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NEWS DPA raises the bar in Hong Kong Christie enters the fourth dimension HONG KONG: A full selection of DPA microphones were used for the recent Robben Ford concert at Sha Tin Town Hall Auditorium in Hong Kong. The artist’s sound engineer, Richard Wheeler, was collaborated with musical greats including Joni Mitchell, Miles Davis and George Harrison. ‘As a concert promoter for over 10 years, I have to say that Robben’s concert was our best The guitar amps were miked with d:dicate 2011Cs seeking to maximise sound quality at the event and turned to DPA for a solution. Named as one of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century by Musician Magazine, Robben Ford is an American blues, jazz, and rock guitarist. Once a member of the LA Express, he has in terms of sound and audio quality,’ said Clarence Chang, from organisers Jazz World Live Series. ‘This is all thanks to the great engineer Richard Wheeler and DPA Microphones.’ For his Hong Kong performance, Mr Ford used a DPA d:facto vocal microphone, while his guitar amps and the bass amp were picked up by d:dicate 2011C twin diaphragm compact cardioid microphones. Mr Wheeler used a d:dicate 2011C for the kick drum, positioning it half way into the hole. Another 2011C was used for the top of the snare and paired with a d:vote 4099 instrument mic positioned underneath. All of the other drum elements were picked up individually using d:vote 4099s in close proximity, with an additional stereo image captured with a pair of d:dicate 4011A matched overhead recording mics. A Hammond B3 organ was also used during the concert. Two d:vote 4099 instrument mics were positioned to capture stereo sound emanating from the top spinning horn of the organ’s Leslie speaker, with a d:dicate 2011C used underneath for the bass horn. Commenting on the sound quality after the show, Mr Wheeler said: ‘I was amazed by it, especially the sound from the d:facto vocal microphone. It sounded just like Robben himself.’ www.dpamicrophones.com KOREA: A Christie Solaria digital cinema projector has been installed at Everland, South Korea’s largest theme park. The projector is being used for the recently upgraded Space Tour 4D theatre and was installed by the manufacturer together with its partner in the region, Eugenetek Corporation. A Christie Solaria CP2230 projector was installed into the Space Tour 4D theatre Space Tour 4D aims to engage all senses as audience members experience 3D images, motion seating, and special effects while they explore the frontier of space. Christie’s 33,000 lumen Solaria CP2230 projector was selected for the theatre upgrade. ‘We’re excited to install the Christie Solaria CP2230 projector in our Space Tour 4D theatre to offer the highest quality visuals and immersive 4D experience to all our guests,’ said Hyunjoo Won, resort planning and development, Everland. ‘I’m also grateful to the team from Christie and Eugenetek for their help, support and professional teamwork in completing the installation and allowing us to open this attraction on schedule to great enthusiasm and response from our visitors.’ Besides the Space Tour 4D theatre, the park also uses the manufacturer’s visual solutions for its other attractions. The Pororo 3D Adventure deploys two Solaria CP2230 projectors to display 3D imagery and lively performances, and another popular attraction, named K-Pop Hologram, combines technology with Korean popular culture. For this show two Roadster WU20K-J 3-chip DLP and ve DWU670-E 1-chip DLP projectors are used. www.christiedigital.com www.everland.com PRESONUS TO EXPAND DEVELOPMENT THROUGH WORXAUDIO A CQUISITION PreSonus chairman Kevin Kouhig, WorxAudio founder Hugh Sarvis, and PreSonus CEO Jim Mack WORLD: PreSonus has announced the acquisition of WorxAudio Technologies, Inc. The two companies plan to pool their combined experience in engineering and signal processing to manufacturer a new loudspeaker line-up that will see WorxAudio ‘core elements’ such as drivers, system and mechanical design, system tuning and rigging system design incorporated into PreSonus’ professional loudspeaker products. ‘This is a logical move for us,’ stated PreSonus CEO, Jim Mack. ‘Our StudioLive AI series loudspeakers are great for small to medium-sized venues, but the advanced DSP platform utilised in the AI speaker line, including the optional Dante networking capability, is extremely valuable for systems designed for much larger venues and environments. The acquisition of WorxAudio signi cantly extends our product line to provide advanced networked loudspeaker systems to a much larger audience. Further, this acquisition brings us extremely valuable engineering system design expertise and technology, as well as loudspeaker manufacturing expertise.’ PreSonus has also stated that WorxAudio’s knowledge of the commercial sound and portable/ touring markets will help it develop speci c support for those customers. The combined companies are expected to develop a broad range of loudspeakers for studio and stage across all price points. The resulting collaboration, led by WorxAudio founder, Hugh Sarvis, is expected by both parties to create ‘a very formidable competitor in the livesound loudspeaker market’. ‘Like WorxAudio, PreSonus is engineering-driven,’ commented Hugh Sarvis, founder of WorxAudio. ‘We’re excited about combining our engineering know-how with PreSonus’ networking, software, and signal-processing technology to develop groundbreaking and highly competitive new professional audio products.’ www.presonus.com www.worxaudio.com Expanded sales lead to establishment of TOA Vietnam VIETNAM: TOA Corporation has established a new sales subsidiary in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi. The opening ceremony for TOA Electronics Vietnam Co Ltd, which took place earlier this month, was attended by president and CEO Kenji Itani, along with the manufacturer’s business partners. Prior to the new subsidiary, sales in Vietnam were handled by the representative of ce originally opened in 2011. The team at TOA Electronics Vietnam Co Ltd 28 PRO AUDIO ASIA July–August 2014 ‘Sales performance in Vietnam had shown a favourable growth in the past few years with support from our local distributors,’ said Masato Yura, general manager of TOA’s Asia and Paci c business department. ‘TOA saw the opportunity to have a rm establishment of our brand, to reinforce and expand its existing business activities with the increased demand for our products throughout Vietnam.’ Appointed managing director of TOA Vietnam, Yuichiro Honjo, has stated that the expansion of the team, alongside a strengthening of engineering and technical capabilities, will allow it to react to the market more promptly, enhance its pre-sales and after-sales services, and heighten customers’ con dence in the company and its products. www.toa.com.sg