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VDC has recruited Dominic Ashburner, a highly experienced and well-known pro-audio industry professional, as its new business development manager. A songwriter and engineer who once ran his own studio, Dominic has an impressive track record in pro-audio sales: formerly the European sales manager for Soundtracs, he also spent three years as the European Operations Director for Euphonix. Most recently, he enjoyed a two-year foray into the IT arena, developing Internet and web content business.

Dominic's first priority will be to take on the management of VDC's key accounts customers such as RS Components, Farnell, Maplins and the BBC. "As well as looking after the top accounts in the UK, I will be responsible for spearheading the company into new and exciting markets. These fresh comm

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JBL’s recently introduced Control 26-DT ceiling speaker is now shipping, JBL tell us. JBL Professional introduced this new ceiling speaker at this year's NSCA trade show in Denver, Colorado, in response to specific requests from consultants and contractors.

Designed to be used with standard backcans, the Control 26-DT is a coaxial low/high frequency driver assembly, with a network and transformer. Without a dedicated backcan assembly, the Control 26-DT is applicable for new construction in which installation of the backcan and wiring must be inspected prior to the final completion of the finished ceiling. The Control 26-DT can also easily be used as a retrofit loudspeaker in cases where standard backcans and 8" ceiling speakers were previously used.

The low frequency driver has a 6.5" polypropylene-coated cone for reliability and long life. The high frequency tweeter

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Evenser Group, the UK's largest event services Group, has created a new division - Evenser Broadcast and Presentation Services. The creation of the new division will enhance the service offering available to clients through greater access to technical expertise, equipment and project management, say the company.

The division will incorporate the Group's international broadcast and audio-visual activities, including Charter Broadcast, Cinevideo, ABS and Blitz Communications, all of whom will continue to trade under their own names. David Carr continues as managing director of the broadcast businesses, whilst Paul Hutton, a director of Blitz Vision since 1993, will become the managing director of Blitz. The new division will be headed up by Evenser main board director Michael Breen.

Michael Breen comments: "This is a great opportunity for both the audio-visual and broadcast busine

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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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Luciano Pavarotti recently celebrated the 10th edition of his annual Pavarotti & Friends charity concert by gathering a star-studded cast in his hometown of Modena, Italy. The event, the proceeds of which were donated to aid Angolan children, was telecast nationwide in prime time by RAI, the national Italian broadcasting company. Along with solo performances by Sting, Lou Reed, Grace Jones, James Brown, Cuba's charismatic Augusto Enriquez and his Mambo Band; Italian chart-toppers Zucchero, Andrea Bocelli, Raf and Elisa also performed duets with the world-renowned tenor. Many of the performances included accompaniment by a 70-piece orchestra and a children's choir.

For the second successive year, the Mackie HDR24/96 was chosen to record and broadcast the event. "These units played a fundamental role in the broadcast sound," explained Pavarotti's sound engineer John Pellowe, wh

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The McKenzie Group, operator of venues including Brixton Academy, Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Bristol Academy and Birmingham Academy, has made three new staff appointments to the management team at Birmingham Academy - Richard Maides, Lucinda Brown and Stuart Wright. Richard Maides has taken over as general manager of the 2,700 capacity Birmingham Academy, bringing 11 years of managerial experience to MKG. Richard’s previous position was at Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre and he was also at Liverpool University for several years; running the live concert programme and highly successful club operations.

Working alongside Richard as assistant general manager is Lucinda Brown, who joins from Wild Promotions where she had been a campaign manager for the past 18 months, working with artists such as Sum 41, Electric Soft Parade and Hoobastank. Prior to that time, Lucinda was ve

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Well-suited for virtually any DJ application, the new M25C phono cartridge from Shure is a fundamental, mix/spin needle capable of delivering high output, solid bass and transparent mid-range performance. Designed using the same Type I cantilever technology utilized by Shure's M35S and M35X cartridges, the M25C offers high-definition sound reproduction at all audible frequencies, and tracks with a force of 1.5 to 3 grams to provide high skip resistance, while keeping record wear at a bare minimum.

Employing a standard 1/2-inch tone arm mount, this latest addition to Shure's line of DJ cartridges maintains an essentially flat frequency response from 20 to 20,000Hz. Backed by a full one-year warranty, accessories offered with each unit include an extra set of four headshell wires (4-99), a stylus cleaning brush, user's guide, all mounting hardware and a stylus guard. An optional needle t

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Specialist audio-visual company, Blitz, has appointed Chris Jordan as regional manager for Manchester and Birmingham, to strengthen its sound offering. His immediate task will be to ensure that the same the level of expertise is available at all locations.

Chris’ background in theatre sound strengthens Blitz's presence in this field, bringing valuable experience to the whole Group. He has 23 years experience in theatre and conference sound, having worked as a sound designer, consultant and production engineer on many major productions worldwide. He joins Blitz having spent the last eight years based first in Brazil, and then in Oman. During that time, he worked as a freelance sound design and production engineering consultant. Before this, he was general manager of Theatre Projects Sound Division, handling many major corporate presentations, and prior to that worked for the Royal

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Marantz Professional Europe has announced the introduction of a new range of professional AV installation products, offering extensive surround sound playback and control facilities. The range comprises SR4200Pro AV receiver/amplifier, DV4200Pro DVD player and PM4200Pro integrated stereo amplifier.

The SR4200Pro is a 19" rack mountable, multi-channel AV receiver/amplifier, with built-in decoders for Dolby Prologic II, Dolby Digital and DTS multi-channel signals, with 12 surround modes. Power amplifier output is 70W RMS (into 8 ohms) for each of the five channels, ensuring powerful surround-sound performance in a wide range of configurations. A switchable stereo mode provides amplification of the front left and right channels through left and right rear surround outputs when required, along with a combined mono signal for the centre channel speaker. The unit incorporates a programm

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Russian installation specialist Elarcon has recently completed a major audio system upgrade for the main concert hall of Moscow's prestigious Cosmos Hotel. The 1000-seat hall is employed for a broad range of applications, from upscale rock performances and classical concerts to corporate events and international conferences. The 2002 schedule includes the Russian State Circus, the Moscow City Ballet and the Russian Imperial Ballet.

Elarcon, which is the installation division of prominent Russian distributor, MixArt, was asked to supply a system that reflected the full flexibility of the venue. As a result, a 40-channel Allen & Heath ML5000 live sound VCA console was selected to perform all front-of-house and monitor mixing tasks. In addition to its eight VCA groups, the mixer has a flexible output structure, allowing any combination of up to 16 auxiliary sends and up to eight audio sub

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Edwin Shirley Staging (ESS), the international staging and structures specialist, has just completed another project for an event that is synonymous with the quintessential English summer season, the 2002 Henley Festival in Oxfordshire. The Festival, which took place in mid-July, hosted a diverse array of artists over a five-day period at one of England’s best known event sites, which is also home to the famous international regatta. ESS, having already this year been present at Epsom, Ascot and Wimbledon, and with Goodwood still to come, see 2002 as a successful year for the company in terms of servicing these classic calendar fixtures.

ESS delivered a 20m Orbit stage, called the floating stage as it was positioned in the Thames facing back to the riverbank, as well as producing a 14m wide, four-bay clear-panelled Superstructure building christened the ‘Transparium’

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Cinematographer Jon Driscoll contacted XL Video UK to supply projectors, playback and a control system for the dramatic projected backdrops he designed and produced for Up For Grabs. The production - specifically the projections - wowed the packed audiences flocking to see Madonna’s West End debut at the Wyndhams Theatre. The 10-week run was fully sold out in advance.

Driscoll was originally approached to design backdrops for the project - directed by Laurence Boswell, designed by Jeremy Herbert - by John Owens, a director of Aura Sound, the production’s sound consultants. Driscoll had previously worked with Up For Grabs’ sound designer Fergus O’Hare (who’s also a director of Aura Sound) at the National Theatre. Driscoll worked on the projection design and production with his colleague Richard Overall, who edited and post-produced the origina

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The Waterfront Nightclub in Arbroath has turned to Turbosound to boost its sound quality, installing a sizeable Floodlight Series system to handle the club's mix of dance music and live sound. The installation was handled by Blue Audio, and took place over a two-month period earlier this year.

The PA system is divided into two elements: the live stage set-up comprises a left/right rig of Floodlight Series TFL-760Ht trapezoidal loudspeakers, complemented by TSW-718 folded horn bass enclosures stacked directly below, plus TFM-202 passive two-way floor monitors. Overall system control is provided via the LMS-D6 digital loudspeaker management system. The second system is designed to create a surround-style set up for the DJ, using one Floodlight Series TFL-760Ht positioned on each corner of the dance floor, with a TSW-718 directly below to cover the rear area. Blue Audio also provisioned a

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Stagetec is enjoying their busiest ever summer season, with a myriad of different lighting and sound design and installation projects embracing all areas of the industry - here are just a few of them:

In the world of television, Stagetec is finishing complete new lighting installations for five studios at Bloomberg TV Studios in London in association with Film & TV Services. The studios transmit 24 hours a day to five countries in Europe. Equipment includes 120 channels of Compulite CompuDIM 2000 dimmers with Dimmer Monitor software and five SP-4D control systems. At BBC Belfast, the lighting installations for two studios are having the final touches added. The installation includes 132 channels of 96 channels of 2.5kW Compulite CompuDIM 2000 dimmers with Dimmer Monitor system, Ovation 4D and two Micron 4D control systems plus Ethernet nodes, DMX network and complete installation of li

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Arbiter Plc has supplied installer John Fearon of Eclipse Lighting & Sound with a variety of equipment, including JBL loudspeakers, for installations in the latest two Revolution Vodka Bars. The fast-expanding, award-winning brand has recently opened new sites in Northampton and Clapham. The Revolution concept - vodka, dancing, food - doubtless leading to plenty of lively political debate - and the very best sound throughout the evening, was launched in 1995. The latest two venues are part of a group of 27 owned by Manchester-based Inventive Leisure, all of which have had sound systems installed by Rochdale-based Eclipse.

Clapham and Northampton were as sonically challenging as their predecessors, according to John Fearon. As with all new projects, the installer has to understand and interpret the client's requirements, and provide a scheme offering superior audio quality - on budget.

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Digigram, an innovator in digital audio network solutions, has completed its acquisition of French-based Innova Son, a pioneer in the design of digital audio mixing consoles. Innova Son consoles are used for sound reinforcement in live performance such as concerts, broadcast television, theatrical presentations, religious services, and corporate events.

The deal completes a move made by Digigram when it acquired a 44.76% stake in Innova Son in January 2001. Digigram now owns 100 percent of Innova Son, but says the company will preserve its own identity and commercial autonomy within the Digigram group. Innova Son products will continue to be distributed by the company's established network, while Digigram will provide sales support in markets that the company has yet to penetrate. Innova Son’s current management remains in place, with Philippe Royer as managing director in charge

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Doing their bit to support the England football team, LGH Rigging Services erected a huge flag on the front of the Football Association headquarters in Soho Square, London. Responding within 12 hours of being notified of the job, LGH Rigging Services used a team of abseilers to secure the flag to the façade of the building prior to England’s quarter-final match against Brazil. LGH say they were hoping for a longer hire period - not for the revenue, more for England’s chances in the competition!

LGH Rigging services manager, Bob Dean, commented: "We were very pleased with the progress of the job. We reacted very quickly to the FA’s request and were very happy with the result. It’s a shame that we didn’t feel the same about the result of the England match!"

The erection of the flag was featured on the National Television News, as was the tearful

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Event Lighting and Design has been chosen to work on another string of high-profile international events, starting with the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office’s Gala Luncheon at Claridge’s on 4 July 2002. The company provided the lighting, staging, set, sound, floral decorations and technical expertise for the event, proving once again their aptitude for working with the challenges of royal and government involvement and cultural sensitivities.

The Gala Luncheon marked the launch of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office sponsored celebration of the fifth anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s establishment in the UK. This large-scale promotional event is to take the form of a Hong Kong Festival, lasting from July to September of this year, which will showcase Hong Kong as Asia’s World City. The Claridge’s Gala Luncheon featured perform

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TMB has announced the hiring of the company’s first ever Australian employee, in a move which, they say, "will live in infamy." As part of TMB’s continuing worldwide expansion, Chris Curran has joined the sales team at TMB UK. Curran has an extensive background in professional lighting and rental operations down under, with four years as operations manager for Chameleon Touring Systems, and two-years as rental manager for Graftons Lighting. He has also had a long-standing relationship as a customer of TMB. While on walkabout in London, he stumbled into Paul Hartley, TMB’s European general manager, in a pub, and the next day woke up with a hangover and a job! In the words of Tony Davies from Chameleon: "Sometimes, to move backwards, you have to take a step forwards."

"TMB has always been rampantly anti-Australian, even before last year’s

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Sennheiser UK contributed to the recent success of Europe’s biggest music and performing arts festival by exclusively sponsoring the Glastonbury 2002 New Bands Stage. Alongside sound company Southwest Audio Ltd and production company Reality Check, Sennheiser helped deliver a professionally specified stage featuring both evolution series wireless and cabled microphones and wireless in-ear-monitor systems.

A comprehensive on-site technical support centre was also set-up to provide call-out cover for the large amount of kit in use on various stages throughout the festival site, as well as to provide technical back-up to the numerous Sennheiser endorsees on the bill; these included Starsailor, The White Stripes, Faithless, Lostprophets and Haven. The technical back-up was provided by Sennheiser chief engineer Andy Lillywhite and service engineer Sam Davison, who came equipped with

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Danmarks Radio, Denmark's national broadcaster, has purchased 16 channels of new Lectrosonics wireless microphone systems and active antenna splitters from Lectrosonics representative Dansk P.A. Center A/S.

The UDR300 studio receivers and UM300B belt-pack transmitters are the European versions of the well-known and proven 200 Series system that has been the preferred wireless in Hollywood and with American broadcasters for many years. The unmatched quality was a key issue, along with the sophisticated computer control software with RF site scanning and walk test measurements. The systems are to be used on mobile production carts in TV production, in studio and on location. All 16 channels are designed to work in the 800-820 MHz in two 8-channel sets or in adjacent studios together as 16 channels.

(Lee Baldock)

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The AIDAVita provides those event oriented cruise ship vacation-goers the best of two worlds, offering an active club vacation combined with all the amenities of a traditional four star cruise ship. And speaking of amenities, the easy operating capability was also the main reason why two grandMA lighting control systems are among the top items in the cruise ship’s equipment specification list.

The ship’s on-board theatre has a seating capacity of 650. Every evening the theatre offers 12 shows and professional entertainment running every hour. Hilton Jones was responsible for the theatre lighting design and grandMA provided the control. Altogether, console operator Joe Gruber programmed over 1,800 cues, 80 sequences, and 120 macros. The grandMA - supplied by Amptown Hamburg - runs 46 moving lights, 132 channels for conventional lighting and 54 non-dim circuits.

This was th

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