New York, NY (Billboard Publicity Wire) January 29, 2007 -- As it embarks upon its 20th year as the leading authority on live emerging music, Knitting Factory Entertainment (KFE) today announced major technological enhancements to its landmark New York City venue. The upgrades, which affect the venue's Main Space stage area, will enable significantly improved artist and fan experiences through all-new lighting and PA systems, a new onstage monitor mix position and an HD audio/video capture system.

"The Knitting Factory has never looked or sounded better," said Jared Hoffman, President and CEO of KFE. "Entering our milestone 20th year, we are actively building on our reputation, not only as the place that showcases the best in emerging and established music, but also as a state-of-the-art venue that provides the very best audio-visual live music experiences. Equipping the NY facility with the most advanced technology we could find is just one more way we're demonstrating our absolute commitment to artists and audiences alike."

In addition to enhancing the artist and audience experiences, the installation of the new lighting, sound and video capture systems underscores KFE's mission to create a digital services platform to support its artist, record label and media company partnerships. The company is currently developing media partnerships, such as a previously announced partnership with XM Satellite Radio, which will serve to distribute Knitting Factory exclusive live performance content. The venue upgrades enable the aggregation of this content at the highest possible quality. XM Satellite Radio will launch the weekly program, "Live from the Knitting Factory," for XM Satellite Radio's nearly eight million subscribers in the coming weeks. Additional media partnership announcements are also forthcoming.

Lighting System
The Knitting Factory's new intelligent lighting system unleashes an unlimited color palette and dazzling special effects. Driven by the programmable Hog 500 lighting console, the system features top-of-the-line Vari-Lite 2500 moving head luminaires, high-impact Martin Atomic 3000 watt strobe fixtures and the DF-50 atmospheric fog hazer. The system also boasts a professional par can array enabling frontal lighting and full washes of the stage from multiple angles.

Live Sound System
The venue's brand-new live sound system is anchored by a 32-channel Soundcraft MH3 console at front-of-house, and features state-of-the-art Meyer Sound UPA-2P and UPJ-1P self-powered main speakers and USW-1 sub-woofers. Outboard processors include popular devices by Klark-Teknik, Drawmer, TC Electronics, Lexicon and Meyer Sound.

KFE has also installed an onstage monitor position, featuring a new 24-channel Midas Siena console manned by a dedicated monitor engineer for the best stage sound possible.

HD Audio/Visual Content Capture System
In addition to the lighting and sound system upgrade, KFE is also installing a ground-breaking content capture system that will enable record labels and artists to cost-effectively capture live music content in high-definition quality. The system boasts 4 Sony BRC-H700 HD audio/video cameras and can be customized with unlimited operator/floor cameras for additional angles and shots, mixing, and post-production. Controlled from a production booth by a dedicated director, each robotic camera features independent pan, tilt, zoom capabilities. Additionally, the system boasts a Panasonic HD/SD switcher with full effects and processing, facilitating fast delivery of professional line edits (or camera ISO) to SD and HD DVD or cartridge formats. Multitrack or stereo audio capture is also available. A matching HD A/V capture system is also being installed in the Knitting Factory's Hollywood venue.

About Knitting Factory Entertainment
Knitting Factory Entertainment is America's most prolific presenter of new and emerging musical talent. With more than 5,000 live music performances each year at its multi-stage New York and Hollywood venues, this treasured New York cultural icon has been transformed into a leading national arbiter and filter of 'what's next' in the emerging music scene.

With a focus on the creation of a national platform with direct, demonstrable contact with the urban active demographic, the Knitting Factory is actively creating a next-generation music venue by developing a presence in the digital content space through unique media partnerships that harness KFE's power as an aggregator of exclusive live performance content.

KFE's Bravo Entertainment division is a leading regional concert promoter with operations across 18 states and wholly owned venues in Boise, Idaho, and Spokane, Wash.
For more information, please visit www.knittingfactory.com.

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Previously
Old Knit (Knitting Factory) 20th Anniversary show @ Town Hall
Neighbors complaining about Knitting Factory