Sound

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Marquee Audio has joined a select band of companies entrusted with marketing Sony professional products with its appointment as approved pro audio dealer for the brand. The portfolio of Sony sound reinforcement products handled by Marquee will range from the popular radio mic series to more esoteric items such as feedback exterminators, and will include the DMX R-100 digital desk. The appointment was confirmed by Sony’s recently-recruited pro audio sales and marketing manager, Alan Johnson.

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French PA system manufacturer L-Acoustics has made a number of important personnel changes: financial manager Hervé Guillaume has been appointed managing director with responsibility for all administrative and financial matters. His new role will allow him to manage all the advanced aspects of L-Acoustics’ established business, while Christian Heil, the company chairman, will focus on the development of a global company strategy. Sandrine Fessard, formerly a sales assistant is now in charge of customer services, working alongside long-established sales manager Michel Brouard. Pascale Danielou joins the sales administration team and will be working in the expanded sales team with Beatrice Mornet. Paul Bauman has been appointed technical support manager, and will be assisted by Stephane Gramondo, who has been in charge of technical support for permanent installations over the last y

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TiLE will be the official European Show of The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). TiLE is aimed at those who have an interest in the future of location-based leisure attractions, whilst TEA is an international alliance of the world's most talented and experienced professionals in the themed attractions industry. The decision coincides perfectly with the 10th anniversaries of both TiLE and TEA and recognises the close relationship that has built up between the two; the European Chapter of TEA (now TEA Europe) was launched at TiLE 1998 in Strasbourg, France, and has become one of the fastest growing chapters of TEA.

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A cutting-edge club sound and lighting system have been detailed and installed by Marquee Audio into the new 2,300-capacity concert and dance venue, The Academy, in Birmingham. Opened in Dale End by the McKenzie Group - owners of the Brixton Academy and Shepherds Bush Empire - some £600,000 has been spent on converting the former Rank-owned Hummingbird, which had been closed for six years before being sold to the London-based entertainment company, into a premier mid-sized concert venues. The brief was to deliver a quality club system into both the major auditorium and 400-capacity auxiliary room. As a result, Marquee spec’d a computer-controlled Turbosound sound system, driven by a combination of 15 MC2 MC-1259 and three MC-750 amplifiers, and digitally distributed through a pair of BSS 9088LL audio matrix devices, with a Soundweb 9010 ‘Jellyfish’ remote providing loc

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The versatility of Audio-Technica's range of microphones has been demonstrated with the use of A-T ProPoint mics in a purpose-built badger sett at a Welsh country park. Flintshire County Council's Countryside Service has constructed the sett, with its earth-lined tunnels leading out into woodland, at Wepre Park, at Connah's Quay on Deeside. Specialist sound systems suppliers Apple Sound, based nearby at Mold, installed cameras and microphones in the sett to allow people in the visitor centre at the 168-acre combined recreation and conservation site to see and hear inside the badgers' home. A camera and an Audio-Technica PRO42 boundary microphone were installed in the walls of each of the three chambers of the sett, out of reach of the sharp teeth of any inquisitive badger residents.

Once the project - sponsored by Airbus UK, Apple Sound, International Power and Toyota Manufacturing U

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The recently-established Crystal Leisure is all set to launch its first major project. The company will unveil plans for a new multi-million pound superclub within the next few months. Summit, as the club will be known, will hold approximately 1500 clubbers and will be situated on Nene Parade in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. The company is currently working with leading sound, lighting and design companies to create the look and feel of the club.

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TMB announced today that Warren Mays, the company’s long-serving technical sales manager, has left the company to join Moodie, Pincu & Associates. Colin Waters, TMB’s CEO told PLASA Media: “Warren has been a great asset to TMB over the years and he will be missed. Because of his understanding of the cooperative relationship between TMB and Moodie-Pincu, we believe this move will lead to many new opportunities for both companies. Moodie-Pincu & Associates is a manufacturer’s representatives in the greater Los Angeles area for Electronic Theatre Controls and other entertainment-based manufacturers of theatrical support equipment.

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In 1996 the second edition of British Theatrical Patents 1801-1900 was published in demand to the runaway success of the first edition. Such was the interest and fascination with the subject, the authors Terence Rees and David Wilmore, embarked upon the mammoth task of consulting several million more patents to compile a database of theatrical patents for the first half of the twentieth century. As a result of some five years work the first release of the database is now available covering 1901-1950 and includes many fascinating technological developments relating to moving lights, projection, dimming and control as well as staging, illusions, and a myriad of other technical theatre subjects. The database is now available for purchase (£957+ Vat) and there are currently almost 1,000 patentee entries on the database. Purchasers will receive free updates as new entries are discovered - b

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DPA Microphones is to unveil a new large-diaphragm stereo kit for professional A-B stereo applications. The new 3532 is a complete A-B Stereo Kit consisting of two carefully factory-matched omnidirectional Large Diaphragm Microphones with 130V preamplifiers in a discrete class A design. The specially selected and hand paired microphones are matched within 1dB on frequency response, sensitivity and self-noise. The maximum phase response difference from 50Hz to 20kHz is 10°. With low self-noise and high SPL capability, the stereo kit delivers a huge dynamic range of distortion-free, clean detailed sound.

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Hayden Laboratories Ltd, UK distributor for Rane products, has introduced the latest Rane TTM 54i and TTM 52i professional mixers to the UK market. Both units include a host of innovative features plus fast and intuitive control. The TTM 54i mixer includes a hard-wearing Lexan face plate, improved Transform (Phono/Line) switches, A precision Active Crossfader with continuously adjustable Contour and ‘Hamster’ control. Other features include Reversal controls, Switchable Contour Controls and high performance Accelerated-Slope, band-split 24dB per octave tone controls allow 40dB Bass and Treble cut without affecting the vocal mid-range. In addition, a proprietary, assignable Effects Loop allows a stereo effect to be inserted in Pre-Fader Program 1, Pre-Fader Program 2, or Master at the press of a switch.

The TTM 52i, part of the Rane Mojo Series, offers the same quality, reli

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Mackie/RCF UK has announced that Linton Smeeton has left the company to pursue other interests within the pro audio Industry. Smeeton, who had been with the company for over 10 years and was one of the founding directors of RCF UK, held the position of sales director. Mackie/RCF MD, Phil Price commented on the move: "I would like to put on record that in the 'early' years of the company Linton was pivotal to the growth and successes particularly within the public address markets in the UK." Since the acquisition of RCF by Mackie Designs, Linton had been active in introduction of Mackie products to the market place.

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Terminal Studios, based in London Bridge, has made a significant investment in Turbosound stock with the purchase of 24 TFM-330 floor monitors, supplied by Marquee Audio. The TFM-330 incorporates a custom designed 4" voice coil, 15" low frequency driver and a high power 2" high frequency compression driver on a custom waveguide in a compact vented enclosure. The studio bought its first Turbosound loudspeakers in 1985 in the form of a pair of TMS-4s and has continually added to and upgraded the stock since that time. The studioshave worked with a host of pop icons since their establishment in 1979 such as David Bowie, Duran Duran and more recently Take That, Robbie Williams and The Chemical Brothers, the quality and sound of the monitors was the prime consideration in the choice, for managing director Charlie Barrett.

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The Strategic alliance between Dynaudio, Munro Associates and TC Electronic in June 1999 has been expanded, widening TC Electronic's responsibility for worldwide distribution and marketing of Dynaudio Acoustics to include all larger systems developed by Munro Associates. These include the ultra high-end MA1 Mastering Monitor, the well-known M4 main-monitor systems and the THX approved M3F system. As a result of the alliance, several joint development projects are already in consideration.

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NXT flat panel loudspeakers were recently specified as part of the new speech reinforcement system installed in Eton College Chapel by Cambridge Architectural Research Ltd (CAR), in conjunction with Mission. Using panels from Mission's award-winning FS2-AV Home Theatre system, Tim Lewers, chief acoustician of CAR, worked with other suppliers to install a computer-controlled sound reinforcement system using Peavey Media Matrix software, complete with touch screen display controls. The Mission FS2 satellites are located along the pews and mounted into bronze housings to match the lights and music stands and maintain the existing decor. They are placed in a spaced array of five panels down either side of the chapel to provide complete coverage of all seated areas. Further panels are wall mounted in the ante-chapel and chancel. Each NXT satellite is driven by its own amplifier and time-align

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BSS Audio has announced two new appointments. Tim McCall (pictured left), previously of Marquee Audio, has moved to BSS to look after Middle East and Asia sales, and will be responsible for the management of the BSS distributor network in these territories. The role of UK sales engineer has been taken up by Dave McKinney (pictured right), formerly from Gearhouse. His job will involve client and dealer liaison and support in the UK. The move initiates an expansion for BSS Sales, and complements the newly formed Systems Group headed by Davey Smalley.

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PRG company Fourth Phase supplied equipment, design engineering, project management and installation supervision for the entertainment lighting system in the newly constructed Potter’s House worship center, home of one of the fastest growing churches in the United States. This 26,000 member nondenominational church in Dallas, TX, led by Pentecostalist minister, author and entrepreneur T.D. Jakes, set out to build the country’s most technologically innovative church facility yet, dubbed a ‘Smart Church’. The new $32 million, 300 feet x 300 feet, 8,200 seat sanctuary creates a footprint larger than two football fields. Power and data terminals installed at 200 seats allow attendees to download sermon notes and power point presentations onto laptop computers. Altar attendants are equipped with handheld PDAs to allow immediate input of new member data and ‘praye

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The Gearhouse Group plc and a large number of its subsidiary operations have been placed in administrative receivership. A legal notice posted on the company’s website states that AR Bloom & AJR Wollaston (Ernst & Young) were appointed joint administrative receivers on 23rd February 2001. Over recent years, the Group, a supplier of professional presentation and event production equipment, for both rental and sale, to the corporate presentation, TV, film and live entertainment industries worldwide, had followed an ambitious programme of growth, acquiring a number of complementary companies and rebranding them under the Group banner. It appears from the notice that most of the companies within the Group are now in receivership - these include all the Gearhouse subsidiaries across the UK, Gearhouse LED Screens, Gearhouse Lighting, Gearhouse Special Projects, Gearhouse Structures, Gear

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With 18,000sq.ft of floor space, the new Manchester United Megastore is currently the largest Football Club merchandise store in the world and sells over 2,000 branded product lines including replica kits, sportswear, magazines, videos, books and other memorabilia. Situated within the new East Stand development of Old Trafford, the Megastore uses Tannoy speakers throughout to provide both background music and audio to accompany video screen presentations. Installed by Preston based ADI, six Tannoy i5 AW ICT speakers flank the entrance ramp and provide an effective audio introduction to the store. In addition, two Tannoy i8 Dual Concentric speakers complement a large rear projection video screen located at the rear of the store.Tannoy CMS 65 ICT ceiling monitor systems are also used throughout the store for background music, particularly in the café and MUFC Sport areas. The Tannoy speak

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Stardraw.com has appointed Rob Robinson as operations manager. Starting as an audio installation engineer in 1989, he worked his way up through the ranks to become a project manager for large scale audio and video systems at Shuttlesound. He oversaw the launch and development of ShuttleCAD, the predecessor to Stardraw Audio, from 1993 to 1997 and from 1994 was instrumental in the adoption of Stardraw technology. In 1997, he set up as an independent marketing consultant subsequently becoming marketing manager for Moody's Risk Management Services, a software division of the global ratings agency. David Snipp, managing director of Stardraw.com Ltd. Told PLASA Media: "We're delighted that Rob is on board. He's got a great deal of experience which will be invaluable as we're looking at more and more international business and will be expanding into new markets in 2001."

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News reaches us that the recent Dome auction turned into something of a bidding war and in so doing laid to rest fears that there would be a flood of cheap second-hand product hitting the market. Word has it that whilst there were some bargains to be had - top end lighting desks normally worth £15,000 upwards going for £7,000 - there were also numerous instances of bidders paying way over the list price for items. A 24-channel lighting control desk, for instance, which you can get for £525, was actually sold for £700, and this before the 10% premium buyers have to pay on all items. We also understand from our mole at the auction that numerous other items were attracting slightly higher or close to list price and one can only wonder at who out there has pockets so deep that price is not an issue. But not everything promised in the auction actually made it to the sale as the NMEC withd

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PLASA, the VPLT (PLASA’s sister association in Germany) and Trade Partners UK (British Government) have been working together to present three seminars at the Pro Light & Sound Show at the Frankfurt Musikmesse next week with simultaneous German/English translation. The first, on Wednesday 7th March at 12.30pm, covers ‘Cruise Ships and Events Technology‘ with Peter Ed of ETC Europe, Martin Lilly (Airtours/Sun Cruises), and Davey Smalley of BSS Audio. The seminar looks at event technology on cruise ships, revealing what requirements there are and which products and solutions are needed for these less than straightforward environments. The second seminar, on Thursday 8th March at 12.30pm, is entitled ‘German - English Trade’. Paul Robinson from the British Embassy in Berlin and Michael Schneider of Lightronic discuss the difference between the British and the G

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TOA France has installed a new sound system in the Stade de la Meinau, a 30,000 capacity soccer stadium in Strasbourg, and the home ground of FC Strasbourg. The new system not only provides general public address announcements, but also emergency warning broadcasts, interlocked with the fire alarm system. To meet European technical criteria for voice evacuation systems, the SX-1000M Smart Matrix Unit was selected as the nucleus for the system, and features emergency audio signal channels as well as speaker line failure detection circuitry. A total of 56 ES-0871 general use speakers and 20 F-160 Fashion speakers are sited both inside and outside the stadium, driven by 18 2kW power amplifiers. This project was realised with the co-operation of Spie Trindel and CGV France.

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Mobile phone company Orange has kicked off its largest ever Student Union club tour: ‘Enjoy Music on Campus’ is a high tech clubbing production that transforms student unions into impressive clubbing venues. Orange is employing expertise gained through its extensive music sponsorship portfolio to take leading DJs and the latest technology to universities across the UK. The first event took place in February at the De Montfort Student Union in Leicester and throughout the coming months will visit universities from Belfast to Plymouth, to allow as many students as possible to Enjoy Music on Campus. The line up for the events include the Freestylers, Jon Carter and talent from Grand Central Records. The club nights are designed to support the launch of ‘Orange on campus’, a mobile phone package specially designed for students.

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Lightfactor Sales, UK distributor for Apogee Sound products, hired Bovingdon Airfield in Hertfordshire for the UK debut of the Apogee Sound ALA-9 Line Array touring system.

Despite freezing temperatures and high winds, a steady stream of audio professionals made the trip to the once thriving World War II USAAF base. As well as offering the facility to crank the system up to high volumes, the Bovingdon site was also ideal to demonstrate the quick rigging and de-rigging capabilities of the ALA-9.

Judging by the number of line array launches at the recent Frankfurt MusikMesse, one could be forgiven for thinking that this is an emerging technology, but line array is nothing new. In fact, examples are common from as far back as the 1950s and The Grateful Dead were using the principles of line array in their ‘wall of sound’ in the seventies. However, advancements in electronics

  1. The House That Jakes Built
  2. ‘Scouser’ Going Live
  3. Paul Rogers
  4. Momo Gives Thumbs up to BSS
  5. Cerwin’s Double Blast
  6. Avesco Buys Gearhouse Divisions
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