Dobson Sound

Farewell to 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:51:00 +0000

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

From January next year we have decided to no longer continue to run this blog and will be closing it down early in the new year.

Sherlock Holmes Premiere

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:02:00 +0000

DATE: 14th of December
LOCATION: Leicester Sq, London
Client: Amanda Davis Events
Event Sound: Dobson Sound

Avatar World Premiere

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:39:00 +0000

DATE: 10th of December
LOCATION: Leicester Sq, London
Client: Nibbs Events

Event Sound: Dobson Sound

Check out exclusive coverage from the Avatar world premiere in London on YouTube! http://bit.ly/4YUUk5

Join the stars of Avatar live from the blue carpet on MySpace!
http://bit.ly/TWhDS

James Cameron's epic motion picture Avatar is in theaters Friday 18th!
http://bit.ly/8WGSGF

Watch the music video for “I See You” (Theme from Avatar) by Leona Lewis on MySpace!
http://bit.ly/8mhYUw

Late at Tate Britain November: Behind the Scenes

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:56:00 +0000

'Late at Tate brings back the hugely popular Behind the Scenes event. Discover the spaces of Tate Britain you didn’t know existed, with guest contributions from 2009’s Turner Prize nominees, visits to the Tate Stores, tours of Tate Conservation studios, plus Tim Whitehead performs his musical research into Turner.'

Dobson Sound will be providing sound requirements for Tim Whitehead in Room 9 for the launch of "Colour Beginnings", based on the work of Turner.

More information here

d&b audiotechnik news: Dobson Sound at the Big Chill Festival 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:27:00 +0000

d&b audiotechnik news:

'Feel the Chill of Zombie reorientation'

Big Chill Festival 2009: Pro Sound News review

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:18:00 +0000

October's edition of 'Pro Sound News' has the following review from the Big Chill Festival 2009 on pages 36/37:

'Prescribing the Chill pill'

Late at Tate Britain October 2009: Beyond Scale

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:58:00 +0000

On Friday 2nd October, Dobson Sound will be providing sound requirements in various locations for Late at Tate: Beyond Scale.

"Curated by Will Dutta, Creative Director of Chimera Productions, Tate Britain presents live contemporary classical and experimental music from some of the leading exponents on the scene. Explore eighteenth-century ideas of the Sublime with horns heralding from the lofty heights of the Duveen Galleries, plus hear three of Europe’s leading young cellists perform the deeply haunting Peshrav for three amplified cellos by Uzbek composer Aziza Sadikova."

In the North Duveen Gallery, Chris Wheeler presents a new electro-acoustic piece for the Heritage Orchestra brass choir and pre-recorded sound. Eighteenth-century ideas of the sublime are hinted at with horns heralding from the heights of the gallery. Moments of harmony will counterbalance tonal instability, turning this semi-improvised piece into a dramatic soundscape.

Heritage Horns will utilise a d&b audiotechnik J-SUB, alongside live horns played from the balcony level.

Meanwhile in Room 9, Nonclassical:

"Nonclassical is an innovative record label releasing classical music in an unexpected way. For this evening, a performance will be presented of Gabriel Prokofiev's Concerto for Turntables & Orchestra featuring one of the most skillful DJs in the world, DJ Switch, a live set from Powerplant and Nonclassical DJs Cutting up classical and non-classical, this music is inspired by techno, grime and baroque."

BFI 53rd London Film Festival: Opening Gala, Fantastic Mr. Fox

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:32:00 +0000

Dobson Sound are due to provide outdoor relay to Leicester Square during the Opening Gala Night of the BFI 53rd London Film Festival. Tasked by Atom Events, Dobson Sound will be providing coverage to the watching crowds as the voice cast of Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' arrive. Stars will arrive on the red carpet and enter both the Odeon Leicester Square and Empire Leicester Square, where the film will be shown.

"Wes Anderson works with stop-motion animation and an outstanding voice cast to bring Roald Dahl's much loved story to the screen.

In his first animated feature, Wes Anderson proves the perfect filmmaker to bring Roald Dahl's much-loved story to the screen.

Mr and Mrs Fox live an idyllic home life with their son Ash and visiting young nephew Kristofferson. But, after 12 years, the bucolic existence proves too much for Mr Fox's wild animal instincts. Soon he slips back into his old ways as a sneaky chicken thief, and in doing so endangers not only his own beloved family, but the whole animal community. Trapped underground with not enough food to go round, the animals band together to fight against the evil farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean, who are determined to capture the audacious, fantastic Mr Fox at any cost.

Anderson and co-writer Noah Baumbach have stuck closely to the spirit and the events of the original, but have opened it out, adding new scenes and giving depth to a range of hugely engaging and heavily anthropomorphised characters, replete with foibles good and bad. The voice cast are exemplary, with a host of Anderson regulars including Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman and Owen Wilson featuring alongside British actors such as Michael Gambon and Brian Cox and some Anderson family and friends, Jarvis Cocker amongst them. Leading the pack of course are George Clooney and Meryl Streep as Mr and Mrs Fox, he roguish and debonair, her beautiful, wise and funny.

Creating alternative universes is something this director has always excelled at, and his attention to detail finds great expression here. Using classic stop-motion animation gives the story a delightful homemade feel, and the autumnal palette adds a particular warmth. Anderson's stylistic choices are recognisable from his earlier films, resulting in an animated film that feels uniquely entertaining and enjoyable. It succeeds in retaining the essence of Dahl's writing, which has enchanted audiences for over 40 years, but filtered through a very distinct and visionary sensibility."

Sandra Hebron

(from BFI website)

MZ Bratt now performing at Loud Tate, 26th September

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:08:00 +0000

Due to Bashy cancelling his performance, MZ Bratt has been added to the bill for tomorrow's Loud Tate at Tate Britain.

More information can be found on Resident Advisor and Loud Tate's MySpace page

CHi2 presents Monkey King: A Modern Beijing Opera, Autumn UK Tour 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:52:00 +0000

Dobson Sound are once again providing sound equipment for CHi2's latest tour, Monkey King: A Modern Beijing Opera.

Autumn Tour dates are as follows:

Fri 18 Sept – DERBY
Assembly Rooms, Market Place, Derby, DE1 3AH
01332 25580
www.assemblyrooms-derby.co.uk

Sat 19 Sept – CUMBRIA
Kirkgate Theatre Cockermouth, Cumbria, The Lake District
01900 826448
www.thekirkgate.com

Tues 29 Sept – LEICESTER
De Montfort Hall, Granville Road, Leicester
0116 233 3111
www.demontforthall.co.uk

Wed 30 Sept – HEMEL HEMPSTEAD
The Old Town Hall, High Street, Hemel Hempstead
01442 228091
www.theoldtownhall.co.uk

Fri 2 Oct – *LONDON - with special guest Kuljit Bhamra
Rich Mix, 35 – 47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch London
020 7613 7498
www.richmix.org.uk

Sat 3 Oct – *LONDON - with special guest Kuljit Bhamra
Rich Mix, 35 – 47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch London
020 7613 7498
www.richmix.org.uk

Tues 6 Oct – CHELTENHAM
Everyman Theatre, 7-10 Regent Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
01242 57257
www.everymantheatre.org.uk

More information here

Equipment includes a Yamaha LS9-32 FOH desk, Sennheiser IEMs and d&b audiotechnik Q-series speaker system.

BP Saturday's at Tate Britain, LOUD TATE: RE-EVOLUTION, September 26th 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:01:00 +0000

Dobson Sound will once again be providing sound requirements at this year's Loud Tate. Artists performing on the Clore Lawn will be...

Bashy
Scarlet Harlots
The Pepys

Full event details can be found here

Facebook Group

YouTube video from last year's event, including footage of Adelaide Mackenzie, Toddla T & MC Serocee, Metronomy and Benga (from about 7.25 mins in) who all performed on the Clore Stage:

Cricket in the Park: Photos from Regent's Park

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:04:00 +0000

Cricket in the Park
21st - 23rd August 2009
Regent's Park
Live relay of the Brit Oval Test

Some photos...

Late at Tate: Tate Britain, London on Friday September 4th 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:56:00 +0000

The Late at Tate series continues on September 4th...

"Curated by the mysterious and secretive group The Diogenes Club, 'Late at Tate Britain' in September is a mix of high and low brow, mainstream and counter culture. Film, music and readings are presented throughout the galleries, exploring new trends and artisitc platforms that are emerging out of the strange and arcane world that we call now."

As part of this month's event, painters Michael Raedecker and Dexter Dalwood, along with other Diogenes Club members, will present mixtape compilations selected in response to works of art in the following rooms:

Room 13 –Dexter Dawood

Room 21– Michael Raedecker

Room 19 – The Diogenes Club

Room 15 - Michael Raedecker

Room 4- The Diogenes Club

Room 9 – Random play, mix by all the above

Dobson Sound will be providing playback systems in these galleries, with d&b audiotechnik T10 speakers employed.

More information here

Brit Oval Test - Live on the big screen, Regents Park 22nd - 23rd August

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 08:01:00 +0000

This is the last chance to see this year's Ashes Series in the unique surroundings that 'Cricket in the Park' offers. Over the weekend of Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd August, Regents Park will be home to Cricket in the Park, where you can watch the Brit Oval Ashes Test, live on the big screen.

Some more local information:

Royal Parks website

"A festival of cricket featuring the npower Ashes Series shown on giant screens and the Sky Sports Coaching Zone offering expert coaching tips. For junior family members, the Buxton Kids Zone will keep children entertained.

10am - 6pm"

View London website

"Pack up your picnic and head to the Cricket in the park London event this summer, when Regents Park will play host to a giant screen showing all the live action. Even if you haven't managed to bag tickets for the actual game, you can still spend the day relaxing with a picnic and watching all the runs mount up, and even better, the Cricket in the Park event is free to attend."

2009 npower Ashes Test Series: 5th test at the Brit Oval shown live in Regents Park on 22nd and 23rd August

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:12:00 +0000

Continuing the season of 'Cricket in the Park', Dobson Sound will be providing sound requirements for the screening of the final test of the Ashes Series. The event will take place in Regents Park, London on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd August.

Edgbaston Test shown at Parker's Piece, Cambridge

For the location of the event, see Google Maps.
For the information leaflet, download the PDF here

Previous blog posts here:

Cricket in the Park for the 2009 Ashes series

2nd Ashes test at Lord's

Deloitte Ignite at the Royal Opera House, September 4th - 6th 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:03:00 +0000

As part of the Royal Opera House's 'Deloitte Ignite 09' Festival, Dobson Sound are due to provide sound requirements for the 'Live Gig Night' on Saturday 5th September.

"Welcome to Deloitte Ignite 09 Curated by Time Out put together to champion innovation in the arts. Our panel of editors has approached the artists who have excited us most to create works that will reveal the hidden dimensions of this world-famous institution. We’ve chosen the mirror as our theme - not least because its presence dominates the building, whether in the shimmering glamour of the Paul Hamlyn Hall, in the studios where the dancers perfect their poses, in the dressing rooms, or even in the royal box where Queen Victoria once sat. So we invite you into our looking-glass world with its dazzling range of moods and provocative perspectives. Let us know your reflections.

Live Gig Night

Wiley, Chipmunk, Emeli Sandé, Portico Quartet

Paul Hamlyn Hall
8pm -12 midnight on Saturday 5 September | £20, £15 concessions

Time Out Rock Folk and Jazz Editor Eddie Lawrence says:

"Time Out is very pleased to present rising talent Emeli Sandé, whose treacle on gravel voice has made her hotly sought after as a collaborator by such artists as Chipmunk and Wiley. A soul singer, songwriter, and pianist from Glasgow, who’s happy to dabble in other music forms, she’s also trained to be a doctor, so her cutting edge talent cuts several ways.

She will be appearing alongside Chipmunk, seen as one of the grime scene’s best MCs. Now 18, he kicked off his career at the age of 14 at his local youth club in Tottenham, and was winner of the Best Newcomer Award at the 2008 MOBO awards.

Portico Quartet has long been championed by Time Out for a distinctive style which they themselves describe as indy band meets post-jazz. The instrument that appears on all their tracks - the hang – is a 21st century piece of percussion, which was developed in Switzerland and brings a steelpan-influenced hypnotic ring to their music. In 2008 their album Knee Deep In The North Sea was nominated for the Mercury prize.

Wiley is known as the godfather of grime. The British producer and MC was a founding member of the group Roll Deep when he pioneered the style, and he now has his own Eskibeat label (named after his song Eskimo). Last year his hit Wearing My Rolex became the number one downloaded track on iTunes UK, and went to number two in the UK Singles Charts."

May contain strong language and ID may be required at the bar."

Friendly Fires performing Love Sick at the Big Chill 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:58:00 +0000

Nice Open Air Stage footage from Friday afternoon at the Big Chill...

Big Chill Festival 2009 photostream

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:42:00 +0000

See the Big Chill's Flickr photostream here

Great London Swim 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 11:44:00 +0000

On Saturday 15th August, Dobson Sound provided sound systems at the British Gas Great London Swim 2009. Held in the Royal Victoria Dock, alongside the Excel Centre, the event saw 1000s of swimmers take on the 1 mile course.

In keeping with the tradition of other Great Swims, world class swimmers lead the field from the front, including four of the six Beijing Olympic 10k open-water medallists.

Dobson Sound provided sound systems in the arrivals area, start area and the finish area where d&b audiotechnik Q10s and T10s were used.

More information here

Video footage from the Big Chill Festival 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:53:00 +0000

Some highlights I've found below. If you have some video footage, send me the link!

Friendly Fires, Open Air Stage

David Byrne, Open Air Stage

Krafty Kuts & A.Skillz, Cocktail Bar

Orbital, Open Air Stage

Big Chill 2009: Festival Review

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:53:00 +0000

Some Big Chill Festival reviews...

MTV Festival review

The Guardian review

'The Ugly Truth' London Premiere

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:29:00 +0000

Next week sees the London Premiere of, 'The Ugly Truth' at the Vue West End in London's Leicester Square.

Dobson Sound, who are working for Premier PR, will be providing outdoor sound requirements for the watching crowds.

The Big Chill Festival, 7th - 9th August 2009: Open Air Stage goes lower with the d&b J-INFRA

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 08:19:00 +0000

Big Chill Festival Open Air Stage

Over the years Dobson Sound has been involved with the Big Chill Festival, the system design for the main Open Air Stage has changed. Back in 2004 and 2005, the main PA consisted of d&b audiotechnik C-series (8 x C4 TOPs & 8 x C4-SUBs per side) with B2-SUBs and Q-SUBs providing the ground stacked low-end.

C4 array at the Big Chill Open Air Stage, 2005

From 2006 onwards, the d&b audiotechnik J-series has been used. 2006, 2007 and 2008's main system consisted of 8 x J8 / J12s per side with 12 J-SUBs arranged to create the cardioid sub-array.

See d&b audiotechnik's news feature on the 2007 festival
'Hot Subs, Big Chill'

J-series hang at the Big Chill Open Air Stage, 2008

This year's festival will see a larger system employed, with 10 x J8s flown per side and a much larger cardioid bass array, consisting of 20 x J-SUBs and 8 x J-INFRA subs.

The J-INFRA subwoofer was released earlier this year:

"The J-INFRA is a cardioid infra subwoofer that can be used to supplement J-Series systems consisting of J8, J12 and J-SUB cabinets. It extends the frequency response of a J-Series system down to 27 Hz and can only be used in ground stacked configurations in conventional left/right setups as well as arranged in an infra subwoofer array. It has two bass reflex chambers containing three 21" drivers, two facing forward in one chamber that are driven from a channel of the D12 amplifier and one facing backwards driven by the other D12 channel. Through this driver setup its cardioid dispersion pattern avoids unwanted energy behind the system and greatly reduces the reverberant field at low frequencies providing highest accuracy in low frequency reproduction. Selecting Hypercardioid mode in the D12 optimizes the tuning of front and rear channels for a maximum rejection at the left and right sides behind the cabinet."

Previous post from September 2008:
'Festival Sound: Line arrays, bass arrays, budgets and the weather!'

Working alongside the Big Chill's sound coordinator, Mark Isbister, Dobson Sound are also providing sound systems and engineers on the following stages:

Castle Stage, The Coop, Big Chill Nights, Cocktail Bar, Words in Motion, City Stops Here Stage, Cinema, Kid's Tent, Roundhouse, Big Chill FM, as well as various smaller systems located around the arena and campsites.

All of the above stages are utilising d&b audiotechnik speaker systems, including 4 x B2-SUBs, 8 x C7-SUBs, 4 x C7-TOPs, 2 x E12s, 2 x E15X-SUBs, 38 x E3s, 32 x J8s, 8 x J-INFRAs, 38 x J-SUBs, 18 x M2 monitors, 48 x M4 monitors, 26 x Q1s, 12 x Q10s, 30 x Q7s, 19 x Q-SUBs, 36 x T10s & 8 x T-SUBs!

In total, over 320 speakers and 150 D12 amplifiers will be used across the festival site!

Ticket information here

Late at Tate Britain, 7th August 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:50:00 +0000

Dobson Sound continue their involvement with Tate Britain's 'Late at Tate' series on the 7th August, with 'Late Night Radio'.

"Tune into Late Night Radio on a summer night. Curated by Radio 3's Late Junction presenter Max Reinhardt, Tate Britain overflows with live music, soundscapes and film. Solo live acts include Keziah Jones and Zoe Rahman, plus performances of seminal works by Cornelius Cardew and John Cage, directed by Robert Worby. MA students from Chelsea College of Art present art and interventions"

Dobson Sound will be providing sound requirements in Gallery 9, where Keziah Jones will be performing.

More information here.

'Inglourious Basterds' London Premiere

noreply@blogger.com (Dobson Sound) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:45:00 +0000

This week sees the London Premiere of Quentin Tarantino's 'Inglourious Basterds' at the Odeon Cinema, Leicester Square.

Dobson Sound, who are working for Premier PR, will be providing outdoor sound requirements for the watching crowds.