Details
The Barbican London’s landmark performing arts venue has a new technical production facility - it is now the only live venue in the UK currently offering a permanent broadcast facility. The Barbican BBC digital broadcast system is a joint venture between the BBC and the Barbican. The aim is to produce high quality, cost-effective broadcast material embracing a rich diversity of performance genres. This will feed the new digital channels and also ensure the Barbican keeps pace with cutting edge production technologies.

The new facility also greatly enhances the Barbican as a venue for corporate events and conference industries. Very easy transmission between the Barbican’s numerous different auditoria and spaces, and instant live relay of images from auditorium to screen, are

Details
On March 14th Virgin Megastore's flagship store on Oxford Street in London hosted the UK launch of the long-awaited Xbox from Microsoft, billed as "the most powerful games console on earth". The store opened at midnight to throngs of industry personalities, media and public eager to be first in line for the new console, as well as a goodly smattering of celebrities. Presenters for the evening's entertainment included Jonathon Ross, comedian Johnny Vegas, and of course Virgin boss Richard Branson. White Label UK was the production company in charge of the event, and they turned to Systems Etc. to handle the audio requirements.

Systems etc. operations director Ricky Ramsay opted for six stacks of Nexo Alpha E distributed around the room, each stack comprising one Alpha EM mid-hi cabinet and two Alpha B1-18 bass bins. "The event took place on the lower ground floor which is

Details
Late February, Summit Steel abandoned the typically dull, British weather and took off for Cannes in the South of France. The company was called in by Adam Proto, producer for Turquoise Blue, to rig a party at the Radisson SAS Montfleury Hotel, for Lucent Technologies’ guests, as part of the 3GSM World Congress. Summit’s principal task was to rig large, white, gauze sails between the palm trees around the pool which were to be used as projection screens.

Since there was no flying equipment from roof trusses on this job, this proved to be open air rigging with a difference. "It made a change from climbing roof beams," explained Summit’s Jon Bray. "We actually used the pool-side Palm trees to rig the sails, fixing guy wires and using diverters in the palms to ensure we did not cause any damage. The end result looked great. The sails created an outside aud

featured content

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

Details
Following a vote earlier in March in favour of strike action, members of BECTU (which represents backstage, ticketing and box office staff) are now back round the table with the Society of London Theatres (SOLT) to discuss an improved pay offer for members.

In an industrial action ballot which closed on March 19, more than 96% of BECTU members working at London's West End theatres voted to strike in support of the union's campaign to banish low pay. BECTU delayed publishing the ballot result while SOLT made last-minute efforts to improve the pay offer that members had rejected. After more than two days of closed-door negotiations, the employers tabled a new package, backdated to February 11. At a mass meeting on March 22, members voted to run a secret ballot on the new proposals, without any recommendation to accept or reject.

The two-stage pay offer includes an average 6% increase

Details
Northampton-based SA Sound Services, in partnership with Adrian Humphris at Oak Audio Visual, has recently completed a significant AV installation for Tearfund, a UK-based Christian charity providing aid and relief to many of the world's poorest and dispossessed. At the core of the installation are a number of ElectroVoice Xi loudspeakers.

The installation was part of a complete refurbishment of the facilities at Tearfund's four-storey Teddington headquarters. According to Tearfund's facilities manager Mike Webb it was important that the system be powerful, versatile and discreet as the room is used for a variety of applications, including live music. SA Sound Services' Steve Ashley explained why he opted for EV Xi 1082s, which are designed as under-balcony fills. "Given that the system had to handle more than just speech reinforcement, I was looking for a professional speaker tha

Details
Our pictures shows Borrowed Time - the latest work by David Cotterell, an artist shortlisted for Beck’s Futures 2002, the UK’s largest arts prize. His nominated entry features a film of a train emerging from a tunnel.

As it draws near, the gallery fills with a cloud of smoke onto which an image of the steam train is projected to create a ghostly apparition. Reminiscent of the Lumière brothers, the train rushes towards the viewer before fading to black. The smoke effects are being produced using Cirrus Low-smoke machines supplied by The Effects Company.

The smoke is unusual in that it is a mixture of Liquid CO2 and a standard glycol-based smoke fluid. Synchronizing and controlling all the elements of the installation is a Pulsar Masterpiece 108 control system, specially adapted for the purpose by the company’s Andy Graves, who also built a custom interface to work

Details
Rental company Gearhouse Broadcast has significantly expanded its Sennheiser wireless microphone inventory with an order for 5000 and 3000 Series UHF RF systems, valued at more than £250,000. The rapidly expanding, London headquartered hire company supplies international broadcasters covering major outdoor events such as the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics and the ATP Tennis Masters Series, as well as studio-based production series for leading UK broadcast companies.

The new order adds to Gearhouse Broadcast’s already considerable stock of Sennheiser wireless equipment and comprises SK 5012 ultra-miniature and SK 3063 miniature belt pack transmitters, SKM 5000 handheld transmitters, plus 8-channel and 3-channel EM 1046 modular receiver rack systems. New to Gearhouse Broadcast’s stock is the Sennheiser SK 5012-U, the ‘world’s smallest belt pack transmitter&rsquo

Details
I-Vision supplied and co-ordinated the equipment for an eye-catching exterior architectural lighting scheme for the re-opening of the Walker Arts Gallery in Liverpool. The show was designed and produced by Liverpool City Council’s Cultural Events Officer and lighting designer Lee Forde.

The Gallery re-opened after a £4.3 million refurbishment, part of National Museums & Galleries on Merseyside’s (NMGM) first major capital project for the 21st century. The Victorian building façade which features central steps and an extruded section, is flanked by Grecian-style columns, and flat sections either side. The columns and two statues either side of the steps, were lit using 300W profile fixtures, and the flat, end sections of the building’s fascia were bathed in blue light from powerful Coemar Panorama 1800W cyc fixtures. Tight 4-way finger-beam fans of ‘Aircraft La

Details
CDAI, a specialty engineering firm focusing on presentation and performing arts technology, has added Matthew Cornwell as an acoustics and testing services specialist. His responsibilities will include acoustics and testing services in support of CDAI's corporate and education clients, as well as their performing arts and multi-purpose audiovisual project designs.

With an avid interest in architectural acoustics, Cornwell has worked in a number of acoustic engineering internships, including Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Akron, Ohio, where he performed acoustic testing and analysis work.

(Ruth Rossington)

Details
Stage Electrics’ business development manager Matt Lloyd has been chosen to take part in The Clipper 2002 Round the World Yacht Race, which covers over 35,000 miles of gruelling ocean racing. It’s an 11-month sabbatical, commencing in October, that will take him to 16 stop-overs around the world. The crew will consist of 14 ‘amateur’ crew members, both men and women, accompanied by one professional skipper.

There are eight yachts competing, each sponsored by an individual city - Liverpool, Bristol, Glasgow, London, Jersey, Hong Kong and Cape Town. The Bristol Clipper which Matt is crewing won the Clipper 2000 Race, so she will be defending her title in this year’s race. David Whitehead, owner of Stage Electrics is fully supportive: "Matt has worked for Stage Electrics for over ten years and this is a fantastic opportunity for him. I am very supportive

Details
PLASA has negotiated significant discounts on the cost of exhibiting at PALA (Pro Audio & Light Asia). The Association has also obtained UK government funding for this event and eligible UK companies can make further savings on costs.

The PALA show features exhibitors covering pro audio, lighting, club, broadcast and music. Exhibitors can expect to meet potential buyers including agents, dealers, distributors and end-users from across Asia. Hong Kong is considered to be the gateway for trade to China, and with PALA being held here for the first time, more visitors are expected to attend from Taiwan, Korea, China and Japan, in addition to regular visitors from India, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

The DTI’s SESA (Support for Exhibitions & Seminars Abroad) funding will re-imburse eligible UK companies 60% of stand, construction and freight costs, u

Details
PLASA’s Industry Day will take place on Friday 14th June at Down Hall Country House Hotel in Hertfordshire.

The day, which will be built around the Association’s AGM, will offer plenty of opportunity for members to network with others in the industry, as well as giving them a chance to discuss key issues in the Break-out Sessions which follow the AGM.

The day starts with a buffet lunch, with the formal business of the AGM beginning between 2 and 3pm. This will give members a chance to hear about the Association’s year and learn about future objectives.

Building on the success of last year, the Break-out Sessions will focus on issues such as Standards, Health & Safety, Human Resources, Employment Law, Training and Membership Services.

The Industry Dinner will complete the day’s activities, beginning with pre-dinner drinks. As in previous years, two after

Details
ARRI recently awarded a portable lighting kit - consisting of the Junior range of Fresnel spotlights - to a lucky competition winner, after he entered a ‘business card’ draw on the company’s stand at the Video Forum Exhibition earlier this year.

Richard Hookings, a freelance lighting cameraman commented: "I was so surprised to actually win as I was dubious that these things are ever genuine. This kit will nicely complement my existing lighting kit, and being so compact, it will be ideal for situations when I’m working on my own and need to transport my kit around single-handedly." ARRI displayed two new kit formats at Video Forum - both suitable for 3-point lighting arrangements. The first contained two 650W Junior Fresnels and an 800W ARRIlite which offers flexibility and control, whilst the second contained two 300W Junior fresnels and a Junior 150W

Details
Martin Professional introduced the Maxxyz lighting control system at last week’s SIB International exhibition in Rimini. One of the main product highlights of the exhibition, Maxxyz boasts a comprehensive range of cutting-edge features and attractive, modular design, with an intuitive operating system, easy programmability and customizable characteristics. The desk’s built-in 3D visualizer with real-time Preview mode gives full real-time preview of shows, allowing the user to create new ones without interrupting the running show. Maxxyz offers Ethernet capability (10/100 Mbit) for DMX universes and multiple console linking, remote access via a laptop/PC or Internet network, plus a link for automatic Internet updates, programming modification, service and support, and more.

Two complete Pentium III-based computer systems communicate with each other through COM+ technology. T

Details
A group of exhibition design final year students from the Reinwardt Academie in Amsterdam recently enjoyed an informative visit to the London office of Sarner, audio visual, visitor attraction and design specialists. Frank van Oosterhout, faculty lecturer from the Academie (an institute which specializes in Museum Communication, Management, Registration and Conservation) was so impressed when he visited Sarner’s Lands End tourist centre installation in 1996 that he brought the students to the UK to meet the company behind the project.

Marije Kruize, one of the visiting students, thoroughly enjoyed the experience. She commented: "We’ve all been inspired by Sarner’s individual approach to each project and would love to work for a company like that. The visit has helped us all get an insight into a company that delivers innovation and technology with bags full of pa

Details
BSS Audio have taken a major leap in the expansion of their acclaimed Soundweb programmable DSP system with the introduction of new matrix switchers, capable of routing multiple video sources to several zones, all controlled within a Soundweb system.

While stand-alone video switchers are used in many systems alongside Soundweb, the integration of the control of the video sources has relied upon custom programming between the two systems’ RS-232 ports. Such systems are typically found in theme bars and restaurants (such as sports or music bars), corporate boardrooms and visitor attractions. The SW9016 8x4 Matrix Switcher features eight broadcast-quality composite video inputs (on BNC connectors), which can accept CBVS or SVideo signals of NTSC or PAL standard. These can be matrixed to four output zones (again on BNC connectors). Alongside the video inputs, 16 balanced audio inputs

Details
In a theatrical first, specialist AV company Blitz Communications, is supplying the world's smallest radio microphones to the London West End Show The Full Monty. The beltpack transmitters, Sennheiser SK 5012, are the smallest commercially available and are being used for the first time in a theatrical production. During the performance the transmitters are concealed on the bodies of the actors (with the microphones hidden in the hairline). However, in the final scene when the strippers have only their security guards' hats protecting their dignity the transmitters are discreetly placed inside the hats so that the audience can still hear the actors' voices.

Blitz chose the transmitters because of their size and weight - the SK 5012 weighs just 130g (including batteries). The transmitters operate continually for seven hours and a new antenna design provides an RF power output of typical

Details
Celestion's flagship CXi range of sound reinforcement cabinets is increasing in popularity with contractors specifying systems for permanent installation in nightclubs. One of the most impressive recent contracts has been that for the new club Afterlife in Burnley.

The new three-floor multi-venue has been opened in Burnley by Obar Ltd, sited in a former seamen's temple. With a capacity for 1,100 people, Afterlife is one of the largest venues in the region, themed to give clubbers a chance to drink in the Underworld and Judgement Bars before going up to the Heaven nightclub.

Promotion Time, the sound and lighting contractor from Co. Durham, was commissioned to equip the club, and specified Celestion throughout. The three floors of Afterlife each have their own identity: in the basement, a warm dark-red interior called the Underworld Bar features Celestion SR1s supplemented by Substati

Details
A 28-box JBL VerTec system, powered by Crown MA Series amplifiers with BSS digital system controllers, was recently supplied by innovative new Norwegian sound company, Audio One, for two major national events. Both took place at the Oslo Spectrum arena and were broadcast on national television. The first was the Melodi Grand Prix (junior version), to choose Norway’s entry to the 2002 Eurovision Song Contest. The second, Spellemannprisen, is the Norwegian equivalent of the Grammy Awards.

Both events were staged by NRK, Norway’s national TV station, within a week of each other.The main audio challenge for these high profile shows was in the stage configuration. The NRK divided the hall in half and placed the stage in one of the corners. With the audience seated on three sides of the stage, from the very front to the highest rows at the rear of the arena, required a horizontal

Details
This year’s LDI Backstage event heads west to California, an event that takes in everything from Hollywood to Disney's new California Adventure. The event, which immediately follows the annual LDI Show, runs from Sunday October 20 through to Tuesday October 22.

Attendees will fly from Las Vegas to Los Angeles on the Sunday to see a show at the Mark Taper Forum. On Monday October 21, they will get the chance to explore some key Los Angeles venues, ranging from a classic Hollywood film studio to the new Kodak Theatre, home of the Oscars, and the LA Music Center, plus a hard-hat tour of the new Disney Concert Hall, with panel discussions with the experts along the way. On Tuesday October 22, it’s off to California Adventure where attendees can ride the rides, tour the Hyperion Theatre, play on Paradide Pier, and meet the designers and technicians from Disney Entertainment and

Details
Yamaha's PM1D large-format digital mixing console and the newly introduced DM2000 took top honours at the recent MIPA (Musikmesse International Press Awards) held at this year’s Frankfurt Music Messe.

Over 300 representatives of manufacturers and distributors of musical instruments and pro audio equipment from around the world gathered at the third annual MIPA awards to see honours awarded in over 40 categories. The awards are designed to acknowledge the best products of the previous year and are nominated by editors representing over 50 music and pro audio magazine titles worldwide. The PM1D was awarded first place in the high end mixing desk for top events category beating off competition from the ATI paragon and the Midas Legend whilst the critically acclaimed new DM2000 took top honours in the mixing desk high end section.

(Ruth Rossington)

Page 1425 of 3465

Latest Issue. . .