Sound

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UK - Pro audio specialist Autograph Sales will be attending next month's ABTT show - exhibiting in the Lawrence Hall on stand 116. The event is being used as a launch pad for many new products, now available exclusively in the UK though Autograph Sales. This includes the global premiere of the Swedish LDS 'invisible' true line source theatre loudspeakers.

Another addition to the Autograph Sales portfolio is Aviom, the leading intelligent personal mixer and distribution system. The company's new A-Net digital multicore system, which is available with a Yamaha interface, will be on display and demonstrated with the DM1000 digital mixer.

Autograph Sales' technical department will be hosting a Design Clinic, to discuss any sound reinforcement issues, assist with ongoing designs or projects, and to offer its widely respected consultancy services to venues, installers and audio prof

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France - Nexo has released the NX242 Digital Tdcontroller, an advanced proprietary processor that provides crossover, driver protection and system alignment for the whole range of Nexo cabinets, as well as enabling high-quality audio networking using the EtherSound protocol, through the NXtension Expander Board.

The new NX242 offers all the generic functions of a digital loudspeaker controller, but its real value is its precision interface with Nexo loudspeakers. Acoustically matched to each Nexo component, the NX242 uses complex software algorithms and precision circuits to provide flexible loudspeaker management and enable increased sound pressure and operational reliability.

For the first time, a Nexo digital controller is able to offer flexible networking options. Through use of the optional NXtension Expander Board, the NX242's functionality can be enhanced by Digigram's

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UK / Germany - The Praesideo digital public address and emergency sound/evacuation system from Bosch was recently awarded SOLAS approval by Germanischer Lloyd. This follows on from the TÜV IEC 60849 certification gained earlier in 2003, as well as the existing BS 5839 approval. This new recognition means that the Praesideo now conforms to the most stringent industry standards.

SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) is generally regarded as the most important of all international treaties concerning the safety of merchant ships. By gaining SOLAS approval from Germanischer Lloyd - specifically in the C, EMC1 and EMC2 environmental categories - the Praesideo is certified suitable for use on cruise ships, other merchant vessels and offshore gas and oil drilling platforms. It meets the strict safety and reliability criteria demanded by the treaty, which deal with issues such as monitoring of

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USA - Autograph A2D, US distributor for the DiGiCo D5T digital sound console, has confirmed its first sale to Masque Sound, the well-known New York rental company. The console will be used for the US premiere of We Will Rock You, which opens at the 1,450-seater Paris Theatre Des Arts in Las Vegas, this coming September.

Scott Kalata from Masque Sound says: "We are very enthusiastic about the use of the DiGiCo D5T on We Will Rock You, this console has definitely initiated a new era in theatrical sound design. It's a highly refined product that even Broadway's most particular designers are keeping a very close eye on. Let the revolution begin!"

The D5T is the result of an 18-month collaboration between DiGiCo and Autograph's Andrew Bruce, which has transformed the D5Live into its theatre counterpart, the D5T. The first fully featured console was installed

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Spain - Hotel Omm in Barcelona, designed by Juli Capella, a young architect is at the forefront of modern architecture in Barcelona. Inside the hotel, the Moo restaurant, managed by the Roca brothers, offers a gastronomic experience second to none. After putting on the calories in the Moo restaurant, patrons can dance them off at the Hotel's Ommsession Club, Barcelona's newest nightclub which also boasts live music. This new venue demanded a high quality and flexible sound system. Netso PTB was called in to design and install a system capable of delivering sound quality for live concerts and a variety of other events. "It was important that the sound system fitted in with the hotel's carefully chosen design standards," said Reni Mititieri of Netso PTB.

With support from d&b audiotechnik's local office, Mititieri chose a minimalist system powerful enough to be used in b

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Japan - High in Tokyo sky, on the 52nd (top) floor of the Mori Tower building in Roppongi Hills an all night event Roppongi Hills Cultural Festival 'till Sunrise was held for the release of the new Japanese movie Innocence.

Tokyo based rental company Sound Service MMU, in co-operation with Sound Projects representative STK, provided the sound equipment for this special event, with main FOH systems based around the Sound Projects 4 (SP-4).

Sound engineer Asada split the area into two zones (two stages). For the main stage he specified double SP4 Diamond stacks for FOH, two SP2-FM floor monitors on stage and two personal monitors as side fills. The second (smaller) stage was reinforced by a SP-3 systems and again personal monitors as side fills. All around the top floor several X-act full range monitors and XM studio monitors were used.

The event took place on V

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Japan - Staged on and around the outdoor ice rink of the Sapporo 1972 Winter Olympics, Toyota Big Air was a snowboard ski-jump event with a real difference. Dangerous sports like snowboard jumping are closely associated with youth culture, so it was no surprise the event was augmented by an outdoor festival stage where top Japanese punk skater band Shaka Labit performed to the many fans who came to watch the jump-offs. Throughout the event the ever-swelling crowd were kept entertained by leading Japanese DJs, some lively commentary, and the occasional piece of advertising.

Despite the crowd's huge size, a PA system comprising just 12 of d&b audiotechnik's new Q1 loudspeakers (six per side) and eight Q-SUBs (four per side) was used to cover the crowd (80m deep). Stefan Goertz from d&b's Application Support (who supported Hokkaido Kyoriz Co Ltd on this, their first trial event wit

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UK - The 2004 Classical Brit Awards is one of the first events in the UK to benefit from the new version of ElectroVoice's powerful IRIS control software, driving EV's Precision Series remote-controlled amplifiers and an X-Line array system for the British classical music industry's big night at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Derrick Zieba is the sound designer for the event, coordinating Britannia Row's team and the freelance engineers that regularly work with him on these televised spectaculars. The Classical Brits includes eight live acts - Vanessa Mae, Bryn Terfel, Nigel Kennedy, the Kings Choir and Hayley Westenra are amongst those on stage - and the English Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Simon Wright; the show is being broadcast by ITV.

For Zieba, this show is relatively relaxed. Thanks to the success of the EV X-Line system at last year's event, Zieba is using essent

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UK - The new Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre has opened in Peebles, following an audio installation by Sound Acoustics - which includes the first use of t&m loudspeakers in the UK. Tommy Gorman's Glasgow-based company won a competitive tender to fit a complete audio package into the converted church in the Scottish Borders - all of which was sourced from Fuzion plc (including the t&m range, which has just joined the product portfolio).

The auditorium seats 244 in an 'in the round' style presentation, with banked seating in the stalls, gallery centre, left and right. The main system comprises six t&m 122 loudspeakers, suspended from the grid, which overhangs the stage area (four servicing the front of stage area, and the other two outfills). These passive two-way trapezoidal enclosures are equipped with a single 12" LF driver and 1.75" HF compression driver.

For the

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UK - Allen & Heath provided the PA for up and coming band, 13 Senses, at the start of the bands first solo tour. The band, which has always used Allen & Heath mixers for live gigs and recording, was signed to Mercury Records imprint, Vertigo, in January 2004 and has since supported Longview on tour and recorded their forthcoming debut album, produced by Danton Supple (Elbow, Starsailor, Coldplay).

The tour started in the band's home county of Cornwall, followed by dates across the country. Allen & Heath coordinated the whole PA system with local hire company 'Freq AV', and supplied the control system, including an ML3000 24-channel VCA live sound console, which was controlled both FOH and monitor mixes. The band's tour sound engineer, Rob Heilig, was very impressed with the ML's VCA grouping functionality. An iDR-8 digital mixer provided time aligned in-fills around the venue,

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UK - Audio-visual contracting and entertainment service specialists Sound Division recently installed a distributed JBL sound system with accompanying zone control from Cloud into City-based stockbroking firm, Arjent Ltd.

The audio system provided by Sound Division formed part of the final development phase for Arjent's new dealer room. Arjent already had in place a large plasma screen linked to a Sky Digital box. Sound Division was asked to supply a distributed audio system to link the Sky Digital box so that the audio could be heard across the entire trading floor. To this end the company installed twelve JBL Control 24C ceiling speakers in grid format across the trading floor and a control rack housed in a locking steel cabinet containing a Cloud CX-A66 power amplifier and a Cloud CX133 dual zone pre-amplifier/mixer, as well as the Sky Digital box and a multi-CD player, which

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Slovak Republic - Rock Centrum, the Slovak distributor for Martin Audio, have supplied a W8LC system to rental company Elektronik Plus - in time for the celebrations in the city of Martin to mark the Slovak Republic's membership to the European Union. The 12-enclosure system is believed to be the first line array in the country.

Immediately after delivery, a full training and demonstration session supervised by Martin Audio's Martin Kelly and Rock Centrum's Peter Foldvari, who showed how different box configurations, might be implemented. "The system sounded excellent - right from the word go," exclaimed Foldvari, adding that a week later it was making its official debut during four days of celebrations. "The result was amazing, confirming everything that had been spoken and written about this system."

"The W8LC proves that we no longer need to transpo

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USA - The recent installation of 19 self-powered loudspeakers from Meyer Sound into the auditorium of the Scottish Rite Cathedral gave Indianapolis a distinctive performance venue. Built in the late 1920s, in earlier decades, admission to the cathedral had been largely restricted to members and special guests, but in recent years, the facility has been opened to a wider range of community arts, business and social events.

Unfortunately, poor sound reproduction inside the 1,150-seat auditorium precluded the room's use for events focusing on musical quality, as the cathedral's building services manager, Kent Watts, explains: "A major foundation had been holding a fundraiser here every year in our ballroom, with an orchestra and operatic soloists, but they had to erect a temporary stage and bring in sound and lighting systems, all at significant cost. The auditorium was bette

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UK - Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club has commissioned a new high-spec sound system for its main spectator stands and pavilion at Trent Bridge, Nottingham - which features ElectroVoice's compact EVID loudspeakers...in cricket whites, of course.

Brighton-based installation company Navica has translated its extensive experience in fitting sound systems in football clubs to the cricket ground, designing the EV system to deliver similar coverage patterns and frequency responses to those recommended for soccer stadia.

The Notts CCC ground at Trent Bridge has several spectator stands, all built at different times from the 1880s to the 1990s and varying in architectural design and build construction. Navica's installation takes in four of the largest stands, including the Pavilion, "which is where the money is", says Dave Read, technical director at Navica. "We've d

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UK - At the forthcoming ABTT show (16-17 June, London), Dutch pro audio manufacturer Alcons Audio will make its first appearance with a complete line of theatre loudspeakers and controller-amplifiers. Alcons' loudspeaker products feature the company's proprietary pro-ribbon technology - a radically different, but proven way of reproducing mid and high frequencies, resulting in hi-fi sound quality with truly unsurpassed clarity and intelligibility at high sound pressure levels.

Products on show will include the VR8 (8" + RBN401 ribbon), the VR12 (12" with RBN601 ribbon), the ALC2 controller-amplifier and the TS-series of compact in-fill speakers. Special attention is paid to the LR14 - the ultra-compact ribbon-loaded line-array, featuring the patented RBN401 pro-ribbon driver. Designed as either an ultra-compact line-array system, or as an under-fill cabinet for the LR

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Italy - The new RCF PR 4092 has been designed to provide a flexible solution for any paging and music application in PA systems. With nine inputs and two outputs, each of the inputs can be sent to output A only, output B only, or both A+B; in this way PR 4092 can also be used as a double preamplifier - 'A-bus' dedicated to paging, 'B- bus' for BGM programs.

Thanks to the "two in one" design, priority function relevant to the inputs is active on the output selected only, by not affecting the other output bus. Input one has overall priority (voice or contact activated) and can be used for emergency paging; Inputs two and three together can be set with priority on Inputs four to nine.

RCF has also launched a new 1000 series of PA amplifiers. The AM1122 is a five input mixer amplifier offering 120W of amplification into either 70V/100V line or four-ohms low impedance cir

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UK - London-based contracting and installation specialists, Sound Division, has recently installed a JBL sound system into George, a private members club in Mayfair. George forms part of the exclusive Mark Birley group of venues, which also includes the famous London nightclub, Annabel's, and Harry's Bar.

The brief for Sound Division was to improve the audio system in the private lounge situated downstairs. "The client required a high quality yet discreet background music system distributed throughout the lounge," said Sound Division MD David Graham. "To achieve that we opted for a JBL solution based on a total of eight JBL Control 23 loudspeakers supplemented by a number of JBL Control 24C ceiling speakers. We also refurbished and re-utilized a number of existing elements within the club to ensure minimum disruption to the client and also to make sure that we rem

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UK - JFMG (Joint Frequency Management Group) - the engineering consultancy responsible for managing the radio spectrum used in programme making and entertainment, has announced the appointment of Paul Gill to its Board as technology director. Gill was a member of the team which prepared the successful contract bid that led to the establishment of JFMG Ltd. He has extensive experience in spectrum management and his expertise will be vital as Ofcom's proposals for the introduction of Spectrum Trading into programme making are developed.

Mike Snalam, chairman of JFMG says: "This appointment reflects the importance the Board places on strategic technology direction as the company prepares for market-based spectrum management."

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - A new jazz venue in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, has been fitted out by Electromusic, using three series of Wharfedale loudspeakers. Developed by Peter Swann's Coolfun Ltd at a cost of around £500,000, the 240-capacity Sands will bring jazz and 1940s-style cabaret to the converted two-storey, former Gainsborough Town Hall (now operating on a 20-year lease). The Doncaster retailers' hire manager, Kevin Kennedy, recommended Programme series 30DT speakers to project manager Gee Labanca on the strength that they offered "the best quality 100V line system for the money."

Sixteen of the 30 DTs will deliver background music to the peripheral areas, including main reception and stairways, as well as the VIP lounge. These two-way reflex enclosures (containing 4.5" woofer and 1" metal dome tweeter) were purpose-designed for environments such as these. Meanwhile,

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Japan - Jere Harris, Chairman and CEO of Production Resource Group (PRG), has announced the establishment of an Asian subsidiary - PRG Asia Inc - to be headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, and dedicated to supporting PRG's many clients in the Asian marketplace.

"We've been serving clients throughout Asia for many years from our offices in North America and the UK," Harris explained. "The establishment of an Asian subsidiary is an important step in the expansion of our client support services in Asia."

PRG has more than a decade of experience serving clients in Asia in projects including theatre installations, theme park attractions, concert tours and corporate and special events. PRG Asia Inc will be engaged in business development and client support for all types of PRG products and services.

Makoto Yamazaki will serve as president of Asian Operations for t

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USA - Furman Sound, the US manufacturer of AC power conditioning equipment, has appointed Sandy Bumgarner as senior engineer. Reporting directly to Bob Cavin, Furman's vice-president of engineering, Bumgarner will also work closely with the vice-president of product development, Steve Rose. In the two years prior to joining Furman Sound, Bumgarner was an independent consultant specializing in engineering systems programming and microprocessor and remote sensing equipment design. From 2000 to 2002, he held the position of senior engineer with Apple Computer Company in Cupertino, California where he worked with the open firmware group, created power management microcontroller code, and was part of the eMac development team.

James R. Bonfiglio, Furman's president and CEO, said: "We're fortunate to have a senior engineer as talented and experienced as Sandy. With his experience

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UK - UK manufacturer of advanced radio frequency products, Trantec Systems has recently supplied its innovative PT1 UHF stereo wireless Personal Trainer system to the brand new Rugeley Leisure Centre in Staffordshire - owned by Cannock Chase Council and built in partnership with Sport England. Trantec collaborated with MLEC's Mike Lowe who sourced the advanced system, which was installed by Stagecraft Systems, headed by Neil Craddock.

Trantec's Active Audio PT1 system has provided a "complete" fitness entertainment environment. The installation involved the supply of the Trantec PT-1 in ear training units and included five PT-1 transmitters, 30 PT-1 receivers and three 10-way chargers. The transmitter units were installed in a wall-mounted rack along with two Sky satellite receivers, video, DVD and four way video matrix. The supply also included three Fujitsu 42"

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USA - Sound On Stage (SOS) of Hayward, California, has been following Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger around the state for almost a year now, providing the PA system for his various speaking engagements. The company's rig of choice throughout that ongoing trek has been a dozen L-Acoustics dV-Dosc loudspeakers and two SB218 subs.

"We've had two audio engineers and a truck following the governor around the state since about six weeks before his election," says George Edwards, Sound On Stage general manager. "They've provided sound reinforcement for everything from his inauguration party to countless public appearances, including a recent stop at Boeing in Long Beach."

It was this visit to Boeing's Hangar 3 that presented several interesting challenges. Edwards explains: "The governor chose Boeing's factory as the site for signing a landmark workers comp

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Greece - From the 13-16 May, planners and sound specialists from all over the world converged on Athens, the city hosting the 2004 Olympics, to inspect the sound systems in place for the games. What was most striking is that everywhere you look in Athens, there is equipment from EVI Audio.

The EVI Audio team had put together a package for a group of 100 pro audio specialists, which included planners and journalists from North America, China, Japan and all over Europe. Participants were given a questionnaire inviting them to choose from a variety of different events that most interested them. The choice included a Netmax workshop, a tour of the airport where a Dynacord paging system is installed, a tour of the clubs (stocked for the most part with EV XLCs) or the city, whilst the centrepiece of the visit to the Greek capital was a detailed inspection of a number of the stadia upo

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