Germany - In 2016 Chauvet Professional made major waves at Prolight + Sound when it introduced its line of Maverick fixtures. This year, the company will be celebrating the anniversary of its popular moving lights at the Frankfurt show with the first public preview of the brightest, most feature-rich fixtures ever in the Maverick line.
Marketed around the theme “Take your breath away,” the Maverick MK3 Spot and Maverick MK3 Profile will “do just that with an eye-popping output from one of the most powerful single-source LED engines in any moving head fixture currently on the market”, says the company.
“These are the brightest lights ever in the Maverick line,” says Albert Chauvet, CEO of Chauvet. “We listened very carefully to the designer feedback we received at an invitation-only private showing of fixture prototypes last year to refine and develop the features that fit the real-world needs of touring LDs.”
Delivering all the brightness needed for any arena or stadium application, the two 820W LED fixtures are user-friendly in terms of their weight and dimensions. The two fixtures are also rich in a wide range of performance features, including full-loaded static, rotation and animation effects. Both fixtures also have a 6° to 54° zoom angle, the widest Chauvet Professional has ever offered.
Following Prolight + Sound, Chauvet Professional will be hosting Maverick MK3 Spot preview events around the world.
(Jim Evans)

Germany - LSC Lighting Systems will once again be exhibiting at the forthcoming Prolight + Sound show in Frankfurt (12.1-C67).
This show will see the official release of the new DINrail range of LSC products including LED drivers, MDR DMX RDM splitters and a preview of the new Mantra Mini DINrail playback unit and Houston X software, allowing configuration and monitoring of GenVI, APS, UNITY and the entire new DIN range of products.
The LED-CV4 is a four-channel, 12V or 24V LED dimmer with constant voltage, a 5A per channel output and is a True 16-bit dimmer controlled via DMX and configured by RDM. It has built-in, short-circuit protection per channel with auto-reset, current monitoring, variable frequency output and can be monitored and configured via the new LSC Houston X software system.
The MDR-DIN data distribution range is a new four-way, DINrail-mounted version of the popular MDR DMX splitter with RDM as standard. Each port is optically isolated and it is available with either RJ45 or terminal connectors. Each output of MDR-DIN can be RDM enabled/disabled as required by the user.
LSC will also be previewing Mantra Mini, a new addition to the award-winning Mantra range. The nine-module DINrail-mounted recording and playback unit offers all the functionality of Mantra in a simple-to-install package.
(Jim Evans)

USA - Established almost four decades ago, event technology specialist WorldStage makes a practice of investing in equipment that matches its goal of supplying top of the line technology to its clients. With that in mind, WorldStage has made a major commitment to Brompton Technology’s Tessera LED processors.
WorldStage operates in multiple markets throughout the US. The company’s projects include Broadway productions, art installations, television shows, touring productions and high-end corporate meetings.
“The past three years have been a period of significant growth for us, and whenever we make large investments in technology we partner with the best players in the market,” explains WorldStage CEO, Gary Standard. “Our high-level engineering staff always looks at technology from that viewpoint.
“We understand the importance of good processing and wanted to partner with Brompton because we recognise its superior product line: That’s what sets Brompton apart.”
Brompton’s SX40 high capacity processor and Tessera XD distribution unit offers a multitude of features, such as support for full 4K screens at 60Hz with 12 bits per colour output, a zero-latency up/down scaler that matches the source to the screen, plus all of Tessera’s industry-leading processing features such as ChromaTune colour correction and On Screen Colour Adjustment (OSCA).
Combined with the Tessera XD distribution unit, a sophisticated single box solution designed to manage the complications of mass cabling that can arise with large LED display systems

The Netherlands - Integrated Systems Events, the organiser of Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), has issued a clarification as it seeks to differentiate its flagship trade show from industry events with similar monikers.
The organisation says in a statement: “There are some events in the pro AV and systems integration field with which [ISE] has no connection, including the AV Integrated Systems Expo Mumbai, or AV-ISE in a shortened format. ISE wishes to make this fact clear to its exhibitors and attendees to ensure that there is no confusion.
Mike Blackman, managing director of Integrated Systems Events, comments: “We put a lot of time, resource and effort into creating a show experience at Integrated Systems Europe that is second to none. We trust that, when deciding whether to attend any given show, AV and systems integration professionals will look beyond the chosen name and make their own judgements.”
As well as the main ISE show each February, Integrated Systems Events also organises Integrated Systems Russia and the Digital Signage Summit series of events. In addition, Integrated Systems Events produces a number of the conferences that take place during ISE. Integrated Systems Events also participates with the numerous exhibitions and events produced by its co-owners AVIXA and CEDIA.
(Jim Evans)

Germany - Calibre’s new HQPro1000 4K/UltraHD scaler/switcher is receiving its first public showing at Prolight + Sound (4-B35). The first in the company’s HQPro series along with the new HQPro1050 remote controller will be available for Q2/2019 delivery.
“The HQPro1000 is the result of an extensive market research effort that revealed a real need for higher performance at lower price points,” said Willy Tsai, managing director at Calibre UK. “There is a whole market segment that is not being catered for - and we believe the HQPro1000 responds to what those customers are looking for by setting a new level of price/performance. It features extensive functionality that has traditionally been associated with a high price - and delivers it at a much more affordable level.”
Designed for professional AV and LED large venue applications, the HQPro1000 features a modular architecture composed of the base unit, two optional input cards and one optional output card.
The base unit includes two 4K HDMI 2.0 inputs, one 4K HDMI 2.0 output plus a confidence monitor output and genlock connectors.
The initial release also includes an input card featuring a 4K HDMI 2.0, 4K Display Port 1.2 and a 3G-SDI interfaces greatly expanding the number of supported sources. The initial release also includes a card with four 2K HDMI 1.4 outputs allowing for splicing up-to four LED walls. Future releases will include 12G-SDI and HDBT input and output cards.
The optional cards allow customers to configure the unit according to their specific requirements

USA - With seven locations across Chicagoland, The Chapel has given new direction to its worship services with dLive digital mixing systems from Allen & Heath.
Now outfitted with a dLive S7000 control surface at front of house and a C3500 for monitors, one of the church’s largest properties in Grayslake forges connections with the aid of Allen & Heath’s proprietary gigaACE networking cards. The system additionally relies upon Allen & Heath’s DX168 expanders, which are used for audio patching and video control of simulcasts between locations.
“Simulcasts regularly originate from one of our two biggest campuses each week,” says Caleb Loeppky, The Chapel’s production director. “While our streaming platform allows us to send multiple audio channels, it wasn’t until we made the DX168 expander part of the equation that we realised its full potential. Now, with just a single network line we're able to easily manage additional I/O. This fact alone is amazing, and well worth the price of admission.”
Beyond the gains in sonic quality, networking capacity, and expanded channel counts The Chapel now takes advantage of, dLive has proven itself to be popular with the volunteer audio staff as well.
“Operating a dLive system is so straightforward and intuitive,” Loeppky adds. “I can sit down with someone who has never mixed before and have them up-and-running in no time. Everyone can utilise layers, scenes, and soft keys to setup the desk however they want. No one is ever forced to do anything outside of their comfort zo

Germany - The Adam Hall Academy opened its doors in mid-June 2018. Since its start, numerous seminars and workshop participants have made use of the extensive and constantly growing training programme of the Adam Hall Group in co-operation with the training institute DEAplus.
From its inception, the Adam Hall Academy was linked with the new Experience Centres at the German headquarters of the Adam Hall Group in Hessian Neu-Anspach in order to ensure that the non-proprietary PROseminars in the fields of light, sound, rigging, video and media technology are as varied, practical, and effective as possible.
The PROseminars also came to life because of the cooperation with DEAplus. Targeted to the content and methodological requirements of executives and professionals in the event industry, PROseminars provide trend-based management know-how in the areas of organization, sales, human resources, technology, law, and innovation. In this way, the current training programme includes seminars on a wide range of topics, such as expert sound level measurement, safety issues and responsibilities at event venues, strategic customer management, and an current update on GDPR issues.
In addition to its constantly growing seminar programme for the year 2019, the Adam Hall Group is also planning to use the Adam Hall Academy more for internal training and coaching initiatives for employees.
"In building the Experience Centre, we were consciously investing in the future of the event technology industry, and that certainly includes training and further education op

South Africa - The South African Roadies Association (SARA) was born out of the belief in an industry that could provide employment and technical abilities to the young in search of a career. Their good work has helped countless young South Africans get into the industry and mould a career out of their new skills.
DWR Distribution sees the potential and great work offered here and decided to lend a hand in offering niche training to help their cause and better the industry. In addition, DWR renovated and painted one of the classrooms to create a learner friendly environment.
Jannie de Jager, a resident DWR lighting expert, was an appropriate pick as training instructor as he offered patience and knowledge to the future roadies of South Africa. With years of experience and skill Ole Boinamo also from DWR assisted in presenting the training. “They were eager, hungry for knowledge and keen to broaden their scope,” says De Jager. “The future is bright with this sort of work ethic. The students were very passionate feverishly taking notes, illustrating the need that SARA desires to fulfil.”
DWR has made a decision to offer a training course at SARA for every course hosted at the DWR premises, excluding international training. In this case De Jager and Boinamo provided a Basics Lighting course tailored to SARA’s needs.
The course covered the essentials of lighting - cables, connectors, what is DMX and the details around its use, power distribution amongst lights, and safety guides when working with lighting. This course aimed at shaping a

Belgium - Rock band Triggerfinger played four highly energised, sold-out shows at the Roma concert hall in Antwerp, marking the European live performance debut of Robe’s new SuperSpikie moving light.
The band’s lighting designer is Erwin van Lokeren and the lighting and audio equipment was supplied by rental specialist Splendit. The SuperSpikies were part of their most recent investment in Robe technologies, and these were the first of the small luminaires to be delivered in Europe, supplied by Benelux distributor, Controllux.
Last year Erwin started working for Triggerfinger who have been a constant presence on the Benelux rock scene since 1998. They decided to play these five showcases at the Roma rather that one large gig in one of the cities arenas. Roma is a well-known arts and cultural hotspot in the vibrant Borgerhout area of Antwerp, originally built as a cinema in 1928.
The intimacy and warmth of the venue makes it a firm favourite for artists and audiences from all over Belgium.
When it came to choosing fixtures, Erwin wanted “lots of different and more idiosyncratic lightsources and compact fixtures”. When Splendit confirmed they would have their SuperSpikies delivered in time for the show, he incorporated 17 into his design.
Twelve were in the roof, rigged on the rear house bars, and five were positioned upstage on the floor - all having a massive impact for their small size.
The overhead SuperSpikies were used for back and general lighting and the floor units for silhouetting the band and shooting through the

Denmark - In early 2019, the Odense Theatre, in collaboration with The Funen Opera and Odense Symphony Orchestra, staged the country’s largest ever musical production. Featuring a 70-member orchestra and a star-studded cast, the investment by production company AV Center in a Yamaha Rivage PM10 digital mixing system was one of the key factors that made the show possible.
Performed during January and February at Odeon in Odense - a modern venue with a main hall that seats audiences of over 1700 - Leonora Christina is a musical extravaganza telling the 17th century story of one of Denmark’s greatest political intrigues. Directed by Peter Langdal, it includes “all the plot elements of love, power and treason essential for a great musical production”.
The performances featured high profile Danish actors Xenia Lach-Nielsen and Troels Lyby in the lead roles of Leonora Christina and her husband Corfitz Ulfeldt, as well as many other well-known Danish stars of stage and screen.
AV Center is one of the country’s leading production rental companies and a long-term user of Yamaha digital mixing consoles. It has a number of CL and QL mixers in its inventory, but a higher capacity system was needed for Leonora Christina. It was the perfect production for the company to invest in a Rivage PM10 system.
AV Center’s Jesper Findshøj was the sound designer and Front of House mix engineer for the show, which included more than 30 channels of digital wireless microphones, a comprehensive wired microphone package for the symphony orchestra and a

UK - Sennheiser Sound Academy training courses are now online for 2019. Designed for RF techs, AV integrators, sound engineers, designers or consultants, a wide variety of courses are now available including Audio for meeting rooms and Wireless Audio for AV Integrators held at Sennheiser UK in Marlow and Wireless Mics Monitoring Essentials, held at Stage Electrics in Bristol.
Run by Sennheiser’s Customer Development and Application Engineers (CDAE) team, the courses are aimed at both new and existing users and will provide the skills and confidence to operate multi-channel wireless systems, covering acoustics and electrotechnology, wireless mics and monitoring, antenna technology, microphone technology, frequency management and wireless monitoring.
Each course offers a combination of classroom training, which includes hands-on practical modules and eLearning. For full course listings visit: sennheiser.com/soundacademy
(Jim Evans)

UK - Allen & Heath has released drivers for its Qu, SQ and dLive ranges to facilitate control from Crestron, AMX by Harman, and Extron platforms.
Based on the Allen & Heath TCP/IP control protocol, the drivers enable integration with third-party equipment and control systems.
Available now online, these ready-made drivers offer control modules for all key mix parameters, and are a starting point for building custom user interfaces in corporate, leisure, education and other installation applications. Control elements include levels and mutes for input and output channels, send/crosspoint levels, and scene/preset recall. An example programme is provided with each driver.
The AMX driver for Harman’s AMX controllers includes a Qu, dLive and SQ framework (scene recall only for SQ) and is available on the Allen & Heath website.
Two separate Crestron drivers are available for dLive and Qu mixers respectively on the Crestron Application Market. Extron drivers for dLive and Qu are available on the Extron website.
“We worked hard to make sure integrators don’t have to!” comments Martijn Verkerk, Allen & Heath’s installation product manager. “Instead of typing hex strings and writing a control interface from scratch, system integrators can now make use of these modules and get a massive head start in creating simple, stylish user interfaces for their clients.”
(Jim Evans)

UK - Adlib supplied a Coda sound system, video equipment and crew to the recent UK leg of punk folk singer-songwriter Frank Turner’s on-going world tour. Adlib worked closely with production designer Ali Pike, FOH engineer Luke Buckbee and Johnny Stephenson on monitors.
Taking on the full production designer role was an exciting prospect for Ali Pike who initially chatted with Frank about what he wanted video-wise, and had a very clear overall perspective of what she wanted to create. The focus was to bring something fresh and different to the visual mix.
Assisting Ali to get all the kit and the effects she wanted on the road was Adlib’s Matt Hopwood.
The white backdrop for the lighting and video projections was 18 ft high, and Panasonic RZ21K laser projectors were selected for their power and relatively compact size. These were fitted with short throw lenses and run as an overlaid pair, flown on their own dedicated mid stage truss.
Adlib supplied a fully redundant Catalyst V5 Pro Media server that came complete with 6 channel Active Silicon Camera Inputs. The servers were operated via Ali’s grandMA2 lighting console, where she also added effects and treatments to the content that she had compiled for the show.
Adlib provided six POV cameras, a combination of rackable Marshalls, 2 x CV350 10x zoom ‘block’ and 4 x CV225 ‘lipstick’ units. Three of the lipstick cameras used their standard lenses and one was modified with a fisheye lens.
James Coghlan was the audio systems tech, working with Adlib’s Alan Harrison to e

UK - EM Acoustics has announced the appointment of British sound designer Greg Clarke to its team. He will be responsible for system design and client liaison on behalf of EM Acoustics, a position he will fulfil alongside his career as sound designer. Clarke regularly designs Broadway and West End shows in addition to his work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and many others.
“I’ve been an advocate of EM Acoustics for years; I believe fundamentally in their products, their attitude and their philosophy,” comments Clarke. “As we continue to expand, I’m thrilled to be able to put my relationship with the company on a formal basis and share my experience of this exceptional equipment. I’m also really looking forwards to getting to know EM’s broad and diverse customer base.”
EM Acoustics operations director Mike Wheeler adds: “Having Greg on board is a huge asset for us. As both a highly respected sound designer and a key user of our systems in the theatre market, it’s an incalculable benefit for us to be able to make his expertise available to our customers. In addition to offering help and advice on system design, Greg will also be taking on the role of client liaison and after-sales service.”
(Jim Evans)

USA - When the annual Calle Ocho Street Festival took place recently in Miami’s Little Venice it was headlined by Colombian singer, songwriter and producer, Fonseca.
For the past six years, the Grammy nominated artist has been given full visual support by lighting and AV specialists 4 Sound Group. The locally-based company annually provides the full technical infrastructure for this one-day street carnival, frequently calling on its inventory of PR Lighting fixtures.
Around 8,000 people turned up this year to see the so-called ‘King of the Carnival’ perform, and 4 Sound Group’s lighting designer, Juan Miguel Sanchez, gave him a dynamic stage set that befitted the occasion. They deployed 16 PR Lighting Phantom 440, a versatile hybrid Beam, Wash and Spot combined, programming in all three modes to make full use of the Osram Sirius HRI 440W lamp and advanced optical path. This gave them: 0°~ 2.8° angle In Beam mode, 2.8°~ 60° (Spot), and 10°~ 60° (Wash).
These effects were complemented with 16 PR Lighting XLED 4022RZ, a bright LED colour wash featuring 22x 40W (4-in-1 RGBW) LEDs.
The Miami-based production company has been a PR Lighting partner for the past three years.
Company president Joaquin Gonzalez comments: “We particularly chose PR Lighting as our main brand for the quality of its equipment. The power and light output are incredible, and comparable with any other brand in the market. The local support of [PR Lighting US distributor] Mega Systems is very good, and for our part we will continue to increase our invent

UK - Each year the Strictly Come Dancing Live show gets that bit more glitzy and that bit more glamourous.
Now in its 12th year, the live production of the TV show has gone from strength to strength, playing arenas around the country. Each year the show specification is revisited and refreshed with each set piece and prop given a re-evaluation. This year, one of the recipients of a revamp were the chandeliers.
Production manager Andy Gibbs reports: “We had maintained the chandeliers for 11 years, bringing them out of storage annually to add that extra dressing to the set look. Our tour director is Craig Revel Horwood and during the initial discussions about this year’s show, he was keen to include fountains and waterfalls. Clearly, with 1,200 panels of wooden dancefloor that gets loaded in and out and carefully laid at every venue, this was never going to happen. I suggested we go down the LED route and approached Specialz to come up with a proposal. The resulting design and fabrication produced four chandeliers which proved to provide effects far beyond the original expectation.”
Specialz MD Dave Smith comments: “We exchanged various ideas and settled on a concept using programmable node RGBW LEDs and based around three half circle mirror balls on a tier. They had to be the same size as the old chandeliers to maintain the truck pack, they had to be battery powered, WiFi controlled, needed to rotate and descend from a winch. Our SPI cards have a unique programmable animation capability which allowed us to essentially group the 12,0

USA - Production lighting designer Andi Watson recently undertook one of his most challenging projects thanks to a collaboration with LA-based mixed-media artist Doug Aitken.
Conceived by Doug Aitken Workshop, the mirrored art installation, Mirage Detroit, has transformed the 100-year-old Savings Bank in Detroit into a mesmerising adventure for visitors, due in part to the judicious use of customised GLP fixtures, which are used exclusively to light the space.
The LD says the collaboration came about largely by chance. “I had been working on another project in Detroit with the Library Street Collective team who were in the early stages of putting together Mirage Detroit with Doug. Several things fell into place and Anthony and JJ from LSC suggested to Doug that he and I should talk about the lighting component of the piece.”
The concept, in which the 70,000sq.ft Silvers Building was transformed into a kaleidoscopic world of reflective mirrors, fomented over several months and via numerous conference calls. “Doug sent me detailed drawings and renders of how the piece was going to look in the space and we discussed how the lighting would be used to bring both buildings to life.”
Both collaborators agreed that only white light would be used in the installation. Watson explains: “To me, light is the medium and the language with which the Silvers Building and Mirage communicate. I wanted that communication to be as pure as possible and not affected by a subjective colour choice.”
However, this presented a conundru

USA - Reflect, an award-winning provider of retail digital signage programmes and long-time digital partner to Levi Strauss & Co, has teamed up with D3 and BrightSign to create a striking visual experience at the recently opened Levi’s flagship store in Times Square. At nearly 17,000sq.ft, it is the largest Levi’s flagship store in the world. The multi-level location employs AV treatments that create striking visual interest throughout the store.
Originally established in 1853, Levi Strauss & Co. is one of the world’s largest apparel companies with 500 stores worldwide, and products available in over 100 countries.
When tasked with creating a modern environment that was not only welcoming, but also told the story of the brand, Levi’s turned to Reflect. Reflect - which also oversaw the digital design and integration of the San Francisco Levi’s store - leaned heavily on the use of LED panels to create large-scale vignettes in prominent, high-traffic areas. In total, 10 million LED pixels blanket more than 1,000sq.ft of prime wall space located on both levels of the store. The full array of LEDs - supplied by D3 LED - are powered by just two BrightSign XT1144 media players. The inclusion of two additional BrightSign XT1144 media players ensures a high degree of redundancy.
“Times Square stores are among the highest-visibility retail establishments in the world. Delivering a brand-right digital experience was our goal,” says Brandie Perkins, senior account manager at Reflect. “We entrusted BrightSign media players to deliver a f

USA - Georgia Tech fields a mean team of Yellow Jackets baseball players that has posted numerous NCAA Division I conference championships. The team practices and plays all of its home games at Russ Chandler Stadium, a 4,000-plus seat stadium originally built in 1930 and massively renovated in 2002. Like everything on the Georgia Tech campus, Russ Chandler Stadium is nestled deep inside Atlanta’s Midtown area.
Gainesville-based AV company dB Integrations recently gave Georgia Tech two Danley-based sound systems for Russ Chandler Stadium: one for game day that includes a beefy Danley SH96HO loudspeaker and an even beefier Danley BC415 subwoofer and one for practices that uses a more modest Danley OS80 weatherised loudspeaker.
“The Yellow Jackets had a dated sound reinforcement system mounted on a 25ft tower behind centre field,” explains Ronnie Stanford, director of sales and marketing at dB Integrations. “The audio quality was poor, and the system had zero low-frequency extension. The situation called for a complete redo, and we were careful to build game-day and practice systems that would help the team avoid noise complaints. In addition, we designed and installed a whole new front end in the press box, along with simple practice control from the home dugout.”
He continues: “The Georgia Tech facilities managers were already familiar with Danley Sound Labs because they heard a demo for the football field a few years ago. They didn’t want to mess with a distributed system - they wanted high fidelity, great intelligibility, and solid p

Slovakia - Music & Lights has appointed Showmedia S.R.O as its distributor for Slovakia.
Košice-based Showmedia has extensive experience throughout Eastern Europe and already had Music & Lights brand Prolights in its portfolio.
Installations completed by Showmedia have included the lighting design of the RTVS broadcast station in Bratislava as part of Nuit Blanche - the biggest festival of art in Slovakia with over 200,000 people attending. Other notable installations or productions include the entire Encore Club and the Old Bridge structure.
Fabio Sorabella, M&L MD, comments: “We are so excited to have Showmedia join us as our Slovakian distribution partner, their track record and reputation speak volumes throughout the area and we are excited to see what the future holds.”
Branislav Bernár, Showmedia director, adds: “The Music & Lights portfolio of products is complex yet balanced, offering a rarely seen combination of design, an innovative approach, quality and reasonable prices. They offer solutions that can be used in any environment from smaller installations through to the biggest productions. The level of customer service and availability of products and spare parts is amazing, and it makes it easy for us to always quickly fulfil the needs of our customers. We are looking forward to working together and excited for the future.”
(Jim Evans)