China - Powersoft has appointed Abby Hu to the newly-created role of chief representative officer in China, where her main responsibilities will be supporting and growing brand awareness throughout the Chinese market. Hu brings over 10 years of experience in the AV industry to the role, having previously worked for a systems integration company specialising in conference, broadcasting and theatre. Hu is no stranger to Powersoft, as she previously worked alongside Ezpro, Powersoft’s Chinese distributor, in conjunction with a project for Universal Studios. Hu states: “At its very foundation, Powersoft is a great brand. I believe my participation can really enhance the influence of Powersoft and its potential to flourish in new markets.” "We are very excited to welcome Abby to our team at Powersoft,” comments Luca Giorgi at Powersoft. “Her regional experti
France - Dushow recently helped deliver the world’s biggest concert, Global Citizen Live, as lead technical partner for the Global Citizen Live event in Paris. Serving as the main official service provider for the broadcast event which featured Ed Sheeran, Elton John, Black Eyed Peas, Christine and the Queens, Doja Cat and Måneskin, as well as special guest performances by Angélique Kidjo, Charlie Puth and Fatma Said, and raised more than US$1bn to fight climate change, famine and vaccine inequity. Dushow partnered with its video-specialist subsidiary, Alabama, and sister company Magnum to deliver a complete technical solution encompassing audio, LED, lighting, video, cabling and power. This tour de force was made possible thanks to the wider Novelty Magnum Dushow group offering organisers a single point of contact for the complex 20,000-person show. T
UK - Louisville’s 22,000-plus-seat KFC Yum! Centre is the largest arena in the United States by seating capacity designed primarily for basketball. Since the multi-purpose venue first opened in 2010, it’s been home to the University of Louisville Cardinals men’s and women’s basketball teams, did a brief stint as the primary gridiron for the Indoor Football League’s Louisville Xtreme, and hosted countless concerts from artists as varied as Metallica, Alan Jackson, and Celine Dion. A DiGiCo S31 console has recently been installed as the venue’s new FOH console, and an S21 desk that acts as the router for a newly expanded video production facility used to support the venue’s sporting and other events. In addition, the new console installation includes a DMI-Dante interface card in each console, part of the venue’s extensive Dante infrastructure, and three
Spain - Sala Apolo is one of Barcelona’s most emblematic venues, a vibrantly-evolving world of live performance, art and entertainment. More than 75 years since it first opened as a dance hall, it has adapted to the city and its times to become a noted reference hub for music of all kinds. A concert and nightclub hotspot, Sala Apolo has earned itself the title “club of clubs” and with that, a following that extends throughout Barcelona and beyond. As for many venues, quality of sound here is considered fundamental. For Sala it’s not just a question of listening quality but maximising its programming potential, to be as prepared as possible for all events. Now, with a Soundscape-ready KSL line array system newly installed using d&b’s latest commercial tool - Subscription-Series - Sala Apolo has confidently put itself ahead of the game. Subscription-Series
USA - Fulcrum Acoustic has released the DF4 Dual High-Frequency Horn, a spot-fill loudspeaker aimed at supplemental high frequency coverage for areas shaded by obstructions. The dual four-inch diaphragm high-frequency compression drivers are capable of delivering very high output for long-throw applications. Fulcrum Acoustic's proprietary TQ processing improves the sonic character, promising “exceptional clarity and precise transient response even at very high SPL.” This high output, high fidelity spot fill loudspeaker is currently available in two models - the DF443 (45° x 30°) and the DF463 (60° x 30°).
USA - Fourier Audio reports that their product, Fourier Rewind, has made its Broadway debut on MJ: The Musical. In celebration, the British pro-audio start-up also announced the launch of a 14-day free trial of the Rewind, as well as the general release of a new 64-channel ‘Professional’ edition of Rewind, targeted at freelance audio professionals in theatre, broadcast, music and live entertainment industries. Designed by eight-time Olivier award-winning and Tony nominated sound designer Gareth Owen, MJ: The Musical is one of the most hotly anticipated Broadway productions of recent years, featuring the hits of Michael Jackson. Fourier Rewind is a key component of the production’s audio infrastructure, giving Gareth and his team the ability to rewind up to 15 minutes into the past of all audio streams in the system at the front of house desk. Co-fo
UK - The Australian Pink Floyd Show’s 2021 UK tour played 28 shows across the country between October and December, most of the dates having been rescheduled from their 2020 slots. The final two shows of the 2021 UK leg were at the Birmingham Utility Arena and Glasgow’s SSE Hydro where ticket demand was so high that a large number of extra seats were sold at both venues. As per previous UK TAPFS tours, the sound system was provided by Capital Sound, part of the Solotech UK Group. Also as previously, they deployed part of their Outline inventory for it, the standard system configuration through most of the dates being L/R main hangs of 14 Superfly and three Mantas 28 (as down-fills) plus side-hangs of two Superfly and six Mantas 28s each, with 12 GTO-SUBs and six LIPF-082 dedicated lip-fill speakers. The system was powered and controlled by Powersoft X8 amplifiers and Ou
Genelec has further expanded its Nordic sales operation with the recent appointments of Mirko Ekberg and Fredrik Setterberg, both of whom bring with them a considerable professional audio experience. Ekberg joins Genelec’s Finnish team as pro audio sales manager, with responsibility for developing both studio and MI dealer networks and building closer relationships with key studio customers. With a combined 20-year track record of sales management with both Fender and the Luthman distribution group, Ekberg steadily progressed to the role of chief sales officer for Finland and the Baltics for Luthman Nordic. With over two decades of industry experience in both sales and technical solutions, Setterberg joins Genelec’s own Swedish distribution team as sales engineer, focussing on pre-sales and sales support across the studio, AV and home audio segments “We’re extr
UK - Martin Audio has extended its list of patents with the addition of a United Kingdom Patent for its XE stage monitor waveguide. The patent covers the use of Martin Audio’s differential dispersion coaxial drive units and the continuation of their waveguide shape to form the baffle, as seen in the XE monitors to achieve the desired HF coverage. The geometry of the static HF horn, the LF cone/moving waveguides and the static baffle combine to form a single HF horn. The XE stage monitor series comprises the XE300 and XE500, both delivering perfect monitor sound with a defined coverage pattern that allows the artist freedom of movement, while reducing overlap with adjacent monitors. Coaxial Differential Dispersion technology allows the artist to stand directly over the monitor or further back, without significant changes in SPL or tonal balance. It produces the
Canada - When construction began on Ontario’s new luxury hotel LEA Professional was chosen. Located just steps from Lake Ontario, The Pearle Hotel & Spa officially opened to guests in November. The hotel, which is part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, boasts 151 guestrooms, two dining facilities, expansion meeting space, two large ballrooms and a spa. Branch AV, one Canada’s newest audiovisual solutions company, was tasked with designing and integrating the entire AV system from the ground up. The company, which was established in 2020 by Bob Guy and George Puthenkulam supported by a team of experienced audiovisual professionals, works across various industries including performing arts, government, education and entertainment. The team are laser focused on providing the best user experience for their clients. For The Pearle hotel’s AV needs, the integrato
UK - Bluesound Professional has announced the addition of a distribution partner serving European Baltic States, further expanding their global distribution. The new distribution partner, Audiotonas, is the regional distributor serving Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. “We are delighted to be able to welcome Audiotonas as a new distributor for the Bluesound Professional team, as they are a key leader in the industry and in their respective market,” says Graeme Harrison, vice-president and general manager of Bluesound Professional. “This new relationship will help strengthen our strategic Bluesound Professional European distribution and growth. We are extremely fortunate to be able to work with some of the best distributors in the business.”
UK - In the latest instalment of the conneCT education sessions, Creative Technology invited a diverse group of designers, creatives, and users from various industries to a special UK presentation of Holoplot X1, the Berlin-based pro audio company's latest offering in the world of immersive audio. With no visual content to pull focus on this occasion, audio was given the opportunity to step into the limelight. Holoplot treated everyone in attendance to a comprehensive demonstration sequence curated to showcase the system's possible uses in various configurations. A real mix of content across different market sectors provided familiarity and context for those assembled in the room. The immediacy of feedback and response from guests was evident. “Having been in this industry for over 45 years, one can become a little jaded and cynical when it comes to new equipment. 'O
Turkey - Shure worked with Patchwork Events, to deliver a live party in the sky with 18 hot air balloons in Cappadocia. Patchwork, a specialist events and touring company based in London, were approached by a client who wanted to bring to life the idea of a live gig, in hot air balloons, in the sky. The brief was to provide high quality live audio to 18 hot air balloons, which took off from one location. One of the hot air balloons acting as the stage, with a live performance from DJ Bedouin. The other 17 guest balloons received live audio from the broadcasting balloon, to provide a different live event experience. This project brought a number of challenges, such as how to transmit high quality audio over such a large distance, without latency. Hot air balloons are almost entirely reliant on the wind to move across the landscape and therefore, altitude was the only re
UK - Audiologic has welcomed Jessica Raraty as internal business manager. Her role has a strong focus on relationship-building with Audiologic’s widening direct customer base. The company has also promoted Vicky Clayden to sales support supervisor, overseeing the structuring of the internal sales team. The growth of Audiologic and its customers also sees a continued focus on procurement and processes. Anne Broadley, senior operations manager, continues to make sure the business has the support structure, processes, and best practises in place. To support this, Nicola Boyle takes on the role of procurement administrator. Stuart Leader, senior sales manager, comments: “As a business and an industry, we have all had challenges to face and to overcome in the past year. Since joining Audiologic, we have been working hard on a strategy to help drive the company forward.
Thailand - To provide spectators at the Nakhon Ratchasima Sports Complex an immersive entertainment experience, Mahajak Development Co., installed a range of Harman Professional audio solutions. Home to the Nakhonratchasima Mazda Football Club, the Nakhon Ratchasima Sports Complex is the fourth biggest stadium in Thailand and hosted the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 2007. The stadium area comprises the Nakhon Ratchasima FC football field, which is surrounded by a grandstand with a single roof on one side. The facility currently has a seating capacity of 25,000, but will be upgraded to 45,000 in the future. The main challenge was that the audio system needed to be installed on the roof, which only covered one side of the complex, but also had to deliver sound coverage to every seat in the stadium. To meet these challenges and requirements, Mahajak deployed dynamic an
USA - In October, Penn State University welcomed audience members to see Simon Stephen's adaptation of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, directed by Rick Lombardo with sensory-friendly performances at the Playhouse Theatre on the University Park campus using BlackTrax Real-Time Tracking. The Tony Award-winning play is about 15-year-old Christopher, who has an extraordinary brain. Two sensory-friendly performances provided a welcoming space for all patrons with or without neurodivergent needs. The characters in this production portray that neurodivergence is when a person’s brain does not function in a way that is considered “typical”. In telling this story about a neurodivergent character, Penn State has been helped along the way by various consultants and experts who helped deepen their understanding of various aspects of the experience
USA/Belgium - Audinate, developer of the Dante media networking technology, has signed an agreement to acquire the video business of Silex Insight SA (Silex), based in Belgium. The Silex video business produces video networking products for manufacturers of AV equipment. The acquisition includes a range of AV-over-IP products, including IP Cores, the VIPER Board, Video ASSP and Design Services, as well as three Silex implementations of video codecs: Colibri, JPEG 2000 and VC-2 HQ. Audinate will also acquire a team of eight engineers with extensive video implementation expertise and remains committed to supporting the existing Silex products and customers. The acquisition of the Silex video business will “allow Audinate to accelerate its strategic vision for integrated audio and video over IP”. “Since the development of our first Dante AV product we have bee
Germany - Berlin-based Holoplot has announced a partnership with ALC NetworX, developer of the Ravenna technology for ultra-low latency real-time distribution of audio and other media content in IP-based network environments. The partnership will allow all Holoplot products to share a single IP-based network infrastructure with other network traffic when used for installation or mobile projects. Ravenna allows for seamless coexistence with other network traffic, removing the need for a separate network to transport audio and its associated metadata - allowing Holoplot users greater scalability, flexibility and efficiency when using Audio-over-IP (AoIP) networks. Michael Hlatky, head of engineering, Holoplot said: “AoIP solutions have increasingly become the only option for the transfer of control and audio signals for live audio and complex sound environments. We be
Thailand - To create an efficient meeting space that supports collaboration and efficiency for guests, financial services provider Srisawad Power 1979 Co teamed up with Mahajak Development Co to equip its facility with a Harman Professional Solutions AV system. Originally founded in 2008 by the Kaewbootta family as an automobile title loan business in Petchaboon province, Srisawad Power 1979 Co has since opened branches in other provinces to expand their service coverage. The company offers financial services to those who need aid but have limited access to services offered by banks and financial institutions. Today, the company offers auto-backed loans and home-backed loans through its 1,627 branches. To provide a suitable environment for meetings and collaborations at the company’s main headquarters in Bangkok, Mahajak installed a comprehensive networked audio-visu
UK - Adlib has recently taken delivery of its first QC-Check workstation for its Liverpool facility and is already considering the possibility of further investment into more units. The two-bay workstation is configured primarily to test cables, and Simon Pettitt, Adlib’s technical designer, reports, “The system came well-configured and documented, so it’s been easy and straightforward to create a robust test code structure for the simple management of the 400 different types of mains cable we stock.” Adlib made the investment in Data Strategy’s QC-Check to improve efficiency and data integrity in its warehouse. Now, according to Pettitt, the company is seeing the benefit with staff spending less time re-patching faulty cables and manually typing in results, leaving them more time for testing. “The instant recognition of stock type is appreciated by t
UK - Andrew Pollard’s traditional Christmas panto, Queen of Hearts, is running at Greenwich Theatre until 2 January 2022. This year’s production is marked by a new sound design from Michael Woods based on a HALO-C compact line array system from EM Acoustics. Woods is now in his fourth year of designing sound for pantomime at Greenwich Theatre and last year received an Offie nomination for Best Sound Design for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button which played at Southwark Playhouse in spring 2019. In previous years for Greenwich Theatre’s panto, Woods opted for two point source loudspeakers on the proscenium for main LR and two more on towers in the auditorium as delays to help maintain the desired sound pressure levels from front to back of the auditorium. “Whilst I have found this method generally acceptable, it did compromise sound quality
UK - Ministry of Sound celebrated 30 years of dance with a concert at O2 Arena, with dance classics reimagined by the 50-piece London Concert Orchestra in company with Paul Oakenfold and other guest DJs. Ministry of Sound Classical presents Three Decades of Dance took clubbers on a journey through the dance anthems of yesteryear. Martin Audio’s signature sound, as featured in Ministry of Sound clubs worldwide, was provided by RG Jones and mixed by Phil Wright - a devotee of Martin Audio’s flagship MLA. Working for promoters Coalition Presents, who produced the event with Raymond Gubbay, RG Jones - who already had a relationship with MoS, having provided equipment for some of their events - fielded 18 MLA a side. This was a similar configuration to that fielded for War of the Worlds at the same venue. Hangs of 12 MLA Compact provided out-fills on each
UK - Following a record-breaking run on Broadway, Pretty Woman: The Musical has gone global with productions in London’s West End, Germany, and a major US tour. The production team has remained faithful to John Shivers’ and David Patridge’s original sound design based on a comprehensive KV2 Audio point source system. The show originally opened at London’s Piccadilly Theatre and had already broken the theatre’s advance box-office records, when the pandemic intervened. A year later, the show has now moved to London’s Savoy Theatre on the Strand and continues to play to record-breaking audiences. David Patridge designed the show at the Piccadilly, and UK associate designer, Greg Pink then modified it for transfer to the Savoy. Nik Dudley engineers the show every night and is delighted with how it sounds. “Greg’s design uses ESR215s as the main L/R p
Europe - Creating a sonic environment that can have a positive influence on customer spend and repeat business will be the subject of a free webinar organised by Yamaha this week. Taking place on Tuesday, 14 December at 2pm GMT (1pm CET), the session will look at how to set up effective audio systems for commercial and public spaces using the company's Commercial Installation Solutions (CIS) range. Scott Coltham, UK application specialist and Reece Stead, business development manager, will present the hour-long Zoom webinar which delivers a high-level overview of the CIS range, including speakers, amplifiers, matrix processors, control interfaces and microphone systems. Aimed at consultants, systems integrators, sound designers and anyone with a passion for professional audio solutions in the corporate, education and entertainment sectors, the webinar will use demo
