Leading pro audio distributor, Fuzion plc, has extended its operations into Thailand with the setting up of a brand new distribution company, Fuzion Far East Ltd, based in Bangkok. Fuzion Far East will be carrying a number of the same brands as Fuzion plc in the UK plus others and will also be distributing lighting, AV and comms products. Fuzion plc's Tony Oates is holding down the job of managing director with Sutat 'Pok' Kohkiat as technical director, Varuit Rattapong at the front as assisted by Pongsak Pattanaphan as sales/product manager plus a number of hand-picked professionals from within the industry in Thailand.
Fuzion Far East came about due to a need for quality distribution in that territory with no secondary activities that compete with the customers. After a number of discussions with operations in Thailand and research into the market, Oates saw an opportunity to create
Stage Electrics has launched a number of projects for the New Year, the first being the decision to offer its full range of hire stock from its London branch. The new branch was one of the success stories of last year and will be the subject of further expansion in the coming year. 2002 will also see the consolidation of the Stage Electrics group of companies into one brand to create a nationwide network of branches. As a result, Theatre Direct in Cambridge and Theatre Vision in Cardiff and Brecon will become branches of Stage Electrics from 1 February 2002 and will benefit from the extra support, access to a wider range of equipment and resources that come with being more closely aligned to Stage Electrics.
Warner Village Cinemas have extended their relationship with Martin Audio cinema systems with the opening of the 12-screen West 12 Centre multiplex at Shepherds Bush. Forming part of the £20million redevelopment of the Concord Shopping Centre, the building of the latest Warner Village Cinemas site is part of a general renovation of the area, with design by architects the Colman Partnership.
The sound systems consist of Martin Audio Screen Series cabinets, which also featured recently in a number of screening rooms at the high-profile Warner Village Cinema complex at Star City, Birmingham, and in the Warner Bros. preview theatres in London. Warner Bros International Theatres' director of projection and technical equipment, Phil Crawley, confirmed that Martin Screen 4s and 5s are currently being adopted in new Warner Village Cinema multiplexes around the UK. Screen 5s and Screen Sub 1As
Central London-based Orbital Sound have appointed Eric Simpson as their senior warehouse manager. He has joined their central London based team to further streamline the operations of their busy warehouse situated at the heart of the Brixton-based facility.
Eric, whose experience is known to many, has officially "hung up his touring boots" to take on this role which follows over 21 years touring with some of the largest names in the business. Recent credits include Ronan Keating, Feet of Flames, Westlife and Hear'say. His knowledge of sound systems as both a FOH operator and chief engineer, coupled with his understanding of live productions, gives him the right credentials to oversee the warehouse operations.
The warehouse forms the core of Orbital's infrastructure and is situated in the adjoining buildings behind their Victorian townhouse where the sound and communications
Experienced pro audio sales specialist, Sue Webb, has joined TOA (UK) as sales manager. She most recently occupied a similar position with Wharfedale Professional, and prior to that worked with both HHB and Harman, having started her audio career in production at Soundcraft.
Sue will assist in the resurgence of the TOA brand in the UK and specifically focus on their huge roster of products at retail level, notably the Japanese company's low impedance speakers. "TOA already has a reputation in the contracts market, but after 16 years in the pro audio business, my immediate challenge will be to increase the company's market share in retail sectors such as the music industry." The aim will be to consolidate relationships with TOA’s present distributor network as well as develop new outlets as the company’s marketing reach expands.
At the PLASA show in September, an agreement was reached between Stage Accompany and Aquarius Sound, which will see the latter distributing SA products in the Irish market. Aquarius' Phil Connolly and son Niall run a well-respected company, which has been active in the pro-audio market for many years. After hearing an SA Ribbon-loaded system in the 3000-capacity Powerzone discotheque in Amsterdam, and a number of clubs in Cyprus, Phil and Niall decided it would fulfil a demand from clients for something more 'upscale'.
Tom Back of Stage Accompany told us: "With some truly benchmark-setting products in the pipe-line, we have great expectations for SA. We're very happy to have an experienced and knowledgeable team like Aquarius representing our products in Ireland."
Hard Rock Café International has developed a new bar concept, which has been piloted in Birmingham's burgeoning Broad Street. The prime 7,500 sq.ft Hard Rock bar, licensed for 450, will continue to dispense its cocktail of classic rock and merchandise in an environment of encased rock memorabilia. It was a challenge which architects and interior designers, Lewis & Hickey took on, along with atmosphere and technology designers PA Installations (sound and vision) and LDPi (lighting fixtures).
PAI, who also specified the lighting control, had a difficult, reverberant environment with hard finishes, and needing to deaden reflections from the café bar surround and live stage loudspeakers in an inherently 'live' room, they chose the BSS 9088 Soundweb DSP networker as the solution provider. According to project manager Martin Draisey, while the choice of loudspeakers for Birmingham were lai
Harman International Industries has announced a restructuring programme for Digital Audio Research (DAR), involving a relocation of the business to the new AMEK Manchester location. The DAR products will benefit from AMEK's state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, ensuring product consistency and reliability.
John Carpanini of Harman told us: "DAR and AMEK have many common distributors worldwide and all sales and marketing activity will be consolidated under head of sales, Craig Lovell. Craig has been closely involved with both brands over a number of years, and combining the sales activities under his control also makes excellent commercial sense."
"The decision to relocate DAR reinforces our commitment to the recently-launched Trigger Audio Replay System, for which we have high hopes in the market. At InterBee in November, where it was officially launched, Trigger
Midas and Klark Teknik recently welcomed over 40 customers from Germany to their factory in Kidderminster to introduce them to the Midas Legend tri-purpose mixing console which has already won two awards for technological innovation. Customers were also treated to a Klark Teknik presentation on the DN9848 digital loudspeaker processor and a full factory tour as well as plenty of entertainment and sightseeing over the two days of their visit.
According to KTG marketing director, David Webster, the trip was a success for a very simple reason. "It's all about what we do best, which is to offer high quality professional equipment which offer solutions to customers' problems, and to do it in style! And we do our best to try and make it simple. Each distributor has their own DVD presentation on Legend in the language of their territory, as well as any other type of marketing back-up the
Brian Laurence from renowned Melbourne-based audio soundscape producers Brian Laurence Sound P/L has recently completed a major Soundscape project at Beechworth, in the heart of Australia's 'Bushranger Country' using a variety of ARX products. In the new Beechworth Historic Precinct, Laurence Sound created several 12-channel surround soundscapes, one for the Bourke Museum's 'Street Of Shops', and the Old Beechworth Courthouse, each of them 'bringing to life' the static displays by re-creating the sounds of the wild 1870s Gold Rush period.
Sound replay is from Fostex 16-channel D-160 hard disk players which only have unbalanced -10dB outputs. To level-match to the required +4dB to drive the power amplifiers, Laurence Sound used two of the new ARX Level 8s line balancers per Fostex D-160 machine.
The large-screen video show features 8-channel surround sound based on a Fostex D-160 time
One of London's most famous dance venues has been fitted out with a Martin Audio system, courtesy of Bedford-based Creative Technologies. The former Legends - in Mayfair’s Old Burlington Street - has been acquired by Mark Fuller’s Embassy Restaurants Ltd, following the sale of his previous venues, Sugar Reef and Red Cube to Chorion plc. Fuller - with partner Garry Hollihead and operations director, Gina Campbell-Clough - has renamed the venue The Embassy - in deference to the famous venue that flourished in nearby Old Bond Street in the early 1980s, where he also worked.
Creative Technologies' relationship with Fuller extends back to his days when he ran Little Havana. The company also installed Sugar Reef, but according to managing director, Rob Ferguson, this is their most sophisticated fit-out yet, as the combination of Martin Audio components and Soundweb networking wil
If you missed it don't worry, it will return. The World Wrestling Association presented by AAA is the latest wave to catch onto the growing craze for choreographed violence for the under 10s. The recent tour of rippling muscles with cartoon personas has swept through the UK, visiting major venues like Sheffield Arena and Wembley. "When you're presenting shows in venues of this size, and to audiences of 10,000 plus, the same rules apply as for the biggest rock shows," explained production manager Nick Levitt. "That's why we have three artics parked outside - there's a lot more to this than two men grappling in a ring."
One truck was almost totally filled with the ring itself and associated props, such as chipboard ringside tables for the commentators, which shatter harmlessly as these Cinderella Titans hurl each other from the ring in mock fury. In the air, 160ft of
London PA company FX Music has recently expanded its hire stock, taking delivery of 56 Martin W8C Wavefront cabinets. The rig was immediately pressed into service by Capital Sound for the Ministry of Sound's giant New Year event at the Millennium Dome. FX Music, who also run EAW systems, claim that increased diversity in tour specs and one-off show requirements mean a wide ranging inventory has become a necessity for hire operations.
Federal Warning Systems has won a seven figure contract to design, supply, and install new emergency warning personnel alert systems for the US Air Force in Europe (USAFE). The company has been contracted to equip several US Air Force bases in the UK and Germany with its hard-wired version of its electronic outdoor warning system, which includes high powered speakers and amplifiers running on an ISDN communication backbone.
Security being a key concern for the new warning system, FWS will install a highly secure land line system, utilizing ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) technology and communications system protocol. Alert messages will be activated from multiple locations throughout the bases, such as barracks and personnel blocks. With a 95% efficiency rate and increased run time, the Modulator’s omnidirectional electronic speaker array system will allow for precise
A coveted TEC (Technical Excellence & Creativity) Award, presented during the AES New York Convention in December, rounded off a record year for the Sony DMX-R100 digital console. With over 1200 worldwide sales and a hat-trick of major pro-audio awards, the console has carved out an enviable reputation for itself.
Notable for being voted for by a large number of magazine subscribers, the Mix Foundation TEC award for best product in the Small Console Format Technology category is regarded internationally as one of the key accolades for technical professionals. The 48 channel DMX-R100 also scooped both the Studio Sound Award in the UK and MIPA (MusikmesseInternational Press ‘High End Digital Mixing Desk’ Award) in Germany earlier in the year.Sony has recently launched a Version 2.0 software upgrade for the desk, and there are plans for a forthcoming MADI implementation and op
ARX Systems, the Australian based manufacturer of professional audio products has appointed Tonart-Audiotechnik as its new exclusive distributor for Switzerland. ARX MD Colin Park told us: "ARX is delighted to have Rudolf Schenker and his team at Tonart-Audiotechnik on board as our new exclusive distributor. Tonart are well placed to introduce the new products ARX is bringing to market in 2002, as well as continuing the high level of support our Swiss client base has come to expect over the years.
Stagecraft has recently been involved in a major development at the New Theatre Royal in Portsmouth. The company supplied lighting and sound equipment to the venue and is also planning a programme of disabled workshops at the theatre.
In 1972 a fire destroyed a large part of the backstage of the Victorian theatre and the refurbishment provided an opportunity to re-design the theatre to provide greater accessibility for all theatregoers. One of the key areas to be developed was the lighting and sound systems and thus Stagecraft supplied a range of technical equipment, including Martin intelligent lighting, Selecon Pacific luminaires, Compulite Luna moving yolks, Zero88 lighting control and dimming, and a range of audio equipment, including Tannoy speakers, Shure microphones, QSC amplification and Allen & Heath control.
Grant Bales-Smith of Stagecraft worked closely with the New Theat
The Wembley studio building that used to house CTS Studios is back in business as a recording facility after industry veteran Pete Fielder secured a lease on the premises, which he has re-opened under the name of Phoenix Sound. The substantial studio building is located close to Wembley Stadium and was due to be redeveloped as part of the overall scheme to rebuild the stadium. However, when the plans fell through, Fielder approached Wembley plc with a view to acquiring the lease and securing the site's future as a recording studio.
Fielder, a respected engineer and APRS board member who has extensive knowledge and experience of the studio industry, told us: "This is a large site that is already very popular with musicians and has plenty of potential as a studio complex. Although we are re-equipping from scratch, the actual studios and control rooms are already in place and will si
Philips CSI has moved to an impressive new corporate facility at Heathrow, located on the Bath Road adjacent to Heathrow airport. The facilities at the new site will allow the company to expand its operations especially with enhanced sales, training and demonstration facilities for customers and installers.
According to Reg Nicholls, the newly-appointed UK general manager for Philips CSI: "Our move into this building allows us to continue to strengthen and develop our UK operations. We have opportunities to further promote the Philips brand name by providing all the services required to make us more customer-focused and responsive." he added. The new Philips CSI centre at Heathrow will also offer a much faster response and turnaround on both warranty and non-warranty repairs, plus a new 'swap-out' service on key products that effectively gives customers a free replacement pr
PLASA Media has learned the sad news of the death of Bob Salt, who died yesterday while on holiday in Jamaica. Although early details are vague, it is understood that Bob died of pneumonia, following on from a chest infection.
As founder and managing director of RW Salt Communications, one of the country’s leading distributors of PA, pro audio and communications equipment, Bob was very well known to many in the industry. In a statement issued today on behalf of the company, Richard Lyon, chairman of RW Salt Communications, said: "Bob loved this company and its success was his continuing dream. It is my wish to preserve his dream in the best possible way, as do the loyal people who have worked for Bob over time."
He continued: "Everything is in place for the company to continue in a professional way. There will be no delays to supplier payments and our customers c
The AXYS range of products is now being distributed and supported within the UK by Duran Audio UK. In addition to supplying the successful AXYS Intellivox range, Duran Audio will also be actively promoting the Arena System, Scope System, Stadium System, Source System and Flex range. The company’s new Target System, which has been through extensive Beta testing, will also be available for sale in 2002. Sales of AXYS in the Republic of Ireland will now be handled by Sound Productions of Dublin.
A vibrant new South African production has recently arrived on the West End stage. Umoja - The Spirit of Togetherness opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre to rave reviews thanks to a cast of 33 singers and dancers, four African drummers and a five-piece band.
Conceived by Todd Twala and Thembi Nyandeni, and brought to the stage by director Ian von Memerty, the task of 'sound designing' the story of African music fell to Trevor Peters. With FOH engineer, Tanja Somers, Trevor recommended that the show turn to both BSS and Trantec as the most effective and economic way of setting the delays and correcting the sound imaging, and supplying the requisite number of radio mic channels.
"I did the original sound design using more conventional equipment which I was familiar with, but then someone suggested I look at BSS’s Soundweb," said Peters. "Although I first saw S
West London-based pro audio distributor Ampekko has recently supplied the Institute of Contemporary Arts, situated on The Mall in London, with an integrated SLS Loudspeaker system. As the official sponsor of Climax 01, SLS teamed up with the ICA and The Musicians Union to stage a ground-breaking season of music and talks which looked at the highlights of indie, acoustic and dance music over 2001. Its resounding success inspired the ICA to permanently install a SLS integrated sound reinforcement system into their main Theatre.
Andrew Missingham, director of performing arts, explained: "We were so impressed by the SLS system that Ampekko supplied for the week-long Climax 01 season, that it made total sense to replace our old system and upgrade to SLS. It will allow us to fulfil our objectives in 2002 to revive live music performance in this venue. It has already worked to enhance ou
The ATI Group, parent company of Audio Toys Inc, API Audio and Uptown Automation, will consolidate manufacturing and corporate offices for all three brands in a larger facility as of January 14. The changes come in response to ATI's steady and considerable growth over the last decade. In addition to providing the company with a much needed doubling of space, the consolidation will improve manufacturing efficiency. ATI, API and Uptown Automation products will all be manufactured at the new Jessup, Maryland, location under the direction of general manager Gordon Smart.
Audio Toys Inc manufactures the Paragon II monitor console and the newly introduced Paragon II production console, along with the successful 8MX2 mic pre/mixer. The Paragon II has recently been seen on tour with Britney Spears, U2, Tim McGraw and many other top acts. API remains an industry leader in analogue recording equ