korg-audientAudient switches US distribution to Korg USA
Thursday, 17 August 2023

USA/UK - Audio equipment manufacturer Audient has announced the appointment of Korg USA as exclusive US distributor of its entire product range, with immediate effect.
This news comes as Momentum Audio Sales president, John Devins announces his retirement. Audient sales director Simon Sinclair remarks, "We'd like to place on record our personal appreciation of John, the whole Momentum back-office team and our regional representatives. We started in his garage 10 years ago, sharing space with the Triumph Spitfire and now we're a significant player in the USA market. This is thanks in no small measure to John and his highly focussed US team. We wish John a very long and happy retirement with the knowledge of a job well done."
Korg USA is one of North America’s most diversified independent distributors of pro audio and musical instrument brands. Simon comments on the arrangement. “Our new partnership with Korg USA is the next step in building our business in the U.S. and Joe and his team have a very strong understanding of the market and a focus on exceptional customer service. We are delighted to be working with Korg USA and believe this new partnership will ensure the best experience for all of our U.S. customers."
Korg USA president Joe Castronovo shares, “This appointment is aligned with our ongoing strategy to position Korg USA as a leader in a diverse range of categories of professional audio, recording, musical instruments and more.
“Audient products have proven themselves to be essential useful tools for content creators, produc

tokyo-riversideMartin VC-Dot 1 lights luxury Jakarta complex
Thursday, 17 August 2023

Indonesia - To provide the new Tokyo Riverside Apartment complex with vivid and engaging lighting, architectural firm PT Chayolite deployed a selection of Martin lighting solutions.
Located in the Pantai Indah Kapuk 2 precinct (PIK2) within Jakarta, Tokyo Riverside Apartment is a luxury living complex featuring modern Japanese architecture and smart living tools. Developed by Agung Sedayu Group, the complex is conveniently located near a variety of amenities, including sports and recreational facilities, a 2.5-mile white sand beach and the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
To accentuate its architecture, PT Chayolite and Harman Professional Solutions were appointed to illuminate its façade in a way that complemented its luxurious details. To meet this requirement, the installation team deployed Martin VC-Dot 1 outdoor LED lights.
Featuring individually controllable LED-based lights connected by flexible-yet-durable wire, the VC-Dot 1 offers the artistic flexibility and user-friendliness of LED video in a IP67-rated design for permanent outdoor or indoor use. In terms of infrastructure, the VC-Dot 1 only requires the Martin VC-Feeder and P3 PowerPort, keeping the setup simple without sacrificing versatility.
The outdoor P3 PowerPort 1000 is a highly versatile control source that can be installed remotely both indoors and outdoors, making it ideal for long-term and permanent installations. The resulting setup provides an energy-efficient and long-lasting lighting solution for the Tokyo Riverside Apartment’s exterior that heightens the

 
 
sennheiserSennheiser Group in immersive mode at IBC
Thursday, 17 August 2023

The Netherlands - At IBC, Sennheiser, Neumann, Dear Reality and Merging Technologies (D50 in Hall 8) will demonstrate immersive production workflows as well as solutions for audio capture, monitoring and processing. Creators and audio professionals of all levels are welcomed to stand.
Four spaces invite IBC visitors to explore state-of-the-art solutions for today’s content production: the immersive presentation zone, active and passive product islands, a Neumann area and a separate Wireless Multichannel Audio Systems (WMAS) zone.
In the immersive presentation zone, which is powered by a 5.1.4 Neumann monitor set-up with nine KH 150 monitor loudspeakers and two KH 750 DSP subwoofers, guests will be able to get hands-on with the Dolby Atmos/immersive broadcast workflows facilitated by the products of Merging Technologies, the latest member to join the Sennheiser Group. The company shows their Anubis, Hapi, Pyramix and Ovation solutions integrated in typical broadcast workflows. In addition to their new Dolby Atmos certified monitoring package, Merging Technologies will show a brand-new interpretation solution.
In the same space, visitors are invited to experience Dear Reality’s dearVR Spatial Connect for Wwise. The software is previewed at IBC for the first time – and enables game designers to develop the audio directly in the VR or AR gaming environment. sessions and will improve the workflow for next-generation XR productions.
Product islands across the stand highlight various aspects of the audio production workflow, such as location-in

 
winnerBrompton Technology Tessera wins Emmy Award
Wednesday, 16 August 2023

USA - Brompton Technology has been recognised by the Television Academy with an Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Engineering, Science & Technology. The Emmy was awarded for its Tessera SX40 LED video processor, which has played a crucial role in the widespread adoption of LED screens for virtual production and elevated the storytelling process through its impact on how television programmes are created.
The Television Academy named Brompton Technology’s founders Richard Mead (CEO) and Chris Deighton (CTO), alongside director of engineering Adrian Jeakins and engineering manager Evangelos Apostolopoulos, as the core team responsible for the Tessera SX40.
Since its debut in 2018, the SX40 has played a crucial role in the widespread adoption of LED for virtual production in the television industry, and has been used across many of the most popular and technologically advanced television series in recent years, including: The Mandalorian, House of the Dragon, The Book of Boba Fett, Westworld, Foundation, Our Flag Means Death and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
“The entire Brompton team is incredibly thrilled and humbled to receive such a prestigious award from our industry peers, and for the recognition of the vital role that LED processing plays for in-camera visual effects,” commented Mead. “It is a demanding medium that aims to recreate reality within a studio, and that is exactly the kind of challenge that Brompton Technology has always sought to meet. Our mission is to deliver the

 
 
qscemeaukQSC Pro Audio strengthens EMEA and UK sales
Wednesday, 16 August 2023

Europe - QSC Pro Audio division has announced the hire of Jeff Gorton and Colin Smith as directors of sales in EMEA and the UK, respectively. These new positions will enable QSC to strengthen its market share and enhance its brand presence across the region.
Gorton joins QSC after two decades of experience in commercial pro audio/AV space. “The current and future of QSC products are inspiring and are certain to set benchmarks for the industry,” says Gorton. “It’s exciting times and I’m delighted to be part of the company’s future and play a role in its success.”
Smith, whose professional experience includes managerial roles in both retail and AV industries states, “I am excited and honoured to be appointed as the UK sales director for the pro audio division,” says Smith. “Our portfolio of products will enable us to be one of the best-selling audio brands in the UK and Europe. I look forward to contributing to the brand’s continued success alongside the growing European team.”
“Jeff and Colin bring a wealth of experience and expertise to our sales team in the EMEA and UK. Their deep understanding of the pro audio industry and their commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences align perfectly with QSC values,” continues Perry Celia, VP global sales and services, QSC Pro Audio. “With their leadership, we are confident in our ability to further strengthen our presence in key regions and continue to provide innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

 
taking-back-sundayProteus Lucius lights Sad Summer headliners
Wednesday, 16 August 2023

USA - Lighting designer Eric Price turned to Elation’s Proteus Lucius as the feature light of an all-purpose floor package for rock band Taking Back Sunday as they headlined the travelling Sad Summer Festival in July. Reminiscent of the Warped Tour, the fourth incarnation of Sad Summer Festival ran coast to coast and featured a strong line-up of pop punk’s finest.
Price has been with Taking Back Sunday since 2017 and served as lighting designer, programmer and operator for the band’s Sad Summer set. He says he had used the Proteus Lucius before, on a tour with Mastodon, and knew the all-purpose LED moving head well. “The Proteus Lucius is great technology with a lot of features and you don’t lose anything with it being IP rated,” he said. “It makes no feature compromises and is just what you would expect from a professional moving fixture.”
Proteus Lucius, the compact brother to Elation’s popular Proteus Maximus, is an all-purpose fixture in the market-leading Proteus line of weatherproof luminaires. Abundantly bright at 33,500 lumens and loaded with features, it houses a CMY colour mixing system with variable CTO and five-slot colour wheel and can be used as a profile, beam or wash light, reducing the need for variant fixtures.
“It’s a solid fixture in every category but here’s the silver lining – there are ZERO downsides to the fact that it is weatherproof,” stated Jason Reberski, CEO at Chicago-based JRLX, lighting vendor for Taking Back Sunday’s Lucius floor package. “The Proteus Lucius is lightweight, compact, a

 
 
belgiumMavericks join Happy Belgium celebrations
Wednesday, 16 August 2023

Belgium - There were over 230 Chauvet Professional fixtures at the Happy Belgium concert in the Cinquantenaire Arcade, but it’s doubtful that any of the 60,000 people who were there to celebrate the National Day of Belgium on 21 July noticed many of them. Lighting designer Jordi Vandekerkhof of the More To Show design studio would have it no other way.
For him, the purpose of the majority IP65 lighting fixtures at this exquisitely orchestrated evening event, was to be “seen” (in terms of their effect), without being noticed because of their protective domes. “We wanted to light the stage, audience and surroundings without drawing attention to the fixtures,” he explained.
Jordi credits Splendit, which supplied the fixtures for the event, with helping to put together a rig that was low profile, while still being powerful enough to create a stunning impression. He notes that accomplishing this goal was especially challenging, given that the production team had to conform to exacting restrictions when working at a protected, historical site.
Allowing the beauty of the Cinquantenaire Arcade to be front-and-centre was not only important for the large crowd in attendance, it also enhanced the viewing experience of the millions watching on television. Happy Belgium, which was organized by DDMC Event Design and Alice Events, was televised on five networks.
Jordi relied on 28 Maverick MK3 Profile CX fixtures to provide key lighting for the TV cameras, while maintaining a discrete physical presence. At the same time, the rest of his fixtures we

 
district-egaming-sports1 Sound system delivers for District E
Wednesday, 16 August 2023

USA - District E Powered by Ticketmaster is an esports venue situated in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C. Adjacent to the Capital One Arena, this venue spans nearly 14,000sq.ft and stands as a hub for esports enthusiasts and fans. With a prime location and partnerships with globally recognised esports teams including Team Liquid and Wizards District Gaming, District E offers a different and immersive gaming experience.
The audio system needed to accommodate diverse programming, from high-stakes esports matches to corporate events and viewing parties with a seamless integration with the cutting-edge LED video throughout the venue. Monumental Sports, an assembly of seven DC-area sports and gaming teams, turned to McCann, to design and install the audiovisual integration help to create an elevated esports experience.
For the main gaming space, McCann selected 1 Sound loudspeakers to create an optimal auditory environment. Two Tower LCC84 columns were positioned on each side of the main LED wall, utilizing the Tower Wall Bracket for mounting. These cardioid columns, known for their wide 120-degree dispersion and clarity technology, provided a perfect fit for the space and its varied audio needs. Complementing the Towers were two WSUB45i Wall Subs, positioned below flush onto the wall, enhancing the low-frequency impact and keeping a low profile.
Beyond the main space, McCann incorporated Cannon C5i loudspeakers for sound reinforcement in other areas of the arena. For example, in the dining area, they were hung as pendants using the C-Clamp for the

 
 
bank55Finnish comedian banks on Genelec
Wednesday, 16 August 2023

Finland - Bank 55 in the Helsinki district of Lauttasaari is the brainchild of Finnish stand-up comedian and actor, Sami Hedberg. Formerly a bank that was first inaugurated in 1955 – hence the name – today Bank 55 is a sauna and lounge dedicated to private events of all types, from conferences and meetings to corporate get-togethers or simply private parties with friends and family.
Music plays a vital role in the new events space, and Hedberg – who was already familiar with Genelec – had no hesitation in specifying custom painted Genelec 4000 series loudspeakers for his new venture.
"I’d been dreaming of opening an events space for some time, but I needed to find the right venue – and that takes time," confides Hedberg. "I finally came across the old bank premises in Lauttasaari which I loved. I bought it in 2016 and have been renovating it bit by bit, all to my own design, ever since." Bank 55 can host up to 60 people at any one time across two floors, either as a single group or several smaller gatherings.
Hedberg contacted Genelec, who conducted a site visit with Helsinki-based entertainment electronics experts Haloradio to assess the scope of the project. "I had my own ideas, but Genelec actually came up with lots of interesting suggestions of their own as they really liked the space," recalls Hedberg. "In fact, it was partly their idea to paint the loudspeakers gold! I was asking about colours generally, and because I have gold in the logo design, they mentioned they’d produced some gold loudspeakers for a restaurant in Sweden. I

 
plymouthOcean City showcases venues and spaces
Wednesday, 16 August 2023

UK - Plymouth’s varied event venues, from a private castle to the local football club, are being showcased at a trade exhibition next month (September). The city’s museum, gallery and archive, The Box, will host the event which features a wide range of hotels, venues and suppliers.
Potential clients looking for the perfect conference, meeting or event space, are invited to meet the exhibitors and enjoy a famed Devon cream tea on 11 September.
Among those taking part in The MeetPlymouth VENUE Showcase are: Pentillie Castle, a country castle on the banks of the River Tamar, available for exclusive hire; BLOCK, a stylish workspace, meetings and event venue at historic Royal William Yard; Plymouth Argyle Football Club, available for celebratory events from weddings and christenings to presentations and product launches, and Le Vignoble Wine Merchant and Lounge which offers private wine tastings.
Other exhibitors include: China Fleet Country Club, AFC Teambuilding and Events, and Plymouth Guildhall which regularly hosts concerts, fairs, gala dinners and boxing.
Amanda Lumley, Destination Plymouth’s chief executive, says: “We have an incredible mix of venues, suppliers and incentives offerings here in Plymouth which attract not only local businesses and individuals but clients from all over the region, nationally and internationally looking for somewhere exceptional and out of the ordinary.
“This event, which also showcases a range of hotels and activity providers as well as the airline Loganair, which flies from Exeter and Newqua

 
 
avid-stg-acquisition-featured-1300x750Private equity firm STG to acquire Avid for $1.4bn
Tuesday, 15 August 2023

USA - Avid has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of STG in an all-cash transaction valuing Avid at approximately $1.4bn, inclusive of Avid’s net debt.
“Since our founding over 30 years ago, Avid has delivered technology that enables individuals and enterprises who create media for a living to make, manage and monetise today’s most celebrated video and audio content across the globe,” said Jeff Rosica, Avid’s chief executive officer and president.
“We are pleased to announce this transaction with STG, who share our conviction and excitement in delivering innovative technology solutions to address our customers’ creative and business needs.
“STG's expertise in the technology sector and significant financial and strategic resources will help accelerate the achievement of our strategic vision, building on the momentum of our successful transformation achieved over the past several years. This transaction represents the start of an exciting new chapter for Avid, our customers, our partners and our team members and is a testament to the importance of Avid and our solutions in powering the media and entertainment industry.”
John P. Wallace, chairman of the Avid board of directors, says: “This transaction is the result of a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives for Avid. Upon closing, this transaction will deliver immediate, significant and certain value to our stockholders. After carefully evaluating a variety of options, the board determined that this transaction i

 
marionOpen air theatre keeps sustainable with Perseo
Tuesday, 15 August 2023

UK - Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in London has become the first open air theatre in the UK to install Ayrton Perseo fixtures as part of its plan to update to a more sustainable and environmentally-responsible lighting rig.
20 Perseo Profiles have been supplied to this venue by White Light for the full 20-week summer season. White Light worked in close collaboration with the teams at Regent’s Park and Ambersphere, Ayrton’s exclusive distributor for the UK, to understand the aims, and facilitate the provision of the correct LED fixtures, to meet all the theatre’s requirements.
Joe Kirk, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s head of lighting, was determined to make changes to the lighting inventory when he took on the role last year: “I wanted to replace the old rig of power-intensive tungsten and discharge moving lights with more sustainable LED replacements,” he says, “starting with 20 heavy discharge moving heads which were housed in large, unsightly wooden boxes on temporary truss towers.
“The weatherproofing was not very effective, the movers would overheat in hot weather, and their fans would frequently get blocked with pollen. Moving and maintaining 45kg fixtures at a height of 10m was both dangerous and inconvenient, often resulting in the need to refocus other lamps that got knocked in the process. They had to go!”
However, the replacement fixtures also needed to meet some strict criteria to be suitable for theatre lighting: “We needed high CRI, good colour mixing, good gobos and good quality dimming,” says Kirk.

 
 
pink-floyd22live sets out stall with APF and Martin Audio
Tuesday, 15 August 2023

UK - Last Autumn Martin Audio partner, 22live, completed its first full production tour, with The Australian Pink Floyd show, which provides an authentic tribute to the original band and has long used Martin Audio PA on tour.
For the band’s late 2022 UK tour Paul Timmins, now hire director and one of the founders of the recently formed pro-audio service company, 22live, was reunited with the long-term team of band manager Kevin Hopgood, production manager Chris Gadd, and FOH engineer Trevor Gilligan.
There were a number of factors to consider for Timmins, along with 22live technical director, Simon Gladstone, and operations director Stefan Phillips, when they were preparing their bid as a new player in the market. In addition to general touring economics this included the choice of PA.
With regard to the latter, 22live knew they couldn’t offer Gilligan, who has toured with earlier generations of Martin Audio Wavefront, anything other than the latest scalable Wavefront Precision line array solution - but they were also up against timing constraints.
“Although Trevor was happy to try out a new PA, the thing that we really had to demonstrate to make the argument was that the Martin Audio SXCF118 cardioid sub would be sufficient to provide the low end the tour required,” stated Timmins. The only way of providing its performance capability was to put it to the test, and a demonstration was organised at Martin Audio HQ in High Wycombe.
The band’s experienced system technician Mark Edwards was among those present at the demo. Timmins

 
robe-bijloke-music-centre-bijloke-126Robe T1 Profiles enjoy the silence in Ghent
Tuesday, 15 August 2023

Belgium - The Concert Hall venue, which is part of the Music Centre de Bijloke in Ghent, was once a 13th century civic hospital and now offers a vibrant and interesting blend of music often embracing additional performance and visual art forms like theatre and film.
During the pandemic, The Concert Hall which retains its original wooden curved frame roof and exterior walls, was completely renovated. New lighting was installed as part of this upgrade, including 13 x Robe T1 Profiles, which were specified by the Music Centre’s technical manager, Natan Rosseel and his team.
The works included removal of the entire floor which was sunk down by one metre. This was primarily to improve the acoustics; however, it has also resulted in an additional metre gain of headroom very much welcomed by the lighting department.
The 13th century roof spans are still in place, but the venue’s flying capacity has been seriously strengthened with the installation of a new ground supported steel structure that sits on legs residing outside of the walls, inspired by aesthetic integrity combined with lateral thinking engineering.
This means many more production elements can be rigged including a new d&b V8 line array sound system that, complete with cardio subs beneath the stage, has not only hugely improved the guest audio experience, but effectively enhanced the overall quietness and serenity of the whole room.
The charismatic 720-capacity venue (with 110 extra when the choir stalls are utilised) stages a performance on most days of the year. The pro

 
 
audiologicQ-SYS brings control to dynamic learning space
Tuesday, 15 August 2023

UK - Audiologic in collaboration with integrator GVAV, has announced the implementation of a versatile hybrid workspace at the University of Hertfordshire. This project incorporates Q-SYS audio, video, and control technology to create a seamless learning experience for students, whether they are physically present or participating in remote learning off campus.
Recognising the need to adapt to evolving user demands, both corporate and higher education institutions are transforming their workspaces to embrace greater flexibility. The University of Hertfordshire identified the outdated Prince Edward Hall lecture theatre as a space that had the potential to be transformed into a much more optimal learning environment catering for the needs of both in person and remote students. In response, they developed a new multi-use learning space, within a dynamic setting, designed to provide a new CDIO (Conceive Design Implement Operate) style of learning for individuals and groups for all university students.
The lecture theatre underwent a complete renovation, resulting in a new flat-floor space that prioritises audio-visual performance. This includes the incorporation of acoustic treatment on the walls and ceilings, to reduce the room’s RT60, as well as adding modern geometric LED lighting to rejuvenate the space.
The University of Hertfordshire partnered with GVAV for the audio visual requirements of the project.
Sukh Basi, sales director for London and the South East at GVAV, comments: “We worked with Audiologic for the equipment supply and techni

 
daytona-500-famous-group-in-storyStage Precision drives historic lap at Daytona
Tuesday, 15 August 2023

USA - A 500-mile-long NASCA cup race, the Daytona 500 is an annual event held at the Daytona International Speedway. This year’s event marked 75 years of NASCAR, and to celebrate this anniversary, the event included a special virtual final lap. The Famous Group were chosen as NASCAR’s preferred partners to bring this ambitious project to life.
“We were asked to recreate 18 historic NASCAR racecars and show them racing in a single lap together on the Daytona racetrack,” explains Erik Beaumont, head of mixed reality at The Famous Group. “The fantasy lap would include a Dale Earnhardt Jr. No.88 car and a Dale Earnhardt Sr. No.3 car, a nod to some of the most important moments in Daytona 500 history.”
Creating a virtual mixed-reality event for live broadcast required careful tracking to ensure the seamless fusion of the imaginary and the real. Stage Precision’s SP data and control management software was identified as a crucial tool for crafting this historic production.
The project also marked the first use of Stage Precision’s Shield for Unreal Engine 5 plug-in, specially designed for virtual production and augmented reality applications. “This was our first big project using SP. We had tested it and found it filled a hole in our workflow and toolchain but had yet to use it on a major project,” explains Beaumont. “SP provided us with an extraordinary level of control, making it an indispensable asset for this project.”
The Famous Group used SP to ensure the maximum level of control over tracking, timing, signals and to t

 
 
ocsa-student-using-mxl-890-1Orlando school jazz band switches to MXL
Tuesday, 15 August 2023

USA - A premiere public arts school in the greater Orlando area, Osceola County School for the Arts (OSCA) has a long-standing tradition of excellence with many alumni having gone on to attend various prestigious university programs, such as The Juilliard School, Berklee College of Music and more.
Osceola County School for the Arts’ Jazz A Ensemble, specifically, is a two-time winner and five-time finalist at the Essentially Ellington Competition & Festival and has performed at many jazz festivals throughout the United States. When the programme was in need of new and improved microphones, director, composer and veteran educator Jason Anderson turned to MXL Microphones.
“After learning more about the kind of instruments we were using, what the band was like and what we would be using the mics for, MXL came through big time and within a month or two we were using new microphones,” says Anderson. “Especially with jazz, you want to hear on the recording exactly how it sounds live and I feel like that's exactly what we get with MXL. It can be challenging with so many different instruments trying to capture the balance of the band as well, and I feel like the microphones do a good job of capturing the specific essence of each individual instrument.”
In total, OCSA’s jazz band now has over 30 MXL microphones, which include two R77s, eight 770s, one 890, four R144s, six V67Gs, the brand’s Studio Drum Kit, which includes an A-55 Kicker, a 606, two Drum Cubes for toms, two 603s, along with the shock mounts and hard mounts that go with the

 
candiblox1PLASA Show 2023: TechLED majors on sustainability
Tuesday, 15 August 2023

UK - TechLED will showcase its range of UK-manufactured lighting effects on stand G30 at this year’s PLASA Show. Contributing the lowest possible airmiles to low-energy LED effects, the show-stopping range from UK-based Abstract, is a must-see for any UK installer with a green agenda and an eye on sustainability.
Recognised as one of the pioneering market leaders in effects lighting with a manufacturing legacy spanning over 30 years, Abstract’s key lighting effects units will be demonstrated, including the Abstract Candi Blox and Abstract Candi Bar, the Abstract X-Lite Pro freestanding lighting system and the Abstract X-Drive. The popular Abstract-supplied, Pixel Neon lighting system will also be at the forefront of stand G30.
Pixel Neon is a square neon flex lighting effect supplied by Abstract. Flexible, weatherproof, and easy to install, Pixel Neon is perfect for highlighting architectural features with a homogenous line of dynamic colour changing light. Controllable via DMX or a dedicated smartphone app, Pixel Neon has proven a popular choice with installers and Pro DJs alike.
The Abstract range on stand will include the attention-grabbing Candi Blox unit that delivers one of the most sought after looks of the moment via a five-by-five array of high performance, mix-at-source, multi-chip LEDs. Configured as a central array of 25 LEDs with an edge halo effect surround featuring a further 20 LEDs, Abstract’s Candi Blox is a 200mm x 192mm ‘square’, IP20-rated, RBGW LED lighting system. Precision manufactured in the UK, the Blox is robust

 
 
psco-absen-2PSCo introduces Absen 2.5mm LED floor
Tuesday, 15 August 2023

UK - Display specialist PSCo (part of the Midwich Group) has announced the introduction of the Absen MR2.5 high resolution LED floor display. The high impact floor display is exclusively available from PSCo in the UK for trade-only rental and purchase.
The MR series LED floor panel is available in 2.5mm pixel pitch and uses a GOB SMD packaging process resulting in deep blacks with a non-reflective surface. Specified with Brompton R2 processing, the wide colour gamut and high-contrast performance of the MR2.5 produce impressive in-camera performance versus other LED floor technologies.
The Absen MR floor can be combined with Absen PL2.5 Pro Brompton LED walls to create seamless floor-to-wall 2.5mm displays running from the same Brompton controllers. These products are perfectly suited to xR stages and virtual studios, as well as eye-catching corporate and live events.
The product adopts a two-in-one design featuring an aluminium chassis cabinet and a separate optional carbon-fibre sub-floor frame, allowing the option to install a thinner and lighter LED floor solution resulting in increased versality for a wide range of applications where the floor can be built without adding sub-frames at the bottom.
The MR2.5 adopts a high-strength frame design with a maximum load-bearing capacity of 2500kg/㎡, which ensures safety and durability through challenging on-stage activities. The surface of MR is covered with a matte finish which is easy to clean and features a scratch-resistant layer, creating a long-lasting and high-impact visual staging effect.

 
christieChristie debuts two RGB pure laser projectors
Tuesday, 15 August 2023

USA - Christie has introduced two new RGB pure laser projectors: the M 4K15 RGB and M 4K+15 RGB. Part of our award-winning M 4K RGB Series, they deliver 15,750 lumens and are designed for the most demanding applications, including staging and live events, projection mapping spectacles, and theme park attractions.
“Our original M Series projectors, first introduced in 2007, were our most successful line of Pro AV projectors with over 16,000 units sold,” says Joel St-Denis, director of product management, Christie. “Our new models continue the tradition of innovation which has made the M Series so popular, combining ruggedness, reliability, and brightness into a compact chassis.”
Christie has simplified installation and operation by delivering full brightness at 120V or 220V, omnidirectional rigging capabilities, and TruLife+ electronics, which eliminates the hassle and cost of removable options cards. At 83.8 lbs (38.1 kg), the M 4K15 RGB and M 4K+15 RGB are the lightest 3DLP projectors in their class.
The new projectors are compatible with legacy M, J, and Crimson Series lenses and M Series rigging frames for additional cost savings.
With RGB pure laser illumination, the new projectors produce vibrant, bright, and true-to-life visuals that approach 98% of the Rec.2020 colour gamut, while operating at a quiet 43 dBA to ensure that the focus remains on the screen.
The M 4K15 RGB offers a 2700:1 contrast ratio and 4K UHD (3840x2160) resolution, while the M 4K+15 RGB offers a contrast ratio of 2200:1 and 4K UHD+(3840x2400) resolution

 
 
The Week in Light & Sound
Tuesday, 15 August 2023

Studio Sale - The BBC's historic Maida Vale studios, which have hosted sessions by stars ranging from The Beatles to Adele, have been sold to a group led by Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer.
Zimmer, who wrote the scores for films like The Lion King and Dune, has teamed up with Love Actually and Cats movie producers Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner.
The BBC said the complex would remain a "centre for pioneering music-making". It was valued at about £10m but the BBC did not disclose the purchase price. Built in 1909 as Britain's largest indoor roller-skating rink, the north-west London building was bought by the BBC in 1933. It is home to the BBC Symphony Orchestra and has hosted the world's biggest rock and pop stars - from Led Zeppelin to Radiohead and Jay-Z to Little Mix.
It also played host to John Peel's famous Radio 1 sessions and the BBC's innovative Radiophonic Workshop, famed for its realisation of the Doctor Who theme tune. The corporation is planning to move its music studios to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London in 2025, where the BBC Symphony Orchestra will then be based.
Ticket Prices - Society of London Theatre co-chief executive Claire Walker has responded to David Tennant’s criticism of “ludicrous” West End ticket prices, highlighting that average ticket prices have decreased when adjusted for inflation. Last week, Tennant said he was aware of the high ticket costs when he was in a show in the West End and warned that prices were “strangling the next generation of audiences”.

 
green-hippoFall Out Boy visuals fly high with Hippotizer
Monday, 14 August 2023

USA - Fire blasts, frenzy and rock ‘n’ roll bombast is bolstering American emo-pop-punkers Fall Out Boy’s current US tour, which is playing amphitheatres across the country backed with LED and projection driven by Green Hippo Hippotizer Boreal+ MK2 Media Servers.
Screen content is guiding the audience through the hitlist set via colour, with strong orange content for the daytime and cooler blues, greens, and purples for the night time scenes. The Boreal+ MK2 Media Servers are running pre-made content and Notch Blocks as well as live feed for the IMAG screens, with one live and one as backup.
BAFTA and Billboard Award-nominated creative directors, TAWBOX, consisting of London-based visionaries Amber Rimell and Bronski, have created a theatrical show for the band as they tour to support their 2023 album, So Much (for) Stardust. It sees an array of high-production-values pyrotechnics and effects alongside the visuals and live feed IMAG action to create a truly cinematic experience. The TAWBOX team created all visual content, with Notch Blocks provided by Pixels and Noise.
Chicagoan production designers at So Midwest delivered both lighting and video design, production design and additional cameras and video infrastructure processing. “We are returning to this tour as the lighting designer after our successful previous work with Fall Out Boy,” says So Midwest’s Connor Sullivan.
“The band wanted to step away from a big LED surface for this tour, so we created visual staging that was focused on a modest 2m x 2m LED screen place

 
 
prolightsDRTCC chooses Prolights fixtures for upgrade
Monday, 14 August 2023

Australia - Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre features the Joyce Schneider Auditorium, a 500-seat theatre with modern facilities including a comprehensive, computerised sound and lighting control room. The theatre completed a significant lighting system upgrade, transitioning from outdated halogen lamps to more advanced technology.
David Brown, the technical coordinator of the venue, explained that the upgrade had been planned for some time, but the increasing difficulty in finding and the high cost of halogen lamps expedited the need for a change. The Covid-19 pandemic, which temporarily suspended performances, provided the perfect opportunity to carry out the upgrade, and David took the chance to conduct an in-depth market research and compare various options. After careful evaluation, he presented a comprehensive report to the council for approval.
Show Technology, the distributor of Prolights in Australia, was chosen to handle the lighting system upgrade. They installed 42 Prolights EclProfile CT+ and 20 Prolights EclFresnel TW.
David says that the tungsten emulation offered by the Prolights EclProfile CT+ is exceptionally good, which is important as some of the touring shows simply want to use them as a conventional lantern with a colour in them. They are positioned on the bridges for easy access and from where they can do their traditional thing.
“They are an excellent fixture, as are the Prolights EclFresnel TW, and they've just fitted in and done the job,” said David. “I like their bright, clean output as well as their

 
anna-valley-studios-provides-professional-stages-for-virtual-event-productionAnna Valley opens versatile studio complex
Monday, 14 August 2023

UK - Audio-visual and entertainment technology company, Anna Valley has officially opened a new, multi-purpose studio complex in July 2023. The facility is located on the same block as Anna Valley’s headquarters in West London, in premises previously used to produce content for a broadcast shopping channel and includes five professional studio spaces that can be tailored to suit the production needs of media and entertainment, commercial and event clients.
The idea for Anna Valley Studios originated due to the audio-visual company’s success in using their headquarters as a virtual production and event studio during the pandemic. Despite the lifting of Covid restrictions in 2022, the demand for affordable studio spaces has remained high across their event and production client base. In addition, while the number of studios with volumes have increased in recent months, there is a shortage of affordable virtual production testing facilities available.
Anna Valley Studios aims to satisfy this demand by providing simple but professional spaces that a range of clients can use to create and share video content. The soundproof studios provide a budget-friendly but fit-for-purpose location for corporate clients to produce virtual events and high-end presentation videos or for production teams to conduct camera, lighting or virtual production tests and film pilots and programme segments. With all the supporting infrastructure in place, the technology in the studios can easily be upgraded to support more ambitious commercial and film shoots.
The Anna Val

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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