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Thursday, April 29, 2010

Lampifier Releases Live Performance Microphones

Microphone includes with built-in Sound processing.

The Lampifier Company has introduced a series of wired microphones which include a phantom-powered audio-enhancing processor located inside the microphone body.

The programmable sound processor optimizes the microphone for various applications such as Concert Vocals, Speech, Acoustic Guitar, and Instrument Amplifier.

No extra patch cables or outboard sound processors are required for this processing. The company states that to access convenient sound processing “just plug in and play.”

The internal processor enables the microphone to deliver a polished, professional sound right out of the box.

It self-adjusts to the incoming sound, making program adjustments by the user generally unnecessary.

The user also can reprogram the processor to use the microphone in other applications or customize the microphone to their personal style or preference. Reprogramming is done with the help of a free Online Programming Tool.

Gary Osborne, inventor of the Lampifier microphones stated, “Lampifier microphones significantly reduce total sound system cost by processing the sound inside the microphone.”

“A Lampifier microphone with its internal sound processor costs about the same as an ordinary professional microphone but typically outperforms with regard to clarity, articulation, and loudness while being resistant to feedback.”

The Lampifier Company Website

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Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Harvest Church Chooses WorxAudio Technologies

Harvest found that the sound reinforcement system exceeded expectations.

Harvest Church recognized the importance of a quality sound reinforcement system and planned for it right from the design phase of their new sanctuary.

Dating as far back as 2005, architectural considerations accounted for essentials such as support weight for the loudspeakers, conduit, electrical requirements, and related issues so as to ensure nothing was overlooked.

Greenville, NC-based Hi-Tech Electronics, a design/build firm with a focus on the commercial and House of Worship installation markets, was contracted to handle the implementation of the new sound system.

After consulting with church management, observing services, and evaluating a number of competing systems, David Williams, President of Hi-Tech Electronics, proposed a sound reinforcement setup consisting of models from WorxAudio’s TrueLine catalog.

Specifically, he recommended twelve TrueLine V8-P powered line arrays and two TL218SS-P Super Subs.

“This project involved new construction and I’m pleased to say we were brought into the design process right from the start,” said Williams.

“This was a particularly challenging room because of the location of the stage / altar area. The room is roughly 65 feet deep by 80 feet wide, but the stage resides in the corner and faces diagonally into the sanctuary. This arrangement made the field of coverage quite unique.”

“Harvest Church is a non-denominational house of worship with very contemporary worship services,” said Williams.

“There is also a considerable emphasis on music. In addition to a 6-piece praise band and a praise leader with a small vocal group, there is a 30-voice choir. Given the nature of their services, it was essential that the sound system offered both a high degree of speech intelligibility and solid music reproduction capabilities.”

“Because of the stage’s corner location and the approximately 550 people in attendance during services, we were very concerned about even coverage throughout the space,” Williams said. “This is a key reason why we selected the TrueLine V8’s.”

“The V8’s 140-degree horizontal dispersion and solid throw characteristics were the ideal choice to reach all areas of the sanctuary, including the far back corner. Further, the fact that this system is self-powered was yet another significant consideration in selecting the TrueLine system.”

“While the price of the powered models may initially add to the system cost, those costs are more than offset when you factor in power amplifiers, amp racks, all the additional copper speaker cable, and storage facilities for the amps that would typically be required with a non-powered loudspeaker system.”

Williams was happy to report that the church’s first service was a success and the new sound system has made a positive impression. Said Williams. “We were fortunate to have enough budget to have the sanctuary acoustically treated.”

“The combination of the WorxAudio gear and the attention paid to the room’s acoustic signature all paid off with a world-class system that has been met with nothing but compliments. The clarity, intelligibility, and overall musicality of the system are really impressive.”

“Everyone at Harvest Church—including Pastors Tad and Treva Tankard—has been singing the praises of the new system’s performance.”

WorxAudio Website

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Hanging Out: Risk Management For Rigging

The best approach is having a safety program in place.

What happens if a piece of suspended rental equipment is put in service and falls from its rigging, resulting in damage to the property, as well as to the technician installing it and perhaps even several other crew members?

Besides destroying the rental equipment, there is a high probability that a lawsuit will follow.

If you’re the unfortunate soul owning the piece of equipment that failed, you can count on being the primary defendant in the complaint.

It’s at this point that the wise companies are separated from the not so wise.

The wise company operates a risk management program that includes specialized procedures and guidelines that maximize equipment inspection and minimize the liability associated with this type of accident.

While this seems a fairly common-sense idea, it’s surprising to learn how many companies do not regularly employ risk-mitigating procedures.

Often the risk management systems are not in place because they have never been considered before, or they seem too complex and costly to operate on a regular basis.

In practice, a specialized risk management and quality inspection program adds little short-term expense while contributing significantly to client value and long-term return on investment.

Let’s have a look at some of the inspection procedures for the most common rigging equipment found in the rental and staging industry.

Risk Management Guidelines For Rigging
The equipment purchased for a suspended application must be designed for that purpose and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions:

• The equipment must be compliant with the pertinent standards for overhead suspension;

• The equipment must be manufactured under product traceability controls in order to prove compliance with standards;

• Proper training must be given to those technicians that use the equipment;

• A routine inspection and maintenance program must be documented and include any corrective action taken as a result of the inspection;

• Equipment inspectors must be trained in the proper methods for inspection.

Check out the companion photo gallery for an up-close look at possible rigging risks.

For more information, check out the Rigging & Stagecraft section in the ProSoundWeb Study Hall.

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Ableton Live v8.1.3 Integrated With Novation SL MkII Range

Past collaboration on the Launchpad is continued with the Novation SL MkII line integration.

Ableton and Novation, having co-developed the Launchpad, have worked together to to make the Novation SL MkII range fully integrated with Live 8.

The SL MkIIs are comprehensive bus-powered Ableton Live 8 controllers and include on-board keyboards.

This integration makes controlling Ableton’s Session view, Mixer, and plug-ins and devices quick and easy because all of Ableton’s major controls are instantly assigned to SL Mk II’s 56 knobs, faders and buttons.

Live’s plug-in devices are assigned to controls as you load them up. For example, if you open ‘Auto Filter’ you’ll instantly see parameters such as ‘Cutoff’ and ‘Resonance’ — along with their current values — appear on the LCD above each knob on the SL MkII, with LED rings around each rotary encoder.

Miultiple sizes of the SL MkII are available, including 25-, 49- and 61-note variants, alongside the compact, keyless Zero SL MkII.

All products in the range are USB-powered and require no external power supply. 

To take advantage of the new functionality, the latest version of Novation Automap is required, in order to update the SL MkII firmware.

This update is free for all existing SL MkII users and is available now from novationmusic.com. The latest Live update, v8.1.3, is also required, and can be downloaded from ableton.com.

 
Ableton Website

Novation Website

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Ask Video Announces Cubase 5 Level 3 Tutorial

Pre-orders include a discount of 20%

ASK Video Interactive Media has announced the Cubase 5 Level 3 DVD tutorial.

This third installment in a four-part series will ship May 10, 2010 and is available to pre-order at a 20% discount through May 9.

In Cubase 5 Level 3, ASK Video CEO and Cubase guru Steve Kostrey builds upon the topics covered in Levels 1 and 2 with advanced features of Steinberg’s legendary Cubase Music Creation and Production software.

Topics include offline processing, recording vocal comps in lanes, surround sound, transposing audio, pitch correction, time warp, advanced audio functions and more.

Steinberg’s Cubase 5 continues to build on its history of innovation with new features such as VariAudio pitch editing, REVerence convolution reverb, LoopMash and Beat Designer beat creation tools, and new functionality such as VSTExpression, Signature and Tempo Tracks, and advanced Automation.

This Mac and Windows compatible DVD includes 5 lanuges; English, Spanish, German, French and Italian.

ASK Video Website

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Buck Dharma & Morris Hayes Endorse Ultrasone

Endorsed because Ultrasone headphones "closely replicate how music sounds in free air."

Ultrasone Inc., has announced that its headphones have been chosen by two more music industry icons.

Morris Hayes, keyboardist for Prince, Maceo Parker and others has chosen Ultrasone’s HFI-680 and Blue Oyster Cult’s legendary guitarist Buck Dharma has selected Ultrasone’s PRO-750.

Morris Hayes commented of his HFI-680’s safe listening characteristics, stating, “Since I’ve been using Ultrasone headphones, I’ve been able to extend my sessions without experiencing any listening fatigue.” 

Buck Dharma remarked, “My Ultrasone headphones are excellent for creating, composing, editing and mixing. Listening though my PRO-750s is the closest thing I’ve found to replicating how music sounds in free air.”

“It’s an honor to have accomplished musicians like Buck Dharma and Morris Hayes using our headphones, they each have made tremendous contributions to the music industry,” said Randy Fuchs, Ultrasone’s Artist Relations Executive.

“It always amazes me to see an artist’s reaction when they discover Ultrasone headphones for the first time.“

“Each one is astounded by the clarity of the headphones, as if they were truly hearing their own music for the first time.”

Ultrasone Inc. Website

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L-Acoustics Welcomes Rent-All To K1/Kudo Pilot Program

Rent-All further strengthens the L-Acoustics rental network in Western Europe.

Dutch PA hire company Rent-All has become the latest European member of the L-ACOUSTICS K1/KUDO Pilot Program, taking delivery of 48 K1 and 36 KUDO large format line source cabinets, 24 K1 subwoofers and LA-RAK touring racks fitted with LA8 amplified controllers to drive the system.

The company, headquartered in Bemmel, provides dry-hire rental services to the Netherlands and Germany. 

It already has a large hire stock of L-ACOUSTICS equipment, including V-DOSC, dV-DOSC, KUDO, ARCS and coaxial speakers.

“K1 is not a substitution for our existing large V-DOSC inventory, which we will be keeping, but a logical continuation of the revolutionary L-ACOUSTICS waveguide and loudspeaker R&D.

“The K1 system will bring us new opportunities and challenges regarding high–end sound reinforcement in the large scale market. In our opinion, K1 is the new industry standard in the same way that V-DOSC established itself 15 years ago.

“We also recognise that close cooperation between the K1 partners is another big advantage, and we strongly believe in this world wide network approach.”

“The international equipment standard set by the V-DOSC network is a well proven philosophy, and in our opinion the K1 standard is the ultimate optimisation of this philosophy.”

Said L-ACOUSTICS sales manager Tim McCall, “L-ACOUSTICS has a long relationship with the team at Rent-All and we value their knowledge, enthusiasm and professionalism.”

“The addition of Rent-All as a K1/KUDO Rental Network Agent is a great move for us, further strengthening our rental network in the heart of Western Europe.”

L-ACOUSTICS Website

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Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Indianapolis Superior Courts Select Lectrosonics

Lectrosonics provided automixing capabilities in a compact form factor for official business.

In effort to improve upon its sound reinforcement capabilities, the Indianapolis Marion County Superior Courts recently upgraded its physical systems which included the addition of audio processing technology from Lectrosonics.

Indianapolis, IN based ESCO Communications was contracted to handle the court’s upgrade. Phil Hodson, Director of Project Engineering for ESCO Communications, discussed the project’s key challenges.

“During our discussions with the client and upon examination of the facility,” Hodson explained, “it became clear that automation and unattended operation were crucial considerations.”

“The equipment needed to be easy to operate, offer a high degree of functionality, while remaining immune to changes made by well-meaning, but unknowledgeable end users.”

“Compounding these issues, the equipment rack where the gear was to reside was quite small, so the use of a conventional mixer and DSP units was not really feasible. Armed with this information, we specified a Lectrosonics DM812 Digital Automatic Matrix Mixer.”

“The DM812 is interfaced with a Crestron wireless control system,” Hodson said, “and the interface modules that Lectrosonics Control and Applications Engineer Frank Gonzales created for this unit worked flawlessly.”

“Further, they enable the user to make simple adjustments directly from the Crestron control system’s touch panel. We also used the DM812’s macro capability to reconfigure the matrix so that the loudspeaker outputs would provide low level noise when the Judge directs a sidebar. Audio is controlled via RS-232 from the touch panel at the judge’s station.”

Hodson reports that since the installation it’s been smooth sailing. “After a few initial adjustments our customer reported great satisfaction at the way the system is working.”

“Participants are able to clearly understand what is being presented—without the ring of feedback—and the recordings being made during procedures are clear and make an excellent archive resource. This has been a very rewarding experience for everyone involved.”

Lectrosonics Website

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ADK Endorsed By Engineer Sir Eddie Kramer

When using ADK, Kramer always knew that whatever he threw at it, he would get a satisfying result.

Eddie Kramer recently used ADK Microphones at the 2010 Rock ’n’ Roll Fantasy Camp.

Part of an ongoing series of events which bring musicians and industry professionals together with musicians and music lovers of all levels to sharpen their skills, the 2010 Rock ’n’ Roll Fantasy Camp in Hollywood featured an all-star lineup.

Bret Michaels, Michael Anthony, Dave Mason, and many others rocked with campers and shared their and stories with everyone in attendance.

Legendary producer / engineer Sir Eddie Kramer was also featured durring the camp.

Tracking vocals during the event, Kramer stated, “I have been using the ADK model TT tube mic on the most recent sessions for the Rock ’n’ Roll Fantasy Camp at both Capitol Studios and East West Studios with a wide variety of vocal talent, from male rock screamers to powerful four-octave range female singers.”

“There was a remarkable consistency and predictability in the way the mic responded. I always know that what ever I threw at it, I would get a satisfying result. The top-end had a nice crispness to it without ever sounding unnatural.”

ADK Microphone Website

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NEXO System Installed For Beulah Ministries

Yamaha and Nexo chosen for their sonic and aesthetic quality as well as ease of use.

Allstar Show Industries recently completed a design/build installation for Beulah Ministries in Edmonton on both their main and satellite campus.

Dwayne Plishka, project manager, is also the technical director for the ministry.

The 85–year-old church is in its third building, an auditorium that seats 1,400 with an average weekly attendance of over 2,000.

A rental facility serves as its new Whitemud satellite campus serving a congregation of 100 and seating 250.

A NEXO demonstration sold church leadership on a new system the main auditorium.

Plishka recommended a NEXO GEO S8 system with six boxes per side for the main auditorium system.

Said Plishka, “We wanted a sound image that was as true to the source as possible, and met the physical and acoustical properties of the sanctuary.”

“The difficulties were the shape of the room and restriction to load capabilities for overhead deployment. The NEXO GEO S8 provided a passive, lightweight system that could be suspended off a single cable, at one single point instead of redesigning the structural points within the auditoriums existing facade.”

“The install was completed in one week, due in part to the accurate prediction of the modeling and the light weight of the system. It’s amazing what we heard…Church leadership immediately noticed a change in the sound.”

Plishka said the ministry needed a console that would be easy to use while providing professional results. Allstar installed a Yamaha M7CL-48 digital console in the main auditorium, as well as secondary auditoriums in the 98A facility.

“We wanted one operational learning curve for volunteers, and the Yamaha digital audio console family was the perfect fit. The youngest audio tech is 13 years old and can navigate the LS9 with ease.”

The congregation noticed a difference in the sound right away. “Each Sunday, there is a certain elderly woman who would pick up a hearing assist device the church provides, said Plishka.”

“The first Sunday the system was installed, the woman was late to services and didn’t have time to pick up the device. At the end of the service, she stopped by the front of house console and said not only was she late to service but she forgot her hearing aids as well.”

“With a big smile she said, ‘today was the first day I heard the sermon without any assistance.”

Yamaha and NEXO Website

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Renkus-Heinz Chosen For Virginia High School Installation On A Deadline

Reference Point Arrays were the perfect choice given the projects tight schedule.

T. C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Va. presented an unusual challenge to the designers of its new sound system - plenty of space for the new loudspeakers but very little time to fit them.

The school recently moved into a new building designed as the flagship of Alexandria City Public Schools.

The facility includes an 880-seat auditorium with a proscenium stage up front and two lecture halls in the rear.

To provide sound reinforcement for both school meetings and cultural events like theatrical productions and concerts, Alexandria City Public Schools Director of Construction Mark Burke called the district’s long-time provider Corbett Technology Solutions, Inc. (CTSI).

Explained CTSI Senior Vice President Gino Ruta, “On this project, the school district needed a 30 day turnaround from contact to completion.”

“It was pretty clear there had been very little planning for audiovisual systems, as indicated by the minimal amount of conduit available.” There was, however an existing opening in the ceiling.

CTSI’s search for systems that could provide full coverage of the room from that location quickly centered on Renkus-Heinz’s Reference Point Array (RPA) range of pre-configured arrays.

Their designers specified an ST9/4-3(T), a self-powered RPA of three ST9/44 full-range loudspeakers with integral PM-3 tri-amplifiers and System Specific Processing. The RPA package also includes matching hanging hardware and all interconnecting cables. Two extra STX2M CoEntrant Midrange modules were added as downfill.

“Because the cluster is self powered,” Ruta says,” we could pull a single audio input line from the booth, minimizing the amount of conduit and time required.”

Along with speed and simplicity, quality and reliable delivery were key criteria in this purchase decision. The entire system was built, prepped and tested at the Foothill Ranch, California factory, and air freighted overnight to meet the extremely tight project schedule.

A Biamp AudiaFlex is CTSI’s main front end for the system. CTSI’s programming and custom control panel offer a choice of three main modes of operation. Simple Automix mode is for use with voice-only presentations using up to eight microphones. Simple Manual Mixer mode allows manual level control over eight mics, intended for musical performances and similar events.

Auxiliary Mixer mode comes into play when the school needs to pull out a Roland Digital Snake and a full analog FOH console with effects and dynamics equipment for plays, musicals or other events require a full audio production with lots of input channels on stage.

“We were looking for the perfect balance between simple audio control for the administrators and the advanced processing of a full audio system for the technical operators,” says Ruta.

“The client was very pleased with the system, and especially the sound quality of the ST9/4-3 RPA, which was well beyond what they expected.”

Renkus-Heinz Website

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DBX Compressors Chosen For Zakk Wylde’s Studio

The dbx 160A will lend its signature sound to the new Black Label Society album.

A/V consultant Under the Wire recently completed construction on the home studio of guitar legend Zakk Wylde, installing a multitude of dbx equipment to help Zakk and his band, Black Label Society record their new album.

Featured in the installation are dbx compressors and outboard gear.

“We were specifically looking for the dbx sound,” said Zack Fagan, sound engineer and founder of Under the Wire. 

“The dbx 160A and SL both have a very unique sound that no studio in complete without.” 

Black Label Society’s FOH man, Dave Allen and Fagan have been friends for numerous years before the two met again at Wylde’s new studio. 

Allen put Fagan in touch with Jeff Harris of dbx when BLS was looking for a total sound turnaround.

“Jeff came on board and provided us with great advice for the studio, recommending all of the equipment that would give BLS the ultimate sound for their new record,” continued Fagan.

At the project’s completion, the eager team patiently waited to hear their recordings through the latest dbx equipment.  Fagan continued, “The only issue we had with hooking up the new equipment was doing it as fast as we could to start using it.”

The team couldn’t be happier with the results as the entire renovation plan went flawlessly, with no problems stemming from either the gear or installation.

“The entire process from start to finish went so smoothly and quickly that the soldering iron was still hot when I ran into the studio to start working on the new album,” stated Wylde.

dbx Website

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L-Acoustics Extends PA In Copenhagen Concert Hall

The PA in Danmarks Radio Concert Hall was upgraded to accommodate amplified music.

L-ACOUSTICS’ Danish distributor Moto Audio Sales has extended the system it installed into the Danmarks Radio Concert Hall in Copenhagen, adapting the venue for other uses including rock concerts.

Moto Audio Sales, has worked with Danmarks Radio on sound design for the concert hall since 2004.

Initially an L-ACOUSTICS announcement system of KUDO line source and 12XT and 115XT HiQ coaxial speakers were installed, as the venue was designed first and foremost for acoustic classical music.

However, after completion of the concert hall, it became clear that there was a requirement to stage other styles of musical events.

Last autumn, Moto Audio Sales was asked to redesign and extend the PA system to make it suitable for amplified music.

The new speaker system consists of six KUDO large format and 32 KIVA ultra compact line source cabinets with 12 KILO low frequency extension boxes.

It is deployed around the concert hall in 10 separate arrays, to cover the 360-degree auditorium, with a network of LA4 and LA8 amplified controllers running the system.

The entire installation - seperate from the announcement system - is mobile and can be derigged in a very short time. All speaker clusters are fitted with multi cables and multi connectors, and the moveable LA-RAKs are fitted with multi cable adapters.

This allows the PA system to be split into smaller configurations when not in use in the concert hall, and deployed in other areas such as the Danmarks Radio-City studios and halls.

“During this latest phase of installation, we’ve been able to use the most up-to-date products available, and our installation and sound design team were thrilled to finalise this project,” says Erik Falck, Moto Audio Sales CEO.

“Our team, together with Danmarks Radio project managers Kent Longfors and Henrik Nilsson, enjoyed a good and constructive cooperation, and together we can be proud of this fantastic project.”

L-ACOUSTICS Website

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Allen & Heath Adopted By DJ Nic Fanciullu

An XB-14 was chosen for Fanciullu’s new radio show.

British house DJ and producer, Nic Fanciulli, recently installed an Allen & Heath compact XB-14 broadcast mixer into his studio to record and broadcast his new weekly radio show, which is featured on a variety of radio stations across the globe.

“From first glance, it creates a really good impression,“ explains Fanciulli.

“It is a very user-friendly model with all the parameters clearly visible.”

“The combination of analogue, digital (including USB) and Telco channels make this mixer perfect for radio broadcast, and I use it from the very beginning when compiling my show, right through to the production and recording processes.”

An in-demand house player on the DJ scene, Nic Fanciulli is well-respected globally and plays all the major clubs and festivals.

Nic’s new radio show, “Nic Fanciulli Presents Worldwide Sounds”, is his latest venture and is already syndicated to 20 countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Australia, France, Lebanon, Romania, and Ibiza in Spain.

“Whenever I have used Allen & Heath mixers in the past, the sound has always been second-to-none, and the XB-14 lives up to that great reputation.”

“Audio is transparent at all levels, and doesn’t feel coloured, which is vital in a broadcast mixer, as the last thing you want is the sound to be tainted.”

“Also, whenever I record my vocals, I usually have to remove the unwanted low-end frequencies but the XB-14 has a 100Hz roll-off function, which is great for eliminating this at just the touch of a button.”

Concluded Fanciulli, “Setting up applications, such as the USB and foldback options, is so simple, and the ability to connect my laptop straight into the mixer without the need for an interface reduces the amount of hardware and allows me to run several audio software packages, expanding the catalogue for future radio shows.”

Allen & Heath Website

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JBL LSR Studio Monitors Used By METAlliance Academy At First Event

JBL’s LSR6300 Series studio monitors were the first studio monitors to carry the METAlliance certification.

The METAlliance held its first ever METAlliance Academy event, titled, “In Session With The Guys,” at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles on in March, offering invaluable instruction from some of the world’s most successful producer/engineers.

The control rooms used for the event were equipped with JBL LSR6300 Series studio monitors, the first studio monitors to receive METAlliance certification.

Over two days, 26 participants received training from METAlliance founders Frank Filipetti, Phil Ramone, Al Schmitt, Elliott Scheiner, Chuck Ainlay, Ed Cherney and George Massenburg.

The event drew participants from as far away as Japan to receive this unique, hands-on instruction.

“JBL’s reputation for excellence makes the company an ideal partner for METAlliance, and the utilization of the LSR studio monitors for our first METAlliance Academy event ensured that our instructional sessions would be supported with high performance and accuracy,” Filipetti noted.

In January 2008, JBL’s LSR6300 Series studio monitors became the first studio monitors to carry the METAlliance certification.

“Since the METAlliance’s inception, JBL Professional has enjoyed a close and successful relationship with this organization of world-renowned engineers and the first METAlliance Academy event demonstrates the METAlliance’s commitment to education for aspiring recording engineers,” said Peter Chaikin, Director of Marketing, Recording & Broadcast, JBL Professional.

“JBL shares this commitment, as we recognize the importance of education in this dynamic and ever-evolving industry.”

JBL Website

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