Syn-Aud-Con Update: "System Optimization & Design" will be held on April 26-30, 2004 (Grand Rapids, Mich.). "System Optimization" only will be held February 1-2, 2004, at IE-Europe (Switzerland), and June 6-7, 2004, at InfoComm (Atlanta). "Architectural Acoustics: Measurement & Prediction" will be held at this year's NSCA show (Las Vegas, March 16-18, 2004, www.nsca.org). A "Hands-On" Seminar will be held May 24-25 and 27-28, 2004, in Greenville, Ind. www.synaudcon.com

The Mix Foundation for Excellence in Audio has announced that the 20th Annual Technical Excellence and Creativity Awards will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2004, at the Marriott Hotel in San Francisco. The TEC Awards honors outstanding achievement in professional audio production and product design. For more information, visit mixfoundation.org.

NSCA: RAPCO A/V Snake
Rapco International introduced its new cable reel, the A/V Snake, at NSCA 2004. The portable reel has one flexible cable that contains four balanced audio lines and six 75-ohm video lines and can be adapted for many different uses. MORE

NSCA: TC Electronic Reverb 4000, TC ICON
At NSCA, TC Electronic announced a new software version for its Reverb 4000 and the Mac-compatible version of the TC ICON editor program used to control it. Version 1.10 and Mac ICON editor will be available as free downloads in April at www.tcelectronic.com. MORE

Adamson Convertible Cardioid Technology
Convertible Cardioid technology has been integrated into several new Adamson products that have recently been developed, including the SpekTrix Sub, the latest addition to Adamson's SpekTrix compact line array system. The SpekTrix Sub is now shipping. MORE

Alesis GigaMix, ProVenue Monitors
Alesis' GigaMix series of powered mixers and ProVenue series of passive P.A. monitors comprise a series of live sound products that will be offered in four unique packages, as well as individually. MORE

Aviom 16/0-YI Card for Yamaha Consoles
Aviom announced the support of Yamaha's line of digital mixing consoles with its AVIOM16/o-Y1 output card, which allows audio in the form of the company's proprietary A-Net™ protocol to be distributed via Cat-5 cable directly from the console to Aviom A-16 Personal Mixers; no other input device is required. MORE

Cerwin-Vega VISION Series
Cerwin-Vega is now shipping its flagship VISION™ Series, featuring five completely new designs specifically aimed at live sound reinforcement and non-engineered sound applications. The VISION™ line comprises two three-way, full-range (bi-ampable) trapezoidal enclosures with ATM-equipped fly points, two subwoofers and a single 12-inch coaxial enclosure that doubles as a floor monitor and flyable install speaker. MORE

Molex HandyLink
This new system from Molex is a complete, compact solution that offers a 0.80mm (0.031-inch) pitch and can carry a continuous current of 1.5 amperes, with the ability to carry up to 3 amperes, depending on the circuit configuration. MORE

Roland V-Pro V-Drums Series
Roland has added to its V-Drums(R) line with the V-Drums V-Pro™ Series TD-20S-BK. This complete system is based on the new and ultraexpressive TD-20 module, improved mesh V-Pads™ with rim shot triggering on toms, Roland's new V-Hi-Hat™ with full motion capability and an ergonomically designed drum stand. MORE

Copperhead Sound Upgrades With Sound Physics Labs
Decatur, Ill.-based regional sound company Copperhead Sound recently upgraded its primary reinforcement system with eight Sound Physics Labs SPL-td1 full-range enclosures. The fully configurable two- or three-way active or passive cabinets are complemented by eight existing ServoDrive BassTech 7 sub enclosures. MORE

Nordic Rentals Brings in Lake Contour
Scandinavian sound, lighting and staging company Nordic Rentals A/S has implemented a dozen Lake Contour™ Pro26D units to provide control of its Electro-Voice and Adamson compact line array speaker systems. The Lake Contour Pro26D is a new version of the company's digital loudspeaker processor that incorporates a stereo AES/EBU digital input and output as standard. MORE

Awakening Productions Celebrates Anniversary With Bag End Install
Awakening Productions (Davis, Calif.) recently celebrated its fifth anniversary by boosting its inventory of Bag End loudspeaker systems to nearly 40 cabinets. Earlier this year, Awakening Productions added four high-output, quad-18 Quartz subwoofer systems and four high-output midrange Crystals to its inventory. MORE

Bano Promotec Brings In D5
Netherlands-based Bano Promotec (www.banopromotec.nl/) has recently purchased a DiGiCo D5 FMX front-of-house and monitor package with 56-track recording via DiGiTRACS. MORE

First Alcons "The Ribbon" Line Arrays Hit the Road
In November 2003, German company Kohlmann Veranstaltungstechnik (event technology) took delivery of a large Alcons "The Ribbon" system, comprising 18 LR16 line array modules with dedicated transport cases, six ALC2 controller amplifiers, complete with cables, connector panels with AC power distribution and dedicated processing. MORE

Studer Equips Japan's National Theatre
The National Theatre of Japan has installed two Studer Vista 6 digital live broadcast consoles and a D950 digital production console to provide an all-digital surround sound system in its Tokyo auditorium. A 40-fader Vista 6 with 96 mic inputs, 48 line inputs and 12 AES/EBU digital inputs was specified to provide the main front-of-house and monitor mix, and a 20-fader Vista 6 with 32 mic inputs, 56 line inputs and 16 AES/EBU digital inputs is used for sound effects. MORE

First Midas Verona Goes to Royal Festival Hall
Richard Nowell's Sound Services installed the UK's first Midas Verona -- serial number 001 -- into London's Royal Festival Hall. RNSS is responsible for the in-house sound system throughout the South Bank Centre, from voice alarm and evacuation systems through to P.A. MORE

Shadow Mountain Ministries Adds New Console
Shadow Mountain Ministries (El Cajon Calif.) recently upgraded its 2,500-seat main worship center with a new InnovaSon Sy80 digital mixing console for front-of-house and monitor duties, which includes reinforcing a full band, 35-piece orchestra, 160-voice choir, praise team and numerous soloists, groups, speakers and guests. MORE