USA - At NAMM 2020, monitoring specialists PSI Audio will exhibit their active studio speakers, including the A17-M, A23-M and subwoofers A225-M and A125-M. In addition to the monitor speakers, PSI Audio will also show the AVAA C20. This product helps with controlling the part of room acoustics that is generally most challenging to treat: the low frequencies from 15Hz to 150Hz. With its five-inch woofer membrane, the PSI Audio A17-M is fairly small compared to a lot of other nearfield monitor speakers. Due to the use of innovative proprietary technology like Adaptive Output Impedance (AOI), Compensated Phase Response (CPR) and Class G/H amplification, the A17-M provides great accuracy. For those who require a larger speaker, PSI Audio’s A23-M “delivers exceptional range and accuracy for discerning producers and engineers”. For added flexibility, the speake
Europe - Nexo has unveiled two new compact point source loudspeaker models in its P+ Series. The P8 and P10 are “true multi-purpose performers that have serious ambitions to become just as ubiquitous in the audio marketplace as their predecessors, the classic PS Series cabinets”. The P8 arrives exactly 20 years after the launch of the PS8, a super-compact stage monitor and PA speaker which, together with the larger PS10 (launched 1993), became a staple product in rental inventory for AV and audio production companies, and a common sight in fixed installations. At its manufacturing HQ just north of Paris, France, Nexo has invested in new tooling and assembly plant to produce the curvy modern enclosures that are the signature of its new P+ Series. Re-imagined for the 2020s, the P8 and P10 models will put entirely new possibilities into the hands of the sound designer
UAE - CT has announced that it is officially an authorised L-Acoustics calibration certified provider. L-Acoustics recently announced the creation of authorised calibration centres, designed to both strengthen the technical partnership between L-Acoustics and its certified providers (CPs), and to deliver a greater level of system configuration and calibration expertise at a local level for small to medium installations. “For Creative Technology, being an authorised calibration centre allows us to provide a greater level of service, knowledge and support to our clients, both from within our technical engineering teams and having direct access to L-Acoustics development and support management,” says Andy Reardon, Middle East managing director. “We pride ourselves in delivering solutions based on engineering and from the ground up. The Authorised Calibration Centr
Canada - Hillsong Young & Free have been inspiring audiences around the world since first uniting to compose and perform contemporary worship music in 2012 at Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. To support their most recent studio album, III, the group spent the majority of 2019 touring Canada and the U.S. with a production package supplied by Canada’s Soundbox Productions, including a versatile audio system anchored by Adamson Systems Engineering’s sub-compact S-Series loudspeakers. “The Canadian leg of the III tour was the second time we deployed a complete Adamson S-Series system with the Soundbox crew, and for the U.S. run, we decided it was too good not to use it again,” begins Y&F FOH engineer Nate Balderston. “The S10 is a fantastic product. The mid-range and clarity really make creating space within the mix so easy.” Consideri
USA - AMS Neve and Westlake Pro have partnered to create the first AMS Neve Showroom in the US. Located at Westlake Pro’s headquarters in North Hollywood, the space provides an environment for clients to listen to the entire AMS Neve product portfolio. David Walton, AMS Neve’s distribution manager, comments: “It’s really exciting to be working with Westlake Pro and the new showroom because they have enormous experience, ranging from frontline sales to complete integrations and development of some of the biggest, most famous studios around the world. With products like mixing consoles, support is very important. Westlake’s experience with design and integration, as well as on-going support for the products they sell, means that we are in a really good position to work together moving forward both with existing and new products.” Walton adds that, as AMS Nev
USA - Eugene Novacek, founder of broadcast technology company ENCO, has passed away, aged 61. According to a statement from the company, he died on New Year’s Day in New York, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Novacek is survived by his wife Judith Novacek, daughter Kristin Heinbockel, son Andrew Novacek and granddaughter Evany Novacek. “His legacy lives through his family, the company he founded and the industry he loved and changed,” the statement reads. Under Novacek’s guidance, ENCO to become a prominent supplier of automation for radio and TV stations. Its first digital audio delivery system was introduced in 1991; its product lines have since grown to encompass playout automation, captioning, scheduling and streaming. Its markets also include AV, events, concerts, worship and retail environments, according to enco.com. ENCO is currently led b
USA - K-array has appointed Sam Spennacchio as national sales director at K-array USA. Spennacchio’s appointment comes at a time when the Italian designer of discreet audio solutions continues to build its US subsidiary to meet the needs of its rapidly growing business in that market. Spennacchio will be responsible for assisting in the overall increase of K-array business in the US and will concentrate his efforts in the event productions and live sound verticals. As an industry veteran with proven experience in the AV industry, Spennacchio comes to K-array USA with previously held management positions at Mark IV Audio as vice president and SPL-NY as president, as well as sales roles with Fiberplex, Crest Audio, Klark Teknik/Midas and Martin Audio. “Given Sam’s breadth of experience in the market, I’m looking forward to him expanding K-array’s reach across
USA - d&b audiotechnik will introduce a new SL-Series subwoofer and showcase compact augmented arrays and Soundscape immersive technology in the demonstration room at NAMM 2020. At stand 18107, show attendees will be able to learn about the new addition to the SL-Series line array family, as well as the augmented array A-Series, which combines the flexibility of point source clusters with the extensive control of d&b line arrays. In the d&b demo room (#18816) there will be presentations of various technologies that elevate the listening experience both in the audience and on stage. Demos will feature the A-Series augmented arrays, elements from the SL-Series, and the next generation of sound reinforcement, d&b Soundscape. Additionally, d&b will also showcase the ultra-compact B8 subwoofer, xC-Series column speakers, and examples from the XS-Se
USA - The CEOs of Sensaphonics and Think-A-Move, Dr Michael Santucci (pictured) and Jim Harris have formed a new company, ASI Audio. The business will debut at NAMM 2020 where a new brand, ASI Audio x Sensaphonics, will be unveiled. “Sensaphonics already had the basics of our product concept in place,” notes Jim Harris, CEO and president, ASI Audio. “Their patented Active Ambient technology provided the platform, and our expertise in app development and manufacturing enabled our combined engineering teams to create a more sophisticated and powerful product. The key to our shared vision is to deliver a customised listening environment that works equally well with or without a monitor mix. We’re very excited to be bringing this new concept to market at the NAMM Show.” Michael Santucci adds: “We’ve had great success with our 3D system, which is used on
Europe - RCF SpA has announced the appointment of Thomas Lindgren as national sales manager for Denmark. International sales manager Luca Ombrati comments: “This is a newly-created position. Having previously been in partnership with a local distributor we intend to start a direct operation with Thomas.” With a career stretching back more than 20 years, the Dane was most recently audio consultant for Ascon Trading ApS, and prior to that made his mark with a series of premier pro audio brands, most notably Sennheiser. Luca Ombrati said he was also attracted by the fact that Thomas is an experienced FOH sound engineer. “Having a sales guy with a technical background was an extremely attractive prospect,” he says. “Since RCF is mainly known in the MI segment in Denmark, his priority will be to rebuild the relations in that specific field,” confirms RCF
France - To meet the changing needs of its customers, Digigram has enriched the functional scope of its IQOYA X/LINK and IQOYA SERV/LINK IP audio codecs to extend it to remote broadcasting. Digigram’s IP audio codec configured for remote broadcasting is billed as the only IP audio codec on the market allowing management of up to 32 mono or stereo full duplex IP streams. For an optimal user experience, a specific mode of use has been added for this new operating mode with dedicated and easy-to-use graphical interfaces, both for the configuration phase and for the operating phases, says the company. The user can now place calls and be connected to the field or the studio in two clicks. SIP, direct SIP and symmetric RTP connections are supported. More than 10,000 IQOYA are currently in operation around the world. By using the codec in remote broadcasting m
USA - The new Wireless In-Ear Monitor System (W.I.E.M.S.) from ProCo Sound, is making its NAMM debut at the RHC stand (11610). With up to 30m of range (line-of-sight) between the transmitter and belt-pack receiver, ProCo’s W.I.E.M.S. features a sleek and simple design, with no external antennas and a seamless plug-and-pair set-up. ProCo’s W.I.E.M.S. has four user-selectable channels, which provides the ability to deploy up to four systems simultaneously. The easy to use solution features a 3.5-mm headphone jack - enabling users to plug in their preferred earpiece. Both the receiver and transmitter are powered by a lithium-ion battery, which is easily rechargeable with the included micro-USB and AC/DC charging adaptor. A single charge provides six to eight hours of battery life, ensuring that users don’t lose power when it’s needed most. The belt-pack receiver
USA - Willowbrook Baptist Church’s main campus in Huntsville, Alabama recently implemented its first step of a multi-phased initiative to update its worship centre, and a key part of that process was the implementation of a KLANG:fabrik immersive in-ear monitor mixing system. Installed by Memphis, Tennessee-based integrator Redwire Audio Visual in October, the new KLANG system offers up to 16 musicians their own individual IEM mixes over RF transmitters, or headphone amps via XLR. At the same time, the KLANG:fabrik is a fully flexible audio network router of up to 64 MADI, 64 Dante and 32 ADAT-compatible inputs and outputs. “The new KLANG system was part of the first phase of the church’s update, and it has proven to be a critical component of it,” says Redwire AV president, founder and general manager, Tim Johnson. “Their worship orchestra had been frustrat
Australia - Novatech Creative Entertainment Technology (NCET) orchestrated an impressive re-branding event for Australian painted steel business Nexteel in Adelaide and Perth. Brompton Technology LED processors were chosen to support the array of large LED screens, which were suspended above the stage and delivered pulsing content, teasing the audience with what was in store. Tasked with ‘breaking the usual norms’ for the project, Novatech deployed two Brompton Tessera SX40 processors along with two Tessera XD Data Distribution units for its ROE CB3 and CB5 LED panels in order to realise the ambitious concept and create a series of innovative and memorable experiences. “The project had eight screens of various sizes built from ROE Visual CB3 and CB5 screens, so the team needed something that would make mapping and running the screens as simple as possible,” s
USA - Dara AV (Formerly JD Systems) recently deployed an expansive Harman Professional Solutions PA system at Staten Island Mall to provide quality audio for music, announcements and more. With over 1.2m sq.ft of retail floor space, Staten Island Mall is one of the largest shopping centres in New York. After surveying the location, Dara AV designed a sound solution using JBL Control Series speakers, Crown DCI amplifiers, and BSS signal processors. “Staten Island Mall asked us to update their outdated PA system with a controllable, scalable solution,” explains Jak Daragjati, president Dara AV. “The biggest challenge was providing adequate coverage without impacting the aesthetics of the mall. The JBL Control series speakers were exactly what we needed- they provide plenty of volume and offer versatile mounting options.” Over 300 loudspeakers are installed
USA - Both in academics and athletics, Goshen High School has been living up to its status as the flagship institution of the upstate New York Goshen Central School District: the Boys' Varsity tennis team has not lost a conference title in over 10 years, and its Mock Trial team has won the Orange County championship for nine years. So when the district underwent a $40m renovation in 2019, the lion’s share of that went to Goshen High School, which saw its classrooms and common areas updated, and its 650-seat theatre/auditorium refreshed from the floor up. That included an L-Acoustics ARCS Wide and Focus sound system, supplied by Firehouse Productions and integrated by LiveWire Sound and Image, with the renovation done by project architect LAN Associates and acoustical consulting by WSDG. The school’s ARCS WiFo system - consisting of three ARCS WiFo units plus an SB1
UK - Polar has promoted Will Turney to the position of national sales manager for its integrated solutions division. Turney will lead Polar’s seven-strong sales team, covering the company’s network of systems integrators across the UK. Stuart Leader, integrated solutions director, comments: “We have complete confidence in Will’s ability to further enhance our business and continue to drive success. During his time with us, Will has demonstrated that he possesses the technical understanding and personal qualities to meet the requirements of what will be a demanding job. He has always led by example and is well-known and highly respected across the sector.” Turney adds: “I’m excited about 2020 and beyond for integrated solutions and the changes ahead. The Polar team are an exceptional group that I’m proud to be a part of and I’m looking forward to manag
UK - The Chailey Heritage Foundation DREAM Centre in Sussex uses modern AV technology to make a range of experiences accessible for children and young people for whom it is very difficult to travel. Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall opened the centre on 17 October. Chailey Heritage Foundation provides schooling and residential care for children and young adults with complex physical disabilities, high health needs, sensory impairments, and associated learning difficulties. The new sports and activity centre allows young people in wheelchairs to play indoor sports, take part in drama and musical performances, develop their balance through rebound therapy, learn to drive a powered wheelchair, and broaden their horizons through a ground-breaking immersive experience zone. “We are honoured to have played a role in creating this amazing facility for such a dese
Poland - Opened in 1947, the Stanislaw Moniuszko Academy of Music (aMuz) in Gdańskhas a progressive approach to music education, recognising that training students in classical music doesn’t mean they will stay in the traditional classical field. An Alcons Audio pro-ribbon system is helping students to seamlessly blend old and new instrumentation in the Academy’s concert hall. Because course content at aMuz is constantly evolving, as well as classical recitals (where very little, if any, amplification is needed) the concert hall is staging increasingly diverse performances, including opera, operetta, musicals, jazz and contemporary classical productions, where electronic instruments play solo or with orchestral instruments. The 50-year old, 592sq.m venue has an audience capacity of 413 in raked stalls and a balcony, with a 160m2 stage. Its existing small sound reinforcem
Croatia - The historic Istrian People’s Theatre (INK) in Pula is now hosting international music ensembles as well as dramatic productions, thanks to a major audio upgrade. It has recently replaced all of its sound reinforcement and monitoring systems with L-Acoustics Syva and X Series technologies, as well as LA4X amplification. This European venue has had an eventful life. Its origins lay with the much smaller Teatro Nuovo (New Theatre), built in 1854 when Pula was part of the Austrian Empire. That was replaced in 1879 by a much a grander version, which itself has stood the test of time through various governments. In 2004, the theatre was officially renamed the Istrian People’s Theatre, City Theatre Pula, and is now generally branded as 'INK' (Istarsko Narodno Kazalište). Its main auditorium has a capacity of 699, spread across the main siting area, lodges for
UK - Clarity, ease of use and the ability to match the colour of the microphone to different skin tones were all reasons why Toby Chevis, director of UK live events company Patch Productions, chose DPA’s 6066 Subminiature Headset Microphones to amplify those who were speaking at the prestigious Cheltenham Literary Festival. During the 10-day event, the company used a total of 40 6066 headsets across eight venues, including Cheltenham’s Montpelier Gardens and Town Hall sites. Among the famous participants who wore DPA were Andrew Lloyd Webber, Louis Theroux, Rob Drydon and Graham Norton. “The festival was keen to be as inclusive as possible this year, so being able to offer a microphone with varying colour options and a consistent audio quality was fantastic,” Chevis explains. “I’ve been a big fan of DPA Headset Microphones for eight years now and Patch Prod
France - Digital media specialists ArKaos have supplied two media servers, one 4K Studio server and one Stage server, to the new multi-million-pound Parisian headquarters of eSports organisation, Team Vitality. Called V.Hive, the space is a 10,700sq.ft facility built on three floors, complete with a lively storefront that is open to the public and including a streaming booth, gaming rooms, a content production studio, a cinema, a WebTV studio plus numerous offices. ArKaos’s Benjamin Bauwens project managed the installation of the servers that are running a series of digital banners, screens and LED lighting elements in the retail area of the V.Hive, which includes a shopping area and a coffee bar plus a training room for players. The company became involved in this project via Best Audio & Lighting, an installation specialist and sister company of leading techni
UK - Audiologic has announced that it has been appointed as UK distributor for microphone manufacturer MXL’s UCC range of products. Andy Lewis, Audiologic managing director, comments: “We’re pleased to be able to offer our customers the MXL UCC product range. Flexibility and scalability are key to successful unified communications and the MXL conference solutions are also Zoom Room certified. This excellent addition to our portfolio is sure to be a very popular choice in the UC sector.” (Jim Evans)
UK - Focusrite, the global music and audio products company, has announced the acquisition of pro audio solutions manufacturer Martin Audio. The total consideration to be paid is £39.2m for the business. This will be funded through a combination of existing cash resources and a new loan facility of £40m with HSBC and Natwest. The completion of the loan facility, and hence the completion of the acquisition, is dependent upon shareholder approval in a general meeting on 30 December 2019. Martin Audio will continue to operate from their headquarter offices and factory in High Wycombe, under the leadership of managing director Dominic Harter. Harter comments: “We are excited by the transaction and what Martin Audio can achieve together with Focusrite. Focusrite is a strong brand in the industry and given the geographic proximity of both our businesses we know t