USA - The Red Raiders of Lubbock's Texas Tech University are one of the state's higher-profile college football teams: a big 12 team that swept the Holiday Bowl last year in San Diego, and played in the Cotton Bowl this year. The team's coach, Mike Leach, was recently the first coach to make the cover of the New York Times Magazine, achieving the distinction of being named one of football's best offensive coaches. Home for the team is Jones SBC Stadium, a 55,000-seat venue that underwent a $90 million renovation last year, including replacing the stadium's patchwork sound system with a new system built on Meyer Sound's Milo high-power curvilinear array loudspeakers.

The stadium's original design dates from the 1960s, and while it's not all that out of the ordinary, it presented a few logistical challenges that led James Bush, the venue's production manager, to opt for the single

UK - One of the most unlikely hybrid retail operations in London's burgeoning Fitzrovia area, is that of CVO Firevault. Immersed in the luxurious basement showroom of prestigious fireplaces and flickering flames is an ultra-chic cocktail bar and restaurant - the brainchild of husband and wife owners, Carolyn and Christian van Outersterp. Given the unique surroundings, after hours this transforms effortlessly into a seductive intimate party venue.

The only element letting the place down was the sound system, as manager Matthieu Destandau explained. "When I first came here three years ago it was more like a casual coffee bar, but slowly we increased the restaurant and bar activity, as well as the outside entertainment."

With the sponsoring of private parties and receptions in the 85 cover restaurant came the requirement for outside production, and Destandau called on C

Spain - Fridays' Project, Barcelona's largest multiple brand fashion store located at the most exclusive part of the Paseo de Gracia, was recently outfitted with a D.A.S. Audio sound system. Installed by the Fidel Color company, a custom sound system comprised by a total of 64 Factor-5TE speakers (wall-mountable with line transformer) were distributed throughout the store's three stories using 32 white and 32 black enclosures. Powered by two Energy E-12T amplifiers and a Dateq ACE mixer, the system provides musical ambience to two women's and one men's fashion floor.

Thanks to their elegant and discreet design, the Factor speakers have been seamlessly integrated into the store, providing a warm and cozy musical ambience, transforming the customer's store visit into a comfortable and pleasant experience. This, in turn, is essential to further the length of their shopping visit. T

USA - Making big improvements to a live venue's sound doesn't have to be complicated. When new ownership took over an existing 600-person club in New York named Revolution Hall, they expected it would take a lot of work to turn around its infamous negative sonic characteristics. Instead, all they had to do was install a new live sound system from Danley Sound Labs.

"My goal with Revolution Hall was to create an all-purpose venue where you could perform all genres of music with the highest quality sound," says John A. Chiara, owner. "Installing loudspeakers from Danley Sound Labs has been instrumental in achieving that. A drummer that played in this venue regularly over the years told me that it has gone from being the worst-sounding club he ever played to the best-sounding. Then he asked me what acoustic adjustments I'd made. I said, 'None yet, I just changed the

Iran - The 300-seat Talan Honar theatre is an antique building located in the heart of Tehran, the capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The theatre is mainly used for multipurpose applications, such as theatre, drama, live music and - being equipped with 5.1 Dolby equipment and a 35mm cinema projector - for screening movies.

The theatre is owned by the Municipality of Tehran and its refurbishment was recently completed by one of Iran's largest Iranian companies (Sazeman Farhangi Honary Shardari), which renovated the hall, changing the interior decoration, seats, screen, acoustic treatment and wall covering, as well as the sound reinforcement system and lighting fixtures.

The project manager in charge for the municipality was Masood Roostaei and the upgrade began in August 2005 and ended in February 2006. The sound equipment was provided by Italian manufacturer Outline, and

UK - Darren Beckley, business development manager for Stage Electrics London was impressed with the Selecon Arena PC when he saw one for the first time at a Selecon Workshop in Crawley recently. The even beam spread and quality of light was enough to convince Beckley to recommend the Arena PC to the technical manager of the Roundhouse project a few weeks later.

The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm in London is a historic steam engine repair building which was closed in 1983 and remained in a state of disrepair until 1998 when the Roundhouse Trust was set up to lead its redevelopment and restore this legendary venue, whose walls rocked to the sound of The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd in the '60s and '70s, back into the arms of London's cultural scene.

David Wilkins, UK market manager for Selecon says he is "delighted" to have been able to supply 20 Are

The Netherlands - Nestling in the heart of Amsterdam, one of Europe's most popular and vibrant cities, is the NEMO Museum of Science and Technology, which is the biggest science centre in the Netherlands. Built over a traffic tunnel that goes under the centre of the city, the museum boasts a host of state-of-the-art exhibits to display and interpret the latest in cutting edge science and technology in an entertaining way, claiming to take you on a voyage of discovery between fantasy and reality.

A major asset of the museum is their continuing programme to educate and inform school children, with groups of students visiting every day to see the impressive galleries and learn from the modern interactive displays. Naturally, part of every visit includes a welcome talk and introduction to the museum, its objectives and displays. "We chose to use a PA system using d&b audiotechn

UK - Slingco has installed a circular CableNet tension wire grid system - only the third circular one in the UK - at the Roundhouse in Camden. The venue is due to open next week after a 29.7 million refurbishment project setting it up as one of Europe's most dynamic performance spaces.

CableNet was initially specified by the project architects John McAslan and Partners as the safest and most flexible way of providing access to the high level technical space. This contains rigging, lighting and audio equipment above the stage and auditorium.

Slingco was initially consulted in 2002, and CableNet was an integral part of the rebuilding plans very early in the design process. They liaised with other civil and engineering contractors to co-ordinate the design, and ensure a smooth and efficient installation.

Circular tension wire grids are rare. Slingco's first UK model was complet

UK - With three theatres totalling over 2300 seats on the South Bank in London, the National Theatre presents an eclectic mix of new plays and classics, with seven or eight productions in repertory at any one time. The National has now upgraded its Sennheiser radio microphone system and increased its facility to forty channels. Twenty-four ways of EM1046 receivers have been installed across the three theatres whilst the remaining sixteen can be added wherever they are required.

Mike Walker of Loh Humm Audio, who specified the system in conjunction with the National Theatre sound department, says: "As well as superb audio quality, we need systems that are physically robust and able to withstand the rigours of the 1000 performances that the National presents each year. We auditioned other brands but never found anything to match the quality, durability and reliability of Senn

Japan - Designed to reflect a mysterious and unknown world, 200 meters of softly coloured underground escalator passages and mid-point domed hall reflect the unique character of the world-class museum while creating a heightened level of anticipation for visitors.

Atami City, located in Japan's Shizuoka Prefecture, is a well known hot springs and seaside resort area with roots stretching back to the 8th century. The outstanding MOA (Mokichi Okada Assoc.) Museum of Art opened in Atami in 1982. Built 260m above sea level amidst the expanse of a huge 25,000sq.m garden, fabulous views of the open sea can be enjoyed from atop its perch on Momoyama Hill.

Access to the Museum's main building is a unique journey in itself. From the Museum entrance to the main building visitors travel some 200m up escalators running along a tunnel passage. Each escalator (14 in total running both direc

UK - Entertainment lighting supplier White Light have announced its support of the 2006 Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference, to be held in London on June 11-13, immediately prior to the 2006 ABTT Trade Show at which White Light will be exhibiting.

Last held in 2002, the Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference brings together the many practitioners involved in creating successful performance spaces, from initial brief and financial planning right through to completion of the facility and opening it on time. Over two days, the conference will hold discussions on everything from designing a proscenium arch zone that will satisfy lighting designers, sound designers, directors, performers and the audience to the changes in culture that new arts buildings can bring.

White Light's involvement with the Conference reflects its continuing expansi

USA - The JFK School of Government at Harvard University has seen a recent audio system upgrade at one of its primary lecture halls. Adtech Systems, an AV systems integrator, installed a new zoned, mix-minus microphone/loudspeaker system that improves the ability of everyone in the classroom to both speak and be clearly heard. The project was headed by Adtech's design engineer, Michael Merrill.

While a similar system had been in use since the hall was last upgraded in 1990, it was not sophisticated and often malfunctioned. The school's directors decided a new sound system was a high priority, to allow students to focus on the dialogue and discussion processes, rather than constantly dealing with the mechanics of audio technology.

The focal point of the hall's new audio system architecture is a SymNet DSP Audio Matrix from Symetrix. The digital signal processing, mixing and rou

UK - PAI and sister company Lighting Technology Projects (LTP) have completed the design, specification and commissioning of an integrated sound and AV solution and specification of interior and exterior architectural lighting at the Opera House Casino, Scarborough.

The venue is one of the most successful independently owned casinos in the country, and is a complete new build on the footprint of the former old Royal Opera House Theatre, which had a colourful history dating back to the 19th century.

After many years of dereliction, the old building was demolished in 2004 and replaced with a new construction designed by architects Frame International. Frame also created the interior design and asked PAI onboard to work closely alongside them on the specification of a complete technical infrastructure.

PAI's Paul Adams, LTP's Terry Reeves and Frame International collaborated to

Dubai - Xische Digital, Dubai Media City and New York-based digital studio together with MultiSell Technology announced its latest digital experience last week. In May, Harvey Nichols unveiled its latest in a series of eclectic window displays at the Mall of the Emirates, featuring a life-size puma strolling across the 6-metre window amidst cages and ruffled feathers.

"The experience of using the entire shop front as a canvas creates an extraordinary retail experience for an unassuming passerby," says Danish Farhan, chief executive of Xische Digital. "In line with Harvey Nichols' global initiative to showcase some of the most eclectic window dressing in the world, this is a first in many respects, merging the digital domain with the real world."

Designed by the award-winning team at Xische, and deployed together with Multisell Technology and AWEBCO, the ret

UK - With wide-ranging changes in Safety and Fire Legislation coming into effect during autumn 2006 and spring 2007. Safety Solutions (UK) Ltd and Fairfield Halls are working together to assist employers in understanding the legislation and how to comply with both the existing and forthcoming requirements in a practical and realistic way.

The Fairfield Halls in Croydon offers excellent facilities with easy links from London, Brighton and Gatwick Airport. Safety Solutions (UK) Ltd are an accredited centre for City and Guilds, NEBOSH qualification programmes and provide short courses regulated by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.

Summer Safety Week at Fairfield (7-11 August) will consist of a series of updates on legislation and stimulants for compliance and the application of best practice. Special events will also be held to assist small- and medium-sized comp

Australia - Foxtel in Sydney have reconstructed a small studio at their Pyrmont premises as well as building a large studio at their Ryde complex. The larger studio, which measures 300sq.m has been in use since the beginning of May.

Coemar De Sisti Australia were contracted to supply a complete lighting installation including De Sisti hoists, wiring and dimmers resulting in a complete turn-key system. Peter Kemp, CDA's managing director, surveyed the market for a wall mount dimmer suitable for the application.

"We decided that the LSC Lighting EKO was suitable for the requirements we had for the studio. There were a number of features that we favoured; ease of installation including the facilities within the rack for logging and various functions you can set up with the EKO. They were the best dimmer for the job and fitted the need."

Ease of installation is one of

UK - Headed by Peter Church, the recently formed JI Entertainments has pledged to develop its estate, heavily branded in favour of Idols and Blue.

Church enlisted the expertise of TMC - with whom he first worked during his days at First Leisure - and Paul Smith, a director of the Bradford-based technology specialists, was called in. As a result the former Julie's in Newcastle has now been converted to Blue, and The Square Bar in Swansea to Idols, alongside the technological upgrade of Idols in Newcastle.

TMC have evolved a winning formula when it comes to brand selection, and for their automated lighting they return time after time to Futurelight fixtures (distributed in the UK by DiFuzion, a subsidiary of Fuzion plc).

DiFuzion's Graham Barron has a long relationship with the installers, and aside from the product's inherent reliability, Paul Smith knows he is also guarantee

UK - Dublin based Ballyfermot College of Further Education was in the news recently when the Irish Minister for education and science, Mary Hanafin T.D. opened their new media building. The building, designed to be multifunctional, will be home to the college'sdepartments of animation, television and film, multi-media and games, music performance, management and sound. "Prior to this, all these departments had been scattered around the college campus," said Larry O'Toole, the College's course co-ordinator for the Higher National Diploma in Music Technology. "It was a most unsatisfactory arrangement."

"This building has been on the cards for nearly ten years," said the College's John Moriarty, "and now, at last, we have a purpose built facility for our students." The building is the realisation of a long held dream for Moriarty who was inst

UK - The historic Coronet Cinema in South London's Elephant & Castle has undergone a multi-million pound refurbishment to create a stunning new live music and club venue. The 2,200 capacity Art Deco building, which began its life as a theatre in the early 19th Century before becoming a cinema in 1910, now houses regular live music gigs and club nights, with a newly-installed EV XLC line-array sound reinforcement system.

The team behind the Coronet re-launch includes Simon Parkes, the man who rescued the derelict Brixton Academy in the 1980s. Unsurprisingly, he has put live music at the core of the Coronet's new business plan, and wants to put the venue firmly on the touring circuit. So far, the club has hosted Franz Ferdinand, The Orb and Macy Gray, and is nurturing a commitment to showcasing new bands and avant-garde events.

Bernard Mani of Systems Etc has had a long relation

UK - A talented design student from Napier University is celebrating winning two prestigious awards after coming up with a way to make museums and art galleries more accessible to those with hearing impairments. Kim Robertson, a 21-year-old fourth-year student on the University's BDes (Hons) Interior Architecture course, designed a system to make exhibitions more inclusive.

Now her hard work has paid off and received recognition from key industry figures - she has scooped a British Museum Award worth £1,500 and an Adapt Trust Award worth £2,500 from the RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce).Kim, from Catrine in South East Ayrshire, said: "The term 'inclusive design' is about ensuring environments, products and services are accessible to people of all ages and abilities. However, I became aware that inclusive design does not

UK - Eclipse Lighting and Sound have designed and installed an integrated sound, lighting and vision package for Live Leisure's new £3m Opus complex in Manchester. Situated in the high-profile Printworks, it has presented them with one of their most prestigious contracts yet.

Opus will accommodate up to 1,200 people across four floors, which contain four rooms, with two restaurants and five bars. But it was the multipurpose Live Room that provided Eclipse director John Fearon with his biggest challenge. "We had to build a versatile lighting rig that would accommodate comedy acts, live bands, corporate nights and a full-on nightclub - as well as general ambience," he said.

While this would require some generic stage lighting he knew he could depend on the recommendation of DiFuzion's Graham Barron for all his automated requirements.

"I have known Graham f

UK - Dartford's Orchard Theatre is a well-established venue in one of the most heavily populated areas of England. From orchestras to tribute bands, comedy to lectures, plays to pantomimes, the Orchard attracts a diverse audience from a wide catchment area throughout south and east London, Kent and Essex.

When the theatre wanted to upgrade the audio system of its Circle Bar, the speakers needed to be able to broadcast a diversity of content with uniform high quality. So specialist AV installers Whitwam turned to Turbosound. "The Circle Bar is designed for use as a stand alone meeting / seminar space and for holding varying workshops and small shows. At those times the speakers need to deliver standalone high quality foreground music and sound reinforcement," says Whitwam's senior engineer, Andy Pymm. "When the bar isn't being used as a separate area, the speakers

Australia - Situated on Sydney's Darling Harbour, Australia's leading superclub, Home, plays host to some of the world's most respected DJs and has recently branched into live music. A key component of this move was a technical refit, which included the installation of a state of the art audio system comprising exclusively Allen & Heath mixers, and a 16-cabinet JBL line-array.

"I have a passion for both live and club music and I am very excited by the emerging genre that combines elements of both," comments Simon Page, owner of Home. "We had very clear demands from both local and international artists to choose Allen & Heath DJ consoles, so it was an easy step for us to go with Allen & Heath for the live requirements as well."

The club is on three levels, with a maximum capacity close to 2500. There are four function rooms, outdoor balconies, numerous bars,

Ireland - J&C Joel has supplied and installed nineteen 200 KG SWL electric Pilewind winches into the overstage area of the main auditorium within the brand new Solstice Arts Centre in Navan, County Meath, Ireland. This hugely versatile Pilewind system is designed for the quick and easy rigging and de-rigging, of lighting, audio and AV equipment, scenery items and props.

Solstice, the result of a 13.5 million Euro project, is owned and operated by Meath County Council. It is designed by Shelly McNamara of award-winning Grafton Architects and the space includes a 320-seat theatre, three visual-arts areas and a café/bar. It's the County's first major cultural centre, and is heralded a glowing symbol for the belief, pride and commitment to cultural and artistic life in Meath. Solstice is already being hailed as one of the finest arts centre outside Dublin.

J&C Joel was invi

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