UK - Newfield King Ltd (NFK) is a specialist design and technical audio installation company headed by Bill Ward. Over the years NFK has worked with studios such as Abbey Road, Angel, Mayfair and Sarm in London, as well as Soho-based post production facilities such as 750 mph and The Production Factory.

NFK's list of clients extends from concert venues, educational institutions and law courts through to recording artists such as George Michael and William Orbit, for whom NFK has installed private studios.

According to Ward, one of the main factors in NFK's success is its relationship with key suppliers such as VDC Trading, through which is sources all of its cabling and connectors. "We always use the highest quality products because that's the only way to ensure first rate results for our customers," he says. "The staff at VDC understand the technical issues inv

UK - Essex leisure entrepreneur Quilters Leisure has opened The Ivory Rooms in the affluent suburb of Billericay, a stylish meld of restaurant, bars and lounges with ample scope for private hire as well as club nights. Throughout the extensive facilities runs an integrated audio-visual system, which is one of the first in the UK to feature prominently the new loudspeaker products of the Spanish manufacturer Vieta.

Essex Sound & Light's Mike Glover found everything he needed to provide audio for this spacious and versatile venue in Vieta's catalogue, from super-compact full-range cabinets to ceiling speakers, and beefy PA systems for DJ nights and parties. Working closely with Andy Austin-Brown of KV2 Audio, distributor of Vieta products in the UK, Glover found that the Ivory Rooms were perfectly suited to Vieta's subtle design approach.

"Because it's located in a predomin

UK - Adlib Audio has provided complete sound systems for two leading venues on the university live performance circuit, with Soundcraft MH Series consoles in both. Manchester University has refurbished the sound system for its live venue the Hop and Grape, which is now to be known as Academy 3. Adlib Audio has equipped it with a new 40-channel Soundcraft MH40 at front-of-house, and a 24-channel Soundcraft MH3 for monitors.

MUSU has also opened a fourth live music venue, the Club Academy, in the newly-renovated cellar beneath the MU Student Union. For the 600-capacity space, Adlib has designed and installed a comprehensive sound reinforcement system, built around the Soundcraft MH4 FOH console which was requested by the University's own engineers, John Lyd and Tony Small. Powered entirely by Crown amplification, the system also features dbx processing, and a full dbx DriveRack re

UK - When the prestigious Radley College embarked upon a major project to develop a new theatre, they planned a blend of the traditional and modern; a proscenium arch stage and orchestra pit, with the added versatility of a demountable stage extension/pit infill. After seeing Maltbury's work at nearby Abingdon School, Radley's bursar, Richard Beauchamp, invited Maltbury to propose a solution.

The result was an orchestra pit that could be used to house extra seating tiers, or be filled out with decks and used as a stage extension. Early consultation between Maltbury, the school and the contractors, allowed vital decisions to be made and acted upon, say Maltbury, who advised that a series of bespoke Metrodeck units were the ideal solution to the theatre's needs. Sets of legs allowed the decks to be taken to different levels, giving the traditional theatre greater versatility. A be

UK - Sound Division Group have completed a complex sound installation for a sophisticated, new-age bowling and leisure concept, set within a landmark London building.

Brothers Charles and Adam Breeden had contracted the technology specialists to fit out their award-winning Lonsdale in Notting Hill three years ago. So when they set out to plan All Star Lanes, within the regenerated Victoria House on Bloomsbury Square, the Breedens (in partnership with Mark von Westenholz) had no hesitation in returning to David Graham's company.

"They did a great job for us at Lonsdale and here they have met the acoustic challenges of the building head on," declared Adam Breeden. "In the areas where we have been able to overcome these obstacles they have delivered an incredibly crisp and excellent quality sound. It is enabling us to run the music fairly loud with the confidence t

Australia - Melbourne's Besen Centre has to be one of Australia's busiest theatres hosting over 620 shows a year. The venue can seat up to a maximum of 1000 patrons although the venue size can be modified to seat from as little as 360. The venue prides itself on its technical equipment, which is always state of the art, and all of the dimmers and the lighting consoles come from LSC Lighting.

January 2006 marks three years since the Besen Centre purchased a LSC maXim console and the technical staff are still delighted with its never-failing performance. "We use the maXim for all of our day to day shows, particularly those that have no rehearsal time, because we can busk so easily with it," said Brad Alcock, head technician. "The operators need to have access to lots of faders so they can get things done on the fly. With most theatre lighting consoles you can't do t

UK - A.C. Lighting's Northern sales office has supplied over £70,000 worth of loose lighting and audio equipment to the newly fitted Carriageworks theatre in Leeds.

The Carriageworks houses two auditoria of 350 and 80 seats with state-of-the-art equipment, rehearsal and dressing rooms, and presents a vibrant mix of plays, musicals, film, community events, youth theatre and workshops. The venue is also the new home of the Leeds Civic Arts Guild, a group of amateur drama, opera and musical companies who will present an ongoing programme of performances.

Venue's technical coordinator, Peter Waddicor, awarded the contract to A.C.'s Northern sales office in Leeds due to the company's ability to provide a complete one-stop-shop solution and rapid response service to meet their needs.

Using the company's dedicated lighting and audio sales teams, large stockholding of entertai

USA - The world-famous Walt Disney Concert Hall, winter home for the L.A. Philharmonic, and venue for a wide range of musical events, has added an innovative wireless microphone system manufactured by Lectrosonics to match the environment's exacting technical requirements. The nine-channel Venue receiver system comprises a modular UHF design that operates with Digital Hybrid Wireless transmitters, and/or a variety of analogue transmitters. The receiver utilises a mainframe assembly that includes an antenna multi-coupler, communications interface and mounting for up to six receiver modules.

Kevin Wapner, head of audio at Walt Disney Concert Hall, says: "We have a total of nine Lectrosonics SM Series belt-pack transmitters and nine UT400 Series handheld models equipped with AKG C5900 super-cardioid condenser capsules." The 18 Venue receiver modules are paired to offer ni

New Zealand - An Allen & Heath iDR DSP system has been installed in Auckland's Tamaki College Community Recreation Centre to manage audio distribution for the Centre's busy event schedule.

"Until recently we had a system that was too complex for staff to use. The problem is that the venue is used for many events and has a large number of users who didn't understand how their actions could affect other parts of the building. On a regular basis, music would suddenly go on or off, be too loud or too quiet - staff didn't understand how to make the system work for them without a step by step instruction from the manager," explains the centre's manager, Lee Jones. "What we needed was a system that was simple and user friendly, and that's where installers, Jansen Professional Audio & Lighting, came in."

After discussing the problems and requirements of the centre,

Germany - When it came to specifying a sound system for the new Bowling Arena Spich, near Cologne, the choice was to prove to rather more difficult than first anticipated by the architects. The first thing that made this venue different was its size and the very nature of what it was designed for. The Bowling (which opened in December) centre boasts no less that 24 lanes, which when full (every night) creates a tremendous ground noise. Add to this that fact that venue changes its focus later on in the evening to become what's called a 'Disco Bowling Entertainment Centre' and you have the dream/nightmare acoustic situation.

Their initial response to this was to plump for a 'branded' sound system. But the problem there was that the system lacked speech clarity and directivity due to the lack of HF horns in the system. It was it this point that they turned to RCF and offered them t

Sweden - Slingco has installed a CABLEnet tensioned wire grid system into the main auditorium at Helsingborg Theatre in Sweden - giving safe and flexible access to the overstage/above auditorium roof space. It's the first tensioned wire grid in Sweden.

Helsingborg was also the first town in Sweden to open a municipal theatre in 1921. Originally housed in a theatre built in 1877, its current building opened in 1976. Helsingborg Theatre is one of the leading producing and receiving houses in the country.

Rochdale-based Slingco - developers of CABLEnet, the leading product in its genre - was visited by architects Peder Lindbom and Torsten Nobling of Stockholm-based AIX Architects at the PLASA Show in 2004. The pair were leading a major refurbishment programme for the theatre, and were very interested in utilising the CABLEnet technology.

Discussions started in early 2005. Sling

Japan - Originally completed in 1966, Fuji International Speedway in Shizuoka, Japan has hosted numerous national and international racing events, including F1 races. Fuji Speedway is regarded as the circuit most responsible for the development of Japan's modern motor sports. The speedway was temporarily shut down in September 2003 for a major upgrade and recently opened in 2005 as a certified grade 1 course capable of hosting F1 Grand Prix races.

As part of the renovation, Community R-Series loudspeakers were chosen for the main sound system in this state-of-the-art facility. Community R.5's and R2's mounted overhead provide nearfield, medium throw and long throw coverage in the main grandstand area. The sound system for the main grandstand area consists of 76 R.5-94TX's, 38 R2-474X's and 38 R2-694X's.

Community R-Series is the only all-weather product on the market that can

UK - The much-vaunted new Wembley Stadium has been in the press several times of late, and for all the wrong reasons. First, the main contractor Multiplex announced that they would break even on the project (apparently having already sold their share of the new shopping complex they're building in Shepherds Bush because that too is going pear-shaped) before admitting the project is behind schedule. Now they've admitted they're going to lose tens of millions and the project is running about four months behind: it's said that the FA has booked Cardiff's Millennium Stadium as a backup for this year's FA Cup Final, although one should probably treat that as a done deal rather than a contingency.

Word on the ground is not much better. For a venue due to be open this month, there's still an awful lot of mud on the ground and water leaking from all over the place, so don't hold your br

Spain - The Gran Casino Aranjuez, 40km south of the Spanish capital Madrid, is the latest venture by Spain's leading casino operator Comar. Situated at the heart of a huge residential and leisure development, the casino is, its operator boasts, one of the finest in Europe.

The main contractor for the entertainment aspects of the venue was Stonex, one of Spain's leading specialists in the field. Given equal footing with construction company Ferrovial and architectural specialist Sigarci, Stonex completed the entire €3million contract in just four-and-a-half months, under the guidance of joint project managers Carlos Garcia-Diéguez and Javier Latorre.

Stonex's involvement included interior and exterior lighting, audio, electrical installation and stage engineering. The main building itself consists of the casino and a show theatre. The 400-capacity auditorium is just one

UK - The acclaimed live venue and club, the Leadmill in Sheffield, celebrated its silver anniversary in 2005. The former flour mill has seen many transformations over the last quarter-century. A huge number of bands has passed through its doors, many of whom have gone on to become household names, and the club regularly plays host to some of the UK's hottest DJs. Some of the more recent transformations include a complete sound system upgrade in the Leadmill's multi-purpose Steel Stage room, which now boasts the UK's first AX loudspeaker system from EAW. The system was supplied by Stage Electrics and installed by Tega, a systems contractor based in Hull.

As the room is used for both live bands and club nights, the brief was for a versatile and compact system that was capable of handling a wide variety of music. It also had to offer very precise pattern control, as the previous sy

Australia - Hoyts Cinemas has recently opened two new, world-class cinema complexes - one at Melbourne Central and the other at Sydney's Blacktown - which intend to demonstrate to the rest of the market just how it is done. Both cinemas are being promoted as 'Australia's premier entertainment destination.' A big statement, but one that Hoyts has every intention of proving accurate.

Hoyts wanted their foyer areas to be unique, colourful and most of all dynamic. They turned to Michael Trudgeon and David Poulton of Crowd Productions, the chief architects of Hoyts' public spaces, to design an environment that reflected the ever-changing nature of the cinema world. Their idea was to install colour-changing panels and lighting right through out the foyer and surrounding entrance areas.

Trudgeon and Poulton approached Lightmoves to transform this complex idea into reality. Lightmoves

Japan - Osaka's Theatre Brava! opened its doors in March 2005 and has hardly seen a dark night since. The former Osaka MBS Theatre has undergone a substantial renovation, including new décor, revamped lighting, and a new state-of-the-art sound system featuring Meyer Sound self-powered loudspeakers.

The diversity of presentations was a prime consideration in the theatre's redesign and renovation. The stage was designed as a flexible, movable structure that is capable of adjusting to various models, depending on the production needs. The theatre seats just over 1,100, with slightly more than 700 seated on the orchestra level and an additional 400 in the balcony.

Osaka-based Native Audio Company provided the audio system, which is based around eight M1D ultra-compact curvilinear array loudspeakers suspended at the centre of the proscenium and two CQ-2 narrow coverage main

UK - The Dorchester is one of the most desirable places in the world to stay, embodying the highest of traditional values. The Promenade is the elegant heart of The Dorchester, redesigned by Thierry Despont during summer 2005 creating a peerless venue for the spectacular highpoint of afternoon tea.

CGA Integration was asked to match these impeccable standards and provide a sound system to enhance live chamber and background music. The challenge was to ensure that none of the installation was visible and the listed ceiling was not touched in any way. Audio propagation is complicated by luxurious soft furnishings and long narrow shapes - so the equipment had to be chosen both carefully and respectively.

CGA's Chris Gunton explains: "CGA specialise in this type of installation, we accept that buildings of this nature need to be treated with respect and the sound system needs

UK - Orbital was appointed by Cardiff's St David's Hall to design and install a sophisticated new sound system, which featured as part of a massive technical up grade to its impressive 2,000-seat auditorium, ensuring that it maintains its position as a world-class live entertainment and orchestral venue.

Orbital's head of installation projects, Tom Byrne, collaborated with St David's Hall's technical manager, Simon Denman-Ellis, to create a system that would optimise and refine the auditorium's renowned natural acoustics. Working to a tight four-week timeframe, it was designed by Orbital together with d&b audiotechnik's Application Support Team members John Taylor and Ralf Zuleg.

Due to the venue's diverse programme of scheduled events and performances, it was paramount that the new system be flexible and friendly to visiting engineers. As d&b is commonly used on international

UK - Hull's Rhythm Room boasts a new all-digital 'Pioneer Pro DJ Digital DJ booth'. Rhythm Room's boss Chris Davidson says: "Most of the clubs in the area play a diet of commercial dance music. We've changed that recipe by providing the best hard house and trance in the region. Our objective was to add a new twist on the underground theme by creating a smart, stylish venue but one that also delivers that feeling of being in a kicking happening club where the music is the star. And with the audio driven by Pioneer's awesome Pro DJ Digital DJ booth we've achieved our goal."

The 16ft long DJ booth is raised above the dance floor and includes Pioneer's DVJ-X1 DVD decks, two industry standard CDJ-1000 MK2 CD turntables, an EFX-1000 effector and a DJM-1000 mixer. Each element in the chain is linked by a digital connection to deliver the highest audio quality, say Pioneer.

UK - Peterborough-based Pearce Hire have enjoyed a busy few months close to home. Having clocked up thousands of miles working all over the UK, it has been a unique winter period for the company, in that they have secured a wealth of contracts in their local area.

Since restructuring the company in 2003, owner Shaun Pearce along with managers Andy White and John Huson have rationalised their approach to business, as White explained: "We realised our reputation was gaining us work all over the country but had possibly been overlooking opportunities on our own doorstep. We contacted local events and venues and since have been incredibly busy working on some great local projects."

Peterborough United football team needed a new audio system for their London-Road ground, and Hawk AV of Peterborough contracted Pearce Hire to install a brand new 100V line system on both a v

UK - Café Neo, Whetstone, has dramatically transformed itself this year - creating a modern dining and late night venue for all its customers.

Approached by the management team at the Restaurant Live Exhibition, CGA Integration was asked to provide a flexible ambient lighting solution to create eye catching effects in a small venue. The lighting had to create moods to suit clientele throughout the day and into the night - with the creative adaptability for small private functions.

To create the widest range of moods in the stylish venue, various LED fixtures were specified. Externally, Xilver Sparkles create eye catching features and internally walls and rooms are washed by MR16 Raindrop LEDs. And dimmable fluorescents hidden in a ceiling baffle accentuates design features.

Control of the entire suite is via a Qcommander replica enabling a dramatic spread of effects p

UK - CGA Integration recently specified and installed background audio throughout the stunning new China Tang redevelopment of the Dorchester Club dining room. The Chinese art deco interior includes four luxury private dining booths enhanced by 42" Plasma screens, stylish bar area and prestige restaurant dining.

The refit was a complex project requiring CGA Integration to work closely with the Vivid interiors project team to integrate fittings and solutions with designers including entrepreneur owner David Tang.

Intimate high quality sound to the tables is achieved using EVID 4.2 ceiling speakers, boosted by EVID 10.1 bass bins. Audio sources include CD players, hard drive play list player and Sennheiser radio mics controlled from a breakout box at the maître d'hôtel station.

42" Samsung plasma TVs, multi zone DVD players and independent booth volume control enab

UK - The world-renowned Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) will celebrate its tenth anniversary next week, with a joint event that will also launch Liverpool Performs 2006 - the fourth Capital of Culture themed year.

On Monday 30 January - 10 years to the day since LIPA's inauguration - nearly 250 LIPA students and graduates will take part in a gala performance at Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall.The performance will also herald the official launch of Liverpool Performs 2006 - a 12-month celebration of Liverpool's outstanding track record in the arts, sport and business - the latest in a series of themed years leading up to European Capital of Culture in 2008.

LIPA itself is one of the city's best known success stories, committed to its aim of providing high-quality teaching to prepare students for sustained careers in the industry, either as performers

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