Sound

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USA - SE Systems of Greensboro, NC has been named the recipient of a 2006 TEC Award for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Tour Sound Production for the North American tour of Alison Krauss and Union Station, featuring Jerry Douglas. The award was presented to SE Systems as well as FOH engineer Bernie Velluti and monitor engineer Mark Richards.

According to SE Systems owner Cliff Miller, the use of JBL Vertec line arrays proved to be one of the keys to the tour's success. "The system has worked out extremely well for us on the Alison Krauss tour," he said. "We try to make the sound system as transparent as possible to maintain the purity of the acoustic instruments and Alison's vocals. With the Vertec line arrays, we are able to amplify the instruments through microphones without any additional built-in pickups. This provides us with significantly more gain at th

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UK - Audio-Technica is employing an innovative Bluetooth based mobile marketing application at this year's Music Live exhibition to promote the new Artist Series range of microphones.

The BluRange Ranger from electronic marketing specialists, LHM Media, will broadcast a MMS message to all Bluetooth enabled devices - mobile phones, PDAs or laptops - within a 100 metre radius of the Audio-Technica stand (C50) during Music Live. The promotional message, with content incorporating full colour graphics, offers customers a further 10% off of the special offer price on all Artist Series microphones during the show, to anyone showing it on their mobile device to an Audio-Technica member of staff.

Commenting on the campaign, Harvey Roberts, senior UK marketing manager, Audio-Technica, states: "We are constantly looking to extend the reach and effectiveness of our mar

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UK - Adlib Audio has completed the design, specification and installation of a new sound system at Liverpool Royal Philharmonic Hall. The prestigious 1700 capacity concert hall venue is one of the city's landmarks, and Its music programme encompasses a wide variety of events.

Adlib's Andy Dockerty and Roger Kirby designed the system, and the installation project was co-ordinated by Mark Burnley. The system is based around a 9-a-side Nexo GeoD line array, with two Adlib AA 218 HL subs a side. The Nexo was chosen by the venue for its neat, tailored appearance that would cause minimal intrusion in the room and provide sufficient SPL for the various events held within the hall.

Across the front of the stage, the old Nexo PS10 speakers have been reutilised for centre stalls infills and onstage there are eight AA1214w floor monitors, Adlib's latest 650W/12" wedges. To the rear

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USA - Crown International announces two key appointments to its senior staff with the dual promotions of Scott Potosky to vice president of engineering and Marc Kellom to vice president of marketing.

According to Crown president Mark Graham, who made the announcement: "Both Scott and Marc have impressive track records with Crown, leading the development of some of our most important products over the past decade. Each brings extensive leadership experience and an intimate understanding of our business to their respective positions."

Potosky has enjoyed an 18-year tenure with Crown, most recently serving as a product development manager. "Scott's experience in the engineering process and collaboration with other Harman Pro business units makes him a great fit for his new role," says Graham.

Prior to joining Crown, Potosky earned his bachelor's degree in el

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Italy - Proel SpA has appointed Marco Farello as export manager. Previously, he has worked with with major Italian distributors, developing solid international relationships with MI and pro audio manufacturers worldwide.

Farello will have special responsibility for Proel's sound reinforcement division. He says, "The market is continuously offering new opportunities to expand business. I am very happy to be joining such a forward looking company that has high quality products and a strong reputation for customer service."

(Jim Evans)

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UK - London's Trafalgar Square recently played host to a series of live music events, with sound reinforcement services provided by AdLib Audio Hire of Liverpool. A complete large-scale audio system featuring JBL Professional Vertec line arrays and Soundcraft's new Vi6 digital mixing console was supplied.

The weekend of September 15-17 featured an eclectic variety of events, including a peace rally and a full live musical programme. On September 16, Scissor Sisters performed at the MOTO (RED) benefit event, sponsored by Motorola. Proceeds from the show went towards the global fight against AIDS in Africa. September 17 featured Simcha On The Square, a celebration of Jewish music and culture.

AdLib Audio provided two main left/right arrangements of Vertec VT4889 full-size line array elements, with additional outfill arrays positioned to serve the large audiences in the br

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UK - London School of Sound (LSS) has adopted Allen & Heath's Xone:3D mixer/controller to conduct its modern DJ Skills courses for live performance and studio production, and has devised a course with specialised training on the Xone:3D in conjunction with Ableton and other music software providers.

"We were initially attracted to the Xone:3D because it is the first control surface for Ableton Live designed with the performing DJ in mind. The layout is clear and well organised, the controls are intuitive, and the construction quality make it a reliable choice for our demanding schedule of (ab)use!" explains LSS tutor, Federico Bersano Begey. "Its ability to work as an audio/MIDI interface for both Mac and PC, make it the ideal controller to run almost all of our courses."

He continues, "Modern DJ's, whether pro or bedroom, are interested in much more t

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USA - D.A.S. Audio staged its North American Aero Line Array Training Seminar on October 18 and 19 at the Fitzgerald Hotel in Las Vegas. The seminar was addressed to US Aero line array system users as well as potential clients. At the same time, the new Variant line array and EASE Focus software were presented to the US market.

The main seminar speakers were Ashok Maharaj, independent professional audio consultant from Venezuela; Javier Navarro, D.A.S. Audio sound engineer; Kevin Hill, head of sales for the US; Ramón Franco, sales representative for Colombia and technical adviser for Latin America; and Jack Palacio, international sales director of D.A.S. Audio. Roberto Giner, D.A.S. marketing director, as well as all sales representatives for the US were also present.

Close to ninety people attended the sessions which focused mainly on the line array theory and the dev

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USA - Fits & Starts Productions will bring a pair of its How-To Church Sound Workshops to next year's NSCA Expo on March 16 and 17 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. Offering applied, hands-on training for volunteer staff, music ministers, youth members, choir directors, musicians, or anyone seeking to gain a better understanding of sound systems or considering a sound system upgrade, the workshops will focus on both basic and advanced techniques.

The How-To Church Sound Microphone Techniques Workshop will focus on the proper choice and use of microphones in a house of worship environment, the workshop will examine correct microphone placement for musical instruments, choirs, and soloists, as well as the operation and differences between hardwired and wireless microphone systems. Different microphone polar patterns will additionally be evaluated

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UK - The Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers held their annual Institute Day on Friday 20th October 2006 in Watford. The event comprised the ever popular Warren Barnett Memorial Lecture which this year was presented by Sam Wise BSc CEng of Arup Acoustics, whose subject was loudspeaker arrays and how they work.

The AGM followed the lecture and the day concluded with a dinner at which presentations were made to individuals who were recognised for giving outstanding service to the Industry. Bryan Robinson of Robbotronic Co, vice president, was made a Fellow of the Institute and Terry Baldwin and David Boxall of Baldwin Boxall were awarded Lifetime Achievement certificates for their contribution, mainly to the voice alarm industry and to export.

In his address, David Hopkins OBE, president of the Institute, thanked the members for their support and in particular the su

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UK - RF specialist Trantec has announced the launch of its innovative S.16 UHF wireless radio microphone system. Representing a further expansion of its growing portfolio of WEE compatible products, Trantec's S4.16 system promises "high quality wireless audio links at an affordable price".

The robust 19" rack mountable receiver pack boasts 16 user selectable channels, which includes 4 license free channels. Plus its diversity receiver ensures maximum control and minimises drop -outs. Its flexible audio output level is adjustable on both the jack and XLR outputs. Benefiting from RSSI/Squelch, the user can control the system to minimise external interference.

The Hand-Held system comprises a fully integrated handheld microphone , which features a cardioid dynamic capsule and is perfect for the most challenging vocal applications.

The Beltpack system comprises a

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UK - One of the first UK customers for the Soundcraft Vi6 digital console is Simon Kennedy Lights Ltd (SKL) in Edinburgh which has just confirmed an order for a second desk. SKL took delivery of its first Soundcraft Vi6 in July. and immediately despatched the desk to a 5-week rental at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

The Vi6 was stationed in the E4 UdderBELLY, a new comedy venue sponsored by digital TV channel E4. The 322-seat theatre space hosted a wide range of comedy and music comedy performances, including The Sperm Monologues and the juggling extravaganza Tossers: More Balls than Most.

SKL has made a substantial investment in a high-specification PA rental inventory, with the digital desks - supplied through Harman Pro UK - at its heart. Established as a lighting business for some ten years, SKL also provides staging, rigging, trussing and power distribution,

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UK - In April of this year, John Moss (drums), Mikey Craig (bass), Phil Pickett (songwriter and keyboard player) and Tony Gordon (manager) decided to bend to public pressure for Culture Club to play live and re-enter the touring circuit.

After launching a daunting but successful quest to find 'Sam The Man' - a front man to temporarily replace the inimitable Boy George - they performed their first live gig since 2002 during this summer at London's Too2Much club, where front of house engineer Mark Portlock and monitor engineer Liam Halpin made groundbreaking use of their DiGiCo D1 Live digital mixing console.

"As production manager as well as FOH engineer, sometimes I have to make difficult decisions for the overall benefit of budget and ultimate show delivery," says Portlock. "With DiGiCo I feel that the decisions are now far less difficult."

Playing a sma

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The Netherlands - The Interactive Multimedia & Collaborative Communications Alliance (IMCCA) will be hosting a Collaborative Conferencing Pavilion at Integrated Systems Europe 2007, which opens on January 30th 2007 in Amsterdam.

The Pavilion is designed for companies to showcase solutions and technologies in video conferencing, audio conferencing and data/web conferencing in a dedicated area. The pavilion will encompass a presentation room where participating companies will also have the opportunity to be included in the scheduled programme of seminars to visitors.

Carol Zelkin, executive director at IMCCA states, "Any form of business communication including business conference calls, web conferencing and video conferencing is a key market that unites the corporate business, IT and AV industries. By working together, Collaborative Conferencing can create the perfect plat

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Russia - Bossman Ltd, D.A.S. Audio distributor for Russia has supplied D.A.S. powered systems for installation in the Cinema Art Hall theatre in Norilsk and in the Mir Kino movie theatre and auditorium located in Moscow's Tsvetnoy Square.

The 1,000-capacity Mir Kino can be used for both movie screenings and theatre performances. When the stage is used for conferences, theatre plays or concerts the main PA designed by Bossman consists of four CA-28A powered line array systems flown at the centre of the stage as well as eight powered Compact 2 systems built into the flanks of the stage.

PA Mixing is through a Yamaha PM5D , while Bossman installed six SM-15A powered stage monitors. The microphones for theatre and music performances are Audix and the lightning by Robe.

For film screenings, screenings, Bossman opted for Dynamics, with 24 DS-12 boxes distributed throughout the aud

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UK - Stagecraft reports a healthy increase in sales for its hire department during summer 2006. The combination of a prolonged summer of fine, dry weather and an increase in the number of outdoor performances and festivals has resulted in an abundance of new opportunities for the Salisbury-based company.

"It has been an excellent summer for hire this year and we have thoroughly enjoyed working on such a wide variety of projects," comments technical director Mike Naish. "Fine weather has also helped organisations to feel confident about staging outdoor events although we always build into our plans the possibility of a downpour!"

The company supplied Martin Mac 250s and Mac 500s for a private performance by the band Madness, the Arc Roof and stage for the Salisbury International Arts Festival, Art Asia and the Honey Pot charity appeal; Source 4 profiles and

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UK - Focusrite Audio Engineering has announced the appointment of Damian Hawley to the position of UK manager for the Focusrite, Novation and KRK brands.

Hawley has an Honours Degree (BEng) in Electronics & Business from Middlesex University and joined Focusrite as sales executive for UK South in late 2004. He previously occupied positions at JP Morgan and Synthax UK.

Chris Gooddie, worldwide sales director for Focusrite/Novation commented: "I'm delighted to appoint Damian to the position, a new role which been created as a result of our recent strong growth across both our house brands, and our acquisition of KRK distribution for the UK and Ireland."

(Jim Evans)

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UK - The Engine Shed, the University of Lincoln's brand new £6 million multi-purpose venue, opened to great acclaim thanks to the entertainment install carried out by Stage Electrics. Stage Electrics worked with the University back in 2004 when carrying out the installation of the Drama Studio and were the obvious choice for this most recent project.

The Engine Shed, now the largest music venue is the East Midlands, has been built on the site of old railway buildings by Brayford Pool and retains much of the old brick architecture. The interior walls are decorated with posters illustrating the site's historic background as a major railway junction.

A comprehensive lighting and sound system was installed throughout the venue which consists of four main areas, the main room with a capacity of 1500, the Mezzanine Bar, the Tower Bar and the Sports Bar.

The main EAW loudspea

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USA - The Dave Matthews Band (DMB) spent four months crossing the US on their marathon summer 2006 tour for which FOH engineer Jeff Thomas switched the band to a system of self-powered Milo curvilinear array, supplied by San Francisco-based Pro Media/UltraSound.

Thomas and the DMB have worked with UltraSound since early in the band's career, originally assembling a sound system based around Meyer Sound's unpowered MSL-3 reinforcement loudspeaker. Derek Featherstone, UltraSound's director of rentals and touring, says, "When Jeff Thomas and I first started talking eleven years ago about sound systems, the direction to go was with Meyer. A decade later when we were looking for a compact, high-powered, tour-friendly line array and Milo was on the market and proven in the field, it was a natural fit for the band."

"The tour carries 28 Milo cabinets, so we can hang as

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Eire - The Abbey Theatre in Dublin has two auditoriums, the Abbey being the main theatre seating 628 and a smaller studio space called the Peacock Theatre seating 157. Recently the theatre management took the opportunity to install a d&b audiotechnik system that could be used in either auditorium.

"When the prospect arose to acquire a new sound system I consulted my technical staff for their views," said director of technical services, Tony Wakefield. "They were very enthusiastic about the quality of d&b systems."

The system, designed by sound engineers Cormac Caroll and Eddie Breslin with input from MOSCO's Kevin McGing, comprises Q7s, Q-SUBs, E3s and E12 SUBs all driven by d&b's E-PAC amplifiers and was supplied by Dublin based dealer, Big Bear Sound.

The installation is semi-permanent and can be used in either auditorium as well as other areas of the b

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Australia - Family Nightclub in Brisbane, Australia, recently overhauled its sound system, installing Allen & Heath mixers in all rooms, including the audiophile Xone:V6, MIDI-enabled Xone:92, and industry-standard Xone:62.

Winner of 'Best Club in Australia' for three consecutive years, Family boasts line-ups with top international artists, and superior technical equipment.

Family installed the full V6 package - including additional EQ Isolator and Crossfader units - in their main dance arena, along with a Xone:92 for DJs requiring sliding channel faders and MIDI capability, and four Allen & Heath VF-1 filter units, one for each turntable and CD audio source. The Xone:V6 is a luxury rotary mixer, with valves on every input channel, discrete circuitry, precise filters, and oil-damped, ultra-smooth rotary faders.

"It's the first time I've heard a million dollars worth of

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Germany - One of the leading companies in the German events industry, Düsseldorf Congress GmbH, has taken delivery of a new Soundcraft Vi6 digital audio console for one of its primary city locations, the 7,500-capacity PhilipsHalle in Düsseldorf.

Although the Soundcraft Vi6 will mainly be used in the PhilipsHalle, it will be mobile, enabling it to be used in any of the seven other Düsseldorf Congress venues, such as the massive 61,000-capacity LTU-Arena and the 13,400-seat ISS Dome, home of the Düsseldorf ice-hockey team, where the console made its debut on an outdoor show.

Markus Grotheer, event engineer for Düsseldorf Congress GmbH, was assigned the task of selecting a digital console to replace the ageing analogue desk in the PhilipsHalle. He and his colleagues had already decided on a popular mid-range model when they came across the Soundcraft Vi6 at the ProLight+Sou

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Europe - Meyer Sound has long been committed to providing the professional audio community with high-level training seminars that present scientifically valid information on both theoretical concepts and their practical applications. Continuing the steady expansion the company's education program has seen in the last few years, Meyer Sound's latest seminars are now coming to the European continent.

"Our goal with the Meyer Sound seminars is to impart accurate, real-world professional information to the audio community," says educational programmes manager Gavin Canaan. "By offering instruction from some of professional audio's consummate authorities, we aim to bring a vital frame of reference and an unparalleled body of expertise to our users."

One of the most important seminars is a two-part, in-depth course encompassing both system design and training on

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Worldwide - Despite announcing his retirement from touring and producing records more than two years ago, worldwide rap superstar Jay-Z has found it hard to sit on his laurels; he's been constantly busy in the studio, and this Autumn has seen him cris-crossing the globe on a massive world tour. And handling all of his on-stage vocals every night has been an AKG WMS 4000 wireless mic system, supplied by his tour production manager Bryon Tate, after the original mic system used on the tour proved unsatisfactory.

Like a lot of rappers, Jay-Z 'cups' the mic on stage, holding it close to the capsule. When using other mics, this resulted in a huge boost in mid-range response due to the microphones' natural proximity effect, but the effect was not as noticeable with the WMS 4000 system, and so it won the day. It is thought that Jay-Z made the switch to AKG after Kanye West noticed simi

  1. Systems Etc celebrates first ten years
  2. JBL at Just Give Me Jesus event
  3. QSC helps to enhance historic building
  4. Soundcraft double for Dutch music venue
  5. Clear-Com appoints VP of product management
  6. AKG Microphones and Myspace find new bands
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