Edinburgh-based Prolyte distributor, Black Light, found that their Easter holidays were seriously disrupted this year due to the untimely intervention of BBC Scotland. The reason for the distraction was that the BBC needed a former warehouse to be converted in to a fully functional television studio at short notice. The new studio complex is required for an as-yet-unnamed new soap opera.

Black Light, in association with Scaffolding Great Britain, was asked to supply and install almost 600 metres of truss, so that a saturation lighting rig could be used on the set, thus enabling lighting designers to light every aspect of the studio area easily and efficiently. After a great deal of analysis, the BBC decided that Prolyte X30V triangular truss was the ideal product for this application, be

Turbosound Ltd, the UK-based manufacturer of live performance and installed-sound loudspeaker systems, has announced the appointment of Sennheiser Electronic Corporation as its exclusive distributor for the USA and selected South American territories including Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. The appointment of Sennheiser, based in Old Lyme, Connecticut, reflects the two companies' closely-aligned market strategies, with the Turbosound product ranges complementing Sennheiser's existing distributed lines, which include Innova SON digital mixing consoles.

Turbosound's Paul Giansante, who until recently managed the company's US office, has been appointed Turbosound product manager at Sennheiser, ensuring continuity of customer contact, service and design support. Paul will be responsible for all aspects of the Turbosound brand's sales and marketing in the US, reporting to Jeff Alexander, Sen

As the summer sun came out in London, Fourth Phase equipment was also out in full force on Clapham Common. School Fields, a joint venture by the creators of the ever-popular School Disco night-club events and Clear Channel Entertainment, saw a traditional sports day attended by over 8,000 people on July 14.

School Disco has been going for three years and has become the largest club night in Europe, with weekly events in Ibiza, Ayia Napa, London, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham. Its first outdoor event, School Fields sold 6,000 tickets in advance, with a further 2,000 sold on the door - school uniform and over 18's were the only entry requirements! The intention was to invoke the feel of the last day of school before the summer holidays and teams were encouraged to enter for the sports day events via the School Disco website.

Commissioned to bring the concept to life, creative agen

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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

UK distributor HW International has announced that the latest in personal monitoring, the Shure PSM 200 personal monitor system, will make its European debut at this year’s PLASA Show. The PSM 200 makes the benefits of in ear monitoring accessible to a wide array of cost-conscious musicians, houses of worship and installations requiring assistive listening devices. Beyond cost, the PSM 200 components deliver exciting new features including the built-in ability to upgrade the receiver from wired to wireless, a transmitter that is also a mixer and a high fidelity earphone.

For users who cannot initially afford wireless, the P2R Hybrid Receiver protects their investment by allowing them to upgrade at a later date. The hybrid receiver starts as a wired bodypack and, with the addition of the Transmixer component, operates fully as a wireless receiver. By combining frequency-agile wire

BSR E1.11, Entertainment Technology - USITT DMX512-A, Asynchronous Serial Digital Data Transmission Standard for Controlling Lighting Equipment and Accessories (CP/1998-1031r5.2), is now available for public review and comment. This document is an updating and revision of the widely used DMX512/1990, which was originally developed by the United States Institute for Theatre Technology. Review materials may be obtained by visiting the ESTA website at www.esta.org/tsp/E1-11inst.htm, or by sending a request by email to the e-mail address below.

USITT's DMX512 is being revised in BSR E1.11 to clarify undefined and loosely defined provisions in the original document and to accommodate new lighting technology, while maintaining as much backward compatibility with products that comply with the existing standard as possible. The new

Marantz Professional Europe has announced the expansion of its direct distribution model to Germany, via a network of newly-appointed direct sales agents now contactable through the Marantz office in Osnabrück, in north-western Germany.

This represents an extension of the company’s direct service model already in place in the UK, Ireland and Benelux. European sales director Mark Perrins told us: "This new arrangement is good news for our professional clients in Germany as they will now receive direct personal service from product specialists. It also introduces a competitive price advantage which benefits both Marantz and our customers and promises to deliver increased market penetration in one of Europe’s most significant territories."

(Ruth Rossington)

Pioneer is planning a spectacular stand at this year's PLASA showcase; and the exhibition, held at Earls Court from 8-11 September 2002, promises to be the best yet. As well as showcasing their range of top-quality Pro DJ products, Pioneer is planning to unveil an exciting new product at the show aimed at all budding DJ's. One of the highlights of the show, Roger Sanchez will be performing in Pioneer's live DJ Booth. Let the professionals show you how it’s done - then try it for yourself! Also on the Pioneer stand will be competitions, give-aways and the opportunity to meet the man himself, Roger Sanchez.

Pioneer can be found on stand D40

Stage Electrics has acquired the Newcastle branch of the Lighting Technology Group from the company’s administrators Price Waterhouse Cooper. The intention is to convert the Newcastle office into a fully operational Stage Electrics branch immediately, focusing on the sales and installation markets in the region. Stage Electrics MD David Whitehead told us: "The opportunities are there and the staff are positive and raring to go, so we will put all of our efforts behind ensuring the full makeover is completed ASAP."

(Ruth Rossington)

JBL Professional has named Martin Seidl as the company's new Director of European Sales. Seidl comes to JBL with a solid background in professional audio: after studying Sound Engineering at the University of Music and the Performing Arts in Vienna, Austria, Seidl went on to receive his MBA from the University of Minnesota and the Vienna University of Economics.

Seidl set up Crazy Sound Productions (CSP), which specialized in the management of performers and promotion activity for various shows in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. He then went on to become international sales manager for AKG Acoustics - a position he held until he joined JBL Professional. "Martin brings with him years of industry experience and a vast knowledge of the European market," stated Doug Daniel, VP of international sales for JBL Professional. "We're delighted to have him on our internat

A major new nightclub has opened in Washington DC to reveal a large number of Coemar lighting fixtures incorporated into the design. Installed by Washington Entertainment Technologies, the 7,500-capacity Dream, based in the northeast of the city, boasts five separate dance areas. Owner Marc Barnes originally hired another contractor but the venue was under-specified. He then turned to Washington Entertainment Technologies to instil the requisite amount of power and lighting. According to general manager and partner in Washington Entertainment, Frank Wilt: "There had been a meagre attempt at the lighting and they clearly needed something more significant. We ended up respecifying the entire club."

The solution lay in Coemar’s popular iSpot, supported by Coemar Digiscans. On the main dance floor, the fixtures are mounted on iBeam trussing, with the light sources concealed

SSE, one of the UK's leading live audio rental houses, has put it’s new JBL VerTec line array system straight into action on their summer schedule - including the recent Move Festival in Manchester. The Move Festival 2002 was a four-day party at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, sponsored by NME and Virgin Trains, with high profile headliners like David Bowie, New Order, Paul Weller, Suede and The Doves.

SSE’s project manager Emma Barwell was asked by promoters SJM to supply a sound system for the event. The two companies already have a good working relationship, and SSE also supplies sound for the V Festival sites at Chelmsford and Stafford. SSE initially purchased their VerTec 4889 system - from JBL’s UK distributors Arbiter Plc - to use on the Party in the Park series of local radio shows. The Move’s sound system was designed and engineered by Rob Hughes, who ensu

Sound Guys is a fast growing Romford-based sound company specializing in supplying equipment to the fitness and leisure industry. Having tried many major brand names in the sound install market, the company has found Carlsbro products to be the best suited to their specialist business. Established in 1992 by ex-club DJ John Meah, the company was initially set up as an advisory service to the fitness industry, and now installs PA and AV equipment into venues throughout the UK and Europe.

Clients include Holmes Place, DC Leisure, First Leisure, David Lloyd, Livingwell and major hotel chains including Jarvis, Marriott and Holiday Inn. Andrew Bishop, owner of Carlsbro, commented: "The Carlsbro sound is part of any good diet and exercise programme. When you hear the true British sound you just can't help move your butt! We support Sound Guys as they use Carlsbro in gym applications to

Le Mark has developed a new heat-resisting pressure-sensitive fixing tape for lighting filter, boasting exceptional properties and performance and suitable for both exterior and interior applications. GEL-Tak is an ultra-low profile clear polyester film, double coated with an exceptional high heat and UV light resistant adhesive layer on both surfaces. This innovative and unique combination allows GEL-Tak to be stuck one side to a window, the other to any make of lighting filter. Its special adhesive has been developed in such a way as to allow the actual filter itself to become re-positional.

GEL-Tak is extremely fast and easy to apply and also to remove, even weeks after application. Its low-profile polyester substrate and clear coating make it very difficult to see once it’s in place. Filter remains recoverable and reusable, it will not damage sensitive architectural glass, an

Mark Conese and Dick Sequerra, the two principals behind Sequerra Audio Labs LLC, have dissolved the company to pursue other professional interests. Fortunately, for the many devotees of the company's recently-released 1070-A microphone pre-amplifier, Conese will continue to bring this award-winning product to the market through his new company Ambient Audio Labs, LLC.

Throughout his 22-year career in professional audio, Conese has gained widespread industry respect in an array of audio-related fields. An accomplished musician and audio equipment designer, in 1989 he designed and built his Stamford, Connecticut-based recording studio - Ambient Recording Company - which has become known for making audiophile recordings as well as beta testing cutting edge technologies. In 1999, Conese founded Ambient Records, a boutique record label. Both recording studio and label have earned critical

Leading on-line sound effects resource - www.sound-effects-library.com - has announced the signing of some of Hollywood’s most prestigious sound designers. By co-publishing with SoundStorm via Audio Network plc and The Sound Company, they add yet further talent to the extensive on-line resource, which already makes available virtually any sound at a click of a button.

Hollywood sound designers, SoundStorm, whose Oscar-winning talents have accumulated over 200,000 sound effects from films such as Batman and Robin, Clear and Present Danger, The Fugitive, The Fast and the Furious, Tomb Raider and Star Trek: Nemesis to name a few, have only recently made their library available outside their own in-house editorial team and it is now accessible on-line at www.sound-eff

Vari-Lite Inc has added another option to its award-winning VL1000 ERS luminaire, making the automated lighting fixture even more adaptable for a wider range of applications. By offering the VL1000A ERS with either a standard or long-life arc lamp, Vari-Lite has increased the versatility of the fixture while lowering the unit's operating costs.

Customers who order VL1000A fixtures can specify whether they prefer the standard or long-life arc lamps, and Vari-Lite will ship the units accordingly. Because the long-life arc lamp is electrically identical to the standard model, no modifications to the fixture are required. Customers who own VL1000A luminaires can order long-life lamps for fast and simple drop-in replacement. The long-life lamps provide 2,000 hours of operation, double that of the standard lamp. Customers can also order the VL1000 ERS with shutter or iris features, and at t

Leading sound production company, Capital Sound Hire, have purchased their second line array system inside a year. The company was unable to extend their long relationship with Martin Audio the first time around as the High Wycombe-based company was still developing their own system. But that recently changed. Explained managing director, Keith Davis: "We had a client who wanted to use a line array system last year, which forced us to go a different route. But once Martin were able to demo their new W8L we were convinced.

Trialing the W8L on the Hear & Now tour, Vodafone Ball and dates with Blue, the engineers noticed how impressive the system sounded. "Now everyone who hears it just goes ‘wow’." The different characteristics of the two proprietary line array systems Keith believes will increase their already heavy concert, classical and corporate work schedu

Loudspeaker manufacturer Renkus-Heinz Inc has appointed beyerdynamic UK as its new distributor for the UK and Ireland with effect from 1 September 2002.

Renkus-Heinz products will join beyerdynamic’s other distribution brands on its stand (F34) at the forthcoming PLASA Show (September 8-11). On show will be the new ST/STX Series of professional powered and unpowered loudspeakers, the Reflex Series, including the new RFX101 and RFX151 cabinets and new Reference Point Array solutions. The ST/STX Series is the culmination of 20 years of R&D by Renkus-Heinz into high performance loudspeaker and array technology, with a built-in CobraNet input option, and third-generation Class D amplification in the ST Series.

John Midgley, MD of beyerdynamic UK, commented: "Renkus-Heinz is one of the most genuinely innovative loudspeaker manufacturers in the world, with a string of pioneering

Electro-Voice has introduced new RACE software for the Electro-Voice Dx38 - one of the best-selling digital sound system controllers on the market. For this update (which can be downloaded free of charge from www.electro-voice.de) all the factory presets have been thoroughly revised, including both the 50 permanent factory presets in the Dx38 and the additional presets included with the RACE editing software which ships with the device. In addition to the 50 most common combinations of the current loudspeaker series FRi, Rx, Xi and X-Array, the folder named ‘Factory’ contains 25 additional presets, whilst the 50 ‘Old’ presets can be found in a separate folder. Most of the presets have been pre-programmed with the acoustic data of the relevant loudspeakers (phase and frequency response), so that each time the user

Formula 1 always draws the crowds, but the one-hour queues currently forming at the Orange-Arrow team stand indicate something even more exciting. "Essentially it’s a full-size F1 car simulator designed to emulate the real-time aural and visual sensations of actually racing, and some of the physical sensations as well, while the machine remains absolutely static," says Andrew Riley, managing director of The Oxford Sound Company, contracted by designers and builders Independent to Internet Ltd (i2i.net) to provide the exciting and effective audio environment for this machine.

The simulator is a replica of an existing Orange-Arrows three-seater racing car used to take a very privileged few around racing tracks for a real white-knuckle experience. Each seat in the simulator is fitted with multiple LF shakers, while the driver wears a full helmet with head-up display and st

Set in the heart of Cheshire is Warrington's brand new performing arts venue, the Pyramid Centre. It is scheduled to bring the very best in dance, drama, music and comedy to the area and will host its official opening at the end of October this year.

The centre is aimed at all levels of performance from internationally acclaimed professionals to local school children. It reflects this versatility by offering an impressive array of facilities, including six performance spaces, an artist suite, three artist studios, a technology suite, four media studios plus hospitality suites, a restaurant, a reception and box office area. In addition to being a state-of-the-art entertainment venue, the Pyramid Centre will also host a range of corporate events and conferences.

With such a broad spectrum of potential uses for the venue, versatility was paramount for all equipment supplied for the proj

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