Overcoming a Towering Acoustical Challenge at  North Carolina’s Museum of Natural Science

Raleigh, NC, December 2012.… Already one of the largest facilities of its kind, Raleigh’s Museum of Natural Sciences recently completed work on an impressive new addition: the 80,000 square foot Nature Research Center (NRC). Featuring state-of-the-art labs, research opportunities, and numerous interactive exhibits, the crown jewel of the new NRC wing is surely the SECU Daily Planet, an intensely immersive, three-story multimedia space that engages visitors with a flurry of sight and sound, while offering a powerful message about the wonders of science in our daily lives.

Designed to facilitate both pre-recorded and live content, the Daily Planet’s massive, three-story visual display runs continually-projecting a variety of poetic and informational content to excite the senses. A small stage at ground level also allows for occasional live presentations. The entire Daily Planet exhibit resides in a massive, dome-shaped room with two balcony levels extending seven feet into its center. The three-level design allows visitors to choose from three unique vantage points as they take in any of up to 50 powerful presentations that run throughout the day.

With its unique ellipsoidal shape and vantage points from a main level and two balconies, delivering impactful and immersive audio consistently to all three levels presented numerous obstacles. Rising to the challenge were AV integrators Electrosonic, in partnership with Milford, CT-based SH Acoustics, who created a system centered around Renkus-Heinz’s Iconyx series steerable column arrays.

“Unlike similar spaces – for example, an Omnimax Theater – the Daily Planet needed to accommodate a variety of different formats, including lectures and live performances,” explained Steve Haas, Founder and President of SH Acoustics. “The room’s unique design and its numerous reflective elements created some unique challenges right from the beginning. We knew we couldn’t simply apply tons of sound-absorptive materials because deadening the room too much wouldn’t work well for lectures.”

As Haas observes, the Iconyx steerable beam technology would allow them to more effectively direct the output and avoid unwanted reflections, while at the same time addressing the unique acoustic requirements at all three levels.

The complete Renkus-Heinz loudspeaker complement includes eight Iconyx IC8-R-II steerable arrays for mains, augmented by ten SG61-2R powered two-way systems for surround, with three PN112SUB 12-inch powered subwoofers providing powerful low-end reinforcement.”We decided very early that we wanted to create three different audio experiences on each of the three levels,” explained Haas. “In addition, each level needed to be surround sound, and most importantly, needed to ensure minimal interaction between adjacent levels and the rest of the room. This is where the Iconyx system was a no-brainer.”

Haas elaborates, “The first and second levels each include left, center, and right, as well as four surrounds. On the third level the dome is much tighter, so we opted for just left and right with two surrounds. For low frequencies, we placed all three subwoofers on the second level. There simply wasn’t enough room for discreet subs on each level, so we configured each one as the point sources for the adjacent levels, and delayed the LF signal appropriately from the first level, second level and third level. It actually worked quite well.”

Once installed, Haas and his team were able to take full advantage of the Iconyx system’s beam steering capabilities to dial in the perfect output at the ground floor and both balconies.

“We needed to make sure that we had a very tight pattern-at least vertically-so that the experiences at each level did not interact with each other in any appreciable way.” Haas explains. “We were able to get the second and third levels sounding fantastic with little difficulty. The first level was a bit more challenging, but the Iconyx beam steering, combined, with the careful addition of diffusion materials, made all the difference.”

After the system was configured, Haas worked with the museum production staff to save a number of unique output presets that could be easily retrieved to accommodate different program types.

“There are several different modes including a presentation mode and a media mode,” says Haas. “We even gave the producers the opportunity to have a secondary beam from some of the upper arrays-like from the second level down to the first level-in case they wanted a spot effect or some other secondary sound source.”

In the end the results speak for themselves. The new NRC wing and Daily Planet exhibits are big hits with museum attendees and management alike. And for Haas, this is yet another seemingly impossible acoustic challenge conquered through a synergy of great technology, real-world know how and savvy partnerships.

Haas sums it up: “We like challenges, and we have a very long history of working successfully with Electrosonic on unique projects like this. We absolutely love coming up with unique solutions, and as a technology partner, Renkus-Heinz has always been there with fantastic tools. They’re just great to work with.”

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Headquartered in Foothill Ranch, California, Renkus-Heinz, Inc. is the worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of audio operations networks, digitally steerable arrays, powered and non-powered loudspeakers, system specific electronics and fully integrated Reference Point Array systems.

San Francisco, CA – December 2012….. The Lincoln Highway was the first automobile road across the United States, stretching from New York’s Times Square to San Francisco. Marking the road’s western end, high on a hill overlooking the Pacific and the Golden Gate Bridge, is the California Palace of the Legion of Honor. The building, a magnificent three-quarter-scale reproduction of Paris’ Palais de la Légion d’Honneur, is home to a wide and varied collection of ancient and European art spanning more than 6,000 years.

The Palace is also home to the Florence Gould Theater, an ornate 333-seat jewel box auditorium designed by museum architect George Applegarth. Opened in 1924 as the Little Theater, the venue hosts a regular calendar of concerts, lectures and theater performances.

The theater’s massive columns, rounded walls, and domed ceilings create a breathtaking environment, as well as some legendary challenging acoustics. “The room has no acoustic treatment whatsoever, and an abundance of hard surfaces,” offers Joe Orlando of Atwater, CA-based Commercial Media Systems. “It’s highly reverberant, and spoken word intelligibility is pretty much non-existent.” Commercial Media created the system design and assisted the Museum’s production department with the installation.

“The room works great if you’re onstage and you have a good, theatrical speaking voice,” observes John Anaya, Production Manager for the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. “But for amplified sound, the room has some very problematic reflections. In fact, we found that the best seats in the house for sound were in the very back of the theater, while the front rows had terrible sound.”

Over the years, a succession of audio systems has failed to make a significant impact on the problem, until CMS recommended an upgrade to four Community ENTASYS high-performance column line arrays. A pair of ENTASYS full-range columns are mounted on either side of the proscenium, powered by the museum’s existing Hafler amps.

“Due to the room’s architecture we had to mount the speakers much higher than what would have been the optimal height,” Orlando explains. “But the ENTASYS columns enabled us to angle the arrays and focus the sound downward to the seating area, and off the walls and domed ceiling. ENTASYS is really the only system that would have worked in that space.”

“Of course, we were not going to put anything in here that affected the aesthetics of the room,” adds Anaya. “The ENTASYS speakers blend into the space perfectly; they match the walls so well, we find we have to point out to people where the speakers are.”

Anaya sums it up: “It has been like night and day. The clarity in the room is phenomenal.”

Click here to view the video.

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Community Professional Loudspeakers is a manufacturer and supplier of professional audio equipment. Since 1968, Community has led the pro-audio industry with technological innovations which have become industry standards. Today, Community offers over 150 professional loudspeaker products, including installed loudspeaker systems, weather-resistant outdoor loudspeaker systems, ceiling loudspeakers, high level voice paging systems, and portable entertainment systems. Visit www.communitypro.com for more information.

After putting DPA Microphone’s new hand-held d:facto Vocal Microphone through its paces on her recent tour, Dutch singer and vocal coach Margot Giselle says she is delighted with the natural sound it gave to her voice.

“For the first time ever I was able to hear my voice as it really sounds because the microphone only amplified the sound – it didn’t change my voice in any way,â€� Margot Giselle says. “It was bright, clear and warm – and by allowing me to create all the vocal colours I wanted, the DPA d:facto microphone made singing really easy.â€�

During her recent tour of the Netherlands, Margot Giselle worked with sound engineer Roel van Zeelst, from Dutch rental company IDAK, which has a large stock of DPA microphones. In conjunction with DPA’s Dutch distributor Amptec, van Zeelst arranged for Giselle to test the new DPA d:facto Vocal Microphone as he felt it would be ideally suited to her voice and her singing style.

“I was performing with four musicians and singing a lot of acoustic material, and wanted a microphone that would allow me to recognize my own voice, even when it was amplified,� Giselle explains. “The d:facto did exactly what I wanted and sounded so much better than any microphone I had used in the past. I was really delighted with it. The clarity and naturalness of the sound meant that I could relax on stage and just enjoy the performance.�

Margot Giselle, who trained as a classical vocalist at the Conservatory of Utrecht in the Netherlands, has worked on many musical theatre productions including Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Cabaret, Annie and Cats. She has also worked as a backing vocalist for artists such as Petra Berger and in 2011 she recorded and produced her first solo album Same Girl, which combines songs from various musicals with easy listening tracks and light pop covers. When she is not recording and performing, Margot Giselle offers vocal coaching from her private studio and at the Frank Sanders Musical Academy in Amsterdam

Margo Giselle is undertaking another tour for Spring 2013 and plans to include the DPA d:facto Vocal Microphone in her equipment list.

“The d:facto is a wonderful microphone that makes it easy for singers to sing their hearts out without straining their voices,� she says. “It also helps that Roel van Zeelst is a fantastic sound engineer who knows just how to make the microphone work for me in the best possible way.�

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Editors’ information:
DPA Microphones is the leading Danish Professional Audio manufacturer of high quality condenser microphones and microphone solutions for professional applications in studio, broadcast, theatre, video/film and sound reinforcement environments. All DPA microphones and components are manufactured at the company’s purpose-built factory in Denmark.
For more information on DPA Microphones, please visit www.dpamicrophones.com

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Dec. 10, 2012 — Atlona(R), a leading digital connectivity solutions provider, today announced that it has appointed Jeff Meyer as the company’s director of business development for the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions. In his new role, Meyer is responsible for Atlona’s sales in these territories, and will be instrumental in shaping the company’s international business strategy. Prior to joining Atlona, Meyer’s company AV Consulting International (AVCI) worked in partnership with Global AV Network to manage Atlona’s international sales. more

When Russian guitarist Roman Miroshnichenko was booked to play a Jubilee concert with legendary guitarist Larry Coryell at the Moscow International House of Music, he knew he would need a first class microphone to truly capture the sound of this prestigious event.

DPA Microphone’s Russian distributor I.S.P.A arranged for Roman to test a DPA d:vote™ 4099G Instrument Microphone for Guitar, which proved to be exactly what he was looking for.

“I heard that Paco De Lucia’s sound engineer rated DPA microphones very highly so on that basis I decided I had to try them out,â€� Roman Miroshnichenko says. “I was in need of a really good microphone for my upcoming Jubilee concert with Larry Coryell so I spoke to Maxim Kupryakhin at I.S.P.A who arranged for me to try a d:vote 4099G clip mic. The concert was a great and important test-drive for the microphone and from the very first time I used it, I was hooked. The beauty of the DPA 4099G is that it is compact, has no feedback problems on stage, and has the same tonal quality as the more expensive studio microphones. This DPA microphone gives me incredible quality in an extremely compact package and that was why I decided to buy it.â€�

Widely considered to be Russia’s top guitarist, Roman Miroshnichenko holds a number of prestigious international music awards, including the US Annual Independent Music Award. His virtuoso performances in the contemporary instrumental jazz-fusion field have led him to collaborate, perform and record with world-renowned musicians such as Al Di Meola, Djivan Gasparyan, Frank Colon, Joao Donato, Marco Mendoza, Dominique Di Piazza, Saskia Laroo, Augusto Enriquez and Richie Cole. In 2002 Roman founded his own band, RMProject, which has been touring Russia, Europe and the USA on a regular basis.

“2013 will also see me recording a new album using my d:vote 4099G instrument microphone and I’m really excited about that,� Roman says. “Since buying my 4099G, I’ve used it in a number of different concert halls and also on radio, TV and in the studio. For many years I have been searching for the perfect microphone and now I’ve found it. DPA really does make great microphones!�

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Editors’ information:
DPA Microphones is the leading Danish Professional Audio manufacturer of high quality condenser microphones and microphone solutions for professional applications in studio, broadcast, theatre, video/film and sound reinforcement environments. All DPA microphones and components are manufactured at the company’s purpose-built factory in Denmark.
For more information on DPA Microphones, please visit www.dpamicrophones.com
For more information about Roman Miroshnichenko please visit: http://romanmiroshnichenko.com/

Integrated Systems Europe 2013
Atlona(R)
Stand 7-N200

Company Quote:
ISE provides us with a great opportunity to connect with our European customers and introduce them to some amazing new products. This year, visitors to our booth will witness a number of solutions to support them in multizone commercial and residential installations, including extenders, splitters, audio converters, and more that embrace the latest A/V technologies, such as HDBaseT, said Ilya Khayn, president and CEO, Atlona. In addition, we are excited to host our International Distributor Summit at the show, and look forward to sharing our latest incentive programs, upcoming products, and more with our valued distributors around the world. more

Costa Mesa, CA (December 5, 2012) – QSC Audio Products is proud to announce the launch of the AcousticPerformance™ line of professional, two-way, full-range loudspeakers, ideal for a variety of installed sound reinforcement applications which require higher SPL and a stylish enclosure. All models feature a 3-inch voice coil, high power-capacity compression driver combined with high-output woofers to deliver exceptional full bandwidth reproduction.

“In keeping with QSC’s loudspeaker design philosophy, all AcousticPerformance loudspeakers feature Directivity Matched Transition™ (DMT) which matches the compression driver to the natural coverage angle of the woofer in the cross-over region�, states Phil Sanchez, QSC Loudspeaker Product Manager. “When combined with their axisymmetric waveguides, AcousticPerformance loudspeakers deliver a flat power response with smooth and accurate sonic reproduction and remarkably consistent coverage both on and off-axis.�

AcousticPerformance models may be used in passive (full-range) mode to minimize amplifier channel count or bi-amp mode for greater control and performance. To further enhance performance, bi-amp and full-range tunings using QSC Intrinsic Correction techniques are available for Q-Sysâ„¢ and future QSC products.

All models feature M10 mounting points for deployment via eye-bolts as well as mount points for an optional yoke bracket. The AP-5122m multi-purpose enclosure features a 40-degree angle, making it ideal for floor monitor use, and a pole cup for deployment on a loudspeaker stand. The enclosure and terminal input cup on the AP-5122m have been designed to facilitate the cable runs for a clean appearance on stage.

Presenting a clean, unobtrusive look, AcousticPerformance grilles are unadorned, eliminating the need to cover-up logo treatments, which can be difficult to hide or remove. The grille is also lined with acoustically transparent backing, adding to the enclosure’s professional appearance.

AP-5102/5122/5152 models are available in black (RAL 9011) and white (RAL 9010) finishes. AP-5122m is available in black only. To minimize impact and disposal fees at the job site, all AcousticPerformance loudspeakers are packaged in environmentally friendly, recyclable cartons.

Key Features of the AcousticPerformance Line:

•DMT™ (Directivity Matched Transition) ensures smooth, coherent power response across the listening plane
•3� diaphragm compression delivers a clean and powerful high frequency response
•M10 fittings and yoke mount fittings offer flexible deployment options for a variety of applications
•Clean industrial design with unadorned grilles complement most decors and settings
•NL4 Speakon™ connector and covered barrier strip terminals*
•Bi-Amp / Passive Switchable
•Constructed from 15-ply Baltic birch plywood
•16-Gauge powder coated steel grilles
•Available in black (RAL 9011) and white (RAL 9010)*
•Complete EASE, CAD & BIM information available online
* Except for 5122m

For more information, visit the AcousticPerformance product page at http://qsc.com/products/speakers/ap/

About QSC Audio
QSC Audio Products, LLC is a leading manufacturer of power amplifiers, loudspeakers, digital signal processors, digital sound transport, and network audio for professional audio systems worldwide. qsc.com

PETALUMA, Calif. — Dec. 4, 2012 — Furman today announced that it is now shipping its CN-3600S E (220V-240V, 16A capacity) SmartSequencer(TM), the first power management solution for the EMEA market for Furman’s Contractor Series. Designed for commercial A/V installers, the unit combines optional BlueBOLT(R) functionality with AC power distribution, protection, filtration, and sequential system power on/off. more

Company to introduce new accessory at ISE in Amsterdam

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, December 3, 2012 — Audio over IP pioneer Barix addresses network downtime with its new Real-Time Clock accessory, ensuring that audio and control devices continue operating uninterrupted during network failures — keeping mission-critical operations for broadcast radio, streaming media, building automation and other applications on time.

The market-agnostic, self-sustaining reference clock plugs into any device with an RS232 serial port, including but not limited to Barix IP audio and control products. The Barix Real-Time Clock (RTC) maintains time, even when unpowered, for years. This allows the RTC to provide time information immediately after a device startup, independent of a network-based time reference.

“Barix devices are normally network-connected and receive the time through that connection, but what if, after a power outage, the network connection remains down?� asks Johannes G. Rietschel, CEO and founder of Barix AG. “It’s a serious concern if your operation requires time-dependent logging or control. The Barix Real-Time Clock provides that time source to maintain operations.�

Rietschel points to specific examples for streaming media and building automation. Retail businesses, for example, often operate “Store and Play� systems for in-store audio that are programmed to run time-based announcements and playlists. The Barix Real-Time Clock allows the device to work offline without network connection, playing out audio messages and time-sensitive content on time. Similarly, broadcasters streaming syndicated programs with local network IDs, jingles, ads and promos can trigger events on schedule without affecting the on-air content.

For building automation, Rietschel notes that Barix Barionet IP control devices can use the RTC to gain independence from network time references, continuing to switch lights and boilers on and off if the network goes south. This ensures that energy-saving techniques for schools, businesses and other facilities continue without disruption.

“The overarching benefit for any operation is that your devices can read the time from the RTC and run critical programs as scheduled,â€� he said. “It’s a low-cost accessory that can make a big difference.â€�

Barix will show the Real-Time Clock along with its latest one-way and two-way IP audio devices at the ISE show in Amsterdam, taking place January 29-31, 2012 at the RAI Exhibition Center (Booth #2-E64).

About Barix AG (www.barix.com)
Barix AG, headquartered in Zurich Switzerland, specializes in research and development of state of the art IP based communication and control technology. The company is a long-term and reliable supplier of IP audio and control devices, with more than 150,000 devices shipped in its first decade of business. Barix products are stand-alone and able to remotely connect worldwide over standard networks / Internet offering new and improved solutions to the commercial audio distribution, communication and automation industry. Barix products provide solutions in Audio over IP (audio distribution and monitoring, communication, security) and automation (remote controlling, monitoring and maintenance).

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LOS ALTOS, California — The David and Lucile Packard Foundation was created in 1984 by Hewlett-Packard co-founder David Packard and his wife Lucile to provide grants to improve the lives of families, children and communities and to restore and protect our planet. The Foundation recently inaugurated its new headquarters in Los Gatos, which is the largest Net Zero Energy building in California. The building is equipped with a host of state-of-the-art amenities including a HARMAN BSS Audio Soundweb™ London conferencing system.

The system was installed by San Jose, CA-based Integrated Communications Systems (ISC), a communications contractor/integrator with a client roster that includes some of the best-known names in Silicon Valley. The BSS Audio system features two BLU-800 devices and eight BLU-160 devices, and includes six Soundweb London Telephone Hybrid Cards and 14 Soundweb London AEC (Acoustic Echo Cancellation) Cards. The BSS Audio devices are complemented by 32 JBL® Control 26CT in-ceiling speakers, six Control 128W in-wall and four Control 126W in-wall speakers installed in the Foundation’s six videoconferencing rooms and throughout the facility.

“Everything about the new Packard Foundation building is top quality and we wanted to install a system to match,� said Mark Berlo, Project Manager at ICS. “We chose the Soundweb London conferencing system because of its superior sound quality, especially its Acoustic Echo Cancellation. The AEC adapts very quickly. We have had nothing but compliments on the sound quality.�

The BSS Audio components and other A/V equipment are located in one of four intermediate distribution frames that send the audio and video to the six conference rooms, and divisible meeting room. In addition, audio can be fed to the building’s center courtyard. The system is used primarily for conferencing and presentations.

“It’s a testament to how well thought-out the system is that the setup and commissioning went quite smoothly,� Berlo noted. “The system is versatile, works perfectly in keeping everyone connected both in the building and in remote locations, and the client is very happy with the sound quality.�

“I should point out that the David and Lucile Packard Foundation building is an LEED Platinum Certified Building, which is the highest rating given by the USGBC, the US Green Building Council. We’re proud to have participated in this project.�

For more information about Integrated Communication Systems please visit www.ics-integration.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.