[wordup] Mosquito alarm becomes dance track ...

[Adam Shand]

From: "Amy Shand" <amy at shand...>
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_east/5382324.stm

Secret alarm becomes dance track

A high-pitched alarm designed to repel youngsters from shops is being  
used for the melody of a dance track after the success of a mobile  
phone ringtone.

Merthyr Tydfil-based Compound Security released the "Mosquito"  
ringtone as a way of letting teenagers hear their phones ringing  
without adults knowing.

It was developed because adults lose the ability to hear high-pitched  
sound.

But now the sound is being used in a dance track, Buzzin', with  
secret melodies only young ears can hear.
The tune was developed after the success of the company's ringtone  
which was released in June.

Simon Morris from Compound Security said: "Following the success of  
the ringtone, a lot of people were asking us to do a bit more, so we  
got together with the producers Melodi and they came up with a full- 
length track.

"It has two harmonies - one that everyone can hear and one that only  
young people can hear.

"But it works well together or separate," he added.

Mr Morris is the commercial director of the firm which developed the  
Mosquito box. It emits a high-pitched noise that can only be heard by  
young people and is claimed to drive gangs away from troublespots.

The alarms were originally designed by the business to repel gangs of  
young people loitering around shopping centres without upsetting  
adult customers.

The firm claims international success, with the product selling in 18  
countries, including America.

"Although it (the dance track) isn't our main business, the demand  
for it is definitely there," said Mr Morris.

"It is a bit cheesy: it's got a great beat and rhythm. I'm 41 and I  
like it," he confessed.

Iain Kerr, who is a director for UK-based production company Melodi  
said: "We quickly realised the potential of releasing a song using  
the ultra-sonic sound."

Opera Telecom who will sell the track as PC and mobile downloads said  
it was expecting big sales.
Gary Corbett who runs the company said: "After the launch of the  
'Mozzy Tone' ringtone many adults were surprised that they actually  
couldn't hear it.

"The secret sections within this new song will work in the same way  
and we're sure kids will love it just as much."

A condition called presbycusis, or ageing ear, means that by the time  
most people reach the age of 25, they cannot hear much above a  
frequency of 13 or 14 kilohertz.