UK - Adlib, one of the UK’s longest established technical production companies, has recently invested in Sennheiser’s latest Digital 6000 series as part of an extensive refresh of its RF inventory. The system includes eight channels of Digital 6000, complete with SK 6000 pocket transmitters and SKM 6000 handheld transmitters with MD 9235 capsules. Adlib has also taken advantage of the rackmount rechargeable battery units for both the handhelds and pocket transmitters to help reduce the company’s environment footprint. “We’re getting increasingly busy and we’re finding that there’s a lot of demand for radio equipment to tour around Europe” says Adlib director Dave Kay. “We wanted to invest in the newest technology to give us more flexibility on spectrum usage. We’ve used Digital 6000 for the past couple of years on events such as Capital Radio’s
UK - Alan Ayckbourn’s The Divide, staged at London’s Old Vic theatre features sound design by Bobby Aitken, who declares, “The sound design was defined by the use of TiMax. We could never have produced that without TiMax.” Directed by Annabelle Bolton with the score composed by Chris Nightingale, Aitken recognised the potential for an immersive spatial sound design. The music is delivered via a 40-piece choir and five-piece music ensemble comprised of woodwind, strings, piano and electronics. In addition to the score, the piece is supported by the extensive use of immersive sound effects. Out Board director Robin Whittaker provided design and programming support on-site to help Aitken realise his spatial vision. Aitken was able to use TiMax to strategically create space within the music for the actors’ voices to be heard clearly. Instead of rais
UK - Following the announcement of CUK Audio taking on distribution of ClearOne, the company has appointed Fraser Sanaghan to the position of applications specialist. Sanaghan will support the conference & collaboration sales channel initially, with specific focus on ClearOne, broadening out over time to designing live and AV solutions as well. Sanaghan comes to CUK after nearly 11 years in applications support with TC Group (now Music Group) working with brands such as Tannoy, Lab.gruppen and Lake where he was responsible for training of the distributor network throughout EMEA as well as some system design. “I’m delighted to be part of the team at CUK who have a great reputation in the industry,” says Sanaghan. “We took on distribution of ClearOne early this year so I’m excited to support their products as well as the other industry-leading brands we hav
Azerbajan - Martin Audio has appointed PRO AV LLC as its new distributor in Azerbaijan. Based in the capital of Baku, the company was registered in 2012. Today, the partners are Elshan Aliyev and Rustam Hajiyev, and over the years they have built an impressive portfolio of leading distributed brands. In order to bring Martin Audio into the fold, Aliyev had earlier approached MD, Dom Harter, whom he had known from previous companies. “There were many things I liked about Martin Audio,” he said, “notably the quality of the sound, the product line in general and the strength of the brand name. We also liked the fact that they are utterly dedicated to sound systems - rather than running a diverse portfolio like other manufacturers - and their pricing is reasonable. You could say we are more than happy with Martin Audio.” PROAV sees “enormous potenti
Germany - MDG will be exhibiting in Hall 3.0 Stand E19 with its exclusive and longest serving German distributor cast C. Adolph & RST Distribution. MDG will be bringing an exciting development to its Me Series of fog generators with the launch of Me1g, a glycol-based version of its successful Me1 fog generator. Sharing its size and form factor with its oil-based sibling, Me1g has a single nozzle and 0-100% DMX/RDM control for perfect, powerful output, but with the benefit of using any of MDG’s glycol-based fluids. MDG is the manufacturer of the AtmosphereAPS and ATMe haze generators, the Me Series and MAX Series of fog generators, and the ICE FOG range of low fog generators, in addition to the award-winning theONE atmospheric generator which can output haze and fog from a single source. A selection of these will be on the stand at Prolight+Sound 2018. (Jim
Germany - dBTechnologies will showcase upcoming releases for the VIO line array and subs family. The Italian manufacturer is going to unveil “new, powerful touring solutions” of its flagship family at the booth, while the smaller line array system VIO L208, launched last January at NAMM Show in Los Angeles, will test its acoustic performance together with subs VIO S118 R at the daily outdoor demo at Agora arena. dBTechnologies will also present a new complete portable PA for its B.H series, as well as recently launched new Opera Unica series, featuring complete networkability via RD-net protocol and Aurora Net Software. There will also be upgrades for the Ingenia column powered speakers family, enabling the cabinets to complete EQ and digital steering remote control. dBTechnologies product specialist team will present a daily showcase for Aurora Net
Germany - d&b is heading to Prolight + Sound to highlight its next generation line array. Sitting above the J, Y and V-Series, GSL delivers “unparalleled cardiod dispersion control across the entire audio bandwidth, setting a new standard for output and accuracy in large-format line arrays for the world’s largest sound reinforcement applications”. This applied evolution is the next step in d&b’s 30-year obsession to deliver precise pattern control, and effortlessly elevates the listening experience for the audience, while ensuring that the creative environment for the system engineers and mixers is revolutionized by rejecting energy to the rear and significantly reducing excitation of the reverberant field, says the company. As well as a focus on the official release of GSL, there will be further opportunities for attendees to experience the newly
USA - Eastern Acoustic Work’s (EAW) MicroWedge stage monitors continue to take the spotlight at live sound venues throughout Chicago. T.C. Furlong, president of TC Furlong Inc, reports recent sales to Lincoln Hall, Old Town School of Folk Music, Lyric Opera of Chicago and Green Mill. “These are marquee clients that represent some of the more notable live venues in the metropolitan area,” explains Furlong. “The popularity of the MicroWedge does not seem to diminish. The small footprint is ideal for crowded stages and their high output makes them useful for any act that needs stage monitors. Plus, they are rider friendly - everyone that uses them loves them.” Furlong notes that Lincoln Hall increased their inventory by nine MW15, Old Town School Of Folk Music by eight MW12, Lyric Opera of Chicago added six MW12 while The Green Mill invested in two additional
UK - Located in the heart of London’s Westminster, the Emmanuel Centre is a trans-denominational church serving the broad Christian community in the area. The 1,000-capacity venue - a Grade II listed building with a glass dome auditorium, marble columns, high-arched windows and oak panelled walls and seating - presented a sound reinforcement challenge. The reverberation time in the main auditorium measured around three seconds, a significant obstacle to speech intelligibility, and the building’s listed status meant drilling into the structure was forbidden, ruling out the installation of flying points. To bring the increasingly multi-purpose Centre up to date, Elvis Uriona, head of sound at the Emmanuel Centre, approached long-term sound system partner Autograph Sales & Installations. Peppe Mallozzi, who led the system design for Autograph, was fam
USA - The new wedding and reception chapel on Free Chapel's McEver Road site in Gainesville, Georgia received a sound system from Danley. Local AV company dB Integrations designed and installed the system for the Chapel on McEver and its outbuildings using Danley Sound Labs SBH-20 column form-factor, point-source loudspeakers, SM-100 synergy horns, weatherized GO-2-8CX loudspeakers, and TH-mini15 subwoofers. "The Chapel on McEver is a beautiful setting for a wedding, but its aesthetic also makes for some challenging acoustic conditions," explains Paul Lynch, inside sales associate at dB Integrations. "There's imported marble tile everywhere plus lots of glass and highly reverberant wooden pews. To compound the challenge, the church put off some acoustical treatments we recommended while also requesting that the sound system be 'invisible'. They don't want to see techn
UK - Harman Professional Solutions is supporting Teenage Cancer Trust’s 18th annual concert series at Royal Albert Hall with a complete Martin by Harman lighting solution. Conceived and curated by TCT patron Roger Daltrey CBE, frontman of The Who, this year’s line-up includes Daltrey, UB40, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Corteneers, Kasabian, Def Leppard as well as an evening of comedy hosted by Russell Howard. As part of a long-standing pledge to support Teenage Cancer Trust, Harman, along with partners PRG and Fineline Lighting, is supplying a complete Martin lighting rig to provide a premium visual display for the performances. "Teenage Cancer Trust is extremely grateful to Harman Professional Solutions for all their support at our Royal Albert Hall shows,” says Jane Ashton, head of music and entertainment, Teenage Cancer Trust. “The Martin lighting solutio
USA - The Denver Centre Theatre Company (DCTC) is a busy troupe. Noting its 412 productions, 159 readings of new works, 138 world premieres and 27 commissions, it likes to say, “After 35 seasons, we’re just getting warmed up”. The production company primarily uses the four theatres of the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex housed at the massive 12-acre Denver Performing Arts Complex, itself home to 10 theatres and 10,000 seats. So, the compact and flexible DiGiCo SD10T, which was acquired through Colorado Springs’ Second Opinion Audio was an appropriate choice for the peripatetic ensemble, whose performances will move between the complex’s four theatre spaces and, sometimes, beyond. “We’ve had the console in all of the theatres we use regularly so far and it’s been very successful,” says director of sound Craig Breitenbach, sound designer for many of the c
USA - Among the qualities that make Tanzanite a much-sought after gem is its remarkable colouration, which changes from blue to violet to burgundy, depending on its crystal orientation. It is altogether fitting, then, that this stone lent its name to the Tanzanite Stage at the recent Gem and Jam Festival, which was held at the Pima County Fairgrounds. Aside from the procession of jam band stars that appeared there from 25-28 January, the stage served up an array of beams and washes in ever-changing colours, thanks to a multi-faceted lighting rig that Matt ‘Jonezy’ Jones drove with a new ChamSys MagicQ MQ500 Stadium console. “Some of the artists brought their own LDs, but we handled the majority of acts with the MQ500,” said Jones. “We had a diverse range of bands like Endoplasmic, Railroad Earth, Truth Cartel, Masego, and Breaking Biscuits (a side project by
Vietnam - The Voice Of Ho Chi Minh City’s People (VOH) is the official radio station of Ho Chi Minh City. For over 40 years, the radio station has hosted programme broadcasts and live performances from its VOH Music One Theatre. In addition to station-organised concerts and tapings, the theatre hosts receptions, state delegations, business meetings, private events and more. In order to keep up with the increasing demands of modern live productions and strict broadcast standards, VOH hired Ba Sao Investment to upgrade its aging sound system with a complete Harman audio solution. “We wanted to upgrade from the previous system to better meet the latest production standards for audio, lighting and video,” said Mr. Le Cong Dong, Director, Voice of Ho Chi Minh City’s People. “The new system that Ba Sao Investment installed ensures the station’s rich legacy remai
China - First Club is a new brand of nightclubs, commissioned by the Nuochuang Group, with its sights set on evolving the Chinese nightclub scene by combining art, fashion, music, sound, lighting and high-end social sophistication. Both Mr. Wei, vice president of Nuochuang Group and Mr. Wu, president of the First Club Brand, agreed on the vision to create a nightclub that delivers high-octane EDM experiences unlike any other. Clair Brothers was the unanimous choice to provide the brand’s signature sound. “Their reputation for audio innovation and excellent service is world-renowned,” says Mr. Feng Min, First Club general manager. Integral to the brand architecture is the Clair Brothers custom-designed sound system that includes the Clair Brothers kiT12, kiTCurve12, FF2-HX, CS-218, CB-FP14000/10000+ and CB-LM26 models. “Our goal is to give club patrons a f
Thailand - Mahajak Development recently installed a building-wide multi-zone audio system by Harman Professional Solutions at 137 Pillars Suites and Residences Bangkok. Opened in April 2017, 137 Pillars Suites and Residences Bangkok is a luxurious hotel and apartment building located in the popular Thonglor district of Bangkok. In addition to 179 residences and 34 suites, the building features a wide selection of modern restaurants, bistros and pubs. In order to provide an elegant audio experience for residents and guests alike, 137 Pillars hired Mahajak Development to install a building-wide fibre optic multi-zone sound system that could be easily controlled from one central facility. After careful consideration, Mahajak selected an end-to-end Harman networked audio solution for its premium sound quality, intuitive operation and unmatched reliability. “We’r
UK - Hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall and once again held at London’s The O2 Arena, this year’s BRIT Awards saw two of Britain’s most exciting breakthrough pop acts, Stormzy and Dua Lipa, take home the top prizes, and Sennheiser’s Digital 6000 series get taken to extremes. Britannia Row Productions provided all requirements for the show’s audio system, which was designed by BRITs’ head of sound Colin Pink, with a combination of Sennheiser Digital 6000 and 9000 series microphones proving the majority choice for both artists and presenters. As well as winning both British Album Of The Year and British Male Solo Artist, Stormzy gave an epic performance beneath an indoor waterfall effect which soaked both him and his SKM 6000 as he sang his hit singles Blinded by Your Grace, Pt.2 and Big for Your Boots. “When I was told about Stormzy’
Mexico - The first Latin Festival of Salsa at the Mexico City Arena hosted some of the greatest exponents of this musical genre. These included Víctor Manuelle, who has received numerous awards during his wide ranging musical career, such as the Billboard Latin Music Awards; Puerto Rican artist, Eddie Santiago, who boasts an extensive international career; Oscar de León, the Venezuelan artist who is known worldwide as the Pharaoh of Salsa, and special guests such as the Sonora Dynamite of Lucho Argain. The Mexico City Arena is one of the biggest indoor venues in the World, with a capacity of 22,300 seats and 128 suites, with around 100m distance from the loudspeaker array bumper to the rearmost seat (depending on the height of the array). Officially opened in 2012, it’s one of the most important concert venues in México. “We needed smooth coverage and a
UK - The 2018 version of connectCAD, an AV system design plugin for Vectorworks, has been released. The plugin provides designers assistance with concept drawings, schematics, cable lists, bill of materials and presentations, and can also be used for designing connected systems like broadcast, IT and electrical. The latest version has a faster, more optimised engine and incorporates Connect Tool, which follows all standard Vectorworks keyboard shortcuts and offers five connection styles: polyline, rounded, chamfered, arrow connection across layers and link connection that enables a connection to a socket in another document. connectCAD 2018 has also improved the Make Cable Report, which now offers new options for calculating cable length estimates from both the equipment layout or by selecting standard cable lengths. The community Device Library now comes
Philippines - PMX has cemented its status as one of the Philippines’ top production technologies suppliers with a significant investment in an E-Series loudspeaker system from Adamson Systems Engineering. Adamson’s exclusive Filipino distributor, Stage Craft International, consulted on system choice, made the sale, and provided PMX staff with extensive training in January 2018. “As we’ve grown to take on larger tours and festivals, we’ve had to expand our inventory accordingly. Adamson’s E-Series boasts the sound quality that allows us to differentiate from the competition and rider acceptance we need in a large-format loudspeaker solution,” comments PMX owner Ferdi Garcia. “The Adamson product has been very well received by the K-pop community, which has a strong following in the Philippines. We’re looking forward to offering our customers this premium pro
USA - Atlanta-based North Point Ministries, whose 38,000-plus weekly worshipers make it Outreach magazine’s second-largest house of worship in the United States, has acquired eight new DiGiCo SD5cs consoles for three of its six locations. The Browns Bridge and Buckhead campuses have each installed two SD5cs desks at front of house and monitors, while the main campus in Alpharetta (North Point Community Church) has installed a total of four new SD5cs consoles, for FOH and monitors in the main auditorium and in a second large auditorium used for overflow, events and other applications and which is designed to mirror the AV capabilities of the main auditorium. These are in addition to the DiGiCo SD10 console installed at the Alpharetta campus and used for the church’s online broadcasts, and multiple SD9 and SD10 desks at the other campuses. Each of the three location
USA - Encompass AV recently supplied a Martin Audio CDD sound system for the Gibsons Italia restaurant located in a spectacular setting on the Chicago River. The restaurant has quickly become known for its sophisticated combination of Italian food and steaks and luxurious setting. A $20m build, Gibsons Italia is a high-end, four-storey restaurant, bar and lounge with a dining space for private functions on the roof deck with floor to ceiling windows that offer views of the river and skyline. Encompass owner Tim Pickett explains: “We were contracted to provide exceptional sound throughout the entire venue and weren’t given a budget because the owners just wanted it to be the highest quality. So, we selected the Martin Audio CDD Series because it’s worked so well for us in other restaurant and club installs.” Gibson Italia’s ground floor is basically a
Belgium - The popular Walibi theme park in Wavre near Brussels is renowned for its Halloween spectacular, when its rides are ghoulishly transformed. Awarded best Halloween attraction in Europe for three consecutive years - 2014, 2015 and 2016 - in the Diamond Theme Park Awards, expectations were very high for Walibi at the end of last year, and with the help of AV Stumpfl’s Wings IObox hardware module platforms, they were surpassed with the creation of Asylum. The brief for Asylum was to transform a ride into a haunted house while making use of the latest automated AV technology to create an immersive and unforgettable experience for the public. DW Production was engaged to build from scratch all rooms and aesthetic decoration for the attraction as well as the music and effects and animatronics, with GSF Events taking the lead on the technical aspects of the ride with th
UK - Martin Audio has further boosted its impressive subwoofer line-up with the introduction of SXF115 – a passive subwoofer featuring a powerful, long-excursion 15” (380mm)/4” (100mm) voice coil driver in an ultra-compact bass reflex enclosure, capable of 136dB at 1 metre. Billed as “the ideal companion” for Martin Audio’s new Wavefront Precision Mini (WPM) optimised line array, it can extend the performance down to 42Hz and can be flown as part of an array, or ground-stacked separately. Cardioid operation can be achieved by arranging the SXF115 in forward and rear-facing pairs. The design of the 15” driver maximises output while minimising power compression and distortion, and four reflex ports reduce air noise at very high output levels. The SXF115 enclosure is constructed from multi-laminate birch ply, finished with a durable polyurethane coating an
