UK - Hot on the heels of Australian indie rockers Temper Trap being the first band to tour with a Yamaha CL5 digital mixing console on monitors, mid-May saw the first shows to use a CL5 at front of house. The three sold-out events at London's Royal Albert Hall were all very different and Reading-based SFL Group found that the CL5 delivered everything expected of it - and more.

SFL is the Albert Hall's AV partner and one of the first UK rental companies to invest in the CL series. The three back-to-back events - a schools choir concert, church leadership conference and ballet on ice - provided the opportunity to give the company's new CL5 a real test.

The first event was the annual Hertfordshire Music Service gala, which saw over 2500 children from schools all over Hertfordshire perform in two separate shows on the same day. The second - the following day - was the leadership c

UK- Situated in Mayfair's exclusive Berkeley Street, Novikov Restaurant & Bar is the first restaurant to be opened outside his native Russia by successful multiple operator, Arkady Novikov.

Set on a massive 17,500sq.ft footprint covering three floors (with a combined capacity of 565 people), the multi-million pound venue combines top class pan-Asian and classic Italian cuisine, wrapped around theatre kitchens, with a basement Lounge Bar which metamorphoses into a nightclub. This is set against a background of super cool, customer profiled music - played through carefully selected sound reinforcement systems, which have been designed and installed by the Sound Division Group (SDG).

The interior was designed by Russian company Geometry Design Moscow in partnership with London-based project managers, Keir Townsend - who introduced Sound Division to work alongside Geometry's lead

UAE - Roland Professional distributors in the region, Nicolas Kyvernitis Electronics Enterprises have recently supplied Abacus Rentals based in Dubai with a complete Roland Professional Audio system solution.

The solution includes the M-400 audio mixing console, the digital snake modules - S1608, S0816, S0808 and other components.

"With the solution in place, they now can provide a standalone digital snake solution which can be used with any analog or digital console," commented Moswain Antao, Roland product specialist. "However, together with the M-380 they now also have a digital snake that can communicate directly with the digital snake components to provide complete routing flexibility."

(Jim Evans)

UAE - Melody House, distributors of HK Audio speaker systems have recently supplied the Dubai Ladies Club with a HK Audio Elements system. The system includes two of the EA600 self-powered sub woofers, two EP1 extendable poles and four E435 Mid-Hi Tops which can be easily dismantled for transportation or storage.

"In terms of flexibility, the Elements provide a unique combination of portability, scalability and most importantly sound quality without compromise," commented Richard Woida, HK Audio product specialist at Melody House.

(Jim Evans)

The Netherlands - The Concertgebouw Amsterdam is one of the world's most renowned concert venues, acclaimed for its excellent acoustics. The impressive building has been the centre of classical music in the Netherlands for well over a century and with the assistance of Genelec speakers, the Concertgebouw Café's sound is now equal to the grand auditorium itself.

With annual attendance hitting more than 800,000, the Concertgebouw is one of the world's best attended concert venues. Having drawn artists such as Paul McCartney and The Who over the years and home to the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, it is imperative the sound quality across the venue is pristine. These standards extend across the site to its hospitality zones and a recent installation of Genelec 4030As has elevated the aural aspect of the Concertgebouw Café to the levels expected by guest visiting the c

Slovenia Rental company Akustika Bahun recently supplied an L-Acoustics Kara WST line source system for the Google Engage Day event in Ljubljana. The company was appointed by event organiser Artizana to provide technical support, sound and lighting for the event.

Google Engage Day was held in the converted Brnik aircraft hangar, and consisted of lectures and interactive activities to teach the invited guests more about Google's new features and services.

A total of 12 Kara cabinets, with four 108P front-fills, were provided for the conference, with eight 115XT HiQ coaxials and two SB18 subs for the chill-out area, all powered by LA8 amplified controllers.

"We chose a Kara system because the environment was challenging acoustically, and we were confident that our L-Acoustics systems would cope well, going by previous experience," says Akustika Bahun owner Miha Bahun

Russia - Entertainment technology specialists and APG integration partner, Doka Centre, recently celebrated their 25th anniversary in style with a two-day event for over 200 people. A number of seminars and presentations were followed with a concert in the evening from a Russian band playing blues and rock through an APG sound system. The next day saw practical workshops and demos on themes and products seen the previous day. The whole event culminated with the most spectacular gala dinner complete with laser light show and pyrotechnics display on the walls of the building outside.

With offices in both Moscow and St Petersburg, Doka Centre is one of Russia's most successful systems integrators specialising in major projects all across Russia, in particular in the theatre, conferencing, cultural centre and education markets.

Attendees, who came from all over Russia, included li

USA - Meyer Sound has appointed John McMahon as executive director of operations, a newly created position effective immediately. McMahon will play a key role in aligning the long-term mission, operational goals, and expansion programs across the company, while continuing to fulfill his existing duties as executive director of digital products and managing director of Meyer Sound China.

"It's important to maintain our responsiveness in our engineering and support services as we develop more system-based products like EXP [cinema system] and Constellation [acoustic system] while entering new vertical markets and expanding our global presence," says Helen Meyer, executive vice president of Meyer Sound. "John McMahon will play a key role in connecting the different departments and making sure they are in sync as the company builds towards further growth."

McMa

Lebanon - Live music and festivals are a fundamental part of Lebanese identity, with rental company CKA Event Sound Systems using DiGiCo consoles on many of them.

The company is owned and run by Chady Akiki, working closely with his cousin Alain. A DiGiCo SD9 and SD10 are the pride of their rental stock.

As a Front of House engineer himself, Chady knows at first-hand what the most important features of a mixing console are and he also received many technical riders from international acts that requested DiGiCo consoles. Initially buying an SD10, it proved such a success that CKA later purchased an SD9 as well.

"In Lebanon we always want the best equipment. Even if we don't need all the facilities now, we think that maybe we will need them later, so we always buy the best we can," he says. "We looked at other consoles, but with some you have to go through lots

UK - Ipswich-based PA company, DHE Professional, has purchased three Allen & Heath GLD digital mixers to add to their hire stock inventory. Comprising three GLD-80 mixers, with three AR2412 and three AR84 I/O expander units, the new systems have already been put to work on a variety of events.

Two of the mixing systems were used to manage FOH and monitors at the recent Homelanz Festival in London, which featured headline performances from Prime Circle, Kora and Alex Lloyd, who are all stadium fillers in Australia and New Zealand.

"Ever since taking delivery of the GLDs, the whole team has been impressed with the versatility, reliability and functionality of the mixer for its size and price point. One of the features that receives particular praise from both our own and visiting engineers is the strip assign; its simplicity makes the most complicated of stage patches achie

UK - HHB Communications has supplied Fuse FM, the University of Manchester Students' Union radio station, with two Studer OnAir 1500 audio mixers as part of the relocation and upgrade of its studios.

The choice of OnAir consoles has allowed the station to design and install an integrated system that utilises Studer's Relink digital audio routing technology. In addition, the OnAir's modular design has enabled the equipment installation to be rationalised, which has helped to control the project costs.

Located in the Steve Biko building on Oxford Road in Manchester, Fuse FM is a key part of the Students' Union's broadcast media output. Run by volunteers, the station provides the opportunity for students to get involved in numerous areas of University life.

The studios are used for a combination of production and live broadcasting, and both mixers have been supplied with the si

UK - SSE Audio Group has announced the acquisition of ETA Sound. The company, based in Mold, Wales, has moved its operations to SSE's Redditch headquarters. ETA owner Eddie Thomas adds another dimension to SSE's growing pro-audio operations, as SSE MD John Penn explained: "We have been talking to Eddie for a while about bringing his expertise to SSE and incorporating his complementary activities into the Group. His particular area of operation is the design and installation of large format audio and emergency evacuation installations in stadia, shopping malls and large spaces."

He continued: "This is a natural bolt on for SSE, and adds to our skill set and range in the audio installation market, meaning that there is very little we don't now cover in terms of what we can do in the audio environment. Eddie is a well respected and experienced individual, who adds an

USA - Line 6 has announced the availability of StageSource L3m. StageSource loudspeaker systems are built on a powerful new technology platform that enables a single enclosure to provide best-of-class performance in multiple live sound functions, says the company.

A compact, full-range three-way speaker system, the StageSource L3m tri-amped design delivers 1,400 watts of balanced, clean and articulate audio through dual 10-inch woofers and a horn-loaded, one-inch exit compression driver that combine to deliver a powerful 132 dB maximum SPL. A precision-engineered 100x50-degree constant-directivity waveguide delivers consistent coverage throughout its entire frequency range and optimal dispersion throughout the audience area, wide enough for solo use yet controlled enough for arrayed pairs. The narrow vertical pattern ensures minimal energy is reflected off the ceilings and floor

Sweden / China - Genelec has made a number of new sales appointments to further expand its global operations. The appointments follow sustained business growth across the product portfolio and include positions in Europe, China and South America.

Patrick Lundin has joined the Genelec sales team in Sweden as country sales manager for the newly launched range of Home Audio products. Lundin is an experienced audio sales professional and will bring a wealth of industry knowledge and local market experience to his new position.

In the Far East, Feng Haying has been appointed as the national director of Beijing Genelec Audio. Feng has considerable experience in the music recording field including acting as chief recording engineer of China National Centre for the Performing Arts. Feng joined the Beijing Genelec Audio team in May 2011 as a technical manager and recording consultant.<

UK - Adlib's busy audio division again supplied a complete L-Acoustics sound system and crew to Production North for the 2012 Capital FM Summertime Ball staged at Wembley Stadium, London, UK on Saturday 9 June.

This year's star-studded line-up included Coldplay, Justin Bieber, Usher, Katy Perry, Jessie J, Ed Sheeran, The Wanted, Flo Rida and many more, kick starting the Summer with an action packed day of pop music and vibes.

Adlib's crew line up of 17 was chiefed by Marc Peers. Key people included systems tech Tony Szabo, RF co-ordinator Dave Kay, presenter console operator Ian Nelson and patch by Michael Bernard Flaherty all intent on delivering a precisely planned mission involving some superlative teamwork.

Peers worked closely with Production North's sound supervisor Ant Carr and their event production manager Sarah Hollis on the advance logistics ensuring all the requi

UK - Nissan and Ministry of Sound recently introduced the Juke Box, billed as "a breakthrough automotive design with one of the best nightclub sound systems in the world, capable of producing up to 150dB".

The Juke Box sound system was engineered by Martin Audio, also responsible for creating the current iteration of the Box Room at Ministry of Sound in London. The Box is a five-sided room within a room completely insulated and suspended from the outside wall that is considered to be one of the best sound systems in the world.

Nissan and Ministry of Sound turned to Martin Audio to create a totally self-sufficient 18,900W sound system for the Juke Box. A set of custom made cabinets and enclosures housing two 18" powered subs and the same Mid Hi enclosures used at MOS enable an exceptionally high output with no compromise in sound quality. All of the custom speake

UK - Sony has announced the launch of its newest wireless microphone series, the new 2.4GHz DWZ. This, the company says, "combines ease of use, superb RF transmission reliability and high sound quality into four affordable and highly flexible packages".

The new 2.4GHz DWZ series includes combinations of hand-held mics, bodypack transmitters and rack-mount or compact size receivers, with various components for use by musicians, or in classroom, corporate, house of-worship or government applications, the company says.

The DWZ Series includes: DWZ-B30GB Digital Wireless Package-Guitar kit, DWZ-B70HL Digital Wireless Package-Headset and Lavalier kit, DWZ-M50 Digital Wireless Package-Vocal Set and DWZ-M70 Digital Wireless Package-Vocal/Speech kit.

"The DWZ series builds on Sony's extensive wireless expertise to deliver the most flexibility and the highest levels of

UK - Canford has been appointed Sennheiser Supply Partner, following significant UK business growth and the introduction of centralised European stock management by the pro audio manufacturer.

Canford product manager, Stephen Gallagher commented, "The appointment acknowledges Canford's ability to support occasional, specific and contract supply of Sennheiser Pro Audio equipment to professional users, installers and resellers alike."

Gallagher went on to explain how customers will gain from Canford's new supply partner status "Trade customers migrating from a direct relationship with Sennheiser will also benefit from Canford's free technical support service, significant UK stock holding and trade account pricing." He added "When it comes to sales and support of Sennheiser Pro Audio products Canford has a wealth of knowledge having been a major distribut

UK - Shure Distribution UK is launching Shure Education, a new training initiative designed to give pre-university GCSE and further education students on recording, music technology and theatre courses completely free days of practical tuition by Shure's technology specialists.

On application by their course administrators or leaders, students will be invited for a day at Shure UK's headquarters, where the company's specialists will advise the visitors on a variety of disciplines, depending on the students' requirements. Help is offered on microphone basics and theory, including practical mic placement work in a live room, vocal and drum miking, and wireless microphone basics. Visting students work through theory in the morning, then tackle practical/hands-on work in the afternoon.

The foundation of Shure Education formalises a role Shure Distribution UK has already been fulfi

UK - One of the largest Midas console networks ever constructed helped the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert entertain the world this month.

Front of House engineer Josh Lloyd, of live audio specialists Britannia Row, specified a substantial network comprising two Midas PRO9 and one PRO2C consoles front of house - and XL8, PRO9 and PRO6 consoles in monitor land.

In addition to this, Lloyd employed 14 Midas DL431 digital mic splitters to take care of a whopping 96 channels of house band plus 96 orchestra channels.

More than 250,000 people packed into The Mall, St. James's Park and around the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace to watch world-famous musicians honour Her Majesty with their best performance, with millions more watching around the world on TV.

Incredibly fast turnarounds between each performance saw acts such as Kylie Minogue, Annie Lennox, Elto

UK - One of Scotland's leading sales and rental companies has made a major commitment to RCF's next generation process controlled D-Line series.

With bases in Edinburgh and Glasgow, the long-standing Warehouse Sound Services this month purchased 16 of RCF's new HDL 20-A compact line array enclosures and four complementary SUB 8006-AS 2 x 18" active high power subwoofers to enhance its hire fleet.

According to Warehouse sales director Derek Blair, the combination of an optimised active system, with an enviable price/performance ratio in a compact, composite enclosure, provided a compelling reason for the investment.

Formed over 30 years ago, Warehouse Sound has been an RCF sub-distributor for the past four years, initially purchasing their contractor systems before pulling back from direct installations to form a more transparent partnership with their AV customers, assi

Germany - Fohhn Audio has announced the release of its new PT-6 compact, high-performance loudspeaker system with integrated line array technology. The loudspeaker, previewed at this year's Frankfurt Prolight + Sound, has been specially developed to offer both powerful coverage and easy set-up. Designed for stand-mounted, stacked or flown applications, the PT-6 essentially combines three of Fohhn's widely used PT-8 line array modules in a single compact unit weighing just 39kg.

Sporting a twin coaxial speaker construction, the PT-6 contains 6 x 6.5" long excursion neodymium and 3 x 1.4" compression drivers with a specially developed HF phase EQ. The loudspeaker's compression drivers and the HF phase EQ/Waveguide have been tailored to optimize the system's vertical beam characteristics.

A vertical dispersion angle of 30 degrees gives excellent results even in venues w

South Korea - Eidim Audio Visual with headquarters in Buena Park, California, offices in major cities around the US, and a division in Seoul, has finished a major installation project at a newly built church in Seoul. The Kwang Mying Church's new complex features five floors with the main sanctuary seating 5500 worshippers in the basement level, and three worship halls, lobby and a dining room on the main three floors, and a small chapel on the fourth. The main sanctuary is used for traditional worship service with sermon, praise with full band and a choir, and various styles of high SPL live concerts; it also doubles up as a multi-purpose non-worship performance centre.

Eidim was contracted by Kwang Mying to design and source all audio, lighting and large format display needs. Eidim was familiar with Adamson systems via a demo held in California a few years ago in which Adamson

USA - Neo-electro pop diva Kimbra has been a rising star over the past couple of years. With her fame clearly ascending, this defiant and ground-breaking artist entered Australia's music scene only to take out the 2011 Aria for best female artist. Hailing originally from New Zealand, Australia quickly claimed her at the tender age of 17 subsequently launching her now internationally blossoming career.

Kimbra has been touring the US with monitor engineer Rod Metheson using a DiGiCo SD11. "The great thing about the SD11 is that I could fit it into a Samsonsite case," says Metheson. "I made a frame which goes over it that keeps the buttons and screens protected. It just looks like luggage to customs officials. They seem to make a big fuss when they see a road case, trying to charge additional freight and the like. It's pretty amazing that I could just check it in as

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