USA - Architectural lighting design firm and custom lighting fixture manufacturer LIGHTfaktor has opened an events design and rental division, in response to growing demand for experiential environments. The new division will be headed by lighting specialist Amy D. Lux.

To enhance both its fixed install and rental services, LIGHTfaktor has also become a dealer for Czech-based lighting manufacturer Robe. Both divisions will operate out of LIGHTfaktor's headquarters and showroom in Austin, Texas.

The rising popularity of its experiential, interactive, engaging environments led to the formation of this new division, said Wes Lane, principal and lead designer. "We specialise in creating environments for permanent and one-off spaces, as well as designing custom lighting fixtur

USA / Europe - The new ADJ Magna Tube utilises a magnetic adapter and a lightweight design to offer users a new column lighting alternative to standard uplighting and PAR effects, the company says.

The Magna Tube is a lightweight but durable acrylic tube which combines with ADJ par cans to form a distinctive glowing-tube effect. Using its four strong magnets, the Magna Tube can be secured firmly to the metallic housing of any Flat Par or WiFLY Par fixtures, slotting easily into the included magnetic gel-frame adapter.

Ideal for mobile lighting users, the Magna Tube weighs just 1.6kg and each tube is 39in tall and 5.9in diameter (1008x208x208mm), making them easy to store in the back of the truck, while the included rubber covers ensure protection during transit.

The Magna Tube is available now from ADJ USA and ADJ Europe.

(LSiOnline)

The Netherlands - PC-based control technology specialist Beckhoff is exhibiting its versatile product portfolio and range of automation solutions at ISE, in Hall 10, Booth N136.

The company's versatile interfaces, supporting multiple protocols for media and building services, are shown at ISE now with added support for Open Control Architecture (OCA). OCA is a media networking system control standard for professional applications. The standard has seen implementation by several professional audio and AV companies, and has now been published as public open standard AES70, by the Audio Engineering Society Standards Committee.

Beckhoff's PC-based control technology enables optimum integration of media technology, lighting control, building automation and control logic. The consistent, highly scalable automation platform offers all relevant interfaces for integrating AV multimed

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ETC Ministar

ETC introduces the High End Systems Ministar, a game-changer in our automated lighting product line. Ministar brings exceptional versatility and performance at an affordable price point; with a compact footprint, punchy output, and a professional feature set, Ministar fits the spec and budget for small to medium-sized venues.

The Netherlands - Powersoft arrives at ISE 2016 (Booth #7K-182) on the back of successful year spent raising market share in global markets.

Aside from their successes in concert touring, the release of the Dante-supporting Ottocanali series of multi-channel amplifiers (12K4, 8K4, 4K4) has given them a platform for installers that in turn has enabled them to raise their profile exponentially at this show.

Fittingly, the journey through 2015 ended with two Powersoft 12K4 amplifiers being specified and installed at global flagship brand the Ministry of Sound London, to drive the newly enhanced Dolby Atmos system in the main room, while across London at the same time Old Barn Audio were installing Powersoft at the Olympic White Water Centre and sister venue the Lee Valley Ice Centre, which also hosts several London Ice Hockey teams.

OBA's story is typical of many global inte

USA - Emanuel Lutheran Church on Santa Barbara's Modoc Road, recently decided to upgrade its audio system, and asked Brian Thompson of TNR Electronics in Ojai, and Ed Simeone of Dedicated Marketing in Westlake Village (both in California), to provide the upgrade. They wanted improved voice intelligibility and music quality, flexible configurations for their various services and a "hands-off" user interface for most services with the option of operator control when needed.

Simeone chose Allen & Heath's Qu-Pac digital audio mixer to fill these needs. It offered the hands-off, automatic-mixer operation the church wanted and an iPad interface for operator control when needed. The rack-mount Qu-Pac could be hidden in the church's equipment closet and had ample DSP for everything from house equalization to reverb for the choir mics.

As part of the upgrade, Simeone added

USA - Sandals, a three-campus church in California's Inland Empire, has a new lighting system that includes a collection of Rogue fixtures from Chauvet Professional.

"The Rogue fixtures give the church the flexibility to create a variety of different looks and do different things that engage people in new ways, not just at worship services, but also at youth events and concerts," said Duke DeJong vice-president of systems integration at CCI Solutions, which installed the fixtures. "Dynamic lighting has been a big part of the Sandals worship experience for years, and Chauvet's Rogue spot, wash, and beam fixtures fit the bill perfectly."

CCI installed a total of 28 Rogue moving fixtures at the church: eight R2 Washes, twelve R2 Spots and eight R2 Beams. While the fixtures will move around on a regular basis, at the time of opening a group of four R2 Washes

Romania - Every year the Romanian city of Ploiesti, situated 60 miles from Bucharest, celebrates the arrival of the new year in style with a concert and firework display in the main town square. Local company (and PR Lighting partner) Temple Media are contracted by the Municipality of Ploiesti City to create a dynamic show on the 16x14x10m outdoor stage - testing the artistry of freelance LD Cristian Simon.

This year he and Temple Media CEO Dan Chiorcioiu created a new lighting design and video set-up for the event, lighting the stage with nearly 100 LED fixtures. These comprised 20 x XR 200 Beam, 10 x XR 230 Spot, 16 x XLed 1061 Wash, 16 x XLed 2007 Beam and 30 x XLed 3007 Wash. They also added some other effects on the side wings, all under Resolume control.

The XR 230 Spots and XLed 1061 were located on the upstage centre and downstage trusses, and the XR 200 Beams were r

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Strictly FX Highlights

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!

USA / Europe - Electronic metalcore five-piece Bring Me The Horizon recently completed a tour of the USA and Europe in support of their latest album That's The Spirit with a high-impact and punchy lighting design by Ben Inskip using Philips Showline SL Nitro 510C LED strobes.

Inskip - who has served as lighting designer for the Sheffield band for the past five years - employed the strobes to cut through the brightness of the show's significant video element.

"In terms of output the SL Nitro 510C is great," says Inskip. "It is bright enough to still have impact during the video heavy parts of the set. In addition, the strobes' great color mixing meant that they worked well with the content on the video wall to create an overall look instead of fighting to be seen."

Inskip positioned 12 units upstage tucked in between video strips that made up the

Europe - The new Holiday on Ice show, Believe, directed and choreographed by Olympic and world ice skating champion Christopher Dean, takes the concept of ice musicals to a new level of production and presentation.

Belgian design practice Painting with Light has created the set, lighting and video designs for this vibrant show, a contemporary take on Romeo and Juliet. Painting with Light's Luc Peumans imagined the set, working alongside his talented team of Paco Mispelters who created the lighting and Michael Al-Far who designed the video.

"It was a fantastic opportunity to show what Painting with Light can do as a full live show production resource," commented Luc, whose original ideas for the scenic were chosen from a competitive pitch.

Luc and Painting with Light have worked on previous Holiday on Ice productions for Dutch producers Stage Entert

USA - The inaugural KAABOO Festival launched in Del Mar, California this September with Clay Paky Sharpys and A.leda B-EYE K20s.

KAABOO was held at the Del Mar Racetrack & Fairgrounds over three days, with 100 musical acts filling seven indoor and outdoor stages. Festival lighting designer Chris Lisle was tasked with delivering unique looks to each stage. "We had a lot of fun playing with architecture," he says. "We created ambience and environmental looks across the site."

The main stage, Sunset Cliffs, featured over 50 active Sharpys layered throughout the rig to give big visual punch. The EDM (Encore) stage used 24 B-EYE K20s in the design, primarily shining toward the audience for big effects and visuals. "The B-EYEs were used in shapes mode," notes Lisle. "We took advantage of a lot of the great built-in macros. They performed great, a

UK - Specialist rigging and chain hoist service and inspection centre, The Hoistpital, recently hosted an official EXE Rise Training session at their premises in Bedford for the maintenance team from Neg Earth, which owns a substantial quantity of EXE Rise chain hoists in both 1120kg and 2000kg Capacity.

With EXE Rise Hoists now being used on many of Neg Earths major shows, the team were keen to have official training to enable them to properly service and maintain their growing fleet. The Hoispital handle the annual inspection and certification for all of Neg Earth's motors and have recently serviced nearly 200 EXE Rise hoists, ready for a long stint of touring work coming up over the next 12 months.

The training session was presented by Adam Beaumont from Area Four Industries UK, Fabio Prada from Area Four Industries / Litec Italy and Giovanni Rebeschin from RWM Italy, and

Singapore - A Meyer Sound Constellation acoustic system has been installed in the upgraded school auditorium of The Singapore American School (SAS), fixing a sound issue that was preventing performers from hearing each other clearly. The system now gives students the opportunity to learn about active acoustics technology first hand, while also providing a customizable sound experience for community productions.

"As a school, we have a bold vision to be a world leader in education, cultivating exceptional thinkers, prepared for the future," says Dr. Chip Kimball, superintendent of SAS. "Constellation allows us to be that world leader; it truly is the epitome of excellence. Our students and our staff are tremendous performers and talented individuals, and they work very hard to perfect their craft. The acoustic system shines light on their art. This auditorium is a

UK / Ireland - Irish lighting designer Conor Biddle has been turning to Elation lighting for several years now, from acts as diverse as renowned House DJ MK to Irish country singer Nathan Carter's recent UK tour.

For an MK show at Olympia Theatre in Dublin, Conor used an all-Elation rig as energy-inducing visual support for a catalogue of house tracks. Having worked on previous MK shows in Ireland, Conor worked with Session Hire Dublin to design and operate the show with Session Hire providing crew and supplying all of the lighting.

"I have worked with Session Hire for many years as a freelance designer and together we have provided lighting to MK's previous Irish tours in several venues in Dublin over the years, as well as Cork and Galway," Conor stated of the relationship. "For MK's Olympia Theatre show, we used Elation's compact Rayzor Q7 LED moving head as

USA - As New Yorkers celebrated the arrival of 2016, several thousand EDM fans rocked out at Big Week NYC, a series of concerts produced by RPM Presents and staged at Pier 94 and Pier 36 in the city's famous waterfront area. Performances by international artists like Rudimental, Nicky Romero, Knife Party, Future, Travis Scott, local heroes Chainsmokers, and young Dutch rising star Oliver Heldens were illuminated by Robe fixtures selected by Kevin Mignone, owner of New York-based KM Productions.

Kevin, searching for a new look to the lighting and a change from the moving light brand that had been used in the past, decided Big Week NYC was an ideal chance to give Robe's BMFL Spots and Pointes a centre stage position for all the action.

He credits lighting designer Michael Gionfriddo with the high-energy display featuring Robe BMFL Spots and Pointes that accompanied the truly a

World - Madonna's Rebel Heart Tour employs a pair of DiGiCo SD7s under the control of the tour's FOH engineer Andy Meyer and monitor engineers Matt Napier and Sean Spuehler. Meyer and Napier are both using SD7s with Napier's console featuring an EX007 fader expansion where Spuehler mixes Madonna's vocals and effects.

"Madonna likes her live sound to be as close as possible to the album," says Napier. "To accomplish this, Sean focuses on mixing her vocal effects and delays, which are then bussed to the FOH console so - in theory, at least - the audience hears exactly the same vocal sound that she does."

Madonna is an artist who still likes to push the boundaries with her live production, and an arena tour features many elements that can present several challenges.

"Every Madonna tour has its unique aspects," Napier continues. "The main on

Finland - Genelec has announced the launch of its latest in-wall loudspeaker system, the AIW26B, which offers low distortion and neutral sound reproduction. This update of the popular AIW26 features a new frameless enclosure grille, ensuring the loudspeaker can elegantly blend into almost any environment. Its precision design provides superior bass reproduction as well as precise mid and high frequencies imaging for state-of-the art audio installations.

"The AIW26B is a continuation of the fantastic work that we have done with our active in-wall loudspeaker systems," says Sami Mäkinen, AV installation systems business manager at Genelec. "This hugely impressive system has a wide variety of applications, and would be ideal for installation in a home theatre, a restaurant, art gallery, or a variety of commercial applications. With its frameless design, the new enc

UK - Klark Teknik has announced the release of two new network modules, the KT-USB and KT-AES50, both compatible with the Klark Teknik DN9650 and DN9652 Network Bridges, and the Midas Neutron-NB expansion module. Designed to deliver increased connectivity and exceptional audio performance, the new modules expand Klark Teknik's product portfolio.

The KT-USB is a class-compliant USB 2.0 Network Module and requires just a single USB cable to connect to either a Mac or PC running any industry standard DAW software. A total of 48 bidirectional channels are available at 48 kHz and 24 bidirectional channels are available 96 kHz. Alternatively, the KT-AES50 module provides a dual port AES50 digital audio interface which operates from the incoming AES50 clock or an external clock. Additionally, it features up to 48 bidirectional channels and operates at 96 kHz and 48 kHz sample rates.

Sweden - Lab.gruppen has expanded its energy efficient E Series of compact 1U installation amplifiers with the introduction of the first four-channel models in the range, the E 10:4 and E 5:4, as well as the cost-effective new two-channel E 2:2. Now with a total of six models, the newly expanded E Series marks the 10th anniversary of Lab.gruppen's first major entry of 2U, 8 channel solutions for the commercial installation market with C Series in 2006.

"The C Series of amplifiers quickly became one of our most successful products, not only because of its superb sound and durable build quality, but also because of its power density and flexibility," observes Lab.gruppen product manager Klas Dalbjorn. "However, with the expanded E Series, now we can offer the same power density with an even lower current draw, Energy Star certification and reduced overall costs cou

The Netherlands - Nexo is releasing two new four-channel amplifiers which will partner with the new DTD Controller to create compact, lightweight, intelligent and low-cost powering solutions for the installation and touring SR markets.

Showing for the first time at the ISE in Amsterdam are the DTDAMP4x0.7 and DTDAMP4x1.3, denominating 4-channel, 1U rack-mounting amps in 700W and 1300W models (4x4 Ohms). Each unit weighs just 7.5kg.

Road-ready, rack-ready, the DTDAMP offers all the sensors and protection that are mandatory for a professional touring amplifier, such as mains over/under voltage, Over-voltage or DC output on each channel, short circuit etc.

The variable speed cooling system ensures a quiet and cool amplifier while the front to back cooling system ensures compatibility inside racks where both DTDAMP and Nexo's high-spec NXAMP are used together in large install

The Netherlands - Yamaha's Commercial Installation Solutions (CIS) range has been expanded with the DCH8 Digital Controller Hub, which allows multiple control lines for the DCP series Digital Control Panel units to be connected to a Yamaha MRX7-D signal processor or MTX series matrix processor.

The DCH8 functions as a relay device between the host device and DCP series, allowing a combination of star and daisy-chain connections. Power is supplied via the CAT5e cable from the host device, simplifying cabling and allowing flexible device layout.* Screw holes for mounting flanges are provided on both the rear and sides, for flexible mounting in a variety of situations.

The DCH8 will be on show with the full CIS range on Yamaha's Stand 3-A90 at ISE2016, which takes place at the Amsterdam RAI from 9-12 February.

(Jim Evans)

USA - Jack U, Steve Aoki, Zeds Dead, Flosstradamus, Big Sean and other EDM heavies are headlining the current Life In Color 'Kingdom' Tour, which is selling out venues in the US and UK. The set features a large replica of a lion, 56ft wide by 43ft tall, towering over the stage, with bright, blinking, moving eyes that are animated by Chauvet Professional's video panels.

"The eyes make the lion come alive and touch everyone in the audience," said Daniel Bouchard, production director of Life in Color, the popular festival, which this year is featuring the lion as part of its Kingdom theme. "We gave the lion a personality and a spirit, if you will, through the eyes. These are eyes that move and blink and change colours, so regardless of where you are, you feel their presence."

Bouchard and lighting designer Collyns Stenzel gave the lion its lively eyes by usi

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