UK - At this year' ABTT Shows, XL's touch screen media delivery systems will be highlighted on the stand. These are designed for easy and quick visualisation during a performance, where manual operation is appropriate. The operator simply touches the chosen icon to start 'play' of a sequence or single clip of media. The system can be used with or without audio.
Recent tours for this system have included Tony Robinson and Mitchell & Webb - and it has proved to be particularly appropriate for comedic performances.
Also prominent at the show is XL's high brightness projection equipment. This will be displaying custom electric masked projected shapes above the XL Video stand - from a distance of 35m - complete with the new generation of Barco CLM quiet running 10,000 ANSI Lumen projectors.
(Jim Evans)
UK - After 27 years of running Harmer PR on her own, Lesley Harmer has been joined by Elliot Herman as a partner in the business. Elliot has been an employee of Harmer Public Relations for two years.
Harmer PR is to retain its name, but will have a fresh new look, with a new corporate identity and website. Journalists will benefit from being able to access each client's area directly by going straight to www.harmerpr.com/[client name].
Elliot said: "I've been surprised and delighted by the congratulatory messages I've received since we sent out an email to our clients, and look forward to working closely with them as Lesley and I continue to build on our success."
(Jim Evans)
UK - One of London's most authentically-designed bars has opened in the east wing of The Cumberland Hotel at London's Marble Arch. The industrially-themed Carbon has been developed at a cost of £2.5m on the site of the Cumberland's former Callaghan's Irish Bar (which was closed three years ago).
Interior designer Mark Bithrey of B3 Designers has immersed the 450-capacity venue in a world of concrete, brick, steel, mesh and leather (peppered with industrial artefacts and extremely rare champagnes) to achieve a low-key, sultry Shoreditch style vibe.
Having worked with the Sound Division Group on a previous bar project he again tasked the A/V specialists with creating the aural ambience in the four-zoned venue. This is divided between the main ground floor bar, lounge, the separate bookable Chain Room and the suspended Mezzanine Bar upstairs.
Under the project management of Jon Carey, Sound Division worked quickly and diligently on site, according to general manager Eliza Sloane. "I was fortunate to have arrived here back back in January and the first thing we did was consult the DJs to find out their ideal system," she said. Sound Division Group then took over.
Up in the booth, sound control is from a pair of Technics SL-1210s, Pioneer CDJ-800s and Allen & Heath XONE:62 mixer - stationed in a flying DJ box over the bar - with the signals fed to Martin Audio's AQ series architectural loudspeakers. A further Martin AQ8 is also provided as the DJ reference monitor.
During the early evening (from 4pm when the bar opens) cocktails are served agains
UK - Beginning July 2007, Strand Lighting Europe will officially open for business as a member of the Genlyte Group, LLC. The new office, near Gatwick airport, is located at:
Unit 2 Royce Road,
Fleming Way,
Crawley,
West Sussex
RH10 9JY
The contact telephone number is +44 (0) 129 355 0280.
"We are delighted to return to Europe with our new UK-based operation," said Steve Carson, Genlyte Controls vice president. "We are building a strong team and putting our resources behind them to deliver great products and services to our existing and potential clientele."
Key personnel in the new office will be Alan Luxford, general manager; Ken Berreen, sales manager for the UK, Spain, Portugal, and South Africa; Bill Richards, marketing manager; Tracy Downes, customer service manager, and Victor Mikheev, service and engineering Manager.
Alan Luxford added, "I am very proud to have been appointed general manager of the new Strand Lighting Europe. Having started out my working life with the original Strand Electric Company, I look forward to leading an experienced team who will work towards returning Strand Lighting to the forefront of the lighting industry."
Additional personnel for Strand Lighting Europe include Jamil Bakir, sales manager for Turkey and the Middle East; and Igor Cernitori, sales manager for Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Holland, Belgium, Balkans, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Greece, France and the Baltic states.
(Jim Evans)
Spain - Góngora Gran Café in Cordoba opened its doors in December 2006, Situated in the historical heart of the city, the Café's new owners have overseen a meticulous conversion of the premises from bingo hall to café-bar during the day, live music venue in the evening and discotheque at night, and have adapted to suit the needs of a diverse and increasingly demanding public.
Lighting was the responsibility of company In-Out Soluciones Audiovisuales. The long-term friendship between the manager of the bar, Abelardo Cárdenas, and the director of In-Out, Antonio Solvas, as well as the motivation to create something spectacular yet elegant, led to the installation of a complete Martin package: 8 MAC 250 Entours, 6 MAC 250 Kryptons, 4 MAC 250 Washes, 2 MX-10 Extreme scanners, 10 Mania SCX 600 effect lights, 30 Cyclo 03 DMX fluorescent linear luminaires with a pair of Jem ZR-12 foggers located in the air-conditioning units.
Lighting control is from a Martin LightJockey with a Martin Fingers hardware interface for hands on access. Lighting design is by Antonio Solvas with the Martin lighting supplied via Ecler, Martin's representative in Spain.
(Jim Evans)
UK - Bandit Lites UK is supplying full lighting production and crew to the current Travis tour, promoting their latest album, The Boy with No Name. This is their first tour in 3 years. Bandit chief executive, Lester Cobrin has previously worked with Travis and comments, "Travis is a band of outstanding talent and I am truly looking forward to working with them again here at Bandit."
Long-time Travis lighting designer Matt Jensen created a crisp, clean style for this show - essentially a theatrical vehicle with some contemporary twists - including lots of soft washes and iris focuses.
Lead singer Fran Healy took a relatively active role in the initial lighting brief, and then left Jensen to develop the show from there. The lighting features a slightly retro PAR can feel - a soft edged, tungsteny affair - and staying true to the design theme, Jensen did not incorporate any gobos.
With limited programming time - just one overnight session at Grimsby Auditorium the day before the first show of the tour - Jensen had his work cut out to get everything recorded into his WholeHog II console.
Bandit is supplying three trusses - front mid and back - populated with 36 Martin Professional MAC 2K Washes and Profiles, which Jensen comments, "are great workhorse units." There are also seven four lite Moles and three Dinos on floor stands complete with scrollers. Also on the floor are four vertical sections of A-type truss with MAC 2K washes on top.
Four bars of six PARs all feature Wybron scrollers, two located on the rear truss and two on the f
UK - ETC distributors and dealers from across Europe met at ETC's west London offices and demo facility - aka the Playhouse at Gypsy Corner - on 22 and 23 May to discuss the company's latest products and strategies as well as to receive general product training.
Over the course of the two days, more than 40 delegates from ETC's partner companies were given demos of SmartFade ML and, courtesy of ETC's Eos product manager Anne Valentino, the new Eos lighting control system, which is set for European outings at ABTT and Showtech in June.
The summit attendees also had a chance to discuss technical issues and developments including ETC's Net3 networking and ACN, the new lightweight single-direction protocol used to transmit whole DMX universes over Ethernet, as well as network among their colleagues.
(Jim Evans)
India - MA Lighting's distributor for India, Reynold's Sound & Lighting Services recently held training in Bangalore. The 30 attendees were lighting designers, rental companies, system integrators, theatre personnel, consultants and specifiers from all over India.
Their feedback was very positive and enthusiastic. "It was the first time we held training for the MA consoles and we were completely overwhelmed by the huge success. After what I've heard from the participants, grandMA has got a really bright future in India," said Felix Remedios, Reynolds managing director.
"The training, organised by Reynold's, was held to meet the growing demands of the Indian market, to bring productions to a higher level and to link with our new office MA Lighting Middle East / India those two booming markets," explained Michael Althaus managing director of MA Lighting.
During their gigs in Bangalore artists like Bryan Adams and Deep Purple played their shows with grandMA. Aerosmith is going to do so too. The next MA training has already been planned, says the company.
(Jim Evans)
Switzerland - ARX Systems, the Australian based pro audio manufacturer has announced the appointment of Soundhouse Musicservice AG as its new distributor for Switzerland.
ARX managing director Colin Park says, "Soundhouse's MD Herbert Schwerzmann and I finalised the distribution agreement at the recent Frankfurt Pro Light and Sound and we both agreed ARX's range of signal processing products was a very complementary fit with the other lines Soundhouse currently represents.
"The Swiss audio industry has always been important to ARX and we're looking forward to working with Herbert Schwerzmann and his energetic team at Soundhouse MusicService."
Alongside ARX, Soundhouse MusicService also represents a number of other manufacturers including Martin Audio and Apex.
(Jim Evans)
UK - SPS has launched LiveSign, a new digital signage offering aimed at the live events industry.LiveSign utilises the principals of permanent digital signage seen at airports, railway stations and retail environments and makes it accessible to the live events market, says the company. This technology is designed for conferences and exhibitions and can be developed for any number of live events, from a one-day conference or three-day exhibition, to a week-long sporting event.
Among LiveSign's features is the ability to change information instantaneously and at the last minute, with no disruption to the live displays. This makes it possible to alter the time of a seminar or the name of a speaker and publish these changes on all the screens at the event. Of particular interest for conferences and exhibitions is that LiveSign enables several screens to display different information at the same time.
Robin Coles, managing director of SPS states, "We are delighted to launch this service, as it makes the traditionally permanent digital signage technology accessible to the event industry. We recognise the need to engage our audiences with new media technology and LiveSign's ability to encompass true flexibility of design with real two-way communication hits the spot."
(Jim Evans)
Australia - The BB03.5 is the newest member of Acoustic Technologies' BB subwoofer family. Joining the larger BB05 and BB07, the BB03.5 is a compact single 18" design. Employing a 2000 Watt Neodymium driver, the BB03.5 takes full advantage of the latest in transducer technology and computer aided design.
The optimally tuned ported enclosure is the product of extensive computer modelling and analysis, says the company. As a result, the BB03.5 offers bass performance usually associated with much larger sub bass systems. The BB03.5 is capable of delivering accurate low frequency energy extending down to 35Hz with "exceptional definition and control".
The BB03.5 enclosure is constructed using premium grade, void free Finnish Birch Ply and is extensively braced to virtually eliminate cabinet resonances. Standard finish is black AcoustiCoate elastomer coating, but for installed applications, the BB03.5 may be ordered in a range of custom décor matched colours.
The BB03.5 is supplied with dual Speakon connectors with 'loop-thru' provision on pins 2+ and 2-. Standard fittings include four ergonomic handgrips, a pole-mount socket and four recessed locating points to allow two units to be stacked securely. An optional castor kit is available for convenient transportation.
(Jim Evans)
UK - Audi drew the crowds outside the Royal Opera House on Saturday 12 May, with PRG Europe lighting two Audi R8 Coupes parked outside on platforms. Lighting designer Michael Odam came up with a stunning new look for the cars on the plinths. Thomas PixelLine LED battens and Vari*Lite VL2000 spots loaded with Audi gobos produced by PRG Europe all made the cars look their best for the passing crowds.
A full-colour Audi logo was shone onto the side of the building, while Audi logos spun across the two sports cars. It was all in aid of an annual event sponsored by the car manufacturer at the Royal Opera House, where invited guests attend the opera and a gala dinner before being chauffeured home.
Crew chief Steve Russell said: "The crew and I got soaked when we were rigging all the lights, but we kept all the units dry and it stopped raining before it got dark. Fortunately the weather held off for the evening gala so the audience enjoyed the full spectacle."
PRG Europe project manager Loz Wilcox added: "We regularly help Audi light their cars for this event, but the radical redesign this year has shown just how good they can look. It's just great that so many people stop to take photos. The lighting really helped show them off."
(Jim Evans)
USA - One of the hottest tickets of the touring season, the double bill of Corinne Bailey Rae and John Legend, played sold-out dates at arenas across the US. during a run of spring performances together. The smooth, sultry tenor that won Legend five Grammy Awards blended with Bailey Rae's laid back British soul to create an evening of delicious R&B that offered something for everyone.
Michigan's Thunder Audio collaborated with Schubert Systems of North Hollywood on the tour, with both acts playing through Thunder's sound system, which was built around two arrays of 12 Meyer Sound Milo high-power curvilinear array loudspeakers, augmented by four UPJ-1P compact VariO loudspeakers for front-fill coverage. System processing was provided by a Galileo loudspeaker management system.
"It was really a great double bill," remarks Thunder Audio vice president Paul Owen. "Corinne Bailey Rae and John Legend have unique styles that complement each other nicely, but it made for a very musically diverse show. Milo is really one of the few loudspeakers versatile enough to deliver both the power and the articulation needed for their performances."
(Jim Evans)
Brazil - Loudness Sonorizacao of Sao Paulo recently provided a massive sound reinforcement system for the Red Bull Air Race in Rio de Janeiro's Botafogo Bay, one of he largest sports event in Brazilian history.
The first Red Bull Air Race was held in 2003 and has since come to be regarded as the definitive competition featuring the world's most skilled pilots. In 2007, 12 events are being held across the world, each featuring a contest in which the pilots must navigate an airborne racecourse in the shortest possible time. The result is low-level flying at extremely high speeds, bringing the air race experience very close to the spectators.
Established in 1976, Loudness Sonorizacao's system included four towers of 16 JBL Vertec VT4889 line array elements each (64 in total), powered by Crown I-Tech 8000 amplifiers. Low-frequency fill was provided by 64 JBL SRX728 loudspeaker subwoofers.
"We like the Vertec system because of its great sound quality, light weight and flexibility," said Marcio Pilot, co-owner of Loudness Sonorizacao. "The set-up of the line arrays was very quick and simple. The sound quality was perfect and my client was very happy with the equipment and with the Loudness staff."
"This system deployment for such a large audience under challenging circumstances demonstrates the capabilities of Loudness for high-profile events," said David Scheirman, vice president of tour sound, JBL Professional. "Marcio Pilot and his team have helped to set a new benchmark for air-show sound reinforcement support. All of us at JB
UK - Audio-Technica has completely reengineered its Engineered Sound integrator microphone line, introducing over 50 new models featuring the company's UniGuard RFI protection technology.
The reengineered ES series, comprises a comprehensive assortment of 32 gooseneck, 12 hanging, seven boundary, a lavalier and a handheld microphone, and "utilises breakthrough audio and mechanical design improvements, to set new standards for signal quality, reliability, and ease of installation," says the company. Chief among these is the inclusion of UniGuard RFI-shielding, providing immunity from radio frequency interference - increasingly important in today's increasingly hostile RF environment.
Redesign of the series has also allowed for removal of substances specified in the EU's RoHS directive, making the series fully compliant. Other new features include the PivotPoint rotating connector on certain boundary models, superior off-axis rejection for improved gain before feedback, and 80Hz UniSteep filter for removal of unwanted low frequencies without affecting vocal signal quality. Four new interchangeable elements lend additional flexibility, with cardioid, hypercardioid and omnidirectional elements offered, as well as the MicroLine (90º pickup pattern).
ES gooseneck microphones are designed for a full range of conferencing and presentation applications. The improved, easy-to-adjust, small-diameter gooseneck with virtually no "memory" permits smooth, quiet and quick positioning into the desired shape. The goosenecks' robust design also resists inadve
Abu Dhabi - German sound reinforcement manufacturer Kling & Freitag has appointed ESE Special Electronics as its sole distribution partner in the GCC with immediate effect. The signing ceremony took place at PALME Middle East 2007.
"Kling & Freitag is a recognised brand in the UAE and we're proud to be offering their range of speakers, amplifiers and controllers in our overall catalogue" said ESE general manager Faris Al-Azzawi. "The UAE market is a competitive one for any state of the art audio-visual equipment. Having the rights to distribute Kling & Freitag's audio equipment gives us a niche in the market."
"We are proud to engage in this strategic alliance with ESE, as they have a proven track record in the industry," said Kling & Freitag export manager Martin Schlockwerder. "We have been discussing the logistics of this appointment and I'm now glad to actually announce it. ESE is one of the few organisations that operates a professional team to come up with in house designs and acoustic calculations tailored to the client."
(Jim Evans)
New Zealand - Selecon Performance Lighting has several new product debuts planned for the ABTT Theatre Show 2007 in London next month, including the long throw Toru 4º-8º followspot, the third and final model from the Performer Series range of followspots.
Previously seen in preproduction mode and now in full production, the Toru 4º-8º followspot has been well received with several orders for major theatres including two units destined for the Barbican, and five Toru 4º-8º followspots for Norway's new National Opera House in Oslo, together with four short throw Tahi 18º-24º models.
ABTT Theatre Show visitors will also have the chance to try out the newly remodelled Acclaim Fresnel and PC which introduce heat management to 500W / 650W luminaires, typically used in schools and community theatres. This new feature ensures operators can focus these versatile little stage lighting workhorses without the need for gloves, says the company. The new Acclaim luminaires also include the integrated safety bond design feature alongside Selecon's mains power isolation solution, ensuring full compliance with European Standards for safe and reliable operation in any venue - not just for use by professionals.
The Selecon team will be encouraging 'hands-on' play and welcomes feedback to these debutants plus a new model, preproduction Arena Fresnel which will also be on display.
(Jim Evans)
UK - At-Bristol, one of the UK's leading science and discovery centres, has recently completed a major overhaul of the audio and video facilities at the various exhibition and conference spaces on its Bristol site.
The installation involved equipping the Science and Exhibition centres with AMX automation systems to control the AV facilities. All of the cabling was provided by VDC Trading, which supplied a range of Van Damme cables.
Ed Williams, At-Bristol's technical director, says: "This project was very extensive and has taken us nearly three years to complete. Although we were working to a tight budget, we insisted on using Van Damme cable because it is of such high quality and we wanted products that were going to be reliable and easy to maintain."
At-Bristol offers a world of hands-on discovery where exploration and education go hand in hand with a fun day out. The site includes large open spaces on the Bristol waterfront and provides an exciting environment for people to learn about science and technology. Many of the displays are interactive and there is also a planetarium incorporated into the display.
(Jim Evans)
UK - White Light has announced the next round of training courses offered by its Training Initiative training and education scheme. The company will offer four training days during June, covering moving lights, Avo lighting consoles and pyrotechnics.
The two-part Moving Light course will take place on Wednesday 20 June (Level 1) and Thursday 21 June (Level 2) at White Light's base in Wimbledon, south-west London, running from 10am to 4pm. The Level 1 course provides an introduction to moving lights, including basic set-up and handling, discussions on their potential uses, health and safety issues and basic care and maintenance.
The Level 2 course goes into more detail on fault finding in the lamp circuit, the motor circuit and the sensor and feedback systems, as well as giving a more in-depth look at cleaning and maintenance.
The Pyrotechnics course, run in association with JustFX, will take place at the Milton Keynes Theatre on Monday 25 June from 9.30am to 5pm. This course will cover the law relating to pyrotechnics, risk assessments and flame proofing before moving on to look at particular equipment and effects and their safe use.
The Avo Training will take place on Wednesday 27 June at White Light in Wimbledon, running from 10am to 4pm; this is White Light's Avo Level 1 course, which provides a detailed introduction to Avolites' Pearl console including patching, controlling fixtures, and storing and working with basic memories and basic chases.
(Jim Evans)
Spain - Blackout France provided a variety of equipment including rigging, drapes, and motors for the glittering Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony and after-show party. The main rigging contractor for the event was Vertigo Rigging.
Hosted by Cuba Gooding Jr, the global sporting star studded event was held at the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona. In creating a fun and exciting atmosphere, Blackout worked with line producer, Amandine Reynolds and Pierre-Marie Quere at Monte-Carlo based production company CATS.
"We had to create a fabulous International event for 650 high-profile guests. Working with many suppliers from different countries, we were very impressed that the Blackout staff were multi-lingual. This helped us a great deal in co-ordinating the show and ensured that we could work to tight deadlines. I couldn't dream of working with a better team than Steve Tuck and Dominic Peisse," comments Amandine Reynolds.
Wool-serge draping was provided along the red carpet entrance area that greeted guests arriving at the ceremony. Being a high-profile media event, a dedicated media centre was also constructed using wool-serge drape. Inside the Palau Sant Jordi the main presentation and guest area was enclosed by an 80 by 80m black box.
During the awards ceremony, a temporary wall of black wood serge drape measuring 54m wide x 18m high was installed and flown in and out using fast motors. This revealed the seating areas that sparkled with thousands of small candles.
"Blackout were extremely good at creating a smooth transition of the venue
UK - RSS by Roland has just launched a dedicated UK website: www.rss-uk.co.uk. It includes all the latest news about the RSS product range, which exhibitions will be attended, and all the latest updates and software drivers.
Dealer information including links and a map with their location, configuration diagrams for Digital Snake, case studies from around the world and links to industry partners are featured.
(Jim Evans)
USA - Bill Sapsis has announced the formation of the North American Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference (NATEAC).
Based on the model of the TEA conferences produced by Richard Brett in London in 2002 and 2006, NATEAC (www.NATEAC.org) will offer more than 50 panellists speaking at over 20 sessions on topics ranging from current rigging technology to the makeup of stage floors, as well as a discussion of where the proscenium will be by the year 2020.
The conference will take place on 20 and 21 July 2008 at the Michael Schimmel Centre for the Arts at Pace University in downtown Manhattan, NYC.
"The goal of the North American Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference is to promote communication between the architects, engineers, consultants and manufacturers responsible for designing and building new theatres and renovating existing facilities in North America," says Sapsis. "It is also our aim to promote a higher level of interaction between these professionals and the end users of their facilities."
(Jim Evans)
UK - Litestructures Studios celebrated its second anniversary with the announcement that the studio has surpassed occupancy targets with a steady string of concert tours making use of the facility.
Two years ago, Litestructures Studios opened its doors to host production rehearsals for Coldplay's Twisted Logic tour. Since, the Studio has hosted rehearsals for Cirque de Soleil, Franz Ferdinand, Prodigy, Scissor Sisters, Pussycat Dolls, Muse, George Michael, Basement Jaxx, Robbie Williams, Kaiser Chiefs, Massive Attack, Beautiful South, Westlife, Journey, Australian Pink Floyd Show, Faithless, Meat Loaf and many others.
"The Litestructures Studio has exceeded our expectations during its first two years," said Brent Woods, Litestructures Studios' general manager. "The unbeatable combination of the studio's high specification, support services and Litestructures' on-site stage and set fabrication facility mean that rehearsals held here are more efficient, productive and ultimately money saving."
(Jim Evans)
USA - Getting named Number One on Time magazine's list of Top Ten theatre shows of 2006 was just one of many accolades the Broadway musical Grey Gardens has received since opening to a successful off-Broadway run at Playwrights Horizons theatre. The show is now settled into a lengthy stay at the Walter Kerr Theatre in the heart of Manhattan's theatre district.
In addition to earning multiple acting awards, the production has earned ample praise for its lighting, music, and sound. To provide even coverage for the 975-seat Kerr Theatre - which hasn't housed a musical in nearly 20 years - sound designer Brian Ronan chose a self-powered system from Meyer Sound.
"This show has a very old-school musical feel," says Ronan, a veteran of more than 20 years in New York's theatre scene. "There isn't a lot of spectacle. No more than eight singers are on stage at any particular time, and we have a nine-piece orchestra in a wide, shallow pit. With such a small ensemble, I didn't want to overwhelm or overpower the audience with sheer volume. Meyer loudspeakers have a very smooth, steady response and sound that are quite pleasing to the ear. That works extremely well for this type of application."
Ronan chose a straightforward system based around nine UPA-1P compact wide coverage loudspeakers and 15 MM-4 miniature wide-range loudspeakers evenly distributed throughout the house, with two USW-1P compact subwoofers covering the low-end duties. One legacy, unpowered UM-1 narrow coverage stage monitor centred above the stage handles down-fill, while four