UK - Manchester based lighting design and rental company DBN is often involved in interesting and esoteric arts-based projects, but particularly during the Manchester International festival (MIF), their collective ingenuity and sense of adventure is called on to collaborate in some truly evocative and different works.

This was the case when Stephen Page was invited by MIF to illuminate a performance by virtuoso Russian-born violinist Alina Ibragimova in collaboration with filmmakers and animators, The Brothers Quay. It was staged in and around the Library of the historic Chetham's School of Music, Manchester.

The atmospheric promenade performance for 100 people each evening introduced them to several different locations in the heart of Chetham's 600 year old centre of learning, where Ibragimova performed four different solo violin pieces by Berio, Bach, Biber and Bartók.

In

Australia - As a part of the AFL's expansion into the Gold Coast, the new $144m Metricon Stadium has opened at Carrarra. Metricon Stadium is operated by the Gold Coast SUNS, was designed by Populous, built by Watpac and the audio installation was carried out by The PA People.

The stadium is a multipurpose facility that currently seats 25,000 spectators and will be capable of being extended to 40,000 seats in the future. Metricon Stadium features an AFL oval that will also be capable of holding ICC cricket matches, concerts, festivals, IAAF athletics events and FIFA World Cup soccer matches.

The PA People opted for a tested formula that they have used in other stadiums designed around a variety of JBL speakers. The Stadium has grandstands around three-quarters of its perimeter with an open Northern end where the scoreboard is situated.

"We have 20 clusters to deal with t

Europe - Yamaha's free StageMix iPad app has been an extraordinary success since its launch in September 2010, says the company. After over 45,000 downloads of the app, the company has announced the launch of StageMix 2.0, which gives users of M7CL andLS9 digital mixing consoles even greater control.

The success of StageMix is proved by it being downloaded more than 130 times every day since it was first announced at PLASA 2010.

Connected via the iPad's built-in WiFi and a wireless connection point linked to the mixing console via Cat 5 cable, the straightforward, intuitive graphic interface of StageMix allows the user to easily mix stage sound via anM7CL or LS9, even if the mixing console is at the front of house position.

A number of new functions complement the existing array of controls, which include control of input channel faders, on/off, parametric EQs and channel cu

UK - LD Systems has released the D1015CM gooseneck microphone. The slim and flexible design of the D1015CM gooseneck microphone with its professional, highly sensitive and uni-directional condenser element makes it designed for all situations where supreme clarity is required, says the company.

Its low self noise also makes it suitable for professional sound reinforcement and recording in meeting and seminar rooms, schools and churches. Equipped with a three-pole XLR connector, it operates on phantom power (9 - 52 V).

Andrew Richardson, managing director of Adam Hall UK comments, "The LD D1015CM Conference Microphone provides an overall improved performance and is ideal for spoken word applications such as seminars, schools, churches and meetings."

Accessories include the D1015CMB Metal Base, which ensures secure positioning of gooseneck microphones and offers a fe

Northern News - Scotland's oldest working theatre, the Theatre Royal in Dumfries built in 1792, has been saved from closure with support from the local charitable Holywood Trust. The trust has agreed in principle to make a "substantial contribution" towards work required to upgrade the theatre and make the building weather-tight. The Guild of Players, which has owned the 215-seat theatre since 1959, will also be able to purchase two adjacent properties.

Children's Favourite - Bristol Old Vic's production of Swallows and Amazons is to play in London's West End for a five-week Christmas run. Based on the classic children's novel by Arthur Ransome, the songs for the musical have been created by The Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon. It will be directed by Bristol Old Vic's Tom Morris, co-director of the National Theatre's West End hit War Horse. The show wi

Germany - For 20 years, music lovers from Germany and abroad have been travelling to the Classic Open Air Festival in Berlin to enjoy internationally acclaimed artists performing classical masterpieces in the magnificent setting of the Gendarmenmarkt square. During the past years around 600,000 people have attended 105 concerts, with musical offerings ranging from opera, operetta and musicals to crossover productions featuring pop, soul, swing and jazz classics.

With this year's series of concerts between 7 and 12 July 7, the organiser celebrated 20 years of staging this successful event. At the same time, a new technical concept made its debut behind the scenes. This year for the first time, the audio infrastructure was digital, based on the use of two all-digital Eclipse mixing consoles from Innovason and digital microphones from Berlin-based manufacturer Neumann.

An Etherso

USA - Push the point hard enough and consolidation is inevitable; that's the premise presented to Simon Foster as he prepared to take the revitalized Pixies around north America once more. "We had already confirmed the LED video and lighting parts of the tour," said Craig Mitchell, "when I learned the band's preference was for a d&b audiotechnik PA system, I suggested we provide sound as well."

Mitchell handles touring sales at Florida-based LMG, a company with a long and highly reputable history in the corporate market, but relatively less well known in touring circles. For Pixies production manager Simon Foster the one stop shop logic was sound, but it's not just equipment that determines these things.

"I wasn't familiar with LMG before the last Pixies US tour," said the band's long time house engineer Ray Furze. "When Simon mentioned they

Sweden - DiGiCo digital mixing consoles have recently been used by Swedish rental company, eurosound media crew, for two very different projects.

The first sees a DiGiCo SD9 take up residence at Sweden's national broadcaster, Swedish Television, for 55 consecutive days from 13 June for its early morning children's show, Sommarlov, which is not only broadcast nationwide, but also has a live audience of 500 children each morning.

"The SD9 and D-Rack sit at the heart of the whole sound set-up as the mic pre/gain master," says eurosound's Mattias Dalin. "The show is set in the harbour at Malmoe's Docklands, but the broadcast sound is mixed in SVT's regular studio control room at their premises. A two-way fibre connection between the SD9 and the control room services all audio signals.

"Because of this set-up, we need maximum safety and we're confident

UK - Canford is providing a PLASA debuts for the new 'enhanced' Tecpro Wireless handsets and TW403 wired to wireless interface, the new RTS BTR-240 wireless comms system, Cat 5e stageboxes and multicore cables in several lengths up to 75m and last but not least the EMO E810 LED racklight that interfaces with comms systems to flash, letting the operator know of a call inbound.

Canford will also show a selection from their comprehensive range of cables including the D'n'A series which redesigned all their most popular audio cables to handle both analogue and AES digital audio. Also being featured by Canford will be the latest products from Cloud and Databay.

The new enhanced Tecpro Wireless beltpacks offer full Duplex Operation and licence-free operation in the UHF frequency band. The powerful new handsets can supply up to 200mW with a 400m max Range and now benefit from a range

UAE - The demand for the Dynacord academy programme in the Middle East is constantly on the rise. The most recent event took place in Le Meridien Hotel, Dubai. It was organised by Dynacord's's local distribution partner, AVL and attended by over 50 pro audio specialists.

As well as offering an overview of the entire Dynacord product range, the Academy included a presentation of Electro-Voice microphones. The third generation of Dynacord's PowerMate family, the new CMS mixing consoles and the Corus Evolution series were also the subject of great interest.

"The Academy was no sooner over than requests began pouring in to attend the next," says Klaus Seitz, sales director MEA, ProSound and CCS. "Clearly we hit the bullseye with this academy. The demand is very real, and we're already planning the next events in the series."

(Jim Evans)

UK - News of another interactive new feature area at PLASA 2011 has been announced. The Theatres Trust will return to PLASA 2011 with an expanded version of its innovative Ecovenue feature, the area that gives visitors the chance to see how 48 pioneering London theatres are putting sustainability into practice.

Located in Earls Court 2, the feature takes the form of a theatre-in-miniature, complete with 'auditorium', 'stage', 'backstage', 'foyer' and 'box office'. In each area The Theatres Trust will demonstrate proven sustainability techniques, as well as featuring technologies from PLASA 2011 exhibitors.

Tim Atkinson, theatre building services advisor to The Theatres Trust, comments, "The larger space means our stage will be able to accommodate a greater variety of presentations and events. Another key development is that, whereas last year we had only signed up half of

USA/UK - Clockaudio is this year's winner of the SCN/InfoComm Installations Product Award for 'Most Innovative A/V Conferencing Product'.

The company received the award for its CRM100-RF and CRM102-RF retractable through-table boundary layer omnidirectional and cardioid condenser microphones. The proprietary design enables the microphone to be raised or lowered flush with the tabletop by pushing on the top of the mic.

The low profile system allows tabletop microphone systems to remain permanently in place, simply disappearing when not in use; a feature that has proven hugely popular with installers and systems integrators throughout the world.

The award was presented to Clockaudio MD and founder Jim Hallington by Systems Contractor News editor Kirsten Nelson. Commenting, Jim Hallington said, "It's a great pleasure to receive this Innovation Award which further va

France - Each competition day at the Tour de France starts with the advertising caravan starting two hours before the stage and drives through the daily route. This caravan has become famous and is today a big part of the whole Tour de France. The sponsors decorate the caravan cars, vans and busses in funny and crazy ways. Along the route they distribute gifts, like the green PMU hand, caps and all sorts of gadgets.

The caravan also plays loud music and this year RCF speakers were fitted on several vehicles. The company La Cite Du Son-Sonowest from Rennes was responsible for the audio installation. Forty RCF Art 310 and C5212 speakers were installed in the vehicles.

(Jim Evans)

Bulgaria - Sofia-based audio specialist, ProAudio Ltd, has recently completed the design and installation of the audio systems for the new Bulgarian national sports arena in Sofia.

Located near the Pliska Hotel, east of the city centre, Arena Sofia is the largest and highest standard multi-discipline indoor sports venue in Bulgaria. As well as providing a national facility for sport, the arena has also been designed to host music concerts. With a 12,000+ capacity, the 16,000sq.m venue is built on five levels, one of which is underground. In addition to the main sports hall, the venue incorporates dressing rooms, training area, fitness centre, spa centre, restaurant, a press conference hall and underground parking for nearly 1,000 cars.

The training area is already in operation and the first major sports event will be a volleyball tournament between the national teams of Bulga

UK - Recently, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra took to the stunning setting of Leeds Castle in Kent for a spectacular concert in front of over 20,000 classical music fans.

While a venue like Leeds Castle provided a breath-taking backdrop to the music, the site itself presented its own set of challenges for those involved in specifying and delivering a performance audio system for the event, with Lake's LM 26 a major part of the eventual solution.

Outline UK specified the loudspeaker sound system through SRD Group of Kent, and supplied by Britannia Row for the site for the Saturday and Sunday concerts. As well as being an Outline rental house, Britannia Row have committed to Lake as their chosen system processor, with their dry and wet hire inventory finding its way onto many major tours and events across the country, including the shows at Leeds Castle.

"The situation

Europe Take That's Progress Live tour sound system features four DiGiCo SD7 mixing consoles.

Taking in 36 stadium dates across the UK, Ireland and Europe, the tour's sound requirements have been supplied by Capital Sound, with help from Delta Sound. A DiGiCo SD7 is used to mix the Front of House position, with a second for mixing the support act - the Pet Shop Boys - and anything else that may arise. Two more SD7s are on monitors - one for the five members of Take That, the other for the backing musicians - while a fifth DiGiCo console, an SD9, is mixing monitors for the Pet Shop Boys. All consoles share three DiGiRacks via a fibre optic multicore.

This tour is the first time that Take That's FOH engineer Gary Bradshaw has used the SD7 and he has pronounced himself very pleased with it. "Being laid out in banks of 12 fits really well with this production," he

Singapore - Clockaudio has announced that it is expanding its South-East Asia regional office in Singapore after only a year of operation. At the same time, it has announced the appointment of Jon Han to the newly created position of regional sales manager South-East Asia.

Clockaudio established a regional support office in Singapore, in July last year. Exactly one year later, the company's regional expansion has necessitated a move to much larger premises in the central east district of the city, and an upgrading of the facility to full regional office status.

The accelerating growth rate across the region has also resulted in the appointment of Han as regional sales manager. Creation of this position sees the company bring in-house and expand the activities previously undertaken by Rob Yeo of Rytech Marketing. Han joins Clockaudio from Audio-Technica SEA, where he was busine

Switzerland - The organiser of this year's Gymnaestrada in Lausanne installed a comprehensive audio and communications infrastructure. The system consisted of a RockNet digital audio network and communications infrastructure comprising Artist digital matrix intercom and TETRA digital trunked radio from Riedel Communications.

The 14th Gymnaestrada, which took place between 10-16 July, is one of the largest international amateur sports events with nearly 22,000 participants from 55 countries. For the opening and closing ceremonies as well as during the regular events, the organisers used a large RockNet installation for distributing the audio within the stadium.

A total of three RockNet rings transported 180 audio signals between four different stages and the FOH in the Stade Olympique de la Pontaise arena. The Swiss event specialist Skynight from Geneva was responsible for plan

UK - Liverpool-based Adlib supplied additional touring production and crew for the UK section of Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band's recent tour, with Morpheus & Audio Analysts as the worldwide suppliers.

It was the first time that Adlib has worked with Starr. Account handler Phil Kielty comments, "It was a great honour to be asked to work with one of Liverpool's best known musicians and one of the remaining Beatles, his Liverpool show in particular was amazing."

However, Adlib won the project not because of their geographical location, but because they came highly recommended to Starr's production, and because they could deliver the L-Acoustics PA specified by Starr's FOH engineer John Cooper coupled with excellent service.

L-Acoustics was chosen for its reliability, consistency and sonic character. As they were playing a wide variety of different sized venues, Adl

USA - Many Communities, One Voice is a music, arts and community festival and much more. It seeks to heal, empower and unite Baltimore through the celebration of arts and culture. The free, outdoor festival was held at the Highway to Nowhere,Route 40, at Franklin and N. Gilmor, with five stages of music, art, dancing, food and fun.

On the Roots Festival 2011 the main acts were Talib Kweli, Chuck Brown, Anthony David, and Sunni Patterson.

Atlanta Audio Visual supplied the TT+ system to the main stage. The system comprised RCF TTL55-A's with six pieces per side and with four TTS56-A subwoofers on each side.

"Atlanta Audio Visual's main rig for large outdoor events is the RCF TT+ system and with six TTL55-A and 4 TTL56-A per side at the Roots Festival, the clarity and warmth of the system could be heard throughout the entire festival grounds," says Taylo

Canada - Necessary Angel Theatre Company's production of Racine's Andromache, part of Toronto's prestigious Luminato Festival, was more soundscape design commission than conventional theatrical sound design, and made prominent use of a TiMax2 Soundhub audio delay matrix to fully engage the audience in the emotion of this anti-heroic tale.

The immersive soundscape was central to director Graham McLaren's intense interpretation of the story's highly original treatment by collaborating writer, Evie Christie.

The job of sound design was entrusted to UK-based sound artist John Wynne - whose past works notably include a large installation that became the first work of sound art in the Saatchi collection and won the artist a 2010 British Composer Award for Sonic Art.

Wynne created an energetic soundbed which included a virtually continuous backdrop of atmospheric drones as w

Portugal - Midas has appointed Boomerang as its new distributor for Portugal. The newly-formed company has been set up by Carlos Cunha, formerly a director of Midas' previous distributor Electrosound, with more than 30 years' experience in pro audio.

"Midas and Klark Teknik are brands I have the highest respect for, due to the long experience I have with this company, and the team of excellent professionals and friendly people that work there," says Cunha. "Midas produces the best mixing consoles in the world so I am very proud to be part of this team again. It is a great pleasure to be back with my old friends after a short interval of time."

According to Cunha, Boomerang has been formed with the pressures of today's market conditions in mind. "Today, a company needs to be very efficient and cost effective to be competitive enough to survive," he

China - Loud Technologies has announced the appointment of Clifford Nathan to the newly created position of general manager, China. In this role, Nathan will partner with the Company's EAW, Martin Audio and Music Group (Ampeg, Crate and Mackie) distributors to "set go-to-market strategy and build corresponding marketing plans for each brand". He will also manage Loud's business interests, including the enforcement of all intellectual property, throughout China. Based in Dalian, Nathan will report to Davwinder Sheena, Loud's recently promoted APAC managing director.

"Clifford is a rare breed and a real asset," says Sheena. "He's a former creative director for a Hong-Kong-based advertising agency, a trained architect, revered live sound engineer, seasoned pro-audio industry businessperson, and speaks four Chinese dialects. With this background, he's ideall

Germany - Sommer Cable has introduced Semicolon, a four-wire miniature microphone cable which has a diameter of 5.8 mm.

It has a dual shielding (helical Cu mesh screen + aluminium fleece) and may be cross wired for audio purposes, where it shines with a low wire-to-wire capacitance of a mere 40 pF/m.

Fully assigned it is the ideal AES/EBU or DMX cable due to its wave impedance of 110 ohms, says the company. To make the "perfect studio patch cable", the wires may also be split. Due to its small diameter it fits into so many tiny and miniature connectors like 3.5 mm mini jacks, mini XLR or phono/RCA plugs. The outer sheath consists of a robust, environmentally friendly and halogen-free/flame-retardant PUR jacket.

(Jim Evans)

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