Denmark - Guitarist and producer Peter Brander has left his unmistakable fingerprints on dozens of the most well-known Danish rock classics.

It all started 34 years ago with the Rock Tape studio - a humble facility that quickly became the studio to be at if you wanted the right rock sound. The studio was pure analogue but the studio produced albums with such a clear sound that everyone actually believed that it was digital recordings.

"I have always been very keen in my choice of recording gear and have learnt to get the most out of it. With Rock Tape it was all based on old equipment and a good spirit to tweak it and get the noise away - so it sounded more modern", says Peter Brander.

To step out of the rock image the studio changed its name to Medias Sound Studios and began to upgrade the studio with additional mixing rooms and added a lot of new equipment and di

The Netherlands - Bosch Security Systems will use the platform of the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) exhibition, to showcase its latest products to industry professionals.

As a highlight of the 2012 exhibition, the company will present OMNEO, its new media networking architecture. OMNEO has two components: a media programme transport protocol suite that offers low-latency, high-quality multi-channel media stream exchange and a robust control protocol suite that provides reliable and secure system control for pro media networks of all sizes, from small to intercontinental.

Other highlights include demonstrations of Bosch's voice alarm systems; the Plena Voice Alarm System and the fully digital Praesideo Public Address and Emergency Sound System, which have recently been granted EN 54 certification. Additionally, the integrated ProAudio Public Address and Voice Evacuation Syste

Germany - d&b audiotechnik has announced several new updates for their ArrayCalc simulation software, R1 Remote control software and the R10 Service software as well as a firmware update for the E-PAC amplifier.

The new d&b ArrayCalcV6.7 software available in March 2012 will contain the d&b R1 Remote control software's export function. This function removes the original copy and pasting process of the amplifier settings from the simulation software ArrayCalc to the R1 Remote control software.

It automatically generates a workspace in an R1 project file as well as exporting the amplifier settings to an R1 control settings file. This workflow sequence replaces the manual process entirely. From virtual optimization in the ArrayCalc simulation software to the rapid verification of the simulated settings and the fine adjustment in real life on site, using this d&b software offers a

The Netherlands - Crestron is extending its training programmes and will be launching its first ever consultants' summit at ISE 2012. Catering for the specific needs of the CI consultant, Crestron has tailored the content of this session to reflect the roll consultants play in specifying a control system.

The summit will be held on 31 January form 13.30 - 15.00 in room G109 at the RAI and Crestron will be providing lunch to all attending delegates. The session will cover the latest product offerings from Crestron and how each can contribute to complete integrated solutions for all projects of any size, residential and commercial.

Leading the session will be Fred Bargetzi, VP of technical sales, and Stijn Ooms, director of technology, Europe.

"We are forever taking on board the feedback from the integrators, end users and consultants and following ISE 2011 we recognised

UAE - Each year on 1 December, the United Arab Emirates celebrate their independence. The celebrations were especially lavish in 2011, as 2 December marked the formal 40th anniversary of the coming together of the seven emirates to form the UAE. A comprehensive programme of cultural and sporting events kicked off on 1 December to make this a true jubilee event.

The organisers entrusted responsibility for providing the sound reinforcement at two of the most important functions to Sound On Stage Events. The Dubai-based company was responsible for prestige stage productions in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, where well-known Arab artists performed with ensembles of up to 45 musicians.

The event in the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Centre in the nation's capital drew over 10,000 visitors. The main PA comprised 12 Electro-Voice X-Line line array elements and six Xsubs, whilst 14 XLD281 compact line a

UK - Following 26 action-packed years with stage set fabricators Brilliant Stages, John Gittins has branched out as a consultant offering his design and project management skills on a freelance basis.

Gittins, a qualified engineer and CAD designer, spent his time at Brilliant Stages project managing and designing specialised sets for large-scale tours, cruise ships and events. Originally coming on board to look after the woodwork side, with Tony Bowern on metalwork and Charlie Kail on welding, Gittins experienced every aspect of the industry and, as operations manager, spent the last 10 years running the company with general manager, Tony Bowern.

"It's been a brilliant journey and I have had the opportunity to work on some of the greatest, largest and most technically challenging projects of the last quarter of a century," says Gittins. "I'm now looking forward

Germany - Bosch Security Systems has announced that it now supports the new EASE EVAC speaker simulation software, a high-end package developed by Berlin-based AFMG (Ahnert Feistel Media Group), well-known for the acoustical simulation package EASE. This move spells good news for voice evacuation system designers since it will in future ensure even faster verification and optimization of systems based on Bosch EVAC loudspeakers, says the company.

EASE EVAC enables all acoustics-related quality parameters to be analysed, including the most popular: STI (Speech Transmission Index). This can be done for all Bosch ceiling- and wall-mounted speakers, without any limitations. Simulating a 3D room with different types of speakers is also no longer a time- consuming task and can instead be achieved in just a few mouse clicks.

(Jim Evans)

USA - Flightcase and loudspeaker solutions specialist Penn-Elcom has joined forces with California based Janal Cases - one of their long time valued customers - in a new year long initiative to help raise awareness of breast cancer to celebrate the 25th year of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM).

BCAM is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to all those affected by breast cancer.

Penn Elcom is donating pink grip handles to the initiative, which are being offered - fitted free of charge - on cases ordered by Janal's customers for a donation of any size, starting at $25.00.

Muffie Alejandro from Janal Cases approached Penn-Elcom to be a partn

UK / Australia - Crosspoint Solutions has purchased a Yamaha M7CL-32 digital mixing console, which is currently serving audio aces at the Australian Open tennis championship.

The Hampshire-based company specialises in the provision of temporary production and broadcast facilities for the television industry. A key service is the supply of master control rooms, where multiple signals need to be distributed.

"Our success in this field, and having relationships with many location broadcasters, led to enquires for more specific services," says Crosspoint head Geoff Mann. "In response to this demand, we developed a small 'flyaway' style presentation studio that we take to different events around the world."

The studio normally uses four cameras and a compact, high quality mixing console was needed for the associated audio requirements, including mixed returns

UK - December saw the chance for over 100 up-and-coming bands to reach a potentially huge audience as London's O2 ran its December Sessions music programme, giving music fans the opportunity to enjoy 20 nights of live music at no cost. With Sennheiser equipment featuring on every show, one special performance saw the company unusually embracing the sound of silence.

The December Sessions took place on a specially-constructed stage in the O2's London Piazza and were supported by Sennheiser UK, which also sponsors the nearby British Music Experience. For every performance, the company provided ew 300 G3 GB in-ear monitors and e 604, e 614, e 901, e 902 and e 935 wired mics.

In the first of a series of events organised by innovative live events company Silentgig, for one very special performance, the company supplied SKM 5200 wireless mics with KK 105 heads, KMS 105

Martinique - Formule Teck, one of Martinique's biggest rental companies and a long-standing APG customer, has recently taken delivery of 14 DX15 monitor speakers from APG to add to his already considerable APG inventory. The first outing for the new equipment was the prestigious and now traditional event organized each year by the Tourist Office of the Martiniquan capital Fort de France called Les Boucans de la Baie on 30December. Formule Teck handled all the audio requirements for the concert in the evening which included a full APG PA and monitor system.

Les Boucans de la Baie is a celebration that involves the whole town and culminates in a spectacular fireworks display over the bay and a concert held at La Savane, a beautiful 12-acre park that borders Fort St-Louis overlooking the bay. The concert was given by Mahogany, a well-known Martiniquan orchestra of 18

Denmark - The Broendby Hallen Arena is just minutes away from the Danish capital Copenhagen, and is home to the capital's own handball team, AG Kobenhavn. This sports arena, with seating for around 5,000, recently overhauled their sound system, installing a number of products from D.A.S. Audio's vast catalogue of professional sound systems.

Danish firm ProShop Europe was contracted to install the sound system. Project manager Thomas Duch was assisted by D.A.S. Audio sound projects engineer Eva Argandoña in pre-configuration tasks and the final adjustment and setup of the system. Given the characteristics of the arena, with its uneven stands and other architectural challenges, the studies and simulations carried out by Argandoña led ProShop Europe to install D.A.S.'s Aero, Variant, and BiDriver series, according to the needs of the different parts of the arena.

Specifically,

The Netherlands - Analog Way will announce the release of its new website during ISE 2012. The site offers improved design and new, useful content for customers. In addition, Analog Way will launch mobile versions of the website for optimized access to product information from smartphones.

Completely re-designed, the new website offers improved organisation to help users quickly find useful information. Users can easily browse Analog Way's wide range of mixers & seamless switchers, event controllers, scan converters, multi-format converters, scalers and Interfaces.

The Products section has been improved with new comparison charts, application notes, as well as demo and training videos. Pages dedicated to Technical Support offer optimised presentation of firmware and remote control software. White papers on different topics are also available online to answer customers' recurri

UK - Solid State Logic has announced that Bella McAvoy has joined the company as marketing communications manager. McAvoy brings a multitude of experience to the table from her varied work in communications, as a broadcast journalist and as composer and songwriter.

"We are delighted to welcome Bella to the SSL team," says Dan Duffell, marketing director for SSL. "She will be working closely with me to further our traditional and digital media relations, develop our marketing programme and boost our social media presence. Bella is an accomplished composer with a strong track record in music production. She also brings a wealth of strategic communications experience with her, which will help us drive forward our vision for SSL. The creation of this new senior role within our marketing team is a sign of the company's continued expansion and is driven by the success t

UK - The Roland M-480 Live Mixing Console has been in constant use in recent theatre productions across Glasgow and Edinburgh with Glasgow based hire company Sono Vie.

For the production of Beauty and the Beast at the Kings Theatre in Glasgow, the RCS was primarily used by the radio mic technician to check the functionality of the numerous radio mics in use at one time by the cast. When connected online, the M-480 RCS can be configured so that the remote screen (PC/Apple Mac) can view and control separate content than that which is live on the screen of the console itself. In this case, the M-480 itself was used to mix the show FOH (utilising all 48 channels), but at the same time, by working with a separate screen, keyboard and mouse, the radio technician could check all the radio receivers and view all the meters.

As well as making things simple in the rehearsal, the

UK - Peavey recently deployed two separate audio systems into Passmores Academy, a new 2000-student secondary school in Harlow, which was featured on Channel 4's seven-part reality TV show, Educating Essex.

Passmores recently achieved Academy status and was rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted; last year, 67% of its students achieved the equivalent of five or more GCSEs at grades A-star to C.

Harlow-based company, Gig Gear, first provided the school with a mobile Peavey audio solution, and then carried out the more heavyweight Peavey installation in the facility's main hall.

"They wanted to be able to transport one of the systems, and despite the fact that it's mobile, we still managed to deliver a high-powered solution," explains Virgil Lund, UK sales development at Peavey. "We decided on QW2Fs for the tops, which have a two-inch compression driver, and then

UK / France - TC Group International (TCGI) has announced the appointment of DV2 as exclusive Tannoy distributor in France.

This appointment consolidates TCGI's relationship with the French distribution company, who have enjoyed a long-standing successful relationship with Lab.gruppen and Lake in France (both of which are also part of the TC Group of companies). The new business agreement to distribute Tannoy commences with immediate effect, and DV2 will be taking the opportunity to represent the renowned UK loudspeaker brand formally for the first time at the SIEL show in Paris on 29-30 January.

Carsten Ishoy, TC Group's VP international sales for installed sound products, said, "After building up a very successful relationship with DV2 over a number of years through the Lab.gruppen and Lake brands, we are delighted that we can now extend that to our loudspeaker business

Qatar - The 12th quadrennial Pan Arab Games took place in Doha, Qatar recently - the first time that the country had hosted the multi-sport event.

Khalifa International Stadium was the main venue for the competition - as well as the Opening & Closing Ceremonies, which were attended by around 40,000 people.

Norwest Productions again worked alongside event sound designer Scott Willsallen, fielding a specialist crew including Ian Shapcott, Steve Caldwell, Trevor Beck and Justin Arthur. Another familiar presence at the stadium was the giant Optocore fibre ring.

According to Norwest Project Manager, Andrew Marsh, "The designs for these Opening & Closing Ceremonies almost always use Optocore for the signal distribution. We have a great investment in the Optocore brand and we hold many of the devices in our rental inventory. Optocore is a very unique product that has placed it

USA - A basketball arena at the University of Wisconsin has been decked with 20 dBTechnologies Arena 15 loudspeakers, which managed to overcome the foibles of a room with a broad range of applications. Beside sporting events, Quandt Fieldhouse in Stevens Point is also the venue for 'commencement' ceremonies and hosts a multitude of concerts and assemblies, asking a lot of the sound system - and the design/build team.

Brian Baumann and Kent Laabs of Soundworks Systems Inc. handled the design and installation. They explain, "The audio system needed to be capable of high SPL's for UWSP Pointer basketball games and other athletic events. It needed to be capable of clear music reproduction whilst maintaining high speech intelligibility for both low and high SPL events. On top of all that, budget was a factor.

"The room itself presented acoustic challenges which included i

Theatre Figures - The West End enjoyed record box office sales in 2011 for an eighth consecutive year, according to figures released by the Society of London Theatre (SOLT). Takings topped £528.3m in 2011 - up 3.1% on a like-for-like basis on the previous year. Due to the closure of a number of theatres while new shows were set up, the overall attendance was 13.9m - down 1.73% on 2010. According to SOLT, though, the average audience at each performance was up. The Society said the growth in sales could be attributed to sell-out productions such as Matilda the Musical and the continued success of Les Miserables, now in its 26th year.

"We are extremely proud that our theatres have yet again gone on to achieve another record-breaking year of sales," said SOLT president Mark Rubinstein. "Despite the prevailing rigours of the economic climate, theat

USA - Clear-Com has launched the Clear-Com Global Rental Group (CGRG). Through a network of experienced rental partners equipped to provide Clear-Com intercom systems for productions of any size, the new service, led by industry veteran Larry Estrin, offers "greater flexibility and options for addressing customers' communications requirements".

The CGRG comprises "a hand-selected team of trained and experienced rental businesses worldwide". These partners support short-term and rapid installation needs with a full range of advanced wired and wireless production intercoms and technical support. As director of CGRG, Estrin (who has extensive experience with events such as the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, Grammys and Academy Awards) provides rental partners with greater knowledge, skills and resources to supply the highest level of production communications, says

USA - Systems integration firm Axxentos of Fort Lauderdale, Florida turned to Technomad upon evaluating the outdoor audio needs of Club Med Sandpiper in nearby Port St. Lucie. The new outdoor audio systems, featuring 14 Technomad weatherproof loudspeakers, comprise part of a property-wide renovation alongside indoor AV upgrades and general construction projects.

Club Med Sandpiper's 400-square-mile resort property exists in southern Florida's sweltering climate, requiring durable outdoor audio systems that can withstand the year-round heat, humidity and moisture. The resort also required high-quality loudspeakers that could power full-range, high-volume audio over long distances, and reproduce soothing background music at clearly audible levels.

"I've learned what gear can survive in harsh environments over the years, and from all the outdoor installations I have done, on

Switzerland - A system comprised of MediorNet, Artist and RockNet equipment from Riedel Communications was used to distribute video, audio and communication signals for the renowned alpine skiing competition at the Swiss Chuenisbärgli in Adelboden.

Rivella AG was the on-site technical partner for the event. Riedel delivered a versatile installation that helped make the Ski World Cup in Adelboden a successful weekend with over 40,000 visitors - despite the bad weather conditions.

The World Cup race in the Bernese Oberland, a major event in the FIS skiing tour, is one of the most difficult giant slalom courses in the world. The demands of the event in Adelboden included establishing a reliable communications infrastructure as well providing a fail-safe distribution of the event's video and audio signals.

For the first time, Rivella used a MediorNet system to distribute

UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) 's specialist Audio division has been selected as one of the primary UK sub-distributors for RCF.

As part of the agreement, A.C. Audio will become a 'one stop shop' for all RCF equipment including the TT High Definition Touring and Theatre Professional Speaker System and Commercial/Public Address ranges.

The sales division has taken immediate stock of some of RCF's most popular ranges, including the TT Line Array, Point Source, NX series and ART series.

A.C. Audio sales manager, Peter Butler comments, "We are delighted to officially represent RCF, whose products have a strong reputation and presence throughout the production industry. We are very enthusiastic about bringing RCF products to our diverse customer base and developing the brand."

(Jim Evans)

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