Lithuania - Keistuolių Theatre in Vilnius has reopened its doors after a two-year break to undergo a major overhaul of its underperforming sound system. The renovation brief required a versatile, modern audio system to optimise sonic distribution and quality around the venue, which led to the selection of DiGiCo, and its DiGiGrid networking solution, along with a compact S21 mixing console, as the centrepiece of the new system. Opened in 1989, the theatre was originally built as a conference space, providing a multi-purpose setting to cater for various events. Consequently, the main hall suffered with poor acoustics when staging concert and theatre productions, causing the theatre major problems. "We are a theatre that uses a lot of music in our performances, so the quality of sound is very important to us,” says Keistuolių Theatre director, Aidas Giniotis. “We h
UK - Academy Music Group (AMG) has once again enlisted the support of Liverpool-based Adlib, to co-design and install a high-end touring specification for its audio and lighting systems at its newest venue in Scotland, the 3,000 capacity O2 Academy Edinburgh. A category B listed building, the former Corn Exchange was built in 1909 and acquired by Academy Music Group in August 2021, to build on its legacy as one of the city’s largest standing, multi-purpose spaces, and develop it to become one of the major must-play venues in Edinburgh for live music and entertainment. The project was led by AMG’s group operations manager, Steve Hoyland with Adlib’s managing director Andy Dockerty, who together specified the L-Acoustics K2 system. “Our latest acquisition, O2 Academy Edinburgh, has huge potential, with the right capacity to bring more world-class shows to t
France - L-Acoustics has further expanded access to L-ISA Studio, adding unlimited free binaural output capability. The software, compatible with any Mac computer, is available on the L-Acoustics website. Through L-ISA Studio’s binaural engine, users can create and monitor spatialised audio content from their laptop, using headphones and optional head tracking. L-ISA Studio software accepts up to 96 audio objects and sends 12 audio outputs to any soundcard. All binaural capabilities within L-ISA Studio are now free for an unlimited time. “With platforms like Apple Music, Tidal, or Amazon Music enabling spatial sound, the ability to conceive music directly in immersive is not a luxury; it’s a need,” explains Guillaume Le Nost, executive director of Creative Technologies at L-Acoustics. “For this reason, we felt that it was important to make L-ISA Studio availa
Turkey - Earlier this year, Istanbul production company Autonomy partnered with virtual production facility MGX Studio and Formula 1 to deliver an immersive commercial project for the country’s financial hub and official sponsors of last year’s Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix, Istanbul Financial Centre (IFC). The project was filmed at MGX Studio, with Brompton Technology Tessera processing delivering optimum colour management for the LED wall. From extreme close-ups of the F1 vehicle and the driver, to the revving engine sounds as the car navigates through the streets of Istanbul, and images of IFC reflected on the driver’s helmet, MGX Studio’s virtual production facility offered a spread of creative possibilities to the Autonomy team. “Achieving optimum colour profiles and creating realistic reflections and natural background lighting were key challenges for t
Italy - Green Hippo has appointed Prase Media Technologies as its new distributor in Italy. Working on applications in the install, retail and rental channels, Prase will distribute the full range of Green Hippo’s Hippotizer Media Servers and in addition, tvONE products. “We are excited to announce Prase as the latest distributor for Green Hippo,” says Frithjof Becker, EMEA sales director, Green Hippo by tvONE. “Our goal is to continue developing the growth of Green Hippo product lines within the retail and rental markets in Italy. We can’t wait to see the next set of impressive projects featuring Green Hippo and tvONE products.” “We welcome Green Hippo’s premium media servers in our catalogue, and are thrilled to offer to Italian professionals the best-in-class technologies for creating an engaging and stunning multimedia experience,” says Luc
France - At a height of 2,300m, the new Maya Altitude Restaurant is located in the popular ski area, Three Valleys, in the French Alps. Its terrace offers 360° views of the Belleville Valley and Mont Blanc. A newly-installed Nexo sound system provides music to drinkers and diners inside the venue and out by day, before stepping things up with a full DJ set for après skiers. A system design using another speaker brand was already in existence before Monaco-based audio-visual consultants Mediacom suggested that a Nexo system could deliver higher performance at a lower cost. “We worked with the Nexo engineering support team to design a system using ID24s supplemented by IDS110 subs inside the restaurant, and Nexo ID14 and P12s outside,” explains Mediacom’s Christophe Chary. “With a sumptuous, Tibetan-themed décor, it was important that the speakers create
UK - At Enterprise Connect, Shure announced that IntelliMix Room has received expanded Microsoft Teams Rooms certification with the Lenovo ThinkSmart Core, a computing device built on the Intel vPro. This expanded certification is applicable for use in cases where the Shure Microflex Ecosystem is jointly leveraged with video conferencing products from Poly, Logitech, Crestron, and Lenovo. “Ensuring our audio solutions seamlessly collaborate with other platforms remains one of our primary goals. We understand the direct impact and benefits these partnerships and certifications provide to both end users and IT professionals,” said Paul Gunia, director of technology partnerships, at Shure. “Pairing Shure Microflex Ecosystem solutions with leading video conference solutions from Poly make achieving the highest-quality collaboration standards more seamless, scalable,
UK - XM Automation has released XMove, a new user interface for programming the movement of automated systems. Available via a per axis licensing model, the XMove interface offers a number of powerful, easy to programme features. The software interface can be retrofitted to existing infrastructure or configured to work with new hardware available from theatre-specialist suppliers or from non-theatrical industrial manufacturers such as Siemens, Control Techniques and Beckhoff. Director Mark Ager explains: “The availability of XMove software on a licence basis overcomes the high capital investment costs traditionally associated with the purchase or refurbishment of automated equipment. Created in Apple’s latest pro-SwiftUI, the user interface provides a powerful and robust platform.” XM Automation has recognised that ease of programming is key to the operatio
UK - Audiologic has announced the delivery of an upgraded audio system for Swansea.com Stadium, using the latest QSC equipment, in collaboration with Vaughan Sound Installations. Swansea.com Stadium is home to Swansea City FC and The Ospreys Rugby Club, hosting up to 21,000 spectators. Having previously overseen the installation of the AV solutions in the stadium’s conference suites, Audiologic client Vaughan Sound Installations was tasked with developing a scheme to enhance the professional audio, public address, and voice alarm systems throughout the stadium. The project was to be implemented in two distinct phases. Phase one involved upgrades to the public address and voice alarm systems covering the concourses, hospitality areas, and turnstiles - in accordance with BS 5839-8. Phase two required replacing the dated loudspeakers throughout the stadium bowl, w
Bosnia - The reputation of Martin Audio’s scalable resolution Wavefront Precision continues to spread. Last year, the company’s Bosnia & Herzegovina distributor, SD Sistemi, sold a large WPL system to prominent hire company ProRent, who followed up their initial purchase in September with a further acquisition three months later, with the upcoming events season in mind. “They really needed a larger system for big outdoor events and for general hire use,” reports SD Sistemi’s Tijana Milovanovic. The sale had been initiated as far back as February 2020, but the global pandemic brought a summary halt to proceedings. In the end ProRent committed to the system on brand reputation alone, in time to fire it up for the first time on 14 February in the Borik Sports Hall in Banja Luka for Croatian artist Massimo Savić. ProRent fielded 12 x WPL per side, with SXH21
Sweden - Sweden’s Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra performed a ‘musical adventure’ at the imposing Göteborgs Konserthus recently, enveloped in video projections driven by Hippotizer Media Servers. The 90-minute orchestral performance, entitled The Crescendoing City, immersed the audience in a ‘visual flow’ designed to complement the piece. Stockholm-based Pixelfield Studios - styled PXLFLD - was commissioned by the Gothenburg Symphonic Orchestra to design a visual concert experience based on ‘The City’ as an overarching concept. The PXLFLD team responded to the brief by considering what defines a city, taking in architecture, communications, culture and, most importantly, people. Over two nights of performances, audiences were treated to sweeping cityscapes, eerie urban scenes and flashes of abstract colour and patterns. “We needed a reliable
Israel - Atzmaut Beach (AKA Hilton Beach) is a popular destination for the young local surfing community and tourists (in more regular times) alike, and boasts plenty of bars and restaurants. Hilton Bay Absolut Beach & Surf features a high-end audio installation courtesy of Void Acoustics and Israeli Void Acoustics distributor – New Audio Pro. Established in 2018, Hilton Bay Beach & Surf occupies 300sq.m of prime seafront real estate immediately in front of (but not connected with) the Hilton Hotel. The venue has recently been transformed with a complete refurbishment from the structure itself, down to the soft furnishings. And front and centre of this transformation has been the deployment of a new Void Acoustics sound system. The venue is owned by Ronen Miley - a local nightlife entrepreneur of over 25 years’ experience. “These days our customers are lo
UK - Britannia Row Productions deployed a full audio package for the annual awards ceremony while continuing its partnership with The BRIT School. The BRIT Awards returned to London’s O2 Arena complete with performances by Adele, Ed Sheeran, Bring Me The Horizon, Little Simz, Liam Gallagher, Sam Fender, Dave, Anne-Marie, KSI, and Rising Star Award recipient, Holly Humberstone. Britannia Row’s relationship with the event continues to go from strength to strength, with the company’s Josh Lloyd resuming his role as system designer and FOH mixer. Lloyd created a PA system design that would allow the music to blend effortlessly into the stage design by avoiding key sightlines, while giving clean and clear feeds to the experienced broadcast team. “The design changed in the weeks leading up to the event due to the stage and seating being reconfigured in the ven
UK - Polar will distribute the products of German audio solutions manufacturer Pan Acoustics across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Pan Acoustics specialises in sound reinforcement for challenging acoustic environments and works in the field of beam-steering technology. Will Turney, head of Polar’s Integrated Solutions Division, comments: “Pan Acoustics offers a comprehensive range of products to address the most difficult audio challenges, whilst also meeting the aesthetic demands of architects and designers. Beam-steering technology is important in so many spaces where sound reflections can present real problems to clear reinforcement, so we are delighted to have added this industry-leading brand to our portfolio. “Houses of worship, heritage settings, council chambers, transport hubs, education and conference facilities, where speech intelligibility
Singapore - Digital audio network solutions specialist Digigram has sealed a distribution agreement with Italian broadcasting solutions specialist AxelTech. The deal means Singapore-based Digigram Asia will exclusively distribute AxelTech’s Falcon audio processors, Macrotel telephone hybrids and Oxygen Digital mixers ranges across the Asia Pacific region, excluding Japan and Vietnam. Digigram Asia Pte also distributes Digigram, Auvitran and Barix audio solutions and equipment in APAC. “The addition of AxelTech products to our portfolio is a significant move for Digigram as we are now capable to address our customers with full scale, high-end solutions for their broadcasting and studio needs,” states Singapore-based Nancy Diaz Curiel, Digigram’s director of sales, marketing and communications. Enrico Vaccari, AxelTech’s director of sales adds “We are v
USA - After a more than two-year hiatus from exhibiting at large-scale trade shows in North America, DiGiCo and KLANG will be at the National Association of Broadcasters Show (NAB) next month. Sharing a stand in Las Vegas Convention Centre’s Central Hall with fellow Audiotonix console brands Calrec and Solid State Logic, DiGiCo and KLANG’s presence at NAB marks their first return to the US since January 2020’s NAMM Show in Anaheim, California. “NAB is pro audio’s first big show of 2022, and we’re eagerly looking forward coming back to Las Vegas for the first time in three years,” says DiGiCo managing director Austin Freshwater. “We’ve missed being able to connect in person with our North American customers, dealers, reps, and other industry friends, and NAB is already shaping up to be a terrific reunion. We have so many exciting things to show and discuss,
UK - The beginning of March saw spatial audio specialist, Sonosphere, take part in a world-first multi-venue event at the 5G Festival Showcase. Underpinned by 5G technology, it involved over 20 artists playing simultaneously across three UK music venues: Metropolis Studios, the O2 Blueroom at The O2 and Brighton Dome. Over the last two years, Sonosphere has been working with eight other heavyweight organisations - Audiotonix, Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival, LiveFrom, Mativision, Metropolis Studios, Virgin Media O2, and Warner Music Group - who worked collectively with Digital Catapult, the UK authority on advanced digital technology, to explore the untapped potential of 5G for the live music industry and provide a blueprint for how technology could play a key role in the future of the sector as part of the wider £200m DCMS 5G Testbeds & Trials Programme. T
UK - Specialist audio visual design and installation company, North Star Engineers is behind the ship-wide AV system design and installation of the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, the Global Mercy - the newly built vessel of Mercy Ships. The project has been designed and delivered from the head office of North Star Engineers in the city of York. Mercy Ships is an international charity providing a team of volunteer nurses, doctors, surgeons and other crew from all over the world. The Global Mercy was docked and open for physical and virtual tours in the Port of Rotterdam between 26 February-14 March 2022, before setting sail on 15 March for Granadilla Tenerife to continue outfitting in preparation for service within West Africa, the first of many new missions expected over the next 50 years. The team at North Star Engineers has been responsible for all s
Australia - To gain the necessary power and versatility for their multi-functional event spaces, Rocco’s Bar & Gusto acquired a range of Harman Professional audio-visual solutions. Rocco’s Bar & Gusto is a restaurant and venue located inside United Cinemas in Warriewood, New South Wales that hosts parties, private business meetings, sporting and dining events in its multipurpose event spaces. Because the venue space can be divided into multiple separate areas to accommodate a variety of events and meetings, the restaurant required an audio-visual solution with the flexibility to route and matrix signals to their respective zones. To meet this request, Rocco’s acquired a fully networked audio-visual system featuring solutions by AMX, BSS, JBL Professional, Crown and AKG. “We wanted an immersive experience for Rocco’s Bar & Gusto, and the Harman sol
UK - Whitwam AV Integration has solved intelligibility issues and improved audio coverage at St. George's Chapel Windsor with the installation of a new K-array loudspeaker system. Originally built in the 15th century by King Edward IV, the chapel has been the scene of many royal services and weddings. Whitwam AV Integration has installed a modern and sympathetically styled audio-visual system that has transformed the way that words and music are experienced throughout the building, blending with the magnificent and historically rich setting. The loudspeaker system from K-array focuses on providing superior vocal intelligibility in what is a generally challenging acoustic environment with a typical RT60 of three or four seconds, so the audio design emphasised the placement of sources relatively close to the listener to increase direct sound and reduce reflections.
USA - Riedel Communications has announced that Richard Kraemer and Josh Yagjian have joined the company as regional sales representatives for North America. Kraemer, who is based in Toronto, will oversee sales in Canada, while Boston-based Yagjian will help cover accounts in the Northeastern region of the U.S. Both will report to Rich Zabel, vice president of sales, Americas. "With the addition of Kraemer and Yagjian, we're expanding our sales force to respond to the increasing needs and requests of our current customers while providing the expertise and knowledge to accommodate new customers," said Zabel. "With impressive records of customer satisfaction, exceeding sales targets, and managing world-class accounts, Kraemer and Yagjian are a natural fit to our North American sales team, and we're thrilled to welcome them to Riedel." Kraemer has over 20 years of ac
UK - EM Acoustics has announced the appointment of Roger Harpum to the position of business development manager. A well-known figure in the professional audio world, Harpum brings nearly 30 years’ experience and a depth of knowledge to the role. “A chance conversation with an industry friend in December stirred something in me and I decided to make contact with Mike [Wheeler] in January,” explains Harpum. “Following further communication, an eye-opening factory tour and two very productive meetings we all felt that the synergy between us was worth investing in. “Joining EM at this stage in their journey is incredibly exciting, and having spent time listening to the range of products I have absolutely no doubt that a move to the next level is well under way,” he continues. “In Mike and Ed, the industry has two visionaries who have built a successful compan
Germany - Audio and connectivity specialist DirectOut is announcing the release of the third generation of its Andiamo. The device comes with newly designed AD/DA converters, network based audio and remote control. “When we launched our first Andiamo in 2010, we already had the feeling that it would be a game changer”, says Claudio Becker-Foss, CEO and CTO of DirectOut, “and now, 12 years later, our clients can witness the evolution of Andiamo to again meet their expectations for an AD/DA Converter, they can count on.” Optionally supporting network audio formats Ravenna, Dante or SoundGrid, the third generation Andiamo offers up to 288 inputs and 288 outputs with internal routing matrix and failover redundancy using EARStm. The device features eight summing busses, input and output gains and trim, hardware monitoring for PSU status and temperature and redundant
South Africa - Situated in the heart of Cape Town, GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World is the largest venue of its kind in South Africa, featuring a Las Vegas-scale casino, two hotels, conference facilities, dining establishments, an ice rink and the Grand Arena - a 5,000 capacity multi-purpose venue that has played host to acts such as Bryan Adams, Sting, James Blunt, Rammstein and Kylie Minogue. In 2020, the arena underwent a thorough refit of its audio system, with the replacement designed around DiGiCo’s Quantum 338 digital mixing console, chosen to fulfil the requirements of international touring riders and deliver quality audio, processing and connectivity within a space-saving format. The Grand Arena first started researching new technology in 2017 when the current infrastructure was approaching the end of its lifespan, and an upgrade needed to be found.<
