Rwanda - With the help of Brighton-based studio manager Dicken Marshall, a Rwandan charity has built a recording studio to help improve the lives of genocide survivors, choosing to install two Allen & Heath ZED-R16 Firewire recording mixers in the new facilities.

Solace Ministries was established in 1996 to help provide comfort to widows and orphans of the 1994 atrocities through counselling, childcare and development support, healthcare, farming associations and supportive programmes.

"Music is a fundamental part of Rwandan life, and for many people it is one of the few comforts they have left," explains Marshall.

Marshall decided to offer his expertise to provide a recording space for the charity's music development programme, which includes a full choir. He raised funds in the UK to buy all the necessary equipment, personally installed it, and trained the venue'

Germany - German rental company and L-Acoustics Rental Network Agent Sirius Showequipment AG provided an L-Acoustics K1/Kudo system for Pyromusikale 2009, three firework displays with musical accompaniment at the Tempelhof Airport, Berlin. Sirius is one of several international companies participating in the L-Acoustics K1/Kudo pilot program.

The total system provided by Sirius comprised 48 K1 line source cabinets, 12 K1 SB subs, 72 Kudo units, 24 SB28 subs and six ARCs, all driven by 78 LA8 amplified controllers in LA-RAK touring racks.

The challenge of this unique event was to synchronise the three firework displays with live jazz, pop, rock and classical music across the large area of the former Berlin airport. "The four K1 towers were very far away from each other," says Wolfgang "Schabbach" Neumann, CEO of Sirius Showequipment. "The K1/Kudo system

Spain - Renovation of an early 20th century building which was once the main slaughterhouse in Valencia recently transformed the building into a point of reference for cultural and athletic facilities in Valencia's capital city. In keeping with current demands and needs, the complex's nearly 13,000sq.m have been appropriately refurbished to adapt to a variety of athletic and cultural activities.

Among many attributes the complex boasts a magnificent multi-purpose hall with room for more than 300 people and an integral professional sound system provided by D.A.S. The system was installed by Megafonía Torres, S.L., industry pioneers with over 60 years' of professional experience in the sector.

Like many auditoriums or halls with a similar layout and acoustic profile, the use of compact array speakers was an ideal set-up in order to achieve optimal levels of sound pressure and c

UK - Allen & Heath is now shipping a host of new interface cards for the iLive and iLive-T series digital consoles including the RAB2 remote audio interface card host; the Mini Multi-Out Card for ADAT, Aviom, iDR 8-bus and Hearbus; the EtherSound Network Card; Allen & Heath's proprietary ACE (Audio and Control over Ethernet) Card for 64-channel bi-directional link; and the new MADI 64 Channel Multi-link Card.

RAB2 is a remote audio card enabling iLive digital mixing systems to work with a variety of common audio interface and networking standards. The new module has two front-loading, easy fit slots for plug-in options, which are auto-detected by the system firmware. The first port allows alternative standards to connect the iLive MixRacks and Control Surfaces, while the second port is used for system expansion, such as linking to secondary FOH/monitors consoles, feeding broadca

UK - Following its initial preview at InfoComm 2009, Stardraw.com has announced the official release on 1 September of its latest system control application, Stardraw Control 2010. Control 2010 is a significant step up from the previous 2007 version, the company says, offering users greater flexibility, improved User Interfaces (UIs) and the ability to exploit the ever-increasing processing power of modern hardware.

Control 2010 is also fully compatible with 2007, so all current projects can easily be transferred to the new platform and benefit from its improved features and capabilities.

The Control 2010 platform includes a generic HTTP, or WebServices driver. This means that anything that talks HTTP can talk to any system controlled by Stardraw Control, anywhere. For example, you can use any browser on any device anywhere on the planet as a UI - that includes Smartphones of

Italy / USA - With industry attention focused on finding green alternatives for installations, Powersoft, the Italian manufacturer of digital power amplifiers, is leading the way through its green approach to the design and manufacturing of its amplifiers. In the USA, the company reports that its ecology consciousness effort, high-quality manufacturing and high quality sound, is appealing to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified design engineers and consultants looking to specify equipment that not only reduces the carbon footprint of an installation while providing excellent performance, but positively affects the long-term bottom line.

"More and more of the projects we are working on are requesting that we meet requirements for LEED-credit for facilities that are being built," says Vance Breshears, LEED accredited design consultant for Acoust

Europe - Biamp Systems has named Matthias "Mex" Exner the Western European Regional Manager as part of the International Sales team. In his role, Exner will oversee Belgium, Finland, France, Gibraltar, Greenland, Holland, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands, Scandinavia and the United Kingdom.

"We are pleased to have Mex join the Biamp team," said Graeme Harrison, VP of International Sales, Biamp Systems. "His experience in audio engineering will be a major asset to our sales force. He also carries a great wealth of knowledge and experience about DSPs, which will prove both helpful and beneficial to our customer base worldwide."

Exner joins the Biamp team from Tannoy Ltd, where he held various positions, including international sales manager, export manager for Western Europe commercia

USA - Loud Technologies Inc today announced the promotion of Adrian Bell to the position of vice-president, Corporate and Marketing Communications. In this expanded role, Adrian will lead integrated marketing across all Loud brands, as well as manage the Company's corporate communications function.

"Loud's brands are revered for their market-leading positions, and we are committed to delivering even stronger marketing support to our dealers and distributors in the future," commented Rodney Olson, Loud CEO. "What's more, under Adrian's leadership our partners will see tighter integration of our marketing efforts with overall product development and sales efforts."

Bell reports to Rodney Olson and is based in the Company's Woodinville, Washington headquarters.

(Lee Baldock)

UK - The Gosport Waterfront Festival which took place from 28-30th August saw the UK festival debut of a pair of Innovason Eclipse consoles and a Tannoy VQ Live system supplied to PA company Technical Services by Red Square Audio.

A total of 28 bands took to the stage with an average attendance of 4,000 people on each of the show days. Headliners included the Kenny Jones Band, Alan Price, Maggie Bell, Angelo Starr, and Chichino. Red Square Audio's Paul Nicholson took charge of front-of-house duties with Andy Reeves on monitors.

Paul says: "We set up a generic 42-channel plot for the entire event and just picked what we wanted for each band. With the flexibility that the Eclipse offers it was the easiest three days I've ever had behind a console. I configured 10 VCAs and ran the onboard 64-track MARS recorder to multitrack a dozen or so bands which we then used for virtual

UK - The Professional Audio Sales division of Orbital Sound, the leading sound and communication systems specialist for the theatre, event and broadcast markets, is exhibiting an eye-catching cross-section of audio innovations on at PLASA09 (Earls Court, London, 13-16 September).

As the exclusive UK distributor and prime reseller of a number of major brands, Orbital will showcase loudspeaker systems from d&b audiotechnik, digital wireless intercom systems from HME, and digital wireless microphone systems from Zaxcom.

Making their PLASA debut are d&b's installation-specific Ti-Series loudspeaker systems, featuring the same multi-purpose flexibility as the company's T-Series introduced earlier this year - with mounting hardware to suit fixed-install applications. The Ti-Series comprises the Ti10L, for deployment in multiples as part of line-array configurations, plus the Ti10P,

UK - Next week's PLASA Show (Sunday 13 - Wednesday 16 September, Earls Court, London) will feature a hands-on demonstration area showing products utilising the new Remote Device Management (RDM) extension to DMX512 (ANSI E1.20).

Visitors to the area will be able to learn how RDM works to discover and configure products from different sources. Address configuration, mode changes, product status and sensor reporting - all are functions offered over existing DMX wiring using RDM, and in a manner offering defined interoperability between manufacturers. Get introduced to the latest developments in suite of protocols that make up ACN - the Architecture for Control Networks.

Staff from several companies leading the introduction of ACN and RDM will be available to answer questions and provide valuable insight into how it all works.

The area, which can be found on Stand 1-J40 in Earl

Malaysia - When Peabo Bryson performed for a charity gala dinner at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur last June, the Soundcraft Vi6 and Si3 consoles were used for front-of-house and monitor mixing. The sgow was part of the High Networth Summit and Pride Foundation Charity Gala Dinner, both of which were set up by former Malaysia Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Badwal as an initiative to support breast cancer patients.

For the event, sound company Show Gear deployed a Soundcraft Vi6 front of house console and Soundcraft Si3 monitor console, which were supplied by Soundcraft distributor Systems Electronics & Engineering.

"The Soundcraft Vi6 is easy to set up and repatch, and the usability allows even the most elementary sound engineer to programme and run any level event, even on their first use," said the Show Gear team. "The user interface is very straight

UK/Spain - VMB Espanola SA will be launching a new, compact line array flying system at PLASA09. The TL-A220 will lift 220kg to a height of 5.5m, with the centre of gravity 500mm out along the forks, giving plenty of room to curve the array.

With a self-weight of only 95kg and only 1.7m tall , this unit will be easy to store and transport making it invaluable for smaller PA companies and touring productions, says the company. Fitted with VMBs' ALS auto-locking system, the lift, along with all of the VMB lifting products, is designed and built to VGB-C1 standard.

Also being launched is the Rainbow software package, an acoustical prediction tool. Based on polar response measurements of each cabinet (Line Array and conventional installation models), taken meticulously at 5º intervals and with 360º cabinet coverage both vertically and horizontally the Rainbow software is able to

Bulgaria - Much like its Eastern European neighbours, Bulgaria has experienced some rapid growth in the night club sector in recent years, possibly reflecting the increasing levels of disposable income among the young adult populations that typically fuel that market. Club Deluxe, in the southern city of Asenovgrad, close to Bulgaria's second largest city of Plovdiv, is a good example of the shiny new dance music clubs springing up across the country.

Located over 500sq.m split across two floor levels, Club Deluxe is open six days a week running from Monday to Saturday and caters for just about every musical genre from retro and pop to house and techno. Designed by acoustic and stage lighting specialist, Eliana Spasov, the style of the club is distinctly modern, with an arty-industrial feel to it. Low level neon and laser lighting is used carefully throughout, coupled with indus

Sweden/UK - Wireless Solution Sweden is once again using PLASA to showcase new W-DMX products, as well as hosting an educational on the benefits and advances in Wireless DMX technology.

On prominent display will be the UglyBox Performance Kit, nominated for a PLASA Innovation Award. The kit includes the new W-DMX UglyBox and Co-Existence Dongle with a wide selection of antennae to provide feedback on all aspects of wireless signal, never before available to lighting technicians. The rugged UglyBox test tool measures the DMX channel data values, the real time signal strength, and the history of signal stability. The Co-Existence Dongle ensures harmony of multiple wireless protocols by enabling custom channel selection and adjustment of output power. Together with the accompanying software for radio spectrum monitoring and antenna calculation, the kit ensures a safe, controlled en

Europe - Linkin Park returned to Europe this July and August with selected headlining dates and festival appearances. Linkin Park carried their own board group, stage set and monitor package consisting of 10 Adamson M15 wedges and four SX18 for their on stage side-fills delivered by SSE (UK). European Adamson Y-Axis partners Livesound B AG (Switzerland) and Satis&Fy AG Werne (Germany) teamed up to support Linkin Park's non-festival dates in Switzerland and Germany.

Livesound B AG provided a complete audio package for the single indoor show of the tour in Zurich, Livesound's system engineer Sven Gerber did the initial Hallenstadion Shooter simulation, and worked closely with Linkin Park's systems engineer Chris Hoff on alignment and tuning of the system. The design featured flown L and R hangs of 12 Y18's, and six T-21 Subs per side on the ground. A total of 16 Y10's were flown a

UK - Systems integrator IVC Media, has announced the completion of the communication centre for the Attenborough Studio in the Natural History Museum's Darwin Centre, opening to the public on 15 September 2009.

According to the Natural History Museum: "The opening of the Darwin Centre represents the future for the Natural History Museum as a world leader in researching the burning issues facing humans and the natural world. The Darwin Centre unleashes the Natural History Museum's life as a major science infrastructure into the public arena, offering a voice of authority on the natural world and inspiring better care of our planet."

IVC was contracted to design and implement the technology to create a 64 seat, state-of-the-art communication centre for the general public. Known as the Attenborough Studio, the project leads the way in educational presentational technolo

Record-Breaking Fringe - The Edinburgh Festival Fringe has broken its own box office records by selling more than 1.8 million tickets. Ticket sales for the Fringe were up by 21% on last year and 9% on its previous best ever year, which was in 2007. Organisers said a drop in international visitors had been offset by a marked increase in UK audiences.

The 63rd Fringe, which ended on Monday night, was the first with new chief executive Kath Mainland at the helm. She said, "Even in tough economic conditions, festivals chime with people in a way few other events manage to. Over the past three-and-a-half weeks I have seen some amazing work, sometimes perfectly trivial and enormously entertaining, sometimes incredibly challenging and often hugely moving. I have been blown away by the creative energy, artistic vision and drive of the people taking part, from performers and director

UK - Peavey Europe cemented its ties with major festival sponsor Jägermeister at Creamfields over the August bank holiday weekend, following a successful debut earlier in the month at Sonisphere UK. 'Fantastic, really great,' had been the verdict from Jägermeister UK's music manager, Tom Carson, after the companies' inaugural collaboration, where the 'Jäger Truck' - powered by Peavey PA - was unveiled as the fourth stage at the Knebworth event.

"Even though it was the first time we'd done it," Carson added, "nothing went wrong. The bands were happy, Kilimanjaro [Sonisphere's promoters] were happy, and the guys from Peavey were great."

Carson immediately signed Peavey for a repeat performance at Creamfields, where Jägermeister's touring stage - actually a decomissioned Russian army truck, registration number J4 GER - hosted a

UK - With just days remaining before the PLASA09 exhibition opens its doors (13-16 September, Earls Court, London), PLASA Media has published the Show Guide online in a digital format.

Readers of Lighting&Sound International's digital edition, which has been available worldwide for the past two years, will be familiar with the freely accessible online format.

This is the first time the PLASA Show Guide has been available prior to the show, and will allow those planning on visiting PLASA09 ample opportunity to browse the exhibitors' detailed information and plan their visit in detail. The PLASA09 Guide includes full listings for all exhibitors, with a quick reference A-Z listing and floorplans to make planning your visit as straightforward as possible.

In addition to this, the Guide also features advanced information

UK - Shoreditch-based Mexican bar and restaurant, Green & Red Bar & Cantina, has upgraded the sound system in its dedicated 220-capacity basement venue, Chamucos.

While continuing to offer its noted Jaliscan-style cooking upstairs, owners, Underdog Group, have turned to the heavily themed live venue downstairs, tasking the Sound Division Group with augmenting the sound and distributing it evenly throughout the graffiti-walled, cave-like interior.

Sound Division MD David Graham has sensitively added to the existing Martin Audio/QSC sound system to maintain continuity, servicing and reinstalling part of the equipment, to provide greater flexibility and preserve sonic integrity.

At the same time the installers have added new amps and processing as well as providing a highly-specified DJ system, a live mixing console, mics, DI Boxes and band lighting.

This is not only designed

USA - Loud Technologies has announced the promotion of Adrian Bell to the position of vice president, corporate and marketing communications. In this expanded role, Bell will lead integrated marketing across all Loud brands, as well as manage the company's corporate communications function.

"Loud's brands are revered for their market-leading positions, and we are committed to delivering even stronger marketing support to our dealers and distributors in the future," commented Rodney Olson, Loud CEO. "What's more, under Adrian's leadership our partners will see tighter integration of our marketing efforts with overall product development and sales efforts."

Bell reports to Rodney Olson and is based in the company's Woodinville, WA headquarters.

(Jim Evans)

Russia - One of the jewels in the crown of Russian performing arts, Moscow's Central Palace for the Culture of Railway Workers (CDKG) is enjoying its 80th season of performances after a major technical refit, which included the installation of a comprehensive ASL Intercom communications system.

Built by the country's then socialist regime to provide an active, literally 'social' focus for Moscow's army of railway employees, CDKG became the professional 'home' of popular composer Isaak Dunayevsky, as well as staging a wide range of plays and concert performances.

The venue's popularity continues to the present day, playing host to a diverse array of classical and modern performances, conferences, banquets and exhibitions in its seven spaces. In 2008, the Moscow office of major Russian supply and installation company LTM Music was contracted to give the entire complex a major te

UK - Cornered Audio Systems will participate at PLASA09 in cooperation with UK distributor MilTec.

At the exhibition, Cornered will show a new version of the existing Cornered top-boxes. The SU - Speak-Up - versions combine Speaker and Uplight in one practical solution. The SU versions feature an LED spot in either the top and/or bottom plates delivering up- and/or downlight. The LED uplight works well with the flush mountable Cornered cabinets, so the SU versions gives customers an opportunity of getting ambient light without installing separate lighting fixtures, says the company.

Different LED sports are available, starting with a 1,2watt/40 lumens LED which is connected through a DC plug integrated in the recessed speaker cable terminal.

(Jim Evans)

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