UK - Flare Audio has again impressed on former Westlife frontman Shane Filan's second solo tour. The first tour represented a milestone for the West Sussex-based audio manufacturer as it was the first UK-wide outing by a major artist to use Flare's touring speaker system, the X5A line array. The impressive 'audio punch and clarity' combined with the lightweight and compactness of the products led to the production team immediately re-selecting Flare for the second tour.

Configured with six X5s and four Q18 bass units each side and powered by Lab.gruppen PLM20000Q four channel DSP amplifiers, the system was a revelation to sound engineer Darryl Walsh. "To say this system is stunning is an understatement," he enthused. "I can only describe it as a blank canvas for mixing; the PA is sonically almost 'invisible'."

Walsh used the Flare system for 31 of the 34 sh

Canada - Having completed a series of significant upgrades to six control rooms at its Agincourt and Queen Street campuses in Scarborough, Ontario, in 2011, Bell Media (former CTV Canada) has expanded and integrated its Lawo mc²56 and zirkonXL consoles around a Lawo Nova73 router - creating a networked infrastructure with a total of five mc² series consoles.

The initial installation supported migration from SD to HD, and included four mc²56 MkI digital production consoles and two zirkonXL consoles. These have now been joined by a further mc²56 MkII console.

The audio mixing systems were initially chosen for the broadcast of the 2010 Winter Games by Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium and comprised a 64-fader mc²56 console configured with DSP cards, redundant processors, 15 MADI ports, 32 AES3id I/O, and three DALLIS frames which were located at the Agincourt Campu

Europe - Global production company Stage Entertainment's Holiday On Ice has an illustrious 70-year history and is, to date, the most visited ice show in the world. This ever-evolving visual spectacular took to the road in November for a three-month tour of Europe.

Focus Advanced Event Technology, part of the Netherlands' Rent-All Group, is providing a full technical package for the tour, including a substantial L-Acoustics ARCS Wide and ARCS Focus loudspeaker system.

Designed by Jeroen ten Brinke - arguably Dutch theatre's best-known sound designer, having been involved in large-scale theatre productions including Soldier of Orange and Anne, and European partner for international sound design group ADI - the L-Acoustics solution was chosen for its audio quality and flexibility.

"The position of the lighting rig changes from time to time and, as a result, the posi

USA - PLASA Focus: Orlando 2015 opens in one week, taking place on 17-18 February at the Rosen Plaza Hotel.

The two-day event kicks off Tuesday at 9:00am with Richard Pilbrow's educational seminar titled Light and Theatre? 50 Years of Change. Additional seminars follow and the exhibition hall opens at 10:00am-5:00pm with over 60 regional and national companies exhibiting the latest in entertainment technology. On Wednesday, the exhibition hall and seminar programme runs from 10:00am-4:00pm.

"We are thrilled with the incredibly high pre-registration numbers that we've seen so far, and can't wait for an extremely successful PLASA Focus event," said Laura Hoepker, PLASA Events sales executive. "Between the show floor and educational seminars, we are providing access to the best in the industry to everyone who attends."

Free registration to both the sh

The Netherlands - Yamaha Music Europe has launched two new, low profile ceiling loudspeakers. The latest addition to Yamaha's expanding Commercial Installation Solutions (CIS) range of products, the new VXC-F loudspeakers are being launched on the company's stand 2-A40 at Amsterdam RAI.

Featuring a newly designed speaker unit and resin enclosure, optimally tuned for music playback, the shallow, lightweight construction and flexible design of the VXC3F and VXC5F can easily conform to the strictest installation limitations, says the company.

The VXC3F features a 3.5" full-range bass reflex driver rated at 20w, with the VXC5F a 4.5" driver rated at 40w. The speaker unit and back box volume have been painstakingly matched to achieve well-balanced reproduction of all frequencies, even at low output levels - delivering refined, natural music reproduction at any volume leve

The Netherlands - Tannoy is introducing two additions to the the QFlex range, specifically engineered to offer fully optimised solutions for life safety applications.

Tannoy has developed the new QFlex Life Safety (LS) models as a cost effective solution for critical, life safety applications, a solution that balances complex power consumption needs with the high performance and intelligibility that is the core of the proven QFlex range. The new models have an optimised driver placement and improved current draw, making them suitable for applications where emergency voice alarms or communications may be required.

The new QFlex 16LS and QFlex 32LS column loudspeakers are designed primarily for large transportation hubs as part of a PA/VA system where speech is the main audio source, either from live announcements or via pre-recorded message. These new QFlex life safety models a

The Netherlands - Radial Engineering revealed at ISE 2015 the IceCube IC-1, an ultra-compact balanced line isolator designed to fit inside a technician's tool kit to eliminate hum and buzz caused by ground loops in audio systems.

Radial sales manager Roc Bubel comments, "The use of isolators to solve noise problems is not new; small plastic units have been around for years. But the problem with these is that they were designed years ago - back when audio systems had limitations both with respect to signal-to-noise, dynamic handling and sound quality. Today, with the advent of digital audio sources, high performance mixers and line array technology, the frequency response and dynamics have increased to the point that those older devices simply cannot keep up. We identified the problem then began looking for a solution some 18 months ago.

"The best way to solve ground

The Netherlands - Coinciding with its 40th anniversary, RTS has introduced the first keypanel series with OMNEO on board at ISE 2015. The KP-Series keypanels set a new milestone within the RTS product range, combining HD colour displays, improved single key operation and full compatibility with all existing RTS matrices in a modern design.

KP-Series keypanels are suitable for a wide range of intercom product customers such as broadcast production studios, theatre and sport venues, houses of worship, and outside broadcast (OB) vans.

The new KP-Series family from RTS includes three members: KP-5032 - two-rack unit keypanel with 32 operation keys; KP-4016 - one-rack unit keypanel with 16 operation keys, and EKP-4016 - one-rack unit extension panel with 16 operation keys.

(Jim Evans)

Italy - The KU210 from K-array is an ultra thin, high performance passive subwoofer designed to be the companion to any of the K-array Installed Sound Series. A combination of extended frequency response with prodigious output and a virtually invisible profile make the KU210 an appropriate fit for even the most ambitious projects.

The subwoofer is comprised of a 10" neodymium transducer, combined with a 10" passive transducers, instead of a reflex, which ensures that the device remains completely sealed. The unit is engineered for maximum linear excursion and minimum residual noise. Its neodymium transducer has a double voice coil to allow for selectable impedance settings allowing you to combine up to four KU210s powered by just one channel of the KA84 amplifier.

KU210 is made entirely of steel, making it extremely resistant, even when deployed outside in tough weat

UK - d&b audiotechnik GB has announced the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (RCSSD) will be hosting two Y-Series product presentations at the Embassy Theatre in Swiss Cottage, London on Wednesday, 25 March. This is an opportunity to listen to the system up close and personal and learn more about this new series of loudspeakers.

"We'll start by taking a look at how d&b arrived at the Y-Series, which comprises both point source and line array loudspeakers," explains Steve Jones of d&b GB Education and Application Support." We'll then focus on the Y7P and Y10P point sources and what makes them so special; we'll also be listening to them with the B6-SUB, a single 18" bass-reflex design with a frequency response down to 37 Hz. Then we'll delve into the line source line up, have a listen, add the cardioid Y-SUB ... then turn it up.

"Y should you come

USA - The University of Iowa Hawkeyes football team plays all of its home games in the 70,500-seat Kinnick Stadium, which is located on the west side of campus. It is adjacent to residences on one side and to campus buildings on the other side, one of which is the University Hospital.

Although it's fair to say that almost all Iowans stand behind the Hawkeyes (there is no pro team in the state) it's also true that Iowans who are recovering in the hospital deserve peace and quiet, even on game day. When school officials became disenchanted with the lo-fi sound and poor coverage of Kinnick Stadium's old sound reinforcement system, they worried that elevating it to modern standards would only increase game day complaints from the hospital.

Those worries have been allayed. Kinnick Stadium's new high-powered Danley Sound Labs system - the first in the world to use the massive Caleb

USA - At the 57th annual Grammy Awards - held on 8 February 8, 2015 - Gwen Stefani performed using Audio-Technica Artist Elite 5000 Series Wireless with an AEW-T6100a Hypercardioid Dynamic Handheld Microphone/Transmitter. Stefani and Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine performed My Heart Is Open from Maroon 5's 2014 album V.

"Live broadcasts are extremely challenging, as we only have one chance to get it right," stated John Harris, co-music mixer. "I have been using Audio-Technica wireless systems for years, because of their sound quality and reliable performance."

(Jim Evans)

Sweden - Rhapsody in Rock is an annual series of live shows which combines classical and rock music, performed by a symphony orchestra alongside its founder - Swedish pianist Robert Wells - a contemporary band and vocalists. In March the production heads out on the second leg of its 25th anniversary tour, where three Yamaha CL5 digital mixing consoles will again provide their own Rock solid performance.

A former child prodigy, the classically-trained Wells founded Rhapsody in Rock in 1989. Performing everything from Liszt to AC/DC. It has played to nearly two million people in the USA, Russia, China, the UK, Scandinavia and Germany.

The 25th anniversary tour is playing multiple dates throughout Scandinavia and features a fully redundant Dante network with three Yamaha CL5 consoles, one providing the main front of house mix, manned by Thomas Malbeck, one submixing the orchestra

UK - Britannia Row Productions Training is now offering a new range of courses. From complete beginner, to professional wanting to progress their career, Brit Row is opening up more opportunities than ever to learn about live sound from a company with 40 years experience in the industry. Training is now based at Britannia Row Productions head office in Twickenham. Courses for 2015 include:

A Talk on Live Sound Industry - one day - An overview and insight into what the Live Sound Industry is all about and how it works.

Live Sound Basic two-day PA Course - Learn how to jump onto a small P.A. This two-day course is suitable for anyone who needs or wants to do this and is not entirely sure how to go about it - from the person working with their friend's band, to the teacher who needs to get the PA system out of the cupboard a couple of times a year and make it work for the school

The Netherlands - After proving the OCA control architecture in the field on global tours and major music festivals, the OCA Alliance is promoting the OCA message to the wider market.

At and around ISE 2015, several of the large number of OCA member companies exhibiting at the show participated in various activities to promote OCA. These included a presentation to members of the press, to carry the OCA vision of a common remote control standard to the AV industry, as well as presentations to AV consultants and system integrators. Meetings with numerous manufacturers also helped move forward the process of making the OCA vision reality.

OCA Alliance member companies Yamaha Commercal Audio, TC Group and Salzbrenner Stagetec, joined d&b audiotechnik in presenting the current status and future vision of Open Control Architecture, as these relate to the AV Installation and Systems

UK - Manchester's Royal Exchange theatre has reinvested in TiMax technology via its recent purchase of a TiMax 2 SoundHub via Autograph Sales. TiMax will provide the audio system management and spatialisation resource for the theatre and the many varied productions which grace its boards each year.

The natural endpoint of the original TiMax Classic Rack system, after 16 years in constant use, coincided with a time of flux in the theatre's sound department. Within a year, the department had turned around so as to be entirely new and justifiably an immediate decision to replace was put on hold.

Head of sound, Sorcha Williams, explains, "We viewed the situation as an opportunity to really explore our options. As sound designers came in with their productions we invited them to choose what they wanted to use, so we had a Galileo and a Yamaha DME, and then a sound designer cam

UK - PRS for Music, the organisation that represents over 100,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers, has chosen PMC loudspeakers for the listening room in its new offices in Kings Cross, London.

PRS for Music relocated to Two Pancras Square at the end of 2014. Moving to this prestigious new building gave the organisation the opportunity to create a working environment that was ideally suited to its needs. Part of that process involved installing a dedicated listening room that could be used for any critical listening tasks, including judging entries for the annual Ivor Novello Awards, which celebrate the best British music writing.

PRS for Music director and Music Producers Guild Chairman Steve Levine was responsible for the listening room project and for the choice of PMC monitors. As a multi-platinum music producer, Levine has crafted hits for artists such as The B

UAE - Martin Audio reports that a further production company has this month signed up to its growing worldwide network of MLA users.

Helping to expand the profile of the Multi-cellular Loudspeaker Array platform across the Middle East is Access All Areas; the company confirms that it has added a 24-enclosure MLA Compact rig to its inventory, purchased from Martin Audio's Dubai-based distributor, VTi.

Set up by British ex-pat Martin Gravestock and Grant Collins in 2003, Access All Areas specialises in providing turnkey production solutions for the conference and concert sectors. This is the company's first Martin Audio acquisition.

"With the market changes post 2008, we adapted our plan, and sold off a lot of older outdated equipment," Gravestock explains. "For a while it was better to sub-contract the equipment we needed, but with a longer term view to re-inve

France - Sono 64 Événements, the NEXT-proaudio's distributor in France, recently designed the sound system for Discotheque Les Vôutes, located in Paris.

The sound system was needed to achieve high sound pressure levels, high quality sound to join the concept of Les Vôutes, an intimate club inspired on the ancestral and historical cellars with exposed stone walls.

The club has a long dancefloor atmosphere, several rooms under the arches welcoming conformable booths and tables. The Sono 64 Événements team designed the system using the X-Line, MA series, LMS Series and DP Series from NEXT-proaudio, comprising four X15, 10 X10, four X8, six XH18, and two Xs15. The whole system is powered by MA3200 and MA3800. The whole system is controlled by four NEXT DP240 and fourLMS-242.

(Jim Evans)

The Netherlands - Identifying the right sound reinforcement system to permanently install in a club, church or multipurpose space, requires a solution that will produce the highest quality audio reproduction today, tomorrow and for the years to come. A loudspeaker system from d&b audiotechnik will do just that and more, as ISE visitors discovered at the d&b stand and demo room.

"d&b is continuously expanding its portfolio for the installation markets. To support the requirements of our global installation customers we have put significant effort into product development, to provide pro audio solutions for opera houses, theatres or large music venues; wherever the highest quality of sound is required. Throughout this year we will introduce a number of new, high performance installation products to the market, to underline d&b's focus on these applications," says d&b CEO

USA - The 57th GRAMMY Awards, broadcast on CBS the evening of 8 February from the Staples Centre in downtown Los Angeles, featured an unprecedented 23 live musical performances. With so many artists performing in an RF-intensive urban location, the production team was faced with the daunting task of ensuring flawless audio from everyone's wireless microphones and in-ear monitors.

From the hard-rocking opener by AC/DC to the poignant closing performance of Glory by John Legend and Common, Shure wireless microphone systems, wired mics, and in-ear monitoring systems were a near-constant presence. As always, musicians were permitted to use their preferred microphones for their performances.

Although artists brought their own custom earphones, all but one of the in-ear monitoring systems used were Shure PSM1000, with 24 channels split between two stages.

Both Shure Axient

UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) will be featuring new lighting solutions from Chroma-Q, Mole-Richardson and Fiilex, grip equipment from Manfrotto, and video innovations from Green Hippo and Prolights - at the Broadcast Video Expo (BVE) 2015 show, held at Excel, London on 24-26 February (stand E20).

The company offers a comprehensive one-stop inventory of equipment solutions for film, television, and studio or location broadcast applications. This service covers products through to complete lighting and video systems, from supply through to installation.

The award-winning Chroma-Q Studio Force premium performance soft light range provides a soft, even light source in a choice of daylight, tungsten and variable white LED models which are comparable to traditional lighting technologies - and produce a massive output for their size.

The Mole-Richardson lighting rang

UK - It is with great sadness that the family of Muriel 'Mu' Wiltshire has announced the news of her passing on 5 February. Mu was the mother of HHB Communications MD Ian Jones and a founding member of the successful professional audio technology supplier. A shareholder since the company was started in 1976, Mu served numerous roles at HHB and was a company director for many years. She was also HHB's first accountant/bookkeeper and retained this role until her retirement from day-to-day activities in 1989.

During her years with HHB, Mu was very active in attending shows and other industry events. She will be remembered as a gracious woman who welcomed friends and customers with a cup of tea and was known for making late-night meals for crew members after a gig. It is her kindness and friendly demeanour that will be remembered most by the many people in the industry who made her

Turkey - When Konya was under consideration as one of the host cities for a future European Championships to be held in Turkey, construction of a brand new UEFA-compliant stadium was proposed.

While original plans set a capacity of around 33,000 seats, this was later upgraded to 42,276 seats - divided over two tiers, with an additional 50 VIP boxes - and the new facility, based in Selçuklu, will now provide the club Konyaspor KR with a state-of-the-art stadium for home matches.

Asimetrik, the Turkish-based distributors and AV system integrators, were awarded the contract to provide a network-based professional grandstand PA system, as well as broadcast infrastructure system, not only compatible with UEFA requirements (but also FIFA and IAFF). They also designed and supplied a PA/VA emergency evacuation system, C.I.S. infrastructure as well as full conference and visual presen

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