A NORTH-EAST technology firm is helping rock bands sound their best on stage.

KBO Dynamics, based in Consett, County Durham, has produced a device improving the sound quality of amplifiers.

The company, established in 2007, is working closely with the leading UK guitar amplifier manufacturers, resulting in the TubeSync device being used by a number of well-known bands, such as The Killers and Arctic Monkeys.

KBO Dynamics was formed by Colin Arrowsmith, a computer and electronics engineer, and Andy Fallon, a manufacturing electronics expert.

Mr Fallon said: “TubeSync is a 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.”

The company was awarded a £90,000 Proof of Concept grant in 2008 by NStar and conducted a survey into the music amplifier market.

KBO then began testing the feasibility of an electronic component that would lead to improved performance.

A prototype was developed with 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.

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.”