Sound Technology Professional Solutions News

TECHNOLOGY

PROFESSIONAL SOLUTIONS NEWS

APRIL 2018

JBL Professional introduces new Pro SoundBar

With a long history of industryleading soundbars in the consumer space, HARMAN has launched the JBL Pro SoundBar PSB-1, an active soundbar designed with an optimised feature set to address the requirements of commercial environments.

The JBL Pro SoundBar supports both fixed and variable source volume, providing compatibility

with both fixed applications (where the volume is controlled at the soundbar) and variable applications (where gain is controlled at the television).

To control sound transference into neighbouring rooms, the Pro SoundBar includes a four-position volume limiting switch that allows integrators to control the maximum output of the soundbar.

The soundbar also includes a vibration isolation wall-mounting kit and uses full-range speakers rather than a separate subwoofer, two features which also limit sound transference to adjoining rooms.

The JBL Pro SoundBar PSB-1 is available now. > soundte.ch/jbl-psb1

BSS announces DCP-555 intelligent conferencing processor TECHNOLOGY

Full story on page 2.

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INSTALLED AUDIO

HARMAN debuts intelligent meeting room audio with BSS DCP-555 Conferencing Processor

BSS has announced the DCP-555 Digital Conferencing Processor, an intelligent audio solution designed specifically for web and audio conferencing in meeting spaces, conference rooms, boardrooms and classrooms.

The DCP-555 provides superior sound processing quality in a template-based solution providing industry-leading sound processing and automated mixing of microphones, PC audio, and other audio sources, with acoustic echo cancellation ensuring the meeting is clear and effective.

Audio from multiple microphones can be output as a single, optimised signal over USB, making it perfect for web conferencing using the AMX Acendo Core or BYOD applications. With the inclusion of onboard VoIP connectivity, rooms can be equipped with audio conferencing without the need for a separate IP phone in the room.

The DCP-555 supports up to four rooms

simultaneously using bidirectional VoIP connections and offers a range of onboard I/O connection options, with AES67, BLU link, USB and 16x8 analogue audio all built in. This provides easy compatibility with other HARMAN and third-party audio devices, with GPIO and relays available for simplified control.

To further streamline integration with other HARMAN devices, the DCP-555 includes builtin microphone tunings and JBL speaker tuning presets, offering simple, IT-centric configuration.

When using the DCP-555 along with AMX SVSI

networked AV solutions, encoder syncing is available to ensure the audio and video signals are perfectly aligned for an optimal experience without any manual setup. These features allow integrators to easily design and configure rooms with minimal complexity. > soundte.ch/dcp-555

PORTABLE LIVE SOUND

“A noteable bargain” Audio Media International on the Soundcraft Notepad PRODUCT REVIEW

Soundcraft Ui24R 2.0 feature update

PRODUCT REVIEW

www.audiomediainternational.com

SOUNDCRAFT NOTEPAD-12FX MIXER Alistair McGhee tests out this mini analogue mixer from Soundcraft

MIXERS

Key Features

Analogue mixing console

Three effects: chorus, reverb and delay

USB connectivity

Durable metal enclosure

W

hat do you give the sound engineer who has everything? Another mixer of course! Like guitars, you can’t have too many mixers. So I’m always keen

RRP: £149.00 ($207) formats, Notepad 5, 8FX and the 12FX - they are all highly portable and very affordable.

www.soundcraft.com

The FX stands of course for on-board effects. For perspective, all of the headphones I plugged into the

from the computer. The audio over USB is combined with the audio from the physical phono connectors.

to look at a new addition to the mixer market, in this case the new Soundcraft Notepad-12FX. We all love a 48 channel J series mixer - SSL or

12FX cost considerably more than the mixer - makes you think about value for money!

But value of course is closely related to performance

A stereo effects return on quarter inch jacks overplug the normal function of the channel, which is the return from the on-board effects.

Calrec - but seriously how are you going to get it in your Crumpler messenger bag? We don’t just need big

- so we’ll have to return to the value issue having had a good look at the new Notepad. The 12FX offers four

All in all a decent amount of input in a package little bigger than a hefty hardback. All this sits in a solid steel

mixers, we need small mixers and we need mixers we can afford and the new Notepad series from Soundcraft

channels of mono mic/line input on combi jacks, two stereo line inputs on quarter inch jack and stereo line

top plate that gives the body of the mixer a feeling of tough resilience. The mic inputs have permanent 48

aims to satisfy both these criteria. Available in three

inputs on phonos which doubles as a stereo input via USB

phantom - ribbon mics beware. Each mic channel has a

46

January/February 2018

high pass filter at 100Hz and three band EQ. Inputs 1 and 3 can be switched to Hi Z allowing you to plug one of your

- now owned by Samsung - and they take their place alongside such luminaries as AKG, Studer and Lexicon.

of channels 1 and 2 and the main mix prefader on 3 and 4. No drivers for MacOS required; the PC

many guitars in directly. The four mic channels and the two stereo inputs have trims pots for the input gain with up to 60 dB of gain on the mic channels and plus or minus

The spin off here is that the Notepad’s effects sport the Lexicon effects label. The effects bus shares a send with the aux bus. Despite the manual describing the effects

driver installed painlessly on my Win 10 system. On the return side you have DAW outputs one and two on stereo channel nine and ten and three and four

twenty dB on the stereo line inputs.

send as post fade, I found both aux send and effects send

available at the headphone monitoring.

On the output side the main output is available on XLRs, which are very welcome at this price point. There’s a mono aux output on quarter inch jack. This output is

to be prefade (We are told that the .pdf manual prefade error will be fixed and posted online by the time we’ve gone to press). The aux bus goes through the aux master

To be honest it would be churlish to complain about any aspect of the Notepad-12FX. It packs a ridiculous amount of features for the money. Tuck it under your

post the Aux Master and can be switched between a mono line out and a stereo headphone output. The aux

while the effects are sent directly to the processor from each individual channel.

arm and it has enough flexibility and connectivity to cope with many basic gigs or sit on the desk plugged

out send is pre fader and also pre the pan and balance controls. Finally the headphone output on quarter

You get three effects with the Notepad reverb, delay and chorus. Each effect is controlled by a latching

into your DAW as an interface and problem solver. A notable bargain.

inch jack with its own volume control. The output is switchable between the master output and channels 3 and 4 of the USB output. There’s a couple of points here,

button and as the effects combine you have a total of six combinations. If you latch all the buttons down you get the Karaoke setting. Each effect has parameter control

According to the manufacturer, two new free Mac and PC Control Panels are being published in line with the 2018 NAMM show , which include two changes. Firstly,

First the output is beefy enough to drive the 250 Ohm

on a single knob. Note this doesn’t go from 100% dry

input selection will now be available on both PC and Mac

Beyerdynamic DT1990s loud enough for Ted Nugent.

Yes it goes up to 11, handy for momentary checking a tricky section of the mix. Careful though, the headphone

to wet - you always get some effect when engage the send. Delay offers you a slap back echo up to about a second and turning the parameter pot will get you up to

Control Panels as well as firmware update tools on both PC and Mac. Secondly, a new free “ducker” feature will be added for both PC and Mac. Using the new updated

output is pre the main fader. So you could be mixing the Jam reunion gig and find that you have inadvertently knocked the main fader back and you wouldn’t hear that

seven repeats. Reverb varies from small live room up to a Vincent Price sized auditorium. The good news is the effects are not terrible and neither are they noisy in fact

Control Panel, users can select any combination of mic inputs as side chain compressor sources, to drive a broadcast style “ducker” feature on the USB return.

in the headphones. To help avoid just such a situation you

they are perfectly usable.

do get four level bar graph LED metres on the output and the four mic input channels have a peak LED to warn you when you are over driving the inputs.

The final major feature of the Notepad is the USB connectivity. It’s a four in, four out interface which means you can neatly track all four mic inputs for

Each mic channel features a simple three-band EQ. The high and low bands are shelves at 12.5 Khz and

instance. In PC world, USB outputs one and two from the desk are fixed as direct outputs of channel inputs one

80 Hz respectively while the mid band at 2.5 Khz is an asymmetric curve, boost is wide while cut is narrow for

and two, while three and four can be configured to be inputs three and four, stereo inputs five and six or seven

your notching. A nice little touch, I thought.

These days Soundcraft is part of the Harman group

and eight or finally main outputs left and right.

In MacOS world you get the the direct outputs

The Reviewer Alistair McGhee began audio life in Hi-Fi before joining the BBC as an audio engineer. After 10 years in radio and TV, he moved to production. Most recently, he was assistant editor, BBC Radio Wales and has been helping the UN with broadcast operations in Juba.

January/February 2018

47

The new Soundcraft Notepad series consists of three streamlined streamlined mixing surfaces offering Lexicon effects processing and USB I/O connectivity for computer-based music recording and playback. The 12-channel Notepad-12FX is reviewed in the Jan/Feb issue of Audio Media International magazine. The Soundcraft Notepad-12FX is available now priced at £149 RRP inc VAT. You can read the full review at soundte.ch/ami-notepad

TECHNOLOGY

Soundcraft has announced the Soundcraft Ui24R 2.0 firmware update, with several significant new features and workflow enhancements.

A new Speech AutoMix function automatically reduces the noise floor in panel-discussion or theatre situations by prioritising the current speaker.

The Multi-Ducker feature, designed for radio or TV broadcast workflows, allows for automatic ducking of user-specified sources.

The Ui24R v2.0 firmware update is compatible with HTML5 browsers on Windows 7 and 10, Mac, Android, and iOS, and is available to download from the Soundcraft website now. > soundte.ch/ui24r-update

01462 480000 | info@soundtech.co.uk | www.soundtech.co.uk

TEC Awards for AKG C636 and JBL Intonato 24

The AKG C636 Master Reference condenser microphone has received the award for best Sound Reinforcement Microphone at the 33rd TEC Awards at the 2018 Winter NAMM Show, while the JBL Intonato 24 picked up the award for Amplification Hardware/Studio & Sound Reinforcement.

Building on the legendary studio-quality sound of the acclaimed C535 microphone, the C636 innovates by providing professional singers with unparalleled stage reliability and performance. In addition to a custom-tuned capsule with hand-selected components, the C636 is engineered to reject feedback, handling noise and pop noise so vocalists can fully focus on their performance.

Intonato 24 provides easy setup, automated calibration and comprehensive control of professional monitoring systems and precisely calibrates and controls up to 24 speakers configured as stereo, surround or immersive audio systems. It comes as standard with the most I/O in its class, and is compatible with nearly every monitoring format.

Presented annually by the NAMM Foundation at The NAMM Show, the TEC Awards recognises the individuals, companies and technical innovations behind the sound of recordings, live performances, films, television, video games and multi-media. > soundte.ch/c636-tec > soundte.ch/intonato24-tec

New Irish Cultural Centre equipped with end-to-end HARMAN solution

The Irish Cultural Centre, which has been serving the West London Irish community for nearly 30 years, has undergone a complete rebuild, including the installation of a HARMAN Professional audio system encompassing JBL CBT1000 column arrays, Crown DCi DriveCore and JBL Commercial series amplification and a Soundcraft Si Performer 2 console.

Read the full case study at soundte.ch/irish-centre

TECHNOLOGY

01462 480000 | info@soundtech.co.uk | www.soundtech.co.uk

OXO Tower upgrades with HARMAN solution The iconic OXO Tower on London’s South Bank was the scene of a recent sound system upgrade at its popular Restaurant, Bar & Brasserie, which provides spectacular views over the Thames from its rooftop location on the eighth floor.

London based Evolve Install has upgraded the existing JBL system in the Brasserie, with a purpose designed JBL Pendant speaker system and also equipped the fine dining Restaurant with a similar sound system for the first time. > Read the full case study at soundte.ch/oxo-tower

INSTALLED AUDIO

PORTABLE LIVE SOUND

JBL Professional introduces new VLA Compact Series

JBL EON ONE PRO available now JBL’s latest addition to the EON range - the batterty-powered EON ONE PRO -is now shipping.

The EON ONE PRO is the first linear array system in its class to offer six hours of play time, anseven channel mixer with Bluetooth audio streaming, and a weight of just 17kg.

An 8” bass driver is paired with six 2” HF drivers using JBL’s patent-pending DIrectivity Control Geometery to optimise sound dispersion, and even recalibrates its sound depending on the number of HF height spacers chosen when setting up. > soundte.ch/eononepro-shipping

HARMAN Professional Solutions has introduced the JBL Professional VLA Compact Series line array solution, offering VLA-quality performance and out-of-the-box weather protection for small to mid-sized stadiums and arenas.

Built upon the industry-leading capabilities of the JBL Variable Line Array (VLA) Series of long-throw line arrays, the new VLA Compact Series offers the same performance quality in a more compact, outdoor-ready solution for use in any large venue

TECHNOLOGY

where speakers are mounted a long distance from the listener.

VLA Compact Series offers large format horn-loaded modules to provide broad bandwidth horizontal directivity and an increase in sensitivity. The full-range models include dual 10” low frequency drivers featuring HARMAN’s patented Differential Drive® technology, with 65° and 100° horizontal coverage options available. A subwoofer with dual 15” Differential Drive® woofers is also available. > soundte.ch/VLACompact

01462 480000 | info@soundtech.co.uk | www.soundtech.co.uk

PROFESSIONAL LIGHTING

PROFESSIONAL LIGHTING

Martin RUSH MH 10 Beam FX and MH 11 Beam now shipping

LIPA invests in new Martin MAC Encore Performance

A replacement for the highly successful MH 3 Beam, the new RUSH MH 11 Beam is a high-intensity beam moving head designed for high end installations and rental applications.

The fixture can produce a range of complex and precise mid-air looks using eight rotating and indexing gobos and an eight-facet prism. It has has thirteen selectable colours and frost and motorised focus, and has a ruggedised industrial design

that makes it perfect for high-end touring and rental applications.

The Martin RUSH MH 10 Beam is a compact 60W RGBW LED moving head fixture that offers tight beam effects using a collimator lens design, creating a striking, high-intensity look on stage. The LEDs on the MH 10 Beam blend perfectly with Martin MAC Aura, RUSH MH 6, and RUSH Par 2 fixtures, providing excellent colour mixing capabilities. > soundte.ch/rush

The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) has upgraded its lighting fleet, adding seven new Martin by Harman MAC Encore Performance moving heads to its shared stock.

These were commissioned by Paul Halgarth, Lecturer in Lighting, Electrics and Programming at LIPA, to enable students on both the Theatre and Performance Design and

Technology degree courses to have access to cutting-edge technology.

Halgarth waited patiently for the release of these ground-breaking fixtures and then acted swiftly. Explaining his rationale, he said, “We always need the latest technology and we pride ourselves in having industry standard equipment. It’s vital as students can go from our course straight into employment.” > soundte.ch/LIPA_MACEncore

PROFESSIONAL LIGHTING

Prodigy tours with Martin Atomic 3000 LED strobes Dance pioneers Prodigy have embarked on a UK tour, with lighting and set designer Tim Fawkes choosing a large number of Martin by HARMAN Atomic 3000 LED as his primary strobe, supplied by UK rental specialist HSL. Read more at soundte.ch/prodigy-atomic

TECHNOLOGY

01462 480000 | info@soundtech.co.uk | www.soundtech.co.uk

INSTALLED AUDIO

HARMAN solution installed at upgraded St Mary’s Stadium TG Baker (Sound) has carried out a major upgrade of the main sound system at Southampton FC’s 32,508-capacity St. Mary’s Stadium, using HARMAN’s JBL Professional purpose designed PD Series loudspeakers and HARMAN’s Crown amplifiers.

Supplied by Sound Technology Ltd., UK and Ireland distributors of the HARMAN Professional brands, the upgrade replaced the previous system originally installed by TG Baker (Sound) when the stadium was built in 2001.

22 loudspeaker clusters each comprise a pair of JBL Precision Directivity PD6322/95 loudspeakers and a JBL AE Series ASB6128 subwoofer, all treated with JBL’s WRX weatherized finish. These are fixed to the underside of the stand roof lips using bespoke, certified bracketry commissioned by TG Baker (Sound).

A combination of HARMAN’s flagship Crown DCi Series install amplifiers and ITech HD Series tour grade amplifiers were selected to power the system.

Eleven DCi 4|600N 4 x 600W amplifiers are assigned to the Mid/High sections of the PD Series loudspeakers, while eleven DCi 4|2400N 4x2400W amplifiers drive the low frequency sections. Six I-Tech IT4x3500HD amplifiers power the AE Series subwoofers.

The amplifiers’ in-built DSP tools are used to tune and process the loudspeakers, configured and controlled via HARMAN’s Audio Architect software.

TECHNOLOGY

01462 480000 | info@soundtech.co.uk | www.soundtech.co.uk

STUDIO & BROADCAST

TOUR SOUND

Apogee Electronics announces Symphony I/O Mk II for Waves SoundGrid

Apogee Electronics is pleased to announce that Symphony I/O Mk II, Apogee’s flagship AD/DA converter, is now available with connectivity to Waves SoundGrid® network.

With a simple ethernet connection, Symphony I/O Mk II’s industry-leading sound quality can be easily accessed from your computer, shared

INSTALLED AUDIO

PORTABLE LIVE SOUND

Three new models for Gator’s G-Tour mixer case series

Gator’s popular line of G-Tour Series mixer cases now includes custom fit sizes designed to fit the Soundcraft Si Impact, Presonus SL32III Compact and the Behringer X32 Compact consoles.

between multiple rooms, multiple computers and supercharged with almost infinite real-time DSP power via Waves SoundGrid servers. Symphony I/O Mk II SoundGrid integrates seamlessly with all DAWs, providing endless possibilities for setups of The G-Tour line flight cases feature a every size for studio, live and post rugged 9mm plywood construction production workflows. armoured in black laminate. Aluminium edging aligns the lid and base > soundte.ch/symphony-soundgrid when latching, as well as provides

extra strength for ultimate protection. As with all of Gator’s G-Tour Series Road Cases, these include the signature red, commercial grade hardware. The spring-loaded, rubber-gripped handles, lockable twist latches and protective ball corners make them ready to take on the abuse of the road while guarding expensive equipment. > soundte.ch/gator-gtour

STUDIO & BROADCAST

Pliant Technologies ship next generation of wireless intercom system

Pliant Technologies is now shipping its innovative professional wireless intercom system, CrewCom. CrewCom is based on a new technology platform that offers the industry’s highest user density, unparalleled range, and scalability. The product features excellent voice quality, the industry’s smallest fully-featured professional full-duplex wireless radio packs, multiple simultaneous

TECHNOLOGY

frequency bands, as well as a host of truly amazing user features.

With CrewCom, production crews of all sizes can now easily and quickly deploy communications solutions to connect more people in more places than ever before.

For the small system and UHF-replacement market, CrewCom offers the easiest system deployment

along with the most user friendly radio pack on the market. Even the most basic CrewCom system offers full features at a very competitive price.

For high user count system requirements, the revolutionary design of CrewCom offers a significant price advantage for larger demanding applications, when comparing the actual cost of deploying many wireless users in a production. > soundte.ch/crewcom

01462 480000 | info@soundtech.co.uk | www.soundtech.co.uk

Our Free Services

Application Team

Demonstration Facility

Our offices in Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, boast a 4000 square feet Sound Technology Ltd has an Application Team to support the needs of audio consultants and installers. The Application Team provide system design demo facility, providing an environment for installers, consultants, resellers and hire companies to listen to a comprehensive selection of the HARMAN assistance, pre-sales advice and post-sale support for all our customers.

Professional product portfolio.

We can suggest ideal solutions from the HARMAN portfolio to ensure The central listening space features JBL VTX, AE Series, CBT, Intellivox and guaranteed performance and help your installation go smoothly. We work with clients to create system designs based on HARMAN solutions., providing portable PA ranges. Loudspeakers are powered by Crown i-TechHD VRacks, all supporting EASE models, technical data and pricing quotes based on your DCi DriveCore, ComTech DriveCore, CDi and XTi amplifiers, and the system is controlled by a BSS Soundweb DSP network. requirements and budget.

For existing or new installations, we are here locally in the UK to help. As added reassurance we can also call upon support resources from the HARMAN Professional Solutions in Europe globally.

Soundcraft’s Vi and Si digital consoles are installed along with AKG DMS800 digital wireless. Additional products can be demonstrated by prior arrangement.

Call the Application Team on 01462 480000 or email application-team@soundtech.co.uk

To book an appointment please call 01462 480000 or email info@soundtech.co.uk

Training Courses Sound Technology Ltd run a number of free training courses and events for the Installed Audio and Tour Sound industries.

HiQnet Audio Architect

Soundcraft Vi Series

In-depth training courses for HARMAN’s HiQnet Audio Architect audio system design and configuration software.

One-day training course on Soundcraft’s Vi Series consoles for engineers, venues, hire, installation & production companies.

For details and registration visit www.soundtech.co.uk/events

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