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Wednesday, July 28, 2010

BMS/Chase And The Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing Preview Recording Metadata Project

Three-Year effort results in CCD debuted at DDEX and NARM meetings in New York City, and set to be widely available in 2011

In 2007, The Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing and BMS/Chace, a leading media data management firm, partnered with the Library of Congress to create both a standardized approach and a software model for gathering and managing metadata for recorded music.

The resulting metadata standard, dubbed CCD (Content Creator Data), and accompanying studio collection application, were previewed June 14 and 15, 2010, in New York City at the DDEX (Digital Data Exchange, LLC) Plenary and NARM (National Association of Recording Merchandisers) Digital Task Force meetings.

The application is designed to be an integral part of the recording process from a work’s inception, and the resulting metadata can remain linked with a recording through subsequent filing of e-copyright and point of sale. It will also interface with other open standard systems in publishing and e-commerce.

Organized under the umbrella of the Library of Congress’ National Digital Information Infrastructure Preservation Program (NDIIPP), this open-source, open-standard application is on track to be widely available in 2011 and has been garnering great interest in the recording community.

The intent of the project is to harmonize with existing work from SMPTE, DDEX, AES and other relevant standards organizations to create a compatible metadata environment that includes common business-related fields such as ISRC codes, official song titles, producer and engineer credits, performers and copyright ownership. Other partners in the project include Sony BMG Music, Universal Music Group, EMI Group and Disney Music Group.

“We see this project as a huge step forward,” said Maureen Droney, Senior Executive Director of the Producers & Engineers Wing. “It’s essential to incorporate metadata gathering into the actual recording process, where recording personnel have accurate information about the content contributors: what musicians played, what takes were used, who engineered, etc. This application provides a standardized way to gather that data and to make it easily flow upstream.”

“This project is unique in many ways,” states BMS/Chace President John Spencer. “It is the first attempt to bring documentation of commercial recordings into the 21st century and to actively work with standards organizations to promote a unified metadata environment. CCD puts the collection of metadata where it is most accurate, at the actual genesis of the recording process, and it is accessible to all content creators, whether they are recording in a multi-room commercial facility or a home studio. Proper metadata and crediting are invaluable from a historical perspective, for archiving and repurposing, and ultimately, for connecting those who participate in the royalty stream — in other words, getting people paid.”

The application will be shown at meetings held at The Recording Academy’s Santa Monica headquarters, as well as chapter offices in Nashville and New York City, during the month of August. After testing, which is scheduled to be completed by the beginning of 2011, the application will be available at no charge via a simple registration and download process, with the underlying metadata schema published and freely available.

Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing Website
BMS/Chase Website

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Blue Microphones Announces Availability Of en•CORE 300 Live Condenser Microphone

Contains the latest proprietary condenser capsule technology with an open architecture design and reinforced build

Blue Microphones announces the availability of its flagship performance condenser microphone, the en•CORE 300, the latest in the en•CORE series of performance microphones introduced last fall, which includes the en•CORE 100 dynamic mic, en•CORE 200 active dynamic mic, and the en•CORE 100i dynamic mic for capturing instrumental sounds.

The en•CORE 300 contains the latest proprietary Blue condenser capsule technology with an open architecture design and reinforced build for high-quality stage performance.

The en•CORE 300 is built upon Blue’s custom-tuned condenser capsule technology used in its studio line. In the en•CORE 300, this studio-grade condenser capsule is mounted on a rubber suspension system and coupled with a phantom powered circuit specifically tuned to match the capsule for excellent sound quality. This design allows it to produce vocal clarity with consistent tone and low noise, regardless of the cable length on stage.

“The en•CORE 300 is the next best thing to bringing our top studio mics on stage,” said John Maier, CEO of Blue Microphones. “When the recording session ends, singers can now enjoy the same Blue sound they get in the studio, gig after gig.”

The unique look of the en•CORE 300 serves more than just aesthetics; en•CORE’s open architecture design maximizes air volume in the capsule chamber, resulting in uninterrupted sound regardless of how the microphone is gripped. This design allows for unceasing open air surrounding the top and bottom of the capsule, which reduces in-chamber resonances, producing a more natural, continuous sound. The Blue logo has LED backlighting to indicate active phantom power in the preamp circuit.

The new mic features a reinforced chassis that doubles as a protective frame for the capsule, along with a heavy-gauge zinc barrel grip to protect microphone components and reduce resonance. The electro-plated parts and hardened paint finishes allow for maximum scratch resistance.

The en•CORE 300 is now available - MSRP $199, at numerous pro audio retailers.

Blue Microphones Website

 

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Renkus-Heinz Introduces AFMG Aubion x.8 A/D-D/A Converter

Fully integrated with both EASERA and EASERA SysTune Windows-based software packages

Renkus-Heinz announces the introduction of Aubion x.8, a new 8-channel A/D-D/A converter from Ahnert Feistel Media Group (AFMG).

The product of a collaboration between AFMG and German hardware designers DSPECIALISTS, the Aubion x.8 is specifically designed to complement AFMG’s EASERA and SysTune.

The Aubion x.8 is the first 8-input/2-output converter specifically designed for live sound and installed sound measurement. Equipped with four XLR/TRS combo mic/line connectors, eight SUB-D-25-based line connectors and two TRS servo-balanced outputs, Aubion x.8 is fully integrated with both EASERA and EASERA SysTune Windows-based software packages.

Ethernet connectivity makes most Windows Audio driver issues irrelevant, and fully digital control maintains calibration even when changing input/output levels.

The Aubion x.8’s eight input channels allows large systems, including line arrays, to be tuned using multiple simultaneous measurements, with real-time display and control from both EASERA and SysTune. Aubion x.8 is also ideal for measuring room acoustics at multiple locations. Aubion x.8’s rugged half-rack design is suitable for portable or rack-mount use.

Together with EASERA and SysTune, Aubion x.8 creates a unique full-function hardware and software solution for audio and systems engineers to achieve precision live sound system tuning and monitoring.

Renkus-Heinz Website

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One Systems Loudspeakers Chosen For Russian World War II Memorial

“Our goal was to provide enough power and output to cover the entire park, as well as to find a system that could withstand the elements day in and day out." - Sergey Vashchenko, Avallon Ltd.

Poklonnaya Gora, a World War II memorial in Moscow, Russia, is now outfitted with One Systems direct weather loudspeakers as the primary elements in a new distributed sound reinforcement system to replace an outdated one.

With the approach of the 65th Anniversary of Russia’s victory with the Allied Forces in World War II, Poklonnaya Gora curators began looking into upgrading their current system in time for the anniversary celebration. Avallon Ltd. of Moscow was contracted for a new sound system installation.

The memorial includes a 465-foot obelisk representing the 1,420 days of the war, topped with two bronze cherubs and a 3-ton statue of Nike, the Goddess of Victory, sculpted by Moscow’s famed artist, Tsereteli. In addition, the site offers a museum and mile-long walkway that includes rides, colored fountains, restaurants and cafes, as well as grounds for World War II tanks and other equipment.

Moscow’s sometimes inhospitable weather placed weatherproofing as a top priority for the new system’s loudspeakers. “Our goal was to provide enough power and output to cover the entire park, as well as to find a system that could withstand the elements day in and day out. We, along with the memorial’s curators are very pleased with the sound and the entire project,” says Sergey Vashchenko of Avallon Ltd.

The installation includes 20 One Systems 212IM-100 loudspeakers spaced at long distances due to the need to use existing mounting points on poles throughout the complex, which Vashchenko notes, “was a challenge because the power amplifiers are located a good distance from each speaker. This limited us to wiring above ground to the poles, but the clarity, projection and vocal intelligibility of the One Systems speakers is incredible and our client couldn’t be happier.”

This is the third installation for One Systems in Russia since Avallon became the One Systems distributor. One Systems President Doug MacCallum states, “We are very pleased to be working with Avallon and to be a part of such an historic memorial. This installation and collaboration with Avallon Ltd. shows our continued efforts to expand our global reach and to become the world’s leading manufacturer of direct weather speaker systems.”

One Systems Website

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Solotech Becomes First Canadian Company To Join L-Acoustics K1/KUDO Pilot Program

New rig in demand throughout eastern Canada's summer festival season

Montreal-based Solotech, known for supporting A-list international clients like Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Leonard Cohen, Andre Rieu, Michael Buble and Diana Krall, has now become the first Canadian company to join the L-Acoustics K1/KUDO Pilot Program.

Solotech elected to purchase a larger than standard complement of enclosures consisting of 56 K1, 32 K1-SB and 32 SB28 subs, 48 adjustable KUDO and 28 LA-RAK touring racks each loaded with three LA8 amplified controllers.

“I first heard K1 when Radiohead came through Montreal and was absolutely stunned,” recalls David Brazeau, Solotech’s senior project manager. “Earlier this year, Solotech management had the opportunity to visit the factory in France, and even though we were able to demo only a small system, it was pretty mind-blowing. V-DOSC has always been an exceptional product, but the improvements that K1 offers are immediately obvious. It was truly the next logical step for us.”

Shortly after taking delivery of the new system in June, Solotech deployed half of its K1 inventory at a free concert that drew over 80,000 people to Quebec City on the eve of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day. The following week, the system moved to Parliament Hill in Ottawa for Canada Day, which brought out a crowd of nearly 100,000 to see England’s Queen Elizabeth II.

From July 8 through 18, the K1 system was then used at Festival d’ete de Quebec, an 11-day summer festival in Quebec City attracting 1.7 million attendees and featuring more than 300 performances from artists such as Rammstein, Iron Maiden, Andrew Bird, Dream Theater, Thievery Corporation, Rush, Black Eyed Peas, Arcade Fire, Santana and many others.

In late July, the new system returns to Montreal’s Parc Jean-Drapeau for the Heavy MTL festival starring Rob Halford, Slayer, Megadeth, Mastodon and Alice Cooper. And just a week later, on the same site, the Osheaga Festival Musique et Arts will host bands like Pavement, The National, Keane, Stars, Jimmy Cliff and The Walkmen performing on Solotech’s K1 system.

“After having used K1 for several festivals now, I continue to be impressed with it,” Brazeau adds. “The clarity and amount of SPL we’ve been able to achieve over the distances have been shockingly good. I love the fact that when we push K1, the level goes up uniformly across both the entire bandwidth and dispersion pattern, keeping the integrity of the signal. It’s extremely hi-fi.”

Richard Lachance, Solotech’s senior vice president of touring, says that listening to K1 reminds him of the first time he heard V-DOSC. “When I bought the first V-DOSC system in Canada back in 1997, I recognized that it would take the lead in the market and set the new standard. K1 has done that once again for L-ACOUSTICS.

“The advancement in technology and engineering that this system embodies is groundbreaking. Even those people that have long been associated with other loudspeaker systems have been impressed with it and are excited to use it.”

Providing sound, lighting, video, new media and staging both domestically and internationally, Solotech is headquartered in Montreal with satellite operations located in Quebec City and Las Vegas.

L-Acoustics Website

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