USA - Meyer Sound products and personnel were central to a new episode of MythBusters, the popular weekly television show appearing on the Discovery Channel. The quirky series, produced by Australia's Beyond Productions, combines hard science and wacky humour as its two hosts, seasoned special effects wizards and all-around gadgetry freaks Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, debunk or, occasionally, confirm various urban legends. Topics investigated by MythBusters have ranged from getting stuck on a flushing airplane toilet to removing bloodstains with Coca-Cola.

During the show's premiere season, MythBusters called on Meyer Sound staff scientist Dr. Roger Schwenke to confront the legend that a duck's quack doesn't echo. To debunk this myth, live duck quacks were recorded and analyzed in a meadow at a duck farm, in Meyer Sound's anechoic chamber, and in a large, empty warehouse. The

UK - BSS Audio has introduced its new programmable DSP/Matrix system, with the launch of the Soundweb London range. Building on the success of the original Soundweb system it is easy to install, easy to design, easy to control and easy to integrate.

London provides more flexible and enhanced I/O configuration, dual-redundant CobraNetTM audio networking with greater network capacity and matrix sizes, more efficient DSP using Analog Devices SHARC processors that provide double the DSP of the Soundweb 9088ii processor, a new core system design package written completely from the ground up, plus integration of control, monitoring and error reporting of the Crown Audio CTs series of amplifiers using TCP/IQ PIP cards.

Control of the system is via an Ethernet topology, which can be integrated across an existing LAN (system design dependent). Ethernet integration has been made as sim

UK - Long time Arcs owners, Stage Audio Services based in Stourbridge, West Midlands has just purchased a complete monitor system consisting of 12 L-Acoustics 115XT HiQ and two SB118 subs along with XTA DP224 and GQ600 control and Lab Gruppen FP3400 and FP2400 amplifiers.

Kevin Mobberley, MD of SAS commented: "We were looking for a new high end monitor system to compliment our L-Acoustics Arcs inventory and the HiQ was the only logical choice. Not only is it a great wedge monitor but it's also multi purpose so we can use it for corporate or small to medium sized shows as a stand alone cabinet. Being able to fly the boxes with the quick release multi angle bracket or put them on poles gives us the ultimate versatility from what is a very cost effective product."

Paul Nicholson sales manager of L-Acoustics UK adds: "The HiQ represents a re-working of our FM wedge

UK - EAW honoured Dublin-based installation specialists, AVL, at the recent PLASA show for the huge amount of work AVL has completed in the Irish nightclub market with EAW products, in particular with Avalon, EAW's high-power, club-specific loudspeaker range. Over the last 12 months, AVL has installed significant EAW and EAW Avalon systems into four of the largest clubs in Ireland, with the trend looking set to continue, not just in Ireland but also in the mainland UK. Indeed, AVL's first UK installation, Club Supreme in Vauxhall, opened just a matter of weeks ago to great acclaim.

Club Fabric in Tralee opened at the end of June, hailed as one of the most technologically advanced clubs in Ireland it is located in the centre of Tralee. Club Fabric contains two clubs, each separately styled and themed. With five bars, it is also one of Irelands biggest clubs, costing owners Seamus

Germany/China - At the first Telex Academy in China, the host Eric Lim (vice president, EVI Audio Asia) together with Mathias von Heydekampf (president, Pro Audio Worldwide), Martin Traut (marketing director, EVI Audio) and Christian Glück (product manager, Electro-Voice) were pleased to welcome over 350 participants. The new systems from EVI Audio met with the most vivid interest. In the four years since its introduction, Telex Academies has proved to be a highly successful marketing idea. As a result, more and more Telex Academies - in virtually every corner of the globe - are needed to satisfy the constantly growing demand for seminar places. For Mathias von Heydekampf, managing director of EVI Audio and president Pro Audio Worldwide, the special links the company is able to forge with its customers through the Academies represent 'a central component of its success, as people

UK - Vision Systems, a leading global provider of early warning fire, public alarm and security systems, recently announced an expanded presence through the addition of two new certified wholesalers in the United Kingdom.

Vision Systems continues its momentum in the competitive Fire market and has appointed Ventec systems, based in Leeds and Fire Suppression, based in Bristol to offer VESDA products, service, commissioning and maintenance. Both companies are strategically located and have been trained and accredited by Vision Systems Europe Ltd.

Throughout the UK, Vision Systems continues to expand its nationwide presence with handpicked VESDA wholesalers to support the fire trade. This essential investment in its channel partner relationships and the powerful functionality and versatility of VESDA very early smoke aspirating detection solutions continues to drive the success

UK - Hull-based FeONIC plc, which develops and markets audio products, has won the highly prestigious Electronics Industry Design Awards' Best Use of Technology category for its FeONIC Soundbug based products, beating three other finalists. FeONIC's technology enables sound to be broadcast via solid surfaces such as table tops, plasterboard walls and glass windows by effectively turning them into loudspeakers. Among other uses, the technology has applications for consumers, businesses and retailers.

The Electronics Industry Design Awards have been running for three years and are dedicated to recognizing innovation and achievement by companies of all sizes - across the entire British electronics industry - working in creative electronics design and manufacturing. Brian Smith, managing director of FeONIC plc, said: "We are delighted to receive the award for Best Use of Techn

UK - The new digital platform from Midas is now well under way, with many parts of the system having already reached testing stage. Indeed, after undergoing many weeks of rigorous testing at the factory, Midas felt confident enough in its new digital EQ to ask engineer and known analogue champion Robbie McGrath to come and try the new EQ for himself.

According to Midas-KT sales and marketing director, David Cooper, it was an interesting moment for all concerned. "We've known Robbie for a very long time, and we know him to be a die-hard fan of Midas analogue consoles, especially of the legendary XL4 EQ. We also know him to be extremely outspoken and not afraid to say exactly what he thinks; indeed he's gone on record a number of times to say that while a digital console may have its uses in certain applications, if it's impeccable audio quality you're after, then nothing can

IK - Klark Teknik celebrated its 30th birthday at PLASA 2004. Founded as Klark Teknik Research by brothers Phil and Terry Clarke in 1974, the company quickly became known for its innovative approach to design and development, a vision and principle which Klark Teknik continues to uphold today.

The world's very first digital delay and reverb units were created in Klark Teknik Research's laboratory, and their descendants remain in common usage all over the world to this day. However, it was the company's concepts for equalization devices that really changed the world of professional audio. Its earliest designs eventually matured into the world-famous DN360, that incidentally celebrates twenty years this year as the standard graphic EQ for audio professional everywhere.

Klark Teknik continues to remain true to the founding principles of the Clarke brothers: innovation in design f

UK - Vision Systems has announced that Tutondo, an Italian-based audio and communications systems integration service company has become a certified channel partner for the Millbank public address solution.

Tutondo has considerable experience integrating audio and public address systems across a range of vertical markets. It offers services that help its customers fulfil the goal of synchronizing their IT, audio and communications needs.

"The powerful out-of-the-box functionality of Millbank will enable us to build and deploy best-of-breed public address systems more quickly and efficiently" said Domenico Nadal, president at Tutondo. "This, coupled with Vision Systems reputation for supporting partners with exceptional education and support, convinced us to commit to selling this solution over other alternatives"

"We are delighted to welcome Tutondo

Ibiza - DJ Dan Tait plays an exclusive 90-minute DVD set at the Space, Ibiza Closing Party using the Pioneer DVJ-X1. The event was sponsored by Pioneer Pro DJ and held in conjunction with DJ Magazine

Following the launch of the new Pioneer Pro DJ DVJ-X1 unit in March 2004 at the Musikmesse Show in Germany, the Pioneer Pro DJ team has joined forces with Space, Ibiza and the UK's DJ Magazine to create a dramatically different club experience taking place on Sunday 3 October.

Advancing upon the freedom of expression the CDJs provided; Pioneer Pro DJ's DVJ-X1 unit allows DJs to play DVDs of tracks, for which they have prepared suitable visuals, and to affect them spontaneously in real time. Blurring the boundaries between audio and visual art forms within one unit, this technology is set to enhance the existing experience of club goers worldwide. Pioneer Pro DJ's groundbreakers in

UK - EAW Engineering has designed the new Element Series to combine the highest levels of audio performance with the most robust environmental protection: IEC 60529 and MilSpec 810 ratings.

Key to this breakthrough is a new acoustically inert yet waterproof enclosure material: high-impact polypropylene with 40% calcium carbonate. Shaped into sophisticated enclosures with few or no parallel surfaces, this new material makes the Element Series sonically indistinguishable from EAW's world-famous laminated Baltic birch enclosures say the company.

To prove the point, EAW will introduce four new Element Series compact two-way loudspeakers at PLASA. The LM60 includes a soft-dome tweeter on a Waveguide Plate and a 6.5" woofer. The LM80 pairs a Waveguide Plate-loaded compression driver with dual 6.5" woofers. A perforated steel grill backed with open cell 60ppi foam protects

UK - As part of Watford Palace Theatre's £8.7million refurbishment scheme, sound expert Orbital has supplied a d&b audiotechnik system - significantly augmenting the venue's potential as a contemporary facility. With generous funding from the Arts Council of England Lottery Board, Watford Borough Council and hundreds of individual donors, Watford Palace Theatre is set to re-open this Autumn and will be at the centre of cultural life in Hertfordshire. The inaugural production is a modern interpretation of William Wycherley's The Country Wife .

Under the direction of Architects - Burrell, Foley, Fischer, the Edwardian theatre has been expanded and completely re-designed to offer a state-of-the-art facility. As a repertory theatre, it will produce up to 10 productions a year and will work with local schools and amateur theatre groups to truly represent the community.

Or

UK - At the risk of casting clouds this autumn, the latest Plimsoll financial analysis has some unwelcome news for those involved in the UK sound equipment industry. Overtrading appears to be affecting the industry as 68 significant players chase sales at the expense of profitability. Whilst the behaviour of these overtrading companies has yet to impact on all of the 236 companies involved in the analysis, almost half have seen their profitability decline.

There analysis identifies three distinct types of company behaviour now prevalent in the industry. According to Plimsoll, 68 of the companies featured in the report are losing money. Typically they are delivering -3.8% margins, yet their average sales growth is healthy. The report questions whether their strategy of capturing market share at the expense of profit sustainable. A further 84 companies hardly break even, typicall

Wordwide - Affirming its commitment to the ongoing development of the EAW Commercial brand throughout the world, Loud Technologies has announced the appointment of two professional audio veterans to the EAW Commercial team. Bob Harrison assumes the position of EAW Commercial sales manager for the EMEA region, and John Bosaw has been appointed to the position of market liaison, EAW Commercial.

As LOUD Technologies' EAW Commercial sales manager for the EMEA region, Bob Harrison will act as the primary contact for all EAW Commercial distributors throughout Europe and will therefore be responsible for spearheading EAW Commercial sales throughout the EMEA region.

Bob Harrison has more than 20 years of experience in the professional audio industry including a total of 17 years with Beyerdynamic UK, the distribution company of the German microphone and headphone manufacturer. The fir

USA - Technical specs may change from tour to tour but the one constant for any itinerant sound engineer is their laptop computer. Freelance engineer Sean Sullivan's laptop, combined with Metric Halo's Mobile I/O 2882, has become an essential piece of gear on the road. It provides critical signal analysis and metering tools via Metric Halo's SpectraFoo software, while the MIO gives him signal routing that is frequently unavailable in touring sound systems. As Sullivan observes: "Here I am with my laptop and my Mobile I/O and I'm pretty much carrying all the tools that you could ever ask for. Whether it be analyzing a PA or mixing an album, it's got everything built into it."

SpectraFoo incorporates standards-based level metering, high-speed, high-resolution spectral analysis, the unique Phase Torch, correlation metering, triggerable waveform display, power balancing, a

UK - ESL Ltd of Southend supplied the sound and lighting at this year's Daily Mirror Labour Party Conference Party, held on the Wednesday night of the convention at the Grand Hotel, Brighton. Their brief was to supply a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system for a live band and disco for the 1000 delegates who attended.

ESL's Mike Glover took the company's brand new KV2 Audio sound system to the event, which had been purchased just a week before following a demonstration at this year's PLASA show. The System was made up of ES1.8 subs, ES2.5 bass and the ES1.0 mid/high cabinets - all driven by KV2's EPAK amplifier/processing package. Glover says: "Even though we had not used the system in a large venue or in a live situation I had complete faith in what the equipment was capable of producing. We have had long discussions with Andy Austin-Brown from KV2 and this gave me

UK - Bandit Lites UK is supplying lighting production for the current McFly tour, working with lighting designer Graham Feast and production manager Iain Whitehead of Productions North, who also designed the set. McFly, currently at the forefront of the UK's high-energy, teenage neo pop-rock movement, are on their first major production tour, following a string of chart singles successes and an excellent debut album.

When it came to lighting, Prestige Management sought something like the 1980s mega rock look, made legendary by the likes of AC/DC, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, who vied to have the biggest and best lighting show on the road. Whitehead also took the stage styles and trends of this epoch onboard with the set design, adding a twist of modernity, capitalizing on the current design penchant for silver and metallic tones. He chose silver trussing and Par cans, metal stairc

Denmark - Danish Interpretation Systems (DIS) has introduced the latest incarnation of its Digital Conference System, the DCS 6000, which handles up to eight active microphones plus 32 different language channels simultaneously - all tied together with standard Cat 5 cable in a fully digital high-speed communication bus - the proprietary DCS-LAN developed for digital audio and data distribution. The total capacity of the system can be enhanced for up to 4,000 microphones and interpreter units and an unlimited number of channel selectors, say the company.

The CM/DM 6560F are fully digital microcomputer controlled conference units with loudspeaker and illuminated microphone mounted on a semi goose-neck arm. The units support a three-button voting facility and a chip card reader for identifying the user of the system, and come in either chairman or delegate versions. The high-qual

The Netherlands - With the latest order for 14 units placed by RTV Oost, Marantz's new PMD670 solid state recorder is proving a hit with broadcasters in the Netherlands. Success is due to a combination of the features and price of the unit, and the specialized support of dealer Onyx of Houten, which has packaged the unit especially for radio reporters, say Marantz.

Onyx advanced audio technologies, based in Houten in the Netherlands, has sold around 70 PMD670 recorders to the Dutch national/regional public radio stations, including NOS and NCRV, and the regional public radio stations RTV Noord, RTV Utrecht, RTV Rijnmond, and Omroep Gelderland. Most of the recorders are being used for ENG (external news gathering) and sports news acquisition and broadcast (some were used at the Olympic and Paralympic games in Athens).

"Our customers prefer solid state recording, chiefly

UK - Sound production company Canegreen has purchased four t&m 6.5pa II loudspeakers for use as 'shout' speakers - to enable touring sound engineers at the FOH and stage positions to communicate clearly with each other. After evaluating them on shows with the Corrs, Canegreen placed the order with Shepperton-based supplier, Marquee Audio. The German-built loudspeakers are exclusively imported into the UK by Fuzion plc.

Canegreen special projects manager, Pete Hughes, commented: "We were ready to retire our old shout speakers and I was looking for something with more design, which at the same time sounded great, with a good throw. These make lovely monitors, are a nice size and look great. Also, the features were what we needed - the t&m speakers are portable, self-powered boxes, with mic/line inputs, good level and tone control, which is what you need in a loud environment

Hungary - Around one million people descended upon the Hungarian capital Budapest this summer to celebrate the Budapest Gay Parade. Pako, KV2 Audio's distributor in Hungary, had prepared one of the trucks that participated in the show - on it they had set up a complete ES system, with ES 1.0 and ES 2.5 subwoofers.

KV2's Alex Pagliani explained: "Throughout the day, the KV2 system had been playing at an incredible sound pressure level. The DJs of course pushed the system at the very limit for the whole of day, making some hundreds thousands of people happy when the truck was passing by!" Pagliani reports that one of the most common reactions from the DJs who were alternating on the platform was 'How can that small system make such a big sound?'

(Lee Baldock)

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