In anticipation of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, the Richmond Olympic Oval officially opened on December 12 and 13 with a variety of speeches and musical performances. Audio rental system provider SW Audio & Visual supplied the live sound reinforcement system, which consisted of JBL VERTEC® line arrays. The grand opening was broadcast live on the CTV Network across British Columbia.

Located in the city of Richmond, adjacent to Vancouver, the Richmond Olympic Oval is a 512,000 square foot, multi-use facility, with capacity for 8,000 spectators and includes a 400-meter speed skating track. The Oval will be used at the 2010 Olympics for all the speed skating events.

With an eye on providing a sound reinforcement system that would accommodate the needs of the live audience as well as those watching on television, SW Audio & Visual deployed a JBL VERTEC line array system.

“Interfacing with the broadcast element is always a challenge,� said Calvin McCarthy, President of SW Audio & Visual. “We have to make sure that there is a proper balance between the sound for the live audience and the audience watching on television. You need to have a certain level of control over the live system.�

The system featured line arrays in a left-right configuration, ground-stacked to keep the audio system away from the main sightlines. Each array contained five VERTEC VT4888DP midsize, powered line array elements with DrivePackâ„¢ technology. Complementing each array were two VT4880 full-size, arrayable subwoofers.

“VERTEC is our exclusive brand for line arrays and once again worked flawlessly on this event,� said McCarthy. “The sound quality is exceptional, as is the arrayability. They’re very easy to quickly rig and configure.�

For more information on SW Audio & Visual, please visit www.sw-online.com

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The John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts has recently upgraded its already superior audio system with the installation of Soundcraft and Studer digital mixing consoles into nine of its performance spaces. Equipping one of the worlds most prestigious and respected performing arts centers with new technologies is not an easy task, especially when considering the legacy system was of the highest standards, but three Soundcraft Vi6,™ one Soundcraft Vi4™ and a Studer® Vista 5 are up to the challenge.

The Opera House holds nearly 2,300 guests and is recognized as the official home to the Washington National Opera and the annual Kennedy Center Honors. Also, the establishment conducts ballets, operas and a variety of Broadway road shows. The Terrace Theater, a much smaller venue containing 513 seats, is used for performances of chamber music, jazz and children’s productions. The Kennedy Center’s Production Operations Department selected three Soundcraft Vi6’s along with a Vi4 and a Studer Vista 5 to provide audio support to each of the respective halls in the Kennedy Center.

“The boards sound outstanding and the user interface is great,� commented John Burke, The Kennedy Center’s Production Operations Department AV System Designer. “The audio capabilities at the Kennedy Center have improved remarkably and one thing that I have noticed is that people want the shows archived and the Vi6 allows engineers to record everything in HD. It gives the engineers the ability to take the MADI data streams and put it right into a multi-track recorder without worrying about splitters and it makes recording shows much easier.�

Along with the Opera House and Terrace Theater, the Soundcraft Vi6 was also integrated into the Concert Hall, a space capable of holding over 2,400 visitors and home to the National Symphony Orchestra. Providing sound reinforcement for the smaller venues, such as the Eisenhower Theater, which hosts a wide range of smaller-scale operas, plays, musicals, and ballets is the Studer Vista 5.

“The renovation to the Kennedy Center is very extensive and requires a lot of versatility on the part of the Soundcraft and Studer consoles. In the Eisenhower Theater for example, the Vista 5 is utilized to its full potential, as the entire system is CobraNet™. The success we’ve had in the Eisenhower Theater has led to the expansion into the Concert Hall as well,� said Burke. “These Vi series products and the Vista 5 have been really great in stability and haven’t caused any problems. The much smaller footprint has been a tremendous benefit and the Vistonics are incredible as well.�

Burke concludes, “The opportunities are endless with the Soundcraft and Studer consoles. As an example, in the Concert Hall, we are able to remotely control the racks from all positions and easily ship the signals, which has been an incredible step into the future. The transformation into digital with the Vi4, Vi6 and Vista 5 has increased our production, performance and accessibility.�

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In an example of co-engineering between Crown and JBL that ultimately benefits the entire worldwide VerTec® system owners’ community, JBL Professional’s V4 DSP presets are now available for Crown’s I-Tech HD series amplifiers.

“The V4 release for I-Tech HD is an important milestone that will provide immediate benefits to users due to improved sound quality and a 2dB increase in maximum SPL output thanks to new industry-standard setting LevelMAXâ„¢ limiting,â€? stated Paul Bauman, JBL’s Director of Tour Sound Product & Application Engineering. “LevelMAX was a joint development involving JBL, Crown, and BSS engineering and is a significant step forward in providing our users exactly what they need to get the most out of their systems – highly sophisticated loudspeaker protection that is sonically transparent and electrically accurate in terms of what is going on at the transducer level when it comes to peak, RMS, and thermal protection,â€? Bauman added.

“We have only just begun to tap the potential we can offer sound reinforcement professionals with I-Tech HD,� stated Brian Divine, Crown Director of Marketing for Installed and Tour Sound. “The OMNIDRIVEHD processing is a significant improvement in DSP power and refinement. We have new tools now that are going to change the way our customers utilize the processing in amplifiers.�

JBL’s new V4 DSP presets for Crown I-Tech HD amplifiers are available for immediate download from

http://www.jblpro.com/products/tour/Vertec/V4download.html, and also come bundled with the just-released version 1.90.1 of Harman HiQnetâ„¢ System Architect Software.

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LAS VEGAS, NV—At NAB (Booth N4031), world-leading media technology innovator Solid State Logic (SSL) will showcase the C300 HD Master Studio System. more

Nashville, March 13, 2009 — 615 Music, one of America’s preeminent Production Music companies and providers of production music and original themes for television networks, programs, feature films, radio, commercials, on-air promos, interactive applications and multi-media clients, has launched a comprehensive new music search engine called “615 Music Search,â€? and concurrently has redesigned its website. The company will demonstrate its new website and new Music Search features during NAB 2009. 615 Music President and CEO Randy Wachtler made the announcement. (NOTE: During NAB, the company will have booths located at: NAB Booth # SL9111 and RTNDA Booth #R303.)

615 Music’s newly redesigned website can be seen at www.615music.com . The company’s newly launched “615 Music Search� system can be accessed by clicking on “Search and Download Music� from the home page, or by going directly to http://Search.615music.com .

According to Mr. Wachtler, the newly launched “615 Music Search� allows the company’s users to log in and enter information into one basic search box, as opposed to using scrolling lists that had, previously, encompassed key words, genres, styles, instruments, etc. The search results are displayed in a similar fashion to iTunes with a scrolling list or by CD cover only. The features of “615 Music Search� also extend to auditioning tracks—users can simply follow the audio wave form and fast forward or rewind at the point in the track of their choice. Another benefit to the new music search is its ability to create cue sheets of particular play lists. That allows 615 Music clients to report usage between an agency and the production house—a more streamlined approach which prevents errors. It also allows users to drag and drop songs into those play lists, which can then be e-mailed to clients. Users have two options to download music: AIF (48k) or MP3 files (320K.) Each track that is downloaded carries metadata with it, allowing the client to proceed with searches on their own in-house systems.

615 Music IT Manager and Webmaster Bo Boswell said, “Overall, our new ‘615 Music Search’ presents our clients with an entirely different experience. The new search bar functions in a similar fashion to Google, in that the user’s search term is mined across all of the metadata in our catalog of more than 30,000 cuts. And the search results can be modified. For instance, if the user searches under the phrase ‘quirky guitar,’ it instructs the search engine just where to look.�

In other 615 Music News: During NAB 2009, 615 Music will be offering “Happy Hoursâ€? with beer and wine to guests who visit the company’s NAB Booth # SL9111, on Monday April 20 and Tuesday April 21, from 2:30–4:30 PM. Live music, under the umbrella “615 Music Unplugged Happy Hour,â€? will be provided by artist Mark Slaughter from the band “Slaughter,â€? who will play a set and sign autographs during each of those time frames.

ABOUT 615 MUSIC:

Founded by president/CEO Randy Wachtler in Nashville, Tenn., in 1984,
615 Music is a multi-award winning, full-service music development, recording, post-production and sound design company with clients that include broadcast and cable television networks and programs, local market TV stations, radio stations and syndicates, advertising agencies, and filmmakers, among others. The company is comprised of 15 production libraries, and offers clients well over 600 CDs and more than 30,000 cuts of music.

615’s client roster is comprised of virtually every major broadcast and cable television network, including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS, MSNBC, HBO Worldwide, A&E, HGTV, The History Channel, The Family Channel, Discovery, and CMT. Additionally, the company has written and produced musical themes and promotions used within, and to promote, numerous television series and shows. These have included the “TODAY� show, “Live with Regis and Kelly,� The Discovery Channel, “Frasier,� ABC Sports College Football, and PBS’s “Nova.�

In Fall 2007, 615 Music acquired the renowned Metro Music library. All of 615 Music’s libraries are available to the company’s clients via CD, Hard Drive, or through digital download. The combined 615 Music & Metro Music libraries are 615 “Gold” and “Platinumâ€? Collections; 615 Song Library; AMP; Kingsize NYC; Metro Music; Music Shop; Music Gallery; Promo Accelerator; Cosmind Production Music; Plan 8 Music; Interpulse; Scoring Stage Film & TV; and ZEN.

Internationally, 615 Music also enjoys a worldwide presence. The company’s various libraries are currently being distributed to over 60 countries via its sub-publishers. In addition, 615 Music has written and produced a great deal of original music work for clients based in India, Germany, and the U.K.

Among 615 Music’s numerous awards is a National Emmy for the memorable theme the company created for A&E’s acclaimed “Biography� series.
For the past two years in a row, 615 Music was also Emmy Award nominated for “Best Original Song� for two songs the company wrote and produced for NBC’s “TODAY� show—those songs were entitled “Live for Today� and “It’s a New Day, Today.�

615 Music is located at 1030 16th Ave South, Nashville, TN, 37212.
The company’s phone number is 615/244-6515 and its new website can be accessed via www.615music.com

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WEST CHESTER, PA, MARCH 11, 2009—Aviom, exclusive developer of the world’s most powerful audio transport protocol, A-Net®, is pleased to announce that Fault Line and Mac West Group have joined Aviom’s team of rep firms. Both firms provide sales teams with extensive experience in systems contracting, sales, design, studio recording, and live production work in the pro audio industry. Fault Line will represent Aviom in northern California and Hawaii, while Mac West Group will cover southern California and southern Nevada. more

For the third time in NBA All-Star history, Phoenix, Arizona hosted the 58th annual All-Star game that featured a weekend of competition and events, including the 3-point and dunk contests as well as the Rookie Challenge. Two Guys Audio Services Inc. of Rainbow City, Alabama, through Volume Inc. provided FOH audio console support for the event and flawlessly mixed the weekend’s events on two Soundcraft Vi6™ digital consoles.

Engineers Jerome Fox and Dave Zammit independently operated the desks and provided outstanding audio quality for the event. Fox utilized one Vi6 to drive the speaker systems while mixing the production elements, including video playback rolls, announcer microphones, television feeds and on-court mics, while Zammit mixed the live music elements and delivered the feed to Fox’s console via AES for distribution.

Zammit commented on the development of the event and discussed the selection of the Vi6 consoles. “We started with 2 x 96 input systems, intending to use these as parallel main and backup systems, but as things progressed, it became clear that more than one system would be needed to merely address the input / output requirements of the event.� Zammit continued, “We needed outstanding performance from the consoles and we selected the Vi6 consoles for their great sound, reliable platform and the intuitive Vistonics interface that provides such an “analog� operation allowing engineers to fully exploit all the advantages of a digital system.�

Fox added,� I was sold the minute I discovered the HiQnet capabilities and the ability to mix effectively even without a mouse.�

The versatility of the Vi6 consoles was an integral part of the NBA-All Star weekend’s festivities commencing with the first live performance of Corbin Bleu on Friday at the Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam night and continuing on Saturday with performances by Kevin Rudolph and the dunk contest. The main event on Sunday featured John Legend, and included Latin star Juanes.

“As is the case with mixing any live event, the NBA All-Star games presented a few challenges but the Vi6 allowed us to successfully manage the event on the fly,� added Zammit. “The nature of the event required us to make quick adjustments and the reliability and flexibility of the console enabled us to remain relaxed while mixing a great All-Star game.�

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The House on the Rock Church, located in Nigeria’s capital Abuja, has recently upgraded its audio system with a Soundcraft MH3 mixing console. Nigerian installer ET Quake Multi-Media worked with Harman distributor PAXT, Mark Bailey of JBL and independent consultant Roland Hemming on the new sound installation.

The House on the Rock Church was founded in Lagos in December 1994, and was established to be a vanguard 21st century Church with a vision of empowering believers who want to fulfill their religious destinies. The Church has flourished over the years and now has over 40 member Churches and missions across Nigeria, as well as parishes in the UK, the Netherlands and other countries.

ET Quake Multi-Media chose the MH3 as audio support for the new system in the Church based on its outstanding capabilities and features. The triple mode console displays a semi-modular construction in blocks of 8 and includes: 12 aux sends, 8 group outs and left/center/and right bussing. The console also offers 4 full function stereo inputs as a standard.

“The system integration by Mark Bailey and Roland Hemming made the installation exceptionally easy,� said Emeka Michael, ET Quake Multi-Media. “We started loading into the site at nine in the morning and by four-thirty in the afternoon we had the system sounding great.�

The installation also includes other Harman components, including 20 JBL VT4887ADPAN, 6 VT4880A, 8 AC28/95 and 16 VRX915M loudspeakers. Driving the speakers are 3 Crown MA12000i and 6 MA5000i amplifiers and completing the Harman installation is a dbx4800 Driverack.

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Serving around 15,000 students, Canterbury Christ University operates across five locations in Kent, England and offers a wide range of subjects, including music related courses. Recently, Soundcraft provided a live sound tutorial at the Broadstairs campus followed by an evening of live music with the new Si3 at FOH.

There are approximately 120 students in the Commercial Music Program with another 30 currently in the first year of the University’s new Creative Music Technology and Music Production programs.

Live tutorials like this provide the students with invaluable access to new audio technologies and provide an opportunity for them to get hands-on experience in a real mixing environment. Of the Si3, according to lecturer Andy Hurst, “The Lexicon effects units sounded great and were so easily accessible from the console. The facility to store parameters and recall at will for each band setup was also a great feature and with so many input and output options we couldn’t have been more pleased with the desks comparatively easy to move size.�

“It’s great to see up-and-coming musicians and engineers being inspired by the latest technologies, and we’d like to do more educational sessions like this and the Si3 is a perfect vehicle,� said Richard Ayres, Product Manager for the Si3. “This was also a perfect example of why we designed the Si3 the way we did, just take out your analog desk drop in the Si3, connect it to the existing snake and you’re mixing!�

As a follow-up to this session, the students will be invited to Soundcraft Studer’s UK headquarters in Potters Bar to familiarize themselves with the latest mixing technologies and get to know more about the design and manufacturing processes that go into making consoles like the Si and Vi Series.

“The experience gained by the students in having an industry manufacturer contribute to the module is invaluable,� said James Dean, Program Director for Commercial Music. “It provides an alternative perspective on industry practice, tuition on cutting edge hardware, and enhances industry links for prospective work experience. We aim to prepare our students to be self sufficient and well motivated when they graduate, and tutorials such as this raise further the student awareness of the theoretical and practical elements that they would be exposed to within an industry context.�

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OLD LYME, CONNECTICUT – MARCH 2009: One system, endless applications: audio specialist Sennheiser is launching two new products to enhance its 2020-D-US System for installed applications. The SR 2020-D-US rack-mount transmitter and the L 2021-40 charging unit are the perfect addition to the HDE 2020-D-US stethoset receivers. Together, these components are the ideal solution for assistive listening, visual description and language transmission in conferences, museums, theaters, and houses of worship.

The digital system transmits on up to eight license-free frequencies and is ready for operation immediately with minimal installation effort. For mobile applications, the SKM 2020-D-US handheld transmitter and the SK 2020-D-US body-pack transmitter are available.

The 2020-D-US system enables companies to manage the most varied audio applications, from factory tours with mobile handheld transmitters to multilingual conferences. Museums can combine installed applications with mobile ones and provide film soundtracks in several languages in a theater-style room, while guided tours with mobile transmitters take place at the same time. In theaters, the system can be used for assistive listening, visual description, and language transmission, benefiting from the reliable, high sound quality of the digital system.

“With the 2020-D-US system, we are offering a license-free audio system that requires minimal installation effort,” explained Vanessa Jensen, installed sound product manager for Sennheiser Electronic Corporation. “The two new components – the rack-mount transmitter and the charging unit – make the system ideal for use in houses of worship, theaters, museums, conference applications, and more!”

The switchable XLR-3 input on the SR 2020-D-US transmitter can be used to directly connect the microphone at the speaker’s lectern (for example an ME 34, ME 35 or ME 36) or an external audio source. With this flexibility, the system also supports connection of an interpretation system, a mixing console, a PC or a CD player. Furthermore, up to eight transmitters can be combined, for example, to allow conferences to be held in eight languages.

The SR 2020-D-US can be installed in a 19-inch rack (adapter included) and has a 6.3 mm (1/4-inch) jack plug headphones connection for monitoring. The transmitter is easy to operate and its backlit display shows the channel and the mic/line input level. The RF transmitter has a range of up to 80 feet indoors and 160 feet outdoors.

CLEVER CHARGING The intelligent L 2021-40 charging unit allows the receivers to be charged quickly and conveniently in around two-and-a-half hours. It accommodates up to forty receivers and allows for easy programming via the “Copy” button. Furthermore, the Ethernet connection and the included software provide for additional configuration and control. For example, the channels of individual receivers can be programmed and receivers may be assigned to groups for convenient handling. The software also allows receivers to be switched from six to eight available channels.

The L 2021-40 can be used as a desktop unit or installed in a 19-inch rack (9 RU). Up to 125 charging units can be programmed together via a PC.

The SR 2020-D-US rack-mount transmitter and the L 2021-40 charging unit are available now.

MSRP: SR 2020-D-US $800.00 • L 2021-40 $2,400.00

ABOUT SENNHEISER Sennheiser is a world-leading manufacturer of microphones, headphones and wireless transmission systems. Established in 1945 in Wedemark, Germany, Sennheiser is now a global brand represented in 60 countries around the world with U.S. headquarters in Old Lyme, Connecticut. Sennheiser’s pioneering excellence in technology has rewarded the company with numerous awards and accolades including an Emmy, a Grammy, and the Scientific and Engineering Award of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

For more information, please visit www.sennheiserusa.com