Europe - Arguably one of Cuba's most successful exports, The Bar at Buena Vista - The Grandfathers of Cuban Music, is a massively successful show in the midst of a sell-out international smash hit tour. Currently touring throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, German rental specialists Coco Sound based in Freiburg, have supplied a significant Uniline compact line array system from APG supplemented with SMX15s for front-fill for the duration of the European leg.

Written and directed by Toby Gough, the Grandfathers of Cuban Music brings together three masters of Cuban music to celebrate the rich heritage of Havana's Buena Vista neighbourhood. The cast is headed by the venerable 94 year-old Reynaldo Creagh who ignited the flame that started the whole Buena Vista Social Club phenomenon. Probably the world's oldest working singer, he is considered a living legend in h

UK - On show from Midas at PLASA Focus: Leeds will be the new Generation-lI software which results from many years of research, development, and much-valued feedback from Midas digital console users, and brings the advanced navigation features pioneered on the Midas PRO2, and retro-fits this innovative methodology into the entire range of Midas digital consoles, the company says.

"Early adopters of Midas digital can now benefit from the years of experience and developments which have made Midas digital consoles the choice of the live sound industry's leading professionals for sound quality, reliability and ease of operation. The Advanced Navigation modes are: Collapsed Flip - hides any channels not assigned to the selected bus, FX Navigation - displays FX processors when appropriate bus is selected, GEQ Navigation - flips VCA faders to GEQ control when appropriate bus is se

UK - JHS and HK Audio will unveil the Lucas Nano 300 and the new Linear 5 Line at PLASA Focus: Leeds.

"The Lucas Nano 300's ultra-compact subwoofer and two fist-sized satellites are sure to astonish and amaze with an audio experience to rival that of far larger systems," says the company. The subwoofer houses the electronics and a versatile three-channel mixing console so that the Lucas Nano 300 is ready for immediate use without any additional equipment.

"The two satellites lock into a transport bay on the subwoofer with a simple twist of the wrist. And thanks to its very comfortable grips, the entire system is easily carried in just one hand."

A highly portable sound reinforcement solution for a multitude of different applications restricted only by the limits of users' imaginations, the classic setup with stereo satellites is easily reconfigured as a m

UK - Studiospares are giving visitors to PLASA Focus: Leeds 2012 the opportunity to experience their new M1000 studio headphones at their stand in the Royal Armouries.

The M1000 Monitor headphones enable critical listening for long studio sessions delivering the highly detailed, transparent response expected from professional grade headphones.

Featuring breathable protein leather ear pads for long term listening comfort, 42mm neodymium closed-back drivers with a 10Hz to 26kHz frequency response and 64 Ohm impedance, the M1000s have been designed from the ground up for professional mixing and monitoring. Each pair includes a high quality 3 metre detachable screw-in cable with a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter, 2 spare ear pads and a padded carrying case.

(Claire Beeson)

UK - Promising to standardise on RCF components after purchasing a major Theatre & Touring (TT+) system nine months ago, Yes Events remained true to their word when they added a second tranche of the Italian manufacturers' products to their hire fleet from this increasingly-popular range.

This time they have bought an eight-enclosure TTL33-A compact, three-way active line array system and two further TTS28-A subs to add to the four they already have. In addition, they have invested in six TT25-SMA touring 15in stage monitors and RCF's proprietary RDNet system software, to integrate with the TTL33-A.

According to Yes Events director, Tom Chennells, the underlying reason for the latest round of spending was to service the assault on 30 shopping malls simultaneously by Rock Choir's infamous Flash Mob on Sunday 25 March.

Rock Choir is the biggest contemporary choir in Britain. W

Jim Marshall Remembered - Guitar amp innovator Jim Marshall, dubbed 'the Father of Loud' for creating kit used by some of rock's biggest names, has died aged 88 and the industry has been paying tribute. A statement posted on the company's website called him a "legendary man", adding, "In addition to the creation of the amps, chosen by countless guitar heroes and game changing bands, Jim was also an incredibly humble and generous man who, over the past several decades, has quietly donated many millions of pounds to worthy causes."

Former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash tweeted, "The news of Jim Marshall passing is deeply saddening. R & R will never be the same w/out him. But, his amps will live on FOREVER!"

Motley Crue bass player Nikki Sixx also paid tribute on Twitter, saying Marshall was "responsible for some of the greatest audio moments in

Philippines - Customers at the new Buddha-Bar in Manila enjoy an eclectic music mix that permeates the space through a Meyer Sound system comprising the largest count of self-powered low-voltage loudspeakers - 132 total - installed anywhere in a hospitality application.

Located in the trendy Picar Place development of Makati City, Buddha-Bar Manila is among the largest in the franchise, accommodating more than 500 people in the first-level lounge, second-level restaurant, and roof deck. The size of the property, combined with the franchise's extraordinarily high standards, entailed multiple challenges in acoustical and A/V system design, all of which were ably handled by ihD Ltd, a pan-Asian consulting firm headquartered in Hong Kong.

According to Ian D. Harris, managing director and principal consultant at ihD, the brief for high-quality music reproduction tilted the specific

UK - Traction Sound and its distributor RWS Prosound will show off Traction Sound's PLASA Innovation Award nominated SDS Range of loudspeakers on Stand S-C19 at PLASA Focus, Leeds. They will also be running demonstrations of the products in the Lancelot Room at the Holiday Inn Express, adjacent and opposite to the exhibition centres.

Traction Sound's range of installation and portable pro audio speakers feature SDS Horn technology, the advantages of which Traction's technical specialist, Andy Pardoe explains: "The SDS Horn is a high frequency device that utilises multiple high-powered soft dome tweeters arrayed in a line. This eliminates the use of industry standard compression drivers and provides a higher quality listening experience."

Jonny Goodwillie, sales director at Traction Sound continues, "The SDS range is designed to deliver accurate sound reproductio

USA - In the first two months of this year, ATK Audiotek supplied three very different PA system configurations to three of the biggest events in the entertainment calendar - the Super Bowl pre-show and halftime musical performances, Grammy Awards broadcast, and Academy Awards telecast - that ably demonstrated the efficiencies introduced by the company's adoption of Powersoft amplification.

Last year, production sound provider ATK standardised exclusively on the Powersoft DIGAM K10.

Brett Valasek, general manager, ATK Audiotek reports, "The Powersoft K10 amps have definitely made everything more efficient for us, from inventory management to trucking to system management and power management. Standardising on the K10 has overall been a very efficient way of managing inventory from start to finish, on all projects, from the Super Bowl to the Grammys to the Academy Awards.&

USA - With 14 campuses in and around the city of Chicago and 25 weekend worship services each Sunday, New Life Community Church is one very active non-denominational Christian church. Until recently, their Midway Campus sanctuary faced a number of speech intelligibility and related challenges with their sound reinforcement system. The situation is now resolved-thanks in large part to the new sound system consisting of Variant Series installation line array loudspeakers from D.A.S. Audio.

West Chester, OH-based Troubadour Solutions, an A/V design / build firm with a focus on churches and associated Christian venues, was contracted to design and install the new sound reinforcement setup at the church's Midway Campus. Dr. Scott Weaver, owner and chief designer of Troubadour Solutions, discussed the challenges of the project and his reasons for deploying 14 D.A.S. Audio Variant loud

The Netherlands - When noted Dutch cinematographer and film director Jan de Bont was approached to produce an art project which promotes the country's HSL-Zuid high speed rail project, his concept of a 3D film of the route was technically challenging. But with the assistance of an Alcons Audio system, audiences of the finished film, Surfing on Light, enjoyed a complete sensory experience.

De Bont has worked on many high profile films, including Twister, Basic Instinct, Die Hard and Lara Croft Tomb Raider. Having covered road and sea transport as director of Speed and Speed 2: Cruise Control in the 1990s, it was appropriate that he should finally be able to turn his attention to a rail-themed project.

Filmed by cameras mounted on the front, sides and rear of a train, which traversed HSL-Zuid several times, the finished project involved

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It was up to audio experts Ev

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

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

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

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

Finally, the Media s

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

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

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

(Claire Beeson)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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