USA - At NAMM 2015, Sensaphonics showcased two advanced IEM systems designed specifically for hearing-impaired musicians. 3D-ME is a Music Enhancement method for those with significant hearing loss, while the 3D-CROS addresses the more profound issue of unilateral deafness. These game-changing systems are specifically designed to keep musicians on stage and employed despite mild-to-severe hearing issues, and both are based on the patented Sensaphonics 3D Active Ambient technology platform.
"These new systems demonstrate the power of Active Ambient technology," says Sensaphonics president, Dr. Michael Santucci. "Our focus has always been on musician hearing health, something that few if any other in-ear manufacturers can claim. We deliver amazing audio, and we do it safely. The goal is to provide longer careers and better quality of life for musicians and sound eng
USA - ATC, the UK loudspeaker manufacturer led by Billy Woodman and renowned for building reference monitors that are "unflinchingly truthful", introduced the ATC SCM45A at NAMM 2015.
The SCM45A is a completely new design but shares many features with the highly-successful SCM25A. It fills a gap in ATC's product range for a mid-size three-way that can be used in near- or mid-field positions, has high output and extended low frequency for its size but without compromising the overall balance for which ATC is so well known.
Like the SCM25A, the new SCM45A is an active three-way with an unprecedented linear response across the critical mid-range, as well as across the rest of the audible range. In contrast to the SCM25A, the SCM45A a second woofer for deeper bass response and increased SPL capability, as well as ATC's new proprietary dual-suspension tweeter for increase
Denmark - BroaMan's Danish distributor Danmon has been providing broadcast solutions to the country's public service broadcaster TV 2 for nearly two decades.
Last year, when they decided to upgrade one of their SNG trucks (DNK-47) from SD to HD, the Odense based facility moved its commentator intercom onto a Clear-Com platform and added a BroaMan Mux22 transmission device for signal routing.
This has enabled them to transport multiple data and video signals down a single fibre in the SNG truck, including HD-SDI, RS422, Sync and Ethernet network, using Dante as their audio platform.
TV 2 project manager, Kim Hansen, explains, "For years, the truck has been a key component in our technical setup for major sporting events (such as Tour de France, Handball World Cup etc.) where it acted not only as SNG, but as a small OB truck."
USA - As it approached its hundred-year anniversary as a congregation, Highland Park Baptist Church in Columbia, Tennessee sought to revamp its four hundred-seat sanctuary. It hired Church Interiors of High Point, North Carolina to help design and organize the work, which included structural and aesthetic improvements, as well as a new Sharp/Extron video system based around three huge LED screens and a cutting-edge sound reinforcement system.
Now, Danley Sound Labs horn-loaded loudspeakers and subwoofers deliver musical and highly intelligible sound, with power and processing supplied by rock-solid Ashly Audio amplifiers and digital signal processors. The sound system is zero compromise, exceeding Highland Park's hopes for fidelity and quality while still meeting their budgetary requirements.
"Highland Park's old sound system had an undersized sixteen-channel board and fr
UK - XL Video supplied one of its new bespoke mini-cam packages and LED screens for the latest UK and European tour by talented singer / songwriter and Brit winner Ben Howard, working with lighting and visuals designer Andy Rowe.
The tour - Howard's most comprehensive to date in terms of video production - was project managed by XL's Paul 'Macca' McCauley who commented, "We are thrilled to be involved with this fast rising star and an imaginative production design with an interesting and different slant on video."
Andy, Macca, production manager Chris Pollard and tour manager George Sewell met before the start of the tour to discuss video requirements and practicalities, and XL proposed their Pixled F-25 LED screen as a lightweight medium resolution solution that met the creative brief, together with the four mini-cams, which needed to be discreet, tourable and cost-
Romania - The glittering new Club NOA (Nest of Angels) has opened in the Romanian city of Cluj-Napoca following a major renovation of a well-known clubbing site on the Strada Republicii.
Oozing fashion and luxury, the club has a potent Martin Audio system based around the W8VDQ, at the heart of an advanced sound and lighting infrastructure costing 500,000 to put together, and boasting 65kW of sound.
The Sound and lighting systems were specified by Romanian installation specialists Simo Sound SRL (Disco Zone), with support from Martin Audio's Product Support Group. The 18 W8VDQ enclosures specified dominate the main room, combining line array and differential dispersion technologies to provide an advanced hybrid solution to the requirement of even coverage over wide angles and throw distances..
The owners, Kàlmàn Jozsef, Horvàth Julieta and Kàlmàn Ladislau had already
UK - It is estimated that by 2017 visitors from China to the UK will spend £1bn a year; currently there are approximately 150,000 Chinese tourists who choose to visit London each year. There won't be many who don't take the opportunity to visit Trafalgar Square, feed the pigeons, gaze up at Nelson on his Column and pop into the National Gallery before exiting through Admiralty Arch to walk down towards Buckingham Palace. These iconic images of London are at the top of the 'must see' list for every visitor.
So it comes as not real surprise that Weli Media, the London-based Chinese media organisation that specialises in cross cultural events between the UK and China, chose Trafalgar Square as the setting for a Chinese TV advert. The project required recording facilities for a large group of performers singing as well as foldback to provide tracks for them to dance to. Sound
UK - At BVE 2015 in London next month, HHB Communications will feature the latest audio and video technologies on Stand J43.
Prominently located on the show's central aisle with Soho audio post specialists Scrub and co-exhibitors Nugen Audio, HHB will show the latest loudness tools, audio networking technology and Pro Tools systems for broadcasters, audio post engineers and systems integrators.
HHB's Avid specialists will demonstrate the full features of the Avid S6 and S3 control surfaces alongside Pro Tools with the latest plug-ins and NUGEN loudness software.
The newest Dante Audio over IP developments including RedNet from Focusrite will also be on show. This is in addition to cutting-edge adaptive loudness processing from TC Electronic, plus the latest TouchMonitor metering platform developments and the new LCn Loudness Correction Plug-in and App. Broadcast media specia
UK - Germany-based Aimline will show the first models of its ALX-Series in Amsterdam, representing a new generation of digitally steerable column loudspeaker that can be integrated into existing networks using DANTE connectivity. Using DANTE, no audio signal conversion is necessary, allowing the audio to remain in the digital domain throughout.
The series consists of the ALX-8, which can be cascaded in up to six units in horizontal and vertical directions.
Main features include DANTE audio input and output, multibeam technology for horizontal and vertical beam control, strong SPL, analogue and digital inputs, networking-over-IP protocol, heavy-duty aluminium enclosure in a slim design.
The ALX-Series will be available in versions tailored for both the installation and rental markets.
Aimline, headed by Tobias Schulte, consists of a team of professional audio engineers and
Arts Education Funding - Youth dance and music schemes will benefit from an increased £109m in government spending in the coming year, after the Department for Education pledged its support for cultural education programmes. A number of projects - including the National Youth Dance Company and the BFI Film Academy - will be granted a share of £4m in the 2015/16 financial year. It was also revealed an extra £1.1m with be spent on In Harmony programmes - which aim to engage children in deprived areas with orchestral music - as well as National Youth Music organisations such as the National Youth Orchestra and Music for Youth's Schools Prom concerts.
The Music and Dance Scheme, which provides financial assistance to applicants for specialist arts schools, has also had its financial support bumped up by £1m - bringing its total funding to £29m. In addit
UK - Well known throughout the entertainment industry for its lighting services, White Light will now offer sound equipment and services with the launch of a dedicated audio department.
The London-based supplier has earned its reputation for quality products and reliable service throughout its more than four decades in the entertainment business. The company has taken the decision to expand based on increasing demand, especially from existing clients. "Our success has always come from listening to and understanding our customers," explains Bryan Raven, managing director for White Light. "With more and more clients requesting sound packages and support, offering these services just makes sense."
Leading the department is Lee Dennison, formerly of Delta Sound and Autograph. Since his arrival at White Light in November 2014, Dennison has set out to build the c
The Netherlands - Panasonic Visual Solutions division has launched a training programme exclusively designed for visual professionals, such as resellers, system integrators, AV rental companies and distributors.
The Panasonic training programme includes several levels to develop Panasonic visual product knowledge and gain special certifications.
Split between projectors and display (which have three and two levels respectively) Panasonic partners can engage in free online training sessions through the Academy portal to gain Visual Professional certification.
When Visual Professional certification is attained, face to face training is made available to gain Expert, and Advanced Expert (projector only) certification, which takes place at the Panasonic European headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany.
Panasonic European training manager Siegmar Küll, said, "Greater product k
UK - Martin Audio has announced support for installers and sound designers with the provision of specific GLL files for designs using MLA, MLA Compact or MLA Mini in an EASE model.
Andy Davies, head of Product Support Group for Martin Audio said, "The increasing demand for Multi-cellular technology in an installation environment has driven this development as an initial in-house solution; however, we are also working towards making this a simple addition to future iterations of our free-to-own Display software."
For the time being, in order for Martin Audio to supply a GLL file all that is required is an EASE 'packed' project file of the venue showing the array location points, together with the appropriate Display2 file for the venue. Davies continues, "We can then extract the necessary data from the Display2 file and, via additional software, generate the spec
Egypt - TIU opened its doors in November 2014, unveiling a new nightlife concept from three of Egypt's best-known operators and promoters. The new venue, which resides where Tamarai once stood, has brought a new direction to one of Cairo's most famous night time locations. With an emphasis on quality and with a desire to create the city's best clubbing experience, TIU's owners opted for a Funktion-One sound system.
Tamarai was one of the most well known venues in Egypt. It was admired for its glamour and exclusivity but as Egypt's political landscape took a seismic shift, the appetite for such attributes naturally subsided. Tamarai's owners, Ayman Baky and Ahmed Beltagy, in keeping with the general mood in the country, plotted new beginnings. The partners teamed up with Ahmed Ganzoury of ByGanz Events and drawing from a formidable pool of knowledge and expertise, the trio create
The Netherlands - Opened in 1887, Amsterdam's Koninklijk Theater Carré (Royal Theatre Carré) has played host to circuses, vaudeville, one-man shows, revues, plays, operas, operettas and musicals. Completely renovated in 2004, the venue has continued hosting a wide range of events to the present day. The ongoing demand meant a major upgrade of its audio system became necessary, with a Yamaha CL digital mixing system the chosen solution.
With a lot of main productions now running in the theatre for longer periods than before, the management wanted the flexibility to host smaller morning or afternoon productions on the front of the stage. This would allow two or more events to be run on each day - the main part of the stage containing the set for the evening's production being unused during the day.
"Koninklijk Theater Carré is one of Amsterdam's most fa
Sri Lanka - ARX's MSX series audio splitters featured prominently in the audio system for Pope Francis's recent overwhelmingly successful visit to Sri Lanka.
Mr Chaminda De Mel at Panadura based Creative Entertainment Pvt Ltd supplied the Audio System for the sea-front Mass in Colombo where in front of a reported crowd of over 1m people, Pope Francis canonised Sri Lanka's first Saint 17th Century missionary Joseph Vaz.
ARX's managing director Colin Park comments, "The supply and sale was arranged in late 2014 by ARX's Sri Lankan representative Mr Mohan Jayasuriya. Audio contractor Creative Entertainment utilised four units of MSX 32 TALL Active and one unit of MSX 48 Passive Mic / Line Splitters.
"The ARX splitters were used for broadcast & microphone splitting and for the signal distribution to the sound reinforcement system(s) providing an extensive area of cover
Australia - Rental provider Gearhouse Broadcast has rolled in nine Lawo mc2-56 audio mixing consoles, 21 x Lawo V__pro8 video processor units and a Nova73 HD router for the broadcast of the first big international sports event of 2015 - the Australian Open tennis tournament.
Traditionally, the tournament attracts the tennis elite to the 30 tennis courts in Melbourne Park where, from 11 o'clock in the morning till late at night, they fight each other for the prestige of victory and the 2.1m prize money that awaits the winners of the singles games. The finals will take place on 1 February in the Rod Laver Arena in front of an audience of 14,820 tennis fans.
Lawo staff went down under in order to support Gearhouse Broadcast in setting up and commissioning the Lawo systems. Of the nine mc²56 consoles, five are networked via a Nova73 HD to provide sound feeds for host broadcaste
Spain - D.A.S. has launched the Event M210A, a three-way stage monitor in a double 10" "dual-band" configuration. The dual-band configuration permits the twin 10" loudspeakers to work in tandem for maximum power at low frequencies.
Above the low frequency range, the advanced digital signal processing allows the 10" speakers to operate independently in specific frequency ranges, eliminating off-axis interference between the drivers to maintain optimal polar and frequency response characteristics throughout the low and low-mid operating ranges.
The D.A.S. loudspeaker units have been teamed up with a single M-60 compression driver attached to a new, asymmetric waveguide. The purpose-designed unit offers a 20º Up-30º Down vertical coverage for precise pattern control in the artist's listening area.
The Event M210A wedge is powered by an advanced, three
Germany - New Year's Eve on the Fan Meile in Berlin is the biggest Sylvester party in Europe, attracting well over a million visitors to the street party in front of the Brandenburg Gate. National and international performers on three stages put on a spectacular show that was broadcast live by ZDF. For several years, regular audio provider Auvisign has used Nexo PA systems for this prestigious event - this time, it was an occasion to push the new STM M28 modular line array into the limelight.
Taking everyone into 2015, the massive Sylvester party was attended by 1.2m visitors, entertained by Tony Christie, Katherine Jenkins, Annett Louisan, Howard Carpendale, Tokio Hotel, David Garrett and David Hasselhoff! As every year, it was enabled by key players Wohlthat Entertainment GmbH (production), auvisign GmbH (sound company) and Steel United Group (technical direction), reportingto
UK - Following a triumphant UK and European arena tour in 2012, Live Nation and SJM Concerts announced that the tour of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds would return for the sixth and final time in late 2014, and RG Jones Sound Engineering were once again on duty.
'The New Generation' as it is now known, played to packed arenas throughout the UK and Northern Europe this winter but the tried and trusted team of Simon Honywill, FOH engineer, sound production company RG Jones, and Martin Audio's full catalogue of MLA (Multi-cellular Loudspeaker Array) components were once again on hand to create the soundscape.
Conducted by Jeff Wayne, the most ambitious production yet featured Liam Neeson in 3D holography, Jason Donovan as Parson Nathaniel, Westlife's Brian McFadden as The Sung Thoughts of The Journalist, X Factor 2005 winner Shayne Ward as the Artill
India - Audio Design has become one of the largest and most respected sound rental companies in India, providing audio solutions locally across India and internationally. The company provides a full range of high end staging solutions including sound, lighting and video equipment as well as stage structures for some of the biggest concerts and festivals in India and employs more than 100 professionals. Underlining its dedication to excellence is Audio Design's recent investment in a substantial L-Acoustics K2 loudspeaker system.
Audio Design has been the preferred technical supplier to some of the most well known Indian and international artists, including Bryan Adams, Lady Gaga, David Guetta, Hardwell, Martin Garrix, Tiesto and Guns & Roses.
"Audio Design has grown into one of India's top touring live sound reinforcement companies," states Audio Design director, Mr.
The Netherlands - At the upcoming Integrated Systems Europe show (ISE) in Amsterdam, visitors to the Shure stand C90 in Hall 3 will have the opportunity to experience established Shure technologies including the RF microphone system for conferencing audio applications, Microflex Wireless, plus the digital wireless microphone systems ULX-D and QLX-D.
Additionally, DIS's DDS 5900 and DIS DCS 6000 discussion and conferencing systems will be on show, together with the newly introduced DIS CP 7890 camera control system, which can be used in conjunction with a DDS 5900 or DCS 6000 system to remotely control up to four networked cameras. The control app for the CP7890 system, which is compatible with Apple iOS devices and now also Android, will also be shown during ISE.
Shure will also be presenting its product-related software solutions emphasising functionality and ease of use. Vis
Slovenia - Europe's first installation of the new Nexo Geo M6 line array can be found by a peaceful park on the shore of a Slovenian lake. In the Bled Festival Hall, the compact Geo M6 arrays look down on a venue originally built for grandmasters to play a World Chess Championship.
Bled has a long tradition of congress, and its elegant Festival Hall has hosted scientific and professional meetings, corporate and economic summits, and sporting and musical events. In its principal hall, capacity 500, MK Light Sound has just installed the Geo M6.
Dean Karov of MK Light Sound explains that his company impressed the venue management with the suggestion of a small array sound reinforcement solution which would be unobtrustive but offer smooth even coverage in the hall.
"We were asked to supply a system that would offer high speech intelligibility, even coverage and enough powe
The Netherlands - IP audio and control specialist Barix has long had a strong OEM business, with the company's IPAM module series at the core of tens of thousands of devices deployed worldwide today.
At ISE 2015, Barix will exhibit its latest module, the IPAM302, for vendors and systems integrators seeking cost-efficient, openly programmable modules to build their own IP audio products - as well as for companies interested in private-label products manufactured by Barix.
The recently introduced IPAM302 is more compact and uses less expensive connectors than previous generation IPAM modules, further reducing the price of an already low-cost series. Most importantly, the IPAM302 is forward compatible for the next generation of IPAM modules, ensuring that OEMs can freely build a product today and easily replace the module in the field moving forward.