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Business

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Beverley Knight, the UK’s premier soul/R&B solo artist, is currently touring Europe and recently appeared as a special guest to Jamiroquai on his UK arena tour. Beverley is enjoying high chart positions with her two recent hit singles ‘Get Up!’ and ‘Shoulda Woulda Coulda’ and after a break of two years the multi award-winning artist returns with a long awaited new album, which has just gone Gold.

A gospel singer since the tender age of three, Beverley has a voice which will send a tingle down the spine of the most cynical sound professionals. Beverley is an avid Shure user and her front-of-house engineer Matt Napier commented: "Shure mics were used exclusively for Beverley’s band and included Shure Beta 52s on kick drums and bass with a Beta 56 on snare drum, an SM81 on hi-hat plus two Beta 98s on the toms. The three backing singers used Beta 58

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ESIP International Event Management launched its new corporate identity and announced its involvement in the new ‘Worldport’ festival taking place in Cardiff this summer. The company unveiled its new identity to clients and colleagues this April. Speaking on board Thames sailing barge the s.b. May, the company’s co-founder, John Ellson, explained that the new identity had been created to emphasize the collective skills and years of experience of the key people within ESIP.

ESIP have been something of a well-kept secret, having supplied event management and technical production services to the music and corporate events sectors. Recent projects in these areas include the Showtime in the Stadium concert at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, shown on BBC TV last December; the 100th anniversary of Philip Morris International in Buenos Aries with a charity event; the Rochester I

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In a move designed to integrate the Lighting Technology Projects business closer to the parent Lighting Technology Group, the LTP team have literally moved a step nearer to their colleagues at the company’s head office. Recently involved with a number of high profile installations, including the award winning Gateshead Millennium Bridge and Hull’s much publicized The Deep, the Projects staff have taken the opportunity to relocate to the main Group offices at 2 Tudor Estate, Abbey Road, Park Royal, London.

Leading the Projects business, Terry Reeves, LTP general manager, commented: "We trade as an independent business able to offer a specialist installation service. By moving to 2 Tudor Estate we can build upon the relationships of our Group colleagues and take on a wider range of projects."

(Lee Baldock)

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Essex-based DPL Lighting was called in by the Tussauds Group to architecturally light the amazing new Colossus rollercoaster ride at Thorpe Park, Surrey, for its launch. Thorpe is one of the UK’s most popular theme parks and Colossus is a major new ride, which rises up over 30 metres, and hurtles at up to 65 kph for nearly a kilometre, spinning riders through gravity-defying 360 degree loops and plummeting them earthward - into an ancient lost city.

This type of lighting is exactly the sort of challenge relished by DPL’s Darren Parker - who lit Colossus’s heavy metal steelwork and impressive stanchion frame with eight Studio Due City Color luminaires. The launch reception itself was held inside a large Dome building nearby in the Thorpe Park grounds. DPL added a bit of effervescence to the already animated atmosphere in the Dome with a Golden Scan moving light spinnin

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Richard Martin Lighting is once again the first lighting company to receive delivery of the latest addition to Pulsar’s ChromaRange - the ChromaPanel. The first batch of 48 ChromaPanels expands RML’s current range of LED technology. The new ChromaPanel is a 590mm square panel that utilises 132 LEDs to produce a vivid panel of colour. The LEDs have the ability to cross-fade colours, thus creating over 16 million possibilities. Due to their low power consumption the ChromaPanel generates very little heat and is therefore the ideal 'set-building toy,' say RML.

RML is a specialist rental supplier of intelligent lighting and control systems to the film and television industry. The company’s clients have included Top of the Pops, The Spice Girls, SMTV Live, BBC Studios, Comic Relief and The Brit Awards. The latest purchase follows the purchase of Pulsar’s ChromaBank

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Pensacola Christian College has recently completed a top-level facility at its Florida location. Designed and installed by All Pro Sound, a design/build contractor located in Pensacola, the facility comprises a comprehensive array of sound reinforcement, recording and broadcast systems, which were installed in the College's Crowne Centre over an 11-month period, and include over 160 Turbosound loudspeakers.

Conceived as a multi-purpose state-of-the-art facility, the Crowne Centre is the College's newest development and contains a large, 6,035-seat auditorium, with a flexible below-balcony area that can be divided into three separate 600-seat seminar areas. The auditorium's 33-metre two-storey stage includes a rotatable section, and has a frontal area that can be configured in four different formats. The Centre also houses two 200-seat wedding chapels, hospitality areas and classrooms,

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Orbital Sound combined forces with The Royal National Theatre to deliver its second annual advanced training course for students wishing to pursue a career in theatre sound. Building on the success of the first course initiated jointly last year by Orbital’s Simon Whitehorn and The National’s Rob Barnard, the second edition expanded on its successful formula to be co-produced and staged at The National Theatre and at Orbital’s Brixton-based facility.

This year the creative and conceptual workshops were staged at ‘the National’, whilst in-depth technical sessions were held at Orbital’s headquarters in mid April. The importance of sound in theatre continues to grow at a rapid rate thanks to advances in technology and the changing expectations of audiences, producers and directors. As audio technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, both Orbital an

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Westlife kicked off their ‘World of Our Own’ global tour in Europe with a spectacular lighting rig supplied by Bandit Lites and video expertise from XL Video. By the end of the European leg of the tour in June alone, Westlife will have played to nearly a million people, and the tour is destined to be one of the most successful and high profile of the year.

The lighting design was a collaboration between the show's technical director Phay MacMahon and LD Barry Halpin. MacMahon also designed the stunning in-the-round stage and set (both on the ground and in the air). With in-the-round being the most challenging of live performance perspectives, MacMahon and Halpin have created a breathtaking show full of drama and surprise. Bandit Lites - who also supplied Westlife's first tour last year - mustered over 120 moving lights - including 45 Martin MAC 2000s, 40 MAC 600s, 20 MAC 50

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A key part of Newcastle’s city centre redevelopment project has involved the lighting of the Grade 1 listed Theatre Royal. With specific objectives to achieve, artist and designer Simon Watkinson drew on the resources of Lighting Technology’s Newcastle office to guide the project through the design, mock up, planning approval and installation phases.

The initial brief involved recreating the rich colours of the theatre’s ‘house curtains’ and projecting these vibrant shades onto the facade of the building. In addition it was felt that the Theatre’s magnificent columns should be bought to the forefront of the lighting design. Subsequently, the colour-changing effect was created courtesy of 12 of Color Kinetics’ C200W luminaires, which illuminate the upper canopy area, balcony and lower frontage. Additional fittings light the pediment above the pi

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Ian Kirby has announced that the newly-incorporated Coemar UK will be based in Ashford, Kent. And when the company opened for business on April 29th, UK customers found a massive price reduction on all Coemar stock awaiting them. This will equate to approximately a 30% price decrease across the board.

Price points of Coemar product have traditionally been high in the UK. "But efficient streamlining of production under the new ownership and new UK distribution has meant lower prices from the factory and to the consumer," explains Kirby. Coemar UK’s new 6,000sq.ft office, warehouse and demonstration facility will incorporate a full inventory of stock and spares - as well as a new product range, which has been launched over the last nine months.

The company can be contacted at: Unit 4, KPC Business Centre, Canterbury Road, Ashford,Kent, TN24 0BP, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1233 63

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Home to the Seattle Symphony Orchestra for the past four years, Benaroya Hall recently installed ten Soundweb 9088ii digital signal processors as part of a discrete new vocal reinforcement system for its 2,500-seat S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium. CCI Systems of Olympia, working closely with the Harman Professional Projects Group (HPPG), provided the system’s design and installation.

Two of the BSS Audio processors are utilized to provide DSP, EQ and delay for a new central cluster of custom JBL loudspeaker enclosures powered by existing Crown Macro-Tech MA5002VZ amplifiers. A third 9088ii does likewise for speakers addressing the stage lip and orchestra/monitor sections. The remaining seven processors are similarly called upon to provide individual delays, EQ and signal processing for 56 JBL HTI6 speaker boxes, all driven by a rack of Crown CP660 six-channel power amplifiers

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Further to the announcement last week of a new distribution agreement for Greece, ARX Systems, the Australian based manufacturer of professional audio products announce the appointment of Istanbul based Park Audio & Lighting Systems as the company’s exclusive distributor to the Turkish market. ARX’s managing director Colin Park told PLASA Media: "ARX is delighted to have Oktay Karasoglu and his team at Park Audio & Lighting Systems on board as our new exclusive distributor for Turkey. With the new Installation products ARX is releasing this year, Oktay will be well placed to further develop ARX's presence in this very competitive market."

Park Audio & Lighting Systems can be contacted at the e-mail address below:

(Lee Baldock)

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Arbiter has supplied Lisburn-based audio supplier DL Electronics with a wide assortment of AKG microphones as part of a complete audio refit at St Eugene's Cathedral in Derry. DL Electronics’ David Dalzell is a long term advocate and supplier of AKG, specifically of their Discreet Acoustics range which he’s supplied previously on numerous successful church installations in Ireland.

For the St Eugene's refit, AKG was therefore a logical choice for David, who worked on the project with acoustic consultant Peter Lloyd of Hollywood, NI-based Lloyd Associates and Liam O'Hagan of Derry-based electrical consultants, Delap & Waller. Dalzell chose six GN155SET mics - the latest addition to the Discreet Acoustics range - coupled with CK31 cardioid capsules for the installation. These are utilized at the Bishop's chair, the Priest's chair, the baptismal font, one either side of the f

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A new purpose-built high-technology home awaits film and location lighting giant, ARRI GB, who will move from its Heston base at the end of the summer. The entire operation is set for a phased move into a new HQ - the 75,000sq metre three-building Highbridge development, adjacent to the Grand Union Canal in Uxbridge - commencing at the end of August. It is expected to be complete by October.

ARRI GB managing director, Renos Louka, said that the move to Uxbridge marked the end of a long search for an enlarged facility, brought about by the company’s rapid expansion, particularly in rental. "Uxbridge, with its proximity to Pinewood, Shepperton and other film studios, was the ideal location - and when we saw this building we knew we had found our new home," he said. Transport links to central London and access to Heathrow Airport were further key factors in driving the dec

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Edwin Shirley Staging (ESS) continues to feature prominently in this year’s Golden Jubilee events calendar. This time ESS will be providing a staging solution for the sell out All the Queen’s Horses event at Windsor between May 16 and May 18.

Major Sir Michael Parker, producer of many royal events during the past 15 years, conceived the show. ESS has previously worked alongside Major Sir Michael on events such as the VE and VJ Day celebrations. The show, an equestrian spectacular, involves a cast of 3000 performers and 1000 horses performing in front of a specially designed stage which will hold an orchestra, a choir and a company of dancers. The night-time event will also feature a floodlit Windsor Castle as a backdrop.

ESS is providing a 25m arched Orbit stage system with a split-level plinth to accommodate the orchestra and choir. The stage will be finished with

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The World Chess Federation, referred to as FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs), launched a series of Grand Prix tournaments beginning at the at the Al-Bustan Hotel in Dubai for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Grand Prix at the beginning of April.

The World Chess Grand Prix series will then go on to Moscow for the Russian Grand Prix, Bangalore or Bombay in July, Croatia in August and finally Rio de Janeiro in September. Each part of the Grand Prix has an opening ceremony and a total of five play days finishing with a closing ceremony. A total of 32 players have qualified to play in each of the Grand Prix tournaments and were selected based on strict criteria.

The tournaments include many variations of chess, such as three-player chess, blind chess (in which you cannot see your opponent’s pieces) and speed chess. In speed chess, the clock is set for five minutes per sid

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Czech Republic-based truss manufacturer Milos is continuing to expand its global operations with the announcement that the company is finishing the move to its new European HQ near Prague. The facility boasts over 90,000sq.ft of production area, fully equipped with the latest manufacturing technology including semi-automated welding processes. The new facilities creates one of the largest production centres in Europe and enables Milos to substantially increase its production capacity and introduce new product lines scheduled for later this year. Phased production moves to the new site have been completed on time and have ensured that the fast delivery of QuickTruss systems have continued as normal. Full production is expected from the factory by the end of April 2002.

(Lee Baldock)

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While the sensory experience of Dolby 5.1 surround sound has become fairly commonplace, few have experienced the benefits provided by its latest-generation 15.1 successor. Such a system is due to open later this spring at Legoland California, when the 128-acre theme park north of San Diego unveils a new four-dimensional, large-screen video attraction at its LEGO Showplace Theatre.

The show, which will prominently feature white-knuckle automotive thrills as provided by the Lego Racers, will utilize a pair of 12,000 lumen Panasonic PT-D9600U projectors to convey its visual drama, and 16 PowerLight amplifiers from QSC to fuel its larger-than-life 15.1 surround sound. While El Segundo-based Edwards Technology was made responsible for installing the theatre's video and audio systems, Legoland California’s own technical guru Paul Beach will oversee daily operations. Commenting on the s

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High End Systems' award-winning Catalyst system will be prominently featured in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, with finals taking place May 25 in Tallinn, Estonia. Lighting director Per Sundin of SVT has specified 15 Catalysts - the largest installation of Catalyst systems on any Catalyst project to date - along with a number of x.Spot automated luminaires in the production.

SVT is providing much of the technical support for Estonian TV. Spectra+ of Stockholm, Sweden is the lighting rental company supplying the event. Lang Audio Vision of Germany is supplying the bulk of the Catalysts along with other video equipment. Video Unlimited of Stockholm is also providing video services as well as some video projectors.

In a separate announcement, Spectra+ has altered its name and logo to reflect recent changes to the services it provides, with the introduction of a complete entertain

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Marquee Audio have supplied and fitted a Nexo PA system - and sound processing - to the Wilde Theatre in Bracknell. Part of the South Hill Park complex, the 350-seat Wilde Theatre has a busy programme of incoming shows and community events, and successfully applied for an Arts Council National Lottery grant to upgrade the sound and lighting.

The theatre had already been using Marquee Audio to provide ancillary equipment - such as mics and stands - when the contract went out to tender. And of the three companies who submitted quotes, Marquee Audio came out on top. "They offered the best package, and best service," said senior sound technician, Philip Hoegger. "We went on past experience, price and service, and throughout the install period Marquee were extremely helpful and responsive. "Having considered various sound systems, we knew we wanted Nexo."

With l

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After exhaustive market research conducted by the Australian National Broadcaster, ABC TV, to find a suitable lighting desk for their recently-digitised Studio 31 in Melbourne’s Ripponlea complex, an order was placed for a Vision 10/ST console from ADB-TTV in Belguim. The desk will be supplied by ADB’s Australian distributor, LSC Lighting Systems of Melbourne.

The Vision desk provides 1024 control channels on 1024 DMX output channels expandable to 2048, 48 submasters over two pages, full A/B playback facilities, moving light control module, special effects module, standard outputs for keyboard, mouse, SVGA monitors, MIDI, audio, IR or HF remote control units, printers and worklights. The desk can also be expanded for ethernet connection.

The Vision fulfilled a number of key criteria that the ABC were seeking. "The ADB Vision certainly provided what we were looking fo

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March 6th marked the grand opening of Chasing Rainbows, the new interactive museum at Dollywood. Located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Dollywood is a magical theme park inspired by the life and accomplishments of country musician Dolly Parton. The new museum houses a collection of items from Dolly's career.

In the fall of 2001, the creative team at Dollywood contacted UV/FX Los Angeles with the idea of designing a finale room for the museum; a space which would serve as the culmination of the visitors' experience at the museum. The folks at Dollywood wanted a space that physically replicated the Smoky Mountains landscape, and that was conceptually inspired by Miss Parton's song ‘The Light of a Clear Blue Morning’.

The basic idea was that visitors would enter a nighttime environment, which would subsequently evolve into sunrise over the course of the song's playback. The spa

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Around 2,500 guests were on hand for the presentation of the Freiburg Nightlife Awards to the establishments and individuals considered to have made the greatest contribution to the nightlife of the city. Messetechnik Bächle, Mammagamma and Dynacord provided the sound.

Freiburg, situated in the Black Forest in southern Germany, has a vibrant nightlife with a wide variety of clubs, bars, cafes and a highly diverse cultural scene. To celebrate all this, in 1999, event organisers 'Endless Event', the scene magazine 'Sub Culture' and the Ganter brewery created the 'Freiburg Nightlife Awards'. The response was so favourable that they decided to present the coveted awards for a second time on 9 March, 2002.

The voting was done by SMS. People were asked to vote for a winner in 10 categories: Best Club/Disco, Best Event, Best DJ (in six categories: techno, house, hip-hop etc.), Best Cafe/B

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The OB Division of BBC Resources Ltd have upgraded their fleet of Soundcraft broadcast desks, to extend their coverage of prime motor sports events. Contracted by production company, Chrysalis TV, BBC Resources produce coverage for Carlton TV of the F1 Grand Prix season and the World Rally Championships, which are screened on Channel 4.

Technical development manager Julian Parsons explained that the OB Division had been in the process of decommissioning two 16-channel B800 desks from older vehicles, while at the same time a further desk was reaching the end of its lifespan. Their solution was to approach Soundcraft, who agreed to build both the original modular broadcast desks into a single-frame mixer, which was this month installed in the principle OB truck. Last month the new 32-channel, eight-group board completed its first Grand Prix in San Marino successfully.

At the same time

  1. Avolites appoints two new distributors
  2. A-T makes the World Cup Squad
  3. Millennium Eye set for Golden Jubilee with Vari-Lite
  4. US distribution for Intelliplate announced at NSCA
  5. Orbital delivers Meyer Sound line array to West End
  6. Edwin Shirley Staging at the Essential Festival
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