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PL+S 2022: Vari-Lite, Strand and Zero 88 unite

Details: 26 April 2022

Germany - Vari-Lite will be joined by Strand and, for the first time, Zero 88, on-stand D95, Hall 12.0 at Prolight+Sound this year, to showcase fixture, control and dimming solutions from all three brands.
Vari-Lite will be debuting a new theatrical profile luminaire at the show - the VL1600 Profile. This is a precision key light moving head designed for high end theatre productions and includes a variety of exclusive features that already have top lighting designers buzzing. A premium profile luminaire, it’s launching with the tagline, ‘Naturally Beautiful, The Only Light for Your Encore’.
“The VL1600 Profile is a true Vari-Lite-quality fixture that has been explicitly made for theatre,” explains Martin Palmer, senior product manager, Vari-Lite and Strand Lum

Venuetech has offices in Dubai and Saudi Arabia

Venuetech to distribute Meyer in Middle East

Details: 26 April 2022

UAE - Venuetech has been named Meyer Sound’s primary Middle Eastern distributor. Based in Dubai, Venuetech will provide sales and technical support across the region in a variety of vertical markets, including cinema, education, and performing arts centres.
Meyer Sound and Venuetech’s shared business philosophy and dedication to the pro audio industry solidified the partnership, says Meyer. The new relationship between the two companies will ‘ensure continued growth in the Middle Eastern market, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman’.
“We are very happy and excited about this partnership with Venuetech,” says Wolfgang Leute, managing director of Meyer Sound Europe. “We share the same values and visions, and I have a lot of respect for all Mr. Nour Assafiri [owner of Venuetech] and his team have achieved. Both our compa

The companies will work closely together and where possible act as one team

ACS and Pan Acoustics join forces

Details: 26 April 2022

Europe - Audio specialists Pan Acoustics GmbH and Acoustic Control Systems BV (ACS) have announced that after two decades of friendly cooperation they have decided to join forces for a common future. From now on the Dutch company ACS will operate under the wing of Pan Acoustics. The companies will work closely together and where possible act as one team.
Nothing will change for the many existing ACS customers: the location and all positions in ACS will remain unchanged. The inclusion of ACS, as a globally recognised specialist for variable room acoustics systems, means that complete project solutions for the most demanding acoustics can now be offered from a single source.
The ACS room acoustics system creates variable and multifaceted natural sound in every room. ACS and Pan Acoustics have been closely associated for many years: A core of ACS, a 96-channel DSP unit, w

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.

Around 400 companies from more than 30 countries are taking part

Prolight + Sound sets focus on safety and sustainability

Details: 26 April 2022

Germany - Prolight + Sound in Frankfurt opens today, returning after a two-year break due to the pandemic. It is also the first event of this year at Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre.
Around 400 companies from more than 30 countries are taking part. The trade fair is rounded off by a programme covering issues such as the roadmap for event operations that are both safe and as derestricted as possible, the increasing shortage of skilled workers and the responsible use of natural resources.
“Prolight + Sound 2022 represents a milestone after months of hard challenges” says Wolfgang Marzin, president and chief executive officer, Messe Frankfurt. “For us as a fair and exhibition company, the tasks faced over the last two years have bonded us even more closely together with the professionals of the event industry. Just as our halls had to remain unused for long per

The Cloud 44 is available through authorised Cloud dealers

Cloud unveils passive ribbon microphone

Details: 25 April 2022

USA - Cloud Microphones, makers of the Cloudlifter Mic Activator, has expanded its microphone line with a new passive version of their popular model 44-A, resurrecting the sound and spirit of the RCA Type 44 ribbon mic.
The ribbon motor design remains true to the original 44, handcrafted to the exact specifications first prescribed in the 1930s by RCA; however, everything else has been upgraded using state of the art materials, manufacturing processes and technology. Featuring an all-black “midnight” finish, the new passive Cloud 44 ‘faithfully channels the sought-after personality and heritage from the past while incorporating all the robustness and clarity required for today’s most demanding recording tasks’.
“I’m a ribbon mic fanatic, so this represents a major labour of love for me,” says Rodger Cloud, the company’s founder. “You wouldn’t bel

CRMX and W-DMX have been combined into one solution for Wireless DMX

LumenRadio combines CRMX and W-DMX

Details: 25 April 2022

Europe - Following LumenRadio’s acquisition of Wireless Solution in 2020, the two major technologies of Wireless DMX, CRMX from LumenRadio and W-DMX from Wireless Solution, were brought together under one company. As the third step in creating one common standard for Wireless DMX, LumenRadio now announces that CRMX and W-DMX have been combined into one solution for Wireless DMX.
First out, the BlackBox G6 from Wireless Solution got optional CRMX support. Secondly, The Next Generation and MoonLite from LumenRadio got W-DMX support. Now as the third step, all Wireless DMX OEM modules support both CRMX and W-DMX.
As of now, all Wireless DMX modules in the combined OEM offer supports both the CRMX and the W-DMX protocol, thereby alleviating some, if not all, of the issues related to previously limited compatibility between the two different protocols. This means that all

Audinate has introduced the Dante Studio software platform for advanced AV production

Strong momentum for Dante AV among OEMs

Details: 25 April 2022

USA - Audinate reports positive momentum of Dante AV among OEMs, integrators and end-users in the global AV market. Audinate has showcased OEM and ODM partnerships with Gefen and Cypress and new products from Bolin along with the release of Dante Studio software for video.
According to Joshua Rush, Audinate chief marketing officer, Dante AV is gaining strong interest and adoption among OEMs, ODMs and their customers. “By seamlessly integrating and synchronising networked audio and video, Dante AV solves a number of problems for integrators and customers. It’s for this reason - and Audinate’s proven track record of growing a manufacturer-agnostic, interoperable ecosystem around Dante - that Dante AV is experiencing such positive growth.”
Audinate has also introduced the Dante Studio software platform for advanced AV production and streamlined workflows. Dante Vi

BikeFest Spain 2025 - Join the ride!

BikeFest Spain is set to return for its fourth consecutive year, inviting cyclists from across the industry to join the 360km ride towards ISE in Barcelona. From 31 January to 2 February 2025, riders will again rally in Valencia, cycling along the Mediterranean coast in support of industry causes.
For more information and to sign up, visit: www.joinbikefest.com

The Phunky Monkeys rock on with Danley

Details: 25 April 2022

USA - The Phunky Monkeys, based in New Orleans, are a most capable and professional all-purpose live acts. From corporate events to weddings around the world, the Phunky Monkeys have received many five-star reviews and have performed at more than 4,000 events. While the pandemic slowed performances down globally, the Phunky Monkeys continued to perform in 2021 and already have a significant list of new performances already on the books for 2022.
“While things picked up in 2021, it’s exciting to see the volume of events we already have scheduled for 2022,” said Eric Breaux, audio technician and producer for the Phunky Monkeys. “Compared to last year, we’re already booked almost every Saturday through June – where last year things didn’t pick up until late summer.”
As events and musicians around the globe go back to performing on stages in front of big cr

The full range of each amplifier is immediately available in ‘DSP only’ version

Powersoft launches ‘DSP only’ range

Details: 25 April 2022

Italy - Powersoft has announced the launch of a product line extension enabling users to enjoy all the benefits of the full Quattrocanali and Duecanali range with ‘DSP only’ versions, making it more accessible and affordable to a wider range of users.
DSP (digital signal processing) plays an integral part for installers wanting to digitally process audio signals to alter characteristics of the timing, spatial traits, frequency and phase without any analogue hardware to make this possible.
Thanks to the addition of DSP in professional audio amplifiers, not only does this eliminate extra unnecessary hardware, (i.e. extra cables), but DSP also opens the door to digital signal routing, which improves the likelihood of electronic failures and troubleshooting in an install.
Commenting on the benefits on this product line extension Luca Giorgi, sales director at Po

Martin debuts ERA 150 Wash and ELP PAR

Details: 25 April 2022

USA - Harman Professional Solutions has introduced the Martin ERA 150 Wash moving-head and Martin ELP PAR static LED wash.
These fixtures produce ‘class-leading lumen output with high-intensity zoom’, full-gamut colour calibration and smart rigging and control functions, making them versatile workhorse lighting solutions for rentals, installs and touring.
The Martin ERA 150 Wash, the successor to the Martin RUSH MH 6 moving-head LED, delivers 3,900 lumens - twice the brightness of its predecessor - thanks to its newly engineered 7 x 40W RGBW light engine and optical system. It’s suitable for covering larger stages that require long throw distances.
The ELP PAR, a successor to the RUSH PAR 2 static LED outputs 3,500 lumens, twice the output of the previous model, thanks to the same powerful new light engine and optical system.
The ERA 150 Wash and E

The lighting never loses sight of Carrie or the band (photo: Denise Truscello)

Carrie Underwood puts BlackTrax to test in Vegas

Details: 25 April 2022

USA - Carrie Underwood’s ongoing Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency at Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas kicked off in December 2021, and Carrie wanted this residency to be strong on creativity and innovation. BlackTrax, used back in 2016 on her Storyteller Tour and in 2019 on her Cry Pretty Tour 360, came with her to Vegas for Reflection.
At the Resorts World Theatre, Carrie Underwood performs a 90-minute, 18-song show which incorporates pyro, set-changes, skilled aerialists and dancers, lasers, mirrored surfaces, and a water wall. These combined put the innovation, skill, and creativity of her production crew, and BlackTrax, to the test.
Nate Cromwell, lighting director, and BlackTrax programmer for Underwood comments, “It’s like launching space shuttles and you get what you put into it. BlackTrax can go as far and deep and as complex as I want it to, or it c

The restaurant overlooks the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountains

L-Acoustics adds X-factor to Dubai diner

Details: 25 April 2022

UAE - At the heart of the Address Downtown Dubai hotel, Urla is a dining experience with a distinctive coastal design concept that presents a menu of ‘Aegean-inspired cuisine’. The restaurant overlooks the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountains. The outdoor destination features an L-Acoustics X Series audio system.
Opened in November 2021, Urla was developed by the Q Food & Beverage Group, which was also instrumental in luxury dining destinations Huqqa, Huqqabaz and Gal. Local L-Acoustics certified provider Integrator, Levels Audio Visual has worked closely with the group to develop AV systems for all its concepts and was brought in at the interior design phase of the project to provide a complete design, as well as to supply, install and service the latest project.
Urla is mainly an outdoor venue situated in a mixed-use area, so sound spill into neighbouring are

The Avnu Alliance plans to host additional plugfests this year at locations around the world for its members

Avnu Alliance hosts TSN plugfest in Boston

Details: 25 April 2022

USA - Avnu Alliance recently hosted an international plugfest in Boston, MA. Avnu members came together and tested their respective silicon platforms and products together. Tests included new additions to the TSN ‘toolbox’ such as the recent revision to 802.1AS (IEEE 802.1AS-2020). Learnings and results are informing further development of Avnu test plans.
The plugfest included four Avnu member silicon companies: Analog Devices, Intel, NXP Semiconductor, and Texas Instruments. Also present were companies with end devices using TSN, including professional AV companies Adamson Systems Engineering, L-Acoustics, and Meyer Sound, as well as test equipment supplier Keysight.
Members were able to connect their platforms and devices in different configurations following a plan that was structured prior to the event to ensure optimum coverage and use of the time. The mix o

WBD designed a house lighting rig that integrated into the structure (Photo: Ptarmigan Integration)

WBD has designs on world’s largest expo

Details: 25 April 2022

UAE - From October 2021 until March 2022, Expo 2020 in Dubai welcomed and hosted 192 participating countries to be a part of the journey. The long-awaited event was focused on ‘Connecting Minds and Creating the Future’ which was to be explored through the themes of sustainability, mobility and opportunity, with each of these themes having its own district.
In 2018, Woodroffe Bassett Design was approached to work as the lighting design consultant on Expo 2020 by Tareq Ghosheh, chief events and entertainment officer - events and entertainment. Adam Bassett (founding partner) led this process which quickly drew in a wider team of specialists from within the WBD family.
Simon Fraser, of Ptarmigan Integration, worked with Adam to provide technical systems design consultation. John Coman supported Adam through the design process as his associate.
The initial brief

Jethro Tull – not too old to rock n roll

Chauvet supports Jethro Tull’s Italian dates

Details: 25 April 2022

Italy - Veteran rockers Jethro Tull made a giant video wall the centrepiece of the band’s set design for their 2022 The Prog Years tour of Italy. Rather than showing IMAG images or typical breakout patterns on this wall, band leader Iain Anderson opted for deeper and more thought-provoking cinematic images, such as an empty park bench and graffiti cover sidewalks being trampled on by faceless crowds for Aqualung and stunt bicyclists for Nothing Is Easy
There were also scenes of locomotives riding the rails through tunnels, ballet dancers in empty rooms, and alien armies. The imagery flowed ceaselessly throughout the 16-song set.
Anderson wanted nothing on stage to diminish the impact of these images. At the same time, however, he was also intent on having a colourful, dynamic lightshow and ‘impeccable’ key lighting support the band’s performance.<

Jan Biermann (head of R&D), Frank Bothe (CTO), Amnon Harman (CEO), Karen Wefelmeyer (CHRD), Florian Platt (manager corporate development)

d&b audiotechnik wins innovation award

Details: 25 April 2022

Germany - d&b audiotechnik has been honoured as one of the top 100 most innovative, medium-sized companies in Germany. The TOP 100 award recognises innovative output and the innovation potential that lies within the company.
The assessment process judges small- and medium-sized enterprises for: innovation-friendly senior management, climate of innovation, innovative processes/organization, outward looking/open innovation, successful innovations and entrepreneurial response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"To what extent is a company focused on innovation? How consistently do its structures follow this goal? With TOP 100, we examine this," explains Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Franke, the scientific director of TOP 100. "The most innovative medium-sized companies receive the seal. It shows that they are excellently equipped to meet future challenges."
d&b, which employee

The capsule is available in black and brushed nickel finishes

Shure debuts KSM11 vocal microphone

Details: 22 April 2022

USA - Shure has introduced its new KSM11 wireless vocal microphone capsule, a premium condenser microphone transducer technology intended to provide low and mid-range clarity as well as high-end detail without requiring additional processing.
Available in black and brushed nickel finishes for use on Shure wireless handheld transmitters, the KSM11 offers a lighter, streamlined design. With specifically developed microphone technology for wireless, the KSM11 transducer is outfitted with a ¾” gold diaphragm and “premium electronics” with an eye towards handling dynamic range and transient response.
The capsule features a consistent, deep cardioid polar pattern with the aim of reducing off-axis phase distortion while providing full low frequency response, linear mid-range and high-end detail when used for vocal reproduction.
Aiming to reduce weight as much as

PL+S 2022: TMB announces Euro distribution centre

Details: 22 April 2022

Germany - TMB will reveal details of its new distribution centre in Riga, Latvia and introduce a selection of new products at Prolight+Sound in Frankfurt.
“We have opened a TMB location in Europe in direct response to the expanded demand for TMB products throughout the region,” says Tim Obermann, TMB Europe’s sales manager. “The solid reputation of TMB brands, along with TMB’s constant innovation and recognition of the needs of our customers, makes for an exciting future. Our goal is to make TMB’s products and services easily accessible to all our customers and friends around the world.”
Premiering at the show will be TMB’s new ProPlex BuckBoost Drive System. This system’s patent-pending technology completely overcomes the cable length challenges of low voltage LED lighting, especially LED “neons” and tapes. It allows centralized and remote (up

Talen’s footprint is small enough to fit anywhere in a lighting rig

ETC launches High End Systems Talen

Details: 22 April 2022

Europe - ETC has introduced the High End Systems Talen, an automated luminaire that ‘adds visual excitement and big looks to any show with its punchy, rig-defining aerials’.
The fixture’s high-intensity beams are created with full additive color RGBW emitters and a large front aperture, resulting in an extremely narrow 3° beam with high center beam candlepower. Talen’s footprint is small enough to fit anywhere in a lighting rig, and it can also be rigged in creative hanging positions. Fixtures can be easily configured and addressed through ETC’s Set Light App.
Automated lighting product manager Matt Stoner comments: “It is exciting to add a simple, affordable beam light to our collection of fixtures. Talen is excellent for adding movement to conventional rigs and supplementing big ones by adding excitement and expanding the designer toolbox.

Red Bull Arena AV engineer John Nicklas at the new DiGiCo Quantum225 (photo: Amy Pinard)

DiGiCo Quantum drives Red Bull Arena

Details: 22 April 2022

USA - The 25,000 seat Red Bull Arena, home to the Major League Soccer New York Red Bulls and the NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women’s Soccer League, is located in Harrison, New Jersey, and is the third-largest soccer-specific stadium in the country and in the league.
In addition to the implementation of new open-concept spaces and renovations to existing premium areas, Red Bull Arena recently saw its audio systems infrastructure enhanced with the installation of a DiGiCo Quantum225 mixing console paired with a new Dante-native DQ-Rack.
John Nicklas, the venue’s AV engineer, calls the desk the “steering wheel” of an entirely new sound reinforcement system in the form of an L-Acoustics A Series PA, all integrated by leading AV system design and integration firm Diversified. “You wouldn’t want to drive a Corvette with the steering wheel of a golf cart, righ

Martin MAC Aura PXL at Creamfields (photo: Brad Kavanagh)

Adlib’s Martin MACs make instant impression

Details: 22 April 2022

UK - Adlib’s rental inventory of new flagship Martin fixtures, including the MAC Ultra Wash and MAC Aura PXL, made an instant impression across a wide range of live events throughout the UK.
At one of these events, experienced lighting designer Liam Tully looked after the front of the house for Adlib at TRNSMT.
“We used 26 MAC Aura PXLs as washes, plus 22 MAC Ultra Washes on the front and side trusses.” explains Tully. “Out of all the bands and headliners that came through - and we had the likes of Liam Gallagher, The Courteeners, Chemical Brothers and Snow Patrol - everyone came in and said, yeah, that’s perfect, that’s the kind of rig we want.”
The MAC Ultra is Martin’s new flagship fixture, available in Performance and Wash variants. The MAC Aura PXL features 19 main beam LED pixels and 141 Aura backlight pixels.
“All of the fixtures o

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Case Study: Hans Zimmer Live

BikeFest Spain 2025 - Join the ride!

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