Wide News
From recording, broadcast, postproduction and A/V
GB4D gets in shape for World Figure Skating
Held at Montpellier’s South of France Arena, the 2022 World Figure Skating Championships saw technical specialist GB4D provide a communications network for all technical elements – including Optocore and BroaMan routing.
This year, GB4D provided the entire audiovisual network, as well as Intercom; sound system; sports and production lighting (including bridges); stage structure and sideo for the four-sided LED screens. The GB4D team worked alongside Patrice Burle from Concept-Group for the structure and lighting accessories, while lighting creation was the responsibility of DoP, Tony Weber and sound design by Titou Victor and François Iund.
Firdaus Studio: Dubai’s new musical paradise
Occupying the former Expo 2020 site in Dubai, District 2020 is a sustainable mixed-use community that includes Firdaus Studio. Designed by the team at Modi Digital, the aim is for the facility to become a leading musical hub, servicing established musicians from around the world while taking an active role in nurturing the next generation of talent from within the region.
‘Firdaus translates to Paradise in Arabic, so it was important that all aspects of the studio reflect this ideal and we believe a sonic paradise is best achieved with high-end analogue sound quality,’ says Adita Modi of Modi Digital. ‘We have spared no effort in ensuring the performance captured is of the highest quality.’
Fukuoka Music Fes
When opened in 1993, the 216m diameter of the Fukuoka PayPay Dome (as the Fukuoka Dome) made it the world’s largest indoor stadium and the largest geodesic dome, as well as being the first multi-purpose dome in Japan to incorporate a retractable roof. At a length of 188m, the venue also has the world’s longest bar from which spectators can see the playing field.
When it is not busy with the record books, the 52,000-capacity venue is home to the SoftBank Hawks baseball team, and hosts other key sports events, and stages concerts of the calibre of Whitney Houston, Madonna, The Rolling Stones and Bon Jovi. One of the most recent music events staged at the huge venue was the Fukuoka Music Fes...
Raise rises in Tokyo
The glass-fronted Tokyu Plaza skyscraper in Tokyo’s Ginza in home to a new nightclub and DJ Lounge owned by prolific Japanese venue operator Lounge Operation, whose other Tokyo venues include Sel Octagon, Ce La Vi and Plus. Located on the building’s sixth floor, Raise Tokyo promises to ‘re-define the nightlife experience’.
The design brief for the is evident throughout, with chrome Void Acoustics loudspeakers adding to the futuristic feel of the venue. ‘The installation in Raise is the first time we have specified Void Acoustics for a lounge operation venue, explains Tocci Satoru, Director of Eastaudio inc and Tokyo Sound System Laboratory – the long-term distributor for Void Acoustics in Japan. ‘The GM was keen to see the brand deployed throughout the club, not only because of the audio excellence, but for their design aesthetic.’
Return of The Crocodile
Having opened in 1991 and hosted local and international touring acts including Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Beastie Boys, Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Alabama Shakes, famed Seattle nightclub The Crocodile has reopened in a new spacious multi-venue entertainment complex.
Widely regarded as the birthplace of Grunge, the venue now features a 750-capacity Showroom performance space and bar for major acts, a smaller basement level 300-capacity performance lounge (Madame Lou’s) for emerging acts, and a theatre (Here After).
TAB-Funkenwerk handled the renovation using products from d&b audiotechnik, SSL and Sommer Cable.