UK - The Executive Hire Show proved to be a success yet again for inspHire shown through a busy stand over the course of the entire show. Three independent hirers took the opportunity to have a demonstration of inspHire hire software and then decided to purchase on the spot. Kelly Plant and Tool Hire Depot both utilised inspHire's 'Show only Deal' and purchased inspHire Express at the show's discounted rate and TJ Hire purchased inspHire Office Edition.

inspHire on Android, selected to be included on the Innovation Trail, was launched at the Executive Hire Show. Interest was high on this new, innovative product, as both inspHire customers and prospects were requesting a demonstration. Since launching inspHire on Android, inspHire has set up customers on this new application.

inspHire held one-to one free workshops throughout the show, providing customers with the chance to fur

Australia - After an extensive $3m renovation, the Sutherland Shire's Miranda Hotel has reopened complete with a new outdoor garden bar and a totally refurbished Carmen's Nightclub.

Compact Monitor Systems Australia designed and installed the audio system throughout the venue opting for a total JBL speaker solution.

"The JBL Control Series are my favourite speakers by a million miles," said Bill Richardson, managing director of Compact Monitor Systems Australia. "I've been a JBL-head for many years and Compact has been affiliated with JBL since the 1970's. The JBL Control Series of speakers is the first thing - and almost the only thing - we recommend to our clients. The only exception is if someone has a very specific request for a certain type of speakers."

Richardson describes the JBL Control Series as very simple, always sounding good straight out of

UK - Peterborough-based production supplier Pearce Hire has recently demonstrated their significant capabilities in the touring sector. The company provided a three-truss lighting rig and technician for the latest Jools Holland UK winter tour.

Pearce Hire has worked with Midland Sound & Lighting and Jools Holland's production team for several years and this was the second full winter tour for Jools Holland that they have been involved in.

The lighting rig complemented by on-site technical support included 18 Martin MAC 700 Profiles and 12 Robe Robin LEDWash 1200s. Additional fixtures included Robert Juliat Cyrano follow spots and a number of Studio Due CS4s purchased specifically by Pearce Hire to service the tour.

"Over the years we have formed a strong working relationship with Jools' production manager Andy Salmon, and LD Simon Chandler-Honnor," comments John Hu

France - French rental house Phase 4 has invested in 50 of the new VL3015LT Spot luminaires from Philips Vari-Lite. This makes Phase 4 the first lighting rental supplier in Europe to be able to offer the fixtures to its customers.

Paris-based Philips Vari-Lite distributor, CSI, supplied the 50 VL3015LT Spots to Phase 4, which now holds the largest stock of Vari-Lite automated luminaires in France. The substantial Phase 4 investment in the VL3015LT Spots followed a demo to the company's consoles and peripherals manager Georges DaSilva.

"Philips Vari-Lite is a strong brand," comments DaSilva. "In addition to its powerful output and its incredible zoom, the VL3015LT Spot maintains the same well respected color quality that has set the standard for the profession. All the customers that attended demonstrations have reported being hugely impressed with the VL3015LT f

USA - When the three-day grand opening celebration began on 11 January at the new Bing Concert Hall at Stanford University, the 842-seat hall resonated with performances by the San Francisco Symphony, mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, the St. Lawrence String Quartet, Stanford Chamber Chorale, and members of the Stanford Symphony Orchestra and Stanford Philharmonia.

This diverse selection of performers and ensembles demonstrated the versatile acoustical capabilities of the new hall, showcasing solo performances and small ensembles as well as the full orchestra. World-renowned acoustic designer Yasuhisa Toyota of Nagata Acoustics determined the optimal sound design for this hall - and to execute this design, Stanford called upon the rigging experts at J. R. Clancy, Inc.

The complex job required Clancy and an installation team from Western Theatrical to work around a massive net

UK - Arena Group's Arena Scaffolding division provided a special installation at Spring Fair International, an exhibition which showcased the latest products and trends at the NEC Birmingham, 3 - 7 February 2013.

Most Arena Scaffolding projects involve supplying materials as supporting sub structures which tend to be concealed. However, at Spring Fair International Arena's temporary scaffold display became a central feature point at the Trend Bar in Hall 6, visited by over 3,000 delegates.

Working closely with the convention's head of design, Justin Southgate of Southgate Designs and fabric suppliers Stitch, Arena ensured the highest quality equipment was available to mirror Justin's design concepts and create a visually striking display.

Each scaffold pipe was individually positioned at different height levels and formed a large torch shape fitted with pastel coloured fabri

USA - Music Group, the corporate parent of pro audio brand Behringer has announced the immediate appointment of Indiana-based Starin as their exclusive fulfiller for all US States and protectorates. Starin had previously represented Behringer in selected territories while the rest of the country was served by Shoreview Distribution. The appointment is effective immediately and the company reports that Starin has sufficient quantities of product on hand to fill all orders across the country.

Vice president of global sales for Music Group, David O'Kelly, announced the appointment, stating, "Starin has proven to be an exceptional partner, delivering service levels that are earning praise from our dealers across America. I want to thank Shoreview for their loyal support but it became clear to us that a single source for Behringer products was in the best interest of our dealers

Belgium - Lighting designer Pim Elberse of PimmerPacK specified 100 Clay Paky Alpha Beam 700s to deliver bright beam flexibility for the 15th anniversary show of Dutch rock band Within Temptation.

Elberse, who worked along set designer Ignace d'Haese from Arf & Yes, used the Alpha Beam 700's fast moving ability to generate some stunning and dynamic mid-air and onstage effects. The result was a light show to remember at the 18,500-capacity Antwerps Sportpaleis in Antwerp, Belgium.

Supplied by PRG / EML Belgium, 50 Alpha Beams were placed on the floor in between the orchestra and band, and a further 50 Alpha Beams were flown on trusses. Each of the flow fixtures were rigged on an individual drop-arm that could drop 10 metres creating a dramatic, multi-dimensional environment for the band to perform in.

"The Alpha Beam 700s don't just feature Pan and Tilt," explains E

UK - Roland Systems Group (RSG) is teaming up with Lewitt Microphones and Metropolis Studios in London for a live production day, a free to attend afternoon event which will be open to all. To be held on Tuesday 19 February at Metropolis Studios in Chiswick High Road, the event will cover different aspects of working in the live sound and production arena with a focus on broadcast engineering and live video production.

Presented by well-known industry personnel and special guest broadcast engineers, dedicated sessions running from 3.30 to 5.00pm will provide a tactical insight into how the latest RSG technology is used in real world applications with insights from touring FOH engineers including Russell Tite (The Kooks). The event will also feature a live performance from Nzca/Lines, the brain child of Michael Lovett, supported by Moscow Youth Cult from 6.30 - 8.00pm.

(Jim Eva

UK - At Liverpool' Bierkeller, the 80 different beers are just a side-line: people come here for the live Oompah Band shows and a uniquely friendly atmosphere. Recently the venue's main hall invested in a new sound system, and loudspeakers from Brighton-based Traction Sound were chosen and installed by ProScreens.

The Bierkeller Entertainment Complex is situated right in the heart of the thriving Liverpool One. The new venue is built in a large concrete room with lots of hard reflective surfaces, creating a difficult acoustic environment. Paul Atherton of RW Salt explains why this made Traction Sound's loudspeakers an ideal choice: "Their SDS range has low vertical dispersion, which is perfect for acoustically difficult venues. You get less energy bouncing off reflective surfaces, meaning better clarity throughout the hall. Also, because of the long throw of Traction Sound'

USA - The AVnu Alliance, the industry forum that certifies Audio Video Bridging (AVB) products for interoperability, has announced the opening of its certification testing for AVB-enabled networking bridges at its appointed testing house - the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL). AVnu Certification is available to Alliance member companies.

This announcement, says the AVnu Alliance, is an important milestone in its mission to bring high-quality open-standard audio and video networking to professional AV, automotive, and consumer electronics segments. Several manufacturers have submitted AVB-enabled devices for AVnu Alliance's exhaustive interoperability and conformance testing, with more AVnu Alliance members expected to follow suit in the coming months. Products that complete the testing program successfully will receive an official logo of certifi

USA - For the 16th year in a row, Audio-Technica microphones appeared on the Grammy Awards Show, known throughout the industry as Music's Biggest Night. This year, the 55th Annual Grammys, held 10 February 2013, at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, featured a wide selection of artists from various genres of music.

For the live show and broadcast, Audio-Technica supplied over 250 of its microphones, including an impressive array of hard-wired mics and Artist Elite 5000 Series UHF Wireless Systems.

The ceremony itself has garnered widespread notice throughout the years as it continually raises the standard for broadcast entertainment. The EMMY-winning production was the first major awards show to venture into HDTV and 5.1 surround sound, and it was outfitted with the most advanced tools to ensure the highest fidelity for the evening's performances. Audio professionals continual

UK - Following one of the most successful years in the company's 26 year history, Creative Technology (CT) are celebrating after receiving two awards in as many weeks.

Delighted to have won the Event Production Awards Best AV Equipment Supplier, held at the London Lancaster Hotel on 5 February 2013, CT have now been confirmed as 'Favourite Video Services Company' at the Total Production Awards held at the Novotel London West Hotel.

Both awards are in recognition of CT's phenomenal year and of the enormous effort the team at CT put into London 2012 and countless other amazing events throughout 2012, says the company.

(Jim Evans)

Israel - Compulite Systems (2000) ltd have recently teamed up with coolux Media Systems to enable their Vector consoles to fully support coolux Pandora's Box Media Server.

Compulite extended their Media Server support to allow direct real time communication between Vector consoles and coolux Media Server. Media thumbnails are automatically downloaded to the console during initial communication, which allows for instant workflow. The interactive operation between the two systems extends user control capabilities, during programming and during live show time.

"Once again it's been proved that good and open collaborations between companies improves the products on both hands and mostly benefits the users in their daily work", said Yehuda Shukrun, Compulite CEO. "During the process, both companies shared a lot of necessary information to achieve the goal. Compulite

UK - The Ministry of Sound closed last month for its annual technical overhaul - with Harman Professional brands, distributed in the UK and Eire by Sound Technology Ltd, featuring in the club's major audio upgrade.

During the three-week shut-down, the world famous club extended its existing BSS network and provided an additional four channels of AKG DMS 700 wireless capability; but the piéce de résistance is found in 103 - the venue's second dance room - where a new Soundcraft Si Performer digital console now partners the Soundcraft Si2 in the adjacent Box.

This is the centrepiece of a substantial upgrade, authorised by production manager Chris Thoms. Although other spaces within the club have been reconfigured, including the VIP Room, 103 has undergone the biggest change, in order to bring it more in line with its bigger neighbour. As a result, it is now an adap

Mexico / Italy - LDR continues to reinforce its global distribution network with, the appointment of Vari Internacional as its exclusive distributor for Mexico, representing the whole LDR range.

LDR's Fabiano Besio comments: "Italy and Mexico have never been so close and I am glad to have Vari to represent LDR's products. We share the same passion for professional lighting and attention to the customers' needs . . . we are committed to provide quality products and fast service in Mexico."

Founded in 1985, Vari Internacional is one of the leading suppliers to the cinema market for Mexico and Central America: to keep up with the sweeping changes in the cinema industry, Vari is now specialising in offering a full AVL solutions for the professional industry. Ing. Hugo Patiño Cuellar, general manager at Vari, said: "LDR is a great addition to the existing portfolio

World - The perennially touring Lady Gaga is at it again. The five-time Grammy winner is in the midst of the Born This Way Ball tour, a seemingly endless succession of dates that will hit virtually every corner of the globe for more than a year - or longer. The elaborately gothic-inspired production was birthed in Seoul, Korea, in April of 2012 and has received glowing reviews and was honored as Major Tour of the Year at the Pollstar Concert Industry Awards.

Eighth Day Sound is again at the helm of the production, coordinating multiple universal stadium systems that at times are air-freighted with the stage set, leapfrogging across several continents to meet the tour.

"Each tour system is comprised of two SD7 Mach III systems at FOH outfitted with Waves and two Waves servers, with one running on a UPS for redundancy," explains Eighth Day chief technology offic

UK - An Allen & Heath iLive digital mixing system has been installed in London's exclusive Arts Club. Managing FOH and monitor audio in the live performance room, the modular system comprises an iDR10 MixRack and iLive-112 surface and fulfils the venue's need for a fully-spec'd pro mixer installed in an extremely compact control area.

Founded in 1863 by Charles Dickens, Anthony Trollope and Lord Leighton, the members-only venue attracts a top-end clientele, hosting gigs, art and fashion events, and private parties. Visiting sound engineer, Dave McDonald, took on the role of audio consultant at the venue, recommending iLive to replace the original FOH mixing console. Having used a similar system on tour with acts such as Adele, Florence & The Machine and AIR, the main reason for the change is that McDonald wanted to better meet the audio requirements of visiting artists.

He exp

Austria - A staggering 14,000 SGM LB-100 360° LED Balls - the largest deployment ever - recently combined to produce two giant circular overhead displays up in the Austrian Tyrol.

The occasion was the annual Kitzbuehel World Ski Cup - a major event in the Alpine ski calendar. Production company Light and Sound.at has been servicing the event every year since 2001 - providing reinforcement on the main stage in the mediaeval town centre, as well as the VIP tent.

It was in the VIP tent that the production company was seeking a special solution. Familiar with SGM's LED products having used the LED Par Zoom, they already had the concept of using 360° balls festooned on strings when they were introduced to Thorsten Sattler, co-MD of SGM Germany.

"We wanted to produce a very special show for the guests in the tent, and at the stage in town. As soon as Thorsten introduc

The Netherlands - Advantech, the embedded platform and integration services specialist has announced that Ingram Micro has joined its European sales network from January 2013, specifically for the ProAV market in Europe. Ingram Micro Inc., a Fortune 100 company, is the world's largest wholesale technology distributor and a global leader in IT supply-chain, mobile device lifecycle services and logistics solutions.

Ingram Micro's ProAV Division serves IT and AV customer needs across Europe whilst offering complete product solutions as well as Services. Fabrizio del Maffeo, Advantech sales director intelligent services comments, "Ingram Micro's comprehensive set of knowledge and skills complements Advantech's digital signage product portfolio, fostering new business opportunities and driving higher growth in this evolving ProAV market. Together with Ingram Micro, we will expan

UK- Liverpool based Adlib Solutions' lighting division, working for London based technical & creative production company LarMac LIVE, supplied lighting equipment, full production rigging, trussing and motors plus crew for the recent Donny & Marie Osmond UK arena tour.

The tour saw the popular duo take their hugely successful long running Vegas show on the road to the delight of UK fans.

Adlib Lighting's Pete Abraham worked closely with the tour's lighting designer Joseph Eddy to replicate his specification, while Andy Rowe crew chiefed it for Adlib on the road, working alongside technicians Michael Summerfield and Chris Neary. Production rigger James Heath installed approximately 50 points each day depending on the venue.

The lighting rig was based on two U-shaped trusses (rear and mid) and a straight front truss.

The moving lights included Adlib's brand new Martin MAC Vip

Australia - The Lightmoves Group of companies, which includes Lightmoves, Resolution X, Balanced Technology and Browns Precision Welding, has successfully completed the acquisition of the stock, assets, and hire assets of Lots of Watts (LOW), and is now trading as Lots of Watts Australia. Operating from the existing LOW premises at 22 South St Rydalmere, many of the existing staff has joined this new company.

Speaking after the acquisition was completed, sales director of LOWA and managing director of Lightmoves Braham Ciddor said, "We are excited that we have been able to successfully conclude this acquisition, as Lots of Watts has been a company that we have always considered as being an organisation with a very similar pedigree, ethics and expertise to our own. To have the opportunity to harness LOW's expertise and position in the NSW market along with the Lightmoves Gro

Czech Republic - It was the proverbial 'match made in heaven' when lighting designers Ladislav Ho?ák and Zden?k Mácha chose to use Robe moving lights at the core of their design for legendary singer Karel Gott's recent tour.

The tour played arenas throughout the Czech and Slovak Republics including Prague's 18,000 capacity O2.

Gott is the Czech Republic's most successful and best known singer. His impressive and dynamic international career spans six decades during which time he's been at the forefront of many new and innovative musical trends, including being a pioneer of emerging Czechoslovakian pop music in the early 1960s. His numerous recordings have sold millions worldwide.

Lighting equipment was supplied by Prague based rental company Audioblue Productions SRO, who have serviced Gott's live shows for several years.

The moving lights comprised 22 x Robe Robin MMX S

USA - Located in Hollywood, Catalina Bar & Grill has been a revered fixture on the West Coast jazz scene for over 25 years. Legendary performers like Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis have played there, a tradition that owner Catalina Popescu continues by booking today's top jazz artists. With a full kitchen, elegant dining room and perfect sight lines, every effort is made to honor the club's legacy of hosting incredible performances in an intimate space.

Recently, Catalina decided to upgrade its sound system with StageSource loudspeakers from Line 6. "When we heard how beautiful they sound, with such great clarity, we knew it would make a big difference to finally make the sound as good as the view for our customers," says Catalina Popescu.

"The installation was done by Sound Image. They have always done all our sound," says Catalina technical manager Dan C

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