UK - Flintshire-based Apple Sound has recently supplied Rolls-Royce’s manufacturing plant with a sophisticated TTS 30 TourGuide system from beyerdynamic. Situated in the heart of the English countryside in West Sussex, the facility is based within the historic Goodwood Estate and within easy reach of the circuit that Rolls-Royce now use as a test track.

The original design concept for the facility - which needed to reflect the quality of the Rolls-Royce marque, but also welcome those expected to visit the site - was implemented by architects Nicholas Grimshaw and partners - creators of the acclaimed Eden Project in Cornwall. Apple Sound has considerable experience of TourGuide systems, having been involved in both their sales and hire for over 10 years. Working closely with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Annett Asztalos, Apple TourGuide product manager, John Scott, helped specify

USA - The Scorpions & Whitesnake 2003 tour is using High End Systems products to add punch and reliability to its rig. Lighting director Charlie ‘Cosmo’ Wilson specified 12 High End Systems Studio Color 575 automated wash luminaires and two Studio Beams for the tour, supplied by contractor LSD/Fourth Phase of Los Angeles.

Now on his seventh tour with the Scorpions and his first with Whitesnake, Wilson was easily able to design a truss to accommodate both artists while giving each a distinctive look at the same time. The bulk of the rig was outfitted with PARs and LSD’s own brand of lighting and console. The tour kicked off on 29 January and continues in North America until 22 March. Following that, Wilson takes off with Whitesnake on their UK/Europe tour, which runs from mid May to early June again with High End Systems fixtures in the rig.

(Ruth Rossington)

UK - The eighth annual CEDIA UK Expo will be held in Brighton between 24 and 26 June, 2003. According to the organizers, it will feature a wealth of new exhibitors from the security and lighting industries, as well as established leaders in the residential entertainment systems and home automation markets, and will occupy 25% more floor space than last year’s show.

The seminar programme is expanding as well, and includes the introduction of CEDIA certification examinations for technicians and designers, developed by the UK Education Committee from a structure successfully employed in the US. Manufacturer training will also be integrated with the seminars to ensure that theory and practice are perfectly complemented. Extra curricular activities include the Chairman’s reception for invited guests on the night of 24 June and the Expo party the following evening.

The

UK - Six months ago Northern Ireland-based installation company Light and Sound FX (LSFX) was commissioned to carry out a complete technical makeover of Lush nightclub in Portrush. The brief was simple: to design and install a new state-of-the-art sound system.

Darren Gardener of LSFX explains: "When we met with Col Hamilton, the resident DJ at Lush, he was adamant that the sound had to be on a par, if not better, than the big UK mainland and US clubs." To achieve this, Gardener looked at all the main audio players, in the end recommending an EAW Avalon system. The Avalon system is one of the most specified club systems in America, so Col Hamilton contacted an American DJ friend to ask if Lush should invest in an Avalon system. The answer came back loud and clear that it was the ‘system of choice’ for serious clubs stateside and that Lush was making the ri

UK - Now in its 26th year, the PLASA Show, which draws to Earls Court in September, thousands of UK and international visitors interested in lighting and sound from entertainment and installation industries, promises to be brighter, fresher and more creative than ever before.

The look and atmosphere of the show is being revitalised for 2003: a project manager has been appointed to implement the feature areas which include a central networking area, situated in the hub of the show. Other highlights include Architectural Audio & Visual - a new show sector which recognizes the growth of architectural lighting, contract audio and vision industry into this market. Products, case studies, new ideas and creative design solutions will all be showcased, aiming to inspire both architects, specifiers, installers and end users.

The New Technology Gallery, situated at the front of the ha

UK - Reflex Systems Ltd, specialists in the design, installation and maintenance of audio, CCTV video and access control solutions to the Hotel and Leisure industries, is celebrating its 15th anniversary. The company works with a growing number of UK and European customers, many of which are leading blue chip organizations, providing security and site management solutions.

Reflex is experienced across the whole leisure sector, and is responsible for meeting the requirements of a diverse range of clients. Its customers include Luminar, THI Leisure, Boots WellBeing, Ramada Jarvis, Thistle, Queens Moat Houses, Handpicked Hotels, World of Golf, Butlins, and countless other brands from the smallest independents to the largest players. Reflex's installations are located in many of the country's leading bars, restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, sports and leisure facilities, and the compa

UK - PLASA Member CTS has been awarded dealership status for Strand Lighting. "We are thrilled with this development," said David Harwood, CTS sales director. "Having been in this industry for nearly 25 years, a Strand dealership was something that our company always aspired to."

Part of the new product range recently introduced by Strand is aimed at educational establishments and small theatres, and therefore ideal for CTS, which has a large customer base in these sectors. The company holds a comprehensive hire stock of lighting, sound and stage-related equipment and its policy of remaining independent has allowed it to offer clients the equipment to suit their needs. CTS is confident that the Strand range will complement the other manufacturers they represent.

(Ruth Rossington)

UK - Leisuretec Distribution Ltd and Strand Lighting have announced a new partnership. Strand Lighting has recently invested heavily in the development of entry-level equipment and products aimed at the education market - a move which has strengthened their already broad range of solutions for the film, television, theatre and architectural markets.

Leisuretec Distribution has made a substantial stock investment and managing director Nick Spalding is delighted at the appointment. He comments: "It is fantastic to be associated with a brand as prestigious and established as Strand Lighting, with our commitment to 'Pure Distribution' throughout our extensive customer base, we are looking forward to an exciting and long-term relationship with Strand."

(Lee Baldock)

UK - Kingston-on Thames based Metropolis AV & FX has completed a major audio and AV installation at LA Fitness in Sale, Greater Manchester, including a spectacular large projection area at one end of the club’s pool and main work-out area. The building is a former cinema dating back to the 1930s. Working with architects and interior designers Lewis & Hickey Ltd from Nottingham, Metropolis were called in to ensure the fitness outlet has the very best audio system and AV features for its new incarnation.

The primary objective was to ensure that the building’s character was retained, and that the renaissance cinematic feel desired by the client was realized. Metropolis found a technical solution for this idea: the screen is still in its original position now at one end of the space housing the swimming pool, and what were the balconies are now tiered levels housing rows

USA - American Audio has released the CDS-1 single CD player aimed at bedroom and entry-level DJs. The CDS-1 is equipped with many top features used by professional DJs: it offers Fader Q Start (the ability to crossfade to a pre-programmed cue point on a CD when used with a Q-start compatible American Audio mixer), and also includes Instant Start, Loop In/Out, 8x Oversampling and Anti-Skip Protection.

In addition to entry-level users, the CDS-1 is ideal for working professional DJs who want a back-up set-up to take on the road. In addition to selling the CDS-1 as a single unit, American Audio has packaged a complete system, the CDS-1/System, which comprises two CDS-1 CD Players, an XDM-200 DJ mixer and a custom road case. The XDM-200 mixer included in the system was designed specifically for use with the CDS-1. The mixer has 2 channels - one for each CD player - with 2 lines, 2

Germany - Holzkirchen-based lighting specialists transtechnik Lichtsysteme have equipped two well-known theatres in Munich with the latest lighting technology - both the Münchner Kammerspiele and the Bavarian State Opera House have seen significant system upgrades.

transtechnik Lichtsysteme became involved with the Bavarian State Opera House as far back as 1998, and were part of the team working on a phased renovation of the theatre. The 10 FDX90 dimmer cabinets installed as part of phase 1 and the 23 FDX2000 cabinets that went in during phase 2 have ensured that the State Opera House now has one of the largest pools of dimmers in Germany. A Digiplus digital auxiliary console is used to control the auxiliary functions (such as working lights and rehearsal lighting), whilst the Prisma NT and Focus NT lighting control consoles from transtechnik's NT family are used for the stage

UK - A Yamaha aficionado who spans the entire 30-year history of PM series consoles this month became the first customer for the ground-breaking new PM5000. EFX Audio’s John Ramsay has confirmed an order with Shepperton-based dealers, Marquee Audio, for the largest, 52-channel (48 mono + 4 stereo) PM 5000 desk.

Marquee’s Glen Smith, who flew to the Frankfurt Musikmesse with directors Spencer Brooks and Andy Huffer to finalize the deal, told us: "John has been through all the Yamaha boards. He loves the PM4000 - which he also bought from Marquee - and he told us if the PM5000 gave him all that and more, then he’d be interested."

John Ramsay can remember right back to the inaugural PM200 when he was mixing local bands in his native Scotland. "We had monitors along the front of the stage apron with ‘YAMAHA’ spelt across the wedges, and

UK - Turbosound has supplied multiple TCS and THL systems to sound and lighting contractor Innovation, for installation at the Blu Bam Bu - a new beach-theme club in the city of Newcastle. Boasting one of the liveliest nightlife scenes in Europe, Newcastle's Bigg Market area is home to many bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants, and Blu Bam Bu is the area's newest venue, with a sophisticated approach that is reflected across all its facets - interior design, lighting and sound.

Innovation, based in Sunderland, designed and installed the new club's sound and lighting systems, using Turbosound TCS and THL models throughout the venue. The club's impressive street-level entrance takes you into a ground floor bar area, leading to a VIP lounge, with eight TCS-59 units and four TCS-118 subs in the bar, plus a combination of TCS-10 enclosures and TCS-108 subs in the lounge. A large void on

UK - Show Presentation Services (SPS), working with production company Pci:Live, has provided rock and roll industry-style AV support for the annual B&Q Business Update meeting, which was held at the Telford International Centre for over 1,300 B&Q managers from across the UK.

The stage set was dominated by a 14m x 4m Barco Dlite 7 LED screen which was flown from a rigging system. The event opened with a single video image displayed on the LED screen, which then split to create two 7m x 4m screens, positioned each side of centre stage.

Gerry Francke, account manager at SPS commented: "We believe that this project is innovative since LED screens are still mainly used by the entertainment industry, and they aren't something that corporate events organizers tend to opt for, due to considerations over screen resolution and costs. However, the kit that we have supplied for the

USA - This spring the M.I.N.D. Institute will open the doors to its new home on the UC Davis Medical Centre campus in Sacramento, California. M.I.N.D is a centre that takes a collaborative approach in its study and treatment of a number of challenging neurodevelopment disorders among children. The new 135,000sq.ft complex includes two buildings - a research facility and an outpatient clinic, library and resource centre.

To aid its research efforts, the Institute’s new buildings incorporate a number of observation and conference rooms - 20 in total. These rooms are used for a variety of purposes, including evaluating new students, the effectiveness of new procedures or new treatments and for family or patient conferences. Each room has a self-contained sound system, designed in such a way that it allows for future input and output expansion, and independent operation. Eac

UK - Once again the infrastructure of Stage Electrics has proven to be a lifeline for a touring theatre company. The Blue Room, staring Tracy Shaw, was playing in Cardiff for a week’s tour, when on Monday at 5pm the show control computer failed. Stage Electrics took the call at 5:15pm and although not a supplier to the show, Chris Patton, business development manager for the theatre touring market agreed to attend site. Patton had the forethought to grab Ross Livings from the company’s IT support team, armed with a company PC. On site by 6:30, Livings had two computers in pieces within minutes, swapping the necessary parts and software. The show was running by 7:15, a cool 15 minutes ahead of curtain up. Stage Electrics offers this level of support and service throughout the UK from its 10 Branches.

(Lee Baldock)

UK - The Barco Viewscape Image Controller has arrived at Cheshire based, Keyteq and is being heralded as "the ultimate, soft-edge blended, wide-screen vision mixer for live events." The exceptional piece of kit is a multi-input, multi-display control device allowing the user to show a multitude of windowed inputs onto a set-up of combined displays. It is able to control both projection and plasma displays directly and daylight displays indirectly and offers a wide range of effects such as alpha blending, chroma keying and z-order control.

The arrival of the Viewscape has been eagerly awaited by Keyteq’s clients and with confirmed bookings well into the summer it looks as if it will be a very popular piece of kit. Based in Altrincham, Cheshire, Keyteq is an independent rental company servicing both conference production companies and event organisers, and is one o

Europe - Microsoft’s Xbox games console has embarked on a major promotional tour of selected European cities, in two liveried 40ft tractor/trailer units with hydraulic drop-down sides. There are also two 16-tonne support vehicles containing generators and back-up equipment, and a trailer-mounted 3 metre long model of an Xbox controller. The concept was devised by brand experience company, Live Communications, who number Microsoft Xbox among their clients. Live, in turn, enlisted Avesco companies Creative Technology, Screenco and Dimension Audio to help construct the technology infrastructure for the visitor experience.

According to Dimension Audio project manager, Kevin Swain, the trucks are designed to show off the full capacity of Xbox, with a playing area, a series of pods and free play zone with games machines and chill-out areas. Visitors enter a 48-person auditorium

Switzerland - This year’s Geneva International Motor Show, which runs until March 16th features approximately 350sq.m of Barco’s popular LED display products. 19 leading car manufacturers, including Daimler Chrysler, Jaguar, Saab, BMW, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Pirelli, Porsche and Audi have chosen Barco LED displays to showcase their latest models over the course of the 10-day event.

The Barco products present at the show (provided by some of Barco’s worldwide rental partners, including Creative Technology, Gahrens and Batterman, ICT, ETF, SONO and VPS) include the indoor ILite 6mm, ILite 8mm, and ILite 10mm range, the outdoor DLite range, as well as various large-screen projection set-ups by Opel and Citroen with Barco’s ELM and SLM projectors.

(Ruth Rossington)

Greece - Jack Morton Worldwide has been appointed producer of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the next Olympic Games, to be held in Athens in 2004. Jack Morton will support Dimitris Papaioannou, the concept creator and artistic director of the Games’ Ceremonies.

Dimitris Papaioannou said: "Jack Morton Worldwide has an impressive track record and I am looking forward to working with them. We are all very honored to deliver the Ceremonies celebrating a special occasion: the return of the Games to their birthplace."

The appointment was announced by the Athens 2004 Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (ATHOC) this week after a seven-month bid process, which involved agencies from within Greece and throughout Europe. The European office of Jack Morton, based in London, led the bid with an international team most recently responsible for the successful pr

Germany - Berlin-based production company Complete Audio has become the first to purchase Martin Audio’s new compact line array (W8LC). The company’s managing director, André Rauhaut, placed the order for 12 W8LC enclosures (including rigging frames and amplification) with Martin Audio’s German distributor, Atlantic Audio, during the recent ProLight+Sound exhibition in Frankfurt, where the system was unveiled.

Complete Audio are no strangers to Martin Wavefront technology. Their rental inventory already includes 20 Wavefront W8C top boxes, 8 Wavefront W8CS subs, 20 Wavefront WSX subs, 8 LE12JB floor monitors and 10 LE700A floor monitors - all powered by Martin Audio/Lab Gruppen amplification.

Explaining the reasons for the purchase, Rauhaut said: "We needed to invest in a line array, as many of our competitors in Berlin already have one and we needed to

UK - The Institute of Sound & Communications Engineers (ISCE) is sponsoring an industry-wide invitation workshop on 31 March in Watford, with the aim of setting up a certification body to combat what is seen as the current trend of falling installation standards. Representatives from across the public address, voice alarm, sound, fire and insurance industries are being invited to attend.

Further details of the workshop are available from Cathy Makenzie on 0151 639 5211 or via e-mail at the address below.

(Lee Baldock)

UK - A full house gathered at PNN Hammersmith Palais this month for the star-packed NME Carling Awards 2003. The evening saw the night’s winners such as Coldplay, Ryan Adams and Oasis picking up awards with The Datsuns and Noel Gallagher playing live.

Creative Technology, working through production company Reality Ltd, provided technical reinforcement for the live event and enabled MTV2 and Channel 4 to screen the recorded highlights from the following day. CT were contracted to provide all the display, recording and playback equipment for the event, along with all the video graphics elements. The main focus was a 7 x 5 panel Barco i8 LED screen, which was ground supported centre stage.

A component GVG PPU, with four Sony D30 cameras, handled the recording and playback elements. One camera was used for follow-on shots, a second camera, fitted with a standard lens, was de

USA - High End Systems has announced that Altman Lighting Inc will receive a worldwide non-exclusive license for specific patents belonging to automated lighting manufacturer High End Systems Inc and Richard Belliveau. The agreement finalized today relates to the use of LEDs in lighting products. The patented technology offers significant advantages to the user. Altman will make use of this in their soon-to-be-released Spectra Series luminaires: a line of LED products and advanced patent-pending technology that offers a virtually endless palette of color possibilities to enhance any theatrical or architectural setting.

As part of the same agreement, High End Systems will receive non-exclusive rights to Altman's patents concerning digital stage and architectural lighting technology. Mike Wood, chief technology officer of High End Systems, comments: "We are delighted to have

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