Details
UK - CP Sound has completed an audio installation in St Mary & St Nicholas with All Saints Church in Leatherhead, Surrey, after being approached by organist and technical manager David Oliver to submit a sound system design and specification for the medieval building.

It was made clear that they didn't want a conventional house of worship system of 100V line column speakers and radio links. Hosting frequent band sessions and focusing on contemporary evangelical music for in-church entertainment, they wanted a more live music/rock and roll style sound, with 'stage' monitors and infills to ensure those sitting at the sides would also get a good sound. This off-beat nuance of the project appealed to CP's Colin Pattenden, "It's great working with people who are prepared to be ex

Details
UK - When television star Neil Morrissey was challenged to help a worthy cause for an upcoming ITV series With A Little Help from My Friends, pro audio distributor SCV London and staging and trussing specialist LiteStructures were among the companies he called on to help him complete the task. The voice behind Bob the Builder chose to help children's charity 'Kids Company' renovate a derelict community centre and wanted it to have a stage, so that kids could follow in his footsteps.

Morrissey called SCV London's marketing director, Steve McDonald, and asked him for a Fostex VF-160 Digital Multitracker for free. Steve was more than happy to give the Men Behaving Badly star the equipment to assist the charity, which works with deprived children. The Fostex VF-160 will be used to teach youngsters the elements of sound recording.

Morrissey also put in a call to LiteS

Details
UK - MIPRO have launched a compact, portable and completely self-contained PA system - the MA-705. This little unit delivers 50 watts rms into a high-performance 8 inch driver, that can be run on internal batteries for six hours from a four hour charge. A wired microphone, two wireless microphones, CD and other audio sources can be mixed simultaneously to the input. The MA-705 has optional extras such as an anti-shock CD player and advanced dual-channel UHF/VHF diversity receiver modules for long distance range reception, which are free from signal dropouts and interference. The elimination of an external antenna protects from breakage in transit, and the MA-705 is small enough to be used on a simple tripod stand or to be placed on a desk.

The compact design means that this unit can be set up anywhere: garden fêtes, election meetings, schools, seminars, parties or any venue tha

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
Switzerland - Audio Tech KST AG has been appointed the exclusive distributor for Midas and Klark Teknik in Switzerland. Experienced distribution specialists who already carry a number of high-end pro audio brands, Audio Tech sees the Midas and Klark Teknik ranges as a perfect complement to its existing portfolio, since it already carries a number of other Telex brands, but doesn't have any high-end mixing consoles or signal processing.

Audio Tech managing director Richie Seeger commented: "With Midas and KT we now have the best two brands in the world in their field. That's great news for us and we are looking forward to doing some good business with them. If their recent distributor conference in Lake Como is anything to go by, we've got some exciting times ahead."

Sales and marketing director for Midas and Klark Teknik, David Cooper said of the appointment: "

Details
North America - Alternative rockers Matchbox Twenty are hitting the North American concert tour once again with a string of tour dates running through to the end of the year. Despite having been on the road non-stop since April, with tour dates included an initial North American leg before heading to a sold-out arena tour of Australia and Europe, the quintet show no signs of slowing down.

Accompanying the band throughout the year has been a powerful lighting rig made up of Martin MAC 2000 and Atomic fixtures. The rig, designed by legendary LD Marc Brickman, is left in the capable hands of Ben Richards for the tour.

Lighting supplier Ed and Ted's Excellent Lighting of Oxnard, California supplied the Martin equipment for the North American legs, while in Australia, lighting was supplied by Bytecraft Entertainment through Martin Pro's distributor, Show Technology. Neg Earth took

Details
UK - tsg the Sheffield based media programming and systems company have recently installed a novel background music/speech system into Reg Vardy plc's new Vauxhall dealership in Nottingham. The brief from the Sunderland-based retailer, which runs 78 dealerships in England and Scotland, was to provide an 'invisible' background music solution for the main showroom area, whilst also providing a clear intelligible paging facility for the workshop, forecourt and service parking areas. tsg met this brief by specifying and installing Armstrong i-ceiling NXT panels in the showroom area, thus making for a very clean and unobtrusive installation.

Steve Dunn, marketing director at tsg said: "I was very satisfied with the final result, and I am particularly pleased with the i-ceiling's ability to handle both music and speech, especially as the ceiling panels are located relatively high

Details
UK - Milos Structural Systems' versatile X-Stage platform range has recently been enhanced with the introduction of a new Quick-Leg mechanism. The lightweight low-profile aluminium S2 deck system features a special leg receiver that enables either telescopic supports or standard 48.3mm scaffold tube legs to be quickly secured to the platform. A simple cam-lever locking mechanism enables legs to be securely fixed and easily removed from the standard S2 platform. The introduction of the new feature enables users to create low-cost fixed height platforms or risers using the standard 48.3mm material.

The X-Stage S2 platform is produced in 2m x 1m decks using a custom low-profile aluminium extrusion with a 22mm plywood surface. The deck, which is rated at 750kg per sq.m, weighs only 25kg and is just 100mm deep when stored making it extremely efficient for transportation, storage and

Details
UK - In order to improve its service to customers, the company is restructuring, moving to new premises and changing its name. The moves come as the result of a partial management buyout, in which directors Diane Grant and Wyatt Enever have increased their stake in the company and key staff are being given the opportunity to become shareholders.

"David Hersey had the foresight to realize that if the DHA brand and reputation are to remain as strong as they are today, structural and strategic changes would be needed," says Diane Grant. "The three DHA directors are at different points in their lives: David is ready to reap some of his investment in DHA, Wyatt wants to concentrate on R&D - integrating photographic techniques into laser output on dichroic glass and digital imagery for Scene Change - and I want to steer the company through another phase of growth toward

Details
UK - Sound installation company TASC is supplying a portable DJ system of Nexo PS15 full-range cabinets to Apres in Birmingham, which is opening a dancefloor area for the Christmas party season. Just months before, TASC completed the installation of a full house system at neighbouring Mechu, one of the busiest of Birmingham's destination clubs, which features Nexo PS10s and PS8s.

With an award-winning interior by RAW Design, Mechu is a successful bar/restaurant/late lounge club. Arron Smith of TASC designed and installed an all-Nexo sound system, featuring six PS10 full-range cabinets and three LS500 sub bass units. Compact Nexo PS8 speakers and LS400 subs are located throughout the club, amounting to nearly 30 in total. "Nexo PS cabinets are one of my very favourite products," enthuses Arron Smith. "Sometimes it's a struggle to get a customer to spend more and mo

Details
UK - Carlsbro has introduced a range of 8" and 10" passive and active moulded speaker cabinets for smaller fixed installations. Following the introduction of the Gamma range of 12" and 15" cabinets, the two new additions to the company's range are aimed at smaller applications.

Andrew Bishop, owner of Carlsbro, commented: "Repeat orders are flooding in from existing customers who are familiar with the Gamma range and we now need to spread the message to users who may have forgotten that Carlsbro, who have not been active in the installation market for some time, have speakers which will make your customers very happy - resulting in extra business for you."

(Lee Baldock)

Details
UK - PCM has just completed the refurbishment of stage equipment at the Princess Hall in Aldershot, Wiltshire. T technical manager Kevin Andrew's request to PCM was to replace the theatre's ageing hemp and winch system with a new, quick-and-easy lifting solution that would allow the venue's busy technical team to capitalize on tight turnaround times.

The theatre stages all types of production, including classical to contemporary live music, theatrical productions, dance, musicals, cabaret, panto and comedy. Their busy schedule often sees four or five different shows going through in a week, all with different lighting and production requirements. PCM's projects manager Tony Griffiths spotted an opportunity to recommend the company's new Unibar - winner of the PLASA 2003 Award for Product Design Excellence in the Stage Engineering category.

The Unibar is ideal for this style

Details
UK - Wharfedale Pro has produced two complete powered systems, which will be making their debut at the Music Live expo, at the NEC in November. The PM500 and PM600 powered mixer systems have been designed to deliver optimum sound in a variety of applications - from live music performance and playback, to sound reinforcement or public address. Not only that, but they are road tough and simple to transport and set up.

The PM500 Series comprises of a PM500 powered mixer, two PT10 two-way 10" loudspeakers and a DM1.0 dynamic mic (with all cabling). The PM600 system incorporates the PM600 powered mixer, two PT12 two-way 12" loudspeakers and a DM1.0 mic (with cabling). The PT loudspeakers form an integral part of the system: these are high-output, high efficiency loudspeakers, featuring Wharfedale Pro proprietary drive units and a purpose-built high quality Electro-Dynamic H

Details
UK - Entec Sound & Light has supplied production lighting and audio equipment to the highly successful Skin 'Trashed' tour that has just completed its UK and European legs. Skin's FOH sound engineer Paul Ramsey and lighting designer Chris Oldfield have both enjoyed a good working relationship with Entec for some years, so they were the obvious choice as equipment supplier. Being essentially a club tour, the Skin production team, led by tour manager Andy Burnstein, toured their own consoles, specials and essentials, integrating them with the various house systems as they went.

Paul Ramsey has been working with Skin since 1996 and the Skunk Anansie days. He's a big d&b fan and says had he been able to take a full box system on this tour, that's what it would have been. However, they used the house stacks and racks at each venue, and took in their own DiGiCo D5 console, mics and ca

Details
UK - Fresh off the Justified and Stripped tour in the USA, Christina Aguilera is now taking Stripped on the road for her first major European tour. Aguilera puts on a very energetic show and the lighting design reflects that, taking on an almost cabaret-like atmosphere. The tone of the lighting constantly changes to match the mood, flowing from up-tempo dance numbers to sultry emotional songs as well Aguilera's famous ballads and torch songs. Having so many different styles of lighting for one show is a challenge that Lighting Designer Barry Halpin welcomed.

The stage was divided into areas which included props such as shadow boxes and a wall of fans. One of the biggest highlights is Aguilera's trademark 'X' - during the song 'Genie in a Bottle' she is rolled onto the stage strapped to the X, a la Hannibal Lector.

Halpin said: "I watched the concert videos

Details
UK - Telford-based Press Red Rentals Ltd has acquired the rental business of Soundsense from the liquidator, Bristol-based Bishop Fleming. Established in July 1997, Soundsense rented audio-visual, sound and video nationwide. The company was placed into voluntary liquidation on 17 September, at which point Bishop Fleming was appointed liquidator.

Press Red Rentals has acquired certain assets and goodwill from the liquidators for an undisclosed fee. Managing director Mark Stoner commented: "We are pleased to have been able to close this deal quickly and efficiently as it means we can offer continuation of service to thosecustomers who previously rented from Soundsense. We would like to take this opportunity to thank those customers who have been so supportive during this transitional period."

The business will trade under the Press Red banner.

(Le Baldock)

Details
USA - Loud Technologies announced two additions to its worldwide sales organization - longtime pro audio sales professionals David Christensen and Kurt Metzler. As director of international sales, Christensen, involved with pro audio most of his life, will be responsible for directing all international sales efforts for the entire portfolio of Loud Technologies brands including Mackie, EAW, Tapco and RCF. Christiansen brings extensive industry experience in building successful international sales organizations within the professional audio industry including Solid State Logic, Sony and Euphonix Inc.

Frank Loyko, senior vice president of sales at Loud Technologies commented: "Export markets make up a significant portion of Loud's current revenue and hold great potential in helping us to realize our sales goals in 2004. In order to realize this potential, we chose a senior le

Details
UK - Coastal Acoustics announced the appointment of Chris Hollebone as general manager in a move to strengthen its sales and marketing resource. Coastal and sister company Harris Grant Associates, have completed a number of highly prestigious assignments this year and with an eye on significant expansion in 2004, this was the appropriate time to make a move.

Hollebone has previously held senior management positions at Sony Broadcast & Professional, TimeLine and DTS. Latterly he has been running his own sales and marketing consultancy and providing articles for a number of trade publications. Neil Grant, MD of both Coastal and HGA commented: "We asked Chris to review Coastal's portfolio and provide suggestions on how to maintain this momentum. One of the conclusions was that we needed additional sales, marketing and general management support. Who better than Chris himself.&

Details
USA - SIA Software, a Loud Technologies (formerly Mackie Designs) brand and Lake Technology, innovators in digital audio signal processing, announced the release of a new plug-in for Lake Contour that provides full integration between the Contour Controller software and SIA SmaartLive, the industry standard analysis package for sound system optimization. Available in October from Lake Technology, the SmaartLive plug-in shows spectrum, spectrograph and transfer functions directly within the intuitive Contour Controller graphical interface, giving engineers the power to listen, measure and adjust an entire performance sound system on a single display. Using the Contour wireless tablet, this can be done from anywhere in a venue in real-time - even during a live performance.

"This is the first time a loudspeaker processor like Contour has been fully integrated with professional

Details
UK / Italy - Midas and Klark Teknik hosted their first international distributor conference in the beautiful setting of the shores of Lake Como in Italy at the end of September. Over 120 representatives from over 50 nations attended the two-day event, which culminated in a spectacular Gala Awards dinner at one of Italy's leading hotels, the Villa d'Este on Lake Como.

According to David Cooper, recently appointed director of sales and marketing for Midas and Klark Teknik, the event was a thoroughly worthwhile exercise, and appreciated by invitees and hosts alike. "With the possible exception of the products themselves, our distributor network is the most important tool of our trade, so it's important both for us and for them that our communication channels remain strong ... Not only was it enormously valuable for our customers in terms of what they learned about new products

Details
UK - The Association od Stage Pyrotechnicians (ASP) is running a one-day awareness course, resulting in an Association Certificate, on Friday 17 October 2003. The course runs from 9am - 5pm at the Wynd Centre, 6 School Wynd, Paisley. The course is aimed at technicians and managers who seek confidence in the inherent safety of off-the-shelf systems, whilst showcasing aspects of and uses for pyrotechnics. With a strong focus on practicality and safety, the course is designed to expand your pyrotechnic horizons.

The course is priced at £70 for members of the ASP and £100 to non-members, although non-members taking the course will be eligible upon completion for membership of the association, free of charge, for one year.

For further enquiries or to reserve your place contact Tim Reid on telephone 07941 032646 or at the e-mail or web addresses below.

(Lee Baldock)

Details
UK - Ford of Britain hired design and communications company Imagination to produce six themed exhibition stands at Mela 2003. Mela, a culture and lifestyle show celebrating all aspects of life enjoyed by Asian Communities, took place at Wembley Exhibition Centre from 10-12 October with over 30,000 visitors attending. The event was divided into seven main areas relating to Asian culture: Lifestyle, Health & Beauty, Fashion, Weddings, Food, Business & Entertainment. Imagination created six exhibition stands heavily influenced by each subject zone. Each exhibition stand showed a relevant Ford vehicle, which was designed and decorated with an Asian theme. One car even had a bespoke oversized 'bindi' designed by leading bindi designer Manjeet Bedi (founder of Jazzy Bindi) attached to the front of the car bonnet.

Ford was one of the main sponsors of Mela 2003 and the all-encompassing

Page 1587 of 3465

Latest Issue. . .