UK - Leading entertainment industry associations The Association of Lighting Designers (ALD) and Women In Stage Entertainment (WISE), and the lighting charity Light Relief are present at this year's PLASA Show. The three organisations are sharing stand M-14; the stand is located immediately behind the White Light Zone in Earls Court 2.

WISE, an organisation established to address the representation of women in the entertainment technology sector, will step from their stand onto the White Light Stand from 4pm to 6pm each day to host Tea O-Clock. A WISE spokesman says, "Each day WISE members from all sectors - sound, AV, lighting, rigging - will offer PLASA Show visitors a calm oasis from the frenetic show floor. We will be providing refreshing mugs of scalding tea, fabulously tasty home baked cakes, an empathetic ear and some scintillating conversation."

The AL

UK - Hot on the wheels of this year's highly successful, inaugural First Night Riders' (FNR) sponsored motorbike ride, comes the announcement of the next exciting, high octane adventure.

Having already raised £10,000 for The Theatrical Guild (TTG), many of this year's participants, along with some new bikers from the industry, will trade their blacks and hard hats for leathers and helmets and hit the open road. Riders will boldly go where no First Night Rider has been before, as they visit even more of the UK's most significant and historic theatres and opera houses.

The 2011 ride will depart from the National Theatre on Saturday 18June 2011, and finish on Friday 24 June. The exact route and places FNRs will visit will be confirmed later in the year.

Lending their support to the cause are familiar faces from stage and screen including: Peter Benson, James Fleet, Cyril

UK - AKG is introducing the Perception Wireless System at PLASA 2010. The new wireless microphone system comes complete with bandwidths up to 30 MHz and low-current transmitters.

The Perception Wireless is designed to accommodate musicians and entry-level audio technicians, although it has the capabilities to handle even the most difficult audio setups with up to 8 channels per band, says the company.

The Perception Wireless Series consists of a Vocal Set, with the handheld transmitter HT 45 featuring a dynamic cardioid capsule; the Instrumental Set, which comes with the pocket transmitter PT 45 plus instrument cable; the Sports Set with the pocket transmitter as well as a C 544 head-worn microphone; and a presenter set, complete with the PT 45 and a CK 99 L lavaliere microphone. All sets include the stationary receiver SR 45, a single AA battery and a switched mode power supp

UK - Allen & Heath and Audinate are showing a Dante networking audio interface card for the iLive digital mixing series at PLASA 2010.

The Dante audio interface card allows iLive systems to work with Audinate's Dante audio networking solution, providing capacity for 64x64 bi-directional audio with full network redundancy. iLive MixRacks and modular surfaces with the RAB2 module can be fitted with the new slot-in card. A Dante Virtual Soundcard license will be included with purchases of the card, turning a PC or Mac into a Dante enabled device.

"We know from our customers that there are many iLive users who want to be able to integrate with Dante," stated Glenn Rogers, managing director of Allen & Heath. "We have been pleased to work with Audinate in the development of their new 64 channel module, which will provide a great solution. The new audio interface ca

UK - PLASA 2010 sees UK audio distributor SCV London showing products from Sony Pro Audio, a new line for the Essex-based distributor, Audix, Turbosound and Fostex.

On display are Sony's UWP and DWX systems, the latter being its definitive Channel 38 solution, which will help to ease its customers' upgrade path in advance of the frequency switchover scheduled for 2012.

DWX (digital wireless microphone) systems will now be sold with modification packages in order to safeguard audio investments in the run up to Channel 38 switch-over. In addition to this, an optional upgrade path will be made available on Sony's WL series analogue wireless microphones.

This announcement coincides with the launch of two new products in the DWX range of digital wireless audio solutions, both of which are being shown at PLASA: the DWR-R01D dual-channel rackmount receiver and DWM-01 integrated han

UK - After a record breaking 2000 visitor registrations in the final week alone, the opening day at Earls Court on Sunday 12 September has been packed with activity, as over 350 companies launch more than 500 new products.

A major strength this year has been the return of several leading audio brands and over 60 new exhibitors overall, including Ateis, Avid, Baldwin Boxall, Bosch, Bose, EAW, Electro-Voice, Intertek, Korg, Mackie, Martin Audio, Penton, and SCV/ Turbosound, as well as over 250 loyal exhibitors.

In one of the show's numerous innovations for 2010, visitors were able to watch the PLASA Awards for Innovation judges assess this year's exciting nominations in a series of live presentations on the interactive Innovation Gallery at the entrance to Earls Court 2.

Video of those presentations will be screened in the Innovations Gallery throughout the show, allowing othe

UK - The new Han-Eco series from Harting is a range of lightweight rugged plastic IP65 connector hoods and housings which are suited to the requirements of theatre and concert tour operators.

The new devices can help to minimise the weight of flight-case or light-bar mounted lighting dimmers as well as truss-mounted hoist controllers and automation systems for theatre and concert touring, says the company.

Key features of the Han-Eco Series include inserts that accommodate tool-free, snap-in, rear-mounting modules from Harting's Han-Modular series fitting into front or rear mounting adaptor frames. The extensive range of modules available provides a high degree of flexibility by allowing connectors to be assembled to handle data, control, power, fibre-optic, coaxial and pneumatic signals. A separate PE module provides the necessary full grounding and finger-safe user protectio

UK - Orbital Sound has a series of PLASA firsts lined up. These include the latest products from d&b audiotechnik - the keenly awaited E6 loudspeaker, and the new PLASA 2010 Innovation Award-winning B4-SUB - as well as the latest range of Da-Cappo Micro Microphones, and Zaxcom's recently-announced TRX900LT digital wireless audio transmitter, which offers operation on Channel 38 and adjacent bands.

An innovative new concept in 24/7 hire services is also making its debut: Orbital is launching its easiHire online hire product selection, estimation and quotation tool at PLASA, designed to make researching and selecting hire equipment easier and more convenient.

The full product line-up on Orbital's stand comprises loudspeakers from d&b audiotechnik, Da-Cappo Micro Microphones, CSC3 Show Control Software, HM Electronics Digital Wireless Intercoms and digital wireless microphone sys

UK - Fred Foster, Chief Executive Officer of ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.), and one of the best known designers and developers in the industry, was confirmed last night as the fourth winner of the prestigious Gottelier Award, presented at the PLASA Awards for Innovation at Earls Court on the second night of PLASA 2010. The Award was voted for by readers of www.lsionline.com.

Foster started ETC in 1975 with the goal of installing the first memory lighting-control system in the New York Metropolitan Opera House. During his time he has developed a wide range of innovative products including Mega-Cue, perhaps the first console to utilise digital multiplexed data over two conductors between the desk and dimmers; the Concept console that led to the Expression / Express line of control desks; the Obsession Console and the Sensor Dimming System.

He contributed to the design

UK - Midas has launched the VeniceF, a new 'digi-log' ultra-compact mixing console designed by Alex Cooper, complete with FireWire multi-channel digital audio interface, XL3 EQ and Propellerhead recording and processing trial software bundle. The VeniceF can be seen on Stand 1-F19 at PLASA 2010.

The VeniceF is the first all-new Midas product to be unveiled following the Music Group's acquisition of Midas Klark Teknik. It features the full functionality and sound quality of the Midas XL3 EQ and filter section, Midas mic preamps, 100mm faders, increased channel and input count, a dual 7x2 matrix and a reorganised master section layout.

The VeniceF's 32x32 FireWire capability adds 32 channels of multitrack recording and playback (VeniceF 320) using any suitable FireWire-equipped computer, without the need for additional costly interfaces. This also offers the possibility of virtu

UK - Winners of the 2010 PLASA Awards for Innovation, and the 2010 Gottelier Award, were announced yesterday evening in a special presentation at PLASA 2010 in Earls Court, London - after a hotly contested nomination process that saw 62 products entered and six contenders for the Gottelier Award.

The Awards for Innovation, for the first time, were judged 'live' at the Innovation Gallery by an independent panel of 16 expert judges, in front of show visitors and a camera team on Sunday 12 September. Show visitors are able to watch the judging process replayed on large screens in the interactive Innovation Gallery for the rest of the show.

Seven Awards for Innovation and one Gold Award were presented by PLASA CEO Matthew Griffiths, while ETC founder Fred Foster was honoured with this year's Gottelier Award in recognition of his work on such legendary products including the compan

Help For Heroes - Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow have performed live together for the first time in 15 years. The Take That pair, who announced this year they were working together again, performed their new single Shame at a Help For Heroes concert in London.

Earlier, Barlow and Williams said: "It's great that people like Shame so much and we can't wait to perform it live for the first time." Also in the line-up were Tom Jones, Alexandra Burke and Pixie Lott. The concert, which took place at Twickenham Stadium also featured comic talent including Bruce Forsyth, Peter Kay, Michael McIntyre and Jack Dee.

Some 60,000 people were at the event - including 150 personnel injured in combat who attended the show free of charge. Proceeds will go to the Help For Heroes charity, which raises funds for wounded troops and their families.

In The Courts - An attemp

UK - Optocore has created new firmware for its DD4ME MADI network device to allow consoles from Digidesign, a subsidiary of Avid Technology, to operate on its network.

The new firmware enables the coaxial (BNC) ports to function not as MADI, but as Digidesign Venue's proprietary coaxial digital snake.

"With this release, Digidesign's Venue consoles and stage racks can be connected via a DD4ME to the Optocore network," states Optocore founder, Marc Brunke. "The audio flowing between the Stage Rack and Console (or vice versa) can be output via other Optocore devices in the network, thus enabling networking functionality to Digidesign products."

Several consoles and racks can be placed on the same network, and an unlimited number of splits of any input channel are possible.

(Jim Evans)

Tunisia - The 46th International Festival of Carthage, Tunisia's largest arts event, took place over a six-week period this summer in the picturesque open-air Carthage Roman Theatre.

Once again, a wide range of world-renowned artists made up the programme - each leaders in their own artistic fields. And once again SGM lighting fixtures, supplied by local sales and rental company, Sybel Light and Sound, formed part of a complete technical package designed to turn the stage into a spectacular performance space.

Under the artistic eye of lighting designer Elyes Guizani, whose ideas were turned into reality by the Festival of Carthage contractors, pop artists such as Seal, Johnny Clegg and Héléne Ségara were joined by Arabic artists Sabeh Fakhri, Lotfi Bouchnak and Zied Gharsa. Increasing the international flavour were dance troop Fire of Anatolia, the

UK - DiGiCo's Little Red Box and Little Blue Box are two compact add on units that quickly and simply expand the connectivity of DiGiCo consoles.

DiGiCo's Little Red Box is specifically designed to work with DiGiCo's SD9 digital mixing console and allows you to connect a D-Rack or a MADI Rack (DiGi-Rack or MiNi-Rack) to two SD9s.

Currently, a single D-Rack only allows you to connect to one SD9, with no way of sharing the rack. The Little Red Box, however, will allow you to plug in your D-Rack, main console and a secondary console. The main console controls all gains, as well as outputs on the rack, whilst the secondary console acts as a 'receive only' module for the inputs, allowing you to share a rack and operate either Front of House or monitors. DiGiCo's gain tracking system can be activated when required.

The handy SPLIT MADI switch allows you to decide if you want to sp

UK - Aviom is demonstrating its Pro64 Network Manager PC control application at PLASA 2010 (Stand 1-F2). The Pro64 Series is designed with a simple front-panel user interface that makes it possible to create sophisticated audio networks without PC-based programming. Soon to be available as a free download from the company's website, Aviom has now introduced a software control application for those users who desire a centralized control and status monitoring option.

This new interface provides both global and device-specific information for front of house monitoring, allowing on-screen management of even the most complex audio networks from a single location. With the Pro64 Network Manager, front of house engineers now have remote control of every Pro64 device in a network through a PC connected to the network's Control Master device.

Network settings and audio parameters for e

UK - After a year of substantial growth across European markets, TOA Europe has a host of innovative products to demonstrate at PLASA 2010, all of which are being seen at the show for the first time.

Sure to attract attention is the Type H line array loudspeaker, "the most compact, aesthetically pleasing and affordable line array TOA has ever built", which barely a year after its release is already finding favour in large, reflective public spaces where intelligibility is difficult to achieve and hanging space is at a premium.

Also on display is TOA's modular audio-mixing system, the D-2000, which can be expanded up to a massive 128 input/output configuration. This makes it suited to venues such as hotel conference suites, convention centres, sports halls and places of worship, where future expansion in the form of new rooms or extensions need not be at the expense o

UK - QFlex, Tannoy's range of digitally steerable array loudspeakers first launched in 2008, has recently been updated with some major additional features designed to meet a range of industry needs. These enhancements give the product improved functionality and superior capabilities for integration within large scale PA/VA applications, says the company.

The new features that Tannoy has introduced on QFlex deliver more resolute safety and monitoring facilities, making it fully compliant in any life safety or mass notification environment. In addition QFlex has been weatherised for outdoor or harsh environments without compromising on the product's sleek aesthetic, making it suited for large scale transport hub applications such as within airport terminals and major train stations.

Among the key improvements on this front are the addition of Pilot Tone Detection capability, Sen

UK - In response to demand from the live-events sector of the UK's audiovisual industry, InfoComm International will host a three-day InfoComm Academy course dedicated to the management of events this coming December at its Hemel Hempstead base.

The course will be led by André LeJeune, CTS, InfoComm's rental & staging staff instructor, who has more than 30 years' experience of staging and presentation and has been responsible for many large-scale productions for corporate clients.

Chris Lavelle, InfoComm International's regional manager for the UK and Ireland, comments, "Last year we ran a very successful staging and live events course which focused on technical topics such as large-screen projection and display, audio, lighting, and sets and stages. This year's course, EVS 212 Staging and Live Event Management, will continue to have a strong technical compo

UK - At PLASA 2010, rental companies ETA Sound, Total Sound Solutions and A1 Entertainments all placed orders for Nexo line array systems.

ETASound, which is based in North Wales but also has a London office at the O2 Arena, is to take delivery of 16 Nexo D10 modules, with an option to buy the same again, following installation trials of Geo D at one of the UK's most prominent live venues. In April, Eddie Thomas became one of the first rental companies in the world to buy the new RS18 subs from Nexo, and has just ordered more cabinets for ETASound's inventory.

Total Sound Solutions from Swansea and A1 Entertainments from Bristol are purchasing near-identical Geo S12 systems, comprising S1210 and S1230 line array modules, RS18 subs and NXAMP4x4 controller-amplifiers.

"One of the main attractions is the versatility of the S12," says Gareth Collyer from NexoUK. "

UK - For the third time in recent years, the Italian manufacturer Outline received the PLASA Award for Innovation, thanks to its Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. iMode vertical line array.

The independent panel of judges noted, "This loudspeaker's combination of generic IT and innovative line array technology represents a step forward for the industry in systems integration. The cabinet's built-in web-browser support makes it possible to control a complete loudspeaker array from a plethora of industry standard devices."

"This is the third award won over a relatively short period, confirming the avant-garde features that have distinguished our brand for almost 40 years, and we're obviously very proud," comments Outline's Michele Noselli.

"As in 2001 and 2005, when Kanguro and COM.P.A.S.S. won the same award, we believe that this recognition not only rewards with sat

UK - PLASA 2010 closed on a high, with preliminary visitor figures set to show an increase over 2009 and strong international engagement from across the world. Exhibitors across all the show's sectors enthused about the quality of business leads and relished the show's vibrant atmosphere. The event, which filled London's Earls Court 1 and 2, drew over 12,000 visitors, while the international attendance continued to be strong with nearly 30% of visitors attending from 99 countries worldwide.

Show director Nicola Rowland commented: "The universally positive feedback and the strong visitor figures would be satisfying under any circumstances, but in the current economic climate it's a strong result for our exhibitors and for the show itself - it underlines just how important PLASA remains in the international events calendar.

"Numbers alone were only part of the story,&q

UK - The White Light Zone at PLASA 2010 - hosting the many companies for which White Light is the exclusive UK distributor - featured two products which were winners of the 2010 PLASA Awards for Innovation, and a third that was specially commended by the awards judges.

Launched at the show and an award winner was Coemar's Reflection FullSpectrum, a new design of LED washlight that offers an interchangeable LED light source that directs light from a configuration of LEDs onto a parabolic reflector. This optical design eliminates problems common in other LED fixtures, including visible RGB dots and multi-coloured shadows; it also allows the light source to be moved relative to the reflector, giving a smooth zoom from 18-37°. The fixture is available in Full Spectrum RGB colour-mixing and VariWhite variable white versions.

Introduced earlier in the year but winning an award o

UK - As London Fashion Week draws to a close and makes way for London Fashion Weekend, Point Source Productions continues its involvement with this high profile event.

After the success of last year's collaboration, Point Source Productions, in conjunction with Fine Art Lighting, has supplied lighting solutions to producers Blonstein & Associates for all exhibition spaces during London Fashion Week.

This Wednesday sees a quickfire turnaround as Point Source Productions helps transform the exhibitor stands of London Fashion Week into the sales booths of London Fashion Weekend, providing a total relight for over 100 exhibitors before it opens to the public on 23 September.

Brian Jones of Blonstein & Associates reports, "Point Source's calm attention to detail in the maelstrom of the designer load-in is a really important part of the production as a whole. They excel at ge

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