Bahrain - A Dicentis conference system from Bosch was selected by the organisers of the recent International Paralympic Committee (IPC) General Assembly and Conference which took place in Manama, Bahrain at the end of September 2023.
Five new nations were added to the IPC family, taking the membership to 208 countries, and a pair of international federations recognised as governing bodies for para-sports. The event saw participation from more than 350 attendees from different National Paralympic Committees, International Federations, Regional Organisations and International Organisations of Sport for the Disabled.
Smooth communication was ensured thanks to an extensive Dicentis system which comprised 201 delegate devices, including eight multimedia devices, seven discussion devices with voting and 186 discussion devices with touchscreen. The conferencing solution for the event was provided by local Bosch partner Mohammed Fakhroo & Brothers W.L.L.
The Dicentis discussion device with voting was specifically chosen for the general meeting, thanks to its accessible options for visually impaired participants. The orientation sheet as an optional accessory added clearly noticeable braille cells to help distinguish between the different voting buttons. Added to this, audible feedback from the device helped to facilitate voting- when a participant casts a vote, a beep sounds in their headphones to confirm the action.
“The Dicentis conference system has been proven to be very successful for this event as it provides options for being inclusive
USA - Pliant Technologies has recently expanded its network with several new dealers and manufacturer representatives in multiple regions throughout the United States. These technology solutions firms will now provide Pliant’s communication solutions to a broader demographic, including its CrewCom, MicroCom, and SmartBoom lines of products.
Included amongst the new dealers representing the Southeast region are The Design Oasis (FL); Black Key Productions (FL); Strata (GA); Newtech Systems (KY); Avant Communication & Technology (KY); Creative Sound and Lighting (NC), and Bradfield Stage Lighting (TN).
The latest dealers handling the Midwest include Simoni Systems (MI), SLS Production Services (MI), Striv AV (NE), and Majic Productions (WI). PureTek Group (NJ) is a new dealer for the Northeast, Bounce Multimedia (TX) will cover the Southwest region, and TVS Pro (UT) is the latest dealer in the West.
Additionally, the brand’s latest manufacturer representatives include AudioPros, LLC (Manchester, CT/Northeast) and Network Marketing (Minneapolis, Wisconsin, Dakotas, Kansas and Missouri).
“We’re extremely pleased to welcome each of these firms to the Pliant Technologies’ family,” says Gary Rosen, vice president of global sales for Pliant Technologies. “Through this substantial expansion of our dealer and rep network, we look forward to not only increasing brand awareness, but also placing our trusted communication solutions into the hands of more users looking to upgrade their intercom systems.”
Italy - Powersoft has announced a technology partnership with Ferrari. The partnership aims to ‘develop solutions enhancing the audio experience from the Ferrari brand while minimising energy consumption and offering benefits in efficiency, reliability and sound quality’.
Powersoft's development philosophy prioritises reducing environmental impact through technology advancements and environmentally-conscious manufacturing processes. This commitment aligns with Ferrari's pursuit of excellence, whose aim is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
Luca Lastrucci, CEO of Powersoft, commented: "The partnership with Ferrari marks a significant milestone in Powersoft's history, showcasing Italian expertise and creativity in the field of acoustics within the automotive market. Both companies share the core values of excellence, innovation and a passion for engineering and technology development. We're excited to lend our know-how to enhance Ferrari's audio experience.”
Ferrari chief research & development officer Ernesto Lasalandra said: “We’re thrilled by this new and exciting technology partnership with Powersoft, which will enable us to deliver exceptional audio experiences. By pooling our expertise and know-how, our goal is to develop cutting edge solutions and offer superior sound quality that we eagerly anticipate sharing with our customers.”
UK - TAF has officially opened its new office and warehouse dedicated to serving customers in the UK and Ireland.
Located in Walsall, West Midlands, TAF UK includes members of the TrussLite UK team, who have come on board to provide TAF’s large and small customers with their extensive knowledge and experience in the UK’s events & exhibitions sector.
“As a result, TAF UK hits the ground running in the UK & Ireland market with firmly established reliability, customer service and expertise provided by Trusslite over the years to their loyal customer base. In turn, further driving home the fact that TAF is a brand you can fully trust and rely on,” says the company.
In keeping with TAF’s ‘Truss on Time’ promise, TAF UK will maintain a full stock of products directly in the UK, offering same day and next day deliveries. TAF UK offers a full range of services that are carried out in-house.
India - DirectOut has announced Advanced Telemedia (ATM) as its exclusive distributor in India. Established in 2002, ATM has earned its position as a leader in the distribution of professional audio products, known for its dedicated customer service and nationwide presence.
Headquartered in the capital city of New Delhi, ATM has regional offices in Mumbai and Kolkata, ensuring that its services reach every corner of India.
ATM's impressive portfolio includes exclusive distribution partnerships with premium brands.
Luca Giaroli, chief solutions officer at DirectOut, is enthusiastic about the partnership, stating: "This collaboration is a win-win for both companies. ATM shares our commitment to delivering the best for our customers. We are confident that DirectOut's ASM will optimise production to international standards.”
ATM's client list includes some of India's largest broadcasters including BBC, Network18, Disney, Times Network, ABP, NDTV, Republic TV, Zee News and CNBC. ATM's comprehensive after-sales support will ensure that DirectOut's customers in India experience seamless operation of their products.
Giaroli concludes: “The partnership with ATM is another step in this direction and we look forward to setting the highest standards of audio excellence in India.”
Global Icon - Kylie Minogue is set to receive a Brits global icon award at this year's ceremony. Taking place on 2 March, it will recognise Kylie's career over five decades. She is also nominated for international artist of the year alongside Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and Lana Del Rey. Kylie has also been confirmed to perform on the night and will join the already-announced Dua Lipa and Raye on stage.
Speaking about the announcement, Kylie said: "I am beyond thrilled to be honoured with the global icon award and to be joining a roll call of such incredible artists. The UK has always been a home from home so the Brits have a very special place in my heart. I have some amazing memories from the awards over the years and I can't wait to be back on the Brits stage."
The Brits icon award is the highest accolade given by the award organisers and is "reserved for truly exceptional artists". In 2021, Taylor Swift became the first woman to win the prestigious award. Previous winners include Sir Elton John, David Bowie and Robbie Williams.
Half-Time Show - Usher delivered a hit-heavy half-time show at Sunday's Super Bowl - with help from will.i.am, Alicia Keys, Ludacris and a pair of roller skates. A disclaimer shown before the performance jokingly warned viewers it may cause "singing, dancing, sweating, gyrating, and possible relationship issues". It would go on to deliver on all fronts.
Dressed in all-white and surrounded by a swarm of energetic dancers, Usher emerged on the stage at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and launched straight i
UK - Following the successful launch of the new TT+ Audio brand - and its flagship GTX passive line arrays - first in Italy, and more recently to the North American market at NAMM, it was the UK’s turn this month to put the fully integrated systems through their paces in front of UK rental companies, tour managers, sound engineers and system designers.
Two open days - at the Gateshead Glasshouse (formerly the Sage Gateshead) for northern professionals, followed by the Millennium Studios, Bedfordshire for those in the south paid dividends. While the prominent venue overlooking the Tyne drew in mainly sound engineers and tour managers, a number of high-profile rental companies set their compasses for the rural Beds location of Thurleigh, curious to see whether the reality of a system that has been designed from the ground up matched the hype.
According to Dean Davoile, head of RCF UK, it did so in spades. Aside from its sonic qualities, it was the high-speed deployment, enabled by the complementary accessory package, with easy transportation, handling, and cabling that really stood out, he noted.
Both the GTX10 and GTX 12 large format line array were demonstrated, both in the air and on the ground, enabling visitors to hear the systems with and without the matched GTS 29 subwoofer. The GTX 12 three-way system itself is geared to high-demand touring and large-scale installation applications, both indoors and out, equipped with eight purpose-designed transducers. The smaller GTX 10 two-way line array module, for medium applications, is equipped with t
UK - North of England based leisure operators ARC Inspirations have developed three different brands, spread across 21 units.
One of these is BOX, a growing collection of high-octane, American style, city centre sports bars. The latest 650-capacity unit in Nottingham opened recently in a Grade II-listed former bank building, to reveal an RCF HDL 10-A active line array, installed by Pro Technical (UK).
This is providing the solution for the venue’s extensive schedule of entertainment and events, including Thursday night’s ‘Bandeoke’ sessions, with a live band providing the backing track for all-comers taking the open mic.
Commenting on the results, Arc Inspirations head of bar operations, Mark Austin, said: “Music and sound quality is utterly critical to a venue like this, as it sits at the heart of the guest experience that we create. This is a large, complex and historic building, and so our requirements of the system were demanding.
“We needed something absolutely brilliant, and that is what we’ve got - we couldn’t be happier with the results.”
Stated pro technical director, Richard Anderson: “When leading this element of the build with Arc, we chose RCF for the range of products needed to provide sound coverage and clarity in a Grade II-listed rotunda. HDL 10-A’s were deployed in this area to control the sound dispersion and minimise reflections.”
Two hangs of two HDL 10-A elements were provided, with these composite cabinets powered by 1400W peak power amplification.
LF extension was provided f
USA - A sensitive installation of Martin Audio’s Adorn ACP-55T pendant speakers has been undertaken at the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) West Building Gallery in Raleigh, NC, by RMB Audio.
According to RMB Audio owner, Cooper Cannady, 16 of the shallow pendant speakers were selected for their 150° conical coverage (117 Hz to 20 KHz ± 3dB, -10db @73 Hz) and off-white finish which matched the ceiling. These were approved by the architectural committee after careful review. The speakers are paired to cover the wall-to-wall open space.
Three areas of the gallery were zoned for audio isolation to control the social gathering adjacent to the art exhibitions. The ACP-55T pendants were hung at 15ft height across three selected zones in the gallery to mitigate sound leakage into other areas. “Well-articulated speech is the most critical parameter for the sound system application,” notes Cannady, “and Martin Audio ACP-55T pendants deliver high sound pressure level for speech and background music for daily operation.”
The Martin Audio partners had reviewed there options carefully. But according to Cooper Cannady the choice was obvious. “I knew the project needed a 150° cabinet spaced symmetrically across the gallery,” he said. “Ceiling units could not be considered in these circumstances.”
The installation coincides with the 12th anniversary of NCMA’s Thomas Phifer-designed West Building - home of the ‘People’s Collection’. It is the first sound system to be permanently installed in the gallery. Previously, mobile c
Germany - The country’s biggest New Year’s Eve party, Willkommen 2024, took place in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, and was broadcast live for several hours by ZDF Television. The event featured spectacular live performances from leading German artists. An estimated 3.5m TV viewers watched the spectacle, hosted by well-known presenters Andrea Kiewel and Johannes B. Kerner, with around 65,000 spectators present at the event.
Such a prestigious occasion demanded exceptional audio, and full-service production specialist Ambion was engaged to deliver on-site sound production as well as set construction for the main stage.
Ambion supplied Coda Audio systems to meet what was a challenging brief. Whilst the sound systems were required to cover a very large area, they also had to take account of the sightlines of many TV cameras and be as discreet as possible. Florian Vollmer, senior specialist panning and head of sound technology at Ambion describes the scale of the task: “It’s true that the specifications were quite demanding! We had to cover the entire area from the Brandenburg Gate to the Victory Column, all with a limit of 84db. In total, this was a distance of almost 2.5 km, which required uninterrupted sound at the desired level.”
Florian began planning for the show three weeks before construction began, creating a Vectorworks plan to be used to generate a detailed Coda Audio System Optimiser file, before checking the various band riders and liaising with other contractors to see what infrastructure could be shared:
“Cod
UK - Unusual Rigging has dealt with a fair few strange and, well, unusual, requests over the years. So when Gary Beestone was brought on board as technical director for Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions’ Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Unusual was chosen for the production’s complex rigging.
“Bringing Stranger Things to the stage is incredibly ambitious and challenging,” explained Gary. “The Unusual team and I are old friends, having worked on some pretty major events and productions over the years. I knew they were really the only sensible choice for this show and so engaged them to design, engineer, fabricate and install all rigging including specialist custom rigging for the production.”
With the original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne & Kate Trefry, this new production, based on the Netflix Series, takes audiences back to the beginning of the Stranger Things story - and may hold the key to the end.
Before the rigging work could commence, some temporary remedial works were needed at the venue first. Leading the project for Unusual, Jeremy Featherstone, senior design engineer commented: “We got into the Phoenix Theatre on the August bank holiday and had our work cut out from day one. If this show, with all its tricky rigging requirements can fit into the Phoenix, it can fit in anywhere. To say that some pieces of rigging were kissing the grid is no exaggeration. There is a cluster of grid-works, fly floors on either side and a massive ground support structure - all within a few inches of e
Norway - Absen, has partnered with Czech sports software company, Goal Sport, to provide high-performance screens at the home of professional Norwegian ice hockey team, Stavanger Oilers.
The Stavanger Oilers, a team in Norway's top ice hockey division, the Fjordkraftligaen, sought to upgrade the outdated centre cube display at the DNM Arena, its home stadium and training ground in Stavanger. The arena, with a capacity of 4,500 spectators for ice hockey matches, and 6,000 for other events, needed a modern, visually appealing display to enhance the fan experience.
Goal Sport, an international AV integrator with expertise in LED screen technology, was tasked with delivering a turnkey installation for the new central visual display. The company chose LED manufacturer Absen to supply the screens for the project. The Absen K3 Plus was specified for its lightweight and flat design, flexible installation, and easy front and rear maintenance.
To maximise the impact, the screens were customised with a 3.9mm pixel pitch to provide a higher brightness and refresh rate for optimal visibility from all angles.
Goal Sport worked closely with Norwegian partners, VideoForce to upgrade the content management system for smart in-broadcasting and video officiating applications.
With four screens in total and installed in a convex design, each screen measures 6m x 7m, resulting in a striking 168m2 of LED. The centre cube provides a 20% larger surface area and edge-to-edge LED at a slight tilt of 2° for a sleek finish and clear view. To ensure the venue's
USA - Broadcast live from Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena for the second consecutive year, the 66th Grammy Awards were delivered by an expert production team who trust Shure wireless technology to ensure extraordinary audio.
“Shure’s Axient Digital wireless technology delivers the high-quality sound and reliability that our team depends on for the Grammy Awards,” shared Michael Abbott, audio producer for the 66th Grammy Awards show. “Their wireless, along with the wide variety of Shure mic capsules, ensures the artists sound their best for the live broadcast.”
To flawlessly broadcast the audio of the event worldwide to 16.9m viewers, a stalwart group of industry veterans, including Michael, relied on 28 channels of the Emmy Award-winning Shure Axient Digital Wireless Microphone System and eight channels of Axient Analog. Artists trusted Shure PSM 1000 in-ear monitoring systems during their performances, with a total of 190 Shure bodypacks used throughout the evening.
Frequency coordination serves an essential role in managing the staggering amount of wireless used throughout the Grammys. Working in the already frequency-dense downtown Los Angeles, Stephen Vaughn, Soundtronic’s RF Coordinator, oversaw this pivotal function with Axient Digital and, for monitoring, Wireless Workbench.
“Shure’s Wireless Workbench and Axient Digital prove themselves year after year on the Grammy stage,” shared Stephen. “Tools, like Wireless Workbench, give me reliable control and flexibility in LA’s challenging RF environment.”
“S
India - Ragam Pro AVL has become the first rental company in India to have a DiGiCo Quantum 225 in its inventory.
From humble beginnings 50 years ago, Kodaly, Kerala-based Ragam Pro AVL has created a reputation for delivering first class events.
“Recently we have planned to upgrade our audio inventory to meet the growing demands of clients,” says Biju KV, Ragam Pro AVL owner. “Our first thought was to purchase one from DiGiCo’s SD series. But then they introduced the Quantum 338 and 225 to the Indian market via their distributor, Hi-Tech Audio & Image. Azhar Meem from AVL Marketing, Kerala, the dealer partner of Hi-Tech Audio & Image, told us about the powerful Quantum 225 that incorporates all the new design features of the Quantum 338 but in a compact, robust work surface and we knew it would be perfect for us.”
Rajan Gupta, CEO/founder of Hi-Tech Audio & Image, notes that the combination of DiGiCo’s technical excellence and support plays a pivotal role in converting prospects to clients. “DiGiCo has been challenging its limitations while innovating new product ranges,” he says. “From the S and SD Series, and now the Quantum 225, DiGiCo has put a ton of power and versatility into a compact work surface. The Quantum 225 is definitely a rider-friendly solution for Ragam Pro AVL.”
Until now, the Quantum 225 had not been used in Indian live industry. Though Ragam Pro AVL was keen to invest in Quantum 225, they were initially uncertain. Azhar took the initiative to help them in every possible way. “We connected
Portugal - Ayrton has announced the appointment of NAN Audiovisuais as a distributor for Portugal, with immediate effect.
Founded in 1995, NAN Audiovisuais has established itself as a leading distributor of professional lighting, sound and video equipment in the Portuguese market. NAN's commercial structure, back office and technical support teams work every day alongside lighting designers, rental companies, and technical teams from theatres, cultural spaces and multipurpose spaces, organising demo and training sessions, and providing the best technical support for a wide range of prestigious brands and manufacturers.
"We are excited to become a new Ayrton distributor for Portugal,” says Correia Neves, CEO of NAN Audiovisuais. “In recent years Ayrton is the moving lighting brand that has grown the most on a global level.
“We have been absolutely amazed by the quality of Ayrton’s products. They are true originals, with unique characteristics that offer lighting designers creative opportunities that we can’t find in other brands on the market. We hear praise for Ayrton from every Portuguese lighting designer we speak to, who tell us about the fantastic experiences they had when touring internationally with Ayrton’s equipment.
“The combination of Ayrton products and its people - whom we have known for a long time - offers us all the guarantees that we will now be able to deliver to the Portuguese market. In addition, NAN will provide the commercial conditions and after-sales technical service that our customers have become accusto
UK - Tring Park School for the Performing Arts is an independent, co-educational day and boarding school in Hertfordshire, UK. As a specialist provider of vocational training in the performing arts, the school offers courses that include dance, acting, commercial music and musical theatre, as well a full academic syllabus from Preparatory to A-Level.
It is one of only 21 schools selected to allocate government-funded Dance and Drama Awards, a scholarship scheme designed to subsidise the cost of professional dance and drama training for the most talented students at leading institutions. Since 1945, the school has been located in Tring Park Mansion, originally designed by Sir Christopher Wren and formerly occupied by the Rothschild family.
Audio technology plays a vital role in many areas of the school’s curriculum, particularly where its vocational courses are concerned, and the school recently took the decision to modernise its approach to provision for its many rehearsal rooms. Tring Park contacted regular supplier Studiospares of Luton for advice about easy to operate, flexible and portable systems that could deliver high-quality audio in often large reverberant spaces.
Greg Niedzwiecki, pro audio sales at Studiospares, recommended the versatile HH Electronics Tensor Go, a powerful portable PA system that can be operated cable-free thanks to its high-capacity integrated lithium-ion battery.
With four-channel integrated mic/line mixing functionality, high-grade balanced ¼ inch/XLR combination input connections, and a studio quality dig
USA - Brentwood Baptist Church was officially constituted on Easter Sunday 1969 in the Nashville suburb of Brentwood, Tennessee. In the past half a century, it has grown to nine campuses around the region and has consistently averaged over 5,000 worshipers in weekly on-campus attendance, along with an estimated 4,000 additional online viewers.
The current main campus’ church was built in 2002 and had a few updates along the way, but last May it completed a complete refresh of the sanctuary’s audio, video, and lighting systems, in concert with leading AVL systems integrator Diversified. And the finishing touch on the updated audio infrastructure is a new KLANG:konductor, the most powerful and versatile immersive in-ear mixing processor ever.
“We had a few periodic updates to the systems over the years, such as going from analogue to digital audio and upgrading our video to HD, but it was mostly untouched since the beginning,” says Brentwood Baptist technical services director Darby Gilmore. “We were not only due for a technical refresh but an aesthetic one, too. We wanted to modernise, and the KLANG:konductor was part of that.”
Tim Corder, Diversified’s vice-president of faith & performance, brought the KLANG:konductor to the church’s attention, seeing it as a solution that fit the church’s situation perfectly. “Brentwood Baptist has a very diverse, multi-generational worship style,” he says, one which can toggle from full orchestra and choir one week to a high-energy rock-style band the next. “It can be a challenge to ad
UK - Ed Warren’s lighting design for The Lottery Winners’ recent homecoming show at the 02 Apollo Manchester featured a strong floral element.
Warren had two rows of daisy set pieces arranged across the stage. Each had at its centre a Chauvet Professional Strike 1, single source 230W warm white LED blinder, ready to rock the house and transform the stage with intense strobes, audience lighting and immersive washes.
“The concept of the flowers came about from a creative meeting with the band,” said Warren. “They mentioned their logo/branding is daisies, so I had the idea of having some daisy set pieces built. The plan was that we would mount lights in the centre disc of the flowers. The Strike 1s seemed like the perfect solution since they provided natural looking light and a killer strobe. The daisy set pieces were custom made to suit a Strike 1 fixture. The lights were mounted on upright pipes and braces.”
Like the rest of the lighting rig, the 24 Strike 1 fixtures used in the show were supplied by Dragonfly Lighting. “Big shout out to Tom and Jack from Dragonfly,” said Warren, who, in addition to positioning the Strike 1 fixtures within the flowers, had other units flown over downstage. This reflected the emphasis he placed on audience lighting.
“The audience are a huge part of this band’s show,” he said. “There is an incredible connection between The Lottery Winners and their fans, and I didn’t want that feeling to be lost in such a huge room as the Apollo.”
This bond, engendered by Warren’s lighting was
Finland - The celebrated LUX Helsinki light festival took place at venues across the Finnish capital during January, with a highlight being the specially created projection mapped visual display onto the intricate façade of the National Gallery Ateneum.
The looping, five-hour graphic animations formed a large, 8,000px-wide canvas and were projected by six Barco UDX 4K32 projectors and driven by Green Hippo Hippotizer Montane+ RTX and Karst+ Media Servers.
The festival was staged by Events Helsinki, which brought in Capital AV to deliver technical production and visual consultancy for the Ateneum projections. In temperatures plummeting to minus 20 Celsius, the Capital AV team set up a warm trailer next to FOH position and the three projector towers. The animation work was designed by Katri Tikkanen and commissioned to celebrate the 60th anniversary of famous Finnish clothing brand Marimekko’s cherished design pattern, Unikko. Marimekko and Ateneum joined forces as major sponsors of the festival, making the projection project a reality.
A music score was composed by Matti Ahopelto, with the piece coming together as projected visuals that danced on the front of the imposing building.
“We deployed two Montane+ RTX and three Karst+ Media Servers to drive the projected visuals as we needed a reliable solution in the cold weather and with enough power for the large canvas, amount of graphics and the five-hour loop,” says Capital AV’s Max Lapinsuo-Sylwén. “The Hippotizers proved to be a powerhouse, running the show for the entire five-da
Italy - Prolights Mosaico series illuminated the main facade of the Naval Academy of Livorno with the colours of the Italian flag. Spazi Sonori Live, the company responsible for implementing the project, faced numerous technical challenges to complete this emblematic initiative, showcasing the versatility and effectiveness of Prolights products.
The request was to permanently illuminate a 25x25m facade with LED lights in the green, white, and red colours of the Italian flag while adhering to strict technical and environmental constraints, including resistance to marine conditions and the need for angular projections without compromising uniform coverage.
After careful evaluation, Spazi Sonori Live chose the Prolights Mosaico series. They used two Mosaico L projectors for the green and white colours and one Mosaico XL projector for the red colour, harnessing their precise beam modulation and keystone correction capabilities for optimal projection, even from complex angles.
These IP65-rated floodlights, suitable for outdoor applications in harsh conditions like marine environments, enabled uniform and vibrant illumination of the Naval Academy facade, creating a symbol of national pride visible from a distance.
The Spazi Sonori Live team commented: "Thanks to the versatility and innovation offered by Prolights, we successfully overcame complex technical challenges, completing an installation we can take pride in."
The new lighting not only celebrates the historical and cultural significance of the Naval Academy of Livorno but also estab
USA - Fan experience innovator PixMob returned to the Super Bowl for a fifth consecutive year. The entertainment lighting tech experts delivered a crowd-captivating immersive experience during the much-anticipated halftime show.
This year’s PixMob activation set out to elevate the halftime show to ‘unparalleled heights’, enhancing the performance of Usher by outfitting performers on stage with their X4 Wristbands. PixMob’s signature sustainably-sourced LED wearables lit up the field with synchronised visual effects to match the performance.
In the crowd, 60,000 spectators were equipped with PixMob’s LED badges, transforming the audience into a dazzling canvas of light and immersive effects.
"PixMob is honoured to mark our fifth consecutive year partnering with the Super Bowl, a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries of immersive lighting technology and continuously innovating the fan experience," said Jean Olivier Dalphond, CCO & partner, PixMob.
In 2014, PixMob immersed 80,000 fans and 500 on-field performers in synchronised light with their wearable LED technology during the Bruno Mars performance. From 2020 onward, PixMob has supercharged every subsequent Super Bowl halftime show with its immersive LED tech.
UK - Audio consultancy RH Consulting (RHC) has been counting networked audio products and licensees since 2013 to chart the adoption and evolution of audio networking in the pro audio, AV and broadcast markets.
The 2024 edition of this report on Networked Audio Products, which has meanwhile extended to cover audio, video and control products, is available now and confirms the growing strength of AES67, Ravenna and ST 2110 and the dominance of Dante and NDI standards.
In the dynamic landscape of networked AV, the 12th instalment of the report reveals a significant surge in overall adoption, with a total of 6,013 products from 602 brands. This comprehensive analysis, building on 12 years of audio research and three years of video data, sheds light on emerging trends and market dynamics.
“A milestone has been reached with over 6000 networked AV products on the market and with video-over-IP products numbering more than 1000,” reflects Roland Hemming, Audio Consultant at RH Consulting. “Networked media products are steadily becoming part of everyone’s work. Soon it will be easier to count the remaining analogue products.”
The research confirms that Dante, the leading audio networking technology, has experienced remarkable growth over the past 12 months, showcasing an 11% expansion in audio products. With 4,131 products, Dante outpaced all other protocols combined, introducing 420 new products and involving 45 manufacturers for the first time.
On the other hand, AES67, an interoperability standard, reached an impressive 4,380 co
UK - The 2023 ABTT Virtual Ideas Platform winner was revealed on Thursday 1 February in a ceremony at the annual ALPD and White Light New Technology Showcase in the Embassy Theatre at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
This annual industry event features the latest in lighting technology and felt like an appropriate opportunity to speak on the Virtual Ideas Platform and its winner, whose innovative idea is now being developed by Triple E.
Presented by ABTT co-chair Mig Burgess and introduced by platform developer Charles Haines, David Ripley was awarded the ABTT Hook Clamp Award and Certificate for his winning idea, The Counterweight Caddy.
The Counterweight Caddy is a method of storing weights and addressing the manual handling issues associated with work on the loading gallery.
Speaking of his award win, Central’s Head of Technical and Production David Ripley said: “It’s very exciting to see something go from a random thought, into reality via the ABTT Virtual Idea Platform and now being developed by Triple E. We hope The Counterweight Caddy will make a positive improvement to Health and Safety on the loading galleries of our theatres when it is fully launched, but we need the industry feedback to make it the best product it can be.”
ABTT VIP concept developer and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, head of performance venues, Charles Haines, commented, “A few years ago, during a trip to the excellent USITT (US Institute of Theatre Technology) trade show, I saw their Innovations Gallery in operation and fell
UAE - DirectOut has entered into a strategic partnership with 7Hertz, distributor of professional and home audio products.
John Parkhouse, senior live audio consultant at 7Hertz, expressed his enthusiasm, saying: "We are very happy to welcome DirectOut to our portfolio at 7Hertz. The alignment of our core philosophies has seamlessly paved the way for a straightforward and exciting partnership." Founded in 2009, 7Hertz has become a pioneer in professional and home audio products across the GCC region.
Lorenzo Sassi, business development manager at DirectOut comments on the partnership: "DirectOut is delighted to join forces with 7Hertz to bring our innovative audio technology solutions to the Middle East market. We believe that 7Hertz's commitment to excellence and deep passion for sound harmonises perfectly with our values, making this partnership a natural fit. Together, we look forward to enhancing the audio experience for professionals and enthusiasts in the region."
DirectOut's product range will be seamlessly integrated into 7Hertz's existing offering, enriching the overall collection of solutions the company represents. To deepen the understanding of DirectOut's products, the company will soon hold comprehensive training sessions in Dubai. This initiative aims to equip both the 7Hertz team and their clients with in-depth knowledge to effectively advise, utilise and implement these advanced audio solutions.
"We are looking forward to DirectOut's visit to Dubai, where comprehensive training sessions will be held for both the extended 7Her