Sound

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11 November 2024

USA - Sound Image San Francisco supplied 30 events in three weeks for the annual Festival Napa Valley Summer Season, including the Lionel Richie-headlined Arts for All Gala, which raised $4.5m for education and the arts.

Over the years, the annual societal event in San Francisco’s wine country has raised $28m through contributions, sponsors, and sought-after auction items. Sound Image’s Bay Area team, led by account executives Jon Morris and George Edwards, facilitated the design and delivery of audio, video, lighting, staging and power for the Gala, working closely with Lionel Richie’s touring crew to retain high-end production values for his intimate, one-off performance.

To bring the vision to fruition, the audio design had to deliver impact and clarity for a variety of needs including a distributed system in the guest reception are

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11 November 2024

Singapore - Hong Kong-based lighting designer and technical producer Onefai Mak specified a zactrack mini system to control both audio and lighting sources for a production of Detective Theatre 13.67 staged by theatre company Zuni Icosahedron at the Esplanade Theatre in Singapore.

Onefai has collaborated with Zuni for many years and is frequently asked to light their shows. For this production, he designed lighting and was also the technical advisor. They used the Esplanade’s in-house sound and lighting systems with a zactrack mini system that was supplied by C’est Bon Projects Corporation Limited.

Authorised by writer Chan Ho-kei and the Crown Culture Group, Mathias Woo adapted the novel 13.67 into a new Detective Theatre production featuring a legendary Hong Kong detective operating between 1967 and 2013. Each case ta

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11 November 2024

Portugal - Next Audiogroup has announced the appointment of João Pereira as its new after-sales manager.

With over 28 years of experience as a sound engineer and technical expert, Pereira joins the team to lead after-sales services. “It’s an exciting opportunity to join Next Audiogroup and contribute to a company that is truly dedicated to the excellence in audio solutions,” said Pereira. “The growth and innovation here are impressive, and I’m eager to apply my technical background to ensure our clients receive unparalleled support and care.”

Pereira previously served as the technical head for the renowned Hard Club in Porto. His background includes managing large-scale tour shows and acting as front-of-house engineer and monitors engineer for major artists, alongside specialised expertise in electronic repairs.

"We are thrilled

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08 November 2024

Europe - Formerly known as Groupe Novelty-Magnum-Dushow, the European provider of technical solutions for the event and rental staging market has announced its rebranding as Groupe Novelty.

The move, which includes a new logo and fresh corporate identity, positions the rapidly expanding Groupe for further growth and underlines its position as a 360° provider of technical services in France and on a global scale, says the company.

"Our new name, Groupe Novelty, unifies our diverse stable of specialist businesses and sets the stage for further international expansion,” says Jacques de La Guillonnière, founder and president of Groupe Novelty. “With over 40 years of experience and hundreds of thousands of events under our belt, all of our companies already enjoy an extremely strong reputation in France and abroad; with this rebrand, we want to shar

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08 November 2024

USA - Spirit of Atlanta is a non-profit youth organisation that provides musicians and performers aged 16 to 21 with opportunities to develop skills in music, marching and performing arts through an intensive tour. With a strong emphasis on both teamwork and personal growth, Spirit of Atlanta fosters an environment where young people can learn valuable life skills.

Often considered the ‘NFL of marching bands’, the organisation competes against similar organisations across the country. This year, the group travelled over 6,500 miles – from Georgia to Texas, up into Pennsylvania, and across to Indianapolis – for the 2024 Drum Corps International World Championships.

To enhance the group’s 12-minute production with a full percussion-filled front ensemble, Spirit of Atlanta relies on a variety of DPA Microphones. This includes the brand’s 409

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07 November 2024

UK - Bristol Cathedral was originally built as an Augustinian Abbey and dates back to 1140. Further additions to the building took place through the centuries until it became a cathedral in 1542, with its magnificent nave completed in 1877.

Today the cathedral continues a centuries-long tradition of being a welcoming space for the people of Bristol and visitors to the city, open daily with a rich programme of services and events, historic architecture and a peaceful garden.

To ensure the full enjoyment of this rapidly expanding range of activities by congregations and audiences, clergy and performers alike, the cathedral recently issued a tender for the design and installation of a modern, versatile new sound system which could perform at the highest level while also remaining relatively discreet in such a beautiful and historic building.

Bri

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07 November 2024

Austria - Arena Vienna, a cultural institution with roots in the 1970s counterculture movement, continues to be a vital hub for music and art. To meet contemporary acoustic challenges, the complex recently upgraded its outdoor sound system to a Meyer Sound Panther system. This new installation enhances the audience experience while minimising noise impact, ensuring ‘the Arena’ remains a premier live venue.

Originally transformed by activists from an abandoned slaughterhouse into a centre for artistic exploration, the Arena has become an integral part of Vienna’s cultural life, explains chairwoman Petra Ruckendorfer. “It’s not just a music venue; it’s a cultural landmark that has adapted to modern requirements while staying true to its roots as a space for creativity, freedom, and expression.”

Today, the Arena has several stages catering

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07 November 2024

UK - Located in Northampton, Old House bar and restaurant, a popular destination pub in the town for more than a decade, recently underwent a complete refurbishment. The venue comprises a ground-floor bar and spacious courtyard garden, where patrons can enjoy resident DJs, live performers and televised sport, whilst upstairs, its restaurant offers gastro-pub favourites in beautifully designed surroundings.

To complement his investment in the Old House’s Timothy Oulton-designed interior, owner Sunny Kooner opted to upgrade its audio system to better meet the requirements of this multi-faceted venue.

Sunny contacted experienced AV specialist Cosmic Electronics of Harlow with a brief to design and supply a competitively priced system that could deliver premium audio throughout the venue, whilst blending in with its carefully designed aesthetic. Cosmic

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07 November 2024

Europe - Neutrik has extended its range of ‘gig-ready’ robust stage boxes with the addition of the NA-4I4O-AES72 four-channel, AES72-4E model; complementing the new NA2 I-O DLINE range devices, with which it shares the signature ruggedised, miniature form factor.

AES72-4E defines a standard and wiring scheme for the assigning and transmitting of four channels of analogue or AES3 digital audio signals, DMX control signals, or various other COMS signals, via a single RJ45 connected quad twisted pair Cat cable, providing for lower-complexity connectivity networks with greatly reduced cable, connector, installation and termination costs and requirements. It’s a solution that substitutes the need for much more costly and high-maintenance multicore cabling in many types of applications.

The Neutrik NA-4I4O-AES72 exploits this capability within a rubb

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07 November 2024

EMEA - LEA Professional has announced the appointment of Jeff Gorton as sales director in EMEA. Jeff has nearly 20 years of experience in Pro AV sales. At LEA, he will focus on enhancing sales in the EMEA region by leveraging his close relationship with LEA’s network of EMEA distributors.

“I’m thrilled to have joined the LEA team. It’s always an honour to be associated with a company that upholds exceptional technological standards and values,” said Gorton. “We have an amazing team here, and I have no doubt we’ll do great work together.”

Gorton will help bring LEA’s entire catalogue to customers in the EMEA region, including the award-winning Network Connect series of professional amplifiers and companion Dante Connect series featuring Dante and AES67 connectivity.

"We have a permanent focus on the EMEA region and how we can

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06 November 2024

UK - London’s O2 Academy Brixton has installed a permanent L-Acoustics K Series professional sound system. This Grade II listed building, featuring a 140ft domed ceiling, Art Deco interior, and a signature stage, has anchored countless performances since its 1929 debut.

After extensive consultations with touring sound engineers and meticulous room modelling, Academy Music Group has once again partnered with Adlib to install a sophisticated L-Acoustics K1 concert sound system. This innovative design “ensures world-class audio for O2 Academy Brixton’s diverse schedule, delivering exceptional sonic experiences while radically streamlining tour setups”.

"L-Acoustics was the ideal choice for its rider-friendly reputation, superior sound quality, and reliability," says Rob Crossland, installation project manager at Adlib. "L-Acoustics Soundvision m

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06 November 2024

Iceland - With a US-themed menu and over 50 different kinds of beers available, American Bar in the heart of the Icelandic capital Reykjavik fully captures the American spirit.

Adding to the buzz of this busy nightspot themed with a décor of football helmets, sports memorabilia and a huge stars and stripes flag, there’s live music every night, a packed dance floor and large HD screens showing major sports fixtures from the US and around the world.

Quality sound is central to the party atmosphere at the bar and when audio consultant and technician Assaf Tzur arrived to tune the existing sound system, newly arrived in his role at production services and AV installation specialists Exton, he went on to propose a new system that would extend powerful, dynamic sound with even coverage throughout the L-shaped venue.

“I come from the studio wor

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06 November 2024

UK - Composer and producer for film, television and games, Hilgrove Kenrick has recently installed Audient Oria in his new Oxfordshire studio. He was already working in 5.1 with his Steinberg Nuendo and PMC setup when he heard about the immersive audio interface and monitor controller from Audient, and realised “it would slot right in.”

“It would simplify everything and allow me to monitor stereo, quad and 5.1 – no extra gear needed,” he added. Which led to him taking the leap into spatial audio. Originally concerned about how he was going to flip between stereo and surround formats, he realised Audient had solved that problem for him as well. “When it became clear that SoundID Reference was going to be integrated directly into the Oria, it really did seem to be pretty much unique in this sector of the market,” he says.

Setting up was s

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06 November 2024

Austria - The Walters-Storyk Design Group (WSDG) will participate in the bi-annual MEET (Messe für Eventtechnik und Theater) show for event technology and theatre, held at Messe Wien in Vienna 6th - 7th November. The WSDG team will not only host a booth (F2, Hall D) but also present an educational lecture as part of the event’s official programme.

As an international trade fair for event technology featuring a specialist conference for events and theatre, MEET blends technology and art with over 80 exhibitors. This event presents the latest innovations in event technology and provides a valuable platform for discussion among theatre and event managers.

WSDG's Dirk Noy along with Mario Reithofer will be available throughout the two-day event, where they will meet with clients, partners and industry professionals to discuss ongoing and future projec

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05 November 2024

UK - Blue Thunder Sound is based just outside Ivybridge in Devon. The company was founded by Jake Prowse and has been running for the last 14 years, supplying events equipment to festivals all over the country, and touring internationally. Purchasing a DiGiCo Quantum 225 has been a game-changer for the company and the Big Weekender at Yeovil was the first outing for the console.

Jake Prowse, managing director and Ryan Gardner, senior audio engineer say the new Quantum 225 complements their existing inventory and is a perfect fit for their style of working. “The versatility of the Q225 is very important,” says Gardner. “We do festivals over the summer, but we are also doing theatre shows and corporate events. We need a console that has a simple user interface and is as versatile as we are as a company. The Quantum 225 can do all of this and mor

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05 November 2024

Portugal - Since the inauguration of Portugal’s Golden Globes awards ceremony back in 1996, production company Auditiv Audiovisuais has supported the event with advanced sound reinforcement and broadcast.

The company recently returned to the 4,300-capacity Coliseu dos Recreios in Lisbon with a Martin Audio WPC line array, providing the auditorium sound for the first time at the 2024 edition.

According to Auditiv directors Daniel Bekerman and João Escada, who also served as the event’s technical directors, the decision to deploy this advanced scalable PA was largely driven by a desire for innovation. They recognised that this solution would adapt to the space, be visually unobtrusive, provide improved coverage and adhere to the venue’s significant weight limitations.

Two hangs of 12 WPC speakers were deployed – powered by Martin Audio

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05 November 2024

UK - TiMax has announced the launch of TiMax panLab. Continuing its mission to democratise access to spatial audio, the new macOS application packs an augmented feature set to enable users to take spatialised audio designs further in both entry-level and large-scale systems.

TiMax panLab is the first major product release since both TiMax and panLab joined the Focusrite stable, marking the first step in a roadmap of product updates. At launch, TiMax panLab adds 3D rendering capabilities to QLab, alongside a wide range of mixing consoles and system processors and now for the first time, TiMax SoundHub.

The simplicity of the 3D user interface in TiMax panLab provides a powerful tool for creators to intuitively craft multi-dimensional audio soundscapes. The finely honed UX design of the original panLab spatial programming platform, skilfully developed b

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05 November 2024

USA - Bose Professional has announced the global availability of EdgeMax EM90-LP and EM180-LP, expanding the EdgeMax line of in-ceiling directional loudspeakers. The LP models bring powerful EdgeMax sound and asymmetrical coverage to smaller rooms and more challenging spaces, and work together with the original EdgeMax loudspeakers to deliver consistent performance across projects where specifications and installation conditions vary.

EdgeMax LP models have been specifically designed for smaller rooms with lower ceilings and challenging installation requirements. The new EdgeMax LP loudspeakers have a 4” backcan depth, 60% shallower than the original models, which makes EdgeMax LP suitable for rooms with above-ceiling limitations and tighter clearances. The new EdgeMax LP models also feature an 80° vertical coverage angle that is ideal for conference room

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04 November 2024

USA - Working with lead designer AECOM and Turner Construction, Clair Global Integration (CGI) was engaged to design and install innovative technical solutions to the Intuit Dome basketball arena, home of the LA Clippers.

In addition, the $2bn, 18,000-capacity venue announced Clair Global touring client, Bruno Mars, as its opening act, placing Clair's rental and installation divisions in close collaboration for the Inglewood, CA, arena's first live event.

"The great thing about the LA Clippers is their dedication to the fans – as an organisation they wanted this facility to engage sports and music fans instantly," says CGI VP of sports integration, Demetrius Palavos. "Steve Ballmer, LA Clippers chairman, has a background in powerful technology and understands perfectly how it can become a lever to meaningfully interact with patrons."

Ballme

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04 November 2024

USA - The 67th annual Monterey Jazz Festival featured performances by artists like Mavis Staples, Stanley Clarke, and Samara Joy. The festival was powered by a Meyer Sound Panther system paired with 2100‑LFC elements, all provided by McCune Audio. Meyer’s technical design specialist, Tom Dalske, provided ground support throughout the event.

“It was great to see an updated Meyer Sound rig in the arena this year,” says Dalske. “We had a fun time interacting with the crowd at the sound booth, and there was a lot of positive feedback. It was exciting to see the reactions of some of the guest engineers who hadn’t yet mixed on Panther. I really enjoyed being a part of such a historic show, and hearing Morgan Freeman on the PA.”

The festival’s sound was driven by an impressive setup featuring 16 large-format linear line array loudspeakers, f

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01 November 2024

Poland - In January 2024, disaster struck the Fabryka Lloyda venue in the Polish city of Bydgoszcz. The infrastructure of this cultural space, which had been transformed from a shipyard hall into an events and concerts venue, was destroyed by fire. Over the years its owners had created a special atmosphere which attracted large audiences as well as top Polish artists.

In 2019 audio specialist Skene had installed a Coda Audio system based around its powerful and compact ViRAY line array, contributing much to the venue’s strong reputation. 

With more than 30 years in business, Skene has extensive knowledge and experience of sound system design, configuration and commissioning, and has collaborated with Coda Audio distributor Tommex as a partner for more than seven years, successfully completing numerous projects which utilise innovative solutions fr

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01 November 2024

USA - The METalliance (Music Engineering & Technology Alliance) has announced that WSDG (Walters-Storyk Design Group) has become the newest pro partner of the organisation and the first recording studio designers to be invited as a member. Pro partner membership is limited to companies that have shown the ability to manufacture and distribute products and services that meet the organisation’s professional audio standards.

The METalliance's George Massenburg commented: “WSDG’s incredible legacy of innovation and excellence in recording studio design speaks for itself. They embody all of the core traits inherent to the mission of the METalliance and we are thrilled to include them in our organisation. All of our Pro Partners must be unanimously agreed upon to be included, and with WSDG that was an incredibly easy decision to reach.”

“All

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01 November 2024

USA - 11 cloud-based Powersoft Unica 9K4 amplifier platforms are delivering energy efficiency and ease of use for the new-look Jenny Craig Pavilion arena in San Diego, California.

Located on the campus of the University of San Diego, the 5,100-seat Jenny Craig Pavilion (JCP) is home to the San Diego Toreros men's and women's basketball teams, as well as the San Diego Toreros women's volleyball team. The indoor arena broke ground in 1999 and was refurbished in 2015, when it was equipped with a redesigned floor and LED scoring tables – though the recent upgrade, completed in May, was the first major overhaul of the ageing audio system since its opening.

“I’ve used Powersoft amplifier platforms many times over the course of my career, but these new ones [Unica] were hot off the manufacturing press, if you will,” says John Pierce, chief technolog

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01 November 2024

USA - Pliant Technologies has announced the appointment of a new manufacturer’s representative, RTSales, which covers Puerto Rico, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, and Tennessee.

“RTSales will represent Pliant’s entire suite of innovative, professional wireless products, including its CrewCom and MicroCom intercom lines, along with its complete line of headsets and accessories,” says Gary Rosen, vice-president of global sales, Pliant Technologies. “We look forward to expanding our sales in these territories with the RTSales team of seasoned sales and support professionals.”

For over 40 years, RTSales has earned a reputation as an effective and efficient resource for pre-sale technical support, purchasing and procurement, sell-through support, and after-the-sale service and technical training. With offices