Germany - Work has scheduled two major product launches for ProLight & Sound 2014. One of the company's main products will be ARION 5, the new compact self-powered line array system that has recently joined the ARION 10 as part of the ARION Series. This new system, suitable for small and medium applications, is composed of four two-way satellites (SL 25), a self-powered tri-amplified subwoofer with built-in DSP (SL 115 SA) and a flying frame for rigging purpose. It gives high SPL and excellent frequency response.

ARION 5 includes a tri-amplified module that provides a complete control over each band. The amplifier offers three separated ways: 1000W for the subwoofer and 650W + 150W for the satellites (mid+high). It has integrated the new DSP module that allows to get the appropriated equalization by setting several parameters. The process is very accurate and is made through exc

Germany - It's going to be a very busy show for Outline, as they announce the launch of a whole raft of innovative new products at MusikMesse 2014 (stand J70, Hall 8.0).

The best-selling EIDOS range expands yet further with the addition of three new members, the X123W, the 6.5 and the 12 SP:

The EIDOS X123W is a classic multi-purpose problem-solver, combining high power with an asymmetric cabinet design allowing myriad applications. Its use of modern co-axial driver technology (12"/3" LF/HF) allows a very light and compact unit to deliver serious spl.

The EIDOS 6.5 is a super-compact 6.5" + 1" module designed for installation purposes, especially where space is limited but which also requires power and intelligibility. It is also available in virtually any colour to match surroundings where needed.

The EIDOS 12 SP is a very powerful multi-role device co

Germany - British pro-audio manufacturer, Audient will be using this year's Musikmesse to showcase ASP880, eight-channel microphone preamplifier and ADC, the first product to be released since Simon Blackwood's acquisition of the company at the end of 2013.

ASP880 features eight of Audient's renowned console mic pres, two JFET D.I instrument inputs, pristine converter technology, variable impedance and variable high pass filters, all part of a versatile feature set neatly packaged in a 1U rack mount unit.

Chief technical officer Tom Waterman explains, "Listening to feedback from Audient users has been essential. As a result, we worked closely with David Dearden to develop a brand new eight channel mic pre combined with the latest Burr-Brown converter technology to ensure the best sound quality throughout.

"ASP880 is the perfect front end to any DAW system" say

UK - Three of Universal's newest signings, Sons & Lovers, Eliza & The Bear and Fred Page, have just completed The Satellite Tour with an SSL Live console, supplied by HD Pro Audio.

Production for the 14 date UK tour was handled by Cato Music. Cato's FOH engineer, Jim King, needed a console to meet the tours specific requirements, which included a large number of outputs. He discussed the options with HD Pro's Andy Huffer and decided the SSL Live more than met all the tour's needs. Although new, its ease of operation also required only half a day's training for King to operate with confidence. "When new consoles go on tour we expect a few phone calls regarding operation," commented Huffer, "But we didn't get any on this tour thanks to a good engineer and the logic of the interface that SSL has designed for the Live

"It's a truly suburb console," said Ki

South Africa - Johnny Scholtz, has joined the DWR Distribution sales team. Johnny is a well known and respected lighting designer and has worked on various corporate events in Africa.

He initially joined the industry after completing a sound engineering course. "In fact, Peter Rieck, a friend of mine from high school, introduced me to the industry," recalls Johnny. Peter was working for MJ Event Gear at the time, and Johnny joined the company soon after. He stayed at MJ for 11 years, working himself up the corporate ladder and falling in love with lighting along the way. Johnny also freelanced for a couple of years thereafter.

"Now I'm on the other side," he says. "It's a new challenge in my life, and a time for moving and growing."

Says Duncan Riley from DWR, "I have always enjoyed Johnny's easy going nature. It has been great to see his t

UK - HHB Communications has installed the UK's first 24-channel Avid S6 M40 control surface in its subsidiary Scrub's demo room in Soho, London.

Customers are invited to arrange an appointment to view the full features of the S6 with HHB's knowledgeable Avid specialists in a 5.1 equipped facility. The 24-fader M40 offers a unique advantage by showcasing the full range of modules available in a large format console. Pro Tools, Nuendo and Logic are installed and available for S6 demonstrations.

The S6 console has revolutionised the control of Pro Tools and other DAWs by providing extensive visual feedback, an integrated touchscreen and superior ergonomics that provide faster mixing and intuitive control. By offering the best of industry leading ICON and System 5 families, S6 provides a truly immersive experience for the user.

Available in an array of pre-configured M10 and M40

USA - Metallica will expand its touring inventory with 76 units of the new MJF-210 stage monitor from Meyer Sound. The lightest self-powered stage monitor in the company's product line, the MJF-210 was developed to the exacting demands presented by the Metallica production team. The band's new monitors will first be used on its South American tour this spring.

Bringing the sonic performance of the MJF-212A stage monitor to a more compact package, the MJF-210 is the direct result of a collaborative effort between Meyer Sound and its customers in the field. Looking for a new solution to meet a series of on-stage reinforcement requirements, including weight, footprint, power, and clarity, the Metallica team turned to Meyer Sound. The team, including Dan Braun, show director, along with monitor engineer Bob Cowan and assistant monitor engineer Adam Correia, subsequently took part in

USA - Over the past 10 years on the road, touring sound engineer Sean Quackenbush has worked with such hard-touring bands as O.A.R. and Robert Randolph, along with a host of other groups. One of the biggest benefits of that experience has been the opportunity to use all the major brands of in-ear monitors. This has led him to the conclusion that for sound quality, comfort, and reliability, his clear preference is for Sensaphonics in-ear monitors (IEMs).

"I've had the chance to try them all, and there's really no comparison," he says. "It starts with sound quality. My job is to EQ an individual mix for each band member, so I want to hear everything accurately coming off the source," he says. "That's the only way to know for sure what I'm actually doing to the sound. Sensaphonics are so accurate, it lets me start with the truth, which helps me deliver the

Australia - The heritage-listed Newstead Gas Ring is an iconic piece of Brisbane's historical industrial architecture that is now at the hub of a major urban regeneration project, Gasworks, a plan started over two decades ago to transform the formally derelict post-industrial wasteland into a busy and vibrant contemporary living, working and commercial environment.

The newly launched Gasworks Plaza element of this project stands below the superstructure of the former gas storage ring which still majestically towers above the land below ... and has now been illuminated with over 500 Anolis LED lighting fixtures.

These bring its Victorian architecture to life in a spectacular lighting and sound installation concept bridging the gap between its former functionality and its new funkiness.

The old gasworks that once stood on the site adjacent to the Brisbane River was opened in 1

Germany - Solid State Logic is set to make several product announcements at Musikmesse/Prolight + Sound 2014. Located for the first time ever in Hall 8 at Stand L80, the company has announced the imminent release of new V2 Software for the SSL Live console, which introduces a substantial collection of significant new features. This includes enhancements to the Output Matrix, Effects Rack, User Interface, Routing, Solo System and Focus Channel, as well as a comprehensive Offline Setup application.

SSL is also presenting a trio of major new developments for its Duende Native range of plug-ins. The three new plug-ins complement the existing range, with two plug-ins (X-Saturator and X-ValveComp) designed to bring some analogue saturation and distortion emulation to your digital DAW and the third (X-Phase) delivering high precision frequency specific phase correction.

Lastly, the c

Canada - DPA Microphones has confirmed the appointment of GerrAudio as its Canadian distributor. GerrAudio is an established distributor of professional audio equipment for the live performance and broadcast industries across Canada. The company represents some of the industry's leading wired and wireless intercom, digital mixing console, signal processing and audio test and measurement equipment brands.

"We are very fortunate to be chosen to represent DPA Microphones in Canada," says Bob Snelgrove, president of GerrAudio. "The quality and performance of the company's mics are consistent with GerrAudio's long-standing philosophy of bringing quality audio solutions to the technical teams that support highly creative artists.

This partnership with GerrAudio signals DPA Microphones' continued commitment toward growth and customer service throughout North America. T

Germany - Building on the legacy of their PRO3, PRO6 and PRO9 digital consoles, Midas announced at ProLight+Sound, Frankfurt, the new PRO X - billed as 'the touring engineer's dream console'. The Neutron engine is capable of up to 800 audio channels, which can be routed on a point-to-point basis - and that routing can be changed, even on individual automation scenes.

AES50 and HyperMAC audio networking combine deterministic and ultra-low latency performance with true 'Plug and Play' connectivity, minimising set-up and configuration times - essential when playing a different venue every night, says the company.

On its own, the PRO X provides 168 inputs and 99 mix or 103 output channels simultaneously on a control surface that measures less than 1.5m, or 60° wide. This compact form-factor is ideal where space comes at a premium, but high I/O counts are a must. AES50 digital

Germany - Following the launch of the Xone:23 earlier this year, Allen & Heath has announced the introduction of a sister product, the Xone:23C. Also a two channel mixer, the Xone:23C features the same pro features as the Xone:23, with the addition of a four stereo channel internal soundcard, X:LINK to connect compatible Xone products, and ships with a copy of Mixvibes Cross LE software.

The 96kHz 24bit four stereo channel USB soundcard enables replay and recording from any chosen DJ software, offering users all the benefits of digital DJing using the controls of a "real" mixer. The bundled Mixvibes Cross LE software also enables two-deck DVS control, and plug 'n play connection of a Xone:K series controller, premapped ready for use.

The Xone:23C also features the renowned analogue Voltage Control Filter (VCF) system, offering Low-Pass and High-Pass filters, frequenc

UK - Bradford-based hire, sales and installation specialists Pro Audio Systems are the first member of Meyer Sound's UK family to take delivery of the manufacturer's brand new MJF-210 stage monitor.

Joining an extensive existing PAS inventory of Meyer Sound equipment which includes Milo, 700-HP subwoofers and quantities of Ultra-Series products as well as MSL-4s, Industrial Series products, Galileo controllers and much else, the new monitors are being immediately deployed on several hires. As with all Pro Audio Systems hire equipment they will be supplied to hirers in a fully road-ready package.

The MJF-210 is extremely compact for a device with such high power handling, containing two 10" LF transducers plus a 4" diaphragm compression driver mounted on a 50 x 70 (horizontal x vertical)-degree CD horn and is powered by an internal 3-channel Class D amplifier.

Pro A

UK - Sennheiser UK is offering two, two hour, entry level RF training sessions in conjunction with suppliers of professional equipment to the touring industry, Tour Supply.

Taking place at Tour Supply's Manchester office at 10.30am and 2pm on 18 March, the sessions are open to technicians and anyone else interested in the topic. They will be run by Sennheiser UK's chief engineer Andrew Lillywhite and will deliver hints and tips on how to best set up and use wireless microphones, in-ear monitors, plus a round-up of Sennheiser's current RF products.

Tour Supply will also have a number of one-day-only special offers on Sennheiser products for session attendees.

"We're delighted to be able to offer these sessions," says Tour Supply's 'Big Al' Mouat. "Our mission is to provide touring professionals the best possible equipment when and where they need it. Being able

China - Allen & Heath's iLive digital products were selected to be installed in the new office building of Hebei Mobile Communications Co., Ltd, in Shijiazhuang, China.

The installation was managed by Sanecore, who decided to use an Allen & Heath digital mixer as the heart of the whole system, with the addition of multiple digital base stations, in order to satisfy the requirement of room combination and audio synchronization, while providing audio quality superior to any typical A/V matrix.

Four iDR-16 MixRacks were installed, one for an inspection room, one for the emergency command centre, and two for monitoring in the hall. Real time audio communication between multiple rooms was established using Allen & Heath's proprietary ACETM point-to-point audio network technology.

An iLive-R72 Control Surface and two iDR-16 mixers were installed for the PA system in the command ce

Germany - Dynaudio Professional is introducing four new near-field monitors, mounting solutions and two new precision subwoofers at the Musikmesse / ProLight+Sound 2014 this week. The new near-field monitors include BM Compact mkIII, BM5 mkIII, BM6 mkIII and BM12 mkIII and on the subwoofer side, BM9S II and BM14S II.

Still made in Denmark, Dynaudio Professional's BM range has become a pro audio industry standard since its introduction 15 years ago. Since then, continuous improvements to this series have been made to further support discerning professionals' needs for transparent, highly responsive and non-fatiguing listening monitors. This new series is the next step in that evolution.

The smaller BM Compact mkIII and BM5 mkIII models both feature expanded frequency response and SPL thanks to a combination of improvements including drivers design and Class D amplifiers. Each i

Germany - The d&b ArrayCalc simulation software is the planning tool for d&b systems; a comprehensive toolbox for all tasks associated with electroacoustic design, performance prediction, alignment, safety parameters and rigging plots. In the decade since ArrayCalc was first established, many significant improvements have been introduced; hosting numerous new features, ArrayCalc V7.6 is no exception.

Amongst these, improved room data input to define listening planes in three dimensions, the xC-Series column loudspeakers, as well as the D80 amplifier along with export functions into the new d&b R1 Remote control software V2; downloadable at www.dbaudio.com.

Now called Venue, the room input control enables the user to create a representation of the audience areas in a given venue in three dimensions. Since the world is round this includes typical listening planes, arenas, balcon

Germany - Clear-Com has announced today the launch of ProGrid, a fibre-based infrastructure system that will enable users to transport and distribute audio, intercom, video and control data. The introduction of the new products means that, in addition to its communications systems, Clear-Com can now provide end-to-end solutions for many types of installations that require signal distribution.

Bob Boster, president, Clear-Com, said, "ProGrid represents a major advancement for Clear-Com and its customers. As the trusted, go-to brand for voice communication systems, we can now go one step further and provide our customers with the distribution backbone for any kind of installation, from live events and theatrical presentations to broadcasts and sports events, with the additional benefit of the unrivalled global support network for which Clear-Com is renowned."

ProGrid i

Germany - Cadac announced the appointment of Rob Hughes as UK sales manager, with immediate effect, at Prolight+Sound. At the same time the company revealed it was establishing its own UK distribution with a select dealer network.

Speaking on the company's stand at Prolight+Sound, Hughes said, "I am very excited to be joining such an iconic British brand as Cadac, with a great heritage of designing and manufacturing fantastic products over its long history. I am especially proud to be joining a fantastic team of people at the company, and am confident of their taking it forward and regaining its rightful place at the very top of the market. With that in mind, I am particularly looking forward to being involved with the success of the new range of digital products."

Hughes career began as a freelance FOH engineer, working for the likes of Tourco, and SSE on numerous t

Germany - Cerwin-Vega!, part of Gibson Brands unveiled its new P1000X 10-inch Powered Loudspeaker, the latest addition to its P-Series line, at Musikmesse/Prolight + Sound 2014 (Hall 5.1, Stand A82).

A more compact version of the original P1500X Loudspeaker, the P1000X is suited for a variety of sound reinforcement applications, from live concerts to public speaking. The company is also featuring the newest additions to its popular XD Powered Desktop speaker series, which comprises the XD4 and XD5 Speakers and accompanying XD8s Subwoofer.

Featuring many of the same controls as its predecessor, the P1000X Powered Loudspeaker is a two-way, bi-amped, full-range bass-reflex speaker that employs a 10-inch woofer and high-frequency compression driver. Powered by a custom 1000W Class-D amp, the P1000X has a proprietary hemi-conical horn that provides enhanced sound clarity over an ev

UK - Sound innovation companies Dolby Laboratories and Avid Technology have teamed up to celebrate excellence in sound post production and sound design in student films.

Dolby creates audio, video and voice technologies that transform entertainment and communications in the cinema, in mobile devices, at home and at work. The company is launching a new Dolby Award for Best Sound with the National Film and Television School (NFTS) to recognise excellence in sound mixing, sound editing and sound design in a student short film. The winner will have the opportunity to present their next feature film at Dolby's Dolby Atmos screening room in Soho where many established filmmakers showcase their movies.

The competition is open to the NFTS Sound Design students graduating in 2014, whose short films will be judged by a jury of Dolby's own sound consultants. All of the entered films will

UK - West London based lighting and sound rental and production specialist Entec Sound & Light supplied a full production package for the 2014 Bhangra Showdown event staged at London's Hammersmith Apollo venue by Imperial College's Punjabi Society.

The vibrant event is a full-on dance competition that showcases the colour, style and energy of Bhangra, with eight of the best university Bhangra dance teams in the UK battling for the title. Entec has been involved right since the start of the show in 2008.

This year, the organizers seriously upped the ante when it came to the production and profile of the event which was presented by BBC Radio's Sunny & Shay and also featured live performances from Jaz Dhami and 2010 Britain's Got Talent winners, Spelbound.

Entec asked Simon Tutchener to create a new and eye-catching lighting scheme for the show which included five columns of u

UK - Former Westlife front man Shane Filan is currently out on his debut solo tour, complete with another first - a sizeable touring speaker system from Flare Audio. This is the first major tour to use Flare Audio's X5 line array, configured with six X5As and four Q18 bass units aside, powered by Lab.gruppen PLM20000Q four channel DSP amplifiers. With industry veteran Steve Levitt at the production helm, Shane Filan is taking in 18 cities around the UK and Eire, finishing in the star's home city of Dublin on 14th March.

Supported by Orbital Sound, the Flare Audio rig represents an extremely compact system that is fully capable of handling the tour's diverse venues. Steve Levitt has been putting the X5A/Q18 rig through its paces, commenting:

"I am really excited by this Flare Audio system on several levels. Not only is it just about as pure a sound as you can get, but it a

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