NEWS

Tannoy has moved part of its manufacturing operation from its historic Hamilton facility to a new site in Kidderminster, UK. The new facility is located alongside MIDAS operations, with the move intended to bring engineering, product-development, and manufacturing teams from the two organizations closer together. Concentrating technical resources at a shared site can increase knowledge exchange between specialists and support a faster, more integrated product-development process. Tannoy, which has a long history in loudspeaker engineering and Dual Concentric technology, sees the move as part of its preparations for future generations of professional and Hi-Fi products. At the same time, the brand's accumulated engineering knowledge and experience remain central to the design and manufacture of its future products.

NEUTRIK has introduced a new generation of etherCON TOP Airtight connectivity solutions for professional network applications. The range is designed for projects in which network connections may be exposed to moisture, dust, and demanding environmental conditions. Its sealed construction and IP65 / IP67 protection make the connectors suitable for outdoor projects, live productions, and professional audio and video infrastructure. Support for Power over Ethernet also allows compatible network devices to receive both data and power through a shared infrastructure. This is particularly useful for networked audio systems, lighting equipment, cameras, controllers, and other Pro AV devices.

A total of 71 Genelec Smart IP loudspeakers have been installed as part of the audio infrastructure for the development of the upper three floors of JAG Hotel in Canada. Smart IP technology allows audio signals, system control, and power to be delivered over the network, reducing the need for separate cabling and additional equipment. This architecture is particularly valuable in hotel projects because large numbers of loudspeakers can be managed from centralized infrastructure. The system has also been integrated carefully with the hotel's interior architecture so that the loudspeakers have minimal visual impact. Networked audio additionally simplifies centralized management, level adjustment, and control of different zones throughout the hotel.

Freedom Church's new 1,000-seat auditorium has an asymmetric geometry that makes uniform sound coverage difficult to achieve. To address the challenge, the main system was designed around 22 EAW NT206L modules from the Newport family. The objective was to maintain appropriate sound-pressure level and clarity from the seating closest to the stage through to the higher and more distant sections of the auditorium. Precise control of the loudspeakers' dispersion pattern helps concentrate acoustic energy on the audience while reducing unwanted reflections from architectural surfaces. The project demonstrates the importance of designing sound systems around the actual geometry of a venue when highly controlled coverage is required.

ADJ has introduced the Hydro Beam CMY as a professional beam moving head for indoor and outdoor applications. The fixture uses a 310-watt light source and produces an extremely narrow beam of approximately 2 degrees, making it suitable for aerial effects and large-scale productions. Its CMY color-mixing system provides a broad color range and smooth transitions between colors. The IP65-rated enclosure provides protection against dust and rain, allowing the product to be used for outdoor festivals, concerts, stadium events, and temporary or permanent lighting projects. The design is intended to reduce the need for temporary protective covers during outdoor productions.

TURBOSOUND has expanded its professional FLASHLINE MONITORS family with the introduction of the TFX122M-AN and TFX152M-AN active monitors. Designed for stage monitoring and portable sound applications, these products join the existing models in the series. The TFX122M-AN is equipped with a 12-inch woofer, while the TFX152M-AN uses a 15-inch woofer. Both models feature a 1-inch compression driver with a titanium dome and a Class-D amplifier rated at 1,100 watts peak. Their 60-degree horizontal by 40-degree vertical coverage makes them suitable not only for stage monitoring, but also for main sound reinforcement, side-fill applications, and delay lines. Control is provided through an LCD display, Turbosound PC Edit software, and Klark Teknik digital signal processing. Support for the ULTRANET digital audio network also enables direct connection to compatible mixers, stage boxes, active loudspeakers, and personal monitoring systems.

TANNOY has made its flagship Westminster Royal loudspeaker available for in-person audition and evaluation at DNA Audio in Otley, near Leeds, England. The program gives high-end audio enthusiasts and prospective buyers the opportunity to experience the model in a professional listening environment. Westminster Royal uses a 15-inch Dual Concentric driver in a horn-loaded enclosure and offers 99 dB sensitivity with 700 watts of power handling. PepperPot WaveGuide technology, an Alnico magnet, and an aluminum-magnesium alloy diaphragm are used to improve clarity, dynamics, and tonal naturalness. Its 530-liter cabinet is constructed from dense birch plywood and reinforced with DMT technology to control vibration and resonance. An oiled-walnut finish and decorative wood details complete its classic, luxurious appearance. The demonstration is taking place as TANNOY approaches its 100th anniversary and provides an opportunity to showcase the brand's heritage in reference loudspeaker engineering and design.

LAB GRUPPEN has introduced R.SMPS technology for its D Series amplifiers. This regulated switch-mode power supply helps keep the internal voltage stable. When the incoming mains voltage falls, the technology maintains more consistent amplifier output and reduces the likelihood of degraded sound quality or increased distortion. The use of a ferrite core also lowers weight, improves efficiency, and enhances thermal performance. Support for a 100-240 V operating range makes these amplifiers easier to deploy in international projects, performance venues, and permanently installed sound systems.

MIDAS has released version V2.0.0 for the HD96-24 digital console. The update is intended to accelerate live control, reduce repetitive tasks, and broaden integration with external devices. The Macros feature allows users to create automated command sequences. Update Scenes makes it possible to apply absolute or relative send-level changes across multiple scenes at the same time. Two Way Flip also simplifies control of how much of an input channel is sent to different outputs. This release supports the Sennheiser EM6000 wireless receiver, the Elgato Stream Deck controller, and Reaper software. It also adds new effects and processors, including the TC Electronic MD4 Finaliser, Midas Transient Gate, and Brainwave immersive-audio processing. Version V2.0.0 is available free of charge to HD96-24 users through MIDAS mCloud.

The fourth Berlin Song Fest was held in spring 2026 with more than 100 songwriters, producers, and audio engineers in attendance. The event is a professional songwriting camp focused on producing material suitable for the Eurovision Song Contest, and it has already generated more than 40 entries that have reached national and international stages of the competition. This edition was organized in partnership with Genelec for the first time. The workspaces were equipped with 21 pairs of 8330A SAM smart monitors in RAW aluminum finish, together with GLM calibration software. This combination allowed each monitoring system to be adjusted precisely for the acoustic characteristics of its room. Because some workspaces were temporary and had widely varying acoustics, Genelec calibration technology helped participants maintain balanced and reliable monitoring throughout the event. Organizers reported that the SAM systems improved both the technical quality and the professional atmosphere compared with previous editions. The collaboration demonstrates that intelligent, calibratable monitoring systems are useful not only in permanent studios, but also in songwriting camps, music-production classes, and temporary creative spaces that require an accurate listening reference.

Fellowship Church in Texas has upgraded the audio-control system in its main 4,200-seat auditorium with two DiGiCo Quantum 338 consoles. One console is positioned at Front of House for the main auditorium mix, while the second is dedicated to monitoring. The configuration allows the technical team to manage a large number of inputs, outputs, and independent mixes with greater speed and precision. The Quantum platform combines extensive processing capacity with a wide range of tools for channel control, scene management, and signal processing. Using two independent consoles also allows the FOH and monitor engineers to make the adjustments required for their respective areas without interfering with each other's workflow.

The historic Mabel Tainter Theater, which dates back to 1889, has upgraded its sound system using EAW AC6 ADAPTive technology. One of the key challenges was achieving the audio performance required for modern productions without making significant visual changes to the venue's historic architecture and decorative details. ADAPTive technology enables more precise control of sound dispersion and allows acoustic energy to be focused more effectively on the audience area. The appearance of the equipment was also selected to suit the architecture and minimize the visual impact of the new system. The project demonstrates how modern professional audio technology can be integrated into a historic building while preserving its architectural identity.

The main objective of the event is to expand the range of IPMX-certified products and test practical interoperability between equipment from different manufacturers. One of the major challenges in the AVL industry is ensuring that transmitters, receivers, displays, processors, cameras, and control systems from different brands can communicate without dependence on a proprietary ecosystem. IPMX certification is designed to provide that predictable behavior and interoperability. Before the formal Geneva testing, a technical Dirty Hands Interoperability Session will be held from July 20 to 24, 2026, at Matrox Video in Montreal, Canada. During this session, engineers from member companies will be able to test new capabilities under practical conditions, identify potential issues, and prepare products before formal certification. IPMX is a set of open standards and specifications that extends SMPTE ST 2110-based media transport and NMOS-based device control into markets including Pro AV, live events, enterprise media, education, and professional facilities. In addition to audio and video transport, it covers capabilities such as compressed video, simplified timing, content security, and defined device profiles. From an AVL-market perspective, this development could reduce project dependence on closed, proprietary solutions. This is an analytical interpretation of the program's goals: as the number of IPMX-certified devices grows, system designers and integrators should gain greater freedom to select products from different brands, while the risk of compatibility problems in networked audio, video, and control projects should decrease.

The projector's first major deployment was in a series of special screenings inside hospitals in the Madrid region. The program was part of an initiative by Italfarmaco to provide film experiences for patients who could not attend public cinemas. Proyecfilm was responsible for the technical design, equipment installation, and setup of the temporary screening spaces. A newly released family animation was shown at Hospital Universitario Niño Jesús, Hospital Universitario La Paz, and Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias at the same time as its public cinema release. The goal was to allow hospitalized children and their families to enjoy an experience close to that of a professional cinema without leaving the hospital. The French film Dear Parents, originally titled Chers Parents, was also screened at Hospital Enfermera Isabel Zendal in Madrid for patients with ALS and their families. The program demonstrated that professional audiovisual technology can play an effective role in social and healthcare projects as well as commercial applications. Proyecfilm's director said the model was selected for its balance of size, weight, mobility, and cinematic image quality. According to the company, it can deliver 4K laser projection at the level of commercial cinemas while remaining easier to transport and install than many professional cinema systems. These characteristics are especially valuable for hospital screenings, touring programs, and outdoor events.

Operators can now view video from the associated camera or intercom directly on the console display while using one-way or two-way audio communication. When a call arrives from a building entrance, for example, a security operator can see the visitor, speak with them, and then decide whether to unlock the door or take another security action. Before this update, the operator might have needed to use a separate video-management application or display to see the image and then switch to the paging console for audio communication. Combining the two functions in one interface reduces movement between systems and can shorten response time in emergency situations. The C6110 video capability shows how network paging consoles are gradually evolving from audio-only devices into multimedia terminals for security management, communication, and incident response. This section is an analysis based on the capabilities and applications announced by Axis.

In response to market demand, TASCAM has restarted production of the rackmount LA-40MKIII and LA-80MKII line-level converters. These devices are designed to connect professional balanced-signal equipment correctly with devices that use unbalanced inputs and outputs. The LA-40MKIII provides four channels of bidirectional conversion between balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA connections. The LA-80MKII converts eight RCA inputs to eight balanced XLR outputs and can also distribute one signal to multiple devices or audio zones. Each channel includes level adjustment over a ±12 dB range and a signal-presence indicator. Selectable XLR nominal levels of +4 dBu and -20 dBu, together with Ground Lift switches, help match equipment and reduce noise caused by ground loops. These 1U converters are suitable for recording studios, broadcast facilities, permanent AV systems, and projects in which professional and consumer equipment with different signal standards must operate together.

The system consists of a support grid and interchangeable two-dimensional and three-dimensional tiles that transform a wall into a decorative acoustic surface. An air gap behind the panels increases sound absorption. The tiles press into the grid, allowing them to be installed, replaced, and rearranged without specialist tools. The panels are manufactured from PET polyester fiber containing at least 60 percent recycled material and can be supplied in custom colors, textures, printed patterns, and graphics. Rubik is suitable for conference rooms, offices, educational facilities, sports venues, hospitality spaces, and cultural environments.

Shure and Zoom have introduced two new solutions, IntelliMix Room Kits and the IntelliMix Foundation System, for spaces built around Zoom Rooms. The products focus on capturing clear speech, accelerating deployment, and providing more accurate audio input for Zoom AI capabilities. Preconfigured kits are offered in 30, 50, 70, and 80 models for small through large rooms. They include a Windows-based Zoom Rooms computer, a touch-control panel, an MXA902 ceiling-array microphone and loudspeaker, and a Huddly intelligent camera. Setup without complex configuration makes it easier for IT teams to deploy large numbers of rooms with a consistent design. The IntelliMix Foundation System is intended for more complex spaces such as boardrooms, hybrid classrooms, lecture halls, and divisible rooms. Its integrated processor runs IntelliMix Room DSP software and can reduce the need for an external audio processor.