UK - Recording artist sessions for Global Radio - the group that includes Capital FM, Heart, Xfm, Gold, Classic FM, Choice FM and Galaxy - award-winning producer Chris Denman has worked with artists ranging from complete unknowns to high profile stars like Chris Martin, Placebo, The Mastodons, Lionel Richie, Kelly Clarkson and Bloc Party. But whoever the artist is, Denman's schedule is relentless in its demands.

He records two full band sessions every working day with his Yamaha DM2000 mixing console. "When I first went to work for Global, I was presented with a Yamaha 02R, which was later replaced with the DM2000," he says. "They were originally chosen because they delivered the best performance for the available budget and I can honestly say that over 10 years they have fulfilled every requirement I have had of them."

He continues: "Another advantage

UK - The iTunes Festival relocated to The Roundhouse in North London this year, with over 60 artists playing live at this free event, which runs throughout the month of July.

With bands ranging from Oasis, Kasabian, Franz Ferdinand and Snow Patrol at the commercial end to acoustic performers like Newton Faulkner, quirky performance artists with wide dynamic ranges (like Bat for Lashes' Natasha Khan), leavened with some good old fashioned hard house and R&B, it added up to something of a Molotov cocktail for iTunes production manager Stuart Turvill, system tech Dave Roden - and the Martin Audio W8LM Mini line array system.

Stuart Turvill has chaperoned the event's steady growth from the ICA through nearby Koko (last year) and now to the Roundhouse, where he designed the audio infrastructure for the televised event, in collaboration with Martin Audio's Jim Cousins

Cuban News - The UK's Royal Ballet has arrived in Havana for its first visit to Cuba. It is putting on five days of shows, featuring the company's Cuban star Carlos Acosta and a tribute to Cuban ballet legend Alicia Alonso. All the tickets were sold out within hours, as Cubans looked forward to seeing the first major ballet company since the Bolshoi almost 30 years ago. To cater for the huge demand, the performances will be shown on giant screens outside the theatre. The director of the Royal Ballet, Dame Monica Mason, said the national passion for ballet was one of the attractions of taking the company to Cuba. "Dance is central to the culture in Cuba. It's at the very heart of the Cuban people," she said. The company will perform at the Gran Teatro in central Havana the first three days, where the screens will be based. The Karl Marx Teatro will host the final two.

<

UAE - The Cavalli Club in Dubai, bearing the name of the famous Italian fashion designer, staged its grand opening on 7 May. Roberto Cavalli has been involved in every detail of this $30m investment; crystal curtains by Swarkovski being just one example of the opulence this venue affords.

For Triangle Entertainment Services, who won the contract to design and install the audio system, the demands were of the highest order, "Hard work in recent years means we have established a good reputation in Dubai," said Triangle's managing director Zahid R Elian. General manager of the Cavalli, Mr Khoury added, "We did not hesitate one second to go ahead with Triangle on this project; both their expertise and reliability are unrivalled. Personally I know that Zahid is a man of his word and can deliver."

The owners and operators of the Cavalli, Pragma Group, had specifi

USA - Extending its sound reinforcement capabilities, Florida-based systems integration firm Multi Image Group has purchased 110 Crown I-Tech HD amplifiers. MIG, which specialises in corporate AV projects for clients such as CitiGroup, Deutsche Bank and Proctor & Gamble, upgraded its entire amplifier inventory from the original I-Tech amplifiers.

"MIG was not using Crown amplifiers when I joined the company. I didn't agree with this because I had been using Crown since I started in the professional sound industry back in 1981 and they are bulletproof," said Andy Kakas, audio department manager for technical services at Multi Image Group.

MIG purchased its first Crown amplifiers in 2002 with Macro-Tech and soon purchased I-Tech series amps as well. "We started by building a few JBL VerTec line array systems with the Macro-Tech amps and about six months later we g

UK - Software providers Stardraw.com have announced their support of the Mirage Media Control System 2.0 from Autonomic Controls. The Stardraw Control software allows creation of customised graphical user interfaces to control any hardware device over any protocol, while Mirage MCS software allows two-way control, over a TCP/IP or serial connection, of music and video content hosted in a Windows environment. Together, the companies' respective applications deliver comprehensive, integrated control of any system, the hardware it comprises and its media content. This is all achieved without having to write a single line of code.

The Mirage MCS service hooks into media content stored on a PC and interfaces with Windows Media Centre, Windows Media Player, iTunes, Pandora Internet Radio and XM Radio. Its client UI can be accessed from any browser that supports Flash and there is also

Germany - The city of Meissen, known for being the porcelain centre of Europe, recently hosted the premiere of the new Aero 12A line array systems in Germany. Around 2,500 people gathered at an outdoor esplanade on the outskirts of the city to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the group Stern Combo Meissen. Songs like Der Kampf um den Südpol, Der weite Weg or their classic adaptations were popular musical trends of the 70s in Germany. Joining them on their anniversary were guests Musix, Dirk Zöllner and KlosterBrüder.

Licht & Ton Union, D.A.S. distributor in Germany, was responsible for mounting the audio on a stage built especially for the occasion. They flew 12 Aero 12A two-way powered systems, six on either side of the stage, along with six ground stacked LX-218A subwoofers. The Aero 12A, part of the new Aero Series2 debuted at Frankfurt's Prolight & Sound. D

Italy - Caparezza's winter tour promoting his fourth album, Le dimensioni del mio caos (The size of my chaos) covered more than 100 sold-out dates, including a spectacular performance at Milan's Alcatraz Now.

His 2009 summer tour included a show beside Idroscalo lake in Milan on 27 June. Thousands of fans flocked to see Caparezza perform a selection of his more popular numbers.

The team from GM Music, the rental company from Salice Salentino, again chose Proel's Axiom and Edge professional systems. The configuration comprised 24 Axiom AX3210P modules and 20 21" EDGE121SP subs, positioned in the sound wings, and eight Edge compact C12P96 as front-fill.

The system is driven by six K10 and two K20 Powersoft amplifiers, one DSO26 digital processor and two Lake Contours. Audio and power distribution cabling is also Proel.

The sound reinforcement for the concert at t

UK - SNP Productions - headed by digital media programmer/operator Simon Pugsley - is now a UK dealer of Catalyst digital media products - and has launched a new proactive promotion campaign.

SNP Productions was founded in 1999 when Pugsley was completing his final year as a student at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London. The company has evolved steadily over the last 10 years, starting as a vehicle for his freelance work and growing into a major UK supplier for lighting & video control solutions. It is now focussed on sales, hire, training and full tech support for Catalyst.

"Catalyst was among the first and most original digital media servers, and it has a strong and positive brand identity," states Pugsley. "It's hugely flexible and constantly being developed with new and innovative features added all the time. It has a history and track record of

UK - The field support team from RSS by Roland, led by director Peter Heath, had a lot to keep tabs on at this year's Glastonbury festival: in addition to the debut of the new M-48 Personal Live Mixers, there were 4x M-400 digital V-Mixing Systems in use, and Digital Snakes in several performance venues.

One of the innovations at the 2009 festival was the silent rehearsal room set up behind the John Peel Stage, jointly the brainchild of RSS and the Liz Hobbs Group. Julian Spear, who is head of production for the Liz Hobbs Group, also works as area co-ordinator for the Glastonbury Festival, and is responsible for putting in all the production for the John Peel Stage.

"The Liz Hobbs Group has had a productive relationship with RSS since we first used the Digital Snakes at Glastonbury 2007," says Spear. "Together, we came up with the idea of a backstage rehearsal f

UK - At PLASA 09, leading European connector specialist Harting will feature its range of connectivity solutions specially tailored to the needs of light and sound engineers in the entertainment industry.

A key product range is the Harting Han family of heavy-duty connectors, which are increasingly being used for powering the spotlights used on concert stages and in theatres. In particular, the Han 16 E is a suitable for controlling special lighting effects in systems where 'multi-cables' incorporating six or eight lines are used to reduce installation times.

These connectors have proved their reliability and outstanding performance in industrial applications, and their rugged construction makes them ideally suited to stage environments. Typical applications include lighting connections for multiple spotlights, break-out boxes a

UK - AvitaS is a new company that has been set up by a number of seasoned audio professionals with the specific aim of providing training in audio systems. The result is a comprehensive eight-part training course aimed at people working in audiovisual, IT and professional audio markets.

Conceived and developed by AvitaS founder members, Roland Hemming, Lauren Rogers, Mark McLean and James Eade (who is also technical editor for Lighting & Sound International) the course is aimed at giving people the information they really need to know about designing, specifying, installing and using audio systems, in the real world.

The inaugural programme starts 24 September 2009 at Teddington Studios. Running one day a fortnight over 16 weeks, it covers everything from acoustics, loudspeakers, microphones, processing and mixers. It also covers the design issues with sound - drawings

UK - Dorset public school Bryanston's 650-seat theatre, The Coade Hall has become the UK's first educational customer to transform its teaching programme and performance standards with the installation of the complete suite of RSS digital audio control products, including the new M-48 live personal mixers.

Bryanston takes drama seriously, and the well-appointed Coade Hall stages 15-20 student productions a year, providing plenty of opportunities for pupils to perform, design, direct and practise stagecraft. With its large proscenium arch stage, orchestra pit and sophisticated lighting and sound set-up, the Coade Hall also hosts numerous productions by professional touring companies, 'am-dram' and outside groups.

Two years ago, technical manager of the Coade Hall Stuart Myles spotted the RSS Digital Snakes, and, with the help of local dealer Stage Electrics, integrated these di

UK - Two Allen & Heath iLive digital mixing systems were used at FOH for a lavish production by Rick Wakeman. Staged at Hampton Court for two sold-out nights, Wakeman performed his seminal 1973 album, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, to mark the 500th anniversary of Henry's ascension to the throne.

Months in the planning, the high profile event included a full choir and orchestra, church organ, grand piano, the English Rock Ensemble band - including Wakeman's son, Adam, on keyboards and percussionist, Ray Cooper - performing an extended version of the concept album, with narration from special guest, Brian Blessed, six wives, and a selection of ostentatious costumes.

Ian Barfoot, Wakeman's FOH engineer for nearly 25 years, selected two iLive systems, an iDR10 MixRack and iLive-80 Control Surfaces to manage the individually-mic'ed choir and orchestra, fed to a second, main F

UK - Wireless digital congress technology from Bosch Security Systems played an integral part in facilitating discussions at events attended by G20 leaders in London in April.

The ninth G20 summit saw the meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors to discuss and agree a fiscal package to rescue the global economy from the current recession. Helping make sure that their views were not only heard - but also understood - at several events surrounding the G20 summit was the task of Westminster Sonus, a specialist digital AV equipment and simultaneous interpretation provider. Westminster Sonus, in turn, chose Bosch.

The chosen solution centred around Bosch's congress technology, including wireless discussion units and its Integrus simultaneous interpretation (SI) system. Integrus is a digital infrared language distribution system, with up to 32 different language chann

UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies is hosting an Open Day to showcase the latest in video and lighting technologies from leading industry brands. The event is being held at the company's UK headquarters in High Wycombe on Wednesday 22 July 2009, from 2pm - 8pm.

Specialists from A.C.'s Video and Lighting divisions, as well as manufacturer representatives, will be on hand to discuss how these two technologies are increasingly converging to provide innovative backdrops, set pieces and other video-based elements.

The informal event will provide an opportunity to learn more about, discuss with experts and see product demonstrations on video projection and associated equipment, creative LED surfaces and LED lighting. Brands represented will include Christie, Chroma-Q, Element Labs, GLP, Green Hippo, Martin, Robe and TV One.

With a week to go, the company reports that it has rece

Spain - Focus S.A. continued to show its support for EAW products by recently holding an in-depth seminar and workshop for freelance sound technicians. Focus serves as a rental company for many high-profile touring companies in the area, so it is very common for third party and freelance technicians to be setting up and operating Focus-supplied EAW units.

This seminar was intended to prepare those individuals to properly handle EAW equipment and make educated decisions on the setup and configuration of such products, along with some basic discussions of the technology involved. Pepe Ferrer and Ferran Diez of Focus acted as the event's primary lecturers.

Part one of the seminar focused on the basics of acoustics, including signal coherence, phase issues, crossovers and LP/HP filters, acoustic and electric delays, sub-bass characteristics and pointers, and vertical and horizonta

UK - British microphone manufacturer Clockaudio is launching two audio products for the boardroom and conference environment: the touch-sensitive Litetouch device, which enables users to see the status of on-table microphones at a glance, and the Retracta Series of retractable microphones for the boardroom table.

Comprising a dual-colour Halo ring and switch combination that can be used with all Clockaudio through-table products, the Litetouch allows users to identify easily the status of microphones, as well as mute the units for privacy. With no moving parts, the switch is touch-sensitive, so there are no clicking noises when switching from one status to another. Both the switch and the Halo have been designed to operate remotely with all popular brands of electronic system control, so an integrator has complete freedom to assign function and LED colour. The Litetouch can be e

UK - In a new initiative announced by PLASA Events Ltd, this year's PLASA Show (13-16 September, Earls Court, London) will include a new focus on developing business opportunities for the industry's service providers and consultants.

PLASA Connect, an idea developed in conjunction with RH Consulting and sponsored by L&SI magazine, will provide service-based operators - including consultants, installers and rental companies - with an opportunity to find new potential clients from a wide range of vertical markets.

People involved in large projects in many different walks of life often have very little idea of who to go to for the supply of sound and lighting equipment. The idea behind PLASA Connect is to help those people gain information and make an informed choice. The result will be a targeted business development opportunity which will bring genuine business benefits to all

UK - Purple Audio has been chosen to supply full production for The 1-2-3-4 Shoreditch Festival in July this year. The festival includes acts including The Rakes and Patrick Wolf.

Purple Audio's Funktion-one Resolution 5 system will be used for the main stage and its Funktion-one Resolution 4 systems for the second stages together with the new Funktion-one RM18 stage monitors.

Purple Audio has also been booked for Offset Festival in September where they will be supplying sound and light for the main stage along with two others.

Davis Roberts managing director of Purple Audio reports that he is very pleased with the ongoing progress the company is making. "Bookings into 2010 are very strong and it promises to be a very exciting year with at least 50% growth," he says.

(Jim Evans)

UK - For many years now HK Audio Portable Sound products from a small Lucas to full stack Projector system could be found on various stages and performance areas at Glastonbury, and this year was no exception. For the second consecutive year, HK Audio has been part of the action at the John Peel Stage (third largest stage of the festival) providing the on-stage monitoring.

18 HK Audio CT 115 15"/1.4" cabinets in biamp-mode and powered by DSM 2060 controllers and Labgruppen FP 10000 power amps were used for monitors. A ConTour Array was used as a side-fill and for drum-fills, a combination of active CTA 118 subwoofers and CT 115 mid/high units.

Mike Taylor, production manager for the John Peel Stage remarks: "Last year we used all HK Audio gear for this stage, and the results were outstanding. Rarely have I ever experienced such stress-free monitoring at a festiv

Italy - The Proel Group was selected to provide PA systems and screens for the Pescara Stadium during the recent 2009 Mediterranean Games which ended at the beginning of July.

Inaugurated in 1955 as a multipurpose facility, the Stadio Adriatico has hosted several matches of the Italian National Football Team and is the main stadium of Pescara. It is currently a CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee) sports centre.

Renovation works, which ended last May, were carried out in order to enlarge, restyle and modernise the facility in preparation for the 16th edition of the Mediterranean Games.

After completion of the works, which included a 15m euro allocation to ensure standards compliance, the stadium has now an all-seater capacity of 25.000. The Majella Stand is now covered and an air-conditioned VIP lounge, a new press stand and an area reserved for the Stadium Security Coo

UK - Prism Sound and SADiE have now confirmed the UK dates for their next series of free educational seminars. Universities around the country will be taking part in the programme, with each participating venue hosting two evening seminars - one covering music recording and the other covering either mastering or radio broadcast.

For the music recording fraternity, Prism Sound's Mic To Monitor tour makes a welcome return. This series aims to dispel many of the myths surrounding the recording process. Each seminar will feature short presentations from Prism Sound staff and from guest speakers, including recording professionals who can answer audience questions on recording techniques.

The mastering and radio broadcast seminars will focus on how SADiE digital audio workstations can be used in these specific environments. Guest speakers, along with staff from Prism Sound an

UK - Communications company drpgroup has purchased the first Midas PRO6 live audio system to be sold into the British corporate events market.

Established almost 30 years ago, drpgroup has grown into one of Europe's largest and most experienced fully integrated communication and presentation organisations. Until four years ago all equipment was dry-hired, but the company has undertaken a concerted investment programme, building up a state-of-the-art inventory to which the PRO6 is the latest addition.

drpgroup took the decision to purchase the PRO6 having outgrown its previous digital console within a year of buying it. "After having a PRO6 on demo, we took the decision that we needed one immediately," says Ian Ruhback, drpgroup's head of sound. "Everything is instantly accessible and nothing is menu-based. A lot of the other digital consoles we have encountered

Latest Issue. . .