Germany - L-Acoustics introduced its new Kara modular line source system at Prolight&Sound in Frankfurt last week.

With a design inspired by the K1 stadium system, Kara "delivers the highest performance for the rental market". The system features a compact size and lightweight enclosure complying with rigging and visual limitations and the complementary SB18 subwoofer for reinforced LF contour applications. Kara delivers a considerable number of improvements over its predecessor: added LF resources for increased bandwidth and coherence, improved directivity control in the horizontal plane, vertical coverage capability and improved ergonomics thanks to an integrated rigging system and lighter weight.

With a horizontal directivity of 110° and a vertical inter-element

Germany - Arcstream is partnering exclusively with Ray Laser Technologies (RTI) to launch the new Nano laser range.

The new Nano range is the culmination of a year's research and development by RTI and brings a range of OPS, full colour, laser systems ranging from 10 Watts to 42 Watts; the flagship model being the Nano Rainbow - the first and only OPS laser on the market with six individual wavelengths. The lasers are all assembled in RTI's factory in Germany with the majority of parts and electronics being manufactured onsite.

Ray Laser Technologies managing director, Karl Kaes explains, "We are using the smallest laser diode drivers available for high power laser diodes, this means easier handling due to smaller size and weight, higher efficiency and lowest heat dissipation. Service friendly module technology and easy replacement of each colour gives the opportunity to

UK - The d&b UK office will host a T-Series product demonstration at The Embassy Theatre in Swiss Cottage, London on Wednesday 14 April. The day will feature the complete T-Series range of loudspeakers, the d&b Remote network and the thinking behind the integrated systems approach.

Steve Jones from the d&b UK office and John Taylor from their Education and Application Support team will present the day. The programme will mix theory and practice; an introduction to the positioning of the T-Series within the d&b audiotechnik product range, design criteria, and an overview of the ArrayCalc software and d&b's Remote control network.

This will be followed by a chance to listen to various configurations of the T-Series loudspeakers including the new B4-SUB cardioid subwoofer. There will also be comparisons with products from the E & Q-Series and there will be some time to listen to

featured content

Strictly FX, Pushing Boundaries

Strictly FX was founded in 1996 by industry veterans Mark Grega and Ted Maccabee. Our expertise and knowledge of the world’s leading pyrotechnic, laser, and flame manufacturers allows us to curate astonishing live events. With over 500+ shows performed a year, there’s good chance you’ve seen some of our work!

Germany - At ProLight&Sound last week, d&b audiotechnik featured a spread of products with the new E6 taking pride of place. The E6 loudspeaker is destined to replace the d&b E3.

The E6 is a high performance multipurpose cabinet employing an integrated 6.5"/1" exit coaxial driver design with neodymium magnet and constant directivity horn loading. The horn with its 100° x 55° (h x v) dispersion pattern can easily be rotated through 90°, providing a 55° x 100° pattern, without the use of tools. It is a two-way design with a built-in passive crossover network and its frequency response extends from 85 Hz to above 18 kHz.

The cabinet shape allows use either in a vertical or horizontal orientation as well as deployment as a discreet stage monitor. Weighing in at only 5 kg and with smaller dimensions than the E3 it produces a maximum SPL of 123 dB when

Germany - Following the successful launch of its active K Series at last year's ProLight&Sound in Frankfurt, 12 months later, QSC has gone a step further with the introduction of the KW Series. Building on the same platform as the ABS-moulded K Series (which it is designed to complement), the KW Series has been engineered to produce the same performance - but this time in a second generation wooden enclosure. Manufactured in QSC's Costa Mesa, California factory, the form factor is consequently more compact and substantially lighter than previous birch enclosure designs.

Packaged into the new, second generation Baltic birch design will be the same 1000W of Class D power modules (2 x 500W), 1.75-inch high output HF device (in the full-range models) and extensive DSP featured in the K Series, along with all QSC's patented technologies designed to fully-optimise the system.

The KW

France - L-Acoustics reports that it has joined the Crestron Integrated Partner Programme (I2P). The result of this collaboration will be the development of a Crestron Integrated Partners control module which allows the LA Amplified Controllers LA4 / LA8 to be controlled and monitored in an open-platform Crestron system environment.

L-Acoustics' head of fixed installation technical support, Cedric Montrezor, says, "The seamless integration of our platform into any Crestron-based system is an important move forward in our strategy to develop complete and integrated solutions for the permanent installation market. We are delighted to join one of the leaders in control hardware and touch panel manufacturing, and will soon be able to offer system designers and consultants solutions for our amplified controller platform to effectively communicate with other equipment within this

UK - Recently shown at ProLight&Sound, the new Chroma-Q Color Force 72 (6ft /1.8m) and 48 (4ft /1.2m) LED batten range features 12,000 / 8,000 lumens light output - providing a powerful fixture for lighting a cyclorama of up to 26ft drop. Combined with an enhanced RGBA colour spectrum, a CRI of 92, theatrical grade dimming and all the benefits of LED technology, the Color Force is billed as a multi-purpose colour-changing fixture.

The Chroma-Q RGBA engine has been developed to deliver a CRI of 92, for true colour balance across the spectrum and accurate tungsten white light emulation. Each 1000 lumen engine utilises unique ColorSure technology for enhanced colour consistency across cells and fixtures.

The unit's custom optical design provides a smooth, uniform output with "outstanding colour blend". Optional accessories include a Cyc lens plate for lighting up to a 1

featured content

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

France - LED screen manufacturer Lighthouse Technologies has appointed a new sales manager for France. A fluent French speaker, Janez Zigon lived in Paris for a number of years and has a thorough knowledge of the country's display technology market.

Working closely with Roberto Segato, Lighthouse's director of the CEME region, Zigon has worked for the company since February 2009 covering the East European regions.

"Janez has exceptional knowledge, both of our products and of the market in France," says Segato. "His appointment is a very positive step for our European operations, demonstrating the many benefits of using Lighthouse LED products to our current and potential French clients."

Zigon adds, "Being appointed Lighthouse's sales manager for France is an excellent opportunity for me and I will be taking a very proactive role in pre- and post-sal

UK - Optocore's newly developed compact fibre line system, OptoRack, will debut on the Leona Lewis world tour, beginning in May, after a joint development with Wigwam's rental division to produce a new data returns system.

The newly developed system provides a flexible solution to the restrictions which many hire/production companies are finding with Cat 5 cable systems.

According to Wigwam Hire director Chris Hill, using complicated extender units to cover distances over 100m is totally impractical and requires their field engineers to become IT network specialists. At the same time he criticised the inadequacies of RJ 45 fixed connectors when exposed to both festival and touring conditions as well as the extended prep time now required with so many digital manufacturers supporting their own proprietary platforms and connector protocols.

Using Optocore's new modular R serve

USA - Backline rental and entertainment services operator SIR (Studio Equipment Rentals) recently added an Electro-Voice XLD line array loudspeaker system to the pro audio inventory at their New York office.

The system comprises 16 XLD281 full-range elements and four Xsubs, all powered by six Tour Grade TG7 amplifiers equipped with RCM-26 DSP modules for IRIS-Net remote control and supervision.

"Our XLD system will typically be used to address one to two thousand people in rooms of various shapes and sizes," says Baker Lee, audio production manager at SIR New York, "so flexibility was a main consideration, along with size and sound quality. We invested in a range of accessories - dollies, fly bars, ground-stack kits, etc. - so we can fly, stack or lift the arrays securely, whatever the venue, and achieve consistently excellent results."

SIR's new system m

UK - People taking part in The Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile were left in no doubt that they had arrived thanks to Sunbaba's site branding which included a massive 925m² of PVC and Ultramesh, 570m² of Correx and 30 Knitted Polyester Flags for client Limelight Sports.

The Sunbaba team worked with Limelight Sports to produce the functional signage and gantry branding across the 16 headline cities in England and Northern Ireland.

The branding included start and finish line arches created using PVC panels. Eight of the 16 cities were supplied with PVC panels that were welded together to create double sided banners where the gantry acted as a frame. In other instances single sided panels were used as a gantry wrap.

Directional signage highlighting the running route, VIP areas, water distribution and recycling points were created using Correx. This is a lightweight, robust and w

Denmark - Eighteen months ago, DPA Microphones unveiled its 4099 clip mic range, which has proved to be a success with musicians worldwide. The range has now been expanded with two new additions: the 4099B and 4099C, with mounting accessories designed specifically for bass and cello respectively.

Since the launch of the first four models, DPA has carried out intensive experiments with other instruments. One of the areas where superior sound quality and high rejection are an issue is acoustic bass, so a new holder has been designed for that instrument. Bass players such as Rufus Reid, Chris Minh Doky and John Patitucci were already 4099 users before the launch of the new bass clip. Minh Doky was so confident he'd found the ultimate mic he took a deep breath and drilled a hole into the bridge, creating a permanent mounting solution. With the new bass clip, such drastic measures ar

USA - Technomad Associates reports that Simi Valley Hospital, one of 17 hospitals operated by Adventist Health in the western United States, is using two Technomad Schedulon automatic MP3 players for scheduled and on-demand playback of audio files in multiple locations of the hospital.

Located in Simi Valley, California, Simi Valley Hospital is a 201-bed acute care facility. The Schedulon provides dual-functionality for the hospital, essentially acting as two devices in a single 1RU system: a sophisticated, networked, scheduled-audio player that plays sounds on a user-defined schedule; and a simple, on-demand audio file player that acts as a rugged, rackmount iPod with sounds 'hard-assigned' to knob positions for quick-predictable access.

At Simi Valley Hospital, both units are used to deliver music and announcements to various locations at specific times, including the main e

Germany - A high power, weatherised and digitally networked Renkus-Heinz PA system has been installed for west German football club Alemannia Aachen at its New Tivoli stadium in Aachen.

The stadium's architects were tasked with retaining the ambience of the club's old ground, especially its reputation for crowd noise. The tall, steep stands are close to the pitch, and the low suspended steel roof with a 3m glass lip was also designed to boost noise levels. Bundesliga regulations permit both seated and standing spectators, with 11,681 of the 32,900 total capacity standing on terraces 80 rows high behind each goal.

Stephan van der Kooi, project manager for stadium owner and operator Alemannia, comments, "The old Tivoli was a very English kind of soccer stadium, and it was known for the loudness of its crowd, and we wanted to retain that feeling."

System IT and commun

Frankfurt Postscript - Organisers of Musikmesse and ProLight&Sound 2010 report satisfactory attendance figures. "With around 2,340 exhibitors, 62 percent of them from outside Germany, and almost 110,000 visitors from 128 countries, Musikmesse and ProLight&Sound exceeded our expectations," said Detlef Braun, Member of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt. "Moreover", he added, "the number of exhibitors and visitors remained stable in comparison to last year despite some dramatic drops in sales of up to 30 percent in both sectors over the last 18 months." Overall, the impact of the difficult economic situation in the two sectors was limited to minor declines in the number of exhibitors and visitors compared to 2009 (2,388 exhibitors, 112.478 visitors).

In line with the difficult economic situation prevailing in both sectors, which has hit the ex

UK - Point Source Productions supplied lighting, smoke and haze effects, cabling and power distribution to La Clique at the Roundhouse during its successful 10 week run over Christmas 2009 and New Year 2010.

Dubbed by The Sunday Times as 'the best selling show of all time' for pre-bookings at Camden's Roundhouse, La Clique's style is a mixture of outlandish variety, burlesque and circus entertainment which has been described in reviews as both 'a walk on the wild side' and 'a divinely decadent delight.'

Point Source Productions was called upon by Dan Watkins of The Production Desk and freelance Production Electrician, Jono Kenyon to provide additional equipment which would facilitate the very specific look of Willie Suddon's lighting design.

Kenyon and Watkins had collaborated on La Clique's 2008 production at the Hippodrome from where, despite its succe

UK - Hawthorn will be exhibiting at PLASA Focus once again this year. Alan Jackson, head of installations at Hawthorns, will be on the stand this year to discuss ServiceSafe, Hawthorn's new testing and servicing division, launched earlier this month.

Hawthorn's MD, Martin Hawthorn, will also be at the show and commented, "Last year's show was well organised and extremely well attended, a credit to PLASA, so much so that we re-booked our stand on site. It's ideally placed for us with our Midlands based head office and we got some good leads. This year we're showcasing Media Surge, our new LED video cloth, which has proved a big hit with both the corporate and the film & TV markets, as well as our dry hire customers."

(Jim Evans)

UK - Tower Productions were recently approached by the Scottish Rugby Union to provide lighting, staging, rigging and production power for a memorial service for Bill McLaren - 'the voice of rugby' - staged on the pitch at Murrayfield.

With a fairly open design brief, Tower's James Mitchelmore and Pete Donald covered lighting design, and rigging respectively.

A Prolyte MPT system provided the stage cover with Prolyte S52 being used from the stadium roof some 40m off the deck, for lighting and PA hangs. Two dozen 2500w city colours formed the basis of the stadium lighting with 100no. assorted P64 doing detail and effect work.

Robe CS700s hung from the grandstand provided keylight for marching bands and break-up patterns on the track. Stage lighting was largely generic comprising 2k fresnels and S4 profiles and pars. Movement was by Robe 250 colourwashes.

The Tower power tea

UK / USA - SpotTrack, the new software tool for making and managing followspot cue sheets, has found favour with a number of high profile shows since its launch last autumn.

In London, Love Never Dies, the long-awaited sequel to Andrew Lloyd Webber's international hit musical The Phantom of the Opera, is using SpotTrack to manage its followspot cue sheets. The show is lit by Paule Constable, with the spots overseen by her associate lighting designer Beky Stoddart. Stoddart is also using SpotTrack on the new production of Oliver!, also lit by Paule Constable, at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and associate lighting designer Nick Simmons is using it to manage the followspots on the new UK tour of Les Misérables, again designed by the busy Constable.

The new West End production of Legally Blonde, lit by Kenneth Posner and Paul Miller,

UK - Perched high on the cliffs overlooking one of the UK's best known seaside resorts, Southend's Cliffs Pavilion Theatre has been kitted out with new Electro-Voice sound reinforcement systems by TED AV, commissioned by venue owner and operator HQ Theatres.

Its sister venue in Southend, the smaller Palace Theatre, went all EV a couple of years ago, and with close collaboration and resource-sharing between the two houses, there were considerable advantages in staying with the brand and with supplier Shuttlesound.

The Cliffs Pavilion is a receiving house, seating over 1,600 for a theatrical production, but with flexible set-up arrangements enabling 2,500 to be accommodated for live gigs. As one of the premier division of regional theatre venues, Cliffs Pavilion has to balance the needs of touring bands bringing in their own systems with the needs of visiting theatre productions

Austria - Danish opera singer Rick Heis has recorded an SACD, Caught In Paradise, using DPA microphones. The session, at the Jugendstiltheater in Heis's adopted home of Vienna, saw six DPA 4011 cardioid mics being used for stereo recordings. Two were used for Heis' vocals, two for his guitar amp and two for bass player Georg Straka, a member of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition, a pair of DPA 4006 omnidirectional mics were used for a stereo recording of pianist Michael Rot's Steinway model B.

After many years of singing and playing guitar, Heis made the discovery that he was a baritone, not a tenor as a music teacher had told him. This discovery revitalized his musical career and Caught In Paradise, which so far has been released in Austria on the local label Gerimi Classics, has come from this renaissance.

"I've been using DPA microphones for y

Latest Issue. . .