UK - The annual BRIT Awards are the highlight of the British recording industry's year, and the 2006 show reflected the impressive health of the current music scene by moving to a much larger London venue.
The ove to Earls Court One meant that sound designer Derrick Zieba and regular PA supplier Britannia Row had to re-think the sound system. Once again using the Electro-Voice X-Line array system, Zieba chose to manage the larger rectangular auditorium by effectively splitting the room into two halves and "making sure that the delay system worked as a substantial primary system."
Half way down the venue, three delay hangs each comprising eight Xls boxes, were spread in a L/C/R configuration right across the room. The main PA system featured left and right hangs, each using 12 EV Xls plus six Xlt cabinets and a downfill; additionally there was a centre hang of six Xlc cabinets to cover the orchestra pit and first rows. "That's an advantage of the X-Line," says Zieba, "that underhung fill box that takes you from the banana curve right down to below the hang. With just two fill boxes and the XLC hang providing coverage, the sound in the orchestra pit seemed to impress Prince!"
Because the BRIT Awards are televised, the X-Line PA had to be flown very high, to avoid compromising TV sightlines. 10 X-subs were flown beside the front arrays. "One of the plus points of using EV's X-Line is that the bass is designed to be flown," says Zieba. "This gives me a huge advantage when distribution sub-bass around the audience, the sy
Spain - TESI, the Barcelona-based broadcast engineering company, has launched two new ultra-compact, software controlled analogue audio routers, the Legato A48M and Legato A48, which are deal for a wide range of applications including TV and radio broadcasting, film and video post production, for large PA systems.
Each unit takes a miniscule amount of rack space - just 2U (19inches) each. The difference between them is that the Legato 48M features a built-in mixer for increased flexibility. Both units are controllable with powerful user-friendly Windows 2000 or XP software.
The basic configuration of both units is a 16 input/16 output audio switching matrix. The matrix of the A48 can be enlarged considerably by adding 16 input / 16 output expansion cards, providing up to 48 inputs/ 48 outputs all contained within the 2U rack unit. The A48M can also be expanded to 32 inputs/16 outputs or 16 inputs/ 32outputs.
With its built-in mixer, the A48M provides the flexibility to route one or several inputs (sources) to one or several outputs (destinations). Inputs are mixed with with a fixed 0dB gain to the assigned outputs.
The routers both feature high input noise rejection and electronically fully balanced inputs and outputs using eight channel industry standard D-Sub25 connectors (Tascam DA88 style). All leads are connected to the rear panels and the routers are controlled from front-end PC software using standard RS232, 422 or an Ethernet computer port. You can easily customise operation to suit using the Ethernet communication protocol.
Operating with the pow
UK - KV2 Europe have announced further expansion within their company with the addition of Andy Simmons as operations director to lead the company from its new headquarters in Harrogate, UK.
KV2's business development director Jonathan Reece-Farren made the announcement as plans for the new headquarters were being finalised: "I am very pleased to confirm the appointment of Andy Simmons as operations director for KV2 Europe Ltd. All of us at KV2 Europe have known Andy for many years now, mainly through his association with Crest Audio in the UK. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge of the marketplace which will be an invaluable resource to us as a company."
Simmons commented: "This is an extremely exciting opportunity for me and I am pleased that Jonathan and Andy [Austin-Brown, KV2 sales director] considered me for the job. I've admired the company for a long time but never more so for what those two have achieved most recently with KV2 in the UK. The KV2 product line-up is really incredible; it's very special, with some amazing stuff coming up in the near future, I can't wait to get stuck in!"
The appointment coincides with the opening of new headquarters in Harrogate which will include an administration centre and warehousing as well as a technical support facility for KV2 customers.
KV2 will be exhibiting at Frankfurt Pro Light & Sound exhibition (29 March - 1 April) in Hall 8 stand number M50.
(Lee Baldock)
USA - There were two ways to attack the intimidating slopes of the Chevrolet Freestyle International Competition held recently at Deer Valley Resort: with gold medal skiing if you were an athlete, or rock-solid wireless mics if you were a sound engineer. As owner of Atkinson Sound, Hoyt Atkinson was definitely the latter, and the wireless microphone systems he used at this NBC-broadcast event were from Lectrosonics.
"The terrain at ski events presents big challenges to sound production. To run cable from the mountain top all the way to the finish areas would be almost impossible," says Atkinson. "TheLectrosonics R400A receiver and UT400 handheld microphones made a big difference for us this year. Even when we were using the microphones a good 300-350 feet from the receiver, there were absolutely no dropouts, pops, or hisses. The sound quality was indiscernible from a wired mic.
"Event organizers mentioned that they'd never had a wireless mic like that before. They were very impressed with it. We hadn't used Lectrosonics previously at Deer Valley, and for the first time in twelve years we didn't have to worry about wireless microphone issues. Just turn it on, and you'll have no problems or worries. With the Lectrosonics systems on hand, we could focus our time on other aspects of the production."
Superior audio production values are a must at Deer Valley, which consistently ranks as one of the top ski resorts in the nation. With the Lectrosonics wireless mics being used to interview winning athletes, pristine sound needed to be de
Germany - This year Australian based manufacturer ARX Systems will be displayingseveral new additions to the ARX Signal Processing range at Frankfurt's Pro Light &Sound, including the 'i Switch' Line Switcher, AV Stream Audio Video Zoner / Switcher, the AudiBox range of Audio Accessories and new models for the SPL range of integrated powered loudspeakers.
ARX managing director Colin Park says: "Frankfurt is the most important Exhibition of the year for ARX and we're pleased to announce the release of some exciting new products being shown there on World first release.
"Europe has been a great market for ARX in the past year and with the appointment ofnew Distributors like Audiosales in Italy, RMS Audio in Hungary, AVS Global in Turkey,Natural Musica y Sonido in Spain and S & V Mega Sound in Cyprus our policy of distribution channel rejuvenation implemented early last year is progressing to plan.
"The European market appreciates high quality hand manufactured Audio Product Ranges like ARX, and the ARX R & D team are as obsessive about delivering State of the Art trend setting Products as they are about surfing, red wine & large American cars."
The newly revised and updated ARX 2006 Product CD Rom detailing all matters ARX will also be available at the Booth, as well as the usual Australian hospitality.
ARX in Hall 4.1 at Booth # A70, Frankfurt Pro Light and Sound / Frankfurt Messe, March 29th to April 1st 2006.
(Chris Henry)
Indochina - Thailand will play host to the inaugural professional audio, visual and lighting international trade exhibition, AVL Thailand 2006, from 28-30 June. Taking place in Impact - the largest exhibition centre in Thailand - AVL Thailand 2006 will showcase a wide array of the latest equipment in professional audio, visual, lighting, staging, and entertainment technology to a targeted buyer audience from the emerging market of Thailand and its surrounding Indochina region, according to organizer Singex Exhibitions.
Steady economic growth in Indochina is fuelling continuous new build and refurbishments of commercial buildings, theme parks, sports facilities, performance centres, cinemas, casinos and shopping malls across the region, while the "phenomenal growth" in Indochina's club scene looks set to continue - offering huge opportunities for entertainment technology, say Singex.
The organizer reports that 60% of exhibition space has been sold out four months ahead of the event, and that brands such as Dynacord, Klark Teknik, Midas, EAW, Martin, Meyer Sound, Nexo, Weifa Trussing, Prolyte, Panther Lighting, Avolites, Vari-Lite, Oracle Laser, Sennheiser and Grandview Screens have all confirmed their participation.
Over 5,000 trade visitors are expected to visit the three-day exhibition, which will also host an exciting line-up of technical workshops and seminars conducted by key industry experts and speakers.
(Lee Baldock)
Canada - Montréal-based pop-punk band Simple Plan recently became the first major North American act to hit the road with L-Acoustics Kudo line source array systems as its primary house rig.
Tour Tech East of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, served as the sound reinforcement provider for the group's 19-city coast-to-coast Canadian arena trek, which benefited from large quantities of L-Acoustics gear, including up to 21 Kudos per side (many of which were provided by Rocky Mountain Production Services of Vancouver, BC).
Certified V-Dosc engineer (CVE) Trevor Coppen, who has been Simple Plan's FOH engineer for nearly four years, ultimately made the call to utilize Kudo based on his respect for V-Dosc and faith in L-Acoustics' technologies.
"V-Dosc has been 'number one' on my audio rider for quite some time now, so after talking with other engineers about Kudo and reading about it on the web, I was interested in trying it," Coppen says. "I'm happy to say that I was genuinely impressed with the fidelity of the box and its projection. The other engineers mixing the support acts on the tour were also very pleased with it, the general comment being that it was effortless to get a sound out of the system that they were extremely happy with.
"I also really like how Kudo looks and pieces together with the integral rigging hardware. It impressed a lot of local audio crews who were seeing it for the first time. The first time we flew the PA, which was in Victoria, BC, both the band and promoter rep commented on how sleek and low profile it looked in the
UK - Global installation specialist Sarner Ltd selected Allen & Heath's new GR2 analogue zone mixer to control audio in Sotheby's Institute of Art - the world-famous auction house's education arm. With venues in London and New York, Sotheby's Institute of Art is among the world's leading institutions offering MA and PhD degrees, specialised courses, and study abroad programmes, providing graduates with the scholastic and practical skills for a career in the art world.
Sotheby's recently acquired a new building in Bedford Square, London, to relocate the Institute, and appointed Surrey-based Sarner to design and install an audio system to fit the building's new purpose. The GR2 was selected for installation in a mobile rack, used for audio distribution in the Institute's lecture theatres and classrooms.
"Sotheby's required a flexible system, which could be configured in a number of ways," says Sarner's project manager, Ross Magri. "We initially considered using a traditional mixer but were concerned that this would confuse the users, who are often non-technical lecturers. We therefore looked for a product that was flexible in its design but simple to operate, and the GR2 fitted these requirements perfectly."
The GR2's inputs are used for wired and radio microphones, together with DVD and PC audio sources. Two of the outputs are used to drive local speakers, whilst the other two outputs are used to relay audio to a second lecture theatre, which is sometimes used as an overspill area.
Allen & Heath launched the GR2 - a 1U rackmount 9-input, 4-
Asia - Biamp has appointed Antoine Rouget as technical support specialist for the Asia/Pacific region. Rouget will be based in Biamp's Hong Kong office and report directly to Kiley Henner, Biamp¹s Technical Support Manager. His responsibilities include providing technical and application support for the full range of Biamp products throughout the entire Asia/Pacific territory.
Commenting on the announcement, Henner said: "The Asia/Pacific region is quickly becoming one of our most important regions. With the addition of Antoine, Biamp will be able to provide a quicker response to our burgeoning customer base throughout the region. Antoine brings a very comprehensive approach to technical and application issues that our customers face on a daily basis. His extensive experience in the audio industry, most recently as a consultant, coupled with his technical and inter-personal skills make Antoine a valuable addition to Biamp and a perfect fit for this exciting new position."
Rouget brings an extensive professional audio design and engineering background to Biamp, including sound reinforcement and system design knowledge as well as engineering experience with live sound and digital mixing applications. Most recently, Rouget worked as a designer for Engineering Harmonics Inc, where he oversaw design, AV tender specification and contract awards for high profile projects ranging from concert halls to stadiums. Prior to that, Rouget held the positions of design engineer and R&D manager for Adamson Systems Engineering Inc.
(Lee Baldock)
UK - With the best quality audio complemented by intuitive precision vinyl emulation, the CDJ-1000MK2 is established as the world's standard CD deck: performance that's evolving with the CDJ-1000MK3. The new deck provides full MP3 compatibility, a Hot Loop feature, 'Jog feeling adjust' and improved presentation of track and Wave data. With refinements to the CDJ-800MK2 also headlined by MP3, the new decks round out a Pioneer CD/DVD DJ range that's fully digital and MP3-ready.
"The CDJ-1000MK2 became the industry standard CD player through input from leading DJs across the world and they've again advised us on the new modifications that will advance digital DJ'ing," says Martin Dockree, sales manager, Pioneer Pro-DJ. "We have evolved the standard with the 'MK3' by improving the presentation of track data, adding features like 'JOG feeling adjust' and including MP3 compatibility. DJs seeking the ultimate sonic performance will use audio files. But with MP3 we've added convenience and immediacy - music is easier to transport and access via a growing number of MP3 download sites such as Djdownload.com and Beatport."
The CDJ-1000MK3 deck offers the same robust build beloved by club owners and DJs, is finished in the familiar high-quality polished look and remains faithful to the layout that has become the accepted format for tabletop CD decks. But the subtle revisions add more intuition, make it easier to transport music, and improve track info: refinements that make cueing, looping, scratching and stretching a track easier than ever, says the comp
Italy - At the Turin 2006 Winter Olympics, KV2 Audio was selected as the key manufacturer for sound reinforcement at Sestriere, host to the Alpine Skiing events, and the company's recently-launched VHD system found itself fulfilling the roles of a sound triathlete.
By day, single stacks of VHD ensured announcements, presentations, and the occasional live act were heard loud and clear by the several thousand athletes and visitors attending the events. By night, a purpose-built nightclub in the Olympic village converted from a cinema specifically for the Olympic events, played host to the second VHD system.
Installed by Tekno Technic of Italy (in a total of four weeks in temperatures regularly dropping below -10°C) and supplied by Audio Sales, this is the first time the system has been used at such a prestigious event in the Italian marketplace, and "a testament to the increasing profile and reputation of KV2 as a premier audio manufacturer" say the company.
So what of the results? The company says: "Within a few minutes of switch-on, there were big smiles all round as the sound penetrated every corner of the assembly square, attracting the interest of some very frustrated shop owners several hundred metres away who claimed they could hear every word."
(Lee Baldock)
Germany - Audio-Technica is introducing its new 3000A Series UHF true diversity wireless systems with Automatic Frequency Scanning functionality, complete with the ATW-T371 handheld transmitter with high quality condenser capsule, being launched at Pro Light & Sound in Frankfurt (29 March - 1 April).
Also being launched at Pro Light & Sound is the ATW-A49SP Active Antenna Splitter Kit. The new re-engineered Unipoint Series of full-line, miniaturized, condenser installation and sound reinforcement microphones, featuring unique Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) shielding, is also being shown, as are the latest sub-miniature AT898 and AT899 lavalier mics, and the AT892 MicroSet headworn mic from the company's Broadcast + Production Series. The new Import Series headphones, introduced into Europe for the first time, includes three professional monitor for engineering and DJ applications.
The new 3000A UHF wireless series is a high performance, professionally specification, mid-budget wireless solution, for AV rental, sound touring, theatre sound, sound installation, and broadcast production applications. The 200 frequency agile system incorporates A-T's Automatic Frequency Scanning technology, as featured on the top of the range 4000 and 5000 wireless systems. AFS greatly enhances operation, automatically searching and setting the best available frequency in the spectrum. Up to 16 simultaneous systems per frequency band are compatible, for a total maximum of 32 simultaneous systems across two bands.
The ATW-49SP Active Antenna Splitter Kit includes two one-input,
UK - Eclectic Breaks and Seltron Components have formed a new partnership. According to spokesman Michael Williams the new company, Ebsel, was developed as a direct reaction to the lack of creativity, practicality and innovation within the marketing, design, promotion, manufacture and distribution of DJ components and products. "When we were designing our acclaimed Pro X Fade analogue crossfader, which took two years to develop, we found any number of manufacturers and component suppliers with what I'd call a decadent approach to important aspects of new products and in particular, a distinct lack of support for existing products and components."
Ebsel will show its Eclectic Breaks Pro-X-Fade analogue crossfader at the Pro Light& Sound exhibition in Frankfurt (29 March - 1 April). Also showing will be the full range of Seltron/Sellmark electromechanical audio components, including the European launch of its new range of low-cost, long life 60mm and 100mm travel motorised faders. Until now, say the company, carbon motorised faders have had a limited lifespan of only 10,000 cycles. However, using a new long-life carbon manufacturing technique, the Seltron/Sellmark range now claims a minimum lifespan of 100,000 cycles.
(Lee Baldock)
Australia / Turkey - ARX Systems, the Australian based manufacturer of Professional Audio Equipment is very pleased to announce the appointment of AVS Global as their new Distributor for Turkey.
ARX's managing director Colin Park said: "The Turkish Audio Industry has always been important to ARX, we're looking forward to working with Osman Celik and his team at AVS Global, one of Turkey's pre-eminent Distributors to further develop the market for ARX's current and future products, especially in the Turkish Installation, Broadcast and Sound Reinforcement sectors which are now growing very strongly".
Along side ARX, AVS Global also represents manufacturers including D.I.S, KV2 AUdio,DiGiCo and Lab Gruppen.
(Lee Baldock)
The Netherlands - Sound Projects have developed the Dreamline, a prefab line array housing. Initially meant for the fixed installation market, but soon also available as a plug-and-play touring system.
Each Dreamline is individually configured by Sound Projects to match the location parameters such as chair plan, the shape of the auditorium and the desired acoustic pressure. This is affected by 12 completely adjustable full-range line source modules, based on the patented Sound Projects' Wave shape transformer. Normally 12 single loudspeaker systems would be necessary. Moreover, each unique Dreamline is self-powered and equipped with multiple Sound Projects' Micro-Amp modules with an integrated speakermanagement system fixed in an optimum pre-set. This combination ensures that the system can be taken down as well as rigged up easily by practically anyone, even with hardly any technical knowhow. Hence the Dreamline is virtually 'idiot proof'.
An additional benefit of the line-array-in-one-box concept is the low weight of around 100kg which makes the Dreamline compliant with most standard theatre rigging points.The probability of errors while (re)installing the Dreamline is reduced to a minimum because the controller circuit and angle parameters of the line array units are matched and fixed. Because of this inner simplicity, the installation time is a fraction of a comparable 'conventional' line-array system consisting of discrete cabinets.
Dreamline will be introduced during ProLight & Sound 2006 at Frankfurt on the Sound Projects Stand, Hall 8 - F38.
(Chris H
UK - Celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2006, the annual JHS Event, to be held over four days this year from 18-21 June inclusive, offers the first opportunity for music dealers and the music press to assess the many new product additions being introduced to the JHS catalogue, the company says.
Dealers and press can also take the opportunity to discuss these items with representatives of the suppliers who will be on site to assist with such queries and information. The JHS Event 2006 will again offer its informal mix of business, including attractive show-only offers, and socialising on this 10th anniversary year. Held at the JHS Garforth head office site, Event is easily accessible at literally two minutes' journey from M1 Junction 47, and already confirmed trade attendance figures are starting to multiply, say JHS.
Product demonstrations and musical entertainment will again feature heavily on the Event schedule, with numerous product demo artists performing in regular slots over the four day duration of the trade-only show. The varied entertainment on offer once again includes the famous and helicopter trips around the surrounding Yorkshire countryside. For further information contact JHS on Tel: +44 (0)113 286 5381.
(Lee Baldock)
Denmark - Nordic Rentals A/S, based in Vejle, Denmark continues to make headway in its market, with two notable recent examples including the provision of full production for the Nordic Music Awards 2005 held at the Copenhagen Forum on 29 October and then for Duran Duran's tour date at Forum Horsens on 8 December 2005.
The Nordic Music Awards took place after the Eurovision Gala, where Nordic Rentals had a sound system already set up at the Copenhagen Forum. It required only minor adjustments from the Eurovision set-up since the event had a similar format. Both were live, televised events with speeches, music and elaborate visuals. The main live reinforcement consisted of eight Y18s per side with six SpekTrix and two SpekTrix Wave's as down-fills. Elsborg used EV XLC's as delay clusters. Nordic Rentals supplied the entire technical production, which featured Coldplay, Shakira and Robbie Williams.
For Duran Duran, Nordic Rentals used 16 Y 18's, with a 16 SpekTrix under-hang. Snake Newton, FOH engineer for Duran Duran, joked: "I could kill myself with this system!" adding: "it's got everything that I miss in the best of the all the other rigs."
(Lee Baldock)
USA - Eastern Acoustic Works is pleased to announce the addition of Bob Muniz to its engineering team.
Muniz joins EAW as senior electrical engineer and is the first hire into the newly announced system electronics design group. The new group will be responsible for the design and development of electronic components for future EAW products.
"As we develop more and more integrated systems, the need for a dedicated amplifier development group has grown," commented EAW's vice-president of engineering, Jeff Rocha. "Bob represents a significant first step in our path to high output, proprietary amplifier designs. We look forward to lots of innovative market-focused products that will result from Bob's contributions."
Muniz brings to EAW over 17 years of design experience in professional audio, working most recently as senior power systems designer at QSC, where he was responsible for a variety of signal processing and power conversion products. Prior to QSC, Muniz worked for Harmon Motive as a design engineer for Infinity branded audio products slated for Chrysler platforms.
"I am honored to join EAW and Loud Technologies during this exciting period of accelerated growth," says Muniz. "The EAW team has earned a great deal of respect in the industry and I look forward to becoming a valuable member of this enterprising and dynamic group here in Whitinsville."
(Chris Henry)
UK - Longney C of E Primary School has solved all their public address problems with the purchase of two RCF Move100 wireless speaker systems and hand held microphones from Stage Electrics.
Peter Andrews PTA member said "Every year we hold a number of events to raise funds for the school and each and every event there was always the hassle over the public address."Back in June, Stage Electrics were on site to demonstrate the Move100 system to the PTA during the School Fete. The school were so impressed with the system that an order was placed with very little discussion.
The powered speakers are light weight and very portable, but the major benefit is wireless operation for both power and audio signals, allowing you to get speech and music where mains is not available. The robust transportation bag provided allows you to hand-carry the cabinet easily and safely, offers storage for accessories and also doubles as rain protection for outdoor use. The cabinet works with an integral long-life 12V battery which can be easily recharged from the mains and, due to the high efficiency of the amplifier, allows users to enjoy complete usage for around 12 hours.
Adam Blaxill at Stage Electrics says: "The school needed a system that offered good quality sound but with the minimum of effort. The Move100 system offers just that. With a weight of just 10kg, staff can carry the speakers out to the field and switch on the radio microphone and the powered speakers happily operate off their own integral battery power."
Andrews says: "We put one speaker b
USA - Cadac Electronics Plc reports that the original Cadac A-Type console that opened with Phantom of the Opera on Broadway in 1988 has become the longest-running console on a Broadway show.
In January 2006, Phantom of the Opera took over from Cats to hold the title of the longest-running show ever on Broadway. The A-Type, supplied and serviced over the years by Masque Sound Inc, has proved itself as the most enduring element within the sound system, requiring no more than regular maintenance to maintain its performance night after night.
Estimates from The Really Useful Group indicate that the show has been seen by more than 80 million people worldwide, bringing in over $3.2 billion in ticket sales. Looking back over the years, Masque Sound's director of technical services, Dennis Short, regards the A-Type as the lynchpin in the show's system: "Phantom has seen lots of different operators, but only one console - which is amazing when you consider the number of performances and other changes the show has been through. The A-Type really hasn't caused us any problems.
We give it a regular service, and on it goes - it would be amazing to try and calculate just how many miles those faders have covered in 18 years! It is fitting that the longest running musical on Broadway should have an A-Type built by Cadac Electronics, one of the Great White Way's seasoned supporters, at the heart of its design."
Phantom's popularity with Broadway audiences appears set to endure, with the show continuing to play to near capacity houses at The Maj
UK - After successfully trialing a NEXO GEO S rig at last summer's huge Pride gay rally in London's Trafalgar Square, Camel Event Production have now purchased a full 12-hang GEO S805/S830 system from dealers, A.C. Lighting, along with a number of NEXO CD12 sub bass units, NEXO NX242 TDcontrollers and Camco Vortex 6 amplifiers. The company will be able to run their new system on a Camco EtherCAI wireless network.
For the York-based technical services company it was an easy decision to make. Their managing director Kevin Wilson said, "I had been aware of the NEXO pedigree for a long time and our first chance to use a system came in front of 17,000 people in Trafalgar Square - with assistance from NEXO's UK distributors Fuzion and A.C. Lighting."
Pride had struggled to achieve even coverage at past festivals, and following complaints about the sound distribution, Camel Event Production had been tasked with the challenge. "It was Peter Sharman, our head of audio, who suggested we audition NEXO - and we were not disappointed," said Wilson. "The system surpassed all our expectations."
The 11-year old company diversified into sound and staging from an original base in lighting. They ran several conventional PA systems in their hire fleet before deciding to step up to line array technology. At last year's PLASA Show in London they managed to narrow their choice down to two. "But Fuzion had been really helpful - and the GEO simply sounded better. Besides, I wanted to be associated with the NEXO brand and GEO heritage." Size and w
UK - Stage Electrics reports their first year as sole UK distributor for Dutch company Ice World went like clockwork. After supplying lighting, generators and PA systems for rinks for a number of years, the company had the knowledge to make the next step in this ever-increasing market.
The company provided the ice and infrastructure, including lighting and PA equipment for venues ranging from shopping malls to parks across the UK including Gloucester, Hampstead and Windsor. A more unusual location for one of the rinks was on the roof of a shopping centre in Victoria which posed some interesting challenges including pumping the cooling fluid up two storeys through a pipe run of 30m.
Stage Electrics worked closely with clients and partner company Aggreko and reports that there was no single day's skating lost due to equipment failure and all rinks opened on time. Using a highly efficient aluminium heat transfer system, the company reports up to a 20% saving in fuel costs from the traditional EPDM method.
The last winter rink supplied by Stage Electrics will be closed on February 20th 2006 leaving 30,000 litres of cooling fluid and 2,500 pairs of skates on the shelf till next winter. Andy Loveday Project Manager from Stage Electrics reports however that it is possible to supply an ice rink all throughout the year, even during warm weather.
(Chris Henry)
USA - Allen & Heath's American distributor, American Music & Sound, chose therecent NAMM show in California to announce the winner of their 'Great UK Giveaway' competition.
Unprecedented for a pro audio promotional campaign, the coveted grand prize was a brand new Mini Cooper, awarded for U.S. sales of Allen & Heath's ML Series of VCA mixing consoles - the ML3000, ML4000, and ML5000.
The lucky winner was Dave Kenagy of Hoffman Music, Spokane, WA, who exclaimed:"The ML Series consoles have incredible sound and offer tremendous value. It has been a pleasure to be responsible for so many successful installs; and WOW, I can't believe it, a Mini Cooper! Thanks Allen & Heath!"
Second place went to Tim Huff of Entertainment Arts, who was presented with an Allen & Heath MixWizard3 16:2, whilst third and fourth place winners - Paul Simms from AMtech Pro Audio, and Kent Laabs from Soundworks Systems - received Allen & Heath leather jackets.
(Chris Henry)
UK - The Hammersmith Palais maintains its status as London's flagship live venue as The Shockwaves NME Awards return for the fourth consecutive year.
2006 sees the ceremonies technical production growing further in ambition, combining complex requirements from TV and bands to live audience. The TV show, produced by Remedy, is recorded live, and after the show has been recorded, the team have just an hour and a half to turn raw footage into a fully-realised TV programme, ready to air.
Nine cameras inside the Palais feed directly into three generator powered broadcast trucks, provided by Fleetwood Mobiles. A stunning homage to 60's science fiction and B-Movies, constructed by GTMS Event Solutions, will transform The Palais' main stage, themed as 'attack of the monsters of rock' and featuring Ian Brown, the recipient of this year's 'God-like Genius' Award'.
A ground bar will become the award stage from which Channel 4's Russell Brand and a host of celebrity guests will present the awards and 2 acoustic performances. The bar will also be converted into a pseudo-spaceship console, while theatrical drapes cover the entire main stage, opening and closing in dramatic fashion for the various band' performances.
Paul Crane from Cane Green will be rigging the show, while Darryl Noad from Siyan is organising lighting, with 150 lamps, 183 case strobes and a host of LED based equipment creating a distinctively glamorous ambience. A stage pixel line sits behind the presenter, while on the main stage the backdrop will comprise of star cloth and LED-based, transparent