UK - Northampton-based sound and lighting installer Fabtronic has completed an extensive and flexible ElectroVoice sound system installation in the Barratts Club in Northampton, where a large sports bar and snooker hall have been created out of a former shoe factory.
Barratts' owners, the MacManus Group briefed Fabtronic designers to come up with a sound system that would fit in and around the multiple plasma TV screens that form the core identity of the sports bar. The objective was to have six discrete audio zones, allowing different sports to be shown in different areas of the bar.
Using Electro-Voice's EViD compact loudspeakers, Fabtronic has provided a system that is capable of far more than just background music replay. Powered and processed by Electro-Voice, with 8x 12.1 subwoofers in support, the EViDs are powerful enough to handle live bands, DJs and karaoke entertainment when required.
(Jim Evans)
The Netherlands - In Holland, the Dutch police have adopted Marantz Professional's PMD660 Compact Digital Recorder to handle the critical job of recording interviews in interrogation rooms in police stations around the country.
17 of the PMD660 field recorders have been supplied so far by Niehoff High Tech Sound & Light, chosen by the Police because of three primary factors. The PMD660 offers exceptional recording time, three hours of mono recording on a 1GB card, but, by switching between different presets, over 17 hours of stereo MP3 and almost 36 hours of monaural MP3 audio is available. The unit will operate for up to four hours on four standard AA batteries. Due to its solid-state design, the unit has virtually no moving parts is therefore dramatically more reliable than cassette, DAT, or other tape/disc formats.
And it is simple to use. According to a police spokesman, "our experiences are very positive. The recorder is very user friendly, and this is necessary when many different people work with it. Even people who are not technical can instantly start to work with the PMD660."
(Lee Baldock)
UK - It is becoming increasingly common to find live CDs on sale at venues minutes after the band leaves stage, and FX Rentals has acted as technical consultants to the first British company offering this service, Live Here Now.
FX's technical manager Adam Pope worked closely with the live to CD company at its inception, recommending that the best way for Live Here Now to proceed would be to source a soundproofed, air conditioned truck into which duplication equipment could then be installed.
After further research, and to supply the required CD output, Pope also advised Live Here Now to invest in 50 seven-bay Magellen CD duplicators, together with a total of 14 Tascam CDRW750 and HHB CDR830+ single CD-R burners for creating master CDs, plus outboard equipment including limiters and compressors. Working in partnership with Will Shapland Mobiles, a Live Here Now engineer mixes the audience mics and live material coming off stage before the masters are burned.
"After our recommendations had been made, Live Here Now wanted technical backup, primarily during installation of the equipment, and within their start-up period," says Pope. "FX was very involved in how all this would be put together logistically. It's a simple concept, but making the whole process happen quickly and efficiently took a bit of working out."
Live Here Now's technology means that within five minutes of the band coming off stage, CDs are available at points of sale around the venue, with up to 500 being sold within half an hour. "We're now looking to increase the num
UK - Specialising in event production within London's listed Unique Venues of London heritage sites, Wise Productions has become a leading player in this sector of the industry.
Coupled with Camco amplification, Nexo PS8's and PS10's - all supplied through Fuzion plc - have become David Wise's frontline solution for the high-end corporate market in venues like the British, Natural History, Science and Victoria & Albert Museums as well as Kensington and Hampton Court Palace.
"The control systems are pre-rigged off site because we generally only get 60 minutes set up time," says Wise, who started his company in 1992.
Most of the company's work is speech reinforcement, for which the PS series is ideal he says. "We tend to run these at low volume, and where there's a bit of punch needed we reinforce this with the LS500 subs. These are also great when we are doing Awards stings and require music inserts."
One recent event at which the PS8's were put through their paces was for the David Attenborough Studio Presentation, in front of an audience of 160 people in the Natural History Museum's Central Hall. As the capacity of the Hall is much greater than this, Wise Productions had to redesign the set up, deploying PS8's for infill and front fills.
Aside from this Wise Productions is currently working on developing a wireless lectern, for use inspecific venues, and will shortly invest in a compact Nexo GEO-S line array system - for a specific event - which will give improved sightlines and dispersion as well as further minimising rig
UK - Soundcraft reports strong worldwide sales over the past year for its GB4 and GB8 mixing consoles.
In Ireland, Redhouse's Vinnie Higgins has taken delivery of a 24-channel GB4, while over in Kilkenny Ray Brophy has added the same to his sound rig and engineer/producer Paul Gurney has installed a 16-input desk in his Longford sound studios.
On the other side of the world, Jeff Shoesmith at Jands in Australia reports that the GB4 is finding its home in a number of different locations, while inThailand, distributor, Mahajak, reports that a 24-channel GB4 has gone into Driftt Pub in Bangkok, and a similarly-configured desk has been sold to Ban Line Mai Restaurant in Phuket.
In Calgary, Canada, contractors Allstar Show Industries have been responsible for sales of GB4's and GB8's into tour sound companies, as well as equipping a live music venue in Calgary and the campus bar at SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Student Association).
Back in Europe, Spanish distributors, Earpro SA, have supplied the Gomez & Barazal Prosoda orchestra of Ourense with two GB8's and a GB4, a GB4 to Josmarux (a rental company based in Cangas de Morrazo), the Gran Arabial Hotel in Granada, the Sonomusic Theatre in Manacor and Virtual Hotel theatre in Mallorca.
In Austria, Kain Audio-Technick have recorded many sales, including five GB4's to corporate rental company Wiener Eventtechnik.
Finally, in Iceland ID Electronic reports healthy GB4 trade, recording a high profile sale to the Hotel Nortica in Reykjavic.
(Jim Evans)
UK - A 5.1 surround system comprising ATC SCM Series Professional Monitor Loudspeakers anda wraparound Studer Vista 8 digital audio console have been installed has been installed in Studio One at BBC Television Centre in west London. The facility combines space of over 10,000sq.ft and audience seating for 384 people with technical capability for fast turnaround productions and live programmes such as coverage of national elections, awards ceremonies and charity telethons.
The new multichannel monitoring system uses a mix of large and small active 3-way monitors from the SCM Series. Left and right speakers are SCM 150ASL Pro monitors, using 15" super-linear bass drivers to give extended bass, headroom and dynamic range. The centre channel is an ATC SCM100ASL with soft dome mid-range driver and 12" bass driver. ATC SCM50s are used for the rear channel speakers.
The 72-fader Studer Vista 8 digital audio console is able to manage 194 mic inputs, and a total of 580 analogue and digital inputs. Integral to the DSP core of the mixer is an extensive routing matrix, which reduces the need for an outboard patch bay or front-end router. This matrix can be used as the audio distribution backbone - any signal, inputs, direct outs, insert sends and bus outs may be routed in any combination to any console channel, insert return or physical output of the Vista 8 system.
A 12-fader Studer OnAir 3000 digital console has also been installed in Studio One, occupying the 'gram-op' position, where it is used for balancing the large variety of playout devices used in a TV g
China - China's third 'Love & Share' Beach Party was recently held at Haibin Beach, Zhuhai, using an Allen & Heath GL3800 multi-purpose live sound mixer and a Xone:62 DJ mixer to manage the numerous musical acts performing during the two-day event.
The party - a highlight of the National 'Golden Week' Holiday - was organized by the Zhuhai Tourism Administration, the Xiangzhou District Government, and the Zhuhai Broadcasting Station. The event attracted more than 20,000 visitors, who had come to see bands and DJs from Beijing, Tibet, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, Australia, and USA perform a range of musical styles from rock to hip-hop.
Allen & Heath's Chinese distributor, Eastern Acoustic Development Ltd (EAD), provided the sound equipment for the event, selecting a 32-channel GL3800 for the bands, and an industry-standard Xone:62 mixer for the DJs.
"The 'Love & Share' beach party has become one of the most impressive music events in the country, displaying a diverse range of cultures on its stages," says EAD's director, YK Cheung. "We selected Allen & Heath mixers for the project because we knew they would provide excellent sound quality, satisfy all the riders, and easy for the bands' engineers to operate."
(Lee Baldock)
UK - HSL supplied lighting and sound for all main performance areas at the Isle of Wight's Bestival festival. The event, produced by Loud Music, was enjoyed by over 25,000 people across three days of music. This is the second year that Lancashire-based HSL has supplied Bestival. In addition to the main stage, HSL provided lighting and sound for the Big Top, the Bollywood Bar, The Hidden Disco and the JD Lounge. It was co-ordinated for HSL by Mike Oates and followed hot on the heels of HSL supplying the majority of the sound and all the lighting production to Creamfields 2005.
The HSL site crew consisted of 15 lighting and sound technicians, crew chiefed by Ian Stevens. The event was production and site managed by Lee Charteris and Jo MacKay for Loud Music. Bestival 2005 was headlined by Magic Numbers, Mylo, Royksopp, Soulwax, Howard Marks and the Super Furry Animals.
"The 15m wide Orbit main stage was extremely tight for space", said HSL, "so every inch had to be used thoughtfully and integrally by the lighting design which was created by Steven Abbiss".
The moving lights were 14 Robe ColorSpot 1200 ATs and 12 ColorWash 1200 ATs, and these formed the workhorses of the rig, which also featured 10 Martin Atomic strobes, six Molefeys and an assortment of Pars.
For control, HSL offered any visiting lighting designers the options of an Avolites Pearl 2004 or a Hog II, set up so all the lights could be swapped between both desks. It was a challenging site to work, with a difficult terrain and steeply downhill get-in.
FOH sound was babysat by M
Worldwide - Yamaha Commercial Audio reports that sales of its new M7CL digital mixing desk - launched to a worldwide audience at the PLASA Show in London last month - have significantly exceeded their own "ambitious" expectations.
"We've been astonished and delighted," said Nick Cook, recently appointed general manager for Commercial Audio in the UK. "The level of interest in the M7CL has exceeded all our expectations. In the UK alone we've already sold over 40 units since PLASA, which must be something of a record."
Not only in the UK have sales exceeded all expectations, worldwide, over 250 sales have been made since the PLASA Show.
The new desk with its Centralogic interface is simplicity itself to use and is likely to appeal even to those purists who remain wedded to analogue desks. Chris Headlam of Orbital Sound is in no doubt of the desk's potential. "The M7CL is so clean and simple in it's approach. There is a whole section of the industry that feels intimidated by digital desks - those people will suddenly find with the M7CL that it's actually easier to use than its analogue counterparts. We see great potential for use throughout multi-performance venues, conference and theatre touring - it's a great sounding product that's a joy to mix with," said Headlam.
Derek Blair of Edinburgh-based The Warehouse commented on the M7CL: "The main attraction for us at Warehouse is the plug-and-play aspect of the desk; plug in mic, select channel, push up fader and you're away. That ease of use is the most important featu
UK - Staging, lighting and sound company Stagecraft has reported a record Summer for its Hire Department. Based in Salisbury, the hire team from Stagecraft has travelled throughout the country, with hire projects in Edinburgh, Reading, Southampton, Winchester and Windsor.
"We have been delighted to work with so many festivals, concerts and parties this Summer and are hoping to build on this success in 2006," says technical director Mike Naish. "Not only have we been involved in short hire projects this year, but also long-running events such as the Edinburgh Festival and locally at the Salisbury Festival. Some of our staging even made its TV debut on the set of Channel 5 programme, The Farm, and we have thoroughly enjoyed working on such a variety of different projects."
One of the largest projects for the company this Summer has been its work with travelling Festival Hildegard, which visited three cathedrals including Norwich, Salisbury and St David's in Wales and the famous St John's concert venue in Smith's Square, London. Stagecraft supplied lighting equipment for the festivals including ETC Source Four Profiles and Pars, DMX Strobes, Par 36 8 Lite, Par 16, Avolites Dimming, Zero 88 Control Desk and rigging.
Other work this year has included: lighting, staging and sound for the Salisbury Festival, supply of the Arc Roof for the Lulworth Blues Festival and the Southampton Mela Festival for Art Asia, staging for events in Reading, Winchester, Southampton and Windsor, trussing and lighting for the Edinburgh Festival and lighti
UK - Allen & Heath's flagship ML5000 VCA live sound console has been installed in London's Marquee Club. The 48-channel mixer handles all the FOH and monitor duties for the bands that appear in the Club's busy event schedule.
One of London's legendary live music venues, the Marquee Club has historically hosted The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Small Faces, Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix, and the new 900-capacity venue continues to attract cutting edge acts, which recently included Dirty Vegas, Ash, The Bees, The Others, Brand New Heavies, Art Brut, The Magic Numbers, Dogs, Mylo, and The Ordinary Boys.
The ML was selected by Terminal Studios, which manages all of Marquee's audio equipment. "We originally specified the Marquee's audio system 18 months ago when the club moved from its Islington home back to its roots in Soho," comments Terminal's MD, Charlie Barrett. "We recently decided to upgrade the sound console as we wanted a fully-featured desk with the sort of facilities engineers would expect in a venue of the Marquee's calibre. The mixer needed to have plenty of sends and inserts, as monitors are usually operated from FOH. The ML5000 fulfils these requirements, and the price made financial sense."
The Club's house PA also comprises a Turbosound FOH speaker system, with HK Audio monitor wedges, and QSC amplifiers.
(Lee Baldock)
The Netherlands - Midas Consoles Holland has supplied a Midas Heritage H-1000 48 TP to the Amsterdam RAI Centre, where it will be used mainly in the complex's Auditorium/Theatre which was recently refurbished, including the installation of a new audio system. .
The RAI has become one of the busiest exhibition, conference centres and venues in the world since it opened in 1961. The decision to purchase a large-frame Midas console for its new showcase auditorium was taken following the earlier purchase of a Verona V400 as well as several Venice consoles.
"The RAI decided to go with the Midas brand because of its market acceptance, reliability and sonic performance," says Midas Consoles Holland's Axel Nagtegaal.
Previously used as the country's largest conference facility, the Auditorium now doubles up in the evening to become a theatrical venue. It has already hosted a variety of musicals including The Who's Tommy, as well as a ballet, rock and orchestral events.
The Verona takes up residence in the smaller, 400-capacity auditorium which caters mainly for corporate events and small concerts. Like the larger room, this has also undergone a total refurbishment and technical update.
(Jim Evans)
UK - Clockaudio, the Hampshire-based microphone specialist and ancillary equipment manufacturer has increased its world-wide network of distributors, having signed new distribution agreements with Bose India for India and with VTI Marketing for The Middle East. These developments follow on from Clockaudio's recent signing of distribution agreements for Sweden (Electrosound), Portugal (ABC), Germany (Pro Audio-Technik) and The Netherlands (Tau AVLP).
Clockaudio sales and marketing manager Rod Geary says: "We are delighted to have confirmed these new appointments, continuing to strengthen our global brand awareness and market position within the industry.
"India has the potential to be a major market area for us - there is so much development happening in PA installation, the conference market and in AV integration generally," continues Geary. "We will be working closely with Arun Kumar and his team from Bose Professional Systems Division, represented through their network of regional offices and retail outlets throughout the country."
VTI Marketing, headed by Richard Maunder, covers Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. "Clock Audio's line of professional microphones is a positive addition to our extensive portfolio, it certainly compliments our other products and is ideal for the high end AV contractor market in the Middle East," comments Maunder.
(Lee Baldock)
Denmark - DPA Microphones continues to broaden its network of European distributors with the appointment of representatives in Slovakia and Hungary.
G-Tec Professional was established in Slovakia in 2003 by Martin Gustafik, who has wide experience of working in the audio industry. The company specialises in the broadcast, theatrical and rental markets.
Gustafik comments, "Although our company is still not large, after just two years of operation we are distributing internationally-renowned brands, our network of customers is growing, turnover is increasing all the time, and the G-Tec Professional name is acknowledged and respected by much older competitors in the local market."
Bluesound in Budapest has been appointed as the new DPA distributor for Hungary. Founded early last year, Bluesound brings a range of high-end pro audio brands to the country. DPA joins Sadie, SSL, Midas, Klark Teknik, Drawmer, TC Electronic and Dynaudio Acoustics in the company's product portfolio.
"All of our staff have previously worked in the pro audio business, have a good approach to the market and are definitely not the 'box shifting' type," says Peter Csillag, DPA's product manager at Bluesound. "Also, as a former employee of Brüel & Kjaer, I have the advantage of 13 years' experience of working with DPA Microphones."
Adds Craig Parrish, sales and marketing manager at DPA Microphones, "With the increased economic expansion in Eastern Europe, DPA is joining with strong, capable partners to further develop our presence in these markets."
UK - A.C. Lighting's Audio division has been appointed as the exclusive UK dealer for Kling & Freitag sound systems. Kling & Freitag are one of Europe's leading manufacturers of high end loudspeaker systems for the professional sound reinforcement market, producing an extensive range of system solutions for PA, touring and permanent installations.
Under the new deal, A.C. Lighting will be working closely with VME, the manufacturer's UK importer and distributor. VME, based in Cheshire, have the largest hire stock of Kling & Freitag products in Europe, and are the service and technical team for K&F in the UK.
After various demo's and following a recent install, A.C Audio sales manager Peter Butler commented: "The K & F range fits very neatly into our current portfolio and the quality is outstanding."
Jon Sugden, VME business manager commented: "A.C. Lighting is the company we have been looking for. Their team of Audio Specialists have the right attitude to promote the range of Kling & Freitag products. We have been working closely with A.C. Lighting recently, supporting demonstrations of the products and offering technical advice."
Kling & Freitag products will only ever be available through a handful of carefully selected dealers worldwide said VME company director Dion Davie, despite the constantly increasing demand. Thus ensuring the product integrity, price, performance and backup service expected with this high quality brand.
Since being appointed, A.C. Lighting has sold its first K&F sound system to the Burnley Mechanics - the town's
Croatia - Jazz/fusion outfit Yellowjackets performed a live two-hour concert on Radio Zagreb recently to wide critical acclaim. For the event, they used a system supplied by Croatian sound company Mr. Pink.
The sound team led by Mr. Pink's MD, Zoran Hügl, employed a mixture of Dynacord, EV and Klark Teknik components, the centrepiece of which was a Dynacord Cobra-2 rig.
The group, which comprises bass player Jimmy Haslip, saxophonist Bob Mintzer, keyboard player Russell Ferrante and new drummer Marcus Baylor, emerged in 1977 in the course of sessions for a Robben Ford album. Since, they have released over twenty albums. They are presently on an extended European tour.
(Jim Evans)
UK - Vieta Pro loudspeakers have been chosen for the Harbour Bar in Portrush, Northern Ireland, a venue which has one of the best panoramic views in Europe. The installation was carried out by Light & Sound FX of Coleraine, NI.
The Harbour Bay has been extensively refurbished by owners George and Jane McAlpine, who operate two other outlets - the Ramore wine bar and Coast Italiano - which share the stunning location. Now the Harbour Bar also presents live music and AV programming in its lounge-bar environment. Owner George McAlpine had a clear idea of what he wanted from his investment in new sound and vision equipment, says installer Darren Gardiner, owner of Light & Sound FX.
"George wanted to create a sophisticated, but cool atmosphere, with a lot of emphasis on the look and style of all the fittings in the venue. He particularly did not want standard ugly boxes randomly hanging off the wall in multiples. He was most insistent that the system had to produce a very warm lush sound, particularly at low levels, as the venue would be in fairly constant operation."
Working closely with Vieta distributors KV2 Audio, Darren Gardiner specified a combination of Vieta's DO-5 full-range cabinets and KV2's EX speakers, discreetly positioned.
(Jim Evans)
Europe - An array of new products and technologies is being launched by Bose this autumn during a roadshow that will take place in eight European countries and showcase the new lines to more than 1,000 of the company's ProPartners, authorised dealers, consultants and press from 22 countries. The road show, titled 'Performance by Design' underlines the ability of Bose and its partners to offer totally integrated solutions for engineered sound systems and multi-zone background applications.
Each show will act as the launch pad for a number of new products which either complement existing product ranges such as the Panaray LT loudspeaker family, or are a completely new addition to the Bose range, such as the ControlSpace systems. The latest version of MODELER sound system software and the patented Auditioner playback system will raise the bar in terms of sound system simulation capability.System design and acoustic prediction are now enhanced by the more powerful version of Bose MODELER sound system software, which now runs on the Windows XP operating system, and a redesigned Bose Auditioner playback system. These next generation design tools build on the well-established strength of both MODELER software and the Auditioner system to give system designers an unprecedented ability to create better sound systems that specifically address the needs of the customer. System operation is now considerably easier and quicker, enabling expanded use of the tools by more people for a wider range of large and small projects. The result - better sound quality and intelligibility i
Japan - The recently opened Hyogo Performing Arts Centre features a 2,000 seat Grand Hall for classical, opera and ballet; a Theatre that accommodates 800, a small chamber style Recital Hall seating 400, as well as rehearsal facilities. Motoo Komada of Nagata Acoustics was commissioned to provide the acoustic design and consultation services. The Grand Hall is installed with a d&b audiotechnik C4 system, the Theatre Hall with L'Acoustics, and the Recital Hall again with d&b as a mobile system.
The permanent installed system is powered by ninety-three E-PAC amplifiers, which are all remotely controlled by the d&b Remote network using ROPE C. For special requirements there is also a mobile Q-Series system available to meet the specific requirements of various stage performances that can be used in either a stacked or flown arrangement.
Boris Rehders from d&b's central application support in Germany produced the detailed original EASE model from the architectural plans. He and Ralf Zuleeg optimized the positions and configuration of the loudspeaker systems in the model prior to their installation. "The main auditorium is a beautiful room with a marvellous acoustic for orchestral music, tuning the PA proved relatively easy once the loudspeakers were correctly positioned," says Zuleeg."
(Jim Evans)
Czech Republic - The biggest annual hip-hop festival in Central and Eastern Europe took place for the fourth time in the abandoned section of a former military airport, close to the City of Hradec Kralove in the Czech Republic recently.
With more than 16,000 hip-hop fans attending Hip Hop Kemp 2005, the event became the most successful to date. Although the weather was far from perfect, and heavy rains complicated the preparation for the event, the summer miraculously returned on the first morning and temperatures exceeding 27°C persisted throughout the entire three days. This, coupled with big name line-ups and nine stages serving up non-stop music, resulted in a fantastic overall atmosphere.
Urei took control of the second largest stage - situated in a giant steel concrete military hanger - which saw performances from many of the world's top DJs, MCs and hip-hop bands. Furthermore, the Urei Stage hosted the qualification for the 2005 Czech and Slovak ITF DJ Competition.
The Hip Hop Kemp Festival is becoming the hip hop event of the year in the Czech Republic, with nearly ten European TV stations reporting live at the event this year - including MTV, Viva, Czech TV, Prima, Nova and Ocko.
(Lee Baldock)
UK - Oxford-based Beat Audio has designed, supplied and installed a fully integrated Funktion One audio system throughout the newly refurbished Lemon Grove venue at Exeter University Student's Guild with support from Dave Cole of Blue Box London Ltd. The 800 capacity venue has just undergone a £100,000 technical refit as part of an overall £1 million facelift to the entire student complex.
Beat Audio's Mark Kelly conducted several site visits, designed a system and liaised with Funktion One. At the Guild's request he also helped arrange lighting for the venue, so he introduced Neil Marsh of Hayden Cruickshank's Colour Sound Experiment to advise, design and supply this element of the project.
The main gig is geared towards DJ performance with some live acts. Kelly started at the bass of the matter, with two Funktion One 218 bass bins per side, added to which are two Resolution Four flown full range speakers per side. Both weight issues and aesthetic considerations made him choose the skeletal version cabinets - weighing just 38kg and running passive at the top end.
Amplifiers are the new F1 E-Series manufactured by MC2. There's E45s on the subs and low mids and E25s running the high mids, with passive crossovers inbuilt into the speakers.The Resolution 1 DJ monitors - the first time these have been used as such in the UK - have their own E25 amplifier and are also running passive so they can be run in stereo.
The DJ Box was an interesting area to design explains Kelly. Here Beat Audio specified two Pioneer CDJ1000 Mk II CD dex and Technics 1210 rec
UK - Rees Sound UK, the major Carmarthen based AV hire company, has purchased eight channels of Audio-Technica Artist Elite 5000 Series UHF, true-diversity wireless microphone systems. The systems were purchased, initially, for use on this year's Cancer Research UK's Race For Life sponsored by Tesco.
Taking place in 10 locations across the UK, Rees Sound UK deployed the 5000 Series systems with its 30kW EAW PA system at the charity's events. The systems purchased comprised eight AEW-R5200 true diversity, frequency-agile dual channel receivers, eight AEW-T6100 hypercardioid, dynamic microphone handheld transmitters, eight AEW-T1000 UniPak beltpack transmitters, eight AT899 subminiature, omnidirectional, condenser clip-mics, and eight ATM73A cardioid, condenser headband mics.
Managing director Roger Rees was responsible for the purchase of the A-T systems. He said: "We use a lot of other brands, and they get a bit of a beating when they are out on hire, especially the lapel mics. The build quality, sound and cost of the A-T handheld and lapel mics was very appealing. On top of which, the service that A-T provides is extremely efficient."
The systems will be out on a four month touring production of Aladdin with The Friendship Theatre Group as well as various conference and theatre productions. Rees Sound UK is purchasing more 5000 Series systems at the beginning of next year.
(Lee Baldock)
UK - Renowned touring theatre company, Kneehigh, recently purchased a 24-channel Allen & Heath GL4800 multi-purpose live sound mixer for use on the national tour of their play, Tristan & Yseult.
"The GL4800 was purchased specifically for the Tristan & Yseult production but it is a long term investment for future shows," says sound designer Greg Clarke. "We needed to upgrade our old desk in both quality and capacity, especially as the company relies heavily on live music in performance. We are really happy with the sonic quality of the GL, plus it's a versatile board with all the bells and whistles. It is simply a tremendous desk for the price point, and it's British!"
The play was staged at the National Theatre in London during the spring, and the Company recently embarked on a UK tour including dates at the Bristol Old Vic, Nottingham Playhouse, and Birmingham Rep.
Clarke continues: "It was the GL's 'plenty of everything' approach that attracted me. The EQ is nice, and there are lots of auxes; the input stage is clearly good and the fader quality is excellent - an important consideration in theatre sound when the desk is going to be used on a nightly basis.Having a matrix takes the pressure off the output structure too, whilst MIDI-controllable muting has obvious advantages for this particular performance as the band is made up of multi-instrumentalists."
The FOH system comprises EM Acoustics speakers, BSS processing, with AKG and Sennheiser mics, and playback via an AKAI S6000 and G-Type PC control program. The Co
UK - Peavey recently installed a full front-of-house PA system at North London's legendary biker hangout, the Ace Café. Timed to coincide with the Ace Café's annual reunion, this year's event attracted over 3,000 dedicated bikers from around London, the rest of the UK and Europe. Having been restored to its former glory years of the 50s and 60s, the Ace Café now benefits from a Peavey PA rig comprising two QW2 enclosures, two QW118 subwoofers, Peavey GPS power amps, PV14 compact mixer, PV EQ231 graphic EQ, Audio Link and two Peavey Feedback Ferret effects processors.
(Lee Baldock)