The Netherlands - Following the success of the eight-channel Ottocanali series, launched at Integrated Systems Europe two years earlier, Powersoft has again chosen ISE as the forum to launch its new Quattrocanali Series. As in previous years they will share booth 7-K180, with their Dutch distributor, Ampco Flashlight Sales. Powersoft’s new four-channel amplifier platform includes three models: Quattrocanali 4804: 1200 W per channel @ 8ohm; 1500 W per channel @ 2 ohm; 3000 W bridged @ 4 ohms; Quattrocanali 2404: 600 W per channel @ 8ohm; 800 W per channel @ 2 ohm; 1200 W bridged @ 4 ohms; Quattrocanali 1204: 300 W per channel @ 8 ohm; 500 W per channel @ 2 ohm; 1000 W bridged @ 4 ohms. This completes the Powersoft Installation Series that includes Duecanali (two-channel) and Ottocanali (eight-channel) series. “If the Ottocanali Series is purpose-designe
The Netherlands - Yamaha Commercial Audio is launching two new ultra-compact installation loudspeakers at ISE 2017, which fulfil a demand for high quality sound from units which are as visually discreet as possible. The VXS1ML and VXS3S are significant new additions to Yamaha’s Commercial Installation Solutions (CIS) loudspeaker range and an ideal solution for background music (BGM) applications in restaurants, retail outlets, hotel lobbies and other situations where loudspeakers need to be heard but not seen. In addition, optional accessories are available for greater installation flexibility. Measuring 62 x 62 x 82mm and weighing just 0.16kg, the VXS1ML mini satellite Lo-Z (8Ω) speaker features a major innovation in the marrying of a brand new, specifically-developed large diameter voice coil and ultra-compact 1.5 inch full-range driver, which deliver a frequency
UK - The largest collection of Audient iD14s in one education facility is hard at work at Middlesbrough College, where 54 of of the USB audio interfaces are a split across three music labs. Technician and lecturer, Jamie Donnelly explains, “The iD14s offer seamless audio experience between both our PCs and iMacs. Also, 16 out of the 24 available channels, in four out of our five control rooms are Audient ASP800s, taking us up to 64 channels worth of Audient pre-amps.” With each iD14 offering two channels of Audient’s classic console mic pres and Burr-Brown converter technology, Donnelly is impressed with the audio interfaces. “They’re utilised in every module of the course that requires audio,” he confirms. “Students think they’re great - indeed there are a number of students who’ve purchased their own. “A favourite feature of the iD14 has to
Thailand - Proel has supplied a complete sound and lighting system at the headquarters of the Thai Life Insurance company in Bangkok. Founded in 1942, it is one of the largest insurance companies in Thailand and is known for producing some of the most consistently brilliant television advertising campaigns in the Asian region. The company's multi-purpose auditorium was recently given a complete upgrade of its audio and lighting system, enabling further usage such as hosting conferences, workshops, theatre events, recitals, and general purpose live music performances. The auditorium itself is a rectangular room with an approximate surface area of 1500 sq metres, but with a rather high reverberation time which required some acoustic treatment before work on the audio and lighting commenced. The audio system was designed by Proel's technical sales engineer Daniele M
The Netherlands - As the opening bell of ISE 2017 sounds, Atlona has confirmed its formation of a technology alliance with Sennheiser. The Technology Alliance Member agreement is an important element of the Sennheiser Global Alliances programme, which represents strategic partnerships with technology-driven companies and vendors like Atlona that share a common goal of simplifying a customer’s daily business. This is made possible by creating a one-stop solution for business communication needs. The Atlona and Sennheiser partnership focuses on the confirmed interoperability between the Atlona AT-UHD-HDVS-300-KIT and the Sennheiser TeamConnect Wireless Conference System. The interoperability between the two systems will be on display at Atlona’s ISE stand (5-S92) this week at the RAI Exhibition Centre in Amsterdam. “Atlona strives to serve our global customer
The Netherlands - Audinate, developer of the Dante media networking technology, is celebrating key adoption milestones at ISE 2017. Over 350 manufacturers have now licensed Dante, an increase of 75 since this time last year. Recent licensees span a broad spectrum of markets, including installed sound, live sound, broadcast, transportation and CEDIA, and include notable brands such as Beyerdynamic, Clear-Com, JBL, Lawo, Panasonic, Riedel, Sony and many more. “The continued adoption of Dante by AV manufacturers such as these shows that Dante truly has become the market leader in audio networking,” stated Lee Ellison, CEO of Audinate. “Manufacturers are responding to market demand and recognizing that they need to offer Dante to remain competitive.” In addition, the company has announced that there are now over 1,000 different commercially available products on t
UK - Following the successful deployment of Martin Audio’s MLA system at Regents Park Open Theatre this summer, Autograph Sound has been using the manufacturer’s CDD-LIVE 15 15” powered, point source solution in some of its recent theatre productions. First, sound designer Nick Lidster — the man responsible for designing the Jesus Christ Superstar sound in Regents Park — had four CDD-LIVE 15 out on duty at the Jason Robert Brown musical Last Five Years, repurposed for London’s St. James Theatre. Then his colleague Avgoustos Psillas fielded a complete proscenium system, with surround and fills, at Hackney Empire for Sleeping Beauty, the seasonal pantomime. In this challenging environment, a three-way L/C/R CDD-LIVE 15 system, with three enclosures each side of a clustered centre fill/down-fill, was mounted overhead on the motorized hori
The Netherlands - Italian loudspeaker manufacturer Outline showcases its “Contemporary loudspeaker solutions for multiple applications” at ISE 2017 Amsterdam (Hall #7 - Booth W152). This new series from Outline offers a complete range of high quality solutions for a large number of applications. The flexibility and common-voicing of the Vegas range makes it a very attractive “toolbox” for contractors, installers/specifiers, integrators and selected sound production professionals, says the company. All models feature premium-class Italian-made components and are designed, sourced and manufactured following the same stringent quality standards Outline applies to all of its high-end touring audio products, to been heard on key tours and festivals worldwide. Common characteristics are high intelligibility scale ratings, extraordinary audio fidelity, attractive pri
The Netherlands - Bose Professional will introduce the new ControlSpace EX audio conferencing system at ISE 2017. The system includes the new ControlSpace EX-1280C conferencing signal processor and three new Dante-based ControlSpace under-table endpoints (EX-4ML, EX-8ML and EX-UH). Designed with input from leading integrators, the system features connectivity for various types of audio conferencing, including USB, VoIP, PSTN, analog, and phone headset audio. “We focused on creating one audio conferencing DSP that includes everything an integrator might need – Dante, USB, VoIP, PSTN and analog audio – all in a single 1RU box. We also recognized the growing need to reduce wiring, locate equipment remotely, and address retrofit applications. Bose under-table endpoints are microphone-agnostic and use PoE and Dante to provide a ‘one cable from the table’ micropho
The Netherlands - A new name in pro audio will make its début at ISE 2017. LARQ Systems from Norway will launch an innovative range of loudspeakers and electronics, designed for the retail, restaurant and hospitality, corporate and educational markets. Based in Oslo, LARQ Systems is a new venture for the long-established audio specialist company, Fjeldbekk AS. Its product designs are based on more than 25 years’ experience in sound contracting and focus on speech and music quality, reliability, ease of use and flexible mounting; providing quality products at an affordable price level. With equal consideration to supporting its distribution channels, LARQ Systems is operating a European warehouse located in Antwerp, Belgium. The initial range from LARQ Systems consists of three product series; the Display Loudspeaker Series, the Contractor Series of mixers and mixer
UK - Private-equity house Electra has realised £203m on the sale of audio equipment group Audiotonix. Epiris, Electra’s recently renamed investment arm set to split from the firm in June, sold the business to European buyout group Astorg. Epiris formed Audiotonix after acquiring Allen & Heath for £42m in 2013 and combining it with Calrec and DiGiCo, which it bought a year later. The enlarged group, led by chief executive James Gordon has quadrupled earnings in four years. Epiris partner Charles Elkington said, “This has been a fantastic deal for Epiris and its investors.” A statement from Audiotonix says, “AudiotAudiotonix is delighted to announce Astorg’s investment into the group. Astorg is a European private equity firm with total funds under management of over €4 billion, that actively seeks to partner with market leading companies lead by e
UK - Scala in Kings Cross has played host to everyone from Coldplay and The Foo Fighters to Ray Lamontagne and Sheryl Crow over the years. In addition, it has become a mecca for the capital’s clubbing community, regularly opening its doors for drum’n’bass, reggae, rock and garage nights. As part of a recent significant upgrade to Scala’s in-house audio system, the venue has invested in an Allen & Heath dLive S Class digital mixing system at front of house. Featuring a dLive S5000 surface partnered with a DM48 MixRack, the set-up also employs a Waves V3 audio networking card to allow laptop-based multitrack recording (up to 128 tracks) of live events via a single CAT cable. The inclusion of an iP8 remote controller also increases flexibility with its ability to control the dLive MixRack in conjunction with Allen & Heath’s Director software for an ultra
UK - Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance has been given the power to award its own degrees. Her Majesty’s Privy Council, following a recommendation by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), has written to the College to confirm that it has been granted Taught Degree Awarding Powers (TDAP). This means that, from September 2017, students will be able to study for a taught degree awarded by the Sidcup-based College. Rose Bruford College principal and chief executive, Professor Michael Earley, said, “This is a significant milestone in the College’s 66- year history and means we can develop our own degrees which respond quickly to the needs of our students, existing partners and other organisations within the performing arts and creative industries sectors. “The awarding of TDAP is a college-wide achievement, and I would like to thank our staff, stude
UK - Following a period of substantial growth, creative technical event production expert Hawthorn has strengthened its sales team with a series of new appointments. Claire Ledward and Eliot Sargeant have joined the company as business development managers with Ieva Gudaite being welcomed as sales executive. Based in London and the Midlands, the trio bring more than 18 years of sales experience to the business. Claire brings 12 years of sales experience to the team, spanning a variety of sectors including media, IT, telecoms and the events industry. Prior to joining Hawthorn, Claire worked at a global conference and exhibition company for six years, based out of the Dubai office where she was responsible for launching b2b events in challenging markets around the Middle East and North Africa. Eliot joins the company from Chillisauce Events where he worked as senio
The Netherlands - Lab.gruppen will introduce three new Lucia 60 W power models - Lucia 60/2M, Lucia 60/2 and Lucia 60/1-70. “Lucia has an exceptionally small footprint and multiple mounting options and its input flexibility provides installers with an absolutely reliable and highly-cost effective solution,” notes Hakan Gustafsson of Lab Gruppen. “To further increase cost efficiencies we have introduced new 60 W power models, which reduces the initial system investment by 30% whilst delivering all the same features as the alternative models.” Central to Lucia’s cost efficiencies is its Energy Star certification. After 20 minutes of no signal input, the amplifiers’ automatically enter standby mode and power up within one second when signal returns. Additionally Lucia incorporate intelligent fan control where it provides silent operation in idle and lower out
USA - Officially, NAMM 2017 ended on Sunday 22 January, but for digital music trailblazer Roland, the show is still in high gear. The company is keeping the excitement of its NAMM launches and celebrity stage appearances alive with an extensive social media campaign, featuring powerful 360 VR streaming that recreates the feeling of being at the show. A key contributor to the realism of the post-show video, as well as the engaging look of Roland’s sprawling, multi-faceted NAMM exhibit, has been the thoughtful, well-balanced lighting design created by Justin Preston of Three-Phase Productions, using a collection of Rogue, STRIKE and COLORado fixtures from Chauvet Professional. Roland divided its large NAMM space into a number of sections, including a main stage where artists like Gregg Bissonette, Omar Hakim and Scott Tibbs performed, as well as separate areas for its
Spain - Opened in 1923, Madrid’s Monumental Theatre has hosted many theatre companies, live shows, concerts and other events. In 2016 it celebrated 50 years as the headquarters of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Radio Televisión Española (RTVE Symphony Orchestra and Choir), a milestone marked by the installation of two brand new Yamaha CL5 digital mixing consoles. One of the Spain’s most prestigious orchestras, Orquesta Sinfónica de Radio Televisión Española, is run by state broadcaster RTVE. Most of its live or recorded broadcast performances come from the theatre, due to its high quality acoustics. These produce the excellent sound quality and reverb essential for the reproduction of classical music concerts. The theatre has featured two Yamaha PM5D consoles for several years, but in 2016 the decision was taken to install CL5s. “The main reason for replac
Europe - Shure has announced the three winning bands in its recent EMEA-wide band competition Call for Legends – Live. The first prize winners are the Lehmanns Brothers, an eight-piece soul/funk band from France. The competition ran from September to December 2016 and the requirements were that bands entering had to be based in the EMEA region (Europe, the Middle East, or Africa) and to have a strong passion for live performances. To prove this, bands had to upload a video of a gig in front of a live audience, along with a band biography. The winning groups receive Shure equipment worth thousands of Euros, and the first-prize winner additionally has the opportunity of playing live at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival, and of taking home a professional audio and video recording of their festival performance. The competition has exceeded all expectati
The Netherlands - At Integrated Systems Europe 2017, Astro Spatial Audio (ASA) will unveil its new SARA II Premium Rendering Engine. Appearing on the booth of Alcons Audio (Hall 6, booth H148), the second generation SARA II will power an “immersive pro ribbon experience”, with demonstrations taking place every two hours. The 3U, rack-mountable SARA II brings the creative possibilities of object-based 3D sound to the live entertainment and installation industries, plus room acoustics and stage tracking features, all in an easy to use package. Boasting a redesigned fascia with a 2.8” touchscreen display, the hardware includes refinements such as ultra-low noise cooling, redundant on board SSD drives and up to 64 MADI or 128 Dante configurable network pathways, all of which are assignable to at least 32 audio objects. Browser-based access to a user-friendly GUI ensu
France/The Netherlands - L-Acoustics has announced the launch of Syva, a new format, high power speaker system which features six medium-frequency and three high-frequency speakers in a sleek J-shaped progressive curvature format. The groundbreaking transducer arrangement called segment source* produces an H/V 140° x 26° (+5/-21°) directivity pattern that is optimized for exceptional surface coverage and 35 meters of throw. Syva is designed for corporate events, fashion and trade shows, as well as for sound reinforcement in amphitheatres and performing arts centres. The modern, sleek design will make it an attractive option for houses of worship as well as intimate settings such as home cinemas or lounge bars, says the company. Syva can be accompanied by the Syva Low high power subwoofer or Syva Sub infra extension to achieve a 142 dB max SPL. Its companion Syva Low
Austria - After 15 years of success in the Austrian post-production industry, Frei Audio Tonstudio has celebrated by making a major investment in a brand new mixing system. The studio’s existing system was centred on a Yamaha DM2000 digital mixer and Steinberg’s Nuendo DAW, so a Yamaha Nuage system was the obvious upgrade. Based in Klagenfurt, Frei Audio is a full service studio that has built an excellent reputation as a post-production facility for film and TV production, as well as composing and producing music for commercials and movies. With recent projects including highly acclaimed documentary features Bauer Unser and Streif - One Hell Of A Ride, as well as the film Mount St. Elias, the studio features exceptional acoustics, surround monitoring, ADR facilities, audio over ISDN / IP and many years of combines expertise in all aspects of audio p
Cyprus - Audio specialists tube UK designed sound for a dazzling Opening Ceremony to mark the start of the ancient and mythical city of Pafos, Cyprus’s year as joint European Capital of Culture for 2017 (together with Aarhus in Denmark). Working for Pafos2017, tube was recommended for the project by Liz Pugh from outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank, producers of the main Opening Ceremony (OC) show in central Pafos together with a team of Cypriot creatives and artists. A special soundtrack for the show was written by Pafos-born international composer and music director Christina Athinodorou, who combined classical and electronic elements into the intricate soundscape. tube’s Melvyn Coote took up the challenge of delivering sound for a cast of hundreds and an enthusiastic audience of around 12,000 who packed into the 28 October Square in central Pafos to en
UK - Almost 370 of the UK festival and outdoor event industry’s leading suppliers and organisers attended the Festival Supplier Awards to celebrate and applaud the 2017 winners on Thursday 26 January. Now in its third year, and settled in to its home at the Hurlingham Club, the awards recognise companies who work tirelessly to deliver great events, many of whose efforts often go unseen. Amongst the awards presented were accolades for Best Stage, Best Power, Best Temporary Structure, Best Toilets/ Waste Management, Best Concession/ Bar and Best Sound, along with gongs for Best Production Team and Best Festival Support Service. The full list of awards presented and the winners is: Best Concession / Bar: Peppermint Bars, Bestival Best Festival Technology Provider: TOURtech, Lollapalooza Best Crowd / Pit Barrier: Actavo Events, London Stadium
Germany - Described as ‘in the daytime a modern convention and congress centre, in the evening a classy concert and event location’, Eurogress Aachen is a major multi-space venue in Germany’s westernmost city. The installation of a pair of Yamaha CL5 digital mixing consoles has brought the mixing facilities in its main halls right up to date. Eurogress Aachen’s many spaces range in size from the Europa, Berlin and Brüssel halls (which accommodate up to 1700, 650 and 430 people respectively) to a number of rooms of varying smaller sizes. For the past 13 years, the Europa and Brüssel halls have each featured a Yamaha DM2000 digital console with AD824 and DA824 I/O units, but the recent installation of a CL5 console with Rio3224-D in each hall by Köln-based Teqsas GmbH has upgraded the facilities. A DME24N digital mixing engine was already in use as a central
