Bahrain - A daily crowd of over 10,000 came together at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir for the 2016 edition of the annual BIC National Day Festival. The event, which ran from 14-17 December at the circuit featured the Kingdom of Bahrain's biggest fireworks display and performances from major Arabic stars including Khalid Fouad and Abdallah Al Rowaished.

Bahrain's Maestro Sound & Light provided audio production services for the festival and technical director Kiran Tauro decided that, considering the event's prestige and elite list of performers, an Adamson Systems Engineering solution was the right sound choice.

"For the crucial mid-high requirements of Arabic artists these days, the choice of PA was obvious," touts Tauro. "We all leaned towards the Adamson E15, which in my opinion has the best possible mid-high performance than any other box on the market. Co

USA - HK Audio has unveiled Lucas Nano 602, the latest and most affordable member of their Lucas Nano 600 series of professional, portable PA systems.

Lucas Nano 602 is a compact PA for any musician or DJ who prefers to use their own external mixer. Featuring one stereo input, it delivers the Lucas Nano family's standard "professional sound to go", and can be set up for its optimized use as a 2.1 stereo system in seconds. It also combines easily and quickly with any other 600 series Nano to form a powerful Twin Stereo system where even more power is required.

Weighing in at just 16.3 kg/36 lbs, Lucas Nano 602 can be transported in just one hand, with the satellites mounted inside the subwoofer. And despite its small size, it houses a number of g HK Audio technologies. These include the Multicell Transformer, which delivers the quality performance of a large high-frequency

USA - At the 2017 Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, Shure has announced GLX-D Advanced Digital Wireless products and accessories. The latest addition to the GLX-D Digital Wireless line, the new GLX-D Advanced Digital Wireless is an enhanced suite of products, including the GLX-D Advanced Frequency Manager, rack mount receiver system, remote antennas, and accessories.

Whether used to outfit live and event venues, educational institutions or auditoriums with multiple wireless system requirements, GLX-D Advanced Digital Wireless products provide the best-sounding, easiest multi-system wireless experience, says the company.

GLX-D Advanced creates the opportunity for to benefit from notable GLX-D features, including exceptional digital audio, automatic frequency management, and intelligent rechargeable batteries. Using the new Frequency Manager, GLX-D Advanced users can seamlessly a

Europe - Allen & Heath's dLive S Class digital mixing system has become the mixer of choice for Travis's FOH engineer, Jon Lewis, following several months of extensive touring.

The band embarked on a European tour in May 2016 to promote its new album, Everything At Once. The tour was followed by dates on the worldwide festival circuit, finishing in December with a run of arena gigs back in the UK.

"I was very excited about getting to take the dLive out on tour," explains Lewis. "The first thing I noticed about the dLive is the quality of the pre-amps. Travis use a lot of acoustic guitars throughout the set, both 6 string and 12 string, and with the dLive pre-amps the amount of detail and warmth you get is incredible. It really allows you to push certain instruments in a mix that you couldn't do with a lesser quality preamp."

Lewis specified a S7000 Surface with

UK - When the profits from a 1400-capacity, multi-room venue are used to provide opportunities for young people, it needs to maximise revenue by attracting the highest possible calibre of performers and clients. This is the case at the OPEN Youth Trust in Norwich, where a new investment in Yamaha digital mixers has ensured it has the technical specification to match its ambitions.

Founded in 2005, OPEN aims to make a difference to seven to 25 year olds through support and a wide range of free activities. Money for delivering these is raised through its multipurpose venue, based in a 50,000 ft2 former bank building, which hosts live music, conferences and other events.

The venue first opened its doors in 2009, with the original audio system based around Yamaha M7CL and LS9 digital consoles.

"It was important for us to have mixers that were flexible and visiting engineer

UK - Source Distribution has taken on the exclusive distributorship of Vicoustic - a leading provider of acoustic treatment panelling and products - for the UK.

Vicoustic was founded in Portugal, 2007, by César Carapinha, with the aim to pioneer market-leading acoustic treatment products that combined outstanding performance with the highest quality materials and attractive, modern design. The company has gone from strength to strength, with Vicoustic clients currently including the BBC, ITV, Sony, Microsoft, the SAE Institute and many more.

Vicoustic products cater for multiple market sectors which include music and broadcast, home cinema, and building and construction, offering complementary and unique products in each, available in multiple colours to suit the broadest range of environmental installations. Vicoustic has invested in building integration on an inte

UK - PLASA Focus Glasgow kicked off the 2017 show season unveiling exciting new product launches and UK debuts including: EM Acoustics' ESP-8 and IC range, Allen & Heath's new dLive C1500 on SSE's stand, RCF's TT45-CXA touring and theatre series, Area Four's EXE Rise 500kg electric chain hoist, and ETC's new AV version of the Color Source desk.

The show, taking place at the SECC in Glasgow, attracted a record number of visitors on day one, hosting packed seminar sessions - including Phil Ward's panel entitled Is Point Source Fighting Back - and the Riggers Forum.

Chris Toulmin, director of PLASA Events says: "PLASA Focus Glasgow has gathered fantastic momentum in the Scottish region, attracting industry support from likes of the BBC, Department of International Trade and The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The buzzing show floor is further testament for the thrivin

Italy - Powersoft has announced escalated efforts for the division responsible for the Deva family of products. With immediate effect, Karl Kahlau, one of the company's most senior and experienced managers, relinquishes his post as regional sales account manager (EMEA and India) to head the new initiative as executive director, Deva.

The heavy focus on Deva has been brought about to maximise the potential of an industry-unique IoT product, encapsulating a wide array of technical and functional features. The core of the system is a fully captive self-powered audio system, a high-definition video camera, a motion-sensor for triggering various functions and a high-powered LED light for night surveillance.

Kahlau, along with the Powersoft Deva team, will set out to reform the global sales and support organisation for the product. Preparations for the next step in Deva's evolut

USA - Dynaudio PRO has announced its latest addition to the LYD studio monitor range. The new LYD 48 features a three-way speaker design, coupling an 8" and a 4" woofer with a 1" tweeter, making them well suited for nearfield as well as midfield monitor applications. It will be available as white and black, as the original LYD range, but also in a classic all-black version.

"We are very excited to now add a bigger brother to the LYD range," says Sebastian Rodens, product manager for Dynaudio's PRO division. "This new three-way monitor shares many of the same benefits as the original LYD range, including significant low-volume precision. Obviously, the new three-way is even more powerful and brings audio precision to your passion regardless of whether you produce electronic music, rock, jazz, classical or any other genre - and at any listening volume."

Each of the woofers a

USA - At NAMM 2017, Auralex Acoustics kicked off the celebrations to mark its 40th anniversary. As part of this landmark event, Auralex will be offering special limited-edition commemorative products, exclusive value-added rebates, and other surprises for loyal Auralex dealers and end users.

Eric Smith, company founder and president, began the Auralex journey in 1977. He recalls, "I was 17 years old, and I applied for a job at the number-one FM radio station in Indiana, a powerhouse 50,000-Watt operation. I became acutely aware of how poor the acoustics in the control room were, just as they were in other radio facilities I found myself in subsequently.

"At the same time, I had a mobile and nightclub DJ business, where I was designing DJ systems. I was using a well-known acoustical treatment for these DJ rigs, but it would crumble, falling onto the records as they were spi

USA - In conjunction with the release of the new 3124V, API has announced its new 3124MV Microphone Preamp. The 3124MV is essentially the same unit as the 3124mb+, but it provides two important additional features. First, the 3124MV offers front panel Variable Output Level Control, an extremely valuable addition given today's professional workflow. "This is a feature long requested by the pro audio community, and we're happy to provide it in the 3124MV," says API's president Larry Droppa.

Second, the 3124MV adds a switchable 3:1 output transformer selection, also on the front panel. "The 3:1 Output Transformer selection switch allows the user to alter how much gain comes from the different stages," explains API's director of engineering Todd Humora. "Do you want more transformer gain, or do you want more 2520 gain, or both? You can choose exactly what you prefer, and then use

USA - At NAMM 2017, Audio-Technica displayed its ATM350a Microphone Systems. Offering crisp, clear, well-balanced response even in very high SPL applications, the ATM350a Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphone comes in six specially designed systems that provide discreet, rock-solid mounting solutions for a host of instruments, including woodwinds, strings, brass, percussion, drums and piano.

Following in the footsteps of the popular ATM350, the ATM350a is capable of handling 159 dB max SPL, a 10 dB increase over its predecessor. This allows the mic to cope with an even greater range of extremely powerful, dynamic sound sources. Like the ATM350, the new mic features a cardioid polar pattern that reduces side and rear pickup and protects against feedback. The mic's in-line power module incorporates a switchable 80 Hz hi-pass filter to help control undesired ambient noise.

Chile - Forty thousand fans attend a special music event in the National Stadium of Chile, in Santiago. This was the tenth year of La Cumbre del Rock, a festival which celebrates the rock music of Chile, with nearly 40 of its best artists appearing live at the emblematic venue.

Real Audio, the up-and-coming dynamic PA supplier, provided Nexo STM Series modular line array systems to service the 2-stage event. The production values were very strong - with the side-by-side stages, the distance between left and right PA arrays was 60m, so a powerful Nexo STM system with a centre column was designed by Real Audio owner Claudio Valencia Diaz and his main engineer Christian Carre

USA - EAW has named Louie King marketing & communications manager. King is tasked with managing EAW's worldwide marketing initiatives including advertising, branding, communications and digital marketing.

The announcement was made by Adam Shulman, director of marketing and applications engineering. Shulman explains, "Louie brings a wealth of experience to this position with his diverse background in marketing. I know he will use his more than 20 years of experience to expand EAW's brand and visibility worldwide."

Prior to joining EAW, King served as director of marketing at the Brain Injury Association of MA and was project manager for Metropolitan Life Insurance company. King received his MBA from the University of Phoenix and completed his undergraduate work at Atlantic Union College.

"I am very excited to join the incredibly talented group of individuals that make u

The Netherlands - Genelec will be showcasing its audio-over-IP (AoIP) solution on stand 3-A119 at Integrated Systems Europe 2017. Genelec will demonstrate an array of its 8430A IP studio monitors using an AES67 stream, which will be played through multiple AoIP-systems using Ravenna, LiveWire+ and Dante protocols. The showcase will allow visitors to get to grips with the technology and highlight the flexibility offered by Genelec's solution.

"At Genelec we feel that it is important to highlight the real-life benefits of the 8430A IP and the open standard AES67, and what it now offers," says Siamäk Naghian, managing director, Genelec. "AoIP has been a hot topic in the industry for years and we are excited to now be able to fully de

Germany - German music industry powerhouses HK Audio and König & Meyer are joining forces from 2017. HK Audio's renowned range of pro audio systems will - as of spring 2017 - benefit from a range of accessories tailor-made in Germany by König & Meyer.

The first available product is the Stereo Stand Add-On option for the compact Lucas Nano 600 series systems, which was introduced at the 2017 Winter NAMM show in Anaheim last week, with more to follow over the coming months.

France - Two of France's top sound engineers, Laurent Midas and Stéphane Plisson, have both adopted Allen & Heath's dLive digital mixing system as their mixer of choice. Both engineers selected dLive S Class systems, comprising the flagship S7000 Surfaces and DM64 MixRacks, for the live tour of TV show, Dancing with the Stars.

"The first word that comes to mind is 'modern',"says monitor engineer, Laurent Midas. "The menu and surface designs are really effective, and being able to simply drag 'n drop your own layout is a no-brainer. The system has amazing processing power - we PFL 300 or 400 times a show but switching is so quick and transparent, and if you want to save a show, it's done in seconds! Latency is very important for in-ear monitors, and dLive is three or four times less than other consoles, so that the singer perceives no delay at all."

The 28-dat

Australia - Country superstar Keith Urban had the honour of being the first artist to headline the International Convention Centre Sydney's (ICC Sydney) entertainment theatre.

Although the venue is equipped with a d&b audiotechnik PA system, Keith is a long time Clair account and so JPJ Audio provided their new Clair Cohesion PA system, purchased just in time for Keith's Australian Ripcord Tour.

Seamless integration within the Cohesion Series, assures uniform coverage in multiple venues regardless of acoustic challenges or sightlines. The Series provides higher output, reference quality sound within a smaller footprint; in truck space and in the air.

Keith's FOH engineer Kirk Kelsey has mixed for a wide variety of acts including Live, Creed, Three Doors Down, and The Smashing Pumpkins. He readily admits that he has been blown away by the Cohesion Series.

"The new C

UK - Elaine Paige has just completed her sold-out Stripped Back" UK tour to rapturous reviews. Fans were treated to an intimate experience with just a five-piece band, a microphone and her. Delta Sound supplied all the audio equipment for the tour (stage, control, monitor FoH and PA systems) including a substantial HALO-C system of up to 33 boxes depending on the venue.

According to Delta's Stephen Hughes who managed the equipment supply, a main PA system wasn't initially specified on the tour. However, it quickly became apparent that the house systems were woefully inadequate for Elaine, and so Delta recommended a HALO-C system from EM Acoustics as the best solution.

"The rigging in many of the venues wasn't suitable for a full PA so we mostly ended up ground-stacking the system with around five or six boxes per side and then a number of HALO-C elements as front fill and

Forever Young - Petula Clark will make her UK festival debut at Fairport Convention's Cropredy Festival on Friday 11 August. "We're really proud to be the first British festival that Petula has played," says Fairport bassist and Cropredy co-organiser Dave Pegg. "I saw her show in Birmingham recently and it blew me away - she is a wonderful live performer. I was surprised how many of her hits I knew and her contemporary songs are really great too. Our audience will love her, I'm sure."

Also lined up for the Oxfordshire event is The Trevor Horn Band. The producer will front a 14-piece all-star band featuring fellow producers Steve Lipson and Lol Creme. The setlist will be packed with songs the trio have produced - between them they've had over 200 hit singles - and there may be guest appearances from some of the musicians they have worked with.

Dark Times Ahead - Gori

The Netherlands - Cymatic Audio has announced the addition of Dante compatibility to the AudioLan option card for the uTrack24 multitrack recorder, player and interface.

The AudioLan option card is the ultimate audio networking solution for uTrack24, bypassing the need for expensive infrastructure with proprietary routers and switchers. Natively supporting RAVENNA as well as the new AES67 standard, the AudioLan card enables you to integrate your uTrack24 seamlessly into RAVENNA environments as well as any other AES67-compliant networks

Cymatic Audio continues to enhance connectivity options with the imminent release of a firmware update specifically targeting integration into AES67-compliant Dante networks and the management of its AES67-streams directly in the Dante connection manager.

Thanks to AudioLan you can feed 24 channels from the audio network (be it RAVENNA,

UK / USA - This year, DiGiCo celebrates 15 years of manufacturing digital mixing consoles. It has enjoyed phenomenal success, with the D5 Live establishing both the company and the concept of digital mixing. The SD Series followed, delivering a powerful new way of working, with the flagship SD7 becoming the market leader. In 2015, it launched the affordable S Series with a new, modern workflow. In 2016, it introduced Stealth Core 2 software, which multiplied the power of the SD range of consoles exponentially. Now, at the very beginning of 2017, it has unveiled Project Vulcan, the new SD12.

The SD12 is the culmination of everything that DiGiCo has learned over the last decade and a half and encapsulates the best features of both the SD and S Series. Utilising the latest generation of Super FPGA, it is compact in size, but delivers the power and capability that is now synonymou

USA - Nashville-based mobile production specialist TNDV recently gave back to its community on a project that hit close to home, delivering turnkey production services for country music superstar Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountains Rise telethon to aid families affected by the Great Smoky Mountain wildfires that began in late November. Working within an extraordinarily short timeline, TNDV provided production and uplink trucks, equipment, crews and expertise while managing all key video, audio and lighting elements for the live television event.

The fires in Tennessee's Sevier County burned over 17,000 acres, claimed 14 lives, and damaged or destroyed more than 2,000 homes and businesses. Parton, who grew up in the area and whose Dollywood theme park was near the edge of the blaze, quickly established the My People Fund to help victims of the devastation. On 13 December, the three-

USA - Located near Madison Square Garden and Penn Station, Stout has been a post-game and post-work staple for Midtown New Yorkers for over a decade. Patrons spread out across three floors (Stout is arguably the largest Irish pub in the United States' largest city!) and dip deep into an extensive beer and gastro menu. Recently, NYC's Starview Satellite replaced Stout's rack of tired, failing amplifiers with fresh, powerful, energy-efficient Ashly nX-Series multi-channel amplifiers.

"In terms of power density, nothing can beat Ashly's well-engineered amplifiers," said Rich Trombitas, regional sales & product manager with A/V manufacturers rep firm Cardone, Solomon & Associates (CS&A). Trombitas recommended the Ashly amplifiers and assisted Starview Satellite with the design and logistics.

He continued, "Moreover, Ashly's nX-series multi-mode amplifiers are especially flexib

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