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Mix Live Blog: My New Favorite Venue

Posted on May 18, 2023 by Steve La Cerra

The interior of Capital One Hall. The gold-colored panels lining the walls are perforated metal under which are laid acoustic absorption and diffusion materials. — The inside of Capital One Hall. The gold-colored panels lining the partitions are perforated metallic underneath that are laid acoustic absorption and diffusion supplies.

I believe I’m in love, and this time I imply it. A couple of days in the past, I blended a present at Capital One Hall in Tysons, VA, and it could possibly be the best-sounding venue I’ve blended within the States. Ever.

Opening its doorways on October 1, 2021, Capital One Hall is a part of Capital One Center, a brand new mixed-use city redevelopment constructed on 24.5 acres. Capital One Hall options 4 areas able to internet hosting quite a lot of occasions, starting from Broadway productions and live shows to not-for-profit arts features and enterprise conferences.

There’s the Main Theater, a 1,600-cap seated venue with stage, orchestra pit and fly system; The Vault, a black field theater with a capability of 225 supposed for smaller performances and displays; The Atrium, a four-story, open house with most capability of 1,000 individuals standing or 500 individuals seated; and The Perch, a landscaped public rooftop park 100 ft above the road that’s accessible to the general public by means of the inside of The Hall.

A close-up view of the perforated metal wall panels. — A detailed-up view of the perforated metallic wall panels.

Viewed from the road, it’s apparent that this was an formidable undertaking. The exterior facade of the constructing contains 7,000 slabs of imported Italian Carrara marble; every slab has dimensions of roughly 16x48x2 inches and weighs roughly 150 kilos.

Inside the lobby, granite flooring and walnut paneling convey the sensation that this isn’t simply one other theater. The foyer staircase is created from marble slabs 6×54 inches, with a mixed weight of roughly 40,000 kilos. Walking in or out of the auditorium offers you that feeling you get once you open the airlock door to a well-designed recording studio: you may really feel the load of the doorways underhand, even when it doesn’t take a Herculean effort to maneuver them, and you’re feeling assured that undesirable sound isn’t getting in or out.

Once you’re within the seating space, the outside world promptly fades away resulting from room-in-a-room development that options vibrational isolation of the construction utilizing rubber pads and employs 60,000 cubic ft of concrete with a weight of 9 million kilos (!). Eighteen-inch-thick concrete partitions underneath the steel-framed “outer-box” areas (the atrium, lobbies, mechanical methods and back-of-house areas) dampen vibration, whereas a six-inch air hole eliminates any acoustic bridging to the “interior field” of the principle theater.

The inside partitions of the theater function a perforated metallic “pores and skin” that conceals acoustic remedy combining absorption and diffusion, which controls the quantity of mirrored sound contained in the room. It’s one of the vital dead-sounding massive rooms I’ve blended in.

The left main P.A. hang. — The left important P.A. cling.

I’m completely satisfied to report that the oldsters who accepted the development price range additionally accepted a wholesome price range for the audio system. The important P.A. cling consists of 10 d&b audiotechnik V12 cabs (three-way passive line array) per aspect with matching V and SL-G subwoofers. Stage screens and aspect fills are additionally from d&b, consisting of (12) M4, (4) M6, (3) B6-Subs and (2) V7P three-way loudspeakers for sidefill. d&b D80, 30D and D20 present amplification for the mains, fills and screens.

Control is by way of Yamaha Rivage PM5 at FOH and Rivage PM3 at screens, with one RPIO 622 and three RPIO 222. The microphone locker would make most studios blush, with choices from DPA, Earthworks, Miktek, Neumann, Sennheiser and Shure, plus the theater has 24 channels of Sennheiser EM6000 digital wi-fi microphones.

A view of the Main Theater with the orchestra pit raised to floor level, and filled with additional front-row seats. — A view of the Main Theater with the orchestra pit raised to flooring degree, and full of further front-row seats.

Most excursions passing by means of the world will play the Main Theater at Capital One Hall, the place mixing is on the similar time a deal with and a problem. It’s a deal with because of the consideration paid to the room reverb time, which is unusually brief and tight for a room of this measurement—so that you don’t battle the mirrored sound as you’ll in a room with longer reverb instances. Those similar attributes make the setting much less forgiving acoustically talking.

Mix Live Blog: Stone Knives and Bearskins

Mix Live Blog: Stone Knives and Bearskins, Epilogue

The P.A. gives a excessive degree of articulation, that means that dialing in your combine will take slightly longer than in rooms the place you merely can’t hear the distinction resulting from poor acoustics. I’d examine the expertise to that of blending in an unforgiving studio management room the place good, dangerous or ugly, you’re going to listen to the reality. I’ll take that any day.

The coronary heart of any venue is the home crew, and I’ve to acknowledge that they’re completely top-notch.

World News

Mixing Muse for the Masses on the ‘Will of the People’ World Tour

Posted on May 18, 2023 by Clive Young

Still delivering a satisfying mixture of rock, electronica and sci-fi practically 30 years after forming, Muse has been packing arenas and festivals all over the world on its present tour behind the brand new Will of the People album. The epic reveals mirror the album’s large themes and even greater hooks, however the journey itself began small, inside Exeter’s Cavern Club within the south of England, over a yr in the past.

“It was the unique membership the place the band performed their first present—a 200-capacity venue,” stated Marc Carolan, the band’s FOH engineer since 2001. That was adopted by the 2022 Summer pageant season, a Fall filled with theater underplays across the globe, and now a five-month North American enviornment leg that ended this month in Atlanta. “What I like with Muse is that they’ve nonetheless acquired the flexibility to utterly blow a membership present aside,” Carolan stated with a smile. “It’s the identical with the theaters, too, so though they’re famend for his or her massive productions, they’ll strip that each one away they usually’ve nonetheless acquired it.”

Marc Carolan, Muse’s longtime FOH engineer, puts an Avid S6L control surface, numerous plug-ins on LiveProfessor and a range of outboard gear to use nightly. — Marc Carolan, Muse’s longtime FOH engineer, places an Avid S6L management floor, quite a few plug-ins on LiveProfessor and a spread of outboard gear to make use of nightly.

Muse has lengthy been recognized for reveals which are a visible feast—a typical night on the band’s present enviornment run options jaw-dropping quantities of lasers, pyro, large inflatables, confetti (a lot confetti!) and extra—but when Muse is ready on certainly listening to the need of the individuals and overdelivering on live performance theatrics, the identical goes for its method to audio.

Muse’s longtime audio supplier is UK-based Skan, which was acquired by Britannia Row and Clair Global final fall; the group making certain every thing audio surpasses viewers expectations consists of monitor engineer Matt Napier, on his first tour with the group; crew chief, RF guru and monitor assistant Liam Tucker; FOH minder/secondary techniques engineer Eddie O’Brien; system engineer Matt Besford-Foster; system tech Rob Wilkins; and comms tech Boden Birkett.

FOH FOUNDATIONS

Carolan’s FOH place is a fortress of the previous and the brand new, centered round an Avid S6L digital console flanked on both aspect by racks of outboard gear, all tackling the music generated on stage by vocalist/guitarist Matt Bellamy, bassist/vocalist Chris Wolstenholme and drummer Dominic Howard, with touring musician Dan Lancaster.

Some of the front-of-house outboard gear has completed a number of circuits all over the world with Muse, however it all has to earn its preserve, stated Carolan: “There are items that work, that sound good and produce one thing to the get together, however I’ll usually ‘blind A/B’ issues, as a result of I need to know if I’m fooling myself pondering this analog alternative is best than a plug-in alternative. With the outboard results that I nonetheless carry, just like the Bricasti M7s and the Eventide H3000, there are plug-in equivalents, however there aren’t any pretty much as good as the actual factor—so we stock the actual factor.”

Other outboard gear filling the FOH racks features a Rupert Neve Designs 5059 Satellite summing mixer; a UBK Fatso; a Maag Audio EQ4M; a GML 8200 parametric EQ; Empirical Labs EL8-X Distressors and Fatso EL7Xs; a Klark-Teknik BBD-320 sign processor; Midas XL42 channel strip preamps; Yamaha SPX2000s; dbx 160A and Tube-Tech LCA 2B compressor/ limiters, in addition to an SMC 2B multiband opto compressor; and a SPL Transient Designer.

Inside Muse’s 2010 ‘Uprising’ Tour

Still, there’s lots occurring with plug-ins, too, not least that Carolan has shifted to utilizing audiostrom LiveProfessor to host all of them. “The full suite of what I might use in studio mixing is all out there to me now, so I’ve fairly a number of Softube plug-ins, FabFilter, iZotope and a few McDSP, particularly the AE600 Active EQ,” he stated, including that he’s been beta-testing the newly launched okesound Soothe Live dynamic resonance suppressor plug-in. “That’s going to be an actual game-changer on the S6L platform,” he averred. Sometimes the plug-ins win these aforementioned A/B checks, too: An Avalon VT-737sp {hardware} unit used prior to now for vocal distortion on Bellamy gave method to a UAD-based plug-in model this time round.

One of the most important modifications within the band’s stay sound on the present tour comes not from Front of House however from the stage itself, as Bellamy and Wolstenholme have switched to utilizing Fractal AXE-FXIII preamp/fx processors. Band studio engineer Aleks Von Korff and guitar tech Chris Whitemyer spent months modeling the group’s gear to make it occur. “It’s not a simple, off-the-shelf determination that they’ve made, however they sound nice,” stated Carolan. “The sounds are barely completely different—and higher—even within the legacy songs, in order that brings a brand new power to them.”

MIKING MUSE

A/B testing wasn’t solely the province of FOH; that’s how the change to Fractals occurred and it additionally affected some miking, as monitor engineer Matt Napier famous, resulting in an AKG D12 VR taking the kick drum spot and a transfer to Austrian Audio OD7s on Toms.

When it got here to Bellamy’s vocal microphone, nonetheless, an A/B take a look at made clear it was finest to go together with not one mic or the opposite, however each. The singer has lengthy belted right into a Neumann KMS 105 onstage, and because the survivor of numerous checks over time, it’s the most effective match for his voice. However, he spends a lot of the present out on the thrust and B-stage, far in entrance of the P.A. “We had good outcomes with the Austrian Audio OD505 on the market,” stated Napier. “The rejection on that has labored out very well—so we change mics as wanted. It’s selecting what’s finest for which tune and the place he’s, moderately than compromising and saying we’ll use one mic for every thing.”

Beneath the stage, Matt Napier oversees a DiGiCo Quantum7 console for the band’s monitor mixes.

MUSE’S MONITORWORLD

In monitorworld beneath the stage, Napier mixes on a DiGiCo Quantum7 console, using a collection of Waves plug-ins, together with the Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain (“It has a pleasant unfold perform to widen issues for the ears”), SSL E-Channel Strip on drums, and SSL G-Master Buss Compressor.

Mixes are despatched to the band through Wisycom RF bodypacks. “They’ve significantly helped—even the band seen—as a result of they’re a lot cleaner, particularly within the low finish,” stated Napier.

The band hears its mixes through Westone UM Pro30 earphones, quickly to be up to date to Pro X30s. “They’ve all acquired their very own particular person causes for not wanting customized molds completed they usually’re fairly comfortable on the generics,” stated Napier. “They sound actually good, and talking as a monitor engineer, it’s good, as a result of I’ve acquired a drawer filled with them and if one breaks, I don’t must ship it again to get fastened; simply pull out one other set and provides it to the band.”

Hanging above the stage is a substantial d&b audiotechnik GSL/KSL line array system, centered round GSL hangs of 18 on the mains and 16 on the perimeters. Subs are distributed underneath the stage, and fills are used on the finish of the thrust. System engineer Matt Besford-Foster defined, “It offers a focus in order that whenever you see Matt on the B stage, there’s truly some sound coming from the place he’s; in any other case, you’ve acquired this large P.A. blasting away that’s disconnected from what’s occurring.”

Next on the Muse agenda are extra dates in Europe and Malaysia by way of the top of July, taking advantage of the pervasive power operating all through the manufacturing. “The band are happy with the sound they’re developing with,” stated Carolan, “so that they assist us in doing what we expect is finest for the sound. The overriding concern is the outcomes—the sound of what we’re doing. It’s good to be working in a camp the place audio is as intrinsic as anything, and that comes from the artists.”

World News

Mixing The Iron Maiden ‘Legacy Of The Beast’ Tour, Part 2

Posted on March 28, 2023 by Clive Young

Pooch uses subtle panning to localize and help define each of the band’s three Fender-wielding guitarists in the house mix. Photo: John McMurtrie. — Pooch makes use of delicate panning to localize and assist outline every of the three Fender-wielding guitarists in Iron Maiden inside the home combine. Photo: John McMurtrie.

Concluding our protection of the four-year Iron Maiden ‘Legacy of the Beast’ tour, FOH engineer Ken “Pooch” Van Druten shares how he approaches every instrument within the combine, the band’s monitor system, what’s in retailer for the upcoming Future Past tour and extra. Don’t miss Part 1, the place he discusses key plug-ins, outboard gear, combine suggestions and extra!

Bringing all that gear to bear on the combination meant Pooch might focus in on the small print of the songs. “They’re super-nuanced, and that’s what makes this band sound nice, so I take advantage of the digital console with all its snapshot know-how to get into these moments,” he says. “For occasion, one of many powerful components about mixing them is that there’s three guitar gamers that each one play Fenders via Marshalls, so there’s considerably related tones and so they’re actually in the identical frequency vary; discovering house so that you could choose them out individually within the combine is troublesome. My answer was to place them in their very own panning areas primarily based on the place they’re on stage. Dave Murray is on stage proper, so he’s panned stage proper—not panned onerous all the best way, however he’s over there—whereas Adrian Smith is close to the middle, and Janick Gers is on stage left. It’s huge, extensive, unfold out, and you’ll select each single guitar—however then I additionally needed to construct snapshots in order that each time one of many guitarists solos, it snaps to the middle, they play it, after which the subsequent snapshot will get them again to their spot. It’s these sorts of nuances that make a distinction.”

To seize these guitar sounds, every guitar participant had three inputs, comprised of usual-suspect microphones like Shure 57s and a Palmer PDI-09 Junction Guitar Direct field, which captured sound after the consequences and preamps, plus it picked up the heat of the guitar amp itself.

FOH engineer Ken “Pooch” Van Druten is ready to rock behind his DiGiCo Quantum7 desk in Charlotte, North Carolina. — FOH engineer Ken “Pooch” Van Druten is able to rock behind his DiGiCo Quantum7 desk in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Of course, as Iron Maiden followers will notice, there was one other essential guitar sound that needed to be extraordinarily current within the combine: the bass of Steve Harris. “His bass tone may be very completely different than anyone else on the market; it’s nearly like a fourth guitar, as a result of it doesn’t have an entire lot of low finish in it,” Pooch concedes. “If you hearken to any Iron Maiden file, vocals are the loudest aspect, and the subsequent loudest factor is the bass guitar. He has a signature sound you could’t seize with a DI; we use an SM7 on his cupboard, and that’s the sound of Steve Harris.”

Meanwhile, Nicko McBrain’s drum sound was captured with a slew of mics, beginning with a Randall May system contained in the kick drum, used to assist each a Shure Beta51 and a SM91 boundary mic to get a few of the shell sound. Nearby, the snare was heard through a Shure SM57 on backside and a Telefunken M80-SH on prime, chosen partly for its bump within the high-end to higher seize the crack of the snare. The hi-hat cymbal sported a DPA 2011C, whereas the trip cymbal acquired a Mojave Audio MA-201fetVG LDC; that very same mannequin was used for overheads as nicely.

Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain. Photo: John McMurtrie. — Nicko McBrain’s drum equipment is captured by Shure, Telefunken, DPA and Mojave Audio mics. Photo: John McMurtrie.

Nonetheless, a lot of the drum equipment actual property was taken up by at least 9 toms, every with its personal DPA d:vote 4099 CORE mic, apart from the 6-inch and 8-inch which shared one. Faced with so many open microphones on the toms, Pooch notes, “I’m triggering gates, however fairly than the gate getting its threshold data from the audio sign, it comes from a set off that’s affixed on the aspect of every drum shell.”

Over within the Iron Maiden Monitorworld sat a pair of DiGiCo SD desks; there, longtime monitor engineer Steve “Gonzo” Smith taken care of Harris’ combine, whereas the remainder of the band was underneath the watchful eye of Kevin “Tater” McCarthy. While all three guitarists sported in-ear screens, there was nonetheless loads of sound overlaying the stage—McBrain had his personal large, customized wedge and sub for monitoring, whereas each Dickinson and Harris most popular to get their mixes from an enormous assortment of audio system. Intriguingly, there have been two units of aspect fills, with one operated by every monitor engineer; Harris’ sidefills have been old-school Turbosound TMS3s, supplemented downstage by three units of the band’s personal customized wedges, relationship again to the Eighties. Meanwhile, Dickinson most popular his personal L-Acoustics sidefills additional upstage nearer to the drum equipment, and likewise heard upward of two-dozen d&b audiotechnik M2 and M4 wedges across the stage.

Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson belts into a Shure Beta 58 while brandishing a flamethrower and its 30-pound backpack. Photo: John McMurtrie. — Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson belts right into a Shure Beta 58 whereas brandishing a flamethrower and its 30-pound backpack. Photo: John McMurtrie.

With the four-year Legacy of the Beast trek now over, one would possibly anticipate Iron Maiden to take it simple for a couple of minutes, however the band will get again on the street in May; the 2023-24 Future Past tour will function the correct introduction to the brand new Senjutsu album whereas additionally shining a highlight on the often-underplayed Somewhere in Time from 1986. Already wanting ahead to it’s Pooch, who continues to be one of the vital current additions to a crew the place most personnel have logged a long time working for the group. “I’m the brand new child on the block, having been right here for 5 years,” he laughed. “They are a tremendous band to work for; I’ll keep right here for so long as they’ll have me.”

World News

Chicago’s Harris Theater Gets Audio Overhaul

Posted on March 8, 2023 by Mix Staff

Patricia Racette and Craig Terry in 'Patricia Sings Piaf' at Chiacgo's Harris Theater. Photo: Kyle Flubacker. — Patricia Racette and Craig Terry in ‘Patricia Sings Piaf’ at Chiacgo’s Harris Theater. Photo: Kyle Flubacker.

Chicago, IL (March 7, 2023)—If a theater will get described as “cavernous,” it’s often as a result of the place is large. In the case of Chicago’s Harris Theater, it’s extra more likely to be referred to as cavernous as a result of it’s seven tales underground. To be honest, the positioning—correctly referred to as The Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance—is massive, too, with 1,500-capacity seating and a 30 ft. excessive and 45 ft extensive proscenium. Covering all that house is a not too long ago put in d&b audiotechnik KSL-Series system.

Opened in 2003 in Millennium Park, the Harris Theater exists underground beneath the Pritzker Pavilion, a sizeable outside venue which homes a d&b GSL system to be used throughout the summer time months. Success with that system in flip led to an identical alternative for the theater downstairs when it got here time for an audio replace.

“The current loudspeaker system had grow to be very drained,” mentioned Don Gamsjager, founder/lead designer of Connecticut-based, DNR Laboratories. “We specified and put in a brand new d&b audiotechnik KSL-Series because the system alternative.” After listening to a demo of the KSL on the Auditorium Theater in Chicago, DNR and d&b introduced in a system for a full day demo on the Harris Theater again in December 2021, receiving a purchase order order inside weeks.

“One of the challenges of the room are that the acoustics of the house don’t serve effectively to loudspeakers which have loads of results off the again,” Gamsjager mentioned. “Lori Dimun, President and CEO of the Harris, and the theater workforce needed system flexibility and broadband directivity…. With all kinds of occasions, from rock and roll and symphonic, to bop and spoken phrase, the KSL was the precise PA to serve all; it checked all of the containers. Size-wise, it matches the house completely…. They can shut the balcony off when not wanted. ArrayProcessing supplies nice SPL protection if the pit is in use and could be diminished from the balcony if the seats aren’t in use.”

The fundamental system consists of 16 KSLi-8 (8 per aspect) and 4 KSLi-12 (2 per aspect) with a middle A-Series augmented array. “A whole lot of exhibits require the assist of a hidden heart cluster of A-Series in a vertical array, and it performs very effectively,” notes Gamsjager.

Bolstering which can be 4 KSLi-SUBs, positioned two per aspect underneath the concrete deck to supply further low finish as wanted. The system is powered by 14 40D amplifiers. Meanwhile, a half-dozen 44S loudspeakers are used for entrance fills, higher balcony delays are 44S, and there’s additionally a full d&b monitor bundle with fourE12 loudspeakers.

World News

d&b audiotechnik Launches Immersive Business Unit

Posted on January 10, 2023 by Mix Staff

d&b audiotechnik’s new Immersive Business division will be led by industry veteran Al McKinna.

London, UK (January 10, 2023)—d&b audiotechnik has created a new Immersive Business division that will provide immersive solutions for the event technology industry. Pro audio veteran Al McKinna has been named vice president of the new endeavor, which d&b sees as a key part of its emerging “holistic immersive vision,” an initiative to provide integrated technologies that cross audio, video, lighting, media and extended Reality (xR) disciplines.

The new business unit is split across three divisions: Product Management and Architectural Design, Software Development and Customer Enablement. Amnon Harman, CEO, d&b Group, explained, “This marks the transition of all d&b immersive endeavors under one business unit. A truly immersive performance is not only an enveloping sound experience, but also the amalgamation with light and video, which puts d&b in a unique position. This new organization, established right at the core of d&b, allows us to build an immersive business roadmap from an integrated viewpoint, considering both our audiotechnik and solutions customers.”

The company’s immersive endeavors began in 2018 with the launch of its immersive audio platform, d&b Soundscape, while January, 2022 saw it acquire UK-based company White Light, which brought that company’s SmartStage xR immersive video environment technology to its portfolio.

Reporting directly to Harman, McKinna will be responsible for d&b’s global immersive strategy, developing the business roadmap, establishing strategic partnerships and more. Based in London, McKinna spent the last two decades in leadership roles in both live sound and commercial audio; he most recently held the position of head of product at Focusrite’s Optimal Audio after spending 15 years at Avid in senior product management and sales roles.

“d&b is breaking ground with its integrated immersive vision,” said McKinna, “and I am excited to play a pivotal role in making it a reality. We see a huge opportunity to enhance an audience’s experience with d&b’s immersive technologies and I am honored to work with this exceptionally talented and experienced team to push the boundaries of what is creatively possible.”

World News

Tennis Center Reinvented as Music Bowl

Posted on May 25, 2021 by ProSoundNetwork Editorial Staff

The first show to use the CPO J-Series was for Government Mule with most of the season events pre-sold out. — The first show to use the CPO J-Series was for Government Mule.

New Haven, CT (May 25, 2021)—When the CT Tennis Center on the Yale University campus became the Westville Music Bowl, changes were no doubt in store for the 10,000-capacity venue. Chief among them was to ensure the site’s ability to cover all visitors with sound, and to that end, the Bowl recently became the first arena worldwide to install a d&b audiotechnik J-Series loudspeaker system through the company’s re-manufactured certified pre-owned (CPO) program.

The Westville Music Bowl has a strong green initiative and uses solar power during the day (2,000 seats were removed for solar panels); all beverage cups are bio-degradable, and the entire facility recycles. All vendors engaged in the venue are asked to follow green initiatives, and so a re-manufactured PA falls in line with that mindset.

According to d&b, the certified pre-owned (CPO) program was created to prolong the life of a loudspeaker—while also conserving natural resources and reducing waste—by returning a used product to at least its original manufactured performance and quality standards.

d&b Group Launches d&b solutions

DNR Laboratories of Watertown, CT installed the CPO-J. “Due to timing of the CPO J-Series becoming available, it was exactly what our client required,” states Donnie Gamsjager, president, DNR. The complete system contains 28 x CPO J8/J12 (14 per side), 12 x Y8 (outfills – 6 per side), 8 x Ti10P (front fills), and 8 x SL-GSUB. Amplifiers are 30D installation models for all loudspeaker systems except for the subwoofers which are on D80 amplifiers. A dedicated computer running d&b R1 Control software is used for easy-to-work control for audio distribution of the entire system.

Stakeholders in the venue are reportedly pleased with the results, as Tim Burke, Production Manager, noted, “We’ve done five shows over two weekends at Westville, and I have to say I am thrilled with the performance of this J-Series rig.”

d&b audiotechnik • www.dbaudio.com

World News

d&b Group Launches d&b solutions

Posted on May 10, 2021 by ProSoundNetwork Editorial Staff

d&b Group, led by Amnon Harman, has purchased SFL Group, led by Tom Jeffery.

Backnang, Germany (May 10, 2021)—d&b Group has founded a new business, d&b solutions, which will provide end-to-end installation and production solutions. The move is aided by the company’s new acquisition of UK-based multidisciplinary AV provider SFL, which will now be SFL Group – a d&b solutions company.

d&b solutions will act independently from d&b audiotechnik with its own separate, independent business structure, but it will report to the d&b Group. The managing directors for d&b solutions are Amnon Harman (d&b Group CEO), Jens Nilsson (d&b Group CFO) and Michael Aldinger (d&b solutions Director Finance and Operations). The establishment of d&b solutions is part of a long-term d&b strategy to become an audio technology and solutions company.

Austin Stone Church Updates with d&b

SFL Group is a multidisciplinary AV provider specializing in event production, installation services and equipment sales. A long-time d&b sales partner, SFL has long standing business relationships with Royal Albert Hall and McLaren Racing, among other entities. The whole SFL team will join the d&b solutions business.

“d&b solutions is born out of customers’ increasing demand for the integration of full AVL solutions,” said Amnon Harman, d&b Group CEO. “We see a rise in requests for manufacturer support in design, planning and integration services as well as new buying behaviors regarding system ownership and managed services. The creation of d&b solutions as a standalone business entity under the d&b brand will address these developments and accelerate our solution offerings across the entertainment technology market.”

“The team at SFL is excited to be part of something new and innovative in an industry that we have served with passion for 30 years,” said Tom Jeffery, Managing Director, SFL Group. “SFL built its business and reputation on putting people and service first. We share not only the d&b strategic focus on complete solutions but also a similar set of values and company culture.”

d&b audiotechnik • www.dbaudio.com

SFL Group • www.sflgroup.co.uk

World News

Taiwan’s KMC Gets First KSL Soundscape Install

Posted on March 10, 2021 by ProSoundNetwork Editorial Staff

Taiwan’s new Kaohsiung Music Center is the site of the first d&b audiotechnik KSL Soundscape installation. Topsound

Kaohsiung, Taiwan (March 10, 2021)—Taiwan’s new Kaohsiung Music Center (KMC) isn’t merely unique due to its shape; now it’s also the site of the first d&b audiotechnik KSL Soundscape installation.

The Kaohsiung Music Center, located in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, includes a vast outdoor stage HI-BREEZE Square, four auditoriums and a large main stage, HI-ING Hall, which is seen as the most important symbol of the entire park. The final auditorium is located outside the building on top of a bridge overlooking the Love River. The main stage there can be subdivided into smaller units, giving the center greater flexibility in its hosting capabilities.

In order to make the most of HI-ING Hall, the music center and supplier Topsound Audio used d&b Soundscape immersive technology and d&b KSL loudspeakers for the installation. The venue features seven hangs of KSL line arrays (five for the mains, and two for outfills) to provide full-band directivity control to the space, with the aim of providing the same sound to the entire audience, regardless of their location in the venue.

The venue features seven hangs of KSL line arrays Topsound

The Soundscape installation is powered by the DS100 Signal Engine, an audio system processor based on a Dante-enabled signal matrix. The technology’s coverage is controlled through its software module, En-Scene, a sound object positioning tool allowing the individual placement and movement of sound objects.

The venue’s asymmetrical construction was a challenge, with the additional concern that the entire venue needed to ensure optimum rear rejection, as it backs directly onto a noisy shopping mall. “We were concerned with the proximity of the shopping mall and needed to make sure that wouldn’t cause any issues during performances,” commented Kenny Liu, general manager of Topsound. “Everyone was absolutely taken aback by the exceptional rear rejection provided by the d&b SL-SUB Cardioid Subwoofers. It really helps us control the sound.”

Companies to Watch 2021

The center opened on Feb. 3, 2021, with a technology testing event held at the Hi-ING Hall. There, hundreds of music professionals were invited to hear the system in order to rigorously test and provide feedback on how the system handled multiple genres. While the d&b team could not be on site due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, all parties involved have vocalized extreme satisfaction with the training they received through d&b virtual webinars.

“We were supported by d&b every step of the way, and their online training initiatives taught us so much and ensured we felt extremely comfortable with the system,” commented Liu. “This is an extremely impressive looking venue, and we needed a sound system that would match, d&b gave us that and more, and we are very excited for audiences to experience this one-of-a-kind system in a one-of-a-kind venue.”

d&b audiotechnik • www.dbaudio.com

World News

Pro Sound News’ Gear of the Year 2020

Posted on December 1, 2020 by Clive Young

Gear of the Year logo 2020 2020 will be remembered as the year we’d like to forget, but when 2021 is recalled one day as the year everything bounced back, much of that will be due to groundwork laid down in the preceding 12 months. That includes the pro-audio industry—next year, when live events and concerts return, new hits rule the airwaves and the latest must-hear podcasts land in your listening queue, many of them will be created using pro-audio equipment that was introduced over the last 12 months. With that in mind, here’s the Gear of the Year for 2020.

So what was the Gear of the Year? That’s not an easy thing to determine, so rather than weigh a hot new plug-in against an arena-filling P.A. or an audio console years in development, we decided to let our readers show the way.

Product announcements have always been among the most popular stories on prosoundnetwork.com, so we dug through our Google Analytics (readership statistics), sifting through all the “new product” stories we ran 2020 (well into the triple digits!) to determine which ones were the most popular with PSN readers. With that in mind, here’s the Gear of the Year that YOU unknowingly picked—a true Top-20 for 2020.

1. YAMAHA RIVAGE PM3 AND PM5 DIGITAL MIXING SYSTEMS
This dual product launch in May was far and away the most popular product announcement of 2020 with our readers. Yamaha introduced two consoles—the PM5 and PM3—as well as a pair of DSP engines—DSPRX and DSP-RX-EX—and version 4 firmware that provides features to new and legacy Rivage systems.

Both of the new consoles feature large capacitive touchscreens that allow users to use multi-finger gestures, with the PM5 sporting three screens and the PM3 getting one. As with their predecessors, the PM5 and PM3 sport 38 faders—three bays of 12, with two masters—but each of the new control surfaces is laid out with an eye toward increased efficiency.

2. SOLID STATE LOGIC 2 AND 2+ USB AUDIO INTERFACES
Solid State Logic unveiled its first personal studio-market products—the USB-powered SSL 2 (2-in/2-out) and SSL 2+ (2-in/4-out) audio interfaces—at the Winter NAMM Show. The 2+ in particular caught our readers’ eyes, with a 4K analog enhancement mode “inspired by classic SSL consoles,” monitoring and an SSL Production Pack software bundle. Offering expanded I/O for musicians collaborating, it includes two analog mic preamps, 24-bit/192 kHz AD/DA AKM converters, multiple headphone outputs with independent monitor mix, MIDI I/O, and additional unbalanced outputs for DJ mixers.

JBL 4349 STUDIO MONITOR

3. JBL 4349 STUDIO MONITOR
The JBL 4349 studio monitor is a compact, high-performance monitor loudspeaker built around the JBL D2415K dual 1.5-inch compression driver mated to a large format, High-Definition Imaging (HDI) horn, paired with a 12-inch cast-frame and pure-pulp cone woofer. The JBL D2415K compression driver features a pair of lightweight polymer annular diaphragms with reduced diaphragm mass, while the V-shaped geometry of the annular diaphragm reduces breakup modes, eliminates time smear and reduces distortion, according to JBL.

4. APPLE LOGIC PRO X 10.5
Apple updated Logic Pro X with a “professional” version of Live Loops, new sampling features and new and revamped beatmaking tools. Live Loops lets users arrange loops, samples and recordings on a grid to build musical ideas, which can then be further developed on Logic’s timeline. Remix FX brings effects to Live Loops that can be used in real time, while the updated Sampler augments the EXS24 plug-in with new sound shaping controls. Other new tools include Quick Sampler, Step Sequencer, Drum Synth and Drum Machine Designer.

5. AMS NEVE 8424 CONSOLE
The AMS Neve 8424 is a small-format desk based on the 80-series console range. Intended for hybrid studios, the desk provides a center point between analog outboard gear, synths and the like, and the digital world of DAW workflows, software plug-ins and session recall. As an analog mixing platform, the 8424 offers 24 DAW returns across 24 channel faders or, for larger DAW sessions, a 48-Mix mode that allows a total of 48 mono inputs with individual level and pan controls to be mixed through the stereo mix bus.

6. MILLENNIA MEDIA HV-316 MIC PREAMP
Millennia Media bowed its fully remote-controllable microphone preamplifier, the HV-316. Offering 12V battery operation, the HV-316 is housed in a 10-pound, 1U aluminum chassis housing 16 channels of Millennia HV-3 microphone preamplifiers with simultaneous analog and Dante 32-bit/192 kHz Ethernet outputs. Other digital audio output options are planned, including USB and MADI. The unit is designed for high-temperature continuous operation (up to 150° F), is powered by both 12V DC and worldwide 80–264V AC, and features “pi filter” shielding on audio and digital feeds to prevent interference.

7. SHURE SLX-D DIGITAL WIRELESS SYSTEM
The Shure SLX-D, offered in single- and dual-channel models, provides operation of up to 32 channels per frequency band. Transmitters run on standard AA batteries or an optional lithium-ion rechargeable battery solution with a dual-docking charging station. For less technically inclined users, it offers Guided Frequency Setup and a Group Scan feature that sets up multiple channels by assigning frequencies to all receivers automatically via Ethernet connections, allowing a 30-plus channel system can be set up via Group Scan within a few seconds.

8. MEYER SOUND SPACEMAP GO
The Meyer Sound Spacemap Go is a free Apple iPad app for spatial sound design and mixing. Working with the company’s Galaxy Network Platform, Spacemap Go can control Galaxy processors using a single or multiple iPads as long as the units have current firmware and Compass control software. Spacemap Go is compatible with various sound design/show control programs such as QLab, so designs assembled using them can be implemented into a multichannel spatial mix using Spacemap Go’s templates for common multichannel configurations.

9. D&B AUDIOTECHNIK 44S LOUDSPEAKER
Housed in a flush-mountable cabinet, the d&b audiotechnik 44S is a two-way passive, point source installation loudspeaker with 2 x 4.5-inch neodymium LF drivers and 2 x 1.25-inch HF dome tweeters, delivering a frequency response of 90 Hz–17 kHz. The 44S features a waveguide and baffle design intended to provide horizontal dispersion down to the lower frequencies while being focused vertically, providing a 90° x 30° dispersion pattern to direct sound to specific spaces.

10. BEYERDYNAMIC TG D70 AND TG 151 MICS
Beyerdynamic made two additions to its Touring Gear (TG) series. The second-generation TG D70 dynamic kickdrum mic is meant for capturing the impact of bass drums and similar low-frequency-intensive instruments, while the TG 151 instrument mic is a lean microphone with a short shaft that can be used on everything from snares and toms to brass instruments and guitar amplifiers.

New Studio Microphone Wrap-Up : Fall 2020

11. QSC Q-SYS CORE PROCESSORS
QSC’s Q-SYS Core 8 Flex and Nano audio, video and control processors provide scalable DSP processing, video routing and bridging for web conferencing, as well as third-party endpoint integration without the need for separate dedicated control processors. The 8 Flex includes onboard analog audio I/O and GPIO plus network I/O, while Nano offers network-only audio I/O processing and control.

12. TELEFUNKEN TF11 MICROPHONE
Telefunken‘s TF11 is the company’s first phantom-powered large-diaphragm condenser mic. The CK12-style edge-terminated capsule is a single-membrane version of the capsule featured in the TF51, and the amplifier is a proprietary take on the FET mic amplifier similar to the M60, coupled with a custom large-format nickel-iron core transformer.

13. L-ACOUSTICS K3 LOUDSPEAKER
K3 is a compact loudspeaker from L-Acoustics that is intended as a main system to cover up to 10,000 people, or for use as outfills or delays for K1 or K2 systems. Designed as a full-range line source, K3 integrates 12-inch transducers for large-format system performance in the form factor of a 10-inch design.

14. CLEAR-COM HEADSET SANITIZATION KITS
Clear-Com has sanitization kits for its CC-300, CC-400, CC-110, CC-220 and CC-26K headsets. They include replacement ear pads, pop filters, sanitizing wipes, ear sock covers and temple pads in a cloth bag. Items for each kit vary depending on the headset, and can also be purchased separately.

15. ZOOM PODTRAK P8 PODCAST STUDIO
The Zoom PodTrak P8 provides recording, editing and mixing capabilities all in one unit. Six mics, a smartphone and PC can be recorded simultaneously, each with its own fader and preamp with 70 dB of gain. A touchscreen controls monitoring, adjusting, onboard editing and more.

Pro Sound News‘ Gear of the Year, 2019

16. WAVES SHIPS KALEIDOSCOPES PLUG-IN
Waves’ Kaleidoscopes plug-in creates classic analog studio effects such as 1960s phasing and tape flanging, 1970s stadium tremolo-guitar vibes and 1980s chorus sounds.

17. OUTLINE STADIA 28 LINE ARRAY SYSTEM
The Outline Stadia 28 is a medium-throw system intended for use in permanent outdoor installations. A single enclosure weighs 46.2 pounds and can reportedly reach 139 dB SPL.

18. LAB.GRUPPEN FA SERIES AMPLIFIERS
Lab.gruppen‘s FA Series Energy Star-certified amplifiers are intended for commercial and industrial applications, and are offered in 2 x 60W, 2 x 120W and 2 x 240W.

19. D.W. FEARN VT-2 PREAMPLIFIER
The updated D.W. Fearn VT-2 Dual-Channel Vacuum Tube Microphone Preamplifier now features an integrated, switchable 43 dB pad, aiding patching into a master bus.

20. KEF LS50 META SPEAKER
Our Gear of the Year list concludes with the LS50, featuring KEF’s Metamaterial Absorption Technology driver array, a cone neck decoupler, offset flexible bass port, low-diffraction curved baffle and more.

World News

60 Seconds with Robert Trebus of d&b audiotechnik

Posted on November 18, 2020 by ProSoundNetwork Editorial Staff

Robert Trebus, d&b audiotechnik — Robert Trebus

What is your new position, and what does it entail?

My new position is director of Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) and Remanufacturing at d&b audiotechnik. The position entails operationalizing, communicating and drawing awareness to d&b’s new CPO initiative. As part of the program, customers are given the chance to purchase pre-owned, remanufactured d&b systems. CPO systems come with new energy-saving amplification and electronics, accessories, service, finance options and the same support advantages as when purchasing a new system. This new program is a small but powerful way of delivering premium audio while helping to reduce consumption of raw materials.

How has your background prepared you for your new role?

I have over 30 years of experience in senior management roles in the AV industry. Since the beginning of my career, I have accompanied and designed the commercial market launch of new media technologies and products. This wealth of experience was extremely valuable when developing this new sustainable business model for d&b.

What new marketing initiatives are we likely to see from the company?

As with every product that is manufactured by d&b, all CPO products go through a rigorous quality-control process including a through exterior, mechanical and acoustic check. The exterior check includes a full system inspection to confirm there is no damage, then all foam and seals are replaced and the exterior is repainted with the original d&b top coat. In the mechanical inspection, we check pins, rigging, links, wheels, latches, frames and chains for any damage, with everything tested and replaced where necessary. Finally, the CPO program product goes through the same rigorous frequency and impedance checks as new systems, and is subject to a listening test for performance qualities. CPO systems also come with a two-year warranty, and a five-year factory warranty to all new parts.

What are your short- and long-term goals?

Our short-term goal is to make our partners and customers aware of our CPO initiative and its benefits. Not only can these systems significantly reduce our carbon footprint and the consumption of raw materials, but they can also save customers money and extend the product’s life even further.

Our long-term goal is, of course, to make a lasting, positive impact on our environment. At d&b, we’re really conscious of the impact that the entertainment industry in particular has on the environment. Our customers, partners and artists alike recognize just how important is it that we protect the planet and operate in a sustainable way. Everyone has a part to play in “greening” the entertainment industry, and while the industry as a whole has a long way to go to be more sustainable, it is reassuring to see leaders in the entertainment industry beginning to voice their concerns.

What is the greatest challenge you face?

When you look at the overall ecological impact of our industry, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the huge task that lies ahead. We cannot let the enormity of the challenge deter us. While the challenge can seem difficult, it is important that we continue to find ways and take the necessary steps to reduce our carbon footprint. We still have a long way to go to ensure that touring and festivals are more environmentally friendly, but we should remember that small steps can have a big impact.

There is a misconception from the organizational and the customer side that sustainability means expense, but our studies concluded that remanufacturing not only significantly reduces ecological footprint, but it also makes products economically very attractive!

d&b audiotechnik • www.dbaudio.com

FOH FOUNDATIONS

MIKING MUSE

MUSE’S MONITORWORLD

What is your new position, and what does it entail?

How has your background prepared you for your new role?

What new marketing initiatives are we likely to see from the company?

What are your short- and long-term goals?

What is the greatest challenge you face?

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