Business

SSE and Wigwam are now the only suppliers based in England able to supply d&b directly to trade users across the UK.

SSE appointed d&b sales & installations partner

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - d&b audiotechnik has restructured its UK Sales network, appointing SSE Audio and Wigwam as Sales and Installations Partners for the UK.

With d&b deciding to streamline their UK Sales network, SSE Audio Group, backed by the experience of Wigwam, are seen as ideal partners for the German manufacturer. The new Sales and Installation partnership means SSE and Wigwam are the only suppliers based in England that are able to supply d&b directly to Trade Users across the UK. SSE Audio Group has offices in the north, south and midlands, along with a highly experienced and integrated sales team.

Wigwam Acoustics, part of SSE Audio Group since 2013, has been an established d&b supplier for Hire, Sales and Installations for many years, building up a vast pool of knowledge and experience with the full d&b product range. Since the acquisition SSE has been able, via Wigwam, to provide d

Orbital's dedicated training centre in Brixton

Orbital hosts Flare Audio seminar session

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Orbital Sound is staging the first Flare Audio seminar on 20 January, at its dedicated training centre in Brixton, with Flare Audio's Davies Roberts presenting The Path to Better Sound. The seminar will focus on discussing the issues that have affected loudspeaker performance since its invention some 90 years ago, including a detailed technical explanation of the science behind loudspeaker design.

The half day training session is tailored to provide engineers, designers and technicians with an insight into the key issues surrounding loudspeaker technology, including: The hidden distortions inside loudspeakers; The challenges behind achieving total accuracy in loudspeaker design; Loudspeaker behaviour and its lack of predictability; A comparison between the evolution of video picture quality versus loudspeaker sound quality.

The emphasis is on providing an interacti

Ashly Audio appoints Sound Directions for the UK

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Ashly Audio, a division of Jam Industries, based in NY, USA, a manufacturer of high-quality commercial audio signal processors and power amplifiers, has appointed Sound Directions Ltd of Chessington, Surrey as its exclusive distributor for the UK.

A specialist distributor for audio brands in the UK catering to consultants, commercial integrators and systems installers working in AV, theatre, retail and hospitality, Sound Directions was founded by Stanislas Boivin-Champeaux in 1998. The Chessington-based company sees the addition of the Ashly Audio range as integral to its continued growth plans.

"The Ashly Audio range complements our existing partner brands perfectly and with the ne and Pema range of Ashly amplifiers I think we can offer some really serious, high-end, networked commercial contracting solutions"

Stanislas adds: "We try and make life easier

PLASA UK Trainee Rigger Scheme launches

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - PLASA is delighted to announce the launch of the UK Trainee Rigger Scheme.

PLASA have developed a way in which those who wish to pursue a career in rigging can identify and record the necessary training and experience. They will also be able to demonstrate their commitment to rigging to potential employers.

The scheme will provide a way of logging experience against specific rigging tasks, building a picture of the trainee's practical rigging development and training undertaken. Over time they will be able to track their development and readiness to register for competence-based assessment at Level 2 of the National Rigging Certificate.

Training providers and trainees will have access to a syllabus of learning and the National Rigging Certificate Handbook. Each trainee will have attended a health and safety course recognised by the National Rigging Advisory Group as des

New Years Eve 2014 wysiwyg previsualization (photo: © Durham Marenghi)

London on the New Year map - with wysiwyg

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Organized for the 11th year in a row by global experience agency Jack Morton Worldwide and watched by millions across the globe, lighting design for the Mayor of London's New Year's Eve fireworks extravaganza was created by lighting designers Durham Marenghi and Paul Cook exclusively using wysiwyg lighting design software from CAST Software. The lighting design ensured that the New Year was truly spectacular.

"We were tasked with putting London on the map alongside Sydney Harbour Bridge and Times Square, NYC," explained Marenghi. "The fantastic fireworks by Darryl Fleming at Titanium are what the public recognize but, like all good lighting, our design is subliminal but would be very much missed if not there."

Marenghi and Cook designed a two and one half hour light show in the lead up to and including a 10-minute fireworks spectacular at midnight whic

The 2014 edition of the world's largest gospel concert brought together some of today's best-known artists

Outline powers world's largest gospel concert

Details: 14 March 2016

Nigeria - The Experience, an interdenominational gospel concert organized by The House on the Rock Church, went live again on 5 December (2014) at Tafawa-Balewa Square in Lagos with the theme One God, One Voice.

Convened and hosted by Pastor Paul Adefarasin, the 2014 edition of the world's largest gospel concert brought together some of today's best-known artists such as Donnie McClurkin, Don Moen, Israel Houghton, Chevelle Franklin, Micah Stampley, Midnight Crew, Freke Umoh, Frank Edwards, Sinach, Nathaniel Bassey, Angella Christie, Onos Ariyo and Chioma Jesus, among others.

For the second time, Nigeria-based Cytech World Communication provided a complete audio solution by Italian manufacturer Outline for the event.

The Experience's FOH audio set-up comprised 30 GTO C-12 line-source systems plus two underhung GTO-DF (down-fill) modules, while 16 DBS 18-

Richard Pilbrow to open Orlando seminar programme

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - The educational seminar programme of PLASA Focus: Orlando will kick off on Tuesday, 17 February at 9am with Light and Theatre - 50 Years of Change. Presented by ElektraLite, speaker Richard Pilbrow will describe and discuss 50 years of revolutionary change that has occurred in stage lighting, theatre technology and theatre architecture, and explore the rich possibilities that lie around the corner.

Immediately following the seminar, Richard Pilbrow will be signing books on the show floor at the Group One booth #408. "High-calibre education is critical to the process of sharing ideas in design and technology, and bringing these kinds of resources to regional events such as PLASA Focus: Orlando are essential for our ever-evolving market," said Tyler Wise of Group One Limited.

Free registration to both the show floor and educational seminars can be obtained

Elie Battah, general manager of Robe Middle East, on the left with Taleb Rashid Al Zaabi from Al Rashid Events

Al Rashid Events invests in more Robe

Details: 14 March 2016

UAE - Al Rashid Events - headed by Taleb Rashid Al Zaabi - is based in Sharjah in the UAE and is a busy and dynamic technical solutions provider throughout the region.

The company supplies lighting, audio, video, staging, draping, etc., to a wide range of clients and projects, and attribute their continuing success at least in part due to investments in premium brand equipment, which saw an early decision to adopt Robe and create an all-Robe lighting rental house.

Taleb has known Elie Battah - general manager of Robe Middle East for many years - in fact before Elie was even involved with Robe. As soon as Elie joined the Robe international team, Taleb started buying the product with great enthusiasm, commencing with the various ColorSpot and Color Wash ranges. This was in around 2007, and he has continued with new purchases year-on-year.

"When we decided to invest in mov

A class being held at CUE 2013 (photo © PRG/ Amanda Holmes)

ETC's 2015 CUE conference set for June

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - ETC is gearing up for its biennial CUE professional development conference, which will be held in Wisconsin, USA, from 26-28 June 2015. Registration for the conference will open on Monday 19 January, with a special early bird discount offered until Saturday 28 February. ETC will also offer several sponsorships to help offset the cost of the conference, transportation and/or lodging. Sponsorship applications will become available on Monday 19 January.

The CUE conference is a great way for lighting professionals of all skill levels to gain knowledge that can be used in their careers. It also gives students the opportunity to get hands on experience with the technology they'll use when they enter the workforce. At CUE 2015, ETC will offer two special tracks: a Technical Theatre Continuing Education track geared toward students and educators, and a Console Training and Certifi

Tamura generally causes a sensation with his space-related experiments at the Universität der Künste in Berlin

Clay Paky Supersharpy in Berlin installation

Details: 14 March 2016

Germany - Berlin University of the Arts (Universität der Künste Berlin) has built a light installation at the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin together with noted Japanese artist and photographer Yuichiro Tamura. Tamura's Long Exposure of the Lonely Explorer has been integrated into David Chipperfield's installation artwork Sticks and Stones, currently on display at the gallery.

To build the installation, the lighting designer and operator Björn Hermann fitted a Clay Paky Supersharpy to a supporting structure three metres above the ground. With the help of an eps Club Car, the structure was moved on a trailer around the Nationalgalerie at 20-minute intervals. The size of the installation was calculated in such a way that the entire structure could go around the building in a perfect circle to provide uniform light intensity. A 2kW generator provided the power nece

Club Vertigo at The Questors Theatre (photo: Nigel Lewis LXDL)

RML supports community theatre charity show

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Richard Martin Lighting (RML) regularly supports local community charities and events.

The Questors Theatre is a community theatre in Ealing that has a main auditorium and studio space which is used for staging drama, panto and skills classes.

Last November it was host to Harker Productions version of Club Vertigo. A spectacular dance show with a romantic story, great songs and comedy - it has the style of a West End musical at half the price.

Starring former Strictly Come Dancing's Hanna Haara and other award-winning dancers, street performers and singers, Club Vertigo was a memorable night out, suitable for all ages.

Lighting designer Nigel Lewis of LXDL was on hand to create an energetic and vibrant look to compliment that of the dancing, support by RML. He used Robe Robin 100 LEDBeam, Clay Paky Sharpy and GLP Impressions to enhance the spirit

Dave Troke on stage with Audient

Details: 14 March 2016

b>UK - Better known for its use in the studio, the Audient USB AD/DA interface and monitoring system, iD22 has had its first few outings with new owner, bass player Dave Troke - on stage.

"Yes, the iD22 on stage is great," confirms Troke in a recent interview with Audient. "I play a lot of synth bass on pop gigs especially with Professor Green. I run a MacBook Pro with a flash drive, Logic X and a synth plugin called 'Massive' through the iD22, stereo out of the iD22 into a Ridge Farm Gas Cooker valve DI box to warm it all up. It sounds huge!! I love how simple the iD22 is to use, very stable."

Having worked with top acts including The Overtones, Sister Sledge, Bette Midler and Tony Christie, as well as English rapper Professor Green, Troke describes himself as "...very lucky to have worked with such a wide range of artists." Last year saw him adding

FE Live now provides audio solutions to some of the UK's biggest artists and events.

FE Live Audio seeks new frontiers with V-Series

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - FE Live Audio is a young, dynamic audio company from Glasgow headed up by Andrew McMillan and Ryan McIlravey who have been partners in enterprise since their school days. They have recently appointed a new co-director, Andrew Baillie, who, brings with him a wealth of problem solving and system tech expertise. Together they are committed to developing FE Live as a pro-audio company, building on their successes since they first ventured into full sound production with sold out Twin Atlantic shows at the Glasgow Barrowlands in 2012.

McIlravey elaborates on the company's philosophy. "After establishing FE Live as a limited company, we took the decision to invest any profits into purchasing the very best equipment possible. It was clearly apparent that there was a growing demand for quality audio solutions in an industry where audiences are demanding a superior live sound.<

Priory, an up-and-coming band from Portland, Oregon recently signed to Warner Bros

Priory play live with Metric Halo

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - "These days, I feel like the only way for a band to succeed is to be self-contained - the band has to be able to take care of everything for itself. The Metric Halo ULN-8 contains mic pre's, converters, routing logic, and DSP, and it's absolutely world-class." So says producer/engineer/musician Brandon Rush, who, together with longtime friend Kyle Sears, fronts Priory, an up-and-coming band from Portland, Oregon that recently signed to Warner Bros.

"Electropop" aptly describes Priory. Rush and Sears fuse hard-hitting electronic elements that are larger than life with organic-sounding acoustic elements that bring an appropriate measure of warmth and personality to the band's wickedly catchy tunes. The duo, that studied audio engineering in college, self-recorded their Warner Bros. debut in a converted studio space, relying on the Metric Halo ULN-8 at alm

The annual Skjaergardsgospel worship conference

Alcons amplifies Skjaergardsgospel

Details: 14 March 2016

Norway - The long days see the Norwegian port of Langesund play host to the annual Skjaergardsgospel worship conference, a weekend-long festival of music, meetings and spiritual togetherness. Alcons equipment has helped to overcome the event's difficult acoustics for the past three years.

The event takes place at Langesund's Skjaergardsgospel, a multi-purpose arena and conference facility on the waterfront.

"It is a difficult event for sound reinforcement, because the side and rear walls of Skjaergardsgospel are highly reflective. It's made worse by the fact that the Skjaergardsgospel stage is located on one of the 'long' sides," says Eivind Fossnes Dahl, general manager and sound engineer at Audiopol Live, the company tasked with the event's sound production.

Founded in 2007, Audiopol Live is a sister business to recording facility Audiopol Studio, based in Skien.

The church is more than the spiritual hub for the 1.9m Catholics in the Brooklyn diocese;

Ovation adds glow to Co-Cathedral of Saint Joseph

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - A church is first and foremost a house of worship, but beyond that oftentimes it is also many other things to its congregation. Such is certainly the case with the Co-Cathedral of Saint Joseph. A majestic 103-year-old building in Prospect Heights, the church is more than the spiritual hub for the 1.9m Catholics in the Brooklyn diocese; it is also a gleaming symbol of hope for a neighbourhood that is clearly moving into a brighter future. When Pope Benedict elevated the church to a cathedral shortly before his retirement in 2013, the diocese began an extensive renovation project that included a new lighting system from The LightTech Group of Jamaica, NY.

Central to the LightTech Group's design were 18 Ovation E-190WW LED ellipsoidal fixtures that are used to cover the altar and key worship areas with flat, even fields of warm white light. Illumination from the Ovation fixtu

Sound engineers Matteo Cifelli and Joseph Pearce

MLA meets the challenge of Alfie Boe's Serenata

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Alfie Boe's Serenata tour arrived at the O2 Arena in London recently, where the tenor was supported by a five-piece band, a 16-piece orchestra, New Zealand musical trio, Sol3 Mio ... and a powerful Martin Audio MLA Multi-cellular Loudspeaker Array, provided by Capital Sound.

Mixing the sound at FOH was experienced producer/engineer, Matteo Cifelli (owner of Fastermaster Studio) assisted by system tech, Joseph Pearce.

With 86 inputs at the desk (including 80 mic channels), there was plenty to challenge the sound team as Boe worked through an Italian-based romantic repertoire, assisted in one instance by Rick Wakeman on keyboards. But once again MLA passed the test with flying colours.

The same sound team had just come off a six-month stint with Il Divo, who share the same management (Vector) as Alfie Boe, and Pearce had taken the opportunity to tweak the design in order

A new era of electrical safety in the workplace

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - The Entertainment Industry has seen many improvements in safety practices in recent years as 'health and safety culture' becomes common place in all aspects of day to day business.

One of the latest areas of focus is the design and management of temporary electrical systems in not only the TV and Radio world, but also in films, at events, in theatres and other similar workplaces.

Whilst the current IET Wiring Regulations BS7671 (17th Edition) qualification exists for fixed electrical systems, there has not been an agreed industry qualification for BS7909 - the Code of Practice on Temporary Electrical Systems in the Entertainment Industry.

Therefore, an industry working group involving the leading broadcasters, lighting rental companies, BECTU, PACT - representing the Independent Production Companies, several key employers and, Creative Skillset have all come together to

The Bowmansville Volunteer Fire Department in upstate New York

Ashly amp upgrades fire station audio

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - With the celebration of its one-hundredth year in operation still fresh on everyone's minds, the Bowmansville Volunteer Fire Department in upstate New York secured modest funds to refurbish the AV systems in its 4,500sq.ft recreation room.

The room is used by the volunteers and the community for gatherings spanning everything from lectures to parties and bingo to movie nights. In addition, the company uses the room to stage training and other educational events. A new Ashly Audio Pema 4250.70 combination 8x8 Protea matrix processor and four-channel amplifier has breathed new life into the system.

"Their old audio system was little more than a basic mixer-amplifier and a few wired mics," explained Karl Maciag, A/V integrations engineer at Toshiba Business Solutions in nearby Tonawanda, New York. Its AV solutions department designed and installed the system for t

Sonic Sales is headed up by Matthias Herbst

Audient appoints distributor for Germany

Details: 14 March 2016

Germany - British manufacturer Audient has appointed Sonic Sales as exclusive distributor in Germany, Austria and Switzerland to handle sales, service and marketing for the entire Audient product range - with immediate effect.

Located in Bielefeld, the newly appointed distribution company is headed up by Matthias Herbst, who says, "The people behind Sonic Sales are well known as successful sales and marketers of big names in the pro audio business. The team has been instrumental in the growth of brands like Native Instruments and Ableton in Germany, with sales cooperation right from the beginning. In order to be a successful sales team, we need to have outstanding products and with Audient, we see great products with huge potential for the future."

Audient's Simon Blackwood is similarly enthusiastic. "2014 saw our business grow significantly, with further develo

The tour continues throughout January 2015 and the Fanta Four will play festivals in the summer

Robe BMFLs on Die Fantastischen Vier tour

Details: 14 March 2016

Germany - When Gunther Hecker's name is on the design credits for a show, you know it's going to be visually interesting, idiosyncratic and a bit 'out-of-the-box' with a few flourishes of the unexpected ... and so Gunther has created another epic stage, set, lighting and video design for maverick German hip-hop band Die Fantastischen Vier's latest - and current - Record tour.

Prominent on the lighting rig are 50 Robe BMFL Spots - the brand's new multi-functional signature fixture - which are supported by another 180 Robe moving lights - 40 Robin Pointes, 60 Robin LEDWash 800s, 68 Robe ColorWash 2500E ATs and 12 x ColorSpot 2500E ATs.

Gunther is working closely with lighting director and FOH systems engineer Marc Lorenz on this tour, with the Fanta Four celebrating 25 years at the top of a massively successful career.

Robe's busy reporting team caught up with the tour

DPA rings in the New Year at the Rainbow Room

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - DPA Microphones returned to The Rainbow Room for a New Year's celebration for PBS' second national, primetime celebration from the recently re-opened Manhattan venue, New Year's Eve at The Rainbow Room with Michael Feinstein. After the success of the Fall Arts Festival programme, DPA's d:facto Vocal, d:vote 4099 Instrument, d:dicate 4011 Cardioid and d:screet Miniature mics once again found their way onto the guest list for the esteemed event.

The company's wide range of products was perfectly suited for the various aspects of the production, including vocals and instrumentals. With the show's swing/big-band at the heart of the special, there was no concern for the SPL levels, which can become soft in these situations. The DPA d:vote 4099 was properly adjusted to close-mic each instrument. Andy Brattain, Michael Feinstein's production manager and FOH engineer placed

The boat docked back in Kuwait on 1 December 2014 (photo: High Pro Event Management)

W-DMX sets sail with Journey of Hope in Kuwait

Details: 14 March 2016

Kuwait - Wireless Solution Sweden AB recently played a pivotal role in High PRO Event Management in Kuwait using W-DMX for the Journey of Hope sailing expedition. The journey took a ship to 39 ports in 19 countries over 210 days of sailing around the world, with the purpose of spreading a global humanitarian message for the benefit of the mentally challenged. The boat docked back in Kuwait on 1 December 2014.

The ship departed in May 2014 from Marina Crescent Ground near the seaside, Salmiya in Kuwait. W-DMX sent signal over a 1000m distance to a variety of fixtures including 30 Clay Paky Sharpys on top of the Marina Hotel. Signal was sent from 2 W-DMX F-1 transmitters with booster, parabolic antenna and 12 W-DMX receivers.

W-DMX also sent signal to 12 Griven Kolorado 2500 fixtures to illuminate the boat, eight VMB Dimmers for the key light of the stage with 18 ETC Profiles, 3

The festival featured more than 130 rock, pop and hip hop artists on eight stages

Clay Paky lights up Austin City Limits Music Festival

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - The Austin City Limits Music Festival returned to Zilker Park for two three-day weekends in October to showcase more than 130 rock, pop and hip hop artists on eight stages, including Outkast, Beck, Eminem, Skrillex, Calvin Harris and Pearl Jam. Clay Paky A.leda B-EYE K20 and Sharpy fixtures were on hand to provide lighting support and control for festival performers.

Eight K20s, supplied by LD Systems, were dedicated to each of two secondary headline stages and positioned in an upstage array across the rear truss.

"Most of the rig was a lot of smaller fixtures, so we wanted something that would give a big, full color wash," says Seth Jackson, who served as festival lighting designer and lighting coordinator. "There were no backdrops on these stages and, given the power situation, the B-EYEs were the perfect choice to fill the whole back picture. They reall

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