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
UK - Coming off the back of a shrewd yet confident reinvention, electronic pop trio London Grammar hit the road in support of their latest album, Californian Soul, with a control package from Britannia Row Productions and a PA system from Eighth Day Sound. This was the first time such a partnership has come to fruition since Eighth Day’s acquisition by Brit Row parent company, Clair Global Group. “I use Brit Row because Tom Brown is an amazing client handler,” declares production manager, Mark Sunderland. “And for this tour, I was worried because Jake [Rudd, FOH engineer] wanted to move to a d&b audiotechnik system. At first I thought it wouldn’t be available to us, but it worked out due to Eighth Day becoming part of Clair. Reassuringly, we could have the kit required and maintain that same level of service. Even though our rider is technically from tw
Singapore - QSC has appointed Loud Technologies Asia (LTA) as its distribution partner for live sound in Singapore. "We are extremely pleased to welcome and partner with Loud Technologies Asia as a distribution partner for QSC,” comments Paul Lee, APAC business development manager at QSC. “Their expertise in online retail, logistics and their commitment to customer experience make them a great fit for QSC in the region.” “The young, dynamic and ecommerce-savvy team at LTA is very excited to be able to partner with QSC in Singapore and support growth in both the online and traditional sales channels,” adds Colin Evan Quek, managing director at Loud Technologies Asia. “We look forward to assisting QSC with further growth in the region for their outstanding products.”
UK - Polar has announced the addition of Maxhub to its portfolio. For distribution in the UK. Maxhub is a brand of the large global manufacturer CVTE, for whom Polar will distribute a full range of unified collaboration products, including panoramic cameras, PTZ cameras, Bluetooth speaker-phones, webcams and conference bars. Will Turney, Head of Polar’s Integrated Solutions Team comments: “Maxhub’s range provides us with a very high-quality range of collaboration products at a seriously competitive price point. As the world adapts to new and diverse ways of working, we’re seeing a dramatic increase in investment in collaborative technologies, both in commercial organisations and also in the creator sector. Maxhub perfectly complements our existing portfolio, enabling us to offer our customers a wider choice in this fast-growing market.” Tony McCool, co
USA - Located in Marietta, Georgia, North Metro Church is an inclusive house of worship where a dynamic array of music is a key part of its services. Ranging from quiet background ambience to full on praise rock, the installation of a sound reinforcement system that could reproduce music at all volumes with equal high quality was key. AV specialist Austin Sound Design, based in Auburn, Georgia, has installed audio systems in many houses of worship and knew that an Alcons pro-ribbon solution was the best way to cover the large width, depth and height of the North Metro Church auditorium. “I attended a demo hosted by Alcons’ David Rahn and Scott Hough a few years ago,” says Austin Sound founder Chris Austin. “I have always appreciated ribbon technology and was immediately drawn to the superior performance of the Alcons pro-ribbon systems. After years of listening
Europe - Following nearly three seasons of extensive prototype testing of Audio-Technica’s 8.0 Microphone Concept at MotoGP, the Grand Prix motorcycle racing Championship, commercial rights holder Dorna Sports S.L. has moved to make the 8.0 microphone a core audio component of its future programme broadcasting which includes ambitious plans towards remote production. Located at Dorna Sports’ Barcelona, facility, the extensive remote production suite, which is planned to be phased in through the 2024 Season, will include a custom-built 7.1.4 / 5.1.4 dedicated audio control room to mix immersive audio received from the track in real time. Audio-Technica 8.0 Microphones are to be located at the podium, parc fermé, pit lane and key positions around the racetrack. While the audio control room will remain static, audio acquisition at the track needs to capture the compl
USA - While the COVID pandemic compelled performing arts companies to stretch their horizons to reach audiences, Michigan Opera Theatre went further than many during the period, presenting programmes in the Detroit Opera House parking garage, among other non-traditional venues for opera. Then, for one weekend in September, Blue, a contemporary American opera by Jeanine Tesori and Tazewell Thompson, was staged at the city's open-air Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, a mostly pop-music venue where recent shows included performances by Chaka Khan, Machine Gun Kelly, Erykah Badu, and UB40. Awarded Best New Opera of 2020 by the Music Critics Association of North America, Blue is about a young Black couple raising a son in modern-day Harlem and their struggles with police brutality. With its all-black cast, the opera is a celebration, tragedy, and timely and highly
Czech Republic - Optimal Audio has announced the appointment of well-established audio and lighting specialists Rock Centrum as its exclusive distribution partner for the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Optimal Audio, part of the Focusrite Group, manufactures a one-stop solution of control, amplification and loudspeakers for small to medium sized commercial installations, with a focus on supporting multi-zoned venues. Established in 1992, with bases in Martin, Slovakia and Prague in the Czech Republic, Rock Centrum has evolved to become a highly-respected company working in the sale and distribution of professional and commercial audio and lighting, as well as in the field of system design and installation. Rock Centrum exclusively represents a number of global brands. Peter Foldvári, managing director at Rock Centrum comments: “Our company focuses on distributin
Gremany - Prolight + Sound 2022 will offer ‘a new, interactive experience zone for companies and visitors from the fields of audio production, DJing and digital live performance’. From 26-29 April 2022, the Performance + Production Hub will feature product presentations, demos, live performances and workshops with artists and experts from well-known brands. There will also be live visual showcases. The area is being created in cooperation with the makers of the Sample Music Festival. “With extensive new offerings, we are strengthening the audio section as a mainstay of Prolight + Sound,” says Mira Wölfel, director Prolight + Sound. “We are thus underlining our commitment to making the event a hotspot for sound professionals from all fields of application: from live sound reinforcement to recording, mixing, mastering and DJing. “The premiere of the Pe
UK - Martin Audio has announced that its Wavefront Precision optimised line array system, WPS, is now available in white, as a made-to-order option, and is also accompanied by its cardioid subwoofer partner, SXC118. Martin Audio originally announced WPS in 2019 - the fourth model in the Wavefront Precision series - and it has since gone on to be a firm favourite by owners and users alike. Dom Harter, Martin Audio MD, explains: “With WPS it was a ground up product development. We wanted to overcome the deficiencies and compromises of other 8” line arrays available on the market. That’s why we believe we have more drivers in WPS than anything else in its class, with spacing, waveguide and crossover point engineered to deliver in particular optimum HF performance with exemplary mid and high frequency pattern control, even at higher SPL. And our rental partners, FOH
World - To support first-time and indie filmmakers through the height of the pandemic, DPA Microphones partnered with Rycote on a Pay-it-Forward giveaway in late 2020 from which three lucky winners acquired a full cinema mics kit from the brands. The contest’s prizes included DPA’s 4097 Micro Shotgun, 4017 Shotgun and 6060 Core Subminiature microphones - along with virtual mentoring sessions, an array of Rycote accessories and other equipment loaners. The recipients, Lijie Cheng of Singapore, Jacob Deming of the United States and Sergey Martynyuk of Austria, have been hard at work putting their new gear, and skills, to the test. Singapore-based production sound mixer Lijie Cheng was excited to upgrade his microphone arsenal upon winning the competition and has already utilised them for an upcoming web mini-series, Maybe Marriage, and a short film, A Man
UK - White Light (WL) has joined d&b solutions, a service-focused business offering end-to-end expertise in the areas of project development, manufacturing, system planning, installation and maintenance. The move has been described as a “natural next step” for WL, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary (see more on this story in LSi December, out now), and will strengthen the development of the company’s production and venues solutions. One particular area of focus for d&b solutions is WL’s SmartStage technology, which, in combination with d&b’s Soundscape immersive audio platform, is set to “open new market potential for immersive audiovisual, lighting and media solutions”.
Israel - Named after Frank Zappa and founded in 2004, Israel’s Zappa Group is a live show chain of clubs with an ethos of respect for music, musicians and listeners. From its first venue in Tel Aviv, it has grown to include clubs and outdoor venues in Herzliya, Jerusalem, Haifa ,Beer Sheba, Zappa Amphi Shuni and Zappa live Park, and hosts top Israeli and international music acts. Following a change of ownership, a new technical manager was appointed to supervise the venues and raise their technical standards. Having worked as technical producer on large-scale concerts, he recognised their ubiquitous use of DiGiCo consoles. This prompted the start of a major move for all Zappa venues to install DiGiCo. Supplied by Israeli distribution company, Gidron Levitan, the main Tel Aviv venue now boasts a DiGiCo Quantum 338, with Herzliya and Haifa upgrading to Quantum 225s, an
Belarus - For over a decade, Minsk Arena has been the epicentre for all things sports and culture in the Belarus capital. The venue’s main space is an ice arena dedicated to hockey and skating which can also be converted to host other sports events, as well as concerts, conferences, and forums Minsk Arena hosts some of the most notable sports tournaments, including IIHF World Championship and SU World Junior Figure Skating Championships, as well as musicians like Elton John, Sting, and Shakira. In September this year, the facility completed a large-scale renovation which included a tour-grade audio system from L-Acoustics, installed by BelCultProject. Known for its contemporary design, Minsk Arena also prides itself on implementing the latest technology, including being the first arena to install a cable roof system capable of withstanding loads of up to 120 tonnes,
UK - Between April and August, Foals played a number of festival shows, which saw live engineer Nigel Pepper using a Yamaha Rivage PM7 digital mixing system for the first time. Supplied by Adlib, the experience was so positive that he has already specified it for the band’s 2022 UK and European shows. “I had reached the point where I was ready to change from the system I was using,” he says. “On paper the Rivage PM series seemed attractive and the specifications would fit my workflow. I tried different systems, which included using Rivage PM7 in rehearsals, and quickly found it was the one for me. It really fitted the way my brain works.” Nigel was introduced to Yamaha’s Tom Rundle, who visited Foals production rehearsals and talked Nigel through the system. “I wanted to really see what I could get from it and make sure I wasn’t missing anything,
