UK - With the official public opening of the new Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST) on 24 November, Stage Electrics has completed its five-year-long role at the technical heart of this visionary transformation project.

The transformation was designed to create, in RSC artistic director Michael Boyd's words, "the best theatre in the world to perform the works of Shakespeare". It involved a massive reconstruction that created a new RST auditorium with a thrust stage and embraced the adjacent Swan Theatre, with a colonnade connecting the two and extensively upgraded public facilities throughout.

Stage Electrics, as specialist theatre contractor and technical coordinator, was contracted to provide and install the Theatre Electrics Package, including every electrical, audio and lighting system within both the RST

USA - First Baptist Church Cleveland (FBC) in Cleveland, Tennessee set out to build a new facility whose technical capabilities would support and enhance a variety of worship styles, including contemporary services with a strong sound and media component. To provide sound reinforcement in the new campus' 1700-seat worship center, FBC Cleveland chose an Electro-Voice PA system.

Phase One of construction was recently completed at the new 38-acre site, which features nearly 95,000sq.ft of worship, education, and commons/fellowship space. Development, design, and construction were handled by Myrick Gurosky & Associates of Birmingham, Alabama. Walthall & Associates managed the acoustical and AV portions of the project, working with in-house Electro-Voice applications engineer Stu Schatz to design the loudspeaker configuration. The PA was installed by Cleveland's GravelRoad Entertainm

UK - The expanding Colombo Group, headed by former fabric head of promotion Steve Ball and Riz Shaikh, recently added its first live/dance club to a portfolio of London bars and gastro-pubs.

Occupying the site of the former Bardens Boudoir in Dalston, East London, is The Nest, where technology specialists Middlesex Sound & Light (MSL) were tasked with designing a flexible sound system around Martin Audio components.

The brand had been specifically requested by Steve Ball and Matt Monhardt, general manager of the 300-capacity venue. "Martin Audio is the best sound system we've heard in club situations," he said. "We told Middlesex Sound & Light that we wanted Martin Audio loudspeakers and amplifiers because the impact and precision are so much better.

"We also wanted flexible zoning, allowing as much bass as possible on the tiny dancefloor, while at the sa

UK / USA - North London-based VDC Trading has appointed specialist audio and lighting supplier, Group One as a key distributor of Van Damme cables across North America. VDC is the sole representing agent for Van Damme globally, and the co-ordination of all distribution deals is central part of that role.

The deal formalises a long standing relationship with Group One, which has been working with VDC on an ad hoc basis for some time. According to export manager, Andy Dennis, the agreement marks a significant step forward as VDC pursues a concerted international expansion strategy.

"VDC Trading and Van Damme already enjoy strong international reputations for unrivalled quality and excellent customer service," says Dennis. "Building alliances with like-minded partners in key markets is an important part of our strategy for growth over the next five years. This deal

Russia - As part of its current restoration, the Moscow Conservatory has purchased a Studer Vista 9 digital console for recording, post-production and broadcast from its Great Hall, as well as a Soundcraft Vi1 digital console for multipurpose use, including at front of house when required.

The Moscow Conservatory was founded in 1866 by Russian musician Nikolai Rubinstein. It has established itself as one of the world's most renowned institutions of musical education. In 1940, it was named after the great Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky.

With a seating capacity of 1,737, the Great Hall has hosted the world's finest orchestras, ensembles and soloists, as well as international festivals and competitions including the prestigious Tchaikovsky Competition for young musicians.

The Moscow Conservatory purchased a 42-fader Vista 9 console that will be utilized for recording, post-

USA - Opened in 1895, the University of Pennsylvania's Franklin Field has been designated by the NCAA as the oldest stadium still operating for football games. The stadium boasts a long list of history-making events, including the site of the nation's first scoreboard (1895), the nation's first two-tiered stadium (1922), the first football radio broadcast (WIP, 1922), the first football telecast (PhilCo, 1939) and Vince Lombardi's only NFL playoff loss (1960).

The University recently upgraded Franklin Field's ageing sound system with a new system based around R-Series weather-resistant loudspeakers from Community Professional Loudspeakers. Chris Dietze of Yeadon, PA-based Clear Sound comments, "We've seen Community R-Series in sporting facilities, amusement parks and cruise ships all over the world, in some of the most brutal climates, and we have total confidence in their

UK - Viewfax Multimedia has installed a Bose sound system in the new TGI Friday's themed diner in Meadowhall, Sheffield.

The Bose system is designed to provide even sound coverage throughout this particularly challenging venue. As well as differing ceiling heights, there is a mix of large open seating areas right next to smaller enclosed spaces, and music volume is programmed to rise and fall at set times throughout the day and evening.

The Bose ControlSpace ESP-88 audio management system with a CC64 control centre gives a flexible means of selecting input, controlling output and modifying the performance of the system to suit the venue's requirements.

Discreet Bose FreeSpace 3 satellite speakers with bass support in the main dining areas, plus Bose 151s at the edge of the venue and Bose FreeSpace DS16F flushmount speakers in the toilets, give an even sound coverage through

UK - Yamaha's DME series of digital mixing engines is proving a major success in venues where multi-functional use is required. One of the latest examples is at Pavilion Dance in the English resort of Bournemouth.

Intended primarily as a development and performance space for dance, the £3.3m Bournemouth Borough Council and Arts Council England project had to be able to host an array of events, including interactive workshops, film showings, conferences, theatre and live music. This is a not-uncommon demand nowadays, to maximise a venue's incoming revenue and make the most of the investment. A Yamaha DME64N was chosen to allow Pavilion Dance's audio system to be used for a range of purposes, yet keeping it very simple to operate.

The venue is located in a formerly-disused part of the town's Pavilion Theatre. Because

UK - A.C. Special Projects has provided a multi-zone audio solution for the Da Mario Italian restaurant. Located a short walk from Kensington Palace in London, the 120 year old building's architecture merges Venetian and Gothic styles and was commissioned by Queen Victoria. In addition to the main ground floor restaurant, the venue features a basement level separated into a bar, a DJ dancefloor used for disco music nights and private parties, and a further smaller dining area.

When Da Mario wanted to centralise control of separate sound systems in each zone, they approached A.C. Special Projects to provide a multi-zone audio distribution system enabling independent control of the music volume level and multiple sources in each room via a remote panel.

A.C. Special Projects specified, supplied and installed a Cloud Z4 multi-zone venue mixer system, CX-A4 four channel amplifier

Malaysia - ChasWood Resources, one of Malaysia's largest multi-concept operators in the restaurant industry, uses D.A.S. Audio loudspeaker systems.

Felix Paul is ChasWood's sound engineer. Throughout the company's various properties, his responsibilities include consultation, design, and installation of all sound systems as well as system maintenance and mixing for live and special events. Paul recently completed the installation of new loudspeaker systems at several properties, including Laundry, Italiannies, Malones, and T.G.I. Fridays. He discussed each system.

"Located at The Curve in Mutiara Damansara, Laundry is a popular gathering spot with an emphasis on music - both live and background / DJs. For this venue, we deployed two D.A.S. Audio RF-15.64 passive/active two-way loudspeakers atop two Compact 218 subwoofers per side for the mains and, for stage monitoring, t

USA - XS nightclub at Wynn casino and resort in Las Vegas has upgraded its lighting control system with Martin's M1 lighting desk. The M1 was an appropriate choice for club lighting console operator Josh Packard and his style of operation, says Wynn lighting programmer and lead lighting technician, Brian Gysegem.

"It was obvious that he needed more playbacks at his fingertips and the M1 became the obvious choice. The board was ultimately chosen for its small footprint and abundance of playbacks on the control surface. Josh is equally adept at creating and mixing music as he is operating and programming lights; his timing shines because of it."

The M1 has been designed with a single philosophy in mind - simplicity - and features a clean and easy to navigate surface. Its fast dual-core processor ensures a fast and responsive user interface, even if hundreds of playback

UK - Systems integrator IVC Media, has installed a full AV system in London University's Senate House. The major installation was part of a multi-million pound, three year refurbishment, which has seen Senate House now re-open its doors as a leading London conference and event venue.

"We have been delighted to supply all the AV equipment required at Senate House, to ensure this magnificent Art Deco building has the highest class of facilities, throughout its conference, class rooms and public areas," says Ray Harding, chairman, IVC Media. "From video conference systems to large screens, projectors, multi input devices right through to the 250-speaker PA system installed within 21 zones over five floors of the building, IVC scoped, sourced and installed the entire working AV and PA solution."

Built in 1936, Senate House was London's first skyscraper. The bui

New Zealand - In preparation for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Auckland's Eden Park has undergone a multi-million dollar transformation which includes a new three-tier south stand and a new two-tier east stand to replace the terraces thus increasing the crowd capacity to 60,000 from 42,000.

The redeveloped Eden Park, which will host the Opening Ceremony and Game as well as the Final, also features an internal concourse that will allow people to circulate around the grounds inside the stadium and world-class facilities, including food and beverage outlets, toilets and corporate areas.

As well as an update of facilities, the Stadium has had a complete overhaul of its sound systems by Bartons Sound Systems (BSS), subcontracted to Fletcher Construction to design and implement combined music, PA and evacuation systems.

BSS and acoustic consultants Marshall Day Acoustics used EASE and

Italy - The ancient Adriatic port of Porto San Giorgio is a historic town, popular with tourists and famous for its annual chess tournament and festival of the sea. Now, however, Yamaha loudspeakers and amplifiers have brought a new attraction to its nightlife.

Originally a 'literary bar', a comprehensive refurbishment has seen Caffè 900 transformed into a disco bar - high quality food and drinks complementing equally high quality sound, thanks to the Yamaha audio rig.

Specified and installed by Promo s.r.l, based in nearby Alba Adriatica, Caffè 900's nightly DJ sets are distributed throughout the venue via Yamaha Installation Series IF2108, IF2208 and CW118 loudspeakers, SP2060 loudspeaker management units, XP 5000 and XP 7000 amplifiers.

"Caffè 900 is a well known site for the town's nightlife, where many people like to 'see and be seen'," says Mauro Traini, t

Australia - Perth's Helvetica Bar is one of those cool city bars that you have to walk down a dark and dingy alleyway to find. Recently the venue opened a new space upstairs, contacting B & H Australia to design and install the audio system.

The audio system has been configured for music playback utilising JBL speakers, Crown Amplifiers and a Soundcraft mixer to provide superior, clear intelligible audio throughout the upstairs area. Background and foreground music was required resulting in the installation of six JBL Control 226CT and two JBL Control 19CS in ceiling subwoofers. The speakers are powered by two Crown XLS1000 amplifers.

"The JBL Control 226CT in ceiling speakers are ideal for applications where superior musical impact, voice clarity and high sound levels are required," remarked Paul Raphael, B & H Australia's account manager for Western Australia. &quo

Australia - Sydney's Sefton High School has recently upgraded its auditorium following advice from Jands and The PA People who were contracted to supply and install drapes, audio and lighting equipment. The refurbishment was undertaken to coincide with the school's 50th anniversary.

The narrow stage had almost no wing space which severely restricted backstage circulation and technical space. Barely one metre either side of stage is a wall that supports a platform that, at a higher level, provides valuable storage as well as somewhere for dimmers and patching to reside.

The curtain and drapes staff at Jands developed a design in partnership with the school that reduced the width of the performance space thus providing somewhere for performers to stand off stage. This was achieved by providing dog leg wings rather than flat or diagonal wings and a full tab across the back of the

Hungary - An English-style pub in Budapest has been refitted with QSC's K-Series and AcousticDesign loudspeakers. Situated in the trendy downtown area of the Hungarian capital, Pub Silenus boasts international cuisine and a wide selection of beers downstairs, while up on the first floor a full evening entertainment package, ranging from soft ambient music to karaoke, disco and live music takes place nightly.

Owner, Ákos Bankó, wanted to replace his old PA system with a loudspeaker brand that would sound clear right across the volume spectrum - whether fed from a band or the resident CD background system. QSC's K-Series was chosen on recommendation from a colleague of QSC's Hungarian distributors, Interton.

The resellers were soon carrying out a live demo of the moulded enclosures to show how matched components (including a 1K Class D amplifier present in all models) would op

Italy - First opened to the public in 1928, Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia in Bergamo has a storied history as home to the Atalanta and Albinoleffe football teams. Sound reinforcement was, until recently, a sore subject for attendees of the ageing stadium's various events. As part of planned refurbishments, that issue has now been rectified - thanks to an ambitious new sound system drawn from the catalogue of Valencia, Spain-based D.A.S. Audio.

Sound Services by Angelo Pelliccioli was contracted to renovate the sound system at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia. Luciano Biamino, head of D.A.S. Audio's Italian distributor Kennell and who collaborates with Sound Services and D.A.S. Audio on a variety of projects, commented on the challenges of the installation.

"Since most of this large stadium lacks a roof," Biamino explained, "we had limited structural support for t

UK - St Paul's Church in the Hertfordshire town of St Albans is one of the largest in the county, accommodating over 1000 people at capacity. The church's traditional design has been successfully modernised in terms of its comfortable interior furnishings and its technology, having recently been equipped with an all-new Electro-Voice sound system for its worship services and concerts.

Having supplied an extensive multimedia system in 2008, installation company Creative Digital Solutions was commissioned to design and fit a new multi-speaker live system, integrating it with the original AV equipment.

The system design drew on the different characteristics of several EV products, notably the Vertical Beam Shaping of the Xi2123A/106F which is appropriate for the flown central speaker.

CDS used an extensive EASE model of the Church's interior to determine that an Xi2123A/106F sh

USA - Clair Brothers Audio Systems has installed a complete JBL VerTecâ line array system in New York's Beacon Theatre. The installation marks the third audio retrofit of an MSG-owned venue by Clair Brothers, which has also installed JBL VerTec line arrays in New York's Radio City Music Hall and the Chicago Theatre.

Part of a $16m full venue renovation, Clair Brothers relied on JBL's new DPDA-equipped powered line array elements, featuring AES digital audio, BSS Omnidrive HD signal processing, and HiQnet compatibility. A total of 16 JBL VerTec VT4888DP-DA powered midsize line array elements with DrivePack technology are included in left-right arrays of eight per side, with three VT4880A fullsize arrayable subwoofers per side.

In addition, two VT4888 midsize line array elements and two VT4882 midsize arrayable subwoofers provide top balcony fill, with four VT4487ADP-DA powered

UK - Newly-formed company Light Emissions, which made its debut at the ARC Show 2011 in London yesterday, promises to introduce "new standards in large-scale LED video-based graphics to architects and interior designers".

With the technology already established in the entertainment sector, the new start-up, led by the highly experienced Peter Ed, has optimised its new low- and medium-resolution RGB tile system, known as Art, for the wider commercial markets, including museums, casinos, retail and cruise ships.

Ed, and former G-LEC colleague Sergej Mironov, who spearheads Light Emissions' R&D programme, will also display the new system at ISE 2011 in Amsterdam in early February.

Justifying the decision for targeting "best of breed" large LED display technology at top end fixed installation markets, Peter Ed states: "Our strengths lie in having worked

UK - As the newest performance space in the South West, Pavilion Dance has certainly got the equipment and technology to deliver a first class act. Consultants Drama by Design were chosen to produce the solution, while Audio Light Systems Ltd were the chosen to engineer the demanding design in this compact but well-equipped venue.

The lighting package uses almost 200 ways of ETC Sensor dimming, controlled by an ETC Congo Junior desk. Amongst the 100-plus lanterns supplied were 12 Robe 575s, 24 JB LED A7s plus Selecon, ETC & Thomas units.

The d&B audio system is controlled by a Yamaha LS9 32 & DME64. This makes it possible to switch easily between FOH and Cinema mode at the touch of a button on the Crestron control system, which also provides complete AV & lighting control. The transformation to a digital cinema was enabled by the installation of a Christie Digital Roadstar HD1

Germany - The Schauspielhaus Bochum (Playhouse Bochum) is one of Germany's biggest and best known theatres. Built in 1908 as a variety theatre, it became the town theatre in 1915 and was the biggest stage in the Ruhrgebiet. During an air raid in 1944 it was nearly completely destroyed, and then rebuilt based on the design of architect Gerhard Moritz Graubner in an operation lasting until 1953.

Since then the theatre has been modernised at various times, and was recently equipped with a grandMA2 system for lighting control, consisting of three grandMA2 full-sizes, two grandMA2 lights, three MA VPUs (Video Processing Unit), 40 MA NDPs (Network Dimmer Processor) and 25 dimMA Digital Dimmers.

Andreas Bartsch and Bernd Felder, joint heads of lighting at the Playhouse comment, "We have been working with two grandMA2 consoles and three MA VPU or more on both stages of our theatr

UK - Millennium Studios located in Thurleigh, Bedfordshire is part of the ELP group meaning lighting, rigging and staging services are on tap for visiting productions.

But according to owner Ronan Willson, it's the space and flexibility which make this newly redeveloped site an attractive proposition for 'full production' tour rehearsals.

The 'A' Stage can accommodate arena size tours, the dimensions being 27.5m (l) x 18.8m (w) x 12m (h). There are two 4-star dressing rooms, production offices, wardrobe and make-up facilities, on site catering and 24/7 security.

"It's the ideal place to get everything working perfectly before you take your show on the road" says Ronan Willson.

Recording facilities and 'live room' band rehearsal space are nearing completion which will add another dimension to the on-site service offering.

Millennium is centrally located within t

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