UK - XL Video, working with US conference and event production agency metroConnections, supplied a large-scale audio-visual solution for the IIA (Institute of Internal Auditors) International Conference at London's ExCel Centre.

The event, which comprised a 1500 delegate main auditorium and 9 breakout rooms in Excel's Capital Room, took place over three days in early July.

For the auditorium presentation, XL supplied a giant 20m x 11m projection screen, flown behind the stage. The screen was stretched on to about 1.8 tonnes of Tomcat truss surround and created the backdrop for the presentation as well as a projection surface for graphics and video content.

Four Panasonic PT-DZ21K projectors, each providing 20,000 Lumens, were used for the main screen to create a blended image.

China - ROE Visual Co., Ltd, a leading manufacture in creative LED display industry, has launched Black OnyX P3.47 HD LED display.

The Black OnyX is ROE Visual's new high-performance indoor HD LED display incorporating professional industrial design. Magnesium alloy panel makes it lightweight and strong. The module uses Multi-Color's newest anti-glare black LEDs to get a high contrast ratio. Driving IC MBI5153 supports a high refresh rate and great image quality at a low brightness.

The Black Onyx is powered by ROE visual's new control system - Evision. It supports a max. resolution of 2560x1024. Real-time brightness adjustment by knob and real-time configuration by LCD monitor. All calibrating and operating parameters are stored. You don't need to reset the display after replacing a module.

The innovative and friendly design supports a convenient installation for both hangi

USA - Award-winning Broadway actress; New York Times best-selling author; Grammy recording artist and American Idol winner - Fantasia Barrino has already worn many hats extraordinarily well in her young career, but this multi-talented superstar is (by her own description), one thing above all else: a soul singer. This much was very evident to the fans at her recent southeastern tour stops. Holding nothing back, Fantasia rocked the house to its very core with a heartfelt collection of powerful tunes all supported by an appropriately intense light show featuring a variety of Chauvet Professional fixtures.

Lighting designer Jay Chiari and lighting tech Brandon Thomas of Audio Visual Services (Macon, GA) used 12 Q-Wash 560Z-LED moving yoke washes, six COLORado Batten 72 Tour linear washes and 18 Legend 230SR Beam moving beams in a rig that drenched the stage in intense colours. &quo

Sweden - Heron City is one of the largest shopping centres in Sweden. The 46,000sq.m facility, located in Huddinge, just outside of Stockholm, was originally opened in 2001; and from the offset, it was designed to be a true entertainment hub rather than just a large mall. The main attraction was a huge 18-screen multi-cinema complex (the first of its kind in Sweden), which could accommodate 4,000 people; driven originally by US giant, AMC Entertainment International, the cinemas were sold to SF Cinema in 2003, and renamed Film Heron City.

Then, in March 2011, investment company, NIAM, injected millions into the development, part of which led to a brand new networked audio system, with a Peavey Commercial Audio MediaMatrix backbone.

Heron City has always used MediaMatrix, but the original system (with an AMX front-end) was in need of an upgrade, as audio needed to be distribute

Germany - Not to be mistaken for a swimwear company, Bikini Berlin is a culturally protected Grade II listed building in the German capital, whose recent revitalization included the installation of over 1000 energy-efficient LED luminaires from Elation Professional.

Located next to the famous Berlin Zoo, Bikini Berlin is a concept shopping mall with stores, offices, cinema, and hotel, a day and nighttime destination for locals and tourists alike. Aimed at a style-conscious audience with high standards when it comes to a shopping experience, Bikini Berlin opened in late 2013 after a three-year renovation that preserved the initial character of the venue.

The centrepiece of the building complex is the historical 200m long Bikinihaus, a light, open colonnade and architectural symbol of Berlin's west cityscape. Popularly called Bikinihaus due to its two-tier architecture that is r

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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

USA - If there's one thing we've learned in pro audio over the past couple decades, it is that the world's appetite for wireless is insatiable. Between microphones, in-ear systems, and intercoms, channel counts in the dozens are commonplace, with that number routinely going into the hundreds for large productions and installations. Managing that much RF without interference, dropouts, or intermodulation requires significant expertise.

To meet that need, Brooks Schroeder founded Frequency Coordination Group (FCG) in early 2013. Schroeder carries a wealth of experience, having designed and deployed antenna systems and managed frequency conflicts for a wide variety of clients. "I struck out on my own to provide a needed service," he says. "Depending on the situation, the best wireless solution may involve products from a variety of manufacturers, and being independen

South Africa - Cape Town-based rental and technical production company, Ultra Events has completed its first purchase of Robe Robin Pointe moving lights - with a delivery of 12 units from Robe's South African distributor DWR Distribution, to be followed by another 12.

Ultra's owner and founder Costa Champanis first saw Pointes at the 2013 Mediatech trade expo in Johannesburg, and was immediately impressed.

"I like their versatility and they are also hugely popular at the moment and getting specified frequently. So knowing I could get a good ROI, I went ahead with the investment," he explains, adding that one of Ultra's central philosophies is also to keep abreast of the latest technologies ... and owning the Pointes keeps them right there!

"The flexibility of the Pointe being able to go from a tight parallel beam to a spot, to a comprehensive wash and producin

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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 - Solid State Logic has confirmed its Live Console Operator Training Days. Aimed at serving as an introduction to the SSL Live console, these free one-day courses will include hands-on experience for all participants. The training sessions will take place at the company's Oxford, England-based headquarters on 17 and 18 September, 1 and 2 October and 5 and 6 November. While these events are completely free, numbers are strictly limited. All interested parties are encouraged to apply via the online application form, found online at store.solidstatelogic.com/forms/live-training.

Currently featuring its V2 Software, SSL Live is the company's first console for live sound production, suited to touring or installation, FOH or monitor systems for venues, arenas, houses of worship and concert halls. Reception to the console by the industry has been extremely positive since its announc

UK - Two important sessions have been announced for this year's PLASA Rigging Conference, adding further weight to the event's standing within the rigging community. The new one-day format will host a discussion from Michael Anderson about the revised CDM Regulations and an update on the International Code of Practice for Entertainment Rigging (ICoPER) led by Lori Rubinstein.

The PLASA Rigging Conference 2014 takes place on Monday 6 October 2014 at ExCeL London. For the first time, the whole event will be packed into a one-day schedule, meaning delegates can attend the full conference at a reduced cost.

PLASA's director of international programmes, Lori Rubinstein, will moderate the first session of the day, which will look at how the ICoPER has developed over the last 12-months. Prior to last year's conference, PLASA commissioned a review of the various codes of practice from

USA - Indoors or outdoors, rain or shine, the COLORado 2-Quad Zoom IP from Chauvet Professional will reliably light up stages and performers with intense, ultra-vibrant RGBW colours. Containing 14 brilliant 15-watt Quad-Color (red, green, blue, white) LEDs, which emit up to 8,000 lux at 5 meters, this beefy new addition is the brightest, most powerful PAR-style colour-wash fixture in the entire COLORado IP family, says the company.

It is also very rugged and weatherproof; built to withstand serious onslaughts of wind and precipitation, the COLORado 2-Quad Zoom IP is IP66 rated with an M12 GORE valve for assured internal equalization. Even the proprietary power cord and DMX input cable that come included with the unit top the ingress protection scale at IP66, making the COLORado 2-Quad Zoom IP a perfect choice for summer concerts, amphitheatres, festivals, fairs, sporting events

UK - The 2014 Edinburgh Festival and Fringe is the biggest yet, increasing on last year's program by 11% and making it the world's largest arts festival in history. Eaton's Zero 88 team have reacted in a similar manner by increasing their support and training opportunities at the festival. Product Specialists Paul McEwan and Jon Hole, along with UK sales manager Mark Morley, are all staying in Scotland's capital city to ensure superior support is provided throughout the festival's three-week run.

"The exact number of Zero 88 consoles at the festival is still unknown, but estimates are that over 150 different performance spaces are using everything from ORB XF and Solutions, through to Jesters and even Level 6s," commented Paul McEwan, who is in Edinburgh for the whole festival. He added: "Around 50 of these venues took advantage of our free training before they op

Peru - 2014 has been a landmark year for Lima-based DBLUX S.A.C. With a Meyer Sound Leo linear large-scale sound reinforcement system, founders Andres Cuadros and Guillermo Riera have grown the company into a rental powerhouse chosen for top international tours stopping in Peru. Artists who have performed with DBLUX's Leo system include Paul McCartney, Metallica, Soundgarden, One Direction, Jack Johnson, Marc Anthony, Rubén Blades, and Daddy Yankee and Prince Royce.

"The concert promoters have been extremely pleased by the great coverage, power, and overall musical quality of the LEO system," says Cuadros. "Obviously Leo's reputation has spread among FOH engineers; many who haven't used it yet are eager to try it. And when they are finished mixing, they are impressed-and sometimes even surprised-by what the system can do."

Other notable events covere

UK - Celebrating its 34th year, World of Music, Arts and Dance (WOMAD) is an annual eclectic world-music festival of "artists whom we might not get to hear anywhere else" and the largest and most prestigious event of its kind. As with WOMADs of the past, Britannia Row Productions Ltd. once again provided sound services for the festival. But this year had a new team member - SSL Live consoles at FOH for two stages: the main Open Air Stage and at WOMAD's new Society of Sound marquee.

Having worked as front of house and system engineer in WOMAD's Siam Tent last year, New Zealander Johnny Keirle returned to mix FOH at the Open Air Stage. An SSL Live console was used by Keirle to mix acts travelling without a FOH engineer. "The SSL Live provides an intuitive, logical workflow and is very easy to use in a festival situation," he says. "Despite the time restric

UK - Rock legends Europe and the Black Star Riders headlined this year's Steelhouse Festival, which claims to be the biggest and the highest heavy metal festival in Wales. It was also the debut appearance in the UK for Nexo's new STM M28 compact line array cabinets.

The M28 omni-purpose cabinet completes the line-up of Nexo's STM Series modular line array. At Steelhouse, it was being used as the Main cabinet with the B112 Bass and S118 Subbass cabinets, in a system designed by rental company SMS-PA together with Nexo concert sound specialist Val Gilbert.

In its stunning rural location on a Welsh mountain peak, the Steelhouse Festival was attended by 5000 people over two nights, enjoying a busy schedule of national and international bands. Last year, the festival used a Nexo GEO S12/RS18 system and SMS-PA owner Ian Smith was eager to take a pioneering role with the new M28, lau

USA - Audio-Technica has announced that Roseville, California-based The Farm Technical Sales & Marketing has been presented with A-T's prestigious President's Award, for their work representing Audio-Technica U.S.

The Farm Principal John Hood accepted the award, which recognizes a leading manufacturer's representative for outstanding commitment and dedication during the Audio-Technica 2013/2014 fiscal year. The award was presented by Philip Cajka, Audio-Technica U.S. President and CEO.

The A-T President's Award was presented at a ceremony during the 2014 InfoComm Expo on June 18 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Farm represents Audio-Technica in the territories comprising Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, Northern CA, Northern Nevada and Hawaii.

Phil Cajka commented, "The Farm Technical Sales & Marketing has again been awarded this honor for their continued dedication

Spain - From 6-9 August people enjoyed an open-air summer cinema in 'Seagram's Gin Swim-In' with a giant floating screen in the marina at Alicante. The screen, assembled from Fenix truss by the renowned company Sonido e Iluminación Limón, measured 9.5m wide by 5.4m high and was collapsible, thanks to two winches which were incorporated into the structure. The screen rested on a 300sq.m floating platform over the Mediterranean Sea where 150 people enjoyed viewings of classics including Breakfast at Tiffany's, Vertigo, The Philadelphia Story and The Apartment. After the films, audiences enjoyed catering and gin and tonics - Seagram's Gin and Markham tonic - accompanied by live music.

Sonido e Iluminación Limón and Fenix have a long career working together on different projects for various events. Based in La Nucia (Alicante), Sonido e Iluminación Limón speciali

UK - Martin Audio partner, Old Barn Audio, has sold its first MLA Compact elements to rental company, Doug Hunt Sound & Light.

The initial purchase comprises MLA Compact enclosures partnered with Martin Audio's infamous WS218X sub. "This match of products was a sensible option for Doug Hunt Sound & Light as it offers all the benefits of the cellular MLA Technology combined with conventional WS218X sub-bass," commented Old Barn Audio's Phil Clark.

Doug Hunt Sound & Light works with a number of production companies, including events at Abbey Road (in fact they auditioned the MLA Compact system in Abbey Road's legendary Studio One). The company saw an opportunity to invest in the growing portfolio of MLA products and ensure they are always one step ahead of the competition by offering the MLA control and quality of sound.

Doug Hunt, owner of Doug Hunt Sound & Light, s

Europe - Young Australian pop punk band, 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) have barely even "arrived" and yet they are already sampling the dizzy heights of international stardom. Their first single, She Looks So Perfect, was an instant number-one hit in the iTunes UK charts (and those of 46 other countries) on pre-orders alone before anyone had heard a note. Their self-titled debut album, which only came out at the end of June, has already reached number one in eight different countries worldwide including the USA, and number two pretty much everywhere else.

The band is currently supporting One Direction on their worldwide Where We Are stadium tour and has just announced a monster headline USA, UK and European arena tour for 2015. The band is using a comprehensive range of Sennheiser wireless and hardwired microphone and wireless monitor systems specified by Fo

UK - Lighting for the recent Royal Court Theatre (RCT) production of Tim Crouch's Adler & Gibb was designed by award winning and leading theatre lighting designer Natasha Chivers, who included two of Robe's MMX Blade fixtures in her lighting scheme which were used extensively throughout the drama.

The fixtures were rigged on an upstage bar, either side of the centre and used for two distinct and different effects. Firstly as back-light specials, and secondly, with the addition of gobos and crossing to downstage centre, they formed part of a forest break-up look that focussed on a grave.

The MMX Blade units were recommended to Chivers and Jack Williams, chief LX at the Royal Court by Matt Prentice, head of lighting at RADA - after they have been very successfully used on productions there. (Williams is an ex RADA student).

The MMX Blades "ticked all the boxes"

UK - ACC Liverpool has welcomed five new starters to its production and technical department, taking the team to 19.

Rich Neale has joined as production manager for entertainment and sport. He joins from Saville Audio Visual where he was conference and live events manager for six years.

Tom Kaye has been recruited as senior rigging technician while Greg Chapman, Anthony Cowley and Mark Anderson join as production technicians. Their roles include preparing, installing, operating and dismantling of production equipment, from small conference breakouts to large scale arena set-ups, to ensure the smooth and effective delivery of events.

The department has provided a series of in-house productions for conferences this year such as NHS Confederation, the British Association of Urological Surgeons and Accelerate 2014. The National Cancer Research Institute in November is among fort

UK - The inaugural Jonathan Speirs Memorial Lecture will take place on the evening of 25th September 2014, from 6:30pm in the Satinwood Suite, at Glasgow City Chambers, Glasgow. Jonathan Speirs (1958-2012) is widely acknowledged by architects, lighting designers, building services engineers and many others to have been one of the world's finest lighting designers. To celebrate his vision and passion for lighting, the Jonathan Speirs Memorial Lecture, entitled 'Light + Dark = Architecture,' will be given by his long term creative partner, Mark Major, fellow founder of Speirs + Major.

This lecture offers a wonderful opportunity to see a presentation given by one of the world's foremost lighting designers, Mark Major. It will hold great appeal to all those interested in lighting and architecture, including architects, interior designers, landscape architects, lighting designers, li

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