USA - At last week’s NAMM show, PK Sound demonstrated Trinity 10, a mid-size, 3D controlled sound system. The company offered daily demonstrations of both the Trinity 10 and its Gravity series of subwoofers within its demo room. PK Sound’s demo room featured a cast of special guests at the FOH position, each mixing a diverse selection of tracks featuring various artists through the Trinity 10 and Gravity loudspeakers. The Trinity 10 features the identical voicing as the full-size Trinity module. Like the larger version, the Trinity 10 is configured remotely, providing advanced users with a completely new set of tools and unparalleled control over the vertical and horizontal polar directivity of the entire array, while bringing world class sound field control to mid-size class line arrays. In addition, Trinity 10 is powered by a 3000W Class D amplifier to max
The Netherlands - Audinate has announced Dante AV, an integrated audio and video-over-IP solution for manufacturers. Dante AV promises to bring all the benefits of the audio over IP solution to video, including discovery, ease-of-use and integrated control. Dante AV enables complete interoperability with more than 1600 Dante-enabled audio products already on the market. Dante AV reportedly resolves syncronisation problems of networked video and audio by utilising a single network clock for sub-microsecond accuracy. With Dante AV, audio and video signals are independently routable in a single interface using the Dante Controller software. Manufacturers can also take advantage of Dante API to customise their management user interface. Dante AV solves time alignment issues and eliminates the need for audio de-embedders in applications such as sports bars, live events and
World - Australian pop-punk band 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) made their name as somewhat of a YouTube sensation, but rose to international stardom after touring with One Direction in 2012. 5SOS have since released three studio albums and headlined three world tours. Their current Meet You There tour supports their 2017 hit record, Youngblood, and at stage left position, Pavan Grewall is working from his trusted DiGiCo SD10 console. Grewall is adept at both FOH and monitor roles. He has flown faders at FOH for a number of well-known artists including Meghan Trainor, Nick Jonas, and Canadian singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen, with whom he spent five years touring the world. His current role as monitor engineer with 5SOS is one he is enjoying: he has been working with both the band and the DiGiCo SD10, supplied by Adlib, for 18 months. He says it is
South Africa - DWR Distribution is holding a Waves training course in Johannesburg on 18 February and in Cape Town on 21 February. Presented by Eran Ben Zur, a live product specialist at Waves Audio and an experienced FOH engineer, the sessions will feature discussions on Waves Live, Sound Grid Network, V9 vs V10, Multi Rack, Plugins, eMotion LV1, Tips and Tricks and Q&A. The course will be hosted at the DWR premises in Johannesburg and Cape Town. For more information, visit the DWR website. (Jim Evans)
Australia - The Burdekin Theatre is the home for arts and entertainment in Burdekin, playing host to a diverse range of live performances including musicals, plays and rock concerts. The venue also hosts conferences and seminars, plus local events such as dance recitals, school award nights, and more. The theatre features a 473-seat auditorium with proscenium arch and orchestra pit, supported by a professional technical staff. When it came time to upgrade its sound system, Clair Brothers topped the list after a competitive review of major loudspeaker brands. David Luscombe, theatre technician, at Burdekin Theatre, explains: “As time went on, I knew our old system was reaching the end of its life expectancy. It just wasn’t keeping up with our ever-rising standards. I saw it as an opportunity to upgrade, so I took a listen to several top brands before I got the oppo
Europe - Sound designer Gareth Owen has selected Luminex GigaCore 12 switches to provide networked audio for his immersive sound designs on all-new productions of international hit musicals, Starlight Express, Bat Out of Hell and Come From Away. Utilising d&b audiotechnik's Soundscape object-based sound design mixing platform, the technically demanding shows - which range from 180º up to full 360º implementation - feature a large number of data channels running over Dante. With no analogue backup for the audio systems, the network distribution has to be 100% reliable. Working together with d&b and equipment suppliers to the shows, Stage Sound Services and Orbital Sound, the Luminex GigaCore network switches were rigorously tested in a Soundscape-based setup and left everyone impressed. Owen comments: "We wanted to get a Dante-appro
Russia - Since being founded 2012, the Moscow Musical Theatre has earned a considerable reputation for its original productions and unusual approaches to classic stories. Just in time for the 2018/19 season, the Musical Theatre has made a new home for itself in the remodelled and refurbished Rossiya Theatre on Moscow's Pushkinskaya Square - one of the most frequented squares in the world. This new venue has an opportunity for the sound department to push the creative potential of the theatre to a new level by installing the first permanent theatrical installation of L-Acoustics’ L-ISA technology. The theatre’s repertoire ranges from a rock opera production of Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment to a fusion of circus performance with operetta and musical genres in The Circus Princess, and a re-telling of Cinderella. The new sound installat
SE Asia - Nexo has announced the appointment of Joe White to its international sales team. He will be taking up the role of business development manager with responsibility for Nexo’s activities in South-East Asia, India and Oceania. White is a familiar face to Nexo customers, having spent four years with the company as Global Marketing Manager. Since 2011, he has been running his own business in Indonesia, but, in his words, “I really miss the audio industry and all the co-workers and colleagues in Nexo’s international orbit.” Reporting to sales director Denis Baudier, White will shoulder the responsibility for managing Nexo’s distribution network in the Far East. “Over the last seven years, I have had a ringside seat to watch the cultural and economic evolution in this territory,” says White. “New government policies and investments into infrast
The Netherlands - Avnu Alliance has announced new members and ecosystem tools, while manufacturer members plan to demonstrate and showcase new Milan-ready products at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2019. Milan is a standards-based, user-driven deterministic network protocol for professional media, that assures devices will work together at new levels of convenience, reliability and functionality. Created and maintained by members of the Avnu Alliance, Milan is billed as the first tangible solution for promising deterministic, reliable, and future-proof delivery of networked media. Milan combines the technical benefits of the AVB standard with pro AV market-defined device requirements at both the network and the application layer for media streams, formats, clocking and redundancy. “Members of Milan have been diligently working behind the scenes for the last six mont
USA - Orlando-headquartered Professional Wireless Systems (PWS) has expanded operations to Nashville. The announcement was made by general manager Jim Van Winkle. “We have experienced tremendous growth and success out of our Orlando office with customers located across the country,” explains Van Winkle. “Considering the number of current customers and partners we have in the Nashville area we thought it was time to have a dedicated team in the area for product support and services.” The Nashville office will be headed up by RF technicians Ryan Stotts and Cody Heimann. Stotts began working in professional audio in 2001 at Sound Great Enterprises, Inc. in Ohio providing audio, communication and wireless equipment for the Magic of David Copperfield. In 2006 he was out with the U.S. tour of Stomp as FOH engineer. From there he worked with Spectrum Sound and
Italy - There was a large crowd for the traditional concert held in front of Milan cathedral to welcome the New Year, animated by singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Francesco Gabbani and his band, the energy of the Bluebeaters, with their infectious ska and rocksteady rhythms, RDS radio personality Paolo Piva, comedian Dario Vergassola and a DJ set. The big challenge to be faced this year was ensuring acoustic coverage for 20,000 spectators without the use of delay systems, as explains Sacha Bozzo, head of Show Technologies from Recco (Genoa), the event’s rental company: “It was of fundamental importance for us to ensure everybody a great show, and at the same time meet all the security regulations an event of this type involves, so we decided to approach the project without taking delay systems into consideration, as they would have probably ended up blocking s
USA - The stars came out in force for I Am the Highway: A Tribute to Chris Cornell, a fundraising concert held at the Forum in Los Angeles on 16 January. The five-hour show was anchored by extended sets from members of three of the bands that Cornell fronted - Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog, and Audioslave - and featured performances by Metallica, Foo Fighters, The Melvins, and others. Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the show also featured an extensive list of guests, including Jack Black, Brad Pitt, Brandi Carlile, Fiona Apple, Josh Homme, Miley Cyrus, Adam Levine, Chris Stapleton, and Ziggy Marley, who all paid tribute to the musician who suffered from depression, which led him to take his life in May of 2017. Rat was asked to participate in the benefit and has a long history of working with Soundgarden, dating back to the band’s tour with Danzig in 1990. "The event
The Netherlands - AV equipment manufacturer Work Pro Audio is expanding the SoundNut range of pendant speakers for installed sound applications. The SoundNut originally debuted at ISE 2018 as a prototype design for a new kind of pendant speaker with a variety of housings in different textures and colours, the principle being to make installed sound speakers as visually discreet as a light fitting. Following a positive response, the first in the SoundNut range made its first official appearance at InfoComm 2018: the 400W SN-8, featuring an eight-inch coaxial driver. Four more SoundNut models are being launched in Amsterdam to complete the range: the SN-3, SN-6, SN-10, which feature three-, six- and 10-inch drivers respectively, and the SN-8SUB, an eight-inch subwoofer for low-frequency enhancement. All use the same basic design concept as the original SN-8. "The
The Netherlands - Bose Professional is introducing ArenaMatch DeltaQ array loudspeakers and ArenaMatch Utility loudspeakers for outdoor installations. The ArenaMatch arrays incorporate DeltaQ technology, “to bring improved sound quality, consistency, vocal clarity and flexibility to outdoor installations - sports stadiums, arenas, outdoor entertainment centres, and more”. Featuring an IP55 weather rating, ArenaMatch DeltaQ modules promise durable and reliable outdoor performance whilst bringing consistent, intelligible sound. DeltaQ array technology allows directivity, or “Q,” to vary in each module to more precisely match coverage to audience area. With nine coverage patterns available, designers can choose from modules with 10-, 20- or 40-degree vertical coverage and easily swap between 60-, 80- or 100-degree horizontal waveguides - even in already-assembl
The Netherlands - At ISE, Apex will introduce the Class D SMA-1 amplifier module, which offers a customisable turnkey solution for all two-way active loudspeakers. SMA-1 is a purpose-built, fully-featured amplifier module that is easily adapted to customer requirements without the need for a long and expensive custom development process. It combines a switch-mode power supply, two Class D power amplifiers (1 x 500W + 1 x 150W), powerful integrated DSP and all the necessary analogue circuitry optimised for the best sonic performance on a single, extremely compact and lightweight PCBA module. The most basic customer implementation comprises a single Line input, a Link output, a volume knob and status LEDs for signalling power, signal and limit. customisation is achieved via the versatile input connector on the PCB which enables the addition of extra input sources such a
UK - A.C. Special Projects (AC-SP) has supplied a bespoke performance LED lighting and AV solution to dance-circus company Motionhouse for its creation and rehearsal space in Royal Leamington Spa. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Motionhouse creates and tours a wide range of inspiring and powerful productions to theatres and festivals in the UK and across the globe. Earlier this year, Motionhouse moved into its inspirational new rehearsal space in the new home of British furniture manufacturer Vitsœ in Leamington Spa. The co-habitation was conceived by Vitsœ and Motionhouse to create a vibrant and like-minded working community, and Motionhouse’s move to Vitsœ received capital funding from Arts Council England. AC-SP needed to adhere to a strict technical specification in order for the installation to blend in with the building. The origina
USA - Audio Video Lighting Innovations (AVLI) has upgraded the pool deck sound systems for two Miami Beach luxury hotels, the Mondrian South Beach and Shelborne South Beach, with Martin Audio CDD systems. Discussing the projects, AVLI’s James Reed reports: “With the Mondrian South Beach pool deck, which faces the bay, we had to solve the problem of noise reflecting off nearby neighbouring residences. The hotel’s original sound system was somewhat underpowered and they were getting a lot of noise complaints from neighbours because the DJ would take a speaker and try to blast it across the pool, which caused all kinds of problems. “So they called us in to solve the offsite noise problem, which we did very effectively by installing 10 CDD10-WR’s per side on the column system encircling the pool that supports the awning. We positioned each speaker on a column ab
South Africa - The South African Roadies Association (SARA) has invested in an Absen D3V indoor/outdoor LED screen consisting of 150 panels and a Green Hippo Karst+ Media Server from local distributor DWR Distribution. SARA - a non-profit training organisation based in Newtown, Johannesburg – acts to provide students with skills across lighting, audio, staging, power, rigging, AV and production specialties through a hands-on training and tutoring programme. Freddie Nyathela is the heart behind SARA and he has fought to get the programme off the ground. Students with limited resources are given the opportunity to join the entertainment industry and many reputable technicians have passed through his establishment. The investment of a new Absen D3V screen and Green Hippo Karst+ was funded by the National Lotteries Commission (the NLC). Nyathela explains:
UK - Polar has been appointed as the exclusive UK distributor for Colorado-based Ultimate Support. The US manufacturer offers a comprehensive product range that encompasses support stands, hardware and accessories for every conceivable type of music industry application, as well as studio furniture and acoustic treatments. Polar managing director, John Midgley, comments: “Ultimate Support is a high-quality brand manufacturing truly exceptional products, and we are delighted to be strengthening our range with this partnership. The intellectual property contained within the Ultimate Support portfolio speaks volumes for the ingenuity and design expertise behind every stand and workstation. The value and breadth of available solutions for applications throughout the MI, studio, rental and installation markets is clear to see and we’re looking forward to introducing Polar cus
USA - Powersoft has announced the release of the T Series line, an amplifier platform designed with the rental market in mind. The new platform - which is available now through the company's authorised distributors - was officially unveiled during a press conference at the NAMM show. "We're setting a new benchmark for the type of reliability and audio performance you can expect from a product at this price level," says Klas Dalbjörn, product manager at Powersoft. "The T Series is Powersoft's solution for rental companies with small to medium-size sound systems, and it features next generation processing and networking capabilities, but at lower price point. It is also perfect for small touring bands, DJs and a range of other applications.” The T Series consists of both two and four-channel models available in 3000 W and 6000 W versions supporting channel powers f
USA - Electro-Voice has launched a new UHF wireless microphone system, the RE3. The RE3 receivers and transmitters are available in 10 pre-packaged sets, configured to cover a wide range of performance and presentation applications. Sets contain one 1/2-rack-space diversity receiver with antennas, universal power supply, rack mount kit, transmitter, batteries and an input device. The RE3 portfolio also contains an assortment of accessories to aid in the creation of large, multi-channel systems. The RE3’s UHF design with clear frequency scanning makes multi-system wireless operation fast and simple. The RE3 handheld combines robust aluminium build quality with a sleek profile. Five handheld system sets are available with a choice of interchangeable mic capsules: ND76, ND86, ND96 (dynamic) and the new RE420 and RE520 (condenser). These capsules can be purchased separa
Hungary - Madách Theatre (or Madách Színház), one of the most popular musical theatres in Budapest, has recently undergone a major audio upgrade with several Allen & Heath dLive digital mixing systems. The 800-seat venue holds around 350 performances a year, in front of approximately 500,000 visitors and stages some of the biggest international musicals, including works by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and is currently premiering dLive’s capabilities in Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock production. Supplied by Allen & Heath’s Hungarian distributors, Audmax, the installation features three dLive Surfaces, three MixRacks, eight Expanders and several ME Personal Monitoring systems, which allow for the independent mixing of vocals, orchestra and IEM / stage monitors. “The requirements of this installation were quite complex. Madách needed a system t
The Netherlands - Fifty years ago, ‘t Spant was established as the first theatre in Bussum, a town 30km from Amsterdam. The venue now hosts a wide range of theatre, live music and television productions, as well as conventions and other corporate events. One of the few unsubsidised theatres in the Netherlands, it is celebrating its golden anniversary with a new, completely updated Yamaha digital mixing system. ‘t Spant was built in 1969 as a home for local music, theatre and operetta associations. This was replaced by a new building in 1980, which was further refurbished and renamed simply Spant in the 2000s, before the venue was bought by its managing director Paul Haighton and financial director Bert Dijkstra. Spant has two theatres, the 780-seat Podium 1 and 275-seat podium 2. It hosts around 100 theatre performances and 200 conferences and other events each ye
UK - Lincolnshire-based manufacturer Logic Systems Pro Audio has appointed Andy Mullen to the new post of international sales manager. Mullen joins the company having worked with major sound and lighting companies in the fields of sub-assemblies, electronic design, mixing desks, amplifiers and juke boxes across 25 years. He also joins as Logic Systems launches its new Notion line-up, which replaces the popular ML range. “It’s an exciting time at Logic, with two major new line-ups launched last year and more scheduled for this year,” he commented. “The company has a rich heritage in producing outstanding loudspeaker products and we want to build on that, applying new technologies and techniques to design and product development. We’ve set our sights on being at the forefront of manufacture for the next generation of premium loudspeaker products in the U
