UK - Idea Audio was recently commissioned to design and build seven sets depicting the story of Joss Merlin, the landlord of Jamaica Inn, on Bodmin Moor. Six of the sets were in close proximity to each other and as a result, the audio had to be clear and accurate, with controlled dispersion to avoid spillage into the adjacent booths (Idea Audio had experienced a similar scenario when installing the Tales from the City exhibition at the Plymouth Museum).

The booths at Jamaica Inn were themed with life-sized models and artefacts, and as such, concealing the audio and lighting equipment became a real challenge. Idea found the solution in a design for the booth ceilings that incorporated a full width cupboard above each, in order to house the control systems.

In most instances, there was a step in the ceiling sufficiently large to discreetly fit a pair of Work Studio 3 loudspeaker

USA - Cadac Electronics Plc reports on a number of new US shows and tours, featuring R-Type and J-Type Live Production Consoles, shipped by rental companies Masque Sound & Recording, ProMix Electrotec, and Sound Associates.

Masque Sound's new touring division - Masque Live - is headed up by long-time sound designer and touring audio engineer, Lucas "Rico" Corrubia Jr. First out for Masque Live was a tour with R&B supremo Brian McKnight, using R-Type consoles for FOH and monitors, plus L-Acoustics V-Dosc loudspeakers powered by Camco amplifiers and proprietary Valvotronics tube preamps, limiters and parametric equalizers. Sound engineer Glen Odagawa said: "It is the closest thing to mixing in a studio I have ever experienced. After mixing on Masque's system, I have been so spoiled, I can never go back."

Two new shows are set to open around the US this month,

USA / Finland - Renkus-Heinz Inc has announced the signing of a distribution agreement for Finland with Starlike OY (Ltd), based in Vantaa. The company, founded in 1986, is an audio and lighting distribution company and system integrator, distributing more than 40 exclusively distributed pro lighting and sound product lines include ADB, MA Lighting, Rainbow, DedoLight, Australian Monitor, Biamp Systems and L-Acoustics.

The firm employs 16 people, including in-house system design, installation and service engineers, complimenting the sales and marketing operation. Its key market segments include theatres, concert halls, sports arenas, auditoriums, schools and houses of worship. Marketing manager Jari Ukkonen comments: "Renkus-Heinz blends in perfectly with Starlike's professional audio product line. With its long history and innovative R&D, Renkus-Heinz already has a very st

International - One of the features of David Bowie's vocal performance during his present A Reality Tour has been the way in which FOH engineer Pete Keppler has been able to iron out any inconsistencies. He was able to move the vocal treatment onto a BSS Audio DPR-901 Mk2 after speaking to Bryan Olson at Firehouse Productions in New York - who supplied some of the equipment for the tour. Keppler, who doubles as Bowie's studio and live engineer, realized he would need a de-esser for the artist's live work to negate any sibilance. "When Bryan suggested the DPR-901 I remembered I had used one a long time ago - but the first model didn't have the side-chain monitoring function."

But the Mk2 contains four non-interactive bands of frequency-selective compression or expansion. And Keppler says that when he upgraded to this during production rehearsals he fell in love w

UK - VME Ltd. supplied an Allen & Heath ML4000 as part of the PA system for the ITV programme, That's Entertainment, which aired in Northern regions in early December. The programme, hosted by former comedy favourites Cannon and Ball and featuring Duncan Norvelle and Duggie Brown, is a variety show that resurrects the traditional performances of the Seventies recently stylized in the hugely popular comedy series, Phoenix Nights.

"We toured three Northern venues," says VME's Dion Davie, "the Batley Frontier Club, The Willows in Salford and The Gosforth and District Club, Newcastle. The technical requirements were varied, as there was an array of acts from stand-up comedians and magicians to live bands. We used a PA System which consisted of a Kling & Freitag loudspeaker system, Line 212 Amps from Lab Gruppen, Apex processors, mixed through a 32-channe

UK - The recent Asian Music Awards, held at London's Hammersmith Palais, saw the installation of KV2's revolutionary ES sound system by BEDA nominated installers, 52nd Street.

Looking for an improvement in overall sound quality and coverage at the venue, the KV2 system was physically dwarfed by 28 boxes of an existing NEXO house system installed five years ago, and in replacing it with only Six stacks of the more compact ES system, the management and promoters were interested if not slightly nervous as to what the results would be.

"At 2500 capacity everything tells you that these small speakers should not be enough, but like so many other KV2 experiences, the reality was a jaw dropping, word eating one" said KV2's Jonathan Reece-Farren As the Palais promotions and events co-ordinator, Atif Malik put it "Our sound proof Glass Bar isn't sound proof anymore, but

UK - The latest CCS 800 Ultro analogue discussion system from Bosch Security Systems features built-in digital acoustic feedback suppression to ensure there is no annoying acoustic howl in conferences or discussions. Conference units such as the CCS 800 Ultro incorporate a microphone and a loudspeaker so there is always the possibility of feedback depending on volume levels etc. The new digital feedback suppression facility instantly suppresses any feedback interference right at the point of generation and prevents it from being fed into the system. As it is fully automatic, it acts much faster than any operator using a control unit.

According to Bosch, it's like having a skilled sound engineer permanently built into the unit. None of the participants will notice the sound adjustments - they simply benefit from howl-free sound whether speaking in a soft or a loud voice, with the

Japan - TryAudio's Masaaki Azuma has taken delivery of a DiGiCo D5 Live 56EX for his live operations in Japan, purchased from Japanese pro audio supplier, ComodoMattina. "I knew of the D5's existence from my overseas friends in the PA business and first saw the D5 at the Frankfurt Musik Messe," says Azuma. "I was given a 15-minute 'how to use' explanation and was surprised that the D5 not only has a method of operation like an analogue mixing console, but is also very easy to set up. The D5 56EX version has many functions and doesn't take up a large amount of space at the mix position.

He continued: "I took a big risk with the D5, because we are the first user in Japan. But it has many advantages such as fantastic sound quality, clear sound image, easy operation and a variety of dynamics that analogue consoles do not have - this made it an easy choice. After

UK - Stage Electrics has announced the launch of its new website, which combines information on all the services offered by the company, with key data on products in their extensive hire and sales inventory. David Whitehead, Stage Electrics' managing director said: "The new website is the first phase of an ongoing plan to provide customers with a 'one stop' approach to gaining knowledge on the technical equipment and services we can provide."

An added feature for the technicians in the industry is the incorporation in the Hire section with useful information on some of the equipment, such as weight, lamp, power rating, number of DMX channels etc. There is also a facility for technical manuals to be downloaded.

Linda Moore Stage Electrics sales and marketing manager said: "We believe the site is easier to navigate, we wanted it to be bold and dynamic, providing o

UK - Allen & Heath's iDR DSP system has been installed to manage the communications and audio requirements of Tussauds Group's new Splash Landings waterpark hotel at Alton Towers. The new system integrates and administers all audio requirements from paging and alarms to conferences and entertainment within the new complex and Alton Towers' existing hotel.

Bose Professional Systems Division carried out the audio installation, which covers 31 zones including receptions, shops, changing rooms, toilets, corridors, restaurants, lifts, conference facilities and the main pool area. Four iDR-8 networked units were installed at three stations around the complex, providing up to 27 inputs/outputs for the numerous audio requirements. PL-4 wall plates give rotary, switch and infrared control and access to the system is also available via a laptop from any of the three racks, enabling chang

Italy - An Outline sound system consisting of self-powered Micra Reflex enclosures and KW-15 subwoofers (Kanguro system) was chosen for installation in the innovative multimedia flagship stores opened in Milan and Rome by Telecom Italia, Italy's national leader in the information and communication technology field and one of the most solid industrial groups in Europe.

Naomi Campbell and Ettore, the "talking" dog in the group's publicity spots, were at the inauguration of the Milan store in December. Mauro Sentinelli, general manager of TIM, and Giuseppe Sala, general manager of T.I. Wireline, were at the Rome event in Piazza Colonna, the square that hosts the Italian Parliament. The aim of these two new venues, designed as 'multimedia workshops', is to present in an innovative way all the new products of the Group (Telecom Italia, Tim and Telecom Italia Media), includi

UK - Adlib Audio has completed its latest installation for the high profile Living Room bar/restaurant brand in Leeds for owners Living Ventures. The Living Rooms all feature high standards of audio quality. Major emphasis and attention to detail is paid to getting it right for sounds and music within in the venues, and it's regarded as an essential ambience builder, whether in the background or a live performance from DJs or pianists.

Adlib has already installed sound systems in several other Living Room venues - and were asked to supply their winning formula again for Leeds. Adlib's Andy Dockerty explains: "The challenge in Leeds was that the venue was previously a large, soulless office block divided into many small rooms by plasterboard walls and false ceilings. Getting the space from the bare site to the finished product was a major operation - and the space is now com

UK - Mission Pro is launching the briefcase-sized TecSonic portable PA system with product shipping during the second half of January. TecSonic is aimed at on-the-road executives and salespeople, corporate and educational presenters, or anyone looking for a high-quality portable PA solution.

Hotels, sports centres, schools and colleges can also benefit by providing multi-use rooms with PA, without the need for an expensive installed system and, for AV rental companies, the opportunity to offer an simple to use, cost effective package. The TecSonic package is a groundbreaking lightweight system that combines a specially designed full-range panel loudspeaker with an efficient mixer-amplifier. It features all necessary accessories for providing a sound reinforcement solution for PA presentation and background music applications. For easy and safe portability, the complete system is

UK - Two AFI boom lifts were among 13 hired by Concert Lights Ltd to help it install rigging for lighting, sound and video for a banking conference held recently at the NEC in Birmingham. Concert Lights of Bolton in Lancashire required 13 machines to carry out the installation work because the conference was held in three different halls within the NEC.

Working on a phased basis over 10 days, the company used the boom lifts to attach over 300 electric motors to the roof of the NEC in order to lift the structures that support the lighting, sound and video equipment. The AFI machines on hire to Concert Lights had working heights from 5.7m up to 25m. One of the largest machines - the Haulotte H25 TPX boom (see above picture) proved to be particularly versatile because its rotating jib enables the operator to gain better access by manoeuvring the cage into different positions in rel

UK - Stagecraft has made a major investment in new hire equipment to enable organizations to use cutting-edge sound and lighting technology in their performances. The company has seen a significant increase in the demand for professional lighting, sound and staging equipment during 2003 and is currently working on installations in schools, event management for music and drama festivals, and on conferences in South Africa.

The Hire and Live Events department was recently responsible for the creative design and technical management of seven major events over three weeks. One of these included a 1920s themed event for a 60th birthday celebration. "Centred around the art deco period, this was a great event to work on," commented technical director Mike Naish. "Our team was involved from the very start of the planning stages. We designed the invitations, set, lighting

UK - Theatre and broadcast sound specialist Orbital Sound has recently collaborated with JFMG to create a new frequency plan in the UK. Designed to ease RF licensing nationwide, it has also been devised to augment the potential of RTS Telex's range of BTR 700 and 800 wireless intercom systems.

Paul Gill, principal engineer at JFMG Ltd explained: "The old frequencies were creating frustration for users who found that we couldn't issue a licence at many venues due to the risk of causing interference to TV reception. With the increasing popularity of the BTR wireless intercom it was imperative to find a solution that better meets the needs of the industry but safeguards other services."

The foundations for this breakthrough were presented at a meeting recently hosted by Orbital at their central London HQ. Given clear understanding of the operational deployment and the

USA - Crown International has named Larry Baker as market director for Portable PA, Recording and Broadcast. The appointment was announced by Mark Graham, Crown's vice-president of marketing and product development.

Baker brings diverse experience to the position, with more than a decade of business development and strategic marketing experience with major consumer and high tech B2B companies. He has spearheaded numerous product line strategies including re-establishing RCA audio products in the US, launching the distribution and sale of GE Communication products internationally, and establishing Unicru as the leading hiring management system in the US. Larry received both his BS Chemical Engineering and MBA from Purdue University.

"We are excited to have Larry join our team," said Mark Graham. "Larry's extensive skills in market analysis and business developmen

The Netherlands - Video and lighting technology were fused spectacularly in December when 10,000 Dutch pop fans were treated to the sight of 336 High End Studio Colors forming a giant upstage videowall, augmented by Element Labs' VersaTILE LED screen. Sightline Productions and the Ampco Flashlight Group supplied the expertise and the technology for the 'Live 38' show at the Ahoy arena in Rotterdam, along with the bespoke video graphics-to-DMX software to make it all happen.

This annual show, now in its fourth year, has grown from its birth in a small Utrecht club through Amsterdam's Heineken Music Hall to the Ahoy. Presented by Dutch broadcaster Radio 538, it featured a main and a 'B' stage, a live radio broadcast and a TV highlights show. Top Dutch dance, rock and pop acts starred with headliners Simply Red.

The main stage PA, tucked in unobtrusively either side of the 'light

UK - There is no question that the pioneering work of Autograph Sound Recording chairman Andrew Bruce has shaped the face of theatre sound design. Currently celebrating its 30th anniversary as the UK's first, and leading, theatrical sound design company, Autograph was founded by Bruce and fellow Royal Opera House sound department member Phil Clifford in 1973. The enterprising duo purchased a Revox to rent to producer Michael Codron's production manager, who wasn't happy with the standard of equipment he'd been renting. "He basically said that if we ever thought of opening up our own hire company to let him know and we could do all his work!" remembers Bruce.

By 1976 Autograph had come to the attention of leading US sound designer Abe Jacob, who was in London to appoint an equipment supplier for the UK production of Broadway hit A Chorus Line. A firm working relationsh

UK, University of Manchester - The University of Manchester's new £6 million School of Music and Drama includes the new Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall, the John Thaw Studio Theatre, the Lenagan Library, audio/visual facilities, improved performance, workshop and practice spaces and new electro-acoustic music studios.

Stage Electrics designed and installed the new facilities' sound and lighting systems, with Hills Electrical plc, main contractor Totty Construction, architects Cruickshank & Seward and acoustic consultants Arup.

The Music Department boasts a 350-seat concert hall (pictured right), while the Drama Department is equipped with a studio theatre. The concert hall has been designed primarily for orchestral performances, with stage space for up to 90-piece orchestras. Four lighting trusses are fitted with Strand Cantata and SL lanterns, while the Concert Hall control roo

UK - When the BBC decided to revamp Top of the Pops, it committed itself to live broadcast and live performances, and the new InnovaSON Sy80 digital console was chosen to handle the highly demanding job of mixing sound for the audience PA system plus fold-back for the performing artists. The live studio sound is provided by SSE.

Sound engineer Chris Trimby, permanently assigned to the show, explains: "Now it's live to air, the show has changed completely. Previously, we would record one band then stop, set-up and record the next. Now of course we have to go directly from one to the next. This meant that we needed more inputs and outputs, because we don't have time to patch, and that's one of the main reasons we decided to use the InnovaSON Sy80."

TOTP used to employ up to five stages to record the show but the new, streamlined, live show uses two, or occasionally t

UK - Audace Ltd, manufacturer of the Intelliplate programmable control system for audio-visual installations, has re-located to larger premises in Somerset, Southwest England. The new offices, in the small village of Stoke-sub-Hamdon near Yeovil, are ideally suited to the next phase of development for the company and the product range, says MD Bryan Waters.

He explained: "This new facility enables us to be far better suited to the growing needs of our clients - we are more accessible, have more space for stock holding and are better placed to supplement our human resources as and when appropriate. The main benefit, however, is the fact that we are a full 150 miles closer to civilization than we were in our previous office in Cornwall!"

Clients, suppliers and prospective clients are invited to visit the new facilities at any time, which are located at 18 North Street

UK - MC2 Audio is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Bradshaw-Smith as a Director with the company. Having started his working life outside the pro audio industry, Robert has been with MC2 Audio for just over eight years and has worked with huge commitment throughout that time, taking on whatever task has been required as the business as grown and developed, whilst acquiring a broad knowledge of electronics at the same time. Managing director, Ian McCarthy says: "Rob is an asset to MC2 Audio and Terry and I are delighted to have him alongside as a director."

The company has also announced the appointment of Stuart Down as UK sales engineer, beginning on 1 February. Down has been with MC2 Audio for just over a year, before which he spent 10 years working as a sound engineer in theatres and on live music productions.

(Lee Baldock)

UK - Allen & Heath's Dutch distributor, TM Audio, has provided a 40-channel ML5000 to one of Holland's biggest commercial broadcasters, RTL4. The live sound VCA console has been installed to cover all live elements of the popular Barend & Van Dorp talkshow, which features performances from local Dutch talent to well-known artists such as Norah Jones, Tindersticks, Stereophonics, 16 down and Peter Frampton.

Broadcast daily from Monday to Friday, the well-known journalist duo provide a mix of satirical comment on current affairs and interviews with special guests, supported by writer and ex-professional soccer player, Jan Mulder. "We provide monitor mixes for visiting artists and bands and FOH mixing for the studio," comments Eric Bergsma, head of sound for RTL Netherlands. "The ML5000's versatility, quality, flexibility and compact size are perfect for our

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