Australia - Originally built in 1892 as a brewery and malting works, building in Southbank, Melbourne has been the home of the Malthouse Theatre since 1990, when Carlton and United Breweries donated the space for the creation and presentation of contemporary Australian theatre. Today, the thriving theatre presents mainly cabarets and musicals, but also plays, conferences and seminars.

In early 2016, the audio system at The Coopers Malthouse, which was over 10 years old, was due for a technical upgrade. The venue is run as a non-profit organisation, so budget was a major criterion in the choice of a system. The Coopers Malthouse consists of three theatres (with respective seating capacities of 500, 200 and 100), rehearsal studios, meeting rooms, a bar and a café. Seating configurations in each theatre change depending on the performance criteria, so the new system also n

Italy - Clonwerk Simposium recently equipped the Italian headquarters of Bosch in Milan with a customized sound reinforcement system from Dynacord and Electro-Voice (EV). The installed solution offers a combination of high speech intelligibility, powerful music reproduction and architecture-friendly aesthetics. Loudspeakers from the Dynacord Vertical Array family and the EV EVID series are installed in the auditorium and adjoining Galileo Room, as well as subwoofers, amplifiers, system control and touchpanels.

Over a century ago, Bosch opened its first sales office for Italy in Milan. Today the company has over 5,700 employees at 17 locations across the country. In time for the Expo World Fair 2015, Milan-based Clonwerk Simposium installed a new Dynacord and Electro-Voice sound system in the Bosch headquarters of Italy, which is located in the capital of Lombardy to this day.<

Russia - Renowned sound engineer, Robert Biom, specified a dLive digital mixing as the FOH console for a national tour by popular Russian pop artist, Leonid Agutin.

As Agutin's long standing sound engineer, Robert Biom has previously used Allen & Heath's iLive system but has taken the new dLive system on the latest venture, which is visiting 25 cities and towns across Russia throughout February, March and April.

The system comprises an S7000 Control Surface with DM64 MixRack at FOH, with an iLive-T80 Control Surface and iDR-32 MixRack as the monitor system.

"After more than 20 gigs with dLive I can say that this system has an amazing sound and limitless functionality," comments Biom. "I believe that in every respect, from sound to appearance, it is equal to the best modern touring digital mixing systems but unlike most of them, dLive is also reasonably priced.

"The

UK - PLASA Focus Leeds returns to the Royal Armouries 10-11 May with its popular seminar programme offering a variety of thought provoking topics from leading organisations in the live entertainment technology industry. The two-day free to attend seminar programme will welcome inspirational and technical sessions from the likes of Soulsound, Association of Lighting Designers (ALD), BECTU and d&b audiotechnik.

This year, the ever-popular seminar programme offers practical guidance for industry professionals with early highlights including multiple sessions from Soulsound as Justin Grealy hosts A Sound Engineer's Guide to Guitars and Guitarists and Dug Gutherie (Soulsound / Surfing Cow) looks in-depth at Category Cables for Touring Applications. Steve Jones from d&b's Education and Application Support team will present Why Size Matters exploring how loudspea

Germany - RCF again registered outstanding success at this year's Frankfurt Prolight+Sound where they showcased a wide range of products.

At one end of the spectrum, this included their new HDL 53-AS active high-power bass module as well as the HDL 50-A and SUB 9007-AS large format line array rig, which was on active demo outside in the Live Sound Arena, to the new M18 digital mixer in the demo booth, where it ensured the amazing voice of Valentina Petrossi was heard to perfection.

There were also plenty of other new system previews which ensured that traffic on the large stand remained constant throughout the four days. Summing up the show, RCF general manager, Fausto Incerti, stated, "This was a particularly successful show for RCF - and the perfect opportunity to launch several new products, both in the pro and in the mixing console lines.

"We received a lot of posi

UK - Tascam is releasing the SD-20M 4-track recorder for installation. An affordable solution for conference centres, schools and houses of worship, the SD-20M provides reliable and straightforward recording for various locations, says the company.

The SD-20M is a simple-to-use solid-state recorder at "a breakthrough price". Featuring stereo RCA line-inputs on the rear, the 1-U rackmount includes a pair of microphone preamps with phantom power for direct microphone recording. Both the mic inputs and line inputs can be recorded simultaneously in four-track mode. Using the dual recording mode, users can capture a copy of the audio at a lower level, as an insurance against distorted takes.

The SD-20M includes a battery backup system: AA batteries can keep recording for hours in case of power loss. A wired remote or footswitch can be attached to control recording and playback,

Germany - At its press briefing at Prolight+Sound, Cadac unveiled a number of new hardware and software developments for its CDC consoles and MegaCOMMS audio network. These were the CDC MC Optical Bridge, CDC MC AES3 Stagebox and CDC MC Router software application, and CDC Console V3.01 Software. These were all trailed ahead of the press briefing. Previously unannounced was the new CDC six and eight offline editor.

CDC Offline Editor mirrors the CDC six and CDC eight consoles operating software with an identical Graphical User Interface, enabling full offline functionality within a Mac® based software package.

With the ability to edit and save all key operating parameters, and drag and drop capabilities - precisely as on the CDC consoles' touch screen - it is an essential preparatory tool; facilitating the creation of, and editing and amendment of pre-existing, show fi

Germany - A permanently installed Meyer Sound Constellation acoustic system at Hamburg's Stage Operettenhaus is currently supporting Love Never Dies ( Liebe Stirbt Nie), the musical sequel to the long-running The Phantom of the Opera. Lloyd Webber's longtime sound designer Mick Potter uses Constellation's acoustical effects throughout the show to optimize the aural experience for the audience.

"The Operettenhaus is a very dry sounding theatre, so we're using short reverb time presets throughout the show to add a beautiful, natural acoustic ambience to the room," says Potter. "We also use Constellation to enhance the drama by completely changing the acoustical space, like when we use longer reverb times for scenes in the phantom's lair and shorter ones for outdoor scenes."

In addition to transforming the theatre's acoustics to suit each scene, Constella

UK - A bright sunny April day saw the 6th Annual Behind the Scenes UK Charity Golf Day kick off in normal chaotic style. The morning started with all 20 teams having to pass the BTS Golf Academy before being let loose on a proper golf course with real balls. The teams had to negotiate the four crazy golf putt putt holes, swiftly followed by the driving range and 'nearest to the pin' challenge. This being a BTS Golf Day the challenges are never normal and these tasks involved the golf balls being replaced for marshmallows. Surprisingly some of the golfers chose to keep using the marshmallows on the main 18 holes as their game suddenly improved with straighter and longer shots!

A networking lunch was rounded off with final instruction from BTS Golf Day judge, jury and executioner, Lee Dennison. The teams departed to their holes and the game was afoot. Never one to let people enj

UK / USA - "We really can't tell you how this saved our home and family." "For everybody who contributes to Behind the Scenes, thank you. You helped save my life." "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness and generosity at a time in my life when I needed it the most."

Without the help of Behind the Scenes, these people - and many more - would have been in real financial difficulties as a result of illness or injury. By Design Day, a major fundraiser for the charity, is being held this year on Saturday, 23 April. It is the day for members of the design community to make a personal donation, hold a collection at work or support the day by giving a day's royalties.

Raising money for Behind the Scenes in both North America and the UK, By Design Day returns this year supported by a galaxy of well-known champions. Neil Austin, Ken Billington, Paule Constable, R

UK - London-based event company Capital Sound has made its first investment in Powersoft's patented advanced technology, investing in 24 of the new X8 amplifiers to power its new Outline GTO line array system.

Both the Outline GTO C-12 line array and the Powersoft amplifiers were supplied by UK distributors CUK Audio, while this compelling combination also reflects the long OEM trading relationship the two Italian manufacturers have enjoyed, dating back to 1996

Said Capital Sound project manager, Robin Conway, "We have friends in the industry who have long promoted Powersoft and when we set up a demo at O2, and CUK Audio showed us the X Series, it became a no-brainer. These new amplifiers are just so powerful, compact and clever, with a ridiculous amount of features.

"At O2 we were able to drive the majority of the demo rig off just three amplifiers," he continued. "We

Germany - Yamaha enjoyed an award-winning presence at both Prolight+Sound and MusikMesse in early April, as the RIVAGE PM10 digital mixing system and four of the company's MI products won prestigious PIPA and MIPA awards.

The annual pro audio and MI industry decampment to Frankfurt saw a change for many exhibitors, with PrlLight+Sound exhibitors moved into new halls and the dates for the show and MusikMesse staggered. For Yamaha it was a highly successful week, with a busy presence at both shows that included a number of key product debuts.

The icing on the cake was provided by no less than five Yamaha products being winners at the third annual Prolight+Sound International Press Awards (PIPA) and 17th Musikmesse International Press Awards (MIPA).

Voted for by journalists from over 100 specialist publications, Yamaha Commercial Audio saw the RIVAGE PM10 digital mixing s

USA - DPA Microphones is showcasing its new linear version of the popular d:facto Handheld Microphone range at NAB 2016 (Booth C3336). The new mic is dubbed the d:facto Linear Vocal Microphone. DPA will also be highlighting the GM1600 Gooseneck - a new mount for its d:screet Omnidirectional Miniature Microphones.

Already the vocal microphone of choice for artists such as Sting and Stevie Wonder, the new version has an extremely linear frequency response compared to the original d:facto Vocal Microphone, which features a boost at 12kHz. The new d:facto is for sound engineers who prefer a truly uncoloured sound, giving them free range to EQ as much or as little as they see fit.

Featuring a new capsule with an isolation-optimized supercardioid polar pattern that is specifically designed to augment the human vocal range, the d:facto Linear Vocal Microphone combines the very be

Germany - Fohhn's award-winning Linea Focus series, with beam steering capabilities, is now equipped for networking via an Optocore fibre solution. A SANE-FX module is mounted directly inside the Linea Focus housing, enabling direct fibre connection to the speaker.

The Linea Focus series is often used in combination with the security and evacuation system (PAVA), for instance in railway stations, airports, tunnels and theatres. As the Optocore fibre network is a modern IT-based 'copper free' audio infrastructure, it fulfills all demands in this area, thus greatly simplifying installation in respect of security, weight and flame-retardant design.

Speaking of the collaboration, Fohnn CEO, Jochen Schwarz,said, "For some time now, our ongoing aim has been to achieve multi-channel digital connectivity for our speaker systems and compatibility to any major digital audio network.

Europe - BroaMan has announced a new version of its Route66 video router, now offering Auto Routing and an intelligent fibre patch bay.

This additional functionality is powered by Optocore, well known OEM provider of industry standards and formats, making it ideal not only for Installation (where there are multiple connection points, including mobile devices) but equally for Live Events or Broadcast. Optocore is a leading OEM manufacturer for audio networks, producing network modules for other manufacturers to connect their products to an advanced audio network.

The Auto Routing is compatible with Optocore and DiGiCo fibre loops, creating a redundant 'star' out of ring topology.

The Route66 Auto Router automatically discovers mobile and remote devices and closes the Optocore loop - this does not need to be carried out manually as the system is always redundant

The

UK - FBT UK is promising the UK debut of several brand new product ranges at this year's PLASA Focus, being held in Leeds on 10-11 May.

Leading the new arrivals will be FBT's Vertus CS1000 column line array which offers a modular, scalable system suitable for both live performance and installation applications. A biamplified design, the system comprises a long excursion 12" bass reflex subwoofer and a passive mounted satellite, linked via a Neutrik SPEAKON connector and equipped with six full-range neodymium 3" speakers. Onboard, the subwoofer is a Class-D, two channel amplifier, complete with a switch-mode power supply, delivering 600W RMS to the subwoofer and 400W RMS to the satellite, both of which are housed in birch plywood enclosures.

Also on show for the first time in the UK will be FBT's Ventis range of passive and active speakers - the Ventis 115a, 112a, 110a and

UK - One of the most successful companies to supply live audio systems to the UK's television production and music industries, Plus 4 Audio provides sound reinforcement for broadcast shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, The X-Factor, and The Voice. Their recent addition of an L-Acoustics K2 variable curvature line source system gives them a solution to the rising number of arena shows for television.

Plus 4 owner Stewart Chaney's history with L-Acoustics dates back to the 1990s, when he first heard the company's V-DOSC system. "I was just blown away by it," he says. "I was system engineer with it out in Spain for the first time and I think like most people when it was first on the market, I was amazed at what I was hearing. Adding the K2 means we've got pretty much every L-Acoustics product," says Stewart, "from the small coaxial boxes, and smaller line ar

Germany - DirectOut has awarded the trophies for Distributor of the Year 2015 and Outstanding Sales Performance 2015 to Joseph Electronics in the US and ProLyd in Norway respectively. Both companies performed extraordinarily well on behalf of DirectOut during 2015 and have started 2016 equally strongly.

Established over 65 years ago, Joseph Electronics has offices in both Illinois and California and represents over 100 premier brands in the broadcast and AV sectors. Particularly experienced in the burgeoning HDTV market, JE prides itself on being a full service solution provider offering dedicated sales and technical expertise at every stage of the project.

According to DirectOut's Jan Ehrlich, JE was an obvious choice for the Distributor of the Year award for 2015. "We've been with JE since 2010 and they have always shown stable and steady growth, both in terms of DirectO

The Netherlands - ELC Lighting has partnered with The Audio Specialists BV as its exclusive distributor of Green-GO products in The Netherlands.

The Audio Specialists BV is a leading provider of products and services to theatres, theme parks, sports stadiums and resort and leisure complexes as well as to re-sellers, rental companies and AV companies.

Silvio Cibien, sales manager for ELC Lighting commented, "I have every confidence that The Audio Specialists BV is the perfect fit for the Green-GO brand. The market for this innovative Green-GO range is versatile and we feel it is vital that we choose the best partners to take our products under their wing. The Audio Specialists BV already supports some of the leading names in the AV industry and we look forward to working together to drive the brand forward."

Axel Natgegaal, CEO, The Audio Specialists BV added, "Until no

South Africa - Johannesburg based rental company MGG Productions has added two new S21 Consoles with D2 racks to their existing DiGiCo arsenal. This was the very first DiGiCo sale for newly appointed South African distributors, DWR Distribution.

"We've chosen DiGiCo as it's the number one desk on all major tours in the market," commented Denzil Smith, general manager at MGG. "The S21 was introduced to cater for smaller events in the industry while maintaining the DiGiCo backbone. The S21 is versatile for everyday conferences and corporate events. It's perfect for when you don't need the big channel count but the full processing and equalizers."

Kyle Robson, the new DiGiCo sales and technical support "go to person" at DWR, was as pleased to ring the brass bell in the sales office. "The S21 is a console DiGiCo needed and fits in with what they do," said Kyle. "For MGG, it wi

UK - Situated between London's Kings Cross and The Angel, popular entertainment venue, The Lexington, has upgraded the sound reinforcement system in its downstairs lounge bar - with Martin Audio's popular new CDD series, which makes use of patented Coaxial Dispersion Driver technology.

Supplied by LMC Audio, the main PA in the American-themed bar comprises four CDD10 (10") mounted on four pillars, firing into the centre. These are supported by a pair of ultra-compact CDD5 (5") that will be used as DJ monitors, and a CSX212 (2 x 12") compact subwoofer which is also situated in the DJ booth. Managing and optimising the system is Martin Audio's dedicated DX0.5 controller.

The venue had decided that an upgrade had been necessary in its downstairs bar. Although a refurbishment had already taken place on both floors of the venue, owner Stacey Thomas sensed the need to invest in

Europe - When John Turner, Front of House engineer for Celtic rock band Runrig, was asked what console he would like to use on the band's recent sold out UK and European tour, his answer was instantaneous - A DiGiCo SD7.

Tour sound requirements were supplied by Denmark's Nordic Rentals, the company having worked with Runrig for a number of years.

"Nordic stocks DiGiCo and Martin Kolbro was using an SD10 at monitors," says John. "I knew they had an SD7 in their inventory, I hadn't used one before and I thought, why not? But then I had a look at the desk and got a little nervous - it can just do so much! - so I called my old friend Bob Doyle [one of DiGiCo's original founders] and he put me on to head office in Chessington. I spoke with Dave Bigg there and organised a day's training with him. By the time I left, I was rearing to go."

While he was with Dave, John took the

UK - Rossington Hall, a magnificent stately home of the 18th Century, originally named Shooters Hill and located on the Great North Road, Doncaster, South Yorkshire nears the completion of a complete restoration project. With plans to restore Rossington Hall to its former glory and having already created a wonderful wedding and events venue alongside a popular restaurant and hotel, the current owners of Rossington Hall also aim to add additional bedrooms to accommodate further guests.

Outside, the once hidden Italian sunken gardens, a lily pond and rose gardens have all been re-discovered and brought back to life, whilst inside the grand staircase entrance, drawing room, liibrary, dining room and ballroom have been transformed into elegant spaces suitable for private dining, parties and celebrations.

In keeping with the sumptuous furnishings and beautiful decor, the owners

Austria - D.A.S. Audio's Sound Force systems, designed for today's high-level dance venues, recently made their European debut at City Beats in Salzburg. Located in the historical and freshly renovated Sternbr

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