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Symetrix appoints Audmax as distributor for Hungary

The Budapest-based team of Audmax, Symetrix' new distributor for the Hungarian pro AV market

Details: 14 March 2016

Hungary - Digital signal processing specialist Symetrix has announced a further strengthening of its presence in the Eastern European market with the appointment of Budapest's Audmax to serve as its distributor for Hungary.

Established 10 years ago, Audmax has maintained a solid focus on pairing a strong and evolving distribution roster with comprehensive technical expertise. Today, the firm represents many of the leading pro-audio and MI brands in the industry - including Allen & Heath, Audio-Technica, Avid, Genelec, Korg, Tascam and Vox - as well as participating in high-profile audio integration projects at venues such as Budapest's Palace of Arts and the Hungarian Parliament Building.

Audmax managing director Krisztian Varga explains that many members of the team have had go

LD Andy Rowe with his Avolites Expert Pro running the latest Titan V9 software.

Avolites Expert Pro controls a big, bold show for Ben Howard

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Ben Howard recently closed out his most recent UK tour, which included three consecutive nights at London's Alexandra Palace, with lighting designer Andy Rowe controlling a Nitelites rig using an Avolites Expert Pro running the latest Titan V9 software.

Devon singer songwriter Howard toured 11 dates around the UK and Ireland, in support of his latest album I Forget Where We Were.

"When I first started lighting for Ben Howard, Avolites was an easy choice," says Rowe. "I know the console inside out, it's easy to busk on, and it goes straight into festivals. It really makes life easy, all I have to do each day is update my palettes.

"I'm finding V9 to be great," he adds. "All the new cue facilities really suit the way I work, and Key Frame Shapes seems very cool!"

"We also ran multi user back up, and all the new networking. I love

Antonella Quadri performs the ribbon-cutting ceremony

Clay Paky opens Museum of Modern Show Lighting

Details: 14 March 2016

Italy - In the year UNESCO has decided to devote to light, Clay Paky has inaugurated MoMS - the Museum of Modern Show Lighting. MoMS is housed on the company's premises in Seriate, Italy, and is the first Museum in Europe specifically devoted to light, not regarded merely as a useful natural phenomenon, but seen as a means to arouse emotions. The exhibition aims to reveal and let visitors discover the playful, theatrical and evocative nature of this important aspect of the physical world.

MoMS officially opened its doors on Friday 15 May, as part of the ARTDATE artistic and cultural season, in the presence of industry professionals and dignitaries, including the Mayor of Bergamo Giorgio Gori and the Mayor of Seriate Cristian Vezzoli. The museum is open to the public every Tuesday and Thursday (except bank holidays) between 3 pm and 5 pm from 19 May. Admission is free.

"We

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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.

Technician Gidi Baliti; Eitan Memia, technical manager for lighting; Meir Alon, head lighting designer; Erez Hadar from Robe's Israeli distributor Danor and technician Loz Zagin(photo: Louise Stickland)

Dramatic role for Robe at Israel's national theatre

Details: 14 March 2016

Israel - Since 1938, the Habima Theatre has officially been considered the national theatre of Israel. Among the first Hebrew language theatres, it is located in Habima Square, central Tel Aviv in an impressive building reopened in 2012 after four years of renovations, with architect Ram Karmi harmoniously integrating historic and modern in a complete redesign of the old building. The enormous project included the total rebuilding of Habima's four auditoriums - each of which is a different size and colour.

This was accompanied by a complete technical upgrade, at which point Habima head lighting designer, Meir Alon, and technical manager for lighting, Eitan Meima, decided the time was right for a new moving light system. They chose Robe.

The first purchase was Robe's Robin MMX Spots. "These were gaining a great reputation at the time and we had several good references,&quo

The seminar programme and training sessions covered a diverse range of topics

Education to the fore at PLASA Focus Kansas City

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - PLASA's inaugural Kansas City Focus Show opened its doors this week showcasing the very latest live entertainment technology products, attracting major buyers and hosting truly inspirational industry speakers who shared their knowledge and expertise.

The seminar programme and training sessions saw a diverse range of topics with highlights including: Rocky Paulson - a master of rigging, sharing his expertise on the art of rigging safely with the right components; Daunte Kenner - a veteran in both lighting and video, enlightening the audience on the craft and workflow that goes behind creating video; and Richard Pilbrow - the renowned lighting designer and founder of Theatre Projects, sponsored by Group One's 'ElektraLite', musing that a theatre is an accelerator of energy and light and the principle that an audience makes the atmosphere before the play begins. He presented

The day will ensure that those attending leave with a working knowledge of all Allen & Heath digital consoles

Audio-Technica stages Allen & Heath training

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Audio-Technica (exclusive distributor of Allen & Heath products in the UK) is to host a free training event on 29 May, aimed at giving attendees an overview of the full range of Allen & Heath digital mixing consoles including Qu, GLD and iLive Series.

To be held at Wigwam Acoustics in Heywood, Lancs, between 10am-4pm (with refreshments and lunch provided), the training will be delivered by Rodrigo Thomaz, one of Audio-Technica's Allen & Heath product specialists.

Including a brief history of Allen & Heath and its product development over the years, the day will ensure that those attending leave with a working knowledge of all Allen & Heath digital consoles - and all in attendance will receive a certificate to confirm completion of the training.

In order to ensure the best possible service to those on the course, places are limited and early registration is advisable by

An eclectic lineup on the Mercedes Evolution stage included Jessie J, Charli XCX, Joss Stone, Magic!, Tove Lo, James Bay and Mikky Ekko

Martin Audio MLA takes the stage at Rock In Rio

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - For two weekends in May, Rock in Rio made its US debut in Las Vegas - on the MGM Resorts Festival Grounds at the northern end of the strip.

A significant share of the music came from the Mercedes-Benz Evolution stage, equipped with a Martin Audio MLA loudspeaker system provided by Gabisom Audio Products Brazil, Rock in Rio's longtime production company. The system itself was supplied by Las Vegas' own 3G Productions who also assisted with setup, stage gear and production for the event.

Founded in 1985, Rock in Rio has been held in the city of origin as well as Lisbon and Madrid over the years. This year's US festival marked an important expansion for the company and its founder Roberto Medina.

An eclectic lineup on the Mercedes Evolution stage for both the Rock and Pop weekends featured Foster the People, Gary Clark Jr., Sepultura featuring Steve Vai, Deftones, Coheed

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Benaroya Hall is a purpose-built home for the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, but it also hosts lectures, jazz concerts, rock gigs and guest orchestras

Seattle's Benaroya Hall upgrades with Symetrix

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - It's natural for modern, Seattle landmark concert venue Benaroya Hall to be used for performances by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. Specified by Jaffe Holden, it's fitting that the audio infrastructure be serviced by a Seattle integrator, Carlson Audio Systems. But it's just that little bit special that a key element of the audio system inventory is made by a Seattle manufacturer: Symetrix.

Benaroya Hall is a purpose-built home for the orchestra, but it also hosts lectures, jazz concerts, rock gigs and guest orchestras, including a recent visit by the London Symphony Orchestra. Its main space is officially called the S Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium, but Taper Auditorium is how everyone here knows it.

Classical, rock or jazz, the audio management of the Hall has been transformed. A re-drawn DSP infrastructure now facilitates an advanced networking solution: a hybrid D

Kalkbrenner is now on tour to promote his third album Ways Over Water (photo: Mike Nicolai)

Clay Paky Mythos on tour with Fritz Kalkbrenner

Details: 14 March 2016

Germany - Fritz Kalkbrenner, the younger brother of musician and techno music producer Paul Kalkbrenner, is also a music producer and singer. In his solo projects, he combines techno rhythms and melodic elements. Kalkbrenner broke through with his second album Sick Travellin' and is now on tour to promote his third album Ways Over Water.

The production director Bastian Weinert and operator Thomas Dossman are in charge of the tour. The lighting was designed by Cue Design Gmbh. Among the lights used for the shows are 24 Clay Paky Mythos, together with a grandMA2 light console and an MA onPC command wing.

Jan Bohl, general manager of B&G Promotion GmbH which is in charge of technical production and equipment, stated, "We opted for Clay Paky Mythos because they are currently the best performing hybrid lights on the market. They can be used in a variety of ways: as beam

The Week in Lighting & Sound

Details: 14 March 2016

Edinburgh Rocked - Edinburgh's position as the world's pre-eminent festival city faces challenges from the digital revolution, public investment and city infrastructure, according to a new report. Thundering Hooves 2.0 is a £50,000 report commissioned by the city's festivals forum, the umbrella body for public organisations that have a vested interest in the success of the city's 12 key festivals. It builds on an original 2006 report when it was feared that the "thundering hooves" of other cities could be heard overtaking Edinburgh's status as the UK's preeminent festival city.

The new report makes 38 recommended actions, across six themes, which it says will allow the city's festivals to evolve and cope with future challenges. The festivals are described as being "behind the curve on digital innovation". To combat this, it is recommended that th

The world's safest, first fully automated, zero emissions container terminal opened in Rotterdam (photo © Ruud Taal)

BlackTrax transports audience at Maasvlakte II launch

Details: 14 March 2016

The Netherlands - Working for show designers BIND Film, Jurlights were tasked with providing a technical concept for the captivating launch presentation of Maasvlakte II Terminal, Rotterdam on 25 April 2015. On an unprecedented size and scale, the launch ushered in a new era in port operations at APM Terminals with a little help from BlackTrax real-time motion tracking solution from CAST BlackTrax Ltd.

The opening of the world's safest, first fully automated, zero emissions container terminal was attended by The Netherlands' Monarch King Willem-Alexander and 500 senior representatives from the global shipping industry and world governments.

"The only way to accurately track the Lift-Automated Guide Vehicles (AGV) across the 400 by 200ft area was by using BlackTrax," explains Menno Broere, creative director at Jurlights.

In describing the project workflow, Broere sa

The Eyes of The Resistance was held across two locations including the House of Memory in Milan (photo © Danny Rose)

Danny Rose premieres sound spatialisation experience

Details: 14 March 2016

Italy - The new Sonic Rose sound spatialisation operatic multimedia experience from Paris-based art and design collective Danny Rose made its debut at the The Eyes Of The Resistance during April 2015.

The Eyes of The Resistance was held across two locations including the House of Memory in Milan to mark the occasion of the Italian Resistance's 70th Anniversary, as part of INSMLI - Italy's National Institute for Liberation Movement Studies. It was also staged for an inauguration of the Resistance Museum in Milan, Italy.

The event marked the world premiere of Sonic Rose, Danny Rose's system for multi-channel sound spatialisation, which was developed specifically for Danny Rose by Emanuele De Raymondi and Jacopo Carreras.

Sonic Rose allows the audience, the stage and the actors to all become more deeply immersed in an affecting universe of sounds and images which

iD14 introduces Audient's ScrollControl, giving the user hands-on control

Audient iD14 interface shipping now

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Audient reports that the highly anticipated bus-powered interface, iD14 is now shipping worldwide and available at all Audient dealers.

Launched to much acclaim at this year's MusikMesse in Frankfurt, iD14 offers two channels of Audient's classic console mic pres delivering 10 in/4 out with Burr-Brown AD/DA converters, all in a compact, stylish desktop package.

"The mic pres are exactly the same as those found in our flagship ASP8024 console and throughout the rest of the product range, delivering unbeatable audio quality for the price," says Tom Waterman, Audient's technical director.

One of the few USB audio interfaces in its price range to offer ADAT expandability, iD14 gives the option to add external mic pres - such as the soon to be available ASP800 - which increases the number of inputs by up to 10.

iD14 introduces Audient's revolutionary ScrollContro

The new optical flat screen concept is due for commercial release in June 2015 and will be presented at this year's InfoComm Show in Orlando

dnp breaks the 100" barrier with a new flat screen

Details: 14 March 2016

Denmark - dnp is launching a range of optical flat screens for use in meeting rooms and smaller classrooms. With a highly attractive size-cost-quality profile, the new screens represent an important step in the evolution of this category, says the company. They meet the users' demands for larger display sizes (100") while remaining affordable for companies, educational institutions and homeowners.

"If the market is clear about one thing, it's that big is truly beautiful when it comes to display technology," states S°ren Kraemmergaard, VP global sales and marketing at dnp. "The problem is that when you take ordinary flat screens over 80" in size, there is a disproportionate price increase."

With its latest offer, dnp is changing this paradigm. Its new optical flat screens are based on optical screen technology, and powered by a laser projector

The new LED units were first used at the venue's annual Christmas show (photo courtesy The Point)

Latest in LED technology comes to The Point in Eastleigh

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - In order to upgrade their existing theatrical lighting equipment for the new season, The Point Theatre in Eastleigh approached White Light to help them find the right solution. The Point became an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation in April 2015 and is known as a regional powerhouse for contemporary dance, theatre and combined arts.

Determined to make their theatre spaces more environmentally friendly, The Point wanted to reduce their overall power consumption and saw the use of LED lighting as a natural way to do so. They were also eager to maintain the best possible theatrical dimming and colour options by having a flexible and varied lighting set-up whilst at the same time working towards a particular budget. "We needed to be flexible with fixtures and ensure that they would allow for use across different applications" comments Timothy Slater,

The initial studio set-up took place at BBC Media City, Salford for the debate with all seven party leaders (photo: BBC)

XL Video adds video support to BBC election debates

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - XL Video recently supplied key video technology to support the BBC Worm's verdict show produced by BBC News for the live Leaders Debates. XL supplied PPU/mixers, control systems, lighting, audio and comms for two temporary studio setups, one in Media City, Salford, and one in New Broadcasting House, London.

Working with BBC News senior producer, Bernadette Kitterick and Cameraman, Julius Peacock, XL Video's broadcast director, Malcolm Whittall project managed the creation of the 'mini-studios' which were both located in common areas of the BBC buildings.

The initial studio set-up took place at BBC Media City, Salford for the debate with all seven party leaders, and the second, with five party leaders, took place at the BBC's New Broadcasting House in London.

For the coverage of both leader debates, the studio was used to create pre-recorded segments with presenter Reeta

Working closely with the Club, innovision project managed all elements of the parade

innovision partners with Chelsea FC for victory parade

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Following Chelsea FC's success in lifting the Barclays Premier League and the Capital One Cup this season, Bank Holiday Monday 25 May saw innovision manage the Club's triumphant victory parade through the streets of West London, with over 70,000 fans out in force to celebrate the team's achievements.

Joining Jose Mourinho's First Team on the open-top parade was the academy side who enjoyed a stellar 2014/15 season, picking up the FA Youth Cup and UEFA Youth League trophies.

Working closely with the Club, innovision project managed all elements of the parade, as well as creating a strategic event framework for the delivery of complex road closures, crowd management and health and safety programmes.

With agreement from London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and the Metropolitan Police, three open-top buses left the Stamford Bridge we

Matt Button teamed up with long-time collaborator Marshmellow Laser Feast for the event, which took place at the Hackney reservoir

Clay Paky kicks things off at Adidas Originals launch

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Lighting designer Matt Button used an array of Clay Paky Mythos and Sharpys for the launch event of the Adidas x Pharrell Williams Superstars Supercolor range.

Button teamed up with long-time collaborator Marshmellow Laser Feast for the event, which took place at the Hackney reservoir. Sixty Mythos fixtures, supplied by HDO Productions, lined the venue where they projected stunningly pure beams into the night sky. The light show was interactive with guests able to choose the colours of the beams through Twitter and took place in time to a live performance from dubstep artist Koreless.

"Our creative brief was to basically light up the sky over London in waves and auras of differing colours," says Button. "I made up a quick 3D model which demonstrated our ideas to adidas and they really liked it. We knew we wanted to use Mythos as it has a very quick and almo

Wet Electric took over Big Surf Waterpark with headliners Tiesto and Dillon Francis providing the party beats

Elation lighting and video weathers Wet Electric

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Water and electrics usually don't mix unless you were at Wet Electric in Tempe, Arizona, in April for America's largest waterpark music festival where Creative BackStage of Phoenix lived up to its name by creating an extraordinary stage visually brought to life using Elation Platinum Beam 5Rs and Opti Tri PAR lights with Elation EVLED LED video panels used for a high-impact backdrop LED video screen.

On 25-26 April, Wet Electric took over Big Surf Waterpark with headliners Tiesto and Dillon Francis providing the party beats for the biggest pool party in the country. What separates Wet Electric from other electronic music festivals is a professional production stage built into the U.S.'s largest wave pool with a dance floor the pool itself.

Designing a full production stage amid a wet pool environment, the mix of water and power cabling posing their own challenges, matter

Showmagic appoints PCM Distribution

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Showmagic has confirmed PCM Distribution Ltd as a new distributor for its ShowMagic Control Software. Peter Maddison from PCM Distribution comments: "This product will make a great addition to the ever growing portfolio of products we distribute".

ShowMagic is an integrated lighting, audio, video, digital signage and device controller, with built-in scheduling and triggering features. It gives users complete control of their lighting and AV, controlling, combining and synchronising all the elements of a live show or fixed installation, the company says.

Its power and flexibility make it the ideal solution for a wide range of applications. From spectacular light shows to subtle mood lighting, immersive spaces to corporate presentations, ShowMagic is used worldwide across a range of industries.

The Berkeley Square building was completely gutted and reconstructed when Phillips took it over

Phillips installs Q-Sys and Shure wireless systems

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - AV equipment supply and integration company SSE has completed an audio and video installation project for Phillips, the internationally renowned auction house, at the new European Phillips HQ in London's Berkeley Square.

As part of the construction of the new six-floor complex, which incorporates auction rooms, client presentation and hospitality areas and offices. SSE installed a Q-Sys audio routing and management system, based around a Core 250i processor, to distribute and control networked audio and video throughout the building. Several channels of Shure's ULX-D wireless microphone systems have also been installed; these can be linked into the SSE-installed, building-wide Layer 3 audio network. The Shure and QSC equipment was supplied by Shure Distribution UK.

The Berkeley Square building had been Enron's London HQ, but it was completely gutted and reconstructed when