AUSTIN, TEXAS – MAY 2012: Located in the city’s bustling warehouse and variously billed as a tapas restaurant, a gastropub, or an American small plate restaurant, Swift’s Attic is a refreshing addition to the bar and restaurant scene in Austin, Texas. Swift’s Attic occupies the second floor of what was built to be the Swift Brother’s meat-packing facilities over one-hundred years ago, and its interior design highlights the building’s old charms in a style that one reviewer lovingly described as “steampunk meets lounge.” With plans for hosting DJs and bands on weekend evenings and a computer loaded with hand-selected tunes for the balance of the week, music is an important component of the restaurant’s casual, hip atmosphere. Austin’s DB Commercial AV designed and installed a killer sound reinforcement system centered on Ashly Audio’s Pema combination DSP/multi-channel amplifier and KLR Series high-efficiency amplifiers.

Greg more

GOODLETTSVILLE, TENNESSEE – MAY 2012: The parishioners at First Baptist Church of Goodlettsville, Tennessee are the first churchgoers in the world to enjoy the exacting fidelity, soul-lifting power, and clean, even coverage of a pair of Danley Sound Labs Jericho JH-90 full-range, point-source loudspeakers, heretofore installed mainly in sports arenas and stadiums as well as concert venues. Professional Audio Solutions, Inc. designed and installed the first-of-its-kind project under the leadership of Scott Oliver, director of contracting and engineering. Once Oliver included the costs of labor and amplifier channels, he discovered that purchasing and installing a stereo pair of Jericho JH-90s would be less expensive – and far better sounding – than a conventional multi-box solution.

Like many churches, Goodlettsville FBC transitioned over the years from having only traditional services to offering a mix of traditional and contemporary services. Its old PA system consisted more

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – MAY 2012: The team of rapper Macklemore and producer Ryan Lewis is making some of the most forward-thinking hip-hop music on the planet. Lewis’ irresistible beats and music form a sophisticated backdrop for Macklemore’s tight rhymes and deceptively easy delivery. Macklemore’s subject matter – drug addiction, consumerism, race, and other weighty themes – resonates with an authenticity that deftly sidesteps clichés to bathe familiar subjects in a fresh light. Lewis, who also handles many of the engineering duties for the duo, recently committed to purchasing a Metric Halo ULN-2 preamplifier/interface so that they could cut studio-quality tracks for their forthcoming album while on the road.

“I’m in the middle of producing a full-length LP with rapper Macklemore,” said Lewis. “I needed a small unit that could deliver audio quality worthy of our debut LP. The goal is for Macklemore to be able to record at home or on the road, tracking vocals wherever he wants or needs to.” Lewis learned about Metric Halo through online research and discussions with audio engineers in their hometown of Seattle.

“One of the largest consumer products for introductory home recording is the two-channel USB or FireWire interface,” he continued. “Almost every company has their own version. Nevertheless, there honestly wasn’t a lot out there that could compete with the ULN-2. Finding high-quality AD/DA conversion is hard, and finding high-quality AD/DA conversion together with fantastic preamps is almost impossible. The Metric Halo ULN-2 was exactly what we needed. It alone could match the quality of vocals we’re tracking in the studio.”

As an active member of the Seattle music scene, Macklemore earned a hometown following early on. But it was with his 2004 release Welcome to Myspace – which was heavily hyped by the then-new social networking site – that Macklemore earned respect and an eager following at the national and international levels. Success begat success, but in combination with a self-avowed drug problem, it also doused the creative flame that had committed so many fresh rhymes and ideas to paper. Macklemore languished for years before a one-month stay at rehab gave him the sobriety and creative perspective he so desperately needed. Now on a mission to make good on his promising start and with three successful post-rehab solo albums, Macklemore has joined forces with Ryan Lewis, and the two are poised to take the hip-hop world by storm with the forthcoming release.

Taking the long view, Lewis cited Metric Halo’s dogged commitment to future-proofing its equipment via upgrades as another excellent reason to go with the ULN-2. “Metric Halo is a company that is focused on the future of pro audio and that’s why I’m so excited to be working with their products,” he said. Later in the year, Lewis and Macklemore plan to follow up the ULN-2 with an eight-channel ULN-8, Metric Halo’s flagship product, for use in their studio.

ABOUT METRIC HALO Now based in the sunny city of Safety Harbor, Florida, Metric Halo provides the world with high-resolution metering, analysis, recording and processing solutions with award-winning software and future-proof hardware.

www.mhlabs.com

Old Lyme, Conn., May 17, 2012— Audio specialist Sennheiser announces the arrival of the Piccolo system by K-array. The Piccolo, manufactured by Italian loudspeaker specialist K-array and distributed in the United States exclusively by Sennheiser, represents the latest advances in loudspeaker innovation, delivering an impressive sound in a miniature footprint.

Stylish and modern in design, the Piccolo’s two 3.6-inch mid-high speakers and compact subwoofer practically disappear in any room. Set up is a snap, with standard RCA and XLR connectors to support multiple source inputs, such as TV, DVD, the Apple iPod, and more. Easy to use and simple to integrate into any existing system, the Piccolo delivers high-quality audio for homes, offices or project studios.

K-array, a well-respected loudspeaker brand in the installed sound and professional audio markets, develops extremely efficient loudspeaker solutions that are compact and powerful, delivering an extremely transparent, natural sound. K-array’s professional series of loudspeakers have been used at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, OH, Avery Fisher Hall in New York and many other prominent locations around the world, including the Colosseo Theater in Turin, Italy.

“Invisible” footprint, easy set up, pristine sound
Piccolo is a complete, turn-key loudspeaker system that is simple to install and operate. In addition to two mini-speakers, a subwoofer and an amplification module, the system comes with a basic wiring kit, table stands and brackets for wall installation. Installation consists of just six easy steps, whether the system is being installed in a home, studio, workplace or other listening environment. The system offers intuitive operation and simple adjustment with an on/off button and integrated volume for one-touch control.

“The Piccolo is an elegant solution that provides discreet, yet inspiring and powerful audio,” explained Vanessa Jensen, senior product specialist for systems integration at Sennheiser’s U.S. headquarters. “This system brings K-array’s experience and expertise in loudspeaker technology to listeners desiring premium sound experience in home audio, home theaters, home gaming, office audio, project studios and more.”

Piccolo is available now for $2,499.95.

Specifications

Acoustics
Frequency range 32 Hz – 18 kHz
Maximum SPL 92 dB (continuous) / 96 dB (peak)

Amplifiers
Type (2) Class D – DSP controlled
Power to mid-high (2) 50 W (100 W total)
Power to subwoofer 110 W
Protection Dynamic limiter, over current, over temp, short circuits

Transducers
Mid-high (each) 4 x 0.5” Neodymium cone driver with 0.5” voice coil
Subwoofer 1 x 6” Neodymium magnet with double 1.5” voice coil
1 x 6” passive radiator

AC power
Operating range 85-132 V or 170-264 V, at either 50 / 60 Hz
(auto switching)
Nominal Current Draw 2 A / 115 V AC – 1 A / 230 V AC
Peak power (2) 220 W / 120 ms max
Max power 150 W (continuous) / 400 W (peak)

Physical
Dimensions Mid-high: 3.6 x 0.8 x 0.6 in.
Subwoofer: 5.1 x 8.9 x 8 in.
Amplifier: 8.1 x 8.9 x 8 in.
Weight Mid-high: 2 oz.
Subwoofer: 10.1 lbs.
Amplifier: 7.3 lbs.

Speakers Setup at Field Level on Customized Mobile Carts Designed by Special Event Services

WASHINGTON, D.C., MAY 15, 2012 – Outline Grand Touring Outline (GTO) Line Array Speakers were used exclusively by Special Event Services (SES) to supply front-of-house sound for the recent Joel Osteen Ministries America’s Night of Hope 2012 event. The program, featuring musical presentations and inspirational speeches, took place at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., home to the Washington Nationals baseball team, and featured 12 stacks of six GTO speakers each, mounted on specially designed mobile speaker carts for easy “wheel-in” setup. Sound for the event was completely run from the ground level, with the sonic accuracy, clarity and punch delivered by the GTO cabinets. This allowed attendees to enjoy crystal-clear, loud, full-range sound from any vantage point in the stadium.

“For this event, we were asked to shoot all the audio up from the ground,” says Jason Farah, owner of SES. “The stadium seats 41,487, with the elevation of the top seats at 115 feet in the air and 250 feet back from the GTO speaker stack—that’s almost a football field away—and the sound was simply incredible. The band sounded full, rich, beautiful and clear. You could hear and feel every note. But when Pastor Osteen came out to deliver one of his messages, people in the farthest corner of the stadium, in the back row of the third seating deck behind the foul-line pole, were responding as enthusiastically as the audience behind home plate. GTO presented an amazing sonic experience.”

Reed Hall, senior director, audio and technical production for Lakewood Church Joel Osteen Ministries, was also impressed with the GTO setup. “During our event in Washington D.C.’s Nationals Park, I had the opportunity to walk the entire stadium during sound check and the actual event,” he says. “The frequency response and clarity were incredible. At extreme edges of the park, the top rows are almost 300 feet from the speaker carts, yet the sound was clear, concise and had an impressive amount of low-end, considering the distance. For the past year I have had the pleasure of using this Outline rig in venues across the country and have been very impressed from day one. They just sound great out of the box, with no tuning and no subs. When Jason Farah from SES hands the Outline PA over in the afternoons, an 18,000-seat arena sounds like a 3,500-seat auditorium. SES has a little secret called GTO that puts them way ahead of the competition.”

The GTO series of line array speakers, offering a unique combination of high-power output in a compact and relatively lightweight cabinet, feature Outline’s patented Butterfly design. The cabinets deliver clear, non-colored, high-SPL audio capable of bringing listening environment quality to the live event experience. When coupled in an array, GTO’s unique V-shaped front baffle allows individual sound sources to be positioned much closer together than in conventional line-source systems. This facilitates superior acoustical coupling between high-frequency modules, thus producing a smooth yet extended HF response. It also creates the ideal “unbroken baffle” shape through an array, which minimizes diffraction and deterioration of the mid-high frequencies, contributing to the far-field performance of the system. A GTO line array system is capable of delivering a true visceral response to the audience while maintaining clarity.

About Outline
Outline S.r.l., based in Brescia, Italy, is a leading manufacturer of high quality loudspeakers of both powered and un-powered configurations. Founded in 1973, the company has a rich history in the development of high quality loudspeaker systems, test and measurement systems, and holds numerous technology patents. With offices in Italy and the USA and over 50 distributors on five continents with more than 4000 venues and users to its credit, Outline has assumed its place among the leaders in the professional audio market.

Irvine California––This year’s KROQ Weenie Roast Y Fiesta was both a 20th Anniversary musical celebration and a heartfelt remembrance for the Beastie Boys’ Adam “MCA” Yauch who passed away from cancer the day before the show.

Delicate Productions, also celebrating their 20th Anniversary of providing sound for KROQ’s legendary event, upped the ante with the new Martin Audio Multi-cellular Loudspeaker (MLA) system, which they were using for the first time at the Roast.

Held at the Verizon Amphitheatre, the event featured headliner Coldplay who had just completed three sold-out shows at the Hollywood Bowl, along with heavyweights Incubus, The Offspring, Silverspun Pickups, Pennywise, Angels & Airwaves, The Dirty Heads, Garbage, AWOLNATION, Grouplove, Of Monsters and Men and Walk The Moon.

During the high-impact show with a surprise appearance by the recently reunited Soundgarden, Coldplay capped off an exceptional set featuring their hits with a solemn piano version of “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)” as a tribute to Yauch and the band that broke so many musical boundaries.

The overall system consisted of 15 MLA enclosures and one MLD downfill enclosure per side for the main system, seven MLAs and one MLD per side for sidefill, 12 MLX subwoofers (3 flown and 9 ground-stacked), eight W8LMs for front fill, and Martin Audio LE700 stage monitors. Delicate also provided Yamaha PM5D consoles for monitors.

Delicate’s crew for the Roast included Andy Turner (FOH Tech), Brennan Houser (System Tech), Steve Walsh and Manny Barajas (Monitor Techs), Dave Reyna (RF Tech), Manny Perez and Peter Baigent (Stage) and Meegan Holmes (Project Manager).

Asked about the Martin Audio MLA system’s performance, Delicate Director of Touring Jason Alt said, “It was phenomenal. Expectations for the system were great and it performed above and beyond. Given the variety of artists that played, whatever people put into it, they got out of it. Overall, every engineer that mixed on the system had a really positive experience and was blown away by the fidelity of the system.”

For more about Martin Audio, please click to www.martin-audio.com.

About MLA™ (Multi-cellular Loudspeaker Array)
The result of many years of intensive R&D, MLA’s methodology replaces trial-and-error array design with intelligent numerical optimization of the array’s output based on a highly accurate acoustic model. The multi-cellular format has six individual cells in each enclosure, each with its own DSP and amplification.

With up to 24 enclosures, each MLA array has up to 144 cells — too great a number to optimize manually, or by ear. Instead, Martin Audio’s proprietary Display2™ system design software automatically calculates FIR DSP filters for each cell and a redundant-ring audio network (U-NET™) downloads the settings into each array enclosure. Martin Audio’s VU-NET™ software provides real-time control and monitoring of the system.

MLA delivers a frequency response and SPL consistency never before achievable; a very high system output (140dB peak, per cabinet @1m); Automatic optimization of the array, both physically (splay angles) and electronically (DSP); Computer control and monitoring of the entire system, and total control of sound system balance for engineers and sound technicians.

MLA is fully integrated, with Class D amplification, DSP and U-NET digital audio
network built into each enclosure. MLA complete systems are ready-to-use, with MLA, MLD and MLX enclosures, flying hardware, software, cabling and training all supplied. Everything needed is included. All ancillary items — from tablet PC and Merlin™ controller to network interconnects and mains distro — are also included in the complete system package. This ensures full compatibility worldwide, down to cabling and accessories.

Additional features include 90° x 7.5° dispersion; a compact size (1136mm wide x 372mm high x 675mm deep), one-box-fits-all (festivals to theaters) application range and a global voltage, power factor corrected power supply.

MLA’s compact size and very high output allows it to be shipped using smaller trucks, offering considerable savings and reduced carbon footprint. The system also includes the MLX powered, flyable subwoofer capable of an unprecedented measured peak output of 150dB @ 1m; MLD downfill cabinet, and Merlin 4-in/10-out system controller and network hub. Audio input is via analog, AES3 or U-NET.

By adopting these principles and system components MLA is optimized for every member of the audience — from a 2,000 capacity theater, to a 20,000-seat arena, to a 100,000-person festival site. It will deliver the engineer’s exact mix to every seat (up to over 150 meters) with precision, exceptional power and clarity.

About Martin Audio®
Founded by audio engineer David Martin in 1971, Martin Audio pioneered the use of all-horn-loaded bass designs in world-class touring loudspeaker systems for groups such as Pink Floyd, ELP and Supertramp. Located outside of London, Martin Audio now embodies a sophisticated mix of acoustic design, research, mathematical modeling and software engineering for a wide range of products in the installation, cinema and touring sound markets.

BUENA PARK, Calif.—When LifePointe Christian Church in Elk Grove, California was looking for a sound system to compliment their new location, a converted Harley Davidson showroom, they turned to the expertise of CCI of Olympia, Washington. Project manager, David McLain, recommended a NEXO PS15 system for the 400-seat church that consists of three PS15s, one CD18 and a 4×4 NXAMP.

“Pastor Chris Delfs sought out a new location where they would not only own their space but could create a unique, new culture,” states McLain. “They weren’t looking for a NEXO system per se, but were looking for good advice.” At only 60’ deep, with less than 20’ of trim, a line array would not have been the best tool, whereas, the asymmetrical horn pattern of a PS15 reaches the back rows with ease.”

“David actually discouraged a line array approach in this case, and if you look at how much the HVAC and lighting impacts the trim height, the PS solution was much better,” notes Steve Armstrong, PROS Inc., independent rep firm for NEXO.

“I’d been hearing a lot of talk about NEXO speakers over the past few years,” and have listened to various models and I was impressed enough to recommend them for a couple of rooms, particularly given the outstanding support I’ve been receiving from Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems,” says McLain. I didn’t really know the extent of the NEXO lineup until I had opportunity to listen critically and extensively to their whole selection of speakers at a demo at the Cerritos Performing Arts Center in California. The Cerritos Center is an awesome building. We used their beautiful main room to try out the NEXO speakers. I spent the first demo day designing speaker systems for rooms using various software, and I liked the way the NEXO speakers worked in the planning, and also liked what I saw in the computer models. The NS-1 software was easy to work with, so I imported some real-world rooms, like LifePointe, that I’d been working on. It appeared the NEXO PS Series would provide excellent coverage.”

“I have to admit, there’s a fair bit of skeptic in me,” McLain says. “A box that promises a rectangular coverage pattern had better do more than just advertise well! It needs to offer an actual rectangular coverage pattern. And more importantly, it needs to sound good! In the next day’s listening tests, I measured 112 dB at the back of the listening room, and I have to say, it sure didn’t feel like 112 dB. In fact, it didn’t sound like a PA playing. It sounded like a woman was right there singing to me. Yamaha brought in a live jazz drummer and they just sounded louder, like there was no PA in between. Even the little NEXO PS8 two-way sounded way bigger than its small size. And, all of the subwoofers for the line arrays – which were shaking my pant legs at 100’ – are cardioid subs. Even during the “fairly loud” cuts (think aggressive Sunday morning volume), we could easily hold a conversation on the stage behind the subwoofers.”
Armstrong added that Pastor Delfs was appreciative of CCI’s insistence on NEXO. “David has provided LifePointe with five previous systems and each one has progressed in terms of quality and capabilities.”

“Every Sunday, one of our congregation members emotes about the system, which is so significant to my passion to lead people to a better way, that I’m thrilled beyond words,” states Pastor Delfs. “I love the NEXO sound system. David and CCI hit it out of the ballpark.”

For more information on CCI Solutions, visit www.ccisolutions.com.
For more information on NEXO, visit www.yamahaca.com.

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About Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc.:
Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. (YCAS) provides a full line of integrated professional audio products offering complete systems solutions for the broadcast, sound reinforcement/installed sound, touring, commercial recording, and post production markets. The company is the official U.S. and Canadian distributor for all NEXO speaker models. YCAS offers comprehensive in-house and field product training for its customers, a dedicated dealer network, and 24/7 technical support.

Mumbai, India – May 2012… As the world’s largest producer of films, India is well known for delivering a varied palette of stories and expatriates in countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States continue to give rise to international audiences for Indian films of various languages. While synchronized sound is commonly employed during the filming process, much of the dialog has traditionally been replaced during ADR (automated dialog replacement) sessions in order to achieve the desired sound quality. Though such practices remain common throughout the Indian film production process, this is not the case for Production Mixer and Sound Designer Baylon Fonseca—thanks to the superior sound quality of Lectrosonics wireless technology. more

MuseBox™, the new plug-and-play, software-powered musical instrument and effects module for electric and acoustic guitar, keyboards, vocals, and drums, is now available from Peavey Electronics dealers throughout North America. MuseBox, a collaboration between Peavey Electronics and Muse Research, makes an extensive library of essential studio-quality sounds and effects available to musicians and audio professionals in an affordable, compact and easy-to-use package.

MuseBox runs virtual instruments and effects software, the same technology used in the production of today’s hit records and used on stage by the world’s biggest touring bands. What’s different is that MuseBox enables musicians of all types to take these cutting-edge software-based synths, sounds and effects from the studio to the stage with ultimate ease and stability.

The MuseBox is pre-loaded with more than 4GB of professional virtual instruments and effects, including an assortment of essential keyboard sounds, reverbs, chorus, compressors and more—a total software package valued more than $900 featuring Universons, Wave Arts, AAS, Camel Audio, ForeFront, MuTech and others, as well as Peavey’s revolutionary ReValver™ amp modeling software—all built-in, pre-authorized and ready to play.

MuseBox is powerful and versatile enough for the entire band, and even the sound engineer. more

Broadcast sound specialist Red TX was recently commissioned to record the audio for MTV Presents Titanic Sounds, an open-air festival to mark the opening of the Titanic Belfast tourist attraction.

Set against the backdrop of the new building, this one-off major music gig featured performances by Olly Murs (with a full nine-piece band), Pixie Lott, Katy B, Rizzle Kicks and Sean Paul.

Red TX used its newly refurbished Red 1 truck for the 5.1 audio recording, with director Tim Summerhayes manning the controls.

Summerhayes says: “Apart from the weather, which was absolutely freezing, the recording was a huge success and we had a great time working with the MTV production team. The setting, on the slipway in front of the new Titanic Belfast tourist attraction, was perfect and the concert was very well received by the audience.”

MTV Presents Titanic Sounds will be broadcast internationally on MTV on May 25th 2012 as part of MTV’s World Stage music series.

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About Red TX:
Red TX provides a comprehensive concert recording and broadcast service to the music and television industries. The company has state-of-the-art mobile recording facilities and can handle projects of any size or complexity. As well as recording audio for broadcast, the company also records live music events for subsequent release on CD or DVD. It is headed by Ian Dyckhoff and Tim Summerhayes, who have extensive experience in delivering high-quality audio for broadcast. www.red-tx.com