JBL Professional Loudspeakers Power Beijing Olympics Fencing Hall, Soon To Be The National Convention Center

Demonstrating the wide variety and interoperability of JBL loudspeakers in one of the world’s largest showcases, the Fencing Hall at the National Convention Center in Beijing recently hosted the fencing and modern pentathlon events at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. This brand new space, located on the Olympic Green, was built specifically for the Olympics.

The Fencing Hall features 14 fencing strips, a warm-up room, stands for thousands of fans, a television broadcasting room, and lounge and shower facilities. With the conclusion of the games, the hall will now be converted to a convention hall. There are also numerous features aimed at lowering the environmental impact of the hall including an increase in energy savings and water conservation.

The audio system is nothing less than the state of the art, and truly showcases the breadth JBL’s lineup of world-class, industry-leading loudspeakers. The main PA system features six VERTEC® line arrays, each containing six VT4888DP midsize powered line array elements and two VT4882DP powered arrayable subwoofers. The system also includes 400 Control24CT and 300 Control26CT ceiling speakers, along with 130 Control 300 series large-format ceiling speakers. Further bolstering the system are 92 SRX712M stage monitors, 10 VRX915M stage monitors, along with 20 EON15P portable loudspeakers. Additionally, the system includes eight AM4215/64, eight AM4215/95, eight AM6215/64 and four AM6315/64 loudspeakers. Not to be overlooked are eight PD5322/64, two PD5212/64 and three PD5322/43 loudspeakers. The entire audio system will remain intact during the conversion of the hall, although the system can be reconfigured to suit different events.

Beyond the massive JBL system, the Fencing Hall is also a showcase for numerous Harman brands, includes a total of 253 Crown CTs amplifiers, two Soundcraft Vi4 consoles, and BSS Soundweb London BLU-80 processors, part of the HiQnet™-enabled London Architect™ system design and control protocol. Hong Kong-based Advanced Communications Equipment (ACE) installed the system.

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

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 the Harman Pro Group and is coordinated by the System Development and Integration Group (SDIG), a team of dedicated systems specialists based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Two Soundcraft GB4 Mixing Consoles Find Home Base At The Fengtai Softball Stadium For The Beijing 2008 Summer Games

Managing to connect a thin bat with a small round ball has been an athletic pursuit for a great many centuries, and it will take on new significance when women’s softball teams from around world converge on Beijing to play in the Olympics Softball event. The large stadium complex, which consists of two ball fields and one training field, with a seating capacity of 13,000 will require sound commensurate with its scale.

The sound systems feature two Soundcraft GB4 Series desks at their core. A 32-channel GB4 and a 16-channel GB4 are providing mixing and management for the combined sound systems that comprise of 12 Crown CTs 2000 amplifiers, seven CTs 3000 amplifiers and five Crown CTs 1200 amplifiers driving 64 JBL Application Engineered (AE) Series and Precision Directivity (PD) Series surface-mount loudspeakers with processing by 23 dbx DriveRack 260 processors and two dbx PB48 processors. The GB4 offers a comprehensive array of functions in a small and cost-effective footprint including GB30 mic preamps re-engineered circuit topology and EQ designs, rigid steel chassis and high-quality vertically mounted PCB channel strips. The dual-mode topology allows it to be used for FOH or monitor duties with fader control of group or aux outputs.

The Olympics Softball event takes on special meaning in what will be the last time the sport will be seen as an event in the Summer Olympics, - all the more reason to guarantee great sound for the games there, which will be played starting August 12, culminating with the medal finals on August 21. Eight teams will compete in the Olympic softball tournament in a competition consisting of two rounds.

“The Fengtai Softball Stadium will be an impressive stage for the world’s elite softball players and it’s fitting that the venue for an announcer-heavy pursuit such as softball, features a sound system from the world’s leading professional audio brands,” said Keith Watson, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Soundcraft Studer. “We are pleased to have such a strong presence at the games and we’re especially pleased that quality sound from Soundcraft and our other companies will contribute to the enjoyment of fans at the 2008 Olympic Games.”

Harman Professional’s Chinese distributor, ACE (Advanced Communication Equipment) provided Soundcraft consoles and other Harman brand product information and regional technical support.

Information about A.C.E. is available at: http://www.acehk.com/eng/

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

BSS Audio Soundweb Leads the Pack at Cycling Velodrome For The Beijing 2008 Summer Games

Few sports test an Olympic athlete the same way that cycling does. It requires maximum strength and endurance for the cyclist to perform at the highest level. At the Beijing 2008 Summer Games, cyclists are competing in the brand-new Laoshan Velodrome, whose sound system is only matched in excellence by the Olympians themselves.

Laoshan Velodrome, which will host all cycling during the Olympics, has a capacity of 6,000 spectators. It features a 250-meter oval shaped track and a total surface of 32,920 square meters. Positioned in the arena are the BSS Audio Soundweb Original SW9088iis, one dbx DriveRack 260 control, along with Crown CTS 600 and CTS 1200 amplifiers powering two JBL AC2212/64 and two JBL AM 4315/64 loudspeakers. The system was sold through Hong Kong-based distributor Advanced Communications Equipment (ACE).

The Soundweb Original SW9088iis forms the heart of the audio system. In a single rackspace unit, it offers eight analog inputs with comprehensive LED monitoring, eight analog outputs and open architecture signal processing. With application-specific DSP allocation and a fully configurable signal path, Soundweb represents a scalable, networked solution, which can be fully tailored to the installation. A diverse range of control options, including wall controllers, online PC control and third party control systems ensure that the user interface is perfectly matched to the technical proficiency and control requirements of users.

“Laoshan Velodrome presented a challenge because of the arena’s smaller size, and unique events for indoor spectator viewing,” said Iain Gregory, Product Manager, Harman Music Group. “Soundweb was the clear choice for a digital audio system in this and many other Olympic venues. Incorporated with the other Harman products, it will produce the highest quality sound for the enjoyment of all fans who attend events at the 2008 Olympic Games.”

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

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 the Harman Pro Group and is coordinated by the System Development and Integration Group (SDIG), a team of dedicated systems specialists based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Harman Audio Products Finish On Top At 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony

JBL VERTEC® speakers, Crown I-Tech amplifiers and Soundcraft Vi6 Digital Consoles specified for spectacular event sound system design.

In one of the most-watched global media events of the year,the 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in Beijing was held on Friday, August 8 at the newly-constructed Beijing National Stadium (known informally as “The Bird’s Nest”). The Opening Ceremony marked the beginning of the 29th Olympic Summer Games. While the Stadium normally has a capacity of 80,000, an additional 11,000 temporary seats helped accommodate the 91,000 spectators at the ceremony, which lasted nearly four hours, and included four segments: the opening address, artistic performances, entrance of the competing athletes, and lighting of the primary Olympic torch flame inside the stadium.

Composer Tan Dun provided the musical score for the event, which featured more than 15,000 performers and was highlighted by Chinese gymnast Li Ning lighting the Olympic torch. Centered around the theme of "Civilization and Harmony," the spectacular performances, including costuming, sets and overall production effects, were designed by Zhang Yimou, the renowned film director, who aimed to convey the "conception of harmony from an international perspective." Leading-edge projection, lighting and mobile sculpture technologies and an entertainment production stage designed by Mark Fisher were an integral part of the technical production, along with extravagant fireworks displays. Sound Media Fusion facilitated the event audio system design, programming and deployment, which prominently featured JBL VERTEC® line arrays, Crown I-Tech amplifiers and Soundcraft Vi6 digital mixing consoles.

Gary Hardesty (Chief Designer, Audio- Beijing Olympic Ceremonies Department; Technical Consultant, Panasonic for all Olympic Ceremonies and competition/non-competition venues) had the complex but rewarding task of specifying and implementing the massive, multi-zone, distributed sound reinforcement system approach to integrate portable and installed speaker locations.

“All FOP [field of play] speakers needed to be self-powered arrays due to highly restrictive physical space limitations,” explained Sound Media Fusion’s Gary Hardesty. “In the case of the JBL products, I needed small size and a lot of SPL, not to mention predictable coverage. The JBL VERTEC DP systems were part of a very large, distributed, multi-zone system and they performed flawlessly, exceeding my requirements and expectations. The sound quality was very good. Overall, the venue sound for the event was excellent, with an 'in-your-face' direct sound characteristic throughout the audience area. We achieved excellent acoustic isolation from zone to zone with zero intelligibility problems. Even considering the massive venue size, the result was very, very good for all concerned.”

Numerous Harman HiQnet™-compatible VT4888DP-AN powered midsize line array elements and VT4882DP-AN companion subwoofers with JBL DrivePack® technology were selected to cover various portions of the stadium, including array locations dedicated for use in critical end-zone locations.

These were configured as ground-based stacks, each containing two or three enclosures. Arrays were masked with neutral grey weather-protective covers, and many speaker units were installed behind facades and integrated into Hardesty’s overall system design underneath temporary staging platforms, including the 5 Rings Plaza and the National Flags Platform. Additionally, a total of 26 JBL MS-26 ultra-compact fill speakers were dedicated for second tribune and VIP stand fill.

Passive speaker systems were powered by Crown I-T6000 and I-T4000 power amplifiers, compatible with hundreds of other Crown amplifiers installed for the venue’s audio system infrastructure. Additionally, Soundcraft Vi6™ digital consoles were part of the event sound system. In addition to the high-profile event system for the Opening and Closing ceremonies, Harman products have been specified and installed for more than a dozen Olympic venues in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, including the National Olympics Conference Center, The National Stadium, National Aquatics Center, and Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium, as well as various fencing, softball and equestrian sports facilities.

“Global multi-media spectacles such as the Opening Ceremony for the Olympic Games have the highest level of audio performance expectations, and require an ever-increasing amount of advance planning, with coverage and output predictions for specialized loudspeaker systems being paramount,” noted David Scheirman, Vice President, Tour Sound, JBL Professional. “JBL and Harman’s other professional audio brands are honored to have our products be selected for use in this demanding and high-profile application.”

Sound Media Fusion’s efforts for the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games were assisted by Harman Professional’s Chinese distributor, ACE (Advanced Communication Equipment) whose staff provided JBL and other Harman brand product application information and regional technical support. Duncan Edwards was on hand as a direct assistant to Mr. Hardesty for music programming and system tuning. “The technical collaboration between Gary Hardesty, Duncan Edwards and the entire Chinese team, including Mr. Ma Xin [assistant sound designer to Mr. Hardesty] and Mr. Jin Shao Gang [FOH sound engineer for the opening ceremony], was inspirational to see,” observed ACE’s Bingo Tso. “This teamwork has resulted in a highly successful achievement, the most spectacular sound reinforcement project in the nation to date”.

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 the Harman Pro Group and is coordinated by the System Development and Integration Group (SDIG), a team of dedicated systems specialists based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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

Crown Audio CTs Series Amplifiers Network Control Technologies Power Audio Intelligibility At Wukesong Indoor Stadium For 2008 Summer Olympics

Demonstrating the performance consistency and system reliability of Crown Audio’s CTs Series amplifiers in concert with the efficient network capability of Crown’s IQ Series network cards, Beijing’s new 18,000-seat Wukesong Indoor Stadium, home to the basketball competitions at the 2008 Summer Olympics, features a complement of three Crown CTs600 amplifiers, two CTs1200 amplifiers, two CTs3000 amplifiers networked via seven Crown IQ3-PIP-Lite cards and Harman’s HiQnet™ system configuration and control protocol. The networked amplifiers drive 22 JBL Professional Control 29AV-1 loudspeakers.

Situated in Western Beijing, the 63,000-square meter facility was completed in January 2008 and after the Olympic basketball preliminaries and finals will become a major cultural, recreational center for the citizens of Beijing, integrating cultural, sporting and commercial facilities with large-scale gardens and green space.

The audio design required engineers to specify and install a system that would sound great despite the resonant surfaces of the large space. Bcause the system would enjoy a second life after the games reliability, scalability and versatility needed to be balanced carefully with the budgetary limitations.

“The Crown CTs Series is a proven performer for installed sound applications and, together with the JBL Professional loudspeakers, will provide Olympic basketball fans and the citizens of Beijing with quality audio for years to come,” noted Marc Kellom, Vice President of Marketing, Crown Audio. “And because CTs amplifiers are so easily networked using IQ-PIP cards and HiQnet, the system is optimally configured for the games but can be easily configured and controlled for many future applications via the HiQnet™ System Architect™ user interface.:”

Crown’s CTs Series amplifiers provide exceptional performance, flexibility and value for installed sound applications. CTs Series amplifiers feature independent selection of high and low impedance operation for a specific channel, plus power levels and features that were carefully chosen to match the requirements of fixed install design. Crown Audio PIP Lite integrates Ethernet-based network control via 100-Mb TCP/IQ protocol for digital control of analog devices with digital signal control for error trapping, proactive response and remote load monitoring.
The Wukesong Indoor Stadium is one of ten venues for the 2008 Summer Olympics games that feature audio systems by Harman Professional. The Beijing National Aquatics Centre, features JBL Professional loudspeakers, a Soundcraft console, Crown amplifiers and BSS Audio processing. Fengtai Softball Field, features Soundcraft consoles, JBL Professional loudspeakers, dbx processing and Crown amplifiers. Many of the same Harman companies are featured 10,000-seat Chang Ping Indoor Arena’s audio system features JBL Professional loudspeakers driven by Crown amplifiers, managed by dbx processing and Soundcraft consoles. The Beijing Foreign Language University Stadium sound system comprises BSS processing, Crown amplifiers, dbx patchbays, Lexicon processors and Soundcraft consoles. In Shanghai, the Shanghai Stadium features JBL loudspeakers, BSS Audio and Lexicon signal processing, Crown microphones and Soundcraft consoles. The Hong Kong Olympic Equestrian Venue is outfitted with JBL Professional loudspeakers and Soundcraft mixers and the Laoshoan Velodrome features JBL loudspeakers, Crown amplifiers, BSS processing and dbx system control. The Olympic Green Convention Centre features Soundcraft consoles, Crown amplifiers, BSS processors and JBL loudspeakers. The Beijing National Stadium is equipped with an awesome array of Crown I-Tech amplifiers.


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 the Harman Pro Group and is coordinated by the System Development and Integration Group (SDIG), a team of dedicated systems specialists based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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

JBL EON® Loudspeakers Provide Audio Horsepower For 2008 Summer Olympic Games At Hong Kong Olympic Equestrian Venue

Demonstrating the versatility and power of JBL EON® series loudspeakers, the Hong Kong Olympic Equestrian Venue (Sha Tin) is outfitted with an EON system for the racetrack area during the 2008 Summer Games. While the majority of the Olympic events are taking place in Beijing, the equestrian events are being held in Hong Kong.

Managed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the venue is equipped with world class facilities, including a 100- x 80-meter all-weather sand area capable of supporting 18,000 spectators and a 5.7 kilometer cross-country course. All three events of the equestrian program, comprising Jumping, Dressage, and Eventing, will be organized at the venue.

Additionally, the venue includes air-conditioned stabling for up to 200 horses, an equine clinic, 13 training arenas, a cross-country training track, gallop track, and a bridle path on the Sha Tin racecourse infield. There are four equine cooling stations with misting tents to combat the extreme heat and humidity in Hong Kong.

Dispersed throughout the racetrack area are JBL EON series portable loudspeakers. In total, 14 EON10 G2 portable, powered loudspeaker systems have been installed, providing sound to the competitors, media and Olympics officials located on the field. The JBL EON10 G2 loudspeaker features a 10-inch Differential Drive® low-frequency driver, 125-Watt low-frequency and 50-Watt high-frequency (bi-amplified) amplifiers, and a 3-input mini-mixer. Other Harman components at the Hong Kong Olympic Equestrian Venue include six Soundcraft Compact4 mixers and three Compact10 mixers.

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

Elkhart business amps up the Beijing Summer Olympics

Crown International has been making high-tech sound equipment in Elkhart for a long time. They sell their products all over the world. This year they struck gold in China — Olympic gold — with 600 sound amplifiers that the Chinese will use at 33 different venues in Beijing. (From WSBT TV, Elkhart Indiana)

To read more and to watch the video please click here!

Crown Audio Powers China’s “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium For Beijing Olympic Games

With the official opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games, Crown Audio today announced it had provided China’s National Stadium with 400 Crown I-Tech amplifiers to power the sound system during the next 16 days of events at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games being held in Beijing, China.

Affectionately known as the Bird’s Nest, the stadium was created by elite design and architectural teams from all over the world. With capacity for 100,000, the stadium will host track and field events as well today’s opening ceremony and closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics to be held on August 24th.

“As 100,000 spectators cheer for their respective countrymen in the opening ceremony, clear and present audio will be important, no matter what language is being spoken,” said Marc Kellom, Vice President of Marketing for Crown Audio. “With over 400 of our I-Tech amplifiers powering the system, we’re confident that everyone in attendance including the athletes will be able to hear their country’s introduction.”

Audio alone takes up two full rooms in the spacious stadium and Crown’s 400 I-Tech amplifiers are housed in 30 racks. The audio system, which is fiber based, was designed by China Broadcast Bureau, a state-run agency. All the processing in the system is being done by the digital console and the robust internal DSP of the Crown I-Tech amplifiers.

The integrated processing in the I-Tech amplifiers reduces DSP noise associated with external systems for quieter overall operation. With this level of advanced technology, simple system operation is available via the front panel LCD, which provides easy access to diagnostics and preset selection, ensuring fast and easy system setup.

For an event as important as the Olympics, front panel lockout on the I-Tech ensures that tunings and presets are safely stored and protected from unauthorized users. Remote monitoring and control allow for complete system control from anywhere in the Olympic Stadium. “Our ability to provide world-class network control and monitoring via HiQnet technology was instrumental in the decision to use I-Tech amplifiers in this job,” notes Kellom.

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 the Harman Pro Group and is coordinated by the System Development and Integration Group (SDIG), a team of dedicated systems specialists based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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

JBL Professional Loudspeakers Perform Swimmingly For 2008 Summer Olympics At National Aquatic Centre In Beijing

Anyone who has ever witnessed or participated in an indoor swimming competition knows that acoustics play a significant part in the experience. Too reverberant and announcements become unintelligible; too sterile and the excitement and sense of place is diminished. JBL Professional Precision Directivity™ (PD) Series and Application Engineered™ (AE) Series loudspeakers are on the job at the 2008 Olympic Summer Games in the National Aquatic Centre in Beijing, to make certain that the sound will be exactly what it needs to be for the array of Olympic games taking place there August 8-24 this summer.

The National Aquatic Centre, also known as the “Water Cube,” features 52 PD5212/64 12-inch 2-way full-range loudspeakers, eight PD5122 dual 12-inch low-frequency loudspeakers, 12 AC2212/95, and 12 each 2380A 90- x 40-degree horns matched with 2446J 2-inch exit (4-inch voice coil) compression drivers. JBL's PD Series uses a full range, full bandwidth total system approach that allows contractors and consultants to design a fully integrated sound system that solves the audio challenges inherent to large installations. The AE Series loudspeakers provide a wide variety of building blocks for system design, stair-stepped to give the right solution for any installation. The "AC” models are compact loudspeakers that fit in areas where a smaller profile is required.

Designed by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation with a steel space frame clad with ETFE pillows, the National Aquatic Centre was purpose-built for the 2008 Summer Olympics and is one of the best-designed examples of an aquatic competition venue, with its acoustics specially tempered for the occasion. But with literally hundreds of microphones from scores of broadcasters globally relying on the sound system for both information and background sound, the performance of the venue’s PA system is critical. The JBL loudspeakers are joined at the National Aquatic Centre by other industry-leading products from Harman including Crown CTs600, CTs1200, CTs2000, and CTs3000 amplifiers, Soundcraft consoles and BSS DSP utilizing HiQnet™ London Architect™ platform for control.

“The National Aquatic Centre is among the most impressive architectural projects of the decade: it is a true monument to the Olympic spirit and the imagination of China,” said Jon Sager, Director of Market Development, Installed Sound, JBL Professional. “At JBL Professional, we’re naturally honored that our audio systems enable the designers to marry form with function and that, with the help of our technologies, the stunning design in no way limits the
spectacular sound!”

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

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 the Harman Pro Group and is coordinated by the System Development and Integration Group (SDIG), a team of dedicated systems specialists based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Studer and Soundcraft Mixers Featured Heavily at Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Mixers from both Studer and Soundcraft appear at numerous events and broadcast facilities at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Digital consoles from both Harman companies have been chosen and purchased by local Chinese broadcasters as well as worldwide companies who are installing or providing facilities at the events. The increased attention to HD broadcasting and surround has been one of the reasons Studer consoles particularly have been bought by numerous Broadcasters for their games coverage.

By far the largest consumer of Studer consoles for the games is China’s premier Broadcaster, CCTV (China Central Television). Their English-speaking International channel, CCTV-9, is using a Studer Vista 7 in its on-air studio, while the main studios of CCTV have been equipped with four Vista 5’s and five OnAir 3000’s. Quindao Radio has purchased an OnAir 3000 for the games, and Hong Kong’s TVB has purchased a total of five Vista 5’s, three for its studio for the games and two for OB vans.

Studer Vista consoles are particularly popular in OB vehicles because of their compact size, weight, simple user interface and functionality (including surround management and integral Dolby E and SDI decoding capabilities), and local broadcasters Guangdong TV, Beijing TV and Shanghai Media Group all feature Vista 8’s in their trucks. The Shanghai Media Group also fitted a dedicated 5.1 audio truck with a Vista 5. CCTV’s HD OB van is equipped with a Vista 8 and an OnAir 3000, while TJTV’s HD truck is now equipped with a Vista 8. HLJTV’s HD van comes with both a Vista 5 and an OnAir 3000, BTV’s HD truck is fitted with a Vista 8 and an OnAir 3000. Jinan TV and Dalian TV are sending HD trucks, both fitted with Vista 5 consoles.

From outside China, Spain’s TVE is constructing its own studio in Beijing, where three Studer Vista 5’s handle all the mixing tasks, as will the Vista 5 in the studio of Hungary’s MTV. Danmarks Radio’s facilities include a Studer OnAir 3000 (the corporation operates some 90+ Studer OnAir mixers in Copenhagen), and an OnAir 3000 will be at the heart of Brazil’s TV Bandeirantes’ system, while OB vehicles from France (SFP and VCF) and Norway (NRK’s HD-1) will run with Studer D950’s, Vista 5’s and Vista 8’s. Finally, the OnAir 3000 infrastructure of the Swiss SRG Media Services (MSC) will also be in Beijing, feeding all the radio programs of SRG, 13 networks in all.

For the opening and closing ceremonies, Soundcraft Vi6™ digital consoles are part of a large Harman-based system, while a Soundcraft Vi6 is at the heart of the system in the National Aquatics Centre. Two Soundcraft Vi4™’s are installed at the National Olympic Conference Centre, and numerous Soundcraft analogue mixers ranging from CompAct mixers up to MH4’s are installed in Olympic venues such as the Fengtai Softball Field, Chang Ping Indoor Stadium, Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium, Beijing Foreign Language University Stadium, Ditan Park Indoor Stadium, Shanghai 80k Stadium, Hong Kong Equestrian Venues and the Honk Kong Olympic House Conference Room.

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