Switzerland - Zurich's Alstadt district or "old town" is an area of tiny twisting streets, exclusive art galleries and chic shops which is spread on both right and left banks of the Limmit-river that separates the city. In the outskirts of Alstadt in the left bank resides the famous Kaufleuten building.
Increasingly popular since Prince and Madonna graced it with their presence, Kaufleuten is the best known entertainment structure in Zurich. Located in a historic building, occupying two floors, the venue is comprised of several distinct sections, including a restaurant, a nightclub, bars and lounges. The brand new "festsaal" includes a stage in which regular entertainment is provided by a variety of top DJs and live performing acts. Kaufleuten's plush decor is reminiscent of a baroque theatre with its classic furnishings, antique paintings, chandeliers, and even bathroom fittings that were once part of the Orient Express. Thrown in are contemporary elements, including an unstructured layout and dishevelled accent pieces which moderate the extravagance and add it a sense of comfort.
The brand new 24m x 16m "festsaal" incorporates a warmer more contemporary architectural design, includes a balcony and has 450 person capacity; which lends itself to an intimate concert setting or jam-packed private event. Other improvements include a new lighting rig and video capabilities. The room's sound design and installation was executed by Georg Caduff, owner of Caduff Tontechnik and Hanspeter Ehrsam whose expertise in being Andreas Vollenweider's
Norway - Often referred to as 'the Scandinavian Alps', Hemsedal in Norway is the premier Norwegian ski resort. One of the oldest hotels in the area is the esteemed Skogstad Hotel. Owned by the Thorset family since its beginning in 1905, the hotel boasts more than 100 years of atmosphere and history.
On 17 Febuary, the doors opened to the completely renovated Skogstad Club, which is among the most modern nightclubs in Hemsedal. With a strictly enforced dress code and age limit, Italian-designed furniture and excellent ambience, the Skogstad Club is a classy venue with a genuine club feeling.
The sound installation at the venue, carried out by EHS Pro Shop, utilised a total of 12 Cornered Audio C6TRMs as sound reinforcement for the bars. These were chosen because of the speakers' "Armani-like" design, as one of the hotel's project managers described it! The only complaint was from the photographer, who said that the speakers were difficult to photograph, as they "kind of disappeared into the corner", which - the company is happy to say - is the idea behind it all.
(Lee Baldock)
UK - Timothy Bird, director of The Knifedge Creative Network, is celebrating again this week after his company's ground-breaking projections for Sunday in the Park with George helped the West End musical win five Laurence Olivier Awards, including Best Set Design and Most Outstanding Musical Production. Last year, Bird and fellow designer David Farley also won the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Design, and the Critics Choice Theatre Award for Best Design for the same production.
Directed by Sam Buntrock, Sunday in the Park with George first opened at The Menier Chocolate Factory in November 2005, before transferring to Wyndham's Theatre in May 2006. Originally written by Stephen Sondheim, the musical tells the story of pointillist painter Georges Seurat and his muse Dot.
Knifedge's innovative projections have been a key feature of the production, allowing audiences to see Seurat's masterpiece "Sunday Afternoon On the Island of La Grande Jatte" forming before their eyes. Real actors interact with animated projected characters to tell thestory in a highly original and meaningful way.
Bird comments: "As a broadcast branding specialist, it's been tremendously exciting to bring those skills into the live theatre environment. This was also a great collaborative project with set designer David Farley and director Sam Buntrock. Together we had this ambitious vision of bringing Seurat's work to life before audience's eyes sympathetically and relevantly using the latest projection technology. The production seems to have really captu
USA - Reinforcing the interoperability of JBL Professional loudspeakers across product lines, Clair Brothers Systems recently installed a WJHW-designed audio system at the new Glass Cactus nightclub in Grapevine, TX. The system includes JBL Vertec line arrays, AE Series loudspeakers and Control 29AV speakers.
Built on the grounds of the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Centre in Lake Grapevine, the $16 million Glass Cactus covers a total of 39,000 square feet and accommodates approximately 1,500 people. The state-of-the-art sound stage features musical acts ranging from country to blues to rock. The Glass Cactus regularly showcases local talent, while top-named national acts also perform routinely.
True to its name, the eye-catching design of the Glass Cactus includes an abundance of glass surfaces. While these make for an aesthetically pleasing environment, they pose a challenge from an acoustic standpoint."The west wall is covered in glass and stone, so dealing with the hard surfaces was a major challenge,"said Mike Mason, project manager, Clair Brothers.
To counteract the hard surfaces (including the hardwood and concrete floors), leading design firm WJHW performed extensive computer modeling to balance the presence of the natural finishes with the concealed acoustical treatment. Because of the dimensions of the Glass Cactus, a line array system was a natural choice."The seating area is rectangular, longer than it is wide, so we didn't have a lot of wide angles to address," Mason added. "Line arrays are a popular solution for thes
UK - HSL's new Robe ColorSpot and ColorWash 700 ATs were delivered from the Czech Republic, unpacked from their boxes, tested and cased up to go on tour with New York indie rockers Brand New.
Lighting designer Sarah Landau was initially recommended to HSL by Mainlight Industries at the end of 2006, when seeking a video based solution to realise her design for the band's upcoming UK tour - their biggest production outing to date.
Further research revealed that HSL carried a large stock of ColorKinetics iColor Tiles, and Landau thought they would be the hire company for her.
HSL's Mike Oates says: "We're all very excited to be working with Brand New and Sarah - there's a real buzz about the band, and Sarah is extremely talented and has a great career ahead."
Landau says: "Mike and HSL have done everything possible to make the tour smooth, efficient and enjoyable on the lighting front. The pre-production was really detailed and meticulous - it's been a real pleasure."
Apart from the new Robes, HSL also supplied 35 ColorKinetics iColor Tiles and a Catalyst digital media server, which are the video element that Landau wanted to integrate into her design. These are arranged in seven columns of five, hung off the rear truss. They are used as light sources as well as effects in their own right.
The new Robe fixtures were the core of the rig. Landau has used Robe 1200s before and was keen to give the 700s a run. In keeping with the band's request to keep it theatrical, stark and moody, there's an emphasis on back lighting. The lights are arrang
UK - Entertainment lighting supplier White Light welcomed two new members of staff at the beginning of 2007 - though both are familiar to those already working at White Light, having been customers of the company for many years.
Joining White Light's increasingly successful sales team is industry veteran Jack Exell. Most recently at The Lighting Technology Group and Action Lighting, Exell recalls that his association with White Light goes back more than thirty years, to his time as "a young sales rep at Valiant in Fulham, delivering lamps to The Rocky Horror Show on the Kings Road where I first met White Light's founders. The association has become very close and many of my new colleagues here are in fact old friends. I have always admired White Light's integrity and position in the industry, and look forward to being a useful member of the sales team."
Exell will work with White Light's sales director Peter Threadgold to spread the word about the product ranges which White Light distributes in the UK (including Robert Juliat, LSC, Rainbow, ELC, LDDE, Look Solutions, Wireless Solutions and others), and on the many sales and installation projects that White Light is involved with.
Switching sides from customer to staff member is Stuart Crane, who joins White Light to head the company's production team. The production team oversees shows and events where complete lighting and technical service is required and this includes design, planning, supplying, installing, crewing, running and then de-rigging the lighting as well as full risk assessments a
USA - "For me, light is music," says Swedish lighting designer Emma Westerberg,who recently finished a three-week North American preview tour with an alternative-rock band from Ireland that played to sold-out big-city club crowds. Westerberg chose a compact ETC Congo jr lighting control console for the tour, taking it with her on the tour bus or, when she flew, checked it through in her luggage.
Westerberg used 12 Studio Beams (six on the flybar, six on the floor assidelights), a sharkstooth cyc, four six-cell battens, six four-light Moles,three Diversitronic strobes, three half-sphere rotating mirror balls (placedon the floor) and six ETC Source Fours.
Designing for a performer who likes to change things each night meant thatlighting would differ from show to show. New songs would be introducedwithout warning and the play list would be moved around. Westerberg had tobe ready to work on the fly, using Congo jr's hands-on faders toreact quickly and improvise whenever an unplanned song arose.
"Congo jr gives me direct access to my sequences," says Westerberg, "andwith no set song list, I really need to be fast. The Congo jr makes it easyfor me to work as a lighting designer. I can design as I go along,responding to the mood of the music and the intent of the lyrics. This desklets me focus on my art, rather than on console commands. I can concentrateon what's going on onstage instead of having to focus on complicated actionson the console."
No stranger to moving lights either, Westerberg has been designing for 12years, serving as as
UK - SPS, one of the UK's largest live event companies, is adding to its team with the appointment of Lee Rennie to the role of creative producer for its solutions division. Rennie joins from George P. Johnson Company, where he worked across a variety of projects creating inspiring experiences for events. Preceding this, Rennie spent seven years working at Project Worldwide.
In his new role, Rennie will be working alongside SPS event producers and production managers to administer creative solutions that work flawlessly with technical solutions, in order to communicate the client's needs.
The solutions division of SPS provides creative services for events through the latest computer graphics, digital video and other innovative technologies. It concentrates on delivering client's messages effectively with bespoke solutions which look vibrant and appealing to the audience, rather than a standard technical response.
Rennie comments: "I am delighted to be joining SPS, the company has a great reputation within the industry and I am looking forward to working within such an experienced design team."
Andrew Ely, Manager of the solutions division adds: "Adding Lee to the team is a great boost to the creative arm of our business and he will add to our pool of talented designers. Lee will be very active in managing projects and working with clients to develop meaningful content that meets their communication goals."
(Lee Baldock)
USA - XTA Electronics, a leader in sound reinforcement, digital signal processing, and speaker controller systems for the past 15 years, announces that two XTA DP6i Audio Installation Controllers were chosen and installed by system designers/installers the FBP Group for the fabulous Tao Nightclub inside the renowned Venetian Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip.
The installation took advantage of the power and flexibility of the DP6i to upgrade the club's existing sound system, simultaneously enhancing the experience for club-goers at Tao and offering significant cost savings to the club's owners. The installation was completed in January.
The Tao Nightclub is part of the 42,000-square-foot Tao entertainment and dining complex in the Venetian Hotel. Designed to look like an opulent Asian temple, the $22 million club features some of the world's leading DJs, high-tech visual effects and amazing views. A club at this level demands that its sound system be at the absolute razor's edge of performance. As one of the Venetian Hotel's audio vendors, the FBP Group, which in only six months has become one of the region's leading sound system design and install companies, brought an astute mix of technology and expertise to the mandate to take the Tao Nightclub's sound system one step further.
"The goal was to reuse the existing main components of the system, including the speakers and the amplifiers, yet do an upgrade that would considerably enhance the system's performance and do so as cost-effectively as possible," explains Bob Athey, co-owner, with partner Frank He
UK - HRH The Earl of Wessex will visit the Wakefield offices of Litestructures GB Ltd. on Thursday 1 March to officially open the Litestructures Studios rehearsal arena and film studio.
Litestructures Studios is a purpose-built, music tour rehearsal and film and television production facility in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. With over 17,500sq ft of floor space and a height of 54ft the studio is able to accommodate even the largest music tours and film productions. For the live music sector it sets a new standard of excellence for rehearsal space while for film and television production it is a significant addition to the UK's facilities and is a viable option for major film production in the North.
"We are honoured to welcome The Earl of Wessex to open The Litestructures Studio," says Litestructures managing director Adrian Brooks. "Since we built the Studio in 2005 we have been fine-tuning and developing the facility with a series of large scale tour rehearsals for bands including Coldplay, George Michael, Robbie Williams, Muse, the Scissor Sisters, Westlife and others. It is a pleasure to now officially launch the Studio."
Litestructures has a long history in the world of creative aluminium structures. Brooks, created Astralite, the first multi-purpose, lightweight, aluminium trussing system, the arrival of which, more than three decades ago, spawned an entire industry. Today Litestructures remains an industry leader, embracing a diverse range of markets from concert staging, through retail display, to telemetry pods for Formula One racing.<
UK - The Stagemaker Division of leading French manufacturer, Verlinde, has announced a new distributor in the UK - Hoist UK, based on The Wirral. Hoist UK is a new company founded by ex-Tomcat general manager Tony Dickson, and ex-Tomcat technical manager Paul Jordan. Tony and Paul have in excess of 30 years' experience in the design and installation of specialist lifting equipment for the entertainment and industrial sectors.
This latest deal to extend the Verlinde network in the UK was negotiated by Verlinde's UK sales and marketing manager, Simon Rothechild, who said: "Tony and Paul have a wealth of experience in specialist lifting, particularly in the entertainment industry where their expertise and overall offering is second to none. We are delighted to welcome Hoist UK as a Verlinde distributor in the UK and wish Hoist UK every success with its UK launch."
Hoist UK aims to develop a niche in the market for fully certified, fit for purpose specialist lifting applications in the entertainment industry in particular. Tony Dickson, joint founder director of Hoist UK, said: "The Verlinde Stagemaker range and the entire Verlinde productset is already fully certified by the manufacturer which is why we have opted for Verlinde. We have a range of hoists and specialist lifting equipment that complies with BVG D8 plus and BVG C1 standards for operating a chain hoist - importantly, without the requirement for asecondary safety device.
"As health and safety regimes tighten in the entertainment industry across the UK, we believe we will be at the fo
USA - Tom Danley, one of the most innovative loudspeakerdesigners in the industry, will unveil the most powerful subwoofer evercreated at the NSCA Expo 2007 in Orlando, Florida in March. Initiallydesigned for the military and dubbed the Matterhorn by Danley Sound Labs,the record-breaking subwoofer is housed in a shipping container measuring 8'x 8' x 20' and generates 40,000 watts.
The Matterhorn reproduces program material in the frequency range of 15 to80Hz continuously through a system of 40 low frequency drivers. Theextraordinary technical specifications of the Danley Matterhorn include a-3dB measurement at 12Hz and an SPL of 105dB at 250 metres.
Mike Hedden, president of Danley Sound Labs, says: "The Matterhorn goestwo octaves lower than any sub commercially available. At the mouth of thehorn, it achieves 160dB and moves ten inches of air. You can dry yourclothes with it. You can move a Honda Civic with it. If the Civic's parkedon a decline, the Matterhorn will knock it over."
When asked who will buy such an audaciously powerful subwoofer, Heddenlaughed, "The military, of course, that's why we started this project. Butwe also plan to scale it down. Our customers in the professional audio worldwill be able to purchase smaller versions, which, while less powerful thanthe full-blown Matterhorn, will still blow away any other commerciallyavailable subwoofer, almost literally."
Tom Danley is an innovative loudspeaker designer. His designs havebeen utilised in projects ranging from ground zero bombing simulation, jetengine active noise cance
USA - Elation Professional has announced that two of the company's highly acclaimed products have been distinguished with cETL approval: the Elation Design Spot 250 moving head and the Alkalite PD-80 LED system controller. The cETL seal, a recognised standard of quality and safety in both the U.S. and Canada, is only granted after rigorous testing of the product and manufacturing facility.
"The new cETL rating comes as great news for us and our customers," said Eric Loader, director of sales for Elation Professional. "The Design Spot 250 and PD-80 had to pass the very strictest safety and quality inspections in order to merit this internationally recognised seal of integrity. Our cETL status ensures that you are purchasing a high-quality product that is professionally built and completely safe to operate."
The Design Spot 250 DMX moving head is a "hybrid" effect that's both a spot and wash in one. The ultimate rental unit for any production, show or corporate event - as well as a versatile fixture for permanent installation in theatres, concert halls, and churches - this 16-channel, 250-watt spotlight offers both frost and iris capabilities. Equipped with dual gobo wheels, the Design Spot 250 allows users to create a morphing effect via gobo overlay. It includes 14 interchangeable metal and glass gobos (7 rotating, 7 static), and 8 dichroic filters (7 colors plus white). The Design Spot 250 also features true UV filter, which, combined with its frost filter and high-output lamp, delivers a UV wash effect.
The Design Spot 250 is als
Spain / Germany - A daring and ambitious exhibition plan from Spanish audio innovators Vieta sees the creation of the 'Vieta Hotel' at this year's ProLight&Sound (28-31 March). Instead of taking the loudspeaker to the location, Vieta's stand concept brings the location to the loudspeaker. Several hotel and leisure environments will be represented: reception, club and bar, business centre, gym and even a concert venue. The pool area, featuring the radical wireless So Cubes, is also promised.
Vieta's wide-ranging portfolio of sound reinforcement products will be on show, from the conventional 2 and 3-way cabinets of the Do, Fa and Re Lines to the unconventional wireless So Line. New in Frankfurt, easy-to-use weatherproofing kits for speakers that have to endure the elements. Also the introduction of the new Ti Line, a compact, remote-controllable amplifier system, designed for low to medium power use in fixed installations. The small, modular Amplifier Blocks are to DIN rail size and fixing standards, the standard for mains wiring in Europe, and can be used with a range of off-the-shelf accessories, such as waterproofing and fire-safety covers.
Vieta can be found on stand F07 in Hall 4.1.
(Lee Baldock)
UK - Despite snow and traffic chaos across South Wales, Stage Electrics' Strand Light Palette training on the 9 of February received a very good level of interest, the company reports.
The free training was conducted by Strand's Ken Berreen and Bill Richards assisted by Alan Martello from Strand US. The two and a half hour sessions, which were open to all, covered basic theatrical control and moving light control. A total of 30 people attended the sessions. This customer training day followed an in depth session for key Stage Electrics technical staff which was held in January.
Pete Magor from the Western Playhouse who attended the training together with two colleagues, said: "I've been using Strand desks since 1962, the training on the Palette was brilliant, the only problem is now I'll have to buy the desk!"
Sara Alarabi Stage Electrics' training manager who facilitated the training said: "This was an excellent opportunity for Strand desk users to get hands on experience on the new Light Palette; the training was very successful and well received."
Stage Electrics are currently planning more training sessions in conjunction with Strand in their other branches in the UK including, Tyneside, Cambridge, Birmingham, Plymouth and Exeter, those who are interested in attending the free sessions should contact Stage Electrics to register their interest.
Ken Berreen from Strand said: "It's great to receive friendly support from a major dealer in the UK, we are very pleased to received such enthusiastic interest about new control platform.&
Denmark / Germany - Martin Professional has revealed an extensive line-up of products to be showcased on the company's stand at this year's ProLight&Sound exhibition in Frankfurt (28-31 March).
Chief among them is the MAC TW1, the 1200W tungsten wash fixture first seen in 2006 and finding its way into an increasing number of high-profile theatre applications since. A twin lens zoom system, full CMY colour mixing and choice of internal or external electronic dimming are contained in the sturdy magnesium structure that allows fast, silent convection of heat away from the back of the fixture. The MAC TW1 is also available with a new 80V lamp that offers a superior output to traditional mains voltage lamps.
The Stagebar 54 is a bright, high-efficiency LED pixel bar with RGB, Amber and 'true' white colour mixing (RGBAW) for a broader colour spectrum and greater range of pastel shades than other LED lights in its class, the company says. The Stagebar 54 employs an automatic colour calibration technique to ensure correct colour balance. Light output is constant, regardless of ambient temperatures, and different lens angles give greater flexibility and a wider variety of application. Stagebar 54 also features high-speed video capability. Mounting, connectivity and serviceability are all made easy and regulated fan speed ensures outstanding heat management, ensuring the fixture's long-term performance. Industry standard DMX 512 controllable with HSI (Hue, Saturation, Intensity) control, Stagebar 54 is light weight, yet built to withstand the rigours of the touring market.
USA - Lightolier Controls and Entertainment Technology have announced the hiring of Heinz Roy and Matthew Burstein. Based in Dallas, Texas, Roy has been named product development manager. Based in New York City, New York, Burstein has been appointed Northeast regional sales manager, overseeing New York City and New Jersey.
"Heinz and Matthew are two excellent additions to the Entertainment Technology and Lightolier Controls team," says Julie Smith, Lightolier Controls and Entertainment Technology general manager. "In his new role, Heinz will manage our staff of product managers while working closely with our engineers to facilitate new and current product development. Matthew, who already has a strong relationship with many of our clients and dealers, will no doubt continue to excel as a significant attribute to our sales organisation."
"Architectural and entertainment lighting and lighting controls are rapidly evolving technologies," said Roy. "I am eager to work with our talented engineering department and dedicated product managers towards the strengthening of all our product lines."
"The Northeast region of the United States holds a tremendous amount of potential for lighting and lighting control systems," said Burstein. "Building upon my existing relationships, I am very excited to begin making an impact for Entertainment Technology and Lightolier Controls."
(Chris Henry)
Sweden - Wireless Solution Sweden AB has announced the launch of W-DMX Generation 3, the newest feature-packed product range for Wireless DMX. Generation 3 includes new and improved features such as easy overview of signal strength and battery power, plus full implementation of DMX over Ethernet. Generation 3 is now shipping worldwide.
W-DMX is the perfect solution for applications where running DMX cable is not practical. The new product range has a high power radio output with up to 350mW and offers the most complete product line, from indoor to outdoor units with IP65 and Nema 6 standards. W-DMX has full support of RDM, is CE and ETSI certified in Europe and Asia, FCC certified in the Americas (awaiting UL), and is certified in Japan with ARIB STD-T66 radio standards.
Features include: high radio output with 375mW output (FCC) and 100mW (Europe/Asia); signal strength to monitor the signal on all units; new battery function with UPS for up to 8 hours on most units; battery level indicator; improved antenna connector; DMX In/Out or DMX out x 2; DMX over Cat5, in total 4 RJ45; and the option to run all units on low-voltage power supply.
W-DMX also has the updated version of S-1 Transmitter and R-512 Receiver. The S-2 dual universe transmitter, R-512 Pro Receiver and T-1 Transceiver all feature a "one button technology" toggle, allowing the unit to switch from receiver to transmitter. A complete new and updated outdoor range is also available.
W-DMX uses both FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum) and TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) technologi
France / Germany - At the forthcoming ProLight&Sound exhibition in Frankfurt (28-31 March), French pro audio manufacturer Nexo plans to launch new additions to its internationally successful GEO S Series of tangent-array loudspeakers, designed for both fixed and portable installations. The presentation of this new design at the ProLight +Sound show is concurrent with three prestigious stadia contracts, which are being delivered in France.
Paired with Nexo's proprietary design software GEOSoft2, the new building blocks in the scalable GEO S system offer absolute predictability, and full integration potential with EtherSound networks. Although the new cabinets are aimed principally at the design and installation market - outdoors in stadia and arenas, indoors in nightclubs and live venues - they also offer mobile deployment options to PA companies, opening up new possibilities for the GEO S Series.
Nexo will also unveil a new line of subs, showing 2 x 15" and 2 x 18" versions of this highly flexible range. Designed for both for mobile and fixed applications, the new subs offer advanced, next-generation LF directivity control and can be used with any GEO S, Nexo PS and Alpha Series Cabinet.
Nexo can be found on stand A32 in Hall 8.0.
(Lee Baldock)
USA - NSCA 2007 will be one of the busiest in Renkus-Heinz's history as the company introduces several major new products, both on stand 1020 and in demo room W203A.
Renkus-Heinz will open a new era in powered loudspeakers at NSCA 2007 by introducing RHAON - a combination of integral amplification, DSP, digital audio networking, control and monitoring - to the entire Renkus-Heinz powered product lineup, beginning with the all-new Sygma SG/SGX line.
The Sygma SG/SGX line, also making its début at NSCA, integrates the capabilities of loudspeakers, amplifiers, processors and digital audio networks in a series of installation-specific cabinets, with a choice of powered or non-powered models.
Renkus-Heinz will also expand the Iconyx product line at NSCA with the new self-powered IC7 and externally powered ICX7 Iconyx array modules. Both are passive linear arrays with fixed beams that can be steered mechanically. The new products will supplement Iconyx Digitally Controlled Array Systems in venues needing side and front fill coverage, and offer a low cost solution for applications that don't demand the programmable control and precise coverage afforded by Iconyx Digitally Controlled Array Systems.
Renkus-Heinz will also show the new BeamWare 2.0 - the latest software upgrade for Iconyx Digitally Controlled Array Systems - which is offered as a free download for existing Iconyx users. BeamWare 2.0 includes new features that make it even easier for system designers and integrators to optimise the performance of an Iconyx system for a specific venue.
Dave Rahn
UK - Lift Turn Move (LTM) has staged its first CM Lodestar Motor School of 2007. This was attended by 16 people from the UK and Europe, representing numerous industry sectors, and including leading hire companies PRG, DBN, A-Tech and Skan PA, plus representatives from fabric and draping specialists, J&C Joel.
The course was presented by LTM's Dave Ward and John Jones, and follows on from the first one staged by LTM at the end of 2006. The intention is to hold two more UK-based Motor Schools at LTM's Wirral HQ in 2007 - on March 21-22 and October 2-3.
John Jones says: "There's a stronger demand than ever for Motor Schools, and we're responding to that. Others who have presented them in the past are no longer doing so, and there's a definite need for these courses." He adds: "All our clients want their staff and regular crews to be comprehensively clued up on the maintenance issues."
The numbers were deliberately set at 16 places. LTM's past experiences have proved that this is the ideal number to allow a one or two person presentation team to give everyone sufficient individual attention. It's also a nice 'friendly' number that works well in LTM's specially designed new Training Room.
Topics covered included stripping and rebuilding motors, troubleshooting, common problems, the effect of rain and other environmental elements, double braking and operational practicalities like the correct use of chain bags.
Dave Ward concentrated on the more technical subjects, while John Jones discussed general motor, rigging and industry issues and produ
UK - This year at the 49th Annual GRAMMYs, held 11 February, 2007, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Audio-Technica supplied 270 of its microphones, including an array of hard-wired mics and Artist Elite 5000 Series UHF Wireless Systems. This year Audio-Technica celebrated its tenth year supplying the event.
The sound system was provided by ATK AudioTek with FOH engineers Ron Reaves and Mikael Stewart, while the broadcast audio was supervised by Phil Ramone and Hank Neuberger, leading members of the Producers & Engineers Wing of The Recording Academy. New York-based XM Productions/Effanel Music were onsite with their L7 remote truck to create the music mix, facilitated by Music Mixers John Harris and Eric Schilling, along with Orchestra Music Mixer and XM Productions/Effanel Music Lead Engineer Joel Singer.
For the home audience, CBS once again delivered the most advanced form of HDTV, with 1,080 lines of picture resolution and 5.1-channel surround sound. Gary Boss, Audio-Technica US marketing director, Live Sound & Studio, watched over the event as the comprehensive range of Audio-Technica microphones turned out an evening of flawless performances.
Audio-Technica's Artist Elite 5000 Series UHF Wireless System was used, with a customAEW-T4100 handheld microphone/transmitter, for vocals by Justin Timberlake, recipient of two of the evening's GRAMMY Awards. For the My GRAMMY Moment duet with Timberlake, contest winner Robyn Troup performed using 5000 Series wireless with an AEW-T5400 transmitter. The AEW-T5400 was also employed by John Legend, who rece
Germany - With its Compact Mixing System (CMS), Dynacord offered practical complete solutions. Now, with the CMS 2200, the manufacturer is expanding the series to include a system capable of meeting a wider range of requirements.
The CMS 1000 and CMS 1600 models, have six and twelve mono channels respectively as well as the four stereo channels. The merits of the CMS systems include high-quality channel strips as well as a master section that, despite its compactness, offers seven-band equalizers for the main L/R mix or monitor outs as well as two feedback filters. Two independent effects blocks, each with 99 presets optimised for live performance, round off the feature set. The advantages include: rapid setting-up times, a saving in space on the stage or front of house, and the elimination of potential errors, such as those resulting from the faulty or erroneous connection of external devices.
With the CMS 2200, Dynacord is taking things one step further in responding to the request of many users for more input channels - without sacrificing the advantages of the existing compact systems. Despite offering six additional mono channels, the new flagship of the CMS series therefore remains light and compact.
The CMS 2200 boasts an extensive feature set that makes it suitable for solo entertainers and small ensembles and the ideal partner for existing sound reinforcement systems such as the Dynacord D-Lite 2000. But there's no reason either why larger groups now shouldn't profit from the advantages of Dynacord's Compact Mixing Systems, with its 18 mono and four st
UK - When specifying a new public address system, Southend United turned to locally-based Essex Sound & Light to for its 12,500 all-seater Roots Hall stadium. Although the football club is nicknamed 'The Blues', the 22 Turbosound TCS Compact speakers, supplied and installed, were all in black.
Although during the next 18 months the Coca-Cola Championship team look set to vacate the ground which has been home for the past 50 years, the upgrade nevertheless became essential, according to ESL's Mike Glover.
"When Southend United were promoted to the Championship attendances increased, and the club started to present entertainment such as dancing girls - both pre-match and during the interval. But all the club had was an ancient 100v horn system - completely inadequate for the purpose or for music playback."
During the close season the club decided it was no longer economical to keep hiring in supplementary equipment from ESL on match days (including monitors around the perimeter of the pitch), and commercial manager Brian Wheeler approached Glover for something more permanent.
Wheeler himself says that over a three-year period the gate has grown from around 3,500 to a massive 10,000, and as one of the match day announcers, equipped with two new Sennheiser wireless mics, he is responsible for broadcasting messages and getting the ground safely evacuated after the match.
"The old system was 10-15 years old and sounding very tinny. But the enhanced intelligibility and even distribution now means this can be done safely. I know [the crowds] can hear