NORTHRIDGE, California – HARMAN’s JBL Professional today announced that its VTX Series line array loudspeakers have won a 2012 GOOD DESIGN™ Award from the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. Founded in 1950, GOOD DESIGN is the world’s most prestigious, recognized and oldest design awards program and covers new products designed and manufactured in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

“We are honored to have received a GOOD DESIGN award for our JBL VTX Series loudspeakers,� said Paul Bauman, Senior Manager, Tour Sound for JBL. “This award validates our efforts to create a new standard in line array technology with a series of products that exemplify the goal of ergonomic, innovative design in the service of exceptional audio performance.�

The JBL VTX Series is the company’s new flagship range of line array loudspeakers and subwoofers for tour and installed sound and incorporate JBL’s most advanced components, materials and technologies. At the heart of VTX is the D2 Dual Driver, a revolutionary device developed by JBL that dramatically improves the sound and performance of high frequencies. The D2 driver operates in conjunction with a host of additional JBL technologies to set new standards in fidelity, clarity, power density and musical accuracy in professional sound reinforcement applications.

For more information on the GOOD DESIGN Awards, please visit www.chi-athenaeum.org/gdesign/

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 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for the twelve months ending June 30, 2012.

NORTHRIDGE, California – HARMAN’s JBL loudspeakers were at the heart of Sunday’s 55th Annual GRAMMY® Awards, with JBL VTX line arrays comprising the live sound reinforcement system at the STAPLES Center and an LSR6300 Series 5.1 surround sound studio monitor system used in the Television Committee Room.

The annual GRAMMY Awards telecast, known as Music’s Biggest Night®, is presented by The Recording Academy® to honor outstanding achievements in the production and performance of recorded music. The GRAMMY Awards were broadcast live in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network. More than 28.1 million people watched this year’s Awards telecast, the second-largest audience for the GRAMMY Awards since 1993.

This year’s Awards were hosted by LL Cool J and featured performances by The Black Keys, Mumford & Sons, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, among others. The rock band fun. earned Best New Artist and Song of the Year for “We Are Young,� while Gotye won Record of the Year for “Somebody That I Used to Know,� along with two other GRAMMY Awards. Mumford & Sons earned Album of the Year for Babel.

ATK Audiotek supplied the live sound reinforcement system for the Awards, which featured left-right columns of 12 VTX V25 fullsize line array elements per side for the main PA, with additional left-right columns of 12 V25 per side for out fill, along with a center cluster of 18 VTX S28 arrayable subwoofers in cardioid mode (two arrays of nine S28 subs each), for a total of 66 VTX loudspeakers. Six VRX932 Constant Curvature loudspeakers served as front fill, with left-right rear delay arrays of eight VERTEC® VT4889 fullsize line array elements each. Powering the loudspeakers were 16 Crown Audio VRack 2000 and four VRack 4×3500 and the entire system was configured using JBL HiQnet Performance Managerâ„¢ software. The house sound system at the STAPLES Center, featuring VERTEC VT4888ADP-DA powered line array elements, was used to supplement the live sound system with five enclosures from the center end array used for rear upper deck and VIP box coverage.

“This year we used the newest evolution of the JBL line array,� said Jeff Peterson of ATK Audiotek. “The V25 had a very clear and smooth high end which didn’t distract our attention. All of the low-end power we’re accustomed to with the VT4889’s was there and then some. The S28 sub is so efficient we never came close to using all of the available power. Tying it all together, Performance Manager gave me all the control and monitoring I needed.�

In the Television Committee Room, Michael Abbott, Audio Director for the GRAMMY Awards, along with Recording Academy executives, relied on JBL LSR6300 Series studio monitors to listen to the mix of the show in real time. “We were able to take advantage of the LSR6300 Series’ RMC Room Mode Correction technology to ensure that we were accurately hearing the subtleties in the mix,� Abbott said. “As has been the case for several years, the LSR6300 Series performed flawlessly at the GRAMMY Awards.�

For more information on ATK Audiotek, please visit www.atkaudiotek.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 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for the twelve months ending June 30, 2012.

NORTHRIDGE, California – Beaver Stadium, home to Penn State University’s Nittany Lions football team, is one of the largest in the country with a capacity of almost 107,000. In fact, it is the second-largest stadium in the Western Hemisphere. The stadium has expanded six times in its history and recently, systems contractor Clair Brothers upgraded Beaver Stadium’s sound system with the installation of more than 140 HARMAN’s JBL loudspeakers to improve its performance in a number of coverage areas.

“We had already replaced the main PA system in 2007 with a comparatively small JBL VLA601 and VLA301 line array system, but work still needed to be done to address areas in the North and South end zones of the stadium where the sound from the main PA is blocked or where we determined that additional coverage was needed,� said Jim Devenney, Sr. Systems Designer and Project Manager at Clair Brothers. “The balconies are large and present significant acoustical barriers. There were already speakers in place in these areas but they had been there for a while and needed to be upgraded.�

“In the South end zone there are three separate areas, the main PA does not cover since the PA shoots over the top of the entire area. The tight down angle from the top of the scoreboard makes it impossible for the main PA to adequately reach those areas.�

“The lower level is used mostly for student seating, we mounted 16 JBL All Weather Series AW295 all-weather speakers on the face of the balcony to cover these seats between the balcony and the field. In addition there are 36 of JBL’s All Weather Series AWC82 outdoor speakers positioned in two alternating rows of 18, with 18 pointed straight down and another 18 placed in between them and aimed back away from the field to cover the area under the balcony.�

“The Club Level is the next level up and here the balcony directly blocks the sound from the main PA. To remedy this, 14 AW295 speakers face toward the field and 52 AWC82 speakers are placed facing down. There’s a seating area under the scoreboard that also needed attention. We added 24 JBL Control 25AV indoor/outdoor speakers to deliver sound to the people sitting under the scoreboard.�

“The top of the lower level seating in the North end zone is also shaded from the main system by an overhanging balcony. We installed 10 AWC129 speakers here.�

When it comes to installation challenges Clair Brothers has seen it all, yet the Beaver Stadium upgrade threw the proverbial fly in the ointment for Devenney and crew. “Putting up the speakers was the easy part,� Devenney said. “Our installers loved the speakers as they were well-designed and easy to mount. However, we had to install them during the Penn State football season so we had to put up and take down the scaffolding after every game. The schedule was also so tight that we had the speakers flown from the plant as soon as they were manufactured! We still were able to complete the installation in four weeks. The stadium’s operations staff was very helpful with logistics, ensuring the system installation would stay on schedule.�

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 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for the twelve months ending June 30, 2012.

AUSTIN, Texas — It’s enough to set any motorsports enthusiast’s pulse racing – the newly completed Circuit of the Americas (COTA) is the first purpose-built Grand Prix racetrack in the U.S. The complex hosted the 2012 Formula One United States Grand Prix, and upcoming races will include the MotoGP, FIA World Endurance Championship and American Le Mans Series. The 300-acre Austin, Texas facility is built around a state-of-the-art 3.4-mile circuit track with a capacity for 120,000 fans. An integral part of COTA is its public address and Emergency Communication System (ECS), featuring HARMAN’s BSS Audio networked digital signal processors and Crown power amplifiers which also receive input from the venue’s Soundcraft mixing console to serve a variety of sound reinforcement needs throughout the venue.

“Although the audio system is used for announcements and music during races and other activities, a facility like Circuit of the Americas requires an emergency notification system that meets public safety requirements as mandated by the National Fire Protection Association,� explained Brian Elwell, senior consultant and vice president of design firm Acoustic Dimensions (www.acousticdimensions.com). “The system has to serve as both a PA and an Emergency Communication System.�

“For 51 weeks out of the year COTA is used for purposes other than auto racing, so the audio system also needs to be suitable for concerts, events and activities throughout the entire facility, both indoors and out�, emphasized Elwell. “The Soundweb London network is an integral part of making everything work, acting as a core system that runs all audio signals everywhere including emergency notification to the 20,000-seat amphitheater and 40,000 people in the Grand Plaza area. As an example, we can instantly switch from using the PA system as a music source for a selected area in the complex to taking a single emergency paging mic and feeding it everywhere in the facility in case of a facility-wide emergency. We also have redundant signal paths to all audio components in the system to make sure everything is online, all the time.�

The project required that audio processing and amplification be installed in more than 30 different rack locations around the track as well as the grandstand, pit building, Grand Plaza indoor facilities and COTA’S Tower Amphitheater. A Soundcraft Si Compact 16 digital mixing console with CobraNet™ option card is used to mix various audio sources and integrate the console’s audio outputs with other components in various parts of the installation. CobraNet-compatible BSS Audio signal processing includes seven BLU-800 processors, two BLU-320 and six BLU-120 input/output expanders, three BLU-80 processors and 13 BLU-32 input/output expanders. The system also includes six BLU-10 programmable controllers. Matched to different loudspeaker zones and requirements, more than 70 Crown amplifiers are installed throughout Circuit of the Americas, including CTs 1200 USP4CN, CTs 4200A, CTs 3000 LITE, CTs 2000 LITE, CTs 1200 LITE, CTs 600 LITE, MA5000i, and 1160A models.

“We chose Crown power amps since their onboard DSP is extremely effective, and they work hand in hand with BSS components via HARMAN HiQnet™, noted David Battershell, project engineer for Ford Audio-Video Systems (www.fordav.com). “And in our experience the BSS Audio Soundweb London system enables designers and installers to provide an audio networking and processing solution for large-scale facilities at a price no other system can match. HARMAN’s HiQnet networking protocol links it all together and provides real-time monitoring status for all of the Soundweb London processing, Crown amplifiers and loudspeaker cable runs around the track. This ensures the system meets the emergency communication system standards as specified by the design team.�

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 20 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported sales of $4.4 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012.

VIENNA, Austria – Known throughout the nation as “The Official Sport of MC Battling,� the MC WAR hip hop competition is the first and only professional organization to provide emcee battlers an official platform for performing. With HARMAN’s AKG microphones and wireless systems, Amir James, COO and Arall Charles, CEO MC WAR, brings the nation’s top free style battlers to the stage for the ultimate unscripted hip-hop competition.

“Rap battles have become a phenomenon, drawing countless fans around the nation, who continue viewing these battles online hundreds of millions of times,� stated James. “What was once known as a subculture has taken the mainstream hip-hop industry by storm, being featured in numerous television specials and movies, which reinforces our work to bring battles and our MCs to the spotlight.�

All artists on stage utilize a variety of AKG products during the battles – four WMS4500 wireless systems and assortment of AKG D5 dynamic microphones and C214 microphones.

MC WAR separates itself from the many other battle leagues through its format as an official sport. Unlike other leagues whose format has no real structure, MC WAR has a referee, panel of judges, scoring system and a set of strict rules and regulations that include timed rounds, rounds based on musical bars, a cappella rounds and rounds over instrumentals. MC WAR is the oldest Battle organization with its initial launch taking place in Atlanta in 1999 as M.I.C. CHECK Lyrical Boxing until its re-launch as M.C. W.A.R. in October of 2002.

“As the world opens its eyes and ears to our art, the demand for precision and quality among the audience and artists themselves continues to expand,� continued James. “We were looking for the perfect microphone and AKG provides us with the confidence that MC WAR will give artists a powerful voice and fans a great show.�

For more information about AKG, please visit http://www.akg.com and http://www.youtube.com/AKGacoustics. For more information on MC WAR, please visit http://www.mcwar.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 13,900 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for year ended June 30, 2012.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — Soccer (football) is ingrained in Brazil’s spirit. The Brazil national football team (Seleção Brasileira) is the most successful men’s soccer team in the history of the FIFA World Cup with five championships, and Brazil is the only national team to have played in every World Cup. Everything the team does is passionately followed by Brazilian soccer fans, so when the team debuted their new uniforms with classic yellow and blue styling, it was an occasion for a big party. The launch event was hosted by Nike at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro and featured Brazilian singers Seu Jorge and Naldo and the Escola de Samba Mangueira samba school dancers and musicians, with two HARMAN Soundcraft Vi6 digital consoles providing the live sound mix.

The Soundcraft consoles were provided by Brazil-based Gabisom Audio Equipment, one of the industry’s biggest tour sound companies. “This wasn’t your typical launch party—the Brazil soccer team event was held in a large outdoor space, with a full stage and lighting,� said Eder Moura of Gabisom. “To enable us to mix the show most efficiently, we brought in two Soundcraft Vi6 mixing consoles. We had plenty of room in the front of house tent, so we decided to use two Vi6 consoles at FOH, one just for Seu Jorge and one for Naldo and Escola de Samba Mangueira.�

Both singers have distinctive styles. Seu Jorge’s music is a mixture of MPB—Música Popular Brasileira or Brazilian popular music—samba, rock, soul and other genres, and Naldo is a Brazilian singer, musician and producer who is deeply into reggaeton and rock. “Rather than change console settings between acts, even though this is relatively easy on the Vi6, we decided it would be even easier to just swap out consoles for each artist,� noted Moura.

“We mounted the two identical Soundcraft Vi6 consoles in a ‘V’ configuration, one directly in front of the stage and the other at 90 degrees to the left. Although having a console on the left of you might seem a little unusual, the Vi6’s open, uncluttered layout gave the FOH engineer easy access to all the controls and faders and we knew exactly how the console was set up from previous gigs, so the engineer basically just had to adjust some faders and bring a few effects in and out here and there rather than hover over the board frowning in concentration.�

“We were able to easily switch between consoles and it was seamless and effortless,� Moura said. “You can’t get a better-sounding digital console and its built-in effects make the Vi6 perfect for live sound use.�

The new Brazil national soccer team uniforms feature the team’s classic yellow and blue colors and reflect Brazilian soccer’s storied heritage combined with modern touches like recycled material construction.

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 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for the twelve months ending June 30, 2012.

NORTHRIDGE, California – Situated close to the Bulgarian seaside town of Varna on the Black Sea coast, a new 2,000-seat amphitheater has opened in the Kamchia Resort, with the ocean providing a stunning backdrop. Spanning a total area of 3,105 square meters, the classic design has been treated to a first-class technical infrastructure, with installation company Factor TC specifying a HARMAN’s JBL VRX/SRX sound reinforcement system—part of a complete HARMAN Professional deployment—as well as designing and installing the lighting.

Factor TC were recommended to the project and the design was overseen by Vesselin Todorov, president of the Sofia based company, along with Ing. Michael Michaelov from the Factor TC office in Varna.

Clusters of eight JBL VRX928LA (four each side) Constant Curvature loudspeakers and 16 SRX722 loudspeakers, underpinned by six ground-stacked SRX728S subwoofers, provide balanced arena coverage for a range of performances—from full-on rock concerts to spoken word—with an LED light and water fountain show also presented in front of the stage. Meanwhile, six JBL EON515XT active loudspeakers, serving as floor monitors, provide performers with their reference sound. All speakers are weatherized and water resistant to withstand the rigors of operating outside.

The passive elements of the system are powered by a combination of three Crown XTi 6002 and 10 XTi 4002 amplifiers. System management is under the command of a dbx DriveRack 260, which provides full bandpass and crossover configurations as well as independent output processing, augmented by a pair of dbx 166 compressor/gates, dbx 2231 dual 31-band graphic equalizer and Lexicon MX400 4-in/4-out reverb/FC processor.

The front-of-house sound engineer has been equipped with a Soundcraft GB8/32. This 32-channel desk was chosen for its versatility, since its dual-mode topology allows it to be used both for FOH and monitor duties.

Both the lighting and loudspeaker systems are assembled on a dismountable mobile aluminum structure and control is handled from a dedicated control room connected to the stage.

While the classic amphitheater has been designed from the ground up the remainder of the resort is undergoing complete refurbishment by owners, the government of Moscow. Project management was handled by PMC, ing. Ludmil Angelov was the construction company and Viktor Buzov the architect. SOC Kamchia are the main investors.

The result is a first-class construction, with the surrounding landscaping and planting complementing the natural environment of the facility.

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 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for the twelve months ending June 30, 2012.

NORTHRIDGE, California – Winter NAMM 2013 marked the debut of the Anaheim Convention Center’s new 100,000-square-foot Grand Plaza outdoor space, where Herreman Productions coordinated a HARMAN-equipped stage to present numerous acts including Tower of Power, The Living Legends Jam and CTA. Rental sound specialists Meeting Services Inc. of San Diego and VER (Video Equipment Rentals) collaborated to field a comprehensive HARMAN Professional concert sound system for all performances held at the temporary production facility during the NAMM show.

In its fifth decade of entertaining crowds around the globe, Oakland-based Tower of Power entertained an enthusiastic convention crowd of approximately 5,000 persons at the Grand Plaza main stage while kicking off activities as the tradeshow’s opening headline concert. Veteran front of house mixer Mike Droke was at the controls of a Soundcraft Vi6 digital mixing console.

“This is my first time mixing on both Soundcraft’s Vi6 and JBL’s new VTX line array system,” noted Droke. “This system has plenty of punch and tons of low end. This band has a lot of low-mid energy with our 5-piece horn section, particularly the baritone sax, and the system handled it with ease. I particularly noticed the extended high frequency response and the musical detail in the VTX rig.”

Headed by independent engineer Eric Stahlahmmer, the audio crew deployed nine JBL VTX V25 line array enclosures suspended from each side of the Stageline SL320 mobile stage, with 10 VERTEC® VT4886 subcompact line array elements arranged on the lip of the stage for front fill. Twelve VTX S28 cardioid-arrayable subwoofers were ground-stacked for extra low-frequency reinforcement. Eighteen JBL STX812M stage monitors were distributed across the stage for the performers, while six STX835 loudspeakers and five STX818S subwoofers handled side fill requirements. Eighteen Crown I-Tech 12000HD amplifiers in VRacks utilizing BSS Omnidrive HD processing powered the loudspeakers, while the SoundcraftVi6 was complemented by a Vi1 digital console at the monitor position, manned by independent engineer Clayton Green.

HARMAN’s AKG vocal and instrument microphones blanketed the stage: 10 C518m clip-on mics for toms, two D12 VR’s on bass drums, two C430’s, four C451’s, six C214’s for overheads, two C414’s, 10 D40’s, 10 D5’s, two C3000’s, four C5’s, two C4000’s, three C4500’s, two custom gold-colored DHT 700 C5’s, one C411, and numerous gooseneck microphones were in use, with two HELICAL long distance range-extending wireless antennas located at the FOH position.

“Taken together, the AKG mics, Vi consoles, Crown VRacks and the JBL VTX line arrays make a really powerful combination,” observed Stahlhammer, who with his crew manned the stage system for up to 12 hours a day. “With JBL HiQnet Performance Managerâ„¢ software tying it all together, the process of configuring the system and monitoring its performance during the show has really been streamlined. The application has been laid out to follow our normal workflow processes, and it really saves me time and effort.”

For more information on Meeting Services Inc, visit http://www.msiprod.com.

For more information on Video Equipment Rentals, visit http://www.verrents.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 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for the twelve months ending June 30, 2012.

LONDON, United Kingdom — Highly experienced sound engineer John Delf, has exchanged the HARMAN Soundcraft Vi1 he has been using recently on club duty, with fast emerging London girl trio Stooshe, for the larger Vi6 for the edgy soul/hip hop of Plan B (Ben Drew) on the arena circuit.

Supplied as part of a complete PA package by Dave Shepherd’s BCS Audio, the UK arena shows have been split into two distinct sections, featuring Plan B’s 2010 album, The Defamation of Strickland Banks in the same track order, followed by the soundtrack of his hardcore London gangland movie Ill Manors in the second (complete with harrowing visuals).

Supported by six projectors—firing onto three screens plus IMAG at London’s O2, where a DVD was also being recorded—it was an exacting challenge for Delf, his system tech Dave ‘Boxx’ Cann and Shepherd himself (who assumed production management duties). Aside from the mix, the FOH engineer was using time code to sync to the screens, supplying click tracks and recording to multitrack from the Vi6’s optical MADI onto hard disc recorder.

This task was made easier by the Soundcraft mixing platform that Delf first experienced at KOKO in London (where a Vi6 is installed). Although experienced in all digital operating systems, he says the Vi6—with stage rack giving a 96-channel capability—is perfect for many bands, Plan B being one.

“I have liked the Vi6 since the first time I used it,� Delf said. “I know it’s a popular thing to say, but I am very impressed with the preamps. The Vi6 just gives a bit more crunch and edge, which suits this kind of gig more, particularly with the hip hop section. It has a real clarity to it. A creative sound engineer realises that not all desks sound the same—it’s like a guitarist choosing a Fender Strat for one type of sound and a [Gibson] Les Paul for another.�

In addition, Delf loves the fact that he can get a complete visual reference of the show across the top page of his board—particularly useful on this show, which carries a 10-piece ensemble, including percussion, acoustic guitars, drums, bass, keyboards, two BV’s and two rappers.

John is running 42 inputs on this tour. “You can spend your whole time mixing with the mouse [on some desks] but because of the Vi6’s 32 faders your whole show is in front of you. I only turn to the second page once in a while.�

Most of the system dynamics are straight off the board. “I use a subtle amount of reverb and a lot of EQ and some compression on the mix.�

But again the Soundcraft Vi6’s unique FaderGlow provides the wizardry. “It is extremely useful; with everything in front of you it is possible to see what has EQ on it and what has compression, you can see if the inserts are on. When you hit the graphic all the faders become EQ and change to red, so you know you are in graphic mode.�

John Delf started his career in the studio world, and still runs Edge Recording Studios in Cheshire (http://www.theedgestudios.co.uk). His first tour of duty many years ago was with Mark Burgess and the Chameleons — and he’s not looked back since, working with many big names along the way, including Lily Allen and The Script.

He landed the gig with Plan B after working with Eliza Doolittle and supporting him at the O2. She was also asked to support American dates and John was asked to double on Plan B for a seven-day stint. “But it turned into six weeks,� he chuckled. “The first gig was at Coachella [Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival] and I was thrown right in at the deep end. Plan B is a perfectionist and wants everything to be right.� They also played some festivals in the Balearics, including Mallorca Rocks.

“He’s quite a dynamic singer but I was told to make sure his vocal was audible, with no feedback, because his in-ears are turned up really loud. It was a challenge.�

John Delf does not use snapshot or scene recalls, but prefers to mix live over his show file. Via the multitrack hard disc, the sound engineer is able to use the console’s virtual sound check facility, but overall he says, “It’s the workflow and sound quality that make the Vi6 special; it’s as near to an analogue desk in layout as anything I have used.�

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 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for the twelve months ending June 30, 2012.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – In just a few short years jazz pianist, multi-instrumentalist and composer Jonathan Fritzén has vaulted to the top of the smooth jazz charts. His latest release, Magical, has reached Number One on every major smooth jazz airplay chart. At turns easy-grooving, romantic, vibrant and always melodic, Fritzén’s music has captured the imagination of listeners worldwide. One of the most effective musical colors in Fritzén’s palette is the HARMAN’s Lexicon PCM Total Bundle, which includes 14 hallmark Lexicon Vintage Plate, Room, Concert Hall and other reverbs, and effects that run the gamut from Pitch Shift, Chorus and Dual Delay to unique sounds like Resonant Chords, which allows multiple delay voices to resonate on specific notes.

“I first became interested in Lexicon for a very important reason – the sound! As countless of my favorite records had Lexicon products as part of their sound, I wanted to find a way to incorporate them into my own recordings,� Fritzén said. “When the PCM Total Bundle became available it looked like the answer to my needs and I had to try it out.�
Fritzén finds that the Lexicon plug-ins offer musical capabilities available nowhere else. “They sound incredible – actually, I would say that these are the best-sounding reverb and delay plug-ins I’ve either used or heard, without competition. But more importantly, I also really like how creative I’ve been feeling in using them.�
“The flexibility and functions that the PCM Total Bundle provide inspire my artistic directions. The various plug-ins really feel like instruments in themselves, compared to other plug-ins that just feel like ‘plug-ins’ and don’t have the musical character that I prize in Lexicon.�
“In fact, in my experience the Lexicon reverbs and effects are inspirational in themselves,� Fritzén concluded. “This is something very rare when it comes to plug-ins.�

“We are very excited to be working with a musician of Jonathon’s caliber and to be an integral part of his sound,� added Noel Larson, Market Manager, Portable PA, Tour and Recording at HARMAN Signal Processing.

The Lexicon PCM Total Bundle is designed to work with popular DAWs like Pro Tools and Logic, as well as with any other VST®, Audio Unit™ or RTAS®-compatible platform. Compatible with Windows® Vista, XP and 7 and Macintosh® computers, it offers 14 unique Lexicon reverbs and effects, and hundreds of finely crafted studio presets. Its intuitive user interface provides control of key parameters with a graphical real-time full-color display and flexible sonic customization capabilities.

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 20 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported sales of $4.4 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012.