UK - HH Audio has announced the launch of Tensor-MINI, an ultra-portable, all-in-one, battery-powered PA. Tensor-MINI delivers from an easy to carry design which can be set up in seconds.
With its a powerful 6.5” co-axial full-range driver, Tensor-MINI is suitable for a host of applications, including buskers, small gigs, parties, gyms, cafes, classrooms, corporate AV presentations and more. Its versatile pre-amp includes a three-channel mixer (two universal inputs with tone presets and adjustable EQ, and an auxiliary input), DSP and reverb effect, along with a Bluetooth/USB media player which doubles as a charger for the input device. Bluetooth also supports stereo linking of two Tensor-MINI units.
Tensor-MINI’s multi-angle cab allows the unit to be used on the ground, as a monitor, or on a pole stand, and comprehensive audio protection prevents overloading and damage. Fully chargeable in just five hours, the unit delivers up to 12 hours continuous playback thanks to its built-in Li-ion battery.
Europe - Elation has introduced an upgrade to the Six PAR series - introducing the Six+ PAR S and Six+ PAR L.
Six+ PAR offers a fusion of enhanced output, expanded colour spectrum, and overall superior quality of light. It is IP65 protected to handle any environment.
Available with either 7x or 14x 20W RGBLA+UV LEDs, the Six+ PAR offers the ultra-wide colour spectrum, colour rendering and high CRI (93) that exacting designers demand.
To expand the colour capabilities of the Six+ PAR further, precise colour temperature control via a dedicated variable CCT control channel has been integrated with adjustments capable from 2,400K – 8,500K. A CMY Emulation mode plus an integrated library of calibrated colour pre-sets that match the most popular gel filters have also been included.
The Six+ PAR’s durable housing includes a dedicated diffusion lens holder with an optional gel frame holder available that can accommodate industry-standard 7.5” (S)/10” (L) accessories. Beam angle is 12° with a 22° lens included that allows them to match seamlessly with existing Six PAR fixtures. Other optional lenses are also available. Six + PAR luminaires house an electronic dimmer and strobe and are capable of smooth dimming from 0-100% with excellent stability throughout the range. A selection of 16-bit dimming modes and curves are also included.
Germany - Holoplot has announced the appointment of Jocelyne Bückner as its new head of marketing. Based in Germany, Bückner brings over 15 years of marketing experience gained in various senior positions, including her latest leadership role at d&b audiotechnik as director of brand and corporate communications.
Reporting to Holoplot CEO, Roman Sick, Bückner comments: “Holoplot has elevated the sound control race to a different level. But what impressed me even more was the contemporary nature of the company. Among all the brands in the market, Holoplot has such an interesting story, and the company messaging is cutting-edge and personally resonated with me.”
“Jocelyne brings a strong strategic capability and unwavering energy to the team, coupled with a growth mindset,” concludes Sick. “As we expand our market presence, manifesting and building relationships with our partners across the globe, she will be an important piece of the jigsaw, helping us further broaden our market appeal and highlighting the value Holoplot is providing to our clients.”
Ireland - Microphone specialist Point Source Audio has announced the opening of its European headquarters in Dublin. This marks the audio technology company's first dedicated office outside of the United States, reflecting its commitment to meeting the increasing demand for its headset, earworn, and earmounted microphones across the continent.
Led by seasoned business development manager Gerry Forde, supported by service engineer James Killalea and office administrator Aoife Mc Carthy, the Dublin office is poised to play a pivotal role in optimising Point Source Audio's operations in Europe.
The establishment of this European hub aims to streamline distribution processes, ensuring faster delivery times and expanded customer reach. Point Source Audio anticipates that the proximity of its Dublin office to major markets within the European Union will result in more efficient services and cost savings for its clientele.
Point Source Audio president James Lamb emphasised that the decision to open the European office was driven by the increasing requests for the company's products in diverse applications, from broadcast to theatre. "Having a dedicated presence closer to our European customer base is an important step, which we feel will have a very positive impact on the service they receive," Lamb stated.
Dublin was selected as the strategic location for its proximity to key markets, along with the city's reputation for technological innovation and a skilled workforce. Lamb added, "This is a big step in the evolution of Point Source Audio. The work
UK - Fulcrum Acoustic has announced the appointment of AUX Import as their new distribution partner in the United Kingdom. AUX Import will distribute the full Fulcrum Acoustic and Fulcrum Immersive product range across the UK. This key partnership reinforces Fulcrum's presence in EMEA, alongside other distribution partners in the region.
Val Gilbert, director of business development for Export at Fulcrum Acoustic, shared: "Our collaboration with AUX Import marks a significant step for Fulcrum’s growth in the European market. We are particularly impressed by the teams’ energy and customer-focused approach, which are qualities that resonate with us at Fulcrum. Both AUX Import and Fulcrum Acoustic are rapidly growing companies, and we look forward to expanding our reach in the UK market together."
Callum Bowran, technical director of AUX Import, also expressed enthusiasm for the partnership: “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Fulcrum Acoustic, a company known for its advanced audio technologies and dedication to customer support. This partnership underscores our commitment to providing our customers with the best in professional audio-visual equipment. We're excited to introduce Fulcrum Acoustic's range of products to our clients.”
AUX Import and Fulcrum Acoustic will be attending ISE 2024.
Portugal - Midwich Portugal, part of the Midwich Group, has announced the addition of Robe Lighting to its exclusive distribution portfolio for the Portuguese market.
Ingo Dombrowski, international sales director for Robe Lighting s.r.o., commented: “There is a saying, ‘Nothing beats a winning team!’, and I think there is nothing better than giving a winning team more responsibilities. A well-developed market like Portugal needs a strategic and analytical approach, and we already know this is integral to Midwich Group’s Spanish branch, so it is a completely logical step to widen our collaboration to include Portugal.”
Pere Castro, managing director Midwich Portugal, added: “We couldn’t be happier with the addition of Robe to our catalogue of top solutions. After more than a decade of successful partnership with Robe in Spain, now having such a great, supportive, and loyal partner in Portugal is excellent news. Together with the recent announcement of the ‘Avolites - A Robe Business’ ranges being added to our Portuguese portfolio, we can consolidate and strengthen our philosophy of offering top brands and service.”
Sweden - Linea Research has announced the appointment of Winther Sound Solutions as its distributor in Sweden.
Winther Sound Solutions specialises in audio solutions for a wide range of applications. The company's expertise extends across various sectors, including live sound, installations and broadcast.
Mattias Winther, CEO of Winther Sound Solutions commented: "We are excited to represent Linea Research in the Swedish market. Their commitment to delivering high-quality audio solutions aligns with our mission at Winther Sound Solutions. This partnership will undoubtedly enhance the audio experience for our customers across Sweden."
Martin Hildred, sales & marketing manager of Linea Research concluded: "Collaborating with Winther Sound Solutions marks a positive step in expanding our presence in the Swedish market. We are confident that their dedication and understanding of the audio industry will further the success of Linea Research products in Sweden."
UK - The National Theatre on London’s south bank has long been a bastion of creativity and world-class productions. Its three auditoria - the Olivier, the Lyttelton and the Dorfman - host productions from leading creative and technical crews.
As part of its continued transition to LED lighting, lighting resources manager at the National Theatre (NT), Paul Hornsby, and his team set about replacing their outdated HMI Fresnel fixtures in the NT’s floating stock. “Trying to find a modern LED replacement for a big Fresnel Wash that can provide that big punchy back light and colour hasn’t been easy,” says Hornsby. “We are always trying to recreate that classic 5kW Fresnel/2.5kW HMI look that is really important to a theatre, and there have been no true alternatives until now. Moving lights or profiles with frost are a poor substitute and don’t have the same look in the air. They can’t quite recreate that classic look we remember.”
It was Philip Norfolk of Ambersphere Solutions (Ayrton’s exclusive distributor for the UK) who introduced Hornsby to the new Huracán Wash. “Philip mentioned Ayrton was developing a Wash light with a Fresnel lens which definitely piqued our interest,” Hornsby says. “We have been following Ayrton’s product developments closely since we purchased a quantity of Diablo S back in 2019/2020. These proved extremely popular with our in-house techs and visiting lighting designers, so we were keen to know more about this new development.”
Huracán Wash has a 1,000W LED source, a complex colour mixing system a
South Africa - Bad Weather Productions handled the creative technical needs for the Rocking the Daisies Festival, held in Cape Town and Johannesburg late last year. Said to mark the beginning of South Africa’s festival season, Rocking the Daisies hosts big-name international artists from a diverse spectrum of genres across three days at Cloof Wine Estate, near Cape Town, followed by one day at SuperSport Park, Johannesburg.
With a decade-long involvement in Rocking the Daisies, Bad Weather Productions has played a part in the festival’s evolution. Notably, they pioneered the first hip-hop stage, TwosUP, in 2016, diversifying the festival's music offerings. Over the years, the collaboration has expanded, with Bad Weather Productions leading the production design and execution across every arena.
"It's been an incredible journey working with Rocking the Daisies over the last 10 years, and watching it develop into one of the most diverse festivals in the country,” says Jonathan Bandli, co-founder and creative director of Bad Weather Productions. “This year, we were entrusted with handling the AV production for four stages in Cape Town and one stage in Johannesburg, making it one of our most complex projects to date.”
"With headliner acts such as BRIT Award winner Stormzy, singer-songwriter, Greentea Peng, American rapper Denzel Curry, and influential pop band, The Vamps, audience expectations were exceptionally high,” explains Bandli. “To ensure optimal audio performance and consistency, the festival opted for d&b audiotechnik system
Europe - Shania Twain’s Queen of Me tour played 78 shows across North America and Europe, with audio solutions from long-term rental partner, Eighth Day Sound.
FOH engineer Rob ‘Cubby’ Colby says his great experience mixing this tour has been down to the hard-working production crew: “Production manager, Denny Rich, production assistant, Libby Dostart, tour coordinator & tour manager, Joel Eriksson, stage manager Brandon Bogaert and music conductor, Marco Gamboa helped to make it a joy to be a part of.”
His time with Eighth Day Sound has also been smooth sailing: “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Tom Arko and his team at Eighth Day Sound. I’ve enjoyed getting to know their different crews, project managers & office staff. Most recently on Shania’s tour, I requested a small footprint at FOH, and everything was addressed perfectly both at their US and UK shops,” he adds.
“To be trusted is always an opportunity to focus on why I've been chosen to mix FOH on tour, and I'll do my very best to mix the music as the artist intended it to be heard,” he states.
“The reactions from the audience, the artist, and management & promoter feedback are important; I want to know I’ve delivered a great experience.”
He continues: “I familiarise myself with recorded versions of the songs, not just the biggest hits, and concerning Shania’s huge catalogue, there are many stories from her extensive career that offer a better perspective on what the song might be about. I take what I learn into her live
Japan - Hoshioto Camp 23, which took place recently at Budou Romankan in the Japanese Prefecture of Okayama became the first outdoor music festival in Japan to introduce immersive sound.
Local sound rental company, Bright Co originally invested in Martin Audio’s award-winning WPC fully optimised system back in 2020. Therefore, when it was time to upgrade the event’s main speaker system, WPC was recommended as the best overall fit for its sound quality, controllability and sense of scale, after evaluation against other systems.
Kazuyuki Oshita, president of Bright Co said there were other reasons why he recommended it to the organisers, notably its ability to deliver consistency of sound right across the area, and to mitigate against noise pollution by being able to contain the energy uniquely within the sound field - one of the award-leading properties of Martin Audio’s proprietary DISPLAY control software.
The 16 principal WPC boxes were powered by Martin Audio’s multi-channel iK42 amplifiers, and to create the full immersion an end-to-end Martin Audio solution was specified, including eight XD15, four SX218 subwoofers, six XP12 and various XE300, and Adorn A55 enclosures.
Various other local rental suppliers, introduced to the main contractors by Martin Audio Japan, also tapped into their inventories to complete the complement required, which also included SPAT Revolution processing. These included Super 4; Music Reserve; Freeway and Network Papa.
Review notices couldn’t have been more positive. One stated: “The sound in fr
India - Lighting designer Milind Shrivastava has invested in a grandMA3 from MA Lighting, supplied by Hi-Tech Audio & Image, India distributor for MA Lighting.
One of the veteran lighting designers of New Delhi, Milind Shrivastava has been working with theatre, dance, ballet shows, government events, music festivals, and various genres of events for three decades. His work as a lighting designer was recognised by the Government of India which awarded him the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2009 for Best Lighting Designer. In 2022 he was also felicitated by the Astad Deboo Award.
Throughout his journey, Milind has been an avid user of grandMA3 console. He shares: “The grandMA3 compact XT light provides the perfect combination of power and physical size. It is suitable for all but the most demanding productions, making it probably the most versatile lighting console available. There are more display screens, dual encoders, themed screen looks, LED lined faders, executors and knobs, 250,000 DMX parameters on one desk, new palette attributes, triple the number of executor buttons, and the addition of encoder knobs. MA3 Lighting console has some special shortcuts that help in operating the board there are groups, predefined phasers, 3D maps and all of this makes my work faster and more efficient. The entire console defines the meaning of smart professional lighting control.”
Milind has highly appreciated the supply support provided for the console by Hi-Tech Audio & Image. CEO-founder of Hi-Tech Audio & Image, Rajan Gupta hel
Spain - Robert Juliat will be exhibiting independently for the first time at ISE on Stand 1F300, near the entrance of Hall 1.
RJ will be showing its award-winning Sully 4C profile and Fresnel fixtures - which were awarded the 2022 LDI Award for Best Debuting Product - all with integrated RJ Color, Robert Juliat’s innovative software platform.
Sully 4C Profile (650SX 4C) is a four-colour (RGBLime), 200W LED profile that delivers perfect whites and high quality saturated and pastel colours; it is also a swift and economic solution to convert RJ 600SX tungsten fixtures to LED.
Sully 4C Fresnel (315LF 4C) is a compact fixture with the same level of colour quality and control as the Profile, available with a choice of 200mm Fresnel or PC lenses.
Known for its leadership in followspot design and production, Robert Juliat will be showcasing the latest of its LED followspots.
Spain - Hive has introduced two new additions to its Beeblade product range. Beeblade Minima and Beeblade Osmia are joining Beeblade Pluto as part of the wider ecosystem, offering users more media playback solutions that work in harmony with a wide range of project types. Additionally, Hive is also launching the new Beehive 5U rack mountable chassis at ISE 2024.
Beeblade is a new approach to media playback that seamlessly integrates into any Smart Display Module (SDM) compatible display or projector. It’s the hidden hero behind complex, creative video that can be synced across multiple players using Hive’s Beesync software.
Joining the Pluto Beeblade - which is designed for large-scale mapping projects - the Beeblade Minima is Hive’s newest HD player with the lowest technical specification. The new Beeblade Osmia is a mid-range solution that can achieve 4K media and 4K output capacity.
With all the functionality you need, the Beeblade range is simple to integrate, easy to manage and features an intuitive user interface that can be accessed from any modern browser. The Beeblade family can also live in Hive’s Beebox and Beehive units.
The Beebox is a custom designed portable enclosure that can be placed next to display technology if there is no in-built SDM slot. Beehive is a 5U chassis that can hold up to 16 Beeblades so that you can create a system that suits the unique nature of your project.
Inspired by the intelligent structure of a bee colony, Hive’s Beehive is designed so that every part of it serves a purpose. Whether
Spain - Ayrton will be exhibiting at ISE on stands 1G700 and 1G530 where it will be bringing a selection of its comprehensive range of LED lighting products. Star of the show will be Argo 6, launched in September 2023 at PLASA Show, London.
Argo 6 is Ayrton’s first weather-sealed effects luminaire, available as Wash or FX versions, presenting a 280mm front window designed to ensure optimal visuals. Equipped with 19 LEDs of 40W with RGB+W additive colour synthesis, Argo 6 can deliver a light output of 13,000 lumens, and obtain a highly intense beam with a zoom ratio of 14:1 and a wide zoom range from 4° to 56°. Argo 6 FX sports a high-definition liquid effect system enhanced by a translucent honeycomb that can generate complex graphic effects LiquidEffectTM.
More Ayrton products present at ISE include the icompact effects fixtures Zonda 9 FX and its smaller sibling Zonda 3 FX, the WildSun K9 Wash designed for TV, video and broadcasting purposes in high-definition, the laser-sourced Cobra, the ultra-compact Diablo, and the new Rivale Profile, a 450W LED fixture with a luminous flux of 30,000 lumens, a 13:1 zoom ratio and a 4° to 52° zoom range that can produce an ultra-intensive narrow 4° beam - close to that of Ayrton’s famous ‘LT’ versions.
Spain - At this year’s ISE, RCF will display a comprehensive range of audio products including new models for installed sound, pro sound, live sound along with new RDNet management software and Shape D3D simulation software.
RCF will debut the PMR 60T, a two-way 80W pendant speaker for commercial applications, and a comprehensive range of both self-powered and externally-powered subwoofers for professional applications. The new S 8019 and S 8029 subwoofers, single and double 19" passive units respectively, come equipped with high-excursion transducers, delivering ‘exceptional sound pressure and quality for high-power installation applications’. These subwoofers pair ideally with the RCF XPS 16K amplifier.
RCF will also introduce the DMA 504 amplifier, a new member of the Business Music Series. This 4x500-watt, 2-rack unit amplifier with digital routing and DSP is versatile for multiple applications including retail, hospitality, education, and public facilities.
Adding to its portfolio, RCF will unveil the NXL 14-A, the most compact loudspeaker in the NXL Active Column Speaker Series. Available in black and white and equipped with two 6" woofers, a 1.75" PKX HF driver and a 2,100W amplifier, the NXL14-A is perfect for portable systems and immersive applications.
RCF’s NX Series adds two flagship models, the NX 932-A and NX 945-A. These loudspeakers incorporate RCF’s new Precision Transducers with neodymium magnets and titanium compression drivers, share the advanced features of the NX 9 Series cabinet and DSP, and are powered by 2,1
USA - JoeCo has launched BandMate, a 24-channel backing track player for live performance playback. Aimed at gigging musicians, the 1U system can replay multichannel audio material alongside MIDI data for the control and update of MIDI equipment such as effects pedals and lighting controllers. The new hardware is supported by a pair of apps for user-friendly operation.
“There is a definite requirement from musicians for a live assist playback device that they can trust more than a laptop,” said JoeCo managing director, Joe Bull. “We created BandMate to be a flexible solution that will give musicians a robust device they can rely on gig after gig, which is simple to use and easy to control.”
BandMate uses a setlist to organise the playback for a gig. This playlist automatically loads up the next song so musicians can focus on their performance rather than the technology. Playback can be controlled and triggered via the front panel, a footswitch, MIDI command or the Remote app. Audio and MIDI data as well as playlists are stored on a local USB memory stick.
As well as the 24 individual balanced outputs to drive a stage box or mixing console, BandMate can also send outputs 23 and 24 to an unbalanced stereo TRS jack. This provides a mixed output from the box to work with small, individual PA systems. The outputs include protection circuitry against inadvertent phantom power damaging the electronics while an earth lift switch separates the system chassis ground from the signal output screen ground to help with eliminating earth loops. Each channe
Mobo Awards - Sheffield will host a "dynamic series of events" to celebrate the Mobo Awards coming to the city for the first time. Mobo Awards Sheffield - The Fringe will take place ahead of the awards show on 7 February at the Utilita Arena. It will feature workshops and a market to shine a light on the city's African and Caribbean communities, organisers said.
Sheffield city councillor Martin Smith said the festival would be "an unforgettable experience". He added: "It will see the city embrace both the beats and flavours of Africa and the Caribbean and is a testament to the power of the music and culture on offer in our city. Mobo Awards Sheffield - The Fringe is going to be an unforgettable experience for Sheffield and our communities, and I hope everyone is able to get involved and enjoy what's on offer."
Frozen Out - Disney’s Frozen will complete its West End run at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in September. Produced by Disney Theatrical Group, it will close on 8 September, after three years in the West End. Director Michael Grandage said: “It has been a joy to be part of the Frozen journey in London. Working with the team at Disney, the brilliant creative team, and the incredible cast have made this one of my happiest theatre experiences.”
Frozen opened in the UK on the heels of the pandemic, and it was glorious to welcome back audiences, many of whom were coming to the theatre for the first time. To introduce so many to the power of theatre and hopefully cultivate a life-long love for it, has been an immens
UK - The theatre industry is mourning the loss of Martin McCallum (6 April 1950 - 14 January 2024), FRSA, who passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on 14 January. Former president of the Society of London Theatre and advisor to the Arts Council, McCallum was a pioneering British theatrical producer who left a long-lasting mark on the world of theatre. With a career spanning over 500 shows, McCallum’s contributions to the theatre sector were ground-breaking and transformative.
Starting his career as an assistant stage manager at the Castle Theatre in Farnham, under the mentorship of Laurence Olivier at the Old Vic, Martin became a production manager for the National Theatre of Great Britain. His contributions were instrumental in the National’s move to London’s South Bank, where he managed notable productions such as Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey into Night featuring Olivier and Constance Cummings.
In 1978, McCallum co-founded the Production Office, the first of its kind in technical and general production management. Through this venture he supervised pioneering shows, including Filumena, Evita, Sweeney Todd and Jesus Christ Superstar.
In 1981 Martin partnered with Cameron Mackintosh, acting as his managing director for 18 years and vice-chairman for three, he oversaw a period of unprecedented growth with acclaimed productions like Cats, Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera, achieving worldwide success.
From 1992 to 2003, McCallum chaired the Donmar War
USA - One of America’s best-known monuments, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, shines more brightly than ever thanks to a new and improved lighting system from Technical Productions, Inc. (TPI) that features 76 Proteus Brutus lighting fixtures from Elation.
‘The Arch’ has stood on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis since 1965 as America’s symbolic ‘Gateway to the West’. The Gateway Foundation, a private non-profit that first lit the structure in 2001, funded the lighting upgrade. Under its direction, TPI spearheaded the specification, design, and installation of the new lighting system with focus design provided by Randy Burkett of Reed Burkett Lighting Design.
Burkett was hired by the Gateway Foundation to light the Arch back in the late 1990s, a design that included luminaires installed in underground pits, then renewed the lighting several years ago using 7K xenon sources. Michael O'Keefe, COO of TPI, proposed a lighting upgrade after years maintaining the outdated xenon lamp lighting, a system that was not only proving unreliable and expensive to upkeep but wasn’t showing the Arch in its best light. “Parts were breaking and the cost in lens filters and lamps, not to mention the labour to change them, was very high,” O’Keefe stated. “I truly felt that we should honour our monument more consistently and more efficiently with the best available fixtures.”
The solution lay in Elation’s Proteus Brutus, an IP65-rated automated light with a high efficiency 1,200W peak field LED engine and 75,000 total lumens of outp
UK - Over 300 Astera NYX Bulbs and 80 x Titan Tube wireless LED lighting fixtures dazzled festive guests visiting the Neverland Illuminova Christmas trail at Wellington Country Park near Reading. This was a special lighting and visual experience concept developed and delivered by the team at show production and technical specialist, Zeal.
The 1.5km trail followed the journey of the character Hope as they discovered their imagination travelling through various areas of visual interest with land, features and foliage speckled, coloured and bathed in light that could be absorbed, interpreted and sometimes interacted with live.
The NYX Bulbs were installed in two areas, the first of which was called Play. Here they were used in festoon style, strung overhead on scaffolding and catenary wires, and programmed as conventional lights and into a variety of colourful scenes, chases, and effects, boosting the ambience and anticipation of people walking around the trail.
The second area was the Finale where they were also rigged in festoon style, but this time had video content played through them transforming them into single pixels that were synched to lighting focused on the trail’s main visual feature - a 20m wide by 8m water screen that summarised the story.
As the trail paths opened out into this larger Finale space, the Titan Tubes were deployed sitting vertically on floor mounts, outlining, and delineating about 12m of pathway.
In conjunction with the NYX Bulbs rigged above, the Titan Tubes had the same video content running through them
Sweden - XM Automation started the new year on a high by successfully demonstrating its XMove software controlling a number of automated bars in an existing theatre system. The XM team were able to show how easy it could be to upgrade the control front-end without requiring costly upgrades to the existing hardware or electrical installation.
The demonstrations attracted more than 50 Swedish theatre technical directors, technicians and consultants, all keen to see how XMove, the new front-end software could be used to run an existing system with minimal changes to the back-end. According to one attendee,“This event is too interesting to miss.”
The ease of use and intuitive, familiar feel of the software also surprised many attendees, who were able to try programming and running even quite complex moves for themselves after just a short introductory tutorial.
As XM Automation’s founder and director, whose previous experience includes setting up and running the theatre automation company Stage Technologies, Mark Ager explains, “My aim was always to bring automation to a wider market with fewer barriers to entry for smaller and mid-sized venues. Over the last decade automation seems to have become more complex and prohibitively expensive. XM Automation aims to redress that balance by offering a genuinely cost-effective, intuitive, user-friendly alternative.”
This is important because there is a mismatch between the lifetime of the software compared to the hardware of a system. The expected lifetime for the electrical and mechanical equi
USA - ARRI is the official lighting provider for the 40th edition of the Sundance Film Festival which takes place this month.
ARRI, together with wholly owned subsidiary Illumination Dynamics, is providing the Sundance Film Festival with ARRI’s lighting solutions, including SkyPanel S30-C, SkyPanel S60-C, and ARRI Orbiter fixtures. These professional and innovative luminaries are shining the best light on personalities, stars, and emerging filmmakers at premiere event venues, stages, and lounges at Sundance Film Festival’s 40th edition.
“As we mark our 40th Sundance Film Festival, we are excited to collaborate with ARRI and use their innovative lighting technologies to help us create dynamic festival environments and shine a light on all the creators who are taking part in press lines before introducing their films to audiences at the Festival,” says Tammie Rosen, chief communications officer, Sundance Institute.
“ARRI is honoured to partner with the Sundance Institute as the official lighting provider for this milestone 40th Sundance Film Festival,” says Dr. Matthias Erb, chairman of the executive board at ARRI.
Dr. Raphael Kiesel, senior vice-president, business unit lighting at ARRI, continues: “Our versatile, high-quality lighting solutions are helping to create an enhanced visual environment to showcase the tremendous filmmaking talent that Sundance celebrates each year.” Glenn Kennel, President and CEO of ARRI Americas, emphasizes, “ARRI has been an active participant of the Sundance Film Festival for many years and 202
USA - ATK Audiotek, a Clair Global Brand, demonstrated the versatility of the Cohesion catalogue at Microsoft Ignite 2023, the tech giant’s annual demonstration of new products and solutions, held in Seattle. The deployed Cohesion products emphasised their unmistakable clarity for thousands of eager developers and partners at the Keynote Stage and the IP (Interstitial Programming) Theatre Stage during the corporate event.
Andrew Waterman, Microsoft’s account manager for ATK Audiotek, explained that Microsoft’s top goals at any conference are “to be able to see what presenters are talking about, but more importantly, to hear them clearly”.
Waterman first heard Cohesion’s products during a demonstration two years prior, and they jumped to mind immediately for their clarity. The 45-year veteran front of house mixer was impressed enough to design for Ignite a system that relies on Cohesion’s trademark flexibility and precision.
“Cohesion is easy to rig, easy to fly, and sounds great,” said Waterman. “The EQ I have to do is minimal. I’m totally all in on Cohesion.”
While Cohesion products established their popularity and trustworthiness as the most preferred systems on international, top-grossing tours, they are quickly proving to be chosen for corporate, broadcast, and other aspirational professional applications.
The system at the Keynote Stage included 12 arrays of CO10 line arrays utilising both 120° and 80° directivities to ensure each of the 4,500-plus eager attendees were enveloped by crystal-clear sound.