

Our cover stars this month are The Chemical Brothers. We caught up with the crew and creatives behind the duo’s latest tour as it visited Leeds First Direct Arena and found ain interesting mix of analogue and digital technology at work driving the show.
Also inside, Rob Halliday reports on Danny Boyle’s Free Your Mind. Created to celebrate the opening of Manchester’s new Aviva Studios (see our November issue for a detailed report on the venue), the show takes audiences into the world of The Matrix films through dance and clever immersive design.
We also discover how Obsidian’s DyLOS pixel composer started life as part of an experiment in real-world demonstrations of the phenomenon of sound-colour synaesthesia - try saying that after a few festive sherries! Plus, we meet Danish sound design outfit, Tone Art and the team behind Bradford-based Pro Audio Systems.
For his latest instalment of Future Tech, James Simpson explores how materials inspired by spider silk could ultimately help transform production practices. Meanwhile, Sam Woodward hones in on the subject of fieldbuses for this month’s Set In Motion, and Roland Hemming asks whether the supply chain crisis is over in his latest Second Fix column.
Tech-wise, Richard Cadena takes a close look at LSC Control Systems’ Unitour portable power solution, and experiments with ChatGPT to discover just how good it is at writing complex coding for lighting consoles.
Finally, as we head towards the festive break, I’d like to thank you all for your continued readership and support - and to those who joined us throughout the year, welcome aboard! I hope you all have a very happy holiday season and a healthy and prosperous 2024!
Claire Beeson
Editor
claire.beeson@plasa.org
Electronic duo The Chemical Brothers marry technical innovation with classic analogue gear, as LSi discovers at Leeds First Direct Arena . . .
Rob Halliday reports on the opening show at Manchester’s Aviva Studios, based on The Matrix films and directed by Danny Boyle . . .
LSi talks to rising star Jay Steel
Sphere campaign, Phil Ward speaks volumes . . .
The Shend interrogates Roberto Honeybadger
Is the supply chain crisis over? Roland Hemming discusses the business of installations . . .
All aboard the fieldbus. Automation specialist Sam Woodward goes through the motions . . .
Accountability, electrical safety consultant James Eade lets sparks fly . . .
Phil Ward talks to outgoing Nexo sales manager, Andy Simmons . . .
James Simpson predicts the shape of tech to come : Spider silk
Richard Cadena reviews LSC’s Unitour portable power management and distribution unit designed for audio, video and lighting in event production . . .
LSi charts the colourful journey of DyLOS: Obsidian Control Systems’ innovative pixel composer . . .
LSi discovers how rental company Major Tom tackled a busy summer with the help of Optocore’s Festival Boxes . . .
Joe Fuller speaks to Pro Audio Systems, as it celebrates its 35th anniversary with diversification, expansion and attention to detail . . .
Richard Cadena explores whether the AI chat bot can produce complex coding for lighting consoles . . .
NEXT ISSUE*:
• On Tour: Sam Smith
• Preview: ISE 2024
• Event: Thailand’s Carnival Magic
• Review: LDI 2023
• Tech: L-Acoustics’ L Series
• Plus all of your regular favourites . . .
*Subject to change
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