News

NEW YORK — Masque Sound, which had supported the musical, Once, during its developmental run at the New York Theatre Workshop, backed the production once again as it made its Broadway debut.  A key challenge was to maintain the production’s intimate ambience in a Broadway theatre with five times the seating capacity of the earlier venue.

RIO RANCHO, NM — Lectrosonics recently released Version 5.1 firmware for the company’s Venue Wideband modular receiver system, which includes a “TalkBack” function that is compatible with the newly-introduced HH handheld transmitter. When the transmitter is set to TalkBack mode and the function is engaged (activated when the user presses the multi-function button on the HH transmitter), the audio will switch to a different, predetermined XLR on the back panel of the receiver.

BALTIMORE, MD — Maryland Sound International (MSI) recently became the first company in the U.S. to add the new Harman JBL VTX Line Array Series loudspeakers to its inventory. MSI first deployed its VTX system at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on April 9.

MINNEAPOLIS — Phillip O’Toole, technical coordinator for the University of Minnesota Music Department, said a recent upgrade to the audio system that included new Lab.gruppen C 48:4 amplifiers has made an audible difference at the university’s Ted Mann Concert Hall.

IRVINE, CA — Irvine Inline’s new hockey rink here reflects efforts to elevate the sport with clean, modern, family-friendly environments. To elevate the audio experience as well, Costa Mesa-based Cantara Design has been outfitting the newer rinks with Renkus-Heinz’s CF-Series loudspeakers.

NEW YORK — FOH engineer Ken Newman has opted for a Soundcraft Vi6 at FOH to mix Barry Manilow as the singer/songwriter tours with audio gear provided by Eighth Day Sound Systems.

MADISON, WI – Full Compass Systems recently hosted a benefit at their facility to raise funds for the Journey Mental Health Center of Dane County (JMHC), providing technical support as well, including audio support.  JMHC is a non-profit provider of comprehensive mental health and substance abuse assistance programs for residents of Southern Wisconsin.  For more than 70 years, their work has had a positive impact and Full Compass is proud to stand behind them in their efforts.

NEW YORK — Harman’s Soundcraft is continuing its “Mixing with Professionals” workshops this May with new sessions featuring veteran FOH engineer Monty Lee Wilkes. A session is set for May 8 at Dale Pro Audio in New York City, followed by another workshop May 9 at Sigmet Corporation’s headquarters in Reading, PA. Each day will feature two identical sessions (9am-noon and 2pm-6pm).

DENVER — Carrying their own production for the first time in support of the band’s latest release, El Camino, Black Keys FOH engineer Jason Tarulli and monitor engineer Fabian Quiroga are enjoying the consistency of working with the same gear night after night including a DiGiCo SD10 and SD8, respectively, at FOH and monitors. Eighth Day Sound is supporting the tour.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA — Don “Tonto” Genovese, 54, died April 14, 2012, of a heart attack. A native of Queens, NY, he moved from the East Coast to West Coast and points in between, including Sandpoint, ID and the Atlanta, Seattle and Los Angeles areas. Genovese worked on behalf of All Access Staging, Rock-it Cargo and at Avalon Attractions and also ran his own Los Angeles-based transport company, Performance Transfer.