Business

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UK - Tecton is the newest line in Camco's range of amplifiers, and will be launched at PLASA 2003 by their exclusive UK distributors, Fuzion plc. There are 10 amplifiers in the series, peaking at the 2 x 1400W/4 ohms version, and all are optimized for use with either 8 or 4 ohm impedances. Tecton contains Camco's latest developments in high-efficiency SMPS (switchmode power supply) as well as their 'Superior Sound' amplifier designs.

Models in the range are the 8, 13, 18, 23 and 28. Those designated '.2' are 2-ohm optimized and those suffixed '.4' are 4-ohm optimized.

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

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UK - Robe UK, exclusive UK distributors for Robe Show Lighting products, recently supplied Rob Smith of event company Robert Lawrence with a variety of Robe moving lights fixtures. The first outing for these was a six-week installation illuminating the Fortesqueue's 'Primary Colours' corporate hospitality structure, located at Lincolns Inn Fields, London WC2 for a full-on summer party season.

Smith utilized 16 Robe 250 washlights in the main area: these were rigged on a 3-metre truss pedestal, paired up and programmed to create a dramatic rainbow wash effect across the entire ceiling of the structure. They were also used to add movement and colour across the room and tables later on. A Robe 575 Scanner was positioned in each corner of the venue to create gobo break-up wash effects reaching up to the roof, and also on the floor and bandstand area. A further four break-up washes w

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UK - According to SSE Hire, they provided one of the largest Nexo GEO T Tangent Array systems in the world for the main Pyramid Stage at the 2003 Glastonbury Festival. Nearly 100 GEO T4805 cabinets were used in the field, where between 90-100,000 fans gathered to watch the top act Radiohead. Performers on the main stage included additional headliners R.E.M. and Moby, as well as David Gray, Turin Brakes, Supergrass and The Flaming Lips.

The decision to use Nexo GEO technology was a major departure for the Glastonbury team and promoter Melvyn Benn of The Mean Fiddler Organization. The Pyramid Stage has, famously, been equipped with Turbosound Flashlight systems for many years. In winning the contract for the 2003 Festival, Chris Beale of SSE Hire completed an impressive roster of all the biggest festivals in the UK, all to be serviced with NEXO GEO T.

The system for the Pyramid

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UK - A PLASA Member audio company has been approached by a company identifying itself as Paola Getti Holdings in the Isle of Man, asking for details of the company's products. In this case, the request was for copies of the manufacturer's web pages to be faxed to Paola Getti Holdings, as they were currently without internet access - the return fax number was, of course, a premium-rate number.

According to the UK-based website, Fraud Central ( www.fraudcentral.org.uk), Paola Getti Holdings is well known for this scam, which also takes the form of requesting a return telephone call, also on a premium rate number.

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - When Scottish Opera was seeking to incorporate projection into a set for the first time, they knew that triggering different images from DVD onto black surfaces would be inherently difficult. Seeking professional advice, they contacted Cameron Presentations. Trying to balance high light output against cost, the Glasgow-based specialists recommended purchasing Christie's RoadRunner LX65 projector - an extension to Christie's RoadRunner range of high brightness LCD multimedia projectors, building on the success of the RoadRunner L6.

The LX65 provides 6500 ANSI lumens brightness from a dual-lamp light engine for bright, realistic images. New 3D digital video processing produces sharp video images from analogue and digital sources, 90% brightness uniformity and an 1100:1 contrast ratio. The Fast Lens Change (FLC) mount is a robust lens mount system designed for no-fuss lens cha

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Switzerland - The Montreux' Congress Centre, which hosts a variety of concerts, conventions and theatre productions each year, has equipped its Stravinski Auditorium and Miles Davis Hall with L-Acoustics ARCS systems. The installation was made by the contractor TMS. Stravinski Auditorium has a capacity of 1,800 to 2,000 seats (1,200 in the pit and 600 in the circle), and the pit can accommodate up to 2,500 people in standing configuration.

The equipment consists of eight ARCS cabinets, split into two stereo clusters of four ARCS each, amplified by two LA24a, an XTA DP226 digital processor, four SB218 subs amplified by two LA48a, six MTD108a coaxial speakers for the circle fills, two MTD112b coaxial speakers and their dedicated L-Acoustics analogue controller to cover the first rows, and two MTD112b coaxial speakers with their dedicated analog controller for side fill.

Marc Bri

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UK - Avesco has announced that it will be relocating its Creative Technology, MCL London and Screenco businesses, together with Avesco plc head office, to a new building in the London Gatwick area.

David Nicholson, chief executive of Avesco plc, told PLASA Media: "Since we merged the sales, project management and operations teams of CT, MCL London and Screenco, we have been looking for one building so that the businesses could be fully integrated with the people and equipment under one roof. This will allow us to provide our customers with a more complete service where necessary, whilst retaining the specialist skills within these companies.

"It has taken us a while to find the right premises and to negotiate an acceptable deal. This building is larger than we require immediately, but provides for future growth as market conditions start to improve."

(Ruth Ros

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USA - Bandit Lites has announced that it will once again be holding free educational seminars for the public at the company's offices in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee. The first seminar, titled Lighting 101 - An Introduction to Production Lighting for Churches is scheduled at the company's headquarters in Knoxville on 9 August, 2003, and will focus on how to most effectively employ lighting techniques to enhance services of worship. The seminar will include demonstrations of a range of equipment, including consoles, conventional lighting and intelligent lighting. There will also be a question and answer session, as well as the opportunity for further discussion.

(Lee Baldock)

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USA - Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW), a division of Mackie Designs Inc, has announced a new leasing programme that will make it easier for audio professionals to own a high-performance EAW touring system. Beginning immediately, the EAW Touring System Payment (TSP programme, developed in conjunction with US Commerce Equipment Finance LLC, gives extended payment terms and 12 months of 0% interest to qualified customers looking to purchase more than $25,000 worth of EAW products.

"A sizeable part of EAW's business is with touring and rental companies that purchase large systems," stated Paul Carelli, EAW touring systems market manager. "We understand that it takes some time for these companies to realize a return on their investment. Having the gear out there generating the revenue to make the payments is a tremendous advantage, especially for the regional production

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UK - A big increase in demand this summer has seen London-based Alistage - already one of the largest stock holders of aluminium framed stage units in the country - having to manufacture approximately 300 more standard 8ft x 4ft stage units. This is in addition to the 200 extra units added last year. The range has been further extended with the introduction of a 4ft x 4ft chequer plate-topped unit and a 4.8m Perspex-topped circular stage. Recent productions that have put Alistage units to good use include Glastonbury, Womad, the disco night on Channel 4's Big Brother, Fame Academy and Later with Jools Holland.

(Barry Howse)

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UK - PLASA continues to adapt to meet the changing demands of the dynamic and diverse markets it serves and for this year's PLASA Show (7-10 September at Earls Court, London) significant changes are in place to engage more visitors and exhibitors in this energetic, inspirational and trend-setting environment. The PLASA Professional Development Programme (PLASA PDP), the Association's new training initiative, will be hosting the educational programme at this year's show. This extended educational platform will examine current trends and issues across the broad range of our industry and provide visitors with the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and learn from the industry experts.

The format for this year's programme has changed to offer visitors more choice and variety. This year, the sessions will range from Technical Workshops aimed at technicians through to Business Semi

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Germany - May 2003 saw the official opening of one of the largest and most modern cinema complexes in Germany - the Mathäser, in the heart of Munich. This mega cinema boasts no less than 14 auditoriums - each featuring a sound system from Electro-Voice.

The jewel in the crown of the new mega-complex is Screen 6, which is used for premieres. This auditorium has 840 seats and offers a screen in XXL format, and a sound system to match: the front system from Electro-Voice consists of five Variplex XL enclosures, while the surround system comprises 30 SL 12-2V units powered by 20 CPS 2 amplifiers. According to Eric Egenolf, sales director of Cine Project, the company responsible for installing the sound and projection equipment: "The cinema has been THX certified, for which it needed to satisfy extremely high standards of projection and sound quality."

Egenolf continues:

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UK - This year's A.C. Lighting North Tradeshow in Leeds on 15 and 16 July was deemed to be a success by both sponsors and visitors alike, with more than 400 people attending over the two days of the show.

Key highlights of this year's event included the much welcomed addition of new industry seminars, which were well attended and are likely to become a permanent feature of future shows. Also of note was the increased presence and space devoted at this year's show to a host of key audio manufacturers, emphasizing A.C. Lighting's increasing role as a distributor of audio, as well as lighting, brands. Much interest was also aroused by the first industry unveiling of the new Tourspot and Tourwash moving lights and SpectraLite Combi Case products, all available exclusively from the company.

A.C. Lighting's Northern sales manager Jonathan Walters told PLASA Media: "I am please

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USA - Six Wybron CXI Mariner colour changers will spend the summer in the great outdoors at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Designed for outdoor use, the Mariner offers the widest array of colors available from a single water-resistant colour changer, say Wybron. Lighting designer Rick Martin chose the CXI Mariner for the repertory light plot because of the live color fades and the array of colours available to the various designers that will use the equipment this summer. Rick Martin has used CXIs on other shows such as Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant at the Henry Miller's Theater and To Kill a Mockingbird at the Ford's Theatre in Washington DC. He says: "The reason I bought the CXIs in the first place, and especially for the Festival, is because of the live colour fades. If I want it a little pinker, I just adjust the scrolls. Designers don't have to have an ex

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Italy - Rimini Fiera's biennial SIB exhibition of entertainment and event technology will be held next year from the 13 to 16 March, 2004. The event, promoted by APIAS and sponsored by SILB, features a wide range of exhibitors specializing in lighting, audio, lasers and design for the entertainment and night sectors. The 2004 event will see an expansion of the successful SIB Theatre section: in addition to addressing stage professionals, this will also now embrace all those who work in the film, TV and cinema markets, with a particular emphasis on set design and stage equipment.

(Ruth Rossington)

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UK - Sennheiser UK has announced that BBC TV Glasgow has purchased a significant amount of replacement Sennheiser wireless microphone equipment for use on the station's studio and outside broadcasts.

Consisting of four Sennheiser SK 3063 UHF 16-channel pocket transmitters, two SK 3072 handheld UHF 32 channel microphones, two EM 3032 twin UHF diversity receivers, two EM 3031 single-channel diversity receivers, a ProSplit 600 active filtered 2x1:8 antenna distribution system and two SK 5012 16-channel miniature pocket transmitters, the order was supplied by long-established Edinburgh and Glasgow sales and rental operation, Warehouse Sound Services Ltd.

(Ruth Rossington)

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Korea - When the LG Arts Center in Seoul, Korea ordered its new Liberty panels from dance floor specialist British Harlequin plc, they also specified a new-style storage cart to offer ease of handling and to protect the floor panels when not in use. Since then, Harlequin has received orders from other companies that have recognized the benefits of this newly-designed storage cart.

With each cart having a loading capacity of up to the equivalent of 20 full-size Liberty dance floor panels, six swivel wheels provide for complete manoeuvrability, while the chassis incorporates pockets to facilitate use with fork lift trucks. The cart's robust steel construction has a black powder-coated scratch resistant paint finish, and comprises a removable front gate and hinged sides to allow loading access from three sides.

Panels are stacked in sets of five, with additional support bars int

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Italy - Spanish loudspeaker manufacturer D.A.S. Audio systems has been fundamental in providing a clear message at the Vinovo Hippodrome in Italy. D.A.S. distributor Kennell was responsible for the design and installation of the sound reinforcement systems.

Starting with clear requisites for the performance of the system, Kennel designed the system to provide precise coverage for the different messages to be communicated which include the race start signal, speaker commentary and background music. Sound is provided for three specific areas, the bleacher and parterre areas surrounding the course; the bar, restaurant and VIP areas and finally, a projection theatre located within the facilities of the racecourse.

28 Bi-Drivers were flown from the roof structure of the bleachers in order to obtain precisely defined coverage areas. The Bi-Driver is a high-power, mid-high coaxial de

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UK - Described as a 21st century pentecostal church, New Wine Church in Woolwich has carried out a major upgrade to its sound and vision infrastructure. Leicestershire-based Hawthorn Theatrical was awarded the contract, after having impressed with the PA support they provided for the Church's New Year's Eve celebrations.

Divided into three spaces, the three-year-old church includes a small downstairs chapel and community area, including crèche and catering. However, it was the 1,500-seat main room - set within the shell of the Odeonesque art deco church - that Martin Hawthorn's company was asked to upgrade, in order to provide additional functionality.

For sound reinforcement, they selected exclusively Martin Audio components - and provided a cabling infrastructure for future expansion, as well as over 100 ways of audio patching, a 72-channel Allen & Heath ML500) desk, fully-

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UK - 600 vessels and ships anchored in Leith Harbour, Edinburgh, in May this year, in preparation for the International Festival of the Sea. Amongst them were magnificent tall ships, working fishing boats, a Viking longship, traditional yachts and high-tech sailing boats.

On land, 12-hours of daily entertainment involving bands, musicians, street performers and storytellers was staged as part of the festival, with each day culminating in a spectacular finale, with an impressive display of music, sound and colour echoing around the Harbour.

Edinburgh-based black light designed, installed and operated the lighting for three of the performance stages, the Scottish Executive building and the nightly finale. The company also installed all the general on-site lighting. Alan Jackson, the company's project manager for the event, told L&SI that to address the wide variety of performers

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USA - Nearly four decades after Gladys Knight and the Pips performed their first-ever main showroom gig at the famous Flamingo Las Vegas, Knight has once again returned to the resort to headline her own extended run of dates. Five nights a week, the revered R&B/soul singer now performs a musical retrospective in the cosy 720-seat Flamingo Showroom, accompanied by a seven-piece band and four backing vocalists, including brother and former-Pip, Merald.

What initially started out as a single-year performance contract was recently extended an additional three years prompting Knight's monitor tech, John Wrote, to specify an improved monitor system for the diva. As a result, Wrote, who also serves as concert touring operations foreman for ProMix Electrotec's Las Vegas office, spearheaded the early-June installation of a new loudspeaker set-up comprising half a dozen L Acoustics ARCS

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UK - Thunder Ridge utilized state-of-the-art digital audio tools for the One World stage at the recent Glastonbury Festival, opting for Powersoft digital amplifiers, supplied by Arbiter Pro Audio, to power their X2000 system, placing the whole FOH system and the major monitor fills under digital power. At the same time, they employed the latest processing tool from Klark Teknik - the Helix digital EQ system - to control every component of the FOH and monitor systems.

Compared to the conventional amplifier, Powersoft DIGAM technology offers very high efficiency and delivers more power to the loudspeakers with much reduced heat dissipation. The output stages of the amplifiers typically run at 95% efficiency, dissipating only 5% of the input energy as heat. These compact (1U), lightweight (10kg) amplifiers can generate up to 3,500W per channel into 2 Ohms.

The advantages of such

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UK - Osborne Creative Services has designed and produced a new website for UK pro audio specialist distributor, Pure Distribution. The site enables visitors to obtain information on all product lines distributed by Pure, including Aphex, Audient, ETA, Lexicon, Miller & Kreisel and Sanken, as well as Pure's own XIX range of microphones and accessories. Visitors can also locate their nearest dealer and download a retail price list.

Previously marketing manager at Tannoy Ltd, Peter Osborne founded the company in 1985, and provides a comprehensive design and production service for both new and old media applications within the pro audio industry. Osborne Creative Services has recently created websites for Audient plc www.audient.co.uk and Stirling Syco www.stirlingsyco.com. Other pa

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UK - Apple Sound, experts in the design and installation of sophisticated systems for the Ecclesiastical market collaborated with pro audio distributor beyerdynamic to provide an audio control system to Beverley Minister in East Yorkshire. As part of a substantial audio system upgrade, beyerdynamic provided an intuitive control system, which centered on Audia from Biamp and the Cue management/media management system.

Working closely with its sister acoustic consultancy Apple Dynamic, headed by Dr Paul Darlington, Apple Sound designed a system that would counter the massive acoustic challenges (and satisfy the installation restrictions) presented by the cathedral-like, Grade 1 listed Minster. The system had to be visually diminutive and very easy to operate.

Following an in-depth RASTI acoustic analysis, it was apparent that intelligibility was the key factor as the enormous va

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