UK - LS-Live has added Nick Howard into its growing team as head of sales. The stage, set and studio specialist in West Yorkshire has recruited Howard full-time to oversee sales across the business, particularly focusing on its staging equipment rental operation.

With a diverse background in retailing, Howard was previously marketing manager at international sports event management company Byrom Plc, which is responsible for all aspects of logistics, ticketing and accommodation packages for the World Cup and the Ryder Cup events. He has also worked in design and marketing for global marketing communications agency McCann Erickson and the Halstan Printing Group.

Said Howard: "I am excited about joining LS-Live and combining my professional experience and passion for the events industry with a team of dedicated and enthusiastic individuals. I believe that we now have the ri

UK - Wannabe rock stars from schools across West Yorkshire got a taste of stardom at the weekend thanks to an initiative from West Yorkshire Police, in association with Backstage Academy and LS-Live.

The second annual Battle of the Bands event saw nine student bands battle it out in a professional live environment in front of their peers and a judging panel that included Jude Abbott from Chumbawamba, on Sunday 15 July.

Horbury High's group Uneven Symmetry were crowned the winners of 'Best Original Song' and St Wilfrids' group Mongoose in the Pumphouse won 'Best Performance'. The bands won a prize trophy, a tour of the LS-Live rehearsal studios and one of the company's stage hire packages for the school.

Both bands were overjoyed to win the competition, which has now become a coveted annual police and partner lead event. Sgt Alan Studd from Pontefract & Knottingley police sai

USA - Music Group has announced the appointment of Steve Young to the role of vice president, installed sound. In his new role Young takes overall responsibility for Behringer's Eurocom line and will oversee all product, marketing and market development activities aimed at installed applications worldwide.

"Steve comes to us with what I would consider an ideal background in installed sound, spending nearly 16 years as a sound contractor designing and installing systems before serving 12 years at Atlas Sound, most recently as VP sales & marketing," says Costa Lakoumentas, senior VP marketing at Music Group. "I am thrilled to have a person of Steve's experience and integrity take over the management of Eurocom and take it to the next level."

"I am very excited to begin telling the story of Eurocom" says Young, "The commercial audio marketplace

UK- XL Events supplied audio and video equipment for two of the Škoda display areas at the recent 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Chichester, West Sussex.

One was in the Moving Motor Show where approximately 40% of visitors entered the event, and the other was at Škoda's Pavilion stand in the main exhibition area. Commissioned by A1 (Events & Exhibitions), based in Milton Keynes, XL Events was asked to provide video screens for both the inside and outside walls of the main Pavilion.

The main challenge when specifying the LED for the outer wall was to identify a product that was both light enough to hang on the exterior of a temporary structure, and that offered high resolution at short viewing distances.

Pixled's FX-11 was chosen as it is lightweight and suitable for outdoor use.

For the interior of the Pavilion, XL Events supplied two LCD seamless di

Turkey - Music fans in Turkey have been treated to a series of online 'unplugged' concerts during the first half of 2012, with performances by five of the country's brightest up-and-coming bands broadcast online by promoter Hafifmuzik. Each watched by 8-10,000 people, the sessions were mixed by engineer Cagan Tunali on a DiGiCo SD8.

The bands - Melis Danismend, Malt, Büyük Ev Ablukada, 123 and Multitap - were chosen as the most suitable for the target audience of young Internet users who were looking for quality music. High profile Turkish engineer Cagan was asked by the project's originator, music critic Mehmet Tez, to look after all the technical sound requirements.

"This was the first serious online unplugged project in Turkey," says Cagan. "My responsibilities included advising on the choice of sound equipment, deciding on how to set the bands up and being

Russia - The city of St. Petersburg welcomed the long-awaited premiere of City Lights an original ice show based on the famous 1931 Charlie Chaplin film. Produced by Russian ice dancer Ilya Averbukh, City Lights is a grand production that features Martin lighting effects and no less than seven Olympic and 11 world figure skating champions.

The performance demanded the highest quality lighting and Ilya Averbukh invited Alexey Mastryukov to create the impressive design. "A show by Ilya Averbukh is definitely a terrific and top quality project so of course you expect to see the same level when it comes to the lighting design," said Alexander Blednykh, owner of Euroshow, lighting equipment supplier for the show.

"The task for the lighting designer was really complicated," Alexander explains. "He needed to create something that was not only be

Germany - HK Audio's has extended its Elements series with the introduction of Elements Plus and Elements Install.

The Elements Plus E 835 is a mid/high unit that "provides even greater flexibility and power than its older brother (the E 435) when you want to set up bigger systems". Loaded with eight speakers, it can handle 300 watts at 8 ohms' impedance. The E 835 and E 435 mid/high units' design and tuning are identical, so combining them is easy.

The new E 210 Sub AS system subwoofer comes with two 1,200-watt amps in its engine room. Power amp number one drives the two internal 10" woofers, with plenty of juice left over to run an external passive type L Sub 1200. The second power amp delivers 900 watts at 2.6 ohms to drive up to three E 835s (or six E 435s).

The E 435 Install Kit: Mid/High Unit is designed to facilitate simple and inconspicuous installatio

UK - Allen & Heath has released a major firmware and driver update for its recording console, the GS-R24. The new firmware includes integrated support of the HUI protocol for direct integration with DAW applications with HUI MIDI control presets, such as ProTools and Reaper, and users also benefit from a range of enhancements to the FireWire interface driver.

HUI, which synchronises DAW software and connected hardware devices, is now emulated by three virtual MIDI ports in the GS-R24's new firmware, tunnelled over the mixer's FireWire connection. This means that for GS-R24M mixers equipped with the FireWire interface, a third party translator is no longer essential.

A new set of DAW Resource Packs is also available online, with step-by-step instructions and template projects to aid the set-up of popular recording software.

To coincide with the release, Allen & Heath will be

USA - Anne Minors of Anne Minors Performance Consultants will be one of four panellists to present a session at NATEAC 2012. Entitled Efficient Design Ideas for Theatres: How To Do More With Less, the session will explore ideas around how to maximise design efficiency in projects with modest budgets.

Minors will bring her knowledge and experience of 27 years of design - during which time she has designed over 100 rooms for concerts, opera and theatre - to the table, lodged in the AMPC quality trademarks which have earned the company its well-deserved reputation and numerous awards.

"At AMPC we take an integrated, holistic approach to design and spend a great deal of time on the details," explains Minors. "We give careful consideration to what each project needs and design for aesthetic effect as well as efficiency, often building features into the archite

UK - South London-based production and audio rental company ARC Sound has recently invested in a package of Coda Audio stage monitors.

Comprising 20 Cue Two and Cue Four monitors, they are the first Coda products that ARC Sound has added to its inventory. Managing director James Dougill was introduced to Coda products by UK technical sales manager Gareth Jones, who says, "I have known James for many years and I know that he is a real stickler for quality and attention to detail. I was sure that he would appreciate both the features and performance of the CUE-Series monitors."

The Cue Two is a three-way, high output, ultra low profile unit, which features a triaxial transducer incorporating a 15" woofer and 1.4" concentrically-mounted coaxial compression driver loaded by a 60° x 90° elliptical waveguide. The Cue Four is a three-way unit, employing tw

UK - Lift Turn Move has announced the appointment of Dan Holme to director of the Entertainment Division.

Lift Turn Move are a lifting company with two main markets: Industrial & Entertainment and over the past few years Dan Holme has been spearheading the growth of the Entertainment Division. Over these years, LTM have seen a steady increase in the number of enquiries coming from theatres, venues and other fixed-installation projects, which is a change from the touring market that they were used to.

John Jones & David King credit this shift to the introduction of the LoadGuard hoist in 2008 and also, to Dan Holme. Talking about the appointment, David King comments, "The role reflects what Dan has been doing day-in-day-out for a while now at LTM, and will help bring focus to the market as LTM continues to grow in both the entertainment and industrial sectors in which it s

On Tuesday 11 September, Lighting Designer Durham Marenghi and Associate LD, Tim Routledge will present 'A Triumph of Illumination - The Diamond Jubilee Concert' as part of the International & Major Projects sector of the PLASA Professional Development Programme.

Durham first got his hands on a lighting desk whilst still at school back in 1974 - all ten channels of it! Things have moved on a little since then; the range and diversity of his CV is second to none. From Roger Waters' performance of 'The Wall' that celebrated the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the closing ceremony of colonial rule in Hong Kong to a regular slot designing the New Year's Eve Light and Firework Show from the London Eye since 2004 and, of course not forgetting, Her Majesty The Queen's Golden Jubilee Light and Fireworks Extravaganza performed at Buckingham Palace in 2002. No surprise then that, in July of 201

UK - In response to rider requests, rental company SSE Audio Group has recently added a significant quantity of Audix microphones to its hire stock, which will be in use on stages across the UK throughout the summer festival season.

Distributed in the UK by SCV London, Audix microphones are rapidly gaining in popularity. SSE has purchased a number of D6s, OM7s and TM1s, which will be in constant use over the coming months.

"The D6 is becoming a very popular kick drum mic, which many of our clients have been requesting. They are turning up on almost 50% of the channel lists of bands that are appearing at the festivals we are providing equipment for this summer," says SSE assistant warehouse manager Chris Blackburn.

"They are a great alternative to the other kick drum mics that are requested and we're confident that we could use the D6 as a suitable substitute o

UK - Professional audio technology specialists HHB Communications has been appointed by digital console manufacturer DiGiCo as its broadcast dealer in the UK and Ireland.

DiGiCo's introduction of a broadcast specific feature set for its range of digital consoles has put the power and flexibility of their innovative console architecture and advanced software into the hands of broadcast engineers.

DiGiCo MD James Gordon explains that the appointment was a perfect fit - "HHB is a highly-respected company in the professional broadcast audio market and a trusted source of expertise who will properly represent our range of consoles to the UK's biggest broadcasters. We are very much looking forward to showing their clients how flexible and feature packed our consoles are."

HHB director of sales Martin O'Donnell states, "DiGiCo's consoles offer an innovative and intui

UK - Chauvet has announced its sponsorship of Knight of Illumination Awards, held in London on 9 September 2012.

The awards ceremony, organized by STLD, ALD as well as Clay Paky, is an opportunity to recognise outstanding achievements in lighting design by lighting designers in three main categories: television, rock events and theatre, as well as one special category for lifetime recognition.

It's a wonderful chance to support and award outstanding work in lighting design where both established and new designers are acknowledged," said Darren Jackson, national key accounts manager for Chauvet Europe.

(Jim Evans)

Austria - Robe moving lights and LED fixtures - around 135 in total - were again specified by lighting designer Helmut Krammer to illuminate the 2012 Summer Night Concert, staged by the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra in the sumptuous setting of Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The seminal cultural event was attended by over 100,000 people and beamed live by national broadcaster ORF2 and 3sat to approximately 60 other countries.

The Robe fixtures were used to light four key areas in Schönbrunn Palace's extensive and very beautiful gardens - the main and ballet stages, the Gloriette structure which stands prominently on the hill above the Palace and behind where the stage was located, and the magical Neptunbrunnen Fountains.

Krammer, who has lit every event for the past three years, chose Robes again after the great results he achieved at the 20

Austria - MEB Veranstaltungstechnik is the first Adamson Metrix partner in Austria. They are located in Leondig in Upper Austria near the city of Linz. This small format sound and lighting hire company established by Martin Lang and Markus Six about 10 years ago employs freelancers as needed.

Their main engagements are business and corporate events, design and installation services for permanent installations, and live performances for audiences as small as 100, up to a few thousand people.

MEB first heard the Adamson Metrix PA at a demo which took place in Munich, Germany. Adamson's Austrian representative Günther Huemer was then provided a demo for a live event, which lead to the decision to purchase a Metrix system, the first into Austria. "We heard things in the sound that we had never heard before, the system sounded really clear and specific." explains Lang. T

UK - Shure Distribution UK (SDUK), the distributor for leading pro audio brands including Shure, QSC, DIS, Sound Devices, Radial Engineering, Monster Cable and myMix, has announced the end of its long-standing UK distribution contract with Taiwanese company Phonic, manufacturer of compact audio mixers, amplifiers, processors and other pro audio equipment for the MI, pro audio and installation markets.

"In January we alerted Phonic of our intent to end our 18-year long distribution agreement in the UK and Ireland," explains Shure Distribution UK's managing director Peter James. "This was a huge decision for us, and one that we considered and deliberated over for many months, but in light of developments within the product ranges of our core brands, it was the only decision that made sense. The advanced technology in Shure's Axient and ULX-D products, QSC Audio's Q

South Afrfica - Keith Pugin has joined the team at DWR Distribution where he will assist with Prolyte, manufacturing, sales, installations and Prolyft motors.

Seven years ago, Pugin joined Electrosonic SA. He worked in the systems department and did lighting installations including the manufacture and design of lighting bars, custom steelwork and motor controllers. He became a product manager for CM Lodestar & Litec Trussing, providing sales and technical support.

"Over the last two years, I planned to start my own business," said Keith. "Then I decided to come on board at DWR."

"I really get so excited when I look at our team," commented Duncan Riley. "Everyone gets on so well and I am grateful to be surrounded by such amazing individuals."

(Jim Evans)

UK - PLASA has announced the shortlist of nominees for this year's prestigious Gottelier Award.

Named in honour of Tony Gottelier, the designer, innovator and industry commentator who died in 2006, this prestigious annual presentation aims to recognise "the product designers and developers who have made a significant and sustained contribution to the development of the equipment and tools that enable our entertainment technology practitioners to continually push the boundaries of event production, presentation and installation".

This year, a panel of 20 people, all with links to the PLASA organisation or its Media divisions, was invited to put forward their suggestions for the most deserving individuals or teams according to this criteria. From there, the final shortlist of six nominees was reached.

The nominees for the 2012 Gottelier Award are:

Nick Archdale<

Olympic Countdown - Spectators who attended a preview of the Olympic Games opening ceremony have been urged to keep the details secret and not spoil the surprise for others. Thousands of people who attended a rehearsal on Monday were asked not to circulate images or videos. Danny Boyle, the ceremony's artistic director, reportedly addressed the audience to "save the surprise".

About 62,000 are set to attend the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, east London, on Friday. The event is expected to be watched by an audience of billions worldwide. Olympic organisers Locog said the technical rehearsal for the opening ceremony "went very well". "The reaction from the attendees has been overwhelmingly positive on social media and crucially they are still helping us to save the surprise for the rest of the nation on Friday," it said.

Peop

There is an ever increasing demand for sound level measurements and control in the pro audio business. Knowing what to measure and the difference between various measurement types, will simplify daily life for sound engineers, venue operators and concert organizers alike.

In this presentation, Jacob Navne FOH engineer, and inventor of the 10 EaZy sound level measurement system, will provide a brief overview of measurement methods and pitfalls, their application and impact on the same source material, all presented in a very unscientific manner. The goal is to enable attendants to take part in future discussions with local authorities or other people from the "sound police", and to make qualified purchase decisions

presented by: Jacob Navne
Sunday 9 September, 2.00pm - 3.00pm

To book this and check out more free-to-attend sessions, check out the

PLASA 2012 is now accepting entries from all exhibiting manufacturers and their representatives for the 2012 PLASA Awards for Innovation and the PLASA Sustainability Award. Do you have a new product that you think deserves special recognition?

With a total of eight Awards for Innovation to judge, and with the option of bestowing a 'Gold' Award on one or more really outstanding entries, PLASA's panel of experts from across the industry are looking for products which "advance the industry by demonstrating a new style of thinking, improving technical practice or taking a key step forward in terms of safety." Entries will be judged on new and original thinking; novel ways of harnessing new technologies, materials or techniques; showing fresh perspectives and improvements in technical practices; original concepts that qualify for new patents or unique intellectual property or any

Recognition for the People Behind the Products

Named in honour of Tony Gottelier, the designer, innovator and industry commentator who died in 2006, this prestigious annual presentation aims to recognise "the product designers and developers who have made a significant and sustained contribution to the development of the equipment and tools that enable our entertainment technology practitioners to continually push the boundaries of event production, presentation and installation".

This year, a panel of 20 people, all with links to the PLASA organisation or its Media divisions, was invited to put forward their suggestions for the most deserving individuals or teams according to this criteria. From there, the final shortlist of six nominees was reached.

The nominees for the 2012 Gottelier Award are:

Nick Archdale

Nick A

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