Italy - Proel amplifiers have been chosen by Hollywood Service, responsible for the outfitting of a real piano keyboard built on the stairs leading out of Milan's subway station of Piazza Duomo for LiveMi.

LiveMi is a major initiative aimed at relaunching Italian emergent music, under the artistic direction of Italian Music TV personality Red Ronnie and supported by the Municipality of Milan and by ATM (Milan's public transportation company).

It offers artists and bands having their own repertoire a series of important and free opportunities for their career. Among the various opportunities available are a chance to perform on a professional stage at the Milan Metro, a video broadcast of the concerts on maxi-screens and on YouTube, and participation to the web comm

China - ShowTex fabrics are always on the move, even when the planes are on the ground: With the recent travel crisis in Europe, deadlines for building the pavilions at the upcoming Expo in Shanghai are being pushed to the limit.

Says ShowTex: "Luckily for many stand builders awaiting deliveries from Europe that could never clear customs by the 1 May Expo opening date, ShowTex warehouses in the region had more than enough display fabric to go round. Offices in the Middle East and Hong Kong, like all ShowTex locations have a huge stock of stage drape fabrics, curtain track, and motion control systems.

"The local warehouses keep a huge stock of fabric rolls on hand so ShowTex customers don't have to rely on airfreight for their orders."

(Jim Evans)

Denmark - M1 is the latest lighting controller from Martin Professional. With the full power of a larger desk and the agility of a smaller one, the M1 is an all-in-one lighting control unit. Following the philosophy and simplicity of Martin's current controller platform, the Martin M1 is a powerful yet compact and affordable full-featured lighting console.

Designed from the ground up to deliver the highest ratio of features vs price on the market, the M1 fits the bill in today's tight, ROI-conscious economy, says the company. Quality tested and reliably stable, the M1 is the result of over a decade of console development at Martin. It is built using the best components on the market and is made to endure the toughness of rental and touring.

The Martin M1 is equipped with a fast dual-core processor that makes operation extremely snappy. The dual core processor ensures that the

UAE - Christie Middle East has occupied a central position at the PALME Middle East shows since setting up its regional office back in May 2007. PALME 2010 has been no exception with Simon Smith and his team setting out a range of dynamic and innovative new products.

Smith commented: "We are also delighted to see that Sanctuary nightclub in Dubai - featuring 28 Christie projectors specified by partner, VenueTech - was the winner of PALME's Best Entertainment Venue category. The venue is stunningly realised through Christie projection. The innovative slant the projection by VenueTech has given to the Sanctuary's visual landscape is taking Dubai to the forefront of nightlife - and far beyond."

Christie MicroTiles was the subject of a seminar given by sales consultant, Africa, Phil Lord, who used them as a base to discuss Exploiting Current Trends and Future Trends o

UK - Entertainment lighting supplier White Light will be showing a full spectrum of lighting products from the many manufacturers it distributes in the UK at this year's PLASA Focus Show, which takes place 27-28 April at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

So comprehensive is the range of equipment on show that White Light will have two stands, one in each of the exhibition's halls.

In the Royal Armouries Hall, White Light will be on stand RA-C4. Products on show there will include the newly launched VSFX3, a radically updated version of White Light's popular, long-established optical effect that is fully compatible with existing discs and projectors, but also provides better slow-speed movement and on-board DMX and RDM control. VSFX3 will be shown with Robert Juliat's 350LFX projector; other products from the Juliat range, including the Victor 1800W MSR followspot and Lutin 1000W a

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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. 

For more information visit us at www.etcconnect.com

UK - PSCo has introduced a new videowall product to its rental fleet and is encouraging organisers to break free from conventional rectangle shaped solutions and create dynamic displays of any shape, size and formation to add an extra visual dimension to events.

The product in question is the Infinite Plasma 4250R which is a completely bezel-less plasma screen with the smallest seam gap of any flat panel videowall technology available on the market, at less than 4mm in multi-formations, says PSCo.

The screens can be linked together to create unlimited seamless displays in any shape or size, suitable for design led applications such as statement displays at exhibitions, creating entrances and walkways at award ceremonies and as directional signage on unfamiliar event sites, updated with real time information.

Mike Nield, PSCo's global rental director says: "The 4250R has

USA - Lexicon has released new Windows 7 software drivers for Alpha, Lambda, Omega and the I?ONIX U22, U42S, and U82S series of Desktop Recording Interfaces. Now all of the Lexicon USB Desktop Recording Interfaces operate seamlessly on any computers running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7, Vista, or XP. Also, these interfaces operate on all Mac computers operating on OS X 10.4.9 or higher regardless of whether they are based on PowerPC or Intel processors.

Speaking about the newly updated drivers for the Desktop Recording Interfaces, business segment director for Lexicon Paul Faby said: "We're excited to be continuing our effort to offer the latest software updates to support these products. This is a fantastic line-up which offers unbelievable sonic capabilities at very attractive prices."

(Jim Evans)

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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.

www.cameolight.com/p6profile

UK - AC-ET's Audio division has been appointed as an authorised dealer for the RSS by Roland range of professional audio products. The line-up includes cost-effective digital mixing, digital snake multicore and audio recorder solutions which can be easily integrated into specific commercial applications.

As part of the agreement, AC-ET will carry stock of key product lines as well as having access to the full RSS product range.

The RSS by Roland M-400 live mixing console will be featured on AC-ET's stand at the PLASA Focus show.

The RSS by Roland digital snake multicore range includes the S-4000S, a modular system delivering up to 160 channels of high quality 24-bit/96kHz audio over Cat 5e cables. Features include remote controllable XR-1 professional quality mic preamps, redundant Ethernet ports and splits using standard Ethernet hardware.

A.C. Audio Sales Manager, Peter

USA - The new V-Tower Ground Support System from Total Structures allows you to build audio delay towers without the need for guy wires, reducing the footprint in audience areas. This system, based on standard Total Structures 12" Tower Truss and standard Light Duty box truss, gives you 30ft of trim height to fly up to 1500 pounds of line array audio gear.

Thanks to its self stabilizing design, and its use of the PA equipment to self-ballast the structure, this system requires no external ballast blocks or guy cables in most applications. The system has been fully engineered, and allows PA systems to be flown in conditions up to 40 mph 3 second wind gusts.

Users can cover the inclined mast with graphics for additional signage space by reducing the maximum wind speed to 30 mph. With the exception of the corner junction, head block, and tower supports, all components are st

UK - The 128th Convention of the Audio Engineering Society, the international audio technology organisation and standards body, takes place in London this year, from 22-25 May at the Novotel Convention Centre, Hammersmith.

The Convention consists of technical presentations and discussion sessions, workshops, and student-orientated activities. The associated equipment exhibition takes place in the neighbouring Novotel Exhibition Hall.

An international mix of speakers is lined up for the Convention, in sessions ranging from white-paper presentations on the latest developments in psychoacoustic research, forensic audio restoration techniques and surround sound, to practical discussion sessions on the future of running commercial studios and producing audio soundtracks for console and computer games.

Roger Furness, executive director of the AES, comments: "We're delighted t

USA - Audio-Technica provided wireless solutions for the 45th Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, broadcast live on the CBS Television Network from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday 18 April 18.

Several performers used Audio-Technica's Artist Elite 5000 Series UHF Wireless System during the course of the show. Country/pop singer-songwriter Taylor Swift paired the 5000 Series system with the AEW-T4100 Cardioid Dynamic Handheld Transmitter for her lead vocals. Audio-Technica endorser Jason Aldean performed with the 5000 Series and the AEW-T6100 Hypercardioid Dynamic Handheld Transmitter. Darius Rucker and A-T endorser Kenny Chesney each performed with the AEW-T5400 Cardioid Condenser Handheld Transmitter.

"Some of the best ears in the business choose Audio-Technica every day," said Soundtronics Wireless's Dave Bellamy, wireless engineer for the ACM A

USA - In preparing for the 2010 summer tour season, Rat Sound knew it would be adding some new equipment to its inventory. Starting the season doing five stages at the Coachella festival in April and with several arena tours booked, the company is poised for a big summer. "We're seeing demand we haven't seen in several years," notes company president Dave Rat. "This will definitely be our strongest year ever."

One area of need was a new digital mixing console. Rat says: "Knowing our client requirements, we tested several consoles. There were two different angles I look at in evaluating a board - me personally as an engineer, and of course, the company as a sound vendor. Basically, we found that the Midas PRO6 has features and usability that I have not been able to find in other digital consoles."

From a business perspective, Rat Sound's needs were

UK - Prog rock band Aeon Zen is the first band in the UK to embrace fully the system functionality and interconnectivity of the Roland Systems Group suite of sound and video control products, investing in a portable digital mixing and stage monitoring package put together for them by Wigwam Sales. This compact system, contained in just two custom flightcases, includes a six-way stage monitoring system using RSS M-48 individual mixers, and a RSS M-400 digital mixing console with Digital Snake for use at front-of-house.

The band is now trying to ramp up its live touring schedule ahead of the release of a second album. "The only way this music will work live is if we recreate the studio sound with the right gear," explains Aeon Zen's founder and songwriter Rich Hinks. "It's too technical to sound good in a normal set-up so we take advantage of MIDI triggers and effec

UK - At this year's PLASA Focus: Leeds 2010 exhibition, Lightfactor's stand will major on new products from Italian lighting manufacturer DTS, for which it is the exclusive UK distributor. These include the Titan LED wash light, the XR3000 Spot and the new XR300 Beam, which utilises FAR technology to give full 360° rotation on both pan and tilt axes.

From Novalight, the ever popular Nova Flower 2K will be on show; from LDR a wide range of fresnels, profiles and PC fixtures, plus a brand new 2K discharge source follow spot.

From UK manufacturer Cogent will be a selection of the latest LEDs - white light, RGB and colour changing along with a selection of drivers including the new mains dimmable drivers.

Lightfactor reports it is enjoying unprecedented success with DTS's range of professional lighting products - including a full range of moving lights and a robust architect

USA - Celtic Woman merges modern elements with Celtic tunes through the voices of five female soloists backed by a full band and an eight-member choir. Since its formation in 2004, the group has sold over 50m albums and has played to sold-out arenas throughout the world. The current 75 city tour, Songs From the Heart supports the latest release of the same name and made its way in late February through New York City.

The group invited the Internet phenomenon P.S. 22 Chorus to share the stage at Radio City Music Hall. Under the direction of Gregg Breinberg, the P.S. 22 Chorus is a school chorus from Staten Island, New York, whose performances have "gone viral" on YouTube.com, inspiring over 13m views. In addition to the large amount of Sennheiser wireless and wired microphones and personal monitors that Celtic Woman normally travels with, FOH engineer Wayne Paule

Russia - The premiere of Vladimir Khotinenko's new film Pop (aka The Priest) which took place on Easter Sunday in the Church Council's Hall of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, was a landmark event in the history of the Russian motion picture industry. Kinoproekt Company provided the technical support and installed the digital projection system, which was supplied by Christie.

Pop had become a phenomenon amongst the Russian motion picture industry even before its official release. It is the first to be blessed by the Russian Orthodox Church. The production was sponsored by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.

Alexander Rubin, general director of Kinoproekt, commented on the venue for the premiere, "The hall is intended for church assemblies. It is a rather large hall with an amphitheatre and side balconies, but it is not fit for mo

France - Innovason, French manufacturer of live digital mixing consoles, has announced the appointment of Marcel Babazadeh to the position of international sales director.

Philipp Lawo, CEO of the Lawo Group which has a majority shareholding in Innovason, is pleased to welcome Babazadeh to the Innovason team: "Marcel has extensive experience in audio hardware sales; his commercial success with leading companies in our industry provides irrefutable evidence of this", he says. "I was particularly impressed with his excellent relationship with users, pre- and post-sales support, and his thorough product knowledge."

Prior to taking over the Innovason sales operation, Babazadeh was sales director for digital mixing consoles in the European and South American markets, as well as Sales Tonmeister for an internationally known company in the professional audio indus

UK - Fifty Nine Productions (War Horse, Waves, Satyagraha) has teamed up with Sigur Rós frontman Jónsi to create a spectacular new live show combining theatre, film, animation, art installation and live music. The production opened in Vancouver in early April and is now touring the world with London performances on 26 and 27 May at the HMV Forum, Kentish Town, plus numerous festival appearances throughout the year.

Fifty Nine has previously designed sets, video and film projection for a variety of theatrical and operatic production companies including the National Theatre, ENO, Royal Opera House and Metropolitan Opera New York. The company is now making its first foray into the world of rock music.

Jónsi's live show has been conceived of as a collision of two worlds - the immediacy and energy of rock and roll with the sophisticated production values of a theatrical s

UK - Specialist UK LED manufacturer i-Pix shows its latest products at PLASA Focus in Leeds, UK, next week, all of which build on the success and popularity of the BB4 and BB7 series wash lights.

Totally new is a range of white LED engines - initially to be shown at the exhibition in i-Pix's BB1 fixture. Also new is the BB2, a self contained two-cell fixture and the BB 2x2 which is made up of a pair of BB2s.

The versatility of the BB series, plus i-Pix' innovative LED control technology and attention to quality engineering and detail will be demonstrated in full.

i-Pix launches a range of white light LED engines, absolutely hot off the production line from Germany. Initially shown in the BB1 fixture, these are available now across the full BB range in Warm White, Cold White and a super-smooth Warm-to-Cold white mix.

The Warm White has a colour temperature of 3000 degrees K

UK - On 5 June, Charcoalblue projects director and motorbike enthusiast Jack Tilbury accompanied by pillion riding, camera wielding journalist Sarah Rushton-Read, will join The First Night Riders - a group of motorbike riding entertainment and theatre professionals - for a seven-day, tour of new, interesting and historically significant UK theatres.

The trip will take riders to venues up and down the UK and raise much needed funds for The Theatrical Guild (TTG) - a charity dedicated to supporting individuals who have been or are currently employed in professional theatre - backstage and front of house.

The First Night Riders will depart from outside London's National Theatre on 5 June and return in time for the start of the International Theatre Engineering & Architecture Conference on 13 June. In all, riders will cover 1400 miles in eight days and finish up at Hampstead Theat

China - KV2 Audio has announced the appointment of Aivin Audio as its new distribution partner in China. Having a wealth of experience in audio installations as well as the thriving Karaoke market, Aivin is well positioned to build on the success of the KV2 brand in the rest of the world.

Currently working towards the forthcoming PALME show in Beijing next month where KV2 will have a demonstration room for the first time, as well as increased exposure on the floor, a new purpose built club demonstration facility is also being constructed for customers to experience the KV2 systems at their Guangzhou facility.

Commenting on the appointment, whilst attending a training seminar for KV2 dealers in China, CEO Jonathan Reece-Farren says: "2010 looks like an exciting year for both companies and we look forward to reporting back on their mutual success over the coming months.&quo

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