Sound

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USA - The recent Sunset Music Festival 2010 gave Miami's trance / house music enthusiasts much to cheer about. Held on Saturday, 31 July at Soho Studios, this year's festival comprised of four stages (three inside - one outside), each with 10 DJ's. When he wasn't busy running the event, festival promoter DJ Xta-C treated the crowd to his own blend of house music. Trance / progressive music artist George Acosta also performed, as did Ralph Falcon, Cato K, and numerous other musical luminaries. The main stage was located outdoors in Soho Studios' parking lot and this is where the biggest names on the festival roster performed-through a potent sound reinforcement system from the Aero series catalogue of D.A.S. Audio.

Miami-based High Intensity Sound, which specialises in live sound reinforcement for concerts, festivals, special events, and also operates a commercial installation gr

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USA - For many smaller towns, the local church is a focal point for friends and neighbours to meet and keep in touch. And for residents of Perham, Minnesota, St. Henry's Catholic Church has long been just that. The sanctuary's soaring walls and high arched ceilings have made it a wonderful place to gather for traditional Sunday services.

But while the sanctuary's classic, ornate architecture makes the choir and organ sound magnificent, it doesn't do much for the spoken word. In fact, the church has long struggled with the room's reflectivity and its effect on the intelligibility of the Sunday sermons, much to the chagrin of church pastors.

When Fargo, ND-based Tricorne Audio was brought in to design a new sound system for St. Henry's, the challenge was clear - create a system that could deliver intelligibility to all areas of the room, focusing the sound onto the seating areas

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Norway - Often referred to as the northernmost point in Europe, Nordkapp (North Cape) on the island of Mager°ya in northern Norway is just 2103.3km from the North Pole at its most northerly tip. Now a major tourist destination that welcomes some 200,000 visitors every year, the area nevertheless remains sparsely populated; hence local radio is a vital means of communication throughout the region, especially for those in the most remote locations. Systems contracting company J°rgen Lien Elektronikk AS recently installed a PYKO audio over IP network from Digigram to link a number of radio stations across the Nordkapp region, and a transmitter site.

PYKO devices will either convert analogue or digital audio sources to MP3 or PCM IP streams (PYKO-in) or play such streams from the network or from locally stored MP3 files (PYKO-out). In this instance the network consisted of f

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USA - The N-Sid-Sen Camp and Conference Centre is a 270-acre multi-use facility on the shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene in Northern Idaho. The venue offers a wide variety of settings for activities, including sports fields, a ropes course, basketball and volleyball courts and an outdoor chapel. Recently, Pat Lambert of Lambert Audio Engineering was asked to spec a PA system for the new Stillwater Welcome Centre located at N-Sid-Sen, and he selected loudspeakers and DSP from EAW.

"The facility does not have trained audio techs on site, so I knew it was crucial that I provide an extremely flexible and easy-to-operate system. EAW's DX1208 DSP Matrix Mixer fit the bill perfectly," stated Lambert. A combination of EAW VR51 full-range loudspeakers and VRS12 SMS4 surface mount loudspeakers, powered by two EAW CXA80 power amplifiers, were used to evenly cover the foyer and porch z

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UK - Visitors to the PLASA 2010 saw the world debut of Nexo's 45°N-12 monitor loudspeaker, billed as featuring a new concept in stage sound - that of line monitoring.

The Nexo 45°N-12 wedge monitor brings all the benefits of line-array technology to the stage. It draws on Nexo's Hyperbolic Reflective Wavesource which is used throughout the Geo range of high-performance loudspeakers.

The design works by wavesourcing, creating virtual acoustic sources behind the enclosure itself and below the stage, using reflection rather than coercion to determine the shape of the wavefront. Unlike a conventional high frequency waveguide in which the exit is rectangular, the NEXO monitor's waveguide forms a 'smile', enabling cabinets to be linked together to form arrays without interference between wavefronts.

Monitor engineers will find that the N-12 design produces a very sharply d

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Belgium - StageCo, Tait Technologies, XL Video and Barco are are all involved with the U2 360° tour which hits Belgium on 22 and 23 September. The audience will be able to enjoy the show, with a giant 360° stage and video screen, made in Belgium.

The U2 360° tour started on 30 June 2009 in Camp Nou in Barcelona and will go on until the summer of 2011. This month, it finally sets foot in Belgium. Both the spectacular stage, as well as the transformable LED screen were made possible by Belgian companies.

StageCo was responsible for the construction of the impressive stage. "As it became clear what the designer and the band wanted to achieve, it was obvious to me that this was something unprecedented," says Hedwig de Meyer, president of Stageco. "The sheer scale of the structure, the span of the legs, lifting the huge technical production 28 metres in

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USA / UK - Clair Brothers, one of the most respected names in the entertainment industry, is now expanding its reach outside the US. Roy Clair, founder of Clair Brothers, and his son Barry Clair, president of Clair Brothers, have committed to design and manufacture a high-end line of loudspeaker systems and will continue to offer their expertise and attention to details to the AV systems design and integration industry.

Clair Brothers has signalled its intent to become a leading provider of loudspeaker systems by securing the services of David Cooper in the newly created position of Business Development - Global. The appointment of Cooper targeting the global market is the next step in the long-term strategic plan of making Clair Brothers' product portfolio available to a global customer base following the recent completion of their new manufacturing facility in Manheim, Pennsyl

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Australia - ARX has announced the release of the PC-pre2 two channel microphone preamplifier. The PC-pre2 can be mounted into a standard PC tower 5-1/4" Disk Player slot or alternatively used as a stand-alone unit.

The PC-pre2 has been designed for applications include Hard Disk recording, data acquisition, loudspeaker testing measurement, sound system testing & EQ'ing and law enforcement interview recording.

Features include the latest ultra low noise & distortion THAT Corp Mic Preamp ICs, high current +48V DC Phantom Power and a full Bi Polar Power Supply for maximum signal headroom.

(Jim Evans)

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UK / Germany - As soon as Martin Audio's revolutionary Multicellular Loudspeaker Array (MLA) had completed its world debut with German rap band Fettes Brot, the band's Berlin-based production company, Complete Audio, became the first global customer for the new system.

They wasted no time in placing an order for the rig, comprising 20 x MLA, 2 x MLD enclosures and 14 x MLX subs (along with Merlin network management system, rigging and peripherals), with Martin Audio's German distributor, Atlantic Audio. Complete Audio MD, André Rauhut remarked, "I now own a system which is truly unique."

The MLA, which collected a Gold Award in this year's PLASA Awards for Innovation at the PLASA Show in London this week, boosts the rental company's cutting-edge inventory which already includes Martin Audio's W8L Longbow, W8LC and W8LM conventional line arrays. "The MLA i

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UK / Brazil - Following up on its acquisition of Brazilian loudspeaker manufacturer Electronica Selenium in June this year, Harman presented the European professional audio community with Selenium by Harman at PLASA 2010. Selenium is now part of Harman Professional's Loudspeaker Group .

"Being a part of a global organization such as Harman allows Selenium to expand our distribution in a measured, strategic and well-supported manner," says Rodrigo Rihl Kniest, country manager, Harman Brazil. "In doing so, we dovetail well with other Harman Professional brand offerings and we provide European customers with greater choice, improved versatility and Selenium's special combination of innovation, quality and performance value. I am confident that Harman's product portfolio coupled with Selenium's positioning in Brazil and Latin America will facilitate new businesses opp

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France / UK Surbiton-based Plus 4 Audio serves the London Studios, Fountain Studios, Maidstone Studios and the BBC as well as various OB events with shows such as Dancing on Ice, Mercury Music Prize, Must be the Music, Over the Rainbow, Strictly Come Dancing and Sports Personality of the Year to name but a few. The company has just taken delivery of 12 DX12 compact, low profile monitor speakers from APG for rental stock from APG's UK distributor, Red Square Audio.

Plus 4's Stewart Chaney comments, "I had been looking for a micro wedge monitor for our smaller shows for quite some time, but I just couldn't find anything that met our requirements. They were either too big or simply not good enough, or both! Then Paul Nicholson said he'd got something that might interest me, and gave me a demo of the new DX12s from APG. I was more than

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UK - The cutting edge of modern audio and acoustics will be highlighted again at the Reproduced Sound 2010 conference which opens at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, on 18 November.

Now in its 26 year, the two-day conference, organised by the Institute of Acoustics, has become a key event in the calendar for consultants, manufacturers, contractors and end users.

As well as providing delegates with detailed updates of major new developments, the informal environment of the event allows them to mingle and share insights and information.

This year's theme will be Performing Arts Venues: Balancing the Design and it will include a keynote paper from Jonathan Adams, architect of the Wales Millennium Centre, which became the country's national arts centre on its opening in 2004.

Adams will speak on what it takes to bring the various specialisms of acoustics, th

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UK - At PLASA 2010, rental companies ETA Sound, Total Sound Solutions and A1 Entertainments all placed orders for Nexo line array systems.

ETASound, which is based in North Wales but also has a London office at the O2 Arena, is to take delivery of 16 Nexo D10 modules, with an option to buy the same again, following installation trials of Geo D at one of the UK's most prominent live venues. In April, Eddie Thomas became one of the first rental companies in the world to buy the new RS18 subs from Nexo, and has just ordered more cabinets for ETASound's inventory.

Total Sound Solutions from Swansea and A1 Entertainments from Bristol are purchasing near-identical Geo S12 systems, comprising S1210 and S1230 line array modules, RS18 subs and NXAMP4x4 controller-amplifiers.

"One of the main attractions is the versatility of the S12," says Gareth Collyer from NexoUK. "

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UK - Martin Audio's Multicellular Loudspeaker Array (MLA) took the top prize at this year's PLASA Awards for Innovation, at London's Earls Court this week.

Winners of the Awards were announced in a special presentation during the PLASA Show, and after a hotly contested nomination process MLA headed the list of 62 products entered.

For the first time, the Awards were judged 'live' at the Innovation Gallery by an independent panel of 16 expert judges, in front of show visitors and a camera team on Sunday 12 September. Show visitors were able to watch the judging process replayed on large screens in the interactive Innovation Gallery for the rest of the show.

Seven Awards for Innovation were presented by PLASA CEO Matthew Griffiths - but there was only one Gold winner. This award is only given out when a product is worthy of particular commendation and it has not been awarded f

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UK - For the third time in recent years, the Italian manufacturer Outline received the PLASA Award for Innovation, thanks to its Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. iMode vertical line array.

The independent panel of judges noted, "This loudspeaker's combination of generic IT and innovative line array technology represents a step forward for the industry in systems integration. The cabinet's built-in web-browser support makes it possible to control a complete loudspeaker array from a plethora of industry standard devices."

"This is the third award won over a relatively short period, confirming the avant-garde features that have distinguished our brand for almost 40 years, and we're obviously very proud," comments Outline's Michele Noselli.

"As in 2001 and 2005, when Kanguro and COM.P.A.S.S. won the same award, we believe that this recognition not only rewards with sat

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UK - The Martin Audio DD6 is the first in a new line of products that will eventually replace the Wavefront range. The DD6 extends the company's loudspeaker portfolio and targets the touring and theatre segments. "The DD6 marks the first step in a new evolution," states Martin Audio R&D director, Jason Baird. "This ultra-versatile system offers a variety of different deployment options in a tour grade enclosure."

However, it is the custom-designed Differential Dispersion horn, developed using Martin Audio's proprietary BEM tools, which is the system's greatest USP, he continues. "This yields a dispersion pattern which covers typical audience planes in a much more consistent manner than a conventional X by Y degree horn - in other words it delivers optimal near- to mid-field coverage."

To achieve this, the DD6 enclosure is loaded with a 90°-120

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UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies, Audio division has taken stock of the new Sennheiser G3 GB wireless microphone systems for use on Channel 38 (606-614 MHz), enabling customers to start 'future proofing' their investment in new equipment for the impending UK radio frequency move.

As a distributor for all major wireless equipment brands, A.C. Audio have been keenly following the Ofcom designated 2012 digital switchover from Channel 69 (854-862 MHz) with a view to providing impartial customer advice and recommending the best course of action that will ensure minimal disruption.

The new Sennheiser G3 GB frequency range variant covers ALL of Channel 38 and as many 'future proofed' interleaved frequencies above Channel 38 as its 42 MHz (from 606-648 MHz) tuning range will allow. Models include the entry-level 100 series for live performances, the 300 series for installed sound

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UK - Shaka Zulu, the African themed restaurant and late night venue in Camden's Stables Market, North London, opened its doors this summer.

The venue, costing an estimated £5.5m, is spread over two floors occupying approximately 27,000sq.ft and features hand carved exotic wood walls, elaborate furniture and dominating statues - both over the main entrance and within the premises itself.

Shaka Zulu is a high profile, large scale project, some three years in the making; proprietor Roger Payne turned to long term supplier Carl Broadhurst and his company CTS Productions to provide the audible heart of the venue.

"For such a high profile venue, Martin Audio is always one of my personal first choices. Our past experience with this leading brand has been highly successful with more than a positive response from clients," commented Broadhurst..

The Martin Audio sou

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UK - The flagship Oxford Circus Topshop store has added a Topman trading floor at the top of the building. Former Radio 1 DJ, Bruno Brookes has provided an end-to-end concept for content and sound reinforcement via his broadcast firm Immedia, making this a blueprint for future installations in other stores.

The Harman Pro solution chosen by Immedia will eventually utilise more than 500 JBL Control 47CT and Control 24CT Micro transformer ceiling speakers and Control 28T surface mount enclosures distributed throughout the five trading floors. These are driven by Crown CTs and CDi series amplifiers, with a professing and routing network constructed around Soundweb DSP devices.

The new system gives the primary stations and concession areas the ability to employ local volume control and source select, and the store will be able to broadcast pre-recorded message announcements overla

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USA - A big date on Hollywood calendars each year is the Teen Choice Awards which honours the year's biggest achievements in music, movies, sports, television, fashion and more, as voted by teens.

This year's ceremony was held on 8 August at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles and aired the following day on the Fox Network. Lighting design veteran Tom Kenny created animated looks to match the show's youthful energy using Martin's LC Series LED panels for backdrop graphics, as well as Martin Atomic 3000 strobes and MAC 2000 Wash XB moving heads.

"All in all, the clarity and colour of the LC panels impressed us all and their ease to erect was fabulous," he stated. "I was very happy with the Atomic strobes and 2000 Wash XB's for the look [set designer and art director] Steve Bass and Kristen Merlino and I achieved." Lighting vendor for the event was

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Germany - Neumann is well-known in the audio industry for its top-of-the-range microphones. Neumann has also been a pioneer in the audio industry for over 80 years with a long history of world-class products - from mixing consoles and disc cutting lathes, to more recent innovations in digital technology with the Solution-D system. Wolfgang Fraissinet, president of marketing/sales at Neumann Berlin, comments, "Neumann is excited to introduce its latest innovation, the KH 120, representing the first product in the new line of Neumann Studio Monitors."

The KH 120 studio monitor is designed for use as a near-field loudspeaker or as a rear loudspeaker in larger multi-channel systems. The KH 120 represents the latest in acoustic and electronic simulation and measurement technologies to ensure the most accurate sound reproduction possible, says the company.

It has a Mathema

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UAE - Roland Systems Group (RSG), a member of the Roland Corporation Group, has appointed Nicolas Kyvernitis Electronics Enterprises (NMK) as the exclusive distributor for supplying its Roland Professional audio and video product line to UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman.

NMK headquarters are located in Dubai and the company has been operating in the market for 26 years already, since they started in 1984 focusing on the audio, video and lighting industries. NMK began in Sharjah (UAE) as a small company and during its years of operation has become a leading distributor of professional audio, video and lighting products in the Middle East

The agreement was taken after the recent visit which the president & CEO of Roland systems Group EMEA, Paulo Caius to NMK in Dubai.

"NMK are looking forward to introducing Roland audio and video products across the region," comm

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UK - PLASA 2010 closed on a high, with preliminary visitor figures set to show an increase over 2009 and strong international engagement from across the world. Exhibitors across all the show's sectors enthused about the quality of business leads and relished the show's vibrant atmosphere. The event, which filled London's Earls Court 1 and 2, drew over 12,000 visitors, while the international attendance continued to be strong with nearly 30% of visitors attending from 99 countries worldwide.

Show director Nicola Rowland commented: "The universally positive feedback and the strong visitor figures would be satisfying under any circumstances, but in the current economic climate it's a strong result for our exhibitors and for the show itself - it underlines just how important PLASA remains in the international events calendar.

"Numbers alone were only part of the story,&q

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UK - Orbital Sound has supplied Bristol-based PA rental company Amber Audio with two Digidesign SC48 Venue digital consoles, as well as a d&b audiotechnik Q1 line array, complete with J-SUB and B4-SUB cardioid subs - winner of a PLASA 2010 Innovation Award.

Amber Audio wanted to expand its hire stock to cope with an increasing workload, and the company's Alan Burgess selected Orbital after considering a range of suppliers, following advice on suitable line-arrays and digital consoles that would meet its criteria for rider-friendly brands. Since receiving the new systems, Amber has deployed them for a number of projects including Swindon Invincible 2010 - Battle of the Bowl, the South West's annual dance music festival.

Alan Burgess comments: "We have had d&b audiotechnik in our inventory for around 10 years, and have always found them to be a good investment. In fa

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