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Sound

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Germany - Three sound companies based in Düsseldorf, Germany, recently decided to create an audio pool and standardize their audio material: after establishing their amplifier rental stock, Merz Concept, Medientechnik Stüttgen and Max Stabel, decided to invest in mixing consoles that could be used for a variety of events and consequently made the decision to purchase three ML3000-32 mixers.

With these three consoles, a majority of their rental business is covered and on bigger events the consoles can be connected via Allen & Heath's Sys-Link 2 system. Merz Concept's Jens Meinke said: "The ML3000 is a hard working, excellent sounding console - a really great tool for the sound engineer - and there is no other VCA console on the market that is so competitively priced. Standardizing our audio material gave us more flexibility and minimizes system failures."

(Lee Baldo

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Europe - EAW's new KF730 SLAM (Small Line Array Module) has made its touring debut, joining the Legends of rock, Deep Purple, on their summer tour of Europe. 16 KF730 boxes were supplied by ML Executives, sound contractor for the tour, alongside a 28 KF760 arena system and 24 SB1000 subwoofer cabinets.

Gary Marks of ML Executives says of the inaugural outing: "The new EAW KF730 line array system is the ideal compliment to the EAW KF760 line array, we have until now been using KF850 cabinets for the short-throw side hang applications in arenas but now we have the KF730 - it's the ideal solution. The KF730 is also a great compact stand-alone line array system, which sounds fantastic and ground stacks excellently."

The tour kicked off in Austria in June before playing a further 16 dates in five countries, up to and including the Nandrin festival in Belgium on 10 August.

Doughty - Banner - from 6 June 2025

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UK - Wigwam Sales has completed the installation of an L-Acoustics ARCS system at the Abundant Life Church in Bradford. The system comprises of 2 x 6 flown arrays of ARCS, with each hang delivering 135° coverage in the horizontal plane with 40° down and 20° up in the vertical domain. Each single ARCS cabinet is 22.5° horizontal by 60° vertical due to the asymmetrical Wavefront Sculpture Technology (WST) waveguide. The inverted arrays are complemented by two SB218 subwoofers per side, and the system is powered by a combination of both LA24a and LA48a amplifiers.

Mike Spratt, managing director of Wigwam Acoustics, comments: "The 1,500-capacity church is very wide and also has a long balcony at the back and down both sides, so it was important to be able to cover the entire auditorium from a L/R system without having to use standard delays and fills. The ARCS is the perfe

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UK - Audace Ltd, manufacturer of the Intelliplate programmable control system for audio-visual installations, has appointed Prase Engineering S.r.l. of Treviso - an established distributor of professional audio-visual equipment - to distribute its products exclusively in Italy. The deal was brokered by Audace's global distribution partner Comsec International.

Following the appointment, managing director of Audace Ltd, Bryan Waters, recently visited the distributors' facilities, which are situated close to Venice. The visit provided Prase Engineering staff with an opportunity to view the system first hand, receive technical training and see future plans for the Intelliplate product range.

Bryan Waters welcomed the appointment, commenting: "Prase is extremely well-placed, in terms of resources, complementary products within its portfolio and its status within the Italian m

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UK - A new range of Audio Lighting has been developed from leading-edge aerospace technology. The Light Wand Audio range of console and desk lights will be formally launched by Black Cat Music at PLASA 2003.

Evolving from the latest Aerospace LED technologies, the Light Wand Audio range provides even, glare-free light, with a hint of blue, aids concentration and highlights the screen-printing on even the most tired of desks, according to UK distributor, Black Cat Music. The quality of light is achieved by utilizing the patented Beadlight diffusion system, which scatters the light with little attenuation.

The lights, on goosenecks of 6", 12", and18", are available with a choice of connectors. The unique lamp head rotates through 360° which, when combined with the suppleness of the gooseneck, provides a flexibility not seen before in similar products. The units f

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UK - Studio design company, Munro Acoustics, has completed the monitor installation and acoustic refurbishment of a new audio dubbing theatre at BBC Post Production in Bristol. The project involved the installation of a 5.1 surround-sound monitoring system based on custom Dynaudio Acoustics C3F main monitors, BM6 surround speakers and custom T1000 amplifiers. This is identical to the system Munro Acoustics installed in October 2002, when it completed the acoustic refurbishment of a similar dubbing theatre.

The refurbishment is part of general expansion of the audio facilities at BBC Post Production in Bristol, where there are now two main dubbing theatres with Foley facilities and a third, smaller, dubbing theatre with a commentary booth. The complex also houses three track lay areas. Both the large dubbing theatres are equipped with AMS Neve MMC consoles, while the smaller thea

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UK - UK distributor Miltec is offering a line-up of new products from Ecler, Fal and Pearl River at PLASA 2003. Ecler will be showing two new speakers - the Philos 10" and Philos 15" - as well as the new APA, MPA and PAM range of amplifiers. Also on stand will be the company's complete range of mixers and the Ecler 100 volt line system - Enviro. On display from Italian lighting manufacturer Fal will be a new range of architectural outdoor IP65-rated lighting effects, along with a number of theatre lighting products including followspots and profiles.

Chinese lighting manufacturer Pearl River will be showing its full range of Pilot moving heads, plus architectural lighting for outdoor use, DJ lighting effects for mobile and bar/club use and a new range of LED lighting fixtures.

Miltec can be found on stand C103, and Pearl River on stand D110.

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - Tannoy has added three versatile subwoofers to complement its recently launched V Series range of Point Source, Dual Concentric sound reinforcement loudspeaker systems. The V series, currently comprising V8, V12, V15, and V300 dual-wedge shaped, high-performance loudspeakers, introduced last year at PLASA, now benefit from enhanced bass performance with the addition of the new sub woofers. All three models are capable of delivering high SPLs with low distortion and power compression while maintaining a uniform frequency response throughout the dynamic range.

The VS18 DR is a direct radiating subwoofer which extends the frequency response of V Series systems down to 27Hz, making it ideal for effects in club, theatre, and live concert applications. The VS18 DR utilizes a high-efficiency 457mm (18") drive unit with a 76mm (4") voice coil. Although primarily intended

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UK - Pioneer is planning a spectacular stand at this year's PLASA showcase, and the exhibition, held at Earls Court, London from 7-10 September 2003, promises to be better than ever. As well as showcasing the new CDJ-1000MkII, plus the range of professional DJ products, Pioneer is planning to unveil an exciting new product at the show aimed at promising DJs. In addition, Roger Sanchez and the Scratch Perverts will be performing in Pioneer's live DJ Booth - and will also be joined by the amazing Tom Stefan.

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - Soundtracs has relaunched its website. The new site, which opens with the newly-launched DS-00 digital modular post-production and broadcast mixing system, features more detailed product information, greatly improved navigation and visual design, and full technical support contacts.

Also included are the complete range of Soundtracs digital consoles, worldwide distributor listings, downloadable technical PDFs and details of trade shows at which Soundtracs will be exhibiting. Marketing director Dave Webster commented: "The pace of product development at Soundtracs continues to accelerate and we have completely redesigned the website to reflect this. People can access a lot of information in a clear and easy-to-access format."

(Ruth Rossington)

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US / Europe - Annie Lennox's recent solo tour utilized two Mackie SDR24/96 hard disk recorders used to bring the haunting voice of the ex-Eurythmic to venues across the US and Europe. For programmer and keyboard technician Ozzie Henderson, the Mackie set-up performed even better than expected. He commented: "I used the two Mackie SDRs for the entire 10-week tour of the US and Europe and they performed faultlessly, easily standing up to the rigors of the road without breaking a sweat."

The decision to use the Mackie SDRs came after tour musical director Mike Stevens expressed a need for playing back programmed audio, the ability to cue songs instantly and most importantly, have machines that were reliable. For this reason, he decided to investigate hard disk recorders and subsequently contacted Mackie UK.

The need for a playback option is essential on a live tour due

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Europe - Autograph Sound Recording has won the equipment supply contract for three new musical productions across Europe - Les Misérables at the Theater des Westens in Berlin and Mamma Mia! at Het Beatrix Theater in Utrecht, both of which open in September, and We Will Rock You, due to open at the Teatro Calderon in Madrid in November.

One of Autograph's longest-running success stories is its ongoing work on worldwide productions of Les Misérables. The show opened in the West End in December 1985 with a sound design by Autograph chairman Andrew Bruce, and since then the company has been involved in over 30 productions worldwide.Designing the Berlin production is Autograph sound designer Nick Lidster, who was part of the original sound department at The Palace Theatre. This is Lidster's first design of Les Misérables and his updated design no

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UK - Saturday 19 July 2003 saw the Millennium Dome spring to life once again, hosting the capital's Respect festival, held in commemoration of Stephen Lawrence, the teenager who was murdered in a racist attack in 1993. The venue was changed at the last moment due to the former venue being destroyed by a fire. However, the Dome proved to be the ideal replacement and London's Mayor Ken Livingston said that next year's event would be on an even larger scale, bringing this festival on a national level. The Dome saw over 30,000 people listening to music from Rap, Hip Hop, and pop over eight stages. Headlining the event was Hip Hop artist's Public Enemy and Gregory Isaacs.

The sound was handled by Will Power PA, with JBL VerTec VT4889s being flown eight aside of the main stage. Adlib Audio supplied their own 2 x 18" subs, stacked eight per side on the ground. Will Norton commente

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USA - Mackie Designs Inc and Emagic Software and Hardware GmbH have announced an agreement to merge their audio control surface technologies. Under the terms of the agreement, future Mackie engineered control surfaces will include both Logic Control and Mackie Control, as well as Mackie's HUI protocol.

"Logic users represent one of the largest, most affluent creative communities in audio recording," commented Chris Adam, managing director of Emagic GmbH. "By merging the Mackie and Emagic control surface technologies, we will be providing current and future Emagic customers with one of the most versatile and powerful control surface platforms in the world."

Beginning next month, Mackie and Emagic will also release an upgrade that will allow both Mackie Control and Logic Control owners to take full advantage of the combined functionality. "The Mackie Co

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UK - Chester-based Lighting and Sound Services (LSS) has specialized in providing full production services for themed entertainment in the private and corporate sectors for over 20 years. This can include anything from large, themed corporate parties with entertainment from some of the top stars in show business to celebrity weddings or private parties. The company has recently invested in a multi-purpose Midas Legend console to enhance their inventory of PA equipment.

LSS directors Phil Johnson and Ian Preston say they were drawn to the Legend by its versatility. "The kinds of productions we stage are often short on real estate," said Johnson. "It's rare, for example, that we have room for a separate monitor desk, but yet the same production is likely to be very hungry in terms of sends required for delays or feeds for radio mics or in-ear monitors. The Legend wa

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Germany - Behringer has announced the introduction of a Dolby 5.1 surround update for the Danalog DDX3216 digital console. The new surround update transforms the DDX3216 into a fully-fledged surround mixer with extensive control possibilities, say Behringer, and the software surround upgrade is available free of charge from the company's website.

The new software upgrade features include surround panning on the desired channel via a second PAN display page, live 'movements' of selected sound source (channels) through the surround space, storage of surround pan/automating via snapshot and dynamic automation and new MIDI control possibilities for expanded surround parameters on channels 1-32 and FX returns 1-8. The surround mix and conventional mix can be run simultaneously, while additional new update features such as 100 markers (previously 10) and an opportunity to activate the

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UK - Yamaha's 02R96 digital mixing desk was the choice of the production team for the BBC's popular children's TV serial, Byker Grove. "All the mixing for the show is done in-house," said freelance dubber/mixer, Paul Flitcroft, "and we wanted a desk that would work with Pro Tools v.6."

Consulting with pro-audio specialists Mediaspec of East Kilbride, the choice was between Yamaha's DM2000 or its 02R96. "In the end, the 02R96 won the day, principally because it suited the programme's needs precisely and was within budget," said Flitcroft. Used for remote and post-production mixing in conjunction with Pro Tools, the desk links together all three production rooms used on the programme.

Mediaspec carried out the installation, working with Steve Salem of independent film company Dean Films. Training and familiarization took place over two 'intensive' d

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UK - Max King and Jane Potts have joined the team at Leisuretec Distribution, in the newly created roles of accounts and administration managers. In addition to becoming the 'friendly faces' within the accounts department at the company, their roles will see them developing the administration processes to accommodate increasing levels of business growth - both in the short-term and in the future. Both King and Potts have over 30 years of accounts and customer service experience between them in various sectors, including logistics and manufacturing.

(Ruth Rossington)

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USA - Polar Focus has introduced the Rocker Zbeam - a new line array rigging system designed to simplify installation. Currently, with conventional rigging techniques, a two-motor rig is usually suspended from one dead hang point and a carefully bridled second point. The acoustic aim of the cluster and the coverage is dependent on the accuracy of the bridled rigging point, and in order to focus the system effectively, the bridled point may need to be adjusted several times. However, the Rocker Zbeam claims to solve this problem by using only two dead hang points. However, if bridles are used, then their accuracy is much less important. In either case, the cluster can be quickly rotated to achieve the desired horizontal angle.

The key component is a rocker beam that keeps the centre axis vertical at all times, even if the two supporting hoists are not running at the same speed o

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Australia - The long-awaited Federation Square, the new centre of cultural activity in Melbourne, is now officially open. Winning the tender to provide an audio infrastructure for the complex, contractor Rutledge Engineering selected BSS Soundweb as the DSP networking devices for several of the project areas. Rutledge senior project manager, Matt Edgcumbe, says Soundweb was preferred because of the ease with which it connects remote locations together.

A multimedia fibre and Cat 6 backbone provides the connectivity for a 9088iiMM and two 9088iiLL devices. The sound systems in the Plaza, and architecturally-challenging BMW Edge auditorium, are fed with audio from the scheduled multimedia system, which is then mixed with the local PA desk. Because the mixing desks are temporarily set up for events, the Soundweb also provides the ability for the client to connect several microphon

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UK - Mackie Designs Inc has recruited Dave Hartley to its sound reinforcement and installed sound division. He joins as Northern Area sales manager and will be based in the new UK office. Hartley began his career back in the late 1970s, working for Sound Advice Installations, pioneers at the time in the field of sound and lighting manufacture. He subsequently went on to work as a freelance engineer and installer for 10 years, and more recently has been working for Bose UK.

(Ruth Rossington)

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UK - E M Acoustics' new EMS-81 compact full range speakers were recently trialled in a production of Mozart's Don Giovanni, staged for the benefit of the UK charity, Hope and Homes for Children. The week-long production earlier this month was installed within a huge, thatched, tythe barn near Salisbury in Wiltshire.

The reflex loaded 8" and 1" compression driver cabinets were specified by sound designer Ian McDonald of Ivysound and flown unobtrusively from the building's massive oak beams to provide the smooth mid and top end response essential for realistic orchestral and choral reinforcement.

The sound design was complex in that unusually, the orchestra was located well behind the stage, and with a long thin 200-seat raked auditorium, the system needed careful dispersion control, multiple delays and brightening of the otherwise dead acoustic. This was achiev

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USA - Eastern Acoustic Works, a Mackie Designs Inc brand, has announced the introduction of a new web resource for members of its popular Acoustical Performance Partnership (APP) program.

Beginning immediately, the new APP web page makes it even easier for members to access valuable in-depth technical information and documentation including white papers, datasheets, user's guides, wizards, EASE data and software downloads.

While APP membership is not required to access the online materials, the free membership offers access to further technical information, and interaction with the EAW Application Support Group and Engineering departments.

(Ruth Rossington)

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UK - As part of Carlsbro's devotion to supporting musicians and helping in breaking new talent, Carlsbro Electronics will provide the backline for new Carlton Television series, Xposure. The programme will showcase new unsigned talent and will be broadcasted in September.

This show has grown from the success of the Midlands Finest Competition, a showcase for up-and-coming bands - held at the Hard Rock Café, Birmingham, in conjunction with DEP International, the home of UB40.The programme will be hosted by Lisa I'Anson and gives unsigned talent a platform to reach a much wider audience. Each show is to be opened and closed by an A-list artist who will also critique the unsigned bands on their performance.

Andrew Bishop, the new owner of Carlsbro Electronics, commented: "We need these new bands now, after the last few years of manufactured music everybody is ready for a su

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