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Sound

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Kent's event of the year went off with a bang, as 12,000 people gathered at Hop Farm for a night of fun, fireworks and pop, with performances from acts including Hear'say, Liberty, Jo Breezer, Right Said Fred, Thymes 4, Dodgy, Supersister, A1 and the All Stars.

PA Company SRD group supplied for the event a GAE Director FOH system which consisted of four flown mid/highs per side married with two bass cabinets whilst additional cabinets and bass support were ground stacked. Monitor duties where handled by a mixture of GAE Modular II, Pro-Stage and 152TM cabinets all powered by QSC Powerlight amplifiers, with PL218s, 230s, 236s, PL6s and even PL9s being pressed into service. On the microphone front all wired and wireless microphones were Shure, with Premier Series Wireless fitted with Beta58 and 87 capsules seeing the most vocal action on the day.

In-ear monitoring was again Shure, with

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The ancient Herod Atticus amphitheatre in Athens, situated against the stunning backdrop of the Acropolis, recently played host to ‘Bravo China and Greece,’ a spectacular multicultural performance billed as a celebration of the ancient cultures of China and Greece in view of their forthcoming roles as Olympic hosts in 2004 and 2008. Audio production company for the event, one of the biggest ever to be staged in the open-air venue, was Athens-based Sound Control, also the distributor for Midas, Klark Teknik and ElectroVoice.

Production manager, Sound Control's Renos Papapaschos specified a powerful Electro-Voice X-line system for the show, plus a full complement of Midas consoles and Klark Teknik processing. A 64-frame Heritage 2000 was on FOH duties, whilst a Heritage 3000 catered for monitoring requirements. An XL3 plus sidecar looked after the recording of the show and a

Area 4 - Banner - Sept 2025

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Sennheiser has added three new professional models to its range of professional headphones and headsets. All three models are closed back, circumaural designs. Two new broadcast/location sound recording headsets, the HMD 280 pro and HMD 281 pro, combine neodymium-equipped drivers, providing an 8Hz - 25kHz, virtually linear frequency response for critical monitoring, with a high quality noise compensating microphone system. Designed for live presentation, reporting, talkback and intercom applications, the HMD 280 combines an excellent quality and comfortable 102dB SPL headphone monitoring system, with 32dB ambient noise rejection and a super-cardioid boom mic. Mounted on a flexible either-side boom with especially low structure-borne noise, the high directivity microphone capsule ensures clarity of speech, even in the most noisy production environments.

The similarly specified, single-s

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The Heritage Theatre software, developed by Stardraw for Midas, was one of five new products to be singled out for an EDDY award for major technical advancement in the field of professional audio.

The Heritage Theatre software sits on top of the Stardraw platform and enables offline editing of any scenes and settings for the Heritage 1000 console. For this system, MIDI is used to communicate with the desk, but the Stardraw engine can communicate with any other hardware or software using any protocol. Stardraw provided Midas with an SDK (software development kit) which can be used by any manufacturer to develop add-ins for their specific products. The same system is used throughout the Klark Teknik Group for all their software-controlled products.

Commenting on the Eddy award, MD of Midas, Bob Doyle, told us: "This is a milestone award for Midas and the Heritage Theatre software

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Acoustic Dimensions will be involved in the first challenge for the new reality-based television show, ‘Challenge America with Erin Brockovich’. New York City Mayor, Rudolph Giuliani, issued the challenge to rebuild rundown soccer fields and to renovate a theatre in lower Manhattan. Ms. Brockovich has been asked to finish the project in one week - without a cent to work with.

The abandoned theatre was originally designed by Robert Moses in the 1930s. Joseph Papp used it in the 1950s as the first home for the famous New York Shakespeare Festival, which is now based in Central Park. By the 1970s, the theatre itself had fallen into disrepair and neglect, blocked off by chain link fence and covered in graffiti.

Acoustic Dimensions donated its services to consult with HLW Architects on the renovation of the theatre. The new design involved the removal of the dilapidated stage

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Critically acclaimed Spiritualized have been using Shure microphones on their latest European tour ‘Let it Come Down’, which unveiled the band’s much-anticipated new line-up and album. A Spiritualized gig is a complex affair: FOH Engineer Graham Pattison dealt with up to 72 input channels from the new 13-piece line-up which featured a 6-piece brass section. For the London shows, a 6-voice choir was also added to the set.

Lead singer and guitarist Jason Pierce used a Shure Beta 58A for vocals, plus a Shure SM57 for miking up his guitar cab as did his two fellow guitarists, whilst the choir all utilized Shure Beta 87As. The brass section benefited from Shure Beta 56s and 57As, which are specifically engineered for drums and instruments. The PA system was supplied by Canegreen and featured two Midas Heritage 3000 consoles for the FOH and monitor positions, plus Meyer amp

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After last month's successful sound design for Alice in Wonderland, Autograph Sound Recording has delivered another design and installation to the RSC, this time for their seasonal production of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe at London's Sadlers Wells.

The company was called in to take over the sound design for the production for the first time since its stage debut four years ago. Terry Jardine’s new design makes sole use of the Meyer Sound loudspeaker range, including the MSL-2, UPA-1C and UPM-1. A 70-input Cadac J-type mixing console is also in use, along with a 28-channel Sennheiser radio microphone system.

Simon Baker, a leading member of the Autograph sound design team, worked alongside Terry as one of two associate designers, creating over 100 new sound effects for the production, with a standalone system utilizing a Yamaha 03D and two Akai S6000s. Autograph's Chri

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Orbital Sound has recently added a range of outdoor Rock speakers from US-based manufacturer Rockustics to its extensive hire portfolio. For intrepid outdoor sound engineers, the company can supply a variety of Rocks to suit every outdoor application. Products include Punk Rocks, Octa Rocks, Econa Rocks, Rocky Too, Rocky Junior and even a Sub Rock! Designed to withstand both wind and water erosion, the Rocks can exist in sub-zero temperatures beneath snow and ice for months at a time.

Daniel Parton of Orbital¹s hire department, commented: "The Rocks blend seamlessly into any outdoor environment and offer innovative alternatives for a variety leisure-build installations. Their their unique aesthetics offer huge potential for any themed environment and have been used successfully for a number of exhibition stands and special events."

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Hard on the heels of the announcement of LDI's award for Best Audio Product at the show for the newly launched Legend 3000 tri-purpose mixing console, Midas seems to be on a winning streak as the company closes out 2001. To add to the collection on the corporate mantelpiece, Midas can now add a Pro Audio Review PAR Excellence 2001 Award for the Legend 3000, an EDDY Award from Entertainment Design for the Midas Heritage Theatre software, and a TEC Award nomination for the Midas Heritage 1000.

The Heritage Theatre software was one of just five outstanding new products to be singled out for an EDDY for major technical advancement in the field of professional audio (see yesterday's news). Representing Midas to receive the award at the 10th annual EDDY Awards ceremony in New York City was MD Bob Doyle. "We've had an absolutely amazing year," commented Doyle. "The Heritage Se

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For bi-amped monitor applications utilizing HK Audio's VT115X multi-function 15"/2" cabinets, HK Audio has now introduced a dedicated VT115X Monitor Application Module. This is run in conjunction with HK's AC 22 Controller and VX2400 power amps. When run in bi-amp mode, the VT115X delivers more headroom and 'cut through', often needed on larger stages in particular. The AC 22 stereo controller with the VT115X Monitor Module provides two channels of two-way frequency crossover with +24dB/octave system frequency correction, with circuit protection offered by HK Audio's onboard dynamic limiters.

(Lee Baldock)

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Stagetec (UK) Ltd has just completed the design, supply and installation of a sound, communications and lighting system for the new performing arts centre at the University of Plymouth's Exmouth campus. This major new GBP2.5 million teaching complex incorporates a performing arts area housing a large lecture theatre, a performance area and seminar rooms. Stagetec’s design was based on an outline specification from University staff. The lighting system features an internally-wired grid over the auditorium and stage areas, connected to eight LSC iPRO 12-channel digital installation dimmer packs. A Compulite Spark 4D console was chosen for its quick and easy programming facilities, its power and expedient size.

Stagetec supplied a selection of luminaires from the Selecon range, including 1.2kW fresnels, 600W Pacific profiles, Aurora cyclorama floods and a Performer followspot. Stage

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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

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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.

(Ruth Rossington)

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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

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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

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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.

(Ruth Rossington)

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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."

(Lee Baldock)

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

(Lee Baldock)

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