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UK - Midas and Klark Teknik have provided pioneering audio engineering college Deep Blue Sound in Plymouth with a range of industry-standard mixing consoles and signal processors. The equipment is central to the country's first-ever accredited Live Sound HNC (Higher National Certificate) being developed by industry expert and leading sound engineer Simon Honywill.

Deep Blue Sound began life as a commercial recording facility, moving into education four years ago. Its first foray into live sound education was the inclusion of a six-week Live Sound module into its Music Production diploma earlier this year. The new Live Sound HNC is a one-year higher education course aimed at training students for work in the industry and providing an academic qualification. The course will be a combination of practical workshops and lectures, together with work-based learning in 'real-life' envir

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UK - KV2 Audio Ltd has announced the appointment of two, new, key members of staff to work from their recently opened headquarters in Harrogate, UK. Mick Butler joins KV2 from Fuzion plc, as UK sales manager, handling sales for KV2 Audio products as well as KV2's distributed lines Vieta loudspeakers and Apex signal processing. Butler commented: "This is a dream job for me, I've long been an admirer of KV2's products but didn't realise how good the systems were until I heard them first-hand. It really makes my job enjoyable to get behind product lines I can really believe in, that and joining a team of people who clearly enjoy what they do, I can't wait to get out there and start spreading the word!"

KV2's operations director Andy Simmons commented: "To have someone of Mick's calibre join our team has already made a difference to everyone here at KV2. Mick's a grea

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France - Blackout were engaged to provide a dramatic environment for a country-wide launch of the new Peugeot 207 to French motor dealers and customers.

The launch was held simultaneously in eight different cities across France including Paris, Lyon, Lille, Nancy, Nantes, Bordeaux, Avignon and Le Mans.

Working closely with events production company Communication 105, in each of the venues, Blackout created an elliptical box-shaped auditorium that had a sophisticated set-up of Blackout tracking systems.

A total of over 1,400 metres of drape was used across all venues. During each presentation, specific drapes surrounding the auditorium were opened so that guests could walk out into numerous exhibit areas. Here, Blackout's lightweight Easi-Build Pipe and Drape system was provided on 9m x 3.5m backdrops and formed a stylish way to showcase large photographs of the new car and

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UK - UK distributor for HME's range of advanced wireless intercom products - audio experts Orbital Sound - is delighted to announce that since the launch of the new HME WH200 ComLink at The ABTT Theatre Show 2006, it has made an impact as the only digital 2.4 Ghz 'all in one' headset that offers a total comms solution.

ComLink comes complete with the entire range of functions offered by the standard BP200 belt pack. As a first of its kind, ComLink significantly enhances the potential of two-way communications in the UK's broadcast, live performance, corporate presentation and installed sound markets.

Making its West End debut on Sunday in the Park with George at The Wyndams, ComLink was deployed on this Menier Chocolate Factory production, which celebrates the life of poitillist painter, Georges Seurat and boasts a score by Stephen Sondheim. Four WH200 head-sets were co

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UK - As the name suggests, Hybrid are something of an anomaly, an amalgam of many elements that don't at first seem to fit together. Mike Truman and Chris Healings are producers and remixers, but they're also artists in their own right. They make breakbeat-driven dance music, but they're into albums, such as the cinematic Morning Sci-Fi, rather than singles. And although they've been known to spend months or even years tweaking meticulous productions like Finished Symphony or Know Your Enemy, unlike many studio-based obsessives, they get out there and play live too, adding vocalists, guitarists, bassists and drummers when required.

Hybrid are currently building up to the release of their third album, I Choose Noise, which is due out in September, and they previewed some of their new tracks at the end of July on stage at the UK's Global Gathering festi

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Europe - Since the acquisition by the Genlyte Group of Strand Lighting Inc, and the closure of Strand Lighting UK Ltd last month, Strand Lighting Inc reports that it has been working on interim arrangements to provide "the best possible levels of support for our valued European dealers and end users".

For the present, Strand says its products will be supplied to European customers from Strand's US and Hong Kong warehouses, with customer service being carried out in the Strand Lighting Inc facility in Cypress, California. Technical Support is once again available in Europe for all Strand products, and will be provided by field service technicians under contract to Strand Lighting Inc (see contact details below). Further support for project planning and commissioning will, for the time being, be provided by Strand Lighting Inc application engineers and field service tech

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Germany - tarm Showlaser GmbH has reported the best first half in the company's history. Among numerous other first half highlights were the opening festivities of the 2006 Paralympics in Turin; The Night of the Astronauts for the European Space Agency in Barcelona; the presentation of telephone-company ETISALAT's new logo in Dubai; the presentation of Porsche's new GT3 at the Porsche Sports Cup races at the Hockenheim-Ring; Vodafone's kick-off in Bucharest; and the opening ceremonies of the FIFA World Soccer Championship's Fan Festival in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate on 7 June.

The company already has a substantial backlog for the second half, which, according to managing director Ralf Lottig, demonstrates that technical know-how, uncompromising devotion to quality, and creativity pay off.

tarm Showlaser GmbH will be exhibiting at PLASA 06 on stand - P54.

(Chri

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UK - The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) has awarded Prof. Dr. Jorg Sennheiser the title of "Companion." With this award, LIPA is expressing its gratitude to the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of audio specialist Sennheiser, both for his pre-eminence in the field of sound engineering and his long lasting support for the Institute.

The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts awards the title 'Companion' in recognition of outstanding achievement in the service of art and entertainment, and honours those who share their knowledge and their experience with the students. Mark Featherstone-Witty, who co-founded LIPA with Sir Paul McCartney, says: "Sennheiser provides the fuel of support to propel the vehicle of future talent. Their practical friendship is treasured."

According to Prof. Dr. Jorg Sennheiser, "We were fascinated right from the

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UK / Finland - Clockaudio Limited has appointed Starlike Oy as its Finnish distributor. Starlike will be responsible for the sales and distribution of Clockaudio's extensive line of microphones, mixers, headsets and accessories within the growing Finnish market.

Located in Vantaa, close by Helsinki city centre, Starlike Oy is a professional sound and lighting company that was founded in 1986. Its services include system design, installation and manufacturing as well as distribution and sales.

Starlike pro audio sales manager, Pauli Molner, comments: "We are proud and excited to be taking on the distribution of Clockaudio products in Finland. Clockaudio is synonymous with good quality, reliability and flexibility. We are looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Clockaudio.

"Our clients include public and private organisations, construction industry,

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UK / Italy - A.C. Lighting has been appointed as the sole UK distributor for D.T.S. show products and will launch final production models of the innovative new Delta LED IP rated moving light range at the PLASA show.

Until recently, D.T.S. has been known as a high volume manufacturer of branded and OEM lighting products combining excellent build quality, performance and reliability at an affordable price. However, as a result of long-term investment in state-of-the-art R&D and manufacturing facilities in Italy, the company has developed a new generation of advanced products aimed at the professional end of the entertainment market.

The new distribution deal will exploit A.C. Lighting's position as a leading one-stop supplier of cutting-edge entertainment technologies to the most demanding users in all areas of professional and architectural lighting applications. The deal cove

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Worldwide - LaserNet's summer began with a bang when it was selected to join the 20th Anniversary tour of the legendary rock band, Poison. The rigorous tour schedule, 55 cities in 65 days, proved to be no problem for the rugged Verde projector, and LaserNet's 20W Verde Beam Raider - an air-cooled, green-only laser system - made its tour debut. Poison's tour manager Mark Hogue says: "We were very pleased with the reliability of the LaserNet system, it never missed a beat. Plus, never having to mess with water hoses made it a dream come true."

LD Mark Miller added: "The laser projector is very well built and we have worked it hard with no problems. I can see more rock and roll in its future and even corporate gigs."

LaserNet's president, Tom Harman noted: "The Beam Raider system has been very successful in clubs, but getting it on the road was the acid t

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UK - Coinciding with the recent hike in interest rates and amid concerns that levels of borrowing are escalating, a new analysis by industry specialists Plimsoll Publishing has looked at how high levels of debt are impacting on the financial health of the top 200 sound equipment companies.

It found that 80 of the 200 companies analysed are in fact, in more debt now than they have been in the last four years. Using other people's money to finance your company is, it seems, an increasing trend.

David Pattison, head of research at Plimsoll, commented. "We are always surprised how no one at these companies seems to realise their debts are rising and the effect it's having on the overall financial strength of the company. Unfortunately it's not something they tend to measure until it's too late. Our analysis spots these problems earlier."

The Plimsoll analysis points to

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Belgium - The perennial Rock Werchter festival was held again at Werchter Park in Hasselt, Belgium, from 29 June to 2 July. Rock Werchter is one of Europe's largest music festivals, with over 300,000 people attending each year, and over 60 artists performing on two stages throughout the four-day festival.

30 Bands including The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Who, Arctic Monkeys, Black Eyed Peas, Depeche Mode, and Kanye West graced the main stage while Collective Soul, Death Cab for Cutie, Elbow, The Streets and many others were featured on the second Pyramid Marquee stage.

EML Belgium, who have been associated with the festival for the past 20 years, was contracted to provide the sound system and design. They know exactly what the demands are, and each year aim to fine-tune and deliver what has become one of the largest Adamson Systems Arrays used in an out-door even

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UK - Top of the Pops the long-running BBC TV music show, has been broadcast for the last time in its 42-year history. The one-hour finale, shown on BBC Two on Sunday 16 July 2006, looked back over the show's four decades and featured a number of memorable archive clips.

Roger Williams has been the lighting designer for Top of the Pops for two years now and has learnt where the camera gets the most out of the lights. As this was the final music show he filled the studio grid with as much as he could using various lamps and manufacturers, but not trying to, "make it too much like a trade show!".

The lighting design is usually left to Williams once the positioning of the set pieces has been decided on in the Monday meeting. Williams has two preferred rigs, Martin MAC 500 and MAC 600s beams and washes alternately to provide strong vibrant colours and sharp

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UK - The last ever event to be held at the Wembley Conference Centre saw Pearce Hire install the complex PA system for an acoustically challenging and unusual event.

With the continuing development of the Wembley site, the next stage of the regeneration is the pulling down of Wembley Conference Centre after 30 years of holding numerous conferences, seminars and private parties. For the final time, the venue was used by an American composer, Yoav Goren to showcase his work to a selected audience.

Goren who is responsible for creating trailer music for many blockbuster movies including Spiderman, Van Helsing and X-Men, has developed his trailers into full music compositions and was performing them using a 65 piece orchestra, 60 piece choir and full rock band, which included Feeder's drummer (who worked with Aerosmith and Bon Jovi).

Pearce Hire's Andy White headed the team and

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UK - The Sound Division Group has added Mews of Mayfair to its bar/restaurant portfolio, adding tailored audio visual packages to each of the four floors in this remarkable £2m conversion.

Located within a historic cobbled courtyard behind London's New Bond Street, two traditional Mews buildings have been beautifully converted into an exclusive restaurant, lounge and cocktail bar by James Robson, formerly of Salt Whisky Bar, and his partner Robert Nearn.

Aimed at a discerning clientele, the two men assembled a top creative team and Sound Division soon appeared on their recommended list.

"Most of the companies I had known from previous projects, and although we hadn't dealt with Sound Division before, I was immediately impressed by their client list," recalls Robson.

From the first site survey undertaken by Sound Division 12 months ago, Sound Division MD Dav

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Ireland - "This is a state of the art sound system for people who are serious about what they do," said Dave McDonnell of Dublin based pro-audio company McDonnell Systems. He was referring to the d&b audiotechnik PA system his company had recently installed in one of the latest venues on the Dublin nightlife scene, Radio City at the Isaac Butt Bar.

The recently renovated bar is a Mecca for music lovers and clubbers in the city. It has a variety of bars spread over three floors with 'Radio City' situated in the basement where the d&b system is installed. This is a venue for late night gigs where up and coming bands are showcased.

The system, comprising d&b Qi7s and Qi subwoofers with Ci80s providing delays and E0s serving a number of blind spots, was specified and designed by the Butt Bar's resident sound engineer Andy Colbert in co-operation with Kevin McGing, sound

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Singapore - Singapore's highly-respected arts centre Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay has become the first customer in Asia to purchase the new Soundcraft Vi6 digital console. Esplanade's head of sound Robin Shuttleworth says: "The features we get on the Vi6 made it worthwhile for us to pioneer this console."

The first use of the Soundcraft Vi6 console was at Baybeats, Singapore's own local annual indie music festival at Esplanade, a free festival of live indie music which attracts bands from countries such as Malaysia, Norway, UK, USA, Australia and of course, Singapore itself. At Baybeats, the console was used as a monitor desk for the Powerhouse stage: soon after, at another festival to commemorate Singapore's National Day, the Soundcraft Vi6 was used for front-of-house control.

"We operate two outdoor venues, and frequently run shows which feature five or six

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UK - Madonna, one of the biggest names in the music industry, played a one-night show at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Sunday 30 July to an audience of 60,000 during her Confessions Tour.

Star Events Group Ltd has recently been appointed as the technical management company for the Stadium. Part of its remit is to enable the production to fully utilise the capacity of the retractable roof. After consultations with the engineering company, the stated capacity of the roof was increased considerably: over 50 tonnes can now be flown above the arena stage positions and, for the first time, shows using the whole stadium can fly delays from the retractable roof as well. This enabled Star Events Group and Madonna's production team to replace the proposed ground support solutions for the delay PA, spotlight platform and mother-grid needed to support the protruding mirror ball truss with

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UK - Robe moving lights took centre stage at the Sundial Theatre at Cirencester College for an ambitious production of Homer's Odyssey, with an innovative lighting and set design by Sundial's technical manager, Andy Webb.

The performance was the end of year production by the Sundial Youth Theatre, and featured a cast of 28 students attending various different courses at the college. It was directed by Adam Fotheringham.

Homer's intense story of the Journey Of Odysseus saw the Sundial Theatre configured into a minimalist stage design. A floor level thrust came out from the centre of the main stage with seats encircling it at 270 degrees, creating an extremely intimate performance area with the performers right in the audience.

The theatre's permanent stage, a set of steps built onto the front of it and the floor level thrust area were all painted in cream. The clearly

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UK - A life-sized carousel is operated by a mechanical revolve supplied by Stage Technologies and sets the scene for love, romance and sometimes violence between two lovers in a nineteenth century New England fishing community. The Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein musical Carousel is being staged at the Chichester Festival Theatre for a three month run, finishing on the 1 September.

The sets were built by All Scene All Props and the revival uses a Stage Technologies' simple Saxis control unit and hand held controller to operate the revolve which at various times also moves props and people.

Stage Technologies worked with Piers Ross from All Scene All Props to bring the Carousel to life. Piers required a rental system that they could install for this single element of the show. Stage Technologies have been providing rental systems to automate shows for over 10 years

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UK - This year sees the 22nd Reproduced Sound conference and the agenda, as ever, will be packed with the latest in audio technology, acoustics and real world applications and the presentations by the international line-up of industry-leading experts never disappoints. Organised by the Electroacoustics Group of the Institute of Acoustics, in collaboration with AES, ABTT, APRS and ISCE, this year's conference will be held on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 November at the Oxford Hotel, Oxford.

Over the two days, papers and discussions will cover a range of topics including Loudspeakers, Speech Intelligibility, Distribution/Networking, Digital Audio Networks, Lossy Compression and Bitrate Reduction, Ultrasonic Audio, Sound System Applications and Virtual Acoustics.

The Reproduced Sound conferences will feature presentations from some of the industry's leading academics, consultants, sup

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USA / Canada - After kicking things off in Detroit on 21 July, the Dixie Chicks' Accidents & Accusations tour is in full swing. As with their last world tour, Upstaging is providing a variety of Tomcat equipment to show the three country stars in the best possible light. "We are always pleased to offer Tomcat products," says John Huddleston, director of lighting services for Upstaging, "We have never had a problem with Tomcat trussing, it's safe and dependable."

Over 200' of black powder coated Tomcat LD truss is on the set. In addition to that, there are two sections of 10'6" Swing Wing truss, two 8' sections of Swing Wing truss, six 10' sections of 30" x 20.5" truss, two 30" x 20.5" hinges (all powder coated black) as well as ten 20.5" pick up bars.

The tour runs through until early November with stops in cities throug

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UK - Sound Leisure Retail (SLR) has completed another high-profile installation at the innovative Xscape mixed-use retail and leisure destination, this time in Braehead. This follows the successful installation of various bubble screens at the Castleford Xscape centre last year. All the Xscape venues in Braehead, Castleford and Milton Keynes feature a 200m real snow slope and extreme sports facilities, as well as cinemas, bowling alleys, restaurants, bars and shops.

Given the unusual layout and leisure offering, Xscape required a creative screen solution and in both Castleford and Braehead, they invested in large 32in 'Bubble' screens from SLR. The Bubbles look particularly eye-catching as they glow brightly in an array of neon colours. Xscape has used the Bubbles to show footage of extreme sports interspersed with in-house Xscape offers, promotions and adverts.

SLR's touch-sc

  1. PRG Europe lights Vibes from the Vines
  2. British Turntable at Theatre Royal, Ramsbottom
  3. PLASA exhibitors raise the Bar!
  4. PRG's Virtuoso with Pearl Jam
  5. New systems for Glasgow's City Hall
  6. Cirque du Soleil expand Clear-Com system
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