UK - Leading RF manufacturer Trantec announced that its exclusive Japanese Distributor Otaritec has supplied a 32-channel S6000 radio mic system on the Japanese tour of Tony award winning musical - Blast!

The tour commenced in Tokyo's Orchard Hall and was directed by James Mason and produced by William A Cook. As a hugely vibrant production, it delivers a feast of colour, sound and movement. Comprising 54 brass, percussion and 15 visual performers, Blast! is a unique explosion of music and theatre.

Featuring as part of a sophisticated sound system, the Trantec S6000 system was specified by sound designer Mark Wood. Trantec's Richard Ganley collaborated with Woods and Otaritec's Mr Fukatsu from the early planning stages to ensure that all aspects of the system integ

UK - Stage Electrics London is holding a Martin MAC700 demonstration afternoon on Thursday 6 October.

This will give users a chance to have a hands on demonstration of Martin's latest and quietest moving head say the company. A compact, light, quiet fixture with power and optical precision beyond its peers is what Martin set out to achieve in the MAC700 Profile.

Fully equipped with all the industry standard Martin features, the MAC700 Profile also combines a full CMY colour mixing system supplemented with an eight position colour wheel and a gobo animation system for dramatic projection effects.

Numbers are strictly limited so please call 020 7939 3000 to reserve your place, doors open from midday.

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

UK - For the second year running Tannoy drew additional attention to its stand at PLASA with a live band; this time featuring guitarist Graeme Duffin of Wet Wet Wet, Sandy Jones, who has produced for the band, and female vocalist Jake Cogan.

The main focus of the stand was Tannoy VNET - a fully active range of networkable sound reinforcement loudspeakers. By integrating its renowned Dual Concentric point source, constant directivity drive unit with leading edge digital signal processing (DSP), network control and class D amplifier technologies into the highly successful V-series line-up, Tannoy say it is providing a fully monitored active speaker system; a turn key solution for the most demanding sound reinforcement applications.

Two 800W power amps are fitted to each VNET cabinet and room EQ is simplified via user accessible signal processing based on the latest third generat

UK - The Royal Opera House Covent Garden, London has purchased a complete L Acoustics MTD coaxial system. Primarily for use in its Lindbury Theatre, the system will also be utilized in other main rooms within the Opera House.

The system consists of four MTD115b and 14 MTD108a, amplified by LA17a and LA48a power amplifiers. The decision by the Royal Opera House to invest in L-Acoustics was made after extensive listening tests, involving other high end market brands. The outcome was that the MTD range offered the best overall packaged solution particularly with regard to satisfying the requirement for seamless natural sounding loudspeakers.

Paul Nicholson from L-Acoustics UK commented: "when I first demonstrated the MTD108a to the Republic of Ireland, it was clear from its reaction to the initial test that it was to be its eventual first choice product. And when Soundvision

Switzerland - Zurich's Flughafen Airport has come up with a novel idea in using one of its old terminal buildings. The terminal has been developed in to a multi purpose venue called 'Event Dock' which includes a Museum along with various other corporate event and exhibition facilities. In developing the terminal certain criteria had to be met with regards to equipment and software that was to be installed, especially as the majority of event managers at the site are not fully experienced lighting technicians or engineers.

Project manager Andreas Stahl from EBZ in Switzerland recommended and installed the Frog Box and Frog Touch Screen system from Zero 88 to control the 30 Clay Paky Points and 16 Clay Paky Colorwave 300's used throughout the terminal. The main reason for the Frog range being used was that it was the only product on the market capable of providing the number of pr

UK - Lift-Turn-Move celebrated its first birthday at PLASA 2005. LTM was launched at PLASA 04 as a new, independently owned company with a fresh attitude to the lifting and rigging industry. The tightly focused eight-person operation is concentrating on making life simple, friendly, efficient and cost-effective for its clients - a 'small is beautiful' philosophy that's proved a success over the last 12 months.

Jones, a veteran of over a decade of PLASA shows, says that 2005 one was: "Absolutely the busiest exhibition since the show moved into Earls Court - the show was even too busy on Wednesday for us to get off the stand"

LTM demonstrated its ability to think on its feet when it arrived for the PLASA build! Realizing its single sided corporate sign needed in fact to have signage on both sides, John Jones thought laterally. He asked around site for any contacts in t

UK - Spotlight PR has been awarded the public relations contract to promote The Event Show, now in its 16th year, which is staged over two days at Olympia in London on 25 and 26 January 2006. The industry's most comprehensive exhibition encompasses all aspects of organizing outdoor and indoor events, from small functions to international music festivals.

Karen Dodd, marketing manager for The Event Show said: "We appointed Spotlight as they have demonstrated considerable expertise in promoting large scale events and have a successful track record in generating awareness nationally both in print press and through broadcast media."

Spotlight PR's clients include Stowe Music Festival and Southport Flower Show, with both events attracting national publicity generated by the agency. Marina Efstathiou, director of Spotlight PR added: "The Event Show is an extremely pre

Germany - Midas and Klark Teknik announced the appointment of Andreas Miele at EVI Audio in Straubing, as managing sales engineer, Midas/Klark Teknik Germany.

In his newly-created role, Miele will support EVI Audio in taking care of its pro audio customers in Germany, with special emphasis on the whole Midas and Klark Teknik product range. His main duty will be to work closely with the company's customers in the theatre, broadcast and contractor markets.

"I am very excited about the opportunities this challenge creates," says Miele. "For many years I have been convinced of the Midas/KT technology, excellent product quality and reputation, as well as the company's skills as a global player in the pro audio industry. I appreciate the enthusiasm and the invaluable local market knowledge of the EVI Audio Team and I really look forward to this mutually beneficial arr

featured content

ETC Halcyon Silent

High End Systems Halcyon Silent builds on ETC’s legacy of fanless automated fixtures by incorporating features from the highly sought-after Halcyon family. Halcyon Silent perfectly balances silent operation with brilliant output of 18,400 lumens and high-impact features. 

For more information visit us at www.etcconnect.com

UK/Europe - Gear-Source, Inc announced the formation of a new office servicing the European Continent. GearSource Europe and the associated new website will be a close duplicate of the US based company, but the office will be based in the United Kingdom.

Marcel Fairbairn, president of Gear-Source, LLC says: "we have been searching for the ideal opportunity to expand our European business, and we have now found the ideal person to head it up. We are excited to move closer to our European clientele and also to locate new clients and vendors in this important market."

The MD for GearSource Europe is Garry Nelsson who has been involved in the entertainment industry since 1985. He began working in and around the television stations of the Middle East and most recently spent time with the Lighting Technology Group in west London. This is where Nelsson travelled extensivel

Ireland - The Tinteán Theatre, a new 520 seat multipurpose venue with associated Exhibition centre located in Ballybunion, County Kerry, Republic of Ireland, has just taken delivery of a comprehensive L-Acoustics installation system.

The Tinteán's mission is to operate a purpose-built performance venue with contemporary Irish Dance, Irish Music and literature as its core and tourism as its primary audience market. The theatre hopes to revitalize the North Kerry region through the operation of this premium venue offering entertainment in all art genres and disciplines with special emphasis upon traditional Irish dance and Music in a contemporary format, presented to both national and international audiences.

The L-Acoustics system supplied by Sound Communication Dublin and designed by L-Acoustics UK comprises nine 112XT and eight MTD108a coaxial speakers, two SB118 subwoofers

UK - Electrosonic outsource sites are now all going on-line with a brand new web-based company intranet, developed especially for Electrosonic staff working on clients' sites. The primary use of the new intranet is to ensure uniform quality and control across all sites, say the company.

When a company has widely dispersed staff, working on a variety of sites and projects, it can be difficult to maintain both standards and the right information flow. Electrosonic has used internet technology for many years at its Hawley Mill HQ both to inform staff and to maintain standards.In addition to its public website. Electrosonic operates an intranet within the company, which it considers an essential component of its HR policy, ensuring that employees are properly informed. It's also the means by which all quality procedures are disseminated, and it underpins the company's ISO9001:2000 a

Computer DJ was again at PLASA with an array of new products. Of particular interest for bars and clubs as well as light and sound installers was the new Q-Play digital music system, say the company.This touch screen unit will play the required style of music for up to 365 days a year. The system incorporates bio-metric (fingerprint) security, ensuring that only those authorized to do so can change the music (or its volume). The system can be managed by venue staff or programmed remotely via an optional secure internet link.

The other product to attract a stream of visitors was the newly developed Screenfly. This software programme can be used to generate immediate adverts and other live messages on the plasma screen. Within seconds the user can display special offers; introduce new products; show menu details; etc. Screenfly can also be used interactively or to entertain customers and

UK - As well as having one of the most eye-catching stands at the event, Pulsar unveiled a number of new products at the recent PLASA Show. In addition to the existing ChromaBatten200 and ChromaFlood200, the range now includes a ChromaBatten100 (available in 600 and 1200mm widths) and the compact ChromaFlood100. All units are IP65-rated and are powered directly from 100-240V; they have full remote DMX control of RGB levels for colour mixing, and internal sequences provide operation without a separate control system.

Another addition to the ChromaBatten range is the ChromaBatten50 - a 300mm (1ft) wide, IP65-rated fixture. ChromaBatten50 is powered and controlled from the ChromaZone and up to a maximum of four pieces can be driven from a ChromaZone12.

Adding to the highly successful ChromaStrip2 is the new ChromaStripX3 High Power LED strip, offering three times the power of the

Belgium - ISE (Integrated Systems Europe) 2006 has nearly doubled in size from the previous show with still over four months to go until the event itself in February 2006. At the Brussels Expo, more than 2000 sqm of extra space has been allocated to meet the increasing demand from new and existing companies. Key exhibitors who signed up over the summer were Eiki and Dataton.

These were astonishing figures for Mike Blackman, ISE 2006 managing director, he says: "We are delighted to see that the level of new business continues to grow each month. Even over the traditionally quiet summer months, we managed to sell over 200sqm of exhibition space. The interest levels and awareness of ISE 2006 is increasing all the time and, now that the website has gone live, we will be channelling our energies towards the visitor and press with a series of exciting roadshows, editorial and adv

USA - Audio systems designer Kevin Hill was approached by Seven Cedars Casino in Sequim (Skwim), Washington to design and build a state-of-the-art sound system for its new 500-capacity nightclub, Club Seven. Senior partner and design engineer with Kent, Washington-based Triamp Group, Hill notes, "It's always a pleasure to work with clients who truly want to do it right the first time. With 7 Cedars, their goal to recreate a ' Vegas-style' club presented us with a unique opportunity to have some real fun with some of the most advanced equipment on the market today."

Since Club Seven would host both live acts as well as present recorded dance tracks, Hill set out to design a high-energy sound system that was versatile and easy enough for a single sound engineer to run and alter as needed. Hill also wanted to ensure that as much of the system's energy as possible remained

Australia/Syria - ARX Systems, the Australian based manufacturer of professional audio equipment announced the appointment of Hamzeh Partners Co. as its new distributor for Syria.

ARX's managing director Colin Park says: "Hamzeh Partners are very well known throughout the Middle East Pro Audio Industry as a well established and very professional organization. Hamzeh Partners managing director Mr Khaled Hamzeh and I recently finalized our distribution agreement after an initial meeting at the Frankfurt Pro Light and Sound in Frankfurt earlier in the year. The Syrian Audio Industry is growing rapidly, we're looking forward to working with Hamzeh Partners, one of the largest Syrian distributors and to further developing the market for ARX's current and future products."

Along side ARX, Damascus based Hamzeh Partners also represents manufacturers including HHB,D & R, Tur

UK - The Pharos Lighting Playback Controller (LPC) was awarded a prestigious Award for Innovation during PLASA 2005. The coveted Awards were judged by a panel of industry professionals, who were impressed by the Pharos product's "versatile operating system that is destined to set the benchmark for installation controllers". This success follows on from the Award for Best of Category (Controls and Controls Software) Pharos received at LightFair International in New York earlier this year.

Pharos is a solid state, fit-and-forget solution for control of colour mixing fixtures, dimmers, ballasts and moving lights using either DMX or DALI protocols, and the judges praised it as being "a beautifully engineered lighting controller". A comprehensive range of expansion modules allows it to connect with a host of other triggers and protocols, all in a compact DIN rail-

Germany - When His Holiness the Pope addressed an audience of over one million young people during the World Youth Day event near Köln this summer, the audio systems were supplied by leading German rental companies Neumann & Muller, Crystal Sound and Sirius, working s a joint venture group: 104 towers of PA were used to relay the messages.

With some of the speaker towers almost 1.5km from the source point, a mean air temperature of 22°C and 50% relative humidity, the audio team were looking at a delay of 4.35 seconds to the most distant tower. Henning Kaltheuner, a senior production planning specialist from Yamaha, volunteered to solve some of the technical issues. "Neumann & Muller preferred to use Yamaha DMEs because of the level of reliability," says Kaltheuner. "We rarely have a chance to join a real world project of this size during its design and performan

USA - ESTA has announced that BSR E1.26, Entertainment Technology - Recommended Testing Methods and Values for Shock Absorption of Floors Used in Live Performance Venues, is available for public review until 7 December 2005. There is currently no recognized standard for measuring the energy absorption of theatre stage and rehearsal room floors, which can lead to disagreements about whether floors are too stiff or too flexible and difficulties in resolving these disagreements. Floors that are either can lead to performer injuries or excessive effort in performing dance or gymnastic movements. This draft standard is intended to ameliorate this lack of a recognized standard, say ESTA.

The public is invited to comment on the draft document, which is available here.

Besides commenting on whether

Hong Kong - Denmark-based Dansk Data Displays (DDD) has found an increasing demand in the Danish installation and rental markets for Lighthouse LED video screens in recent months, in particular the R10 and P10i/o 10mm pixel pitch screens, for both indoor and outdoor use.

In Odense, one of Denmark's largest newspapers, Fyens Stiftstidende, has recently moved its head office to the centre of the main city, situated opposite Hans Christian Anderson Square, in a new building, of which the façade is made almost entirely from glass.

Fyens wants to let its customers know what the company does, as it not only produces a newspaper, but is also a radio station and advertising bureau. For this the company turned to DDD who worked in conjunction with the architects to install a Lighthouse LED video screen on the side of the building. This displays news to the city as it's produced by the

UK - Hand Held Audio, UK dealers for Ultimate Ears, have taken delivery of the first shipment of the new 'Super.fi' earphones range. The strength of the California-based manufacturer in the custom earpiece market has resulted in a burgeoning relationship with Hand Held, the UK in-ear monitoring specialist.

The Super.fi range has been developed to address the growing interest in high quality, universal fit earphones for pro audio and for the iPod / mobile listening market. The super.fi studio 3 are single armature, full-range earphones offering high-quality musical sound, with clear highs and a solid low end which will be hard to better in this type of driver, say Hand Held.

The super.fi 5 Pro is a dual armature driver earpiece with a punchy low end, transparent highs and a wide dynamic range which makes it an ideal choice for use with in-ear monitoring. The super.fi 5EB is a s

Latest Issue. . .