Marantz Professional has launched the CDR300 - the world’s first CD recording system designed for stand-alone portable recording. The table-top design combines ease of use, typical of traditional analogue recording machines, with the sonic quality, convenience and flexibility of CD-RW multi-session recordings. The CDR300 is ideal for recording live onto blank CD-R (write once) or CDR-RW (rewriteable) discs, using either the internal microphone or external XLR (with 48V phantom power) and 1/4" mic/line inputs for stereo recording. Universal SP/DIF digital inputs and outputs allow direct connection between digital devices (such as DAT, MiniDisc and other CD recorders), while internal speaker and headphone output provide for easy monitoring of input and playback signals.
Switchable automatic record level and limiter features on the CDR300 easily accommodate use in unpredictable recording environments, while programmable recording and playback EQ controls allow optimisation of sound quality without the need for external mixer processing.
(Lee Baldock)
The International Audio Group (IAG) has created a new German operation - IAG (Deutschland) GmbH. IAG, which currently has subsidiaries in the UK, Australia, Hong Kong and America, opened the German facility in order to be able to serve the German pro audio market more efficiently. The office - based in Korschenbroich near Dusseldorf - serves as the headquarters for Wharfedale Professional, Wharfedale Systems, Soundtracs Topaz and Solo brands, as well as hi-fi brands also owned by IAG.
Spearheading the development is sales and marketing director Johnny Kluten, who until last year was in charge of the Professional Division at Taiyo (Ramsa by Panasonic). Kluten commented: "With our newly developed Wharfedale-Pro range, it's great to be able to inject something fresh into the deadlocked pro audio market. We are sure that our value/performance ratio will set new standards over the coming years."
Kluten continues: "The development of the MI business in the last year is now steadily defining a whole new value of product. The feedback to our products this year's Winter NAMM in Los Angeles was stunning, and we are looking forward to an equally breathtaking show in Frankfurt."
(Lee Baldock)
Yamaha's PM1D large-format digital mixing console and the newly introduced DM2000 took top honours at the recent MIPA (Musikmesse International Press Awards) held at this year’s Frankfurt Music Messe.
Over 300 representatives of manufacturers and distributors of musical instruments and pro audio equipment from around the world gathered at the third annual MIPA awards to see honours awarded in over 40 categories. The awards are designed to acknowledge the best products of the previous year and are nominated by editors representing over 50 music and pro audio magazine titles worldwide. The PM1D was awarded first place in the high end mixing desk for top events category beating off competition from the ATI paragon and the Midas Legend whilst the critically acclaimed new DM2000 took top honours in the mixing desk high end section.
(Ruth Rossington)
A 28-box JBL VerTec system, powered by Crown MA Series amplifiers with BSS digital system controllers, was recently supplied by innovative new Norwegian sound company, Audio One, for two major national events. Both took place at the Oslo Spectrum arena and were broadcast on national television. The first was the Melodi Grand Prix (junior version), to choose Norway’s entry to the 2002 Eurovision Song Contest. The second, Spellemannprisen, is the Norwegian equivalent of the Grammy Awards.
Both events were staged by NRK, Norway’s national TV station, within a week of each other.The main audio challenge for these high profile shows was in the stage configuration. The NRK divided the hall in half and placed the stage in one of the corners. With the audience seated on three sides of the stage, from the very front to the highest rows at the rear of the arena, required a horizontal sound coverage of over 180 degrees
.Audio One’s Stuart Morch-Kerrison explains that they chose to use JBL VerTec after being very impressed with it at a previous large show - to honour Norway’s champion athletes. They decided the most efficient way to ensure even sound coverage with the unorthodox venue set up was to use three arrays (A, B and C) of VerTec. A and B, covering the main seating and corner sections, were progressive arrays. C, covering the side seating area, was a constant curved array. Morch-Kerrison and his colleagues used JBL’s VerTec computer simulation programme, the Line Array Calculator, to accurately determine the number of boxes needed to cover the
Celestion's flagship CXi range of sound reinforcement cabinets is increasing in popularity with contractors specifying systems for permanent installation in nightclubs. One of the most impressive recent contracts has been that for the new club Afterlife in Burnley.
The new three-floor multi-venue has been opened in Burnley by Obar Ltd, sited in a former seamen's temple. With a capacity for 1,100 people, Afterlife is one of the largest venues in the region, themed to give clubbers a chance to drink in the Underworld and Judgement Bars before going up to the Heaven nightclub.
Promotion Time, the sound and lighting contractor from Co. Durham, was commissioned to equip the club, and specified Celestion throughout. The three floors of Afterlife each have their own identity: in the basement, a warm dark-red interior called the Underworld Bar features Celestion SR1s supplemented by Substation bass bins. On the ground floor, a similar SR1/Substation combination is used by the Judgement Bar, a totally different interior made up in steel and wood.
The customer quite literally ascends to Heaven, which is on the top floor. Unusually for a nightclub, Heaven has an all-white interior. A Celestion CXi system has been installed around the dancefloor, using four CXi 1221 full-range cabinets and four 118 bass bins. Promotion Time has used MC2 amplification for all three systems; they also specified and installed intelligent lighting systems, controlled by Show Magic, for all the bars.
(Ruth Rossington)
In a theatrical first, specialist AV company Blitz Communications, is supplying the world's smallest radio microphones to the London West End Show The Full Monty. The beltpack transmitters, Sennheiser SK 5012, are the smallest commercially available and are being used for the first time in a theatrical production. During the performance the transmitters are concealed on the bodies of the actors (with the microphones hidden in the hairline). However, in the final scene when the strippers have only their security guards' hats protecting their dignity the transmitters are discreetly placed inside the hats so that the audience can still hear the actors' voices.
Blitz chose the transmitters because of their size and weight - the SK 5012 weighs just 130g (including batteries). The transmitters operate continually for seven hours and a new antenna design provides an RF power output of typically 30mW. Additionally, the all-metal casing provides improved protection against moisture and humidity levels. Blitz also supplied 16 other members of the cast with slightly larger Sennheiser SK50 transmitters.
The company also installed a Cadac J-Type Live production console, which enables users to take original mono inputs alongside programmable dual input and stereo input channels, to get the precise routing and mix required for every cue. Additional equipment from Marquee Audio included Tannoy T40, 3836 and S300 loudspeakers, Meyer 650P subs and control via a substantial quantity of BSS FDS-366 controllers and XTA SIDD controllers.
The Full Monty, which has already been a huge succ
BSS Audio have taken a major leap in the expansion of their acclaimed Soundweb programmable DSP system with the introduction of new matrix switchers, capable of routing multiple video sources to several zones, all controlled within a Soundweb system.
While stand-alone video switchers are used in many systems alongside Soundweb, the integration of the control of the video sources has relied upon custom programming between the two systems’ RS-232 ports. Such systems are typically found in theme bars and restaurants (such as sports or music bars), corporate boardrooms and visitor attractions. The SW9016 8x4 Matrix Switcher features eight broadcast-quality composite video inputs (on BNC connectors), which can accept CBVS or SVideo signals of NTSC or PAL standard. These can be matrixed to four output zones (again on BNC connectors). Alongside the video inputs, 16 balanced audio inputs can be matrixed to eight balanced audio outputs (which can then be fed directly to the local Soundweb 9088 DSP unit), and are programmable entirely independently of the video matrix. This means that zones can be programmed to show a news channel while music is playing in the background. Two SW9016 units may be cascaded to provide an 8x8 matrix.
The SW9016 Video/Audio Matrix Switcher integrates totally with Soundweb Designer’s presets, and connects directly to the serial port of a Soundweb device with no extra programming. Matrix settings are made with Soundweb Designer, and stored within the main system presets. This means that via either the simple 9012 wall panel or the more sophi
A group of exhibition design final year students from the Reinwardt Academie in Amsterdam recently enjoyed an informative visit to the London office of Sarner, audio visual, visitor attraction and design specialists. Frank van Oosterhout, faculty lecturer from the Academie (an institute which specializes in Museum Communication, Management, Registration and Conservation) was so impressed when he visited Sarner’s Lands End tourist centre installation in 1996 that he brought the students to the UK to meet the company behind the project.
Marije Kruize, one of the visiting students, thoroughly enjoyed the experience. She commented: "We’ve all been inspired by Sarner’s individual approach to each project and would love to work for a company like that. The visit has helped us all get an insight into a company that delivers innovation and technology with bags full of passion."
(Ruth Rossington)
Stage Electrics’ business development manager Matt Lloyd has been chosen to take part in The Clipper 2002 Round the World Yacht Race, which covers over 35,000 miles of gruelling ocean racing. It’s an 11-month sabbatical, commencing in October, that will take him to 16 stop-overs around the world. The crew will consist of 14 ‘amateur’ crew members, both men and women, accompanied by one professional skipper.
There are eight yachts competing, each sponsored by an individual city - Liverpool, Bristol, Glasgow, London, Jersey, Hong Kong and Cape Town. The Bristol Clipper which Matt is crewing won the Clipper 2000 Race, so she will be defending her title in this year’s race. David Whitehead, owner of Stage Electrics is fully supportive: "Matt has worked for Stage Electrics for over ten years and this is a fantastic opportunity for him. I am very supportive of the principle of allowing staff to take a sabbatical in order to grow in new directions and gain new experiences."
(Ruth Rossington)
CDAI, a specialty engineering firm focusing on presentation and performing arts technology, has added Matthew Cornwell as an acoustics and testing services specialist. His responsibilities will include acoustics and testing services in support of CDAI's corporate and education clients, as well as their performing arts and multi-purpose audiovisual project designs.
With an avid interest in architectural acoustics, Cornwell has worked in a number of acoustic engineering internships, including Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Akron, Ohio, where he performed acoustic testing and analysis work.
(Ruth Rossington)
Rental company Gearhouse Broadcast has significantly expanded its Sennheiser wireless microphone inventory with an order for 5000 and 3000 Series UHF RF systems, valued at more than £250,000. The rapidly expanding, London headquartered hire company supplies international broadcasters covering major outdoor events such as the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics and the ATP Tennis Masters Series, as well as studio-based production series for leading UK broadcast companies.
The new order adds to Gearhouse Broadcast’s already considerable stock of Sennheiser wireless equipment and comprises SK 5012 ultra-miniature and SK 3063 miniature belt pack transmitters, SKM 5000 handheld transmitters, plus 8-channel and 3-channel EM 1046 modular receiver rack systems. New to Gearhouse Broadcast’s stock is the Sennheiser SK 5012-U, the ‘world’s smallest belt pack transmitter’ and the latest addition to Sennheiser’s 5000 Series of professional wireless systems.
(Lee Baldock)
Northampton-based SA Sound Services, in partnership with Adrian Humphris at Oak Audio Visual, has recently completed a significant AV installation for Tearfund, a UK-based Christian charity providing aid and relief to many of the world's poorest and dispossessed. At the core of the installation are a number of ElectroVoice Xi loudspeakers.
The installation was part of a complete refurbishment of the facilities at Tearfund's four-storey Teddington headquarters. According to Tearfund's facilities manager Mike Webb it was important that the system be powerful, versatile and discreet as the room is used for a variety of applications, including live music. SA Sound Services' Steve Ashley explained why he opted for EV Xi 1082s, which are designed as under-balcony fills. "Given that the system had to handle more than just speech reinforcement, I was looking for a professional speaker that would both look and sound good, but would be discreet enough for a corporate environment," he said. "Duncan Marlow from Phoenix Sound Works in Northampton suggested (and ultimately supplied) the Xi 1082s. They are absolutely perfect for the job. They are extremely low profile, so we've treated the ceiling as our balcony and attached them in a row across the front of the stage. Furthermore, Shuttlesound was extremely helpful in spraying them white for us, so they met all our criteria."
In addition to the sound reinforcement system, the installation includes two 42-inch plasma screens either side of the stage and two 15-inch flat monitors on pillars towards the rear of the
On March 14th Virgin Megastore's flagship store on Oxford Street in London hosted the UK launch of the long-awaited Xbox from Microsoft, billed as "the most powerful games console on earth". The store opened at midnight to throngs of industry personalities, media and public eager to be first in line for the new console, as well as a goodly smattering of celebrities. Presenters for the evening's entertainment included Jonathon Ross, comedian Johnny Vegas, and of course Virgin boss Richard Branson. White Label UK was the production company in charge of the event, and they turned to Systems Etc. to handle the audio requirements.
Systems etc. operations director Ricky Ramsay opted for six stacks of Nexo Alpha E distributed around the room, each stack comprising one Alpha EM mid-hi cabinet and two Alpha B1-18 bass bins. "The event took place on the lower ground floor which is a big room," explained Ramsay, "so we wanted to be sure that we had enough equipment to cover the whole area properly. The system only had to handle a DJ and the presenters on vocal mics, but as you can imagine, it was pretty loud, and the quality had to be flawless." For every two stacks Systems etc. provided a rack containing a Nexo NX241 digital processor plus a Crown MA3600VZ and an MA5000VZ power amplifier. "We also had three Klark Teknik DN3600 programmable graphic EQs plus remotes and docking stations so we could actually EQ the system standing in front of each stack," continued Ramsay, "plus a DN9848 digital processor which enabled us to draw the whole
The Barbican London’s landmark performing arts venue has a new technical production facility - it is now the only live venue in the UK currently offering a permanent broadcast facility. The Barbican BBC digital broadcast system is a joint venture between the BBC and the Barbican. The aim is to produce high quality, cost-effective broadcast material embracing a rich diversity of performance genres. This will feed the new digital channels and also ensure the Barbican keeps pace with cutting edge production technologies.
The new facility also greatly enhances the Barbican as a venue for corporate events and conference industries. Very easy transmission between the Barbican’s numerous different auditoria and spaces, and instant live relay of images from auditorium to screen, are just two advantages. Others include a vastly improved video show relay.
Simon Prior, the Barbican’s head of planning and production sees the move as a positive step forward in the interactive stakes. He highlights yet more advantages, including the raising of the venue’s own profile, enlarging its archival capabilities and offering the seamless preparation of footage for broadcast, web streaming, CDR and DVD production. "Technically we can now do a TV broadcast at the drop of a hat," he comments. "This is an invaluable resource for my technicians, for the BBC, for commercial broadcast companies and for other outside bodies wanting to utilize and benefit from a very flexible system. It’s a great opportunity to reach beyond the walls of the Barbican and pr
BSS Audio has released a new processor for the expanding install market, aimed particularly at integrated system solutions. The ProSys PS-8810 is a fixed-path digital processor, with eight inputs and ten outputs that each has a dedicated processing path which includes EQ filters, gates, compressors, auto-mixers and delays, as well as other processing objects.
With its fixed-path design, system installers need only configure the routing matrix and decide which of the processing objects will be utilized. Once these are established, the set-ups may be stored as presets and recalled via the PC, contact closure or the 8810’s own internal events scheduler. All functions of the PS-8810 are set-up and controlled from a PC running IQ-WIN software, the control suite that can control a variety of types of audio equipment.
The real strength of this new DSP, however, is that it is the first in a new generation of Harman Professional ‘partnership’ products, utilizing the IQ communication protocol from Crown. In addition, it provides audio networking via CobraNet technology that will enable digital audio and control signal exchange with other existing and developing Harman equipment. With the well-established IQ system, the PS-8810 has the ability to network with Crown amplifiers and other IQ-compliant devices. This means that systems with control and monitoring of amplifiers and signal processing can now be readily constructed, with centralized control from a PC running one control program. IQ for Windows allows the designer to create custom control pages so that c
Peterborough-based Pearce Hire has invested in a new L-Acoustics speaker system, Camco amplifiers and a range of processing equipment, to increase the quality and flexibility of its PA package for clients.
The first outing for the system came in February at the Corn Exchange, Cambridge, where a conventional stereo configuration PA was installed by Pearce Hire’s crew for a Courtney Pine concert. This was followed by the New College Nottingham annual awards ceremony hosted at the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, where the L-Acoustics system was flown for the first time. Pearce Hire supplied the full sound and lighting spec for the awards, and liaised closely with set designers and video screen suppliers, Hawk AV.
MD Shaun Pearce said: "The new system has superb acoustic reproduction that belies its physical size. This awards show has highlighted its ability to handle speech and the dynamics of a variety of music styles. I was particularly pleased with the dispersion we achieved through flying the system, with every seat in the house getting good clear sound."
(Ruth Rossington)
Back in 2000, funding proposals for a £10.4m all-seater stadium at Bournemouth AFC’s Dean Court HQ were drawn up as part of a 15-year business plan. With help from Bournemouth Borough Council, supplemented by a record £3m package from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, the Club were well on their way to reaching the scaled-down first phase of the targeted £5.5m-£6.5m. The shortfall of around £2m was made up by Cherries supporters and thus the first phase of the new Fitness First Stadium, with the construction of three new stands - and rotation through 90° of the playing surface - was unveiled earlier this season.
With Barr Construction undertaking the building construction, it was left to turnstile and gate specialists, Swift Tate Security Technology Ltd, to offer a turnkey solution by specifying a fully-featured public address/voice alarm system. And with 23 years’ experience behind them they turned to TOA for the solution. The system is designed to provide both public address facilities and voice evacuation, integrated with the fire alarm system.
The installation features 21 of TOA’s new purpose-built ES-0871 stadium boxes in a distributed 100V line design, controlled from the SX-1000 Smart Matrix Control System. Eight enclosures are distributed into each of the two long East/West stands and five in the North stand behind the goal.Distributing sound evenly over a 90° x 60° dispersion pattern from a CD horn and 12in mid/LF, the loudspeakers are ideal for the application. The weatherproof ES-0871s come with a rotatable horn and at Bournemout
It’s been water, water everywhere recently for D J Willrich Ltd (DJW), as the Hampshire-based AV and multi-media specialists have recently completed work on the saltwater Bournemouth Oceanarium in Dorset and the freshwater Lakeside Aquarium at Newby Bridge on the shores of Lake Windermere.
Working within a deadline of just three weeks, DJW installed in the Bournemouth Oceanarium three Sony plasma displays, three touch screen quiz-based interactives and, with the help of strobe lighting and Bose speakers, the sound of a rainforest thunderstorm that automatically comes to life every 20 minutes.
Visitors to the Lake District are obviously used to it raining more frequently there since DJW’s thunderstorm sound simulation at the Lakeside Aquarium proved to be so popular that it now runs every three minutes! In addition to this, DJW has also installed two Sony plasma displays, lighting and sound controls, plus an AV theatre featuring a 2 metre screen and projector showing images of the surrounding Lake District hills, lakes and wildlife.
As well as having water in common, Bournemouth and Lakeside both have BSS 9088 Soundwebs and a 9010 Jellyfish remote - the Jellyfish being essential to enable staff to control the audio systems from the office. "The Soundwebs are crucial to the easy operation of the audio systems within the two aquariums," said Kevin Southwell, project manager. "It means that staff can vary sound levels from their main office depending on whether it's a quiet or busy day. They also have an easy facility for using radio microphone
Celestion's CXi range has won praise for its role in 'Evita' at the Theatre Royal Glasgow, one of its first excursions into mainstream theatre. The production, in February, was the Scottish amateur premiere, staged by the Orpheus Club, one of Scotland's oldest amateur operatic societies.
Audio was specified and provided by Glasgow sound rental company, BSF. "The Theatre Royal has been hiring Celestion from us on a trial basis with a view to purchasing the system," explained Alan Beatty of BSF. "For 'Evita', they asked us to provide a system of the highest quality which would be invisible to the audience." This provided a challenge for the BSF team. The Theatre Royal has listed building status, which prevents any alterations to its interior: the sound engineers were not allowed to hang or fly equipment, or even to touch the walls, the PA system had to fit in with the space constraints and not block audience sightlines. The situation was made more complicated by the theatre's layout: the stage opening is the full width of one wall, facing four floors of seating for 1400 people.
The solution to the problem was to think inside the box. Beatty and his partner Graham Fraser placed Celestion CXi speakers inside the theatre boxes either side of the stage: "We put them on tripods to raise them to exactly the level of each audience area. There was a pair of CXi 1221 for the 600 seats in the stalls, a pair of CXi 821 with a pair of Substation 15s for the first circle. Another pair of CXi 821s addressed the second circle, while the 500 seats in the top-flo
Sonohouse has been appointed as the new distributor for Celestion products in France. Founded in 1973 by Jean-Louis Beart, Sonohouse is located in Ivry sur Seine, in Paris. Currently handling distribution of products like GEM Sound, Boost and BST, Sonohouse has its main strength in the club market. Its appointment as Celestion's representative in France is a reflection of the company's new drive into professional audio.
"Although Sonohouse's current strength is in the DJ and club sector, I can see a huge amount of potential for our relationship," explains David Jackson, Celestion's export manager. "Sonohouse has an excellent sales team and nationwide network, and have impressed us with their connections and level of support from the industry."
One such contact is Gerald Kaas, whose consultancy Akoustik is providing marketing advice and support. "The big potential for Celestion in France will be in the permanent installation market," says Kaas. "The company has a good range of products for a variety of applications, and initially, we would expect to have success with the KR and Cxi speakers." Sonohouse will also represent the Celestion chassis drivers for the MI business as well as sound reinforcement.
The company can be contacted at 24 rue Robert Witchitz , 94200 Ivry sur Seine. Telephone: +33 1 58 46 15 15.
(Lee Baldock)
Jamiroquai ended their world tour at Wembley Arena at the beginning of March: the huge energy of Jay Kay was equally matched in ability by an impressive Funktion-One sound system with XTA digital processing at its core.
Funktion One’s John Newsham explains the set-up: "We used a main left and right system which was 15 self-powered F218 bass per side and five wide by three deep Resolution 5s per side, with downfills. The system used the new self-powered Res 5s, with each powered box running an unpowered slave." The side hangs for the bleacher areas alongside the stage were covered by four Res 4s and two Res 18s per side, conventionally powered. Front fills and out fills consisted of Resolution 2s. Flown delays were six Res 5s per side and ground delays six F218 powered bins in the middle behind the mix risers and two Res 2 skeletal high packs.
Control for the entire system was handled by XTA’s proprietary AudioCore program, with the crossovers sited locally to the various stacks. "We had one small rack per side for the front of house system which had DP226s and a DP224," continues Newsham. "We ran stereo signal to everywhere which meant that we didn’t need a massive return system and we split the system up into zones with the XTAs which we then remotely controlled from front-of-house. We were running the long throw section of the Res 5s on three outputs of a DP226, and the other half was doing the bottom row of Res 5s with a DP224 handling the bass and the downfills. The spare output was used when we had to put bass bins round t
Hand Held Audio, specialists in wireless and in-ear technology for over a decade, are to launch a new website which goes live on 1st May. www.handheldaudio.co.uk is designed to bring wireless technology to a broader market with all of the benefits of the experience accumulated by Hand Held Audio at the high end of the market.
Founder member and director of Hand Held Audio, Mick Shepherd, is pleased with the new development. "We've been specialists in the high end touring and, more recently, corporate markets right from the very beginning and will continue to be so," he said, "but we hope that the website will enable us to reach a new sector of the market where we have never before had a presence, and yet for whom wireless and in-ear technology is becoming increasingly available. We'd like to pass on the benefits of our experience, our buying power and our considerable technical support resources to the MI and semi-professional sector."
The new site is designed to be a one-stop online store dedicated purely to radio microphones and all things wireless. As well as an extensive product catalogue from a wide range of manufacturers, the site will also offer comprehensive technical support and advice on how to go about setting up a system. "Wireless technology can be a bit daunting at first," says Mick, "so what we're aiming to do here is demystify the process and offer a good service into the bargain." Customers can still visit Hand Held Audio's existing site at the same address before the new site goes live on 1st May.
(Ruth Rossing
The Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, north London, is the proud owner of a brand new sound and lighting system for its in-house theatre, installed by Live Business International. The massive teaching hospital has a 330-seat theatre deep within its bowels, which has been used over the years for student lectures, as well as plays and Student Union performances. The hospital’s Trustees wanted to make much more use of the theatre, but the ancient sound and lighting system, with no component less than 25 years old, was a major stumbling block.
Live Business won the tender for the contract to design and install a completely new sound and lighting system for the theatre in time for a pantomime run. Live Business International director Roland Hemming designed the installation, which besides being high quality, required a great deal of flexibility to cope with the very different types of use. The systems also needed to have the sophistication to cope with relatively complex productions, yet be useable by in-house staff for lectures and simpler performances.
Hemming specified a Turbosound-based audio system, with TCS59 cabinets and TCS108 bass bins, along with TCS20 delay speakers and a pair of the new TQ310 multi-purpose speakers for foldback. The whole system is controlled by two BSS Omnidrives and powered by Yamaha amplifiers. The control room, which doubles as a basic pre-editing suite, boasts a Soundcraft LX7 console, and the system is completed by Trantec radio mics.
The new lighting systems comprise 24 channels of Botex dimming, eight channels of switching, a vari
Eskimo Noise, set up by Neil Johannessen in 1987, achieved a reputation as a leading sound company in the dance music industry, not only for audio hire, but also for production design and installation. The company’s clients included Radio 1, Nike, Budweiser, London Mardi Gras and Marco Pierre White, to name but a few.
In the meantime Systems Etc, founded by Bernard Mani in 1996, was busy working in the London’s burgeoning club/bar scene, providing this new market with state-of-the-art fully integrated audio-visual systems. Systems Etc has also more recently been supporting live events for artists including: Ed Harcourt, Starsailor and the Honeyz, at venues such as Alexandra Palace, Hanover Grand and numerous other funky showcases across the uk.
In late November 2001 Eskimo Noise was forced into voluntary liquidation "due to an unforeseen accountancy error" - and the company was taken over by Systems Etc the following month, allowing both companies to amalgamate their considerable technical expertise, resources and client bases. Only two weeks old, the new Systems Etc pulled off a massive coup the New Year’s Eve Ministry of Sound Party at the Dome for 50,000 people.
Operating from Eskimo’s old headquarters in Elephant and Castle, South London, Systems Etc has spent the beginning of this year improving the organization and streamlining the operation. The company has integrated its equipment resources, along with its technical and administrative staff, and has created a company which is poised to deliver outstanding service for any audio