UK - Rapper and singer/songwriter Example has kicked off his first ever arena tour with a stunning lighting system designed by LD Graham 'Grum' Leesmith.

Over 100 fixtures have been supplied by Ambersphere Solutions to leading rental house Neg Earth for what has become a showcase tour for the latest generation of Clay Paky equipment.

Featuring heavily are more than 50 of the new QWO800 fixtures, a luminaire which can stand up to the most demanding of lighting applications. "I've been blown away by the QWO800. Initially I had specified the Alpha Spot 700 but Neg Earth invited me to go and check out the new QWO800, which had literally just arrived in their warehouse. The optics are amazing, the light output is fantastic and the speed with which this fixture moves is phenomenal," observes Leesmith.

Complementing the QWO800 is the increasingly popular Sharpy extreme be

UK - London- based automation specialist Kinesys has announced June and July dates for its on-going product training programme, consisting of two day courses and workshops.

The next two General Technical & Vector Control training courses will take place on 13 & 14 June and 11 & 12 July respectively. For full details, please visit the Kinesys website: www.kinesys.co.uk

The training provides both theoretical and practical tuition covering the fundamentals of Kinesys' innovative motion control systems under the banner Technical and Vector control.

It will be held at Kinesys' new dedicated training facility at the company's HQ in Hampton, Middlesex. This includes a special classroom set up with individual computers allowing attendees to work at their own pace, and a full practical training rig.

These latest courses, co-ordinated by Kinesys' training manager Andy Hicks,

Australia - The University of Wollongong has installed Tannoy's award-winning digital beam steering array system QFlex in its flagship lecture theatre.

The university called upon audio expert David Allara, the national audio visual manager at CARDNO ITC Consultants, to help find a solution to a long standing intelligibility problem. Allara brought in local Tannoy Professional distributor Audio Products Group to provide preliminary modelling of the theatre using Tannoy's Beam Engine software. When the University were shown what could be achieved with just a pair of loudspeakers they were keen for a demonstration.

"As well as intelligibility, the university was also keen for any new solution to be unobtrusive and aesthetically pleasing at the same time," said Allara. "QFlex was selected due to its ability to provide even audio coverage from a single pair of speake

China - Before the PALM Exhibition taking place in Beijing, China, Adamson's newly appointed exclusive distributor Real Music Acoustic & Lighting Technology Co. Ltd. organized Adamson's biggest Chinese seminar to date. The afternoon saw the ballroom of the Kempinski Hotel Beijing crowded with over 200 attendees eager to be "reacquainted" with the brand, as described by Real Music managing director, Ritchie Wang. Formed in only 2009, Real Music has already become a major player having established offices in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Xian City.

The scene in the ballroom was impressive. A 30ft wide stage was lit-up and practically the entire Adamson line-up was on display with a backdrop made-up of an enormous video wall spanning the stage highlighting the details and benefits of each product. Special award show level live video production team and professional tra

UK - Over 80% of floor space for PLASA 2012 has now been filled with many companies eager to exhibit for the first time. Joining companies such as pro audio manufacturers Allen & Heath, Avid, Bose, CUK Audio, Funktion One, KV2 Audio, Martin Audio, Midas, Roland, Sennheiser and Yamaha, will be:

EMD SA is launching the new Stagg SMSDP700 digital powered speakers and Stagg Pro Lighting range as part of its expanding Pro Audio range. UK sales manager Tom Robinson adds,"After 16 years of growth in the musical instrument market in the UK and 45 years of experience in distribution throughout Europe, EMD hope to introduce Stagg Pro Audio & Lighting products to a wider market."

F&P Media Group is planning to showcase its new Diamond Wide Lens 8mm LED Curtain described by CEO, Uri Fouzailov as one of "the lightest display systems in the market today".

Cornered Audi

USA - Meyer Sound has announced the latest dates and venues for its ongoing series of seminar and webinare sessions worldwide. Forthcoming sessions are as follows:

Sound System Design

Mexico City, Mexico

Jun 4, 2012 - Jun 15, 2012

Instructor: Oscar Barrientos

en Español

Contact: Robert Malvido [rmalvido@meyersound.com.mx] Register here: http://www.meyersound.com/events/seminars/registration.php?id=00757

Description:

This in-depth course guides the student through the content of Meyer Sound's Design Reference for Sound Reinforcement, the comprehensive print resource on the art and science of system design and measurement. Dealing with each topic at an intermediate to advanced level, the course covers behavior of system components (filters, equalizers, amplifiers and loudspeakers), how they interact with each other, and the net effect in time and amplitude do

Hong Kong - Lighthouse Technologies has launched a "revolutionary" 19mm outdoor display panel using surface mounted (SMD) LEDs.

The new Impact 19 panel extends the successful Impact Series, enabling Lighthouse to become the first ever company to offer a full range of SMD LEDs outdoor display series specifically for the permanent installation market. Impact 19 provides a radical new 19mm pixel pitch making it ideal for sports arenas, outdoor digital signage, advertising billboards, shopping malls and theme parks where long viewing distances are required, says the company.

Lightouse managing director Peter Chan said, "We are extremely proud that Lighthouse has proven once again to be the leading LED video display technology pioneer by setting a new benchmark for the industry with the Impact 19 using SMD LED technology. Lighthouse now leads the market with a full r

UK - PLASA are proud to announce the Sponsors for this year's event at Earl's Court from Sunday 9 - Wednesday 12 September.

Platinum Sponsor is Robe Lighting, the Czech Republic-based manufacturer of moving lights and digital lighting products. General manager, Josef Valchar, is looking forward to PLASA 2012. "It is a very exciting time to be involved in lighting manufacture with the increasing convergence between the mediums of lighting and video into one integrated visual tool. Environmental concerns and the importance of developing energy efficient and sustainable technology for the future is also starting to shape our industry. These and other issues are already influencing our future plans and R 'n' D at Robe - which continues along the proactive and innovative path that has made it a market leader."

Gold sponsor Martin Professional is celebrating its 25th anniv

UK - The third Annual PLASA Rigging Conference takes place London 2012 on Monday 10 and Tuesday 11 September 2012 at the Earls Court Conference Centre in London.

Confirming that the PLASA Rigging Conference maintains a truly international profile, this year's key-note speaker, Roy Bickel, one of the original 'Disney Riggers' from the USA is followed by speakers from both sides of the globe.

Looking at Ground Supported Structures will be Malcolm Richards, a chartered structural engineer with extensive experience in all forms of entertainment industry structures. Supported by a panel representing manufacturers, suppliers, consultants and designers, Richards will be looking closely at the safety and science of the ground supported structure especially in the light of last year's tragic events, both in Indiana and in Europe.

New Zealand rigger and structural engineer, Nick Barnf

UK - On the same weekend the country is celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, there's another celebration taking place at Le Maitre who have just completed their 35th year in business.

Since Rick Wilson, Harold Berlinski and Karen Haddon set up Le Maitre back in the '70s, the company has gone from strength to strength to become a global leader in its field of pyrotechnics and special effects.

"We've over 500 state-of-the-art products including the renowned PyroFlash and ProStageII ranges and we continue to bring out cutting-edge products. This year will be no exception with a stunning new range of pyro shortly to hit the scene as well as an exciting new development on the haze front later this year - watch this space," says Wilson.

"I'm delighted to be able to say that our product sales are greater than they have ever been. We have grown our distributor net

Italy / Canada - Outline has confirmed the appointment of Martech as their new distribution partner for Canada.

"Our job is to align manufacturers with core clients in Canada. The best way for us to do that is by helping our customers successfully provide solutions to their customers', said Nathan Smith, Martech's web sales and marketing manager. "Martech is continually looking to partner with innovative, growth-oriented, connected manufacturers and develop their business in our marketplace. Outline fits this profile perfectly."

He continued, "Outline's line array products will allow us to expand our influence in Canada's pro audio production and installation markets. Martech has been focused in the fixed installation integrator market, and Outline gives Martech's team the ability to work in new market verticals like large-scale live entertainment productio

UK - In celebration of 40 years of Zero 88, Cooper Controls are running a competition to reward loyal Zero 88 users with a chance to win a new lighting desk. To win a console, users simply submit a photograph of themselves with their Zero 88 product, from past or present.

Pictures can be submitted via the Zero 88 Facebook page (http://facebook.com/zero88) or by email to mamz88@orbdesk.com, and should feature the user themselves alongside any Zero 88 product. If users don't have their Zero 88 product to hand, a photograph in a Zero 88 t-shirt at an interesting location is also acceptable.

The competition runs until Thursday 6September 2012, and the lucky winner will be announced at the PLASA Show the following week. (Earls Court 1 - Stand E38)

(Jim Evans)

UK - On 22 and 23 May, Robert Bosch's ProSound Team UK invited their sales partners from the United Kingdom to Birmingham for its third Big Day Out. The team led by Robert Hesse, vice president sales communication EMEA and managing director of EVI Audio GmbH welcomed guests from all over the UK. The event was staged in the football stadium of premier league Aston Villa, a club with one of the richest traditions in British football. Visitors included MI dealers, rental company employees, installation contractors and representatives of the media.

This was a get-together with a difference, the programme including the presentation of the new UK sales team and contact partners at EVI Audio in Straubing, Germany, numerous product and sound demos featuring the latest offerings from the brands Dynacord and Electro-Voice, and a workshop with IRIS-Net as its theme. Lectures on current ins

UK - The Roland M-480 48 Channel Live Digital Mixing Console and S-1608 Digital Snakes have been touring the UK and Ireland with alternative metal band InMe in a full on schedule which has seen the band performing 35 dates in as many days at different venues during February and March.

FOH engineer for the tour, Simon Baxter, chose the M-480 and S-1608's for the tour as they provide a powerful and feature packed system with a small footprint which could be moved easily from venue to venue. The tour was supported by live sound touring company Concert Sound Clair, who provided all of the necessary mic's, choosing a selection of Shure, Sennheiser, AKG, Audix and Beyer for the job. Concert Sound Clair also supplied the stagepatch, using VEAM cable and stage boxes.

The set up for InMe was straightforward, with two guitars, bass and three vocals and after seeing the M-480 demonstrate

USA - Chauvet Professional products are out on the road this summer with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's Wrecking Ball Tour. With stadium performances in Spain, France, Germany, and other European countries, followed by more shows in the U.S. and Canada, the COLORado 1-Tri IP is at the core of a new fixture, custom-built for the tour, by Morpheus Lights of Las Vegas - the Morpheus CP7IP LED Blinder.

"We designed the CP7 around the tri-colour RGB light engine of the COLORado 1-Tri IP," said Paul Weller, Morpheus' managing partner. "The result is a versatile, weatherproof fixture that delivers plenty of punch and vastly reduces power consumption. At only 616-watts, the CP7 efficiently replaces traditional nine-lights with colour changers that drew close to 6,000 watts."

Jeff Ravitz, of Los Angeles-based Intensity Advisors (the long-time light

USA - Bluegrass artists Alison Krauss and Union Station prefer intimate settings for their gigs. Now in the third month of their sold-out world tour, most of the venues are three to five thousand-seat vintage theatres and music halls, each with its own set of production challenges. Furthermore, today's economy demands maximum production efficiency so Teri Productions of Knoxville specified LumenRadio wireless control to operate the tour's lighting system.

The light rig consists of one LumenRadio TX2 transmitter and four LumenRadio RX1 receivers - all with RDM - and an Avolites Tiger Touch board controlling two universes of moving lights including five Robe MMX spots, eleven 700 Series color spots, and 12 Robe Robin 600 LED washes. Alex Blagg of SE Systems is the tour's lighting design/director.

"Cable snakes are not conducive to small theatres," says Brad White, Teri

Italy - Scala has announced the installation of two large LED walls at Naples International Airport, executed by Scala certified partner Konvergence. Capodichino Airport in Naples welcomes 5.7m travellers annually.

In order to enhance the customer experience at the airport, the airport management company Gesac decided recently to install two LED walls, of 3m by 4m each, for marketing purposes. These impressive screens run on Scala software and now serve as the core element for the communication and advertising strategy at the airport.

"Konvergence has created an eye-catching digital installation that immediately draws the attention of everyone in the departure hall of Naples Airport," states Damon Crowhurst, senior director, Scala EMEA. "An airport is open and operational 24/7 and365 days a year. That means that the proven stability and perfect playback quality

UK - Using 36 20K Barco HD projectors, provided by XL Video UK, d3 provided the video mapping and playback of video onto the façade of Buckingham Palace during Monday evening's Jubilee Concert. d3's advanced projection simulation toolkit, together with d3 Technologies' experience in projection mapping projects around the globe, successfully delivered this element of the show in conjunction with show designer Durham Marenghi, and further architectural lighting provided by supplier Neg Earth.

A laser scanner was used to create a highly accurate 3D model of the building, and then prepared by 3D modeler and artist Nils Porrmann in order to set up the d3 stage, providing Treatment Studio with a content template to work on. Sam Pattinson, creative director of Treatment Studio, commissioned a number of animators to create the content. Pattinson has a long-standing relationship with d3

South Africa - For the fourth consecutive year, AV Unlimited were commissioned by VWV as the preferred technical supplier for the SAB Marketing Sales and Distributors Conference. This annual event was held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

An estimated 1 600 people, all South African Breweries internal staff, attended the convention, business sessions and the new brand experience - a networking area where delegates gather after various sessions. Here all SAB brands were displayed in an exhibition-type fashion and complemented with lighting and background music.

AV Unlimited arrived in Cape Town on Sunday and the set up had to be complete by Wednesday for rehearsals. The event was hosted on Thursday and Friday.

Guillaume Ducray, joint partner at AV Unlimited, says the biggest challenge was rigging 99 points in 48 hours. Having worked on the gig on numerous oth

Olympic Countdown - Sir Paul McCartney has confirmed he will end the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games on 27 July. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live he said "I've been booked," and added that he would be "closing the opening". A total cast of 15,000 will take part in the Olympic and Paralympic opening and closing ceremonies, to be watched by an estimated four billion people worldwide. The full line-up of the opening ceremony is yet to be announced. The opening ceremony is intended as a celebration showcasing the best of the host nation.

A performance by the former Beatle has long been rumoured, and in January he disclosed he was in talks about taking part. Sir Paul wrapped up the proceedings of Monday's star studded concert to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee , with a bass guitar specially made for the occasion.

Peace Plea - Madonna has kicked

USA - There's a grandMA2 in the house for Wicked, the Broadway musical about the untold story of the Witches of Oz. The long-running show at the Gershwin Theatre recently switched to a grandMA2 full-size console for lighting and special effects control.

"It was time to replace our previous system due to its age, and it made sense to update to a grandMA2," says Brendan Quigley, show electrician. "All of the Wicked shows worldwide are on the grandMA platform, so it was our turn to move up. The grandMA2 is proving to be both agile and rock solid."

Quigley notes that reliability is critical for a production that does eight shows a week and more than 400 performances a year, not counting rehearsals. "The previous control platforms were approaching 20 years old, so it was time to ensure that we had a stable system moving forward. We need

India - Within days of the launch of DiGiCo's SD10 console in 2010, Indian rental company Sound.com had invested in one, its first DiGiCo console. Two years on, the desk is a regular fixture on events serviced by the company, the latest an orchestral tour celebrating the work of composer AR Rahman.

Purchased via DiGiCo's Indian distributor Rivera International, the SD10 was "the ideal product to give Sound.com the edge in the competitive Indian market".

"I always wanted to be a part of the DiGiCo family, but we wanted to invest in a product which is right at the beginning of its life and that would make us stand out as a genuinely different service provider in the Indian market," says the company's founder and managing director Warren D'Souza. "The technical requirements of events are getting ever-more complex, so the SD10 was ideally positioned for us

UK - Professor Green's recent tour to promote his latest album At Your Inconvenience has been a major hit. Lit by LD and technical director of DPL, Pete Watts, the modest yet accommodating rig was dominated by Philips Vari-Lite VL3000 Spot luminaires.

Watts' clever use of light, angle, pattern, colour and timing painted a sometimes lively and strobe heavy, sometimes understated, moody and evocative backdrop that perfectly complements the diverse range of high-energy melodies and passionate confessionals that make up Professor Green's spirited show.

An experienced and well respected lighting designer, Watts says he specified VL3000 Spot luminaires for a number of reasons. "On this show I used the fixtures for everything from key light from the floor and sides to backlighting and strobe effects," he explains. "VL3000 Spots are one of my favorite spotlights,

Japan - The idea of providing even audio coverage for Tokyo Dome's massive 55,000 seats - without the need for delays - has always been the holy grail of incoming production teams.

Finally this dream became a reality - when the Martin Audio MLA Multi-cellular Loudspeaker Array made its debut there recently, supporting one of Asia's most successful acts, TVXQ (an abbreviation of their Chinese name, Tong Vfang Xien Qi).

Major rental company, MSI Japan had chosen this venue for the début of its new MLA system - supporting the Korean electronica pop star sensations (now a duo featuring U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin). As a result, they put one of their senior FOH engineers, Takashi 'Shiro' Murata, in charge of the mix.

Traditionally, with all large concerts at the Tokyo Dome, delay towers have needed to be set to provide even coverage throughout the venue. These have been

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