UK / USA - Adele, has just completed a tour of Europe and is currently on tour in the US with an Allen & Heath iLive digital mixing system managing both FOH and monitor sound. Requested by the sound engineers, the system comprises two iLive-112 Control Surfaces with an iDR10 modular MixRack and iDR0 mini Rack, connected via ACE and input sharing over MADI.

"iLive stands apart from other consoles because of its ease of use. Like painting, you want to be creating when you mix, not reading a manual. You can do that with this desk - you stand in front of it and it's logical. It's also reliable, you know that you can get up in the morning, turn it on, and it does exactly what it's meant to do every day," comments FOH engineer, Dave McDonald who has previously used iLive on tour with Florence and The Machine and AIR.

"I'm using iLive differently on this tour as there

UK - At 10.15am on Monday 23rd May 2011, BBC Radio 1 broadcast a special live-to-air performance by Leona Lewis, performing a cover of Labrynth's Let the Sun Shine and an amalgamation of Leona's Better In Time and Rihanna's Man Down, with two very different backing bands. This Live Lounge broadcast from London's Hackney Empire, hosted by the station's Trevor Nelson, helped launch Hackney Weekend 2012, where Leona and Plan B, both from the area, will play at a free music event to celebrate the London 2012 Olympics.

This one-off performance, utilised 24 Neumann digital microphones - a mix of seven TLM 103Ds, four KMS 105Ds and 13 KM 184Ds. The digital microphone set up was augmented with a few analogue evolution models, comprising two e904s, an e905, an e901 and two classic MD421's, demonstrating that the deployment of digital and analogue microphones t

USA - Penn-Elcom has announced a new US distribution deal with Fane Acoustics which sees a relaunch of the entire Fane professional speaker driver range in North America - including all Fane's pro audio loudspeakers and guitar speaker lines.

This follows a recent global distribution deal between the companies which gives both access to the other's international distribution networks.

Penn-Elcom Inc is headquartered in the US in Garden Grove, California and has offices and extensive warehouses facilities in New Jersey and Houston, Texas, providing distribution hubs all across the US.

"It was essential for us to find a company with the right mix of dynamics, enthusiasm and commitment to represent our brand correctly, as well as to make all the products available in the US," says Fane director Mark Barnes, "Penn-Elcom is the perfect match."

"Fane's pr

USA - Lakewood Church, located in Houston, Texas and one of the largest churches in the United States, has outfitted each of its two main audio control rooms with a pair of KK audio labs DS-8 eight-inch, two-way powered audio monitors. The two identical rooms, designed by the Russ Berger Design Group and featuring Euphonix 5-B digital mixing consoles, both handle on-air broadcast duties as well as audio post production, and are additionally tied to a music recording studio.

"We've been longstanding with our old cabinets and it was time to update," says Reed Hall, director of audio and technical production at the church, a former sports arena and home of Joel Osteen Ministries. "Everybody felt that there was something a lot better out there. We took a listen to the DS-8s and they sounded great. We never mix off just one reference, but these have become our primary

UK - Dance trio Faithless has called time after 15 years on the music scene, playing their final show at London's O2 Academy Brixton at the beginning of April. Their Front of House engineer Mark Kennedy had worked with the band since 1996 and throughout his tenure has relied on products and support from Sennheiser UK.

"It's been wonderful to work with Faithless," declares Kennedy. "The back -up I received from Mark Saunders at Sennheiser UK has been amazing and the mics have been fabulous - in all the years I've been using them, I've always set up the spare radio mic, but I've never had to use it. The original SKM 3072 we used were customized somewhat because Faithless stage shows are very loud. More recently, we moved to SKM 500-945, which have been wonderful and are a vast improvement."

Kennedy employed a combination of the aforementioned SKM 500-945 G3 h

Ireland - Sound Productions, a Dublin based Intellivox dealer, has recently supplied AXYS Intellivox units as part of the public address system at the new T2 building, Dublin Airport.

Dublin Airport's Terminal 2 is a €600m project which included a new terminal building, a new boarding gate pier, a new combined heat and power facility, 19 new aircraft parking stands, and an upgraded airport road network.

Terminal 2, which has already won a major design award for its use of structural steel, was built by a consortium comprising of Arup, Mace, Pascall+Watson and Davis Langdon PKS. With its steel and glass facade, the new terminal makes use of natural light to create a modern and comfortable space for both departing and arriving passengers. However, for Arup Acoustics, the acoustic and electro-acoustic designers on the project, all these hard surfaces posed several challenges.

USA - Audio-Technica has announced the appointment of Michael Edwards to the position of vice-president professional markets. The announcement was made by Audio-Technica US president and CEO Philip Cajka.

Following the start of his audio career as a successful recording engineer, Edwards joined Audio-Technica in 1994, and has served the company since then in a variety of key roles in sales, marketing, and most recently as director of product management. He is a member of the Audio-Technica Taiwan board of directors.

As leader of the company's professional division, Edwards will have considerable responsibility for the way Audio-Technica develops and positions its professional products. He will oversee A-T sales, marketing and product development efforts in the pro audio, M.I., broadcast and installed sound markets, says the company.

Cajka stated, "As part of Audio-Techn

Qatar - Qatar Vision has recently purchased the Encore system from ClearCom's UAE distributor Nicolas Kyvernitis Electronics Enterprises. Distributors in the Gulf for the live sound market segment, NMK hassupplied the rental firm the new two-wire partyline intercom system in addition to other equipment. The deal includes a master station, belt stations and a number of CC-95 headsets.

"For live performance markets, ClearCom is not just a brand. It is the default term used," commented Richie Hiranandani, marketing manager. "Qatar Vision has recently invested in upgrading their inventory across the board and communications was no exception."

(Jim Evans)

USA - MediaMatrix by Peavey has announced the avaliability of the new Nion nE, a l DSP platform designed for cost-efficiency and mid-market applications. At a lower entry cost, the NION nE brings the power and flexibility of nWare to a broader array or designers and contractors, says the company.

The Nion nE supports up to 32 channels of analogue audio, and up to 64 channels of AES digital audio via four Nio card slots in the NION nE frame. It uses the same Nio cards as a standard NION frame, so users get the same selection and variety of input and output options, including the new Nio-AEC echo cancellation card. The NION nE also accepts CobraNet or Dante digital audio transport network cards, which are optional.

"The Nion nE is built on the same foundation as the venerable NION n6 and n3," commented Charles Anderson, engineering supervisor for MediaMatrix. "Des

UK - Audio Light Systems has recently completed the audio-visual and lighting installation for a complete renovation of the V&A Museum's Lydia and Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre.

The listed and elegant environment posed several problems including designing a subtle yet working infrastructure and providing a versatile system for use with lectures and concerts alike.

A Doughty custom curved lighting bar was installed to the rear stage area, with IWB booms installed to the left and right of the auditorium. Strand dimmers and Selecon lanterns were the chosen solution to provide production and feature lighting. A Strand Classic Palette II provided the user-friendly control needed in such a venue.

The digital projector installed was the new Christie DHD-670-E high-def unit which "impressively filled the 7m screen."

Audio control has the Yamaha LS9 at the helm with a QSC

USA - Byblos Lounge and Ritual restaurants in Worchester MA feature sound reinforcement systems designed around products from D.A.S. Audio.

Worchester -based Powerhouse Sound & Lighting, which specialises in custom sound and entertainment lighting for both the commercial and residential installation markets in addition to their production services for special events, was contracted to design and install the sound reinforcement systems at both properties.

Michael Lavoie, the firm's owner, consultant, and systems designer, selected loudspeakers that drew heavily from D.A.S. Audio's Avant and Arco lines.

"Opened this past New Year's Eve, Byblos Lounge is an upscale nightspot specializing in Mediterranean fusion cuisine," Lavoie reports. "The establishment uses background music during the early part of the week and, then on weekends, offers live music entertainmen

UK - CUK Audio has announced that Simon Druce is joining its sales team. Druce will be bringing his sales and technical expertise to support the complete line of brands distributed by CUK Audio, including Audica Professional, Community, Clair Brothers Systems, DIS (Danish Interpretation Systems), Digigram, MTSi, Powersoft, Sabine, Symetrix and Work.

Druce previously spent 10 years at beyerdynamic, and subsequently Polar Audio, as national sales manager. More recently he was employed by Audio-Technica as UK sales manager, pro-audio and installation.

CUK Audio MD, Stuart Thomson comments, "We have grown rapidly during our early years and acquired distribution of an excellent range of advanced technology brands. For our next phase of growth we need to step up our customer support, and that's where Simon's experience expands our capabilities.

"Simon will work alongside

UK - Audac has released a new model within the SP Series, the SP20HA, a version specifically designed for hanging purposes. The SP series are high efficiency sound projectors designed to provide good speech intelligibility and background music in a wide variety of applications. They can be used indoors as well as outdoors and are suited for usage in large 100V 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 20 Watt sound projector that ensures "good, powerful sound reproduction", making it suitable for speech and music. It is fitted with a 4" broadband loudspeaker, the power is adjustable by the integrated 100 V line transformer and can be altered using the four different power taps for 20 W, 10 W, 5 W and 2.5 W.

The mounting

USA - Technomad is set to introduce "the world's first completely weatherproof, all-in-one, self-casing portable PA system for the commercial pro audio market" at InfoComm 2011 in Orlando.

The DragonFly, adapted from Technomad's rugged military technology, is idesignedfor mobile pro audio and staging events that require "outstanding audio quality, lightweight portability, quick setup, ease of operation and durable construction for outdoor events". The self-casing, 100-percent weatherproof design fully protects the system components from moisture, dirt, shock and other elements in outdoor environments, supporting everything from ceremonies and parades to sporting events and concerts, says the company.

The inclusion of green, rechargeable and long-lasting battery power, along with a potent audio output, supports mobile audio free of extension cords for crowds

Sweden - Lab.gruppen and Lake have announced the release of the latest version of Lake Controller software (v5.7) with accompanying firmware for both the PLM Powered Loudspeaker Management products and the LM 26 Digital Audio Loudspeaker Processor.

Working alongside both industry partners and leading end-users, engineers at Lab.gruppen and Lake have taken a significant leap forward with this latest release of Lake Controller; designed to offer "ever greater flexibility and compatibility for end users, further optimizing system audio performance".

New levels of functionality are provided as PLM Series products now support a new processing module type. The extensive filtering can be used to create both crossover and driver EQ, facilitating linear phase, minimum phase or arbitrary phase filters. The filters can also be used to create classic crossovers and specific driv

Germany - On 1 May, Alexander Donath accepted the position of sales manager Western Europe for Electro-Voice. In his new role, he will be the contact for distributors operating in Western European countries.

Donath states, "Rental companies and building clients on installation projects are obliged to invest in future-proof technology and therefore require comprehensive support from the planning stage right through to the commissioning and day-to-day operation of the equipment.

"Under the Bosch umbrella, Electro-Voice and its distributors are able to offer customers this high level of service and products. These are the most important factors contributing to the satisfaction of our customers, and I'm delighted to be working for a company with such a strong tradition and with such outstanding prospects for the future."

An academically qualified engineer and enth

Ukraine - The Opera Café has opened in Odessa's Arcadia Plaza hotel, complete with a QSC sound system.

Installed by the engineering department of Real Music, QSC's Ukrainian distributors, the venue takes its name from the world-renowned Odessa Opera and Ballet Theatre. The Café itself is located right in Odessa's late night tourist mecca.

Operated by a local entrepreneur, the former private members club and restaurant within the hotel has been completely restored and repositioned as an elite karaoke restaurant. The venue is divided into four zones - the main karaoke hall, two VIP rooms and a dancefloor.

Real Music submitted the best technical solution, fulfilling the clients' request for a QSC sound system - which was preferred to other brands they had experienced.

Real Music set about the design, installing four QSC lightweight, portable active K8 8in full r

Sweden - The recent LLB fair in Stockholm, the Nordic region's largest trade fair for sound, light and multimedia technology, was a triumph for German optical fibre specialists Optocore.

Swedish distributors Arva Trading AB welcomed many visitors to their stand at the Stockholm Exhibition and Congress Centre and Optocore was well represented right across its product range.

"Optocore is well known in Sweden among pro audio users and has an extremely good reputation," stated Peter Beckman, the company's PA/Live and installation specialist. "We have been representing the brand for a year and this was our first opportunity to really test the market at a trade fair."

Arva Trading received an unexpected boost when theatrical sound engineer, Aaron Beck, assistant head of sound for the latest Cirque du Soleil production in Las Vegas, Viva ELVIS, presented

Spain - On the outskirts of Vigo, a new 1.5m Euro studio complex, VigoSónico has recently opened giving local young musicians, producers and sound engineers the opportunity to explore their creativity in a world class studio environment.

The recording studio itself centres around a 24-channel Audient ASP8024-CS console, complete with Digidesign Command 8 and Protools 9 HD. Designed and installed by Audient's local distributor, Reflexion Arts the high-end equipment list also includes a comprehensive selection of quality microphones and outboard gear.

Sergio Castro, of Reflexion Arts comments, "The Audient desk fits into this set-up perfectly. We have every confidence that its solid, professional appearance along with Audient's well-known sonic clarity will serve VigoSónico very well for many years."

Already attracting the attention of local young artists, the Vigo

Attendance Figures - Star performers, including Keira Knightley, helped ensure that the proportion of West End theatregoers watching plays in 2010 rose again. The share of attendances for plays last year was 26.2% - up 0.7% from 2009, the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) said. It was already up 4.3% from 2008. The share for musicals was 59.5% - down 1.2% from 2009. It fell 4.4% from 2008 to 2009. Total attendances topped 14m. Figures refuted "claims that musicals are taking over", the SOLT said. Plays also achieved a record attendance total of 3,702,031, while the musicals attendance total was down 3% to 8,423,430.

In its box office data report, the SOLT states that "the big driver" behind business in 2010 was major name actors in plays. They included Knightley and Damian Lewis in The Misanthrope, as well as Sex and the City actress Kim Cattrall and Matthew M

USA - During the weekend of 15-17 April 2011 Atlanta staged two large festivals at the same time and this year it was RCF TT+ systems that supplied the sound to a big audience at the SweetWater 420 Fest and the Atlanta Dogwood Festival.

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is an arts and crafts festival held each spring at Piedmont Park in Atlanta. Originally held for nine days across two weekends, it is now held only one weekend during early April, when the native dogwoods are in bloom.

The Dogwood Festival 2011 was celebrating its 75th years anniversary in the beautiful surroundings of Piedmont Park. With several stages with continuously performances the festival gives many upcoming artists and talents the opportunity to play their music to a wider audience.

On the festival there were performances by Charlie Wayne Watson, Arena Sound, Off the Grid, Frets on Fire, OGYA World Music

UAE - Melody House, distributor of HK Audio speaker systems has recently supplied Dubai-based rental firm Abacus Rentals with a ConTour Array system from HK Audio. The rental firm decided on the purchase after a comprehensive demonstration that highlighted the power, flexibility and clarity of the system from the German company.

"Abacus Rentals are a growing rental firm and this latest purchase will take them to new heights," commented Dino Drimakis, business development manager at Melody House. "With this second ConTour Array system in the UAE, HK Audio is gradually building a strong reputation in the live sound market."

(Jim Evans)

Switzerland - Barix AG reports that it surpassed the 100,000 device threshold for sales as part of a highly successful 2010 that also saw major project wins and double-digit growth.

"2010 was a huge success for Barix," said Johannes G. Rietschel, CEO and founder of Barix AG. "We passed a major sales milestone and experienced a substantial revenue increase. Barix contributed more than 1,200 devices to the largest Audio over IP project for live sound ever at a sports event in India, while securing key customer wins in security, transportation, healthcare and other markets."

Barix supplied the 1,200-plus Audio over IP devices for the Commonwealth Games in India last summer, handling IP contribution from all the venues to the control room; and distribution to a large number of broadcast studios. The company also continued to develop technology and business part

Canada - US microphone manufacturer Blue Microphones has appointed HHB as exclusive distributor of its products in Canada, effective 1 June.

Blue Microphones has grown to become a major international force in microphone manufacturing, with a product range that now encompasses studio, live, USB and iPod mics.

"In HHB, we've found a partner that shares our vision of providing the highest quality microphones to those with a passion for uncompromised sound," comments Blue VP of sales Dino Virella. "Blue Microphones is excited to expand our availability through the efforts of HHB Canada President Dave Dysart and his team who have a solid track record in supporting audio professionals and recording musicians in Canada."

Located in Toronto, Ontario, HHB Canada was formed in 1997 and is exclusive Canadian distributor for a range of audio technology innovators inc

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