Australia - Since Perth's Concert and Corporate Productions (CCPWA to their friends) purchased their Jands Vista L5 they've barely had the pleasure of its company. And it's that kind of that kind of immediate return on investment that really makes a production company happy. Sean McKernan, general manager of CCPWA, couldn't be happier with its absence. "We got it mid-September and we only had it in our warehouse for 12 hours before it went out on its first tour!"
After purchase from Jands, the L5 flew into Perth to be prepped by the CCPWA crew, and soon turned around and was put a plane to Brisbane, where it kicked off on UK metal band Bring Me The Horizon's national tour. As that tour finished up, the desk went straight over to US rockers Fall Out Boy for another lap of
UK - 'Juke box' musicals based on the songs of iconic performers continue to enjoy huge popularity in the UK. Ben Elton's Tonight's The Night - The Rod Stewart Musical is currently on a major tour of provincial venues, with a Yamaha CL5 digital console ensuring that the audio production is plain sailing.
Originally staged in London a decade ago, this is the show's second UK tour. Sound designer Rory Madden of RM Sound Design specified a Yamaha PM1D for the 2006 tour, so this time out a CL5 was the obvious choice.
The CL5, a Rio3224-D and two Rio1608-D i/o units were supplied by Orbital Sound, with associate sound designer Jon Sealey operating the show.
"The advantages of both a console and multicore which are much easier to handle are obvious, especially on an intensive tour where there is just six hours for the get in and soundcheck," he says. "The CL5
Germany - Avolites and Avolites Media are powering up the latest stable of products to be unveiled at this year's Prolight + Sound.
The show promises to be Avolites' biggest presence yet. Avolites and Avolites Media will take their own dedicated stand at Frankfurt - Hall 11.0 Stand D40 - but will also be exhibiting with longstanding friend and partner, Trendco, also in Hall 11.0 B41A.
Avolites Media will showcase the new S-Series Media Servers, along with the latest generation in the Infinity line, the Ai Infinity EX series.
The Ai S2, S4 and S6 media server are the latest server systems from Avolites Media and offer two, four and six Display Port / DVI outputs respectively. They feature 3rd generation PCI Express motherboards, graphics cards and RAID SSD drives for unrivalled performance along with 4K Ultra HD capability in the S4, S6 and S8 servers. The Dual Processor, hi
Germany - As well as showing new products and its annual 'glimpse into the future' at Prolight+Sound 2014, for the first time at the show Alcons Audio is giving comprehensive demonstrations of its ground-breaking audio technology.
Exhibiting in Hall 8, Stand G60, Alcons will be launching two new compact loudspeakers, as additions to the V-series and B-series.
Featuring the all-new RBN202 2" pro-ribbon driver for the first time, the V-series is extended with a versatile micro monitor for use in a wide variety of applications, where non-compromise fidelity is required. Another series extension is shown, now being the smallest of Alcons B-series subwoofers; a long-excursion 12" custom-designed woofer in a reflex-loaded configuration, as the perfect low-frequency extension for the smaller V-series monitors.
The company will also be showing the new R-series RR12 modular
Denmark - Housed in a stylish 1U rack-mount enclosure, Neets Audio Amplifier - 120 supplies two channels of robust amplification for driving the high-quality loudspeakers typically used in larger conference rooms, lecture halls and many commercial establishments.
At the heart of Neets Audio Amplifier - 120 is the advanced ICEpower Class D module. ICEpower is an independent subsidiary of Bang & Olufsen a/s and being engineered in Denmark, ICEpower delivers robust power, full bandwidth response and extremely low distortion with 90% efficiency. In two-channel mode the amplifier can be used for stereo reproduction of video soundtracks or for driving speakers in two separate audio zones. In bridged mode, it is suitable for driving multi-way full range systems or subwoofers with 450W at 4Ω
Neets Audio Amplifier - 120 is installer-friendly in every respect. Rack installation is
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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.
USA - The new W-DIMm3 from RC4 Wireless is a miniature wireless DMX receiver and three-channel DC dimmer for use with Wireless Solution W-DMX transmitters. Its small size, just 80mm x 40mm x 20mm, is ideal for use in props, practicals, and costumes. A comprehensive RDM implementation is accessible when RDM functionality is enabled in the host W-DMX system.
Each dimmer channel handles up to 50W at 12V. The device operates from 6V to 35VDC, and each dimmer can deliver 5A. Total device power handling, limited by input connections, is 10A. Over-temperature and over-current shut-down provide protection again wiring errors and load faults.
Any DMX channel can be assigned to any dimmer, with a choice of non-dim, linear, or ISL curves optimized for smooth, flicker-free LED dimming. This makes the W-DIMm3 ideal for stage, film, or video. Use RDM to configure DMX channel, dimmer curve,
Germany - Elation Professional is set to light up the world's biggest trade show for show technology with a host of new technologies optimized for professional stage applications (Stand D68 Hall 11)
Elation is a leader in the use of energy-efficient Platinum lamp technology and will be showcasing three new luminaires in the Platinum range of professional moving heads including the Platinum Wash 16R Pro, a flexible feature-packed luminaire that has use as both a wash and beam; the Platinum Profile 35 Pro, a full-featured fixture with internal framing; and the Rayzor Beam 2R, a small and speedy fixture powerful enough to work alongside larger luminaires.
As an acknowledged innovator in LED lighting, Elation will also have on display the Satura Spot LED Pro moving head featuring a 300W LED engine that is as bright as a traditional 575W discharge fixture. Other featured products w
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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.
Germany - Stand 8.0-F60 at ProLight+Sound 2014 will see DiGiCo exhibiting with new German distributor united-b, launching its new D2-Rack and announcing a number of new software features and an expansion of a third party development project.
The British manufacturer is also adding a second 60m2 exhibition stand adjacent to the main united-b stand at 8.0-G56. This newly designed area will allow customers a hands-on, in-depth look at selected consoles.
Previewed at ISE2014, and designed to support and expand DiGiCo's SD Range's higher sample rate I/O solutions, the D2-Rack comes with either BNC or Cat 5 MADI connections, allowing it to be used with a number of DiGiCo consoles.
By using the latest convertors found in DiGiCo's SD Racks, the D2-Rack offers a more compact, more efficient, more affordable rack solution for connection at either 48kHz or 96kHz with no I/O reduction.<
Belgium - Glenn Roggeman (CEO AED group) cut the ribbon for the opening of the AED studios in the presence of numerous prominent guests from the political as well as corporate scene.
In August 2013, the Eurocam Media Centre - formerly known as the Alfacam Studios, changed ownership after the acquisition by the AED group.
On 1 October, Glenn Roggeman officially started phase 1 of his master plan, "the update" of the studios. During the last five months, neither cost nor effort was spared for this prestigious project. Today, many waste containers, renovations and innovations later, determined entrepreneurship already shows its result.
Sixteen studios, of which five have been fully fitted with the most recent lighting-, sound- and video equipment, having as target audience, the TV- and event industry.
Seven Studios were equipped with Technical ceilings (Trusses and
UK - XL Video reports the creation of a new 'Centre of Excellence' for media servers and control systems. The team, whose expertise will be available to clients of XL Video worldwide, will be led by Christian Dickens, media server and control systems manager at XL Video UK.
Christian, who has recently joined XL Video, has almost 20 years experience in audio-visual technology. For the last six years, he has specialised in the field of projection mapping and media servers, and it is this expertise that makes him the ideal leader for XL's new team. Before joining XL, Christian's projects included projection mapping Nokia's Secret Room at Mobile World Congress 2013 and Veuve Cliquot's interactive display at Selfridges London.
"Joining the XL Video team is an amazing opportunity," commented Christian. "I am excited about being a part of the 'Centre of Excellence' and
The Netherlands - Yamaha's R-Remote software was only launched a few weeks ago, but it has already made an impact on audiences in the Netherlands, where a short tour by Holland Baroque Society found it "indispensible".
Holland Baroque Society is a collective which is not only keeps baroque music contemporary and frequently performed, but works with musicians from other genres to create innovative performances, albeit with baroque always as the starting point.
Early February saw one of these ground-breaking projects bring the inspiration of 18th century French composer Jean Philippe Rameau and 20th century Belgian singer/songwriter Jacques Brel together on stage, fusing the similarities of music composed 200 years apart into something new.
The four-date tour took place on consecutive days from 6-9 February, with performances in Groningen, Utrecht, Leiden and Den Haa
Belgium - Barco and AED Studios, part of audiovisual specialist AED group, officially inaugurated Barco Virtual World, a virtual experience events hall at the site of AED Studios in Lint, Belgium.
The 1.000sq.m hall is equipped with ten of Barco's high-brightness HDX-W20 projectors and a 90-meter long screen - the largest in the Benelux - to provide an immersive virtual experience in full HD. As a technical partner of Barco Virtual World, Barco is happy to help AED Studios to push the limits of projection and corporate event infrastructure to create a unique experience for AED's customers.
A longstanding customer of Barco, the AED group purchased the renowned Eurocam Mediacenter in 2013, renaming it AED Studios. The 55,000sq.m site is home to an extensive range of film studios (45sq.m < 3000sq.m), each offering an enormous array of multifunctional possibilities.
Russia - Moscow-based AV company, Proton Centre, specified six Allen & Heath rackmount Qu-16 digital mixers to be installed in the Main Media Centre at Sochi's Olympic Park during the recent Olympic Games in Russia.
The Main Media Centre catered for more than 2000 members of the international media accredited to cover the Competition, and more than 6000 television and radio broadcasters from around the world.
Proton Centre designed the AV system and supervised installation works, whilst its partner company, Sochi-based Tomlux+, completed the sound and video installation on site. The Qu-16s were supplied by Allen & Heath's Russian distributor, MixArt.
The Media Centre's AV systems were based around the Qu-16 mixers, which were selected for their ability to provide the wide functionality and flexibility needed to complete various tasks, and meet the diverse requirements of the
USA - TMB and AC Power Distribution have celebrated the delivery of the 1,000th ProPower Rack Panel Distribution (RPD) system. The latest ProPower RPD rack was handed over at a special ceremony at TMB's global headquarters earlier this month.
"Our sale of the 1,000th RPD system comes as TMB's ProPower brand continues to enjoy increasing popularity with entertainment and live event professionals worldwide," says TMB sales manager, Stephanie Kilburg. "Continuously enhanced to maintain its quality advantage, ProPower RPD remains the most reliable, versatile (and good looking!) power distro out there. We look forward to continuing to grow our long-standing and successful partnership with AC Power."
"ProPower RPD offers the finest dollar-for-performance ratio available," adds James Davey of AC Power Distribution. "The fact that TMB has supplied th
UK - High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire-based cross rental facility Dry Hire Lighting has invested in a substantial quantity of new Robe moving lights to boost their available hire stock of Robe fixtures, making them one of the largest rental stockists of Robe fixtures in the UK.
The new purchase comprises of a mix of Robe Robin Pointes, Robin LEDWash 600s and Robin LEDBeam 100s.
Dry Hire Lighting made the move due to an increased demand generally across all sectors for all of Robe products which are appearing with increasing frequency on specifications for concert tours, theatres shows, TV series' as well as special, corporate and industrial events and presentations.
"We have the largest rental stocks of the Pointe in the UK and it is definitely the fixture of the year right now," says Dry Hire Lighting's Rob Merrilees, "It's being used on numerous productions and
UK - West London-based rental company Entec's Sound division renewed its long term acquaintance with Bedales School, supplying a d&b sound system and crew for their annual Rock Concert event, staged in the 340 capacity Olivier Theatre on the school's picturesque campus in Hampshire.
Bedales was founded in 1893 by the innovative educator and author John Bradley with the aim of being profoundly different from other public schools of the day. Putting the key elements of the child's education, welfare and happiness right at the core of its values, Bedales continues to be one of the most sought after educational experiences in the UK, encouraging independent thinking and inquisitive minds to flourish.
Entec's relationship as a technical partner started 10 years ago with the very first Bedales Rock Concert via the company's long association with legendary rockers The Who, when guita
Czech Republic - Robe has renewed its sponsorship of Czech MotoGP racer Karel Abraham for the 2014 Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix.
Abraham kicks off the 2014 season with a brand new Honda bike and lots of positive attitude.
Says Robe s.r.o CEO Josef Valchar, "Supporting Karel in the Moto GP was a great success for us last year! It provides an exhilarating international event that can be enjoyed worldwide by everyone and a great opportunity for us to offer hospitality and a special experience to our clients and friends."
Last year Abraham had some bad luck and had to drop out of the competition after a nasty shoulder injury for which he is still receiving treatment.
Right now he comments, "The most important thing is that I enjoy racing again ... and I am sure the rest will follow." He has just turned 24 and is already a veteran of his tenth M
France - La Chaine parlementaire (The parliamentary channel) is a French television network responsible for broadcasting activity from the National Assembly of France (LCP) and the Senate of France (Public Senat) - made available through TNT digital terrestrial television.
Created in 1999 at the request of the National Assembly of France to broadcast initially twice a week on France 3, by the following year it had also encompassed the Senate of France. Today it broadcasts 24 hours from the Assembly followed by 24 hours from the Senate having obtained its own TNT frequency. This makes high demands on the transmission facilities.
Last year, production needed to improve the bi-directional communication infrastructure, and Philippe Delépine, sales engineer at Audiopole, undertook a site survey before providing a solution based around BroaMan/Optocore network components.
UK - Stage Technologies has supplied a stage engineering system for the newly reopened Everyman Theatre in Liverpool, UK. The system is based on a specification designed by Charcoal Blue consultants and the Everyman Trust that focuses on flexibility and future expansion. This combined both automated and non-powered engineering applications spread throughout the fly tower, thrust grids, and at stage level with a completely re-configurable and removable staging and seating rostra.
Stage Technologies was hired by main contractor Gilbert Ash. The automation system utilises a Nomad Control Desk and a Wireless Solo to control a flying system comprising BigTow fly bar winches and sidebar winches; TipTow Point Hoists (TTPH) with swivelling gimbal pulleys; and variable speed positioning chain hoists (CH:i). Hardware was installed to enable the TTPH and CH:i to be moved between Thrust and
UK - X Factor winner James Arthur has gone on to sell more than 2.5m copies of debut single Impossible and see his first, eponymously-titled album enter the charts just one place off the top spot in November 2013.
For Arthur's recent solo headline tour, front of house engineer Darren Mullis employed a variety of Audio-Technica microphones - including an AE5400 cardioid condenser, AE6100 hypercardioid dynamic and AE2500 dual-element cardioid dynamic/condenser - on both vocals and backline.
"When we went into rehearsals with James we had numerous microphones to try for different applications," Mullis explains, "and we quickly settled on an Audio-Technica AE5400 for James vocal and AE6100s for backing vocals. The AE5400 is a great fit for James and its top-end dips at about 5-6k which helps get rid of sibilance. Rejection from those microphones is great, whi
UK - Since 1988, The Australian Pink Floyd Show has been taking the 'tribute act' concept to extremes by bringing the aural and visual spectacle of Pink Floyd's live shows to enthusiastic audiences around the world. The band's current European tour includes a month of UK dates, which start in mid February, for which Capital Sound Hire is providing the audio system.
The tour's venues are a mixture of theatre and arenas, so Capital is supplying a flexible Martin Audio MLA system, comprising MLA, MLAc and WS218x subs with LM front-fills. FOH sound mixed by Jonathan Brooks on a DiGiCo SD8, whilst monitors comprise a comprehensive package of Sennheiser G3 IEMs and Martin LE1500 floor monitors, mixed by Matt Coton on a DiGiCo SD10.
The Capital Sound crew includes MLA technician Marty Beath and monitor techs Robin Conway and Bheki Phakathi sharing duties over the tour's four legs.