The Netherlands - At ISE 2020, Yamaha will be highlighting its support for both the entertainment and enterprise markets with its range of high end, integrated solutions.
Yamaha’s digital mixing systems will be on show, including Rivage PM and the latest V5.5 firmware for CL/QL series digital mixers, which supports ProVisionaire Control/Touch, the latest version 3.6.0 enabling complete control over the entire network chain, from mixers through to amplifiers (including Yamaha’s PC Series and the Nexo NXAMP4X4MK2), processors and speakers.
The new white models of the flagship DZR/CZR series loudspeakers and DXS XLF/CXS XLF subwoofers will also be shown in Europe for the first time, following their launch at the NAMM Show in January. The powered DZR range comprises eight full-range models and four DXS XLF subwoofers, including ‘D’ versions that feature onboard Dan

Norway - An Allen & Heath dLive mixing solution has been installed at Share Oslo, a technology business hub and event space in the Norwegian capital, which has recently undergone a major audio upgrade.
Share Oslo’s facilities span four main zones and are used for workshops, live performances, yoga classes and business events. With many different clients accessing the venue, the system needed to be as simple to use as possible, allowing users to run presentations, control levels and choose sources without the aid of a technician.
The compact, flexible solution supplied by Benum Norway comprises an Allen & Heath dLive DM0 MixRack, fitted with a Dante card and three IP1 wall mounted remote controllers.
“We needed to design an audio distribution system entirely based on AOIP (Dante), but also needed features such as AMM, Dynamic EQ, freely configurable bu

Ireland - Set in Dublin’s Docklands, The Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD) is a multi award-winning venue that has hosted more than 1,850 events since it opened in 2010.
The CCD has recently invested in multiple DiGiCo S21 consoles, supplied by the manufacturer’s Irish distributor, Rea Sound. According to Pat Crowley, one of the venue’s technical production managers who specialises in audio, the CCD works with five-star equipment for a five-star venue, with high-quality sound and user-friendliness.
The venue had looked to DiGiCo from the very beginning, initially investing in an SD7 and three SD8s, but it had been looking for a smaller, more compact console for a number of years. When DiGiCo launched the S-Series, Crowley knew the S21 ticked all the right boxes.
“We have a lot of users who are AV trained, but not necessarily well up on the sound end of

Saudi Arabia - Technical event production specialist LarMac LIVE recently delivered its largest ever project when MDL Beast welcomed over 130,000 festivalgoers to the outskirts of Riyadh for three-days of electronic music - pitching the festival straight into the top three biggest EDM events in the world.
LarMac LIVE answered the call from LemonX in late September 2019. Only 10-weeks later, it was showtime.
Company co-founder Ian Greenway explains: “The backbone to our business is multi-artist, multi-stage shows - large-scale festivals and TV shows. We like to think that we know how to keep multiple artists and stakeholders happy, usually in very changeable environments, and all of these skills were used like never before here.”
Spread over five stages - ranging from the 2,000-capacity Saudi Beast to the 45,000-capacity Big Beast - the festival was held on a

Canada - Symetrix has announced the appointment of Quebec-based AVL Media Group as its sole distributor in Canada.
AVL Media Group caters to the live performance, broadcast, and AV integration markets across the country.
“Canadian customers look for high-value, high-quality products that offer long-term reliability and clear value,” comments AVL Media Group managing director Andrew Hope. “The combination of AVL Media Group’s strong national presence for sales, support, and service and Symetrix’s established reputation for high quality reliable and scalable DSP solutions is going to be a huge success.”
“AVL Media Group has a great team in place who are enthusiastic about Symetrix,” says Ty Robinson, Symetrix international & sales operations manager. “We are really looking forward to our partnership with AVL Media and seeing how far they ca

UK - Audiologic has been awarded exclusive rights to distribute QSC live sound products in the UK.
Harlow-based Audiologic has been a QSC industry market partner since June 2018, distributing the QSC Systems portfolio as well as providing system design and validation services along with commissioning support, warranty services, and training.
Andy Lewis, Audiologic’s managing director, comments: “Over the past two years, we have demonstrated real in-market value for QSC with their systems portfolio. We now look forward to providing the same high levels of expert service and customer support with QSC live sound products, to create the exceptional user experience our end customers have come to expect.”
Duncan Savage, managing director, QSC UK & Ireland, adds: “As the QSC brand grows, our distribution model and go to market strategies must evolve. Audio

UK - TechPro, a provider of lighting, video and sound services for the live events industry has announced Yvonne England as its new client account manager.
England, who brings more than a decade’s experience to the role, will be responsible for strengthening relationships with existing and new clients, as the business looks to build on its growing success working with live event agencies.
England comments: “TechPro appears to be one of the live event industries best kept secrets and ensuring prospects and clients understand everything we can do to make their lives a little easier will be an exciting challenge.
“Working closely with the directors and the marketing team, it’s important we not only explain what we do, but listen carefully to them to understand how we can make the workload of event agency teams simpler.”
TechPro director Rob Stokes

The Netherlands - MXL Microphones will showcase a selection of new web conferencing microphones and systems at ISE.
Products making their debut include the AC-44 USB Web Conferencing Mic and the MXL AC-44 LCR multi-microphone system for use with a Zoom Room Speaker Switch. MXL is also expanding on its AC-360 conferencing line with a new ceiling mount, giving integrators and end users even more flexibility for installation in a range of meeting rooms. The AC-360 will be mounted into the ceiling of MXL’s ISE booth throughout the show in order to showcase the mic’s versatile placement capability.
MXL will introduce the latest addition to its popular line of USB conferencing microphones, the MXL AC-44. With a compact footprint measuring only 2.5x3-inches, and 1-inch tall, the AC-44 is a solution for any limited space application including huddle and conference rooms. T

The Netherlands - The Apex CloudPower Series will debut at ISE 2020. The proprietary Class-D amplifier control loop features DirectDrive technology and low intermodulation figures resulting in wide stereo imaging.
Web-based control is easily available via the WebUI accessible from any HTML5-capable browser (MAC, PC, IOS, Android) thanks to the amplifier’s built-in WiFi hotspot, or via a standard CAT5 cable connection to a local area network. Multiple amplifiers can be controlled through the same webUI using the trusted and comprehensive workflow of Apex’s intuitive Intelli-Ware software package. By logging into the Apex Cloud, amplifiers can be remotely controlled and monitored from anywhere, thus saving integrators time and money by eliminating the need for a site visit to monitor performance or adjust settings.
Four models with power ratings ranging from 350W to

Australia - The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) is the largest facility of its type outside of a capital city in Australia. With event spaces including a main arena with capacity for 6,000, four exhibition halls, and 22 meeting rooms, the Centre hosts everything from major sporting events, to professional conferences, to small corporate meetings. It’s a major user of radio microphones, which might be called on for anything from a PowerPoint presentation for six, to the Eurovision 2019 Australia Decides contest, which it hosted in February 2019.
As part of its ongoing equipment life cycle management, the GCCEC has spent the last two years preparing and then rolling out changes and updates to all of its existing radio microphone and RF management equipment. With the Centre being a high-profile, high-density user, and the background RF environment of the

UK - Old Barn Audio (OBA) recently turned to Martin Audio’s CDD series to overcome a challenging situation at the refurbished St. Joseph’s College Chapel in Ipswich. The majestic Ipswich chapel, forced to close for three years when it fell into disrepair, has finally been brought back to life after a major revamp costing £750,000. Written into the upgrade programme was the provision for a new sound system.
The chapel itself belongs to the independent school, St. Joseph’s College, who approached OBA as the result of a recommendation.
OBA project manager Phil Clark’s first site visit revealed a pyramid shaped building, with no internal walls, and thus no fixing points, and a 60-metre high pitch. His solution was to install three clusters of three CDD8, pointing in each direction and carefully angled to suit the dispersion requirement. Two further CDD8 are positi

Tunisia - Famed for serving as Luke Skywalker's hometown of Mos Espa in the original Star Wars trilogy, Ong Jmal in Nefta, Tunisia, is a festival location like no other. Once a year, for the last three years, the area’s sand dunes and traditional domed houses become the temporary backdrop for a non-stop, 30-hour rave; this year featuring some 30 electronic artists including headliners Luciano and Apollonia, and a host of others such as Astrid, Ben & Lola, Mehmet Aslan and Fantastic Twins.
The festival, known as Les Dunes Electroniques, is organised by the team behind Plages Electroniques in the French Riviera, and has been touted as the event to put Tunisia on the global festival map.
After running into a handful of audio-related issues in their first two outings, this year the production team brought in PAL Pro Audio Light as the festival’s technical p

Macao - To deliver intelligible sound for the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Macao’s return to China, AV integrator Macao Chi Fu Lighting & Audio Technology Co recently equipped the Macao East Asian Games Dome with a JBL Professional by Harman audio system.
To mark the return, the former Portuguese colony held a dinner reception and inauguration ceremony at the Macao East Asian Games Dome. At the ceremony, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People's Republic of China delivered a speech honouring the anniversary and the inauguration of the fifth administration of the Macao Special Administrative Region.
AV integrators Macao Chi Fu Lighting & Audio Technology were commissioned to design and install an audio system featuring JBL loudspeakers and Crown amplifiers, supplied by Advanced Communication Equipment (Inte

The Netherlands - UK-based NST Audio will launch its new VMO16 16-in 16-out audio installation processor at ISE. Designed using NST second-generation DSP designs, the VMO16 brings no-compromise audio performance and system control to Dante networked audio installations, says the company.
“Our D-Net control software for PC, Mac and iPad gives complete control over ethernet and wi-fi,” comments NST managing director Dan Cartman. “The VMO16 is also fully compatible with our VR1 PoE (Power over Ethernet) remote control panel for simple, flexible user control, while control via third party systems such as Crestron is available via our simple ethernet control protocol.”
The VMO16 provides a total of 16 discrete inputs, and a full 16 x 16 matrix which allows any Dante network inputs to be routed to any of the 16 analogue outputs. All outputs are equipped with 16 bands

The Netherlands - Genelec will be showcasing two Smart IP loudspeaker models at the forthcoming ISE tradeshow in Amsterdam. The 4420 and 4430 loudspeakers combine “exceptional sound quality with single cable convenience, and their onboard Smart IP technology provides scalable power, audio and loudspeaker configuration, supervision and calibration features via a standard CAT cable”. Smart IP offers system designers, integrators and installers “an easy, powerful and cost-effective solution for guaranteeing enjoyable, high-quality audio across entire installations”.
Having been unveiled before a select audience of specially invited Nordic integrators in Helsinki in December, the 4430 will be making its ISE debut alongside its new and even more compact 4420 sibling – with yet more Smart IP models expected to be added to the family in the future.
Producing the c

Colombia - Allen & Heath’s dLive and Qu series took centre stage at the 14th edition of the Cartagena International Music Festival, set in Cartagena de Indias, with an extensive week-long programme, which saw the mixing systems deployed for FOH, monitor and broadcast duties.
Year after year, nearly 25,000 spectators flock to the festival, which brings together the world’s greatest classical musicians. Held at various venues throughout the city, the festival also hosts a variety of exhibitions, musical masterclasses and educational programmes for young, aspiring artists.
As per previous years, the festival turned to Colombian rental company 903pro to provide audio support across several locations and found dLive and Qu to be the perfect solution to cope with the variety and volume of events and broadcasts taking place over the week.
"I've been mixing class

USA - Michael Abbott, audio coordinator for the Grammy Awards, specified 12 Austrian Audio OC818 microphones to be used as overhead microphones on the artist drum kits during the 62nd annual Grammy Awards, which was broadcast live from Staples Centre in Los Angeles on 26 January.
“The broadcast music mix engineers came back to me after the broadcast, commenting on how the microphones provided additional tonal response and spatial coherence to the overall drum kit mix,” comments Abbott.
Hosted by Alicia Keys, the 62nd Awards featured live performances – including Old Town Road All-Stars, which featured nominees Billy Ray Cyrus and Lil Nas X, who were joined by BTS, Diplo, Mason Ramsey, and Nas.
Other artists performing on the night included first-time nominees and break-out stars Billie Eilish and Lizzo, as well as Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani.
“We

Denmark - At the beginning of 2019, full-service Danish rental company Nordic Rentals experienced a growing demand from the concert touring and broadcast markets. As a result, the company opted to increase its mixing console inventory. Already a long-standing DiGiCo user having invested in the original D5 Live, D1 and, more recently, SD8s and SD9s, Nordic Rentals took the decision to add more of the manufacturer’s products to its stock.
“Our work in both touring and television has increased dramatically, but we were also seeing a growing demand from international artists doing fly-in shows on festivals in Denmark and Norway,” explains Martin Nørbæk, Nordic Rentals’ senior sales & project manager. “As we operate on an international level, and part of our strategic plan is to be the leader in our business in Denmark and Norway in regards to service, support an

Singapore - Generation AV, which represents Martin Audio in the APAC countries, has recruited Tony Sawyer as senior APAC applications manager. A significant addition to the team, Sawyer spent 11 years at Bosch Communications/Electro-Voice/Dynacord, and was most recently at Vue Audiotechnik in Manila.
Generation AV founder David McKinney, who has known Sawyer for 20 years, sees the appointment as a major boost to the company’s growth. “We started talks a few months ago and decided now was the right time to get him onboard,” explains McKinney.
Based in the Philippines, Sawyer’s role is to work closely with all distributors in Asia Pacific, providing project design support, training on new and existing products, supporting major touring events and carrying out product/system training across the region. He will focus on bringing Martin Audio factory training events

The Netherlands - Italian amplifier manufacturer Powersoft will celebrate its 25th year in business at the upcoming ISE 2020.
Over the course of its history, Powersoft has been credited with a number of technological innovations and industry firsts. Just a year into its life, in 1996, the company had already mastered designing and developing the then first commercially-viable Class D amplifier, which was able to deliver consistently reliable, high-power levels. This technological breakthrough on switch mode amplification also helped the company earn a coveted reputation on green power and efficiency, making it Powersoft’s trademark to this day.
In the intervening years, the company continued to push the envelope, always conscious of making consistent, efficient, and intuitive products. This resulted in a number of new products and technologies that have since become

USA - Wayne State College is a mid-sized public school in rural Wayne, Nebraska. The college’s theatre arts degree programme provides its students with three performance venues housed in the Lied Performing Arts Centre.
At 675 seats, the Ramsey Theatre is the largest of the three, but until recently, the quality of its sound reinforcement system was not commensurate with the quality of the programme. Local AV integration company Adams Production Services recently designed and installed a Danley Sound Labs system that delivers “vastly superior intelligibility and impact at a fraction of the former system’s size”.
“Last year, I updated the PA system in Wayne State College’s gymnasium with six Danley OS80 loudspeakers, and they loved the improvement,” explains Brian Adams, owner of Adams Production Services. “They showed me the system in the Ramsey Theatr

UK - Music producer George Moorey likes to weave a little historical magic into his recordings, by taking his mobile setup - which now includes an Audient iD14 audio interface - into some of the ancient buildings of his adopted home. Capturing the spirit of the city in the form of samples, he showcases them in a surprising variety of genres including choral, classical, folk, hip-hop, electronica, grime and rock.
His most recent project is a prolific songwriting collaboration with fellow musician and lyricist, Shane Young, called The Powdered Earth. The first single Hold Your Breath is released on 31 January and incorporates piano samples he’s been recording all around the city.
Moorey says: “Piano is crucial to the sound of The Powdered Earth. The parts are simple and repetitive, so I record them as MIDI using

UK - Established over 60 years ago, Belfast-based Niavac has grown steadily to become one of Northern Ireland’s most successful systems integrators, covering the corporate, healthcare, hospitality and education sectors. The acquisition of audio company Loft Sound in 2016 expanded Niavac’s portfolio into the live event industry, a business which is proving every bit as successful.
The company has invested in a Yamaha Rivage PM7 digital mixing system to continue its commitment to high quality service and it has already been out on tour.
“We used Yamaha digital mixers from the beginning,” says Loft Sound’s Steve Corr, who became Niavac events manager at the time of the acquisition. “Our first mixer was an LS9 and our inventory went on to include M7CL, PM5D, all three CL series mixers and smaller analogue boards for conference work.”
He continues: “We

USA - The ninth annual iHeart Radio Music Festival landed in the Nevada desert with stars including Alicia Keys, Miley Cyrus and Green Day. The event, held at the T-Mobile arena, was broadcast live on FOX, complete with energetic sets and an array of musical talent. Green Hippo was at the iHeart of all things visual, with Boreal+ Media Servers powering pre-made content.
Jason Rudolph was at the helm as screens producer, using the in-built Hippotizer toolkit to manipulate content to fit each artist’s performance, in front of two ‘SuperWall’ LED screens, one on each side of the stage.
“We used four Boreal+ servers, as two redundant systems - an A and a B system for the A and B screens,” explains Rudolph. “Each main server was doing four outputs to drive all the content for the show. Everything feeds into two linked E2 frames to get onto the screen and allow

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