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UK - Many schools would be glad of a hall as spacious as that at Cavendish School, Eastbourne. However, director of Arts Bruce Sibley was finding the old-style high stage and proscenium arch layout restrictive. He wanted a more flexible environment, in which traditional end-on productions could be mixed with in-the-round or traverse performances. He also wanted to be able to raise either the performers or the audience - or both.

Sibley contacted staging specialist Maltbury Ltd who visited the school and discussed the options. The versatile Metrodeck system was chosen and Maltbury drew up a detailed package of equipment. Maltbury supplied 60 Metrodeck units, a carefully selected range of legs, 36 handrails and storage solutions for everything. As a result, the school can raise an area of 120sq.m or build tiers seating 232 people - not to mention countless combinations of the two

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USA - The First Baptist Church of Cumming, Georgia recently replaced its sound system, turning to Mike Hedden at dB Acoustics & Sound, a design/build firm that specializes in contemporary churches with production-oriented worship. "We do about a church a week," says Hedden. "Our philosophy is that the AV system needs to be a seamless part of the worship service. If we do our job correctly, the congregation won't be distracted by technology."

The church had initially invested in quality equipment such as Crown amps and a Soundcraft K2 console, and Hedden kept as much of the original equipment as possible.

The main room seats around 800-900 people. Hedden and his team installed a mono distributed system featuring a main centre cluster of two SPL-triktraps from Sound Physics Labs and two SPL-td1 subwoofers. SPL-triktraps provide wide-angle coverage of 60° x 6

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Switzerland - Two Soundcraft MH3 mixing consoles and BSS 9088 Soundwebs have entered the big top, running the audio for the Swiss National Circus as part of a 100% Harman Pro system installation. The Knie Dynasty, which has been in existence for over 200 years - touring as the Swiss National Circus since 1918 - decided to replace their entire audio system with a complete Harman Pro solution.

The Knie family opted for a VerTec Line Array system to fill the 3,000-capacity big top. Supplied by Swiss distributor Dr. W. A. Günther, the music and playback system consists of 12 JBL VerTec VT 4887, underpinned by three JBL CSR82 subs - all powered by Crown MacroTech. The vocal system and delays are carried by 10 JBL AE AC2212 powered by Crown XS, while the brace of BSS Soundweb 9088 DSP devices store the crossover and EQ gain settings as presets, and handle the signal routing. The mixi

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UK - After over a decade as part of The White Light Group in London, the pioneering entertainment industry CAD specialist Modelbox is re-locating to Okehampton in Devon - however, the latest communications technology will ensure that the move is seamless to those using Modelbox's services.

"Stephen Wentworth, who has been the driving force behind Modelbox for the last few years, decided that he wanted to leave London and move to Devon," explains the White Light Group's general manager, Bryan Raven. "That presented us with a problem: finding someone with Steve's unique combination of theatrical experience as a lighting designer and CAD expertise. Fortunately, our IT department came up with an alternative solution."

Through the use of ADSL high-speed Internet connections and VPN (Virtual Private Networking), Steve and Modelbox in Devon will effectively become

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UK - Public address and voice alarm specialist Millbank Electronics (now owned by Ampekko Ltd) has de-centralized its UK distributor network and appointed nine new distributors nationwide. The strategic decision to broaden the network across the UK was agreed with Millbank's long-standing UK distributor RW Salt. Featuring as a part of the on-going policy at Millbank to expand its market potential, provide enhanced end user support and technical back up, the new network comprises organizations that are traditional PA/VA specialists as well as companies that focus on allied niche markets.

In the North East, Canford Audio will represent Millbank and push the brand into studio and related marketplaces, whilst Blaydon Communications will service the traditional PA/VA sector in this region. RW Salt will handle Manchester's environs, whilst Ansabac will look after the Birmingham area a

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UK - The Square is a new nightclub venue in Daventry, Northamptonshire, owned by Lord Maurice Fermoy. Fermoy, who aims to bring a touch of class to a night out, has opened the new venue as phase one of a two-part experience, with phase two due for completion during Spring 2004.

Installer for the venue, Complete Light and Sound Services (CLASS), have utilized Digita and Mini Sub loudspeakers from Italian manufacturer Outline for this prestigious venue. The Mini Subs have been placed in custom-built cabinets and the system is powered by QSC, with Behringer processing, with the main club mixer the popular and reliable Allen & Heath Xone 6:2.

The decision to use the Outline range for this installation was reached by the combination of the past experience of William Yeo and Richard Alldred. The lighting system for the venue, which has also been installed by CLASS, includes products

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USA - Color Kinetics' intelligent LED illumination technology is being used in New York City Lites' dynamic design for the set of Super Millionaire, which debuted to television audiences on 22 February on ABC. "The Super Millionaire set was designed to reflect the show's bigger, bolder premise while staying true to the familiar look and feel of the the original show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," said Deke Hazirjian, owner and president of New York City Lites, which managed the entire project from lighting design, to installation, to control during taping.

Lighting designer Chuck Noble says: "With just days to conceptualize, design, and bring the set to life, Color Kinetics' LED-based systems enabled our vision through sophisticated control and tremendous creative flexibility - allowing us to add an element of movement that translates well

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UK - Andrew Diey, leading UK composer, sound designer and owner of Alchemy Audio Lab, is behind some of DPA Microphones' more unusual applications. His work on films, TV programmes and video games has involved the use of DPA 4011 cardioid microphones and IMK4061 miniature microphone kits to record Challenger 2 tanks, Ferraris, V8 Dodges, modified Japanese cars and the loud transients of an artillery crack. His latest project was to record the sound of Harrier Jump Jets for a second series of British TV programme, Building the Ultimate, for Granada/Channel 5.

Diey had already used his DPA mics as music composer and sound designer for the programme's first series to record machines such as tanks and submarines. This time, together with his assistant Pete Trickett, he set up a pair of 4011s to capture the sound of the famous jet fighter, at one point tracking a Harrier in flight wi

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The Netherlands - With the purchase of a new GEO T rig by PA Geluid in Nijmegen, Nexo's new tangent-array technology is now available on the rental market in The Netherlands. PA Geluid is a well-respected sound reinforcement rental company, with a particularly strong reputation in theatre.

Owner Paul Achterberg first bought into the Nexo GEO technology in 2002, ordering 24 GEO S full-range cabinets with four CD18 sub-bass units from Nexo's Dutch distributor, Iemke Roos. Over the last 18 months, this system has built up an exceptional track record working in theatre in Holland.Achterberg and PA Geluid were asked to provide a system for a major metal festival, Metalbash at de Maaspoort at Den Bosch, headlined by Machinehead, whose front-of-house engineer was demanding 115dB at the desk. This was the cue for Achterberg to order Nexo's new GEO T full-range high-output loudspeakers,

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UK - It was almost standing room only at the five seminar sessions organized by The Institute of Sound & Communications Engineers (ISCE) on Tuesday 24 February at the Watford Moat House Hotel. The seminar programme ran alongside a table-top exhibition with over 20 invited companies having a unique opportunity to present their products and services to the technical specifiers and users in the sound contracting industry. The organizers report good feedback from exhibitors, with Jon Doar of CIE-Audio saying there was positive feedback from delegates and customers, and adding "roll on the next event!"

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - Autograph Sound Recording, the world-renowned sound design and theatre rental specialist, has been invited to work on the brand new West End musical Jailhouse Rock. Based on the classic 1957 Elvis film of the same name, this energetic show will no doubt have London's Piccadilly Theatre 'all shook up'!

Autograph's award winning Simon Baker, recently honoured as LDI's sound designer of the year, was chosen to design the show by production company Theatre Partners after their collaboration on 125th Street. Simon is working with the unusual situation of the entire cast being actor/musicians, who play all their own instruments live with no orchestral backup, resulting in a much more complex and intuitive system design.

Autograph have supplied a Cadac F-Type mixing console, as well as three additional digital Yamaha D1000 desks, one for foldback, one to pre-mix al

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UK - Young musician Kelly Stanley won Medway Council's Sound Generation Concert, held in Chatham this month, and walked away with the first prize of a Soundcraft GigRac, the latest in professional audio mixing consoles.

The Sound Generation concert, which was organized to generate awareness of the Council's road safety SAFE (Stop Accidents For Ever) campaign, attracted a large audience under the Chatham centre flyover, as the bands blasted out their music on a Sunday afternoon.

Kelly Stanley, the youngest finalist in the competition at just 13, demonstrated her ability with a stunning mix of feminine rock and acoustic ballads. In a fiercely contested afternoon all six finalists produced outstanding performances with sets consisting of original music. The other finalists included bands PKFY, Seven Story Down, CCTV and Delayed Experience and rapper 'Richie D'.

Medway Council'

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UK - The Evenser Group, the UK's largest event services company, has announced a refinance and restructure package agreed with its majority shareholders (comprising funds managed by Candover) and its principal bankers. Evenser will demerge the companies that make up the Broadcast and Presentation Services divisions to a newly incorporated company to be called Blitz Charter Group Ltd ('Blitz'). Following the restructuring, Blitz will operate as an entirely independent broadcast and presentation services group and Evenser will operate as an independent events services group.

Following the demerger, the Evenser Group will consist of Arena Event Services Group and Melville Exhibition Services, headed by David Walley and Nick Marshall respectively. The new Blitz Charter Group will comprise Blitz Communications and Charter Broadcast, which will be headed by Paul Hutton and David Carr

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UK - One of the leading UK generator suppliers, Powerent - part of the Longville Group - has had a busy couple of years providing silent power to some major film productions. The company's list of credits include this winter's box office success Love Actually staring Hugh Grant. Powerent's silent 1000kW and 500kW generators were used to power an impressive reproduction of a Heathrow departure lounge in Shepperton Studios. Simultaneously in the same studio, Powerent also provided power for period drama Complete Female Stage Beauty starring Rupert Everett and Claire Danes, due to be released later this year.

The latest Harry Potter film utilized a super silent generator with fuel tank to supply extra power for a set being filmed in St Pancras Chambers in London. The Victorian Gothic building, which was being used for some interior shots was unable to supply sufficien

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Israel / UK - Compulite has announced new arrangements for the distribution of its lighting control and dimming products in the UK. The company has said that in order to deal effectively with the growing UK market, it has decided to strengthen its sales force. There will now be three companies engaged in selling Compulite products to the UK market, with immediate effect.

The three companies are Berkshire-based Stagetec Distribution Ltd (tel: +44 (0)1344 440507, www.stagetec.co.uk); Worcestershire-based Enlightenment Entertainment Technology (tel: +44 (0)1527 522 068, www.enlightenment.co.uk); and Kent-based Lighting Logic Ltd (tel: +44 (0)1622 684899, www.lightinglogic.co.uk.

Compulite's MD Yehuda Shukrun says: "T

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Germany / Italy - German chain hoist manufacturer Chainmaster Bühnentechnik will again this year be presenting its products at the SIB exhibition in Rimini, Italy, in conjunction with its Italian distribution partner, Risam for Show srl of Cologno Monzese, as part of its continuing aim to develop contact with customers and others interested in its products.

This year, ChainMaster will be introducing its new-look catalogue at SIB, as well as demonstrating not only the highly successful BGV C1 chain hoists, VarioLifts and VarioTrolleys but also its latest software solutions for the control of stage equipment.

Chainmaster can be found at SIB on Booth 087, Hall A5.

(Lee Baldock)

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USA - Color Kinetics Inc has announced a string of signage installations for which its LED systems have provided a greater impact than conventionally illuminated signs. Most recently, CKI's ColorBlast units have illuminated the high-profile Washington Mutual beanstalk sign in Times Square - an 80ft tall, three-dimensional sign with a fibreglass exterior that shimmers in varying shades of green. "The visual impact . . . is extraordinary, and Color Kinetics' LED lighting technology played a significant role in bringing our vision to life," said Mike McGraw, director of spectacular development for Clear Channel Spectacolor, who designed the sign along with Washingon Mutual's advertising agency, Sedgwick Rd.

Color Kinetics reports that its LED lighting fixtures are widely used to enhance signage, storefronts, and facades of some of the USA's most recognizable brands, with

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Gambia - The New Covenant Worship Centre, part of Abiding Word Ministries (AWM) in Serrekunda, the Gambia, has undergone an upgrade of its audio equipment to meet increasing technical demands. Headed by Pastor Francis Forbes, a well-known national figure, the church is heavily involved in TV and radio broadcast and music production, beyond the capabilities of the existing sound system.

Tim Kemp, director of Hull, UK-based installers Euronis Ltd, was responsible for the specification and installation of the system. The PA was refurbished with Crown amplifiers, Peavey loudspeakers, Alesis outboard devices, Sennheiser mics and a 32-channel Allen & Heath GL2200 mixing console.

The GL2200/32 was chosen for its suitability as a multi-role mixer. Its main function is for live sound reinforcement during services and concerts where the audio requirements include wired and wireless mi

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USA - The United Nations building in New York City became one of the first venues in the US to use the recently launched Midas Verona 8-bus mixing console for its sound reinforcement needs in addition to the new ElectroVoice Plasma powered speaker line for main FOH stacks and delays. New York Audio Service was asked to provide sound reinforcement services for an all-star line-up of jazz legends including Herbie Hancock, Larry Coryell, Terri Lyne Carrington, Nestor Torres and Buster Williams, who performed a special concert for the 'Culture of Peace' benefit at the UN last month.

New York Audio Service founder David Gibson remarked: "The Midas Verona is extremely user-friendly and straightforward. I spent a day with it in the shop, and had no trouble at all in familiarising myself with the board. I actually ran the entire show off the matrix busses, and only used 16-17 of th

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USA / Canada - Linkin' Park's lighting designer, AJ Pen, is using 24 Robe Spot 1200s on the band's massive Meteora 2004 world tour, which is completely sold-out and currently working its way through the US and Canadian legs. Pen has worked with the band for the last 12 months, and they have toured constantly since then in various configurations in support of the Meteora album, which is triple platinum in the US alone.

Pen was introduced to Robe Show Lighting's array of moving lights and the great potential of the Robe Spot 1200 in particular, by Robe America's Randy Wade through Linkin Park's production manager, Jim Digby. This is the first time Pen has used Robe, and the powerful 1200 Spots are proving to be a great creative asset for the show. Six Spot 1200s are deployed on the upstage truss for beam effects, four are used as followspots, 10 are rigged on custom trussing and u

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UK - The growth of the international marketplace, and a significant rise in digital communications, has made the protection and management of Intellectual Property an increasingly important issue for all those investing in design and development. To help PLASA members gain a broad understanding of Intellectual Property, and the related issue of brand protection, PLASA is running a FREE seminar in Central London on 25 March.

The day will set out to define Intellectual Property and offer advice on how members can protect their products and brands, with Professor James Woudhuysen, a respected lecturer and writer, talking about future trends in product design and innovation. Areas such as copyright, patents, trade marks, trade secrets and the protection of products abroad, particularly from counterfeiting, will also be covered. Members will also get to hear from Briffa - specialists

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UK - LXCO, in conjunction with DLD, created the lighting visuals for the prestigious Olivier Awards, which took place recently at London's Park Lane Hilton Hotel. The awards ceremony brought together some of today's greatest theatrical stars for a celebration of the year's productions. Clive Anderson, aided by the cast of The Rat Pack, presented the awards for the sixth consecutive year. Awards were presented to Eileen Atkins for Best Actress in Honour, Matthew Kelly for Best Actor in Of Mice and Men and Jerry Springer-The Opera for the Best New Musical. The Best Lighting Design Award went to Hugh Vanstone for Pacific Overtures and the inaugural Best Sound Design Award went to Mike Walker for Jerry Springer-The Opera.

LXCO and DLD were asked to create a lighting system based on the design already used for The Rat Pack production at the S

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The Netherlands - The Vakbeurs Theater Techniek show which took place in The Hague at the end of January saw the official public launch of Midas Consoles Holland, the new distribution organization for Midas and Klark Teknik products throughout the Netherlands.

Midas Consoles Holland is the brainchild of Axel Nagtegaal of Electric Audio. Electric Audio already distributed Klark Teknik in Holland, but Nagtegaal's vision was to develop a structure that would concentrate exclusively on Midas and Klark Teknik in order to maximise both brands in the Dutch market. "Midas Consoles Holland, although part of Electric Audio, operates entirely independently," explained Nagtegaal. "It has its own very distinct identity including its own dedicated logo, website and personnel, plus a fully stocked showroom and demo facility which we call the Midas Cave. MCH exists exclusively fo

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UK - San-Ei Electric Co Ltd of Osaka, Japan, in conjunction with their UK distributor Cerebrum Lighting, has announce the sale of four 2kW xenon followspots to the English National Opera at the London Coliseum. Supplied were San-Ei's new Xenonspot range, purchased by the ENO to replace their old Kupo models, which gave them many years of excellent service. As Xenonspot is a modern version of the Kupo units, they were chosen because of their heritage of reliability and superior performance. After the first weeks in the refurbished London Coliseum, the followspot operators say they are very pleased with Xenonspot, commenting: "They are a new version of the Kupos and so perform to the same high standard that we require."

(Lee Baldock)

  1. IATSE provides major support to ETCP
  2. PixelPARs light Toyo Ito Pavilion
  3. Fujian Television's Spring Tribute
  4. Bank station banks on Millbank
  5. Martin & QSC enter the Ozone
  6. Van den Berk opts for Heritage 1000
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