Belgium - Rental company Soundfield has become the latest L-Acoustics Rental Network Agent, having placed a substantial initial order from ASC Audio, the local distributor in Belgium.

Soundfield now boasts an inventory of 24 KARA, 24 x KIVA and 24 x KUDO WST line source cabinets; 14 x SB18 and 24 x SB28 subwoofers; 12 x 115XT HiQ active monitors; 12 x 12XT coaxials; six LA4 amplified controllers and 36 x LA8A controllers in LA-RAKs.

The company runs an installation arm, Sotesa, alongside its rental business, specialising in theatres and concert halls. Sotesa was increasingly working with L-Acoustics products for its fixed installation work, so the move to become a Rental Network Agent was a logical one.

To introduce their new equipment to the Belgium market, Soundfield organised a two-day open house event at the Brussels Event Brewery, with separate rooms to showcase the dif

Belgium - The colourful 49-year history of the Porsche 911 reached another milestone this year with the introduction of the 2012 model. Featuring many refinements, but continuing the immediately recognisable 911 profile, one regional European launch for the new car enjoyed the benefit of a DiGiCo SD9 mixing console. Or, as it was for the events, an SD911.

Belgian audio visual company GSF Event specialises in corporate and political events, working with such illustrious organisations as the European parliament, motor manufacturers Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini and many others.

GSF has been an audio-visual partner for Porsche for five years and works at the launches for all of the company's new cars. Following the new Porsche 911's debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, early 2012 has seen regional launches as the new model reached main dealers with GSF providing the production te

USA - When the Middle Tennessee Anime Convention (MTAC) has crowds of up to 10,000 coming to pay homage to Japanese anime and manga, the organisation behind the event has to make sure that the audio system is both powerful enough and flexible enough to cope with the array of offerings that include live music, contests, panel discussions and more.

2012's MTAC Omega - as the event was dubbed this year - was themed around surviving the end of the world and how post-apocalyptic settings are prevalent in anime, manga and Japanese popular culture. With such lofty themes, the event saw appearances and performances by the likes of Symphonic Anime Orchestra, Eric Stewart, Kyle Hebert, Jason Charles Miller, Pinn Panelle, Head Phones President, Jason David Frank, Kaiju Big Battel, Yad Mui, DJs Proxxy and Lantern, Richard Epcar, Ellyn Stern and Notorious MSG.

It was up to audio experts Ev

UK - RCF will have representation from its premium ranges on show at PLASA Focus: Leeds (April 17-18).

Leading the charge will be D LINE flagship, the HDL 20-A active line array. With purpose-designed transducers, a unique, composite cabinet and powerful DSP processing, it is driven from a 1400 Watt Peak Power amplifier.

From the TT+ (Touring & Theatre) range is the TTL 11A digitally steerable active column array. Composed of mid-high and bass modules, powerful 96 kHz, 32 bit DSP provides the signal processing and 2000 W digital amplifiers power each of the modules.

RCF will also show the VSA (Vertical Steerable Array), a highly controllable system designed for challenging indoor installations requiring high intelligibility. This directs the audio signal to the listening area and avoids unwanted reflections in environments with high reverberation time.

Finally, the Media s

UK - Visitor registration for PLASA Focus: Leeds 2012 closes at 5pm today. Don't miss out, register for your free visitor badge today and experience the largest get-together of entertainment technology professionals in the North.

Registration is free, choose from 20 free seminars and meet 130 exhibitors across two sold-out halls. Plus, who says there's no such thing as a free lunch? Free lunch will be served from 1pm on both days of the event.

PLASA Focus: Leeds 2012 takes place at The Royal Armouries in Leeds on Tuesday 17 & Wednesday 18 April. Don't miss the essential industry event for the North of England. A full run down of the products, the seminars and the people can be found on the website, alongside visitor registration:

(Claire Beeson)

UK - Roland Systems Group will be exhibiting professional audio and video products for mixing, recording and web streaming at PLASA Focus, stand number RA-A9, including the VR-3 AV Mixer, R-1000 48 Track Recorder/Player and the M-480 48 Channel Live Mixing Console - showcasing the recently launched V1.5 firmware update for this popular console.

The V1.5 firmware update for the M-480 increases the number of DCA groups from 8 to 24 giving the engineer a massive jump in controllability in larger or more complex mixes as well as when using the M-480 in 96 channel cascade configurations. The added Scene Fade function allows channel fader levels to be set to fade smoothly when a scene is changed. Fade time is selectable up to 100 seconds and can be set to on or off for each channel and each scene.

Simplifying production and streaming, the VR-3 incorporates a video switcher, audio mi

UK - CIE-Group - European master distributors for US audio brand Atlas Sound - has announced the UK and mainland European launch of Atlas Sound's brand new 'Time Saving Device' (TSD) range.

With a range of 17 new devices, the Atlas Sound TSD range provides "a whole host of AV problem solvers designed to alleviate many of the most common audio system installation problems with simple, low cost and efficient solutions".

The TSD range includes compact mixers, amplifiers, pre-amps and a range of audio signal distribution & control devices.

Atlas Sound's Time Saving Devices are feature-loaded and designed with simplicity of installation and use in mind - saving time, money and hassle, says the company. Each unit is housed in a highly compact, robust metal housing. Common features include removable individual Input/Output connectors for fast, simple wiring, separate grou

Finland - The Svenska Teatern, a Swedish-speaking theatre in Helsinki, has taken delivery of an Optocore system as part of a complete new technical infrastructure. This was designed to coincide with the Finnish premier of Kristina från Duvemåla - the hit musical written by former Abba members Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson - at the end of February.

The Optocore fibre loop will form a digital backbone (with Sane extensions) for signal distribution to the amp racks, TTA Stagetracker localization and Yamaha processing. It also includes MADI converters.

The equipment was supplied by the company's Finnish distributor, msonic, who also assisted the theatre's long-serving technical manager Andreas (Stanley) Lönnquist - and the theatre's consultants (including Santtu Sipilä) - with the design and specification of the highly complex audio networking system, as well as th

UK - Music Group has today announced that the Eurocom family of installed sound products will be distributed in the UK and Ireland by Polar Audio. Eurocom is a range of commercial and installed sound products developed and manufactured by Behringer, a Music Group brand.

The Eurocom product range was developed over a period of two years by Behringer's engineering and product management team "in an effort to bring true innovation to an otherwise neglected product segment".

"We invested heavily in new, green technologies in order to build the most energy-efficient electronics the installed sound industry has ever seen," commented Costa Lakoumentas, the line's chief architect.

Eurocom products span the range from utility integrated amplifiers to digital automixers, DSP powered and Ethernet controlled power amplifiers and nearly 30 different models of loudspea

USA - The Audio Engineering Society (AES) has confirmed that registration is now open for its 47th International Conference on Music-Induced Hearing Disorders, which will take place at Columbia College in downtown Chicago, 20-22 June 2012. The conference presents expert knowledge from audio engineers, academic researchers, medical experts and manufacturers, with a total of 18 papers being presented over two days.

"The conference is a great opportunity for people to learn a wide array of perspectives on hearing health in the music industry," says Michael Santucci, conference chair and president of Sensaphonics Hearing Conservsation, one of the conference sponsors. "We have several presenters coming in from Europe, along with experts from several U.S. universities and manufacturers. This is a great opportunity for AES members to gain critical knowledge on the issue

UK - Pro audio hire company BCS Audio have made their first foray into the world of Soundcraft, with the purchase of a premium Vi6 digital console from Crystal Pro Audio.

Dave Shepherd, who runs the operation from a base in Fareham, has extensive touring experience and has worked with many of the current digital desks - with acts ranging from Plan B, to Thirty Seconds to Mars and Black Eyed Peas.

He had previously found himself hiring in Soundcraft boards to meet an increasing number of rider demands - so he decided it was time to invest in his own.

The opportunity to part exchange secondhand kit in order to facilitate the purchase led him back to Soundcraft dealers Crystal Pro Audio, with whom he has dealt on a number of occasions.

"I like the desk a lot and decided it was a good weapon to have in our armoury," said the BCS man. "It's extremely intuitive -

UK - FBT UK are exhibiting at PLASA Focus 2012 in Leeds and look forward to welcoming visitors to Stand S-A26 where they will be introduced to the latest additions to FBT's loudspeaker ranges. Particular focus will be on MITUS sound reinforcement systems, StageMaxX stage monitors, and the new Shadow series of extreme weather resistant speaker enclosures.

FBT MITUS is a comprehensive and flexible range of powered and passive line arrays for live sound touring and permanent installs. At this year's PLASA focus, FBT is showing its new additions to the existing MITUS range. These include the MITUS 215A (double 15" LF and 2" HF driver/horn), and the MITUS 152A (single 15" with 2" driver/horn) - both of which are available in active and passive formats, and the MITUS 218 SA (double 18" active bass reflex sub).

All MITUS active speakers feature 2-way, bi-ampl

Germany - t&m Systems, based in Ibbenbüren, has released new piano-gloss finish versions of its popular XS4 and XS6 compact, multi-purpose loudspeakers.

The XS4 loudspeaker handles 40W RMS and utilises a 1-inch dome and 4-inch mid/bass driver, coupled via a complex crossover with integrated dynamic protection circuit for driver protection. The slightly larger XS6 offers the same configuration but with a 6-inch mid bass unit, which extends low frequency and increases power handling to 100W RMS. Both systems use NL4 Speakon connectors and are offered as standard with a black or white textured paint finish.

The textured paint models will continue and are now joined by the new piano-gloss finish versions, also available in black or white as standard. The high gloss finish carries a modest premium of 30 EUR on the XS4 and 50 EUR on the XS6. These premiums are MSRP ex VAT.

In add

The Netherlands - Broadcast Facilities Netherland has purchased two sets of factory-matched DPA 4006A omnidirectional microphones from Benelux distributor Amptec. The mics have been purchased for recordings in the 2,200-capacity Grand Hall of de Doelen in Rotterdam, mainly for broadcast sessions of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra.

Broadcast Facilities Netherland's recording engineer Rob Heerschop first used the new mics for Mahler's Fifth Symphony, and was surprised by the clear and transparent sound they brought to this complex orchestral work.

"Broadcast Facilities Nederland and de Doelen own a permanent studio in the main hall, and we needed a small AB and a wide AB for basic recordings," explains Heerschop. "The reason we chose these mics is because they are simply the best for the AB recording technique when it comes to natural sound, transparency and

UK - Organised by Reed Exhibitions UK, the biennial SPE Offshore Europe conference and exhibition is the largest upstream oil and gas event outside North America. With some 1,500 exhibitors it attracts an audience of around 50,000 visitors, including engineers, technical specialists, industry leaders and experts from all over the world. Held at the AECC in Aberdeen, around 25,000 square metres of temporary exhibition space is created in five giant marquees, and a substantial PA system is required for information and safety announcements.

Taylored Sound, the Aberdeen-based pro audio rental and installation specialists, were commissioned to hire and install the PA for the recent exhibition, and they designed a system based around Community R.25 loudspeakers.

"We chose the Community R.25's as their power and 90 x 40 degree dispersion were ideal for the large areas to be cove

UK - James Harden is that latest addition to the ELP production staff. He joins ELP from Panalux where he was a project manager looking after broadcast and events clients.

"This is an excellent addition to our team" comments acting MD Dave Keighley. "James has over 30 years experience in the industry across all the various production sectors ELP work in including TV, music, corporate, sport and fashion shows. "

Harden grew up in South Africa and that's where he first worked in the entertainment industry. "I was a road manager for various bands, lighting designer for everything from Opera to Raves and everything in between. I was also a technical director for various shows including fashion shows, corporate launches and various tours," he says.

He came to the UK to expand his career and worked at Bandit Lites for eight years. He worked through th

USA - Audio-Technica is introducing its new System 8 VHF wireless systems. Featuring stackable, contemporary styling, Audio-Technica's System 8 Wireless Systems are designed for reliable performance, easy setup and clear, natural sound quality at affordable price points.

Available in handheld, headworn, guitar, lavalier and body-pack configurations, these single-channel, fixed-frequency systems are available in three travelling VHF frequencies (169.505, 170.245 and 171.905).

The System 8 units offer reliable performance and durable construction. Features include an advanced dipole antenna system for extended operating range; Power, RF and AF Peak indicators; Volume control, ¼" output jack and user-adjustable squelch; rugged unidirectional dynamic element on handheld microphone/transmitter; variable microphone trim control and multi-colour battery/power indicator (with AA

Germany - Loudspeaker manufacturer Coda Audio reported a successful Prolight+Sound this year, with interest in its products continuing to come from a diverse array of territories. As well as its current range of loudspeaker cabinets, including the CoRAY4 which was demonstrated in the Portable Sound Arena and AIRLINE LA12, demonstrated in the Concert Sound Arena, Coda exhibited the C3, a new amplification product, as well as revealing its ability to now supply a Polyurea coating for all cabinets upon request.

The C3 is a rugged, 19 inch / 2U high performance, two channel power amplifier. It integrates light-weight power supplies with high power class D amplification and features either USB or network controlled 24 bit 96kHz via powerful SHARC-based DSP.

The C3's outputs can be configured as 2 x 1250W at 2 Ohms or 1 x 2500W at 4 Ohms, it has 2 Ohm and 70 / 100V line capability,

UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) has announced the appointment of four new members of staff, as well as a number of role changes within the company, in order to service the needs of its growing customer base.

These changes are part of the AC-ET's philosophy of continuing to reinvest in, and further develop its business, to ensure that customers and suppliers continue to receive the highest levels of service and support, says the company.

James Bawn has taken on the joint role of technical sales manager and Chroma-Q global brand manager.

Having served as AC-ET's Northern technical sales manager for the last five years, Bawn will now provide support for both the Leeds and High Wycombe offices. He will oversee the technical sales department.

As Chroma-Q global brand manager, he will oversee the introduction of new Chroma-Q product launches to the international mar

Canada - Apex has appointed Gerr Audio as its distributor for Canada. Gerr Audio was established nearly 30 years ago in Brockville, Ontario.

"Apex is well-established as a manufacturer of the highest quality signal processors," says Gerr Audio president Bob Snelgrove.

"The Intelli-X2 processors set a new benchmark for quality in the live entertainment industry and now the new Intelli-Z2 series is bringing that quality to the installed audio market. We are very pleased that we can now supply Apex's level of quality to the Canadian market."

(Jim Evans)

USA - It's not often a sound company is asked to specify a full PA system and backline for a US Navy aircraft carrier, let alone to look after it on its cruise from Hawaii to San Diego, but that's exactly what US audio providers Mambo Sound and Broadcast Support were tasked with last month, and they chose dBTechnologies for the job.

Specifying the light but powerful DVA T12 line array was not a difficult decision for Mambo Sound's Steve McNeil. "Our friends at Broadcast Support already have a DVA T4 rig, so we knew it was reliable. It also needed to be light weight to keep the freight costs down," he explains. "We flew the whole sound system to Hawaii, took it to Pearl Harbour and craned it on the USS John C Stennis active aircraft carrier, then craned it off again in San Diego seven days later."

The main PA comprised six dBTechnologies DVA T12 active three

Indonesia - The Phantom of the Opera made its first appearance in Indonesia in February and March after touring the world for the last 10 years and setting the world's weekly box office record.

The Phantom of the Opera is the first international musical production Jakarta has seen in a long time. Produced by the Joyce Agency Of New York City and promoted by Big Daddy Entertainment, the show was staged at the intimate Nusa Indah Theatre Hall and was reinforced by a Turbosound Flex Array sound system supplied by Indonesia's biggest audio rental company, Sumber Ria.

Turbosound's Flex Array met all of the production needs, including sound quality, efficiency and multiple configuration capability, necessary to qualify for the project. The TFA-600H three-way mid-high provides high SPL with moderate amplification, and has a small visual footprint which worked well for t

Russia - Concert and event specialists CitySound has recently invested in a massive Martin Audio sound reinforcement consignment - taking their rental inventory into a new league.

The new order is built around a 36-enclosure MLA system, comprising of 22 MLA top boxes, 12 MLX subs, and two MLD down-fill enclosures. It also includes 22 x Martin Audio W8LC Compact line arrays (and two W8LD down-fills), 10 x W8LM (and two W8LMD down-fills), 20 x WS218X 2 x 18" subs. Controlling the systems will be six new MA18K and 12 MA5.2K amplifiers, along with a pair of DX1.5 dedicate digital system controllers.

CitySound has also upgraded their floor monitors, adding 16 x Martin Audio LE1200, eight LE1500 and eight LE2100 low-profile wedges to their hire fleet.

This represents a massive investment and huge leap of faith in the British manufacturer. The order was supplied through Martin

UK - The 2012 Olivier Awards, representing the best of London theatre over the last 12 months, were presented in a glittering ceremony at London's Royal Opera House this Sunday,15 April.

White Light, which supplied the lighting equipment to the ceremony and many of the nominated shows, as well as sponsoring the Lighting Design Award, would like to congratulate all of this year's winners.

In the lighting category, the award went to Bruno Poet for his work on Frankenstein at the National's Olivier Theatre. A central part of his design was a dramatic wedge-shaped light bulb ceiling made up of 3100 assorted light bulbs driven from just over 1000 dimmers allowing the creation of spectacular waves of light over the heads of the audience. White Light was proud to be involved with creating this effect (with a number of the exposed filament lightbulbs supplied by

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