Syn-Aud-Con Update: "System Optimization" will be held June 6-7, 2004, at InfoComm (Atlanta). 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.

Audio-Technica Midnight Blues
Audio-Technica introduced the next generation of Midnight Blues microphones, which are based on its original vocal and instrument mic series. The new line comprises four models: the MB1k unidirectional dynamic vocal microphone, MB2k unidirectional dynamic instrument microphone, MB3k unidirectional dynamic vocal microphone and MB4k cardioid condenser microphone. All models are available with an optional 15-foot XLRM cable. MORE

Audix RAD-360
Audix's RAD-360 is a frequency-agile, UHF wireless microphone system with 193 selectable frequencies and a dual-tuner true-diversity receiver. Operating in the UHF band between 638 and 806 MHz, the RAD-360 is designed for live performances, fixed installs, corporate meetings/events and houses of worship. MORE

Bag End Minima One
At the recent NSCA show, Bag End introduced its Minima One, a 1,000-watt, high-fidelity, high-efficiency internal modular amplifier that weighs five pounds. The module is available as an option on all but a few products in its product line. MORE

Future Sonics SofterWear
Future Sonics has released its new SofterWear™ custom-fit sleeves for use with its universal-fit product line. This option provides an affordable option for those who want custom-fit personal monitoring. The SofterWear product is designed for use with the company's Future Sonics Ears and the Sennheiser IE3 models. MORE

Gold Line AmpGard
The AmpGard is a rackmounted amplifier monitor that compares the signal going to an amplifier to the signal coming out and indicates a fault if a significant difference is found. The AmpGard uses program material and generates an intermittent test tone for situations where the system is not in continuous use. MORE

Martin Audio Adds to Stadium Series
Martin Audio has increased its Stadium Series line with three new enclosures: the AM10, AM12 and AM15. These AM Series loudspeakers have been designed for use in stadiums and arenas where high SPL and weather resistance are critical. All three enclosures feature a vertical trapezoid design that is horizontally formatted to reduce sightline obstruction. A new plastic paint finish, a galvanized and powder-coated steel grille with a Declon™ foam backing ensures that the enclosure is waterproof. MORE

Sennheiser EM550-G2 Wireless Series
Sennheiser introduced its second-generation Evolution Wireless G2 Series of radio microphone equipment, the new EM550-G2 Wireless Series dual-channel true-diversity receiver with active antennae splitter, at InfoComm 2004. MORE

Martin Audio Powers Nobel Prize Winner's Banquet
For many years, Sweden-based DM Audio has provided sound reinforcement duties for the Nobel Prize banquets; this year, the company employed a new Martin Audio W8LM Mini Line Array and QSC PL1.4s and PL4.0s, with PL6.0s handling the Martin S18 subwoofers. MORE

England Sound Company Purchases Allen & Heath Board
Concert P.A. rental company Sound of Music Ltd. (Nottingham, England) purchased a 40-channel Allen & Heath ML4000 live sound VCA console to update its existing hire equipment. The console was immediately put to work on a show by Australian ABBA tribute band, Bjorn Again, at the Hilton Hotel in Park Lane, London. MORE

Robert Scovill Shares Tips With Audio Pros
Robert Scovill, front-of-house engineer for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Prince, Def Leppard, Rush and Matchbox 20, recently offered a select group of audio pros from around the world an inside look at how he works. Under the banner of audioseminiars.com, Scovill's offering, "The Complete Front-of-House Engineer" chose the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences' (Gilbert, Ariz.) new 6,000-square-foot live sound classroom to host the event; Scovill helped design this room. MORE

Ultrasone Launches Corporate Website
Ultrasone of America (formerly EARS Audio Distribution), the United States distributor for German headphone manufacturer Ultrasone AG, has launched its new Website at www.ultrasoneusa.com. MORE

Rat Sound Brings in Top Ranks From Sennheiser
Rat Sound (Oxnard, Calif.) was named Sennheiser's Tour Sound Dealer of the Year. MORE

Summit Integrates SPL For Church Projects
After a banner year of diverse projects, the four-year-old firm Summit Integrated Systems and its owner Chris Rayburn have geared their business to the houses of worship market and have relied on SPL/ServoDrive enclosures for numerous installs. MORE

LD Systems Rides Contour at Rodeo
Texas-based rental/installation company LD Systems has taken delivery of multiple Lake Contour digital speaker processors, which were used to provide processing and control of the company's sound reinforcement setup at the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (March 2-21, 2004). MORE

Sabine Wireless Tames Coyote Ugly
Installer Frank Wilt of Washington Entertainment Technologies has chosen Sabine's SWM7000 2.4GHz wireless systems for the three-story, Washington, D.C.-based Coyote Ugly Saloon, comprising five dual-channel wireless microphone systems with 10 handheld transmitters. MORE

Soundcraft, BSS Enter the Big Top
Two Soundcraft MH3 mixing consoles and BSS 9088 Soundwebs are currently in-use running the audio for the Swiss National Circus -- part of a 100-percent Harman Pro system installation. MORE