USA / UK - Loud Technologies Incand POLAR Audio have announced a distribution agreement whereby POLAR Audio will serve as the distributor for the Ampeg and Mackie brands in the UK and Ireland, commencing 1 June 2013.

"Together, the Mackie & Ampeg brands have over sixty years of history in the UK and Ireland markets with one of the industry's most loyal dealer and user bases," explained Tony Williams, director of sales, EMEA. "POLAR Audio will build on this success by delivering improved local stock availability, excellent in-market sales, technical support, and elevated

India - Over the last six years, Sound & Light Professionals (SNL Pro) India has become one of the largest growing and most respected sound reinforcement companies in India, providing audio solutions to live production houses from India and worldwide. SNL Pro have provided sound to some of the most well known Indian and international gigs such as the NH7, Sun Burn, David Guetta, Norah Jones, Snoop Dog (India Tour), Enrique Igleasias (India Tour), Swedish House Mafia and others.

In response to a growth in the numbers of touring acts visiting India, Sound & Light Professionals made a st

Sweden - Sennheiser is the official technical equipment provider for the 58th Eurovision Song Contest: microphones and IEM solutions from the audio specialist will ensure that the guests at the Malmö Arena and a TV audience of around 125m will be able to experience the songs in optimum quality.

To achieve this, Sennheiser is working closely together with Markus Müller (MM Communications), who will preconfigure and supply the wireless systems. For the first time, Digital 9000 systems will be used for the two semi-finals on 14 and 16 May as well as for the Grand Final on 18 May. Jonas

UK - Orbital Sound plans to show a full house of international pro audio brands on Stand No: 129 at the ABTT Theatre Show 2013 (Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London, 12-13 June).

As Clear-Com's and HME's exclusive UK distributor, Orbital will be spotlighting the full range of high performance wireless intercom systems, including the latest version of the Clear-Com HelixNet all-digital intercom platform, and the popular HME DX210 radio comms system.

In its capacity as an authorised d&b auditotechnik sales and installation partner, Orbital will be highlighting the highly successful

UK - Added value for both performers and fans is one of the many advantages that digital audio has brought to live music. Taking this side of digital audio to the next stage is Live Band Audio, whose recently-purchased DiGiCo SD8 is key to delivering live recordings to audiences much more quickly.

Thanks to digital audio, instead of a few dates of an entire tour being recorded for release as the occasional live album these days fans are able to buy a recording of every show. The ability to have a recording of a gig you were at is a powerful incentive to purchase, providing satisfactio

USA - With a vision to create an intimate lounge for Broadway professionals and audiences, owners of New York's 54 Below supper club recruited an impeccable cast of Broadway veterans to oversee its design, hospitality, and programming. Among them is Tony-nominated sound designer, Peter Hylenski, who specified a Meyer Sound reinforcement system to showcase the venue's top-flight musical talent.

54 Below-named for its location underneath what was formerly the fabled Studio 54-presents up to three shows nightly in its main room, with all 144 seats within 24ft of the stage.

"My big

Sweden - PLASA's first ever networking event in Scandinavia, PLASA Focus: Backstage Malmö, was a huge success, with over 240 delegates attending from across Scandinavia and northern Europe.

Devised in conjunction with technical director Ola Melzig and the production team behind this year's Eurovision, this unique event aimed to combine unprecedented backstage access with seminars, Q&A sessions with key members of the production team and a technology showcase to highlight the cutting-edge sound, lighting, projection, video and control systems in use on a show which will have a tel

UK - Solid State Logic has announced that Jason Kelly has been appointed product manager for its new Live console. With a 25-year career that spans live sound production, live event systems design and implementation and technical support management, Kelly has developed a solid understanding of the key aspects of the pro audio industry. In his new role, he will spearhead the recent introduction of SSL's 'Live' console.

"Everyone at SSL is very excited to enter this arena of audio production, and we are glad to have Jason with us to help support our success in the live sound indust

UK - Denon DJ has announced new feature loaded and optimised legacy functions to its music management system Engine. Listening intently to user feedback, and maintaining a finger on the pulse of today's DJ software and hardware demands, V 1.1.0 is now available. Running on PC/Mac or with the iOS iPad version, Engine's new features make the live or studio DJ interaction experience even more fluid and precise, says the company.

The new 'Hot List' function integrates with both the SC2900 and 3900 media player connections, enabling 'must-play' set tracks to be stored for later use. Full s

USA - Chuck Davies, founder and CEO of the ADJ Group has announced that Toby Velazquez has been named president of ADJ, Elation and Acclaim Lighting. Velazquez, who joined the company shortly after it was started in 1985, has served the ADJ Group in a wide variety of capacities and has made critical contributions to its growth from a small business serving the mobile DJ market to an international leader in the lighting industry.

"Toby has been a key part of our company from its earliest days," said Davies. "He's demonstrated extraordinary talent and leadership qualities

UK - AMX has announced the appointment of Jeff Gorton as UK business development manager for the corporate sector.

"It is with great pleasure that we can announce that Jeff has joined the AMX team." said Jonathan Mangnall, sales director, AMX Europe. "Our corporate business has been going from strength to strength and we have been looking for some time for the right candidate to build on this momentum. Jeff's vast experience across the corporate installation industry will be invaluable."

Gorton joins the AMX team with over 15 years experience within the industry,

USA - For the 16th year in a row, a broad range of Audio-Technica microphones was selected to outfit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. A-T supplied over 50 mics to capture the music for the 28th annual induction ceremony, which took place at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Inductees included Rush (longtime A-T supporters), Heart, Albert King, Randy Newman, Public Enemy and Donna Summer. Non-performing honourees included Lou Adler and Quincy Jones. The show will be broadcast on HBO, Saturday, 18 May.

Eight channels of Audio-Technica's Artist Elite 5000 Se

Russia - Optocore has named Oltbert, Ltd. its exclusive distributor in Russia. The two companies have been working together since 2012. Moving forward, Oltbert will oversee all sales, service and support of Optocore's technology in Russia.

"Optocore's audio transport systems are smart, cost-effective solutions offering a very good extension of intercom systems, one of our main focuses," says Alexander Trukhanov, head of the broadcast department, Oltbert. "We came to know the team at Optocore through its relationship with Clear-Com, a major U.S.-based intercom manufactur

USA - Sound reinforcement company Rat Sound deployed the new Anya system from Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW) at the Coachella Festival's Gobi tent. The system employed seven Anya modules per side with a single out-fill module flanking a main column of six. This was the first use of the new Anya system for a public event.

Rat Sound principals Dave Rat and Jon Monson, who worked with EAW to develop the MicroWedge line of stage monitors, contributed throughout the research and development process for Anya. According to EAW president Jeff Rocha, the decision to deploy the initial pilot buil

UK - With its installation and rental arms constantly in simultaneous swing, it's not always easy to keep tabs on developments at Sound Services. The London-based audio specialist and Funktion-One partner is behind some of the coolest events and venues that the UK capital has to offer. Its latest installation endeavour is Beagle in Hoxton.

Situated within a stone's throw of Hoxton tube station, Beagle houses a restaurant, which is flanked by a spacious bar and daytime coffee shop. While the décor could be described as minimal, its audio package is all encompassing.

The system

Norway - Norwegian Idol recently celebrated its 10th anniversary with a televised final at the Oslo Spektrum before a crowd of 7,000. As in previous years, sound for the event was being handled by local rental company Frontlite, but this year saw the first-ever use of a new Nexo STM system, which arrived in the country just days before the event. This was also the first STM sale for Norwegian Nexo distributor, Bright.

Frontlite's PA system and FOH technician Sondre Sandhaug had a weekend to get to grips with STM, its rigging software and amplifiers before the event, when the sy

The Netherlands - As every football fan knows, the roar of the crowd at a major game is just as important as the action on the pitch when it comes to truly experiencing the excitement of the event. With this in mind, Outside broadcast specialist United chose DPA Microphones' 5100 Mobile Surround Microphone to capture the ambience of the Amsterdam Arena when SL Benfica played Chelsea in the 2013 UEFA Europa League Final.

Huub Lelieveld, senior sound supervisor for United Outside Broadcast and Studios, says, "UEFA was adamant that the broadcast quality had to be top class as this w

Serbia - Martin Audio has changed its distribution arrangements in the Western Balkans, appointing the newly formed System Design.

Based in the Serbian city of Novi Sad, the company, run by audio veterans Sreten Kovacevic and Slobodan 'Bobo' Vesovic, has historically experienced great success with Martin Audio systems (through their different operations) dating back to 1995.

According to Martin Audio's export sales manager, Martin Kelly, the decision to appoint System Design was a no-brainer. "I have worked with Bobo for many years and coincidentally Sreten, under the name of A

Portugal - The recent concerts in Portugal featuring Brazilian band Natiruts were reinforced by NEXT-proaudio PA.

The reggae roots band Natiruts was formed in Brasília (Distrito Federal) in 1994 under the name Nativus. The band comprises Alexandre Carlo Pereira, Luís Maurício Ribeiro, Kiko Peres, Rodrigo Txotxa, Bruno Wambier, Denny Conceição, Luciana Oliveira, Ludmila Mazzucatti, André Mitsuoka and Paulo Roberto Pizzulin.

They were promoting the CD / DVD Natiruts Acoustic Live, which was recorded in Rio de Janeiro and distributed by Sony Music.

In Portugal the Brazili

UK - Yamaha professional audio equipment is suitable for theatrical venues and productions of all sizes, a fact amply proved by its presence at this year's ABTT Theatre Show.

Exhibiting on Stand 137 at ABTT 2013 - which takes place at The Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London from 12-13 June - Yamaha will be highlighting the sound quality and versatility of its CL series digital mixing system and the Commercial Installer Solutions (CIS) range.

Already well-established in the live production, theatre and broadcast markets, two of the attractions of the CL series for theatre are its

UK - Sound Technology, the Harman distributor in the UK and ROI, has promoted Joe East to the new role of business development manager - installed audio. East has been at Sound Technology Ltd since the company purchased Harman Pro UK in 2008, and was at Harman Pro UK for two years prior to that. His new role is to act as liaison between all relevant parties of a project to ensure it runs smoothly.

In addition, Hugo Burnard has joined the technical project team, working as project engineer alongside senior project engineer Ben Todd and product specialist Danny Kyte. Burnard is an exper

The Netherlands - For 33 years, Queen Beatrix has lead the Netherlands with grace and beauty. Known for her warmhearted smile and 'modernizing' the royal house, she has been beloved by the Dutch people since receiving the crown from her mother in 1980. However, this year, at age 75, Beatrix is ready to give the next generation a chance to continue her work. King Willem-Alexander, the first king in over a century and Beatrix's eldest son, was sworn in on 30 April 2013.

Dressed in orange and proudly displaying their flags, the Dutch celebrated their first 'King's Day' in style. After a

Poland - The Iluzjon cinema in Warsaw has been home to the Polish National Film Archive since the mid-50s, and is also Warsaw's main art-house cinema. The venue, which had remained in its original state until just two years ago, has recently undergone a massive renovation. At the heart of the audio system, which was designed by audio consultant and system designer, Wojciech Zielinski from pro audio specialists, Dysten, is an Innovason Eclipse GT running a fully networked Fohhn Audio PA system.

One of the peculiarities, and indeed part of the charm of Iluzjon, is that, thanks to its Na

Germany - Since its release at LDI 2012, High End Systems' Hog 4 console range has become one of the most successful lighting control platforms ever introduced. The Hog 4 console range includes the flagship Hog 4 desk, the Full Boar 4, the Road Hog 4, the Nano Hog 4 and Hog4 PC.

Customer demand for the Hog 4 was illustrated at the recent Pro Light + Sound trade show in Frankfurt, where High End Systems announced that the thousandth Hog 4 console had been shipped to European production supplier Arcus.

High End's VP of worldwide sales Renaat De Wilde commented, "We are proud and

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