Denmark - German car manufacturer Audi launched its electric e-tron Sportback model in Denmark with a visuals-focused event powered by two Hippotizer Amba+ Media Servers. More than 30sq.m of LED screen was constructed at Audi Danmark’s Gladsaxe showroom, as a backdrop to a large stage upon which the e-tron Sportback was displayed. Audi Danmark’s marketing manager Morten Friis-Olsen approached Danish event lighting and visuals expert Showtech to deliver the visuals, lighting and staging for the launch, which was live streamed to both consumers and members of the car industry. “The Audi team shared the brief for the event with us, requesting a dynamic and bright look and feel to reflect the car’s ‘100% electric, 100% Audi’ tagline,” says Showtech’s Joachim Bay. “We translated this into the visuals, using Audi’s branding as the core of the creati
UK - The music industry has sadly lost another character with the passing of Phil Hildrow, an archetypal salesman, charmingly personable, slightly risqué loveable rogue. Phil died earlier this month, aged 75. During the ‘70s Phil worked for PACE-MM who pioneered the “cheap but serviceable” mixing consoles which launched the careers of so many bands on the pub circuits of the UK. The UK’s dominance in this market led to growing demand for ‘Made in GB’ products across mainland Europe. So, sensing the untapped potential for sales, Phil set off with a demo MM mixer in the boot of his trusty blue Vauxhall Cavalier to call on the music shops on the other side of the Channel and take orders, preferably large ones, prepaid. This launched Phil’s new love of travel, which along with his love of football and family stayed with him for life. Early in the
Australia - ARX is pleased to announce the launch of the new ARX Ultra deBalancer, a two-channel audio debalancer and switchable +4dB or -10dB level optimiser, specifically designed to handle the critical task of converting pro audio balanced outputs to unbalanced signals. With so many different consumer products in today’s ‘BYOD’ environment, you need to be prepared with the right equipment on hand to silently interface with unbalanced +4dB line level signal paths or the -10dB unbalanced inputs of low operating level professional and consumer electronics, says ARX. The Ultra deBalancer interface offers a straightforward solution with industry standard female amphenol XLR Inputs and transformer isolated and de-balanced 6.5mm jack, RCA and 3.5mm jack outputs to cover all plug types. As part of the ARX Audibox range of audio interfaces, the Ultra deBalancer feature
USA - The past 12 months challenged the AV industry in new ways, particularly when it came to sustaining and supporting partners and customers. LEA Professional saw the difficulties faced by system integrators and worked to connect with them and support their business through the use of cloud technology. Now, with the benefits of the cloud firmly embedded in the minds of industry stakeholders, LEA Professional expects there is no going back. “Integrators have been able to navigate the ever-changing environment by capitalising on proven, robust cloud technology from global leaders, such as Amazon Web Services, to provide continued support for customers and partners. It’s made it easy for integrators to help customers through various work-from-home situations and to navigate social distancing and other health protocols,” said Blake Augsburger, founder and CEO LEA Profess
USA - Department chair John Little has noticed a change in Media Arts & Technology degree programme applicants at Mount Wachusett Community College since its studio rebuild. “We are a small community college whose student body mostly commutes to campus from within 20 miles. Website photos from the renovations are now drawing audio students from hundreds of miles away, some of whom rent apartments so they can train here.” Five years on, the college is still enjoying the fruits of its Media Arts & Technology facility upgrade, which included a rebuild of five audio control rooms. Little commented on the new ASP8024 at the time: “We’re especially happy with the Audient console we put in Studio 5,” and he stands by his statement today. “I chose it before I knew how many colleges around the world use them. I insisted on an actual console with real audio paths o
South Africa - The Covid-19 restrictions on houses of worship in South Africa has seen many churches move to on-line services and upping their skills to deliver a professional broadcast. Empower Church in Pretoria recently invested in a Waves LV1 System with the addition of Audix ADX51 for crowd microphones, and along with their vibrant in-house audio engineer, Kgosi Rankhumise, a positive result has been achieved for those watching the service from home. “Over a year ago, the church took a big leap forward in upgrading their existing audio system with the purchase of a DiGiCo SD12,” explained Jaco Beukes of DWR Distribution. “They have really enjoyed the console and what it offers the engineers at Empower Church. We also supplied L-Acoustics loudspeakers comprising of six X8 front-fills, two X8 monitors and three Kiva delay speakers installed with amps. This combined
South Africa - It’s a new season for the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in Pretoria who rode the Covid-19 wave and have turned their Performing Arts Diploma curriculum upside down with a different approach. The students are currently working alongside technical supply company MGG, to host a virtual stage, which will also be recorded for external examiners. “We are very excited to announce that all previous departments that worked within the Performing Arts have now merged into one Department of Performing Arts (DPA),” comments Janine Lewis, professor and HOD at TUT. “The six programmes we had before are being phased out while first-year students will now follow the new multi-disciplinary Diploma in Performing Arts and then go into a discipline stream of speciality where they can focus on Dance, TAD (Theatre, Art & Design which includes performance and te
UAE - Located next to Dubai’s Media and Internet City hub, the Grand Plaza Mövenpick Media City hotel features 235 rooms and suites, five restaurants/bars, a 1150m2 convention centre (including 800m2 Grand Ballroom), meeting rooms, rooftop lounge, gym, spa and swimming pool. Systems integrator Telematics was asked to install audio systems in the Grand Ballroom, spa/gym and five meeting rooms, delivering audio to match the hotel’s facilities and décor. Supplied by Thomsun Trading, the sound of the VXC series ceiling speakers was one of the reasons for choosing a Yamaha solution. The Grand Ballroom is mainly used for corporate events and weddings. For maximum flexibility, it can be divided into two or three smaller spaces, so an adaptable audio system was needed. Here, 22 VXC8 ceiling speakers were installed - in two groups of eight and one of six for the three zo
Canada - Beside the St Lawrence river in Montreal, the Parc Optimiste boasts expansive grounds for recreational activities or outdoor sports. The park also supports the local community in Sainte-Catherine by providing a wide range of events. In light of this, it needed a public address and entertainment system that could further support the community. The city’s head of events, Nicolas G. Bouchard, wanted to introduce a permanent solution towards the park’s audio needs that could provide audio and public support for any events that take place on the grounds. This was partly inspired by the positive response from local residents to the park’s Halloween 2020 theme, in which lighting and decorations were placed along the park’s walkway. Without an audio system, the city was unable to provide music to go with the theme, and the need for enhancing the park with audio equi
Australia - The Atomic Beer Project is a new microbrewery concept that debuted recently in the inner-Sydney suburb of Redfern. Its hoppy beers provide a complement to the pan-Asian cuisine that the operation specialises in. Although owners, Gage Roads Brew Co., hail from Western Australia, this is their first bricks and mortar incarnation. In addition to the Craft beers, also helping to draw in patrons - and keep them there - is a potent sound system from Martin Audio. Music is a core part of the concept, according to Atomic Brand lead, Clint O’Hanlon. “We have started sponsoring FBI radio, which is a youth radio network just down the street from us, and we’ll be hosting their DJs here,” he promises. One thing the Atomic team were unequivocal about was that there would be no compromise on sound. They chose Martin Audio loudspeakers, having had “excellen
UK - Collaborative Creations (CC) has announced its sales team partnership with AED Audio in the UK. CC founder and director, West End associate sound designer, Sam Vincent, confirms, “AED Audio has come up with a brilliant product offering in the Flex and Solid Series speakers. Incredibly versatile, they suit a wide range of applications and the 15" Front Loaded Solid15 sub has an impressive low range for a sub of its size. “It’s the accessories for the range, however, that represent the biggest step forward I have seen in a long time. As a system it’s very user friendly at every level, whether for a single install or for multi-application use, for example, in a multipurpose or multi-format venue, or for a hire company.” A division of the AED group, the AED Audio product range is inspired directly by the needs of AV production hire companies with whic
France - Solid State Logic has appointed Algam, distributor of professional audio products in France and Maghreb regions, as their sole distributor for sales and support across all four of SSL’s vertical markets of broadcast, live, studio and audio creation. For over 30 years Solid State Logic has provided sales and support services via their own subsidiary, SSL France, under the leadership of, Philippe Guerinet. SSL France has been responsible for the growth of SSL Live, System T broadcast and large-format studio consoles in the region and in recent years, the increasing range of ‘ACP’ audio creation products, including USB recording interfaces, high-performance small-scale mixers and hybrid production tools; Fusion and UF8. Philippe Guerinet, director of international sales comments: “We were looking for a new structure capable of supporting further growth i
Ukraine - Located on the Dnieper River in central-eastern Ukraine and with a population of almost a million, Dnipro is a dynamic and lively city, home to endless parks and green areas lining the river. It is also one of the country's major hubs for high tech, education, machine building, metallurgy, and trade. The city opened its Prebrezhniy Skver Park in September 2019 and chose DAS Audio to supply the sound systems for this new green area with large spaces almost completely exposed to the weather. Indigo Music, DAS Audio's distributor and installer of audiovisual solutions in Ukraine, commented that, "We needed to offer a solution that was 100% resistant to the different environmental conditions and that could also cover large spaces while delivering maximum intelligibility for both music and spoken messages.” The park offers an audiovisual laser light show
USA - Passion City Church (PCC) was born out of the Passion Movement, a decades old movement within the collegiate generation known for introducing songs that are sung all over the world, as well as vibrant, large-scale events, particularly the annual Passion Conference. This year’s conference kicked off 2021 on New Year’s Eve, engaging more than one million people online with stirring worship and teaching. PCC was started in Atlanta in 2008 through small gatherings in homes around the city. Public gatherings began in 2009, and the first permanent location opened at 515 Garson Drive shortly after that. The church’s priority on creating highly participatory and high energy worship environments extends to the church’s second location in the Atlanta suburb of Cumberland, where it recently opened a new facility with a 1,400-seat auditorium. The new site, which feat
Italy - Renkus-Heinz is partnering with Italian AV distributor Prase Media Technologies to bring its loudspeaker solutions to the Italian market. “The mission at Renkus-Heinz is to make every location sound better,” said Michal Poplawski, European technical sales manager at Renkus-Heinz. “That requires more than just having product available in a certain area. You need to have a partnership in place with a team that is passionate, knowledgeable, and excited about the solutions you create. We are fortunate to have those qualities in our partnership with Prase Media Technologies.” Prase Media Technologies, headquartered in Venice, has decades of experience as a distributor focused on AV integration for theatres, conference rooms, retail stores, museums, hospitality, cruise lines, railway stations, and the broader entertainment industry. “The markets that
Europe - Meyer Sound has announced a strategic realignment of all top-level sales management responsibilities outside of the Americas. Meyer Sound Germany has been renamed Meyer Sound Europe and, under the leadership of managing director Wolfgang Leute, will assume direct responsibility for sales and support activities throughout Europe as well as across the Middle East and Africa. Concurrently, director of international sales Scott Gledhill will focus exclusively on continuing Meyer Sound’s sales momentum in the Asia Pacific region. “During the pandemic we learned the importance of timely, direct and personal communication with our distributors, dealers and customers,” says Meyer Sound senior vice president John McMahon. “Zoom and similar technologies changed the way we communicated, but time zone differentials remained a hinderance. This regional realignment will m
UK - Solid State Logic (SSL) has introduced two new modular processors as part of revitalising the SSL 500 Series module range. The G-Comp Bus Compressor, E-EQ and E-Dynamics processing modules have been given a fresh, sleek brushed steel facelift, while a feature enhanced VHD+ module, new stereo Ultraviolet Stereo Equaliser (UV-EQ) and SiX Channel (SiX CH) modules, complete the new-look range. Niall Feldman, SSL director of new products, comments, “For nearly 20 years, we have made many of our classic console and processor-based innovations available to more producers, engineers and musicians via the 500 module series. The opportunity with our more recent product to continue this work and bring a new range of modern classic 500 modules to a broader market, was too good to resist.” Ultraviolet takes the minimum phase-shift Violet stereo EQ section from the new stud
USA - PK Sound has announced the appointment of Andrew King to the role of global senior brand support. Reporting directly to PK’s recently appointed chief strategy officer, James Oliver, King will head ongoing marketing and communications initiatives while also supporting colleagues and outside partners as a key part of the company’s brand team. King comes to PK Sound following a lengthy stint with publishing and communications company NWC. “I’ve seen and reported on years of technological innovation in the pro audio industry, and firmly believe that PK Sound represents the future of professional loudspeaker systems for the next generation of technicians and engineers,” King offers. “Simply put, our technology inspires demand, empowering users with unmatched acoustic and operational advantages. The potential built into this brand is incredible and I look
Norway - The distinctive triangular shape of Tromsdalen Church (Ishavskatedralen, or the Arctic Cathedral) is one of the most recognised landmarks in the city of Tromsø. But despite its status as a place of worship, tourist attraction and symbol of the city, for many years it suffered from poor sound for the services and many recitals and concerts it hosts. But all that has now changed, following the installation of an Alcons Audio LR7 pro-ribbon sound reinforcement system. Consecrated in 1965, Ishavskatedralen is considered a masterpiece by architect Jan Inge Hovig. 11 aluminium-coated concrete plates either side of the roof give the church it’s well-known form, complemented at one end by a giant stained glass window and, at the other, a main entrance in an end wall of clear glass, with a giant cross tying all the elements together. The church is an important cultu
UK - Yamaha Unified Communications (UC) has appointed three specialist UK distribution partners for its new Adecia intelligent conferencing solution. Adecia applies automated room tuning and dynamic voice tracking to the challenges of conference environments, providing a complete, customizable audio solution for remote conferencing and collaboration. Based on the dedicated RM-CR conference processor, VXL1-16P line array speakers and optimised SWR2311P-10G PoE+ switch, Adecia systems are easy to set up and can be used in a wide variety of locations and situations. Yamaha will be developing the range, offering Adecia solutions which provide a comfortable and effortless remote conferencing experience in all kinds of spaces. For UK resellers and their customers, Yamaha has appointed Audiologic, Habitech and Tempura Communications as distribution partners. “Special
UK - Mike Wroe, former CFO of Just Eat plc, has been appointed as non-executive chairman of TV and events supplier JLLighting and JLLive. Wroe has a wealth of experience as a senior executive, board member and non-executive director over the course of a 20-year career. As CFO at Just Eat plc, he led the transformation of a £20m start-up into a £4bn FTSE business operating in 15 countries worldwide. Amongst a variety of advisory roles to a number of leading European growth business, Wroe is also currently an active angel investor and is non-executive chairman of private equity backed proSapient Limited, the technology-led expert network and primary research platform. Jack Linaker, group director, comments: “We are thrilled to have Mike on board. His strategic vision will help us steer the business as we grow and enter new territories. Mike’s highly successful tra
USA - Lincoln Financial Field opened in 2003 as the home stadium for the Philadelphia Eagles NFL team. In addition to Eagles football, it regularly hosts the Temple University Owls, the Army-Navy game and many soccer games each season. In 2017, the Stadium staff asked Diversified to design a new, upgraded audio system for the seating bowl. Diversified developed a comprehensive design, installed in multiple phases during off-seasons starting in spring of 2018. The Philadelphia Eagles wanted to raise the bar for audio performance within the stadium. “The fan experience across the NFL has been improving for a number of years,” says Jeff Sanderson, senior design engineer at Diversified. “A lot of teams are renovating or building new stadiums. The Eagles wanted Lincoln Financial Field to sound as good or better than anything else in the NFL. Speech intelligibility and
Norway - The Future Group, maker of virtual production tool Pixotope, the technology behind award-winning productions such as TWC Surge Flood and Riot’s Pop Stars, has received development grants from the Epic Games MegaGrants fund and Innovation Norway. The grants will allow The Future Group to develop Pixotope Live Cloud that "will enable companies to connect to the power of live virtual production through a ‘pay as you go’ and always available cloud service". Marcus B.Brodersen, CEO of The Future Group, explains: “We are making virtual production more accessible and giving streaming and broadcast production companies more flexibility in how they tell engaging stories.” Built on the production-proven Pixotope virtual production technology, Pixotope Live Cloud adds a number of new features. Brodersen summarises: “Unreal Engine is the perfect
Australia - ACMI, Australia’s national museum of screen culture located in Melbourne, celebrates the nation’s long history in the medium - including film, television, video games, and moving image artwork. Recently, the museum underwent a renovation that completely overhauled its central exhibition design - and its AV system - to allow visitors to take a journey through Australia’s history of moving images. By utilising robust, immersive, and interactive AV, the exhibition, titled The Story of the Moving Image, advances through time – from shadow play to the films that shaped Australia’s cinematic landscape. The exhibition includes Games Lab Presented by Big Ant Studios, where AAA titles sit alongside a curated selection of locally made indie games, and a section dedicated to the power of citizen journalism. And while the museum is largely focus
