North firm's amplifier revolution set to rock

Jan 28 2010 By Iain Laing, The Journal

ELECTRONICS experts in the North East have developed a guitar amplifier they hope will win over rock bands the world over.

Consett-based KBO Dynamics has created pioneering technology which it says reproduces the warm vibrant tones of the old valve-based amplifiers increasingly favoured by many rock musicians but without the distortion, unreliability and short lifespan of old amps.

The company was formed in 2007 by computer and electronics engineer Colin Arrowsmith and Andy Fallon, an automotive manufacturing electronics expert.

The innovation, which has been named TubeSync, helps to improve amplifier design without changing the fundamental amplification process, so tone and sound remains unchanged.

KBO 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 Newcastle-based venture capitalist NStar and conducted a survey into the music amplifier market.

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.

The company said it will lead to improved performance including increased power, reduced heat generation, enhanced hazard and fault detection and improved ability to adjust sound outputs.

Mr Fallon said: "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."