UK - At this year’s PLASA Show (stand J5) OutBoard will preview the latest product innovations from the TiMax family of immersive audio and showcontrol products. Following another of the company’s busiest years, both in sales and in product development, OutBoard will showcase new software enhancements to TiMax2 SoundHub, including audio and workflow previews of their groundbreaking new spatial production reverb addition. Also at PLASA will be the award-winning TiMax TrackerD4 Precision Stagetracking system, with newly refined error correction filtering as a must-see update. This and other innovations further solidify the agility and robustness of the system to meet the growing demands of live production, cementing its status as the leading tracking system for real-time immersive spatial audio, and also paving the way for imminent exciting new advanced lighting and media
USA - Experimental Icelandic rock band, Sigur Rós recently embarked on a two-and-a-half-week tour of North America, complete with a 41-piece orchestra. It marks the third phase of support from their audio rental company 22live, who earlier covered their 2022 world shows, followed by European summer dates (where the orchestral idea was first introduced) and now tour dates in the United States and Canada. Each wave of dates has seen progressive iterations of Martin Audio sound reinforcement, culminating in monitor engineer Throstur Albertsson recently changing his monitor set-up for powerful XE500 wedges (to complement their IEMs) but more significantly 18 of the manufacturer’s new FlexPoint FP4 for local orchestral monitoring. Explaining the background, 22live hire director, Paul Timmins, who has a long relationship with Sigur Rós, said: “We needed some tiny
Australia - Sydney Showground was established in 1998 as a purpose-built home for major events as part of the multi-million dollar development leading up to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Today it's a multi-use venue, hosting nearly 150 national and international events annually, including music festivals, sporting events, exhibitions, trade shows and the Sydney Royal Easter Show, its flagship event and the nation's largest annual ticketed event. Sydney Showground comprises several buildings, including Giants Stadium, the Dome and Exhibition Complex, Charles Moses Stadium, Howie Complex, the Sydney Royal Stables, and more. After 25 years of nearly continuous operation, the AV system was in need of refurbishment, so they turned to Connect Series amplifiers from LEA Professional to return the AV system to its former glory. Showground staff contacted integrator The
UK - JBL Professional and UK distributor Sound Technology will be showcasing the latest JBL Portable and Performance Audio loudspeaker solutions throughout the PLASA Show on their main stand C22, and with a series of audio demonstrations in the Gallery Suite 2 on the Gallery Level. The showcase will include one of the UK’s first showings of the JBL VTX A6, which brings flagship VTX A Series performance to a subcompact form factor, and the newly shipping JBL SRX 900 system - a series of powered line arrays and subwoofers addresses the growing need for affordable, scalable small and medium-format professional sound-reinforcement solutions. The new powerful and intuitive JBL Performance control software for SRX900 will also be demonstrated. In addition, attendees will hear the latest addition to JBL’s portable PA family, the PRX 900 Series, together with the high-po
UK - With a presence across 25 countries and a total of 135 establishments, Vapiano Restaurants understands the integral role that ambience plays in customer satisfaction and engagement. Essential to this ambience is quality audio with appropriate music. Vapiano enlisted the services of installer Marquee AV to upgrade the audio system in their Paddington restaurant. After reviewing the client request and specifications, Stacey Tough, project director at Marquee AV, contacted Audiologic regarding the supply of the audio system. Through discussions with Paul Simpson, business manager at Audiologic, 11 x Ecler Drop 6 pendant loudspeakers and three Ecler Arqis SB10i subwoofers were specified for the project. Paul Simpson explains: "The Ecler Drop6 2-way pendant speaker suits this setting perfectly. It boasts a 6.5" woofer and a 1" silk dome tweeter, along with a 70/
UK - Based in the heart of the West Midlands with a satellite office in North Wales, sound production company CS Audio has made an initial investment in Outline’s Newton FPGA processor, supplied by UK distributor CUK Audio. “The unit had been on my radar for a while thanks to the industry ‘buzz’ it has generated - some products quickly develop a reputation for simply being the right tool for the job and Newton is definitely one of them,” says owner Paul Hatt. “It quickly became obvious that it was way ahead of any comparable product and ideal for our needs. Its ease of use, dual redundant PSUs and connectivity options, all in such a compact package, made it a very simple decision to invest.” Paul continues: “It has become our go-to choice for our FOH drive rack, using Dante as the primary network with AES backup, and it works so well with our inventory
UK - For more than 15 years, Oxford’s Event Production Services has been a major fixture at Truck Festival. In 2023 EPS provided sound and lighting for five of the eight stages. For the second year running sound systems in these spaces were entirely based around Nexo products, from the Geo, P+ and ID series, with control surfaces from Yamaha. Highlights included This Feeling and Rockin’ Chair stages, which both utilised Nexo Geo M1210 and MSUB18 with cardioid subwoofers; and The Tap Room, with a compact but potent system of Geo M620 and MSUB18. All systems were ground stacked but still offered consistent coverage and audio level across the spaces, with all the M12 systems running in active mode. Robert Nisbet, managing director of EPS, reported flawless operation from the Nexo systems. “Having bought into Nexo in large quantities over the past five years, our te
UK - South City Studios, a pre-production and rehearsal facility in Stockport, is expanding after using a six-figure loan from FW Capital Debt Finance, part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (npif). Established in 2017, South City Studios, formerly called The Stockport Studios, is located in Pear Mill, Stockport. Following strong financial performance over the past two years, the business was able to fund the development of additional studio spaces at its existing location, increasing overall capacity to 15 permanent rooms that can be hired on a monthly basis and a further four rooms available for flexible bookings. The investment will support plans to accelerate further growth following the acquisition of additional space at Welkin Mill, Stockport, close to the existing studios. The owners of the business plan to create additional rehearsal studios as well as
UK - Entec Live has extended its investment in Optocore fibre network devices, expanding its Record and Returns racks capabilities - thereby future-proofing them for the growing roster of arena, stadium and festival events they are undertaking. This was after the production company had invested in its first three M8-BNC MADI switches for the Gorillaz world tour early last year. Supplied by Optocore dealer, HD Pro Audio, the devices were designed to help optimise their Pro Tools rig, enabling connectivity with their Optocore-enabled DiGiCo SD7 digital consoles. This year they added a further M8-BNC, but equally significantly five X6R-FX-16AE interfaces (one with SRC sample rate conversion option, the other four without), creating an Optocore PA Returns rack that will become their de facto system for shows over the next year. Again, the order was fulfilled by HD Pro Audi
USA - By any measure, the numbers for the Dead & Company final tour of 2023 are impressive. Although among the top-grossing acts since its first tour in 2015, with this year’s outing the band shattered all of their previous totals. Across 28 shows in 19 cities, according to Billboard Box Score, Dead & Company grossed $114.7m and sold 845,000 tickets. However, the magnitude of this final leg of “the long, strange trip” must be measured by more than hard numbers. It marked the coda of a resilient cultural and sociological phenomenon - launched by the Grateful Dead - that has spanned nearly six decades and three generations. Appropriately, the tour’s significance as a milestone of Americana was recognised in a lavishly illustrated 2,500-word feature in The New York Times. As has been the case since the outset, Dead & Company was again accompanie
The Netherlands - At IBC, Sennheiser, Neumann, Dear Reality and Merging Technologies (D50 in Hall 8) will demonstrate immersive production workflows as well as solutions for audio capture, monitoring and processing. Creators and audio professionals of all levels are welcomed to stand. Four spaces invite IBC visitors to explore state-of-the-art solutions for today’s content production: the immersive presentation zone, active and passive product islands, a Neumann area and a separate Wireless Multichannel Audio Systems (WMAS) zone. In the immersive presentation zone, which is powered by a 5.1.4 Neumann monitor set-up with nine KH 150 monitor loudspeakers and two KH 750 DSP subwoofers, guests will be able to get hands-on with the Dolby Atmos/immersive broadcast workflows facilitated by the products of Merging Technologies, the latest member to join the Sennheiser Group.
USA - Just when it seemed like this summer’s temperatures couldn’t climb any higher, R&B legends TLC and Jamaican icon Shaggy brought the heat to stages throughout North America with the TLC & Shaggy: Hot Summer Nights Tour 2023. The package tour, which blazed through 26 cities throughout the US and Canada in June and July, served up a feast of hits spanning three decades and showcased performances by special guests En Vogue and Sean Kingston. Tour sound, provided by Major Tom, centred around a Meyer Sound Panther large-format linear line array loudspeaker system spec’d by Parker Vandenberg and the Major Tom team. Vandenberg, TLC’s production manager, took on an expanded role of production manager for the entire Hot Summer Nights tour, while also mixing monitors for TLC. The Panther PA proved to be the right choice due to its versatility, compact size,
USA/UK - Audio equipment manufacturer Audient has announced the appointment of Korg USA as exclusive US distributor of its entire product range, with immediate effect. This news comes as Momentum Audio Sales president, John Devins announces his retirement. Audient sales director Simon Sinclair remarks, "We'd like to place on record our personal appreciation of John, the whole Momentum back-office team and our regional representatives. We started in his garage 10 years ago, sharing space with the Triumph Spitfire and now we're a significant player in the USA market. This is thanks in no small measure to John and his highly focussed US team. We wish John a very long and happy retirement with the knowledge of a job well done." Korg USA is one of North America’s most diversified independent distributors of pro audio and musical instrument brands. Simon comments on the a
Finland - Bank 55 in the Helsinki district of Lauttasaari is the brainchild of Finnish stand-up comedian and actor, Sami Hedberg. Formerly a bank that was first inaugurated in 1955 – hence the name – today Bank 55 is a sauna and lounge dedicated to private events of all types, from conferences and meetings to corporate get-togethers or simply private parties with friends and family. Music plays a vital role in the new events space, and Hedberg – who was already familiar with Genelec – had no hesitation in specifying custom painted Genelec 4000 series loudspeakers for his new venture. "I’d been dreaming of opening an events space for some time, but I needed to find the right venue – and that takes time," confides Hedberg. "I finally came across the old bank premises in Lauttasaari which I loved. I bought it in 2016 and have been renovating it bit by bit, all
USA - District E Powered by Ticketmaster is an esports venue situated in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C. Adjacent to the Capital One Arena, this venue spans nearly 14,000sq.ft and stands as a hub for esports enthusiasts and fans. With a prime location and partnerships with globally recognised esports teams including Team Liquid and Wizards District Gaming, District E offers a different and immersive gaming experience. The audio system needed to accommodate diverse programming, from high-stakes esports matches to corporate events and viewing parties with a seamless integration with the cutting-edge LED video throughout the venue. Monumental Sports, an assembly of seven DC-area sports and gaming teams, turned to McCann, to design and install the audiovisual integration help to create an elevated esports experience. For the main gaming space, McCann selected 1 Soun
Europe - QSC Pro Audio division has announced the hire of Jeff Gorton and Colin Smith as directors of sales in EMEA and the UK, respectively. These new positions will enable QSC to strengthen its market share and enhance its brand presence across the region. Gorton joins QSC after two decades of experience in commercial pro audio/AV space. “The current and future of QSC products are inspiring and are certain to set benchmarks for the industry,” says Gorton. “It’s exciting times and I’m delighted to be part of the company’s future and play a role in its success.” Smith, whose professional experience includes managerial roles in both retail and AV industries states, “I am excited and honoured to be appointed as the UK sales director for the pro audio division,” says Smith. “Our portfolio of products will enable us to be one of the best-selling audio b
USA - A premiere public arts school in the greater Orlando area, Osceola County School for the Arts (OSCA) has a long-standing tradition of excellence with many alumni having gone on to attend various prestigious university programs, such as The Juilliard School, Berklee College of Music and more. Osceola County School for the Arts’ Jazz A Ensemble, specifically, is a two-time winner and five-time finalist at the Essentially Ellington Competition & Festival and has performed at many jazz festivals throughout the United States. When the programme was in need of new and improved microphones, director, composer and veteran educator Jason Anderson turned to MXL Microphones. “After learning more about the kind of instruments we were using, what the band was like and what we would be using the mics for, MXL came through big time and within a month or two we were usi
UK - Audiologic in collaboration with integrator GVAV, has announced the implementation of a versatile hybrid workspace at the University of Hertfordshire. This project incorporates Q-SYS audio, video, and control technology to create a seamless learning experience for students, whether they are physically present or participating in remote learning off campus. Recognising the need to adapt to evolving user demands, both corporate and higher education institutions are transforming their workspaces to embrace greater flexibility. The University of Hertfordshire identified the outdated Prince Edward Hall lecture theatre as a space that had the potential to be transformed into a much more optimal learning environment catering for the needs of both in person and remote students. In response, they developed a new multi-use learning space, within a dynamic setting, designed to pro
UK - Last Autumn Martin Audio partner, 22live, completed its first full production tour, with The Australian Pink Floyd show, which provides an authentic tribute to the original band and has long used Martin Audio PA on tour. For the band’s late 2022 UK tour Paul Timmins, now hire director and one of the founders of the recently formed pro-audio service company, 22live, was reunited with the long-term team of band manager Kevin Hopgood, production manager Chris Gadd, and FOH engineer Trevor Gilligan. There were a number of factors to consider for Timmins, along with 22live technical director, Simon Gladstone, and operations director Stefan Phillips, when they were preparing their bid as a new player in the market. In addition to general touring economics this included the choice of PA. With regard to the latter, 22live knew they couldn’t offer Gilligan, who h
UK - Audient has announced that both the iD and EVO mixer apps now offer accessibility support for vision impaired users. Users can navigate the entire mixer app using just the keyboard and a screen reader by downloading the latest drivers, which now include accessibility for each relevant product. Thanks to Audient’s Frank Chavez, who oversaw the project, users can easily switch focus between UI elements. There is audible feedback about the state of the currently selected element, e.g.: ‘mic 1 fader +2’. It is also possible to interact with the same element according to its type, e.g.: using the enter key to toggle a phantom power switch, or up-and-down arrows to adjust the level of a slider. “With the screen reader you can now save and recall presets, change the Loop-back source, install firmware updates and even monitor the Smartgain status on EVO,” says
Italy - Massimo Pezzali, commonly known as Max Pezzali, is a prominent Italian singer-songwriter. He embarked on his musical journey as a member of the band 883, and together, they released six albums before he decided to pursue a solo career. In 2004, Pezzali unveiled his debut solo album, II Mondo Insieme a Te, which marked the beginning of his meteoric rise to becoming one of the best-selling Italian artists of all time. Since March of this year, Pezzali has been captivating audiences during his Italy tour, accompanied by his sound engineer, Michele Nicolino, who utilises a DiGiCo Quantum7 digital mixing console at the monitor position. By working closely with professionals such as Riccardo Parravicini and Luca Morson, among others, Nicolino honed his expertise as a monitor engineer for renowned artists such as Mannarino, Willie Peyote, Michele Bravi, Bowlan
UK - On Stand F6 at PLASA Show 2023, Glensound will be displaying new additions to its range of Dante products. PLASA Show will see the launch of the completely new Charles Interpreter Unit which adds networked audio to this important product category. As with all Glensound products, it is designed to precisely cater to the needs of a single translator whilst providing significant redundancy for power and Ethernet to ensure the message is delivered. Experience gained with other Interpreter units has defined the advanced specification. Dual PoE connections plus a mains and DC input provides the security needed to keep the unit live at all times and there are RJ-45 connectors on the rear panel for primary and secondary Dante connections. A floor input from the Dante network and alternative XLR sockets for the translator’s microphone are featured with network output for the
USA - As one of the only performing arts centres of its calibre in the area, Hult Centre for the Performing Arts regularly welcomes audiences from as far away as Portland, Oregon and the California Bay Area. In the venue’s 2,447-seat main hall, viewers can enjoy shows by Hult’s resident companies, which includes the Eugene Ballet and Eugene Symphony, as well as established touring artists, Broadway musicals and comedy shows. In the second, 495-seat hall, Hult Centre provides up-and-coming acts with a space to perform, hoping to catalyse new artist growth and development. Since opening in 1982, the Hult Centre has prided itself on offering quality audio for each act that comes through its doors, no matter how large or small. To accomplish this mission, the venue entrusts general manager Jeff Weinkauf, who pulls from his years of theatre sound design experience to
UK - Production Futures, the initiative which creates opportunities for young people to learn, train, network and develop careers in production across the live event industry, has signed with Martin Audio, as their latest high-profile partner. “It’s wonderful that Martin Audio have seen the potential of Production Futures,” said CEO, Hannah Eakins. “We’re particularly delighted to welcome them as a British manufacturer. “They are a forward-thinking company with a diverse workforce, and we’ve seen them transform over the last 20 years.” Production Futures is also in the process of transformation, including the announcement of a new audio learning zone. Along with Martin Audio, this will debut at the 28 September event, which takes place at Production Park in Wakefield. “In that sense the timing couldn’t be better for Martin Audio as we re