UK - In an unexpected move announced today by Julian Blyth and Andrew Stirling at PLASA 2007, SCV London and Stirling Trading are to join forces. The new operation will be effective as of 1 October and Stirling Trading will be moving into the larger SCV premises in Loughton, Essex. The arrangement sees Andrew Stirling taking up a full-time position on the board of directors of SCV London.

"This is the culmination of a one year strategy review to develop the SCV London business," states Blyth. "This merger will strengthen our presence in the pro-audio markets and bring some excellent new talent to the Company. I'm very much looking forward to working together with Andrew to develop our business further."

Andrew Stirling comments, "The synergy of our joint distribution portfolios plus the strength of Stirling's direct sales built up over many years exper

UK - M-Audio walked away with four prizes at last nights (Sunday) twelfth annual DJ Magazine Tech Awards held at the Ministry Of Sound .

The company swept up the awards with Ableton Live 6 being named as Best Software, Torq Xponent DJ Controller winning Best DJ Controller, Trigger Finger USB MIDI Controller took Best Studio Controller while the MicroTrack 24/96 Professional 2-Channel Mobile Digital Recorder walked away with the Best Portable Recorder prize.

M-Audio, who are also featuring a wide range of other DJ products as well as their new EX-66 Studio Monitors, can be found on Stand N39.

(Rob Speight)

UK - The 2007 PLASA Awards for Innovation, announced last night in a special presentation ceremony at the PLASA Show, reflect the ever-more dynamic, diverse and creative health of the global entertainment and installation technology industries.

65 products from 10 different countries were entered this year, and covered a broad range of lighting, audio, rigging and staging, AV, effects, software and accessories - amply reflecting the industry's diversity and global nature.

"The energy, ideas and innovation that feature at PLASA start from the imaginative minds that make up the industry," said PLASA CEO Matthew Griffiths. "The talent in this business is formidable, and it's that talent that we're celebrating."

During the ceremony, attended by special guests from across the industry, eight awards were presented.These went to:

beyerdynamic (GB) Ltd - Hea

UK - Fuzion and Coemar aim to strengthen their support for lighting designers with a complimentary portfolio of their creative work.

The new partnership of Italian manufacturer Coemar and its new UK distributor Fuzion was announced in March 2007. Both companies want to recognise the importance of the lighting designer and offer ways to help them promote their craft.

A hand-made Portfolio using 'state of the art' book printed on metallic paper - which produces extremely vibrant colours and a sharp image - bound with a contemporary metal satin cover, presents the LD's show photography in a professional and eye-catching way. Smaller books are available to give to potential and existing clients.

Lighting designers specifying and using new Coemar lighting equipment in the UK from September 2007 will qualify for the book, the company says.

(Jim Evans)

UK - QSC Audio has confirmed the appointment of Shure Distribution GmbH as its new distributor in Germany; this is one of several new territorial appointments announced by the company to coincide with PLASA 2007 in London, as it looks to streamline and consolidate its position in the global marketplace. The new agreement takes effect from September 2007.

Greg McLagan, vice president global sales at QSC Audio, commented, "We were looking for a partner sharing our passion for sound and performance, being dedicated to QSC and our products. We are very happy having found exactly this partner in Shure Distribution."

Shure Distribution's newly-appointed product manager for QSC, Marcus Bäumler, responded, "We see the complete line of products as having huge potential in the German market. Over the years QSC has put together a very competitive portfolio of products, al

UK - British loudspeaker design pioneer Tony Andrews last night became the first recipient of the newly-created Gottelier Award, named in memory of Tony Gottelier, the leading designer, innovator and industry commentator who died in 2006.

The Gottelier Award was inaugurated this year to recognise an individual or team who, over the years, has made a significant and sustained contribution to the advancement of entertainment, presentation or installation technology - whether in audio, lighting, rigging, staging or any other related field.

Following nominations from across all sectors, four industry pioneers were shortlisted - Tony Andrews (Funktion One), Richard Belliveau (High End Systems), Adam Bennette (ETC) and Wayne Howell (Artistic Licence). The winner was decided through an open online vote on the PLASA website.

Designed to further emphasise the PLASA Innovation Awards'

UK - As well as being a manufacturer of self-powered loudspeakers and pro audio equipment, Meyer Sound has long been dedicated to increasing scientific knowledge and understanding among sound professionals by maintaining a global programme of high-level training in sound reinforcement-related topics. At PLASA07, Meyer Sound Laboratories, in conjunction with Meyer Sound España, S.A, announced the formation of the John and Helen Meyer Scholarship. The scholarship programme is being awarded in partnership with ESAMA (Superior School for AudioVisual Media) of Andalusia, Spain.

Meyer Sound has previously provided support to educational programmes conducted by industry organizations such as USITT (United States Institute for Theatre Technology) and Broadway Sound Master Classes, but the new partnership with ESAMA is the first programme designated as a scholarship bearing the name of

UK - Belgian gobo manufacturers, Goboland, have signed a new licensing agreement with PRG at the show today. With immediate effect, PRG are now able to reproduce the full range of Goboland gobo designs for use in their Vari*Lite fixtures. The new agreement also means the entire Goboland Collection will now be available to all Vari*lite dealers throughout the PRG dealer network. PRG's Phil Norfolk was on hand to seal the agreement at the Goboland stand earlier today.

"We are extremely happy that PRG want to use our designs," says Goboland Director Ivo Dielen. "We are looking forward to working with them in this new relationship."

(Julie Harper)

Spain - An Avolites Diamond 4 console controlled all main stage lighting for the 9-day Aste Nagusia 2007 Festival in Bilbao, northern Spain - which saw up to 15,000 people a night enjoy an eclectic line up of bands from The Pogues to Spanish superstars Dover and Miguel Bose.

Technical production for the event was supplied by Bilbao-based Audiomic, who took care of lighting, sound, video and rigging. The Diamond 4 was specified by lighting crew chief Urko Arruza who also produced the generic stage lighting design which was programmed and operated by Alex Ampudia.

The console was chosen for its power, flexibility, easy programming and because it was also likely to be familiar to guest lighting designers, explains Arruza, "Basically it is the perfect desk for a festival set up like this" he says.

The D4 arrived at Audiomic in April - their first one, although they hav

Hong Kong - Chinese pop superstar Jacky Cheung's massive 2007 tour is wowing crowds with Electro-Voice sound. One of the best-selling Chinese pop singers in the world, Cheung is an internationally renowned entertainer who continues to enjoy huge popularity over 20 years after his debut.

For his latest sold-out stadium tour, The Year of Jacky Cheung World Tour 07, fans are enjoying what critics are calling the most impressive sound and lighting systems ever to accompany the Cantopop icon on the road, including Electro-Voice line array loudspeakers and Midas mixing consoles.

Produced by Engineering Impact Hong Kong and promoted by Fun Entertainment Limited, the tour stopped off for a triumphant homecoming show at the Hong Kong Coliseum in August, where house engineer Daniel Kwan mixed on a Midas Heritage 3000 through a main PA comprised of 8x X-Line Xlvs, 4x X-Li

USA - The 2007 Worldwide Partner Conference, better known as WPC07, a computer industry gathering, took place in Denver, Colorado in July. 12 Martin Maxedia digital media servers were used to provide digital content to a remarkable 36 plasma screens, two LED curtains and centre LED Wall.

"We used a Matrix Preview monitor so that I could preview all outputs during programming, rehearsals and show," commented Thomas Walls, Maxedia and Maxxyz programmer at Stardust Productions. "The networking was a godsend. I was given custom content what seemed like every hour or so and with 12 servers online, the networking made my life a breeze."

When all was said and done, approximately 68 gigabits of custom content was used on the show. Mike Amelang of Flying Spot created custom content on-site which Walls immediately loaded into the Maxedia systems. Several other types

Austria - Audio rental company Audioservices and Design recently provided the live sound system for DJ Tiësto's Elements of Life tour throughout Europe, including a recent live concert at the Pyramide in Vienna.

Because of the consistent high energy of DJ Tiësto's concerts, there existed a need for a line array capable of handling high sound pressure levels on a continual basis, as DJ Tiësto takes very few breaks during performances. Additionally, Audioservices and Design needed a lightweight line array system with no sacrifice in power. To that end, the company deployed a touring system for European dates based upon JBL Vertec VT4889 large-format line array elements, with JBL VRX932s in use for additional fill speakers.

"In standard rock and roll setups the music allows for a lot of pauses for the equipment to rest momentarily, but with an environmental dance-m

USA - Open to university and college students nationwide, the registration for Shure's fourth Fantastic Scholastic recording competition has opened and will remain open until 19 October, 2007. A random drawing on 25 October 2007 will determine the 10 competing schools, each of which will receive a standardised 'mic locker' from Shure that must be utilised to complete every recording project submitted.

The names of registrants chosen as contestants in the random drawing will be posted on Shure's website on 29 October. Dedicated mic lockers will be sent out the same day, and must be returned no later than 11 February 2008. Announcement of the Grand Prize winner will take place on 10 May, 2008.

Competing teams from each school are required to record and mix an original piece of music, which will then be judged by a panel of industry professionals who will evaluate the reco

USA - Houston's Bare Necessity won the second Houston Texans-sponsored Battle of the Bands competition, held annually to find a house band to entertain pre-game tailgaters on Budweiser Plaza, right outside the entrance to Reliant Park. J&S Audio Visual (Houston, Texas) provide sound reinforcement and production for the stage with a PA including Electro-Voice Plasma powered monitors and a Midas Venice 320 mixing console.

"The six Plasma P1 powered boxes are fantastic as monitors," says James Kragle of J&S Audio, who also mixes the show. "I chose them for their versatility and because I can get some serious SPL out of them - these things get loud. I've used P1s for a number of rock gigs, and have had nothing but compliments on their clarity and power. I especially like their balanced output; put up two as a stereo pair with horns down the centre and anyone listening

UK - Senior Management of CIE-Group - UK supply partners for some of the industry's leading audio & CCTV brands including Inter-M, FBT Audio Contractor and EverFocus - will be donning the cycling clips and hitting the road at the end of September as they undertake a 500-mile cycle ride across France in just three days.

Chris Edwards, CIE-Group's head of marketing and also chairman of local charity 'Derby Kids' Camp', will be joined by CIE-Group colleagues Steve Collin (head of sales) and Martin Featherstone (audio sales), as 'Team EverFocus' undertake this challenging three day event to raise much needed funds both for the children's charity and Wessex Heartbeat Foundation.

The funds raised will help Derby Kids' Camp to provide disadvantaged children from the local area with a free holiday and will also support the hard work of Wessex Heartbeat to provide specialist care for a

UK - Chauvet confirms that it has enlisted Northampton-based Impact Products (Europe) as the exclusive distributor of its entire product line in the UK and Ireland.

Chauvet international sales manager Gerry Zigman said the synergy between the two corporate cultures was key in the decision to join forces. "Impact Products has done an outstanding job at quickly establishing itself as a reputable distributor of professional lighting," Zigman says. "They are knowledgeable and passionate about the industry but most importantly, they share our commitment to impeccable customer service. We bend over backward to provide the most competitive, innovative and reliable lights. They bend over backward to keep customers happy."

Impact Products launched at PLASA 06, drawing on more than 15 years trade distribution experience of its parent company, Solutions Group. A UK-wi

USA - Regional rental company Farber Sound, LLC of Medina, Minnesota provided the live audio system for the Family Values Tour concert in Somerset, Wisconsin. The event took place at the Float-Rite Park Amphitheater and featured performances by Korn, Evanescence, Flyleaf, Trivium, and more.

A crowd in excess of 10,000 was served by a JBL Vertec system with 16 mid-size VT4888 line array elements per side and 12 JBL SRX728 (2 x 18") subwoofers per side, with six VRX932LAs in use for front-fills. Farber Sound's Brad Van Voorst was system engineer for the event.

The primary rental sound provider for this year's Family Values Tour is Clair Brothers/Showco. All shows on the current summer tour except the concert at the Float-Rite Park Amphitheater in Somerset, Wisconsin are being fully serviced by this leading international firm. Due to logistical issues, the tour's regular sys

UK - Event security specialist Showsec was tasked with looking after the security work at all The Police's shows in England and Wales during the band's much-anticipated reunion tour.

The company was tasked with providing all artist and production area security for The Police dates at Twickenham, Birmingham National Indoor Arena, the MEN Arena, Manchester, Wembley Arena and the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. This included securing back stage areas, the stage itself, dressing rooms and all production assets. A key part of the role was to liaise with venues and local authorities, ensuring proper access and effective security procedures for the band. Showsec's operations director Mark Logan coordinated and designed the staffing and security management procedures of the tour, drawing from the 2,000 fully trained staff based in nine offices around the country.

Mark stated: "It is

USA - EAW is to be the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of the MicroWedge Series of stage monitor products under the terms of a new agreement between Loud Technologies and MicroWedge developer Rat Sound Systems of Oxnard, California.

The Perpetual License agreement between the two entities calls for current products to be branded 'EAW MicroWedge', fully supported by the resources of EAW. Further, Rat Sound Founder Dave "Rat" Levine, creator of MicroWedge and other sound reinforcement designs, will be working closely with the EAW Engineering Department on the development of new MicroWedge models as well as other EAW touring products.

"In securing this pre-eminent floor monitor line for our worldwide customer base, EAW is once again demonstrating its commitment to true performance audio by bringing the best in both design and talent to the EAW brand," e

UK - In the world of high-fashion retail, Abercrombie & Fitch has remained a frontrunner with its popular, youthful brand of casual apparel. When the successful retail and catalogue operation decided to create a new class of flagship stores, they opted for Meyer Sound systems.

Each of the three locations selected for the new stores - on New York's Fifth Avenue, at Los Angeles' The Grove shopping centre, and in London's Mayfair - has been designed for maximum audio and visual impact. "The vision for these stores was to design a retail environment that is as much about fashion as it is entertainment," says David Schwartz, Abercrombie & Fitch's director of audio/video technology. "We wanted to design an audio system that could deliver the impact of a full-blown theatre experience."

For the London location, Schwartz designed a distributed system that includes 5

UK - In keeping with Martin's affectionate theme at this year's PLASA Show, the company showed its distributors a little bit of love by handing out a number of distributor accolades at a special dinner and awards banquet on Saturday, 8 September, at the Vinopolis wine-tasting venue on the south bank of the Thames. The Martin 2007 Distributor Awards recognised exceptional performance in a number of areas.

Distributor of the Year: - For best sales performance/improvement over the past 12 months and the largest sales growth over the past five years. Winner: A&T Trade, Russia.

Martin Gazelle Award: - For fast collection of orders and rapid market penetration for new products. Winner: Fairlight, Holland.

Most Outstanding Projects: - For strong dedication to extraordinary project sales. Winner: Martin Professional Middle East.

Best Customer Relations:

UK - The Swansea Bay Summer Festival is one of the UK's biggest carnival events watched by crowds of over 35,000. Celebrating 200 years since the abolition of slavery, this multi-cultural event builds to a crescendo of samba drums and high energy street dance with the City Streets - Summer Beats concert held on the 26 August.

Total Sound Solutions turned to Harman Pro for the sound system. Company director, Chris Hooke chose a JBL VerTec VT4887 compact line array set-up for the job. He reports: "This was right on the edge of a residential area in Swansea so obviously we had to be very careful with the sound. We were able to use JBL's Line Array Calculator software to tell us exactly what angles to use to get the exact coverage without sound over-spilling into the residential area. There were two hotels literally about 20m past where we wanted to fire so the main adva

UK - beyerdynamic GB Ltd has announced that as from PLASA07 (9-12 September) they are sole UK distributor for MC² Audio. Due to MC² Audio's alignment with sister company XTA electronics, beyerdynamic can now offer a more complete audio solution, the company says.

beyerdynamic managing director John Midgley said: "The introduction of MC2 amplifiers alongside the XTA range of signal processors means that we can now offer an unbeatable combination for any live or installed application. The coming together of these two brands which are synonymous with the very best in world class audio and innovation makes our future look very exciting."

MC² Audio managing director, Ian McCarthy said: "We are really excited about this appointment as our UK sales definitely need a fresh approach. I am delighted that John and beyer are taking this over in the UK as I feel that cust

USA - Bandit Lites recently worked with the University of Tennessee Athletics Department and Host Communications/The Vol Network to host the first-ever Big Orange Blast.

The free community-wide pep rally kicked-off the 2007 UT home football season. Festivities featured performances by Bandit's own public relations manager, Kimberly Ainge in addition to Waycross and Jason D. Williams. Tennessee head football coach, Phillip Fulmer and select members of the Tennessee football team also participated with the Pride of the Southland Marching Band, UT cheerleaders and Smokey.

(Jim Evans)

Latest Issue. . .