Sound

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25 July 2025

UK - One of PLASA Show’s most popular features, Classic Gear Live, returns in 2025 with a new location and an expanded collection of rare and iconic entertainment technology. 

Now situated on the Gallery level of Olympia, London, this unmissable feature brings together two distinct showcases: Classic Gear Live by Rob Halliday, focusing on lighting and projection history, and CH Vintage Audio by Chris Hewitt, presenting legendary rock and roll sound systems.

This year, Classic Gear Live moves upstairs to stands K82 and K109, offering a fresh perspective on the history of live production. With a newly created dark space, visitors can experience psychedelic and theatrical projections as they were originally intended - including Aldis and Optikinetics effects projectors, and Strand’s classic effects discs.

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25 July 2025

Europe - Front-of-house sound engineer Curtis McKenna has worked with Tate McRae since 2022, supporting her rise from playing clubs to her current Miss Possessive arena tour across South America, Europe and North America. Having experienced a wide range of sound systems in that time, he has developed a clear preference for the system which he feels best serves the needs of this artist – the d&b audiotechnik SL-Series.

“Every time we used d&b - whether KSL, GSL, or even J-Series – her voice always sat really well in the mix,” says McKenna. “Because of the cardioid system, I could mix a little louder without spill coming back onto stage. She was more comfortable and always enjoyed the gig more.”

Sound rental provider for the tour is UK-based 22live. It may be a relatively new name, but with Paul Timmins (ex-Capital Sound), Spencer B

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25 July 2025

Spain - Featuring a variety of permanent and temporary exhibitions focused on the environment, nature, science, and space, CosmoCaixa Barcelona is one of the premier science museums in Europe

Sponsored by the La Caixa banking foundation, the museum is housed in a striking modernist building which also includes an auditorium and smaller theatre for presentations and lectures.

The auditorium already features sound from a Nexo Geo S12 system specified by Imesde, and the museum recently contacted the Barcelona-based event technology specialists again to propose a new system for the smaller lecture theatre.

“For a system that is mostly used for conventions, the Nexo Geo M10 was the perfect choice,” reports Imesde audio engineer Marc Parareda. “It’s compact and offers great coverage and performance. Even without subs it is a great solution

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25 July 2025

Europe - ShurePlus Channels is now Wireless Workbench Mobile, a tool for audio professionals seeking seamless management of Shure wireless systems while on the move. The app, available for free on Android and iOS, delivers powerful new tools, including guided alerts and mobile frequency coordination.1 Monitor system performance and troubleshoot directly from an Android phone, iPhone, or iPad.

Designed for speed and precision, Wireless Workbench Mobile delivers ‘trusted wireless control away from the rack or laptop, enhancing productivity and facilitating fast decision-making to keep users one step ahead’.

Key features of Wireless Workbench Mobile include Optimised Frequency Coordination: Scan and assign clean frequencies using built-in coordination tools for reliable setup, ensuring clear, uninterrupted audio, plus flexible access via iOS mobile

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25 July 2025

UK - Jon Chadwick, front of house engineer for the band Papadosio, recently put the compact Allen & Heath Avantis Solo digital mixing console to the test on the group's latest tour.

Chadwick had extensive prior experience with Allen & Heath's dLive and SQ series, making the transition to Avantis intuitive. Chadwick strategically opted for a digital split over Dante with the monitor console, leveraging three DX168 expanders positioned throughout the stage. This choice offered significant flexibility for I/O placement and simplified cabling, replacing bulkier analogue snakes with more convenient ethercon runs.

"The Avantis’ flexible I/O routing made setting up the Dante split seamless," Chadwick noted, "I could tie-line mix outs from the monitor console to DX168 outputs, ensuring the band retained their familiar monitor setup without needing

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25 July 2025

UK - For Bristol-based Scotland Yard Soundsystem, power and quality are everything. Since its inception in 2015, the south-west England-based collective of builders, engineers, artists and musicians’ system has grown into an influential presence on UK sound-system culture, delivering a full-body audio experience backed by the muscle of Powersoft K- and X-Series amplifier platforms.

“Scotland Yard Soundsystem is a custom hand-built, DIY/open-source sound system,” comments Scotland Yard’s Jonny Bovill, reflecting on the founding of the system a decade ago. “Aesthetically we wanted to pay homage to classic dub systems that we respected and admired, while under the bonnet we wanted to give it the guts of more modern, powerful point-source systems.”

That combination has proven popular across a broad mix of events, from intimate basement partie

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25 July 2025

Switzerland - WSDG has successfully completed work on a Dolby Atmos control room for the Centre des Musiques Actuelles (CMA) in Geneva. CMA includes the École des Musiques Actuelles (EMA), a contemporary music school offering training in pop, rock, jazz, and other modern genres. The facility spans 3,000sq.m over two floors and features 45 classrooms, a 300-seat auditorium, a 200-person club, and state-of-the-art recording and production facilities.

The concept for both the Dolby Atmos control room and the immersive Ansermet Auditorium was initiated by Ladislav Agabekov, sound engineer and technical director at CMA. The project was made possible thanks to the strong support of Stefano Saccon, the school's director, who not only believed early on in the potential of immersive audio technologies for both education and production, but also championed and carrie

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24 July 2025

UK - Located at the site of a disused warehouse in Bradford, Loading Bay is a new pop-up venue created for Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. Throughout the year it will present an extensive and eclectic arts and entertainment programme comprising music, comedy, talks, exhibitions, theatre, live video-gaming, and exhibitions. Set across four floors, Loading Bay includes a theatre, gallery, multi-format basement room, as well as an outside courtyard space.

To ensure the best possible experience for artists, performers, and audience members alike, the venue’s team enlisted Bradford-based production specialists Pro Audio Systems (PAS) to supply and install much of the technology required for its extensive programme.

As well as installing the main front-of-house audio systems for the performance spaces, PAS also supplied a number of significant ancillar

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24 July 2025

Malta - Rental company Tech+ acquired a substantial inventory of Martin Audio’s premier Wavefront Precision line array, along with the popular Torus and FlexPoint enclosures, in time to service a new techno festival on the island recently. The inventory was provided by Futuretech, Martin Audio’s territorial distributor.

Run by Gabriel Mizzi, Tech+ had been able to field hangs of eight WPC on each side of XXL Techno’s beachfront stage at Little Armier Bay. This was one of two principal locations for the event (the other being the National Park in Ta’Qali) while others were dotted around the island.

While the WPC was powered by Martin Audio iKON iK42 Dante amplifiers in two-box resolution, eight SXH218, driven in bridge mode for extra output, created the sub bass rumble necessary for such an event. Additional pairs of FlexPoint FP12 provided fr

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24 July 2025

USA - Sennheiser has announced that PGA Tour Studios recently deployed the new Spectera bidirectional wireless audio ecosystem across its new campus in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

The PGA Tour Studios audio team required a system that could not only support a state-of-the-art facility that houses seven dedicated studios, but also seamlessly manage up to 11 shows broadcasting simultaneously in an environment that would be packed with competing RF signals.

The new system needed to offer effortless transitions between studios and a dramatically simplified management interface. Spectera emerged as the best choice for its technical capabilities, along with the way it simplified installation and allowed the engineering team to focus on production rather than infrastructure.

The comprehensive PGA Tour Studios setup includes two Spectera base station

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24 July 2025

UK - Sterling Event Group has announced the appointment of two experienced industry professionals to spearhead its expansion into the South of England alongside its broader national growth strategy.

James Hunter joins as director, bringing more than two decades of experience in delivering world-class event projects across the UK and internationally.

Jack Sayer also joins the company as project director, bringing a wealth of hands-on production expertise through his successful career in creative event delivery. Jack will focus on technically ambitious event experiences that reflect Sterling’s trademark precision and innovation.

“We’re very proud to welcome James and Jack to the team at such an exciting period for the business,” said Richard Bowden, managing director, Sterling Event Group. “Expanding into the South isn’t just about

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23 July 2025

France - L-Acoustics has announced its strategic investment in French-based MagREEsource. It has also established exclusive partner rights in the professional audio industry for sustainable and sovereign, European-based rare earth magnets critical to loudspeaker manufacturing.

This forward-looking partnership introduces a breakthrough circular economy model for the professional audio industry through innovative magnet recycling and manufacturing technology, says L-Acoustics. By investing in MagREEsource, L-Acoustics is supporting a start-up partner that will allow the loudspeaker manufacturer to significantly reduce its environmental footprint while diversifying its supply sources for neodymium magnets essential to loudspeaker manufacturing. This strategic move demonstrates L-Acoustics' commitment to environmental stewardship while enhancing supply chain res

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23 July 2025

India - Hi-Tech Audio & Image LLP, the exclusive India partner and distributor for DiGiCo, has officially completed the Indian launch of the DiGiCo Quantum 852 at Palm Expo 2025. At the event, SNL Pro, one of India’s leading live sound and production rental companies, became the first in the country to invest in this console.

“The Quantum 852 represents a shift not just in technology, but in mindset,” says Manish Mavani, director of SNL Pro. “With an already robust inventory featuring two DiGiCo SD10s and a Quantum 338, SNL Pro’s acquisition of the Quantum 852 marks a significant milestone, bringing the seventh and most advanced flagship console into its portfolio.

“This strategic investment underscores the company’s unwavering dedication to delivering world-class audio production and further solidifies its leadership within India

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23 July 2025

UK - One of the most recognisable names in British retail, Matalan has a network of more than 270 UK and international stores and caters to upwards of 10m shoppers in-store and online each year. The company’s headquarters in Knowsley, near Liverpool, features an entire ‘mock shop’ and a large-scale conferencing space for staff training, awards ceremonies and other gatherings.

A recent audio upgrade package – supplied by Liverpool-based AV and production specialists MSP – saw an Audio-Technica 3000 Series wireless system installed for use across a variety of locations, as MSP’s general manager Ritchie Neild explains: “We have a long-standing relationship with Matalan, so we tend to have a clear idea of their requirements and use-cases when it comes to AV. When it came to a new wireless solution, to be used for everything from sales training to o

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23 July 2025

UK - Live Technology has announced two significant appointments as the business bolsters its team to support customers across the live events sector, following its launch last month.

Tim Haskell joins the dedicated live events distributor as product specialist – professional lighting, bringing more than 15 years of industry expertise with a focus on the film, TV, and broadcast sectors. Tim will be supporting Live Technology’s professional lighting team, helping to expand its presence in these markets following the addition of Sumolight and Elation to its portfolio, alongside Martin Professional, Robert Juliat, Macula, and StageSmarts.

Tim joins from Rotolight, where he played a key role in developing both sales and customer relationships in the UK and several major international markets.

Stuart Down has been appointed head of audio and wi

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22 July 2025

UK - Audient has announced its partnership with Jet Stream Audio for the sales and support of mixing consoles in the UK. Based in London, Jet Stream is headed up by Bryn Wildish, former UK market manager for Audient.

Bryn says: “Jet Stream is proud to distribute the Audient ASP range of consoles in the UK. Having worked with Audient for nearly a decade previously, and overseen the installation of hundreds of their consoles around the country, this was an easy fit for both of us. It provides a consistent and easy transition for Audient customers.

“Jet Stream and Audient share a customer-first ethic and we genuinely hold Audient, their products and the team in the highest esteem. I look forward to a renewed and ongoing partnership.”

Audient CEO Simon Sinclair says: “When approached by Jet Stream Audio, the decision to collaborate was st

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22 July 2025

USA - dBTechnologies has debuted its dBTechnologies Academy, delivering the first-ever stateside VIO Operator Level 1 and Level 2 certifications.

Hosted by The Rave, a multi-room Milwaukee venue and recent adopter of multiple dBTechnologies VIO systems across its performance spaces, the two-day event welcomed audio professionals from across the Midwest for immersive training with dBTechnologies’ road-ready VIO series - a modular system designed for both complex installations and demanding live environments.

Attendees included technical teams and leadership from The Rave, AudioBiz - the dBTechnologies USA reps for the region - and sound companies, with participants ranging from system techs and engineers to sales and support staff, all eager to deepen their knowledge of system design, deployment, and performance using dBTechnologies

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22 July 2025

Italy - K-array has announced the launch of its new online e-learning platform, enabling accessible access to training on K-array products and technologies. The courses are AVIXA certified, meaning learners can collect Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) Renewal Units, required for maintaining their continuing professional development. 

“The launch of our e-learning platform is a natural evolution of our commitment to increasing skills and knowledge within our industry,” explains Daniele Mochi, customer support director at K-array. “Aimed at systems integrators, sound designers and everyone involved in audio design and installations, our courses provide learners with an accessible toolkit to empower their work and get the very best out of K-array products in various environments.”

A full portfolio of courses will be available on the e-lear

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22 July 2025

UK - Sound designers, engineers, and industry friends gathered at London’s Tileyard last week to raise a glass to the launch of the new TiMax Spatial Studio – the TiMax London HQ, R&D space, and training facility, designed to inspire the next chapter of spatial audio innovation.

In a brief toast, pioneering TiMax founders Robin Whittaker and Dave Haydon welcomed guests to “the space we’ve always wanted to build for the TiMax community”. The duo, who brought the concept of spatial audio to market over 25 years ago when they developed TiMax – still recognised as one of the most powerful spatial audio rendering platforms available – thanked the Focusrite Group for the care taken with the company, and spoke of their confidence in stepping back, knowing a formidable new development team is now at the helm.

They handed over to product and

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22 July 2025

Brazil - After a career spanning over six decades, Brazilian music legend Gilberto Gil is midway through a farewell tour titled Tempo Rei. This is taking him through sports palaces and stadiums in nine Brazilian cities – including the 42,000-cap Ligga Arena in Curitiba and the Farmasi Arena in Rio di Janeiro – and is scheduled to run until November.

At all but one of the shows he has been playing through an evergreen Martin Audio MLA loudspeaker array, provided by partner Gabisom Audio Equipment.

Responsible for the sound system design, optimisation and recording is Martin Audio devotee, the eight times Latin Grammy award-winning Daniel Carvalho, who has regularly mixed through MLA – a popular presence in Brazil since it first appeared at the famous Rock In Rio festival.

“Farmasi Arena [aka the Jeunesse] is not an ea

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22 July 2025

China - The Dongting Lake Museum in Yueyang City has taken its visitor experience to new heights with a full-scale sound system installed across all exhibition areas, including its immersive underground ‘5D Theatre’. Designed by Wharfedale Pro's consultant Marko Jovanović and installed by Minghe Group, the system delivers immersive-ready audio that complements the theatre’s array of visual mapping, water effects, moving machinery and lighting.

Covering an expansive 50,864 sqm, the Dongting Lake Museum showcases the rich history and biodiversity of Dongting Lake. At the heart of the museum's underground level is an advanced 5D theatre, which spans 900 sq.m and accommodates approximately 200 guests. This space significantly enhances visitor engagement by integrating motion, visual effects, and interactive environmental elements.

Changsha-based

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21 July 2025

UK - After more than 60 years in the business, UK distributor John Hornby Skewes & Co (JHS) is to cease operations. The JHS business comprises of a property company and a trading company, both majority-owned by family trusts set up by the late John H. Skewes, the settlor of those trusts who stated that after his death, the companies should be sold.

While primarily a musical instrument and accessory distributor, JHS has worked with and for various pro audio brands over the years, including HK Audio (now distributed in the UK through Polar).

A JHS company statement reads: “Steps have been taken over the last few months to try and secure a buyer to take John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd. forward under new proprietorship. This has thus far not been possible.

“Therefore, the trustees, shareholders and board of John Hornby Skewes & Co. L

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21 July 2025

Turkey - Outline has appointed Upout Teknoloji as its exclusive distributor for Turkey. Based in Istanbul, Upout will represent Outline’s full portfolio, including the Newton processor, GTO Series, Superfly, Mantas systems, and the company’s latest loudspeaker lines: P Series, H Series, and A Series.

For Can Cankardeş, general manager of Upout, the agreement reflects shared priorities and a common long-term vision. “Our motivation to partner with Outline stemmed from shared values, exceptional product quality, and strategic alignment. We were especially drawn to their reputation for innovation, engineering excellence, and reliability - qualities that mirror our own standards

“The Newton processor is a game-changer in signal management. With ultra-low latency, multi-format integration, and precise control, it’s ideal for today’s complex l

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21 July 2025

Spain - Teatro Baluarte's 1,600-seat main auditorium presented a classic audio challenge: achieving consistent coverage across 40m of depth without delay systems, while accommodating programming that ranges from classical orchestras to contemporary rock concerts. The venue's reverberant acoustics and requirement for clean stage presentation - essential for flamenco and classical performances - demanded a solution that could deliver professional touring-grade audio within strict aesthetic constraints.

Baluarte Congress Palace, adjacent to Pamplona's 16th-century Citadel, serves as Navarra's primary cultural venue with 63,000sq.m of conference and performance space. The main auditorium's acoustic properties and diverse programming schedule - from Madrid pop-rock band Morgan to violinist Ara Malikian - required a system capable of handling vastly different soni