UK - The University of Surrey Students' Union in Guildford is the home to Rubix, the campus-based nightclub, which recently had a new Turbosound loudspeaker system installed.

The multi-levelled nightclub has a capacity of up to 1,500 students and sits directly on top of the Students' Union building. There are five areas: the main dance floor, Haris, the Bottle Bank, PJDs Bar and the main foyer and walkthroughs.

Ian Lipp, technical manager of Rubix explains the reasoning behind the new install: "The previous system was 10 years old and sounded like it needed replacing. The old one was a cross between an installation and a touring rig that we used in our other venues. We wanted to get a rig installed that was designed purely as an install for our club without the requirement of needing it to be used elsewhere."

The Turbosound products that make up the installation ar

UK - An Allen & Heath iDR DSP system has been installed in St Paul's Church in London's Covent Garden as part of an overhaul of the sound distribution system.

The church, affectionately known as 'The Actors' Church' because of its long association with the theatre community, commissioned Autograph Sales to supply, design, install and programme a new audio system in time for the Julian Slade memorial where a host of stars, including Christopher Biggins, Jeremy Irons and Humphrey Barclay, turned out to pay their respects.

EM Acoustics speakers and MC2 amplifiers were installed in the main areas, with JBL speakers in the foyer and vicar's office. Processing is provided by the Allen & Heath iDR-8, which offers easy operation for non-technical users.

"The iDR-8 allows control of system presets, levels and muting from the front panel of the iDR-8 or from three remote location

UK - The Winchester Passion held over the Easter weekend was a success and powered in the two major locations by Shermann RS5 systems. Three rental companies were involved in the process of providing sound for an estimated audience of 6,000 at Orams Arbour and up to 10,000 for the finale at Winchester Cathedral.

With 60 radio mic channels and a number of other inputs, sound and other peripherals for this event were handled by Soundbite of Winchester, Kinetic of Woking and AS Sound from Cambridge.

(Jim Evans)

USA - A Renkus-Heinz loudspeaker system is helping deliver a visitor experience on the Valley Railroad Company's Essex Steam Train, an historic railroad which takes passengers back to the days of coal-fired locomotives.

At 20 miles an hour, passengers have time to sightsee and photograph historic towns, pristine natural scenery and bird life - even the occasional bald eagle - while riding 12 miles of resurrected 19th century track in the Connecticut River Valley.

Andrew Deneen of Xplore Productions, an exhibit design firm based in Old Lyme, Connecticut, reports: "The cars are about 60ft long and just 9ft wide, so it's difficult to get even sound coverage."

Deneen discovered that the only viable space to install loudspeakers was almost directly above the heads of some passengers. "We needed wide coverage in both the horizontal and vertical planes," he poin

UK - Scala nightclub is a multi-purpose venue in King's Cross, on the north side of central London. In its current incarnation, the building has four main levels and accommodates events for up to 1,145 people. There are three bars, two dance floors and a stage for live performances. Last year, the owners of Scala decided the sound system in the main area needed an upgrade, so resident sound technician George Gregori contacted LMC Audio Systems to design a system using new Turbosound products that would work with the lively acoustics of the room.

"When considering a new sound system for Scala, the venue needed a system both versatile and robust across all music genres for both live and club events, and most importantly one that delivered clarity and quality," explains Gregori. "Since most of our week is taken up with quality live music and the weekends with high pr

Canada - Adamson Systems Engineering struck a new Greek distribution deal with Nedis S.A. during Frankfurt's ProLight & Sound, and the contract has now been finalised.

Athens-based Nedis S.A. presently employs four full-time employees and two contracted technicians. To date, manufacturers such as Dynacord, Digico, and Beyerdynamic have come on board with Nedis S.A. for their Greek distribution.

Nedis S.A's business structure covers the entire country; 50% is managed through a total of 50 dealers dispersed in every populated centre around Greece, facilitating direct customer contact. The dealers are supported by Nedis S.A. whose staff will not only visit them frequently, but provide design and support on every installation, and perform continuous technical support with every sale, says the company.

Aris Kountouris, who continues as an active engineer with many famous Greek ar

Norway - Norwegian PA rental company Lydfiksern used its new Allen & Heath iLive system to its full potential during this year's Sami Grand Prix (SGP) music contest.

SGP is part of the Sami Easter Festival, the biggest cultural gathering of the Northern Europe's indigenous Sami people, held at the Bakteharji Arena in Guovdageaidnu.

FOH engineer Thomas Mikarlsen selected the iLive system - comprising an iDR10 stage rack and iLive-144 control surface - for the event, and took full advantage of the eight effect engines, using no outboard processing.

The show was broadcast live by Norwegian national station, NRK, and for the first time in the event's history the FOH mix was used for the broadcast rather than the usual separate mix provided by NRK's own engineers.

Lydfiksern also provided a multi-track recording system for record producer Bernt Mikkel Haglund, comprising the

UK - Event and entertainment lighting solutions provider MattLX is inviting industry professionals to a Meet, Greet and Scenic LED event to be held on 24-25 April 2008.

"The open days will give an opportunity to get a hands-on demonstration of Scenic LED - one of the newest and design elements to hit the event and entertainment industry and we are one of the few full service lighting companies specialising in this technology," said the company.

There will be four sessions across the two days at 11am and 3pm each day.

The event will take place at Essential Lighting's premises - Unit F, Imber Court Trading Estate, Orchard Lane, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 0BY. Due to the limited number of places at each session, those wishing to take part are asked to confirm their interest with Debby Clutterham at the MattLX office: email admin@mattlx.com or telephone 01580 8803

UK - With a list of credits that includes the Big Chill fluidnation nights, Chill (DAB), the Fluid Nation compilations, and a previous career as one half of the acclaimed production duo Fragile State, Ben Mynott, now uses Audio-Technica's ATH-PRO700 professional headphones.

"I'm absolutely blown away with the ATH-PRO700 headphones. A lot of music I am mixing is orchestral in style, a lot of stuff with upright bass; with the Audio-Technicas the sound is beautiful. I love the bass response and the clarity. I have never used a headphone that's so perfectly balanced."

A resident fixture at London's Big Chill and Chill House nights, and on Chill (DAB), Mynott now pursues his multifarious activities under the Fluid Nation umbrella, producing, compiling and remixing compilations.

(Jim Evans)

UAE - Special awards recognising the outstanding and creative use of light in the Middle East are to be sponsored by Philips. The Middle East Lighting Design Awards (known as MELDA) celebrate the creativity of the world's leading lighting designers who are enhancing the region's built environment through the power of light.

With climate change, Kyoto targets, rising energy prices, energy shortage and pressure to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are major issues in today's world. However, Philips has been taking a lead in lighting technology that makes a significant difference in terms of energy and CO2 savings.

The company points out that more than 90% of the total cost of lighting is energy and prices of energy are rising year by year. "Switching over to energy efficient lighting systems can save on running costs," said Vikash Banwarie, Philips ME.

MELDA is a

Finland - Thrash metal purveyors Megadeth kicked off another ambitious world tour in Finland in February, and once again, Dave Mustaine and the band were relying on equipment from EV.

Dave Mustaine and bassist James Lomenzo are longtime users and endorsers of EV microphone products. From the band's employment of EV's RE-1 dual guitar/bass wireless systems on the past two world tours to their recent upgrade to EV's latest offering, the REV, in mid-2007, the band has come to rely on EV, says the company. The EV N/D967 vocal microphone has also become a mainstay for its high gain-before-feedback, while the RE27N/D is the microphone of choice for James Lomenzo's bass.

(Jim Evans)

Russia - The new multi-purpose ballroom and conference facility at Moscow's Holiday Inn Sokolniki hotel has been installed with over 60 Robe moving lights and colour mix fixtures, all custom finished in white to compliment the surrounding interiors.

The Holiday Inn Sokolniki is one of Moscow's newest hotels with one of the busiest function spaces in town. The room is utilised to stage anything from conferences and corporate presentations to exhibitions, weddings, awards shows and gala dinners.

The Ballroom can be divided into two separate areas by a screen-style folding wall, and the lights are installed on two box trusses in the ceiling - one in each room. "The idea was to ensure the room lighting offered absolutely the most flexible options," explains Dimitri Nikitin, head of lighting for lighting specifiers Light Sound Contractors (LSC).

The Ballroom - as it is

UK - Back in the golden age of disco, Mr. Smith's in Warrington was at the vanguard of 1980s club culture, and with its advanced moving rig was firmly in the 'superclub' bracket.

Last December the venue was one of three purchased by Paul Kinsey's Nexum Leisure. Earmarking a generous £7m for redevelopment, the company assembled a design team - including Alan Brown at Blueprint Design and Will Norton at Leicester-based Willpower Sound and Vision - to reinvigorate the nightclub and transform the interior into a 2,000-capacity, two-room space.

Although the experienced Willpower started out in the rental industry more than 25 years ago - and still services stages at the major festivals - today the company is making great inroads in the corporate nightclub installation sector. While Will Norton has been buying QSC amplifiers for many years, he has chosen a QSC-processed line a

The move to digital continues - worldwide. PA company Sound Linear has installed a digitally-networked sound reinforcement system for the Bielefeld Convention Centre in Germany, using the latest loudspeaker modules from Nexo and Camco. In India, Bestt Sound is the latest company to invest in a DiGiCo D5 Live console.

In a year of unprecedented theatre renovations in Russia, one of the most ambitious has been the £7.5m restoration of the Mikhailovsky Theatre of Opera and Ballet in St Petersburg. In just four months, the theatre renovated the hall, stage, lobby, orchestra pit, plumbing, heating and electrical systems, plus the building's roof and façade, all in time to kick off its new season. At the same time, the Mikhailovsky overhauled its lighting system, outfitting its stage with equipment from ETC.

In Moscow, The new multi-purpose ballroom and conference facility at the Ho

Spain - Hotel Alexandra, located in the heart of Barcelona's most elegant shopping district and just minutes from modernist architectural monuments such as Guadi's La Pedrera and Casa Batlló, has recently undergone a complete refurbishment of the reception, bar and restaurant areas. In keeping with the new, modern image, PGN Audiovisual Group has installed a new Tannoy sound system driven by Lab.gruppen dedicated installation C Series amplifiers.

With offices in Madrid, Bilbao and Barcelona, PGN Audiovisual is one of the leading AV systems integration and rental companies in Spain. The company numbers several prestigious installations in its portfolio including the Hard Rock Cafe in Barcelona, Banco ING Direct in Madrid, SEAT's (premier Spanish automotive company) private auditorium, and many more.

For Hotel Alexandra, PGN opted for a Tannoy Di5T system boosted by TS Series s

Russia - In a year of unprecedented theatre renovations in Russia, one of the most ambitious has been the £7.5m restoration of the Mikhailovsky Theatre of Opera and Ballet in St Petersburg. In just four months, the theatre renovated the hall, stage, lobby, orchestra pit, plumbing, heating and electrical systems, plus the building's roof and façade, all in time to kick off its new season. At the same time, the Mikhailovsky overhauled its lighting system, outfitting its stage with equipment from ETC.

Head lighting designer Mikhail Mekler chose an ETC Congo control system. "Congo has the ability to control conventional theatrical luminaires and modern, complex concert equipment," says Mekler. "This type of system configuration is especially important in musical theatre. That's why Congo is also used in St Petersburg theatres such as the Mariinsky. With Congo,

Germany - Rap star Bushido savoured the taste of a dual victory at Germany's 17th Echo Awards, held in Berlin last month. Billed as the Teutonic Grammys, the Echos are considered to be one of the most important music prizes in Europe. Rubbing shoulders with international prize-winners such as James Blunt, Linkin Park, 50 Cent and Nelly Furtado, Bushido was voted Best Domestic Live Act and Best Domestic Artist R&B/Hip-Hop for the third time running.

Something of a national icon in Germany by virtue of his controversial lyrics and colourful live presence, Bushido has recently finished a sold-out tour supplied by premier German live production specialists, Complete Audio, Berlin. The rider specified a Martin Audio line array driven by Crest Audio Pro8200 and 9200 amplifiers.

Bushido has been working with Complete Audio for all his recent tours. According to Complete Audio'

India - Back in 1991, Ahmedabad-based pro audio supplier Bestt Sound System was one of the first professional audio companies in India to embrace digital audio technology. Since then, the company's commitment to digital has progressively increased, culminating in the purchase of a DiGiCo D5 Live console.

"Other big players in the Indian market settled for different consoles, mainly due to financial constraints. Indeed, we also looked at other consoles which were much cheaper, but we couldn't convince ourselves to make such a compromise," says Bestt Sound System founder Amiel Best.

"Looking at all the options, the DiGiCo D5-112 Live EX won hands down, because it is widely used, features fibre optic connectivity, is extremely flexible and, most importantly, user friendly. We also purchased the D-TuBe remote digital tube mic preamp module to add a further dimension

Germany - PA company Sound Linear has installed a digitally-networked sound reinforcement system for the Bielefeld Convention Centre, using the latest loudspeaker modules from Nexo and Camco.

The Stadthalle Bielefeld (the Bielefeld Convention Centre), with its highly modern design, has made a name for itself in Germany as a first-class congress and events centre, and has become the focus of the cultural scene and events infrastructure in eastern Westphalia.

The eye-catching all-white structure has a semi-circular façade facing the city centre. Through its extensive glass frontage, the hall's light-flooded interior foyers and galleries is in full view of people passing outside, making the movements of all visitors inside part of the character of this public building.

The Centre can accommodate up to 4,500 people, staging a wide range of events in two auditoria. The smaller o

Turkey - The Otto Santral restaurant and club, strategically located at the very centre of the private Bilgi Arts University Campus in Istanbul has been equipped with a complete L-Acoustics sound system.

The main system is a left/right Kiva line source array system comprised of six Kiva elements and two Kilo low frequency extension enclosures per side. The main system is completed with four ground-stacked SB118 subwoofers and the complete system is driven and controlled by three LA4 amplified controllers. The installation also features L-Acoustics self-powered speakers, namely two108P for stage side-fills for the audience, and six 112P enclosures for stage monitors and side-fills.

Opened almost 24 hours a day, this new Club has quickly become one of the trendiest place to be in Istanbul, and recently won 'The Best Place in Istanbul' award.

L-Acoustics' distributor for Turkey

UK - Leading entertainment lighting supplier White Light has today announced a radical overhaul of its transportation department that will see it move into a more sustainable future based on techniques from the past.

The company is to replace the fleet of vans that undertake regular deliveries from its Wimbledon base into London's Theatreland with an efficient, low fuel consumption, and very friendly horse and cart. "This transportation system has been used by the local Young's Brewery for many years," notes White Light's managing director, Bryan Raven.

"When we learnt that they were to phase it out we realised what a great opportunity this was for us. Our many theatre and corporate event clients mean that we have to make regular deliveries into central London, and rising fuel costs make this increasingly expensive.

"The horses, on the other hand, will pa

Australia - Madam De Biers bar and grill venue in Sydney's Kings Cross area has installed a Turbosound-based sound system.

Sydney-based Showtime Promotions and Productions was awarded the contract to supply the system and chose the Turbosound TCS Compact range.

To ensure even coverage, Showtime opted for a distributed system, comprising eight TCS-081C and two TCS-101C spread evenly around the venue, complemented by a front of house style system for DJ and band performances. This comprises four TCS-121C, flown two per side, with a pair of TSB-212 subs installed under the stage.

The system is powered by 16 channels of Lab.gruppen C-Series amplifiers and managed by a Peavey MediaMatrix NION nX32 system with wall panel touch controls.

"The Turbosound TCS Compact series is popular with my clients as they are unobtrusive but sound deceivingly large," says Rob Runko fro

UK - The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) has announced that the Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA) is the first trade association to become an awarding body in the entertainment, conference, architectural and communications industries. By becoming an awarding body the national qualifications system is now able to recognise the specific needs of SMEs and larger organisations across the industry.

Part of the second wave of employers to achieve Awarding Body status, PLASA has been working with the QCA to conform to the rigorous standards set to become a QCA accredited awarding body.

The development of a Level 1 Trainee Rigger programme for 'new entrants' into the industry will start in the summer of 2008 and will cover the core skills required for rigging in any sector and provide a pathway for someone trying to reach the Level 2 certificate. This w

UK - A.C. Lighting's audio division has recently supplied BAE Systems with a complete ASL PRO Series dual channel communications system.

ASL's UK distributor recommended dealer A.C. Audio to BAE Systems, who were quick to assist in the modernisation of the existing 25 year old comms system. Enabling instant and clear communications between three rooms over two independent channels, the new configuration provides BAE's Simulation Department with technology that meets with their stringent requirements.

BAE's senior simulation engineer Liam Murphy commented: "Following pilot comments during simulation assessments on the poor audio quality of our existing bespoke intercom system, a new system was deemed essential for future work. Having already installed a similar system within Simulation Department, A.C. Lighting were asked to design a system for the Motion Dome Simulator.

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