BALTIMORE, Maryland – To help the world’s leading broadcasters and advertising agencies fully realize their ideas and visions, Baltimore, Maryland-based Producers Video relies on Fairlight’s XCS Constellation with the Xynergi as a center panel for a professional A/V solution. As Maryland’s premier film, video, audio production and post-production house, Producers Video runs campaigns for nationally known brands such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, Under Armour and Toyota, among others.

The addition of Fairlight’s XCS Constellation to Producers Video’s facility has been a catalyst for its continued success and expansion. “We never want to turn away clients or work opportunities as the flexibility and options we receive with Fairlight products is our major strength,� says Bob Bragg, Senior Audio Engineer at Producers Video. “Since the installation, we’ve been able to evolve and learn to incorporate more features that help expand our business and capabilities.�

One of the benefits of Fairlight’s XCS Constellation and Xynergi is their flexibility to work with many file formats. Bragg notes, “Fairlight continues to add new levels of innovation by adding HD video to the timeline as well as the capability to import and export different file formats and VST plug-ins. The ability to work on audio and signal processing on every channel, without a separate program saves a great amount of time and helps to keep workflow constant. There is no need to launch another program or extension, and all the native EQ’s and dynamics are all instantly there.�

On a day-to-day basis, Bragg mentioned some of the challenges of production and how Fairlight consoles help to eliminate issues that can slow down workflow and productivity. The user-friendly footprint of the Constellation provides plenty of inputs and outputs, and the ability to instantly adjust feeds to send to other studios via ISDN with picture lock makes it easy to keep workflow constant.

“It’s great to work with other studios and be able to have both sessions running at the same time, helping to judge the performance and make creative decisions instantly even if you’re not on site. Many of the more compact systems don’t have the versatility and ease of use with parameter adjustments and routing that you get with Fairlight and the Constellation.�

The system comes with very good sounding native EQ and dynamics that are superior to most plug-ins Bragg has used. “The native processing really sounds rich and detailed plus you still have the five plug-ins available to drop in per channel if needed, giving multiple options,� stated Bragg.

“Other features we use often are the AAF import and EDL conform capability. We drag and drop multiple cuts onto a single timeline. When a version is finalized, it’s great to be able to access the original polyphonic broadcast wav files recorded during production. This gives us access to every microphone that was on set or location and can help us sort through the feeds to pick the best audio for the circumstance.�

Working under continuing deadlines makes maintaining constant workflow crucial. For one project, Bragg described that the timeline was extremely short and the project needed to be set up on Friday and mixed for completion by Monday. With no room for leeway, strict deadlines and a tight budget, the quality still needs to be at the highest level. “At Producers, we pride ourselves in being able to do everything in house; production, editing, motion graphics, audio, and color correction. With the Fairlight Constellation and Xynergi,� said Bragg. “We can do audio post for every kind of project. It is a very versatile tool and we use its networking strengths facility wide. We can have different engineers working on different aspects of the project and it’s extremely easy to bring it all together for the final version. We really rely on the gear to perform and push the project through workflow-wise.�

The intuitive layout and ease of use of the Fairlight consoles continue to make the learning process for engineers very easy. “The ongoing support we receive is impeccable. We are constantly reassured of our decision to go with Fairlight and continue to enjoy working with them and the systems,� Bragg continued. “It’s clear Fairlight truly cares about our professional needs.�

For more information on Producers Video, please visit: http://www.producers.tv

-ends-

About FairlightUS:
FairlightUS is headquartered in New Jersey USA and is the exclusive distributor for Fairlight products in the North American market. Fairlight has been at the forefront of digital audio development since its inception in 1975. Fairlight designs and manufactures media creation tools including digital audio recording, editing and mixing systems for standard and high definition audio post, broadcast and music production applications. www.fairlightus.com

About Fairlight:
Headquartered in Sydney, Australia Fairlight designs and manufactures media production systems powered by the company’s groundbreaking CC-1 FPGA digital processing engine. The Fairlight product range includes EVO, Xynergi and the new PyxisG2, all of which feature in the world’s leading broadcasters, commercial post facilities, music studios and film production studios. Fairlight has a rich tradition of innovation and development and is at the forefront of green computing technology.

Charlotte, NC – February 6, 2012 – Episode Speakers (www.episodespeakers.com) –- the audio brand of custom solutions manufacturer SnapAV — is now shipping its first Soundbars and On-Wall LCRs. Shown for the first time at 2011 CEDIA EXPO, the models are the newest additions to an already robust 2nd generation lineup of home theater and 2-channel loudspeakers (presently totaling 73 models – many critically acclaimed), that have steadily come to market these past 24 months.

Containing 3-front-channels-in-1 for positioning underneath the flat panel TV in entertainment room and bedroom settings, the Episode 300 Series Soundbars are available in 30- and 40-inch widths at $499 and $599 MSRP respectively. For use as either individual front channel or surround sound speakers, also new are Episode 300 Series On-Wall LCRs for medium and large-sized TVs at $199 and $299 MSRP respectively. more

ANAHEIM, California – HARMAN’s Lexicon today announced the availability of the individual plug-ins from its popular PCM Native Effects and PCM Native Reverb Bundles. A total of 14 plug-ins will be available including Pitch Shift, MultiVoice Pitch, Chorus, Resonant Chords, Random Delay, Dual Delay, Stringbox, Vintage Plate, Plate, Hall, Room, Random Hall, Concert Hall and Chamber.

“Offering the individual plug-ins from our PCM Native Effects and PCM Native Reverb Bundles represents our commitment to provide Lexicon users with greater flexibility and ease to obtain exactly the sound quality they are looking for from the specific plug-in(s) they need for any project,� said Rob Urry, Vice President HARMAN Professional Division & GM of Signal Processing and Amplifier Business Units.

The PC- and Macintosh®-compatible plug-ins are designed to work with popular DAWs like Pro Tools®, Logic® and Nuendo®, as well as with any other VST®, Audio Unit™ or RTAS®-compatible host.

Each plug-in can be run in mono, stereo or mono in/stereo out, and on-screen input and output meters are provided for precise level setting.

All Lexicon plug-ins are Native only, and require iLok2 authorization. The individual plug-ins will be available in February 2012.

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 12,500 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.0 billion for twelve months ending September 30, 2011.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 2012: The NHL Winter Classic is a throwback to the bygone days when professional hockey was played outdoors in the chill wintertime air. But more than that, it is the NHL’s so-far-successful attempt to claim New Years Day in the same way that baseball claims July 4th and football claims Thanksgiving Day. This year’s contest took place at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia between the hometown Flyers and their rivals, the New York Rangers. Despite the Flyers’ loss, the 47,000 fans in attendance enjoyed the experience, as did the nearly four-million viewers who watched on NBC. Clair Global provided house sound and a broadcast mix for the between-period performances by hometown superstars, The Roots. They used three unique, Clair-conceived and Clair-deployed solutions: mobile speaker carts that allowed the line arrays to be lowered and flipped out of site lines as more

PALM DESERT, California — Known for providing entertainment and education through a variety of performing arts events that reflect the diversity of people, interests, and tastes of the Coachella Valley in California, the McCallum Theater recently updated its all-HARMAN audio system by adding Soundcraft’s Vi6 digital audio mixing console for its front-of-house mixing needs.

The 24-year-old Theater needed an update to replace an aging Soundcraft Series 5 console. With the Vi6 in mind, James D. Anderson, Audio Director at the Theater, consulted with Bob Patrick, Principal of Hacienda Heights, California-based IPR Services, to install the console and ensure compatibility with the rest of the system, including JBL’s VERTEC VT4888 midsize line arrays and Crown I-Tech amplifiers. The upgrade included BSS Soundweb London signal processing for digital routing and flexibility. Dennis M. Kornegay, CTO, IPR Services, developed the London programming and user interface software.

Patrick was the project manager when the original system was installed, and knows the details of the hardware. “He was the logical choice to go to, both for purchasing and integrating the console,� stated Anderson. “I had done my research and knew I wanted the Vi6. I had never used a digital board before, but the ease of use and operation with Soundcraft’s Vistonics™ II was so good that I jumped right into it. I knew that my guest engineers would be satisfied.�

“It was a seamless transition going from the old analog wiring to the new digital system,� said Anderson. “I am still learning the aspects of digital mixing, but the board is everything I imagined and more. I chose the 96 input option.�

To learn the new board, Anderson attended Soundcraft’s “Mixing with Professionals� session, conducted by Gert Sanner in Northridge, California. “It was perfect,� stated Anderson. “The class was four hours long and I came away with information that made everything easier. My favorite feature on the console is the Vistonics, which allows me to see all channel settings at the same time. I also like the GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) for starting playback devices with the function keys or from a cue. The GPIO contacts appear on my patch bay, along with user interface connections to all playback devices, for easy configuration.�

“I am extremely happy with the console and the support I’ve received from HARMAN and Soundcraft. It is perfect for what we need and I am excited to keep learning more ways to use the board and discovering more functions and effects,� Anderson concluded.

For more information on the McCallum Theater, please visit: http://www.mccallumtheatre.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 20 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 12,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported sales of $3.8 billion for the twelve months ending September 30, 2011.

ANAHEIM, California – In an introduction that provides audio professionals, musicians and enthusiasts with advanced system set up and design capabilities coupled with a highly intuitive user interface, HARMAN Professional today introduced Crown HiQnet Band Manager™ 2 at the 2012 Winter NAMM Expo. In doing so, the company is providing the broad community of musicians, DJs, venue owners and managers with access to better sound through sophisticated system integration and optimization technologies but also via a highly evolved user interface that is reliable, comprehensive and easy to navigate. According to Andy Flint, Business Segment Manager Portable PA, Crown Audio, today’s introduction will make DJs, engineers and audio rental professionals more efficient and effective at their job and will enable musicians, venue owners and managers to enjoy better performance — and better value — from their systems investment.

“If you’re going to invest in an audio system and you’re genuinely interested in getting the best possible sound for your business or performance, then HiQnet Band Manager 2 is a must-have,� Flint said today. “HiQnet makes great systems sound even better without the hassle, without the programming and without the requisite setup time that traditionally comes with preparing for a gig!�

HARMAN HiQnet Band Manager is an iteration of HARMAN’s industry-leading HiQnet system configuration and control protocol. The core systems integration and connectivity capabilities of HARMAN HiQnet have been customized and packaged for the systems integration, tour sound and MI markets respectively in HiQnet System Architect™; HiQnet London Architect™, JBL HiQnet Performance Manager™ and Crown HiQnet BandManager 2.

Band Manager 2 will include control and monitoring for Crown Audio’s XTi 2 product line. Users will be able to manage up to eight XTi 2 amplifiers via quick and simple USB interface. Crown will also have a brand new set of JBL presets for the XTi 2 product line that take full advantage of the enhanced processing and Peakx Plus™ limiters. HiQnet Band Manager 2 will also include presets for all the JBL JRX, MRX, SRX, and VRX product families and continued support for the original XTi Series, now discontinued.

It’s not surprising, therefore, that HiQnet Band Manager 2 boasts the performance firepower of highly evolved systems but Flint is quick to point out that this in itself presented a considerable challenge in making HiQnet Band Manager 2 usable for the broadest community of users. “Our first challenge in making HiQnet Band Manager valuable was first to make it accessible,� Flint notes. “We worked closely with target end-users and also modeled it on a browser paradigm and some good ideas from consumer interfaces to make Band Manager 2 easy to understand and quick to learn. We put this front-end on a powerful, scalable engine and we’re offering it for free. This adds up to a very accessible, attractive proposition and I encourage NAMM goers and interested parties everywhere to download Band Manager 2 and try it for themselves.�

“No other manufacturer can offer this scale of integration, system performance or price leadership,� Flint adds. “In today’s challenging economy, we’re not simply giving more — we’re also empowering MI customers everywhere to demand more of their systems and system manufacturers! In meeting with customers and dealers around the globe, I am consistently told that the investment that HARMAN made in developing HiQnet has paid a considerable efficiency dividend to our end-users in how they do their job and craft their art. We’re equally grateful for their input, ideas and adoption and we look forward to Band Manager 2 extending the franchise and usefulness to new communities going forward.�

HARMAN HiQnetâ„¢ 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 12,500 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.0 billion for twelve months ending September 30, 2011.

SUDBURY, Mass. — Jan. 17, 2012 — Revolabs Inc., a leading provider of wireless unified communications products, announces that effective today, co-founder and CEO Martin Bodley will move to the board level as the non-executive chairman of the board. Co-founder JP Carney has been named the company’s chief executive officer. more

POTTERS BAR, United Kingdom – HARMAN Soundcraft’s popular small-format (but big-hearted) digital console Si Compact has received a major upgrade with the V2 software release.

The new free upgrade provides more than 23 major new features, updates and enhancements; the first welcome addition being eight additional DSP channels expanding the Si Compact 16 and Si Compact 24 to 32 and 40 inputs to mix, respectively.

Of particular note is the new user configurable fader layers allowing input channels to be reassigned anywhere on either input layer and any bus master reassigned to either master layer. Now an engineer can put the inputs and returns where he or she most needs them, for example, having the main vocal or presenter always in position 1 on both input fader layers, or mixing aux and matrix masters on a single bus layer to reduce the number of layer changes.

Another particularly useful function introduced in V2 is D.O.G.S (Direct Output Gain Stabilisation). A common frustration for engineers is when two consoles (FOH and Monitors) share the same source such as a mic on stage; the mix balance on the second (slave) console can be overridden if the engineer at the master console changes the mic gain and in some environments this could also result in feedback in the slave system. Using a connection topology where the slave console is fed from a pre-fade direct output of the master, DOGS can compensate for the gain adjustment maintaining original system gain between mic in and direct out. One of the unique advantages of DOGS is since stabilisation occurs ‘locally’ in the master console only this component requires the DOGS system and all other equipment connected to the master can benefit from the feature.

Selective Copy & Paste is now implemented allowing all or part of a selected channel or bus to be copied and pasted elsewhere. This basic functionality is augmented with the ability to copy and paste individual bus or matrix mixes and copy/paste FX presets between Lexicon processors. Enhanced MIDI control allows snapshots to be recalled from any external devices capable of sending simple program change messages.

A new security mode prevents unauthorised access to key functions; as well as ‘total lockdown’ security can be tailored for different ‘operator access’ levels for example locking out house EQ and processing for guest engineers whilst allowing access for in-house operators.

Other enhancements include additional information displayed in the Function Focus window on the touch screen, improved matrix mix facilities, show file & folder management, better navigation, improved default settings, HPF settings, added EQ curve graphics and much more.

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 12,500 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.0 billion for twelve months ending September 30, 2011.

Las Vegas, January 9th, 2012 — Antelope Audio will demonstrate its audiophile-grade digital to analog converters (DACs) at T.H.E. Show in Las Vegas between Tuesday, January 10th and Friday, January 6th at The Flamingo Hotel, room 4044.

Antelope Audio’s high-end Zodiac D/A converters (DACs) are based on the company’s proprietary clocking and conversion technologies developed for world’s top mastering professionals and sound engineers in the music, film and television industries. Antelope brings to audiophiles’ home environment the highest audio quality available only at the leading and most technically demanding sound studios around the globe.

During T.H.E. Show, music lovers will have the opportunity to experience the pristine sound quality of all three models – Zodiac, Zodiac+ and Zodiac Gold. All of them utilize Antelope’s famous Oven Controlled Clock and Acoustically Focused Clocking as well as the custom USB chip, which allows audio streaming of up to 384 kHz.

Morten Lindberg the founder of Lindberg Lyd and the music label 2L, and several times Grammy Award nominee says “The Zodiac Gold is now our preferred DAC for proof listening of our 352.8kHz/24bit stereo master files.�

“The best way to experience Antelope Audio is to listen to our products first hand,� explained Marcel James, director of sales for Antelope Audio. “At T.H.E. Show, we will be reaching a very focused contingent of discerning audiophiles, who are keen to take the home listening experience to the next level. With our unique clocking and conversion technology, they can achieve that goal.�

Zodiac DACs: Unprecedented detail and clarity
The Antelope Audio Zodiacs help audiophile consumers and home listeners experience a new level of detail, sound clarity and warmth. Featuring a plug and play interface that connects seamlessly to a Mac, PC or just about any other digital media source, the Zodiacs deliver up to 384 kHz resolution audio, dramatically improving the listening experience on both loudspeakers and headphones. Antelope’s proprietary clocking technology, which is shielded from other electronic components to maintain a consistent temperature, is at the core of the Antelope sound and results in astounding accuracy, dynamics and stereo placement of the audio.

The Zodiacs are also particularly attractive to audio consumers who use headphones, being designed for precise monitoring with a wide range of headphone impedance. Ultra linear, dual stage headphone amplifiers, which are controlled by a dedicated volume knob, deliver smooth sound at both high and low levels.

To learn more about T.H.E. Show or to register, please visit http://www.theshowlasvegas.com.

Toronto, CN – January 2012…   Hidden in plain view amongst the towering skyscrapers of Toronto’s downtown financial district, The National Club is one of the city’s most prestigious landmarks. The non-political members-only organization serves as private retreat for its clientele, including many of Canada’s current and future leaders.

Since its founding in 1874, The National Club has hosted a who’s who of important Canadian and foreign dignitaries. Today it serves as an esteemed venue for private meetings and dinners, weddings, presentations and club-hosted events.

The brick-and-plaster building has endured several renovations since being constructed in 1906. Most recently, the club’s Board of Directors voted to replace the Main Dining Room’s existing audio  system, with an eye toward better addressing the club’s requirements for high voice intelligibility and imrproved sound distribution.

The two-story, 1950 square foot Main Dining Room comfortably seats 200 people, with antique chandeliers hanging from its impressive 19-foot ceiling. A balcony is located to one side of the room, creating two alcoves directly underneath it.

According to Brock McGinnis of Westbury National Show Systems, Ltd., who designed and installed the new audio system, the building’s historic nature and 14″ thick brick-and-plaster walls presented some specific challenges during the installation.

“The room is a very reverberant two-story space, and the dinner guests create a great deal of noise,” McGinnis explains. “It’s very much like having dinner in the middle of a cathedral. The walls and ceiling are made of very hard surfaces, so in addition to the reverb problem we weren’t able to run any cable through the walls.”

McGinnis opted for an Iconyx digitally steerable array loudspeaker system by Renkus-Heinz. A pair of IC8-R columns are mounted on either side of the room’s motorized video screen. The high performance system provides superior sound pattern distribution technology combined with outstanding musicality and voice intelligibility.

“Renkus-Heinz was our first choice for The National Club,” says McGinnis. “We’ve used Iconyx loudspeakers on many other projects and find them to be extremely effective at steering the sound precisely where it’s needed, and away from areas where it isn’t. The quality of sound we get is excellent, even with all the hard surfaces in the room.”

Preserving the character and appearance of the club’s architecture was also paramount. The Iconyx loudspeakers fit very discreetly into the wall, rendering them barely visible.

“The National Club is so pleased with the Iconyx system’s sound quality and distribution technology that they want to install more Iconyx loudspeakers in other parts of the building,” McGinnis reports.