Dominican Republic - The new Hard Rock Café in the chic heart of the Dominican Republic's bustling capital Santo Domingo offers all of the attractions that have made this chain so popular around the world. Aside from enjoying great food and a festive atmosphere, guests can also see Rihanna's famous dog tag dress, a sequin dress worn by Shakira, plus memorabilia from the likes of Justin Timberlake and Katy Perry.
This Hard Rock location also serves up something extra, however, in the form of two very special LED video walls created by Jhansen "Mangu" Reinoso of Word Up Sound and Lighting, using PVP S5 Video Panels from Chauvet Professional.
Measuring 16ft wide by 10ft high, the first wall is the largest LED video display in Santo Domingo. Set behind the large sta
USA - CCI Power Supplies, a specialist in the design, engineering and manufacturing of power supplies and ballasts for high performance power conversion in architectural, theatre, stage and studio lighting applications, has released a new, patent-pending power supply technology for high performance, full-range LED dimming.
Powered by CCI's new DimMaster LED phase cut power supply technology, the technology allows dimmable LED fixtures to match the dimming performance of incandescent fixtures, the company says. "Notably, the technology supports the transition of high performance lighting applications to LED, by seamlessly blending highly cost-efficient LED lamp fixtures into existing incandescent lighting arrays. Users can make this transition without investing in new dimmers or consoles, and without new wiring, because dimming is driven by the power supply within the LED la
UK - Cable specialists VDC Trading has announced the introduction of the Van Damme White Line range of LSZH Install cables.
Developed on the back of customer input and demand for a white option, the range consists of an AES/EBU 1pr and twin-axial Speaker cables in 1.5mm and 2.5mm. Designed in conjunction with existing Van Damme Ecoflex Install cables that are ABS design accredited, the White Line range is suited to every install need.
The Van Damme White Line Ecoflex cable is a Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) specifically for installation use. The use of LSZH cables is a specified essential in public buildings, new build construction and often marine projects. Based electrically and mechanically on the Van Damme Green Series range, the Ecoflex jacketed 1pr cable will carry AES/EBU and/or analogue balanced audio as well as paired data signals such as RS485, RS422 and DMX512.
Th
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LD Systems ICOA PRO series – high-performance coaxial PA speakers for professional demands
The popular ICOA PA systems have been further developed to include two active full-range coaxial speakers – ICOA PRO 12 A and ICOA PRO 15 A – as well as the active 21″ bass-reflex PA subwoofer ICOA PRO SUB 21 A. With its professional features and high output power, the ICOA PRO series is aimed at ambitious bands, musicians and DJs as well as hire companies and commercial customers looking for a compact, robust and powerful PA sound system. The ICOA PRO series is rounded off with modern connection and control options via Bluetooth 5.1 and the specially developed ICOA PRO app, for use on smartphones and tablets.
UK - Creative Technology's London operation has contracted business development professional Ben Philpott, specialising in broadcast media.
Having initially trained at the BBC, Ben spent many years as a freelance lighting cameraman for all the major international broadcasters and production companies. Ben then moved in to international sales and marketing, successfully developing the market for cutting edge LED lighting technology and subsequently with a variety of technology, audio visual and media companies.
Ben said, "I am absolutely delighted to have joined the broadcast team at Creative Technology. With my experience of working at the sharp end of production and LED technology, coupled with the class-leading expertise and technology that Creative Technology brings to the sector, we are committed more than ever to providing the best solutions and services to our broad
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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.
USA - "It is all about the audience experience. Whether seated on the main floor, or anywhere in the two tier balcony, the Peter Kiewit Concert Hall at the Holland Performing Arts Center hopes to offer even, balanced, coverage for every person," says Omaha Performing Arts production manager, Kate Williams.
Since first opening its doors in 2005, the Holland in Omaha, Nebraska has been celebrated as a world class concert hall. Originally designed almost a decade ago to enrich live acoustic performances, the two thousand seat shoebox style space is used for a variety of purposes, showcasing jazz, blues and popular performers presented by Omaha Performing Arts and is home to the Omaha Symphony Orchestra, who play here several times per month.
After almost a decade, however, the venue has noticed a significant increase in the number of amplified shows it hosts. Williams a
UK - Award-winning staging, seating and rigging specialist, Star Events Group, has four new faces at the window and a vacancy for an industry savvy structural engineer.
Senior design technician, Barry Gaynor, brings more than 30-years' experience as a project designer/draughtsman in the construction industry to the role.
Sales administrator, Sharan Tott, comes to the job from a very well known internet and telecommunications provider, where she managed a range of large projects and high net worth clients as project coordinator.
Martin Hunt, tasked with overseeing crew management and deployment, spent the last 12-years in transport logistics, overseeing thousands of movements for vehicles and drivers.
Technical services manager Tim Ford, who joined Star Events in August, has already worked on a number of profile projects, including the Jaguar XE launch on the Thames. Ultima
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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.
The Netherlands / Austria - Roland audio field recorders have been chosen by the SAE Institute at both their Amsterdam and Vienna campuses. The recorders, which include the Roland R-26 hand held portable recorders, Roland R-44 4 channel compact field recorder and the Roland R-88 8 channel recorder and mixer, are being used by the digital film departments, as part of sound recording lectures and by film students working on their assignments and projects.
The SAE Institute - with a total of 54 campuses in 26 countries - offers courses in Audio Engineering, Digital Filmmaking, Web Development, 3D Animation and Games Programming. With a focus on practical application and preparing students for a 'real world' career in creative media technologies, the SAE champions the use of high quality, 'industry standard' products as part of the courses.
USA - For too many years, football fans and supporters of Roswell Independent Schools in Roswell, New Mexico suffered the poor performance of small paging horns that squawked announcements no one could understand and that emitted music no one could feel. It was a sad, uninspiring, and yet not uncommon situation.
When money finally became available to make improvements, the school hired local firm J&G Electric to oversee the project. Relatively new to the Pro Audio market, Mike McClain of J&G Electric sought, without bias, the very best sounding system for his client at the most reasonable price. A thorough search turned up Danley Sound Labs, and Roswell Schools now benefit from a pair of Danley GH-60 Genesis Horns for vivid full-range output and a pair of beefy Danley DBH-218 subwoofers for low-frequency support.
"The school gave J&G Electric free rein to choose the best
USA - Beavercreek High School in the Dayton suburb of Beavercreek, Ohio is the third largest high school in the Buckeye State and supports an exceptionally active athletics program. The school's girls' basketball team has been especially successful, averaging 18 wins per season over the past 36 years of coach Ed Zink's tenure.
Until recently however, poor sound system intelligibility put a damper on home games and dulled the excitement of award ceremonies. That's all changed for the better with a new gymnasium sound reinforcement system centred on cost-effective Ashly Audio ne4400 Protea digital processing and KLR3200 amplification matched to Community R-Series loudspeakers.
"They used to have a few of what I call 'nightclub speakers' chained to the ceiling," said Mike Staffan, owner of local A/V integration firm Lighthouse Sound and Communications. "The athleti
UK - Creative Technology is providing the wide range of visual solutions seen in the dazzling Saturday night dance show, Strictly Come Dancing.
The art deco-inspired theme is visualised using two curved proscenium arches with CT's MiTrix LED display and Flyer LED back screens, and this year sees new side arch screens within the set. The studio floor comes alive with projected images using six Panasonic PT-DS20K projectors, enabling each dance performance to be perfectly synchronised with different visual themes.
Now in CT's fourth year of providing equipment and services to the show, Project Manager, Nic Maag, is heading up the operation with his dedicated team.
Nic said, "It's fantastic to be back on the Strictly set; three months of weekly glitz and glamour! This show only gets better each year, and it's great to be a part of it."
UK - This summer saw an eclectic mix of pop and rock legends take to the main stage at Godiva festival in Coventry. Lighting designer for the project, Yenz Nyholm, chose to specify an array of Clay Paky Alpha Spot HPE 700 fixtures as he felt they would provide the ideal festival lighting solution on account of their robust technology, brightness and portability.
Nyholm specified eight Alpha Spot HPE 700 fixtures supplied by Siyan Ltd, to complement performances from artists including: Happy Mondays, We Are Scientists and Funeral For A Friend.
"We needed fixtures that would be able to hold their own against the sunlight during the day as well as providing plenty of colour and effects in darkness," says Nyholm "They also needed to be versatile to cover everything from punk and rock to orchestra, which is why the Clay Paky Alpha Spot HPE 700 fixtures provided the i
USA - E3, the leading trade show for computer and video games, provides groundbreaking new technologies to over tens of thousands of professionals. Held at the Los Angeles Convention Centre in June, this event has representatives from over 100 countries. This year, Martin Professional helped bring the Ubisoft event to life providing premier lighting for the introduction of this year's newest games, including Assassins Creed French Revolution.
Featured at the Ubisoft event were 64 MAC Quantum fixtures, 10 MAC 2k Performances, five MAC 2k Washes, eight MAC Viper Profiles and 22 MAC Auras.
Chris Collins, Yeager Design, along with Elizabeth Harper, E. Harper Design, described the amount of work that went into finding the appropriate lighting for the event, including the creation of a waving French flag from Martin lights. One of the biggest challenges was finding lighting t
UK - Wireless Solution Sweden AB is celebrating all things Sweden during PLASA 2014 on stand E50. On Monday, 6 October, the Wireless Solution Swedish vodka bar opens at 16:00. The party spreads to the White Light Zone, where there will be a Sweden theme celebration beginning at 17:00, complete with Swedish vodka, beer and snacks. Representatives from Wireless Solution and White Light will be on hand to display W-DMX products and answer questions.
On display in the Wireless Solution booth will be the new W-DMX UglyBox MK2. This is a new tool geared towards rental and installation companies but useful for anyone. The unit is built in a compact size with a 4.3" Touch LCD Screen and includes a transceiver solution for 2.4GHz, 5.2GHz and 5.8GHz. It is a complete unit for testing the signal, testing the DMX and housing a built-in DMX Console as well. The unit is run by Lithium ba
UK - Entertainment lighting specialist White Light will treat guests to three nights of themed receptions during the annual PLASA Show this October, held at ExCel London.
Each evening event will focus on White Light exclusive manufacturers, offering food and drink to represent different regions around the world. The London based company is the exclusive UK distributor for several well known brands, providing a wide selection of quality lighting, effects, and AV equipment for B2B sales through its White Light Distribution Network.
Themed events will be held each evening on the White Light stand - F40 - which anchors the well-known White Light Zone. Drinks and refreshments will be served Sunday 5 October, Monday 6 October, and Tuesday 7 October from 5pm each day.
The themed receptions are sponsored by manufacturers Altman Lighting, ArKaos Pro, CORE Lighting, JB Lighting, Look
USA - The hip new $415m 1613 room SLS Las Vegas hotel opened in a blaze of glory on the former site of the Sahara - one of the city's iconic gaming culture landmarks - complete with a special gala event staged in the pool area, headlined by rapper Iggy Azalea and lit by Axis deBruyn.
Axis and his company AxisLights Inc. are based in Las Vegas and work worldwide on a variety of shows and events across all sectors. He was engaged for this launch event by production companies Caravents, Inc. & Lone Outpost, and asked to create an appropriate lighting production design for the occasion.
The brief was to replicate the ambience of an A-list celebrity event with a hot nightclub feel for the 700 invited guests. Challenges included having to make last minute adjustments in the rig to deal with a changing line-up, and contending with searing temperatures of over 100 degrees in the outdo
UK - POLARaudio has announced that it has secured the exclusive distribution of MIPRO products in the UK. Established in 1995 in Taiwan, MIPRO has grown to become a major force in the manufacture of portable wireless PA and wireless radio microphone systems, both of which offer a wealth of possibilities to the education, sport and fitness and ecclesiastical sectors.
Key features of the MIPRO portable PA range include internal CD, USB and SD drives, with single and multiple receiver options available. Crafted with superb audio performance, easy portability and robust finish, the range can be applied to almost any indoor or outdoor gathering from a school hall to a street performance.
MIPRO's comprehensive range of analogue and digital radio microphone systems also possesses a wealth of innovative features, such as Auto Scan, ACT Synchronisation and interchangeable microphone ca
USA - With the opening of a thoroughly refurbished 1907-vintage Union Garage Building facility, the Los Angeles College of Music (LACM) in Pasadena, California, wanted to provide its students with a state-of-the-art live performance environment. The school's recent expansion includes new programmes and majors for students, new celebrity faculty, and an exclusive Let's Talk Music Series which provides students with on-on-one access to top professional musicians.
With ongoing performances from students, faculty, and alumni, the college needed a modern performance, rehearsal and event space more than ever. To meet the combined needs of excellent sound quality, ease of use, and cutting-edge technology at a reasonable price, the school chose a Line 6 PA system.
LACM executive vice president of academic operations Mike Packer, who also happens to be a drummer and an instructo
Spain - D.A.S. Audio's YouTube channel has exceeded the impressive million-view milestone in recent weeks. The channel, created by the company in 2010, shares an extensive selection of videos on D.A.S. products, the company's manufacturing processes, D.A.S. seminars held worldwide, spectacular system set-ups at major international festivals and other company-related information.
The official D.A.S. Audio channel, DASAudioSpain, also boasts over 3,600 loyal subscribers who regularly receive the new videos the company uploads. D.A.S. Audio has invested heavily in promoting its YouTube channel, well aware that the massive popularity of social media in recent years makes the platform a tool for companies to publicize their technical, commercial and marketing news.
The extensive range of videos is available to both subscribers and the general public and is divided into various sect
USA - ETC's Source Four LED Series 2 Lustr luminaire introduced an entirely new way of thinking about colour and LED light. Now ETC is stepping up the quality of broadcast lighting, by introducing two new Source Four LED Series 2 arrays: Daylight HD for variable cool (4000 to 6500K) light and Tungsten HD for adjustable warm (2700 to 4500K) light.
The Source Four LED Series 2 Daylight HD and Tungsten HD luminaires include special features that make them suitable for on-camera use. They operate flicker free, even at high speeds, so they won't be noticeable while filming. And the luminaires work quietly and dim smoothly, so they won't disrupt the action on the set.
ETC has spent a lot of time researching and experimenting with LED colour, creating luminaires with the richest, brightest and broadest colour ranges. The Source Four LED Series 2 Daylight HD and Tungsten HD arrays ben
USA - At this year's AES show in Los Angeles, Lawo will debut its newest mc² series console. The mc²36 is an all-in-one mixing desk, with a comprehensive feature set that covers broadcast, theatre, house of worship, live and install applications.
Along with uncompromised sound quality and Lawo-grade mic preamps, it offers unprecedented value for money, says the company. The console comes completely self-contained including a powerful DSP processing core and all I/O connections and is available in 16, 24 and 40 fader configurations.
Ease of use is paramount, with large touchscreen displays that provide instant, touch triggered pop-up menus for fast access to all mixing and routing parameters. Natively equipped with RAVENNA/AES67 technology, the mc²36 integrates seamlessly into IP infrastructures.
Rear panel connections provide 32 mic/line in, 32 line out on XLRs, eight AES
USA - The new Platinum SBX from Elation Professional is an innovative, full-featured three-in-one luminaire with patent-pending dual optical system that has flexible use as a spot, beam, or wash fixture. Designed for a wide variety of professional stage and special event applications, it does the work of three luminaires in one.
The Platinum SBX uses an MSD Platinum 17RA lamp co-developed by Philips and Elation. Building on the success of the Platinum 5R lamp, which Elation has used previously in both spot and beam fixtures, the company has sought to keep the same arc gap to maintain the same quality and crisp sharp optics while generating more power.
Advances in optical design have resulted in higher performing, more versatile optical systems that offer several advantages over traditional systems. "We knew there would only be one way to get the optimum performance out of