USA - DPA Microphones have again been used on the annual Jazz Cruise on the MS Oosterdam, which sailed from San Diego down the Mexican coastline to the accompaniment of some of the greatest contemporary jazz musicians.

Long time DPA ambassador Gary Baldassari was chief sound engineer for the week-long cruise, working closely with five other engineers who included none other than DPA marketing director Morten Stove together with American engineers Jim Fay, Gary Faller, Nils Warren and Mark Deadman.

The Jazz Cruise has been running for more than 25 years, switching to the prestigious Holland American Line in 2002. With this move, organiser Traveline LLC decided to upgrade the sound and contacted the above engineers, all known for their acoustic jazz work.

DPA mics were used exclusively for all 75 musicians playing on four different stages. Performers included 19-piece swing ba

UK - For the first live BRIT Awards since 1989, Sennheiser commissioned Crystalroc (www.crystalroc.co.uk) to produce two special Union Flag designed SKM 5200 hand-held microphones for presenters Russell Brand and Fearne Cotton. This was also the sixth consecutive year that Sennheiser has provided support to leading sound designer Derrick Zieba and Britannia Row Productions on the UK's top music awards show.

Sennheiser UK's director of marketing John Steven said: "We first worked with Crystalroc when they produced some dazzling gold and diamond microphones for the Kylie Showgirl Homecoming Tour. Everything worked out so well that we thought it would be nice to do something special for The BRIT Awards. We ran it by Derrick and the producers, and everyone was really pleased with the results."

Performers on the night using Sennheiser systems included Corinne Bailey Rae,

The Netherlands / Germany - The range of Twisted Pair products from Dutch manufacturer RDL send, receive and distribute a variety of signal types using twisted pair cables (Cat 5, Cat 6, etc). The products were designed together as a coordinated system of functional modules that are easy to understand, the company says: "Drawing from decades of design and manufacturing experience, RDL twisted pair modules are engineered to deliver signal integrity equal or superior to installations using traditional shielded cables. The variety of styles combined with the mounting modularity of Decora-style and European 45mm designs make RDL's twisted pair products ideal for any architectural requirements. Segregating the twisted-pair cables by format type keeps the design, installation and maintenance simple and straightforward."

The new product line will be on show at the ProLight&So

Australia - ARX's popular MIXX 1U 4-input mic/line mixer has recently had a complete update and redesign, the company reports. The Australia-based pro audio manufacturer's managing director Colin Park told us: "The Mixx has been very popular with installers and AV users around the world and the time had come for an upgrade to meet users changing demands and expectations."

The MIXX now features four balanced low-noise microphone inputs (which can be switched to line inputs if required) with input gain controls, 3-way EQ and pan controls. Switchable phantompower is also available on all four mic inputs, and each channel also has a balanced direct output, the company says.

(Lee Baldock)

Sweden - Sweden based United Audio Starlight, one of the biggest live entertainment companies in Northern Europe, has committed to changing out their existing stock of over 400 Lab.gruppen amplifiers to replace them with 200 of the new Lab.gruppen FP + Series FP 10000Q 4 x 2500 watt-per-channel amplifiers.

"We were one of the beta test sites for the prototype FP 10000Q amplifiers during summer 2006," says Björn Lehnberg, branch manager, Audio, United Audio Starlight. "And our engineers and road crews were astonished by the new 4-channel monster. In our application, one FP 10000Q can replace two fP6400s so we halve the weight and halve the space taken up. These factors alone made the decision to replace our entire inventory very attractive."To help make the change over as swift as possible, United Audio Starlight chose to utilise their existing racks as a sho

Germany - Beyma will be presenting a complete new family of loudspeakers, at Frankfurt's ProLight+Sound exhibition, 28 - 31 March. The new P1000ND is based on its larger siblings, 18 and 15 P1200ND, but with a more adjusted magnetic circuit and a power handling of 1000W AES. The new P1000ND family will be composed of three new models of 18", 15" and 12".

Another brand new family is the MW/ND. This new model incorporates a greatly improved dissipation heat system, which allows it to withstand an unexpected power handling from smaller voice coil sizes. This allows for an improved transducer at a lower cost. Apart from this, the models have a sensitivity and efficiency rarely found in this type of speaker. The family will be composed of a 10", a 12" and a 15" speaker.

Beyma will introduce a new type of component. This type of high frequency transduce

UK - RF specialist, Trantec reports that its innovative 4-channel UHF S4.4 mic system has been taken on board by Rocktronic Centres - the buying consortium of independent musical equipment retailers in the UK.

Rocktronic Centres comprises over sixty independent MI stores nationwide and is headed up by Ian Barnes. The aim of Rocktronic Centres is to offer a combined buying power that allows more product choice, better deals and ultimately an increased service capacity.

Trantec's S4.4 was launched last Autumn and offers "a cost effective and flexible alternative for vocals, presentations and musical instruments".Additionally, the system offers four licence-free switchable UHF frequencies, which can operate simultaneously.

The system is available as a Vocal system, which comprises a hand-held transmitter with a dynamic capsule and a diversity receiver. The Lapel syste

UK - Adlib Audio supplied a JBL VerTec sound system and full audio production and crew for Brand New's recent UK tour - the New York based Indie rockers' largest production tour to date. In control of Brand New's FOH mix is engineer Chris Cole who recommended Adlib to tour manager Jamieson Shea, having working with them several times in the past.

VerTec and also three of the latest Dolby Lake processors for EQ were employed. They used ten elements of flown VerTec a side and six Adlib DF4 twin 18" subs. The VT was powered by Camco Vortex 6 amplifiers and the subs by Crown VZ5000s.

Cole used a Midas H3000 console, which he describes as "a great desk for sound quality and ease of use, and generally excellent for the band". For compression, he used a combination of dbx 160s and BSS901s chained together. Adlib also supplied a rack of four dbx 160s which he put across

USA - Northeastern Production Systems of Rochester, NY is celebrating its 35th Anniversary in 2007 and, by extension, its 35-year relationship with JBL. Since 1972, Northeastern has evolved from a local sound production supplier to become one of the region's premier audio/lighting/video systems providers.

Over the years, artists for whom Northeastern Production Systems has provided live production services include Al Green, Heart, Patti LaBelle, Bill Cosby, KC and The Sunshine Band, Public Enemy, Chuck Mangione, the Spinners, and the Goo Goo Dolls.

According to founder Ray DiBiase, the key to Northeastern Production's success and growth has been its ability to provide a variety of different services as the company has evolved. "First we added lighting in the late 1970's, then in 1990 we decided our destiny was in total production packages," DiBiase said. "We pro

Germany - At ProLight + Sound in Frankfurt, Kling & Freitag will present a selection from its current product range which now includes the option 'Installation' for the models CA 1201, CA1215, CA1515 and Line 212.

The speakers have been optimised for unobtrusive operation, and with numerous M10 mounting points, they allow for variable, simple and safe mounting in fixed installations.

The mounting brackets CA 1201 / CA 1215 and the mounting bracket CA 1515 are also new to the range. They enable the horizontal and vertical mounting of the same-named systems with the option 'Installation'. With this, all passive systems of the CA-Series are now suitable for horizontal and vertical mounting, says the company.

Kling & Freitag will also present the digital system controllers CD 24 and CD 44, both available for delivery since the beginning of the year and offering "a unique co

Australia - Established in 1859, the GPO is a famous Melbourne landmark, transforming from postal hall to popular night spot and function centre in the 1990's. Managed by Robertson Hospitality Group, the GPO most recently underwent a comprehensive update of its audio systems,selecting Allen & Heath mixing products throughout.

"CEO Ian Robertson and music director Scott Thompson were looking for a premium quality audio system that could stay in the background visually, but be very much in the foreground acoustically," commented system designer and contractor Nathan Pugh of One Productions.

The GPO offers four key function areas, The Lexington, The Music Room, The Library and The Terrace. The Lexington makes use of the heritage architecture of the GPO building, with grand archways, 7-metre high ceilings, huge period windows, Swarovski crystal chandeliers, draped privat

UK - January saw the launch in California of the 2007 product ranges from the Harman Group of pro-audio brands, and British distributor Harman Pro UK will be giving the London public their first chance to see much of the new gear at Sounds Expo 2007, running from March 1st for three days at Kensington Olympia.

Under the banner 'Harman Pro UK In The Studio', featured products include studio recording mics from AKG, new additions to the MX range of Lexicon processors, and studio monitors from JBL.

AKG has several new products to show in this, its 60th anniversary year, including the new "affordable" D5 handheld dynamic and C5 condenser mics, the Micromic range of miniaturised vocal and instrument mics, and the eye catching anniversary-edition C414 condenser microphone, production of which is limited to just 2007 mics worldwide.

Lexicon's new MX500 reverb processor, l

USA - A substantial quantity of SymNet DSP and expansion devices have been installed at the Alabama State House in Montgomery, where they provide processing, auto-mixing, matrixing and distribution functionality for the legislative spaces. This installation is part of an audio/visual upgrade at the State Legislature building which was designed by special systems engineering firm NBTA Engineers, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

"We worked very closely with the owner to develop a system tailored to their specific needs. The project was well executed and on budget, and will meettheir needs for many years to come," claims Trez Traylor, president of NBTA Engineers.

The House and Senate chambers are each identically outfitted with a SymNet 8x8 DSP hardware module together with 12-channel BreakIn12 and BreakOut12 expansion devices. Principal inputs into each DSP matrix include mi

South Africa - DPA microphones have played a major role in the South African production of We Will Rock You which premiered at the 1,069-seat Nelson Mandela Theatre in Johannesburg before transferring to Cape Town and Durban.

The show, which plays tribute to rock band Queen, was written by British author Ben Elton together with band members Brian May and Roger Taylor and has sold more than four million tickets worldwide. A futuristic struggle between good and evil, We Will Rock You is based on Queen's back catalogue which spans more than three decades.

A combination of DPA 4065 and 4066 omnidirectional headband mics were used for all cast members. The mics were supplied by DPA's South African distributor Prosound, whose Mark Malherbe was also the sound designer for the show's South African run. Malherbe loosely based his design on the original, which also specifi

UK - AKG, celebrating its 60th anniversary, and its British distributor Harman Pro UK are showing several of the company's latest products at Sounds Expo 2007 at Olympia.

Perhaps the best commemoration of AKG's heritage on display is the limited anniversary edition of the C414 large-diaphragm recording mic. Only 2007 of these mics are being made worldwide, and only during this year.

Two of AKG's biggest launches this year are the D5 and C5 vocal microphones. The supercardioid D5 is a hard-wearing handheld dynamic mic (also available as the D5S with an on/off switch), while the C5 is a rugged cardioid condenser mic. Both mics are designed for recording or stage use, and use some of AKG's most recently developed microphone technology, including a laminate diaphragm in the D5 and a 24-carat gold-sputtered capsule housing in the C5 as a protection against humidity and moisture bui

UK - Harman Pro UK dealer Mersysound Productions has completed a project to install conference facilities and a performance Room at the Alima Centre in Liverpool, which is operated by the Novas Group community project.

The installation features a range of Harman products, including a Soundcraft GB4 24 channel mixing console; Crown I-T4000 and Xs500 amplifiers; DBX 260 Loudspeaker EQ & Management System; Lexicon MPX550 Multi-FX processor and a range of JBL Professional speakers including Control 25 Compact 2-way loudspeakers, VRXX932LA line array loudspeakers, an SRX7188 sub woofer and a JRX112M two-way wedge monitor.

The Alima Centre is a multicultural community venue that offers a range of services and educational and training facilities to community arts groups and schools. Its aim is to create a platform for local people to develop their individual, community and cultural a

Germany - Sennheiser has added Mobile Transmitter to its Guideport wireless multi-lingual visitor information system for exhibitions, museums, theme parks, zoos, botanical gardens, and historic sites. The belt-worn Mobile Transmitter and headset gives tour guides speaking to a group with pre-assigned Guideport headphones the flexibility to mix their live guided tour with pre-recorded audio at the press of a button, says Sennheiser.

The Mobile Transmitter Guideport system monitors the location of the tour group so that when the guide switches to pre-recorded audio, visitors hear content that is context appropriate - it matches the exhibit to which the tour guide has directed them. This frees the guide from the distracting and easily bungled task of triggering the appropriate audio clips.

"No other system on the market has the flexibility of our Sennheiser Guideport technol

UK - The new Digidesign 003 family, which includes 003, Factory and 003 Rack, promises professional-grade I/O, high-definition audio resolution, the compatibility and performance of Pro Tools software, and a bundle of up to 80 professional instrument and effects plug-ins, compatible applications, and sound libraries, including the new Pro Tools Ignition Pack 2 software collection.

"Since the launch of the Digi 001 nearly seven years ago, more and more users are realising the advantages that come from having seamless integration between the home and professional studio, as well as the benefits of having access to our extensive library of effects and virtual instrument plug-ins," explained Dusty DiMercurio, marketing manager for Digidesign's personal studio products. We have met this demand by continuing to introduce innovative Pro Tools -based products for the personal

UK - Audio-Technica has announced the resignation of UK sales director Tony Cooper. Appointed to the board of directors in 2004, Cooper leaves the company after more than seven years service with the microphone and headphone manufacturer.

Commenting on his resignation, Cooper stated: "I have very much enjoyed my time at Audio-Technica and feel the time is now right for me to pursue other interests. I am confident the strong sales team I have grown and developed in the UK will continue to be successful and I wish them all the very best."

Managing director Adrian Rooke said, "We are extremely sorry to be losing Tony. He has been a key member of the management team here, and of the board of directors, during a prolonged period of growth for the company. His talents will be greatly missed and we wish him every success for the future."

(Jim Evans)

Germany - Pioneer Pro DJ will present "an exhilarating and educational snapshot into digital DVJing" during ProLight&Sound 2007 (Frankfurt, 28-31 March 2007). Pioneer's stand will feature all its latest Pro DJ equipment. This includes digital DJ mixers like the DJM-800 and DJM-400, as well as the new range of CDJ CD decks: the CDJ-1000MK3s and CDJ-800MK2s.

More established items, such as the DJM-1000 mixer, EFX-1000 effects unit, and Pioneer's plasma screens, will also feature, but the "true star" of the show, the company says, this year will be the DVJ-1000 - successor to the groundbreaking DVJ-X1 hybrid DVD/CD deck. Like the DVJ-X1s, the DVJ-1000s combine the capabilities of the industry standard CDJ-1000 series with the ability to perform multimedia sets.

DVJ'ing is seen by many DJs as an evolution of their audio art form, and it is now universally accep

USA/Japan - Analogue signal processing and mixing equipment manufacturer API Audio has appointed Mix Wave as its Japanese distributor.

Hide Suzuki, director, pro audio sales manager at Mix Wave says: "API manufactures some of the very best analogue equipment in the world. They've been making waves for decades, and with the industry's renewed interest in imparting an analogue sound on digital recordings, interest in API keeps increasing. For those customers who were clambering for API, we're happy to add them to our line card. For those customers who haven't heard of API's products, we're happy to let them hear what they've been missing!"

API's managing director, Gordon Smart, commented: "We're extremely pleased to have Mix Wave as our distributor in the important Japanese professional audio market, and we look forward to working closely with them."

(Jim E

Germany - Loudspeaker manufacturer HK Audio will be showing additions to its ConTour Series at ProLight&Sound (Frankfurt, 28-31 March 2007) CN 112 is a compact passive full-range cabinet with high assertiveness and precise directivity. CN 115 is a passive cabinet for full-range applications with increased low-mid/bass performance and high speech and syllable intelligibility. The bi-functional housings can be used as symmetric L/R versions and allow for a microphone-adjusted monitoring at almost no acoustic feedback.

Both the CN 112 and CN 115 are equipped with modern neodymium speakers with passive crossovers which can be switched off for bi-amp mode. HK's DuoTilt pole mount with 3° and 7° tilt angles allows for easy adjustment of the cabinets towards the audience without additional accessories.

Designed for speech or music applications, as FOH cabinet for a club PA or

South Africa - Ingonyama Productions, based in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa, recently purchased a Soundcraft MH3, 32-channel mixing console. Ngubane Thabani, owner of Ingonyama, comments, "We are getting more and more calls for a variety of high profile live events in this area. It's vital to have a desk that's built to perform in diverse circumstances."

Gary Furman, of Wild and Marr KZN, adds: "Ingonyama Productions has come a long way in the last year - due in part to the fact that they offer a professional service coupled to their planned buying process, ensuring that their inventory is scalable and cutting edge.

"The Soundcraft MH3 together with its dbx and BSS processing, Crown I-Tech amplification, JBL VRX line array system as well as other professional products, gives them the tools they need to become a major force in the touring and production

Germany - BSS Audio has provided advanced site-wide digital distribution at Movie Park Germany - a major amusement park in Bottrop-Kirchhellen, which is continuously evolving and expanding. The Park welcomes around 1.5 million visitors a year into its 40,000sq.ft facility, who have access to 40 different shows, 15 shops and 24 restaurants. Further facilities will be added prior to the park reopening on 31 March following the winter recess.

Having acquired the site in 2004 from Six Flags Inc, early last year the park's operators, Belgian-based StarParks recently embarked on a major technology upgrade and commissioned a new audio-visual infrastructure, based around a central BSS Audio Soundweb London DSP/distribution system.

Under the supervision of technology integrators, FACE, the installation began in the early summer and was completed by the end of the year. Using Soundweb L

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