UK - The Green Hippo training team took to the road to deliver a week-long residency at Backstage Academy in Production Park, Wakefield, as well as a private training session in Lithuania. October was another packed month for the Green Hippo training division, involving a week-long residency at Backstage Academy in Production Park and a successful private training session into the Baltic region. Green Hippo is renowned for its commitment to training excellence - its Hippotizer training sessions, known as HippoSchool, have been running for over 10 years, visiting over 38 countries and training over 2,000 students, freelancers and professionals - and October 2018 marked the beginning of Green Hippo’s new partnership with Backstage Academy, the Production Park-based centre of excellence that specialises in degree courses, short courses and training programmes for the li
USA - Sitting on a sprawling campus in the Bothell community outside of Seattle, Cedar Park Church was founded in 1970 and has, for the last nearly 50 years, been growing each year. When the time came to upgrade the church’s sound system in its 970-seat main auditorium, the decision to install a new system from Clair Brothers. Steve Palermo, owner, LIFT AV, consultant and project manager of the new system, explains: “No architectural changes had to be made, however, we did spec the system for the church’s planned future renovations. This Clair Brothers kiTCurve12 system was designed to accommodate future renovations without requiring any further system enhancements or funding.” Cedar Park Church’s old system was antiquated and due for a modern approach. The first step of the physical installation was the removal of all eighteen of the old speakers, ten
UK - Accompanied by an Allen & Heath dLive mixing system, English rockers Nothing But Thieves finally return to the UK, bringing their mammoth year-long world tour to an end. SSE Audio - one of the largest rental stockists of Allen & Heath products in the UK - supplied the full audio set-up, which includes a dLive S7000 and DM64 MixRack fitted with Dante for multitrack recording and virtual soundcheck on FOH and a dLive S5000 with a DM64 MixRack on monitors. Gary Curtis, FOH engineer and long-time user of Allen & Heath products, comments: “I first came across dLive at SXSW several years ago and I instantly found it very user-friendly, great sounding and very quick to assign layers, but the flexibility of the system is what really drew me in. Now I’ll use dLive at every opportunity I have - for this tour, I even convinced our monitor engineer (David) to
UK - Neutrik UK and NTi Audio (formerly Neutrik Technical Instruments) have jointly agreed the cessation of the current agreement, effective 1 January 2019, under which NTi Audio’s range of test and measurement solutions for acoustics, audio and vibration applications is exclusively distributed by Neutrik in the UK. NTi Audio UK will assume responsibility for the distribution, service and customer support for NTi products in Great Britain and Ireland. Neutrik UK head of sales & marketing, Andy Croucher said, “The increasing divergence of our respective product lines has diminished the brand synergies that were more obvious in previous years. The current interests of NTi’s user base are clearly better served by dedicated specialist distribution and aftercare arrangements. Neutrik UK is confident that NTi Audio UK’s specialist skill set and knowledge base wil
Cypris - Famed for fine strawberries and a biennial Strawberry Festival, the village of Deryneia in southeastern Cyprus boasts open-air folk art museums and older Byzantine churches, as well as the more recent vintage Agion Panton (All Saints) Church. Begun in 1974, Agion Panton Church's construction was interrupted by the Turkish invasion of that year but resumed in 1987, finally reaching completion in 1992. To design and install a sound system for its beautiful but acoustically complex sanctuary, the church's leaders selected V Hypersound & Light, which specializes in devising sound systems for acoustically challenging houses of worship. With the advice of the Renkus-Heinz team, V Hypersound & Light designed a system based on Renkus-Heinz Iconyx Gen5-series digitally steerable line arrays, supplemented with CX-series point-source loudspeakers. "At Agion Pant
UK - When Wembley’s SSE Arena opened its doors for the first time to an all-nighter, featuring undisputed champion of drum 'n' bass, Andy C, it presented a number of fresh challenges not previously encountered. With only the lower bowl area open for the occasion (and the upper tribunes screened off) Capital Sound needed to design their MLA sound system accordingly, while their system tech Ben Turnbull also needed to ensure the minimum of noise escape - as the Wembley area is now densely populated with flats and hotels - to guide the event safely through to dawn. Promoter and production company Lock ‘N’ Load Events have worked successfully with Capital Sound and Martin Audio’s MLA many times on EDM type events in recent years, including Alexandra Palace. Capital Sound account manager Martin Connolly says: “From the public’s perspective we were able to
Poland - Tommex Żebrowscy Sp. J. has recently completed the design and installation of the audio system for the new Stadion Orła Łódź motorcycle speedway stadium in Łódź, Speedway is a popular motor sport in Poland and the 10,000 capacity Stadion Orła Łódź is the home of the first league KŻ Orzeł Łódź speedway team. It is also the fourth speedway venue to be completed recently by Tommex. Marcin Zimny, the commercial director of Tommex, comments: “With our experience we know the products that combine to provide the most effective and reliable systems for this application. Speedway is a very noisy environment, both from the track and the fans, and we rely on Community’s R Series loudspeakers to cut through that noise with high intelligibility.” Comprehensive acoustic modelling was completed by Tommex as a core part of the system design. Stadion Or
Mexico - October saw Papa Roach and Good Charlotte making a triumphant return to Mexico as headliners of a rock spectacular - powered by Loto Audio and Funktion-One - in the nation’s capital. Promoted by Zepeda Bros - the team responsible for a string of successful rock events, including Knot Fest Mexico - the show delivered over four hours of live rock music to an enthusiastic crowd at the open-air gardens of the Arena Ciudad de Mexico. The two international acts were supported by three of Mexico’s finest - Lack of Remorse, Matherya and QBO. To ensure the audience received the full power and impact of the performances, Loto Audo supplied a complete Funktion-One Vero sound system. The system garnered praise from all the acts’ FOH engineers - providing proof positive of Vero’s abilities across all genres of music. For the opening act, Lack of Remorse, FOH
UK - Stage Electrics has won a contract to supply production lighting and AV solutions to Croydon’s Fairfield Halls as a part of the venue’s highly anticipated redevelopment. Working with the Contractor, Vinci Construction, and the theatre consultant, Sound Space Vision, the Stage Electrics team, will be starting on site this month. “Stage Electrics has a long-standing relationship with this venue,” comments Richard Phare, Stage Electrics regional commercial manager. “I was personally involved with Fairfield’s last technical refurbishment over 20 years ago. It’s fantastic that Stage Electrics can, again, play a part in this venue’s continuous development.” The Stage Electrics team are completing works within the venue’s three main performance spaces; the 1800-seat Concert Hall, the 750-seat Ashcroft Theatre and the Arnhem Gallery - plus a new multi
UK - British rock band Simple Minds is still thrilling crowds with its larger-than-life sound. The band has been out on an epic world tour, selling out venues wherever it goes and supporting its latest album, Walk Between Worlds. The band's FOH engineer Oliver Gerard, and monitor engineer Mike Gibbard, have both chosen SSL Live consoles for the tour. Even though Simple Minds is touring a new album, it would never neglect the classic songs, and this has probably been one of the biggest challenges for Gerard, Gibbard, and their gear. "I have to cope with music from the late 70s, through the 80s and the 90s rock and roll stadium thing, and on to now," says Gerard. "I try to recreate the true sounds of those moments because everyone knows those songs in certain colours." Gerard has been working with the band for over 10 years, so he has built an extensive range of b
UK - Entec Sound & Light has now purchased the freehold of its warehousing and office buildings in Northolt, Middlesex, its location since January 1991. The company was nearing the end of its lease agreement in Northolt and had visited more than 60 potential facilities in a bid to relocate. However, Entec says “it was clear that no other property was able to offer the comprehensive range of facilities” already available at its current home, which is also situated close to Heathrow, with convenient links to central London and the rest of the UK via the M25, M40, M4 and M3. Nick Pendleton, Entec’s chairman, comments: “This is an important milestone for Entec - after 50 years, we finally have complete control of our own premises. This purchase follows almost a year of looking at all the options. Good access, security, warehouse size and expansion opportunities
USA - Lectrosonics has announced a major firmware update for their Duet digital wireless monitor IEM/IFB system, V2.0. The 2.0 Firmware update includes a host of new features and improvements that are the result of valuable customer input, including improved audio quality, shortcuts on the front panel to assist in quick setup, a volume lock and additional flexibility in setting the audio gain and limiter functions. With the new update, users can now do a front panel IR sync operation and similarly turn on or off the RF transmission without requiring access to the menus. Added flexibility to the M2R receiver audio setup now includes an option for negative gain on the limiter screen, allowing adjustment to the maximum gain available, for instances where artists may be using extra sensitive earphones. The limiter screen now also features a meter showing the amount of gain reduc
Ukraine - A digitally controlled Electro-Voice and Dynacord sound system has improved audio quality at Kharkiv National University, one of Ukraine’s three major higher learning institutions. Powered by award-winning L Series amplifiers, the new installation exceeds audience coverage and sound pressure level requirements with fewer amplifiers than the previous system. To meet the client’s brief of providing powerful and intelligible sound reproduction in the University’s events hall, systems integrator M-Art had to overcome the acoustic challenges of a high ceiling and numerous reflective surfaces, including a balcony at the rear end. Following a detailed acoustic analysis of the room, M-Art and Electro-Voice partner SoundHouse Pro looked to the high sound pressure level and tightly focused dispersion of Electro-Voice Expandable Vertical Array (EVA) to solve the r
South Africa - DWR Distribution worked with UJ Arts & Culture to offer practical training to students interested in working back stage on productions. “UJ Arts & Culture's partnership with DWR grants us access to valuable professional skills and knowledge we would otherwise not be able to make available to our crew and students interested in developing these niche skills,” comments Pieter Jacobs, head of UJ Arts & Cultural. “The results speak for itself with some students now being able to work on our productions as junior technicians, which in the long-term will also benefit the industry." The aim of the course was to create a basic, hands-on introduction to lighting and audio, and was targeted at students from the University of Johannesburg. The students are involved with theatre as an extra mural activity and participate in shows and festivals.
Germany - The Adam Hall Group held its Event.Tech Days networking event to present the latest innovations from its solutions portfolio. The international manufacturer and distributor of event technology welcomed 50 customers and 80 participants at the company’s HQ in Neu-Anspach (near Frankfurt) on 21-22 November, where rental industry experts could see products from Adam Hall brands including LD Systems, Cameo Light, and Gravity. Additionally, in a format coined “Tech Talks”, the rental professionals were subsequently invited to openly discuss and exchange their insights, ideas and views surrounding the future of the event technology industry with the Group’s product management and R&D teams. The Event.Tech Days were rounded off by an evening event in cooperation with BMW that included networking, dining and drinks, live music, as well as the Germa
Europe - Swiss AV solutions manufacturer Merging Technologies has announced new distribution deals for its professional product range in Northern Europe. The company has appointed Nordic Pro Audio in Denmark and AV Marketing Finland in Finland. Nordic Pro Audio’s Frank Grønbæk (product specialist - live and studio) and Allan Holmberg (product specialist - field recording and broadcast) will be responsible for increasing sales across the market sectors addressed by Pyramix, Ovation, ANEMAN and networked audio interfaces Horus and Hapi. Meanwhile in Finland, the appointment of AV Marketing will see Jyrki Mäkinen support the Swiss brand. Chris Hollebone, Merging’s sales and marketing manager, comments: “These two appointments are symptomatic of the changes we see in the market we serve. From time to time we find that existing sales partners are out o
South Africa - DWR Distribution recently hosted L-Acoustics training to ensure that all current and new Kara users were up to standard and internationally certified. Tony Szabo, head of applications for touring at L-Acoustics, presented the two-day course; the theory was hosted at DWR in Johannesburg, while the practical session took place at the premises of rental company Eventech. “L-Acoustics has always insisted on training on the line source array systems, to ensure that there is a high and consistent standard throughout the world,” comments Richard Smith of DWR.” The training seminar in South Africa, which was limited to invited users of Kara and potential users, consisted of two modules. The first module was System Fundamentals which covered Soundvision 3D modelling software and amplified controllers, including LA Network Manager software. The secon
Israel - KLANG, 3D in-ear mixing technologies specialist, has reported the partnership with its recently-appointed Israeli distributor AEM of Tel Aviv has already reaping rewards. AEM, which was appointed by KLANG earlier this year, has been promoting the brand through a series of seminars and product demonstrations, including discussions on best-practice for in-ear monitor mixing. This autumn, Shalom Hanoch and Matti Caspi took their show The Main Thing is The Songs on a tour of the country, with a KLANG system. Shalom Hanoch sums up his feelings: “The KLANG system is a new era in hearing the stage. Everything feels so precise and deep that I can hear every note without disturbing my vocal - how on earth have we worked without it for so long?” The tour was sold out and high demand has seen further performances added for later in the year.
China - Clockenflap is one of Asia's largest multi-genre music festivals held annually in Hong Kong. Now 10 years old, the festival is a firm favourite in the region, with its extensive programme of music, art, film and other activities. In addition to a line-up of internationally renowned artistes - which this year included Erykah Badu, David Byrne, Khalid, Roni Size, Interpol, Caribou, Anpu and The Vaccines - the festival also offers a platform to local talent, helping them reach a wider audience. For the 2018 edition of the festival (9-11 November), the main (Harbourflap) stage and second stage were managed by Alto Stage Management, who called in Davide Linzi of Mister X Service as audio system designer for both and FOH engineer for the main stage (assisting productions with their own sound engineer). Linzi explains why he took Outline’s Newton multi-sour
Europe - Having recently completed a major tour of the US, platinum recording artist Hozier has just hit European shores to continue his run of successful sold-out shows in support of his Nina Cried Power EP, with FOH engineer Steve Pattison behind an Allen & Heath dLive mixing system. Supplied by Adlib, the set-up includes a dLive S7000 surface fitted with both Waves and Dante cards for virtual soundcheck and live multitrack recording. Additionally, a dLive DM64 MixRack fitted with a superMADI card is placed at FOH, which is used to feed broadcast multitrack during festival shows. “dLive was chosen primarily for its sound quality but also for its reliability and flexibility. Pretty much anything you’ll ever need is on there and the FX and processing are ever expanding with each firmware release,” comments Pattison. Pattison continues: “FX and
USA - Sitting in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, Target Field is home to Major League Baseball's Minnesota Twins, and accommodates more than 39,000 eager spectators ready to cheer on their team. Though designed as a baseball venue, it also hosts football, soccer, and a wide range of outdoor concerts and various non-sports-based corporate events. Target Field is a large venue with multiple areas around the facility that require high-quality audio support. This includes distributing audio out to various areas as well as pulling signals back to the control room for mixing and processing. For example, live bands perform before ball games and during breaks, and stadium managers must be sure the audio is pleasantly experienced throughout the stadium. Technicians needed a way to easily and inexpensively expand the number of inputs and outputs to the stadium's main console
UK - Xerocon London 2018 brought together accountants, bookkeepers, ecosystem partners and industry leaders. Hawthorn was chosen by agency Taylor Bennett Partners to deliver the full technical production for the two-day event held at ExCel London on 14- 15 November. Over 3,300 delegates gathered to find out the latest news and updates from Xero, a cloud-based accounting software company. Led by group creative director Pete Harding, Hawthorn was tasked to bring Taylor Bennett’s impressive vision to life, delivering full technical production for the main conference plenary, exhibition space, break-out sessions and evening party. Featuring three technical installations including a mammoth custom-made LED sculpture and an indoor zip wire, Xerocon London 2018 proved it wasn’t a typical accounting conference. The Xerocon main stage cut an impressive figure. Measuring 57m
USA - As both the co-founder of the rock band Linkin Park and a solo artist in his own right, Mike Shinoda is one very busy performer. He’s currently approaching the end of the current leg of his Post Traumatic Tour, which will resume in early 2019 when it picks up in Europe. Shinoda’s night after night tour schedule demands equipment that maintains sonic consistency and reliability throughout - and to ensure the best audio performance at monitor world, Shinoda and monitor engineer Kevin ‘Tater’ McCarthy rely on the performance of DAS Audio Event-121A powered subwoofers and Road 12A powered stage monitors. Based in Detroit, MI, McCarthy delivers audio to Shinoda and the other band members on stage via a combination of in-ear monitors and conventional loudspeakers. McCarthy recently began using DAS Audio loudspeakers and has been very impressed. He shared
USA - Garth Brooks headlined at the Notre Dame stadium in South Bend, Indiana in front of 84,000 fans at the sold-out, first ever concert at the venue. Dan Heins, FOH engineer for Garth since 1989, reports: “By four o’clock in the afternoon, just hours before the show, because of the bad weather conditions, we still didn’t know if the concert would go on. We ended up doing soundcheck with the PA on the ground. The wind finally let up, so we were able to raise the speakers. Sound reinforcement was through Brooks’ custom-designed Clair Brothers PA. Part of the show’s magic was the star-shaped stage with a 360° rotating centre-stage on which Brooks and his band performed - a theatre-in-the-round concept where Garth moves freestyle around the periphery playing to each side of the stadium. According to Heins, “The Clair Brothers PA consistently sounds gr
