USA - St. Mary’s Cathedral is one of the most popular Catholic churches in the Portland, OR area. It serves as its parish’s diocese, hosting weekly masses, services and sometimes daily visits for a large, devoted congregation. The church needed to ensure its audio-visual equipment could convey its important messages in a smooth, intelligible manner - something that was previously lacking due its domed cathedral and marble walls.
When it came time for an AV upgrade, St. Mary’s turned to Alpha Sound. With 40 years’ experience, the Alpha Sound team was ready to tackle the live acoustical issues at the cathedral while also choosing equipment that would not impede the church’s elegant décor. To accomplish this, the installer selected more than 20 mics from DPA Microphones, the largest DPA install to-date in the area.
“Everything about this space is elegant and high-end,” says Devin Sheets, lead engineer, Alpha Sound. “They have gone to great lengths to beautify the space, and we wanted microphones that would complement the aesthetics of the church. The placement was also crucial, as they did not want any microphone stands regularly in the way.”
Built in 1925, St. Mary’s Cathedral has experienced concerns with its congregates not being able to clearly understand spoken word and the music portions of services due to the reverberant acoustics in the church. This also affected the livestreams of services, which have become an integral part of its offerings since the start of the pandemic.
With these challenges, it was critical to

UK - disguise has announced that it is receiving research and development funding from Innovate UK to expand its work in virtual production. Innovate UK is part of the United Kingdom Research and Innovation organisation whose purpose is to accelerate UK economic growth by stimulating and supporting business-led innovation.
With the grant, disguise will focus on pure research, outside its usual engineering innovation work, while maintaining a competitive development timeline within the technology sector.
The disguiseVP R&D project focuses on scalability and flexibility as key improvements to the current disguise workflow. Addressing mainly virtual production, disguiseVP is targeted to a totally immersive virtual production environment where extensive control and fast calibration lead to more informed decisions on set, improved collaboration and absolutely uncompromising results.
“The funding from InnovateUK enables us to have a team focussed on our long term R&D roadmap which maintains our ability to push beyond the boundaries of the present state of the art. disguiseVP is specifically focussed on making improvements to the calibration, rendering efficiency and image quality of the disguise virtual production solution,” says Abi Bowman, chief of staff at disguise, who oversees the project. “When integrated into our product, these advancements will be game changing.”

USA - New York quintet Lousy Sloughter delivered their Couch Tour from High Peaks Event Productions’ livestream studio in early April.
For 50 minutes, the band wove its way through a blend of blues, funk and jazz. With them every step of the way was a fluid, artfully crafted lighting design by Christine Sharp that drew on the colour and gobo rendering prowess of over 30 Chauvet Professional fixtures.
“The looks I create are pretty varied depending on the genre of music, even and down to the song being played,” said Sharp, who runs High Peaks with her husband Roger. “For a low-keyed show, or an acoustic performance, I try to create an aesthetic frame around the musicians on stage. If I know the vibe of the song, I saturated the stage with colours that reflect the feelings, at least as I interpret them.”
Following this design approach, Sharp kept the area to the sides of the stage mostly in shadows, making it easier for the camera to centre on the band. To accentuate each of the five musicians, she highlighted them during solos and other key points in the show with top and side lighting from the six Maverick MK3 Spot fixtures hung on upstage truss, six Maverick MK1 Spot units on upright towers and eight Rogue R2X Washes on the deck behind the drum towers.
To colorise the stage in tones that matched the music, she relied on her rig’s six Rogue R2 Wash fixtures. Her palette throughout the livestream was dominated by deep richly textured, blues, reds and purple in combinations that engendered a mellow mood. At times, she also punctuated

USA - Home Church has been a rock for Christians in the South San Francisco Bay Area since 1977. This past year, they vowed to keep their congregation connected during the coronavirus lockdown via online and outdoor services. There was just one problem: Their aging analogue wireless audio equipment had almost become obsolete because the available radio spectrum in the region is changing and shrinking almost by the day.
Home Church turned to worship A/V experts Zamar Media Solutions, who specified Lectrosonics’ fourth-generation, all-digital D-Squared system, including two DSQD four-channel receivers, six DHu handheld mics for the praise musicians, and two DBu belt-pack transmitters for the pastors’ headset mics.
“I’m the nerd that went out there to evaluate the situation,” begins system designer Tim Fairbairn. “Because of the repack of frequencies in the Bay area, we’ve been left with literally three digital TV channels worth of spectrum to shoehorn everything into: 15, 18, and 25. Those are the only ones left without broadcasters. Our friends at Home Church needed eight channels of wireless mics, and they needed not to conflict with the five channels they already have there for in-ear monitors.”
“So, we sought out products with much smaller bandwidth needs,” adds Mike Dow, president and founder of Zamar Media Solutions. “Lectrosonics is the only brand out there that did what we needed in this case. Their Digital Hybrid stuff has always provided good, clean audio signal but the Lectrosonics D-Squared system takes it to a new le

Poland - The Workshop Musical Academy in Warsaw is a performing arts school focused on developing young musical artists' interests and skills and preparing them for original theatre, film, and music projects. With classes held in two professionally-equipped rooms, including the school’s own recording studio and a performance hall, the facility was looking for an AV system to amplify performances.
Earlier this year, the Workshop Musical Academy made the decision to upgrade its performance hall sound system. The school frequently hosts a wide range of productions, from solo performances to full theatre and concert performances. The academy brought in local AV integrator ESS-Audio, to design and install the new sound system, the integrator has been providing comprehensive audio and integration solutions for more than 30 years, and recently became a provider of amplifiers from LEA Professional.
“The school needed a flexible sound system that could be integrated with and support the hall’s current AV system, projection system, and a future-planned large video wall,” said Maciej Barański, sound designer, ESS Audio. “To meet these requirements, the new sound system needed to deliver excellent sound quality, scalability, and ease of use.”
Barański explained that the academy's performance hall seats about 300. In addition to sound quality and connectivity flexibility, the school was interested in accessing the system remotely, allowing the ESS team to adjust and manage the system if issues arise.
“We specified a set of five Connect Seri

UK - Vestel Visual Solutions has been selected by Wycombe Wanderers FC as its official AV partner. Vestel’s digital signage and interactive displays have been deployed throughout Adams Park as part of a major infrastructural project to digitally transform the stadium and boost fan engagement.
Over 50 Vestel displays have been fitted to enhance key supporter areas across the ground. Within the club shop, which fronts Adams Park, a 75” PDX75 screen provides a window display, with 2500 NIT brightness ensuring incoming fans can see the latest content in vivid detail as they approach the stadium - visible even in the summer. Within the store itself, a slimline 55” UHD model, alongside multiple 37” stretched displays, offer eye-capturing visuals to promote the latest club merchandise, as well as wider news from the club including ticketing information for upcoming matches.
Within the stadium itself, multiple bar areas including Monty’s Bar, Honours Lounge and the Vere Suite have been equipped with an array of vibrant digital signage solutions, which are expected to play an important role in encouraging supporters to spend more time in the stadium prior to kick-off, or for the screening of away games. This is integral both in terms of building the pre-match atmosphere, as well as from a business perspective, with matchday income making up a significant proportion of the club’s revenue.
Of particular importance is the club’s standard 3pm Saturday kick-offs, with many supporters often wishing to watch the earlier televised match prior to Wyc

USA - Chroma-Q has been pre-production testing in collaboration with Green Voltage zero emission generator units.
Working with a selection of Brute Force lampheads, the crew, plus Green Voltage director and experienced operator Adam Baker (Wonder Woman 2, No Time to Die) tested the LED Wendylight alternative, together with Green Voltage’s 5kW VOLTstack E-Gen remote power systems.
The Chroma-Q product range has become a regular feature on lighting lists the world over, delivering low energy illumination to all manner of productions. Deceptive in both stature and output, the Brute Force draws just 15 amps @ 240V making them suitable for use in conjunction with the GV power units.
With the Brute Force running at full power, the generators provided over 2.5 hours operation. The fully dimmable LED fixture, with its extended CCT range between 2,000K and 10,000K, also underwent additional testing at various colour temperatures and intensities, resulting in even greater operating times.
Adam Baker says, “I’ve worked with the Brute Force on a number of occasions, so am well aware of their abilities. The convenience of running the fixtures in combination with a Green Voltage power source adds an even greater degree of versatility.”
The Green Voltage VOLTstacks are available in 2kW and 5kW sizes, with higher output additions to the range due in the second quarter of the year.
During testing, the ability to series link the generator units provided the opportunity to carry out extended runs, allowing the team to properly

UK - Rental production company, Neg Earth has added the new Prolights EclPanel TWC LED softlight to its rental fleet.
On recommendation from a number of top lighting designers, Neg Earth decided to demo the new EclPanel TWC and was impressed with its performance and notable list of features.
Neg Earth’s Sam Ridgway commented; “After several recommendations for the EclPanel TWC, I had high expectations and I am pleased to say the fixture certainly lived up to them. The fixture’s output is brighter than a number of competitors products at only a fraction of the cost. The performance and features of the EclPanel TWC really set it apart. Its quality whites and rich colour capabilities make it a truly versatile product.”
The EclPanel TWC has individual pixel control enabling the colour and output to be varied per section. In addition, the EclPanel TWC comes with a wide selection of effects on board that users can select and manipulate without the need for a lighting console or extensive programming. Each effect can be customised in order to meet the design requirements and enhance creative capabilities.
Sam continued; “This is a very nice-looking fixture and we are looking forward to getting it out on more jobs soon. We have no doubt our customers will rate it as highly as we do.”
The units were supplied to Neg Earth by Prolights’ exclusive UK distributor, A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET).
“Neg Earth have a long-standing relationship with AC-ET and it is always a pleasure to work with them. The team are friendly a

Austria - Microphone manufacturer Lewitt has introduced the LCT 140 AIR stereo pair. 
Features include a tailored small diaphragm condenser capsule; low-cut and PAD; cardioid polar pattern; mic clips and transport bag with two compartments.
“We’re always close to the pulse of the community with our products, so it was only a logical step for us to respond to the numerous voices that have asked for a flexible stereo pair,” says Roman Perschon, founder and CEO of Lewitt.

UK - Channel 4’s Lucy, the Human Chimp documentary aired this month with a mix of archive footage and newly filmed ‘jungle’ reconstructions, with the latter made possible by Bristol-based virtual production studio Vero.
The film, which tells the real-life story of chimp Lucy’s return to the wild after being raised in human surroundings, required cutting edge technology to re-enact scenes of Lucy’s carer, Janis Carter, living on an uninhabited island off the coast of The Gambia.
Production was scheduled to take place in the real-world jungle surroundings but, due to the COVID pandemic, had stalled. With no international travel permitted, and flights grounded, the team were searching for a new solution.
Multi-award-winning production company KEO Films approached VERO on behalf of Channel 4, with a view to using Vero’s pioneering studio space. This was fitted out with more than 47sq. m of 2.6mm pitch Desay X2i LED screen, with Desay M6 6mm LED screen for the Ceiling Spine LED.
Serving as a hi-res backdrop, configured as a 10m x 3.5m curve with a 3.5m x 3.5m flat section joining the curve, the team recreated a jungle film set within which the actor playing Cater performed. Behind her, island jungle footage was displayed, providing realistic lighting via the screen’s considerable brightness and an immersive, enveloping background.
“This was a fantastic production for us to work on,” says 3D animation and motion graphics expert Robert Tyler, from Vero. “The collaboration involved three-months of conversation, technic

World - PRG has set up a worldwide network of 20 studio environments suited for scalable production of pre-recorded and live content in a COVID-compliant setting.
The studios are housed in the immediate vicinity of major facilities, to enable PRG to react to project-specific technical requirements from clients by utilising its portfolio of lighting, audio, video, scenic and digital solutions. Each studio has its own character, catering to the markets it serves, whilst an expert team is in place to supervise and staff each location. There are two types of environment – the PRG Virtual Production Studios, designed for productions that require more demanding technology such as extended reality (xR), and PRG Digital Studios for pre-recorded or live broadcasts.
The Virtual Production Studios – located in Hamburg, Los Angeles, and Paris – are equipped with xR technology, mixed reality and proprietary Enhanced Environments and Ncam® technology, making it possible to host green screen, standard capture or extended reality (xR) shoots. “From entirely imagined worlds to realistic scenery and backdrops, any environment can be brought into the studio with options for realtime visualisation of virtual elements,” says the company. “As a result, talent can interact with their setting in real time, while producers realize major savings in post-production and travel costs.”
The PRG Digital Studios can be found in more locations, including Chicago, Las Vegas, Nashville, New York Metro, Orlando as well as in The EGG in Brussels, London's Saatchi Gallery, M

China - Harman Professional Solutions has introduced the JBL Professional Rock ONE Series wireless microphone system which pairs with the JBL EON ONE series and is compatible with most other portable PAs.
Designed for users who require a versatile wire-free solution for performances or presentations, this system features charging via a USB-type-C cable for both the receiver and microphone - eliminating the need for an external power source.
The system supports the simultaneous use of up to four Rock ONE microphone/receiver sets, available in red, white, yellow or pink.
Rock ONE features include: 10 hours of continuous operation on a full charge; 20-band UHF wireless and infrared pairing; 30m of wireless range; simultaneous operation of up to four Rock ONE microphone sets, and direct charging from the JBL EON ONE Portable PA.
“The demand for portable wireless systems has increased across the globe to support many areas of business outside of just performing artists, such as corporate presentations, exhibition events, tradeshows, educational settings and more,” comments Daryl Wong, Director, China product development, Harman Professional Solutions.
“With the introduction of the JBL Rock ONE, we’ve set a new standard for truly portable wireless microphone systems. Through a contemporary design and features that include long-running times, easy system parings and simultaneous usage, we have managed to merge both form and function into a truly game-changing wireless UHF mic system.”

Czech Republic - Robe Lighting has unveiled its new T2 Profile luminaire, offering “an array of innovative technologies and the sought-after colour finesse of Robe’s successful Multi-Spectral LED (MSLTM) light engines”.
Crafted for multiple applications - theatre, television, auditoriums, stages, concert environments - the T2 Profile produces over 17,500 lumens measured at the front lens - via its 850W MSL source, to throw high-quality light over long distances.
The fixture’s quietness is suitable for scenarios where noise is crucial including classical concerts or recitals and dramas.
It has also been designed as a throw partner used in conjunction with Robe’s smaller T1 series fixtures, as both feature the MSLTM LED engines and therefore produce an identical multi-spectral colour mixing consistency.
The T2 Profile technologies linclude adjustable CCT - from 2,700K to 8,000K - together with DataSwatchTM for the quick selection of 237 authentic pre-programmed colours and tones including the most frequently used whites.
The T2 Profile has been engineered by Robe to include all the functionality that lighting designers and professionals are demanding with features like fast, easy CMY colour control; a separate +/- green hue control channel; an impressive 5°-55° zoom; variable 1° and 5° interchangeable frosts with full zoom range capability; two gobo wheels - one static and one rotating; an animation wheel; two rotating prisms and precise four individual plane framing shutter system.

USA - As the bassist and backup singer for Bon Jovi, Hugh McDonald admits that his performances rely on trusted legacy equipment and he doesn’t concern himself too much with following the latest performance gear and technology. But after a year of cancelled tours and countless hours using the integrated webcam and microphone on his laptop, McDonald recently recognised that, in his own words, “There has to be a better way to do this.”
After a brief chat with some industry friends, he found the upgraded gear he needed: the ClearOne Aura Versa 50 audio and video solution.
“When I finally had to do a recording, and I was setting up the laptop, positioning it in the room, it really felt cobbled together, like a subpar solution,” McDonald said. “The band ended up doing a lot of video from our homes for various organizations, plus solo videos to prepare for a live session in Nashville, and now when I look back, I wish I had upgraded my collaboration gear earlier. No integrated laptop or phone camera can deliver 4K video, HD audio and special functions like the pan, tilt and zoom offered by my new ClearOne Aura Versa 50.”
The ClearOne Aura Versa 50 package combines a UNITE 50 ePTZ camera with a CHAT 150 speakerphone and a Versa USB Hub. The camera offers a 4K, 120-degree ultra-wide view lens with a 3x digital zoom, while the speakerphone delivers HDConference audio and plug-and-play simplicity with the Versa USB Hub.
With the uncertain timeline for the return of regular live events and musical performances, more and more artists, music

China - Installed for China’s Consumer Rights Day gala, a 1,000sq.m LED wall dazzled viewers with graphics, all powered by Pixotope.
Broadcast live on 15 March, the two-hour slot was dedicated to “informing consumers of consumer habits and business practices from major brands”. Great Wheel, a production company working within China Central Television (CCTV), designed and implemented the live graphics using Pixtope’s engine.
Since early 2020, China Central Television has been rapidly expanding its virtual production capabilities for its programme delivery, with Pixotope becoming the station’s primary virtual production solution for a range of AR projects.
Traditionally, CCTV opted to build real-world sets for its Consumer Day television broadcast, but the studio found it could significantly improve both the quality and flexibility of its productions after choosing to install an LED wall. The variation of content and mood in the Consumer Rights Day’s show means physical sets restrict the TV station’s options when conducting a live broadcast. But with Pixtope driving live graphics on an LED wall, the range of diverse content could be catered for effectively, and in real-time, with appropriate imagery and graphics.
Pixotope has established a strong working relationship with CCTV and the production companies it engages with. The company’s team of experts assisted in the setup every step of the way.
David Stroud, chief product officer from Pixotope, comments: “We’re continually developing Pixotope’s features, but seei

USA - LED lighting solutions specialist BriteShot has shifted its manufacturing strategy amidst the global pandemic and now specialises in COVID-19 decontamination products. BriteShot’s decontamination solutions include its AirAffair air filtration system and BriteShot decontamination tent.
“To help venues re-open safely amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, we have dedicated our R&D resources to design groundbreaking innovation in air filtration and air purification,” says Roy McDonald, co-founder at BriteShot. “With more than a decade of knowledge and experience working in the entertainment space, we aim to have our decontamination technology be a factor in helping entertainment venues, restaurants, schools, houses of worship and more, reopen their doors in a safe and effective way.”
BriteShot’s AirAffair system uses scientifically backed technologies to effectively inactivate and filter contaminated airborne particulate matter. When air first enters the unit, it passes through a pre-filter of a HEPA/MERV 10 rating to capture large particulate matter. Then, the remaining matter flows through a UV-C light germicidal and cold plasma chamber to kill off and target the core RNA of organisms that can become viral in the human body. To further purify, the air then passes through a MERV 13-rated filter to capture smaller contaminated air particles. Finally, the air is ionized and pumped back into the environment in a completely purified state.
“New York State guidelines dictate that indoor facilities must meet filtration system guidelines that

UK - Scheduled to open in Summer 2021, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella features a new score by Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Oscar-nominated David Zippel, with a script from Killing Eve’s Emerald Fennell, recently multi-Oscar nominated for Promising Young Woman.
But before Cinderella can go to the ball, the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London’s West End needs to be transformed to host the spectacular production. And, with Cinderella’s fairy godmother currently shielding due to COVID restrictions, Unusual Rigging was called upon to work its magic instead.
Jeremy Featherstone, design engineer, Unusual Rigging explained: “Unusual was brought on board by production manager Paul Hennessy to provide all the rigging for the new show. This involved modifying the flying system that’s already there, adding an additional 60 drop pulleys onto the grid in order to fit in all the portals and big set pieces, as well as installing 2 x false prosceniums and a big back wall weighing 10 tonnes.
The back wall, a timber construction, had to be hung before the floor went in underneath. Jeremy continued: “We put in a 70ft runway beam system to construct the wall. It all had to come up in a lift (in 50+ pieces) then tracked across the stage and fitted together. In total we installed over half a kilometre of truss and ladder beam – over two thirds more than we’d normally install for a typical show in another West End Theatre. However, the Gillian Lynne is not a typical theatre and everything that’s a part of the house system is either too wide or to

UK - Audio-Technica has announced their appointment as distributor for Optimal Audio – Focusrite plc’s new commercial audio brand – in 17 territories across Europe and Africa. The company will assume distribution activities following today’s launch.
Focusrite Group’s seventh brand, Optimal Audio has been in development over the past three years to simplify the often unnecessarily complex world of commercial audio, as Focusrite CEO Tim Carroll explains, “Optimal Audio provides a streamlined product offering working seamlessly together to deliver high quality sound that is easy to install and can be operated by anyone, not just engineers.”
Dom Harter, now managing director for both Martin Audio and Optimal Audio, describes the focus of the brand as “offering a one-stop solution of control, amplification and loudspeakers for small to medium-sized commercial installations, with a focus on supporting multi-zone venues. At the forefront of the eco-system are four and eight-zone, powered and non-powered Zone controllers that have DSP at their heart. There is currently nothing else at this price point on the market which has the functionality and versatility to allow such a quick and simple setup.”
Compatible with any device, Optimal Audio’s WebApp makes system set-up straightforward, allowing installers as much access as they require to configure EQs, devise presets and structure time-of-day routines. Once completed, venue staff can then be presented with a simple, intuitive user interface which allows them to operate the system.

UK - Green Hippo has expanded its international sales network with two new distribution appointments in Northern Europe.
In Estonia, Green Hippo has appointed Frequency OÜ, a live event specialist offering expertise in video engineering and equipment for live concerts, conferences, expos and more, founded in 2017 by Matt Villis, a video professional with over 15 years’ experience in the event production industry.
“Hippotizer Media Servers provide a great range of products for all aspects of the market,” says Villis. “With events and installations beginning to move again, clients are mindful of their spending. But with Green Hippo’s diverse range, we’re able to offer clients a specific product to match their exact needs, and with expandability when it’s required.”
He adds, “We need media servers that can handle anything, whether it’s projection mapping on the side of a building, visualising the next e-sports event, or providing live, real-time generated visuals for live concerts. Green Hippo has always managed to provide all of that and more.”
In Finland, Green Hippo continues its long association with Johan West with the appointment of Amepa Oy as its new representative. Run by Ari Kivelä, Amepa has for many years worked ‘deep behind the scenes’ as a specialist in network and power distribution system design for the live industry. The company was recently joined by West, who has been associated with the Green Hippo brand in Finland since 2003.
“The Green Hippo product range has followed me since the early

UK - Version 2, which specialises in lighting hire specifically for the television industry, has expanded its stock of MDG products with the addition of two ATMe haze generators. “Our clients trust us to specify the right products and we know that MDG produces the best haze for the television market,” says Nick Edwards, managing director of Version 2.
Edwards has 25 years of dedicated television lighting experience, having held technical, commercial and management positions at PRG, Panalux and Aurora, after his training at the flagship training facility in BBC Wood Norton, prior to founding Version 2 in 2016. This experience puts him in a strong position when it comes to choosing the best products for his clients, many of whom have worked with him for years and trust his technical know-how.
“All our equipment investments have been rigorously researched and tested, plus we have had years of experience with many manufacturers’ products, so we have a good idea of what works and what doesn’t,” he says. “This allows us to make better decisions on our capital expenditure and only invest in the best products for our market. In effect we are testing and processing on behalf of the client so they can be confident in our recommendations.”
Good haze is one of the most critical ingredients to a show, particularly for television. “Primetime television programmes are broadcast to millions of viewers and demand a highly polished result. A fine balance is needed between deploying enough haze to achieve the desired beam read on camera, yet not so

USA - Bose Professional has unveiled the new AMM multipurpose loudspeaker line, comprised of two full-range loudspeakers - the AMM108 and AMM112 and a companion subwoofer, the AMS115.
Featuring a coaxial two-way design, AMM loudspeakers are purpose-built to perform equally well in a variety of applications. They can be deployed as mains, monitors, fills or delays in temporary setups or permanent installations, such as houses of worship, music venues and auditoriums. Designed for peak flexibility, AMM108 and AMM112 loudspeakers can be deployed with a specific role in a system or used in multiple roles within the same system.
Consistent voicing with the existing Bose AM array module line and Bose AMU utility loudspeaker line means system designers and installers can easily mix and match models from all three lines, saving time during system configuration, says the company.
Both the AMM108 and AMM112 feature the new, proprietary Bose Beamwidth Matching Waveguide. This waveguide ensures signature Bose sound quality, delivering consistent frequency response, clarity and projection across the coverage area. Located just behind the grille, the waveguide seals the acoustic volume of the woofer and features a unique vent pattern that controls low-frequency dispersion, aligning the low- and high-frequency beamwidths at crossover. The result is wide-band, symmetrical sound coverage.
“Our new AMM multipurpose loudspeaker line offers the output, versatility and clarity users need across a variety of applications,” commented Adam Shulman, market categor