Business News

SmartAV Announces New Asia presence to Promote Tango

Sydney-based Smart AV, designers and manufacturers of the latest Smart Console Tango, are now expanding their business in Asia. Tango was launched in July 2008 and having previously focused on sales in US and Europe, SmartAV are keen to promote Tango across Asia Pacific, and have now set up a sales and marketing office in Singapore.

Tango is the most intuitive workstation controller available and distributors in the region are already excited by it following demos at NAMM last month, and with its competitive price Tango should be well received in cost sensitive Asia.

Says David Hannay of SmartAV: "We are excited about the opportunities Asia presents and so setting up this venture in Singapore is really important to us. Following NAMM, the initial response to Tango has been extremely positive. For budget conscious buyers who need a professional system, Tango is very good value for money. Its large scale mixing and editing capabilities combined with its patented ARC Technology make it a unique tool for post-production or music recording and composition."

Ken Tovich, based in Singapore and driving sales and marketing in the region is buoyed by the customer response: "Tango is a powerful control surface with extensive features and capabilities unique to Tango. Users will notice improvements in their workflow and a great visual overview of multiple channel settings. It is an unbeatable production tool that professional and home users across Asia are going to love.

"We are now in the process of appointing distributors in key countries across Asia including Indonesia, India, Singapore, and showcasing Tango at key exhibitions and tradeshows across the region," adds Tovich.

In picture: David Hannay and Ken Tovich

DPA Launches New Website

DPA has launched a new website. It retains the large amount of information and resources from the previous site, including the Microphone University, which provides useful information about microphone design, interfacing, stereo and surround techniques and recording in general, as well as product information, user stories and distributor info.

Additionally, the site has undergone a complete redesign, bringing it up-to-date and consistent with DPA's corporate branding, advertising and trade show visuals. Graphics are bolder and improved, and the site features new product photography throughout.

"We wanted to make our website even more user friendly, with a good search function, easy navigation and well-organised content," says Anne Berggrein, head of marketing at DPA. "We've made better use of the images, upgraded the search engine and included an on-the-fly product sheet generator and flash catalogue page flip. We'll be continuously improving the site with new features to constantly improve the user experience, including a more in-depth product guide to help users choose the most suitable mic, samples of recordings, and application videos."

DPA Microphones also has a new page on Facebook where it will be posting news, info, photos and videos.

Cadac Purchased by Soundking Group of China

A formal announcement has been made by Mr Xianggui Wang, president and founder of the Soundking Group Company Limited of Ningbo, China, to confirm that it has acquired the assets, trademark and intellectual property of Cadac Electronics plc with immediate effect. Under the ownership of Soundking Group, all 25 Cadac employees are being retained, with R&D and production continuing to be based in the UK.

The purchase forms a key part of Soundking Group's ongoing strategic investment plan, as Mr Wang explains: "I am personally delighted that I have been able to bring the world-famous Cadac brand and its outstanding products into the Soundking Group. I am also extremely happy that we have been able to retain all Cadac employees and to protect their jobs in this time of economic uncertainty. The Cadac R&D team will form the European core of Soundking Group's global R&D effort, enabling us to draw on Cadac's high level of expertise in analogue and digital audio and translate this into new products across the Group."

Bob Thomas has been appointed as general manager of the new operating company, Cadac Holdings Limited, and comments: "The last few months have been a difficult time for all of us - for our employees, our customers and our suppliers. Now that we have got through this period, the future looks extremely bright, and we will be working quickly to re-establish Cadac in its core markets. Soundking Group is investing $6m in Cadac and in new product development, highlighting its commitment and belief in the market opportunity presented by our top quality global brand. For Cadac, the great news is that now we have the Soundking Group's financial backing, we will be able to accelerate that programme and in particular, put the S-Digital console back on schedule. Our digital R&D team is 100% focused on starting production in the summer of 2009 - it's a great start to the year! On a personal note, I am delighted that we have been able to retain all our staff and that manufacturing of Cadac consoles will remain in the UK - an appropriate factor in this, Cadac's 40th year. With the Soundking Group's financial strength, new access to the fast-growing pro-audio market in China and the support of our existing customers and distributors, we are looking forward to a period of major sales growth."

Cadac reports a strong forward order book, including analogue desks destined for Russia, Germany, Korea and China within the next few weeks. The company is also focusing on staging a strong presence at this year's Prolight + Sound show in Frankfurt, taking place in early April.

The Soundking Group Company Limited has been established for more than 20 years, and is headquartered in Ningbo, close to Shanghai. One of China's leading audio manufacturers, Soundking Group has an extensive range of innovative, market-leading products and was a major supplier for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

Outline's Newly Appointed Chinese Distributor

Italian pro audio manufacturer Outline has appointed Shoushan system integration Ltd as its sole distributor for China, Hong Kong and Macao, with effect from 1st January 2009.

Since its foundation, Shoushan system integration Ltd, headquartered in Guangzhou Panyu, has been committed to the professional audio field, and has gradually developed a comprehensive range of professional equipment sales, engineering design, installation and commissioning, after-sales services, as befit an integrated corporate structure.

The key market areas Shoushan system integration targets are venues, theatres, radio and television broadcasters, multi-function halls, meeting, conference and exhibition centres, theme parks, airport terminals and mobile applications. Its business scope includes: full responsibility for internationally renowned audio equipment products, including mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao branding, sales, after-sales and technical support.

This enables the firm to provide professional sound reinforcement system design, installation, commissioning and training facilities, as well as support for dealers and integrators participating in domestic large/medium-sized audio engineering projects, from system design to equipment purchase, installation and commissioning etc. thus ensuring all-round support.

The company's CEO Mr. Tempo has been committed to China's audio industry for many years, holding key sales positions with top Chinese and International brands since 1991.

Shoushan system integration has always been committed to bringing foreign professional audio sound reinforcement products and technology to China, also ensuring services combining Chinese and western sound reinforcement technology.

The company considers it a great honour to become part of a world-renowned brand: Outline, "a company that in Shoushan's opinion ensures ‘the supremacy of credibility', as the firm has a corporate approach enabling it to build on Outline's reputation, thus furthering its work in the avant-garde of the professional audio field."

First Australian Midas PRO6 Sold to Osmond Electronics of Adelaide

Bosch Security Systems Australia has sold the country's first Midas PRO6 Live Audio System to Osmond Electronics. This follows a tradition of firsts for Adelaide-based company, which also bought the first Midas XL3 and XL200 consoles in the country during the nineties.

Osmond specified their PRO6 with the DL431 Input splitter and DL451 I/O box usually supplied with the XL8. The DL431 will allow a total of five output splits from a single input with dual variable gain pre-amps providing both digital and analogue splits, with an additional transformer isolated analogue output as the fifth split. Increased functionality will also be provided by the DL451 I/O box by way of remote inputs and outputs for the system, in addition to the DL451 I/O cards fitted into the PRO6 surface. Each DL451 box and the PRO6 surface contain three module slots that allow input and output modules to be changed and moved around within the system.

The Osmond PRO6 will join an existing inventory of Midas analogue consoles including XL200, XL3, Heritage 3000, Venice and Verona consoles as well as a large collection of Klark Teknik outboard.

In picture:  Osmond operations manager Kostas Psorakis and production manager Mike Longmire with their new Midas PRO6.

Chauvet Launches New Web Site

Hollywood, FL-based Chauvet recently launched a completely redesigned and enhanced web site with a fresh, edgy appearance, a user-friendly format and expanded content.

"The updated and fresh site reflects our commitment to stay innovative and ahead of the curve as a leader in professional lighting," said CEO Albert Chauvet.

The new site, at www.chauvetlighting.com, is visually more appealing and easier to navigate, yet provides more user-oriented information and expanded product information.

Notable changes include a search engine, a product Quick Find, a dealer locator and the addition of tabs that lead visitors to specific product ranges suited for the particulars of the different markets Chauvet  targets: club/DJ, production and architectural. Such differentiation is crucial because Chauvet caters to a wide range of users, from mobile DJs to touring LDs and architectural installers, under one single brand name.

"We felt it was imperative to segment our products in ways that would minimize the time our diverse clients spend researching and finding products relevant to a particular application," Chauvet said.

Lab.gruppen Acquires Dolby Lake Processor Technology and Lake Brand

Lab.gruppen has announced its acquisition of the Lake trademarks and the exclusive rights for use of Dolby Lake Processor (DLP) technology for both touring and permanent sound reinforcement markets, from Dolby Laboratories, Inc.

The technology currently referred to as "DLP technology" as used in the PLM Series will, in the future, be called ‘Lake technology or Lake Processing'. The Dolby Lake Controller (DLC) PLM Edition software will be forthwith known as ‘Lake Controller software' as new versions of the software are expected to be compatible with both the stand alone DLPs as well as the PLM Series products.

Lake technology is used in several successful products including the original Lake products, Mesa Quad EQ and Contour; the Dolby Lake Processor from Dolby Laboratories and the PLM Series Powered Loudspeaker Management systems. Specifically, this agreement allows Lab.gruppen to further develop the Lake Controller software and firmware and to utilize the Lake brand name and allied technologies in Lab.gruppen-branded and stand-alone products for use in the Touring and Permanent Sound Reinforcement markets as demands dictate. Lab.gruppen has secured exclusive access to the source code and algorithms for these markets that are at the heart of the DLP and PLM and this will allow the company to create further generations of the programs for use with existing Dolby Lake Processors and with the company's PLM Series of Powered Loudspeaker Management systems.

"This is a significant step for our company," stated Tomas Lilja, managing director at Lab.gruppen. "Having the exclusive rights to the Lake technology in these markets allows Lab.gruppen to continue developing the Lake software and firmware for use in our own products and all the thousands of DLPs out there. We are sure the market will be happy to hear that.

"Lab.gruppen is extremely pleased to have acquired the very well respected Lake brand name," continues Lilja. "We see this as very important to the future growth of Lab.gruppen. Although the Lake brand will be developed separately from Lab.gruppen, the technology will have its own life within our organization. Lake technology will form the backbone of all future iterations of our unique Powered Loudspeaker Management systems. We are also very aware of the demand for stand-alone processing and assessing this market is high on our agenda. We are hoping that, through our support of the existing DLP user base - with software updates and new features - and via the increasing number of PLM customers, we can swiftly research new product development possibilities."

"Over the last few years Lab.gruppen has been a trusted partner of Dolby and we have recognized their commitment to supporting the live sound industry," said John Carey, vice president, worldwide sales, products and services, Dolby Laboratories. "As we pass the live sound torch to Lab.gruppen we are confident that they will continue to innovate and evolve the technology and brand many have grown to love in this industry."

In picture:Carl Rohdell, project manager; Håkan Gustafsson, product engineering manager;  Tomas Lilja, CEO; Emil Tirén, software engineer and Klas Dalbjörn, product research manager played important roles in the Lake acquisition and technology transfer.

APMG Set Up to Supply Business and Technical Support for Asia Pacific Region

Based in Singapore, Asia Pacific Media Group Pte Ltd, to be known as APMG, launches in early 2009, representing a small but prestigious portfolio of clients, at a time when most companies are battening down the hatches.

APMG is a focused sales, marketing, business development, and technical support entity focusing primarily on the Asia Pacific region. Says Ken Tovich, director and founding member: "Asia Pacific is a region still showing signs of growth in the pro audio and lighting technology sectors. This represents a fantastic opportunity for many U.S. and European companies despite the much-publicised deterioration of the global economy."

The company has been set up by a small band of industry professionals, to help pro audio, MI, light, video and industry related products tap into the growth opportunities offered in the Asia Pacific region. Caroline Watson joins APMG to drive the sales and marketing efforts across the region. As former marketing communications director of IIR Exhibitions Asia, organisers of the long running PALME Asia and Palm Expo shows, Caroline understands the sensitivities of marketing in a diversified market. "Operating costs can be prohibitive for new players into the region and given the complexities of doing business across multiple cultures and languages, APMG creates a gateway to the region, not only in terms of its business service but also its understanding of the region," she says.

APMG offers a wealth of industry and business experience, handling every aspect including business development, sales and marketing, technical support and training, plus exhibition support to distributors and customers in the region. "APMG is a boutique firm providing a personalised business and development service to clients. We effectively become an extension of our client in the region and by utilising the team's skills, industry knowledge and extensive contacts, we are capable of providing access to growth markets in a cost-efficient manner," adds Tovich.

In picture: Ken Tovich and Caroline Watson.

Ballantyne Expands Digital Cinema Distribution Footprint

Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc., the provider of cinema equipment and services, has reported today that its cinema products distribution subsidiary, Strong Westrex Company, Asia, has secured distribution rights for the NEC Starus Line of digital cinema projectors from NEC Display Solutions, Japan for three additional Asian territories. Strong Westrex Company, Asia has been granted a license to distribute NEC's digital cinema projectors in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Strong Westrex will also provide sales training, service and support for all digital cinema products sold in these three territories.

The new territories build upon Strong Westrex's existing NEC Starus distribution rights for Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland China, as well as Ballantyne's digital cinema projector master reseller agreement with NEC Corporation of America for North and South America.

Ballantyne president and CEO, John P. Wilmers, commented: "These new territories represent a market opportunity of approximately 1,300 cinema screens, only a small number of which have already been converted to digital cinema. We are pleased to expand our partnership with NEC to serve the needs of customers in these countries as they move to digital projection technology. Importantly, Strong Westrex maintains a 40+ year-old reputations for quality cinema products and excellent customer service."

Osram Enters Joint Venture with LED System and Solution Specialist Traxon Technologies

Osram is strengthening its portfolio in the field of professional LED lighting systems and solutions by setting up a joint venture with Traxon Technologies Ltd., Hong Kong. The new company, in which Osram has the majority shareholding, is one of the leading providers in the fast-growing market for LED technology in the field of architectural, hospitality and shop lighting. The company employs around 135 people and reported sales of around 17 million Euros in fiscal 2008. The company is operating globally in Asia, Europe and North America. The parties have agreed to keep the purchase price undisclosed and the transaction is subject to the approval of the responsible cartel authorities.

"This new joint venture will make Osram one of the leading providers of LED lighting solutions. The benefits of this partnership are very clear: We intend to create an integrated offering across the entire LED spectrum which will be marketed through the joint worldwide partner- and sales network," explains Osram CEO Martin Goetzeler. "The joint venture will also act as a powerful driving force for the continuing innovative development of Osram's components business."

"With clear focus on the customers needs this Joint Venture will be the choice for LED projects, systems and solutions. We will continue to build on our partnerships around the world to make it happen," says Nicolai Wiest, CEO of Traxon.

The joint venture will bring the combined know-how of Osram and the both Traxon Technologies companies Traxon and e:cue Lighting Controls to offer customers integrated LED lighting solutions. Traxon not only offers a leading technology portfolio, it also has outstanding contacts in worldwide project business to architects and lighting designers. The range of light management and control software offered by e:cue plus Traxon's focus on LED system and solution business are an important

addition to Osram's product portfolio.

Operating under the new name "Traxon Technologies - An Osram Company" the joint venture will continue to operate from its head office in Hong Kong while Traxon's research and development activities will remain in Paderborn, Germany, and Hong Kong.

Chinese Take Away with d&b audiotechnik

d&b audiotechnik has been represented in China since 2004 when the first d&b audiotechnik China office was established in Hong Kong by Freddie To and Daniel Chan. While the

headquarters still remain in Hong Kong, the operation has gradually expanded to include satellite representative offices in Beijing, Guang Zhou and Nanjing with staff numbers of around sixteen. The next stop planned being Shanghai.

Following these developments and with the Chinese now being the world's leading country in terms of broadband connections, d&b audiotechnik has responded to this voracious appetite for knowledge by adding simplified Chinese to the languages on the menu of its website.

Ralf Sauter, d&b's webmaster, worked closely with marketing manager Megan Li from d&b's Guang Zhou office to create and translate the website into a Chinese version. This was no easy matter, as many of the technical expressions used comfortably in English are new to the Chinese as they assimilate the technology.

Freddie To and Daniel Chan of d&b audiotechnik China, are very enthusiastic with the results and are looking forward to the impact that this will have for them in their market. "The Chinese are incredibly thirsty for the kind of instant information that the website can provide them with. This will certainly further enhance the penetration of d&b into the Chinese market by providing current content directly to the end user in their own language, thus facilitating easier communication. We are very pleased that this is now possible," commented Freddie To.

How to get there? Just go to dbaudio.com and click on China in the navigation line, or for those not versed in simplified Chinese click on the very right hand symbol or alternatively choose number seven from the menu.

RMS: a Successful Year in 2008

RMS (Rental Management Systems), the leading software for rental company, is about to end a very successful year. With over 40 new installations, sales of the latest RMS25 have been beyond expectations. Also, more and more existing users opted for an expansion of their existing system.

The demand of users for new features in the software resulted in a entirely new designed multisites-module, which will be installed in Denmark in December. Five locations of a major AV-hire company will be linked together using SQL-servers and internet/VPN connections.

Another new development is the use of RFID-tags. RMS will be incorporating RFID in a new project, together with a mayor Belgium rental company. The new software will allow them better overview of the exact items going out and returning.

RMS (Rental Management Systems) has been involved in planning and calculation software since 1987. The company was the first to develop vertical software for the AV- and entertainment industry.

www.rmsplanning.com

MC2 Audio has announced the appointment of CMI Music & Audio as their sole distributor for Australia.

Established in 1978 as a musical instrument distributor, the company successfully expanded into the pro audio market representing such products as HK Audio, dB Technologies & Wharfedale Pro and more recently, have entered into the software/hi-tech market with the distributorship of groundbreaking Native Instruments and Arturia software, as well as innovative Belkin products. With its broad product portfolio, CMI Music & Audio has become one of Australia's largest and most respected music product distributors.

While CMI's head office and national distribution warehouse are located in Melbourne, the company maintains a national presence through sales offices and territory managers who service an extensive dealership network across all Australian states and territories. CMI Music & Audio's product ranges are supported by the company's extensive experience in sales, service, marketing and distribution, all of which is underpinned by local market knowledge.

CMI's managing director, Peter Trojkovic states: WWe have worked hard to reach the position we now enjoy and that success has been achieved through the commitment we make to the brands we represent, our strong marketing strategies and most importantly, through our attention to excellent standards of customer care from the point of sale through to technical support, training and servicing."

MC2 Audio sales and marketing director, Bill Woods comments: "Although we have just recently started with CMI, we spent a good deal of time with Peter and sales director Graeme Mitchell at PLASA and we are extremely confident in their sales and marketing abilities. The coming year will be very busy for MC² Audio distributors with the introduction of Ti Series, T3500 and E90 as well as even more exciting products and I am delighted to have such a professional team working with us in the growing Australian market."

In picture: Bill Woods, sales and marketing director MC2 Audio; Peter Trojkavic, CEO/company director CMI; Graeme Mitchell, sales and marketing director CMI.

LITEC Launches New Website

LITEC's new website is now up and running. It has been entirely redesigned with a vibrant look in line with the new corporate image of LITEC, and filled with new significant contents and effective services.

The website was programmed and optimised in line with up-to-date technological trends. Quick and easy to navigate, it was conceived to be a real work instrument as well as an extraordinary lab of ideas and initiatives dedicated to users such as events, promotions, training activities, and much more.

The site is divided into different sections that are easily reachable from any page with a single click. All the information is provided promptly, synthetically and exhaustively.

Among the most important innovations is the Products section. The new categorisation of products has been studied to make the whole range of LITEC offer more understandable and closer to the actual use of its customers. Beside each product with its main technical features, the user can consult a comprehensive range of accessories and connection systems, download all the technical documents, and study the gallery of installations where that product was applied.

In addition, to create more opportunities to know and link products with products, it is possible to cross link and cross reference them. From now it's also possible to find a product by just typing its code or part of it in the search box on the site. In this way, all the information about a single product will be collected quickly and directly from one page.

The other website sections are also interactive and dynamic. The Company one highlights a corporate profile, the mission and the most distinguishing points of strength of LITEC, and gives an overview of Vitec Group plc.

The News and Events section on one hand shows all the news covering a wide range of LITEC initiatives and on the other reserves a whole area to press with the latest press releases and downloads. The Sales page illustrates the international distribution network. The Training and Newsletter sections provide useful information about LITEC actions, and the Careers area is thought for people that would like to join LITEC team. Finally, the FAQ area is devoted to some of the most relevant questions about this sector and LITEC products.

The website is going to be constantly improved and updated to respond to users' needs and expectations. Some new innovative services have already been planned and will be implemented in the near future. LITEC, one of the leading companies in the construction of aluminium structures for entertainment worldwide, has always been considered a pioneer of innovation not only for products but also for design and communication.

www.litectruss.com

Selecon Celebrates New-Look Website

Selecon has announced the launch of their completely redesigned website this week - the contemporary, user-friendly and elegantly designed interface brings the company's extensive range of both theatrical and architectural lighting products together in one place; an amalgamation of the Selecon and ARDIIS brands which reflects Selecon's recent review of its purpose, vision, inspiration, principles and culture. Many will be pleased to note that drop-down menus are now a thing of the past!

Navigation around the wide range of product information and support together with the extensive technical and educational resources that the site contains has been made simpler and easier. Each product has a tailored layout which is split into four tabs - overview, features, specifications which includes access to all product support downloads plus the Selecon lighting calculator, and accessories so you can quickly access the information you require or learn about the product at your own pace.

New back-end enhancements allow for a more flexible operation of the Selecon site with a new ‘search' function on products by either family name or luminaire type via the support section in the main menu bar. This powerful function is a one-click way to pull a quick overview, lighting calculator, specifications, downloads, related products and accessories together in one place for the product which is of interest to you.

News and Showcase items now feature large banner images on all items which bring a new level of sophistication and interest to these sections while Resources delivers everything Selecon from the Switched On educational support section to items of technical and product support to a Knowledge Bank of items of interest and learning to Getting Started to Lighting for Worship and much more!

www.seleconlight.com

LOUD Technologies Inc. Announces Restructuring

LOUD Technologies Inc. has announced a reorganisation of its marketing, sales and engineering functions.

Under the new organisation, product strategy, development and marketing for the company's MI and Pro businesses will be managed by separate, dedicated product management teams, while marketing communications for all LOUD brands will be consolidated and managed by a shared marketing support team. The Company's worldwide engineering resources will be scaled accordingly to support a more focused product development schedule. LOUD will also move North American sales from its current captive sales force to a group of independent sales representation firms and consolidate portions of its international sales force.

The restructuring is expected to generate a net reduction of approximately 90 full-time positions, and should be implemented by the end of 2008.

City Theatrical Announces SHoW DMX OEM Partners

City Theatrical announced its first eight SHoW DMX technology partners at the Lighting Dimensions International show in Las Vegas on October 25.

CTI's OEM partners have committed to using SHoW DMX technology inside their products and many innovative examples of their work were seen around the show floor at LDI, including wireless dimmers, wireless distributed dimming, wireless DMX transmitters and receivers, wireless lighting controllers, and wireless remote control circuit breaker panels.

The newly announced partners include (in alphabetical order)

Applied Technology (USA)   
Easily LED  (UK)   

Electronics Diversified Inc. (EDI) (USA)  
Johnson Systems  (Canada)
Lex Products (USA)  
LynTec (USA)
LSC  (Australia)   
Zero 88 (UK)

CTI's SHoW DMX system synchronizes the hopping pattern of the radio with the incoming DMX packet to attain levels of data fidelity previously unreachable with wireless DMX. Additionally, SHoW DMX has a range of features including adjustable output power, limited bandwidth mode, and limited burst mode that allow it to peacefully coexist with other radio signals in the busy 2.4GHz band.

SHoW DMX also is fully RDM so users can change radio settings and monitor receiver strength from their laptop during the performance, as well as monitor other manufacturers' RDM gear on their production. SHoW DMX is also fully compatible with Art-Net.

City Theatrical offers a broad range of engineering services for other manufacturers who want to implement wireless DMX into their products, and works closely with them to insure their success.

In picture at LDI (left to right): Larry Dunn, City Theatrical; Gary Pritchard, LSC; Scott Humphrey, Applied Electronics; Jon Leonard, Applied Electronics; Mike Rampmeyer, Applied Electronics; Graham Eales, Zero 88; Shaun Johnson, Johnson Systems; Sam Heigle, Electronics Diversified; Dan Nguyen, LynTec; Gary Fails, City Theatrical.

Meyer Sound Appoints MYC Technology as New Chinese Distributor

Meyer Sound has announced the appointment of Shanghai MYC Technology Company, Ltd as the exclusive distributor of Meyer Sound products in Mainland China, Macao and Hong Kong. Spearheaded by the region's top talents in professional audio, the recently incorporated MYC Technology will focus on expanding the growth of Meyer Sound's award-winning solutions and strengthening customer support in system applications.

"The MYC team not only shares Meyer Sound's passion to deliver the best listening experience to the audience," says Mike Cooper, international sales director of Meyer Sound, "They have demonstrated a keen understanding of our technology and have established an excellent reputation in the industry. Together with MYC and Karoly Molnar, Meyer Sound's recently appointed technical support director for the region, we look forward to establishing a closer working relationship with customers to build top-quality sound systems and designs in China."

MYC Technology brings together the experience of highly reputable sound engineers and designers who have handled successful installations in a full range of applications, including performing arts centers, hotels, sports venues, and theme parks, as well as acquired touring credentials working with top artists in Asia. MYC Technology's headquarters in Shanghai encompasses a vast office area and a well-equipped facility for product demonstrations and seminars. The company has opened a branch office in Beijing and is planning to expand its presence to other major cities of China.

"We are very excited to represent Meyer Sound products that are so enthusiastically accepted across the region," remarks Lim It Liang, MYC Technology's technical director, who is also an industry veteran for more than 30 years working with UK-based Klark Technik, US-based Mark VI Inc., and Singapore's Universal Audio. "A great many of the provincial cultural halls have installed Meyer Sound loudspeakers, and we are seeing considerable interest in Meyer Sound's Constellation electroacoustic architecture and Matrix3 audio show control system, which I believe will drive the growth momentum in the next few years."

Lim also highlights Meyer Sound's global educational program. "There is a thirst for knowledge in the professional audio industry in China, and we look forward to introducing more people to Meyer Sound's seminar programs which will be essential in setting the standard of audio quality here," says Lim.

The official launch of MYC Technology takes place on October 23 at Huana Inn in Shanghai.

DPA Microphones Opens Regional Office in Shanghai

DPA Microphones has strengthened its position in the Asia Pacific market by opening a regional office in Shanghai, headed up by Ken Kimura, regional sales director, Asia Pacific. With its close proximity to Beijing, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Tokyo, Osaka and Seoul, Shanghai provides the perfect base for DPA to carry out further development and commitment to the region.

"The Asia Pacific region has always been important to DPA Microphones and given the increased market development, it was an obvious move to make," says Kimura. "We're focusing on increasing DPA's brand awareness in the region and reinforcing our position in countries like China, Japan, Korea and Australia through continuous training and support of our sales network, while developing new local markets by appointing new distributors and dealers.

"The relocation to Shanghai will enable me to intensify our sales and marketing support to distributors, increase communication and info sharing with local brand managers, sales personnel and end users. Their input is vital in our continuous efforts to develop microphone solutions that truly add value for the sound engineer, musician and stage artist."

One of Kimura's first tasks will be to launch DPA's new 4099 Instrument Microphones and 5100 Mobile Surround Microphone at trade shows and events around the region. The 4099 series are dedicated instruments microphones for saxophones, trumpets, acoustic guitars and violins featuring a lightweight and rugged design, superior gain-before-feedback and flexible one-hand mounting that is gentle to the instrument. The 5100 Mobile Surround Microphone is primarily designed for (HDTV) TV surround sound production to add surround ambience, especially for sports events and to add ambience to venues and documentaries. However, everyone who produces surround sound can take advantage of this plug-and-play surround solution.

In picture: Ken Kimura, DPA's regional sales director, Asia Pacific

DPA Awards Distributor of the Year 2008 to Best Leading Solutions, South Korea

DPA has announced that its 2008 Distributor of the Year award has gone to Best Leading Solutions of South Korea, recognising the huge contribution to sales and service that the company has provided over the past 12 months.

"Best Leading Solutions has carried out a successful restructure of the entire company, with expansion into new market segments," says Ken Kimura, DPA's regional sales director, Asia Pacific. "The company has implemented various sales and marketing activities in close cooperation with DPA, and this has all combined in an increase in DPA sales turnover of 35% over 2007. Overall they have been able to redefine themselves in the market, becoming less vulnerable to the fluctuations of individual market segments, while maintaining a strong focus on both their clients and our brand and products."

"I'm pleased and honoured to win the DPA Distributor of the Year Award," says H S Ahn, CEO of BLS. "Since I first encountered them, I've loved these mics and together with my staff have tried to get them into every studio and theatre. As the Korean pro audio market has changed gradually from the studio sector to sound reinforcement, we've had tremendous growth in the musical market with the miniature and standard microphones, and in the last year have supplied the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts, KyungHee University and Sejong Cultural Center with DPA microphones. I'd especially like to thank Ken Kimura, Poul Koza and Morten Stove who have helped us develop sales in Korea. We will take this award as a further challenge to spread the natural and pure sound of DPA."
 

In picture: C H Choe and Jack Kim, Best Leading Solutions.

TransAudio Group to Distribute Daking Worldwide

Brad Lunde, president of Transamerica Audio Group (TAG), has announced the company's new international distribution agreement with Geoffrey Daking, Inc. Co, which expands on its long-standing U.S. distribution agreement. Because Daking designs straightforward, no-compromise outboard processing gear, it has become a cornerstone of the TransAudio Group's domestic line, which includes many of the brightest names in high-end studio/installed sound equipment.

The decision to expand their relationship internationally coincides with the introduction of Daking's Mic-Pre One, an elaborated single-channel version of the Daking Mic-Pre IV housed in a "DI-style" enclosure. Early reports suggest the renown of the Mic-Pre One may soon eclipse that of its progenitor. Other Daking products include the FET Compressor II, the Mic-Pre/EQ, and a host of modular components for customized console construction.

"There is a large and growing demand for the Daking products both domestically and internationally," said Lunde. "Since we now have the logistics in place to deliver the same level of service abroad as we do here in the U.S., it made sense to expand our role with Daking and deliver value overseas."

TransAudio Group, founded by industry veteran Brad Lunde, has quickly become the premier U.S. importer/distributor and/or U.S. sales and marketing representative for high-end audio. Success hinges on TransAudio providing dealers and end users with a higher standard of product expertise and support far beyond the norm.

City Theatrical Gains U.S. Patent for Wireless DMX

City Theatrical has been granted U.S. Patent number 7,432,803 for its wireless technology.

Wireless DMX is used in entertainment technology to control a wide variety of electronic devices including moving lights, dimmers, fog machines, and colour changers, without the need for running data cables. City Theatrical's wireless DMX is similar in concept to a home or business WiFi system, but uses a much more robust and powerful radio transport method to ensure reliability of mission critical systems.

CTI's patent covers the transmission of DMX, RDM, and ACN via the means of FHSS (frequency hopping spread spectrum) radios as well as DHSS (direct sequence spread spectrum) radios, in the 2.4 GHz range. Also covered are the bi-directional broadcast of data, and the concept of a remote monitor for RDM and ACN.

City Theatrical's President, Gary Fails commented: "This patent is the result of over seven years of product development effort by Larry Dunn and Paul Kleissler, beginning when they were both independent engineers consulting with CTI, and leading  to them joining the company, Larry in 2003 and Paul in 2007.  We have put thousands of hours of effort into our wireless DMX products like our multi award-winning SHoW DMX, and this U.S. Patent recognizes our contribution to this leading edge technology."

Prolyte Releases Black Book at PLASA Show

During a successful PLASA show, Prolyte has launched the completely restyled, updated and rewritten Black Book in an English version. The so-called "black book" is formerly known and cherished as the technical matters in the white brochure.

A special German version was released in 2007, focusing on the special regulations and rules for the German market. Based on this version the newly released English translation is, yet again, fully updated with new developments, like the European CWA 25 workshop agreement.

"We are aware that numerous technicians carry our brochure around, just to have all the detailed and practical information on truss and rigging topics at hand, which is one of the reasons why we have published the black book in a handy A5 format. Developments on international regulations are progressing strongly and Prolyte is always keen to inform their customers on the latest trends and developments," states Marina Prak, marketing manager at Prolyte.

"In our opinion good customer service consists primarily in continuously improving the information available to users. Better and appropriate use of trusses is of great benefit to both our customers and users. In the long term this means enhanced safety, satisfied customers and greater awareness of users when employing trusses."

The Black book can be obtained though the Prolyte distributors of by requesting your copy on info@prolyte.com.

ChainMaster Establishes Distribution Network in Australia

ChainMaster Bühnentechnik GmbH of Eilenburg now has a distribution and sales partner in Australia with a head office near Brisbane on the Gold Coast and branches in Melbourne and Sydney. Contact details are available upon enquiry from ChainMaster. ChainMaster is among the most highly respected manufacturers of chain hoists and chain-hoist controllers in the world and can point already to its first reference project in Australia: the Gold Coast Convention Centre, which has just taken delivery of twelve electric chain-hoists - each with a lifting capacity of 1000kg. The hoists in question are extremely versatile and will be able to adapt flexibly to the differing demands of the various events staged at the Centre.

Procon: 20 Years of Event Technology

The Procon group, the leading international full-service supplier of technical equipment for events and television productions, is celebrating 20 years of business. In August 1988 Morten Carlsson, current CEO of Procon, founded the company ‘Procon Bühnen Produktions GmbH' in Hamburg with two partners who are now no longer with the company. Since then the company has grown from being a specialist in lighting technology into a full service supplier for events and television productions.

Morten Carlsson became involved in the events market whilst still at school and later became one of the co-founders of a small lighting company in Flensburg (a small town in northern Germany). In August 1988 he founded Procon with two partners, and various company acquisitions followed with the acquisition of majority holdings in suppliers of video technology, camera technology, sound technology and stage construction. Finally, in 1999 the company became a public limited partnership. In the following years Procon acquired other companies and opened new branches and subsidiaries.

Today the Procon group supplies equipment for projects around the world. It offers its skills as a full-service supplier for events, film and television productions in two commercial sectors: event engineering under the name ‘PROCON Event Engineering', and  film light and camera technology under the name ‘Cinegate'.

With locations in Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, Brussels, Shanghai, Zurich, London, Cape Town and Budapest, Procon is represented in eight countries. The company currently employs more than 450 employees and holds one of the largest equipment stocks in the market with a value of more than 188 million euros. In 2007 the group achieved a turnover of 92.9 million euros.

During the last 20 years Procon had the opportunity to supply various major events worldwide: the Olympic Games in Sydney, Athens and Beijing; the Eurovision Song Contest in Athens and Belgrade as well as various world exhibitions.