Mexico - EAW has announced its newest distributor - Importadora Karma SA de CV (IKA) which is now offering EAW’s portable and integration solutions to customers in the Mexico region. With 15 years of experience and seven branches throughout the country, Importadora Karma has long stood out in Mexico’s live events market for offering a wide variety of musical instruments as well as audio and lighting solutions. Now partnered with EAW, Importadora Karma further positions itself as one of the premier providers of professional audio systems and reinforces its commitment to supplying the best in live event audio and lighting. “Our partnership with Importadora Karma is an exciting new venture for our brand,” says T.J. Smith, president of EAW. “Karma’s commitment to providing high-quality audio solutions and expertise in the market is inspiring, and we look forwar
UK - Martin Audio has announced the latest major update to its 3D prediction software featuring a new sub array tool that user trials have declared as “astonishingly powerful”, as well as a host of additional features and workflow improvements. DISPLAY 3 is a tool for both live and installation projects, working seamlessly with SketchUp for sophisticated venue modelling, thus allowing for simpler venue and shape creation. Incorporating many of Martin Audio’s line array, constant curvature, point source and subwoofer solutions, DISPLAY 3 is suitable for cohesive system design and prediction in a 3D environment. This latest beta version incorporates, for the first time, a new sub array tool enabling rapid design of ground deployed linear arrays of subwoofers. Traditional techniques have been employed to determine the EQ required to approximate and steer far-field b
Europe - Audio-Technica has announced that its ATND1061DAN ceiling array has been certified for use with Zoom Rooms, as part of a Q-SYS system that includes the Q-SYS Core 110f processor, AD-C4T ceiling-mount loudspeaker, SPA Series amplifiers and the I/O-USB Bridge peripheral. Partnering with Q-SYS streamlines network configuration and control, resulting in a simplified integration and setup process for installers and end users. With this new certified offering, users can take advantage of the flexible and scalable Q-SYS audio, video and control Platform and have confidence in clear and articulate audio quality, rejection of unwanted sounds, and the option to trigger camera position presets using the real-time positioning data from the ATND1061DAN. Deployed in high-impact spaces spanning from executive boardrooms to lecture halls, the ATND1061DAN ceiling array microp
Lithuania - One of Lithuania’s oldest museums, Vytautas the Great War Museum in Kaunas, is a focal point within the community for sharing the country’s rich and storied history. The museum offers many guided tours and education programs, with audio quality playing a crucial part of the learning experience. While visually striking, the museum’s 1930s Art Deco style and early functionalism architecture create a highly reflective interior with challenging acoustics. Vytautas the Great War Museum recently turned to beam-steering technology from Renkus-Heinz to provide the optimum sound solution to enhance the visitor experience. Museum management contacted local AV integration firm Audiotonas to design and install a new loudspeaker system. With the top priority of significantly increasing sound quality, coverage and spoken-word intelligibility, the integration team s
Germany - BB Promotion’s production of West Side Story set out on a world tour in late 2022 and has been capturing the hearts of audiences around the world ever since. Theatre sound designer and live sound engineer, Tom Marshall, worked with BB Promotion and Stage Sound Services (SSS) to create an appropriate audio setup which includes Sennheiser Digital 6000 wireless audio solutions as well as monitor speakers and microphones from Neumann. The show’s audio equipment includes 34 Sennheiser SK 6212 mini-bodypack transmitters, two Sennheiser MKH 40 microphones, 14 Sennheiser EM 6000 dual-channel receivers, 10 Neumann KH 120 monitors, eight Neumann KM 140 cardioid microphones, and two Neumann U 87 microphones. To ensure seamless performances during the tour, Marshall requested an identical ‘B’ system, so the two systems can ‘leapfrog’ their way around the glo
Luxembourg - Broadcasting Center Europe (BCE), based in Luxembourg is a European leader in media services, system integration and software development in the areas of television, radio, production, post-production, telecommunication and IT. When BCE needed a solution to provide an efficient, reliable and secure audio network for a wide range of productions they turned to Dante. BCE serves over 400 clients in various sectors, such as TV channels, radio stations, film distributors, producers, advertising companies, telecommunications operators and public services. BCE’s telecom network is one of the largest telecom networks targeted for the media market in Europe, hosting three of the main worldwide players. The technicians at BCE had seen the benefits of a Dante system for the last few years, having been one of the first broadcast centres in Europe to migrate
USA - Opened in 2021, UBS Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Long Island, New York. Home to the NHL’s New York Islanders, UBS Arena has a capacity of 19,000 and hosts basketball games, concerts, corporate events and professional wrestling broadcasts in addition to Islanders’ home games. To provide a quality audio experience for fans and attendees of a wide range of events, the newly constructed facility required a modern arena audio solution. The solution - designed by consultant group Wrightson, Johnson, Haddon & Williams, Inc. and installed by integrators Diversified - consists of over 950 JBL loudspeakers, including eight main bowl arrays of JBL VTX A12 speakers and S28 subwoofers, and a variety of PD Series, AWC Series, VRX Series, Series loudspeakers in balcony, concourse, back-of-house and delay positions. The entire system is powered by Cr
Italy - Outline has announced that their Newton audio processor has been awarded a European patent [N° EP3776932B1]. This qualification follows the awarding of an Italian patent for Newton in 2020 - N° 102018000004143 - and is the result of significant investment and effort on the part of the Brescia-based company. It is actually the third patent awarded to Newton, the other covering the WFIR filter topology that is a key factor in its audio performance. The company is continuing to develop the Newton platform and in related news, Outline is going to introduce a completely new multi-platform control software for Newton, once again entirely conceived and created at Outline HQ. This control suite is focused on enhancing the user-machine interaction and making life even easier for FOH and system techs. It will be available in Spring 2023.
USA - QSC has introduced L Class, billed as ‘the next generation of advanced, intelligent, active loudspeakers for applications ranging from simple, portable, plug-and-play setups, to demanding, networked, high-tech AV productions and fixed installations’. Developed with sound quality and expandability in mind, the new LA108 (two-way, 8 inch) and LA112 (two-way, 12 inch) active line array loudspeakers are complemented by the LS118 (single 18 inch) active subwoofer, each offering a brilliant combination of leading-edge innovation and ease of use. Technical innovations abound in the LA108 and LA112, including the proprietary QSC LEAF (Length-Equalized Acoustic Flare) waveguide, the ergonomically designed, single operator QSC RapidDeploy rigging system, and QSC AWARE (Automatic Wireless Array Recognition) system intelligence, which also provides one-button single box
Germany - Neumann has announced the launch of its first-ever audio interface, the MT 48. This product represents a significant milestone in the company's nearly 100-year history, as Neumann expands its portfolio beyond microphones, loudspeakers, and headphones to include the crucial interaction with the digital realm. The MT 48 audio interface is the first product with Merging Technologies inside. Based on the Merging Anubis audio interface (which remains available), the MT 48 features additional USB and ADAT connectivity, as well as a new user interface, optimised for maximum ease of use in studio and home studio applications. The MT 48 has four analogue inputs and eight analogue output channels (four stereo outputs) and is expandable via ADAT (switchable to S/PDIF) and AES67. MIDI I/O is included as well. The interface also boasts two powerful headphone amplifiers w
USA - This year at NAMM 2023, RCF showcases its ‘heritage, industry vision, and new technology’ that serve as the foundation for new products in sound reinforcement. Throughout Booth 14107, RCF highlights the features and benefits of its advanced speaker design, active and passive amplification, and innovative DSP processing. This year, RCF is launching the NX 912-SMA and 915-SMA NX Series stage monitors designed for maximum sound quality and coverage both on stage and for main-speaker uses. They're built road-tough, with a wooden cabinet and a rugged steel grille. The NX 912-SMA has a 12-inch neodymium woofer and a 1.75-inch compression driver, while the NX 915-SMA features a 15-inch neodymium woofer with the same compression driver. Currently riding a wave of success, the ART 9-AX Series is the latest addition to the ART family. Featuring Bluetooth connectivity,
UAE - Powersoft’s fixed-installation amplifiers and Dynamic Music Distribution system enhance the audio experience at a newly refurbished beachfront venue in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Umm Al Quwain is the UAE’s second smallest emirate, and off the tourist trail compared to its bigger brothers, Dubai and Abu Dhabi; home to sandy beaches and mangrove forests, it is often described as the hidden gem of the UAE. Lumi Beach, located at Umm Al Quwain Beach Hotel & Resort, is the emirate’s premier beach destination. The venue also hosts DJ sets and sports competitions, as well as weddings and other private events. Seeking to upgrade the beachfront DJ area, Lumi Beach employed Dubai-based Pro Lab to design a new house system that would provide a high-quality audio backbone for both daily use and the club’s roster of live events. To meet the brief,
UK - Martin Audio has teamed up with Belair Technology and The Bug Club to deliver the eco-friendly VW pop-up DJ booth. Since 2013, The Bug Club has delivered hundreds of events, from private parties, festivals, brand activations to product launches, carnivals, exhibitions and street parties but their latest creation, the Unplugged Bug, is ‘an intersection of sonic experience and environmental responsibility’. The fibreglass-built vehicle itself is 30% larger than a standard VW Camper and is designed to be a ‘festival friendly’ DJ booth. The custom-built Martin Audio sound system runs entirely on renewables thanks to Belair’s rack mounted Power Tower. The Power Tower is a clean and modern rechargeable battery-powered replacement for noisy and polluting generators and with its easy-to-use operation, combined with silent running and zero emissions, delivers the
Canada - Martin Tremblay, president and CEO of Solotech, has announced the appointment of Martin Carrier as president of the live productions division in Canada. “I’m pleased to welcome an exceptional leader who will play a key role on our management team thanks to his extensive experience in the entertainment industry. Martin Carrier is a visionary who, along with his team, will drive the live productions business in Canada within a large-scale market,” said Tremblay. Martin Carrier has over 25 years’ experience in senior management roles in a variety of industries, including video games, television and film production, and technology. He joins Solotech from MELS Studios & Postproduction, where he served as president. Previously, he held executive positions at companies such as Frima Studio, Warner Bros. Games and Ubisoft. “I’m honoured to join a
USA - Meyer Sound has announced an expanded presence at the 2023 NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA, bringing additional personnel and resources to showcase products and technologies for the touring, recording/post-production, and immersive audio markets. This year’s NAMM Show is scheduled as a one-time-only springtime event, with exhibits from 13-15 April. Meyer Sound can be found on the show floor at exhibit space #17215 (ACC North Level 2). “Meyer Sound is coming off a record-setting year in 2022, and we will be working hard to continue that success in the coming months,” says senior vice president John McMahon. “We are building momentum across the board - in tour sound, cinema, and post-production and installed sound. Since NAMM has expanded its scope well beyond musical instruments, it has become an ideal trade show for connecting us with all those markets.”
Germany - Hall 11.0 Stand C06 at this year’s Prolight+Sound will see L-Acoustics highlight Soka, SB6i and SB10i subwoofers, and X4i, solutions that provide audio in locations that require ‘ultimate discretion to allow the design space to shine’. Launched last year, Soka is a breed of loudspeaker that combines line source technology with a sleek aesthetic. Soka integrates nine 3.5” MF drivers and three 1” HF transducers to impart a wide 140-degree horizontal coupled with a highly controlled 26-degree vertical directivity. Soka and the latest SB6i subwoofer (both displayed as in-wall solutions at the show), are an ultra-shallow 3.9 inches/99 millimetres, designed to be easily enclosed in-wall or discreetly mounted on-wall, yet are capable of astounding power and bandwidth. Soka can also be combined with the SB10i subwoofer (displayed as on-wall) and is ideal as a mai
Europe - Film music composer Hans Zimmer drew over a million fans to arenas, stadiums and open-air concerts for his spectacular Hans Zimmer Live European Tour, his first large-scale arena tour since the pandemic. The Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe award winning composer performed live on stage, joined by an orchestra, band and choir, to perform hits from favourite films as well as new material in two hours of reimagined arrangements. For the first time on a Zimmer tour, a KLANG immersive in-ear monitor system was deployed. Sound designer and front of house engineer, Colin Pink, was faced with the challenge of creating more space in a mix consisting of over 200 channels of audio. The band itself comprised 20 multi-instrumentalists, along with the orchestral string and brass section, all supplemented with pre-recorded tracks. Additionally, two full drum kits and two perc
Germany - Funktion-One’s R&D team will lead a demo day being hosted by the loudspeaker manufacturer’s distributor for Germany at Movie Park in Bottrop. The event, which takes place on Friday 21 April and is open to audio and event professionals, will deliver a detailed showcase of Funktion-One’s Vero VX and provide an opportunity to listen to the recently launched Evo X. Funktion-One: A Day in the Park will take an in-depth look at Vero VX, hearing directly from Funktion-One founder Tony Andrews, product support/live sound engineer Will Wright, and acoustic design engineer James Hipperson. The programme will explore the Funktion-One design philosophy and the technological breakthroughs that steered the development of both Vero VX and Evo X. Attendees will have an opportunity to get involved in a Vero VX system design and set-up, followed by soundcheck and performa
UK - In mid-March, White Juju, a collaboration between the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) and jazz saxophonist and rapper Soweto Kinch, was performed at Printworks London. Three Yamaha Rivage PM digital mixing systems brought a variety of elements together in a powerful, sold-out performance. First performed at the Barbican as part of the 2021 EFG London Jazz Festival, Kinch’s work for jazz quartet and symphony orchestra was written in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, Black British history, Brexit and the COVID-19 lockdowns. Two and a half years on, the soon-to-be-redeveloped concrete cavern of the Press Halls: Live Stage at Printworks London gave the piece a new feel, with a different approach to mixing the sound. The LSO’s technical team is very familiar with the Yamaha Rivage PM series, having used a Rivage PM10 for its streamed concerts during the
Poland - Former Republika band member Leszek Biolik and the band Czarno-Białe Ślady (Zbigniew Krzywański, Jakub Nowak, Jacek Bończyk) welcomed regional stars to share Republika’s music in one of the first immersive audio live concerts in Poland featuring Adamson’s Fletcher Machine. The concert, part of the Obywatele Republiki [Citizens of the Republic] music project, was attended by 1,800 guests experiencing new interpretations of Republika’s songs through a modern multi-channel sound system. Guests included Renata Przemyk, Piotr Rogucki, Julia Pietrucha and Michał Wiraszko. “We are working in every region to showcase to artists, audiences and engineers how immersive audio experiences can engage audiences. The simplicity of Adamson’s solution is just as important as the overall quality of the sound,” says director of operations EMEA, Jochen Sommer.
USA - From 13 to 15 April, the NAMM Show will open its doors to visitors from across the globe, who traditionally value the many educational opportunities the show offers in addition to the product showcase. The Sennheiser Group will put a spotlight on immersive audio in demo room 17400, presenting the latest production tools and technologies from Sennheiser, Neumann, Dear Reality and Merging Technologies. As a partner of NAMM’s TEC Tracks, the group will send immersive audio experts to the TEC Tracks Keynote Panel, and host presentations on immersive production in its own demo room 17400. In addition, Neumann will unveil ‘an exciting new product’. Immersive audio best practice presentations will be delivered by industry veterans Michael Romanowski, Eric Schilling, Leslie Ann Jones and many more. Between the engineer presentations, guests will be able to experien
USA - Located on New York City’s bustling west side, the Jacob K. Javits Convention Centre hosts thousands of events annually – from trade shows to product launches to movie premieres. All that activity happening across a sprawling complex of open exhibit space, meeting rooms, lounges and more can create a challenging communications environment. When the centre announced a massive expansion recently, Clear-Com intercom systems were chosen to help streamline communications among Javits Centre staff members. The project, part of New York City’s long-term Midtown West redevelopment plan, adds 200,000sq.ft of meeting rooms and pre-function areas, including a 54,000sq.ft special event space and a truck marshalling facility designed to make event operations more efficient. Metinteractive, a provider of strategic solutions for architecture, communications and technology
UK - Autograph Sound is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023 and will be marking it with a number of special events and occasions throughout the year, one of which recently took place with Welsh National Opera at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff. In 1973, WNO became one of Autograph’s very first clients as they took delivery of a bespoke cue light and comms system, designed and built by company founder Andrew Bruce. In a remarkable coincidence and almost exactly 50 years later, Welsh National Opera have just taken delivery of a suite of Riedel comms equipment, also supplied and commissioned by Autograph. To mark the occasion, Andrew Bruce visited WNO to meet their technical staff and present a commemorative certificate to Ian Jones, WNO’s recently retired head of lighting & sound. Ian started at WNO in 1979 and used Andrew’s original system for some
USA/France - L-Acoustics has forged a partnership with Soundforms to offer innovative, immersive audio technology to open-air performance spaces worldwide. The mission of the two companies will be to develop creative solutions that combine L-Acoustics immersive sound technology into the acoustic and aesthetic properties of Soundforms Performance Shells. The end result will offer integrators, consultants, and end users coherent, turn-key solutions for open air performance venues that will create exceptional experiences for both audiences and performers. The two companies first worked together at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, home of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, where Soundforms designed the shell enclosure while the audience enjoys sound technology by L-Acoustics. “This partnership with Soundforms is an exciting opportunity to bring our L-ISA immersive technolog
