France - University of California Berkeley's Centre for New Music and Audio Technologies (CNMAT) is a hotbed of research into areas of music and sound technology as diverse as music languages and protocols, gestural controllers, and new methods of radiating and spatializing sound. Meyer Sound's long-time dedication to advanced research and the physical proximity of their facilities (Meyer Sound headquarters is barely two miles from CNMAT), made it entirely natural for an alliance to form between the two organizations. The relationship that developed has encompassed several projects over a number of years.

Currently, Meyer Sound is supporting a CNMAT effort to create a loudspeaker array capable of mimicking the kinds of radiation patterns exhibited by acoustical musical instruments. The most recent prototype array is a 10-inch-diameter icosahedron incorporating 120 1.25-inch driv

France - As one of the very few loudspeaker system manufacturers, Alcons Audio will be present at the coming AES convention in Paris. On the show, Alcons will be exhibiting with a sample of each product category; the first product of the completely new 'S-series', the SR9.

The SR9 is an ultra-compact ribbon loudspeaker, specifically designed for applications where ultimate fidelity response needs to be projected with wide horizontal and precise vertical coverage, such as low-profile stage-lip/front-fill, upper-/under-balcony or stair risers or walls.

The rapidly acceptance-gaining Q-series will be on show, with a 2 metre stack of QR36 and a stand-mounted QR18 ribbon column array. "Ultimate controlled projection" are the key-words here, says the company.

The already famous flexibility of the LR14 ultra-compact ribbon line-array is shown with the unique BRK3LR14 brac

UK - Audio-Technica Ltd. has announced that it has been appointed as UK distributor for the True Systems range of microphone preamps.

True Systems is a product line of US consulting, design and manufacturing company Sunrise Engineering and Design. The current product range comprises the P2 Analog 2-channel mic preamp, the Precision 8i, 8-channel preamp, and the single channel P-SOLO desktop preamp. Designed for studio, live and location-based recording, each of the True Systems units delivers hi-end sonic performance in a variety of situations.

Tim Spencer, president of True Systems says: "Audio-Technica has always been known for innovative technology, highest-quality products and serious customer focus. So, when the opportunity arose to work with Audio-Technica Ltd. for distribution of True Systems products in the UK and Germany, we were very excited - and honoured. Afte

Iran - The 300-seat Talan Honar theatre is an antique building located in the heart of Tehran, the capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The theatre is mainly used for multipurpose applications, such as theatre, drama, live music and - being equipped with 5.1 Dolby equipment and a 35mm cinema projector - for screening movies.

The theatre is owned by the Municipality of Tehran and its refurbishment was recently completed by one of Iran's largest Iranian companies (Sazeman Farhangi Honary Shardari), which renovated the hall, changing the interior decoration, seats, screen, acoustic treatment and wall covering, as well as the sound reinforcement system and lighting fixtures.

The project manager in charge for the municipality was Masood Roostaei and the upgrade began in August 2005 and ended in February 2006. The sound equipment was provided by Italian manufacturer Outline, and

UK - DPA Microphones has announced a major staff restructure following a year-on-year growth of 20% to May 2006. The move is designed to focus staff in areas where their skills and expertise will most benefit the company, placing DPA in the optimum position for continued rapid expansion.

René Morch, formerly with DK Technologies, has joined DPA as new development manager with a brief to oversee all technical projects, optimising the potential of the creative team behind the company's product development.

The other changes affect three of the company's co-owners. Ole Brosted Sorensen has become Director of Innovation, steering the company's technological developments into the future, while Jens-Jorn Stokholm - one of the developers of DPA's renowed miniature microphone - is Director of Development, ensuring that the company's direction is realised.

Meanwhile Morten Sto

USA - The Red Raiders of Lubbock's Texas Tech University are one of the state's higher-profile college football teams: a big 12 team that swept the Holiday Bowl last year in San Diego, and played in the Cotton Bowl this year. The team's coach, Mike Leach, was recently the first coach to make the cover of the New York Times Magazine, achieving the distinction of being named one of football's best offensive coaches. Home for the team is Jones SBC Stadium, a 55,000-seat venue that underwent a $90 million renovation last year, including replacing the stadium's patchwork sound system with a new system built on Meyer Sound's Milo high-power curvilinear array loudspeakers.

The stadium's original design dates from the 1960s, and while it's not all that out of the ordinary, it presented a few logistical challenges that led James Bush, the venue's production manager, to opt for the single

UK - One of the most unlikely hybrid retail operations in London's burgeoning Fitzrovia area, is that of CVO Firevault. Immersed in the luxurious basement showroom of prestigious fireplaces and flickering flames is an ultra-chic cocktail bar and restaurant - the brainchild of husband and wife owners, Carolyn and Christian van Outersterp. Given the unique surroundings, after hours this transforms effortlessly into a seductive intimate party venue.

The only element letting the place down was the sound system, as manager Matthieu Destandau explained. "When I first came here three years ago it was more like a casual coffee bar, but slowly we increased the restaurant and bar activity, as well as the outside entertainment."

With the sponsoring of private parties and receptions in the 85 cover restaurant came the requirement for outside production, and Destandau called on C

Canada - PALM Expo 2006 (formally known as CALM Expo) will bring more than 1200 exhibiting companies with some 130,000 qualified visitors together, over the four days of exhibition. This international exhibition spans over 12 halls in the China International Exhibition Centre (CIEC), between 31 May and 3 June in Beijing.

Brock Adamson, founder and CEO of Adamson Systems Engineering will attend China's 15th annual PALM expo and will be present at booth 8120, hosted by Adamson's Chinese distributors Eastern Acoustic Development. EAD will exhibit Adamson's newest products the T-21Sub and M15 multipurpose enclosures, along side with Y-Axis Y10's and Y18's. Mr. Adamson will show power point presentations and report further on the new T-21 Sub's driver ND-21 design and on the Adamson Co-Linear Drive Technology.

Adamson Systems Engineering develops and manufactures high-end loudspeak

UK - Shuttlesound has successfully hosted its latest Telex Academy, one of a series of educational events which are aimed at professional end-users and resellers working with Electro-Voice, Dynacord, Midas and Klark-Teknik technologies. 20 'students' from all over England and Scotland attended this Academy, which focussed on the needs of the permanent installation market.

The two-day event covered a variety of subjects, from basic principles of audio engineering to complex installation design tutorials, referencing Telex's numerous networked installations in the World Cup football stadia in Germany. Presenters from Shuttlesound, including John Ellis, Jason Kelly, and David Howe, were joined by Frauke Jungbluth from Germany, Dynacord's brand manager. Together, they took their audience through the Telex product portfolio, discussing different brand philosophies and the possibiliti

UK - One of the studio industry's best-known faces, Ian Davidson, has joined the team at Technical Earth Ltd, the London-based specialists in equipment servicing and technical design/installation. Davidson's appointment is a coup for Technical Earth's founder and MD John Fredericks, who regards it as a key step in the company's plans for expansion and diversification.

Davidson has a long and distinguished track record in the British film and music recording industries. He spent 18 years in various technical and managerial roles at Townhouse and Olympic Studios in London, before moving to Abbey Road Studios, also part of the EMI Studio Group. Most recently, he served as operations manager of the famous De Lane Lea film and TV post-production facilities in central London. He has also completed several consultancy projects in the studio sector.

His move to Technical Earth came ab

UK - In little over a month since its launch, SSE Hire has placed an initial order for four Soundcraft Vi6 digital live mixing consoles to add to its impressive digital rental stock.

Headquarters near Birmingham, with additional sites in Europe, SSE Hire is a member of the SSE Audio Group, which offers integrated services including sound design, service and repair, fabrication and structures. SSE Hire provides audio systems for events, tours and concerts worldwide.

Having had input to the development of the Soundcraft Vi6, and recently completed trials with the unit at their warehouse in Redditch, SSE hire manager Rich Rowley, says: "We've known Soundcraft for many years and have been familiar with their trusted MH range, but have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the digital Vi6. We were not disappointed - our first experiences with it have been very exciting. The use

USA - When Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire was published in 1976, it quickly became the most popular vampire tale since Dracula. Nearly 10 years passed before Rice wrote more vampire stories, which have since continued in a steady stream of books totaling a dozen volumes as of 2003. Naturally, several movies have been made from this colourful body of work, but it was only in 2005 that a full theatrical production was mounted based on Rice's vampire writings. Now opening on Broadway, Lestat is a musical scored by the Sir Elton John and his longtime collaborator, Bernie Taupin. The elaborate production's complex soundtrack is rendered by a sound system built around a powerful LCS Audio Matrix3 digital audio system and an extensive complement of self-powered Meyer Sound loudspeakers in an innovative configuration.

Lestat premiered at San Francisco's Gea

Italy - A spectacular music event took place in Italy recently to mark the end of the two-day celebrations to launch Turin as the Book Capital of the World. Organised by the band Subsonica, a four-hour concert was staged at the Olympic Palasport (Palaolimpico Isozaki) in the city, named Volumi all'Idorgeno.

This was Subsonica's only performance of 2006, and joining them onstage were Africa Unite, Linea 77, Marlene Kunz, Mau Mau, Perturbazione, E'LIA, Gatto Ciliegia and Wu Ming in an evening that didn't just set out to be a concert but a major 'happening'; all the bands worked between themselves, building a cross narration through a game of quotations, turning several books into music which ran across various video screens.

The marathon show ran continuously, without change of stage, almost like a rave of electronic images, lights words and music. The name of the evening,'Volum

Canada - MediaTech s.r.o., a leading pro audio company, has been appointed Adamson's distributor for the Czech Republic. Established in 1991 in the former Czechoslovakia, the company has grown from its four founding members to close to 40, and has compiled an impressive line card that includes Lab.gruppen and it's parent company t.c.electronic. MediaTech headquarters are about 100km east of Prague in the town of Chrudim and a regional office is located in the eastern part of the county. Mediatech s.r.o is also a majority shareholder of Mediattech Spol.s.r.o in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Their Adamson demo stock consists of 16 Spektrix, six Spektrix Subs, a turnkey solutions package that includes Lab.gruppen fP3400's and fP6400's amps, Adamson's DX6000 Processors, Adamson's European Touring Series panels, and Adamson European A/C Panels.

MediaTech's employees attended Adamson's trai

Spain - Fridays' Project, Barcelona's largest multiple brand fashion store located at the most exclusive part of the Paseo de Gracia, was recently outfitted with a D.A.S. Audio sound system. Installed by the Fidel Color company, a custom sound system comprised by a total of 64 Factor-5TE speakers (wall-mountable with line transformer) were distributed throughout the store's three stories using 32 white and 32 black enclosures. Powered by two Energy E-12T amplifiers and a Dateq ACE mixer, the system provides musical ambience to two women's and one men's fashion floor.

Thanks to their elegant and discreet design, the Factor speakers have been seamlessly integrated into the store, providing a warm and cozy musical ambience, transforming the customer's store visit into a comfortable and pleasant experience. This, in turn, is essential to further the length of their shopping visit. T

USA - When it comes to live work, no one knows more about front of house soundthan Kevin Pruce. Over the last 23 years he has worked with the biggest names in the business including Madonna and Bjork. So what gear does he take on tour with himΩ Focusrite.

Reading Kevin Pruce's live engineering credentials is like looking at a who's who of icons from last three decades of pop. It includes Duran Duran, Adam Ant, The Human League, Tears For Fears, The Style Council, Sinead O'Connor, Bjork, Lemon Jelly, Starsailor, Yoko Ono, Meat Loaf and, last but by no means least, Madonna! And with all that experience, it's difficult to ignore what this man has to say about which equipment to use for liveduties.

"When it comes to FOH, spec the right equipment for the job, not what is flavour of the month," he says. With that in mind it's not surprising to find that an engineer o

Australia - Australia's leading dance music event organizer, Fuzzy, has specified Allen & Heath Xone DJ mixing consoles for all its forthcoming events. Fuzzy's programme includes the biggest, highest profile events on the continent including Shore Thing (NYE Bondi beach), Field Day, Summer Field Day, 360, Park Life, Harbour Life, Sydney's Metro, The Basement, and 'After Hours' - a weekly event at YU.

"Fuzzy have taken this unprecedented step in order to guarantee good sound quality," said John Wall, CEO of Fuzzy. "We only want the best at our events and that's why we're using Allen & Heath. Despite the fact that many of our international guest DJs have personal mixer endorsements, standardising on Allen & Heath hasn't been difficult - it's the console every pro is happy to use."

"This is a fantastic relationship for us," commented Jamie Kaye, Aust

USA - Making big improvements to a live venue's sound doesn't have to be complicated. When new ownership took over an existing 600-person club in New York named Revolution Hall, they expected it would take a lot of work to turn around its infamous negative sonic characteristics. Instead, all they had to do was install a new live sound system from Danley Sound Labs.

"My goal with Revolution Hall was to create an all-purpose venue where you could perform all genres of music with the highest quality sound," says John A. Chiara, owner. "Installing loudspeakers from Danley Sound Labs has been instrumental in achieving that. A drummer that played in this venue regularly over the years told me that it has gone from being the worst-sounding club he ever played to the best-sounding. Then he asked me what acoustic adjustments I'd made. I said, 'None yet, I just changed the

Iran - The 300-seat Talan Honar theatre is an antique building located in the heart of Tehran, the capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The theatre is mainly used for multipurpose applications, such as theatre, drama, live music and - being equipped with 5.1 Dolby equipment and a 35mm cinema projector - for screening movies.

The theatre is owned by the Municipality of Tehran and its refurbishment was recently completed by one of Iran's largest Iranian companies (Sazeman Farhangi Honary Shardari), which renovated the hall, changing the interior decoration, seats, screen, acoustic treatment and wall covering, as well as the sound reinforcement system and lighting fixtures.

The project manager in charge for the municipality was Masood Roostaei and the upgrade began in August 2005 and ended in February 2006. The sound equipment was provided by Italian manufacturer Outline, and

Germany - e:cue GmbH has announced the appointment of Jens Freihoefer as sales manager at the company's Cologne office. Friehoefer's experience includes exhibition booth, television and architectural lighting, as well as experience in the international distribution of lighting products in one of Europe's biggest light and sound markets. He has over five years of practical experience on all common lighting control systems and knowledge of the lighting market, which make him an ideal person for this position, say e:cue.

Freihoefer will take care for supporting the existing e:cue distributors and providing support service for special projects.

(Lee Baldock)

UK - Northern Light, one of the UK's leading providers of stage engineering, lighting and sound services, is delighted to announce the arrival of three new members of staff - Gregor Murray, Lois Ferguson and Keith Mitchell.

Gregor returns to Northern Light, after an absence of 12 years, as events services manager. During his time away he ran his own company - Liquid Lighting - supplying lighting to the nightclub and events industries. After a chance meeting with Northern Light's managing director, Gregor was wooed back to the company and will liaise with clients to plan the production of their events.

Ferguson joins Northern Light as marketing manager from her own freelance marketing consultancy. With experience in the private, public and voluntary sectors, Lois will put in place Northern Light's strategic marketing and communications plan and address the day to day marketing

UK - RCF are in the process of appointing a select number of market strategic dealers for their 4PRO and TT+ Active range of speakers. The latest addition to the scheme is Sabre International, based in Reading Berkshire.

RCF's Phil price says: "With companies such as Sabre, who specialise in large outdoor events, especially with student unions and universities. Having the right type of speaker systems can be critical. With introduction of the RCF 4Pro series, it gives us the opportunity to offer a much wider range of speakers for the mid to large size events."

Paul Bridgman MD of Sabre added: "During the year we get a lot of our business through rental and hire to student venues. With the kind of service RCF are offering with their larger speaker ranges, including the 4Pro 7001 speakers, it allows us to undertake a much wider range events, using the same family

Canada - Canada's Acoustix Québec, located between Farnham and Cowansville in Quebec, Canada, is a sound and lighting company with a musical instrument store. The company was recently purchased by Eric Tremblay and his partner François Loiselle and with new owners has come a new outlook on business. "The business was more store and rental oriented whilst doing some small venues for out town Farnham," said Tremblay. "We are now aiming for larger projects; we have changed the store display and bought a lot of new lighting gear.

"We now have five employees plus we have to hire some technicians for the bigger shows. However, we want to get some bigger venues, to go on tour, and we are beginning to work for corporate shows in Montreal where the action is. At the same time we are trying to have better and more equipment in the store."

Tremblay was lo

USA - As a key part of recent expansion and company development initiatives including the appointment of several new members of staff, new distributors and even a new company logo, InnovaSon has announced its expansion into the US with the inauguration of an InnovaSon office based out of the internationally renowned rehearsal facility, Soundcheck, in Nashville, Tennessee. The move coincides with the appointment of industry specialist, Kevin Madden, to the position of national sales manager.

"This is an extremely positive step for InnovaSon," commented sales and marketing director, Xavier Pion. "We've been looking for a suitable solution to further service the US market for some time, and the opening of a US office, especially here at Soundcheck at the heart of the US music scene, offers us the best of everything. In addition to all of the usual office facilities,

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