Sound

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USA - With 6,137 performances on its original 1975-1990 Broadway run, A Chorus Line is one of the most successful musicals in American history. The 2006-2008 Broadway revival has been another major success, with a DiGiCo D5T console at front of house.

The D5T was supplied by New York-based Autograph A2D to PRG Audio, who leased the console to the show's production company. They, in turn, brought in theatrical sound design specialists Acme Sound Design Partners to design the audio production.

"We've been using DiGiCo D5Ts since the summer of 2004, when it was on Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at The Old Globe Theatre in LA Jolla, California," says Acme's Tom Clark. "Since then the D5T has become our default console for Broadway productions due to its audio quality, flexibility and high input/output count."

Lew Mead, managing director of Autograph A2

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Local News: Ever wondered why pubs turn music up so loud that you have to shout to the person next to you to be heard? The answer, says a report in The Guardian, may be that canny landlords are using loud music to make you drink up faster. A study by French scientists suggests that loud music in a bar is good for the bottom line. They found that when the volume goes up, punters drink faster and consume more. Mark Hastings, director of communications at the British Beer and Pub Association said, "At last we have the solution to Britain's record rate of pub closures. Thank goodness for French academics coming to our rescue, as long as they don't insist it has to be wall-to-wall Edith Piaf and Johnny Halliday."

Old News: Ageing rock stars and session musicians will keep receiving royalties for their old recordings for the rest of their lives under a European Union plan.Performer

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UK - The two-day Hard Rock Calling Festival took place in London's Hyde Park on the last weekend of June. The Police headlined the Sunday with Sting using a Sennheiser e 865 wireless mic for his vocals.

"It's always good to turn up to a major televised or festival show and see that Sennheiser are there to support you," said Ian Newton, monitor engineer for The Police, "especially in such a potentially difficult RF environment as Hyde Park. Even though the equipment behaved smoothly, the added support, if and when it's required, is invaluable."

The following week Sennheiser and Britannia Row were back in Hyde Park for a special concert by Jack Johnson, immediately followed by the first of four days of the O2 Wireless Festival. Johnson chose a Neumann KMS 105 for his vocal duties, while at the O2 Wireless festival artists like Mark Ronson and Th

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USA - Creative Technology has recently invested in a total of 40 PLM 1000Q four-channel amplifier units for use in the North American market. "We offer the highest quality of equipment available for events around the world," states William Nealie, director of audio services for Creative Technology North America. "When the time came to increase our inventory of amp racks, we realised that the new Lab.gruppen system would be a perfect choice for us."

Creative Technology's new PLM amplifiers have been loaded into 10 amplifier racks that each handle eight bi-amp or 16 full-range mixes. "We first used the new PLM-equipped racks in late June with Herbalife [nutrition and weight-management company]," Nealie continues. "For an event within a 16,000-seat venue in Rio De Janeiro.

"We sent three racks for the event. Normally, we would need to send

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UK - St John's Church, situated in the heart of London's Westminster, played host to The Feeling in part of Capital Radio's Capitalive Summer Tour in association with Rimmel London, and gave Turbosound's new Flex Array series the chance to show what it's made of.

"The band are avid Turbosound fans and normally tour with an Aspect system," says Turbosound's UK sales manager, Paul McMullan. "So when Systems Etc, the audio rental company supplying the equipment for this tour, asked if they could try out our new Flex Array series, we felt it was the perfect opportunity to show them just what it can do in a live environment."

The FOH system comprised four TFA-600H compact trapezoidal three-way enclosures in 'A' mode - its line array mode - ground stacked on top of three TSW-218 subs per side. A further pair of TFA-600H in 'B' mode - with its horn rotated

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France - For their current world tour, long-running L-Acoustics DOSC users Radiohead are playing most of their In Rainbows album, along with older material. Sound providers are Firehouse Productions for the US tour (first and third leg), and Wigwam for the second leg covering Europe.

For the concert in France (in Paris Bercy), the main FOH system consisted of 2 x 15 V-DOSC cabinets with 2 x 3 dV-DOSC, completed for the side- hangs by 2 x 14 V-DOSC and 2 x 3 dV-DOSC. The subwoofer system design called for 32 x SB28 in total, all driven by L-Acoustics LA8 amplified controllers.

Freelance System Engineer Sherif El Barbari explains: "With the exception of the two shows in Bercy, all of the concerts are outdoor shows - stadiums, sheds, green fields or amphitheatres, which make the sound design very challenging. I am impressed by the power of the 32 SB28 subwoofers drive

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Japan - EVI Audio Japan has installed a Midas XL8 Live Performance System, a Heritage 3000 and a Klark Teknik Helix EQ system comprising DN9340E dual EQs, DN9344E Quad EQs, and DN9331 Rapide controllers into a new Tokyo commercial and arts complex, the JCB Hall.

With a capacity of 3,100 seated around three balcony levels, the new venue - part of the Meets Port business development at Tokyo Dome City - is designed to host events ranging from circuses, musicals, concerts, fashion shows and exhibitions through to sport such as boxing, wrestling and martial arts.

"The main criteria was that the hall should be able to adapt to different uses, and that it be equipped with cutting-edge audio and lightening systems with an innovative design," explains Takayuki Ozaki, Midas and Klark Teknik project manager, EVI Audio Japan. "In addition, its audio performance had to meet

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UK - Sennheiser Global Relations and Sennheiser UK once again provided Tour Support at Glastonbury 2008, working with customer South West Group to provide a wide range of equipment and support for the John Peel, The Park and the BBC Introducing stages. This is the sixth year of this collaboration and it's a combination that certainly works for South West Group MD Alister Pook who stated: "This partnership we've formed with Sennheiser is a win, win for both parties. I know the information they gain from being involved at this level is helping to make a great product even better, and it enables us to deliver the best possible solutions for the bands."

After six years of working with South West Group it's no surprise that those involved have seen some changes occurring. "This year we were running Sennheiser Evolution 300 Series IEM's with 500 Series radio mics, all w

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USA - Niagara Falls Visitor Centre recently opened the doors to its new attraction, Niagara's Fury, described as a "world-class multi-sensory experience". Controlling the complex animated soundscape for this experience is Out Board's TiMax delay matrix and show control software.

US-based distributor, 1602 Group, demonstrated the TiMax to Niagara Fury creator, California-based Technifex who claim they were "so impressed it was immediately added to the budget". 1602 Group's Duncan Crundwell, who provided TiMax programming support on-site comments: "It made the howling wind feel much more real and as if you were a part of it. The moving effects were very smooth and you could pinpoint the water droplets as they splashed around you."

For periods during the show, the room is plunged into darkness without even the benefit of a lit exit sign. Sound is the

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UK - In September 2006, Peterborough Community Church opened a new, 80,000sq.ft building in the Cambridgeshire city it is named after. With a technical specification that would be the envy of many large theatres and live music venues, the installation included a DiGiCo D5 and D1 consoles.

Now renamed KingsGate Community Church, its technical team has had many months of using the DiGiCo consoles. "When specifying the system, our intention was to make it easy for people to understand the church's message, for it to be simple for them to join in and to feel part of it. Great sound and great vision are all part of that," says KingsGate technical director Pete Charlton.

"The truth is that every time I finish an event, it's been great. The technical side has been so smooth and the DiGiCo consoles play a huge part in that. I'm still continually impressed with the techn

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China - Bosch Security Systems' Digital Praesideo Public Address and Emergency Sound System is being installed in the new Shanghai World Financial Centre. At 492m, the centre is currently the world's third tallest building. The structure features three floors of underground parking and shops, a conference center on floors one to five, offices on floors seven to 77, a hotel on floors 79 through 93, and finally observation and exhibition areas on floors 94 to 100. Construction has taken over 10 years and since the events of 9/11 the tower was redesigned to withstand disasters such as a plane crash. Other critical safety features have also been added including 12 fireproof refuge areas and two external elevators.

The Praesideo Digital PA and Emergency Sound System is one of the latest safety features to be added to the construction. The whole installation comprises four Praesideo s

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Spain - Modern sport centres are fully equipped installations, and in this sense, the Quijote Arena Sports Center, headquarters of the Ciudad Real Handball Club has been provided with an impressive sound system. The powered line array systems from the D.A.S. Audio Aero series were the choice for this venue. The installation was carried out by Professional Lupe, C.B. in collaboration with the D.A.S. Audio Sound Projects Department.

Located in the capital of La Mancha, the sports centre has capacity for approximately 5.800 spectators. Its inauguration in 2003 coincided with the club's consolidation as part of the national elite. The team's performance in European competition and its titles, both national as well as international, have confirmed the club as one of Europe's top teams, and just recently, European Champions.

The Profesional Lupe, C.B.crew opted for the D.A.S. Audio

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USA - "InfoComm has always been a great place to educate the market about new technologies and products," says Renkus-Heinz marketing manager Margie Ulm. "This year's show gave us lots of opportunities to help audio professionals learn how to use advanced tools and techniques in order to deliver better sound to clients and audiences."

Renkus-Heinz demonstrated the capabilities of new products such as IC Live at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Fulfilling promises made at InfoComm 07, the company digitally networked its entire product line with RHAON, the Renkus-Heinz Audio Operations Network.

RHAON was also featured on the show floor, as was EASERA SysTune, the real-time acoustical measurement and analysis program from AFMG - Ahnert Feistel Media Group. AFMG's Stefan Feistel presented the latest concepts, techniques and tools for live sound system tuning an

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Italy - The curriculum at the prestigious Athenaeum Pontificium Regina Apostolorum in Rome covers subjects ranging from bioethics (in which it has taken a leading role) to secular studies.

With a constant programme of seminars, lectures and conferences taking place in the facility's many theatres and classrooms, it is vital that this knowledge can be shared, and the word passed bi-directionally.

However, these classrooms had been functioning as stand-alone units until the faculty contacted technology distribution company, Parma-based Audio Link srl. Proprietor, Stefano Cantadori, knew immediately that QSC's components could be used to establish a network and save the University money.

"Although the previous system did not have networking capabilities, it had only recently been commissioned," stated Cantadori. "Therefore we had to provide an alternative solutio

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Turkey - Allen & Heath's iLive digital mixing system and iDR audio distribution system have been installed in the concert hall and conference suite of Turkey's Anadolu University, as part of an audio upgrade of the University's public areas.

Situated in the city of Eski?ehir, Anadolu University is the fourth largest university in the world by enrolment, housing 12 faculties, three of which are for distance education, seven schools, four vocational schools, nine institutes and 28 research centres and units.

"The institute is renowned for being at the cutting edge of technology, so it was essential that its public service areas reflect this," says Erçin Ural from Allen & Heath's Turkish distributor, Asimetrik.

Consequently, Allen & Heath's iLive digital mixing system - comprising an iDR10 mixrack and iLive-176 control surface - was selected for the 1,000-capacity co

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USA - Built in 1929 and designated a Texas State Historical Landmark, the Yucca Theatre in Midland, Texas, is home to the Midland Community Theatre and its world-renowned Summer Mummers, a locally-produced and written show that harks back to the golden age of Vaudeville. The Yucca's new Electro-Voice XLCi 127DVX sound system is ensuring this production sounds better than ever for its 60th anniversary in 2008. The EV system was designed by FitzCo Sound and installed by Midland Community Theatre personnel.

Summer Mummers runs for three months each summer and attracts audiences from around the world. The show comprises a 'Melodrama' interspersed with 'Moviola' segments, with the second half of the evening featuring a rapid-fire set of skits known as the 'Olio'. Boisterous crowds are the norm, with popcorn-throwing encouraged; for that reason, a relatively powerful sou

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USA - Cunard's newest ocean liner, the Queen Victoria features a multi-story grand lobby, numerous ambient restaurants, lounges, a casino and theatres, many of which are equipped with self-powered Meyer Sound systems designed by San Diego-based Nautilus Entertainment Design and installed by system integrator HMS Italia.

Visibility of the equipment guided the system design for over 30 venues on the ship, including the largest and most challenging Royal Court Theatre, a three-story, 800-seat venue that features opera-style box seating, professional theatres and movie screenings. "Cunard wanted to break from the traditional theatre model often found on ships, so they've created a venue that rivals anything you'd find on Broadway or London's West End," says sound designer Alan Edwards.

Royal Court Theatre's main system comprises two hangs of eight Mica line array loudspe

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USA - Big House Sound (BHS), founded in 1991 by Roy Kircher and Rod Nielsen, has been providing top-flight sound reinforcement to Austin, Texas for the past 17 years. Both Kircher and Nielsen built BHS on a respect for their clients' needs for quality audio in the area. Specializing in production services for concerts and corporate events, BHS recently added 16 Adamson M15 monitors, 12 Adamson T21 Subs, 24 Y10's and 24 Y18's to their already extensive inventory of Adamson products.

BHS's Adamson inventory has grown significantly over the years; adding SX's and a RA system in 1998, and then upgrading to the Y-Axis Line in 2000. Now with the added T-21 Subs and M15 Monitors, their inventory includes practically every Adamson box ever made, and the BHS shop could practically be considered an Adamson museum.

Apart from live events, BHS also has their hands in the area of consultin

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UK - Sound rental company Merlin PA is using the RSS by Roland Digital Snake at the heart of its PA systems. With two complete S-4000 systems in inventory, Merlin PA typically uses two stageboxes and two monitor pull-offs, providing up to 80 channels of digital audio. "Usually our Cat 5 runs are 100m; however, with another gigabit switcher at the 100m mark, we have extended out to 200m," says Graham White from Merlin.

"The Snakes have proved themselves absolutely bomb-proof. We had them up and running within 10 minutes of being delivered. They cost a bit more money than the analogue copper cable alternative, but they are completely cost-effective. If you run over this multicore in a van, you can still use it."

Merlin PA has a contract to provide PA for the popular Newmarket Nights evening horse-race meetings held at Newmarket Racecourse which are fol

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Portugal - Gabisom Audio Equipment provided a massive Vertec line array system at Rock in Rio, one of the world's largest music festivals. The first in two series of shows, Rock in Rio Lisbon featured performances by Lenny Kravitz, Bob Dylan, Bon Jovi, Metallica, Rod Stewart, and Linkin Park. The second series of shows in Madrid featured Bob Dylan, Franz Ferdinand, Chris Cornell, Neil Young, Shakira, The Police, and Amy Winehouse.

In both locations, Gabisom deployed a JBL Vertec system with four array locations for the main (World Stage) system. A total of 120 VT4889 large-format line array elements and 60 VT4880A Ultra Long Excursion subwoofers were deployed in the main suspend arrays. The main system consisted of four arrays across the front in the normal L/R (front), LL/RR (outfill) configuration.

Each array consisted of three separate hangs: dual Vertec VT488

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Germany - The Halle Münsterland is the largest events centre in the region of Westphalia. 80 years after the first events were staged there, the Congress Hall has made a significant investment in a new sound reinforcement system for its main auditorium, a cutting-edge design driven by an EtherSound audio network via a digital matrix, allowing the settings of different sound reinforcement situations to be retrieved at the push of a button.

Jens Schmidt from installation specialists Trendco and Norbert Sangermann, the acoustics expert from Camco GmbH responsible for fixed installations, joined forces to design a system tailored precisely to the Congress hall.

For Jens Schmidt and Norbert Sangermann, the concept design had to accommodate possible future requirements while offering the clearest possible signal transmission. Decision-makers at the Halle Münsterland focussed stron

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UK - The first UK installation of the new OmniLine Micro Line Array from Martin Audio has been installed in the new, three-storey, glass-fronted Kingly Club in London's Covent Garden.

The scalable system was specified by Bernard Mani, head of London integration company Systems Etc, after witnessing its launch at PLASA 2007 and seeing it immediately adopted in the US for Star Trek The Tour .

The Kingly Club is owned by Dezzi Mc Causland, founder and creator of the original award winning members club of the same name in Soho - on which Systems Etc also worked.

The new operation in St Martin's Lane consists of a contemporary Japanese restaurant, Kyashii, a lounge bar, a VIP mezzanine area and al fresco seating during the summer months.

Overlooking the ground floor with a private bar, DJ and the large floor to ceiling screens, the VIP mezzanine area offers views over th

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UK - Communication Technology in conjunction with UK Distributors, CIE Group will be exhibiting their whole range of commercial sound system accessories and conference microphones at PLASA 08.

Communication Technology will be introducing DPM102B/FM, their new in-wall mounting Pro-Series paging microphone incorporating automatic bass cut and sound level limiting electronics. A heavy duty gooseneck microphone is included. Pro-Series is available in single zone and two zone versions.

The facility for including DSP350, a plug-in digital signal processor for reducing background noise by better than 40dB, is provided, making systems using it ideal for use in noisy environments such as transport termini or busy shopping centres, says the company.

(Jim Evans)

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Spain - Vieta has custom-designed two-metre tall loudspeaker cylinders for installation in the signature building of Expo Zaragoza 2008, an international event dedicated to the issues of Water and Sustainable Development. Vieta's bespoke speakers are fitted in the Expo's signature building, the Water Tower, alongside the company's Ti Line media players and amps, and more than 150 of its other loudspeaker products.

The city of Zaragoza, the fifth largest in Spain, has built an architecturally remarkable campus to house the Expo 2008, spread over 60 acres and featuring designs by leading architects such as Zaha Hadid. Running from July to mid-September, the event is expected to attract up to seven million visitors. More than 100 countries are participating, as well as private corporations, and live entertainment on-site will come from 350 international artists ranging from the Cir

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