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11 October 2024

Hungary - Robe fixtures were prominent on a number of lighting installations designed by Centrum Production and delivered by VEG (Visual Europe Group) for the 2024 Hungarian National Day Celebrations in capital city Budapest.

iBolts, iFortes and iForte LTXs together with MegaPointes and Tarrantulas were utilised across five key sites on the main day of celebrations which included performances, attractions and events taking place along a 5km-long stretch on both sides of the River Danube that dissects the Hungarian capital city.

The project was managed for VEG by Kristof Nagy and the five areas utilising Robe products were the 118m-wide Hungarian Parliament Building, the Hungarian National Gallery, the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, Elisabeth Bridge and the Mandoki Soulmates stage.

The imposing and majestic Parliament Building on the Pest side of th

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11 October 2024

UK - Launched in June 2023, Eastbourne, Sussex-based Racquet Studios was born from a film and photographic creative agency that recognised the potential of virtual production. A year in the making, and after rigorous testing and trialling, facilities for virtual film production, education, and specialist research and development were created, relying on Brompton Technology LED processing to power the LED setup.

Since opening, the facility has successfully supported business and production companies through technical innovation and created a progressive creative economy. It has now relocated to new premises to expand its capabilities and be closer to key partners, which include the University of Sussex, East Sussex College, and various independent training bodies.

“We have always intended to develop clear pathways to education through our facilities

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11 October 2024

Czech Republic - Žerotín Castle in Valašské Meziříčí has a new look and style for after dark with an installation of Anolis Calumma M and L LED fixtures, which were chosen to illuminate this heritage-protected building that houses a museum and gallery centre covering the whole Zlín region.

The initiative to light the building was led by Valašské Meziříčí’s city council working with lighting design studio Archlights.cz from Usti nad Labem, who provided expertise and selected the Calummas for the job.

The architectural lighting practice has utilised Anolis – a Robe business – products on several other jobs with great success, so it again looked towards the brand for a stylish, high-quality lighting solution.

The brief included creating some very specific colours to match the brickwork and general ambience of the Baroque-sty

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11 October 2024

Norway - Just off the coast of the North Sea lies the Norwegian island municipality of Askøy. Bounded on all sides by coastal fjords, the municipality of 30,000 people is home to several boat-building companies, football clubs, and a bustling seafood industry.

The island’s population greatly expanded after the opening of the Askøy Bridge in 1992. To expand its options for local artists and theatrical performances, the local government recently commissioned the creation of a new cultural hall – the Kultursalen Kipo. Powering all the loudspeakers in the acoustic enhancement system are Connect Series amplifiers from LEA Professional.

Venue staff contacted Benum Norway A/S to design the audio system for the cultural hall. Based in Oslo, Benum is well-versed in the challenges associated with performance venues like Kultursalen Kipo.

“Norwa

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11 October 2024

Canada - Simon Fraser University (SFU), consistently ranked among Canada's top research institutions, has taken a pioneering step into immersive communication and spatial acoustics processing. Thanks to a recent grant, SFU established an acoustics lab equipped with 128 Renkus-Heinz C Series loudspeakers to support its research in the field.

Located across British Columbia’s three largest cities – Burnaby, Surrey, and Vancouver – SFU offers diverse programmes ranging from anthropology to marine science. The university's drive to leverage technology for societal benefit led to the creation of a new lab focused on 3D multimedia applications, including surround sound, video, and spatial acoustics, commonly referred to as "immersive communication."

Senior professor Rodney Vaughan spearheaded the project and partnered with TiMax, Advanced Audio, Dire

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11 October 2024

Hungary - Lightware Visual Engineering has announced its latest AV solutions, designed to deliver flexible, high-quality AV-over-IP connectivity hybrid work and meeting room AV environments. The new Taurus TPN and Gemini GVN products address the growing demand for seamless, real-time connectivity and outstanding performance in collaborative workspaces and mission-critical environments, says the company.

The Lightware Taurus TPN is a device for large meeting rooms, boardrooms, and conference settings. It offers USB-C and SDVoE technology for high-quality HDMI 2.0 4K60 4:4:4 matrix switching over 10G Ethernet networks, with a range of up to 100 metres. Its independent USB 2.0 matrix switching layer supports multiple devices, providing users with automated and manual switching options. This ensures seamless video transitions and an exceptional AV experience, ma

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10 October 2024

USA - Rock titans Metallica roared into North America this autumn for the latest leg of their juggernaut M72 World Tour, now elevated by the power and precision of Meyer Sound’s 2100-LFC low-frequency control elements.

The tour, which began in April 2023, stops for two nights in each city, presenting two sets on ‘no repeat weekends’. Fans experience a stereo mix in every seat, one that’s faithful to 40 years of studio recordings, explains FOH engineer Greg Price. “Our goal was to bring that intimate environment into a stadium.”

Staged in the round, the tour is supported by a staggering 522 Meyer Sound loudspeakers, including 288 Panther large-format linear line array loudspeakers, 96 2100-LFC low-frequency control elements, 48 VLFC very low‑frequency control elements, 16 1100-LFC low-frequency control elements, 22 Ultra-X40 com

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10 October 2024

USA - Jonny Tosserello, production manager and lighting designer/director for Lynyrd Skynyrd, is continuing his long-time use of Claypaky Xtylos for The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour with ZZ Top co-headlining. Tosserello is a principal of Rock’n’Roll Drive-in based in southeastern Missouri.

Lynyrd Skynyrd, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, kicked off the 22-city North American leg of the ongoing tour with ZZ Top in July in West Palm Beach and wrapped in Ridgefield, Washington in September. Premier Global Production Company, Nashville, is the lighting vendor for the tour.

“I started deploying Xtylos in 2021 when they became available through Premier,” recalls Tosserello, who has been Lynyrd Skynyrd’s lighting director since 2010. “I wanted more beam fixtures in the band’s floor package, and Steven (Creech) Anderso

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10 October 2024

UK - The National Theatre’s acclaimed production of War Horse takes audiences on an extraordinary journey from the fields of rural Devon to the trenches of World War One France. Filled with stirring music and songs, it has become renowned for its astonishing use of life-sized horses by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, who help bring this story to life on stage.

Having first been performed in 2007, the show is returning once again for an all-new UK and Ireland tour, featuring a lighting design by Rob Casey. Given the company’s long-term involvement with the show, White Light (WL), a d&b solutions company, was called upon to supply the touring lighting rig.

The original production of War Horse was lit by Paule Constable, who would also light subsequent touring productions. For these, Casey initially served as one of

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10 October 2024

USA - 3G Productions LLC (3G) has announced that it has received a strategic investment from Chimney Rock Equity Partners (Chimney Rock), a private equity firm focused on lower-middle-market industrial investments. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Chimney Rock’s investment in 3G was made with the intent ‘to leverage the company’s longstanding reputation in live event production and systems integration services to grow into a national brand, both organically and via acquisitions’. With Chimney Rock’s partnership, 3G expects to actively seek to add new locations and customers and increase its already strong market share.

Under the terms of the agreement, the 3G management team, consisting of CEO Keith Conrad, CFO Andrew Ross, executive VP Jay Curiel, and VP of production Andy Ruiz, will remain in place, and all current employee

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10 October 2024

Spain - Alfalite has been selected by Telefónica Tech, the technology arm of the global telecom giant Telefónica, to complete one of the standout installations at the new Espacio Movistar, the company’s latest flagship venue.

Located in the Telefónica Building on Madrid’s Gran Vía, the project is part of Telefónica's 100th-anniversary celebrations. Alfalite has designed and installed a five-sided immersive LED cube, covering three walls, the floor, and the ceiling, using its Alfalite Modularpix Pro 1.5 ORIM panels.

This LED cube creates an immersive sensory experience for visitors, leveraging state-of-the-art visual technology. The cube’s multiple high-resolution screens, combined with the durability of Alfalite’s panels draw viewers into dynamic and immersive content. The installation is part of Telefónica Tech’s strategy to infuse i

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10 October 2024

USA - The Struts recently concluded the 28-date USA leg of their Pretty Vicious tour. Lighting designer Carlos Katsurayama transformed the stage with a shifting variety of dramatic looks throughout the show that wrapped themselves tightly around the mood of the music. Helping him create this evocative canvas on stage was a rig supplied by LIT Lighting of Phoenix, which featured 14 Chauvet Professional Maverick Force S Profiles.

Positioned on the riser, behind the guitar amps, the compact moving fixture with a seven-slot colour wheel and 14,000 lumen output was used to create a dynamic backdrop for the band. Drawing on features like the profile’s 120-degree complete module rotation and wide zoom ranges, Katsurayama was able to conjure up a variety of captivating looks.

“The Force S Profile brought a good level of intensity to everything,

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10 October 2024

Europe - This past summer, K-array featured in several high-profile festivals around the globe – ranging from intimate gatherings in historic Italian towns to large-scale beachfront festivals in Sweden.

The Festival of the Sun, an exclusive two-day event held in a small town near Siena, Italy, was shrouded in secrecy until its launch on 21 June. Masterminded by record executive and producer, Rick Rubin, the festival was spread across multiple locations, including a historic church, a town square and a nearby castle. The mix of performances required an audio solution that could adapt to each setting whilst delivering a consistent audience experience.

A performance by singer-songwriter, James Blake, in a centuries-old church posed a significant acoustic challenge. A Pinnacle KR402 system, supplemented by Pinnacle KR102 as delay and Kayman KY

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10 October 2024

UK - With six gym locations across East Anglia, the New Revolution fitness chain offers members 24-hour access and a wide range of classes from spinning to Boxfit and yoga each week. The company’s newest facility in Lowestoft recently underwent a significant renovation and upgrade programme, extending to the gym’s audio system.

Responsible for the AV aspects of the project, Norwich-based Hughes Electrical was tasked with addressing specific concerns with the existing audio offering. Hughes ultimately specified an array of Optimal Audio products to significantly improve performance, as the company’s Karl Topley explains.

“We’ve been working with New Revolution for around five years and as part of our contract review, we asked for feedback on the previous audio system at the Lowestoft venue. With customer expectations growing as far as audio

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09 October 2024

UK - Guildhall School of Music & Drama has announced Backstage Roadshow, a series of free backstage arts skills workshops that will be given directly to UK state schools from September.

The initiative will introduce children and young people to the variety of creative pathways that exist within theatre, live events, television and film. Led by industry professionals and designed by Guildhall School’s Production Arts tutors, the Backstage Roadshow will provide participants with a crucial insight into one of the UK’s fastest growing sectors, inspiring young people to train and work in the creative industries.

The roadshow also seeks to demystify production arts language and career paths for teachers within schools and support them in helping find the right paths for young people. Jon Hare, outreach manager (production arts) at

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09 October 2024

Italy - RCF has confirmed details of its Sound Engineering University Course 2024/2025 with enrolment now open. The objective of the course is to provide fundamental theoretical knowledge for the comprehension, analysis and design of modern sound diffusion systems.

Such knowledge ranges from the fundamental principles of acoustics, to transducers and speakers, electronic amplifying systems and digital sound filtering, and also soundproofing systems.

Main topics include: Acoustics in open air and indoor spaces including design and simulation methods; Transducers and speaker systems including clusters, arrays and point source configurations; Electronics including circuit analysis, filters, amplifiers and DSP and Sound system design including practical experience in measurements, listening tests and tuning.

This university course features techni

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09 October 2024

USA - Plainfield Public Schools, located in Plainfield, New Jersey, recently hosted a ribbon cutting for its $4m renovation of the Plainfield High School auditorium, new eSports gaming arena, and black box theatre. PureTek Group, of nearby Boonton, New Jersey, designed and installed Electro-Voice sound reinforcement systems for each venue.   

“The auditorium was completely refurbished to serve as a hub for school performances, community events and assemblies,” explains Dan Litvin, president of PureTek Group. “We outfitted the auditorium, which seats 1,525 people, with left-right Electro-Voice EVA line arrays to cover the main seating area and EVC loudspeakers for balcony fill.”

Each EVA line array comprises three EVA-2082S/906, two EVA-2082S/1220 loudspeaker elements and two EVA-2151D subwoofers. EVA’s efficient crossover and driver desi

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09 October 2024

USA - At AES New York, Austrian Audio introduced Hi-X20 – the latest entry in the brand’s family of professional, closed-back headphones. Designed to ‘offer detailed, high-precision sound in a compact, affordable package built for audio professionals, content creators, and discerning music lovers alike’, Hi-X20 is available now.

​Designed following customer feedback and using the same proprietary Hi-X drivers that power all Austrian Audio professional headphones, the Hi-X20 offers high-precision sound that is balanced in middle and high frequencies with a powerful, but not overdrawn bass-response.

Hi-X20 is built to last, with metal hinges and a metal headband. Its foldable design allows for easy storage and transport in a rucksack or bag. ​

“The development of Hi-X20 was very much a collaborative effort with our customers who o

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09 October 2024

USA - Renkus-Heinz is set to return to one of the largest events in the worship market, Church Facilities Expo (CFX). Taking place at the Chattanooga Convention Center in Tennessee from 21-23 October, the show will spotlight technology innovations, including Renkus-Heinz’s OmniBeam software, designed to transform live audio experiences in houses of worship.

Previously hosted in Dallas, Texas, CFX 2024 will feature a loudspeaker demo experience where attendees can hear OmniBeam in action against industry competitors. Taking place in ballrooms I & J, the round-robin demos offer an opportunity to directly compare solutions from leading manufacturers in a controlled acoustic setting.

Renkus-Heinz’s flagship IC Live X Series of modular, beam-steerable loudspeakers will take centre stage – in both a large flown array and a portable ground-stacked

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09 October 2024

Germany - Sommer cable has announced changes to its management team, effective from 1 October. Maximilian Blanck and Marie-Kathrin Huber have joined the management of the Straubenhardt-based company. They will succeed Friedhelm Sommer, the co-founder and long-standing managing director, who is taking his retirement.

As the children of Rainer Blanck, the co-founder and CEO of Sommer cable, both have had a direct relation to the company since their childhood. Among other things, Maximilian developed the SYSBOXX configurator in the course of his studies. Since October 2023, he has been supporting Sommer cable's entrepreneurship, sales and product management as well as the IT management and was co-responsible for the new website of the company's online shop.

Marie-Kathrin Huber (née Blanck) also joined the company in August 2023. Following her years of