Following negotiations with the founding owners of Swedish gobo manufacturer Beacon, Martin has purchased 25% of the share capital of the company with an option to purchase an additional 15%. Martin’s capital investment in the company is intended to ensure Beacon’s aggressive growth strategy, while guaranteeing future influence on the company’s development. Beacon will continue to operate as a fully independent company. Its three owners will continue to head the company while Martin makes its influence felt through the Board of Directors.
Following Martin’s introduction of the MAC 2000, Beacon became Martin’s most important gobo supplier. The company employs some 20 people and expects a turnover of app. SEK 25 million for the financial period covering September 2001 to August 2002.
Announced today at PLASA, leading live sound company Britannia Row Productions, has purchased a range of power amps from high-end touring and installation manufacturer, Chameleon Audio, which will form part of Britannia Row’s comprehensive touring set-up. Since the beginning of this year, Britannia Row has been reviewing the specifications of amplifiers currently available and decided to put the Chameleons through their paces. They were particularly impressed with the sound quality and size-to-power ratio, and are further assessing them on selected shows over the summer.
Tests were initially undertaken in June and July at indoor and outdoor venues with capacities spanning 2,500 to 25,000 respectively. The trials culminated in the Route of Kings concerts in Hyde Park with the Beach Boys, Status Quo, Andrea Bocelli, Tom Jones and Michael Flatley's Lord of The Dance. Of the 40 amps
LeMark had a press meeting yesterday to announce the launch of its new catalogue. The company invited people to join it for a champagne launch to mark the occasion. The long awaited new catalogue shows the diversity of products available from Le Mark which was originally established in 1983 to supply the consumable demands for self adhesive products used within the TV, film and theatre industries. Since those early days the company has grown to the point where it now offers a cross section of inter-related products designed for use in many areas of the industry. The company also used the occasion to announce its recent strategic alliance with Scapa Tapes plc one of the world’s largest adhesive tape manufacturers, supported by 22 production and distribution sites across the globe.
First-time exhibitor Acutek comes to the PLASA Show having recently moved to new custom-built premises in Ipswich. The move comes within the company’s first year of operation and will allow for more streamlined production and more efficient customer service. The company now employs 10 people and expects this to increase over the next 12 months. "Our new premises have ample scope for us to expand as we develop our product range in line with the industry’s requirements," said operations director Ian Elder. At the Show itself, the company is demonstrating its range of motion and hoist control systems and its recently developed range of touring dimming systems.
There are a number of attractions of the High End stand at PLASA 2001, including the x.Spot with new framing shutters and Lithomotion features, and the Catalyst periscopic moving head projection system, which has been displaying real-time moving video projections from the stand. Our uppermost picture shows PLASA Media photographer Chris Toulmin photographing the Catalyst-projected image of himself on the rear wall of the stand.
Another eye-catching feature of the High End exhibit this year is the tiny C-16 colour changer for retail and display applications. Our second picture shows the effect of these MR16-equipped units on a mannequin display. These look set to sell by the truckload.
Wembley Loudspeaker’s appearance at PLASA marks its 30th year in the industry. The company, which was launched in 1971, supplies a range of equipment to musicians, churches, schools, theatres, clubs and cinemas, and is still creating new products at the fore of the audio marketplace. Wembley also offers Europe’s largest repair refurbishment facility for nearly all makes of professional and studio, units including a comprehensive range of parts for many vintage and rare speakers. On the stand at PLASA is the 15-400 Pro Cabinets launched earlier in the year, along with the range of B-Line 18" 800 and 600 bass drivers which have proven highly popular since their introduction to the market.
Australian company Bytecraft has won the contract to supply the Beijing Grand National Theatre with its control system and electrics. The state-funded Opera is scheduled for completion in December 2004 and the Bytecraft contract - which covers both the control system featuring 400 axis of control and electrics and is worth $32million - will see the creation of one of the biggest control systems in the world. Bytecraft expects to go on site in early 2002 and remain there until the venue opens.Bytecraft can be found on Stand R48.
The opening day of the 2001 PLASA Show proved to be one of the busiest opening days the show has yet experienced, with early indications showing a 6% increase in visitors over the previous year. Clarion Events, the PLASA Show organisers, also report that visitor pre-regisration for PLASA 2001 showed an increase of around 1,000 over last year's event.
The show floor was buzzing throughout the day, with many exhibitors commenting on the especially high quality of both UK and international buyers visiting the show. Watch out for more developments from the PLASA Show as we enter Day 2 . . .
TJ Livehouse, one of Singapore's newest and more popular nightclubs, has had an all-Apogee system installed to provide sound in its 20,000sq.ft venue. The nightspot is a disco, but also hosts live entertainment including band performance, DJ and dance competitions, pageants and game shows. TJ Livehouse, which was converted from a movie theatre, needed to project uniform sound to the entire area, which includes a balcony. Before making the choice, the venue’s management had each potential vendor come into the club and set up a live demonstration. An Apogee system, featuring nine ALA-9 linear array loudspeakers, six FH-18 quad-subwoofers, and 28 DA-800 amplifiers, was then selected for permanent installation.
Silas Rabi, owner of Emaginex, the company which installed the system, said: "Apogee's line array speakers provided the sound quality TJ Livehouse was looking for, normal
Depeche Mode have followed their successful album Exciter with a world tour that sees them playing 80 dates around the globe. Lighting designer is Paul Normandale who has masterminded an extraordinary light show that incorporates Martin MAC 2000s and giant video projections by artist Anton Corbijn. Using 19 MAC 2000s, Normandale and his collaborators have created a unique lighting design, with a cleverly-constructed interplay of light, film and Depeche Mode's own unique brand of electronica. Normandale took full advantage of the MAC 2000's hard-edged beams to create a strong visual look that mirrored the moods of the evening's varied repertoire. At times the band was given an almost graphical quality by a silhouetting backlight of MAC 2000 beams. Crew Chief Mike Hosp noted: "The MAC 2000 is a very positive step in the technology of moving lights. It has the brightness that LDs want
On the first day of the PLASA Show at London’s Earls Court yesterday, TMB announced the opening of TMB Beijing. TMB CEO Colin Waters stated: "With customers involved in projects throughout China, local coordination has become essential. This office will add another level of support to our international vendors and customers, with a focus on the growing Chinese market. TMB’s ability to assimilate the best equipment from around the world is a real benefit here."
Cherry Huang, a Beijing resident who has worked with TMB on a freelance basis for several years, has assumed the role of TMB Beijing office manager. Waters commented: "The opening of TMB Beijing is the culmination of 10 years’ work in this region. This is an exciting moment. We expect great things from our new location, especially with someone as talented as Cherry Huang heading it up."
Martin Professional will launch a new version of its successful MAC 2000 Profile at PLASA 2001. The new version, the MAC 2000 Performance, is a 1200W profile framing spot featuring a four-blade framing system for precise stage lighting and gobo animation wheel for extraordinary theatrical effects, the ideal illumination framing tool for theaters and special effect applications. Useful for accurate illumination coverage of stage props, scenery or any object, the precision adjusting, fully automated beam framing system transforms the elliptical beam into a multitude of different shapes. Fine adjustment of the shape is within millimeters thus eliminating any excess back light and perfect for stage shows of all types.
Also new to the MAC 2000 Performance is a gobo animation wheel useful for special theatrical effects such as fire, sky and water imaging. The entire wheel can be swiveled for
More than 250 of the world's leading companies from 30 countries will showcase their products and latest technology in the 11th Consecutive Broadcast India 2001 Exhibition & Symposium. A host of leading manufacturers will exhibit a wide range of products catering to the broadcast and entertainment industry in three days of the exhibition. The Broadcast India 2001 Exhibition will be held from 1-3 November 2001 at World Trade Centre, Mumbai in three halls - Expo Centre, South Side Lobby and Centrum - spreading over 40,000sq.ft of stand space. The exhibition will be preceded by a two day Symposium from 30-31 October 2001, to be staged at the Y B Chavan Centre, Mumbai. Industry professionals will speak on various topics covering the fields of TV, radio, video, audio, film, music, lighting, cabling, satellite, multi-media, transmission, computer graphics, broadband internet and all their alli
Zero 88 chose the PLASA Show to present three Dealer of the Year Awards. Winner of the Independent Dealer of the Year Award was Stagecraft Ltd of Salisbury, while High Wycombe-based AC Lighting Ltd picked up the UK dealer of the Year Award. The International Dealer of the Year Award was presented to California-based AC Lighting Inc, and our picture shows Zero 88's Graham Eales (centre) presenting the Award to CEO Bob Gordon (left) and Mike Falconer of AC Lighting Inc.
Cork-based lighting, technical design and production specialists LDPS has further expanded its team with the addition of two new project consultants - Joe Stockdale and Michael Hurley. Their specialist areas are stage technologies and mixed/multi-media respectively. Stockdale and Hurley join LDPS founder Grant Collie and will be based in the company’s new premises in central Cork. The appointments will strengthen LDPS’s position as a market leader in the field of creating practical technical solutions based on hands-on experience.
Stockdale’s role will include venue technical design, specialising in stage systems, site installation supervision, special projects, client liaison, training and recruitment. His diverse background includes the teaching of theatre studies, set design and construction and event production. For the last nine years, he worked as technical stag
Young, talented DJ Scratch-Mo astounded music industry judges and the crowds to win the Extreme V DJ Competition yesterday at the PLASA Show 2001, Earls Court. The annual competition, sponsored by Gemini Sound Products attracted queues of young hopefuls from across the country to its stand for a chance to audition at the UK’s biggest entertainment technology show of the year.
22-year-old DJ Scratch-Mo (real name Angelo Tun) from Derby performed two superb sets to beat off stiff competition in his heat and the final winning £500 worth of Gemini DJ equipment. The music mad Media Technology graduate who has been DJing for seven years was thrilled to win and hopes that it will lead to a career in DJing.
The competition took place on the opening day of PLASA, DJ Sunday and is just part of a programme of events which included a guest appearance from super star DJ, Roger Sanchez at t
Formula Sound has unveiled its latest modular mixer- the PM-100 - at PLASA 2001. This mixer replaces the award winning PM-90 and is proving to be as popular. One important feature of the PM-100 is the single universal input module which can be configured to accept virtually any type of input source. Also featuring VCA controlled crossfade with punch; contour control and inserts at either end for connecting external signal processing equipment. With its many other facilities and its combination of sizes, layout etc. the PM-100 is the most versatile small production mixer around.
The full range or products for mixing and noise control is on show on stand E26.
In preparation for the process of obtaining official charitable status, Light Relief, the industry fund that supports lighting designers in times of crisis or personal tragedy, has chosen a board of trustees which includes some of the profession’s best-known names. Additionally, Richard Pilbrow, doyen of theatre lighting design and author of the seminal work on the art, has agreed to be Honorary Chairman.
Rick Fisher, ALD Chairman and joint founder with Tony Gottelier of Light Relief, explains: "We desperately wanted Richard to have a role, but as a non-UK resident that would have proved difficult in view of the requirements of the regulations governing charities. Consequently, we’re delighted that he has agreed to accept the position, as we know that his involvement and wise counsel will prove invaluable."
Although born in England and having worked here for man
Currently touring the UK, the Budweiser House Party, visiting the cities of Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow and London among others, showcases some of the UK’s top DJs and is part of a touring promotion campaign for Budweiser Beer. The essence of ‘cool’, the Budweiser house has the statutory flying ducks on the wall, a range of retro furniture, a bath full of Budweiser and a dance-floor bed. Staging specialist Maltbury was approached to supply staging for the events. Jon Scott, managing director of Jon Scott DC, was contracted to design and construct the innovative dance floor bed for the Leeds House Party at Granary Wharf. The ‘bed’ needed to be robust enough to support the weight of partygoers whilst also creating interest and focus within the set of the Budweiser house. Maltbury was chosen to provide nine modules of Metrodeck staging, some of which were to be
Sennheiser's annual 'Industry' Golf Challenge Trophy competition, at Mill Ride Golf Club near Ascot, proved more successful than ever before, this year raising more than £25,000 for Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital in London. Held on 6 July, a good turnout of keen, though not exclusively proficient, golfers entered into the spirit of things. This year's winner was once again Ashok Patel of ASK, just pipping Richard Bleakley from Diamond Stylus for the Stableford competition. In third place was Praful Patel of ASK who took consolation as winner of Nearest The Pin.
The day's longest drive came from LMC's John Ridley and The Texas Scramble was won by Mark Austin of Wycombe Wanderers, Andy Streets and John Hine of Synergy for the front nine, with Charles Smith, Chris Cress and Sennheiser managing director Paul Whiting on the back nine. Martin Sheehan represented Great Ormond Street
The PLASA Exhibition marks an exciting period for SkyTronic and Adastra as they launch their third catalogue in as many years. The 300-page catalogue contains over 4,000 products including 650 which are new for 2002, covering the entire consumer electronics spectrum.
SkyTronic prides itself on bringing new and exciting products to the marketplace backed up with a sales and customer care policy of which they are equally proud. The rapid growth that SkyTronic has achieved and continuing customer loyalty are testimony to this. Adastra Electronics Limited offers a comprehensive range of commercial audio Public Address products. Incorporated in 1949, Adastra has a long history of quality, performance and reliability.
Hear’Say are currently part way through their highly successful UK arena tour. The set and lighting was designed by Pete Barnes, with the lighting operated on tour by Graham Feast. In an unusual move, all the lighting gear was supplied by French Company Cote Scene. The audio elements of the tour were provided by Wigwam with rigging by OTT.
The tour’s live video requirements are supplied by XL Video. The 32 square metre central screens - which open like curtains at the start of the show to allow the band to enter - are constructed from Barco DeLite 7 LED systems. Two left and right screens are fed by Barco ELM G10 projectors mounted on the truss, and are predominantly used for the live relay images. PCM was commissioned by Mark Wade from OTT Rigging to build the customised movement system for the video screens. The resulting system, an amalgamation of a Gis tracking system
The Audio Engineering Society has announced the postponement of next week's 111th AES Convention at the Javits Convention Center, New York, until early December. The Javits is being used as an emergency services co-ordination centre in the aftermath of the recent events in New York. The organizers have issued the following statement. "We have just returned from the Javits Center where we had a meeting with their top management. We learned that the New York City Mayor's Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have taken over large portions of the Javits Center for use in coordinating emergency services. We also learned that FEMA will have complete control of these spaces and any others that they need, for an undetermined period. This obviously makes holding the event as planned impossible. However, we have been able to reschedule the conventi
Tripath Technology Inc and Alesis Semiconductor, both from the West Coast of the United States, met at this year’s PLASA Show to finalise their new distribution agreement with European audio component distributor Profusion plc. Keith Persin, managing director of Profusion told PLASA Media: "Tripath have excellent patents covering the class T switching amplifier technology, which produces true hi fi quality." With big names such as Sony using these parts and receiving awards, many companies are now looking at the class T designs. Steve Tomlinson (MD of Tripath Europe) continued: "Our parts often require application support as the technology is so different from traditional amplifier designs. Appointing Profusion was a logical choice as they have applications engineers and the facilities to offer good technical support."