Sound

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The Netherlands - Alcons Audio's VR12 is a 2-way compact multi-purpose loudspeaker, for both portable and permanent applications. Featuring the Alcons RBN601 ribbon driver (multiple patents pending) the VR12 is aimed at applications where high output, high fidelity sound reinforcement is needed. Its specifications exceed Hi Fi standards, say Alcons.

The VR12 features a 6" pro-ribbon driver with 'Real-90' horizontal dispersion for MF/HF and a 12" mid/bass driver for LF. The frequency response is 60Hz up to 20kHz (+/-3dB), with a peak power output of 134dB. Maximum flexibility was the main design goal, according to Alcons; the asymmetrical enclosure and the 90° resolvable wave-guide make the VR12 suitable for a compact FOH system, an in-fill cabinet or a (high-power) floor monitor. In installations, this also offers flexible (ceiling/wall) mounting. The cabinet is equip

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UK - Corporate audio specialists Audio Alliance recently held a demonstration day to show current and new clients just why the company is rapidly becoming one of the UK's leaders in its field. The Manchester based rental supplier provided clients with a chance to experience first hand the technology behind the shows.

Audio Alliance director Oliver Driver, who strongly believes that showing clients what is available and how it is used benefits all parties, organized the event. The day allowed for a range of Audio Alliance's rental stock to be demonstrated, including digital systems, with ProTools providing surround sound playback, supported by a Sony DMXR100 mixing desk and a Yamaha DME32 processor.

An analogue system was also set up with an Allen & Heath ML series desk and XTA processing, while a smaller console, the Midas Venice, was being demonstrated with Shure DFR22 proces

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UK - Entec Sound & Light supplied a full lighting and sound production package for "East Meets West" 2004. The event was a variety show extravaganza staged at the Carling Apollo Hammersmith, and performed by students from Imperial College Indian Society.

The show featured dance and music - from rap to classical Indian - plus various fusions and theatrical performance. Lighting designer Andrew Keighley, an Entec regular, lit the event for the second year running, and with no stage set apart from some basic props, the visual impact was all down to the application of lights.

He chose a series of simplistic, bold and colourful looks that were ideal for mixing and matching for quick and effective improvisational techniques. There was no time for a full rehearsal or run though, and for lighting in particular, this meant a heavy reliance on Keighley's intuition and busking

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UK / Germany - Baldwin Boxall Communications will be displaying its latest Voice Alarm (VA) products at Firex South, Sandown Park, and also at ProLight & Sound, Frankfurt. Products on display will include the new BV050Q Quad 50W VA amplifier, which completes Baldwin Boxall's Class D range. Other amplifiers in the D Class range include the 440W, the 220W and the dual 120W modules, along with a Switch Mode Power supply. Also on show will be the Quad 50W amplifier, offering considerable saving in rackspace and suitable for use where low wattage zones are required.

The amplifiers are greater than 80% efficient (compared to typical 'AB Class' amplifiers of 60%), drawing less current and, therefore, reducing unwanted heat. One of the additional benefits of the new Class D amplifiers is that smaller batteries are required for standby power. The Switch Mode Power Supply offers greater e

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UK - When the English and Wales Court Service made plans to add sound reinforcement to nineteen of the courtrooms at Snaresbrook Crown Court in the London suburb of Essex, they called upon Digital Multimedia Recording Ltd (DMR), who had been providing them with digital audio recording systems for other courthouses in the region. DMR, in turn, approached Birmingham-based LMC Audio to work with them on the installation.

Originally a Victorian orphanage, the building was later converted into fourteen courtrooms, with a modern annex adding another six. "Consequently, the acoustics in the rooms are awful," relates Simon Neller, the Court Service's project manager. "There's always been a major problem for jurors in hearing soft-spoken witnesses." He noted that, in many cases, asking vulnerable witnesses to speak louder or repeat sometimes distressing testimony tend

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UK - Liverpool-based Adlib Audio has supplied 26 of their AA installation series speakers to Kick Sales, for the new Supper Club at Blundell Street. The opening of the new room is phase two of the venue's development. The first room opened two years ago, also with a sound system designed and supplied by Kick Sales. The venue is one of the social hubs of Liverpool's lively regenerated former docklands.

Blundell Street's owners were so pleased with the first sound system that they asked Kick Sales to provide audio, projection and lighting for the Supper Club room. The brief given to Kick's Peter Jeffrey was to make the system as unobtrusive and aesthetically pleasing as possible.

The Supper club is a restaurant with live music, so it needed to have plenty of power. Jeffrey decided that the logical audio route was a distributed sound system. It is a large room with bare walls an

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UK - Network Audio, one of the UK's leading sound hire companies, signalled its commitment to growing its presence in the exhibition and events market with the launch of 'Network AV' in January 2004. Network Audio's no compromise approach to equipment specification and technical expertise has won favour with many blue chip companies and major artists alike. Previous clients have included British Airways, Carl Cox, Fat Boy Slim, Ford, Rolex, The Saudi Royal Family, Virgin Group, Vodaphone and the BBC.

Network AV provides specialist audio visual services for exhibition features, conferences and other major public events. Unique to the company's offer is its breadth of in-house expertise. Focusing on critical sound, light, video and effects production, the company provides a range of services to enhance any event feature.

Within its portfolio, Network AV offers both live and s

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France - Nexo S.A. has announced the appointment of Anthony McLean as its new marketing director, to be based in Paris, France. McLean, who is well known to the audio industry on both sides of the pond, has more than 30 years' experience as a media producer and sound engineer. With a BA in Communications (Hope College, MI) and graduate studies in journalism, McLean's career as a print journalist began in college and continued from 1984 until 1991 as Arts Critic for the Evansville (IN) Courier (Scripps-Howard) newspaper. For 12 years, beginning in 1991, McLean served as editor-in-chief of Live Sound! International magazine. His new role will take him from Kansas to Paris, where he will be responsible for the international marketing operations of one of the world's leading loudspeaker manufacturers. By basing himself in France, he will bring American market knowledge to the heart of

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UK - Rock band Feeder completed its 2003 tour of Europe, Japan and the US on home ground, with their final date at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, supporting the Stereophonics. Throughout the tour, Reading-based Skan PA Hire supplied a substantial sound system, including an array of XTA signal processing equipment.

Skan's PA technician, Scott Essen, was there every step of the way: "Feeder's FOH engineer, David Hills - a.k.a Magnus - had tried out the G2s and C2s at Glastonbury and thought they were great, so he spec'd them for the tour. We were using the G2 on drums as a standard gate, which Magnus found suited his style very well, and C2 for compression on general samples and keyboards. We used DP224 and DP226s for system control of the PA and monitors via AudioCore. The 226s are great - they sound good, and are easy to use. We used GQ600s on monitors as they are excep

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UK - There are numerous ways that inverted (reversed) polarity can occur causing significant deterioration of sound during a performance - and the more complex the set-up, the greater the risk that problems will arise. While the entire sound isn't lost, overall it does deteriorate. Galaxy Audio's Cricket Polarity/Continuity Test Set (CPTS) comprises a Send Pulse Generator and Receive Pulse Detector for checking the continuity and polarity of audio components spanning mixers, amps, effects and wireless mics, to speakers, patchbays and cables of up to 2,000ft in length.

A useful problem-solving aid for sound engineers, theatres and concert halls, install and PA rental companies, DJs and bands who handle their own sound, these battery-powered palm-sized units come in a moulded vinyl carrying case.

(Lee Baldock)

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Australia - ARX has added the new M Sub subwoofer to its MicroMedia Series of passive loudspeakers. The M Sub features a single ARX 15" (380mm) sub bass driver in a compact, efficient reflex ported cabinet design. With a frequency response of 45Hz-100 Hz, the M Sub is an ideal match for the ARX MicroMedia MM-1, Ambience and Climate loudspeaker ranges, say ARX, with its targetted applications including AV installations and special effects for museums, attractions and entertainment venues.

The M Sub features an impedance of 8 ohms allowing two or more M Subs to be efficiently powered from most professional power amplifiers for applications requiring maximum sub bass output. Specifications include long term power handling of 300W, a minimum suggested amplifier power of 200W @ 8 ohms, sensitivity of 98dB (1W, 1m) and a maximum SPL of 127 dB.

Finished in multiple coats of char

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UK - CIE-Group has said a fond farewell to managing director John O'Boyle, who retired on Friday 30 January, after 29 years with the company. CIE-Group, which includes commercial audio brand CIE-Audio, has built a formidable portfolio over the years under O'Boyle's direction, with exclusive UK representation for brands including Inter-M, Amina, Chiayo, Euromet, Armstrong i-ceilings, Switchcraft and Chauvet Lighting - to name but a few. O'Boyle comments: "My time with CIE-Group has been a great and varied experience, having visited over 20 countries in the course of business, met many interesting people and enjoyed some unforgettable experiences with rarely a dull moment in between. In retirement, I will be focussing on the really important things in life - golf, sunshine holidays and sleeping late(er)!"O'Boyle's responsibilities within CIE-Group will be taken over by the

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UK / Germany - At the Frankfurt MusikMesse (31 March - 3 April), Audient will display its full range of products including Aztec live performance console, the acclaimed ASP8024 recording console, ASP231 graphic equalizer and the most recent addition to the portfolio, the ASP008, which was shown for the first time at PLASA 2003.

The ASP008 is a compact, 1U rack-mount unit, featuring eight high quality variable impedance mic preamplifiers, developed from the renowned mic-pre design used in the ASP8024 recording console and the Aztec. All channels include XLR input, 48V phantom power, switchable input impedance, 25 - 250Hz hi-pass filter, phase reverse, as well as line input selection. Channels one and two also feature a -20dB attenuator and a high impedance instrument/DI input, on a jack on the front panel. LEDs provide indication of signal present and overload. A digital output o

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UK - Provoice, a division of Protec Fire Detection, based in Nelson, Lancashire, carried out the networked Voice Alarm installation at Birmingham's Bullring shopping centre. Already Britain's busiest shopping area, the visitor figures confirm Bullring's status as a European visitor attraction. The installation required the provision of voice alarm, public address, automatic messages, and background music facilities throughout the public areas of the centre.

Mission Pro DML panel loudspeakers were used by Provoice with their proprietary Loop Drive technique secure network. There are four VA racks on the system - a Master and three slave units. These are connected via a secure network loop, which carries three audio paths and a data path. In the unlikely event of a network failure, each of the four racks is capable of working stand alone for emergency pre-recorded messages and liv

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UK / India - Audio Design Services of Stockport has been selected to provide sophisticated sound equipment for the world's most advanced school, which has been functioning since December 2003. The school, which attracts more than 5,000 pupils from around the world, is not in the USA, or one of the more fashionable European cities, but is situated in the picturesque foothills of the Aravalli Hills, south of Delhi in India. More surprisingly, the school belongs to an individual - A K Goenka, a well-known businessman.

The campus is spread over 60 acres of land, and includes a five-hole trainer golf course, set in 17 acres with night play facilities. The school, which has a total of 10 buildings over a covered area of 800,000sq.ft, has two all-season indoor swimming pools that cater to all water sports including water polo, and horse riding is a special attraction. From a technology

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Italy - Italian pro audio manufacturer Outline has introduced the Micra Powered - a new, compact, self-powered loudspeaker enclosure whose features are based on the Micra Plus, an enclosure with a strong reputation for its use in TV studios and on some of Italy's top tours (including Claudio Baglioni).

The Micra Powered has a built-in (250W continuous power) digital amplifier and is fitted with two sophisticated 5" woofers and twin neodymium magnetic circuit, say Outline. A 1" compression driver handles the top end. The power available allows two additional passive (slave) units to be safely connected to the powered enclosure. Micra Powered has a universal input with adjustable sensitivity, and is able to handle various types of signals and levels, including mic or line signals. It is fitted with a limiter able to operate efficiently without causing distortion in the e

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UK / USA - Scary US rocker Wednesday 13 (Murderdolls, Frankenstein Drag Queens) will be using Carlsbro amps on his Graveyard-a-Go-Go tour of the UK in March. While visiting the Carlsbro stand at the NAMM show in Los Angeles recently, Wednesday 13 was so impressed with the Carlsbro Sound that he will be using two NuTone stacks and 1 Bass Reactor stack on his UK tour, which kicks off at the Birmingham Academy on 13 March.

Carlsbro also reports that its amps are currently on tour with Swedish 'thrashed-up Synth Punk' band Surferosa, who are using Carlsbro's NuTone stack and a Bass Reactor stack on their UK tour, which began at London's Club Fandango on 3 February.

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - Autograph Sales reports growing sales of Fischer battery chargers and in-ear monitoring amp packages to some of the UK's top rental and technical catalogue companies. After noticing there was a niche in the UK market for such a product, Autograph Sales worked with Fischer to secure the UK distribution. The products proved an immediate success and had their official UK launch at PLASA 2003.

Not only does Fischer manufacture the standard plug-in chargers, but also 19" rack-mountable kits for professional use on tour and stage, for NiMH 9V cells or AA-cells. Batteries are contained in removable drawers, allowing easy access. These batteries also have a much greater capacity than most others on the market, making them more reliable to the user.

Network Audio, one of the UK's fastest growing corporate AV companies, opted for the rack mounted ALC161 and ALC 89. Owner Nick

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USA / Canada - Rod Stewart has launched a major tour of arenas throughout North America, and will be touring with a Meyer Sound system based on arrays totalling 52 MILO high-power curvilinear loudspeakers. Lars Brogaard is at the helm of the sound rig, serving as both FOH engineer and production manager for Stewart's first major North American tour in three years. Sound Image of Escondido, California is providing the sound system.

The MILO arrays are supplemented by 11 UPA-1P compact wide-coverage loudspeakers for front fill, while two LD-3 compensating line drivers provide corrective equalization for low-frequency buildup inherent in line arrays and for atmospheric conditions.

Stewart's From Maggie May to The Great American Songbook tour kicked off at Office Depot Center in Sunrise, Florida on 6 February and travels around the continent until finishing up back in the

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Eire - Leading Irish audio installation company Rea Sound recently completed the refurbishment of Scraggs Alley in Carlow, where the traditional Irish bar is benefiting from a new Nexo PS10 sound system. The bar is huge - capable of holding up to 500 people - but has a very low ceiling level. Consequently, Rea Sound has wall-mounted the Nexo PS10 full-range cabinets with asymmetric horn in a horizontal format. Throughout the bar, there are 16 Nexo PS10 speakers, with eight Nexo LS500 sub-bass units in support, powered by PS10 amplifiers.

Although there is a nightclub upstairs at the Scraggs Alley venue, in the evenings DJs also mix club tracks in the main bar. Roger McMullen of Rea Sound explained: "This was one of the main reasons for choosing Nexo as the principal sound system. We needed a loudspeaker that could perform clearly and efficiently during the day when the pub

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UK - London's fabric nightclub has completed major upgrades to its sound and lighting systems. Key to the lighting installation is a package from Coemar UK and its sister company, Lighting Effects Distribution. Coemar iSpot 575 moving heads, iCyc 250s, ProSpot 250s and a variety of LED-based products have been utilized in Rooms 1, 2 and 3 as a result of a new design from Dave Parry's technology team at the club.

The new equipment is predominantly for Room 2. "The room is essentially a black box, but I wanted to put a bit more focus onto the lasers," said Parry. "The room contains a massive block of colour and we've used Coemar iCyc 250s as an architectural backdrop."

The club has also used six Thomas PixelPar 87s from Lighting Effects Distribution to highlight the structural arches, along with a pair of Coemar iSpot 575s and a CF7 as a centrepiece effect. P

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UK - Northern Light has announced a number of changes to its operation to allow it to concentrate on its core business, which the company reports is currently expanding. The company says the changes will allow further development of its project installation, engineering and manufacturing divisions, which are currently handling some 30 projects throughout the UK - including the new Gateshead Music Centre, Newcastle College Performance Academy, Perth Concert Hall and the Tally Ho Arts Centre at Finchley in North London.

The Reading office will close at the end of March and all matters relating to overseas sales will now be referred to the head office in Edinburgh. Derek Gilbert will continue to work with the company as a consultant. The Audio Visual arm of Northern Light, based at Reading and known as Immedia, will close and all AV contracts and sales will be handled through Immed

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UK - Boy George's cult musical Taboo has taken to the road this month, choosing Audient's Aztec desk to provide the mix for the entire 26-venue, five-month tour of the UK. Supplied by rental company Stage Electrics, Aztec has proven to be the right choice according to the show's number one sound engineer Graeme Asher: "It's a challenge changing venues every week, as no two venues are the same. Audient's live desk makes things a lot more straight forward being so easy to configure, not to mention a lot lighter than I'm used to."

Asher continues: "I'm really pleased with the sound quality too. In fact it's so good we have been able to hear degradation in other parts of our audio system that we were previously unaware of. This has led to us being able to improve the whole system reaching even higher standards of audio. "We went for a lightweight flightca

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Italy - Renowned for its cheese and ham, the Italian city of Parma also boasts the Farnese - the largest baroque theatre existing inside a building. Built in 1618, this was also the first theatre in the world designed for use with movable scenery and with a proscenium arch.

This historic venue recently hosted an Italian version of Elizabethan dramatist John Ford's 'Tis a pity she's a whore (pictured), directed by Luca Ronconi. The show's lighting designer is Guido Levi, who has worked with directors such as Warner Herzog and Jonathan Miller.

The Farnese's steeply-tiered U-shaped seating influenced later theatre design, but this, combined with the fact that it's built almost entirely in wood and stucco, compelled Levi to run a series of strict tests on moving head fixtures, as the 3,500-seat venue's problematic acoustics amplified any noise from fixture motors. Levi selected S

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