LAKE FOREST, IL—Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. and TC Furlong Inc. will host a mini-demo tour featuring the new Yamaha CL Digital Console Series, May 1-2, at three separate Chicago-area sites. Yamaha Systems Application Engineer, Kevin Kimmel, Regional District Manager, Mike Eiseman, and TC Furlong staff will be on hand to demonstrate the new console. All events are free of charge and open to audio professionals are welcome.

Dates and location of events are: Tuesday, May 1—2:00 PM-8:00 PM, TC Furlong Inc., Lake Forest, IL; Wednesday, May 2—9:00 AM-1:00 PM, American Management Association, Rosemont, IL; and Wednesday, May 2—3:00 PM-8:00 PM, Tribeca Flashpoint Academy, in Chicago.

The Yamaha CL console is Dante network-based and uses Yamaha CentraLogic technology. Features include remote I/O for a faster, more responsive Yamaha system solution. The three CL models (CL1, 3, and 5) are only differentiated by frame size and input capability. All three models feature 24 mix buses, 8 matrix buses, stereo and mono buses, and 16 DCAs. The console series was specifically designed for sound reinforcement applications, including performing arts venues, theaters, houses of worship, touring, and remote broadcast.

Visit http://tcfurlong.com/CLTour for more information.

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VIENNA, AUSTRIA, APRIL 27, 2012 – The Burgtheater in Vienna has added five DPA Microphones d:fineTM omnidirectional headsets to its existing armory of more than 70 DPA microphones. The d:fine microphones were purchased from DPA’s Austrian distributor, Studer Austria, for productions such as the prominent discussion televised panel Debating Europe, where top politicians and experts discuss the future of Europe. more…

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — South Africa’s largest rental company, Gearhouse South Africa, has recently reinvested in more L-ACOUSTICS components to complete its existing inventory of KUDO, V-DOSC, dV-DOSC and ARCS. The new equipment comprises of 48 KARA, 12 ARCSII and 12 KUDO line source cabinets, eight SB28 and 24 SB18 subwoofers, and 22 LA-RAK touring racks installed with LA8 amplified controllers.

South Africa is increasingly becoming a regular fixture on the international touring circuit. Combined with an increase in the domestic market, Gearhouse felt the extra investment in L-ACOUSTICS was necessary to service the largest of these events. The company also wanted to update its amplifier platform with the LA-RAK and LA8 platform. more…

TORONTO, 26 April 2012— SmithsonMartin Inc., the company that brought musicians and producers Emulator and which released the Kontrol Surface 1974 last December, announced significant price reductions to its entire product line. Effective immediately, retailers can now access the Emulator, Kontrol Surface 1974 and a range of accessories at a fraction of the previous cost. Among the most notable price reductions is the Emulator Lifetime License, which last month was reduced from $499 to $99.

The price reductions, which have been made possible as a result of SmithsonMartin’s increased purchasing leverage and the elimination of its two-tier distribution model, represents an outstanding opportunity for retailers to capture additional margin on the most innovative DJ and MIDI control products currently available on the market.

New Opportunities for Retailers
Now that SmithsonMartin has extended its market recognition well beyond the DJ market into areas such as lighting, broadcast, houses of worship and other areas, our company has significantly increased its purchasing power,” observes CEO Alan Smithson. “This has in turn enabled us to reward our network of international resellers with greater pricing flexibility — and the opportunity to earn very generous margins on if they choose to stock our products.” Following is a summary of new prices for SmithsonMartin’s product line (effective April 1, 2012):

By selling its products direct to retailers and bypassing traditional distribution, SmithsonMartin is able to offer its retailer partners who keep stock attractive sales margins, while offering generously increased margins for its entire retailer base. The company will also continue to offer products through its state of the art eCommerce site, which provides outstanding product support and shipping / logistics capabilities. SmithsonMartin has also become a vendor through www.XchangeMarket.com, a new service that allows retailers to sell software without carrying stock. “Resellers are moving more towards an on-demand purchasing model and XchangeMarket is the ultimate in instant delivery of software serial codes for our customers. Guitar Center has lead the way by adopting this technology early, thus making it the industry standard for software sales moving forward.” Commented Mr. Smithson.

The MIDI software of choice for a broad range of professionals
Recently, SmithsonMartin has significantly extended its user base as its Emulator multi-touch MIDI control software has become the go-to software for lighting designers, video artists, clubs, broadcast professionals and houses of worship. This month, SmithsonMartin will release its Emulator Modular 1.2, which ships with a range of specialized buttons, knobs and sliders, while offering bi-directional MIDI support for the most widely used software platforms.

For a full description of the new pricing, including accessories, please visit www.SmithsonMartin.com or contact Julie Smithson at 1-416-219-8749 or Julie@smithsonmartin.com

Caption:
Kontrol Surface 1974 controlling GrandMA 2 software to light Skrillex at Ultrafest 2012.

Promoting standards that will help mastering engineers deliver high quality results to their artist and record company customers will be among the topics discussed on May 24th when the Music Producers Guild officially launches its new Mastering Group.

The launch, which will take place at Alchemea College in Islington, London, will provide a platform for MPG Mastering Group administrator and veteran AIR Studios mastering engineer Ray Staff to introduce a new QC process that the Group hopes the entire industry will adopt.

“There is currently an issue surrounding poor quality QC control and lack of coherent QC processes in the mastering world,” Ray Staff explains. “This was one of the reasons why the MPG set up a specific Mastering Group and why we have come up with a process that, if universally adopted, should address this problem.”

The new QC process comprises a set of guidelines that aim to prevent the wrong masters from ending up in the CD manufacturing chain. In recent months this issue has affected a number of mastering engineers who have faced potential bills for incorrectly manufactured CDs because proper measures were not adhered to.

“This is a very serious issue that the whole industry needs to address,” Ray Staff adds. “We live in a world where, other than vinyl, we are moving away from physical masters to the online delivery of CD masters and files for downloads. It is imperative that guidelines are followed to ensure that the right files and masters are delivered and to provide mastering engineers with some protection in case of mistakes by others. Many of those working in the mastering business already know the process but there are a lot of people who are new to mastering or are working in small home-based facilities that need guidelines and need a structure that establishes a clear chain of responsibility.”

In conjunction with the new QC process, representatives from insurance company Doodson will also attend the event to discuss indemnity insurance for mastering engineers. MPG members will benefit from a discounted rate.

As part of the evening’s panel discussion Barry Grint, Director of Alchemy Mastering, will report on his collaboration with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to enable ISRC codes to be embedded into the broadcast WAV standard. As a founding member of the MPG Mastering Group, Grint is working towards broadcast WAV becoming the standard file interchange format for the Music, Radio and Television industries across Europe. Grint will explain the far reaching benefits of this MPG initiative.

Ray Staff adds: “The remit of the MPG Mastering Group is to focus on topics that help promote the very best in terms of audio performance and quality. There is a seed change in attitude to sound, with people these days talking more about quality and not just level. The public does want quality and a sound they can enjoy and we, as an industry, need to focus on this across all digital formats, whether they are CD, downloads or broadcast.”

The MPG Mastering Group launch will start at 6.30pm on May 24th with a drinks reception, followed by a panel discussion starting at 7.00pm. If you would like to attend, please register your interest at mastering_group@mpg.org.uk

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About Music Producers Guild (UK):

The Music Producers Guild (UK) is an independent and democratic organisation that encourages the highest standards of music production, and actively engages with other music industry organisations to campaign and lobby on matters of important mutual interest.

The MPG represents and promotes the interests of all those involved in the production of recorded music, including producers, engineers, mixers, re-mixers, programmers and mastering engineers.

For Immediate Release

Acoustics First Unveils Tone Tiles™. (Paintable, Design Friendly Acoustical Panel System)

www.ToneTiles.com

As a follow up to the recent PhaseFOAM™ system, the Acoustics First design team has invented a new wall panel system named Tone Tiles™, www.ToneTiles.com. Tone Tile™ acoustical panels are now ready to be shipped and deployed into any application requiring sound control. This new acoustical system offers acoustical absorption with limitless design potential and installation possibilities.

The white soft drywall texture appearance of the tile allows you to install them right out of the box or paint with a matte finish spray paint to complement colors on site. These sound absorbing panels are covered with a paintable / printable finish, allowing you to match any design scheme.

The unique 2’x1’ size of the panel allows one the freedom to create diverse wall tile patterns and mount around existing room obstructions. Optional 2” Stand-Off Mounting Brackets further acoustical control by creating an air gap, increasing absorption and improving low frequency response. The 2″ space behind the panels also presents an opportunity for back lighting effects. Employing optional Corner Mounting Clips permits the installer to construct one foot wide or two foot wide custom bass traps in room corners.

10 ea. 2′ x 1′ Tone Tile™ panels in each box for $350.00 USD.
Optional Mounting Clips:
Acoustics First 2″ Stand off Clips, Box of 20 Clips AF2SC20 $ 80.00
Acoustics First Corner Clips, Box of 8 pair (8 Left & 8 Right) AFCC8 $ 48.00

-Spray Paint Panels to Complement Color Schemes
-Locally Print Images on Panel Face
-Design Unique Wall Patterns
-Apply Stencil Designs
-Increase Absorption Using 2″ Stand off Clips
-Easily Construct Custom Bass Traps

www.ToneTiles.com

Ryan Larkin
Sales & Marketing
www.AcousticsFirst.com
Acoustics First Corporation
PH: (804) 342-2900

Peavey® Commercial Audio will host a two-day MediaMatrix® NION® Certification training course in New Orleans during May, where AV designers, consultants, contractors and end users can learn the best practices for designing, deploying and implementing MediaMatrix audio distribution, processing and control systems.

The MediaMatrix NION Certification training course instructs AV professionals on the fundamentals of MediaMatrix, the most flexible and scalable audio networking system on the market, as well as how to design and program projects in nWare™; how to set up a NION processor; how to create end-user GUIs for nTouch™ 60 and nTouch 180 touch screens and PC kiosks; and how to integrate the XControl® into a MediaMatrix installation.

The MediaMatrix NION Certification training seminar will be held in New Orleans on May 10-11, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Each successful student will receive a completion certificate that can be submitted to InfoComm for receipt of 7.5 renewal credit hours for InfoComm CTS, CTS-I and CTS-D. For full class descriptions and registration, please visit mm.peavey.com/education.

Peavey has educated thousands of AV system designers, integrators and end users from around the world since MediaMatrix revolutionized the professional audio industry in 1993. MediaMatrix now offers the content of its renowned seminars as online courses at mmtraining.peavey.com. Completion of the online Peavey MediaMatrix Basic or Advanced course earns two hours of credit toward InfoComm’s CTS and CTS-D Certification Renewal.

Now installed in more than 10,000 facilities worldwide—from theme parks, hotels and stadiums to airports and government facilities—Peavey MediaMatrix was the first digitally controlled audio network, and is still the most flexible and capable audio networking system available. Learn how MediaMatrix can be used to create virtually any audio system. For more information, please visit mm.peavey.com.

About MediaMatrix®
MediaMatrix® is a division of Peavey®, one of the largest manufacturers of professional audio equipment in the world. Peavey has earned more than 180 patents and distributes in more than 130 other countries. MediaMatrix revolutionized the high-end audio technology market with its computer-based audio processing and control interfacing systems, and can now be found in more than 10,000 airports, stadiums, theme parks, government facilities and other venues around the world. To find out more about MediaMatrix, visit mm.peavey.com.
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Council Bluffs, IA – April 2012… Grundorf, a leading manufacturer of equipment for musicians and audio professionals, is pleased to announce the addition of three new utility transport dollies to help musicians and audio pros move their equipment easier. For any player or touring staff who has struggled moving large, heavy trunks and related gear, these new utility dollies—manufactured with top-notch materials—are the solution to a common challenge.

Superior construction and design is the hallmark of all Grundorf products and the new utility transport dollies are no exception. Each of the three available models is manufactured from 13-ply Baltic Birch wood. Commonly found in the best loudspeaker enclosures, Baltic Birch is an extremely rigid and durable material—making it the perfect choice because of its ability to support considerable weight without flexing. To prevent abrasions to the dolly’s edges, the wood has been finished with rounded edges for protection against damage and splintering. more…

Long-Time User Turns to Auralex to Outfit New Multi-Purpose Space

NASHVILLE, TN – Auralex® Acoustics, Inc., the industry leader in innovative sound control solutions, has been the acoustic choice for over 15 years for Jeff Bell, owner of and voice talent for Jeff Bell Voice Over, now located in downtown Nashville, TN. Bell, who provides commercial voice over for top brands such as Ford, SPIKE TV, MAVtv and many others, recently turned to Auralex once again to outfit his new studio.

In addition to recording and producing his voice over work there, Bell has expanded his new studio to include commercial audio production, music tracking and mixing. Built in 1887, the former warehouse had many acoustical obstacles, including exposed brick walls and an atrium with two large windows backing up to the main control room. Even though both the brick and the windows were acoustical hindrances, Bell wanted to retain the historic look of the brick and utilize the natural light the windows provided. more…

Production Mixer Proves Reliable in Africa’s Extreme Temperature and Terrain

REPUBLIC OF MOZAMBIQUE — When Sound Engineer David Ruddick was presented with the challenge of finding portable audio gear that would hold up in the rugged terrain and extreme climate of Mozambique’s Gorongosa National Park for an upcoming National Geographic elephant documentary, he turned to Sound Devices’ 552 Production Mixer.

In order to record audio for “War Elephants,” which aired this month, Ruddick joined Dr. Joyce Poole, an elephant behavior expert, and her brother Bob Poole, a wildlife cameraman for National Geographic, to help re-establish safe tourism in the park now that the country’s civil war has ended and ivory poaching has been recently abated. more…