Luxembourg - In 2016, Luxembourg City’s Philharmonie Luxembourg became the first European classical concert venue to permanently install a Yamaha Rivage PM10 digital mixing system. It proved such a success that it has now added a Rivage PM7. With raked stalls and four seating ‘towers’ on each side, the 1328-capacity Grand Auditorium at Philharmonie Luxembourg combines the acoustics of classic shoe-box concert halls with the atmosphere of a Shakespearean theatre. The smaller Salle de Musique de Chambre features curved walls and can host audiences of 313 people, while the venue’s four foyers can also be used for performances. The venue has featured Yamaha digital mixing systems since it opened in 2005; initially a PM5D and M7CL-32, then a CL5 and the Rivage PM10. “The audio quality of the Rivage PM10 system is excellent. We have been working with it sinc
USA - Audio Precision has released the latest update to APx500 audio measurement software, version 6.1. With this release, AP is adding new measurement results, options, and test signals. APx software now offers the broadest set of methodologies available for detecting rub and buzz defects. New features include: rub & buzz – Previously available in APx software, this method uses high-pass tracking filters to remove the fundamental signal and detect defects as excursions in the residual waveform’s crest factor or peak ratio; SoneTrac – A Bose-developed improvement to the Rub & Buzz, this method filters the residual signal and ratios it to the RMS of the total signal to reduce the noisiness of the measurement result; High-Order Harmonic Distortion - a classic method for rub & buzz detection, HOHD uses the THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) ratio but only of harm
UK - dBS Solutions’ roadmap through Martin Audio’s evolutionary control technology shows no sign of abating. In 2014 they purchased an XD/DD combination rig for deployment on a successful theatre tour. This was followed by the acquisition of a 40-box Wavefront Precision Mini (WPM) system, specifically for the Mercury at Abbey Field pop-up theatre space in Colchester. This ran for an entire outdoor season and was a direct replacement for their old Martin Audio W8LM rig. Then in February 2020 - immediately before lockdown - two hangs of 16 WPM, supported by flown SXF115 subwoofers and DD6 front-fills, went out on the Queen Symphonic tour. Now, the company made its first investment in Martin Audio’s more powerful WPS system. “We’ve dipped our toe in the water with a package that will enable us to provide coverage for 2,000-plus capacity concert halls,”
USA - Xite Labs utilised the disguise Extended Reality (xR) workflow, powered by a gx 2c media server and rx real-time rendering platform, to bring to life a myriad of virtual worlds in Unreal Engine for rapper Bryson Tiller’s Trapsoul World Series live streamed concert. Shot at Xite Labs’ xR stage in LA, the concert accentuated the artist’s musical vibe for fans around the world watching at home. The immersive livestream presented Tiller in a series of six different worlds linked by a narrative flowing through the songs. Xite Labs was responsible for the stunning xR content for 14 different songs performed in four virtual ‘worlds’ with distinct appearances and themes. For this immersive experience, Xite turned to its in-house workflow, featuring a disguise gx 2c media server as the primary controller of the xR environment, while a dedicated disguise
Japan - NBC Olympics, a division of the NBC Sports Group, has selected Xytech’s ScheduALL to provide its enterprise resource and transmission optimisation solution for its production of the Games of the XXXII Olympiad, which take place in Tokyo, Japan, from 23 July. The announcement was made by Dan Robertson, VP NBC Olympics IT, and Greg Dolan, Xytech CCO. NBC Olympics has turned to Xytech’s ScheduALL for a ninth consecutive Olympic Games to deliver advanced enterprise resource and transmission optimisation solutions in order to coordinate the highly dynamic environment of the Games. NBC Olympics will be able to leverage the expertise of Xytech’s software and services to orchestrate the logistics of people, equipment, locations and transmission feeds. “For the ninth consecutive Olympic Games, Xytech has the privilege of contributing to the success of NBC Olympi
Argentina - Producer, musician, recording and mixing engineer Fede Soto Roland has recently taken delivery of an Audient ASP8024-HE console for his Negril Music Studio. Based in Buenos Aires yet inspired by the music styles of Jamaica - everything from reggae to ska and dancehall - the studio’s latest addition is the culmination of a four-year shift towards analogue and represents the beginning of a new era for Fede and his clients. He opened the studio back in 2017. At the time his set-up was almost entirely digital. Over the years he has released over 110 songs including three well-received Spanish Tributes to Gregory Isaacs. “As I got more and more involved in the production of albums and singles however, I became more aware of the difference of having a hybrid setup. So after a few years I decided to add more hardware.” It was whilst the world was in the grip
USA - Meyer Sound has appointed Sweetwater Sound of Fort Wayne, Indiana as a new authorised e-tailer for the company’s line of self-powered loudspeakers for music reinforcement and recording applications. As of 1 June, a selection of Meyer Sound products will be available through Sweetwater’s website and catalogue ordering channels. “Sweetwater is the only national, internet-based retailer with the high level of in-house expertise required to represent Meyer Sound products and technologies,” says Meyer Sound senior vice president John McMahon. “Their sales engineers are not simply order-takers, but rather they are experienced professionals, many of them with extensive backgrounds in sound reinforcement. They know how to match Meyer Sound products to a customer’s requirements.” Sweetwater’s senior director of partner marketing Arend Raby comments: “We
USA - Almost every touring band in the last 50 years has passed through the heartland university town of Champaign, Illinois, situated midway between Indianapolis and Peoria. Many of them have performed at the Virginia Theatre, the town’s vintage venue that turns 100 years old this year. The Virginia recently got an appropriate birthday gift in the form of an L-Acoustics Kara II sound system, designed by Threshold Acoustics, purchased through L-Acoustics certified provider distributor Mid-America Sound, and installed by Knox-Array Event Production. Steadily renovated over the past 20 years by nearly $10m in state grants, private contributions, commercial sponsorships, and large donations, the venue now sports completely updated power, infrastructure, and trim that extends to its ornate plaster and the classic 700-pipe Wurlitzer organ originally installed in 1921 to l
UK - Specialist audio and entertainment technology recruitment business Interfacio has been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade, recognising a period of significant and sustained growth in the company’s international business. Commenting on the award, founder and MD Richard Wear says: "We are extremely honoured to be receiving this award and would like to acknowledge the hard work and commitment shown by our whole team in delivering consistent results for our clients and candidates around the world in what continues to be a fast-changing and often challenging market." Now in its 55th year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the UK, and Interfacio is one of only 205 organisations to be recognised in 2021. The Award for International Trade recognises a period of continuous growth
South Africa - Technological Innovations Group (TIG) has appointed Dewald Adendorff as technical support engineer for Crestron in South Africa. Dewald will be responsible for providing technical advice to Crestron customers, ensuring their exact needs are firmly met, as well as assisting the regional sales team. Rupert Denoon, TIG's regional sales director for Crestron in Southern Africa, comments: "Congratulations and welcome to the team, Dewald! We're excited to benefit from Dewald's experience, technical mindset and results-driven approach, and to pass this on to our valued customers here in South Africa." Dewald adds: "I am extremely excited to join such a world-class brand. No matter where I've been, Crestron has always been part of conversations, and now I am ready to start the journey here and contribute to the success story in South Africa."
Europe - Attracting a high number of attendees in April, Yamaha’s online New Technology Showcase revealed the company’s latest professional audio technologies. A key announcement was the launch of AFC Enhance and AFC Image, immersive audio technologies which ‘radically enhance live performances, interactive installations, projection mapping and other experiential events’. The launch event is now available to view on YouTube, where the details of these developments are showcased. Hosted on Facebook Live, the New Technology Showcase was presented by a global team of Yamaha’s professional audio specialists, including key members from the company’s Japan headquarters, US and EU research and development teams, immersive audio specialists and loudspeaker manufacturer Nex
Sweden - Situated in Stockholm’s Royal Djurgården district, the Cirkus theatre complex recently opened a new restaurant, where an Alcons system has been installed. Cirkus first opened in 1892 to house many of Sweden’s prominent circus companies. It has evolved and expanded over the decades to host many different forms of entertainment, including theatre, musicals, dance, concerts, corporate events and television productions. Today it is owned by Pop House Sweden - a company whose principal owners are Abba’s Björn Ulvaeus and investment banker Conni Jonsson. The new Restaurant Djurgården offers classic dishes with a modern touch, ‘inspired by the odd and unexpected’. Brollan Söderström of systems integrator Electrosound AB was asked to supply and install an audio system for the restaurant, its performance stage, bar and the Ernst Rolfe VIP lounge. An Alco
USA - Leading AV signal distribution developer tvONE has announced a new partnership with global technology manufacturer Bosch. The collaboration focuses on the combination of the tvONE CORIOmatrix modular video switching router and Bosch’s range of state-of-the-art conferencing systems. tvONE says using its 4K CORIOmatrix router - which enables the mixing of AV, broadcast, IP and legacy sources seamlessly and at very low latency - with Bosch’s conference solutions facilitates streaming of the active speaker video to a hall display or system that records or webcasts the HD-SDI feed. The Bosch Conference systems connect to the tvONE video switcher via TCP/IP and controls the switcher by using the protocol of tvONE to switch the video stream of the person speaking automatically to displays or video walls. tvONE foresees a host of conference applications that w
UK - AV integrator AT&C has installed K-array loudspeakers and Innosonix amplifiers at Browns newly launched Mayfair shopping experience; the client brief was for high quality audio – and they didn’t want to see it. Browns Fashion offers an unrivalled, tactile in-person experience that flies in the face of the currently obsessive trend for instant online click-and-ship gratification. Blending exceptional service with creativity and technology, the Browns ethos is personified in the recently opened Dimorestudio-designed flagship boutique at 39 Brook Street in the heart of London’s Mayfair. Following extensive construction work which saw the Grade II listed building gutted and completely renovated, a contract was awarded to South Hampstead-based AT&C Professional System to design and install a fully networked, high specification audio system throughout eve
Poland - Polski Teatr Tańca, or Polish Dance Theatre, is an interdisciplinary dance company formed in 1973. While the company owns a rehearsal studio in Poznań in western Poland, it has never had its own performance space - until now. The curtain is about to go up on a new theatre in the historic centre of Poznań, complete with a carefully designed KV2 Audio sound system. From the outside, the building looks like any one of the imposing 19th century edifices in the old town centre. Now fully renovated, whilst the exterior blends perfectly with the rest of the city’s architecture, inside the venue has been transformed into a modern performance space with distinctly industrial feel. Concrete, glass and metal structures prevail in the new space which has been designed as a place of interaction between performers and spectators; here, the set is the whole theatre and audien
UK - Panasonic has announced its new series of 1-Chip DLP laser projectors delivering 4K display resolution. The Panasonic PT-RDQ10 Series is designed for entertainment, rental and corporate organisations that want to ‘captivate viewers with detailed 4K images and vibrant yet natural colour reproduction’. It comes in three different models, ranging from 8,000 to 10,000 lumens. The optional ET-DLE020 Ultra-Short-Throw Zoom Lens with zero offset adds versatility by enabling large-scale images to be projected, free from shadows, even in the tightest spaces. The Series achieves 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution using Smooth Pixel Drive, a one-axis pixel-shifting technology to produce crisp, smooth, and richly detailed images. The updated Rich Colour Enhancer boosts colour reproduction for more vibrant colours, faithfully recreating even the most detailed visuals, such as art
USA - Christie has announced the launch of the Christie Inspire Series, a family of fixed zoom lens 1DLP laser projectors in three brightness options designed for small to mid-sized environments, including classrooms, boardrooms, museums, houses of worship and more. The Inspire Series offers professional-grade features in a budget-friendly package. A range of brightness options, starting at 6000 lumens, as well as 7,200 lumens and 8,100 ANSI lumen options (7,150, 8,500, and 9,600 ISO lumens respectively), brings bold images in WUXGA resolution to any application. And with laser illumination, the Inspire Series offers up to 20,000 hours of low-maintenance operation to 50% brightness. “The Inspire Series offers a winning combination of low-maintenance performance and value, without sacrificing advanced capabilities,” says Chris Kee, executive director, Enterprise pro
UK - The CloudPower series of amplifiers from Apex are set to arrive in the UK and Ireland with the appointment of FBT Audio (UK) as the range’s exclusive distributor. Effective 1 June 2021, the agreement comes as FBT Audio (UK) continues to experience rapid growth in its commercial audio division - a trend that has continued despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Described as capable of scaling from “a karaoke room to an opera house”, the Apex CloudPower range comprises four Class-D models - the 4 x 350W CP354, 4 x 700W CP704, 4 x 1500W CP1504 and 4 x 3000W CP3004. Each is lightweight and compact at just 1U and can run in low impedance down to 2Ω or 70/100v line configuration. Also on board is feature rich DSP plus a built-in WiFi hotspot for simple setup, control and monitoring either locally using any HTML5 capable browser (Mac, PC, iOS or Andro
Spain - Integrated Systems Events managing director Mike Blackman marked the opening of ISE Live & Online yesterday with a presentation at the Fira de Barcelona Gran Via in front of a gathering of representatives from government, local executive boards and agencies, ISE’s owners and the media. ISE Live & Online is a hybrid event, livestreaming from the Fira and broadcasting to a global audience via the ISE Digital platform. The opening of ISE’s first show in Barcelona represents a significant milestone in the development of Integrated Systems Europe, and a personal and professional triumph for Blackman, who launched the event 17 years ago with a staff of three. Along with representatives of the Fira, ISE co-owner AVIXA and ISE exhibitors, Blackman made a symbolic trip by motorbike from ISE’s office in Munich to Barcelona, stopping en route in Geneva
UK - Britannia Row Productions Training (BRPT) has launched its Live Sound Fundamentals and Live Sound Intermediate courses online with 145 newly produced video lectures at www.britanniarowtraining.com. Created after receiving an Arts Council England Culture Recovery Grant, the new online delivery platform offers video lectures, course notes, quizzes and optional exams together with learner support that the live sound specialist hopes will generate a more accessible gateway into the professional audio industry. BRPT managing director, Mike Lowe, states: “We anticipated having to wait for some semblance of post-pandemic normality before continuing our programmes in live sound, however, being awarded a Culture Recovery Grant was an amazing development. It has
Italy - Powersoft has named Prase as its Italian distributor. Headquartered in Noventa di Piave, near Venice, Prase was founded in 1993 and for 28 years, the company has provided services to the Italian audio market. Prase's 50 distribution brands, once paired with Powersoft, will provide integrated installation solutions for system integrators, AV designers and consultants. Fabrizio Romano Bolzoni, Powersoft’s sales distribution manager, comments: “We’ve always had a long history of mutual interest with Prase. The time has finally arrived to materialise that into a solid partnership for the development and success within the Italian professional installation market. With Prase’s best-in-class reputation throughout the installation sector and in the live world, we are delighted to be entering a partnership with them.” Ennio Prase, managing director at P
UK - Extending the capabilities of its compact Dante audio network interfacing modules, Neutrik has introduced the NPS-30W Gigabit Power over Ethernet power supply, addressing the increasing requirement for PoE injectors with the first ever such device optimised to operate in the harshest stage and field applications. The NPS-30W PoE injector behaves as a passive power supply, delivering constant uninterrupted power, with no requirement for power negotiation with connected devices. The NPS-30W PoE partners the new NA2-IO-DPRO and NA2-IO-DLINE I/O interface devices that enable connectivity of legacy analogue and digital audio equipment within Dante audio networks, in the most demanding application environments. With a 30W PoE budget, up to four of these I/O Dante interface devices can be daisy-chained off of a single NPS-30W; this makes the NPS-30W ideal for application
USA - Audio Engineers of Detroit has opened a new recording studio in midtown Detroit with a 32-channel Neve Genesys Black console at the heart of its main control room. The studio provides many different recording services, including commercial voice over, podcasts, music recording, mixing in stereo, 5.1 up to Dolby Atmos, audio restoration, location sound and audio-visual services. Running alongside this commercial work, Audio Engineers of Detroit also offers an education programme that teaches students the skills and techniques needed to follow a career in professional audio. “Some years ago, I had the pleasure of mixing on a vintage Neve console and fell in love with the sound,” says Mike Kinnie, founder and vice president of Audio Engineers of Detroit. “We wanted that Neve sound for the new studio and we also wanted a console that had DAW control so it made
UK - Pro audio solutions provider Audiologic is working alongside Probrand to deliver a remote learning solution for Arden University. Arden University is a higher education institution with approximately 10,000 students. It focuses on providing access to flexible learning for ambitious students of all ages around the world and provides a mixture of distance (online) and on-campus teaching services at five UK sites and one in Berlin. Arden has expanded its learning opportunities from an exclusively distance-learning model to a blended online and on-site model in 2017, but shortly after the pandemic struck in March, the team realised that it would require a different technical solution. The University wanted to continue its on-campus learning service when classes restarted in September 2020. Rob Palfreman, IT director at Arden, explains: "We were committed to pro
