UAE - The recently-opened Dubai Mall is one of the largest malls in the world, boasting 1,200 retail outlets, two department stores and more than 160 food and beverage vendors. The mall's 220-store Gold Souk is an elaborately decorated area used for special events by the UAE Royal Family and other dignitaries, in addition to serving as an impressive entertainment area for mall visitors.

The Gold Souk features a 75ft diameter domed super high-resolution projection screen (designed by Salt Lake City-based Evans and Sutherland Digital Theaters Group) raised 40ft above the floor, which necessitated powerful and clear audio. The design of the area presented acoustical challenges, all of which were met with a custom system featuring EAW AX Series Loudspeakers and some architectural solutions. The system was designed by Indianapolis, IN-based firm Bowen Technovation.

Because of the v

UK - A.C. Audio has recently supplied a sound and control system to Blackpool Pleasure Beach for their latest outdoor display, the Spectacular Dancing Water Show. The new high energy, interactive water display is situated at the heart of the beach complex, providing various theatrical showers of shooting fountains over 100ft high. It is choreographed to a wide repertoire of music including classical, pop and even rugby anthems.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach approached A.C. to specify and supply a powerful, durable sound system for the water show. The system needed to be able to withstand both the wet environment and high ambient noise levels emanating from the surrounding restaurant district. Knowing KV2 Audio had previously manufactured loudspeakers to such high levels of durability, A.C. Audio sales manager Peter Butler turned to KV2 with the brief.

"The reliability o

Germany - Peavey has added two new, feature-laden mixers to its long-running PV Series, including the compact mixers, the PV 6 USB, and PV 8 USB.

The PV 6 USB and PV 8 USB feature built-in effects, send on every channel with stereo return, zero latency record monitoring capabilities, and h more, while a USB port allows direct connection to a USB-equipped computer for recording from the mixer or playing back digital audio (compatible with Windows XP, ME & 2000). Both of these models also include pre-fader monitor sends; inserts on all channels; and dual switchable line inputs on the two stereo channels.

(Jim Evans)

Germany - Meyer Sound has announced the introduction of the D-Mitri digital audio platform, which provides the foundation of the company's next generation of digital products, beginning with the LCS audio show control system and Constellation electroacoustic architecture. D-Mitri is a powerful network-based system that encompasses the entire audio chain, from microphone input to loudspeaker output, incorporating multichannel distribution, multichannel recording and playback, and show control automation.

Inherently scalable to virtually any size, D-Mitri systems can be tailored to the unique requirements of theme parks, spectacle shows, theatrical productions, museums, planetariums, performing arts centers, stadiums and arenas, and retail environments.

"D-Mitri builds on years of our experience in creating uniquely flexible digital audio systems which serve applications ra

Germany - Distributor of HHB professional audio products in Germany and Austria, Innoton is celebrating its second anniversary at Musikmesse 2009.

As Innoton¹s business continues to grow, the company has announced the appointment of Manfred Kintzel as sales & marketing manager. Kintzel comes to Innoton with a considerable knowledge of audio technologies, and 15 years¹ experience working in the industry.

Coinciding with the expansion of the team, Innoton is also launching a new website at www.innoton.de with detailed information, pictures and downloads for all products, and an on-line store for selected products including HHB Professional Recording Media.

Central to Innoton¹s dramatic growth is the success achieved with the HHB FlashMic Digital Recording Microphone, with 1,000 units already sold in Germany and Austria.

In addition to the distribution of HHB products, Inn

UK - Ateis UK is making its International FIREX debut this year to showcase its voice alarm (VA) and sound installation equipment. Already an established manufacturer of VA and audio reproduction systems for the public address sector, Ateis is looking to raise its profile in the British marketplace and will be promoting its DIVA8M alarm technology, network systems and Messenger line array loudspeakers.

Ateis is sharing a stand with ICS, suppliers of high technology detection products, who were recently appointed distributors for the DIVA8M range of compact, eight zone VA systems. A full system will be running during the show to demonstrate the DIVA8M's capabilities, including audio digital signal processing, matrixing of signals, digital message play-out, a fully monitored fireman microphone and amplifier and loudspeaker line monitoring, all with complete backup for the amplifie

Germany - QSC this week launched its K Series product group of lightweight, high-performance powered loudspeakers.

QSC director of entertainer solutions Ray van Straten states, "The K Series has been designed entirely without compromise, from the ground up. QSC has departed from convention and at the same time exploded a myth that smaller woofers must equate to lower performance.

"Competitors will typically use the highest power amplifier and the best quality drivers in the largest format model, while designing their smaller format models with lower power amplification and lesser performing components. This allows them to reduce the price of the smaller models, further propagating the myth that a smaller woofer enclosure necessitates lower performance."

He continues, "Apart from using the same amp module across the line, we are also using the same quality

USA Full Sail University has invested in 13 Audient ASP8024 desks in its Recording Arts department. 12 24-channel Audient consoles have been installed in what is known as the Analogue Mix Lab and the thirteenth is set up in the lecture room.

Greg Griffith, sound foundations course director at Full Sail University, reports, "Each station, including the one in the lecture room has a full patchbay, is loaded with time-based and dynamics processors and a hard disk based multi-track, enabling class demonstrations to be shown on the same equipment that the students will use in the lab."

Eric Abraham, console department chair at Full Sail University, says, "The ASP8024 consoles are being used in the Sound Foundations course, which is the first course in which the students get to deal with a true inline recording console. The students learn signal flow and the recording

Germany - This week's Frankfurt Pro Light + Sound show marks the launch of Adamson's Point Series that includes five new models complete with EASE Data; the Point 8, Point 12 and Point 15 two-way enclosures, with companion single and double 15" subwoofers; the Point115 Sub and Point 215 Sub. A new 4 x 8 DSP, The Point Control, is also available for optimal speaker management.

The Point Series incorporates Adamson's Advanced Cone Architecture in all 12" and 15"cabinets. These low-mid transducers have Kevlar cone geometries that reduce modal behaviour, providing an improved and linearised pass-band.

The Point 8, Point 12 and Point 15 are all available in both, active and passive versions. The Point 15 and Point 12 are equipped with either a 40 x 20, 60 x 40 or 90 x 60 rotatable Waveguide, for maximum flexibility. The smaller Point 8 is available with a 90 x 60 rot

Germany - Two key announcements were made by the Roland Systems Group (RSG) at Frankfurt: first, the restructuring of the RSS team in the UK following the promotion of Peter Heath to the board of Roland UK, and secondly, the arrival of the new RSS M-48 Live Personal Mixer.

Roland UK has announced key changes to its executive team, with commercial director Tim Walter taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer, and Peter Heath stepping onto the board of directors in the newly-created position of sales director.

Signalling a show of solidarity with its dealer network, the board of Roland UK has, for the first time in several years, two directors involved in shaping sales strategies and relationships. Tim Walter remains in charge of all sales and marketing, and adds responsibility for operations to his remit; he will now be supported by Peter Heath, who has a dedicated sales ma

USA - Smokey Robinson performed at this year's Grammy Awards as part of a Four Tops tribute, including Jamie Foxx, Ne-Yo, and Duke Fakir, the only surviving Four Tops member. Onstage, the singer was a longtime believer in floor wedges when it came to meeting his monitoring needs, this until a meeting with the late Luther Vandross prompted his switch to Shure in-ear monitors.

"My production manager is this guy named Brian French, and Brian had tried to get me to switch to ear monitors for probably eight years," Robinson says. "I went to see Luther Vandross - who was a really good friend of mine - and he was at the Hollywood Bowl. Afterwards I went backstage, and he said, 'Smoke, let me tell you, the ear monitors, they are really what's happening. It's like singing to yourself in the studio. When you saw me, when I came on, I was barely singing, because I could hear

USA - Meyer Sound has announced that the company will release high-resolution measurement data for its loudspeakers in the GLL (Generic Loudspeaker Library) format, enabling users of EASE design and simulation software to do system design modelling using Meyer Sound self-powered loudspeakers. The GLL format stores data in considerably higher resolution than the EASE SPK database used by previous versions of EASE, resulting in more precise predictions.

Meyer Sound's patented MAPP Online Pro acoustical prediction programme will continue to be the preferred prediction tool when designing Meyer Sound systems. Available at no charge to qualified users, MAPP Online Pro provides accurate predictions and valuable features including a rigging calculator, virtual EQ, and a variety of viewing options for system designers to anticipate and avoid coverage problems, eliminating onsite adjustm

Italy - In one of the major announcements to be made at last week's ProLight&Sound exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany, two of Italy's best-known manufacturers have joined forces. RCF Group announced at the show that it had finalised the agreement to purchase 51% of SGM Technology for Lighting SpA. SGM is a well-known manufacturer serving the entertainment and architectural lighting industry, with 30 years of experience and many prestigious reference projects around the world.

Gabriele Giorgi, president of SGM, said: "It is a great opportunity to for us to become one of the companies of the RCF Group. Ove the years we have built a very dedicated team and, together with our worldwide distribution partners, we have significantly expanded our international sales. Looking ahead we felt it was time to structure our company for a more demanding market and being part of a larger grou

UK / Germany - Announced at last week's ProLight&Sound exhibition in Frankfurt, Mega Audio has been appointed the Midas and Klark Teknik distributor for Germany, with effect from 1 April 2009.

"We've been looking very hard at various factors affecting our distribution channel," says Midas managing director John Oakley. "Midas and Klark Teknik operate primarily in the mid and high end touring sound market. This unique sector needs to form strong personal relationships with both rental companies and end users. It made sense, given the ongoing success of the Midas XL8 and PRO6 digital systems and increasingly complex Klark Teknik products, to locate an independent distributor with specialist staff focused on the core concert sound and rental market. We are confident that Mega Audio is the best possible company to represent sales and support of Midas and Klark Teknik

Bulgaria - The Vermont, is a major new entertainment facility for the city of Yambol in the historical region of Thrace in south eastern Bulgaria.

The space was previously a discotheque, but has been fully refurbished for the Vermont nightclub. To set new standards for the venue, the owners appointed Burgas-based ProAudio to design and install Community sound and DTS lighting systems.

"The main area of Vermont is about 500sq.m," explained Stanislav Petrov of ProAudio: "and we were asked to create a high energy focus on the main dance floor. For this substantial area, and the quality and levels we needed to create, we turned to Community's iBOX system which we knew would deliver on both counts."

The central dance floor is covered by four high power two-way 15" Community iHP1564 loudspeakers, each cabinet capable of handling 1500W program and deliveri

UK - When St Thomas' Church Kendal needed to upgrade their AV facilities recently they called on the experience and expertise of local integrator Audioworks (NW) and following an outline of the Church's requirements Audioworks turned to QSC for an audio system solution.

The brief for the project was fairly simple, a good sounding solution that would offer excellent coverage and performance whilst remaining sympathetic to the church's interior. Martin Hodgson of Audioworks takes up the story: "Following initial discussions with representatives of St Thomas' we agreed that a line array would offer the most complete solution and I proposed the QSC ILA range as a cost effective and aesthetically pleasing option."

Once the specification had been agreed in principle Hodgson contacted Shure Distribution (who represent QSC in the UK) for assistance in the final design of the

Germany - Martin Audio introduced its new management team to the international press, on the stand of distributors Atlantic Audio at this year's ProLight&Sound in Frankfurt.

Taking over the reins from David Bissett-Powell, new managing director Anthony Taylor (formerly the company's finance director) paid tribute to the legacy of the previous management, which has laid a firm foundation for future successes.

R&D director Jason Baird backed this up by hinting at groundbreaking technologies presently under development while newly-appointed director of sales, Simon Bull, also sounded an upbeat note, having received enormous support from the company's global distributors.

Pictured celebrating (left to right) are Simon Bull, Anthony Taylor and Jason Baird.

Martin Audio will be at PLASA Focus - Leeds 2009 (28 - 29 April).

(Jim

Sweden - Lab.gruppen has announced the appointment of Ulf Larson to the position of CEO. The appointment will take effect from 1 July 2009 following a hand-over period from current CEO, Tomas Lilja who is to take on a new challenge in the software industry after nine highly successful years at the helm of Lab.gruppen.

Anders Fauerskov, chairman of the board of directors and CEO of the parent company, TC Group, comments: "Ulf has many years of experience in senior management at Lab.gruppen. Most importantly, as far as the company's development is concerned, Larson has been heading up the business units developing the PLM Series Powered Loudspeaker Management systems and the new Lake LM 26 digital audio processor.

"Larson has considerable previous experiences as production manager in the defence industry and was a naval officer in the Swedish Armed Forces. I am confide

UK - Hawthorn has announced the appointment of Karen Riley, Mark Russell, Max Nembhard and May Lee to its London sales team, joining Suzanne Allis, who has been working in the business development team for the past eight months. The new team bring a wealth of experience, knowledge and enthusiasm to the business.

Prior to joining Hawthorn, Russell worked in senior sales and marketing roles with British Airways for 12 years followed by seven years working for high end corporate event agency, Attention To Detail.

Riley joins Hawthorn with over eight years experience working for live event technical production companies. Most recently she was sales & marketing manager for PSL Events.

Formerly sales manager for lighting console manufacturer Avolites, Lee's experience working with lighting buyers will be invaluable in selling the full Hawthorn portfolio, says the company.

Russel

UK - Allen & Heath has added more flexibility to its range of installation products with the introduction of Euroblock connector versions of its most popular models.

The iDR digital series and GR05 analogue zone mixer are now manufactured in two versions, the original model with the existing XLR connectors, and a new 'ST' model fitted with Euroblock connectors.

"We are launching the ST models following feedback from customers, which has revealed that in many installations multiple insertion standard connectors, such as XLRs, that are time-consuming to wire up on site, are not required," says MD Glenn Rogers. " Offering Euroblock connectors will provide significant cost and time saving reductions for installers and contractors, as they can simply wire products straight in and no longer need to fit XLR connectors. It's a more flexible option for our customers.&quo

Germany - At ProLight&Sound, L-Acoustics introduced the Rental Network, an international platform to serve the community of Line Source Array owners. The new Network replaces the V-DOSC Partnership which has been in existence since 1993.

The new Rental Network is launched against a backdrop of constantly developing technology, and offers its agents an opportunity to pool quality values as well as human and technical resources, and to benefit from Network synergies, says the company.

The Rental Network is summarised in the Network Charter, based on three working principles: The assurance of worldwide systems availability with inventory thresholds for various rental segments; The establishment of a new "K" universal standard to ensure performance and compatibility of systems; The guarantee of qualified technicians to ensure standards of excellence through education.

UK - When faced with designing a challenging audio system for a challenging play, sound designer Gareth Fry turned to Yamaha's M7CL digital mixing console as the ideal solution - and went on to win the 2009 Olivier Award for Best Sound Design. Making its debut in the appropriate surroundings of Edinburgh's Drill Hall at the 2006 Fringe, the National Theatre of Scotland's hard-hitting Black Watch was universally heralded as the best production at that year's festival - within just a week of the month-long performing arts festival opening.

From there it was taken on a world tour, including a critically acclaimed series of shows at London's Barbican, which saw its run end with winning no less than four prestigious awards at the Oliviers in March. Black Watch tells the story of one of Scotland's most famous regiments, serving in Iraq during 2004. Performed in traverse

Germany - Klotz Digital has announced the appointment of Andreas Bartsch as worldwide sales director for its Public Address division. In this position, he will oversee Klotz Digital's Varizone sales channel. Besides driving sales in the public address (PA) segment, his main duties will be to expand the dealer network and to identify new markets for the Varizone digital PA system.

"It is a pleasure for me to work for the technology-driven Klotz Digital," observes the new sales director. "My main target is to strengthen the company's position in the PA market by attaining a new level of market penetration."

Prior to joining Klotz, Bartsch spent 13 years with Licht-Technik Vertriebs Hagenbach & Grill, a manufacturer of a wide range of accessories for lamp heads used in film, TV, opera- and theatre.

"We are very fortunate to have an individual with such

UK - Audio Light Systems has recently completed the performing arts technology installation at the Michael Croft Theatre in London. The new build theatre which is part of the famous Edward Alleyn's School, asked Audio Light Systems to install full audio, Lighting, AV & specialist systems at the venue.

The state of the art 360-seat theatre in Dulwich, which will also be used by the National Youth Theatre was described by the London Standard as "more comfortable than the West End, more trendy that the Almeida, more aesthetically pleasing than the South Bank".

The audio installation features a Yamaha LS9-32 FOH desk and KV2 Audio's EX FOH speakers. The lighting includes Stand Light Pallet Classic 1500 console, ETC Sensor dimmers, ETC and Selecon lanterns and GDS Blues System lighting.

AV features include a Christie DW5K projector and Kramer Digital signal distr

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