Canada - Canada's MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta has recently purchased a 32 channel Legacy Plus console for their upcoming studio space.

"As an educational facility, MacEwan wanted to choose a brand that fits with their philosophy of how audio engineering should be taught," says David Kotch, studio designer and owner of Criterion Acoustics. Kotch is serving as the principal architect for MacEwan's studio.

"The school strongly believes in API's brand, and in the analogue console market, we fully believe API is the best out there."

Construction on the studio is underway, and is expected to be completed Spring of 2017, with hopes of students utilizing the Legacy Plus console in the Fall 2017 semester.

(Jim Evans)

UK - POLARaudio has created a new division within the POLAR group to complement its Integrated Solutions and MI/Retail divisions. The Professional Audio division will "better serve new and existing clients in the hire, events, broadcast and rental sectors". The company has secured the services of experienced industry professional, Nick Turner, who joins the company as the new division's UK sales manager.

With more than 10 years' experience at Adlib Audio's sales and installations departments, Nick brings extensive knowledge and detailed understanding of the requirements of the audio industry. During this period, he worked closely with the installations team on projects including theatres, live music settings and education establishments, gaining valuable insights and forging close relationships with many technical managers at high-profile venues.

Nick Turner looks forward

The Netherlands - Cloud Electronics will show two new models of the MA40 Mini Amplifier series at ISE 2017, shipping immediately post exhibition. Originally shown as development prototypes for the first time at ISE 2016 the new Cloud MA40F and MA40T Mini Amplifiers are squarely aimed at de-centralised solutions and where requirements exist for adding additional audio zones to legacy in-stallations.

The new MA40F Mini Amplifier features a mono 40W output (4?), two stereo line inputs with individual input gain, an additional 70V/100V line input, a paging microphone input with independent EQ, music EQ, music mute (for simple fire alarm connection) and a facility port allow-ing Cloud's LM-2 wall input module and Cloud's new BT-1F Bluetooth wireless audio module to be connected easily.

The MA40T offers identical features to the MA40 but provides 100V output (25V/70V/100V) in pl

UK - Klark Teknik has announced the shipping of its DM8000 advanced digital audio processor for installation applications featuring configurable DSP, audio networking and acoustic echo cancellation.

As a solution for modern meetings and telephone/video conferencing, the DM8000 is designed for installation in boardrooms, council chambers, courtrooms and more. It delivers seamless integration with computer based conferencing systems, audio networking via USB, and the 1U rack mount chassis can also be remote controlled using built-in Ethernet and RS232 ports.

The DM8000 provides a massive audio toolkit, empowering users to create the ideal custom configuration for any application. With free DSP Designer software containing a comprehensive library of processing modules, the entire signal and processing structure can be compiled on a PC and then run into the DM8000's robust DSP

Switzerland - At the upcoming ISE 2017 in Amsterdam, Audio over IP pioneer Barix will update its Audio Signage platform with free firmware to deliver multiple audio tracks to single- or multi-screen digital signage installations. Barix will exhibit at Stand 8-N270 in the RAI Exhibition and Conference Centre.

The Barix Audio Signage platform helps businesses and visitor attractions deliver audio associated with digital signage to mobile phones over a local Wi-Fi connection. The firmware update will run on a standard Barix Exstreamer Store & Play unit as opposed to an expensive PC-based system that is complicated to manage. The firmware is available for download at www.barix.com/downloads.

The updated Barix Audio Signage solution works for any location where digital signage needs the additional boost of streamed audio to effectively deliver its message. Though previously sim

UK - Allen & Heath has revealed dLive C Class, a new compact range of surfaces and MixRacks which opens up its dLive platform to a wider spectrum of AV, installation and live event roles.

dLive C Class is founded on XCVI, the same 96kHz FPGA core which drives Allen & Heath's flagship dLive S Class mixers, and also shares its DEEP processing architecture, allowing class-leading compressors and processing emulations to be embedded directly within the inputs and mix channels. The new range includes the first 19" rack mountable dLive surface, the ultra-compact C1500.

There are three new MixRacks in the series - CDM32, CDM48 and CDM64, plus three new control Surfaces, the 19" rack mountable C1500, C2500 and twin screen C3500. The MixRacks house the XCVI Core, providing capacity for 128 inputs with full processing and 16 dedicated stereo FX returns, plus a fully configurable 64

The Netherlands - Although the expectations of house of worship (HoW) sound are now much higher than in the past, those mixing it are usually keen amateurs. The recent installation of a Yamaha TF3 digital mixing console in a Rotterdam church demonstrates how the TF series is an appropriate solution, featuring all the necessary audio tools in a very easy-to-use format.

The Seventh Day Adventist church in Rotterdam, Netherlands, is a triangular-shaped, typical mid-to-late 20th century HoW building. As well as holding three services a week, it also has a very social function, working in close co-operation with the Salvation Army and the city's food bank.

The church has five voluntary sound engineers who, between them, cover the services. All have day jobs, with sound regarded as a serious hobby.

"I love doing sound for the church," says Raymond Nojodikromo, whose full-tim

UK - Soulsound is again hosting a four-day seminar programme that will explore Calibration & Design Techniques for Modern Sound Systems. The programme, which is aimed at intermediate and experienced sound engineers, will be held at The Crypt, Christchurch Spitalfields, Commercial Street, London.

Presented by experienced sound and system engineer, Merlijn van Veen, the seminars are intended to remove the 'magic' surrounding sound systems. They will provide participants with the means and physical insight necessary to create predictable sound system designs, regardless of brand and type of speaker, and then verify the results using the dual channel FFT analyser (SIM 3, SMAART v7, SysTune, etc.).

Merlijn will thoroughly investigate the complete transmission path from source to receiver in the acoustical, electrical and psycho-acoustical domains. He explains, "After completion

USA - Lectrosonics has announced that David Thomas, Lawrence E. Fisher and David Bundy will receive a 2017 Academy Award for Technical Achievement, for advancing the state of wireless microphone technology in the design, development and engineering of the Lectrosonics Digital Hybrid Wireless System. Presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Technical Achievement Academy Awards recognise contributions of significant value to the process of making motion pictures.

In giving the award, the Academy recognised the individuals who developed the Lectrosonics Digital Hybrid Wireless System for advancing "the state of wireless microphone technology by developing a method to digitally transmit full-range audio over a conventional analogue FM radio link, reducing transmitter size, and increasing power efficiency."

"We are so delighted to see our engin

Going La La - Hollywood musical La La Land has broken the record for the most Golden Globe Awards, winning seven prizes. It won every award it was nominated for - including best musical or comedy film, best director, screenplay, score and song.

The ceremony featured several references to Mr Trump - not least when Meryl Streep launched an attack on the US President-elect while accepting the Cecil B Demille award for outstanding contribution to entertainment. Streep referred to Trump's mocking of a disabled reporter and said, "Disrespect invites disrespect, violence incites violence. And when the powerful use their position to bully others we all lose." The Golden Globe Awards, which are run by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, honour the best in TV and film from the past year.

With or Without You - U2 will celebrate the 30th anniversary of their seminal

UK - VDC Trading, one of the UK's main distributors of Van Damme cabling, has announced that the Van Damme Tourlight Range of fibre cables has been approved by Neutrik for use in its opticalCON assemblies.

In addition to the product certification, VDC Trading has seen its Neutrik opticalCON Service Centre certification upgraded to the highest level of Class A COCA (Certified opticalCON Assembly), following continued investment in clean room facilities and training. VDC will now be able to offer Van Damme Tourlight II OM3 50/125 and OS1 9/125 Superior Fibre Solutions terminated with Neutrik connectors at optimal turnaround times, delivering a high speed, fibre optic solution to clients globally.

Paul Marchesi, VDC Trading general manager and Neutrik approved Class A Coca Assembler, comments, "We're delighted to have achieved the Neutrik COCA accreditation for the successful

Germany - B

UK - Voted one of the top two zoos in the UK, Colchester Zoo has a reputation for offering a magical experience for visitors young and old. Over 260 species including large beasts such as lions, elephants and giraffes, fish loving penguins and sea lions, and an endearing family of meerkats, live in 60 acres of beautiful parkland in the heart of Essex.

As well as the animal experiences, the zoo puts on a full calendar of events throughout the year, especially over the summer, half term and Christmas holiday seasons. 2016's pre-Christmas events included a fabulous light show, which required a high-quality sound system to add atmosphere and thrill the crowds.

Local audio integrator, Marks Tey Radio, has worked with the zoo over many years to enhance the visitor experience using audio. As a relatively new Bose Pro Partner, it has only recently been able to offer Bose products

UK - Set up amid the stunning architecture of historic London Road Fire Station in Manchester, UK, the Winter Gathering spans several weeks on either side of Christmas. The decommissioned station fills an entire block and has a massive courtyard at its centre, which the Winter Gathering populates with an ice skating rink, live music, and hip concessions and vendors.

The live music is a mixture of bands (of all genres), DJ sets, and quirky pop-up acts, like a Mannequin Challenge and a walkabout brass band that performs covers of famous 90s-era dance tunes (including, we're told, all the Manchester acid house classics!). It rents out for private parties as well, including one for the Manchester City soccer team. Local A/V integration and live sound company Neuron Pro Audio delivered impactful sound that didn't spill out to the streets beyond by using a sizable collection of Danl

USA - Fulcrum Acoustic, creators of high-performance professional loudspeaker technologies, has greatly enhanced manufacturing capacity and flexibility to meet a growing demand for their products. Fulcrum recently completed work on a new 35,000sq.ft facility in Whitinsville, Massachusetts to house their loudspeaker cabinet manufacturing, final assembly, shipping and warehousing operations.

"This expansion has been a massive undertaking but it's very gratifying to see it all come together," says Fulcrum Acoustic co-founder and vice president of R&D David Gunness. "The new space includes a precision woodshop featuring a state-of-the-art computer numerical control (CNC) router, as well as dedicated areas for secondary operations, cabinet assembly, finishing and painting. By closely aligning Fulcrum's engineering and manufacturing functions, the new workspace further enhances our

UK - Meyer Sound Leo Family reinforcement systems lay down a rock-solid sonic foundation for two of the hottest musicals playing on London's West End, Andrew Lloyd Webber's brash and energetic School of Rock and the soulfully scintillating Motown: The Musical. Both systems were provided by London-based Autograph Sound with logistical coordination by Scott Arnold.

The sound design for School Of Rock was by Mick Potter, whose credits include Les Miserables, The Phantom Of The Opera, Evita, Cats, Miss Saigon and Sunset Boulevard among many other notable productions. For the London design, Potter tweaked the system template he created in 2015 for the still-running Broadway production, with both systems anchored by main left and right hangs each comprising 10 Lyon-W wide coverage line array loudspeakers.

"The linear

South Africa - CODA Audio's South African distributors Tadco have sold the first AiRAY system on the African continent to leading rental company Virtual Productions. Virtual were already enthusiastic users of a CODA ViRAY system, which they have owned since 2013 and felt that the purchase of an AiRAY system was a natural progression. The South African market differs in many respects from that found in the UK, Europe and the US, in that there is no real established scheduled touring circuit. As a consequence, the challenges presented to Virtual Productions are highly diverse and demand a high degree of flexibility and adaptability.

Victor Van Graan, Production Manager Virtual Productions comments: "We provide every technical service to a very wide range of events and in terms of staging and lighting provision we felt able to cover every base. In terms of audio, we felt a little

UK - OHM (UK) has named Kaushal Garg as its new director of sales for Middle East and Africa. In his position, Mr Garg will be responsible for overseeing all sales activities in the regions, supporting OHM UK's existing legacy and expansion in these markets.

Mr Garg brings more than 20 years of experience in the professional audio industry, having begun his career with Bose in 1998 growing through the ranks from technical manager, national sales manager, to divisional manager. Kaushal has also worked with Harman Pro where he managed sales at a national level, developing strategy that grew business to new heights, before moving up to the position of divisional manager-Middle East and Africa at Bose Professional.

"OHM (UK) has a reputation for quality, British manufactured products with innovative design, clearly understanding the evolving requirements of the pro audio marke

The Netherlands - Powersoft is set to plug an important gap in its multi-channel installation series. A new series will make its debut at ISE 2017 on the stand of its Dutch distribution partner, Ampco Flashlight Sales (# 7-K180).

Powersoft will throw a party on the opening day to toast the new arrival, inviting media, integrators and partners to join in the celebration. The party will start from 4pm onwards and is based on the key concept: 4 Human Integration, which will be spread over a video, graphics and T-shirt.

Full details will be announced nearer the time, but suffice it to say that Powersoft's trademark technology - including switch-mode power supply with power factor correction, smart rail management and bridgeable switch mode fixed frequency Class D output circuit topology - will all be in evidence.

Not content with this, Powersoft will also occupy an

USA - At NAMM 2017, Sennheiser and Neumann will expand their live performance and monitoring portfolios with the introduction of several new products.

Visitors to Hall A, Booth No. 6577, will be the first to see the Sennheiser XS Wireless 1 and XS Wireless 2 radio microphone series, as well as the Neumann KH 80 DSP monitoring loudspeaker. Sennheiser will also be launching the new HD 200 Pro headphones, alongside new frequency variants for the evolution wireless 300 G3 and 500 G3 series for the USA and Canada.

While exploring the latest tools for the stage and the (mobile) studio, visitors will be able to enjoy a wealth of live performances at the booth.

NAMM 2017 will see Sennheiser launch XS Wireless 1, a series of six wireless microphone sets for the budget-conscious user looking for exceptional ease of use and fast set-up. The audio specialist will also preview XS W

The Netherlands - Martin Audio will take its new BlacklineX passive series to ISE 2017 - its first journey to mainland Europe.

It will form not only the main focus of the static stand display but will also be a central cog in the now familiar demo room experience.

The manufacturer will host hour-long product showcases daily in the E104 Audio Demo Room, close to Hall 10, with two on the final day. These will run at 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 5pm, 7-9 February and 11am and 1pm on the 10 February.

Originally announced back in October last year, BlacklineX represents a reinvention of the original multi-purpose Blackline Series, launched in 1999. This immediately found favour not only as installation boxes in nightclubs, bars, commercial spaces and Houses of Worship, but also as portable sound reinforcement and stage monitoring solutions for live bands, DJ's and corporate events.

The Netherlands - Ampco Flashlight Rental, has employed the Allen & Heath dLive S Class digital mixing system from its hire stock for two major TV production series, Holland's Got Talent and Idols Holland.

For both programmes, the dLive system, comprising the flagship S7000 Surface and DM64 MixRack, was running the complete FOH setup. This included all of the contestant live acts and vocalists, as well as the shows' bands, which involved up to 40 channels. Commentary from the presenters and celebrity jury is also mixed through dLive.

Both programmes were produced by Blue Circle at the Mediarena TV studio in Amsterdam.

"The Ampco team involved in the shows are very happy with dLive's transparent preamps and sonic quality," comments Rogier van Ganzewinkel, project manager at Ampco Flashlight Rental. "The engineers particularly like the interface and flexibl

The Netherlands - Audinate is running its popular Certification Programme as part of this year's Dante AV Networking World for ISE 2017. Now in its seventh year, AV Networking World is the one of the most popular education events at ISE, showcasing the benefits of audio networking for commercial installation.

The programme includes training for new and advanced Dante users, a general session covering emerging trends pertinent to the future of Audio over IP networking for professional audio systems, and Level 1 and Level 2 Dante Certification.

The all-day event, which takes place on 6 February in Rooms G104 and G105 at the Amsterdam RAI, will adopt the two-track format successfully introduced this past year at InfoComm, ensuring valuable training and education benefits for both novices and experienced Dante customers.

Upon conclusion, all attendees are invited to reconv

Latest Issue. . .