Distributed in 94 countries, Mix is the world's leading magazine for the professional recording and sound production technology industry. Mix covers a wide range of topics including: recording, live sound and production, broadcast production, audio for film and video, and music technology.
Camp Eggers, Kabul, Afghanistan…. Military operations such as those conducted by our US forces in Afghanistan require extensive planning, highly specialized training, and a host of additional considerations in order to maximize safety and efficiency. Documenting activities is a crucial part of this process, as it enables others to learn from previous situations and be better prepared for the realities of life in a hostile environment. The process of documenting these activities is one job of Jack Pagano, and included in his equipment arsenal is a wireless system from Lectrosonics. more
Demonstrating the global acceptance, premium sound and maximum output capabilities of JBL Professional VERTEC® line arrays, Buenos Aires Live Show (B.A.L.S.) deployed a large VERTEC system for Rod Stewart’s recent concert at Velez Sarsfield Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The show was part of Rod Stewart’s current world tour supporting his latest release, “Still The Same…Great Rock Classics of our Time.”
The April 11th concert at Velez Sarsfield Stadium drew a sell-out crowd of 40,000 people. To meet Stewart’s concert rider specifications, B.A.L.S. used a total of 52 VERTEC line array enclosures. The main left/right arrays featured 14 VT4889-1 full-size line array elements per side, with 12 VT4889-1 elements per side for out fill arrays. For additional low-frequency output, B.A.L.S. used both stacked and flown subwoofers—a total of 32 enclosures—to complement the full-range VERTEC system. JBL’s new VERTEC V4 DSP presets were used.
JBL’s new VT4889-1 full-size line array loudspeaker offers all of the performance and high-output advantages of the original VT4889, in a more affordable enclosure constructed from JBL’s exclusive PlyMax® engineered-wood material. It is acoustically and mechanically compatible with JBL’s VT4889 full-size line array loudspeaker.
“The system provided very clear sound, with a good, punchy presence,” noted Federico Sainz, Chief Engineer for B.A.L.S. “Both of Rod Stewart’s engineers, the FOH mixer and the system engineer, were very satisfied. I think the VERTEC rig gave us a great performance. We had good intelligibility all the way to the very last rows of the stadium seating [more than 100 meters from the stage]. We did have signal-delayed arrays set up in the rear as requested by the touring production, but those ended up being used at only 50 percent of the anticipated level.”
David Scheirman, Vice President, Tour Sound for JBL Professional, notes that B.A.L.S. has proven its ability to serve the most high-profile and demanding international touring acts. “Stadium rock shows can place great demands on a concert sound team, and Buenos Aires Live Show has established both the audio system inventory and the technical processes and practices needed to succeed in this environment.”
Buenos Aires Live Show is Argentina’s most successful sound and lighting engineering and rental service company, and can be reached at www.baliveshow.com
About JBL Professional:
Headquartered in Northridge, California, JBL Professional is the world’s leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of professional loudspeakers for recording and broadcast, musician, cinema, touring sound, commercial sound and contracting applications. JBL Professional is part of the Harman International network of professional and consumer audio companies. For complete product and company information, go to the JBL Professional website at www.jblpro.com.
About the Harman Pro Group:
Headquartered in Northridge, California, the Harman Pro Group is part of Harman International Industries, Incorporated (www.harman.com), a leading manufacturer of high-quality, high fidelity audio products and infotainment systems for the automotive, home and professional markets. The Company’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol: HAR. Harman Pro Group companies include AKG Acoustics, BSS Audio, dbx, Crown International, JBL Professional, Lexicon, Soundcraft, and Studer.
Louisville, Kentucky, May 15, 2008 – Heavy rain did not dampen WAVE-TV’s live weekend coverage of the 134th Kentucky Oaks and Derby coverage, which reaped unforeseen benefits using Nucomm’s CamPac 2 wireless transmitter and Newcaster DR diversity receiver. more
NORTHRIDGE, CALIFORNIA, May 14, 2008 — In a display of the versatility and pattern control capability of JBL Professional’s loudspeaker lineup, Yake Engineered Systems of Cambridge, Ontario, Canada recently chose to install JBL’s PD (Precision Directivity) Series loudspeakers into a new sound system at the Lakeside Church in Guelph. The project was part of an overall expansion to accommodate a congregation of approximately 1,200 people–three times its original size.
Lakeside Church’s new setup includes four separate worship areas, all receiving the same message from the new main sanctuary. Besides the main sanctuary, the church features a youth worship space, a smaller traditional worship space for adults, as well as a café/lounge environment. The service is delivered through JBL products in each of the spaces.
One of the primary challenges faced in the design of the main sanctuary was high reflectivity from the walls, requiring loudspeakers with excellent pattern control to minimize splash onto the side walls. PD Precision Directivity Series’ large 24” x 24” rotatable horns made them a natural choice for this project. The main sanctuary system features main and delay split clusters, each containing three JBL PD5212/64 loudspeakers. Two JBL SRX728S subwoofers provide low-frequency output, while eight JBL JRX112M loudspeakers serve as stage monitors. Additionally, Crown CTs and XTi amplifiers power the system, which also features BSS Soundweb, dbx DriveRack processing and AKG microphones.
Specializing in design and installation for houses of worship, Yake Engineered Systems has installed JBL loudspeakers in numerous churches throughout Ontario. For the Lakeside Church project, company Owner David Yake took his past experience with the PD Series loudspeakers into account when designing the system. “Before we recommended the system, we performed EASE modeling of the space to show why the JBL PD series loudspeakers would work best,” Yake said. “Because the room was mostly concrete with no acoustical treatment, we needed a highly directional box that didn’t spill onto the walls or the ceiling.”
Since the completion of the project, the system has exceeded the church’s expectations. “Everyone is really happy with the sound,” Yake said, “and the presence of JBL loudspeakers throughout the different areas of the church ensures that members of the congregation will have clear audio regardless of where they are.”
For more information on Yake Engineered Systems, please visit www.yakesystems.com or call 519-621-2300.
About JBL Professional:
Headquartered in Northridge, California, JBL Professional is the world’s leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of professional loudspeakers for recording and broadcast, musician, cinema, touring sound, commercial sound and contracting applications. JBL Professional is part of the Harman International network of professional and consumer audio companies. For complete product and company information, go to the JBL Professional website at www.jblpro.com.
About the Harman Pro Group:
Headquartered in Northridge, California, the Harman Pro Group is part of Harman International Industries, Incorporated (www.harman.com), a leading manufacturer of high-quality, high fidelity audio products and infotainment systems for the automotive, home and professional markets. The Company’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol: HAR. Harman Pro Group companies include AKG Acoustics, BSS Audio, dbx, Crown International, JBL Professional, Lexicon, Soundcraft, and Studer.
Jacksonville, FL, May 12, 2008 – WAWS-TV Fox 30 News is now BAS Relocation compliant after a microwave equipment overhaul led by RF Central, a leading digital microwave technology and integration provider. more
ST. PAUL, MN, May 13, 2008 – McNally Smith College of Music recently mastered a compilation CD of bands who participated in the second annual High School Rocks Battle of the Bands contest as part of its sponsorship and support for the rock stars of tomorrow. A crew of McNally Smith’s instructors teamed with five of their students to record the entire concert using Digidesign Pro Tools for the CD, which features one song performed by each band. more
Yamaha Corporation of America has updated their famed 01V96V2 and 02R96V2 Digital Mixing Consoles. While there is no change in the retail price, the new 01V96VCM and 02R96VCM models retain the powerful V2 features and add a host of powerful VCM effects pre-installed.
Previously available as “add-on” effect packages for top-line digital consoles, Yamaha’s highly regarded VCM Channel Strip processors and REV-X reverb are now standard features on the 01V96VCM. These extraordinary effects are based on innovative Virtual Circuitry Modeling technology that actually models the original analog circuitry — right down to the last resistor and capacitor. VCM effects are capable of capturing subtleties that simple digital simulations cannot even approach, going beyond simple simulation and delivering the truly musical performance that makes classic analog gear invaluable even in today’s digital production environment.
The new 02R96VCM is the 02R96 Version 2 plus a formidable array of state-of-the-art processing technologies that provide all-new production power with no need to patch in external processors. Included are extraordinary recreations of classic compression and EQ units from the 70’s, simulations of several legendary analog open-reel tape decks, a complete suite of unmatched REV-X reverb effects, a high-quality surround post-production package, and even a selection of vintage stomp boxes.
The new 01V96VCM and 02R96VCM models are currently available at Yamaha dealers. Customers who purchased an 01V96V2 or 02R96V2 from January 1, 2008 are eligible to receive a free update CD. For more information, visit www.yamaha.com or call Yamaha customer support at 714-522-9000.
ELKHART, IND – May 12, 2008 — In a remarkable milestone that speaks to the performance and road-proven reliability of Crown Audio’s I-Tech family of live sound amplifiers, tour sound superpower, Sound Image of Escondido, California recently passed the 5,000,000 watt mark in I-Tech inventory. In recognition of this landmark achievement, David Shadoan, President of Sound Image, will be presented with a specially-crafted award on the opening day of InfoComm 2008.
Sound Image has deployed Crown I-Tech amplifiers on some of the highest profile and most successful tours in the United States over the past few years. Gwen Stefani, Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana and Jimmy Buffett have all traveled with an arsenal of I-Tech 8000 amplifiers in tow.
“Crown has a done a great job in evolving the I-Tech 8000 into one of the best sounding, most reliable amplifiers in the market today, “ noted Shadoan. “We have spoken with our wallet and with our reputation and we do neither lightly!”
Available in I-T4000, I-T6000 and I-T8000 iterations, the Harman HiQnet™-compatible I-Tech family has become the tour sound professional’s de-facto standard amplifier by matching unsurpassed Class-I power, light weight and ease of use. Onboard DSP provides a wide array of signal processing functionality, significantly reducing the need for rack components and rack wiring. Onboard DSP features 24- bit, 96 kHz A/D and D/A converters that reduce DSP noise for studio-quality processing and quieter overall performance. I-Tech features peak voltage and RMS power limiting for speaker protection and global power supply to deliver maximum power worldwide! The model boasts a front panel LCD for diagnostics and preset selection, ensuring fast and easy system setup but also front panel lockout for enhanced safety.
“Crown I-Tech has carved out a successful market based purely on its ability to support audio professionals like Sound Image with power performance coupled with category-leading reliability,” explained Marc Kellom, Vice President of Marketing, Crown Audio. “We worked very hard to advance I-Tech from its original introduction and we learned a lot in the process. As a result, I-Tech is today widely recognized as one of the most robust and useful amplifiers in its category. We congratulate Dave Shadoan and the Sound Image team on their artist commitment and commercial success and we look forward to supporting them with amplifiers that help them sound great!”
About Crown Audio:
Crown International, a Harman International company, manufactures amplifiers, microphones, and systems control products for professional audio markets worldwide, with corporate headquarters located in Elkhart, Indiana. For more information, visit Crown online at www.crownaudio.com.
About HiQnet:
Harman HiQnet™ is the world’s first connectivity and control protocol that integrates all product categories in the signal chain for professional audio systems of all types, size, and applications. Harman HiQnet no longer requires the user to manage multiple disparate operating systems or be responsible for programming individual signal processors, speaker controllers, wireless microphone systems, and mixing consoles. HiQnet was developed by the Harman Pro Group System Development and Integration Group (SDIG), a team of dedicated systems specialists based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
About the Harman Pro Group:
The Harman Pro Group (www.harmanpro.com) is the world’s largest provider of professional audio products and system solutions for commercial sound, contracting, tour sound, recording and broadcast, musician, portable PA and cinema applications. The Group is headquartered in Northridge, California and includes industry leaders AKG Acoustics, BSS Audio, Crown International, dbx, DigiTech, JBL Professional, Lexicon, Soundcraft, and Studer. The Group is part of Harman International Industries, Incorporated (NYSE: HAR), a leading supplier of high-quality, high fidelity audio products and infotainment systems for the automotive, home and professional markets.
April 24, 2008 saw the Olympic Torch Relay arrive at Australia’s national capitol Canberra amid much fanfare and media attention. Following incidents earlier in its travels, local organizers worked overtime to ensure that the event ran as smoothly as possible.
The audio specification for the event required systems be provided at two locations, the first at the dawn torch lighting ceremony and the second for the end of relay presentation and concert. Leading Canberra company Eclipse Lighting and Sound were contracted to supply the audio design and equipment for the event. This also included a small system at Canberra airport for the torch’s arrival. The whole event saw an extensive array of Electro-Voice equipment used throughout.
Torch Lighting Ceremony:
The opening ceremony for the event was held at Reconciliation Place, located beside Lake Burley Griffith and leading up to Parliament House. The event coincided with the Canberra Balloon Festival, which saw multiple hot air balloons taking off between the presentation area and parliament house.
The ceremony involved pre-ceremony entertainment from the Australian National University Percussion Ensemble playing from two stages, followed by a performance from the Spectrum Swing Big Band from a third stage stage. Additional performances were supplied by the Aboriginal dance group ‘Descendance’ as well as the ‘Shaanxi Folk Arts group’ from China. The official ceremony involved a smoking (purification) ceremony from the local Ngunnawal Aboriginal community, followed by the national anthems of both Australia and China.
The official torch lighting ceremony led by the local chairman Ted Quinlan then saw the torch handed to the first of many runners that took it on a three hour route through the centre of Canberra. Entertainment for the official event was supplied by the Samsung choir who performed at Commonwealth Place on the lake’s edge. Audio was fed via a RF link to the main presentation site.
The audio specification was beefed-up close to the event to ensure that organizers were able to easily drown out any boisterous behavior from the crowd. This resulted in a 16 box per side XLD line array system being assembled in front of the main presentation area. This was supplemented by an eight box per side XLE system to cover the area behind the presentation area; additional XLC boxes were distributed to provide side fills. Foldback for the event was via T221M wedges; all power was from EV ‘P’ series amplifiers. Powered SxA360’s were deployed at Commonwealth Place as local reinforcement for the choir performance.
Electro-Voice microphones also saw lots of action: the choir was equipped with over 30 EV RE510 and PL80 microphones. In addition, the main presentation lectern was equipped with an N/D967. Despite the presence of over 10,000 people with an obvious political agenda, the audio was sufficient to ensure that all aspects of the presentation were clearly heard and no interruptions were made.
Torch Relay Conclusion Concert:
The torch relay concluded at Stage 88 in Commonwealth Park, where, on the shores of the lake, Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe was the final runner to the podium where the torch was handed over to its custodians for transport to its next location (Japan). This ceremony saw another performance from the Samsung Choir, as well performances from Australian Rock legends Russell Morris and Brian Cadd. The concert concluded with a set from Australian Idol performer Shannon Noll, to an appreciative audience in excess of 10,000 people.
The audio system for the relay conclusion consisted of an eight box per side XLC DVX system supplemented by three XLD per side (utilizing EV’s AGCD adapter bracket) supplemented by four Xsubs per side. All amplification was supplied by EV P, CP, and TG series amplifiers. The band foldback system consisted of 12 EV-loaded Dynacord Madras M15’s. Choir foldback was via EV Sx300’s and the system front fill was supplied via EV’s new ZX3 cabinets.
The whole event involved a cast of thousands, with over 40 crew members involved with the audio and lighting production. The organizers were exceptionally pleased with how the event was run and were very appreciative of how well the audio systems worked for the event. Eclipse MD Chris Neal received much praise for his efforts, those of his crew, and of the performance of the gear. Yet again EV ensured Eclipse with another stellar, stress-free event.
The largest street party in the U.S. and celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2008, the Calle Ocho (“Eighth Street”) carnival is a colorful celebration of Latino culture that fills the heart of Miami’s “Little Havana” district with over a million visitors each year. This year’s Calle Ocho sounded better than ever, thanks to an Electro-Voice sound system from Sound & Lighting Solutions.
24 blocks of SW 8th St. are closed off for Calle Ocho, a free event which takes place over two weekends as part of the citywide Carnival Miami. Along with an array of Caribbean cuisine and revelers from around the globe, the streets are filled with a kaleidoscope of carnival music; meringue, salsa, reggae, and bachata can all be heard on any of over 30 sponsored stages. As parties go, it doesn’t get much bigger than this…
Fort Lauderdale-based Sound & Lighting Solutions Inc. deployed a powerhouse sound system for the main stage at this year’s Calle Ocho, built around their new EV Phoenix manifold technology loudspeakers—a new line designed to provide a perfect balance of muscular punch and musical detail. SLS used 4x PX2181 subs under 2x PX2152 boxes per side; PX2122 completed the three pack stacks. This main rig was powered by EV CP4000S and P-Series amplifiers. In addition to the Phoenix rig, SLS deployed a stage-wide spread of Dynacord FX 20 subs and four flown FX 12 boxes for long throw duties, both powered by Xa 4000 amps. EV microphones, EV Xw stage monitors, Midas Venice 320 consoles, Klark Teknik graphics, EQs, and processing completed the spec.
“This was a huge event, and we brought the right PA for the job,” says Jay Krause of Sound and Lighting Solutions. “It was estimated that 565,000 people passed the stage between the hours of 11am and 7pm. We wanted to use a PA that would stand out, in terms of both sheer power and sonic fidelity. Since this stage was all about rap and reggae—featuring top tier artists like Flo Rida, Shaggy, and Timbaland—we needed lots of low end. Not a problem with the subs we were packing! The whole system sounded fantastic.”
Krause gave a no-nonsense post game wrap up on the day’s PA performance: “What didn’t happen at the show? Let me tell you: we never had a single amp go into clip mode; we didn’t lose a single driver; we didn’t have a single issue with the mics—static, etc.; we didn’t trip a breaker. What did happen at the show? We had 121dB’s with a 120Hz bass wave 75 feet from the front of the deck, with 126dB at the front of the stage; we confused the generator guy as to why the electrical draw was so low for such insanely high output—thanks to the CP4000 amps; we had compliments from all of the performers, regarding the clarity, bass, and overall performance; we had six audio companies from other stages stop by and ask us, amazed, ‘whose system is this?’ That said it all—in terms of sound quality and reliable performance, this rig was jaw-droppingly impressive… in a league of its own!”
Audio Crew:
Concert Production Manager – Bryan Rush (Rush Sounds)
Master Audio Engineer – Jay Krause (Sound & Lighting Solutions)
Attention game sound developers: We're guessing you didn't always work in videogames; we know a lot of you have roots in music and post. Tell us why you made the switch to the game world, and the name of the first title you worked on by e-mailing mixeditorial@mixonline.com.
