UK - KV2 Audio’s rise and rise within the Broadway, West End and UK touring theatre world has happened in no small part due to a band of sound designers willing to listen to products outside of the so-called established mainstays of the theatre market. One of these designers reaping the rewards of KV2’s True Point Source approach to loudspeaker design is UK based Tom Marshall. First exposed to KV2 in 2014, Tom has been specifying KV2 products with increasing regularity and currently has five UK-wide touring productions out with KV2 – An Officer & A Gentleman, Jungle Book, Sunset Boulevard, Crazy For You and Flashdance. These are in addition to numerous other shows at Leicester’s Curve, pantos in Richmond and Glasgow and the recurring UK winter tour of Nativity! The Musical2017-2020. “I was introduce
Denmark - With the summer festival season just round the corner, bringing live productions from small to huge out into the open air, sales of Yamaha’s new Rivage PM7 digital mixing system have made a strong start throughout Europe. In Denmark three companies have already invested in four Rivage PM7 systems. The first Danish company to take delivery of Rivage PM7 was Dansk Lyd og Lys A/S (Danish Sound and Light) in Odense, a company with 45 years at the heart of the country’s music and entertainment market. As one of Denmark’s foremost technical production companies, the company provides sales, dry hire and full productions to high profile national / international performers and corporate clients. ”We have been using Yamaha digital mixers since the LS9 and M7CL, through to the CL and QL series,” says Dansk Lyd og Lys chief operating officer and partner Kristia
World - Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the release of their eponymous debut album, Irish rockers The Script are currently on a world tour, with FOH engineer Steve Pattison (Amy Winehouse, Wet Wet Wet, Glasvegas) behind the controls of an Allen & Heath dLive system. Supplied by rental and production specialists Adlib, Pattison’s dLive set-up comprises an S7000 console, DM64 MixRack (with Dante, Waves V3 and superMADI cards) and DX32 Expanders. As Pattison explains, he chose the dLive primarily for its overall sound quality and powerful built-in processing. “The dLive system is really clear and open-sounding, so I can mould the sound and tones of the instruments to get the result I want,” Pattison says. “If I want to warm up an instrument and give it a valve edginess I can do that, just by choosing a preamp from the library and tweaking away. It’
Thailand - Mahajak Development recently installed a complete networked audio system by Harman Professional Solutions at Kasikornbank’s new HQ in Bangkok. Founded in 1945, Kasikornbank is one of the largest commercial banks in Thailand, recently relocated its HQ to a new 11-story office building in central Bangkok. Kasikornbank commissioned AV integrator Mahajak Development to design and install a state-of-the-art networked audio system that would provide more than 100 meeting rooms with high-quality audio and intuitive control. In order to ensure professional audio during meetings and conferences at the new facility, Mahajak Development selected a comprehensive networked audio solution consisting of JBL speakers, Crown amplifiers, BSS audio processors and AMX control systems. A bank spokesperson comments: “The new facility required a large-scale AV system th
Romania - When Romanian sound engineer Alex Serb left distribution and integration company Paradigma Teknik to become a freelancer, he soon started to provide technical support in live shows for Hard Rock Café Bucharest. He contacted his former colleagues to indicate the facility needed a new sound system - and Paradigma wasted no time in recommending a Martin Audio W8VDQ and CDD solution based on trust and the reputation of previous Martin Audio installations undertaken by the distributors. "They wanted to change the entire sound system with a new modern setup and we provided a solution. We sent a technical proposal, taking into consideration the specification put forward by Alex," recalls Paradigma general manager, Laura Angelescu. She added that the bid had been highly competitive, with several other front-line speaker manufacturers delivering proposals. Paradigma
South Africa - Rental dry hire and technical production company Sound Stylists has purchased DiGiCo’s new digital mixing desk, SD7. The investment, which is the first of its kind in the country, complements the company’s existing DiGiCo inventory comprising two D5s, two SD8s, an SD10, and two S21s plus associated racks and accessories. SD7 training will be offered in the near future, says the company. Kevin Glover, owner of Sound Stylists, comments: “The South African market is maturing and getting bigger. There were several international artists that we serviced with our SD10 last year, however, a number of them were looking for SD7s so essentially, we are answering that call. In addition, we also needed extra SD Racks and having the 32-Bit Mic Preamp cards also increases their desirability.” Kyle Robson of DWR Distribution, DiGiCo distributor in Afri
Ireland - Technical production company PSI is the latest company to join the Adamson network as a certified re-seller and rental partner appointed by Adamson’s UK distributor The Warehouse. With offices in Belfast and Dublin, PSI specialises in all aspects of event lighting, rigging and training and has recently added an audio department headed up by Adam Lee Collins, along with audio projects manager John Hesketh. Collins comments: “We looked at all of the leading brands of loudspeakers but felt that Adamson was the perfect fit for our new department. We see the brand growing steadily in the international market and want to be ahead of the curve, we’re initially adding a substantial inventory of Adamson S10 systems to support this. Relationships with like-minded people and companies are key to PSI values, and together with support from The Warehouse and Adamson
Spain - Valencia-based audio-visual equipment manufacturer WORK Pro Audio is today has announced two product additions to its innovative LightShark range of lighting consoles: the LS-Wing console expander unit, which is designed to complement and extend the original LS-1 console, and the four-strong range of LS-Nodes, affordable hardware expanders for the LightShark system that add extra DMX and Ethernet connectivity without the user interface and physical controls of the LS-1 and LS-Wing units. Launched in 2017, LightShark was the first DMX-based hardware lighting console range to offer wireless, browser-based control from a multi-touch smartphone or tablet, whilst also providing a rugged and intuitive hardware user interface in the form of the LS-1 unit. The new LS-Wing, which is slightly narrower than the original LS-1 but still comfortably holds a 12.9-inch iPad Pro on i
USA - Systems integrator OSA International recently deployed a complete Harman Professional Solutions audio system at Navy Pier in downtown Chicago. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is one of the city's biggest tourist attractions, both in popularity and size. As part of a comprehensive redevelopment of the entire Pier, management decided to install a permanent audio system for the newly-created Polk Bros Performance Lawns, a free outdoor concert space designed to host artists from Chicago's vibrant local music scene, as well as occasional touring acts. Navy Pier has relied on Harman audio solutions for more than a decade, so when it came time to design the new system for the Lake Stage and City Stage, the Pier hired audio consulting firm Threshold Acoustics to design an all-Harman audio solution based around JBL Professional VTX V20 line-array louds
South Africa - A three-day Green Hippo Operator Certification course will be held on 14-16 May at DWR Distribution's Johannesburg address, Block C, Unit 1, Kimbult Industrial Park, 9 Zeiss Road, Laserpark, Honeydew. The course will be presented by Suzy Stenning from Green Hippo and will cover a range of topics, from Hardware Introduction and Configuration, Media Manager, Output Manager & Viewports, Mixes / MixMaster, VideoMapper / Pixel Mapper / ScreenWarp, Timeline / DMX2 / Multicontroller, Visualizer & Custom Layouts, Shape Introduction / Configuaration/ Alignment. The cost is R2600 and includes lunch and refreshments. Attendees should bring their own Green Hippo Media Server or Laptop with Play Software Installed. For bookings online please visit
South Africa - DiGiCo Training will be presented by DWR Distribution’s Kyle Robson in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg in May. The two-day training session will cover everything from racks and solutions, the SD Series overview, connections and networking, recording and waves, both basic and advanced operation and then a Q&A Session. The dates are Durban on 10 and 11 May, Cape Town on 17 and 18 May and in Johannesburg on 24 and 25 May. The training will be hosted at the DWR offices. The cost is R1700 and includes lunch and refreshments. (Jim Evans)
USA - The Cincinnati Zoo features a world-class menagerie of animals from far and wide, including lions, monkeys, manatees, and a baby hippo named Fiona that has recently stolen the hearts of its 1.8m annual visitors. Emphasising an innovative approach, the Cincinnati Zoo emphasises education, outreach, conservation, and giving every visitor a unique experience with wildlife that they would not have anywhere else. What the zoo lacked until recently was a reliable audio system for delivering messages throughout its sprawling campus. “Innovation is one of our core values and something that we take very seriously,” says Chad Yelton, vice president marketing & communications, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens. “It informs everything we do, from our sustainability program and our green initiative to how we build habitats, to the people that we hire and every
USA - OSA International has purchased 248 Wavefront Precision Compact and Mini line array cabinets, making it the world’s largest rental company of Martin Audio. The purchase was complemented by iKON amplifiers, iK42 and iK81, as well as the new SXH218 high performance double 18” subwoofers, the first purchase by a rental house globally. Mario Educate, OSA president, comments, “We’ve used these speaker cabinets on several shows already this quarter, and the sound quality out of the Wavefront Precision arrays is unbelievable. They bring out the subtleties of the score better than any other line array we’ve used, so the audience can really immerse themselves in the meeting experience through the audio.” Dom Harter, managing director of Martin Audio, adds: “The trust and investment made by Mario with the support from Jim Risgin and the entire OSA team
USA - Orlando-based Professional Wireless Systems (PWS) has announced seven new products designed to simplify the deployment of wireless systems. The new PWS 4X4 provides quad antenna distribution for the Shure Axient Digital Quadversity wireless microphone system. The unit can handle up to four receivers and features 470-616 MHz filtering, bias power control/status LEDs for each input, rotary attenuators, and dual power inputs that allow for redundant power. The company has also debuted the V-IC, four-zone intercom multicoupler for the VHF range – designed for use with Radio Active Designs UV-1G wireless intercom systems. The unit is optimised for use in the VHF frequency range, filtered for 179-216 MHz. Four antenna inputs are combined, filtered and amplified to unity gain. Eight outputs supply signal for up to eight UV-1G base stations. The P-812S houses ei
UK - To strengthen its marketing and distribution efforts across the UK, Atlona has appointed Sahara AV as its manufacturer’s representative for the territory. Headquartered in London, Sahara AV will work closely with systems integrators, consultants and end users to demonstrate, deliver and support Atlona’s complete line of signal management and control systems, with a goal of moving more commercial facilities to AV over IP solutions. To achieve its goal of accelerating transitions to the network, Sahara AV will leverage Atlona’s strengths in AV over IP and networked control, including its Atlona’s OmniStream AV over IP distribution platform, second-generation Atlona Management Systems (AMS), and Velocity IP-based AV control solution. Shaun Marklew, Sahara AV sales and marketing director, comments: “By working with Atlona, we are now in a stronger position t
UK - Details for the funeral of late sound engineer Barry Bartlett have been released. The funeral service for Bartlett, who died peacefully on 30 March, will be held at 11.20am on Monday, 23 April at Mortlake Crematorium, Kew Meadow Path, Richmond TW9 4EN. The family also invites Bartlett’s friends, colleagues and associates to join them for a reception after the service at 12:00pm at Putney Town Rowing Club. Parking will be available at either location while nearest stations are Mortlake and Underground or Overground Kew Gardens (both a 15-minute walk). The family has asked for family flowers only while donations can be made to Woking & Sam Beare Hospice - www.wsbhospices.co.uk/support-us/remembrance/in-memory-donations/ Those
Denmark - When the original 2290 Digital Delay hit the music world in 1985, it was lauded as nothing short of a revolution in sound. Adopted by producers and FOH engineers as well as musicians such as David Gilmour, The Edge and Robben Ford, it set the benchmark for delay units, and quickly became an industry standard in professional studios and live effects rigs. Due to its popularity, it had one of the longest production runs of any rack-mounted processor, and since its discontinuation has in 2005 become highly sought after on the vintage market. The new TC2290-DT aims to take up the sonic mantle of the original 2290 while radically reinventing the delay unit for a new generation of musicians, producers and engineers, says the company. “Because we still have the original blueprints, we’ve been able to rework the 2290 from the ground up,” says Thomas
Germany - Prolight+Sound 2018 was the official launchpad for the d&b’s GSL System from the SL-Series, a new loudspeaker system in the company’s product portfolio. d&b also announced a series of integrations between Soundscape’s central DS100 Signal Engine and digital mixing consoles from DiGiCo, Avid and Lawo at a live mixing session showing the console workflows & mixing live multitrack recordings. The new GSL System is a complete solution created for the largest sound reinforcement applications in significantly-sized arenas, stadiums and festivals to accurately deliver any performance style or musical genre. Prolight+Sound attendees had multiple opportunities to experience the d&b Soundscape, with two different Soundscape Sessions; The Soundscape Mixing Session and The d&b Soundscape Sessions. The daily d&b Soundscap
UAE - Eclipse Staging Services, a member of the Dubai-based Eclipse Group, has added a Hippotizer Boreal+ Media Server to its inventory. As an owner of a Hippotizer Taiga, Eclipse was already more than familiar with Green Hippo hardware and software - and its wholly positive experience with this machine, including the excellent technical support provided by Green Hippo, meant that the company was keen to continue the collaboration. The addition of the Boreal+ enables Eclipse to provide multi-display outputs for audio-visual projects, and the company also becomes the first in its region to use this powerful server of the brand new Hippotizer+ Media Server range, bringing more accuracy, flexibility, and pace over traditional units. “The Hippotizer Boreal+ allows us to provide multi-display outputs for our upcoming projects,” comments Alex Menor, Eclipse’s head of
Australia - TRC, the Australian distributor for the ARX signal processing product range, recently supplied Norwest Productions with 20 units of the ARX industry standard USB DI USB audio interface for use at the Commonwealth Games that took place on the Gold Coast this month. As audio contractor to the Commonwealth Games, Norwest Productions specified the ARX USB DI for converting computer audio to balanced analogue signal as required throughout the complex AV setups across the Games. Designed to get audio from a computer into a professional audio system easily and smoothly, the ARX USB DI Audio Interface is a plug-and-play 24bit high resolution digital to analogue pro audio interface that removes the need to use any existing sound card outputs, with their inherent noisy environment and problematic grounding. Featuring full transformer balanced output isolation to elim
Finland - Built in 1845, Maaninka church is a 1,200-seat traditional church building that forms part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. The existing sound system had been in place for several years and presented a number of problems in terms of coverage and intelligibility which was affecting the overall experience of church-goers. The church turned to local integrators, AVEK Esitystekniikka and Genelec to bring the audio system into line with modern-day expectations and improve the audio experience for everyone. Genelec’s technology service manager, Markus Kahelin, recalls that the project posed several challenges; firstly, the sheer size of the space to be covered (985 sq.m with very high ceilings and a central dome), and secondly the fact that the church is a listed building which is a challenge for the integrators: “The shape and size of building re
Japan/USA - Nexo’s Engineering Support (ES) Division has just pioneered its first ETC2i training seminar dedicated to the preparation, design and implementation of fixed installations. Nexo’s ETC training programme was launched in 2013 and hosts free seminars globally to educate, train and certificate audio engineers of all levels. The sessions are organised in three levels – ETC1 (introductory), ETC2 and ETC3. Two recent ETC seminars, held in Japan and the USA, demonstrated the diversity of audience, as well as the expanding syllabus of the ES Division’s training experts. Hand in hand with the Yamaha Music Japan team in Tokyo, an inaugural ETC2i specialist course was presented in the Yamaha building on Ginza, which has 16 floors dedicated to musical instruments, education, auditorium and rehearsal studios. Led by Nexo’s ES Division director Fran
European Theatre - Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) will acquire five new venues in Germany as it confirms a takeover of theatre operator Mehr! Entertainment. The deal, agreed for an undisclosed amount, brings the company’s global portfolio of venues to 51 and ATG’s first major international purchase since the 2016 management change and the stepping down of co-founders and joint chief executives Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire. ATG’s purchase of Mehr! Entertainment means it will operate the Starlight Express Theatre in Bochum, the purpose-built venue which has been home to the long-running musical since 1988. It will also take over the Mehr! Theatre in Hamburg, the Admiralspalast in Berlin, the Capitol Theatre in Dusseldorf and the Musical Dome in Cologne. ATG chief executive Mark Cornell said: “These major venues across Germany are each unique and captivating in the
South Africa - The new Steyn City School opened its doors in January 2018. DWR Distribution installed curtains and curtain tracks as well as a lighting, audio and AV in the auditorium which will be used by the Dramatic Arts and Music departments as well as for everyday use like assemblies. Steyn City School is situated just outside the Steyn City Parkland Residence. Interestingly, what is now a residential estate was once abandoned land which included an old mine quarry. A tender process saw DWR Distribution sub-contracted to supply the audio visual and lighting in the auditorium. Later, DWR were also awarded another tender, this time for the full curtaining system. “We were one of the last subcontractors appointed and it was a very tight schedule,” comments Kevin Stannett from DWR. “Working on a brand-new school from scratch and being involved with the co
