TECHNOLOGY
CO M M E R C IAL AUD IO N E WS
S P R I NG 2010
BSS Audio introduces major new product: Soundweb London BLU-100
BSS Audio has added a cost-effective signal processor to its acclaimed Soundweb™ London family of digital signal processors. The new Soundweb London BLU-100 represents a premium, open-architecture solution in the form of a highly flexible, cost-effective and scalable package. Using the BLU-100, the cost of Soundweb London systems can be drastically reduced. The BLU-100 offers a fixed configuration of 12 inputs and eight outputs, configurable signal pro-
cessing, logic processing and a fault tolerant digital audio bus. The configurable signal processing capability offered by the BLU-100 is roughly twice that of the Soundweb London BLU-80 and BLU-16 devices. The BLU-100 features a low latency, fault tolerant digital audio bus of 48 channels which uses standard Cat5e cabling giving a distance of 100m between compatible devices. Fibre media converters can be used to increase the distance between devices to over 10km using single mode fibre.
The BLU-100 is configured, controlled and monitored from HiQnet™ London Architect and is compatible with other members of the Soundweb London family including the BLU-800, BLU-320, BLU-160, BLU-120 and BLU-BOB devices. As with other Soundweb London devices, 12 Control Inputs and six Logic Outputs allow the BLU-100 to be integrated with GPIO compatible devices. The BLU-100 and the other members of the Soundweb London family provide the building blocks of the perfectly tailored system solution. > www.soundtech.co.uk/bss
Sound Technology creates Project Team to support audio consultants and installers Sound Technology is pleased to announce the formation of their new Project Team to service the needs of leading audio consultants and installers. TECHNOLOGY
The newly created three man team is the technical cornerstone of Sound Technology’s professional division servicing the commercial audio sector. Providing pre and post sales support for individual products and, critically, system solutions, key customers of Sound Technology can now call upon the Project Team in the UK, which combined with additional resources from Harman’s global support network, offers unprecedented back-up for their audio projects. With experience in audio design assistance and
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delivery of world-class venues the team is headed by Sound Technology’s chief project engineer Tom Williams. David Bradshaw, formerly Technical Manager at Ministry of Sound in London, and Sam Brandon, returning to Sound Technology Ltd for this role, complete a highly technical and experienced team.
and training, and offering a helping hand should it be required.”
“Beyond the supply of products our professional customers are looking for trusted solutions and the confidence to specify our products.” commented David Marshall, Managing Director, Sound Technology Ltd. “The Project Team is a major investment on our part but we believe technical backup and a single point of contact for key clients can provide genuine benefits for our customers, minimising risk through accurate pre-sales information
In development is a dedicated online presence for the Project Team, offering a centralised resource of technical information with the ability to interact and share in-the-field experiences.
“This team is in place to better support customers and consultants, not to rival them.” emphasises Tom Williams, “ We’re here to help in any way we can with any type or scale of audio project.”
To discuss any audio project or request demos of any of our new commerical audio products, please call the Project Team on 01462 480000. > www.soundtech.co.uk/commercialaudio
01462 480000 | info@soundtech.co.uk | www.soundtech.co.uk
BSS expands conferencing applications with Telephone Hybrid card BSS Audio has added the Soundweb™ London Telephone Hybrid Card to its conferencing portfolio, complementing the highly regarded Soundweb London AEC Input Card released last year. Together the two cards represent a highly integrated, premium solution for conferencing applications. These cards enable Soundweb London devices to interface with a standard POTS (aka PSTN or Analogue PBX) telephone network and feature line and parallel set connections. The Soundweb London Telephone Hybrid Cards also have two
analogue inputs which accept microphone or line level signals and offer phantom power and software controlled analogue gain.
System Architect v2.1 update The ground-breaking “Pick of PLASA 2009” HiQnet System Architect Version 2 has been upgraded to add support of the new Crown PIP-USP4/CN Card and control for the AKG DMS 700 digital wireless system via the HUB 4000 Q.
Support for the Telephone Hybrid Card was introduced in HiQnet™ London Architect v2.08 and provides a fully featured integrated dialler, speed dial presets and Auto Answer control. All-important buttons and feedback from the dialler are accessible from external control and third-party control systems, without the requirement of a PC on the network. > www.soundtech.co.uk/bss Version 2 allows System Architect to automate many of the more time-consuming system design tasks based on the application’s greater, embedded understanding of how a user constructs a system. System Architect now takes multiple like-devices within rack and arrays and automatically groups these into master panels. These are then made accessible from icons associated with the relevant racks or arrays directly in the Venue. Additionally, user-defined panels can also be assigned to racks, arrays and areas, putting access to control exactly where it makes sense and where it should be. System Architect v2.1 is available now. > www.soundtech.co.uk/hiqnet
AKG’s revolutionary CS 5 Conferencing System AKG has launched the full modular, highly flexible CS 5 Conference System, a complete digital solution for any audio conference requirement. With the AKG CS 5, users can easily design highlevel conference systems complete with ID card identification. It offers one, three, and five step voting and an interpretation system of up to 63 languages and infrared distribution of up to 7 languages. The CS 5 is based on an Ethernet connection and works on a closed-circuit audio bus with built-in redundancy ensuring the system will continue to operate in the event of a connection failure between any two components.
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The central element in the CS 5 conferencing system is the CS 5 BU. A single unit is required for a system of any configuration of up to 5000 participant and interpreter units. The CS 5 BU even acts as an interface to all external devices, including mixers, wireless microphones, recording devices, CD players and more.
The CS 5 system is managed by the CS 5 PC Control Software, which handles the planning, setting up, managing and documenting of a conference. AKG provide this software free of charge. For more details or for a demonstration call Sound Technology Ltd on 01462 480000 or visit www. akg.com.
AKG expands Newest JBL column speakers for oldest church in Cambridge digital automatic mixer line
Take the oldest Saxon building in arguably the UK’s most famous medieval city, and the task of equipping it sensitively with a 21st century sound reinforcement system may sound like the contract from hell.
AKG has expanded its range of digital automatic microphone mixers with the DMM 4/2/4. DMM 4/2/4 is designed with a unique and highly effective mixing algorithm that gives it the flexibility to handle nearly any mixing application and will find use in applications from boardrooms to broadcast studios and houses of worship.
Matthew Dilley of About Sound had more than English Heritage and the Diocesan Council to contend with when fitting the new JBL CBT (Constant Beamwidth Technology) columns; these form part of a major sound system upgrade using brands from the Harman Pro portfolio. Dilley’s task was to combine form factor with performance — always aware that feedback suppression would be an issue. “I short-listed several and carried out demos, all the while knowing they would never have been acceptable to the architect on the grounds of being too obtrusive.” That was before he saw JBL CBT Series. “It seemed just right, combining good looks with quality. A lot of these old columns contain multiple drive units which roll off at 250Hz, whereas the CBT’s are full bandwidth.” About Sound have dipped further into the Harman Pro catalogue, specifying a pair of Crown XLS 402 stereo amps to drive each channel of the system individually, a BSS SW3088 Soundweb Lite DSP and wired AKG mics. > www.soundtech.co.uk/jbl
The DMM 4/2/4 has four microphone and two stereo AUX inputs, stereo output, intelligent mixing algorithms with a noise sensitive threshold to prevent accidental activation of input channels, and a digital signal processor with a dbx® compressor. The system comes with an expansion connector that enables multiple mixers to be linked together for larger audio setups. Other new features include a headphone output and a PC interface, with remote control software. > www.soundtech.co.uk/akg
DMS 700 digital wireless system ready for the future on Channel 38 AKG’s ground-breaking DMS 700 digital wireless systems are now avilable in the UK on Band 1 (548.1 MHz - 697.9 MHz) which includes Channel 38. Channel 38 has been identified by OFCOM as the replacement for Channel 69 for PMSE applications. Licences are available for immediate use.
Call 01462 480000 for a demo
Sound Technology have demo systems of the DMS 700 available. Call 01462 480000 to arrange one. > www.soundtech.co.uk/akg
01462 480000 | info@soundtech.co.uk | www.soundtech.co.uk
Soundcraft Si2 installed in Ministry of Sound Ministry of Sound have installed a Soundcraft Si2 digital console in their flagship London club. The Si2 is used as master mixer for the main room setups, taking feeds from all the booth DJ mixers — as well as bands. The Si2 complements the exisiting Harman family products already installed in Ministry, including a comprehensive BSS Soundweb London audio network and AKG WMS wireless microphone systems. > www.soundtech.co.uk/soundcraft
Subcompact VerTec now shipping IEEE publishes first Debuted at the 2009 PLASA Show, the new Subcompact additions to the VerTec range are now available. The VT4886 Passive 3-Way line array element and VT4883 cardioid-arrayable subwoofer provide a high output and predictable coverage capabilities in an extremely compact package. Subcompact VerTec is designed to deliver high-quality reinforcement of music and speech in a wide variety of applications including concert audio and corporate A/V environments of all types for both portable users and fixed venue installations. Given its very compact dimensions, the VT4886 and VT4883 can be suspended in large multi-box arrays or ground-stacked or pole-mounted. > www.soundtech.co.uk/jbl
Call 01462 480000 for a demo
AVB Standard
The IEEE has ratified and published the first Audio/Video Bridging (AVB) standard, defining forwarding and queuing for time sensitive streams. Harman are actively developing numerous commercial audio products with Ethernet AVB connectivity, having already announced a joint branded BSS/Netgear AVB switch.
Soundweb training courses from Sound Technology Sound Technology offers free BSS Soundweb training for our customers. We run two courses - Introduction to Soundweb London, and Soundweb London Advanced - every month.
About Sound Technology Sound Technology Ltd represents the Harman Professional brands in the UK and Eire. Our portfolio includes AKG, BSS Audio, Crown International, dbx Pro, JBL Pro, Lexicon and Soundcraft. We supply all major commercial audio installers with equipment and system solutions, supported by our Pro Division Project Team.
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Please visit www.soundtech.co.uk for upcoming dates and to register to attend.
01462 480000 | info@soundtech.co.uk | www.soundtech.co.uk