UK - The latest City College Music Convention (CCMC) will take place on Monday 9 June and Tuesday 10 June at The Comedy Store, Deansgate Locks, Manchester. The tenth annual Manchester event consists of a conference during the day and a live showcase for local bands and DJs in the evening. Monday night features Nylon Pylon, Bynatone and Mark Hart's Club Suicide at the Comedy Store, then at the Music Box, a Bentley Rhythm Ace DJ set plus Jon Da Silva and Russell James.
The convention is aimed at musicians, promoters, managers, DJs, producers and anyone aspiring to work in the music industry. The CCMC’s are unique in that they are run by the College’s HND Music & New Media Management students. The purpose of the convention is to give attendees the chance to put questions to panels of music industry professionals, to take part in workshops and masterclasses and the opportunity to network with other young professionals and local industry practitioners.
Panels this year include ‘Advice and Tips for Unsigned Artists’, ‘Legal Panel’ and ‘DJ Masterclass’ on day one and ‘Promoters Forum’, ‘Technology in Music’ and ‘Community Workshop’ on day two. Amongst the many individuals invited every year are 300+ students from the Manchester colleges and universities, the Zion centre, Black Music Academy, Salford University and LIPA. The core target audience is 18-30 year old students studying courses such as Performance Technology, Music Technology, Music & New Media Management and E-Commerce.
(Rut
UK - Long-time Audio-Technica endorsees Placebo are currently in the middle of a world tour supporting the recently released fourth album, ‘Sleeping With Ghosts’, and making use of the company’s Artist Elite series of microphones. Front-of-house engineer Ian Nelson, whose credits include stints behind the desk for The Bluetones, The Sneaker Pimps, Pink and Johnny Marr, explained: "I had heard some really good things about the Artist Elite mics from other engineers, so when I found out that Placebo were A-T endorsees I was pleased that I would get the chance to check them out for myself."
Tests of the Artist Elite mics during production rehearsals at The Depot went well, so well in fact that Nelson chose to place a number of AE microphones alongside more established A-T mics across the stage. "I’ve got AT4050s all over the back line and we’ve moved from AT4054s to AE6100HEs on all the vocals. The 6100s are fantastic - very natural, and are particularly good for Brian, who has a tremendous range and a very unique sound.
"I haven’t had a chance to test the AE2500 yet as that arrived a little late, but I am keen to check it out on Steve’s kick drum during the next set of production rehearsals, maybe for the summer festivals. The reports I have had have all been really positive, and getting a condenser and a dynamic capsule in perfect phase all in one mic body is pretty unique, so I’m really looking forward to playing around with that one."
"I’m hoping it’s as good as all the
UK - Aberdeen University has installed Allen & Heath's new Digital Signal Processing (DSP) audio system, iDR, to manage sound reinforcement in its chapel building. The system uses TCP/IP over Ethernet to connect to the network, enabling the audio system to be managed not only from a central point but remotely from any PC on the network.
University Head of AV, David Walton, chose Creative Light & Sound to install the new system. MD, Charlie Fleet, commented: "Our brief was simple; the University needed a system that offered flexibility of control. The education sector infrequently adopts new technology, so investment needed to be in a system that was at the cutting edge and would remain up to date. Similarly, the education sector contains a majority of non-technical staff, so we also needed a user friendly system that could easily be operated by University members."
"The benefit of the iDR is that it can be approached "hands off" from a non-technical user's point of view. It also provides remote access at various points in the building and offers a profound level of flexibility whereby audio settings in different areas can be automated by programmable patches using iDR System Manager software. For example, during one of the University's assemblies when the chapel is full, it may be necessary for David to increase the amplifiers to full, but distortion is avoided because the microphone volumes are limited as part of a patch. Furthermore, compression and EQ can all be monitored from a central point.
"Aberdeen University's chapel p
The Netherlands - At the forthcoming Cinema Expo (23-26 June, Amsterdam), newly-founded Alcons Audio will make its first appearance with a complete line of cinema loudspeakers and amplifiers. Alcons Audio is a newly formed Dutch company, active in developing and manufacturing professional sound systems for quality-conscious clients in the cinema industry.
The company was set up by Tom Back in October last year, together with the former Stage Accompany R&D team, with a wide experience of transducer, acoustics and system design, as well as DSP and amplifier technology. The new Alcons cinema product range consists of two 3-way front systems, featuring Alcons’ patent-pending ribbon transducer technology; a radically different, but proven way of reproducing mid and high frequencies, resulting in hi-fi sound quality with truly unsurpassed clarity and intelligibility at full digital cinema sound pressure levels. This space-efficient design is made possible by the very slim size of the RBN601, the most powerful ribbon transducer available, say Alcons, with "real90" horizontal dispersion.
The speaker systems are controlled and driven by the ALC controller amps. The built-in Speaker Drive Processing circuit enables all Alcons cinema systems to deliver absolute maximum output with optimum sound quality without any chance of mechanical damage. The Signal Integrity Sensing circuit completely compensates the influence of long speaker cables. Furthermore the line is completed by high-speed vented subsystem and high-power/high-Q surround system.
(Lee Baldock)
UK - British audio and speech technology company, NXT, has announced the launch, by 3M, of a rear projection screen using SoundVu technology. The ‘Vikuiti XRVS-120 extended resolution video screen with sound enhancement, which is part of 3M Optical Systems Division's suite of Vikuiti display enhancement products, was unveiled yesterday at the annual InfoComm exhibition in Florida.
The Vikuiti XRVS-120 is a result of a recently reached in-principle agreement for 3M to exclusively provide SoundVu technology to the professional rear projection screen market. NXT's SoundVu technology turns the projection screen itself into a Distributed Mode Loudspeaker (DML) by using actuators positioned at the 'invisible' edge to vibrate the screen, locking sound and vision as one. NXT's SoundVu technology works without adding depth or size to the unit and, by using the screen, eliminates the need for the external wires and boxy speakers required by conventional audio technology.
Aside from the practical benefits, SoundVu technology produces sound quite differently from conventional loudspeakers. Unlike conventional loudspeakers, SoundVu delivers a much wider audio sweet spot as it disperses frequencies evenly across the panel's bandwidth, thereby avoiding the ‘beaming’ common with conventional speakers. In addition, DML panels suffer much less volume drop-off with distance and deliver a soundfield that interacts more sympathetically with room boundaries. These distinct audio characteristics make NXT's technology ideal for large audiences, as the audio produced by
UK - Thanks to a unique new integrated system soon to be installed as part of a major refurbishment of the Blackwall Tunnel in London, by Tyco Integrated Systems of Cambridge and Tyco Control Systems, motorists will now be able to listen to radio programmes and receive radio messages (RDS) and PA announcements about traffic conditions, incidents or emergencies while in the tunnel.
In an emergency, special radio break-in messages on RDS car radio can provide information or instructions, and the Public Address system makes sure that people hear messages even during an evacuation. CCTV cameras will also allow tunnel operators to monitor traffic throughout the tunnels. The entire system is controlled via a single SCADA integrated control system provided by Tyco Control Systems which links all the facilities together - it can even deliver pre-recorded messages automatically when sensors detect incidents or traffic problems in the tunnels.
"This system is one of the first fully integrated systems of its kind and involved all three of our core groups covering Traffic and Transport, Wireless Solutions and Specialist Communications such as PA," said Phil Ford, MD of Tyco Integrated Systems. The automatic CCTV incident detection system can detect slow or stopped traffic, pedestrians and other traffic hazards in the tunnels, whilst the digital Public Address system allows voice messages to be broadcast to drivers manually, or triggered automatically as a result of incidents (e.g. from the motion detection system) via six separate zones of loudspeakers. In addition
UK - Essex-based sound and light company Xtreme Audio Visual has ordered a new Electro-Voice X-Array rental system, complete with P3000RL Precision Series Remote Amplifiers, and a Midas Venice 320 mixing console, all to be supplied by Shuttlesound.
Xtreme has been building up its rental business, and, last year, invested heavily in expanding its lighting capability. In 2003, it is the turn of the sound department, which already has a healthy client list: the company recently provided audio services for two film launches in Leicester Square, is heavily involved in corporate events and conference work throughout Europe, and regularly supplies systems for dance events. One of their goals for the coming year is to increase their list of music clients, and the purchase of the X-Array is intended to attract more music touring business.
Xtreme's new X-Array system comprises four Xcn and four Xb LF cabinets, with two Xds ground-stacking subs. Craig Wiggins of Xtreme Audio Visual explained that personalities played a big part in securing his order. "The guys at Shuttlesound have been absolutely tremendous. We're not the biggest rental company in the world, and we need to know we've got back-up. They've given us great friendship and a lot of help, and that goes a hell of a long way."
(Lee Baldock)
France - Nexo GEO S cabinets have been installed in the Ice Arena in Valence, near Grenoble in France. As part of an extensive refurbishment programme of the venue, Lyon Audio Equipement has designed and installed a new sound reinforcement system, using a combination of PS8 and GEO S805, driven by Yamaha PC Series amplifiers.
The Ice Arena is used regularly for ice hockey, accommodating an audience of 850 for matches. The auditorium can be re-configured for ice shows, increasing its audience capacity to 1050. Providing coverage for the ice surface itself are eight Nexo PS8 compact full-range cabinets, bi-amplified by the PS8 processor and four Nexo LS400 power amps. For the audience seating, Bernard Maigre of Lyon Audio Equipement has specified two clusters of three GEO S805 tangent array cabinets.
"There is a truss, what you could call a bridge, that runs the length of the arena above the ice," explains Bernard. "We have fixed all the loudspeakers to this bridge, which also carries the lighting. The PS8s are angled downward to the ice surface, and the GEO clusters address the audience seats at the side of the arena. We get a good even sound coverage through the entire arena, averaging 100dB SPL, although we do have to cut the low frequencies just above the ice."
(Lee Baldock)
UK - SCV London has appointed Eamonn McGonagle to the newly created position of UK sales manager for PA and installation products. Julian Blyth, SCV London managing director, says: "As we are continually expanding the PA and installation market side of our business, we needed to find the right person to manage our rapidly increasing portfolio of products. We believe Eamonn fulfils the role perfectly."
McGonagle was previously national sales manager for Celestion Pro Products, and before that he was the marketing manager for Van Dam Cables.
(Lee Baldock)
UK - Music Bank, the London rehearsal facility, has opened two new rooms, nearly doubling its studio space as a result of a major expansion programme. The main event is the opening of the East and West studios, more than 3,500sq.ft of natural light rehearsal space, each studio boasting its own ground-floor load-in, private office and kitchen.
Each room is offered with a Soundcraft 40-channel MH4 mixing console. "The rooms are aimed at four or five piece bands, perhaps a bit more budget-conscious than our current clients," explains Music Bank's Nunu Whiting. "All of us here believe that there's going to be a resurgence in the rock 'n' roll market, so we're getting ready for the new upcoming bands. Music Bank will give them a decent and affordable rehearsal environment, rather than the traditional black room with sticky carpets!"
East and West Studios have been designed by Music Bank's regular design-and-build specialist, Mick Fitzgerald of KFA, and equipped by Crystal Pro Audio. "We've got Soundcraft desks (SM20 and SM24) in the South and North Studios," says Nunu, "and we've always found them to be very acceptable to the professional engineers. We bought one Soundcraft MH4 console which we'll use on rotation between both East and West: we've already discussed terms with Crystal Pro Audio for a second identical MH4."
With a multi-purpose design topology that permits easy configuration for front-of-house, stage monitor, or mixed FOH/monitor duties the multi-purpose live performance console is ideally suited for touring appl
USA - Stanton has announced what it calls ‘a revolution in DJ mixer design’ - SST f(Superior Sound Technology) is found in the latest crop of Stanton mixers including the new SA-5, SMX-401, SMX-301 and RM-22. This technology offers audio quality on a par with professional studio consoles, but at prices working DJs can afford, say Stanton. Features include ultra low-noise circuitry, transparent sound, no channel bleed and superior construction throughout.
SST is the result of a new strategic initiative at Stanton to bring pro audio specs to a more affordable price point, which the company has achieved by utilizing a new team of engineers from broadcast and recording mixer backgrounds - in conjunction with Stanton’s own DJ product managers.
All SST mixers boast a flat frequency response from 20Hz-20kHz +/-1.5dB and a dynamic range better than 110dB (noise and distortion better than 0.015% THD) no bleed-through between phono and line inputs, and superior construction using glass epoxy boards (except SMX-301) and surface mount technology throughout.
Currently, there are four models in the SST-Series. First is the SMX-301, a 3-channel mixer that sports rotary gain and 3-band EQ on each channel, built-in kill switches, balanced Master outputs and more. Stepping up to the SMX-401, users gain a high-quality Penny & Giles crossfader, an onboard FX loop, plus balanced Booth and Master outputs.
For turntablists, Stanton offers the SA-5, a 2-channel scratch mixer built in conjunction with the Allies All-Star Beat Down. For mobile and club DJs, Stanton p
UK - London-based theatre sound specialist Orbital has combined forces with The National Theatre to co-produce their third advanced training course for final year Stage Management and Technical Theatre students wishing to pursue a career in theatre sound.
The importance of sound in theatre continues to grow at a rapid rate, and as audio technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, both Orbital and the NT are concerned that there is a skills shortfall, and that young people entering the industry have little experience of the latest technology.
The course was co-designed by the NT’s head of sound Rob Barnard and Orbital’s Simon Whitehorn as a ‘top-up’ to the very good, but basic training offered at drama schools. 20 candidates were nominated from drama schools nationwide to participate - at no expense to students or schools - in carefully structured classes, which were co-hosted by Orbital and The National’s staff. Building on the success of previous years, the course has gained national status, with students attending from as far afield as the Royal Welsh College of Music and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
The five-day programme covered a wide range of subjects, with the creative and conceptual workshops staged at The National, whilst the in-depth technical and practical sessions were held at Orbital’s headquarters. This year a particular emphasis was given to digital technology, production engineering and sound system design. Whitehorn commented: "The digital day gave us the opportunity to teach hands-o
France - With the small cable size and with no audible electromagnetic interference, the use of Ethernet technology has many advantages in the audio word. It can often enable audio installation in areas where traditional methods would be difficult or impossible. Functioning as Ethernet audio bridges, Digigram’s EtherSound ES8in and EtherSound ES8out offer an easy and affordable way to install and distribute up to 64 channels of high-quality audio using standard Ethernet switches and Cat 5 cabling, and are the first off-the-shelf products to feature Digigram's EtherSound technology.
EtherSound ES8in injects eight analogue balanced audio signals into an EtherSound network, while the EtherSound ES8out extracts eight analogue audio signals out of an EtherSound network. System set-up, control and re-configuration are operated remotely via straightforward PC software, with no specific IT expertise is required.
Applications include synchronous high-quality audio distribution in broadcast facilities; multi-zone audio distribution in fixed installations; and touring and portable PA (broadcast vehicles, touring theatres, live recording set-ups).
Advantages of the system include reduced labour and material costs, aas well as significant cuts in the cost of re-configuration and maintenance. EtherSound ES8in/8out allows for highly flexible audio distribution, going well beyond the possibilities of analogue audio installations and their physically defined signal paths, say Digigram. Both EtherSound ES8in and EtherSound ES8out allow management of GPIO and RS232 for bi-d
USA - Shure has started to ship its new DFR22 audio processor, a powerful and affordable 2-in, 2-out DSP product featuring Shure’s patented automatic digital feedback reduction algorithm (DFR).
Primarily designed for the sound contracting market, the DFR22 also includes modules for equalization, dynamics processing, delay and matrix mixing and is easily configured through a flexible, drag-and-drop Windows software interface. "The DFR22 will give current users of our DFR11EQ and P4800 the best of both products in a new form. It will function as an out-of-the-box, two-channel feedback reducer or as a fully configurable 2 x 2 device with a full complement of software-configurable audio processors," said Bob Rieder, Shure category director of audio processing products. "It also answers the many requests we’ve received for a stereo version of our patented feedback reduction algorithm."
The DFR22 features single-channel and stereo 5-, 10-, and 16-band DFR processing blocks. In addition, the DFR now offers an auto clear mode that removes changes to equalization made by the feedback reducer after a specified period of time. The DFR22 includes both XLR and Phoenix connectors and will appeal to the professional live sound market by functioning as a feedback reducer that does not require a computer for configuration.
(Ruth Rossington)
USA - Cadac Electronics Plc has announced the appointment of two new representatives in the US. On the East Coast, Thomas Bensen has been selected, whilst on the West Coast, the company has appointed GLS Marketing.
Tom Bensen is a familiar face in the pro audio industry, with over 25 years' experience across a wide variety of leading brands. His sound reinforcement expertise and market knowledge will prove invaluable in establishing the Cadac brand and providing further growth. On the other side of the US, GLS Marketing will provide the Cadac representative network with a strong mix of technical skills, plus creative sales and marketing techniques. Headed up by president Greg Hockman with Ron Thomas as general manager, the company was established in 1981 and operates out of Huntington Beach, California, in support of the Southern California, Southern Nevada, Hawaii and Arizona territories.
The launch this year of Cadac's new compact console - the S-Type Live Performance mixing console - is designed to broaden the marque's appeal to a wider audience, and will help to further extend the profile of Cadac in the US.
(Ruth Rossington)
UK - Stage Electrics' Open Days provide customers and suppliers with a forum dedicated to providing hands-on demonstrations of the very latest products. The compay's recent Bristol Open Day was no exception; demonstrations from Strand, Selecon, Rosco, Martin Professional, DHA, Le Maitre, Mackie/EAW, Audio-Technica and Zero 88 offered customers a wide range of interest.
.Visitors got a glimpse into the workings of Stage Electrics' warehouse, with tours supplied by sales and marketing manager Linda Moore, who says: "Stage Electrics Open Days are a great opportunity for suppliers and customers to meet. They have proved highly successful and we are already planning more for later in the year."
Not only were customers provided an insight to the inner workings of Stage Electrics, technical manager Adrian Searle organized a Moving Light Symposium, providing hands-on experience of a whole range of moving lights and lighting desks, including the latest Syncrolites and LED Battens and the MAC 2000 range. The symposium offered technical advice and guidance on the use of moving lights from the company's technical control team and manufacturer Martin Professional.
The Bristol Open Day also presented an ideal opportunity to exhibit its new Arc Roof Stage System - one of the recent additions to its hire stock. The system builds into an 8 x 6m covered stage, satisfying the need for a medium sized staging system that meets all current health and safety standards. The stage has already been booked to be utilized on events ranging from charity music shows to community f
USA - L-Acoustics US has recently appointed its first three independent rep firms, which are now coordinating sales activities for the middle and upper eastern seaboard states, says Paul Freudenberg, L-Acoustics US director of sales and marketing.
DL Henderson Company, based in Maynard, Massachusetts, will handle the manufacturer's northeast New England region consisting of upstate New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
Paul Friedman and his crew at Metro/North Marketing in Edison, New Jersey have been named as L-Acoustics US's rep firm for northern New Jersey and New York City.
Right Track Marketing, based in Kinnelon, New Jersey, and led by principal Steven Savvides, has been called upon to cover the mid-Atlantic territory made up of Virginia, Maryland, southern New Jersey, Delaware and eastern Pennsylvania.
"We're really excited to have these three stellar firms on the L-Acoustics US team," says Freudenberg. "These are the very first organizations in our new rep network, and we look forward to a long and profitable partnership with each of them."
(Lee Baldock)
UK - Marquee Audio have been appointed UK dealers for Teqsas’ new Reco network remote touch system. This allows full control of speaker systems, monitor EQ etc from anywhere in a building. Reco is a wireless remote controller that will run any computer system’s operating software. It has an 8", 800 x 600 touch-sensitive colour screen constructed in a tough rigid housing, which makes it roadworthy.
RECO’s architecture is different from a conventional notebook in that it uses a hard diskless industrial computer platform to run a special embedded Linux OS - this connects to any Windows, Mac or Linux-based computer with standard wireless LAN components. The computer transmits its screen content to Reco and receives back mouse and keyboard commands. There is no software to install on Reco itself - once the driver is installed on the computer, and a wireless LAN connection established, total remote control is possible, including all software installed and OS functions.
Marquee director, Andy Huffer, says this further consolidates the relationship between the two companies, initiated when Texsas developed a cabling system for Yamaha’s PM1D digital desk, for which Marquee is the lead dealer. "This cabling system avoids any contact with the standard Yamaha SCSI connections. Using rigid MIL connectors, together with a specially designed cable, this system ensures the high reliability of the PM1D systems we have supplied out on the road."
The cabling system’s specifications were verified by Yamaha’s R&D in Japan for being
UK - Leading music store chain Academy of Sound, has made a substantial investment in Allen & Heath PA12-CP mixers fresh from the company’s new production line, for resale in its major outlets. The PA12-CP and PA20-CP 1kW powered mixers are the first of the PA Series to be introduced, following their launch last September at the PLASA show.
The two mixers are also the first products to benefit from Allen & Heath's new Constant Power amplifier technology, which gives a full 500W RMS per side into either 4 or 8 ohms. Other key assets include a new padless preamp, internal FX unit, SPDIF output and parametric output EQ. "We are very excited about this addition to the Allen & Heath portfolio," said Mark Hopkin, purchasing manager at Academy of Sound. "The PA12 provides the perfect solution for our customer base, which often has small PA systems for producing live events in locations such as music venues, churches and schools."
"It has a good number of channels, is portable and can be desk- or rack-mounted. However, without a doubt, the USP of this product is the built in constant power functionality, which guarantees continuous sound quality in just about any circumstance. All in all the PA12 provides the perfect balance of professional quality and ease of use."
Allen & Heath also reports that two unpowered mixers from the PA series, the PA 20 and PA28, will be ready for production in July 2003.
(Lee Baldock)
Europe - King Crimson is about to embark on a labyrinthine tour of Europe, embracing such far-flung locations as Moscow, Naples, Warsaw, Montreaux, Prague and Stockholm: "And we’ll be playing a variety of venues, everything from clubs to festivals," says Robert Fripp’s monitor man Graham ‘Blakey’ Blake. That said, the tour presents more challenges for the technical crew than mere routing and venue type.
"We are picking up PA systems locally," Blake explained, "which will be interesting for Greg Dean who’s mixing house. Fortunately for me, we will carry the whole monitor system, Robert has had his own system flown in from the States, and I’ve elected to take a Yamaha PM1D with me for control which is coming from Dick Hayes at Entec."
"There are several reasons for choosing the board, not least the savings in weight and truck space, plus I’m using the on-board graphics, so apart from the desk’s ‘brain’ I’m carrying no outboard racks at all. If nothing else that will save me having to patch everything up every day, plus in those club gigs, where you can end up mixing from behind the bar, or the corridor to the dressing rooms, I wont have to climb over tons of gear to get to work."
Although an experienced PM1D user, this is the first time Blake has made use of the Yamaha’s graphic facility. "But I’m more than confident of using it. I had a PM1D out for the recent S Club 7 tour, where I used all the on-board compressors, gates and reverbs. So lo
Russia - The Cinema Art Hall, located in the Siberian city of Norilsk, is the latest example of the international spread of D.A Audio products. Bossman - the D.A.S. Audio distributor for Russia - was responsible for the project, installing D.A.S. products in this large, multi-purpose venue.
The 700-seat theatre is considered as the main auditorium of this modern facility, which hosts mainly theatrical events and movie screenings. Bossman opted to install two different systems to work independently, depending on the type of function. When used for conferences, theatre or concerts, the equipment used consists of self-powered Compact Systems built into the building structure. The main front-of-house system is comprised of eight Compact 2 Systems (Compact 2 plus Compact 18 Sub) placed four per side. The powered systems simplified the installation needing only signal and AC-power. On stage, monitoring is handled by six ST-32 two-way passive stage monitors and two ST-15s set up in a R/L configuration to provide fills for the wings. Four Compact 1 systems are used in most applications as side-fills. In the control room, reference monitoring is provided by way of two Monitor 6 passive studio monitors.
For movie screenings, Bossman chose the Dynamics series: 24 DS-12 passive two-way systems have been distributed throughout the theatre in a surround configuration for spatial audio effects. Behind the screen, a custom cinema sound system has been installed, built from D.A.S. transducer components.
Besides the multi-purpose theatre, the Cinema Art Hall also has a modern di
Italy - Italian speaker manufacturer Outline has introduced Clarity 11, a high directivity speaker column, designed and built for accurate speech reproduction in environments with high reverberation levels, or where acoustics are critical for speech intelligibility.
In terms of construction, Clarity 11, is characterized by the fact that the loudspeakers are fitted in a special ‘box’ which, as well as using suitable absorption material, also gives the loudspeaker system installed a determinate acoustic resistance, which makes it ideal to deal with the frequency range of speech. This design, for which a patent has been applied for, offers the advantage of giving a continuous gradual attenuation to the system’s frequency response.
Clarity 11 also offers the possibility of adjusting the Q factor in an original, simple and economic manner, by fitting or removing (optional) magnetic straps in order to change the acoustic load at low frequencies in the range reproduced, achieving a certain emphasis when its necessary and acoustic conditions permit.
(Ruth Rossington)
UK - A full lighting rig, motion control system, sound control, monitor system and stage set was supplied to Blur by Middlesex-based Entec Sound & Light, for five incendiary performances at the Astoria in Charing Cross Road, London.
Blur marked their return by showcasing work from their new album ‘Think Tank’. The Astoria dates were essentially a one-off event, but lead singer Damon Albarn wanted a distinct visual feel for the show. His brief to LD Dave Byars was to come up with the essence of Morocco and Devon - warm, inviting, peaceful, positive. From this starting point, Byars designed both lighting and video (the latter supplied by XL Video) and decided to take an ambitiously large rig into the Astoria to realize his ideas - an imaginative gamble that certainly paid off.
The first part of the show saw a false ceiling formed by a drape lacerated by a series of irregular triangular-shaped holes, manufactured by Hangman. This was lit from above, sending dramatic, intense shafts of light firing through to the band below. Six numbers into the set, the roof flew out to reveal a 30ft wide upstage projection screen which carried a combination of footage and effects throughout the remainder of the show.
Byars incorporated a wide variety of fixtures into his rig. Above the roof were 8 Clay Paky Stage Scans and 8 Vari*Lite wash lights, joined by 12 VL2202 Spots around the edge of the drape box truss. On the front truss, Byars used Martin MAC 300s and 600s, Source Four profiles and Molefays with scrollers. On the floor were a further eight MAC 250s, four M
UK - With an increasing number of installers and designers employing Mission’s discreet flat-panel FS2-PRO speaker in a wide range of installations, ranging from churches and corporate AV to shops, bars and restaurants, Mission is now offering the speaker and its matching FS-4P Bass Unit in a choice of colours. Initially only available in silver at the time of their launch last year, versions in black and white have now been added to the low impedance and 100 volt line versions of both products.
The FS2-PRO, which employs NXT’s Surface-Sound technology, provides installers and designers with a stylish and discreet solution for reverberant installations where very wide dispersion, reduced SPL drop-off with distance and good intelligibility are the main criteria. Now, with the added choice of colours, the FS2-PRO can be specified and used in most design critical projects without the need for post-install painting.
(Ruth Rossington)