Austria - AKG donated nearly 100 wireless microphone systems and handheld microphones in support of the 2010 Life Ball, held in Vienna. The event, which is one of the largest charity events in the world, is held annually, with the proceeds from ticket sales and donations going to various non-profit organizations for people suffering from HIV or AIDS.

AKG has provided the equipment supporting the Life Ball's various concerts, speeches discussions and banquets for 10 consecutive years. This year's microphone donation included numerous frequency-agile DMS 700's, WMS 4500's,IVM 4 in-ear monitoring systems and premium handheld microphones including D7's, D5's, C414's and D40's. AKG equipment was used in every presentation and on every stage throughout the entire night, providing clear and uninterrupted audio for some of the most popular celebrities and superstars in th

Norway - With its origins dating back to the 1850s, Den Nationale Scene (DNS, or The National Theatre) is Norway's oldest permanent theatre. It has recently installed a DiGiCo SD7 mixing console.

Located in Bergen, DNS puts on around 20 productions each year across its three stages, which include international and national classics, musicals, contemporary drama and family shows. One of three national theatres in Norway, it has a reputation for high quality productions and also bringing on new talent.

The venue's biggest space is the 450-capacity Store Scene (Main Stage), where the SD7 was recently installed by Oslo-based Bright A/S. Front of House sound is mixed to a Meyer system, while an Aviom card in the SD7 feeds to the monitor system.

"When we were looking to install a new console, we looked at six and then narrowed it down to the two strongest candidates," sa

Mauritius - Rental company Damoo Sound and Music has supplied an L-Acoustics Kudo line source system for Zee Nite in Mauritius. The live show, being filmed for Zee TV, featured more than three hours of live music and dance from top Indian artists, with a tropical stage set to illustrate the sun, sand and sea of Mauritius.

The Kudo system provided sound for an audience of 3,500 people at The Swami Vivekananda International Conference Centre. The left/right arrays of six cabinets per side provided more than adequate sound coverage for the room, impressing Zee TV directors who had travelled from India for the event. Familiar with L-Acoustics from their previous use of V-Dosc systems, they were particularly impressed with the high SPL provided by the small and compact Kudo boxes.

"We were getting good SPLs right at the back benches, and the same clear and punchy sound

UK - FX rentals has purchased 10 of Turbosound's new Milan M15 self-powered loudspeakers through recently appointed distributor SCV London.

London-based FX Rentals has a wide range of clients whose requirements range from large Pas to musical instruments, effects processors, DJ equipment and recording systems. Versatile loudspeakers are always in great demand, servicing multiple events including corporate presentations, club gigs, parties and artist showcases.

The full-range Milan M15 is designed for these types of events, being digitally self-powered, portable and capable of delivering 450 watts of clear audio from its 15" LF driver and 1" HF compression driver.

"We were very impressed listening to the M15," says FX group chairman Roger Evan. "We have seen the hire demand for PA steadily grow over the last five years and it is now an important area

USA / Germany - Solaris - a US-based resource for buying and selling used entertainment production equipment worldwide - will open a new European location in Germany in mid-November. Heading the operation will be industry veteran, Jerad Garza.

"With the overwhelming number of new global clients we are servicing, it was the next logical step to expand our services to our friends in Europe. We look forward to offering you a fresh new perspective in buying second hand and used pro concert equipment," states CEO, Oshine Najarian.

He added: "Jerad Garza is a seasoned veteran in the industry and at 35, has basically worked in the entertainment lighting and sound industries his whole life. Experience aside, Jerad brings enthusiasm, expertise, courtesy, and integrity to the table, and is dedicated to providing a level of service that is second to none for the European m

UK - A.C. Special Projects has provided lighting and audio equipment to Brittany Ferries as part of an upgrade of the live entertainment facilities on board their Bretagne and Cap Finistère cruise ferries.

Brittany Ferries are a leading provider of Western Channel ferry routes to Spain and France from the UK and Republic of Ireland. Depending on route and time of year, the ships feature entertainment programmes, including resident music duos, cabaret singers, close-up magic and headlining illusion sets, through to cocktail pianists, tribute acts and DJ sets - even a full pantomime production in the school holidays on one longer route.

An established supplier to the cruise ships market, A.C. Special Projects was approached by Brittany Ferries to provide a high quality upgrade solution for the Bretagne's Main Bar lighting and audio systems. The installation includes Martin MAC

USA - The ESTA Foundation will host the Behind the Scenes Boutique at LDI 2010. The State of Nevada has denied the charity's request to hold a raffle, traditionally one of its largest annual fundraisers. To make up for this loss of income, Behind the Scenes is asking LDI attendees to bring your raffle dollars to the boutique in booth #744 and show your support for your colleagues in need by picking up some special Behind the Scenes swag for yourself or as gifts for family and friends.

Many exciting items will be available for purchase, including the 2010 Holiday Cards, sold in packs of 10 and featuring artwork by some of the industry's top designers - David Gallo, Christine Jones, Jeremy Railton, and Andrew Hefter.

In addition, a new line of general purpose note cards will be offered featuring artwork by Hefter and Jones that are perfect as opening night cards or throughout th

UK - Sophie Ellis-Bextor has been up on stage with the UK's first full Electro-Voice EVA line array SR system in the newly-opened Club Neo in the Somerset town of Yeovil. The 1,000-capacity venue, a former bingo hall and cinema, has been re-modelled as a modern nightclub but still presented a considerable acoustic challenge, solved by the design properties of the EVA (Expandable Vertical Array) Series.

Interior features of the old theatre, such as neo-Egyptian mouldings dating back to the 1930s, have been retained and incorporated into a new design that can accommodate dining, dancing, live performances and even conferences. Bars and dancefloors have been added, and the balcony turned into a VIP bar and restaurant. Stage facilities have been set up for live acts as well as DJs, and the spec includes an aesthetically pleasing installation of EV EVA line array modules, with X-Subs

Germany - The reunited Limp Bizkit played a range of festivals, in anticipation of their yet-to-be-released studio album, Gold Cobra, and will hit the road again to play shows in North America, Europe and South America following its release. The band relies on Sennheiser microphones to cut through tremendous stage volume and still deliver the staccato punches they are known for with clarity and impact.

"These guys are all on wedges and side-fills. It's old school with everything set to 'stun'," said George Squiers, monitor engineer. "It is no-joke loud up there." Controversial frontman Fred Durst sings and raps into a Sennheiser SKM 2000 wireless transmitter with an MMD 935-1 cardioid capsule. The 935 successfully cuts through Limp Bizkit's often thick sound to put Durst out in front.

"As a monitor engineer, I have three requirements of a vocal

USA / Europe - Jackson Brown and David Lindley are back touring the USA after their success on the acoustic stage at Glastonbury this summer.

Sound engineer is Paul Dieter who comments: "I started mixing live in the 80s, then spent maybe 15 years in the studio. I was just so frustrated with the live sound systems available then. When line arrays came along I was eventually tempted back to live and I'm having much more fun."

Dieter's PA for Browne comes from Schubert Systems in California, a d&b audiotechnik J-Series. "It's a subtle consideration," says Dieter, "Jackson's song-writing is rock and roll for the discerning ear. I try to be manufacturer and sound company agnostic, I don't want politics getting in the way of making the best choice for my client. The combination of J8, J12 and J-SUB loudspeakers must be absolutely correctly balanced; I expect

UAE - In Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, the Family Foundation has chosen Proel's Axiom array and professional Lighting systems. The Family Foundation was founded in 2006 and is a public non-profit organization with an independent legal, financial and administrative profile.

Its objective is to "stimulate the development of the family, to prepare it for the challenges the future will bring". Among its activities, the Foundation periodically organises lectures and debates on themes concerning the institution of the family, such as the development of women's rights or health programmes.

One of Proel's distributors for the United Arab Emirates, Orient Electronic, which was asked to provide the technical outfit for the Foundation Theatre, was oriented toward professional systems that could ensure high quality performance and a design that could match the style of

UK - Launched at PLASA2009 and the winner drawn at PLASA2010, DiGiCo's 500th SD8 console competition in aid of the families of John Roden and Jim Douglas, attracted entries from across the globe. The lucky winner is from DiGiCo's home turf - Matthew Cotton, from Southampton, collected his one-of-a-kind, liveried SD8 from the DiGiCo offices on 22 September and he could not be more delighted with his windfall.

"I didn't believe it when David Webster [DiGiCo's marketing director] called to say that I'd won," says Cotton. "It was only when a friend from Entec, who was with Noreen Roden at the show when she made the draw, rang me that I knew it was true."

Monitor engineer Cotton is a fitting recipient for the console as both John Roden and Jim Douglas graced the monitor position of many a high profile tour.

"We're really pleased the console is going to a

France - Alternative NY hip hop/funksters, the Fun Lovin' Criminals, are currently on tour in Europe for the first time in three years with their new album, Classic Fantastic. Paul Nicholson of Red Square Audio was asked to specify the PA for two of their UK dates - the Arena in St Albans and City Hall, Salisbury. Nicholson opted for a full APG Uniline compact line array system complete with SMX15 stage monitors along with an Eclipse digital mixing console from Innovason.

"Both APG and Innovason make high end systems that, in my role as a consultant, I have no hesitation in recommending," said Nicholson. "It's not just because RSA distributes these brands that I recommend them either. I'm a very proactive engineer who uses different systems all the time, but I genuinely believe that they are the best on the market at the moment.

"It just so happens t

UK - Following the launch of Flare Audio at PLASA 2010, the company has announced the appointment of its first UK dealer. Mustt Audio based in Sheffield UK purchased a full Stealth Array X4 system with CF182 bass enclosures and Lab Gruppen PLM series amplification to add to their hire stock, the company has taken on official full dealership status.

Flare's Davies Roberts said: 'We are very pleased to have appointed our first UK dealer, Waq (owner of Mustt Audio) totally understands where we are going and we are honoured to have appointed him as our first UK dealer. At the show we received some great comments about our products and demo room from some of the most respected people in the industry; this was extremely encouraging for a brand new company. Following the PLASA show, we are in discussions with a number of large venues including one major installation."

"We a

UK - Denon DJ Europe is exhibiting at the upcoming BPM DJ and electronic music event at The NEC in Birmingham, where it showing three major new products - all launched at the recent DJ Expo in the US - for the first time in Europe. Denon is also demonstrating the new MIDI Hybrid mode upgrade to its DN-S3700 direct drive digital media turntable.

The three new products are: the DN-MC6000 integrated digital mixer and twin deck DJ software controller - a complete performance solution for the computer DJ; the DN-X600 ultra high performance two-channel mixer - a traditional style DJ mixer bristling with USB MIDI / audio control and connectivity capabilities; the DN-S2000, a 'throw in the bag' portable hardware controller for the laptop DJ.

(Jim Evans)

USA - Pop/rock hitmakers Train continues to turn to Audio-Technica for wired and wireless microphone solutions as the band rolls through North America and Europe this fall.

Train's current mic setup includes the following models: Audio-Technica's Artist Elite 5000 Series wireless systems with AEW-T5400 transmitter for lead vocals, AE6100 Hypercardioid Dynamic Handheld Microphone for lead and backing vocals, ATM650 Hypercardioid Dynamic Instrument Microphone for snare, AE5100 Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphone for hi-hat, ATM450 Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphone for overheads, and ATM250DE Dual-Element Instrument Microphone and AT4050 Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone for guitars.

The band's FOH mixer Rob Thomas stated, "This is simply the best sounding microphone selection I've had in years. I love them all. The ATM650 is like a great instrument mic on stero

UK - Allen & Heath has unveiled the Xone:DB4, a fully digital, high performance DJ mixer with a Quad FX Core DSP engine, providing four FX BPM Loop record engines with channel EQ filters. Other key features are multi-channel USB audio with MIDI, analogue and digital I/O, input source matrix, easy to read OLED display screen, and USB for recalling user set ups.

The heart of the Xone:DB4 is the powerful Quad FX Core DSP engine, enabling each channel to have its own FX bank and BPM detection system, which automatically adjusts all time-related FX and loops to the tempo of the music. There are five basic studio quality FX types optimised for DJ use, comprising delays, reverbs, modulators, resonators and damage, plus each FX type has a patch library of different effect variations that can be assigned to the relevant control. Each FX bank has a dedicated expression control and a rotar

Germany - TOA will present their EN 54 certified VM-3000 series compact public address and voice alarm systems at Security Essen 2010. The company will also show their EN 54-24 certified speakers including the TOA PC-1867FC flush-mounted ceiling and the BS-680FC wall-mounted public address speakers. TOA's fully EN 54-4 certified power supply with the VX-2000DS at its centre will also be on display.

"TOA has an extremely long and solid record in standard compliance," says Wolfgang Pein, director, German sales at TOA Europe. "EN 54 stipulates the product and testing requirements for voice alarm components in fire detection and alarm systems and TOA were first to bring the compliant products to market. They can be found in a number of systems in use today such as the OpernTurm in Frankfurt Germany."

EN-54 aims to improve the communication of installed systems

UK - Designed, developed and manufactured in the UK, the Cadac LIVE1 compact console, the company's first ever development in the affordable console market, ships in November.

The delivery of the first LIVE1 series consoles to dealers and distributors in the first week of next month, heralds the UK's leading heritage mixing console manufacturer's move beyond its traditional high-end musical theatre and live sound production markets, in which its reputation for product quality, innovation and sonic performance has remained unchallenged for more than 30 years.

LIVE1 is a fully specified, fully Cadac console, that incorporates the company's analogue engineering heritage within a lightweight, compact, affordable design. Available in 16, 24 and 32 channel frame sizes, the LIVE1 exploits modern design and manufacturing techniques to deliver a compact console at a price point that ma

USA - Audio-Technica has declared its support for the recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision to protect wireless microphones from interference by TV Band Devices (TVBD).

The FCC Memorandum Opinion and Order issued 23 September sets aside two TV channels in each market specifically for wireless microphones. This will allow wireless microphones to operate in those protected channels without interference from new 'white space devices'. In addition, according to the FCC ruling, professional users of large arrays of wireless microphones, such as theatrical performances and music concerts, can apply for extended spectrum coverage via a geolocation database that the FCC is building and that is currently up for bid for management.

This long-awaited FCC ruling is the culmination of over two years of testing and lobbying efforts among competing interests for the white s

USA - Xantech has expanded its commercial division's sales team in the United States with two new rep appointments.

Reisterstown, Maryland-based Samuel K. Macdonald (S.K. Macdonald) has been named Xantech representative for the Mid-Atlantic region. Also, Anew Communication Technology (Anew C.T.), who has been successfully representing Xantech Commercial throughout the West, including Southern California, Las Vegas, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and parts of Idaho and Montana, expands their territory to include the Pacific Northwest. These announcements were made by Rick Seegull, Xantech director of business development.

"S.K. Macdonald is one of the industry's oldest and most reputable rep firms and we are pleased to have them as part of the Xantech Commercial sales force," stated Seegull. "We are very glad to be working with Perry D'Angelo and his team, and

UK - The 4th annual APRS Sound Fellowship Lunch is to be held at the Roof Gardens, Kensington on Tuesday 16 November. Tony Wadsworth, chairman of the BPI, has been invited to give the 'keynote' address by way of proposing the special 'Harewood Toast'.

The Harewood Toast was introduced last year, designed to provide an opportunity for a prominent member of the music, film and TV businesses to speak about the relationship they have with the studios and service providers that make their products.

The inaugural proposer of the Harewood Toast last year was Jeremy Lascelles, CEO of Chrysalis Music who is the son of the Earl of Harewood, the founding President of the APRS and its current Patron.

The APRS's annual celebration, hosted by Sir George and Lady Martin, sees the recognition of six new recipients of the APRS Sound Fellowship bestowed on individuals who made a 'significant

Sold Out - Tickets for Glastonbury Festival 2011 sold out in just over four hours after thousands of fans flooded the website and phone lines. The festival's website and Twitter feed apologised to those who missed out, adding there had been some issues with getting through "due to the sheer volume of people". Tickets sold out eight hours quicker than last year, the festival said. Fans were able to reserve up to eight tickets at a time. They had to pay a £50 deposit now and the rest when the booking site re-opens on 1 April 2011. Passes for next year's festival, which starts on 22 June, cost £195 - up £10 on last year's price.

Staying On - Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis says he's not ready to hand the day-to-day running of the festival over to his daughter Emily yet. Eavis, 75, celebrated the festival's 40th anniversary earlier this year but

USA - Genelec US, distributor of Genelec Active Monitoring Systems, has announced the appointment of industry veteran John Conard to the position of national sales manager, professional products.

In the new position, Conard's responsibilities will include managing Genelec's pro audio sales force in the United States and implementing dealer sales and support programmes for the full line of Genelec stereo and multi-channel applications. A long-time industry veteran of the professional audio industry prior to joining Genelec, Conard held sales and/or management positions at Yamaha Commercial Audio and Westlake Audio, and was most recently territory manager for Bose Corporation.

Conard noted, "I have been an ardent Genelec fan for many years. When I served as sales manager at Westlake Audio, we were one of the largest Genelec retailers. I am very excited about the product lin

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