Freelance sound recordist Chris Corner has been using a Yamaha 01V digital mixing console for live sound recording on the set of a new film being made by Illumination Television for the BBC, based on Gloriana, the opera composed by Benjamin Britten for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Corner chose the 01V after finding other options either too expensive or lacking in facilities. A live performance of the opera was recorded using over 50 radio microphones, via the 01V onto a 48-track digital recorder. The 110-minute film is scheduled to broadcast on BBC2 at the end of the year.

John Henry Enterprises' new sales facility opened its doors last month with rock legend Jimmy Page as guest of honour. The Attic, taking its name from the top-floor showroom devoted to instrument and backline sales, is to be managed by Martin Gravestock. The Attic will stock backline equipment from Marshall, Trace Elliot, Hughes & Ketner, Mesa Boogie, Hammond, Pearl, Sonar and Yamaha, as well as Roland digital mixers and Sony's Freedom series wireless microphones.

The Klark Teknik Group is introducing Midas service centres into six key areas in the United States with the promise of more to be opened up in the near future.Until now, Midas field service has been handled directly from the US headquarters in Buchanan, Michigan. The new and still-building network of regional service centres will provide faster responses to emergency requirements and for maintenance. So far, the service centres are located in the San Francisco Bay area, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, Nashville and New Jersey.

Dutch loudspeaker manufacturer Stage Accompany has supplied Screen Series cinema sound systems to all 14 auditoria at the Liffey valley multiplex cinema in Dublin, run by operator Star Century.The largest systems, for theatres one, two and five, each feature five S26 front cabinets (which includes the company's Ribbon Compact Driver), five SL30 bass cabinets, two S30 subwoofers and 18 S7 surround cabinets, powered by 10 ES20 amplifiers and ES10 amplifier. The three-way front system is flown behind the screen, requiring just 10" of space. Screen one, christened 'The Big Fella' by Irish actor Liam Neeson, is the largest screen in the UK and Ireland. Star Century has already started construction work on new multiplexes in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, all of which will also feature Stage Accompany sound systems.

Billed as the biggest and most technically ambitious show ever, Net Aid recently took place simultaneously across three venues in London, New York and Geneva, and was broadcast live across the world via television, radio and, of course, via the Internet.The biggest of the three live shows took place at London's Wembley Stadium, where a capacity crowd enjoyed live sets from a prestigious line-up including Robbie Williams, George Michael, David Bowie and Bryan Adams. The rental company tasked with supplying the audio system for the event was Canegreen, who provided a self-powered Meyer system for the main PA with Midas XL-4 and Heritage 3000 control.The control set-up provided by Canegreen was almost exclusively Midas. Two XL-4s at the FOH position, overseen by Max Bisgrove and Snake Newton, whilst on monitors, Chris Peters and Seamus Fenton conducted operations via two Midas Heritage 3000s. EQ for both FOH came via Klark Teknik processing with the classic DN360s. Other vital components of the signal processing rack from the KT stable included DN5000 dual compressors, DN8000 digital system controllers and DN6000 audio analysers. And there was more Midas involvement, as David Bowie brought in his own Heritage 3000 for his in-ear set-up.

At this year's AES in New York, AKG launched the new CK77WR, improving on the original design of the CK77 - the smallest dual-diaphragm microphone in the world, the WR version is now Perspiration proof and water resistant. The original design of the CK77 had a tiny hole in the diaphragm which provided the necessary pressure compensation. This however posed a potential risk that liquids might penetrate into the capsule and cause a short circuit. Now the Barometric pressure is compensated by a capillary tube that is connected to a compensation cavity sealed with a soft, flexible diaphragm. The patent pending new technology ensures pressure compensation, although the capsule is absolutely tight.

Autograph Sales has recently supplied over 50 Lab Gruppen amplifiers to hire company Orbital, via the London Branch of LMC Audio Systems. The sale includes 46 LAB1200C and 10 LAB1300C models, and brings Orbital's total stock of Lab Gruppen amplifiers to 109.Recent Orbital projects for the Lab units include West End musicals such as Spend, Spend, Spend and Chicago, and a series of high-profile European motorshow projects for Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar and Volvo.Orbital: www.orbitalsound.co.ukLMC Audio: www.lmcaudio.co.uk

Mackie Designs has introduced the new S500 loudspeaker to add to its ever-broadening series of sound reinforcement products. The S500 is ideal for gigging musicians, PA Hire companies and other mobile sound specialists and employs several new proprietary technologies. RCF precision components include a 15-inch woofer with inside/outside high temperature coil technology and a 17.5-inch high frequency compression driver mounted to Mackie's super-wide dispersion horn.

Liverpool-based sales and hire company Adlib Audio has purchased nearly 40 Crown MA Series amplifiers from Crown's UK distributor, Fuzion plc, more than doubling their Crown rental stock. Adlib's Andy Dockerty commented: "We had to replace some units which we'd sold recently, but really the crux of the matter was that we needed to significantly increase our stock to cope with the amount of work we've got coming up on the hire side between now and Christmas. We looked at various alternatives in the marketplace but came to the conclusion that our original investment in Crown was still the right decision for us." The purchase comprised mainly MA-3600VZs, but also includes amps from across the MA range, from MA-1200s through to the heavyweight MA-5000VZs. Tours contributing to Adlib's busy autumn season include Texas, Gomez and the Longpigs, plus work for the Radio One Sound City gigs in Liverpool.

Canford has successfully tendered for the supply of event communications to London's Millennium Dome. In co-operation with Telex UK, Telex's RTS TW intercom equipment will be provided to meet a demanding specification requiring modification for operation over a fibre optic network. The Dome is divided into several zones, each dealing with specific aspects of modern life and utilising 'state of the art' audio visual systems to deliver a wide variety of presentations. Providing the platform upon which all this is based and linking the zones is an extensive AV framework using a fibre backbone at its core. The communications specification was outlined by the Dome's head of sound Roland Hemming. Working in conjunction with a development team from Telex, Canford (exclusive UK distributors for the RTS TW intercom range) has overseen the customisation of the RTS equipment. The modification has enabled the high frequency signalling tones used in the intercom to be translated for transmission over the 20KHz audio channels provided in the Dome's fibre optic infrastructure. Canford and Telex believe that this is the largest RTS TW system anywhere being used over a fibre optic network and expect this technology to be increasingly employed in future large-scale communication systems.

Marquee Audio has added three key new recruits to its staff in Shepperton, to deal with the expanding nature of its business. Andy Morrell, rejoins the company after 15 months with Canford Audio and will be specialising in AV and blue chip business. He was previously with Marquee for three years. Jimmy Potter joins as sales co-ordinator, based permanently at head office in Shepperton, and will be responsible for all incoming sales. He spent five years as sales manager for Sensible Music, but his different activities also include 10 years as studio manager at Nomis. Finally David Brian Homewood will provide technical support for Marquee Audio's growing lighting business. 'Woody', as he is known, has the right pedigree, having previously worked for Danish lighting giants Martin Professional at their UK base in Maidstone.

BSS Audio hase completed a successful year by strengthening their support team. Joining the company at their new Cranborne House HQ in Hertfordshire are Matthew James Bate and Ben Wilmot. BSS will benefit from the addition of Matt Bate to the sales engineering team; the experience gained in both engineering and club installation, first with AdLib Audio in Liverpool and later with CVA, will be a huge benefit to the company. Wilmot has been promoted from software test and support in the company's R&D department to a technical sales support role. He will now be involved in client liaison in a post-sales support capacity right across the product range, but primarily with Soundweb.

Expansion has forced amplification specialist, C Audio, to vacate its Potters Bar premises at Linkside House in favour of larger capacity at Cranborne House situated opposite on the Cranborne Industrial Estate. While production has been taking place at the larger building for some time, C Audio will now streamline its R&D, sales, marketing and administration departments in the one building with immediate effect. The new address for C Audio is: Cranborne House, Cranborne Road, Cranborne Industrial Estate, Potters Bar, Herts EN6 3JN. Tel: (01707) 643643.

Martin Professional's loudspeaker division, Mach Speakers, has appointed a new R&D engineer to work at the company's Danish headquarters. Soren Viinberg has an extensive background in the pro audio industry, having spent 12 years at JBL Pro in Denmark, eight of them in the role of project manager for JBL's professional products in Europe. Viinberg will work closely with Mach's R&D engineer Michael Holmbo.

Wandsworth-based Dimension Audio has recently purchased 10 Audient ASP231 graphic equalisers from Marquee Audio for their corporate events department. Dimension Audio has used Audient EQs at IBM Shows in Cannes and also at the launch of the new Nissan in Sunderland. The ASP231s have been in Munich more recently at the beginning of October for the Disney Channel launch in a fairy-tale castle.

In response to demand from sound contracting and conference system installers, beyerdynamic has designed an 'intelligent' 10-channel mixer for integration into computer-controlled sound systems. Supporting up to six microphones and four stereo line inputs, the Mix 10 can be interfaced to a PC or third party control system via an RS232 connection, giving access to input and output selection with status reply and volume settings. Housed in a single rack unit, the Mix 10 includes a wide range of facilities including a mix-bus connection point, microphone ducking function as well as several different output options for connection to external destinations and recording equipment. Phantom power is available on all of the microphone inputs which also have insert points for using external dynamics control systems.

At the end of a busy touring and festival season, sales of XTA processing equipment remain strong. XTA's UK distributor, beyerdynamic, report a growing level of sales across the range, including the popular DP226 loudspeaker processor. Recent buyers of the DP226 include ML Executive and Skan PA Hire, as well as many units being taken by The Music Company in Bradford for their numerous installation contracts around the UK. Recent sales of the new DS800 microphone distribution systems include John Henry Group, which has taken a 40-channel system, now in regular use on Top of the Pops. Wigwam, meanwhile, have invested in a further 48 channels of DS800 microphone distribution system for integration with their d&b loudspeaker systems, as well as adding more XTA GQ600 graphic equalisers.

AEI Music is launching a unique in-store radio system for the high street retailer, aimed at providing complete control over the shopping environment. The system is available in two packages, each of which is delivered in a conventional radio programme style, complete with DJ links and commercials. The first is a bespoke system, and provides the retailer with a satellite channel that carries music programming, messaging and commercials; the second, the custom radio, benefits from the practical economies of using music programming into which the individual customers' messages are embedded.

Logic System Pro Audio's latest monitor cabinet, the CM20, is currently out on the road with the Deacon Blue reunion tour, which is taking in 12 UK dates. The cabinets were supplied by long-established Logic user EFX Audio of Bathgate, West Lothian. EFX have a long working relationship with the band and report that front man Ricky Ross is reluctant to use any other monitor system, having already used EFX's Logic LS152 monitor system on a number of occasions. Also on the live front, Logic's three-box PA system has recently been used for a series of live concerts for BBC Radio 2 at the Boardwalk in Sheffield. Supplied by Andy Salmon of Midland Sound & Light, the system was used by acts including The Pretenders, Gary Barlow and Jools Holland.

ATI has appointed European Audio Group (formerly known as GAE Sales UK) to handle distribution of the ATI and API Audio line in Europe. Based in the UK, EAG is a cartel of like-minded distributors who will keep their own names, but be a part of the Group giving ATI/API a solid presence throughout Europe. The ATI Group is the parent company of Audio Toys Incorporated, API Audio and Uptown Automation. Audio Toys manufactures the Paragon mixing console and associated rack mount gear, whilst Uptown Automation manufactures and installs moving fader and mute automation for analog mixing consoles.

Expotus has taken on David Cole as technical sales manager. His eight years engineering tours and designing systems for installs provides him with a good grounding in pro-audio. Coles also brings with him an expert knowledge of product manufacture and technology, gained from his work in R&D and subsequently in technical support at Turbosound.

The M Corporation are to host an open day dedicated to DigiDesign's new Pro Tools 5 software and the new entry level product, Digi001. The day will include a series of seminars and demonstrations, with formal training sessions hosted by DigiDesign's Dan Muchmore. The event will take place at the M Corporation's head office in Ringwood, Hampshire, on November 23rd .

UK distributor Sound Dept has supplied an EAW sound system and Crest amplification to the discotheque Club 2000, which is situated within the Grill complex in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. The installation contract was won by Scotland-based Northern Light following a visit by David Nazir and a demonstration of the system to Paul McGlinshey, owner of the 1,500 capacity venue.Nazir specified four three-way ASV 7652s, which are flown, and four SB528EP subs, configured in pairs and sited under the two dance podiums. A further four EAW MK5194s are used for infills, along with part of the old main dance system which was replaced. A pair of Crest CA18s power the subs, supported by a pair each of CA12s for the bass, CA9s for the mids and CA6s for the tops. The whole system is processed with a Rane DSP device. Nazir has commissioned another EAW/Crest system on behalf of Northern Light, for Polo Lounge club and bar in Glasgow, for King City Leisure.

Audace, the technical services company, has launched a free download demo version of its new audaceNET audio control software. The download is a 32-bit Windows application, available from the company website. Designed for fixed installations and show control applications, audaceNET provides hitherto unattainable levels of control of Allen & Heath's DR series of digital installation mixers. For example, multiple DR units can, for the first time, be controlled from a single Windows interface. Access can be both protected and logged by the system administrator and the software will operate across a computer network allowing control of audio facilities from multiple workstations.