DK-Technologies has announced the availability of its DK3 meter AND added the brand new DK4 meter to its award-winning DK METER family.

Like DK3, DK4 offers de-embedding of SDI 3G input channels. Additionally, DK4 includes three AES as well as two Analogue inputs.

Building on the already impressive DK METER Loudness and Audio toolbox, DK4 adds FFT Spectrum analysis, Screen Grabber and the classic MSD Meter Landscape View as standard features. These features are all optionally available for the other meters in the DK METER range.

To coincide with the launch of the DK4, DK-Technologies has also introduced an integrated set-up Wizard that takes DK Meter user friendliness to a whole new dimension. With this quick set-up guide, engineers can get to grips with DK’s powerful metering technology in a matter of minutes, thus giving them a head start with any meter in the DK range.

Jacob Hänel Christensen, Sales and Marketing Director for DK-Technologies, says: “With the addition of DK4, the DK METER reach has once again been expanded. Broadcasters and Post Production engineers can now monitor everything from compliant Loudness Measurements and True Peak readouts, through to detailed Spectrum Analysis.�

In common with the other meters in DK-Technologies range, the DK4 is compliant with all known loudness recommendations including; EBU R128, BCAP, ATSC A/85, ARIB, ABC, AGCOM 219 & ITU BS1770-2. Alongside StarFish™, Vectorscope and Moving Coil Emulations, new software features also include ‘Eye Width’ Instant SDI signal quality read out.

Since the launch of DK1 in 2011, the DK METER range has been rapidly adopted by broadcast and post production companies because it meets industry demand for cost-effective stereo and 5.1 metering, including loudness. No bigger than a smart phone, all of the meters in the range are easy to install and can be powered from a computer USB port, making them ideal for location recording. They are supplied with standard DK-Technologies meter scales plus the industry-standard StarFish™ and deliver conventional metering as well as loudness metering at the same time, on the same display and in a single box. Pricing for these products is highly competitive – starting at just $1499.00 in the US and €995.00 in Europe.

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About DK-Technologies
DK-Technologies develops and produces audio meters, video sync and test signal generators, as well as video waveform monitors and colour analysers both for LCD and CRT monitors. Alongside its worldwide distributor network, DK-Technologies also operates branch offices in Denmark, Germany, UK and USA. www.dk-technologies.com

The first permanent installation of Martin Audio’s new award-winning Multi-cellular Loudspeaker Array (MLA) has taken place at the Marquee Nightclub in Sydney, Australia.

Part of The Star Casino complex overlooking Darling Harbour, ‘Marquee––The Star Sydney’ is more than just a nightclub. It represents a development of the Casino into a much larger leisure and retail complex with the emphasis on entertainment, nightlife and shopping.

Within this, the Marquee Nightclub stands out as an independent enterprise and part of an international franchise that includes some of the hottest clubs in the world. It is fitting, therefore, that in choosing MLA, the Marquee Nightclub should have commissioned the world’s most advanced sound system as the central component to what is comfortably the largest nightclub investment ever undertaken in Australia.

MLA is more familiar to high-end touring and vast festival audiences. But Technical Audio Group (TAG), Martin Audio’s Australian distributors, were given the thumbs-up to supply a system into the largest of the areas within the club called the Main Floor––¬¬the Boombox, VIP Room and Library being the others.

Describing the background of this project, TAG’s Director of Engineering, Anthony Russo, said that as leaders in the design and supply of high end nightclub systems spanning over 30 years, the company was invited to bid on the project by AVS and Rentals Sydney on behalf of their client The Strategic Group, owners and operators of TAO and Marquee in the USA. “One main advantage of our experience was that we could assume total responsibility, deliver a turnkey solution and provide long term 24/7 support.�

As importers of Martin Audio equipment, Russo realized that the client was already familiar with the brand having specified it in some of the Group’s American clubs. After being awarded the contract in late 2011 TAG tabled a proposal to supply the new flagship MLA Multi-cellular array system on the main dance floor. “Considered by many to be the most cutting edge system available, this was to be MLA’s first installation in the world and compatible with Marquee’s market position,� said Anthony.

With such headline acts as Will.I.Am, Redfoo and Avicii appearing at the club, the request “for no technical compromise� further justified the selection of MLA.

Given this exacting criterion, a team approach was required and Russo enlisted several of the best electro-acoustics engineers in Australia––Glenn Leembruggen of Acoustic Directions and David Gilfillan as the commissioning and alignment team, with TAG dealer, Paul Moss from S&VC handling installation and mechanical aspects. In conjunction with Matthew Kline from Australian Venue Services, Marquee brought in Adam Ward, their US operations expert, for equipment review and final commissioning.

The club itself has been designed around 13 zones over the two main rooms. Even coverage and control were paramount, delivering high SPL where required and comfortable clarity elsewhere. AECOM Sydney undertook internal acoustic treatment given the high SPLs generated and mechanical isolation was also essential for all speakers with premium industrial caged rubber/spring isolators installed throughout.

A major challenge for speaker selection was the unusually low ceiling height for a club of nine to 11 feet in some areas with a plethora of existing hydraulic and electrical services and the added constraints of a stretched Barrisol false ceiling over the dance floors, so that tight vertical dispersion characteristics were the order of the day.

The main dance floor speaker system is comprised of six MLA enclosures and six MLX sub bass, with 18 specially modified VHF bullet arrays ensuring it specs right out to 32KHz, according to Anthony.

With its six onboard amplifiers, cutting edge DSP and networking, and with peak capabilities of 140-145dB, MLA is barely idling at Marquee, delivering nightly levels of 120dB or more. “As MLA is unlike any other loudspeaker manufactured, its set up requires a venue optimization program to be loaded specific to the task, and is exclusively venue based,� confirms Anthony Russo. “The amazing ability to listening for hours on end with no fatigue is truly unique.�

But TAG’s involvement with the Marquee went well beyond a PA system for the Main Floor. Apart from the Boombox and the chill-out Library there are several other small, segregated areas of entertainment and bar systems

The dance systems deployed here include 20 Martin Audio W8LM line array elements plus VHF bullet arrays, and five WS218X subs––while the three bar areas are catered for with banks of Martin Audio OmniLine micro line arrays, totalling 76 elements, with specially suspended banks of AQ212 subs. And with DJs also playing inside the enormous unisex toilet, a high-end Martin Audio 6.8T and sub ceiling speaker system has been installed.

Finally, the DJ’s need for monitoring is well catered for with Martin Audio AQ215 subs, Blackline F12+ and LE 2100 monitors.

Summing up, the TAG director says, “Marquee Nightclub at The Star Sydney has just installed by far the most advanced, cutting edge sound system in the world … full stop. We are delighted to have been the company responsible for specifying and being part of the team. The most exciting aspect is reading countless reviews of events and seeing comments relating to the sound system such as ‘jaw dropping’, ‘amazing’, ‘killer system’ and ‘best ever sound’; the list of superlatives is never-ending.�

For more about Martin Audio, please click to www.martin-audio.com.

RIGA, Latvia — UBS (Universal Baltic Sound) of Latvia has purchased the first new HARMAN Soundcraft Si Performer console in the Baltic region.

The rental company had originally been invited by Soundcraft’s Latvian distributor Audio AE to test the Si Compact 24 console on the recent tour of top local rock act Brainstorm, as the FOH mixing console for support band, The Sound Poets.

After using it on various shows they were highly impressed with the feature set. Although USB senior sound engineer Maris Liepa had never previously worked on the desk he was surprised at how easy it was to navigate. “I instinctively knew how to use it without referring to the manual,” he smiled. “The tour was a great test for a new product and we were able to run both FOH and monitors from a single Si24.”

They were all set to purchase the desk and add it to their extensive inventory of Soundcraft analogue boards…until the Si Performer hybrid desk, which is based on the same platform, was announced.

“When we learnt of the Performer 3, we were particularly impressed with the bigger channel count, the two option slots, which allow I/O expansion…and the more attractive appearance,â€� said Maris. “And so we didn’t hesitate to place the order for this instead.â€�

As touring veterans, experienced in running Soundcraft legacy consoles, they are familiar with the legendary signature audio and desk ergonomics. They have seen how easy it is to retain the feel of analogue within a digital board—a tradition that continues with the Si Performer 3.

The Si Performer is the first digital audio mixer with integrated DMX for lighting control. With a total possible capacity of 80 inputs, it takes the popular Si Compact platform as its base but provides almost twice as much DSP power and increased functionality. The Si Performer 3 itself offers 32 mic and eight line inputs, offering 14 aux/group mix busses, as well as four FX return channels; and with the aforementioned input cards it is possible to patch up to 80 inputs.

In addition, the integration of a DMX512 port offers core lighting control, with the initial release of software providing four scene masters (A-D) with associated slave channels on the ALT fader layers. This makes the desk thoroughly unique.

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.

Washington, D.C.’s U Street Music Hall, equipped with a Martin Audio speaker system known for its powerful WS218X subwoofers, was recognized for having one of the Top 10 US Club Sound Systems by Beatport, an online music store specializing in electronic dance music and culture.

Designed and installed by Adam Weiner, principal of ITI Audio Inc., working with partner William McClure and consultant Brian Miller of Edit Design, the Martin Audio system consists of four Martin Audio Blackline+ H3+ three-way speakers, two H3H+ three-way speakers, and two F15+ enclosures as DJ monitors in addition to the five WS218Xs powered by Martin Audio MA9.6K and MA12K amps. BSS Soundweb London Blu-160 and XTA DP226 are used for processing.

The landmark system had already earned praise since the edgy Washington club’s inception. Chris Richards of the Washington Post wrote, “Bass drips like subsonic honey from U Hall’s six-figure sound system, an incredible machine that trumps any nightclub’s in the city.â€� Asked about the earth-shattering bass system, club principal Will Eastman wryly noted to DCist, “One of our friends from the 9:30 Club was here last night, and he said, ‘nobody that works in this club will ever have kidney stones.’â€�

Commenting on the system, Weiner told Beatport, “U Hall is an example of what happens when people who care about how their music sounds do everything right in designing their club.� Beatport added, “Although the system bumps like no other, it only has five subs. That’s a true testament to the power of Martin Audio.�

Asked why the owners opted for Martin Audio, Weiner concludes, “They heard Martin Audio at a previous ITI installation and knew it was the best. They describe the system as amazing and intense.�

For more information, please call 519.747.5853 or visit www.martin-audio.com.

About Martin Audio®
Founded by audio engineer David Martin in 1971, Martin Audio pioneered the use of all-horn-loaded bass designs in world-class touring loudspeaker systems for groups such as Pink Floyd, ELP and Supertramp. Located outside of London, Martin Audio now embodies a sophisticated mix of acoustic design, research, mathematical modeling and software engineering for a wide range of products in the installation, cinema and touring sound markets.

NORTHRIDGE, California – Music Inc. of Louisiana is a music store in Gonzales, Louisiana that offers a complete selection of instruments, gear and services, from guitars, amps and PA systems to music lessons and more. Music Inc. owner Brandt Bourque (who purchased Music Inc. in January 2012) has had strong ties to the community going back to the store’s founding in 1969 and has seen first-hand the hardships caused by the weather and environmental disasters the Gulf Coast region has experienced. To better serve those in need, several leadership groups recently built a custom mobile kitchen, in which Music Inc. installed a pair of HARMAN’s JBL EON510 powered speakers to function as the vehicle’s mobile PA system.

“Some of the people on the project come from organizations that have helped feed victims and workers in the aftermath of the oil spills along the Gulf, after Hurricane Gustav and after the recent tornadoes in Alabama,� said Scott Duplechein, head of the Leadership Ascension Response Kitchen project. “While spending a lot of time at the ground zero points of these disaster areas the teams were faced with many challenges. Working out of the backs of trucks and cargo trailers, we found that simply preparing and serving hot meals to relief workers and victims was extremely difficult. The issues we faced led to the idea of creating a mobile disaster relief kitchen.�

The coalition pooled its resources and raised the funding to create a custom kitchen on wheels. “The kitchen is built on a 28-foot-long gooseneck trailer and is equipped with a griddle, stove, two deep fryers, a full-size refrigerator and a freezer,� Bourque noted. “It is set up to run on gas or generator power. We also decided to outfit the trailer with a pair of JBL EON510 powered PA speakers.�

The trailer was first used in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac in flooded areas of south Louisiana’s St. John parish. “In addition to providing hot meals, the addition of the EON510 speakers allowed the trailer to serve as a central source of information and to provide important announcements,� Bourque said.

“We chose the JBL EON510 because it met some very specific requirements,� Bourque continued. “We needed speakers that were durable, portable and could be set up and operated easily. The speakers needed to be able to be set up, torn down and stored quickly. Also, the speakers needed to be able to handle the high humidity of south Louisiana and the molded shell of the EON510 make them ideal for this environment. They also had to sound good, with clear speech intelligibility over a wide area.�

“The trailer has two side cargo doors that give access to the storage above the gooseneck portion of the trailer. These doorways provide a clean and secure place to put the speakers when the trailer is stationary. We can also easily move the speakers to another location if the situation requires a portable public address system—the EON510’s built-in microphone and line level inputs and amplifier make this really easy. We also have a permanently mounted mixer and CD/iPod player inside the trailer that we can use to send audio to the speakers. The system sounds great and has been working perfectly.�

“Our area in Louisiana has a rich tradition of food and music,� said Bourque. “Some of our volunteers are world-champion chefs that have won the Jambalaya World Championships held in Gonzales. For everyone involved in the mobile disaster relief kitchen, providing a great meal and playing some great music can really brighten someone’s day and give them hope if they’ve been hit by a natural disaster.�

For more information on Music Inc., please visit www.musicinc.com

For more information on the Leadership Ascension Response Kitchen project, please visit www.ascensionchamber.com/leadership.html

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.

Click here to view the demonstration:
DIFFUSING / SCATTERING SOUND: Sound Diffusion Explained

Acoustics First has just released another in a series of videos to help explain acoustical principles using simple, easy to understand video demonstrations. This latest demonstration tackles the mystery of acoustic sound diffusion. Using an array of ping pong balls to represent sound visually, this video simply demonstrates what occurs when sound strikes the surface of an acoustic diffuser. First, you will see what happens when sound hits a flat reflective surface with no acoustical treatment. The balls all bounce at the same time and in the same direction. This represents what happens to the sound when it hits a flat reflective surface like a wall. Then you see what happens when sound hits an acoustic sound diffuser. You will immediately notice the energy of the wave of balls is scattered in all different directions as well as deflected at different time intervals. Diffusers, disperse or scatter the sound like crowd control, preserving the sound to maintain sound clarity without destructive interference. This is the basic principle behind acoustic sound diffusion.

Click here to view the demonstration: DIFFUSING / SCATTERING SOUND: Sound Diffusion Explained

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Acoustics First Corporation supplies acoustical panels and soundproofing materials to control sound and eliminate noise in commercial, residential, government, institutional applications worldwide. Products include the patented Art Diffusor®, sound absorbers, noise barriers, acoustical fabrics and accessories. Acoustics First® products are sold for O.E.M applications, direct, and through dealers. For more information on acoustical materials and their application, please visit www.AcousticsFirst.com or call Toll Free 1-888-765-2900 (US & Canada).