Sound

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UK - Introduced in 2005, the Renkus-Heinz Iconyx Digitally Steerable Array Systems product line is being re-introduced in an "R" version, with purpose-designed coaxial transducers, RHAON (Renkus-Heinz Audio Operations Network) technology and a slimmer, lighter weight enclosure.

The company will also launch IC Live at PLASA08, a new product line that applies the company's innovative Iconyx Digitally Steerable Array technology to live event production.

"Iconyx is one of our most successful products," says Renkus-Heinz vice president of operations Rik Kirby, "we've had lots of opportunities to see how the system performs in applications from cathedrals to cruise ships, courtrooms to corporate auditoriums. As we evaluated the total Iconyx system, we identified significant improvements in many areas."

Inside every Iconyx R model are new co-axial tran

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Australia - Barix AG reports that The PA People, a specialist contractor for sound reinforcement, AV systems and communications based in Sydney, Australia, recently used a Barix Audio over IP solution to distribute PA audio across Sydney for World Youth Day 2008. The Barix solution included an Instreamer-100 encoder and multiple Exstreamer-100 decoders to enable real-time, zoned audio streaming and playback to more than 20 PA locations around Sydney and its inner suburbs to provide crowd management in a sea of more than 400,000 attendees.

The World Youth Day 2008 event, which took place 15-20 July, is the largest youth event in the world, with the week-long series of events culminating in a Final Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI. The New South Wales State Government contracted The PA People to provide the World Youth Day organizers with a city-wide PA system for general anno

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France - After a two year refurbishment, the Theatre des Louvrais in the city of Pontoise, 17 miles northwest of Paris, is open for business once again. And Yamaha equipment is at the heart of its new audio system.

The theatre was badly damaged during the civil unrest which flared throughout France in the autumn of 2005. As a 'public' building it became a target for the rioters and was rammed by a car which was then set on fire, causing extensive damage.

The theatre closed immediately and had to be given a comprehensive refurbishment before it could be used for public performances again.

Overseeing the installation was Regis Lambin of Paris-based audio visual project management company IEC, working with sound design by French specialists Cinograph. They specified a Yamaha DME24N to manage the Amadeus Audio bi-amped line array system in the 500-seat auditorium, driven by four

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UK - Behringer has updated its range of Eurodesk mixers with the new SX series of recording and live sound consoles. First to arrive are the SX2442FX 24- channel and SX3242FX 32-channel mixers. The SX series is designed to meet the needs of studio and live mixing applications, with a comprehensive set of features that combine sonic excellence and a full complement of mixing and sound modification tools, says the company.

Each four-bus mixer features ultra-low noise, high-headroom XENYX microphone preamps. Mono input channels feature three-band, semi-parametric mid-range EQ with Neo-classic "British" response. Stereo input channels provide precise four-band equalisation. Each input has four aux sends; with two sends switchable between pre/post fader, for a flexible mix of monitor and effects applications.

External signal processing racks can be largely eliminated, tha

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UK - The Big Chill is a different sort of festival that takes place in the scenic grounds of Eastnor Castle Deer Park in the Malvern Hills of Herefordshire.

This is a home it has claimed since 2002 and one that its audio provider, Dobson Sound, has joined it at for the past five years and this year, the company deployed DiGiCo digital mixing consoles at this laid back event.

"Andy 'Baggy' Robinson - who looked after the front of house D5 on the Castle Stage this year - got us involved initially when he was sound manager for the festival," says Paul Dobson, managing director of Dobson Sound. "For the first three years, we just did the Castle and the Open Air stages. Then, Just Add Water took over the festival's production and they wanted to bring the sound for the entire site under one roof - and we were asked if we wanted to do it all."

The system Dobson

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UK - With headquarters based in Cardiff, Stage Sound Services is one of Wales' leading pro-audio suppliers, and continues to expand its activities throughout the UK.

As a result of their rapid growth in both the corporate and theatre sectors, they have now purchased a further 16 channels of Trantec's S6000 wireless systems, bringing their total to 60 channels of S6000. This comes in addition to a recent purchase of 50 channels of Trantec S5.5 wireless mics.

Phil Hurley, Stage Sound's managing director says: "Despite all the current talk of downturns in the market, we have been going from strength to strength, and to keep up with this demand we have now taken our stock levels to over 100 channels of wireless. I have used Trantec ever since I founded the company and some of those original systems are still in use today. However, technology has moved on and knowing it was ti

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USA - JBL loudspeakers were installed in the Fencing Hall at the National Convention Centre in Beijing where the fencing and modern pentathlon events at the 2008 Olympic Games were held.

The Fencing Hall features 14 fencing strips, a warm-up room, stands for thousands of fans, a television broadcasting room, and lounge and shower facilities. With the conclusion of the games, the hall will now be converted to a convention hall. There are also numerous features aimed at lowering the environmental impact of the hall including an increase in energy savings and water conservation.

The main PA system features six Vertec line arrays, each containing six VT4888DP midsize powered line array elements and two VT4882DP powered arrayable subwoofers. The system also includes 400 Control24CT and 300 Control26CT ceiling speakers, along with 130 Control 300 series large-format ceiling speakers

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UK - Tannoy reports that its Di range of surface-mount loudspeakers has recently been deployed by Sixsmith Organ Builders Ltd n the most unlikely of places to handle a very special requirement.

The Lancashire-based family firm specialise in the manufacture, installation and refurbishment of pipe organs for the church market. The company has a long history of building and installing traditional pipe organs, but has also more recently started to specialise in the field of hybrid and pipeless organs. This is where modern sampling technologies are brought to bear to allow for full-sounding organ installations in situations where there is either insufficient space or funds for a full-scale pipe organ, often in combination with some pipe sections for the instrument (hence, hybrid).

Of course, this requires some form of speaker installation in order to deliver the audio output of the

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South Africa - The members of Flat Stanley initially earned accolades for their studio albums, which have earned them no fewer than six Top 10 radio hits in their native South Africa, including three that went to number one. Live performances on radio and television followed, and today the band's latest single As I Am has not only charted at number one but has also just been licensed by South Africa's biggest cable television station, MNET, for use in one of its promo spots.

"Since day one, Shure vocal mics have been an absolute must on our tech rider," says Flat Stanley frontman Andrew Mac. "More recently, we've started to move into using Shure wireless technology to improve our performances as well. On a large stage at a big show, the last thing you want to have to worry about is cables! We have in-ear personal monitors, beltpacks for the guitarists, and

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UK - Audio design, rental, sales and installation company, Delta Sound - best known for its work on high profile events such as the Tour de France, Commonwealth Games and Falklands 25th Anniversary celebrations, as well as host of corporate events - has joined forces with Fred Jackson, formerly known as JAL (Jackson Audio Limited).

Paul Keating, managing director of Delta, explains this strategic move:. "We have worked with Fred for a number of years, collaborating on a variety of projects, and have developed a very good relationship with him," he says. "Much of his work is in the television and broadcast industry, on shows such as Britain's Got Talent and X Factor, where he is well known and respected.

"At Delta, we are keen to expand our activity in this area. Fred's portfolio of clients dovetails perfectly with our own and his contacts both

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Germany - On 19 July, the Bavarian capital of Munich celebrated the 850th anniversary of its founding with numerous shows, theatrical performances, and concerts. One of the highlights in the city centre was provided by the Titanick Theater's production Firebirds. Louis Altrogge, who was responsible for the audio, relied on Dynacord systems.

The Titanick Theater is often described as the "most spectacular street theatre in Germany". Performances by the Münster-based troupe feature bizarre characters, fascinating props, spectacular special effects, atmospheric sets, and powerful live music.

For the production, Louis Altrogge relied on a Dynacord Cobra system for the main stage and an assortment of Dynacord D-Lite and Electro-Voice components for the mobile stage.

"The Cobra impresses me more with each performance," says Altrogge. "It delivers a

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USA - Apogee Electronics has confirmed SCV Audio as its new distributor for France.

A spokesman for SCV Audio notes: "The addition of Apogee products to our catalogue will enable us to offer a new level of quality and a great diversity of solutions to our specialised Hi-Tech dealer network, reinforcing our common leadership."

SCV Audio will assume the new role beginning 1 September 2008 and will integrate the entire Apogee product line into its "Hi-Tech" division.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - From the unlikely beginnings of a BBC documentary on a cruise ship, Jane McDonald has risen to become one of the country's popular lounge singers, this year carrying off a huge tour of 46 concerts in city theatres.

PA company Sigma AV is servicing this UK tour, and has managed to fit all the travelling audio production into a long-wheelbase Sprinter van. That's a 20KW sound system, eight-way monitor system, digital console, mic stands, multicore and all cables in one Sprinter van.

Central to the compact nature of the Sigma rig is the new Roland V-Mixing System, incorporating the M-400 digital audio mixer, which weighs just 56 kilos in a sturdy flightcase, and two Cat 5-based Digital Snake multicores, with fully racked-up stageboxes.

Peter Barnard of Sigma AV bought into Roland Systems' V-Mixing concept especially for this tour, and is so pleased with the results that he

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USA - JBL Professional reports that its JBL Vertec line array loudspeakers were deployed by rental sound system provider, ATK Audiotek, at the Democratic National Convention at Denver's Pepsi Center. A JBL Vertec system was also used for presidential candidate Barack Obama's acceptance speech at the city's Invesco Field football stadium, with Crown power amplifiers also in use at both facilities. The combination of JBL speakers and Crown amplifiers has also served as the sound system of choice for many of the party's recent election rallies and assemblies around the nation.

The Pepsi Center in downtown Denver opened its doors to Democrat convention-goers on 25 August and hosted key speeches by Senator Ted Kennedy, Michelle Obama, Senator Hillary Clinton, former President Bill Clinton and other party stalwarts including Vice Presidential candidate, Senator Joe Biden. The conventi

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USA - Bosch Communications Systems has announced the appointment of Kees Geerts as product marketing manager, conferencing systems AMEC.

Geerts is based at Bosch Communications Systems HQ in Burnsville, MN, and began his new position in August, 2008.

"I'm delighted to join the team at Burnsville," says Kees, "and look forward to the continued growth of our Conferencing Systems Business Line in the Americas. By using the experienced sales channels of the previous Telex Communications, we can focus and grow our public address and conferencing business substantially in the Americas."

(Jim Evans)

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Spain - Barcelona hosted a convention for Herbalife, the American operator in the wellness field, with a million distributors in 61 countries worldwide and annual net sales of 3 billion dollars.

Sound reinforcement at the event in question - held at the city's highly modern Palau Sant Jordi - was entrusted to Planet Service of San Marino, a rental company with a stock of Outline arrays and one of the most qualified European companies in the corporate event field, with clients including Nike, Asics, Reebok, Mercedes Smart Tour, Upim, Villaggi del Ventaglio, Tecnocasa, Valleverde, Autogrill and many more.

The Butterfly system installed by Planet Service - supported by domestic rental companies Ajuste (Madrid) and Backlight (Lisbon), both of which have Outline arrays - consisted in a total of 88 CDH 483 Hi-Packs and 28 Victor Live subwoofers, the latter installed on the floor. Th

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UK - When Howard Eaton Lighting Ltd (HELL) won the contract to supply all the set electrics to the Cameron Mackintosh / Disney national UK tour of Mary Poppins, they turned to City Theatrical to provide the wireless DMX control system.

City Theatrical is no stranger to Mary Poppins. Its WDS Wireless Data System is already providing wireless control to the Broadway production, but the new tour sees the first large scale use in the UK of their SHoW DMX system. City Theatrical provided one transmitter and a total of seven receivers to the production: Two mounted in trucked scenic pieces, four mounted on tracking sliders and the final receiver providing DMX to a large flown 'attic' piece.

Of all the pieces, the four tracking sliders are the most interesting elements. These tall translucent panels are internally lit by custom HELL RGB LED strips. The scenic design calls for

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Canada - A new Dynacord sound system at the brand-new 2000-seat Celebration Centre at Moncton Wesleyan Church in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, is providing the coverage and intelligibility of a world-class theatre sound system.

Signature Sound (Douglas, New Brunswick) designed and installed the system, built around a main Cobra-4 system with VariLine fill loudspeakers.

Mike Jones of Signature Sound reports: "From the beginning I knew the Dynacord solution was perfect for this facility and, after hearing the system demo, the customer agreed. We have 40 Cobra boxes in our inventory, and we use them all the time for all kinds of applications, live and installed. The new VariLine boxes are amazing too-so compact, so versatile, so powerful. They're the perfect complement to the main Cobra system."

In addition to the main Dynacord system, Jones spec'd a range of additi

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UK - Duran Audio will be presenting the new AXYS G2 family of sound reinforcement products at PLASA 08. The AXYSScope and Source, the first two members of the G2 family that are now available, will both be on show at the Duran Audio stand.

The AXYS Scope range is designed for theatre and conference applications. All of the units have built in amplification and DSP and can be networked together using RS485. AXYS Scope loudspeakers come fitted with stand adaptors and/or rigging hardware.

The AXYS Scope range consists of four products: T-2112: a three-way mid/hi loudspeaker with a 12" LF driver and a coaxial HF driver. T-2115: a three-way mid/hi loudspeaker with a 15" LF driver and a coaxial HF driver. UB-25: a single 15" subwoofer. B-07: a single 18" subwoofer.

The AXYS® Source system is a horn loaded system that is designed for use as a front of house

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UK - In an attempt to boost sound engineering qualifications in the theatre industry, Orbital Sound is reintroducing its multi-day training seminars for students. The next of these will be the two-day Sound Skills for Theatre, which will be held on 2-3 October at its headquarters in Brixton, south London.

The course will provide an intensive, hands-on look at the technologies and challenges facing theatre professionals in the rapidly advancing world of theatre sound.

Topics covered include show control and audio playback, radio mics, communications systems, video, and digital consoles. There will be the opportunity to talk to experienced engineers, designers, and product specialists who work at the highest levels of the industry.

Orbital Sound's principle tutor, Theo Holloway comments: "There is a skills shortage in this area, and with some 26 pantomimes coming u

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UK - PLASA 08 provides the perfect platform for A.C. Entertainment Technologies Ltd (formerly known as A.C. Lighting Ltd), to reinforce its new name and wide range of industry products and related services.

The company's stand features leading brand innovations from its four specialist divisions - A.C. Lighting, A.C. Audio, A.C. Rigging and A.C. Video - as well as providing specialist knowledge on applications using these technologies. A.C. Lighting will be showcasing a selection of innovations across its range of traditional and intelligent lighting fixtures, control, dimming and power distribution, effects, cables and connectors.

As the worldwide distributor for Chroma-Q, the stand will feature the brand's complete range of LED products for all types of entertainment and architectural lighting applications - including the new Color Span - a configurable, low-profile, ultra-b

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UK - PLASA 08 sees the international launch of two new additions to the Sygma Line from Renkus-Heinz - a range designed for flexibility and outstanding performance in a broad range of professional audio applications.

New for PLASA 08 is the SG/SGX12S subwoofer. The extensive Sygma development process makes this compact 12-inch vented subwoofer an exceptional combination of high performance and superior value - the right choice to add low frequency punch to any Sygma system, says the company. Multiple versions are available: the externally powered SGX12S, the SG12S-2 with a 200 Watt digital amplifier, and the SG12S-5 with 500 Watts of integrated Class D amplification.

The two self-powered versions are also available RHAON-Empowered - the SG12S-2R and SG12S-5R, both with built-in RHAON (Renkus-Heinz Audio Operations Network). All versions are capable of at least 128 dB SPL from

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Australia - The Frankston Arts Centre is an iconic landmark in one of Melbourne's fastest growing areas. Designed by renowned Australian architect, Daryl Jackson, the Frankston is one of the largest metropolitan and regional arts venues in Australia. It is a major focus for the performing arts in the region with facilities that contribute to the growing stature of local companies and provide a venue for local dance schools, as well as tertiary and secondary student productions.

It was decided that they needed a new world class loudspeaker system to take the venue's bookings and offerings into the next level. The previous system was locally designed and built and had been the in-house system since the venue opened in 1995. When the time came to upgrade, venue sound technician and long time fan of d&b audiotechnik systems, Ben Thompson contacted Simon Moran of Optim Audio who ulti

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UK - Having previously run the successful installation company, Xtreme Audio Visual, Craig Wiggins has set up a new event production company from his base in Clacton-on-Sea, in partnership with Essex Sound & Light's Mike Glover.

MRL Productions will specialise in providing a complete sound, lighting, video and staging technical service to the corporate event, theatre, fashion show and concert sector.

Their biggest contract to date has been with Great Leighs, the first new racecourse that has been set up in the last 80 years.

John Holmes' new venture - situated between Braintree and Chelmsford - hosts night racing as well as a large number of corporate functions for which MRL has been providing sound and lighting. This includes the opening night when Alexander O'Neal performed in front of an audience of 600.

The company has already developed a cutting-edge hire fleet. This

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