USA - An Allen & Heath dLive S Class S5000 with DM64 MixRack played a leading role on the tech crew for the Million Dollar Quartet’s recent North American tour. Part theatre, part rock-and-roll concert, the show tells the story of the day in 1956 when Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley performed together at Sam Phillips’ Sun Records studio. Chris Wilson mixes both FOH and monitors on the tour. Wilson says, “I’ve mixed theatre and I’ve mixed rock-and-roll. But, this show is different because it goes from theatrical dialog to full rock-and-roll. So, I have to marry the two for the audience while I manage monitors for the cast.” Wilson requested the dLive for this tour from equipment provider Epicenter Productions of Bedford, Texas. “I ran three big metal stages with dLives at the 2017 NAMM,” he said. “They outperformed any
Europe - API has confirmed the order of the next Legacy AXS recording console for the European market. The new 15IPS Studios in Croatia will be taking delivery of a 32 channel AXS console, which is being displayed at Musikmesse in Frankfurt this week and shipped to the new facility in July. This is the thirteenth AXS to be delivered since the product's launch approximately one year ago. With an expanded and powerful feature set, the new AXS console continues API's commitment to an all-analogue signal path. Console frames range from 32 to 80 channels, with each channel offering dual input capability and access to two API 200 Series module slots. Previous deliveries include Made In Memphis Entertainment in Memphis, TN and the all new Studio Tanta, the first new studio construction in Tokyo in many years. “The AXS builds on the success of the Legacy Series consol
Denmark - Neets will be introducing four additional front cover colours for the Neets Sound Bar. From its release, the Neets Sound Bar has been available in classic black. However, as the product has become increasingly more popular, Neets has experienced a sharp increase in customer demand for front covers in different colours. “Many of our customers consider more than projectors, whiteboards, and chairs when they design their meeting rooms. They want a meeting room that is not only functional but also communicates the company culture. And sometimes adding a splash of color can change the entire atmosphere of a meeting room,” says Neets product designer Niels Sylvester Rasmussen. “So, we answered our customers’ request for different colour front covers and have made the cover available in the most wanted colours.” In addition to the option of a black f
Germany - Clair Brothers has introduced the 10SPOT – designed as an “ultimate hybrid loudspeaker” that combines Clair Brothers Curved Array Technology together with their One Series coaxial horn technology. The result is a unique form factor loudspeaker that occupies little visual space while covering listening areas more coherently than your average conventional point sources. With a frequency response of 90Hz – 20,000Hz it is offered as a solution for when articulate speech and music reproduction is key. Because of its form factor, dispersion characteristics, and its four integral mounting points, the 10SPOT is well-suited for installation near ceiling to wall intersections in a variety of applications – hotel/club bar areas, performing arts centers, houses of worship, arenas and auditoriums, nightclubs, cruise ship venues and A/V systems support. (Jim Eva
UK - A new venue in London’s East End is reinvigorating UK clubland with a refined focus on technical perfection and substantive musical experiences. Blazing onto the capital’s live electronic music scene at the beginning of 2018 with a 27-hour New Year’s Eve launch party, E1 blends simple industrial minimalism with cutting-edge technology to provide the perfect backdrop for a quintessential clubbing experience. Occupying a two-room converted warehouse space, E1 is a location-turned-destination. The brainchild of Yuval Hen and Oren Arush, the venue is an evolution of the founders’ existing Studio Spaces facility – an events and high-production photo shoot destination catering to global brands and the biggest names in fashion and film. Having already run a series of successful warehouse style parties over the past few years, the team wanted to hone their offe
FaitalPRO, renowned Italian manufacturer of professional loudspeakers, officially launches three new models in Frankfurt this week), all designed specifically for the professional audio market. They are three cone speakers, namely two 6" drivers for medium and low-medium frequencies, and an 18" super woofer dedicated to the reproduction of the lowest frequencies. Also introduced is the new 6PR160 mid-range driver. Flavio Naggi, commercial director of FaitalPRO explains: "The 6PR160 mid-range was created solely for the range of voice reproduction where it plays an important role. It has remarkable weight characteristics, given the neodymium magnet structure and the aluminum basket. It is a mid-range of the highest level, both for tonal characteristics and performance." There are two new products that FaitalPRO is launching dedicated to mid-frequencies. When compared to t
Germany - Prolight + Sound 2018 has seen the launch of the d&b audiotechnik SL-Series, GSL System, a new loudspeaker system sitting right at the top of the company product portfolio. The GSL System is a complete solution created specifically for the largest sound reinforcement applications in significantly sized arenas, stadiums and festivals, to accurately deliver any performance style or musical genre. Werner ‘Vier’ Bayer from d&b product management reports, “We listened carefully to what people using systems said, as well as noting what they did with them. We then coupled this with our own experiences to arrive at a vision of what a future system should achieve. To hit those exacting targets, we first thought the entire d&b architecture would be turned on its head, but Matthias Christner and his R&D team methodically worked through the technic
Germany - Allen & Heath has unveiled new PRIME I/O modules for its flagship dLive mixing system. Using the latest converter and component technology, PRIME Input and Output modules are designed to harness the full potential of the dLive’s 96kHz XCVI FPGA core, delivering next-level audio quality for critical live, broadcast and studio applications. Allen & Heath’s managing director, Rob Clark explained, “For the PRIME project, we asked ourselves a simple question: ‘How do we take a class-leading digital mixer to the next level?’” The answer, and the decision to develop new I/O modules, was inspired by dLive users who work with internationally renowned classical musicians, vocalists and virtuoso instrumentalists and who are passionate about capturing every nuance of a performance in incredible detail. “As our XCVI core is a defacto 96kH
Germany - Prolight + Sound 2018 sees DiGiCo showcase the working debut of its new Quantum 7 processing, as well as the new 32bit DAC, the 4REA4 digital audio networking system, L-ISA Source Control, and significant new features for DiGiCo SD consoles. Quantum 7 has been developed with seventh generation FPGA devices that further expand audio processing power, and ultimately allows DiGiCo to provide its users with an unrivalled amount of flexibility. It expands an SD7 to over 600 channels of processing in 96kHz operation that can be connected in the outside world to approaching 3000 potential I/Os. The engine is also equipped with eight newly assignable MADI connections and two DMI slots (DiGiCo Multi-Channel Interface) for AoIP and other connectivity options from the complete family of DMI card options. There are other powerful enhancements, too, including Nodal Processing
Germany - In the realm of event productions, the equipment required to pull off a successful event is as important as the event itself. Careful consideration is given to every aspect so that they harmonize and do not detract from the look and layout of the occasion. Providing a niche audio solution for the event productions market, the K-array Event line offers complete audio kits for this visually-driven segment. The Event-KREV102 is composed of a Kobra-KK102 loudspeaker featuring Pure Array Technology to provide uniform coverage and a Thunder-KMT12 subwoofer to deliver a big sound in the low range. The pole that connects the two elements is designed to create a continuous discreet line and to hide cables at the same time. The kit also comes with four Anakonda-KAN200+ loudspeakers for an alternative solution to the Kobra for easy integration in spatially-challenging applica
UK - This month sees one of Audient’s USB audio interfaces, iD14-LE take to the stage in the capable hands of theatre sound designer, Kenan Trevien who is working on Pericles, Prince de Tyr at the Barbican. This Cheek By Jowl production is an adaptation of a rarely seen Shakespeare play directed by award-winning Declan Donnellan in collaboration with Nick Ormerod, and performed in French with English subtitles. Kenan explains the setup he’s used in the run up to this latest production: “I have one laptop dedicated to the cues on the PA, and the iD14-LE is plugged into the laptop I keep for designing new sounds. As the monitor outputs and the main outputs are independent, I can easily choose to work quietly with my headphones or to test new sounds on the PA whilst the actors on stage.” The play follows the hero, Pericles on a journey involving pirates, m
UK - The Harrogate Convention Centre has been evolving as a conference and events venue since what was then the Spa Rooms hosted the British Medical Association in 1884. The first purpose-built halls were added in 1959, and today HCC is recognized as one of the country’s leading multi-use venues with 147,000 sq ft (13,700 sq m) of completely modular exhibition/event space across nine flat-floored, interconnected halls. In order to bring the venue fully into line with modern standards and expectations, HCC has recently invested in a brand new distributed, networked audio system with a Symetrix DSP backbone and Dante audio networking supplied by CUK Audio and installed by Acoustic Solutions. “We clearly needed to replace our old system which was becoming unreliable,” explained HCC’s technical manager, Ross Simpson. “The site has grown considerably over the year
Germany - France-based Amadeus has debuted a new hardware processor system, Holophonix, designed for live sound spatialization and immersive experiences. The Holophonix processor brings together several different spatialization techniques including Wave Field Synthesis, High-Order Ambisonics, Distance-Based Amplitude Panning, and more, enabling intuitive placement and movement of sources in a 2D and/or 3D space, says the company. "Development of the Holophonox system is undoubtedly the most ambitious and the most exciting project we have initiated for a very a long time," comments Michel Deluc, Amadeus' R&D manager. The new system allows the user to select and control a series of highly advanced 2D and 3D sound algorithms designed at IRCAM-based STMS Lab (Sciences et Technologies de la Musique et du Son), located in Paris, and supported by CNRS (National Cent
USA - Audinate, developer of the industry-leading Dante media networking technology, has announced at NABB 2018 plans to support SMPTE ST-2110 in the Dante platform by the end of 2018. SMPTE ST-2110 is a new suite of standards developed by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers to support real-time media network distribution using IP networking technology. The update will include support for a number of relevant standards, including SMPTE ST-2110-10, 2110-30, and 2059-2. When released, the SMPTE 2110 feature will be enabled through the Dante Domain Manager software platform and firmware updates for Dante IP Core, Dante HC, Dante Brooklyn II and Dante Ultimo. These Dante technologies are featured in a wide variety of products used by the broadcast industry, and will be highlighted through Audinate’s participation in plug-fests and showcases. “
Germany - This year, Cadac celebrates its 50th anniversary with the launch of the latest model in its CDC digital console series. CDC five, the smallest, most affordable of the touch-screen CDC series, offers a compact mix solution for small-to-medium sized production companies, freelance mix engineers and fixed installations A second new console, the CDC seven-s, is also being launched. The CDC seven-s is Cadac’s new flagship CDC console and replaces both the current CDC seven and the inaugural CDC eight. A significant upgrade to the CDC seven, CDC seven-s offers 128 inputs and 64 busses of which 56 are assignable (62 in Monitor Mode) and a number of additional hardware buttons, aimed at speeding up navigation. With the launch of the CDC five, comes Version 5 CDC Console Software, which features an improved Graphical User Interface with a completely redesigned conso
UK - There’s something out of the ordinary about doing a gig in a cave. However, when Jonathan Stafford of Cornish band Haunt the Woods approached Plymouth music technology college dBs Music to supply a PA system for their much anticipated EP launch gig, it seemed like a perfect challenge for dBs Music’s team Live Sound. The complex nature of trying to optimise a sound system which would cover the audience area equally throughout the cavernous 500-capacity space outside Liskeard, meant that careful thought was required ahead of the show to ensure the right equipment was specified. However, the newly supplied Martin Audio MLA Mini system was a perfect solution to achieving this. According to dBs music lecturer and live sound technician, Olly Wickes, discussions regarding a next generation PA system had begun more than a year earlier. It was Simon Honywill, one of
UAE - Clair Brothers has appointed Dubai-based Provision AVL as distributor for the UAE and Middle Eastern market. Founded in 2014, Provision AVL General Trading LLC, as they’re known officially, is a proven sales, distribution and design company providing high-end solutions for a wide range of engineering projects and applications in lighting, audio, and stage design in the Middle East. While Clair Brothers has been on Provision AVL’s radar for quite some time, pen was finally put to paper for a distribution partnership at ISE 2018. Explains Kevin Boujikian, general manager of Provision AVL, “The idea to approach them about distribution was always there since we met the Clair Brothers guys a while back, but it was at this year’s ISE Show where we decided to take the leap. The decision was very easy.” Clair Brothers represents the first pro audio brand
Germany - This week, HK Audio is preparing to roll out the largest product launch in the firm’s 35+ year history. In the past year, HK Audio has taken on a number of new audio specialists, and this new team has been instrumental in the development of the new pro audio range, which are on display at HK Audio’s main Prolight+Sound booth. First up is the Cosmo integrative line array system family, which is comprised of three different system models and was developed under the premise of offering an extremely flexible and easily configurable solution in the professional PA sector. Cosmo combines state-of-the-art audio qualities with ingeniously simple handling and unbeatable economic efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Next up is Contour X, a new point source PA flagship series designed to offer extreme sound pressure levels from compact solid birch multiplex enclosur
USA/Europe - In an announcement made at both NAB and Prolight+Sound 2018, Stage Tec has become the latest manufacturer to join the RAVENNA partnership. The Berlin-based manufacturer of professional audio mixing consoles and routers is one of the leading pioneers in the transition from analogue to digital audio technology. “With our engagement in RAVENNA we are pleased to be able to offer an even wider spectrum of IP solutions to our customers”, explains Helmut Jahne, CEO of Stage Tec. We have been providing IP-based technology since 2012 with the NEXUS Dante card XDIP. With the launch of our RIF67 Router Interface in 2017, Stage Tec also offers IP audio transport via AES67. A second interface card to be introduced this year, the NEXUS Fiber and IP Interface (XFIP), will also feature full AES67 compatibility. Both cards are also fully RAVENNA-compatible.” Andreas
Germany - Adamson Systems Engineering is reinforcing the focus on its global education strategy with the formal introduction of its Advanced Certification training programme at Prolight+Sound 2018. The new training initiative builds on Adamson’s Applied Certification programme, which over the past eight months has been deployed in over 30 countries and attended by more than 1,000 technicians. “In 2017, we launched an initiative to build an education standard for our user base and network”, says James Oliver, director of marketing and sales for Adamson. “Applied Certification was its first phase, and today, we’ve already delivered this programme in more than 30 countries. As our network has grown, so has the demand for knowledge. The Advanced Certification programme is an indication to major productions that Adamson and its partner network are committed to imp
UK - Rick Wakeman recently recorded a live version of his successful 2017 Piano Portraits release in front of an audience at Lincoln Cathedral. Longtime Wakeman studio engineer / producer Erik Jordan employed an Allen & Heath dLive system for the project, comprising an S7000 surface with M-Dante card, DM64 MixRack and DX32 Expander, supplied by Tech-Serve Audio Consultants. Jordan found that dLive’s ease of use and fast, flexible routing made it the perfect choice for a challenging live recording scenario. “I knew from Ian Barfoot, Rick’s FOH engineer and a longstanding dLive user, how flexible and intuitive the system was to use and although this was my first real dLive experience, it took very little time to become familiar with. We had around twenty mics for Rick’s vocal, piano, audience and ambient pickup and – because the show was filmed
Tunisia - Clair Brothers has added Tunisia’s Pro Audio & Light (P.A.L.) to its growing international sales and distribution network. P.A.L. is a systems provider, consulting agency, and sole distributor of high-end products to the robust Tunisian entertainment industry. Founded in 2005 in La Marsa, Tunisia, the mission for P.A.L. was, and continues to be, to deliver the best products, expert service and smart solutions at the highest level of what the entertainment production market demands. “As market leader, we’ve come to be associated with always having the most innovative, highest quality equipment and technology on the current market,” explains Sami Sidhom, P.A.L. general manager “It’s why we firmly believe Clair Brothers is the right company for us.” When the team at P.A.L. got an earful of the new C-Series speakers, it made their decision to partner
Germany - Crest Audio’s Versarray PRO powered line array, makes its entrance at ProLight + Sound 2018 this week. Comprising the Versarray PRO VR112 line array element and the VR-PRO 215 sub, Versarray PRO is suitable for all mid-sized line array applications including live entertainment, theatres, houses of worship and more. With integrated Dante audio networking, built-in DSP, innovative flying hardware and world class components, the Versarray PRO powered line array delivers premium quality audio in a versatile, easy-to-set-up, networkable package, says the company. The VR112 benefits from Crest Audio’s latest-generation Mark III ribbon drivers and proprietary CLEAR FORM Waveguide for crystalline high end reproduction. The low end is served by the 12” NEO Black Widow neodymium loudspeaker with dual 4” voice coils which works in conjunction with Crest’s pate
UK - Adlib’s Scottish operation continues its active support and strategic partnerships in the region with another sale of premium brands L-Acoustics and DiGiCo to rental company AudioCP, a busy operation based in Glasgow and headed by Scott Young. AudioCP was founded by Scott in 2012 and specialises in providing carefully crafted sound systems for the live music sector. Scott, who originally studied popular music at Edinburgh’s Napier College before working as a professional drummer for 10 years, has also owned and run a recording studio and a rehearsal room. By late 2016, he was looking to invest in a premium audio system for AudioCP complete with a state-of-the-art mixing console to enable the company and its business to move up several levels, consolidate their current client base and also pitch for larger and higher profile projects. Coincidentally - ju
