Now here’s an artist looking for a voice - literally. Since the demise of the ‘cock on legs’, Thin Lizzy’s guitarist has been in need of a singer. As a guitarist he stands tall, maybe not a Robert Cray or Mark Knopfler, but nonetheless he does have his own style, and it sells. As Andy Crookston (tour manager), Mark Scrimshaw (lighting designer) and Andy May (house engineer) all confirmed, "he tours year after year, and makes money."

He also produces an album every two years or so, and on tonight’s evidence he certainly has an ear for a melody. And that’s essentially why he needs a voice; for the bluesy part of his repertoire he can get away with his shouty vocals, just another cracked walnut veneer on the guitar of melancholy, but when it comes to Parisian Walkway and the like, he needs a voice that can match all the subtlety and nuance of his beautiful tunes. Thus a Gary Moore show is a concert for six string purists, his tours ply the small theatre and town hall circuit, hence just one 45ft stage truck parked outside (and hence the reason he makes money touring). But with the right larynx he could double his audience. Still, he looks happy enough.

LightingThe rig is supplied by DLD, or rather by LXCO (for the kind of complicated reasons it’s probably best to ask James Dan about). A rare visitor to these pages, the lighting is on first examination singularly conventional. LD Mark Scrimshaw has a simple two-truss rig (TFL pre-rig), about 100 Pars, including ACLs, with eight each of Martin’s MAC 500s and 60

Renkus Heinz’s new PNX Series loudspeakers offer the same high level of system integration and unsurpassed performance as the active powered PN Series, with external System Specific Electronics. The PNX Series consists of 10 compact full-range two-way loudspeaker systems and five Reference Point Arrays (RPAs). They incorporate design breakthroughs such as rotatable Complex Conic horns, TRue Array Principle (TRAP) design and RPA systems integration. The ultra-compact PNX61s, PNX81s and PNX82s provide the studio monitor quality required in many of today's high-end applications. Multi-angle enclosures with 6" or 8" woofers and rotatable Complex Conic horns make it easy to deliver transparent source reproduction from floor monitor positions as well as stand-, wall- or ceiling-mounted locations.

The PNX121 and PNX151 provide the solution when more output or tighter directional control is necessary. The PNX121s features a 12" woofer, 1" high frequency driver and Complex Conic horns. The larger PNX151s have 15" woofers, 2" high frequency drivers and larger Complex Conic horns for even tighter directional control. The PNX Series "plug and play" Reference Point Arrays make it easy to incorporate fully integrated, electro-acoustic PNX loudspeakers clusters into audio system designs for venues where loudspeaker array coverage is required. Each PNX Reference Point Array includes PNX loudspeakers, signal processing, amplification, flying hardware and inter-loudspeaker wiring - all optimized to form a cohesive, perfectly matched system deli

Despite being one of Auckland’s oldest pubs, the Kings Arms Tavern - established in 1870 - is also one of the city’s most popular youth-oriented live venues. The room, which hosts up-and-coming bands during the week, headline acts at weekends and a varied line-up on Sunday afternoons, recently underwent a major upgrade of its house PA system. The new Proel system was sold by Junior Fitz of United Sound Agencies and installed by Proel distributor Jansen Professional Audio & Lighting in just two days, to accommodate the venue’s busy performance schedule.

The venue’s owners had been using a hired system for some years, and were anxious to replace it with a rig that would occupy less of the limited stage space and improve both audience sightlines and sound quality. The new system consists of two Proel TFL212P double 12" full-range speakers with 1.4" compression driver, hung from the ceiling along with four TFL215SP double 15" subwoofers incorporated into the stage rostrum setup. The four stage monitor wedges are TFL12Ps, with a TFL15P wedge as a drum-fill. Jansen has also provided the complete mixing, amplification and signal processing for all speakers and subwoofers. All cables, multicores, stands and racks are supplied by Proel.

The new system has freed up the substantial stage area previously occupied by speaker stacks and improved the view of the stage for patrons at the side of the room. It is also providing a cleaner sound with a marked increase in the sound levels before any sign of distortion. The first main act to play in the

Sennheiser UK has sold the first DAS Audio Compact 1s in the UK to Audio and Corporate Event Management (ACM) Ltd. The corporate event and presentation company has expanded its extensive range of DAS sound systems with the addition of a pair of the very latest Class-D self-powered three-way full-range cabinets. ACM’s high profile corporate client list includes several motor industry dealerships for whom it regularly stages regional launch events for new models, including Vauxhall and Mercedes, as well as premier league football clubs. Director Tony Martin comments: "It’s actually quite a shock to hear such a big sound emanating from a genuinely portable system and we’re expecting to use Compact 1s at many of our forthcoming events - especially as we often need to keep sight-lines free from speaker cabs."

Such is their confidence in DAS Audio products that Tony, along with fellow directors Chris Perry and John Martin, have recently set-up a sister company Pro Club Installations, in partnership with Eclipse Lighting, to install club systems - an area where they have already achieved much success with DAS However, the new Compact 1s are stirring up considerable interest with a broad range of customers. "We’ve had the Compact 1s in our showroom for only a few days and they’re already being seriously considered for a number of applications including clubs, roadshow discos, theatres and bands - all customers who we believe have the budget for more expensive equipment but who are using their ears and have realized that DAS delivers wh

Trantec has appointed Helsinki-based F-Musiikki Oy to handle their award-winning radio mic systems exclusively in Finland. F-Musiikki Oy is the biggest MI/sheet music wholesale/retail company in the Nordic countries. F-Audio is the pro audio division, responsible for the distribution of Trantec and other brands, such as Yamaha (MI and pro audio), Steinway & Sons, Fender, Casio, Manley, DW, Hughes& Kettner, Sabian, Martin and many more. "We first saw Trantec products at last year’s PLASA Show," commented Petri Mäntysalo. "Our product portfolio covered all other areas of pro audio with the exception of radio mics - so now our roster is complete."

Petri says that Trantec IEMs have already found homes amongst the leading performers in Finland, including Children Of Bodom (S4000IEMs) and Tommi Läntinen Band (S5000IEMs). "We are now looking forward to broadening coverage into the theatre and broadcast worlds," he continued. "We will be showing the full UHF line of Trantec products at the forthcoming AV2001 trade show in November, and have already had some inquiries about Trantec’s new S6000 line."

Drawmer has announced an upgraded version of the DC2476 Digital Processor, the product which initiated the company's successful digital Masterflow range. New features include comprehensive up/down sample rate conversion (32kHz to 96kHz) and switchable word clock input/output sample rate selection. Also featured is an absolute stereo output trim (up to 12dB) which is invaluable when output level is required to conform to broadcast regulations. The output trim level is maintained even in 'system bypass' mode in order to prevent accidental level increases during transmission. A tone generator with variable output levels for line-up purposes is also included.

The DC2476 Masterflow Digital Processor is a 24-bit/96K multi-dynamics processor which features Drawmer's acclaimed multi-band digital 'bootstrap' compression, tube saturation and advanced EQ processing suitable for mastering, tracking, in-ear monitoring and further live sound applications.

Leading pro audio distributor Shuttlesound has reported its best ever PLASA Show, with a healthy crop of orders across all product ranges. The single largest order came from Fenwick Mobile Exhibitions (now known as FMX). Specialists in the supply of mobile stages complete with fully engineered sound and lighting systems, FMX already owned the largest X-Array system in the UK. With the PLASA purchase owner Ron MacGillivray has increased his inventory by another two thirds to make a very substantial system comprising 40 cabinets of varying types, 16 P3000 amplifiers and 4 Klark Teknik DN9848 system processors. According to MacGillivray: "We now have a system large enough to cope with outdoor events for several thousand people, of which there are many in this part of the world. We are also looking to increase the capacity of our existing trucks now that we have more equipment available." However, X-Array was not the only product to enjoy sales success at PLASA. Shuttlesound's managing director Paul Barretta noted that in fact all of the new products shown generated high levels of interest: "We had a great response to the new MP7 all-in-one entertainment system from Dynacord and sold several units over the course of the show, and of course the gorgeous-looking new EViD loudspeakers from EV were a real hit with installers I'm pleased to say."

L&SI talked to sound designer Rick Clarke about his choice of automated audio control system for the new West End production of Peggy Sue Got Married.

The production, adapted from the Francis Ford Coppola’s 1986 film, is significantly enhanced by Rick Clarke’s sound design, which sees Level Control Systems’ Matrix 3 audio mixing/processing engine used for the first time in a West End musical. Supplied by Orbital (from UK distributor The Sound Dept), the system features LCS’ VRAS technology - the most recent development in electroacoustic enhancement of architectural spaces.

This consists of an electro-acoustic processing system built around a network of microphones feeding into multi-channel digital reverberators, and out again to loudspeakers. Clarke’s goal at the Shaftesbury Theatre was to take an acoustically ‘dead’ room and make it come alive on a cue-by-cue basis. He says that while system is complex, he has managed to exceed his original ideas: "I’ve always wanted a reverb system that replicates how real reverb works," says Clarke, "i.e. with the room speaking back - and not simply adding reverb sounds into the FOH mix . . . I have some very happy performers who get that oh-so-important confirmation that their voice went out to the room - and has come back. The VRAS adds a whole new dimension to the reverb - a real and emotional quality."

At the Shaftesbury Theatre, the set up comprises three Matrix 3 LX-300 frames - the modular ‘engine’ of the system, complete with plug-in cards - a

Audio-Technica is giving its support to a young up-and-coming band following their triumph in this years York’s Best of the Bands competition. Organized by the performing arts department of the City of York council, the competition attracts support from local, national and international companies, and this is the second year Audio-Technica has joined the list of sponsors. Meniscus, the winning band whose members all attend St. Peters school, managed to see off stiff competition from 11 other acts to claim this year's crown, and walked away with a raft of prizes. Among these was an Audio-Technica voucher to be redeemed at A-T dealer and co-sponsor of the competition, MOR Music of York. Other prizes included studio time, musical instruments and outboard equipment. The band, who also won the event last year under the name of 'The Switch', are; Alex Brandon-Davies on vocals and bass guitar, Charles Strickland-Constable on lead guitar, Tom Wright on bass, Oli Brandon-Davies on keyboards and vocals, Alex McEnaney on percussion and DJ Suspect on the decks.

More accustomed to working with stadium filling superstars, Audio-Technica got involved with the project as part of its commitment to supporting a thriving local music scene. A-T’s Executive assistant, Denise Turner explained "As a company, we are always pleased to hear of initiatives to give encouragement and confidence to young musicians. The York event more than achieves this, and when approached, we were happy to once again offer our help and support."

Entertainment Design magazine has announced that the 2001 Broadway Lighting and Sound Masterclasses, scheduled for 5-9 December in New York City, have been cancelled. In a statement issued on the magazine’s website, the organizers said: "Due to a variety of circumstances, not the least of which is the attack on the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, publisher Jacqueline Tien, editorial director David Barbour, and editor David Johnson have decided that the classes could not be presented with the kind of quality the industry has come to expect from this annual event."

Jacqueline Tien further commented: "This was a difficult decision for us to make, but we feel it is the right decision." She added: "We will now re-channel our energies toward celebrating and supporting our industry and friends at this year's EDDY Awards, in Entertainment Design and Lighting Dimensions magazines and at our LDI show, this November in Orlando."

Lighting designer Jules Fisher, one of the founders of the BLMC, commented: "It saddens me not to be able to present this year’s exciting program to so many eager students and practitioners. I am undaunted . . . we will just make next year’s that much better."

The annual Entertainment Design EDDY Awards, originally scheduled for Friday, December 7 at John Jay Theatre, will continue as planned.

The first Institute Day for several years for the ISCE (Institute of Sound & Communications Engineers) was successfully held at the Watford Moat House Hotel on Friday 5 October. An informative seminar led by Colin Bowman of JFMG on 'VHF/UHF Radio Microphone Technology' preceded the AGM and Council elections. In the evening, a lively dinner brought together many industry friends in a convivial atmosphere, and amongst several presentations was the first ISCE 'Lifetime Achievement Award' presented to Carl Heinlein.

In a move that more than doubles the amount of space available to house its Canadian distribution and operations centre, Middle Atlantic Products has opened its new Ottawa-based headquarters facility. In making the move to the new location, the company increased its available space from 22,000 to 50,000sq.ft, allowing it to maintain more stock on site andaffording more room for its operations staff to better serve their customers.

"The increased storage capacity allows us to ship substantially more product from available stock to our customers throughout Eastern and Central Canada," explains Neil Andison, president of Middle Atlantic Products Canada. "This will significantly cut down the lead time involved in fulfilling an order." The company has not only expanded floor space but height as well, moving from a building with 16ft ceilings to one with 28ft ceilings, further increasing storage capacity. The new facility also features a product showroom in which current and potential customers can view and work firsthand with Middle Atlantic's line of rack enclosure systems and furniture solutions. Middle Atlantic Products Canada is now located at 113 Iber Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K2S 1E7, Canada. Telephone +1 888 766-9770.

Trantec has responded in the best way possible to the request from high-profile rental companies to upgrade its award-winning S5000 synthesized UHF system. The first choice for many leading event-based production houses, the S5000 has taken pride of place in their rental fleets for the last five years. But at this year’s PLASA Show visitors saw how this feedback had been processed in the form of a new S5000 beltpack - programmable from a Palm Pilot.

As Trantec marketing manager Tim Riley told us: "It was only a matter of time before we put the ideas we had been receiving into production. After all, if you don't listen to the people who are going to be using the kit before going into production, how can you expect to sell anything?" The new S5000 beltpack is powered by single AA battery, giving around eight hours of use. Gain, frequency and user name can be programmed via Infra Red sources such as Palm Pilot. Compatible with existing S5000 receivers, the rounded, slimline, chrome-finish design is built for comfort, and to afford protection to the microphone connector

Theatre specialist Stagetec UK Ltd has recently completed the installation of a brand new Nexo sound system at the Orchard theatre in Dartford, complete with Crown amplification and signal processing from Sabine, all supplied by UK distributor Fuzion plc. Stagetec’s managing director Andy Stone explained that the Orchard approached them with a basic specification around which Stagetec could suggest some options. As a result, Stagetec proposed three different systems, which were modelled on the acoustical modelling package EASE to provide an indication of sound pressure levels and coverage, of which two were demo'd on site. After hearing the results of the shoot-out, Orchard's project manager, Bob Clutterham, chief electrician Andy Coleman, and stage manager Lee Edmundson decided to go with the Nexo system.

Stone said: "Apart from the obvious audio quality of the Nexo, one of the factors that swayed the decision was built-in protection that the system offers. The Orchard is a big regional theatre with a huge variety of acts passing through from rock concerts to touring plays and musicals to opera and ballet, and even conferences. With the usual mix of professional and amateur companies, the Orchard staff specifically wanted a system that was very difficult to blow up! As well as delivering high quality audio and being extremely compact, that's exactly what the Nexo offers."

The system comprises eight Nexo PS-15s, two of which are flown to form a central cluster and a further pair are situated either side of the proscenium arch. The remaining pair offers a

Receiving their UK debut at this year’s PLASA show were Proel’s new TFL218SP 2x18" subwoofer and TFL152P 1x15" full-range enclosure. The TFL218SP features twin 18" drivers with 4" voice coils delivering output up to 133dB and a frequency range down to 35Hz. Power handling is 1200W (AES), and the system has a sensitivity of 100dB @ 1W/1m.

The TFLV152P pairs a high quality 4" voice coiled 15" speaker with an HF compression driver fitted with a 3" titanium diaphragm. The TFLV152P has a frequency response of 45Hz-18kHz (+/- 6dB) and will handle 600W (AES). The two-way configuration, bi-amp/full range selectable, produces great bass output, while the compression driver/horn assembly smoothly disperses mid-frequencies over an optimum field.

Ideal used in pairs, the new systems join Proel’s TFLV flying installation series of 18mm birch-ply constructed, epoxy textured paint finished, professional touring enclosures. They feature thick metal grilles for maximum protection, include stand adaptors and are fitted with commercial M10 thread/eyebolts for flying applications.

Crown Audio announces the recent availability of its powerful IQ for Windows software version 5.0. Like the previous IQ for Windows version 4.1, the new software application, which is designed for configuring, controlling and monitoring Crown IQ Systems, is available for free download from the Internet.

Compatible with Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000/Professional and NT 4.+, version 5.0 features a number of enhancements that make it even easier to use. IQ System integrators now have an even greater number of graphical tools with which to design customized work surfaces foroperators, as well as the ability to create direct user controls free of confusing program elements. Fully indexed help screens are available to informatively guide users through system setup, and no programming language experience or training is required to quickly be up and running.