USA - University of Utah's Jon M. Huntsman Centre, a 15,000-seat arena that serves as home to the school's Runnin' Utes basketball, Utes volleyball and Red Rocks gymnastic teams, recently wrapped up a massive $6m renovation project.

When the dust finally settled, U of U's largest sporting and entertainment venue featured two new grand entrances plus a new floor, drapes, LED lighting system and versatile house sound system comprised of L-Acoustics' powerful Kara and high-directivity ARCS WiFo enclosures.

The audio portion of the project represented a joint effort between two Salt Lake City businesses: acoustician and technology consulting firm Spectrum Engineers, who provided the design and construction documents, and systems integration company Poll Sound, who installed the system and assisted with product specific design.

According to Poll Sound's Deward Timothy, the first

UK - London-born singer songwriter Jessie Ware has just completed her UK tour, with Sennheiser microphones and wireless monitors an integral part of the audio system supplied by rental company Adlib for both Jessie and her band.

Front-of-House engineer Johnny Dodkin started working with Jessie when she was a backing singer with Jack Penate. When she was signed in January 2012, she asked him to work with her on her own project.

"We have always used a 2000 Series wireless system along with a 945 capsule for Jessie until this run of shows, when I changed to a 965 capsule," says Johnny. "I love the 945; it's great as it has a tight pattern and presence with the top end. But when Sennheiser's Relations Manager Mark Saunders popped by rehearsals for this tour, we started talking about the 965 capsule, as I have created a quiet stage with all amps off stage and the dru

USA - Meyer Sound Lyon linear line array system is the top pick for tackling audio reinforcement at the 2015 NFL Draft, held 30 April through 2 May in Chicago. Provided by VER (Video Equipment Rentals), the compact yet powerful system is deployed to cover 3,901 seats inside the vast expanse of the Windy City's landmark Auditorium Theatre.

In addition to the Lyon line array loudspeakers, the Meyer Sound complement for the programme also comprises JM-1P arrayable loudspeakers, MM-4XP loudspeakers with IntelligentDC technology, 700-HP subwoofers, and a Galileo loudspeaker management system with Galileo Callisto array processors. Outside, for the Red Carpet arrivals, VER is providing a separate Meyer Sound system using UPQ-1P and UPJ-1P loudspeakers.

Warren Cruikshank and Wilson Tennermann of VER are tasked with project management and coordination for the nationwide live broadcast

Korea - NEXT-proaudio has confirmed Avix Tech as its new Korean distribution partner following this year's Proligh+Sound in Frankfurt. Having founded the company 30 years ago, CEO Antonio Correia announced his satisfaction with the appointment made at the company's Rio Tinto headquarters in Portugal on the eve of the exhibition.

"Avix Tech is a very high profile supplier in Korea working closely with systems integrators, broadcasters and consultants," explained Mr Antonio Correia. "With our product portfolio, we see great potential in the Korean house of worship market."

"We supply and install full A/V systems to mid-sized churches and venues such as performing arts centres. Having visited the factory in Portugal, I was convinced that NEXT-proaudio creates unique solutions for our customers. In addition to manufacturing extremely powerful loudspeaker s

USA - A range of microphones from Audio-Technica was again selected by the audio professionals lending their talents to the recent 30th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio.

A highlight of the show was the segment honouring soul legend Bill Withers, who made a rare appearance and an even rarer on-stage performance at the event. R&B singer John Legend and Hall of Fame member Stevie Wonder each performed in this segment using Audio-Technica's 5000 Series UHF Wireless System with AEW-T5400a handheld microphones/transmitters. Wonder performed Ain't No Sunshine, followed by Legend's performance of Use Me and both singing Lean on Me.

The backline mic complement of Audio-Technica wired microphones included AT4050 multi-pattern condenser microphones used for drum overheads and bass; AT4050ST stereo condenser microphone used for audience

Opera on the Road - Opera is to be toured to theatres around the UK by a new production company that aims to bring more diverse audiences to the genre. HighTime has been founded by Felicity Green and Benjamin Hamilton, who met while studying at the University of Warwick, and is aimed at staging productions for people who would otherwise not have access to opera. Its first production, supported by Arts Council England, will be Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, in a new translation by Kit Hesketh-Harvey. It will run at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, with plans to tour the show around the UK next year, engaging young people from each location to perform in the chorus.

Green Day - Amelia Lily will star in a new London production of Green Day musical American Idiot. The X Factor runner-up, who is currently starring in a tour of Joseph and the Amazi

Germany - Optocore celebrated a 'triumphant return' to Prolight+Sound this year by successfully premiering its new MADI multi-interface switches and bridges.

Launching the new M8 (with four MADI ports) and M12 (eight MADI ports) to the world's press, Optocore founder Marc Brunke told the rapt gathering why they had prioritised the MADI standard. "Throughout the years there have been many voices that believed MADI would not survive the increased number of network protocols," he said. "However, we have observed the complete opposite - MADI is the easiest and most popular multi-channel protocol, and is built into almost any professional equipment."

With only a single cable connection needed to create a MADI-based system it is little wonder that the feedback at the stand was so positive - particularly as the company's DD2FR-FX and DD4MR-FX MADI devices are amon

USA - Yard House restaurants combine a wide selection of "made-from-scratch" menu items, over 100 craft beers, ales and lagers and high-energy classic rock music to create an exciting atmosphere for casual or group dining, happy hour and holiday celebrations.

No Static Pro Audio of Burbank, California designed and installed the audio and video systems for the newest Yard House which opened in Kansas City in April 2015.

Eugene Gordon, No Static's CEO says, "The restaurant's brand image has a focus on classic rock so the owners want really high-quality foreground music that can get loud without sounding harsh. This is our 59th Yard House installation," he continued, "and we've standardized on Community loudspeakers to meet that challenge."

For Yard House locations with outdoor patio dining, No Static installs Community W Series for both the indoor

USA - The University of Alabama at Birmingham has made a long-term investment in the self-powered Meyer Sound Lyon linear sound reinforcement system. Installed in the 1,330-seat Jemison Concert Hall at the school's Alys Stephens Performing Arts Centre (ASC), Lyon provides impeccable clarity and headroom for lectures and concerts ranging from classical and jazz to pop, rock, gospel, and reggae.

"To meet artists' riders and put on shows that consistently satisfy audiences, we simply couldn't do better than the Lyon system," states Adam Stermer, technical director for the ASC. "And knowing that we wouldn't be getting a new system for perhaps 15 years, we wanted one that was well-received and incorporated the very latest technology."

Designed to maintain distortion-free levels of 110 dB SPL at any seat, the new system is anchored by two main arrays of seven Lyo

UK - Local authorities around the UK, faced with providing an ever increasing number of services from diminishing budgets, have been introduced to an elegant integrated 'one button' webcasting and audio/videoconference facility by Jon Hunnisett of technology specialists, Sound Advice PA Installation Ltd.

In designing a system that enables separate video and audio streams to be combined, councils can engage more with their constituents by allowing sessions to be web-streamed and viewed over the internet.

At the heart of his solution is RCF's intuitive Forum 9000 digital conferencing and voting system, and Sound Advice has now built up a portfolio of 14 councils who have been eager to adopt this platform.

It was the versatility of the system that first caught the attention of Jeremy Luckett, Business Analyst at Wiltshire Council Unitary Authority, after five councils had been

UK - Long-term supporters of PLASA Focus in Leeds, Martin Audio returns to the Royal Armouries (Booth # N-C19) on 12-13 May where it will dedicate its stand to the UK premier of the new CDD installation series (which received its global launch in Frankfurt last month).

Combining distinctive curved enclosures with unique Coaxial Differential Dispersion technology, the series is designed to deliver class-leading performance, fidelity and coverage consistency to most install applications via six two-way full-range coaxial systems - ranging from the micro CDD5 to the powerful CDD15. These are complemented by a range of high-performance subwoofers.

The company will also be participating in the seminar programme, in the Wellington Room on both days (between 11:30 - 12:15) under the title The Shape of Things to Come.

Martin Audio product support engineer Robin Dibble will be

USA - At NAB 2015, Shure unveiled its new BRH50M Premium Dual-Sided Broadcast Headset. The BRH50M introduces a modern design for on-camera use and premium sound quality, suitable for broadcast and media production professionals at every level, says the company. Lightweight, comfortable, and durable, with superior audio quality, the Shure BRH50M is constructed to meet the demanding needs of professional users throughout the broadcast industry.

Designing an on-camera product is a bit of a balancing act," said Matt Engstrom, category director for wired products at Shure. "Although on-camera aesthetic appeal is certainly a critical factor, it was important to develop a product that looked great on-camera without sacrificing sound quality, comfort, or durability. After extensive testing with the NFL and NBA, we're confident the BRH50M delivers on all four of those factors,

Israel - Munich-based live engineer Björn Seeländer, a veteran of concert tours and venues worldwide, has recently been appointed as Live Sound Product Specialist for Waves Audio, an industry-leading developer of professional audio digital signal processing technologies.

Seeländer has vast experience in the studio and live, in particular as a FOH, monitor and system engineer. His credits include such diverse acts as Mark Knopfler (monitor support/stage), Prince (monitor/Pro Tools live recording), Justin Bieber (FOH), Usher (system/FOH support), Taylor Swift (system/FOH support), Rod Stewart (system/FOH support), Lang Lang (system/FOH support), and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (FOH), to name but a few.

In his capacity as Waves Live Sound Product Specialist, Björn will communicate with other live sound engineers across Europe, demonstrating Waves plugins,

USA - A multitude of fans were entertained by Philip Selway's solo performance, which used Allen & Heath's iLive-T112 at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, USA.

Philip Selway, best known as the drummer in Radiohead, performed nearly an hour long set Sunday evening at Coachella, Weekend 2. Selway didn't play drums but instead sang and played the keyboard in the Gobi tent.

The audio engineer for Selway's solo tour, Gavin McComb, explains how the Allen & Heath equipment is currently being used. McComb controls the FOH mix, while the band controls their own monitor mixes using the ME system.

"On this leg of the tour we are using an iLive-T112 surface, an iDR-48 and a ME-U with five ME-1personal mixers. They are all using in-ear monitoring, which is fed from their individual ME-1s. The only control I have with their mixes are mutes on channels

UK - A QSC Q-Sys audio management system, supplied by QSC's UK installed sound distributors Shure Distribution UK, has been installed at London's Twickenham stadium, home of the Rugby Football Union (RFU). The Q-Sys platform, based around a pair of Core 1100 processors (one main and one redundant Core), routes audio and controls the PA and Voice Alarm systems at the venue, and replaced an outdated Peavey Media Matrix system.

2015 is a big year for the RFU. As well as hosting key matches in the annual Six Nations Championship in February and March this year at Twickenham, the ground will also be the venue for the final of the quadrennial Rugby World Cup at the end of October. With these key events in mind, the RFU elected to refurbish the stadium's audio systems at the end of last year in time for both tournaments. The Q-Sys audio management system was specified by Vanguardia, pr

UK - When contemporary art specialist, Phillips, recently relocated to their new headquarters in Mayfair's Berkley Square, London, award winning architect Aukett Swanke specified the premium Sonab wireless sound system to compliment and work with the moveable walls and ceilings in the art gallery.

Phillip's auction house is one of the foremost specialists in modern culture and art in the world today. The airy showrooms of Phillip's new premises provide an exclusive exhibition area that is fitted to the very highest standard with the most up to date lighting and sound systems.

SSE Audio Group Limited used the lighting tracks fitted by creative lighting specialist Studio ZNA to mount a Sonab System 9 for wireless sound. The newly installed sound system covers two floors of the building including gallery, auction space, VIP skyboxes, reception and conference rooms. The project ta

USA - Over the past three decades, Elmsford, NY-based CP Communications has supplied audio and video communications solutions for many of the world's largest broadcasters, including CBS, ESPN, FOX Sports, NBC Sports Group, Turner Sports and Univision. Boasting a full fleet of HD RF mobile production vehicles capable of handling even the most demanding sports and entertainment events, CP continues to raise the technology bar for its clients with the recent addition of no less than six DiGiCo SD10B digital mixing consoles.

After a careful analysis of available console options, CP senior vice president Kurt Heitmann chose to standardize on the "B" broadcast version of DiGiCo's popular SD10 by purchasing half a dozen new desks along with eight SD-Rack I/O racks and two 32x16 D-Rack stage interfaces. Identical SD10B setups can now be found in CP's new 53-foot expando fiber

UK - Organised by the Electroacoustic Group of the Institute of Acoustics in collaboration with ABTT, AES, APRS & ISCE, the 31st Reproduced Sound Conference - Playing with Fire - will concentrate on all aspects of electroacoustics for live events, including music, theatres and sports in auditoria, festivals and stadia.

The event takes place 10-12 November 2015 at the Fire Service College, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire.

Papers are invited on topics related to the following: Live Sound; Intelligibility; Venue Safety and Crowd Management; Measurement & Evaluation; Audio System Design; Loudspeakers and Microphones; Case Studies; Acoustics of Venues; Environmental Noise Control of Events.

Offers of papers on any electroacoustics topic will also be considered for the programme.

Please send your abstract (150 words) for papers plus a short biography of up to 150 words

to li

UK - Adlib has supplied one of the first Soundcraft new generation Vi Series mixing consoles to a landmark venue.

With its original art deco interior, the Grade II*-listed Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, home of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and one of the UK's premier arts and entertainment venues, received the new FOH desk as part of a complete new design and installation, masterminded by Adlib's installation director Roger Kirby and MD Andy Dockerty.

It is the latest chapter in a long relationship that has existed between the two organisations, which has seen the service providers frequently renting sound systems to the Hall over the years.

Liverpool Philharmonic's Technicians opted for the Vi3000 as part of a complete new audio infrastructure after attending a Soundcraft open day hosted by Adlib. This was followed by an onsite demo which enabled Dave Kay, Adlib

UK - Following its success in the pro sound market, Flare Audio is bringing its revolutionary technology to the listening public, with the launch of a campaign on Kickstarter to raise awareness of its ground-breaking innovation in consumer headphones. The campaign runs until 3 June 2015.

The British manufacturer has installed audio systems in venues including the iconic Olympic Studios (London) and The Leadmill, (Sheffield), as well as providing live audio to a wide range of artists, venues and festivals. The company is now using global crowd-funding platform Kickstarter to bring attention to its new distortion free Reference series of in-ear and over-ear headphones - dubbed "a revolution in listening" - and make them available for wider retail. The new R2s give the listener pure, distortion free, pressure-balanced sound with no ear fatigue, the company says.

The Kic

UK - Adastra's LA-600 mkII advanced induction loop amplifier is used for driving a cable loop around a room to provide assisted listening for hearing aid users.

Front panel controls including level controls for the 3 mic/line channels, bass, treble and loop current can be adjusted using a screwdriver. This model has a drive capacity for areas up to 600sq.m. square metres.

Key features include: suitable for hearing aids fitted with a "T" switch; mic/line level switch for each input; built-in siren for evacuation alert and peak current LED indication.

(Jim Evans)

Brazil - Following its successful cinema release, Sister Act moved seamlessly to the theatre, with production company Stage Entertainments enjoying successful runs in London's West End and on Broadway. The touring production has been just as well received, with long runs in North America, France, Spain and the Netherlands. It is Sister Act's ability to translate not only into different languages, but cultures that is part of its magic formula. Its latest home is the Renault Theatre in Brazil's Sao Paulo, where it is proving itself once again.

Olivier Award winning sound designer Gareth Owen has been involved in a large number of Sister Act productions. "I started off working on the UK tour in 2001 and just carried on from there," he says. "It's a heavily complicated show and the programming of it is really complex, so we try to use as much of the same kit as we ca

USA - Chicago's Audio Integration Services (AIS) recently christened its new Meyer Sound Lyon linear sound reinforcement system at Miami Music Week (MMW), serving top DJs such as Luciano and Alesso at the Hyde Beach stage. The system contributed to one of the best venues at MMW, according to a Pulse Radio review by Colin Chmielewski: "The level of event production at Hyde Beach was off the charts".

"The performance of the Lyon system is nothing short of phenomenal," reports Scott Owens, director of production and rentals for AIS. "The first time we turned Lyon on, the client almost had to sit down. The total impact is really hard to describe."

Lyon's power-to-size ratio was clearly demonstrated at the Hyde Beach stage. Energizing the 1,300-strong crowd was a system that only included six Lyon linear line array loudspeakers per side and 12 1100-LFC

UK - Play Deep Studios - a brand new boutique recording studio in London's Kings Cross - opened its doors on April 17. The studio is the culmination of a two and half year project by owner and engineer, Canadian-British DJ Zachary Spider Brown-Smith (aka Spydabrown). Designed and built by Zach and his tech, he chose Van Damme cabling throughout, using a variety of types including Black Tourgrade, Blue Series, Green Digi Series and VD Video Coax. All supplied by VDC Trading along with assemblies and connectors. Uniquely, the studio features an Otari 54 Series 36 mixing desk, the only one of its kind in the UK.

Spydabrown commented on the cable choice: "I was recommended Van Damme cable, with everyone saying it is the best, and I must say I have not been disappointed. The team at VDC Trading did a great job of keeping me supplied."

Designed to be a cosy and chic record

Latest Issue. . .

Save
Cookies user preferences
We use cookies to ensure you to get the best experience on our website. If you decline the use of cookies, this website may not function as expected.
Accept all
Decline all
Analytics
Tools used to analyze the data to measure the effectiveness of a website and to understand how it works.
Google Analytics
Accept
Decline
Advertisement
If you accept, the ads on the page will be adapted to your preferences.
Google Ad
Accept
Decline