UK - Following a short spell away from the industry, Adrian Mulcahy has joined the sales team at Leisuretec Distribution Ltd. Mulcahy was formerly employed at Marshall Amplification in the role of Artist Liaison, where he was responsible for product endorsements. Prior to this he was worked for MI retailers Music Village, where he gained experience of the extremely competitive retail market.
Nick Spalding MD of Leisuretec Distribution commented on the appointment: "I am delighted that Adrian has joined our sales team as I believe he is very customer-focused, an element that is crucial in our aim to provide high levels of customer service through our 'Pure Distribution' policy'."
Leisuretec Distribution currently offers in excess of 5,000 products from more than 75 manufacturers to trade customers only.
(Ruth Rossington)
UK - The Orkney Islands, off the coast of Scotland, might be considered one of the least likely locations for a high-profile dance club and live music venue - but that is precisely what Neil Stevenson, who runs Groove Records and promotes bands on the island, has established in the capital of Kirkwall.
'Fusion', as he has called it, is literally that. And to serve bands' and DJs' technological interests, Stevenson has enlisted top-quality project management and leading pro audio brands. This, he believes, will give bands the comfort factor should they wish to play a secret gig prior to embarking on a major tour, and obviate the need to carry their own production, other than backline.
He thus turned to LMC Audio's Birmingham branch, whereupon the experienced Mark Bromfield set about putting together a sound and vision spec, based around Martin Audio Blackline loudspeakers and BSS Audio's proprietary Soundweb DSP platform. Neil Stevenson has established a two-room venue in a converted fish-smoking factory - with respective capacities of 600 and 200 on the ground and first floor. Each space will have the capability of staging DJs and bands and, via Soundweb, the sound signal from each zone is routable to either space.
While Fusion has been equipped with a separate mixing desk and outboard rack, specifically for use when bands appear, the LMC-supplied Blackline system will be in use full time. In the three-sectioned main room a pair of Blackline H3/S218s are ground-stacked on either side of the stage, while flown Blackline H2s fire back from the rear of the room an
UK - We're seated in a large sitting room with an impressive mantled fireplace at its centre. Built of massive stone blocks, the room contains small, familiar details. Framed paintings on the walls appear to be in motion; the gargoyles are both terrifying and friendly. Yes, it's the spooky, cosy world of Hogwarts and the 5,000 lucky children surrounding it are in a state of high excitement for the latest Harry Potter story, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, including an appearance by author JK Rowling.
Lighting & Video
Sponsored by Bloomsbury Publishing, and taking place at London's Royal Albert Hall, the event is driven by Clear Channel, as LD Mark Cunniffe explained. "Graham Pullen as executive producer and Katherine Allen from Initial were pivotal to making it work, while Phil Christianson in the production manager's seat did a fantastic job. There were a lot of challenges with what they wanted to do - using smoke for projection screens, for example. We had to do a great deal of groundwork to make it a visual spectacular, and also ensure that it worked simultaneously for TV. Because of the element of cameras - for a live webcast - the lighting had to be integrated into the effects. I just ordered the brightest Barco projectors available from Creative Technology and had them put into Box 19,"- this being the optimum position for the intended projection onto the globe. "However, until we got into the Royal Albert Hall no-one really knew how well it would work. We've got cameras wide open at F2.8, but we've still got to make it look
UK / US - Sennheiser UK has announced a major distribution deal with US manufacturer, Rane Corporation. The Washington State-based company is a renowned innovator of affordable, problem solving, professional audio tools for the live touring, installation and DJ markets - an extensive range of which will be exhibited on Sennheiser's stand at PLASA 2003 (7-10 September), Earls Court, London.
Both companies view the agreement as a significant strategic move that will capitalize on complementary product lines. Sennheiser UK director of marketing, John Steven, comments: "Rane has an ideal product portfolio to fit with Sennheiser UK's existing brands, providing Sennheiser with an opportunity to offer extended systems integration solutions across a range of its customer markets.
"The RPM family of digital signal processors (DSP), coupled with Drag Net software, is a powerful and flexible platform that allows an installer to easily configure the signal path to their particular requirements. The highly respected range of signal processors is excellent quality and the DJ products speak for themselves. Prestigious installations and users around the globe also demonstrate Rane's level of commitment to performance and technical development. We're delighted to be working with a great team and there'll be interesting new products for the live touring market, which we hope to be able to announce at PLASA."
Rane's domestic & international director of sales, Dean Standing, echoes Steven's enthusiasm for the new agreement, adding: "It's a perfect marriage. Ran
France - With the 'Midnight Sun' summer festival tour dates now confirmed, Jamiroquai got into the swing early by playing an unpublicized free concert to race-goers at the legendary Le Mans 24-hour race, on the evening of Saturday 14 June. An audience of 40,000 revelled as Jay Kay and the band gave an unbroken 135 minutes of seriously good entertainment.
The performance was the highlight of an Audi UK-sponsored mini-festival (which lasted considerably longer than their racing car!) with further performances being provided by French and Italian bands throughout the weekend. The event was managed by Indeprod, a live event, video and new media solutions provider, commissioned by Audi UK. The company was assisted by Le Mans-based companies Bebop and Acropolis.
Indeprod's Nigel Dean became France-based, taking on the onerous task of converting a tree-strewn, rubble-covered field into a safe and secure environment for the production. Walls and trees were removed, water supplies and sewerage installed and over 2km of Heras fencing erected.
Paul Gavin of Purple Sheep Lighting filled the role of technical production manager and lighting designer for the supporting rig. With Jamiroquai having a pretty full complement of 94 High End x.Spots and PC Beams, the rig ended up being quite densely packed with the extra equipment used for the various support bands. Jamiroquai resident LD Darragh McAuliffe programmed and operated the Wholehog II for the headline act, while Steve Burton and Paul Gavin operated the support line-up from an Avolites Diamond 3 and a Pearl. Neg Earth p
UK - Skan PA Hire's attention to detail is immediately apparent on a visit to the FOH tower at Glastonbury, where the Reading-based company has provided PA and manpower for the second stage since 1991. Behind the two Midas Heritage consoles and equipment racks lurks a domestic scene equipped with sofa, coffee table stacked with audio magazines and a fully functioning kitchen built into 19" racks.
"We work with more than 60 sound engineers over the three days of the festival, and we only have a small window to make a good impression," says Skan director Chris Fitch. "Little details can make a big difference." Obviously this principle extends beyond domestic appliances to high standards of equipment, staff training and safety.
When Fitch and co-director Abby Llewellyn bought Skan from founder Peter Howard in 1996 (Fitch had worked for the company since leaving university a decade earlier), they focused on maximizing quality in all areas of the business. This included recruiting and training staff, building relationships with freelance sound engineers and systems technicians and updating the inventory.
Fitch and Llewellyn inherited a fairly new Turbosound Floodlight system, but the control equipment was somewhat outdated. "Our first major purchase was a Midas XL200, closely followed by an XL3," adds Fitch. "Since then we seem to have bought a couple of large desks every year."
While the Other Stage at Glastonbury represents one of Skan's biggest annual jobs, the company regularly handles a wide range of events of di
UK - Brighton's Komedia has become one of the most popular venues in the UK for the promotion of new talent in theatre, comedy, cabaret and music. It's also become a leading light on Edinburgh Festival's Fringe in recent years. Its theatre and smaller cabaret space pack in over 500 shows a year, a figure that's set to rise sharply with the completion this summer of a comprehensive re-fit.
The theatre's home for the past five years has been a none-too-elegant former Tesco supermarket building in Gardner Street, in the vibrantly bohemian North Laine district at the heart of Brighton. Inside is a different story, with the upper floor a traditional end-on 200-seat theatre complete with a small bar, and the downstairs room a smaller cabaret, music and comedy space.
Director Tim Hawkins explains: "The theatre's only used around three or four days a week, but that's still quite intensive compared to many. We decided to look at the theatre again, to solve some of the problems such as the bar being a bit poky and make it a more friendly space. We also wanted to have the ability to use the space 363 days a year, and have a space which could be changed between a theatre and a cabaret space quite quickly. The other objectives were to improve our theatre lighting, raise the ceiling to give us more height, and create a bigger movable stage in order to be able to do in-the-round as well as end-on."
The original electrical installation had been carried out by general electricians who, Hawkins adds, "didn't understand our odd requests for having switches all over
USA - Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band, on tour since August 2002, make their final stop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 27 September. Audio Analysts, global tour sound suppliers for the Springsteen tour, recently expanded their JBL VerTec sound system for the stadium leg of the tour, making it the largest VerTec system assembled to date. "We wanted to have plenty of dynamic range, with seamless coverage everywhere," explained Albert Leccese, VP of engineering/touring for Audio Analysts. "We've been extremely happy with the performance of JBL's VerTec ystem."
The stadium-venue system consists of 120 VT4889 speakers and 56 VT4880 subwoofers configured in alternating rows. All are arrayed from the main stage position. No signal-delay towers have typically been required, as Audio Analysts' VerTec sound system design for the Springsteen world tour relies on line-array performance characteristics to provide consistent coverage, even for remote seating areas. Crown MA-Series power amplifiers and BSS digital system controllers provide sound mixer John Cooper withmaximum headroom capabilities and signal control flexibility for the massive sound reinforcement rig.
Since the tour began in August 2002, almost three million tickets have been sold worldwide, with over 1.1 million of those tickets for this summer's stadium tour alone. The current tour includes stops at San Francisco's Pacific Bell Park, Los Angeles' Dodger Stadium, a historic 10-night stop at New Jersey's Giants Stadium, and the first-ever rock concert at Boston's Fenway Park.
(Lee Bald
Germany - London-based Park Avenue Productions collaborated with German sister company Citigate SEA to produce a spectacular live show for the launch of the newly-formed HSH-Nordbank in Hamburg. The event, staged at the city's Colour Line Arena, celebrated the merger of two of North Germany's main financial institutions - Hamburgische Landesbank and LB Kiel.
Whilst the event's logistics were handled by Citigate, it fell to Park Avenue to co-ordinate all the technical and creative aspects of the show, one of the highlights of which, was a dramatic 20-minute aerial display of colour and movement artistically directed by lighting designer Simon Tapping and choreographed by Micha Bergese- well known for his work on the Millennium Dome's Central show.
Park Avenue realized an ambitious immersive environment, which included the tasteful branding of all Colour Line's foyer, public and exterior spaces with the HSH-Nordbank clouds (their corporate ID), and the transformation of the arena into a 4,500-seat space. The guests - HSH-Nordbank's employees and top clients - arrived for dinner and a champagne reception in the foyer areas - completely unaware of what lay in store in the arena! The aerial show was followed by a short press conference and the finale - a full-on Bon Jovi gig!
Lighting & Projection
The team transformed the arena into an intimate space by creating a low-slung 360° projection screen at the top of the bleacher seating. The screen, 10m high and nearly 300m around, was fabricated by Acre Jean. Ross Ashton of projection specialist E/T/C UK came
Japan - Japanese sound company Tokyo Onkyo Tsushin Kenkyusho Ltd (a.k.a. Onken) has taken delivery of a large number of power amplifiers from Lab.gruppen - no less than 132 units of Lab.gruppen's flagship model fP 6400. Each fP 6400 can supply up to 6,400W at a weight of only 10kg (22lbs) per unit, the complete package could produce a total output power of close to 850,000W!
Onken, one of the leading sound providers in Japan, will divide the order between its warehouses in Tokyo and Osaka. The Lab.gruppen fP 6400s will be driving the McCauley Monarc MLA5 line array system that was purchased at the same time. The equipment will be used in varying set-ups, mainly on tours and at large-scale events.
Kiyoshi Yamaki, sales manager of Lab.gruppen's local distributor MTC Japan, said that Onken had always been impressed with the sonic performance of Lab.gruppen amplifiers, adding that the "proven reliability, flexibility and ease of use, even with unstable mains voltages, makes the fP Series the ideal power tool for ever-changing environments."
(Lee Baldock)
UK - Theatre sound specialist Orbital has further underlined its commitment to digital solutions, deploying one of its DiGiCo D5 mixing consoles on the UK tour of Richard Temple's rock and roll musical - Summer Holiday. Directed by Michael Gyngell, with choreography by Tony Award-winning Gillian Gregory, this much-loved British classic is destined for the West End following its Spring/Summer UK tour.
The system, designed by Orbital's Simon Whitehorn specifically to cater for the fast turnaround of provincial touring productions, centred on DiGiCo's mixing console at FOH position. Operated by Gareth Owen, the desk proved to be a highly flexible and robust design tool. Gareth explained: "Digico have really pushed boundaries with the D5 - it's been a pleasure to work with, courtesy of Orbital. There were some challenging moments, but overall the desk provides an extremely flexible platform to operate a complex musical production. It's ideal for a touring production - very lightweight and easy to install. Also the multi-core system is a dream! The fibre optic is very robust having already survived 18 weeks of abuse from local crew!"
With over 100 programmed scenes, the D5 was used to capacity with all but one of its 32 matrix outputs being deployed. In addition, 28 auxiliary outputs, 16 group outputs and four direct outputs were used. Over 100 inputs were channelled through the desk from the orchestra, radio mics on stage, samplers and playback. In addition using the desk's onboard Midi facility, it also controls various sound modules for the band.
UK - When David Azouri opened his first restaurant in Willesden Green specializing in Middle Eastern cuisine, Shish became an immediate and resounding success. The concept is to serve fresh, authentic Middle Eastern dishes in a modern environment, or if drinking rather than eating is the order of the day, there is also a classy cocktail bar where customers can choose from a vast array of original cocktails, accompanied by a selection of mezze dishes. The concept has proved so successful that Azouri has recently opened a second unit in the increasingly trendy area of Hoxton in London, and turned to installation specialist Sound Division to specify and supply the audio system.
Sound Division's audio design team, David Graham and Elliot Patterson, opted for a Crown-powered JBL system based primarily on JBL Control 25AV loudspeakers. "As is the case with so many of our restaurant clients, the keyword here was quality," said David Graham. Mark Evans, operations manager for Shish, agreed. "We were looking for a high quality background music system which would do justice to the kind of World Music we feature here which is crucial to the atmosphere we are trying to create. For the restaurant it was particularly important that the music be both audible and crystal clear without being overpowering, while downstairs in the cocktail bar where we also have provision for a DJ, the system needed to be able to pack a bit more punch."
To that end Sound Division supplied a total of eight JBL Control 25AVs for the restaurant area on the ground floor, with a fur
UK - The Renkus-Heinz PNX102 line array system, launched at Frankfurt ProLight+Sound 2003, made its European debut this month with shows in Hertfordshire and London. The first UK show was a classical concert in aid of charity at Great Nast Hyde House near Hatfield, Hertfordshire, mixed by renowned classical engineer Ian Barfoot.
The concert featured the 50-piece London Sinfonia orchestra and leading European soloist Tasmin Little, and was performed on a 10m by 8m Star Hire demountable stage with audio production by Pearce Hire. The audience area measured some 80m by 80m and the weather was very warm and calm, perfect for this type of show. In control were a Spirit 328 with two expansion modules, Lexicon PCM80 and Yamaha S-REV1 effects and BSS Varicurve EQ. Microphones were a mixture of AKG 451, Oktava 012 and a pair of Schoeps for Tasmin Little, along with a selection of AKG and Shure microphones. Mic'ing was very subtle; the show was designed to be very classical in nature and provide gentle, unobtrusive reinforcement for the natural sound of the orchestra and soloist.
The PA comprised five PNX102/LA mid/high cabinets and two subwoofers per side, all groundstacked as it had been decided to keep the PA as visually discrete as possible. It features Renkus-Heinz's Isophasic Plane Wave Generator design and a two-point flying hardware system.
Barfoot commented: "The sound was warm but very detailed, needed very little EQ and the boxes had no problem in reaching the back of the lawn. It's very smooth, like a large hi-fi, but the incredible aspect is the throw,
UK - Allen & Heath mixers were used during the fourth annual Wakestock festival, which took place last month in North Wales. With an increased capacity of 10,000 visitors and three arenas of top DJs and bands, Wakestock has become Europe's largest wakeboard music event.
VME Ltd supplied all the technical requirements, including Kling & Freitag speakers, lab.gruppen amplifiers, Martin Professional lighting and a cross-section of Allen & Heath's top-end consoles and DJ mixers. The event hosted live band acts such as Wheatus, Inme, Athlete and Mint Royale, and DJs including Norman Jay, John 00 Fleming, Judge Jules and Eddie Halliwell.
Allen & Heath's ML5000 and ML4000 live sound VCA consoles were used for FOH and monitors, while the Xone:62 and Xone:V6 club mixers were supplied for DJ events over the weekend.
(Ruth Rossington)
UK - Advanced systems solutions provider, beyerdynamic GB, is set to present its diverse, yet complementary range of manufactured and distributed products at PLASA. The focus will be towards showcasing integrated application-led solutions for the installation and contracting markets.
In addition to its extensive range of headphones and microphones, beyerdynamic will present a new range of Opus wireless radio microphones - the 300, 500MKII and 800 systems. The new Opus range benefits from an advanced Auto Scan/ACT function, exceptionally wide frequency response and up to 16 channels, which can be operated simultaneously.
As a new addition to beyerdynamic's distribution range, Bittner amplifiers will be showcased from Slovakian manufacturer, Bittner Audio. An expansive range of high specification amplification products which complement beyerdynamic's range of speakers and DSP based management products, Bittner audio amplifiers cater for the most demanding installation applications.
The beyerdynamic stand will also feature a range of reinforcement loudspeakers from Renkus Heinz. Making its UK debut will be the PNX102 Line Array system. Also on stand will be BIAMP's successful digital audio platform AUDIA, which will be showcased along with two new versions AudiaSOLO and AudiaFLEX. AudiaSOLO has been specifically tailored to stand-alone installations, while the advanced flexibility of the card-modular AudiaFLEX gives total networkability through Cobranet. BIAMP's new DSP-based Acoustic echo cancellation (AEC2) cards, logic box, wall mountable controls and the lates
UK - The Bloody Sunday Inquiry into the events which resulted in the loss of 13 civilian lives in Derry on the 30 January 1972, has been one of the most heated and emotive public inquiries of all time. The inquiry, which commenced in Derry in July 1998 and incorporated state-of-the-art virtual reality technology, which won the ICL (Fujitsu Services) Society for Computers and Law IT award in 2001, moved to London in July 2002.
Strabane-based audio consultant, Michael Kielty of MK Audio, who supplied AKG microphones for this inquiry, explained that the most awkward audio problem faced by the inquiry was that some witnesses - as in many courtroom scenarios - were showing a tendency to mutter their answers and statements, in such a way that they were virtually inaudible over the sound reinforcement system. This therefore called for microphones, which were sensitive and clear enough to pick up these quiet words, even when spoken well off axis to the microphone.
The solution was provided via Kielty's contacts at Arbiter and AKG. "AKG's Discreet Acoustics - GN30E with CK47 combination - absolutely did the trick," said Kielty. "In tests we muttered almost inaudibly at 90° across the axis of the microphone from over four feet away, and every syllable came through the speakers loud and clear! This type of clarity and reliability is absolutely essential, not only in an inquiry of this stature, but also in any court of law, where every word of every witness might hold the key to whether someone's guilty or innocent."
(Lee Baldock)
UK - Yamaha has increased its PA speaker line-up with the introduction of six models in the completely new Yamaha E (European) series. Built specifically for the demanding European market, the new E series speakers will be positioned to replace the familiar SE series of American speakers. With their proven rugged carpet finish, high quality Yamaha build standards, steel carry handles and lightweight design, the SE series have become a popular model for the price conscious market. The new E series builds on this success, but now offer Speakon connections and a greater frequency response within the top end.
Peter Peck, marketing manager for music production at Yamaha-Kemble, said: "Ideally matched with our new Yamaha P series power amps or EMX powered mixers, the E series is ideal for applications where high quality sound, yet competitive pricing, are required. The Yamaha Pro Audio line up now has extremely strong products in all categories so we can now offer the market a complete solution."
Yamaha can be found on stand CC40 at PLASA.
(Lee Baldock)
UK - Adam Hall, the UK distributor of US made 'SKB' cases, has recently supplied top UK production duo 'Mint Royale' with an SKB Mini Gig-Rig, Rotoroller and various SKB rack accessories to join 'Mint Royale' on their current international tour.
Mint Royale's Chris Baker approached Adam Hall as an SKB user for many years and specifically wanted SKB cases to complete their live set-up because of superior build quality, weight and strength. The Mini Gig-Rig and Rotoroller is being used to house Chris's mixing console, hard disc and various outboard equipment. Mint Royale have already used their SKB kit at events including Glastonbury, T in the Park and Wakestock and are taking in other events such as Creamfields, V2003 and European Festivals such as Lowlands in Holland and Pukkelpop in Belgium.
(Lee Baldock)
Australia - Pro audio manufacturer ARX Systems has released the new EQ 215 dual channel 2/3rd octave graphic equalizer. Following in the steps of the company's EQ 15, the EQ 215 is suitable for all sound reinforcement, installation and broadcast applications where 1/3rd octave equalization is not required.
Each channel on the satin grey front panel features 15 of ARX's new Extended Resolution long-throw, centre grounding sliders, switchable to either ±15dB or ±6dB, for the ideal combination of high fader resolution and maximum cut and boost. Also, each channel features a Gain Level control with up to +10dB of gain; a Clip LED to indicate circuit overload; a sweepable 20 - 200Hz High Pass Filter, and an In/Out hardwire bypass switch with optional transformer output.
With its state-of-the-art circuitry and ultra-low noise design, the EQ 215 boasts a signal-to-noise of 95dB unweighted, a dynamic range of 120dB and distortion lower than .004% at 100Hz, 1kHz and 10kHz.
(Lee Baldock)
Australia - The School of Audio Engineering (SAE) is set to open a new teaching facility in the world-famous costal resort of Byron Bay, which will incorporate a Solid State Logic SL9000 K Series Superanalogue console in its main studio.
The console, which was featured at this year's European AES exhibition in Amsterdam, was immediately snapped up by the facility for its new AUS$40 million campus, where there are a total of 31 audio and video studios. Currently the only XL to be used for training - and the second to be delivered to an Australian customer - the console has pride of place in the main studio at Byron Bay. Students studying for a full range of courses in sound engineering, including degree programmes, will be able to study the latest recording and mixing techniques on the new console which features Solid State Logic ergonomics.
Tom Misner, founder of SAE, comments: "At SAE, our task is to teach students how to use world standard consoles, so the XL was an obvious choice for our new flagship facility. The fact that this desk represents a major investment is another bonus as it helps SAE maintain its competitive edge by offering students equipment that no other college has."
SAE Byron Bay officially opened on 25 July when 300 industry and government representatives visited the facility for a grand opening party. Among those in attendance was SSL's newly-appointed Australian distributor, RODE, which was responsible for handling the sale and technical installation of the console.
(Ruth Rossington)
Germany / The Netherlands - Telex, the owner of the well-known Electro-Voice loudspeaker brand, has announced that it is taking legal action against companies distributing counterfeit copies of the Electro-Voice Sx300 and Sx100 loudspeakers, anywhere in the world. Already in March this year, Electric Audio, the importer of Electro-Voice product in the Netherlands, gave notice that on the instructions of Telex, it had commenced legal proceedings or issued statements of claim against a number of defendants.
Telex reports that increasing numbers of counterfeit copies of these loudspeakers have been coming onto the market recently, in violation of the company's copyright. The first cases have already been decided in Electro-Voice's favour, the court having decided in each case that the defendants should seek the return of the counterfeit copies from their customers and deliver them to Telex to be destroyed.
The following are among the cases that have already been decided or are pending: Altai B.V. was sued and the court in Arnheim (the Netherlands) decided in favour of the plaintiff company in March 2003; the same court also decided against the company Eigenhuijsen Muziek B.V.; Sky Tronic B.V. accepted an out-of-court settlement to desist from distributing counterfeit copies of the Sx300 and to seek the return from customers of such counterfeit copies as it had already sold. Consequent upon the decision, an auditor has been charged with the task of examining the books of the defendant companies to ascertain from whom the counterfeit copies were obtained and how much
UK - DiGiCo has released software Version 2 for the D5 Live digital mixing system, bringing together a host of user interface improvements and extra features introduced since the system's launch last autumn. The new software, available as a free upgrade to existing D5 Live owners, introduces important facilities including four-console networking, new security modes, more processing options, enhanced snapshots, improved bank layouts and extra monitoring facilities.
With the four-console networking facility, FOH and monitor consoles can share inputs with optional gain-tracking, and can each connect via ethernet to a second redundant 'mirror' console. Used like this, the 'mirror' desks copy all live show control, allowing failsafe recovery with no audio loss. The D5's new security modes prevent accidental changes during a live show, with full up-to-date fail-safe recovery from non-volatile memory.
Additional processing options: 32 insertable processing channels are available with an extra slave card, while six graphic EQs (or three stereo) can be added to on-board FX slots 5 and 6, while a new snapshot self-timing features allows automatic sequencing, and Relative Snapshots allow venue adjustments independently of scene changes. Current or master snapshots can be updated with a single button press, and the facility to Update any other snapshot (Replace) now has a confirm stage.
For monitoring, two solo busses are now available. Each channel or output can choose solo 1 or 2. The Aux Output Solo can assign aux sends to rotaries as well as faders; a monitoring delay
UK - Leeds United Football Club's Elland Road stadium has a new Martin Audio-based public address installation carried out by leading system integrator, Advance Integrated Systems. The company were one of four firms asked to tender to their own design and their submissions where checked for statutory compliance on behalf of the Football Trust by consultants, AMS Acoustics. AIS's managing director Alan Inkster says that the requirement was for an emergency sound system that would comply with BS7827 and the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (The Green Guide). His company were supported by a large product catalogue from Martin Audio, and the expertise of Martin's EASE specialist, Peter Child, who produced data and system verification for all four stands alongside AIS director Stephen McCay.
In total AIS have distributed 25 Blackline F12 (12" + 1") enclosures in the North, South and West stands, with some of the pre-existing enclosures being redeployed for infill duties. To provide the coverage and quality required for the East stand, they also needed some long-throw enclosures - so Martin supplied five AM906 large-format lightweight composite material stadium horns, giving 90° x 60° coverage, and five AM404 stadium horns, with a spread of 40° x 40° - mounted at the front of the stands, with five WTUB (twin 6.5" + three 1" soft dome) boxes as under-balcony fills. Four Blackline H2s (10" + 1", horn-loaded mid/hi pack) for covering the pitch, complete the system design.
All Blackline boxes and WTUB's were weatherproofed for external us
UK - Ampekko continues its investment into the Millbank range with the launch of its own website dedicated exclusively to Millbank's extensive range. Formally owned by US giants Federal Signal, the Millbank brand has lacked dedicated marketing support for a number of years. Having acquired the range in May 2003, Ampekko is determined to re-establish the Millbank brand as one of the strongest brands in the global VA and PA contracting market.
The site goes live in August 2003 and reflects Ampekko's commitment to Millbank. Fully linked to Ampekko's site, it emphasises the complementary nature of the two companies and their product ranges. From the company's industry standard voice evacuation systems - JustiFire and VeriFire - through to its induction loop systems and CM8 ceiling-mounted loudspeakers, the site provides comprehensive information on product and application led systems solutions.
Whilst Millbank provides a high level of expert assistance through its support staff, the site provides some essential, fundamental after sales support. Full brochures and installation guides are available to download as pdf files. These contain wiring diagrams and exploding diagrams of products and spare parts price lists are also available along with helpful warranty details. The newsroom is constantly updated providing up to the minute news on an International basis to keep customers aware of product developments, ground-breaking projects as well as successful implementation of complex systems solutions.
The site is designed to evolve as the company grows and a comprehens