USA - Furniture building isn't the only demanding aspect of Ellen's Design Challenge, a four-week-long HGTV reality show produced by Ellen DeGeneres, which began airing in the USA in January. In addition to the six competitors who are trying to make it to the end - using saws, drills and welders, among other noisy tools, to complete the weekly tasks - the audio team faced the daunting task of providing clear, crisp audio that is not interrupted by the hum of the machines. The solution was found with DPA d:screet 4061 Omnidirectional Miniature Microphones.

Selected by the show's sound supervisor, Daniel McCoy, CAS, a long-time DPA supporter, the d:screet 4061s are used by the entire 16-member cast, which includes a host and three judges as well as six designers and the carpe

World - Kylie Minogue recently completed the first leg of her Kiss Me Once tour, which included stops throughout Europe. The second leg of the tour begins in March 2015 with five shows in Kylie's native Australia. Following the successful tour of Europe, lighting designer Rob Sinclair and lighting director Louisa Smurthwaite provided insight into the creative processes behind the tour's extensive lighting design, which prominently featured fixtures from Martin Professional

Very early in the process, even before the new music was available, Sinclair had a meeting with Creative Director William Baker and Set Designer Alan Macdonald, during which it was decided that 'precise geometry' and 'Bauhaus aesthetics' were to be the key themes for the set design, inspired by the lines of the set and the early costume ideas. Baker then created a very detailed and instructive style gui

Venezuela - Operating in the Latin American market, Venezuela-based PROmontaje, a leading provider of technical resources for events in Venezuela, needed a solution to host large outdoor events and concerts. The company owns a large event site, just outside Caracas, which they plan to use for a range of outdoor concerts and sports events.

Jean Paul Gaspard of Audio Concept, Prolyte distributor in Latin America, put PROmontaje in contact with Prolyte. "I knew Prolyte was the only truss manufacturer I could trust to deliver a structure of the size and capacity my customer was looking for," comments Jean Paul Gaspard, "PROmontaje already owns an ARC roof and barriers from Prolyte, and they are very happy with the quality of those products and the ease of use".

The structure PROmontaje was looking for needed to have enough loading capacity, paired with a large

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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.

The Netherlands - Kramer Electronics has announced the release of its new seamless VSM-4x4HFS Matrix Switcher/Multi-scaler with video wall and multi-viewing modes. The company will be showcasing the product at ISE 2015 in Amsterdam as part of Kramer's Pro AV solutions for live events.

The Kramer VSM-4x4HFS offers "the fastest and cleanest switching and scaling experience in the market". Designed for presentation environments, the switcher/scaler features a 4x4 matrix switcher, as well as video wall (2x2), dual display (PIP/P&P) and quad display modes. Video wall mode comes with Bezel correction options. VSM-4x4HFS includes PixPerfect scaling, Kramer's high-precision pixel mapping and scaling technology.

The VSM-4x4HFS has 4 HDMI inputs and 4 scaled HDMI outputs and offers flexible control options, e.g., front panel buttons, IR remote control with OSD (On-Screen Displ

The Netherlands - Shure will be exhibiting a new version of the Camera Control System for conferencing audio applications at ISE 2015, the DIS CP 7890. Designed to integrate with the DIS DCS 6000 conference or DDS 5900 discussion systems, the package allows remote set up and control of a camera system for conferences, discussions or meeting spaces.

The CP 7890 controls up to four cameras, allowing a visual feed to automatically 'follow' the active microphone in the system. In this way the camera system is always displaying the person currently talking in the discussion or conference. The CP 7890 camera control system provides a steady, consistent camera feed, making it perfect for live broadcast or archival recording.

The CP 7890 is controlled via a setup app, originally only available for use on Apple iPads, and now also available for Android tablets. Downloads are available

USA - To strengthen its support for system integrators, Meyer Sound has joined the Crestron Integrated Partner Programme. The result is a suite of Crestron modules in development to allow customers to seamlessly implement Meyer Sound self-powered loudspeaker systems in environments controlled by Crestron products.

The Crestron Integrated Partner modules will provide integrators with direct access to the Meyer Sound Galileo and Galileo Callisto loudspeaker management systems, including functions such as snapshot recall, level control, muting, and more. Developed and tested by Crestron, the modules will fully support Crestron 3-Series control systems via an Ethernet connection.

"As applications of Meyer Sound products continue to broaden across connected AV environments from corporate boardrooms to arenas, this new partnership will allow us to further simplify workflow for

UK - Continuing their long-term working relationship, XL Video supplied video solutions including LED screens and camera system for the final show of Basement Jaxx's recent UK tour supporting their latest album, Junto.

Working with tour and production manager, Tommy Winstone, XL Video project manager, Connie Glover specified the package for the massive show at London's O2 Arena.

The unusual LED screen set up used XL Video's Pixled F-12 LED housed in XL's custom touring frames, and featured a combination of 2 square on-stage LED screens displaying playback content, and two tall portrait IMAG side screens - a change from the more commonly seen landscape IMAG screens. This set-up allowed the portrait IMAG to display full-length images of the band as well as split screen set-ups of multiple band members. LED for the tour was managed by Gareth Manicom and Joe Makein.

Glove

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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

USA - Artcoustic Loudspeakers have been chosen by Roc Nation, the American entertainment company founded and owned by Jay-Z, for their New York offices. Spitfire 24-12 are installed in the vice president's office and the main boardroom.

"Everyone wants to book the main boardroom as they're all so impressed with the system installed in there," says the office receptionist.

Founded by Jay-Z in 2008, Roc Nation is a full-service entertainment company, inclusive of artist management, music publishing, touring, merchandising, film, television and an independent record label. It has an impressive roster of musicians and sports stars signed to either the record label or management services, including Rhianna, Kanye West, Kylie Minogue, Rita Ora, Matthew Dear, HAIM, Santigold, Shakira, Timbaland, Calvin Harris, Deadmau5 and Frank Ocean, as well as Jay-Z himself.

(Jim Evans

Europe - Californian band, Of Mice & Men, recently supported Linkin Park on the European leg of the Hunting Party arena tour, with Allen & Heath GLD-80 mixers performing both FOH and Monitor duties.

This was the first experience of using GLD for both FOH engineer, Dave Nutbrown, and monitor engineer Ian 'Squid' Walsh, who needed a system that could handle large arena shows whilst keeping to a compact footprint.

A GLD-80 connected over Cat 5 to AR2412 and AR84 AudioRacks provided 32 XLR inputs for stage sources and delivered five in-ear mixes, side-fills and a pair of centre wedges. Both GLD-80s were fitted with Dante cards and mic preamp signals were split digitally via Dante over Cat 5 to FOH. The analogue gain was set at the start of the tour, with the engineers using the consoles' digital trim (+/- 24dB) to independently make adjustments during the shows.

Ian 'Squid' Wals

Germany - For decades, the name Sennheiser has been synonymous with high-quality products, "true" sound and numerous innovations that have set new standards in audio technology. This year, the audio specialist is celebrating its 70th anniversary. It remains a family-owned and -operated enterprise, now headed by a third generation of the Sennheiser family: Today's CEOs, Daniel Sennheiser and Dr. Andreas Sennheiser, are the grandchildren of the company's founder, Prof. Dr. Fritz Sennheiser.

The list of product innovations from Sennheiser is as extensive as it is impressive. Sennheiser has made a significant impact on the evolution of audio technology over the past seven decades, from the world's very first open earphone, the HD 414, and the wireless stage technology pioneered by the Digital 9000 system to present-day innovations such as MobileConnect, an inclusive audio-

UK - Theatre consultancy, Theatreplan has been appointed as the theatre consultant on the major redevelopment project at Glasgow's historic Citizens Theatre. Built in 1878, the Grade II listed theatre has seen a number of small-scale refurbishments and extensions, but the current scheme is the most comprehensive in its history.

The project has been earmarked for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Glasgow City Council, Creative Scotland and Historic Scotland that go a long way towards financing the transformations, which are far-reaching.

Mathew Smethurst-Evans, who is leading the Theatreplan team, explained, "This is a major project that incorporates significant improvements to the environment for both visitors and staff. Visitors will benefit from much improved public spaces to create a venue where they can experience much more than a theatre show. There will be pur

USA - CREC Public Safety Academy opened their modern new facility in Enfield, CT, in September 2014 with audio systems that support the school's career-oriented education for grades 6 through 12 in law enforcement, fire sciences, emergency medicine and other safety and security fields.

The school's large and attractive new facility serves 700 students and includes classrooms equipped with the latest technology, a gymnasium and fitness centre, a cafeteria and multipurpose room along with a theatrical auditorium.

Jorge Guillén of Guillén Technology Consultants provided building technology, AV, audio systems and safety and security consulting services for the new school. The building's many different spaces presented Guillén with numerous challenges in his audio system designs. The school's goals included intelligible voice paging and high-quality sound reinf

The Netherlands - Dutch rockers BLØF have an enthusiastic and eclectic fanbase as well as earning serious respect for the musical integration of sounds, styles and genres from a diversity of cultures into their work, so the ability to 'paint' with light when constructing their live shows is key to evolving the look and feel of the visual environment.

For BL°F's recent show at Amsterdam's 17,000 capacity Ziggo Dome lighting designer Patrick Kramer did exactly this ... with a little help from over 200 Robe moving lights including 26 of the new BMFL Spots.

Patrick cut his professional lighting career teeth in the theatre and has always liked to work as part of a creative team. On this one, he collaborated with set and video designer Bart van Rooy and between them, the concept of building geometric shapes, squares and rectangles evolved. These were based on a Layher sca

USA - James Schipper of Kinetic Lighting wanted something special to draw attention to the stage at the after-meeting party area during What's Next, a high profile, high-tech NBC Comcast conference on the future of television. "This was a crowd of visionary people involved in looking at new ideas that will one day shape the world of media, so they weren't going to be very moved by a bread-and-butter display," said the LD. "We knew that if we wanted to dazzle them, we would have to go with something bold."

Schipper got the look he was seeking with a massive diagonally slanted overhang array of high-output Nexus 4x4 LED panels from Chauvet Professional. Starting close to ceiling level upstage, the truss overhang formed a descending wedge of rich and varied colours as it moved down stage. The movement of the lights on the array, along with their intense o

UK - Blackout provided drapes and rigging for Crown Business Communications on the 60th anniversary of the original DS, at Citroën's 2015 national dealer conference in Birmingham's newly refurbished Barclaycard Arena.

The conference took 700 attendees through the history of the Citroën and DS brands, and unveiled a new dual brand strategy for the two ranges. Blackout continued its long standing relationship with Crown and production manager Steve Webb having worked together for over 20 years. The show featured automated tracking LED screens, and vehicles that drove onto the stage.

The audience entered into the main exhibition area, where both new and old DS cars were displayed. Blackout's drapes were utilised to cover the retracted seating to make space for this area. Additional drape walls were added by the venue, which were lined with Blackout's aesthetically attractive wh

UK - Having appeared at some of the UK's favourite festivals during the summer, Lily Allen took to the road at the end of November for a two month UK tour, which culminated at the Edinburgh Hogmanay celebrations on the 31 December. Sennheiser microphones and in-ear monitors, provided by Skan Audio, sound company for the tour, are with her every step of the way.

Both front of house engineer Shan Hira and monitor engineer Francoise Le Moignan have worked with Lily since her 2009 It's Not Me, it's You tour, where they first specified Sennheiser mics and in-ear monitors.

"We had used a Sennheiser SKM 500-935 G3 935 in 2009 and were very happy with the way they worked," says Shan. "Mark [Saunders, Sennheiser UK artist relations] very kindly offered to support us again and brought a prototype MD 5245 capsule down to rehearsals for us to try out. We really liked it and

The Netherlands - Barco is making event automation and preview simpler with the launch of its new HD media servers. These end-to-end visualization solutions - available in four models (XHD-400, XHD-402, XHD-404 and XHD-200) cover the entire workflow of video professionals, from design to operation.

Thanks to the powerful 'Projection Study' tool, the Barco media servers are suited for rental and staging applications and 3D projection mappings, while they can also be used for fixed installation in entertainment venues and visitor attractions. The media servers will be shipping as of March 2015.

"Our goal was to bring the most powerful yet easy-to-use media servers to the market," states Wim Buyens, senior vice president entertainment & corporate at Barco. "While there are other great top-end media servers available, too many of them require help from the manufactu

USA - Known by many as the best kept secret in the entertainment world, the Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas provides professional level training by some of the most well-respected minds in the industry, on the most powerful equipment, such as ETC lighting desks. "The Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas is a total immersion experience," explains faculty member and lighting designer Brian Gale. "It's where you get the muscle memory that is required to work efficiently in stagecraft disciplines."

The non-profit Stagecraft Institute began in 2006 and provides an immersive education to around 70 people each summer, 90 per cent of whom receive either a full or partial scholarship. All of the topics of study revolve around disciplines within the world of stagecraft and live entertainment, including lighting design and programming, media programming, sound, costumes,

UK - As part of the design and development of their World Duty Free store in Heathrow's new Terminal 2 - The Queen's Terminal - travel retailer World Duty Free Group (WDFG) commissioned a remarkable LedGo FLEX curved LED solution to provide a highly adaptable fascia for their tax and duty free store - creating one of the UK's largest fixed-installation LED walls.

Concept visuals of the new store revealed curved surfaces running along the front of the entire shop fascia. This gave World Duty Free Group and Blynk Digital Media's Neil Muir the idea to fill the surfaces with LedGo's innovative FLEX curved LED panels, to display eye-catching, moving content, visuals and tailored messaging to visitors in the new terminal.

Blynk Digital Media approached A.C. Video, a specialist sales division of A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) Ltd., to supply them with the LedGo FLEX curved L

UK - XL Video supplied LED and video screens for an hour-long special - Bruce's Hall of Fame - produced by Hat Trick Productions. The show was recorded on 1 November at the London Palladium and aired on BBC1 on 27 December 2014.

The special celebrated Bruce Forsyth's long career in show business and featured artists paying tribute to the stars who inspired them. Stars appearing included Jessie Wallace, who recalled music hall legend Marie Lloyd; Jamie Cullum, who performed a Tony Bennett song; and Alfie Boe who was inspired by Dean Martin.

Working with production designer Markus Blee and line producer Charlene Farrell, XL Video supplied two types of LED for the show's set - a 5.4m wide x 3m high LED screen formed of its ROE MC-7T product and a 7m wide x 2.5m high Unilumin 3.9mm LED screen.

The high resolution ROE MC-7T screen was flown and used as both an audience rel

UK - Since launching back in September 2014, over 250 rental businesses in the AV, lighting, events and broadcast sectors are now signed up to Current RMS, quickly identifying the benefits of cloud rental management software.

At the end of January 2015, Current RMS officially became a partner of the popular cloud accounting software Xero, offering seamless integration with this easy to use product, streamlining the rental cycle that one step further.

Prior to launching Current RMS, rental experts came onboard to test the system, working with the team to ensure it was entirely ready for launch. The same process took place for the Xero integration. One of the testers, Steve Lucas, owner of Soundbite Productions, has quickly seen the benefits of operating his rental business entirely in the cloud.

"Current is a must have for rental and hire companies, especially for those

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