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BS 7909 course introduced at Backstage Academy

Delegates will learn about the design, implementation and operation of temporary electrical systems

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Event production skills training centre Backstage Academy has announced its new BS 7909 course. The two-day course is aimed at people working in the entertainment and events industry who want to gain an understanding of temporary electrical systems.

Based on the BS 7909 code of practice, which applies to a wide range of events, delegates will learn about the design, implementation and operation of temporary electrical systems.

Said Backstage Academy technical director Gareth Welbourn, "With the development of new technologies in our industry, we are working in an increasingly 'plug and play' environment where it is easy to become complacent about electrical design."

The BS 7909 standards were introduced in 2008 and are increasingly cited by venues as the minimum

The Christmas Ball was hosted by Craig Charles

Chauvet illuminates Blackpool's Christmas Ball

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Arranpaul, Blackpool and the Fylde's largest sales, dry hire and full production company, deployed its recently inflated Chauvet inventory to Blackpool's Christmas Ball, which this year returned to its rightful home at one of the UK's most iconic venues: the 3500-capacity Empress Ballroom in Blackpool's Winter Garden.

The lighting rig comprised six Chauvet Professional Legend 230SR Beams, four Q-Spot 460-LED, three Q-Wash 560-LED, 10 Chauvet DJ COLORband PiX battens, 16 PixPar 24 and two COLORdash Batten-Quad 6, with six Robe 600s and six Mac 250s. Deployed for a colourful haze injection were four Chauvet DJ Geyser RGB effect foggers.

Production manager, Tom Beattie, said, "We knew we could make the venue look fantastic with the Chauvet fixtures we had and we'd just bought some new units so it was an opportunity to use those to their full potential."

The Chris

Sponsors confirmed for PLASA Focus: Nashville

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - PLASA Focus: Nashville 2014 looks set to be bigger and better than ever with over 60 exhibitors confirmed and organizers PLASA Events reporting a 20% increase in visitor registrations over the debut PLASA Focus: Nashville event, of July 2012. This year's show is returning to the same venue, the Nashville Municipal Auditorium, on 18-19 February, 2014.

On Tuesday, 18 February, Happy Hour will be held on the show floor from 5.00pm until 7.00pm, allowing visitors and exhibitors to continue networking into the evening. The reception is being supported by Gold Sponsors Link and Utraltec Special Effects, and Silver Sponsors 4Wall Entertainment, Apollo Design Technology, CAST, MainStage, Nicolaudie, and Wireless Solution.

"Link is pleased to be a Gold Sponsor for the PLASA Focus reception," says Bob Vanden Burgt, vice president of marketing for Link. "Link was a c

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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.

Duke's Hall is the Royal Academy of Music's main performance space

Yamaha MTX3 for the Royal Academy Of Music

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - When Autograph Sales & Installations was recently commissioned to install a new audio system at the Royal Academy of Music's historic Duke's Hall, they needed a 'heart' that delivered a challenging combination of optimum audio quality, flexibility and comprehensive wireless remote control at a competitive price. A Yamaha MTX3 matrix processor was the answer.

Located on London's Marylebone Road, the Duke's Hall is the Royal Academy of Music's main performance space. As Britain's oldest degree-granting music school, with a list of alumni that reads like a Who's Who of the composing and performing industry, the Academy demands the highest standards. Autograph was asked to provide a bespoke sound solution which could be used for master classes, introducing orchestral concerts and various other performances, with the option for an operator to control the system remotely from wit

The Exterior fixtures provide a powerful brightness

Martin fixtures Showcase versatility in Pennsylvania

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Inspired by the exterior illumination on Philadelphia's Mann Centre for the Performing Arts, a York, Pennsylvania resident recently pursued his own professional lighting solution to brighten his hilltop property. Walking into local lighting integrator Production Express, Inc. unannounced, this customer aimed to illuminate massive trees lining the driveway approaching his home with a professional solution. Martin Exterior 100 lighting fixtures were installed to meet the customer's high expectations.

"The customer wanted something that would last, and we needed a fixture that would provide high intensity and a long throw distance to cover each of the 80-foot trees on the property," stated Matt DeMascolo, lighting systems manager, Production Express. "Without hesitation, we brought the Martin lights to the location for a demo and the customer was immediately co

QSC debuts CXD-Q Network Amplifiers for Q-Sys

Details: 14 March 2016

The Netherlands - Designed specifically for use with the Q-Sys Network Audio Platform, QSC Audio Products, LLC has announced the new CXD-Q Network Amplifier line. CXD-Q models combine the Flexible Amplifier Summing Technology (FAST) found in the CXD/PLD amplifier platform with the same Q-Sys network connectivity and processing to create the ultimate audio routing and power solution for installed sound applications.

"CXD-Q represents our ongoing commitment to create installed sound solutions that are incredibly versatile and integrate seamlessly with Q-Sys," says Dale Sandberg, QSC senior product manager. "As Q-Sys products, they operate like other Q-Sys peripherals utilising the same standard Layer 3 networking technology for audio streaming, control, and monitoring. As amplifiers, they feature our new Flexible Amplifier Summing Technology™ (FAST) that enable

R Remote allows remote control of the head amplifiers

Yamaha adds R Remote software to CL Series

Details: 14 March 2016

Europe - As an integral part of the CL series digital mixing system, Yamaha's R Series I/O units have been widely praised for their pure and natural sonic quality, their Dante audio networking capability and remarkable flexibility. That flexibility has now been further enhanced with the new R Remote software application for Windows.

R Remote allows remote control of the head amplifiers in the Rio3224-D, Rio1608-D, and Ri8-D I/O units directly from a laptop or desktop PC, without the need for a CL series or similar digital mixing console with remote control capability.

Available as a free download from the Yamaha Pro Audio web site, R Remote opens up many new possibilities for audio engineers. These include setting up a live recording system with just R Series I/O racks and a computer running Nuendo Live or similar DAW software; operating Dante infrastructure completely indepen

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In 2013, Nexo provided the PRG LEA Awards with a 45°N-12 stage monitor system

Nexo STM for Frankfurt's LEA Awards

Details: 14 March 2016

Germany - In March, Nexo will partner with PRG Europe to provide the PA and monitoring systems in a state-of-the-art production package for the LEA Awards, one of Germany's premier entertainment awards programmes. Visitors to the Festhalle over the duration of the Prolight+Sound expo (12-15 March) will have the opportunity to hear Nexo and Yamaha in concert; a 24-set STM Series modular line array at front-of-house and a 45°N-12 line monitor system on stage, networked over Dante with a full complement of Yamaha CL Series consoles.

Sponsored by PRG, the Live Entertainment Awards (PRG LEA) reward outstanding achievement in the entertainment industry in German-speaking countries. This year, some 1,300 guests, including many prominent celebrities, will gather in the Festhalle in Frankfurt to enjoy live performances and applaud the winners of the LEA trophies. The gala event also

Life Austin Church adds d&b sound system

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - He is most known around the world as founding member of Phillips, Craig and Dean, a popular contemporary Christian music group since the 1990s, but around Life Austin Church, in Texas, he is known, simply, as 'Pasto Randy.' Lead minister to a congregation of over two thousand, Randy Phillips brings his passion for the arts into his sermons.

"We play with a full band every Sunday, perform short skits and even have a string orchestra at Easter. The goal is to find a way to reach everyone, immerse ourselves. We have a lot of audio professionals in our community. They'd be able to hear the difference. Sound was definitely a priority," says Life Austin band member and AV director, Joe Diaz. "We want every person to have a full experience."

It's taken some time, however. For the last seven years, Life Austin, previously Promise Land West, has built up their

Canned Video brings video recording to the masses

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Canned Video provides a complete video recording and streaming solution for video conferences and meetings taking place anywhere around the world. Video recording is a growing trend within enterprise as businesses are increasingly communicating via video conferences, meetings and point-to-point video calls. In just the click of an email, any important video meeting within Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa or the Middle East can be recorded or streamed with just 24 hours notice1.

Recording in MPEG 4 or WMV format for playback on Windows, Apple or other non-Windows systems, the service is bookable via the website www.cannedvideo.com where interested clients simply have to fill in the booking form with their requirements. No additional equipment or technical expertise is needed as Canned Video will handle everything, dialling into a video conference, meeting or presentation,

Bruno Mars – the largest show in Super Bowl history

Bruno Mars delivers at Super Bowl with Sennheiser

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - The stars aligned during Super Bowl XLVIII on the evening of February 2 as Bruno Mars delivered an unforgettable halftime performance to a record-breaking broadcast audience of 115.3m viewers - the largest in Super Bowl history. For the duration of the performance, Bruno Mars sang through his Sennheiser SKM 5200 handheld transmitter, coupled with an MD 5235 dynamic microphone capsule, ensuring crisp and detailed sound for millions of fans around the world.

During the 12-minute set, Bruno Mars showcased his versatility as an entertainer with a dramatic drum-solo introduction, James Brown-inspired dance moves, and an instantly recognizable soulful voice captured by Sennheiser.

Working alongside veteran production provider ATK Audiotek, Bruno Mars' production team - including monitor engineer James Berry and front-of-house engineer Derek Brener - specified Sennheiser SKM 52

The Voice of Germany was recorded at Studio Berlin

Robe has a voice in Germany

Details: 14 March 2016

Germany - Robe moving lights were once again specified by lighting designer Manuel da Costa for the most recent series of the popular TV singing contest, The Voice of Germany (VOG).

The series was recorded at Studio Berlin and produced jointly by a Dutch German collaboration between Taipa and Schwartzkopff TV. It was broadcast on Pro7 and Sat 1 channels where it was again a big hit with viewers.

Da Costa has lit all three editions of VOG to date, and once again he worked closely with set designer Florian Wieder of Wieder Design and Video Content Producer Falk Rosenthal to create an elegant visual environment.

All of them drew on their previous VOG experiences to produce a different aesthetic from the last series, and within that framework, to ensure that each of the artists would receive a diversity of visual treatments that ensured that they all looked different, and

Additions to the Professional Development Programme will be announced in the coming weeks

PLASA Focus Leeds: Professional Development Programme launched

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Free registration is now open for the PLASA Professional Development Programme, running alongside a sold-out PLASA Focus: Leeds 2014 on Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 April 2014, at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds.

The Professional Development Programme provides visitors to this popular trade event with free access to over twenty seminars and demonstrations delivered by some of the industry's leading experts, and provides an opportunity to learn new skills and have questions answered.

Kicking off on the Tuesday, a panel of representatives from the Association of Lighting Designers (ALD) will address how we talk about the artistic side of lighting design for live performance, what is meant by "good" or "outstanding" lighting design, and find ways to talk about this most ephemeral of art forms, in a discussion entitled And The Award For Best Lighting

Yamaha reorganises Commercial Audio division

Details: 14 March 2016

Europe - Yamaha Music Europe has recently undertaken changes to its marketing, sales and technical support within the European Commercial Audio organisation, which sees the creation of new positions to underpin Yamaha's strengthening position in the installed and live sound markets.

The changes support Yamaha's expansion in the installed sound market by adding dedicated Commercial Installed Sound specialists to its Commercial Audio sales teams in France and Germany. Commercial installed sound specialists are also being recruited in the UK, which complement the recent appointment of new staff to the UK Commercial Audio sales force.

A completely new position, based in London, has also been created by Yamaha to strengthen its global PA application engineering capability.

Meanwhile, following the recent decision by Nick Cook to leave Yamaha to form his own strategic marketing co

Both Strike models are CE approved and come with a Neutrik powerCON power cord

Chauvet Professional re-invents a special effects icon

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Chauvet Professional has elevated one of the industry's most popular classic effects - the strobe light -- to advanced levels of performance and functionality with its new LED-driven Strike strobe series. Combining the powerful output of SMD LEDs with rugged, roadworthy die-cast casing, the series features two models -- Strike 324 and Strike 882 - that are designed for touring and production applications.

Designed to fit a wide spectrum of rigs and venues, the Strike 324 is shaped like a low-profile par can and contains 324 white 1-watt SMD LEDs, while the Strike 882 is configured like a panel and equipped with 882 white 0.5-watt SMD LEDs. Thanks to the power and efficiency of their 6,400K LEDs, both models produce incredible brightness while consuming significantly less energy than conventional strobe lights of comparable output, offering the ability to run on standard vo

The now-extended Irish Village pub in Dubai

Irish Village Pub in Dubai adds Meyer system

Details: 14 March 2016

UAE - The focal point of The Irish Village pub in Dubai is its recently expanded, 3,500-capacity scenic outdoor terrace. To improve the sound quality for daytime ambience music and live entertainment in the evenings and weekends, the pub has installed a Meyer Sound system based around UPJunior-XP 48 V VariO loudspeakers.

Impressed by the power and clarity of the Meyer Sound systems they had previously encountered, Dave Cattanach, The Irish Village's general manager, and Jason Smith, manager, had long wanted Meyer Sound loudspeakers in their venue. When it came time for an upgrade to optimize the newly extended terrace area, they enlisted Abu Dhabi-based Systech Middle East to specify, install, and commission the new system.

"The UPJunior-XPs were our first choice because they set a new standard for power and clarity in systems suitable for outdoor applications," says

Trinity Fellowship Church in Amarillo, Texas utilized BlackTrax motion tracking system in its 3,750 seat auditorium (photo: © Trinity Fellowship Church)

CAST & Trinity Fellowship at PLASA Focus: Nashville

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Appealing to large-scale event and production professionals, Paul Braile, BlackTrax expert at CAST BlackTrax Ltd and Michael Wells, executive director of operations at Trinity Fellowship Church, Texas will present the Lights. Camera. Tracking! seminar at PLASA Focus: Nashville 2014 at room Mezzanine 27 at The Nashville Municipal Auditorium, TN from 12:00 to 13:00 on Tuesday, 18 and Wednesday, 19 February.

Trinity Fellowship Church in Amarillo, Texas utilized BlackTrax motion tracking system in its 3,750 seat auditorium integrated with live performers, lighting, sound, multi-media and video for its 2013 Christmas Program and beyond.

"Visitors will walk away from the seminar with an in-depth understanding of how our production has deployed BlackTrax bringing significant ROI as well as lighting, logistical and creative benefits," explained Michael Wells, ex

The G300 was Le Maitre's second generation high powered smoke machine, following on from the Smoke Processor 3 series

Le Maitre G300 celebrates 20 Years

Details: 14 March 2016

Europe - Le Maitre is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its renowned G300 Smoke Machine - an industry standard around the globe which has been widely adopted by theme parks, theatres, cruise ships and the emergency services for breathing apparatus training.

The G300 was Le Maitre's second generation high powered smoke machine, following on from the Smoke Processor 3 series, and at the time of its launch was commented on by competitors as setting the standard by which all other machines would be judged. Le Maitre's goal at the time was quite simply to make a machine that was better than anything else on the market. This has clearly proved to be the case with sales still going strong and many of the unique features still not being able to be emulated by other manufacturers.

Le Maitre came up with and patented its 'Layered Block System' called Genesis - hence the 'G' of G300. T

Pangaea is the latest addition to the numerous world-famous exclusive clubs owned by Michael Ault

Pangaea ultra-luxury club chooses Outline

Details: 14 March 2016

India - Located in Delhi's Ashok Hotel, Pangaea is the latest addition to the numerous world-famous exclusive clubs owned by Michael Ault, a pre-eminent club operator with almost 25 successful years in the nightlife industry and more than thirty nightclubs operating in key markets such as New York, Miami Beach, Los Angeles, Bermuda, Sao Paulo and Marbella.

Delhi, which has India's biggest luxury market in the country, was reportedly chosen by Ault after noting that many of the clients in his Singapore club were Indian billionaires, who asked him to bring the brand to India. One of them (Spice Group's owner BK Modi) entered partnership with Ault to establish Pangaea on the Indian nightlife scene.

Although only having a capacity of about 450 patrons, for Pangaea ("All lands" - a super-continent that existed approximately 300 million years ago and consisted in the prese

Hirezone supplied the technical for the main dance floor at the Sound Factory in Balito

HIrezone at the 4U Rage Festival in Natal

Details: 14 March 2016

South Africa - When 4U Rage Festival hits KwaZulu Natal at the end of each year, an event aimed at students who have finally completed school, its party, party, party for the next two and a half weeks. If you have young children of your own, there's still time to save up and entice them to go on a family holiday to Europe instead.... now that's a mother's thinking for you! If not, it's likely they will be asking to go to Balito, where an estimated 80 000 kids visited the area in December 2013.

The festival provides students with access card to various venues and clubs, all kitted out with top sound and lighting, and entertainment by great artists. While daytime is usually reserved for beach volleyball, soccer, surfing and tanning, this year saw revellers in gumboots and rain would not stop the fun!

Hirezone supplied the technical for the main dance floor at the Sound Factory i

The awards will be broadcast across the country on local affiliates and on UPtv on 1 March

Bandit Lites & Mark Carver light Stellar Awards

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - The world of Gospel music convened in Nashville under the illumination of Bandit Lites' gear for the 29th Annual Stellar Awards, the premier Gospel event that recognizes and honours African American artists. Daytime Emmy Award-winner Sherri Shepherd and Ricky Smiley hosted the event at the Metro Nashville Municipal Auditorium on 18 January.

With the awards being broadcasted to millions on the UP Network, lighting designer Mark Carver created a look for the show that would translate well both on television and for the live audience, in addition to relaying the emotion of the performing artists.

"Gospel Music has a very emotional and spiritual quality," Carver explained. "The lighting needs to try to help convey this emotion and engage both artist and audience."

In order to accomplish such a seamless, expressive design, Carver turned to Bandit who pro