Sound

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UK - The Brighton Centre conference venue, has revitalised its long-serving Electro-Voice PA system with the replacement of all the existing amplifiers with EV's latest DSP-controlled P1200 RL Precision Series amplifiers, running IRIS-Net remote control and system supervision software.

Known to many in the UK as the venue for high-profile conferencing, as used by the Conservative Party and the Trades Union Congress, the Main Hall of the Brighton Centre routinely accommodates prestige exhibitions, banquets and leisure events. With its flexible seating, it can accommodate 4,500 seated delegates.

The Main Hall's house PA was installed in the 1980s, a centrally-flown cluster of Electro-Voice loudspeakers which has worked for over 20 years. Brighton-based specialists MBI Sound & Light has maintained the Centre's facilities since that time. "With the important TUC conference lo

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UK - eMerging, the UK distributors for Merging Technology's products, have completed a lengthy high-definition upgrade project at Lime Pictures, Liverpool. Lime, who produce Channel 4's successful soap Hollyoaks virtually continuously 52 weeks a year, began a thorough overhaul of their video and audio production and editing facilties in 2007 to enable the show to be produced, edited and broadcast in high definition.

The completed upgrade has involved eMerging in the design, construction and installation of six new audio dubbing suites at Lime, each with Merging Pyramix audio Post-production DAWs, VCube HD high-definition video playback systems, and Merging Ramses control surfaces.

Alongside the equipment from eMerging, Lime also purchased new HD Sony HDC-1500 cameras, built a new Central Apparatus Room (CAR) with a 102-Terabyte Data Direct video production SAN, and adde

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USA - D.A.S. Audio recently hosted a seminar in Miami, specifically aimed at Aero line array users from the Caribbean and the US. Over 100 people attended the event on at the Intercontinental West Miami Hotel's Doral Reception Hall.

The speakers, D.A.S. Audio sound engineer, Javier Navarro and Gonzalo Aguirre, D.A.S. sales manager for Latin American and the Caribbean were joined by special guest speakers Ashok Maharaj the well-known Venezuelan independent professional audio consultant and Ulises Otero, US based Aero system user and owner of Roxy Productions.

The seminar's opening presentation and introduction of the participants was conducted by D. A. S. Audio international sales director, Jack Palacio. He went on to introduce Ashok Maharaj who delivered a presentation on the principles behind line array systems. Ulises Otero centred his speech on a detailed explanation about

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USA - Now in its 13th year, the Radnor Hunt Concours d'Elegance offers classic car buffs the opportunity to admire a selection of the world's most exotic vehicles, presenting 100 motor cars in an event billed as "Honouring The Art and Colour of General Motors, Zagato and BSA Motorcycles".

Recalling the tradition of the classic French Concours d'Elegance in Paris, the event includes a high-end fashion show and black tie dinner reception. Sound for the event's sprawling grounds was provided by Community R.5 loudspeakers.

The R.5 loudspeakers were mounted in the event's main patio area and adjacent to each of the category displays. "Although R-Series are best known for permanent installations in stadia and harsh environment applications, their rugged construction, high power, light weight and ease of fixing make them ideal for temporary events like th

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Eurovision News - Andrew Lloyd Webber is to help pick the UK's next Eurovision entry, in an overhaul of the BBC's selection show. Lord Lloyd Webber will compose the UK's entry and embark on a search for the singer or group to perform the song. Graham Norton will host BBC TV show Your Country Needs You to find new talent for the 2009 contest, after a string of poor results for the UK. Lord Lloyd Webber said: "In my life I have never shied away from the impossible and this looks like the biggest mission impossible of all time. But with the might of the BBC and the British public behind me who knows what will happen?"

Opera News - "Not so long ago, making a fanfare about big frocks and fancy sets in opera was the preserve of that crowd-pleasing impresario Raymond Gubbay," wrote Emma Pomfret in The Times. "Heaven forbid that you uttered the words &quo

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Spain - Expo 2008 has finally drawn to a spectacular close in Zaragoza, Spain after a three-month tenure. 105 nations took part in the world fair which was dedicated to the topic of Water and Sustainable Development and attracted over 6 million visitors.

Situated in a meander of the Ebro river, the Expo 2008 site is home to some groundbreaking architecture such as the emblematic Bridge Pavilion designed by Zaha Hadid and the imposing Water Tower designed by Enrique de Teresa. The exposition site also hosted several daily shows including Iceberg, a visual and poetic symphony evoking water and climate change as its central themes. Leading Spanish production company, Focus, created the iceberg itself and designed the audio system which was entirely powered by Lab.gruppen amplifiers, including 24 PLM Powered Loudspeaker Management systems.

From a technical point of v

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UK - RTS Digital Intercoms has supplied a Cronus Digital Matrix to Glyndebourne Opera House as the cornerstone of a new integrated communications and paging system. The new system provides flexible paging to multiple zones and integrates production communications and 85 radio beltpacks covering the entire site. The system is controllable from any PC in the complex via the AZedit software interface.

Simon Yapp, head of audio visual and sound at Glyndebourne Opera House, and his colleague Keith Benson, head of lighting, needed to find a solution to replace the venue's old paging system, which had become unsupportable. The new solution was required to not only replace the original paging system with 16 zones but offer increased flexibility without throwing away the existing cable infra-structure and speaker system, all of which were still serviceable.

(Jim Evans)

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South Korea - DPA Microphones' 2008 Distributor of the Year award has gone to Best Leading Solutions of South Korea, recognising "the huge contribution to sales and service that the company has provided over the past 12 months".

"Best Leading Solutions has carried out a successful restructure of the entire company, with expansion into new market segments," says Ken Kimura, DPA's regional sales director, Asia Pacific. "The company has implemented various sales and marketing activities in close cooperation with DPA, and this has all combined in an increase in DPA sales turnover of 35% over 2007."

"I'm pleased and honoured to win the DPA Distributor of the Year Award," says H S Ahn, CEO of BLS. "Since I first encountered them, I've loved these mics and together with my staff have tried to get them into every studio and theatre. As the

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Switzerland - Barix has announced the appointment of Marcel van der Meijs as VP of sales and marketing effective immediately. Based in the Netherlands, he will focus on increasing sales-driven activities for Barix on a global basis.

Van der Maijs comes to Barix with more than 20 years of experience in international sales & marketing in the security and network industry, including high-ranking positions within Lantronix International and HID Corporation.

"Audio over IP is becoming more relevant every day, and it's important to generate direct sales and OEM applications in new markets beyond where Barix has been traditionally strong," said van der Meijs. "Barix is a very product-driven organisation and has a feature-rich toolbox that can service a multitude of niche markets. The challenge is to proactively communicate how IP Audio is relevant to these many differe

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UK - The Lee Evans Big Tour is the UK's largest stand up comedy tour of 2008, with 59 sold out dates in arenas around the country and a total audience figure estimated at over 400,000. Audio provider for the tour Capital Sound has developed a system that utilises XTA digital signal processing.

A total of 11 XTA DP226 are used to control an extensive Martin Audio line array system. "It's something we developed from Lee's 2005 XL tour, which in itself was a development from the Eddie Izzard system we'd used two years previously," says Capital Sound's Paul Timmins. "We now have a design for large-scale comedy which we think serves the range of venues on this current tour very well."

"We have all the delay XTAs in the rack as a master unit and we use that as a matrix to drive the other XTAs which are stage end, which runs straight off the multicore,

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China - DPA Microphones has strengthened its position in the Asia Pacific market by opening a regional office in Shanghai, headed up by Ken Kimura, regional sales director, Asia Pacific.

"The Asia Pacific region has always been important to DPA Microphones and given the increased market development, it was an obvious move to make," says Kimura. "We're focusing on increasing DPA's brand awareness in the region and reinforcing our position in countries like China, Japan, Korea and Australia through continuous training and support of our sales network, while developing new local markets by appointing new distributors and dealers.

"The relocation to Shanghai will enable me to intensify our sales and marketing support to distributors, increase communication and info sharing with local brand managers, sales personnel and end users. Their input is vital in our con

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USA - Professional audio dealers Sound Productions (Dallas, TX) has invested in 13 PRO6 digital live performance systems from Midas - the first major purchase of the new system in the Americas.

"PRO6 extends the lineage of the great Midas analogue consoles heard on countless tours and installations," says Charles Kitch, president, Sound Productions, "and adds many of the unique digital features of the XL8 to the equation, all in a package that is priced within the reach of a lot of our customers. PRO6 is going to be a big hit in a very important price range; we're expecting a lot of interest from the church market in particular. It's comprehensive and truly groundbreaking."

"I knew this PRO6 was a winner the moment I saw - and heard - it at the launch event in Minneapolis," adds Jeff Humphrey, sales manager, Sound Productions. "Looking around

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UK - Surround microphone manufacturers SoundField has sold an additional digital DSF-2 microphone system and a DSF-3 digital 5.1 surround sound processor to satellite broadcaster Sky Sports. The systems are being used on their HD coverage of the currently on-going Rugby Union Guinness Premiership, which started in early October 2008.

The microphone and associated processor has been permanently installed in T16, the recently completed new HD OB vehicle owned by UK broadcast facilities company Telegenic, and will be used for coverage of all UK-based games during the championship.

"We've been transmitting HD pictures for Rugby Union for several years, but without 5.1 surround to match," says Sky's operations manager Keith Lane. "We wanted to upgrade the experience we were offering Sky Sports Rugby Union fans, and the SoundField system was the obvious choice, as it'

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Germany - Built at the Meyer-Werft shipyard for the US cruise line Celebrity Cruises, the Celebrity Solstice is 350m long by 36.8m wide and offers accommodation for 2,852 passengers in its 1,426 cabins.

FUNA Nachrichtentechnik of Emden installed four networked Dynacord ProMatrix 4000 systems that combine ELA (messaging/voice alarm/evacuation) with pro sound (recorded music).

The four ProMatrix 4000 systems boast a combined amplification power of over 53,00W. Over 350 loudspeaker lines to over 8,000 loudspeakers--including 350 Electro-Voice 309-8A (coaxial systems), 520 Electro-Voice EVID C4.2 (coaxial ceiling systems), 30 Electro-Voice EVID C8.2 (coaxial ceiling systems), and 70 Electro-Voice Sx80PIX--run the length and breadth of the ship, which also boasts 16 ProMatrix DPC keypanels, plus numerous other Electro-Voice loudspeaker systems across the various function roo

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USA - Outfitted with 12 expansive decks featuring a soaring Grand Lobby, Royal Court Theatre, numerous restaurants, lounges, a casino, and luxury in every corner that blends the plush qualities of British tradition with amenities of the modern age, Cunard's newest ocean liner, the Queen Victoria, carries passengers in grand style.

Currently cruising the Mediterranean and waters of Northern Europe on this, her maiden year of voyages, the ship also uses Shure's UHF-R wireless microphone systems in wide-ranging applications designed and installed by San Diego, California-based Nautilus Entertainment Design (NED).

"RF radio stability is vital to these systems," says NED's Alan Edwards. "As they move from the open sea to ports of call, it's imperative that the signals don't cut out or introduce null zones. Coverage has to be consistent, and automatic frequency

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USA - Residing at the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School was established in 1881 as the world's first collegiate business school. Considered to be one of the most highly esteemed and influential institutions of its kind, the school has increasingly relied on technology in recent years, with sound reinforcement in the classroom coming to be the norm along with distance learning capabilities and high levels of networked connectivity.

Facing spectrum changes associated with the FCC's auction earlier this year of the 700 MHz band, Wharton - with a sizable amount of wireless systems operating in that spectrum -determined the time was right for a comprehensive upgrade. Malvern, Pennsylvania-based Cenero, LLC led the revitalization with a new wireless blueprint based around Shure UHF-R systems. Spanning buildings, including Huntsman Hall, Steinberg Hall, Dietrich Hall, Lauder-F

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China - Meyer Sound has confirmed the appointment of Shanghai MYC Technology Company as the exclusive distributor of Meyer Sound products in mainland China, Macao and Hong Kong. The recently incorporated MYC Technology will focus on expanding the growth of Meyer Sound's award-winning solutions and strengthening customer support in system applications.

"The MYC team not only shares Meyer Sound's passion to deliver the best listening experience to the audience," says Mike Cooper, international sales director of Meyer Sound. "They have demonstrated a keen understanding of our technology and have established an excellent reputation in the industry. Together with MYC and Karoly Molnar, Meyer Sound's recently appointed technical support director for the region, we look forward to establishing a closer working relationship with customers to build top-quality sound system

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UK - Rental companies Skan PA Hire and Wigwam Hire have both added to their L-Acoustics inventory, with Wigwam purchasing 32 x SB28 subwoofers and 24 x LA8 Amplified Controllers, and Skan acquiring 32 x SB28s and 60 x LA8s.

"I heard the new subs, thought they were great and bought some to replace some of our older stock, and at the same time thought we'd also dip our toes in the water with the new amps," says Wigwam's Chris Hill. The company has been using the new SB28s and LA8s on tours with Radiohead, Human League and Shane Ward.

Skan's Abby Llewellyn says: "We decided to buy the SB28s because of their cardioid capability and the fact they complimented and enhanced our existing L-Acoustics stock holding." Skan has been using the new subs and racks on the current REM European arena tour.

(Jim Evans)

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Korea - Hwaseong Cultural Festival is a five-day cultural festival held every October to celebrate Sowon Citizen's Day. It is staged annually in Hwaseong, the city built by King Jeongjo (22nd King of the Joseon Dynasty) as an act of filial devotion and as part of reform activities, and the 2008 edition of the Festival - the 45th - was held from 8-12 October.

Various events and festivities are held, including re-enactments of royal and popular life, events for the entire family, culinary tasting sessions and performances. The festival attracts a large number of Korean and foreign tourists every year.

The Butterfly system installed by Hebsiba Multimedia Group, Outline's sole distributor for the Korean market, consisted in total of 20 CDH 483 Hi-Packs, four CDL 1815 Low-Packs, and eight 218SP Subtechs. The rig was powered by T7 digital power amplifiers and Genius 26 DSP, also man

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UK - Formula Sound has moved premises after more than 20 years based at Bredbury, Stockport. While the move is only some eight miles to Oldham, there is also the opening of a new office in London.

Formula Sound's general manager Barry Penaligon said: "When we started looking at moving, it seemed there was an opportunity to not just move to another location but also open an office in the south to improve our coverage of the UK."

Formula Sound are one of the few professional audio companies still manufacturing in the UK and in the words of Barry Penaligon: "We remain committed to designing and manufacturing our products in the UK."

The new addresses are: Devon Mill Chapel Road, North End Road, Oldham OL8 4QH; Unit 23; Stadium Business Centre, Wembley, London, HA9 0AT. Tel: 0161 688 0020 and 0208 900 0947.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - One of the final components in an extensive technical refurbishment of the BBC's largest radio studio, the M-400 V-Mixing System from RSS by Roland has been installed in the broadcaster's famous Radio Theatre in London's Broadcasting House.

As part of a larger building programme, the Radio Theatre has been refurbished and fitted out for a wide range of audience shows, primarily but not exclusively output to radio, including light entertainment productions, comedy, Christmas specials and one-off events.

The venue for many historic recordings since the 1930s when it was known as the BBC Concert Hall, today the theatre's 312-seat auditorium has been equipped with extensive PA and lighting facilities, and includes an 80-track digital recording facility.

The RSS M-400 digital mixing system, which has been supplied by Total Audio Solutions, has the job of mixing the two PA sy

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Australia - Towards the end of last year, Queensland saw the rise of a new rental company with a big inventory. True Sound Productions in Ormeau (halfway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast) is able to cater for any requirements when it comes to production - whether for 50 people or 50,000.

Managing director David Thorndike has based his inventory on current industry trends. He wanted a point of difference to the other big companies in Queensland, so he opted for the HK Audio Cohedra and Cohedra Compact. Since they came onboard as an HK Partner, Thorndike has worked with other companies in the network and has started to build a strong client base.

Early this year David supplied some of the stages at the Queensland Future Music Festival. True Sound also helped BE Productions with the Newton's Playground Festival in Bathurst with the large HK Audio inventory they

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Finland - Celebrating its 100th anniversary last year, the Helsinki City Theatre organisation is a driving force in this city's vibrant cultural community. To commemorate the century milestone, the organisation's Helsingin Kaupunginteatteri theatre house unveiled a customised Meyer Sound system.

The 950-seat venue, which opened its doors in 1967, provided some interesting architectural challenges. As the theatre's Jyrki Sandell explains: "The room's original design was focused on spoken presentations, and the reverb time is fairly short. The audience area itself is quite wide, but not very deep. We tested a number of different configurations, and determined that a typical line array would not be the best solution for the space."

Instead, Sandell opted for a more innovative approach. The distributed system, provided by Espoo-based Studiotech Oy, is an A/B system in wh

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UK - Ward Steedsy Associates (WSA) in association with, Allen & Heath, Funktion One & Polar Audio are running a training Demo day on Monday 10 November 2008 at The Bongo Club, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh.

Le'on Philips, Allen & Heath's product manager will be giving a full training session on the iLive digital desk. Mark Bromfield from Polar Audio will be bringing a full range of Beyer Dynamic mics plus some XTZ , MC2 & ASL gear; the mics will be demo'ed on a live band.

John Newsham co-founder of Funktion One Research will also be in attendance, demonstrating various Funktion One Resolution products.

"This will be a great event to gets hands-on' experience for a range of fantastic products, and meet the people behind the products," said David Steedsy Stevenson.

(Jim Evans)

  1. Hadouken behave with Sennheiser
  2. Reproduced Sound 24 in Brighton
  3. ETA Sound extends Harman armoury
  4. Busy days for grandPA
  5. Lab.gruppen launches C Series flagship
  6. Goldfrapp at the Sydney Opera House
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