News

HERCULES, CA — Currently with Pro Media/UltraSound in Hercules, Calif, Derrick Featherstone has spent well over a decade working with alt-rock band Primus as both their tour manager and FOH engineer. Though they're noted "analog die-hards," Featherstone and the band recently made the decision to swap out their aging analog equipment for a new digital system and chose Digidesign's VENUE live sound environment to handle FOH duties for the band's U.S. and Canada tour.

OLD LYME, CT — Sennheiser has engineered a new microphone head for its RF wireless microphone, the SKM 5200. The MD 5235 mic head is a rugged dynamic capsule designed to cut through high on-stage levels. The new mic head can be used with all handheld transmitters of Sennheiser's 5000 Series – the SKM 5000, SKM 5000 N and the latest model, SKM 5200.

SAN JUAN, PR — CBS, as in Caribbean Broadcast Supply, recently installed a new Martin Audio system at the Magna Aula ("Big Hall" in Latin) Performing Arts Center at the University of Puerto Rico's Rio Piedras campus in San Juan. The university had originally envisioned a modest audio and lighting system but CBS founder Freddie Rojas and his audio engineer/installer sons, Freddie Jr. and Alex, had already created sound systems for performing arts centers in Santurce and Caguas, used by musical groups and artists from all over the world. They counseled the University to go for something more comprehensive.

SPOKANE, WA — The Spokane Opera House (Spokane, Wash) has remained in use since its Expo '74 debut, and through the years, the 2,700-seat venue hosted the Spokane Symphony subscription series, as well as events ranging from pop and country concerts to ballet, civic celebrations and, yes, even the occasional opera, but in the spring of 2006, the publicly owned venue was rechristened INB Performing Arts Center to reflect its corporate sponsorship from Inland Northwest Bank, and along with the name change, the venue was treated to extensive interior renovations, including a new system of 18 self-powered Meyer Sound loudspeakers.

NASHVILLE, TN — Alison Krauss and Union Station have played a major role in keeping the bluegrass on its upward trajectory with a string of albums and tour dates, a schedule that includes QSC and SE Systems to provide audio support.

ATLANTA, GA — The Midas XL8 digital live performance system has been mixing sound for Sister Act, The Musical, the new show by Alan Menken. After completing a run at the Pasadena Playhouse, the show moved to The Alliance Theatre in Atlanta for a six-week stint, accompanied by FOH Engineer Pierre Dupree and an XL8 deployed by Sound Associates, Inc., whose Carl Casella and Domonic Sack completed sound design for the show.

MCKEES ROCKS, PA — Northern Sound & Light (NSL) recently outfitted the new off-Broadway touring production of Urban Cowboy with DAS Audio Aero series self-powered line array loudspeakers.

LEVELLAND, TX — South Plains College, a comprehensive two-year community college in Levelland, Texas, has recently added a Live Sound/Sound Reinforcement Certificate program to their already existing Sound Technology program. The college's Sound Technology program, a part of their Creative Arts department, has been in place for 25 years.

MONTGOMERY, AL — SymNet DSP and expansion devices have been installed at the Alabama State House in Montgomery, where they provide processing, auto-mixing, matrixing and distribution functionality for the legislative spaces. This installation is part of an audio/visual upgrade at the State Legislature building, which was designed by special systems engineering firm NBTA Engineers, of Baton Rouge, La.