Germany - The Aalto-Musiktheater Essen, one of the most renowned music theatres in Western Europe, has exchanged its old communications gear for a Riedel Artist digital matrix intercom system. Systemhaus Giebel Electronic- & Kommunikations handled the installation on behalf of Gemeinnützige Theaterbaugesellschaft Essen.

At the heart of the system is a Riedel Artist 64 mainframe. Due to its modular approach Artist systems can easily be expanded up to to 1,024 x 1,024 non-blocking ports.

Twenty control panels from Riedel Artist 1000, 2000 and 5000 series are used at the Aalto Opera.

UK - Wireless equipment owners who have submitted claims under the 800MHz Funding Scheme are being urged to ensure that claims are all complete, and accompanied by the relevant proof of ownership information, before 2 April 2011, the final deadline for all submissions.

So far around 50% of claimants have submitted the necessary documentation. But another 570 claims that have been submitted are still waiting on proof of ownership to be provided in order that claims may be fully verified and approved. Ofcom, supported by BEIRG (British Entertainment Industry Radio Group) is urging users

UK - Saville Audio Visual has published a new-look catalogue, featuring a wide range of unified comms solutions, boardroom installations, interactive technology and new display products including Christie MicroTiles.

The 2011 edition highlights integrated AV/IT systems with Apple iPad, AMX, Crestron and Extron control plus extensive signage networks in retail, tourism and educational applications. Also featured are new projector ranges from the leading manufacturers and a variety of bespoke videoconferencing solutions.

Communicate 2011 is the twenty third edition of the annua

The Netherlands - Alcons Audio reports that it enjoyed a most successful ISE, with the event's 3D Theatre demonstrating to many the kind of performance that the company's pro-ribbon systems produce.

In addition to the company's own stand, Alcons provided an audio system for ISE's 3D Theatre, a co-operative venture by a number of 3D technology manufacturers, including screens, projectors, media-servers, audio systems and acoustic panels. Featuring hourly presentations from the different equipment suppliers about 3D related topics, visitors were informed about the latest technology and

USA / Germany - Riedel Communications is now a promoting member of the AVnu Alliance, the industry forum dedicated to the advancement of professional-quality audio/video networking by promoting the adoption of the IEEE 802.1 Audio/Video Bridging (AVB) standards over various networking link-layers.

"We have always understood our products as open platforms for integrating standard protocols such as AES, MADI, SIP and now, AVB. Especially MediorNet as an open platform backbone technology with bandwidth capacities suitable for numerous 3G video signals, will be helping to expand AVB

Russia - After the Olympics, the Universiade (World Student Games), which takes place every four years, constitutes the largest multi-discipline sporting event anywhere in the world. The venue for the upcoming 27th Universiade in 2013, which will feature the most talented student athletes in the world, is Kazan, the capital of the autonomous Russian republic of Tatarstan.

Some indication of the scale and importance of the event is given by the official figures: 12,000 athletes from 170 countries are scheduled to compete in 26 sporting disciplines spread between 64 different venues. As

UK - Orbital Sound, the leading sound and communication systems specialist for the theatre, event and broadcast markets, recently supplied a new d&b audiotechnik Q7 system to the Theatre Royal Bath, one of Britain's oldest theatres.

Selected elements of the sound equipment were upgraded in the 800-seat capacity Main House, as part of a 6-month refurbishment programme in the Main House auditorium.

Orbital's relationship with the Theatre Royal pre-dates this project, previously supplying the Theatre Royal's egg theatre for children with its d&b Q7 system during 2010.

Theatre Royal B

UAE - AV Concepts, a Dubai rental firm focusing on corporate and live performance events has purchased HK Audio CT108 compact touring cabinets from Melody House. Distributors of HK Audio speaker systems in the United Arab Emirates, Melody House has already supplied 50 units of the popular cabinet to various rental companies across the country.

"Everybody we have demonstrated to have been impressed with the CT108s output," commented Dino Drimakis, business development manager at Melody House. "Its compact nature is the icing on the cake as it allows companies like AV Con

UK - Events, production & communication specialist, R&B Group has welcomed Paul Borthwick back to their projects team. Following a brief spell exploring other avenues, Paul made the decision to return to R&B. He will slip back into the team in a very similar role to before, looking after the delivery of events from start to finish. The appointment comes just in time, as R&B Group's workload really picks up as a busy Spring arrives, says the company.

Also recruited is a new member of the creative team. Phil Chapman joins the group as a full-time video production technician, to support

UAE - Dubai based Showtech Rentals has recently acquired a wireless communication system from ClearCom's UAE distributor Nicolas Kyvernitis Electronics Enterprises. Distributors in the United Arab Emirates for the Live Sound market segment, NMK has supplied the rental firm the new Tempest wireless intercom system. The deal includes the 2.4GHz base station, five belt stations and a number of CC-95 headsets.

"Showtech are one of Dubai's most active rental firms, with constantly being in and out of different venues the need for a flexible yet reliable system is paramount," comm

UK - Jersey production/hire company, Stage2 Productions, recently bought an Allen & Heath iLive digital mixing system, comprising an iDR-48 MixRack and iLive-T112 Control Surface, as part of a digital upgrade in its hire stock.

Stage2's iLive has already been used to mix monitors for Russell Watson; FOH for Jersey's Help for Haiti Concert, featuring artists Cathy Battistessa and Nerina Pallot; and on monitors at the Grassroots Festival, featuring Fun Loving Criminals, Bedouin Soundclash, Jose Gonzalez and Natty.

"I have had great success with iLive at all levels from sma

France - Soundcraft digital desks have piloted the sound mix for many leading rock bands over the years, but in the last six months they have also reinforced the speech of two world leaders.

Following the use of Soundcraft consoles during the visit to the UK of Pope Benedict XVI last summer, a Vi1 was again on duty in the Chateauroux region of France on 20 January 20, as French President Nicolas Sarkozy addressed more than 1,000 health workers in the gymnasium of the local hospital in Chatillon-sur-Indre.

The rental company called in to convert the gym into a full production space w

Germany - DPA Microphones will officially launch its new modular series of microphones at Prolight & Sound 2011. The new range offers increased flexibility, sound quality and cost-effectiveness, says the company.

The range includes the Reference Standard 4000 Series, which builds and improves on DPA's Standard and Compact 4006, 4011, 4015 and 4017 mics, and the new Twin Diaphragm Capsules which form the 2000 Series, and brings down the cost of owning a DPA microphone to between €600­-700. Innovative accessories increase versatility and allow for future upgrades or new applications,

UK - In October 2008 Adam Hall's headquarters moved, within the city of Neu-Anspach, Germany, to its new European logistic centre in Daimlerstrasse, just a few hundred meters from its previous location. The new logistic centre, with approximately 7.000 m² warehousing and production capacity has resulted in a great improvement to the availability of product as well as improving customer service and delivery time, says the company.

As a result of the continued growth of the Adam Hall Group and the focus on European strategy, some changes are being effected within Adam Hall Ltd.

Havi

Kenya - The Kenya Music Week serves as a showcase for the African pro audio and music scene. This year, around 50 of the leading African dealers and distributors presented their new products and services to industry insiders.

One of the focal points of interest was the booth of Dynacord and Electro-Voice's African partners Audio Visual Engineering (AVE), where visitors could enjoy live demonstrations of Dynacord D-Lite and VariLine loudspeaker systems and Electro-Voice Tour X and XLC loudspeaker systems.

In addition to daily 90-minute audio training sessions - which, besides coverin

USA - The Stage, Miami's newest music performance venue opened 7 January and is rapidly becoming the place to hear leading music acts, with styles ranging from R&B to jazz to pop/rock and even some New Age tossed in for good measure. The sound reinforcement system is drawn from the catalogue of D.A.S. Audio.

Interface Sound, a Miami-based sound services firm that specializes in live sound for concerts and the special events/corporate industrial markets while also maintaining a presence in the commercial installation business, was contracted to design and install the new sound reinforc

UK - At De Vere's Wokefield Park Hotel, Golf Club and Conference Centre, an all-Electro-Voice sound reinforcement system is helping to define different spaces and events in the newly-built Executive Centre.

Set in the rural Berkshire countryside, Wokefield Park offers a variety of meeting options for business and social events in its spacious, ultra-modern, purpose-built Executive Centre. For conferences, Christmas parties and gala dinners, the main function room can accommodate up to 550 seated, but has designed in extra flexibility using room dividers and a switchable PA system.

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USA - One hundred miles from the start of the historic Natchez Trace, the city of Ridgeland, MS is steeped in the rich tradition of southern hospitality, with a small town charm and big city amenities. Ridgeland is the birthplace of country music artist Faith Hill and home to St. Columb's Episcopal Church.

The congregation of St. Columb's recently moved into their new facility. The sanctuary itself is traditional in appearance, with high ceilings and large, ornate stained glass windows, but with a few contemporary touches. Along with the new building came a new sound system, installed

Australia - Equitana is probably the most anticipated annual equine event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere attracting over 50,000 visitors per event. It is three days of everything equine featuring horses, Olympic gold medalists, educators, Aussie cowboys, an elite equine competition programme and over 350 exhibitors making up the largest equine shopping spree in Australia.

Equitana 2010 was held in November at Melbourne Showgrounds with Audio Visual Dynamics contracting Deluxe Audio to supply the sound system for the Grand Pavilion, one of the largest tensile fabric membrane st

USA - Bolstering its commitment to the fixed installation market, L-Acoustics US has announced the appointment of Andrew Nagel to the new post of installation support manager. Nagel reports to Cédric Montrezor, global head of installation support for L-Acoustics.

"Andrew is certainly a welcome addition to our installation support team," notes Montrezor. "Given his proven track record as a talented AV system designer, I know that he will be instrumental in helping us advance L-Acoustics' efforts to deliver exemplary support to our permanent install client base. Fu

USA - D&M Professional recently recognised its manufacturer's representatives for outstanding achievement in the company's fiscal year 2010. Presenting Hudson Marketing with their Rep of the Year honour, D&M Professional continued its tradition of acknowledging rep partners who distinguish themselves in the areas of attaining sales quota, market development for new products or a specific product category, inside sales support and overall excellence.

Located in Williston Park, Long Island and coversthe Tri-State NY/NJ/CT region, Hudson Marketing was founded in 1987 by company president

UK / USA - More than 20 years of touring with such diverse acts as Rage Against The Machine, Maroon 5, Cypress Hill and Weird Al Yankovic has prepared FOH engineer Joel Lonky for a wide range of performance issues, but few are as chaotic as his current gig mixing FOH for Rob Zombie. "The show is unpredictable," he reports. "I don't have the luxury of knowing what will happen next, so I needed a console that would allow me to stay on top of any situation that might arise. The PRO6 turned out to be the ideal solution."

One PRO6 feature that Lonky really appreciates i

Germany - Alcons Audio will be showing the production version of its latest pro-ribbon line array system, maximising its carbon (cone) footprint and giving a glimpse of a new product group at Prolight+Sound in April.

The Dutch manufacturer will be exhibiting the production-version of the LR24 pro-ribbon line array system. Previewed at the show last year, the system marks an important advance for the company within the concert touring and large-scale installation market.

Designed to be able to deliver the same SPL as equivalent products in the mid-size line array category, but with 1

Ireland - Aviva Stadium in Dublin is the home of the Irish rugby union team and the Republic of Ireland national football team. Audio is provided by a massive JBL sound system that includes 105 Precision Directivity (PD) Series loudspeakers, augmented by Application Engineered (AE) Series AM6200/64 speakers. The system also includes Crown Audio amplifiers and BSS Soundweb London signal processing, connectivity and control products.

The installation was carried out by the experienced, UK-based TG Baker (Sound) under the supervision of project manager Tony Mott. The system was sold by S

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