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ArKaos MediaMaster

ArKaos MediaMaster

For many years, ArKaos has been very successful at producing video mixing software, including its VJ line of software. It combines real time video mixing technology with intuitive graphical user interfaces (GUIs), and it is widely used in nightclubs around the world and on tours such as The Prodigy in 2009.

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Moving Yoke LED Fixtures

Innovations in LED technology have resulted in some very interesting lighting fixtures for the entertainment industry. Some of the advantages of LEDs include: Long lamp life — 25,000 to 50,000 hours or more (We don’t really know yet since most of the new generation fixtures haven’t been around long enough to tell); Economic benefits — Because there are no lamps to replace, this also means there are no associated labor costs involved; Time Savings — Lower maintenance because of the fixture’s limited moving parts reduces labor and the total cost of ownership as compared to conventional lighting fixtures; Low Energy Consumption — Higher efficiency means it uses less energy to produce the same amount of light.

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Habla Engineer? Sprechen Sie Tech?

A lighting tech and an audio tech were standing in a venue, looking up in the air and pointing to a section of truss that was flown with two chain hoists. A rigger walks up and says, “What’s going on?” The lighting tech said, “We’re wondering how high that wire rope ladder is that’s attached to that truss.”

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When the Show Can’t Go On

Michael Jackson’s untimely death in June shocked the world. It also shocked accountants at more than a few companies. Jackson died less than three weeks before he was to kick off a series of 50 concerts at London’s 20,000-seat O2 stadium on July 13.

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Now Presenting…

Sometimes automated lighting programmers are asked to do more than just program lights.  Many productions involve video elements, special effects, audio triggers or other unique components that are triggered from a lighting console.  Recently I have been involved with several productions that utilized methods of combining presentation software (PowerPoint or Keynote) and lighting to save money, reduce staffing, or simply to be creative. 

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Making a List, Checkin’ it Twice

Sometimes I think I’m too old to learn new tricks. But that’s just an excuse for being set in my old ways. What I really need to do is practice what I preach now, and start making lists. I’m thinking that if everybody made little lists we would probably save on a lot of things besides aggravation. Things like gasoline, overtime and shipping bills.

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Robe Lighting Expands Vertically, Horizontally

ROZNOV POD RADHOSTEM, Czech Republic — Robe acquired PCB production company Dioflex, its long-term electronic parts supplier, and is expanding with a $5 million logistics center that nearly doubles its warehouse space to about 43,000 square feet. An expansion of the company’s factory includes a new 10,000-square-foot plastics molding area.

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