Sound Sense issue 001

SOUND SENSE ISSUE001

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Crowned with sound

Yamaha tames St Giles

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Seoul music for hotels

at Grand Walkerhill

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Consorting with the new console

Success for RIVAGE PM7

Contents

Editorial

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Crowning Achievement

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9 10

Seamless Synergies

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Taming the sound of St Giles Cathedral

New In 2018 Some of Yamaha Commercial Audio's latest products Steinberg's key role in the Yamaha family

Seoul Music Yamaha installation at South Korea’s Walkerhill Hotel & Resort

RIVAGE PM7 Yamaha's latest mixing success

Tall Stories A profile of Ron Bakker

Sun, Sea Sand and Sound Resort report from Bali

elcome to the first issue of Sound Sense, a brand new magazine from Yamaha Commercial Audio which highlights the best of what we and our fellow divisions and companies in the Yamaha family do.

Many people do not realise quite how different the world would be without Yamaha and its associated brands. The variety and ubiquity of equipment and applications is breathtaking, stretching from musicians and songwriters, live tours, festivals, concert halls and recording studios, through international hotel chains, restaurants, education, sporting events and stadiums, to the biggest financial institutions and the most powerful boardrooms.

In many cases our equipment is invisible, doing complex operations, year after year - often decade after decade - reliably making the lives of those who use it so much easier that they often forget it’s there, or even that they are using it at all.

This is a huge compliment to the quality of our solutions and how intuitive they are to use.

However, at Sound Sense, it’s our mission to remind people of how much of a positive difference solutions by Yamaha and our fellow businesses make to literally millions of people’s lives.

Choosing Yamaha makes, well... sound sense!

SOUND SENSE Editor and Scribe: Robin Johnson | robin@9016.uk Commissioning Co-ordinator: Karl Christmas | karl.christmas@music.yamaha.com Images in this issue are courtesy of Ron Bakker, Karl Christmas, Patrick Franck, Robin Johnson, Shutterstock, David Soewondo, Steinberg Media Technologies, Walkerhill Hotel & Resort, Whitwam AV, Pawel Zachanowicz.

Contributors: Ron Bakker, Hwang Jun Ho, Michael Hyland, Andy Pymm, David Soewondo, Stefan Christian Trowbridge, Olli Voges

Sound Sense is published by The Yamaha Corporation of Japan.

Executive Publisher: Ron Bakker | ron.bakker@music.yamaha.com

Any views expressed within are those of the individual authors and contributors and do not necessarily represent those of the publishers.

Design: Mel Jefferson | meljefferson.com

All contents © 2018 Yamaha Corporation of Japan or published under licence. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any way without the prior written permission of the publisher.

All information contained in this publication is for information only and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press. The publishers cannot accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information.

INSTALLATION | FOCUS

As audience expectations rise in parallel with developments in audio technology, installing sound reinforcement systems which satisfy modern demands in historic buildings is fraught with potential difficulties.

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INSTALLATION | FOCUS

Crowning Achievement: Taming The Sound Of St Giles’ Cathedral Yamaha solutions are quickly becoming a ‘go to’ solution for house of worship (HoW) sound reinforcement across the globe. One of the latest high profile projects is at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland, where a Yamaha solution has once again satisfied the conflicting demands of modern expectations within a very historic building.

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egarded as the Mother Church of Presbyterianism, St Giles’ Cathedral is an important place of Church of Scotland worship in Edinburgh, its crown-shaped spire a distinctive part of the city skyline. The present building dates from the late 1300s and features a number of chapels, including the Chapel of the Order of the Thistle, Scotland’s chivalric company of knights appointed by Her Majesty The Queen.

As audience expectations rise in parallel with developments in audio technology, installing sound reinforcement systems which satisfy modern demands in historic buildings is fraught with potential difficulties. The St Giles’ installation has demonstrated how these issues can be overcome, delivering a solution which is effective and also includes a large degree of future-proofing.

Michael Hyland of AV systems consultants Michael Hyland & Associates, was approached to design the new sound reinforcement system, along with the CCTV, video distribution and A/V related data cabling infrastructure.

“Cathedral and church related projects tend to take time, because there are statutory bodies involved whose permissions must be obtained

and invariably there is a need for funding to be put in place,” says Michael. “Although initial discussions took place back in 2007, it was known that the project would be dormant for some time. The project resurfaced in 2015 and began with discussions to establish the cathedral’s audio, CCTV and video distribution requirements, which formed the basis of the client brief.

By 2015 not only had audio technology moved far beyond that of the cathedral’s existing sound reinforcement system, but Yamaha had introduced the CIS range. Designed to deliver exceptional but cost-effective audio quality, flexibility and ease of control for installers and end-users alike, St Giles’ was another project for which a CIS system was the ideal solution.

“The proposals were based on the client brief and were fully costed. As a result, when it comes to sign-off, the interested parties have a clear understanding of what is to be installed and how much it will cost. This avoids any possible risk of misunderstanding as the project progresses,” says Michael.

While the timescale between submitting proposals and getting a sign-off can be protracted, in this instance, Michael says that

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INSTALLATION | FOCUS

“

People are very quick to complain about bad sound, but when reinforced sound is high quality, or so natural that people don’t realise it is being reinforced, of course they don’t say

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anything

“it was more or less by return”, highlighting the importance that the cathedral placed on getting the project under way as quickly as possible.

Once the go-ahead was given, two specifications were produced for tender purposes - one for the supply and installation of the cabling by an electrical contractor and the other for the equipment. The contract to supply, install and commission the equipment was awarded to Whitwam AVI, part of the Winchester-based Whitwam Group, in January 2017.

Compared to many such projects, the installation timescale was very compressed - just three months. Sourcing, setting up and configuring the system elements in the company’s workshop and then transporting them over 400 miles to Edinburgh inevitably added to the pressure on Whitwam, but the company’s long experience with such projects meant that everything was completed on schedule.

Superior DSP The 26-zone system is based on a Dante network, managed by a Yamaha MRX7-D matrix processor with Exi8 and Exo8 input/output expanders. It also includes an XMV4280 and four XMV8140-D power amplifiers, plus Ri8-D / Ro8-D compact input/output rack units.

“The superior DSP and flexibility of the Yamaha products, along with the ability to easily implement future changes as and when required were factors in making the choice,” says Michael.

“The MRX7-D offers a palette of facilities from which you can pick what you want. On some projects, it is easy to underestimate what is needed in terms of programming and the MRX7-D ensures that anything can be achieved in a quick, straightforward manner.”

Sound coverage is achieved by pairs of loudspeakers along the length of the Nave and likewise the Chancel.

Additional loudspeakers provide

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coverage of the associated side aisles. Being in a large, reverberant space, the MRX7-D provides delay, EQ and other processing as required to each pair of loudspeakers. Further loudspeakers are located in offices and other areas.

Microphone coverage is provided by eight radio mics and three cabled circuits. Outputs from the system - including those from overhead ambient microphones - also feed two induction loop zones for the hearing impaired, along with media recording devices.

Blended in As with most historic venues, aesthetics were as important to St Giles’ as the sound.

Indeed, Michael acknowledges the irony that the Yamaha equipment is making a radical improvement to the cathedral’s sound, yet the public will never see it.

“Where they existed, the cabling contractor followed routes used by the previous system’s cabling - for example through the roof vaulting, around arches, under floors, etc. Connection boxes and other infrastructure were also kept to a minimum,” says Andy Pymm, Whitwam Group’s director of AV integration.

“Visible elements were painted in colours to match the surfaces on which they were mounted, the colours being specified by the architect. This was complicated by the cathedral’s different phases of building - there are three different styles of pillar, so we had to produce three different types of bracket, loudspeaker mounting and use three different paint colours. The radio microphone aerials and base plates were also painted so they disappeared.”

This ‘vanishing trick’ also applied to the system racks. Two 24u racks, located in a lobby area on the cathedral’s north side, house all the user-accessible equipment like touchscreen monitors, media playback devices, video controls, induction loop amplifiers and the system’s aux inputs and outputs, as well as the MRX7-D, Exi8/ Exo8 and an XMV4280.

The main 42u rack - containing the receivers

INSTALLATION | FOCUS

for all the radio microphones, the Yamaha Ri8-D/ Ro8-D and the XMV8140-D Dante-enabled amplifiers - provided a bigger challenge, being located in the clock chamber at the top of the cathedral’s bell tower. “We had to build, wire and test the rack in our workshop, then transport it to Edinburgh, take it apart, carry the components up a spiral staircase, across part of the roof, into the tower and reassemble it all,” says Andy, with a slightly rueful smile.

Fully integrated The new system has completely changed how St Giles’ manages its sound reinforcement. The previous, single loudspeaker zone system was based on voice-activated microphones and had been effectively, as Michael puts it, “switched on and left on autopilot.”

“When one microphone was being used, sound from the loudspeakers activated the unused microphones. This increased the reverberant sound level, which reduced intelligibility. The single zone loudspeaker zone exacerbated the situation, as the loudspeakers covering unoccupied areas could not be switched off. As a result, you ended up with sound rattling around the cathedral,” he says.

In contrast, the Yamaha solution ensures that the sound is limited to the areas where it’s actually needed for any particular service or event. It is also fully integrated with the cathedral’s CCTV system and video presentation facilities, so Whitwam chose a bespoke Crestron control solution, allowing cathedral staff to operate it remotely and very simply.

“Each of the three fixed microphone locations have local on/off switching for operation by the user, while the whole system can be controlled by the cathedral’s Beadles via a touchscreen or iPad app,” says Andy.

“Most of the time only a single microphone is in use and the MRX7-D is programmed to restrict the sound to the area where it’s needed. However, there are presets for a variety of different uses and a lot of DSP is being used - the MRX7-D is using 97% of its DSP capacity.”

The project was completed at the end of March 2017, on time and within budget. It significantly improves the audible experience for worship and the range of other events for which the building is used.

“The system and the related facilities are devoid of ‘bells and whistles’. However, flexibility and future-proofing were keywords. The facilities installed are far more comprehensive and flexible than those in other cathedrals of a comparable size,” says Michael.

“People are very quick to complain about bad sound, but when reinforced sound is high quality, or so natural that people don’t realise it is being reinforced, of course they don’t say anything,” he smiles. “There have been compliments and very positive comments from both the congregation and also those with hearing impairments. For the first time, hearing aid users can now clearly hear not only speech, but also the music and ambience of the cathedral.”

“Yamaha continues to be our go-to DSP solution,” adds Andy. “Their range of processors provides great flexibility in the way we can program them, the systems can be integrated extremely well with video recording, playback and other devices, plus they’re extremely reliable.”

This article is by kind permission of The Minister & Kirk Session of St Giles’ Cathedral.

Yamaha’s Ron Bakker, Andy Cooper and Karl Christmas brave the climb to the clock chamber.

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NEW | PRODUCTS

New in 2018 A roundup of latest products from Yamaha Commercial Audio

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he RIVAGE PM7 digital mixing system may have enjoyed many of the Yamaha Commercial Audio product headlines (see p12), but a number of other new products have made their débuts in 2018, highlighting the company's commitment to all VXL1 series areas of its business. loudspeakers Filling a much-needed gap in the installation market for true, high quality line array loudspeakers, the ultra-slimline VXL1 family is based on multiple arrays of the same 1.5” driver at the heart of the popular, multiple award-winning VXS1ML. Designed for multi-purpose halls, lecture theatres, conference rooms, boardrooms and any other space that demands maximum intelligibility throughout the listening area, the VXL1 is available in three different sizes, as well as a Power over Ethernet (PoE) model. Various options are available and models can be combined to optimally serve a variety of spaces and situations.

Yamaha has launched further PoE products during the year, including the PGM1, a paging PGM1 paging station station with eight assignable with two PGX1 extensions. buttons that can be used to provide multiple remote paging locations on an MRX7-D/ MTX5-D Dante network. Up to two PGX1 paging station extension units can be added to each PGM1, providing up to 24 function buttons.

The MCP1 is an advanced multi-purpose remote panel for controlling a system based around the Yamaha MTX3, MTX5-D or MRX7-D matrix processor. Its dot matrix display allows dynamic labelling, with universal character support, and

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up to 36 parameters can be assigned to six control (plus home) buttons on six pages.

Four user levels are provided for access management and enhanced security.

Meanwhile, the SWR2100P-5G and MCP1 control panel SWR2100P-10G L2 switches respectively feature four or nine Ethernet output ports plus an additional uplink port, power status monitoring, ON/ OFF switching capability and allow comprehensive network monitoring from Yamaha’s LAN Monitor software..

Live bands, DJs, presentations, corporate functions, clubs and houses of worship DZR and DXS-XLF have also benefited series loudspeakers from new products, notably the DZR and DXS-XLF 'smart' powered loudspeakers and their passive CZR and CXS-XLF counterparts. The four-model DZR series features Yamaha’s latest developments in loudspeaker, DSP, Class-D amplification and cabinet design, while each model STAGEPAS 600BT also has an identical ‘D' version’ which features onboard Dante audio networking.

The STAGEPAS 400BT and STAGEPAS 600BT add Bluetooth streaming to Yamaha's popular line of portable PA systems, while the upgraded DXS12mkII and DXS15mkII powered subwoofers deliver improved maximum SPL and extended low frequency response from smaller, lighter cabinets than the previous models.

Finally, for small to medium-sized events the new MG10XUF and MG12XUK are compact mixers, with a choice or linear or rotary faders. Easy to use and exceptionally cost-effective, they still include high end features like Yamaha's D-PRE microphone preamplifiers, SPX effects and direct recording via USB. MG12XUK

COMPANY | PROFILE

Seamless Synergies With

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Manufacturing hardware and software for music and audio production used by over two million people worldwide, Steinberg Media Technologies has been a key part of the Yamaha family since 2005

t doesn't take a lot of thought to see how much Steinberg and Yamaha have in common. Both companies are leaders in their respective fields, both are continually pushing the boundaries, yet with product user-friendliness and reliability always uppermost in mind. And both develop technologies for high end professionals which are also harnessed for the benefit of prosumer and consumer users.

Steinberg was founded in 1984 by Manfred Ruerup and Karl Steinberg, who met in a German recording studio where Manfred was recording and fellow musician Karl happened to be an engineer. MIDI was very much in its infancy but their pioneering spirit quickly became apparent, together developing an early MIDI recorder and then sequencer.

As with many new technologies, convincing other people that this was the future proved difficult but, like all the best entrepreneurs, Manfred and Karl's persistence eventually paid Nuendo - the industry standard solution for post-production, ADR and game audio off. enthusiastic amateurs alike, alongside products like the HALion Cubase - with its pioneering graphic arrange page - arrived software sampler series and Dorico 2, a truly 21st century music in 1989, to which progressively enhanced audio support was scoring solution. later added. The WaveLab audio editing and mastering suite was Since Steinberg's acquisition by Yamaha in 2005, developers for introduced in 1995, with the Virtual Studio Technology (VST) both companies have worked closely together. A natural synergy and Audio Stream Input/Output (ASIO) open standards and between Steinberg's Nuendo - the industry standard DAW for many other products following. film and television post-production, ADR and game audio - and Nowadays Steinberg software is regarded as the 'standard' Yamaha's mixing hardware expertise resulted in Nuage, an for many audio applications. Successive generations of Cubase advanced hardware control system that gives engineers the most and WaveLab continue to aid and inspire professionals and intuitive and seamless workflow possible.

Steinberg produces the UR range of hardware USB recording The Cubase family of products - an example of how Steinberg caters for interfaces, developed in close collaboration with Yamaha professional, prosumer and consumer users engineers and featuring high end Yamaha D-PRE preamps for the best audio quality - however big or small, fixed or mobile the user's needs. The latest UR-RT Series even features switchable Rupert Neve Designs input transformers for exceptional musicality, expressiveness and rich harmonics.

From early MIDI sequencing to the very latest DAW, Steinberg is, like Yamaha, always moving forward. By advancing together, the companies are working hard to ensure users always get the best results, whether in the highest profile recording situation or the humblest home studio.

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INTERNATIONAL | HOSPITALITY

Seoul Music: Yamaha Enhances The Sound Of Walkerhill Hotel & Resort Sitting on the slopes of Achasan Mountain and overlooking the Hangang River, the Walkerhill Hotel & Resort boasts one of the best views of South Korea’s capital, Seoul.

The management of the hotel and its trio of high-end venues recently returned to its owners, SK Networks, which has made a significant investment in upgrading all three, including the installation of Yamaha audio equipment.

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alkerhill Hotel & Resort manages two hotels - Grand Walkerhill Seoul and Vista Walkerhill Seoul - along with Aston House, a luxurious Jacobean style mansion, which has hosted many state banquets and has been regularly used for product launches and parties for global luxury brands.

After a period being run by different franchises, SK Networks has chosen to return all three to independent status, with improved facilities. The investment has included new conference facilities at Grand Walkerhill Seoul and new audio systems at Aston House and Vista Walkerhill Seoul. The latter’s refurbishment has been designed to achieve - in the words of SK Networks - ‘a space where people, nature and the future coexist; creating a lifestyle and cultural experience with an emphasis on providing sustainable luxury’.

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SPL Integrated Solutions, Korea, was entrusted with the supply and installation of new AV equipment under the guidance of owner Hwang Jun Ho. He chose Yamaha equipment as a key element of all three venues.

“I was familiar with the existing audio systems at the hotel,” he says. “When I was asked to recommend solutions for the upgrades, I suggested Yamaha equipment because I have used and trusted it for many years.

“It was really important for the quality of the sound to match the atmosphere being created at the Vista Walkerhill Seoul and Aston House. In addition, the new conference facility in the Grand Walkerhill Seoul’s ballroom needed a sophisticated audio system, because it can be used as one large space or subdivided into up to six separate rooms. This required the audio system to be extremely versatile and able to be configured accordingly.”

INTERNATIONAL | HOSPITALITY

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From a guest and hotel operator’s point of view, the AV facilities should be as high quality and as easy to control as

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possible.

After demonstrating Yamaha solutions to the that the audio matches the configuration of the hotel’s management - and receiving an enthusiastic space at all times. response - Hwang Jun Ho and his team installed “From a guest and hotel operator’s point of view, Yamaha ceiling speakers in the public spaces of the the AV facilities should be as high quality and as Vista Walkerhill Seoul, which blend in tastefully easy to control as possible,” says Hwang Jun Ho. with the contemporary décor. The background “It’s my job to design systems which guarantee the music is supplied by a computer-based playback experience expected from such a prominent hotel. system with sound distributed to the lobby, bar The variety and flexibility of the Yamaha product area and VIP lounge, via one of the complex’s range means that there is always a way to achieve many Yamaha digital mixers. this and I’m very happy to say that SK Networks A similar system in Aston House delivers high has been very impressed with the solutions that quality background music via Yamaha ceiling we have supplied.” speakers, with a digital mixer allowing extra inputs Hwang Ho Jun (Walkerhill Hotel & Resort sound manager for presentations and entertainment. and Hwang Jun Ho (Owner, SPL Integrated Solutions) A more comprehensive system is installed at the Grand Walkerhill Seoul’s new conference facility, based on a comprehensive Dante audio network and managed by a Yamaha matrix processor, with Yamaha input/ output units, amplifiers and further digital mixers. The system is controlled and monitored discreetly from a hidden control room, which ensures

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CONSOLE | FOCUS

RIVAGE PM7 - Yamaha's Latest Mixing Success Story Yamaha digital consoles guru Andy Cooper announces the key features of RIVAGE PM7 at its launch, ISE 2018

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or over 40 years Yamaha has been at the forefront of the audio mixing industry, both live and in the studio.

Despite the success of products like the legendary NS10 monitors and PM series analogue consoles, it is in the world of digital audio that Yamaha has become a definitive world leader. The 2018 launch of the RIVAGE PM7 digital mixing system proved to be an exceptional success, with many consoles out 'earning their keep' within weeks.

RIVAGE PM7 is the latest in a long line of cutting-edge Yamaha digital mixing products, stretching back to 1987 and the eight-channel DMP7 (six of which were used in the BBC's groundbreaking Radiophonic Workshop).

Since then, successive generations of Yamaha digital mixing products have been a global fixture at live shows, broadcast and post-production studios, outside broadcast facilities and, more recently, a remarkable variety of installations.

Following in the footsteps of Yamaha's current flagship RIVAGE PM10 digital mixing system, RIVAGE PM7 delivers enhanced portability and system flexibility, thanks to its built-in DSP engine, while maintaining a similar mixing capacity, with 120 input channels, 60 mix buses, 24 matrices and a variety of 48 top-quality plug-ins.

An identical control layout to PM10 - with the same exceptional, flexible user experience - and full, seamless integration with PM10 systems means that RIVAGE PM7 has proved an instant hit with audio rental companies.

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In Europe alone, more than 40 rental companies in Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK have invested in RIVAGE PM7 systems.

Comments by investors have been universally positive, with those by Michele De Simone, co-owner of Remix Sound in Italy, a typical example: “We were convinced that RIVAGE PM7 would be a great console, even without hearing it," he says. "When it was delivered, we tested it with headphones and studio monitors and were very impressed. But we were stunned at the sound quality it delivered in a real live situation.”

Importantly, as well as the immaculate audio quality, extensive features, Virtual Circuitry Modelling (VCM) of Rupert Neve Designs transformer / SILK processing and renowned Yamaha reliability, many users have commented on how familiar the RIVAGE PM7 system is to use.

“One of the great things about Yamaha consoles for rental companies is that, from the 01V right through the range, they all have a very similar workflow. We know that engineers will immediately be able to use RIVAGE PM7 without a significant learning curve," says Slawek Pogorzala, owner of Polish rental company PogoArt. The PogoArt team with the company's new RIVAGE PM7, Slawek Pogorzala at centre

CONSOLE | FOCUS

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Olli with RIVAGE PM7 at the Deichbrand Festival, Cuxhaven

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Broadcast companies have been really positive, saying ‘This is exactly how it should be

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done’

Festival fever

IVAGE PM7 has been a popular choice of console throughout Europe during the 2018 summer festival season. As much of western Europe has basked in high summer “With RIVAGE PM7 you can record up to temperatures, the consoles have helped many 128 channels and I record every show via Dante.

Front of House engineers to keep their cool.

The virtual soundcheck connection switching is Leading German engineer Olli Voges is one. super fast and has saved us a lot of time. When This summer he is you are doing system checks at 7am, the artist mixing a number of wellis not going to want to be there, so being able known German rap and to do virtual soundchecks quickly and easily is electronica acts at festivals, invaluable.” including Casper, who is This is not the only benefit. The stem mainly playing as headliner recordings that Olli makes are also used for or co-headliner. broadcast feeds.

“In terms of reliability, “The really cool thing about the recording the classic ‘analogue’ capacity is that you can record stems as well as sound and it’s sheer inputs, which makes a huge difference” he says. versatility, RIVAGE PM7 is “The broadcast companies are getting premixed fantastic. Other artists’ mix engineers that we are stems that are confirmed by the artist and by playing with have been openly admiring it,” he myself. Broadcast companies have been really says. positive, saying ‘This is exactly how it should be One of the many features that Olli loves done’.” is the Portico 5045 Primary Source Enhancer He continues, “RIVAGE PM7 has brought plug-in. While it shares some similarities with a whole new way of working, which we have a conventional noise gate, the 5045 works in a wanted for so long. We can even use the different way to suppress background noise at the recordings so the singer can rehearse with a microphone inputs, delivering enhanced clarity full virtual band. With RIVAGE PM7, you have while significantly increasing the feedback margin. complete control. It gives you a lot of ways “When you punch it into a primary source to save time and money. The possibilities are channel it makes a huge difference in reducing unlimited.” bleed and other surrounding noise,” says Olli. “It is really useful on these shows. Used together with the onboard Dan Dugan automixing, it will open up a whole new area, especially in the live TV market.”

The customisability of RIVAGE PM7’s control surface is another feature that is invaluable in the time-constrained environment of summer festivals, as is virtual soundchecking.

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STAFF | PROFILE

Tall Stories A profile of Ron Bakker, Yamaha Commercial Audio's 'Flying Dutchman'

Young Ron sees the light... but chooses sound

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on Bakker is well-known in Yamaha Commercial Audio circles for usually being the tallest person in the room. He is also (he asked me to say this) a very nice man. However, what Sound Sense's Executive Publisher didn't mention was that he is highly intelligent and a remarkable font of wisdom on all matters regarding acoustics, digital and analogue processing. Which makes him the perfect subject for our first personal profile.

It's not entirely surprising that, back in his school days, Ron was an analogue synthesiser enthusiast. Or geek, as we might say now.

Qualifying from hogere technische school (higher technical school, or HTS) in Amsterdam with a BSc-E degree, Ron joined Yamaha as a service engineer in 1989. Here he witnessed not only the introduction of Yamaha's digital FM, samplebased and wavetable synthesisers, but he was also present in the very early days of digital mixing with the DMP7 (see also p12).

The young Bakker was clearly in his element and, with the development of Yamaha's evermore innovative ranges of digital mixing consoles and other processors - including the DMC1000, ProMix 01 and 02R - he was keen (not to mention obviously well-qualified) to move up the ladder.

In 2000, Ron started working as product manager for the company's Commercial Audio product group, supporting the introduction of the DM2000 and PM1D digital mixing consoles in central Europe.

It is well-documented that the PM1D had a huge effect on the live production industry.

However, what few people realised early on was quite how big an effect the ongoing development

Right career, wrong T-shirt? Ron in his element (To see how well he has aged since, see p7)

of digital audio networking would have on the entire sound industry as time progressed. Ron led the marketing of Yamaha’s audio network components - first with Cobranet, later with Ethersound and Dante - and was at the forefront of helping people to understand quite how gamechanging these technologies were.

Ron being Ron, he tends to understate his role at Yamaha but, in his current position as European systems marketing manager for Yamaha Commercial Audio installed systems, he is a key figure in the promotion, design, installation and setting up of a wide range of high end systems.

His responsibilities also include the marketing and support of acoustic enhancement and immersive sound systems. These systems - such as AFC3, which can provide remarkable, natural enhancement to the acoustic characteristics of a space - involve not only DSP and networking technologies, but also room acoustics, electroacoustics and psycho-acoustics. It's not only the electronic 'brains' at the heart of these systems that have to do a lot of processing. To design and set them up, Ron's needs to as well.

But, as with so many who work at the leading edge of the audio industry, Ron has lost none of his enthusiasm for older technology. To see his eyes light up as he describes how he has successfully managed to marry an elderly piece of digital gear with a modern system is to see a man who is very happy in his chosen profession.

RESORT | REPORT

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s autumn approaches in the northern hemisphere, thoughts will soon be turning towards next year's summer vacations. A great place to enjoy a break is Finn’s Beach Club in Bali, where a Yamaha audio installation helps to deliver the best possible customer experience.

Located 10 minutes from Seminyak, one of the best-known tourist areas on the island, in 2017 Finn’s Beach Club relocated to a new building on the famous Berawa surf beach. The environmentallyfriendly bamboo structure was specifically designed to allow every guest to enjoy a guaranteed sunset view, accompanied by music from the club’s resident DJs. The soundtrack is enhanced by a major Yamaha audio installation, designed and installed by David Soewondo of Surabaya-based DMP Musik.

A complex, multi-zone system was needed because the club features six indoor bars, a restaurant, spa, boutique, changing rooms, DJ booth/stage, two swimming pools, a pool bar and numerous outdoor hammocks and single/ double day beds.

“The client needed a system that could distribute sound throughout the venue, however the different zones have different volume settings, depending on how each area is used,” says David.

“Some of the zones overlap and it was very important that people would not perceive delays in the sound, because this would deliver an inferior customer experience. So it was very important for staff to have a very quick and simple way of adjusting the sound of each zone, to maintain the best audio quality at all times.”

Based on three Yamaha MRX7-D, an MTX5 and an MTX3 matrix processors, with six EXo8 output expanders and a DCH8 digital control hub, the system is controlled by eight DCP4V4S and eight DCP1V4S surface-mount control panels.

14 Yamaha power amplifiers drive loudspeakers located throughout the venue, with an MGP16X mixer also provided for live events.

“We chose Yamaha products because of their quality and reliability,” says David. “The matrix processors, digital hub and control panels make it very easy for venue staff to adjust the zone

Sun, Sea, Sand and Sound

volumes, ensuring customers enjoy an optimal audio experience throughout the entire site.”

He continues, “We have used Yamaha products in many other installation projects across Indonesia. The price point is also very competitive, meaning we can offer solutions for customers who have less spending/ purchasing power for their venues.

“Overall we are very happy with the equipment, its reliability and Yamaha Indonesia’s support. Most importantly, the client is very pleased with the finished project.

They have since added extensions to the venue, which will see the sound system expanded. The Yamaha solution means that this will be a straightforward task.”

SOUND | SENSE

15

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