Lots of news from Digigram - including the appointment of Jimmy Kawalek (see news, p.18). Digigram's EtherSound - its patented real-time Ethernet-based audio networking technology - now provides bi-directional capability over a single cable, as well as adding higher sample rate conversions at 88.2, 96 or 192kHz. EtherSound licensees, which currently include NetCira by Fostex, Nexo, Bouyer, InnovaSON and Auvitran, will announce their plans to implement the new features independently, says Digigram.

The company has added an Entry Level Agreement to its EtherSound licensing scheme - a move aimed at enabling pro audio manufacturers to bring EtherSound-compliant products quickly to market with minimal development investment. Meanwhile, Auvitran has been appointed as the first Authorised EtherSound Implementor.

New product includes the ES220 and ES220-L Ethernet Audio bridges, joining its

Computer DJ launched itself at the show, introducing innovative new products, starting with the IMP range of interactive media players, designed for mobile DJs using MP3. The Robus is a briefcase-style product with storage for 100,000 MP3 files, with touch-screen management, an Ultimate backlit keyboard that's ideal for use in low light and many more features. Biometric fingerprint security prevents unwanted tampering!

Sound Technology showed a number of new Samson audio products, including the D-Class digital live audio tools (D-1500 real time analyser, D-2500 graphic EQ and the D-3500 feedback management system). They can be used as independent devices, or as a complete solution using the D-Net communication protocol.

As ever, the unofficial 'most comfortable seating' award went to XTA Electronics for its deep blue sofas - an excellent vantage point from which to view the company's range of audio processing products. Marketing manager Guy Lewis was kept busy throughout the show with a steady stream of enquiries and pronounced himself well pleased with the interest shown.

Sennheiser UK announced the launch of the new SKP 3000 plug-on transmitter, which turns any wired microphone into a wireless microphone. Successor to the highly successful SKP 30, and utilizing Sennheiser's legendary wireless technology, the SKP 3000 is compatible with Sennheiser 3000 and 5000 series receivers and is designed to meet the standards of critical professional users and commercial applications.

The SKP 3000 is available in nine frequency ranges, with frequencies tuneable in 5kHz steps. The transformer balanced input matches the highest professional requirements and features include 48V phantom powering, which feeds condenser microphones directly from the transmitter, mute function and backlit display for ease of use in any situation. The SKP 3000 has a robust metal housing to withstand the rigors of hire and touring and a range of accessories are available, including the BA

Italy - After an extensive series of road tests carried out during the summer, the new Proel Axiom vertical array speaker system has officially debuted at a prestigious live event - Elton John live @ MTV Supersonic. Recorded on 29 September at the East End Space 90 TV studios in front of an audience of 800 journalists, record company executives and showbiz associates, Elton John performed his new Peachtree Road album live with his band.

The PA system installed for this event was composed of: 12 Proel AX3210P vertical array speaker systems; four subwoofers Proel EDGE121SP of 21" each for the extended bass frequencies. The arrays and subwoofers were powered by 12 Proel PSW2600 power amplifiers and controlled by a Proel DSO26 digital processor. The front-stage sound fill was guaranteed by four Proel Edge 25P speakers.

Along with the sound system, these following Proel acc

USA - Cadac is celebrating 20 years of dedicated design for live sound applications during 2004, with its extended product portfolio including the all-new M16 Remote Mic Amp - making its US debut at AES. The M16 integrates 16 of Cadac's classic mic pre-amps into a 19" rack unit, providing three active splits per channel plus a MADI interface. Also on show will be the production D16 Digital Mix Matrix - Cadac's answer to the concept of a console in a 19" rack - providing a high quality 16 x 16 variable gain audio matrix with 96kHz 24-bit sampling and SHARC DSP processing. The D16 uses proprietary Cadac mix, EQ and dynamics algorithms to deliver quality that matches the company's hallmark analogue sound.

Designed to address live, broadcast and recording market requirements, the M16 integrates directly with Cadac's new D16 Digital Matrix, and up to 16 M16 units can be co

UK - Sound Leisure has purchased new premises in Leeds which will provide twice the floor space of its current factory in Ings Road. The 80,000sq.ft. facility will allow the company to combine all of its manufacturing departments under one roof for the first time, including the wood and cabinet shops and the engineering works. However, Sound Leisure Electronics - the software and electronics arm of Sound Leisure, will remain in its existing site in Nottingham.

The move to the new factory should be completed by the end of November this year. "Since Sound Leisure embraced the possibilities offered by digital technology over the last five years, manufacturing volume has increased hugely," said joint MD Chris Black. "We have been looking for suitable new premises for some time and were lucky to find this facility in Sandleas Way, despite the competition for this type

USA - More than 200 of LOUD Technologies' worldwide sales team descended on the company's headquarters in Woodinville, Wash. for a weekend of product training culminating with a celebration in honour of Mackie's 15th anniversary. And while rep and dealer training is certainly not uncommon, the folks in Woodinville went above and beyond create something truly different for the first ever Loud-a-Palooza. "In keeping with the 'festival of learning' theme for the event, we set out to make Loud-a-Palooza an experience unlike the typical training seminars that our attendees are accustomed to attending," commented Loud Technologies director of marketing communications Adrian Bell.

Evoking a highly stylized theme best described as 'academia meets vaudeville' the Loud marketing team converted the massive Woodinville warehouse into a full-service, hands-on training facility that

Russia - With a faith based on experience of other RTS products, the All-Russian State Television and Radio Company (VGTRK) has just invested in a two-frame Advanced Digital Audio Matrix from RTS.

When the Russian government decided to create a state electronic mass media holding that would include both broadcasting organizations and enterprises distributing state television and radio programmes the All-Russian State Television and Radio Company (VGTRK) has controlled the television channels "Rossija" (RTR), and "Kultura", "Radio Rossii", 92 regional television and radio companies and 99 TV and radio studios - making the Moscow-based media giant one of the largest broadcasting organizations in the world.

To satisfy the complex communications and intercom requirements of an organization with live and post production studios scattered the length an

USA - Following the successful installation of its Laboratory Series LS4LA system front-of-house at The Good Hurt club on Venice Boulevard, UK-based Production Services reports that it has been "inundated with enquiries" from club owners in LA, several of which have already translated into confirmed orders. The system at the Good Hurt Club included AMT monitors and SP Series power amplifiers, controlled by an LS23 digital speaker management system

The Cat Club on Sunset Boulevard, owned by Slim Jim Phantom of The Stray Cats, has ordered LS4LA FOH with AMT monitors and SP Series power amps controlled by LS23 and EQ62s. Meanwhile, another club - 14 Below, in Santa Monica - has also ordered LS4LA FOH with AMT monitors, SP Series amplifiers and LS23 controller. Paladino's on Reseda Boulevard in North LA has, like The Good Hurt, ordered an LS4LA FOH, AMT monitors, SP Seri

Spain - D.A.S. Audio has been back on the road with international seminars and workshops aimed at providing audio professionals with knowledge about the company and it's products. The events took place in Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Bangalore (India): representing D.A.S. were Juan Luis García, area manager for Asia, and D.A.S. sound engineer Joan La Roda.

The seminar in Colombo was held on the 23 September at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. Over 400 people attended the event, which was organized by the D.A.S. distributor for Sri Lanka, Swedish Trading Audiovisual. Juan Luis García opened the event with a company profile and Joan La Roda gave a product presentation covering the New Dynamics, Mi, PF and Reference series products. The event was closed with a lively question and answer session covering the products and audio in general.

García and La Roda

USA - The latest production of Queen musical We Will Rock You, and the show's North American debut has recently opened in Las Vegas at the Paris hotel's 1,450-seat Le Theatre Des Arts, with an L-Acoustics' front-of-house loudspeaker rig. The new system, furnished by Masque Sound of East Rutherford, New Jersey, features twin left and right hangs of 10 V-Dosc cabinets with two dV-Dosc elements for front-fill: 10 additional dV-Dosc are hung as a centre array to complete the LCR FOH system, while four compact coaxial MTD108a systems are employed to provide supplementary coverage to the far edges of the audience seating area.

Sound design for the show is by Bobby Aitken and associate sound designers David Patridge and Richard Sharratt. Aitken and Patridge have spent the past five years working together on eight separate productions of Mamma Mia!, the musical based on t

UK - Skan PA Hire supplied a Digico D5 Live for Sound Techniques Group 40th anniversary corporate party hosted at Carrow Road, home of Norwich City football club. Sound Techniques staff enjoyed a three-course banquet and their view of the pitch was enhanced by music from early Sound Technologies' studio recordings courtesy of a row of white C25 speakers.

The set-up featured acts on two independent stages in a fairly narrow room. Skan's Steve Jones looked after the patch and Chris Amblin dealt with mics. By using the Digico D5 Live and Turbosound pairing, they kept the sound system very contained and discrete, whilst still achieving an even response in the room.

The second system consisted of a mixture of Turbosound speakers; flown TQs supported by 21" subs and TFM 450s for monitors controlled by XTA DP226 processing. Ant Carr operated the Digico D5 Live at front of house

Ireland - Bosch Security Systems' DCN Digital Congress Network system has been chosen by the Irish government to provide high quality international and portable conferencing facilities at various regional venues throughout the country during Ireland's Presidency of the EU. The new portable DCN Concentus system provides multi-lingual translation facilities using the Integrus infrared audio language distribution system for secure interference-free audio distribution in any language at the touch of a button.

Another Bosch DCN system is already used every day in the main Irish Parliament in Dublin, in addition to many other EU parliaments, including Brussels and the new Scottish parliament building in Edinburgh. The Dublin system was provided and installed by SKS, one of Bosch's main partners in Ireland, the new system provides a complete portable solution based on the well known t

USA - Veteran Rock legends R.E.M began the U.S. leg of their 2004 world tour this week with an EAW KF760 Line Array system supplied by Seattle-based Carlson Audio Systems, who have been contracted to provide the house sound system for all 30 shows of the tour.

In preparation for the R.E.M. tour, Carlson assembled a complete KF760 Line Array system consisting of 24 KF760 long/medium throw modules, eight KF761 near field modules and 16 EAW SB1000 subwoofers. Four KF750 and four KF755 full range boxes provide additional support along with six EAW JFX260s.

"We're long-time EAW fans, and have been ever since we purchased our first KF850 rig back in '93," commented Mark Carlson, founder of Carlson Audio. "We first took the KF760 Line Array out with Pearl Jam last year and were really impressed with its sonic quality and coverage."

Carlson continued: "Since

Australia - The opening and closing ceremonies of the Summer Olympic Games are always breathtakingly spectacular events that involve months of planning and detailed production work, and the Summer Olympics in Athens this year was no exception. Spearheading the massive production effort for both ceremonies was Australian company Norwest Productions (who also supplied production services for the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney) in association with local Athens-based firm, Enttech S.A. on behalf of Jack Morton Public Events.

Norwest's sound reinforcement system of choice was based on EAW's KF860 Virtual Line Array system supplemented by McCauley MLA3s for the upper decks. The main EAW system comprised a total of 64 EAW KF860 and KF861 Virtual Line Array systems and 36 EAW BH760 subs, which were ground-stacked in 32 arrays around the circumference of the bowl. Each cluster consi

UK - TXD loudspeaker systems are now installed throughout The Warehouse, a student-only club and bar/restaurant complex on Bristol's waterfront, reports Turbosound, the British-based manufacturer of live performance and installed-sound loudspeaker systems. An increasingly common sight in clubs and bars around the world, Turbosound TXD systems has developed a strong reputation for sound quality and value, with system design company M32 Audio & Lighting, installing some twenty TXD loudspeakers at The Warehouse. M32's installation also includes Turbosound Impact 50 loudspeakers, deployed in the venue's bar and VIP areas.

The internal structure of The Warehouse is focused around a main ground-level dance floor and bar area, with multiple mezzanine levels above and the El Puerto restaurant. Apart from the sub-bass enclosures, all the loudspeakers have been ceiling-flown, with the maj

UK - Martin Professional launched a new range of Mach speakers during the recent PLASA show at Earls Court in London. David Caulfield (MD) and Clive Bailey (UK Sales) of Martin Professional also announced that Leisuretec Distribution has been appointed to distribute this new Mach product into the installation sector.

Caulfield commented: 'Leisuretec Distribution are very well positioned to penetrate the installation sector with this fabulous new Ci series of speakers, already supplying a large customer base of installation companies with audio, visual & lighting products. It makes sense that Leisuretec should offer Mach / Martin products too'

Nick Spalding, managing director for Leisuretec Distribution added: "We are excited with this new arrangement. The Mach, Jem and Martin Professional brands are readily recognized as market leading products and it is very pleasing to

China - d&b audiotechnik (China) Ltd was established in Hong Kong in October 2004, and is the result of a co-operation between d&b audiotechnik and its existing distribution partner for the region since 2002, Sound Works and Supplies. d&b audiotechnik China will take on the task of providing the distribution and support for the whole of China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Through this office d&b intends to provide its customers with a more convenient and faster before and after sales support for its range of professional reinforcement systems. Mr. Freddie To, the sales and marketing director for the new company commented: "d&b audiotechnik is an established and well respected brand in Europe, who are totally focused on the complete system approach."

This approach encompasses loudspeakers, control electronics and mechanical accessories that are totally compatible, as well as

UK - Induction loop specialist Ampetronic has announced two new appointments to accommodate the increasing demand for induction loop systems in new and challenging environments. Julian Pieters assumes the position of managing director, with Ken Hollands becoming commercial director. Ampetronic's founder, Leon Pieters, takes on the role of technical director.

Julian Pieters joins Ampetronic from Cambridge Consultants, one of the foremost consultancies delivering turnkey product and technology development programmes. His management experience there, plus an INSEAD MBA, makes him ideally suited for his new role. Hollands, meanwhile, has a strong technical background and extensive international sales and marketing experience within the advanced technology and communications industries, working for companies such as Marconi and JDS Uniphase. During his career, he has successfully de

USA - Together with recently appointed US distributor, Audio Exchange International (AXI), pro audio manufacturer Audient will be using this month's AES exhibition as a platform to launch some of its latest products and strengthen the brand in the US. Audient's recording range is amongst an array of high-end US- and European-based audio products distributed by AXI, who are exhibiting in San Francisco on booth 426.

The AES show also sees the US launch of Audient's brand new digital equaliser and dynamics processor - NEO. This expandable DSP-based system comprises a two-channel master and two- or four-channel slaves, controllable within one network. Features include a graphic and parametric equalizer, high and low-pass filters, shelving EQ with compressor, limiter and dynamic equaliser, digital delay and optional RTA.

Sales and marketing director Luke Baldry says: "There

New Zealand - Grease, the original stage version of one of the highest-grossing musical movies ever, opened in Wellington's Opera House with Christchurch based Redd Acoustics providing audio with a little help from an XTA D2 dynamics processor.

The musical was born in a disused Chicago tram shed in 1971 as an experimental amateur show and by 1979 it was the longest-running show on Broadway and a hit movie. The Wellington Musical Theatre version met the challenge with a PA comprising ElectroVoice loudspeaker cabinets and M-Audio Monitors handled the band foldback along with the XTA processing.

XTA's SiDD (Seriously Intelligent Digital Dynamics) is already assisting in London's West End and on Broadway, but the multiband D2 Dynamic EQ was used on the Christchurch job. Systems and theatre engineer, Glen Ruske of Redd, comments: "The XTA D2 is fantastic for theatre work. It w

UK / Spain - Xtreme Audio Visual, the Clacton-on-Sea-based sound and lighting installation company which won the key contract to fit out the Guru superclub in Valencia, has created a new open-air dance terrace at the venue, featuring an ElectroVoice dancefloor system in keeping with Guru's use of EV and Dynacord products throughout the venue. All EV and Dynacord product was supplied by Shuttlesound, the UK distributor, to Xtreme AV.

Nirvana, the latest space, has been created by removing all the walls, leaving just the roof so that it works as a covered terrace. The VIP room has been integrated with the terrace, and both areas are integrated with the rest of Guru's rooms via the BSS Soundweb network which Xtreme installed last year. There is an ElectroVoice RX system for the main dancefloor, featuring four RX218s and four RX212s, two RX112s and four RX115s. This system is power

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