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As the summer sun came out in London, Fourth Phase equipment was also out in full force on Clapham Common. School Fields, a joint venture by the creators of the ever-popular School Disco night-club events and Clear Channel Entertainment, saw a traditional sports day attended by over 8,000 people on July 14.

School Disco has been going for three years and has become the largest club night in Europe, with weekly events in Ibiza, Ayia Napa, London, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham. Its first outdoor event, School Fields sold 6,000 tickets in advance, with a further 2,000 sold on the door - school uniform and over 18's were the only entry requirements! The intention was to invoke the feel of the last day of school before the summer holidays and teams were encouraged to enter for the sports day events via the School Disco website.

Commissioned to bring the concept to life, creative agen

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BSR E1.11, Entertainment Technology - USITT DMX512-A, Asynchronous Serial Digital Data Transmission Standard for Controlling Lighting Equipment and Accessories (CP/1998-1031r5.2), is now available for public review and comment. This document is an updating and revision of the widely used DMX512/1990, which was originally developed by the United States Institute for Theatre Technology. Review materials may be obtained by visiting the ESTA website at www.esta.org/tsp/E1-11inst.htm, or by sending a request by email to the e-mail address below.

USITT's DMX512 is being revised in BSR E1.11 to clarify undefined and loosely defined provisions in the original document and to accommodate new lighting technology, while maintaining as much backward compatibility with products that comply with the existing standard as possible. The new

InfiLED - Banner - August 25

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Marantz Professional Europe has announced the expansion of its direct distribution model to Germany, via a network of newly-appointed direct sales agents now contactable through the Marantz office in Osnabrück, in north-western Germany.

This represents an extension of the company’s direct service model already in place in the UK, Ireland and Benelux. European sales director Mark Perrins told us: "This new arrangement is good news for our professional clients in Germany as they will now receive direct personal service from product specialists. It also introduces a competitive price advantage which benefits both Marantz and our customers and promises to deliver increased market penetration in one of Europe’s most significant territories."

(Ruth Rossington)

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Pioneer is planning a spectacular stand at this year's PLASA showcase; and the exhibition, held at Earls Court from 8-11 September 2002, promises to be the best yet. As well as showcasing their range of top-quality Pro DJ products, Pioneer is planning to unveil an exciting new product at the show aimed at all budding DJ's. One of the highlights of the show, Roger Sanchez will be performing in Pioneer's live DJ Booth. Let the professionals show you how it’s done - then try it for yourself! Also on the Pioneer stand will be competitions, give-aways and the opportunity to meet the man himself, Roger Sanchez.

Pioneer can be found on stand D40

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Stage Electrics has acquired the Newcastle branch of the Lighting Technology Group from the company’s administrators Price Waterhouse Cooper. The intention is to convert the Newcastle office into a fully operational Stage Electrics branch immediately, focusing on the sales and installation markets in the region. Stage Electrics MD David Whitehead told us: "The opportunities are there and the staff are positive and raring to go, so we will put all of our efforts behind ensuring the full makeover is completed ASAP."

(Ruth Rossington)

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A major new nightclub has opened in Washington DC to reveal a large number of Coemar lighting fixtures incorporated into the design. Installed by Washington Entertainment Technologies, the 7,500-capacity Dream, based in the northeast of the city, boasts five separate dance areas. Owner Marc Barnes originally hired another contractor but the venue was under-specified. He then turned to Washington Entertainment Technologies to instil the requisite amount of power and lighting. According to general manager and partner in Washington Entertainment, Frank Wilt: "There had been a meagre attempt at the lighting and they clearly needed something more significant. We ended up respecifying the entire club."

The solution lay in Coemar’s popular iSpot, supported by Coemar Digiscans. On the main dance floor, the fixtures are mounted on iBeam trussing, with the light sources concealed

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SSE, one of the UK's leading live audio rental houses, has put it’s new JBL VerTec line array system straight into action on their summer schedule - including the recent Move Festival in Manchester. The Move Festival 2002 was a four-day party at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, sponsored by NME and Virgin Trains, with high profile headliners like David Bowie, New Order, Paul Weller, Suede and The Doves.

SSE’s project manager Emma Barwell was asked by promoters SJM to supply a sound system for the event. The two companies already have a good working relationship, and SSE also supplies sound for the V Festival sites at Chelmsford and Stafford. SSE initially purchased their VerTec 4889 system - from JBL’s UK distributors Arbiter Plc - to use on the Party in the Park series of local radio shows. The Move’s sound system was designed and engineered by Rob Hughes, who ensu

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Sound Guys is a fast growing Romford-based sound company specializing in supplying equipment to the fitness and leisure industry. Having tried many major brand names in the sound install market, the company has found Carlsbro products to be the best suited to their specialist business. Established in 1992 by ex-club DJ John Meah, the company was initially set up as an advisory service to the fitness industry, and now installs PA and AV equipment into venues throughout the UK and Europe.

Clients include Holmes Place, DC Leisure, First Leisure, David Lloyd, Livingwell and major hotel chains including Jarvis, Marriott and Holiday Inn. Andrew Bishop, owner of Carlsbro, commented: "The Carlsbro sound is part of any good diet and exercise programme. When you hear the true British sound you just can't help move your butt! We support Sound Guys as they use Carlsbro in gym applications to

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Leading on-line sound effects resource - www.sound-effects-library.com - has announced the signing of some of Hollywood’s most prestigious sound designers. By co-publishing with SoundStorm via Audio Network plc and The Sound Company, they add yet further talent to the extensive on-line resource, which already makes available virtually any sound at a click of a button.

Hollywood sound designers, SoundStorm, whose Oscar-winning talents have accumulated over 200,000 sound effects from films such as Batman and Robin, Clear and Present Danger, The Fugitive, The Fast and the Furious, Tomb Raider and Star Trek: Nemesis to name a few, have only recently made their library available outside their own in-house editorial team and it is now accessible on-line at www.sound-eff

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Leading sound production company, Capital Sound Hire, have purchased their second line array system inside a year. The company was unable to extend their long relationship with Martin Audio the first time around as the High Wycombe-based company was still developing their own system. But that recently changed. Explained managing director, Keith Davis: "We had a client who wanted to use a line array system last year, which forced us to go a different route. But once Martin were able to demo their new W8L we were convinced.

Trialing the W8L on the Hear & Now tour, Vodafone Ball and dates with Blue, the engineers noticed how impressive the system sounded. "Now everyone who hears it just goes ‘wow’." The different characteristics of the two proprietary line array systems Keith believes will increase their already heavy concert, classical and corporate work schedu

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Loudspeaker manufacturer Renkus-Heinz Inc has appointed beyerdynamic UK as its new distributor for the UK and Ireland with effect from 1 September 2002.

Renkus-Heinz products will join beyerdynamic’s other distribution brands on its stand (F34) at the forthcoming PLASA Show (September 8-11). On show will be the new ST/STX Series of professional powered and unpowered loudspeakers, the Reflex Series, including the new RFX101 and RFX151 cabinets and new Reference Point Array solutions. The ST/STX Series is the culmination of 20 years of R&D by Renkus-Heinz into high performance loudspeaker and array technology, with a built-in CobraNet input option, and third-generation Class D amplification in the ST Series.

John Midgley, MD of beyerdynamic UK, commented: "Renkus-Heinz is one of the most genuinely innovative loudspeaker manufacturers in the world, with a string of pioneering

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Formula 1 always draws the crowds, but the one-hour queues currently forming at the Orange-Arrow team stand indicate something even more exciting. "Essentially it’s a full-size F1 car simulator designed to emulate the real-time aural and visual sensations of actually racing, and some of the physical sensations as well, while the machine remains absolutely static," says Andrew Riley, managing director of The Oxford Sound Company, contracted by designers and builders Independent to Internet Ltd (i2i.net) to provide the exciting and effective audio environment for this machine.

The simulator is a replica of an existing Orange-Arrows three-seater racing car used to take a very privileged few around racing tracks for a real white-knuckle experience. Each seat in the simulator is fitted with multiple LF shakers, while the driver wears a full helmet with head-up display and st

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Set in the heart of Cheshire is Warrington's brand new performing arts venue, the Pyramid Centre. It is scheduled to bring the very best in dance, drama, music and comedy to the area and will host its official opening at the end of October this year.

The centre is aimed at all levels of performance from internationally acclaimed professionals to local school children. It reflects this versatility by offering an impressive array of facilities, including six performance spaces, an artist suite, three artist studios, a technology suite, four media studios plus hospitality suites, a restaurant, a reception and box office area. In addition to being a state-of-the-art entertainment venue, the Pyramid Centre will also host a range of corporate events and conferences.

With such a broad spectrum of potential uses for the venue, versatility was paramount for all equipment supplied for the proj

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Several members of the creative and technical teams involved in the recent Jubilee Celebrations have been recognized in a special honours list announced on Monday. All the honours, announced the day after the Queen Mother's birthday, are from the Royal Victorian Order, a decoration which is a personal award for services performed on behalf of the Sovereign. Amongst those honoured with an LVO (Lieutenant of the Victorian Order) were Alan Jacobi of Unusual - the main contractor for the central weekend events; Party in the Palace event producer Robbie Williams and Simon Brooks-Ward, director of the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Mark Fisher, creative director for the Queen’s concerts and Wilf Scott of Pyrovision, the company which handled the pyrotechnics, were awarded MVOs (Member of the Royal Victorian Order).

A comprehensive report covering the Jubilee events in central London runs in

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Sennheiser UK has announced the line-up of acts who have won through to the finals of its Unsigned Artists Competition 2002 and who will all be playing on the main stage at the Bristol Balloon Festival this week-end in front of a potential audience in excess of 10,000 people.

They are Fineline from Coventry, Austin from Watford, The Hazey Janes from Dundee, Eastertown from Bristol, Stonefish from Bradford and Dready and the Mighty Steppers from Birmingham. The final, run in association with Hype Party Planning, South West Audio and GWR 96.3FM, will see all six finalists perform live on the Festival stage. The final winners stand to walk away with £2,500 in cash and the same amount again in evolution microphones, plus an additional £500 worth of Sennheiser headphones. Each of the runners up will receive £500 in cash, £1000 worth of evolution microphones and Sennheiser headphones to

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Baltic, the major new international centre for contemporary art in Gateshead which opened just a few weeks ago, has been supplied with a significant Nexo Alpha E system from LMC Audio complete with custom cabling and metalwork from Kelsey Acoustics.

Situated on the south bank of the River Tyne, Baltic lies at the heart of the regeneration area of Gateshead Quays. Formerly the Baltic Flour Mills, a disused 1950's grain warehouse, its transformation into BALTIC, a leading international contemporary visual arts space, indeed one of the largest spaces for contemporary art in Europe, was a £46m project funded largely by the National Arts Lottery fund. Tom Cullen, Multi Media manager at Baltic, was clear on his choice of Nexo right from the start. "I've been a fan of Nexo since 1986 when they came out with their first wedge monitor," he explained. "The quality of the sound kn

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For their summer show ‘Eclipse’ at Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s Globe Theatre, production company Stageworks chose to use a Yamaha DM2000 for the sound-mixing desk. The world-famous leisure complex decided to purchase the DM2000 because they needed a desk that offered multiple outputs and inputs, and gave the flexibility of choice for onboard and outboard effects. "We scouted around for a mixing desk that would meet our particular requirements," said Vinnie Holme of Stageworks: "We needed a desk that would give us playback with live vocal, and with a minimum of 8 outputs. With the DM2000 we can e-cue each track and the whole desk can, if necessary, be run by an operator. It gives significantly improved sound and is exactly what we wanted for the show."

In the event, the DM 2000, supplied by The Music Company of Bradford in conjunction with LMC Audio

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XL Video supplied live video production equipment for the recent Oasis shows at Finsbury Park, to a specification from Cheese Film & Video. The Oasis video show was a collage of two elements - onstage screens/pre-recorded footage, and side screens/live camera shoot. There was an occasional crossover of the live footage onto the onstage screens.

The onstage graphics material was conceptualised by Oasis’ lighting designer Mikey Howard, and designed and created by Richard Turner and Claire Oxley, working closely with Howard. As the band’s artistic director and lighting designer, Howard wanted to create an integrated visual scheme that mixed both lighting and video medias. The show’s camera design was undertaken by live video director Dick Carruthers and his company Cheese Film & Video. Carruthers employed Dave Wright as Cheese’s live producer, to deal generally wit

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Coe-tech will use PLASA 2002 to cement its exclusive UK distributorship of Robe Showlighting products from the Czech Republic, as well as taking an active part in the Studio Due stand - another quality brand for which it is the UK distributor. The spectacular Coe-tech stand lightshow is this year designed by top LD Vince Foster (Kylie, Jamiroquai, Basement Jaxx, et al.) and will demonstrate the Robe range in full creative flow.

Robe products are already well known to many moving light users and installers as they have been a prolific OEM supplier over the past five years. Robe has now decided to sell direct, and Coe-tech is an integral part of the direct dealership network. Robe is launching a complete new series at PLASA - the Advanced technology (AT) series. (For full details see our earlier news story on 30 July).

PLASA 2002 also sees the launch of Studio Due’s new XS (Exce

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PLASA 2002 sees James Thomas Engineering celebrate the world launch of a new series of solid state lighting fixtures using high brightness LEDs. The first three models of the extensive Pixel range are The Pixelpar 660 - a Par 64-sized fixture, The Pixelpar 87 - a Par 36-sized equivalent and the Pixeline 1044 batten - a solid state lighting batten. The Pixel range is designed for a wide range of entertainment and leisure industry applications including architectural, retail, installation, clubs, bars, restaurants, sports venues, and live shows and events and theatre.

The team at James Thomas has spent the last 12 months developing the new products, and conducting considerable market research into the advantages and uses of LED lighting. The Pixel range has an unsurpassed silent, non-mechanical, additive colour-mixing system and the fixtures can produce stunning and

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Glastonbury festival organizers are justly patting themselves on the back for what they claim has been the best Glastonbury in 10 years. Aided by the weather and increased security measures, Glastonbury 2002 was hailed as a resounding success after the crime and gatecrashing problems of previous years. Around 100,000 people attended, and host Michael Eavis said he was so delighted with the peaceful atmosphere and standard of organization that he was considering the possibility of increasing the capacity to 120,000 for 2003.

Things went equally well from an audio point of view. Rick Bailey of RMPA, who was responsible for sound on the acoustic stage, had a particularly successful festival. Headline acts included veteran rocker Robert Plant, the Waterboys and talented young Irish accordion player, Sharon Shannon. Bailey opted for his conventional Electro-Voice X-Array PA configuration wi

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Arbiter Pro Audio has supplied Liverpool-based sound installers Over Audio with a JBL VerTec line array system for Luminar Plc's latest Liquid venue - just open in Hanley, Stoke. Complete with ASB6128 subs from the JBL custom shop, this is the first ever JBL VerTec club installation in the UK. The VerTec system, originally designed for live concerts and touring applications, has previously been used at the Ministry of Sound in Bangkok - which also has a Luminar interest. Last year, VerTec was utilized on the Ministry's own UK college and university tour, where it was very well received.

"JBL products are always developing, and this was the perfect opportunity to put the latest technology into practice," states Over Audio's Mike Boylan, who has been dealing with both Arbiter and Luminar Plc for many years, and has used JBL products in six other Liquid venues. All the Liquids

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Leading design and documentation software specialist Stardraw.com has launched an Affiliate Program in a move that is designed to add value to the websites of all Affiliate members. The program, which is free to join and open to everyone, allows Affiliates to earn income from all online purchases at www.stardraw.com that result from a click-through from their site. The process is simple: having registered to become an Affiliate, Stardraw then supplies a link that is unique to each Affiliate to place on their website. Any customer that follows the link will be identified and logged, and any purchases they make will be attributed to the Affiliate's account. Commissions will then be paid on a quarterly basis.

According to Stardraw marketing director Rob Robinson: "We're very excited about the Affiliate program because it is such a simp

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The Le Mark Group is organizing a select Lighting & Sound Industry Track Day at the Ron Haslam Race School, Donington Park. If you have a passion, or have always wanted to know what if feels like to ride a 900cc FireBlade motorcycle around Donington Park, now is your chance to find out. Everything is included in the price - bike, clothing and the instructor. Le Mark has pre-booked a number of discounted places for the Track Day. If you are interested in joining us, then visit the Le Mark stand at this year's PLASA Show for more information.

If the 'driving' is not your thing, you can always test your nerves by riding pillion behind Ron Haslam himself around Donington Park - highly recommended, but hold on tight. Le Mark is offering the chance for one lucky person to win a free place on the Track Day. To enter the competition, simply drop leave business card at the Le Mark stand at PLAS

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