UK - Country and leisure park operators, Park Leisure, recently undertook a £2m upgrade to its Amble Links 'owners-only' holiday park on the Northumberland coast - part of the Granary Leisure Complex.

Preferred AV integrators, Promotiontime NE, carried out the technology design and fit-out of its main entertainment area, The Links Owners Only Bar & Entertainment Lounge, as well as the refurbished Old Storehouse restaurant/bar, turning exclusively to a Martin Audio AQ solution for all its requirements.

Brian Graham, who took over Promotiontime NE 10 years ago, has been a frequent user of Martin Audio systems over the years, and in particular the Blackline series - but the compact AQ architectural range has opened up a number of new opportunities for him.

"Martin Audio is generally our 'go to' brand for most requirements above a basic bar, and I would probably have

UK - Scrub, a division of HHB Communications Ltd. specialising in serving the post production industry, has supplied a full Dante networking solution to Clearcut Sound Studios' audio post production facilities.

The recent upgrade to Clearcut Sound Studios includes the installation of a Dante audio networking system, providing real-time audio routing between four mix rooms and studio computers. Dante, an IP based audio transmission format, is capable of supporting 100s of digital audio channels at resolutions up to 24-bit uncompressed, and sample rates up to 96kHz.

Scrub also supplied Clearcut with HP Z820 studio computers configured with Yamaha AIC128-D Dante Accelerator PCI Express audio interface cards, and Yamaha MY-16-AUD Dante expansion cards which are fitted to their DM2000 mixing consoles. All of the Dante interfaces are connected to a Gigabit Ethernet switch with stand

UK - Following on from a successful KV2 supplement to their hire inventory for last year's 42nd Street tour, Blitz Communications have further invested in the brand for the current Fiddler on the Roof tour featuring Paul Michael Glazer.

Chris Jordan at Blitz communications had utilised many brands over the years, but feeling audio quality had generally declined in favour of convenience, he was looking to buck the trend and move forwards with something that offered a more musical solution, but presented in a modern way. Along with Ross Portway, who had worked on the successful 42nd Street design, they arranged for Richard Brooker, the Sound designer for Fiddler on the Roof, to be introduced to the KV2 Audio brand.

"I was asked to have a listen to KV2 Audio by a colleague and went along to a very impressive demonstration," says Brooker. "I fou

USA - From hosting NHL and NBA All-Star Games to serving as the home arena for all Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche home games, Colorado's Pepsi Centre also welcomes a wide variety of concerts, extreme sports events, and conventions every year, including the Democratic National Convention in 2008. With this many high-profile events, the Pepsi Centre requires in-house audio equipment that can produce quality sound and withstand a variety of use-cases in a crowded RF downtown Denver environment.

Responsible for the facility's recent audio upgrade and installation was LVW Electronics, a Colorado-based company specializing in providing professional and commercial audio solutions. LVW and its lead engineers chose to install Shure Axient Wireless Management Network when owners of the Pepsi Centre contracted the company. The team selected Axient for two reasons: Shure's reputation

UK - Audio-Technica has confirmed its appointment as UK distributor for acoustic treatment manufacturer Vicoustic. With immediate effect, the company will assume responsibility for sales and marketing of the Portugese brand's acoustic solutions throughout the UK.

Based in Paços de Ferreira near Porto, Vicoustic is respected for its wide range of absorption, diffusion and basstrap acoustic treatments which cater to the music and broadcast, hi-fi and home cinema and building and construction markets. The research-lead manufacturer has strategic partnerships with universities and scientific institutes and works with some of Europe's leading acoustic engineers in the creation of its award-winning product line.

Commenting on the new agreement, Audio-Technica marketing director Robert Morgan-Males said, "We are delighted to be taking on distribution for Vicoustic in the UK - i

UK - In early March audio rental company Capital Sound made its way to London's Bloomsbury Ballroom to provide the sound for an exclusive gig with Kylie Minogue, part of MasterCard's Priceless London, a series of exclusive offers for MasterCard holders to enjoy unique experiences.

Kylie's 45-minute set included songs from her new album Kiss Me Once, as well as some of her best-loved hits and featured a full band and four dancers.

Capital supplied Martin Audio's new MLA Mini system, which comprised main-hangs of eight MLA Mini, with side-hangs of four MLA Mini.

"This was only the second outing for us with the new system," says Capital's general manager Paul Timmins. "It was the perfect tool for the job, as the room had low clearance and lightweight ground support. Weight loading was very limited, but the system weighed in at just under 200kg per side.&qu

UAE - Nicolaos M Kyvernitis Electronics Ent, the designated Shure Axient distributor in the Middle East, has recently supplied Axient wireless system to Sharjah TV, mainstream media in Sharjah, UAE.

The system purchased by Sharjah TV consists of six channels of AXT400 receiver units, six AXT100 Axient Bodypack Transmitters and four AXT200 Axient Handheld Frequency Diversity Transmitters with KSM9 capsule. The complete system, including Spectrum Manager, Show link Access point, Rechargeable solution, Antenna distribution and a road-ready wireless Ethernet switch, offers the complete Axient features.

Since its establishment in 1989, by Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Sharjah TV has been deeply concerned with the Arabic language and national identity. It highlights both environment and community issues, and follows up the country's activities, giving special attention to

Canada - Heard by thousands of people through live audiences, simulcasts, webcasts and recordings, and millions more through online video engines, the annual TED Conference in Vancouver requires gear that matches its prestige. With discussions that address a wide range of topics within the research and practice of science and culture, microphones are vital to all TED audiences. To provide the ultimate in sound quality for presenters and performers at TED2014, technical team from McCune Audio/Video, the symposium's sound services company, relies on DPA Microphones' classic 4088 Directional Headset Microphones and d:screet 4060 Omnidirectional Microphone.

TED2014 marks the second time that DPA Microphones is part of the audio setup for the conference. The McCune Audio team used the same selection of mics at last year's event because of the high-quality audio of both mics and comfo

UK - Allen & Heath has released a new firmware update for its Qu Series of compact digital mixers. Downloadable from the website, v1.4 introduces several new features, including multiple access user permissions, Windows drivers for multitrack streaming, per scene recall filters and FX user libraries.

V1.4 includes the much anticipated Windows drivers, enabling bit-perfect, ASIO and WDM compliant multitrack playback and recording.

New user permissions enable three types of user - admin, standard and basic - with different levels of access, for example, for volunteers operators in houses of worship, or guest engineers visiting venues. The Admin user has access to all functions and can protect selected functions and allocate passwords if required for the other users.

Other new additions include per Scene Recall Filters, FX User Libraries, RTA Peak Band indication, and Qu-Drive

UK - The Roland VR-50HD Multi Format AV Mixer has been chosen by Churchill College, Cambridge as the AV hub for their main lecture theatre that is used for academic lectures and college events as well as for commercial conferences and presentations.

The 'all in one' design of the VR-50HD and the fact that it could be operated by one person provided AV Manager Tim Cooper with the perfect front end solution for lecture capture, live streaming and recording - saving him time, space and money. Supplied to Churchill College by ProActive of Hemel Hempstead, the VR-50HD is used as a standalone hub to connect cameras, live stream to 'virtual' delegates and record in HD for the college archive. At the same time, the VR-50HD is processing the presentation content and displaying to a screen via a projector connected to the RGB output.

The ability of the VR-50HD to deal with a variety of

UK - The next generation of System reality from d&b audiotechnik has arrived from Stuttgart; there's simply no substitute for getting close up and familiar with these new arrivals at PLASA Focus, Leeds 29-30 April, held once again at The Royal Armouries.

First up on the who's who list of must-haves for all d&b users is Venue Editor in the d&b ArrayCalc simulation software. Responding to feedback, the new software update allows users to create virtual venues with astonishing accuracy: every curve and little nuance of a space can be reproduced along balconies or obstacles that need to be considered.

Leeds is the first public outing in the UK for the eagerly anticipated D80 amplifier. In conjunction with ArrayCalc and the latest version or R1 Remote control software V2, the D80 represents the culmination of a long development programme. A slimmer visual appearance belies the incr

UK - Located in the picturesque Wiltshire town of Bradford on Avon, the Wiltshire Music Centre was founded in 1998 by a local group who recognised the area's need for a professional performance and rehearsal space. One of the first new builds funded by a National Lottery award via the Arts Council, the centre now enjoys a reputation as professional concert hall of exceptional quality rooted in community participation and involvement.

The purpose-built 300-seat concert hall has recently undergone a major upgrade to its audio systems in partnership with Autograph Sales & Installations. Led by the company's new business engineer Phil Nicolaou, the project centred on the specification and installation of a new front-of-house loudspeaker system and included an upgrade to the existing mixing console, new equipment racks and mains power management systems.

Phil takes up the story: &q

Australia - Sydney company Final Mix Post specialise in broadcast audio. If you've watched any top rating Australian reality or talent show in the last couple of years, you've heard their work. Active in both Sydney and Melbourne, their skills have been deployed to handle aspiring singers and the celebrities that judge them, and amateur cooks and the chefs that challenge them.

Capturing audio from unscripted judging panels or multiple game show contestants is difficult; if you leave all microphones open, the mix gets noisy, if you turn someone down when they're not talking, you might miss them when they speak unexpectedly. Broadcast doesn't get second chances, so it has to be right the first time. That's why Final Mix Post use their Studer Vista 5 digital mixer with VistaMix automatic mixing.

John Simpson of Final Mix Post is a long-time user of Studer mixers. "They sound

USA - Arup and McCune recently reinforced the Vancouver TED2014 conference with Meyer Sound's M'elodie. For its 30th anniversary, the TED conference moved from its long-time Long Beach location to a custom-built, 1,200-seat theatre at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Canada. Luminaries participating at the five-day event included Sting, Bill and Melinda Gates, and Tim Berners-Lee, best known as the inventor of the World Wide Web.

As was the case in the former location, a Meyer Sound M'elodie line array loudspeaker system was chosen to provide the audio clarity needed for an audience who came to be engaged and inspired.

"The M'elodies have treated me well since we first started using them six years ago," says Erik Sandberg, long-time FOH engineer for the event. "Their intelligibility is exceptional, which is critical because some TED presenters are soft-spoken,

USA - Justin Timberlake has again selected Montreal's Solotech as the audio provider for his "20/20 Experience" world tour. To ensure the tour's success, the sound company has in turn designated Shure as its primary wireless supplier. The 2014 tour, which began in January, is currently in its second leg with dates across North America.

Solotech RF technician Éric Marchand is currently on the road with the band. "I've been working as a touring wireless specialist for the last six years," he says. "A major tour uses so many frequencies these days, and production designs have become so demanding, you don't want to leave anything to chance."

The tour employs 10 channels of Shure Axient wireless for backing vocals and the horn section, plus four dual-channel Shure UHF-R bodypack systems on all guitars and bass. With the exception of Justin's voc

USA - The first ever Audient ASP4816 in the South Pacific has been installed at The Analogue Café, a self-professed 'old fashioned recording studio' which prides itself on being a bit different. As the southernmost recording studio in the USA, boasting an enviable view over the Pacific Ocean from its lofty position some 1500m up the largest active volcano in the world, Mauna Loa, it's certainly that.

How did they decide on the British-made ASP4816 mixing desk? Studio owner Eric Malamud was keen to ensure that The Analogue Café lives up to its name, and his research into analogue gear led him straight to Audient. Discovering that console designer David Dearden is Audient's co-founder piqued his interest. "I already own a vintage Midas XL200, so I'm a Dearden fan by default," confesses Malamud.

General manager and in-house technician Robert Unger is happy

India - E & E Systems (India) Pvt Ltd has designed and installed a Community loudspeaker system for the Puma Social Club in Indiranagar, Bangalore, operated by the world leading sports brand of the same name. India's third most populous city, Bangalore is the capital city of the Indian state of Karnataka, located on the Deccan Plateau in the southeastern part of Karnata

The Puma Social Club, located above the Puma store on Indiranagar's busiest street, provides the community with a unique venue incorporating restaurants, bars and artistic space for the country's most prolific DJs and artists. With indoor and outdoor spaces, the multi-storey club's open areas take full advantage of the region's climate to create an atmospheric night environment.

For the main dance and bar areas, E & E Systems chose a combination of Community VERIS 1596, two-way 15-inch and VERIS 8, two-way 8-in

Royalties Record - Musicians in the UK earned £665.7m in royalties last year, according to PRS for Music. The organisation, which pays musicians when their songs are played on radio, or in concert, said revenues had increased 3.7% in the last year.

A rise in international demand for UK television shows and streaming services helped 2013's increase in revenue across Europe, North America and Australia. Online revenues reached £61.2m in 2013, an increase of 18.3%, which was helped by new and renewed deals with the likes of Deezer and YouTube.

The Last Time - The final Monty Python reunion show at the O2 Arena in London on 20 July will be "the last time we'll be working together", Michael Palin has said. The comedy troupe will not go on tour and will go their separate ways after 10 London performances, he said. Palin told the BBC, "20 July will b

Belgium - Paul Van Hees, former director and founder of Apex Audio NV, has joined forces with Hendrik-Jan Gielis, an electronics engineer who was formerly in charge hardware at Apex, to create GiVa Audiovisual Technologies BVBA. The new company has purchased all the assets and IP rights of the Apex brand as well as the production facilities and all the stock, and has already started shipping.

"We created GiVa with the sole intention of continuing the Apex brand," declared Van Hees. "Whilst the collapse of Apex as a distribution/integration company was a devastating time for us all, it was no reflection on the Apex product line itself, and I really wanted to find a way to save the brand."

Apex has a 20-year history of manufacturing high quality signal processing and system control devices with the most recent being the Intelli-Series range of digital system

USA - At NAB 2014 in Las Vegas, audio specialist Sennheiser has announced its support for the Dante multi-channel audio networking standard.

"By joining this standard, we will be able to optimally cater to our customers in the broadcasting and live sound worlds," explained Claus Menke, head of portfolio management pro for Sennheiser's Professional Division. The first product to make use of the network technology will be the company's Digital 9000 wireless microphone system. A Dante-enabled expansion card for the receiver will be launched in summer 2014.

Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG signed the Dante License Agreement with Audinate Pty Ltd at the end of March, just ahead of NAB. In 2013, Sennheiser had signed the RAVENNA Partnership Agreement with ALC NetworX GmbH, following in the footsteps of its subsidiary Georg Neumann GmbH. Sennheiser has also been a member

UK - The POLARaudio team alongside manufacturers XTA & MC2 recently staged a very successful and well-received event at John Henry's in London, where the latest gear from Mackie, beyerdynamic, Ampeg, Gallien-Krueger, Aviom, ASL Intercom and MC2 / XTA took centre stage.

A combination of live demonstrations and product training sessions presented those in attendance with the perfect opportunity to experience the full potential of new audio technology from across the range of POLARaudio's industry-leading brands. Using the facilities of a rehearsal studio environment, the sessions focussed on a hands-on, detailed exploration of the products, for the benefit of POLARaudio's MI and hire and rental customers.

Education and training is seen by POLARaudio as an important element in driving sales. A thorough understanding of the products on offer is key to the success of sales teams in

USA - Professional Wireless Systems (PWS), a Masque Sound Company and experts in supplying and supporting wireless systems for live and broadcast events, has announced that Evan Hall has been hired as project manager. Hall will oversee and coordinate frequencies for a variety of PWS events that require the expert frequency coordination and management needed in today's congested RF landscape. He will be an integral part of the development of future plans focusing on all PWS' business divisions.

"Evan's wealth of industry knowledge and experience in managing audio and wireless for large events will be a great asset to PWS," says PWS general manager Jim Van Winkle. "Evan will be called upon to make a positive impact on our business, as well as help grow and maintain PWS' standing as an industry leader. We are pleased to welcome him to the team."

Hall brings mo

UK - Orbital Sound will be showcasing its world-class portfolio of sound and communication systems on Stand No: RD14-15 at PLASA Focus, taking place at The Royal Armouries in Leeds, from 29-30 April. Among the "firsts" on show for 2014 will be Flare Audio's new SM15 Stage Monitor and X5 Vertical Point Source Array system, part of the company's innovative range of loudspeaker designs based on Waveform Integrity.

As a long-standing d&b audiotechnik UK Sales and Installation Partner, Orbital is spotlighting the new high-power high-density D80 amplifier, designed for both mobile and installation applications. Also on show will be other examples from the innovative Black & White product series, which include the T-Series small line array, the B4 Passive cardioid subwoofer, and a wide cross-section of solutions for professional touring and fixed installations.

Other innova

Japan - New Year time is always busy in Japan, since adopting the Julian calendar every city sees bustling streets and busy shoppers; it makes for quite some noise. Yet this year Japan just got a little bit louder.

"Here at MSI we have had a strong investment in d&b audiotechnik loudspeaker systems for some time," said Shuzo Fujii, CEO of MSI Japan. "We had been eagerly awaiting the new D80 amplifier having attended initial trials at the d&b headquarters in Germany. So we ordered the first twenty amplifiers to arrive in Japan and set them immediately to work."

MSI put the D80s onto a very specific live show environment. "It was theTokyo Dome," as their chief systems technician Yuki Natori explained. "The D80 is designed to drive all the different d&b loudspeaker Series. An unbelievably efficient amplifier, the level of improvements it brings

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