Sound

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21 March 2025

USA - Harman Professional Solutions brand products made a major impact at SXSW 2025, powering some of the festival’s top music venues with JBL Professional, Soundcraft, and AKG. This marked Harman’s most significant presence at the festival in years, reinforcing its commitment to delivering world-class audio experiences.

One of the most significant activations at this year’s festival was Rolling Stone’s Future of Music at ACL Live at the Moody Theatre. Over the course of four days, the event featured a powerhouse lineup, including performances by Benson Boone, Megan Moroney, Ivan Cornejo, Rema, and more. The venue’s sound was elevated by JBL Professional’s flagship VTX line array system, with 24 VTX A12s serving as the main loudspeakers, 24 VTX A8s deployed as side clusters, and 15 VTX B28s ground-stacked subwoofers. Additionall

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21 March 2025

China - The popularity of Karaoke Television, more commonly referred to as KTV, continues to grow around the world.

Covering a total area of 30,000sq.m, the recently opened Skyline venue in the Chinese city of Hangzhou is the largest single party and KTV entertainment complex in the world. Spread across four floors, it comprises a combination of small, medium, and large party spaces, including KTV rooms created for private and business customers. Audio specialist Zhejiang Tongbo Vision Technology was engaged to install the audio requirements of this large and prestigious project. Coda Audio systems were chosen to meet the demands of every space.

The Tongbo team faced many challenges. The sheer size of the complex including its many high ceilings and large floor areas required careful audio planning and design. The installation began in 2022 and took

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21 March 2025

Bahrain - From the Mediterranean to the shores of Bahrain, Lyra brings the wonders of Greek dining to a new setting overlooking Marassi Beach in the Vida Hotel.

From sizzling charcoal grills to shareable small dishes and seafood salads, diners explore the traditional flavours of the Mediterranean and enjoy signature cocktails inspired by the rich mythology of Greek flora.

The soundtrack to this relaxed dining experience is provided by ultra-compact Nexo ID14 speakers inside the venue while outside on the dining terrace, ePS6-EN54 speakers from Nexo’s ePS Outdoor range provide high-quality audio along with a high degree of protection from the admittedly benign Bahrain climate.

However, although Bahrain experiences very little rainfall, the high summer temperatures in a primarily desert environment can be challenging for speakers open to the

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21 March 2025

USA - Opened in 2024, Urban Dog Bar in Nashville features a pet-friendly patio and a doggy play area. They also offer ‘dog-centric events’ throughout the year, including their aptly named New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, which involves dropping tennis balls from the roof – much to the delight of canine attendees.

Before opening, venue staff contacted Joseph Hazelwood, founder of Hazelwood Laboratories, to design an audio system for their indoor and outdoor areas. The bar wanted audio capabilities for a wireless handheld mic, background music, and TV audio, with local zone control for specific areas like the bar and outdoor play area. Future accommodation for DJs to be able to play live music was also a necessity. Hazelwood knew Connect Series amplifiers from LEA Professional were more than up to the task.

“I use LEA amplifiers for every p

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20 March 2025

South Africa - Norwood Productions has recently bolstered its audio capabilities with the acquisition of premium d&b audiotechnik equipment from distributor Stage Audio Works.

This recent investment has expanded the scope of Norwood Productions' involvement in the live events sector, allowing them to serve larger audiences and meet the high international standards of touring artists. Behind these recent investments is an inspirational journey and a story of growth and adaptability, backed by a strong ongoing relationship with Stage Audio Works.

“I started Norwood Productions in 2018 out of my garage with just a small PA system of two tops and two subs. Back then, I was catering largely for corporate events,” recalls Chris Norwood, founder and director at Norwood Productions. “We steadily built the business, adding in some visual elements su

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20 March 2025

USA - L-Acoustics has announced that it has been named for the third time in Fast Company's annual list of the World's Most Innovative Companies of 2025, reaching #2 on the list of top innovative companies in the events, concerts, and live experiences industry, recognised specifically “for changing the way Broadway shows sound.”

The 2025 list celebrates companies that consistently drive innovation and shape the future of their industries – a principle that has guided L-Acoustics since its founding, from pioneering line array technology to today's cutting-edge immersive sound solutions.

"Being recognised by Fast Company as a top innovator for the third time in six years is both an extraordinary honour and a testament to the ongoing commitment to innovation at L-Acoustics," says Laurent Vaissié, CEO at L-Acoustics. "This recogn

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20 March 2025

USA - Australian-born singer-songwriter Leah Martin-Brown, now a solo artist signed to Frontiers Records, explores pop territory without sacrificing the hard-rock energy of her formative work. Her voice is channelled through Audix microphones – the OMX series (especially the OMX-E) onstage and the A231 for studio recording. Just after hosting the video premiere of her third single Shush, she spoke with Audix about her musical roots and her new favourite microphones.

“I didn't know that I was a good singer until maybe fifth grade, when we had this assignment at school where each of us had to get up and sing,” she begins. “I sang the part, and my teacher reacted, ‘Oh, so you’re a singer?’ I was, like, ‘I am? Why yes, I am!’

“I had always been aware of the Audix brand, starting with knowing they made great drum mics,” Mart

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20 March 2025

Poland - The Mazowsze National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble was established in 1948 and is dedicated to the preservation and performance of traditional Polish folklore. In 2024, the venue completed extensive audio upgrades, with major changes to the sound system in the concert hall, designed by sound designer, Krzysztof Polesiński.

Powering the upgrades are two DiGiCo Quantum 852-T consoles and two further DiGiCo Quantum338 consoles, also equipped with Theatre software and Pulse upgrades for touring use, all supplied by Polsound, DiGiCo’s Distributor in Poland.

The Mazowsze Auditorium is housed in the Karolin complex, which offers a full cultural experience. There is everything from hotels to education on site, with the ensemble performing dance, drama and music, also exhibiting artwork, running arts and crafts workshops and much more. Ja

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20 March 2025

India - The Urban Foundry is a popular all-day bar and eatery in the the NIBM area of the Indian city of Pune. The industrial theme of the venue creates an ambience in which customers enjoy a wide range of local and international cuisine. Music plays an important part in maintaining the atmosphere in The Urban Foundry’s always busy setting, and the venue’s management recently enlisted the services of distributor Generation AV and Pune-based integrator Audio Groove, to supply and install a quality sound system for the venue.

An HH Audio system based on the company’s Tessen Series of installation speakers was the right choice according to Kishore Shetty of Urban Foundry: “Both Generation AV and Audio Groove have been exceptional partners in every aspect of this project. From the outset their team did a fantastic job of recommending a system that suited

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20 March 2025

UK - Poole’s Lighthouse staged its first Work Experience Day last weekend as 15 Year 10 pupils from local schools got a taste of life at one of the country’s largest multi-venue arts centres.

As well as hearing about the different jobs that make Lighthouse work, the young people were able to learn about how the different performance spaces are used and how sound and lighting function in them.

“I just wanted to thank you for the amazing opportunity today, I thoroughly enjoyed it,” said one young person.

“I also wanted to thank you for the sugar-free sweets and chocolate, it was really touching to feel my needs considered and I'm very grateful. I definitely learned a lot today and enjoyed learning from the best.”

The Work Experience Day was organised in response to the unprecedented number of requests Light

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20 March 2025

UK - Optimal Audio has introduced a new advanced level online course in its Optimal Audio Academy, ringing the bell for installers to earn the highest stage of certification. The Optimal Audio Academy’s doors are always open for installers to obtain any of the three level certification modules available from anywhere in the world at the most convenient time.

Simple to navigate, the Optimal Audio Academy complements the ethos of the brand so that system integrators and installers learn how to best maximise the portfolio and most importantly, WebApp. One of the benefits of the online Optimal Audio Academy is that installers are taken through standard installation scenarios so that everything flows as expected for a swift and trouble-free installation. The courses also prompt those extra ideas – the ‘nice to haves’ that customers might not realise will

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20 March 2025

Hungary - Lightware has announced the launch of the Taurus UCX-1x1-C40 – a docking station designed to transform hybrid collaboration. As organisations continue to embrace hybrid work environments, ensuring seamless communication between in-office and remote teams is more critical than ever. The Taurus Smart Dock provides a powerful, flexible solution to enable high-quality video, audio, and control signals to flow effortlessly between devices, regardless of the user's location.

The Taurus Smart Dock offers ‘exceptional performance’, enabling smooth video conferencing, high-definition media sharing, and intuitive device integration for teams working both in-office and remotely. Designed with reliability in mind, it ensures that meetings run without technical disruptions, contributing to greater productivity and streamlined communication. Its plug-and-p

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20 March 2025

Italy - Nexo has announced the appointment of Andrea Fantini as Italian sales manager. Fantini takes over the role from his father Gianni, the familiar face of Nexo in Italy who leaves the company on 1 April.

Also like his father, Fantini joins Nexo from Joint Rent, which Gianni co-founded in 1990. During his 17-year stint with the AV technology and production services specialists, Fantini has gained extensive front-line experience in the sales, rental and deployment of Nexo systems from early Alpha and Geo T right through to the latest Geo M line array and P+ point source products.

“My time at Joint Rent has given me a great sense of the evolution of the Nexo brand and I’ve really enjoyed providing sales and technical support to customers,” comments Fantini. “Now I’m really excited to take on this new role and to draw on my experience to h

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19 March 2025

Canada - Fulcrum Acoustic has appointed DataVisual as exclusive distribution partner for Canada. DataVisual Marketing will carry the wide portfolio of products and solutions from Fulcrum Acoustic, from high-performance loudspeaker ranges, through immersive systems and hybrid acoustic panels.

“DataVisual is the perfect representative for Fulcrum Acoustic in Canada,” says Val Gilbert, director of business development for export at Fulcrum Acoustic. “We couldn’t hope for a more skilled and customer-dedicated team to drive growth in the North American market. We’re excited for future developments together in the region.”

York Kislich-Lemyre, VP of sales at DataVisual, adds: “Fulcrum Acoustic is a key addition to our product range. The innovative technology within the company allows us to offer a unique and competitive solution to the Canadi

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19 March 2025

USA - Harman International has announced that it has become a NASCAR technology partner aimed at delivering premium audio experiences for racing fans through future racetrack audio upgrades.

This partnership enables NASCAR to design and implement high-quality integrated audio systems using Harman Professional Solutions brands, including JBL Professional loudspeakers, Crown amplifiers, BSS digital signal processing, and more.

“JBL and NASCAR are two iconic brands that were founded just two years apart in the 1940s, and will now work together to enhance one of the most thrilling and widely attended sports in the world,” said Brian Divine, president of Harman Professional Solutions. “On any given day, thousands of fans around the world experience audio through a JBL system, and we are excited to collaborate with NASCAR through this technology part

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19 March 2025

Germany - One of Sennheiser’s best-known microphones, the MKH 416 P48 shotgun microphone, celebrates its golden jubilee this year. For 50 years, the MKH 416 has accompanied broadcasters, filmmakers, voice-over artists, and content creators; it has been used in studios and in the field. Mounted onto a boom pole, a stand or a camera, its job has been to stay outside the camera angle while gracefully capturing sound with clarity and impact.

To celebrate its golden jubilee, this classic mic is offered with a 15% anniversary discount at participating Sennheiser dealers and – where available – the company’s website in April.

Time travelling to the 1970s, the name of Manfred Hibbing is firmly linked with this milestone product. When the young engineer joined Sennheiser, his first task was to design the MKH 416 P48 on the basis of the MKH 415 T. The

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19 March 2025

UK - With only one week to go until ISCVEx 2025, industry professionals and enthusiasts still have the chance to register for this premier event.

Taking place on Tuesday 25 March and Wednesday 26 March 2025 at Coombe Abbey Hotel, ISCVEx promises a blend of networking, education and product discovery for sound engineers, audio-visual professionals, consultants and system integrators.

Day one - Tuesday 25 March kicks off with the Members' Day and AGM, featuring an inspiring presentation by Andy Dockerty, founder of Adlib Audio, followed by the Networking Dinner. This is an excellent opportunity to connect with peers, share insights and build lasting professional relationships.

Day two - Wednesday 26 March centres on three engaging seminars and an exhibition that brings together the industry's leading manufacturers and distributors.

Atte

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19 March 2025

UK - Opened in 1882, the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist in Portsmouth is the mother church of the Catholic diocese and seat of the Bishop of Portsmouth.

Services in the church’s striking nave – designed in Gothic Revival style – are now being delivered via an Audio-Technica System 20 PRO 2.4GHz digital wireless system, supplied and installed by church installation specialist System Design Audio. The company can trace its history back to 1967 and its relationship with St John’s began in 2010.

“We’ve used Audio-Technica wireless systems in many house of worship projects over the years,” says System Design Audio managing director Peter Hearn, “and I was very interested in System 20 PRO as soon it was launched. We typically need a very robust, reliable and easy-to-use solution for our clients and the licence-free nature of 2.4GHz sys

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19 March 2025

Thailand - Opened in 1945, Bangkok’s Rajadamnern Stadium – the oldest Muay Thai stadium in Thailand – stands as one of Thailand’s most revered sporting venues. Known as the birthplace of Muay Thai (Thai boxing) as a globally recognised professional sport, Rajadamnern is the world’s first dedicated Muay Thai stadium and has played a pivotal role in shaping the sport’s rules, cultures, traditions, and global reputation. The venue also stands out for its one-of-a-kind circular design, ensuring an unobstructed view from every seat.

While the stadium’s historical significance remains unchanged, the grand vision of the Rajadamnern management team was to establish the venue as a premier global destination for sports and cultural experiences. Their mission was to create something unique; the time had come to reimagine the Rajadamnern experience – esp

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19 March 2025

Germany - The Weissenhaus Private Nature Luxury Resort in Germany has launched Big Barn Studios, a creative musical retreat housed in a thatched barn at the centre of the picturesque 185-acre site. The residential recording studio’s control room features a Solid State Logic AWS 948 δelta SuperAnalogue console and has been outfitted to handle Dolby Atmos projects.

The entire project is the brainchild of Jan Henric Buettner, a German entrepreneur with a background in telecommunications and the internet. 20 years ago, he purchased a dilapidated historic estate and village in the north of Germany, overlooking the Baltic Sea, and turned it into a privately operated luxury resort, which opened in 2014. Several years ago, after seeing Bohemian Rhapsody, the biopic about rock band Queen, Buettner was inspired to construct a recording studio in an unused

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19 March 2025

USA - Celestion has announced the appointment of Matt Daigler as business development executive. In his new role, Daigler will work together with Celestion’s valued sales and distribution partners in the US musical instrument category, the PA service market, and retailers who cater to DIY hobbyists. In addition, Daigler will be managing existing OEM relationships and pursuing new OEM partners in the pro audio and high-end home theatre markets.

Daigler joins Celestion continuing his extensive career in the audio industry that started at Westlake Audio as a mechanical assembler, then production manager, eventually moving to Harman-owned Audax of America where he worked as a sales engineer. Daigler later worked in custom residential integration for Harrison Systems, Pro Design AV, and Logic Integration. He is an audio enthusiast with personal projects repairi

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18 March 2025

Spain - HK Audio has been offering its distributors a look to the future with an exclusive event to explore the manufacturer’s market strategy and internationalisation efforts. HK Audio invited 100 of its international partners to a dedicated conference which also included an in-depth look at some of the products that are set to be launched later this year.

Taking place at the Holmusic Centre in Barcelona, the event provided the meeting point to discuss HK Audio’s plans for the coming months and years. The presence of key decision-makers from both the manufacturer and its partners ensured that high-level conversations could be had, and plans put in place to help the international growth of the company and align sales strategies with its distributors.

Alongside the presentations, HK Audio also took the opportunity to recognize the efforts of its p

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18 March 2025

Israel - The Israel Expo Centre in Tel Aviv has undergone a significant audio upgrade with the implementation of L-Acoustics L-ISA Hyperreal technology for the two-and-a-half-month Tozeret Haaretz event series. This marks a pivotal shift from traditional temporary sound systems to a consistent, high-precision audio environment capable of accommodating varied performance requirements while maintaining exceptional sound quality.

Sincopa, an L-Acoustics certified provider with over 20 years of industry expertise, engineered a flexible 7.1 frontal configuration that addresses the venue's specific acoustic challenges while providing accurate sound reproduction for audiences of up to 6,500 attendees.

The technical implementation features five main hangs of one L2 and one L2D, complemented by two extensions of nine Kara II loudspeakers on each side

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18 March 2025

USA - A 50th anniversary is a once-in-a-lifetime milestone, but in the fleeting world of television, even a decade on air is a rare achievement. When Saturday Night Live prepared to celebrate its golden anniversary, perfection was the only option. The high point of the show’s multi-event commemoration was SNL 50: The Homecoming Concert, broadcast live on NBC, SNL’s long-time network home, and streamed on Peacock from Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan, as well as at select IMAX Theaters at Regal Cinemas.

As much known for its musical performances as for its comedy, SNL has been a progressive stage for music throughout its 50 years, with performances by artists of every era of those years as well as a launchpad for new voices.

Artists returning to recreate the magic for this singular event included Bonnie Raitt, Cher, Dave Grohl,