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13 December 2024

UK - The £100k Funding Campaign for 2030 Outdoor Event Sector’s Climate Transition Plan has hit 75%. Wide support from across the sector has secured production of the Show Must Go On Sector Transition Plan, which will set ambitious climate plans for 2030 for the festival and live outdoor events industry.

Chris Johnson, Vision: 2025 chair, states: “The working group is delighted by the widespread support from an industry struggling against the economic backdrop in 2024. This is an acknowledgement that now is the time to show leadership and ambition in taking action, meeting the urgent challenge of climate breakdown, and coming together as an industry to chart a clear path.”

Vision:2025 is working with the AIF and other industry organisations to raise the final 25% to reach the £100k target. The remaining funds will underpin the promot

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13 December 2024

UK - After another year of ‘inspiring and groundbreaking entries’, the ABTT’s Stephen Joseph Committee faced a challenge in selecting the 2024 Award winner, which honours innovative and inclusive theatre excellence.

Named in tribute to leading post-war British theatre pioneer and founding ABTT member, the Stephen Joseph Award celebrates the bold ways in which theatre practitioners push boundaries in using theatre space and forging close, creative connections between performers and audiences.

After a lively and passionate discussion about the submissions, the judging panel reached a unanimous decision: the 2024 ABTT Stephen Joseph Award goes to Frozen Light, a Norwich-based company that is revolutionising multi-sensory theatre for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities.

Presented at the ABTT Christmas Party, Bob Milli

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13 December 2024

Nigeria - Mr Panther, a recent addition to Lagos’ nightlife, is a high-energy resto-lounge. Owned by the Standalone Group, the venue is located on the seventh floor of The Avenue Suites Hotel, offering a dynamic atmosphere that transitions from a fine dining experience into a vibrant lounge as the night progresses.

With its gold-accented interiors, sleek glass façades, and an overall design that epitomises opulence, Mr Panther aims to leave a lasting impression on every guest. KV2 Audio was chosen to create an audio system to match this elevated vision.

The project resulted from a collaboration between Standalone Group and Freehand Acoustics. When the group decided to expand into Lagos, they brought Freehand Acoustics into the fold during the concept phase. “We were brought on board to design and commission the sound system. This allowed us to c

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12 December 2024

UK - This year, at the ABTT Members' Christmas Party on Friday 6 December, the Association of British Theatre Technicians, with the support of ETC and LW Theatres, honoured four of its members by awarding them Honorary Membership and Fellowship for their extraordinary work.

ABTT co-chairs Mig Burgess and David Evans kicked off the afternoon at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, welcoming the crowd and sharing the exciting news that this year, more members than ever would be celebrated. The Awards began by announcing that there were “two exceptional individuals whose contributions to the Association have been nothing short of extraordinary. This prestigious recognition of Honorary Membership is reserved only for those who have truly excelled in advancing the ABTT’s charitable goals – and these two individuals have certainly done just that.”

The first

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12 December 2024

India - Headquartered in Mumbai, Neo Entertainment is one of India’s premier event production companies. With a promise to continually deploy the latest tech and expertise, they recently upgraded their front-line PA, investing in a Martin Audio WPC line array. They placed a significant order with territory distributors, Vardhaman Megatech Pvt Ltd (VMT), comprising 16 WPC tops and eight SXH subwoofers, along with iK42 amp racks and accessories.

Speaking of the purchase, Neo Entertainment director, Betson Carvalho said, “Choosing the Martin Audio WPC system has been a transformative step for Neo Entertainment. This powerful combination of components has revolutionised our sound capabilities, delivering clear, dynamic and impactful audio that truly elevates events. Martin Audio’s renowned precision and reliability provide us with the confidence to push th

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12 December 2024

USA - Goldsboro, North Carolina, is home to the historic Paramount Theatre. Built in 1882 as an office building, its high Victorian Italianate style was noted for its ornamental features such as quoins, arched windows, and cornices. Over the years, the building has been used in many different ways – including a temporary synagogue, vaudeville theatre, and movie house.

In 1993, the renovated building was donated to the City of Goldsboro, and the city managed the theatre for the next 12 years. Early one morning in February 2005, a fire destroyed the Paramount Theatre. The loss of the theatre was personal to many members of the community. However, the theatre was rebuilt and officially reopened in February 2008. The Paramount Theatre’s auditorium has a capacity of 500, with seating for approximately 350 on the lower level and 150 in the balcony.

The

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12 December 2024

USA - Custer Road United Methodist Church in Plano, TX, faced a challenge: its sanctuary's traditional architecture and high ceilings, while beautiful, were creating audio issues that prevented the congregation from fully connecting during services. Recognising this, church leadership wanted to improve audio quality to foster a more engaging worship experience.

Custer Road UMC wanted a modern audio upgrade to match its sanctuary’s refreshed look and offer clear, consistent sound. “The church underwent a major renovation, and part of that effort was to ensure the technical systems were up to date,” says Shawn Slocum, account manager at Electro Acoustics. “We knew it was time to improve the audio system, and EAW’s AC6 ADAPTive system was the perfect solution.”

Custer Road UMC discovered the capabilities of the AC6 Column Loudspeaker during

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12 December 2024

Namibia - Liefde By Die Nam (LBDN) is a yearly event dedicated to Afrikaans music. 2024’s Liefde By die Nam took place in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia on 21 September, and event production specialists dB Audio Namibia brought the party to life by leveraging groundbreaking audio solutions supplied and supported by Stage Audio Works Namibia.  

To meet the complex audio demands of the event, dB Audio chose the Yamaha DM7 console for FOH mixing, which marked the first deployment of this model in Namibia. With its compact yet powerful design, the DM7 proved a perfect fit for the festival’s outdoor setup. "The DM7 is a self-contained, powerful, and versatile solution that slots in well to our operations here in Namibia," agree local sound engineers Gerhardus Engelbrecht and Titus Augustinus. dB Audio also supplied the trusted Y

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11 December 2024

France - Set along the northern edge of the Pyrenees, Pau is a city in southwestern France located some 85km from the Spanish border. A total population of less than 80,000 enjoys a rich cultural life with a range of theatre and concert venues, among them the Foirail.

A former livestock market, Foirail opened in 2022 and quickly established itself as a vibrant cultural space hosting a varied programme of cinema, jazz and classical music concerts, theatre and dance.

“The Nexo Geo M6 system originally installed at the Foirail was perfect for the venue at the time,” reports technical director Eric Vilchez. “However, the popularity of the theatre grew very quickly, and we soon found ourselves hiring in supplementary sound equipment for larger shows, particularly live music.”

So, members of the Nexo Engineering Support team revisited their

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11 December 2024

UK - After another successful year of ideas being entered, the ABTT Virtual Ideas Platform had the tough job of choosing a winner for the 2024 Idea of the Year Award.

Set up as collaboration between the ABTT and Guildhall School of Music & Drama, the Virtual Ideas Platform serves as an informal introduction service between independent creative innovators and commercial developers behind the sectors’ leading brands, products and services.

Following a stimulating debate about the submissions, the judging panel came to the unanimous decision to present the ABTT Virtual Ideas Platform 2024 Award to Steve Macluskie, lecturer at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Toby Cass, third year production technology and management student for their innovative product Beam Strap which is a lightweight beam clamp derivative, designed to take the hassle and

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11 December 2024

UK - Producer, recording engineer and mixing engineer, Freemonk, has enhanced his nearfield monitoring setup with the addition of a Chord Electronics Alto. Freemonk is using the headphone and nearfield monitor amp to drive the NS-10 monitors at Friary Studios.

When it comes to creating music, Freemonk prefers to work with an analogue workflow, and the historic equipment at Friary Studios is a testament to this. While choosing to work in the analogue domain provides its fair share of challenges, the results that he has achieved in everything from jazz to hip hop are testament to a producer at the top of his craft.

He discovered Chord Electronics after talking with fellow producer MsM. “Chord Electronics came into my life with a typical nerd chat with MsM, who is a fantastic mixing engineer based in London,” he recalled. “I'd noticed he was using

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11 December 2024

Finland - In the world of Formula 1, technology plays a pivotal role in performance, not just on the track but before drivers even touch the steering wheel. Racing simulators, equipped with cutting-edge audio-visual systems, are increasingly being used to mirror the intense atmosphere of race day.

In Finland, experienced AV engineer Andy Symonds and his Cave Oy company have taken this technology a step further by employing Genelec loudspeaker systems to create a one-of-a-kind simulator facility aimed at nurturing the next generation of Finnish racing talent.

Symonds’ simulators, located at Cave’s headquarters in Seinäjoki, are designed with a clear purpose in mind: to provide young drivers with an opportunity to train in an environment that closely replicates the real-world conditions of Formula and GT racing. To achieve this, Symonds relied on

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11 December 2024

UK - In honour of the company’s 100th year, Celestion has been presented with Serial Number 100 of the special limited edition Celestion 100 JTM Amplifier by Marshall Amplification.

To commemorate the two companies’ partnership and collaboration over the past 60+ years and their rich musical legacy, Marshall produced the new Studio JTM in a special limited run of 100 pieces handcrafted in the UK, in a new cream colour, featuring the anniversary Celestion 100 Alnico speaker. The original JTM amplifiers which inspired this limited edition have a legendary rock and roll heritage, having been used by artists such as Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton.

The anniversary Celestion100 alnico speaker, introduced at NAMM 2024, channels the legacy and tone of the Celestion’s G12 speakers from the late 1950s and early 1960s including the T530 Alnico Blue, the fi

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11 December 2024

UK - Audioscenic has announced Amphi Hi-D (High-dimensional Sound) spatial audio technology.

This position-adaptive technology, powered by ML-driven listener-position sensing, delivers consistent 3D audio regardless of listener movement. The multichannel advantage of Hi-D provides superior control over 3D sound reproduction through advanced cross-talk cancellation across multiple speakers.

Amphi Hi-D versatility allows for scalable applications, ranging from three-speaker ultrathin notebooks to six-channel gaming displays. The technology offers an enhanced user experience with more uniform frequency response, wider cancellation spectrum, increased loudness, and reduced reflections.

Amphi Hi-D enables product makers to design devices that deliver premium spatial audio without compromising user mobility or requiring complex room setups. Its ada

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10 December 2024

Germany - St Hedwig’s cathedral in the heart of Berlin is modelled after the Pantheon in Rome. Construction work began in 1747, finally opening its doors to worshipers in 1773. The building is highly regarded by the people of Berlin, and to preserve its rich history, it has just undergone an extensive renovation period that’s seen the entire interior transformed. Holoplot has been chosen to supply the audio solution, delivering its X2 Matrix Array system for seamless, unobtrusive spoken word reinforcement.

The brief for the publicly funded construction work was exceptionally detailed, with high expectations. St Hedwig’s is benefitting from a complete renewal, the new look reflecting the cathedral’s history. The nave sees big changes, whilst the original interior layout returns, but now with seating in the round. The aesthetic is clean and simple with

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10 December 2024

Poland - Experienced sound engineer, Bartosz ‘Bartek’ Kurkowski has found Optocore to be a vital component in the stage production of Polish singer songwriter Dawid Podsiadło.

The artist’s massive 360° arena and stadium tour is the biggest to ever take place in Poland, and Optocore’s M8 MADI device has been at the heart of a playback that runs additional tracks, clicks, cues and timecode at both FOH and monitor world on a DiGiCo loop.

Explaining the underlying reasons for adopting the M8, Bartek said, “I decided to use MADI for this set-up to give maximum flexibility, in case we needed to expand track count in the future.”

The challenge, he said, had been to incorporate MADI streams into their Optocore loop. The M8 MADI switch can do precisely that, providing four MADI input and four MADI output ports, offering 256 digital audio

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10 December 2024

USA - Dating back to 1932, Raleigh Memorial Auditorium at the Martin Marietta Centre for the Performing Arts in North Carolina, is the principal performance location in a four-venue performing arts centre. This also includes Meymandi Concert Hall, A.J. Fletcher Opera Theatre and Kennedy Theatre.

Over the generations locally based rental partner RMB Audio has been a frequent visitor, providing tech support for all spaces.

But it is the 2,369 capacity Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, with its varied programme of musicals, comedy and dance shows, that is the crown jewel. And it is here that the sound contractor has upgraded an ancient public address system with Martin Audio’s latest Wavefront Precision technology.

RMB Audio owner Cooper Cannady reports that it was way back in late 2020 - right in the middle of the COVID pandemic - that the request

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10 December 2024

UK - Sarner International has announced its appointment by East Staffordshire Borough Council to lead the initial visitor experience design stages for the ambitious Brewery Heritage & Social History Experience in Burton-upon-Trent.

This new immersive visitor attraction aims to celebrate Burton-upon-Trent’s pivotal role in brewing history and revitalise its standing as the home of IPA. Blending advanced technology, engaging storytelling, and interactive elements, the experience will reveal the art and science of brewing beer while highlighting Burton’s historical role as a global leader in beer production and the social fabric that shaped the town.

Through a sensory journey into Burton’s brewing heritage, visitors are introduced to the concept of Burton’s naturally mineral-rich water and immersed in the tale of the ‘waters of life’. Th

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10 December 2024

USA - Bose Professional has announced the global availability of two new AMU multi-use loudspeaker models, the AMU108-120 and AMU208-120, as well as two new mounting accessory options. These new additions expand the flexibility of the AMU series, providing new wider coverage options while maintaining the high-output sound, exceptional vocal clarity, and rich musical depth that make it ideal for a diverse range of applications.

“We engineered the AMU Series to be scalable and meet the diverse needs of large distributed and small-to-mid-sized audio systems,” said Shawn Watts, director of product management, Bose Professional. “With multiple driver configurations, flexible mounting options, and colours, the AMU line provides virtually limitless installation and coverage possibilities for both indoor and outdoor use.

“These loudspeakers combine p

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09 December 2024

USA - The Latin Grammy Awards were back in Miami on 15 November to celebrate the 25th edition of the Latin Music event. Artists, musicians, and producers gathered at the Kaseya Centre to award the most successful hits of the year. Shure Axient Digital Wireless System was selected to ensure quality audio throughout the night.

Axient Digital delivered solid RF and consistent signal quality throughout the event. Engineers and artists relied on 24 channels of Shure PSM 1000 In Ear Monitoring System and 12 channels of the Axient Digital Wireless System. The production also included 18 ADX2 handheld wireless microphone transmitters, four AD2 handheld microphone transmitters and two ADX1 bodypack transmitters.

The show started with the Person of the Year Carlos Vives. Next, Ela Taubert, winner of Mejor Artista Revelación surprised all the attendee

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09 December 2024

Spain - Since 2004, SeeSound has offered top professional solutions in the audiovisual market. With the mindset that the best technology and innovations are the keys to achieving this goal, SeeSound often turns to a variety of RF solutions from Wisycom. This includes the brand’s MRK16 Ultra-wideband Wireless Receiver System, MCR54 Four-channel True Diversity Wireless Microphone Receivers, MPR50 Wideband IEM Receivers and MTP60 Multiband Bodypack Transmitters.

For the theatrical touring productions of The Phantom of the Opera and The Producers, SeeSound deployed the Wisycom solutions mentioned above, in combination with the brand’s SPL2208 Wideband Active Antenna Combiner/Splitter.

“The Wisycom wireless coverage capabilities are great, and the audio quality is one of the main strengths of this system,” says Javier G. Isequill

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09 December 2024

Italy - A stone’s throw from Monaco and nestled on the Italian Riviera, Twiga Baia Beniamin is the latest venue from Flavio Briatore. Set in a bay and complementing its spectacular surroundings, the venue offers a blend of design, fine dining, and a luxurious atmosphere.

To enhance the guest experience further, an audio system from Brescia-based Outline has been installed. The system was delivered by Vibra Service, a Ligurian company known for equipping some of the region’s most prestigious spaces.

To ensure an audio experience worthy of its international DJ roster and refined clientele, Stefano Lo Sardo, founder and managing director of Vibra Service, selected Outline’s Vegas series. “The Vegas range won us over for three key reasons: its exceptional sound quality, impressive SPL, and robust weather resistance – it’s a true outdoor perfo

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09 December 2024

Canada - The University of Toronto’s Convocation Hall is a historic venue with a circular design. Imagined by prominent architects Darling and Pearson and completed in 1907, it has become a university landmark, hosting the annual convocation ceremonies and serving as the primary venue for academic and social functions due to its seating capacity of over 1,700.

Plagued by challenging acoustics, the hall’s reflective surfaces introduced significant complications, particularly for speech intelligibility. The previous sound system in Convocation Hall, an aging column array, was no longer effective – lacking the clarity needed for speech reinforcement in such a large, reverberant space. Renkus-Heinz was identified as the solution for these challenges, particularly its Iconyx line of loudspeakers, known for their advanced beam-steering technology.

Th

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09 December 2024

UK - Audiologic has appointed Mark Flanagan as head of marketing. Flanagan, who has spent the last decade with a global laboratory technology firm, comes aboard as part of wider additions to the sales and marketing team and a move to new premises including a customer-facing training facility, in tandem with the company celebrating 20 years in business.

Responsible for driving marketing activities in support of Audiologic’s key brand portfolio as well as developing brand identity and reach for Audiologic itself, he’ll be leaning on 25 years’ experience in various technology marketing roles. Over a dozen of those years were spent in audio, having spent six years at Tannoy and Lab Gruppen (under TC Group ownership) and seven years prior at MI & Pro-audio chain Sound Control & Turnkey.

“Audio technology is in your DNA I think, once you di