Events

Round Table Sessions Address Industry Issues

Details: 14 March 2016

L&SI is running two Round Table discussion sessions during next week’s PLASA Show (September 8-11, Earls Court 1, London) designed to address some of the most central issues in the industry.

The first session Freelance Rates - Due for Review? This discussion should prove to be a lively debate on the current levels of freelance rates, which over the years have shown a downward trend in real terms. With many rental companies naming their daily rates, how can those who actually do the work and keep said companies successful lobby for more money? Should there be a flat rate according to role? Who should take responsibility for change? Will rental houses come unstuck by causing their crews to form a union-style body, or should they take the lead and move things on themselves?

Chaired by L&SI technical editor James Eade, the panel will include Mark David-Gray of BECTU and freelancers

New comfort initiative for visitors to PLASA

Details: 14 March 2016

PLASA 2002 will be a much more comfortable show this year, thanks to a new R'n'R area in the Gallery, where visitors can have a 10 minutes massage to relieve those aching shoulders and tired feet!

The initiative is part of a fund-raising exercise by Light Relief: thanks to sponsor companies DHA Lighting, ETC, Forester Health, Harmer PR, Martin Professional, PLASA, Stage Electrics, Strand Light, Vari-Lite Europe and WWG, four trained masseurs will literally be dispensing light relief throughout the show. Each massage will cost £5 - but additional donations will be more than welcome! All the money raised goes straight to Light Relief, the industry charity that supports lighting designers with personal difficulties.

The Light Relief area can be found near the New Technology Gallery on the Top Deck.

Webb and Doyle introduce DiGiCo’s D5 Live at PLASA

Details: 14 March 2016

One of the most talked-about live music mixing consoles of recent months - the DiGiCo D5 Live - was launched at PLASA yesterday, with and Dave Webster and Bob Doyle making a special presentation to members of the press over an enjoyable Sunday roast. On stand D28, the D5 Live system is on demonstration in a fully working set-up with a digital multitrack concert recording sync’d to video.

Designed from the ground up to deliver high sonic purity and powerful, instantly accessible controllability, the D5 Live comprises the D5 Live console itself, a front-of-house Digirack containing A/D converters and I/Os, a matching stage Digirack and 100m of fibre optic cable. This is a complete, self contained system that does away with the need for a multicore, splitters, line drivers, dynamics processors and - optionally - an entire effects rack too. The D5 Live can even record live to multitr

Upbeat start for PLASA 2002

Details: 14 March 2016

The 2002 PLASA Show got off to a positive start yesterday as the industry congregated in Earls Court, London. With another bumper crop of new product innovations on show the PLASA Show is providing an unmissable opportunity to see and discuss the state of the art in entertainment, communications and presentation technology. Comment from exhibitors was upbeat - one first-time exhibitor told PLASA Media he had been overwhelmed by the attention his company had received on stand, and wished he had more staff to deal with enquiries.

O Sunday night, PLASA’s 25th anniversary party took place to round off a highly successful day on the show floor. The event - staged at The Bridge - was attended by over 500 exhibitors and visitors who participated in numerous side shows at the Party including a bucking bronco, sumo wrestling, boules and the highlight, a full-on seventies disco.

On the

Mobil Tech France anouncement

Details: 14 March 2016

Mobil Tech UK is to take on the manufacture and distribution of selected items from the Mobil Tech France range, which will include the ALP, Standtech and Alutech lines, and will also see the reinstatement of some of the company’s most popular stands from previous years. The move comes after Mobil Tech France had experienced some problems with its manufacturing capability. It is also envisaged that Mobil Tech UK will change its name to Mobil Tech International to reflect this change in emphasis.

Mobil Tech can be seen on stand D28.

Martin Audio & Synco Network announce W8L deal

Details: 14 March 2016

The Martin Audio stand at PLASA 2002 was the site for an important announcement yesterday, and the first appearance of the Synco W8L Line Array System by Martin Audio, a specially configured version of the Martin Audio W8L line array system which is exclusive to the Synco Europe Network. Fred Heuves, MD of Synco Europe, and David Bisset-Powell, MD of Martin Audio, announced the signing of the deal that will see Synco Network members equipped with the system.

The deal represents Martin Audio’s largest single European sale since the launch of the acclaimed W8L system in the spring of this year. The Synco W8L Line Array will be operated in parallel with the existing stocks of the network’s Renkus-Heinz Synco Touring System and proprietary Synco floor monitors. "The network has grown very fast in the five years since we launched it and reached over 1000 cabinets but still

Chameleon-Expotus alliance nets three Asian distributors

Details: 14 March 2016

Announced at the PLASA Show, Chameleon Audio has appointed the UK’s leading export company, Expotus, to source potential distributors for its products throughout Asia, and the alliance has already borne fruit, with three companies now handling the line.Total Solution, Singapore, Stagecraft International in the Philippines and Phoenix Audio & Lighting Technology, Hong Kong, are now official distributors of Chameleon amplification.

According to Chameleon MD, Paul Houlden, the decision to appoint Expotus was based on the company’s imposing track record of successfully marketing other UK brands overseas, particularly the Far East. Says Houlden: "Trying to break into the Asian market has been a particularly tough nut to crack. However, thanks to Expotus’ expertise, it’s already beginning to pay dividends for Chameleon."

Following a series of field trials,

Innovations in lighting unveiled at PLASA

Details: 14 March 2016

Visitors to the PLASA Show were able to see some of the latest innovations in lighting fixture technology. Across the show floor numerous product launches were rolled out . . .

Vari-Lite (F28) introduced the highest performance luminaires it has ever developed. The company unveiled its 1200W Series 3000 product line featuring the VL3000 Spot luminaire and the equally impressive VL3000 Wash luminaire. ETC (H8) has numerous new products, chief amongst them the Source Four MultiPAR which combines the optics and energy-savings of the acclaimed Source Four PAR (EA) with the functionality of the classic batten. New Zealand-based Selecon (H6) has unveiled three new products - the Pacific MSR Dowser which provides exact dimming of discharge light sources (MSR, MSD, CDM) used in the Pacific fixture; the Finelite II projector - a high resolution, large format, photographic i

Paul Gallo and Ken Williams appointed to Mackie board

Details: 14 March 2016

Mackie Designs Inc announced at midday at the PLASA Show today that Paul Gallo and Ken Williams have been appointed to the company’s board of directors. At the same time, Mackie announced the retirement of long-time outside directors C Marcus Sorensen and David M Tully. In the statement issued, Gregory W Riker, who earlier this month became the first outside chairman of Mackie’s board, commented: "We are pleased to welcome Paul Gallo and Ken Williams to Mackie’s board. Both Paul and Ken bring high energy, directly relevant industry experience and distinguished records of accomplishment to their new positions at our company. We expect them to contribute significantly to Mackie’s continued success as we implement our strategy for long-term growth."

Gallo began his career more than 30 years ago with the Recording Institute of America. In 1978 he co-founde

Sound developments at PLASA

Details: 14 March 2016

The PLASA Show at Earls Court is brimming with activity as it enters its third day. With increased visitor figures and a frenetic buzz on the show floor, many exhibitors at the show have reported to PLASA Media that the show has been extremely busy.

Monday saw a host of pro audio product introductions. Turbosound introduced a new raft of products, including the TQ-308SP, the latest addition to the Qlight range, plus a brand new range of passive loudspeaker systems, together with the LMS-D4, a new digital loudspeaker controller. New from JBL on the Arbiter stand, the AE (Application Engineered) Series, with 33 initial models in several formats and power ranges, designed for sound contractors. Tannoy introduced its new Ellipse 8, a fully time coherent, 3-way active system, the first in the new Wideband range for reference monitoring applications, plus new ceiling mon

PALA

Details: 14 March 2016

PALA occupied its usual slot in the summer schedules in July, moving from its traditional base in Singapore to a new temporary home in Hong Kong.

Since its inception in 1989, PALA has established itself as the key Asian event for the industry, showcasing the latest products from all over the world. The Hong Kong detour was designed to give exhbitors an opportunity to leap-frog into a new market which is experiencing considerable growth. Asia’s population of over 3.7 billion is burgeoning and continuous expansion is leading to the fast-track development of new pubs, clubs, hotels and performance venues.

Held in conjunction with Music Asia, PALA thus created a two-in-one show that introduced to the Hong Kong market products from over 250 exhibitors, drawn from over 20 countries worldwide. The show attracted strong support from industry associations with APIAS (Italy), PLASA (UK),

DJ Sunday unearths new talent at PLASA 2002

Details: 14 March 2016

DJ Sunday - featuring the Gemini ‘Extreme V DJ competition’ and iDJ-sponsored Talk Zones - raised the volume at the first day of the PLASA Show as DJ hopefuls lined up in front of hundreds of spectators to showcase their talents in the hope of launching a successful DJ career. DJ A.D., the runner-up in last year’s DJ competition went one better and reversed the tables on the 2001 defending champion, DJ Angelo (placed third this year), to win the Gemini ‘Extreme V’ DJ competition.

The audience and judges got a taste of DJ A.D’s (real name Adrian Hall) cross-sectional DJ’ing capabilities during the early stages of the competition, where he kicked off with an energetic display of technical ability matched with an impressive mix of unconventional sounds. "This is an excellent competition because there is an enormous variety of DJing styles and

PLASA Chairman Mick Hannaford (left) with Stuart Gibbons of Le Mark, whose double-Award-winning Gel-Tak impressed the judges on many levels.

PLASA Awards 2002

Details: 14 March 2016

The PLASA Awards for Product Excellence were presented yesterday evening in the New Technology Gallery in front of a packed audience. This year’s awards attracted one of the largest tallies of nominations ever - 64 in total - across the categories of Lighting, Sound, Audio-Visual and Stage Engineering.

The judging panel of freelance lighting designer Simon Swift, sound system consultant Richard Northwood of Coms UK, Live Business International’s technical director Roland Hemming, freelance AV consultantPhil Pike, system designer Glyn Hughes of Sysco, project manager Andy Hayles from Theatre Projects Consultants, technical consultant Mark Jones of the Royal Albert Hall and Jason Tang, general manager of Bandit Lites (UK), deliberated over three days to decide the winning products in each category.

In the Lighting category, Clay Paky’s Stage Profile Plus SV received

PLASA remembers 11 September

Details: 14 March 2016

At the PLASA Show today, visitors and exhibitors alike will join together in observing one minute’s silence at 1.46pm, in memory of those who lost their lives in the attacks on America one year ago.

ADB introduces Axis at PLASA

Details: 14 March 2016

A brand new cool beam zoom profile luminaire, available in both static and automated versions, has been launched at the PLASA Show by Belgium-based manufacturer ADB. The stylish Axis comes in 15-30 degree and 25-50 degree versions, and utilizes an 800W halogen axial lamp and a dichroic glass reflector to produce a light output greater than a conventional 1200W profile, with low gate and beam temperature. The Axis Automated fixture provides full pan and tilt control, with beam-shaping functions. The ACN ready unit uses three-phase stepping motors and no fan provide true noise-free operation. With other features including a slide-in iris diaphragm and a 360 degree rotating gobo (or two gobos without iris), and a patented, integrated, endless rotating shutter system with four 360 degree rotating shutters, the Axis looks set to provide an attractive addition to lighting designers’ tool

PLASA Show Closes on a High

Details: 14 March 2016

The 25th PLASA Show closed on a high yesterday thanks to one of the most positive shows in the event’s history. Business was high on the agenda for all exhibitors - many of which reported the highest levels of business they’d ever done, some saying that they had signed up orders of significant size at the show. The exhibition was buzzing practically from the moment it opened and the visitor count will significantly outstrip last year’s figures.

The show was active on many levels - the PLASA Product Awards for Excellence attracted one of its highest number of nominations ever with 64 products displayed in the L&SI sponsored New Technology Gallery - a clear indication of the importance of the event as a showcase for innovation. The Masterclass, Seminar and Round Table sessions that ran throughout the show added to the appeal of the event, allowing visitors to learn more

Join L&SI at Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Details: 14 March 2016

L&SI has arranged an exclusive backstage tour of the Palladium Theatre where you can meet with those who worked on the production and see first-hand how some of the more complex effects in the Show have been achieved. Following the tour, you'll have a chance to network with industry colleagues at an L&SI-hosted reception where you can talk further with members of the creative teams, before sitting down to watch this much talked about show from some of the best seats in the house.

The event takes place on Thursday October 10, 2002 at the Palladium Theatre, London, running from 3.30pm onwards, and costs just £69.00 (which includes a full reception, the backstage tour and a £40.00 ticket for the Show).

To sign up contact Sheila Bartholomew at L&SI on +44 1323 418400 or e-mail sheila@plasa.org.

The Media Show, Cardiff - 8-9 October 2002

Details: 14 March 2016

The Media Show - the biggest out-of-London trade exhibition and conference for media professionals, will take place in Cardiff in October. The Media Show will focus mainly on television and video production with a eye on developments on the current big issues affecting the industry such as DVD production, conference presentation systems, the Internet, broadband and new media.

Attending the show will be a wide cross section of UK media professionals including production companies, TV and video producers, feature film companies, companies involved in broadband delivery, internet companies, conference organisers, new media producers, web designers, cameramen, lighting directors, sound recordists, editors of all types, videographers, people working for the studios, facility houses and the broadcasters - from senior executives to freelance film crews.

Representatives form the television i

PLASA 2002 - Audio Visual

Details: 14 March 2016

Barco Events had a striking display of its DLite LED walls and a Catalyst projection in the aisle. Two new products - the Events Controller and Viewscape - were launched at the show. The Events Controller enables the control of all daylight and projection displays, as well as other show equipment. This includes High End’s Catalyst, automated and conventional lighting devices, special effects, image generators, truss motors, hydraulics and more. It features Positracking, which enables repetition of position and status of all attributes at any point during a show. The Events Controller uses Barco’s ViewScape platform, which is a flexible and powerful image processing device that can handle multiple tasks including input switching, windowing, tiling, generating a wide range of video effects, edge-blending and format conversion.

Nearby, Expoteam, who specialize in high quality

PLASA 2002 - Sound

Details: 14 March 2016

Acustica Beyma announced the launch of its G40 Series of professional low frequency drivers. The range includes 10" and 12" models featuring 3" voice-coils, and larger 15" and 18" drivers (up to a maximum of 600W power handling) based around 4" voice-coils and double-spider suspension. The established ND Neodymium series has also been extended to incorporate a 15" speaker, 115Nd/W.

Canadian audio manufacturer Adamson has a new twin 18" sub for its acclaimed Y10 line array system, available this November. Designed to be flown alongside the line system, the sub also incorporates fittings for use as a stable base for ground-stacking the whole system.

Adastra Electronics has seen a great deal of growth in the last three years, with an increased staffing level on the PA installation side and within the company as a whole. In 1999, it had a staff of

PLASA 2002 - Effects

Details: 14 March 2016

Acme, from Taiwan, showed its £50/50W moving lights for mobile and bedroom DJs, and the new Penguin scanning moonflower-type effects. Its Spot Queen moving head was also featured, complete with HTI discharge lamp, which can be run on six DMX channels or as a stand-alone unit.

Antari, the smoke machine company from the Far East, appointed Coemar UK as its distributor just prior to the show and, shortly afterwards, Jon Petts, previously synonymous with JEM, crossed the wire. Consequently, we can look forward to some interesting developments from that camp in the years to come. Right now it has a broad range of smoke machines for many applications, mostly entry level units. However, the new ‘X range’ includes four models - three foggers and a Fazer. The X310 Fazer is everything from hazer to fogger, hence the name. Three sizes of fogger feature in this range, these being the

PLASA 2002 - Accessories

Details: 14 March 2016

5 Star Cases’ have recently revamped and upgraded its product range. Amongst the many new products was the ACT (Anti-Shock Cradle Trunk) for moving head luminaires: based on its existing cradle trunk, ACT offers better protection thanks to the rubber shock-mounts fitted to the cradle. The company also reported that it had recently supplied 80 cases into the Middle East.

Alongside Adam Hall’s ever-expanding line of flightcase components and other mechanical necessities, is the new Viperlight. This is a 9V battery-powered, portable, clip-on, gooseneck lamp, using the same LED technology as the 19" Racklight and 10" DJ Racklight. The company’s Defender range of cable protectors was further enhanced by an update to the Compact system; this is now supplied with permanently attached joining lugs.

Adda Super Cases was busy entertaining a host of overseas visito

PLASA 2002 - Lighting

Details: 14 March 2016

No stone has been left unturned to bring you the most comprehensive insight into everything that took place at Earls Court 1 in September.

Abstract, winner of the Best Large Stand award for its atmospheric club environment, showed the new VRX bar scanner fixture, which is wall-mounting - obviating the need for any complicated or obtrusive rigging. Its motorized mirror, which flips round and up-lights by day, skews round to emit from the front (or side) by night. Abstract also showed its light screens, which have a mirror finish when off, and any of 10 different colours when illuminated. There’s been a revolution at AC Lighting: they’re now applying their unique expertise to handling audio equipment. AC Audio lists over 50 leading brands, and it will be interesting to see how this affects the traditional audio dealer establishment. On the lighting side, there were two signi

London Parties in the Park

Details: 14 March 2016

All eyes were on Hyde Park this July for the annual Party in the Park, the largest single day event in Europe, watched live by 100,000 people.

Now in its fifth year, the Capital Radio Party in the Park had an impressive line up of acts from around the globe, including Westlife, Shakira, Enrique, Natalie Imbruglia and Will Young, and the Prince’s Trust show sold out 100,000 tickets in just over four hours, in the process raising a huge sum for the charity.

ClearChannel Events managed the event production with John Probyn overseeing the licensing and production, whilst Mark Ward was the production manager charged to ensure the 30-act show ran smoothly.

"This year’s production infrastructure included several new products or procedures introduced by suppliers to build on our experience as a team over previous years," said Probyn. "The relaxed nature of the

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