Sound

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France - Nexo has reversed the audio industry's widespread trend for off-shore manufacturing and opened a new purpose-built corporate headquarters, which will house all its management and manufacturing operations, in Plailly, just 15km NE of the Charles de Gaulle international airport in Paris.

For the last 27 years, Nexo has been located in a facility in nearby Roissy, a campus-style operation which was the result of two decades of expansion across a large section of a suburban North Paris industrial park. In 2004, plans were prepared for the construction of a new facility, which began in late 2005.

Nexo's Plailly headquarters has taken its design criteria from industrial ergonomics, placing special emphasis on manufacturing process and quality control. Nexo founders Eric Vincenot and Micky Johnson have expressed total satisfaction with the new premises, and director general

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Romania - Kristal Glam Club in Bucharest, recently voted Rumania's best club for the fourth year running, has extended its 20,000-watt Dynacord alpha concept sound system (originally installed at the end of 2004).

The alpha system and spectacular optical attractions - including a state-of-the-art laser show and no fewer than 17 video screens prompted DJ Luciano, in a recent interview with the scene magazine De Bug, to credit the club, which can accommodate up to 1,500 guests at a time, with leading the world-wide techno revival.

(Jim Evans)

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USA - To help commercial audio consultants, integrators, and installers to more easily manage the installation of CobraNet networks, Cirrus Logic has launched CobraNet Discovery. A software tool that runs on Microsoft Windows operating systems, CobraNet Discovery identifies and displays all CobraNet devices on a network, allowing for real-time monitoring and display of useful data to maintain the health and status of CobraNet devices.

CobraNet technology is the global de facto standard for transporting uncompressed, high-definition audio through standard Ethernet networks. Built upon the effective use of standard Ethernet network infrastructure by CobraNet networks, the Discovery software operates from any authorised PC connected to a CobraNet network, eliminating the need to be physically located with the networked audio gear that can often be spread across rooms, buildings or

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UK - Dave Ball, technical sales manager of LMC Audio Systems' Birmingham branch, had the unusual task of fulfilling a long-established client's request - having been instructed by the client's accountant to go out and spend his profits from a very successful previous years touring the UK.

Rob McCulloch leader of the four-piece band Magic Bullitz, who tour the UK regularly providing live entertainment for private events and productions, decided to improve the quality and ability of his already impressive PA system.

McCulloch comments, "I was not dissatisfied with the performance of my existing system and did not imagine that much improvement was possible, I thought I already had the best, what I was really looking for was to reduce size, weight and even other things like AC power consumption as well as saving time on set-up and sound checking.

"Having a long establi

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SPain - Following the successful installations of d&b audiotechnik Q-Series PA systems at the Teatre Auditori in Granollers, and Auditorium de Palma in Palma de Mallorca, another local auditorium has chosen to install a d&b Qi-Series loudspeaker system.

The Auditori Winterthur is a convention centre in the heart of the business complex of L'Illa in Barcelona. The Auditori was planned by architect Rafael Moneo, incorporating acoustics designed byIgini Arau and was originally built to present music concerts without the aid of amplification for up to six hundred and fifty listeners.

In due course, with an expansion into new activities such as conferences and corporate events, the need for a sound system became increasingly apparent. The original installation however, proved less than perfect as all the sound amplified through it was reflected back by a curved wall at the rear of

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UK - DMi D&M Installation is showing a wealth of new products at CEDIA Expo 2007 in London this week. The new dedicated CI division of D&M Europe is exhibiting products from its five distributed brands - Denon, Marantz, Escient, Opus and Boston Acoustics.

Major new products are being launched from Denon and Escient. These include the Denon ASD-3W dock for iPod, the Denon AVR-4308 AV Surround Receiver, Denon RC-7000 pre-programmed and programmable IR remote control, and the Denon RC-7001 IR to RF Base Station.From Escient there is the FireBall FP-1 Music Manager is equipped with a universal dock for iPod, and Fireball SE500 Digital Music Server.

(Jim Evans)

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USA - Crown International reports that it recently made several changes and additions to its marketing personnel lineup. The announcement comes from Marc Kellom, Crown vice president of marketing.

Brian Divine, who previously served as market director for portable PA, has now transitioned into the role of market director for engineered sound/touring sound.

Andy Flint, formerly a business developer in the portable PA market, now moves into his new position as vertical market manager for portable PA.

Phil McPhee has taken on the title of vertical market manager, commercial sound. McPhee previously served on Crown's engineering team.

Lastly, new hire Kristin Howard has been appointed to the post of marketing coordinator.

(Jim Evans)

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China - In the first week of June, China International Entertainment Technology Forum was held in CTS Plaza Beijing. The seminar's subject was The Application of Entertainment Technology in Stadiums. It was attended by the Chinese Ministry of Art and Culture and the organising committee of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Outline's exclusive distributor for China, Guangzhou ACME invited Outline's Sales & Marketing Director Giorgio Biffi to talk about Outline's experience with large sound systems in Stadiums.

Biffi spoke about the recent experience gained by Britannia Row Productions who have had experience with not only the Barcelona Olympics but also the newly built Wembley Stadium where they carried out the initial sound tests.

These tests resulted in their decision to combine the use of a temporary concert or 'touring' PA system with the permanently installed 'house

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UK - As Brighton's Great Escape Festival entered its second year, prominent local PA hire company, Alstublieft Audio discovered the benefits that using a DiGiCo console brings to a festival situation.

Headed up by Giles Bristow, Alstublieft was employed by festival organisers The Barfly Group to look after audio production across the entire festival, which this year featured around 150 bands playing across 20 venues. Featured acts included The Happy Mondays, Captain and The Magic Numbers.

A DiGiCo a D1 Live 48MDR, featuring a local Minirack and eight analogue I/O and eight AES I/O at FOH, and a stage rack with 48 in and out, was used for shows at the Corn Exchange and The Brighton Centre, East Wing. "Initially Giles was a little hesitant about using a digital desk in a festival situation," says DiGiCo's technical sales manager, Tim Shaxson, who was on site throughout

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China - The Guangzhou Xinhai Odeum, a 14,000sq.m facility located on Guangzhou Er Sha Island includes a 1500-seat symphony performance hall, as well as a 460-seat indoor performance hall, complete with a 100-seat AV presentation room. There is also a 4800sq.m music culture section.

EM Acoustics' Chinese distributor Jolly ProAudio was invited to participate in the audio renewal project for the Xinhai Odeum and recommended EM Acoustics loudspeakers from UK to improve the in-house audio reproduction system.

The fourteen-enclosure system, flown from the trusses in the Odeum's ceiling includes EMS-152 15" x 2" and EMS-121 12" x 1" full range enclosures, EMS-81 8" x 1" enclosures and i-2 compact enclosures as fills and a pair of the ultra-compact i-8 subwoofers flown in the roof for low frequency reinforcement.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - The Metropolis Group of companies based at The Power House in Chiswick has further expanded its surround mastering capabilities by constructing a 40sq.m surround mastering room with the inclusion of PMC's large-scale high definition surround monitoring system.

Such a large room afforded large monitoring, therefore free standing BB5 XBD Actives serve as the front L, C, R and MB2 XBD Actives as the rears, both are in the vertical tower configuration. The equipment list also includes Maselec MTC6 desk, new Maselec multiband compressor, Prism ADA8s, AD2s, DA2s, DSD-SADIEs and a collection of rare Sontec EQs.

Technology development manager of the facility Crispin Murray comments: "We have decided to capitalise on our position as the leading surround music and mastering facility and adding this resource to our portfolio can only strengthen our position. Our commitment to d

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USA - Waves has announced the release of The API Collection, the latest in its line of modelled plug-ins which deliver the sound of classic consoles and components. Following in the footsteps of the successful Waves SSL 4000 Collection and the V-Series, The API Collection is billed as "a remarkable set of precision-engineered plug-ins that capture every nuance of the original analogue gear". It is available separately and as part of Waves Mercury bundle.

Developed in association with API (Automated Processes Incorporated), The API Collection features four processors, modelled on the most renowned and popular API modules: the 550A 3-band equaliser, 550B 4-band EQ, the 560 graphic equaliser and the 2500 stereo compressor.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - The Hospital, housed in the former St Paul's Hospital in Covent Garden, offers film, television, music and other media professionals access to a state of the art 60,000sq ft creative hub with a range of production facilities.

These include a fully equipped High Definition television studio which has been kitted out with a Clear-Com digital matrix system and FreeSpeak wireless intercom systems. The scalability of this system has enabled The Hospital to simply expand the original network to meet increased demand.

"Clear-Com provided our original intercom solution when The Hospital was set up in 2003 and was operating Europe's first HD TV studio," says Paul Daniels, head of engineering & operations. "Now, as part of a recent upgrade of studio facilities at the beginning of 2007, we've expanded the FreeSpeak system as well. This has enabled us to offer greater

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UK - Audio Alliance, the Manchester based corporate events sound design and rental company, has moved to roomier and brighter premises. The new facilities include their own in-house recording, production and editing studio.

With investments in new and further Meyer Sound loudspeaker systems, Yamaha digital mixing consoles and even more Sennheiser radio microphones, the new warehouse space is filling up.

Since the move, Audio Alliance has not only been busy settling in to their new dwellings, but a hectic sound design and rental schedule has also kept them on their toes. Recent projects include the Visa Paralympics Awards Dinner & Show and NatWest Senior Management Nationwide Roadshow.

Founder and co-director Oliver Driver, says, "With an even busier schedule ahead, the move and further investment in new kit is invaluable. This step-up will allow us to take on more clie

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UK - After studying a full report given to him by the Glastonbury site environmental team following the Killers' set at this year's Festival, organiser Michael Eavis has withdrawn his earlier statement to reporters that the new sound system was not quite strong enough for the site.

Having investigated the sound level problems further, he has stressed that the PA system and highly skilled technical team were in no way responsible or at fault for the complaints.

Unusual meteorological conditions caused abnormally high off-site noise measurement levels which needed to be reduced swiftly in order to comply with the terms of the licence. This led to the sound engineers on the Pyramid Stage being directed by the authorities to dramatically reduce the sound level for the Killers as the fastest route to attain this. The directive was implemented immediately, as compliance with the ter

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UK - Guitarist Gary Moore and his band has been touring the UK to promote their latest album Close As You Can Get.

Taking in 1200-3000 capacity venues, the tour's audio company Capital Sound provided a Martin Audio W8LC PA, driven by four XTA DP226s and a DP448 run digitally from the Yamaha PM5D FOH console. Front of house engineer Dave Wooster's own DP324 SiDD completed the system's complement.

"What has been working really well for me, as always, is the combination of the Martin speakers and the XTA processors," says Wooster. "This is traditional rock'n'roll-style blues, which needs depth but with clarity and drive. I set the EQ settings through crossovers with the XTAs and it's driving the LCs really, really well. The bass has so much punch and depth to it.

"The 448 gives me the option of sending two feeds to it - one for the flown system and on

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UK - RF specialist Trantec provided 12 x channels of its S6002 wireless radio mic system for a special charity production of Bat Boy The Musical staged in aid of Cancer Research UK at Bath Spa University Theatre.

Trantec 's sales executive Mark Parkhouse collaborated with Phil Hurley from Cardiff-based Stage Sound Services who supplied the system, which met the show's producer and sound designer Jeremy George's exacting specifications.

Ten of the cast were equipped with the S6002 miniature beltpack transmitters and were impressed by its compact size, offering a discreet and comfortable solution- including the actors playing Bat Boy and Shelley, who wore double-rigs.

Jeremy George, commented: " It was fantastic to be able to use Trantec wireless microphones on this special production. The system offered great flexibility and sounded excellent. The discretion, soni

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Italy - Grammy-nominated Norwegian artist Jan Garbarek is halfway through a massive world tour, which takes him through 18 countries and almost 100 concerts this year.

Behind the tenor and soprano saxophonist is the Jan Garbarek Group, and behind the band is German PA company RWS-Konzerttechnik which has designed and supplied the touring production audio, a Nexo Geo S tangent-array PA powered by Camco Vortex Series amplifiers.

RWS-Konzerttechnik's Gert Rickmann-Wunderlich was heavily influenced in his choice of touring system by the compact size of the Geo S. "It's not what you could call big, which is a particular advantage, as it can be flown on rigging in theatres without any additional work. Motor-driven winches are just not necessary."

The wisdom of Rickmann-Wunderlich's specification was endorsed when Jan Garbarek arrived in Venice for the Jazz Festival to pl

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UK - A landmark on the Blackpool dance scene for many years, Rumours the Venue has recently undergone a complete refurbishment. The combined 800-capacity wine bar, night club and party venue enlisted Peter Bawden's Audio Sound Advice to create a new technology infrastructure. The locally-based installers were offered the contract by owners Betawell after having worked at Rumours' counterpart club, the 300-capacity urban nightclub Hush underneath.

Looking to redefine the way Blackpool spends its nights out, Bawden was entrusted with outfitting the venue with a top-spec sound, lighting and video system, and to satisfy the sound reinforcement he turned to Martin Audio.

"We've worked with the venue for almost 20 years, so we know it inside out," he said. Out went the old reinforcement system to be replaced by Martin Audio's new two-way passive AQ architectural range.

F

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USA - Comprising three models ranging in size from 2,500 to 8,000W, QSC's new PowerLight 3 Series amplifiers bring a new degree of flexibility to touring and installed sound reinforcement applications, says the company. Offering a choice of DSP with remote control and monitoring via BASIS, or straightforward analogue input operation, the lightweight, 2U lineup facilitates a wide-ranging level of networked functionality or none at all.

Each PowerLight 3 model delivers higher input voltage and selectable sensitivity, and is easily adjusted via a series of rear panel switches with colour-coded LED indicators.

Residing at the top of the PowerLight 3 line is the 8,000W model PL380 which combines a pair of 4,000-watt Class-D amplifier channels with QSC's PowerLight power supply to serve up more than twice the audio horsepower of any previous 2U PowerLight amplifier.

"Right no

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UK - Rental company BCS Audio made their third trip to the stages at Glastonbury a memorable one. During that period Dave Shepherd's company has systematically expanded its remit, and this year BCS were tasked with providing sound reinforcement in four separate areas - the Avalon Stage, West Dance Tent, Dance Lounge - and the most significant of all, the Roots Tent, where they fielded their Nexo geo D10 system.

As there were no rigging points in the tented enclosure, BCS Audio ground-stacked Geo D10s with Geo D subs, which was augmented by Nexo's cardioid CD18 subs, set in pairs. The system was set up and optimised using Nexo's NX242 Digital TDController and powered by Camco Vortex 6s.

"We knew the Roots Tent would be all about dub and reggae, and we needed that bass extension," said Shepherd. "The system worked brilliantly and the CD18 subs were awesome."<

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Spain - Featuring an auditorium, a conservatory, and an experimental theatre in the one venue - powered by more than 30 Lab.gruppen C Series amplifiers - the new Centro Cultural Miguel Delibes, located in Valladolid,, is being heralded as one of the most significant performing arts centres in Spain. The total audience capacity is in excess of 3000 across the three diverse spaces with the experimental theatre being multi-configurable to allow a wide variety of performance styles.

Chemtrol, a leading Spanish audiovisual design and contracting company, created and installed the audio system. Chemtrol División Teatro (theatre division) has vast experience with prestige installations of this type. Since 1987 they have been involved in projects such as the Palacio de las Artes, Valencia, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, Teatro Real de Madrid, Palacio Euskalduna, Bilbao and numerous

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UK - Resolution Distribution, part of KV2 Audio in the UK, has been appointed sole UK & Eire distributor for APB Dynasonics products.

APB DynaSonics is a manufacturing company based in Totowa, New Jersey that designs and builds high performance analogue mixing consoles and related audio products.

Chuck Augustowski, John Petrucelli and Taz Bhogal, leading audio designers with over 65 years of combined experience, founded APB in 2004. Their expertise has produced innovative products such as the Spectra Series consoles, MixSwitch and ProRack, all designed and manufactured in the US.

Andy Simmons of Resolution / KV2 comments, "Having known the guys behind APB for many years and seeing the quality of products that they are producing with APB it was a perfect fit with the other products that we handle and that's important to us as a distribution company. We've already had a l

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Spain - This summer a combination of Martin Audio's large W8L systems and W8LMD down-fill boxes and subs were installed in the new 4,000-capacity B3 multi-room dance venue in Dos Hermanas (just outside Seville), in combination with the best from the company's Blackline and AQ series.

Club owner José Miguel Losada was insistent that in keeping his dance music en vogue, he also wanted playback through the current fashion in line array systems - and thus Bernat Camacho and Jordi Rosselló, from Adagio SA, set up a full-scale demo of the maker's different systems.

The Martin Audio distributors were awarded the contract as a result of their close association with the lighting contractors, Stonex SA, while the fit-out was undertaken by installation contractor, Francesco Escoda. Camacho notes, "We could have proposed several solutions using Martin Audio components

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