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UK - Working together, sound design and installation specialists CP Sound and professional audio distributors Arbiter Pro Audio have brokered a finance deal to enable the Shoosh Bar in Thames Ditton, Surrey, to benefit from some of the best sound, lighting and AV equipment.

Shoosh is a stylish independently-owned, new-build bar/restaurant concept, and the finance deal enabled the design, specification and installation of an impressive technical infrastructure at the venue. Cutting a deal became necessary as cash was tight after the funding of interior building works, designed by Steve Howie of Howie Design. New ventures are traditionally the most challenging when it comes to raising additional finance. However, CP Sound’s Colin Pattenden undertook to help Shoosh owner Terry

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USA - City Theatrical, the New York-based manufacturer of entertainment lighting accessories has acquired the New York firm of Matsuda-Dunn Design - an engineering and design firm specializing in products and projects related to the entertainment lighting industry. Its operation will be integrated into City Theatrical’s production facilities in the Bronx, and the entire organization will be known as City Theatrical.

CTI’s President Gary Fails told us: "This acquisition strengthens City Theatrical’s engineering and product development base, and gives us an experienced custom projects group. While we have always done a great deal of custom metalwork and manufacturing, we now can offer our dealer network a much higher level of support on their systems and installations work, including electrical and mechanical engineering and software development. We hope t

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UK - Since the successful launch of Chroma-Q colour changers in March 1996, the brand has diversified to incorporate Gobo Rotators, providing the lighting professional with a more comprehensive range of professional lantern accessories.

The new range consists of the Chroma-Q Junior, Chroma-Q Twin, and Chroma-Q Twin DMX. The Junior, specifically designed to fit the ETC Source Four Junior lantern, holds ‘M-size’ gobos, features basic manual speed adjustment, and is supplied complete with a small stand-alone power supply. The Twin and a Twin DMX models meanwhile, have been developed for ETC Source Four, Altman Shakespeare, Strand SL and Selecon Pacific fixtures, and house B-size gobos. Both the models share the same high quality drive system, resulting in near-silent operation, and long-term reliability.

The most innovative developments can be found with the Chroma-Q

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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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UK - Autograph Sales has taken on distribution for Fischer Amps, the first time the brand has been represented in the UK.

The German-manufactured product range encompasses Accu Chargers, 19-inch rack-mounted battery chargers for use with 9V cells, AA cells or a combination of both; plug-in chargers, a low-cost alternative to the rack-mounted versions; hard-wired in-ear monitor belt packs and the Butt Kicker, a low frequency audio driver for shaking drummer thrones, stage platforms and dancefloors.

"The Fischer Amps range is deserving of good UK sales representation and support," says Autograph Sales director Graham Paddon. "The range sits perfectly with the theatre and PA products we represent, and we feel it is a valuable addition to our catalogue of distributed products. With the 9V cell, the manufacturer has achieved 50% greater capacity than most others on

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UK - Stagetec Distribution started the year in style with a surge in Compulite Spark lighting console sales - orders were received for three SparkTOP systems from Richard Martin Lighting (RML) plus a Spark 4D/LX system for Alton Towers in the first month of the year.

RML specializes in the television lighting, and is already the largest Compulite rental house in the UK, with 19 systems in stock. However an increase in its workload necessitated the additional systems. Current RML TV shows with Compulite in control include Blue Peter, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Crimewatch, Midweek Lottery, Shooting Stars and the Saturday Show.

One of the latest productions for which RML has supplied a Spark console is ‘Smart’ for CBBC. The show demonstrates different techniques for drawing, painting and creating. Lighting designer Dave Davey had the challenge of designing a flexible,

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USA - Sennheiser USA has announced the creation of a new communications division, Sennheiser Communications, dedicated to telecommunication headset technology solutions. Sennheiser Communications will make its international debut at the 2003 CeBIT Information and Communications Technology (ICT) conference and exhibition in Hanover, Germany.

The new division represents a joint business venture between German company Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG and Danacom A/S, a division of Danish company William Demant Holding A/S, Copenhagen, a leading supplier of audiology products. The William Demant Holding Group will transfer its current headset business to the joint venture, and Sennheiser will complement this with its newly established telecom business unit and global distribution network.

The newly established joint venture, Sennheiser Communications A/S, will be based in Cope

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Italy / UK - Proel International has launched a brand new website, packed with useful information for both end-users and retailers. Featured on the site are all Proel International’s products, from recent introductions such as the Alto signal processing and amplification range, through J&D guitars and basses, to well established brands like Proel itself (with its huge choice of sound and lighting products), FBT PA equipment, Qube PA, B&C loudspeakers, Tamburo drums, Discotech lighting, and the entire JTS range of high quality microphones and headphones.

The site includes links for every product in the fast-growing Proel catalogue (including the company’s gigantic selection of leads and accessories) as well as a database listing key dealers in the UK, so that customers can easily find the Proel stockist closest to them. Retailers can use the site to contact their Proe

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UK - Flintshire-based Apple Sound has recently supplied Rolls-Royce’s manufacturing plant with a sophisticated TTS 30 TourGuide system from beyerdynamic. Situated in the heart of the English countryside in West Sussex, the facility is based within the historic Goodwood Estate and within easy reach of the circuit that Rolls-Royce now use as a test track.

The original design concept for the facility - which needed to reflect the quality of the Rolls-Royce marque, but also welcome those expected to visit the site - was implemented by architects Nicholas Grimshaw and partners - creators of the acclaimed Eden Project in Cornwall. Apple Sound has considerable experience of TourGuide systems, having been involved in both their sales and hire for over 10 years. Working closely with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Annett Asztalos, Apple TourGuide product manager, John Scott, helped specify

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UK - Ron Knell, most recently a senior account manager in the export sales department at AC Lighting, has been appointed Rosco’s sales manager for the UK & Eire. In this role he will be responsible for developing new business, whilst serving the needs of the already established dealer network and managing all sales effort within these regions.

Knell is a well-known figure in the industry with established contacts and knowledge of both the UK and export markets. Having previously worked for Rosco dealers, most notably Lighting Technology (a Rosco dealer of nearly 25 years), he has both a technical understanding of the product and a working knowledge of the level of support it requires. In appointing Ron, Kees Frijters, Rosco’s vice-president for European Operations told us: "Ron, with his previous industry experience, contacts and knowledge, will be a great asse

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USA - The Scorpions & Whitesnake 2003 tour is using High End Systems products to add punch and reliability to its rig. Lighting director Charlie ‘Cosmo’ Wilson specified 12 High End Systems Studio Color 575 automated wash luminaires and two Studio Beams for the tour, supplied by contractor LSD/Fourth Phase of Los Angeles.

Now on his seventh tour with the Scorpions and his first with Whitesnake, Wilson was easily able to design a truss to accommodate both artists while giving each a distinctive look at the same time. The bulk of the rig was outfitted with PARs and LSD’s own brand of lighting and console. The tour kicked off on 29 January and continues in North America until 22 March. Following that, Wilson takes off with Whitesnake on their UK/Europe tour, which runs from mid May to early June again with High End Systems fixtures in the rig.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Denmark - Mach Speaker Systems is restructuring for growth under a new management team and renewed focus on the club and installation audio markets. As part of the restructuring, Mach Speaker Systems will become a separate division within Martin Professional with all activities, including R&D and sales management, to be united at the Mach manufacturing facility in Frederikshavn, Denmark. The change will take effect as of April 1st.

Søren Kjær has been named managing director of Mach Speaker Systems and Anders Kryger as sales director. Søren moves to Mach from a position as managing director of Martin Security Smoke (his position has been filled by Henrik Sørensen - more on that tomorrow), a producer and distributor of computer-controlled equipment for smoke protection and fully owned subsidiary of Martin Professional. Anders moves to Mach from a position as Martin’s Ex

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UK - The eighth annual CEDIA UK Expo will be held in Brighton between 24 and 26 June, 2003. According to the organizers, it will feature a wealth of new exhibitors from the security and lighting industries, as well as established leaders in the residential entertainment systems and home automation markets, and will occupy 25% more floor space than last year’s show.

The seminar programme is expanding as well, and includes the introduction of CEDIA certification examinations for technicians and designers, developed by the UK Education Committee from a structure successfully employed in the US. Manufacturer training will also be integrated with the seminars to ensure that theory and practice are perfectly complemented. Extra curricular activities include the Chairman’s reception for invited guests on the night of 24 June and the Expo party the following evening.

The

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UK - Six months ago Northern Ireland-based installation company Light and Sound FX (LSFX) was commissioned to carry out a complete technical makeover of Lush nightclub in Portrush. The brief was simple: to design and install a new state-of-the-art sound system.

Darren Gardener of LSFX explains: "When we met with Col Hamilton, the resident DJ at Lush, he was adamant that the sound had to be on a par, if not better, than the big UK mainland and US clubs." To achieve this, Gardener looked at all the main audio players, in the end recommending an EAW Avalon system. The Avalon system is one of the most specified club systems in America, so Col Hamilton contacted an American DJ friend to ask if Lush should invest in an Avalon system. The answer came back loud and clear that it was the ‘system of choice’ for serious clubs stateside and that Lush was making the ri

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UK - Now in its 26th year, the PLASA Show, which draws to Earls Court in September, thousands of UK and international visitors interested in lighting and sound from entertainment and installation industries, promises to be brighter, fresher and more creative than ever before.

The look and atmosphere of the show is being revitalised for 2003: a project manager has been appointed to implement the feature areas which include a central networking area, situated in the hub of the show. Other highlights include Architectural Audio & Visual - a new show sector which recognizes the growth of architectural lighting, contract audio and vision industry into this market. Products, case studies, new ideas and creative design solutions will all be showcased, aiming to inspire both architects, specifiers, installers and end users.

The New Technology Gallery, situated at the front of the ha

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UK - Flying Pig Systems and Cast Software have announced a new link-up that will provide WYSIWYG visualization with the Wholehog III control system.

The collaboration means that every Wholehog III console will come bundled with WYSIWYG Perform - Console Edition. This new version of WYSIWYG connects to the Hog III via Ethernet, and provides 512 channels of visualization and advanced features, such as AutoFocus and patch transfer. It will also be possible to view blind programming or preview upcoming cues in the WYSIWYG visualizer, while maintaining normal output onstage.

Designed to work with the Wholehog III, WYSIWYG Perform - Console Edition is a feature-rich version of the well-known visualization tool, which includes CAD, data management and rendering facilities. Where additional visualization channels are required, the supplied dongle can be easily and quickly upgraded to

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UK - Hayden Laboratories Ltd - exclusive UK distributor for Denon pro audio products - has announced the launch of the Denon DN-C635 CD player.

The machine is a user-researched update to the industry standard DN-C630 CD player, offering numerous enhanced features. It is suitable for multi-purpose applications, particularly in the broadcast (major broadcasters continue to commit to using Denon playback equipment), theatre, AV install, live sound, museum, attractions and exhibitions sectors, and also for DJs and recording studio.

Key features of the new system are CD/CDR/CDR-W; MP3 playback, CD text support, RS232/422 serial port, 25-pin GPI parallel port and ‘auto power up’ in Play Repeat modes. This latter feature will be invaluable for museums & attractions shows, exhibition stands and transmitter sites. The DNC-635 is also a great installation device, due to it

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USA - Lighting designers seeking the full range of beam spreads for their Source Four PARs will appreciate the latest addition to the ETC lens line-up: the new Extra-Wide Flood Lens. With this latest addition, the PAR range is now complete and offers VNSP (Very Narrow Spot); NSP (Narrow Spot); MFL (Medium Flood) and WFL (Wide Flood) - all of which are standard on the Source Four Par - and now, of course, the XWFL (Extra-Wide Flood).

The Extra-Wide Flood Lens acts as a wash or fill light with a soft edge, while still maintaining an intense centre beam. The lens provides a circular beamspread up to 60 degrees, and is ideal when illuminating an area or surface from a restricted, short-throw distance. For theatrical use, the Extra-Wide Flood Lens allows the PAR to be used as a fill light or set mount to illuminate low-ceilinged areas from tight hanging positions, or as a wash light

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UK - Reflex Systems Ltd, specialists in the design, installation and maintenance of audio, CCTV video and access control solutions to the Hotel and Leisure industries, is celebrating its 15th anniversary. The company works with a growing number of UK and European customers, many of which are leading blue chip organizations, providing security and site management solutions.

Reflex is experienced across the whole leisure sector, and is responsible for meeting the requirements of a diverse range of clients. Its customers include Luminar, THI Leisure, Boots WellBeing, Ramada Jarvis, Thistle, Queens Moat Houses, Handpicked Hotels, World of Golf, Butlins, and countless other brands from the smallest independents to the largest players. Reflex's installations are located in many of the country's leading bars, restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, sports and leisure facilities, and the compa

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Denmark - Martin Professional has appointed Henrik Sørensen as managing director of Martin Security Smoke, a fully-owned subsidiary of the company that produces and distributes computer-controlled equipment for smoke protection.

Currently managing director of Martin Manufacturing (UK) PLC, located in Louth, in the UK, Henrik will be returning to his native Denmark, but will retain overall responsibility for the manufacturing facility. He will also continue to oversee Jem Smoke Machines’ R&D activities, as well as Jem’s product management.

The change means that Martin Manufacturing will now be positioned under the Martin Security Smoke umbrella, yet will continue to supply smoke machines to the entertainment market through Martin Professional.

(Ruth Rossington)

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UK - AVR has launched a new range of LED-based colour-changing panels. The LEDION DMX panels are aimed at the bar, club and restaurant markets, and offer both dramatic colour and intensity changes, and movement through chases and matrixes.

Consisting of a slim 44mm x 300mm x 300mm square panel, the LEDION produces a diverse range of colours and shades from its LED light source. Due to the all day/all night operation of most modern bars and restaurants, LEDION light panels are inherently suited to this demanding environment, being virtually maintenance-free and having LEDs expected to exceed 50,000 hours of operation. The LEDION can either be used as a stand-alone colour changer or in multiples. AVR has designed a standard 4x4 frame system for multi-unit applications, with bespoke frames an option for special projects. The units can be floor, wall or ceiling-mounted.

(Ruth Ross

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USA - Total Structures has announced that p-wave is now in production and should be ready to ship in early April.

p-wave is the innovative decorative version of the award-winning new wave truss series. While the same patented construction techniques are used, it is made entirely from Plexiglas. A prototype version of p-wave, the Plexiglas variant of new wave, was shown at LDI 2002 and generated a huge amount of interest. This prompted the Total Structures team to undertake further development. A unisex, non-rotating, fork end connector and the webs are machined from solid rod and flat sheet respectively using CNC machinery. Both sets of components are bonded to the tubular chords using high strength two part adhesive. p-wave really comes into its own when lit. The edges of the plexi capture the light and the truss positively glows with the colour it is bathed in.

(Ruth Rossing

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