Germany - This year the Berlin microphone manufacturer will once again offer an extensive program of workshops at its trade fair stand (C 30, Hall 4.1). There will be more than 30 short seminars covering a wide range of topics, including the practical application of studio and stage microphones, voice training and professional stage performance, the recording of electrical and acoustic guitar, and the selection of the right near-field monitor for a home recording studio.

The seminars are 30 to 45 minutes long, and are free of charge. It is advisable to arrive early, since there will be a limited number of headphones available for participants.

The moderators include guitarist Markus Wienstroer, members of the 'Flying Pickets' a cappella group, vocal trainer Billi Myer, and Andrew Goldberg, a product specialist of the speaker manufacturer Klein + Hummel. The complete seminar pr

Cyprus - Riccos Sound & Light, the KV2 Audio distributor in Cyprus, has just completed a prestigious sound and lighting installation in one of the country's premier live music clubs Hnioxos. Riccos Sound & Light was founded in 1992 by Andreas Christodoulou in Paphos, Cyprus and employs 11 people. One of them, Pambos Christodoulou, a distinguished sound engineer in his own right, designed the sound system at Hnioxos.

Hnioxos is a 900sq.m venue catering for up to 800 guests on four levels, constructed in the form of a modern day amphitheatre. Situated in Chlorakas, Pafos, the club has been owned and run by leading local music star Adonis Michaelides, drawing devotees from all over the island. The decision to upgrade the sound system in the club came through a perceived need to improve the 'offering' to the club's clients and provide them with absolutely the best sound system solut

UK - Following the success of the recentlylaunched mid-range GL2800M, and in response to demand, Allen &Heath has further extended their range of monitor mixers with the launch ofthe WZ3 Monitor, a console which combines the design principles of theMixWizard Series with many modern monitor facilities.

Furnished with 16 mono mic/line inputs, the desk boasts 12 mix outputs,which can be either mono or switched to six stereo pairs to take advantage ofthe recent trend towards in ear monitoring.

Mechanically identical to other MixWizards, with individual card and nuttedpot construction and Quick Change Connector pod, the WZ3 Monitor presentsthe monitor engineer with a compact, easy to use desk capable of mixing alarge number of wedge and in-ear sources. Its 12 mixes can be globallyassigned as mono or stereo, and each stereo mix is provided with stereo AFLsignal checking.

Input cha

Sweden - Lab.gruppen has announced the ending of its distribution agreement with Sennheiser UK. Sennheiser has distributed Lab.gruppen products in the UK for over two years and the relationship has been rewarding and fruitful, says the company. "I would like to thank Sennheiser UK for the hard work they have done in developing the Lab.gruppen brand in what is undoubtedly one of the most competitive markets in Europe," says Claus Behrens, European sales manager, Lab.gruppen, "But with our ever expanding and more diversified portfolio of products we feel the need to get more directly involved with the UK market and are therefore working on a distribution solution that will allow this approach."

The company expects to make an announcement about its new distribution plans in the very near future. In the meantime Sennheiser UK will continue to supply Lab.gruppen

UK - In November 2004 Dirty Dancing transferred to the stage in Sydney Australia. The London production - the latest in what is to be a worldwide roll out - opened at the Aldwych Theatre in October 2006, and is slated as being the fastest selling theatre show in the West End, with future sales already grossing an incredible £30 million.

Responsibility for the audio design was put in the hands of Bobby Aitken, who has made his first foray into the XTA DP4 Series processors for speaker control, plus some tried-and-trusted Dynamic EQ for tricky vocal parts.

The front of house loudspeaker system is predominantly d&b with a centre cluster of dVDosc and EM Acoustics' new small size base cabinets in the corners of the auditorium. Crossovers and system management is from six XTA DP448s with XTA SiDDs across some of the vocals. "The actors all wear mics up in their ha

UK - Allen & Heath has launched the XONE:S2, a new installation DJ mixer for use in clubs and bars,and by professional mobile DJs. It is a 19" rack-mounted 4U mixer,available with either linear or rotary VCA channel faders, and features fourstereo dual-input channels, two mono mic/stereo line channels, a USB audiointerface, and boasts features to enhance the DJ's performance andaid the installer.

XONE:S2 has amultitude of features designed to integrate it into a typical PA system. Oneof the key features is an output limiter system that enables the engineer topreset the maximum output level of the mixer, irrespective of input level.

The main mix outputs are on balanced XLR, and an additional mono output,also on XLR, can be used as a zone feed or can be used to feed a sub-bassstack. A dedicated alarm input mutes all music channels when active andthere is also a dedicated al

Elba - When high-tech giant Motorola decided to host a special event to cement relationships with several hundred VIP clients, the firm's European division regaled its guests with a fete at the Villa San Martino on the island of Elba, off the coast of Italy, best known as Napoleon's 'summer residence' during his exile from France nearly 200 years ago. In addition to stunning views and sumptuous Italian cuisine, Motorola's favoured few also enjoyed live entertainment from Diana Ross, who was heard through a system of Meyer Sound's M'elodie compact curvilinear array loudspeakers.

Sound reinforcement design for the event was entrusted to Chris Marsh, Ross's FOH engineer and a close associate of Wiltshire, England-based sound hire company Major Tom Ltd. "The brief called for a compact and lightweight full-range system," Marsh says. "The producers wanted a big, excitin

Germany - At the forthcoming ProLight&Sound exhibition (Frankfurt, 28-31 March), Axxent will introduce its new constant voltage audio amplifier with 2 x 500W of continuous power in a constant voltage line of 100V.

All features of the AX-2500T are targeted at professional audio installations, say the company: front gain controls are detachable and can be protected against misuse, while all other controls and in and output connectors are situated on the back panel for maximum protection.

Input connectors are XLR-type and each input is slaved through an XLR male connector. The power connector is an IEC type and is detachable also. The 100V output connectors are touch-proof binding posts. DIP switches provide limiting function per channel, 40/80Hz subsonic filters, stereo or parallel operation mode. Safe operating temperature is provided by a controlled low-noise fan. Axxent is al

USA - Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems Inc has announced the NSCA debut of the LS9 series of digital mixing consoles (Orlando, 15-17 march). The 32- and 64-input consoles were designed specifically for sound reinforcement requirements within small- to medium-sized houses of worship, regional sound companies, and corporate audio/video presentation, say the company. The consoles can also be used as auxiliary mixer/channel expanders for the M7CL and PM5D consoles.

The LS9 series console is housed in a small footprint frame, and consists of built-in mic pre amps on the first layer of both the 16- and 32-input consoles. The console shares the same sound quality, built-in effects, EQ, and dynamics processing as Yamaha's M7CL console.

Currently available, the LS9 series will replace the Yamaha GA series analogue console. The LS9 provides a low-cost digital solution, intuitive and easy

UK - March once again brings the RSAMD (Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama) Graduate Exhibition and Trade Show (21-22 March, 10.00am - 5.00pm). For two days, final year students of the Technical and Production Arts Course will be exhibiting a broad range of work from their three years of study in the Chandler Studio Theatre.

At the same time, the Academy's main theatre, the New Athenaeum, will become an exhibition space for the Technical and Production Arts Programme's sponsors and suppliers, enabling them to demonstrate and discuss their most recent equipment and products with prospective clients and visitors to the Academy. Companies such as Black Light, Stage Technologies, ETC, MA Lighting, Green Hippo, Selecon, Martin Professional and White Light will be taking part.Alongside this, a range of seminars will also be taking place over the two days, lead by Bernie Davies

UK - The sound design for the London production of Dirty Dancing includes a DiGiCo digital mixing console. But the new D5T12 that sits at front of house brings a little extra to the power of the D5T platform.

The show was first staged in Australia two years ago, with a further production in Germany last year. The film was named one of the most popular of all time and London's Aldwych Theatre is seeing a replication of that popularity for the stage show, a fact that is being born out by an estimated £30 million of forward sales.

The team that is now in place is second to none, and claims amongst its credits a sound design by Bobby Aitken, at whose behest the D5T12 exists - the new console is hybrid of the D5T digital theatre mixing system, but with an additional four faders, taking the number to 12, rather than the standard eight and providing more DCA control with

UK - VME, a specialist in the hire, sale and installation of professional sound, lighting and AV equipment, has taken delivery of two 56-channel Soundcraft Series FIVE consoles from Harman Pro UK. VME director Dion Davie says the desks were ordered for a specific purpose - to handle the audio at the annual Wakestock Festival, which takes place during July at the Pwllheli Marina in Wales.

Inaugurated in 2000, Wakestock is Europe's largest wakeboard competition, attracting some of the world's best riders who compete for the title of Wakestock Champion. Each year's event is supported by a two-night live music festival that has previously featured appearances from top DJs and bands such as the Zutons, The Automatic, Carl Cox & Friends, Athlete, Soul II Soul, Judge Jules, Goldie Lookin' Chain, DJ Yoda and Reef.

VME has had a long association with the Festival, supplying both sound

South Korea - The burgeoning South Korean pro audioindustry is proving profitable for Prism Sound, the company reports, particularly since it appointeda new distributor in the territory to handle its range of multi-channel analogueand digital audio converters and processors.

Seoul-based Audio Network Korea (ANK) is renowned as a distributor of high endpro audio products working on behalf of companies such as AMS Neve andDigidesign, for whom it acts as a repair centre. Headed by former recording andmastering engineer Tom Kim, ANK also undertakes systems integration projects forKorean music and post production facilities.

Tom Kim says: "Prism Sound products are of the highest calibre and are very wellregarded by audio professionals around the world. I first used the company's EQprocessors when I was working as a mastering engineer and was always impressedby the great result

USA - The Vilar Center located in the heart of Colorado's Beaver Creek Resort, features a 530-seat theatre that presents a variety of year-round performances, such as jazz, comedy, dance, film, musicals, theatre, family shows and more. The intimate performance space was designed to exacting specifications to create perfect acoustics and unobstructed views from every seat.

The upgrading of the conventional sound system was greatly driven by the demands of visiting performers. The theatre found itself having to rent systems for more demanding performers that were visiting, and found it hard to control the coverage and SPL from one performance to the next (often from a single piano concert to a full blown rock show), and frequently working with an unfamiliar system that wasn't ideal for the space.

The theatre's technical team started to assess their choices and thorough shootouts

UK - Spains Hall in Essex has been a family home for ten centuries. It has recently completed a prestigious conversion and extension of its listed stable buildings. Although the Hall itself dates from the early 15th century, installation company CGA Integration has equipped its function rooms with modern audio systems from Electro-Voice, part of Bosch Communications Systems.

CGA Integration was commissioned to provide zoned audio for a wide range of functions. Scope for future developments was part of the brief from the outset. Audio quality came top of the list for project requirements, with system flexibility and ease of routine use close behind. From the ceremony room to the vaulted dining rooms, separate zones were installed, all requiring individual design, while installation needed to be impressively finished to match the venue's high standards of decor.

Audio flexibilit

France - This year marks the 25th anniversary of the SIEL exhibition and d&baudiotechnik will be exhibiting with their expanded Remote network includingthe latest ROPE C Version 2.0.7 software.

This exhibition for the live entertainment and events industry will be staged at thethe Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles and will be held from 11-14 February. Also on show will be d&b's J-Series line array system, which was launched at last year's SIEL. The recently introduced M4 stage monitor will also be exhibited as well as d&b's Q-Series loudspeaker range.

All these products will be presented by d&b's French office along with theirregional partners, who will be available to provide any technicalinformation or answer any questions on stand number K005.

(Chris Henry)

UK - Allen & Heath has introduced theXone:2D, a follow-up product to the Xone:3Dmixer/controller. The Xone:2D is a combination of a four stereo channel USBsoundcard and MIDI controller, which will enable DJs to combine with theirexisting analogue mixer to create a complete Digital DJ mixing system,suitable for integration with leading DJ software such as Ableton Live andTraktor DJ Studio.

The high quality USB soundcard can operate in either of two modes - stereochannels for three inputs from a PC and one return, or two channels from a PC and tworeturns. A large array of connections are provided to enable easyconnection into any DJ setup, so the 2D can be directly connected toturntables, CD players or linked to an external mixer. Digital IO (opticaland coaxial) is also provided. The Xone:3D BPM counter with LED display isincluded, which is capable of detecting a beat in music pro

USA - Located on Broadway in downtown Oakland, California, the Paramount Theatre is a slice of history. With its magnificent, 2,992-seat, Art Deco design, the Paramount was the last studio-owned movie palace built in the nation. Over the years, the theatre changed hands several times as both the downtown film market and the building itself slowly decayed, and in 1970, the doors were shut for good. Or at least until 1972, when the Oakland Symphony (now the Oakland East Bay Symphony) purchased it and restored it to its original grandeur, reopening it as a performing arts centre. Shortly thereafter, it was declared a National Historic Landmark, and ownership was transferred to the city.

Today the Paramount is one of the Bay Area's prime spots for high-profile concerts, lectures, theatre, and film, but one recurrent complaint has dogged the theatre in recent years: mediocre sound. &

UK - Richmond Studios' Toby Alington will produce the audio for his 13th consecutive Brit Awards at Earls Court on 14 February, with the event being broadcast live-to-air on ITV at 8pm in the UK for the very first time.

Building on the success of last year's move to a fully digital Brits audio production, Richmond Studios have contracted Floating Earth to provide their latest mobile recording solution with its SSL200 digital console, fibre optic connection to the stage, and digital output to the broadcasters. Richmond Studios will once again do the sound-design and dub for Hello Charlie's nomination packages.

The show is set to be an unforgettable celebration of a year in which seven of the Top 10 bestselling albums in the UK were by British artists, whilst Oasis have been confirmed as winners of the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Music Award.

The acts

UK - The New Year sees a change in company structure for UK digital console manufacturer, DiGiCo. This heralds a period of intense development for the company, as it gets set to continue its growth in the digital audio sector, and puts Bob Doyle, one of the best-known figures of the audio industry, back at the sharp end of the business.

Currently managing director, Doyle will become chief executive, DiGiCo (UK) Ltd, whilst senior sales director James Gordon will assume the role of managing director, DiGiCo (UK) Ltd. The remainder of the management team comprises marketing director David Webster and technical director John Stadius.

Doyle's new position will utilize his 40 years of experience, as well as his skills for maintaining and raising company profile, to its maximum potential thus helping to increase top line revenue generation. "I've enjoyed my time as managing dir

France - Digital console manufacturer Innovason reports record sales in its home territory during 2006 and says that it is poised to break that record yet again during 2007 as demand continues to rise.

The list of tours and events throughout the French territory for which Innovason consoles have been specifically purchased is impressive and includes the likes of the blockbuster musical, Le Roi Soleil (a three-console configuration on an EtherSound network), jazz/folk artist Sanseverino (FoH and monitors), young, upcoming artists Da Silva and Jeann Cherhal and French icon Francis Cabrel.

Innovason consoles are also finding their way into more and more fixed installations including theatres, performing arts centres and into the live broadcast sector as well. Radio France now has several consoles including two Sy80s and is about to take delivery of an Sy48.

Innovason sal

USA - Vestax has announced the new VCI-100 DJ MIDI controller. USB based and featuring two jog wheels with sensor and control technology from Vestax's industry standard turntables, the VCI-100 provides professional DJs and Producers with the "feel" of hardware mixing in the software realm.

Vestax says the VCI-100 provides features that "blur the line between hardware mixing and software control". The chassis is roughly the size of a standard Laptop, thin but highly durable, compact, and convenient for transportation.

The Jog wheel controls on the VCI-100 are constructed with high resolution pulse sensors, touch sensors, and acrylic platter mechanisms. With this combination, operations such as pitch bending, scanning and scratching can be performed with speed and accuracy. Sixty-sixsoftware parameters are assignable to the VCI-100's control section.

The cr

Eire - Midas and Klark Teknik's Irish distributor Sound Communications has supplied Dublin's National Concert Hall (NCH) with a new monitor system consisting of a Midas Siena 400 console and Klark Teknik Show Command hardware and software. This is one of the first complete packages to be supplied where Klark Teknik Show Command and Midas are united via Solo Tracking System (SOS).

The NCH's system consists of the Midas Siena together with a KT DN9331 RAPIDE graphic controller which gives direct access to the functions of KT digital EQs, providing instant recall of fader positions via 31 long travel motorised faders; three KT DN9344E quad equalisers and two KT Square ONE Dynamics units. Wireless control of the system is provided by KT's ELGAR software. The three amplifier racks are each run by a KT DN9848E System Controller to provide 12 bi-amped wedge monitor mixes, again all und

USA - The ESTA Foundation's Behind The Scenes has announced The Challenge Grant Programme, an opportunity for donors to see contributions double in value while providing help to peers in their time of need. Established challenge grant slots are currently available for the Behind the Scenes / Long Reach Long Riders 2007 USITT Raffle, March 15 - 17 in Phoenix, Arizona (six openings) and The Long Reach Long Riders 2007 New England Charity Ride, July 29 - August 6 (two openings).

"Our industry's history is full of strong partnerships that have led to technological advances, artistic reaches, and goals we continually strive to achieve," says Behind the Scenes committee chair Rick Rudolph of the new initiative. "Many of these partnerships have also led to lasting friendships that are at the foundation of our industry. We hope that the relationships and partners we work

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