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Sound

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USA - Big Mick Hughes' tenure as front-of-house (FOH) engineer for Metallica is almost as long as the band's existence. "This is my 25th year. I was 25 or 26 when I started with the guys, and I'm going on 51 in a minute," says Hughes. Although the band has evolved and grown, a key to its longevity is its constant dedication to hard-rocking heavy metal, showcased on the 2008 hit album Death Magnetic. Another constant for the band has been Hughes' selection of Audio-Technica as the microphones of choice for Metallica's live stage setup, the most recent incarnation of which is crisscrossing the United States, soon to be followed by Europe, as the Death Magnetic World Tour.

"I've been using Audio-Technica for years, because of the way A-T mics sound. I can't really imagine using anything else," Hughes says. "They sound great and have tremendous

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Australia - Brisbane-based IJS continues to expand its operations with the recent purchase of two Soundcraft Vi6 digital audio consoles.

"We were finding that the Soundcraft Vi6 was regularly being specified on riders and we like to keep up to date with the market trends," said IJS's managing director Ivan Simon. "I also noticed that the Vi6 was selling well overseas. Digital consoles are obviously the way of the future - they're easy to set up, everything is in one place and the boards are really reliable these days especially the Vi6. I believe that the Vi6 is definitely one of the easiest digital consoles to use and get your head around. It's also a really great sounding board."

(Jim Evans)

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Australia - Bosch Security Systems Australia has sold the country's first Midas PRO6 Live Audio System to Osmond Electronics. This follows a tradition of firsts for Adelaide-based company, which also bought the first Midas XL3 and XL200 consoles in the country during the nineties.

Osmond specified the PRO6 with the DL431 Input splitter and DL451 I/O box usually supplied with the XL8. The DL431 will allow a total of five output splits from a single input with dual variable gain pre-amps providing both digital and analogue splits, with an additional transformer isolated analogue output as the fifth split. Increased functionality will also be provided by the DL451 I/O box by way of remote inputs and outputs for the system, in addition to the DL451 I/O cards fitted into the PRO6 surface. Each DL451 box and the PRO6 surface contain three module slots that allow input and output modul

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USA - Carnival Cruise Lines recently upgraded its fleet with a series of three Electro-Voice and Dynacord audio installations. Each installation was performed by SES Live Professional, a sound production company based in Senoia, Ga. Since its foundation in 2008, SES has earned a reputation across the Southeastern United States for quality sound, performance, and consulting.

SES was first commissioned to refit the main theatres of Carnival's four Spirit Class liners - the Pride, Legend, Spirit, and Miracle - with EV NetMax N8000 System Controllers to control all matrix routing, equalizing, and time alignment of each multi-speaker cluster throughout the ceilings of the main theatres.

Steve Stapleton, owner of SES LivePro, comments: "To ensure a smooth and seamless installation, we walked Carnival through every step of the process. They needed a partner with the proper profe

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USA - Stageco US was at the heart of the production team putting together the celebratory concert welcoming President Barack Obama into office in Washington DC. Stars including Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, Mary J Blige, Stevie Wonder, U2 and Elvis Costello feted the president elect, while hundreds of thousands of people attended the free concert.

The event footprint was 2.5 miles long, stretching from the Lincoln Memorial in the west, around the Washington Monument, to the Capitol Building in the east, with a main stage and an extensive system of delay and video towers running the entire length of the site.

The stage-building team installed a 166ft x 60ft multi-level stage including two audio/video support structures, two lighting support towers and two 122ft x 80ft audience viewing platforms with video support platforms built at the rear.

In one of the biggest event-building

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USA - FiberPlex reports that its LightViperTM audio transport system was recently acquired by Taylor, Michigan-based audio production company, Thunder Audio, who has employed the advanced fiber optic technology in an innovative sound support touring system for Metallica's Death Magnetic World Tour which kicked off last October and will wrap up a US performance schedule in New Jersey next February. The tour, with high-energy concerts predominantly in large arenas, continues throughout Europe from February through July 2009.

At the heart of the large touring sound system developed by Thunder Audio, a 64-channel LightViper fibre optic audio system is configured as a 'drive snake' to provide AES/EBU digital audio signal distribution from FOH equipment racks to a massive, 44-zone loudspeaker array. Nearly 200 self-powered speakers are arranged in an 'in the round' configuratio

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China - Italian pro audio manufacturer Outline has appointed Shoushan system integration as its sole distributor for China, Hong Kong and Macao, with effect from 1 January 2009.

Since its foundation, Shoushan, headquartered in Guangzhou Panyu, has been committed to the professional audio field. Its key market areas include theatres, radio and television broadcasters, multi-function halls, meeting, conference and exhibition centres.

The company's CEO Mr. Tempo has been committed to China's audio industry for many years, holding key sales positions with top Chinese and International brands since 1991.

(Jim Evans)

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USA - Like most secondary schools, Shakopee High's football field is a multi-purpose venue, used for football, track and field, rallies and ceremonies. And like many high school football fields, Shakopee's was somewhat lacking in audio coverage, with an underpowered system that was being pushed well beyond its reasonable limits.

"The system was two speakers and a 150W amp," says Dohn Fadden of Shoreview, MN-based Electronic Design Company. "In the few areas where the loudspeakers could be heard, the sound was largely unintelligible."

Fadden's new system design faced a few challenges, including the logistics of covering both the home and visitors' seating from a single point. "Mounting the speakers above the press box on the home team's bleachers was really the only viable solution, since trenching for cabling across the field would have been expensive

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The Netherlands - Omnisport, the new multi-function hall in the Dutch town of Apeldoorn is designed for bicycle races, a variety of other sporting events, and large concerts. The new building can seat up to 11,000 spectators - making it one of the largest and most comfortable halls in the Netherlands.

When the time came to choose a sound system, the hall's managers opted for a central cluster of 14 Electro-Voice FRX+ coaxial loudspeakers, which can be used for the playback of recorded music as well as announcements and evacuations.

"The Electro-Voice enclosures are able to play all their trump cards - compact format, precise control, reliability and versatility, and ease-of-use - in this modern hall," says Axel Nagtegaal, managing director of the Dutch Electro-Voice distributor, E-audio benelux. "This is one fixed installation that will really make people in thi

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Spain - Located on an industrial estate on the outskirts of Las Franquesas del Vallès - a short distance from Barcelona - the shell of a standard factory unit has been converted, at great expense, into the new nightclub, Incognit. Owners Guillem Soler, Jordi Galcerán and Gerard Guerra have divided the spacious venue into two distinct rooms - one playing commercial hits, the other house music.

With over 12 years experience in the club market the owners realised the value of a good sound system - and they contacted Carles Xandri, from Xandri Brothers SL to help make the selection.

Xandri were already familiar with the attributes of QSC Audio, having been impressed by their performance in other venues in the Barcelona region. As a result 14 active HPR152i loudspeakers have been flown across the two rooms, underpinned by 12 floor-mounted HPR181i powered (single 18in) subwoofers.

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USA - Loud Technologies used the forum of the recent Winter NAMM exhibition in Anaheim, California to refute rumours that the company was bankrupt. Earlier, at the opening of the exhibition, Convention TV had reported that Loud Technologies would either be purchased or file for bankruptcy protection.

By the end of the exhibition, on Sunday 18 January - following what discussions between Loud's management and the show's organisers one can only imagine - a front page story on the show newspaper, UpBeat Daily, said the rumours were unfounded.

Speaking to UpBeat Daily and Music Inc publisher Frank Alkyer, Loud CEO Rodney Olson, who took over management of the group last August, said the earlier news report was "totally unsubstantiated and painted the wrong picture of our situation. The truth is Loud has an envied senior management, supportive owner

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Sweden - Lab.gruppen has announced the addition of three new models to its FP+ range, including a new flagship amplifier, the FP 14000. Also new are the FP 9000 and the FP 4000, bringing the total number of amplifiers in the FP+ range up to seven.

FP 14000 delivers 14000W (2 x 7000W @ 2 ohms) in just 2U. The Regulated Switch Mode Power Supply (R.SMPS) has been updated throughout the range to provide more sustained high power during extended bursts of low frequency content, while at the same time ensuring stable rail voltages even with wide fluctuations of external mains voltage.

FP 9000 and FP 4000 also offer considerable power density, delivering 9000W (2 x 4500W @ 2 ohms) and 4000W (2 x 2000W @ 2ohms) respectively, in just 2U. At the core of their performance, and indeed that of the FP 14000, is Lab.gruppen's Class TD output stage, an amplifier topology that approaches the e

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USA - EAW is now shipping the MicroWedge15 Stage Monitor (MW15), the newest addition to the MicroWedge Series of products. The 15-inch MicroWedge15, a direct result of extensive research and field evaluation with FOH/monitor engineers touring companies and audio consultants, joins the 12-inch MicroWedge12 (MW12, a number of which are also shipping) as the most recent product in the MicroWedge line.

The MicroWedge15 is the second model of the EAW MicroWedge Series to be released since an agreement was reached with MicroWedge developer Rat Sound Systems in late 2007, stipulating that EAW would serve as the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of MicroWedge products. Additional EAW-exclusive MicroWedge Series products will be introduced in the near future.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - After opening a dedicated sales office in the UK on 1 January 2009, Klotz a.i.s is now able to provide the UK's MI and ProAVM market with rapid, customer-oriented service and support. The new regional sales manager Grant Roomes will coordinate all sales and marketing activities for Klotz a.i.s. in the UK and Ireland. He has worked previously with Harman Pro Distributor GSL in Dubai and most recently as sales manager for Soundcraft with responsibility for the Latin American market.

The new sales office is the latest addition in Klotz's expansion of branches into core and key markets including France, The Netherlands and Singapore/Asia. Grant Roomes will provide support for the entire UK & EIRE market from his North London office. He comments: "I'm delighted to take over responsibility for the UK/EIRE market on behalf of such a prestigious company as Klotz. In my years w

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USA - The TAO of Wood represented a new venture for Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart into the world of visual arts. The exhibit debuted at the Dennis Rae Fine Art gallery in San Francisco, with a reception event featuring a duet performance by Hart and percussionist Zakir Hussain who played on an eight-foot-tall functional sculpture and multitimbered percussion instrument named Ramrod, amplified and played back through a Meyer Sound surround system.

From his days with the Grateful Dead to his globetrotting studies in musicology, Mickey Hart has lived and breathed percussion. The choice of wood as a musical instrument was hardly a new concept for Hart. "The wood is old growth, hundreds of years old, and very sonorous," says Hart in a report in Marin Independent Journal. "It has these extremities that make different sounds. They're beautiful in

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Germany - NetMax has advanced to the next level with the N8000-1500. At the heart of the N8000-1500 is the new DSP-2 engine. Composed of three dual-core processors, the DSP-2 expands the total processing power of the N8000-1500 to 1500 MIPS. The modular nature of NetMax means that each input or output card added to a chassis provides an additional DSP engine and another 100 MIPS of processing power. This means that a fully loaded chassis provides 1900 MIPS of processing - almost double the power of the original N8000.

Combined with the optional CobraNet interface, NetMax's monitoring and supervision options, FIR-Drive, and the multitude of control options provided by IRIS-Net, the N8000-1500 represents the most powerful pro audio processor on the market, claims the manufacturer.

(Jim Evans)

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The Netherlands - At Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), to be held 3-5 February in Amsterdam, Meyer Sound will showcase its commitment to providing comprehensive system solutions that keep pace with the changing role of audio in today's complex integrated systems, says the company.

"With HD video offering bigger and brighter images, it's crucial not to let the audio portion of AV presentations fall behind," comments Meyer Sound director of marketing Rachel Archibald. "At ISE this year, we will showcase complete solutions with innovative products and support services to meet the challenges that today's systems integrators face in delivering 'high-definition audio.'"

Meyer Sound will bring a spread of products to ISE this year, including the tiny self-powered MM-4XP miniature loudspeaker and the flexible UPJunior VariO loudspeaker, as well as HD-1 and X-10T stu

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UK - The Roland Systems Group has expanded its UK-based team of pro-audio specialists with the addition of Simon Kenning who joins RSG from Stage Electrics, where, for the last seven years, he has been a business development manager. He has freelanced as a sound engineer on many prominent festivals in western England and Wales, and also spent a couple of years teaching sound design and engineering.

At Stage Electrics, Simon was responsible for the design and implementation of several technical systems within theatres and colleges. At RSG he will provide sales and support for the RSS portfolio of digital control systems such as the M-400 V-Mixing System.

Another addition to the team is Helena Lewis, who will be the RSS point of liaison at Roland's national headquarters in Swansea.

(Jim Evans)

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Japan - Yamaha Commercial Audio is showing a wide range of new and existing products at the Integrated Systems Europe 2009 exhibition taking place at the Amsterdam RAI 3 - 5 February - as well as running a series of hands-on digital mixing workshops.

Located at Booth E90, Hall 11, Yamaha will be showing the new Installation Series IMX644 rackmount mixer and IPA8200 eight channel power amplifier for the first time in Europe along with a comprehensive range of Installation Series loudspeakers including the new IS1112 subwoofer.

In addition, Yamaha will also be showcasing a wide range of the company's other industry-leading solutions for audio systems integration. These include analogue and digital mixing consoles, such as the 01V96 and the feature rich, cost-effective LS9 complete with the recently-introduced SB168-ES stage box. Yamaha's versatile DME (digital mix engine) will b

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USA - D&M Professional, the owner of Marantz Professional, Denon Professional and Denon DJ, announced at NAMM that it has entered into an agreement with JAM Industries, that its division Erikson Pro will now serve as the exclusive distributor of the D&M Professional brands in Canada.

The announcement was made by Paul Mathis, senior vice president, D&M Professional. Gerry Zegarra, formerly of D&M Professional Canada, will now serve as the main contact, working for Erikson Pro.

Christian Bouchard, VP Erikson Pro, stated, "We're honoured to be chosen by D&M Professional to distribute Denon Professional, Marantz Professional and Denon DJ Products in Canada. Additionally, we are glad to have Gerry join our organisation. His extensive knowledge, industry contacts and dedication to M.I./pro audio makes him a perfect fit for our organization."

"We are elated to be wor

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UK - Theatre and event specialists Orbital Sound kicked off 2009 with a successful outing at January's Event Show, where the inspired deployment of communication networks captured the imagination of many visitors.

Orbital demonstrated the ability to link communication technologies together, in order to provide a more flexible solution. "At the same time, we were able to show how current communications infrastructures can be adapted to work better, while adding on new technologies will provide smoother and more efficient running systems," said director, Tim Sherratt.

Orbital received a lot of interest in its HME digital duplex radio comms systems - particularly the IP67-rated DX300 base station that can be used outdoors in all weathers - and took many enquiries about their TETRA Comms networks, as supplied to the Isle Of Wight Festival last year.

"In fact, visi

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UK - Orbital Sound has announced details of this year's four-day course, Sound Training for Drama Students 200. The programme, which focuses on theatre sound, will run from 14-17 April at the company's HQ - in Brixton, south London.

Training will be geared toward preparing theatre sound students - and more advanced technical theatre students - for working in the industry. Students will be exposed to the full scope of disciplines involved, including application training from Yamaha and d&b Audiotechnik, specialist sessions on show control, radio microphones, video, communications and networking, and a chance to chat to industry-leading designers, engineers and technical specialists.

Orbital's training manager, Theo Holloway, says that traditionally, demand from drama schools for places on this course has been high. "Orbital Sound has been successfully running these

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Germany - Rental company Black Box Music has become a partner for the L-Acoustics K1/Kudo pilot programme in 2009, with managing director Thilo Goos signing up for the scheme in January.

Black Box's K1 Kudo system - the first to arrive in Germany - will ship in early spring, in time for this year's open-air season. The system will comprise 48 K1 line source cabinets, 24 K1-SB subs, 24 SB28 subs, 24 Kudo line source cabinets, 24 dV-DOSC compact line source enclosures and 75 LA8 amplified controllers installed in LA-RAKs.

Goos, who checked out K1 during the Nine Inch Nails US tour in late 2008, comments: "After many years' experience with V-DOSC, we see K1 becoming the new benchmark for arena systems. We are overwhelmed by the sound, especially the amount of low frequency generated by the flown elements. The new system approach, with LA8 amplified controllers sitting in uni

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USA - Jay Easley has been appointed manager of Midas & Klark Teknik for the Americas. Part of the Pro Audio team at Bosch Communications Systems for nine years, Easley most recently served as director of Live Sound for the Bosch Communications Systems family of Pro Audio brands (Dynacord, Electro-Voice, Klark Teknik, and Midas).

Easley brings 20 years of FOH mixing and audio knowledge to his new position. "It's a very exciting time for Midas and Klark Teknik," he says. "With the launch of the PRO6 digital mixing system, Midas digital technology is now achievable for every professional application."

(Jim Evans)

  1. Alcons at home in Amsterdam for ISE
  2. KMR Audio equips University of Limerick
  3. Croatian arenas install L-Acoustics systems
  4. D&M Professional debuts 4-channel mixer
  5. Cadac purchased by Soundking Group of China
  6. D.A.S. en masse at Winter NAMM
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