Sound

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USA - Doug Short, FOH engineer for Megadeth is using a Midas PRO6 desk for the first leg of the band's promotional tour for the new Endgame album.

"I had done some training on Midas digital up in Minnesota over a year ago. But when Megadeth started up, my bid list required a Midas XL4 at front of house," relates Short. "The plan was to carry control gear from Thunder Audio - consoles and processing. Basically, Paul Owen, Thunder Audio principal, saw my bid list, called me and said tempted me to give the PRO6 a shot. I figured a five-week promotional tour was the perfect opportunity. As Paul says, 'Hey, instead of taking out 1,168 pounds of XL4, why not give the Pro6 a shot?' I mean, it is a Midas, right?"

The final step was to complete Doug Short's basic training on the new desk. "Erik Rogers from Thunder was the guy who made it happen," he

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UK - While the Government is taking steps to 'divvy-up' the airwaves in the face of strong opposition, it keeps thinking of reasons not to fully compensate the little-guys being booted-out. Save Our Sound UK asks 'why the inconsistency in political will?'

In an unprecedented move last week, the Government sought approval from Parliament to tell the regulator Ofcom how to cut the spectrum cake, which the Government has referred to as the 'billion pound prize'. Meanwhile, the same Government has found a number of obscure barriers to delivering what Save Our Sound UK believes is needed to prevent a major setback to the live events and entertainment industries.

The eviction of the Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) sector from the airwaves in question will generate a massive windfall for the Treasury. Just to make sure that it is allocated in the right way, the Government

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UK - The second biennial conference of the Schools' Theatre Support Group (STSG) was held on Saturday 20 February at Rugby School in Warwickshire. The STSG was founded in 2005 for technicians, designers, managers and teachers working in school or college theatres. The Group has over 100 members from independent and state schools, colleges and universities around the country, allowing members to share ideas and problems, as well as raising awareness of school theatre work amongst fellow professionals.

The conference was organised by Paul Durose of The Leys School, Cambridge, and was hosted by Rugby School. The event was generously sponsored by White Light, Philips Selecon, Showcomms, A.C. Entertainment Technologies, Zero 88 and Stage Electrics, with workshops run by KV2 Audio, Philips Selecon and Showcomms.

Brian Attwood of The Stage newspaper chaired an open?forum session, in

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Canada - Montreal City Hall has modernized its conference systems, but adopted a 'no compromises' policy toward the building's distinctive and historic style.

Montreal's City Hall, which was re-built in 1922 within the shell of its original walls after the original structure was destroyed by fire, is modelled after the city hall of the French city of Tours, and is designated a National Historic Site of Canada.

The two contradictory objectives were reconciled thanks to the efforts of Grant Ritchie, Mike Davidson and Mark Dunn of Contact Distribution, who demonstrated Iconyx IC7 Steerable Arrays from Renkus-Heinz to the building's engineering staff. IC7s are cost-effective self-powered linear arrays that use individual driver control to deliver precisely shaped beams of sound with factory-programmed pre-sets.

The City of Montreal has acquired six IC7s for use in the Hall of Ho

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Germany - DPA 4006 omnidirectional microphones have been used to record the organ at Passau, Germany, the world's largest cathedral organ, for a charity SACD in aid of the German Heart Foundation. The performance, by cardiologist Dr Hans-Joachim Trappe of Ruhr-Universität Bochum, was recorded in stereo as well as in surround sound.

The giant instrument, which is split into five sections throughout the baroque basilica, was a challenge for recording engineer and Tonmeister Ulrich Lorscheider, from German specialist classical recording company Aeolus. He chose to use mainly DPA 4006 and 4006-TL microphones for the recording, having worked with them in the past.

"Here at Aeolus we are able to run two full surround recording setups simultaneously," says Lorscheider. "For this reason we own a large number of DPA 4006s as it is our main microphone of choice for this

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USA - Audinate has joined the AVnu Alliance as a Promoter Member. The AVnu Alliance is an industry organisation that is dedicated to the advancement of professional quality audio and video networking via the adoption of the emerging IEEE Audio/Video Bridging (AVB) standards. AVB is a developing standard for media networking that employs elements such as IEEE 802.1as Clock Synchronization, IEEE 802.1Qav quality of service, and 802.1Qat traffic shaping, to improve the transport performance of audio and video across standard Ethernet networks.

The AVnu Alliance is leading efforts to promote and support the creation and implementation of compliance test procedures and processes that provide interoperability of AVB-enabled networked products for the professional A/V, automotive, and consumer electronics markets.

"Since our inception, Audinate has used standards to develop a co

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USA - Apogee Electronics has announced the implementation of a German-language website. At www.apogeedigital.com/de, visitors can now find all the latest, most up-to-date Apogee product information and contact info for technical support.

The complete site will eventually include local dealer locations and servicing centres, translated artist features, and a variety of videos for the Apogee enthusiast, says the company.

(Jim Evans)

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Germany - At ProLight&Sound, Outline will unveil EIDOS, an original series of loudspeaker enclosures conceived for fixed installations.

The EIDOS series is the result of the desire to offer an even wider public the quality and distinctive lines that have made the Brescia brand a reference point in the sound reinforcement world at international level, says the company.

Presently, there are four models in the EIDOS range (there will eventually be seven) equipped respectively with 10, 12 and 15 inch speakers, and a subwoofer with twin 15 inch speakers. The anticipated field of application of the units is in the wide variety of so-called permanent installations.

The lines of all the cabinets enable them to be also used as stage monitors. The wide-range models - EIDOS 10, EIDOS 12 and EIDOS 15 - are two-way units fitted with a passive crossover manufactured with top grade compone

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UK - A series of training weekends for engineers, producers and all other creative audio enthusiasts will get underway in May, 2010, thanks to a joint initiative involving high end recording and broadcast equipment manufacturer Prism Sound/SADiE and JAMES, the education arm of the Music Producers Guild (MPG), the Association of Professional Recording Services (APRS), and the UK Screen Association.

Billed as the Mic To Master Series, these two-day recording technique, mixing and mastering masterlasses and seminars will run at various colleges around the UK, with the first taking place at Deep Blue Sound in Plymouth on 7 and 8 May 2010.

Each event will feature keynote-style lectures addressing specific topics, masterclasses with renowned producers and listening sessions where participants can play some of their own work and discuss techniques to overcome specific problems

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USA - The Hawks basketball team of Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia have a long, proud history dating back several generations. The team has called the Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse home since 1949, and has won more than 80% of the games they've played there. Now, after a multi-million dollar expansion and renovation, the Fieldhouse has been reborn as the Michael J. Hagan Arena, with seating for 4200 fans and a powerful new sound system designed by Maryland-based RJC Designs.

The new system features 52 of Community Professional Loudspeakers' Solutions-Series SLS920 horn-loaded systems, arrayed in a distributed cluster configuration, with low-frequency punch provided by 28 VLF212 dual 12-inch subwoofers. Near-field coverage was augmented with six Community iBOX i2W8 systems. The system is powered by QSC amplification, with a pair of Rane RPM88 processors providing system DSP.

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Germany - Mackie's new HD Powered Subwoofers will be on show at ProLight+Sound in Frankfurt. The HD1501 and HD1801 subs offer Class-D Fast-Recovery amplifier technology, delivering up to 1600W of peak powerThe HD subs complete the HD system.

"Our new HD Series loudspeakers are on the cutting-edge of loudspeaker technology," said Greg Young, Mackie brand product manager. "With the addition of the subs, you can have a complete high-definition system unlike anything else in the marketplace."

The HD1501 and HD1801 benefit from 15-inch and 18-inch woofers respectively, as well as Mackie's active electronics. The HD1801 18-inch subwoofer is designed for use with either the HD1521 or HD1531, and the HD1501 15-inch sub is for systems using SRM450v2 Active Loudspeakers (or SRM350v2s).

(Jim Evans)

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USA - Meyer Sound has announced MIna , the newest and smallest member of the MIlo family of self-powered line array loudspeakers that include Milo, MIca, and M'elodie.

Designed for live sound and installation applications facing size and weight limitations, Mina carries the same musicality and intelligibility that define other members of the Milo family loudspeakers of which many thousands are in use around the world today. With Mina, smaller venues such as theatres, ballrooms, and houses of worship can provide their audiences with quality sound transparency and impact, while benefiting from the directional vertical coverage of a Meyer Sound line array, says the company.

Mina is less than 18.5 inches wide, yet capable of producing up to 128 dB SPL at one metre. Its operating frequency ranges from 75 Hz to 18 kHz over a wide 100-degree horizontal coverage area. In addition to s

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Germany - System designers hartmann+mathias partnerschaft and acoustic consultants Peutz have unveiled a new audio system for the auditorium of Cologne University. Four Renkus-Heinz Iconyx IC 24 digitally steerable array loudspeakers, supplied by German distributor Atlantic Audio, deliver the sound, with installation by Light Tec Medientechnik.

Karl-Heinz Brenig, head of event and media technology at Cologne University, specified the University's requirements for the auditorium, which serves six faculties and 42,039 students, 10 per cent of whom are from other countries.

The auditorium in the landmark main building is the central location for lectures, speeches, live concerts and music performances, and also for events such as scientific symposia and international congresses.

This multi-purpose use motivated the university to specify both high speech intelligibility and exce

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UK - Nike chose the dramatic setting of Battersea Power Station for their 2010 Innovation Summit and Stage One was chosen - as the event's scenic supplier. Brought in by experiential and event management agency, Slice Events, Stage One were asked to provide the internal fit out for The Boiler House, a temporary venue installed within the power station.

This high profile event, launching Nike's new Mercurial Vapor Superfly II boot and the new National Team jerseys, required Stage One to work very closely with Slice, Patrick Donohue, Slice Events' design co-ordinator and the Nike design team, to deliver a themed environment in keeping with Nike's iconic brand.

"This project evolved greatly during the design and build process and we worked closely with the design team to accommodate any changes and offer practical construction solutions - demonstrating our can-do attitude an

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Germany - Allen & Heath will be launching a new club installation product, the Xone:PB patchbay, and the XD-40 monitoring headphones at Pro Light & Sound, Frankfurt.

The Xone:PB patchbay is a 1U rack size, passive interface box, designed to simplify the task of connecting encoded vinyl replay systems to installed mixers without the need to re-patch, providing a quick and easy solution to set changes in busy club line ups.

The outputs from up to four audio sources and the inputs to the mixer channels are connected to RCAs on the rear panel of the unit. The front panel connections echo the outputs from the audio sources on the left side, while connections on the right provide inputs to up to four external sources. Switches on the front panel select whether the mixer inputs are connected directly to the audio sources or diverted to the external sources, allowing very quick and si

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Germany / Austria - L-Acoustics has announced the appointment of Thomas Adt as new sales manager for Germany and Austria. Adt joins L-Acoustics with more than 30 years' experience in the sound reinforcement industry, having worked as co-owner of a rental company and for one of Germany's largest audio manufacturers. This practical experience is combined with in-depth studies of musicology. The combination makes Adt a positive asset to the L-Acoustics Germany team, the company says.

"Germany and Austria are two of our 'direct' domestic markets, and they are both enjoying significant growth," says Jochen Frohn, L-Acoustics' international business development director. "With Thomas we have found an expert who can support both our professional approach in the field, and our customers' expectations and requests. Thomas is a positive team player as well as a technology-m

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UK / Germany - Tannoy is set to unveil at ProLight+Sound two new models in its Reveal monitor range.

The new Reveals have been custom designed and built from the ground up to "ensure superb no-compromise monitoring". The new range features two new monitors: the 501a and 601a.

The 501a is an active monitor that offers a monitoring solution for producers on a budget who refuse to compromise on sound quality. A perfectly matched 60W integrated amplifier ensures maximum efficiency from the 5" LF/MF driver and 1" soft dome tweeter, while the 501a's response has been optimised for nearfield operation.

The 601a, meanwhile, delivers "pristine sound" through its larger 6.5" LF/MF driver and 1" soft dome tweeter. With a total power output of 90W, this compact speaker with extended lower frequency response is a suitable solution for home, project

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USA - Blue Microphones has announced the availability of the Yeti, the first THX Certified microphone.

"Blue Microphones recognizes THX as a benchmark within the industry for professional audio production and playback. We are honoured to be recognized as their first partner for audio input," says John Maier, CEO of Blue Microphones. "Blue strives to provide the highest quality sound for both professionals and consumers alike and we are proud to provide such recognized quality with the new Yeti, the world's first THX-Certified microphone."

Building upon the technology foundation established by the award-winning Snowball USB microphone, Yeti adds four distinct pattern modes, a zero-latency headphone output with volume control for direct monitoring, adjustable microphone gain control and a mute button.

The Yeti's angle can be adjusted on its custom-designed

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USA - A Cirque du Soleil production touring America under the Grand Chapiteau tent, OVO presents another acrobatic spectacle - this time choreographed around a storyline of romance and conflict in the micro-world of bugs. To complement the visuals, OVO envelops the audience with insect sounds blended into Brazilian-inflected music, all dynamically mixed through a Meyer Sound Matrix3 audio show control and self-powered loudspeaker system.

A 2,600-seat circus tent made of hard-stretched vinyl presents complex acoustical challenges for the sound designer, and further complications are introduced by a full-thrust stage and 270-degree seating layout. Principal sound designer Jonathan Deans and assistant designer Jean-Michel Caron implemented a M'elodie line array configuration that had worked well on an earlier Cirque production, KOOZA .

"The M'elodie arrays were used because

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USA - For live sound engineers, touring without carrying a mixing console can be like working without a net. But for hard-touring artists like country music's Chris Young, it is a critical aspect of getting their music in front of their fans. "Every night is different, and that's not always a good thing," says Brian Tapley, who handles both house and monitor mixes for Young. "You're at the mercy of the venue, so it's always nice to find something that's easy to work with."

When Tapley walked into The Block, a large nightclub in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, he was presented with a new Allen & Heath iLive-144 digital mixing console from the venue's audio supplier, Brendon Grimes of TSC Productions. "Before the band arrived, I set up the surface according to Chris Young's input list with the routing set up to the main PA," says Grimes. "Brian (Taple

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USA - Designing a sound system for a motor speedway is not an exercise in subtle nuance. To compete with the chest-compressing roar of these powerful engines, and the cheers of a few thousand of their closest friends, it's all about brute force decibels.

When California Speedway became Auto Club Speedway in 2008, the new owners began a long-term project of making improvements to the venue's infrastructure. This year, Bay Area-based Pacific Satellite upgraded the Speedway's sound system, bringing in 104 of Community's powerful R.5HPT three-way loudspeaker systems.

"Previously, the stands were covered by Community M4 loudspeakers mounted on the wheel fence," explains Pacific Satellite's Jerry Coté. "The M4 is still a good speaker, but one of the reasons we chose the R-Series is that it delivers exceptional intelligibility, along with great coverage."

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USA - Meyer Sound has announced the appointments of Jason Rauhoff to the position of technical support / digital products specialist, Michael Maxson to technical support manager, and Brandon Rice to trade show coordinator / technical support. These personnel announcements will further strengthen Meyer Sound's support for its growing user base, says the company.

"Besides our innovative audio solutions, one of Meyer Sound's strengths is our responsive and expert support with a strong understanding of the needs in mission-critical live sound environments, as well as cinema and fixed installation markets," says John Monitto, Meyer Sound's director of technical support. "Jason, Michael, and Brandon have all made their marks in various areas of professional audio and are excellent resources as we continue to expand our support capabilities."

A noted FOH mixer, pr

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USA / Germany - KK labs, a new loudspeaker manufacturing company established by Keith R. Klawitter, the founder of KRK Systems, and Timothy Thornton, formerly VP with Apogee Sound, will make its official public debut at Musikmesse Frankfurt this week. Headquartered in Southern California, KK labs designs and manufactures high-end audio products for the recording studio and professional live sound markets.

Musikmesse will mark the first appearance of the KK labs Raptor-12, a two-way, DSP-powered premium utility speaker for sound reinforcement applications. Powered by 1,000 watts of Class D amplification, the Raptor-12 features a single 12-inch neodymium woofer, rated at 700 watts, with a 1.4-inch exit compression driver on an 80-degree x 70-degree horn that offers smooth, even coverage.

Also on display for the first time anywhere will be the TAZ15c stage monitor. The two-way co

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Belgium / Germany - ADB Lighting will preview a prototype of its forthcoming fully integrated multi-modal lighting and video flagship control desk range, codenamed HATHOR, at Prolight&Sound 2010 alongside the five new products already announced.

Advanced features include a graphics based user interface with support for up to eight multi-touch screens, advanced luminaire and fixture tracking facilities, state of the art lighting cue transfer control, flexible user configuration and customization, and unlimited capacity and full scalability.

The new controller is a professional theatre and television studio 'concept' desk that will be the flagship of the ADB lighting controller range, integrating control of conventional luminaires, moving lights, matrixes, LED, video and architectural control embracing all available protocols. More details will be available from the ADB team at

  1. Audient debuts Dual Layer Technology
  2. Turbosound brings Milan to market
  3. The Village Church welcomes Adamson
  4. OHM extends portfolio at Prolight&Sound
  5. Aviom confirms staff promotions
  6. Sennheiser prepares for PLASA Focus
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