UK - Bluesound Professional has introduced the B170S Networked Streaming Stereo Amplifier, a versatile amplified streamer. The B170S is an all-encompassing networked streaming amplifier that satisfies a multitude of commercial audio needs. Features like low-impedance lines out, constant voltage option, energy-efficient amplification technology and a compact form factor makes the B170S suitable for supporting bulk speaker installations and daisy-chained speaker setups. The B170S is designed to work with all kinds of installations. High performance audio can be achieved with the low impedance option via 4 or 8 Ohm low impedance outputs. Using the low impedance outputs is particularly fitting for applications where intelligibility and audio quality are most important. Alternatively, bulk speaker installations like corridors or high-traffic areas can be catered to with th
USA - This year’s Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles area was an inflection point for the event’s signature halftime spectacular. It was to be the first time that all of the music performers were hip-hop artists, reflecting a shift what has taken place over the last decade that has seen the genre come to dominate popular music sales, charts, and culture. One thing that has remained a constant, though, was the event’s reliance on DiGiCo as ATK Audiotek, now a Clair Global company, once again deployed four SD5 mixing consoles to handle the complex and high-profile production. The headliners - Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, and surprise guest 50 Cent - were intended to constitute what halftime sponsor Pepsi called “the greatest 12 minutes in music entertainment the world has ever seen”. As with previous years’
Japan - Recognised as one of Japanese capital’s leading theatre venues, the Tokyo Garden Theatre is located in the city’s waterfront area within a major new development that also includes a retail mall, hotel, spa facility and housing complex. In a country where most theatres and halls operate on weekends only, the Tokyo Garden Theatre is designed to stage events every day of the week, where shows can load in out quickly, with easy access to a versatile, world-class, and permanently installed sound system. “At my previous job, I was in charge of establishing Sendai PIT, a small live club in the city of Sendai,” explains Katsushi Kamuki from the theatre’s operation department. “We used Nexo speakers there, and I felt that their bold and powerful sound would be well-suited for the sound at Tokyo Garden Theatre. So, I took everyone involved in making the decision to
UK - Crewing platform Entourage Pro (EP) has launched its free to use and join freelance production crew resource. The service connects and sources freelance production crew and underpins traditional word-of-mouth methods for finding work and sourcing crew. Partnered by major manufacturers of production technology including Robe, Avolites, Yamaha, d&b audiotechnik, MDG, Chainmaster and Marshall, EP is an online network of crew that has already secured thousands of members from over 60 countries around the world. Initial uptake is being extended by EP’s partnership with Showcase Music, with the platform being promoted to over 350,000 rental companies, artists, labels, management, venues and production and tour managers from across the globe. Searches by role, experience, availability, credentials, visas, rates, languages, qualifications and much more, gives
USA - Pliant Technologies will be presenting High Density mode for both its CrewCom and CrewCom CB2 wireless intercom systems at NAB 2022 (Booth C7118). High Density mode is a selectable mode of operation that increases user densities. For CrewCom, this new software-selectable mode supports up to 32 Radio Packs (RPs) on a single Radio Transceiver (RT) while dynamically allowing any four of the RPs to communicate in full-duplex across four available talk paths. For CB2, the High Density mode supports up to 16 Radio Packs (RPs) on a single BaseStation. In addition, users of both systems will have the flexibility to simultaneously deploy “Normal” mode-enabled RPs and RTs (synced BaseStations for CB2) along with High Density mode-enabled hardware, providing adaptability for application-specific setups. “We are excited to showcase High Density mode for both our Crew
Italy - Continued development of the company’s patented WFIR filter design offer greater EQ resolution, while other updates extend the unit’s capabilities, compatibility and control options. The latest updates to the Dashboard application (software v1.9.4 and firmware v0.97) include enhancements to the functionality of WFIR filters, the addition of GPIO port control and extended compatibility for the latest Apple Mac computers. Of particular interest to companies who already deploy Newton on some of the world’s largest festivals is the further development of its unique WFIR (Warped Finite Impulse Response) filters, using Outline’s new Equalisation Coefficient Synthesis Algorithm (EQ-CSA) which accelerates the group EQ speed functionality significantly and also extends the filter resolution. These enhancements apply not only within a single Newton but als
UK - Boisdale has live music restaurants in Belgravia, Bishopsgate and Canary Wharf, combining ‘fantastic dining with world-class entertainment’. The sound system at Boisdale’s largest property in Canary Wharf has recently been replaced by a new, all-Nexo installation comprising of speakers from the Geo M6, ID Series and ePS ranges, with amplification from 11 Dante-networked Nexo NXAMP4X2MK2 powered processors. “We strive to offer our customers the best of everything, from the moment they walk through the door,” explains Boisdale commercial and marketing director Adam Priestly. “Alongside a premium food, drink and entertainment offering, it’s also important to curate the right atmosphere, and sound is a big part of this. “Most importantly of course, we want performers and audience alike to experience the very best live sound, and that’s exactly
The Netherlands - The Jeroen Pit House, a new children’s transitional care unit in Amsterdam, is now completed and ready to welcome chronically ill children and their families when the facility officially opens on 11 May. With support from the AV community, the building boasts a sophisticated systems integration tailored to the special needs of its users. At a celebratory event last week, Mike Blackman, managing director of Integrated Systems Events and Wendy Griffiths, VP engagement and global development at CEDIA were in attendance to congratulate the project team on this achievement. The Jeroen Pit House has been championed by ISE, along with ISE’s co-owners CEDIA and AVIXA, since planning began more than three years ago. The build has been supported with generous contributions from the AV industry to complete the eight apartments, dedicated cinema and presentati
Portugal - Martin Audio’s Portuguese partner LVT Audio recently supported a landmark 40th anniversary performance by rock band, Xutos & Pontapés and the Portuguese Philharmonic Orchestra with a Martin Audio MLA Compact rig. The band itself was founded in Lisbon by the late Zé Pedro, Zé Leonel, Kalú and Tim, and the Porto-based rental company were determined to cut no corners at Porto’s 8,500-capacity Super Bock Arena. With audio direction by LVT principal, and technical director, Miguel Lindo and support from Martin Audio’s North American technical specialist Joe Lima, LVT provided Xutos’ FOH engineer, Carlos Vales (Cajó) and system tech, Antonio (Touché) Costa with a powerful system. This comprised hangs of 18 elements of MLA Compact per side, with a further 12 MLA Mini and three MSX subs on each flank performing out-fill duties. LF reinforcem
UK - Released in 2019, the movie Joker quickly became one of the top-rated films of the year. The flick’s pop culture relevance made it a perfect fit for London-based concert promotion and production company Senbla Live Events’ ‘film in concert’ series. As pioneers of this production model, the team at Senbla knew that translating the film into a live show would require an audio solution with a pristine level of clarity. With 25 years’ experience using DPA Microphones, Phil Wright, sound designer and front of house engineer for Joker Live in Concert, trusted the brand to deliver. Working with AV production supplier SFL, Wright chose to make it a fully DPA spec. “I’ve always had DPA on strings, but it has been my dream to do a solely DPA show,” says Wright. “Some people were hesitant about whether it would truly make a difference, but no
Poland - Wise Clubs is an AV consultancy and integration firm based in Kraków. The company was recently called upon to design and integrate systems into two of Katowice’s leading nightspots – the P23 club located in a former porcelain factory, and its little brother, the recently opened CEL club in the centre of Katowice. Both venues have been equipped with comprehensive KV2 sound systems - the first KV2 systems to go into clubs in Poland - designed and installed by Wise Clubs and supplied by KV2’s polish distributor, Arcade Audio. P23 has a true post-industrial feel with its natural brick walls, steel girders and lofty ceilings. One of the city’s premier live music venues, P23 plays host to a variety of events, from acoustic concerts through to rock music and – perhaps the genre for which it is best known – techno. The biggest names in techno and electron
USA - Joe Bonamassa is touring this year in support of his 2021 LP, Time Clocks. The 23-date US spring tour leg kicked off in February in Orlando, Florida and concludes in Washington, DC this week. Out on the road with him are a new pair of DiGiCo Quantum5 mixing consoles manned by front-of-house engineer Mike Lavielle and monitor engineer John Kaylor. Also on the trek are a DiGiCo SD-Rack, with 32-bit microphone inputs feeding both consoles, and a SD-Nano Rack used for ancillary duties at front of house, all on an Optocore loop. The two desks also recently accompanied Bonamassa and crew aboard the Norwegian Pearl for his sold-out Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea VII cruise from 21-25 February, where they proved seaworthy on their maiden voyage. All of these early-2022 shows mark the inaugural deployment of the new desks by the tour’s systems provider, Special
Poland - Formed in 2019, Technical Production Group (TPG) is a relative newcomer to the Polish market. Its age, however, belies the experience of its team, who have worked together on productions for many years. TPG has ensured end-to-end services for the conference and corporate events market, investing in an inventory of sound, lighting, multimedia, and broadcast solutions from the outset. A recent opening of its own studio for live streaming events has added to its capacity to serve the market. Its latest technical acquisition is a Syva system, purchased from L-Acoustics certified provider distributor for Poland, Audio Plus. TPG chose Syva not only for its audio quality but also because it, as owner Piotr Badalski puts it, "is a beautiful piece of furniture." “We looked at several solutions but found there was always a compromise between sound quality and the aest
UK - The Albany, a multi-disciplinary arts centre in the heart of Lewisham in south-east London, has been serving its community for over 100 years. The original Albany Institute opened in 1899 with the aim of improving the lives of local people. It became the Albany Empire in the 1970s and gained a reputation for its pioneering work in radical community arts. The building was destroyed by fire in 1978 but was rebuilt, and today the Albany is a theatre in the round that hosts a diverse range of disciplines, from music of all types to theatre, children’s shows, workshops, lectures and more. The venue has recently replaced its ageing PA with a new Reference Series system from EM Acoustics supplied by Stage Electrics. Head of production at the Albany, Ben Stephen, explains that the prime requirement when specifying their new system was flexibility and ease of use. “We
USA - Riedel Communications is collaborating with SailGP Technologies and Skyroads to deliver new and more immersive imagery as well as a substantially reduced CO2 footprint at major public events. Announced during SailGP's Season 2 Grand Final in San Francisco on 26 March, Riedel and Skyroads AG are entering into a strategic alliance to deliver a $20m order of Skybot-Cam systems, which combine high payload drones with professional broadcast gyro stabilized camera systems with live video, audio, and data downlinks. Riedel will be the global partner of the Skybot-Cam system for major events and sport series, and with Skyroads, they are building a joint product to further push the boundaries of sustainability and technical innovation for sports broadcasting. Riedel will serve as an integrator, utilising their existing communication infrastructure for the purpose of the S
UK - Two EVO 4 Start Recording Bundles (EVO SRB) have made an instant and significant improvement to the audio of the monthly Virtual Planetarium video on Sky At Night Magazine’s YouTube channel. Aimed at all stargazers, this is a video guide to the best things to see each month in the night sky, with graphics put together by digital content producer, Adam Crute and two expert amateur astronomers providing the audio. Pete Lawrence, an astro-photographer recognised by the Royal Photographic Society and Paul Abel, theoretical physicist and director of the British Astronomical Associations Mercury & Venus Section have been recording their half-hour script for each month’s episode from their respective homes since the beginning of Covid-19 lockdown. “Paul and I have been recording the Virtual Planetariums for Sky at Night Magazine for many years,
Canada - Simon Fraser University (SFU), ranked one of the top universities in Canada, has campuses spanning three of British Columbia’s largest cities -Burnaby, Surrey and Vancouver. Last year, the university needed to replace a 10-year-old amplifier system to support a new learning environment for students. For this installation, the learning experience of SFU’s students was the school's top priority. When some of the previous amplifiers powering classrooms began to fail, Adrian Bisek, AV system designer at SFU Surrey campus reached out to SC Media, LEA Professional's Canadian representative, to secure the right technology to support the university for the next decade In his role, Bisek is responsible for the design and implementation of audio-visual systems for the school. His department supports all classroom learning, collaboration, interaction at distance, and
China - In 1959, the Wuhan Theatre was the first large theatre built since the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Still standing as a prominent historical site today, the 1,459-seat theatre serves as a cultural centre that stages art performances for the local community. Having undergone only a few minor renovations during its sixty-year lifespan, the theatre received a very extensive renovation project in October 2020. The theatre's management executed some structural repairs, some cosmetic work on the exterior, and upgraded the technical infrastructure. The main hall's interior received acoustic improvements with a constructed fold-line design on the walls to achieve sound diffusion and even sound coverage for the audience. Management also upgraded the wooden surface in the rear of the hall with fire-resistant magnesium oxide panel boards, which will furth
Denmark - Opened for instruction late in 2021, the new Aarhus School of Architecture is equipped to educate future architects in all elements - aural as well as visual - of contemporary building design. The school was established in 1965. Prior to construction of the new campus, the learning facilities were spread out across the city in nine separate locations. The new four-story main campus building brings together all nine addresses under one roof and leverages advanced AV technologies to provide optimum classroom communication and remote learning opportunities, including a Meyer Sound Constellation acoustic system in the main auditorium that allows students to directly experience the acoustic response of various room designs. The school’s extraordinary investment in advanced AV technologies for learning was made possible by funding from the A.P. Møller and Chastine Mc-
USA - Theatre Projects has announced two additions to their team in North America - Peter Wilson and Thomas Bukovac. Both have joined the firm as associates. A licensed architect, Peter is an accomplished venue designer who previously worked at architectural firms such as Gensler and Barton Myers Associates. He is passionate about designing theatres and says he’s “thrilled to share my knowledge with new clients and new colleagues, and to learn as much as possible from each of them in turn.” His past projects include the renovation of the Madrid Theatre for the City of Los Angeles, several theatres at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, and a new 600-seat theatre for the Television Academy’s Saban Media Centre in Los Angeles. Thomas joins Theatre Projects as their new audiovisual and integrated technology team leader. A licensed professional e
USA - MXL Microphones, a division of Marshall Electronics has announced the promotion of Gina Stimler to the position of global sales manager. Stimler’s diverse professional experience includes over 17 years working with the company’s core customers, dealers, distributors, manufacturer representatives and system integrators. Since 2005, Stimler has worked in international sales for MXL and has also spent the last four years as senior sales operations manager for Marshall Electronics. “Gina has been actively collaborating with our customers throughout the world for many years and we are excited to announce this well-deserved promotion,” says Leonard Marshall, CEO of Marshall Electronics. “I am confident that she will expand MXL’s corporate and education markets in cooperation with our dealers as they look for new opportunities to increase business with ente
Spain - Amate Audio’s new G7 premium commercial audio loudspeaker system has been IP44 certified, further validating its use for a wide variety of outdoor applications. Additionally, a new anthracite colour scheme expands the options for matching the ultra-compact loudspeaker system with a wide range of interior and exterior aesthetics. The IP44 certification awarded the G7 signifies intrusion being impossible by objects larger than 1mm in size, including most types of wire, slender screws, tools, even large ants and other insects, and liquid ingression resulting from the spraying or splashing of water and having no harmful effect on the functioning of the loudspeaker. Commenting, vice president and chief technical officer Joan Amate states, “As a premium dedicated commercial audio design, the G7 has to fulfill the superior sonic performance expectations of an Amat
South Korea - To outfit the Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium with the latest in sound system technology, TechDataPS Co selected and installed a range of Harman Professional audio solutions. Built to host the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium is a 43,544-seat venue at the heart of the Ulsan Sports Park. With three stories and two basement floors, the stadium features a roof covering 87% of the four-sided stands supported by steel trusses designed to emulate the whale skeleton found in the hemisphere petroglyphs at Daegok-ri, Ulju. Additional pillars allude to the Silla Gold Crown, which inspired the stadium’s nickname, Big Crown. A spokesperson for TechDataPS Co reported that the client requested a comprehensive revamp of the stadium’s 20-year-old audio system, but the venue’s unique structure left the installation team with limited placement opt
UK - Founded in 1982 by Ann Stannard and the late Christopher Gable, Central School of Ballet offers vocational degree courses in dance at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Earlier this year, when the school moved to its new home, the Countess of Wessex Studios in the South Bank arts community of London’s Southwark neighbourhood, it also undertook a major new audio installation. Adlib worked with Central to deliver an L-Acoustics Ai Series system that offers a multifaceted solution throughout the entire new venue. Boasting a fully equipped studio theatre, study, multiple resource centres, and a modern health suite, the Countess of Wessex Studios provides vital space to grow, nurture creativity, cultivate dreams, propagate ideas, and allow talent to blossom. The only thing missing was an equally impressive sound system. “Adlib was recommended to Central’s proj
