UK - Following an extensive field test period, the new MAC TW1 tungsten automated wash fixture from Martin Professional is ready to hit the market. Seen at PLASA '06 in London this week, the 1200W MAC TW1 brings to the stage and studio all the optical brilliance and feature quality of the MAC range - with the warmth of tungsten halogen. It has an array of avant-garde features to equip the lighting designer with the broadest possibility of effects, colours and design.

Unlike other fixtures in its class, the MAC TW1 is an "all in one" solution, meaning one version of the fixture can travel the world without the need for inconvenient adjustments or the expense of having multiple models on hand. The MAC TW1 can be fitted with a 230V, 240V or 115V lamp, as well as a new breed of 80V lamp that offers a far superior output to traditional mains voltage lamps.

The MAC TW1's i

Spain - The third edition of AFIAL's Convention looks set to be a success, according to the Spanish trade association, with a strong level of participation already confirmed. AFIAL began to contract space in July, and has now sold more than 70 % of the total floorspace of the exhibition.

This reflects the interest of Spanish companies in this exhibition, which has become the prime market focus for Spain's national entertainment technology industry. Contracted exhibitors to date include Adagio, Ben-Ri, D.A.S. Audio, Equipson, Gemini, Guil, Pinanson, Seesound, Stonex and Yamaha, among others.

Further information on the exhibition is available from the AFIAL website provided below.

(Lee Baldock)

UK - Now that the dust has settled on this year's PLASA Show, the organisers of next year's show - the newly-formed PLASA Events Ltd - are looking forward to building on this week's hugely successful 2006 event - the last to be organised on PLASA's behalf by Clarion Events.

Exact visitor figures will be released in due course, following the independent ABC Audit of the figures. However, early indications are that PLASA '06 may even have surpassed last year's PLASA Show (which was memorable for its frenetic business activity) with a notable increase in visitor numbers, and a very strong international attendance.

Many of the exhibitors that the PLASA Media team spoke to across during the four days of the show praised both the quality of the customers they had been seeing, and the large numbers of international visitors from all around of the world. Despite a relatively 'quiet' S

UK - Hall Stage launched their all new website at PLASA this week, capturing the complete product catalogue, featuring over 800 pages, all with images, technical detail and related downloads.

Hall Stage have been working closely with designers Oak Creative Partners over the past year to develop this comprehensive web resource, with an extensive "Support" library of over 150 downloads, ranging from data sheets for standard components to details on rigging procedures & "How to...." guides.

The site includes some illustrative Case Studies on some recent projects, and a sample of the companies 100 year History.

Hall Staff heaped praise on the team at Oak Creative, who have worked tirelessly on this exciting project. "Oaks' strong conceptual designs and technical back up make this an enjoyable and comprehensive website," says Doug Heather of Hall Sta

UK - As the originator of transparent imagery in LED lighting and effects, G-LEC remained one step ahead at this year's PLASA show, introducing its new fibre optic based data transfer technology, 100 times faster than existing copper wire cabling.

This new technology, plus upgraded software, has been integrated into the company's PhantomFrame system, the new system being called G-LEC Phantom II.

The technology gives such fine control over the graphics that images are rendered pixel-by-pixel, enabling curves to appear as true curves, instead of being pixellated. For most occasions such accuracy is not necessary, but it is vital for many corporate identities. Graphics such as circular logos - VW, BMW - are represented with crystal clear precision.

The high speed data transfer technology also opens up the way to build much larger systems and special constructions.

Flexibility

Mexico - The D.A.S. Aero Line Array Systems Training programme held its first seminar at the Crown Plaza Hotel Mexico City recently. The main speakers were Alejandro Valles, from Mexican firm Top Music, D.A.S. distributor in Mexico, Ashok Maharaj the independent professional audio consultant for Venezuela, and Javier Navarro, D.A.S. Audio sound engineer.

Over ninety Latin American Aero systems owners attended the event which focused more on the theory behind line arrays rather than on the practical side. The opening talk was by Jack Palacio, D.A.S. Audio export director; Able Villanueva's talk was concerned with the line array theory; Javier Navarro focused on the technical settings of Aero systems and the handling parameters of digital processors; Alejandro Valles commented on the electric and electronic aspects in the context of equipment interconnections. Ashok Maharaj expose

Australia - The Dixie Chicks' Accidents and Accusations tour, which will return to North America after a series of dates Down Under, features a lighting package designed by Alex Reardon and consisting of 6 BigLite 4.5's, 30 MAC 2000 Washes, and 8 Atomic Strobes fitted with Atomic Colours, along with other automated fixtures.

Commenting on the production itself, Rearden said, "All too often I hear the euphemism of 'we want to make this show all about the music' when the translation means, 'we want to make it all about the money!' However, in an absolute first, this show really is 'all about the music'. They have a stunning nine piece band whose talent is spectacular."

"This was my first outing with the BigLites," adds Rearden, "and I was very seriously impressed. At full intensity, they have the punch required, but it is the other functions that

UK - Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage musical Evita has returned to the West End twenty-eight years after it first opened 28 years ago. Advances in technology down the decades see the production enjoying the latest generation of audio products, including DPA microphones which are being used across the entire cast.

"Radio microphone and miniature microphone technology in particular has had a huge impact on musical theatre," says sound designer Mick Potter, who specified the DPA mics, having used them extensively on all his sound designs since Saturday Night Fever in 1998. "The amount of frequencies now available for reliable use means miking all performers in a cast of 30 or 40 is no longer an issue. Transmitters are so small that on this production, female cast members wear them in their wigs, meaning no visible cable or transmitter packs at all. This is

USA - For the second successive year, Digidesign supported XM Productions/Effanel in the production of the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) telecast. Once again, the XM Productions/Effanel audio team relied on the Digidesign ICON integrated console environment as the backbone of its L7 mobile recording truck to deliver music mixes for every artist who appeared in this year's broadcast, including Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, The Killers and Panic! At The Disco.

John Harris,/XM Effanel Productions mixer, and Jay Vacari produced the live performance mixes for the VMAs telecast, and once again relied on their renovated L7 mobile production trailer's ICON system.

"At the VMAs, there is limited time for performing artists to rehearse on stage," explains John Harris, XM Productions/Effanel mixer. "ICON allowed us to maximise that time by recording

UK - The UK's largest and longest-running leisure trade show and convention, Leisure Industry Week (LIW) is scheduled for Birmingham's NEC, September 25-27 2007. Incorporating a range of sector specific areas from family attractions, sports, fitness and wet leisure, through to catering and the new National Licensed Business Show, LIW promises "something for everyone".

Highlights of the show include Sports Development Week with a built in sports arena. A series of sports demonstrations will take place featuring the latest techniques in training. In the wet leisure section of the show there will be a fully working swimming pool from Astral Pool UK, with a number of pool demonstrations from the ASA, STA and Olympic swimmers.

Networking events include the Leaders in Leisure VIP Dinner (by invitation only), the Attractions industry Party at Drayton Manor Park, and the FIA

UK - London-based theatre sound specialist Orbital has been awarded the sound supply contract by Dutch producers Stardust BV for their epic-scale new musical, Rembrandt.

Staged in The Netherlands' internationally renowned Royal Carre Theatre, Stardust's Rembrandt celebrates the 400th anniversary of the great painter. Orbital's team, headed by Drew Mollison, collaborated with sound designer Jeroen ten Brinke from the early planning stages to ensure that the specified Alcons system met his exact requirements.

Jeroen Brinke commented: "Working to a tight three-week pre-production phase, the Orbital team were fantastic. Streamlining operations on site, their practical advice and 24/7 technical support team sets a precedent. It's great working with them. Their level of service and support through the production process and on-going has been unparalleled."

UK - Allen & Heath chose the recent PLASA show to acknowledge the individual achievements of its international partners, with the presentation of its annual distributor awards.

Asimetrik in Turkey received the award for 'Most Improved Territory in Europe', whilst EAD from China was awarded 'Most Improved Territory in Asia'; 'Most Improved Territory in Latin America' went to Masteraudio from Argentina, and Canada's Erikson Pro received 'Most Improved Territory in North America'. The most prestigious award went to American Music & Sound, which was presented with 'Distributor of the Year'.

"We are extremely pleased with the effort our distributors have made over our fiscal year and are proud to honour their achievements with these awards. Particular mention must go to our American distributor, who not only achieved the biggest increase in sales, but was presented with 'Distr

UK - 5 Star Cases celebrated its 25th anniversary at PLASA where The 5 Star Speed Challenge simulator game drew the crowds, with hundreds of visitors vying for the chance to win a briefcase every hour, and the overall prize of £2500 to spend at 5 Star Cases. The entire Speed Challenge simulator, complete with high quality graphics and sound was housed in a custom built Super Tour flight case, complete with racing seat, steering wheel and pedals.

The whole system was designed and manufactured in house, pooling skills from the company's technical, marketing, production and engineering departments. The game featured Codemasters' ToCA 3 Honda 2006, racing Civic saloon cars that zoomed around the famous Brand's Hatch circuit. The Challenge - recording the fastest of three lap times - proved a popular respite from the hustle and bustle of the exhibition.

The quic

UK - PLASA '06 saw Rosco's continuing support for Light Relief with the presentation of a cheque for $3,762, raised from sales of Light Relief Yellow #313, to Rick Fisher by Rosco president Stan Miller.

Introduced in late 2003, Light Relief Yellow #313 is part of Rosco's Supergel range of colour filters and was developed with the help of Fisher, co-founder, along with the late Tony Gottelier, of the industry charity that supports lighting designers with personal difficulties.

"What is so great about Rosco's support for Light Relief through Light Relief Yellow 313 is that it will continue to support Light Relief for years to come," says Fisher. "That kind of commitment to the industry and the people who work in it is what has always marked out Rosco. We in the UK really value Rosco's innovative way of helping Light Relief to answer the needs of people in the ligh

UK - This year, a record crowd of 45,000 made its way to the Creamfields festival's new home of Daresbury Estate in the heart of the Cheshire countryside. Headlining the massive main stage this year were the Prodigy, and as headline act, the audio system was designed to meet the specification on their rider. This included a powerful EAW KF760 line array system from ML Executives.

According to ML Executive's Oz Bagnall, project manager and system tech for the event, the concern, as always with Prodigy, was being able to provide a system large enough and powerful enough to match their legendary onstage monitoring needs, while still offering headroom to spare. As Prodigy's FoH engineer, Jon Burton put it; "Think of it as driving an expensive car with a big engine. You don't drive it flat out all the time, but when you put your foot down, you want to feel the power as it accele

Jamaica - A record 37,000 people attended the 11th annual edition of the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival at the Rose Hall Resort & Country Club of Montego Bay to see and hear a star-studded bill featuring artists such as Patti Labelle, Al Green, John Legend, Nestor Torres, Shaggy, Morgan Heritage, Air Supply, and Bo Diddley.

The technical team of Jamaica's John Swaby Entertainment, the festival's audio provider, relied on a system of self-powered Meyer Sound loudspeakers to reinforce the many different musical styles featured at the event.

Since this was the first time that Meyer Sound products were used at the festival, Swaby Entertainment enlisted the support of Philip Grant, managing director of Sound Design in Kingston, Meyer's dealer in Jamaica, to ensure that the equipment reached the festival on time.

The main system consisted of an array of six MILO curvilinear a

USA - On the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Stadium Arcadium Tour, the innovative video and lighting design is controlled by a pair of grandMAs.

Chili Peppers' drummer Chad Smith, bassist Flea, guitarist John Frusciante and singer Anthony Kiedis are backed by four Barco D7 screens on trolleys and an 80ft wide VersaTube wall which extends to the venue's roof then out over the floor via fingers stretching to the front of house. The 760 VersaTubes display a changing palette of lighting treatments and an array of video content, including animation, flickering CG imagery, IMAG and band footage.

"With the grandMA, we can adjust IMAG on the fly with the buttons on the desk," says Scott Holthaus, along with Grier Govorko, the show's designers from 40wattlabs. "We can distort images for an effect or go black and white from a rescan camera or supplement the performance with odd v

UK - An audience of 45,000 gathered in London's Hyde Park to see this year's Proms in the Park concert. The lighting for this show was once again designed by Tony Hall, and an MA Lighting grandMA console was used to control his show: "There were eight very full universes of DMX, without the generic channels," says Hall. "The grandMA was an obvious choice, since the channel count is so large and the desk has an excellent 'rock solid' reputation."

During the three intensive evenings of plotting, the desk performed faultlessly, said Hall. "Even better, the desk also performed during the show in the same manner. Essential Lighting's decision to add the grandMA range of consoles to its hire fleet is largely based on its reputation for reliability and this has been proved on this technically demanding event."

Hall insisted on all the lamps being central

UK - For the second year running, Pharos Architectural Controls received an Award for Innovation from the PLASA judges. The 2005 award for the Lighting Playback Controller (LPC) was followed this year with an Innovation award for the Audio Visual Controller (AVC) which debuted at the 2006 show.

A compact, solid state device, the AVC offers functionality equivalent to two DVD players and a vision mixer, with additional live input, all under integrated show control. AV clips, transitions and effects are programmed quickly and easily via the Pharos Designer software. An internal realtime and astronomical clock along with a bi-directional RS232/RS485 serial port provide triggering options for standalone operation.

The AVC combines seamlessly with the Pharos LPC as the second half of a complete control solution providing lighting, audio, video and show control for architectural ins

Vietnam - Spanish pro audio manufacturer D.A.S. Audio continues its successful worldwide seminar tour. The company's qualified personnel so far have visited Argentina, India, Colombia, Venezuela, Syria, Sri Lanka, Sweden and Mexico with the objective of providing Aero training for people in the audio field and to bring the company and its products closer to professionals around the world.

The latest training session took place on 19 July in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, under the direction of D.A.S. Audio sound engineer Joan La Roda, together with Pham Kim, D.A.S. distributor for Vietnam, who assisted La Roda in the organization of the event.

The main subject of the seminar was the presentation of Aero 28A and Aero 38 line array systems. About 30 people attended the seminar - an audience that included potential clients and sound reinforcement services providers. Joan La Roda gave a de

UK - Wicked, winner of fifteen major US awards and recently named the highest grossing Broadway show in history has arrived in London. Prequel to the Wizard of Oz story, Wicked opened for previews in early September at the Apollo Theatre and premiered later in the month. providing the considerable and diverse lighting kit for the show is PRG Europe.

Lighting designer Kenneth Posner has created a dynamic and dramatic atmosphere on stage. He says: "The UK audience is in for an exciting and unique visual experience when they see Wicked. The entire design team spent many hours recreating the Broadway visual elements and embellishing the overall design. The Apollo, with its dramatic height but shallower and narrower stage, made it necessary for us to re-design and re-plot many of the scenes."

PRG Europe project manager for the show, Loz Wilcox

UK - Entertainment lighting supplier White Light reports that it enjoyed "a phenomenally successful four days at the 2006 PLASA Show". White Light's stand was used as the launching point for a range of new products from the manufacturers represented by the company in the UK, as well as being a showcase for White Light's own products.

The first new product launch was the much-anticipated Lancelot from Robert Juliat, a high-powered effect projector/followspot aimed at the largest productions and venues. "The biggest problem we then had with the Lancelot was stopping people pointing it into the milling crowd," explains White Light's Managing Director, Bryan Raven.

From LSC in Australia, the MaXim desk and E24 touring dimmer rack were on show. White Light's sales director Peter Threadgold and Gary Pritchard from LSC announced that White Light had been appointed

The Netherlands - PSL's Exhibition team reports that at this year's International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) its new Panasonic 42" HD screens were in high demand, as leading players in the television industry gathered at the RAI Centre in Amsterdam.

PSL is one of the Official AV suppliers to the IBC, and maintains a full team of project managers and technicians on site for the duration of the show. This year's Convention was judged to be the largest ever, as the industry makes preparations for the advent of high-definition television.

For the event, PSL invested in a substantial number of Panasonic's new HD plasmas, as well as additional HD-ready 45" screens. PSL project manager, Charlie Hill, says: "Our clients in this industry expect a very high standard from us, and they're very specific about the kit they want. For them, it's not just a matter of displayi

USA - Eight GQ600 Dual Channel Graphic Equalisers from XTA Electronics are at the sonic centre of a sophisticated line array PA system designed and assembled by Sound Image and deployed by live sound specialists Star Way Productions. The XTA GQ600 equalisers and the rest of the system are used regularly for major concert events at two of the country's leading Native American gaming and resort facilities, the Pechanga Resort & Casino and the San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino, both in Southern California.

Since taking possession of the system earlier this year, Star Way Productions has used it for shows featuring artists such as Engelbert Humperdinck, Styx, Jamie Foxx, Stevie Wonder, Ludacris, and Phil Vassar.

The PA system, which is based on QSC WideLine components and uses two Yamaha PM5D FOH consoles, was designed by Sound image. "We recommended the GQ600 EQs for this sys

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