UK - This summer's Wimbledon Championships saw one of the longest running relationships in pro audio mark its 25th anniversary. London based RG Jones were first called in to revamp The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club's system in 1986, and following the basic installation, have been refining and adding to the sound facilities to make it one of the most comprehensive systems in a UK sports complex.

The number of departments operating behind the scenes at the Wimbledon site is vast. RG Jones' engineers work closely with them to ensure that the Championships receives the audio service that this world class, leading tournament deserves. This includes liaising with the officials to ensure that the umpires can be heard on the courts, and their communication systems are functioning correctly, liaising with the broadcasters to provide the correct sends for their television/radio

Korea - The 2nd Presbyterian Church of the Korean city of Incheon has brought its long history bang up to date with the installation of the latest line array technology from Nexo. The implementation of a new digital sound system, by A Works Corporation, represents the final stage in a complete re-build of this 62-year old church.

The Incheon 2nd Presbyterian Church has spent the last five years engaged in a programme of reconstruction and renewal. Built in the 1940s, the church building was showing its age and its leaders took decisive action, opting to destroy the old house and design a modern replacement. Over the course of 2008, the construction of the new 1300-capacity church was completed.

Nexo was chosen as the supplier of the loudspeaker cabinets and amplifiers. A Works Corporation was named as the official installer, specifying a DiGiCo SD8 at front of house and Nexo's

UK - With her new single Feedback officially launched at Madam Jojo's on 11 August, Sennheiser UK's endorsement of Laura Steel and her vibrant brand of electro-pop has been well placed, says the company. The combination of an SKM 935 G2 wireless microphone and ew 300 IEM G2 in-ear monitoring, plus a K-Array KR-200 loudspeaker system are used by the singer and her band.

"Sennheiser likes to form relationships with artists early on in their careers," says Sennheiser UK artist relations manager Phil Cummings. "It helps all concerned to get the most out of the partnership. Laura is someone we identified early on as being a potential hit, she's worked extremely hard and it's great to see things coming to fruition."

"When you're starting out, the backing of a company such as Sennheiser is invaluable," says Steel's manager, Celina Rollon of Rollon

UK At PLASA 2010, Alcons Audio will be exhibiting its pro-ribbon based sound system programme. Alcons offers a complete portfolio, from point-source, through line-source to line-array solutions, all based around proprietary and multiple-patented pro-ribbon transducer technology.

Rapidly making inroads in the installation market, the very successful LR7 micro line-array system, three CD's wide and 1.5 CD's high, which received acclaim in different international reviews and tests, will be on the stand, together with the LR7Bass system.

Following the UK preview at the ABTT show, the BC543 cardioid subwoofer will be on display. This self-contained triple 18" subwoofer enables cardioid pattern control, when driven by the Digital Drive Processor in the ALC amplified loudspeaker controller.

Also, Systems from the ACO Architect Colour Option programme will be shown. With ACO, A

UK - EAW will introduce two new additions to the KF Series, along with three comprehensively integrated NT variants at PLASA 2010. Designed for a wide range of applications, the new KF Series offerings deliver a scalable solution for corporate A/V events, small-to-medium-sized live sound reinforcement, performing arts venues, houses of worship, retail spaces, ballrooms, theaters, theme parks and more, says the company.

The new KF and KFNT make up a series of ultra-compact, three-way loudspeakers that deliver premium performance in designs that offer a lightweight solution. The complete range includes two externally powered models (90-degree x 45-degree and 60-degree x 45-degree) and three comprehensively integrated models (NT versions of the two previously described, and a 10-inch / 8-inch coaxial model). At the heart of the new KF Series product line is a core cabinet philosoph

UK - Trantec comes to PLASA 2010 as the first company to offer UHF wireless systems compatible with the new Channel 38.

On demonstration and already shipping in a Channel 38-compliant version of the company's S4.16 16-channel system, while also on display will be the successful S5.3 12-channel system and its newer, 'big brother' variant, the 24-channel S5.5. Between them, these products underline Trantec's commitment to ensuring customers have a future-proof solution once Ofcom phases out Channel 69 for wireless mic use during 2012.

Mark Parkhouse, head of sales & marketing at Trantec, comments, "Twenty-five years after pioneering the world's first readily available radio mics, our foresight and imagination have taken us to a whole new level. For entertainment industry professionals, our S4.16 offers great flexibility including the availability of various 'turnkey' racks

UK - Christie's innovative MicroTiles are to be made available to trade customers from hire specialists, Paragon Projection.

Paragon has depots strategically situated across the UK including Central London, the Midlands and Livingston, Scotland, enabling the company to service AV and multimedia companies nationwide.

"We were first introduced to MicroTiles at Christie's [EMEA HQ] last year - but it was seeing them at the ISE Show in Amsterdam followed by Screen Media Expo in London that delivered the wow factor," said Paragon sales manager, Mark Davies. "Seeing them in a stand context, they looked really impressive."

What prompted the purchase of an initial batch of 50 tiles was the fact that Paragon see exhibition stands, along with conferences, as being key markets.

"We assessed the market for MicroTiles over a six month period - but the impact of

USA - More than 72,000 Boy Scouts and adult leaders gathering at Fort A.P. Hill, Va, 26 July - 4 August for the 100th Anniversary National Scout Jamboree. The main stage featured the tallest portable Daktronics LED video display built to date, the appearance of Miss America 2010, Caressa Cameron and "10 fun-filled days of adventure, friendship and unforgettable memories".

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) hired messaging architects at Dallas-based CorporateMagic to plan and execute a week-long series of events that would leave an indelible impression on the thousands gathered at Fort A.P. Hill, and across the globe.

"We didn't just want our 100th anniversary Jamboree to be bigger and better than the ones that preceded it," said Robert Mazzuca, chief scout executive of the BSA. "That would be easy. We wanted to remind boys and their parents around the wor

USA - Bridget Cox, a contract project manager with J. R. Clancy, has passed the exam in the Entertainment Technician Certification Programme (ETCP) for Theatre Rigging. Cox is now an ETCP-certified rigging professional.

The certification indicates proficiency in the use of counterweight, mechanical, and hydraulic systems installed in theatres. ETCP riggers also understand the health and safety issues involved in the use of theatre rigging, as well as Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requirements for the use, maintenance and inspection of rigging.

Formerly the assistant technical director for the New York City Opera, Cox joined the Clancy staff in 2008. She now oversees the in-house completion of large contract projects, spending the bulk of her time at customer sites.

(Jim Evans)

UK - For UK loudspeaker manufacturer OHM, 2010 has been a year of new developments in products for the pro-audio market. Field trials of the horn-loaded ERSA Major line array started in the spring and continued throughout the summer with great success combining with PUKK subs to provide substantial bass down to 22Hz.

Visitors to PLASA will be able to see a ground stack version of the ERSA system and the newly developed class D amplifier modules.

Also on show will be the new series of Saturn full range cabinets, co-axial stage monitors and a range of DSP controllers with a software platform common to all future OHM digital products.

(Jim Evans)

Germany - Optocore has developed new Server/Client software that will facilitate simultaneous network control from multiple computers.

Prior to this latest development, the standard Optocore control software had been purely workstation-based - meaning that Optocore network control was confined to the software installed on a single computer.

"In other words, if different personnel, with their own computers, wanted to initiate simultaneous changes for different devices in the network, this would not have been possible," sayss Optocore support engineer, Christian Pötsch. "However, the Server/Client version of the software provides much greater flexibility."

By installing 'Server & Client' on one computer - connected to the Optocore network by USB or RS232 - and 'Client' on every other nominated computer the Optocore network can be controlled by enabling the

UK - Upbeat Event Catering and Design (Upbeat), part of the Global Infusion Group, celebrated its coming of age this week. Originally known as Chevalier, the company was formed to compliment sister company Eat To The Beat and offered a more corporate catering product to its already impressive music industry clients list. In 2007 the name was changed to Upbeat Event Catering and Design to not only 'do what it says on the tin' but to translate better on the international stage as Global Infusion Group spread its reach to Europe, The Middle East and China.

This year alone, Upbeat has catered for Sport Relief and sponsors BT on the charity Million Pound Challenge, for 750 people as they made their way from John O'Groats to Lands End with Threshold Sports in the Deloitte Ride Across Britain, fed 13,000 competitors at the JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge

Local News - Kylie Minogue and Tinie Tempah performed at the Ring O' Bells pub in Compton Martin, Somerset on last week. They were drafted in as a treat for staff from their record company, Parlophone, who were in the area for a conference. Eliza Doolittle and new signing Morning Parade also performed. Bewildered locals were alerted to the impromptu concert by a small sign outside the pub which read For one night only! Kylie Minogue, Tinie Tempah, tonight!.

The rapper was up first - he performed his number one hit Pass Out and new single Written In The Stars. Kylie performed an acoustic version of All The Lovers and the night's biggest crowd-pleaser, her 1988 worldwide hit I Should Be So Lucky. Pub landlord Reuben Goddard commented, "The locals were shocked but we all had an evening we'll never forget. It's a bit out of the ordinary for ro

UK - A recent tender specification issued by LOCOG - the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games - demonstrates the importance BS 8901 will play in the delivery of the London2012 Games.

In the past there have been concerns that BS 8901 - the new event management standard developed to ensure the 2012 Games are delivered in a sustainable way - was merely tokenism, but LOCOG has reiterated its commitment to the standard, and is now seeking third party certification for its own implementation of the standard across the Olympic venues.

If you are interested in supplying the Olympics this information is significant because it strengthens the requirement for suppliers to be working towards BS 8901 compliance, plus it's clear there will now be an emphasis on being third party certified as opposed to relying on 'self certification' in the future.

PLASA is working in partners

UK - On the strength of 30 years of accumulated experience in selling and marketing professional audio products, Chris Hollebone has launched Pro-Sales-Solutions.

This operation offers a bespoke service according to the needs of the client, but the primary objective is to leverage contacts and market knowledge to increase sales in countries within EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa). The service is particularly useful to the smaller company that may not have sufficient resources to devote dedicated manpower to improve the results in developing markets, says Hollebone. However, it has relevance to any organisation experiencing patchy results and under-performing resellers or distributors.

Hollebone has had recent experience in Russia, CIS, Eastern Europe and surrounding areas but has operated throughout Europe for many years. Those former countries require a different approach b

UK - Edinburgh-based Black Light is now offering the d&b audiotechnik E-series loudspeakers as part of its range of high-performance audio products.

Among the d&b products that Black Light now stocks are the E3 and E 12D speakers and the E15X subwoofer. "These products represent a significant investment for Black Light," says Stephen Reid, head of Black Light's Events Team. "They offer a really top-end system that can provide fantastic performance for small bands, live events and conferences."

Reid explains that the equipment has already been specified by the performance company Dance Base for all their Edinburgh Festival performances. "It really delivers when it comes to performance quality and Dance Base recognises this," he says.

The E3 is an ultra compact loudspeaker that is particularly suited to environments where space is at a premium. Th

UK - Prism Sound and SADiE will be sponsoring this year's Sounding Out conference, which takes place at Bournemouth University from 8-10 September, 2010.

The event, now in its fifth year, provides a forum for discussion and interaction between sound artists of all kinds. This year's theme is Soundworlds - Sonic Arts, Film and Radio, which will bring forward some convergent works and writings in this area.

Conference organisers Professor Seán Street and Dr Alain Renaud said, "Sounding Out is an international event, being held at Bournemouth Unviversity for the first time. As the major forum for discussion and interaction between sound artists of all kinds, it is attracting talent from around the globe, offering perspectives ranging from the world of music, radio, film and sonic arts.

"We are delighted that Prism Sound is on board as one of our key sponsors.

UK - Mike Kenny's adaptation of the classic children's tale, The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame at the York Theatre Royal has proved to be the stage hit of the summer. Basking in the glow of rave reviews from the national press, the spectacular production has been billed (amongst other things) as a 'technical triumph', thanks in large part to a daring design which called for the complete transformation of the existing theatre space in order to create the interior of Toad Hall. Structural aluminium systems specialists, Litestructures, were called in to help with the metamorphosis.

The design of Toad Hall, which was the brainchild of designers Lydia Denno and Catherine Chapman, necessitated the transformation of the traditional proscenium arch configuration into an in-the-round space. To achieve this, all of the seating was stripped out from the stalls, and Litestru

USA - BSR E1.32 - 201x, Guide for the Inspection of Entertainment Industry Luminaires, is available for public review at http://www.esta.org/tsp/documents/public_review_docs.php through 25 October 2010. The document is intended to provide guidance in the inspection of stage and studio luminaires used in the entertainment industry to evaluate their safety and any needed maintenance.

An employer could write his own safety inspection procedures from scratch as part of his duty to provide a safe workplace, but borrowing from or adopting the final version of this document might be easier and lead to a better set of procedures.

The public review is over when the 'Review End Date' shown on the website of October 26, 2010 starts. Comments should be submitted before then.

Reviewers also are requested to look for protected intellectual property in the document. ESTA does not in

Germany - Lighting designer Marcus Krömer specified 330 Chroma-Q Color Block 2 LED fixtures to provide stage scenic elements backlighting for a large corporate event featuring some of Germany's most popular bands.

The event was held at Cologne's LANXESS arena, one of Europe's largest all-purpose venues and host to concerts by an impressive range of international music stars.

Production management for the event was by Placet Die Veranstaltungsgesellschaft. Stage lighting, audio and video supply was by PRG Cologne, with set design by John Stillwell. For the third year running, Marcus Krömer and Marcus Bossdorf provided the lighting and video content design for the all-day event, which featured a conference in the morning, an awards show in the afternoon and a concert in the evening. Splitting into two teams, programming was 24/7 for a whole week in the arena.

Krömer needed

Oman - The 45-day-long Salalah Tourism Festival (STF 2010) in Oman opened with a spectacular pageant staged by some 2,500 performers. Every year the festival draws thousands of tourists from Oman and the other Gulf states. This year's programme was specifically created to coincide with celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of Oman's renaissance under His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

For the opening, lighting designer Ali Saab chose an MA control system consisting of two grandMA full-size consoles, three MA video stations, three MA NSP (Network Signal Processors) and MA Digital Dimmer Touring 12 2.3kVA modules (Socapex EF 419). The lighting rig featured 56 Clay Paky Alpha Wash 575s, 40 Alpha Spot HPE 1200s, 20 Alpha Beam 1500s and 20 Alpha Beam 300s as well as SC15 (15 mm) and SC20 (20 mm) LED-screens, totalling 150sq.m of surface.

For the concerts in Al-Muroje Th

UK - The rapid expansion of music festivals in the UK has meant that the summer is a particularly busy period for Howard Leight by Sperian. Helping festival organisers meet their duty to provide effective PPE and conform with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, Howard Leight by Sperian has supplied its Laser Lite earplugs to the organisers of events such as Glastonbury.

Much of the music played at live music festivals includes a lot of bass sound and subsequently a high level of low frequency noise. Additionally, the use of visual effects on stage, such as fireworks, produces percussive noise which is also low frequency. It is for this reason that festival organisers, such as Glastonbury, have selected Howard Leight by Sperian's Laser Lite earplugs which are particularly effective at attenuating low frequency sounds, says the company.

Laser Lite single-use earplugs

UK - Robe launches a major new green initiative - Think of the Future - Consider Nature- at PLASA 2010 to underline its ongoing commitment to developing and producing genuinely cutting-edge, innovative and energy saving products.

Using Robe's latest products, the booth lightshow will consume 30% less power than before, and look equally impressive, says the company.

There will also be no less than seven newly launched environmentally friendly moving light and LED products on stand 1-F47 from the Czech Republic based manufacturer.

Says MD Josef Valchar, "Robe has already been operating a strong green policy for several years, we are not just jumping onboard a current trend, and now is the time to push this philosophy to the next level". He adds that Robe intends to keep at the forefront of developing sustainable technologies and encouraging everyone to think s

UK - Interest is building in this month's AV Networks 2010 conference, which is set to throw new light onto the business and technology behind networking protocols.

According to conference chairman Roland Hemming, the day is aimed at three types of attendee: "Those who are just learning about networking and are keen to find out more; those who are using networking technology already but want to explore some of the more complex issues; and those who aren't necessarily interested in the nuts and bolts of the technology, but are keen to find out how it is going to change the economic model of the industry."

Hosted by Installation Europe and Pro Sound News Europe, the day will present a rounded picture of AV networking from a variety of perspectives. A panel of end users and venue representatives will discuss customer expectations of networking. A panel of

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