Europe - The OCA Alliance has attested to a positive ISE 2025, full of new implementations and products and a broader industry embrace of open public control standards.

"This was a fantastic year for AES70 at ISE,” reports OCA Alliance marketing chair, Ethan Wetzell. “We saw several new products and implementations of the standard – some of which we knew were coming, but several of which were surprises. And that's really the benchmark of success for a technology like this – when the industry begins to pick it up and implement it independently, that's a ringing endorsement."

Throughout the show, members of the OCA Alliance were on hand to showcase and demonstrate options for commercial hardware, software controllers, hardware and software reference designs, and discuss the standard's latest additions. Of particular interest this year were AES7

Sweden - The Borås Arena is home to top-tier Swedish football club Elfsborg and Division 1 South team Norrby. The 14,500-capacity stadium was opened in 2005 and, last year, a new sound system was designed and installed by local musical instrument and professional sound specialists Musiklagret, who are also a sponsor at the arena.

With speech articulation and uniform coverage at the top of the performance criteria, Musiklagret proposed a Nexo system using 40 x P15s and 20 x P10s from the French manufacturer’s industry-standard P+ Series point-source range.

“Nexo P+ Series was selected for its frequency range, the resolution of the HF, and the facility to change horns to achieve optimum coverage,” reports Niklas Frick from Musiklagret’s Rental and Installation division.

P+ cabinets are installed in pairs at 90-degree angles around the

China - Recently, Wuping No. 1 Middle School in Hubei Province celebrated its 100th anniversary, during which it has adhered to a philosophy of "cultivating people with moral integrity and all-round development". During that time it has trained more than 50,000 graduates, many of whom have become high ranked in governing the country, studying, and developing industries.

To mark the occasion, a special Forever Azalea concert was performed in the concert hall of the newly built Science and Art Museum, presenting an audio-visual feast to alumni, guests, teachers and students. Martin Audio's signature sound and consistent coverage created the live atmosphere for the concert, which the school is seeing as a new starting point.

Going forward, this auditorium will be used for a variety of concerts and operas, as well as other cultural and artistic

USA/UK - The Sleep Token experience is all about the music; the band are completely anonymous, so there are no egos or names to get in the way. Thom Pike, front-of-house engineer, has been with the band ever since their third gig in 2018.

For their latest tour, his mixing desk of choice was a Quantum 338. Monitor engineer, Samuel Schmitt, a long-time DiGiCo fan, choosing them consistently throughout his career, is also using a Quantum 338. Both engineers explain why DiGiCo desks are the right fit for this high-profile tour.

“It was the start of a new cycle and a new era in terms of venue sizes,” Pike recalls. “Solotech were able to help us out in terms of budget, so for our first gig at Wembley Arena I went straight to a DiGiCo. By the end of that tour I was in love with the console. I feel like there are no limitations. The desk does exactly w

UK - When techno icon Frazi.er and house kingpin Ewan McVicar came together late last year at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, the two titans of the Scottish electronic music scene staged a spectacular. Placing themselves in the centre of the venue in a 360° setup, the two delivered "a performance masterclass which received excellent reviews in every quarter".

The show’s audio was provided by East Anglia-based Audio Plus, who have supplied systems for touring, festivals, special events, and installation for more than 30 years. Audio Plus deployed a Funktion-One Vero system for the event, driven by XTA amplification. Audio Plus has used XTA amplifiers since the 1990s and in recent years has transitioned to using the XTA DPA100 unit for all its work.

Project manager Tino Reschke comments: “The loudspeaker arrangement was planned in collaboration with Fun

UK - Just as espresso becomes a martini, Bear café bar spaces transition effortlessly from day into night and the brand has opted for Optimal Audio commercial audio systems installed into all its latest venues to guarantee the seamless shift.

Bear has five stores from Uttoxeter to Wimborne and atmosphere tops the menu in each. With the help of nationwide audio installation partner, York-based Rock-Tech AV, Bear evaluated several commercial audio systems before aligning with Optimal Audio.

Craig Bunting, one half of Bear’s founding partners, explains the appeal. “Primarily, our requirements were for a system that could handle multiple zones and provide excellent sound quality. What we achieved with Optimal is a warm, inviting sound that complements the Bear atmosphere and so many features suit our needs.

“Simple control for the in-store

Europe - Stage Precision launched its open Beta version of SP Grid, the next evolution of its technology, at ISE 2025. Designed to redefine how professionals create, manage and deploy digital experiences, SP Grid transitions Stage Precision’s core offering from a standalone software product to a comprehensive development, data management, control and integration platform, giving users the power to connect every element, every device, every data point seamlessly and in real time.

SP Grid is a no-code or low-code platform, aimed at simplifying the deployment of complex digital environments, providing a foundation for building, deploying and managing digital experiences of all sizes. The platform empowers system integrators, designers and developers to craft tailored solutions for spaces, studios and events.

“We have already received fantastic feedb

Poland - Late last year, Atlas Arena in Łódź hosted an extraordinary live event, Jimek & Guests: Subclassics, Poland’s first-ever symphonic spectacle in a 360-degree format. The orchestra was sited in the round, which provided the audience with a unique perspective.

The audio system was built around the power of the DiGiCo Quantum series, with two Quantum 338s, with Pulse upgrade, at the front-of-house position and Quantum 852 and SD12-96 consoles at the monitor position.

Radzimir Dębski, professionally known as Jimek, is a composer and conductor, well known for blending classical sounds with modern music genres. His Subclassics concert was a blend of symphonic compositions and iconic hip-hop tracks featuring many guest artists.

“There’s no adventure if you know what to expect. Only uncertainty leads to fulfilm

Australia - ARX has announced that its USB DI Series has now been completely upgraded to offer user selectable sample rates from 44.1 to 96KHz @ 24 bit for improved D/A conversion, signal to noise ratio and lower distortion.

18 years ago, at the 2007 Frankfurt Pro Light & Sound, ARX released the audio industry's first Transformer Isolated USB audio interface, the USB DI. In the following years the USB DI series has been expanded to its current range of six models of digital/analogue interface units, each with its own unique problem-solving feature set.

One of ARX's best sellers globally, USB DI Series units have been chosen for applications from the Olympic & Commonwealth Games and Australian Open, to the Montreux Jazz Festival.

Germany - The world premiere of The World of Hans Zimmer - An Immersive Symphony: The Theatre Experience took the audience at the Metronom Theater in Oberhausen on an impressive musical journey through the works of the film composer.

Presented by Semmel Concerts and accompanied by lighting, sound and stage technology from Satis & Fy, this hit show delighted more than 22,000 fans at 15 sold-out concerts from 23 January to 2 March. Hans Zimmer himself spoke to the audience in the form of a larger-than-life, three-dimensional projected image.

Behind the scenes, monitor engineer Thorben Ströhlein and RF manager Werner Schmidl also welcomed a special technical guest: Sennheiser’s Spectera, which they used to provide some of the musicians with in-ear and line/mic signals as part of the Spectera Pioneer Program.

Contact with the Pion

Thailand - Now a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Thailand, the Bakery Music record label was founded in 1994 and pioneered the independent music industry in Thailand, inspiring the creation of many other indie labels in the country.

A recent Bakery Rock Concert Live in Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand featured performances from the label’s leading artists including Moderndog, Pru and Flure, with a Nexo sound system deployed by local distributor and concert sponsor Fuzion Far East.

The main FOH system featured left and right hangs of 12 x Nexo Geo S12 speakers supplemented by Nexo RS18 subwoofers, with Nexo Geo M12 used as front-fills to deliver audio clarity to those audience members closest to the stage.

For the artists, Nexo P15 and PS15 R2 wedge monitors provided precise and powerful sound with precision coverage, with

Thailand - Powersoft’s Mezzo amplifier platform is powering the audio experience at Starbucks’ ‘largest Greener Store’, its new flagship location in One Bangkok, Thailand’s mixed-use development project.

Founded in 1971 in Seattle, United States, Starbucks has over 30,000 stores in over 80 countries. At the end of last year, the company opened a Starbucks Reserve, featuring energy-efficient lighting, water-saving fixtures and a goal on waste reduction, in Bangkok. To serve the brew-hungry crowd with a cup of coffee with a side order of quality audio, the flagship outlet needed a sound system that would cover an area of 860sq.m, divided into two floors.

“The brief was clear,” says Ms. Chuthintorn Bhanyotin, managing director from System Plus, the system integrator. “We needed to provide exceptional sound quality with a natural feel tha

Indonesia - Topgolf offers a high-energy, entertainment-focused experience that appeals to both avid golfers and casual players. With its blend of microchipped golf balls, interactive targets, and lively atmosphere featuring food, drinks, and music, Topgolf is attracting a diverse audience and redefining how people engage with the sport.

The second Topgolf location in Southeast Asia, Topgolf Jakarta is helping to grow the game among younger and non-traditional players, while amplifiers from LEA Professional are elevating the entertainment experience for everyone.

Topgolf Jakarta’s nine-acre complex includes 102 hitting bays spread across three levels, three restaurants, four bars, several entertainment zones, and dedicated spaces for corporate and VIP events. Jakarta-based AV systems integrator PT Albeta Sukses Mandiri was contracted to install the

UK - Adamson Systems Engineering has announced a new appointment to its team, aimed at expanding the company’s presence in the UK.

Vince Borrelli will take up the role of business development manager for the UK and Ireland, bringing with him many years of experience, gained within the professional loudspeaker manufacturing market.

According to Adamson’s EMEA sales director, Jasper Ravesteijn, Borrelli is the perfect fit. “With such an experienced addition to the team we have found the right business development manager for the UK. He impressed me when I worked with him in the past with his professionalism, attitude and great sense of humour. I always wanted to work with him again.

“This is the first hire for Adamson in the development of a much broader UK strategy, and it’s just the beginning,” continues Ravesteijn. “This appoin

Uganda - Situated in the bustling heart of Uganda’s capital, Kampala, Noni Vie Lounge & Restaurant has raised the bar as a premier destination venue – in terms of both its cuisine and its music.

The latter was something that the proprietors definitely weren’t going to skimp on. It was while on a visit to London that they visited the Tiger Tiger nightclub and marvelled at the quality of the sound. Investigating further they realised it was a Martin Audio rig, and after contacting the manufacturer, they were directed to Tech Ease Systems, who distribute the brand throughout Central and East African countries.

The systems consultant, Vincent Kasule recalls the original website inquiry. “When I met the proprietors, I could see they were trying to create a modern club and restaurant that would be unique in Kampala, with an excellent audio expe

UK - Production Futures has announced that its next On Tour event will take place at the AO Arena, Manchester on Monday 28 April. The venue is one of the largest of its kind in the UK, and will host a Production Futures event for the second time, following the success of last year’s arena debut.

Set to attract a wide range of young people from across North-West England and beyond, this free-of-charge event will promote employability, transferable skills, diversity, free training, networking, and will present paid work opportunities to newcomers across the live event and broadcast production industry.

Manufacturers, supply and production companies, venues and distributors will have representatives present at the event to provide advice, information and insights, and discuss specific job and training opportunities. Production Futures also wo

Switzerland - For 22 years from 1994 to 2016 the Kuppel (Dome) in Basel was a legendary concert venue and club which successfully hosted national and international acts. It was a wooden structure that had originally been built for a gardening show and was temporarily relocated onto public land in the city. Never intended as a permanent fixture, the city’s government eventually had the Kuppel demolished, but so popular was the venue that a trust committee had been established, and eight years after its removal, the new Kuppel was inaugurated.

Architects Vécsey*Schmidt designed the new venue and worked closely with the Basel office of global AV consultant, Walters-Storyk Design Group (WSDG), who was appointed as the project’s acoustic engineering specialist. A high priority was placed on the total acoustic insulation of the venue owing to its location in

UAE - Optocore has awarded Thomsun Trading, its long-term partner in the Middle East, with its Best Distributor Award, in respect of outstanding performance over the past 12 months. The presentation was made during ISE 2025.

Although Thomsun has been Optocore’s distributor right across the GCC region for over 15 years, “the relationship between Optocore and Thomsun continues to grow,” according to Optocore sales manager, RadhaMohan Rajani.

“As the Middle East region sees continued growth, so Thomsun, who have offices around the region, are perfectly placed to continue representing us well, providing quality support locally. Their experience with our solutions makes them a perfect partner.

“Jose Dos Santos (senior marketing manager), our contact there, is a fantastic mediator between us and local clients who require our solutions or

Canada - K-array has become a go-to brand for AV integrators working in the restaurant scene across Canada’s Québec region.

"Restaurants in Montreal and the Québec region overall place significant emphasis on creating the right atmosphere, and high-quality audio is a key component of that," explains Daniel Huard of DDH Audio. "Music plays a central role in shaping the customer experience, making the integration of good-quality sound systems essential."

The restaurant industry in the Québec region has seen a move towards the popularity of all-in-one nightlife in recent years, with many new restaurants including sit-down dining, bar areas and live entertainment within one space. The concept is that customers can spend an entire evening in one place, avoiding the need to travel between bars, restaurants and clubs.

These establishments range

Germany - Located in the heart of Berlin, MAAP's experiential retail space merges cutting-edge design with cycling culture. As a premium performance cycling apparel brand, MAAP is known for ‘seamlessly merging aesthetics with performance while crafting physical spaces that embody its brand ethos’. When the Berlin MAAP LaB opened, sound was recognised as a pivotal element in shaping the customer experience, and Genelec Smart IP loudspeakers have been integral to the project's success.

The Berlin MAAP LaB focuses on fostering a sense of community. “Our LaB is a cultural touchpoint for the cycling community, a space that connects with Berlin’s dynamic spirit,” says Matt Ward, manager of MAAP LaB in Amsterdam, but who played an active role in the Berlin project. Ward has a long history as a music professional and led the effort to transform sound into

UK - The latest creation from the team behind MEATliquor, BLOODsports combines the most enjoyable elements of sports bar and ‘dive’ bar into a nightlife spot in the heart of London’s Covent Garden. With a menu featuring classic MEATliquor dishes, the bar broadcasts live sports all day and night, followed by late-night horror movies, with elements of classic horror films woven into the bar décor.

Having worked with founder Scott Collins on AV system design, implementation and maintenance for the MEATliquor chain, London-based systems integration specialist, Tateside, was on board with the project from the outset.

“We’ve worked with MEATliquor for around five years, so we were enthusiastic to be a part of this new concept,” says Jack Cornish, technical director at Tateside. “You don’t find many sports bars around these days, and with i

Germany - At the 30th edition of Prolight + Sound (8-11 April 2025), the trade fair will present a significantly expanded ProAudio area. With innovative formats, optimised education and networking opportunities, and a focus on future-oriented technologies, the area will become a central hotspot for professionals and young talents, say the organisers.

Music and audio technology have always been essential elements of the event industry and are deeply rooted in the DNA of Prolight + Sound. In 2025, the trade fair will expand its offering for audio engineers, DJs and producers.

A number of well-known companies from the Pro Audio sector have already confirmed their participation in 2025, including Amate Audio, Babbel & Haeger with various sales brands, DAS Audio, Harmonic Design, HK Audio (Music & Sales professional GmbH), Kling & Freitag, KV2

India - In November 2024, Stagemix Technologies, the exclusive Indian distributor of Adam Hall Group brands LD Systems and Gravity, organised three roadshow events in the cities of Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. The Stagemix team presented the extensive portfolio of the two brands on site. The focus was placed on the LD Systems Maila line array system with its flexible application options in the live, event, and fixed installation sectors.

The three well-attended roadshow stops were aimed at distributors, rental companies, system integrators, and installation service providers. The portfolio on display was correspondingly diverse: Maila for venues and medium-sized events, the LD Systems Tica series for permanent installations in various application areas, LD Systems Anny for musicians and mobile sound reinforcement applications, as well as the comprehensi

USA - Crane Club, a vibrant dining experience located in the heart of NYC’s Meatpacking District and created by the Tao Group, has officially opened its doors. To complement the restaurant's elegant design, the venue sought an audio system capable of delivering exceptional sound quality across multiple floors, that varied in needs.

Tao Group enlisted Anthem Productions to complete this seamless audio integration for this 24,000sq.ft space and requested 1 Sound loudspeakers.

In the grand yet intimate double-height main dining room, Anthem integrated 1 Sound’s Cannon C6 and C8 loudspeakers. The extended low end of the Cannons is especially valuable for a seat that might be further from a subwoofer, that seat still clearly hears the full vocal range down to 60 or 55Hz.

The distributed Cannon C6s and C8s were mounted using the Swivel Mount ac

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