Formerly Warner Music Group’s Aquarium Studios and now in the hands of Balazs Robert, Budapest’s Pannonia Studio has refitted its Studio A with an SSL Duality SE console.

‘I bought Aquarium Studios four years ago to continue to offer a high-level recording space to musicians and performers from all walks of music in Eastern Europe,’ he says. ‘We are also attracting international stars, so when it came time to replace the aging SSL 4000 series console, Duality was the only real option as it  addresses how musicians and producers work in this multi-media world. Duality is an investment in our future.’

Recording everything from the bustle of the marketplaces to the sounds of the cigarette boats and tuk-tuks of Thailand saw Sound Designer/Supervisor Cameron Frankley and Sound Mixer John Fasal roaming the streets of Bangkok with a serious recording rig.

Briefed by the director of the Hangover Part II in Bangkok, the pair packed Sound Devices 788T multitrack digital audio recorders and DPA 5100 mobile surround microphones to capture the feature film’s 5.1 location audio.

Touring relentlessly over the past year, singer Kimbra recently completed a five-week, 20-plus date tour of the US, playing alongside the likes of Jay-Z and Australia’s Gotye. Travelling with her, Australian engineer Rod Matheson took along a DiGiCo SD11 console for monitor duties – almost as hand luggage.

‘The great thing about the SD11 is that I could fit it into a Samsonite case,’ he says. ‘I made a frame which goes over it that keeps the buttons and screens protected. It just looks like luggage to customs officials.

As the new Managing Director of London’s Metropolis Group, Ian Brenchley is securing the technical future of the studios with new audio equipment being installed in its facilities and  plans for expansion into the US, Middle East and Japan..

As part of this initiiative, HHB has provided Metropolis’ mastering suites with Avalon AD2077 mastering EQs, a suite of Sonnox mastering plug-ins, a Universal Audio UAD-2 card and a Z-Systems Z-Q6 Digital EQ.

Known as Tong Vfang Xien Qi (TVXQ) in China, Dong Bang Shin Ki (DBSK) in Korea and Tohoshinki in Japan, their name translates as The Rising Gods of the East – and they are one of Asia’s most successful acts.

This was seen most recently when the band played the massive 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome – without the need for delays, thanks to Martin Audio’s MLA loudspeaker system.

A new high-end recording facility located in the Miami Arts District has opened with a Solid State Logic Duality SE console at its centre. Installed in the control room of the Noiselab recording studio, the desk is able to record live performances and events from a separate soundstage called Noiseroom.

The Noiselab studio space was designed by Horacio Malvicino, and will accommodate a 20-piece jazz ensemble and is equipped to provide real-time audio and video streaming of live events.

Cantonese pop star Hins Cheung staged a concert at the Guangdong Stadium recently.

Ten years over since he last appeared in his hometown, he performed with the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra as recognition of his fans’ support. In turn, Sennheiser supported his performance with a wide range of equipment, particularly the miking of the orchestra.

Led by former Guns N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum, The Rock N Roll Allstars hit the road to begin an unprecedented world tour this year. From behind a massive drum kit, Sorum led a choice rock line-up through a 2.5-hour show, performing songs from each member’s respective band.

The drum kit comprised two double kick drums, five toms and a suitably large array of cymbals – unsurprisingly, Sorum wanted to ensure it was a visual spectacle as well as delivering his sound. Key to both considerations was a suitable set of mics. He listed three considerations – ease of use, durability and visual appeal.