UK - Saville Audio Visual has recently taken delivery of two Roland VR-5 AV mixer & recorders, supplied by Cheshire based Visual Impact Northern. Gareth Lloyd, digital events services manager from Saville had seen the VR-5 in action at Broadcast Video Expo in 2011 and had recognised that the feature set would provide a solution not only for their own webcasting requirement, but also for one of the branches of Saville who needed a compact unit for live action camera relay work at smaller conferences.

The webcast VR-5 is being used primarily to feed the Mediasite webcasting platform from Sonic Foundry but Lloyd explained that they also use the USB out to PC function of the mixer regularly. Connecting a PC to the RGB connector of the VR-5 for various applications such as PowerPoint presentations, slide shows and movie playback enables them to be recorded directly to the VR-5.

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USA - PLASA Focus: Nashville 2012 has launched with a new website and free online registration. The event will take place 11-12 July 2012 at the Municipal Auditorium, in Nashville, TN.

Nashville is the latest event to be launched under the PLASA Focus banner, and follows the hugely successful PLASA Focus: Austin, held in February of this year. The current series of North American regional events are modelled after PLASA Focus: Leeds (UK), which, in its third year, topped 2500 attendees.

PLASA Focus: Nashville 2012 will bring regional entertainment technology communities together to do business and network in a relaxed and friendly setting. While regional exhibitors and visitors are set to benefit from the new event, PLASA Focus: Nashville will also give those involved the opportunity to mix with a wider audience than has ever been possible before as PLASA Focus: Nashville will

The Netherlands - In response to higher-than-expected demand from its exhibitor community, Integrated Systems Events has announced the addition of further space to the footprint of ISE 2013. Following a rebooking process that has resulted in more space than ever being reserved for the next Integrated Systems Europe, the show's organisers have decided to make a part of Hall 8 of the Amsterdam RAI available to both new and existing exhibitors.

"This is not a decision we have taken lightly," comments Mike Blackman, managing director, Integrated Systems Events. "However, the response from exhibitors to our 2012 show has been overwhelmingly positive and, in the end, we felt we had no option but to expand our footprint for 2013.

"This extra space will allow us to accommodate those 2012 exhibitors who have not yet rebooked for next year, as well as new companies w

Australia - The Performance Centre at Matthew Flinders Anglican College in Buderim on the Sunshine Coast opened in November 2011 with a series of College events staged to celebrate completion of the new facility at the College.

Designed by Dimond Architects, built by Integral Constructions and project managed by MFAC project manager Ken Sutherland, the new Performance Centre building links to an existing Music and Drama centre to provide a truly flexible theatre that can operate in several modes to suit a variety of College requirements.

To achieve the configurations required by the College, theatre consultant Richard Stuart used a flexible flat floor model for the theatre design with the ability to have auditorium and stage at the one level with an orchestra lift that can be also used at auditorium level and with retractable seating units that store on the rear wall of the au

Germany - Electrovision reports that it is now taking orders for the much anticipated new Behringer 'Powered by Midas' X32 Digital Mixing Console, which will begin shipping this summer.

Richard Fox, managing director of Electrovision comments, "To say we're excited about this game-changing mixing console from Behringer is an understatement. The technology in this product has only been seen in high-end models until now and we are anticipating a huge response with early pre-orders from customers eager to buy this affordable digital mixer at analogue prices. "

The X32 allows the audio engineer to focus on the event, instead of "navigating a vast sea of knobs, buttons and menus like most other live digital mixers". X32 has 40 processing channels and 25 mix buses, all equipped with high quality signal processing (dynamics, EQ and inserts), which can be configure

UK - The University of Leicester has completely redeveloped one of its primary conference facilities in the Oadby Student Village, transforming Gilbert Murray Hall into a state-of-the-art conference venue. This comprises a large central space, four seminar and break out rooms and a hospitality area.

Tasked with designing a versatile AV infrastructure that would broaden its appeal to external companies, Quadrant Visual Solutions turned to a Harman Professional solution after winning the contract, supported by UK distributor Sound Technology.

With Ben Todd of Sound Technology's project team providing EASE modelling of the space, a system design was proposed to provide highly efficient coverage and to fulfil the technical requirement for the room to be used in two orientations (landscape and portrait format) for audio and visual projection.

On the side wall Quadrant installed t

The Netherlands - The issue of what to do with industrial buildings once they are no longer needed for their original purpose is a familiar one to urban planners. But in Rotterdam, a 106 year old grain silo has found a new lease of life as a music and corporate event venue. Historic the building may be, but its new Yamaha audio specification is anything but.

Originally, Maassilo was the largest grain silo in Europe. It fell out of use a decade ago and its sheer size could have meant that demolition was the only realistic course of action. However, the city of Rotterdam authorities have used its size to their advantage, transforming it into an entertainment and exhibition venue. De Nieuwe Oogst, a centre for urban culture, has recently opened at Maassilo and includes two concert stages, a recording-studio, lounge bar, dance and exhibition facilities.

Veteran Dutch sound enginee

USA - Rational Acoustics LLC has announced the addition of Chris Tsanjoures in the role of applications support specialist. In his new position, Tsanjoures will oversee all application support functions at Rational including the creation and dissemination of customer support materials regarding application & use of Rational Acoustics' products.

He will also provide application-based customer phone, e-mail and web support, work with partner companies to create integrated Smaart Measurement Technology based solutions and provide tradeshow support & external training support.

"This is a really exciting time for Rational Acoustics" says Karen Anderson, Rational Acoustics COO. "We are expanding our product offerings and our technology solutions and with that growth comes the ability to add incredibly talented people like Chris to our team. He's not only a highly skil

Columbia - Begun in the mid-1980s and brought online a decade later, the Metro de Medellín is the circulatory system of Medellín, Colombia, the country's second-largest metropolitan area. Serving a population of over 3 million, the system averages more than 400,000 riders each day across 20 miles of lines - two light rail and three aerial tramways - that have a combined 34 stations. The multi-modal system also incorporates a new Metro Plus system of bus lines that feature dedicated roadways and a planned total of 21 elevated-platform stations.

For paging and platform music at all stations, Metro de Medellín has created the world's largest integrated NetMax networked matrix system, with 57 Electro-Voice N8000 matrix controllers. The system-wide installation also includes more than 250 Electro-Voice EVID series ceiling loudspeakers powered by more than 150 channels of Electro-V

UK - As The O2 opened its doors to the BRIT Awards for the second year, Sennheiser UK celebrated its 10th anniversary of providing support to this most iconic of British music events.

"Sennheiser has had the pleasure of assisting on the BRITs since being invited by sound designer Derrick Zieba and Britannia Row back in 2002," says Sennheiser UK artist relations manager, Mark Saunders. "Initially, this was to support the large amount of Sennheiser equipment that was being used on the show. Since then, both Andy Lillywhite [Sennheiser UK's chief engineer] and I have been on-site throughout the rehearsals and shows, providing technical back up to the Brit Row crews, supplementing odd bits of extra kit and, where required, providing some extra not-quite-off-the-shelf type solutions for specific performances on the show."

This style of support allows Sennheiser

South Africa - Bloemfontein, 443km from Johannesburg and popularly known as 'The City of Roses' due to the abundance of these flowers and the annual rose festival held there, is also the home town of Stefan van Biljon, owner of rental company Creative Kilowatt.

Creative Kilowatt provided the technology for a banquet dinner celebrating the 25th anniversary of OFM, the regional radio station in Bloemfontein. The event took place at the Woodlands Function Venue with a performance by opera singer Jannie Moolman and the music of Joseph Clark.

Creative Kilowatt provided the full technical including sound, lighting and AV for the event, where washes of yellow and red were used to emphasise the OFM brand colours.

Lighting equipment was hung from trussing on the roof and the client was delighted with the end result.

"Creative Kilowatt also did the crowing of the prettiest girl

Denmark - Matrix Group has appointed Kenneth Bremer as CEO. Since 2009, Bremer has worked in Italy, most recently in strategic marketing and PR with loudspeaker manufacturer RCF, based in Reggio Emilia.

Matrix Group's stated mission is to become one of the most important players in the market segment of solutions and product supply to the entertainment industry. With a strong line-up of companies within the group, Matrix Group is an attractive partner towards sales, installation and distribution of professional products to the industry from 'day to day' distribution business to complex turnkey installations.

Matrix Group companies include the following:

Moto Audio Sales - a provider of complete pro audio solutions to live event production - as well as being the distributor in Denmark for L-Acoustics, Arx, Aviom, Optogate, Buttkicker and Pinanson.

Nordic Sales & Staging - a

UK - Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds world tour has just completed its UK arena leg, with Midas XL8 live performance systems at FOH and on monitors, supplied by Britannia Row Productions. Such is the scalability of Midas' growing digital range that the tour will move onto PRO6s for its run of European and US dates throughout the spring and then to the new PRO2Cs for summer festival appearances.

Both FOH and monitor engineer, Antony King and Nahuel Gutierrez respectively, are experienced hands on the XL8, and both are relishing being back at the controls. With a 26-piece choir from the Crouch End Festival Chorus and Hertfordshire Chorus, as well as a brass section, both consoles are pretty full.

"Out of 96 channels I'm using 93 and out of 48 outputs I'm using 47," says Gutierrez, who took an XL8 out on monitors for the last-ever Oasis tour. "It's such a pleasu

Turkey - New indie nightclub Skandal! has opened its doors in Istanbul with an L-Acoustics coaxial loudspeaker system supplied by Turkish distributor, Elit Light&Sound Technologies.

Run by leading Istanbul venue owners together with Metehan Çorumluo?lu, aka DJ Style-ist, Skandal! draws heavily on the twin late-70s cultures of New Wave and disco, bringing a new vibe to the Istanbul club scene. A system of seven L-Acoustics 8XTi coaxial speakers from the Architectural Series for installers, with two 108P coaxials and two SB18i fixed installation subwoofers, driven by two LA4 amplifiers, has been installed into the venue.

"The L-Acoustics system is the strongest aspect of Skandal," says Çorumluo?lu. "The DJs who've performed at the venue are so pleased with the sound of the new cabinets so far, and our clientele can also be heard talking about club's sound qualit

UK - Rose Bruford College of Theatre & Performance will be hosting an interactive stand for the The Big Bang Fair held at The NEC Birmingham, 15-17 March 2012.

The Big Bang Fair is aimed at showing young people the opportunities there are in science, engineering, technology and maths and expects around 35000 visitors this year.The stand is very generously sponsored by White Light, Avolites, Arcola Energy and BOC.

The College's interactive stand has three areas: a performance lighting area, which has an automated lighting system comprising of a digital control platform, video screens, and some automated (moving) fixtures; a stage technology area, with computers running CAD drawing and visualisation programmes; and a performance sound area, with digital mixing desk and amplification for live mixing. These areas will all feed into a mini-stage, where visitors can create realised

UK - The Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh is more than just an Olympic swimming pool. It contains multiple gyms, dry dive training facilities, cafeteria, kids party zones, diving pool and much more. This grade A listed centre piece of Scottish sport requires sound systems of extremely high calibre to match the level and quantities of events that are staged at the facility. Audio Light Systems Ltd was picked to design and install the building wide PA and music systems.

The main all important pool area, which is being used for the up and coming Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games required clarity in an extremely reverberant space. A pair of Tannoy QFlex 48 intelligent columns produced the best solution by having excellent sound reproduction at the same time as being discreet in appearance.

At the helm of the PA systems control is the new ADS T8X8 16 zone digital PA system. Dedic

UAE - A Midas PRO2, deployed by leading Dubai AV production company Artes Middle East, delivered a first-class debut performance FOH at this year's 10th Dubai International Jazz Festival despite the onset of strong winds and sandstorms during the week-long event.

"The console stood its ground through everything," reports a delighted Karl Da Costa, FOH engineer and technical production manager at Artes, who was using a Midas digital desk for the first time following a product demo by Chicco Hiranandani of Dubai-based NMK Electronics.

The PRO2 was installed at the festival's open-air Jazz Garden which saw some 19 acts perform over nine days, including headline bands fronted by Ruby Turner, Deborah Coleman, Shakura S'Aida and Sharrie Williams.

Da Costa, an experienced user of Midas Verona and Heritage 3000 analogue consoles, quickly familiarised himself with the Midas

UK - Cue Media has taken advantage of the 0% finance deal that is currently available through A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET's audio division on equipment purchases of leading brands Nexo, Yamaha and Sennheiser.

Cue Media, a busy technical production and solutions provider, required a compact, highly versatile and fully digital sound solution to cover many different types and scales of event - from straight conferences to rock and pop bands, theatre style cabaret shows and lively motivational speaker events.

Nexo's successful PS-R2 Series speakers were the solution for their multitude of diverse events and shows. The package includes four sets of Nexo PS10-R2 speaker cabinets and two Nexo powered digital TD controllers.

Concurrently, Cue Media also invested in their second Yamaha LS9 32-channel digital mixing console, along with other Yamaha accessories.

Stuart Moo

UK - New at PLASA Focus: Leeds 2012 from Sennheiser UK is the XS Wireless Series, an entry-level series of wireless microphone package designed for users who want to go wireless effortlessly, but still have the guarantee of great quality sound.

These robust units are simple to operate, feature transmitters that have a battery life of up to 10 hours, while a switching bandwidth of up to 24 MHz allows for flexibility in the choice of frequencies. The series is comprised of two vocal sets, an instrument set and presentation sets with lavalier microphone or a headmic.

eRack, meanwhile, is an all-in-one, cost effective solution from Sennheiser UK that provides users with a fully assembled, ready to use, four channel evolution G3 wireless system, which includes the 19" rack, an ASA 1 antenna, power supply, plus all other accessories required, and is custom prepared with four ev

USA - EAW has appointed pro audio veteran Alex Schloesser to the position of EAW Asia-Pacific sales director. The announcement was made by Jeff Rocha, EAW president, and reflects EAW's ongoing commitment to growth in the Asia-Pacific region. In his new capacity, Schloesser will report to and work closely with Davwinder Sheena, LOUD Technologies' Asia & Pacific-Rim managing director.

With more than 20 years in pro audio in and out of his native Germany, Schloesser has a wealth of experience from his past positions. He is fully versed in audio technology, including acoustical simulation and treatment, audio consulting, sound design and studio/control room specifications. He has worked as an engineer and consultant for 24 years, working in R&D as well as in all levels of live performance - system tech, P.A., front-of-house mixing, system design etc.

Schloesser has been a part of

Germany - Out Board will be exhibiting at Frankfurt ProLight&Sound with TiMax distributor Pro Audio-Technik in Hall 8, Stand A01, and will demonstrate the TiMax SoundHub S-Version's "unparalleled combination of sound effects editing and management and wide range of showcontrol trigger and event interfaces".

Aimed at theatre and live events sound designers as well as museum and attraction integrators, the new S-Version features include multitrack Timeline cue programming, clip editing, looping, timeslip, volume-profiling and archiving, plus the object-based delay-pan programming pioneered by TiMax.

Also presented will be the new Touring Version TiMax Tracker configuration, what has recently been purchased by premier German event production company Neumann & Muller. This market-leading performer-tracking system follows actors, presenters, attraction visitors and confer

UK - West London based lighting and visuals rental company Colour Sound Experiment (CSE) has expanded its current warehouse facility by acquiring the building next door .... and knocking through. This increases the area to over 12,000sq.ft, nearly doubling the previous available space.

The old warehouse was already about to start bursting at the seams last year! When CSE added over 100 moving lights and over 500 tiles of their new proprietary BT12 LED screen to the near capacity stock, things became critical - and something had to give.

By a completely serendipitous stroke of luck, the unit next door came available just at the right time. "It was almost too convenient to be true," declares Colour Sound's Haydn Cruickshank, who jumped at the chance to take it over.

The dividing wall between the two units has been completely removed and CSE is utilising the new area

Iceland - Several Allen & Heath iLive and iDR digital mixers have been installed in the prestigious new Harpa concert hall and conference centre in Reykjavik.

The new venue has four main spaces to manage a busy programme of music and conference events. iLive systems comprising an iDR-16 MixRack and iLive-R72 Control Surface have been installed in the Norourljos recital hall and Kaldalon hall, whilst a combined FOH and monitor system,comprising iDR-16 MixRacks and an iLive-R72 and iLive-T80 surfaces, has been selected for the Silfurberg conference hall.

All systems use A&H's proprietary ACE (audio and control over Ethernet) link, and iDR-4 digital matrix mixers are installed in each venue to manage audio distribution. There is also a portable iLive system, comprising an iDR-48 MixRack and iLive-T80 Control Surface, available for any additional audio requirements around the buil

USA - Francis Ford Coppola's American Zoetrope film studios, located in California's Napa Valley, has installed Meyer Sound EXP cinema sound systems in three new rooms, including an ADR stage, ADR control room, and a screening room. Consistent EXP monitoring will allow seamless translation between the new rooms and Zoetrope's existing re-recording stage, which in 2009 became the first facility of its kind to install a complete EXP system.

Coppola, working alongside re-recording mixers Walter Murch and Pete Horner, relied on Zoetrope's original EXP monitoring system for the final mix of his 2009 release, Tetro. Reflecting on the experience, Coppola says, "With Meyer Sound, there has been a tremendous increase in power, yet with distortion eliminated. If the sound were a picture, you would immediately notice how incredibly focused it is, with no blurring."

Zoetr

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