http:// 2013-05-20T01:06:25Z 2013-05-20T01:06:25Z with-music-education-at-risk-musicians-and-teachers-take-action

Perth, WA, May 20, 2013 - Peter Luff, the conductor of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, doesn’t believe that the children are being exposed enough to music in elementary school. Furthermore, he feels that music should be a right and that adults, educational and music professionals most notably, have the obligation to impart some kind of musical knowledge and appreciation to them.The Queensland Symphony Orchestra has been performing during an annual concert series to elementary schools specifically in an effort to fight against the decline in well-supported music and arts programs.From the Queensland Conservatory of Music, Dr Ralph Hultgren makes the claim that musical education is much more creative than math and other subjects, and that it is music that enhances a person, separating them from everyone else. Music education also correlates with increased performances in math and other academic subjects, making it the perfect supporter of those other fields. It can also lead to increased social skills, including the greater capacity for teamwork.In fact, a good number of music and non-music academics agree that music education is very important to a well-rounded, holistic education, and is much more than just learning how to play an instrument, although that is a facet of it. That is not to say that math and other tested subjects are not as important, or even less, but that musical instruction is just as important as instruction and development in those areas.This being said however, Hultgren also makes mention of the point that music teachers should be trained professional in a way, thus making the quality of the education that much better. An average music fan could not effectively teach a music class without proper training and a specialist of sorts is required for the best possible music instruction.Other school principals and administrators are nervous about increased cuts to music program, especially in light of the new government NAPLAN teaching reform. Teachers and principals agree that music and instrument playing tuition is very important to a better education and development as a person overall. The QSO and other musical organisations continue to push for better music programs in primary schools nationwide.Monster Music, an online network of music teachers in Australia, and its owner, musician and teacher Danny Achurch, fully support the growth of music programs in primary schools and are against the cuts made to schools for any reason.“Music programs are so vitally important for our children,” Achurch, a personally major proponent of musical education states. “If a school cuts its music program, I feel that it’s letting down its children and students and short-changing them from what could be the best possible education for them.” Being a teacher himself, Achurch knows the value that teaching children of any age about music holds. “It doesn’t just make them a better student, but it makes them a better overall person to be able to appreciate music and express themselves creatively.” He claims on the subject. “Monster Music’s mission is to spread music education to those who need it and we do it because that’s what’s best for our young people.” Monster Music provides piano, violin, singing, and guitar lessons in Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Sydney, and many other cities across the whole country. For more information about them, please visit http://www.monstermusic.com.au/ or call 08 9335 8881 now.

2013-05-15T01:47:22Z a-new-benchmark-in-notebooks-1

Sydney, AUSTRALIA – Toshiba unveiled its future for design and innovation with an extensive range of devices. Showcasing diversity of form factor, breath-taking screen resolution and outstanding features, Toshiba’s latest product range is built to offer consumers the very best in technology for entertainment and work. In its line-up of more than 25 notebooks and an All-in-One device, Toshiba’s latest range features its hallmark of inspired engineering as part of its world-wide corporate identity launch.  “This is our most innovative and stylish range that draws on our rich Japanese heritage fused with the latest in modern technologies,” said Mark Whittard, Managing Director, Toshiba (Australia) Pty Limited. “Toshiba is giving consumers the ability to choose a device that is specific to their unique needs.” “In addition to the hallmark silhouette across the range, each model celebrates and contains Toshiba’s world-class reputation for reliability, precision and craftsmanship, making them instantly recognisable as an array of devices built to improve and enhance lives,” he said. Unified in presentation, every Toshiba product features the elegant, harmonious curves of an exclusive design - the marque of world-renowned, state-of-the-art, inspired engineering.  The latest range incorporates a number of unique Toshiba innovations designed to ensure technology is seamlessly integrated into every-day life including: • High-Speed Start: For fast PC wake-up. • Peak Shift: Toshiba’s Peak Shift function – controllable through Toshiba’s eco Utility™ - saves you dollars by allowing you to use off-peak power in peak periods, cutting down your power bills. • PC Health Monitor: When you want to give your notebook a check-up, Toshiba’s PC Health Monitor diagnoses performance and enhances your notebook’s reliability. • Sleep-and-Charge: Lets you charge your devices while your notebook is off. • Sleep-and-Music: Listen to music while your device is switched off or in sleep mode. • harman/ kardon® Speakers: Deliver a luxurious listening experience. • Airget: Share content easily and from anywhere with your own personal cloud. • HDMI® 4K2K: If you have a 4K2K TV, you can connect and marvel at your content on the big screen in all its finest detail using HDMI®. • Pixel Pure: Only available on KIRA, Pixel Pure screen resolution, (also known as Quad High Definition) is four times the definition of standard HD 720p screen resolution.KIRA – Precision in every detail, Price ranges from $1,799 RRP (inc. GST) to $2,199 RRP (inc. GST)  Meaning ‘beam of light’, KIRA is the epitome of Japanese workmanship – every element designed and crafted with beautifully considered precision. As Toshiba’s most technologically-advanced luxury Ultrabook™ yet, KIRA delivers phenomenal performance within its ultra-slim, striking profile.  Taking its cues from nature, KIRA has an incredibly durable lightweight strength due to its unique Honeycomb structure, designed to reinforce the chassis. Its construction, using the same magnesium alloy found in high-performance race cars, gives KIRA the edge when it comes to life in the fast lane. As one of the smallest 13” Ultrabooks™ in the marketplace today, KIRA delivers incomparable entertainment, enjoyment and unimaginable details with absolute clarity using Pixel Pure display – with 3.7 million pixels not even visible to the human eye. Crystal clear sound is delivered through harman/kardon® speakers. With its quiet beauty and unprecedented precision-engineering, KIRA Ultrabook™ propels luxury into a league of its own.  KIRA highlights include: • World’s first Ultrabook™ with Pixel Pure (2560x1440) display – the equivalent of four times the clarity of standard 720p High Definition display • Intuitive touchscreen  • Ultra-light 1.21kg – 1.35kg (Dependant on no-touch/touch capabilities) • Prestigious harman/kardon® speakers • Supreme lightweight strength with reinforced magnesium honeycomb construction • Extended warranty  • Dedicated platinum on-site servicing and a dedicated hotlinePortege Z10t – A chameleon in its class. Two initial configurations will be available ranging from $1,199 RRP (inc. GST) featuring a Celeron CPU, 4GB, 128GB SSD to $1,499 (inc. GST) featuring Intel® Core® i5 Y processor with 4GB memory and 128GB SSD. For people who demand it all, Toshiba’s Portégé Z10t is everything to everyone. Together or apart, the thin detachable Ultrabook™ transforms easily, into a practical and intuitive tablet with an impressive handwriting experience.  Whether you’re creating content in its Windows® 8 Ultrabook™ mode or detaching its Tablet to consume all your favourite apps, movies, music and media, the Portégé Z10t is PC Utopia – adapting to the way in which you live, work and play. It’s also perfect when it comes to business-class connectivity, networking and performance as this detachable Ultrabook™ has the world’s first fully-ported docking keyboard . With the choice of working with touch, track pad, keyboard or stylist, the Portégé Z10t gives you the power to work the way you want. Portégé Z10t highlights include: • Ultra-Thin, measuring 16.9mm on the front and 19.9mm on the back • Ultra-Light (850g) in tablet mode • Full High Definition touchpanel display (1920 x 1080) • Full Ultrabook™ experience • Detachable keyboard for full media tablet experience • World-First fully-ported docking keyboard with incredible connectivity • Dual Point and backlit keyboard • HDMI® + USB 3.0 + SD +VGA + LAN • Ultra-High Performance 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ Y Series CPUs • 4 Hour+ battery lifeSatellite P-Series – Prestige, power and portability from $1,299 RRP (inc. GST) to $1,999 RRP (inc. GST) Aesthetically beautiful, Toshiba’s P-Series Prestige notebooks are designed for trendsetters who covet cutting-edge technology and the ultimate in chic, urban style. Delivering powerful performance, dynamic home entertainment, business-level productivity and outstanding portability, they’re truly the notebooks of distinction.  With the ability to switch from a super-fast portable computer to a superior home entertainment and gaming hub, home theatre, editing suite, music stereo and central recharging destination, these impressive notebook powerhouses are the best-in-class top performers to enhance your digital lifestyle.  P-Series highlights include: • 25per cent thinner design than previous models • Full High Definition display (1080p) • Touchscreen, ideal for Windows® 8 (Selected models only) • Prestigious harman/kardon® Speakers • Toshiba 1TB Hybrid HDD • Up To 4GB NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 4GB graphics • Zero Power ODD • HDD Protection • Peak Shift function • Hybrid HDD provides the same instant-on and speed as an SSD with double the storage • Backlit keyboard • HDMI® 4K2K Output • Sleep-and-Charge • Sleep-and-MusicSatellite S-Series – Sleek and stylish at $999 RRP (inc. GST) Toshiba’s S-Series Style notebooks offer the same increased performance as the L-Series, with the added bonus of a stylish metallic finish and extra features for a modern digital lifestyle. Elegantly thinner in design, they’re packed with remarkable and powerful enhancements – all for a very affordable price! With a backlit keyboard to guide your fingertips in the dark, superb ONKYO® speakers to deliver best-in-class sound and the option of touchscreen capability for a terrific Windows® 8 experience, the S-Series lights up your everyday work, study and play in style. S-Series highlights include: • 25 per cent thinner design • Touchscreen – Ideal for Windows® 8 (Selected models only) • ONKYO® Speakers • Backlit keyboard • Sleep-and-Charge • Toshiba HDD Accelerator improves hard drive performance by up to 32 per cent • Up To 2GB NVIDIA® GeForce® Graphics Cards • Stylish brushed metal Satellite L-Series – Built for your digital lifestyle from $599 RRP (inc. GST) to $999 RRP (inc. GST) Toshiba’s L-Series Lifestyle notebooks are designed for those in need of an affordable touchscreen notebook, offering increased performance and stylish looks to enhance their digital lifestyle. Elegantly dressed on the outside and packed with remarkable and powerful enhancements on the inside, Toshiba’s L-Series is engineered to lead you smoothly along your life’s journey as you connect and enjoy all the experiences of your digital world.  With a superb selection of two high-quality gloss colours (silver and white), ONKYO® speakers to deliver best-in-class sound, and an impressive array of connectivity and features, the L-Series delivers simply the best all-round notebooks for everyday work, study and play. L-Series highlights include: • 25 per cent thinner design than previous models • Touchscreen, ideal for Windows® 8 (Selected models only) • ONKYO® Speakers • Backlit keyboard • Sleep-and-Charge • Toshiba HDD Accelerator improves hard drive performance by up to 32 per cent • Up To 2GB NVIDIA® GeForce® graphics cards • Choice of shinning silver or pearl whiteSatellite C-Series – Affordable style and excellence from $499 RRP (inc. GST) to $699 RRP (inc. GST). Toshiba’s C-Series Classic notebooks are slim, stylish, versatile and value-packed with excellent essential features for all your everyday home computing needs. They’re the perfect entry-level notebooks for families seeking quality, reliability and everything needed to enjoy multi-tasking, web-browsing, emailing, social media and family entertainment fun. Best of all, they’re fantastic value for money! C-Series highlights include: • High-quality silver gloss finish • Touchscreen, ideal for Windows® 8 (Selected models only) • USB 3.0 Ports • Toshiba high speed start • Up To 1GB NVIDIA® GeForce® Graphics Cards • AMD® or Intel® ProcessorsQosmio X-Series – Experience entertainment excellence from $2,999 RRP (inc. GST) to $3,999 RRP (inc. GST)  Toshiba’s X-Series Xperience notebooks are engineered specifically for diehard gamers, designers, video editors and enthusiasts seeking the most elite, realistic and extreme gaming and entertainment experience. Using some of the best Toshiba technologies, X-Series delivers the most extraordinary and powerful sound, speed, graphics and performance, allowing you to connect perfectly with the virtual world and immerse yourself in an intense full HD experience. Encased in a fierce combat commanding shell with lighting to help guide your fingertips in your gaming den, its advanced technology provides fast refresh rates, giving you the ability to make those vital split-second decisions.  As a digital connectivity hub, the X-Series provides incredible rapid access capabilities and the capacity to transfer data at high-speed, as well as recharge on the run – keeping you ahead of the game. X-Series highlights include: • Extreme performance with 4th Generation Intel® Quad Core™ i7 CPU • Four prestigious harman/kardon® Speakers • A dedicated mSATA SSD and two HDD slots  • NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 770 3GB graphics • Full High Definition widescreen display (1080p) • Red illuminated backlit keyboard • Backlit Qosmio logo • Four USB 3.0 ports • HDMI® 4K2K • Sleep-and-MusicAll-in-One – The heart of your home or office from $1,499 RRP (inc. GST) to $1,999 RRP (inc. GST) The world of brilliantly simple home connectivity is no longer a dream for the future – it starts right here with Toshiba’s innovative technology engineered to bring you, your family and your Toshiba digital lifestyle together.  From a kitchen computer hub or office workstation to a gold-class TV, entertainment machine or gaming device, the All-in-One has the screen size, performance and features to be the digital heart of your world. Using an ultra-friendly touchscreen interface that’s ideal for Windows® 8, the All-in-One brings the entertainment of HD movies, gaming, video chat and television together with the joy of web surfing and the ability to share your personal photos, music and videos with everyone. The All-in-One is truly a desktop that’s one for all. All-in-One highlights Include: • Full High Definition screen (1920 x 1080) • Ultra-Thin bezel • Prestigious harman/kardon® Speakers • TV Tuner (On selected models only) • AirGet – Your own personal cloud • New Windows® 8 Keyboard and Mouse • HDMI® In PortFurther information about KIRA is available at: http://www.mytoshiba.com.au/kira  For updates on the latest Toshiba news, products and up-coming competitions check out Toshiba ANZ’s new Facebook page: http://facebook.com/toshibaANZAbout Toshiba Toshiba is a world-leading diversified manufacturer, solutions provider and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products and systems. Toshiba Group brings innovation and imagination to a wide range of businesses: digital products, including LCD TVs, notebook PCs, retail solutions and MFPs; electronic devices, including semiconductors, storage products and materials; industrial and social infrastructure systems, including power generation systems, smart community solutions, medical systems and escalators & elevators; and home appliances. Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 550 consolidated companies, with 202,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 6.1 trillion yen (US$74 billion). Visit Toshiba's web site at www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm.

2013-05-08T20:43:04Z hisense-re-designs-affordable-luxury-with-its-stunning-xt780-smart-100hz-full-hd-3dtv

MELBOURNE, Australia – May 9, 2013 – Hisense today announced the introduction of the XT780, a 65 inch 100Hz Full High Definition 3D Smart TV with a newly designed TV stand and clear edge frame. The 65 inch XT780 combines large screen performance, leading quality and advanced functionality to be an iconic centre point of any entertainment hub. Using the latest Hisense Smart TV user interface, with built in WiFi for Web browsing, Skype for video chat, and online access to TV shows, music and more.With a few presses of a button, checking weather or accessing your own entertainment via the is as simple as turning on your TV. In addition, the XT780 turns ordinary photos, movies and live TV into a totally new experience with the 2D to 3D converter (3D glasses sold separately). 4 x HDMI inputs allows for the addition of multiple gaming devices and Blu-ray™ players to satisfy all members of the family. As with our entire TV range for 2013, MHL is integrated in this mid-range Hisense TV, allowing users to screen share exactly what’s on the screen of their compatible device. “Consumers expect solid performance and quality — when it comes to the XT780, we are delivering that along with style and great design. A true combination of style and substance,” said Andre Iannuzzi, head of Marketing, Hisense Australia. The XT780 series is available at JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys, and BSR from end of May 2013 onward. For more information about Hisense’s range of innovative products and accessories visit www.hisense.com.au. About Hisense Australia Pty LtdHisense is a global television and refrigeration manufacturer active in more than 130 countries worldwide. More than 40 million people buy and enjoy Hisense products globally every year. Since arriving in Australia in 2006, Hisense has grown to be one of the fastest emerging TV and Home Appliance brands in Australia, distributed through more than 1,000 leading retail stores nationally. Established in 2006, Hisense Australia Pty Ltd is an Australian based subsidiary of Hisense Company Ltd.Hisense televisions and home appliances are available at Australia’s leading national electronics retailers including JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys and BSR.Find Hisense Australia at the following social media sites: Twitter: www.twitter.com/Hisense_AustFacebook: www.facebook.com/HisenseAUInstagram: www.instagram.com/HisenseAUPinterest: www.pinterest.com/HisenseAU

2013-04-30T06:36:57Z professional-perth-photographer-warns-don-t-trust-your-cherished-memories-to-an-amateur

Perth, WA, April 30, 2013 - In a recent blog post on his website, Perth photographer Geoff Fisher gave a long, detailed answer to a frequently asked question: “Why should I hire a professional photographer?” Fisher, who has been the owner of Fisher Photography for the past 35 years, holds “Master Photographer” status, awarded by the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP). In addition, he has won a Gold Award, and many Silver Awards, and has been named AIPP Western Australian Portrait Photographer of the Year. In the post, Fisher explained some of the pitfalls of hiring an amateur photographer, and described some of the factors that differentiate professional photographers from amateurs. Since the advent of digital cameras, amateur photographers have had access to much better equipment than they used to. Unfortunately, this has inspired many amateur photographers to buy the most expensive camera at their local department store, take a few pictures, and offer their services to friends and acquaintances as photographers. While some of the more expensive digital cameras on the market do, indeed, take great pictures, they are still, by nature, point and click devices. The amateur photographer simply points the camera, waits for it to focus, and snaps a picture. While this can produce the occasional good picture, professionals view the default settings on any camera to be a starting point: not a finishing point. Professional photographers use equipment that is far more expensive and elaborate than the cameras at the local department store. Professional photographers use their own lighting. Their studios are designed to allow for perfect lighting, and their cameras allow for more adjustments. Professionals pay close attention to variables such as angles, exposure time, distance, and different lenses. Professionals undergo extensive training, and then add experience to that training. Fisher, for example, has personally trained everyone in his studio, regardless of their past experience. Professional photographers leave nothing to chance. Their protocols ensure that there’ll be no surprises, such as cameras without batteries, or lights that don’t work. Amateur photographers, even those who mean well, are simply lacking in the equipment and experience to provide a product on the level of a professional photographer. Fisher believes that the risks are too high and the rewards are too low for anyone who needs professional photos to trust them to anyone but a professional photographer. According to Fisher, “Your photographs are extremely important. While amateurs are certainly capable of taking decent photos, they cannot come close to producing the kind of quality your professional photographer can. Professional photographers have years of training and experience, and they have access to equipment that outclasses anything an amateur can buy.” Fisher continued, “We have been taking professional photographs for over 35 years. We have seen every situation, and have taken photographs for all kinds of people. All of this experience has taught us how to consistently uncover the best of anyone’s inner qualities, and allow them to come to the surface to be photographed. When those photographs are taken under controlled conditions with professional equipment, they always turn out perfect.” Fisher concluded, “Professionals have the best training, the best equipment, and the most experience. If you want professional results, hire a professional photographer.”Fisher receives a lot of testimonials; a recent one comes from CJ Halvorson, who is Vice President of Strategic Accounts in Asia, Pacific, and Japan for a major IT Company: “Hi, Geoff: Love the photo and getting great reviews already.” Fisher Photography provides professional photography in Perth and the surrounding area. They offer many services, including portrait photography, family photography, and corporate photography to their Perth area clients. For more information, call (08) 9381 2233 or visit their website: http://fisherphotography.com.au/

2013-04-29T01:13:30Z victorian-economy-receives-more-than-1-billion-every-year-from-live-music

Perth, WA, April 23, 2013 - Music Victoria, the state’s music body, recently conducted the Victorian Live Music Census, in partnership with NMIT and the City of Melbourne. In addition, over 100 student volunteers participated in gathering data for the census. The census was the largest of its kind ever conducted in Victoria, and Music Victoria’s CEO called it, “the most accurate snapshot of what our world-renowned industry looks like.” In the face of countless obstacles facing the Australian live music scene, such as encroaching residential development, noise complaints, and an uneven economy, the numbers from the census indicate that live music has nearly twice as many patrons now as it did during the previous generation. This is welcome news for an industry that has had a pessimistic outlook the last few years. According to the census, the average Saturday night sees 97,000 people attending live music shows and gigs, and spending an average of $745,000 to get in the door. Those people are then spending $3.7 million on merchandise, food, drinks, and transport. On any given Saturday night, an average of 900 musicians, 2,730 venue staff, 237 production crew, and 740 DJ’s are getting paid for their work. Projected over a year, it works out to over 62,000 gigs, with 14.4 million patrons spending $1.04 billion. This includes major concerts, Melbourne-based festivals, and small venues. Over a year’s time, 18,200 musicians, 77,391 venue staff, 6437 production staff, and 14,150 DJ’s are being paid for providing music. Dobe Newton, who managed the project, feels that these numbers prove that Melbourne is one of “the world’s greatest music cities.” Newton compares the music scene in Melbourne to cities such as New York, Tokyo, and Paris.  Patrick Donovan, CEO of Music Victoria, feels that numbers uncovered by the census are extremely important as a verification of the relevance of the live music scene in Melbourne. Donovan noted that nearly three times as many people watch live music in Melbourne as those who watch the AFL. Donovan encourages those in the area to become members of Music Victoria during their “Jump on the Bandwagon” membership drive. Danny Achurch, teacher, musician, and owner of Monster Music, feels that the study vindicates the dedication of many fellow musicians in their efforts to provide a vibrant live music scene, not only in Melbourne, but all across Australia. According to Achurch, “I am very happy to see these numbers, but I’m not surprised. Even though it seems like there have been less opportunities for live musicians this decade, in reality, the opportunities are there; you just have to look for them. At this point in time, musicians have to work hard to create their own opportunities, but it is worth it.” Achurch continued, “Look at all of the great things that have happened to Australian music in the last few months. We are seeing millions of dollars being spent on developing musicians and enabling them to play in live venues, and a lot of time and effort is being spent in growing Australian music. Now, finally, we get a great study like this one, justifying that time and effort.” Achurch concluded, “The future of Australian music has never looked better.” Monster Music provides many music lessons in most cities across Australia - violin, singing, guitar and keyboard lessons in Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and more. They specialise in getting great results while always remembering that music is supposed to be fun. To get started today, call 08 9335 8881 or visit their website: http://www.monstermusic.com.au/

2013-04-23T21:22:13Z hisense-hits-the-sweet-spot-with-its-new-mid-range-k360-series-100hz-full-hd-3d-tv-s

MELBOURNE, Australia – April 24, 2013 – Hisense Australia today announced the K360 Full HD 3D LED 100Hz TV for users that simply want to come home kick up their feet and turn on their TV. With the latest 3D capabilities, the K360 allows 2D content like live TV, movies and pictures to be converted to 3D. The younger sibiling of the recently announced K610 series, the K360 offers all the robust features without the SmartTV capabilities. This latest array brings style and quality expected from Hisense, available in 55, 50 and 39-inches sizes with a super thin bezel and narrow frame, the K360 takes ques from the K610 series challenging the market on price and value. Pictures are crystal clear and video is smooth thanks to a 100Hz refresh rate for dramatic motion clarity, viewers will appreciate stunning details and vibrant colors. In addition, 4 x HDMI input allow for gaming devices, Blu-ray™ players and more, satisfying everyone in the family.Connecting users to their entertainment or content outside their TV is now accessible with Hisense’s built-in digital media player via USB and MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) via HDMI. Viewing pictures, watching home videos and listening to music is as simple as plugging in a portable USB drive or external hard drive to the TV. MHL allows for compatible mobile devices to screen share pictures, movies, or apps on the big screen. “Hisense Australia recognises current trends while providing consumers with new ways to view their content, it’s the perfect television to upgrade any room in the house,” said Andre Iannuzzi, head of Marketing, Hisense Australia. “With stunning Full HD picture and 2D to 3D capability, this is an excellent range for the whole family who want to turn those already memorable home videos and old pictures into a totally new viewing experience.” The K360 series is available at JB H-Fi, The Good Guys, and BSR from end of May 2013 onwards. For more information about Hisense’s range of innovative products and accessories visit www.hisense.com.au. About Hisense Australia Pty LtdHisense is a global television and refrigeration manufacturer active in more than 130 countries worldwide. More than 40 million people buy and enjoy Hisense products globally every year. Since arriving in Australia in 2006, Hisense has grown to be one of the fastest emerging TV and Home Appliance brands in Australia, distributed through more than 1,000 leading retail stores nationally. Established in 2006, Hisense Australia Pty Ltd is an Australian based subsidiary of Hisense Company Ltd.Hisense televisions and home appliances are available at Australia’s leading national electronics retailers including JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys and BSR.Find Hisense Australia at the following social media sites: Twitter: www.twitter.com/Hisense_AustFacebook: www.facebook.com/HisenseAUInstagram: www.instagram.com/HisenseAUPinterest: www.pinterest.com/HisenseAU

2013-04-18T01:10:25Z federal-government-finally-releases-national-cultural-policy-to-mixed-response

Perth, WA, April 18, 2013 - The Federal Government recently released the new National Cultural Policy, called Creative Australia. Under the new policy, the creative arts will receive a total of $235 million over the next 10 years. The largest expenditure will be $75 million to help overhaul the Australian Council for the Arts, which currently oversees music grants.Simon Crean, Minister for the Arts, describes the program has a “policy that sees the artist at the centre of creativity,” and one that is “crucial to the nation’s future.” Crean further describes Creative Australia as “a vision that says we have to invest in the artist.” Crean sees competitiveness and economic development as crucial to furthering the arts.Aside from the $75 million allocated for the overhaul of the Australian Council for the Arts, another $20.8 million will go to not-for-profit training organisations, such as the National Academy of Music, the Australian Youth Orchestra, and an $8.1 million project called Creative Young Stars. Creative Young Stars will allow MP’s to hold local talent contests, with grants being awarded to the winners.Contemporary music will receive funds as well. Sounds Australia will receive $1.75 million to “to help grow domestic and export markets,” and another $1.25 million for “career pathways for musicians.” Over the next four years,$2.4 million will go to the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (AMRAP), an initiative to ensure that more Australian music is played on the radio.Despite Crean’s optimism, and the amount of money pledged to the arts over the next 10 years as part of Creative Australia, some in the music business are concerned that the money may not go where it is truly needed. According to John Wardle, a well-known live music activist, “I can understand the relentless cynicism from musicians, because they’ve been left out of the process for so long.”Wardle feels that the program will help provide a good infrastructure for advancement of the arts, particularly Australian music, but acknowledges that there won’t be a lot of money going directly into the hands of current artists.Dr. Ianto Ware, the National Live Music Coordinator, is very happy with the initiative, especially its mission “to cut the red tape” and make it easier to produce and perform live music in Australia. Dr. Ware feels that current regulations such as “planning and regulatory rules” are detrimental and create barriers to the live music scene in Australia.Danny Achurch, musician, teacher, and owner of Monster Music, sees Creative Australia as a great development, especially for future musicians: “As a musician and teacher, many of my friends and former students are also in the music business. While I would prefer to see a little more of the money go toward helping those who are playing music right now, there is still a lot being done for current musicians, and this new policy could virtually ensure the future of Australian music.”Achurch concluded, “Today’s children, taking their guitar, drum, piano, and singing lessons, are going to have a lot better chance at success than many in my generation did. If you love music, there has never been a better time in Australian history to take music lessons.”Monster Music is a network of music teachers based in Perth, also serving Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, and most cities across Australia. They specialise in making music fun to learn. For more information, their website can be found here:http://www.monstermusic.com.au/ or you may also call them at 08 9335 8881.

2013-04-15T22:49:00Z kobo-unveils-limited-edition-kobo-aura-hd-reader

Kobo Unveils Limited Edition Kobo Aura HD Reader Kobo creates new high-definition eReader for the passionate booklover SYDNEY, Australia - April 16, 2013 – Kobo, a global leader in eReading, today announced its limited-edition Kobo Aura HD E Ink eReader. Designed for the world’s most passionate booklover, Kobo Aura HD delivers the best eReading experience with the highest resolution 6.8” E Ink display available on the market today. Its sophisticated, book-inspired design is available in Ivory, Espresso and Onyx. Starting tomorrow Kobo Aura HD will be available for pre-order at Kobo.com and select retailers. The device will retail for $219.99 AUD (RRP) and $279.99 NZD (RRP). “From the beginning, Kobo has pushed the eReading industry to new heights and today is no exception,” said Michael Serbinis, CEO, Kobo. “Kobo Aura HD is designed for the most passionate booklovers – those who devour hundreds of stories each year – who asked us to create the ultimate eReading experience. Kobo Aura HD is our way of celebrating these customers.” Kobo Aura HD offers the highest-resolution screen available in an eReader today. At 265 dpi, the spacious 6.8” Pearl E Ink touchscreen offers 30 per cent more reading surface and the closest experience to print-on-paper – showcasing text and high-resolution images beautifully. The device’s 1GHz processor makes page turns fly and is the fastest eReader on the market – 25 per cent faster. Kobo Aura HD has 4GB of storage (expandable up to 32GB) to easily store thousands of eBooks, and has a battery life of up to two months, making it the perfect eReader for people with a passion for the written word. Complementing the sophisticated features of its design, Kobo developed a new user experience for Kobo Aura HD, harnessing its power, speed, and style for easy discovery of new content. The highly responsive eReader easily accesses the internet with a Wi Fi connection to browse the Kobo eBookstore. True to Kobo standards, each of its 10 fonts were perfected pixel-by-pixel to ensure that no matter which of the 24 adjustable font sizes is selected, Kobo Aura HD displays each letter with perfection. Reflecting the sophisticated nature of its design, the home screen also reflects a new, modern library display. “To us, the Kobo Aura HD is the Porsche of eReaders and is designed for those in the driver’s seat of their eReading adventures,” said Wayne White, EVP and General Manager of Devices, Kobo. “It’s fast, powerful, and sleek and pushes the boundaries of eReading the same way our Readers do – together, they’ll know no bounds as they find their next great read.” Kobo pioneered the affordable eReader in May 2010 and has since introduced its Family of eReaders, which includes the Kobo Arc 7” Android tablet, Kobo Mini, Kobo Glo and Kobo Touch™ E Ink eReaders, and is now introducing the limited-edition Kobo Aura HD. With more than 13-million users around the world, Kobo has experienced triple-digit growth year-over-year. The company is a driving force behind the adoption of eReading around the world with its award-winning eReaders and tablets, free apps for tablets, PCs and smartphones, and extensive network of booksellers and leading retailers. Kobo Aura HD will be available in Australia and New Zealand in June. For more information about Kobo Aura HD and where to buy, visit www.kobo.com/koboauraHD. About Kobo Inc. Kobo Inc. is one of the world’s fastest-growing eReading services offering more than 3.2-million eBooks, magazines and newspapers to millions of customers in 190 countries. Believing that consumers should have the freedom to read any book on any device, Kobo provides consumers with a choice when reading. From its Family of eReaders, which includes the Kobo Touch™, Kobo Mini, Kobo Glo and Kobo Arc, to its free, top-ranked eReading applications for Apple®, BlackBerry®, Android®, and Windows® products, Kobo ensures the next great read is just a page-turn away. Headquartered in Toronto and owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten, Kobo eReaders can be found in major retail chains around the world. For more information, visit www.kobo.com. For more information please contact: Christine Law Howorth Communications T: +61 2 8282 3256 E: Christine@howorth.com.au Jacquie Potter Howorth CommunicationsT: +61 2 8281 3893 E: Jacquie@howorth.com.au -30-

2013-04-15T01:18:15Z controversial-study-claims-that-piracy-does-not-hurt-music-industry

Perth, April 15, 2013 - Recently, the European Commission Joint Research Centre released a study which analysed the purchasing and downloading statistics of approximately 16,000 European online music consumers. The study analysed an assortment of metrics, and most of its conclusions were of no surprise to those in the music industry. However, the Commission dropped a huge bombshell on the music industry when it claimed that its findings prove that illegal downloads have no negative effect on the sale of online music. The report went even further, and concluded that illegal online downloads actually stimulate the sales of online digital music. Numerically, the study found that whenever the amount of clicks on illegal download sites increases by 10%, the clicks on legal downloading sites increase 0.2%. The study’s authors, Bertin Martins and Luis Aguiar, offered a series of possible reasons for this behaviour. In the past, the most common argument supporting illegal online downloads has been that many consumers like to use illegal downloads as “try before you buy” copies.  Another possible reason given by Martins and Aguiar is that those who participate in illegal downloading were not going to buy any product in the first place, and thus represent no loss of revenue because they weren’t going to buy any product.Another finding that disagrees with the music industry’s collective opinion is that when clicks on legal streaming websites increased 10%, clicks on legal digital retail websites had a corresponding increase of 0.7%.  The study also concluded that those who download music illegally consume more than twice as much music products as those who do not participate in illegal downloading. Many of those in the study tended to click through more to sites such as iTunes, Soundcloud, Vimeo, and YouTube, using multiple portals to access both free and paid music. The music industry, which has long contended that piracy is partially responsible for a decrease in profits over the last decade, was swift in its rebuttal. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), both the research and its message are not only invalid, but could cause more damage to the industry. Recently, international statistics have indicated that global music sales are headed in an upward direction, but the IFPI is adamant that illegal downloading and piracy still damage the music business by providing free product, thus removing the necessity for consumers to buy those products. Danny Achurch, musician, music teacher, and owner of Monster Music, offers a unique perspective on the current debate over the validity of the report. According to Achurch, “The report has some good points, but appears to jump to an unreasonable conclusion. As a musician, I believe that musicians should be well paid for their product. Recorded music is one of those products, and is one of the few products that can give the performer market leverage by providing passive income.” Achurch continued, “I have heard all of the arguments contending that piracy and illegal downloads don’t affect sales, and I can see how someone could come to that conclusion. However, it is my contention that, if the market is flooded with free product, it devalues the product that people are charging money for.” Achurch concluded, “I do not ever want to see music become devalued.” Monster Music is a network of music teachers in Australia.They provide violin, guitar, singing, and piano lessons in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, and most Australian cities. For more information, please call 08 9335 8881 or visit their website: http://www.monstermusic.com.au/

2013-04-11T03:54:19Z hisense-k610-series-brings-full-high-definition-3d-smart-tv-s-unmatched-in-style-and-value-for-2013

MELBOURNE, Australia – April 11, 2013 – Hisense today announced the K610 series of Full High Definition 3D Smart TVs, a beautiful line of feature packed TV’s to fit perfectly in any room - home or commercial, available in 39”, 50” and 55” models. Outfitted with built-in WiFi, Full HD 3D at 1080p, the latest Hisense Smart TV User Interface, super thin bezel and narrow frame, the K610 series stands alone with market challenging price points while bringing enormous value. Boasting a built in Web browser, Skype for video chat, online video entertainment and music right on the TV, the mid-range series offers capabilities users come to expect from Hisense’s new K610 range.The K610 brings forth stunning details and crystal-clear, vibrant colors to create a brilliant picture. The 50” and 55” incorporate a smooth 100Hz refresh rate for dramatic motion clarity. With 4 x HDMI inputs, there is no shortage of ports, allowing for all sorts of gaming devices, Blu-ray™ players and more, enough entertainment for the entire family. Additionally, MHL is integrated in all mid and premium TV’s allowing users to mirror their compatible mobile devices straight to the screen. “Our goal is to provide every home with a feature-packed television that is perfect for the whole family to enjoy not only as a traditional television, but as a media hub enabling access to additional content,” said Andre Iannuzzi, head of Marketing, Hisense Australia. “The K610 provides all of the techno-forward features that consumers are looking for while remaining incredibly user friendly.” The K610 series is available at JB H-Fi, The Good Guys, and BSR from mid-April 2013 onwards. For more information about Hisense’s range of innovative products and accessories visit www.hisense.com.au. About Hisense Australia Pty LtdHisense is a global television and refrigeration manufacturer active in more than 130 countries worldwide. More than 40 million people buy and enjoy Hisense products globally every year. Since arriving in Australia in 2006, Hisense has grown to be one of the fastest emerging TV and Home Appliance brands in Australia, distributed through more than 1,000 leading retail stores nationally. Established in 2006, Hisense Australia Pty Ltd is an Australian based subsidiary of Hisense Company Ltd.Hisense televisions and home appliances are available at Australia’s leading national electronics retailers including JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys and BSR.Find Hisense Australia at the following social media sites: Twitter: www.twitter.com/Hisense_AustFacebook: www.facebook.com/HisenseAUInstagram: www.instagram.com/HisenseAUPinterest: www.pinterest.com/HisenseAU

2013-04-10T23:49:00Z aapt-connected-cities-provides-gateway-to-the-world-of-broadcast-media

MEDIA RELEASE AAPT CONNECTED CITIES PROVIDES GATEWAY TO THE WORLD OF BROADCAST MEDIA Sydney April 10 2013 – Telecommunications infrastructure company, AAPT, has just made it easier for production houses, advertising agencies and broadcasters operating globally to share, distribute and receive content with Australia. From Melbourne or Sydney to LA, London and New York, AAPT’s Connected Cities program allows broadcasters, content owners and media agencies from all of the key media hubs to connect, transfer and store content. Built on a strong domestic presence, platform agnostic infrastructure and international connectivity using AAPT’s extreme performance network, AAPT’s Connected Cities program is delivered in partnership with BT Media and Broadcast. AAPT CEO David Yuile said the media industry in Australia was still evolving as technology was driving new consumer behavior and global content became increasingly accessible. “Strong partnerships are essential to complement AAPT’s Media Connect service and to satisfy the requirements of the global industry. BT Media and Broadcast, with its long standing reputation, capabilities and reach provided the ideal partner for us,” he said. VP of Global Sales and Marketing for BT Media and Broadcast, Mark Wilson-Dunn, said he was very excited by the new partnership with AAPT for the provision of media and broadcast network services to the fast-growing Australian market. “Our ground breaking MPLS-based IP media network, purpose designed for the broadcast of live television and large media files, is growing at some pace around the world, particularly in the Asian and U.S markets. “Joining this ecosystem will literally open up a world of opportunities for Australasian media businesses,” Mr Wilson-Dunn said. AAPT’S CONNECTED CITIES PROGRAM: The business of media has undergone massive transformation in the past few years with events now being broadcast in real time, globally, delivered across multiple platforms. Pre-recorded content is distributed and screened simultaneously across continents … there are no broadcast boundaries. Recognising the opportunities to utilise AAPT’s Extreme Performance network as the platform for world-leading connect, transfer and store services into and out of Australia, the company with its alliance partners is providing media organisations with the tools they need to collaborate domestically and internationally. FURTHER INFORMATION:Louise Di FrancescoP: (0418) 617 869E: louise.difrancesco@appt.com.au

2013-04-08T03:28:41Z cyberpower-systems-signs-ingram-micro

Sydney, Australia, 8th April, 2013 - Ingram Micro, Australia’s largest wholesale technology distributor and a global leader in IT supply-chain, mobile device lifecycle services and logistics solutions announced today it has signed a distribution agreement with CyberPower Systems. CyberPower Systems is a leading global manufacturer of professional power management and computer battery backup solutions, power management applications, and power accessories for desktop, workstation, and network equipment.Julian Phua, Senior Director, Volume Technology Group for Ingram Micro, says power protection and management is a growing product category as customers look to protect expensive equipment from power spikes and brownouts and to ensure continuity of power supply for critical systems in the event of power outages. “CyberPower Systems has an extensive range of products that suit a wide range of customer requirements from large enterprises and data-centres to SOHO offices to consumers looking to provide protection for their home theatre, home networking and high-end audio equipment,” he says.Brad Andrews, CyberPower’s National Sales Manager for Australia and New Zealand, says globally CyberPower’s success in the SME and home user market has been driven by being able to offer products with enterprise-level reliability, at a price that SME and home users can afford, and making them easy to understand and use.“Both consumer and SME customers appreciate the design of products such as our BRIC LCD UPS – which is as simple to use as a multi-way power board but offers sophisticated power conditioning (AVR), power and network protection and battery backup functionality combined with a simple, easy to understand LCD display,” he says.Andrews says Ingram Micro will be distributing the full range of CyberPower Systems products in Australia, and expects CyberPower’s range of SME and Consumer UPS solutions to be particularly popular in this market, including:- The BRIC LCD UPS – a compact, power-board style UPS solution for home and small office use, with a built-in LCD screen giving instant access to power and battery information. Available in 650va and 850va models.- PFC Sinewave Series UPS – a pure sine-wave UPS for protecting mid to high-end computer and network equipment. Available in 1300va and 1500va models.- The Value SOHO Series UPS range - offering home and small office users clean and stable battery backup and surge protection for computer and networking equipment. Available in 600va, 800va, 1000va, 1200va, 1500va and 2200va models.CyberPower’s SME UPS products come with PowerPanel® software free of charge. PowerPanel is compatible with Windows, Mac, VMWARE and Linux and provides control and monitoring of the UPS and enables the safe and orderly shutdown of computer equipment in the event of a complete power-outage.Alongside its SME and consumer UPS solutions, CyberPower Systems also offers a broad range of tower and rack-mountable UPS products for enterprise and data-centre use.Phua says the new distribution agreement takes place immediately, and Ingram Micro has CyberPower stock available from the end of April 2013.<<ENDS>>About Ingram MicroIngram Micro is the world's largest wholesale technology distributor and a global leader in IT supply-chain, mobile device lifecycle services and logistics solutions. As a vital link in the technology value chain, Ingram Micro creates sales and profitability opportunities for vendors and resellers through unique marketing programs, outsourced logistics and mobile solutions, technical support, financial services and product aggregation and distribution. The company is the only global broad-based IT distributor, serving approximately 160 countries on six continents with the world's most comprehensive portfolio of IT products and services. Visit au.ingrammicro.com About CyberPowerFounded in the USA in 1997, CyberPower Systems designs, manufactures and markets a feature-rich line of affordable high-quality Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems. CyberPower is a true manufacturer with its own dedicated manufacturing facilities in China and employs a fully-staffed R&D department, over 100 engineers, and has a solid ISO 9001 certified supply chain.Today, CyberPower Systems is the number two UPS and surge product manufacturer in the retail channel by both units-sold and dollar-share. CyberPower manufactures a complete line of emergency battery backup systems for computer systems, electronics and telecommunication equipment with industry leading warranties on its products.Based on CyberPower's proven reputation and commitment to excellence, customers rest assured CyberPower will remain a world-leader in reliability, quality, and value. Find out more about CyberPower Systems products at www.cpsww.com.au

2013-03-28T02:16:54Z big-four-music-promoter-michael-coppel-advises-future-generations-don-t-be-a-promoter

Perth, March 28, 2013 - Michael Coppel is a giant in the Australian music industry. He is one of Australia’s top four music promoters, and is currently President and CEO of Live Nation Australasia. Generally, when Michael Coppel talks, everyone in the music industry listens. Coppel was recently interviewed by Billboard about the current state of the live music business in Australia. Coppel’s answers were definitely an eye-opener for everyone who cares about the music business in Australia. Live Nation Australasia is currently promoting Pink’s 42-date tour of Australia, which is producing staggering numbers. The tour, which kicks off 25th June of this year, has already sold 450,000 tickets. This includes 16 dates in Melbourne at the Rod Laver arena.  The 450,000 tickets would be a great number anywhere, but are mind-boggling when you consider that Australia’s population is roughly 22,000,000, and even when you add in New Zealand, a population is still less than 30,000,000. Doing the math, this means that one out of every 60 people in Australia and New Zealand combined have bought a ticket to see Pink.  While Coppel is very happy with these numbers, he says that tour in Australia can be problematic for artists who are not “triple-A” acts like Pink. According to Coppel, Australians are becoming more selective in who they see, and sales for second and third level acts have declined sharply from 1 to 2 years ago. According to Coppel, the fact that Australia’s dollar is high, compared to most of the world, has turned Australia into a high demand tour for international artists. However, those artists are demanding more money, and Coppel fears that Australian promoters will get into a bidding war to procure the artists that they want. Coppel also said that promoters are currently being pushed to buy 12 shows by many international acts, but only 6 to 8 of the shows are producing profits for the promoters. Coppel also lamented what he sees as a very saturated festival market, and the mergers between promoters to try and keep festivals alive. Danny Achurch, owner of Monster Music, a network of music and piano teachers in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, and most cities across Australia, agrees with Coppel, but would like to see Australian artists share a larger slice of the pie: “It is great that these international artists are coming in and making so much money, but we would like to see more Australian artists getting paid well, too. While we understand that we don’t have very many Australian artists who could sell out 16 consecutive dates in Sydney, there are plenty of Australian bands that would provide a great product for promoters like Coppel.” Achurch continued, “Ironically, while music festivals with international acts are failing at an unprecedented rate, smaller festivals, with well-defined themes and mostly Australian artists, with one or two international headliners, are very successful and are making money for promoters. I am a music teacher and not a math teacher, but mathematics like this are quite easy to understand.” Achurch concluded, “Promoters like Coppel should promote more Australian artists and bands; it certainly can’t hurt.” Monster Music is a network of music teachers in Melbourne, Perth, and across Australia. They provide guitar, piano, voice, and other music lessons in Melbourne, Perth, and most cities across Australia. For music lessons or more information, please call 08 9335 8881 or visit their website: http://www.monstermusic.com.au/.

2013-03-21T02:05:30Z digital-sales-carry-australian-music-business-to-growth-for-first-time-in-three-years

Perth, March 20, 2013 - Between the fall of the global economy and the rise of piracy, the music business has had a rough go of it the last few years. In Australia, as across the globe, music sales have been down and many in the industry wondered whether music would be able to recover. When the numbers for 2012 were tabulated, the Australian music industry finally got the news they have been waiting for the last three years: sales are finally up. According to a report from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), Australia now has the sixth biggest music market in the world, and grew for the first time since 2009. According to ARIA figures, Australians spent $398.1 million on music in 2012 for a 4% gain over 2011. While physical music sales decreased slightly, digital music sales came through in a big way. Not only did people buy more digital products, but digital streaming services, such as Pandora, Deezer, and Spotify, made a significant impact on the market. In 2012, digital products accounted for more than 46% of Australian music sales. This represents a 25.3% increase over 2011, when digital products accounted for 36.7% of sales. In 2012, Australians purchased 110,419,156 digital tracks, which is nearly twice that of 2011. Digital streaming companies made incredible gains in 2012. Pandora nearly doubled their figures from 2011, and Spotify nearly quadrupled their sales.  Physical sales declined again in 2012, this time by 6.42%, but kept a majority market share at 53.7%. The sales of vinyl actually increased 70.1% over those in 2011 rising from 58,513 to 99,557. DVDs and music video sales were nearly identical to those in 2011. CD albums were responsible for the decrease, falling from 20,539,253 units in 2011 to 19,001,519 in 2012. The outlier in the statistics was CD singles, which managed to increase from 47,472 to 174,150 for a rise of 267%.  Danny Achurch, owner of Monster Music, a network of music teachers in Melbourne, Perth, and across Australia, is encouraged by the overall numbers, and believes that the music industry has survived what once appeared to be a severe threat to its entire business model: “This is some of the best news the Australian music industry has received in a long time. Between the economy, piracy, no help from radio, and the fact that today’s generation doesn’t buy nearly as many albums as the generations that preceded them, it looked like the Australian music industry is very close to being dead in the water.” Achurch continued, “I am very heartened and encouraged by the latest numbers. It looks like the music industry is finally evolving enough to keep pace with the habits of current listeners. This has huge implications for the music industry as a whole, but it is especially good news for musicians who want to be paid what they are worth for writing and playing music.” Achurch added, “It looked for all the world like piracy and file sharing were going to make it impossible for musicians to get paid for their work. Thankfully, the ARIA initiatives, along with the government’s cooperation, have helped the music business get back on its feet.” Achurch concluded, “Finally, after three years, it’s a great time to be a musician again.” Monster Music is a network of music teachers in Australia. For guitar, piano, or singing lessons in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and across Australia, call 08 9335 8881 or visit their website: http://www.monstermusic.com.au/.

2013-03-04T00:08:00Z sennheiser-in-siberia-1

Ausgezeichnet: Das Set 900 von Sennheser gewinnt internationale Design-Preise The Whisper of the Stars in SiberiaArtist Juergen Staack makes recordings at the coldest inhabited place on earth Wedemark/Berlin, 27 February 2013 – It all began with a documentary on the TV arts channel “arte” about the world’s coldest inhabited place, Oymyakon in the far east of Russia. The programme also mentioned “ice whispering”, a phenomenon that occurs when people breathe and speak in extremely low temperatures. The breath immediately freezes, generating a crackling noise that follows the speaker like a shadow. Fascinated by the idea that words turn into crystals with a sound of their own, the artist Juergen Staack travelled to Yakutia in 2012, accompanied by his artist colleague Thomas Neumann. The sound recordings that Staack brought back with him will be on display until 1 March in the exhibition entitled SAKHA at the Konrad Fischer Galerie in Berlin. On his acoustic hunt to record the rare phenomenon of ice whispering – which the natives call “the whisper of the stars” – Juergen Staack took along a SENNHEISER MKH 8060 RF condenser microphone as part of his equipment. The journey to the Pole of ColdWith financial support from the Arts Foundation of North Rhine-Westphalia, Staack and Neumann set off for Yakutsk, the capital city of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), in January 2012. The minus 35°C that confronted them at the airport was just a foretaste of the temperatures awaiting them at their actual destination, Oymyakon. In 1926, a temperature of minus 71.2°C is said to have been measured there, qualifying the village for the title of “Pole of Cold”. The first week was taken up with planning the onward journey. “We had to wait until there were enough passengers to fill a minibus to Oymyakon,” Juergen Staack recalls. “When the driver had finally got enough passengers together so that we could set off on the 24-hour trip, I must admit that we felt a bit queasy. What if the bus broke down in these temperatures…?” The Kolyma Highway, the “Road of Bones”, took them around 700 kilometres in a north-easterly direction. The village of Oymyakon lies in a wind-protected valley that prevents the cold air from escaping, thus causing extremely low temperatures in winter. “During our first days there it was minus 48°C, which was – don’t laugh – apparently too warm for ice whispering. It meant that we had to correct the temperature that had previously been considered necessary for ice whispering, 45°C, downwards. As we couldn’t hear any noise, we started to get a bit nervous. Although there had been reports of ice whispering, no recordings actually existed. Was the whole thing perhaps just a myth?” Staack filled the time waiting for colder weather, and therefore the opportunity to record the ‘whisper of the stars’, with other audio and video recordings for SAKHA, including conversations with a local meteorologist and inhabitants who talked about their experience of ice whispering. “Some of them were not even aware of the phenomenon, while others reported on how they had experienced it when they were young,” Staack recalls. “The sound seems to have become increasingly seldom. For me, this example makes global warming tangible. A nearby coal-fired power station might also play a part in preventing the temperatures in Oymyakon from falling quite as low as they did some years ago.” At their destinationBut Staack and Neumann persevered and had their equipment ready night after night. And their patience was finally rewarded. Juergen Staack: “We went out every night to make recordings, but on this particular night the temperatures had dropped even further, to minus 57°C. And suddenly: there it was! Our breath and speech produced a noise, a jangling sound, a kind of rustling crackle that reverberated after each word and each breath and followed it like a shadow. Against the light, we could see our breath billowing and vortexing.” The next night, the magical spectacle was already over – against all expectations, it had got warmer. After spending around three weeks in Siberia, the two returned to Germany, where Juergen Staack set to work preparing the material and designing the SAKHA exhibition over the course of the year. The installation in BerlinVisitors to SAKHA at the Konrad Fischer Galerie in Berlin first enter a white room. Visually, a peaceful, observational video sets the mood for the tranquillity of the landscape and life in Oymyakon. On the floor, there are four dark-grey loudspeakers made of concrete and arranged in a square, which reproduce a walk in the snow. “I had noticed that snow in Oymyakon sounds different at each temperature. For the installation, I walked around a square shape and recorded the crunching of my steps in the snow. When visitors stand in the square, they can hear a person walking around them through the deep snow.” On one wall, Cyrillic letters have been painted – a text that describes the whisper of the stars. From there, visitors move into a darkened room in which Valery Vinokurov (geologist and meteorologist) speaks in Yakut: recorded against the light, he describes the whisper of the stars, while his breath creates white turbulences and veils as it dissipates into the blackness. Another dark room is then given over entirely to the whisper of the stars itself – which was recorded for the very first time thanks to the artist. Information on the exhibitionSAKHA runs until 1 March 2013 at the Konrad Fischer Galerie Berlin, Lindenstraße 35, 10969 Berlin, Tel.: +49 (0)30/5059 6820Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm. Information on the MKH 8060The MKH 8060 is a short gun RF condenser microphone that is ideally suited for high-quality sound recordings in climatically difficult environments. “Juergen Staack’s journey to the world’s coldest inhabited place also sets a new low-temperature record for the MKH 8060,” explains Sennheiser Product Manager Kai Lange. “Thankfully, due to their RF condenser principle, MKH microphones are already equipped with two advantages for use in inclement weather: a high RF voltage at the capsule and very low capsule impedance.” “The high RF voltage at the capsule has the effect of ‘pressing’ the humidity out of the microphone in critical situations, for example when making outdoor recordings in mist and fog,” Lange continues. “We could say that the capsule ‘notices’ the high humidity in the air and dries itself.” “The second advantage is the low internal capsule impedance, which is less than 1 kohm, while conventional capsules have a much higher impedance of between 200 kohms and 200 megaohms, depending on the frequency. At these high levels of impedance, the slightest fault in the insulation results directly in the failure of the capsule, whereas RF condenser microphones are absolutely robust.” About Juergen StaackJuergen Staack lives and works in Düsseldorf. After completing an apprenticeship as a photographer, Staack studied at the Academy of Fine Arts Düsseldorf. He was a member of the masterclass of Prof. Thomas Ruff and graduated in 2008 under Prof. Christopher Williams. Numerous awards and grants, including a grant from the Arts Foundation of North Rhine-Westphalia, enabled Juergen Staack to work and study in Tokyo, São Paulo, Siberia and Seoul. In addition to various solo exhibitions and group shows in Boston, Tokyo, Riga, Düsseldorf, Essen and Berlin, Staack is also the co-founder of the artists’ collective “Fehlstelle”. You can find all the latest information on Sennheiser by visiting our website at www.sennheiser.com.au Syntec International Pty Ltd, Unit 3, 31 Gibbes Street, Chatswood NSW 2067 James WaldronProduct ManagementSyntec InternationalPh: (61) 2 9910 6700E: jameswaldron@syntec.com.au Emma StanilandPress and Public RelationsSyntec InternationalPh: (61) 2 9910 6700E:emmastaniland@syntec.com.au Captions: Thomas_Juergen.jpg: Thomas Neumann (l.) and Juergen Staack in their cold-proof clothingFish market.jpg: No problems with keeping the produce cool – the fish market in Yakutsk.Oymyakon.jpg: Oymyakon, the world’s coldest inhabited placeInterview.jpg: Juergen Staack interviewing an inhabitant about the whisper of the starsOymyakon_landscape.jpg: At the SAKHA exhibition, visitors can take an acoustic walk in the Siberian snowVideo screen.jpg: A Yakut describing the whisper of the stars at the exhibitionThermometer.jpg: Juergen Staack needed to correct the temperature threshold for ice whispering further downwards