UK - SSE hire has just taken delivery of two Midas Heritage 4000 monitor consoles to add to its already considerable Midas inventory. Already the biggest Midas owner in the UK, the addition of a further two Heritage 4000s serves underline SSE's continuing commitment not just to Midas but to large format analogue console technology. In addition to the Heritage 4000s, SSE has also ordered three Midas Verona's.
SSE's John Penn comments: "We have a hugely busy summer season in front of us, and we needed more consoles. We were going to invest in more Heritage 3000s, but when the Heritage 4000 came out, it made more sense for us to invest in a desk that has even more facilities and the extra capacity to handle heavy-duty monitor applications, but can still go out in the place of a Heritage 3000 if necessary. And of course, it's a Midas, and Midas has proved since time immemorial to be a really solid investment. That continues to be the case, even now that digital consoles have started to make their mark and gain in popularity."
Midas and Klark Teknik UK sales manager Richard Ferriday agrees: "Customers can see that there is still rentability in large format analogue consoles. In fact, the world's most requested console is a Heritage 3000, which tells you a lot. It's true to say that the market got tense about the advent of digital technology when it first appeared, and reined in on their spending to see what would happen. However, people have now relaxed and our sales reflect this. For now, most customers accept that digital technology is a different bea
France - Digigram, one of the world leaders in innovative digital audio network solutions, has released a new driver set v2.00g for its miXart 8 range of multi-channel sound cards, which include: miXart 8, miXart 8 AES/EBU, and miXart 8 CN. For the first time, the driver set features an ASIO driver in addition to the existing WAVE and Digigram np drivers. An open source Linux driver project for this range of sound cards was launched in September 2003.
Marc Bénard, Digigram's sound cards product manager said: "ASIO has become a recognized standard for multi-channel applications in music and audio content production, as well as video post-production and DJ applications. We are proud that professional users and ambitious amateurs now can capitalize on both ASIO's low latency and the miXart 8's sound quality."
The miXart 8 is a platform that combines powerful Digigram onboard processing with comprehensive audio mixing functions. Professional audio applications requiring multiple I/Os for distributing, recording, routing and mixing can take advantage of the miXart's 8/8 analogue mono I/Os, including four microphone preamps with phantom power supply.
The miXart 8 AES/EBU features 4/4 additional stereo AES/EBU inputs/outputs to make it the ideal card for the professional audio environment, particularly broadcast and production. Due to its synchronization capabilities, the miXart 8 AES/EBU is an excellent choice to integrate audio with video systems.
The miXart 8 CN has a Cobranet interface, providing eight channels of Cobranet input and eight channels of
UK - For performing arts professionals and students based in Scotland, it's a long trek to trade shows in the Midlands and south to see the latest products and talk to equipment manufacturers. So this year the Department of Technical and Production Arts at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) added a Sponsors Trade Show to run alongside its annual graduate exhibition. Spearheaded by Ros Maddison and David Ripley (RSAMD's head of Technical and Production Arts and production manager respectively), the combined event was held on 24-25 March.
The show fulfilled three functions: to give the Academy's sponsors something in return, by bringing their products out 'to the market' and providing a forum to informally talk direct to the students; to give the students the opportunity to talk to the companies, to discuss products, working practices, work placements and employment; and to give Scottish production professionals ease of access to a 'local' trade show. Taking place on the stage of the Academy's beautifully-appointed New Athenaeum theatre, the debut show was a relaxed and intimate affair, attended by 11 exhibiting companies.
VLPS London is a major sponsor of the RSAMD's technical courses, providing intelligent lighting and technical advice. The show scored a major coup by being the public debut of the Vari-Lite EX1 digital media server. Providing five independent light sources to model three-dimensional objects against up to two separate backgrounds, the EX1 is designed for use with projectors and controlled via DMX. With High End Systems' Catalyst
Another SIB exhibitor quietly enjoying significant growth is Dutch company Highlite International, which now produces a huge range of lighting, audio and trussing products. Company owner Huub de la Haije told me that since the company was founded in the early 90s, it has doubled its turnover every two years. Highlite has always manufactured its products in China, and has more than 10 years' worth of relationships with Chinese manufacturing interests under it belt. Consequently it is somewhat ahead of the game now that everyone's eyes turn are turning eastwards.
USA - Transamerica Audio Group, the U.S. distributor for Soundelux Microphones announced the new E49 large diaphragm condenser microphone, based on the original 1952 German IRT design, is now shipping.
The original vintage tube 49 microphone is still the gold standard in studios around the world, due to its incredible flexibility in any application from distant orchestral recordings requiring a neutral sound quality to close up micing where the tailored proximity effect is well known and valued for achieving big vocal sounds.
Like the original, the Soundelux E49 is a remote variable pattern tube mic that uses Soundelux' KK47 large diaphragm capsule and a unique head grille design that replicates the original's acoustic and mechanical sonic signatures. A specially designed Soundelux SteadyState(r) fixed-bias type tube amplifier (similar to the original) is used but has lower noise and distortion. The output transformer provides a correct impedance match to any mic pre-amp input and, compared to transformerless designs, has lower intermodulation distortion and significantly improved frequency linearity in the low and middle frequencies. The E49 delivers a consistent and stable sound; much longer term when compared to typical transformerless mic designs whose sound quality changes over time because the large electrolytic capacitors needed in the audio path 'age' over the years.
The E49 has a double shock mounting system. It includes a capsule-to-electronics shock assembly and a separate capsule and electronics package shock mount. This double system all but elimin
Link introduced new products in its LK connectors and Eurocable ranges. For its new LKS rubber locking ring, Link is offering a free replacement service in the case of a break within three years; encouragingly, this includes a 'no questions asked' policy - so you can do what you like with them. The company also introduced rubber locking rings for its LKH connectors and for the LK Audio range of connectors.
UK - It has been confirmed recently that HZ-International is now officially in liquidation. However Rackz Limited will take on some of the lines formerly manufactured by HZ, mainly comprising the static 19" Flat-Pack Racking and Pro Audio a division of Rackz Ltd.
Rackz will now be offering a full back up and repair service for the above products. Mike Butt former senior electronic engineer from Hz and Dave Roberts former technical designer will be dealing with the loudspeaker problems. However the company is unable to perform any free guarantee work on behalf of the former HZ International Ltd. All work will be charged out at £22 per hour or part thereof plus parts and carry a three-month guarantee.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
UK - In a move that both brings the brands of Midas and Klark Teknik closer together in addition to providing a more effective way of working, Midas and Klark Teknik have announced that David Wiggins, previously responsible for international sales of Klark Teknik, is to assume equal responsibility in his role as international sales manager for both brands.
"In terms of the way we have been restructuring the company in recent months, this is a move that makes complete sense," affirmed Wiggins. "As technology continues to develop apace, so the interaction between the two brands becomes increasingly important. We are already seeing this at a product and therefore R&D level; for example the ability to link any Heritage or Legend console to Helix via the auto-solo function to name but one example. It therefore follows that the same strategy should be reflected in sales and marketing."
Director of sales and marketing for Midas and Klark Teknik, David Cooper agrees: "Having taken on responsibility for both brands myself recently, and appointed a UK salesman who looks after both brands, it was a logical step to create the same position at an international level. Wiggy already knows his market inside out as far as KT is concerned, and he knows all of the Midas customers as well, so he is ideally placed to take on this role. In terms of logistics, it will also make life easier for our customers, as they will now have just the one point of contact for all Midas or Klark Teknik enquiries. Depending upon their geographical location, it will either be
UK - Allen & Heath has launched the latest version of the Windows based iDR Software Manager that configures hardware components into an integrated audio distribution system. Version 3.4 has been developed to provide even more flexibility, enabling communication with more third party equipment, allowing holistic control across linked systems, reducing the need for wiring and increasing system capacity with more available connections.
Version 3.4 has custom serial port settings and strings, which allow the iDR system to communicate with a wide variety of third party equipment, such as CD and DVD players, software programs, and alarm and lighting systems.
The new software also allows more PL remote control devices to be connected and uses chain/star configurations, which reduce the need for extensive wiring. The number of automated, programmable presets has been increased to 250, providing significantly more complex and flexible installations to be designed, especially when working with complex signal routing of many sources into many output zones.
It is also possible to gain universal management of larger systems involving a chain of iDR unit systems, as the software has been developed with bi-directional control between each unit group fader. More accurate management has also been enabled through the logging of significant events such as PL device connection or disconnection; logs are automatically generated and emailed to the operator. Other new features include ambient noise compensators, whereby output levels can be automatically adjusted to cater for differ
UK - Entertainment technology specialists Kelco UK Limited believe it is set to bend the collective ear of the UK clubbing scene with its most recent sound installation in Nottingham. Stealth is the latest club of note to open anywhere in the UK and aims to revitalize a club scene which many have claimed is on the verge of stalling. Details of the club and its exact style and content are a closely guarded secret.
Kelco managing director David Kelland commented: "I obviously can't comment on any other aspect of the club, but I can guarantee that the sound system that we have designed and installed is as good as it gets. There is no way that words and specifications alone will be able to do justice to the systems; it really is something that has to be experienced to appreciate what has been achieved."
The two main floors of Stealth will see the first UK installation of Funktion-One's new 'Dance Stack', powered by the latest generation of amplification from MC2. "In a dance club it is important that even though sound levels are high, they don't fatigue the listener. Funktion-One sound equipment is designed to enable a venue to deliver an experience that is ultimately exciting and exhilarating, but nevertheless allows customers to stay longer, spend more and therefore improve the venues turnover. The contract with Stealth is a result of Kelco, Funktion-One and industry specialist Jason Bacon working together to fully understand Stealth's objectives and then specify the best possible solution. It's the only way to work with clients," added Kelland.
UK / Germany - Cadac is celebrating 20 years of dedicated design for live sound applications, showing its S-Type Compact Live Production Console alongside the production version of the D16 Digital Input Mix Matrix on Stand 4433 at the 116th AES Convention, taking place in Berlin from 8-11 May 2004. The first Cadac theatre consoles came off the production line in 1984, with desks going onto the long-running musical Starlight Express, and to Broadway courtesy of Masque Sound.
20 years on, Cadac is focused on combining the best of digital and analogue technology in its latest generation designs, with the D16 going into production in Summer 2004 and plans for a full-scale integrated digital console to be announced later this year. Cadac's R&D team has worked closely with operators and sound designers to develop the D16 concept, majoring on extending the control facilities through Cadac's Sound Automation Manager (SAM) software. With the D16, SAM provides an essential extra tier of control - enabling users to create a virtual set of modules to reflect a traditional console layout, with the software "views" in turn providing live updates for real-time control of the D16 and operation of SAM's more conventional cue-based automation facilities.
The D16 provides a powerful and reliable digital engine that delivers the hallmark Cadac audio quality. The current unit is designed for operation as a stand-alone audio processor for smaller-scale performances or as an expansion mixer for existing analogue Cadac consoles. As an input expansion mixer for use with Cadac a
UK - Allen & Heath has appointed a new sales executive to manage UK sales activity at the company's headquarters in Cornwall. James Langridge, who has previously worked for BT and Natwest, will be responsible for liaising with Allen & Heath's network of dealers,providing them with product advice and support.
"I've been interested in music all my life and have been DJ'ing for the past five years. I bought a Xone:62 last year and play at a few club nights locally. Now, I'm proud to be working for the company that designed and made my mixer!"
(Lee Baldock)
Australia / Germany - ARX Systems, the Australian manufacturer of professional audio equipment has announced the formation of a strategic partnership with well-known German audio development company Algorithmix GmbH to develop, design and manufacture a range of specialist digital audio products under the 'ARX Digital' banner.
Based in Waldshut-Tiengen Germany, Algorithmix is headed by Christoph M. Musialik Ph.D, currently the European Chair of the AES Technical Committee for Signal Processing. Initial Products in the new DSP-based range will be released into the market in fourth quarter 2004.
(Lee Baldock)
USA - Reinforcing its position as a complete provider of state of the art audio networking technology, Biamp Systems, announced new additions at the NSCA (Booth #2623) to its Digital Audio Platform, that take its already impressive functionality to a new level. The addition of the TI-2 telephone interface card and the EXPI-D and EXPO-D digital I/O expanders enhance the power of the AudiaFLEX while maintaining its ease of use.
"The addition of these new technologies gives contractors and consultants ways to cost effectively expand the depth of functionality of a truly networked audio system while ensuring that it can be used at any level of facility," said Matt Czyzewski, VP of Technical Operations, Biamp Systems. "Now with the use of digital I/O expanders, our clients can accommodate the growing number of digital devices that need to be hooked to our networked systems, while the power of the TI-2 puts teleconferencing and audio networking at the operator's fingertips."
The new EXPI-D and EXPO-D expand the number of digital I/Os from the base of the user's current AudiaFLEX system. These expanders will accept digital signals that are prevalent in live sound applications, press feeds, consumer CDs and DVD players, any number of digital devices that are an increasing part of any commercial installation.
The expanders provide 8 channels of CobraNet capability and 8 channels of AES 3 (input or output). Consumer and professional gear can be interfaced with these expanders using the SPDIF or TOSLINK connectors. Also featured are eight channels o
UK - Fuzion plc has confirmed the sole UK distribution rights to a new European brand, t&m Systems, ending a two-year search. The extensive range of complementary loudspeakers and amplifiers has been part-engineered to meet the requirements of the UK market. "The Fuzion policy has always been to embellish our product portfolio in communication with our customer base," said sales and marketing director, Paul Ward. "It has been a constant source of frustration that a gap has existed below our Nexo range, and thus a huge market requirement in the bar, AV and small installation sectors has remained unfulfilled."
But now that looks set to change. "We've been searching constantly for the right partnership and t&m have been sufficiently flexible to allow us design input - which means that products, such as the t&m8 Pro, will be based around our customers needs."
Ward is also reassured by the long relationship his company has enjoyed with German distributor Trius GmbH, whose managing director, Hubert Dierselhuis, is also one of the principals behind t&m Systems. Fuzion's brief to the t&m engineers had been for a range of matched products, combining acoustic fidelity, flexibility and economic sense. All systems are manufactured to ISO9002 standards.
Complementing the SA and SA Pro series of amplifiers are the t&m8, t&m 102 and t&m 122 full-range loudspeakers, t&m 212 and t&m 215 subs and t&m SC system controller. Stylish looking and smooth sounding, they also come with practical mounting accessories to make them installer-friendly.
Also
USA - California's largest resort-casino, the Pechanga Resort & Casino, owned and operated by the Pechanga Native American Indian Tribe in Temecula, recently overhauled the audio system in its Showroom Theater with the addition of a new L-Acoustics V-Dosc concert system. The system design and installation was a collaborative effort between Muzak's Riverside-based systems division and AMT Systems of Santa Clarita.
The 1,200-seat venue, which has hosted performances from the likes of Olivia Newton-John, The Temptations, Hall & Oates, Kenny Loggins, George Carlin and Chicago in the past couple of months, now boasts a stereo, four-way loudspeaker system with six V-Dosc cabinets per side. Additionally, a total of 16 SB118 single-18" sub cabinets are located down on the stage, and all systems are powered by L-Acoustics' LA 48a amplifiers.
Muzak senior systems consultant Daryl Ballou, who has worked with the Pechanga Showroom Theater and many other casinos in southern California through Starway Productions, tells how V-Dosc was chosen. "Starway Productions had been hanging another manufacturer's rig in the room for a while and Pechanga was actually thinking about purchasing it because it sounded good. However, some of the larger acts coming through were insisting on using their own loudspeakers, which meant we had to pull ours down, fly theirs for a night, and then put ours back up.
"After Starway Productions president Alex Sukov and I researched the question of what loudspeakers Pechanga should purchase, we told them that if they put in a V-Dosc sys
USA - A new company has been formed to chronicle, produce and distribute a shared history of production touring from the perspective of industry professionals. Roadcases, founded by Paul Dexter and Larry McNeny, is in its early stages of development, beginning with a website along with a new idea for a cable television series and a future book.
Dexter has been writing steadily in American industry magazines since early 2000. "I wrote an article early on called 'Is there Life After Rock'n'Roll Touring?'" says Dexter. "After touring, going out into the real world with rock'n'roll attitude was a huge shock. I need freakin' therapy now and I've discovered that I'm not the only one."
McNeny and Dexter met on Ozzy Osbourne's 'Diary of a Madman' Tour in 1981-82. McNeny was the tour manager, as he had been for the BeeGees and Eric Clapton, and Dexter was Ozzy's lighting designer, having finished a two-year stint with Rick James. The pair remained in contact, even through remarkable career changes and locations.
In January of this year, McNeny rang Dexter and asked if he would be interested in developing a cable TV pilot, that would feature road tales, but told first hand, interview style, by touring road crew. "In retrospect, it seems like we were developing the idea the whole time and didn't realize it," says Dexter. "We would ask each other 'have you heard from Rob' or 'what's happened to'?"
"The character and personalities of people that tour are unique," says McNeny. "We want to capture the accounts of some
USA - Apogee Sound International has selected Metalfx Inc as its lead manufacturing and assembly partner for its full range of professional loudspeaker and electronics products. With the next ISO audit in May at the Metalfx facilities, the production of Apogee loudspeakers will be included in the Metalfx ISO 9001 certification. Located north of San Francisco in Willits, California, the company has over 150 employees and two world-class production facilities covering over 220,000 sqft. It's customers include companies such as Agilent, Ciena and Hewlett Packard. "We're excited to add Apogee to our distinguished client list," said Gordon Short, president of Metalfx, "and proud to partner with a company respected for quality that is second to none".
Prior to moving production from Apogee's Petaluma facility to Metalfx' facility in Willits, engineers from both companies worked together to enhance Apogee's build-to-order quality engineering and production processes. Digital documentation of Apogee's entire build process now forms the foundation of this enhanced manufacturing process and is backstopped by Metalfx's advanced Statistical Process Control (SPC). Traditional pin-routers, once the workhorse of Apogee's wood machining process, have been replaced with precision CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) routers, enabling the achievement of consistently higher tolerances, and an even better performing product. Apogee's proprietary painting process has been re-engineered and upgraded to include a turnkey trolley system and an advanced heat curing stag
UK - Sennheiser UK announced the launch of the Sennheiser TourGuide EK 1035 Receiver at the Museums & Heritage Show, which runs from the 12 - 13 May at Earls Court. The EK 1035 is a body-pack receiver, designed to ensure flexible and reliable UHF transmission.
Featuring 10 receiving channels, this compact receiver is ideal for multi-channel set-ups and can be used with any transmitter from the extensive evolution wireless series including the new evolution G2 products, recently launched by Sennheiser.
Accessories for the EK 1035 includes the L1035 charger, with the facility to daisy-chain up to four chargers, and the NT 1035-UK plug-in mains unit, which accommodates up to four L 1035 Chargers. Sennheiser will also be showing a wide range of Infrared, TourGuide, GuidePort and SDC (Sennheiser Digital Conference) products at the Show.
Simon Jones, business area manager for Installation and Conference, together with other members of Sennheiser's technical and sales team will be on-hand to assist and discuss applications in detail.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
UK/Germany - PA/VA manufacturer Millbank announced the appointment of Atlantic Audio as German distributor for their expansive product portfolio at Pro Light + Sound 2004 in Frankfurt.
Millbank has been a driving force in public address and voice alarm systems since its inception in 1967 and over the years has become synonymous with innovation and quality with thousands of installations across the globe.
Benefiting recently from its acquisition by Ampekko Ltd, Millbank continues to set a precedent for ground breaking solutions, which are all compliant with UK and European Cenelec, standards, namely BS5839 pt8 and EN60849. Complementing Atlantic Audio's portfolio of leading edge pro audio products that includes Renkus-Heinz and XTA, Millbank offers products for both centralized and digital networked systems.
From London's Underground networks through to Harrods, Chase Manhattan Bank, Westminster Cathedral and Canary Wharf, The company has offered solutions for some of the most challenging projects.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
UK - Creative sound and installation specialists CP Sound has completed a comprehensive audio and AV refit at Bootsy Brogan's bar and restaurant venue in Fulham, West London. The themed Irish-style venue is owned by Glendola Leisure, for which CP Sound has completed several other projects. Bootsy's Fulham has proved such a popular and busy site that the original sound system was unable to serve the space as it now functions.
CP Sound's Colin Pattenden first troubleshot the venue. He sampled it at several times of the day, including extensively during peak capacity, and then came up with the new sound design for the background music system which features a wide variety of musical styles and genres!
He decided to add new JBL Control 28 speakers across four zones, plus additional bass bins under the seating. The Control 28's were chosen for acoustics, size, reliability and cost-effectiveness. It was also an important part of the brief to increase the system's headroom without installing massive and intrusive cabinets, "The project was straightforward and tricky at the same time" states Pattenden, himself an active musician, and renowned for having one of the best pairs of ears in the installation business.
The original custom-built CP Sound bass bins still remain at Bootsy's, and are now augmented with some new, updated versions, again bespoke, to fill the space. CP installed a Cloud Xoner to split the audio into four sections, and re-tuned and optimized the whole system.
The company also supplied a new BenQ projector, and a six-foot high, electric rol
Italy / Sweden - With the valuable collaboration of B I Dalenbäck of CATT of Gothenburg, Sweden, the R&D department of Italian manufacturer Outline has designed and tested a software interface for the powerful CATT-Acoustic acoustic modelling program,with which it is possible to design, configure and simulate the performance of Outline's Butterfly series vertical line arrays in any configuration.
Outline has designed this plug-in for the CATT-Acoustic DLL Directivity Interface (DDI) which, called up by the program when required, offers designers accurate modelling capabilities for complex systems, based on every conceivable VLA configuration of elements from the Butterfly range, including a combination of Hi-Pack and Low-Pack units.
Results achieved by the DLL, based on proprietary modelling techniques for the simulation of linear rather than single-point sources, have been carefully checked by means of measurements carried out and via BEM simulation with Matlab. The new DLL will be released by CATT.
(Lee Baldock)
UK - In just two short years since the Legend 3000 started shipping in March 2002, the landmark 500th console has rolled off the production line and graced the Midas stand at ProLight & Sound 2004. Immediately after the show it was on its way, destined for Palestine where it is to be installed into The Ramallah Cultural Centre on the West Bank.
While Palestine is bound to raise eyebrows as a destination as it remains one of the world's most politically unstable areas, this sale is typical of the new markets that Legend has enabled Midas to penetrate. The perfect multifunctional console, the Legend 3000 is the world's only console that can mix monitors from front-of-house without compromise; perfect for live music clubs, conference centres or theatres. In addition to performing both functions simultaneously, Legend also handles dedicated FoH or monitor applications equally well; flexibility is the key at the mid-range price point, making the console doubly attractive to rental companies. The popularity of the desk is aided by the inclusion of XL4 preamps and XL3 EQ that ensures that traditional Midas sound.
According to Midas and Klark Teknik director of sales and marketing David Cooper: "Legend has been a clear success, the 500th console within such a short period of time is a figure that makes us justifiably proud, it goes to show that there is a huge demand for consoles in market segments where Legend's distinctive features has set it apart from the competition and has given the user the unique ability to provide a solution for just about any application.
USA - Mike Wood, former chief technology officer at High End Systems Inc, has founded a consulting company, Mike Wood Consulting LLC, based in Austin, Texas. The company's main focus is to work with clients on new technology implementation and R&D strategy, new product definition and evaluation, and intellectual property (IP) specifically as it applies to the entertainment technology industry.
Wood, an industry veteran, has led technology development and has been responsible for the technology strategy, R&D, standards and IP in many different companies. His career spans more than 25 years with firms varying in size from 10 to 25,000 employees and for the past 20 of those years he has been at the senior or executive management level. During his career he has worked for both start-up and established companies and has been a member of executive teams responsible for acquisitions and turn-arounds.
Wood is also currently serving as the president of the Entertainment Services & Technology Association (ESTA) and is a past chairman of the Professional Lighting & Sound Association (PLASA) in the UK.
(Lee Baldock)