Rod Geary, Audio-Technica’s general sales manager, has recently left the company. Geary, who has overseen a period of strong growth for A-T’s UK sales operation, is a well-liked and respected member of the audio community and accordingly has already received a number of offers from some of the industry's leading manufacturers. He explained: "I intend to assess all the options and I will take my time to ensure that I make the right choice. Whatever my next step may be, I am simply looking forward to getting my teeth into a new role with the enthusiasm that comes from a fresh challenge."

Rod Geary can be contacted via the e-mail address below

The Tivoli, one of Holland’s most established rock clubs, has announced a leasing agreement with Synco Europe for 12 Synco 15" monitor wedges with matching Synco amplifier and control racks. The deal makes the Tivoli the fifth club in Holland after O13, Music Center Utrecht, Nighttown and The Milky Way to have acquired the Synco wedges. All leasing contracts cover a period of a 60-month rental.

Dick te Winkel, managing director of the Tivoli told us: "Although it's our usual policy to own all the equipment in the club, the demands from our technicians and performing bands for these wedges have been very high so we're very pleased with the leasing option we got from Synco Europe, since their wedges are not for sale."

Central London-based Orbital Sound, specialists in the design and supply of sound and communications systems for theatre, broadcast and entertainment, has just celebrated its eighth successful year in business. To mark this point in the company's development, it has announced an expansion of its board of directors.

The board will work together with Orbital's managing director, Chris Headlam, whose decision to realign the organization's directive from within will ensure that the company is well positioned to advance into its next evolutionary phase. Jane Finlay has taken on the role of director of personnel, Sebastian Frost is creative director and Dominic Rozendaal commercial director. This new company structure will not only allow for organic growth, but will also augment the company's consistently high standards across all divisions from hire to sound design, supply and installation,

A Turbosound TCS system has recently been installed in an upgrade to an impressive school chapel in New Zealand. St. Paul's Collegiate Chapel - set within the schools grounds - underwent an audiovisual and conferencing system upgrade, undertaken by installers Audio Video Solutions Ltd.

Supplied through Turbosound distributor Audio Telex, a sound system comprising numerous TCS-56, TCS-59 and TCS-10 loudspeakers, was both flown and wall-mounted, along with a set of TCS-118 subwoofers and TCS-12M floor monitors. The chapel consists of highly reflective, angled walls, plus an all glass rear wall. With large amounts of glass panelling throughout, the client brief required the design to impress acoustically, whilst being aesthetically discreet.

Stuart Craig of Audio Telex told us: "The client wanted to be able to use the system for music playback vocal reinforcement, as well as live m

Hayden Laboratories, UK distributor of Rane products has announced the availability of the new Rane TTM 56 scratch mixer. This is a flexible, durable, and feature-packed unit with clear audio quality which is ideal for use in the most demanding of live venues, recording studios or for live broadcast applications.

Features include non-contact crossfader and channel faders. Rane's new proprietary magnetic fader is the fastest, most accurate, and long lasting on the planet. The design uses non-contact magnetic position sensor technology - previously used only for challenging aerospace and industrial applications. Unlike optical non-contact faders, the magnetic fader is impervious to smoke, moisture, temperature and aging. The electrical performance of these faders is totally unaffected by heavy use, and the mechanical life of the magnetic fader exceeds 10 million operations.

Other featu

Orbital Sound's company brochure 'Working With Sound' has won the Award of Excellence for a corporate or promotional brochure at the 2001 Communicators in Business Awards. Designed and produced by London-based design company, Mot Juste, the brochure was judged by a panel of industry experts on its design, content and communications factor.The judges commented: "On picking this publication up we were immediately struck by the obvious high quality. Regardless of the role you play in theatre, it is obvious that the content has been geared at a number of posts, all of whom have different reasons for using this sort of equipment. The contents were very well handled and we have no doubt gave the reader sufficient information on which to make a decision whether to ask for more information.

Established in 1954, The CiB Awards recognize the highest standards and quality in business commun

An all-new sound reinforcement system has recently been installed in the historic chapel at Harrow School by installation specialists Scan Audio. The Grade 2 listed building was designed by Gilbert Scott - famous for landmarks such as the Albert Memorial and St. Pancras station, so the installation had to be carried out with great sensitivity.

"A key area to address was the problem of hearing the choir properly at back of the chapel over the large pipe organ," notes Dee Couchman of Scan Audio. Improved sound reinforcement for speech was also required throughout the chapel. "It was the opposite to the usual problem of long reverberation times in that type of building," comments Paul Malpas of consultants Arup Acoustics. "We needed to lift the choir and subtly balance their level with the organ."

The solution was to completely strip out the old column spea

California-based Apogee International has announced the launch of a new line of internally powered loudspeakers. The line consists of seven models - four full-range loudspeakers and three subwoofers. Each model offers integrated amplifiers, matched to its driver's power requirements, plus internal signal processing and control electronics that eliminate the need for outboard crossovers and controllers.

Three models of full-range powered loudspeaker are presently available: the APL-800, APL-500, and APL-220, with the APL-110 scheduled for release early in 2002. Both the APL-800 and APL-500 feature dual 400W amplifiers and are fully arrayable and highly effective when used alone or as the building block for a large system. The APL-220, also with dual 400W amplifiers, is designed for applications requiring extremely high power and tight directional control. The APL-110 features a 300W low

QSC Audio has introduced the new RMX 1850HD two-channel power amplifier, aimed at performing musicians, mobile DJs, and anyone needing a portable PA system. The RMX 1850HD features a high-current toroidal transformer coupled with enhanced thermal performance and is designed to deliver higher continuous power to 2-ohm stereo or 4-ohm bridge mono loads. The amplifier includes low-frequency filters to boost system response, protect speakers, and ensure low-end tightness by accurately matching the amplifier’s range to the loudspeakers. Each channel can be independently adjusted - 50 Hz for most full-range systems, 30 Hz for subwoofers and large full-range systems, and full-range for studio monitoring.

Independent clip limiters are included on the RMX 1850HD to reduce distortion without sacrificing performance. Other features include front-mounted gain controls for easy access, signal

Julies nightclub is a well-known Newcastle landmark. Like most clubs, it’s had its fair share of small upgrades over the years, but owner Keith Gibbon, of Lazi Leisure, felt the time had come for a major renovation - hence Julies 2.To effect the refurbishment, the venue was closed at the end of January to allow for major structural alterations to increase its size. Keith Gibbon came up with the design concept and called in the team at Lighting Technology Projects - Craig Grieveson, Dave Philips and Ray Scott - to undertake the installation. The effects lighting rig centres around Martin Professional’s MAC 250s, MiniMACs, Mx4s and CX2 colour changers, with Abstract Moonrays, Pulsar Demon Strobe units and shed loads of neon providing further punctuation. Controlling all this, and the Jem ZR12 Smoke machine, is a Pulsar Masterpiece 216. A Sony-led, four-screen video system is al

Sennheiser has redefined miniaturisation in terms of wireless technology with its latest SK 5012 UHF beltpack transmitter, which, according to the company, is the smallest commercially available UHF transmitter yet designed.

The latest addition to the 5000 series, the SK 5012 is a third shorter than the current SK 50A beltpack model (itself one of the smallest available lavalier transmitters). Weighing in at just 130g, including two AAA Alkaline cells, on which it operates continually for approximately seven hours, the SK 5012 provides the lowest profile of any available professional RF transmitter while incorporating the full range of the 5000 series' features. Additionally, the all metal casing design provides greatly improved protection against moisture and humidity levels, while a new antenna design provides the SK 5012 with an RF power out put of typically 30mW - optimised for mul

Kelsey Acoustics, leading manufacturer and supplier of professional audio and lighting cables, supplied a number of Kelsey 100 touring multipin connectors, looms and breakouts to ATG Spectrum for its recently-completed installation in Studio 3 at the BBC's Television Centre in Wood Lane.

Studio 3 is the new home of the Top of the Pops and Later with Jools Holland broadcasts, and the request for Kelsey's involvement came directly from the sound supervisor responsible for both programmes. Mike Felton explained: "We were temporarily housed at Riverside Studios for TOTP whilst the move and refurb was going on, and SSE were supplying all the monitoring and PA facilities. They use Kelsey's 32-way multicore as standard, and having used it ourselves, Gary [Clarke, sound supervisor TOTP] and I immediately requested that a compatible line system be installed in Studio 3. It entirely fitted

The Entech 2002 Conference program features workshops and seminars in areas of lighting, design, rigging, audio, projection and even the business needs of a DJ. Sessions includeIntroducing the Line Array; The Future of Systems Integration and ProAV Technology; Venue Design Forum; Digital Live Sound Mixing; Lighting Designer Forum; Rigging Workshop; Stacks and Racks; Motor Training School; Location Sound Recording; Trends in Facilities; The Art of Designing with Moving Lights; We Are Surrounded (Surround Sound); and The Changing Face of Post Production.

Entech 2002, Australasia’s leading entertainment technology trade show, will be held in Sydney’s Darling Harbour from 4-6 February 2002. For further details on the conference programme and exhibits, visit the web address below:

In the first major revision to the Renkus-Heinz Synco Touring System since its introduction four years ago, Synco Europe has announced a single, new mid/high cabinet to replace the long and short throw cabinets currently in use across the Synco Network. The Synco Network members (Ampco Pro Rent and PAS Audio of Holland; DEE Sound and Light and Flashlight/APR of Belgium; R G Jones of the UK and Puro Audio of Portugal) agreed on a programme of updating their current stock of equipment with the latest technical updates. The result is a radical change from all of the network’s current MH 60-40 (40 degree vertical dispersion) and MH 60-25 (25 degree vertical dispersion) cabinets to the new standard long-throw cabinet, the MH 60-30."It has not only entailed a major change in Synco Network logistics and planning," comments Fred Heuves, managing director of Synco Europe. "Th

Synonymous with the grass roots of concert touring, Skan PA's work portfolio has expanded under the judicious eye of directors, Chris Fitch and Abby Llewellyn, into something that is quintessentially British. They have recently simultaneously supported Orbital and Gabrielle - the latter on an exclusively British tour lasting two months, running an all-British sound rig. The company has followed up the successful beta-testing of the new TQ-310 enclosures with the band Tindersticks, by using them as infills with Gabrielle. The tour also sees a new departure for Skan, using TSW-721 subs for the first time. The tour also features continued successful use of specially manufactured 'overhangs' - provisionally designated the TFL-760HF.

Skan’s Chris Fitch says that Turbosound's willingness to listen to the requirements of PA companies, such as Skan and Britannia Row, is the reason for th

Ad Lib Audio‘s new JBL VerTec series line array system is out on its first UK dates with the Ministry of Sound’s student union tour - a demanding, action packed environment demanding the very best in audio.

Ad Lib first used JBL’s Ver-Tec system in the late summer when they ran a system in the VIP tent of the Ministry’s massive event at Knebworth Park. Ad Lib and Ministry’s crews, plus assorted DJs, were so impressed with VerTec that they decided to use it for the upcoming tour. Ad Lib were hired as audio contractors for the events, and decided to purchase their first VerTec speaker enclosures - in a deal completed at PLASA with UK JBL distributors Arbiter Pro Audio.

Ad Lib’s Dave Kay and Ben Baker are crewing the Ministry tour, using 12 ground-stacked VerTec VT4889 boxes - plus their own Ad Lib subs - to create a high energy sound concentration in

Having already made a lot of friends in the live music industry, XTA's versatile SiDD processor is proving itself an essential tool for sound engineers in the corporate market. Sound engineer Richard Waghorn is a regular SiDD user who has used the units on product launches and conferences for a range of high-profile clients, including Honda, TNT, DHL and One-2-One. He recently used the units at a management conference for global fast food retailer McDonalds, held at the Hilton Metropole hotel in London.

The conference hosted 1000 delegates and required 24 channels of audio, which comprised four lectern mics and a range of tieclip mics, plus VT stings and other playback elements. The sound was broadcast to the floor via Funktion One Resolution 2 loudspeakers. A major drawback of corporate events is that they often take place in venues which were not designed for amplified audio. SiDD pr

Visitors to the Serpentine Gallery might have wondered what was going on when LA-based artist Doug Aitken brought his New Ocean exhibition to Kensington Gardens, London Crowning the mixed media installation, which included 20 video projectors supplied by DVS, and audio throughout the building supplied by Total Audio, were two Coef Show 250 scanners (programmed on a Compulite Spark console) - supplied by i-Vision in conjunction with Fentura Productions.

Britannia Row Productions has recently signed the V-DOSC Network Agreement to join the worldwide network of L-Acoustics V-DOSC Partners since December 1st.

Since its foundation in 1975, Britannia Row Productions has developed a worldwide reputation, specializing in audio design, project management and the supply of sophisticated sound equipment with sound engineers and technicians for major events and concert tours. Britannia Row Productions has been using L-Acoustic systems for its tours and projects for several years. Britannia Row Productions will receive their first delivery by mid-December of a complete arena system.

Innovation - Turbosound’s official installer in Tyne and Wear - was recently commissioned to supply and install the sound system for a ‘wild west’ theme bar in Newcastle. Purpose-built on two floors, Buffalo Joe’s is the latest and now the largest theme bar to hit The Quayside, with a capacity of up to 1000 people.

Hosting a schedule of live entertainment six days a week - which includes a DJ throughout open hours, cabaret, live PA and bucking bronco - the owners considered the sound system to be a major priority. Innovation tendered successfully, and the company designed and installed the sound system, the main backbone of which is 12 Turbosound TCS-259 speakers positioned discreetly amongst the wild west props throughout the ground floor, six TCS-35 speakers set on the first floor, six TCS-118 subwoofers placed throughout the ground floor, along with one THL

In a relatively new application, XTA's DP324 dynamics controller, or SiDD (Seriously Intelligent Digital Dynamics), has been chosen for use with the in-ear monitoring system for Sophie Ellis-Bextor and her band. A total of five channels were used under the control of monitor engineer Sean Busby-Little, who commented: "SiDD is a very versatile unit because it has so many functions, which are all easily accessible for a live gig situation. A lot of digital units tend to be a bit slow to access the parameters but I have not found that with these, everything is very user friendly . . . You would normally have to have at least three units chained together to achieve what you can do with one of these so the size of it is an added bonus, all the toys you need and it's only 1U."

SiDD (the DP324) is a powerful processing unit incorporating Brick-Wall limiting, input EQ, High and Low p

Musselburgh, a seaside town just outside Edinburgh, is home to the Cube, a brand new 1,200-capacity club over two floors built from the ground up by local entrepreneur Alfredo Alongi. This impressive venue has the distinction of being the UK's first EViD installation. This new range of elegant ellipsoid loudspeakers from Electro-Voice designed specifically for contractors made its UK debut at the PLASA show earlier this year.

Installers Starstruck Sound and Light were responsible for specifying the EViDs. Starstruck's Kenny Taylor admitted that he had in fact specified another brand until Shuttlesound's Andy Murray walked in with an EViD to show him. "It was definitely a case of the right product at the right time," said Taylor. "Visually the EViDs look stunning - a real departure from the usual black box scenario - and being EV, I was fairly convinced they'd sound good

Shuttlesound has appointed Virgil Lund to its sales team. According to senior sales manager, Sean Maxwell, Lund's appointment completes "the strongest sales team we have ever had, with expertise across all areas of the professional audio market." Lund's particular speciality is in MI and the rental market, having come from almost a decade in MI and pro audio retail with the Academy of Sound where he held the position of assistant branch manager. "I'm extremely customer service-driven," explains Lund, "and I'm delighted to have the opportunity to develop my skills and passion for sound reinforcement across such a broad customer base with a wide range of products from prestigious brands. Having spent nearly 10 years on the other side of the counter, I think I'm in a good position to anticipate exactly what customers want from a supplier and make sure we deliver it!

Young Voices is an annual event featuring competing choirs from local schools. This year's shows have taken place in some of the UK's largest touring circuit arenas - Newcastle, Sheffield, Manchester and Birmingham. The show is different to most in that the 'choir' consists of 7,000 schoolchildren! To fit this amount of people into an arena takes up most of the available space.

Canegreen were chosen to supply audio for this year's event because of their experience in this field. Faced with the task of providing a full performance system with total coverage for the attending audience, together with a comprehensive fold back system for 7,000 choristers (and band) and with the added complications of set up restraints because of rehearsals, they decided to use the new EAW 760/761 line array system.

Canegreen managing director and Yes fan Yan Stile said: "We'd previously used this ne

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