News Article

A North East duo is set to support some of the biggest rock and roll bands in the world, helping them to sound better and louder than ever before. Their efforts will not be seen however, but thanks to a Research and Development Grant from One North East they will definitely be heard.

KBO Dynamics’ pioneering technology is being utilised in amplifiers used by world leading rock bands, to help artists achieve optimum sound and reliability when performing live.

The company, which is based in Consett, County Durham, was formed in 2007 by Colin Arrowsmith, a highly experienced computer and electronics engineer, and Andy Fallon, an automotive manufacturing electronics expert. Their new product revolutionises the way sound is produced by amplifiers - using leading edge electronics to produce a sound reminiscent of older, but less reliable, valve-based amps.

The innovation, which has been named TubeSync, was developed to overcome many of the problems associated with conventional valve amplification, such as biasing problems, valve longevity and amplification reliability. The goal is to improve amplifier design without changing the fundamental amplification process, so tone and sound remains unchanged.

KBO Dynamics Chief Executive, Andy Fallon, said: “TubeSync is a new component which overcomes many of the problems associated with conventional valve amplification without changing the fundamental process, hence the resulting sound output still exhibits that pure analogue magic.

“We are working closely with all the leading UK guitar amplifier manufacturers; this has resulted in the target user groups of Rock, Pop and Indie bands.”

The project has received significant backing from public sector partners. The company was awarded a £90,000 Proof of Concept grant in 2008 by NStar and conducted a survey into the music amplifier market. Once this market was determined KBO Dynamics began testing the feasibility of an idea for an electronic component that would lead to improved performance from the amplifier. A prototype was then developed with advice and guidance from Business Link and £20,000 funding from the North East England Investment Centre.

One North East then awarded the project a R&D Micro Grant of £20,000 to advance the model with the aim of having a market ready component that can be incorporated into amplifiers at the manufacturing stage. This will lead to improved performance including increased power, reduced heat generation, enhanced hazard and fault detection and improved ability to adjust sound outputs.

Andy added: “KBO Dynamics could not have brought this project to fruition without the significant support of One North East and its partners in the public sector. The assistance helped provide us with focus and structure to follow when undertaking the work and we now feel confident that we have a good chance to take the business forward.”

One North East Business Finance Specialist, Eleanor Anderson, said: “KBO Dynamics is an excellent example of a company that has seen a niche market and exploited it to their advantage and the benefit of their customers’.

“This innovation will help musicians achieve the sound and reliability they desire using state of the art technology developed in the North East.”

Business Link adviser Paul Vejins, has provided support in a number of areas to help Colin and Andy bring the product to market. He said: “KBO Dynamics is a good example of how the region’s business support network can complement each other to help turn an exciting business idea into a reality.  With the building blocks in place for a marketable product, I was able to provide assistance in areas including intellectual property and brand development, as well as helping the company to access Innovation, Advice & Guidance funding towards packaging the product.

“Colin and Andy are real innovators who weren’t afraid to ask for help when they needed it and are now reaping dividends with interest from some of the UK’s leading guitar manufacturers.  I look forward to seeing how their exciting journey progresses and to supporting them in their future development.”

The Grant for Research and Development is delivered by One North East and is part of Solutions for Business, the Government’s package of publicly funded support products offering help to companies to start, grow and succeed. Solutions for Business makes it easier for companies to get the advice and assistance that they need.

For further information on the full package of support, visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northeast or Tel: 0845 600 9006.

Ends. 

For more information, contact Bryn Littleton (press office) on 0191 2296713 or 07717 468918 or by emailing bryn.littleton@onenortheast.co.uk