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09 May 2024

UK - When Belfast Distillery Company set out to preserve the legacy of McConnell’s Irish Whisky - a brand that dates back to 1776 - they decided to take over the A-Wing of Crumlin Road Gaol, and convert it into a visitor attraction to run alongside its production activities.

Built in 1845, the Gaol was renowned for housing a number of key figures during The Troubles, but this listed building has now been carefully restored and converted, with a modern AV installation - including end-to-end Martin Audio loudspeakers, designed and specified by the manufacturer’s partner for over 40 years, Rea Sound.

Martin Audio had in fact been requested by the clients themselves - notably their master distiller & head of supply & operations, Graeme Millar. According to Rea Sound director, Roger McMullan, as a gigging musician, Millar had fallen in love wi

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09 May 2024

Europe - d&b audiotechnik has released ArrayCalc 11.4. This latest version offers a significantly simplified interface function in conjunction with EASE 5, the electro-acoustic simulation software, providing users with a more efficient workflow for modelling sound systems and room acoustics.

For users such as acoustic planners, consulting offices and sound engineers, the link between ArrayCalc 11.4 and EASE 5 simplifies the workflow significantly. The previous process, considered time-consuming and error-prone, will now give way to a smoother experience, reducing stress and increasing productivity. Complex and tedious projects are made easier to complete, and the latest features reduce the burden of manual tasks, allowing users to focus more on creativity and precision.

"Users can now export the XLD file format with an extended set of information

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09 May 2024

UK - Display and video specialist PSCo has added Epson’s smallest and lightest 4K 20,000 lumens projector to its rental fleet.

Building on the success of the PU series, the EB-PQ2220B projector is described as ‘the world’s smallest and lightest 4K 20,000 lumens projector’ and is packed with Epson’s technologies while using the same 4K quality interchangeable range of lenses as the existing EB-PU series.

The ultra-lightweight, compact high-lumens projector offers easy installation and set-up, simplified maintenance, and stunning image quality that is ideal for use in large auditoriums, live events, concerts, and conference rooms. Furthermore, its small size and weight means a reduction in waste from packaging and lower costs for transport, storage, and installation.

Tom Allott, rental manager at PSCo, said: “The PQ series builds on

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09 May 2024

UK - Stage Electrics has announced the appointment of Mark Holdway to the newly created position of head of visual display systems projects. With over three decades of experience in delivering video display solutions, Mark brings considerable expertise to his new role. He has previously worked on projects for corporate clients such as the London Stock Exchange Group and broadcasters such as the BBC, Sky and ITV.

Dan Aldridge, commercial director & head of projects at Stage Electrics, comments, "Bringing Mark into this crucial role underscores our commitment to expanding the range of high-quality products and services we offer to both existing and new customers. Mark’s extensive experience and proven track record in the industry make him an invaluable addition to our team."

"Video display equipment is so often interconnected in its application w

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08 May 2024

France - HOF has confirmed the appointment of Sonoss as a sales partner for France. The Lille-based company markets and produces products for the stage, architecture, commercial and event sectors.

Philippe Coudyser, CEO at Sonoss, says: “Founded in 1984, our company has a large of experience in live event technology. We are looking forward to working with HOF as we know HOF as a reliable company that develops and manufactures high quality products tailored to the needs of our markets. Thanks to our location in Lille, at the crossroads between Paris, Brussels and London, we can assist our customers with any national or European project.”

Edwin Duivelaar, export & sales manager at HOF, adds: “We are delighted to have found in Sonoss an established and recognised partner who shares our ambitious growth objectives.”

Sonoss will offer

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08 May 2024

UK - South London-based production house Subfrantic has acquired two new DiGiCo consoles - a Quantum 225 and Quantum Pulse 338 with 32 Bit SD Racks.

Founded in 1993, Subfrantic supplies high end solutions to many different situations. Its long client list includes houses of worship, live events, festivals, touring, conferences, and even carnival floats for the Notting Hill Carnival.

Subfrantic Studios, developed post-pandemic in 2021, is the company’s rehearsal and recording facility which shares a warehouse and rental inventory with the production side of the business. The studios are a set of spaces for touring musicians and technicians, but also support upcoming artists and engineers. The building has been designed around the needs of the whole team, providing facilities for work and wellbeing which are a real bonus for touring engineers and art

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08 May 2024

Europe - Berlin-based Kontra K, the rapper who tops the German hip-hop scene, has toured arenas across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg throughout February and March.

Lighting designer, Marcus Herzog, specified 112 Ayrton Eurus Profile fixtures for his lighting design on a stage designed by Kriss Hinrichsen for this tour. The Eurus Profiles were provided by the tour’s lighting supplier, BBM Clair.

Herzog explain why they chose the Eurus Profile for his very unusual design which involved a number of automated overhead lighting pods and video walls, as well as more conventional lighting positions: “We decided on the Eurus because of the exceptionally high light output and the flexibility of the lamp,” he explains.

“The majority of the fixtures are installed in six pods, which are arranged in a semi-circular arch above the st

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08 May 2024

UK - EM Acoustics will return to the Royal Armouries this month for the 2024 edition of PLASA Focus in Leeds. Following a very busy 12 months which included the launch of the R5, a return to the Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury and the ongoing expansion of its manufacturing facility, the EM Acoustics management team heads to the northern edition of the UK’s largest entertainment technology show with lots to share.

Visitors to PLASA Leeds can expect to see some of the familiar favourites in the EM Acoustics range plus the Reference Series, including the new R5.

“The R5 has proved to be an extremely popular product; an instant classic, in fact,” explains Greg Clarke, EM Acoustics’ brand manager. “Following a highly successful ISE, we’re focused on expanding our production capacity to meet growing demand and are continuing our R&D efforts t

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08 May 2024

USA - Three lighting design students from the University of California San Diego (UCSD) recently had the opportunity to work with Elation Proteus Lucius and Fuze Wash Z350 moving head luminaires on Winter Works, a dance production featuring three original works by three professional choreographers from the UCSD dance faculty.

Produced yearly by the school’s Theatre & Dance Department, Winter Works specialises in dance repertory production. This year, Taylor Olson, Elba Emicente, and Vida Huang collaborated with choreographers Kara Mack, Ana María Álvarez, and Dr. Grace Shinhae Jun, respectively, on the performances. The productions, which involved a large cast of student performers, were showcased from 15-17 March at the 400-seat Mandell Weiss Forum on the UCSD campus.

Taylor Olson, an MFA lighting designer at UCSD, who lit

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08 May 2024

USA - AtlasIED is introducing several new Dante-enabled products as part of AtlasIED’s Atmosphere audio processing and control platform. The company will showcase the new line of products at InfoComm 2024 in Las Vegas (12-14 June).

Based on the Brooklyn 3 Dante audio processing module, the new Dante-enabled DSPs offer 16 x 16 channels of Dante digital audio. Users can create sources and zones using Dante network I/O, and any input - analogue or Atmosphere accessory - can be distributed via Dante for maximum flexibility. All Dante settings can be configured and monitored through the Atmosphere GUI.

“Dante and the AtlasIED Atmosphere platform have a shared mission of providing the utmost level of reliability and flexibility to its users,” said Joshua Rush, chief marketing officer at Audinate. “Simplifying the process from start to finish for ou

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08 May 2024

USA - A Void Acoustics audio system has been installed by i.e. Smart Systems at Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s new Texas headquarters. Constructed over the span of two years, the new campus spans two five-story buildings and boasts a sprawling 440,000sq.ft rentable space.

Designed and constructed during COVID, HPE wanted an empowering space that enables its people to do their best work. Located in Spring, Texas, HPE’s new campus has become a high-tech haven for visitors and over 2,200 HPE team members. i.e. Smart Systems was tasked with crafting an interactive and immersive space, spotlighting HPE’s industry-leading capabilities while delivering a memorable experience.

i.e. Smart Systems recommended Void to HPE. The seamless installation of Void's speakers by Smart Systems' installation team resulted in a vibrant audio landscape that has exceeded

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08 May 2024

Canada - The Big Air Show ski/snowboarding event at the Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood, Ontario, featured a fast moving and colourful lighting design created with Chauvet Professional fixtures supplied by Production Service Industries (PSI).

Lighting designer Andrew Dawson and production manager/co-designer Matt Chambers lined each side of the 200ft landing with five towers, separated by about 50ft. Each tower had three Color STRIKE M motorized wash-strobes and a single Rogue Outcast 2X Wash on top.

Drawing on the intense output and colour rendering prowess of these fixtures, the designers created a series of distinct and colourful looks for the 20-to-30 skier and snowboarder jumpers who participated every night.

“We broke our colour combinations down into a few segments,” said Dawson. “This year's show featured a ‘competition mo

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08 May 2024

Germany - The Hannover State Opera selected Prolights Astra Hybrid330 to light up the 2024 Opera Ball, held under the theme Let the Sunshine In. The event drew over 3,330 guests and showcased a range of musical performances, from classical to modern, necessitating a flexible and adaptable lighting system.

The Astra Hybrid330 proved to be up to the challenge with their hybrid design, which includes both beam and spot capabilities, a wide zoom range, and CMY colour mixing, enabling seamless transitions between different styles of performance.

Positioned 12m above the main stage, these spotlights provided an exceptional performance under the direction of lighting designer Fabian Grohmann who shared his enthusiasm for the Astra Hybrid330: "I was truly amazed by their capability. Despite their compact size, the Astra Hybrid330 spotlights are incr

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07 May 2024

Australia - Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius at The Lume Melbourne, located in the Melbourne Convention Centre, is an immersive exhibition created and produced by Grande Experiences with Biblioteca Ambrosiana, the custodians of Leonardo’s original manuscripts, the Codex Atlanticus, housed in Milan. The gateway to Leonardo's life and legacy is a colossal 3,000 sqm/ four-story high multisensory gallery that envelops visitors in an immersive journey, engaging all the senses with sights, sounds, scents, touch and taste that recreate the ambiance of the Renaissance.

Craig Smith, Grande Experiences' head of production, operations & technology comments, “Several years ago, when looking for a spatial audio solution for The Lume Melbourne, aFX Global and Encircled were among the first companies we spoke to. IOSONO quickly became the

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07 May 2024

UK - Cornwall-based audio design firm, Union Audio, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month, and to mark the occasion, a limited edition of 10 gold versions of its flagship rotary mixer, the orbit.6, will be available.

Union founder Andy Rigby-Jones began his audio career on the assembly line of pro audio manufacturer, Allen & Heath. With a passion for DJing, and a keen practical knowledge of engineering, it was not long before Andy had devised the beginnings of Allen & Heath’s first DJ mixer, and the Xone, was born.

Launching his own business dedicated to bespoke analogue audio design, Andy formed Union Audio in 2014, collaborating with leading names in the DJ and sound reproduction field, including Richie Hawtin’s Play differently, MasterSounds Audio and TPI.

In 2022, the company reached a major milestone with the release

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07 May 2024

UK - The Power of Events is releasing results to date of its Schools Engagement Programme pilot in the East of England. Launched in January 2024, the pilot aims to refine the process of inspiring the next generation of event professionals, by introducing pupils aged 13-18 to the dynamic range of opportunities within the events industry.

In the Spring term, the programme has so far engaged over 3,000 pupils from 17 schools, significantly enhancing their understanding of the events industry as a viable career path. The engagement numbers rose to a promising 65% average in pupils' awareness of the sector and career consideration post-presentation, up from an initial 2% pre-presentation.

Following this initial success, The Power of Events is set to expand the programme across additional regions in the UK, starting in the Autumn term in September 2024. Th

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07 May 2024

USA - Rat Sound Systems continues its tradition of delivering quality audio experiences at Coachella and Stagecoach festivals. With the Outline Newton FPGA-based processing platform powering the festival’s audio systems for another successful year, Rat Sound Systems reaffirms its commitment maintaining standards in live sound reinforcement.

Since its debut at Coachella in 2019, the Outline Newton processor has been a cornerstone of Rat Sound Systems’ audio setup. Dave Rat, sound system designer, sound engineer and president of Rat Sound Systems, highlights the critical role of the Newton processor in their audio distribution: “We use Newton in our master distribution racks. I do believe all of our stages have it as we use the Newton to tie into the event security override system with the GPIO.

“The racks they’re in are our master drive rack

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07 May 2024

Italy – The Laugh-Out-Loud funny LOL Talent Show returned this spring with audiences entertained by comedians who performed in theatres in Milan, Naples, and Rome. On stage, an eight-metre-high backdrop displayed pixel dot imagery, with LED strip ‘LOL’ lettering all driven by a Green Hippo Hippotizer Boreal+ MK2 V4 from tvONE.

The upstage screen in designer Francesco Mari’s colourful set was created entirely from RGB programmable light chains - pixel dots - with a 20cm pitch, which was customized by E-Kube Srl with help of Modena-based real-time LED expert DigiLight. This created a ‘curtain’ that acted as a background ‘matrix’ screen. The three wooden LOL letters were rigged with Philips iColorFlex LEDs, covered with opal plastic cabochons. The outline of the letters was illuminated by a programmable RGBW LED strip, while the letter

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07 May 2024

USA - Light Action of Wilmington, Delaware, acknowledges that they have one of the best gigs in the industry. Each year for more than a decade, they’ve provided full-service production for a string of legacy acts on Rock Legends Cruise, a floating rock festival with a cause that sails the Caribbean every February. For years they have relied on Elation lighting to illuminate multiple stages and this year turned to newly acquired Proteus Lucius LED profile fixtures to raise the production even further.

“Gigs don’t get much better than this one,” stated Brian Market, COO at Light Action. “We have a great client in the Native American Heritage Association, it’s a great cause, and there is literally a boatload of rock talent on board. People love it so much they come year after year, and we help keep it exciting for them with top level production on t

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07 May 2024

Poland - Robe supported the 2024 Scena Jutra (Stage of Tomorrow) two-day symposium in Warsaw, which this year changed up to a new venue inside the city’s Palace of Culture & Science in downtown, one of Europe’s tallest buildings.

The sixth edition of this growing two-day event featured over 120 speakers, both international and from across Poland, who gave a series of presentations or joined lively panel discussions. These embraced an eclectic variety of topics all related to production design, visual and sonic art also embracing architecture and built spaces, plus several more esoteric but related subjects.

While the designated exhibition area provided a backdrop for Robe to showcase some of its latest tech, the vibe was more about stimulating ideas and exploring the adventure of possibilities that might be achieved now and in the future thro