based on Ashly Audio's nX-Series multi-mode amplifiers.

Launch and Learn Event Highlights Connection Between AV Trends and New Atlona Solutions

01/11/2017 - Event News

Switzerland – As Atlona prepares to celebrate its 15th year in business, the company has launched a series of “Launch & Learn” events for partners, including Atlona distributors and systems integrators. The goal of each event is to bring attendees up to speed on how recent Atlona innovations correlate with today’s most important industry trends, including AV over IP and networked control.

Australia – Synergy for success

01/11/2017 - Project News

Australia – Darling Harbour, a cultural and recreational district in Sydney, is just a stone’s throw away from the metropolitan city centre and offers a huge variety of leisure and entertainment facilities, including hotels, restaurants, cafés, shopping centres, museums, and attractive open spaces.

White Light Supplies Venus in Fur in West End

01/11/2017 - Production News

UK – Following a Tony Award-winning run on Broadway, Venus in Fur has now made its London debut, opening at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Starring Natalie Dormer and David Oakes, the critically-acclaimed two-hander follows a meeting between enigmatic actress Vanda Jordan and director Thomas Novachek, with Vanda determined to land the leading role in Thomas’ latest production. As a leading supplier to West End theatre, White Light was called upon to provide the lighting equipment.

University of Surrey Upgrade to Studer Vista 1

01/11/2017 - Project News

UK - HHB Communications Ltd. has supplied the University of Surrey, home of the world renowned Tonmeister course, with a Studer Vista 1 console. The new purchase is housed in the classical recording studio, Studio 1 where it is currently meeting a wide range of demands for projects covering audio engineering, theory and practical study of music and hands-on sound recording.
“There are many Studer Vista owners in the industry, including Chandos, the Royal Opera House, the BBC, and many OB trucks, which makes it perfect for training students for their future careers,” commented Russell Mason, senior lecturer of the Tonmeister course. With the course shaping the next generation of audio experts who have gone on to win Oscars, Grammys, Brits, Mercury Prizes, MPG and Emmy Awards, the demands for this new console were always going to be high.