UK - There are lots of things you can't rely on during an English summer in London: the weather, the traffic, the Underground and the price of a decent pint. But for those of us lucky enough to enter The Old Truman Brewery in London's East End, it was a simple matter to find consistency, reliability and a welcome thirst-quenching concoction to wet the whistle. The team at d&b audiotechnik's stand were on hand to offer a hospitable welcome to all.

This year's stand was something of a fresh departure from the mono-block colouring so characteristic of d&b audiotechnik. Gothic vaulted arches sketched in pastel provided an ideal backdrop to the new column loudspeakers, the xC-Series. Aesthetically pleasing yet designed to be unobtrusive in the most demanding of acoustic spaces, the xC-Series attracted the attention of visitors looking for a cabinet that could deliver unsurpassed spee

UK - Eclipse Presentations - the east London based technical solutions provider known for innovation and flair - collaborated with the marketing team at Central Hall Westminster (CHW) led by Maria Schuett to provide all the required technical production and infrastructure to facilitate their very successful recent one day 'Meet The Future' event.

Central Hall is one of the high profile central London event spaces at which Eclipse provides managed and technical services and Meet The Future, attended by over 300 delegates, was designed to showcase and raise awareness of a number of state-of-the-art technologies that could potentially shape the future design and production of all types of events.

Meet The Future was co-ordinated for Eclipse by key account manager Matt Green who looks after Central Hall and MD Robin Purslow.

Says Green, "We were keen to support 'Meet The Fu

The Netherlands - Dutch PA company, Ampco - Flashlight, has updated its rental stock by adding 24 ME-1 Personal monitor mixers and 2 ME-U hubs with a MADI option card, as well as 4 Qu-16 rackmount digital mixers, all from Allen & Heath.

ME was selected following an evaluation process comparing it with several different monitor systems. For its debut event, Ampco- Flashlight put ME to use at the TOP 2000 Live Production event in Rotterdam. 20 ME-1 personal monitor mixers were fed with a 40 channel MADI stream to the ME-U distribution unit.

"After only two minutes of playing, all the musicians were making their own mixes!" comments Ampco - Flashlight's Jos van der Hoeven. "The ME system is now a firm rental favourite in Ampco -Flashlight's stock."

The Qu-16's were selected for their small footprint to manage smaller events and to accompany the ME systems.

The Netherlands - Dutch guitarist Adrian Vandenberg has kept a low profile since gracing the 1980s biggest stages with Whitesnake. But that is all changing now, as he hits the road with a new band, aided by a Yamaha QL5 digital console.

Since leaving Whitesnake in 1991, Vandenberg has spent most of the intervening years concentrating on his family and a burgeoning career as an artist. But the end of 2013 saw him return to rock'n'roll with Vandenberg's MoonKings.

Having played a European club tour, the band is currently playing a raft of European festivals, with monitor engineer Joost Muller manning a Yamaha QL5.

Joost is the son of Jos, owner of rental company Decilux, and lighting designer Marja Muller, both of whom were closely involved with the guitarist's pre-Whitesnake band, Vandenberg. With MoonKings again renting equipment from Decilux, Joost was keen to use the Yamah

USA - When production started on the film adaptation of the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys, set to hit the big screen this Friday, 20 June 20, crew members knew they would need to capture all audio, music and vocals live without any pre-recordings. As instrument miking was not available during the 1950s to 1970s era of the film, the production team also needed to conceal the musicians' mics on set. To address these challenges, they turned to DPA Microphones.

Tim Boot, production music mixer for Jersey Boys, relied primarily on DPA's d:vote 4099 Instrument Microphones and d:screet 4061 Omnidirectional Miniature Microphones to capture the live instruments on set. Easy to conceal during filming, these mics provided a very natural sound quality and proved to be the perfect complement to the era of the film. Further keeping with the film's theme, the crew used vintage

Qatar - Neutrik, in cooperation with Nicolas Kyvernitis Electronics Enterprises (NMK), a sole distributor of Neutrik in the Middle East region, held Neutrik OpticalCon Certified Seminar from 23-24 May 2014 in Doha, Qatar. The objective of the seminar was to educate the engineering team of Al Rayyan TV Channel about fundamentals and new trends in fibre connection technology.

The seminar, conducted by Neutrik product application engineer Frank Studer with the assistance of Neutrik Product manager Pavel Aheuin from NMK, focused on the fibre optics theory on the first day of training including the applications for transmitting and receiving audio, video and communications. The second day was dedicated to a hands-on workshop that highlighted the NeutrikOpticalCon field assembly kit where attendees were given the opportunity to improve their skills on terminating LC connectors, applyi

USA - At InfoComm 2014, WorkPro launched two new products: NEO 5 A ES and NEO 5 IP. The brand also featured the line array column speaker UDA 16 and the ZERO subwoofers Series, as well as the improvements to some of its existing lines, such as the update to the distributed audio system over IP, BlueLine Digital.

One of the new products is NEO 5 A ES, the updated version of NEO 5 A. This installation loudspeaker has been developed to maximise savings in energy consumption and, therefore, to be more efficient. Under this ecological company philosophy, the brand has come up with a smart solution capable of shutting down when it is not receiving an audio signal: this means a reduction in its consumption below 1W under these circumstances. "Thanks to this product, it is possible to exponentially enhance the performance and efficiency of the audio installations," say WorkPro

USA - Allen & Heath unveiled Qu-32 at InfoComm, a 32 fader, 38 in / 28 out digital mixer joining the rackmount Qu-16 and compact Qu-24. Qu-32 shares the Qu series key features, such as total recall of settings (including faders and digitally controlled preamps), Qu-Drive integrated multi-track recorder, dSNAKE for remote I/O and personal monitoring, multi-channel USB streaming, Qu-Pad control app, and the renowned iLive FX Library to deliver class-leading audio quality. It comes with a larger, 7" touchscreen and 33 motorised faders.

Key to the design was providing a dedicated fader per mic input channel while retaining a compact footprint, the Qu series distinctive styling, and extensive I/O, comprising 32 mic/line inputs, three stereo inputs, 24 mix outputs including 2 Stereo Matrix Mix Outputs and 4 Stereo Groups with full processing, patchable AES digital output with a f

USA - Audinate's tradition of creating innovative solutions continues, with the announcement of its new software application, Dante Via at InfoComm 2014.

Dante Via transforms Macs and PCs into networked I/O devices. With Dante Via, you can now build a complete, standalone audio system of networked PCs without the need for any dedicated Dante-enabled hardware to be present on the network. Any computer instantly becomes a networked audio I/O device, says the company.

Dante Via "expands AV horizons, freeing one from the limiting constraints of short reach point-to-point analogue and USB cables". Dante Via allows you to create a flexible audio bridge for your computer to connect with legacy USB, FireWire and Thunderbolt audio interfaces and transform them into networked devices. Without the need for additional hardware, Dante Via transmits and receives professional qual

UK - When Grillstock delivered a weekend full of BBQ-flavoured treats and good old-fashioned rock'n'roll bands and DJs at Bristol's Amphitheatre, they called on Bristol-based lighting specialists, Utopium, to supply its full stage production package. This included branded graphics, stage, sound, lighting and video walls to host headliners Fun Living Criminals and Hayseed Dixie, as well as other rockabilly favourites.

Utopium's hire and sales manager Ben Knowles commented, "It was great to work with the festival organisers putting together the full scale production to ensure it translated for every element of the event.

"It was also a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our new lighting technology live for the first time. We supplied six SGM X-5 LED Strobes, 12 Chauvet Legend 419 Washlights, 16 Chauvet 230 SR Beams and 18 Chauvet Nexus 4 x 4 panels, which allow f

UK - Audio Logic, provider of pro audio sound equipment products has appointed Derbyshire-based Commercial Audio Solutions as a sub-distributor of its Ecler, Audac and Procab exclusive brands. A shared business ethos and an eye for a mutually advantageous forward move underpin this arrangement, which sees Audio Logic continue to develop and grow its business.

Commercial Audio Solutions is a long established supplier to the installation market and stocks a large range of prestigious world-wide brands as well as offering an in-house system-design service. The addition of these Audio Logic brands increases further the scope of Commercial Audio's offer whilst at the same time extending Audio Logic's reach into new markets.

Interest in Audac's new range of amplifiers at the recent PLASA Focus event in Leeds was keen. Ecler continue to offer a quality product for just about every au

Singapore - One of Singapore's leading educational institutions, the Republic Polytechnic, has completed the installation of a Nexo Geo S12 line array in its primary theatre at The Republic Cultural Centre (TRCC).

Designed by Maki & Associates (Japan), TRCC exudes an elegant simplicity and balance of aesthetics and functionality that reflects an appreciation for the arts and culture. Under its fan-shaped roof, TRCC has three main performing arts venues: a 1,000-seat theatre, 300-seat studio and, 120-seat lab, all of which are open to the public.

This is the first upgrade for the main theatre since its opening in 2007. With more international acts gracing its stage, and taking into account the evolving needs and criteria of modern shows, Mark Spencer, former student and Head of TRCC's Audio Division, felt it was time the audio caught up to speed. "Audiences nowadays are mo

Italy - Pope Francis' address to the 37th National Convocation of the Renewal of the Spirit at Rome's Olympic Stadium recently, was clearly received by the gathering of over 50,000 people who thronged to Rome's Olympic Stadium - thanks to RCF loudspeakers.

After walking a short distance across the field, the Pope arrived at the stage where the previous night Italian rock star Luciano Ligabue had delivered a major concert. The audio system used on this occasion was made up of four of RCF's flagship TTL55-A Touring & Theatre line arrays, comprising 84 elements in total. This was not the first time an RCF system has been used to amplify an event of this kind: in 2012 the company provided the audio system for the official and historical visit of Pope Ratzinger to Cuba, an event followed by millions of people all around the world.

Now, two years on, RCF has again amplified t

USA - Entertainment and event production services provider Production Resource Group (PRG) has officially begun upgrading to L-Acoustics' new K2 platform with the purchase of two complete line source array systems. Delivered in mid-May, the sale comprised a total of 48 K2 enclosures and 24 LA8 amplified controllers.

PRG's inaugural K2 deployment came almost immediately - two dozen enclosures were put into active duty for the 25th annual National Memorial Day Concert, attended by countless spectators on the West Lawn of the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. on 26 May. This year's event, hosted by actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise, featured an all-star line-up of performers, including the National Symphony Orchestra, Jennifer Nettles, Megan Hilty, the US Army Chorus and Air Force Singing Sergeants.

Having supported this annual holiday event for over two decades now, PRG's new K2

UK - Miley Cyrus' current tour is eclectic and outrageous, featuring a giant hot dog, a troupe of dancing furry animals and cartoon characters, foam fingers and some very skimpy costumes amongst other things. Critics have been largely positive, appreciating her vocal performance, audacity and charisma, with one critic from Time magazine calling her one of the "most dynamic performers of her generation". On this tour, and for the first time, Cyrus is performing with the new Digital 9000 microphone system from Sennheiser.

Despite the change of image and musical direction of recent years, Cyrus has remained faithful to key members of her technical team, in particular monitor engineer Vish Wadi and FoH engineer Paul David Hager. Both have been working with Cyrus (and Sennheiser) for a number of years. Wadi's relationship with Sennheiser goes back some 17 years, whil

USA - At InfoComm 2014, Shure Incorporated announced the availability of Wireless Workbench 6.10, available for download at www.shure.com/software. The next evolution of this software solution from Shure adds new product support, enhanced frequency analysis, and safeguards against unwanted setting changes.

Wireless Workbench 6.10 now supports the newly introduced QLX-D Digital Wireless System, a cost-effective solution that features networked control and Shure's intelligent rechargeable battery technology.

For greater insight into frequency compatibility, Wireless Workbench 6.10 introduces a re-designed Frequency Analysis view. Providing more transparency when troubleshooting, Frequency Analysis displays a detailed and interactive listing of conflicts discovered per frequency and enables users to filter conflicts by type.

After all desired settings are in place, the software

UK - Manchester-based dbn Lighting supplied lighting production and rigging for five out of the eight primary stages at the 2014 Parklife Weekender festival in the city's Heaton Park and LED screens for one of these five plus one other arena.

dbn has been the lighting supplier for the festival organised by Ground Control since it started five years ago, since when it has grown in stature, popularity and physical size. Last year, it moved from the original site in Platt Fields to Heaton Park to allow for expansion and this year the capacity was increased to 70,000.

dbn's project manager Pete Robinson created an individual production design for each area, all of which served as eye-catching backdrops for the heterogeneity of acts appearing over the two days.

He comments, "It was great to be involved again! We are all really excited to see the festival develop and to be ab

South Africa - ARX Systems, the Australian based designer and manufacturer of digital and analogue interface and signal processing products has announced the appointment of Johannesburg based Matrix Sound as their new distributor for South Africa.

ARX managing director Colin Park said, "Matrix Sound are a well known and long established Distribution, Sales & Rental Company in the South African Professional Audio Industry.

"Here at ARX we're looking forward to working with the Trevor Peters and his team at Matrix, they're very enthusiastic about the possibilities for the growing ARX product range amongst their extensive client base throughout South Africa."

(Jim Evans)

UK - The Britannia Stadium is the home of Premiership Football Club Stoke City. The stadium, which cost £15m, was opened in 1997 by Sir Stanley Matthews. As a top-flight arena with a capacity of 28,000 spectators, the need to clearly deliver information throughout the venue is of great importance.

From safety announcements and music, to team changes and minutes of added time, stadium announcer Steve Buxton is a busy man who carries great responsibility. On February 1st Stoke's heroes demonstrated their progress under manager Mark Hughes by putting Premiership giants Manchester United to the sword. On a memorable day for the club, Steve was putting into action some progress of his own.

Prior to that momentous day, Steve was to be found high above the pitch, behind glass and mixing his output from information received by walkie-talkie. This unsatisfactory state of affairs

UK - Singer songwriter Passenger (aka Mike from Brighton, as he introduces himself) may be one man busking with a guitar, but this is busking with a difference. Fans turn up in their droves to his impromptu gigs. Both they and production manager and FOH engineer Simon Kemp have discovered the benefits of Sennheiser's LSP 500 wireless loudspeakers.

Announced on his Facebook page only a matter of hours before each performance, and drawing crowds of up to a thousand at a time, Passenger's latest 'busks' have seen him perform in Manchester, Brighton and on London's South Bank outside the Tate Modern and they certainly haven't been disappointed in the quality of the audio.

Simon explains why he chose to use the LSP 500s. "I looked into this long and hard," he says. "The whole vibe of these gigs is that we need to be able to turn up anywhere and be completely self con

Israel - As the largest PA company in Israel, Sincopa Sound & Light has recently used its newly acquired Optocore digital returns racks to service major concerts by Justin Timberlake and the Rolling Stones in Tel Aviv's giant Park HaYarkon for up to 50,000 fans.

In the case of Timberlake they were able to meet the spec by deploying Optocore's sophisticated fibre distribution system comprising four XR6-FX interfaces at the FOH, stage and delay tower ends. One device was configured 8AE/8MI and the other three 8AE/8LO.

Transmission to the L-Acoustics PA and delay towers was via Optocore AES, Analogue and Ethernet on a redundant loop, with two AES lines from the DiGiCo SD-7, through a routing/summing Lake LM-44 to a total of five AES lines on the Optocore rack. These were configured for AES and analogue, while an analogue line was connected for backup.

The two Optocore stage rac

Angola - Doo.Bahr Nightclub, in the Angolan capital of Luanda, recently took delivery of the largest Martin Audio sound system ever shipped to the Portuguese speaking African country.

The work was carried out by Phil Clark and Neil Kavanagh of UK-based Old Barn Audio. They were commissioned by the owners, who also operate the Oon.Dah Restaurant below it in the EdifĂ­cio Escom, Luanda's tallest tower.

Phil Clark takes up the story. "We had already designed the original system 18 months ago, with assistance from Nigel Meddemmen at Martin Audio, but it was such a roaring success that we were asked to return and make the system louder to satisfy the DJs. This we did by upgrading the nightclub with more subs, bigger amps and processing."

Doo.Bahr is one of Luanda's chicest cocktail bar/lounges with an outdoor terrace offering spectacular views. It was originally designe

Brazil - Allen & Heath is playing an important role in the playback, broadcast and transmission of the 2014 FIFA World Cup taking place in Brazil. Supplied by distribution partner, Teleponto. multiple Allen & Heath consoles are being used at several stadiums, in various remote broadcast trucks, and in the master control rooms.

Fox Sports Brazil, a key broadcaster of the games, is using a GLD-80 digital mixer connected via Dante to 3 LAWO consoles and 3 RTS matrixes for broadcasts from Rio de Janeiro. Broadcaster, Sigma, is using a Qu-16 and a Qu-24 compact digital mixer, plus two iDR-16 and an iDR-48 iLive MixRacks.

Fox Sports' Sao Paulo studio installed a GLD-80 earlier this year. As part of the system, an AR2412 remote I/O rack was selected as a master unit, with two AR84 expander racks installed in the Fox studio with the mixer. This system is being used to provide audio fe

USA - The CBS broadcast of the 2014 Tony Awards, which aired 8 June, was one of the most complex in the event's history. From host Hugh Jackman's sprawling, bouncing, opening number to the on-stage gathering of all winners for a closing rendition of On Broadway viewers were treated to a fast-paced production that included a record 17 musical acts and a live orchestra in Radio City Music Hall.

Managing RF system design and frequency coordination for Firehouse Productions was Vinny Siniscal. "With so much real estate to cover, so many frequencies to manage and so many live bands, I specified Shure UHF-R systems again this year," he states. "When I'm doing a live network broadcast, that's my preference. Even though the product has been around ten years or so, I know there's nothing else out there that I trust to be robust enough to survive in such a crowded RF

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