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AV specialist Blitz Communications has appointed Fraser McCaig as sales manager to increase market share for the company's new Birmingham branch. McCaig will be responsible for raising the profile of Blitz Vision in the Midlands region. McCaig has 17 years' experience in the Midlands AV and video production industry, having spent eight years as hire manager for Quadrant Video Systems in Birmingham, specializing in broadcast and professional equipment hire and filming. Prior to his appointment at Blitz he spent three years selling audio-visual equipment and systems, and project managed large systems installations for clients such as Marconi Communications, Anglo Irish Bank Corporation and Royal Doulton.

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MC2 Audio has announced the appointment of three new international distributors since the PLASA Show in September. The company has welcomed to its network of agents worldwide IS Music Trading, based in Tallinn, Estonia; Triangle Sound & Image, based in Lebanon; and Prolight, based in Warsaw, Poland. MC2 Audio director Ian McCarthy told PLASA Media: “We are looking forward to working with our new partners to take our products forward in these exciting new markets and we wish them every success."

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Flightcase manufacturer Oakleigh Cases has supplied leading UK live and touring video production specialists XL Video with a massive order of 130 flightcases to protect XL's new Barco I-Lite LED screen system. The cases will be toured extensively with XL's expanding list of international artists, such as like Robbie Williams, U2 and Kylie Minogue - as well as on giant corporate events like The Detroit Motor Show, which is where XL Video's I-Lite will make it’s first appearance, on the Toyota stand.

The XL build was completed against the incredibly tight timescale of just over two weeks. Oakleigh’s general manager Martin Cockton comments: "It's a tribute to our collective team ethics, and to the flexibility of our systems that we managed to achieve this challenging goal!" Oakleigh's CEM CAD/CNC machining centre was in operation 18 hours per day to meet the order. T

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Indochine X PixMob Fan Immersion

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's - 40 thousand LED pixels on a ceiling!!! Indochine's whirlwind tour transports fans to another level of the live experience - immersing them from floor to ceiling with PixMob's X4 wristbands, and an LED ceiling made entirely of its NOVA Minis! With the vision of Indochine's creative team, PixMob used its LED fan-technology to turn attendees and venues into an ocean of effects, and a starry sky of LED magic. Très très cool!

Read more about the Indochine tour in the latest issue of LSi

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Classic Sound, the UK's only dedicated 5.1 film and classical music facility, has taken delivery of a TC electronics 6000 surround sound effects unit supplied by distributor HHB. Classic Sound’s 6000 unit is networked to the main 5.1 mix room and the facility’s two editing suites, where it is being used for DVD and film projects and 5.1 mastering work.

Neil Hutchinson, director and co-owner of Classic Sound, say: "Since opening last March we have seen a steady increase in the number of 5.1 projects we are handling. A large proportion of our workload is now for 5.1-based product such as DVDV, DVDA, SACD and cinema release."

He continued: "The TC 6000 was an obvious addition to our equipment list as it complements our already extensive range of outboard reverb units, which include two Lexicon 480L and 300L units and two TC5000 reverbs."

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AC Lighting Ltd has announced that the first sale has been made in the UK of an MA Lighting grandMA ultra-light console. The console was specified by Andy Mahaffey, technical manager at Watermans, a multi-purpose entertainment complex in Brentford, West London. The venue is undergoing a complete refurbishment and is scheduled to re-open in Spring 2002. Watermans incorporates a theatre, cinema and 500-capacity multi-function café/bar area as well as a studio and gallery exhibition space.

Following an extensive evaluation at AC Lighting’s demonstration facilities in High Wycombe, Andy Mahaffey found many attributes of the compact grandMA ultra-light to his liking. He commented: "I love the ease of accessibility to functions and adaptability offered by this console," adding: "It’s amazing to have this level of functionality in a console that occupies so little

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TC Group, the Danish parent company of TC Electronic, TC Works, and TC-Helicon, has made an offer to the shareholders of TGI plc to purchase their holdings in the company. TGI plc, listed on the London Stock Exchange, is a holding-company comprising four companies representing individual platforms on the pro audio market - loudspeaker manufacturers Tannoy and Martin Audio; Swedish company Lab Gruppen - manufacturer of power supplies and high-end amplifiers, and GLL - a manufacturer of speakers for the in-car market.

"The purpose for wishing to merge with TGI plc is actually quite simple. It is a matter of creating synergy between the TC technology in digital audio processing and TGI's years of experience in developing, producing and marketing speakers. By combining digital technology from TC and the speakers developed and produced within the TGI plc Group, we will be able to devel

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Cadac Electronics has extended its successful series of technical seminars, announcing a new programme for 2002. Kicking off on 23 January at Cadac's UK premises in Luton, the 2002 schedule is focusing on Quality Engineering for Live Sound Applications - combining practical presentations on Balancing and Shielding, EMC, Gain Structure, as well as comparisons between Digital and Analogue console design approaches.

The monthly seminar series is designed to provide sound operators, engineers, designers, installers and consultants with an invaluable insight into key engineering and design issues, based on Cadac's extensive design expertise. The seminars are led by sound and console design expert Tony Waldron, formerly head of sound at London's Royal National Theatre.The Cadac Sound Seminars for 2002 reflect Cadac's corporate philosophy of sharing information and providing an educational fr

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The Event Lighting & Design Company was asked by Charlotte Wolseley Brinton to design the lighting for the launch of the revamped Royal Exchange in London, and to provide the party with two completely different looks, as well as highlighting the beautiful architectural features of the building. The event aimed to put the Royal Exchange back on the map since its transformation into a luxury retail environment. Filled with exclusive stores such as Hermes and Tiffany's, the Royal Exchange is now one of the city's smartest shopping venues.

Outside, each of the front colonnades was uplit in strong red, the central colonnades in magenta and those at the rear of the portico in contrasting royal blue. The archways at the back were highlighted, with the crest of at the top picked out in open white light. Lamps on the first floor balconies were used to light up the first and second floor facades

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Paul Wood has joined XL Video, the concert touring and live event video specialists, as a project manager. Wood joins XL’s team, headed by Chris Mounsor, Lee Spencer, Des Fallon and Richard Burford, bringing with him a wealth of experience. Wood was previously the projects and operations manager for the LED screen department of SPS, where he handled events for blue chip clients like Microsoft and Bloomberg TV. Before that, he enjoyed several years on the road as a freelance engineer and projectionist, cutting his teeth in this exacting area of live production. XL’s Lee Spencer comments: "It’s great to have Paul onboard. He fully complements the rest of the team, and has all the attributes needed to thrive in XL’s lively and energetic working environment."

Wood is currently working on the Tweenies UK arena tour for XL, along with a number of other event

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Kent's event of the year went off with a bang, as 12,000 people gathered at Hop Farm for a night of fun, fireworks and pop, with performances from acts including Hear'say, Liberty, Jo Breezer, Right Said Fred, Thymes 4, Dodgy, Supersister, A1 and the All Stars.

PA Company SRD group supplied for the event a GAE Director FOH system which consisted of four flown mid/highs per side married with two bass cabinets whilst additional cabinets and bass support were ground stacked. Monitor duties where handled by a mixture of GAE Modular II, Pro-Stage and 152TM cabinets all powered by QSC Powerlight amplifiers, with PL218s, 230s, 236s, PL6s and even PL9s being pressed into service. On the microphone front all wired and wireless microphones were Shure, with Premier Series Wireless fitted with Beta58 and 87 capsules seeing the most vocal action on the day.

In-ear monitoring was again Shure, with

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The ancient Herod Atticus amphitheatre in Athens, situated against the stunning backdrop of the Acropolis, recently played host to ‘Bravo China and Greece,’ a spectacular multicultural performance billed as a celebration of the ancient cultures of China and Greece in view of their forthcoming roles as Olympic hosts in 2004 and 2008. Audio production company for the event, one of the biggest ever to be staged in the open-air venue, was Athens-based Sound Control, also the distributor for Midas, Klark Teknik and ElectroVoice.

Production manager, Sound Control's Renos Papapaschos specified a powerful Electro-Voice X-line system for the show, plus a full complement of Midas consoles and Klark Teknik processing. A 64-frame Heritage 2000 was on FOH duties, whilst a Heritage 3000 catered for monitoring requirements. An XL3 plus sidecar looked after the recording of the show and a

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Sennheiser has added three new professional models to its range of professional headphones and headsets. All three models are closed back, circumaural designs. Two new broadcast/location sound recording headsets, the HMD 280 pro and HMD 281 pro, combine neodymium-equipped drivers, providing an 8Hz - 25kHz, virtually linear frequency response for critical monitoring, with a high quality noise compensating microphone system. Designed for live presentation, reporting, talkback and intercom applications, the HMD 280 combines an excellent quality and comfortable 102dB SPL headphone monitoring system, with 32dB ambient noise rejection and a super-cardioid boom mic. Mounted on a flexible either-side boom with especially low structure-borne noise, the high directivity microphone capsule ensures clarity of speech, even in the most noisy production environments.

The similarly specified, single-s

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The Heritage Theatre software, developed by Stardraw for Midas, was one of five new products to be singled out for an EDDY award for major technical advancement in the field of professional audio.

The Heritage Theatre software sits on top of the Stardraw platform and enables offline editing of any scenes and settings for the Heritage 1000 console. For this system, MIDI is used to communicate with the desk, but the Stardraw engine can communicate with any other hardware or software using any protocol. Stardraw provided Midas with an SDK (software development kit) which can be used by any manufacturer to develop add-ins for their specific products. The same system is used throughout the Klark Teknik Group for all their software-controlled products.

Commenting on the Eddy award, MD of Midas, Bob Doyle, told us: "This is a milestone award for Midas and the Heritage Theatre software

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Acoustic Dimensions will be involved in the first challenge for the new reality-based television show, ‘Challenge America with Erin Brockovich’. New York City Mayor, Rudolph Giuliani, issued the challenge to rebuild rundown soccer fields and to renovate a theatre in lower Manhattan. Ms. Brockovich has been asked to finish the project in one week - without a cent to work with.

The abandoned theatre was originally designed by Robert Moses in the 1930s. Joseph Papp used it in the 1950s as the first home for the famous New York Shakespeare Festival, which is now based in Central Park. By the 1970s, the theatre itself had fallen into disrepair and neglect, blocked off by chain link fence and covered in graffiti.

Acoustic Dimensions donated its services to consult with HLW Architects on the renovation of the theatre. The new design involved the removal of the dilapidated stage

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Critically acclaimed Spiritualized have been using Shure microphones on their latest European tour ‘Let it Come Down’, which unveiled the band’s much-anticipated new line-up and album. A Spiritualized gig is a complex affair: FOH Engineer Graham Pattison dealt with up to 72 input channels from the new 13-piece line-up which featured a 6-piece brass section. For the London shows, a 6-voice choir was also added to the set.

Lead singer and guitarist Jason Pierce used a Shure Beta 58A for vocals, plus a Shure SM57 for miking up his guitar cab as did his two fellow guitarists, whilst the choir all utilized Shure Beta 87As. The brass section benefited from Shure Beta 56s and 57As, which are specifically engineered for drums and instruments. The PA system was supplied by Canegreen and featured two Midas Heritage 3000 consoles for the FOH and monitor positions, plus Meyer amp

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After last month's successful sound design for Alice in Wonderland, Autograph Sound Recording has delivered another design and installation to the RSC, this time for their seasonal production of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe at London's Sadlers Wells.

The company was called in to take over the sound design for the production for the first time since its stage debut four years ago. Terry Jardine’s new design makes sole use of the Meyer Sound loudspeaker range, including the MSL-2, UPA-1C and UPM-1. A 70-input Cadac J-type mixing console is also in use, along with a 28-channel Sennheiser radio microphone system.

Simon Baker, a leading member of the Autograph sound design team, worked alongside Terry as one of two associate designers, creating over 100 new sound effects for the production, with a standalone system utilizing a Yamaha 03D and two Akai S6000s. Autograph's Chri

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The PLASA Media News Team is now signing off for Christmas. As the PLASA office closes today, this is the last time the headlines will be updated for 2001. We'll be back at our desks in the New Year to bring you all the latest developments from across the industry. In the meantime, thanks for all your support over the past year and enjoy Christmas and New Year.

All the best from the PLASA Media Team

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Orbital Sound has recently added a range of outdoor Rock speakers from US-based manufacturer Rockustics to its extensive hire portfolio. For intrepid outdoor sound engineers, the company can supply a variety of Rocks to suit every outdoor application. Products include Punk Rocks, Octa Rocks, Econa Rocks, Rocky Too, Rocky Junior and even a Sub Rock! Designed to withstand both wind and water erosion, the Rocks can exist in sub-zero temperatures beneath snow and ice for months at a time.

Daniel Parton of Orbital¹s hire department, commented: "The Rocks blend seamlessly into any outdoor environment and offer innovative alternatives for a variety leisure-build installations. Their their unique aesthetics offer huge potential for any themed environment and have been used successfully for a number of exhibition stands and special events."

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Martin Professional A/S has entered into an agreement with Chako and Hiroshi Yoshida, long-time distributors of automated lighting in Japan, to establish a joint company, Martin Professional Japan Ltd. The new company, located in Tokyo and consisting of eight employees, will handle distribution and service of Martin, Jem and Mach products throughout the country.

The establishment of a single professional distributor in Japan, which had previously been covered through three separate companies, is an important step in Martin’s goal of increasing focus on the Asian market. Martin Professional president and CEO Kristian Kolding has assumed the position of chairman of the new company. Other board members include Mr. And Mrs. Yoshida and Martin’s area sales manager Jonas Eisenhardt. The official opening of the new company is expected sometime in February.

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High End Systems' Catalyst recently received a top honour for lighting products at the 10th Anniversary of the EDDY Awards in New York, hosted by Entertainment Design magazine. High End's Al Ridella and Brad Schiller accepted the award during the ceremony, which took place on December 7, at John Jay College Theatre.

This is the fourth award for Catalyst. It won two top awards at PLASA in September for Design Excellence and Technical Innovation, and Product of the Year for Lighting/Entertainment at LDI 2001 in November. Catalyst is currently making its splashy debut at New York's Madison Square Garden for the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers games.

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Hard on the heels of the announcement of LDI's award for Best Audio Product at the show for the newly launched Legend 3000 tri-purpose mixing console, Midas seems to be on a winning streak as the company closes out 2001. To add to the collection on the corporate mantelpiece, Midas can now add a Pro Audio Review PAR Excellence 2001 Award for the Legend 3000, an EDDY Award from Entertainment Design for the Midas Heritage Theatre software, and a TEC Award nomination for the Midas Heritage 1000.

The Heritage Theatre software was one of just five outstanding new products to be singled out for an EDDY for major technical advancement in the field of professional audio (see yesterday's news). Representing Midas to receive the award at the 10th annual EDDY Awards ceremony in New York City was MD Bob Doyle. "We've had an absolutely amazing year," commented Doyle. "The Heritage Se

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