Mackie Designs Inc has completed the purchase of Canadian company Acuma Labs Ltd - a developer of real-time embedded systems for professional audio applications. Acuma specializes in digital signal processors, microprocessors, digital audio effects, analogue and digital software, real-time operating systems, interfaces, and hardware design. "Acuma provides focused digital technology resources to Mackie's engineering group," said Peter Watts, Mackie's executive vice-president of engineering, "enhancing our development of increasingly sophisticated professional audio products".Jamie Engen, Mackie's COO, added: "While not material from a financial standpoint, Acuma's world-class digital software and hardware engineering team does materially strengthen our engineering group. Acuma will help Mackie provide unique and powerful solutions to the professional audio community."

Philips CSI has appointed Kevin Diss as general manager to head up its rapidly growing UK operation at its headquarters in Sunbury. The move comes at a time of expansion for Philips and follows the recent appointments of Alfred Van Wyk as areas sales manager for professional PA and Andrew Davidson as area sales manager for communications products. Diss brings with him a wealth of experience, having previously been sales and marketing director for Philips Projects in Cambridge.

John Hornby Skewes has appointed Anthony Gunter as the company's new area sales manager for south west England and Wales. Gunter joins the company from M Hohner Ltd, for which he had been area sales manager covering the same territory for the past two years.

Our telephone numbers at PLASA Publishing have changed. The old number - 01323 642639- has now been replaced by a new number - 01323 418400. Callers to the old number will, for the time being, be redirected to the new one automatically. The PLASA office number remains 01323 410335, although each member of staff at head office will now also have a direct line. The fax number for the entire office - 01323 646905 - remains unchanged.

Phil Ward has announced his resignation as editor of Pro Sound News Europe, effective from October 20th. Ward has been editing the title since 1994 for Miller Freeman UK, who recently sold their stable of magazine titles - which also includes Studio Sound, Installation Europe, Pro Sound News Asia and What's New in Pro Audio - to United Business Media.

Sheffield-based Q-Max Professional Audio has decided to discontinue distribution of Opal Audio's range of products. Opal, the company behind the GAE audio range, was surprised by the move, the company's Steve Smith commenting: "The Q-Max decision has come as a shock, particularly in view of the upcoming PLASA exhibition. We had extremely high expectations for a prosperous show in the wake of recent GAE installation successes including, most famously, Volkswagen's multi-million pound Autostadt project in Wolfsburg, Germany." Glyn Baxter, principal of Q-Max Professional Audio, has assured Opal that the decision was based entirely on personal issues, and does not reflect the business relationship between the two companies. As a result, Opal is currently in negotiations to find a new distributor.

Celestion loudspeakers have been specified by two competing chains of café bars in Greece; both companies have chosen the same sound design and the same Celestion cabinets. Autocafé and Olé Olé are both embarking on nationwide roll-outs of new cafés across Greece. The Autocafé café chain has begun the programme with a 600-capacity café-bar in Athens and has specified Celestion KR2 and SR cabinets - 14 x SR1 speakers for the interior, 18 x KR2 speakers for the gardens and terrace areas. In contrast, a more conventional design utilising Celestion's club installation products has recently been completed on the island of Kalinos near Rhodes. The brand new 1000-capacity club called Freesound, features ten Celestion CX 1520 and ten CX 1220 cabinets which utilise Celestion's own high power cast chassis drive units and CDX-1 compression drivers.

Newly formed distribution company MilTec have been appointed sole distributor for UK and Ireland for the entire Ecler range of mixers, amps and speakers. Ecler is now structured in three different divisions - DJ, Entertainment Sound Systems and Industrial Sound Systems with innovative and competitive product range to suit. The entire product range will be on display at the Plasa 2000 on stand E58.

Telex Communications Inc has moved its corporate headquarters to a new location in the Minneapolis area. The new building will house all sales, marketing, engineering and administrative functions for Telex Communications and its professional audio, wireless and multimedia communications products. The new address is 12000 Portland Ave. South, Burnsville, MN, 55337. The main telephone number remains the same, with a new area code: 952-884-4051.The move, which significantly expands Telex's space to approximately 115,000sq.ft, was brought about by strong performance across all the company's product lines and the need to position the company for future. Telex, which employs 300 people in Minneapolis, will maintain its manufacturing facility in Buchanan, MI, which had once been the home of Electro-Voice and its related brands.

BSS Audio has carried out a major restructure of the sales department, which sees Rik Kirby promoted to the position of sales manager and Dave Smalley to the position of systems group manager. Both have been rewarded for their efforts during what has been a major period of growth for the company. Kirby has been with BSS Audio for three years and his responsibility has now widened to include the UK and all international sales. Smalley, meanwhile, heads up the new Systems Group, which will enable distributors, consultants and installation contractors to draw on BSS's project expertise.

Digital Audio of Denmark has announced an upgrade to the ADDA 2402 high-end AD/DA converter. The ADDA 2402 has been updated and is now available with an interface for synchronisation to a studio reference Word Clock signal complying with SDIF2 up to 100 kHz. sample-rate. This means that the ADDA2402 is now available in two models - with synchronisation according to AES11, or with Word Clock synchronisation. For a special introduction period, the new model with Word Clock interface will be available at the same price as the previous model.

Sony Broadcast & Professional UK and Leisuretec Distribution Ltd have announced a strategic distribution agreement that sees the two companies identifying major growth in the sound reinforcement, audio visual and public address markets. The agreement covers the Sony pro audio range, including sound reinforcement products, effects units, wired microphones, Freedom wireless mics, DAT CD and Minidisc, which Leisuretec will now offer from its 14,000sq.ft stock sourcing facility in Leighton Buzzard.

Australian manufacturer ARX Systems has reported a number of diverse product sales recently. Australia-based audio designer Brian Laurence has advised the sale of a complete ARX Ambience System for the Cadbury Pavilion at the Sydney 2000 Olympics site at Homebush Bay. Brian specified 24 Ambience 1 loudspeakers, one Ambisub and one Ambidrive three-channel power amplifier to provide high-quality audio reproduction for the Cadbury's Corporate AV display which is built into open-sided 40ft shipping containers.Meanwhile, Sydney-based mobile broadcast Company Zero 1 Zero have added to their extensive inventory of ARX products with another complete system of MSX4 mic splitters for their new O/B Truck due for completion in time for use at the Sydney Olympics. And finally, away from the Olympics, the New South Wales Police Integrity Commission (anti-corruption investigators) have recently taken delivery of VCS-6 DC controlled gates and ePre mic pre-amps. The PIC have been unwilling to provide further details of their need for remote-controlled microphone pre-amplifiers . . .

Celestion has underlined its commitment to OEM sales of guitar and PA chassis loudspeakers with the appointment of two new sales people. Paul Richardson (pictured) is handling OEM export sales to continental Europe and the USA. Richardson brings a substantial commercial expertise to the company. Although his appointment places renewed emphasis on Celestion's North American market, he will also be concentrating on developing new business, especially for recently-introduced products like the Red Label and Truvox ranges.Andy Farrow has been recruited to handle OEM Sales in the UK. A former Celestion employee, he spent five years in the production engineering department at Ipswich. After 18 months outside the company, he missed the music business so much that he has returned in a sales role. With a degree in engineering, an MBA, and production experience at Celestion, his technical skills will prove invaluable to the sales team.

Denon has launched two new UK-designed amplifiers which improve on the well-known technology of the PMA-250SE and PMA-350SE range, and have broad-band designs, ready to take advantage of DVD-A and SACD (Super Audio CD) technology. The PMA-255UK uses the chassis and fascia of the 250SE, but with a totally new interior. Rated at 30W, typical power can exceed 45W pc into 8 ohms. The new design also delivers superior bass power and drive with enhanced load handling. PMA-355UK. The new PMA-355UK design adds extensive features and dramatically improves the sound quality of the 350SE. Despite a 50W rating, typical power output can reach nearly 70W pc into 8 ohms.

Tannoy and Axcess Technology (UK distributor for Biamp) will take to the road in August to host a series of audio conferencing roadshows aimed at demonstrating how their products combine to provide comprehensive AV solutions. Aimed at providing installers and designers with an informative overview, the roadshows begin at Tannoy's factory near Glasgow on 1-2 August, move to Manchester on 9-10 August and finally Richmond-Upon-Thames on 15-16 August.Tannoy will present a range of new and industry proven speakers, including the recently-launched iP5 Mirage Distributed Mode Loudspeaker (DML) panel. Axcess Technology will demonstrate a range of Biamp equipment, including the Biamp Voicecrafter Plus acoustic echo cancellers, Biamp VRAM variable resource automixer with Windows programming software for easy integration and Biamp CMA60 6-channel commercial mixer/amplifiers with extensive input paging and output facilities.

Audio-Technica has restructured its UK operation. On the processing side, Joanne Harding and Sophie Kramer have joined the UK sales pool, along with Donna Norman as office trainee. Chris Todd moves into the new position of product specialist, and is on call to answer any microphone selection or technical enquiries. Denise Turner also changes position, joining the marketing and facilities department as marketing administrator. She has held a number of roles during her four years with A-T, including the setting up of the German office. Alistair Powell joins the company in an internal sales position to support the efforts of the field-based sales team. He has a wealth of audio knowledge, and lists a spell at London's Nomis Studios amongst his previous experience.

Fabric, the leading London club, has swapped its Spirit Digital 328 mixer for a 324 Live. The desk, which can be used as required in any of the club's three rooms, serves as a front-of-house or monitoring console for the many live acts that perform at the club, as well as being available for the more adventurous DJs. Production manager Dave Parry said: "We need a digital desk because we're going to start a lot of internet broadcasting in the near future. The sound will be going straight down the line so a digital signal will be very handy." He continued: "We've had the 328 for six months and everyone that used it was very complementary. If we hadn't been happy with it, we wouldn't have bought the 324." House engineer Roberto Pieroni added: "As we only used the 328 for live work it made sense to switch to the 324 Live."

Public address and voice alarm specialist Federal Signal has announced the launch of the Millbank Ultima II XK series of integrated amplifiers - the first Millbank product launched by Federal Signal since its acquisition of the brand name last year. Aimed at a wide range of environments from factories and warehouses to pubs and clubs, the Ultima II includes a range of features not normally available at this price range. The Ultima II mixer amplifiers have six inputs - five of them Universal, allowing the simple configuration of the signal priorities associated with each input. Each offers a balanced input, with a trim control to allow a wide range of signal sources from microphone to line level to be used.

Sony has launched a cost-effective loudspeaker management system which allows install, theatrical, live and studio engineers to 'set and forget' crossover, EQ, dynamics and level settings for PA and sound reinforcement systems. The new SRP-F300 is a true 24-bit 96kHz all-digital design that provides sophisticated control over complex multi-speaker set-ups via an intuitive PC interface. The 1U 19" rack-mounting unit offers both analogue XLR and AES/EBU (32-96kHz) format input connectors to accept signals directly from the monitor outputs of an analogue or digital mixing console, with a mix of both formats possible.

The Zetor Bar and restaurant is one of Helsinki's most distinctively-themed venues. Designed by Malto Valtonen (of Finnish band the Leningrad Cowboys), Zetor uses farm equipment for furniture - including tractors for tables, and old buckets and cheese-graters for lampshades. Since Zetor was first established in 1992, its unique style has guaranteed its place as one of the most popular nightclubs in Helsinki. When the time came to install a new sound system recently, restaurant manager Sakari Ellila put a number of systems to the test, but opted for Turbosound's punchy sound, good reputation and price-to-quality ratio. Finnish Turbosound distributor Noretron Audio designed and installed the PA specification, based around the Turbosound TCS and Impact series. Three TCS-59 mid/high cabinets, with two TCS-118 sub-bass units, powered by LabGruppen LAB 1600 and LAB 2000 amplifiers were placed around the dance floor. The rest of the space - two bar areas, two restaurant areas and the tractor tables - benefited from 24 Turbosound Impact cabinets.

Nexo PS Series loudspeakers were used again at this year's three-week long Chichester Festivities. Surrey-based sound company Audioplan used six PS-15s, four PS10s and four of the new Nexo PS-8s for the distributed sound system in Chichester's 1000-year-old Cathedral. In the three years that Audioplan has been providing the sound, a variety of artistes from French jazz pianist Jacques Lousier to Johnny Dankworth and Cleo Lane and Jools Holland have all graced the stage, and all have used the Nexo system.

Swedish manufacturer Lab Gruppen, one of the world's leading developers of DSP and amplification technology, is to join the TGI Group of companies, which includes Tannoy, Martin Audio and Goodmans/GLL. Lab Gruppen has over 20 years of experience in manufacturing and distributing high-quality amplifiers and has been a pioneer of switch-mode power supplies and lightweight amplifiers. It has recently added DSP technology to its design and product base. Over the past few years the company has embarked on a successful expansion programme, and it is to consolidate this growth that Lab Gruppen has sold its interests to TGI plc. TGI plc is involved in the design and manufacture of loudspeakers for many different markets including live touring, commercial and leisure installations, recording studios, consumer hi-fi and the OEM automotive trade (in this last category they supply car manufacturers including BMW/Rover, Ford, Peugeot, Volkswagen and Honda).Martin Audio MD David Bissett-Powell, who will be chairman of Lab Gruppen, said that the acquisition provided a logical fit in the TGI portfolio: "This is an exciting addition to the Group, providing us with a range of development opportunities. "The fit and synergy is seen as being particularly advantageous, and while the TGI companies will continue to trade autonomously Lab Gruppen's R&D capability will enhance the Group's moves into digital electronics, providing us with sophisticated loudspeaker management systems and own-brand amplification," he said.

Apogee has introduced a new range of CA amplifiers for touring, permanent installations, rental applications and commercial sound. Built around the same rugged chassis as the DA-Series amplifiers, these new CA amps use the latest in power MOSFET technology. Four models are available and all are only two rack spaces high, and feature rear panel level controls to avoid tampering or inadvertent adjustment. The front-end circuitry features an advanced clip eliminator to reduce distortion. Speaker protection is provided by means of an ultra-fast crowbar circuit. All models are equipped with dual, adjustable speed fans for quite, efficient cooling and feature internally configurable AC mains for 120 VAC or 240 VAC. Power inlet is an IEC approved removable connector; cordsets may be specified for US, Euro or UK standards.