The Netherlands - Integrated Systems Europe and global media brand TNW (The Next Web) have announced a multi-year strategic relationship aimed at bringing the best of tech and innovation to ISE 2021 and its new Barcelona home.
Formed in 2006 and now one of the world’s largest online media brands, TNW is primarily known for its news outlet thenextweb.com and award-winning tech event TNW Conference. The company also incorporates a co-working label, a global startup database and delivers custom innovation programmes to corporates and governments. The annual TNW conference in Amsterdam attracts senior executives from the world’s leading business and technology brands.
As part of ISE’s 2021 edition at Gran Via, Fira de Barcelona, on 2-5 February, TNW will programme three new content tracks focused on technology and its impact on society. This will run in parallel to the Professional Development Programme produced by ISE, AVIXA, CEDIA, media partners and associations.
Pieter Paul van Oerle, strategy director at TNW, commented: “We're excited to be joining forces with the world’s largest exhibition for AV and systems integration in shaping their next generation of conferences in their new hometown. Injecting the special TNW tech festival vibe into this world-leading event is a huge win for both of our organisations and audiences.”
For ISE 2021 TNW will produce three distinct tracks exploring scalability, business development, government legislation, and innovation. The TNW programme will be curated by TNW’s content editors, working c

The Netherlands - At ISE, Yamaha is highlighting its entertainment and enterprise solutions, including new products from both the pro audio and Unified Communications ranges.
Exhibiting at stand 3-C95, Yamaha is launching the new, three-model SWR2310 series of switches, designed to provide additional high quality options for Dante systems at larger events and venues. Also new are the Unified Communications YVC-330 conference phone and CS-700 video sound bar, which make enterprise communication faster and more reliable, thanks to design and technology which delivers exceptional voice quality and ease of use.
Yamaha’s digital mixing systems are also on show at ISE, including Rivage PM and the latest V5.5 firmware for CL/QL series digital mixers, which supports ProVisionaire Control/Touch. The latest Version 3.6.0 enables complete control over the entire network chain, from mixers through to amplifiers (including Yamaha’s PC Series and the Nexo NXAMP4X4MK2), processors and speakers.
The new white models of the flagship DZR/CZR series loudspeakers and DXS XLF/CXS XLF subwoofers are also on show. All powered DZR/DXS XLF and passive CZR/CXS XLF models are available in the new finish, the passive models perfectly matched with Yamaha’s all-new PC series amplifiers to deliver very high power-handling and focused, professional sound.
In addition, Yamaha will be highlighting education at ISE, with a variety of training sessions from its wide-ranging Audioversity programme available on the stand. These will cover a variety of topics, includi

The Netherlands - British loudspeaker manufacturer EM Acoustics is to preview the flagship model of its new Reference Series of loudspeakers at ISE 2020.
The new series features low-profile point source loudspeakers with flat frequency and phase responses. Coupled with EM Acoustics’ DQ Series amplifiers, the Reference Series offers a range of tools for audio professionals seeking high performance in a compact form factor.
Seen for the first time anywhere at ISE 2020 is the first in the series, the R10. Suited to any performance environment requiring ultra-high quality sound reinforcement in a versatile, low-profile package, the R10 is a three-way passive system featuring dual 10”LF drivers and a 4”/2.5” mid-hi coaxial unit.
The R10 is unique in that it is supplied with two different, easily interchangeable dispersion waveguide options - a wide 110° x 50° guide for shorter throw applications and a narrower 80° x 50° option for controlled coverage over longer distances. Both are rotatable for maximum versatility and offer extensive pattern control to below 800Hz. To ensure full compatibility with the rest of the EM Acoustics portfolio, the R10 - along with the rest of the Reference Series loudspeakers - is voiced with natural, flat characteristics.
A sleek, weather-protected polyurethane finish and tour-optimised handling and rigging systems complete the package. The architecture and construction of the R10 combined with EM Acoustics’ FIR processing liberates each component to achieve levels of sonic performance never yet achieved

USA - Symetrix has announced the latest addition to its new product line-up with IP and PoE based WX wall controllers which employ user-programmable displays for labelling and feedback.
The WX wall controllers dramatically increase the number of control devices that can be added to a Symetrix based system. With an OLED display and dedicated knobs and buttons, the new WX controllers provide standard IP communication over Ethernet creating a single standardized infrastructure.
Available in three configurations, the controls of the WX series may be used for source selection, volume, mute, and preset recalls for any ComposerTM based Symetrix DSP. The W1 wall controller features a push button encoder and display panel while the W2 controller features four momentary buttons along with its display. The W3 combines the hardware features of the W1 and W2 into a single panel.
“I’m very proud of the sophisticated engineering that the Symetrix team has invested in the WX series of controllers. They have set a new standard for IP wall controllers in terms of both functionality and overall construction quality,” says Symetrix owner and CEO, Mark Graham.
Providing simple and easy end-user control of the business audio system, the WX wall controllers are designed for houses of worship, hospitality, education, performance/live sound, and conferencing spaces. The WX controllers are available for both standard US and EU electrical boxes, utilizing Decora-style wall plates in the US.
(Jim Evans)

The Netherlands - The OCA Alliance has added Adamson Systems Engineering as its latest member company.
“Adamson has stepped up as a major advocate in the media networking development and standards arena,” says OCA Alliance marketing chairman Ethan Wetzell, “Their support of the AES70 standard in recent product developments is a significant milestone for the industry. Needless to say, we are extremely pleased to welcome them into the alliance.”
Commenting for Adamson Systems Engineering, head of product and technology, Brian Fraser states: “As an audio manufacturer, we recognise the immense benefit open source protocols offer to the industry as a whole. Open Control Architecture is a protocol we've been investing in for a while and we're happy our choice has been validated and standardised by the AES as AES70.”
ISE 2020 sees a significant number of new AES70 announcements and offerings, with the alliance showcasing several new AES70 enabled products on its booth (7-H250), alongside developer tools and resources supporting the development and integration of the AES70 into new and existing media networking products.
Included amongst these are the RA-ES70DSP04 from Profusion, a 4x6 DSP module with built in web-server, designed specifically for AES70 remote control, targeted at powered speakers, power amplifiers, networked microphones and audio effects gear. The design tools enable rapid configuration of DSP blocks, which include key audio algorithms such as Parametric EQ, Compressor-limiter and Time Alignment Delay, plus many others e

The Netherlands - Harman Professional Solutions has announced a JBL Digital Directivity Analysis (DDA) 5.1 software update.
Designed to work with JBL Intellivox products along with any point source speakers in the JBL portfolio using common loudspeaker format (CLF) data, DDA software is a powerful simulation tool for electro-acoustic design. DDA enables sound designers to visualize and statistically predict direct SPL, total SPL, D/R ratio, STI and delay spread.
Designed to offer improved workflow, the free 5.1 update adds two significant new features. DDA 5.1 streamlines the registration process and removes the need for repeated license renewal found in earlier versions of the software. DDA 5.1 also includes the new SketchUp plug-in, which enables users to easily import 3D geometry from SketchUp software.
“With DDA 5.1 we’re continuing our mission to help users streamline the modelling process to achieve more effective results with JBL loudspeakers,” comments Nat Hecht, product manager, commercial sound, Harman Professional Solutions. “With DDA 5.1, users can instantly start using the program after registration. And with integrated support for third party software like SketchUp, engineers and acousticians are able to streamline their workflow.”
(Jim Evans)

The Netherlands - At ISE 2020, Allen & Heath has revealed AHM-64, a new 64x64 audio matrix processor supported by a comprehensive ecosystem of scalable I/O, control and Dante solutions. Targeted at corporate, retail, leisure and education environments, AHM-64 allows integrators to quickly create systems that build from a single boardroom to a complete campus.
“We asked integrators and consultants what they looked for in a next-generation matrix processor. Scalable I/O and remote control, rapid setup and Dante integration topped the wish list,” says managing director, Rob Clark. “AHM-64 ticks all the boxes, and being built around a 96kHz FPGA engine, it delivers exceptional audio quality and low latency.”
AHM-64 has 12 local inputs and 12 outputs, plus an SLink expansion port allowing plug ‘n play connection to up to 8 remote expanders from Allen & Heath’s Everything I/O family. An I/O port enables a 96kHz, 64x64 Dante option card to be added for connection to equipment on a Dante network, including the wall-mount DT164-W and portable DT168 Dante expanders.
An extensive range of ready-made remote-control options supports AHM-64, including an array of PoE remote controllers and the BYOD-friendly Custom Control app, enabling tailored user interfaces for multiple user and device types.
Intuitive AHM System Manager software and AHM-64’s flexible architecture allow rapid configuration, as Head of Product, Nic Beretta explains, “AHM-64 strikes a balance between the simplicity and set latency of fixed architecture, and the flex

UK - Audio production company Major Tom has invested in 20 Luminex GigaCore 10 network switches to create one of the largest Milan AVB-compliant Meyer Sound touring PA systems in Europe.
With offices in the UK and USA, Major Tom has over 50 years of experience supplying some of the world’s leading international concert tours and events.
When it came to investing in network switches to work with its large inventory of Meyer Sound line arrays, it was important for Major Tom to go with a solution which was widely adopted, as well as being compatible with the new Milan AVB standard.
The company discussed its requirements with Steve Eaton, senior sales executive in the dedicated audio division of Luminex exclusive UK distributor, A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET).
Major Tom project manager, Andy Banks comments: “With Meyer Sound’s equipment supporting Milan AVB, it was absolutely vital that our choice of switch was also compatible with this, to benefit from the seamless interoperability between devices.
“In addition to being compliant, with the Luminex GigaCores doing a VLAN so simply, we realised that this was a product we really needed in our inventory.”
Major Tom purchased the Luminex GigaCore 10 rack-mountable switches with Fiberfox fibre connectors, to use with its large existing fibre cabling inventory for running over long distances.
The company is currently providing a Milan AVB networked Meyer Sound PA system featuring GigaCore 10s for the European leg of popular Danish rock band, Volbeat’s current tou

Italy - Opened in October last year, Cristó is a new events space, restaurant and cocktail bar in the north Italian city of Brescia. Owned and run by Gino Liguori and Alda Civelli, Cristó is an adaptable space, which, depending on the requirements of an event, can be configured to cater for 200-500 guests at any one time. Located in the heart of Brescia, in Piazzale Arnaldo, the venue is inside The Grain Market, a majestic neoclassical structure which dates back to 1820.
Divided between two levels, Cristó is a flexible events space which meets a variety of customer needs, whilst retaining a very particular identity. Wood, iron and concrete feature in an interior that comprises a unique alchemy of art, antiques, recycled materials and carefully designed furnishings.
Having enjoyed more than 20 years’ experience in the nightclub and hospitality sector, Liguori and Civelli were acutely aware that the quality of its sound system is central to the success of any events venue which aspires to accommodate a wide range of functions. The Cristó team chose Pioneer Pro Audio to meet the demanding needs of this multi-faceted space, engaging solutions provider Maste Eventi to install the system.
Maurizio Prestileo of Maste Eventi comments: “The Cristó team’s aim was to install a high quality system with excellent diffusion in all areas. It was important that it should not create any external disturbance, given the venue’s city centre location. The space was challenging as a result of numerous physical factors, including the thickness of internal and

Italy - Founded in 1992 by Gianni De Masi and Paolo Boscolo in Villorba di Treviso (in north-eastern Italy), Imputlevel Group rapidly became one of Italy's leading audio rental firms.
Through the years, its client roster in the live and tour field expanded to include not only top names on the Italian scene, such as Fiorella Mannoia, Franco Battiato, Daniele Silvestri, Niccolò Fabi, Irene Grandi, Vinicio Capossela, Nek and Max Pezzali, but also international stars of the calibre of Lou Reed, Elton John, Duran Duran, Peter Gabriel, Bjork, Massive Attack, Steve Vai, Simple Minds, Carlos Santana, Ben Harper, Rage Against the Machine, Prodigy and many more.
In order to be able to meet any request, from the supply of technology for live events, such as theatres, conferences, exhibitions, tourist attractions and television events, to custom designs and system engineering, iMput constantly updates the equipment it puts at the disposal of its demanding clients to optimise end-results.
Among the latest arrivals at iMput’s warehouses is Newton, the audio processing platform manufactured by Outline, based on FPGA technology and designed to be the ‘nucleus’ of the management of complex audio systems in touring applications, broadcast and permanent installations.
Nicola Mazzotti Pugliese, audio chief and one of iMput’s PA managers, states: “At the moment, iMput has three Newtons, but I hope we shall shortly take delivery of a fourth unit. Newton enables us to easily interface several consoles in the same set-up handling different clocks. It is so

France - L-Acoustics is rolling out L-ISA Auditoria in strategic locations around the globe. Demonstrations, training or mixing sessions of L-ISA Immersive Hyperreal Sound technology can be accessed in dozens of locations in L-ISA Auditoria designed to stringent L-Acoustics specifications, says the company.
“To support the development of L-ISA technology in the professional audio market, we have developed pre-determined systems for either mobile or permanent L-ISA Auditoria, which can be deployed to support existing partners, artists and potential clients,” explains Cédric Montrézor, executive director of applications at L-Acoustics. “The network of L-ISA Auditoria around the globe is designed to exacting standards to guarantee the natural, intimate spatialised experience of L-ISA Immersive Hyperreal Sound technology.”
Two versions of the packages are available: a frontal system that delivers the resolution required for optimised source localisation, immersive effect and the width required for an effective demonstration of reverb; and the same configuration plus complementary overheads which enhance the immersive experience and demonstrate the 3D capabilities for direct sound and room engine.
“Over the past 12 months, we have trained 160 high-profile sound designers and mixing engineers in over 25 seminars, which is over 75 days of training in total,” adds Etienne Corteel, L-Acoustics director of scientific outreach & education. “Rolling out additional facilities allows our partners to organise training seminars at their own loc

USA - With sales on the rise, Mike Hedden, Danley president, has restructured the sales and marketing division to respond to that growth, virtually promoting from within.
Towards the end of 2019, long-time Danley staff member, Jeff Pulliam, was named general manager. At the beginning of 2020, Mike Hedden promoted Jonathan ‘JP’ Parker to director of global sales and marketing. JP will be overseeing the newly-fortified team including newly promoted national sales manager Skip Welch, who will manage the domestic sales team.
This will include Cooper Hedden, promoted to southeast regional sales manager, Jay Andrews (formerly with Lienau AV) promoted to northeast regional sales manager, and Kim Comeaux, (formerly with Anderson Marketing), promoted to western regional sales manager. Additionally, Harold Sexton and Scott Howard have been recruited as sports market & house of worship and recording specialists respectively. Both have extensive experience in these markets.
“We’re pleased to see continued growth in our well-established markets, such as house of worship and sports venues, and to be making significant inroads in other markets, such as live music venues and theatres,” said Hedden. “Tom and his team of engineers even indulged a long-time passion and designed a recording studio monitor system, the Danley Studio 1 and Studio Sub, which positions us for growth in a radically new market. We’ve been fortunate to have a fantastic team guiding our growth and expansion, and I’m not about to shake up that winning formula.”
(Jim E

The Netherlands - Active Audio will launch the RAY-ON PoE powered loudspeaker column arrays at ISE 2020.
The RAY-ON PoE Series integrates a comprehensive PoE+ interface (IEEE 802.3at), a 60W internal power amplifier, and a Dante RJ45 digital input into a self-powered column loudspeaker. Internal signal processing and optimisation utilising Active Audio’s patented DGRC steering technology creates well defined coverage patterns with a smart mix of acoustics geometry and filtering.
The new series includes the R70-PoE and R110-PoE vertical column arrays as well as the B70-PoE which provides optimized horizontal directivity. The addition of PoE technology allows users to easily equip any wired building with the quality, consistency of coverage, true ease of use, and simple setup, that Active Audio are known for.

The Netherlands - Adamson Systems Engineering will highlight its premium install-focused IS-Series loudspeakers, including the new IS219 high-powered subwoofer at ISE 2020. Additionally, Adamson has partnered with CAST Software for a series of daily immersive audio demos showcasing its BlackTrax real-time tracking technology and Adamson’s intelligent, Milan-ready CS7p and CS118 loudspeakers.
“As the world’s biggest pro AV show, ISE is the perfect platform to highlight our IS-Series solutions, which pack the technology and performance of our revered touring products into sleek enclosures developed specifically for the architectural market,” comments Adamson CEO Marc Bertrand. “Like the entire series, the new IS219 subwoofer offers outstanding audio performance and rider acceptance in a discreet package that keeps the focus on the venue’s aesthetics.”
The Adamson IS219 is a high-powered dual 19” front-loaded subwoofer with a maximum SPL of 143dB. Designed to fit under standard 60 cm stages without sacrificing performance, the IS219 also has front and back grilles for cardioid applications with no visual indicator to the audience. Weighing in at a slim 90kg with removable handles for maneuverability and fit, the sub is optimized for a wide range of install projects.
Additionally, Adamson representatives will be sharing details about its new suite of education initiatives first introduced at The 2020 NAMM Show, including: increased delivery of the company’s globally-standardized Applied and Advanced Certification training programs with

France - For the sixth year in a row, the Champs-Elysées avenue shone brightly for New Year’s Eve celebrations. After winning the tender launched by the city of Paris, Cookies Production produced a spectacular sound and light show relying on 15 Barco’s video-projectors and four Modulo Player media servers by Modulo Pi.
On 31 December, more than 400.000 people gathered on the Champs-Elysées avenue to celebrate New Year’s Eve. The crowd of tourists and Parisians could enjoy a magnificent show projected on the Arc de Triomphe, which included music, video mapping, and pyrotechnics.
After answering the call for tenders initiated by the city of Paris, Cookies Production was awarded with the challenge of producing the new show to enter 2020. Christophe Gillier, CEO of Cookies Production, explains: “The city was looking for a fresh artistic proposal. While the budget for the project remained the same as the previous edition, I wanted us to achieve something even better. Better because we would deeply exchange and have the technical, artistic, and pyrotechnics teams collaborate.”
In order to produce the show, which is now highly expected and observed every year, Cookies Production worked with Magnum for the technical production, and the creative studios Holymage and Spectre Lab for the artistic direction and production.
In terms of technical set-up, 15 Barco UDX video-projectors were used for the show. “We reached about 470.000 lumens, and more than 300 lux per square meter. This was a first for the Arc de Triomphe,” comments Christ

New Zealand - AV integrator Skopik and Harman distributor JPRO recently outfitted the newly-opened Old Elephant House restaurant at the Auckland Zoo with a multi-zone indoor/outdoor audio system featuring JBL loudspeakers and Crown amplifiers.
Opened in 1922 and expanded in 1973, Auckland Zoo occupies a 40-acre lot near Auckland’s Central Business District. The zoo’s former elephant house was recently converted into a unique restaurant and versatile event space called the Old Elephant House.
To ensure sound quality and even distribution throughout the indoor and outdoor areas of the restaurant, the Auckland Zoo hired AV integration company Skopik to design and install a multi-zone audio system featuring JBL loudspeakers and Crown amplifiers supplied by Harman distributor JPRO.
“The brief was simple,” says Jeff Sundrum, AV service and installations manager, Skopik. “Our client required a high-fidelity audio solution for multiple areas at the Old Elephant House, which could be used by any staff member. We selected the JBL Control Contractor series and all-weather outdoor speakers from JBL’s broad range of products because the audio quality and coverage is pristine. This ensured that the best type of speaker was utilised in each location.”
Skopik selected JBL Control 25-1 wall-mounted loudspeakers and Control 14C/T ceiling speakers to achieve balanced sound quality and broad, consistent coverage in the indoor sections of the Old Elephant House. The built-in InvisiBall mounting hardware allows the speakers to be mounted discreetly, w

Canada - Three L-Acoustics trainers - Frédéric Blanc-Garin, Marcus Ross and André Pichette - recently came to Solotech’s Montreal offices to offer an intensive three-day training on L-ISA Immersive Hyperreal Sound technology.
For two additional days, clients, consultants and industry professionals had the opportunity to try the ecosystem and experience the technology.
“Immersive audio is playing an increasingly important role in our various markets. It was therefore with great interest that we held a week-long training session for our specialized technicians and offered personalized demonstrations to several industry players,” said François ‘Frankie’ Desjardins, vice-president, research & development at Solotech.
Truly revolutionary, L-ISA technology enables artists to create new multidimensional sound experiences in productions that use live or recorded material. This ecosystem heightens emotions by giving listeners the impression they’re “inside the music”.
Already used in more than 7,000 performances worldwide, L-ISA has been adopted by several renowned artists, including Childish Gambino, Bon Iver and Mark Knopfler, whose equipment was supplied by SSE Audio, a Solotech company. It is permanently installed in a number of experiential venues and theatres, including ASrtechouse, Spyscape museum, and the Park Theatre in Las Vegas for Lady Gaga’s and Aerosmith's residencies, in which Solotech participated.
“L-ISA opens up a whole new creative spectrum for sound designers. It gives them the opportunity to creat

UK - Audiologic has signed a new distribution agreement with console manufacturer DiGiCo, to promote and distribute its S-Series and 4REA4 digital mixers to the corporate pro AV market in the UK.
The addition of the highly engineered S-Series and 4REA4 digital mixing consoles from DiGiCo will both enhance and complement the already broad range of products available from Audiologic, offering versatility and reliability in equal measure.
“As the Audiologic business continues to grow, our long-term strategy is to enhance and transform our offering into providing a world-class solution at every level, accessible to every market. This exciting new distribution agreement continues this process,” comments Andy Lewis, managing director of Audiologic.
“DiGiCo is already at the forefront of digital mixing technology and has the same desire to reach out to wider markets, underpinned with an impeccable reputation for customer service. There is a superb working synergy between the two companies in every respect. We are thrilled to be working with DiGiCo and looking forward to introducing these superb consoles to our customers in integration.”
“With the increasing popularity of our 4REA4 solutions and S-Series consoles, plus the addition of the two new Dante enabled stage racks, we knew it was time to expand our dealer network in the UK for these products,” says DiGiCo’s general manager, Austin Freshwater. “We are delighted to welcome Audiologic to the DiGiCo family and we know their extensive experience in the installation market will help

Europe - At ISE 2020, Renkus-Heinz will target integrators with pro audio solutions that incorporate its beam steering technology.
In a bid to "democratise the premium quality audio offered by beam steering technology", the company will present "steerable solutions [that] are now feasible integration options in more locations and more types of facilities".
On show will be the DC12/2 self-powered column array, as well as the ICLive X series, a system consisting of two freely combinable, steerable-array modules, the ICLX and ICLXL, and a matching subwoofer, the ICLX-118S.
The DC12/2 brings clarity, intelligibility, and control synonymous with Renkus-Heinz’ digitally-steered line arrays to smaller, but equally challenging, spaces.
One supporting technology built for the DC12/2 is the capability to setup the speaker via smartphone or tablet. This allows integrators to install quickly, then use several expertly designed presets through an iOS or Android device to tailor the system for the specific environment. By providing multiple directivity options in the app, Renkus-Heinz is making it possible for everyone to deliver consistent coverage that dramatically outshines a typical point source or column loudspeaker.
Meanwhile, the ICLive X series is the latest evolution of the medium-format, steerable line array in the Renkus-Heinz line. The ICLive X module can be arrayed up to 12 units tall in minutes, making it perfect for jobs of all size: from house of worship, to theaters, to hospitality, to major stadium installs.
“We’re showc

The Netherlands - Medialon, show control solution provider for museums, attractions and theme parks worldwide, will be demonstrating Showmaster Go for the first time at ISE 2020.
Designed specifically for attractions and theme parks, Showmaster Go is designed for ride vehicles and parade floats due to its size. It’s a show control and multi-channel audio playback solution combined into one product, and it comes in a rugged, compact hardware form.
Showmaster Go combines a Pro version Medialon show controller with 16 channels of Dante network audio output.
The new Showmaster Go comes ready loaded with the V6 release of Medialon Manager and will be eligible for free upgrade to the new V7 manager release, coming soon.
Eric Cantrell, VP business operations, Medialon, comments: “Measuring in at 145 mm × 152 mm x 44 mm, and weighing just 1.4kg, the little box packs a lot of punch when it comes to controlling audio, video, lighting, animatronics, special effects, interfacing with PLCs and ride controllers, and synchronizing to multiple time sources. We are excited to be premiering this solution at ISE.”
(Jim Evans)

The Netherlands - Audinate is offering free Dante certification training to ISE 2020 attendees – no matter their familiarity with Dante - through coursework that focuses on valuable and practical insights for using Dante in real-world, AV-over-IP integrations. Beginners will build proficiency of basic Dante audio networking concepts, while intermediate Dante-users will learn specific Dante capabilities such as redundancy, clocking, latency and multicast. Advanced coursework focuses on best practices for simplifying management over the most complex network topographies.
“No matter your familiarity with Dante, we have some exciting tips, tricks, best practices, and key capabilities we can share to make the work you do more effective,” said Joshua Rush, senior vice president of marketing at Audinate. “We cover everything from introductory AV-over-IP concepts to specific approaches and software tools that enable advanced management techniques on today’s modern networks.”
Dante certification training takes place on 10 February at The RAI, Rooms G104 & G105, located at Europaplein 2-22, 1078 AZ, Amsterdam.
While free to all, the training does require ISE 2020 registration - as you will need an ISE badge to enter the venue - and also requires registration through the Audinate website.
Those that sign up for a session will also be invited to a discussion with Audinate CEO Aidan Will

Mexico - Arguably one of the most anticipated festivals in Mexico, Fiestas de Octubre is a cultural and recreational celebration held in October in the state of Jalisco with its headquarters in the capital, Guadalajara.
Bringing together more than one million people, the 32-day festival is filled with a bountiful display of popular culture and fine arts, mariachi music, and a spectacular spread of traditional food, Mexican beer and wine. This year, the explosive energy of the festival was matched by the sound quality of an L-Acoustics K2 loudspeaker system.
The AEEJ (Agencia Estatal de Entretenimiento de Jalisco) was in charge of operating Fiestas de Octubre 2019, which has been running since 1965 in the Benito Juárez Auditorium, as well as in different locations of the state of Jalisco. The chosen rental partner was Mexico City-based LOGRA which has long-standing experience of supplying equipment to festivals, corporate events and, more recently, on local tours. The company is well-known within the industry and has earned a solid reputation through events such as the Mexican Independence Day Celebration, Corona Music Fest, Corona Sunsets, Rockampeonato Telcel, Arcadia, F1 Grand Prix Mexico and other high-profile projects.
As the festival grows year-on-year, attracting ever higher numbers of people and more artistic acts, the challenge for LOGRA was to deliver an outstanding audio system that would once again raise the bar for an event of such enormous dimensions.
Jonathan de la Peña, sound reinforcement specialist at dB Audio Production S

UK - Independent audio rental providers Total Sound Solutions in Swansea and Pulse PA in Poole have consolidated an informal alliance around their purchases of Nexo’s new Geo M12 mid-size line array system.
Both TSS and Pulse PA have taken delivery of near-identical Nexo Geo M12 inventories, with MSUB18 subbass, NXAMP Mk2 amplifiers and flyware which allows them to mix and match their new M12 elements with their smaller Nexo Geo M10 systems. Now the two mid-size rental companies are evolving their business models so as to benefit from co-operation and integrated inventories to bid on larger projects.
“We already owned Geo M10,” says Ralph Walsh, MD of Pulse PA, “and have done all our 2019 summer festivals with the system: in fact, in the last two years, it has rarely been in the warehouse and I’d say we’ve made more money out of it than any other Nexo system that we’ve owned. Being able to add the Geo M12 is a logical step - together, M10 and M12 are just a brilliant business proposition.”
Similarly, Chris Hooke at TSS is a long-time Nexo user. “Buying the Geo M12 tops and MSUB18 subs completes the family that started with Geo M6. Geo M12 performs at the level where we have the most business, and with a special bumper, we can make it compatible with the Geo M10 so that we can combine the line array systems.”
Co-operation between TSS and Pulse PA began as a useful convenience, encouraging cross-rental of loudspeakers, desks and other equipment between the two companies. With the purchase of the Geo M12 line array systems, th

UK - Polar has been appointed exclusive distributor in the UK and ROI for new US-based professional amplifier manufacturer LEA. This new company has been in existence since January 2019, when a team of industry veterans with more than 200 years combined experience in the sector, steered by founder and CEO Blake Augsburger, set out to imagine a new approach to audio technology.
LEA’s Connect Series range, with standard and Dante-enabled options, addresses the needs of the installation market, catering for the widest possible range of applications in small and medium scale projects. As the world’s first IoT-enabled, professional-grade amplifiers, these two and four channel models have an intuitive web app interface that allows control by phone, tablet, PC or laptop. With various network access options, including an onboard WiFi point, access for setup and programming is fast and user-friendly.
Stuart Leader, director at Polar Integrated Solutions, comments: “The LEA range is a fantastic addition to our portfolio, offering as it does a really cutting-edge level of technology that gives installers and end-users so many advantages. With the option of low or high impedance selectable by channel, the amplifiers enable highly flexible loudspeaker network design, whilst the Smart Power Bridge feature allows an output channel to be selected to operate at double power without sacrificing any other channels.
“The team at LEA has addressed every possible angle in the development of these exceptional products and we look forward to introducing them to wha