UK / North America - PLASA, the lead body for those working in the live events, entertainment and communication industries worldwide and ESTA, the principal trade association for the entertainment services and technology industries in North America, have voted to merge their two organisations.

The announcement comes on the back of lengthy consultations with both sets of memberships which concluded recently in a formal vote of Members - PLASA via its annual AGM, which took place on Wednesday 2 June in London, and ESTA via a month-long electronic ballot which ran throughout May.

Well over 90% of Members from each Association voted in support of the move, which will see ESTA and PLASA integrated to create a single international trade association operating under the PLASA name.

"The merger is a significant development for the industry as it will effectively create the first

UK - London's Islington Town Hall is a famous icon of local government in the city. To celebrate its 80th anniversary, Islington Council has transformed its disused Assembly Room with a top-to-toe refurbishment, including the installation of an Electro-Voice XLE line array PA system.

Islington Town Hall's largest function room has languished as a furniture store since the 1980s. Some forward thinking at the Council, matched with the building's impending 80th anniversary, led to an extensive restoration programme and the creation of a new community resource.

The 400-capacity theatre-style assembly hall has a proscenium arch stage and a capacious balcony, lending the venue to any number of different uses, from council meetings and dinner dances to stage shows and concerts. Indeed, part of the fiscal logic for the refurbishment was that large council meetings would no longer have

USA - At InfoComm 2010, Mackie will show two new mid-format analogue consoles, each featuring dual internal FX processors, dedicated compression and four-track recording via USB - the 24-channel 2404-VLZ3 and 32-channel 3204-VLZ3.

"VLZ is synonymous with high-headroom and low-noise," remarked John Boudreau, music gear group VP, Loud Technologies. "We are psyched to bring VLZ3 performance to mixers with higher channel count and real-world live sound tools like effects processing, channel compression and USB connectivity."

The Mackie 2404-VLZ3 and 3204-VLZ3 feature low-noise, high-headroom XDR2 mic channels (20 and 28, respectively) and two dedicated channels for stereo inputs. Inline compression is available on each of the four subgroups and on four select channels. Dual 32-bit RMFX effects processors offer 16 presets, including tap delay. The integrated 4x2

UK - HD Pro Audio will again be exhibiting at the ABTT Theatre Show this month. This year the company will be showing products from Ateïs, Avid, L-Acoustics, Tecpro, Timax and Williams Sound, with sales and support staff on hand to demonstrate the products and discuss configurations and applications.

HD Pro Audio has chosen ABTT to announce its appointment as an L-Acoustics Certified Provider, and to show a range of the company's sound reinforcement products. Commenting for HD Pro Audio, Andy Huffer said, "L-Acoustics universal system approach is designed to provide clients with complete solutions at the highest, most predictable level of performance. This is backed by its network of Certified Providers, ensuring technical support, user education and sound design, and we're very pleased be joining this network."

This year's Ateis focus will be on their advanced Stag

Germany - Established in 1992, the German Phonographic Academy's Echo Awards has become one of Europe's most prestigious recording industry events. The winners of the pop music categories are announced in March and, this year, four Yamaha digital mixing consoles were on hand to bring the speeches and live performances to an international television audience.

Presented at the Berlin Exhibition Centre on 4 March, the event included live performances by international artists including Rihanna, Robbie Williams, Depeche Mode, Sade, Ke$ha and The Gossip. Broadcast by German TV station ARD, the event attracted a huge audience from across Europe.

To keep the show running smoothly, two audio crews were employed, each comprising a front of house and monitor engineer, stage managers, stage and wireless techs. One team took care of all live music and playback, the other looking after all

USA - Mackie has announced a new edition to its HD Series - the Mackie HDA High-Definition Arrayable Powered Loudspeaker. Developed with EAW, each HDA module delivers 1200W of power and up to four HDAs can be used per side, creating a line array that can handle anything from mid-size houses of worship to large clubs, says the company.

"Mackie is well known for bringing high end pro audio technology into the hands, and budgets, of customers who would otherwise not be able to bridge the monetary gap," said Ben Olswang, Mackie brand product manager. "Our partnerships allow us to integrate technology that is simply not possible for other companies."

Each HDA module delivers 1200W of peak system power and houses an EAW designed 12" LF driver and dual Beyma 1.7" HF compression drivers, mounted into a multi-cell horn. HDA incorporates Mackie's high-defin

UK - Theatre consultancy Charcoalblue will see four of its consultants address theatre specialists from around the world at the International Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference 2010 (ITEAC 2010).

Speaking to delegates from the architectural, acoustic, engineering and technological disciplines will be Charcoalblue's managing director Andy Hayles, creative director Jon Stevens, design director Gavin Green and senior consultant Giles Favell. Each will draw from their own experience, gained from careers in the entertainment and theatre industry and as design consultants for Charcoalblue.

Andy Hayles will join Scott Crossfield of Theatre Projects and Vassily Laffineur of Renzo Piano Building Workshop to discuss the Design Processes in the Information Age. Hayles comments, ''We're delighted to have been invited to sponsor and speak at such a significant industry

UK - BBM Electronics announced earlier this year that it will close its doors on 31 May 2010. TOA Corporation (UK) Limited will take over the distribution and support of the Trantec brand from 1 June.

To ensure continuity and make the transition as smooth as possible, TOA have appointed some familiar faces from BBM including Mark Parkhouse. He will continue to be responsible for sales and marketing of the Trantec brand.

All customers who hold a BBM Credit or Pro-Forma account have had their account automatically transferred to TOA (UK), however they will need to sign new terms and conditions which will be sent to them automatically.

New contact details for Trantec from 1 June 2010: TOA Corporation (UK) Limited, HQ3, Unit 2, Hook Rise South, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 7LD, UK. Tel: 0870 7740987.

Trantec will be exhibiting at this year's ABTT Theatre Show in London.

(Jim Evans)

USA - US College student Kevin Peters was delighted to learn that he had won a Prism Sound Orpheus FireWire Computer Interface after entering a prize draw while attending the US leg of the company's recent Mic To Monitor tour.

Peters, a sound design/audio post-production major at Emerson College, Boston, is aiming to become a sound editor for Hollywood films. He has just finished his junior year and when he's not studying he plays rhythm guitar and played in a number of bands during high school.

"I have always had a passion for music and although I wouldn't describe my home set-up as a studio, it does allow me to record and experiment with my music," he says. "I have a Mac Book Pro running Logic and Pro Tools, M-Audio Studiophile speakers, an mbox 2 mini, an M-Audio keystation - and now a beautiful Prism Sound Orpheus."

(Jim Evans)

USA - EAW has announced 10 new additions to its celebrated JF Series of high-definition two-way loudspeaker systems, including four comprehensively integrated NT models. Designed by EAW's Whitinsville, Massachusetts-based engineering team for a wide range of contractor and system integrator uses, the new JF and JFNT Series are scalable, compact lightweight loudspeakers ideal for a multitude of small and medium-sized sound reinforcement applications.

The newest additions to the JF Series of two-way loudspeakers include JF8, JF10, JF26, JF29, JF56 and JF59. New comprehensively integrated JFNT units include JF26NT, JF29NT, JF56NT and JF59NT.

The JF models include low-directivity eight-inch and 10-inch systems and four 12-inch and 15-inch systems (60-degree x 45-degree and 90-degree x 45-degree versions of both sizes are available).

The four JFNT models (comprehensively integrat

USA - Barix comes to InfoComm 2010 this month with a variety of new hardware devices and software tools for systems integrators and programmers in the general AV and security markets.

"Systems integrators and programmers have long been using Barix IP audio and control products for projects requiring the transport of voice, audio and data from one to many points in a single venue or across a large space or campus," said Johannes G. Rietschel, CEO and founder of Barix AG. "InfoComm is an ideal time to showcase our latest innovations for the integration audience as well as for end users who prefer to program and build out their own systems for use in entertainment venues, educational facilities, churches and corporate buildings among other settings."

The Exstreamer 120 IP audio decoder will make its public debut, serving as the end decode/receive link for high

Switzerland - This summer, Billy Idol takes to the road playing festivals throughout Europe (including the 44th annual Montreux Festival in Switzerland) and later smaller venues in the States through the fall. Joined by perennial sidekick, guitarist Steve Stevens, along with bassist Stephen McGrath and keyboardist Derek Sherinian, plus new additions Billy Morrison on rhythm guitar and Jeremy Colson on drums, Idol will be showcasing classic hits as well as new compositions.

With Sound Image as production partner, engineer Matt LaVoice is handling all of the tour's monitor requirements with a DiGiCo D1. LaVoice converted to digital with DiGiCo several years ago, and has used them exclusively on previous tours with Idol, Lenny Kravitz (SD7) in 2009, and countless others. "I was a full-on analogue guy," LaVoice states. "Prying that 4km out of my hands was a tough one.

UK - AC-ET's Rigging division has been appointed as the exclusive UK distributor for the VMB Towerlift range, featuring the Classic, Pro and TL series of wind up stands, front loading tower lifts and line array lifting systems.

The VMB Pro and TL series are fitted with the company's patented ALS Auto Lock Security system, which guarantees that loads stay safe and secure at any height.

All VMB lifting products undergo a rigorous quality and strength control process to ensure that every component used meets the best possible reliability standards. In addition, all lifts are BGV-C1 certified for extra reassurance.

One major innovation coming from the VMB factory is the industry's first lift specifically designed for hanging line arrays, which have become a favourite with users looking for a quick, safe and practical solution. The PA is loaded directly on to the forks of the lif

Germany - The recently opened Grand Kameha Bonn is a stunning example of the classic 'Grand Hotel' concept re-interpreted for the modern era, with architectural design by Bonn-based architect Karl Heinz Schommer and designer Marcel Wanders. Within its softly curved glass envelope, the Grand Kameha has a total of 254 rooms, including 63 suites, and a multi-functional 2,500 capacity event space, making it well placed to attract both private travellers as well as the high end corporate/business market.

As a direct result of both the building's modern design, with the acoustic challenges that this often presents, and the hotel's objective of meeting the most demanding business and conference needs, the A/V facilities required special attention - with the resulting system setting high standards.

At the centre of the new building is the 1,800sq.m multi-function hall - covered by a g

UK - Anderson Ward Consulting (AWC) is the new name for the independent sales export and business development consultancy formerly known as Mick Anderson Consulting.

Founded by Mick Anderson in 2002, MAC has built up a reputation in the professional audio industry as an external resource for export sales and distribution management. With the appointment of Paul Ward as a partner in the firm, the consultancy has elected to change its name to reflect the new status quo.

"Paul's appointment extends the overall capabilities of our business," says Mick Anderson, "and this will allow us to expand, as new opportunities are fully realised."

AWC's current client list includes Camco, Digico and Coda Audio.

(Jim Evans)

Germany - Maier Sound Design GmbH has been involved with the Movimentos Festival since it first started in 2003, providing a complete audio solution which includes an extensive intercom system. Movimentos - which is held in Wolfsburg, including the Autostadt of Volkswagen - offers a series of contemporary performances from international dance ensembles, dramatised readings, discussions, lectures, and live concerts covering everything from the classics to jazz and pop.

Over the years, the technical requirements of this international festival have increased considerably, particularly in terms of the communications element and it became clear that the existing analogue solution could no longer cope. So this year Maier Sound Design has switched to a new digital system from ASL Intercom.

"Every dance company and every band has different requirements regarding communication,&qu

USA - Community Professional Loudspeakers will be rolling out a weather-resistant version of its iBOX installation series at this year's InfoComm Convention in Las Vegas.

Known for its popular WET and R-Series, Community is now bringing its weather resistance to iBOX, a high performance traditional loudspeaker series. All iHP1200, iHP1500 and iHP3500 series models will be available in a weather-resistant finish beginning in June of 2010.

"Community has been a proven leader in outdoor and stadium sound for many years," said Julia Lee, Community's Direcdor of marketing and sales. "We're pleased to expand our all-weather offering with the new weather-resistant iBOX series, bringing the same all-weather features to a more traditional loudspeaker design, the way that only Community can do it, as requested by our customers."

The new weather-resistant iBOX serie

UK - Jazz/pop artist Jamie Cullum is currently in the midst of an extensive world tour to promote his latest album The Pursuit. At the Front of House position engineer Danny White is operating a DiGiCo SD8 mixing console.

Combining the touring roles of front of house engineer, tour manager and more, White bought the SD8 for his family-run audio and lighting production company Chaps last year. Based in Sutton, Surrey - not far from DiGiCo's Chessington HQ - Chaps is providing both equipment and personnel to the tour, including White and his two sons.

"You have to embrace the latest technology because it's what everyone is doing. It's the way forward and I saw the SD8 as part of that development," he says. "To me, mixing is all about the path. If I have a good signal path then I'm happy.

"When I was told that the SD8 has the same signal path as the S

Ireland - The new 2,111 capacity Grand Canal Theatre in Dublin's Docklands, which was designed by architect Daniel Libeskind to integrate with the adjoining commercial development, provides an outstanding addition to Ireland's theatre world.

Since it will not only present the best of national and international theatre, but also musicals, opera, ballet, and classical performance, the new £68m development required a high-octane technical infrastructure that would accommodate world class West End and Broadway productions visiting Ireland for the first time.

The technical fit-out was supervised by LSI Projects, who successfully responded to a tender document and specification created by consultants, Arup Venue Consultants.

One of the challenges faced by LSI's project manager Jakub Krzeminski, was creating a site-wide digital network which would incorporate an independent f

UAE - Sennheiser Middle East continued its partner activities after the successful PALME Show with a Sound Academy Workshop at Dubai's Fairmont Hotel. The event was, in part, to celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of the Middle East office in Dubai and was an opportunity for integrators and end-users to get the benefit of extensive training from two of the manufacturers' most experienced engineers.

Conducting the seminars were Klaus Willemsen, senior projects - wireless engineering and Norbert Hilbich, industry team leader of application engineering, both from the head office of Sennheiser Electronic in Germany.

Willemsen's presentation was on Sennheiser RF Wireless Systems and overviewed the many uses of wireless microphones and in-ear monitoring systems, from professional broadcast, theatre and music applications through to rental company use and corporate AV. It

USA - Designing a sound system for a motor speedway is not an exercise in subtle nuance. To compete with the roar of these powerful engines, and the cheers of a few thousand of their closest friends, it's all about brute force decibels.

When California Speedway in Fontana became Auto Club Speedway in 2008, the new owners began a long-term project of making improvements to the venue's infrastructure. This year, Bay Area-based Pacific Satellite upgraded the Speedway's sound system, bringing in 104 of Community's R.5HPT three-way loudspeaker systems.

"Previously, the stands were covered by Community M4 loudspeakers mounted on the wheel fence," explains Pacific Satellite's Jerry Coté. "The M4 is still a good speaker, but one of the reasons we chose the R-Series is that it delivers exceptional intelligibility, along with great coverage."

Coté cit

UK - This year's ABTT (Association of British Theatre Technicians) Theatre Show is putting audio to the fore. New products include the latest systems from Nexo, which is making its first appearance at the exhibition. The RS 18 subwoofer is being launched this spring and is a compact 2x18-inch compact unit that can be switched to either directional or omni-directional operation. Also new is the PS R2 Series, an updated version of the established PS cabinets offering higher SPLs.

The latest addition to Allen & Heath's range of digital consoles gets its UK launch. The iDR-64 is a large, fixed I/O version of the iLive MixRack and is able to work with the same firmware as the other products in the range. It will be on display alongside the recently introduced iLive-R72 controller and the iDR-16.

Yamaha Commercial Audio is to show an Ethersound version of its M7CL digital mixing des

UK - At the forthcoming ABTT show, Alcons Audio will highlight its complete line of theatre loudspeakers and controller-amplifiers.

For the first time after its premiere at the Frankfurt show, the BC543 cardioid subwoofer will be on the stand at ABTT. This self-contained triple 18" subwoofer enables cardioid pattern control, when driven by the Digital Drive Processor in the ALC amplified loudspeaker controller.

Making inroads in the theatre market, the LR7 micro line-array system which received acclaim in different international reviews and tests, will be on the stand, together with the LR7Bass system.

For point source system, the traditional way of reinforcing theatre sound, Alcons will have the VR8 compact monitor on display, as well as the SR9 front-fill, both two-way passive systems, featuring a 4" pro-ribbon HF driver.

The third theatre sound philosophy Alco

France - First established during the reign of Louis XIV, the Opéra Comique in Paris is one of the oldest theatrical and musical institutions in France. It has had a turbulent history, both as a company and as a building, including being twice destroyed by fire. Rebuilt for the third time in 1898, the theatre (also known as the Salle Favart) is now classed as a listed building. However, whilst the building may be listed, the audio equipment is thoroughly modern, as underlined by the theatre's recent purchase of an Eclipse digital mixing console from Innovason.

Sebastien Arribas, head of AV at the Opera Comique explained that the time had come to move on from their old analogue console as it was simply too limiting in terms of the number of outputs and flexibility of configuration. "It still sounded good, but we had got to the stage where we were asking more of the co

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