France - Each September, thousands of jazz fans descend on the third largest park in Paris, The Parc de la Villette, to enjoy renowned festival Jazz à La Villette. Highlighting the most prominent artists of the moment and the many styles of jazz, the festival also looks back at the history of this musical genre, often paying tribute to a particularly important year or an inspiring musician. With sets from a wide roster of artists, this year’s festival presented a varied programme that opened new audio perspectives thanks to L-Acoustics L-ISA Hyperreal Sound technology. Cité de la Musique, one of two buildings comprising the Philharmonie de Paris, was one of the key venues for the festival. Emmanuelle Corbeau, Deputy head of the Audio-Visual Department at the Philharmonie de Paris, managed the deployment of L-ISA at the Cité de la Musique’s Salle des Concerts (Co
Europe - Audio-Technica has announced the release of its new 3000 Digital Series wireless system, which joins the original UHF-based 3000 Series in the company’s wireless offering. The new system features 24-bit/48kHz processing, a wide dynamic range of 120dB and 60MHz tuning range to ensure both exceptional audio performance and flexibility, with analogue-balanced audio outputs achieving a latency of just 2.5msec. With audio networking a key requirement for many users, the 3000 Digital Series receiver is Dante-enabled and ready to slot into any Dante network. Up to five ATW-DR3120DAN dual-channel receivers can be connected to allow a single pair of antennas to feed up to 10 channels of wireless, reducing the rack space required and minimising cost. Control of the system is made straightforward via software monitoring that gives access to frequency co-ordination, cha
Albania - Part of the Diamond Hill Resort & Spa the new 400-capacity Rooftop Lounge Bar in the Albanian city of Vlorë, has been fitted out with a high-power Martin Audio sound system, comprising components from the BlacklineX and CDD series - supplied and installed by their territorial distributors, Prosound. Offering panoramic views, the lively venue delivers a combination of house music from DJs interspersed with live bands by night, and BGM during the daytime. Prosound had been contacted by the venue’s architects to provide a solution. “But the procurement process was similar to that of a tender since the client also received offers from other providers,” acknowledges Prosound’s technical director, Endrit Veleshnja, who recommended Martin Audio and designed the system around it. Explaining his reasons, he said, “BlacklineX series has continuousl
USA - The historic Setnor School of Music at Syracuse University was founded in 1887 and currently occupies one of the oldest facilities on campus, a building constructed in 1889. Recently, the prestigious school of about 300 students modernised and upgraded its department infrastructure, including a move from analogue cabling to audio networking – a task completed with consideration to the historic significance of the building thanks to Audinate’s Dante. Copper wire and XLR cables running between rooms at Setnor were installed sometime in the 1950s. The old analogue cabling and break-out panels had become outdated, noisy, and inflexible. Dante was critical for the school during the upgrade as it offered a solution with minimal impact on the historic buildings on campus. “With a building like this, we can’t just knock big holes in the walls and run more and mor
USA - The Jonas Brothers’ monitor engineer Jon Kooren deployed DPA microphones for the group’s The Remember This Tour. Originally delayed due to the pandemic, the tour launched in Las Vegas in August and wrapped around the country, with a final show at the Hollywood Bowl on 27 October 27. Deployed primarily for percussion and vocals, the large collection of DPA mics on the tour included the 4011 Cardioid, 4099 Core Instrument and 2011 Twin Diaphragm Cardioid microphones for drums and percussion, as well as the d:facto 4018V Vocal microphone for backup and the d:facto 4018VL Vocal microphone for Kevin Jonas. “There’s a lot of mics; we use two 4011As for percussion overheads, above the cymbals and chimes, another as a direct source for shakers and tambourine, and a fourth on snare bottom on the drum kit,” explains Kooren. “Then, we have 4099s on high and low
UK - Void Acoustics has announced the latest addition to its popular Venu V2 loudspeaker series. The Venu 208 subwoofer incorporates all the key elements of the Venu V2 range in a compact and stylish, loudspeaker enclosure. It is suitable for multiple applications including bars, clubs, hotels, restaurants and lounges, as well as high-end domestic installs. Void says there had been a growing demand for a versatile, low frequency compact speaker solution that utilises all the specifications of the larger Venu speakers but contained within a flexible, smaller unit. This addition to the series has already received high levels of interest, and pre-orders have resulted in initial production runs being increased by over 50% to meet initial demand. The product inspiration was driven by the North American team who utilised previous design knowledge to drive the s
Russia - Sound engineer, Aleksey ‘Midas’ Korolev, has recently moved to an immersive audio environment, expanding his work with d&b’s Soundscape system by adding KLANG’s immersive in ear system to his workflow. The move to KLANG also prompted him to switch from his long-term choice of console to DiGiCo, taking advantage of the SD-Range’s native integration with the KLANG system. Midas first came across KLANG a few years ago at the ProLight + Sound trade show. “I was heading somewhere else when, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a booth with something to do with IEMs. Or maybe it was just the brand’s colour that attracted me,” he says. “I took a brochure, but at that time I thought the technology was an interesting start-up amongst many others and I didn’t think I would be a user one day.” When Midas first joined his current band, a few of
Thailand - Mahajak Development Co recently outfitted the Lido Connect entertainment complex with Harman audio solutions to deliver quality sound and flexibility for cinema screenings, live music, performing arts and other events. Lido Connect is a multipurpose entertainment and retail venue located in the former Lido Multiplex Movie Theatre in Bangkok’s Siam Square. After the 50-year-old multiplex closed in 2018, the building underwent extensive renovations to transform it into a cultural hub for moviegoers, music fans, artists and shoppers. As part of the renovations, the former Lido 1 theatre remained a screening room but received major upgrades, while Lido 2 and Lido 3 became a live music venue and a small black box theatre, respectively. To provide pristine sound for movies, concerts and other events, each of these spaces required new sound systems. To execute t
France - Several pro audio manufacturers have joined forces to initiate a common language to ease immersive audio system integration within the production process. Flux Immersive, L-Acoustics, Radio France, and other major industry manufacturers are bidding to standardise Open Sound Control as a streaming protocol through ITU BS.2076-2 Audio Definition Model (ADM). ADM-OSC provides an implementation that follows the ITU standard, allowing to stream positioning information of audio objects in realtime using the Open Sound Control protocol. More importantly to integrators, ADM-OSC offers a universal communication language among object-based audio software for live and post-production. To advance the proposal, a technical workgroup has been set up with industry peers. The workgroup has received the support of multiple manufacturers and the ADM-OSC language is curre
USA - Fulcrum Acoustic has released the AHS Series, a modular scalable system targeted at applications where very high output and precise pattern control are required. This new series of products represents “a leap forward in achieving digitally configurable coverage for long-throw applications, all within a surprisingly compact envelope” says Fulcrum. "We've had ongoing requests from system designers for even higher output versions of our existing AH and AH4 products," says Rich Frembes, Fulcrum Acoustic's product manager. "The AHS' configurable vertical pattern allows dispersion to be tailored to a venue's needs. Its modularity allows it to scale as needed to tackle very long-throw applications, such as those encountered in stadium end-zone/scoreboard deployments." The AHS440 (45° horizontal beamwidth) utilizes 4 high-frequency horns, each paired with a coaxial
USA - Connectivity specialists DirectOut is celebrating a decade as a Ravenna partner with the launch of a limited edition of their EXBOX.RAV AoIP-to-MADI converter. Only 50 units of the anniversary edition will be made, distinctive by its striking Ravenna green livery. EXBOX.RAV, a popular edition to the well-established EXBOX converter range, was launched in late 2020 based on DirectOut’s proven RAV2 board, also available as OEM product and already adopted by other manufacturers. Four gigabit ports with an internal switch and PoE, plus three MADI ports in BNC, SC and SFP format offer bidirectional conversion and routing of up to 64 audio channels, with built-in SRC functions (FastSRC™) and automatic redundancy switching (EARS™). In addition to fully supporting RAVENNA with a wide range of configuration options, it also supports NMOS for stream and device disco
Estonia - ERR is the largest media organisation and government-owned radio and television public broadcasting company in Estonia. For its mobile units, the organisation relies on the experience of Lithuanian-based TVC Solutions, who have been designing and coach-building OB vans for over 20 years, and the fit-out includes specifying the most efficient, state-of-the-art technological infrastructure. A key feature of the latest 12m long 18-camera van (designated ‘OB-1’) is an efficient use of internal space. They were able to create five working areas, and in total 19 separate workplaces on a chassis-based design. This includes: Main isolated equipment racks with redundant cooling system; Shading area (four workplaces); Second programme area (three workplaces); Main programme and slow-motion operators’ area (10 workplaces) and an advanced Audio room with improved sound
Europe - Back in June, Elation Coffee Break hosts Alistair Smyth and Frederik Afif discussed lighting livestreams and other broadcast environments like a pro using the full-spectrum KL Panel LED softlight. But can a softlight do more? A new XL version of Elation’s broadcast-quality luminaire can, the KL Panel XL, and the next Elation Coffee Break is an opportunity to get a closer look. The KL Panel XL offers the same precise colour temperature control, full-spectrum colour rendering, high CRI and even wash coverage of the original but extends the size, emits nearly twice the power (44,000 field lumens) and offers multi-zone control for dynamic effects. Tune in to the Elation Coffee Break on Thursday, 28 October 11:00 a.m. CEST to find out more. No registration is requi
South Africa - System integration specialists Livingstone Productions have provided a sophisticated end-to-end Audac background music (BGM) system for IntegriSure, one of South Africa’s largest motor and home insurance brokers and its subsidiary company VIA Soft, which specialises in extended IT and administrative systems for financial services. Based in Roodepoort, Johannesburg, the IntegriSure Group required a reliable and stripped back audio system that would seamlessly blend with their modern corporate environment. As the exclusive distributor of Audac in South Africa, Stage Audio Works (SAW) oversaw the design of the project, the supply of the equipment, and the commissioning of the system before handing back over to Livingstone Productions, who carried out the integration, delivering a solution that places the end-user experience at the heart of the operation, and wi
UK - Jalsa Salana is the annual three-day international gathering of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community which takes place on a 200-acre farm in Alton, Hants. Over the three days, up to 35,000 people from across the world have traditionally congregated at the location, where the Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association (AMC), Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, delivers a daily address. Back in 2016, Simon Honywill helped Jalsa Salana celebrate its 50th anniversary by completely redesigning the audio infrastructure around a uniquely Martin Audio set-up. By turning to the MLA platform for the first time he could achieve supreme control and vocal projection in a challenging environment. Since the address itself is in the form of a very quiet and humble series of speeches, sermons and teachings powerful projection is required. There is no music, it is all about speech intelligibili
Australia - The sleepy rural town of Kilkivan in Queensland was recently transformed into a hive of activity as thousands of horse lovers - and their horses - descended for the first edition of Cowgirls Gathering; three days of interactive workshops and clinics with educators, trade stalls, competitions, music, art and entertainment to celebrate the western lifestyle of women all over Australia and beyond. Production specialists Gigawatt Sound & Light based just north of Brisbane were contracted to supply clear, precise audio throughout the festival, which they chose to do with KV2. The requirement was broad ranging, from background music, to paging, to foreground audio distribution and speech reinforcement. All systems were in use from 7am to midnight every day. Gigawatt’s technical systems manager, Andrew Wood takes up the story: “This was an unusual assignme
UK - Describing itself as ‘the UK's foremost narrative ballet company’, Northern Ballet performs a repertoire that ranges from traditional to contemporary. A key part of its work is taking shows on tour, performing for audiences away from its Leeds base. With touring now resuming, the ballet has looked to the future by investing in two Yamaha Rivage PM3 digital mixing systems. These were first put to use on the world premiere of the ballet Merlin, which started its tour at Nottingham Theatre Royal. Founded in 1969, Northern Ballet has used Yamaha digital mixers for a number of years, starting with the M7CL. “As a touring company, reliability is of primary importance and we’ve always been really happy with Yamaha in that regard,” says Steve Wilkins, the ballet’s technical director. “We’ve only ever lost one fader and socket through touring damage, where
Spain - AFIAL 2021 closed one of its busiest editions in Madrid on 7 October, the event’s organisers have reported. Three intense days before, the trade show highlighted, once again, the capacity of unity, strength and resilience of the AV industry. AFIAL 2021 was attended by PLASA in the framework of the collaboration that it recently has signed with AFIAL after more than one year of joint effort in the #WeMakeEvents movement - a relationship that will be expanded in the near future with new projects and initiatives. One of the success stories of this edition was the AFIAL Conecta space, where visitors had the opportunity to attend a powerful panel of conferences, in addition to a comprehensive programme of activities complemented by demonstrations of outdoor sound carried out in the Pavilion of Crystal esplanade, which welcomed visitors interested in knowing first-
Canada - Founded in 1930, Glad Tidings Church has served Vancouver for over nine decades in three different locations. Established in its current location since 1963, the church built a new 1900-capacity sanctuary in 1983 which remains its home today. Whilst the structure of the auditorium has changed little over the years, it has continued to evolve at a technical level. The most recent development has been the design and installation of a new HALO-C compact line array system from British manufacturer, EM Acoustics. Recognising the need to replace their aging point source system with something more modern and efficient, Glad Tidings approached Canadian production company and AV integrator, Gearforce, headed by Bryan Adams’ long-term monitor engineer, Rob Nevalainen. Whilst the touring scene is currently on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nevalainen has turn
France - When it came time to record the Netflix original French-language film, Oxygène, the audio team had quite the challenge in front of them. The premise of the scientific horror film focuses on a scientist, played by French actress Melanie Laurent, who has lost her memory, awakens, trapped in a medical pod and must find her way out before the oxygen levels diminish. Given the setting, the pod is used for 90 percent of the film and, with its tight quarters, Production Sound Mixer Ken Yasumoto and Boom Operator Josselin Panchout knew they needed a reliable and unobtrusive microphone solution, which they found in DPA Microphones. Having small, portable, easy-to-use tools became even more important when the film’s director Alex Aja and director of photography Maxime Alexandre built a second pod for ease of filming some of the tighter shots. Although there w
USA - The University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, employs a campus-wide communication system that consists of Riedel's Artist, Bolero and SmartPanels. The system supports flexible communications and audio transport for live broadcast production of Pitt Athletics events on the ACC Network for ESPN. The decentralised wired and wireless intercom systems enable clear, reliable communications while also providing exceptional flexibility of configuration across campus at all sporting complexes, and multiple studios. Utilizing multiple Artist digital intercom matrixes, 1200 and 2300 Series SmartPanel user interfaces, and 24 Bolero wireless beltpacks scattered across campus, the Pitt Athletics production team coordinates centralized live sports production for broadcast and streaming. Riedel's Director software coordinates configuration and management of al
UK - For the production industry the August Bank Holiday was always going to be the big heave of the re-opening, with Leeds/Reading festival leading the way. That no bad news emerged from the three-day bacchanal means the production industry could give itself a big pat on the back. Not that it was easy, but it was a blast. “We were all apprehensive,” says Richard Larkum, LD for Biffy Clyro, echoing the sentiments of many. “As it transpired, it was a career defining show.” Joel Stanley, production manager for Stormzy was equally relieved: “In terms of going from nothing to full-on production it did feel very natural.” Default sound, IMAG and lights for the main stages came from SSE, CT and Neg Earth respectively. As Stanley observed, “As with Neg Earth and Video Design in our individual production packages, we felt very comfortable and well favoure
UAE - With offices in Dubai, Sharjah and Doha, NMK Electronics has been appointed L-Acoustics certified provider distributor for the Middle East. “Our team of pro-audio specialists with decades of experience respond to local demand and also offer technical and design support across the board,” says Dino Drimakis, commercial director at NMK Electronics. “NMK works closely with partners from several market segments of the AV industry. We are thrilled to add a world-leading audio manufacturers to our portfolio. L-Acoustics fits perfectly with our product mix. We also appreciate their drive to consistently innovate and enhance the experience for audiences and end-users. We are proud to bring their innovative technologies to the region.” NMK’s mission is to increase the demand for high-end audio and to bring the latest technologies to market. To help accomplish
The Netherlands - Alcons has introduced the QRP20, a two-way column array system with high-Q directivity for increased projection control to be used as vertical sound system, for both permanent and portable applications. It is specifically designed for applications where ultimate fidelity response needs to be projected with wide horizontal and narrow vertical coverage, ideal in acoustically challenging environments, or applications where intelligibility-over-distance is required. Loaded with the RBN401 4” pro-ribbon driver on a ‘Morpher’ lens, the system offers a very high throw-efficiency and projection control, due to the pro-ribbon’s all-natural cylindrical wavefront. The QRP’s are powered and controlled by the ALC amplified loudspeaker controller; Through the integrated VHIR processing, audiophile amplifier stages and Signal Integrity Sensing feed
