UK - Two Allen & Heath iLive digital mixing systems were used at FOH for a lavish production by Rick Wakeman. Staged at Hampton Court for two sold-out nights, Wakeman performed his seminal 1973 album, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, to mark the 500th anniversary of Henry's ascension to the throne.

Months in the planning, the high profile event included a full choir and orchestra, church organ, grand piano, the English Rock Ensemble band - including Wakeman's son, Adam, on keyboards and percussionist, Ray Cooper - performing an extended version of the concept album, with narration from special guest, Brian Blessed, six wives, and a selection of ostentatious costumes.

Ian Barfoot, Wakeman's FOH engineer for nearly 25 years, selected two iLive systems, an iDR10 MixRack and iLive-80 Control Surfaces to manage the individually-mic'ed choir and orchestra, fed to a second, main F

UK - Wireless digital congress technology from Bosch Security Systems played an integral part in facilitating discussions at events attended by G20 leaders in London in April.

The ninth G20 summit saw the meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors to discuss and agree a fiscal package to rescue the global economy from the current recession. Helping make sure that their views were not only heard - but also understood - at several events surrounding the G20 summit was the task of Westminster Sonus, a specialist digital AV equipment and simultaneous interpretation provider. Westminster Sonus, in turn, chose Bosch.

The chosen solution centred around Bosch's congress technology, including wireless discussion units and its Integrus simultaneous interpretation (SI) system. Integrus is a digital infrared language distribution system, with up to 32 different language chann

UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies is hosting an Open Day to showcase the latest in video and lighting technologies from leading industry brands. The event is being held at the company's UK headquarters in High Wycombe on Wednesday 22 July 2009, from 2pm - 8pm.

Specialists from A.C.'s Video and Lighting divisions, as well as manufacturer representatives, will be on hand to discuss how these two technologies are increasingly converging to provide innovative backdrops, set pieces and other video-based elements.

The informal event will provide an opportunity to learn more about, discuss with experts and see product demonstrations on video projection and associated equipment, creative LED surfaces and LED lighting. Brands represented will include Christie, Chroma-Q, Element Labs, GLP, Green Hippo, Martin, Robe and TV One.

With a week to go, the company reports that it has rece

Spain - Focus S.A. continued to show its support for EAW products by recently holding an in-depth seminar and workshop for freelance sound technicians. Focus serves as a rental company for many high-profile touring companies in the area, so it is very common for third party and freelance technicians to be setting up and operating Focus-supplied EAW units.

This seminar was intended to prepare those individuals to properly handle EAW equipment and make educated decisions on the setup and configuration of such products, along with some basic discussions of the technology involved. Pepe Ferrer and Ferran Diez of Focus acted as the event's primary lecturers.

Part one of the seminar focused on the basics of acoustics, including signal coherence, phase issues, crossovers and LP/HP filters, acoustic and electric delays, sub-bass characteristics and pointers, and vertical and horizonta

UK - British microphone manufacturer Clockaudio is launching two audio products for the boardroom and conference environment: the touch-sensitive Litetouch device, which enables users to see the status of on-table microphones at a glance, and the Retracta Series of retractable microphones for the boardroom table.

Comprising a dual-colour Halo ring and switch combination that can be used with all Clockaudio through-table products, the Litetouch allows users to identify easily the status of microphones, as well as mute the units for privacy. With no moving parts, the switch is touch-sensitive, so there are no clicking noises when switching from one status to another. Both the switch and the Halo have been designed to operate remotely with all popular brands of electronic system control, so an integrator has complete freedom to assign function and LED colour. The Litetouch can be e

UK - In a new initiative announced by PLASA Events Ltd, this year's PLASA Show (13-16 September, Earls Court, London) will include a new focus on developing business opportunities for the industry's service providers and consultants.

PLASA Connect, an idea developed in conjunction with RH Consulting and sponsored by L&SI magazine, will provide service-based operators - including consultants, installers and rental companies - with an opportunity to find new potential clients from a wide range of vertical markets.

People involved in large projects in many different walks of life often have very little idea of who to go to for the supply of sound and lighting equipment. The idea behind PLASA Connect is to help those people gain information and make an informed choice. The result will be a targeted business development opportunity which will bring genuine business benefits to all

UK - Purple Audio has been chosen to supply full production for The 1-2-3-4 Shoreditch Festival in July this year. The festival includes acts including The Rakes and Patrick Wolf.

Purple Audio's Funktion-one Resolution 5 system will be used for the main stage and its Funktion-one Resolution 4 systems for the second stages together with the new Funktion-one RM18 stage monitors.

Purple Audio has also been booked for Offset Festival in September where they will be supplying sound and light for the main stage along with two others.

Davis Roberts managing director of Purple Audio reports that he is very pleased with the ongoing progress the company is making. "Bookings into 2010 are very strong and it promises to be a very exciting year with at least 50% growth," he says.

(Jim Evans)

UK - For many years now HK Audio Portable Sound products from a small Lucas to full stack Projector system could be found on various stages and performance areas at Glastonbury, and this year was no exception. For the second consecutive year, HK Audio has been part of the action at the John Peel Stage (third largest stage of the festival) providing the on-stage monitoring.

18 HK Audio CT 115 15"/1.4" cabinets in biamp-mode and powered by DSM 2060 controllers and Labgruppen FP 10000 power amps were used for monitors. A ConTour Array was used as a side-fill and for drum-fills, a combination of active CTA 118 subwoofers and CT 115 mid/high units.

Mike Taylor, production manager for the John Peel Stage remarks: "Last year we used all HK Audio gear for this stage, and the results were outstanding. Rarely have I ever experienced such stress-free monitoring at a festiv

Italy - The Proel Group was selected to provide PA systems and screens for the Pescara Stadium during the recent 2009 Mediterranean Games which ended at the beginning of July.

Inaugurated in 1955 as a multipurpose facility, the Stadio Adriatico has hosted several matches of the Italian National Football Team and is the main stadium of Pescara. It is currently a CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee) sports centre.

Renovation works, which ended last May, were carried out in order to enlarge, restyle and modernise the facility in preparation for the 16th edition of the Mediterranean Games.

After completion of the works, which included a 15m euro allocation to ensure standards compliance, the stadium has now an all-seater capacity of 25.000. The Majella Stand is now covered and an air-conditioned VIP lounge, a new press stand and an area reserved for the Stadium Security Coo

UK - Prism Sound and SADiE have now confirmed the UK dates for their next series of free educational seminars. Universities around the country will be taking part in the programme, with each participating venue hosting two evening seminars - one covering music recording and the other covering either mastering or radio broadcast.

For the music recording fraternity, Prism Sound's Mic To Monitor tour makes a welcome return. This series aims to dispel many of the myths surrounding the recording process. Each seminar will feature short presentations from Prism Sound staff and from guest speakers, including recording professionals who can answer audience questions on recording techniques.

The mastering and radio broadcast seminars will focus on how SADiE digital audio workstations can be used in these specific environments. Guest speakers, along with staff from Prism Sound an

UK - Communications company drpgroup has purchased the first Midas PRO6 live audio system to be sold into the British corporate events market.

Established almost 30 years ago, drpgroup has grown into one of Europe's largest and most experienced fully integrated communication and presentation organisations. Until four years ago all equipment was dry-hired, but the company has undertaken a concerted investment programme, building up a state-of-the-art inventory to which the PRO6 is the latest addition.

drpgroup took the decision to purchase the PRO6 having outgrown its previous digital console within a year of buying it. "After having a PRO6 on demo, we took the decision that we needed one immediately," says Ian Ruhback, drpgroup's head of sound. "Everything is instantly accessible and nothing is menu-based. A lot of the other digital consoles we have encountered

The Netherlands - Europe's biggest Christian youth event, EO Youth Day, has celebrated its 35th anniversary at the Gelredome Stadium in the Netherlands before a crowd of more than 30,000. An L-Acoustics Kudo line source system was provided by local Rental Network agent Rider Audio and Media, with L-Acoustics trainer and system tech Paul Van Baasbank taking care of design and system engineering duties.

The event, aimed at young people between 15 and 25 years of age, featured guest speakers, choirs, Christian bands and worship, and was broadcast live on Dutch national TV.

Van Baasbank's system design incorporated 72 Kudo cabinets powered by 30 LA8 amplified controllers. The system was deployed in two right and two left hangs of 18 cabinets each, with 24 SB218 subwoofers powered by 12 LA48s under the stage in cardioid mode. 16 Kiva ultra compact line source cabinets powere

UK - Stage Electrics recently supplied Transmitta with a new L'Acoustics dv-Dosc sound system. Delivered to Transmitta one month ago, the system was immediately put into service. It has already enhanced a number of events including award ceremonies, the Kiddstock Hard Dance Festival, a James Morrison acoustic concert and is about to service the VIP arena at Oasis' home-coming shows at Heaton Park, Manchester. Stage Electrics' business development Manager Ed Gamble says: "it sounds awesome."

The client's criteria included that any system chosen had good longevity. It was therefore essential that Stage Electrics' Ed Gamble specified one that was both future-proof and best for purpose. The subsequent investment included 12 dv-Dosc full range WST enclosures, four dv-SUB compact high power subs, four SB118 high power subs, LA8 amplified controllers and all associated

USA - As President Barack Obama made his marks with the graduates of 2009 at the Arizona State University Sun Devil Stadium - a venue plagued by a resonance problem common in large sports venues - a suitable solution was found in Meyer Sound's SB-2 parabolic wide-range sound beams.

The task of providing intelligible audio for the historic event was handled by Phoenix-based Clearwing Productions, using two SB-2 sound beams. Clearwing's general Manager David Temby explains that the SB-2 worked well with the house PA and achieved adequate coverage without obstructing the sightlines of attendees or multiple network cameras. "Without the SB-2s, it would simply not have been possible to reach the upper corners of the seating areas," he says. "Any other solution would have called for additional delay stacks, adding significant expense and creating issues with both line-o

South Africa - Gearhouse South Africa supplied lighting, sound and video production plus crew for singer/songwriter R Kelly's first visit to South Africa.

The five days of production rehearsals at Sun City Superbowl was followed by one show there and another at Cape Town's Grand West Casino. The project was managed for Gearhouse by Michael Lewis, and their teams worked very closely with R Kelly's lighting designer Nook Schoenfeld and FOH sound engineer Rob 'Cubby' Colby.

Llewellyn Reinecke, Gearhouse Audio's systems engineer also looked after FOH. Colby specified a V-Dosc system, which was flown in Sun City as 12 elements a side for the main left and right hangs, complete with three dv-Doscs underneath for front down-fills. He also specified a 1:1 ratio for subs and V-Dosc, so the 24 subs were ground stacked three high and four wide on the floor of the Superbowl. Additional ha

UK - With very important issues due to be resolved in the coming months, and some impending questions needing to be answered, especially with regards to potential funding for the industry vacating channel 69 and the remainder of the 800MHz band, the BEIRG Steering Group have launched an information Group on the popular business network site Linkedin.

To access the BEIRG Group on Linkedin all you have to do is go to www.linkedin.com and sign up for free. After you have completed a very quick and easy sign-up, just search under groups for BEIRG and apply to join.

Commenting on the new Linkedin initiative, BEIRG Steering Group member Alan March said: "With the increasing amount of decisions that are starting to be made it's very important that as many people as possible come forward and give us their input. In the coming weeks

UK - Eurohire Sound and Light recently decided to bolster its arsenal of stage monitors and processors. After considering the options, Eurohire selected a complement of products from EAW. Included in the sale were over 20 EAW MicroWedge Series MW15 Stage Monitors, a pair of MicroSub Stage Monitors/Subwoofers and four UX8800 Digital Signal Processors. With the purchase, Eurohire now holds the largest European rental stock of EAW MicroWedges, a line of products developed by EAW in close partnership with Rat Sound Systems.

Eurohire has, in recent years, provided equipment and services for such varied events as rock and pop concerts by UB40, Steve Winwood, Dionne Warwick and the Kooks, classical showcases by the likes of the Royal Philharmonic, and a number of festivals, plays/musicals and corporate events.

"With our busy and varied itinerary, we needed versatile products tha

USA - Shure Incorporated has announced that James Ahlborn has joined Shure as vice president of finance and chief financial officer (CFO). In this position, he will lead the company's finance division and have full responsibility for all of its functions, including internal auditing, financial planning and analysis, treasury, payroll, financial reporting, cost accounting, customs, accounts payable and receivable, tax analysis, and credit. He will also provide strategic counsel as a member of the executive staff.

"Jim brings a broad financial management background to Shure," said Sandy LaMantia, Shure's president and CEO. "His experience with global manufacturing operations, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic planning will be especially important in helping the company to continue our long history of growth and profitability."

Before joining Shure, Ahlb

India - Based in Bangalore, Infosys Technologies is one of the world's leading software technology companies. Chief mentor (and one of the founders), N. R. Narayana Murthy remains passionate in his quest to match and exceed the standards set by many world class organisations in their chosen fields of expertise.

With this in mind he decided to build a world class convention centre on the Infosys campus in Bangalore, which would also be capable of hosting live dance and music events (including a 60-piece symphony orchestra), theatre and international conferences. The ability to telecast and webcast these events live to all their campuses and offices worldwide was a further pre-requisite.

In addition to live performances, the 1,400 seater auditorium also had to be able to play back movies on a giant screen in both the latest 2K digital format as well as in regular 35mm, with 7.1

UK - Sennheiser UK was once again at the heart of the production at this year's Glastonbury Festival, as high profile performers and three major stages used Sennheiser microphones, in-ear monitors and wireless systems at the core of their audio set-ups.

All three headline acts on The Other Stage, The Prodigy, Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party, used a range of Sennheiser equipment, while Lily Allen, N*E*R*D and the Black Eyed Peas all shone through a weekend of changeable weather with Sennheiser's help. In addition, Sennheiser's G3 products were given their UK festival debuts when Dizzee Rascal took to the Pyramid Stage with an SKM 935 G3 and Mike Skinner of The Streets used an SKM 945 G3.

The John Peel Stage is Glastonbury's major showcase stage for emerging musical talent. The production team there employed e 935 wired mics and SKM 935 mics and EM 550 receivers for lead vocals,

USA - Community Professional has announced the appointment of Ouzunoff and Associates as the company's new sales representatives for upstate New York. Based in Granite Springs, the staff of Greg and Carla Ouzunoff, Mike Gross and Faye Grazioso will represent Community in the state of New York, excluding New York City and the NYC metropolitan area of Westchester, Rockland, Nassau and Suffolk counties.

"We're pleased to welcome Ouzunoff and Associates to the Community family," says Mike Marr, Community's eastern regional sales manager. "Their proven track record makes them an excellent choice in a region that has traditionally been very strong for Community, and we look forward to a long and mutually successful relationship."

"Community is one of the audio industry's most respected and sought-after manufacturers, with more than 40 years of quality, value

Sweden - Lab.gruppen reports that its recently redesigned website www.labgruppen.com has been honoured with an Outstanding Achievement Interactive Media Award from the Interactive Media Council (IMC). IMC is a non-profit organisation of web designers, developers, programmers, advertisers and other web-related professionals. Their annual competition rewards excellence in website design and development, providing winners with a boost in marketing and exposure.

Stephen Lewis of Experience Internet who designed, built and continues to maintain the site, comments: "The Lab.gruppen site had been live for nearly a year by the time the IMA judges paid it a visit, and as anyone who has developed a large content-managed website knows, a lot can go wrong in a year - especially on a site with thousands of members, and multiple administrators. The fact that Labgruppen.com still s

Italy - Tracy Chapman's performance at Piazza della Loggia was reinforced via an Outline Butterfly system comprising just 14+14 Hi-Pack units per side, each equipped with four 8" woofers and a 3" compression driver.

The bottom end was reproduced by 7+7 Outline Victor Live subs and LAB 21 infra-subs (just two units positioned in the centre). All the cabinets were laid out in a cardioid configuration, to keep the stage clear of excessive low frequencies. Four Outline Micra II enclosures, installed on the edge of the stage, were used as front-fill systems, for the benefit of the front rows of the audience.

The amplification of the signals - fed from a Digidesign console - was entrusted to Outline T7 units.

Cipiesse Produzioni per lo Spettacolo, the owner of the Outline array system, was the Brescia rental firm handling the entire operation. Marco Riva, head of Cipiess

Stage Tragedy - Prosecutors have apparently opened a manslaughter investigation after a stage being built for a Madonna concert collapsed killing two people, a French official has said. Eight other people were seriously injured in last Thursday's accident at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille. Assistant prosecutor Marc Cimamonti said an investigation for manslaughter and involuntary injuries in a work-related accident has been opened. Madonna has said she is "devastated" by the news of the deaths.

Charles Criscenzo, a 53-year-old French worker, was killed outright in the accident and Charles Prow, a 23-year-old from Headingley in Leeds, died in hospital. Technicians had been setting up the stage at the city's Velodrome stadium when the partially-built roof fell in on Thursday, bringing down a crane.

Madonna paid tribute to the technicians at her concert in Italy on T

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