USA - Lectrosonics has announced a major firmware update for their Duet digital wireless monitor IEM/IFB system, V2.0. The 2.0 Firmware update includes a host of new features and improvements that are the result of valuable customer input, including improved audio quality, shortcuts on the front panel to assist in quick setup, a volume lock and additional flexibility in setting the audio gain and limiter functions. With the new update, users can now do a front panel IR sync operation and similarly turn on or off the RF transmission without requiring access to the menus. Added flexibility to the M2R receiver audio setup now includes an option for negative gain on the limiter screen, allowing adjustment to the maximum gain available, for instances where artists may be using extra sensitive earphones. The limiter screen now also features a meter showing the amount of gain reduc
Ukraine - A digitally controlled Electro-Voice and Dynacord sound system has improved audio quality at Kharkiv National University, one of Ukraine’s three major higher learning institutions. Powered by award-winning L Series amplifiers, the new installation exceeds audience coverage and sound pressure level requirements with fewer amplifiers than the previous system. To meet the client’s brief of providing powerful and intelligible sound reproduction in the University’s events hall, systems integrator M-Art had to overcome the acoustic challenges of a high ceiling and numerous reflective surfaces, including a balcony at the rear end. Following a detailed acoustic analysis of the room, M-Art and Electro-Voice partner SoundHouse Pro looked to the high sound pressure level and tightly focused dispersion of Electro-Voice Expandable Vertical Array (EVA) to solve the r
South Africa - DWR Distribution worked with UJ Arts & Culture to offer practical training to students interested in working back stage on productions. “UJ Arts & Culture's partnership with DWR grants us access to valuable professional skills and knowledge we would otherwise not be able to make available to our crew and students interested in developing these niche skills,” comments Pieter Jacobs, head of UJ Arts & Cultural. “The results speak for itself with some students now being able to work on our productions as junior technicians, which in the long-term will also benefit the industry." The aim of the course was to create a basic, hands-on introduction to lighting and audio, and was targeted at students from the University of Johannesburg. The students are involved with theatre as an extra mural activity and participate in shows and festivals.
Germany - The Adam Hall Group held its Event.Tech Days networking event to present the latest innovations from its solutions portfolio. The international manufacturer and distributor of event technology welcomed 50 customers and 80 participants at the company’s HQ in Neu-Anspach (near Frankfurt) on 21-22 November, where rental industry experts could see products from Adam Hall brands including LD Systems, Cameo Light, and Gravity. Additionally, in a format coined “Tech Talks”, the rental professionals were subsequently invited to openly discuss and exchange their insights, ideas and views surrounding the future of the event technology industry with the Group’s product management and R&D teams. The Event.Tech Days were rounded off by an evening event in cooperation with BMW that included networking, dining and drinks, live music, as well as the Germa
Europe - Swiss AV solutions manufacturer Merging Technologies has announced new distribution deals for its professional product range in Northern Europe. The company has appointed Nordic Pro Audio in Denmark and AV Marketing Finland in Finland. Nordic Pro Audio’s Frank Grønbæk (product specialist - live and studio) and Allan Holmberg (product specialist - field recording and broadcast) will be responsible for increasing sales across the market sectors addressed by Pyramix, Ovation, ANEMAN and networked audio interfaces Horus and Hapi. Meanwhile in Finland, the appointment of AV Marketing will see Jyrki Mäkinen support the Swiss brand. Chris Hollebone, Merging’s sales and marketing manager, comments: “These two appointments are symptomatic of the changes we see in the market we serve. From time to time we find that existing sales partners are out o
South Africa - DWR Distribution recently hosted L-Acoustics training to ensure that all current and new Kara users were up to standard and internationally certified. Tony Szabo, head of applications for touring at L-Acoustics, presented the two-day course; the theory was hosted at DWR in Johannesburg, while the practical session took place at the premises of rental company Eventech. “L-Acoustics has always insisted on training on the line source array systems, to ensure that there is a high and consistent standard throughout the world,” comments Richard Smith of DWR.” The training seminar in South Africa, which was limited to invited users of Kara and potential users, consisted of two modules. The first module was System Fundamentals which covered Soundvision 3D modelling software and amplified controllers, including LA Network Manager software. The secon
Israel - KLANG, 3D in-ear mixing technologies specialist, has reported the partnership with its recently-appointed Israeli distributor AEM of Tel Aviv has already reaping rewards. AEM, which was appointed by KLANG earlier this year, has been promoting the brand through a series of seminars and product demonstrations, including discussions on best-practice for in-ear monitor mixing. This autumn, Shalom Hanoch and Matti Caspi took their show The Main Thing is The Songs on a tour of the country, with a KLANG system. Shalom Hanoch sums up his feelings: “The KLANG system is a new era in hearing the stage. Everything feels so precise and deep that I can hear every note without disturbing my vocal - how on earth have we worked without it for so long?” The tour was sold out and high demand has seen further performances added for later in the year.
China - Clockenflap is one of Asia's largest multi-genre music festivals held annually in Hong Kong. Now 10 years old, the festival is a firm favourite in the region, with its extensive programme of music, art, film and other activities. In addition to a line-up of internationally renowned artistes - which this year included Erykah Badu, David Byrne, Khalid, Roni Size, Interpol, Caribou, Anpu and The Vaccines - the festival also offers a platform to local talent, helping them reach a wider audience. For the 2018 edition of the festival (9-11 November), the main (Harbourflap) stage and second stage were managed by Alto Stage Management, who called in Davide Linzi of Mister X Service as audio system designer for both and FOH engineer for the main stage (assisting productions with their own sound engineer). Linzi explains why he took Outline’s Newton multi-sour
Europe - Having recently completed a major tour of the US, platinum recording artist Hozier has just hit European shores to continue his run of successful sold-out shows in support of his Nina Cried Power EP, with FOH engineer Steve Pattison behind an Allen & Heath dLive mixing system. Supplied by Adlib, the set-up includes a dLive S7000 surface fitted with both Waves and Dante cards for virtual soundcheck and live multitrack recording. Additionally, a dLive DM64 MixRack fitted with a superMADI card is placed at FOH, which is used to feed broadcast multitrack during festival shows. “dLive was chosen primarily for its sound quality but also for its reliability and flexibility. Pretty much anything you’ll ever need is on there and the FX and processing are ever expanding with each firmware release,” comments Pattison. Pattison continues: “FX and
USA - Sitting in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, Target Field is home to Major League Baseball's Minnesota Twins, and accommodates more than 39,000 eager spectators ready to cheer on their team. Though designed as a baseball venue, it also hosts football, soccer, and a wide range of outdoor concerts and various non-sports-based corporate events. Target Field is a large venue with multiple areas around the facility that require high-quality audio support. This includes distributing audio out to various areas as well as pulling signals back to the control room for mixing and processing. For example, live bands perform before ball games and during breaks, and stadium managers must be sure the audio is pleasantly experienced throughout the stadium. Technicians needed a way to easily and inexpensively expand the number of inputs and outputs to the stadium's main console
UK - Xerocon London 2018 brought together accountants, bookkeepers, ecosystem partners and industry leaders. Hawthorn was chosen by agency Taylor Bennett Partners to deliver the full technical production for the two-day event held at ExCel London on 14- 15 November. Over 3,300 delegates gathered to find out the latest news and updates from Xero, a cloud-based accounting software company. Led by group creative director Pete Harding, Hawthorn was tasked to bring Taylor Bennett’s impressive vision to life, delivering full technical production for the main conference plenary, exhibition space, break-out sessions and evening party. Featuring three technical installations including a mammoth custom-made LED sculpture and an indoor zip wire, Xerocon London 2018 proved it wasn’t a typical accounting conference. The Xerocon main stage cut an impressive figure. Measuring 57m
USA - As both the co-founder of the rock band Linkin Park and a solo artist in his own right, Mike Shinoda is one very busy performer. He’s currently approaching the end of the current leg of his Post Traumatic Tour, which will resume in early 2019 when it picks up in Europe. Shinoda’s night after night tour schedule demands equipment that maintains sonic consistency and reliability throughout - and to ensure the best audio performance at monitor world, Shinoda and monitor engineer Kevin ‘Tater’ McCarthy rely on the performance of DAS Audio Event-121A powered subwoofers and Road 12A powered stage monitors. Based in Detroit, MI, McCarthy delivers audio to Shinoda and the other band members on stage via a combination of in-ear monitors and conventional loudspeakers. McCarthy recently began using DAS Audio loudspeakers and has been very impressed. He shared
USA - Garth Brooks headlined at the Notre Dame stadium in South Bend, Indiana in front of 84,000 fans at the sold-out, first ever concert at the venue. Dan Heins, FOH engineer for Garth since 1989, reports: “By four o’clock in the afternoon, just hours before the show, because of the bad weather conditions, we still didn’t know if the concert would go on. We ended up doing soundcheck with the PA on the ground. The wind finally let up, so we were able to raise the speakers. Sound reinforcement was through Brooks’ custom-designed Clair Brothers PA. Part of the show’s magic was the star-shaped stage with a 360° rotating centre-stage on which Brooks and his band performed - a theatre-in-the-round concept where Garth moves freestyle around the periphery playing to each side of the stadium. According to Heins, “The Clair Brothers PA consistently sounds gr
Ireland - Nestled within the capacious surroundings of Curraghmore House in County Waterford, the inaugural All Together Now (ATN) festival may, on paper, have appeared an event of two halves. A family friendly bandstand perched alongside comedy and spoken word stages, dotted the foreground of the stately home itself. Whilst a field away, separated by woodlands, the ATN Stage played host to the likes of Underworld, Mura Masa, Chaka Khan and Fleet Foxes. In fact, linked by the centrally positioned spectacle of Arcadia’s Afterburner installation - returning to Ireland to mark their own 10-year anniversary - the various elements of All Together Now blended seamlessly. The eclectic line up brought together by renowned Irish promoter John Reynolds of POD Concerts, drew a sell-out crowd keen to explore the diversity of talent on offer from Will Self to Thundercat, Mogwai to Sug
Czech Republic - Czech sound engineer Jiri Jehlar was one of the first front of house engineers in the country to use digital mixers. He was so impressed with the Yamaha Rivage PM7 digital mixing system that he has invested in one. Jiri is a long-term user of the Yamaha CL5 digital mixing console and Nexo loudspeaker systems, highlighting his commitment to delivering the best FOH mixes. When local Yamaha dealer and Nexo distributor MusicData demonstrated the Rivage PM7 digital mixing system earlier this year, the well-respected engineer chose to purchase a PM7 console and an RPio622 I/O rack. “I really liked the quality of the A/D converters, the Rupert Neve Sound Designs SILK processing, the effects and the high capacity of the system, thanks to the innovative TWINLANe network,” he says. “As soon as I heard the system in action, I did not hesitate to invest.”
Austria - Lawo reports that its new Lawo mc²96 console was installed in Bregenz, to support sound reinforcement and directional listening systems for a sold-out run of Georges Bizet’s Carmen at the annual summer Bregenz Festival, taking place on the floating stage at Lake Constance. The previously installed Lawo systems simplified an upgrade of the production console, which plays an important part in the production’s remarkable use of sound as a complement of the on-stage performance. Sound designer Alwin Bösch and sound engineer Gernot Gögele shifted from the Lawo mc²66 production console they had used at the Bregenz Festival since 2005 to a new IP-based Lawo mc²96 grand production console, which was installed just prior to this year’s live opera performances. Although memorizing the new operating sequences took a few days, Bösch and Gögele were up
USA - Playing three-hour shows with 30-plus songs and setlists that change with each performance, Pearl Jam is well known for giving audiences their money’s worth. But on the band’s most recent stadium run, there was another group that received an even more tangible financial benefit: Seattle’s homeless population. Following Pearl Jam’s two sold-out Safeco Field Home Shows - the band’s first hometown Emerald City concerts in five years - the band donated $868,189 from ticket and merch sales to a variety of King County homeless-related organisations and service providers. Furthermore, this outpouring of generosity helped prompt philanthropic donations from other organisations ultimately totalling $10.8m, according to The Seattle Times. Pearl Jam’s pair of Seattle shows followed tour legs in South America and Europe this spring and summer, and s
USA - Audio-Technica supplied nearly 100 vocal and instrument microphones for the 52nd Annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, presented Wednesday, November 14, 2018, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Broadcast live in 5.1-channel surround sound on the ABC Television Network, the awards show featured an extensive selection of Audio-Technica hard-wired microphones, plus Artist Elite 5000 Series UHF Wireless Systems with ATW-C6100 Hypercardioid Dynamic Microphone Capsule. Audio-Technica microphones were chosen for their ability to provide clear and consistent audio quality for live broadcast. The team of industry veterans responsible for the audio at this year’s CMA’s again included a who’s-who of broadcast audio. Tom Davis served as audio producer; Kevin Sanford served as audio coordinator; ATK/Audiotek provided the sound system with FOH mixers Patrick Ba
UK - Adlib has moved to a new Liverpool headquarters in Knowsley. Located just off junction 4 of the M57, the new hub offers 83,600sq.ft of space including a large pre-production area, a training suite, a comprehensive showroom, dedicated service facilities and a huge contemporary open plan office. After a long search, Andy Dockerty and the team are pleased to announce the move, which will take Adlib into a new era with more advanced levels of operation, service and efficiency. John Hughes, Adlib’s director, comments: “Following an extensive four-year search, we are delighted to announce the relocation to our new home. We’re sad to be leaving the old site in Speke in some ways, as it’s a place where we’ve nurtured and grown the foundations of the business. “The new premises, however, allow us to expand and develop in other - and new - areas. Thi
UK - North American entertainment technology supplier Solotech has acquired UK-based audio services company SSE Audio Group, thus forming one of the largest AV companies in the world. SSE Audio’s founder John Penn will continue to head the organisation in the UK. The established brands of SSE Audio, Capital Sound, Wigwam and Sigma Products will also be maintained. Martin Tremblay, president and CEO of Groupe Solotech Inc, comments: “This is the most important transaction in Solotech’s history. With the addition of SSE Audio, Solotech becomes one of the world’s largest AV and entertainment technology companies. The acquisition will generate growth opportunities and expand the services available to current and future clients on both sides of the Atlantic.” Tremblay adds: “We are thrilled that SSE is joining the Solotech team, especially their well-known
USA - The 52nd Annual Country Music Association Awards ceremony, held on 14 November at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, recognised the best in country music released during the CMA’s annual eligibility period. Winners included Entertainer of the Year Keith Urban and Song of the Year Broken Halos by Chris Stapleton, who also garnered the Male Vocalist of the Year award. Everyone who heard the show’s 22 music performances and awards introductions by those artists and others listened to them through a pair of DiGiCo SD-Range consoles: an SD7 helmed by Blackhawk Audio president Rick Shimer at FOH for the event’s music performances, and an SD5, which mixed the evening’s production audio, piloted by ATK Audiotek principal Pat Baltzell. The house audio was played through a JBL PA using a combination of VerTec 4889 and
France - L-Acoustics has acquired HGP - a manufacturer of precision sheet metal, based in Amboise, France – and its sister entity API, specialist in powder coating. "This operation represents a new and extremely positive step in augmenting our R&D and production capabilities,” says Hervé Guillaume, managing director of L-Acoustics. “This alliance will allow us to improve our technical skill set and market intelligence regarding precision sheet metal, a vital technology in our professional audio solutions. HGP’s expertise and savoir-faire are highly complementary to our own, enabling us to better comprehend the constraints and specificities of the trade at every stage, from conception to production.” Bertrand Bounoure, president and commercial director of HGP, comments: "This constitutes a natural extension of a decade-long, successful supplier/client relation
UK - In 2012, Sound Space Vision beat all competition to become the theatre design and acoustics consultant for David Chipperfield Architects’ master plan to unite the Royal Academy of Arts’ 18th century Burlington House with its neighbour, Burlington Gardens, and transform the interiors throughout. SSV’s brief was to modernise and equip Burlington Gardens’ 19th-century lecture theatre for 21st century presentation and performance, and this was later expanded to include acoustics advice on the new gallery spaces and the learning centre, as well as mechanical systems. In collaboration with the architectural teams, SSV facilitated a design with minimal impact on the heritage features of the Grade II* listed building, yet provides a future-proofed technical design for the Academy’s planned lectures, debates, panel discussions, conferences, recitals, and hires. <
UK - Experiment Intrinsic provides ambient all-night adventures in electronic music, exploring the spaces created with sound. They formulate alcohol-free, limited capacity events in intimate and spiritual spaces where all the senses are catered to. The quality of sound is of utmost importance, and for this reason a TiMax SoundHub spatial processor is always at the heart of the immersive sound system. Experiment Intrinsic’s sound system is curated by George Yankov of Sova Audio. Though every event’s immersive audio setup in terms of speaker and electronics configurations is dependent on the venue layout, budget and application, Yankov explains, “TiMax is central for spatial audio control.” Before using TiMax, Yankov claims nothing “ticked all the boxes for reliability, supreme audio quality, ease of use, Dante plus a combination of analogue and digital inputs
