China - D.A.S. Audio, supported by distributor for China, Hong Kong and Macau, Acton Audio & Musical Instruments (Shanghai), hosted a dealer gathering and technical workshop in Beijing, China, on 8 June 2013 for more than 100 dealers and customers from all over the country.

The event coincided with Palm Expo 2013 and showcased the latest models introduced in the Chinese market. For Eduardo Lopez, sales manager for China, "This event was the perfect opportunity to gather a lot of the new dealers we have in the country now, thanks to the remarkable work Acton Audio & Musical Instruments is doing. For them it was the ideal opportunity to learn about D.A.S. history and the technology behind our products, with a special focus on the components used in our speaker systems, from cone transducers to compression drivers, designed and manufactured in Spain."

Ron Koh, D.A.S. Au

UK - The first music festival to be promoted by an industry technical production company - Chilfest by Universal Event Productions (UEP) - was "a resounding success".

Music fans enjoyed two days of entertainment. The pop themed Friday night was headlined by Little Mix, The Lovable Rogues, Heather Small and others, followed by the best of the eighties on the Saturday - Tony Hadley, Rick Astley, Howard Jones, Midge Ure, Hazel O'Connor and Carol Decker.

All of this was delivered complete with the very highest in production values by UEP who supplied sound, lighting and video equipment and design.

UEP's Steve Butcher - who came up with the ambitious idea to celebrate the Tring based company's 15th birthday - was "completely blown away" with the response and the outcome.

"We set out to do something special to celebrate an important company landmark and

July - The beginning of July saw Sennheiser UK hold its 18th Sennheiser Challenge Trophy golf day at Mill Ride golf course, Ascot with over 70 invited guests taking part.

A morning nine-hole Texas Scramble was followed by an 18-hole individual stableford competition won by Bihesh Patel of Pinnerton Video Systems Ltd.

The day's golf was followed by an evening charity dinner, raising donations for The Caron Keating Foundation, set-up to help many cancer charities in the UK. Caron's mother Gloria Hunniford attended the dinner and thanked guests for their support.

In total the Sennheiser Challenge Trophy raised £16,500 for The Caron Keating Foundation as well as additional £3,000 for the Diabetes UK charity.

Commenting on the day, Steve Dalton, director of marketing for Sennheiser UK said, "This was a great day, blessed by excellent weather. Everyone had a ter

USA - Tim Dorwart, CEO of Community Professional Loudspeakers, passed away on 15 July 2013.

Dorwart became Community's CEO in March of this year and led the company through its introduction of several important new products at InfoComm. Dorwart's previous roles included director and VP positions with Bose Corporation and DMX Music. Since 2007, he had led the Stanton Group through a successful turnaround as their CEO.

Dorwart came to Community from Gibson Guitar Corporation where he held the position of general manager, pro audio and guided the integration of Stanton Group assets to form Gibson's new Pro Audio Division.

Bruce Howze, Community's President, said, "We are deeply saddened by Tim's death. We mourn the loss of our chief executive and a good friend and we extend our most sincere condolences to his wife and family."

A memorial service will be held on Satu

USA - Special Event Services (SES) deployed an immense Outline GTO-based sound system for the 2013 Justin Moore Outlaws Like Me concert tour, presented at major arenas and concert venues across the country.

With Outline's exclusive OpenArray 3D Simulation Software, SES employed the company's integrated flying hardware system to achieve audience coverage and uniform, sterling sound quality at each stop. This setup was elemental to delivering the excitement of Justin Moore's performances for both his heavy country rock hits and emotional ballads.

"The most significant aspect of the Outline system that we used for Justin Moore is that it replicates everything I give it without coloration," says Jeff Oliver, front-of-house engineer for Justin Moore. "Every stage source, from all the guitar amps and microphones, to the drum kit and Justin's vocals, are faithfu

USA - In Hollywood, entrepreneurial brothers Jonnie and Mark Houston are reinventing the nightlife scene from bottle service nightclubs to cocktail-focused themed venues. They currently operate a number of nightspots including the Cuban rum bar-themed La Descarga, the atmospheric Paris-themed Pour Vous and the Hollywood Piano Bar.

Their latest incarnation is No Vacancy, paying homage to Old Hollywood with a historic renovation of what the bar once was - a Victorian period house built in the early 1900s.

While other venue concepts have been inspired by trips abroad, No Vacancy is closer to the hearts of the twin brothers who grew up in the neighbourhood.

"We restored the house as much as we could and brought it back to life with every little detail from the knobs to the antique wallpapers from the 1930s," notes brother Mark in a recent interview. "The redesign

UK - Two Allen & Heath iLive digital mixing systems managed FOH and monitors for a special performance by the band, People's String Foundation, held at the Minack open-air theatre in Cornwall to mark a forthcoming album launch.

The 12-strong band debuted all tracks from its new album, due for release this summer, accompanied by a ten-piece orchestra.

"Positioned on a cliff top, the open-air amphitheatre was a logistical challenge, requiring a mixer that would fit with the rest of the PA in a van small enough to negotiate the narrow lanes leading to the venue but could also handle the 50 plus channel count," comments FOH engineer, Tommy Williams.

An iLive-T80 surface with iDR-48 MixRack was selected at monitors, expanded with an xDR-16 to handle the microphones from the string section. The xDR expander had an M-MADI card fitted for multi-track recording of the show

UK - The eyes of the western world were on the Northern Ireland town of Enniskillen in mid-June, as its Lough Erne golf resort hosted the 39th annual G8 summit. As the heads of eight of the world's largest economies met to discuss 'trade, transparency and tax', Yamaha digital mixers ensured that not a word was missed.

With eight of the world's most powerful leaders involved - including Barack Obama, Angela Merkel, Francois Hollande, Vladimir Putin and David Cameron - media interest was exceptionally high. Satisfying a demanding brief was Delta Sound, who chose exclusively Yamaha digital mixing consoles to fulfil the summit's audio requirements.

Contracted by CTN Communications, Delta's experience of working at the 2005 G8 summit in Gleneagles and the 2009 G20 meeting of global finance ministers and central bank governors made them the ideal choice. Project manager Mark Sawyer

Venezuela - Caracas-based PROmontaje has taken delivery of a Meyer Sound Leo linear large-scale reinforcement system, the first to be available in Latin America. The new system was initially deployed at the Vive Movistar Festival in Caracas this summer.

"We have been using Meyer Sound Milo and Mica line arrays with great success," says Pablo Bonilla, the managing director of PROmontaje. "Now, with Leo, we will be Venezuela's leading provider of large-scale audio production for big concerts, festivals, major sporting competitions and large-scale corporate, governmental, and cultural events."

PROmontaje's new Leo system comprises 30 LEO-M line array loudspeakers, 18 1100-LFC low-frequency control elements, a Galileo Callisto loudspeaker management system with four Galileo Callisto array processors and a Galileo 616 AES processor. The system was purchased thro

Germany - Sennheiser's evolution microphones are among the most popular stage microphones altogether - and now, the audio specialist is presenting a series of short tutorial videos on how to get the best out of them.

With the help of these videos, even newcomers can perfectly mike and record their music and polish their performance, says the company. In addition to the most important product features, the short tutorials also provide many useful tips on positioning the microphones at an instrument and help vocalists to choose the ideal mike. The video clips cover the evolution 600, 800 and 900 series

In the rehearsal room and on stage, filmmaker Geert Verdickt - himself a musician and vocalist in a band - explains the individual microphones and shows how they can best reproduce the sound of each instrument or voice, respectively.

Oliver Ohrndorf, marketing manager MI for Sen

South Africa - Clear-Com is featuring its Eclipse HX-Delta Matrix Frame at Mediatech Africa 2013 (Jasco Group, Stand G21). The HX-Delta brings the high capacity of Clear-Com's larger matrices to a compact, cost-effective 3RU frame. This smaller frame offers IP or fiber connectivity as well as seamless integration with wireless and third-party devices without external interface frames.

The size of the Eclipse HX-Delta makes it well suited for applications where space is limited but advanced connectivity is required, such as with OB trucks and smaller studios. The Eclipse HX-Delta system also has a new connection paradigm for larger venues, such as multi-level studios. Due to its small size and lower cost, HX-Delta gives users the option of building a distributed matrix system with frames in multiple areas of a facility. This new solution features a more flexible workflow and perm

Germany - Popular international reggae star Sean Paul recently toured Germany with an Adamson Energia E15 line array PA provided by Hamburg -based Cobra sound light.

The compact, 10-date tour took place in arenas across the country. Cobra sound light, a full-service provider for pro audio and event technology equipment, recently added the Energia E15 PA for its sound quality, scalability and simple rigging.

"The tour was very compact - Sean Paul played at 10 venues in 12 days with seating ranging anywhere from 3,000 to 7,000," explains Michael Buchner, partner at Cobra sound light. "It was important that the system be flexible and scalable. Fortunately we had just added the E15s to our inventory, which were exactly what was required."

The tour travelled with 24 E15 line array modules powered by eight Lab.gruppen PLM 20000Q amplifiers. The size of the left

Japan - RedNet is Focusrite's flagship modular high-quality audio networking system based on Dante's powerful digital audio network. AS Project Co. Ltd., located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, recently became the first users of RedNet in Japan.

AS Project Co. specialises in live and event sound and has been using the Yamaha CL live console series in conjunction with Pro Tools HD. As existing Yamaha CL series users, AS Project Co. decided to take advantage of the fact that the console has built-in Dante functionality by choosing RedNet 5. Two RedNet 5 units are connected to Pro Tools HD and to the Dante network, allowing 64 channels of high-quality, uncompressed digital audio to pass between the console and the recording system.

Sound engineer Masahiro Fukuhara spoke about his implementation and initial thoughts of RedNet: "RedNet 5 is recognised immediately as two 192 Digital I/O un

USA - Las Vegas' brand new MGM Grand nightclub Hakkasan is rocking the famous strip with high performance Turbosound loudspeaker systems throughout its five levels and main room.

At the heart of Hakkasan is a 10,000 sq ft multi-tiered nightclub kitted out entirely with the UK brand's loudspeakers, comprising 24 TFA-600HW Flex Array modules and 12 TFA-600L low frequency loudspeakers, flown in four arrays of three low frequency cabinets with six wide dispersion mid/highs. In addition, the dance floor system employs six ground-stacked TFA-600B single 18" bass cabinets and three TFS-900Bi install-specific dual 18" subwoofers.

A total of 12 RACKDP-50 4-channel amplifiers power the 24 Flex Array cabinets. 22 TCX-8 compact passive two-way loudspeakers, and eight NuQ-6 ultra-compact passive loudspeakers supply under-balcony fill. Upstairs, a further 21 TCX-8 speakers have be

Cyprus - Nicolas Kyvernitis Electronics Enterprises, distributors of Midas and Klark Teknik in the Middle East have supplied a new Midas PRO6 digital live audio system to local AV supplier Task Trading who installed the system in the Royal Hall in Nicosia, Cyprus.

"The Royal Hall is a historic venue on the Venetian walls encircling the old town of Nicosia, Cyprus. A lot of high-class events are hosted at the venue and the recent addition of the Midas Digital System meets demands of any event be it small or large," commentsMoswain Antao, head of marketing at NMK.

He adds, "The PRO6 is a mid-range desk which can be upgraded at anytime to a PRO9 to handle more inputs and auxiliaries if required making it a great return on investment for the venue."

(Jim Evans)

UK - HHB Communications supplied Britain's Got Talent sound director Robert Edwards with a DK-Technologies DK2 Audio and Loudness Meter that was used for the show's semi-final and final episodes.

Watched by over 11m viewers, the Britain's Got Talent 2013 final was one of the UK's most-watched programmes of the year. Sound director Robert Edwards entrusted the compact DK2 meter to measure the live broadcast stream to check the programme's integrated LUFS level (the EBU loudness criteria). ITV maintains a dual acceptance policy for programme delivery, which means that programmes can be delivered with observance to the traditional +8dBm Peak level or to -23 LUFS (plus or minus 1 LUFS).

"It is vitally important to know where our programme sits in relation to these emerging standards," Robert Edwards says. "In the UK we have very strict delivery standar

UAE - Melody House, distributors of HK Audio have recently supplied Al Thuraya telecommunications company offices with the HK Audio IL 60-CT.

The HK Audio IL 60-CT is a compact two-way ceiling mount speaker designed for installation into ceilings.

Thuraya is a leading mobile satellite communications company that empowers people with tools to bring the organizations and communities they serve closer together. They offer "innovative, flexible and dependable technology that helps you overcome the toughest challenges and achieve the highest aspirations - facilitating reliable communications where and when it matters most".

"The IL 60-CT is a robust speaker solution for meeting rooms," commented Manivelu Saiprasad, HK Audio product specialist at Melody House. "It features a built-in 100V transformer offering selectable power taps, which may be activated o

Mexico - Playing to a crowd of more than 20,000, Seattle-based grunge band Soundgarden recently performed at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City during its international tour, running through summer 2013. The band's 26-song set list was highlighted with the band's extensive catalogue and was brought to life by a Harman Martin lighting system, deployed by OCESA PRG Mexico.

Throughout the stage, 34 Martin MAC Viper Profiles, 13 MAC 2000 Wash beams, 20 MAC Aura LED's, 12 Atomic Strobe 3000's and 12 Scroller 3000 lighting units were deployed, strategically designed to provide a spectacular visual landscape for the show.

Soundgarden's live production team ordered the Martin lighting solution specifically for the Palicio de los Deportes performance.

"We've been using Martin lighting for years and our inventory has been trustworthy and bright from the beginning," s

UK - Manchester city-centre entertainment hot spot, Gorilla recently upgraded their front-of-house (FOH) mixing desk to a new Midas PRO2 digital console courtesy of Mason's Games Ltd. The 700-seat venue offers a broad spectrum of live entertainment spanning every imaginable genre and has quickly become a favourite among the night set.

An essential element of the installation, the included DL251 stage box serves as the digital snake, providing 48 Midas mic/line inputs and 16 analogue XLR outputs at the stage end. MIDI (In, Out, Thru) plus three AES50 ports and one Ethernet connection round out the DL251 rear panel. Connectivity to the FOH console is via shielded, twisted-pair Cat 5e cable with a range of up to 100 metres/330 feet. Dual-redundant power supplies are standard.

Trof Group, which operates Gorilla, The Deaf Institute, Albert Hall Manchester and Trof Northern Quarter,

Czech Republic - Rental Pro is the first rental company in the Czech Republic to adopt the Nexo STM modular line array, debuting its newly-purchased 24-set system on the Vysocina Festival in Jihlava in front of 10,000 rock, hip-hop and pop music fans.

The three-day multi-genre event featured local stars including Golden Nightingale TomᚠKlus, Krystof, Nightwork, David Koller, Pražský výb?r, Monkey Business, and Wohnout, Rental Pro provided the main stage with a STM system using 12 sets of M46 Main and B112 Bass cabinets per side, with 12x S118 subs groundstacked each side.

"When we saw and heard STM for the first time, we were so surprised by the unique modular concept that now we can't imagine a future for our business without the system," says Roman Zezula of Rental Pro, which has owned Nexo loudspeakers since the company was started in 2000.

Zezula cites S

UK - In the week his debut album Long Way Down was released, Brit Award-winning singer-songwriter Tom Odell played a packed-out set on the John Peel Stage at Glastonbury. The crystal clear sound of a Yamaha CL5 digital console at front of house helped inspire many in the audience to buy the album afterwards... sending it straight to No.1 in the UK chart.

A longtime Yamaha user, Odell's front of house engineer Davy Ogilvy became acquainted with the CL5 in his previous full-time role as a project manager at Dimension Audio. "We were looking at new digital consoles and we liked the CL5 so much that we invested in it as soon as it came out," he says.

"Since then I've used it at a number of shows. I love the way it instantly sounds great as soon as it's plugged in. You are immediately in a good place, which is the ideal position to start."

Complementing

USA - Audio-Technica has recognized Los Alamitos, California-based Alliance Audio Visual Group as its Rep of the Year for the 2012/2013 fiscal year. The award was presented to Alliance's Matthew Jensen, principal, and Jim Chase, account executive, by Philip Cajka, Audio-Technica U.S. president and CEO, and Michael Edwards, A-T V.P. professional products..

Jensen and Chase accepted the award on behalf of other Alliance personnel not in attendance, including Kenny Andrews and Karen Lopez. Alliance represents Audio-Technica in the region of Southern California and Southern Nevada.

Audio-Technica held the awards ceremony to honour its dedicated force of manufacturer's representatives during the InfoComm Expo 2013, in Orlando, Florida. The A-T Rep of the Year recipient was congratulated for outstanding sales performance and bestowed with Audio-Technica's Samurai doll award. Allianc

USA - Mike West is a California-based acoustic guitarist and vocalist who plays well over 200 shows per year. His current solo show, The Beatles Down To Earth - A Magical History Tour is drawing rave reviews and ever-growing audiences. Recently, West upgraded to the Line 6 StageSource loudspeaker system.

"I own an L3t and an L3m and use them as my house PA system," says West. "I've found them to be a fantastic addition to my stage. In terms of power, sound quality, and set-up time, they are a big upgrade from the articulated linear array I was using before."

With the growth of his show leading to more gigs at bigger venues, West began to realise the limitations of his old system. "Basically, it didn't play well with others," he says. "Introducing another speaker required all these weird extra connections and adapters. It wasn't easy. S

UK - Following the sustained year on year business growth, Sennheiser UK has moved its operation to new premises in Marlow, Buckinghamshire for the first time in 20 years.

Having set up the first formalised office with just six staff in 1990, Sennheiser UK is one of the UK audio industry's true success stories. In 1996, when the company moved to its former office at Century Point in High Wycombe, it had already grown to 26 employees and a turnover of £7.5m.

Now at 72 staff and grossing £45m, Century Point's 6,000 sq.ft of office more than reached capacity therefore the move to its new 15,000sq.ft home in Marlow has provided much needed space for the team as well as the new service facility.

"We have come a long way since our first foray into the UK market," says Sennheiser UK general manager, Phil Massey. "We are very proud of our achievements and

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