EMEA - Midas Klark Teknik has announced the appointment of Rob Hughes as technical support manager for the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region.

This new position has been created to further improve the quality of technical support for all MKT products in the region. Hughes will be working with both end users and MKT regional partners, and employing his considerable experience and expertise on the deployment, configuration and operation of all Midas and Klark Teknik products.

Hughes comments, "Midas Klark Teknik is an exciting place to be right now, with considerable on-going development and many new products in the pipeline. I'm really looking forward to providing all MKT users with the support to get the very best results out of our products."

MKT brand development manager Richard Ferriday adds, "We are delighted at Rob's return to MKT. Rob is a well

Brazil - Distributor ProShows recently concluded a six-month marathon series of 500 workshops featuring the Behringer X32 digital mixer. Shortly after the Expomusic show in October 2012, ProShows embarked on an extensive series of workshops engaging professional audio engineers all over the country. The workshops showcased the functional versatility of Behringers's flagship mixer and focused on both live and studio applications for the X32.

Combined with a coordinated marketing campaign, the workshops generated enthusiasm for the X32 throughout Brazil. More than 1000 technicians and 700 sales representatives, in 50 of Brazil's major cities, were given hands-on training for the X32 as well as its compatibility with other Behringer products including the P16 personal monitoring system and the S16 digital stage box. The 500th workshop was completed on 15 April, 2013.

"We are

India - Midas and Klark Teknik have appointed Dhanashree Electronics Ltd. as their distributor for India.

Midas/Klark Teknik brand development manager, Richard Ferriday comments, "This provides a huge opportunity for growth due to our new competitive pricing policy - and Dhanashree are the perfect partner to take full advantage of that. I welcome Dhanashree to the MKT family and look forward to delighting their customers with plenty of high-quality, reliable and affordable MKT products."

Mr. Abhishek Toshniwal, director of Dhanashree Electronics Ltd. adds, "The Midas and Klark Teknik brands have earned the admiration of audio engineers all around the world for their sonic performance, feature sets and rugged reliability. We are excited to now offer their entire range of top-tier products to our partners. Our aggressive marketing campaign, coupled with highly-com

Grand Opera - Russia's Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg has opened a new ballet and opera house with a gala ceremony attended by 2,000 guests. The new building sits beside the historic 19th-Century Mariinsky Theatre, the birthplace of ballets such as Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty.

At $700m (£450.5m), it has divided opinion, with some criticising the modernist architecture and cost. President Vladimir Putin said it had "everything you need for a theatre". Addressing guests, Mr Putin paid tribute to the "boundless energy" of the theatre's ambitious director Valery Gergiev, whose 60th birthday coincided with the opening night.

Hop Farm Cancelled - The Hop Farm music festival has announced the cancellation of this year's event because of poor ticket sales. The festival had been due to take place in Kent on 5-6 July. It was due to be hea

UK - Building on an unparalleled figure of pre-registrations, PLASA Events welcomed a record number of visitors at the Royal Armouries last week as PLASA Focus: Leeds 2013 opened its doors for two days of unique access to the newest and most innovative products on the market.

As the sun came out in Leeds, visitor numbers broke all previous records, hitting a total of 2376 over the two days - an increase of nearly 12% on 2012 - demonstrating once again the size, strength and enthusiasm of the entertainment technology community in the north of England.

Amongst the many companies unveiling new products to the UK were Martin Professional, showing the first luminaire from RUSH, their new effects lighting product range, and White Light presented the latest CORE Lighting ColourPoint LED uplighter, whilst Artistic Licence premiered their new range of smart modular dimmers, sunDial alo

UK - PLASA returns to 195 Piccadilly - the iconic home of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) - on Thursday 30 May for its 2013 European AGM. Over 200 members and guests are anticipated at the event, which will include a review of the achievements of the last 12 months and an outline of PLASA's aims for future development.

The AGM is of great significance to the Association and the ideal occasion for every member to ensure that his or her voice is heard. It is this feedback that enables PLASA to react positively to the changes and challenges that members face in order to act effectively on their behalf.

Important decisions were made through 2012 to support and safeguard PLASA's future including moving the PLASA Show to Excel London, investing in new software which will provide members with new self-service features and enable much easier participation in As

UK - PLASA Focus: Leeds saw the first UK outing of ArrayCalc V7 from d&b audiotechnik, arguably the most useful addition to audio mapping yet. Enabling the acoustic simulation of d&b line arrays with point source loudspeakers and an export function to the d&b R1 Remote control software; ArrayCalc V7 now simplifies the process for those planning sound system design, creating remote control workspaces and configuring d&b amplifiers.

Meanwhile full houses in the Bury Theatre saw lively sessions from Oran Burns and Steve Jones as they addressed the thought processes that lie behind the choice of loudspeaker for a given task. Oran's Demystifying Audio Techniques allowed the attendees to gain a better understanding of what constitutes a well behaved loudspeaker and how it affects what the listener hears, whilst Steve continued the theme by exploring further the relationship bet

UK - Capital Sound has been working with operatic pop group Il Divo for 10 years, but for their new Front of House engineer, Davide Lombardi, getting to know the audio rental company on the current Il Divo and Katherine Jenkins tour has been somewhat of a revalation.

Italian-born Lombardi secured the position on Capital's recommendation, after they had experienced his mixing expertise with Will Young during the summer of 2012. They also knew he had classical experience working with Andrea Bocelli, and were certain he would be a good option for Il Divo.

"The guys from Capital came and listened, mentioned my name and I was lucky enough to be chosen," says LOmbardi. "The very first show was BBC Proms in the Park with a live BBC orchestra, which was good experience for me as it was in front of thousands of people."

This was swiftly followed by a three week st

UAE - Nicolas Kyvernitis Electronics Enterprises has recently announced its second series of certified courses to be held during the months of May and June in Dubai. The yearly education series will now go under the new title Academy 2.0 and will be hosted at the new NMK Middle East FZCO office located in Dubai Silicon Oasis. The seminars include brands from Rational Acoustics, Shure/DIS, ClearCom and Midas.

The Rational Acoustics seminar conducted between 4 and 5 June will cover the SMAART software, which is used for sound system measurement, optimization and control. The Shure/DIS seminar conducted between 9 and 10 June will focus on the new wireless products, applications and advanced conference electronics.

Between 23 and 24 June the ClearCom seminar will highlight the wired and wireless communication products. And finally between 25 and 26 May the Midas seminar wil

UK - When acid jazz group, The Brand New Heavies, joined forces with Ruby Turner to bring the curtain down on this year's Gateshead International Jazz Festival at the Sage Gateshead, local service company Nitelites were brought in to fill the 1640-capacity main auditorium with a premier RCF TT+ line array PA system.

Having worked with the venue many times previously Nitelites know how to maximise system coherency in an unusually high building with several tiers, and the active TTL33-A - set in two hangs of 11 elements - provided even coverage for the stalls and both balcony areas, up to a level of 14m.

In addition, Nitelites ground-stacked a further three TTL33-A 's left and right of the stage, to draw the image back down to the nearfield stalls area. But probably the biggest breakthrough was their deployment of a pair each of the new-generation TT1-A and TT2-A , the former wa

Germany - The Rotmain Centre in Bayreuth is the commercial centre of the city in Franconia famous for its annual Wagner festival: around 80 businesses, shops and cafes make up the sprawling modern shopping mall. In addition to being a great place to shop, the Rotmain Centre is also used for a variety of other events, including concerts, fashion shows and performances of all kinds.

Since recent events had demonstrated that the existing sound reinforcement system was no longer adequate to the increasing demands being placed on it, those responsible decided to invest in a new audio system. For the design, planning and implementation of the new system, they brought in the Bayreuth firm of Schwankl Sound & Service.

In view of the diversity of uses to which it would be put, it was clear from the start that what was needed was a flexible sound reinforcement system: a system capable n

UK - Stage Electrics has announced a management buy-out (MBO) of the business from the estate of David Whitehead. The MBO was fully supported and agreed by David Whitehead prior to his stepping down from the role of managing director in May 2012 as a way to position Stage Electrics for future growth and security, the company says. David Whitehead sadly passed away in February 2013 after a courageous fight against cancer.

The new shareholders - Trevor Smallwood, Dan Aldridge, Bob Smith, James Irvine, Anna Western, Adam Blaxill, Adrian Searle and Ian Tregaskis - combine considerable business experience with a strong knowledge of the entertainment technology industry. Under the new ownership structure, Trevor Smallwood will continue as chairman of the board and the company's executive directors remain unchanged.

Dan Aldridge commented: "Stage Electrics is in a solid position

China - Following a record year for sales in the Asia and Pacific regions, DPA Microphones is consolidating its success by opening a new regional office in Hong Kong.

Headed by Ken Kimura, DPA's general manager for the APAC region, the new office signals DPA's commitment to its partners and customers by acting as a hub for sales, marketing and after-sales service. It will also enable the company to expand its sales network and develop new business channels in market sectors that have yet to discover the benefit of DPA's microphone technology and products.

Kimura, who was previously based in Shanghai, says, "Establishing our new office in Hong Kong makes sound economic and geographic sense. By basing our office here we can significantly expand our reach as well as visibility within the entire region and thereby aim our ambitions much higher."

During the last trading

UK - Lost and Sound, a feature-length documentary made by a partially deaf film-maker about music and hearing loss, will be screened as part of Deaf Awareness Week at Cambridge Picture House on Sunday 12 May and Thursday 16 May and Exeter on 13 May. All events will include special Q&As with the director/producer Lindsey Dryden as well as music writer Nick Coleman and Dr David Baguley, Head of Audiology at Cambridge University Hospital, who both appear in the film.

The film follows music critic Coleman, dancer Emily Thornton and pianist Holly Loach over two years, as they rediscover music after deafness strikes. It features a rich musical soundtrack, often manipulated to reveal what deafness sounds like, and insights from top neuroscientists about the human relationship with music. One in six people in the UK will experience hearing loss, and the film asks what would you d

USA - Last month, Cirque du Soleil presented One Night for ONE DROP at the O Theatre, located in the Bellagio on the Las Vegas Strip. The one-night-only production, which combined talent and production expertise from seven other resident productions, was held on World Water Day on 22 March to help raise awareness on the increasing global water crisis.

Audio specialist Sennheiser, which has a longstanding relationship with Cirque du Soleil that extends over two decades, loaned several channels of wireless equipment through its Global Relations team to help ONE DROP realise its creatively and technically ambitious production.

Established by Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté, ONE DROP is a non-profit organization whose mission is to 'ensure that water is accessible to all, today and forever'. According to some estimates, nearly one billion people in the

The Netherlands - Alcons Audio ahas nnounced the start of its Launch Partner Programme for the LR24 pro-ribbon line-array system.

Designed specifically for the concert touring and large-scale installation market, and first shown at the Prolight+Sound in 2010, Alcons Audio has now concluded LR24s initial beta phase.

Since then, the Alcons' R&D team has worked very hard to produce what is seen as the holy grail of sound reinforcement: HiFi sound quality at concert sound pressure levels. This has now been achieved.

One of Alcons Audio's strengths is the development of its own acoustics, mid/high frequency transducers, amplified electronics and processing. The pièce de résistance of the LR24 is the newly developed, multiple-patented pro-ribbon transducer for the reproduction of mid and high frequencies.

Philip 'Dr. Phil' de Haan, co-founder and head of Alcons Audio R&D

Italy - The sound team at the Parco Della Musica Auditorium in Rome recently turned to DPA Microphones' Reference Standard 4017 Shotgun Microphones to record the audio for a specially commissioned double DVD of two operas that were being performed as part of the Santa Cecilia Opera Studio, a master programme devoted to Bel Canto.

With high quality audio a prerequisite - and with strict instructions from the director that no microphones were to be seen anywhere in the video footage - sound engineer Giacomo De Caterini was initially struggling to work out how he could comply with the director's brief.

"The director wanted to avoid any microphones that could be visible because he was determined to maintain strict focus on the performers," De Caterini explains. "Due to bad experiences in the past, especially on video productions where close-up shots revealed

UK - Audica Professional has announced it is expanding its MICROseries audio system capabilities with the launch of the MULTIzone. Applications include retail outlets, bars and restaurants, hotels, education facilities, museums, visitor centres and other public spaces requiring independent zone input and output control.

The MULTIzone is a four-zone control mixer with six music inputs, plus a microphone input for paging. Each of the four outputs can be independently configured to provide music from any one of the inputs plus the paging microphone and the relative levels are set by front panel controls. The music is automatically ducked to allow for announcements to be heard clearly. Up to 7 MULTIzone units can be linked for systems of up to 28 zones.

Zone outputs are individually switchable for flat response or Audica loudspeaker EQ, allowing for systems using Audica or any oth

UK - Oval Space, a multi-use arts and events venue in Bethnal Green, has recently invested in an Allen & Heath GLD-80 digital console, supplied by LMC Audio London.

Dominic Gross, head engineer at Oval Space discusses the requirements of a console in an environment and venue such as Oval Space: "As a truly multi-use space, we knew that we needed a flexible and user-friendly console that still sounded great, for both seasoned engineers and those users with more limited experience. The GLD seemed to tick all of the boxes.

"The GLD just seems to work in all the right ways. Menus are where I would expect them to be, the touch screen is excellent, and most importantly, it sounds like an analogue desk. The stage box is a major plus for us too...I never want to see a 48-way multi-core ever again."

Feedback from other users has also been positive. "The response t

The Netherlands - On 30 April 2013, Prince Willem-Alexander became the Netherlands first king in more than a century after his mother, Queen Beatrix, abdicated following 33 years on the throne. Taking place in Dutch capital Amsterdam, Queen Beatrix signed the instrument of abdication in the Royal Palace, Amsterdam early in the morning.

Following a brief appearance on the Palace balcony, the investiture of the new King took place in the neighbouring Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam, during a ceremony attended by members of royal families from dozens of countries around the world, government officials and key political figures.

During the afternoon, the new King Willem-Alexander and the new Queen Maxima boarded a boat for a two-hour ride, visiting a string of stages with performances and re-enactments of historical, cultural and sportive highlights in Dutch history.

With only around 1

USA/UK - Orbital Sound reports that it has appointed entertainment industry professional Morag MacPherson as vice president of its US company with immediate effect. MacPherson joins Orbital at an important stage in its evolution, and will be working closely with international managing director Chris Headlam to position the company's successful brand in the US market.

Chris Headlam comments, "Morag brings a new dimension to Orbital as a recognised force in the theatrical world. Morag is extremely well-versed in all things audio, as well as commanding immense respect within theatre production, and she will be a great hands-on ambassador for Orbital. Morag has literally grown up in the business, mentored by her father, the late and highly respected theatrical manager and producer George MacPherson. We are hugely excited to bring her into our team at such an early stage in our

UK - After last week's PLASA Focus event in Leeds, Peavey Commercial Audio have been delighted with the reaction to the Digitool range of multiprocessors which were shipping the day following the show.

"Orders specifically for this product have been fantastic," commented Mark Coombes sales manager for Peavey Commercial Audio. "We knew the range would be a hit for us there but the response has been even better than we could ever have hoped."

The Digitool is now available in the following models: the MX16, featuring eight inputs and eight outputs; the MX32, featuring 16 inputs and 16 outputs; and the LIVE, featuring eight balanced XLR inputs and outputs for live-sound FOH applications. These all-new Digitool processors feature an updated, more powerful DSP engine, full-colour LCD screen, enhanced front-panel navigation, individual input and output mutes, and

UK - IAG UK - parent company of Wharfedale Pro and SurgeX as well as a range of quality British HiFi brands including Audiolab, Castle, Mission , Quad and Wharfedale - is relocating its separate sales and service centres from their current buildings in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, to an all-new, purpose-built complex, incorporating UK operations, to be combined under one roof for the first time. Warehousing and distribution will continue to operate from the existing 59,000sq ft Bradford premises.

Wholly owned by IAG, the new facility is almost twice the size of the existing office and service buildings combined - 16,300sq ft, compared to 9,200sq ft. Its purpose is to enable greater efficiency and allow future expansion, illustrating IAG's commitment to Europe and in particular the UK. "All IAGUK customers benefit from localised stock availability, service and spare parts whi

The Netherlands - Dutch PA company, SoundWorks, supplied 28 ME-1 personal monitor mixers for iconic singer, Lee Towers, who recently hosted concerts over several nights at the New Luxor Theatre in Rotterdam.

Monitor engineer, Jens Koolwijk, managed audio design on the project, and tested several personal monitor systems before selecting ME.

van Koolwijk commented: "The decision was an easy one - ME just works like clockwork! There's no hassle, it's easy to set up, and the audio quality is sublime."

An iLive iDR-16 MixRack was employed as a system management hub for the multiple ME mixers, using the Rack's MADI interface to connect to the main monitor mixer. 40 channels of MADI fed the iDR-16 giving access to a full blown iLive DSP system if adjustments were needed to the MADI stream. The iDR-16 was controlled using iLive Editor leaving the ACE connection free to fe

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