Church on the Move Keeps Sound Consistent With A Complete Harman Solution For Its Newly Expanded Worship Center

Demonstrating the comprehensive range of audio solutions available from Harman Professional, North Carolina-based system designer Strategic Connections recently upgraded the sound system for the newly expanded Church on the Move in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  The new sound reinforcement system features JBL loudspeakers, Crown amplifiers, and BSS processing.

Already the largest church in the region, the 12,000-member church chose to remodel its existing main sanctuary by adding an additional 700 seats. 

At the heart of the new sound reinforcement system are 38 JBL VerTec® VT4888 midsize line array elements flown in four arrays with 16 JBL ASB6128V subwoofers, 10 flown and six located under the stage. For front fills, seven JBL AC28/95 loudspeakers are housed behind the perimeter of the stage. “The goal was to provide rock and roll style PA without filling the space with tons of speakers,” stated Brant Doell, system designer for Strategic Connections.

Doell said the decision to choose JBL was easy once the scope of the project became clear. “We did look at other vendors to start with until the number of boxes and racks were growing past our size limitations. JBL offers more for the dollar and size of their boxes than the competitors and they had all the gear in stock to ship that same week we ordered it.”

The system is powered by 49 Crown MA5000i amplifiers and 10 CTs 2000 and CTs 3000 amplifiers with control and routing handled by BSS Soundweb London BLU-160 processors, all networked via Harman HiQnet™ System Architect™. “Having the entire system on the network from one location allows us to handle troubleshooting sessions from our office to help insure the customer has the best support possible,” added Doell.

"The system sounds great and six months after the install was completed, no corrective equalization or system adjustments have been necessary.  Pastor Willie George was excited that his voice could be heard clearly and dynamically throughout the room without hurting the front rows and Audio Director, Andrew Stone, has been quite pleased with the clarity, punch and consistency being delivered to every seat,” said Doell.

For more information on Strategic Connections, please visit http://www.strategicconnections.net.

HardWire® Adds To Lineup With New TR-7 Tremolo/Rotary Extreme Performance Pedal

HardWire®, a leading manufacturer of guitar pedals, is introducing the new TR-7 Tremolo/Rotary Pedal at the 2010 Summer NAMM® Show in Nashville, Tennessee. The TR-7 is a true stereo tremolo, rotary, and vibrato pedal, which offers effects ranging from traditional tremolo to a highly detailed rotary cabinet simulator. It also features true stereo I/O, allowing for complex connections and sounds with extreme flexibility.

The TR-7 features seven effects including; Tremolo, Opto-Tremolo, Bias Tremolo, Duo Tremolo, Rotary, Vibrato, and VibroPan. The TR-7 also includes HardWire’s standard extreme performance features like true bypass and high-voltage rails.

“We improved on an already impressive lineup of HardWire pedals with the introduction of the technologically superior tremolo and rotary pedal. The highly advanced processing in the TR-7 is an exciting addition to a tour-worthy package of the HardWire pedals,” stated Rob Urry, president, Harman Music Group.

Each HardWire pedal also features an assortment of tour-worthy accessories, including green gaffer tape common to pro pedalboards, Stomplock™ knob guards to maintain pedal settings and a hook & loop pad to fasten the pedal to a pedalboard.

The TR-7 will be available August 2010 with an MSRP of $189.95.

DigiTech® Introduces New BP90 Bass Multi-Effects Processor

DigiTech, a leading manufacturer of guitar and bass processors, today introduced the new BP90 Bass Multi-Effects Processor at the 2010 Summer NAMM Show in Nashville, Tennessee.  The BDP90 is powered by the AudioDNA® 2 processor and gives players digital representation of their favorite vintage, modern, and boutique equipment including stompboxes, amplifiers, cabinets, modulation effects, delays, reverbs, and even special effects such as the legendary Whammy™.

Providing an arsenal of models to choose from, the BD90 features DigiTech’s exclusive tone and effect libraries that enable easy programming. Completing the processor, there are a host of aggressive sounding presets that appeal to modern players of all skill levels.

Offering 27 effects, 11 amps, five cabinets, and five stompboxes, the BP90 takes bass tone to new levels. The BP90 also features 100 preset locations, 40 high-quality drum patterns to practice with, built-in chromatic tuner, and headphone jack for silent practicing.  The expression pedal gives real time control over wah, volume, and DigiTech Whammy effects.

“DigiTech invented multi-effects in 1988 with the DSP-128 and has been the Multi-Effects leader ever since. Today we have reset the standard with the BP90, which is representative of our commitment to continuous innovation with our entire DigiTech lineup,” stated Rob Urry, president, Harman Music Group.

The BP90 is shipping in July 2010 with an MSRP of $139.95.

Audio Analysts Provides JBL VERTEC® Line Array System As Conan’s Comedy Tour Provides The Laughs

JBL VERTEC® line arrays are heading up the PA system on Conan O’Brien’s current “Legally Prohibited From Being Funny On Television Tour,” with Audio Analysts providing live sound reinforcement for the production. The 30-city tour kicked off on April 12 in Eugene, Oregon and will culminate June 14 in Atlanta, Georgia.  

The live stage production is similar to a television variety show, with many elements from “Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” including sidekick Andy Richter and members of the show’s band. The tour also includes video bits, musical and comic performances and cameo appearances by celebrities, while O’Brien himself performs music throughout the production.

Before shipping out the VERTEC line arrays to Los Angeles for initial rehearsals, Audio Analysts fine-tuned the entire system at its headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  “The reliable performance of the VERTEC line arrays enabled us to pre-design Conan’s touring system with confidence,” said Mario Leccese, VP of Operations for Audio Analysts. “As a longtime VERTEC owner, we are confident that we can achieve even coverage and controllable sound in any environment.”

The main PA system consists of 24 JBL VT4889 fullsize line array loudspeakers flown in left and right columns, 12 ground-stacked JBL VT4880 fullsize, arrayable subwoofers and four JBL VT4887 compact line array elements placed as front fills. Seventeen Crown I-Tech 4000 and 11 I-Tech 8000 amplifiers power the system, which is configured via Harman HiQnet™ System Architect™ software for remote control and monitoring.
 
The tour is playing mostly in soft-seat, proscenium environments, with capacity crowd levels ranging from 1,500 to 6,500 seats.  “The VERTEC system is easy to set up and configure in different types of venues, which also makes traveling across the nation and setting up each show a much easier task,” Leccese said. “To date, we have received only positive feedback on the system and the tour has been a tremendous success.”

For more information on Audio Analysts, please visit http://www.audioanalysts.com.
For information and dates for The Legally Prohibited From Being Funny On Television Tour, visit http://www.teamcoco.com. 

AKG Supports Chelsea Academy’s Music Center through The Bryan Adams Foundation

AKG recently provided a complete set of microphones to support the Chelsea Academy, the recently opened secondary school in southwest London created to be an outstanding centre of education and creativity. Working with The Bryan Adams Foundation, AKG has donated a 6-piece drum microphone set and four C1000 S condenser mics to the Academy's Music Centre, which is designed to give students a thorough grounding in performance and recording techniques.

The Chelsea Academy is state-funded and part of the Government's Academies program to provide a broad education for children in local communities. It was established in September 2009 and is sponsored by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the London Diocesan Board for Schools of the Church of England.

Academies are independent to allow flexibility, innovation and creativity in the curriculum, as well as in how they operate. To provide the best facilities for their students the schools rely on additional funding, sponsorship and donations.

The Bryan Adams Foundation has guaranteed to help support and finance the Music Centre at the Chelsea Academy. Founded by musician and photographer Bryan Adams in 2006 with the aim of "helping people help people", the Foundation has worked with leading pro audio and instrument manufacturers to provide equipment for the Academy's music department.

AKG was approached by The Bryan Adams Foundation and was keen to help support the Chelsea Academy's ambitious music program. "The drum mic set and versatile C1000 S microphones will give students experience of professional equipment and we hope the Chelsea Academy Music Centre will produce talented people who go on to a career in music," said Walter Ruhrig, artists & key customer relations, AKG. "We are also happy to help The Bryan Adams Foundation in its aim of transforming lives."

Steven Hill, Curriculum Leader for Music at Chelsea Academy says, “We are extremely grateful to AKG for their support in providing professional equipment for Music at Chelsea Academy. The equipment has been used extensively by our students to record both compositions and performances. Many of them are already demonstrating a keen interest in and desire towards careers in Music and the opportunities for the students to produce high quality audio recordings will be greatly enhanced by the AKG microphones.”

Parx Casino Goes All In With AKG’s Versatile WMS4500 Wireless Microphone System Designed By PTC Group, Inc.

In a fixed installation that underscores the dependability and unparalleled versatility of AKG’s wireless microphone systems, PTC Group, Inc. recently designed a multi-unit WMS4500 system to drive nightly live performances in Parx Casino’s bustling 360 Ultra Lounge in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Coupled with a set of AKG C5 handheld microphones for vocals, D40 mics for instruments and a number of D 112 and CK 99 L microphones inside the drum set, the wireless microphone system is being used by a wide variety of bands and DJs every night, and acts as the centrepiece to a complete Harman Professional sound system that includes JBL VerTec line arrays, Crown amplifiers, and a Soundcraft Si2 digital mixing console.

According to system designer Nathan Powell, president of PTC Group, Inc., the AKG wireless microphone system gives the 360 Ultra Lounge a level of performance, usability, and efficiency that other wireless microphone systems cannot.

“For a busy club-setting like the 360 Ultra Lounge, where we have a different act using the equipment every single night, the versatility of the AKG equipment is absolutely essential,” commented Powell. “The environmental scan and rehearsal functions allow us to easily program the right channels and just hand the mics off; the backlit display on the transmitters and receivers make it extremely easy to program each unit; and the audio quality is clear and precise.”

The WMS4500 was designed to maximize performance with an ultra-compact design. With a complete system made up of the SR4500 receiver, an HT4500 handheld transmitter, a PT4500 Bodypack transmitter, and a CU 4000 charging unit, the WMS 4500 offers two new frequency bands in the range of 500-530 MHz and 570–600 MHz - a feature that grants it the versatility needed to operate in a space like Parx Casino. When matching the system’s feature set and robustness with Harman’s HiQnet™ System Architect™ protocol, the WMS4500 gives a level of performance that is unrivalled at the system’s price point.

Another feature that makes the WMS4500 the optimal choice for a venue like the 360 Ultra Lounge is the system’s efficient use of energy. The remaining-battery-life readout on each unit alerts the user when the battery life is low, and the CU4000 charging dock allows for quick and easy recharging of each battery. What’s more, a the BP4000 battery pack that is included with the CU4000 charging system provides 16 hours on a single charge, ultimately helping the environment by reducing waste and saving money by ensuring longer battery life.

“With the battery monitoring and charging unit, they’ve really been able to optimize the system’s energy use, which has saved them money and allowed the casino to leave a very green footprint,” continued Powell. “That was one of the main goals when installing the Harman Professional system throughout the casino, and that was one of the reasons we selected the AKG system for the 360 Ultra Lounge.”




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg8ehvIomu8

Harman HiQnet™ is the world's first connectivity and control protocol that integrates all product categories in the signal chain for professional audio systems of all types, size, and applications. Harman HiQnet no longer requires the user to manage multiple disparate operating systems or be responsible for programming individual signal processors, speaker controllers, wireless microphone systems, and mixing consoles. HiQnet was developed by engineers from across Harman’s Professional Division and is coordinated by the System Development and Integration Group (SDIG), a team of dedicated systems specialists based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Harman International Industries, Incorporated (www.harman.com), designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment products for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. Harman International maintains a strong presence in the Americas, Europe and Asia, and employs more than 11,000 people worldwide. The Harman International family of brands includes AKG®, Becker®, BSS®, Crown®, dbx®, DigiTech®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson®, Revel®, Soundcraft® and Studer®. Harman International’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NYSE: HAR.”

Harman Professional Products Installed at New Parx Casino

 

Hitachi Introduces An Affordable All-In-One Solution With The New “Stimulus Bundle”

-- Bundle Offers Highly Affordable Solution For Those Looking To Deploy Interactive Presentation Technology --

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, June 9, 2010 – Hitachi America, Ltd. today announced its new CP-D10+FX-77GII Bundle, named the “Stimulus Bundle”, offering a complete, low-cost solution.

The Stimulus Bundle combines the Hitachi CP-D10 short-throw projector, the Hitachi StarBoard FX-77GII 77-inch interactive whiteboard, and a custom-designed Premier Mounts wall arm which together comprise a complete solution. Mounted on the wall arm, the CP-D10’s short-throw capability greatly reduces the shadow cast on the FX-77GII from the presenter and offers a better viewing experience.  Now offered as a complete package, the bundle is the premier low-cost option for educational and corporate environments.

“The Stimulus Bundle was developed to bring a complete Hitachi solution to users who previously wouldn’t have had access to this technology because of the price point,” said John Glad, product manager, Hitachi America, Ltd., Digital Media Division, Business Solutions Group.  “By combining our most cost-effective short-throw projector and interactive whiteboard with the Premier wall arm, corporate or educational environments of any size can benefit from Hitachi’s industry leading interactive presentation technology.”

The Hitachi CP-D10 projector is ideal for use in classrooms that utilize an interactive whiteboard, as well as small meeting rooms where space may be limited. The projector features a short throw distance of three feet that projects an 80-inch image, eliminating image obstruction in front of the screen. The CP-D10 offers a brightness of 2,000 ANSI lumens and XGA resolution. It also includes a 4,000-hour hybrid filter for easy maintenance.

The FX-77GII has all of the capabilities that have been revolutionized by Hitachi, but, with this model, interaction is facilitated by use of an electronic pen. The wireless 2-button pen device, included with the StarBoard, functions as a mouse that operates and annotates on the board.

The board features an electronic-free surface for more durable use and remains fully operational even if there are scratches or dents on the surface space.