Avolites sales engineer Javier Pastor has just returned from a successful, whistle-stop tour of seven countries in just four weeks. Following a rigorous schedule packed full of meetings, TV and radio appearances, presentations and training sessions, Pastor met with Avolites' key audio-visual equipment distributors in each state: Integraled in Mexico, Layset in Peru, Rojo Audio e Iluminaci
In a sensory-overload show, a massive projection screen made up of EPT6IP LED panels flashes a mix of chilling imagery while Platinum SBX hybrid moving heads keep the mid-air visual look electric.
Production and lighting design is by Trevor Ahlstrand of Ahlstrand Productions with lighting supply by Gemini Light, Sound & Video, both of whom have worked with Slipknot on several tours.
Known for their aggressive style of music and energetic live shows, Ahlstrand was looking for a combination beam and profile fixture that could keep up with the band's hard driving show. "The SBX were chosen for their output to punch through the ba
"We have added support in M-PC for the USB dongle transmitter from LumenRadio. We think it is a great way for our users to get access to reliable wireless technology without the need for using cables to connect a transmitter to the controller. M-PC will offer one full universe of DMX for free using the LumenRadio transmitter." says Matthias Hinrichs, product manager at Martin Professional.
Hinrichs continues, "We are also planning to add support for the Nova USB TX driver to our range of M-Series consoles in the near future."
British console manufacturer ChamSys also decided to add support for the CRMX Nova USB TX
Much anticipated, the Spiider will be the visual centrepiece of the large booth with a special lightshow running at the top of each hour.
Bob Schacherl, CEO of Robe America comments, "We are extremely pleased with how well the North American market continues to embrace our brand. Lighting designers have been very complementary on the performance of our luminaires and the rental companies are thrilled with their reliability. It doesn't get much better than that! We look forward to introducing our clients to the latest Robe innovations at LDI 2016."
Robe lighting s.r.o CEO Josef Valchar confirms, "Spiider is really so
With the bulk of the performances taking place during the day, lighting designer Mark Carver thoughtfully chose fixtures that would pop in the daylight and shade.
"Logistically, this was a very large space and open to the public," said Carver. "Our goal for the stage was to create an atmosphere that matched the scale and allowed for flexibility for all the various artist participating in the event. We tried to utilize a forced perspective to create depth."
The stage rig consisted
Stated Jasper Hülsmann, head of the lighting department at Lleyendecker, "For over 20 years GLP has stood for high-quality lighting technology, and of course we already have many of their LED spotlights in our inventory. Now the X4 Bars are increasingly appearing on tenders, and so this investment became a logical one in order to meet customer demand.
"Because of their versatility, the X4 Bars can be used for many different projects - and we were further convinced by the fixture's colour spectrum and perfect dimming performance. The customers that have already used these fixtures have been thoroughly satisfied with the result. We now look forward to the realization of other project
For the 2016 milestone sporting event, Airstar do Brasil deployed a total of 34 Flex lighting balloons - 12 Flex 4K and 22 Flex 1K - in the legendary Copacabana area. The lighting solutions were installed around the field of play at the Beach Volley Arena (BVA) and the Triathlon Stadium (FTC).
The installation and lighting of both venues was a joint effort between Brazilian companies Fast and ROHR. It was André Stoll, the engineer in charge of electrical installations for the Fast/ROHR consortium, who selected Airstar. Praising the French manufacturer, he comments, "Airstar really did a great job for both the BVA and the FTC Olympic sites, we are really thankful for their profes
Appearing on his I AM Hardwell tour, the Dutch electro star performed before a sold out crowd of 15,000 people with many others waiting outside the arena.
MSS has been representing PR Lighting in the sub-continent for the past decade, and the company provided lighting designer, Dinesh Verma, with 20 of the popular XR 200 Beams. These were used on the main stage and succeeded in creating "an amazing effect" according to Sahil Wadhwa, director at Oneup Productions (MSS' production company).
Looking for a tight, powerful parallel beam from a low wattage source, Sahil said,
The Grammy-nominated band's soon-to-be-concluded Vitals 2016 tour in support of its album of the same name started on 16 September, 2015 in Minneapolis and runs through the end of October in New Orleans. The band was direct support for 21 Pilots on 47 dates in arenas and amphitheatres all summer.
From February through August, the tour's lighting rig featured ÉPIX Strip fixtures from Chauvet Professional. Lighting designer Jeff Lava of 44 Designs (Nashville) used the linear LED fi
Taking place from 31 October - 2 November at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Prolight + Sound Middle East 2016 has attracted some the biggest names in the business, with the likes of Bose Professional, Sennheiser, Martin Professional, Adam Hall, and Monacor International rubbing shoulders with top regional distributors such as GSL Professional, Echo Beats, and AVISS.
"They will line-up alongside 40 exhibitors from 12 countries, all of which will target a burgeoning regional market that is home to spectacular live events, festivals, concerts, hotels, and ret
"We are very excited about exhibiting at LDI 2016 as this is a very exciting time for Altman Lighting," began Julie Smith, general manager. "Understanding the vision at Altman has always been to develop the most innovative and cost-effective lighting solutions, we are eager to have the opportunity to demonstrate our passion and latest product solutions to the lighting designers, engineers, specifiers and dealers in attendance at the show."
New and innovative options are what make the award-winning PHX LED ellipsoidals suitable
One of the most exciting innovations from TMB this year is new Q+ Technology, now available in the Solaris Flare. This LED driver technology maximizes LED output for unprecedented brightness, while also optimizing LED temperatures for long term reliability.
The new Flare Q+ fixture has all the features of its renowned predecessor, while Q+ Technology increases the brightness by over 40% with practically no fan noise. Its Theatre Mode is effectively silent, yet still brighter than the original Flare. Also introduced at LDI, the new Flare LR Q+ offers Q+ Technology performance in a linear format. Flare IP outdoor fixtures will also be on hand, as will other Solaris LED fixtures such as Mozart and the SoLED strobe.
Central to this year's TMB LDI
Taking place in the new T-Mobile Arena on 23-24 September, the sold out show made music history once again. With performances by artists such as U2, Sting, Usher, Sia, Ariana Grande, Twenty One Pilots, Tears For Fears, Britney Spears, and many more, it was an event that made way for some of the most exciting live music of the year, in a visual setting enhanced by stunning lighting and effects.
The Solaris Flare was originally introduced four years ago as the industry's first 1,000 Watt LED fixture. The Flare has been widely used on many of the world's top shows and tours, from Kenny Chesney to Beyoncé, and
From there, sound engineer Henri Damien runs the successful pro-audio importation and technical supply company Datalinks, from his base in the capital, Ouagadougou.
Back in 2013, at Frankfurt Prolight+Sound, he first started talking to PR Lighting's Lawrence Mao - as the African took his first steps beyond sound into the world of lighting.
Finally, a deal was struck at this year's show, when Henri Damien placed a large order for 20 XR 330 BWS; 10 XLED 3019; 24 XPAR 348; four ARC LED 3108 and two Mega Color 4000 (4000W search light). These popular fixtures provided him with a complete, integrated package, suitable to reinforce the wide range of projects with which the company is contrac
"The need for modernity sometimes requires a break with tradition," says CEO Pio Nahum. "This does not mean betraying the ideals with which the company was founded and has grown in the past forty years. However, the way we see it, it does mean being in step with the times including purely from the point of view of brand image, with our eyes firmly fixed on technological progress, innovation and the future."
(Jim Evans)
Jessica Morris, age 24, who worked as an apprentice product developer and graphic designer at Le Mark Group, was winner in the region for Apprenticeship champion of the year.
The Awards, now in their 13th year, are run by the National Apprenticeship Service and recognise excellence in two areas: businesses that grow their own talent with apprentices and apprentices who have made a significant contribution to their workplaces.
On winning, Jess said: "I finished my apprenticeship just over a year ago now and can safely say it is the best thing I could have done for my career, it has given me the skills and knowledge to progress within my job role and has given me the confidence to be the best I can be. I pro-actively promote t
Avolites' team of developers worked alongside Coldplay's video director Ben Miles, who scooped a Knight of Illumination Award 2016 for his work on the tour, and video programmer Leo Flint to bring to life one of the update's most salient new features - Notch and Spout Integration. Notch is a real-time effects generator whilst Spout, a real-time video sharing framework for Windows, allows users to share frames across applications on a computer.
An array of all new visual effects has also bee
Having taken delivery of an initial consignment of the Chroma-Q Space Force earlier in the year, client demand for these versatile, powerful LED soft lights has warranted further investment by Aurora Lighting in an additional batch of fixtures making the company home to of one of the UKs largest hire stocks.
Aurora's purchase of these fixtures is a direct response to a recent surge in demand for low energy products. Capable and reliable, the Space Force is proving to be an excellent example of how new technologies are being used to exceed the capabilities of more traditional solutions.
Proven as a viable alternative to conventional soft sources, Aurora has provided lighting designers with the Space Force on a d
Part of the TED Talk series, this annual event is dedicated to exposing people to the widest possible range of thought-provoking ideas. The 18 TEDx New York talks were kept relatively short (under 18 minutes) to make them readily accessible to a large audience.
TEDx organizers also made the talks highly entertaining by retaining engaging speakers and creating a warm atmosphere throughout the venue. Contributing to the latter was an inviting lighting design from Emergency Production that featured
With a set list that features the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist performing Pet Sounds in its entirety with band member Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin (along with other selections from the illustrious careers of the Beach Boys and Wilson), the tour announced it will be continuing into 2017.
Lighting designer Chris Stuba, who refers to working with Brian Wilson and the band as "one of the most rewarding and greatest experiences", created a design reminiscent of a 1960s variety show, complete with a 12-piece band.
The versatile, compact rig allows Stuba to keep even light levels for the dozen performers, while still applying looks that fit the mood of the m
Presented by the ABTT, Entertainment Technology Press and the family of the late Francis Reid, this will be an opportunity for as many as possible to celebrate the life and times of this consummate man of theatre and Fellow of the ABTT.
So many of us enjoyed and were privileged to benefit from Francis's company, creativity and counsel, whether in person or through correspondence or his extensive published works.
This event is the opportunity for us to celebrate all of his contribution and anyone who would be interested in participating by sharing some fond memories of their times with Francis is invited t
The lighting for the world tour was created by LD Marc Heinz and Andre Beekmans from design practice The Art of Light, and is being directed on the road by Michael Seeverens, who's just celebrated his fifth year of working with the award-winning Dutch superstar, DJ and music producer.
The AO Embrace world tour sources production locally at each location, so the lighting spec is flexible to allow for a number of different fixtures to be utilized for the key profile, beam and wash lights. However, Michael is always happy when he sees Robe's BMFLs and Pointes on the kit list. He's used the brand for some time in his work and thinks
Complete AVL Solutions had been looking for an internationally recognised brand with a strong history that is frequently seen on international riders, said David Toh, manager of Complete AVL Solutions. "GLP fulfilled all these criteria and for us it was an easy decision after we had made contact, and found out that the company was looking for a distributor in Thailand."
Currently operating with eight personnel, Complete AVL Solutions is now planning expansion since all the products they represent are performing well in the Thai market. "GLP has a very strong range of products, which are aiming for the professional market, so the rental companies, theatres and the TV studios will be very important for us," he continued.
"We have known both [GLP sales director
