Belgium - The 10th Exhibition of the ACF (Audio Creative Fair) will be held at the Parc Des Expositions exhibition centre in Brussels, in Halls 11 and 12, from 25-28 November 2003. Exhibitors, originating from several countries of the European Community, will be presenting the sectors latest innovations.

The ACF will bring together manufacturers, importers and distributors of professional equipment, pre and post production firms, producers, creative talents in the field of image, sound, lighting, special effects, computer generated or virtual images and multimedia, the representatives of service companies working in these fields and Belgian and European official bodies. Stands dedicated to showing off equipment, services and know-how will be spread over the 22,000 square metres of Halls 11 and 12 of the Parc des Exposition in Brussels.

As in previous exhibitions, the AFC aims

UK - According to SSE Hire, they provided one of the largest Nexo GEO T Tangent Array systems in the world for the main Pyramid Stage at the 2003 Glastonbury Festival. Nearly 100 GEO T4805 cabinets were used in the field, where between 90-100,000 fans gathered to watch the top act Radiohead. Performers on the main stage included additional headliners R.E.M. and Moby, as well as David Gray, Turin Brakes, Supergrass and The Flaming Lips.

The decision to use Nexo GEO technology was a major departure for the Glastonbury team and promoter Melvyn Benn of The Mean Fiddler Organization. The Pyramid Stage has, famously, been equipped with Turbosound Flashlight systems for many years. In winning the contract for the 2003 Festival, Chris Beale of SSE Hire completed an impressive roster of all the biggest festivals in the UK, all to be serviced with NEXO GEO T.

The system for the Pyramid

UK - LA Audio, the pro audio technology developer and manufacturer, will use this year's PLASA exhibition as a platform to announce the official UK launch of its brand new line of digital accessories, grouped under the umbrella title of the 'DigiBox' range.

The new range, which will include versatile digital toolboxes, housed in compact aluminium cases, will comprise an AES channel divider, AES/SPDIF converter, AES three-way splitter, SPDIF four-way splitter, word clock/super clock generator, word clock/super clock converter and four-way word clock distributor. Technical manager for the LA Audio brand, Steve Buchanan, told PLASA Media: "Currently these types of products are only to be found in expensive 19" packages, often unnecessarily taking up valuable rack space. The DigiBox range delivers compact, high quality designs at affordable prices, making them accessible t

UK - Turbosound Ltd, the British manufacturer of live performance and installed-sound loudspeakers, is launching two new models in its fast-selling TXD series of passive loudspeakers at PLASA. Also being shown is the first model in a new range of TSB sub-bass enclosures, as well as further developments in Turbosound's QLight series.

Introduced earlier this year, Turbosound's highly successful TXD series is aimed at the club, DJ and live performance markets, and has already proved to be one of the company's fastest-selling product lines. Being launched at PLASA is the ultra-compact TXD-081, a passive 8" two-way loudspeaker designed for club, bar and restaurants installs, plus the TXD-252 - a 2 x 15" + 2" trapezoidal combo, which looks set to become a firm favourite with pub bands and DJs. Both the new models share the same features that have made the TXD systems su

UK - PLASA continues to adapt to meet the changing demands of the dynamic and diverse markets it serves and for this year's PLASA Show (7-10 September at Earls Court, London) significant changes are in place to engage more visitors and exhibitors in this energetic, inspirational and trend-setting environment. The PLASA Professional Development Programme (PLASA PDP), the Association's new training initiative, will be hosting the educational programme at this year's show. This extended educational platform will examine current trends and issues across the broad range of our industry and provide visitors with the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and learn from the industry experts.

The format for this year's programme has changed to offer visitors more choice and variety. This year, the sessions will range from Technical Workshops aimed at technicians through to Business Semi

UK - LA Audio will be taking orders at this year's PLASA show for its new G400 four-channel frequency conscious noise gate, and GC400 two-channel auto compressor and frequency conscious noise gate, both of which complement the current range of signal processing products, which includes the C400 4-channel auto compressor.

The G400 features four identical gate channels that can be operated as four separate processors or linked as two independent stereo pairs. Each channel has fully variable controls for filter frequency, threshold and release. The range is switchable to provide either full muting (-80dBu) or a more subtle level of signal attenuation (-20dBu). Two attack modes are available - fast or slow, and release is manually adjustable. In-built side chain 'auto-level-sensing' and hold circuitry ensure that false triggering and chatter are kept to a minimum.

The GC400 combin

UK - This year's A.C. Lighting North Tradeshow in Leeds on 15 and 16 July was deemed to be a success by both sponsors and visitors alike, with more than 400 people attending over the two days of the show.

Key highlights of this year's event included the much welcomed addition of new industry seminars, which were well attended and are likely to become a permanent feature of future shows. Also of note was the increased presence and space devoted at this year's show to a host of key audio manufacturers, emphasizing A.C. Lighting's increasing role as a distributor of audio, as well as lighting, brands. Much interest was also aroused by the first industry unveiling of the new Tourspot and Tourwash moving lights and SpectraLite Combi Case products, all available exclusively from the company.

A.C. Lighting's Northern sales manager Jonathan Walters told PLASA Media: "I am please

UK - Pro audio manufacturer Audient will show one of the first production units of its brand new eight channel mic pre-amp, the ASP008, at this year's PLASA Show. The ASP008 is a compact, 1U rack-mount unit, featuring eight high quality mic preamplifiers, developed from the mic-pre design used in the company's ASP8024 recording console and the Aztec Live Performance console.

All channels include XLR input, 48V phantom power, switchable input impedance, 25 - 250Hz hi pass filter, phase reverse, as well as line input selection. Channels one and two also feature a -20dB attenuator and high impedance Instrument/DI input, on a jack on the front panel. LEDs provide indication of signal present and overload. A digital output option is available in addition to the standard balanced analogue outputs, making the ASP008 an ideal front end to any DAW or Pro Tools system.

This is the first

Italy - Rimini Fiera's biennial SIB exhibition of entertainment and event technology will be held next year from the 13 to 16 March, 2004. The event, promoted by APIAS and sponsored by SILB, features a wide range of exhibitors specializing in lighting, audio, lasers and design for the entertainment and night sectors. The 2004 event will see an expansion of the successful SIB Theatre section: in addition to addressing stage professionals, this will also now embrace all those who work in the film, TV and cinema markets, with a particular emphasis on set design and stage equipment.

(Ruth Rossington)

UK - Thunder Ridge utilized state-of-the-art digital audio tools for the One World stage at the recent Glastonbury Festival, opting for Powersoft digital amplifiers, supplied by Arbiter Pro Audio, to power their X2000 system, placing the whole FOH system and the major monitor fills under digital power. At the same time, they employed the latest processing tool from Klark Teknik - the Helix digital EQ system - to control every component of the FOH and monitor systems.

Compared to the conventional amplifier, Powersoft DIGAM technology offers very high efficiency and delivers more power to the loudspeakers with much reduced heat dissipation. The output stages of the amplifiers typically run at 95% efficiency, dissipating only 5% of the input energy as heat. These compact (1U), lightweight (10kg) amplifiers can generate up to 3,500W per channel into 2 Ohms.

The advantages of such

Spain - Valencia-based pro audio manufacturer D.A.S. Audio is to show its new Dynamics series at PLASA 2003, with the presentation of the DS-115 passive and DS-115A powered systems. The Dynamics series provides users with loudspeaker systems that are easy to carry, simple to set up and offer high quality sound, say D.A.S.

The DS-115 is a versatile two-way system designed to be used as a full-range stand-alone unit. Low frequency reproduction is handled by a 400Wrms 15" loudspeaker with 3" voice coil. High frequencies are reproduced by the new M-5N neodymium compression driver. This 1" exit driver incorporates a 2" titanium diaphragm and EFW (edge-wound-flat-wire) voice coil. The unique enclosure design has three ergonomic handles for easy carrying, will accept a standard 35mm mounting stand and includes a floor monitor position for added flexibility. Nine M8

UK - Sennheiser UK has announced it is sponsoring a double bill of free festival entertainment this year at Ashton Gate Park, Bristol. The first Sennheiser Sounds of Summer Festival will be on Friday 8 August and the live finals of the third annual Sennheiser Unsigned Artist Contest the following evening.

The events take place as part of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2003, sponsored by Vodaphone Live! The Friday night free festival features legendary Scottish songsmiths Hue and Cry, supported by the Cosmic Rough Riders, plus performances from Tippi, The Hazey Janes, Jo Stevens, Tony Moore and DJ Miss Behavin'.

The Saturday Unsigned Artist Contest final kicks off at 2 pm, with live appearances by all the finalists - Hooper, Nowhere Near the Garden, The Adventures of B Violet, The Climb, Demon Summer and Range#Eleven. Saturday's show also features the tabla and guitar

UK - The annual Hayden Laboratories Cricket Cup Challenge is taking place on Thursday 7 August at Littlewick Green Cricket Club, near Maidenhead in Berkshire. Now in its fourth year, the cricket challenge match sees a scratch team representing the sound and lighting industry line-up against a team drawn from the combined ranks of PLASA Show organizers Clarion Events and PLASA team.

The event starts at 4pm and is followed by a BBQ at 7.30pm, which will be charged at £6.50 per head. All are welcome to attend and lend their support to this popular event. If you are interested in attending please contact Nicky Rowland at Clarion on +44(0)20 7370 8231 (nicky.rowland@plasashow.com) or Simon Curtis at Hayden Laboratories + (0)1753 888447 (simon.curtis@denon.co.uk) for further details and directions.

(Ruth Rossington)

UK - An aggregate quarry and production plant might sound like a challenging venue for high-level corporate hospitality, but when Aggregate Industries wanted to entertain 300 VIP guests at the end of June, that was the location they suggested to event management consultancy Corporate Innovations.

The venue was Aggregate Industries' North End Farm Works site in the Cotswold Water Park, near Cirencester. As well as being a working production plant, the site incorporates a man-made lake, created from quarrying activities, which now forms a wildlife haven. Corporate Innovations, working with AV specialist Blitz, transformed the lake-side venue with a creative concept designed to raise awareness of Aggregate Industries' environmental activities, whilst also providing spectacular entertainment in a novel setting.

The guests were first taken on a tour of the working production plan

UK - Britain's only exhibition for the out-of-home leisure industry is now just six weeks away. Leisure Industry Week (16-18 September, NEC, Birmingham) will showcase the latest innovations and solutions as well as the top suppliers from across the leisure industry.

At the heart of the show is a keynote seminar programme, which features a line-up of industry heavyweights and opinion formers, including Rt Hon Richard Caborn MP, Minister for Sport and Tourism, as well as speakers from Alton Towers, Pret a Manger and Marriot Hotels. With around 15,000 visitors and over 400 exhibitors, LIW is where the leisure industry joins together annually to exchange and source ideas, knowledge and expertise about industry strategies and trends, and to access solutions and leading suppliers.

And, for the first time this year, LIW features a PLASA Lounge wherein the PLASA organization will mee

UK - Skan PA Hire's attention to detail is immediately apparent on a visit to the FOH tower at Glastonbury, where the Reading-based company has provided PA and manpower for the second stage since 1991. Behind the two Midas Heritage consoles and equipment racks lurks a domestic scene equipped with sofa, coffee table stacked with audio magazines and a fully functioning kitchen built into 19" racks.

"We work with more than 60 sound engineers over the three days of the festival, and we only have a small window to make a good impression," says Skan director Chris Fitch. "Little details can make a big difference." Obviously this principle extends beyond domestic appliances to high standards of equipment, staff training and safety.

When Fitch and co-director Abby Llewellyn bought Skan from founder Peter Howard in 1996 (Fitch had worked for the company since

UK - Red Bull UK staged their biggest ever event in Hyde Park, London, in early August. The event, hosted by Tess Daly and Brian Dowling, involved 40 teams launching their homemade flying machines off a 6m high runway into the Serpentine, cheered on by thousands of enthusiastic onlookers.

Attended by an estimated 150,000 people, who watched the 40 teams of mad participants launching themselves in home-built 'flying machines' from the huge floating runway, the event was the climax of 18 months of planning and development, which involved over 110 Red Bull staff.

At the centre of the serpentine was the main runway, built by Star Hire, an impressive 40m long by 10m wide, leaving the contestants and their flying machines a 6m drop into the water. To ensure all the crowds could see the action in the park, which is covered in trees, four big screens with relay sound systems were empl

UK - This year's Festival of Speed, the 10th anniversary event at the Earl of March's idyllic Goodwood estate, was dominated by a stunning structure built for Ford by Edwin Shirley Staging (ESS). Designed by Gerry Judah of Judah Design and turned into reality by ESS's Steve Colley and Graham Turner, the spectacularly sloping structure presented replicas of the three Ford GT40s which won the historic 1st, 2nd and 3rd place victory at the 1966 Le Mans 24-hour race.

"The project was all about 100 years of Ford," said ESS project manager Rob Smalldon, "and was one of the most challenging projects I've been involved with for some time."

From the ground, the structure rose 34m with a width of 25m. Edwin Shirley Trucking (EST) shipped in 217m of regular roof truss, 126m of LT Tower Truss, 604m of cabling and 102 bespoke purlins in a total of 16 trucks. The ESS tea

The Netherlands - TiLE 2004 - the international forum for leisure venues - will be held at the Maastricht Exhibition and Congress Centre in The Netherlands, from 15-17 June 2004. In making the announcement, Richard Curtis, the conference organizer commented: "This will be the first time TiLE has been in Maastricht since 1996 and it will be held in the MECC's new exhibition hall and conference rooms."

TiLE 2004 will continue to build on its relationships with key associations in specific areas of the market, including IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions), TEA (Themed Entertainment Association), WWA (World Waterparks Association), EWA (European Waterpark Association) and ECSITE (European Collaborative for Science in Industry & Technology Exhibitions).

As with previous TiLEs in Maastricht, full use will be made of the beautiful city: the pa

UK - This year the education programme has been relaunched to meet the changing demands of the PLASA visitor and will be hosted by the PLASA Professional Development Programme (PLASA PDP), the Association's new training initiative. A full timetable is now online and taking bookings - check out the website below.

This extended educational platform will examine current trends and issues across the wide range of the industry and provide visitors with the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and learn from the experts. The format has been revised with four different types of sessions - Technical Workshops; Business Seminars; Industry Seminars and Masterclasses.

Many of the sessions are supported by associations, trade bodies and publications and for the first time RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) are also supporting the programme. Their endorsement is clear recognit

UK - LiteStructures will be unveiling much more than most other exhibitors at PLASA 2003 - as it will lift the lid on its brand new image and new website. LiteStructures' makeover comes during a period of expansion, which sees the company growing both in size and reputation. Managing director Adrian Brooks explains: "It was definitely time for a change. LiteStructures is going from strength to strength and we wanted to overhaul our image to reflect that."

While the LiteStructures logo is certainly different, visitors to the stand can rest assured that the company's products are still as stylish and reliable as ever, as Brooks explains: "The quality and service you'll get from LiteStructures is the same as before. The change of image simply brings the LiteStructures 'look' in line with the 21st century." Visitors to stand M40 will also be able to see LiteStruc

UK - The countdown to this year's PLASA show is ticking, with only two weeks to go. This year, the show has undergone a major relaunch to strengthen its position and reputation as one of the leading international trade events in the sector. Plans are now finalized for:

The New Technology Gallery - over 60 new products will be features in the gallery and will include the finalists of the PLASA Awards for Product Excellence 2004; The New Architectural Audio & Visual feature addresses this growth market with dedicated exhibitors and a photographic gallery demonstrating imaginative use of product; The PLASA Production Village incorporates the PLASA Crew Zone and the PLASA Backstage Area, dedicated to technicians with an opportunity for 'hands-on' demonstration of products; The Central Meeting Area will be at the heart of the show and reflects the importan

UK - AudioLight will be returning to PLASA this year, on stand M70, to showcase 'The Matrix' moving head laser. The Matrix features a flash-memory based processor for storing large graphics, animations and messages, as well as a very bright, sharp laser output and advanced SLS software, offering many powerful but easy to use features.

The second product to be presented this year is a brand new fluorescent colour-changing lighting fixture, named 'Multihue'. The Multihue, combines the latest technology with versatility, a unique system to maximise light output and is controllable through any DMX based lighting desk. AudioLight have been appointed as official distributors of both products. AudioLight also provide a complete range of corporate services, including sound & lighting installations, complete event planning for both indoor and outdoor events, and professional laser & fire

UK - On Monday July 28th, the theatre charity Theatrecares celebrated 10 years of staging fund-raising cabarets - with a star-studded evening of entertainment at The Venue in Leicester Square. Lighting designer for the event was David Holmes who is currently working with White Light on Mamma Mia! in Holland and therefore turned to White Light and The Moving Light Company for help. White Light supplied a lighting rig that included 25 ETC Source Four profile spots, two Strand SL zoom spots used with Rosco ImagePros, 10 Par 64s, a selection of fresnels, a followspot and six Pulsar ChromaBank LED battens. The Moving Light Company's contribution included two Martin MAC 600s and six Martin MAC 250s; control for the entire rig was from a Strand 520i console, as previously supplied to The Venue for the Boy George musical Taboo.

The cabaret itself featured performances fro

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