UK - D&M Professional kick-starts the new season with the announcement of the advanced DN-S3500 CD/MP3 player from Denon DJ. Making its debut at this year's PLASA Show in London, the new professional direct drive CD/MP3 player offers several world firsts. The company says DJs will be impressed by Denon's all-new proprietary 12-pole Direct Drive brushless motor design, delivering instant full rotation speed with a powerful 2.5kg/cm of start-up torque within 0.5 secs. This gives true turntable reaction and response, allowing the DJ to perform as freely as if he were using a genuine vinyl turntable, say Denon.

A further major bonus is that the DN-S3500 now gives the DJ an option in the way he sets his CUE points, supporting the traditional Denon cueing method (as well as the Pioneer protocol).

Denon has ensured that building the mood on the dancefloor (and remixing on the fly) is

UK - Glasgow-based Community UK, established only a month ago, is exhibiting for the first time at this year's PLASA show on stand AA1 in the Audio Area on the Top Deck. Being at PLASA was described by Community as "a key element in the marketing launch of their UK venture". The company will also use the show to announce its appointment as the exclusive UK distributor for the Italian amplifier brand, KIND.

Located in Galliate, about 50km south-west of Milan, the KIND brand was established by Audio & Audio in 1984 and now manufactures a comprehensive range of professional power amplifiers using both SMPS and linear power supplies. All products are designed and manufactured in-house and the range covers a wide variety of applications, including touring and rental, fixed installations and recording studios.

With power ratings from 320 to 5600 Watt, both the class AB and

UK - Mark Bromfield has been appointed technical sales manager at beyerdynamic (GB). He will be responsible for customer support and technical backup as well as developing the market share of all beyerdynamic products across the installation hire and live performance sectors.

Bromfield is well known in the industry, having spent time over the last twenty years working for Amek/TAC, SSE and LMC Audio Systems."Mark brings a wealth of experience with him,"commented Jon Stanley, beyerdynamic's director of technical sales. "His understanding of design, manufacturing, testing, commissioning, servicing, sales and customer support, within the field of integrated systems and installation projects, will bring great benefit to the beyerdynamic team."

(Jim Evans)

UK - Formula Sound has chosen PLASA 2005 as the occasion to unveil its plans for a limited edition anniversary model of one of the most popular audio mixers it has ever produced. This will be accompanied by the launch of a brand new audio priority interface, plus an updated edition of its popular AVC2 noise control unit.

From its original launch in 1980, the Formula Sound PM-80 proved to be an instant hit with users around the world. At PLASA 2005 the company will announce its plan to celebrate the 25th anniversary of that launch by introducing the PM-80R - an updated anniversary model that "combines modern technology with all the elements that made the original version so popular". Although some details are still unconfirmed the new PM-80R 8-channel mixer will incorporate some subtle design changes which reflect the way in which mixer use has changed over the years.

UK - CGA recently modernised the audio system at All Saints church in Ascot. Winning by tender, the project gave CGA Integration the opportunity not only to improve the audio and increase flexibility, but to use modern sound engineering to solve several traditional problems associated with amplification of church services.

The system had to accommodate a wide variety of trained and untrained vocalists in a challenging acoustic environment, say CGA. Non-intrusive fixtures, cabling and racks were also a priority to preserve the ornate décor and ambience. Operated by non-technical personnel, simplicity was important and preferably automated as far as possible. CGA's Chris Gunton explains: "CGA Integration are specialists in this kind of sympathetic installation and take great care to ensure that the original building is not scared by the installation. These buildings have bee

UK - Audio communications specialist HM Electronics will exhibit at PLASA for the first time in conjunction with its sole UK distributor, Orbital Sound. Orbital will bring the potential of HME's range of wireless digital intercom systems to the UK market, including the Award-winning DX200 and HME's new Pro 850 2-channel UHF intercom. Chosen by HME as a specialist in its field, Orbital boasts the technical know-how and the sales customer base to expand its market share across applications as diverse as broadcast, theatre, conferencing, and live events. Orbital's technical support team also offers round the clock support in line with HME's rigorous standards, say the company.

Having scooped the ABTT 2005 Sound & Comms Product of the Year Award in June, the DX200 has built on its immediate success in the UK, already being deployed by Orbital on UK theatre tours, including Beauty

USA - For many in the operatic world, using vocal microphones for live performances is at worst viewed as a no-no, and at best, a necessary evil. Citing the numerous challenges of performing in an unflattering acoustic environment, Jim Elliott, technical director for the Amarillo Opera in Amarillo, Texas, has miked opera singers, but always quite regretfully. Finally, Elliott felt that it was due time for "a better solution" than their well-worn, 15-year-old wireless microphone systems.

"The most important thing to know about opera is that it and microphones don't mix," explains Elliott, laughing. "It's an insult to most opera singers if you put a microphone on them - it's something that's just not done very often. Our problem is that we currently perform in a venue that seats 2,400 people and doesn't have a balcony. It's a long, flat room, and there are

UK - One of the features of Digidesign's presentation at this year's PLASA Show will be the opportunity for sound engineers to appraise themselves of the operational functionality of the company's state-of-the-art digital live mixing environment, the Venue. Whether or not engineers are familiar with Digidesign's industry-standard ProTools workstation and plug-ins (which the Venue supports) the company is throwing down the invitiation to pre-register on one of the back-to-back training courses.

"We will be operating intensive training sessions throughout the show," said Mike Case, Digidesign's European sales manager. "But spaces are limited and we will be filling places strictly on a first-come, first-served basis." Away from the training room Digidesign will be welcoming their top grade sound engineers, who have helped the company towards an outstanding first

UK - The latest addition to Academy Music Group's live venue estate is Carling Academy Newcastle, the North East's newest live music venue. In October, the company behind other Academy venues in Brixton, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, Islington and West London's Shepherd's Bush Empire, will open the 2,000 capacity venue - previously the Gala Bingo Hall on Westgate Road - in Newcastle city centre.

Originally built as a Picture House (The New Westgate) in 1927, the new Carling Academy Newcastle site will also house a secondary stand-alone 400 capacity 'Academy 2' venue in addition to its main room for gigs and clubs, which follows the same concept as it's sister venues in Liverpool and Birmingham.

Both venues are production complete with system integrators, Marquee Audio, building on the high specification model that they had delivered to Carling Academy venues in Live

UK - Will Young has recently completed a one month tour of castles and stately homes throughout the UK, equipped with a full range of Sennheiser evolution mics and IEMs. Monitor engineer, Graham Blake, commented 'With a long list of spectacular outdoor venues that included Leeds Castle, Warwick Castle, Chatsworth and Kenwood House, we were delighted to use a mic set-up that matched the quality of both Will's voice and the aura of the surroundings'. He adds, 'I've been a great fan of the Evolution G2 range and I felt that the wireless ew935 was particularly suited to Will's voice - accentuating the warmth and smoothness in his performance. They have great presence and you can drive them really hard before even a hint of feedback. As far as monitoring is concerned, Will prefers in-ears to stage monitors and I have always recommended the ew300 G2's for both their impressive sound and

UK - For something a little different, Adam Hall's stand at the PLASA Show this year will be based on a Piano Bar theme, complete with fellow Southendian live pianist Dave Dulake (who's band will be supporting the White Stripes on selected UK dates later this year).

New products being released by the company will include the latest additions to its ever-growing range of LD Systems products, including the LDPM122 12-channel powered mixing console, featuring eight mono mic/line channels with three-band EQ (Hi, Lo and semi-parametric sweepable mid), two stereo line channels with Hi/Lo EQ, two monitor sends, two effects sends, on-board digital effects, 100mm long-throw faders, dedicated sub-bass output, phantom power switchable on all channels and a power amplifier that delivers 2 x 700W RMS into 4ohms.

Adam Hall will also be launching its LD Systems RoadMan portable sound system

UK - Each summer around 100 vessels from more than 20 countries, crewed by 4,000 young people, take part in The Tall Ships' Races in Europe. Organized by Sail Training International, the event includes four days of activities in each port, which in Newcastle Gateshead culminated in a sound and light spectacle with fireworks along 2.5km of the quayside, attended by several hundred thousand people. And JSS, UK rental company and pioneers of HK Audio COHEDRA (Coherent Dynamic Response Array) system, were on hand to make sure the sound equalled the spectacle.

One of the main considerations of promoters Bravura regarding audio was to have as few loudspeaker hangs as possible, limiting the amount of towers needed along the river. Three large COHEDRA rigs were used. A hang of 24 CDR 208 S/T mid/high cabinets plus 12 CDR 210 F flyable subwoofers was suspended from the Tyne Bridge. 20 CD

UK - The Le Mark Group will be showing the US-manufactured SetWear range of A&E work clothing. Billy Davila from SetWear Inc in California will be on the Le Mark stand at the Show, ready to offer advice on the right Setwear item to make your working life safer and more comfortable, say Le Mark.

Michael Erpenbeck from Light Equip Köln, Germany will also join Le Mark, for all SetWear Distribution enquiries from main land Europe and Scandinavia.

This SetWear product range offers accessories for many areas of the entertainment industry, say Le Mark - riggers, electricians, fly men, stage technicians, gaffers, cameraman, makeup artists and pyrotechnicians will all find something to make their job easier. A daily prize draw will also be held on the stand, so remember to leave your business card.

Le Mark - and SetWear - can be found on stand F12.

(Lee Baldock)

UK - The new Mamilanji members nightclub in Chelsea is a convolution of its owners names - Milan and Manji . . . but it is the third partner, the ebullient Geeta Dutt who gives the place its identity as the front-of-house host. She is also a skilled lighting operator as she proves when choreographing the palette of Abstract Gladiator and VRX scanners, and AVR LED effects - part of an overall technology infrastructure designed and installed by London-based Sound Division Group.

The original enquiry to David Graham's company for the project dates back to the 2003 Bar Show when the operators embarked on their mission to convert the former Stocks, which was something of an institution on the King's Road. "You have to get on with a person and David Graham and his team at Sound Division have been absolutely brilliant," she said. "He got what this was about straight away

UK - Hawthorn are holding the next in their series of 'Hawthorn @ Home' events on Friday 2 September 2005.

Generic Lighting gives attendees the opportunity to find out more, discuss with product representatives and have a hands on comparison of lantern ranges from Selecon, ETC, Strand and others, plus an opportunity to visit the warehouse and offices and meet the team. There will be special lantern offers exclusively available on the day.

Their next event on October 7th 2005 entitled Flash, Bang and Feedbackwill feature a demonstration of Pyrotechnics by Le Maitre and Radio Mics by Sennheiser, Sony and Trantec.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Exclusive UK distributor HHB Communications is delighted to announce the availability of Røde's new NT6 compact condenser microphone. Designed and manufactured in Australia, the NT6 uses technology already pioneered in the highly successful NT5 model, and boasts a separately-housed gold sputtered true condenser capsule that connects to the preamplifier body via a custom heavy duty 3m Kevlar-reinforced cable. This makes the NT6 ideal for a wide range of applications, say HHB, especially instrument mic'ing and any situation where mounting space is limited or a discrete installation is required.

Housed in a heavy-duty satin-nickel-plated body, the preamp module utilizes state-of-the-art surface mount technology and incorporates switches for both 10dB pad and 80Hz low cut filter (12dB/octave), enabling additional control without the need for disturbing the capsule once in posi

Denmark - DPA Microphones continued its sponsorship of the annual Copenhagen Jazz Festival this summer, working as acoustic consultants and providing technical support throughout the festival, particularly at multipurpose venues not primarily designed for music. DPA also provided a large quantity of microphones including IMK 4061 instrument miking kits, 3521 compact stereo kits, 4066 omnidirectional headband mics, 4011 cardioids, 4022 and 4023 compact cardioids, 4006 omnidirectionals and a selection of mounting accessories.

The primary sites that DPA worked on were the Borups Højskole, a glass-ceilinged school hall; the Øksnehallen, a redeveloped slaughterhouse; and the jewel of the festival: the beautiful 1,000-seat Glassalen in the Tivoli Gardens. Thorough acoustic evaluations of the venues were carried out by DPA¹s audio specialist Eddy Bøgh Brixen. In the Glassalen he ca

France - MPM Light and Sound based in Woippy, France, has tripled their inventory of Adamson Y18's, to bring the count to 72 cabinets in total. The French company's founder, Marc Morosini, commented, "We have 1200 shows to provide PA's over the coming year so this purchase has been in the pipeline for some time. We couldn't be happier, DV2 and Adamson have shown us incredible support since our first Yaxis purchase in 2001. The product has served us very well.

"Guy Vignet, president of DV2, Adamson Support for Europe, closed the deal and stated, "MPM is an important member of the European Yaxis Network. This year they contributed to festivals in France, Belgium and Italy. They are a pleasure to work with and it's great to see all their work paying off."

(Jim Evans)

UK - EuroJam was the biggest Scouting and Guiding event held in Europe for ten years. Held on the V Festival site at Hylands Park near Chelmsford in Essex, EuroJam welcomed over 12,000 people on site every day for 12 days from 29 July to 10 August. Participants came from 67 countries including 40 European nations, but also from as far away as Mexico and Australia.

PA rental specialists, Concert Sound furnished a significant EAW KF760 line array system for the main stage and a number of smaller systems for the other stages plus three engineers for the duration of the event. At the same time, on the other side of the Atlantic, rental company RCS Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio, supplied a massive KF760 system for the US National Scout jamboree at Fort AP Hill in Virginia, which welcomed over 30,000 scouts from all over the US and beyond.

According to Concert Sound's Andy Davies,

UK / USA - Richmond Studios, the Richmond Upon Thames-based multimedia recording, design and authoring house, won two top honours at the prestigious DVD Association Awards ceremony, presented in New York recently, and saw its client, Cirque du Soleil, also pick up an award for a Richmond-authored DVD.

Richmond Studios was presented with the Video Encoding Quality Excellence Award - for The Charlatans' Live At Last DVD. This, the band's first ever DVD release, was recorded live at Brixton Academy. The DVD was designed and authored by Richmond Studios.

Bill Kuper, DVDA board of directors and CTO of Screenlife, commented: "The content on this disc, a live concert, consisted of very difficult footage - lots of quick cuts, stage lighting with delicate colour gradients and smoke. We tried very hard to find flaws but could not. The quality of the encoding was indeed excel

USA - US progressive house DJ D:Fuse recently recorded a live set for his new double-disc album 'People_3' using Allen & Heath mixers. Recorded at the renowned San Francisco club, Mighty, D:Fuse performed with a full electronic percussion set-up accompanied by instrumentalist/DJ/producer Mike Hiratzka and MC Flint, using Allen & Heath's Xone:62 professional DJ mixer, a pair of Xone VF-1 analogue filter units, and a 24-channel GL2400 mixer.

"The show and the recording went flawlessly," reports D:Fuse from his project studio in Austin, Texas where he is recording and mixing the chill disc that will accompany the live performance set on the two-CD album. The album is due for released in September on Moist Music, through Sony's RED distribution wing.

The Xone:62 was a critical component of the live performance, he continues. "That's the mixer that I've used for year

UK - Sound Division has installed a compact background music system into the newly opened Quadruples café bar and eatery in Finchley, North London. According to Sound Division's David Graham, the brief was straightforward. "The client was looking for a high quality background music system but he was working within a very tight budget. Nevertheless he definitely wanted something professional rather than an off-the-shelf consumer system from a high street retailer.

"He doesn't have a large area to cover, so we supplied a system comprising a total of six JBL Control 23 compact loudspeakers, a Pioneer PD-M603 6-disc multi-play CD player and a Harman Kardon HK3480 amplifier with an integral FM."

Quadruples' Chandra Vekaria comments: "It's only a small system with a budget to match, but Sound Division approached the job with the same professionalism as they woul

UK - UK installer, Clarity in Sound Light & Vision, recently carried out a major upgrade to the main hall sound system at St Michael's Catholic Grammar School in Finchley, North London, selecting Allen & Heath's iDR-4 DSP mixer at the heart of the new system. The Hall is used for various events in the School's calendar including theatrical productions, music concerts, assemblies, and church services, so the sound system needed to be adaptable.

The iDR unit not only controls levels and zoning for the 4 Martin Audio speakers but also uses some of its powerful processing features, such as output delays and parametric EQ's on the outputs, to eliminate feedback for the large number of Sennheiser lapel mics that the school uses, as well as a wide variety of media playback devices. Soft keys on the front of the iDR unit are programmed to easily recall presets for the different events t

USA - Nichole Ortiz has joined L-Acoustics US to serve as the company's sales and marketing co-ordinator. Paul Freudenberg, vice president of sales and marketing, made the announcement. Based in Oxnard, Ortiz is now assisting Freudenberg with all aspects of L-Acoustics' domestic sales and marketing efforts. Among her current responsibilities are the execution of marketing initiatives, planning trade show activities and events, maintaining the company's inventory and sales databases, handling literature requests, arranging travel, aiding the accounting department, and other related duties.

Prior to joining the loudspeaker manufacturer, Ortiz most recently served as account co-ordinator, office manager, and administrative assistant for the president and vice president of Allenbrooke Insurance Agency in San Diego.

"We're delighted to welcome Nichole to our team," says F

Latest Issue. . .