UK - QED fielded no fewer than 19 Christie high-end projectors to meet one of their most complex projection-mapping challenges ever for BBC's Red Nose Day.

The 25th edition of Comic Relief's Red Nose Day 'Funny For Money' TV broadcast has so far raised a record amount of £75m for charities in the UK and Africa and was watched by millions of people across the UK.

Brought in by content creators, Framestore Labs, and working in the main studio at London's BBC Television Centre, QED fielded their front line armoury of Christie high-brightness 3-chip DLP projectors, including eight Roadster WU20K-J WUXGA DLP projectors, six Roadster HD20K-J HD projectors and five WU12K-M WUXGA projectors.

Said QED director, Paul Wigfield, "From our previous work for BBC there were no dou

The Netherlands - Penn Elcom GmbH has acquired Netherlands-based flightcase manufacturer Flightware BV in an amicable agreement which will "strengthen and diversify The Penn Elcom Group's flight case product design capabilities and ranges yet further".

The agreement was reached between Thomas Mostert CEO of Penn Elcom GmbH, the distribution arm of the Penn Elcom Group in Continental Europe, and Marcel Vlot, MD of Flightware, who is now planning to leave the industry to pursue other interests.

Roger Willems, chairman of the Penn Elcom Group comments, "Marcel is delighted that his business has been delivered into good hands, and that the innovation and standing that he's built up over the last 30 years of dedication to the industry will be continued."

He adds that Flightware's history of producing high quality hardware and accessories for flightcase constru

Korea - Dongseo University's Sohyang Arts Centre is the newest and most technically advanced performing arts venue in Busan, the second-largest city in South Korea. Outfitted with a Meyer Sound Constellation acoustic system and sound reinforcement system, the theatre is sonically suited to host a spectrum of events ranging from musical theatre to orchestral and rock concerts.

According to the AV systems integrator for the project, the current primary use of the venue is for musical theatre. However, Song Dae-young, general director of the Sohyang Arts Centre, insisted in planning that the hall acoustics and sound system be able to handle a wide variety of events. In light of that requirement, Constellation was a logical solution for the space.

The Constellation system at Sohyang is designed to create ambient acoustic environments ranging from an intimate chamber music hall to

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LD Systems ICOA PRO series – high-performance coaxial PA speakers for professional demands

The popular ICOA PA systems have been further developed to include two active full-range coaxial speakers – ICOA PRO 12 A and ICOA PRO 15 A – as well as the active 21″ bass-reflex PA subwoofer ICOA PRO SUB 21 A. With its professional features and high output power, the ICOA PRO series is aimed at ambitious bands, musicians and DJs as well as hire companies and commercial customers looking for a compact, robust and powerful PA sound system. The ICOA PRO series is rounded off with modern connection and control options via Bluetooth 5.1 and the specially developed ICOA PRO app, for use on smartphones and tablets.

ld-systems.com/icoapro

USA - Chauvet is gearing up for PLASA Focus Orlando, scheduled for 15-16 May. Built with TRUSST, backed by Chauvet, booth 501 will house a selection of fixtures including Chauvet Professional Legend 230SR Beam moving yoke, Nexus 4x4 tour-ready wash light, Ovation series of theatrical luminaires, PVP S5 high-definition video panel, MVP Ta8 Curve modular video panel, wash lights from the COLORado Series and more. Additionally, Chauvet will present on 16 May the seminar How to Blend LED with Traditional Fixtures.

Chauvet Professional Legend 230SR Beam is a compact, lightweight, intensely bright moving head beam, built for touring, live events, television sets or clubs.

Nexus 4x4 is both a bold eye-candy and a tour-ready wash light that uses RGB COB LED technology, combined with a reflector that delivers a soft and visually pleasing light.

Ovation F-165WW and Ovation E-19

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ETC Halcyon Silent

High End Systems Halcyon Silent builds on ETC’s legacy of fanless automated fixtures by incorporating features from the highly sought-after Halcyon family. Halcyon Silent perfectly balances silent operation with brilliant output of 18,400 lumens and high-impact features. 

For more information visit us at www.etcconnect.com

Canada - After 12 studio albums, numerous international concerts, and developing the well earned reputation as 'one of the premiere bands in Canadian music history', Blue Rodeo kicked off 2013 with their celebratory 25 Years tour.

Playing theatres and small arenas around Canada, the production needed a show pack that could adjust to a range of audience sizes, while still remaining manageable for a relatively small crew. With the help of Apex Sound & Light, in Toronto, Blue Rodeo was able to keep the entire show to only one truck. Apex account manager Chris James was especially impressed, commenting, "It's almost unheard of to have an arena show with audio, video, lighting and 15 ft of backline all in one 53 ft trailer. Especially as an easy pack, and not a total nightmare."

With smooth load-ins, usually running less than three hours, and even faster load-outs, Blue R

USA - For the eighth year in a row, CAST Software has sponsored the USITT (United States Institute for Theatre Technology) Southwest Student Design Competition, an annual event which recognises young talent in the categories of Lighting, Sound, Set and Costume Design, Stage Management and Scenic Technology.

Each year, CAST bestows the winner of the Lighting Design category with an educational wysiwyg license, and announces that this year's winner is University of Oklahoma student, Leahe Knott, who scooped the prize for her work on Peter Oswald's translation of Friedrich Schiller's play, Mary Stuart. In a review of the production for the University's Routes website, Laurel Dix noted, "The purity and subtlety of Leahe Knott's lighting draws out each brilliant bit of colour from Lloyd Cracknell's sumptuous costumes."

Knott herself explains: "The story of Mar

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Create new traditions – Cameo P6 - High Output Full-Spectrum Ellipsoidal

Cameo's P6 is a future-proof LED profiler with a powerful 600 W RGBACL engine and 16,000 lumens. It’s an energy-efficient replacement for 2.5 kW halogen profile lights in theatres and venues. With excellent light quality and natural colour rendering, it fits perfectly in theatres, musicals, TV studios, congresses, and live events.

With an LED life of 50,000 hours and low power use, the P6 cuts energy costs and supports the EU’s ‘Green Deal’ goals for climate neutrality by 2050. It also meets updated eco-design rules for lighting.

www.cameolight.com/p6profile

UK - Now in its third year, Sennheiser UK's series of roadshows is aimed at the systems integration and professional audio markets. It is steadily increasing in popularity with pre-registration at an unprecedented level for 2013.

Once again using stately homes as a backdrop, Sennheiser will host three events during May and June. The first is once is again at Edinburgh's Hopetoun House on 21 May, followed by Carlton Towers in Yorkshire on 23 May then finally Knebworth House, Hertfordshire on 5 June.

The roadshows offer an educational and informative series of seminars and hands on workshops, playing an integral part in helping Sennheiser's customers achieve more from their working relationships and equipment, as well as offering support around the third-party brands that the company distributes.

"Each year we look at the issues that are affecting the industry and how we

USA - When the alternative rock band Neon Trees first burst onto the music scene, the four member band had no idea how quickly their lives would change. In February 2013, the group launched their most expansive North American tour opening for Maroon 5, with multiple tour dates across the globe set to follow immediately after.

As the production team prepared to bring the group's latest album Picture Show to life, lighting designer Matt Guminski would be inheriting part of the largest moving light rig they had ever used and they would capitalize on this by using the power and performance of the VL880 Spot luminaire from Philips Vari-Lite.

"I've been out with Neon Trees since May of last year when I joined them during the middle of their previous tour," began Guminski. "On that tour we really only had a ground package with small moving lights and strobes but

USA - QSC Audio Products has announced the addition of the S8T, S10T and S12 loudspeakers to the AcousticDesign Series line of premium surface mount loudspeakers. Suited for a wide variety of foreground/background sound reinforcement applications, these new models feature both constant voltage (70/100V) and low impedance operating modes and offer an elegant design combined with rugged durability that are perfect for spaces which require high quality distributed audio.

Ease-of-installation is the driving principle behind this next generation of small format, surface mount surround loudspeakers. The patent pending X-Mount (included with every loudspeaker) enables the loudspeakers to be quickly and securely deployed either vertically or horizontally from a flat surface. Knurled surfaces on the X-Mount's pivot points allow the loudspeaker deployment angle to lock in place in 7.5-deg

South Africa - Alistair Kilbee, managing director of Gearhouse Splitbeam, is proving over and over again that South Africa has what it takes to offer a technical solution for international Broadway production; the latest being Jersey Boys.

This multi-award winning musical is currently running at the Teatro at Montecasino, Johannesburg before opening at the Artscape, Cape Town, on 19 June 2013.

"I work extensively for Showtime Management productions, the SA Producer for Jersey Boys, on most of their productions," said Kilbee. "Showtime started talking about Jersey Boys three years ago... keep in mind that shows of this scale are always a couple of years in the making."

Kilbee kicked off Jersey Boys in Singapore in November 2012 and, over the 11 week run, the production received rave reviews. The performances in Johannesburg are enjoyin

Ireland - The University of Limerick is one of Ireland's most renowned educational establishments and enjoys a high reputation throughout Europe. As well as numerous lecture halls and seminar rooms, the facilities include a 1,000-seater auditorium, the University Concert Hall, which caters to a wide variety of needs. During the day, it is used for lectures, but in the evening it serves as a concert hall offering a diverse programme, with rock bands occupying the stage one day and classical orchestras and choirs the next, followed in time by a mix of folk musicians, jazzmen and chamber ensembles.

Such a wide spectrum places considerable demands on the sound reinforcement system - demands that the previous system was unable to meet. Something altogether more flexible was required, which is why those responsible decided in advance of the celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of

USA - Belmont University's annual Best of the Best Showcase honoured Bandit Lites with the 2013 Robert E. Mulloy Award of Excellence. The event took place on Saturday, 13 April in the Curb Event Centre and was hosted by the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business. Brent Barrett, Bandits' business development officer, accepted the award on behalf of Bandit Lites.

Wesley Bulla, Dean of the Curb College stated, "Bob Mulloy loved creating opportunities for students to experience the music industry first hand through programs like our showcase series. Today, this program has become a rich tradition on Belmont's campus. Without the partnership with Bandit Lites, our students would not have the chance to produce the high-calibre shows we've seen over the past 10 years.

"These partners have not just loaned equipment for shows, the professionals from Bandit have

Sweden - Wireless Solution Sweden AB's W-DMX is currently on tour with Beyoncé for the Mrs. Carter Show World Tour. Pyro, confetti, fire, CO2 and laser effects company Strictly FX is charged with all special effects for the tour and uses the W-DMX BlackBox F-1 along with two Booster B-1000 2.45GHz antenna boosters for a particular confetti sequence in the show.

John Lyons of Strictly FX explains, "We have four confetti blowers in a truss over the crowd. At the end of the song 1 + 1, Beyoncé flies over the crowd from the main stage to the satellite stage. As she flies, she leaves a trail of gold Mylar confetti behind to give a 'pixie dust' look. The confetti canons are controlled wirelessly with the W-DMX BlackBox, making the installation fast, easy and reliable. Due to the location, it just make sense to go with wireless DMX, and 120VAC is suppli

USA - Clay Paky lighting got glowing reviews at the 15th annual Ultra Music Festival (UMF) in Miami's Bayfront Park where they added to the pulsating excitement generated by fans, DJs and electronic musicians under the tent-like Carl Cox Mega Structure.

This year's UMF was the first two-weekend, six-day event in festival history and the most successful to date drawing over 330,000 electronic dance music fans. Over 200 DJs and electronic musicians and emerging artists performed each weekend.

UMF also scored another first with the public debut of the Clay Paky Sharpy Wash 330 in the US. Fifty Sharpy Wash fixtures were featured in the innovative Cox Mega Structure, which was purpose-built for the high-energy festival to showcase DJs and artists on stage and shelter legions of dancing fans. Stephen Lieberman of SJ Lighting designed the Mega Structure with lighting and build by AG

New Zealand - LumenRadio has announced the appointment of Kenderdine Electrical as their distribution partner for New Zealand. Kenderdine Electrical will offer the full product range of LumenRadio's CRMX products focusing on solutions designed for the theatre, live entertainment, studio and broadcast markets.

Kenderdine Electrical is one of the largest distributors in New Zealand with many years track record of distributing top brands such as Martin, Robert Juliat, Philips Selecon, Philips Strand Lighting and Osram.

"We are very excited to be working with LumenRadio", says Ruthe Kenderdine at Kenderdine Electrical. "We believe LumenRadio's innovate and reliable products are a perfect complement to our current product portfolio. With the CRMX products, we can provide turnkey solutions to all our clients. Everyone in our team looks forward to bring the CRMX brand

USA - Lighting designer Taylor Price needed a highly versatile yet compact and bright spot fixture for the large variety of venue types that American country music's Eli Young Band is playing on their current US tour. He found it in the Martin MAC Viper Profile, which he has teamed with another award-winning Martin fixture, the MAC Aura.

"I didn't want the small narrow-beamed fixture that is a one trick pony and way over used these days," states Taylor, who also wears the hats of lighting director, programmer and technician on the tour. "I chose the Viper for several reasons. Because of the wide variety of shows we are doing - headlining and support, clubs, theatres, sheds, festivals, and arenas - I wanted a fixture that was very versatile. I wanted something that is bright, but smaller than most of the 1200 W fixtures on the market because of our limited trailer

Belgium / Japan - ArKaos has announced that it has signed an agreement with Dirigent Corporation Japan for the exclusive distribution of the ArKaos GrandVJ product range.

"We are very excited about this new collaboration with Dirigent," says ArKaos business development manager, Agnes Wojewoda. "Dirigent has been established for a very long time and is ideally placed to bring our GrandVJ range to the Japanese music market. The team is very eager to start distributing our products, organizing workshops and product training and is in an excellent position to offer full and reliable after-sales support."

"We, Dirigent, have conducted our business in the field of musical instruments, software and DJ equipment in Japan for 24 years," says Dirigent's sales manager, Fukashi Nakaya. "Now we are greatly excited to make this collaboration with the world

UK - In partnership since 1970, one of the longest in the industry, Phil Brunker and Neil Rice, founding directors and shareholders of Optikinetics Ltd, have recently passed ownership of this world renowned UK manufacturer to Rob Stitcher.

Brunker and Rice will continue to serve OPTI as consultants to ensure a smooth transition and customer continuity.

Said Neil Rice, "I am delighted we have found Rob, whose experience in business management will, I'm sure, re-energise and re-focus our future.

"The recent introduction of LED projectors has revitalised that side of our business whilst Trilite continues to be the de facto brand in the exhibition sector."

(Jim Evans)

UAE - Melody House, distributors of HK Audio speaker systems have recently supplied Dubai-based rental firm Abacus Rentals with another ConTour Array system from HK Audio. The rental firm decided on the second purchase after experiencing the power, flexibility and clarity of their existing system.

"Abacus Rentals are expanding their inventory to meet the needs of their growing customer base," commented Sai Prasad, HK Audio product specialist at Melody House. "With their second ConTour Array system, they can either meet the needs of large events or split the system to handle two smaller events."

(Jim Evans)

Denmark - DPA Microphones has now turned its attention to the installation market with the launch of two new microphones that "give AV installers and conference organisers the clear, transparent and precise sound they demand".

At the top end of the range DPA is offering podium microphones that incorporate the modular capsules from the d:dicate Recording Microphones (formerly known as Reference Standard), which are noted for their exceptional linear frequency responses, high SPL and superior gain before feedback. These new podium microphones combine the capsules with newly introduced modular active booms to complete their modular nature. A number of different capsules are available and by choosing the exact capsule and boom combination, DPA customers can access the exact microphone for their needs.

Christian Poulsen, CEO of DPA Microphones, says, "Given the flexi

UK - Allen & Heath has released an interim firmware update for its iLive range of digital mixing systems, v1.91, containing a series of presets created by renowned sound engineer and regular iLive user, Ben Booker.

Booker has toured as a monitor and FOH engineer with many artists, including Scissor Sisters, Spiritualized and PJ Harvey, and won Monitor Engineer of the Year at the Total Production Awards in 2009. He has also produced, mixed and mastered various recording projects and mixed on stage sound and broadcast mixes on numerous TV and Radio shows, including MTV Awards and BBC Live Lounge.

Booker has extensive operating experience of iLive and has written his suggested presets for Dynamic EQ and Multiband compressors based on years of touring with the system.

"The Dyn EQ and Multi BD compressor are both creative and controlling in use. They are the Swiss knife off

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