UK - Shoppers in London's King's Road are experiencing the UK's first on-street 'Whispering Windows'. People walking by the Sloane Square window of the Peter Jones store, are stepping into a virtual 'tube of sound'. The store, known as the Corner Shop of Chelsea, has been selected for the first public demonstration of the new technology.

FeONIC Whispering Windows have been developed by Newlands Scientific plc and enables sound from the in-store display, on this occasion state-of-the-art TV and Plasma screens, to be transmitted via the window glass to the street. FeONIC Whispering Windows has already been successfully launched in America, Korea and Japan.

Newlands Scientific is an innovation and design company specializing in the design of products using smart materials. The company has transformed the Peter Jones' window into a giant loudspeaker transmitting high quality soun

USA - In response to market demand for reliable installed sound speakers at a competitive price point, JBL Professional has introduced the SoundFactor Install (SFi) range of speakers - installation versions of its SoundFactor product line.

The SF12Mi and SF15i are similar to their ground-bound counterparts, but have features dedicated to installation: three M10, threaded suspension points have been added to each model, and the speakers are supplied with three forged, shouldered eyebolts. Both models have two suspension points on top and the SF15i has a pullback point on the lower rear panel, while the shape of the SF12Mi sees its pullback point moved to the bottom panel. The handles, pole-mount socket and feet have been removed to give a clean, uncluttered appearance. Available this month, the SFi range is particularly suited to clubs, houses of worship and educational institu

UK - The Morrison Irish pub on the King's Road in London is one of the latest venues to benefit from a complete AV system designed and installed by contract specialists, Sound Division. Like most Irish pubs, The Morrison is a lively venue where music, including the ability to host live bands, is a key element of the venue's character.

Sound Division's audio design team along with The Morrison's Stephen Breen, specified a Martin Audio system, powered by Crown amplification. The pub is split into two areas, the bar and the lounge, each of which has it's own system comprising of four Martin Audio EM26 compact loudspeakers and an EM150 sub powered by Crown amplification. Control comes courtesy of an Allen and Heath DR66 digital mix processor.

Music playback is handled by a Rolec LHD3 music management system that delivers continuous automatic playback of CD quality audio, which ca

UK - E.M. Acoustics, the manufacturing division of Instigate Media Ltd, has launched the first model in the new multi-purpose EMS series - a range designed primarily for installation, but equally suited to audio professionals, DJs or musicians.

The EMS-81 is a two-way passive full-range enclosure designed for a wide variety of uses, including small FOH, club infills, cafes/bars, and low profile floor monitoring. The quasi-trapezoid enclosure is constructed from CNC-machined, multi-laminate Finnish birch ply and contains a reflex loaded 8" (203mm) LF driver and a 1" (25mm) exit HF compression driver on a 90H x 60V horn. The enclosure requires no external processing, has a frequency response from 75Hz - 20kHz and produces a maximum continuous SPL of 120dB. Final touches are achieved with a textured black paint finish (colours optional) and an acoustic foam/expanded steel

USA - American Audio has introduced the WM-UHF16, a single wireless microphone system with 16 selectable UHF frequencies. Just by adjusting knobs on the mic and receiver, the user can select any one of 16 different UHF frequencies to transmit on.

With the WM-UHF16 there's no problem if someone nearby is using a wireless mic on the same frequency. Users simply take the small channel selector tool that's included with the system, and turn the mic and receiver knobs to change to another frequency.

Ideal for a number of applications, the WM-UHF16 is a complete microphone-receiver system with a wireless range of up to 150ft. It features XLR balanced and quarter-inch unbalanced outputs. The system also includes On/Off/Mute controls on the mic, and On and Low Battery LED indicators. Signal to noise ratio is more than 95dB whilst frequency channels range from 471.000-481.650MHz, and

China - Asian dealers and distributors of some of Europe's leading pro audio and lighting brands have signed up to participate in the debut Prolight+Sound Shanghai exhibition (15-18 October 2003). For Chinese pro audio and lighting retailers, rental companies, sound system engineers, DJs, broadcasters, event organizers and venue operators, Prolight+Sound Shanghai will offer an alternative sourcing venue right at the heart of China's entertainment capital, and a demonstration of the premium foreign-made equipment that is available for export to China.

Hong Kong-based Eastern Acoustic Development Ltd (EAD) distributes more than 16 European and US brands, including EAW and LabGruppen. "We decided to join Prolight + Sound Shanghai primarily because of the show's location," explains EAD representative, Grace Ng. "We are planning to open a branch in Shanghai later this

South Africa - In May this year, The National Ports Authority of South Africa (NPA) hosted the 23rd International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) World Conference in Durban, South Africa - Gearhouse SA was engaged by Global Conferences to supply the audio-visual and other equipment necessary for this event.

This is the first time in the IAPH's 46-year history that this prestigious biennial Maritime conference was held on African soil. More than 14 countries confirmed their participation in the conference, which was held from 24 - 30 May at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Durban. The theme was: 'Ports - The Catalytic Impact: Uniting World Economies through Ports and Harbours', the conference aims to facilitate discussion and debate among the world's port community.

Belinda Loockx, branch manager of Gearhouse SA Durban branch, says she and her team were &qu

UK - July 2003 sees the opening of Laser Quest, Trafford Centre, Manchester. Destined to be one of the world's best Laser Quest centres, the venue boasts many new interactive features and a Wharfedale EVPS sound system. The new Laser Quest attraction will be operated by an independent company, Blue Maze. Keith Finnegan, company director, has been overseeing the build and theming process, including the installation of the sound reinforcement system.

"Although the venue is fairly well sound-proofed," he explains, "we do have to give consideration to the neighbouring units in the Centre, one of which is the multiplex cinema. Although we wanted a quality sound system, with a decent output level, we needed loudspeakers with fairly tight focus and dispersion so that our soundtrack didn't spill over into other venues."

Blue Maze sought advice at Sound Control in M

Canada - Matt Stoody has joined Fourth Phase, PRG's Toronto subsidiary, as account executive. Working out of PRG's Fourth Phase Toronto location, Stoody will sell and manage all Group services - including lighting, audio, projection and scenery - to new and existing accounts throughout the Northeast United States and Eastern Canada.

Prior to joining PRG, Stoody played key sales and operations roles in projects as diverse as last year's Papal visit to Toronto (World Youth Day 2002), Disney's The Lion King and concert tours by Alabama and Styx.

Jere Harris, chairman and CEO of PRG, commented: "Matt's background and experience with a broad range of clients and markets will help PRG and its affiliates to further expand their presence in vitally important markets such as automotive shows, corporate events and trade shows."

(Ruth Rossington)

The Netherlands - One of the first products launched by newly-founded manufacturer Alcons Audio is the TS Series of compact loudspeakers. Intended applications include full-range speech and music reinforcement, as well as fill or under balcony systems. Alcons says that all models in the series boast exceptional sound quality for this speaker category - the result of detailed tuning of cabinet construction, port design, component selection/modification and crossover network.

The Alcons TS series currently consist of two models, the TS 3 and TS 7. The TS 3 features one 6.5" mid-bass driver with 1" soft-dome tweeter on optimized wave-guide. Peak-power is 400W with an efficiency of 89dB (1W/1m) and a frequency response of 66Hz - 20kHz.

The TS 7 features double 6.5" mid-bass driver with identical 1" soft-dome tweeter. Peak-power is 800W with an efficiency of 92d

UK - Baldwin Boxall, the manufacturer of voice alarm, voice evacuation, public address and emergency communication systems, has introduced a system maintenance service to provide maintenance in accordance to BS5839 part 8 for its account holders. Account customers can apply for a quotation for a maintenance contract for each Baldwin Boxall system they have installed. Any end user requiring maintenance on their Baldwin Boxall system should contact the original installer/supplier of the system, who will then be able to offer a suitable maintenance service.

The maintenance service is available on annual contract basis and includes quarterly visits to site by a qualified Baldwin Boxall engineer. The first three visits in the year include a thorough inspection of the system, including batteries, microphones, message intelligibility, fire panel interface connections and a check on the

UK - Pro Technical UK recently won the Theme magazine national award for the 'Best use of technology' for their JBL installation at Susumi in Derby. The Theme awards were held at Mezzo's in London on 3 June. Pro Technical designed, installed and commissioned the sound, light and video project using the latest technology, fulfilling the design brief provided by the owner of Susumi, Russell Davidson.

Davidson needed the sound system to have high fidelity reproduction but didn't want it to be so loud that people would have to shout to be heard; the lighting also needed to be unobtrusive. Company director and designer Richard Anderson, who managed the project, says: "For the sound system we chose JBL. The new Control 29AV is a compact unit that can deliver clarity even at high volume."

The main bar area downstairs has a concrete floor so Anderson decided to mount the eig

UK - Rental company NiteLites has added JBL line array system to its stock inventory. Since its foundation in 1983, the company has grown from a modest hire company to a full-service business, handling a wide range of services covering power distribution through to lighting and sound reinforcement.

When selecting a new speaker system versatile enough to match their diverse client base, NiteLites looked closely at what various manufacturers had to offer. The company was looking for a high-fidelity system which was easy to rig, but above all was flexible enough to meet the varied demands of its busy schedule.

NiteLites selected JBL's VT4889 full-size line array elements, and the new system was set to work immediately at the Fish Quay Family Festival at North Shields. The system design for this event comprised compact arrays of four VT4889 per side, each flown from Thomas ground

USA - TMB has welcomed Stephanie Kilburg to its sales department - she will work out of the company's Los Angeles headquarters. After years of building worldwide friendships as Cerwin-Vega's international sales manager, Kilburg will now oversee special projects for TMB, as well as expanding sales in the professional audio market.

While at Cerwin-Vega, Kilburg travelled around the globe helping customers on every continent. Always willing to go the extra mile for a customer, she even took an order while riding camelback near the Pyramids of Giza! Tommy Stephenson, TMB sales manager, said: "We have been bumping into Stephanie all over the planet for many years. Her enthusiasm is infectious and she is exactly the right person to fill the special projects role within our sales department."

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

UK - Canegreen Commercial supplied the sound system for the Deutche Bank 'High Yield' conference party this June in the glorious setting of London's Hyde Park. Following the serious business of the conference, the 500 delegates enjoyed the Corrs 'unplugged-style' set, with Canegreen Commercial's managing director Andrew Frengley designing a system that drew heavily on the group's experience in the music industry. "Our approach was to install a PA more akin to a concert system than a corporate sound system, to suit the show," Frengley explained. "From a design aspect that was easier for me, as we relied on Meyer stereo stacks flanking the stage.

Sister company Canegreen has worked with the Corrs for several years, and their engineer's familiarity with the team and the system meant they were very comfortable. The acoustic format for this show, which included bringin

UK - Northern Ireland-based installer David Dalzell, of DL Electronics, Lisburn, has recently completed the audio refit in St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral in Armagh.

"We've done several cathedral and church refits now around Northern Ireland, and we always use AKG microphones," he commented.

Three floor-standing GN155SETs, coupled with top-of-the-range CK47 capsules were situated at the Bishop's chair, and at two additional floor points. In addition, two GN30E goosenecks with CK47 capsules were mounted on the ambo along with two further C747s. Dalzell explains: "The C747s and CK47 capsules provide us with greater gain before feedback in this highly reverberant environment and with the architects insisting that the microphones are discreet, then the C747s proved ideal for the altar. With all microphones being fitted with CK47 capsules we had a system, whic

Denmark - Seelite has supplied lighting, project management and design for The Roskilde Festival's two largest stages - Orange and Arena - for many years, and will return again this year. Metallica, Björk and Iron Maiden will all perform on the Orange stage, for which Seelite will supply the lighting and truss systems, plus two large PA support wings.

The company is also supplying lighting and roofing installations to include more than 35 moving lights and 230 generic lights for The Midtfyns Festival 2003. Among this year's artists are REM, Moloko, Badly Drawn Boy and Swan Lee.

In another recent project, John Svendsen of A/S Corporate Events chose Seelite to provide production design for SimCorp's event, held at Odense Congress Centre in June. The assignment was to plan, decorate and light the hall for a conference followed by a gala dinner party, live bands and a huge theatr

Germany / UK - Sennheiser has added to its well-known miniature lavalier microphone series with the Sennheiser HS 2, a lightweight and rugged headset microphone specifically designed for professional theatre, stage, TV and broadcast applications.

The HS 2 features the audio pedigree of Sennheiser's MKE 2 Gold lavalier omni-directional microphone, combined with a durable and flexible gooseneck that enables discrete, accurate positioning. Suitable for use with the comprehensive range of Sennheiser wireless bodypack transmitters, the HS 2 is equipped with a 3-pin connector, compatible with Sennheiser 3000 and 5000 series products.

The assembly is available in anthracite or beige and audio performance matches that of the Sennheiser MKE 2 Gold, including low self-noise and a special Umbrella Diaphragm which protects the MKE 2 Gold against sweat and moisture. Sonic performance has b

UK - Pro audio equipment manufacturer Formula Sound has updated its website in response to the increasing levels of attention being paid to noise control and the entertainment licensing laws. The site now includes a brand new noise control feature outlining legislation covering the subject. It also provides details of how various items of Formula Sound equipment can be used to help venues meet their noise control responsibilities.

With over 30 years' experience in the pro audio world, Formula Sound is well placed to advise on noise control, whether in entertainment venues or industrial locations. In addition to the new noise control content, the company's revised website also contains both general information and detailed specification data on Formula Sound's extensive range of products.

These include a variety of noise control units, rack-mount, standby, zoner and fixed forma

UK - One of the more interesting developments to come out of this year's Glastonbury Festival was the launch of a UK trade union for road and backstage crew. The formation of the Roadcrew Provident Syndicate (already short-handed to the Roadies Provy) was announced at a special session at Glastonbury on the Left Field Stage on Friday 27 June.

The union will be a branch of the GMB, one of the UK's biggest trade unions, and will provide financial advice and support to its members, as well the usual union benefits. You can read a full report on this in the July issue of Lighting&Sound International - out next week.

(Ruth Rossington)

Germany - Acoustic Design Ahnert (ADA) of Germany, creator of the EASE Acoustical Analysis software package, has announced the establishment of the ADA Foundation. Its first aim is to make EASE more readily available to the educational world.

Based in Berlin, Germany, the ADA Foundation was officially founded earlier this year by Dr. Wolfgang Ahnert, Dr. Rainer Feistel and Stefan Feistel. The main purpose of the Foundation is to initiate and support education in room acoustics, electro acoustics, sound reinforcement, acoustic simulation and the development of scientific software for these areas. As such, the Foundation actively supports universities, colleges and other educational establishments by supplying software for the simulation of acoustics.

Dr. Ahnert explains: "Many young architects, acousticians and audio system designers finish their degree courses and enter t

Denmark - Lars Frederiksen has recently joined d&b audiotechnik, following a varied career as a sound designer and engineer. Frederiksen had previously been touring as a sound engineer with pop rock group 'Jette Torp Band', and had also worked with Danish production company Rossen & Rønnow.

When not touring, he provided a sound design consultancy through his own company. "My main interest in music and sound production has been working with acoustic instruments," he explained. "To me, the ultimate challenge is to amplify musical instruments and still preserve the acoustic quality of the sound. Because of that interest I've worked with a great variety of musical genres such as symphony orchestras, opera companies, musical productions and Irish/Scottish folk groups".

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

UK - Liverpool-based Adlib Audio emptied their warehouse of people and kit last weekend, servicing no less than four major events around the North West.

The Coral played to a packed and excited 5,000 capacity marquee on The Front at New Brighton, the Wirral. Their regular engineers, Adlib's Dave Kay at FOH and Paul Roberts on monitors, were in action using a JBL Vertec line array system supplied by Adlib. This came complete with a Soundcraft Series 5 console front of house, and a Midas XL3 onstage, plus another pair of consoles to deal with the support bands.

Adlib's Andy Dockerty and Nick Bellis also engineered the Southport Jazz Festival, staged at Southport Theatre. For this they used Midas Heritage 3000 consoles at both ends of the multicore and another Vertec line array system. The two-day event featured a number of international acts, including Snake Davis, Heather Small

UK - With German pro audio concern HK Audio having made huge inroads into the UK & Eire pro audio market in recent years, the JHS Event 2003 was the ideal opportunity for HK Audio to demonstrate the versatility and power of its range.

For the first time in its six-year run, Event had live bands on the main stage, with 12 boxes of HK's stadium-friendly R Series on a separate stage this time. Elsewhere on the JHS site, the dedicated HK Audio demo theatre featured many pro audio systems and components from the HK catalogue, including the highly successful LUCAS, ELIAS and ACTOR self-powered active PAs.

Also included were recent additions to the HK Audio line-up - the passive Linear 3, the respected Installation Line, HK's portable active monitor, DART, and the compact, but powerful, LUCAS XT.HK Audio's Installation Line in particular, has made a real mark in a number of recent hi

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