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Magic Blades on the carpet at MTV Awards

Panalux chose to invest in the new Magic Blades from Ayrton especially for this event

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - The red carpet moments at the MTV EMA Awards have grown into an occasion in their own right, demanding the kind of production values usually discovered once inside the show itself. This year's event at Glasgow took the red carpet celebrations to yet another level.

Lighting specialists for the film, television and entertainment sectors, Panalux, chose to invest in the new Magic Blades from Ayrton especially for this event. Panalux gaffer for the MTV event was Mark Gardiner who explains why: "I was first made aware of the Magic Blades when I was sent a web-link to a stunningly programmed video clip of them in action on the Ayrton web site...the effects were fantastic, very original. I then saw them a few days later exhibited at PLASA London and wasn't disappointed so we pl

The perfectly shaped hexagonal room hosts 35 shows each season

Adamson Point Series for Paris Hexagon

Details: 14 March 2016

France - France's National Theatre, the Hexagon, has been a challenging space for sound reinforcement since it was built in 1976. The perfectly shaped hexagonal room, with a seating capacity of 560, hosts 35 shows each season. It also regularly offers arts community training programmes, conferences and debates.

Olivier Delpeuch, sound engineer and head of the audio department at the Hexagon, recently underwent a search for a new sound reinforcement system for the theatre. After a thorough review, he opted for a distributed system made up of Adamson Point Series loudspeakers.

The solution was jointly developed by Adamson Systems' French distributor DV2 and sound company Music Plus. Antoine Maurel, project manager at Music Plus headed up the installation of the system.

The system is designed for flexibility, allowing it to adjust to the needs of the performances. Sound reinfor

As many as 240 students receive “a targeted, immersive and uninterrupted educational experience”

University of Sydney X-Lab adds Dante networking

Details: 14 March 2016

Australia - The University of Sydney in Australia recently unveiled the X-Lab, a 40x20m space that houses up to eight classes using advanced live lecture streaming. Using a multipoint distribution strategy based on a Dante network from Audinate, the IP-based architecture efficiently streams lecture audio to ensure as many as 240 students receive a targeted, immersive, engaging and uninterrupted educational experience.

Similar instructional laboratories previously relied on streaming live lectures to radio headsets, which created usability and safety concerns. The University of Sydney instead chose to use Dante to stream audio to hyper-directional loudspeakers positioned above each student. The Dante network delivers ultra-low latency streams over a standard network infrastructure, maintaining signal integrity and quality across the architecture to guarantee exceptional speech in

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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

The MAC Aura XB combines a compact design and low weight with a new colour mixing system

Martin Professional multi-launch at LDI 2014

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - At LDI in Las Vegas, Martin Professional introduced the MAC Aura XB wash light, M-Touch lighting console, and RUSH Gobo Projector 1.

"It's an exciting time for us with so many products launched recently and so many new to be launched today at LDI in Las Vegas," said Peter Skytte, head of product management, Martin Professional. "We're bringing a variety of new products to the market across our entire product range, including controllers, atmospheric effects, LED video, lighting and Rush by Martin."

Incorporating many new features first introduced in Martin's MAC Quantum Wash, the MAC Aura XB combines a compact design and low weight with a new colour mixing system and an optimized lens design for tighter beams and more even washes The Aura XB uses a super bright, single lens wash with fully premixed colour to provide beautiful and robust colour washes.

High End Systems puts Parasol centre stage at LDI

Details: 14 March 2016

North America - The recent partnership with industry expert Paul Rabinovitz has resulted in another strong alliance for Parasol Systems, this one with long time industry leader High End Systems.

At LDI, High End Systems showcased its latest developments with an eye-catching 40ft by 40ft booth. The STAR600 system was hung dead centre of their set-up and loaded with six Shapeshifter C2 and four SolaSpot Pro 1500 luminaries.

Shapeshifters C2's and SolaSpot Pro 1500 are the newest additions to the innovative range of luminaires designed by Richard Belliveau. Each offers "awesome power, incredible speed, and total flexibility". Each Shapeshifter has seven independently controlled modules housed in one moving fixture which basically means that these luminaires will provide a jaw-dropping visual impact to audiences everywhere. The SolaSpot Pro 1500 offers an overwhelming cr

The MSD Platinum 14 R provides extreme brightness of 12,000 lumens at 280W

Philips Platinum showcase at LDI

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Royal Philips Electronics chose LDI in Las Vegas to launch the new compact lamp systems MSD Platinum 14 R and 17 RA. With today's growing trend of integrating LED walls in stage lighting design, a new generation of lamps with more powerful beams is required to cut through the sea of homogenous light they provide - and add additional accents to the show, says the company. This is exactly what the new Platinum lamp systems from Philips are designed to do. The new lamp system MSD Platinum 14 R provides extreme brightness of 12,000 lumens at 280W with a colour rendering of 80. The lamp is successfully designed-in in the X3-Coupe from Jolly.

Also, the new compact and lightweight MSD Platinum 17 RA lamps offer exceptional brightness with a light output of more than 20,000 lumens at 350W, plus cool white light (7000 K) and a high colour rendering of 85. This makes them suitable f

Spanish-language release for Vectorworks 2015

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Nemetschek Vectorworks has announced that the Spanish-language release of its Vectorworks 2015 software version will be available on 24 November. This release is part of a worldwide rollout that included other European-language releases earlier this month and continues into 2015 with additional localizations in Japanese and Chinese. The Vectorworks line of award-winning software products includes Designer, Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Fundamentals and Renderworks.

The Vectorworks 2015 software contains more than 100 updates and new features in the areas of architecture, BIM, urban planning and entertainment design. In previous versions, the power of 64-bit was only available in the platform's photorealistic rendering engine, Renderworks, but has now been integrated throughout the entire Vectorworks 2015 product line, providing designers with the ability to handle larger

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 Remote Switcher was developed in response to requests from integrators and installers

ARX launches Remote Switcher

Details: 14 March 2016

Australia - ARX Systems has announced the Remote Switcher externally controlled stereo input signal switcher, for use in EWIS (Emergency Warning and Intercommunications System) emergency announcements, Console Switching, and remote control of signal sources in Broadcast applications.

"We developed the Remote Switcher in response to requests from integrators and installers for a unit allowing remote and external switching selection between two line level audio sources. EWIS is becoming mandatory for most new and upgraded commercial buildings and public spaces, and our Remote Switcher is a cost effective solution for noiseless and instantaneous switching between normal audio program and EWIS emergency announcements," says ARX MD, Colin Park.

"Other applications include remote switching between FOH or Monitor Consoles, Main and DJ consoles when one main loudspeaker

Vincent van Niekerk and DWR's Duncan Riley

Avolites Tiger Touch on tour with Prime Circle

Details: 14 March 2016

South Africa - Having just completed the 2014 Let the Night In European Tour, South African band Prime Circle are looking forward to playing across home soil during December.

LD Vincent van Niekerk has been with the band for the past four and a half years and in July took ownership of an Avolites Tiger Touch 2.

"During my first three years I decided to work on as many different consoles as possible to learn as many as possible," explained Vincent. "But by doing that you can only imagine the complications when you arrive at a venue and you have to do a huge show off Light Jockey or DMX creator without a wing desk."

Since acquiring the Tiger Touch 2 Vincent says touring has become a breeze. "No matter what venue or what fixtures, the Tiger Touch 2 has all the personalities and all the versatility a touring desk needs. We've also started cueing all our

Robe creates Enigma in Rome

Details: 14 March 2016

Italy - Enigma is a spectacular stage-show and centrepiece at the new Cinecitta World visitor attraction in Rome - the first theme park dedicated to the rich world and history of Italian cinema - which has spawned numerous genius directors like Federico Fellini, Michelangelo Antonioni, Franco Zeffirelli and many more.

Lighting for the 25 minute Enigma show - produced by FilmMaster and staged in a 1200 capacity venue right in the centre of the complex - has been designed by internationally renowned LD Giovanni Pinna who specified a fully Robe moving light rig.

"'Enigma" is a highly visual show," he explains, "It's designed to illustrate the boundaries and the scope of illusion - one of the essential vehicles of filmmaking and storytelling."

It's a mixed media performance set to especially composed music featuring dancers, mapped p

The theme of the show evoked the forming of a human being, with the sound of a heartbeat kicking things off

Clay Paky pushes the boundaries on Imogen Heap

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - For this summer's Camden Roundhouse's Reverb festival, singer-songwriter Imogen Heap curated four days of events, which culminated in a headline show from Heap herself. As per the experimental theme of the festival, 12 Clay Paky A.leda B-EYE K20 fixtures were pixel-mapped for one of the first times in the UK, as part of Martir's innovative show design.

Lighting and control designer Tupac Martir specified the flexible Clay Paky fixtures, which were supplied by Richard Martin Lighting, as an integral element of the set.

"The set is based on the concept of molecules, which I wanted to mirror in the lighting design through gobos," explains Martir. "When considering which fixtures I could use to give me that kind of look, the B-EYE was an easy choice."

The theme of the show evoked the forming of a human being, with the sound of a heartbeat kicking things

Sabina Berloffa brings to the table a broad range of experience in leading multinational companies including IBM, GE, Informix Databases and Kapsch CarrierCom AG

Sabina Berloffa appointed d&b marketing director

Details: 14 March 2016

Germany - d&b audiotechnik has strengthened its top management by bringing on board Sabina Berloffa as Director of Marketing. Since August this year she has been responsible for global marketing and product management, with the aim of further expanding brand awareness, developing new markets and accelerating the growth of the company. Sabina Berloffa is part of the international management team around CEO Amnon Harman.

"Sabina Berloffa has great experience in B2B marketing, brand leadership and product management. She will take a key role in the company's strategic growth over the coming years. I'm delighted to have Sabina on board", says Amnon Harman.

Sabina Berloffa adds, "I am excited to join d&b. For the last decades, the company has stood for quality in professional audio solutions. d&b has a fantastic customer base, especially in the touring and installati

ETC debuts changes to the Eos family

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - At LDI, ETC revealed that the Eos Titanium (Ti and Gio consoles, as well as the RPU3 (Remote Processor Unit), have become more powerful. Their motherboards have been changed, which allows currently shipping products to output up to 32,768, without co-processing. Desks with the new motherboard have three display port outputs instead of DVI ports. Any older Ti, Gio and RPU3 products (with DVI connectors) can upgrade to a total of 16,384 outputs, and both hardware variants can upgrade in 1,024, 2,048 or 4,096 increments.

"The output upgrades are now even more affordable," explains ETC Eos Controls product manager Anne Valentino. "Users needing to increase their system capacity can upgrade through a lower-cost pricing structure. Anyone wanting to expand their output can contact an ETC dealer for more information."

ETC's Nomad and Nomad Puck mini controlle

Robe makes some noise at LDI 2014

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Energy levels were pumped and spirits high on the Robe Lighting booth throughout the 2014 LDI Expo in Las Vegas which saw three days of constant activity, high quality visitors and high interest in all the new products, especially the new Bright Multi-Functional Luminaire (BMFL) - shown for the first time at a US trade show.

The elegant, stylish and super-cool all-white booth was designed to maximise space and provide a showcase for the power, colour and versatility of Robe's newest technologies, together with the architectural LED product ranges of sister brand Anolis, all working together with seamless synergy.

Says Bob Schacherl, CEO of Robe Lighting Inc, "This is definitely the best LDI in Robe's history based on the responses to product presentations and the number of new customers who came specifically to see BMFL, and to express their desire to start buying a

Located in Abbotsford, BC, Canada, Highstreet is a 600,000sq.ft open air shopping centre

Shape enhances Highstreet shopping experience

Details: 14 March 2016

Canada - As the quality of the experience becomes an increasing priority in retail, Highstreet Fraser Valley combines an outstanding environment with the latest technology to provide a destination with a fresh new approach.

Located in Abbotsford, BC, Canada, Highstreet is a 600,000sq.ft open air shopping centre. This three-level centre features main street style shopping and dining with one and two storey buildings on the upper podium level, and a Walmart Supercentre with 1,400 covered parking stalls on the lower level. The development's compact design delivers a higher order of density than traditional regional retail projects, and is striving to become a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified project, which makes it one of the first in Canada for large scale retail projects.

The Highstreet development is by Shape Properties Corporation, one of the mos

The Week in Lighting & Sound

Details: 14 March 2016

Perfect Day - One Direction topped the winners list at the American Music Awards, taking home a total of three prizes. They were named artists of the year and also took home album of the year and favourite pop/rock album. "This has been a real perfect day... America feels like a second home to us," said Liam Payne. Katy Perry, who did not appear at the ceremony in Los Angeles, also won three awards, including one for best single for Dark Horse featuring Juicy J.

High Society - Maria Friedman will direct a revival of High Society, as part of the Old Vic's 2015 season. The musical adaptation of the 1956 film will be performed in the round, and will have a four-month run at the theatre from 30 April until 22 August 22. Friedman said, "To stage High Society in the round at the Old Vic is a hugely exciting project providing the perfect immersive en

The new look was recently revealed at club manager, Neil Lennon's first press conference

SPIE refurbishes Bolton Wanderers' media suite

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Bolton Wanderers F.C is enjoying the benefits of a new media suite following a makeover by sponsor, SPIE. The new look was recently revealed at club manager, Neil Lennon's first press conference. As a sponsor, SPIE's branding will be visible on the backdrop of manager interviews until 2017 and bespoke ads will appear in match programmes.

The refurbishment brings the quality of Bolton Wanderer's reception and media suite up to Premiership standards; the design was planned with the potential of league promotion in mind. The club's media suite is used for all pre-and post-match media activities including manager press conferences. Following the renovation the club also intends to hold pre-game media briefings in the facility.

During the re-fit, SPIE's Facilities Services division installed a new, energy-efficient lighting scheme in order to improve illumination quality, maki

Far Away played 7 - 29 November at the Young Vic (photo © Richard Hubert Smith)

Triple E sponsors Far Away at the Young Vic

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Entertainment equipment expert Triple E is sponsoring London's Young Vic theatre this month by donating a complex ERAIL track system solution for the JMK Award winning production of Caryl Churchill's Far Away.

Triple E's MD David Edelstein was initially approached by the Young Vic's technical director Igor, and then Far Away's production manager Ed Borgnis to design, supply and install an irregular-shaped track solution for a scene in the play requiring equipment trickery to achieve an inspired effect.

Far Away is directed by this year's JMK new directors award winner Kate Hewitt, with a design by Georgia Lowe.

"In the play there is a procession of people wearing hats, and the play leads us to understand they are on their way to be executed," explains Ed Borgnis. "Given that we are staging the show in our Clare Studio, with no space f

Ten B-EYEs featured on the Lake Shore and Grove stages

Clay Paky B-EYEs shine at Lollapalooza 2014

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Lollapalooza 2014 returned to Grant Park, Chicago this time with Clay Paky's A.leda B-EYE K20 innovative, LED-based moving lights helping the annual music festival to shine.

Lollapalooza was held 31 July - 2 August and headlined by Eminem, Outkast and Lorde with hundreds of other performers and bands on hand for the three-day celebration of alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock and hip hop.

Lighting designer/lighting coordinator Seth Jackson did plots for Lollapalooza's four stages, working with the lighting designers who accompany the bands. "It's a three-month process going back and forth with the bands," he explains. "This year we had 10 B-EYEs on two of the stages, supplied by LD Systems, on the Lake Shore and Grove stages."

Lollapalooza marked Jackson's first time using B-EYEs. "I had seen a demo of the fixtures and was really excited

The Alexandra Palace show rounded off a successful year of UK shows (photo: Darren Bandoo/XL Video)

XL Video package for Fat Freddy's Drop

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - When one of New Zealand's leading bands, Fat Freddy's Drop, confirmed their headlining show at London's Alexandra Palace, they contacted XL Video to supply live video production for the sold-out one-off gig.

The Alexandra Palace show, in support of the band's third album Blackbird, rounds-off a successful year of UK shows, with a one-off at Village Underground in June, and a UK tour in October.

XL was asked to provide an HD camera system and IMAG projection for the show. To ensure the enthusiastic audience had the best view from anywhere in the venue, XL supplied three Sony HXC-100 cameras plus robocams, paired with four Barco 12k projectors doubled stacked on to XL's 16x12 ECT screens. The set-up was also used for opening DJ Mr Scruff.

Two of the cameras were situated in the pit, and used XL's track and dolly system for the close-ups, with a further static HXC-1

The tour has played sold-out shows in amphitheatres and arenas across the United States and Canada

Jands Vista T2 controls Dierks Bentley's mega rig

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Lighting designer Chris Reade is back on the road with his Jands Vista T2, S1 and M1 consoles, controlling an even more technically ambitious rig for the latest tour by Platinum-selling singer-songwriter, Dierks Bentley.

After recently topping the US Billboard country airplay chart with his 12th No.1 single, Drunk On A Plane, Dierks Bentley and director Wes Edwards have just added the CMA (Country Music Award) Music Video of the Year Award to the song's other accolades.

The country artist's 2014 tour is called Riser, after the recent album of the same name. It kicked off in May in Charlotte, North Carolina, with sold-out shows in amphitheatres and arenas across the United States and Canada - concluding in December.

The tour further builds upon Chris's impressive lighting design and rig for Dierks Bentley on last year's Locked & ReLoaded Tour with M