“It may be our first live console, but it carries over 35 years of SSL design DNA that has delivered many of the most loved consoles in music”

FRANKFURT – Solid State Logic, the world’s leading manufacturer of creative tools for audio professionals, is proud to announce the launch of ‘Live,’ the first SSL console for live sound production at Musikmesse/Prolight + Sound 2013 (Hall 5.1, Stand B.73). The ‘Live’ brings SSL’s unique approach to audio quality and console ergonomics to sound for the stage. SSL has been at the leading edge of analogue and digital audio console innovation for over 35 years. Like so many multi award winning, ground breaking and much loved consoles for Music, Broadcast and Post production SSL has created through the decades, Live promises to bring something very special to the party. more

Unit Joins Enhanced Versions of the Entire Line of 200-Series Announcer’s Consoles

LAS VEGAS, APRIL 9, 2013 – Studio Technologies Inc., the manufacturer of tailored high-performance audio, video and fiber-optic products for the professional audio, installation and broadcast markets, debuts the new Model 240 Producer’s Console at the 2013 NAB Show (Booth C5449). The company is also showcasing enhanced versions of its popular 200-Series Announcer’s Consoles. The 200-Series, which consists of models 210, 212, 220, 230, 233 and the new 240, are powerful, easy-to-use and flexible audio control “hubs” for announcers, commentators and production personnel. The new Model 240 offers powerful IFB flexibility and partyline intercom options. Compatible with all broadcast and production analog and digital audio system environments, the tabletop units are well suited for on-air television, radio broadcast and live-event production applications. The updated products also introduce new functionality and an improved physical design. more

“Duality provides students with unique and powerful performance and feature benefits to help them understand the creative nuances of sound production”

LONDON – Alchemea College, one of the world’s leading creative media training colleges, specialising in full-time and short audio engineering, music production, live sound and video courses, has installed a Solid State Logic Duality SE for its Studio Sound Engineering program. The aim of the audio program is to give students a wide variety of skills to go out into the real world and be prepared for the different needs and challenges they will face. Alchemea chose Duality to give students the very best educational experience working with a recognized, industry-leading console. more

New console helps 360 Media address the audio needs of Middle East’s
growing film industry

BEIRUT, LB – 360 Media, a full-service, multi-room facility covering music, mastering and film projects in Beirut, Lebanon, has installed a Solid State Logic AWS 948 Hybrid Console/Controller in Studio A to attract high-level clients to the facility. The AWS 948 gives 360 Media up to 48 channels of mix capability, SSL’s signature SuperAnalogue™ mic pres, eq and mix bus, combined with a sophisticated, integrated DAW controller. With the AWS in place, 360 Media has expanded its business horizons to include audio for film and video. more

“I think the AWS is the most well-thought-out desk for mid-size studios available on the market.”

LONDON – Orgone Studios, a facility specialising in recording, mixing and mastering, was conceived from the desire for sonic perfection in all aspects of the production cycle. The studio is a step closer to achieving their ambition with the addition of a Solid State Logic AWS 948 Hybrid Console/Controller. Primarily working with bands signed to independent metal and avant-garde rock labels, the studio offers a space ideal for recording up to six musicians in the main room. The AWS delivers SSL’s sonic legacy and industry reputation to Orgone, enhancing sound quality, streamlining workflow and providing high-end name recognition for potential clients.

Jamie Gomez - Orgone Studios

Audio Equipment Provider Commemorates Silver Anniversary
With Longest-Running Show in Broadway History

NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 13, 2013—When The Phantom of the Opera celebrated its 25th anniversary on Broadway on January 26, becoming the first show on the Great White Way to achieve such a milestone, Masque Sound, a leading theatrical sound reinforcement, installation and design company, joined the festivities as the show’s legacy audio equipment rental provider for the past quarter century.

One of the first of the great British musicals to hit America, The Phantom of The Opera rocketed Andrew Lloyd Webber to the pinnacle of success. From an equipment standpoint, it was also one of the first truly elaborate shows on Broadway. Phantom’s quantity of sound equipment, along with the distinctive way that gear was used, helped change the industry’s perspective of sound. It also helped Masque Sound grow into the company it is today.

“When Phantom first opened on Broadway 25 years ago, Masque Sound was operating out of a brownstone on West 51st Street, with barely enough space to put together one company of Phantom,” says Geoff Shearing, president, Masque Sound. “As Phantom has grown, so has Masque Sound, and today we operate out of a 70,000-square-foot facility. These days, we are capable of doing multiple companies of Phantom at the same time.”

The Opera Ghost first haunted the Broadway stage at the Majestic Theater on January 26, 1988, where Masque Sound worked with Sound Designer Martin Levan to bring a unique audio experience to the audience. One of the first musicals to use the Cadac A-Type console, from an audio perspective, The Phantom of the Opera was a groundbreaking show.

“The Cadac was an automated A-type,” says Dennis Short, director of sales for Masque Sound. “Prior to Phantom, mixing was a little more hands on. The A-type on Phantom was now able to automate the VCA and mute functions on a scene by scene basis. You didn’t have to make the changes yourself and that proved to be a game changer for the sound operator. For the 20 years the A-type was used on Phantom, it proved itself as the most enduring element within the sound system, requiring no more than regular maintenance to maintain its performance night after night.”

Since Phantom’s debut in 1988, sound technology has seen many advances. In 2008, to coincide with Phantom’s 20th anniversary, the show’s producers saw the need to bring the production’s sound design technology into the 21st century. This culminated in a retrofit with Masque Sound, which provided a Yamaha PM1D digital console at the front-of-house position. In addition, digital playback systems replaced reel-to-reel tape deck sound effects.

“We also changed the PA,” adds Short. “A selection of Meyer speakers and subwoofers replaced the existing Tannoy speakers and Bose subwoofers. Along with the digitalization of the show, when we changed the console and speakers, we also provided the Meyer Galileo 616 speaker management system, which replaced a rack full of discrete processing.”
Designed by Olivier Award-winner Mick Potter, the new surround sound system consists of more than six miles of cable and an incredible 155 speakers. The digital system upped the number of microphones used in the show from 58 to 76, and The Phantom himself now has three dedicated microphones.

“When my father first saw The Phantom of the Opera in the U.K., before it came to the U.S., he knew it was something special. He wanted Masque Sound to be a part of when it arrived on Broadway,” says Shearing. “Masque Sound has been fortunate enough and extremely grateful to be part of the show since its Broadway debut 25 years ago. We cherish the relationship we have had with the show’s producers over the past quarter century and look forward to providing the show with audio equipment and services for another 25 years and beyond.”

Phantom became the longest-running show in Broadway history on Jan. 9, 2006, when it marked its 7,486th performance, surpassing another Lloyd Webber musical, Cats. Phantom crossed the 10,000 -performances mark on Feb. 11 this year. To date, the musical, which has been mounted at the Majestic Theatre since its Broadway debut, has grossed more than $800 million and consistently remains strong at the box office amid tough competition from other Broadway contenders.

About Masque Sound
Founded in 1936 by a trio of Broadway stagehands, Masque Sound evolved into one of NYC’s most successful theatrical sound reinforcement, installation and design companies specializing in theatrical, house of worship, sporting, corporate, TV broadcast and live concert events. Celebrating more than 75 years in the industry, the company is lead by Geoff Shearing, the firm’s 3rd generation owner, and General Manager Stephanie Hansen. The company also operates Florida-based Professional Wireless Systems, a leader in the development and implementation of wireless technology. Credits range from major Broadway shows and tours including “Phantom of the Opera,” “Mamma Mia!,” “Lion King,” “Jersey Boys,” “Memphis,” “The Book of Mormon,” “Newsies” and “Once” to yearly Super Bowl broadcasts and installations of varying sizes, including New York’s New Victory Theater and historic St. Bartholomew’s Church. Masque Sound’s 70,000 sq. ft. corporate headquarters and main assembly facility is located at 21 East Union Ave., East Rutherford, NJ, 20 minutes from midtown Manhattan. For more information, call (201) 939-8666 or visit www.MasqueSound.com.

WAUPACA, WI, FEBRUARY 11, 2013—Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca, WI, recently debuted its new sanctuary—offering expanded seating capacity, more space up front for musicians and choirs, and new technology to enhance the worship experience for members and visitors. Among the new technologies included in the audio system design for the church, which was installed by Sonic Art, is the new Aviom AllFrame Multi-Modular I/O System to network audio to various locations around the facility. The church also included an Aviom Personal Mixing System for its musicians in its audio system upgrade.

Sonic Art designed and installed the Pro64® audio network and Pro16® personal mixing system to be much like an analog system, but the system offers far more flexibility than a traditional system would. According to Brian Christ, senior A/V designer for Sonic Art, “The AllFrame System made the installation simple and straightforward with less failure points than an analog system, and the audio quality is excellent.”

Sonic Art wired the church with Cat-5 and placed A-Net® connection jacks (RJ-45s) in various locations to allow for the Aviom AllFrames to be placed at any of these points with an installed connection to the digital Yamaha® LS9-32 in the sound booth. Two 6416Y2 A-Net Interface Cards are installed in the console for digital I/O into the Aviom network. The church’s equipment room houses an amp rack with an MH10 Merger Hub which distributes A-Net to five POA80 Power Over A-Net Power Supplies and an ASI A-Net Systems Interface. The ASI converts Pro64 A-Net to Pro16 A-Net and is connected to an A-16D Pro A-Net Distributor that sends power and Pro16 A-Net to up to eight A-16II Personal Mixers used by the choir and praise band.

The POA80s send power and Pro64 A-Net to five locations in the sanctuary. One is connected to the F6 Modular I/O Frame that is in the choir area, which can be placed elsewhere if needed. Here four C4m Mic/Line Input Cards and one C4o Analog Output Cards provide local inputs and outputs to this location. Two additional F6s, each with four C4m Cards and one C4o Card can be placed at any of the other four A-Net locations connected to a POA80. This allows for the church’s sound team to design the audio network to meet their needs for any given sermon or event. Often one of the AllFrames is used in the praise band area, for instance.

Wanda Eikenbary, director of Music Ministries for Trinity Lutheran, says, “I can’t imagine anything better than to have this flexibility. At any given time we can configure this room with musicians and instruments in the way that we choose. The enormous amount of flexibility is worth its weight in gold to us. We can have a small, simple worship service or a large holiday production. This system opens doors for us in terms of what types of presentations we can do in the future. It is a goal of mine to bring in professional performances. This wasn’t an option in the past but it will be now.”

The AllFrame Multi-Modular I/O System also gives the church the ability to expand their system as needed. Their existing F6s each have an open slot to which four more channels can be added. And adding additional AllFrames allows for even more expansion and flexibility. In addition to the flexibility of the system, the church appreciates how simple it is to use. This characteristic is incredibly important according to Eikenbary because the church relies on good-hearted volunteers who are willing to learn how to use the system.

Eikenbary also appreciates the overall warmth and breadth of the sound in the new sanctuary. She explains, “You can physically feel the sound, which we have never had before. As a musician, of course, it’s important to me that the music and sound is first rate. Making the sound the best it can be was a priority on our list for the new sanctuary. I’m glad that others understood the need and allowed us to take it to this level.”

Aviom pioneered personal mixing with its Pro16® Monitor Mixing System and continues to break new ground with the revolutionary Pro64® Series of audio networking products. With tens of thousands of products in the field today, Aviom has set the standard for high performance, scalable digital solutions. All Aviom systems harness the power of A-Net®, Aviom’s innovative digital audio technology that simplifies system design while enhancing flexibility and fidelity. All Aviom products are designed, tested, and manufactured in the USA. For more information, visit www.Aviom.com.

New Location Boasts Creative Atmosphere and Expanded Technical Resources

Clear-Com®, a global leader in critical voice communication systems, announces the relocation of its UK headquarters. The new office is located at 2000 Beach Drive, Cambridge, just down the road from the company’s previous UK headquarters. The new facility enables Clear-Com to continue its expansion in the region, while offering further creative resources for its staff members. more

Powerful, portable speaker system with legendary Cerwin-Vega! Bass

Cerwin-Vega!® introduces its new P-Series professional PA system, which delivers a new standard in power and bass punch, suited for any sound reinforcement application, from live performances to public speeches. The P-Series family includes two active speaker products: the P1500X and the P1800SX. more

ANAHEIM, CA, JANUARY 25, 2013—Aviom, manufacturer of the iconic A-16II Personal Mixer and industry leader in personal mixing, is pleased to announce that it will be introducing the new AN-16/i v.2 Input Module to support its next generation personal mixer, the A360 Personal Mixer, which has also been introduced at NAMM (Hall A, Booth 6720). The AN-16/i v.2 converts 16 line-level analog audio channels to a Pro16e A-Net® digital stream. more