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Environmental Lights acquires City Theatrical

Details: 10 July 2023

USA - Environmental Lights has announced that it has acquired City Theatrical, Inc and City Theatrical, Ltd (UK). The acquisition continues Environmental Lights’ growth trajectory as it expands its footprint and product offerings in the scenic market.
City Theatrical, based in Carlstadt, New Jersey, has been servicing the scenic and theatrical markets for over 37 years. Its Multiverse Wireless DMX technology is widely accepted as the standard in live performance globally, serving both Broadway and West End theatrical productions.
“Environmental Lights is focused on being the lighting leader in each of our core verticals. The acquisition of City Theatrical combines two strong businesses in the scenic market under one roof, positioning us as the clear leader,” said B

d&b is one of the world’s leading providers of professional premium audio technology

Private equity firm Providence acquires d&b Group

Details: 10 July 2023

Germany - d&b Group has announced a major investment by Providence, a private equity firm specialising in growth-oriented investments in media, communications, education and technology. With the support of Providence, d&b plans to further strengthen its global market-leading position in the professional audio market while also further integrating its capabilities in the audio visual, lighting and media (AVLM) solutions sector.
Providence has a track record of investing in businesses that deliver world-class technology and experiences. As part of the transaction, the d&b management team will also acquire a stake in the company, ensuring long-term leadership and strategic continuity. The parties have agreed not to reveal details of the transaction, and the conclusion of the transaction is subject to approval by the relevant antitrust authorities.
Founded in

‘The Old Church of St. John the Baptist stands alone as a sentinel against time’

R-H Iconyx enhances festivities at Old Church

Details: 07 July 2023

Lithuania - Located along the banks of the slow-moving Nemunas River and surrounded by green meadows, the Old Church of St. John the Baptist stands alone as a sentinel against time. The picturesque Gothic church, with its striking steep-pitched roof, draws tourists and photographers from around the world to the Lithuanian town of Zapyškis.
While the building is no longer used for religious purposes, it was given the status of a Cultural Monument in 2002 and is now a popular venue for cultural and music events like the annual Kite Festival and Pažaislis Music Festival. Steerable loudspeaker arrays from Renkus-Heinz were installed in the building to combat long reverberation times, improve intelligibility and enhance the experiences of festival attendees.
Church staff contacted Vytautas Stasiukaitis, system designer at Audiotonas, to help redesign the audio system. As

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Case Study: Hans Zimmer Live

When award winning film composer Hans Zimmer brought his smash-hit tour Hans Zimmer Live to North America fall 2024, the show's audio team sought out to bring infrafrequency bass to the show to add new depth to the show's audio experience. The team chose Danley Sound Labs.

Miles Barton, FOH and system technician; Mark Hawley FOH engineer; Neil Heal, monitor engineer; Andy Yates, stage and monitor technician and Alex Penn, 22live commercial director

Green-Go DanteX enables Tori Amos comms

Details: 07 July 2023

USA - The US leg Tori Amos’ 2023 Ocean to Ocean tour kicked off in West Palm Beach, Florida in June with a fresh and varied setlist, ready to rouse fans across the States. The crew joining this year’s US leg are armed with an array of Green-GO Digital intercom products.
At the heart of the setup is a Green-GO DanteX Interface, which is directly converting digital audio streams from Dante to Green-GO and vice-versa without loss of quality.
“The Green-GO DanteX Interface was key to our system,” says Alex Penn, commercial director at UK-based 22Live, which supplied a complete audio system for the Ocean to Ocean tour in both Europe and the US. “The tour was already using an extensive Dante network that covered many jobs including the PA returns, and shared stage racks for both the FOH and monitor mixing consoles.
“Utilising the DanteX Interf

Sending a BTS holiday card helps spread the word about the charity

Behind the Scenes releases 2023 Holiday Cards

Details: 07 July 2023

USA - The 2023 Behind the Scenes Holiday Cards are now on sale at the BTS Boutique. This year’s collection features a mix of six different designs created especially for the charity by Alyssa Collister, Ryan Dantuono, Scott Kinnebrew, and Robert Mendoza. BTS is also bringing back two past favourites by Alex Elmendorf and William Gerton.
Cards are available in a variety of options: card packs of 10 with a standard greeting, personalised cards with a company logo and custom message, and electronic cards in multiple file formats and an array of price points starting at $20.
Sending a BTS holiday card helps spread the word about the charity and lets your recipients know you are supporting industry colleagues who are ill or injured as well as the BTS Mental Health Initiative.
Orders for printed cards will be taken until 26 September to arrive by late November. Ele

Top DJs such as Netsky, Steve Aoki and W&W played the Lower Saxony festival

Cameo lights Tante Mia Tanzt Festival 2023

Details: 07 July 2023

Germany - On 18 May 2023, the sixth edition of the Tante Mia Tanzt Electro Festival took place in Vechta, Lower Saxony. Top DJs such as Netsky, Steve Aoki and W&W played on the 68m-wide and 14m-high stage in front of around 20,000 spectators.
As in the previous year, Eventures was responsible for the technical event equipment of the open-air festival in 2023. Tante Mia also relies on continuity behind the lighting console: lighting designer Milan Spira previously used a lot of moving lights from Cameo for the 2022 edition, and this time opted for the Otos, Opus and Zenit series.
For Milan Spira and his video partner Paris Yilmaz - who form the creative collective Clubkind Design - the challenge was to deal with the organiser's reduced budget: "We used fewer lights overall this year than in 2022 and also reduced the LED walls on stage. So the challenge was to make

In Bastarda, La Monnaie revives the heyday and the demise of Elizabeth I of England (photo: Simon van Rompay)

Robe on the money at Theatre Royal of the Mint

Details: 07 July 2023

Belgium - The impressive façade of the Theatre Royal de la Monnaie de Munt (Royal Theatre of the Mint) in central Brussels dates to 1818 and announces The National Opera of Belgium in style and presence. Belgium’s leading opera house is a federal funded institution taking the name of this theatre in which it is housed - ‘La Monnaie’ in French or ‘De Munt’ in Dutch - referring both to the building and the opera company itself.
The theatre has just made a new lighting investment comprising Robe T2 Fresnels plus Robe Tetra1 and Tetra2 moving LED battens, which join its existing Robe T1 Profiles, two RoboSpot Systems running with T2 Profiles and 16 x Robe DL7S Profiles which were the first Robe purchases back in 2016.
Head of lighting Koen Raes explains that the main house will typically stage eight opera productions per year in their 1200-capacity main house,

OPUS X4 PROFILE – the most powerful LED moving head from Cameo to date

The OPUS® X4 PROFILE is the new flagship model from Cameo and is among the most powerful LED moving heads on the market. Equipped with a 1,400-watt LED white light engine, this spot profile moving head produces an enormous light output of 50,000 lm, providing powerful spot and gobo projections on even the largest stages and much more.
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Expressions of America transports audiences to the 1940s through projection, special effects, songs and words

Tempest helps deliver WWII mapping experience

Details: 07 July 2023

USA - Tempest’s new Oasis projector enclosures recently debuted in an inspiring outdoor projection mapping experience at the National WWII Museum in the heat and high humidity of New Orleans.
Expressions of America is an immersive night-time sound and light experience, transporting audiences to the 1940s through projection, special effects, songs and words of the everyday people serving the US during World War 2. Solomon Group carried out the install, which included a total of eight Panasonic projectors protected by Tempest Oasis enclosures. Medici Media (formerly known as Mousetrappe) were responsible for concept design and production.
“The Museum constantly upgrades its campus to appeal to a new generation of learners and keep the story alive through new and inventive ways,” says Barry Mendelson, audio/visual programmer, Solomon Group. “We were tasked

The Arthur LT 800W LED followspots will primarily be used on SBS's flagship K-pop programme SBS Inkigayo

RJ Arthur LT Followspots in action in Seoul

Details: 07 July 2023

South Korea - Robert Juliat has announced the arrival of its first Arthur LT followspots in South Korea. Five of the 800W LED Long-Throw followspots were installed at the Seoul Broadcasting System Open Hall studios in Deungchon-dong by RJ’s exclusive distributor for the region, C&C Lightway.
Established in 1990, SBS is the largest private broadcaster in South Korea, with a nationwide network of 10 regional stations, and three radio networks. SBS Deungchon-dong Open Hall is one of the region’s main production venues hosting a broad programme of entertainment and variety shows.
The Arthur LT 800W LED followspots were installed in a bespoke followspot box located at a distance of approximately 20m from the production floor. They will primarily be used on SBS's flagship K-pop programme, SBS Inkigayo (The Music Trend), in addition to all other program

The Meet the Brits Pavilion, which will introduce UK companies to the expansive US market

PLASA offers support for UK companies to debut at LDI

Details: 07 July 2023

UK - For a second year, PLASA is able to support UK-based companies who wish to exhibit at LDI. Working in conjunction with the Department for Business and Trade, UK companies can make their debut at the Las Vegas trade show for a specially reduced rate.
When LDI returns this year from 3-5 December, the show will yet again feature the Meet the Brits Pavilion, which will introduce UK companies to the expansive US market and facilitate valuable in-person networking.
The Meet the Brits package includes a 5sq.ft logo-branded kiosk, complete with furniture, lighting and power, as well as online and onsite promotion. With PLASA’s support, this package is reduced from $3,800 down to $2,600.
Exhibitors in the Meet the Brits Pavilion will also gain an invitation to a special networking reception and have the opportunity to attend the Department for Business and Trade Ex

The new platform will be presented during a special event at InfoComm China

Powersoft to debut Unica & Universo in China

Details: 06 July 2023

China - Further to its successful introduction to the European, South-East Asian and North American markets, Powersoft will be presenting its cloud-based platform, Unica and Universo, at InfoComm China later this month.
The new platform will be presented during a special event on the EZPro booth (Hall E, stand EE4-01) on the first day of the show, 19 July, at 2:30pm. EZPro, Powersoft's historical representative in China, is the country's official distributor for the entire Powersoft range of products and solutions, including Mover, Mezzo and Dynamic Music Distribution, as well as the dedicated rental staging (T Series, X Series) and fixed installation (Duecanali, Quattrocanali, Ottocanali) ranges.
The official presentation will be hosted by Miao Wang, Powersoft’s solution engineer, together with Xiang Ji, EZPro’s senior director of marketing, who will be demonstra

The new BeeBlade range incorporates HIVE’s proprietary BeeSync technology

HIVE launches SDM-compatible media engine

Details: 06 July 2023

UK - HIVE has announced the launch of the BeeBlade, a new product offering that aims to ‘redefine the way media players are used across various applications’.
“I’m very excited about our new BeeBox and BeeBlade products, featuring our game-changing BeeSync technology. Developed in partnership with Intel, this cutting-edge technology enables seamless frame-perfect synchronisation across devices without the need for separate reference sync cabling and expensive HDSDI hardware,” says Trey Harrison, co-founder at HIVE. “The BeeBlade sits inside a projector or display and requires only an Ethernet connection. The simplicity this brings to synchronised blended multi-projector installations will set a new standard in our industry!”
BeeBlade has the ability to be deployed in three different formats. First, it can be inserted directly into SDM-compatible projecto

Atlas Show Control for spatial audio was recently named Sound Product of the Year at the ABTT Awards

Award-winning Atlas addresses spatial audio

Details: 06 July 2023

UK - Atlas Show Control for spatial audio which was recently named Sound Product of the Year by the ABTT, has been officially launched.
The show control software is designed with the control and implementation of spatial audio engines at its heart. Atlas ‘aims to change the way in which designers and operators interact with the plethora of audio hardware and software within their environment’.
Atlas supports incoming positional data from trackers offering control and smoothing algorithms. Atlas can also output control data to other audio applications, sound consoles, video servers and lighting consoles.
Atlas allows for manual positional programming, the use of hardware trackers or a combination of both as demands dictates. Atlas is designed to provide users with a friendly user interface whilst unleashing the full potential of spatial audio control.

Theo Papenfus and Erik de Bruin from Stage Effects with their new grandMA3 full-size

Good times with grandMA3 for Stage Effects

Details: 06 July 2023

South Africa - Technical supplier, Stage Effects Group, has purchased a grandMA3 full-size. Company owner Theo Papenfus and director Erik de Bruin recently took ownership of the console from DWR Distribution.
“While we are definitely buying rider orientated gear to at least have the market on our side, this is also for our shows,” explained Erik. “We’ve had a grandMA2 console for quite a while now and it will also be used as our backup desk should we run a show in Mode 2. If you look at the MA history, both grandMA and grandMA2 desks are user friendly and grandMA3 will be too. We look forward to enjoying this desk the same way we did our previous console.”
Robert Izzett from DWR adds, “There are only a few grandMA3 full-size consoles in the country and generally, when there is a big international act, at least two are specified. Stage Effects are an awesom

Autograph Sound supplied a Quantum 338 for FOH and a Quantum 225 for stage monitoring

Five Lakes theatre relies on DiGiCo

Details: 06 July 2023

UK - One of the UK’s longest-running leisure operators, Potters Resorts, has recently completed a multi-million pound refurbishment of the luxury Five Lakes resort in Essex, which they purchased in 2021.
The improvements include a new leisure complex, upgrades to numerous existing facilities and the repurposing of a former sports hall into the Glade Theatre, a multi-functional performance space equipped with modern sound, lighting and video systems.
Already an established DiGiCo user (the theatre at their original site in Hopton on Sea features an SD10), following consultation with Autograph Sound the company chose two DiGiCo consoles for the new facility, a Quantum 338 for FOH and a Quantum 225 for stage monitoring.
Autograph subsequently supplied the two consoles plus two SD Racks fitted with the new 32-bit SD cards and an Optocore fibre network. The FOH con

Gary Numan played three nights at the Electric Ballroom

Chauvet panels shape Gary Numan shows

Details: 06 July 2023

UK - Gary Numan’s three-night, “one thousandth celebration show” residency at the Electric Ballroom featured an evocative David Howard lighting design that often split the stage into two sections.
“The design took inspiration from the concept of us living with, or living against, machines,” said Howard, of David Howard Lighting Design. “A lot of Gary Numan’s tracks explore this theme, and much of our design inspiration comes from this aesthetic. Being able to split the stage in two creates an immediate visual juxtaposition. So, for example, we did things like divide the stage between a Cadbury purple with an electric green and had a constant bass note of low-level fizzling strobe to mimic machine workings.”
Balancing this duality on stage was a distinctive triangular-shaped video wall made with Chauvet Professional F4IP LED panels, which, like the rest

The Austrian Audio OC7 is used for the toms, and the CC8 cardioid true condenser mic on high hat

Austrian Audio on the road with Muse

Details: 06 July 2023

Europe - Muse are currently on tour, featuring songs from their album Will of the People. Matthew Bellamy (vocals, guitar), Christopher Wolstenholme (bass, vocals) and Dominic Howard (drums, percussion) have been playing arenas and stadiums throughout the US and Europe.
As the band’s FOH engineer for over two decades, Marc Carolan is making sure the sound quality on stage exceeds every expectation. To that end, Carolan employs the Austrian Audio OD505 WL1 for vocals on the Will of the People Tour. The OD505 WL1 is a solution for those in the band who are mobile during their performance and depend on a wireless system. In many live situations, ambient sound is a big problem and mic’s supercardioid polar pattern smoothly rejects unwanted interference and focuses on the voice.
Monitor engineer Matt Napier, part of Carolan’s team and on his first tour with the

The Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium in Omaha Nebraska

ETC controls playful lights for aquatic delights

Details: 06 July 2023

USA - The Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium in Omaha Nebraska features a stunning environment and a spectacular after dark light show, controlled by ETC’s Mosaic system. The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) added special citation for ‘playful use of integrated colour to its outdoor lighting award’.
The playful element starts with the re-designed entry canopy that established the aquarium as the focal point of the Omaha Zoo. Blue stainless-steel panels with a rippled surface texture and a front canopy of perforated metal suggest a coral reef seen from underwater. The theme carries upwards to a roof decked with eight stainless-steel wave sculptures. The stainless steel oceanic-inspired structures reflect sunlight in daytime and become a pallet for dynamic lighting after hours.
Lighting designers Steve Gollehon and Jeff Frank of Morrissey Engineering were part

Enlightened geared up for Glasto with Nexo

Details: 06 July 2023

UK - As the name suggests, Bristol-based Enlightened has its roots in lighting. But over the years, the company has evolved to become a prominent complete technical solutions provider in the South West of England, covering everything from sales, hire and equipment repair through to installation and full event production services.
A recent investment in a Nexo Geo M10 line array system has seen Enlightened bolstering an already significant inventory of Nexo ID and P+ Series point-source boxes.
“They’re like hot cakes” reports production manager Ryan Stromski. “The utilisation of our Nexo stock is so high, they’re never on the shelf.”
The new Geo M10 system was only in the warehouse for a few days before heading to Glastonbury where Enlightened had over 50 lists of equipment distributed over at least 10 locations around the festival site. On return, it

The creative team delivered a spectacle with pyro glider planes, drones, lighting, video and fireworks

Proteus on track for Dubai World Cup lighting

Details: 06 July 2023

UAE - Lighting designer Aaron Russ of ARLD turned to Elation Professional’s Proteus Excalibur and Proteus Maximus as the building blocks of a lighting design for the closing ceremony of the 2023 Dubai World Cup, a Thoroughbred horse race held at Meydan Racecourse each March and the world's richest horse race.
The brief for the large-scale production called for something spectacular and different, a show that highlighted the horse race, its creators and Dubai as the host city. The creative team delivered a spectacle with pyro glider planes, drones, lighting, video and fireworks all working as one choreographed scene to the delight of onlookers both live and on television across the globe.
Technology solutions provider Creative Technology Middle East (CTME) worked as a key supplier for the closing ceremony event, delivering a full turnkey solution of audio, video, li

Biirdperson performing an immersive audio mix on the Soundstorm VIP stage

L-Acoustics L-ISA immerses VIP stage at Soundstorm

Details: 06 July 2023

Saudi Arabia - Since 2016 when the Saudi government opened the doors to public events, MDLBeast has been at the vanguard of nurturing local musical talent, hosting live and online events, producing artists on its MDLBeast Records label, and establishing XP Music Futures to accelerate the growth of MENA’s music industry.
Since 2019, MDLBeast has also curated Soundstorm Festival, the Middle East region’s largest gathering of artists and fans with over 200 acts and three quarters of a million visitors over four days. For the most recent edition, the push to offer innovative experiences saw Soundstorm invite Polygon Live and their L-Acoustics L-ISA Immersive Hyperreal technology to create and curate a stage for VIP audiences.
Polygon Live is a 360°, immersive sonic experience where speakers play spatialised sound synchronised with an immersive light installation, whi

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Case Study: Hans Zimmer Live

OPUS X4 PROFILE – the most powerful LED moving head from Cameo to date

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