USA - Clair Brothers Audio Systems has installed a complete JBL VerTecâ line array system in New York's Beacon Theatre. The installation marks the third audio retrofit of an MSG-owned venue by Clair Brothers, which has also installed JBL VerTec line arrays in New York's Radio City Music Hall and the Chicago Theatre.

Part of a $16m full venue renovation, Clair Brothers relied on JBL's new DPDA-equipped powered line array elements, featuring AES digital audio, BSS Omnidrive HD signal processing, and HiQnet compatibility. A total of 16 JBL VerTec VT4888DP-DA powered midsize line array elements with DrivePack technology are included in left-right arrays of eight per side, with three VT4880A fullsize arrayable subwoofers per side.

In addition, two VT4888 midsize line array elements and two VT4882 midsize arrayable subwoofers provide top balcony fill, with four VT4487ADP-DA powered

Australia - Platform 28 is a new restaurant bar offering Modern Australian cuisine in the heart of Melbourne's Docklands. Formerly a railway goods shed, this venue stays true to the history of the site offering a rustic historical charm combining a mix of old and new.

Pulse Audio Visual was asked to design, supply and install the audio visual requirements of the venue and their preferred brand of speaker was JBL with a combination of JBL surface-mount speakers used throughout the venue.

The venue has been divided into five audio zones: ground floor lounge, ground floor alfresco area, glazed pod, upstairs lounge, and upstairs outdoor area. Each zone is capable of having its own audio source and volume level, regardless of the settings of the other zones.

"The location and method of installation for the speakers changed quite a few times on this job," remarked Adam D

USA - Conan, the new late-night talk, music and entertainment show hosted by Conan O'Brien showcases O'Brien's versatility as a performer as well as his eclectic tastes in musical guest artists.

Two Studer Vista 9 digital consoles have been specifically installed for the programme at the Warner Bros Studio Facilities' Stage 15, in Burbank, California. Studer Vista 9 consoles are used in both the Music Mix control room and in the Production Audio mix control room, both of which were designed and equipped by Sound Design Corporation.

"Conan's shows are a huge mix of talk, stand-up, sketch comedy, remote locations and live music, and they'll go from one to the other in a heartbeat," observes Paul Sandweiss, president of Sound Design Corporation, and sound designer for Conan, as well as O'Brien's stint as host of The Tonight Show Featuring Conan O'Brien<

USA - Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia has installed the new AWS 948 as part of a significant studio upgrade. Sigma chose the AWS 948 because it has more inputs than the classic 900, giving the studio more SuperAnalogue sound quality and an improved summing platform, says the company. The AWS 948 joins an SSL Duality at the studio to handle music recording projects.

(Jim Evans)

UK - K-Array's Redline Series was thoroughly put to the test during November. Featuring X-Factor winner Leona Lewis and British/Irish pop band, The Wanted, the launch of the XBox 360 Kinect was held at the Natural History Museum's temporary ice rink.

"RG Jones Sound Engineering has been supplying the system for the Natural History ice rink for a number of years now. It requires a complex mix of voice announcements and playback with the ability to override all zones for emergency announcements," says Matt Sussex, in charge of the event for RG Jones. "The tricky part is working to very strict level restrictions. The compact, efficient, portable Redline system was a great solution for the specific requirements of the day."

"Four KR200s, each with a single 18-inch KL18ma self-powered subwoofer, plus an additional pair of KL18ma subs, were distributed aroun

UK - Each year, London radio station 95.8 Captial FM hosts the Jingle Bell Ball at The O2. For the third year running, Sennheiser UK provided its support to the audio production.

Taking place over the weekend of 4 and 5 December, the event raises money for Capital's Help a London Child charity and attracted a host of the music industry's pop idols including, Kylie Minogue, Black Eyed Peas, The Saturdays, The Wanted, Tinie Tempah, Example, Alexandra Burke, Flo Rida, The Script, Akon, Taio Cruz, Nicole Sherzinger, Labrinth and Cee Lo Green, all of whom used Sennheiser equipment over the two day event.

Working directly for Production North, Adlib Audio provided a full sound system and crew for the event. Sennheiser's team of Mark Saunders, Tim Sherratt and Sam Davidson were also on hand throughout, providing help and advice on RF issues and general support for microphones and IEM

Italy - RCF has added a large format model to its NX stage monitor series - the NX 15-SMA is shipping now.

The NX 15-SMA is equipped with a new high power digital amplifier and a newly designed coaxial neodymium transducer that "guarantee outstanding audio quality and definition as well as an extremely lightweight of the final system". It can be used as a portable PA system, thanks to the powder coated steel pole mount installed on the side.

In order to control the response of the speakers in such different applications, RCF has incorporated two special equalisation modes - Floor, for stage monitoring and Free Field, for the use of the speakers as a stand-alone PA system.

(Jim Evans)

Italy - The SW Series is a range of sub-woofers designed by Proel to complement full-range speakers, including the NET and FLASH Series.

The SW Series includes two new models and an update to the existing FLASH15S, which has been renovated and renamed.

All the SW models feature large voice coil (VC) woofers and a band-pass design, providing "very punchy and dynamic lows together with an extended low frequency response". The class H and class D amplifier modules can generate up to 1000W of continuous power in a compact package.

The SW118H and SW115H models combine advanced technical characteristics with, respectively, state-of-the-art 18" and 15" Celestion neodymium speakers, plus powerful 1000W and 500W class D amplifiers, says the company.

The series is completed with the SW115 model which has a 15" speaker with 350W class H amplifier.

All the m

Dubai - The Meydan Racecourse is capable of accommodating over 60,000 spectators at a time. It boasts a major audio-installation: more than 4,500 Electro-Voice loudspeakers, the fully redundant CobraNet infrastructure using the N8000 NetMax Digital Matrix Controllers and the latest CPS multi-channel amps.

headed by Dave McMahon and his team - lead by Meydan Project Manager Zahid Abbas Mir - had a hard task ahead. Dave McMahon of Dubai-based service provider Almoe AV Systems commented, "We had an enormous area to cover, extending from the track itself to the lower and main grandstands - fully 120m from front to back - and the associated delay posed a considerable challenge.

"We're talking more than 4,500 ceiling speakers across the entire facility, all of which are actively monitored. On race day, the network is designed to operate as one massive super system, all co

Russia - One of Moscow's landmark live music venues, B1 Maximum, recently re-opened after a major refurbishment and change of identity to A2. A hallmark of the updated venue is a new live-performance sound system. Primary components of the new sound system, unveiled to the public on 18 December, include JBL Vertec line arrays, sold through Harman Professional distributors A&T Trade and installed by St. Petersburg-based concert sound rental company, Euroshow.

A2 is the latest metamorphosis of a building that was originally one of the Ordzhonikidze Moscow Machine-Tool Plant workshops, named after famous Georgian Bolshevik Sergo Ordzhonikidze. The original factory dates back to the 1930s, with a three-storey addition having been built in 1974.

B1 Maximum opened in December, 2006, and has presented many international artists including Iggy Pop, Sinead O'Connor, Franz Ferdinand, Ch

USA - Korg USA has taken on exclusive US distribution for the Elements line of HK Audio products. The Elements line of portable audio products will be debuted in the US by Korg USA at the 2011 Winter NAMM trade show.

Korg USA president Joe Castronovo noted: "In line with Korg USA's longstanding reputation as a brand builder, we welcome the opportunity to develop the HK brand in the U.S. HK is a high-quality and respected brand in Europe, and we're proud to now represent them in our market."

"I am delighted that Korg USA decided to become our exclusive Elements partner in the US market," commented Hans Stamer, president of HK Audio. "We thank Korg USA for their trust and confidence in our company and products. I am more than convinced that this partnership will be a very successful one."

"Korg USA has a reputation as a strong brand builder a

In The Money - Bon Jovi's The Circle show was the highest-earning tour of 2010, taking $201.1m (£130.7m) worldwide, according to music trade publication Pollstar. Australian rock band AC/DC landed at number two for the second year in a row, with tickets sales from their recent tour totalling $177m (£115m). U2, the top worldwide act in 2009, came in at third place, with ticket sales totalling $160.9m (£104.6m). Lady Gaga followed in fourth place, with Metallica at number five.

On The List - The Abbey Road zebra crossing in north London - made famous after appearing on a Beatles album cover - has been given Grade II listed status. The crossing - the first of its kind to be listed - is being recognised for its "cultural and historical importance" following advice from English Heritage. The Beatles were photographed on Abbey Road in I

USA - Tonic Bar & Restaurant in Times Square NYC's first floor boasts 25 large Plasma & LCD TV's and a large marble top bar. The second floor is a restaurant with a full international menu. At the Tonic Bar facility there are also private bars for special events.

Recently the Tonic Bar installed new sound systems and Foundation Audio's installation features several RCF products.

Justin Shafran from Foundation Audio reports, "On the second floor we flew the four H1315 in the four corners of the room. We added two S8028 side by side to one side of the room dedicated to the dance area and one S8028 to the other to add some extra low frequencies to the bar area.

"On the the first floor we flew two C5215L on each side of the room for side-fill and five C5215 on U Brackets on the wall facing the bar at a 45 degree down angle. The ART 410A is being used as a DJ monitor.

USA - Located at the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip, the Tropicana Hotel has a storied history that dates back to 1957. Over the years, the 'Trop' has been spotted in films such as Elvis Presley's Viva Las Vegas and the James Bond 007 hit Diamonds Are Forever. The hotel's Tiffany Theatre - once home to the >I>Folies Bergère production show - now serves as a venue for a wide variety of headline shows and other entertainment. An upgraded loudspeaker system consisting of products from the Aero and Avant Series catalogs of D.A.S. Audio was recently placed into service.

Las Vegas-based A.D.D. Productions, a part of Eagle Group Holdings, manages all aspects of entertainment at the Tiffany Theatre as well as the hotel's forthcoming Las Vegas Mob Experience attraction. A.D.D. Productions general manager David DeLeo selected a sizeable D.A.S. Audio loudspea

USA - Steve Linder is the principal behind SRI Training, a company that provides strategic life coach training for thousands of clients each year. Linder's presentations utilise a variety of biofeedback and neuro linguistic programming (NLP) techniques to teach leadership, communication and other interpersonal skills to both individuals and organizations.

He uses an array of A/V technology to illustrate his points, including live video feeds, audio and video playback, live wireless microphones, and live telephone feeds. To control it all, he uses the Allen & Heath iLive R72 control surface paired with an iDR-16 MixRack.

"The iLive has really revolutionised my presentations," Linder notes. "The audio is so clean and easy to control, it really keeps everyone focused on the content. People will put up with mediocre video, but not bad audio. As soon as you have feed

USA - Human-powered flight has been a dream sought after for centuries and accomplished only very recently. Red Bull gave contestants a crack at this rarely achieved fantasy during its summer-long Flugtag competition, held nationwide.

In Long Beach, California, 105,000 spectators watched teams push whimsical contraptions from a pier. Sound for the event utilised IEEE 802.1 AVB Bridging protocol, enabled by AVB-compliant technology from Harman Professional. The signal control chain consisted of four dbx SC 32 Digital Matrix Processors and 24 AVB-capable Crown CTs 3000power amplifiers, as well a half-dozen network bridge switches from BSS Audio/NETGEAR configured and controlled using Harman HiQnet System Architect. On Stage Audio (OSA), led by vice president Jim Risgin, deployed the AVB system.

Using the HiQnet System Architect's virtual software environment, Red Bull ran audio

Italy - RCF reports that there are now 5,000 units of the TTL33 line array in use worldwide. Since its introduction, the TTL33 has been used in lots of applications from local live events to touring and fixed installations.

With the technical features, the design and flexibility of the product, the TTL33 is popular and has a demand from the end-users, and this has given the product its own award, namely the unit No 5000 is supplied, and this is a milestone for this model.

"Having 5000 units working in professional applications worldwide is a great step for our TT+ line. We listened to views of the industry when we designed the 'mini array', and it looks like the we have targeted the TTL33 at the right sectors," says Alessandro Manini, director of research and development.

(Jim Evans)

USA - Blue Microphones has released Yeti Pro, claimed to be the world's first USB microphone combining 24 bit/192 kHz digital recording resolution with an analogue XLR output. Yeti Pro offers XLR recording with Blue's custom condenser capsules set in a proprietary triple array, providing the flexibility of four recording patterns (cardioid, omni, stereo, bi-directional) for studio or desktop recording.

"We are excited to extend our triple capsule array and four recording patterns from computer-only and into the studio with Yeti Pro," said John Maier, CEO of Blue Microphones. "We recognize the need for truly professional recording quality in a high resolution USB microphone with the versatility to take the mic's distinct recording capabilities into the studio, thanks to its analogue output."

(Jim Evans)

USA / The Netherlands - In 2008, Technomad introduced the Schedulon mp3 playback and recording system to give PA system operators the freedom of scheduling automatic playback of audio files down to the minute while maintaining a high level of manual control. In February, Technomad will introduce Schedulon v3.0 at the ISE show in Amsterdam.

Schedulon 3.0 retains the flexible options for instant, manual playback of user-loaded audio from a front-panel screen and push-button knob, while improving the automatic playback functionality through down-to-the-second scheduling, says the company. This gives operators the flexibility to create tighter user-defined playback schedules based on an internal clock or synchronized network time server.

A nearly 200 percent increase in data transfer speeds considerably improves file upload times - especially appropriate for operators recording fi

USA - Loud Technologies has announced the appointment of Studio Sound International (SSI) as the new independent sales rep firm for the company's Ampeg, Blackheart, Crate and Mackie brands in Latin America.

"I have always admired Mackie for their value and sound. Ampeg is as legendary a bass amp name as one can get, and having US and overseas-built solutions is key for the Latin-American market. Crate offers real price-point value and a name young users can trust. Blackheart has great boutique guitar amp solutions at an amazing price point, even for the most demanding players," says SSI president, Chris Adams.

"Armed with the most sought-after brands in the business, and a wide range of gear perfectly suited to the Latin American market, Loud is poised for an aggressive cycle of growth in the region," said Henri Cohen, director of sales for Loud. "SSI'

UK - DB Systems has become the UK's largest stockist of the NEC MultiSync 46" LCD video wall modules, following increased demand from its clients. DB currently has 60 units and associated accessories.

Oliver Richardson, DB's sales and marketing director, comments, "This product is our flagship video wall system because of what it can offer our clients. It is a display system that, when combined with the right content, ensures an exhibition stand has that elusive 'wow' factor, which gets noticed by event attendees.

"Design agencies, exhibitors and event organizers are increasingly demanding such a high quality display system, which is why we are happy to invest large sums of money to cater for the demands."

Simon Jackson, vice president of NEC Display Solutions Northern Europe adds, "DB needs the very best technology to maintain its standing amongst i

USA - AVnu Alliance has confirmed Bosch Security Systems Communications Systems Division as a new promoter member.

"Bosch Communications Systems is a strong supporter of open media networking standards," says Bill Scott, vice president of engineering and technology. "We believe that a goal of media networking development should be universal interoperability. For this to happen, the industry needs to educate the marketplace, and it needs a widely accepted compliance certification process. Bosch Communications Systems is pleased to have joined the AVnu Alliance in order to promote these principles."

"We welcome Bosch Communications Systems to the AVnu Alliance," states Lee Minich, AVnu Alliance marketing work group chairman, "and in joining our shared vision for interoperable AV networking via Audio Video Bridging (AVB) technologies."

(J

USA - At the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), sound artist Bill Fontana has added another dimension to the turret-skylight atrium atop the building by enveloping the space in a dynamic, interactive auditory experience. Entitled Sonic Shadows, Fontana's work employs eight Meyer Sound MM-4XP miniature self-powered loudspeakers - working in conjunction with four moving ultrasonic emitters - to reproduce sounds generated organically by vibrations inside the building.

"What Bill Fontana has achieved is a truly hybrid and reactive sculpture of sound in time," says Rudolf Frieling, SFMOMA curator of media arts. "Crossing the bridge on the fifth floor activates a complex work in which the invisible structures of the architecture play as large a role as the random movements of visitors. It is a unique SFMOMA sound."

Nearly invisible, the MM-4XP lo

UK - Stage Electrics is opening its doors to the pro audio industry at the end of January, hosting Yamaha Commercial Audio for a pair of open days at the company's London branch.

Taking place on Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 January, from 10am to 5pm each day, the events will provide a series of demonstrations on a selection of Yamaha Commercial Audio products, including the M7CL and LS9 digital mixing consoles, the SB168-ES stage box, Ethersound and Dante networking protocols.

"The open days are designed to give both prospective and existing users a focused overview of the key functions and applications of the products and the advantages of using Ethersound and Dante," says Naomi Wilkinson of Yamaha Commercial Audio sales and marketing support.

"Each demo will be followed by practical hands-on time with the equipment, with Yamaha staff available to give advice

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