Croatia - When the Lisinski Hall - a multi-function venue in the Croatian capital of Zagreb - was refitted recently, great importance was attached to the quality of the sound reinforcement and communications equipment. To achieve the highest possible degree of compatibility (and therefore system security), the managers of the complex, which boasts two stages and seating for up to 2,300 spectators, opted to combine stage manager and public address systems from EVI Audio. In addition to their technical capabilities, ease-of-use and sound quality, the ability of these systems to function flawlessly in tandem was a key factor in this decision, say the company.

The outlay in terms of equipment was considerable: the two systems had to cover all areas (and the entire staff) of the complex. For the 2,000-seater theatre alone this meant the two stage manager's desks (stage right and sta

UK - Famed Italian hoteliers, the Baglioni Group has created an exclusive London location as its UK flagship. Harman Pro UK and authorised installer The Sound Division Group collaborated to design and specify the premier sound system at the recently launched luxury 5-Star Baglioni Hotel in Kensington. The hotel's Brunello club and bar area, used for private parties and functions and as a members club, is a chic new evening haunt.

Following recommendations from high profile clients at top West End nightspots, Islington-based Sound Division specified Harman Pro products to Baglioni. Sound Division is a strong advocate of the JBL brand, says MD David Graham: "Primarily because of the breadth and flexibility of their range, and its uniform quality and power." Turning to JBL's Control Contractor series to handle Brunello's requirements for background music, DJ evenings and

UK - Newton Preparatory School, a co-educational school in Battersea, South London, recently opened its new 288-seat theatre in a ceremony led by renowned theatre director Sir Peter Hall. Also in attendance were White Light's technical sales manager Roger Hennigan and projects coordinator Esther Heaslip, marking White Light's close involvement with the creation of the new venue.

During the project's design phase, the school's electrical consultant, Phil Whiffin from Engineering Co Partnership, contacted White Light for advice as to how to equip the venue. Roger Hennigan and David Howe from White Light's projects team devised a comprehensive, flexible lighting system that suited both the school's needs and its budget.

The theatre's new dimming system uses four 12-way ETC SmartPack rackswith RCD protection controlled by a Strand 300-series lighting console. An internally-wired

Australia - UK-based manufacturer Turbosound reports that Wollongong's hottest nightspot - Cooney's Tavern, with its brand new nightclub Bustin' - has been equipped with a new Turbosound system, installed by Sydney-based Innovative Lighting and Sound.

The main room system comprises a mix of TXD-121 mid/high and TXD-081 mid/high delay speakers, complemented by TSW-718 subs. Innovative also supplied a separate outdoor portable DJ system of TXD-121s and TXD-215s, with additional TXD-081s installed for the bar area audio system. Designing the main system from the ground-up, starting with the subs, Innovative arranged for Turbosound's TSW-718 models to be trialled in the venue for three months prior to the installation. The depth and tight response of the 718s proved to be ideally suited to the club's dance music requirements, say the company. A variety of mid/high speakers were als

UK - When the 26-lane Tenpin Bowl in Gloucester was gutted by fire almost a year ago, owners Tenpin Ltd saw the opportunity to upgrade the design template, and establish a blueprint for the future. The £4.2m multi-zone rebuild of the 500-capacity venue includes an American Pool area, Café Bar and three interlinked conference facilities - in addition to the lanes themselves. It operates from 10am until midnight seven days a week. And when Kevin Hughes' Technation (UK) Ltd successfully tendered for the sound and vision element of the rebuild, he decided to break from the company's traditional speaker brand and use Nexo PS 10s for the first time.

Hughes explains: "While I was familiar with the Nexo PS range I had never installed it before. I was determined to measure all the specs alongside the brand they had been using previously. I looked at dispersion pattern and SPLs, a

Ireland - The Prince Bar in Athlone, Ireland, has undergone a large-scale refurbishment programme. The new design is wholly suited to the bar's active lunchtime trade but can also be revolutionized into a warm, up-beat haven in the evenings. Owner John Callanan of the Callanan Group wanted something contemporary and attractive, and knew that a good lighting design would be the key to the look and identity of the venue, so he brought in ICAN Technology, who has previously worked on similar projects all over the country.

The large Prince Bar was divided into zones, each with its own innovative décor and purpose to meet varying customer requirements. Downstairs is the carvery area, sandwich bar and a modern lounge and bar section, another small cocktail bar and various seating areas, subtly divided from the rest of the floor plan for privacy. The main fixtures that were used to c

UK - A colour-matched Martin Audio architectural PA system has been specified and fitted in the new Riverfront Theatre in Newport. Containing a 493-seat main auditorium and 150-seat studio theatre, gallery and conference facilities, the audio installation work in the arts complex was undertaken by AJS Theatre Services, working to a tender document produced by Carr & Angier to a sound system design by Peter Mapp.

AJS followed the formula they had established so successfully with the similarly-configured Brindley Arts Centre in Runcorn (where Carr & Angier were again the consultants). "Martin Audio is our preferred loudspeaker for an installation such as this," confirmed AJS project manager, Chris Coates. "It produces good quality sound - crisp and round - and is perfect for this kind of environment. On top of that the support we receive from Martin Audio has been

UK - Newtown-based sound specialists, Sound Induction Systems (SIS), has completed two installations which combine Sennheiser SDC 3000 digital conference and Sennheiser IR systems. The first system was for Monitor Facilities Management at Monmouthshire County Council and the second for the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority HQ in Brecon.

Monmouthshire County Council assessed a number of other systems before arranging a demonstration of the SDC 3000 system with SIS and Sennheiser's John Willett. "In the end," said Phil Nicholes of SIS, "there were two deciding factors, clarity of sound and simplicity of use". The system supplied was an SDC 3000 with 57 delegate units and, as the installation is for permanent use, all wiring is concealed. In addition to the delegate mics, two Sennheiser evolution wireless systems also feed into the system for use in present

UAE - tsg, the Chesterfield-based media programming and installation company has completed its most demanding music profiling assignment to date, after candyrock, the media programming arm of tsg, was tasked with providing themed background music to 40 separate locations within the Madinat Jumeirah Hotel in Dubai.

Set in the shadows of the world-renowned Burj Al Arab, on the Jumeirah beachfront, the Madinat Jumeirah is a development of grand scale, even by Dubai standards, and on completion will be a self-contained city covering a 40-hectare site with two grand boutique hotels - each comprising 300 guest rooms and suites, 340 guest rooms in stand-alone courtyard villas, a souk-style retail complex and the region's largest conference and banqueting facilities - together with a 500-seat theatre, a spa and a nightclub.

With nearly 100 audio zones and eight processor locations t

UK - Turbosound reports that London-based Audio-Tek International has completed a variety of bar, club and corporate installations using Turbosound's TXD, QLight and Impact systems. Audio-Tek International's recent projects have included Birmingham club venue Air - home of Godskitchen; the Hard Rock Café in Manchester; and the brand's Hard Rock Bar in Bristol, plus the Anam Bar in north London.

At Air in Birmingham, Audio-Tek has installed six Qlight TQ-440 units, along with four THL-828 bass enclosures and TXD-151 systems, while Bristol's Hard Rock Bar features TXD-121 and TSB-110 loudspeakers. As part of a new mezzanine-level development, Manchester's Hard Rock Caférequired a new audio system to provide a medium-level wash throughout the area, with Audio-Tek installing 12 diminutive Impact 50 loudspeakers for the purpose. The company's installation at the very stylish Anam

Finland - Summit Steel has supplied a Kinesys automation system to the Finnish National Opera in Helsinki, for its current production of Der Rosenkavalier. Summit was approached by FNO's production manager, Timo Tuovila, to help fly and automate three large mirrors for the show, as part of the Opera House's busy winter 2004/05 season.

These are suspended over the stage and used to reflect the onstage action and the floor itself using 12 model LL Lodestar hoists, controlled by Kinesys flexible Vector software, running via 12 Kinesys Elevation 1+ variable-speed hoist controllers. The floor consists of a set of printed scenes, specifically designed to be read in themirrors, providing either an atmospheric 'set' backdrop or a more stylistic, abstract effect. One mirror is used per act. Each is moved throughout the act to highlight and convey particular elements of the print or parts of th

UK - London-based A/V system integrator Live Business International (LBI) has continued its relationship with P&O Ferries with the commissioning this month of a brand new entertainment lighting system (following the extensive new audio system that LBI installed onboard the Bilbao 18 months ago) for its cruise ship Pride of Bilbao, the latest step in the ship's facilities upgrade programme.

The ship plies one of P&O's most popular routes - three-day mini-cruises between Portsmouth and Bilbao, capital of the Basque region of northern Spain. The complete installation had to be carried out during one such cruise - and even during a gale-force storm.

LBI was asked to design a new lighting system for the 700-seat Silverstone Lounge, the Pride of Bilbao's multi-function entertainment suite which hosts a multitude of different events including speech-based entertainment, live theatre shows

UK - Bill Bailey's one-man stand-up show, Part Troll, toured for 11 weeks prior to its present residency at the the Lyric Theatre, Shaftsbury Avenue and has so far had its West End run extended twice, such has been its popularity and success. So what makes Bailey's show so unique? Perhaps the way he combines music with stand-up and delivers both so ingeniously, using a combination of music genres, story-telling and three carefully crafted jokes - which are spread thinly through the show!

Featuring plenty of audience participation and some pretty weird and wonderful musical instruments, the show depends on communicating every intonation, facial expression and word to the audience - making sound and lighting both essential ingredients to the successful delivery of the material. Prior to the show, I met up with FOH engineer Ian Horne and LD Arturo Ollandini, both of whom are generally mo

UK - Wembley London Ltd and Quintain Estates & Development Plc have announced that work on the new Wembley Arena Pavilion has begun. The state-of-the-art temporary structure is being built to host all shows while the £29m refurbishment programme on Wembley Arena begins in early 2005. John Probyn - Clear Channel Entertainment's head of production - has been contracted by Wembley as project manager for the site.Probyn, who has built a successful reputation as one of the UK live music industry's leading production and site managers has been responsible for events such as Clear Channel shows in Hyde Park (see L&SI August 2004) and Donnington.

The Pavilion will take two months to build, with a team of 80 staff on site to oversee construction. The fully insulated and sound-proofed structure will be built with over 45,000m of scaffolding and will weigh over 250 tons. A special secondary mem

Sweden - Located in a historic food market on the picturesque riverside of Uppsala, Saluhallen is a new venue which functions as a food market by day before reverting to a chic nightclub complex after dark. All the leisure hospitality areas are operated by Svenssons Krogar (responsible for a number of bars and restaurants in the city), with the signals digitally processed and routed using the BSS Soundweb DSP platform.

The system design was carried out by BSS' Swedish distributors, Septon Electronic AB, in collaboration with local contractor Scenteknik AB, who were responsible for the installation. Septon's solution was to specify two SW9088iis networked signal processing devices and an SW9026 audio switcher to cover a total of seven zones (two bars/dancefloors, two restaurants, two VIP rooms and an outdoor patio), with access to 12 sources via custom wall panels.

Contained

UK - When the Wales Millennium Centre (WMC) opened on 26 November it became one of Europe's most vibrant arts developments to date. After 30 months of construction, the £104.2m venue will be home to seven leading Welsh cultural organizations, staging musicals, opera, ballet and dance day and night.

The 33,000sq.m building occupies a key site in Cardiff Bay's 'Inner Harbour'. Daylight floods the building, as 15cm thick glass open the foyers to views both outward and inward, and at night the lights of the foyer will be seen from afar. The striking building inscription is a poem composed by leading Welsh poet and writer Gwyneth Lewis and reads, 'Creating truth like glass from inspiration's furnace, in these stones horizons sing.'

ETC has been involved with WMC almost from the beginning of the project, having delivered a truckload of equipment as far back as the summer of 2003

UK - Harman Pro UK recently collaborated with Sound Division to provide a host of Harman products for the new sound system in the exclusive Zeta Bar at the Hilton Park Lane Hotel. Sound Division was approached by manager John Darling when the Zeta Bar replaced its old audio system as part of a refurb. A keen JBL user, Sound Division's David Graham states that this was his "obvious" choice for speakers, and also specified BSS control, Crown amplification and an AKG radio mic system to complete the installation.

Graham worked in close consultation with Harman Pro UK's Andy Duffield on the project, and the pair pooled their knowledge of sound design for high profile nightspots to produce the best and most appropriate audio for the Zeta Bar. The positive sonic results have been immediately noticed and commented on by clients, visitors and staff, the company reports.

Th

UK - Glasgow Rangers FC has replaced the public address system at its 8,000-capacity Main Stand at Ibrox Stadium with nine of Martin Audio's new AM10 enclosures. The system was requisitioned by the club's head of AV, Stevie Scott of Scotrae Productions, as part of a multimedia upgrade, and purchased from local dealer, John Murdoch of Scotia Sound Services - a long-standing Martin reseller.

Scott said: "We had experienced difficulty projecting to the back of the stand with the existing system. We knew Martin had brought out a stadium speaker that was more directional, and when we contacted John he confirmed that the AM Series offered a superior reach." Stevie Scott undertook the installation himself - a simple replacement into the roof of the stand, facilitated by hardwired cable through grommet holes.

The AM10 uses a 300W 10" LF driver with a 1" exit HF c

UK - Howard Payne and his newly created company, SPL Distribution Europe Ltd, has completed a high-profile installation of Sound Physics Labs SPL-runt loudspeakers at the 606 Club in London, just in time for the recent London Jazz Festival. The 30-year-old club, located in Chelsea, has long been the favourite club for top artists on the London jazz scene. The loudspeakers, designed by Tom Danley, are manufactured in Glenview, Illinois.

Payne says: "The SPL-runts were just amazing, and exceeded everybody's expectations. The guy who runs the place, Steve Rubie, who is a musician himself and has owned the club for almost all of its 30 years, was skeptical about whether two small speakers would cover what is basically a very wide room. It's about 65ft wide by only 20ft deep, with the stage area in the centre on one side."

Indeed, the 606 Club's small size belies its hu

UK - The legendary Cavern Club in Liverpool's Mathew Street has purchased two Soundcraft mixing consoles as part of a major equipment upgrade. Cavern director Bill Heckle opted for a large-frame 48-channel MH3 to mix monitors from the FOH position. Heckle explained: "With the improvement of the club's infrastructure we needed to give the place a boost with the standard of equipment we could offer visiting production crews and our own LIPA engineers. We initially spoke to two companies but were more comfortable with Soundcraft as their desks convert theory into practice and I know I will get the after-sales service."

But with limited available space, he was advised by Soundcraft's live sound sales manager, James Baker and Adlib Audio's Andy Dockerty - who has a long relationship with both the club and Soundcraft - that the better solution would be to opt for the smalle

UK - In September 2004, London's legendary music venue, The Camden Palace, was re-launched as KOKO following a multi-million pound refurbishment. KOKO's traditional focus on live music influenced its re-design: an 80sq.m stage is available for live bands, while a new DJ booth, which extends over the dance area from the first floor of the club, features London's first installation of two Pioneer DVJ-X1 DVD turntables that enable DJs to manipulate video in exactly the same way as if they were using CD decks. Synchronized digital audio and video can be mixed so that real-time digital video scratches, loops, tempo control and instant cues are all possible.

KOKO wanted to design an exceptional audio experience for performers and customers. Technical manager Santi Arribas was intrigued by the visual possibilities presented by the DVJ-X1. He says, as a technical person I was not sure

UK - Software providers Stardraw.com has announced the public availability of a Beta 1 version of its award-winning application Stardraw Control. During the Beta-test period, Stardraw is inviting manufacturers and systems specialists to become test partners in this new project. In return, test partners are asked to provide as much detailed feedback as possible via the dedicated Stardraw Control forum that has been set up especially for this purpose.

Stardraw Control generates standalone, customized control programs, offering a new approach to solving the problem of controlling heterogeneous systems; for too long, systems integrators have been locked into closed architectures wherever system control, monitoring or signal routing has been required. Stardraw Control, by contrast, offers a software-based, unified control framework that can manage any type of addressable equipment fr

USA - D-Tools Inc, the specialist in systems integration software for the residential and commercial markets, has announced the addition of two new partners to its Manufacturer Partner Program - Da-Lite Screen Company, headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana and Vutec Corporation, a specialist video projection screen technology, based in Florida.

Da-Lite Screen Company specializes in front and rear projection screen technology, and manufactures a complete product line for the commercial and residential audio-visual markets. "Joining D-Tools made perfect sense for Da-Lite," said Matt Teevan, marketing manager for Da-Lite. "With requests for more than 4,000 of our products from existing D-Tools subscribers, expanding the relationship to include the entire product line will reinforce our long-term strategy for system integrators."

D-Tools' software, System Integrat

UK - The latest issue of British Harlequin house magazine Harlequinade carries stories from around the globe including the magnificent new Copenhagen Opera House, the impressive Centre de la Danse in Paris and the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow.

From America news of Harlequin's largest ever installation of Liberty Sprung floors at Florida State University in Tallahassee, as well as a special installation at the Lincoln Center in New York. Elsewhere in the issue Rachel Rist, president of IADMS writes a timely warning on the risks of dancing on the 'wrong type' of dance floor, a subject also highlighted in a recent House of Commons Report.

Anyone involved in dance who would like to receive a free copy of Harlequinade can sign up via the contact details below.

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