Following the news of the death on 9 January of Bob Salt, managing director of RW Salt Communications, details of arrangements for a memorial service have been released. The service will follow a private funeral and will be held at 3pm on Friday 25 January 2002 at St Elizabeth’s Church, Ashley, Cheshire. Bob’s family would like to extend an invitation to all his suppliers, customers and friends from within the audio industry to join them at the church and afterwards at the Greyhound in Ashley.

The family has also requested that those who wish to send flowers instead make a donation to a charity close to Bob’s heart - The Restoration of Appearance and Function Trust (RAFT), and send them to the company address:

RW Salt Communications
140 Princess Road
Moss Side
Manchester
M16 7BY.

Tel: 0161 226 6696

(Lee Baldock)

Flying in the face of recessionary horror stories, the FX Group has started 2002 on a buoyant note by announcing the appointment of four key new members of staff. This brings the total number of recent appointments to 10 and the total number of staff across the burgeoning group to 45.

The new faces have joined FX from Dreamhire and include business development manager Martin Anscombe, Martin ‘Budgie’ Burden - who joins the rental bookings department - and Copyroom engineers Richard Whittaker and Brian Cunningham. FX Group chairman Roger Evan commented: "These appointments reflect our confidence in the future and our determination to deliver a high level of service to our customers. We are pleased to welcome staff from Dreamhire who bring considerable expertise with them."

FX has also marked the New Year by opening a dedicated Pro Tools transfer suite as part of

Sennheiser UK - exclusive distributor for Rycote microphone windshields and suspension systems - has introduced two new microphone mounts and a useful directory from the company. The Utility Mount is a rugged, lightweight, machined aluminium mount with an integral cable clamping system, purpose-built bands positioned at four staggered points and a bracket with pistol-grip handle. The mount can be stand- or pole-mounted via the 3/8" female thread in the base of the handle. Designed to complement the Rycote microphone suspension range, the Utility Mount is positioned between the company’s Softie Mount and its high performance Modular Suspension. The Utility Mount can be used alone or alternatively can slide into a Rycote Windshield for exterior use. The design of the bands supports a broad range of microphones and allows for quick and easy changes.

The Multi-Mount is a modifie

Kelsey Acoustics has recently manufactured and supplied a substantial number of custom-built multicore systems with Litton Veam connectors to Surrey-based rental company Peter Maciuk Installations Ltd (PMI).

PMI specializes in the hire of sound systems to event companies who design and manage large corporate events all over the world. "It’s an exceedingly demanding and competitive environment," explained PMI's Peter Maciuk, "and as events get more and more complex, so the requirement for more diverse multicore systems increases. What we now have is a fully modular multicore system which ranges from 50m 8-pair up to 100m 48-pair with 16-pair return and monitor break-outs. We can also offer a complete stage satellite system comprising three 25m 16-pair dual sex stage boxes to a 48-way dual sex patch panel. In simple terms it gives us the flexibility and the ability t

Sennheiser UK held the national finals of its ‘Best Unsigned Artist Contest’ in December, with a live event at the Wardrobe Club in Leeds. Devised as an integral element of Sennheiser UK’s greater focus on the live music market, the Unsigned Artist Contest was launched last year in conjunction with a number of equipment manufacturers.

Sennheiser’s John Steven described the initiative: "This is a means of establishing closer contact with potential up and coming performing artists. It’s also a way of genuinely trying to help bands and artists who don’t fall into the category of ‘manufactured pop idol’ currently so favoured by the major recording industry."

Winners of heats covering pop, rock, dance, hip-hop, R&B and jazz musical categories from across the country performed live in front of the panel of judges drawn from artists,

Stuart Thomson, formerly of Avalon Communications, has joined MEDC Ltd as the UK northern area sales manager for the Next Two range of loudspeakers. Thomson has had more than 20 years of experience in the communications industry with companies as diverse as Millbank Electronics, Planned Equipment Ltd and Avalon Communications as a proposals manager.

With involvement in major projects such as The Millenium Dome, Paddington Railway Station, London Underground, Newcastle United Stadium and a variety of other commercial installations from shopping centres to office blocks, Thomson brings a wealth of experience to the team. Thomson will assist Next Two customers through advising on loudspeaker layouts and working with third party VA/PA rack manufacturers to ensure a successful installation.

(Lee Baldock)

Autograph Sales Ltd, the UK distributors for Meyer Sound Laboratories, have begun the year with the launch of the latest Meyer Sound product - the MM4. Unlike Meyer Sound's more recent larger developments, the MM4 is a compact, wide-range loudspeaker, measuring only 102mm square.

This particular loudspeaker product is ideal when a high quality distributed sound system is required - in delay and fill applications in theatre-style venues, for example. The product has already found a home in France, on the much-talked about and newly-built Lyon Tramway. This latter is a sound art installation and the 88 MM4s can be found distributed along the 18 stations of the Tramway, transmitting ambient sounds and announcements when required.

Back in the UK, the product is being taken very seriously by several sound design consultants and installation companies and has been specified for a number of

At Celestion’s HQ in Ipswich, Richard Vivian has been promoted to the position of marketing manager, Professional Product Division. Vivian joined Celestion from the R&D department of Turbosound three years ago. As Celestion’s product manager for Professional Systems, he has been instrumental in the development and promotion of a number of key products, including the CXi range of sound reinforcement loudspeaker systems, which has been successful in opening up new opportunities and markets for the Celestion brand.

With his detailed knowledge and experience of the professional audio and music industries, Vivian will now be taking on marketing responsibility for the entire Professional Division, which includes the growing range of Professional Component (raw-frame) loudspeakers. "Since I joined Celestion, I’ve been closely involved in the ongoing initiative to design

The exclusive Turnberry Hotel in Ayrshire has selected a Bose sound system as part of an upgrade of music systems throughout the hotel, spa and golf club house. The decision to go with Bose followed Jim Wilson’s (the Turnberry’s technical services manager), consultation with RA Communications of Stirling, to find a system that would deliver a full, rich sound, yet remain discreet.

A Bose Freespace 3 system, consisting of eight satellite cube speakers and two bass units, has been installed in the Turnberry Restaurant - a large room with traditional high ceilings. Freespace 3 systems are also employed in the Spa Terrace and Ailsa Lounge. The Turnberry has also chosen Bose for its new development of 12 luxury lodges and nine cottages, located in the grounds of the hotel. Bose Wave Radio/CDs have been spec’d in each of the lounges.

(Ruth Rossington)

At the close of last year, TC Group, the Danish parent company of TC Electronic, TCWorks and TC-Helicon, tabled a proposal to the shareholders of TGI plc to purchase their holdings in the company. That offer has now been formally accepted by the shareholders.

"I am very happy that the offer has been accepted," says Anders Fauerskov, CEO at TC Group. "The timing is perfect for a co-operation in technology like this, as the market of today clearly shows a need for an innovative fusion of technologies. Within the new TC Group, we now have the acoustics knowledge, driver technology, digital signal processing know-how, and amplification and power supply skills to make a major impact in the future market for integrated solutions."

TGI plc is a holding-company which covers four companies in the speaker market - Tannoy, Martin Audio, Lab Gruppen and GLL.

TC Group repr

Creative sound design and installation specialists CP Sound has completed its latest project in an on-going series of Zinc Bar & Grill venues for Conran Restaurants. Zinc Birmingham was a great challenge, as the background music system had to sound natural and all sound equipment had to be concealed without a wire in sight, blending seamlessly with the clean interior of the building. Thirdly, the downstairs DJ area - for parties, late bar nights and special occasions - had to avoid noise spillage into the main dining area above.

CP Sound’s Colin Pattenden reveals that they excelled themselves in the invisibility department. By the time the CP Sound team had finished the install, the only visible evidence of any sound was four neat volume controls by the downstairs bar. CP Sound utilised JBL speakers throughout, as they have in other Conran establishments, using speakers from the

London-based rental company FX Music has pledged its future in a world outside line array by making a major commitment to Martin Audio’s Wavefront 8 utility sound reinforcement system.According to Dave Beck, who has run FX Music with brother Alan since 1985, the 32 Wavefront 8C/24 x WSX system - purchased from the London office of LMC Audio - will give them capability to provide coverage of 1,000-seat auditoria, and tie them into the Martin Audio Wavefront rental network, which also includes Capital Sound Hire, Adlib Audio and CAV.

Explaining the rationale, Dave Beck said: "We specialise in single events for promoters such as Metropolis and SJM - whether it be rock ’n’ roll one-offs or classical spectaculars - as well as corporate shows. We don’t do sufficient arena work to warrant a line array but we wanted a system that was flexible, at the same time offe

Soundcraft has introduced the 328XD digital mixing console, the next generation of the popular Digital 328 production mixer, now offering dynamics processing on every channel, group and mix path. With the 328XD, Soundcraft has further broadened the desk’s functionality from straight sound mixing to production and control of sequencers and desktop synths. This will enable it to be the production control center for computers, DAWs and dedicated hard disk recorders, including dynamic automation and moving faders.

Designed for use straight out of the box, the 328XD control surface needs little explanation, and virtually all functions are easily accessible through the mixer’s unique ‘E-Strip’. This can act as a horizontal channel strip, controlling EQ and aux sends, or a dynamics control panel, or as level controls for the tape returns.

The 328XD also boasts a new

Sony has introduced launched the latest additions to its WL800 Series UHF radio microphone system, using recent innovations to provide increased operating frequencies, bringing greater flexibility for users.

The addition of the ‘B’ versions comes at the same time as two new products: for ENG use is a new single-unit, camera-mounting dual-channel diversity receiver (the WRR-862B), while a new handheld transmitter (the WRT-847B) with five interchangeable capsule options (female vocal, male vocal, speech, shotgun and ENG) brings greater flexibility to a range of applications.

The new additions are all compatible with the existing WL800 ‘A’ and Freedom models, but can operate in any 24MHz frequency block between 470MHz and 862MHz, including the lower TV channel ranges which were previously unusable for wireless microphones because of the size of components require

Autograph Sound Recording began the year on a charitable note, designing and supplying the sound system, free of charge, for the UKC Hero Awards ceremony, held at the Dorchester Hotel, London, on 9 January.

Sir Elton John was the recipient of the UKC (UK Coalition of People Living with HIV and AIDS) Hero Award, held in celebration of World AIDS Day, in recognition of his outstanding contribution towards the continuing fight against the disease. Autograph's Lee Dennison installed Meyer Sound loudspeakers in the Dorchester's Ball Room, using MSL-2s together with USW-1P subs.

Meanwhile, the Olivier-award winning 'Five Guys Named Moe', which entertained West End audiences for many years, is about to hit the road with a complete Autograph sound and communications touring system. The show will be visiting over 20 venues around the UK and will have less than 48 hours to de-rig in one theatr

ARX Systems, the Australian manufacturer of professional audio products, has announced the appointment of two new European exclusive distributors. Bertin Krompass and his team at Showservice Gmbh are now representing ARX in Germany. Showservice can be contacted by telephone on +49(0)851 4903302, or via e-mail at showservicegmbh@t-online.de.

At the same time, Igor Pogorzelski and his team at ProfiAudio are now representing ARX in Poland. Profiaudio can be contacted by telephone at +48 22 773 0147 or via e-mail at igor@profiaudio.com.pl.

ARX’s managing director Colin Park commented on the new appointments: "The ARX product range is further expanding into the installation and broadcast markets, and both Showservice and ProfiAudio are well placed to service these se

Pro audio manufacturer OHM has announced preliminary details for a forthcoming range of PA products. The LM series of enclosures will be built in the OHM tradition, with painted birch ply cabinets, and high quality driver and crossover components. A special high efficiency HF compression driver has been used in the 12" and 15", two-way designs, protected by OHM’s proven HF protection system - a money saving device in itself. The portable LM-S sub adds full-on LF extension to the system as required.

The range is complemented by the powerful HQ 2002S 1000W stereo switch mode power amp, and heavy duty tripod speaker stands. Full product specification and details will be available shortly and the product proper should be available from March.

(James Eade)

The ATI Group has announced the formation of a new division, ATI Group Distribution. The new arm of the company officially begins operations tomorrow handling North American distribution and marketing responsibilities for UK-based Audient PLC.

Audient is a respected UK designer and manufacturer of studio mixing consoles, signal processing equipment and surround sound processing components. Founding partners of DDA -David Dearden and Gareth Davies - formed the company in 1997 and UK-based Expotus PLC began the world marketing and distribution of the range of products. ATI Group Distribution will be working closely with Martin Capp, managing director of Expotus, to launch the North American distribution of the full line of Audient products, including mixing consoles, surround sound processors and graphic EQs for fixed installations.

ATI Group Distribution is based at the company's new,

UK pro audio manufacturer OHM has appointed Martin Potter as sales and marketing executive. OHM chairman Jo Olenski has worked with Martin on several projects prior to the appointment: "Martin brings to OHM a wealth of experience gained from over 20 years involvement in audio related sales and marketing. He has a strong management background in both the retail and distribution sectors of our industry."

The appointment ties in with the advent of a new wave of ambition from the Cheshire-based company, with R&D at its highest ever level. Forward sales orders for both home and export divisions are reportedly booming, despite the recent difficulties brought on by world events. As we reported yesterday, on the agenda for March 2002 is the release of new loudspeaker product aimed at the MI retail sector. This will be marketed via both existing and new dealerships across the UK.

(R

AEQ UK, the UK representative of the Madrid-based manufacturer of professional broadcast and audio systems, is now shipping the Caddy A/D and D/A convertor, launched last year as part of the company's E@sy range of products. Although designed as the ideal partner for AEQ's Impact summing/distributing digital audio matrix, the Caddy is well suited to stand alone use.

The Caddy offers 24 electronically balanced analogue inputs and outputs with conversion to and from 12 AES/EBU digital inputs and outputs, all in a compact 1U rack space. Sample rate conversion is available from 32kHz to 96kHz, with 24 bits per sample, and the sampling rate follows that of the AES.11 sync input; the default being 48kHz.

The first customer for the Caddy is the European Broadcasting Union, who have taken 20 units as part of a 400 x 400 digital matrix for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. The EBU system al

NBC Olympics has selected Audio-Technica microphones to play a key role in its coverage of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games. Working in conjunction with the host audio-video provider, International Sports Broadcasting (ISB), NBC Olympics has made a solid commitment to provide the most sophisticated and intensive coverage the Winter Games audience has ever known. "We’re going to be using a wide selection of Audio-Technica microphones to capture the sound and drama of the events," stated Bob Dixon, Project Manager/Sound Design for NBC Olympics. "The crisp and accurate imaging they offer will help us make the experience that much more exciting for viewers."

Stereo sound will play a key role in creating enhanced realism in NBC’s broadcasts. Dixon notes that all of NBC’s handheld field cameras will have AT815ST Stereo Shotgun Microphones mounted on

IAG Professional (International Audio Group) has announced that the product lines formerly covered solely by Wharfedale Professional are now divided into two divisions - Wharfedale Pro and Wharfedale Systems. Due to the current diversity and plans for further expansion of the Wharfedale Professional ranges worldwide, it became apparent to the parent company, IAG, that the infrastructure needed changing to focus on different market areas. The increase in business for IAG, especially in the professional product areas, has necessitated the employment of new staff in both sales and product development. This has enabled IAG to develop new products in both loudspeakers and electronics, which, in turn, have increased sales and distribution worldwide.

The Systems Division will comprise already established installation speakers such as the Programme 30D, 2080 and 2090 series. The LoudPanel (NXT

Karl Christmas has been appointed as UK sales manager for studio/post and broadcast at SCV London, taking responsibility for high end pro sales. Formerly a freelance music producer and for many years in sales and marketing with TC Electronics, Yamaha and others, Karl has built a strong background in pro audio and his experience both as a user and in sales has given him an in depth knowledge of pro audio products. Among the many big names he will be handling at SCV London is the new Fostex DV40 mastering recorder, high end Genelec monitors and the Lucid and Universal Audio ranges.

(Ruth Rossington)

IAG (UK) Ltd has appointed Dean Davoile to its Huntingdon-based headquarters. He will be taking on the role of national sales manager (UK) for all brands under the IAG Professional banner, the main line being Wharfedale Professional loudspeakers and electronics. Previously heading up the sales at Logic System Pro Audio, Davoile’s immediate responsibilities at IAG will be overseeing the launch of three new professional product lines. He will also be in charge of developing sales for the recently-created Systems Division.

(Lee Baldock)

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