China - System integrator TR Audio System Solutions has installed APG’s workhorse APG4000 Matrix Array system at two of China’s new nightspots.
Super Gaga, in Maoming, and Win Party, in Yunfu (both cities in TR Audio’s home province of Guangdong), are the latest additions to China’s fast-moving nightlife scene, where new clubs spring up seemingly by the day.
According to Huang Zhao, general manager of Guangzhou-based TR Audio, APG’s distributor in China, the majority of APG products are well suited to nightclub installations, given their powerful SPL output and enviable evenness of coverage.
For mid-sized clubs like Super Gaga and Win Party (both of which occupy an area of around 500m²), Zhao typically relies on the APG4000 - an evergreen choice for TR Audio, having been installed previously in similar nightlife venues in Guigang (Open Pie), Baise (PingGuo Boss) and Nanning (another Open Pie club).
“In this segment, most of our projects are based on the APG4000 matrix system, coupled with the TB218S subwoofer,” confirms Zhao. “At Super Gaga, for example, four 4000HI [speakers] are installed either side of the main DJ station, providing a coverage angle of vertical 30° (vertical) by 120° (horizontal).”
Comprising two individual speakers (4000HI and 4000LO), the APG4000’s modular design offers sound designers, integrators and installers a choice of configurations - from a barebones set-up comprising a single 4000HI cabinet to larger, medium- to long-throw configurations for both indoor and outdoor events. The APG4000
USA - This year’s Time For Music concert supporting the 37th annual Camp HASC for Jewish youth was held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Centre in Newark. Supporting the artists on stage and engaging the audience was an evocative lighting design by Ofir Ben-Haim that featured 34 Chauvet Professional COLORado PXL Curve 12 motorized battens supplied by Dynamic Vision.
Ben-Haim positioned fully pixel mappable RGBW fixtures around the main video screen. His goal was to “create a dynamic and immersive experience” for the audience by illuminating the artists and the stage from different angles and flanking them with bold displays to accentuate the mood and tone of their performance.
“I was inspired by the fixture’s pixel mapping, as well as its ability to create seamless symmetry and intense volumetric looks,” he explained. “I saw the fixture in videos promoting it on social media, and I had no doubt that it would be the perfect choice for the show. It was very exciting to see the fixtures for the first time in the show.”
The actual experience of using the fixtures lived up to Ben-Haim’s expectations. “I believe they contributed significantly to the overall success of the performance,” he said of the PXL Curve 12. “I used the fixture's bright and concentrated beam to create a stunning 3D effect on stage. By dividing the stage into segments, I was able to create a unique and immersive experience for the audience.”
Working with technical producers from Dynamic Vision and video content made from Visualive (Shmulik Ben Harush
Italy - Mods Art, the 1 Sound distributor in Italy, recently worked with Andrea Bocelli’s audio team to provide audio support for a private event in Italy. David Barbagli, who is a FOH/monitor engineer, currently working with Andrea Bocelli, Placido Domingo, and José Carreras, chose 1 Sound’s new Cannon C8 loudspeaker as Bocelli’s floor monitors for this live performance.
After hearing the Cannon C8 during sound check, Andrea Bocelli said: "Wow, such a big sound is coming out from such a small cube? I love it!", as he held the speaker in his hands. 1 Sound released the Cannon C8 last year, as the final loudspeaker to complete the Cannon Series of high-fidelity, pro-audio loudspeakers with extended low-end.
For this Andrea Bocelli performance, the Cannon C8s acted as floor monitors for pianist Carlo Bernini, flutist Andrea Griminelli, and singers, Ilaria Della Bidia and Andrea Bocelli. The audio team utilised the Cannon C-Clamp accessory for the speaker aiming.
“As a permanent part of Andrea Bocelli's audio engineer international team, I've had the chance to use a lot of different sound gear worldwide, with excellent results. But due to my experience with classic orchestras and opera singers, I am always pursuing perfection and I was happy to try the new 1 Sound C8 in monitor configuration for Andrea,” says David Barbagli, FOH/monitor engineer for Andrea Bocelli’s international team. “I have obtained an over-expected result. The Cannon C8's natural reproduction of the highs is amazing, as well as the bass deepness, so natural and no
Croatia - Modern and sophisticated technology was the priority for Nova TV when it appointed Omnivor to design video walls for its new production studio. Three high-impact curved LED walls from Leyard Europe are now integral to the Croatian broadcaster’s award-winning news studio at its HQ.
The move to new premises in the heart of Zagreb presented Nova TV with the opportunity to create a state-of-the-art TV studio, equipped with the latest video wall solutions that would “deliver an extraordinary result”.
To realise its ambitious goal, the broadcaster approached trusted partners, Zagreb-based systems integrator, Omnivor, which had worked with previously on software solutions for presenting election polls and social media analysis, and Ominvor’s partner company, Kapetanović sistemi.
“It was clear from the start that LED was the ideal display technology,” explains Velibor Marhofer, Omnivor’s CTO. “It hit Nova TV’s brief for modern and sophisticated technology, offered better pixel pitch, the opportunity to create curved screens, and a lower electricity consumption. After considering a range of LED brands, we selected Leyard because of the high-end profile of the brand, the high quality of its TVF series, which comes with a lifetime warranty, and backed by the Leyard team’s support and professional approach.”
The project, which was completed in September 2022, included multiple LED video walls, three of which were curved. Two 14m x 7m curved video walls frame the central news anchor desk, displaying infographics and back
Germany - At the 2024 edition of the Prolight + Sound in Frankfurt, ETC will be showcasing new products and a series of presentations on stand C39 in Hall 12.0.
Throughout the week, visitors to ETC’s stand will have the chance to explore the latest technologies in lighting, control, stage machinery and more. Attendees will get a first look at a new entertainment lighting fixture, new Hog software and a preview of Eos lighting control software with expansion processing on stand C39.
ETC product specialists will also host a series of mini presentations during the four-day tradeshow on the stand. These sessions will delve into whole system solutions and integration, exploring how to make workflows more efficient, and taking a closer look at some of ETC's advanced technologies.
Attendees will also get a chance to see the latest in stage machinery including a Prodigy P2 hoist system, in action on the stand. New automated fixtures including the recently launched Ministar and best-in-class Halcyon fixtures will be on the stand. Visitors can also see ETC’s X8 colour array with the latest in LED lighting - Source Four LED Series 3, fos/4 Fresnel 10” and 5”, Desire Fresnel and more.
ETC market manager Rory Fraser-Mackenzie comments: “Prolight + Sound is always a great opportunity for us to meet users and customers in person, share ideas and have hands-on experiences with our latest offerings. We look forward to welcoming visitors to our stands at the show.”
USA - Sphere Entertainment and Hitachi Vantara, the data storage, infrastructure and hybrid cloud management subsidiary of Hitachi, have released new details on how the two companies leverage Hitachi Vantara’s data processing software to help power the LED screens at Sphere in Las Vegas.
Both Sphere’s 160,000sq.ft interior LED display plane and 580,000sq.ft fully programmable LED exterior - the Exosphere - utilise Hitachi Vantara’s software as a key tool to stream high-resolution immersive content.
“Sphere is home to many firsts, one of which is streaming immersive, high-resolution video content on a scale that has never been done before,” said Alex Luthwaite, SVP, show systems technology, Sphere Entertainment. “Hitachi Vantara worked with our team to develop a solution that’s fast, reliable, and efficient. Through their expertise and technology, Sphere’s displays deliver content that is captivating audiences not only in the venue in Las Vegas, but also around the world on social media.”
With the world’s highest resolution LED screen inside the venue and the largest LED screen on the exterior, Sphere leaned on Hitachi Vantara to deliver solutions to stream video content on an unprecedented scope. For its original immersive film, Darren Aronofsky’s Postcard from Earth, the system handles over 400 gigabytes a second of throughput at sub 5 milliseconds of latency and a 12-bit colour display at a 444 subsampling. Hitachi Vantara utilised its storage platform Hitachi Content Software for File, a high-performance, software-d
UK - Hosted for the first time by David Tennant, the 2024 EE BAFTA Film Awards took place on Sunday 18 February at London's Royal Festival Hall, and was broadcast internationally on BBC One, iPlayer and BritBox International. With cinema enjoying a strong post-pandemic resurgence, partly thanks to the Barbie/Oppenheimer effect, the BAFTA Film Awards has lost none of its prestige.
Attended by the President of BAFTA, HRH the Prince of Wales, 25 Awards were presented - voted for by over 7,500 BAFTA creatives and film industry practitioners - for categories that included Best Director, Cinematography, Documentary and Film Not in the English Language.
TV, broadcast and event lighting specialists, Version 2, traditionally known for its involvement in television lighting was, for the first time, the official lighting supplier for the occasion. Version 2 supplied lighting and manpower for the live Awards ceremony, artists performances and the traditional obituary tribute, as well as the audience lighting and the live event broadcast.
Also involved in designing for the Awards for the first time were veteran lighting director, Tim Routledge, of Tim Routledge Lighting Design and set designer, Julio Himede from Yellow Studio New York, in a partnership first formed for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023.
"It's a tricky show as you are only in the venue for a short time with a very short load in and load out," explains Routledge. "The live show starts at 6pm and is broadcast as live on television around 8pm, so there is a super-quick turnaround to
Italy - Raffa in the Sky is a tribute opera to Raffaella Carrà, a prominent Italian TV personality. It is the story of an artistic career that not only evolved with the changes in Italian society over the last half a century but occasionally inspired them. Through Carrà's extraordinary experience, the work also aims to reflect on the artist's role in society, the value and use of art, and the role of television and other media, not forgetting the songs she performed.
Show lighting designer Alessandro Anderoli comments: "The Fondazione del Teatro Donizetti has been working with Claypaky for over a year, and there was a mutual desire for a Bergamo-based partnership. Moreover, the Claypaky technical team have always solved our problems promptly when needed. This is an absolute linchpin for me.”
Alessandro Andreoli elaborates on the role of the Claypaky Sinfonya Profile during the show: "Its special value in this opera lies in its main feature, the ability to vary the colour temperature of the LED engine, along with the light's extraordinary technical performance across all parameters. From the beginning, it was clear that the Italian national broadcasting company (RAI) was going to film the opera, and the Sinfonya Profiles enabled me to confidently program the fixtures during rehearsals, knowing that I could later optimise the effects without drastically altering them once we were joined by the technicians for the shoot. They had specific colour temperature requirements for balanced in-camera images.
In addition to the Sinfonya Profiles, th
Norway - Outdoor mapping specialist ProjektorPøblene has invested in eight Tempest Typhoon projector enclosures to expand its outdoor events capabilities. The enclosures enable the AV and rental production company to use its fleet of Epson 20,000 lumen projectors to support a range of clients at impactful outdoor projection mapping events, as well as power its own productions.
“Being a small company specialising in outdoor projection, we need to be flexible, mobile and have a low footprint. We need to be able to get into places that other companies don’t want to do,” says Mads Faste Liang Nilsen, founder, ProjektorPøblene.
“Whenever we invest in equipment, we must be very careful to ensure it fits into our workflow. The combination of having the lightest enclosures, the ability to use them in portrait mode and the M12 mounting points meant that Tempest was the only manufacturer for us. These features give us the flexibility to create our own workflow and position projectors in challenging locations.”
ProjektorPøblene - loosely translated as ‘projector punks,’ ‘projector mob’ or ‘projector proletariat’ - was established in 2016, and offers services including concept development, content production, technical equipment rental, and projection mapping.
“The whole premise of the company is based on using our technical and creative competence to not just deliver a service but also to deliver a message that means something,” adds Mads. “We use projection to comment and communicate something that we stand for.”
UK - Christie has announced this year’s National Film and Television School (NFTS) Most Promising Student Award, an award Christie has sponsored for 19 years. The winner of this year’s award is Creative Business MA student, Cody Updegrave, who was praised for his hard work, commitment, and leadership qualities.
Previous award winners have gone on to make stellar introductions to their careers, gracing the global stage at international film festivals and winning further awards for their work. “Cody has poured his heart and soul into the life of the school, leaving an indelible mark as student representative and through supporting the expansive spectrum of VFX productions across the NFTS,” comments Ian Haig, head of the NFTS Creative Business MA.
“Not only is Cody extraordinarily kind, he also effortlessly tackles any challenges that come his way. Cody is a great leader, and his smart, friendly, and enormously hardworking approach has been pivotal in reshaping the Creative Business MA’s role throughout the school. Cody embodies the spirit of collaboration, inspiring other students to engage more deeply in projects while taking the time to listen and advise others. Above all, Cody stands out as an exceptionally talented individual who is an outstanding ambassador for the NFTS, contributing immensely to its success.”
NFTS alumni have won 14 Oscars, 165 BAFTA awards and earned more student academy award nominations than any other film school.
“It’s a pleasure to continue our longstanding relationship with the NFTS, a leading in
Canada/Europe - Long standing North America distributors (and fibre network specialists) Optocore NA have been accoladed by the German parent company, who have presented them with this year’s Best Distributor Award.
The presentation to Bill and Brandon Coons was made by Optocore founder, Marc Brunke, during the ISE2024 expo in Barcelona recently.
Optocore sales manager, RadhaMohan Rajani, said: “From their base in Canada, Bill and Brandon have been our longest serving partners, educating and serving the whole of North America. And having enjoyed a record year, they are showing that they are still introducing new customers to the Optocore family.”
Bill Coons started to represent Optocore as far back as 2007 under his Contact Distribution business model before incorporating Optocore North America the following year.
Among the high-profile projects that adopted Optocore solutions in 2023 were Toronto’s Massey Hall and Scotiabank Arena as well as Rogers Arena in Vancouver while in the USA, Optocore networks were adopted by The San Diego Symphony (at the Rady Shell, Jacobs Park), and Crypto Arena, Los Angeles.
“2023 represented our highest grossing year of sales,” reflected sales & product specialist, Brandon Coons. “Our customer base continues to grow as new users and integrators are finally adopting fibre. Shows aren’t really getting bigger, they are getting more complex and the only way to keep all the digital products/platforms working together is on an asynchronous network … which is Optocore’s ‘value propositio
UK - Located in Northampton, Old House bar and restaurant, a popular destination pub in the town for more than a decade, recently underwent a complete refurbishment. The venue comprises a ground-floor bar and spacious courtyard garden, where patrons can enjoy resident DJs, live performers and televised sport, whilst upstairs, its restaurant offers gastro-pub favourites in beautifully designed surroundings.
To complement his investment in the Old House’s Timothy Oulton-designed interior, owner Sunny Kooner opted to upgrade its audio system to better meet the requirements of this multi-faceted venue.
Sunny contacted experienced AV specialist Cosmic Electronics of Harlow with a brief to design and supply a competitively-priced system that could deliver premium audio throughout the venue, whilst blending in with its carefully designed aesthetic. Cosmic recommended an Optimal Audio solution, as CEO Mark Damon explains:
“We were familiar with the venue as we’d installed its existing system more than ten years ago. There are some large spaces to cover, as well as a variety of uses. From background music in the dining areas to DJ sets and live sport in the downstairs areas, the venue was looking for warm, present, high-quality audio throughout. We’ve carried out a number of recent installs with Optimal Audio products and been very impressed - this job was another very good fit for the brand.”
In the bar area, Cosmic installed 12 on-wall Cuboid 8 two-way, full-range, passive loudspeakers in combination with five discreetly positioned Sub 15
China - Brompton Technology has announced its participation in this year's Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART), where it will co-exhibit with creative studio partner, Votion Studios, alongside AOTO and Disguise.
Hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the four-day event takes place from 11-14 March 2024, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. It is recognised as one of the premier events in the global film industry and serves as Asia’s largest film and entertainment content marketplace.
With a primary focus on virtual production as a cornerstone in the evolution of visual storytelling, Brompton will join its industry partners in showcasing the key capabilities and latest features of its Tessera LED processing range to the burgeoning filmmaking community in Hong Kong.
“Targeting filmmakers, content creators, and those in the broadcast industry, by demonstrating Brompton’s capabilities and features relevant to these sectors, our key objective is to establish an ecosystem where we can offer expertise and training, as well as foster effective collaborations with our existing and prospective customers,” says Pokman Chu, general manager of China at Brompton Technology.
Brompton is sharing booth 1A-D14 with Hong Kong-based film production company Votions Studios, which is renowned for seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technology and artistic vision.
The choice of Brompton Tessera LED processing brings numerous benefits to Votion Studios and its clients, including image quality, precise
Austria - Nestled in the picturesque Alpe-Adria bioregion, encompassing Slovenia, the Austrian states of Kärnten and Steiermark, and two regions in Italy, Stadttheater Klagenfurt (Klagenfurt City Theatre) stands as Carinthia's largest cultural institution. Constructed between 1908 and 1910 by the renowned Viennese architectural firm Fellner & Helmer, this municipal theatre with a seating capacity of 716 hosts over 200 performances each season and is home to the Carinthian Symphony Orchestra.
Offering a diverse performance programme, including theatre productions, grand opera, operetta, and a wide musical repertoire, Stadttheater Klagenfurt recently elevated its sound experience thanks to the integration of KLANG:technologies immersive in-ear monitoring alongside its DiGiCo Quantum 7T mixing console.
Manuel Bundschuh, the theatre’s Head of Audio, highlights that the decision to adopt the KLANG system was an important part of a major upgrade to their existing personal monitoring system. “After hearing numerous positive testimonials about KLANG within the industry, it became clear to us that we wanted to implement KLANG’s immersive IEM mixing platform at our theatre,” he says.
The team enlisted the services of Signal, one of Austria's leading providers of lighting and sound equipment, which supplied one KLANG:vokal immersive IEM processor and ten KLANG:kontroller units to deliver fast tactile user control of Groups, Channels, and Immersive mixing.
Since the adoption of KLANG, Bundschuh notes a significant improvement in the work of
Ireland - Keith Alexander, a Dublin-based freelance sound recordist, began his career in the music industry managing bands and fostering a lifelong passion for sound and music. His love for studio recording led him to work in Windmill Lane Studio in Dublin. Keith consistently used Rycote's products for his recording sessions, both in the studio and on location. Recently, he faced the wind for a challenging project off the coast of Ireland.
"My early experience in music and managing bands ignited my passion for sound and music," says Alexander. "This enthusiasm led me to discover studio recording, opening up a whole new world."
After transitioning from the music studio to location sound, Alexander then moved into post-production for cinema and TV, and then to animation. His diverse experience in the sound industry has given him a unique perspective and rich expertise in his field.
Keith has recently been involved in some concurrent projects on the Aran Islands, off the coast of Ireland, that came with significant challenges for sound and voice recording. These projects required robust, versatile and reliable kit that could withstand the harsh conditions.
Employing the Rycote Nanoshield, together with a HC-22 mic, a pair of HC-15's short shotgun microphones and the CA-08 cardioid mic for different recording situations. For one of the projects, Alexander spent three days on the island recording sound effects. To capture the essence of the island effectively, he could use the elements to design a soundscape for the movie that was being produced f
Estonia - Chin Chin wine bar in Tallinn offers guests the pairing of a crisp glass of wine with a stunning sea view. A solo project of sommelier Karl-Märten Käesel, the bar features a discreet yet powerful Smart IP loudspeaker solution from Genelec.
Estonian audio-visual integrators Progear OÜ designed, supplied and installed the system, with the help of local Genelec distributor msonic Baltic. The solution comprises 10 Genelec 4430 Smart IP loudspeakers that met Chin Chin’s brief of a superior multifunctional and aesthetically pleasing sound system. This project marks the first time that a Genelec Smart IP solution has touched ground in Estonia, so this was a particularly special installation for Progear, msonic Baltic and the Finnish loudspeaker manufacturer.
“Genelec were selected because of their legendary status, and because they offer built-in DSP and Dante compatibility,” begins Karl-Erik Sepp, sound installation project manager at Progear. “The 4430 uses one network cable, through which it receives power, audio and the possibility to control each speaker remotely. The ease of use was an important factor for the team at Chin Chin. The 4430 also offers Genelec’s famous sound quality, which can easily adapt to everything from relaxed wine tastings through to the curated DJ nights that Chin Chin hosts at the weekend.”
As well as serving as a place to wind down after work and let loose on the weekends, Chin Chin also hosts wine classes, which range from a tour around the Italian coast via specially selected bottles, to wine and f
USA - Clear-Com played a pivotal role in enhancing communication capabilities at the Snapdragon Stadium, which opened in 2022 and is owned by San Diego State University and managed by OVG360.
Snapdragon Stadium, located within SDSU Mission Valley, serves as a year-round sports and entertainment destination and a hub of community engagement. Home to SDSU Aztec Football, San Diego Wave FC of the National Women’s Soccer League, San Diego Legion of Major League Rugby and the newly announced MLS team, San Diego FC, the venue hosts a myriad of events, including concerts, festivals, motocross shows, international sporting events, championships, community events, private and corporate events, and more.
Notably, Snapdragon Stadium has emerged as a favoured venue for the US Women’s National Soccer Team. Since its opening, the facility has hosted multiple 'friendlies' and is currently a key venue for the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup. Clear-Com's communication solutions contribute to the success of these events, enhancing the overall experience for athletes, performers, and fans alike.
Snapdragon Stadium's communication infrastructure, featuring Clear-Com's advanced equipment, plays a pivotal role in addressing diverse needs associated with its status as a multi-use facility for both sports and entertainment. The heart of the stadium's communication infrastructure lies in the deployment of Clear-Com's FreeSpeak II digital wireless system combined with Encore analogue partyline elements, providing a robust and reliable communication platform that ensures sea
Germany - Building on its breakthrough exhibits at LDI and ISE, Chauvet Professional is continuing this voyage at Frankfurt Messe from 19-22 March. Visitors to the show are invited to drop by the Chauvet Professional and ChamSys at booth (E21 in Hall 12.1) to ‘experience first-hand how this bold approach to harnessing innovation fuses reality and imagination’.
The booth features a towering multi-faced overall panorama created by David Howard of David Howard Lighting Design, which draws on an extensive collection of Chauvet Professional fixtures.
Endowing the booth design with its bold magnetism is the intense output of the Strike Array 2C and Strike Array 4C IP65 rated RGBAWW blinder-strobe-audience lights.
Adding to their impact, both fixtures offer industry standard-setting low end dimming capabilities, as well as a red shift function that warms the colour temperature of the light as it dims to emulate a classic tungsten look. The variable PWM and high CRI, of both units make them suitable for broadcast applications. Both units also have a proprietary tool-free interlocking system that allows them to be interconnect in the kinds of vast multiple configurations that are so essential to immersive live and VR productions.
Adding an embracive effect to the transformative booth design are the REM series of video panels that feature a high speed 7680 Hz refresh rate that make them ideal for broadcast and immersive wall applications. The cinema-grade indoor rated REM 1 is an 800 NITS panel with a 1.9 mm pixel pitch, while the all-weather REM 3
Germany - Obsidian Control Systems teams from Europe and the U.S. are heading to Prolight + Sound with additions to its award-winning Netron data distribution range and invite lighting professionals to Hall 12.1, Stand B49/C49 for a closer look. Visitors will also be able to demo intuitive NX consoles, including the scalable and full-featured NX1, the lighting console that has propelled the Onyx platform's popularity to new heights.
Despite the immense amount of IP-rated entertainment technology on the market, until now, there has been no IP-rated data distribution devices to provide the required infrastructure. On display will be the world’s first line of IP65-rated data distribution products for entertainment, winner of a 2023 PLASA Award for Innovation.
The Netron IP65 range blends the proven chassis and connector technology of Elation’s IP65 Proteus range of lighting fixtures with the Netron data platform. Utilising a custom-designed die-cast body, impact resistant paint, IP ports and touch controls, the Netron IP65 range provides reliable data distribution for any location that requires dust and moisture protection. Available is a six-port RDM Splitter (RDM6 IP), six-port EtherDMX Node (EN6 IP) and an eight-port managed POE switch (NS8 IP).
Obsidian is also showing a comprehensive line of Netron products in smart form factors optimised for system integrators and fixed installations. Two new compact devices with interchangeable connection plates offer performance and flexibility. Available as RDM6D (6-port RDM Splitter) and EN6D (6-port E
UK - Specialist manufacturer representative 3LR Lighting has announced Simon Needle as its newly appointed director of special projects. Simon, well-known throughout the global lighting industry from his varied career including his former role as international projects director for White Light, begins his new role at 3LR Lighting with immediate effect.
Founded in 2019 by Matt Lloyd, 3LR is an architectural manufacturer representative working closely with ETC, Studio Due and Schnick Schnack Systems and in film & broadcast lighting with Sumolight, offering expert advice on lighting and control for auditoriums, cruise ships, concert halls, theatres and themed environments plus television and film.
Lloyd comments: “Being able to welcome Simon to 3LR is a huge deal for me personally and for the company as a whole. I’ve known him for a long time and admired his contributions to so many shows and projects over the years. He will be an enormous asset to our business, and I am beyond delighted that he is joining us.”
After joining White Light full-time in 2008, Simon handled the City of Dreams project in Macau and the Visitor Centre at Germany’s Nürburgring before taking a seat on White Light’s board in 2011.
“At 3LR I’m looking forward to working with like-minded people and helping with the business strategy for growth with the exposure to exciting new markets and the creation of extraordinary experiences all over the world,” says Simon.
USA - Bandit Lites has announced the hiring of Steven Harman as integration support coordinator, bringing along his valuable expertise and enthusiasm. Harman will provide support to new and past clients as well as Bandit’s own integrators and project managers.
Harman has a background in training, education, and performance lighting. He began working in performance and event lighting in Nashville where spent the next two decades providing lighting and rigging. The last five years saw Harman managing warehouse operations for an entertainment pyrotechnic company.
“We are very pleased to welcome aboard Steven,” said Chris Barbee, Bandit Lites vice president of integration. “His qualifications and expertise are exactly what we were looking for in this position. His proven track record of successfully bridging sales processes with client’s needs will allow our team to drive significant improvements to our integration efforts. We look forward to his valuable contribution to our organisation.”
After 40 years at the top of popular culture, Madonna is reimagining her live act with a look at her legacy alongside her present incarnation.
At the helm of the live sound is FOH mixer Burton Ishmael - who was hand-picked by the ‘singer upon hearing his work with Eighth Day Sound client, Post Malone. Ishmael begins: “It’s very nice to be asked to go on tour by the boss directly. Madonna is an exceptionally clever artist, and there can be a lot of pressure on a world tour, but thankfully, there’s a huge team effort going into what we’re doing, and the Eighth Day Sound crew are experts.”
He says a core action at front of house is to repeat a process that has already been done in the studio: “My job as a live engineer is to ensure that I make the music transferable to the arena setting. Not just hearing but feeling the elements contained in the songs is the step up from the technical part of mixing; being able to create emotions and connections is key,” he explains. “I must bring the energy of the artist and transfer that to the audience and vice versa, from and through my mix. It's almost like the automation phase of doing a mix on a record.”
Lauren D’Elia, Vocal Producer and Madonna’s Audio Liaison is Madonna’s extra set of ears when she’s on stage. “I met Madonna in the studio as her engineer and vocal producer and was brought onto her last tour to help translate that to the live environment after recording ‘Madame X’. For this tour, I do the same thing but with a set list spanning her whole career. It’s a huge underta
Vietnam - Ayrton has announced that new Ayrton lighting fixtures have been installed in the Vietnam Army Music Hall and Theatre. The theatre which belongs to the Vietnam People's Army, is situated in HaNoi and was established in 2010 as a professional venue for music and musical arts.
The new lighting fixtures were supplied by Ayrton’s Vietnamese distributor ProAVL and include 16 Diablo TC and 20 Mistral fixtures which will be used generally both in the theatre and for touring shows.
Choosing Ayrton lights proved an easy decision for the theatre tech team. “Ayrton fixtures are now used all over the world and have proved themselves on many stages and shows,” state the technicians. “We were really amazed by their accurate positioning, colour rendering (CRI >90) and the really useful CMY mixing system. We were also impressed by the total luminaire output (up to 19,000 lumens) which is really great for our shows. It was great that ProAVL were able to show all these features at the demo before we purchased.”
The theatre team explained how their new Mistral and Diablo fixtures would be used. “The lights will not be set up in any permanent positions, rather they will be formatted differently for each show that is brought in and will also be used on tour and on outdoor festivals and events. However, in the theatre they can be rigged on vertical extension tubes giving us throw distances of about 6-7m.
“We plan to use them for all of our shows, especially the All Military Gathering festival which is a very, very big festival that inc
USA - Grammy-winning bluegrass artist Billy Strings was inspired on a European tour bus with the idea of placing ‘UFO pods’ above the heads the musicians on stage.
The artist discussed this concept with his LD Roger Grant, who drew up some sketches. That’s when Matthieu Larivée and his team at Lüz Studio came in. “Billy and Roger present these drawings to us and that was the starting point,” said Larivée. “This idea kicked off our creative process.”
The ultimate result of that process is a production that is adding a captivating and immersive dimension to Billy Strings’ current North American arena and amphitheatre tour. With its brilliantly illuminated circles above and below each of the five musicians on stage, as well as its free-flowing curved background patterns of light and video, the transformative design evokes a sense of infinite movement and freedom, a perfect accompaniment to this gifted star’s music.
Contributing to the power of the design is a collection of 70 Chauvet Professional fixtures supplied by Bandit Lites. Featured most prominently in this group are 40 Rogue Outcast 1 BeamWashes, which were flown in the UFO pods above the band.
“They were our main wash light,” said Larivée. “Being compact and bright enough to create an impact for solos made them ideal for this show. We were also able to use their halo feature, which is similar to the pod ‘s halos.”
Elaborating on why the pods worked so well in this design, Larivée noted: “Bluegrass is very unique, because it’s all about music.