UK - Since their initial investment in Outline point source systems in 2017, growing rental and installation company Novum AV has been deploying its Vegas 12CX and 8CX inventory in a wide range of work around the UK from their base in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Tim Jacques, managing director of Novum AV, explains the reasons for that investment: “Back in 2017, Outline was very new to us and a surprise choice. We ran blind tests with seven different manufacturers and Outline was unanimously chosen by our six technicians who all thought they had selected their preferred brands. The system has changed how we operate and design certain jobs as not only is there a like-for-like weight saving compared to our previous point source enclosures, but the HF throw is so great and the sound quality so clear that we have often needed fewer speakers to achieve the required results. The pur
USA - Laredo, Texas has broadcast its city council meetings via public access cable TV since 1984. The city updated its 10-year-old conference system with a DICENTIS Conference system from Bosch, providing significant upgrades in control, sound quality and ease of operation with IP connectivity. The public access centre manager of the city, Gerardo Leal, is responsible for operating the conferencing system during meetings, and porting the audio into the video feed. The programme is aired on large video screens within the meeting room, which accommodates about 100 people. In addition, the meetings are streamed online and aired on the city’s public access channel. Audio, data and power for the discussion devices all run over a computer-based IP network using Bosch-developed OMNEO media-networking technology. Laredo’s set-up features 16 DICENTIS Discussion devices wi
South Africa - The Academy of Sound Engineering Cape Town, a tertiary institution for the entertainment industry, and DWR Distributions teamed up for an audio workshop to give the sound engineering students exposure and practice on some of the industry’s higher-end gear like L-Acoustics, DiGiCo and Audix. “ASE Cape Town lecturers are all active industry professionals; this keeps them engaged with the technological developments. Basically, we are massive gear heads which is the reason we want our students exposed to some of the great products that a company like DWR distributes”, says Gaston Roulstone a lecturer at ASE Cape Town. Jaco Beukes from DWR Distribution went to the Cape Town campus to give the students some “play time on some of the best toys”. “Before I began my portion of the workshop, I had the students set up the audio equipment with some real
UK - Technical event specialists Light Fantastic Production Services partnered with FUTR Summit to produce its recent event at London’s Business Design Centre. Billed as Europe's only annual summit focused on fresh thinking and progressive change in the future of retail, marketing and commerce, FUTR brings together a diverse mixture of international brands and retailers. Featuring over 200 guest speakers, this high-profile event required planning and delivery of a comprehensive audio, video, scenic and technical support solution, to create the perfect environment in which to welcome both presenters and delegates. Keeping the main stage presentations crystal clear within the venue’s bright central atrium, LFPS deployed their new Panasonic RZ 12K laser projectors. In tandem with a main stage auditorium, the company also created a pair of ancillary stages
UK - The White Rock Theatre on the Hastings seafront is a historically significant cultural landmark in East Sussex, with origins dating back to 1927. As one of the region’s largest receiving houses, the theatre accommodates 1,066 seated and nearly 1,700 standing. Marquee AV recently installed an EM Acoustics EMS Series point source system to bring the audio up to the standards demanded by modern audiences. Adam Harkin, the venue’s technical and building manager says: “Sound is everything - without sound, there’s no show. Our new EM Acoustics system stands head and shoulders over what we had before which was old and no longer fit for purpose by modern standards. What we have now is simply amazing - it’s a proper theatre system and has made a huge difference - everyone can hear everything regardless of where they are sat in the venue.” When the decisio
USA - The Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre near St Louis, Missouri seats 7,000 people under its roof, but another 13,000 can sit on its vast lawn. However, the previous line arrays that covered the lawn - and thus the vast majority of patrons for a well-attended show - strained to provide the necessary volume, irritated neighbours and literally rotted under the stress of the summer humidity and heat in St Louis. Rather than replace the failed system with an equally doomed solution, Logic Systems Sound and Lighting completely re-conceptualised the entire approach. They installed four clusters of two point-source Danley Sound Labs J7-95 Jericho Horns each and opted for Danley’s fully-weatherised version that can be left out, not only all summer but, all winter as well, with no ill effects. “The Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre was on its third lawn sound reinforcement syst
Europe - Muse have embarked on their Simulation Theory’ World Tour in support of their eighth studio album. The tour began in February 2019 in Houston, Texas, playing 53 dates across North America, Europe, Asia and South America before concluding in Santiago, Chile in October 2019. A disguise gx 2 media server, provided by PRG, drives video and real-time Notch content for the show, which is currently on its European leg, playing at stadium venues. Creative director Jesse Lee Stout of Metaform Studio partnered with the band, and Muse’s frontman and lead vocalist, Matt Bellamy, on the concept and style of the tour based on the recent album. Sooner Routhier and Robert Long are the show’s lighting designers, Aaron Luke the lighting director, and George Reeves the production manager, with Tom Kirk as the video director. “Creatively, this show is a world of r
USA - Clearwing Productions once again selected Harman Professional Solutions’ JBL Professional loudspeaker, Crown amplifier and Martin lighting products to kick up the excitement at Summerfest 2019 in Milwaukee. The deployment at Summerfest comes months after Clearwing made a significant upgrade to its audio inventory with a multi-million-dollar purchase of JBL VTX A-Series line arrays. More than 200 JBL Professional loudspeakers, fills and subwoofers are featured, including the new JBL VTX A8 and A12 line array loudspeakers. The Martin MAC Allure made its debut this year, along with support from the Martin Atomic, VDO, and RUSH lines. “We are really enjoying the flexibility that the new JBL A8s offer for our various stage configurations as well as the versatility that we’ve come to enjoy from the A12s,” comments Bryan Brunclik, Clearwing Productions Mi
USA - The recently-opened Mandrake has already established itself as a popular staple of the Miami Beach dining and nightlife scene. In addition to a variety of sushi and pan-Asian cuisine prepared by executive chef Jimmy Gallagher, the restaurant is known for its over-the-top décor, including a life-sized gorilla to greet the patrons and bright fuchsia-coloured lighting. Equally important for the restaurant’s ambiance, it also features a Martin Audio CDD sound system installed by Miami’s AVL Innovations (AVLI). Asked about the audio component, AVLI’s James Reed explains: “Mandrake has several floors and multiple rooms. There’s a sushi bar in the front room where we used eight Martin Audio CDD8’s mounted on the wall along with four SX210 subwoofers built into the banquettes; then there’s a hallway leading to the main dining room with two CDD8’s.” The
Spain - With over 50 albums recorded and the unusual distinction of being awarded a ‘uranium’ disc, singer Raphael is one of the most successful Spanish performers in in the country’s recent history. Still touring in his mid-1970s, a Yamaha Rivage PM7 digital mixing system is currently showcasing his greatest hits in a new orchestral tour. Since his career began in 1962, Raphael’s distinctive voice and performance style have made him an iconic figure amongst Spanish performers. 50m sales of compilation album Ayer, Hoy y Siempre saw record company Hispavox award him a ‘uranium’ disc for the achievement. Having performed in most of the world’s leading venues over nearly 60 years, he is still a very popular live performer. His current RESinphónico tour began in December 2018 and is booked to continue into 2020, with shows at major venues in Spain, Russia,
USA - An SQ-7 digital mixer from Allen & Heath now serves as the cornerstone of production technologies at the Academy of Modern Music Production (AMMP). Working in tandem with Ableton Live 10 music sequencer and digital audio workstation software, the SQ-7 brings a new level of control to the Mesa, Arizona-based learning centre. “We’re more than a project studio, and different from a university or any other conventional school,” says AMMP founder and all-round ambassador Brandon Mandy. “What sets us apart is that we focus on teaching what it means to be an artist first, all while demonstrating everything else needed to succeed from technical to marketing skills.” What sets this SQ-7 installation apart from all others is its deep integration with Ableton 10 Live, something - to the best of Mandy’s knowledge - that has never been done quite like this
USA - Penn’s Peak is a popular 1,800-capacity entertainment facility in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, only tells half the story. Set in beautiful surroundings, its auditorium, plays host to a wide range of national and international artists. Recently, the production team at Penn’s Peak took the decision to install a new sound system in the auditorium. The team chose a system based around Coda Audio AiRAY, supplied by Pennsylvania-based Saturn Systems. The existing system at the venue was undersized and underpowered for what is a large, open, acoustically challenging space. Penn’s Peak is characterised by its predominantly wooden interior, the acoustics of which alter drastically when the hall is empty at soundchecks and full at showtime. The areas under the balconies on either side of the hall had also presented problems. The team was aware that the experience of pat
UK - The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) has recently benefited from the implementation of a K-array Anakonda and Kobra loudspeaker system supplied by UK distributor 2B Heard. Following a K-array demonstration and training day conducted by 2B Heard directors Dave Wooster and Sam Nankivell, the audio staff at LIPA were impressed with the range of solutions that the Italian loudspeaker brand offers, and decided to take the opportunity for third year live sound students to use K-array systems on a production of <IRomeo and Juliet in the 400-seat Paul McCartney Auditorium. Students were given a strict brief to minimise the visual impact of the sound system, while at the same time delivering clarity and consistency throughout the audience area at an SPL appropriate for the dance-based nature of the show. “The sound system had to be as discreet as possibl
UK - Nexo’s Experience Day roadshow arrives in London on 3 July (Wednesday) to spend the day at The Mill’s rehearsal facility in Wimbledon. With three line arrays from Nexo’s Geo M family on show at the 430sq.m. studio, the event provides an opportunity to ‘check the spec’ of Nexo’s latest PA products. Entry is free and catering is provided. The line array systems featured in the showcase will be the recently-launched Geo 12, as well as the Geo M10 mid-size line arrays, and the popular compact Geo M6. The systems will be set up with Yamaha PM7 and PM10 Rivage digital consoles at FOH, running Dante audio network. Nexo and Yamaha system experts will be demo the systems and discuss a range of topics including Dante networking, system monitoring with Nexo’s proprietary NeMo tools, and integrating Yamaha consoles with NXAMP powered controllers.
UK - Registration is now open for PLASA Show 2019, which returns from 15-17 September to bring over 200 brands lighting, audio, AV, rigging and staging brands to Olympia London. Mirroring the growth of the AV sector, this year’s show will present an array of next-generation LED screen technology from major players such as Canon and Midwich. Furthermore, Netgear will share its networking and integration solutions. The audio presence at the show has been growing rapidly over the last few years and in 2019, the show will welcome Void Acoustics and CUK Audio in addition to Bose, d&b audiotechnik, Yamaha and Adam Hall among others. Meanwhile, live audio demos will double this year, with L-Acoustics taking a dedicated demo space and KV2 Audio demo'ing its products, which fe
Europe - Shure Incorporated has announced plans to continue its expansion in northern Europe with the appointment of Julian Simpson as market development manager. In this role, Simpson will build direct relationships with end customers in the region to better understand their requirements and find solutions that best meet their needs, while working closely with key channel distributors. The appointment will enable Shure to support its channel partners in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland. The company will not sell direct, but Simpson will step in to drive business to appointed distributors, including Benum Sweden, Benum Norway, Matrix Sales Denmark, and Intersonic Finland. “Shure’s focus on developing and nurturing the Nordic market is one that we are steadfastly committed to,” comments Rob Smith, senior director, global integrated systems sales at Shure. “
UK - Creation Live started working with Fly Events on their inaugural Fly Open Air dance promotion in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens back in September 2016. By the time the event arrived at the 17th century stately home, Hopetoun House, the following May they had adopted sister company VME’s Martin Audio MLA, aware of all the sensitivities of presenting an EDM event in the 6500-acre grounds of a historic building overlooking the River Forth, which separates Edinburgh from Fife. Since then, the event has blossomed, more than doubling the original Hopetoun House attendance to 8,500 per day this year, and increasing the inventory of award-winning loudspeaker elements accordingly. Creation Live’s Tom Whittle, who heads the event and production company which this year will see them execute 300 plus events of varying sizes, described the event as “absolute
Spain - The International Music Summit Ibiza (IMS) is a comprehensive event dedicated to promoting awareness of and appreciation for electronic music. Created in 2007, when it was presented by Pete Tong as a platform to inspire debate and discussion, the Summit has since grown to be widely regarded as a leading platform for thought and leadership in the electronic music sphere. The 2019 edition took place over five days in May and welcomed industry leaders, influencers and newcomers to participate in a series of talks, presentations, socials and performances, spread across a number of venues on the island. Curated in partnership with shesaid.so, the global network of women in the music industry, this year’s programme focused on mental health, diversity and examining club culture within the objective of developing new strategies to address these important issues. The
Spain - Pacha’s Destino Resort in Ibiza revamped its entire outdoor DJ stage and club for the 2018 season, installing a complete d&b GSL system to increase sound quality and volume inside the resort while reducing noise pollution for nearby neighbours. Perched on a clifftop at Cap Martinet above the resort of Talamanca, Pacha-owned Destino resort offers stunning views over Ibiza Old Town. For summer season 2018, the resort launched with a new, wooden arched stage and half-dome covering, revamped VIP and outdoor dancefloor spaces, and a d&b GSL System. A customised DJ booth takes centre stage, flanked by six GSL tops each side, consisting of four GSL8 and four GSL12, and 10 SL-GSUBs stacked directly beneath in a distributed sub array for a total control of the LF dispersion beam. For monitoring, the DJs are hearing four V-GSUBs and a pair of V7Ps. Fres
UK - The fast-developing Farmer J health food concept opened its second operation recently in the City of London in a strategic new development opposite Monument Station, at the entrance to London Bridge. An all-day operation, it serves breakfasts and lunches on fieldtrays, with all food cooked on site using fresh ingredients. As it moves into the evening session for cocktails and dinner the atmosphere changes again. To keep the mood constantly evolving during the different trading patterns, owner Jonathan Recanati wanted a subtle, but high-quality sound system. Evolve Install had already undertaken some work at the original Farmer J in Leadenhall, boosting the original sound system there with some JBL Control 25-1. “And that primarily won us the contract for the full fit-out here,” explains director Elliot Patterson. Working alongside music providers and cu
South Africa - Selby’s Productions has been servicing the events and conferencing world since 1980 and most recently, the company upraded its offering with the addition of an L-Acoustics Kara system. The purchase of the long-throw Kara modular line source loudspeaker system is part of a larger plan for Selby’s to move fully to L-Acoustics as their choice of loudspeaker. This choice was two years in the making, according to the Durban branch manager Wayde Sparks. “Richard Smith from DWR Distribution and I had been talking about the Kara for a while, and when it came time for us to upgrade our PA system it was my first option. I have been to the demos for most of the big players in this field, and the truth is, nothing else really compares for me.” As a company Selby’s focus a lot on the conferencing world, and this involves spaces of varying size. “The versa
UK - AV and event production company Blitz has installed loudspeaker equipment from EM Acoustics to ExCeL London’s ICC auditorium. The equipment forms part of the auditorium’s in-house equipment so any clients using the space will be able to benefit from this installation as part of their tenancy. The kit list from supplier EM Acoustics includes equipment from the company’s new Halo Arena line. Jeremy Rees, CEO at ExCeL London, comments: “At ExCeL, we recognise the importance of delivering innovative events that provide a truly immersive, memorable experience. Increasingly technology is at the core of that approach. We are delighted that Blitz has chosen ExCeL to install this high-spec system, enabling us to deliver an enhanced experience, within our Auditorium, to our varied portfolio of clients including agencies, corporates, associations and exhibiti
The Netherlands - Professional live events equipment supplier Ampco Flashlight has added Outline’s FPGA-based Newton processing platform to its portfolio, to address the growing popularity of multi-send PA systems and multiple-source audio set-ups. Ampco Flashlight Sales is now distributor for Outline Newton in Benelux. The Utrecht-based rental and sales company supplies a range of events, including festivals, theatre, touring and broadcast productions and corporate events. Its portfolio features products from DiGiCo, Martin Audio, Allen & Heath, Clear-Com, ETC and Ayrton among many others. “Being the answer for demanding install and touring applications where top-quality matrixing and processing is required, we are very happy that we can now offer Outline Newton to our clients in the Benelux,” comments Ampco Flashlight sales specialist, Martin van Kou
Europe - Featuring a new design concept and significant improvements in audio performance, usability and portability, Yamaha's new Stagepas 1K “redefines the standard for portable PA systems”. The new system features modified versions of the 1.5 inch (3.75 cm) drivers with high end neodymium magnets that have made Yamaha’s VXL series line array loudspeakers a great success in the professional sound installation market, receiving widespread praise for their audio quality, 170º horizontal coverage and slimline appearance. Bringing all of those qualities to the streamlined, reduced weight Stagepas 1K system, an array of 10 of the 1.5 inch drivers work seamlessly with a 12” subwoofer to deliver uniform, high quality sound with clear highs and punchy lows. The subwoofer features Yamaha's Twisted Flare Port technology, which effectively reduces wind noise in the bas
