This year’s ProLight & Sound show will see award-winning GDS (Global Design Solutions) add a number of new, innovative products to its portfolio, including additions to its highly successful LiteWare and CueSystem ranges.

GDS will showcase the newest addition to the LiteWare range, LiteWare HO (High Output). Following the success of LiteWare wireless RGB uplighter, launched in 2009, LiteWare HO is a high output version offering 80Watts of LED power. Designed to be completely compatible with the existing LiteWare range, the LiteWare HO product is the same footprint as the standard version and is calibrated to deliver colour-matched output.

Andy Duffield, European Sales Manager, GDS commented: -

“LiteWare has achieved enormous success since its launch in February 2009, with over 20 of the leading live events companies in the UK holding inventory and many more units sold worldwide. Building on its success we have built an even more powerful unit, which is now double the output with an operational run time of 12 hours. We will launch LiteWare HO at Pro Light & Sound and stock will be available from the end of March”.

Also launching at the show is TCP-IP CueSystem a Networked cue light system. In an industry first, with the ever-increasing trend towards completely networked show control and lighting systems, the TCP-IP CueSystem bridges the gap for stage management environments.

The TCP-IP CueSystem uses the established ergonomic control platform with standard GDS outstations. Output nodes are then used for cue light channel distribution in the field all connected to a single network. Web server configuration from an internet viewer allows for configuration and patching of cue light channels. Storage and playback of cues for running a show can be simply created by taking snapshots of the control platform, or programming the system via the web server.
In addition, RS232 commands can be used to either control individual channels or trigger stored cues for simple connectivity to other show control systems.

Other ranges being exhibited at ProLight & Sound include, the multi-award winning BluesSystem and MainsSystem working lights, MotorControl a four-way, modular motor control system, The Stage Managers Console and MOBAL, the multi-functional Socapex fault diagnosis and correction tool.

GDS is a multi-award winning UK Manufacturer with a diverse range of technology-based products. Based in Bristol with offices in the US, it has six innovative brands in its product portfolio specialising in lighting and control solutions.

You can visit GDS at ProLight & Sound on Stand D-50, Hall 11.1 from the 24th to 27th March, for more information visit www.gds.uk.com or call the UK sales team on 0117 3250063.

UK – PLASA, the leading professional trade body for the live events, entertainment, architectural and installation sectors, has announced the election results for its Executive Committee – the body elected by the membership to work alongside the PLASA organisation in setting its strategic objectives.

Six candidates from across the membership put themselves forward for the four available places, creating an election campaign which generated one of the highest number of votes cast in the organisation’s history.

Joining the Executive for the first time are Duncan Bell of Autograph Sound and Murray Gellatly of Artistic Licence who take seats on the committee following the departure of Adrian Brooks of LiteStructures, who stepped down in December after serving six years, and the death earlier in the year of long-serving committee member David Hopkins OBE.

Existing committee members Ed Pagett of Panalux and Martin Hawthorn of Hawthorn’s both renewed their nominations and return to the committee to serve further three-year terms.

With serving committee member Linda Moore having tendered her resignation to take on the new role of Sales & Marketing Director with PLASA, Matt Lloyd of Global Design Solutions also takes up a position on the Executive.

The Executive work closely with the PLASA team to ensure the continued delivery of a wide-ranging strategy supporting its membership, events, media, technical and skills initiatives: in October 2009, PLASA announced its intention to merge with US-based ESTA, another international trade body, which, if sanctioned by the members, will effectively create a global membership of over 1100 businesses operating under the PLASA name.

On the political front, the organisation continues to campaign on behalf of the sector as Ofcom moves to finalise the details of its Digital Dividend Review – a Government proposal which will see the radio spectrum relied on by the industry either auctioned or reassigned. Having already won key concessions from Ofcom, PLASA continues to work with BEIRG (British Entertainment Industry Radio Group) to protect the industry’s interests and is currently preparing its bid to be the new industry Band Manager.

(Claire Beeson)

www.plasa.org

(19 January 2010)

UK – Hawthorn Theatrical has recently completed the Phase 2 refurbishment and technical fit out of The Crucible in Sheffield.

As The Crucible was awarded Grade II listed status by English Heritage as a building of architectural and historic importance in 2008, Hawthorn’s in-house installation team had to ensure that the fittings used were not only in keeping with the period of the theatre, but also state of the art and energy efficient at the same time.

Phase 1 of the project was completed prior to the 2009 World Snooker Championship with Phase 2 commencing immediately after the championship and completion by December 2009.

Undertaking the installation of new dimmers and technical infrastructure to the Studio Theatre and the expansion of the paging system, Hawthorn’s installation team, working closely with Theatreplan Consultants, undertook a 12-week installation programme completing the work ahead of schedule and within budget.

Replacing the old Strand dimmers, Hawthorn provided 170 ways of ETC Sensor dimming along with a new DMX and Network infrastructure. An ETC Unison Paradigm control and dimmer system was provided to control the house and working lights, with control being provided from the lighting desk, colour Paradigm touch screens and localised control stations.

A new audio infrastructure was installed providing extensive microphone tie lines, along with speaker and data patching and a Sennheiser infra red system with show relay facilities and both colour and low light CCTV. A prompt desk was provided for the studio, designed in collaboration with GDS, which could be moved to, and used in, the main house as well when required.

A major part of the work was the expansion of the paging system installed as part of Phase 1. Re-designed and overseen by Hawthorn’s head of sound, Iain Reinhold, the installation consisted of nearly one hundred 100 volt line speakers, eight zones of paging, expansion and reprogramming of the paging processor and an extensive cable infrastructure.

Hawthorn’s head of installs, Alan Jackson commented: “The Crucible is a great venue and we were delighted to be involved in its renovation and the opportunity to work with the consultants Theatreplan”. Clive Odom of Theatreplan added: “It has been a pleasure working with Hawthorns and we look forward to the next job.”

(Jim Evans)

(27 January 2010)

The multi-award winning company, Global Design Solutions (GDS) has announced the appointment of Oasis Professional Projects Division (PPD) as its exclusive distributor for the UAE. 

Oasis PPD is part of Oasis Enterprises, a leading distributor of lighting, audio and broadcast products in the U.A.E.  Established in 1982, Oasis Enterprises covers the full spectrum of commercial activities, from distribution to installation and after-sales-service.  The Professional Projects Division provides turnkey solutions for the professional audio and lighting markets, incorporating design, installation, integration and after-sales services. 

David Gray        , Architainment Lighting Manager, noted:

“The GDS BluesSystem will be a natural upgrade made available to our existing portfolio of completed auditoria.  They will become the de-facto standard for all future new builds in the region. Consultants here love the simplicity of installation and end result”

“Liteware RGB is a truly unique product and has already generated great interest in the Dubai events and hospitality markets.

Oasis PPD has worked with a number of prestigious clients including TV stations, Media production facilities, academic institutions, government agencies and various industry sectors.  From 1985 to the present day, they have executed thousands of important projects and won numerous awards, most recently for the Grand Mosque project in Abu Dhabi.  Oasis PPD will distribute the full range of GDS products across the UAE from their Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices.

Matthew Lloyd, Managing Director – Global Design Solutions Commented:

“We are delighted to welcome Oasis on-board as our Dubai distributor, their well established market presence and prestigious client base makes them ideally placed to help us grow in this territory”.

Oasis PPD joins Global Design Solutions already established global distribution network, including distributors in Germany, France, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, USA, Australia, Turkey, Greece and the UK.  For more information or details on GDS distributors visit www.gds.uk.com.

GDS is a multi-award winning UK Manufacturer with a diverse range of technology based products.  Based in Bristol with offices in the US, it has six innovative brands in its product portfolio specialising in lighting and control solutions.  For more information visit www.gds.uk.com or email salesuk@gds.uk.com or salesus@gds.uk.com.

Press Contact:

Steph Dell

Sound Marketing

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E-mail steph@soundmarketingpractice.co.uk

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