Germany - Nexo's 45ºN-12 stage monitors have made their festival debut in Germany on the centre stage of one of the country's largest events - the new 'line monitors' were used by drummers on the main stage of Rock im Park, courtesy of rental company satis&fy AG Werne.

Together with its sister event, Rock am Ring (Rock at the Ring), Rock im Park (Rock in the Park) is one of the biggest music festivals in Germany. It takes place around Nuremberg in the south of Germany; headliners this year included Disturbed, System of a Down, Coldplay, Alter Bridge and Kings of Leon.

Rental company satis&fy AG Werne, specialists in live entertainment and tour support, worked extensively with Reinhard Steger, rental sales engineer from Nexo's German distributor audiovation, to test the new N-12 line monitors before offering them to the festival stage.

For a stereo drum-fill set, satis&fy us

UK - After several years of successfully deploying its inventory of Yamaha M7CL and LS9digital mixing consoles on a wide variety of events, production company Subfrantic has recently made a major further investment in two PM5D-RHs and aDSP5D. Hardly were the new mixers out of their packaging than they were heading for a festival field.

Held in late June at Kings Hill, Kent - a mixed residential and business development ton what was formerly the RAF West Malling aerodrome - Music On The Hill was a family-friendly three-day festival, all proceeds of which went to two Kent-based children's charities, the Demelza Hospice Care for Children and The Children's Development Trust.

The live music was divided into a distinct theme on each day - classical/opera on the first, pop on the second and tribute/'heritage' acts on the third - which made it an ideal test for Subfrantic's la

UK - Rental company, APR Audio, provided PA and control systems for the West Holts and John Peel stages at Glastonbury 2011, selecting Allen & Heath iLive digital mixing systems to manage FOH and monitor mixing duties, which were also networked for audio and control sharing.

On the John Peel stage, APR chose an iDR-64 MixRack connected to the largest control surface in the range, the iLive-176, for monitors. Twelve onstage mixes were provided, plus LR side-fills and up to eight stereo IEM feeds. Engineer, Fabrizio Piazzini, additionally used the iLive MixPad app to make final tweaks. For FOH, an iLive-144 Control Surface was chosen, connected via Cat 5 ACE to a modular iDR10 MixRack installed onstage.

The systems were networked to provide input sharing and remote control via the iLive Editor PC software.

"One of iLive's great assets is that it is a networkable system, t

USA - Located in Mt. Crawford in west central Virginia, Southard Audio is a regional sound company that, during its 30-plus years in business, has made the move from local events to large arena-sized shows. Two major initiatives have powered this expansion: a long-term cooperative partnership with Richmond-based Soundworks, and a mutual reliance on Turbosound Flex Array loudspeakers.

"Our relationship with Turbosound goes back more than 20 years," notes founder and president Mike Southard. "When it was time to expand into a line array system, it was easy to see the benefits of the Flex Array. It's a great-sounding PA, very loud for its footprint, with easy and straightforward rigging - a perfect complement to our existing inventory."

That system was put to the test at a recent 11,000 seat show featuring Snoop Dogg at the Coliseum of West Virginia University

UK - After many challenges and years of experience in the design of sound systems, LD Systems has introduced a multi-purpose all-in-one portable public address system, the RoadMan 102 Series.

The RoadMan 102 is a compact and mobile PA solution with an integrated battery, which is suited for solo entertainers, churches, schools, business conferences and presentations where versatility is required. The Roadman comes with a CD/MP3/USB/SD Player as well as a wireless microphone unit with handheld mic. A tape-deck with recorder function and a second wireless microphone unit are also available.

Andrew Richardson, managing director of Adam Hall UK comments, "The Roadman 102 Series is an extremely versatile performer, it is truly portable with an array of features and easy set up and operation. With the optional audio link, a network of Roadman units can broadcast to a much wider

USA - Founded by a group of jazz legends-including Mahalia Jackson and Duke Ellington -in 1970, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has grown and evolved over the years to become a tribute to different musical genres, with a special emphasis on jazz. The varied musical and cultural showcase is held over two consecutive weekends on 12 different stages set up at the New Orleans racetrack grounds.

Widely known as simply the 'Jazz Fest', the festival embodies the culmination of years of effort on the part of local leaders, whose aim was to create an event that would properly highlight the heritage of New Orleans as the birthplace of jazz. This year's line-up, a perfect reflection of the event's cultural significance and popular appeal, included world renowned artists like Tom Jones, Bon Jovi, John Legend, Maceo Parker, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny G. and Alejandro Sanz, among many oth

UK - Studiomaster has published details of its new Class AD Polyphase proprietary amplifier development, in a technical reference document on the company's website.

First announced at this year's prolight+sound exhibition in Frankfurt, the technology provides for major improvements in sound quality, efficiency and power density over current Class D designs, says the company. The new topology combines a number of design innovations with a Studiomaster patented 'polyphase' output stage. The effect is to provide the equivalent sonic performance of a pure analogue design and greater efficiency than a Class D amplifier - "enabling better sounding, more compact devices and power circuit integration".

Commenting on the significance of the Class AD Polyphase development, head of R&D Paul Belcher stated, "Innovation has always been at the heart of Studiomaster's R&D, fro

UK - A mainstay of Croydon's High Street, the Black Sheep Bar is a respected and all-encompassing nightspot, with genres from Rock, Indie, Metal, Drum 'n' Bass and more entertaining punters at least six days a week.

When the popular bar recently needed to upgrade its PA system, it opted for the Tannoy VQ Live system.

Black Sheep Bar manager Paul Bossick said, "It's a superb system. We do a mixture of live music and DJing, and we're predominantly into dubstep at the moment, which is the reason we changed sound system - our old one was not really adequate. The Tannoy VQ Live systems captures all the sounds we want very nicely."

The installation was carried out by Aylesbury-based Moonlite Productions Limited. Moonlite managing director James Iyengar said, "Paul has been a customer for many years, and his venue has changed to adapt to current music styles and cust

USA - The verdict is in at the Haskell County Courthouse, where a new high-quality audio system is delivering news and entertainment to the local population.

The three-story, 100-year old building in Haskell, Texas, received a major audio upgrade via four Technomad Berlin 9040 narrow dispersion loudspeakers. Mounted high on the building's 60ft high roof, the Technomad system replaces an outdated PA system scarred by time and weather. Technomad also supplied a mixer and two wireless handheld microphones for the audio headend.

Like all Technomad loudspeakers, the Berlin 9040s are fully weatherproof, suitable for the harsh climate of north-central Texas. The loudspeakers are built to withstand the region's extreme summer heat (routinely topping 100 degrees), intense year-round UV rays, and heavy rains and lightning storms of the spring and autumn months.

The Berlin 9040 loudspe

International - There are just 10 days remaining to make your nomination for the 2011 Gottelier Award.

When the Nomination phase closes on Friday 29 July, the shortlist will be announced and voting - open to PLASA Members, as well as PLASA Show Exhibitors and Pre-Registered Visitors - will begin on Monday 1 August.

This prestigious award is presented each year during the PLASA Show to someone who has made "a significant and sustained contributions to the advancement of entertainment, presentation or installation technology - whether in audio, lighting, rigging, staging, or any other related field".

The Award was introduced in memory of Tony Gottelier, the highly respected lighting designer, product developer and industry commentator who passed away in 2006.

Previous Winners:

2007 - Tony Andrews | Funktion-One

2008 - John Stadius | DiGiCo / Soundtra

Theatres at Risk - The Theatres Trust has called on local communities to fight to save theatre buildings which are at risk. Some 58 UK buildings are on the trust's 2011 'at risk' register, with the Brighton Astoria and London's Cochrane Theatre among those facing demolition. It said it hoped legislation, including the new Localism Bill, would empower groups and individuals to "take on the guardianship of theatres at risk".

Theatres in Wallsend, Alsager, Ayr and Glasgow were all recently demolished. The at risk register also features theatres threatened by neglect, local development, funding cuts and closure. The trust said this year's register highlighted the impact of austerity measures over the past year. It praised "the tireless efforts of community and campaign groups who are the guardian angels of many UK theatres". But it said there was still "a de

USA - EAW has debuted its new SBK Series Subwoofers. The SBK subs are designed to "perfectly complement EAW's MK Series Full-Range Loudspeakers in construction, size and sound", but they can also be used as stand-alone subwoofers in a system from any other manufacturer.

The line includes three models: SBK150 (Single 15-inch), SBK180 (Single 18-inch) and SBK250 (Double 15-inch) Subwoofers. All three units operate in passive mode. Applications can include concert halls, houses of worship, arenas, large ballrooms, live theatre products, gymnasiums and much more.

Premium components and optimally tuned ports match the performance associated with EAW's SB line of direct radiating subwoofers, says the company. The SBK line includes a variety of forms of subwoofer providing a system designer with selections that can be specifically matched to their application. Multiple 3/8-

USA - Community Professional Loudspeakers is introducing two new monitors to its M-Class Series. Applications for the new MX8 and MX10 models include houses of worship, corporate presentations, musical theatre, education facilities, television, studio and live music performance.

Handling 300W and 500W programme respectively, the 8-inch MX8 and 10-inch MX10 use Community's proprietary co-axial driver units. Their co-axial design means that all of the sound emanates from the same point source and the Tru-Phase conical high frequency waveguide eliminates the transition anomalies that occur in most square and rectangular horns. This results in "exceptionally smooth phase and frequency response performance with reduced feedback, improved intelligibility and uniform coverage exactly where it's needed". The MX8 and MX10 are suitable for single performers who often move off-a

UK - Delta Sound deployed an L-Acoustics Kudo system for a one-day VIP event during the 2011 UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium. The football-themed event was hosted by Wembley's corporate hospitality sector, Club Wembley on behalf of UEFA.

Wembley Arena was converted into a large VIP suite for the event, with the main arena blacked out with backdrops covering the seating area and a stage along one side of the venue. This configuration effectively turned the room sideways and could accommodate up to 4,500 guests. The space was divided into areas celebrating the different ages of football. Projection screens gave flashbacks to important matches and interviews, while the main stage hosted presenters, VIP speakers and live entertainment.

Four hangs of nine Kudo cabinets were flown left, right, outer left and outer right of the stage to cover the wide performance area,

UK - In 1998, audio production companies Andy Rose Consultants (ARC) and Sound Moves used a Soundtracs DPC-II digital console to broadcast two live operas from the famous Glyndebourne venue in Sussex. Thirteen years on, the same two companies have facilitated another live broadcast for the same place, this time using the DPC-II's latest successor, the DiGiCo SD10B.

The performance of Wagner's only comic opera, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, was broadcast live on 26 June to 19 Picturehouse cinemas throughout England, Scotland and across Europe, as well as on the Guardian newspaper's website.

ARC's Andy Rose and Steve Williams of Sound Moves originally worked together at Fleetwood Mobiles in 1988. Ever since they have collaborated on a wide range of projects, with the broadcast of the 1998 Glyndebourne operas (Rodelinda and Simon Boccanegra) using W

The Netherlands - Vondelpark, just to the south east of the old city centre, is perhaps the most cherished of parks in Amsterdam.

Originally laid out in 1864 and now stretching over an area of some 45 hectares, the park boasts serene stretches of water landscaped with trees, gardens and meandering pathways which lead the visitor to the Blauwe Theehuis (Blue Tea House), a haven for refreshment and conversation since 1937.

It wasn't until 1974 that the Openlucht Theater (Open Air Theatre) was built nearby to provide a venue for both musical and dramatic entertainment and, every summer since then, free events are staged, attracting large and loyal audiences whatever the weather.

Amsterdammer Rolf Dijkstra, the managing director of Netherlands based sound company Audiopro, was more than a little concerned when he learned that local residents had initiated legal proceedings to ba

UK - Prism Media Products, whose brands include Prism Sound, SADiE and Imerge, has been presented with its Queen's Award for Enterprise in the category of International Trade. The presentation was made by Hugh Duberly, Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, and took place at the company's headquarters in Stretham. Also present were Jim Paice, MP for South East Cambridgeshire and Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire County Council.

Graham Boswell, sales director of Prism Media Products, expressed his thanks to everyone in the company, saying, "This Award would not have been possible without the hard work and effort put in by our staff and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them. I'm really proud of them all."

Hugh Duberly pointed out that a Queen's Award is equivalent to an individual receiving an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours. "As Her Maje

UK - Entec Sound & Light co-ordinated the full European touring production package and sourced key crew for the recent X Japan tour, and also supplied lighting equipment.

This was the first foray into Europe for the cult Japanese heavy metal superstars founded in 1989, who reformed in 2009 having disbanded in 1997 at the peak of a remarkable career in Japan. They have recorded four studio albums and sold over 30m records and 2m home videos.

Entec was brought in by the band's tour director Richard Ames who due to his own busy schedule touring with Supertramp in Canada, realised that it would be a practical and tactical decision to get an experienced European based rental company onboard to advance and handle all aspects of the tour, including crewing and sorting all the technical production departments.

Says Ames, "I specifically wanted a company that was dynamic and agi

PLASA 2011 will see a landmark product introduction for Harman's JBL Professional with the début of its Marquis Dance Club Series loudspeakers: eight models designed to bring what the company says is a "new level of sonic excellence" to dance club environments. The JBL Marquis Dance Club Series incorporates new driver configurations and enclosure designs to deliver immersive sound with "exceptional clarity and fidelity, even at higher volume levels".

"JBL began offering loudspeakers for club use back in the 1970s, and JBL products helped define club sound when the industry was just beginning," says Jon Sager, Senior Manager, Installed Sound, JBL Professional. "The JBL Marquis Dance Club Series continues this heritage of innovation with a range of purpose-designed loudspeakers that brings high-impact sound to club goers who want to feel and hear

Sommer Cable is set to introduce a range of cable and connectors at PLASA 2011. Heading the list is the Semicolon 4 AES/EBU and DMX patch / microphone cable, a studio-oriented 4-wire miniature microphone cable with a diameter of just 5.8 mm which, says Sommer Cable, "can do almost everything the big ones can". It has dual shielding and may be cross wired for audio purposes, and the company says its performance makes it an ideal AES/EBU or DMX cable. Its small diameter allows it to fit miniature connectors such as 3.5mm mini jacks, mini XLR or phono/RCA plugs.

The Tricone XXL cable and connector is a rugged, flexible guitar, instrument and patch cable with capacitance optimised for loss-free treble reproduction over long distances. The matching Tricone XXL jack plug allows solder / gas free connection for low and constant transfer resistance values, while the dual hexagonal cr

Introduced earlier this year, LD-Systems claims record sales for the MEI-1000, its new generation of in-ear monitoring. The MEI-1000, like its predecessor, the MEI-100, features 160 Channels in the UHF Band and can be purchased in different frequency groups within the range of 790-814MHz. In stereo mode, the two input signals can be heard both left and right through the receiver, allowing the balance between them to be adjusted.

In double mono mode, both input signals are mixed, heard centrally and balanced through the receiver, allowing musicians to alter the mixing level between instruments using an additional aux send.

Stated features include selectable focus, stereo mode or mono mode; improved crosstalk; clear, dynamic sound, long battery runtime, equaliser and limiter function; 160 UHF channels; ergonomic earphones including gig bag, multifunction receiver display; menu lock fun

Adam Hall is to launch a new model within the Audac SP Series, the SP20HA, a version specifically designed for hanging. The SP Series are high efficiency sound projectors designed to provide good speech intelligibility and background music in a wide variety of applications. Weatherproof to IP56 for indoor and outdoor use, they are, the company says, perfectly suited for use in large 100 V broadcast systems such as train stations or airports. The enclosure is made of white weatherproof ABS with a white weatherproof coated aluminium front grill.

The SP20 is a humidity-proof 20W sound projector designed to ensure clear, powerful sound reproduction, making it suitable for speech and music. It is fitted with a 4" broadband loudspeaker, and power is adjustable via the integrated 100 V line transformer with four power taps for 20W, 10W, 5W and 2.5W.

Maximum power is 40W (20W RMS), with

Granite Sound will unveil two new series of intercom products at PLASA 2011 - the GS-SLVB and GS-SLVC beltpack product sleeves, and GS-STB1 range of in-line strobe lights for intercom systems.

The GS-SLVB (black) and GS-SLVC (clear) sleeves are designed to enhance all Granite Sound beltpack-style products. A simple-to-fit silicone sleeve with rubber corner points protects against accidental and transit damage, providing extended product longevity to the complete Granite Sound beltpack range.

Suitable for the GS-CBP1 and GS-SC2 single channel beltpacks, the GS-DC2 dual channel beltpack, the GS-SB3 and GS-SB4 splitter boxes and the new GS-STB1 in-line strobe light, the sleeve design ensures that any of these products manufactured within the last 25 years by Metroaudio, Stonewood Audio or Granite Sound can be protected by this style of sleeve.

The GS-STB1 series of in-line strobe ligh

USA - On his recent tour, ex-Led Zeppelin front man Robert Plant joined forces with guitarist and Nashville producer Buddy Miller. Teaming up in the Band of Joy, the two concocted a mélange of sounds - from classic rock to folk and gospel-that demand utmost clarity and versatility from a live reinforcement system. That task fell to a Meyer Sound Mica line array loudspeaker system provided by Livonia, Mich.-based Thunder Audio.

Roy Williams, the veteran FOH engineer at the helm of Plant's live mix, reports, "There are some softer numbers - particularly duets with Patty Griffin - with a breathy quality that demands absolute transparency. But on others, we push it up to send a message to the Zep fraternity that, when we want to, we can still do it. The Mica system handles the dynamics with no problems at all."

The tour's complete Meyer Sound complement comprised

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