Archive · 1990
Graphite Microsystems — Landgraaf launch
An early AGM surround-sound production combining Enhanced Ambisonics, a purpose-written soundtrack, special effects and Dataton-controlled multi-image projection.
A surviving launch programme and contemporary trade-press report document AGM's work for a Graphite Microsystems factory launch in Landgraaf, the Netherlands. The press report describes AGM as the developer of a CSP Enhanced Ambisonic surround system and says the technology was developed under licence from the British Technology Group.
A 360-degree presentation
The contemporary report describes a 17-channel Enhanced Ambisonic B-format surround matrix, digitally edited for the event. Sixteen loudspeaker positions formed the surrounding sound field, with a separate seventeenth channel used for dialogue reproduction. Additional loudspeakers were flown above the audience for effects including a helicopter passage.
The same report says that all soundtracks — including music written especially for the show by Anthony G. Morris — and voice-over were synchronised by timecode to a 12-projector slide presentation. The multi-image presentation was programmed and run on Dataton.
More than an audio demonstration
The project is useful evidence of an AGM working pattern already established by 1990: spatial audio was being treated as one part of an integrated audiovisual environment rather than as a stand-alone effect. The event combined soundtrack composition, dialogue, special-effects placement, multichannel reproduction and programmed multi-image projection for a corporate launch audience.
Contemporary record
The surviving article states that the Graphite Microsystems launch was attended by more than 80 journalists and prospective purchasers from the United Kingdom, Germany, France and the Netherlands. It also records AGM's then base in Ely, UK.
Location note: a later caption attached to the archive image says “Maastricht”. The contemporary programme itself says “Graphite Landgraaf Launch”, and the press article explicitly locates the factory launch at Graphite Microsystems in Landgraaf. The archive therefore uses Landgraaf unless stronger contemporary evidence emerges.