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Guitar Center Inc. to Be Acquired by Bain Capital

Guitar Center Inc. to Be Acquired by Bain Capital

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA — Guitar Center, Inc. today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by affiliates of Bain Capital Partners, LLC, a global private investment firm. The total transaction value, including assumed debt, is approximately $2.1 billion.

FOH editor Bill Evans commented, “Unlike some other acquisitions recently announced, this does not appear to be a typical Wall Street grab and dash but rather a way to allow the chain to continue to grow without the often unrealistic expectations shareholders can make of a public company. In recent years, GC has grown from the 50 range to more than 200 stores currently and is expected to have well over 300 by next year."

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Audio-Technica SpectraPulse Ultra Wideband Wireless Microphone System

Audio-Technica U.S., Inc. introduced its SpectraPulse Ultra Wideband (UWB) wireless microphone system at InfoComm 07.  Although you won't be using this any time soon, a live event version is being worked on; however, there’s no word on when it will be available.

SpectraPulse is designed to deliver clear, intelligible audio without the performance and set-up issues associated with conventional wireless systems. In addition, it is designed to provide high security levels and to be used in conferences or boardrooms, corporate events/meetings, courtrooms and other contractor/system integrator applications in the business, government and commercial markets.

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Event Production Directory Now Online at EPDweb.com

LAS VEGAS — Timeless Communications, publishers of PLSN and FOH magazines, has made their Event Production Directory, the most widely distributed production directory of its kind, available online at www.EPDweb.com. The Web version of the ultimate production guide contains all the information found in the print version, along with several enhancements made possible by the power of the Web.

“It’s a quantum leap forward,” said Terry Lowe, publisher of the Directory. “The EPD has instantly become the industry’s preeminent search engine. All the information in the EPD is now online, and fully-searchable — not just by company, but by city, state or even a specific piece of gear.

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Petrol Introduces Sound Knapsack

Petrol, a Vitec Group brand, introduces the Sound Knapsack. The Knapsack has three cushioned compartments designed for maximum storage and equipment protection. The main chamber comes complete with 8 removable pouches connected with hook and loop material for holding earphones, batteries, microphone, wireless systems, spare connectors, or tools in a special pouch. Windows of tough, transparent vinyl enable easy identification of contents. The knapsack’s padded rear section is large enough to contain a laptop computer with up to a 17.5-inch screen. A front organizer section is designed for stashing personal items such as keys, wallet, notebook, or pens, while keeping them close at hand.

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British Alt-Rockers Placebo on World Tour with VENUE

LONDON — British alt-rock band Placebo have been out on a full world tour since January 2006, playing events and major festivals throughout the U.S., South America, Europe, Australia, China, Korea, and other Far East locations. For the first year of the tour, monitor engineer Charlie Bradley used a VENUE D-Show console, but in the last six months, he and Placebo FOH mixer Ian Nelson, switched to using a pair of the more compact VENUE D-Show Profile systems, which handle a total of 45 inputs for the band, along with the collective output requirements. By the tour’s conclusion, Bradley estimates that they will have used the VENUE systems at over 250 shows.

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Gwen Stefani Tours with Midas XL4

LOS ANGELES — Gwen Stefani’s “The Sweet Escape” world tour is underway, relying upon the performance of Midas consoles for her performances. Stefani’s FOH Engineer Michelle Sabolchick and Monitor Engineer Jon Schimke are Midas XL4 fans who enjoy the hands-on responsiveness of an analog mix, along with the sound of Midas Preamps and EQs. The Heritage 3000 is handling sidecar duties at FOH. The PA is supplied and supervised by Sound Image.

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Vive Latino Celebrates with NEXO

MEXICO CITY — Every year, Vive Latino in Mexico City ranks as one of most important Latin America rock "en español" festivals. Billed across the hemisphere as Festival Iberoamericano de Cultura Musical, Vive Latino's 2007 Blue Stage featured only NEXO loudspeakers including, for the first time, the GEO D Series.

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The Shadows on the Pyramid

I recently returned from a trip to Cancun, Mexico, and other than the tequila and the beautiful beach, my most memorable day was one spent at Chichen-Itza, site of one of the well-known Mayan pyramids in the Yucatan Peninsula. The Pyramid of King Kuku lkán, the serpent god, is the centerpiece of the area and dates back to about A.D. 1100. This spectacular pyramid showcases the astronomical, architectural and political brilliance of its creators. During the autumn and spring equinox, due to the position of the sun, one can still witness a shadowy snake moving impressively down the north stair. The story is told that the priests, because of their precise knowledge of the seasons, would come out and address the masses assembled below the pyramid and tell them when to expect rain. The arrival of the rain on the predicted date would cement the priest’s claim that he had a direct line to god who, in the form of the bird-serpent Quetzalcoatl, lived in the temple built on top of the pyramid. The proof of Quetzalcoatl’s alliance with the priests was that if someone clapped their hands at the bottom of the pyramid, the returning echo is a sound similar to the quack of a duck.  

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