UK - After several years of investment in R&D resources, more than doubling the department's engineering staff, and following on from research projects into loudspeaker protection and adaptive protection, the APA Series makes its PLASA debut this year.

The completely new power and DSP platforms have been designed to interact intelligently and adapt to prevailing conditions, protecting drivers, and significantly enhancing performance from all speaker systems.

Waring Hayes, XTA's technical brand manager explains why this is at the centre of the design ethos for APA. "It's not so difficult to add a DSP module to an existing amplifier design in the form of a plug-in card, but to provide the level of monitoring and feedback within the amplifier that we wanted - that took a little longer!"

The tight coupling of the power supply's behaviour through real time monitoring of

UK - PLASA London opened its doors at 10am this morning and welcomed a surge of visitors in the first few hours of the show. Hundreds of people skipped their typical Sunday activities in favour of a vibrant exhibition floor and an education programme packed with the world's biggest names in entertainment technology.

Here are some of the highlights from today's show:

World Class Exhibitors

Every year, PLASA London brings together the most important audio, lighting, video and staging companies, filling the show floor with a feast of exhibitors. This year is certainly no different, with more than 250 companies exhibiting. Looking around ExCeL London's first class exhibition space, we see companies like Robe, Clay Paky, Shure, Polar Audio, Autograph, SSE Audio, FBT, Philips Entertainment, White Light, Highlite, Chauvet, MA Lighting, SGM, Prolyte, A.C Entertainment Technol

Europe - As summer 2014 draws to a close, the UK source-oriented reinforcement (SOR) specialists Out Board have seen their TiMax delay-matrix and performer-tracking systems deployed for a broad and varied season of outdoor shows across Europe.

Thunersee, Switzerland - The perennial TiMax sojurn in the stunning Swiss lakeside setting featured the visual spectacle that is AIDA the Musical. Contemporised by Elton John and Tim Rice originally for a Broadway outing in 2001, the Thunersee production accessed a new dimension with sound design by the award-winning Tom Strebel and audiopool.

As in previous years, Strebel deployed the TiMax SoundHub and TiMax Tracker combination to bring vocal clarity and authenticity to the mammoth amphitheatre's audiences.

Strebel explains, "We simply cannot put on these Thun productions each year without TiMax SoundHub and Tracker. The audienc

Spain - On Sunday 5 October 2014, the curtain fell on another incredible season for Space Ibiza, as it celebrated a summer of unforgettable parties with the Space Closing Fiesta. It welcomed more than 30 DJs and thousands of guests, who bid farewell to the iconic venue for another year. It was a fitting end to a very successful season, which saw Funktion-One complete its takeover of the venue, and helped it celebrate its 25th birthday with an additional outdoor stage at three special events - the Opening Fiesta, Closing Fiesta and 25th Anniversary Party.

At the beginning of the summer, while preparing the venue for the Space Opening Fiesta in May, Funktion-One, the Space technical team and Project Audio Ibiza made the annual upgrades and adjustments to its sound systems. This included a completely new speaker system for Sunset Terrace, meaning all six rooms of Pepe Roselló's gl

UK - At PLASA 2014, Shure Distribution UK (SDUK) has announced the addition of the PSM300 Stereo Personal Monitor Systems to the existing Shure line of In-Ear Monitoring (IEM) technology.

PSM300 introduces the clarity and precision of stereo, 24-bit digital audio processing to the PSM line, while still offering users the customised mix control for which PSM systems are renowned. The PSM300's two-tier entry-level/pro-grade control interface allows any user to get a personal monitoring mix up and running with speed and confidence, whether they're experienced engineers or new to IEM systems.

PSM 300 will be offered in two system configurations. The baseline PSM 300 Stereo Wireless Personal Monitor System includes SE112 Sound Isolating™ Earphones and delivers detailed 24-bit digital audio processing and reliable wireless operation over a range in excess of 90 metres. Shure-pa

UK - Shure Distribution UK (SDUK), exclusive distributor in the UK and Ireland for leading pro audio brands including Shure, QSC, Radial, DIS, Sound Devices, Primacoustic and Servoreeler,confirmed at PLASA London 2014 that it is taking on a new line.

Manufactured by Spanish audio company Equipson, founded in 1995 and based in Valencia, WORK Pro Audio products are aimed at sound reinforcement and live sound applications. Effective immediately, SDUK will be responsible for all sales and technical support for WORK Pro Audio products in the UK and Ireland, replacing all previous UK distributors of the brand.

Highlights of the WORK Pro Audio range include loudspeakers, amplifiers and DSP Digital Matrix products which provide a quality alternative for installation projects of all budgets. The most recent addition to the brand is the BlueLine Digital range, a cost-effective, modular

USA - Billed as the 'Largest Event in Bradford County', the 139th Troy Fair opened 21 July 21, 2014 with a new grandstands sound system provided by Gelnett and Associates of Northumberland, Pennsylvania and based on Community R Series loudspeakers.

The new system replaces a 1970s-era paging horn system that was inadequate for modern fair events and had prompted 2013's tractor pull announcer to complain, "We're not coming back unless you fix this!"

After interviewing several integrators, the Troy Fair board chose Gelnett and Associates to provide their new system. Gelnett President, Scott Gelnett reports that the fair board was very impressed during the on-site demo and knew this was the system for them.

The new system consists of two clusters of four Community R.5HPT loudspeakers covering the fans in the grandstands and three R2-52 loudspeakers covering the left, c

Switzerland - Riedel Communications reports that Riedel Switzerland served as the official radio and intercom services supplier for the 22nd European Athletics Championships, held 12-17 August in Zurich. Throughout the event, which brought approximately 1,400 athletes from 50 countries together for a competition attended daily by 25,000 spectators, Riedel equipment supported communications and provided the main fiber backbone for in-house video distribution.

"Riedel Switzerland provided us with seamlessly integrated solutions for video transport and communications, and the company's professional support not only enabled optimal use of the Riedel gear, but also ensured that the hundreds of volunteers and other professionals involved in the event were able to use their radio systems effectively," said Christoph Joho, marketing director of the Leichtathletik EM 2014 AG. &

UK - Solid State Logic has announced a major expansion to its Live console range with the release of the SSL Live.L300 console and a new V2.5 software release that brings significant developments to the SSL Live console platform.

The release of the new L300 console and a major new software update signals SSL's dedication to remaining at the leading edge of the live sound industry for many years to come, says the company. L300 and the new V2.5 software release embodies the SSL tradition of listening to engineers and customers and demonstrates our commitment to rapid continuous development. The L300 will be shown at the 137th AES show in Los Angeles this week.

The new release means there are now two models available in the SSL Live console range, the larger L500 and the new more compact L300. Both consoles are equipped for applications in touring, installation, Houses Of Worship

USA - At AES in Los Angeles this week, British reference loudspeaker manufacturer PMC will launch the QB1 Active, a large-scale, ultra-high-resolution main studio monitor with analogue and digital (up to 192kHz) inputs.

Designed for either soffit-mounted or free-standing use, each QB1-A incorporates the latest generation of PMC's driver designs, Class-D amplification, Advanced Transmission Line (ATL) bass-loading technology, DSP control, and a quartet of 10-inch carbon fibre/Nomex piston bass drivers to create a single reference monitor that has "the transparency, resolution, dynamic range, frequency response, forensic sense of detail, and wide, consistent imaging demanded by the international audio elite".

The QB1-A has its roots in the observation by PMC's design team that there were no large-scale active studio monitors on the market taking advantage of the latest

The Netherlands - Award-winning sound designer Jeroen ten Brinke has chosen the Meyer Sound D-Mitri digital audio platform as the backbone of his design in Anne, a dramatic presentation of the Anne Frank story in the 1,100-capacity Theatre Amsterdam. With a CueConsole control surface, D-Mitri drives the play's audio mixing, matrixing, and loudspeaker processing.

"Choosing D-Mitri as the foundation of the system was a no-brainer," says Jeroen ten Brinke, who is a design partner at Audio Design International. "The audio quality is second-to-none, which is critical to bring out all the subtleties of the dialogue. It also works beautifully with both the orchestration and the sound effects, which range from whisper-quiet to wartime bombing scenes."

Compared to most theatrical plays, the sound design in Anne is extraordinarily intricate. Actors inte

UK - After working with RG Jones' Martin Audio Multi-cellular Loudspeaker Array (MLA) at Glastonbury Festival - as well as the smaller footprint MLA Compact at other events - David McEwan's vision was to fire it up in anger at the holy grail of London venues, the Royal Albert Hall.

And as long term recording and live engineer for Nitin Sawhney, the opportunity came when this British Indian musician, orchestral composer and producer announced his return to the famous London venue to perform work from his forthcoming album Dystopian Dream and a selection of material from his first nine albums.

McEwan approached John Carroll, MD of RG Jones Sound Engineering, and to his great delight the award-winning PA was made available within the production budget.

Rarely will MLA have had so many different sounds and voices pumped through it as Sawhney moves effortlessly through dif

UK - PLM+ is the new touring platform launched in London this week by Lab.gruppen. It offers "all the performance characteristics, flexibility, and raw power of the 20000Q, but with twice the processing power, twice the throughput and a whole host of additional features and improvements designed to deliver real world benefits and make the life cycle of any production easier, smoother and more efficient, from the system design stage, operating, through to the final load out".

PLM+ range offers two models - PLM20k44 and the PLM12k44 - each combining a true 4in/4out configuration for audio IO as well as four modules of Lake Processing.

PLM 12K44 - which is targeted as a successor to the PLM 10000Q - offers "a giant leap forward" in its power segment with Universal power supply, PFC, 8 x Dante Break in/out, and other hugely significant benefits never before ava

UK - Visitors to the Shure Distribution UK stand at PLASA 2014 took the opportunity to learn more about Shure's QLX-D Digital Wireless system, which is making its UK trade show debut at PLASA. Delivering exceptional wireless performance with transparent 24-bit digital audio, QLX-D features networked control and compatibility with Shure's intelligent rechargeable battery technology.

QLX-D Digital Wireless transmits accurate audio with extended, flat frequency response. The system's automatic channel scan and IR sync make finding and assigning an open frequency quick and easy. Ideal for live sound events as well as installations at public and corporate facilities, academic institutions, houses of worship, hotels, music venues, and more, QLX-D's solid RF performance enables users to confidently cover applications with diverse requirements.

"This system packs in a lot of soph

UK - The buzz around the aisles and stands of PLASA London 2014 has created an incredible atmosphere for visitors and exhibitors alike. The entertainment technology industry is full of brilliant characters, giving the industry its special personality. While the social side of the show has flourished, so has business, as exhibitors continue to launch new products and make important connections.

Green Hippo has chosen PLASA London 2014 for the launch of the Hippotizer v4. The company has taken the award-winning features of the Hippotizer v3, such as UberPan, Cross-Fade on Layer, Presets and Region Mapper success, and added new hardware and an array of key software features that will make the user experience better than ever before.

Raycom is exhibiting at PLASA London for the first time, using the show as a platform for moving into the live market. The company has built up an ex

UK - Orbital Sound has announced that it is opening a new demonstration zone this month, in conjunction with loudspeaker technology company, Flare Audio. Equipped with the growing line up of Flare loudspeaker systems, this represents the first facility to provide a comprehensive London demonstration resource for the manufacturer, as a dedicated centre of excellence.

Orbital Sound's MD Chris Headlam comments, "As Flare's UK & Eire distributor, we can introduce the Flare concept to a much wider audience by setting up this new demonstration centre at our Brixton headquarters - complemented by having an expert technical team on hand in support. With such extraordinarily innovative design as Flare Audio, you need to be able to provide the right environment for people to listen and explore the range in detail.

"We are incredibly excited by what Flare has achieved, to the e

Germany - This year, the Marbach state stud farm from Baden-Wuerttemberg celebrates its 500-year existence. The Marbach Classics Open Air, taking place in July, was the climax in the anniversary calendar of the stud farm.

The Ross ballet, consisting of 90 horses from various top European stud farms and 200 performers, fascinated around 7500 visitors in the Marbach Arena. The Württemberg Philharmonic of Reutlingen accompanied the spectacle with symphonic live music. Alcons Audio facilitated a perfect sound everywhere with the LR24 pro-ribbon line-array system.

dlp motive GmbH was entrusted with the sound for the event as technical supplier and put the Alcons LR24 pro-ribbon line array for their first time to the test. The LR24 is a larger line-array system that can both be permanently installed as well as be used in touring. It was developed for a 1:1 linear reproduction of th

The Netherlands - Built in 1877, Cinecitta is one of the most culturally significant buildings in Tilburg, Netherlands. Recently it underwent a €6m refurbishment which included the installation of a major Yamaha CIS series audio system.

It was originally built as a concert venue and coffee shop for the Royal Liedertafel Souvenir des Montagnards - a Dutch association, founded in 1845, to further broaden cultural objectives including vocal and instrumental music, opera and theatre.

Since 1916 the building has functioned as a cinema, as well as hosting concerts, theatre, exhibitions, lectures and presentations. It has hosted numerous high profile artists, including Vladimir Horowitz, widely considered to be one of the greatest pianists of all time.

Taking the name of Rome's high profile Cinecitta film studio in 1982, the building continues to be of major socio-cultural signifi

UK - The PLASA Awards for Innovation (sponsored by Lighting&Sound International) were presented on Tuesday 7 October, revealing the most ground-breaking products of PLASA London 2014. It was a night of celebration and remembrance, as the prestigious Gottelier Award was awarded posthumously to Clay Paky founder, Pasquale 'Paky' Quadri, who recently passed away.

Clay Paky's Chief Operational Officer, Pio Nahum, graciously accepted the Gottelier Award on behalf of his friend and colleague. The other nominees - Richard Belliveau, David Cunningham and Dr Christian Heil - withdrew from the running following the sad news. The lighting industry has lost a great character and a true pioneer.

Every year, PLASA recognises products that demonstrate progress, through attributes like a new style of thinking, an improvement in technical practice, new technology, materials or technique

The Netherlands - Out Board has appointed FACE.nl as the new exclusive distributor covering the Netherlands, of the TiMax2 SoundHub and TiMax Tracker audio processing, playback and showcontrol automation products.

FACE CEO Karel de Piere comments, "We are very happy to widen our Benelux distribution of the TiMax products which we already represent in Belgium for some years. TiMax fits well with our other high quality brands and suits perfectly our core activities in system solutions and integration."

The FACE team's broad skill set and in-depth experience across the live event and installation sectors are a good match for TiMax SoundHub, a scaleable audio matrix and playback server for system management, vocal localisation, sound effects, spatialisation and audio showcontrol in theatrical productions, events and venues as well as AV installations such as museums, the

The Netherlands - The Apart Microphone Discussion System is a highly flexible small to medium size tabletop discussion system. This easy to set up and easy to use audio system is designed for meeting rooms, board rooms and medium conference rooms. This discussion system consists of a chairman unit (MDS.CHAIR) and up to 19 delegate units (MDS.DEL). The connection interface (MDS.INT) is located at the beginning of the microphone chain.

This MDS system has a unique circuit loop design with an easy set-up using standard Cat 5 cables for linking up to 20 units in a daisy chain (every microphone and switching adaptor can be located anywhere in the loop). When the chairman presses the mute button, only the chairman unit will be active and all delegates will be muted and deactivated. The delegates can press a button to talk into the flexible gooseneck microphone (no mute function).

Th

UK - Blitz Communications, a GES Global Company, was named as the winner in the Creative Industries category of the LondonlovesExcellence Awards, a celebration of excellence and growth in business backed by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The judges praised Blitz | GES' work during the Olympics, and admired the way it had capitalised on that work to propel growth. They added, "Blitz | GES has made smart investments to accelerate performance and is a very well-managed company with a shining future ahead of it. Despite the tough economic climate, Blitz | GES more than doubled its revenue in the last four years and has grown from 80 to 115 staff while investing over £5m in new equipment and paying of £3m off debt."

The award was presented to Paul Hutton, managing director of Blitz | GES and Munir Samji, the outgoing executive chairman, at a cere

UK - Sennheiser UK has presented its second annual scholarship award of £1,500 to a Buckinghamshire New University Audio and Music Production student.

The scholarship is awarded to students based on their academic performance in their first year, and is part of an education partnership between the University, in Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe, and Sennheiser.

It was presented to Callum Paxton, who was among six students shortlisted who were interviewed by Phil Cummings, Sennheiser's marketing projects manager, and singer-songwriter Nellie Bell, who is sponsored by Sennheiser UK.

Callum, who is a second-year student, also received a Neumann TLM 103 microphone as part of his award.

He said: "The money will help to pay for recording equipment and to set up a covers band I will be playing with to finance my university studies.

Phil Cummings said, "All of

USA / UK - WorxAudio Technologies, a division of PreSonus Audio Electronics has announced that the company's new TrueLine X2i-P/D, X3i-P/D, and X5i-P/D line array systems and X115i-P/D and X118i-P/D subwoofers will incorporate PreSonus Active Integration technology and PreSonus' SL-Dante-SPK card. The TrueLine X2i-P/D, X3i-P/D, and X5i-P/D will be the first line arrays to offer Audinate's Dante technology with PreSonus Active Integration.

All Active Integration loudspeakers feature a powerful CPU that enables many advanced functions and come with a USB Wi-Fi LAN module to connect to free SL Room Control software over a wireless network.

SL Room Control is an impressive system-configuration application for Mac OS X, Windows, and iPad that provides both individual and grouped speaker control and includes graphic and parametric EQ, notch filters, compressor, limiter, muting, solo

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