Tax Relief - The government's forthcoming theatre tax relief scheme will help to revive regional theatre and ensure the industry's success is felt across the country and not just in London's West End, Chancellor George Osborne has said. Speaking at Theatre Royal Brighton ahead of the tax scheme which came into effect yesterday (1September), Osborne said he hoped the initiative would put a stop to the decline of regional theatre and touring productions by making it easier to put on these shows.

Osborne said: "Regional productions have dropped off over many years - even though the West End has been very strong in London - and I want to change that around. I want to make sure we get the benefit of our great theatre industry and our culture felt all over the country. More job opportunities for those working in the theatre sector as well as those working in the tourist industry

Spain - Noted for its eclectic line-up, Primavera is an annual music festival which takes place in the Parc del Fòrum leisure site in Barcelona, close to the Balearic coastline. One of the largest music festivals in Spain, Primavera audiences are regularly in excess of 100,000.

This year, long-time Primavera audio provider Twin Cam Audio specified L-Acoustics for five of the festival's seven stages. Right from the beginning, Twin Cam's technical director, Juan Cid worked hand in hand with L-Acoustics touring application engineer Frédéric Bailly, to jointly design all five stages.

Twin Cam chose Primavera to debut their newly acquired compact and lightweight K2 audio system. K1 along with K2 provided the one-two audio punch enabling them to offer a more powerful, accurate and versatile system than previously.

The core main stage setup (Sony Stage) was flown wit

UK - The combination of a small footprint, exceptional processing power, Dante networking and local i/o makes Yamaha's QL series digital consoles ideal for the Festival Fringe - Edinburgh's annual smorgasbord of the inspired, the ingenious and the idiosyncratic. This year, six QLs enjoyed a month of exceptionally hard work throughout August with multi-venue operator Pleasance.

The Fringe is renowned as a difficult taskmaster on both equipment and staff alike. A month of relentless hard work, with shows continually playing from morning through to the early hours of the following day, staff have to grab sleep where they can and equipment is invariably left powered up for the duration.

Add into that mix many of the venues are in 'found' spaces, or parts of university buildings, that aren't designed for live shows and the size of the task becomes even more apparent.

"It's a

Italy - TC Group has confirmed the appointment of Prase Engineering as the exclusive distributor of Lab.gruppen and Lake for Italy from 1 September, adding to the company's successful relationship with fellow TC Group brand, Tannoy.

The deal will see Prase Engineering, located in Venice, become the primary contact for all three brands in the country from September, with exclusive access to extensive library of Lab.gruppen and Lake amplification and processing products adding to their exclusive access to high performance loudspeaker ranges from Tannoy.

Ennio Prase, CEO of Prase Engineering, commented: "We have had a very strong working relationship with TC Group via the Tannoy brand for some time, so it is a joy to finally add products from Lab.gruppen and Lake to the offering for our customers. Both of these brands have a strong reputation for quality, and we look forward

UK - PLASA Media, sponsor of the PLASA Awards, has announced the shortlist of nominees for this year's prestigious Gottelier Award. The winner will be announced at the PLASA Show in London (5-8 October, ExCeL London).

Named in honour of the late Tony Gottelier, the industry innovator and commentator who passed away in 2006, the Gottelier Award is for our industry's product developers who have made significant and sustained contributions to the advancement of entertainment, presentation or installation technology - whether in audio, lighting, rigging, staging, or any other related field.

The nominees for 2014 are:

Richard Belliveau

As one of the co-founders of Texas-based lighting manufacturer High End Systems, and still leading the company's product developments today, Belliveau has been behind a long line of successful products from the company, from the Color Pro,

UK - London-based audio consulting firm RH Consulting, has announced a major addition to its team in the form of renowned consultant, Richard Northwood. Northwood's integration into RH Consulting is effective immediately.

Richard Northwood brings 30 years of experience working on projects including Wembley, Ascot, Nokia, Oman Opera house and very many more. His reputation throughout the industry is exemplary as one of the audio industry's most respected consultants.

"We've been talking about working together for quite some time, so it's great that we have now finally made it official," commented Northwood. "Roland and I have already worked together on a number of projects and our skills are very complementary."

(Jim Evans)

The Netherlands - British image processing specialists, Calibre UK will launch their new Fovea-F1 broadcast grade motion estimated and motion compensated standards (MEMC) convertor at the upcoming IBC 2014 trade show in Amsterdam.

To extend its global launch, Calibre has signed a global distribution agreement with Imagine Communications.

Calibre's Fovea has been updated to the new Fovea-F1 model with an all-new web browser interface including real-time status reporting. A new compact, functional and versatile design incorporates easy-to-navigate quick access to key controls.

The existing ability to select different MEMC levels has been greatly enhanced with MEMC presets for virtually all key types of content - a valuable tool for a broadcaster or post-house for frame rate conversion. Additionally, it is now possible to seamlessly change between MEMC content type presets live

USA - Building on the success of its first Meyer Sound M'elodie line array loudspeaker system installed seven years ago, Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn. has implemented a second M'elodie system in its 300-seat Wolf Den showroom.

"We bought 16 M'elodies to use as main arrays in our Cabaret Theatre, and that experience made me a big fan of Meyer Sound," says Mat Diamond, head of audio at Mohegan Sun. "So when it came time to upgrade the Wolf Den, choosing M'elodie again was an easy decision."

To cover the 300-degree audience area, the new system features two main arrays of six M'elodie loudspeakers each, two side arrays of four each, and four for front-fill. Four 700-HP subwoofers provide low end, with system drive and alignment provided by a Galileo Callisto loudspeaker management system. The system was supplied by HB Communications of North Haven, C

Sweden - One Direction has arguably been the most successful band in the world this decade. They are the first act to have all their first three albums debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 200 list and their latest album Midnight Memories was the best selling album of 2013 according to IFPI.

For the 2014 Where We Are Tour, FOH engineer Mark Littlewood and monitor engineer Ant Carr decided to add four Milab DC-96B's to the line-up.

Says Ant, "I'd never used Milab before we started rehearsals. Mark had put them on the input list for overheads and I was willing to give them a try. I like to build drum mixes in in-ears starting with the overheads, it's important to me to get a balanced mix of cymbals and drums without too much ambience outside of the kit and then mix in the direct mics. The DC-96B has such a smooth response and accurate pick up pattern, it g

Denmark - As part of a competition beginning today, DPA Microphones is giving 100 lucky people the chance to win a d:screet Necklace Microphone, which was launched earlier this year. The competition, running on DPA's Facebook page and Web site, asks contestants to come up with an ingenious idea for how and where to use the d:screet Necklace Microphone.

Five microphones will be awarded to the five most "liked" submissions on Facebook, while the remaining 95 will be given to the people who, in DPA's opinion, come up with the best, most creative and most original ideas. An example of one of the ideas can be found at this YouTube video, created by DPA Microphones: http://bit.ly/1ll1KBQ.

By housing a d:screet 4061 Omnidirectional Miniature Capsule in a soft rubber necklace, DPA has created a microphone that anyone can use. There is no need to worry about attaching it to c

Romania - Most nights of the year, Banffy Castle sits dark in the heart of Transylvania. After centuries of hosting only the most elite in Romanian society, the fortress has been left to face recent years alone. That is until the castle was plugged into the current generation. From June 19-22, nearly 80,000 people flooded the Electric Castle for a weekend of full-on dayglow, DJs, and dance music. With five stages and 130 artists, Banffy Castle set out to throw the party of the summer.

"To get ready for Electric Castle, we travelled to many different festivals throughout Europe," said artistic director of Electric Castle Festival, Teodor Negrea. "I always pay attention to the sound. I have to say, once we got Set Up, a local d&b audiotechnik system provider on our team, we were able to bring our festival to the next level. Our audio was on par or better than any fe

UK - Telecommunications and intercom solutions provider, 2N has released its new 914075E Net Streamer (2N Net Streamer), which is available in the UK through leading AV distributor, CIE-Group. The 914075E Net Streamer is a state-of-the-art analogue to IP audio signal converter, which allows standard audio sources such as CD, radio, mic or any other line-in source, to be converted to an IP signal, then integrated into a NetSpeaker audio-over-IP system. The system is ideal for large commercial operations looking to upgrade to audio-over-IP.

The concept of using audio-over-IP technology means that nearly any audio signal can be converted for distribution over a standard Cat5e/6/7 cable infrastructure via LAN, WAN or Web, allowing for extended use over large properties and sites. The 914075E Net Streamer eliminates the risk of losing sound quality and content when sending audio over

UK - Pioneer has added to its range of professional DJ monitoring headphones with the new on-ear HDJ-C70. The HDJ-C70s feature high-quality audio components to deliver 'crystal clear', true sound across the frequencies, even at high volumes, say Pioneer.

The lightweight headphones feature a flexible headband and rotatable housings to support every style of monitoring. An innovative sound-isolation chamber, inherited from the HDJ-1500s, eliminates background noise to enable accurate monitoring in even the liveliest of clubs, the company says.

Other features include newly-developed 40mm aperture drivers, neodymium magnets, copper-clad aluminium wire voice coils and a 2,000mW input capacity to "eliminate distortion, even with the volume cranked up".

The headphones come with two detachable, anti-tangle cords (one straight and one curled) and a handy carry pouch. Plus,

Australia - APG Australia, exclusive distributor of Tannoy, Lab.gruppen and Lake brands for Australia and New Zealand, recently took part in the Integrate Expo in Sydney, where they took the opportunity to present the best of TC Group's install and tour product ranges to an international list of attendees.

The three-day show - which took place at the end of August - also gave APG the chance to showcase brand synergies and user potential, both in their extensive floor space on the show floor and in the Technology Training sessions offered at Integrate.

Nik Buchanan, product manager at APG, commented: "As the TC Group brand manager for Australia and New Zealand, I was particularly excited to demonstrate the obvious synergies between Lab.gruppen, Lake and Tannoy. From cost-effective solutions involving LUCIA and CVS series, through to performance systems involving PLM and VX

USA - Since its founding in 1926, The Atlanta History Centre has helped preserve the legacy of the South's largest city and its surrounding region. Through a grant from The Goizueta Foundation, the Centre has expanded its community outreach efforts with a historical theatre series.

The History Centre's 400-seat Woodruff Auditorium was planned as the venue for this programme, but significant upgrades were required to support that use. This led Cape Dixson Associates (CDAI), the Atlanta-based AV and acoustical consultant that has worked with the Centre on its audio and acoustical needs for 25 years, to choose a Panaray MA12 modular line array system from Bose Professional Systems.

CDAI had helped the History Centre upgrade the acoustics of the 1960s-vintage space when the auditorium was renovated in 2001; however, that renovation budget did not include upgrading the audiovisual

USA - This summer American singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne has been playing in sheds across the country promoting his latest album, Supernova. The popular performer is accompanied by a four piece band and reinforced by a full Adamson Energia sound reinforcement system provided by Highland Heights, Ohio-based Eighth Day Sound.

This tour was the first time that Jon Lemon, FOH engineer, used a complete Adamson system. Having used the E15 line array enclosures when he was out with Smashing Pumpkins, he was delighted with the addition of the new E12 line array enclosures and E218 subwoofer.

"When I checked out the new E12 I was surprised how similar it sounded to the E15 and how even it was through the full bandwidth - I was impressed," Lemon explains. "It was seamless and couples together with the E15 quite nicely. The new E218 subwoofer completed the packag

UK - Hampshire-based production company, LTN Productions, has recently invested in an Inspired Audio Optima 5 array system, supplied by Inspired Audio UK distributors, LMC Audio.

Speaking from the recent Boxford Masques 2014 event that took place against the backdrop of Welford Park, Hampshire, Dominic Blinston, director and Jon Wiles, project manager of LTN Productions discuss their recent investment in Inspired Audio Optima 5.

Blinston explains: "JP [Cavaco, sales manager at LMC Audio] got in contact with us at a time when I was looking for a larger system. We had looked at various systems but many were outside of our budget. It was great timing on JP's part that he called up on a day when I was having a moan about the cost of systems! He put us in touch with Chris Scott of Inspired Audio who we then went up to see and listen to an Optima 5 system with. Our first though

UK - Grammy award winning producer, Steve Levine has been using his new Audient ASP880 to mix the live tracks from his Assembly Point Sessions recorded at Liverpool International Music Festival last month, which featured live performances by Boy George, Mark King, Bernard Butler, Tim Burgess, Hollie Cook, Mary Epworth and Natalie McCool, as well as Levine himself demonstrating a live recording session.

"I used ASP880 on drums for the pre-production for the real-time session, and I'm now mixing the live tracks for the video with the Audient unit. One of the reasons I chose the ASP880 was because of the digital inserts," he explains, particularly impressed by the quality of the Audient ADC converters. "I'm using it as a way of adding eight analogue outboard legacy effects such as the H3000 (which bands really love) or my AMS Phaser, both when recording and mixing. I

Denmark - Pascal has announced the launch of two new extension modules for its popular S-PRO2 power amplifier module, with immediate availability: the 2 x 500W S-A2 and 1x 500W S-A1. The new boards enable a range of new highly cost effective power configurations for self-powered and multi-channel amplifier applications, says the company.

The S-A2 and S-A1 extension modules function as additional identical amplifier output channels for the S-PRO2, powered by the S-PRO2 power supply. Pascal UMAC class-D technology ensures that any S-PRO2 + S-A1/2 configuration delivers true audiophile performance, with high signal-to-noise, ultra-low distortion and exemplary frequency response specifications. While Pascal UREC power supply technology and PFC functionality provides universal mains and regulation, for worldwide AC mains compatibility and consistent power performance.

With the new

USA - Stewart Audio has introduced a family of four low-wattage, networked amplifiers that address the need for lower channel count support at the local amplification stage. The new series brings the benefits of power-efficient digital audio networking to an underserved customer base, where consultants, systems integrators, dealers and end users require simple, affordable networked amplifier solutions scaled for smaller zones. This provides an affordable and reliable option to the larger, high-wattage amplifiers for high channel counts that permeate the market.

"To date, the market has lacked an affordable way to position networked amplifiers at endpoints," said Brian McCormick, chief marketing officer, Stewart Audio. "Our new family of compact amplifiers create a cost-efficient way to run Cat 5 or Cat 6 cable to local zones, allowing our customers to enjoy the be

The Netherlands - Females in the Broadcast Industry is a new event for IBC 2014. Sponsored by Ross Video, it aims to bring together the industry's women and associations to create a lively and thought-provoking panel discussion and networking lunch.

The panel will discuss what companies and the industry are doing to attract women to the industry and asks: Is this enough? How do we educate the next generation of women for non-traditional female roles? And what can those of us already working in this fabulous/exciting do to encourage more women to join us? The event is open to all women and men attending the IBC exhibition.

Panelists currently include: Sadie Groom (MD, Bubble & Squeak), Lesley Johnson (operations director, BBC Worldwide), Laura Thommen (VP enterprise sales, MelroseTec), Carrie Wootten (head of commercial development, Ravensbourne) and Nicki Fisher (sales

USA - When Telemundo's third annual Premios Tu Mundo awards show took to the stage at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Professional Wireless Systems (PWS) was on hand to support the star-studded spectacular, providing RF equipment and on-site expertise for the red carpet, morning show and live broadcast of the pop culture awards programme.

Premios Tu Mundo is an awards show that celebrates Latin pop culture and combines the power of television, web, mobile and social media platforms to give fans the final say in what's hot in everything that moves and inspires them, including novelas, music, fashion, movies and sports. The red carpet pre-show featured celebrities such as Yandel, Juanes and David Bisbal, to name a few.

"Since the show's inception three years ago, the PWS team has been providing a range of wireless equipment along with its expert frequenc

UK - Creating more than 21,000 hours of television and more than 30,000 hours of radio annually, IMG is the largest independent producer of sports programming in the world. Its biggest programme of 2014, however, has been the relocation of its UK operation to new facilities on the outskirts of London, and the installation of what is reckoned to be the largest digital audio network currently being used by any broadcaster.

Requiring "everything everywhere", the network is centred on a Lawo Nova73 router using net links to serve no fewer than 15 mc²56 MkII digital mixing consoles.

All studios, production galleries and client service areas are conveniently situated within close proximity of each other on the ground floor of the new building. Taking just nine months to build, equip and commission, the facility includes four HD broadcast TV studios ranging from 1000-sq-ft

UK - A total of 12 Roland M-48 Live Personal Mixers played an integral part in the sound design for the recent Monty Python Live shows at the O2 Arena.

Facilitator, sound designer and engineer Rory Madden specified the personal mixing and monitoring solutions from Roland for his latest sound design project having used them for the UK and European tour of We Will Rock You and for The Commitments in London's West End. The M-48's were supplied by Madden's own rental and production company, Sonalyst.

As one of the first engineers to use the M-48's in quantity for live musical production, Madden chose the M-48's initially for We Will Rock You after comparing the Roland products to other similar offerings in the market. "The M-48's were a lot better in terms of sound quality than the competition. They had lots to play with and loads of cool features,"

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