CALREC CLINCH £900,000 BBC DEAL

Calrec concluded the largest ever UK contract for mixing consoles at this year's APRS. The order, valued at £900,000, is from the BBC for two 96-channel assignable mixing consoles for Studios 1 and 3 at Television Centre, Shepherds Bush.

Also included in the contract is the complete audio installation of wall boxes, bays, PA system and telephones for Studio 1.

The assignable control consoles have 96 channels configurable as mono or stereo channels or stereo groups — eight stereo sub groups, 16 auxiliary sends, 24-track recording sends and four main stereo and mono outputs. All channels have four-band parametric EQ, high pass and low pass filters and noise gate/expander/compressor/ limiter.

Calrec are also building another 96-channel assignable console for Television Centre Studio 4, for delivery in the autumn.

Thames Television have been operating an 88-channel assignable Calrec console for live broadcasting for almost a year, and have recently ordered a repeat console for Studio 1.

Commenting on the orders, Calrec Director, Steve Jagger, said: 'The fact that the BBC and Thames Television have re-ordered Calrec assignable consoles confirm their confidence in sophisticated processor control in an extreme operating environment and their commitment to assignability as being the most efficient way of operating.'

STEVENS SIGNS DEAL

Michael Stevens and Partners have been appointed sole UK distributor of D&B audiotechnik concert PA and theatre sound systems. These comprise a state of the art range of integrated speaker/amplifier systems.

Michael Stevens are also distributing KEF professional products. Currently these comprise two monitor systems both with dedicated power amplifiers.

The two models are: the KEF P60 and the KEF KM1.

APRS SEEK REACTION TO PREPARE FOR '88

This year's APRS exhibition, held at Olympia at the end of June was considered a successful consolidation on 1986 — the first Olympia show.

There were 150 exhibitors and 5769 visitors, 100 up on last year.

'This was a satisfactory number of visitors — there are a finite number of people sensibly qualified to come through the door,' said APRS Secretary Philip Vaughan. 'And exhibitors want quality rather than quantity. We had 50 per cent more floor space this year, so it seemed less crowded.'

One factor that might have kept down the attendance was that the AES show was also held in London — overseas visitors might have been loathe to travel to two London shows within four months.

The APRS will distribute a questionnaire to exhibitors to assess their reaction.

Next year's APRS will be held on 22, 23, 24 June and will be organised by Philip Vaughan following Edward Masek's retirement.

SADKIN CRITICAL AFTER ACCIDENT

Top producer, Alex Sadkin was reported as being critically ill in hospital in Nassau as SEP went to press.

He suffered the critical injuries in a jeep crash and was immediately put on a life support machine. He was recording at Compass Point.

Sadkin has worked with a host of big names including Bob Marley, Duran Duran, the Thompson Twins and Simply Red.

NIMBUS REJECT COPYCODE

The proposed CBS Copycode system to prevent unauthorised copying of CDs on to DAT has failed to convince at least one record company in the UK.

Nimbus Records, whose catalogue is exclusively classical recordings but who are also the UK's largest CD manufacturer, have announced the release of their catalogue on DAT in Japan by the autumn.

Nimbus refuse to have anything to do with Copycode. Technical Director, Gerald Reynolds, said: 'The industry has admitted that Copycode is unsatisfactory. Like all previous spoiler systems, it impairs the quality of the original recording, which is indefensible.'

FAST TAKES

• The French pro-audio industry has set up an association to act for the common good of manufacturers, importers, exporters, distributors, service companies and suppliers.

The APA (Association des Professionels de l'Audio) was created in June by a representative group of professionals.

The first project will be the organisation of a trade show, Audio Pro 87, to be held at the Parisian Palais des Congres from 15 to 17 December, and which will replace the CTEAP.

The APA held its first meeting in June and announced its executive with Saje's Patrick Aufour elected President.

• Nemesis Electronics has launched the LC2 Level Convertor, designed to interface equipment operating at +4dBu to equipment operating at -10dBV.

• Ramsa is to introduce a new range of microphones — three unidirectional dynamic and two unidirectional condenser.

The WM-D55E, WM-D65E and WM-D70E dynamic mics will retail at about £70, £100, and £150, respectively, and the condenser mics, WM-P40 and WM-P50 at £106 and £150.

• Pro Samples is a new company specialising in professional, high-quality disks for the Akai S900 which will also be compatible with the updated version of the Oberheim DPX1.

Already available is a specially programmed drum library, the DL1. Soon to be made available is a second library, the KL1, which will concentrate on keyboard and orchestral sounds.

An additional set of two programme disks, the SP1, will be available, allowing the DL1 and KL1 libraries to be merged.

• Billy Joel's two-week tour of the USSR at the end of July provided Hilton sound with their biggest ever single contract. The main concerts were filmed and the whole tour is the subject of a video documentary.

Hilton Sound were called in to supply digital recording and processing equipment.

• Following discussions between Harman UK and the TEAC Corporation of Japan, it has been agreed that from October 1 TEAC UK will become responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Tascam products in the UK.

• AKG have redesigned their music equipment price list, turning it into a tabloid newspaper with new product information, equipment reviews, and other features. It is available from AKG retailers.

• Soundcraft has awarded the Central London dealership of their studio products to TSC.

• Presence Audio announced their expansion into the pro side of the business at APRS in June — their first appearance at a pro show. They have now changed address and telephone number. New details: (Contact Details).

• FWO Bauch has announced that a number of record pressing plants have recently signed the Direct Metal Mastering Agreement with Bauch and Teldec.