UK - Pete Hughes has joined Canegreen as a full-time special projects manager following years on the road as a freelance engineer. Having started engineering bands 15 years ago, Pete has worked periodically with Canegreen for about 12 years, since when he has toured with the likes of David Byrne, 911, Stevie Wonder, Nanci Griffiths, Neil Finn, Patti Smith, King Crimson, Jethro Tull and most recently Toploader.

In addition to touring, Pete has also managed the sound for a number of large one-off events including The Prince's Trust's 'Party in the Park', Capital Xmas Live and Cambridge Folk Festival, along with stadium shows for The Corrs and Paul Weller as far afield as Japan.

Hughes will be based at Canegreen's North London premises, working alongside Yan Stile and Andrew Frengl

UK - Lightpower, one of Germany's leading lighting distributors, has announced that it has cancelled its participation in this year's ProLight&Sound exhibition in Frankfurt (5-8 March). The reason given for the withdrawal is the bad timing of the show. Lighpower's statement says: "We regret this decision, however . . . when a trade show is planned concurrent with a national holiday and preparations for the Cebit trade show overlap, then we, as well as other exhibitors, come across some serious coordination problems. This simply means that over 40% of our clientele shall not show up because they will be tied up at the same time with their own service activities during the Cebit show projects and Carneval activities. More than 1000 event technicians will be working at the Cebit."

At a press conference at ProLight+Sound last year, Lightpower - a long-standing ProLight+Sou

UK - Newlands Technology Ltd, based on the Science Park of the University of Hull, has appointed Gary Orrell as its general manager for audio. Gary held a similar post with NXT, the flat panel loudspeaker technology company and prior to that, introduced Wharfedale Loudspeakers to the commercial/professional market in the late 80s and early 90s.

Newlands has recently introduced its first commercial audio product to the market, the Soundbug, an audio device, similar in shape to a PC mouse but slightly smaller; driven directly by a Walkman/Discman, it is attached to plane surfaces such as table tops or windows, transforming the whole surface into loudspeakers.

Newlands design and innovation work is based on magnetostriction - the process by which a material changes its shape in response to a magnetic field. Terfenol-D is a material that displays extreme magnetostrictive propertie

UK - UK console manufacturer Soundcraft has launched the second in its new range of multi-purpose live performance mixers, the MH3. The new design follows Soundcraft's highly successful MH4 console, bringing the benefits of dual-mode operation at a lower price level, achieved through an appropriate feature set and mechanical and electronic designs that permit lower manufacturing costs.

"The success of the MH4 has shown that people really want this flexibility, and by bringing out the MH3 we are offering that flexibility to a wider section of the market," states Soundcraft product manager, Andy Brown. The MH3 features eight groups, 12 auxiliary busses, the same new mic amp and EQ designs as the MH4, eight VCA and eight Mute groups with snapshot automation, true LCR panning and outputs, and an integral 12x4 matrix. Consoles are available in 24, 32, 40, 48 and 56 mono inp

UK - Lighting Technology Projects (LTP) were approached by the BBC Homefront programme (broadcast on 22 January 2003 on BBC2) to specify lighting equipment and provide solutions for the designs of the show's interior design expert - Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

A schematic design was created from basic concept sketches, and LTP operatives attended site during filming to install and program the lighting fixtures used to create the stunning visual effects Using products from Color Kinetics, Terry Reeves, Project Manager for the scheme specified a series of 'C75' fixtures for highlighting the walls and down lighting the 'DJ' area. A row of 'I-Cove' fittings were fixed behind a bulkhead above the seating area to provide a linear, even wash of colour changing light. The culmination of the scheme was to illuminate a commissioned piece of art, located behind the seating area, a 'C200' fitt

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USA - New from PreSonus Audio Electronics comes the TubePRE, which the company says delivers the sound of a tube-based system at an affordable price. "The TubePRE is a fantastic product that solves problems for the musician or vocalist," says Jim Odom, president of PreSonus, adding that it "is a no-nonsense, tube-based preamp that delivers the classic warm sound of valve technology, while providing a flexible platform that addresses the many interface needs found in live and recording situations. It offers excellent sound at a very aggressive price point, making this product a winner for musicians and studios alike."

PreSonus's TubePRE is a single channel preamp based around a 12AX7 vacuum tube circuit that provides a stable, transformer-free signal path. The unit can be used as the primary stage of a live or studio system, as a direct box or in a side effect

UK - North London recording and mixing complex Angel Studios, which specializes in classical recordings and film soundtrack work, has installed a Meyer Sound X-10 5.1 system into its newly-refurbished studio one.

Angel is the second London studio to install Meyer X-10s following the installation of a stereo system at Abbey Road's mastering room 7. Allen Stagg, recording engineer and former manager of Abbey Road Studios, was instrumental in introducing the Angel staff to the X-10. The sale was conducted through acoustic analysis expert Bob Hodas, a Meyer studio products dealer who is well-versed in X-10 technology. Meyer's UK distributor Autograph Sales handled the sale and also provided a SIM System II FFT Analyser for Hodas to install and tune the system.

Angel Studio's senior engineer Gary Thomas requested that Hodas help them to configure a 5.1 system for the new room. They

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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.

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Denmark - Switchcraft Inc, the US manufacturer of connectors, audio and video patchbays and cable assemblies, has strengthened its international distributor base by appointing Professional Sound Systems to distribute its products in the Danish broadcast and professional audio markets.

Stephen Waldron, Switchcraft's director of international sales, said: "PSS is a very capable and well established distributor in the Danish market and we are very pleased to enter this partnership that will provide our audio and broadcast customers with improved product availability, service and support."

(Lee Baldock)

UK - Marquee Audio has assisted in the upgrade of Dust Bar Café on London's trendy Clerkenwell Road. The independent bar had been running as a ground-floor DJ bar on a 2am licence for the past five years - but recently decided to expand the operation onto the first floor. According to project director, Alan Burrows, the sound system upgrade coincided with a new interior design (by owner and co-director, Raymond Brown) and the launch of a new restaurant and cocktail list.

"Dust has developed a reputation on the back of breaking out new DJ talent, and so with the addition of a second floor, good sound reinforcement became a top priority," he said. He had been referred to Marquee by another satisfied client from a Shoreditch bar/restaurant, but the decision to use Marquee was only made after a competitive tender. "We found the company to have the necessary tec

UK - A.C. Lighting's Northern Division has recently completed a project installation for The University of Leeds Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences Department (ULISES). The department of sport and exercise sciences approached the company to develop a solution to rig and manually adjust the position of high speed motion tracking cameras in their Sports Biomechanics Laboratory.

The Infra Red cameras are used to assess the movement and performance of athletes under controlled laboratory conditions in both research and teaching. Activities routinely investigated include: rock climbing (the laboratory features an adjustable indoor climbing wall); running, and various throwing and kicking exercises, with a heavy duty net designed to catch missiles.

A moving camera grid, constructed from a series of 48mm aluminium tubes was assembled, featuring adjustable and fixed drop arms,

UK - ARRI celebrated the inauguration of its new 75,000sq.ft Highbridge facility recently, with a glittering party for 400 guests. Leading location lighting directors and DOPs - as well as directors from ARRI's parent company in Munich - arrived at the four acre site, situated alongside the Grand Union Canal at Uxbridge, where they were treated to a champagne reception and a festival of entertainment which went on well into the night.

Event manager Damian Clarkson had spent six months putting together a crack production team, which included lighting specialists Invisible Blue and caterers Taylor Made. The former were able to integrate moving lights, gobo projections and skytrackers with ARRI's generic tungsten and high-brightness HMI film and location luminaires. Invisible Blue project manager Richard Smart commented: "Amalgamating the two disciplines proved an interesting

UK - Lively south coast nightspot TJ's in Eastbourne is the first UK venue to receive JBL's powerful, new, low-profile AE series installation speakers. Arbiter Pro Audio, JBL's UK distributor, supplied the speakers to installers Accord Audio, based in Horam, East Sussex, who fitted out the system as part of the club's latest technical upgrade.

The dancefloor in TJ's main room now features four JBL AM6212/95 bi-amped speakers, complete with high-powered ASB6128 subs. The AM6212 is the most powerful of three types of speakers in the AE range. A major feature, and one of the enclosure's many innovative points, is its very low profile - a slim and elegant physical shape and size which make it an ideal solution for fitting into small spaces unobtrusively.

The sizing has been made possible because the enclosures have rotatable waveguides, enabling them to be just as easily be mounte

USA - The redesigned Shure Incorporated website made its online debut recently with a showing of smart new graphics and an enhanced architecture. Including full product information, endorsing artist pages with exclusive backstage info, detailed product specifications, and an intuitive, easy-to-use Wireless Frequency Reference Guide, the site is a useful tool for everyone from seasoned touring pros and contractors to young musicians just starting out.

Site visitors will note that Shure.com is now organized into three primary content 'channels' - Products, Knowledge and Artists. One of the most noticeable elements within the site is its highlight of content dedicated to education and knowledge-sharing. The Solution Database found in the Knowledge channel provides in-depth answers to virtually any Shure-related question, and encourages users to add to that database by asking any qu

India - With bases in Hong Kong and India, Light Sound Image Ltd has developed a wide portfolio of high profile pan-Asia contracts. The company is the largest international AV consultancy group in India, which creates a hectic schedule for its audio-visual consultant Ian D Harris.

However, his life has been made easier with the discovery of the BSS 9088 Soundweb networked digital matrix system, which he used for the first time recently on installations for the ITC Sheraton Hotel Group in India. LSI won a competitive tender to provide an AV solution for two Irish pubs, situated within the Sheratons in Delhi and Kolkata (Calcutta). With Irish theming, these act essentially as fun pubs, but with a dancefloor and potent sound systems.

Ian Harris was asked to support LSI's Delhi-based Systems Integration Division and programme Soundweb for the two installations. "Although I ha

UK - Leading sound, lighting and AV designer and installer Metropolis AV and FX has completed the design, supply and install of an entire lighting, sound and AV system at the new Sports Café in Manchester.

The £1.2 million project sees the conversion of a utilitarian 1960's office block in Quay Street, central Manchester, into an 1600-capacity sports-themed environment on two levels. Facilities include bar/dining areas with a large dancefloor, a mezzanine chill-out/games area with 16 pool tables, a Team Room used for private functions and, behind a laminated glass wall but clearly visible from the street, a basketball practice area - for those wanting a bit of physical exertion mixed with their energy drinks.

The Sports Café's technical infrastructure was designed by Metropolis's Simon Harris, working directly for Sports Café. The client specifically

UK - White Light has been appointed a UK dealer for Selecon, the New Zealand-based manufacturer of stage and architectural lighting equipment. The full range of Selecon's stage lighting products - including Pacific, Acclaim and Compact - are now available from White Light Sales. Enliten, the White Light Group's architectural lighting specialist, becomes a UK distributor for Selecon's Ardiis range of architectural lighting products.

White Light has been involved with Selecon's equipment for some years, supplying it when requested by lighting designers. Most notably, White Light supplied the first Pacific 80V system in the UK to David Hersey for a projected window effect in My Fair Lady, currently playing at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

The addition of Selecon to White Light Sales' stock means that White Light can now offer customers lanterns from all of the major lighti

UK - UK distributor, HW International has announced a number of new products from the Phonic Corporation. First is a range of powered loudspeakers with moulded plastic cabinets. Consisting of two models, the PA450 and PA550, the PA Series of speakers are bi-amplified, featuring a built-in precision 24dB/oct Linkwitz-Riley electronic crossover, a 3-input mixer, 2-band EQ and a link out. Designed to offer a flexible solution to everyday PA requirements, both full-range models are ideal for overcoming rugged and challenging sound environments, say HW.

Also now available is the eagerly-awaited PAA2 - described as a super-accurate, palm-held audio analyzer. Complete with a 31-band real time spectrum analyzer, SPL and line level meter, internal noise generator, EQ setting program allowing for microphone calibrations and speaker phase-checking abilities. The compact package also featur

UK - Popstars - The Rivals, the hit ITV1 show presented by Davina McCall and the latest musical success story following Pop Idol, appeared on the UK's TV screens for 10 weeks at the end of 2002. The show provided an exciting challenge for television lighting specialist RML, working with lighting designer Mike Sutcliffe, or 'Sooty', as he is otherwise known in the industry.

Sutcliffe's choice of lighting was largely determined by the set that was designed by Marcus Blee. His original thoughts were to use rope lighting in the actual set to provide lines of light, however Sutcliffe realized this to be a great opportunity to use a large number of Pulsar ChromaBanks - 65 in total. To complement the ChromaBanks, 36 ChromaPanels (which were also rope lights in the original plans) were built into the ceiling and catwalk area of the stage. Sutcliffe says these were "perfect for usin

New Zealand - At the end of 2002, the eagerly anticipated second instalment of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Two Towers, premiered in New Zealand, where the majority of the filming took place. XTA played its own part when Wellington-based Western Audio Engineering provided the sound along the red carpet at Courtenay Place in central Wellington, with an XTA SiDD at the heart of the system.

By day Courtenay Place is normally one of Wellington's busiest streets, and premier day saw over 15,000 Wellingtonians greeting the stars at this prestigious occasion. Western Audio is one of New Zealand's leading sound providers and, under the direction of Andy Craig, they provided both the people and technologies to stage this well-executed event, with two main Electro-Voice X-Array systems controlled by XTA DP226 processors, and the linking distributed system time-aligned with an additi

UK - Live video exponent XL Video and large format projection specialist E//T//C UK worked together to create an exciting, fast-moving backdrop for the Live Arena at the 2003 Autosports Show at the NEC. They were working for event producers The PMi Partnership on this popular autosports show. Staged in the NEC's Hall 4, Autosports Live featured a breathtaking, action packed, auto stunts show highlighting the most technologically advanced racing machines in the world. Five hour-long shows a day were attended by approximately 22,500 visitors over four days.

With the arena in landscape format, and the audience placed along one of the long sides, the visual requirement was to create a dramatic 250ft wide backdrop that changed scenes and locations opposite the seating stands. Screens for XL's live video camera shoot also had to be located in optimum positions for public viewing.

PM

UK - AV8 is a remarkable new venue situated adjacent to the mile-long runway at Kemble Airfield in Cirencester. Owner Ronan Harvey has just celebrated quite a month, having successfully negotiated for the classic Gnat jet, owned by Pink Floyd's Dave Gilmour, achieved a CAA licence, enabling him to operate as a commercial airfield, and successfully converted the former fire station into his new luxury bar/restaurant.

Harvey contacted an old interior design friend, Simon Radclyffe of Radclyffe Associates, to combine an Indonesian theme with an Airfix kit leitmotif - using the fabric and large ribs to soften the vibrancy of the wonderful terracotta, yellow and dark blues, hand-painted by local artist/sculptress Joanne Walker.

Manic Street Preachers' LD, Ollie Metcalfe, provided clever theatrical dichroic trackspot lighting, controlled by Hans Beier's CAV (who also provided the Ma

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