Australia - Keith Prestidge has joined Harman's Studer team as sales director, Asia Pacific reporting to Adrian Curtis and with a brief to grow the expanding region in broadcast and performance installations for Studer audio mixing systems.

Previously general manager at Klotz Digital Asia, Prestidge has resided in the territory for 15 years. He started his professional life as a hands-on radio broadcast engineer and has spent 20 years in the industry, which has included periods in project engineering and sales.

"Extending the Studer sales team with Keith based in Sydney will further improve our customer focus in the Asia Pacific sales region," said Curtis. "He will work closely with Tat Nam Yee, our Studer applications engineer already located in our KL, Malaysia office."

Currently spending two weeks training in the Soundcraft Studer factory and Customer

UK - Mention Dave 'Hawkeye' Hawker's name to anyone of a certain age in the industry and they will all have done 'stuff' with him - the big and not so big gigs, live events, parties and practical jokes.

Sennheiser UK's director of engineering was a man who always left a strong impression; a perfectionist's perfectionist and sound engineer par excellence. Never happier than when facing a challenge and putting those 30 years of hardcore experience to full effect, there are so many tales to tell of his technical brilliance, his irascible humour and warm friendship. It's difficult to know where to start. He will be truly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday 1 April at Randalls Park Crematorium, Leatherhead, Surrey at 11.45am. Flowers or donations for St. Catherine's Hospice to be sent to Sherlock Funeral Service, Trellis House, Dorking, RH4 2ES.

Or why not plant

Germany - Loudspeaker manufacturer dBTechnologies is set to launch a number of new products at this year's ProLight+Sound exhibition, augmenting their wide range of rental and installation equipment. Visitors to the Italian acoustic specialist's stand will be introduced to three new Flexsys stage monitors: FM8, FM10 and FM12 as well as two new digital subwoofers SUB 12D and SUB 05D.

Comprising three models, the new Flexsys range offers tailored monitoring solutions using innovative technologies. Each of the active coaxial speakers is housed in a compact multifunctional enclosure, which can be tilted at two different angles for accurate sound-to-audience alignment. Reputed to deliver extraordinary sound quality, the FM Series been engineered for precise directivity and uniform throw patterns, providing the same satisfying audio experience at every listening position, with a surpr

Australia - The historic Strawberry Hills Hotel in Sydney has recently emerged from a six million dollar renovation. It's a classic pub with art deco windows, twenties style pub tiles and a State Theatre carpet but there is nothing old-school about the sophisticated audio visual system designed and installed by the Constant Group.

For audio, a range of JBL speakers and Crown amplifiers were chosen including surface mount JBL Control 25's along with JBL SB-210 and JBL ASB-6115 subs, which have been discreetly integrated into the walls and cabinetry making it as aesthetically pleasing as possible. Twenty-two JBL-8124 in-ceiling speakers provide background music in the toilets and hallways, along with the TAB area.

"We always prefer to use JBL speakers because they constantly deliver quality and Jands always provide great back up," commented Con Constantinou, director o

Australia - Hillsong Church has selected Lab.gruppen's PLM Series Powered Loudspeaker Management System for its flagship Baulkham Hills campus in Sydney. The PLMs power the church's new speaker system and make full use of the Lab's integrated Lake processing and monitoring features.

Steve LeRoux and Jad Gilles head the Hillsong audio team. "We purchased our first Lab.gruppen amplifiers a few years ago and they have been rock-solid," says LeRoux. "We've also been using Lake processors for many years, so the combination of Lake processing built into a Lab amp made choosing the PLMs an easy decision."

A total of 24 PLM systems were supplied comprising 20 PLM10000Q (four 2300w) and four PLM20000Q (four 5000w). Two FP10000Q's (four 2100w) were also purchased to drive the stage monitor speakers.

Hillsong is using a feature of the PLMs called LoadSmart. A verifi

USA - Renkus-Heinz is launching two InfoComm CTS accredited RU training programmes for audio technicians in the fields of Intelligibility and Digital Beam Steering. The senior course instructor is well-known pro audio developer, instructor, AES moderator, author and journalist John Murray.

Both courses will be hosted at multiple locations across the USA, including at the Renkus-Heinz factory in Foothill Ranch, CA.

The Intelligibility (Non-Manufacturer) course - worth four RUs - covers Line-Source vs Point-Source, Technology Theory and Intelligibility. Topics include understanding line-source versus point-source behaviour and their fundamental characteristics; understanding STI (Speech transmission Index) and how it can be used to assess a sound system's intelligibility; and understanding the relationship between high-Q line-array directivity and the resulting intelligibility i

Germany - Set for launch at ProLight+Sound in Frankfurt next month, Funktion One's latest offering, the PSM12 addresses a need for "an extremely powerful yet compact floor monitor with the qualities of the ground-breaking RM18 in a much smaller package".

The product features a custom designed 4" voice coil, 12" driver for maximum power at low frequencies and a 1.4" compression driver for high frequencies.

Funktion One's unique driver technology allows the compression driver crossover point to be nearly an octave higher than is typical, resulting in an extremely present but smooth sound, particularly under pressure.

The 70° high frequency conical waveguide is concentric with the 12" driver giving a point-source arrangement which is optimum for even coverage and minimum feedback. The monitor is switchable between passive and active operation a

UK - All exhibition spaces were taken at ISCEx2011 and the wide variety of exhibitors and seminars attracted a larger than ever number of bookings at an event that goes from strength to strength each year, say the organisers.

Kraken Acoustics used the exhibition in Watford to launch their new carbon fibre BB80 micro-bass loudspeaker together with the unique BB80 X3 active crossover amplifier and were very impressed with the excellent turnout.

Andy Tinsey, of Kraken Acoustics, said, "Many thanks for the organisation of a great exhibition. We were extremely pleased with the response to our product launch which has generated enquiries worldwide and are happy that we chose ISCEx2011 to do it."

Tony Torlini, of Fuzion plc, was also happy. He said, "As an exhibitor, ISCEx2011 was a great success with a good solid flow of industry professionals, generating a good num

USA - The Gateway Church in Southlake, TX changed its former AV distribution and communications system for a fibre based network installation. The fully integrated solution consists of a MediorNet fibre network backbone and an Artist digital matrix intercom from Riedel Communications. Responsible for the installation and planning was the systems integrator Beck Associates.

The Gateway Church comprises three different campuses. For providing distribution of all video, audio and communications signals, the Gateway Church installed a comprehensive system consisting based on Riedel MediorNet, a fibre based multipoint network solution providing integrated transport for 3G/HD-SDI video, audio, data and communications.

Heart of the installation is a set of five MediorNet mainframes. Offering a true fibre based real-time network approach beyond single point-to-point links, MediorNet a

UK - When the analogue mixing console at Dundee Repertory Theatre was showing signs of old age, the theatre's head of sound Colin Lowson realised that it was an opportunity to give the venue's audio system a 21st century shot in the arm. A DiGiCo SD8-24 now in place at the mix position.

The theatre has a varied programme, taking in plays, musicals, dance, live bands, comedians and corporate events, so a digital console was the ideal solution. "We had been considering various options over a two year period," says Lowson. "When the SD8-24 was introduced, it seemed to offer more capacity and functions than digital consoles from other manufacturers. The chassis size was another major factor, as it's the ideal size for medium theatre but doesn't lose any capacity or functionality."

When the SD8-24 became a serious choice, Lowson had an SD8 on demo for a week fro

USA - When fans enter the Amway Center for an Orlando Magic basketball game, they might mistakenly assume that an in-the-round rock concert tour had left town and forgotten to take its sound system. The permanent system - anchored by 66 Meyer Sound Milo line array loudspeakers - largely duplicates recent touring rigs for Usher, Metallica, and Céline Dion.

Rick Price, assistant director of broadcast technology and services for the Magic and Amway Center comments, "This building is about sponsorship opportunities and fan experience. With our massive LED scoreboard, I knew we would be doing visually incredible things, but I wanted to be absolutely sure that we had audio that was equally impressive.

"We said early on that the most important thing we could put it in this building was an amazing sound system. It's the one thing you can't sell, but, if people walk aw

Germany - The new Live X series of portable powered and passive loudspeakers is designed to "bring world-tour-proven Electro-Voice performance within reach of a wider range of customers than ever before".

Comprising three powered and four passive models, Live X features the latest Electro-Voice-engineered components; lightweight, durable plywood cabinets; best-in-class SPL output, power-handling, and frequency response; and clean, stackable designs - all at a price point previously unheard-of for loudspeakers of a similar pedigree, says the company.

Three versatile powered Live X cabinets are available: two full-range loudspeakers and a matching subwoofer. Each self-contained powered system features Electro-Voice-engineered components optimized for use with the integrated high-efficiency 1000-W and 700-W Class-D amplifiers. Both full-range systems may be pole-mounted

Germany - ProLight+Sound 2011 sees Yamaha Commercial Audio launch a new version of its StageMix iPad app, alongside further new software, the usual wide range of hardware products and a new Facebook page.

A highlight will be the launch of the LS9 version of the StageMix iPad app. Since its launch in September last year, the M7CL version of StageMix has been a major success and producing an LS9-compatible version has been a priority for Yamaha's software development team.

Using the iPad's built-in WiFi (802.11 a/b/g/n) functionality, StageMix directly controls the LS9 via a wireless connection point, which is linked to the mixing console via Cat5 cable. With a straightforward, intuitive graphic interface and the iPad's multi-touch and gesture control, stage sound can be easily mixed, even if the mixing console is at front of house.

The app allows the user to control a wide ra

UK - In a joint technical initiative with Audinate and Lab.gruppen aimed at "providing the class leading performance and convenience of the industry standard Lake DSP and power of the Lab.gruppen PLM Powered loudspeaker Management system design platform", Turbosound has announced the release of its 20000Dp amplifier.

Based on the Lab.gruppen PLM 20000Q platform and featuring dedicated presets specifically designed by Turbosound's live sound engineering team for use with Turbosound's new Flashline concert touring loudspeaker system, the 20000DP provides four discrete output channels each rated at 4400 watts at 4 ohms, and offers significant advantages in sonic performance and user functionality.

The 20000DP also contains fully featured Lake Processor modules, each offering precise settings for gain, delay, standard and linear phase crossover slopes, equalization, and

Australia - The Jands Ezicom production communications system has been a mainstay of the Australian entertainment industry for many years. Now, Jands has launched launch the new Ezicom family of products.

The new Jands Ezicom system is capable of delivering reliable production communications on stage and theatre productions of low to medium complexity. It's simple, logical control layout means it can be set up and operated by untrained users while still delivering professional performance, says the company.

The new line-up consists of the E101 single channel belt pack and the E401 four channel master station. Each E401 Master station can support up to 20 remote E101 belt packs, distributed across 4 switchable outputs. Connection between master station and the belt packs is via industry standard two core screened microphone cables.

The robust circuit design maintains high spe

UK / USA - Harvard University's Media Production Centre has added a SoundField Mark V B-Format microphone to its existing inventory, which already includes a SoundField SPS422B mic and an SP451 surround sound processor. The Mark V is being used to make stereo and surround-sound recordings for various departments at the university, including the music faculty.

Anthony Di Bartolo, Manager of the university's Media Production Centre, provides audio, video and multimedia services across the university, and has himself long been a user of SoundField microphones for jazz and acoustic recording, including the older ST250 portable microphone system.

"We already have an SPS422B and the SP451 surround processor here", he explains, "but we were looking for another mic or system that would enable us to record in surround. Of course, there are now various ways to do that, an

India The 34th National Games 2011 were held at Ranchi in Jharkhand recently. While the event itself saw athletes from all Indian states competing against each other, around 7,000 athletes marched past audiences of up to 45,000 during the four-and-a-half-hour long spectacular Closing Ceremony.

After successfully executing the audio for the Commonwealth Games 2010 in Delhi, large event specialists Sound.Com were again contracted to broadcast the audio for both spectaculars, working for event production house Core Networks and Cineyug Group, who managed both the Opening and Closing ceremonies in the Ranchi Stadium. The pro audio specialists again delivered an advanced network solution with all audio transported over Optocore using the German company's new 'R-FX' series devices.

Following an air display, entertainment included Indian musicians, Bollywood stars, a laser show, a fi

UK/Sweden - Orbital Sound reports on a successful season with La Soirée, as it moves from the South Bank Big Top to Sweden prior to a return to London later in the year. Billed as a fusion of cabaret, new burlesque, circus sideshow and contemporary vaudeville, Orbital was responsible for the show's sound design and system supply, working with production manager Dan Watkins to overcome a number of challenges, including 23 very eclectic acts performing in a circus-style tent.

Sound design was down to Orbital's Davy Ogilvy, who explains his approach to coping with the large circus-style tent and its inherent challenges.

"We needed to have a central truss to fire the speakers from. With only a single point to hang from, this made weight a very real issue - as the same point is used for some of the acts during the show. We elected to use four of the d&b audiotech

Norway - Having purchased a Martin Audio Multi-cellular Loudspeaker Array in December last year, Rubicon demonstrated the system to key technicians and concert management at Sentrum Scene in Oslo recently.

Among the audience were NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation), and Live Nation, both of whom were excited about what the MLA system could do for their productions.

Roar Ånestad, Head of Sound at Rubicon, guided the audience through a technical presentation of the system. The listeners were impressed by the MLA system's smooth tonal balance throughout the venue.

To ensure that the MLA system always delivers a uniform experience, all system engineer have to be certified by Martin Audio - and Rubicon is the first rental company in the world to have certified all its key system engineers. "This enables us to guarantee our customers the same MLA quality every time,&qu

USA - Visitors to the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in Lower Manhattan are discovering the beauty of Native American artifacts and the stories behind those stunning objects in the new permanent exhibition, Infinity of Nations: Art and History in the Collections of the National Museum of the American Indian, planned to be in place for the next decade.

Electrosonic engineered, provided and installed 20 exhibits for Infinity of Nations - 10 linear video stations and 10 interactive workstations housed in the NMAI's George Gustav Heye Centre in the Old Customs House. Five years in the making, the new permanent collection reflects the geographic and chronological scope of the museum's collection, and includes magnificent headdresses, robes, beadwork, baskets and vessels, as well as works by contemporary Native American artists.

"Preparing for In

Earthquake Appeal - A group of UK rock acts are to play a benefit gig in aid of Japanese earthquake victims. Primal Scream, The Coral, and Liam Gallagher's Beady Eye are among the bands set to play a show at Brixton's O2 Academy on 3 April. The money raised at the gig will go to the British Red Cross Japan Tsunami Appeal. Ex-Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft, Blur's Graham Coxon, and veteran rocker Paul Weller will also play.

Justin Bieber and U2 are among artists who have agreed to contribute songs to an album to raise funds for victims of the earthquake and tsunami. Record label Universal Music said it hoped to release the digital-only album globally by the end of the week. Bon Jovi and Rihanna have also been confirmed for the album, which will also raise money for the Japanese Red Cross. "We are doing it only digitally because it is faster," said a Universal spokesman

USA - Meyer Sound have said they are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of audio industry pioneer and "dear friend", Owsley 'Bear' Stanley.

"Bear was a great friend and a true inspiration," says John Meyer, CEO and co-founder of Meyer Sound. "We first met Bear in the 1970s, and we worked very closely for many years. His determination to find new technical solutions to improve audio delivery led to our numerous experiments together in the early days of Meyer Sound. He was an uncompromising advocate of audio system clarity, which to this day is still the driving force behind our engineering philosophy."

Helen Meyer, co-founder and executive vice president of Meyer Sound, continues: "Bear was a unique soul unlike anyone else we have known. His energy, talent, and passion have inspired all of us, and we will miss him dearly. In love and gratitude

USA - Yamaha Stagemix software for the M7CL iPad app was recently installed into Chicago concert venue Viper Alley. Located in Lincolnshire, Illinois, the venue is the brainchild of Scott Greenberg, creator of the Wit, Chicago's hippest boutique hotel. Viper Alley opened in early March with American Idol winner Lee DeWyze performing for 200 online raffle ticket winners. The club also features a complete Nexo sound system. The installation was completed by Gand Sound Installations (Glenview, Illinois).

StageMix is an application for the Apple iPad (R) that allows remote control of the Yamaha M7CL digital console's mix functions via a simple, intuitive graphic interface from anywhere within wireless range. The application enables an engineer to set up monitor mixes from a performer's position on stage directly controlling mix parameters via the iPad.

"The new iPad ap

UK - There have been record-breaking visitor pre-registrations for PLASA Focus: Leeds 2011, taking place at The Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 April 2011.

PLASA Events are attributing the increase in visitor registrations to a host of new features at the show, including an extended exhibitor list of 120 companies including 21 first-timers, a seminar programme that is twice the size of previous years, case study presentations from the Royal Shakespeare Company and Opera North, special interest seminars presented by some of the industry's leading bodies and new opportunities to book seats on 45-minute product demonstration seminars. Private meetings are also available for the first time, with the availability of three private conference rooms at PLASA Focus, with slots still available.

The 21 new exhibitors come from across the spectrum of audio,

Latest Issue. . .

Save
Cookies user preferences
We use cookies to ensure you to get the best experience on our website. If you decline the use of cookies, this website may not function as expected.
Accept all
Decline all
Analytics
Tools used to analyze the data to measure the effectiveness of a website and to understand how it works.
Google Analytics
Accept
Decline
Advertisement
If you accept, the ads on the page will be adapted to your preferences.
Google Ad
Accept
Decline