The resources of Creative Technology and Dimension Audio were combined at this year’s Paris Motor Show, where their integrated technology created presentation media, IT infrastructure and audio playback solutions for a number of exhibits. While CT debuted their newly-acquired Barco SLM G8 projectors on the Lexus stand, the centrepiece was the Ford stand, where Kylie Minogue helped launch the new StreetKa.

CT used Dimension Audio as the sound supplier. The latter, working for Imagination, provided a system to fulfil the requirements of sound designer, John Del Nero. The sound source delivery was all from hard disk and the automated show was played out through Dimension’s front-line d&b sound rig. Dimension also provided editing facilities in the form of their Syntrillium Cool

D.A.S. Audio sound reinforcement systems have been installed at ‘Dinopolis’, one of the worlds most modern theme parks, based on the age of the dinosaurs. Located in Teruel, Spain, the themed entertainment of Dinopolis aims to shed light on the age of the dinosaurs through the use of animated replicas, special attractions and live sketches evolving around the study of palaeontology.

Dinopolis, is divided into various halls, each with its specific subject matter, such as the Hall of the Sea, Hall of the Mammals or the Paleontology Workshop. Besides the now famous ‘Time Traveler’ attraction, which places the visitor in a special all-terrain vehicle for a ride through the origins of life on our planet, two new attractions have been added. ‘Saurus Park’, aimed at keeping the very young visitors busy and ‘T-Rex’, featuring a life-sized Tyranno

Le Mark continues to experience a year of success. Returning from a successful launch by Apollo Design Technology of Le Mark’s PLASA 2002 double award-winning product GEL-TAK Filter Fix at LDI Las Vegas, the Cambridgeshire-based company has found that they have been short-listed for a ‘Huntingdonshire Business Award’ in the category of ‘Spirit of Ingenuity’.

"The award is presented to the company and its staff rather then for an individual product", said managing director Stuart Gibbons. "We are extremely thrilled and honoured to even be shortlisted," said Gibbons, "being based in the high-tech county of Cambridgeshire so close to ‘silicon fen’, we are aware of the high calibre of competition within our catchment area."

(Lee Baldock)

Some of the biggest names in television gathered at the Royal Albert Hall in London on October 15 for the ITV 2002 National Television Awards. But everyone in the packed auditorium had a ring-side seat - thanks to the presence of several Screenco big screen displays. The main backdrop was a 40sq.m 25mm LED screen, upstage centre, reinforced by two 13 x 8 sq. metre 15mm IMAG displays, situated left and right of the stage. Screenco also provided a plasma display for the backstage press area.

While the centre screen was sent a feed comprising of stage close-ups, the flanking screens and plasma display took its feed from the live television mix. Hosts Trevor McDonald and Tess Daley presented the awards, screened on ITV1, while this year ITV2 also broadcast exclusive coverage from backstage and the glamorous after-show party. Graham Filmer, director and general manager at Screenco commented

Taunton-based rental company APR Audio has just invested in an impressive 60-box X-Line system from Electro-Voice, complete with 14 racks of the new Electro-Voice P3000RL DSP remote-controlled amplifiers, all supplied by Shuttlesound. Following the product's UK PLASA launch, this is the very first remote amplifier sale in the UK, and the first worldwide that will be supporting a stadium-sized X-Line system. In addition, APR has also purchased a 40-input Legend 3000 supplied direct from the Midas factory in Kidderminster.

For Andy Reed of APR Audio, an existing X-Array user, the decision to invest in X-Line was straightforward. "I had been looking to increase my inventory for some time, and as an existing X-Array user, my first port of call when looking for a new system was naturally Electro-Voice. I was invited to go and see how the X-Line system performed on Rod Stewart, and fran

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ETC Halcyon Silent

High End Systems Halcyon Silent builds on ETC’s legacy of fanless automated fixtures by incorporating features from the highly sought-after Halcyon family. Halcyon Silent perfectly balances silent operation with brilliant output of 18,400 lumens and high-impact features. 

For more information visit us at www.etcconnect.com

Stardraw has announced a unique symbol update as part of the monthly update process available to all current subscribers. By popular request, the company has made available the component elements used to create its high quality product symbols in the Block Schematic, Rack Layout and Pictorial Schematic environments of Stardraw Audio, Stardraw AV and Stardraw Radio.

The update includes more than 500 symbols of buttons, switches, knobs, connectors, logos, meters and much more. They have been created to meet all of the criteria currently used in the production of Stardraw libraries and conform to layer and drawing specifications.

According to marketing director, Rob Robinson, this is a significant enhancement. "By making the component symbols available, we are effectively giving our subscribers even greater scope to customize Stardraw to their own requirements. Although our library

The Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre in Scotland is about to complete a one-year, £18m expansion and redevelopment project. The venue’s two existing halls have been expanded to provide conference capacities of 2,000 and 500 respectively, while two new 700-capacity multi-purpose suites have been added.

GB Audio of Edinburgh won the contact to supply and install sound systems in these four spaces. The brief was to deliver consistent, high definition sound throughout the complex. To further complicate the requirements, each individual suite has the ability to divide into two independent spaces, meaning that the sound too would have to divide down and even operate in different directions if required. GB Audio achieved this by deploying a BSS Audio Soundweb DSP system controller, which offers instant recall of preset EQ and delay settings at the touch of a button. A total of 4

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Create new traditions – Cameo P6 - High Output Full-Spectrum Ellipsoidal

Cameo's P6 is a future-proof LED profiler with a powerful 600 W RGBACL engine and 16,000 lumens. It’s an energy-efficient replacement for 2.5 kW halogen profile lights in theatres and venues. With excellent light quality and natural colour rendering, it fits perfectly in theatres, musicals, TV studios, congresses, and live events.

With an LED life of 50,000 hours and low power use, the P6 cuts energy costs and supports the EU’s ‘Green Deal’ goals for climate neutrality by 2050. It also meets updated eco-design rules for lighting.

www.cameolight.com/p6profile

As part of its ongoing expansion plan, Gekko Events has announced the creation of the brand new Gekko Effects, a lighting and effects division. Gekko Effects will specialise in supplying flame lights and small effects for the full spectrum of live events - from corporate meetings and permanent venues, to live production and parties. Laura Dodds is responsible for the management and business development of the division. During her 10 years in the industry, Dodds has racked up a broad lighting experience, from working on blue-chip projects such as Party in the Park, Eurovision and The Royal Variety Performance, as well as Ricky Martin and The Spice Girls tours.

Founder and MD of Gekko Events Ltd, Kristin Magnuson, comments: "The creation of Gekko Effects will participate in positioning Gekko as a major brand within the events industry. Laura’s skills will allow Gekko Effects t

LAX Audio, the UK distributor for Wembley Loudspeaker, has announced its appointment as UK distributor for Rodec mixers, aimed at the "professional, quality-minded user". The deal was signed at the PLASA Show at Earls Court in September. Belgium-based Rodec began manufacturing valve amplifiers in the late 1960s, and later moved on to become a European pioneer of DJ mixers. The company’s latest products on show at PLASA were the BX14 and BX9 mixers.

(Lee Baldock)

David Corrick of Stringwood Professional Services in Cardiff has recently completed a number of church installations using a full suite of Telex/EVI products, in particular from Electro-Voice and Dynacord, supplied by Shuttlesound. Among the most recent is the Thornhill Church Centre in Cardiff into which Stringwood has installed a full multimedia system. The Thornhill is far more than just a traditional church - the building was completed five years ago, and in addition to providing church services also acts as a community centre with activities going on seven days a week morning, noon and night. To that end, the budget to put in the multimedia AV system was quite generous.

In the main hall, where the majority of the church services take place, Corrick has installed two ElectroVoice Sx300 full range cabinets and a SUB 800 A active subwoofer from Dynacord, while foldback on stage is

Martin Professional has announced that Claus Puggaard, managing director of Martin UK, is to step down from his position and return to Denmark to take over a new challenge within the Martin Group, following the completion of a three-year restructuring process in the UK. The company has also stated that chief financial officer, Johan Delfs, has stepped down "in order to assure a long-term management solution at Martin Professional Plc."

Henrik Soerensen, CEO of Martin Manufacturing UK Ltd (Jem) will assume the leadership position at Martin Professional Plc until a new management team is appointed. Martin’s president and CEO, Kristian Kolding, told us: "Day-to-day operations at Martin Professional Plc will continue unimpeded . . . Claus gathered a cohesive and competent staff at Martin UK who will continue to serve the UK market under the direction of Henrik Soerens

The World Finals of the Vestax championship take place on November 21st at Fabric in London. 14 contestants from around the world will compete in the finals, including UK champion, DJ Woody. During the evening, clubbers will also get to see some of the world’s top DJs in action, including Carl Cox, Nick Warren, The Scratch Perverts, The X-ecutioners, The En4cers, Dynamo Productions’ Andy Smith and Scott Hendy, Dj Swerve, The Mixologists and 'RJ' Moby's tour DJ.

(Ruth Rossington)

Veteran entertainment industry writer, photographer, publicist and designer, Cat Strom (Forcer), has announced the launch of a new entertainment technology service: Catriona Strom Design. The company aims to deliver a complete design, content and production package, including graphic design, web design, editorial content, photography and website maintenance, or any one of those services as required.

Should you need a media release, photographs of your project or production (digital or traditional), web site design or content updates, a newsletter (electronic or printed), a product brochure or a magazine ad, this new venture offers a comprehensive range of highly-integrated publicity and promotion services for entertainment technology businesses - from someone who knows the industry.

(Ruth Rossington)

Edinburgh-based AVC was recently appointed by The Gleneagles Hotel to design and install a complex integrated audio system as part of a massive refurbishment program to restore its magnificent Ballroom and to make it suitable for use both as an entertainment venue and a multi-faceted conference facility.

As the sole distributor for Bi-Amp in the UK, beyerdynamic’s Jon Stanley and Simon Druce collaborated with Douglas Bolton, AVC’s System Designer to specify a very flexible, multi-purpose system, which centred around Bi-AMP’s digital audio platform - Audia. The Ballroom, complete with stage, proscenium arch and balcony, is ideal for theatre-style conferences, awards ceremonies, live performances and gala evenings. The Gleneagles Hotel required a system that could be used flexibly by its in-house technical team and easily operated by non-technical users if necessary.

Nexo SA has published EASE and CATT data files for its PS and Alpha loudspeakers, along with the GEO S830, on its website. The data was measured by Nexo R&D under the direction of technical director François Deffarges and R&D manager Rémi Vaucher.

"With the growing use of EASE and CATT, not only by acoustical consultants, but by design/build contractors in many countries, we feel it’s important to make accurate data available in current formats," Deffarges commented. "We hope that this new data release will make it easier for sound system designers to compare the predicted performance of Nexo loudspeakers with similar products and to make the best choice for any given application."

The EASE and CATT data files are available as a 752kb Zip archive from the website below:

(Ruth Rossington)

Selecon and Rosco held a hands-on open day at the end of October at RADA’s new premises in London. Members of the ALD, STLD and PLASA were invited to have a closer look at the newer products that were launched at this year’s PLASA Show.

Amongst these was the Finelite II projector which was used to project images in the theatre at RADA, thus demonstrating the potential for this product. Also on show was the new dowser for use with Selecon’s MSR Pacific - well received by those in attendance who see it as a key development in lighting control. Rosco demonstrated its award-winning ImagePro: attached to a Selecon Pacific, it provided food for thought for those wanting to use gobos but not wanting to have the high costs associated with glass gobos.

(Ruth Rossington)

The Italian fashion show Moda in Villa took place in early September. The event, organized by Uniontessile and Unionorafi of Apindustria, Vicenza, was staged at the Villa Cordellina Lombardi in Montecchio Maggiore (one of the most prestigious Vicentine villas with frescoes by Tiepolo), and previewed not only this winter’s fashions, but jewellery that was to be later presented at Orogemma 2002.

In addition to a special satellite programme on the TV Moda channel broadcast by TELE + and Stream TV throughout almost the whole of Europe, the evening could also be watched live on the web via a link on www.modainvilla.com.

As planned by the organizers, the lighting system played a fundamental role at the event: as well as illuminating the catwalk, it also created a highly imaginative backdrop, colouring and delineating the villa’s façade and projecting the logos of designers pre

Eurolites Productions, Ireland’s largest lighting and production rental company, is moving to a new 12,000sq.ft warehouse in Portlaoise, Co Laois. However, it’s going to go down as one of the shortest moves in the history of the industry as the company is literally moving from Unit 3 on John Keyes Business Park to Unit 5. The new unit will provide more space for the company and allow more room for manouevre in the pre-building of full rigs. It will also provide a second loading bay and a separate area for the programming and preparation of moving lights.

Eurolites’ existing 6,000sq.ft building will be retained by the company and will be occupied by Eurolites Sales, the lighting sales division of the company and Martin Professional distributor for Ireland. A full operational demonstration studio will also be constructed in the coming months. RoadBox, the flightcase man

Australia-based Brown’s Precision Welding, manufacturers of high quality aluminium products, has announced a new product, Brown’s Multifunction Tower (BMT). At the heart of the BMT’s innovative design is an adaptive connection plate allowing any existing industry standard truss to be incorporated into the tower or ground support design. This cost-effective approach also results in the Multifunction Tower being one of the most versatile systems available in the world today.

Beau Southey, managing director of Brown’s Precision Welding and designer of the Multifunction Tower, says: "The BWT is designed to maximise the usability of every component and integrate effectively with which ever truss the end-user requires including any existing rental stocks. Even the sleeve block may be used independently as a truss corner block."

The tower itself comprises a

Barco has won a order worth $3 million from one of North America’s foremost AV rental and staging companies, AVW-TELAV Audio Visual Solutions. Barco will deliver 30sq.m of its renowned ILite6 indoor display technology, as well as 20 SLM R8 Performer projectors to AVW-TELAV. The digital display and projection solutions will be used by the company at various high profile events throughout North America.

AVW-TELAV Audio Visual Solutions, which is a new company formed by the merger of TELAV Audio Visual Services and AVW Audio Visual, is one of North America’s leading AV rental and staging companies. AVW was founded in 1971 and although headquartered in Dallas, had 15 locations throughout the US. TELAV was established in 1982, and from its base in Montreal, Quebec operated 18 locations across Canada. Today, AVW-TELAV Audio Visual Solutions has 34 offices coast to coast and offe

The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama has purchased an Allen & Heath ML3000 15 buss live sound VCA console as part of a major upgrade to its audio system. The 32-channel mixer was recommended and provided by the Cardiff branch of Stage Electrics, one of Europe's leading suppliers of technical equipment to the entertainment, leisure and presentation industries. Stage Electrics also supplied a Martin Audio Wavefront W2 and WS2A speaker system as part of the upgrade.

There are currently 530 students enrolled at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (the 'Royal' title was granted by Her Majesty The Queen during her recent Golden Jubilee visit to Wales), situated close to Cardiff city centre. Among the courses on offer are a BA and postgraduate diploma in Stage Management (the post-graduate course being sponsored by Stage Electrics), which both feature a Technical Studies module c

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