Australia - High End Systems has announced the appointment of newly created Lexair Entertainment as its Australian distribution partner.

Lexair Entertainment founder Alex Mair says, "High End Systems is one of the true innovators in our industry, delivering high quality products that deserve the best support services available. Lexair Entertainment will provide Australian based sales, support, service and training for High End Systems' full range of Wholehog lighting consoles, automated and digital lighting products."

"We are excited to have Lexair Entertainment as a partner," said Betsy Childers, customer service manager of High End Systems. "Alex's long relationship with High End Systems goes back many years and his company will provide customers with great sales and service locally in Australia. This partnership strengthens our commitment to custome

The Netherlands - Clear-Com has announced the appointment of AudioPro as its new distributor in the Netherlands. AudioPro will offer the full range of HME professional intercom products as well as a majority of Clear-Com's offerings, focusing on solutions designed for the theatre, live entertainment, studio and broadcast markets.

Clear-Com's partnership with AudioPro signals a continued commitment toward growth in the region, coupled with a dedication to enhancing the customer experience. To ensure greater product availability for customers in the Netherlands, AudioPro will carry a local stock of Clear-Com and HME products, making it easier for users to purchase intercom systems for a live event or broadcast on short notice. AudioPro will also provide trained technical staff to assist in after-sales support and services.

"We here at AudioPro are very excited to be working

USA - Danny McDonald, owner and co-owner of numerous bars, pubs and restaurants in Lower Manhattan, has opened a new establishment, The Growler Bites and Brews, that features a sound system comprising Genelec 8030A Bi-Amplified Monitors. McDonald has relied on the Genelec brand since installing his first system in 2000, and he is currently planning another large installation of the monitor speakers at New York's historic Pier A.

The Growler Bites and Brews bar and restaurant is located in the Financial District on Stone Street, which is often referred to as Lower Manhattan's restaurant row and is the location of several of McDonald's other establishments. The new eatery is named after the traditional half-gallon jugs used to transport beer and sports a decidedly doggy theme, even offering a corral for its four-legged patrons while their owners chow down on organic hotdogs, micro

Singapore - Now in its fourth year, Singapore's International a cappella festival has established itself as a month-long vocal extravaganza featuring top groups from many countries and in various styles.

This year's line-up was again highlighted by some of the best European a cappella groups: The Real Group from Sweden with its world-acclaimed and multiple-award-winning music; comedy-flavoured Muttis Kinder and Suade; alongside Vocado with jazz-infused a cappella and the Asian a cappella acts, highlighted by the Gay Singers from Hong Kong; and performances from Green Onion from Taiwan, and FlexiTones from Malaysia.

Turbosound's Singaporean distributor Consolidated Audio Networks supported this year's festival, which was held from 1 - 30 October 2011, with the leading youth groups and the country's favourite a cappella groups presenting their music alongside the international g

Germany - The city of Mannheim, birthplace of the automobile, celebrated the 125th anniversary of Carl Benz's gas-powered buggy this fall with autosymphonic, a multimedia spectacular featuring an original composition for orchestra, chorus, and various synchronised car sounds as played live on 80 carefully auditioned vehicles.

To immerse an audience of 17,000 in this extraordinary sonic mix, POOLgroup of Emsdetten, Germany deployed a massive surround system comprising 296 Meyer Sound self-powered loudspeakers, all networked and controlled using Meyer Sound's D-Mitri digital audio platform.

The event was presented in Mannheim's expansive outdoor Friedrichsplatz, where the staging layout posed an extraordinary challenge to sound designer Stephan Diebel of Stockstadt/Rhein-based projekt|werk. The audience was seated in a semi-circle around a central fountain, with the music

Poland - Tommex ?ebrowscy Sp. J. has recently designed, supplied and installed new audio systems for the Kot?ownia, the conference and exhibition hall of The Tadeusz Ko?ciuszko Cracow University of Technology (Politechnika Krakowska).

Incorporating a large conference room and an art gallery with two exhibition rooms, the Kot?ownia, translation "boiler house", takes its name from its former use after World War II. The current appearance of this historical building is the result of a modernization programme which was carried out in the period from 1997 to 2001.

For the conference room, which seats 220, high intelligibility and precise pattern control to cover the delegate area were the essential parameters. To meet these requirements Tommex installed two Community ENTASYS three-way, full-range, column-line-array loudspeaker systems. These are supplemented by a low-prof

USA - Meyer Sound has announced the appointment of Miles Rogers to the position of EXP applications development manager. Based in Berkeley, Calif. headquarters, Rogers is taking on a broad range of responsibilities for Meyer Sound's rapidly expanding EXP cinema technologies division.

"Miles comes to us with not only a solid knowledge of all post-production technologies but also strong personal relationships with key people in the industry," states Steve Shurtz, Meyer Sound's technology director, EXP. "His experience and talents are a welcome addition to our growing EXP team."

In his new, multi-faceted position, Rogers's responsibilities include working directly with customers in application development, as well as coordinating with the company's design services department on specific projects. Rogers will contribute to new EXP product development, and super

USA - The Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District in suburban Houston is home to the Berry Centre, a multi-venue facility that includes a theatre, football stadium, arena, and conference centre. To accommodate the endless events it hosts, Berry Centre technical systems manager Brent Buchanan recently asked the school district to invest in the Allen & Heath iLive mixing system, acquiring two T-112 mixing surfaces, one R-72 rackmount mixer, and a total of five iDR Series MixRacks, including three iDR-32s and two iDR-48s.

"We were looking for a premium product with the versatility to handle a wide variety of uses," Buchanan states. "Ease of use, portability, reliability, great sound - all these things were of critical importance when we chose our digital mixing platform. I did a lot of research, and Allen & Heath was really miles ahead of everything else on the

Norway - Distributor Scandec Systemer has supplied and installed an L-Acoustics Kara WST line source system in the Norwegian National Theatre in Oslo.

The new system consists of seven Kara cabinets flown with two SB18 subs per side, with a centre array of 10 Kiva speakers. The system is driven by LA4 and LA8 amplified controllers.

"We chose the new Kara system because we needed to improve the coverage and power output of our main PA, due to the more demanding shows we are putting on," says the National Theatre's house technician, Kai Priddy. "We chose L-Acoustics equipment for our main stage back in 2008, and have been very happy with the performance and audio quality so far. Never change a winning formula."

(Jim Evans)

UK - One of the first bands to come to major prominence via fan file sharing and internet 'buzz', the Arctic Monkeys have spent much of 2011 on tour promoting their fourth studio album Suck It and See. Accompanying the band, as usual, has been a package of Sennheiser microphones and in-ear monitors.

The band's front of house engineer Matthew Kettle is a long-term Sennheiser user. Working with the Arctic Monkeys since 2009, he has been happy to continue the relationship.

"I've been using Sennheiser microphones for as long as I can remember," he says. "The band were already using the evolution series vocal mics when I started. I had been using them with numerous other bands, with great results, and so there was no question of us changing."

Currently lead singer Alex Turner uses an e 935 with cardioid pattern, while the backing vocals of bass player N

Italy - In order to create maximum impact among the many trucks thundering along the Italian autostrade, the new All Access sound production consortium has created high-impact custom livery for one of its semis, specifically to promote its new MLA (Multi-cellular Loudspeaker Array) rig and the Martin Audio brand.

In addition to adding value to the array system, it will enable them to sub-rent the rig in conjunction with its own dedicated truck.

The idea was floated by one of the partners, Electra Service owner Roberto Buttarelli, and soon All Access were modifying an existing 16m semi (with 13.7m net space and a load capacity of 380 tonnes), which is purpose-designed to hold at least a 112-enclosure system (comprising MLA tops and MLX subs).

All Access received full support from Martin Audio's Italian distributor, Audiosales, who funded the truck's customisation, sensing tha

UK - Wigwam Hire has enhanced its Optocore-based 'OptoRack' data returns system in preparation for the upcoming Coldplay European Mylo Xyloto arena tour, and next summer's stadium dates.

Wigwam, who also handled the band's 2009 Viva La Vida tour, has purchased an additional five Optocore DD32R-FX digital interfaces - one for each of the five amp racks being deployed, which will all be connected by fibre.

Said Wigwam hire director, Chris Hill, "We will be running over 100 d&b D12 amplifiers in racks from five separate positions - some in the venue roofs and some on the ground - and programming in the delays etc. All will be connected to our Optocore returns system."

This will provide the band's FOH engineer Dan Green and systems engineer Tony Smith with a more elegant and stable solution. "The new DD32R-FX units offer a major advantage to running

UK - 2011 marked the debut of Sir Trevor Nunn as artistic director of London's Theatre Royal, Haymarket, with four very different productions. Sound design for all four was by Paul Groothuis, who used Yamaha digital consoles and DME series digital mixing engines to help ensure the season's success.

The four plays were, in order of production, Terrence Rattigan's Flare Path, Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead, The Tempest and finally The Lion in Winter by James Goldman.

Designing an audio system that could comfortably accommodate a Second World War love triangle, an absurdist comedy, Shakespeare and a 12th century Christmas drama was a challenge, especially as the requirement for radio mics ranged from zero to 24.

"Based on my time working at the National Theatre, I designed an average 'rep-like' system for music, effects and

Australia - Parramatta Leagues Club has refurbished their Level 2 dining and lounge areas, creating the stylish Parra Firehouse bar and restaurant. Parra Firehouse offers authentic pizzas, tempting tapas and fresh pasta dishes.

The open-plan kitchen creates an inviting buzz for indoor dining while the large terrace with booth and banquet seating makes for an enjoyable alfresco dining experience overlooking Parramatta Stadium and Parramatta Park.

The design talents of Paul Kelly of Paul Kelly Design were employed to create many spaces with several connections making it feel as one. This required a formula for "consistency" of sound quality, yet individual area control.

With five different areas, most having a connection with an adjoining space, it was important to think of the flow of sound.

The JBL-Control25AV was selected for its ability to produce good low leve

UK - Following the success of Hed Kandi's inaugural bar in Clapham earlier this year, installation company MSL has again chosen Martin Audio as its preferred loudspeaker brand at the new Hed Kandi Bar flagship bar in Brighton, which opened recently.

Situated on West Street in the City centre, the former Luminar-owned Tru Nightclub has been completely overhauled and redesigned (by Julian Taylor Associates), with MSL entrusted with the full audio visual installation - including a high-impact Martin Audio system, networked across two floors.

Part of the Ministry of Sound Group of companies, Hed Kandi has become a globally recognised brand with club events all over the world and a huge music catalogue over many dance music genres. It was the Ministry's then technical manager Alex Barrand who recommended MSL and Martin Audio on the strength of its performance at the premier London

China - Carlsbro and Studiomaster shared the honour of hosting guest artists Texas Radio at this year's Music China exhibition. The two companies flew the east London blues rockers to Shanghai to provide some authentic musical product demonstration and live performance sets to entertain visitors at the show.

The band played live sets on the Studiomaster / Carlsbro stand and on the Studiomaster sponsored outdoor performance stage with full Carlsbro backline, and a sound reinforcement system comprising a Studiomaster line array and MCX24 mixing console.

The band are purveyors of an authentic bottle-neck blues rock sound that belies their youth and east London origins; fused somewhere between Muddy Waters and Doctor Feelgood. PA on the stand was provided with Studiomaster JX15 active cabinets and a Studiomaster C4TX compact mixing console.

Following an exhausting performance sc

UK - York Barbican has transformed its sound system with the installation of an HK Audio Cohedra Compact line array system.

Managed and operated by SMG Europe, the Barbican recently reopened after a major £2m investment, and for their new in-house sound system, they went straight to local firm JSS Audio. The Barbican's technical team approached JSS's Jem Walker with their wish-list, knowing that with JSS's track record of consistently delivering top notch sound there for a wide roster of events, they could rely on Walker to recommend what he considered to be the best solution.

JSS immediately turned to their Lab.gruppen-powered HK Audio Cohedra Compact line array system when asked to demo their proposed solution.

With extensive experience of using their 'CoCo' in all types of venues and across most musical genres, JSS knew it would be suitable for the diverse programme

Festival Winners - Glastonbury was named the UK's best major festival at this year's UK Festival Awards held at London's Roundhouse. The Somerset event was headlined this year by U2, Coldplay and Beyonce but is taking a break in 2012. Bestival, which won the best major festival prize last year, was named the 2011 fans' favourite.

Sonisphere, staged at Knebworth House, landed the best line-up prize following appearances from Biffy Clyro, Slipknot and Metallica. Paolo Nutini took the headline performance of the year for his performance at Latitude. The Secret Garden Party in Cambridgeshire took the best medium-sized festival prize, while Dorset's End Of The Road was named best small festival.

The Boss is Back - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are to tour in 2012, it has been announced. The singer said on his website that European dates would run from May to July,

UAENicolas Kyvernitis Electronics Enterprises, distributors of ClearCom in the United Arab Emirates for the live sound market sector, is now the official service partner for all market segments across the Middle East. After investments made in service training in Germany, service equipment and spare parts, NMK are in a position to support all ClearCom products in the region.

"Over the past few months we have sold a number of Tempest systems including wired systems to rental companies such as Sharp Eye Production, Mediakraft and the Dubai World Trade Centre of sizeable quantities," commented Amrith Verghese, ClearCom product specialist at NMK.

Chicco Hiranandani, business development manager at NMK added, "we wanted to make sure that we can support these customers so the management made the decision to invest in ClearCom's programme to become a certified service

UK - PLASA is hosting an informal get together on Thursday 8 December for all manufacturing members. The aim is to have an open discussion on the key areas of exporting and product copying/IP and to create an opportunity for manufacturers to share ideas and experiences.

James Gordon of DiGiCo will chair the meeting and introduce a number of members who will outline their own experiences, before things move to an open discussion to see how members can share information and how PLASA can provide practical support.

The meeting, which is free to attend, will take place in the Roberts Building at University College London from 4pm-7pm, followed, by Christmas drinks at a nearby pub.

If you'd like to attend or want further information, please e-mail feedback@plasa.org

(Claire Beeson)

Belgium - The early 18th century Brussels Opera House - known formally as Le Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie (Koninklijke Muntschouwburg) and colloquially as de Munt - has undergone a complete technical upgrade, centred on an Optocore optical network solution.

For the past seven years the Belgian landmark, which accommodates an audience of 1,700, and hosts plays, operas, concerts, recitals and orchestras, has enjoyed a relationship with audio specialists Amptec, and it was to the house technicians that the Optocore platform was proposed as an essential component in the renewal of their audio visual infrastructure. However, first the company had to bid successfully for the three-part contract.

As a result, 10 months after Amptec arrived on site, the former master control room has been upgraded and repurposed with the installation of a multi-track recording and post producti

UK - Earlier this year, the Brit Floyd Experience embarked on what must be one of the longest-running tours in a while, with Mansfield-based ESS providing a Turbosound rig of Aspect and Flex Array loudspeakers.

UK dates so far have included London's Royal Albert Hall and O2 Arena, three shows at the Liverpool Echo Arena, plus the festival shows at Glastonbury and the Isle of Wight. The 70-date 2011 Brit Floyd tour rolls across Europe this autumn and on into the UK and Ireland next spring.

The sound system fielded by ESS for the majority of venues is based on a 48-box Aspect rig, supplemented on occasions with Flex Array sub-rented in from colleague Turbosound stockist companies.

"Normally we're flying 24 Aspect TA-890H three-way mid/highs on three-wide bars with 19 TA-890L double 15" cabinets, and eight TSW-218 double 18" subs on the floor," says ESS's Ph

South Korea - Audinate has announced that Inter-M, South Korea's largest PA and installed sound manufacturer, has agreed to collaborate to produce a line of products that will feature Dante, Audinate's patented media networking technology.

"Inter-M is a great brand in Korea and is expanding rapidly around the world." said Lee Ellison CEO for Audinate. "Inter-M has an aggressive plan to connect their wide variety of products into an integrated system using Dante."

"We believe having Dante in our systems gives us a definite competitive advantage" stated Wonho Lee, director of R&D at Inter-M. "We selected Dante because it provides us with an audio over IP solution today, and Audinate is the only company that can offer a viable transition path to AVB for the future."

Inter-M plans using Dante end-to-end throughout their systems, from Dante

USA - Joe Bonamassa is currently on tour with his trusty Electro-Voice equipment, promoting his latest long-player Dust Bowl.

The hard-touring guitarist has loaded all his cabinets with EVM12L speakers for years, and their full-bandwidth performance has become an essential element of his carefully crafted tone. Bonamassa and long-time tour manager/FOH engineer Warren Cracknell loaded three fresh 4 x 12 cabinets with more EVM12Ls for the latest tour, all set to do duty onstage alongside some newer additions to their EV inventory: multiple RE320 microphones.

"We loved the RE320s the first time we heard them," says Cracknell. "In fact we put them to work immediately, replacing the mics we had been using on Joe's cabinets. Just like the EVM12Ls in the guitar cabs, they have a warm, full, transparent character that captures the richness of Joe's sound perfectl

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