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Marantz Japan Inc and Denon have announced the establishment of D&M Holdings Inc, a joint holding company to merge the operations of Marantz and Denon. The transaction is expected to be completed by May 2002 and will create a global leader in the home theatre and audio-video (AV) market, while maintaining the established Marantz and Denon brands.

D&M Holdings will employ approximately 1,650 people around the world and will succeed Marantz as a publicly traded concern on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE II: 6799). The home theatre and AV market has enjoyed rapid growth in recent years, due to the emergence of home theatre applications, as well as an industry wide digital evolution. D&M Holdings will be well positioned to benefit from this pattern of growth through the d

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Audiosales has supplied a Martin Audio system for installation in the new 800-capacity Auditorium of Parma, which is run by the Commune di Parma. The programme of performance at the venue has yet to be specified, though it was originally thought that it would become a second opera house to the town’s famous Teatro Regio.

The contract for the audio was fulfilled by Ital Cida, and according to Audiosales’ Mauro Codeluppi, one of the reasons his company was nominated as the supply source was its proximity to Parma - they are based just ten minutes outside the town. When it came to equipping the former sugar refinery - which had stood empty for years - Ital Cida specified four WT3s, six WT2s, a pair of WS2A subs and eight WT15s - ideal for the multi-purpose nature for which the theatre will be used. The system will be powered by Lab Gruppen amplification, and the loudspeaker ma

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Alun Edwards has been promoted to take over the responsibility for sales in all areas of TeleStage’s sales activities. The move is part of the continued strategy within the company, which specializes in theatre engineering and control systems, to improve its service and response to clients in all areas of its business. Edwards will be responsible for sales activities at home and overseas, and will work closely with TeleStage's parent company Waagner Biro Buhnentechnik to secure major projects worldwide.

(Ruth Rossington)

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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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Over the past two years DHA's dealer base has flourished throughout Europe furthering the company's success. Madrid-based company O.K. Sumistros has now joined the DHA network and becomes the first Spanish stockist to complement the long-standing distribution of Rosco Iberica.

O.K. Sumistros stocks a range of DHA equipment, including all standard and custom gobos, plus moving effects, the DHA Gecko and Chameleon. Having first come into contact with O.K. Sumistros at MusikMesse 2000 in Frankfurt, DHA appointed the company at Madrid's Scenotech exhibition in February this year. As established users of DHA's equipment, O.K. Sumistros has extensive knowledge and experience of DHA's range. Nigel Sadler, sales manager for DHA, told us: "The partnership between our two companies will mean that theatrical and architectural customers, existing and future, will be able to obtain all the pro

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Following increased demand for its rental products in and around the capital, trussing and staging specialist Litestructures has opened a new hire operation based in Wanstead, East London. Strategically positioned close to the City and the newer docklands venues of Excel and the Arena, the location also allows easy access to the north circular and M25, offering excellent links to the wider region.

The operation is being fronted by Emma Church, who re-joins the company after a two year break, and who has a wealth of product knowledge gained from the three years she spent working at Litestructures’ head office in Wakefield.

The key products available for hire include the Astralite Original 3 truss range, the Litedeck stage units/system and the Litedeck rolling risers, which are proving increasingly popular thanks to the fact that they greatly reduce set-up times at gigs where se

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The RADLite, which combines images, vector shapes, text and video to create a range of visual effects, will get its London debut at the Brixton Academy this month when The Chemical Brothers perform two concerts there on the 18 and 19 March.

The band has already toured with the RADLite in Japan and Australia and will go on to Europe and the US after the UK leg. Lighting designer Andy Liddle first saw the RADLite at PLASA 2001: "It really lived up to my expectations. It can produce so many effects that it’s actually quite hard to decide which ones to use! The ability to insert your own video clips and images, as well as create your own shapes, means that you can really have the show you want."

The Chemicals have hired the RADLite from XL Video. The system comprises a heavy-duty rack mountable black box that holds a hi-spec PC inside, including dual processors and a dual

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In response to feedback from end users, High End Systems has released a new, fully modular 2:1 zoom optic system for the x.Spot, along with a new faceted ‘flat field’ reflector. This version of x.Spot will be marketed as x.Spot HO (High Output).

Additional output is primarily achieved through the larger aperture (higher ‘f stop’) and greater efficiency of the 2:1 zoom lens system, while increased colour temperature and improved beam uniformity are a result of the faceted reflector. As a result, designers can now specify 4:1 zoom fixtures for shorter throw, wide projection applications and 2:1 zoom fixtures for longer throw or beamage applications where output is king and ultra wide zoom range is not critical.

High End will of course continue to offer x.Spot with 4:1 zoom optics: the 4:1 zoom unit will also now include the faceted ‘flat field’ refle

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Stagetec (UK) Ltd has completed a contract to design, supply and install a complete sound and lighting system for the new Chafford Hundred school campus in Grays. The split-level building is imaginatively designed by Nicholas Hare Architects, with a central lift and an impressive atrium. Built for the future, it combines the principles of energy saving with a flexible space for learning and recreation.

In the building’s central section are the halls, drama studio, dining areas, sports hall, public library and specialist facilities geared towards art, technology, music and science. The primary and secondary wings extend either side of these shared spaces, each with its own secure entrance. Stagetec’s design brief was to provide a simple-to-use system that offered the latest technology and was suitable for school productions and additionally, for when the space is used by th

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Automated lighting and control products from High End Systems Inc and Flying Pig Systems will now be available from one source in Germany. Arcus GmbH, based in Paderborn, previously offered only the Wholehog line of consoles, but as a result of a recent agreement, it will now handle the complete line of HES/FPS products.

"We have established a very efficient, high quality and customer-oriented working relationship with Arcus over the past three years from which German users of Flying Pig products can benefit," says Claas Ernst, High End's sales manager for Central Europe. LMP Lichttechnik will remain a dealer of High End Systems products in Germany, and the award winning Catalyst System will be distributed through both existing and new sales channels.

The official announcement came during the current Frankfurt show. To mark the new partnership, the two companies offered vis

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Leading entertainment lamp supplier MGC has added David Cartwright to its expanding international sales department. Cartwright brings with him over 16 years experience in the entertainment lighting industry, with a full and varied background from hire, design & production to sales & marketing, most recently as group marketing manager of the Lighting Technology Group. One of his first priorities will be to bring on board and develop new products and services to complement the existing range of lamps.

MGC managing director James Greig commented: "We are pleased to welcome Dave on board. His knowledge of lighting products and marketing will help us to consolidate and expand our position in the entertainment lighting sector."

MGC Lamps is a world leading specialist entertainment lighting dealer with a holding stock of over 750,000 lamps, sourced from all major European and Amer

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Sheffield company Gripple Ltd expanded both its productivity and its workforce earlier this month when new recruit Chris Middleton came on board as divisional director. The company has recently split into two divisions - agriculture and industry - to cope with increasing demand for Gripple goods. The new role means Chris is responsible for industrial operations, heading up the management and sales of product group Gripple Hang-Fast.

Previously employed as managing director of Rotherham-based Brooke Tools, Middleton brings to Gripple a vast and varied knowledge of the industrial market. He will focus on driving the industrial business into previously untapped sales sectors, maximizing opportunities for the Hang-Fast range.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Essex University has recently installed a new customised sound system in two of its lecture theatres. Local company John Hearn & Son undertook the installation, working to a brief that required the two systems not only to be capable of working together, but to work equally well as stand-alone systems.

Tim Hearn explains: "Because of the layout of the theatres, the University wanted to be able to run both rooms independently but also have the option to remove the dividing wall and run it as one. They needed to be able to run the two rooms from either sound control unit." As far as the overall system was concerned, the requirements were certainly wide ranging. "Flexibility is how we viewed it," continues Hearn. "The University wanted to use the theatres for a variety of different applications, so we designed a sound system for spoken word, sound reproduction and

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Maltbury has unveiled Metrodeck Ultra, its new lightweight modular staging system. The Ultra is based on Maltbury’s popular mid-weight staging system, Metrodeck, with which it is also fully compatible. The lightest and simplest to assemble of all the Maltbury systems, Metrodeck Ultra is particularly suitable for use by schools, hire companies and in the conference and exhibitions industry.

Weighing a mere 10kg for a 1x1m unit, Metrodeck Ultra consists of a lightweight top, constructed from a speciality ply sandwich board with a foam filling, and a durable aluminium frame. For construction, Velcro straps are used to connect adjacent units, with smaller straps joining the decks and larger ones securing leg to leg connections. In addition, eliminating the need for a spanner, T-bars can be used to secure, by hand, the legs of individual modules. With detachable alloy legs of varying

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Responding to input from the marketplace, Tannoy has launched the V Series, a new range of point source, dual concentric sound reinforcement loudspeaker systems, which feature a modern cabinet design providing installation flexibility.

The Tannoy V Series combines the qualities and high performance of Tannoy’s established installation loudspeakers into a new dual-wedge cabinet shape. The flexible and discrete cabinet shape makes the speakers ideal for use as floor monitors and low profile ceiling mounting in landscape configuration. In addition, the V Series features a foam covered mesh grille, essential for the aesthetic needs of today’s installations.

The Tannoy V8 replaces the i8 and T8 and is designed for high quality music and speech reinforcement. It can also be used as a mini stage monitor, as its conical coverage pattern gives the performer greater freedom of move

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The 17th National Heritage Festival at al-Janadriyah (situated just outside Riyadh in Saudi Arabia) was the most successful yet. The cream of British production and design talent ensured that the creative elements of this year’s specially commissioned opera provided an unforgettable wow factor for the 1,000 assembled VIPs from across the Middle East, as the nine scenes of the pageant blended together to form an hour-long spectacular.

Organized by the Kingdom of Saudi, this is one of the most important annual cultural festivals in the Arab calendar. The festival has become a crossroads where poetry, intellect, culture, art, theatre, heritage and history meet, and is a fitting tribute to King Fahd of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Abdullah.

The lynchpin this year was the partnership forged by Najdat Anzour, one of the most eminent and creative producer/directors in the Middle East

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Neutrik has released the Speakon SPX series, the next generation of the amplifier/speaker connector. The new unit offers the same reliability as the company’s NL4FC, whilst also offering increased power handling, connection security and flexibility, and is intended to replace its predecessor over the next few years.

The new SPX Series can deliver currents up to 50 Amps on all four contacts for audio applications. This means a single connector is capable of carrying the current load from amplifiers of over 1kW. Another unique design element is that electrical contact is made only after the connector is completely inserted and locked to prevent arcing when connected under load.

The new cable connector also consists of only three parts to make assembly faster and easier, and a one-piece internal chuck accepts cable diameters between 6 and 14mm. Termination is either with screw te

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The established audiovisual systems installer and music and media production company tsg - home of the Candy Rock programming arm, has recently employed Neil Law as sales manager for its pubs, bars and restaurant division. This is part of the ongoing strategic expansion at tsg, which will see other key positions filled by experienced and respected industry people during the coming weeks. Law has a wealth of experience from his previous roles at both Tascam and Tannoy. "tsg was a key account for Tannoy so I know the company very well. I was impressed with its competitive stance and to be invited to join such a dynamic and rapidly growing professional team was too good an opportunity to miss."

(Ruth Rossington)

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Marantz Professional has introduced two handy new pocket guides covering both Installation and Professional Audio product lines. The two A6 size guides include useful product overviews and feature lists. Full product specifications are available on the Marantz website or in A4 hard copy from Marantz Professional Europe Sales or the extensive network of appointed professional dealers.

(Ruth Rossington)

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BSS Audio USA has recently appointed Denny McLane as regional sales manager. McLane reports directly to sales and marketing director Paul Freudenberg, who made the announcement.

Based in the Los Angeles area, McLane is currently responsible for overseeing the BSS-related activities of eight independent manufacturers’ rep firms that predominantly cover states west of the Mississippi River. He is also being called upon to provide personal support for consultants, contractors and end users, as well as conduct product training, particularly with regard to the Soundweb range.

Prior to joining the company, McLane spent nearly four years as the director of sales and marketing for Level Control Systems (LCS), which followed four years as a product manager for Aphex Systems. From 1981 through 1994, he owned and operated Sound Techniques, a regional sound company focusing on SR systems

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Pyrotek Special Effects Inc is currently designing and supplying the pyrotechnics for a number of tours, including the Creed Australia Tour and the Kid Rock US Tour 2002. The effects for the latter include fireballs, a variety of gerbs, mines, flame projectors and flame dragons. Pyrotek also recently supplied effects to the European Tour for Slipknot, Creed Weathered Tour 2002 and the televised Miss USA event that took place in Gary, India last month. The company is heading into a busy spring with a number of tours in the pipeline including Britney in Japan, a Green Day Tour in Japan, the Creed North American Tour and Blink 182/Green Day Tour.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Fifty mile an hour winds and driving rain didn’t deter the spectacular industrial light and visual show - Nightlights - that launched Imagine Belfast 2008 - the City’s bid to be the European Capital of Culture in 2008.

Nightlights ran for a week and involved projections onto Goliath, one of the two giant cranes at the Harland & Wolff shipyard that dominate the Belfast skyline. It was produced by Production Services Ireland for the Imagine Belfast 2008 organization, with projection by E//T//C UK and lighting by Searchlight Ireland.

The idea of projecting onto the crane evolved as several circumstances fell into place. Imagine Belfast 2008 did an ‘ideas’ postcard mailing to everyone in the city which received an overwhelming response. Thousands of inspirational phrases and slogans reflecting people’s hopes and aspirations for the future of Belfast appeare

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