Midland Sound & Light has purchased a new Soundcraft Series FOUR front-of-house console for The League of Gentlemen, who have added a sell-out run at London’s Theatre Royal to their successful UK touring credentials. MSL has provided a Renkus-Heinz CE3 touring system for the show, adding the new Series FOUR console, supplied by Marquee Audio, to the production rig when it arrived in the West End. Working with MSL is sound designer Oliver Gross, who mixes the show, together with second engineer Dan Sepke, both graduates of LIPA.

The show is loud, delivered at levels more commonly found in touring rock ‘n’ roll, and it is also full of action. Gross has 53 cues, which are all manually triggered from his three CD players, one of which is routed to the effects speakers on stage. Gross comments: "The Series FOUR is a very flexible desk. Being able to route the aux send

Leicestershire-based Hawthorn Theatrical has acquired Allen & Heath's flagship product, the ML5000, in order to handle the varied demands of the corporate events environment. Nick Key, Hawthorn's project manager, was impressed by the flexibility of the dual function FOH/monitor mixer which features 16 auxes, eight audio groups and eight mute group matrix, with in-ear monitoring (IEM) facilities. The enhanced feature set includes LCRplus for more realistic aural editing and VCAs, both essential in theatrical environments. The innovative group/aux structure also proved to be a winner as it offers quick configuration and intuitive control. Combined with two 24-channel sidecars, this provides outstanding capabilities with the option of up to 96 channels, if needed.

Equally vital to Hawthorn's decision to choose the ML 5000 was the question of dimension. The lightweight design - described a

The team at Northern Light has been further strengthened with several new appointments. Craig Shaw joins the Special Projects department as sales engineer, with responsibility for developing the company's sound reinforcement products business. Formerly with EFX Audio, he left to freelance on sound system design and installation projects in clubs and bars throughout Scotland and for projects such as the Police Public Safety announcement system for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay street celebrations.

Gerry Corcoran is the latest addition to the sales team. Based in Glasgow, he'll be concentrating on expanding and supporting Northern Light's customer base in the West of Scotland and will augment the company's capacity to demonstrate equipment and provide customer training. Gerry was formerly chief electrician and technical tutor at RSAMD, and before that his career in stage management and elec

Stanton Magnetics has announced the death of its founder, Walter O Stanton. A pioneer in the audio field, Stanton was responsible for many of the early patents in phono cartridge and styli design and electrostatic speakers, as well as other electromechanical items. He was one of the early leaders in the audio industry and served as president of both the Institute of Hi Fidelity and the Audio Engineering Society (AES). One of the original owners of Pickering & Company, started in 1947, he later established Stanton Magnetics Inc in 1961. He was the chairman and president of both Pickering & Co and Stanton Magnetics Inc until 1998. Under his leadership, the various companies developed leading products in the audio, aerospace, military and communications fields with factories in Plainview, New York and West Palm Beach, Florida. He leaves a wife, three daughters, six grandchildren and four gr

London-based Orbital Sound has combined forces with the Royal National Theatre's sound department to stage the first of an annual advanced training programme for students wishing to pursue a career in theatre sound. With audio technology becoming increasingly sophisticated, both organisations are concerned that there is a skills shortfall, and that young people entering the industry have little experience of the latest technology. Initiated jointly by Orbital's Simon Whitehorn and the National's Rob Barnard, the co-produced course was held at the National Theatre and at Orbital's central London facility, between 9 - 12 April 2001. The creative and conceptual workshops were staged at the National, whilst in-depth technical sessions were held at Orbital's headquarters.

The course was designed as a 'top up' for final year Stage Management and Technical Theatre students. Nine candidates we

Sennheiser will launch a new Hidyn-plus miniature plug-on wireless transmitter at this year's AES convention in Amsterdam, which enables any cable microphone to be instantly converted for RF operation. Developed to meet the requirements of PA companies, and broadcast, film and video sound recording professionals, the SKP 30 includes 48V phantom powering to enable use with condenser microphones and features Sennheiser's market-leading HiDyn-plus companding system, making it compatible with the full range of Sennheiser 3000 Series and 5000 Series professional wireless systems. The highly efficient HiDyn-plus system increases dynamics up to 110 dB. Even with low antenna voltages, HiDyn plus will ensure excellent sound quality and highest transmission reliability, say Sennheiser.

Suitable for worldwide use, the SKP 30 is available for UHF frequencies between 518 and 870 MHz, and features

If you use radio mics or radio talkback systems, you should be aware of the Radiocommunications Agency’s (RA) latest consultation document on Spectrum Pricing.

For most in the industry, there’s good news in that the cost of licensing is to be reduced - a result that didn’t seem likely when the first consultation document was released. A study published by Smith Nera on spectrum pricing, based on its calculation of the value of radio spectrum, would have made one radio mic channel worth about £80,000. However, following reaction from contractor JFMG and several users at the earlier stage, another round of consultation was announced. If all goes to plan, the technicalities of licensing will be simplified too.

Once the policy is adopted, a block of frequencies, such as UHF Channel 69 frequencies, would cost £75.00 per year. JFMG hopes that the price reduction will in

Neutrik AG has chosen to pursue judgement in its patent infringement suit against Switchcraft Inc in the United States courts. The company, which is changing counsel, contends that Switchcraft has intentionally copied its Speakon connectors and in so doing has violated the United States Patent held by Neutrik. Werner Bachmann, managing director of Neutrik AG told PLASA Media. "This case is not only important for Neutrik, but for our clients as well." Last month the lower courts ruled that based upon the materials reviewed, it did not appear that the patent was violated.

The Allen & Heath ML series proved its rock and roll credentials when both the ML 4000 and 5000 were used for a Deep Purple show in Bangalore, India recently. The two dual function FOH/monitor mixers were used for the live concert, which was attended by over 15,000 fans in the palace grounds. Felix Remedios of Reynolds Sound and Light, the system provider for the production, said: "We had no hesitation in choosing the Allen & Heath mixers, as we knew they would give us the best of both worlds - great features at a great price."

The company's association with the ML series began when Felix saw the ML 4000, the latest addition to the ML series, at its debut in the Plasa Show, London. He was so impressed by the specifications that he bought an ML4000/48 and used it straight out of the box at the MC Hammer concert in Bangalore. The results were so good they immediately ordered a

Marquee Audio has supplied the first Yamaha DME32 for UK installation to theatre sound system specialists, Aura Sound Design. The Digital Mixing Engine will be installed in the Donmar Warehouse in London's Covent Garden in time for a new production - To The Green Fields Beyond - directed by Sam Mendes, and forms part of a general sound system upgrade, with the Shepperton distributors supplying all the components. Marquee Audio's Jimmy Potter, who earlier this year supplied Aura with a full sound specification for their fit-out for the Almeida Theatre in their temporary home of the Gainsborough Studios, confirmed that a new Yamaha 02R would again fulfil all the sound mixing duties, reinforced through four of Meyer's powered compact, multi-purpose UPM1P enclosures, which will augment the existing system. The new installation has been carefully designed to a fixed budget by Aura Sound Desig

Richard Wear, formerly director and general manager of Celestion International Ltd, has announced his departure from the company, to pursue other professional and personal interests. At the company headquarters in Ipswich, Frank DiGirolamo takes over executive responsibility for the Professional Systems Division. He is currently Deputy CEO of KH Industries (UK) Ltd, and has extensive experience of both the consumer and professional audio business, as a senior executive at Harman International, and also chief operating officer of Intellisys Inc in the USA. DiGirolamo first became involved with Celestion as managing director of its sister company KEF, in the early nineties. His return to the UK just over two years ago signalled a change in the success of both the KEF and Celestion consumer brands. Speaking on behalf of Celestion, DiGirolamo said: "The company would like to thank Richa

Proel has announced a key addition to its Smart Series PA speakers - the new 'Double 15' 215P full-range enclosure. The 215P's custom-designed twin 15" speakers are matched with a 1" compression driver, enabling an overall handling of 500W (AES) continuous (1000W peak). The 215P has a frequency response of 45Hz - 20kHz +/-6dB, has a sensitivity of 101dB @ 1W/1m and delivers a maximum SPL of 128dB. Significantly, the Smart Double 15 has a 90 x 40 degree exponential horn for accurate high frequency reinforcement. By incorporating low-pass filters in each of the LF drivers, the Smart 215P offers a smoother performance through the crossover region. Perfectly time-aligned, it also delivers a clear spectrum across its entire frequency range. The Smart 215P's forte is the enclosure's powerful long-throw performance, which makes it ideal for full range applications without the need for

The Marine Hall in Fleetwood has chosen an Allen & Heath ML5000 as part of a sound system re-fit at the theatre, with a brief for no compromise on quality. Tony Mitchell, sound engineer at the hall, explains: "We needed a really advanced feature set and were gobsmacked to find it all on the ML5000 at such a competitive price - and with a great EQ, as well."

The dual function FOH/monitor mixer is ideal for the varied demands of the Marine Hall, with its 16 auxes, 8 audio groups and 8 VCA groups. The console's extended VCA capability includes 128 mute/VCA snapshot memories and intelligent P/AFL switching. Equally crucial to the decision was the full three-speaker balance provided through the LCRPlus panning system, ideal for providing even coverage throughout the auditorium and compensating for the effects of the central dome.

Andy Huffer of Marquee Audio, the company that su

A glittering array of stars and a sell-out audience of 5,000 joined Prince Charles at the Daily Mail Farm Aid concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall earlier this month, which raised more than £350,000 for farmers affected by the Foot and Mouth crisis. The concert was the brainchild of classical music patron Jackie Rosenfeld OBE, who - with the help of experienced fund-raiser Maggie Heath and publicist Aurelia Stephenson - organised the evening in just four weeks. Dobson Sound was brought in by production team Unusual Services to design and operate the sound system for the gala event, which was based around the 96-piece London Philharmonic Orchestra accompanying virtuoso performances from the Royal Ballet, opera singer Kim Cresswell, humorous singer Dillie Keane, and comedy duo Kit and the Widow. The evening was hosted by Angela Rippon and Robert Powell and featured contributions fr

There’s an orange-haired clown from the USA who 30 years ago perfected a presentational strategy that’s seen his products grow to become a global monster. The recipe for success is to satisfy the appetite with something that’s unlikely to offend even the most delicate palette.

While the three girls and brother Jim can hardly be likened to a hamburger and fries, they do present an inoffensive brand of pop that while delightful, is unlikely to become a healthy diet if taken in excess. It was March ‘98 when I last saw the Corrs, in a sub-2,000-seat theatre on that occasion. Their early singles had begun what’s become the band’s long flirtation with the charts. Have three years been a long enough break? In short, yes. The band’s live performance is much improved in that there is now an edge to them, and, dare I say it, I prefer the songs performed

Switchcraft Inc, the US manufacturer of audio connectors, patch bays and cable assemblies, has strengthened its international distributor base by appointing Electronics & Cables and Technosound to distribute its products in Italy and Lebanon respectively. Stephen Waldron, Switchcraft's director of international sales, told us: "Both companies are well established in their respective markets and will provide our customers with high quality service and support."

Brähler ICS AG of Germany, with UK offices in Cambridge and Edinburgh, has announced two new digital audio products. Both have been designed and developed by Brähler and both are designed as components for the company’s Congress Data System - Virtual Audio Network or CDS-VAN for short. The first is the B8, a new feature-rich AD/DA interface unit. The second is the smaller OE16 interface converter. With the B8, it is possible to connect up to eight analogue audio sources to the digital CDS-VAN system via rear-panel electronically-balanced inputs and outputs (XLR-plug, XLR-socket or jack-plug). The unit also has three optical ADAT connections (in, out, and thru), two MIDI connectors (in and out), a wordclock BNC and 2 RJ45 ADAT sockets to power digital language selectors.

Brähler claims that the new B8, designed also as a standalone device, brings much more flexibility and versa

Television Film Services (TFS), the location audio equipment supply company, recently founded by film sound recordist Keith Silver, has chosen Sennheiser wireless microphone and in-ear monitoring systems to equip its inventory. Having already purchased a large number of SK 50 transmitter and EM 1046 modular receiver-based, 5000 Series systems, the company recently supplemented this with a further 16 channels of rackmount 3000 series systems, bringing the total number of channels to 45. The company further purchased six channels of Sennheiser evolution 300 Series wireless IEM. Founded just 10 months ago, TFS has already supplied equipment to BBC and Channel 4 productions, as well as to a growing number of corporate and feature film clients. Recent productions include The Human Body, Last of the Summer Wine'and The Gentleman Thief, along with a host of documentary titles.

London-based Orbital Sound has now added Yamaha's PM1D mixing console into its extensive hire stock, making it available for tours, conferences and one-night events alike. Complementing their existing portfolio of high-spec equipment, the PM1D is available for hire following its recent ground-breaking debut at Sadlers Wells for the RSC production of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. As a theatre specialist, Orbital has worked closely with the Yamaha R&D teams both in the UK and Japan to initiate certain software developments to enhance the PM1D's performance as front-of-house workhorse, making it even faster to programme and providing greater control from its up-graded version 1.2 software.

As Mike Case, head of Yamaha Commercial Audio, explained: "We are delighted that Orbital are utilising the latest version of PM1D software for the system used in the production of FA

Those masters of rock industry logistics, EST, are once more in the thick of the action over the summer season. Touring with a list of bands that reads like a roll-call of the top aristocracy of the rock music industry, the range of locations and number of vehicles involved is staggering. The tours are all major Arena and Stadium scale and are forecast to be the biggest gross-earning acts of the summer season. 16 of the familiar yellow and purple trucks will provide logistic support to Madonna’s European tour running from the 5 June until 12 July. A further eight trucks will provide transport for the Eagles, starting in Moscow on 29 May and finishing in Glasgow on 28 July. Another 16 EST trucks will accompany Bon Jovi’s European Tour which starts in Stockholm on 31 May with 16 more shows in locations as diverse as Huddersfield, Hamburg and Zurich before ending in Munich on 30

P&O Stena Line (P&OSL) have installed an integrated sound and entertainment system, incorporating Bose speakers, on board their ships on the route between Dover and Calais. The installation is part of a £10.5 million refurbishment of the P&OSL fleet; the sound system installed in all the Silverstone’s sports bars incorporates a Sound Leisure state-of-the-art video touch-screen juke box which links through to Thomson plasma screens and monitors, and Bose 32SE and 302A loudspeakers strategically positioned around the bars. All seven ships on the P&OSL Dover Calais route will be equipped with the new technology by the end of May. An additional feature on the P&OSL Provence is a back-projection videowall which is also integrated with the entertainment and sound system.

Yates's Wine Lodges flagship branch has just opened in London's Leicester Square on the site originally occupied by Capital Radio's Capital Café. Leicester Square represents a radical departure from the traditional Yates look and feel which, over time, will gradually be phased out in the other sites across the country in favour of the new design. The same goes for the audio requirements which have also changed dramatically since the original Yates's concept was rolled out. Audio specialists Perfect Acoustics were called in to manage the project.Perfect Acoustics' Anthony Leonard explained that above all the system had to be versatile in order to handle several different types of musical requirements ranging from quiet background music during the day to DJs and live bands at night. "That's why we went for a Crown-driven Nexo system," he said. "We knew it would be able to h

Cambridge-based Brähler ICS has provided a new microphone system for the courtrooms of the Patent Office in London, as part of a sound system overhaul. Two main areas had to be addressed: firstly, a modern microphone management system was required to make proceedings run more smoothly; secondly, it was vital that this system was integrated with an element that made it highly versatile. Both these needs were met by the supply and installation of Brähler’s Automic system and their Congress Data System Virtual Audio Network, CDS-VAN for short. The former provides the overall infrastructure. The latter endows it with great flexibility and eliminates much of the peripheral hardware normally associated with such projects. Installation also included replacing the existing PA system.

A carefully concealed and fixed cabling network was put into each courtroom for the microphones. And Br

Three European entertainment industry veterans have announced the formation of Ground Zero BV, which they claim to be ‘the first system integrator and show control specialist company in Holland’. The founders of Ground Zero are Sierk Janszen, Rutger van Dijk and Reind Brackman, all well known figures in the worldwide entertainment industry. The company’s main working area will be North-Western Europe and Spain.

Sierk Janszen has worked as applications manager at Avenger Systems in Belgium for the last six years after he had worked as a sound-engineer for several theatre-companies in Holland. Rutger van Dijk has been the manager of Vari-Lite Production Services Amsterdam since it establishment, before which he worked as technical production manager on many musical productions, Cirque du Soleil Europe and Focus Showequipment. Finally, Reind Brackman is the owner and fou

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