Europe - Roland has announced the launch of the V-1HD video switcher, an easy-to-use, compact and portable switcher that can accommodate up to four HDMI audio/video sources with resolutions up to 1080p and features a host of professional compositing effects and creative video switching capabilities.

"The new V-1HD is ideal for supporting both live events and presentations, as well as small broadcast setups for enterprise video users, schools and house-of-worship environments. It is also an amazing creative tool for visual artists or musicians who want to add video switching to their performances, create YouTube videos, mix content for online streaming and more," said Christian Delfino, vice president of sales and marketing for the Roland Professional A/V Division in the USA.

"It's the most affordable four-channel HD video switcher that includes a hardware interf

UK - Liverpool-based Audio Install has carried out a major sound installation at the new 1000-capacity Bierkeller in Cardiff - the fourth Bavarian style emporium for brand operators, Burning Night Group.

For the optimum solution in a raucous, challenging environment (incorporating three separate bars with different requirements) he turned to the catalogue of the Harman Professional brands, and then called on the company's UK and Ireland distributors, Sound Technology, to provide sales and installation support.

Ian Davis's company based its audio design around a matched Crown / JBL VRX line array system, with process and control provided by premium Soundcraft, BSS and dbx digital components, along with AKG mics. This forms part of a full AV package.

The venue itself is split into three main areas on the ground floor of Stadium Plaza - the Bierkeller, Shooters Sports Bar and A

No Words - The owners of the Bataclan concert hall in Paris have said they have "no words" to express their sorrow following last Friday's attacks. Eighty-nine people were killed and more than 100 injured when gunmen fired into the crowd during a concert by US band Eagles of Death Metal. "Our thoughts are with the victims, the injured and their loved ones," the venue wrote on Twitter. It also thanked people for the support it had received since the attack. Nathalie Jardin who was in charge of the house lighting at the venue was among the victims, as was merchandiser Nick Alexander. Rest in Peace.

Spending Cuts - UK Theatre president Rachel Tackley has warned the industry to expect "pretty hideous" cuts in the government's upcoming spending review. She also voiced fears that, because the effect of cuts are not felt immediately, the general pub

France - Organisers of the Paris-based trade show JTSE have announced that the exhibition will take place next week as planned, despite the recent terror attacks on the city.

A statement reads: "We want to express our affection to all the families of victims. The International Show JTSE 2015 will take place as planned in Paris on 24 and 25 November 2015 in the Dock Pullman. As Organisers of the show we trust our visitors and our exhibitors for the best running of this event. We are all together!"

(LSi Online)

Australia - Since its inception seven years ago, Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House (SOH) has always pushed the boundaries, whether in performance style, musical content, or the support structures that underpin it. So when Jeremy Christian, head of sound and AV at the SOH suggested to the festival curator Ben Marshall that he wanted to implement a new piece of control software from d&b audiotechnik, Marshall said, "I'm all for it."

"It was good timing for us," said Christian. "Pushing the boundaries is about trying something new, and Vivid LIVE offers a really broad spectrum of contemporary musical content against which to make a judgement on effectiveness and utility. It's easy to assess something as great, but how easy and useful it is to apply is what really matters.

"When we came to implement d&b's ArrayProcessing we already knew of its potentia

UAE - Sennheiser, in conjunction with UAE-based regional reseller partner United Broadcast & Media Solutions (UBMS) successfully hosted a workshop in Dubai on 12 November, 2015. Titled Broadcast Sound Perfected, the event aimed at informing and educating customers from the broadcast industry on the latest solutions from Sennheiser's ENG, studio and outside broadcasting (OB) product ranges.

Ryan Burr, technical sales manager at Sennheiser Middle East stated that this broadcast- specific event followed the success of the Business Communications Day which Sennheiser held in September. "By focusing on a particular market vertical, we are able to address specific customer requirements which make these events very beneficial for attendees. In addition to product demonstrations, we deliver presentations that inform them about the latest trends in the industry,"

UK - Westbridge Capital has led a £4m financing to assist DB Systems Limited with its future growth plans.

Established in 1994, Tewkesbury-based DB Systems supplies state-of-the-art audio visual and IT equipment, interactive software and temporary network infrastructure to trade shows, large exhibitions and live events in the global events market.

The business was founded by David Bulley who continues as CEO, leading a strong operations team with many years' experience in the events industry.

Sales and employee numbers have grown rapidly in recent years. The business now has annual revenues of £8m and 63 employees. It supplies equipment to some of Europe's best known events and venues, including Farnborough International Air Show, Mobile World Congress Barcelona and Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre, as well as technical support to trade show organisers acr

Germany - Absen Optoelectronics Co., Ltd., global manufacturer of high quality LED displays, has appointed Hans Christian Stucken as senior marketing executive for its European operation.

Based at Absen's European headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany, Stucken has assumed the lead role in the European Marketing Department, responsible for all of Absen GmbH's marketing activities in the European region, as well as the delivery of the marketing strategy and co-ordination of other marketing goals globally.

Commenting on his new role in Rüsselsheim, a stone's throw from neighbouring Frankfurt am Main, Stucken said: "I am excited to have joined Absen at this crucial point in time of the company's European development." He continued: "As I'm truly passionate about technology, it's impossible for me to work for a company unless I actually believe in the quality of the

UK - Adlib has confirmed the acquisition of EFX Audio in Scotland. Since the early nineties Adlib has enjoyed close connections with numerous Scottish artists including Texas, Del Amitri and Gun together with their management and associated promoters. Naturally, through this, Adlib has also evolved a close business relationship with EFX that has developed into a genuine friendship.

Adlib's MD and Texas FOH engineer until 2014 Andy Dockerty recalls, "I remember mixing my early Texas shows in Scotland and being extremely impressed with the way the EFX sound systems were presented. They set the standards in Scotland and had a huge part to play in how Adlib developed during the early nineties. It is a true 'benchmark' company.

"The opportunity to develop this company further and continue the amazing work of industry legend Johnny Ramsay was too big an opportunity to miss

France - For nearly a hundred years Club de l'Etoile has held a very special place in the hearts of Parisien movie enthusiasts, its showing of overseas and arthouse films in an exclusive environment making it literally the star of the city's VIP cinemas. In 2015, Club de l'Etoile has embraced the digital audio age, with Yamaha DSP equipment chosen to ensure that the quality of film soundtracks is every bit as exclusive as the club itself.

Originally founded in the 1920s as Studio de l'Etoile, the venue has always been set apart from other Paris cinemas. In the 1930s it was unusual in showing Japanese films, it hosted clandestine viewings of banned films during Paris's wartime occupation and was at the vanguard of the Arthouse movement from the 1950s onwards

In 1985 it was reinvented as a private screening facility, Club de l'Etoile, for French film professionals, but it reopen

Europe - Now in their 20th year of touring with Meyer Sound systems, Dave Matthews Band (DMB) once again relied on a Leo linear large-scale sound reinforcement system for its recent 20-city tour of European arenas. As the band's system of choice since 2013, Leo is the latest in a line of Meyer Sound loudspeaker systems provided by longtime supplier Pro Media/UltraSound, dating back to DMB's first major headline tour in 1996 with an MSL-3A conventionally powered loudspeaker system.

"I find that Leo is so transparent that I can mix without worrying about problematic interactions within the system," says Jeff Thomas, veteran FOH engineer for DMB. "Rather than mixing in a defensive manner, I can focus on artistically creating the ideal tonal balance. The low-mid directional characteristics of Leo and Lyon also allow more gain before feedback and less interaction with

UK - Two new Soundcraft Si Impact digital consoles and an elaborate BSS Soundweb network have been specified and installed by Middlesex Sound & Light (MSL) at the new 650-capacity Blues Kitchen Brixton.

This is the third Blues Kitchen to be opened by the Columbo Group, following Camden and Shoreditch, but has been upspecced to take into account the higher calibre of bands that it expects to host. Brixton is also the first of the venues to feature live music on two floors.

MSL project director Darren Olivier recommended the Soundcraft Si Impacts for FOH duty on both the ground and first floors. He confirmed that the spec had been carefully discussed and agreed with Columbo Group creative director, Liam Hart, and the resident sound engineer.

"The new Si Impacts were specified to create uniformity on each floor and streamline operation by the house engineers. It also reduc

Croatia - The eighth instalment of the Outlook and Dimensions festivals took place over the last weeks of summer in Pula, Croatia. The festivals have become a highlight in the European summer calendar. The Outlook and Dimensions festivals were some of the first dance music weekend long festivals to make their home in Croatia and are now known for their amazing fort location and towering Void sound systems.

The Outlook festival dedicates itself to reggae, drum 'n' bass and jungle while Dimensions specializes in the deep end of techno, house and other electronic music.

The festivals have fostered a dedicated following of those seeking a different festival experience who make something of a pilgrimage to the events from across Europe and North America. Void Acoustics systems were found at many stages of this year's festivals. The Void stage was powered by a monstrous combination

Sweden - The Cirkus Arena in Stockholm has become the first venue to install Allen & Heath's new dLive digital mixing system.

Originally established as a circus in the 19th Century, today Cirkus is one of Stockholm's key entertainment venues, hosting concerts, conferences, TV recordings and musical shows, including visiting Broadway shows and currently, the Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus' musical, Kristina.

The venue recently expanded with the launch of a new building, the Skandia Scenen theatre, requiring all new equipment. The new dLive system was chosen because of its high bus capacity, multiple networking options, and the powerful 96kHz sampling rate.

"dLive has incredible features and operational capacity, which are ideal for use in a busy theatre. Stand out features of the system for me are the 64 buses, the 96k processing, and the 5 network card slots, which w

UK - d&b audiotechnik is staging a product presentation on Wednesday 9 December in The Temporary Theatre Space, (formally known as The Shed), at the National Theatre, South Bank, London. The first session will start at 11:00 and be repeated at 14:00; both will last approximately two hours.

The presentation will offer the chance to get familiar with the latest system solutions from d&b, with a focus on the new V-Series point source loudspeakers and their rigging options.

Using The Temporary Theatre Space as a room template, Steve Jones from d&b Education and Application Support will talk through the design of a suitable loudspeaker system and the benefits of the new V-Series point sources for such a space. The V7P, V10P and V-GSUB will be heard in a variety of configurations, alongside other d&b point source loudspeakers from the Y-Series and T-Series.

(Jim Evans)

USA - Each year, Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis concludes its season with Sommerfest, a month-long urban summer music festival. This year, Sommerfest also marked the unveiling of a new L-Acoustics concert sound system intended to provide reinforcement for the hall's eclectic schedule of non-orchestral performances, ranging from popular music, jazz and world music to Broadway, film music and comedy.

The 2,000-seat Orchestra Hall, opened in 1974, is home to the Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra, which celebrated the 112th anniversary of its inaugural performance at the beginning of November 2015. The hall, which completed a $52m renovation in early 2014, has long been renowned for its acoustics, which were originally designed by Cyril M. Harris.

According to Joel Mooney, technical director, Minnesota Orchestra, "The acoustics are fantastic for the orchestra,

UK - The National Videogame Arcade (NVA) is designed with the twin aims of encouraging young people into the hands-on world of programming/game design and being a museum for a genre of entertainment embedded in society since the 1970s. The project demanded a highly versatile, yet simple to use, technical infrastructure. System designer / installer Rob Harris used Yamaha Commercial Installation Solutions (CIS) products to deliver a highly innovative solution.

From memories of playing Pong on a black and white television and Space Invaders in arcades to immersion in the latest online 'shoot 'em up', video gaming has been a pastime for millions for over 40 years and is an ever-expanding, multi-billion dollar business.

Created as a part of CQ Connect, a European Regional Development Fund-funded programme, the NVA is located close to Nottingham city centre and is backed by the Nott

UK - One of Scotland's oldest and most renowned theatres The Pavilion in Glasgow has invested £100,000 to bring high quality audio to the many comedy, music and variety performances it hosts. Working with leading pro-audio partner The Warehouse Sound Services Ltd, The Pavilion chose to invest in a cutting edge d&b audiotechnik sound system. The system is one of the most advanced on the market.

The Pavilion's management team recently restored the theatre's exterior revamping the stonework outside the theatre and incorporating a coloured light installation. Last year, the owners also made a significant investment in upgrading the interior.

To complete the upgrade, an overhaul of The Pavilion's 20-year-old sound system was required. Iain Gordon, general manager of The Pavilion contracted long-term audio partners The Warehouse Sound Services to design, supply and commission

Bulgaria - Located in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, the new Kolodruma Velodrome and multifunctional indoor arena is the only indoor velodrome in Bulgaria and the largest in the Balkans.

The designer of Kolodruma is the Dutch architect, Sander Douma, creator of some of the largest velodromes in Europe, the most notable in Athens, Monte Carlo, Palma de Majorca, and Manchester. In addition to cycling, the arena can host 22 other sports and operates as a concert venue. It has a seating capacity of 4,800 to 7,500 spectators, depending on its use and configuration. The complex also has large underground car parking, a modern press centre, dressing rooms, coaching facilities, a sports and recreational centre, restaurants and a large retail store for a wide variety of sports merchandise.

The audio systems for Kolodruma velodrome were designed and installed by ProAudio Ltd. Stanislav Petrov, mana

UK - Cloud Electronics is now shipping refreshed models of the MPA-120 and MPA-240 mixer amplifiers.

Having established track record for standing the test of time in retail, hospitality, leisure and commercial applications, it is anticipated the new MPA's will continue to build upon a legacy that is consistent with reliability and quality, says the company.

The MPA-120 and the MPA-240 provide output of 120W and 240W respectively at low impedance, 100V, 70V and 25V. In addition to the features of the previous models which include six-line inputs, four microphone inputs with VOX priority over music signals, remote music mute triggered via a NO or NC contact and compatibility with Bose, Amina and Active Audio EQ cards, the new MPA models provide a new balanced auxiliary output, a new utility output and a music-on hold output, both with mic/line level controls. In addition MIC 1 i

USA - Bose Professional has announced updates to the popular Panaray 802 and Panaray 402 sound-reinforcement loudspeakers - now known as the new Panaray Series IV models.

In the 25 years following their introduction, the Panaray 802 and 402 loudspeakers achieved an iconic status among A/V system integrators, design consultants and installers, says the company. The Series IV models build upon that legacy, retaining the features and performance that made their predecessors popular. Both Series IV models have been updated with new installation options to further facilitate simple and versatile mounting. Refinements to both models better suit indoor and outdoor installed applications.

All Bose Professional Panaray installed sound-reinforcement loudspeakers feature full-range driver arrays, eliminating the need for tweeters and crossovers, to provide unsurpassed reliability and nat

UK - Celebrating UNESCO's International Year of Light, a new festival of light and sound art - Enlighten Manchester - is set to bring a programme of world premieres, award-winning installations and international artists to the city.

From 10-12 December contemporary artists will transform the public spaces inside Manchester Central Library and The Bridgewater Hall, offering visitors an immersive, cultural celebration amidst the festive hustle and bustle.

Visitors' imaginations will be sparked by birds soaring across piano strings to create musical scores; a chandelier of sparkling earrings and a cutting edge sound and light installation that is felt not seen. With more than 15 installations, performances and talks confirmed - many of them free - the festival will be a vibrant hot bed of light, sound and literature, say the organisers.

Confirmed artists include award-wi

Europe - Icelandic band Mezzoforte have been delighting fans on recent tour dates with the superb sound of their instruments, in particular brass and drums, which have been amplified with a selection of DPA microphones.

"People were raving about the overall sound of the band, in particular the drums and sax," says Mezzoforte sound engineer Joost Bullens, who has been working with the band for the past 11 years. "We used DPA d:dicate 2011C Twin Diaphragm Cardioid Microphones as overheads and d:vote 4099 Instrument Microphones for the live brass and drum set-ups. The sound they delivered was exceptional - really natural and precise."

Widely regarded as one of Europe's most important fusion bands, Mezzoforte had its first hit, Garden Party, in 1983 and has gone on to build a devoted fan base in both Europe and Asia. The band has had a long history of st

USA - Ashly Audio has announced the appointment of Frequency Sales as its manufacturers rep in greater Chicago, greater Milwaukee, and the surrounding regions of northern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin.

Frequency Sales will represent Ashly's full catalogue of products, which includes amplifiers, stand-alone Protea-based processors and customizable interfaces, including intuitive fader-style controls and iPad apps.

Frequency Sales specialises in all aspects of the professional audio industry, including live sound, studio & project studio recording, and, of course, installed sound. "In sales, everyone knows that developing strong client relationships is key, and the folks at Frequency Sales really distinguish themselves in that regard," said John Sexton, Ashly's director of sales for North America. "In the research that led to our decision to partner with the

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