UK - AC-ET's Rigging division has been appointed as the exclusive UK distributor for the VMB Towerlift range, featuring the Classic, Pro and TL series of wind up stands, front loading tower lifts and line array lifting systems.

The VMB Pro and TL series are fitted with the company's patented ALS Auto Lock Security system, which guarantees that loads stay safe and secure at any height.

All VMB lifting products undergo a rigorous quality and strength control process to ensure that every component used meets the best possible reliability standards. In addition, all lifts are BGV-C1 certified for extra reassurance.

One major innovation coming from the VMB factory is the industry's first lift specifically designed for hanging line arrays, which have become a favourite with users looking for a quick, safe and practical solution. The PA is loaded directly on to the forks of the lif

Germany - The recently opened Grand Kameha Bonn is a stunning example of the classic 'Grand Hotel' concept re-interpreted for the modern era, with architectural design by Bonn-based architect Karl Heinz Schommer and designer Marcel Wanders. Within its softly curved glass envelope, the Grand Kameha has a total of 254 rooms, including 63 suites, and a multi-functional 2,500 capacity event space, making it well placed to attract both private travellers as well as the high end corporate/business market.

As a direct result of both the building's modern design, with the acoustic challenges that this often presents, and the hotel's objective of meeting the most demanding business and conference needs, the A/V facilities required special attention - with the resulting system setting high standards.

At the centre of the new building is the 1,800sq.m multi-function hall - covered by a g

UK - Anderson Ward Consulting (AWC) is the new name for the independent sales export and business development consultancy formerly known as Mick Anderson Consulting.

Founded by Mick Anderson in 2002, MAC has built up a reputation in the professional audio industry as an external resource for export sales and distribution management. With the appointment of Paul Ward as a partner in the firm, the consultancy has elected to change its name to reflect the new status quo.

"Paul's appointment extends the overall capabilities of our business," says Mick Anderson, "and this will allow us to expand, as new opportunities are fully realised."

AWC's current client list includes Camco, Digico and Coda Audio.

(Jim Evans)

Germany - Maier Sound Design GmbH has been involved with the Movimentos Festival since it first started in 2003, providing a complete audio solution which includes an extensive intercom system. Movimentos - which is held in Wolfsburg, including the Autostadt of Volkswagen - offers a series of contemporary performances from international dance ensembles, dramatised readings, discussions, lectures, and live concerts covering everything from the classics to jazz and pop.

Over the years, the technical requirements of this international festival have increased considerably, particularly in terms of the communications element and it became clear that the existing analogue solution could no longer cope. So this year Maier Sound Design has switched to a new digital system from ASL Intercom.

"Every dance company and every band has different requirements regarding communication,&qu

USA - Community Professional Loudspeakers will be rolling out a weather-resistant version of its iBOX installation series at this year's InfoComm Convention in Las Vegas.

Known for its popular WET and R-Series, Community is now bringing its weather resistance to iBOX, a high performance traditional loudspeaker series. All iHP1200, iHP1500 and iHP3500 series models will be available in a weather-resistant finish beginning in June of 2010.

"Community has been a proven leader in outdoor and stadium sound for many years," said Julia Lee, Community's Direcdor of marketing and sales. "We're pleased to expand our all-weather offering with the new weather-resistant iBOX series, bringing the same all-weather features to a more traditional loudspeaker design, the way that only Community can do it, as requested by our customers."

The new weather-resistant iBOX serie

UK - Jazz/pop artist Jamie Cullum is currently in the midst of an extensive world tour to promote his latest album The Pursuit. At the Front of House position engineer Danny White is operating a DiGiCo SD8 mixing console.

Combining the touring roles of front of house engineer, tour manager and more, White bought the SD8 for his family-run audio and lighting production company Chaps last year. Based in Sutton, Surrey - not far from DiGiCo's Chessington HQ - Chaps is providing both equipment and personnel to the tour, including White and his two sons.

"You have to embrace the latest technology because it's what everyone is doing. It's the way forward and I saw the SD8 as part of that development," he says. "To me, mixing is all about the path. If I have a good signal path then I'm happy.

"When I was told that the SD8 has the same signal path as the S

Ireland - The new 2,111 capacity Grand Canal Theatre in Dublin's Docklands, which was designed by architect Daniel Libeskind to integrate with the adjoining commercial development, provides an outstanding addition to Ireland's theatre world.

Since it will not only present the best of national and international theatre, but also musicals, opera, ballet, and classical performance, the new £68m development required a high-octane technical infrastructure that would accommodate world class West End and Broadway productions visiting Ireland for the first time.

The technical fit-out was supervised by LSI Projects, who successfully responded to a tender document and specification created by consultants, Arup Venue Consultants.

One of the challenges faced by LSI's project manager Jakub Krzeminski, was creating a site-wide digital network which would incorporate an independent f

UAE - Sennheiser Middle East continued its partner activities after the successful PALME Show with a Sound Academy Workshop at Dubai's Fairmont Hotel. The event was, in part, to celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of the Middle East office in Dubai and was an opportunity for integrators and end-users to get the benefit of extensive training from two of the manufacturers' most experienced engineers.

Conducting the seminars were Klaus Willemsen, senior projects - wireless engineering and Norbert Hilbich, industry team leader of application engineering, both from the head office of Sennheiser Electronic in Germany.

Willemsen's presentation was on Sennheiser RF Wireless Systems and overviewed the many uses of wireless microphones and in-ear monitoring systems, from professional broadcast, theatre and music applications through to rental company use and corporate AV. It

USA - Designing a sound system for a motor speedway is not an exercise in subtle nuance. To compete with the roar of these powerful engines, and the cheers of a few thousand of their closest friends, it's all about brute force decibels.

When California Speedway in Fontana became Auto Club Speedway in 2008, the new owners began a long-term project of making improvements to the venue's infrastructure. This year, Bay Area-based Pacific Satellite upgraded the Speedway's sound system, bringing in 104 of Community's R.5HPT three-way loudspeaker systems.

"Previously, the stands were covered by Community M4 loudspeakers mounted on the wheel fence," explains Pacific Satellite's Jerry Coté. "The M4 is still a good speaker, but one of the reasons we chose the R-Series is that it delivers exceptional intelligibility, along with great coverage."

Coté cit

UK - This year's ABTT (Association of British Theatre Technicians) Theatre Show is putting audio to the fore. New products include the latest systems from Nexo, which is making its first appearance at the exhibition. The RS 18 subwoofer is being launched this spring and is a compact 2x18-inch compact unit that can be switched to either directional or omni-directional operation. Also new is the PS R2 Series, an updated version of the established PS cabinets offering higher SPLs.

The latest addition to Allen & Heath's range of digital consoles gets its UK launch. The iDR-64 is a large, fixed I/O version of the iLive MixRack and is able to work with the same firmware as the other products in the range. It will be on display alongside the recently introduced iLive-R72 controller and the iDR-16.

Yamaha Commercial Audio is to show an Ethersound version of its M7CL digital mixing des

UK - At the forthcoming ABTT show, Alcons Audio will highlight its complete line of theatre loudspeakers and controller-amplifiers.

For the first time after its premiere at the Frankfurt show, the BC543 cardioid subwoofer will be on the stand at ABTT. This self-contained triple 18" subwoofer enables cardioid pattern control, when driven by the Digital Drive Processor in the ALC amplified loudspeaker controller.

Making inroads in the theatre market, the LR7 micro line-array system which received acclaim in different international reviews and tests, will be on the stand, together with the LR7Bass system.

For point source system, the traditional way of reinforcing theatre sound, Alcons will have the VR8 compact monitor on display, as well as the SR9 front-fill, both two-way passive systems, featuring a 4" pro-ribbon HF driver.

The third theatre sound philosophy Alco

France - First established during the reign of Louis XIV, the Opéra Comique in Paris is one of the oldest theatrical and musical institutions in France. It has had a turbulent history, both as a company and as a building, including being twice destroyed by fire. Rebuilt for the third time in 1898, the theatre (also known as the Salle Favart) is now classed as a listed building. However, whilst the building may be listed, the audio equipment is thoroughly modern, as underlined by the theatre's recent purchase of an Eclipse digital mixing console from Innovason.

Sebastien Arribas, head of AV at the Opera Comique explained that the time had come to move on from their old analogue console as it was simply too limiting in terms of the number of outputs and flexibility of configuration. "It still sounded good, but we had got to the stage where we were asking more of the co

USA - Showcasing all that Miami has to offer-from accommodations and dining to attractions, shopping, and a vibrant nightlife, South Beach has it all, including the new Pinkroom. With its unparalleled luxury, attention to fashionable detail, and a keen focus on the sound and light experience, Pinkroom is one of the region's hottest nightclub destinations and now features a D.A.S. Audio sound system.

Miami-based Paradise Production Services was contracted to handle Pinkroom's sound system design and installation. Carlos Henao, the firm's owner, was tasked with all aspects of the sound reinforcement system project.

"Pinkroom is brand new," states Henao, "and the sound system's ability to blend inconspicuously with the room's décor was every bit as important as its ability to deliver superior audio quality. The main nightclub area measures roughly 50ft long

UK - OneBigStar and EV distributor Shuttlesound saw Europe's largest festival for tribute bands and new acts turn into a veritable showcase for Electro-Voice PA systems. Now in its sixth year, Glastonbudget has become a serious fixture on the festival circuit, and sold out nearly 7,000 tickets over its three-day weekend.

With four stages on site, OneBigStar was able to draw on the full range of Electro-Voice's line array and point-source reinforcement options, using EV speaker processing with every system.

For the main stage, which hosted the headlining tribute acts, the system used XLC cabinets, flown 12 a side, with X-Subs, and powered by EV Tour Grade amplifiers. Under the big top tent which housed the second stage, mainly used by new acts, the system featured a combination of EV's XLE line array with QRX cabinets, powered by EV's CP amplifiers.

Two smaller stages

UAE - Sennheiser Middle East, which exhibits at PALME with the assistance of local distributor Venuetech, made fundamental changes to its stand at PALME 2010 and picked up an award in the 'Best Pro Audio Technology Of The Year' category for Neumann Digital Microphones.

This year's PALME saw quite a difference in the stand set up, with almost all products as active displays, which meant that visitors to the stand could take the opportunity to use the new 2000 series products via the Wireless Systems Manager software. Also on show was an interactive guidePORT display, allowing visitors to use the new Porsche designed receivers to listen to live streaming audio from a video that explained how the system operates and to listen to the audio files stored within the device.

Neumann also had a significant presence on the stand, with an active display for the new digital range of micro

Germany - The Civic Centre (Stadthalle) in Singen, not far from the Swiss/German border, has been a stronghold of cultural life in southwest Germany for several years now. It is known for the broad variety of its entertainment programme, from drama to musical theatre, from comedy to rock concerts.

As the productions in the Stadthalle have become more and more technically demanding, a new sound reinforcement system was installed. The Main PA consists of sixteen HK Audio Cohedra Compact CDR 108 C line array mid/high units on each side of the stage. A central subwoofer cluster of six CDR 210 C is flown above the centre of the stage.

Whenever the musical productions demand more bass, 16 additional CDR 210 units are available for ground-stacking in front of the stage. Six ConTour Series CT 108 8"/1" cabinets serve as near-fills for the first rows of the audience, with ano

UK - The temperatures soared for the BBC's One Big Weekend in Vaynol Park, Bangor, North Wales, which officially kicked off the UK 2010 Festival season, with Adlib supplying sound for five areas and lighting for two.

Liverpool-based Adlib has been involved in the event for many years, initially starting with the audio supply for one stage and their role has steadily grown. Adlib account handler Phil Kielty says, "It's always a great pleasure to be involved in this event, which has its own special vibe. One minute you can see an act play an unplugged set in the Live Lounge, an hour later you can see them headline the main stage - it really is a very special event."

The Adlib crew of 14 was chiefed by Richy Nicholson, who also worked on the In New Music We Trust stage, the second largest of the event, headlined by Faithless on Saturday and Vampire Weekend on Sun

UK - The team from Roland Systems Group presented its Silent Stage concept at this year's Glastonbudget. Previously deployed to great effect at Glastonbury, the quiet stage infrastructure uses RSS M-48 personal monitor mixers and RSS control equipment to create an all-Roland digital stage environment where musicians can play and/or practice.....without making a sound!

Using the Roland V-Drums, V-Pianos, new GAIA synth and other instruments provided, festival performers were able to rehearse and warm-up, hearing their own output through the M-48 system and headphones while other guests in the VIP marquee enjoyed the hospitality undisturbed. Visitors to the Roland stage included Britpop specialists Blurb and Oasish.

"Many performers find that the M-48 Live Personal Mixer is a breath of fresh air for live performers," says RSG marketing manager Martin Thomas. &qu

USA - The Metropolitan Opera in New York has purchased a 40-channel Solid State Logic C100 HDS Digital Broadcast console as part of its digital upgrade to 5.1 for the second season of its series The Met: Live in HD. The Met is simulcasting the series, which has already hit a high note with viewing audiences for the last three years, in high definition with 5.1 surround sound to selected theatres across the US and around the world. The C100 HDS enables the Met to bring audio production into the digital realm.

The Opera House chose the C100 HDS, designed specifically for space-limited applications, because the compact surface and processor electronics provides the same power and familiar control surface as the larger frame C100 HD. The Met's compact broadcast control room is located in the balcony area at the back of the auditorium, so the C100 HDS was the perfect solution.

Switzerland/USA - Barix AG has developed an OEM device for Aiphone Communications Systems based on the successful Barix Annuncicom series of intercom and two-way audio devices. The project is the latest in a long list of significant OEM wins for Barix.

"Barix is very happy to announce our OEM partnership with Aiphone, a market leader in intercom solutions with an extensive sales reach, strong sales organization and a very high and consistent approach to quality," said Johannes G. Rietschel, CEO and Founder of Barix AG. "We are proud that Aiphone has selected Barix as a development partner and supplier for a core product, and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship."

At InfoComm 2010, Barix will exhibit its latest OEM invention that is exclusively marketed by Aiphone and its channel partners. The Aiphone IPW-1A network intercom adapter is a customiz

USA - EAW has launched the QX Series loudspeakers, optimised for installed system applications that require precise directivity in a powerful low-profile form. Engineered and manufactured at EAW's Whitinsville, Massachusetts facility, the QX Series provides size-efficient yet very high output point source clusters, says the company.

The series is particularly geared toward medium-to-large-sized spaces including sports arenas but is also designed for a wide range of other venues requiring high power and consistent coverage in a compact housing, including houses of worship, outdoor stadiums, performing arts venues, theatres and clubs.

The passive, wired-for-biamplification QX Series draws on the knowledge and engineering resources gained through the development of EAW's AX Series, maintaining its reputation of "big horns in compact packages." A centrally located co-axi

USA - AVnu Alliance has confirmed Biamp Systems as a new promoter member.

"Biamp sees AVB as the emerging standard for the A/V industry and our products. We also recognize the importance for interoperability of all equipment that utilizes AVB as well as the need to educate the marketplace," states Matt Czyzewski, Biamp's Vice president of Business Development. "Biamp is excited to have joined AVnu Alliance in order to promote these principles that are critical to the industry in regards to growth and adoption of AVB technologies."

"We are very pleased that Biamp has joined AVnu Alliance. They are a strong player in commercial installed audio applications. Their membership in AVnu Alliance further demonstrates the sentiment of the professional AV community that compliant and interoperable AVB enabled devices are the future of the industry," says Le

South Africa - Prism Sound has announced the appointment of Johannesburg-based Specialized Engineering Group in Media Advancement (SEGMA) as its exclusive South African distributor for all SADiE products and Prism Sound recording and post products.

SEGMA director Maldwyn Greenwood says, "We are delighted that Prism Sound and SADiE have appointed us as their exclusive distributor. We are a young company and that gives us an enormous advantage because we are not afraid to innovate and try new strategies. There is plenty of scope to increase market penetration for both brands and we certainly feel that the quality of these products will make them very popular with our customers, who include large scale music production studios, broadcasters and educational facilities."

Jody Thorne, Prism Sound/SADiE's sales and marketing manager, says, "South Africa. is a key terri

Denmark - Pascal A/S, the OEM design and build company, based near Copenhagen is expanding, and moving to larger premises.

The new address is: Pascal A/S, Literbuen 10B, 2740 Skovlunde, Denmark. Phone: +45 36 99 19 44. Web: www.pascal-audio.com.

Pascal is a producer and developer of amplifier modules for integration into high-power professional loudspeakers. They specialise in providing powerful solutions for the professional loudspeaker manufacturers which serve the international PA touring and systems installation market.

(Jim Evans)

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