UK - In a crowded festival season, trying to establish a new concept within a relatively untested site in central London can prove hazardous.

But in initiating the new Sunfall Festival at Brockwell Park, promoters NVS called on the tried and trusted triumvirate of sound engineering specialists RG Jones Sound Engineering, their premium Martin Audio MLA Multi-cellular Loudspeaker PA system and experienced production company, Whole Nine Yards.

It is a team that for the past five years has serviced the two other events in the NVS Promotions portfolio - the back-to-back Dimensions Festival and Outlook Festival in Pula, Croatia. And once again, the result was an outright success.

According to RG Jones' crew chief and project manager, Steve Carr, the underlying idea at Brockwell Park was to run the festival until 9pm (the "Sun" element) and then decant the crowds into surroun

UK - The M Series developed by console manufacturer Midas, is experiencing a flood in popularity amongst audio professionals in the UK. As a result, Midas has revealed plans to rocket availability of the series by appointing Electrovision as an additional UK dealer.

Based in Merseyside, Electrovision has a long-standing relationship with Midas' parent company Music and now adds to an already impressive line-up of products from Turbosound, TC Electronic, TC Helicon, Behringer and Bugera.

"Midas' expertise in making affordable, rock-solid and reliable consoles is unrivalled, so having the M Series is very important to us and will allow our customers to enjoy the ultimate mixing console experience," commented Kevin Roche of Electrovision.

"Midas' success is in its award-winning PRO Series preamplifiers, advanced digital technology and industry-leading ADC and DAC converte

Australia - Midnight Oil front man Peter Garrett has just finished a solo tour of the country in support of his new album A Version of Now. On the East Coast, JPJ Audio supplied a FOH control and monitor set up as well as some extra wedges for a couple of gigs.

FOH engineer Colin Ellis mixed for Midnight Oil in the nineties, returning to mix for them at a couple of large charity events. With the band expected to reform and tour in 2017, this tour could be described as a bit of a warm up.

"I believe that Peter Garrett wanted me to do the tour," commented Colin. "We had production rehearsals in Sydney including a small show for friends and family. For the tour, we decided to use in house PA's which worked alright. However, none of the systems were amazing and it was the first time in many years that I used non line array systems!"

At Canberra Theatre, Peter's home

UK - Lock N Load Events' annual South West Four (SW4) Bank Holiday Weekend festival on Clapham Common this year reached new sound thresholds set by Lambeth Council, as Capital Sound again set to work with their award-winning Martin Audio MLA multi-cellular system.

Working for the third consecutive year with promoter Andrew Mattle, the remit for MLA has slowly extended from main stage, where drum & bass kings Rudimental and veteran techno specialists Chemical Brothers headlined, into the three support tents.

Capital account manager Martin Connolly confirmed that while the MLA family was again featured in all areas, the MLX subs were deployed in two different formats, namely a broadside cardioid array on the main stage whilst stages 2 and 3 had cardioid stacks under the hangs. On Stage 4, four WS218X subs were set each side on stage in an end-fire configuration - all of whic

Canada - British loudspeaker manufacturer PMC Speakers has appointed Systemes Guinois as its distributor in Canada, with exclusive responsibility for representing PMC's entire pro audio loudspeaker range.

Based in Montreal, Systemes Guinois is one of Canada's premier professional pro audio outlets, catering for all broadcast, post production, educational and pro audio needs.

With demo facilities on site, Systemes Guinois is well placed to showcase PMC's products and currently holds an extensive demo stock of twotwo nearfield speakers and IB1S-A and IB2S-A active full range monitors.

"PMC could not be happier to be partnering with Francois and the Systemes Guinois team to support the growing demand for PMC professional speakers around the world," says PMC's export sales manager Chris Allen. "The effort and investment they put into the brands they represent is unequalled

South Africa - Professional audio distributor Wild & Marr has acquired the rights to distribute the Avid portfolio of pro-audio products in Southern Africa. The official hand over was completed at an Avid event in Johannesburg last week.

The product portfolio includes the highly popular Pro Tools suite as well as the S6 and S6L integrated digital mixing systems for live performance production and recording.

Joe Copans, MD of Wild & Marr says, "We certainly feel proud to be entrusted with the great brands in the Avid pro-audio stable. We see the two companies as having many synergies, and we're looking forward to investing resources and capacity into growing the Avid footprint in Southern Africa."

Part of those resources is to provide product support for the brand. Ian Holden has been employed as an Avid technical support specialist. Ian has extensive experience with Av

Through The Past Darkly - The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) is hoping to replicate the success of its David Bowie exhibition with a major retrospective of Pink Floyd. The Pink Floyd Exhibition: Their Mortal Remains, marking 50 years since the release of the band's first single, will include a laser light show and previously unseen concert footage. The "immersive" show will feature 350 objects and artefacts, including instruments and original artworks. It will run from May to October 2017.

The V&A promised "an immersive, multi-sensory and theatrical journey through Pink Floyd's extraordinary world" which will "chronicle the music, iconic visuals and staging of the band, from the underground psychedelic scene in 1960s London to the present day". The exhibition will also include items from stage performances, as well as instruments, handwritten lyrics, architectural drawings a

UK - Allen & Heath has launched the Xone:PX5, a new 4+1 channel DJ performance mixer, that combines classic Xone analogue audio quality with comprehensive digital connectivity and next generation performance-focused FX processing.

Equipped with the Xone VCF filter, three-band total kill EQ on all channels, and a new internal Xone:FX engine, the PX5 also features a high spec 20-channel USB soundcard with Xone:Sync and MIDI integration, all packaged within an intuitive surface layout.

The PX5's FX engine features the newly developed Xone:Xcite library of performance-focused FX, coupled with familiar hands-on controls for instant, instinctive operation. A hybrid FX mode combines the internal and external send & return FX for advanced FX processing. Meanwhile, the legendary Xone filter system includes HPF, BPF, LPF, resonance control and frequency sweep, plus the option to rou

UK - Many House of Worship audio installations are in existing buildings, adding sound reinforcement for the first time or replacing a life expired system. But occasionally the opportunity arises to design an audio system as an integral part of a new-build. RG Jones Sound Engineering recently did this for a brand new mosque in Leicester, choosing a complete Yamaha solution.

Baitul Ikram Mosque is the new home for the Ahmadiyya Muslim community (AMA) in the UK East Midlands. The new mosque needed a distributed audio/visual system for a complex that includes a main prayer hall, multipurpose hall, meeting room, office, cr

UK - As the PLASA show consolidates its position as one of the premier events in the international tradeshow calendar, it is pleased to announce the last of its free-to-attend educational sessions.

Completing this year's educational and informative offering, are Sound Design for Olympic Ceremonies - Lessons Learnt, The art of creating impactful artist performances, Investigating the Intangible - When Lighting & Sound Interact, Apprenticeships - A new approach to employer-led schemes, AV Installation Strategy for Venue Owners and Inventing The Future: The Story of the National Theatre's Lightboard.

Scott Willsallen has been one of the leading audio designers for major international and outdoor events since 2004 and has been involved in the majority of the Olympic Ceremonies since then. In Sound Design for Olympic Ceremonies - Les

UK - Martin Audio has announced BlacklineX, a classic suite of passive loudspeakers representing a reinvention for the modern era of its Blackline series.

The original Blackline Series, launched in 1999, set a new standard for affordable professional loudspeaker systems - becoming synonymous with sound quality and reliability for live music venues, nightclubs and installations worldwide.

Now, with BlacklineX, Martin Audio's R&D team has engineered a whole new range - delivering the signature sound of warmth, nuance and clarity at a price point not previously possible - all in a clean, smart design with no-compromise between the needs of installation and portability. Applications range from portable sound reinforcement and stage monitoring for live bands, DJ's and corporate events, to installations in nightclubs, bars, commercial spaces and Houses of Worship.

Comprising

Sweden / USA - ETAL Group is launching a high end Class D amplifier with a footprint less than a credit card at AES in Los Angeles (29 September - 1 October Booth 332). The premium Anaview AMS and popular high end ALC Class D power amplifiers will be featured at the event.

The new ETAL Anaview ALA Class D amplifier is based on patented ETAL audio engineering and magnetics and sets new standards of audio performance for products where form factor and power consumption are key constraints. With overall dimensions of just 68mm x 33mm x 18mm, the ETAL Anaview ALA series delivers 2 x 45Wrms into 6?. It can be powered by a single voltage of 12-25V DC making it easy to integrate.

Stefan Ruuth, sales manager at ETAL, said, "In terms of size-performance, the ALA is unmatched, delivering amazingly clean and room-filling sound from a very small module. We see this exceptional module

USA - Rachel Platten exploded onto the mainstream last year after her Fight Song ranked 6th in the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached the UK Top 10 Singles chart. Her label-debut album Wildfire then achieved gold status and to round things off, Stand by You, the second single from the album topped the Adult Pop Songs charts in February this year.

The Wildfire tour, has been utilizing a PRO2 at front of house, and a PRO2C at monitors, both with their own DL251 stage boxes. Illinois-based production company Sound Works Productions, were responsible for the package, and the two sound engineers taking care of it.

Production manager and Front of House engineer Chris Montgomery, has been hooked on Midas since a go on the Heritage console in 2007. "The MIDAS consoles have a sound about them...there's a warmth, and the preamps are super punchy. I haven't experie

USA - Nestled amid the towering peaks of the front range in Estes Park, Colorado and surrounded on three sides by Rocky Mountain National Park, the YMCA of the Rockies is as beautiful a place to have a conference, reunion, or getaway as one can find this side of the Pearly Gates.

And those conferences, reunions, or getaways need not be small by any stretch; the sprawling grounds include 900 lodging rooms and nearly 60 meeting rooms, including the 600-plus-seat Walter G. Reusch Auditorium. Recently, Sight and Sound Technologies (Colorado Springs, Colorado) replaced the auditorium's aging sound reinforcement system with new, crystal-clear, high-impact Danley Sound Labs loudspeakers and subwoofers.

"When I told her I was replacing a sound system at YMCA of the Rockies, my mom got excited because she had gone to camp there when she was young," said Kris Johnson, COO of Sight a

USA - Communications Design Associates, a Massachusetts-based consulting, design and integration firm, recently completed a major upgrade to the Boston Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) in Boston.

The BCEC is the largest exhibition centre in New England, with over a half million square feet of exhibit space. The Communications Design Associates team quickly built out the 6,144-channel Audinate Dante network for the BCEC, to route voice and background music across 45 locations - significantly cutting cable and labour costs over the course of the project.

Communications Design Associates has transitioned to Audinate's Dante audio networking for the bulk of its AV integration projects, citing its tremendous scalability and low cost of ownership over analog and early-generation networking systems. "Every project I manage today is Dante," said Joe Patten, project design man

UK - Having delighted audiences since its debut in 1999, Mamma Mia! has embarked on its first ever UK tour with a KV2 Audio loudspeaker system.

As part of the creative team behind the original West End production, renowned sound designer Bobby Aitken decided to "Take a Chance on KV" for the tour.

Bobby's notable West End and Broadway credits include Dirty Dancing, We Will Rock You, Grease and Ghost amongst countless others and he was the sound designer for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympic / Paralympic Games as well as consultant for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and the f 2016 Opening Ceremony in Rio.

Having heard about KV2's rising reputation in Theatre Bobby and his team visited the main Czech Republic factory to hear what all the talk was about.

Bobby reports, "The Mamma Mia! International Tour has

Germany - 2016 marked the 25th anniversary of Berlin's prestigious Classic Open Air Festival, which features five consecutive nights of live, open-air music in the heart of the city. Helping to mark the occasion were two Yamaha RIVAGE PM10 consoles, which mixed Front of House and monitors.

The Classic Open Air Festival (CoA) concerts take place in the city's Gendarmenmarkt, in front of the Konzerthaus and between the historic Deutscher Dom und Franz

UK - Martin Audio has announced the return of Robin Dibble as product support engineer and Bradley Watson to the role of EMEA sales manager.

Following the appointment of Dom Harter as managing director, Martin Audio has gone through a transformative period of improved organisation, process and control while at the same time launching CDD-LIVE! and now BlacklineX.

To support this revitalised sales growth, the timing was right to establish the roles of product support engineer and EMEA sales manager.

Dom Harter comments, "We are really building a future at Martin Audio, and with CDD-LIVE! shipping and BlacklineX just launched it is the right time to boost the team. Martin Audio's core customers know Robin well, I couldn't think of anyone better to further our credentials in the installation space given his knowledge, reputation and his understanding of Martin Audio produ

Europe - Shure has unveiled its SE215m+ Special Edition (SE215m+SPE) Sound Isolating Earphones, offering a truly integrated mobile communications performance in an exclusive white finish.

Designed for music enthusiasts using Apple iOS devices, the SE215m+SPE features a sleek, three-button communication pod that enables users to conveniently control device playback, volume, and sending/receiving of calls. It also includes a microphone for calls and voice control apps. The SE215m+SPE earphones ship with a detachable and replaceable Remote + Mic Accessory Cable, offering a unique combination of communication technology, durability, and sound quality.

"In today's on-the-go world, mobile communication functionality is a highly desired feature among customers," said Sean Sullivan, senior product manager at Shure. "With the SE215m+ SPE, we've added the convenient features of our

UK - Leading manufacturer Focusrite has presented an award to a Buckinghamshire New University BA (Hons) Audio and Music Production graduate for the quality of his work.

Mark Timms, 22, won the Focusrite Award for Best Music Production Recording 2016 and received it at his graduation ceremony at the Wycombe Swan theatre in High Wycombe.

The ambitious graduate was recognised for his dissertation work, based around binaural recording, a type of sound recording, and how it could be used to enhance horror films.

He said, "I built my own binaural recording head at home and spent a lot of my time in the studio experimenting and creating effects, then testing it to see if people enjoyed or were scared by this different way of recording."

Speaking about his career after graduating, Mark said: "I am currently working for the BBC as a boom operator on their medical drama

Argentina - Rock band Viejas Locas, completed their 20th anniversary tour travelling with an Allen & Heath dLive digital mixing system to venues including the 5000 capacity Salon Rock Sur in Buenos Aires.

Comprising an S5000 Surface and DM48 MixRack fitted with a Waves network card, dLive was selected by FOH engineer, Fernando Parra, who was trying the system for the first time.

"dLive's sound quality exceeded my expectations, the band and vocals were powerful and clear. The control surface is very friendly and the dual touchscreens allowed me to work very comfortably," explains Parra.

"The compressors are excellent, and the parallel compression option is very practical, plus the gate side chain path with filter makes a difference. The low latency is also surprising at 0,7ms, and the 128 channel strips, 64 buses with graphic equalizer, 16 FX racks, and 96kHz sample rat

The Netherlands - For the first time in Europe, Yamaha and Steinberg are showing their implementation of Dolby Atmoswith Nuendo and Nuage at IBC 2016 in Amsterdam this week.

The latest update to Yamaha's state-of-the-art Nuage hardware controller system has brought full support for Steinberg Nuendo 7.1, a fully-fledged post-production system supporting different immersive sound formats. Using the Nuage console and Dante-based audio hardware, a connection to Dolby's rendering and mastering unit allows for easy and flexible content creation for object-based cinema sound, bringing Nuage up to speed with today's fastest-growing immersive surround formats.

Yamaha is providing hands-on demonstrations of the system throughout IBC 2016, on Stand 8.A69.

(Jim Evans)

UK - No matter what your plan for PLASA 2016, d&b audiotechnik will be a brand that's hard to miss. From 18-20 September, visitors to London's Olympia will have access to the latest d&b products and lots of opportunity to engage with the d&b GB team.

Newly appointed d&b sales partner SFL Group, on stand V60, will feature the d&b DS10 Audio network bridge among other points of interest from the d&b portfolio, and of course offer visitors the chance to meet the experts from their team.

d&b sales partner SSE/Wigwam, at stand J20, will be providing hands on introductions to d&b NoizCalc, the far field noise immission modelling software and the new QSC plug-in Q-SYS. NoizCalc is also up for a PLASA Award for Innovation.

d&b GB is playing key roles in a number of new attractions this year. The DS10 will be a focus of attention during the Dante Event on Tuesday 20 September f

UK - KLANG:technologies, the designer and manufacturer of its 3D in-ear monitoring system, is participating in The Exploratorium at PLASA in partnership with its UK distributor, HD Pro Audio.

KLANG:technologies's 3D IEM processing is billed as the next major step in the evolution of stage monitoring. Multiple musicians are able to control their own mix with standard touch-screen tablet devices whilst the revolutionary effect of the 3D processing brings greater separation, clarity and, more importantly, reality, to their personal mix.

HD Pro Audio sales director, Andy Huffer, explains, "The concept of The Exploratorium immediately appealed to us in its inventive approach to showing new technologies in an interactive, informative and entertaining way. KLANG's 3D IEM is leading edge, so requires engineers and performers to hear it to appreciate the significant advance it repr

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