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Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Genelec Appoints Image Marketing West As Reps for Northern California Region
Genelec has announced the appointment of California-based firm Image Marketing West to the position of Sales Representative for the Northern California region. John Conard, Genelec USA National Sales Manager, Professional Products, made the announcement. Image Marketing West principals Chuck Rufkahr and Chris Miller will lead the rest of their sales team in their efforts.
Established in 2001, Image Marketing West serves as manufacturers representatives for the professional sound, musical instrument, professional DJ and production lighting industries. They service over 200 dealers spanning seven states. Their business plan is to work with manufacturers who are dedicated to bringing innovative products to market. They pride themselves on providing the best service possible to the manufacturers they represent and the dealers who they serve, and over the years they have earned several sales achievement awards.
“We are thrilled to have Image Marketing West on board in Northern California,” stated Conard. “This team has a proven track record in our industry, and their efforts will lead to an increased market share in the area, working to strengthen our relationships with dealers and end users. We look forward to working with Image Marketing West, and all the good things that will come from this appointment.”
EAW has announced the launch of the Red Certification training program in support of the company’s new Powercube power and processing modules.
EAW will award the Red Certification status after completion of a two-day seminar conducted at the customer’s location.
“Powercubes deliver tremendous capabilities to owners of EAW mobile production line array systems,” states EAW president Jeff Rocha. “Red Certification ensures that Powercube owners get the most out of these exciting, new products.”
The Red Certification training seminar was designed by EAW technical training manager Bernie Broderick, a long-time mobile production and concert touring veteran as well as an experienced instructor.
Broderick will deliver the training seminars in North America and will work with the company’s world-wide Application Support Group (ASG) members to deliver the seminars globally.
“EAW’s line array technology is far too advanced for users to just hang a bunch of modules and hope they sound good,” Broderick says. “After completing the Red Certification training, EAW line array owners will fully understand the suite of tools that EAW provides, and they’ll know how these tools work together to deliver consistent results from venue to venue.”
The Red Certification training seminar consists of several sections, including:
• Point source physics
• Array design fundamentals
• Line array physics
• EAW Resolution array design and modeling software
• EAW Greybox settings
• Hands-on array rigging
According to Broderick, the training seminars build toward a complete understanding of EAW’s approach to line array design, control and execution. By carefully integrating modeling software, rigging hardware and digital signal processing, users can build arrays for a range of venues and enjoy consistent results from various designs.
“Once users understand that the ‘basics’ of line array physics are incredibly complicated,” Broderick notes, “they’ll appreciate the crucial role that EAW Resolution plays in designing arrays for a given venue. As soon as they start to rely on Resolution, they’ll understand why Greybox settings are the best way to get the performance they need. If they can build the array with the correct angles between the modules and apply the correct Greybox settings, they should get the results that Resolution predicts. It’s just that simple.”
New Video: The Kurzweil Story - It All Started With Ray
The Kurzweil name is legendary among musicians across virtually all musical genres. The company is known among aficionados for its cutting-edge sound modeling techniques, as well as for creating some of the most desirable and eloquently playable instruments available.
A new video (below) features interviews with company founder/inventor Ray Kurzweil, as well as R&D director Hal Chamberlin, and associate R&D director Tim Thompson.
Kurzweil, an inventor who has made his mark in a diverse range of research, educational and technology circles, talks about the company’s early inception, inspired by a challenge from long-time friend Stevie Wonder.
“We would talk about lots of different technology issues, having to do with blindness and with music,” Kurzweil recounts. “In 1982 he was showing me his new studio, Wonderland, and he was lamenting, ‘you know, we’ve got these acoustic instruments, 19th century technology, that create these wonderful sounds, and then we have these computerized instruments where I can play something and the computer will remember it, and I can edit and have such powerful control over the parts. Wouldn’t it be great if I could apply that powerful control to these beautiful sounds of choice?’ And I thought about that and felt it would be feasible to accomplish.”
The rest, as they say, is history. With Wonder’s input and support, Ray Kurzweil and company spent several years working to create what would become the Kurzweil 250, recognized as the first electronic keyboard that could truly capture the sounds of an acoustic instrument.
Shure Presents National Open Mic Night For Aspiring Performers
In celebration of the company’s 87th Anniversary on April 25, Shure announced its augural National Open Mic Night, a week-long observance that will unite and encourage singers, musicians, and spoken word artists to take the mic and perform at venues across the U.S. from Sunday, April 22 to Saturday, April 28.
A total of 23 bars, restaurants, and coffee shops, from New York City to Chicago to Los Angeles, have confirmed their participation.
“We hope this event becomes an annual occurrence that serves as a great way for us to commemorate our company’s anniversary,” says Terri Hartman, director of marketing communications for Shure Americas. “Our goal is to bring together artists and venues in a cohesive way, and to celebrate their talent.”
Each participating venue will receive a “mic locker,” which includes SM58 and SM57 microphones to be used for these events, and a marketing/promotional “tool kit.”
Shure also will work closely with the venues to promote their events.
Participating Venues:
· 50 Mason Social House—San Francisco
· B.D. Riley’s Irish Pub—Austin, Texas
· Broad Street Café—Durham, N.C.
· Canter’s Kibitz Room—Los Angeles
· Commodore Grille—Nashville
· Ireland’s 32—San Francisco
· Jack Sprat Café—Chapel Hill, N.C.
· Java Cabana—Memphis, Tenn.
· Lincoln Tap Room—Chicago
· Lizard Lounge— Boston
· Mandolin—Tacoma, Wash.
· Midway Café—Boston
· Molly Maguire’s—Seattle
· Nuyorican Poets Café—New York City
· P.A.‘s Lounge—Boston
· Skylark Café—Seattle
· The Bluebird Café—Nashville
· The Sidewalk Café—New York City
· The Starry Plough—Berkeley, Calif.
· Three Friends Coffeehouse—Portland, Ore.
· Train of Thought—San Diego, Calif.
· Uncommon Ground—Chicago
· Un-Urban Coffee House—Santa Monica, Calif.
Go here for additional details or information about local venues participating in Open Mic Night.
Peavey Loudspeaker Donation Provides Relief For Wounded & Recovering Soldiers
Peavey has donated loudspeakers to the Steven Sillers Tunnel to Towers Foundation for use by Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, one of America’s largest and most renowned military medical centers.
John Ponte, director of the Steven Sillers Tunnel to Towers Foundation, states that Peavey’s donation allows them to help facilities like Walter Reed National Military Medical Center create events that provide relief for soldiers who are undergoing treatment, as well as for those who are in recovery.
“Providing entertainment relief for our servicemen and women is a longstanding and noble American tradition, and we’re grateful to have the support of Peavey Electronics for these endeavors,” said Ponte.
Walter Reed Army National Military Medical Center received the Peavey PR 12 loudspeaker enclosures in time for its annual Super Bowl-themed celebration. The Peavey speakers provided live-music sound reinforcement for hundreds of wounded warriors during the day of festivities surrounding America’s most popular sporting event.
Adds Hartley Peavey, founder and CEO of Peavey Electronics, “It is an honor to serve our troops in any way we can, and especially those who have endured great sacrifices in the defense of our country. Peavey proudly supports the men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces.”
SurgeX International was created by the original SurgeX founders after North American distribution of SurgeX products was sold to Electronic Systems Protection (ESP) in 2009. SurgeX International now serves the global marketplace with patented 230V AC power protection, conditioning and management products.
The SurgeX and SynAudCon relationship began in 1995 when Michael McCook and Andy Benton founded SurgeX, while simultaneously Pat and Brenda Brown became the proud owners of SynAudCon. The SurgeX group attended SynAudCon’s first seminar and brought with them two ‘new technology’ pieces of electronic equipment. Pat immediately recognized the need for that equipment within the audio industry.
Both companies had an exciting vision, however at that time they were also experiencing many of the same trials and tribulations which naturally go along with a new entrepreneurial focus. This created a natural bond and from that day forward they commended each other’s advancements and accomplishments in the professional AV industry.
SurgeX International’s Michael McCook states: “Education is key for any active individual, integrator or manufacturer in our industry. We know that SynAudCon has always led and continues to lead the way in a fundamental and highly advanced educational role. SurgeX International is proud to support AV professionals by way of SynAudCon sponsorship”.
Through the years, SurgeX has grown to become a leading manufacturer of AC power protection, conditioning and management. Their products are in almost every professional AV system. SurgeX International is now making unprecedented strides in the global marketplace.
“We are extremely pleased that the owners of SurgeX International have decided to sponsor our efforts,” says Brenda Brown, co-owner of SynAudCon. “We have had a rich history with the company. It is an honor to have that same group of people return to support our program.”
Harman Appoints Paul Shorter To Technical Services Manager For Soundcraft, Studer And AKG
Harman has appointed Paul Shorter to the position of Technical Services Manager for its Soundcraft, Studer and AKG brands.
A 22-year veteran of the pro audio industry, Shorter joined Harman in 2009 as Field Applications Engineer, specializing in support for the Soundcraft and Studer digital console ranges. In addition to his new position of Technical Services Manager, Shorter continues as an active field engineer throughout the continental United States and provides technical sales support.
Shorter was one of the first digital console and editorial field service engineers in the world. For 20 years, he worked closely with some of the biggest names in the broadcast and post industries, such as BBC, NHK, Warner Bros, Disney, SWF, OPTUS TV, Carlton, and Shepperton and Pinewood Studios. At the beginning of 2000 he started his own company, Backup Audio Visual Ltd., providing a combination of pro audio and video services, including sales, rental consultancy and specialist support.
Shorter started his electronics career in 1979 as an apprentice for a small TV and video rental store and service department in southeast England. He studied TV and industrial electronics at Southend College of Technology (now known as the South East Essex College of Arts and Technology), then spent six years working for GEC/Marconi Avionics testing Airborne Radar line units for Tornado aircraft before entering the pro audio world in 1989 working for AMS.
“As the Soundcraft, Studer and AKG brands continue to grow in the United States, we embrace the responsibility of scaling our customer support infrastructure accordingly,” noted Keith Watson, Marketing Director, Harman Mixing Group. “Having such a talented and experienced engineer as Paul Shorter already in the Harman fold made his appointment an easy decision and we can think of no individual more capable of tackling the challenges of his new position.”
“Joining Harman two and half years ago was a wonderful opportunity and I consider myself very fortunate to be presented with my current challenges in this new position,” Shorter said. “The combination of leading a great team of people to provide the best possible customer support, the ability to remain in the midst of a diverse customer base and the chance to work closely with our dynamic sales team on new projects is proving very exciting indeed. Having spent 20 years in post-production, I am enjoying the challenges broadcast and live sound are adding to my personal knowledge base.”
Microfiles: Altec Lansing (and Western Electric) 639 A/B
A look at an early two-element microphone that made its debut in the early 1940s
The Altec Lansing 639A/B microphone made its debut in the early 1940s, and was originally sold by Western Electric (WECO) under the same model number.
When the U.S. government forced the breakup of WECO in 1947, Altec spun off to continue manufacturing the WECO sound reinforcement and related products, and they continued to make/offer the 639 for many years afterward.
The microphone earned the nickname of “birdcage” because of its size and body design.
It’s an early unidirectional microphone, and what made it unique was use of two microphone elements: ribbon and dynamic.
The ribbon offered a figure-8 pattern; the dynamic, being a pressure microphone, provided an omnidirectional pattern.
By internally blending the two microphone element outputs, the omni cancelled the rear lobe of the figure-8, creating a cardioid pattern.
Both models included a pattern selector switch. The “A” model offered three settings – ribbon, dynamic and cardioid, while the “B” model supplied three additional settings to modify the cardioid characteristic.
Design credit for this 639 goes to William R. Harry and Robert N. Marshall of Bell Laboratories. They received patent number 2,227,580 in early 1941.
Model 639 Condensed Specs
Sensitivity: -84 dB re 1v/dyne/cm2
Power Output Level: -56 dBm at 10 dynes/cm2
Frequency Range: Uniform from 40 Hz -10 kHz
Impedance: 40 ohms (average value, intended for use with equipment having a rated source impedance of 25 ohms to 50 ohms)
Dimensions: 7 inches by 4.4 inches by 3.4 inches
Weight: 3.25 pounds
References: A History of High Quality Studio Microphones. AES Journal, December 1976; Vintage Broadcast Microphones web site; and Dorrough Electronics web site.
Audio One Marketing Named Rep For Fulcrum Acoustic In Several Midwest Markets
Fulcrum Acoustic will now be represented by Audio One Marketing in the North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota territories.
Audio One Marketing is headed up by Tim Von Bargen, an audiophile whose passion for music has inspired his involvement in the industry for years – commencing with his own musicianship which then led to retail and eventually representing large-scale audio manufacturers in the midwestern U.S.
“We are more than excited to work with a great company like Fulcrum Acoustic to help develop and grow the territory, and partnering with such an experienced and outstanding group of industry professionals makes us eagerly look forward to the future,” says Von Bargen.
AVnu Alliance Adds AudioScience, beyerdynamic, And OnTime Networks
AVnu Alliance, an industry forum dedicated to bringing AVnu-certified interoperable AVB products to the market, has expanded with three new members. AudioScience, US-based manufacturer specializing in digital audio peripherals; beyerdynamic, German developer of conferencing systems, headphones, and microphones; and OnTime Networks AS, Scandinavian supplier of industrial data communication products, have joined more than 40 AVnu Alliance member companies that represent industries across automotive, pro A/V, and consumer electronics.
“When AVB came on the scene, AudioScience noted that it was IEEE standards-based and had prominent installed sound and network silicon companies behind it,” says Stephen Turner, company vice president.
“With AVB being completely scalable and covering industries ranging from consumer, through pro to automotive, we feel that AVnu-certified AVB is a contender for the holy grail of audio and video over networks, and so have chosen to rally around it through the AVnu Alliance.”
With a shared vision of interoperable AVnu-certified devices, AVnu Alliance member companies work together to develop compliance and interoperability certification specifications for AVB standards.
AVnu-certified devices allow professional A/V providers to have one standards-based unified network that handles all voice, video, audio, and data, while reducing the costs and simplifying the optimization of an A/V network.
“We see AVB as the future network platform for real-time multimedia applications at low latency,” says Ulrich Roth, director of R&D for beyerdynamic. “We intend to integrate AVB interfaces into our wireless systems and conference devices. Through our AVnu Alliance participation, we can ensure compatibility with all other AVB devices.”
Øyvind Holmeide, managing director for OnTime Networks adds: “For a company dedicated to providing precise timing over Ethernet, joining the AVnu Alliance is a natural step for us as we move towards the A/V market. We are pleased to join the alliance since it will provide us with the necessary momentum to be an enabler for AVB in the automation and automotive industry.”
Beyma Exhibits Latest Products At Prolight+Sound 2012
Beyma has expanded their product line with new ceramic magnet system designs in the whole range, including a new family of high power subwoofers that will deliver the best performance in the category, targeted as a new reference in the PRO Audio market.
The new PW family is comprised of the 18-inch 18PW1400Fe and 21-inch 21PW1400Fe. Both have been designed with the most advanced technologies and materials Beyma is currently using with the aim of deliver the best performance in a subwoofer system.
Both of them are extended low frequency transducers designed for vented configurations, and feature the exclusive Malt Cross system, Beyma’s new advanced cooling system (patent pending), which allow the speakers to handle up to 2800 program power, reducing drastically the losses due to power compression using a 4-inch double layer inner/outer voice coil.
The benefits in this design approach comes when designers can balance more accurately the ratio between mass and inertia in a dynamic behavior of big moving parts, obtaining a better control in extreme mechanical displacements (Xdamage is 55mm). Thanks to that and to a carefully designed motor and suspension system through MMSS technology, the total SPL of the system is high, accurate and stable.
The final result is extremely controlled transient response and low distortion (Xmax is ±10mm), high thermal and mechanical stability, high durability and a consistent performance in the life working period of these subwoofer loudspeakers.
Completing the PM4 driver’s family, Beyma introduces the WL4Fe, their first ceramic magnet compact line array driver. Thanks to the optimized design and the behavior of the PM4 diaphragm, this driver with mounted wave guide will deliver an excellent response to the high frequency way of line array applications while maintaining a competitive and more stable price.
A recent new product using the PM4 diaphragm is the CD1014Fe, the “ferrite version” of CD1014Nd, a 1,4” exit driver with 1,75” voice coil (44,4 mm) and PM4 diaphragm, which confers a response with high sensitivity of 110 dB, natural tonal qualities and the stability which allows an excellent power handling (140 W program above 1,2 kHz).
Extending the G40 series, Beyma has developed the ceramic magnet version of a 6” mid-bass driver in that range; the new 6G40Fe. Designed with FEA to optimize the magnetic flux in the gap, and with MMSS to achieve a linear behaviour in the longer excursions, the unit delivers an excellent performance for mid-bass applications. It handles up to 340 W (program) with more than 94 dB of sensitivity (1w 1m). It also includes a demodulating ring in order to reduce the eddy currents, which helps to linearize the impedance response and to reduce the distortion. An excellent choice for line array applications.
Last but not least, the recently launched 12P80Fe and 15P80Fe. Two low-frequency speakers designed to deliver high efficiency with high linearity, low distortion and excellent SPL output.
With sensitivities above 100 dB incorporating 4” (100mm) voice coils with a program power handling of 1400 W and 1600 W respectively, and designed for optimal performance in high-efficiency multi-way systems, thanks to their sonic properties over a wide frequency band. The use of advanced materials and design tools such as the CONEX, carbon fiber and MMSS technology, allow these speakers to provide a sound performance of the highest quality for applications that demand it.
Renkus-Heinz Announces Addition To APAC Support Team
Singaporean national Tan Kheng Keong (‘KK Tan’) has joined the Renkus-Heinz APAC international application support team.
Technically trained and fluent in Chinese, Indonesian, and English, KK Tan joins the company from Renkus-Heinz’s Singapore distributor, Electro-Acoustics Systems, where he was part of the technical team involved in the execution of several major projects including the new Singapore Supreme Court, National Institute of Education, Resorts World Sentosa, and Universal Studios Singapore.
Before this he worked both as project and design engineer for an engineering company and an audio consultancy firm.
KK Tan will be offering system design assistance, commissioning support and more, focusing on supporting the company’s Asian/Pacific Rim customers.
“At EAS, my role was as an internal system consultant: design, commissioning and troubleshooting, all highly technical,” he says. “My relationship with Renkus-Heinz goes back to when I was consulting over 11 years ago. I was impressed with their loudspeakers and specified them on numerous projects, so I’m already familiar with the products and their ethos.
“The future here is about moving more into digital technology and live sound. The new IC2 system, for example, is just right for concerts. Audio and IT are coming together and at Renkus-Heinz, convergence is happening quickly, and for me it’s natural, having been exposed to IT from a young age. I’m very excited about the future here.”
Powersoft Presents Distributor Of The Year Awards At Annual “World Meeting”
For the fourth consecutive year, Powersoft has hosted a “World Meeting” one day before the show Prolight + Sound show. This year’s meeting consisted of 50 distributors coming from all corners of the earth to discuss Powersoft business strategies, and innovations.
Pointing to a spiral logo on a big screen, Carlo Lastrucci, Powersoft president explains,“It is the symbol of our meeting. The spiral means a solid starting point, a costant growth and openness towards the future: that’s what we want to spread to our business partners.”
At the end of the meeting Lastrucci presented awards to those that achieved the best performance during 2011.
The Distributor of the Year awards were given to ProShows, Brazil (Americas), TM Audio, the Netherlands (EMEA) and Sanecore, China (Asia/Pacific).
Midgraphics, South Korea was given the Outstanding Achievement award.
“I would like to thank all Powersoft partners for the excellent results achieved in 2011,” said Luca Giorgi, Pro Audio BU Manager of Powersoft. “We believe it is the result of building a strong and collaborative team that we have created together. It will be a pleasure meeting with all of you again next year with even more outstanding results.”
Chuck Mulhearn Joins SLS Audio As Director Of Cinema Sales Worldwide
SLS Audio of Ozark, MO has appointed Charles (Chuck) Mulhearn to take the reins of their growing Commercial Cinema division.
As Director of Cinema Sales Worldwide, Mulhearn will focus his years of experience in the Cinema industry towards managing the expanding channel to market success SLS is experiencing.
Mulhearn has been in the Professional Audio Industry for over 35 years and spent 30 years with Klipsch Audio Technologies developing many different domestic and international market segments for their company. He has extensive market knowledge in both the North American Cinema/Exhibition market as well as its worldwide market.
In addition to being responsible for market distribution, sales and P&L accountability, Mulhearn is also proficient in Product Development and overseeing many audio system designs. These systems consisted of applications from small business background audio, cinema/exhibition to large outdoor arenas.
During the last 12 years, Mulhearn has concentrated his energy within the Professional Cinema/Exhibition industry. Along with several other specialists, he was involved in the design of the very first operational 16 channel Cinema audio playback system, created to take advantage of the multiple audio tracks available in today’s Digital Cinema programming.
Over the last 3 years, Mulhearn has consulted for cinema equipment providers and has been responsible for the design and project management of many multi-screen complexes. He was not only responsible for the audio portion of the design, but for Digital Projection, Screening, and Private VIP rooms and seating as well.
“For the past two years we have seen a huge increase of both international and domestic sales of our Cinema speaker systems. Our growth has reached a point to where we needed someone with more in depth expertise in this field to properly service our clients,” said SLS Audio’s President, John Gott. “With Mulhearn’s vast knowledge of the Commercial Cinema industry, he is the perfect fit for SLS.”
With the recent rise of international broadcast standards, loudness has become one of the most important and debated topics in broadcast today.
Last year, TC Electronic hosted a Loudness Seminar in Rome. Participants from all over the world gathered to get the latest in-depth info on loudness technology and standards. Now, TC hosts yet another Loudness Seminar in the vibrant city of Dubai, 10 May 2012. The seminar will take place at the Centre Point Theatre, and the latest ITU and EBU broadcast loudness standards will be examined and presented by a prestigious panel of speakers:
Florian Camerer - Chairman of EBU’s PLOUD Group
Two one-hour sessions:
EBU R128 and ITU-R BS.1770 Explained
Implementation Experiences, Tips and Pitfalls
Bob Katz - Legendary Mastering Engineer
Two one-hour sessions
EQ, Dynamics Processing and Mastering Tips
Mobile Platforms and iTunes
Hasan Sayed Hasan - Vice Chairman at Arab HDTV Group (ASBU)
Arab Status and Plans for Implementing Loudness Based Guidelines
Thomas Lund - Dev. Manager HD, TC Electronic
Two one-hour sessions:
Loudness and Commercials
Global Program Exchange and Multi-platform Delivery
The event will have full focus on facts, technology and standards - not on products. The day is rounded off by a worldview panel discussion and Q&A including all presenters. The cost is USD 150, which includes lunch and refreshments during the day.
Place: Centre Point Theatre, Dubai
Date: May 10 2012
Price: USD 150 per person (including lunch and refreshments)
Sign-up: tcelectronic.com/dubai
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