UK - Yamaha has introduced its first portable PA with the introduction of the Stagepas 300, designed to meet the increasing ' multi -use' demands of a variety of venues and institutions. Stagepas brings Yamaha's technology into a convenient, portable system that can be set-up and operated by anyone with little or no technical knowledge, say the company. Stagepas offer ultra-compact, 2-way designs with an easy-to-use eight-channel stereo mixing console. The system is also ideal for multimedia corporate presentations.

Each speaker contains an 8" woofer and 1" compression driver, driven by a 2x150W professional Yamaha power amplifier. The mixing console features balanced XLR connectors, microphone/line switches and balanced quarter-inch jacks. Two-band EQ provides flexible tone control and a 24-bit digital reverb further enhances sound fidelity. Connectors for tape recor

Germany - With effect from today, Sennheiser GmbH & Co KG, located in Wedemark, Germany, has taken over the marketing and development divisions of Klein & Hummel GmbH, located in Ostfildern, Germany, including all product rights and brand use. This move will be represented by a newly founded company, K&H Vertriebs- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH.

During its 60-year history, Klein & Hummel has developed a strong reputation for its studio monitors and other products including installed sound systems. In the past, Sennheiser has been Klein & Hummel's key distribution partner. With its existing core competencies, a worldwide distribution network and the newly gained K&H products, Sennheiser is now strengthening strengthens its position as a full-line supplier of electro-acoustic systems. Together with K&H's sister company Georg Neumann GmbH, Berlin, Sennheiser "represents th

UK - The London branch of LMC Audio has supplied a large order of Soundcraft mixing consoles to audio visual specialists Onyx Presentations. LMC's Steve 'Bunty' King confirmed that eight GB4's - in 16 and 32-channel frame sizes - and a pair of the new 48-channel GB8's had been purchased by the Sunbury-based company, a long-standing Soundcraft house, as it looked to upgrade its fleet by retiring some of its older K1 and K3 desks.

Commented King: "The feature set of the GB4 is fantastic; the EQ has been greatly enhanced, and unlike other consoles in this market it contains a matrix section." Onyx presentations hire manager, Craig Theaker, agreed that the company had made the right decision in holding back its purchasing decision until the GB4 became available: "We waited for a year, and it's been one of the better decisions we've made, the two 32-channel desks, whic

Qatar - It wasn't quite a royal command performance, but Sennheiser microphones made an appearance at the wedding celebrations for Shaikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Crown Prince of Qatar, son of His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar. The 12-hour party, for the prince's bride-to-be, featured a 45-piece Iraqi orchestra and a stage full of Sennheiser Evolution Series wired and RF microphones, as well as wireless personal monitor systems. Created, designed and produced by special event planners Colin Cowie Lifestyles of New York, the extravagant celebrations took place at the bride's palace, one of four in the Qatar royal family compound in the capital city of Doha.

"There was nothing on the stage but Sennheiser," reports Scott Scherban, project manager and audio crew chief for Delicate Productions of Camarillo, California, who provided the event pro

UK - Proel has added two enclosures to its highly successful, lightweight NEXT series. The new models, featuring 8 and 15" woofers respectively, come in active and passive versions and complete the polypropylene housed NEXT series.

Available in 4 and 8 ohm versions, the passive NEXT 8FP features an eight inch European-made driver with a diecast aluminium basket, with a one inch compression driver and will handle 160W (AES), delivering a maximum SPL of 121dB. Custom 12dB/Octave crossovers and premium speakers ensure superb sound quality.

The bi-amplified active version, the NEXT 8FBA, delivers an impressive 150W + 50W power (AES) and in common with all amplified NEXT models features thermal, DC voltage and short-circuit protection, as well as a subsonic filter, soft start and RF filtering.

The NEXT 15 versions come with the same options, but deliver considerably more pow

UK - Raymond Gubbay's perennial opera-in-the-round offering at London's Albert Hall utilized a TiMax audio delay matrix and showcontrol system to help create authentic and transparent vocal reinforcement for principals and chorus vocals. Directed by David Freeman and accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Peter Robinson, this was Gubbay's second Albert Hall presentation of Carmen, with sound reinforcement by Autograph and sound design by Bobby Aitken.

Bizet's romantic tragedy was translated into English to appeal to a broader opera-going audience, so mandated TiMax's unique use of multiple precedence delays to enhance intelligibility through precise vocal localization. This "source-oriented reinforcement" technique ensures each audience member will localize to the performers' acoustic vocal output from the stage just a few milliseconds befo

USA - A sound system upgrade for the 1,200-seat Community Theatre of New Jersey in Morristown presented a puzzle to newly hired staff audio engineer and technical director Jonathan 'JP' Peirce. Faced with a number of challenges - problematic acoustics, a limited budget, and strict aesthetic requirements - all proposed loudspeaker systems fell short in one way or another. Finally, when Peirce decided to "think small," the pieces of the puzzle fell together around an elegant solution based on Meyer Sound M1D ultra-compact curvilinear arrays.

The new FOH system is anchored by 12 M1D cabinets per side for the orchestra level, with a centre array of eight M1D cabinets and two M1D-Sub ultra-compact subwoofers covering the balcony. Peirce had first looked traditional Meyer MSL-4 clusters: "But it just wasn't right for this room," says Pierce. He then looked at the

The Netherlands - The Cultuurpodium Boerderij in Zoetermeer, the Netherlands, recently invested heavily in new equipment, deciding in favour of systems from Midas and Klark Teknik. The team from Midas Consoles Holland, led by Axel Nagtegaal delivered a Midas Heritage 48-channel console, a Klark Teknik Helix digital EQ and five Klark Teknik DN-370 graphic EQs just in time for the venue's New Year's Eve party.

The Cultuurpodium Boerderij has a long and eventful history, but since the 1990s, it has settled into the role of a modern, multi-functional cultural centre, with a programme which includes found dance events, cabarets, theatrical performances and concerts representative of a wide variety of musical genres. In addition to the large 750-seater main hall, the Cultuurpodium Boerderij boasts a second, smaller venue for live music: the Podium Café, which has a capacity of aroun

UK - LMC Audio Systems, London has sold 12 channels of Audio-Technica Artist Elite 5000 Series UHF, true-diversity wireless microphone systems, to Onyx Presentations, the Middlesex based presentation and conference hire company.

The sale represents the first of A-T Artist Elite 5000 Series wireless systems by LMC into the corporate AV market, and a first time purchase for Onyx Presentations. The purchase was part of a continuing expansion of the company's conference hire AV systems. The switch to Audio-Technica was the result of client feedback, concerning the suitability of existing wireless microphone systems for conference applications.

"People were reporting finding the capsules on our existing systems too large and heavy, particularly for female presenters," explains managing director Paul Gilley. "We had seen an advert for the Artist Elite series, and arra

UK - When the Met Office relocated from Bracknell just over a year ago to its new purpose-built £80m 33,000sq.m headquarters in Exeter, one of the facilities it wanted to radically upgrade was its conference provision.

Four new conference areas have been built and the configuration now allows a large 250-seat theatre to be divisible into two separate spaces, with a smaller 60-seat space (which can equally be divided into two separate theatres).

Costain-Skanska Joint Venture, awarded the contract to supply audio to Impact Marcom, which chose to design the audio infrastructure around Symetrix SymNet DSP processing power. The Met Office recently hosted an international conference on how best to minimize the impacts of climate change at which over 200 delegates assembled in the main auditorium.

With high emphasis placed on routing and signal distribution, SymNet became the pref

UK - As tight timescales go, it was a test of spirit and ingenuity for Environ Audio, working closely with its supplier Harman Pro UK. The two companies collaborated to supply and install 43 South Molton Street - a new, exclusive private members club - with a top quality audio system in time to open for a party the next night!

The venue - designed by the award winning Russell Stage - features an event/party space in the basement, a restaurant on the ground floor and a lounge on the top two floors. It's independently owned by three young entrepreneurs who understand the importance of good sound.

They chose Environ's sound design - created by classical musician and acoustic engineer Dan Eades - based on a package of Harman products including JBL, dbx and Crown - above others, even though it wasn't the cheapest. However quality-wise, it came closest to what they wanted to achieve

UK - When the Imperial War Museum in London needed lighting to enhance the launch of its new touring exhibition, Their Past Your Future, TPYF communications manager, Sarah Dowd, turned to White Light Events, following the successful collaboration between White Light and the Museum on the 1940's House exhibition in 2001.

Their Past Your Future is a new educational project led by the Imperial War Museum, and funded by the Big Lottery Fund, which aims to inspire people of all ages to discover the Second World War, how it shaped and altered the world's course, and why it is still relevant now and in the future. It is now showing in nine different locations around the UK, including: Bluewater Shopping Centre in Dartford, Kent, Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes, Action Stations at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Forest of Mercia Innovation Centre, Staffordshire, Blackburn Mu

Germany - A new German distribution company has been formed by Hans-Joachim Rockel, Christian Schiele and Jan Wintersberg. Working with ProdyTel, of Fuerth, Germany, the new company, also called ProdyTel, has been formed to distribute the company's 'Audio via TCP/IP' solutions worldwide, as well as a portfolio of other products including Clearone audio-conferencing products in Germany.

The company emphasizes the modern direction of ProdyTel as an IT/AV distribution company. In Germany, it will offer solutionsincluding Clearone and Gentner audio-conferencing; CUE media remote control systems; Teldat WAN-routers, switches and merchant gateways; ProdyTel audio via TCP/IP solutions, and S-Cluster; and Prodys IP codecs, E1/T1 multiplexers and ISDN Codecs.

(Lee Baldock)

France - To be launched at ProLight&Sound exhibition in Frankfurt next month (6-9 April), InnovaSon's new range of interfaces allows for greater connectivity between InnovaSon consoles and third party compatible products whilst at the same time increasing the I/O capabilities of the Sy80 and Sy48 digital mixing consoles considerably, say the company.

As yet un-named, the first product in the range provides a link for 64 bi-directional audio channels between the DSP cards of two InnovaSon consoles using an EtherSound interface card. Alternatively the same cardset can be used to access up to 64 channels of audio from external devices via EtherSound, or to connect to a second InnovaSon stage box which, InnovaSon tells us, will be available shortly, after the first audio links ship.

The interfaces comprise a host daughter card attached to an Sy80 or Sy48 DSP module that can hold

Malaysia - One of Kuala Lumpur's newest clubs, the Rum Jungle, has been opened by Trend Matrix in the shadow of the Petronas Towers. Themed on the Malaysian ecosystem, tropical foliage envelopes the building's perimeters, reinforced in a cover of jungle mist, atmospheric lighting, water features, flaming torches, giant river boulders, and even a trapeze and a swing-rope.

Supplied by Electro-Systems Industries Pte Ltd, sound reinforcement for Rum Jungle offers the guests the most diversified acoustic experience to be found on the strip. Planning the sound reinforcement for the different areas (main room, VIP area, dining area, foldback for stage) meant using different speakers to perform the various audio tasks: because of its open-air architecture, designing the live sound reinforcement for the main room posed some acoustic challenges especially as the room's seating was on two

USA - Beyoncé, at the 77th Annual Academy Awards show, broadcast live on ABC from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday, February 27th, sang three of the Oscar-nominated original song, using her standard Sennheiser RF microphone, which pairs an SKM5000-N handheld transmitter with a Neumann KK 105-S capsule.

RF systems provider and frequency coordinator for the show, David Bellamy, whose Burbank-based Soundtronics Wireless company specializes in RF equipment rental for major entertainment, sports and broadcast events, supplied the remainder of the Sennheiser microphones and RF gear for the telecast. "We had SK5012 beltpack transmitters and SKM5000-N handhelds, plus EM3032 receivers," says Bellamy.

In addition to Beyoncé's own mic, Soundtronics Wireless supplied Sennheiser/Neumann hybrid handheld mics for host Chris Rock as well as for Josh Groban, who joined Beyo

USA - Loud Technologies Inc has announced the acquisition of St. Louis Music Inc, a Missouri-based manufacturer, distributor and importer of branded musical instruments and professional audio products. As part of this acquisition, St. Louis Music will become an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Loud Technologies Inc.

Founded in 1922 by the Kornblum family, St. Louis Music's products include world-renowned Ampeg bass guitar amplifiers, Crate amplifiers, Crate Audio sound reinforcement equipment, Alvarez guitars and string instruments, and Knilling orchestral string instruments. The company is also one of the largest distributors of music accessories, offering retailers a complete line of branded accessory products.

"This acquisition demonstrates that Sun Capital Partners, our principal shareholder, is committed to the expansion of our portfolio into related markets,&q

UK - Workwear manufacturer Setwear has announced the availability of EasyFit 2 - a tough yet flexible glove made from 0.5mm synthetic leather with durable gel foam padding in the palms for extra grip and neoprene reinforcement over the knuckles for flexibility and protection, while Lycra panels between the fingers increase mobility and give extra comfort.

Machine washable and fast drying, these gloves allow you to dial your phone, tie knots and operate equipment without taking them off, say the company. The gloves "built for the needs of the technician working in the live entertainment industry" are now available from stockists in the UK and Europe.

(Lee Baldock)

Germany - At the Frankfurt ProLight&Sound exhibition next month (6-9 April), German distributor Camco will be hosting the exhibition display of its most high-profile line, the sound reinforcement products of Nexo. These will be shown alongside Camco's own acclaimed power amplifier designs and network control software.

One of the most popular models in the range is the Vortex 6, which has this year powered world tours by Metallica, Marilyn Manson, and Slipknot, with Robert Plant and Garbage getting ready to tour with Camco racks. The Vortex 200V is the latest addition to the line: specified at more than 3kW per channel RMS at 4 Ohms, the Vortex 200V delivers voltage at the output of 200V per channel.

The Tecton Series has won new converts to Camco's High-Efficient-SMPS (Switch Mode Power Supply) design concept, the company says. The Tecton models, targeted at the sound contra

UK - Stage Electrics London has complete the move into its new shop, after more than 12 months at its Long Lane premises. "We wanted to give our customers easier access to the facilities at Stage Electrics," says Linda Moore, head of sales and marketing for the company. "We have the added value of parking at the rear of the building where we now have customer access to the shop and hire warehouse."

There have also been some additions to the team at Long Lane. Stephen Bray has joined as sales manager for the branch. Bray has come to Stage Electrics from a background in sound, most recently at Media Tools. Also, James Morris has joined as a customer service representative after working at Vodafone. Bray and his team will shortly be holding a series of open evenings to introduce products and services now available from London.

Pictured left to right are: Ed

UK - One of the UK's more famous golf clubs, the links at Frinton-on-Sea, has given a high-tech boost to its old clubhouse, with the installation of Electrovoice EViD background music systems in several of its bars and function rooms.

Installation company Xtreme Audio Visual, based just down the road in Clacton-on-Sea, has designed a zoned system using off-white coloured EViD 6.2 and 4.2 compact full-range speakers. The small but highly stylized speakers have been fitted in the main club bar and into the club's function room, as well as the Ladies' Dining Room and the Bridge Room.

"All the cables have been hidden," explains Craig Wiggins of Xtreme, "and the speakers have been painted off-white so that they blend in really nicely with the existing décor. We were keen to have very low visibility in a traditional environment like this, so it's great that the memb

UK - Northern Light has just supplied one of the first GB8 consoles from Soundcraft, after its launch at NAMM, to Galeri Caernarfon. The GB8 is the new eight-bus console augmenting Soundcraft's GB4 console range and is available in frame sizes from 16 to 48 channels, each with four full-function stereo channels and four stereo returns. A 32 channel GB8 has been supplied to Galeri as part of the complete £500k technical fit out of the new Creative Enterprise Centre for Cwmni Tref.

The GB8 console was selected after the centre manger Huw Aled Jones visited PLASA 2004 where Soundcraft unveiled the GB4 - as soon as he saw the GB4 he was impressed with quality and functionality of the desk - but wanted something more and after careful deliberations with Northern Light's project manager Simon Cooper and Soundcraft's UK sales manager Gary Dent it was decided to wait for the release of

Italy - FBT Elettronica SpA has announced the appointment of Mr. Roberto Mataloni to be in charge of international sales for East Europe, Africa, Middle East, Far East and Oceania. He will work alongside with Mr. Mauro Zazzini.

Mataloni is pleased to be back to FBT after the six years he spent at Proel, he comments: "For me this is like returning home, having previously worked ten years with FBT before joining Proel. A lot has changed during this time and this opportunity finds me very motivated: over these years FBT has built a stronger reputation of a professional sound reinforcement manufacturer, developing and manufacturing high quality products to meet the most demanding applications. FBT has grown a lot in these last years, both in sales and in "made in Italy" technology: today, the company can present one of the most advanced R&D department. Products like t

Latest Issue. . .