Visitors to the Serpentine Gallery might have wondered what was going on when LA-based artist Doug Aitken brought his New Ocean exhibition to Kensington Gardens, London Crowning the mixed media installation, which included 20 video projectors supplied by DVS, and audio throughout the building supplied by Total Audio, were two Coef Show 250 scanners (programmed on a Compulite Spark console) - supplied by i-Vision in conjunction with Fentura Productions.
Having already made a lot of friends in the live music industry, XTA's versatile SiDD processor is proving itself an essential tool for sound engineers in the corporate market. Sound engineer Richard Waghorn is a regular SiDD user who has used the units on product launches and conferences for a range of high-profile clients, including Honda, TNT, DHL and One-2-One. He recently used the units at a management conference for global fast food retailer McDonalds, held at the Hilton Metropole hotel in London.
The conference hosted 1000 delegates and required 24 channels of audio, which comprised four lectern mics and a range of tieclip mics, plus VT stings and other playback elements. The sound was broadcast to the floor via Funktion One Resolution 2 loudspeakers. A major drawback of corporate events is that they often take place in venues which were not designed for amplified audio. SiDD provides the answer to these problems by featuring all the EQ and dynamic controls required to tune any size or shape of venue. In addition, once an event has taken place, the set-up can be stored for instant recall when the venue is next used.
Another advantage for corporate work is that SiDD can also be controlled remotely, using laptop computers with wireless modems and PC Anywhere software. This allows a sound engineer to both set up and control the entire sound system from anywhere in a venue - a distinct advantage in venues such as hotels, museums and conference centres which do not have a 'natural' position for the front of house engineer.
The International Live Music Conference (ILMC) has announced the initial details of its 14th meeting next year. For ‘ILMC14’ the three-day conference will return to the five-star Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, over the weekend of March 8-10 2002. This time it comes wrapped in a spoof sixties spy movie theme that will see the invitation-only delegates challenged to complete a three-day mission that may not be ‘impossible’ but may certainly turn out to be ‘implausible’, ‘indigestible’ or even occasionally ‘incomprehensible’ (that is, should they choose to accept it, of course).
The ILMC’s usual array of in-depth debate, specialist breakout sessions, industry trade association meetings, and a whirlwind of social activities, culminating in the notorious ‘ILMC Gala Dinner and Arthur Awards’ on the Saturday night at the new venue of The Savoy, will drive the the 2002 conference programme. The events that have taken place since September 11 - and which have seriously affected the live music industry - will be reflected in the conference programme and have been taken into account in the organisers’ planning.The ILMC’s Martin Hopewell comments: "This year’s crowd safety debate has sparked an enormous and continuing communal response from around the industry, as well as in the wider music press and broadcast media, and we anticipate that the equally serious issues facing the business right now will make for compelling main sessions at ILMC14." Specific details of events surr
Ad Lib Audio‘s new JBL VerTec series line array system is out on its first UK dates with the Ministry of Sound’s student union tour - a demanding, action packed environment demanding the very best in audio.
Ad Lib first used JBL’s Ver-Tec system in the late summer when they ran a system in the VIP tent of the Ministry’s massive event at Knebworth Park. Ad Lib and Ministry’s crews, plus assorted DJs, were so impressed with VerTec that they decided to use it for the upcoming tour. Ad Lib were hired as audio contractors for the events, and decided to purchase their first VerTec speaker enclosures - in a deal completed at PLASA with UK JBL distributors Arbiter Pro Audio.
Ad Lib’s Dave Kay and Ben Baker are crewing the Ministry tour, using 12 ground-stacked VerTec VT4889 boxes - plus their own Ad Lib subs - to create a high energy sound concentration in a small area. The speaker stacks are arranged either in quad format - one at each corner of the room, or in spaces where this is impractical in a conventional end-on stage format, complete with delays. "It’s a hugely challenging tour for sound," comments Kay. Many of the rooms we are playing are split-level, and often they’re surrounded by reflective surfaces. The idea is to get a nice trouser-rumbling sound that’s clean and pleasant in the ears," he states. Two dbx drive racks, a 480 and a 482, also supplied by Arbiter, are controlling the VerTec system, enabling them to run the system in true quad.
The Ministry tour - featuring top DJs including Lottie,
Synonymous with the grass roots of concert touring, Skan PA's work portfolio has expanded under the judicious eye of directors, Chris Fitch and Abby Llewellyn, into something that is quintessentially British. They have recently simultaneously supported Orbital and Gabrielle - the latter on an exclusively British tour lasting two months, running an all-British sound rig. The company has followed up the successful beta-testing of the new TQ-310 enclosures with the band Tindersticks, by using them as infills with Gabrielle. The tour also sees a new departure for Skan, using TSW-721 subs for the first time. The tour also features continued successful use of specially manufactured 'overhangs' - provisionally designated the TFL-760HF.
Skan’s Chris Fitch says that Turbosound's willingness to listen to the requirements of PA companies, such as Skan and Britannia Row, is the reason for the excellent quality of new products coming out of Turbosound's R&D department. In addition to the extended TQ range, already this year the new R&D resource has produced a new wedge - the TFM-450 - and a new generation of the Flashlight sound reinforcement system.
In the first major revision to the Renkus-Heinz Synco Touring System since its introduction four years ago, Synco Europe has announced a single, new mid/high cabinet to replace the long and short throw cabinets currently in use across the Synco Network. The Synco Network members (Ampco Pro Rent and PAS Audio of Holland; DEE Sound and Light and Flashlight/APR of Belgium; R G Jones of the UK and Puro Audio of Portugal) agreed on a programme of updating their current stock of equipment with the latest technical updates. The result is a radical change from all of the network’s current MH 60-40 (40 degree vertical dispersion) and MH 60-25 (25 degree vertical dispersion) cabinets to the new standard long-throw cabinet, the MH 60-30."It has not only entailed a major change in Synco Network logistics and planning," comments Fred Heuves, managing director of Synco Europe. "The new R-H Synco Touring System now has just one mid/high longthrow cabinet instead of two cabinets, and the new cabinet itself represents a significant technical and performance upgrade, and the power and sound quality of the new cabinet is amazing."
Luminar plc, the name behind numerous bars, restaurants and nightclubs across the UK, has recently released details of its interim financial results for 2001.
The figures make impressive reading and indicate that there is still much to be positive about in the night sector. Company turnover is up 116% from £77.2million last year to £166.4m this year. The company’s pre-tax profit has more than doubled to £29.5m.
Underpinning the financial success has been an aggressive growth strategy, which has seen Luminar acquire 10 venues from Scottish and Newcastle plc (making it the largest operator of late night venues in Scotland) and also the Life Limited brand from Whitbread. It has also continued to roll out its own brands, including Chicago Rock Cafe, Jumpin’ Jaks and Liquid, together with the development of ukclubculture - a relatively recent initiative which is aimed at 14-17 year olds.
The interim results have set the agenda for the next 18 months, and the company has announced a major acquisitions and openings programme which will see 44 new venues added to the Luminar portfolio across 2002/2003.
The company has also reorganised its management structure - divisional directors John Aust, Alistair Burford and Brendan McLoughlin will now become functional heads and report directly to chief executive Stephen Thomas. Commenting on the results, Thomas told L&SI: "We continue to be totally focused on developing our concepts for differing lifestyle brands. Roll out and organic expansion will be funded through internally generated cash, and we will conti
Focus 21 Visual Communications has undertaken a series of videowall installation projects for a large financial firm in the City of London involving both Sony and Christie technology. Focus installed two conference/meeting rooms at the Corporation's Thameside location at Blackfriars - generally to facilitate 'plug and play' Powerpoint presentations from a laptop computer, using scan conversion technology.
Focus 21 services director Nigel Warrilow states that by using the Sony DSC-1024 scan converter, coupled with the Christie Digital's ability to split images from multiple displays in the overall picture area, correctly displayed data images can be presented from any PC. "The company wanted a big display occupying minimal depth or loss of space," he continued. "The ambient light level wouldn't lend itself to front projection, while rear projection would have eaten up too much space. So this was the ideal solution."
The major installation undertaken by Focus 21 was in the Grade II-listed Great Hall in the City of London School's former assembly room. Currently used for banking conferences, Focus 21 needed to work around the protected covenant of oak panels, and with access to a traditional ceiling-mounted design denied them in the 50m long room, they were confronted by compromises based on the large amount of ambient light escaping through the prominent windows. With a front-projection system therefore ruled out, they looked at a rearpro solution - only to find that the vibration from the London Underground, running directly underneath, prevented that
The Entech 2002 Conference program features workshops and seminars in areas of lighting, design, rigging, audio, projection and even the business needs of a DJ. Sessions includeIntroducing the Line Array; The Future of Systems Integration and ProAV Technology; Venue Design Forum; Digital Live Sound Mixing; Lighting Designer Forum; Rigging Workshop; Stacks and Racks; Motor Training School; Location Sound Recording; Trends in Facilities; The Art of Designing with Moving Lights; We Are Surrounded (Surround Sound); and The Changing Face of Post Production.
Entech 2002, Australasia’s leading entertainment technology trade show, will be held in Sydney’s Darling Harbour from 4-6 February 2002. For further details on the conference programme and exhibits, visit the web address below:
Trussing, aluminium and ground support specialists James Thomas Engineering has designed an integrated Trussing module - on its safe use and handling - for PCM's renowned Lodestar two-day Motor School. An extended version of the trussing module is also run at PCM's five-day-Rigging School. James Thomas's Trussing course was devised by project manager Paul Young, who says: "There's more than meets the eye with trussing and its associated safety issues, and also the wider ones generally across in the rigging industry. Anyone interested in furthering their knowledge of motors and rigging also needs to know all about trussing. People are often surprised at the complexity of the subject!"
Like the Motor School, the Trussing module is presented in a hands-on, practical manner. For the two-day Motor School - run free of charge by PCM - the Trussing section takes up half a day. At the longer five-day Rigging School, it occupies a full day and includes a practical session. Here students have the opportunity of getting their hands dirty and assembling and disassembling a full ground support system and a box truss from start to finish. JTE's course provides a comprehensive overview of the trussing manufacturing process and the options, materials and manufacturing methods available. It will familiarize owners, users and specifiers of trussing with the different choices for the application, and also covers the make up, design philosophy, operational theory and safety aspects of the products. Trouble-shooting is also discussed.
Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone has already received great critical and popular acclaim and is expected to become the biggest grossing film ever for Time Warner. Vertigo Rigging, Spirit Design and Fourth Phase were amongst those who helped supply the magic for the recent World Première at London’s famous Odeon Cinema, Leicester Square.
Vertigo, working for production company West Design, show producer Lucy Smail and production manager Andy Cheesman, transformed the front of the building into Hogwarts School of Wizardry & Witchcraft for the evening of 4 November.
With a seven-day get in, the event required over 22 tonnes of equipment, 12 tonnes of which was hung off the side of the building - representing a huge logistical and practical challenge for Vertigo. Work began on 29 October, when project manager Paddy Burnside and his team of riggers supervised a 60 tonne crane to lift over 10 tonnes of pre-built RMD (prefabricated Rapid Metal Decking) superstructure onto the roof of the Odeon.
The superstructure’s purpose was to support two sections of truss framework - the lower main roof - measuring 22m wide by 8.5m deep, and the tower section - 8m wide by 31 metres high. The tower section of superstructure was anchored to its own two top floors using six M20 studding rods, drilled through the floors for maximum stability. The next four days were spent installing the truss and attaching the set to it. The trussing statistics were equally impressive - with a total of 190m of 52cm Thomas Supertruss and 200m of Thomas Superlite used. The 52cm form
Kelsey Acoustics, leading manufacturer and supplier of professional audio and lighting cables, supplied a number of Kelsey 100 touring multipin connectors, looms and breakouts to ATG Spectrum for its recently-completed installation in Studio 3 at the BBC's Television Centre in Wood Lane.
Studio 3 is the new home of the Top of the Pops and Later with Jools Holland broadcasts, and the request for Kelsey's involvement came directly from the sound supervisor responsible for both programmes. Mike Felton explained: "We were temporarily housed at Riverside Studios for TOTP whilst the move and refurb was going on, and SSE were supplying all the monitoring and PA facilities. They use Kelsey's 32-way multicore as standard, and having used it ourselves, Gary [Clarke, sound supervisor TOTP] and I immediately requested that a compatible line system be installed in Studio 3. It entirely fitted the bill of what we were looking for."
Felton went on to explain that the key features were reliability and flexibility. "When you are using anything up to 160 circuits for just one programme which is basically five lots of 32-way multicore systems that have to be set up and broken down again in record time, they have to be tough to cope with the hurly-burly and the hostile; environment of professional use. Reliability is an essential feature for us, and the Kelsey equipment, which is military spec, seems more than tough enough for the job. It also allows us great flexibility, which is another important requirement on big music shows like TOTP and Jools Holland. We are able to de
Stage Technologies has announced its decision to become Gold sponsor for the forthcoming international conference on Theatre Engineering and Architecture 2002 taking take place in London next June. The theatre event of 2002 will examine technology and architecture for the performing arts. Presented in a hotel venue in London's Theatreland, the conference will bring together theatre technicians, architects, consultants, scenographers, lighting designers, stage and building services engineers, acousticians, fire prevention specialists as well as building owners, cost consultants, new clients and project managers.
The conference will be followed by the ABTT Theatre Show. Stage Technologies' commercial director Nikki Scott said: "We are delighted to sponsor this landmark international event. It is an important opportunity to discuss with industry colleagues and theatre professionals the issues which exist today and to develop a vision for the future. Stage engineering continues to benefit enormously from technological advances and we must work together to ensure that the improved facilities these advances provide become accessible to the theatre world as a whole."
Julies nightclub is a well-known Newcastle landmark. Like most clubs, it’s had its fair share of small upgrades over the years, but owner Keith Gibbon, of Lazi Leisure, felt the time had come for a major renovation - hence Julies 2.To effect the refurbishment, the venue was closed at the end of January to allow for major structural alterations to increase its size. Keith Gibbon came up with the design concept and called in the team at Lighting Technology Projects - Craig Grieveson, Dave Philips and Ray Scott - to undertake the installation. The effects lighting rig centres around Martin Professional’s MAC 250s, MiniMACs, Mx4s and CX2 colour changers, with Abstract Moonrays, Pulsar Demon Strobe units and shed loads of neon providing further punctuation. Controlling all this, and the Jem ZR12 Smoke machine, is a Pulsar Masterpiece 216. A Sony-led, four-screen video system is also installed in the venue.
For the audio elements, Ray Scott contacted Steve Coxon of Mackie/RCF to discuss the new system. The brief was for a rig that was capable of producing an articulate sound at background levels, but one which could also reproduce full-on levels when required. Following a site visit, Mackie Industrial ART 300s were spec’d, in conjunction with Monitor 8s and Vision 180s for subs. DJ monitoring was supplied by a single Mackie Industrial Art 300a.
Steve Coxon told L&SI: "The venue was a building site when we did our visit, but it was obvious even at that stage that this was an unique and exciting venture. It was easy to tell that Keith Gibbon was very pas
An all-new sound reinforcement system has recently been installed in the historic chapel at Harrow School by installation specialists Scan Audio. The Grade 2 listed building was designed by Gilbert Scott - famous for landmarks such as the Albert Memorial and St. Pancras station, so the installation had to be carried out with great sensitivity.
"A key area to address was the problem of hearing the choir properly at back of the chapel over the large pipe organ," notes Dee Couchman of Scan Audio. Improved sound reinforcement for speech was also required throughout the chapel. "It was the opposite to the usual problem of long reverberation times in that type of building," comments Paul Malpas of consultants Arup Acoustics. "We needed to lift the choir and subtly balance their level with the organ."
The solution was to completely strip out the old column speaker-based system and to use a brand new 100v line installation. The opportunity was also taken to improve the visual aesthetics of the chapel by re-routing the new cabling underfloor or otherwise concealing it. Couchman specified mainly Renkus-Heinz loudspeakers, including six RFX81s - one of each in the north and sound transept, a pair in the chancel position and another pair in the nave. Three TRC32s were also positioned at the rear of the chapel for choir reinforcement. A pair of TOA F160s were also placed in the organ gallery, under which three Martin Audio C516T ceiling speakers were installed. The whole system is controlled via a BSS 9088 Soundweb, controlled by a 9010 Jellyfish remote
Vari-Lite Inc has announced it has discontinued selling the Virtuoso DX control system, with immediate effect. However, the company will continue to rent the desks and to provide customer support for units already in the field. "This was a tough and emotional decision," said Rusty Brutsché, chairman and CEO at Vari-Lite. "But in the end, sales of the Virtuoso DX console just weren't profitable for Vari-Lite. And therefore the decision was made to concentrate all our manufacturing and sales efforts on the luminaire market, which has greater potential for profitable growth. The overwhelming and positive response to Vari-Lite's newest automated luminaire, the VL1000 ERS, combined with the success of the Series 2000 luminaires - reinforced our decision."
Vari-Lite will support all Virtuoso DX consoles sold to date. "The goal is to provide the same quality service that our customers and dealers have experienced in the past," said Brutsché. "I also want to emphasize that VLPS will continue to rent and provide customer support for the Virtuoso and Virtuoso DX consoles as always."
Orbital Sound's company brochure 'Working With Sound' has won the Award of Excellence for a corporate or promotional brochure at the 2001 Communicators in Business Awards. Designed and produced by London-based design company, Mot Juste, the brochure was judged by a panel of industry experts on its design, content and communications factor.The judges commented: "On picking this publication up we were immediately struck by the obvious high quality. Regardless of the role you play in theatre, it is obvious that the content has been geared at a number of posts, all of whom have different reasons for using this sort of equipment. The contents were very well handled and we have no doubt gave the reader sufficient information on which to make a decision whether to ask for more information.
Established in 1954, The CiB Awards recognize the highest standards and quality in business communications and attract a thousand entries on average each year.
A Turbosound TCS system has recently been installed in an upgrade to an impressive school chapel in New Zealand. St. Paul's Collegiate Chapel - set within the schools grounds - underwent an audiovisual and conferencing system upgrade, undertaken by installers Audio Video Solutions Ltd.
Supplied through Turbosound distributor Audio Telex, a sound system comprising numerous TCS-56, TCS-59 and TCS-10 loudspeakers, was both flown and wall-mounted, along with a set of TCS-118 subwoofers and TCS-12M floor monitors. The chapel consists of highly reflective, angled walls, plus an all glass rear wall. With large amounts of glass panelling throughout, the client brief required the design to impress acoustically, whilst being aesthetically discreet.
Stuart Craig of Audio Telex told us: "The client wanted to be able to use the system for music playback vocal reinforcement, as well as live music. Excellent feedback rejection and the way the TCS boxes are voiced, helped us achieve all of these objectives."
The TCS56 and 59 speakers were also chosen for their slim line characteristics, which allowed them to be placed in front of the chapel columns, minimizing visual obstruction.
XL Video supplied projection for Pulp's recent UK tour - one of many tours and events wrapping up an extremely busy year for XL, specialists in touring and live event video. Pulp - fronted by the charismatic Jarvis Cocker, featured innovative video footage created by Cocker himself, once a Fine Art and film-making student at Central St Martin's College.
Video was used to produce quirky and emotive visuals throughout 80% of the show. The footage ranged from heavily treated, stylized 60s soft porn for 'This is Hardcore', to time lapse film of flowers opening, trees and abstract patterns. XL Video supplied a fully digital video playback system for the tour, looked after by crew member Dave McKinlay. The projectors were two of XL's new 5000 lumen Barco SLM G5s. These were rigged on the front lighting truss, with both focused to produce the one upstage screen image - which varied in width according to venue, with 15 x 20ft being the largest.
It was run live cue-by-cue by McKinlay using an SDI Magic DaVE to mix the sources, pulled from a Doremi hard drive. For the Brixton Academy show, a hand-held video camera was also hooked into the system, enabling Jarvis to experiment, have fun and reek video havoc during the set. XL’s projectors were also hooked into the Academy's two house screens. XL Video has recently invested in 12 new Barco G5s - which have been designed and optimized for the practicalities of the touring market. The Barcos come complete with their own rigging system including sub-frame and clamps. The lamps can be removed from the side of the unit, allowing f
The Tivoli, one of Holland’s most established rock clubs, has announced a leasing agreement with Synco Europe for 12 Synco 15" monitor wedges with matching Synco amplifier and control racks. The deal makes the Tivoli the fifth club in Holland after O13, Music Center Utrecht, Nighttown and The Milky Way to have acquired the Synco wedges. All leasing contracts cover a period of a 60-month rental.
Dick te Winkel, managing director of the Tivoli told us: "Although it's our usual policy to own all the equipment in the club, the demands from our technicians and performing bands for these wedges have been very high so we're very pleased with the leasing option we got from Synco Europe, since their wedges are not for sale."
L&SI has learned of further important changes from within the Harman Pro Audio camp. John McFarland and Mike Sowden of Precision Devices have negotiated a management buy-out, acquiring in the process both the company’s premises and brands.
McFarland and Sowden, who have spent the past three-and-a-half years managing the company’s operations in Redruth and Rotherham on behalf of Harman International Industries (HII), agreed the deal for the purchase of the Redruth site and brands in mid-October. The new company will be called Precision Audio Products Limited.
John McFarland told L&SI: "I believe that this move is the first step in an extremely positive future for the business, for our employees and our customers, and that our new-found independence will enable us to better develop the different arms of the business." McFarland will be taking the role of managing director and Mike Sowden will become financial director.
The Monte Carlo Ballet is set to take on a new choreographic adventure, La Belle. Created to the music of Tchaikovsky, La Belle has an exceptional artistic team, put together by Scena Productions. Scena has become a regular client of AVW Controls, most recently on a project for Aston Martin in Tokyo where AVW was commissioned to work on two areas of the show. In rehearsal throughout November and December before hitting the stage for a tour beginning 27 December 2001, La Belle requires six motorized rotating doors, three on each side of the stage plus a radio-controlled stage truck.
AVW has created similar designs before, including a radio-controlled birthday cake and washing machine for a Ray Cooney farce at the Whitehall Theatre some years ago, plus the boat in Phantom of the Opera. AVW Controls has also taken over the maintenance of scenery control for Phantom at Her Majesty's Theatre in London. Having worked on the show in Holland, Switzerland and London, managing director Anton Woodward and AVW project manager John McBryde, who previously worked as chief electrician at Her Majesty's Theatre, ensured the smooth-running of what has become the most successful musical ever produced. Grossing more than $3 billion worldwide and still rising, Phantom features some strikingly melodramatic effects, including the famous falling of the chandelier, and, having premiered in 1986, the show continues to play to packed houses in London's West End.
And from Monte Carlo to Rochdale. At the beginning of November, on behalf of PMC Stage Service
The West End braced itself in the aftermath of the WTC/Pentagon attacks, fearing that with people less willing to travel, audience figures would simply dwindle away, and that some shows would be forced to close ahead of schedule.
However, if the recent results released by the Ambassador Theatre Group are a barometer for the rest of the West End, then the anticipated downsizing ain’t coming. Attendance figures for ATG venues across the UK show a 3% increase in the West End and a 12% increase in the regions. ATG’s managing director Howard Panter told L&SI: "People are not staying away from the theatre - attendance figures are up and some shows are playing to record houses." Executive director Rosemary Squire added: "Far from closing shows, we are opening even more shows. We are bringing a major musical - My One and Only - to the West End in the New Year, and at the beginning of next month we’ll be opening Noises Off on Broadway. Pantomime sales are galloping ahead of target, and our regional box offices are at all-time highs. There are tremendously loyal domestic audiences out there."
The figures were measured in the six weeks following September 11.
ARX Systems, the Australian-based manufacturer of professional audio products has appointed well-known Melbourne-based distributor - The Resource Corp (TRC) - as its Australian distributor. ARX managing director Colin Park told us: "ARX has previously managed its own distribution network in Australia. However, with both our domestic and export markets growing rapidly, especially in Europe and South America, we realized our Australian Dealer Network needed a heightened level of support that only a truly distribution-based company like TRC could offer."
Tony Hosking and his team at The Resource Corp have over 100 years of accumulated experience in the Australian Industry.