Article

Friday, July 03, 2009

New JBL Control CRV Loudspeaker Provides Combination Of 70V/100V Transformer And Weather Resistance

Control CRV also offers contemporary, curved design and a wide range of configurations

The new JBL Professional Control CRV loudspeaker, introduced at 2009 InfoComm in Orlando, affords numerous mounting options and a wide range of configurations, providing a wide variety of solutions in terms of coverage, appearance and mounting.

Immediately noticeable is the Control CRV’s unique, contemporary, quarter-round design that makes a modern design statement, adding to any venue’s visual aesthetics in either a wall-mounted or corner-mounted configuration.

In addition, this sleek appearance serves a notable functional purpose, as the Control CRV is combinable into half-round, three-quarter-round or a full, 360-degree round arc cluster that is suspendable from the ceiling via a fan pole assembly. 

A single Control CRV mounted at a wall-wall or wall-ceiling junction physically curves across the junction, acoustically coupling with the adjacent surfaces, widening the sound field, and producing an increased sense of sonic spaciousness.

A multi-tap, 30-Watt transformer allows for use on 70V or 100V distributed speaker lines, providing the capability to run multiple speakers on a single amplifier channel as well as individual level taps for each speaker and the ability to be connected via long cable runs. 

Available in either black or white, both models have a high level of weather resistance, allowing the loudspeakers to be located either indoors or outdoors.

The 75 Watts continuous pink noise power handling (300 Watts peak) and dual 4-inch Polyplas woofers provide superb sound quality. Frequency range is specified as 80 Hz-20 kHz.

“With the Control CRV, the contemporary design, configurability — and of course, excellent sound quality — give designers and integrators a great range of versatility from one loudspeaker,” said Rick Kamlet, Senior Director, Commercial Installed Sound, JBL Professional.

JBL Professional Website
Harman Professional Website

{extended}

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Product Review: DiGiCo SD8 Digital Mixing Console

What can this new digital console offer your church sound system?

DiGiCo has come out with a steady stream of digital consoles utilized in a wide range of sound reinforcement applications, including larger church sound reinforcement systems.

The company’s most recent development, the SD8 digital console, has 60 stereo or mono channels available (the equivalent of 120 channels of DSP)—plenty for most churches—and certain key functions are available on all channels all the time, in contrast with some digital consoles that don’t offer consistent processing on all channels.

How does it work, and how well does it work? Is it worth a look?

Click here to check out John F. McJunkin’s in-depth audio product review of the DiGiCo SD8 digital console featured in the June 2009 issue of Church Production.

Other recent Church Production reviews:
Peavey Sanctuary S-32 Console
DiGiCo SD8 Digital Console
Sony UWP Wireless System
JBL EON 515 Loudspeaker
Audio-Technica AT2020USB Microphone

{extended}

Sigmet Corporation Named Commercial AV Rep Of The Year For Middle Atlantic Products

Sigmet represents Middle Atlantic in both the northern (NY Metro) and southern (Eastern PA, DC and Virginia) territories

Sigmet Corporation was named Commercial AV Rep of the Year for Middle Atlantic Products at the company sales meeting prior to 2009 InfoComm in Orlando.

Located in Manalapan, NJ and Valley Forge, PA, Sigmet represents Middle Atlantic in both the northern (NY Metro) and southern (Eastern PA, DC and Virginia) territories.

Commenting on the award, Craig Decker, Northeast Sales Director for Middle Atlantic Products, stated, “We chose Sigmet this year based on their results and a variety of factors. Besides exceeding sales goals for 2008, they’ve continued to grow not one, but two territories in the Northeast region.

Decker continued: “Their professionalism, commitment and successful track record earned them this recognition.”

Sigmet Corporation was founded in October 1987, the result of the joining of two well established rep firms, Metrorep Sales of Freehold, New Jersey and Signal Marketing of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Sigmet offers its principals over 80 years of combined experience in the field of manufacturers representation, and employs 13 outside salespeople.

.

Two complete support offices are maintained, with managers, one in each of the primary markets served, with a remote office for the new territory of upstate New York.

Middle Atlantic Products Website

{extended}

Eventide Releases v2.3 Software for PitchFactor Harmonizer Stompbox

User-driven features and enhancements added

Eventide has announced the beta release of v2.3 software update for its PitchFactor pitch and delay stompbox, providing enhancements and features suggested by PitchFactor users from around the world. 

Effective immediately, registered PitchFactor owners can log on to eventide.com and download the new software directly into their PitchFactor at no cost.

The new enhancements include new scales for the Diatonic and Quadravox effects. Users can now select from the following:
[MAJ] - Major
[min] - Minor
[DOR] - Dorian
[PHRG] - Phrygian
[LYD] - Lydian
[MLYD] - Mixolydian
[LOC] – Locrian
[Hmin] - Harmonic Minor
[Mmin] - Melodic Minor
[Wton] - Whole Tone
[ENIG] - Enigmatic
[NPLT] - Neopolitan
[HUNG] - Hungarian

Also added is the ability to lock Expression Pedal programming, the ability to more easily select from the 100 supplied user presets using the select knob, a wider range of Tuner calibration, and the ability to control PitchFlex via MIDI continuous controller messages.

“With this release, PitchFactor is better than ever” said Ray Maxell, Eventide vice president of sales and marketing. “The upgradeability of our stompboxes allows us to continually improve these products based on user comments and requests. In fact, by virtue of our painless web-based software update system and web forums, the community of Eventide Factor users has become an integral part of our development team.”

The PitchFactor Harmonizer pitch and delay stompbox features:
• Up to 1.5 seconds of stereo delay and up to 4 voices of intelligent pitch shifting
• Software upgradeable via USB 2.0
• MIDI control via USB or MIDI in, out/thru
• Instant program change
• Real-time control with 10 knobs, MIDI, or expression pedal
• Tap tempo and MIDI clock sync
• True analog bypass
• Rugged cast metal construction
• Reliable metal footswitches for instant preset access
• Mono or stereo operation
• Guitar or line level inputs and outputs

PitchFactor includes Eventide’s 10 best signature pitch+delay effects: Diatonic, PitchFlex, Quadravox, Octaver, HarModulator, Crystals, MicroPitch, HarPeggiator, H910 / H949, Synthonizer

PitchFactor was released in March 2009. MSRP is $579, street price is $499

Eventide Website

{extended}

Community Debuts Color-Matched Grilles & Yokes For WET, R-Series Loudspeakers

Will enhance the product’s weather-resistance as well as improving the appearance

Community Professional has enhanced its WET and R-Series loudspeakers, ideal for outdoor sound reinforcement, with the introduction of color-matched grilles and yokes with improved weather-resistance. 

As an example, Community’s R-Series, beginning with the model R.5HP, will gain attractive, two-layer, powder-coated steel yokes and grilles. 

These will be light gray in color, to match the enclosure, and will enhance the product’s weather-resistance as well as improving the appearance.

The rest of the R-Series product line will receive the same makeover later this year (the R6 will remain black). 

Similarly, Community’s WET Series II will gain attractive, stainless steel grilles and yokes with two-layer powder-coating to match the choice of white or black enclosures.

“It’s been ten years since Community introduced the original WET228 and R2, which may be the single most important advance in school systems in the last decade,” said Bruce Howze, Community’s President and Chief Engineer.

“These new refinements to our all-weather mounting hardware will ensure an even longer lifespan for R-Series and WET products, many of which already outlast not just the competition, but sometimes even the buildings they’re installed on.”

Community Professional Website

{extended}

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

KRK Systems Now Shipping R6 Passive Studio Monitor

New monitor’s look and performance based on company's Rokit monitors

KRK Systems is now shipping the R6 passive studio monitor, which incorporates design cues from KRK’s popular Rokit line, including radically radiused edges along the front of the cabinet.

The R6, like its Rokit brethren, provides a sleeker, more modern look, including a molded front baffle also engineered to minimize diffraction of high-frequencies, resulting in a sweet spot that is significantly larger than products with square or lightly rounded baffles.

The baffle also houses a molded front-facing bass port that minimizes low-frequency phase distortion and unwanted frequency emphasis typical of rear-facing bass ports.

The R6 voicing is designed to mimic the voicing of KRK’s Rokit 6 monitor, which is noted for its accuracy and mid-range clarity. The R6 features five-way speaker binding posts, a precision crossover and is capable of handling 100 watts (RMS) of power.

“While powered monitors make up the majority of the studio monitor business, there is still demand for passive monitors. The R6 addresses the needs of broadcasters, project studios and home enthusiasts by providing legendary KRK precision and accuracy in a passive speaker,” said Tony Rodrigues, Vice President of Marketing for KRK Systems.

KRK Systems Website

{extended}

Production Hire Debuts Its New Martin Audio W8L Longbow Line Arrays At RockNess Music Festival

“The system definitely throws and there must have been 25,000 in front of it when Prodigy appeared on stage." - Mark Neal, Production Hire

When Production Hire realized the amount of summer festival work and autumn dance events that were available if the company could provide adequate PA coverage, proprietor Mark Neal decided it was time to invest in a new line array system.

After evaluating a couple of leading systems, Neal purchased 24 Martin Audio W8L Longbow line array enclosures and gave them a first initiation at the RockNess Music Festival near Inverness this month, where Prodigy, Basement Jaxx, Dizzee Rascal and Flaming Lips were among the headliners.

He ran 12 W8L hangs a side, with W8LD Downfills on the front corners providing the necessary infill, while Martin Audio’s predictive 3D Display software helped insure the coverage was fully optimized.

“The system definitely throws and there must have been 25,000 in front of it when Prodigy appeared on stage,” Neal reports. “We always knew Longbow would handle live shows but we first tried it out at a dance music event —and it was sensational.”

“We really like that (the low-mids of Longbow) because it’s 1-inch instead of 1.4-inch,” he adds. “This leads to a very sparkly system which goes all the way up and down the frequency range, which a lot of line arrays don’t do.”

Neal also notes that because the system is horn-loaded the sound tends not to flap around in the wind. “Again, this is a problem with many other systems I have experienced,” he adds.

Last year, Neal had only been able to cover Stage 2 at RockNess for production company Loud Sound Events (using the seven-a-side W8LC rig), but this year he could handle both, adding Martin Audio W3s for infill support on the second stage.

“Aside from the additional festivals we can now do this summer, we have a series of autumn dance events lined up, and Longbow will be perfect for that,” he concludes.

Martin Audio Website

{extended}

Fishman Marks Successful InfoComm Debut With Solo Performance Portable PA System

Designed to be carried in one hand and provide instant set up, the Solo Performance System features two XLR and quarter-inch input channels with three-band EQ, phantom power and high-quality preamps that accept a wide range of input sources—from acoustic instruments to microphones and line level sources.

Fishman Amplification’s first appearance at InfoComm for the 2009 show in Orlando saw the company unveil the new Solo Performance System, which weighs less than 25 pounds and provides a versatile all-in-one portable P.A.

The Solo Performance System is based on a compact line array loudspeaker design that provides wide horizontal dispersion and deeper sound penetration than traditional point source systems and amplifiers.

With this system, solo performers can project their presentations with a full, wide sound (150-degree horizontal, 40-degree vertical dispersion).

It comes with a digital (Class D) power amplifier capable of producing 220 watts (115 dB SPL Max @ 1 meter), the system features six 4-inch ultra-high excursion drivers, a 1-inch soft dome neodymium tweeter, and servo power amp implementation that eliminate the need for subwoofers. Frequency response is specified at 80 Hz - 20 kHz.

Designed to be carried in one hand and provide instant set up, the Solo Performance System features two XLR and quarter-inch input channels with three-band EQ, phantom power and high-quality preamps that accept a wide range of input sources—from acoustic instruments to microphones and line level sources.

Each channel also offers independent reverb level, effect loop, mp3 inputs, and phase and notch filters to fight feedback.

Other useful features include four digital reverb effects; Monitor Input/Output for onstage ensemble monitoring, an Auxiliary stereo input with level control; Balanced XLR D.I. outputs for both channels, plus main mix; a set-break Mute button and universal voltage for worldwide operation.

The Solo Performance System ships complete with a padded carry bag and stand.

Fishman Amplification Website

(Be sure to visit PSW’s 2009 InfoComm New Product Gallery.)

{extended}

NEXO Marks 30th Anniversary & First Full Year With Yamaha Commercial Audio

Since its creation in 1979 by Eric Vincenot and Michael Johnson, NEXO has found great success in both the touring and installation markets

At InfoComm 2009, NEXO marked its 30th Anniversary, and this is also the first full year of NEXO’s transition to becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yamaha Corporation Japan, a partnership that provides customers with complete sound system solutions by utilizing products from both lines. Currently, NEXO’s distribution network extends to over 50 countries, with exclusive representation in the North America by Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems. (YCAS).

Since its creation in 1979 by Eric Vincenot and Michael Johnson, NEXO has found great success in both the touring and installation markets. From its prestigious first install at the Maison de la Culture in Grenoble (1984), in southern France, NEXO products have been installed in many performing arts venues and houses of worship including the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in California, First Baptist Church in South Carolina, Liberty Hall in Kansas, The Classic Center in Georgia, and many more.

For the live performance sector, NEXO has been a name on the rider for nearly 20 years, since the debut of the TS system in 1991. Always evolving, the design team produced the Alpha line in 1996 and the GEO Series in 2001, opening the doors for NEXO to become one of the dominant brands in this field, performing at Ozzfest, Glastonbury, Roskilde, Voodoofest, Japan’s Rising Sun Festival, Monsters of Rock, Montreal Jazz Festival, Merle Fest, events surrounding Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Summerfest, to name a few.

“NEXO’s market presence and service levels to North American customers has been significantly improved by the expansion of sales channels in the U.S. and Canada,” states Larry Italia, Vice President and General Manager, Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems. “We are currently in the process of appointing additional manufacturer’s rep firms to take the NEXO brand even further into the marketplace.”

In 2007, after 27 years of strong growth at its original Roissy location, the company moved into new headquarters, a wholly-owned campus capable of housing the entire manufacturing resource, located just 30 minutes north of Paris.

The new site enables Yamaha and NEXO to implement a highly automated production line that reduces overall manufacturing time, providing a definitive advantage in meeting the needs of customers worldwide. 

At this year’s InfoComm show, visitors saw the many NEXO lines on display, including the PS Series which has remained a very popular line since the first PS10 cabinet was launched in 1993; the distinctive GEO T and the flagship of the GEO Series, first seen in 2002 and which now encompasses four tangent-array system designs; and the new RAY Sub technology, expanding NEXO’s reputation for sub-bass performance into a new bracket. Launched in 2007, the NXAMP, the first collaboration between Yamaha and NEXO design engineers will also be on display along with the new GEO S12 line array and GEO D system.

Learn more about NEXO milestones here.

Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems Website
NEXO Website

{extended}

Cakewalk Now Shipping SONAR V-Studio 100 Compact Music Production Studio

Second product in the V-Studio line of integrated hardware and software from Cakewalk and Roland is now available worldwide; SONAR V-Studio 100 integrates a USB 2.0 Audio Interface, DAW Controller, Digital Mixer, SD Recorder, and VS Production Pack for Mac & Windows

Cakewalk has announced the SONAR V-Studio 100 portable music production studio is now shipping worldwide. The multi-function V-Studio 100 provides a compact and portable solution for the most critical functions needed by the musician, singer-songwriter, MC, producer, or engineer, regardless of whether they use a Mac or PC.

Highlights of the SONAR V-Studio 100 include:
* High speed USB 2.0 Audio Interface (Mac/Win)
* Universal DAW Controller (Mac/Win)
* Personal Digital Mixer
* SD Wav Recording/Playback
* VS Production Pack suite of Virtual Instruments and Effects (Mac/Win)
* SONAR VS Digital Audio Workstation (Win)

Musicians can take control of their music production by using the V-Studio 100 as a 24-bit/96 kHz high speed USB 2.0 audio/MIDI interface and universal DAW controller.

The unit also includes the VS Production Pack, a powerful suite of high quality instruments and effects. The VS-100 hardware and VS Production Pack have been designed to enhance productions on both Mac and Windows in conjunction with popular DAW software including SONAR, Cubase, Logic, Ableton Live, and others.

For PC customers getting started with digital recording, SONAR V-Studio 100 includes the SONAR VS digital audio workstation.

In standalone mode, the VS-100 hardware functions as a personal digital mixer and SD Wave recorder. Musicians can use the VS-100 to record and mix rehearsals and live gigs and can also use it to play backing tracks (even while recording).

Users can then simply transfer the stereo recordings to their favorite DAW software to use as the basis for new tracks, for further editing and sweetening, to upload to the Internet, and more. 

The V-Studio 100 is a high quality USB 2.0 audio and MIDI interface for Mac/Windows utilizing Roland engineering design and component technology.

* 8 in + mix / 6 out at 24-bit/96 kHz quality
* 2 dual XLR/TRS inputs with high quality mic pre-amps and phantom power
* Hi-z option for recording electric guitar & Bass
* MIDI I/O
* Mac/Windows compatible with ASIO, WDM, WASAPI and Core Audio support
* Works with DAWs including SONAR, Logic, Live, Cubase, Digital Performer, and others

The V-Studio 100 is a universal DAW controller that supports popular software for Mac/PC via Mackie control protocol, including Logic, Live, Cubase, and Digital Performer. Additionally, V-Studio 100 provides extended control capabilities over SONAR through the implementation of Cakewalk’s Active Controller Technology (ACT).

* 100 mm motorized, touch-sensitive fader
* 5 rotary encoders, 11 buttons and transport control
* Dynamic LCD display
* Programmable footswitch
* Use with any DAW on Mac/Windows that supports Mackie Control protocol
* Advanced control of SONAR through Active Controller Technology

The V-Studio 100 provides a digital mixer for small groups or solo performers who need easy control of a few instruments and vocal mics, or DJs, MCs, and electronic musicians who need to mix multiple sound sources. All users can enhance their live sound with the pro-quality pre-amps and on-board effects which offer easy routing and accessibility.

* Ideal for mixing small bands, solo musicians, DJs, home studios
* 8 inputs, 6 outputs plus headphones
* 4 types of reverb
* 6 channels of EQ with LCD plot
* 6 channels of Compression with threshold and compression meter
* Meter & FX Display on LCD

The V-Studio 100 can capture that creative moment whenever inspiration strikes by providing high quality digital recording that can be used without being connected to computer. Record directly to the VS-100’s SD-card to capture song ideas, rehearsals, or live performances.

Create backing tracks on your DAW of choice and transfer them to the VS-100’s SD-card for playback during live performance (even while recording). Likewise, recorded performances can be easily transferred from the VS-100’s SD-card for additional editing, tracking, and sweetening.

* Record away from your computer
* 2 channel wave recording and playback
* Capture rehearsals and live performances
* Play along to backing tracks and record your mix simultaneously
* Built-in metronome for accurate timing when recording new ideas
* Insert markers during record and playback
* Loop a region for practicing parts or jamming
* Easily transfer audio to and from any computer via USB

VS-100 Production Pack (Win/Mac) suite of effects and instruments includes the VX-64 Vocal Strip,  a seven-stage processor designed specifically for shaping and sculpting incredible sounding vocal tracks. Each of the VX-64’s stages have been fine-tuned to be vocal-specific, taking the work out of dialing in an entire chain of vocal processors. 

The VX-64 features a new Cakewalk technology that employs phase-coherent, multi-band saturation to avoid unwanted distortion; unique filtering to avoid harsh artifacts at extreme high and low frequencies; and an auto-leveling circuit that prevents the tube saturation from sounding too harsh when high gain transients are processed by it.

The VX-64 also employs a new de-essing algorithm designed with Cakewalk’s LP64 linear phase effect filtering technology to remove sibilance without creating any frequency smearing.

Processing stages include:
* Input — simulates a tube pre amp
* De-esser — removes sibilance without smearing
* Compander — vocal compressor with an expander to reduce unwanted background noise
* Tube EQ — for adding character ranging from subtle warmth to intense heat to the vocal
* Doubler — advanced doubling effect providing the quality of actual re-tracking
* Delay — preset delays useful for vocal tracks with tempo sync
* Output — provide saturation control with a built in soft-clipping filter
* Order of processor stages is user definable with click & drag reordering

Channel Tools — provides easy and powerful control over individual placement of the left and right channels anywhere in the stereo field. Ideal for adjusting L/R channel placement, gain, pan/width, and phase; also provides a widening or narrowing effect to stereo recordings through adjustments to mid-side gain.

Boost 11 Peak Limiter — gives your tracks radio-ready punch through transparent peak limiting and volume maximization without additional coloring of the source material. Boost 11 employs a “look-ahead” limiter and PDR (Program Dependent Release) to provide professional results with a simple interface.

Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3 LE — built on the latest award-winning guitar amp modeler from Native Instruments; 3 amps and cabinets, 11 effects, tuner, metronome, and over 50 presets.

Dimension LE — a streamlined version of the acclaimed Dimension Pro instrument from Cakewalk. Dimension LE features over 400 sound programs, ranging from bass, organ, and electric piano samples to cutting-edge synth sounds, rhythmic grooves, and a special edition of Garritan Pocket Orchestra.

Rapture LE — is a special version of the award winning Rapture wavetable synthesizer. It includes over 200 programs and hundreds of oscillator shapes. Rapture LE is perfect for performing the modern synthesized sounds igniting today’s pop, dance, and electronic music.

Cakewalk Studio Instruments — a collection of four virtual instruments that provide a fast and easy way to create backing tracks using a photo-realistic, interactive user interface. Instruments include a Drum Kit, Bass Guitar, Electric Piano, and String Section.

SONAR VS digital recording software (Windows only) — a special entry level DAW based on the powerful SONAR 8 audio engine but offering a streamlined user interface.

Availability:
SONAR V-Studio 100 ships with the VS-100 hardware (Mac/Win), the VS Production Pack (Mac/Win) and SONAR VS (Win) software available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Italian; Online Help contained in all versions in English, German, French, Spanish, and Italian; printed documentation is in English.

SONAR V-Studio 100 is now available through select music and sound retailers throughout the world. For more information on SONAR V-Studio 100 and to find a local retailer, please visit www.sonarvstudio.com.

{extended}

SurgeX Partners With IAG For International Manufacturing & Distribution

In North America, Electronic Systems Protection (ESP) of Zebulon, NC continues to helm the brand

International Audio Group Ltd. (IAG), the parent company of Wharfdale, Quad, Mission and several other professional audio, lighting and hi-fi brands, will now be manufacturing and distributing SurgeX products globally, with the exception of North America, where Electronic Systems Protection, Inc. (ESP) of Zebulon, NC continues to helm the brand.

“It is our mission to provide consultants, contractors and end users with the finest quality, most technologically sophisticated products on the market, and SurgeX is certainly no exception,” says IAG Managing Director Daniel Chang. “When it comes to power, nothing on the market surpasses the brand’s level of protection, and we have no doubt that this alliance will both greatly expand SurgeX’s global business and be highly beneficial to professional and residential integrators worldwide.”

SurgeX Founder and Senior Principal Michael McCook states, “SurgeX and IAG have been working closely on expanded technology development and new products in the global marketplace for several years now and I am confident that this partnership will finally bring SurgeX’s superior technology solutions to the entire world.”

With regard to the ways in which IAG will be internationally developing the SurgeX brand, Chang comments, “Development and production of expanded SurgeX products for the global market will be swift. Along with the rapid availability of existing SurgeX form factors, such as standalone and hardwired styles, customers can expect to see network addressable sequencers and UPS units.

“SurgeX technology will also be brought into the custom residential market in an elegant product form. Further, our IAG Yachting division will be utilizing SurgeX in all of its sensitive electronic applications and specific products suited for the marine market that will be produced beginning in 2010.”

SurgeX Website
IAG Website

{extended}