Our daily news service is taking a short break over the Christmas period and will resume on 4 January 2005.
We would like to wish all our readers a very happy Christmas holiday and a successful 2005. Thanks to all of you for your continued support for L&SI Online and Lighting&Sound International magazine.
USA - The Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA) announces the launch of its new and improved website. The ESTA website has been completely redesigned providing easier navigation, faster access to important information, and search functions throughout. The Member Directory, one of the most used references in the industry, is now searchable on a variety of fields allowing you instant access to contact information. The site contains detailed information on the Technical Standards Program, including published documents, standards in public review, working group information, and meeting schedules. Information about ETCP, the Entertainment Technician Certification Program, is available at www.etcp.esta.org or by linking from the main site.
The website also includes the popular Job Board and information on ESTA's indu
USA - The Queen Mary 2, the largest and most expensive cruise ship ever built, set sail from her homeport of Southampton, England on her maiden voyage - a Trans-Atlantic trek to Fort Lauderdale, Florida - with a full complement of Technomad WeatherTech Loudspeakers distributed throughout her exterior entertainment decks. Harbour Marine Systems (HMS), a Miami-based systems integration specialist serving the nautical industry, was contracted by the Queen Mary 2's owner, Cunard Line, to outfit the new luxury liner's pool and entertainment decks with the state-of-the-art, high-fidelity Technomad WeatherTech loudspeakers.
The QM2 measures 1,132ft from stern to bow, some 113 feet longer than the original Queen Mary, and holds 2,620 passengers and 1,253 crew members when fully loaded. The distributed, exterior sound system called for high-fidelity audio to match the ship's lofty stand
UK - Blitz, one of the UK's leading providers of audiovisual equipment and services, showcased some of its most innovative sound solutions at the 250th anniversary celebration for the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA). The event, which was held at the Royal Albert Hall was attended by over 2,500 delegates.
Richard Rogers, Blitz's sound designer, commented: "Owing to the very tight schedule, we pre-programmed the show in advance on our latest Yamaha PM5D digital mixing desks. We used 28 Sennheiser radio mics on the circular stage with a radio earpiece for the host, Michael Buerk. Our system also took into account that the event was being recorded to CD for subsequent web casting. We also delivered zoned onstage foldback to five separate zones via Mission NXT FS2 loudspeakers - sneakily hidden in coffee tables!"
UK - The increasingly popular d&b audiotechnik 'Sound system design' seminars will be brought within reach of audiences in Leicester, Glasgow and London early in 2005. Addressing the acoustic signal path between the loudspeaker and the listener's ears the seminars focus on sound system design; there's no fluff, no puff; just comprehensive electroacoustics with all the physics you'll need thrown in. The style is friendly and the demonstrations memorable say the company!
January also sees the launch of a new module exploring the theory behind Line arrays in a dedicated workshop at De Montfort Hall Leicester on 12th January 2005. For full details and registration for any of the events please check either the calendar or training sections of d&b audiotechnik's website via the link below.
Australia - Juliusmedia college is offering one full time fully funded scholarship and two part funded scholarships available for the Advanced Diploma of Technical Production, a one year course starting 21 February in Sydney.
This is a new qualification which is nationally endorsed. It comprises entertainment technology management units including advanced OH&S and team leadership, along with electives in audio, lighting, vision and staging. It is conducted at Rydalmere college, with practicals at various venues across Sydney. The course includes internships and work placements during 2005.
The Advanced Diploma is a full time course, with an accelerated program delivery. The pre-requisite is normally completion of the leaving exam in Year 12, however there are entry exemptions for exceptionally motivated students.
The fully funded scholarship pays course fees and any college
UK - When it was time to upgrade the mid-sized mixing consoles in their hire fleet, Britannia Row Productions has opted again for Soundcraft. With their brace of SM12s reaching retirement age, the recent PLASA Show gave technical head, Jerry Wing and his team, an opportunity to assess the market - and on the stand of Harman Pro, they confirmed an order for a pair of 32-channel MH3s with Soundcraft's James Baker and LMC Audio London.
"There are a fair number of desks on the market that fell into the medium-size bracket - but few could match the number of features offered by the MH3," said Wing. "Also, we needed to opt for a desk that we knew was going to be requested by engineers. The MH3 represents a good package, offering value-for-money."
That value is contained in a desk that is ideally suited for both front-of-house and monitor use - offering complete
UK - Large format projection specialists E//T//C UK projected into the Shell Building for London's New Year's Eve 2004/05 celebrations, working for show and event producers Jack Morton Worldwide (JMW).
The projections were part of London Lights a pyrotechnic and lighting extravaganza designed to catch the spirit of London as the year rolled over and reinforce the city's bid for the 2012 Olympics. The event took place along the Thames, encompassing the South Bank between Jubilee and Westminster Bridges, including landmarks like the London Eye and Big Ben. Over 135,000 people on the streets, plus TV audiences of several million enjoyed it live.
E//T//C's Ross Ashton decided to change the projection format slightly for this event, covering the full surface of the building with eight PIGI 6Kw projectors. (In the past, they've used 6 for the images, with two for accompanyin
The Netherlands - With exhibition space sold out, and a packed schedule of product launches and events, the second edition of Integrated Systems Europe (26-28 January 2005, Amsterdam) will be double the size of last years event, say the organizers.
The exhibition will feature over 200 exhibitors from all areas of systems contracting, and provide a platform for the broad commercial and residential systems integration market - including AV and communications integration and automation, digital display and signage solutions, control and surveillance systems, home theatre and custom installation.
New features at ISEurope 05 include the UK Pavilion, the CEDIA Home Cinema installation, the IMCCA Conference Pavilion and a Digital Signage area. ISEurope 05 will also feature an education programme beginning on 24 January, and an essential ISEurope Business Conference event on 25 Janu
UK - Despite being relative latecomers to the digital revolution, Blitz Sound recently purchased its second Yamaha PM5D digital sound desk from Marquee Audio - five months after buying the first.
Managing director Richard Rogers was first exposed to Yamaha's latest generation console - which shares design elements of both the DM2000 and PM1D - at a Marquee Audio open day at RADA. "As soon as I saw it I knew there was no other choice, and that we had to have one."
He praised the role of Marquee Audio as being instrumental in the company's move into digital. "This not only applies to the PM5D, but also our previous purchases into the theatre market. We've taken advantage of their excellent product knowledge, and it is comforting to have that support as we move further into networked audio solutions."
He continued: "I had anticipated that the desk would
Germany - German loudspeaker manufacturer K.M.E. will be exhibiting at Integrated Systems Europe in Amsterdam later this month, where it will introduce new developments in the areas of digital and network technology. The presentation will include DAP 26 - a user-defined configured digital controller featuring dual analogue inputs, a digital AES/EBU-input and six analogue outputs including compatible software K.M.E.-control.
The DAP 26, launched in spring 2004, is now also available with CAN port, the Can-Bus interface, say the company. The K.M.E. CAN-port connection to the PC is fed through a built-in USB connector. This allows an easy connection to up to 63 units via a double wire cable (e.g. a free return in the audio multicore) with up to 400 m length and the connection of the DAP 26 to the latest versions of notebooks, which generally do not any longer have a serial RS 232
UK - A diverse range of stars from the world of entertainment and music performed at the 2004 Royal Variety Performance in front of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales at the London Coliseum on 14 December, screened on BBC 1 the following day. The event used Sennheiser 1046 radio throughout, with London-based Hand Held Audio hiring in their recently purchased 16-channels to supplement the BBC's existing stock.
Steve Locking was responsible for radio mic operation at the event with product support from Richard Kemp (radio mic and talkback operations co-ordinator for BBC Resources) and technical support from Sennheiser UK. After the show, Kemp commented: "Using Sennheiser 1046 for such events is a standard as it gives the broadcast quality we require with absolute reliability".
The 76th Royal Variety Performance is a charity event in aid of the Entertainment Artis
Europe - LA-based lighting designer Jason Deboer specified eight Martin MAC 550s for the European section of the Maroon 5 tour, which completely sold out as the band's album and singles sales continue to rocket. The 550s are the core of his rig and the basis of most scenes and looks. Four are rigged on the rear truss and four mounted upstage on vertical trussing sections. The rest of the rig otherwise comprises 60 Par cans and 11 strings of ACLs. Deboer created bold, colourful classic rock 'n' roll looks and 'beam technology' for the band's all-action set.
He likes many features of the 550s, including their intensity and power, and the functionality of the animation wheel. "They've been really consistent and reliable as moving fixtures," he says. "The colour wheels have a nice selection of very rich shades and hues and there's also a great selection of gobos.&quo
UK - Rubix, the main entertainment venue on the University of Surrey's campus, has taken delivery of a new Soundcraft MH3 audio mixing console from Marquee Audio. The 1600-capacity nightclub features live music throughout the student year, culminating in extensive end-of-term celebrations, this year featuring performances by The Commitments.
The 40-channel MH3 is replacing an older Soundcraft desk, which has given good service to the owners of Rubix, the University of Surrey Union. Technical manager Ian Lipp explained: "The MH3 has a good balance of features without being over-specified and confusing. It does everything we need at the right price, and most importantly, at the right weight. Some of the other consoles we looked at were just too heavy. We do move this desk around - for example it will be used during the Guildford Festival, so it needs to be portable."
UK - The University of Sheffield has invested in a substantial number of Marantz PMD670 professional recorders, which are being used in the ground-breaking speech therapy unit, the Philippa Cottam Communication Clinic in the Department of Human Communication Sciences. The Teaching and Research Communication Clinic is actively engaged in the treatment of, and research into, children and adults with speech problems. These include both adult stroke victims and children with facial deformities such as cleft palate.
The Clinic's professionals are now using PMD670 solid state audio recorders from Marantz Professional to record meetings and therapy sessions with their clients. These high-quality recording devices are compact and portable, yet extremely simple for non-expert users to operate. The unit can record audio in a variety of data formats, including .WAV and MP3, and a computer
USA - Robe Show Lighting's ColorSpot 1200 AT fixtures were integral to LD Tyler Littman's eye-catching design for the 32nd International Emmy Awards Gala, staged at the New York Hilton. Lighting design and consultancy for the high profile event and TV broadcast was provided by Littman's New York based company Sholight, with equipment supplied by See Factor.
This was the first time that Littman has used these Robe moving heads, which were recommended by several people including two of his crew for the Emmys, Ed Duda and Eric Perry: both had worked with the Robe fixtures on Deep Purple's 2004 'Bananas' world tour for LD Louis Ball. Littman specified 18 ColorSpot 1200s - Robe's top-of-the-range fixtures - for the Emmys design, combined with assorted generic fixtures which he programmed and operated via a GrandMA console. Littman was highly impressed with the ColorSpot 1200's perfo
Saudi Arabia - HAV Productions, a division of Allen & Heath's Saudi Arabian distributor, Halwani Audio Visual, designed and managed the audio system for the recent Jeddah Economic Forum (JEF) 2004, selecting a 48 channel Allen & Heath ML4000 live sound VCA console to mix the audio.
This annual Forum, first held in 1999, has become the region's strategic 'think tank', focusing on local, regional, and international economic and social issues, and setting the benchmark for business gatherings across the Middle East. This year's prestigious guest speakers included former U.S. president, Bill Clinton; HM Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan; HE Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey; HE Rafik Hariri, former Prime Minister of Lebanon; HE Mr. Yengeny Primakov, President of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of the Russian Federation, and former Russian Prime Minist
South Africa - South African reality TV show Project Fame based on the format of Fame Academy in the UK, sees contestants living together in the Academy and receiving professional training as well as grooming for stardom. The contestants competed against each other in weekly live television broadcasts until only the winner remained.
The venue chosen to stage the live events, The Pyramid Convention Centre in Downtown Johannesburg, was a shell which was transformed by the temporary installation of an enormous lighting rig, sound system and AV screens. Matrix Sound, the Johannesburg-based audio company, was awarded the sound supply contract and owner Trevor Peters created the sound design. Peters says: "It was one of the most challenging designs we have undertaken in that the show, stage and space we were working in was so fluid. Each week the line up of musicia
UK - Projected Image Digital has supplied UK lighting rental company Lite Alternative with the first Catalyst XPress software package - following its appointment as exclusive UK dealer for the award wining digital media.
Lite Alternative's Catalyst system immediately went out of the Human League's UK tour, designed by Paul Normandale and programmed and operated by Rob Sinclair. PID supplied the full digital media system, including the dual 2GHz PowerMac on which it runs, to which PID installed an ATI9800 video card along with a Decklink Black Magic video input card and an Artistic Licence Ethernet to DMX input unit.
Catalyst XPress is a cost-effective version of the full Catalyst package. It's now available through PID as a software only purchase - making the Catalyst universe more versatile and accessible to another layer of users and viable for small to medium tours - like H
Canada -Adamson Systems Engineering has announced the appointment of Eastern Acoustic Development (EAD) as exclusive distributor for the Adamson brand in the regions of Hong Kong and China.
Eastern Acoustic Development, with head offices based in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, was established in 1997 and is involved in public communication, audio/video system engineering, and international trade business. EAD is a leading edge system design and professional products supplier in Hong Kong and China, and act as sole distributor in its region for pro audio brands including Allen & Heath, Lab.gruppen, Symetrix, Lake Contour, Ashly, and RCF.
"We're extremely pleased to have EAD as our partner in China," said Keith Vanderkley, Adamson's director of sales. "Their past experience, product expertise and large client base makes them a superbly qualified distributor for the Adamso
UK - The Pogues toured the UK and Ireland in December with the classic '87 to '93 line-up of Shane MacGowan, Spider Stacy, Jem Finer, Philip Chevron, Terry Woods, Andrew Ranken, James Fearnley and Darryl Hunt, which last toured the UK in 2001. Cait O'Riordan, the original bass player from '82 to '86, also joined the band on vocals.
East Anglia-based AudioLease supplied the PA for the nine-date tour, which included Glasgow, Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester, London and Dublin. AudioLease used its Lab.gruppen powered Adamson Y-Axis Y10 line array system for all but the Dublin gig, as there was insufficient time to ship it from the previous night's concert.
Steve Sunderland of AudioLease explained the choice of PA, "For dynamic Irish Folk, with a lot of acoustic instruments, The Pogues engineer Paul Scully wanted a PA that was extremely precise, clean and with genuine hi-fi
UK - For the production of the new play Fresh Kills at the Royal Court's Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, designer Ultz created a set featuring a large American truck which had to be pushed on and off stage by the performers. Once on stage it needed the internal lighting to be controlled as part of Trevor Wallace's lighting design for the show.
"In the old days, we would have fed a DMX line into the floor and then up into the truck," commented Johanna Town, the Royal Court's head of lighting. "However, having seen City Theatrical's Wireless Data System at the PLASA Show I wanted to give it a go!"
Town contacted White Light - City Theatrical dealer and it supplied a system consisting of a WDS Transmitter and a WDS Receiver.
"We have created wireless systems in a number of ways for previous productions," comments Dave Isherwood, White Light's hire
UK - Switchcraft has been expanding its range of audio and video patchbays and patch cords in recent times and can now offer a wide selection of products that are suitable for HDTV/digital applications.
Recent introductions of digital-ready products include: high-density video patchbays rated to 3GHz (with 32 jacks per 1RU panel); audio patchbays fitted with 48, 52 and 96 jacks per panel; audio patchbays in which the normalling can be changed from the front of the panel; mixed audio/video patchbays; audio and video patch cords made using 110 ohm cable; and BNC plugs. All Switchcraft products are complemented by a lifetime warranty.
Not only has the range expanded but so has the worldwide customer base that includes major broadcasters, OB facility companies and post-production houses.
Denmark - A classical music past took Denmark's Uffe Savery and Morten Friis to such prestigious concert venues as the Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House. A present of dance music hasn't done them bad either. Savery and Friis formed the band Safri Duo back in the late 1980s, playing classical music in an unconventional percussionist style. By the late 1990s the band had mixed in pop, techno and trance to their signature drums to form a unique and raw energetic style all their own.
Touring in support of their latest CD, Safri Duo 3.5, the band is using a Kasper Steen-Lange designed Martin MAC rig of 26 MAC 500 profile spots and 12 MAC 600 washlights with six Atomic 3000 strobes and 100 assorted conventional lights. Equipment supplier is Seelite A/S of Denmark. "We had to design a production that would fit in both sports arenas and theatres," com