The Netherlands - Jack-Rotterdam is a restaurant where 30 years of dance music and fine food coalesce. When former techno DJ-turned restaurant and hotel concept developer Jack planned to open to his own house concept eatery, Amate Audio’s Benelux distributor, Imagination AV (also based in Rotterdam) was charged with specifying and installing a sound system throughout the long beautifully arched venue, that would meet the demands of both dining and dancing with equal measures of quality. Power and performance on the dance floor come courtesy of eight Nítid N6P 2-way systems and a pair of N12WP subs. The most compact Nítid series model, the N6P’s frequency response and high SPL output is astounding for cabinet of its size, due to a combination of advanced design and components that includes a 6” carbon fibredriver that enables the N6P to deliver a response akin
Poland - One of the most spectacular and well-equipped theatres in Europe, with a seating capacity of over 2,000, The Grand Theatre - National Opera (Polish: Teatr Wielki - Opera Narodowa (TW-ON)) is a ‘must-visit’ cultural hub in Warsaw, housing a theatre complex, museum, opera company, and the Polish National Ballet all under one roof. Most recently, its Młynarski Hall, also known as the Chamber Music Hall, has been updated with an L-Acoustics Kiva II system, offering “unparalleled sound” versatility to the venue’s extensive programme of concerts, ballets, operas, and special events. When it was time to upgrade this notable venue's PA system, the team invited the top AV suppliers to participate in the tendering process. The team consisted of the theatre's Zdzisław Staszewski, Łukasz Baska and Michał Polański. They were responsible for conducting
Spain - DAS Audio has said its operations will be suspended until 14 April due to law changes in Spain arising from the Covid-19 outbreak. The company says in a statement: “At DAS Audio, we would like to thank you for all the signs of affection and support you have shown us, which we would sincerely like to send back to you. Without you, our family, this dream that began in 1971 would make no sense - thank you very much. During this unsettling period, our family must stick together, and we want to be there for you, then, now and always. “Two weeks ago, at DAS Audio headquarters, we started to take all of the necessary steps against Covid-19 following government recommendations. However, due to the latest measures adopted by the Spanish, we inform you that from 30 March we will continue to work remotely from our homes to support you when you need us. “
Europe - In order to keep up with the demand for more e-training courses, Powersoft, the Italian manufacturer of professional power amplifiers, has ramped up its capacity to deliver online training courses worldwide, with over 30 new sessions covering various subjects directly of interest to Powersoft customers and users. Each course will last for one hour and will be conducted in English, Spanish, and Italian by experienced trainers and application engineers from Powersoft. This week, Powersoft will offer insight on its new Mezzo amplifier range. During the sessions, attendees will learn about auto setup, power sharing, and remote control, as well as a number of other ground breaking features offered by the new half rack amplifier platform. Next week’s sessions (beginning 6 April) will focus on ArmoníaPlus 1.4 and explain how to set up and programme a basic
World - Challenging times call for extraordinary responses and for DJ EZ, a man not unfamiliar with marathon sets, what could be better to put smiles on faces than to set up, plug in and play for 24 hours on the spin? DJ EZ’s response to the current unprecedented worldwide circumstances, was to team up with the My Kind Deed website to lift people’s spirits whilst they observed social distancing and self-isolation due to the Covid-19 pandemic. From 6pm GMT on 28 March through to 6pm GMT on 29 March, DJ EZ streamed a 24-hour set via Boiler Room TV. My Kind Deed is a project that encourages positivity and kindness as a way to promote better mental health and general wellbeing in society. It wasn’t the first time that this hugely respected DJ has put himself out there to give something back to his community. Four years ago, DJ EZ raised £60,000 for Cance
Australia - Progressive metal band Tool have just completed the southern-hemisphere leg of their extensive and technically ambitious arena touring schedule, supporting the launch of the album, Fear Inoculum. As they headed to Australia and New Zealand, it was confirmed that the tour’s TiMax SoundHub-driven 3D surround sound system - that started out as something of an experiment - would continue for the rest of the tour as it had ‘become part of the show’. The system design - a distributed d&b arrangement of main left and right, plus overheads focused vertically down forward and back, rear surround hangs and upper seating ‘front’ channels - is the result of extensive research by the band’s system engineer, Liam Halpin, to realise the suggestion of FOH engineer, Alan Hopkinson, that their audience would love ‘sounds to appear from different places aro
UK - This year’s Buckinghamshire Music Trust (BMT) Battle of the Bands (BOTB) contest for young aspiring musicians saw two leading pro audio manufacturers provide a top tier concert touring spec. By being able to broadcast their sound through a premier touring PA, on a Dante backbone, will have taken the 12 bands competing in the final into new territory. The two High Wycombe-based manufacturers concerned were Martin Audio and Focusrite Pro, both now under the umbrella of parent company, Focusrite plc. It was Stephen Button, Focusrite’s EMEA channel marketing executive, who established the relationship with Buckinghamshire Music Trust (BMT) several years ago. It started when he helped them out as a local musician with their monthly event Guitari Lounge, an open mic night created for under-18-year-olds. BMT evolved from teaching young people ‘traditional’
UK - SARM Music Bank rehearsal studios in London recently hosted a major series of demos from UK loudspeaker manufacturer, EM Acoustics and Out Board, immersive spatial reinforcement and performer tracking specialists. In the spotlight was the y Reference Series R10 point source loudspeaker from EM Acoustics - seen for the first time anywhere at ISE 2020 - and the HALO-B medium format line array. Out Board showcased the new HARDCore FGPA processing for the TiMaxSoundHub and the all-new TiMax TrackerD4 precision stagetracking for live performer vocal localisation and multimedia effects control. Held from 3-5 March, EM Acoustics’ Mike Wheeler deems the event to have been “a huge success” with high attendance figures and, more importantly, positive reactions from the industry. Renowned sound designer, Sebastian Frost, whose credentials include plays, musicals
USA - As a way of helping to enhance microphone hygiene in these challenging times, Point Source Audio has added extra windshields into every microphone it sells. Standard mic packages that had typically included one windshield have been upgraded to six at no additional charge to address stricter hygiene measures brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic with respect to shared equipment. “While it is always important to keep your microphones clean, this is particularly important now,” reasons Yvonne Ho, VP of sales and marketing at Point Source Audio. “We hope that supplying these extra windshields will be a reminder to users on proper mic cleaning and etiquette now and into the future.” Point Source Audio has also created a new video dedicated to cleaning microphone systems. The video demonstrates the techniques needed to clean a microphone system using al
Europe - Yamaha Unified Communications has announced that its CS-700 Video Sound Bar is certified for use with Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Zoom Rooms. The all-in-one video conferencing system passed Zoom's extensive testing process for the audio system, camera and USB interface to ensure it seamlessly integrates with the video conferencing software. The certification verifies that the CS-700 is interoperable with Zoom, making it even easier for users to connect and control the Video Sound Bar while benefitting from the highest quality audio and video. Designed for huddle rooms, the CS-700 video sound collaboration system delivers the highest quality audio, video and collaboration capabilities in a simple, smart wall-mounted unit that is easy to install and deploy. It features an adaptive beam-forming microphone array, four Yamaha speaker elements and a wide-angle
South Africa - With the country in lockdown due to coronavirus, DWR Distribution’s staff remain available during office hours, while the company is offering a range of online learning opportunities. “We have entered into completely uncharted territory as individuals as a country and as citizens of a global community,” says the latest update from DWR. “The South African government has taken up the call to become a part the most ambitious and courageous global effort to stop the spread of the novel Coronavirus that is causing Covid-19, placing the lives of its citizens before commerce and profit. We at DWR Distribution stand behind our government and our world leaders and pledge our support to stem the threat posed Covid-19 by staying at home. “However, staying in our homes does not mean that we have closed our doors. We have simply installed a virtual
Norway - Design and Architecture Norway, known as DOGA, describes itself as a driving force for sustainable value creation through design and architecture. The organisation looks to facilitate collaboration between creative talents and businesses and work to strengthen the role of design and architecture in shaping “the Norway of tomorrow”. DOGA’s Machine Hall building, which dates back to 1898, hosts events to advance this mission. In any given week the schedule might include conferences and seminars or live music sets and video screenings. Because of the values core to DOGA, designing an audio system for the space meant not only creating a versatile system capable of quality in spoken word and live performance, but also careful consideration to the tenets of good design. To achieve both, Norwegian distributor Benum utilised Renkus-Heinz digitally steerable loud
USA - Clair Global is refocussing efforts to help communities and government officials by providing IT, networking and communications services for temporary disaster relief structures made necessary by the coronavirus outbreak. With more than 50 years in the live event industry, Clair already works alongside emergency service agencies to provide network connectivity and emergency communications for the events they support. The company is now partnering with Mountain Productions, Inc. to integrate Clair’s turnkey solutions and custom designs into Mountain’s large-scale temporary hospitals and disaster relief centres. “When we launched the MTN Emergency Services platform, Clair Global immediately heeded the call, and we are proud to be working with their world-class organization and unique solutions to address this global crisis,” says Ricky Rose, CEO at
UK - Pro AV solutions manufacturer Biamp has announced the implementation of a dealer-direct model in the UK and Ireland, which “will enhance the company’s ability to support customers and drive growth”. Following the recent opening of Biamp’s new European headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium and its UK sales office in London, the company is now transitioning to dealer-direct model to strengthen its sales, support, and product distribution in the region. In addition to some direct accounts, Biamp will be working with Midwich, Leisuretec, and Professional Audio in Northern Ireland - in all cases, served by Biamp’s sales and support staff. This enables the company to more aggressively pursue opportunities in all target vertical markets: corporate, food service and hospitality, retail, large venues, education, religion, sports and leisure, and outdoor applications.
Latvia - The Adazi Cultural Centre is a modern and popular institution that serves numerous community functions with events such as concerts, exhibitions, conferences and many other educational experiences. Not only do residents of the region love the Adazi Cultural Centre, it’s also highly valued by Latvian pro audio industry professionals, popular musicians and concert producers. The building was commissioned in 2010, unfortunately, the sound system originally installed in the 400-seat hall was outdated and could not provide the necessary sound coverage across the hall or up in the balcony area. Enter Clair Brothers. Maris Vitols, head of the Adazi Cultural Centre technical department, knew an upgrade was needed and began gathering vital information about high-quality, modern sound system solutions that would meet modern expectations and deliver the kind of sound t
UK - Allen & Heath’s dLive and Avantis consoles provided audio support for a wealth of emerging British talent at the relocated British Music Embassy (BME) sessions earlier this month. For several years, the BME has hosted a live showcase for the hottest new British musicians at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. When this year’s event was cancelled at short notice, the BME and its partners moved quickly to offer an alternative broadcast event to shine the spotlight on performers such as Aaron Smith, Arlo Parks, Bess Atwell, Liz Lawrence, Jordan Mackampa, Porridge Radio and Steam Down. The result was a series of closed-door studio sessions, staged at Production Park’s West London facility, The Mill, and broadcast via radio and live streams across social media. Ant Forbes, production manager for the BME and The Mill, explains, “It just seemed like a
UK - With more than three decades as a touring engineer and heading up his sound company, Pyramid Audio, Ian ‘Fleece’ Elliott is well versed in the value of both vintage and contemporary technology. A typical Pyramid Audio sound system combines classic Martin Audio loudspeakers with Linea Research power amplifiers. “I’ve got Martin Audio products that go back to the 1980s and 1990s,” he reports. “We plug them into new Linea Research 44M or 48M or 88C power amplifiers and they sound amazing The clarity is phenomenal. Everybody’s blown away by it every single time.” Although Elliott has long favoured Martin Audio loudspeakers, he has tried an assortment of power amplifiers over the years before settling on Linea Research. “We do mostly loud rock shows, and it demands a lot of power,” he offers. “The new Linea Research amplifiers save us a lot of rac
Europe - Austrian Audio OC818 microphones were recently put to use on British singer-songwriter, Sam Smith’s tour as overheads. Smith’s profile raised significantly in 2014 after debut album release, In the Lonely Hour. 2015 saw Smith awarded with four Grammy Awards. Smith’s FOH engineer, Jim Ebdon started his career in audio straight out of school whilst working at Surrey Sound Studios, where The Police recorded their first two albums. He later progressed to working as a studio engineer, then as a live sound engineer for high profile artists such as Maroon 5, Annie Lennox, Sting and Aerosmith. “I’ve had a very colourful career,” he says. “I started as a tape op assistant in the studio and I quickly learned mic techniques, how to cut tape, and how to operate a mixing console. That put me in good stead to become a live sound engineer a few years lat
USA - When Christian hip-hop recording artist and seven-time Grammy winner TobyMac hit the road for his Hits Deep Tour, the production team knew that growing audiences and varying coverage demands would provide a challenge few loudspeaker systems could meet. Eastern Acoustic Works’ (EAW) worked directly with BlackHawk Audio in implementing its ADAPTive System for the tour, as it extends coverage and provides even front to back response in a physically compact system. “The tour is a large and complicated audio deployment; the sound system has to be up and out of the way of the many video screens, yet still provide massive power and clarity to the audience,” says Rick Shimer owner of Blackhawk Audio. “We knew EAW’s ADAPTive could handle our needs and consistently deliver the coverage we needed regardless of the size or shape of the venue. The system has delivered an
Thailand - AV integrator Mahajak Development Co recently deployed a wide range of Harman Professional Solutions audio and lighting systems in four of the Grande Centre Point Hotel’s facilities to create immersive audiovisual experiences. Located in the heart of North Pattaya, the Grande Centre Point Hotel is a 32-story luxury hotel and resort. Grande Centre Point also offers a variety of amenities and activities, including the Terminal 21 shopping mall, the Sky 32 rooftop lounge, an amphitheatre for events and a family waterpark. The hotel also includes the Port Ballroom and its seven adjoining meeting rooms, which are used for formal meetings, conferences, private dinner parties and exquisite banquets. To elevate the entertainment experience, Grande Centre Point hired integrators Mahajak Development Co to design and install audio and lighting solutions in the Port B
South Africa - The technical production industry is known worldwide for its resourcefulness and determination, and the coronavirus pandemic is energising some intrepid ideas to help keep businesses rolling and communities safe and functional during the crisis. With all conferences and live entertainment work cancelled or postponed, South African rental company MGG based in Johannesburg was looking at their 32 idle vehicles - ranging from 45ft artics to small run-around vans - when owner and MD Mark Gaylard came up with the idea of offering the fleet for moving essential medical and other supplies during the crisis. Mark composed a quick Facebook post about the transport fleet which went on his own personal page and before long it had nearly 400 shares and people started talking and calling. The initial inquiries have started to become a steady trickle of work,
USA - Xytech, specialist in facility management software for media and broadcast, has launched Xytech After Dark, a podcast focussing on trends in the media and broadcasting industries. The first two episodes are now available on iTunes, Spotify and all podcasting platforms. “Xytech has hundreds of clients around the world in the media and broadcast business,” said Xytech’s Greg Dolan. “We get this super unique view of the industry from our clients and maintain a comprehensive understanding of current trends. The podcast is not a forum to sell, but instead to talk about why create the functionality in MediaPulse, and the types of things happening in our industry. “The podcast will focus on industry trends: what we are seeing and how we view the world of media. Finally, this is really fun work. There are a million easier ways to make a living, but there
France - Eurosono is a specialist events production company based in the Rhône-Alpes region, which has been serving a wide range of clients nationally and internationally for more than 18 years. Its team comprises a forward-thinking collection of industry professionals who consistently invest in innovation and new technologies to ensure that clients receive cutting-edge service. As a close and trusted member of the Coda Audio family, Eurosono were last year involved in the pre-launch trials of the company’s new ultra-compact N-Ray line array system. The feedback received by Coda Audio from the partners who took part in the trials played a significant part in the finished product that would be launched at ISE 2020 in Amsterdam. Eurosono were impressed, and having attended Coda’s pre-launch event of the system in September 2019, made an immediate investment. N-Ray was soo
UK - Britannia Row Productions recently offered a work placement to a Year 13 Production Arts student from the BRIT School. Ethan Wells (pictured) joined the audio crew to gain hands-on experience of the 2020 BRIT Awards. As a long-time rental supplier to the BRIT Awards, Brit Row agreed to select and include a student within their crew, resulting in a fully immersive end to end experience of a high-pressure technical delivery. Celebrating its 40th year in February, the 2020 BRIT Awards once again hosted the best in British and international pop music, with a series of live performances from the likes of Stormzy, Billie Eilish and Dave, broadcast live to home viewers and also enjoyed by audiences in the venue. Deploying what was undoubtedly the most complex audio system in over 20 years of partnership, including a dual L-Acoustics PA system with a 3D spatial au
