UK - Roland Systems Group will be exhibiting professional audio and video products for mixing, recording and web streaming at PLASA Focus, stand number RA-A9, including the VR-3 AV Mixer, R-1000 48 Track Recorder/Player and the M-480 48 Channel Live Mixing Console - showcasing the recently launched V1.5 firmware update for this popular console.

The V1.5 firmware update for the M-480 increases the number of DCA groups from 8 to 24 giving the engineer a massive jump in controllability in larger or more complex mixes as well as when using the M-480 in 96 channel cascade configurations. The added Scene Fade function allows channel fader levels to be set to fade smoothly when a scene is changed. Fade time is selectable up to 100 seconds and can be set to on or off for each channel and each scene.

Simplifying production and streaming, the VR-3 incorporates a video switcher, audio mi

UK - CIE-Group - European master distributors for US audio brand Atlas Sound - has announced the UK and mainland European launch of Atlas Sound's brand new 'Time Saving Device' (TSD) range.

With a range of 17 new devices, the Atlas Sound TSD range provides "a whole host of AV problem solvers designed to alleviate many of the most common audio system installation problems with simple, low cost and efficient solutions".

The TSD range includes compact mixers, amplifiers, pre-amps and a range of audio signal distribution & control devices.

Atlas Sound's Time Saving Devices are feature-loaded and designed with simplicity of installation and use in mind - saving time, money and hassle, says the company. Each unit is housed in a highly compact, robust metal housing. Common features include removable individual Input/Output connectors for fast, simple wiring, separate grou

Finland - The Svenska Teatern, a Swedish-speaking theatre in Helsinki, has taken delivery of an Optocore system as part of a complete new technical infrastructure. This was designed to coincide with the Finnish premier of Kristina från Duvemåla - the hit musical written by former Abba members Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson - at the end of February.

The Optocore fibre loop will form a digital backbone (with Sane extensions) for signal distribution to the amp racks, TTA Stagetracker localization and Yamaha processing. It also includes MADI converters.

The equipment was supplied by the company's Finnish distributor, msonic, who also assisted the theatre's long-serving technical manager Andreas (Stanley) Lönnquist - and the theatre's consultants (including Santtu Sipilä) - with the design and specification of the highly complex audio networking system, as well as th

UK - Music Group has today announced that the Eurocom family of installed sound products will be distributed in the UK and Ireland by Polar Audio. Eurocom is a range of commercial and installed sound products developed and manufactured by Behringer, a Music Group brand.

The Eurocom product range was developed over a period of two years by Behringer's engineering and product management team "in an effort to bring true innovation to an otherwise neglected product segment".

"We invested heavily in new, green technologies in order to build the most energy-efficient electronics the installed sound industry has ever seen," commented Costa Lakoumentas, the line's chief architect.

Eurocom products span the range from utility integrated amplifiers to digital automixers, DSP powered and Ethernet controlled power amplifiers and nearly 30 different models of loudspea

USA - The Audio Engineering Society (AES) has confirmed that registration is now open for its 47th International Conference on Music-Induced Hearing Disorders, which will take place at Columbia College in downtown Chicago, 20-22 June 2012. The conference presents expert knowledge from audio engineers, academic researchers, medical experts and manufacturers, with a total of 18 papers being presented over two days.

"The conference is a great opportunity for people to learn a wide array of perspectives on hearing health in the music industry," says Michael Santucci, conference chair and president of Sensaphonics Hearing Conservsation, one of the conference sponsors. "We have several presenters coming in from Europe, along with experts from several U.S. universities and manufacturers. This is a great opportunity for AES members to gain critical knowledge on the issue

UK - Pro audio hire company BCS Audio have made their first foray into the world of Soundcraft, with the purchase of a premium Vi6 digital console from Crystal Pro Audio.

Dave Shepherd, who runs the operation from a base in Fareham, has extensive touring experience and has worked with many of the current digital desks - with acts ranging from Plan B, to Thirty Seconds to Mars and Black Eyed Peas.

He had previously found himself hiring in Soundcraft boards to meet an increasing number of rider demands - so he decided it was time to invest in his own.

The opportunity to part exchange secondhand kit in order to facilitate the purchase led him back to Soundcraft dealers Crystal Pro Audio, with whom he has dealt on a number of occasions.

"I like the desk a lot and decided it was a good weapon to have in our armoury," said the BCS man. "It's extremely intuitive -

UK - FBT UK are exhibiting at PLASA Focus 2012 in Leeds and look forward to welcoming visitors to Stand S-A26 where they will be introduced to the latest additions to FBT's loudspeaker ranges. Particular focus will be on MITUS sound reinforcement systems, StageMaxX stage monitors, and the new Shadow series of extreme weather resistant speaker enclosures.

FBT MITUS is a comprehensive and flexible range of powered and passive line arrays for live sound touring and permanent installs. At this year's PLASA focus, FBT is showing its new additions to the existing MITUS range. These include the MITUS 215A (double 15" LF and 2" HF driver/horn), and the MITUS 152A (single 15" with 2" driver/horn) - both of which are available in active and passive formats, and the MITUS 218 SA (double 18" active bass reflex sub).

All MITUS active speakers feature 2-way, bi-ampl

Germany - t&m Systems, based in Ibbenbüren, has released new piano-gloss finish versions of its popular XS4 and XS6 compact, multi-purpose loudspeakers.

The XS4 loudspeaker handles 40W RMS and utilises a 1-inch dome and 4-inch mid/bass driver, coupled via a complex crossover with integrated dynamic protection circuit for driver protection. The slightly larger XS6 offers the same configuration but with a 6-inch mid bass unit, which extends low frequency and increases power handling to 100W RMS. Both systems use NL4 Speakon connectors and are offered as standard with a black or white textured paint finish.

The textured paint models will continue and are now joined by the new piano-gloss finish versions, also available in black or white as standard. The high gloss finish carries a modest premium of 30 EUR on the XS4 and 50 EUR on the XS6. These premiums are MSRP ex VAT.

In add

The Netherlands - Broadcast Facilities Netherland has purchased two sets of factory-matched DPA 4006A omnidirectional microphones from Benelux distributor Amptec. The mics have been purchased for recordings in the 2,200-capacity Grand Hall of de Doelen in Rotterdam, mainly for broadcast sessions of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra.

Broadcast Facilities Netherland's recording engineer Rob Heerschop first used the new mics for Mahler's Fifth Symphony, and was surprised by the clear and transparent sound they brought to this complex orchestral work.

"Broadcast Facilities Nederland and de Doelen own a permanent studio in the main hall, and we needed a small AB and a wide AB for basic recordings," explains Heerschop. "The reason we chose these mics is because they are simply the best for the AB recording technique when it comes to natural sound, transparency and

UK - Organised by Reed Exhibitions UK, the biennial SPE Offshore Europe conference and exhibition is the largest upstream oil and gas event outside North America. With some 1,500 exhibitors it attracts an audience of around 50,000 visitors, including engineers, technical specialists, industry leaders and experts from all over the world. Held at the AECC in Aberdeen, around 25,000 square metres of temporary exhibition space is created in five giant marquees, and a substantial PA system is required for information and safety announcements.

Taylored Sound, the Aberdeen-based pro audio rental and installation specialists, were commissioned to hire and install the PA for the recent exhibition, and they designed a system based around Community R.25 loudspeakers.

"We chose the Community R.25's as their power and 90 x 40 degree dispersion were ideal for the large areas to be cove

UK - James Harden is that latest addition to the ELP production staff. He joins ELP from Panalux where he was a project manager looking after broadcast and events clients.

"This is an excellent addition to our team" comments acting MD Dave Keighley. "James has over 30 years experience in the industry across all the various production sectors ELP work in including TV, music, corporate, sport and fashion shows. "

Harden grew up in South Africa and that's where he first worked in the entertainment industry. "I was a road manager for various bands, lighting designer for everything from Opera to Raves and everything in between. I was also a technical director for various shows including fashion shows, corporate launches and various tours," he says.

He came to the UK to expand his career and worked at Bandit Lites for eight years. He worked through th

USA - Audio-Technica is introducing its new System 8 VHF wireless systems. Featuring stackable, contemporary styling, Audio-Technica's System 8 Wireless Systems are designed for reliable performance, easy setup and clear, natural sound quality at affordable price points.

Available in handheld, headworn, guitar, lavalier and body-pack configurations, these single-channel, fixed-frequency systems are available in three travelling VHF frequencies (169.505, 170.245 and 171.905).

The System 8 units offer reliable performance and durable construction. Features include an advanced dipole antenna system for extended operating range; Power, RF and AF Peak indicators; Volume control, ¼" output jack and user-adjustable squelch; rugged unidirectional dynamic element on handheld microphone/transmitter; variable microphone trim control and multi-colour battery/power indicator (with AA

Germany - Loudspeaker manufacturer Coda Audio reported a successful Prolight+Sound this year, with interest in its products continuing to come from a diverse array of territories. As well as its current range of loudspeaker cabinets, including the CoRAY4 which was demonstrated in the Portable Sound Arena and AIRLINE LA12, demonstrated in the Concert Sound Arena, Coda exhibited the C3, a new amplification product, as well as revealing its ability to now supply a Polyurea coating for all cabinets upon request.

The C3 is a rugged, 19 inch / 2U high performance, two channel power amplifier. It integrates light-weight power supplies with high power class D amplification and features either USB or network controlled 24 bit 96kHz via powerful SHARC-based DSP.

The C3's outputs can be configured as 2 x 1250W at 2 Ohms or 1 x 2500W at 4 Ohms, it has 2 Ohm and 70 / 100V line capability,

UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) has announced the appointment of four new members of staff, as well as a number of role changes within the company, in order to service the needs of its growing customer base.

These changes are part of the AC-ET's philosophy of continuing to reinvest in, and further develop its business, to ensure that customers and suppliers continue to receive the highest levels of service and support, says the company.

James Bawn has taken on the joint role of technical sales manager and Chroma-Q global brand manager.

Having served as AC-ET's Northern technical sales manager for the last five years, Bawn will now provide support for both the Leeds and High Wycombe offices. He will oversee the technical sales department.

As Chroma-Q global brand manager, he will oversee the introduction of new Chroma-Q product launches to the international mar

Canada - Apex has appointed Gerr Audio as its distributor for Canada. Gerr Audio was established nearly 30 years ago in Brockville, Ontario.

"Apex is well-established as a manufacturer of the highest quality signal processors," says Gerr Audio president Bob Snelgrove.

"The Intelli-X2 processors set a new benchmark for quality in the live entertainment industry and now the new Intelli-Z2 series is bringing that quality to the installed audio market. We are very pleased that we can now supply Apex's level of quality to the Canadian market."

(Jim Evans)

USA - It's not often a sound company is asked to specify a full PA system and backline for a US Navy aircraft carrier, let alone to look after it on its cruise from Hawaii to San Diego, but that's exactly what US audio providers Mambo Sound and Broadcast Support were tasked with last month, and they chose dBTechnologies for the job.

Specifying the light but powerful DVA T12 line array was not a difficult decision for Mambo Sound's Steve McNeil. "Our friends at Broadcast Support already have a DVA T4 rig, so we knew it was reliable. It also needed to be light weight to keep the freight costs down," he explains. "We flew the whole sound system to Hawaii, took it to Pearl Harbour and craned it on the USS John C Stennis active aircraft carrier, then craned it off again in San Diego seven days later."

The main PA comprised six dBTechnologies DVA T12 active three

Indonesia - The Phantom of the Opera made its first appearance in Indonesia in February and March after touring the world for the last 10 years and setting the world's weekly box office record.

The Phantom of the Opera is the first international musical production Jakarta has seen in a long time. Produced by the Joyce Agency Of New York City and promoted by Big Daddy Entertainment, the show was staged at the intimate Nusa Indah Theatre Hall and was reinforced by a Turbosound Flex Array sound system supplied by Indonesia's biggest audio rental company, Sumber Ria.

Turbosound's Flex Array met all of the production needs, including sound quality, efficiency and multiple configuration capability, necessary to qualify for the project. The TFA-600H three-way mid-high provides high SPL with moderate amplification, and has a small visual footprint which worked well for t

Russia - Concert and event specialists CitySound has recently invested in a massive Martin Audio sound reinforcement consignment - taking their rental inventory into a new league.

The new order is built around a 36-enclosure MLA system, comprising of 22 MLA top boxes, 12 MLX subs, and two MLD down-fill enclosures. It also includes 22 x Martin Audio W8LC Compact line arrays (and two W8LD down-fills), 10 x W8LM (and two W8LMD down-fills), 20 x WS218X 2 x 18" subs. Controlling the systems will be six new MA18K and 12 MA5.2K amplifiers, along with a pair of DX1.5 dedicate digital system controllers.

CitySound has also upgraded their floor monitors, adding 16 x Martin Audio LE1200, eight LE1500 and eight LE2100 low-profile wedges to their hire fleet.

This represents a massive investment and huge leap of faith in the British manufacturer. The order was supplied through Martin

UK - The 2012 Olivier Awards, representing the best of London theatre over the last 12 months, were presented in a glittering ceremony at London's Royal Opera House this Sunday,15 April.

White Light, which supplied the lighting equipment to the ceremony and many of the nominated shows, as well as sponsoring the Lighting Design Award, would like to congratulate all of this year's winners.

In the lighting category, the award went to Bruno Poet for his work on Frankenstein at the National's Olivier Theatre. A central part of his design was a dramatic wedge-shaped light bulb ceiling made up of 3100 assorted light bulbs driven from just over 1000 dimmers allowing the creation of spectacular waves of light over the heads of the audience. White Light was proud to be involved with creating this effect (with a number of the exposed filament lightbulbs supplied by

Belgium - AED Rent has boosted its L-Acoustics inventory with the purchase of a substantial amount of new components. The company has added 96 KARA modular WST line source cabinets, 66 of the new ARCSII constant curvature WST line source cabinets, 50 SB28 subwoofers and 36 LA-RAK touring racks to their professional AV rental stock.

AED Rent account manager Koen Conaerts cites a number of different reasons for the investment, including this year's large-scale sporting events such as the 2012 Olympics and UEFA Euro 2012 football championship and, in general, to support their AV clients through a busy summer.

"This year is a special one, and there are a lot of L-Acoustics users that need more equipment," says Conaerts. "We can now provide them with that extra equipment. We specifically bought the LA-RAKs as we're updating our stock to the K-Standard; with a huge st

France - Meyer Sound has announced the appointment of 44.1, based in the Paris suburb of Colombes, as the first French dealer for EXP cinema audio systems. 44.1 is one of four recent additions to the Meyer Sound EXP distribution network, which also includes ACS Distributions in Pomona, Calif.; Audio Intervisual Designin West Hollywood; and FTT (Film Ton Technik Hannsdieter Rüttgers GmbH) in Düsseldorf, Germany.

"In the past we have been frustrated by the limited sound quality of traditional cinema loudspeaker systems," comments Paul-Henri Wagner, owner of 44.1. "Now, with EXP, we have a modern speaker system that we really enjoy listening to."

Meyer Sound EXP cinema systems will be available through EXP dealers, including the Acheron screen channel and low-frequency loudspeakers, X-800C cinema subwoofer, HMS-10 surround loudspeaker, and Galileo loudspeake

India - Loud Technologies announced the company's plans to "achieve a well-deserved position for its EAW and Mackie brands in India" at a recent reception in Mumbai.

Key to the Company's aggressive growth plans are two new distribution partners: Bangalore-based E&E Systems India Pvt, who will handle exclusive country-wide distribution for the Mackie brand; and Mumbai-based Vardhaman, who will handle exclusive country-wide EAW distribution. E&E and Vardhaman join Musik City, the exclusive Ampeg distributor, to complete Loud's sales force in the rapidly growing Indian market.

"The Indian market is every bit as dynamic as the country's rich musical culture and requires both innovative products and world-class service," explained Mark Graham, Loud's CEO. "We are honoured to add E&E and Vardhaman to our Indian market team and know they will invest significa

UK - Liverpool- based sound, lighting and AV rental specialist Adlib celebrated the start of 2012 by fully inaugurating and moving in to its new warehouse in Speke, following another strong trading year and steady growth. This has more than doubled their existing space to over 50,000sq.ft.

The last 12 months has seen some serious construction and renovation work take place at the premises totalling an investment of over £1m including the property purchase.

The buildings and the existing one next door have been combined and optimised for Adlib's busy operation, with more room for all divisions of the company.

In addition to this, a further £1.2m was invested in new equipment last year to ensure that the current rental stock in all departments offers the latest, best and most popular technologies to Adlib's clients and projects.

Integral to the new warehouse is a

UK - The new TXS-2402SET two channel PLL microphone system from IMG Stage Line offers "an excellent route into the digital market with its two channel system" Running on 2.4GHz the digital microphones offer a high resistance to interference due to the digital transmission.

With volume control for each channel, 6.3mm output for mixed signal and 16 selectable frequencies the TXS-2402SET offers the capability to use two system simultaneously, allowing up to four microphones to be used.

Neil Clayton, managing director of Monacor UK commented, "It is great to be able to offer our customers a route into the digital microphone market at an affordable price point. The TXS-2402SET offers an excellent sound quality that you simply can only get from a digital unit."

(Jim Evans)

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