Robe - LEADERBOARD - Feb 2025
PLASA Show 2025 - Banner - June-Aug 2025

Sound

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UK - Denon UK, the exclusive UK distributor for Denon pro audio products, is sponsoring a new DJ website called DjinTheMix, a revolutionary music promotional service offering the distribution of pre-release promotional music to working club and radio DJs.

Denon UK's Dave Morbey says: "With MP3 being such an exciting and up-to-the-minute format, Denon has developed a full a range of products to meet the demand for reliable MP3 and data disk playback. Therefore it's totally appropriate for us to support DjinTheMix." The distribution of music is combined with an on-line DJ Reaction and DJ Chart system. These report DJs' reactions to the sites clients in 'real' time, allowing feedback within 48 hours of DJs inputting their comments and opinions.

Each DJ has their own unique password-protected login area, allowing them to access promotional music. MP3 files are not sent o

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USA - L-Acoustics US has now effectively doubled the size of its new independent rep force with the appointment of three additional firms. The R.Joseph Group in Columbus, Ohio will handle the territories of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and western Pennsylvania for L-Acoustics US. Cordial/Riley Marketing, directed by partners Glenn Cordial and John Riley, take over the state of Michigan while Mainline Marketing of Melbourne, has similarly been named the Florida rep.

"Once again, we're really pleased with the firms that we've been working with," says Paul Freudenberg, L-Acoustics US director of sales and marketing. "Each of these companies was represented at our most recent rep orientation in June and we're all excited about the terrific opportunities to branch out into their territories and expand L-Acoustics US' domestic presence."

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

Doughty - Banner - from 6 June 2025

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South Africa - Gearhouse South Africa's Durban branch comes into its own this July when it plays an integral part in the annual Mr Price Pro surfing contest. Held from 6-13 July, the main focus of the contest for the Durban public and holidaymakers who flock to the seaside town in winter are the two music concerts that take place on 11-12 July (Friday and Saturday).

As a supplier of presentation and event technical equipment in South Africa, Gearhouse SA has, for the past three years, provided the necessary equipment and technicians for the Mr Price Pro music concerts. However, 2003 sees the company - through its Durban branch - playing an integral role in conceptualizing and planning the event for client, Mr. Price. Additionally, Gearhouse SA has undertaken to provide the VIP area for the event. In a first for the company's Durban branch this takes the form of an elevated platf

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UK - Clear-Com's UK distributor Autograph Sales has introduced Eclipse, a new matrix system encompassing the latest developments in intercom technology. Eclipse combines Clear-Com's suite of Matrix Plus features and ease of programming with a powerful new digital matrix intercom platform. It has been designed to solve all the problems associated with using and interfacing to intercoms.

Autograph's product specialist Mike Charman said: "With features including intelligent linking (up to 832 non-blocking ports over four frames), 24 bit audio resolution, powerful visual intuitive system software, seamless connection to other systems and devices via sophisticated modular interfaces, and configuration PC to Eclipse frame connection using RS232 serial or Ethernet allowing multiple PCs and frames to be networked and remote access via the internet, Eclipse is ideally suited to the

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UK - Leading installer Hawthorn Theatrical was recently appointed by DB Capital Partners - owners of successful holiday concept Center Parcs UK - to supply a sophisticated integrated sound, lighting and video system to its recently refurbished Elveden Forest site. Due to re-open on 11 July 2003 following a multi-million pound rebuilding and development program, Elveden Forest will benefit from a considerable re-design and the addition of several new features and facilities which will make it Center Parcs' flagship site in the UK.

Hawthorn Theatrical was commissioned to supply a sophisticated AV system to Elveden Forest's new multi-purpose Sports Café, designed to be extremely flexible, interactive and, above all, simple to operate. The Sports Café contains a variety of sports facilities including table tennis, snooker and a swimming pool. It also hosts twice-weekly cabaret sho

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France - Once again, Ricard Live Music, the largest French touring stage show, toured France. The tour ended on June 21st, for the famous French Music Day with headline band Simply Red.

The 2003 tour sound equipment consisted of 18 V-Dosc and 4 Arcs cabinets, 12 SB218 subwoofers for the front fill, and 115FM floor monitors. The tour presented an opportunity for Ricard Live Music and Network partner, Potar Hurlant, to test one of the latest L-Acoustics line items, the 115XT coaxial speakers, both in front fill and monitor applications.

Madje Malki, a Potar Hurlant sound engineer, gave his impressions of the tour this year: "In front fill (with the dedicated 'fill' presets), these cabinets are astounding, very coherent, efficient and easy-to-use without needing to equalize them, which is a vital quality for this type of quick setup application. As a sound wedge, it is excel

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UK - Building on the success of the recently-launched iDR and PA product lines, Allen & Heath will be launching new products from both series at PLASA this September, as well as additional options to enhance the coveted Xone:V6 audiophile rotary club mixer. Allen & Heath will be introducing iDR-4 to the digital audio processing range for installed and live sound systems to complement the iDR family. Based on the same technology as the iDR-8, iDR-4 is a 4-input, 4-output digital processor with additional 2-input, 2-output dual-function monitor channels, ideal for smaller installations which makes full use of the iDR accessories for expansion.

There will also be three new products in the accompanying series of PL remote controller panels. PL-7 is a stand-alone or surface mounted LCD panel, which, using the PL-Anet interface on CAT-5 cable and connectors, enables remote display of

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UK - Audio rental specialist SSE Audio Group has just invested in its first Midas Legend console, bringing the total of Midas consoles within the group to some 25 boards, which includes models from every existing Midas range from Venice through to XL4. In addition to the Legend, SSE have also taken delivery of a further 10 Klark Teknik DN9848 digital loudspeaker processors. This supplement to existing stock now makes SSE the world's largest DN9848 user.

According to SSE's Julian Ward, the decision to take a Midas Legend into stock was straightforward. "We've had connections with Midas since day one and have always been great fans of their consoles. There's still a strong market for large format analogue desks, and as far as we're concerned, Midas still do the best job in that department. Legend is clearly designed for smaller events, but its versatility makes it perfect for

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USA - When the officials at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, decided to add seating behind the famed 'Green Monster' wall in left field during this past off-season, it meant the loudspeakers previously installed there needed to be moved. Since the old system needed upgrading, the Red Sox took advantage of the opportunity and contacted WJHW Consulting of Texas to assist in designing a whole new speaker cluster for the outfield.

Jack Wrightson, a WJHW partner, immediately recommended that the Red Sox contact EAW, located about 50 miles southwest of Boston in Whitinsville, Massachusetts. "I told them that there was a local manufacturer with excellent product and a long history of successful ballpark installations," commented Wrightson. "I knew that EAW would be willing to work with the Red Sox and that the resulting collaboration would result in improved soun

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UK - Sound, light and audio-visual integration specialists, PA Installations Ltd (PAI), has promoted Carl Sergeant from project manager to customer support manager following the departure of Peter Troke, who has been called up for military duties in Iraq.

Troke, a Captain with the Royal Engineers TA, based in Swansea, will be spending eight or ninemonths in Southern Iraq, helping with civil infrastructure reconstruction. Paul Adams, managing director of PAI, commented: "Peter is a valuable member of our team, and has formed solid relationships with our customers. However, ensuring our customers continue to receive high levels of service and support, meant that we need to identify an individual who could hit the ground running in this pivotal position. We wish Peter all the best and look forward to his safe return during 2004."

Carl Sergeant will continue delivering a

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UK - A.C. Lighting has expanded its Chroma-Q lighting range to include DMX management and power supply accessories specifically designed to simplify customized front-of-house racks in the touring market.

The new Magic Box enclosure houses a range of accessories and can be easily configured in pairs for rack mounting with optional rack-ear kit, or truss mounted via the captive M12 fixing. Currently three product variants are available in the Magic Box enclosure. The 8-way DMX Buffer box is a fault tolerant, self-healing device designed to fully isolate each output from another. Supplied with 4x5 pin and 4x3 pin XLR connectors, each output of DMX is separately generated, therefore boosted from the original DMX signal. The unit also features a through connector and termination switch.

The 8>4 DMX A/B Switch box uses a simple manually operated switch to change the DMX source betwe

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UK - Autograph Sales is hosting a programme of regional UK one-day Meyer Sound Technology training courses in late August, which are free of charge to everyone who registers at the website below before August 15. The courses, taught by Meyer Sound's technical training and seminars director Mauricio Ramirez, are scheduled to take place at The Helix, Dublin City University, on August 25; Audio Alliance North, Manchester, on August 26; B&H Sound Services, Peterborough, on August 28; and Capital Sound, London, on August 29. A fifth seminar is also planned to take place the same week in Edinburgh, details of which will appear on the website once confirmed.

The seminar will encompass such topics as phase alignment, delays, filters, line array theory and conventional loudspeaker arrays, as well as acoustic prediction and measurement techniques. Lunch and refreshments will be included d

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UK - Sennheiser has expanded the price competitive end of its evolution range of vocal microphones, with three new 800 series models. These build on the common evolution design precepts, including metal construction and all German manufacture.

The e815S, e816S and e817 provide a range of cost/performance options for vocal microphone applications in the general musician, small PA and sound contractor markets. All three models feature shock-mounted capsules, for low sensitivity to impact and handling noise, hum compensating coils and precise cardioid polar pick-up patterns and high output neodynium ferrous magnets with boron for electronic stability in extreme environmental conditions. The e815S and e816S additionally feature a silent magnetic reed - lockable - on/off switch.

The e815S is a high quality speech and vocal performance microphone. The e816S exhibits similarly qual

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USA - The Red Hot Chili Peppers have been bringing their own brand of pumped-up alternative funk to the masses for nearly 20 years now and Oxnard-based Rat Sound Systems, Inc has been along for much of the ride. Although the sound reinforcement company has traditionally opted to put up its signature Rat Trap 5 System for the band in the past, this year finds the crew carrying an all-new L-Acoustics V Dosc/dV Dosc rig out on the road in support of the Peppers' latest album, By The Way.

Rat Sound's main man Dave Rat explains: "With our own proprietary system already hired out on a tour this season, we were faced with the task of finding another suitable world-class rig. The Peppers are very dynamic and musically diverse, so having a system where the response remains balanced at both low and high volumes was critical. Furthermore, thanks to L Acoustics partner companies like M

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UK - Allen & Heath has further expanded its sales and marketing team with the recruitment of a new product specialist. Simeon Ludwell has been appointed to meet the training demands of the company's worldwide network of distributors, as the company's product portfolio continues to grow.

Ludwell has extensive practical experience in the live sound reinforcement market, having previously worked as a freelance sound engineer and club/bar Installer, designing and specifying sound systems for a number of bars and clubs around the Midlands. One club was voted BEDA Club of the Year for its lighting design and sound system.

Ludwell has also worked as a sound engineer and lighting designer for artists such as Sasha, James Zabiela, LTJ Bukem, Orbital, Freestylers, Chicane, Reef, JJ72, Therapy, Herbaliser, Jools Holland, Scratch Perverts, Plump DJs and Judge Jules. Even during his degree

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Germany - Behringer has released the latest addition to its line of DJ products - the 5-channel stereo ultra low-noise Pro Mixer DJX700. Features include kill EQ, adjustable XPQ stereo surround effect, intelligent dual auto-BPM counters dual-rail Ultraglide and a VCA-controlled crossfader for reliability and clean audio performance. The DJX700 is available in August 2003.

The Pro Mixer DJX700 features state of-the-art phono preamps and is a step up from the recently introduced DJX400, say Behringer. It is designed from the ground up as tough club mixer with intelligent dual auto-BPM counters with time and beat sync display and 3-band kill EQ including precise level meters with peak hold function for each channel. Additionally, this mixer comes equipped with a seamlessly adjustable crossfader curve for all mixing styles, added by 3-way kill switches for each crossfader side; a mo

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UK - Sound specialists Canegreen provided the PA system for BBC Radio 2's Live Great British Music Debate, this month, attended by the music industry's opinion leaders. The live event focused on the debates surrounding the current state of the British music industry, with the spotlight on the question, "Is the single dead'" The evening kicked off with five acts, including Glaswegians Speedway and the soulful vocals of Peppercorn, before music industry heads got down to discussing the issues.

Canegreen provided the sound equipment for the event, designing a system to manage both the live acts, as well as the onstage and audience debate. The system managed 48 feeds from the room, and linked to the BBC Radio 2 broadcast, which went out live on air. The rig consisted of four Meyer MSL 4 speaker cabinets, which were used with the two Meyer 650R2P SP sub speakers for the ban

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UK - TESA UK, a leading manufacturer of high quality self-adhesive tapes, has appointed the Le Mark Group as its 'entertainment technology specialist'. The appointment represents the long-term commitment of the giant German-owned company to develop products specifically for the entertainment industry.

The announcement concludes nearly 12 months of negotiations between the two companies and sees Le Mark become a 'focused distributor' for TESA. Le Mark's managing director, Stuart Gibbons, told PLASA Media: "This is very much a two-way partnership. It will enable Le Mark's design ability and award-winning flair to be developed further. It also ensures that Le Mark's clients have a direct channel to a multi-national manufacturer who recognizes that the entertainment industry is a growing sector which should be given special attention."

One of the first areas of collabora

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UK - The quantity and breadth of products available from Yamaha at this year's PLASA promises to be the biggest yet, according to the company.

Yamaha will be showing over 100 products at the show, including many new models, and will also be announcing a series of major software upgrades for some current products. The company will have on stand the full range of digital mixing consoles, ranging from the PM1D desk and the award-winning DM and 0 series consoles, through to new series power amplifiers and speakers. A new range of interfaces and plug-ins are also expected to be announced, plus significant software updates are anticipated for the DM2000 and 02R96 products.

This year also sees Yamaha marking a remarkable double - 30 years of analogue mixer production and 15 years of digital console innovation and manufacture. The company is currently finalizing plans to celebrate thi

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UK - Founded in 1976, Rugby-based electronics solutions provider Zirkon, is one of the rare success stories since the downturn in the UK electronics and manufacturing industry. In the last year, the company has researched and assessed the industry, re-positioned itself accordingly, donned its all-weather gear and gone out fighting for every piece of business available.

Zirkon's approach to market is epitomized in the relationship it has with Garwood Monitor Systems, where it has worked jointly with them on the APM series of in-ear monitoring. The APM Series comprises three products - APM 200/400 main stations, APM 12 dual stereo headphone amplifier and the APM 31 3-channel headphone amplifier. Using headphones, in-ear monitors or a mixture of both, the APM Series gives the user the benefits of greatly simplified wiring, high audio quality and individual mix balancing by the musi

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UK - Point Source Productions has appointed Steve Davis as hire co-ordinator. Davis has worked in the lighting and sound industry for over 10 years, having started out in fringe theatre. His experience has included work for Wimbledon Theatre, Dobsons, Delta and RG Jones, as well as freelance lighting and sound for numerous bands, conferences and theatre events. Most recently he has had the travelling bug, and has enjoyed working the cruise ships for Cunard and Seabourne as senior stage manager. He told us: "I have decided to settle down and want to get my teeth into something. Point Source Productions is expanding at a rate of knots so I have a great opportunity to use my expertise within an ever-growing hire company."

(Lee Baldock)

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Portugal - O2 Lx is a highly-designed, new-build club in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, owned by South African, John Blummenfeld.

Blummenfeld committed a million euros to convert the former restaurant and discotheque, with Philippe Starck furnishing and decor forming the centrepiece of the predominantly blue interior design. Around 20% of the budget was allocated to the sound, lighting and video system, which was specified and installed as a fully-integrated system by Lisbon-based Audium, who had worked with Blummenfeld on a previous installation, Rock City, back in 1994.

The 1000-capacity club trades on two levels - the ground floor space and an upper level mezzanine around the dance floor. While the ground floor is open to the general public, the upper floor operates as a kind of private club for VIPs, special guests and private parties.

Serving up a fare of mainly Hous

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Greece - A massive AV installation on board the Thomson Spirit cruise liner, owned by Lewis Cruise Lines of Greece, has just been completed. With 1,400 passengers, and a crew of 520, it is one of the largest ships operating out of Palma offering cruises around the Mediterranean.

Now 18 years old, the ship has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment, which has seen major changes across the entire ship, from cabins to kitchens through to entertainment systems. Thomson's consultants provided the specifications and a list of equipment to Live Business International (LBI) who were brought in to provide system design and schematics, installation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance. The LBI team, with Gerry Logue as technical project manager, thus either fitted from scratch, or refitted, 12 entertainment areas.

The Broadway (main show lounge) features a full theatre sound, l

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UK - The world's first installation of KV2 Audio equipment was unveiled in May at a nightclub in Livingston, Scotland. Robin Johnson went along to have a look.

Situated in prime commuter belt west of Edinburgh, Livingston is a classic New Town. A myriad of housing cul-de-sacs, roundabouts by the dozen and cut-through footpaths arranged around a central retail/leisure hub, its acres of concrete and tarmac sit between literally thousands of semi-mature trees, giving it that unique, slightly surreal New Town atmosphere of 'greenhouse' artificiality.

However, at the heart of this one is a very successful football team, based at an impressively modern stadium, providing a focus for the sprawling community. These days sitting pretty in the Scottish Premier league, the club was formerly Meadowbank Thistle, based in Edinburgh itself. Inevitably it sat in a shadow of the capital's high

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  4. Arranpaul takes stock for more Boogie Nights
  5. Symetrix's SymNET is upgraded for PLASA
  6. Golden Jubilee Bridge launched
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Astera - Large MPU - June 2025
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