UK - Kramer Electronics has announced the availability of the VP-26 presentation switcher. The VP-26 offers four independent routing switchers as well as a master audio switcher all in one box, and is capable of passing computer graphics video, s-Video, component, composite or SDI signals at high bandwidth. Its multi-functionality, full feature set, and compact size make the VP-26 ideal in robust presentation and multimedia environments, says the company.
The VP-26 is a high performance switcher that includes three independent 4x2 audio/video matrix switchers and one independent 2x2 audio/video matrix switcher, all in a compact two rack unit frame for a standard 19" professional rack enclosure. It combines the functions of a 4x2 matrix switcher for computer graphics signals with audio, composite video and audio, and s-Video and audio, as well as a 2x2 matrix switcher for component.
The VP-26 provides a computer graphics video bandwidth of 300MHz to ensure transparent performance even in the most critical applications, and is HDTV compatible. It offers composite/SDI video bandwidth of 420MHz, s-Video bandwidth of 320MHz, and component video bandwidth of 380MHz. The VP-26 also has a Cat 5 output for one of the computer graphics video outputs that can handle signals with resolutions up to UXGA for applications that require long distance signal distribution.
(Jim Evans)
UK - Show Presentation Services (SPS) is supporting the Samaritans to raise awareness for Stress Down Day on 1 February 2008. Samaritans, a confidential emotional support service, run the important yearly event to draw attention to the increasing problem of stress in the workplace.
Research by the Samaritans has indicated that a third of UK workforce cannot sleep at night through anxiety, and a staggering three-quarters cannot switch off when they leave the office at the end of the day. This problem can be particularly relevant in the live events industry, where there are constant pressures to keep to increasingly tight deadlines and budgets.
SPS hopes to raise awareness of Stress Down Day in the industry to prevent any more people falling into those frightening statistics. Robin Coles, managing director at SPS commented: "I have been a Samaritan listening volunteer for several years and have spoken to many people needing someone to listen to them in a confidential and non-judgmental way. It is a frightening statistic that in the UK today more people take their own lives than are killed on Britain's roads. It is crucial for companies to highlight the issue of stress in the workplace and I encourage people to embrace Stress Down Day; and create a culture where we all take a moment and look across at our colleagues and ask "how are you today?"
(Jim Evans)
The Netherlands - Two of the Netherland's hardest-working touring bands have both purchased WideLine-8 line array systems from QSC Audio Products. Feeling and Trainband are not only popular Top 40 acts, but they also play the circuit of weddings, town fairs and corporate functions. Since each band works more than 100 shows each year, they not only needed to provide top-quality, evenly-dispersed sound reinforcement to those on-axis, but also to audiences out in the wings.
QSC Audio distributor Holland Audio Import had first demonstrated the 140° wide dispersion advantages of the manufacturer's larger WL10 system to Feeling, who they say immediately became converts to line array technology. But when they were informed that QSC's ultra-compact WideLine-8 would shortly be in production it seemed a better fit for both their road truck and their budget.
Feeling purchased a complete system comprising eight WL3082 and four WL212-sw subwoofers - divided into two stacks. Although the WL3082 is designed for tri-amplification, addition of the WL212-sw subs turns it into a 4-way active system. It is powered by a QSC PL325 and three PL380 amplifiers, and optimised by a dedicated SC28 system controller.
It was a similar story with Trainband who, like Feeling, were first treated to a couple of WL8 demos. When band leader Frank Pfijfers compared sound, weight and dispersion characteristics of the WideLine-8 he knew he had found the perfect solution and purchased a similarly-configured system as Feeling (with one fewer PL380s). Generally they run three W3082s per side, pole-
USA - Featuring headliners Hinder, Papa Roach and Buckcherry, the Bad Boys of Rock tour recently wrapped its summer run, having delivered the goods in arenas around America with an EV PA deployed by LD Systems of Houston, TX.
"Once again, X-Line proved itself without peer for loud, heavy, rock 'n' roll," says Robert Ausmus of LD Systems. "This system has the warmth and sonic finesse for all genres of music, from country to pop, but it also has the power handling, punch and reliability tours like this need to deliver the full-bore rock experience. X-Line simply sounds good, whatever the SPL.
Add the remote control RL amps (running IRIS-Net control and supervision software) to the equation and you have a PA that is as streamlined - in terms of system setup time and centralized control - as it is seriously rocking."
(Jim Evans)
The Netherlands - Earlier this year Visual Productions' customer SLR Productions was approached by the U-Bar, a new club opening in Utrecht, to provide them with a creative yet practical sound and light system. The customer wanted his bar staff to have control of modern LED lighting, creating a cool and trendy atmosphere in the underground venue coupled with fun party disco lights for on the dance floor.
Robert van Hees, owner of SLR, knew that he could easily satisfy his customers' demands, but for SLR the most important issue would be smart lighting control. Van Hees felt the best solution would be to use VisualDMX lighting control software triggered with the Frontier interface.
When Visual Productions provided the on-site programming of the Frontier, the U-Bar staff were so taken with the easy user interface and opportunities offered by VisualDMX that they chose to finalise the programming of the 16 presets themselves. Care was taken to insure that the customers request for contrast between the dance and seating areas was adhered to whilst also providing them with a broad enough spectrum that allows for their look to always be new, fresh and welcoming to their customers.
(Jim Evans)
USA - At the 2007 LDI Show, Tomcat offered attendees the chance to register to win a scholarship to one of Tomcat USA's workshops in 2008. Out of a random drawing, one lucky winner was selected, and that person is Bobbie Duncan of Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.
In response to the ever-changing demands of the entertainment industry, Tomcat has announced that in 2008 the workshops will feature a new and improved curriculum. For the first time, participants will be able to choose their focus: Rigging & Truss or Chain Motors & Truss - with beginning and advanced training in that area of focus: all in one workshop.
Tomcat also reports that these workshops will be offered twice in 2008. Both of these sessions will be offered 20-23 February as well as 4-7 June, 2008 in Midland, Texas.
(Jim Evans)
Ireland - Big Bear Sound has supplied Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ) - the Dublin-based independent state broadcaster - with two Digidesign Venue live digital mixing systems for use in their outside broadcast vans (OBVs).
The broadcaster's main OB radio truck is equipped with an integrated Venue D-Show console, Stage Rack, and FOH rack. RTÉ also has the more portable D-Show Profile console, which will be used both as a backup system for smaller venues where carry-ins are required, and for additional redundancy and channel capacity at larger classical events and festivals for which the broadcasters provide coverage. To enable multitrack recordings of its broadcasts, RTÉ also purchased a Digidesign Pro Tools|HD system, which is connected to the D-Show mainframe and Sidecar combination through HDx cards.
The search for a new digital console began 18 months ago when RTÉ's previous OBV console started to become too high-maintenance. "It became a cheaper option to look for a replacement rather than keep repairing," reasons RTÉ's senior radio producer Anton Timoney.
A number of factors worked in the Venue system's favour, including its durability and dual redundancy, the D-Show console's ease of use, and the ability to create a consistent workflow with RTÉ's existing Pro Tools|HD systems. In fact, RTÉ has four Pro Tools|HD systems installed in its radio studios, a 48-track Pro Tools|HD system in the Concert Hall, and other OBVs equipped with Pro Tools LE systems for stereo recording.
Another important d
UK - Bringing many years of product management and technical knowledge, Neal Tomlinson joins the 11 business development managers who make up the business development team at Stage Electrics. Tomlinson will be based in Wales, working closely with customers in the area.
Hailing originally from a retail background, Tomlinson spent 12 years at Roland, latterly as product manager for the RSS division, part of the successful Sound Snake launch.
(Jim Evans)
USA - The new EAW NTL720 is a self-powered line array loudspeaker system featuring a true three-way design and numerous other EAW patented and proprietary technologies housed in a compact (9.4" x 24" x 14.3") and low-weight (less than 50lb/22.68kg) package. The entire enclosure face of each NTL720 module is filled by a full-sized mid/high horn providing 110° (horizontal) by 12° (vertical) dispersion. The extreme horn size insures broadband pattern control throughout the entire MF/HF pass-band.
High frequencies are produced by six 1" dome tweeters, configured in two vertical columns (each with three tweeters) mounted on a manifold that feeds a single slot in the centre of the horn, highly effective in controlling vertical dispersion. Flanking the HF section, dual 6" cone woofers handle the MF range, also loading on to the horn, with minimal space between the MF and HF components enhancing coherency and improving overall off-axis response.
The LF section features EAW's proprietary Phase Aligned approach, first deployed in KF730 Series line arrays. Both 6" LF drivers are positioned in a side-mounted "figure-8" configuration that extends horizontal pattern control while directing more acoustical energy on axis. The response of the MF drivers is also extended down to 100Hz, furthering low-end presence and impact.
The onboard self-powering technology includes three individual modified 500W Class-D (digital) amplifier modules, each tailored for its respective subsection (LF, LF/MF, and HF - all 4-ohm loads). Each amplifi
UK - Blitz Communications was recently commissioned to provide a sophisticated AV solution for Jessops, the UK's leading photographic retailer. Jessops revealed its brand advertising and Christmas campaign to suppliers and managers during a three day event which took place at the Heritage Motor Centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire. The conference comprised a suppliers' welcome dinner, team building activities, an awards ceremony and dinner. Blitz and Jessops worked in close partnership to bring Christmas to life using spectacular imagery which ensured that all of the 600 delegates over three days, were captivated not only by the Christmas campaign and supplier exhibition of products, but also by the complete conference experience.
Peter Riordan, Jessops' stores director comments: "The entire team at Blitz contributed to the phenomenal success of our conference. As it was a one-stop shop Blitz provided us with an invaluable service and therefore ensured that the conference ran extremely smoothly. All the organisers were able to relax and focus on the content and execution of a successful event."
Blitz provided a full inventory of equipment from plasma screens and sound system to stage sets, lighting and also the design of presentation graphics. Blitz assisted Jessops throughout every stage of the event from initial planning and technical advice to equipment set-up, the execution of the event and de-rigging of the equipment.
(Jim Evans)
USA - Nexxus Lighting has announced that its SV Lighting business unit has sold over 600 linear feet of interior solid-state LED products for the new Capitol Visitor Center in Washington D.C.
The Capitol Visitor Center has been conceived as an extension of the Capitol building to welcome visitors to the seat of American government. At nearly 580,000sq.ft, the CVC is the largest project in the Capitol's 212-year history and is approximately three quarters the size of the Capitol building itself. When it opens, the Capital Visitor Center will provide a variety of amenities, including an exhibition gallery, orientation theatres, a 550-seat cafeteria, and gift shops all within a secure public environment.
SV Lighting's Savi LED Flood Strips and low voltage power supplies are being used to light over 600ft of cove and step lighting in the main exhibition gallery where significant Congressional documents will be displayed. "The same LED flood strips were used by Georgia Tech in their solar house that was on the mall in Washington DC last October for the Department of Energy Solar Decathlon competition" stated Richard Heiner, marketing director for Nexxus Lighting. "Greater energy efficiency, low heat output and high quality of light make this product an attractive choice for today's architects, lighting designers and engineers."
(Jim Evans)
UK - For the fifth consecutive year, the Urban Music Awards took place in London. Once again the event was staged at the Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden in front of an invited audience of more than 600 VIPs from the music industry and corporate world. Associated with the Awards for the first time, event production company PSL was taking responsibility for the whole show, the budget for which has grown by 500% since its first year.
Now sponsored by Kickers, the UMA covers the broad umbrella of urban music forms, a spectrum extending from Gospel, Neo Soul to HipHop, and more. This year's awards were presented again by Radio 1 DJ Ras Kwame and neo-soul heavyweight Terri Walker, and featured numerous live performances from established as well as up-and-coming artists, UB40, Nate James and Keisha White amongst others.
This year, PSL took on responsibility for design and implementation, including all technical services. Led by John Montague and Hannah Spicer, the team handled all the logistics, including security and front-of-house management, and event production, in particular the generation of all visual content for the show. The creative department worked from Kicker's own advertising campaigns and web-based content, maximising the branding blend from electronic to live and broadcast.
Virtually every department of PSL was involved in some way with this year's UMA. Stage design and build was done in-house, integrating two large projection screens into the set which carried names and images of the award winners and nominees, as well as video clips and live footage
South Africa - The New Lyric Theatre at the Gold Reef City Casino in Johannesburg, is the new home to a grandMA full-size and four MA NSPs (Network Signal Processors).This striking venue recently opened its doors to the acclaimed production of Hairspray.
One of South Africa's most renown lighting designers, Denis Hutchinson was nominated as both the consultant and the LD for the theatre. "The intention of being both consultant and LD was two-fold," said Hutchinson. "Firstly, I had to see to the completion of the theatre and be on hand for trouble-shooting. The second motive was purely selfish; I chose the new toys for the theatre and I wanted to be the first to play with them."
With Hutchinson being very particular about what equipment he wanted, he finally selected DWR Distribution, who supplied the automated lighting and control, Prosound, T&A Lighting, Electrosonic and Iyeza Theatre & TV Lighting to provide and install his kit of choice.
(Jim Evans)
UK - The 14 November opening event for High Speed 1 at London St Pancras International station - one of the biggest corporate events of the year - saw PRG Europe supply some seven 45ft truck loads of lighting equipment, including searchlights, smoke machines and over 250 moving lights. The event was produced by Flux Events for London & Continental Railways (LCR) under the technical direction of John Farquhar-Smith, with lighting design by Durham Marenghi.
Durham initially began work in January, having been brought in by John Teeman, executive producer for LCR, who had seen his work on The Queen's Golden Jubilee and the recent Winter Olympics in Turin. "My brief," continues Durham, "was for a theatrical reveal of the station. The main challenge was that it's been beautifully restored and architecturally is already very well lit. Having decided that an orchestral and AV presentation would underscore the event, we were led to the need for a big infrastructure installation - that is, lots of trusses.
"Flux Events took care of all the logistical planning and PRG Europe and Unusual Rigging did a terrific job in what was a very difficult working environment. Because drivers were being trained and overhead power cables were live, no steps or ladders were allowed on site, ever."
Some 40 of the new Clay Paky Alpha Profile 1200 luminaires were used, with, as Durham explains: "its great optics, full gate shuttering and fantastic reliability, which was paramount in this environment, especially when the 25,000v overhead wires were switched on.&q
UK - Pufferfish, a specialist in 360° spherical display systems, has announced a new partnership with Green Hippo, creator of the Hippotizer media server. Until now, content for the PufferSphere had to be pre-rendered in AfterFX in order to appear geometrically correct on the display. The Hippotizer essentially operates like a realtime version of AfterFX, with an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) and "plenty of clever extras thrown in for good measure". By developing a free 'Pufferizer' plug-in, Green Hippo has opened up a second route to spherical content production, allowing for realtime 'spherising' of any type of content, in addition to our existing pre-rendering option, says the company.
The Pufferizer plug-in completes Pufferfish's content offering, providing total flexibility in the development and integration of all types of media. With this in mind, Pufferfish recommend the Hippotizer as their preferred realtime solution. Hippotizer offers the option of up to four separate live video feeds and the capacity for realtime presentation, syncing with all AV industry protocols, and many advanced VJ solutions, providing useful tools to even the most fluid of advertising campaigns.
The Hippotizer retains all of its capabilities and functionality, whilst enabling easy and seamless integration of the PufferSphere to those already using Hippotizer.
(Jim Evans)
UK - The R&B Group utilised their latest investments to stage the BBC Sports Awards North East. Continued success for The R&B Group has seen them double their turnover in less than four years.
The company recently invested in two Panasonic PT10000 HD ready projectors, a 12-channel Shure UHFR radio microphone system and additional Martin MAC 700 profile and wash fixtures.
All of these new additions were put to good use in producing a bold, striking new look for the Sports Awards. Project manager Richard Goodaire said, "Having the latest technology is great, it allows us to keep a competitive edge in the market, whilst always adding extra value and added wow factor for our clients."
(Jim Evans)
UK - With two highly successful 'Digital Video Workshops' staged by Projected Image Digital this year - presenting the power and versatility of the Catalyst V4 digital media server in a hands-on situation - the system is proving more popular and dynamic than ever, says the company.
Leading UK rental company Lite Alternative has now invested in three Catalyst v4 systems (run on Mac Pro G5 machines). Lite Alt's Catalyst systems have been on many live shows and concert tours throughout the year, from Radio One's Big Weekend to Arcade Fire's Neon Bible world tour, featuring lighting and set design by Paul Normandale with visual design and video direction by Richard Stembridge.
Others include Maximo Park (LD Stevie Marr), Interpol (LD Lucas Cotterham), and Paul McCartney and Kings of Leon (LD for both, Paul Normandale). Normandale also used PixelMAD - the pixel-mapping plug in - on recent James Blunt and Mark Ronson tours, and a Catalyst system will be utilised on James Blunt's 2008 world tour.
"The beauty of Catalyst is its ability to modify - in all ways - the content on site, as opposed to needing expensive editing post and pre-production facilities," says Normandale. "It was the firs
Germany - As well as the productions in New York, London and Los Angeles the production of Wicked at Stuttgart's Palladium Theatre is controlled via grandMA consoles. One grandMA full-size and one grandMA light are used. They control the show in connection with three MA NSPs (Network System Processors), one dimMA rack and 13 MA DMX booster/splitter.
During the pre-programming overall three grandMA full-size, two grandMA light as well as one grandMA replay-unit, all in a multi-user session, were used.
Each new production of Wicked is based on the original lighting design by Kenneth Posner.
(Jim Evans)
UK - Christie has introduced the Christie HD405 - the first native HD model in the company's single-chip DLP portfolio. The new projector combines DLP image quality with full 1080p resolution, making it a solution for small-to-medium sized conference rooms, boardrooms, training rooms, home theatre and 24/7 applications where single chip DLP reliability is paramount, says the company.
The HD405 presents dynamic, high definition images with 4100 ANSI lumens brightness and a 1000-7500:1 contrast ratio. "The Christie HD405 is the first 1080p single-chip DLP projector in the Christie line, and the first to market with on-board 10-bit image processing and the capability to deliver 4100 lumens," notes Neil Wittering, director of product management, business products, Christie. "The combination of brightness, high resolution and advanced image processing single this out as something special; these features look certain to capture the imagination of the fixed installation sector which is focusing on wide-aspect projection."
(Jim Evans)
France - One of the leading full service production companies in the south of France, Sound and Light Systems (SLS), has recently taken delivery of two Sy80 digital mixing consoles from InnovaSon. SLS is based in Alès near Nîmes and has recently opened offices in Longjumeau, south of Paris.
Established in 2001, the company has rapidly grown to become one of the biggest rental companies in the south of France, offering a wide range of sound, lighting, video and staging equipment. SLS proprietor Léon van Empel comments: "It's not just about spending money. It's also about making sure we stay up-to-date with what's going on in the market so that when we do spend the money, we spend it wisely on products that will both satisfy our clients and offer us a good return on our investment. That is one of the reasons why we opted for InnovaSon consoles rather than any other brand."
Van Empel adds that his goal is to transform his current console stock to 100% digital over the next two years. "There's no doubt that digital consoles are more and more in demand, and far more profitable for what we do than the analogue equivalents," he confirmed. "Digital consoles in general take up less space in the warehouse and in the trucks, they are much lighter to transport and they eliminate the need for endless racks of outboard. What we liked about the InnovaSon consoles in particular was the ease of use - all our engineers were up and running in minutes, which is great in festival situations where you have lots of visiting engineers - and the fantasti
USA - Symetrix has appointed MixWave located in Tokyo as its distributor to build and manage its sales network in Japan.
MixWave president Hirokazu Saika comments: "We decided to name our company MixWave because we are striving to find companies that are making waves in the industry." The company currently represents TC Electronics, Ashley, API Audio, Furman, Sonic Studio, A Designs, Doremi, Buzzaudio, Dynaudioacoustics and Weiss.
Paul Roberts, director of sales for Symetrix noted: "MixWave is a fresh new distributor in Japan with great people that have a lot of experience in the industry. We are excited to be aligned with MixWave and their aggressive approach to promoting the brands they distribute."
(Jim Evans)
The Netherlands - Dutch rental, sales and installation specialists, Sound & Light Factory in Heerlen, has recently taken delivery of a total of 36 Crest Pro 200 Series amplifiers including 20 Pro9200s, the most powerful amplifier of the Pro Series range, and a further 16 Pro8200s from Crest's Dutch distributor, TM Audio.
"We were already familiar with Crest, having owned 7001s and 8001s in the past, which were, in my view, the best amplifiers available at the time," noted Sound & Light Factory co-proprietor, Danny Juretzko. "When the time came to renew our stock, we had no hesitation in going back to Crest. We loved our trusty 7001s and 8001s, but the Pro 200 Series amps are even better."
The new Pro 200 Series amplifiers are mainly destined for rental stock to drive their EAW PA system as well as Sound & Light Factory's proprietary PA. Being so close to Maastricht, much of Sound & Light Factory's work is based around congress PA, as well as exhibitions, festivals and other live sound events. "We do quite a few installations as well and we'd certainly use Pro 200s for that, but our core business is definitely live sound, and that's where the Pro 200 Series amplifiers excel," commented Juretzko.
(Jim Evans)
UK - Summit Steel is co-ordinating rigging for all departments on the massive Take That Beautiful World tour, as well as supplying over 110 chain hoists to the main system, 100 hoists to the "B" system and 28 points of Kinesys automation.
The project is being co-ordinated for Summit by Jon Bray - whose history with the band dates back to the early 1990s when they first burst onto the UK pop scene. Bray is working in close collaboration with the tour's production riggers Jez Craddock and Phil Broad, production manager Chris Vaughan from The Production Office, production designer Ray Winkler from Stufish plus all the other contractors including Capital Sound (audio), PRG (Lighting) and XL Video/CT (video).
One of Summit's major tasks for the tour was to produce a comprehensive rigging plot covering the requirements of all technical departments, and realise Stufish's ambitious set design.
The main automation involves a 30m long catwalk, suspended over the audience which lowers from the roof to provide the band with access to the B stage, which is at FOH. This utilises 16 variable speed chain hoists running on a Kinesys K2 control system. The automation system is also controlling the movement of two concentric circular trusses and a large MiPix LED globe over the B-stage area.
One of the major flown onstage set elements is 200 sq.m of Stealth video screen, plus numerous drapes and soft goods including a massive set of mid-stage Austrian curtains.
The main challenge for Summit was at the planning stages, "We worked closely with the designer
UK - Top experts in their specialised field will be speaking when the Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers hold their annual exhibition on Tuesday, 26 February 2008 at a new venue, the Park Inn Hotel, Northampton.
The wide range of seminar topics, which will run alongside the exhibition, are: The Speech Transmission Index Demystified (Thomas Steinbrecher - Bose Professional Systems); The Application of Sound Field Systems (Kevin Sherwood - CIE-Audio); The Unlimited Possibilities of Using Standard IP Networks (Johannes Rietschel - Barix AG) and The Significant Contribution to Performance that Well-Chosen Connectivity Can Offer (Michael Whiteside - Fuzion plc).
More than 20 specialist suppliers to the sound industry have already signed up including; Ampetronic, Barix AG, Baldwin Boxall Communications, BC Technology, Canford Audio, CIE Group, Clockaudio, Communication Technology, Duran Audio UK, EAW (Loud Technologies Europe Plc), Ikon AVS, Institute of Acoustics, Peavey Electronics, RCF, Shuttlesound, SigNET (AC), and TOA Corporation.
For further information about exhibiting or booking seminar places, contact Ros Wigmore on the email address below.
(Jim Evans)