Hogarths Stone Manor Hotel, Kidderminster, United Kingdom (UK)
Overview: Training & Networking Show We’re excited to announce some exciting updates for 2026!
The Core Pro Show is moving to a brand-new venue, Hogarths Stone Manor, and will take place on Tuesday, 13th January 2026.
Back for 2026, the Core Pro Show continues to grow as one of the UK’s premier professional audio events. You’ll have the opportunity to meet industry experts, explore the latest technologies, and network with colleagues and friends from across the sector. With seminars, demonstrations, and dedicated networking sessions throughout the day, this is far more than your average trade show, it’s a chance to connect, learn, and be inspired.
We also have our brand new facility, the Core Pro Studio – L-Acoustics Auditorium.
Throughout the day, we’ll be running exclusive L-Acoustics seminars at Core HQ, with transport provided from Stone Manor.
Returning for 2026 is the hugely popular Network Hub, offering dedicated space to connect with key industry partners such as Make Noise Pro Audio, Media Lease, Back Up Charity, TPi Magazine, and Vista Business Insurance, with even more to be confirmed. This adds even greater value to what promises to be another fantastic day for everyone involved.
Handheld digital wireless microphone currently on tour with Drake, Chappell Roan, Lorde, and many more
MADISON, WI, December 9, 2025 — Sound Devices announces that the Astral HH digital wireless microphone, the performance centerpiece of the brand’s next-generation Astral family of RF devices, has been selected as a finalist in the Wireless Technology category of the 2026 NAMM TEC Awards. The TEC Awards – a yearly celebration of accomplishments and innovations within the pro audio industry – will be presented during the 2026 NAMM Show, taking place at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim California between January 20-24, 2026. Voting is now open to industry professionals and the public until January 12, 2026.
Astral HH is Sound Devices’ first standalone live performance microphone and is being utilized by many of the top live performers around the world, including Drake, Chappell Roan, Lorde, Maluma, and many more. The microphone is a culmination of the brand’s significant advancements in audio and RF performance technology.
Like all members of Sound Devices’ Astral family of products, Astral HH utilizes Sound Devices’ proprietary SpectraBand™ technology to provide an industry-best global tuning range of 470-1525MHz for seamless, stable, and high-quality wireless audio anywhere in the world. Next-gen features such as GainForward™ architecture and NexLink® remote control allows all gain staging and microphone functions to be controlled from any FOH location. Astral HH is also completely customizable to suit the aesthetic and sonic needs of any performer and is built with the same rock-solid reliability of all Sound Devices products.
“Astral HH is the result of detailed research and feedback from audio engineers working the most high-pressure live RF events in the world to create a handheld microphone with greater range, reliability, and sound quality than anything currently available,” states Sound Devices CEO Matt Anderson. “We’re honored to be recognized by our colleagues in the industry as a finalist for the 2026 TEC Awards and look forward to seeing everyone at the ceremony!”
Chart-topping Colombian performer rings in the BOSS Bottled Beyond launch with an intimate performance from NYC landmark
New York, NY, November 12, 2025 — Fashion giants Hugo BOSS launched their premier men’s fragrance BOSS Bottle Beyond at a dazzling, invite-only event staged at the Empire State Building. The highlight of the event was a live performance by Colombian singer/rapper and Hugo BOSS Brand Ambassador Maluma from atop the building’s 90th floor platform – the first time such a performance has ever been attempted. To ensure impeccable live audio for Maluma, as well as the event’s 600 attendees and fans watching on the live stream around the world, an elite audio production team from Clair Global utilized Sound Devices Astral Wireless.
‘Nothing less than 100% perfection’ Although other artists have filmed videos and performances on top of the Empire State Building in the past, this was the first to be done completely live for an audience and supported by a worldwide livestream. With only one shot to get it right, the stakes could not have been higher, “There were so many aspects of it that made it special – the iconic location, the excitement around the launch, the place Maluma is in his career right now and him representing Colombia as an artist – we had to get to make sure we got it right,” explains Clair Global Live Sound Engineer and Mixer German Tarazona. “We worked with incredible dedication on every single detail of the pre-production to make sure we’d pull off a rock-solid performance befitting of his talent and skill.”
“We had to make sure we could deliver nothing less than 100% perfection.”
Tarazona, and his team which included Musical Director Miguel “Escobar” Marques, Playback Tech Camilo Fernandez, Production Manager Teo Echeverria, RF Engineer Matt Edminson, and Audio Tech Andrew Puccio, were tasked with a very specific set of requirements to ensure a top-quality mix for both the live and streaming audio, as well as the in-ear mix for Maluma and Marques. Given the limited space available, the team had to assemble a top-quality, compact setup that could account for all of these factors.
“Our musical director created a special arrangement for the show and mixed it live – around 86 channels with a unique orchestration to give the performance a special feel,” says Tarazona. “All of this had to be routed through a single console and be supported by a wireless system that was utterly foolproof. This is where DiGiCo and Sound Devices Astral Wireless were utterly essential to our process.”
Incredible stability and reliability Tarazona and his team utilized a DiGiCo Quantum 225 Digital Mixing Console and SD Mini Rack for mixing and audio routing. RF duties were handled by a Sound Devices ARX16 Digital Wireless Receiver, a pair of A20-Monarch Omnidirectional Antennae, and four Sound Devices Astral HH Digital Wireless Handheld Microphones. “We had to carefully evaluate every piece of gear we were taking for this project due to the limited space available for us on the 90th floor platform of the Empire State Building,” Tarazona explains. “RF was the biggest challenge we were facing up there so we knew we needed rock-solid signal quality and the ability to quickly evaluate frequency availability to get the job done.”
“The wide RF spectrum and reliability that the Sound Devices Astral gear provided was absolutely key – it gave us incredible stability throughout the entire performance. Also the fact that it works so seamlessly with the DiGiCo console made for a very easy setup and stress-free operation.”
With the gear in place and setup prepared, it was time for Maluma to take the stage. The Empire State Building was lit up in the colors of the Colombian flag as the global sensation stepped out onto the 90th Floor Platform to perform several of his most well-known hits to the assembled crowd. The production team couldn’t help but be swept up in the energy of the moment. “This was huge for Maluma and for Colombia in general,” Tarazona says. “12 intense minutes that delivered an incredible result for our artist – something we’re truly proud of as a production team.”
“Everything came together on the audio production side perfectly. We’re incredibly thankful for the support from Clair Global throughout pre-production, gear prep, and execution, and to Sound Devices and DiGiCo for designing rock-solid gear that can stand up to a high-stakes production situation like this. It was truly an unforgettable moment.”
Sound Devices will be at GerrAudio Demo Days 2025!
Experience the Latest in Professional Audio Technology
Are you passionate about sound? Demo Days 2025 is your opportunity to explore the latest pro audio gear, connect with the GerrAudio team, and meet brand representatives for real-world advice, tips, and ideas. Whether you’re looking for technical guidance, discovering new products, or curious about what’s new, we’ve got you covered.
Whether you work in live sound, broadcast, installation, recording, or post-production, this free, in-person event is designed to help you learn and get inspired. We can’t wait to see you there!
