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UK - Long-time Audio-Technica endorsees Placebo are currently in the middle of a world tour supporting the recently released fourth album, ‘Sleeping With Ghosts’, and making use of the company’s Artist Elite series of microphones. Front-of-house engineer Ian Nelson, whose credits include stints behind the desk for The Bluetones, The Sneaker Pimps, Pink and Johnny Marr, explained: "I had heard some really good things about the Artist Elite mics from other engineers, so when I found out that Placebo were A-T endorsees I was pleased that I would get the chance to check them out for myself."

Tests of the Artist Elite mics during production rehearsals at The Depot went well, so well in fact that Nelson chose to place a number of AE microphones alongside more

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UK - The latest City College Music Convention (CCMC) will take place on Monday 9 June and Tuesday 10 June at The Comedy Store, Deansgate Locks, Manchester. The tenth annual Manchester event consists of a conference during the day and a live showcase for local bands and DJs in the evening. Monday night features Nylon Pylon, Bynatone and Mark Hart's Club Suicide at the Comedy Store, then at the Music Box, a Bentley Rhythm Ace DJ set plus Jon Da Silva and Russell James.

The convention is aimed at musicians, promoters, managers, DJs, producers and anyone aspiring to work in the music industry. The CCMC’s are unique in that they are run by the College’s HND Music & New Media Management students. The purpose of the convention is to give attendees the chance to put questions to panels of music industry professionals, to take part in workshops and masterclasses and the oppor

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Denmark - The new Imager from Martin Architectural is a high quality image projector with dynamic movement capability designed for high-resolution projection of patterns, images, logos and messages. Well suited to promotional applications such as retail, exhibitions, museums, clubs, restaurants, bars or any low-maintenance installation, the Imager is available as either a single image projector or in a four-image version. The Imager boasts a powerful luminous output, programmability and styling. In addition, a moving mirror option and a click-on accessory that offers the possibility of programmable movement, is available for roving logos or gliding messages.

A 250W highly efficient discharge lamp (included) combines with an exceptional optical design to maximize optical efficiency and provide designers with extremely high-resolution picture quality. Three available lens options

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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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Australia - "Using our equipment enabled the filming of ‘Matrix Reloaded’ to continue in Sydney even when all the other studios were booked out," said Iain Barclay, ESS’s managing director in Australia.

ESS was contracted by Graeme Dew, through Tri Point Rigging, to provide arched structures inside a number of traditional-style warehouses being used as film sets. "Our archways were used to strengthen the roof of three buildings so that various flying scenes could be shot," added Barclay. Three different warehouses were rigged by ESS over a 12-month period, all in the Sydney region. The first installation formed part of a blue room at the Fox Studios where the majority of filming took place. The other two installations were more traditional, being used to fly heavy set pieces when the roof was unable to take their weight. ESS built the arches

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UK - The annual DAMSTY sailing event will take place this year on the week-end of the 27-28 September at Port Solent in Portsmouth. The Dave Martin Memorial Sailing Trophy, which sees various crews from this industry competing for the trophy, is now in its eleventh year and looks set to be as much fun as previous years.

As before, proceeds from the event will be donated to charity: this year the recipient is The Elizabeth Foundation for Pre-School Deaf Children. Any prospective sailors should contact Brenda White at the e-mail address below.

(Ruth Rossington)

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UK - Leading rental hose Aquarius Acoustics has recently acquired a contingent of Opus 87 drum mics from beyerdynamic. Since its inception in 1992, Aquarius Acoustics has gained a reputation as one of the primary sound hire companies in the north of England. The company caters for all sound reinforcement requirements and specializes in live performance applications from corporate events, festivals, and theatre.

Most recently handling the production sound for the recent UK tour for the legendary punk-rock band The Damned, Aquarius’s managing director Dave Pickering collaborated with the band’s FOH engineer Andy Hawkins. Together they decided to deploy Opus 87s on drums.

Dave Pickering explained: "This was the first time I’d ever used the Opus range. Thanks to Simon Druce from beyerdynamic, who recently introduced the line to me, I don’t think I&rsq

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France - Drapes and rigging specialists Blackout returned to Cannes for the annual MTV party this year. Held in the exclusive Le Palais Bulles, Pierre Cardin’s ‘Bubble Palace’, and with the theme linked to the new Terminator film, the party was the hottest ticket in town. Creative director/designer Adrian Smith worked alongside production agency GSP, MTV Europe’s Pan-European Events Co-ordinator, Eazy Bailey and on-site production manager Alex Gorman, to create a sensational party, which did not disappoint the 1,600 guests, including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jerry Hall - and achieved an impressive 4 out of 5 Martini’s in the Hollywood Reporter’s annual Cannes Film Festival review.

Eazy Bailey commented: "No job is too big for Adrian. From a creative perspective he can interpret any idea and make it happen!" Blackout project managers

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UK - Bosch Security Systems has re-located all its UK operations into a single integrated operation based at Bosch's corporate headquarters in Denham, Bucks. The move allows Bosch to fully integrate its well established Detection Systems previously based in Slough, with the former Philips CSI operation, located near Heathrow, into a single more complete business able to offer an even wider range of products and solutions from a single world class supplier.

"This will allow us to maximise the considerable potential present within the company, as well as giving our customers a single point of contact for all our product ranges covering Fire, Intrusion, CCTV, Access Control and Communications systems and complete integrated systems" said Joe McCann, managing director. "Our aim is to enhance our already strong reputation for pre and post sales support whilst offering

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UK - BBC Training & Development announced yesterday a move that will make a major contribution to safety training in the broadcast industry. The BBC Production Safety Course CD-ROM is now available for freelances to purchase at a nominal cost. The well-established course was previously available under licence, so only companies with several people to train could afford it, unless they were on a BBC contract. This new development remedies this, and since it is available for just £34 (plus VAT), it means that smaller companies, and the 87,000 freelances working in the industry can access vital health and safety training information.

The BBC, together with other major broadcasters, now demands that all contracted staff must demonstrate safety competency. However, with freelancers making up almost 44% of the industry's workforce, and few able to find the time or money to train, ens

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UK - Leading UK audio rental company SSE rocked the main stage at the new Clear Channel Entertainment ‘Download’ festival at Donington Park with a JBL VerTec line array system. SSE has worked with Clear Channel on many other high profile projects and were asked to supply PA for both Main and Scuzz stages at the event that pulled 40,000 enthusiastic rockers to hear the likes of Marilyn Manson and Iron Maiden.

Download demanded a lot from its sound systems, which had to be loud but also feature finely focusable directional control - to contain environmental spillage. SSE director Chris Beale designed the systems for both stages. He decided that VerTec was ideal for the main (open-air) stage, particularly as many top American acts roared their way across the 15 band-a-day line up and their engineers would be familiar with the system. Beale states: "The VerTec produ

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Held at the Los Angeles convention center, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, more commonly known as E3, is the computer and console gaming industry's most important annual gathering - and the 100ft x 350ft (30.5m x 106.7) Microsoft Xbox and PC Games booth at the 2003 show was also the site for a cutting edge temporary installation of a networked lighting control system.

The 100ft x 350ft (30.5m x 106.7) Microsoft Xbox and PC Games booth was designed and managed by The Production Network of Seattle (TPN). TPN's Alex Berry designed the lighting for the enormous booth with Gary Radakovich leading a team of programmers. Jason Richardson, Jon Smith (who were also the assistant lighting designers) and Leif Dixon completed the programming team with Jennifer Womack acting as master electrician.

The rig of 50 VL5s, 40 VL1000TS, 20 VL1000AS, 50 MAC 250+, 60 MAC 600NTs, 50 MAC 2000 profiles, 2

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UK - Scene Change is offering true integration of visuals and music with the Hippotizer, which they say is the "ultimate club, bar and concert video-jockey hardware." The Hippotizer is a musical instrument for video, giving real-time control of video and video effects. As a digital media server for the live entertainment industry, the Hippotizer is pre-loaded with digital content. It offers on-the-fly playback of either pre-loaded content and effects, or specially created content which is loaded easily into the unit.

The Hippotizer can be played live, replay a preset sequence of effects, or, when given a sound source, left to create effects based on those selected. It is available in two versions: the Hippotizer Lite includes The Hippotizer Media Server, a 3U rack-mount unit with remote keypad allowing direct and immediate access to content. Hippotizer Pro builds on th

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UK - White Light customers can now contact White Light by text from their mobile phones. Customers can use the new text number - 07739 819111 - and any messages sent to that number get forwarded to the relevant part of the White Light Group by e-mail.

To ensure that messages are routed to the right place, messages should start with a department or company name. Currently contactable by text message are hire, sales, MLC (for The Moving Light Company), Service (for The Service Company), CH (for Colourhouse), Early (for White Light staff working outside White Light's normal opening hours) and admin. A message that simply says 'Help Me' will receive a reply listing the textable departments.

Anyone wanting to use the Text Service should first register with White Light so that the source of incoming messages can be identified. To register, text the word 'Register' followed by your f

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USA - Cerwin-Vega and KRK have added Gustavo Afont to its team as international sales manager. Combining his experience as an international marketing manager with Sony Broadcast and international sales manager with Alesis, Afont brings over a decade of international sales experience to Cerwin-Vega and KRK.

"Gustavo's years of experience in MI International sales makes him a valuable addition to our team," said Cerwin-Vega/KRK president Dave Rice. "He will be an integral part of our International presence."

Based in Simi Valley, California, Cerwin-Vega Inc has been a leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of loudspeakers for the home, mobile and professional audio markets since 1954. Also based in Simi Valley, KRK Systems is known for its design and manufacture of high-quality studio monitors.

(Ruth Rossington)

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USA - Digigram, an innovator in digital audio network solutions, announced at the recent InfoComm exhibition a new licensing policy for its patent-pending EtherSound technology. The new licence makes it easier and more cost effective for pro audio manufacturers to integrate EtherSound technology in their products.

"We want to provide the licensees with more flexibility in implementing EtherSound," said Digigram managing director Philippe Delacroix. "Pro audio manufacturers can now optimize the dimensions and the components for their own specific needs. And at the same time, they have the possibility to integrate a proven design that has been extensively tested by Digigram, thus reducing their own design and testing costs."

Under the new licensing formula, access is given to reference design and manufacturing files for direct integration of EtherSound techno

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UK / Canada - Release 5 of WYSIWYG lighting-design software is now available. This latest release features a large number of new library items, including 676 truss pieces, 182 conventional fixtures, accessories, 58 moving lights and 91 gobos.

Cast Software’s library-development team has been so busy that they already have a Library Update available for Release 5, including everything they finished since the final CD image was created. Release 5 also contains many useful new features, as well as a set of brand-new ‘Quick Start Tutorials.’ These multimedia tutorials will be helpful to users who are just getting started with WYSIWYG, as well as intermediate users who just want to refresh their skills.

In further WYG news, Cast Software and ETC hosted their first WYSIWYG ‘webinar’ on 23 April to help introduce schools and universities to WYSIWYG Learn

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UK - The Soundcraft Group has appointed Alex McDonald as its new quality manager. He brings with him the necessary pedigree, having previously worked as worldwide operations quality manager at Pace Micro Technology, where he served for more than 13 years. Prior to joining Pace, Alex held a similar position at Systime Computers, and also spent time with British Olivetti. His primary aim at Soundcraft will be to obtain ISO 9001:2000 certification, which he sees as essential to advance the company’s quality culture even further.

(Ruth Rossington)

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UK - Liverpool-based Adlib Audio has supplied and installed a complete sound, lighting rigging and grid system at Parklands City Learning Centre in Speke, Merseyside. City Learning Centres are a government funded initiative set up in run down, deprived inner city areas, to provide learning opportunities for young people using new technologies. The Centres are specifically designed to offer facilities not available in conventional school environments. "The main focus is to lift achievement rates by exposing young people to new technology and ideas based on using it," explains Denise Barrett-Baxendale, director of Parklands.

A performance space was planned for Parklands from the outset, but it wasn’t until Barrett-Baxendale actually accepted her post that serious thought was given to the development of the technical infrastructure. Adlib’s Andy Dockerty speci

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UK - Wharfedale loudspeakers took pride of place when the latest - and largest - Academy of Sound opened its doors to the public in Leeds last month. The 8,000sq.ft single-floor operation has allowed the company to set up several dedicated zoned areas, including a PA Theatre, according to sales and development manager, Jon Gold, who oversees all ten Academy stores (plus the direct sales operation). The company closed its smaller Leeds branch in favour of the large retail center, in order to provide a full service in a vibrant environment, and move way from the "trend towards box shifting."

The PA is fully-rigged, allowing customers to test, among other brands, a range of high-specification Wharfedale enclosures - reflecting the strong relationship the company enjoys with the Academy of Sound. Systems include the EVP-S range (EVP-S15SB, EVP-S15 and EVP-S12), as well as

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UK - In response to popular demand, PCM is re-launching its Leatherman Wave Supertool promotion - with a free rigger’s accessory Leatherman given away with every order of eight Lodestar hoists!

The Supertool is a multi-purpose accessory, similar to the famous Swiss Army Knife, offering a variety of appendages including screwdrivers, knives, pliers and a sharp saw. It also has everything you might need to disassemble and fix a Lodestar motor - all apart from a corkscrew -not necessary because it was designed in an era when ‘real’ roadies would not have been caught dead drinking wine!

"Hopefully, recipients of the PCM Leatherman will never have to use it in such extreme or dramatic circumstances as Aron Ralston, who amputated his own arm with a similar tool after becoming trapped under a boulder during a hike in the Canyonlands national park in Utah,"

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UK - Top American band Wheatus have completed a low-key tour of the UK, playing smaller club and university venues to try out material from their forthcoming album. The London-based front-of-house engineer and programmer Geoff Kakoschke had to deal with some challenging acoustic environments, but none more so than the venue in Hull, in the north of England.

"The PA was just awful," recounts Kakoschke. "It was ancient - I've never seen any of the components before. It looked as though it had been built in someone's garage about 30 years ago! There was a 16-channel console that was so old that there were no markings left on it." Kakoschke called to Soundcraft for help, and a new MH3 console was despatched to Hull. "It was an absolute life-saver, it actually enabled me to get a decent sound out of that dreadful PA system, and it's confirmed me as a Soundcra

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