Home

Martin Audio's MLA hits high at Glastonbury

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Martin Audio's groundbreaking Multi-Cellular Loudspeaker Array (MLA) system has made Glastonbury history by delivering the highest sound levels to the audience without exceeding noise pollution levels beyond the perimeter.

Making its Glastonbury debut, the system deployed on the Pyramid Stage was impressive in every respect, utilising cabinets from the entire MLA range of loudspeakers. This comprised a total of 72 MLA for the main hangs, eight MLA Compact for stereo in-fill at the pit barrier and four delay positions of 14 MLA each. The latest addition to the range, the MLA Mini, also featured, providing stereo in-fill behind the FOH control structure and onstage coverage of artists' guest viewing platforms. A massive broadside array of 38 MLX stretched across the entire widt

The PLASA Rigging Conference 2013 – Unusual Rigging's Robin Elias delivering his keynote speech

Sapsis keynote address for new format rigging conference

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - The fifth annual PLASA Rigging Conference will be held on Monday 6 October 2014 in the North Hall Gallery Rooms, alongside the PLASA London Show at ExCeL London. For the first time, the conference will be delivered as a one-day package - a move that will improve accessibility and reduce cost to the delegate.

Building on the success of previous years, the programme, which is again curated by Chris Higgs of Total Solutions, will comprise seven sessions in one day, as opposed to eight over two days. The first session details to be announced are that of keynote speaker, Bill Sapsis, who will share his experiences and insights from a 40-year career in the entertainment rigging industry.

Sapsis is a USITT Fellow and a past member of the USITT Board of Directors. He is currently a member of the ETCP Council and Chair of the Rigging Working Group for PLASA NA. Sapsis is the recip

The units have gone straight into use at Elstree Film Studios

Outside broadcast distro for Aurora

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - SES worked closely with TV lighting specialists Aurora Lighting Hire Ltd to develop some bespoke IP rated distribution boxes.

Aurora approached SES after an increase in the company's Location work. The company found it was increasingly being asked to handle all aspects of broadcast power for supplying outside broadcast trucks, mobile galleries and satellite uplinks.

Aurora came to SES with an in depth brief incorporating key switchable / variable RCD's to allow total control of all outputs. The units have gone straight into use on the BBC's forthcoming production Tumble at Elstree Film Studios.

(Jim Evans)

https://www.claypaky.it/products/ultimo-hybrid/

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.

The Week in Lighting & Sound

Details: 14 March 2016

Silver Clef Awards - Justin Timberlake won the best live act award at the Silver Clef Awards, beating artists including Arcade Fire and the Rolling Stones. Timberlake picked up half a million votes in the only award voted for by the public. Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page won the 02 Silver Clef prize and told the audience, "Thank you so very much - it's been an incredible day today." Sir Tom Jones was honoured with a lifetime achievement award. The event, which took place at London's Hilton Hotel, raised £531,000 for Nordoff Robbins, the music therapy charity.

Get Back - Sir Paul McCartney has resumed his concert tour after being forced to take nearly two months off due to a virus that left him in hospital. The 72-year-old played an arena in Albany, New York, on Saturday night as part of his Out There tour. "It's great to be back," he told the c

The Télé Liban studios are benefitting from the LED power of Philips Selecon luminaires and professional studio lighting solutions from Philips Strand Lighting

TV stations in Lebanon upgrade with Philips

Details: 14 March 2016

Lebanon - The country's first public television network Télé Liban and pan-Arabist satellite television channel Al Mayadeen have tuned in to the power of Philips Selecon LED and professional studio lighting solutions from Philips Strand Lighting in a major upgrade to existing kit.

State-owned Télé Liban and private Al Mayadeen are both significant channels in the region. Télé Liban is one of the longest established TV stations in the Middle East whilst Al Mayadeen is a wide-ranging news channel, owning offices in Tunisia, Cairo and Tehran, and headquarters in Beirut.

Both studios needed an overhaul of their previous lighting equipment to optimise broadcasting capabilities. Lebanon distributor Prolites supplied and installed 26 Philips Selecon SPX Zoomspot luminaires and four Philips Strand Lighting SD6 Dimmer Packs into two newly renov

The Spirit Word auditorium is utilised for church services, conferences and also Sons of Life performances

Spirit World adds Robe Robins & Avolites

Details: 14 March 2016

South Africa -Spirit Word in Stilfontein, 8km from Klerksdorp in the Northwestern province, recently purchased six Robin 100 LEDBeams and an Avolites Titan Mobile to be used for their live broadcasts and church services.

The ministry was established in 1980 by Pastor Kobus van Rensburg. He sadly passed away at the end of last year and now the outreach continues by his team and his three sons, Kobus, Petrus and Johan who also formed the band, Sons of Life, associated to Spirit Word.

"I was shown the Robin 100 LEDBeams by the tech guys at hand at DWR Distribution in Johannesburg," said Petrus van Rensburg. "We decided to go with it and the units have turned out to be really amazing, better than we initially expected."

The fixtures have been positioned in the Spirit Word auditorium, which is a venue utilised for church services, conferences and also Sons of

Shrek on stage at Lipscomb University in Nashville

Philips Vari-Lite solution for Shrek in Nashville

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - At Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, the Department of Theatre strives to entertain, instruct, move and motivate audiences of all sizes.

During their recent production of Shrek: The Musical, assistant professor David Hardy was challenged to live up to this motto through an energetic and compelling lighting design that could bring the full production to life. To do so, he needed extra punch and colour from his lighting tools, so he turned to Philips Vari-Lite and chose VL770 Spot luminaires as his design solution.

"When we first started the design process we hadn't planned on using any moving fixtures, but as we got further into the script, we realized we needed multiple lighting positions and a wide range of color options," began Hardy. "Looking at the automated luminaires available, we didn't have space for large fixtures and they had to

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.
www.cameolight.com

A multidimensional journey by Lake Geneva

Electrosonic has designs on Olympic Museum

Details: 14 March 2016

Switzerland - When The Olympic Museum in Lausanne reopened recently after a two-year renovation, it made extensive use of audio-visual and interactive techniques that take visitors on what's been called "a multidimensional journey across the Olympic Universe".

Electrosonic designed the AV system, which is simple for visitors to use and offers maximum flexibility for the museum, under subcontract with media producer Centre Screen Productions of Manchester, England. Electrosonic handled the system engineering and integration under a separate subcontract with Paragon Creative of York, England.

Located on the shores of Lake Geneva, The Olympic Museum is now a greatly expanded, four-level venue spanning more than 32,000sq.ft and featuring over 1,000 objects and 150 screens, which deliver an informative and immersive experience to Olympic fans and the curious from around t

Wire opened last fall in the former Oakwyn Theatre

Chicago's Wire Club adds Bose RoomMatch

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - The Roosevelt Road area of Chicago suburb, Berwyn, has its share of up-and-coming music clubs, including recent addition, Wire, which opened last fall in the former Oakwyn Theatre.

Built in 1934 and formerly a mid-century movie house and Teamsters union hall, the 10,000sq.ft space has been completely renovated with an expansive rebuild to house the 400-seat club as well as a mezzanine level with offices, recording studio and VIP area. Further setting Wire apart from the other venues in the area is a RoomMatch loudspeaker system from Bose Professional Systems.

Installed by regional professional audio integrator TC Furlong, Inc., the system is composed of four RM9020 modules, two RM12020 modules, an RM7010 module and two RMS218 subwoofers. These are powered by four Bose PowerMatch PM8500N networked amplifiers and managed by the Bose ControlSpace ESP-00 engineered sound pro

Dave Matthews Band tours with High End Systems' Shapeshifter

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Billed as 'A Very Special Evening With The Dave Matthews Band', the group's latest US shows are giving fans two distinct sets from DMB with no opening act, a first for the group. The tour is also debuting High End Systems' innovative new Shapeshifter automated luminaire to enthusiastic fans across the US. With production support by TMS, LD Fenton Williams and programmer / co-production designer Aaron Stinebrink are putting Shapeshifter through its paces as the fixture serves as their eye candy 'workhorse' during the second set.

Following an acoustic set that showcases classic conventional lighting looks - often during daylight, the band takes a short break then returns for a two-hour electric tour de force, where Shapeshifters add impressive textures and effects to the visuals produced by Williams and Stinebrink.

Aaron explains how the new fixture came to be a featured e

Bristol summer series to become annual event

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Metropolis Music has announced its intention to make its open air shows in Bristol harbourside into an annual event, having staged two very successful events on 25 June with Paolo Nutini, and 26 June with The Pogues.

Metropolis Music has established the Summer Series concerts at Somerset House with American Express over the past decade, delivering a range of artists in this historic setting and this year launched the first major live events in Bristol's harbourside for ten years.

Flanked by two tall ships with their masts lit for the occasion, Paolo Nutini played a combination of reworked classics and a selection of tunes from his latest album Caustic Love to a sell out crowd of 5000, before heading to Glastonbury for his set on Friday. With Paolo's concert selling out in just three hours, The Pogues were also a hit, attracting 3500 people who danced the night away

Audac debuts high-end in-wall loudspeakers

Details: 14 March 2016

The Netherlands - The newest addition to the Audac loudspeaker range is the Mero series. These high-end in-wall speakers will blend will "blend beautifully into any interior, making only their extraordinary sound draw your attention with their nearly invisible design". This series includes three models: Mero2, Mero5, Mero6. Their unobtrusive design due to the slim grill with very thin border of only 1 mm and limited grill depth extrudes the surface by only 3.2 mm when installed.

Their applications range from residential Hi-Fi and home cinema installations to multi- zone systems, unobtrusive installations in lounges, bars, boutiques and offices.

The selection of high-grade materials in combination with accurate acoustic craftsmanship guarantee an unsurpassed sound experience, characterised by a warm and detailed sound.

To guarantee a lifetime stability, secure mount

Since its launch, Guide-U has been the audio tour guiding system of choice for some of the world's biggest visitor attractions

Roger Guide-U gives clarity to guided tours

Details: 14 March 2016

Switzerland - The Guide-U system from Phonak makes sure that visitors in leading attractions worldwide, such as the Dresden Start Art Collections in the Semper Building, can effortlessly understand what their guide tells them. Powered by Roger technology, the latest generation of the guiding system offers an even greater listening experience to every visitor: groups of any size, several groups in the same room, and even people with hearing loss can rely on Roger Guide-U to get more out of their guided tour, says the company.

Since its launch, Guide-U has been the audio tour guiding system of choice for some of the world's biggest visitor attractions. Featuring the latest digital standard, Roger, the new generation of the guiding system offers "crystal-clear speech understanding even to large visitor groups or several groups simultaneously". Leveraging Phonak's longstan

XL Video finds Shangri La at Glastonbury

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - XL Video supplied creative video projection and control to the Shangri La area at the 2014 Glastonbury Festival, helping to give this popular immersive, interactive fictional world a real edge.

XL's Nick Diacre project managed two specialist video installations working for technical producers PF Events and their technical production manager Seain Loughlin, who received their brief from Shangri La's creative director Debs Armstrong.

The main projection feature in Shangri La was in the Heaven area, involving eight Barco R22 projectors, run as four doubled up pairs for optimised brightness and mapped to cover a 44m long wooden art-wall structure composed from a myriad of hand-cut tessellated triangles.

The work was created by Andy Cross from AN-Architecture.

This impressive sculpture represented the cloud of Heaven and was brought alive by the projections which added mov

The technical team at the StubHub Centre chose Merging's Ovation Audio and Event Sequencer

StubHub Centre upgrades with Merging's Ovation

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Soccer might not be the most popular game in the USA although it has had a major boost from the latest World Cup. Undoubtedly the involvement of David Beckham with the LA Galaxy team made it the most well known team internationally. Their home venue is California's StubHub Centre, which is way more than just a football stadium. This is also an Official U.S. Olympic Training Site with state-of-the art stadiums and facilities for tennis, track & field, cycling, lacrosse, rugby, volleyball, baseball, softball, basketball and other sports in addition to the soccer.

Playing music, making announcements, playing commercials and jingles is essential in any stadium and multiple areas need different treatment. When it was time to upgrade their facilities, the technical team at the StubHub Centre chose Merging's Ovation Audio and Event Sequencer.

Removing the limitations of the pre

Curtis Flatt first took SSL Live out on McDonald's Christmas Tour last winter

SSL Live on tour with Michael McDonald

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Michael McDonald joins 1980s super-group Toto this summer for a North American co-bill that stops at The Greek in Los Angeles and The Fox in Atlanta. McDonald's front-of-house engineer Curtis Flatt was first introduced to Spectrum Sound of Nashville while in college and went to work for the company in 1986. Through the long association, Flatt's career has spanned the best consoles and musicians of the last three decades, including Wynona Judd and the Judds, Donny Osmond and Michael W. Smith. He also filled in for a short time for Robert Collins on Eric Clapton. Today, he can be found at McDonald's helm with an SSL Live console.

Flatt first took SSL Live out on McDonald's Christmas Tour last winter. "Spectrum was going to order a pair for Jason Aldean and asked if I wanted to be the first to take one out," he says. "I programmed it in my office and, without a

Over 30 high power laser systems were used to provide an extraordinary illumination effect

Lasertainment illuminates EDC Las Vegas 2014

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Lasertainment was exclusive laser show supplier for the main stage Kinetic Field at EDC Las Vegas 2014.

Over 30 high power laser systems were used to provide an extraordinary illumination effect. Lasertainment as laser show partner from Laserworld, used all high end gear from German production. Insomniac Events, the organizers of EDC, named Lasertainment to be the sole supplier of laser show equipment on the main stage Kinetic Field.

Electric Daisy Carnival is known worldwide as a series of extremely big events. Huge stages and the most famous acts in electronic music are guaranteed. At EDC Las Vegas 2014 more than 400,000 people partied across eight stages..

Laser Shows on a scale like EDC are quite a challenge - especially if time code synchronised as well as live operated systems is required. To get the most out of the high end laser systems, individual control of e

The Green Music Centre consists of multiple performance venues

Sonoma State University installs L-Acoustics Kara

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - The Donald and Maureen Green Music Centre is a world-class performing arts complex in the heart of Northern California's renowned wine country. Located on the campus of Sonoma State University, the Green Music Centre consists of multiple performance venues, a music education wing, sprawling outdoor spaces, an on-site restaurant, and more.

But the heart of the $145m GMC is the architecturally impressive Joan and Sanford I. Weill Hall. Opened in the fall of 2012, the concert hall seats 1,400 in an audience geometry that extends from the classic shoebox design with surrounding balconies to the sides and rear of the stage. Furthermore, the entire rear wall of the hall opens to a massive lawn that can seat more than 5,000 additional guests when the need arises.

When looking to install a new sound reinforcement system, the university's challenge was to find a solution that wou

CPL projects for Arcadia at Glastonbury 2014

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Arcadia took their magic mix of metal, mechanical engineering and madness to the 2014 Glastonbury Festival with the return of the giant spider - around 12m tall and 40m wide - and an even bigger and better show than previous years!

More than 50,000 party people enjoyed Arcadia's music line up each night of the event beneath the sculpture for three nights, complete with spectacular visuals created by Video Illusions and blinkinLAB, with projection supplied by west Midlands based video production specialists, Central Presentations Ltd (CPL).

The highly visual Arcadia concept - originated by Bertie Coles and Pip Rush - transforms scrapped military and other hardware into environments that celebrate harmony and the human spirit. It is a fusion of industrial art and innovation that's captured the hearts and minds of festival goers.

Live performances at Arcadia this year incl

A Handful of Keys – South Africa's most successful musical

A Handful of Keys celebrates 20th anniversary

Details: 14 March 2016

South Africa - Nobody, least of all its set and lighting designer Denis Hutchinson, had an inkling that 20 years down the road, A Handful of Keys would be South Africa's most successful musical to date, clinching at least nine international awards along the way.

This year, the much loved performance, featuring two men behind two grand pianos and a mix of comedy and songs from Elton John to Norah Jones, and The Beatles to Alicia Keys, will celebrate its 20th anniversary and will run at the Theatre on the Bay in Cape Town from 9 July to 10 August, and then at Pieter Toerien's Montecasino Theatre in Fourways from 13 August to 5 October.

Hutch, was part of the production team right from the start in 1994. "Bryan Schimmel and Ian von Memerty initially put the show together at the Youth Theatre with Alan Swerdlow directing," he recalls. "We wondered if we could

The event was attended by more than 90 industry engineers and technicians

Allen & Heath stages training in Tokyo

Details: 14 March 2016

Japan - Allen & Heath together with Japanese distributor, Comodo Mattina, recently held a training seminar for its growing digital mixing range in Tokyo. The event was attended by more than 90 industry engineers and technicians, and included operation overviews for Allen & Heath's iLive, GLD and Qu series digital systems.

There was also a session about digital audio networking and the various standards and their implementation and integration into Allen & Heath mixing systems. On display, Comodo Mattina showed a number of QU-16 and also QU-24 mixers as well as a number of GLD systems. An iLive-T112 system was used to mix the live performance and systems operation.

"Attendees were very enthusiastic about the gear on hand and the response was overwhelming," says Alex Schloesser of GMM, Allen & Heath sales engineer. "I have had personal interactions with quite a nu

Page 3078 of 3360

Case Study: Hans Zimmer Live

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

Latest Issue. . .