USA - Ravi Jakhotia, known professionally as DJ Ravidrums has been singing the praises of his AKG K181DJ headphones. "I'm very critical when it comes to headphones," he says. "It's something very personal because it's the sound you hear that puts you right there, in the moment."
AKG's K181DJ headphones work for Ravi because they were designed specifically to meet DJ requirements, says the company. "I love the way these headphones reflect what's going on in my mix," Jakhotia adds. "With other headphones I've tried, you can't get that deep low end and all the highs. These give me all I need for everything I've got going on. The sound is incredible."
UK - Christie Control Room rear screen DLP projectors proved they can go the distance and beyond at the AT&T Global Network Operations Centre (GNOC) in Bedminster, New Jersey. Clocking in at one million combined hours of uninterrupted 24/7 operation, the projectors have run with zero hardware failures. The results were confirmed by AT&T, which installed 141 Christie RPMSP-D120U rear projection systems almost ten months ago in the massive 83m wide by 4m high GNOC video display wall in the nerve centre of AT&T's world operations.
The hours are based on the projectors running non-stop from their first full day of operation in late August 2007 through June 17, 2008. The routine changing of the consumable components, some of which may have been replaced during this period, is part of the normal expected maintenance and is not counted.
USA - FiberPlex has announced that multiple LightViper digital audio transport systems were recently provided for the live ESPN and NBC Television broadcasts at the recent US Open Championship played at Southern California's Torrey Pines Golf Course. ESPN, which shared coverage of Monday's dramatic 19-hole playoff with NBC, garnered a 4.2 rating and was seen in more than 4 million households, making it the most-watched golf telecast in cable television history.
Kurt Heitmann, senior VP of marketing CP Communications and sister company Total RF Productions, explained his firm's use of the LightViper: "We furnished our clients, ESPN and NBC, each with two complete 32X8 LightViper fiber optic audio systems in our 'booth kits'. The audio run from the golf course to ESPN's SportsCenter golf set was around 5,000 ft., nearly a mile away. From this location, ESPN also handled their
Switzerland - The seventh annual Dance with the Wolf festival recently took place in Corbeyrier with Allen & Heath's iLive digital system managing monitor mixing.
The two day festival is a celebration of everything Celtic, with Celtic food, folk tales, dance and most importantly, music. The event hosted eight bands over the two days from Ireland, Brittany and Wales.
"I have managed monitors for the festival for several years and decided to use A&H's digital system this year," reports Roland Dupertuis, from Allen & Heath's Swiss distributor, Decibel SA.
Comprising an iDR10 stage rack and iLive-144 control surface, iLive managed a range of musicians playing a diverse range of instruments from electric guitars and bass, to harps, mandolins, bagpipes and accordions.
"All the musicians praised the sound quality on stage, and the scene recall is very fast
USA - D.A.S. Audio reports that All-star Audio Systems recently took delivery of a substantial D.A.S. Audio loudspeaker system. With offices in Smyrna, Tennessee and Merritt Island, Florida, All-star Audio Systems is a full-service sound, lighting, video, and staging design firm for corporate VIP events, live event marketing tours, concert tours, festivals, and other special events.
Over the last several months, All-star Audio has taken delivery of 24 D.A.S. Audio Aero 38A three-way, self-powered medium format line array elements, eight Aero 28A two-way, self-powered line array elements, four CA-215A mono-amplified arrayable subwoofers, and 16 Aero 218A high performance, powered subwoofers. Additionally, the firm took delivery of four PL-48 transport carts for the Aero 38As.
All-star Audio recently used their new D.A.S. equipment - with much success - during the Children's Mir
UK - Amid the continuing growth in membership and a broadening range of initiatives, this year's PLASA AGM and Lunch on 3 June saw a record turnout for the third year in succession, the Association reports.
Over 170 members and guests enjoyed a day in the glamorous surroundings of London's Hurlingham Club, where the AGM and members' questions were followed by a three-course lunch with a talk by renowned broadcaster John Humphrys.
In its fourth year as a combined AGM and Member Lunch, and its third at the Hurlingham Club, the event has grown into a major fixture on members' calendars and the growing demand for places means PLASA will almost certainly move to a larger, but equally special, venue for next year.
Members now see this as a prime opportunity to celebrate being part of an organisation that is moving the industry forward and to network with other members in relaxed s
Canada - Pacific West Sound Professional Audio and Design (PacWest), based in a newly constructed building in Bakersfield California, has made the decision to upgrade to an Adamson Y-Axis System.
Brent Milton, president and owner of PacWest explains: "It was a big, decision for us to add Adamson to our current inventory, but it gives us yet another means of meeting the demands of contemporary artists." PacWest currently has the largest inventory of Adamson Y-Axis in California which now includes 32 Y-10s and 16 T-21s.
PacWest had a busy year in the world of production, culminating with the New Year's Eve Together As One (TGA1) rave at the LA Sports Arena. This is the show in which PacWest decided to debut their new Adamson rig.
"2008 has been one of the most exciting and important years in our company's history; our output in all areas, production, desi
UK - Brähler ICS UK was selected by the International Coffee Organisation to replace the conference system at their London headquarters, which is also one of Cavendish Conference Venue's prime conference locations.
Based on Brähler's CDSVAN digital conference solution, the system is controlled by a powerful DSP card with all functions, routing and adjustments accessible via the CDSVAN software. This system was chosen because it is highly flexible and able to cope with multiple audio configurations. A sophisticated digital recording system is integrated, which automatically records and name-tags each individual speaker to an mp3 file as soon as their microphone is activated, and ends recording when the microphone is switched off. This allows for easier and faster transcription of the meeting, creates a running order for the meeting and eliminates the need for audio cassettes.
UK - Optocore devices were used again for the digital returns system on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury this year, sending multiple AES channels to stage processors and distributing them, as well as transporting the RS485 control signal.
Andy Huffer of Optocore's UK distributor, HD Pro Audio, explained the setup: "At FOH, the AES outputs from the Digidesign Profile console were sent to the Optocore DD32E device, with all digital devices locked to an external wordclock. The DD32E also received an RS485 input from an XTA DP226 processor located at FOH.
"These signals (both AES and RS485) were then sent to the Optocore DD32 device located on stage, and distributed. The AES signals were patched to multiple outputs via the Optocore internal matrix, allowing the same signal to be sent to multiple XTA DP226 processors where necessary - as in the case of the main PA hangs
Mexico - Among many things, the Mayan civilization is noted for its spectacular art and monumental architecture, and the archaeological site of Edzná, in the Mexican state of Campeche, now combines remarkable architecture with a newer form of art, illuminating the building with colourful light shows provided by by Philips LED solutions and technologies.
At this historical site, the most remarkable building is the main temple called Pirámide de los Cinco Pisos or the Pyramid of the Five Floors. Built on a platform 131ft (40m) high, the temple provides views for visitors of the surrounding countryside. Another breathtaking view occurs on Friday and Saturday evenings, when a multimedia spectacle called the "Light of the Itzáes" occurs, bringing to life to the ceremonial centre that flourished between the years 600 and 900 A.D.
UK - Reading based Blinding Light designed and supplied lighting and crew for the British Airways Flying Club 60th Anniversary Dinner at Wycombe Air Park, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire (AKA Booker Airfield).
British Airways Flying Club is one of the oldest flying clubs in Britain. It was originally formed in 1948 by employees of the then British European Airways (BEA) and British Overseas Aircraft Corporation (BOAC) with ex RAF Tiger Moths, named the Airways Aero Club.
The dinner for 900 guests was staged in one of the airfield's large hangars, which presented some major challenges for lighting, explained Blinding Light's Paddy Stacey who designed the system for the event. "We had to make the hangar look intimate and feel cozy with carefully thought through and understated lighting - a tall order in such a massive - and basically utilitarian - space designed for aircraft
USA - Industry members had the chance to relax and raise money for charitable causes during InfoComm 08. During its first joint show with InfoComm, NSCA hosted many of its popular events from previous NSCA Expos.
The Systems Integration Industry Charity Golf Tournament, host sponsored by Atlas Sound/IED, kicked off the week and raised money for the NSCA Education Foundation, the International Communications Industry Foundation, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
"We were extremely pleased with all the NSCA-sponsored events during InfoComm 08," said NSCA Education Foundation president, Tom Frericks. "Our mission is to support education for industry professionals, but the Foundation also supports other charitable causes through its fundraising events. We accomplished both in Las Vegas this year."
UK - The Event Safety Shop once again contributed to a safe and successful Glastonbury Festival. Health and Safety is at the forefront of festival planning, and this year saw important legislative developments - notably the Control of Noise at Work Regulations and the smoking ban; both of which affected the Festival for the first time.
TESS worked closely with Licensee Melvin Benn to develop policy and deliver practical controls to meet the needs of both pieces of legislation. Independent monitoring proved the measures were an outstanding success.
This year, TESS, used a new computerised file sharing system to improve the exchange of health and safety information between the Festival, contractors and service providers. The huge amount of documentation generated by the event - and the need to scrutinise safety information, insurances and so on means the easy sharing and retriev
UK - May saw the Global Day of Prayer, held outdoors at London's Millwall Football Club, New Den Stadium. The event aims to help people of any age apply the gospel and biblical teachings to their everyday life. The event featured a 200-piece choir backed by an orchestra and band that is exactly what some 15,000 happy worshipers encountered.
Sound and lighting responsibilities fell to the capable hands of the Reading-based Sound Foundation Ltd Group. Having previously done the 2007 Global Day of Prayer held at Upton Park, West Ham United's Football ground, Andy Barr from the event's organisers Pure Solutions had no hesitation in calling SFL again. Yamaha mixing consoles handled sound at both FOH and Monitor mixing duties. Two M7CL-48s where required, giving a total of 96 channels for FOH and a single PM5D took care of monitors. Mark Payne, SFL's technical director and co-founder,
UK - RCF has appointed The Warehouse as its new distributor for Scotland. The Warehouse, one of Scotland's leading audio distributors, representing some of worlds major sound products first made contact with RCF at Eventech, Glasgow. A subsequent meeting took place at RCF's offices and factory in Italy.
Warehouse sales director Derek Blair comments: "We have been aware of RCF's growing profile and were really impressed at their presentation at Frankfurt's Pro Light & Sound this year. Visiting the RCF Factory in Italy did give us the time to take a much closer look at the products and meet with the RCF team. We had already identified the need for another product line to complement our exciting stock and looking at what RCF had to offer it seemed a good move forward for the company."
Warehouse will have total exclusivity in Scotland for RCF Acustica professional speake
Norway - Sound Projects have recently introduced the SP2-10, a twin drive hornloaded bass cabinet. Now, the new subwoofer is in production and the first 20 units have been delivered to Norwegian Sound Projects agent, PAP.
These SP2-10s debuted at the Classic Rock Festival 2008 in Sandnes where the acts included Def Leppard, Led Zeppelin, Slade and Thin Lizzie. The sound system featured Sound Projects SP2-10s, Sound Projects Linex and 36 SP18 extra subs.
The self-powered SP2-10 complements the SP18 frontloaded vented sub-bass. With these identical shaped cabinets a wide variety of low-end configurations can be composed to augment the low end of any sound system, says the company. Physically the SP2-10 matches the Sound Projects Linex line array system.
Like the SP18, it's twin brother system, the SP2-10 is equipped with the same simple and elegant rigging or locking system. T
UK - Roland Systems Group (RSG) teamed up with South West Audio to put the first RSS M-400 digital consoles in front of a Glastonbury festival stage. RSG's Peter Heath and Martin Thomas joined the crew working on the BBC Introducing Stage, which had M-400 desks at both front-of-house and monitor positions, connected by the RSS Digital Snakes which could also be found on the Park Stage.
"All the bands on the BBC Introducing Stage are unsigned so they tend not to have their own engineers," explains Mark Bott, system designer and head sound engineer for South West Audio. "This gave us the ideal testing ground for Roland's new M-400 digital console; essentially we had a festival situation with hardly any guest engineers.
"The M-400 was really quick to set up, and we all felt that its worksurface was very intuitive and easy to use," continues Mark Bott. &qu
Serbia - This month's Exit festival in Novi Sad, has become one of the largest and most popular festivals on the European circuit.
Over 200,000 visitors are expected for this festival, which is located near the historic Petrovaradin Fortress, built high on the banks of the River Danube and offering a stunning view of Novi Sad.
The Exit festival was established in 2000. In 2007 it was awarded the prestigious UK Festival Award for the best festival in Europe for 2007, as voted for by festival-goers from all over the world.
Studio Berar, responsible for the technical organisation for the festival selected Prolyte to provide a large roof system for the main stage at Exit 2008. Prolyte is already established in this region, thanks to the enthusiastic support of Prolyte distributor PSP.
Novi Sad-based sound, video and light engineering and rental company Studio Berar contracted
UK - The East Riding of Yorkshire Council plans to use Cirrus noise measuring equipment to ensure the hearing of workers is protected at The Spa in Bridlington, one of East Yorkshire's premier entertainment venues. The Spa recently held a grand reopening following a £19.5 million refurbishment.
The council will be taking several noise surveys using a variety of Cirrus sound level meters and noise dosemeters during sound checks and performances in the coming weeks, as part of a full programme designed to determine the level of noise protection required for both the staff and the entertainers who will be performing at the venue.
New Control of Noise at Work regulations came into force in April this year, meaning that employers in the entertainment industry are required to manage the risk to their employees caused by excessive noise. The East Riding of Yorkshire Council are
Azerbaijan - Following the spectacular live show Land of Fire 2008, which was broadcast in February, Azerbaijan took their popular finalist duo, Elnur & Samir (Elnur Huseynov and Samir Javadzade) to Belgrade to compete for the top spot in the Eurovision Song Contest.
In a special promotion, Azerbaijan hosted a free live concert, Legends and Sensations of Eurovision on the grounds of the historical Kalemegdan Nebojsina Kula Fortress in downtown Belgrade, in front of a crowd of over 20,000. In addition to the finalists Elnur & Samir, the show featured popular acts from recent Eurovision shows including Ruslana, Dana International, Marija Serifovic, Zeljko Joksimovic and others. Robert Kelber was lighting designer working alongside operator Tobias Åberg.
Three grandMA full-size and two MA NSPs controlled the lighting on the massive outdoor stage, which included, am
Italy / Hong Kong - Faital has opened a new branch in Hong Kong to cover the professional market in the Far East. Complete with a warehouse, it is destined to serve the supply of professional FaitalPRO loudspeakers in a more timely manner throughout the whole Asian region. Faital Asia was born to reduce "time-to-market" to a minimum.
"Our new Hong Kong branch," says Flavio Naggi, FaitalPRO overseas sales manager, "will take care of the shipping and invoicing of the whole professional FaitalPRO range from the new warehouse, while the central management with personal technical-sales contacts, product quality and orders will remain as always, with our Chinese staff, handled from our historic FaitalPRO headquarters in San Donato Milanese."
Naggi adds: "This warehouse and the new offices will give us a fresher and stronger thrust in this area, whe
Sweden - Lab.gruppen has appointmented of TC Electronic Switzerland as its new Swiss distributor. The agreement takes effect from 1 July.
Long-standing national sales manager for TC Electronic Switzerland, Giovanni Dolci, will be handling day-to-day operations for the Lab.gruppen brand in the territory.
Lab.gruppen's international sales manager, Claus Behrens comments: "On a personal level, Giovanni is a huge asset to the team. He knows the industry inside out and has a deep knowledge of the Lab.gruppen range. Furthermore, everyone in the business knows and respects him, so he is a great ambassador for the Lab.gruppen brand.
"Secondly, from a corporate point of view, there is an obvious synergy to be gained by placing distribution with TC Electronic who are part of the same holding company as Lab.gruppen, TC Group. There are clear advantages for everyone in dealing
Czech Republic - MC2 Audio distributor Dancefloor has completed a major frefurbishment of top Czech nightclub Luxor. Located in the ancient city of Ceska Lipa, near the Machasee and the Czech border with Germany, Disco Club Luxor has been a popular music venue and cocktail bar for the best part of 15 years, having been voted 'Best Loved Nightclub' in the Czech Republic as long ago as 1994.
Having been damaged by fire three years ago, Disco Club Luxor was forced to close and undergo a complete refurbishment. A dance space dominates the new-look club with sound, light, lasers and special effects all flown on a supporting structure high above the floor. MC2 Audio E25 and E45 amplifiers drive a Logic System line array with more than 10kW. Sound, lights and special effects can all be controlled by the resident DJ.
Dancefloor spokeswoman, Vera Zemanova, says, 'We set up a comparativ
USA - Shure Incorporated has announced today that The Peter E. Schmitt Company, which is based in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, is the company's Representative of the Year for fiscal year 2008. Michael Schmitt, president, and Todd Peden, executive vice president, received the award at Shure's annual meeting of the Company's US sales representatives at the recent InfoComm Show.
"We're very pleased to present P.E. Schmitt with this year's Rep of the Year Award," said Mark Humrichouser, director of sales for the Shure US Business Unit. "We selected them for several reasons, not the least of which is their strong commitment to never settle for what worked yesterday. They have exceeded their quota over the past two years and continue to excel internally as a company and externally with customers."
Representing Shure throughout the New York metropolitan area, P.E.