Sound

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USA - Mackie has launched the TH-15A two-way powered loudspeaker, which delivers 400 Watts of system power in a rugged design weighing in at just 36lbs. Designed by the same team that created the Mackie SRMv2 Series, the TH-15A offers the power, portability and performance required of a compact PA solution, says the company.

"We are very excited to deliver proven Mackie Active technology derived from our popular SRM Series at the most accessible price point in Mackie's history," said Greg Young, Mackie brand product manager. "The TH-15A is a perfect compact PA solution for a tremendous variety of portable applications."

The TH-15A features Mackie Active technology, which incorporates an active crossover and driver time and phase alignment for optimised system performance. The 15" high-precision woofer and 1" compression driver produce "great

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USA - Houston's Lakewood, the country's largest church and the home of Joel Osteen attracts a weekly attendance of approximately 43,000 people, they make their home in the former Compaq Centre, previously home to the Houston Rockets. And the job of lighting services in the 16,000-plus-seat arena, many of which have to perform the double duty of being recorded for broadcast and providing an intimate experience for worshipers falls to Chuck Pryor and his team.

"My production background is mainly in audio," Pryor says, "So my team has a lot of fun making all the standard lighting/audio jokes to keep things light and fun. I was actually hired in audio but was invited to manage the lighting department when Tom Stanziano, the previous LD, left. Tom was the one who originally specified theses fixtures to accomplish the goals, and he obviously made a great call. I still s

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On Stage - Colombian rock star Juanes is going ahead with a peace concert in Cuba despite receiving threatening messages, his manager has said. The event, due to take place on 20 September, has been criticised by some US-based Cubans for supporting the country's communist government. Latin Grammy winner Juanes, who lives in Miami, told police he had received threats via his Twitter account.

His manager said the star feared for his safety and considered pulling out. Fernan Martinez Maecha told the Associated Press: "The concert is still on, and Juanes is maintaining a positive attitude throughout all of this." Mr Maecha said there is "absolutely nothing political" about the peace concert, which is set to take place in Havana's Revolution Plaza. Juanes held a peace concert in March 2008 on the Venezuela-Colombia border when tensions were high over a Colombian c

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USA - Lab X Technologies has added a larger conference room and four new offices and expanded the reception area at its headquarters in Rochester, New York. Lee Minich, President of the engineering design firm, says that the decision to grow in the midst of a broadly shrinking economy almost made itself.

"We looked at the accelerated pace of connectivity proliferation, the continued growth of our client list, and the positive impact of emerging technologies such as AVB (Audio-Video Bridging)," he says. "Our need for growing room was immediately obvious. Product manufacturers in many industries are turning to Lab X for help in leveraging the IEEE's emerging AVB standards that make Ethernet ready for reliable real-time streaming of high-quality audio and video."

The new facilitiesalso give Lab X and its visiting clients access to a new entrance and additional

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USA - Technomad reports that its Vernal weatherproof loudspeakers are providing audio for narrated tours by Shoreline Sightseeing of Chicago on the waters of the Chicago River. More than 80 Vernal loudspeakers are installed on 18 boats, broadcasting clear speech with supplemental background music on boats ranging from 15 to 50ft in length.

Shoreline Sightseeing operates tours on the Chicago River and the Great Lakes that give visitors a historical overview of nearby architecture and other attractions. According to Chad Rice, director of fleet management for Shoreline Sightseeing, the live and pre-recorded audio narrations are significant to the tours, and the audio is intelligible from the shoreline as boats pass through the centre of the Chicago River.

"We take up to 300 people out at a time, and audio is the most dominant aspect of the experience," said Rice. "

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USA - Audio-Technica has announced that Patterson, New Jersey-based On the Road Marketing has been presented with A-T's President's Award. The award was presented by Marc Lee Shannon, Audio-Technica vice-president, sales, to Doug Brown, On the Road Marketing president. On the Road Marketing received this honour at an awards ceremony during this year's InfoComm Expo.

Doug Brown, principal of On the Road Marketing, accepted the award which recognises a leading manufacturer's representative for outstanding commitment and dedication during the Audio-Technica 2008/2009 fiscal year. The firm sells Audio-Technica professional products to retailers and sound contractors in New York City, surrounding areas and additional regions of New Jersey.

Marc Lee Shannon, Audio-Technica vice president, sales, commented, "Audio-Technica is lucky to have such an exceptional group of reps, and

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Switzerland - The SWX Stock Exchange in Zurich selected AKG's GN 30 E 5PIN gooseneck microphones, CK 31 Capsules and H 600 shock-mounts for deployment. The installation used several different loudspeaker systems strategically positioned to optimise the acoustics in the glass-walled conference room known as the 'crystal palace'.

The system was completed by Erwin Herzog of Kilchenmann and used 33 AKG GN 30 E 5PIN Gooseneck microphones, 33 AKG CK 31 microphone capsules, 33 AKG H 600 shock mounts, and a retractable column with a 360-degree loudspeaker in the centre of the room.

"We chose AKG products for their high quality, high gain before feedback, and flexibility," Herzog said. "Using AKG products, we managed to hand over the project on time in spite of a close deadline and still fulfilled all of the client's requirements and wishes. We even kept the price apprec

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UK - The Panaray MA12EX modular line array loudspeaker from Bose is an addition to the Panaray MA12 loudspeaker family, offering sound system designers and contractors "a more versatile loudspeaker option for acoustically demanding environments, indoors and outdoors". It is designed to deliver high speech intelligibility and full-range music reproduction, without the need for additional bass augmentation.

The MA12EX loudspeaker includes 12 2.25" high excursion, weather-resistant drivers that deliver extended low-frequency response for accurate music reproduction. Incorporated for the first time in an MA12 loudspeaker, Bose Articulated Array loudspeaker technology precisely angles each driver to provide wide, even sound coverage at higher frequencies throughout the listening area - from front to back and even off to the extreme sides.

The loudspeaker's ultra-thin

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UK - Notifier by Honeywell and Ateis UK report that they have been awarded Network Rail Acceptance for their Voice Alarm and Public Address (VA/PA) solutions.

This significant accreditation by Network Rail follows much research into the Ateis/Notifier range as meeting stringent EMC requirements for products used on the rail network. It was awarded after the successful installation of a Notifier by Honeywell system at Shepherd's Bush overground station which has operated without fault for five months.

Notifier by Honeywell has extensive experience in the development of specialist VA/PA solutions and uses Ateis equipment in its range of VA/PA systems. The system was engineered specifically to meet Network Rail's precise requirements, designed to ensure effective communication of passenger information as well as controlled evacuation in the event of an incident.

With a strong t

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USA - Illumination Dynamics (ID) has moved to a new location in San Fernando, California that features easy access, ample space and thoughtful amenities for production crew. With 70,000sq.ft of warehouse space to house ID's expanding inventory of motion picture lighting and grip, automated and theatrical lighting, HVAC equipment and expendables, the rental house "offers improved equipment accessibility, working environment and customer service".

In addition to doubling the warehouse space, ID provides 11,000sq.ft of air-conditioned offices, repair, conference, and demo rooms - including separate production crew offices with convenient telephone and wi-fi internet connectivity.

Repair facilities offer maintenance in-house as well as equipment servicing for customers. Dedicated entries and spacious loading docks for each department facilitate easy equipment pickup and

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USA - Renkus-Heinz, worldwide distributor for Ahnert Feistel Media Group (AFMG), has announced a major upgrade to the EASE (Enhanced Acoustic Simulator for Engineers) software suite.

EASE 4.3, which was released on 4 August 4t, is available as a free upgrade for all users of EASE 4.0, 4.1 and 4.2, and includes a set of major additions to expand the software's functionality.

New features include A-weighted mappings according to standard IEC 61672; STI according to IEC 60268-16 including signal and noise masking effects (also available for EASE Jr users); and import and export of Google Sketchup and DXF 2000 data formats.

Multi-threading support for the room-acoustic module AURA makes it up to 10 times faster on a quad-core PC, while the EASE SpeakerLab v1.1 module adds numerous new features and analysis options.

Broadband mappings based on pink noise input signal and new pr

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UK Sound designer Jason Barnes chose the new Duran Audio AXYS Scope range as the FOH PA for the UK tour of the rock opera Quadrophenia.

"I chose the Axys Speakers over alternatives because of their dynamic sound, energy and ability to deal with the full range of frequencies whilst not sounding over processed. I wanted to take the risk and try something new and powerful that had never been used in theatre before to create a more individual mix," says Barnes. "I also wanted a 15" speaker with punch rather than anything larger, because of the varied venues we are touring to. These boxes fit the bill and are light enough to throw up the pros and punchy enough to throw a rich rock and roll sound to the back of the house."

In total 12 AXYS Scope T-2115s were supplied to specialist theatre sound rental company Stage Sound Services for the tour together

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UK - Despite the challenging economic climate, console manufacturer Audient has reported 9.9% sales growth in its half year to June 30th compared to the same period last year.

Managing director Gareth Davies comments: "We entered 2009 with a good deal of caution and it's certainly true that a number of markets and territories have lost some momentum during the last six months. However, programmes we initiated last year in product development, distribution and manufacturing have enabled us to continue moving forward despite these constraints. These same programmes will also enable us to reap benefits when market conditions start to improve."

Second half sales have seen a strong start with Audient's small format Zen console starting to ship. Luke Baldry, sales and marketing director at Audient says "We're overwhelmed with the enthusiasm for Zen, it's been a great

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UK - It continues to be a busy Summer for Adlib as another recent project involved the supply of audio production and crew for Nine Inch Nails' final UK Arena shows at Manchester Evening News Arena & the O2 Arena in London.

The Liverpool based company has toured with NIN before and US-based FOH engineer Pete Keppler has also used them on a number of previous occasions for other artists including the last David Bowie European tour.

Keppler specified a JBL VerTec system, with Adlib's Tony Szabo as systems engineer & crew chief. In Manchester, they utilised 14 VT4889s with 14 VT4880A flown subs per side for the main hangs, and 16 VT4889s per side for the side hangs. The subs were powered from Adlib's new Labgruppen PLM14000 amplifiers, with onboard Lake processing. A centre cluster of six L-Acoustics dV-Dosc was positioned just in front of the stage, pointing almost directly down

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Switzerland - As a consequence of Martin Professional's ongoing European sales optimisation and development of a regional sales organisation, Martin EMEA, the company has decided to implement a new distribution setup in Switzerland effective 1 September.

Taking over sales responsibilities, service and local support of the Swiss region is Martin's German sales staff headed by Peter Kroul working together with the Martin headquarters customer care department. Switzerland's French-speaking western region will be supported by Martin's French team.

The move, a part of Martin's larger European sales reorganisation, is aimed at greater operational efficiencies while creating a stronger, more uniform approach to the market. "The change is a natural progression in our plans to regionalise parts of our distribution set-up within EMEA in order to serve and support our end customers

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Australia - ARX has announced the addition of the USB I/O Universal Transformer Isolated USB Interface to its AudiBox range of precision audio tools.

ARX's managing director Colin Park comments, "ARX's USB DI products have been extraordinarily popular since their release and have been adopted by the pro audio industry worldwide as industry standard USB to Analogue audio interfaces. The USB DIs feature the Transformer isolation and heavy duty steel construction that audio professionals require in demanding applications out in the field where "little plastic boxes" with unbalanced in's & out's just don't cut it.

"Our new "USB I/O" expands our USB interface product range further, featuring transformer Isolated audio inputs and outputs. The new USB analogue to digital and digital to analogue converter chipsets that we've incorporated into the USB I/O

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USA - With a 3,000 seat main sanctuary, Calvary Chapel of Melbourne on Florida's east coast has upgraded to Turbosound's Flex Array as the existing sound system was transferred to a new smaller satellite campus in nearby Viera.

"Ever since we re-hung our previous system in Melbourne to try and provide line array coverage to the balcony level two years ago, we knew we needed an upgrade," states Greg Branch, senior audio engineer for the contemporary church. "So, after transferring the existing system to the new campus, we had the perfect opportunity to explore new options for the main sanctuary."

Calvary Chapel brought in Craig Beyrooti, president of Atlantic Pro Audio of Altamonte Springs, to consult on the design and integration. After considerable research, including a number of demos and shootouts, Branch and Beyrooti decided on the Turbosound Flex array

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Germany The Berlin microphone manufacturer Neumann is expanding its digital line-up specifically for applications in the electronic news gathering (ENG)/broadcasting area. New developments to be exhibited at IBC next month include the digital shotgun microphone KMR 81 D and a capsule head with a figure-eight directional characteristic (KK 120) in the Neumann digital miniature microphone series.

Wolfgang Fraissinet, president of marketing/sales at Neumann Berlin explains, "The now rapidly advancing introduction of high-definition television (HDTV) is associated with increasing requirements in terms of audio technology, which can be met in an optimal manner with the aid of digital microphones. As a result, we are also working on a portable version of the digital microphone interface DMI-2, which is expected next year."

(Jim Evans)

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UK - PEL Music & Media has designed, supplied, installed and commissioned a Bose Professional sound system at Kelsey Park Sports College in Beckenham, Kent. The school, which only recently became a sports college, is open to boys from Years 7 to 13 with 940 students currently in attendance.

To ensure they get the best from their students, Kelsey Park decided it was time to replace the existing, overly complex sound system in the main hall with one that combined quality, simplicity and flexibility. The latter was important because the school wanted to be able to use the system across two areas: the hall being the priority, but with the option to use the system in the dining room partitioned off from the hall by a moveable wall.

Kelsey Park Sports College turned to Bose for a solution, who recommended they work with Bose Pro-Partner PEL. Bose and PEL worked closely on the projec

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UK - Void Acoustics will be announcing several new products at PLASA09 . These include include the Stasys Prime wide-band arrayable point-source system, the Stasys 5 Mk2 low-frequency system with pressure plate to enhance transient response, plus the Arcline 12 medium-format line-array enclosure.

On the stand will be two new models in Void's UK-built Infinite X amplifier range - the Infinite X7 and Infinite X8 power amplifiers. Completing the company's line up at PLASA09 will be industry veteran Ken DeLoria, who recently joined Void as head of its US division.

Stasys Prime is a wide-band loudspeaker design for large-scale touring, arena and stadium sound, that uses two 15 LF drivers and a one 1.5 neodymium HF driver to deliver a continuous output of up to 142dB.

The Stasys 5 Mk2 low-frequency 1 x 18 enclosure is designed for "demanding live performance applications - on

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UK - In two special free seminars at PLASA09 Renkus-Heinz are offering a free opportunity to explore how Iconyx Digital Beam Steering loudspeakers, along with RHAON digital networking work.

"Many audio professionals, installers and architects haven't yet had the opportunity to see and hear for themselves why and how the Iconyx series and RHAON (Renkus-Heinz Audio Operations Network), has already been so successful in the US and elsewhere," said Margie Ulm, Renkus-Heinz marketing manager. "These two free live seminars at PLASA offer audio pros and architects the chance to find out."

Both sessions will be held in the Whitehall Room at PLASA09 on Tuesday 15 September and will feature the new IC LIVE digitally steerable array for live applications

The first seminar, at 11:00-12:00 am, is titled RHAON - Demystifying Digital Networking. It will provide a

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USA - The Fillmore Charlotte, a 20,000sq.ft venue at the North Carolina Music Factory's entertainment complex in Charlotte, North Carolina's Fourth Ward neighbourhood, stays true to the tradition of the original Fillmore theatres. The venue, which opened on 19 June with Georgia acoustic rocker Corey Smith headlining, has the Fillmore's trademark red velvet draperies, ornate chandeliers, custom lighting and vintage concert posters.

The building, once an historic Charlotte manufacturing site, was reinvigorated by Live Nation as the latest in its growing chain of clubs bearing the Fillmore name. Soundcraft Vi4 digital live mixing consoles feature at front-of-house and monitor positions. These work in conjunction with a PA system using components from JBL, Crown and dbx, creating a scaled sound system that couples the Fillmore's grand musical heritage with 21st century technology.

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UK - As legislation changes to ensure that, when it comes to education, nobody with a disability is at disadvantage, Ampetronic induction loops are becoming increasingly common in colleges and universities throughout the UK. But whereas the proximity of other loop-equipped rooms and metal loss have to be overcome in the majority of such installations, a recent example at the University of St Andrews provided a very different challenge.

One of the university's most iconic buildings is Parliament Hall, now part of St Mary's College but originally constructed as the lower hall of the King James Library. Completed in 1643, its name derives from the fact that the Scottish Parliament sat in the hall from 1645-1646, due to an outbreak of plague in Edinburgh.

These days it is used primarily as a debating chamber by the University Debating Society and as a hired venue for a wide range

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Europe - Peavey has appointed Andreas (Andy) Weingärtner to the role of European sales manager for Crest Audio and MediaMatrix.

Active in the pro audio industry since 1986, Weingärtner has worked with many leading brands and was a founder of the highly successful German pro audio distributor, Trius. In recent years, he is best known for his work with the Canadian loudspeaker manufacturer, Adamson, where he was responsible for establishing their European distribution network.

Peavey's operations director, Dave Bearman commednts, "Andy brings to the table a solid background in establishing and running distribution networks, and in seeing opportunities for growth and taking them to the next level. He is an excellent communicator and passionate about the industry, and has the advantage of knowing many of our distributors already. I am confident that he will do an excellent

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