Polish PA Consortium Makes Major Commitment to HARMAN's JBL VTX Line Arrays

NORTHRIDGE, California - HARMAN Professional's Polish distributor, ESS Audio, has announced a major sale of a HARMAN JBL VTX line array system including Crown Audio VRacks to a consortium of PA companies in the Krakow region.

Between them, Audio-Tech and Music Cook Sound Design (MCSD) have purchased 64 of the VTX V25 line array elements and 44 G28/S28 arrayable subwoofers. To power its VTX system, the consortium has invested in 66 Crown I-Tech IT 12000HD amplifiers, divided into 22 VRack systems.

With an active roster of concerts, festivals and other events, the companies are now ready to fire up JBL's impressive new large-format system that features the revolutionary new D2 dual-diaphragm, dual-voice-coil compression drivers mounted on a next generation waveguide.

Working with ESS Audio, the two rental companies took the opportunity to introduce the system to fellow industry professionals at a live event. Confirmed ESS Audio director, Witold Karalow, "The reaction couldn't have been more positive. All sound engineers and event company representatives were stunned by the SPL and overall sound quality of the system."

The event was supported by Gert Sanner, HARMAN Professional's Tour Sound Market Manager (EMEA), who trained Audio-Tech and MCSD technicians before setting up the system for the show based around 15 of the V25's on each main PA hang, with 10 of the G28 subs on each side.

The consortium had been close to investing in an alternative system when they learned that the new JBL VTX system was being launched at January's NAMM Show in California. On the strength of the spec, the recommendation from ESS Audio and the reputation of JBL, they changed tack and placed an order-in fact, the first time they heard the system was in March, at the HARMAN/AED Rent VTX Listening Experience in Belgium.

"They were already confident the system would sound great because of the construction of the new driver and because of the many others innovations in VTX," confirmed Karalow. "Besides, JBL is known as the leader in pro audio."

Karalow's own first experience of VTX was at the HARMAN Professional conference prior to NAMM. "I was very excited about the sound compared with the primary systems it was competing against-it was certainly a lot better in the high frequency," he noted. "But when I heard the system complete with the G28's in Poland, I was speechless. The subs sounded just amazing-fast and clear-while the power is huge."

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG(r), Harman Kardon(r), Infinity(r), JBL(r), Lexicon(r) and Mark Levinson(r). The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.3 billion for the twelve months ended March 31, 2012.

HARMAN's AKG Microphone Systems Deliver For Seventh Consecutive Year at 20th Life Ball Anniversary Celebration

VIENNA, Austria - With more than 4.000 colorfully dressed attendees at the 20th annual Life Ball, Europe's biggest AIDS awareness charity event and fashion show, representatives from around the globe gathered to help raise awareness and charitable donations to fight the disease.  The "Fight The Flames of Ignorance"-themed event's performances and speakers were brought to life through premium wireless microphones and in ear monitoring systems by Vienna-based HARMAN's AKG.

For seven consecutive years, AKG has provided the PA equipment to the Life Ball, which hosts thousands of participants and a large number of international celebrities each year, who all pitch in to help rid the world of AIDS and HIV.  In 2012, former President of the United States, Bill Clinton and actress Milla Jovovich were among the distinguished guests, in addition to the large congregation of fashion icons. 

The event hosted one main stage and six side stages, all soundly backed by AKG microphones and headphones to ensure uninterrupted, quality audio.  The provided AKG equipment included more than 80 channels of premium wireless and in ear systems, WMS 4500 and IVM 4500, plus a selection of vocal and instrument microphones such as D7, D5, C 214, C 480 ULS, C 414, AKG's miniature mic series 'MicroMic' as well as K 171 and K 181 DJ headphones.

"While AKG has been utilized for decades on the largest stages across the globe, the Life Ball continues to be a very special event for our company every year," stated Walter Rührig, head of artist and key customer relations, AKG.  "HIV/AIDS is an issue concerning the entire population of the world and the Life Ball has been a model for many activities and events working to fight the disease.  AKG is honored to provide the Life Ball with our reliable and world-leading equipment and continues to support such great initiatives."

For more information about AKG, please visit http://www.akg.com and http://www.youtube.com/AKGacoustics.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG(r), Harman Kardon(r), Infinity(r), JBL(r), Lexicon(r) and Mark Levinson(r). The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.3 billion for the twelve months ended March 31, 2012.

HARMAN Prepares For Next Stage In Evolution of HiQnet™ Configuration and Control Software

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – At InfoComm 2012, HARMAN will introduce the single-most comprehensive audio networking solution for professional sound applications. The announcement will mark the next stage in the continuing evolution of HARMAN’s HiQnet™ configuration and control software.

HiQnet was designed with the active participation of leaders in the professional systems integration community and has been deployed successfully on some of the largest and most ambitious audio integration projects including the Olympic, NFL, MLB, EPL and World Cup stadia; cutting edge, demanding performing arts venues; high-capacity houses of worship and prestigious parliamentary chambers where reliability and intelligibility are especially critical.

“This announcement marks the culmination of our long-term strategy to provide a powerful singular platform that will be the standard for audio networking going forward. Our latest introduction will underscore the power and potential of HARMAN’s system-level approach to professional audio system design and development,” stated Adam Holladay, market manager, HARMAN System Development and Integration Group.

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

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets — supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.3 billion for the twelve months ended March 31, 2012.

Factor TC Revives Popular Tequila Club With HARMAN’s JBL VRX Constant Curvature Loudspeakers

The new Tequila Club at the Radisson Blu Hotel
in Sofia, Bulgaria features JBL VRX Constant
Curvature loudspeakers and Crown amplification.

NORTHRIDGE, California – The new Tequila Club at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sofia has become one of the new flagship destination venues in the Bulgarian capital. Situated beneath ground level in two separate areas, the bar / nightclub has independent lounges, and is aimed at the city’s affluent and VIP clientele, serving a variety of drinks and cocktails.

Owners, T.Q. Partners Ltd. Investment Group, wanted the quality of the sound system to reflect the opulence of the environment, and HARMAN’s JBL was one of their preferred brands. Having worked previously with Factor TC, who have been distributing HARMAN Professional’s brand portfolio in the country for nearly two decades, they were quickly in contact.

After a series of meetings and live product demonstrations with the owners and architects, a JBL VRX Constant Curvature line array loudspeaker system was adopted. “The owners were already well aware of the advantages of VRX and we were also convinced that this was the best solution,” said Vesselin Todorov, president of Factor TC.

The integrators were also conscious that they needed to preserve the cachet of the new-look Tequila Club, since the original venue bearing that name—formerly situated two blocks away — was a huge favorite in the 1990s with local cutting-edge DJ’s and clubbers.

Factor TC specified 12 JBL VRX932LA and eight VRX918S subwoofers as the main PA, powered by five Crown XTi6002 amplifiers. Four Control® Contractor 24C ceiling speakers and four black Control 25 enclosures were deployed for the peripheral sound in the bar and ancillary areas, aided by a Crown 180MA mixer/amplifier.  The dance system is under the control of a dbx DriveRack 260, which ensures that the performance is fully optimized.

The architects from design studio Idea of Sofia, in particular expressed their delight with the 100-degree horizontal x 15-degree vertical coverage achieved by placing the VRX enclosures above the bar areas.

“Given a choice of several leading brands, it was the long-term relationship we have with the client, their goodwill towards HARMAN products and the quality of JBL sound they experienced at the live demo that proved conclusive,” Todorov explained.  

“We are very happy to be working with Factor TC again,” responded Boris Stefanov, manager of Tequila Club.  “They always offer us the best possible products, and for our luxury club I personally chose JBL VRX as the best sounding compact system. Although we have installed industry standard DJ equipment, there are no separate reference monitors for the DJ because with the VRX system he doesn't need it.”

With the club open seven nights a week the new sound system will certainly be put through its paces in the coming months.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets — supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.3 billion for the twelve months ended March 31, 2012.

Eight HARMAN Soundcraft Vi6™ Consoles on Duty at Eurovision Song Contest

Photo Caption: (Back Row, Left to Right): Ralf Wolters,
Antonius Kern, Achim Huber, Guido Preuß, Matthias Reusch,
Michael Neumahr, Lambert Kreimer; (Front Row,
Left to Right): Tim Dahlem-Jockenhöfer, Pit Lenz, Christian Kreinberg

Baku, AZERBAIJAN - This year's Eurovision Song Contest in Azerbaijan saw no fewer than eight Soundcraft Vi6 digital audio consoles, provided by Cologne-based rental company Toneheads, mixing the sound for the 42 contestants who took part.

The 57th edition of the Contest, held in the capital city of Baku, ran entirely with sound equipment provided from Germany-and Soundcraft digital mixing desks were used exclusively. Cologne-based Brainpool was responsible for the production and sub-contractor Toneheads executed the audio element of the show.

Toneheads already had a large inventory of Soundcraft Vi digital desks, and having provided successful solutions for shows like Schlag den Raab, TV-Total, and more recently Unser Star für Baku (the event seeking the German song entry for this year's ESC) the decision was made to invest in several more Vi6s. This was based on the sound quality, reliability, user interface and flexible MADI routing capabilities of the Vi6, and enabled Toneheads to present a uniform line-up of the consoles at the newly-developed, 23,000 capacity Crystal Hall.

Rehearsals began at the beginning of May, culminating in two semi-finals followed by the Grand Final at the venue on May 26, which was won by Sweden's Loreen Talhaoui. The show was estimated to have been seen by around 100 million TV viewers across Europe.

A top team of sound engineers was kept busy working on five of the Vi6s (with the other three on standby). Piloting the FOH mix for the main contest were Toni Kern and Guido Preuss, while the opening and interval acts (along with the moderation) were mixed on a separate desk operated by Matthias Reusch, Pit Lenz and Michael Neumahr.

Down in Monitor World three Vi6 consoles were in constant use. The contestants' reference sound (and opening and interval acts) were assigned to separate Vi6s, with a further desk used in the In Ear Rehearsal Room. These were respectively under the command of Achim Lanzendorf, Lars Studer and Harald Jäger.

With so many acts taking part the sound crew had needed a superb sounding, resilient and - equally important - quick and easy to operate console. Having had so much experience with Soundcraft platforms in German TV shows, all responsible sound engineers were pleased to report that, once again, the Vi6's delivered in Baku.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets — supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.3 billion for the twelve months ended March 31, 2012.

Sound Associates Deploys HARMAN Studer Vista 5™ for Donny and Marie Osmond Tour

(Left to Right) Joe Webster, Monitor Engineer;
David Bullard, System Designer; and
Lucas Rico Corrubia, FOH Engineer

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - Donny and Marie Osmond continue to bring their popular stage show to audiences of all ages while on tour with a HARMAN Studer Vista 5 serving as the front-of-house mixing console.

Donny and Marie's performances include a 90-minute variety show, highlighted by many of their original hits with a mix of special effects and dancing. New York-based Sound Associates provided the Vista 5 console as it is "the most sophisticated board and perfect for theatrical performances," according to Lucas Rico Corrubia, FOH Engineer, PlanetRoadie Sound Design. "After trying an assortment of digital consoles, we went with the Vista 5 because it still has the analog feel that I love so much."

David Bullard, System Designer for Sound Associates, mentioned, "On the road there isn't much time for setup and tuning. We have to be ready to go feeling confident that the show will go smoothly and most importantly, sound beautiful."

The transition from analog to digital was daunting for Lucas, but after trying the Vista, everything felt right. "It's amazing, for someone who has been mixing for over 30 years, I was able to make the easy switch and noticed right away the value of the digital console," Lucas said. "The layout is user-friendly and provides me with anything I could ever want in a board."

"I love the programming and the snapshots," Lucas said. "Being able to save cues and settings makes my job even easier. With 12 people on stage with a variety of roles, it helps greatly to have a whole section of the board dedicated to making changes on the fly. I don't need to scroll through pages or settings to change a fader or EQ, it's all there when I need it." Lucas explained how this allows him to make very few changes during sound check and he can be confident that everything is set up correctly.

Lucas says there has never been an issue with the console; in fact, the board is able to detect potential problems. "If for some reason something isn't hooked up correctly, the Vista 5 lets you know and it's easy to trace the problem," he added. "Everything about the console is easy to work with and just makes my job easier."

"When artists recognize the sound quality, you know you are doing something right," Lucas continued. "They think it's me, but it's really the console! Studer is definitely moving in the right direction and I appreciate everything they have done to allow me to get everything I need out of the console."

For more information on Sound Associates, please visit: http://www.soundassociates.com/

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets — supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.3 billion for the twelve months ended March 31, 2012.

Thunder Audio Bolsters World-Class Inventory With HARMAN'S JBL Professional VTX Line Array Series

NORTHRIDGE, California - Michigan's Thunder Audio is celebrating its 33rd year in business in 2012, having grown from its beginnings as a regional sound company in 1979 to its current status as a premier international live production and systems integration company. Thunder Audio has provided sound for Steely Dan, Metallica, The White Stripes, Linkin Park, Dolly Parton, Diana Ross, John Legend, Travis Tritt and many other artists along with more than 60 corporate clients. The company continues to grow, as evidenced by its purchase of 56 HARMAN JBL VTX Line Array Series V25 loudspeakers and 24 VTX S28 subwoofers, along with 72 Crown Audio I-Tech IT 12000HD amplifiers and six dbx DriveRack 4800 loudspeaker management systems.

Any major sound contractor needs to keep a large inventory-and to keep up with the times. "We're a company that's client-driven, of course, and more and more, clients are asking for lighter and more powerful loudspeaker systems," noted Thunder Audio Vice President Paul Owen. "We have to deliver."

Shortly after the VTX Series was announced, Owen heard a demo in San Diego and was impressed, particularly by the quality of the new JBL D2 Dual Driver included in the V25. The D2 is a dual-diaphragm, dual-voice-coil compression driver that overcomes the limitations of conventional compression driver technology: limited high-frequency extension due to the mass/inertia of the diaphragm and voice coil, and distortion characteristics that result from dome breakup modes. The D2 overcomes these drawbacks by merging two compression drivers into a single transducer that utilizes two annular diaphragms with two voice coils instead of the larger and heavier single voice-coil dome diaphragm found in conventional drivers.

Owen was "blown away" by the quality of the D2 driver and the increased clarity and power-handling capability it provides in the V25. "I've been in this business a long time and have done live sound in every type of venue imaginable," Owen said. "There's no disputing the improved sound quality and the sheer amount of horsepower the V25 has. You can believe we will test it to its max with some of the acts we'll be using it with."

The lighter weight of the JBL V25 and S28 make them a more versatile option for the variety of projects Thunder Audio handles. In addition, the weight difference from other systems makes these speakers easier to rig and transport and saves fuel and transportation costs.

The S28 subwoofer is designed to complement the V25 with its dual 18-inch Differential Drive(r) high-power-handling woofers and built-in Crown VRack amplifiers and DSP. "We like the S28 because it can be either suspended at the top, in the middle of, beside or behind flown V25 arrays or ground-stacked," Owen noted. "Again, this gives us more options to accommodate different-sized venues and the requirements of a wide variety of artists and musical styles."

When deciding which amplifiers to go with the VTX line arrays, Owen didn't spend a lot of time hand wringing. "We made this decision not only because of the performance of the products but also because of the ways in which the loudspeakers, amplifiers and other components are designed to work together optimally," he said. "We purchased the Crown IT 12000HD amplifiers because we wanted to get maximum power and efficiency from our system."

The Crown IT 12000HD amps are designed to work hand-in-glove with JBL VTX Series line arrays and include pre-set tunings and other features to precisely match their performance to the loudspeakers. The VTX speakers and I-Tech HD amps interface with HARMAN's HiQnet Performance Manager(tm) system setup software, which Owen finds to be the best system management program on the market. HiQnet enables Thunder Audio to configure, set up and tune an audio system "in less time and with better results," stated Owen.

Owen and Thunder Audio President Tony Villarreal give credit to Thunder Audio Business Development Manager Greg Snyder for configuring the control system and racks for the company's VTX touring systems. '"Greg was instrumental in assembling racks that are smartly designed and optimized for touring day in and day out." Snyder and Owen find that the synergistic operation of the JBL, Crown and dbx components, and the flexibility of HiQnet Performance Manager, enable the production crew to achieve more consistent and more effective sonic results on a daily basis from venue to venue.

The addition of JBL VTX Series line arrays marks another major step for Thunder Audio and its clients. "It's important to have a variety of solutions for our clients to choose from," Owen said. "This business is not one that stands still, and neither do we."

For more information on Thunder Audio, please visit www.thunderaudioinc.com

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG(r), Harman Kardon(r), Infinity(r), JBL(r), Lexicon(r) and Mark Levinson(r). The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.3 billion for the twelve months ended March 31, 2012.