RENO, NEVADA: The Red House Project is an initiative at Reno High School in Nevada that prepares students for future work with computers, software development, Internet content, CAD, and other computer-based college majors and career paths. It is one of the Washoe County School District’s “Signature Academies,� each of which focuses on a specific in-depth curriculum. Reno students who opt for “Track 1� courses receive training in graphic design, animation, video production, and digital game development using a state-of-the-art computer lab featuring the latest software, 7.1 surround sound technology, and high-definition video projection and capture. Reno-based Innovative Communication Systems (ICS) designed and installed the room’s A/V system with a Symetrix SymNet Solus 16 audio processor to provide affordable signal routing and processing.

As far as the students are concerned, the system begins with banks of fully-loaded Apple Mac Pro computers. In order to effectively wrestle all of their video outputs together with input jacks of every flavor, ICS owner Jeff Bowers and his staff installed an FSR DV-MFSW-94 presentation matrix switcher, which accepts them all and scales every signal to HDMI. From there, signal travels to a pair of school-furnished high-definition video projectors, one for a 16-foot screen on each side of the room. In addition, the room features a massive 25-foot green screen that will allow creative students to perform all manner of video trickery. A blue screen is slated for future installation.

On the audio end of things, output from the computers first hits and Extron SSP 7.1, which effectively pre-processes for 7.1 surround sound. Its output, together with two AudioTechnica wireless microphones, a microphone jack, and stereo output from the FSR switcher, feeds a Symetrix SymNet Solus 16. The SymNet Solus 16 features sixteen mic- or line-level inputs, powerful open-architecture signal processing, eight outputs, and myriad control options. The unit handles all of the system’s customized audio routing, as well as input leveling, loudspeaker management, and volume control. Self-powered QSC K10 loudspeakers handle all seven full-range channels. A Crestron AV2/PRO2 paired with a nine-inch touchscreen provides intuitive, customized user control of both the audio and video signals.

Because audio signal also needed to run to an Atlas amplifier for distribution in adjoining rooms, Bowers had to implement one small work-around. “Instead of using the eighth output for the subwoofer, we used it for the distributed system,� he said. “For the self-powered QSC KW181 subwoofer, we sent signal directly from the Extron unit. It’s one of those situations where you do a cost/benefit analysis. Is it better to buy a larger processor at greater expense or to go for the work-around at less expense? In this case the answer was clear because the subwoofer didn’t need any processing.�

He continued, “The capabilities of the SymNet Solus are fantastic, and the everyone at the company loves its price point. Symetrix’ open-architecture programming is intuitive and comprehensive. We can do all those weird little things that seem to always come up. In addition, we’ve been installing Symetrix processors for a long time, and they’re always dependable.�

ABOUT SYMETRIX Sound professionals rely upon the performance, value and reliability of audio mixing, routing and processing products from Symetrix. For more information on Symetrix professional audio products, please visit www.symetrix.co or call +1 (425) 778-7728.

WEBSTER, NEW YORK: Ashly Audio, one of leading manufacturers of power amplification and signal processing, now treats its existing and prospective customers to a newly-redesigned website (www.ashly.com) replete with well-organized product, installation and application content. With a modern look and feel, the site is easy to navigate. John Sexton, Ashly’s vice president of sales, conceived the organization and aesthetic, and graphic designer Michael Sukhenko executed it.

“Technical specifiers told us to make data sheets, manuals and drawing files no more than two mouse clicks away�, explains Sexton. “Our Products page has a spreadsheet of information in a single location. It’s two clicks for integrators to download data sheets for submittals. It’s two clicks for system designers to access A&E DOC files that can be cut and pasted right into their specification packages. Two clicks and you’re done.�

Metrics show that the Ashly website has increasing traffic from dealer’s clients and end-users, which underscores the importance of presenting Ashly products to non-technical visitors. The new website features a graphic guide on the home page – Ashly In Your World – that directs these visitors to a page that explains how Ashly products work in worship facilities, restaurants, schools, hotels and other facilities. Each market segment page features information from Ashly’s extensive collection of installation profiles and application notes.

The Technical Support & Educational menu has been enhanced by the addition of Ashly TV, a series of three to five minute videos that address specific technical topics. The page has a built-in video player. The FAQ Section was developed by the technical services staff to answer the most popular questions that arise from new dealers who are using Ashly products for the first time.

Retained in the new design is a comprehensive – and appropriately humorous – look at Ashly’s 38-year history as a pro audio innovator.

ABOUT ASHLY AUDIO Ashly Audio Inc. is recognized as a world leader in the design and manufacturing of high quality & high performance signal processing equipment and power amplification for use in the commercial sound contracting and professional audio markets. The 37-year old company is headquartered in Webster, New York U.S.A. www.ashly.com

Woodland Park, NJ– FSR, a Passaic County-based manufacturer, has rallied behind fellow New Jerseyans in the wake of Sandy to provide relief for the superstorm’s victims.

Accompanied by a team of FSR volunteers, company president, Jan Sandri arrived at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Highlands, NJ on Friday, November 9 in vehicles packed with food, paper products, cleaning supplies, clothing and checks.

“Highlands is a small town adjacent to Sandy Hook with a permanent population of 5,000,� said Sandri. “The homes are primary residences, not vacation houses. The town was hit with 13.5’ of water, even before the storm surge came through. These people are our neighbors and have lost so much. It’s a very good feeling to be lending a helping hand.�

Sandri noted that Church volunteers helped unload the supplies as dozens of other cars lined up to drop off diapers, food and other urgently needed products.

“While outside I noticed a truck from Florida Power and Light (FPL) and questioned the driver about his trip,� continued Sandri. “He explained that he was from Texas but was using a FPL vehicle because his own hadn’t arrived yet. It’s wonderful to see the cooperation and help pouring into New Jersey.�

All donations were made in the name of FSR, the Company’s employees, customers and business associates.

About FSR
FSR, established in 1981, manufactures a wide variety of products for the audio / video, education, hospitality, government, and religious markets, including AV floor, wall, table, and ceiling connectivity boxes, as well as a full line of interfaces, distribution amplifiers, matrix switchers, seamless switchers and CAT-5 solutions.

All FSR products are designed and manufactured in its Woodland Park, NJ facility. The company is an Energy Star Partner and complies with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to demonstrate its deep commitment to preserving the planet. FSR offers live 24/7 technical and sales support throughout the country from expertly trained technicians and sales representatives. For more information: www.fsrinc.com.

# # #

FSR Contact: Jan Sandri
973-785-4347 • sales@fsrinc.com

Press Contact: Desert Moon Communications
Harriet Diener
845-512-8283 • harriet@desertmooncomm.com

BANGOR, MAINE: The New England School of Communications (NESCOM) is a private institution in Bangor, Maine that instructs over 500 undergraduates in the technically-demanding fields of audio engineering, Internet communications, video production, journalism, marketing communications, and broadcasting. In order to fulfill the needs of its growing audio engineering focus, NESCOM recently installed a second thirty-two channel API 1608 small-frame console at its facility, which already includes a large-format API Vision console, as well as the school’s original API 1608. The new console shipped with fader automation and will be used for instruction and hands-on, project-based education in the third audio mixing course.

“Our experience with the API Vision console and our first API 1608 demonstrated that the API products are rock-solid reliable and of the highest audio quality,” explained Wells Gordon, NESCOM audio media specialist and lab instructor for multi-track recording/production, which uses the school’s first API 1608. “The students use these consoles day-in and day-out, and we never have problems with them. And with technology going in so many different directions these days, it is a service to our students to train them on a benchmark of audio quality. The API 1608 clearly meets that mark.” In addition to its craftsmanship and fidelity, both courses make extensive use of the API 1608′s comprehensive routing and signal processing facilities.

ABOUT API (AUTOMATED PROCESSES, INC.)
Established more than 40 years ago, Automated Processes, Inc. is the leader in analog recording gear with the Vision, Legacy Series and 1608 recording consoles, as well as its classic line of modular signal processing equipment.

www.apiaudio.com

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 2012: Football is central to the Michigan State University experience, and nearly 80,000 students and alums pack its Spartan Stadium at home games. Wearing green and white, they arrive electrified with school spirit and roar in a collective voice that, in most cases, drives the MSU Spartans to victory (they win nearly seven out of every ten games that they play at Spartan Stadium). Consistent with its importance to the school’s soul, MSU has regularly expanded the facility since it was first constructed with just 14,000 seats in 1923. This year, Spartan Stadium received a multi-million dollar audio/video systems upgrade, which included the Big Ten’s largest video board (5,412 square feet) at its south end, two auxiliary video boards at its north end, and a sound reinforcement system centered on Danley Sound Labs loudspeakers and subwoofers. Apart from fills, just six Danley Jericho J3s provide all of the new system’s full-range coverage with point source fidelity, excellent pattern control, and tremendous return on investment.

Led by Director of Audio Engineering Larry Lucas, Anthony James Partners conceived and designed Spartan Stadium’s new sound reinforcement system. Pro Media/UltraSound installed it under the guidance of Senior Designer and Engineer Demetrius Palavos, who managed the project from the germ of an idea to system commissioning and beyond. “There is definitely a shift occurring at the collegiate level that follows the shift that has been underway at the professional level for some time,� noted Palavos. “Everyone is recognizing that fans are routinely exposed to high-end home entertainment systems and car stereos. Even headphones and iPods offer a full-frequency experience. Such experiences have raised expectations for game day. School officials are now recognizing the need to meet those expectations at the collegiate level.�

At the same time however, budgets remain tight given the stark economic realities of shrinking endowments, state-mandated austerity measures, and charitable gifts that are, well, less charitable than they might have been a few years ago. “Danley systems have a lot to recommend them,� said Lucas, “but their most obvious advantage is an unprecedented return on investment for the client. Danley fidelity and coverage would be excellent at any price, but the actual price tag is tremendously low relative to that kind of performance. We were lucky at MSU because the Danley Jericho J3 had just become available during the designing stages.� Danley Sound Labs pioneered the Jericho series as a point-source alternative to the ubiquitous line array. Using Tom Danley’s unique insights and approaches, the J3 delivers appropriate SPL by distance while completely sidestepping the destructive interference that regularly degrades line array fidelity.

Whereas Spartan Stadium’s previous sound reinforcement system resided in the south end zone, Lucas designed the new system to fire only from the north end. “Previously, additional energy spilled out of the north side and into the community of East Lansing,� explained Lucas. “By placing all of the loudspeaker elements at the north side, we could be sure that any excess energy would spill out onto the campus instead.� Lucas’ design used the two smaller scoreboards on the north side as rigging points for the Danley Jericho J3s and Danley TH-812 subwoofers that support them. The scoreboards are approximately 200 feet apart, and the coverage from each effectively splits the stadium in two. “Firing 500 to 600 feet to the south end zone seating was the most complicated and difficult throw,� said Palavos. “It’s a balancing act to get that right and to still get even coverage and SPL at mid-field, beneath the clusters and the upper deck.�

The system affixed to the northeast scoreboard is a mirror image of that affixed to the northwest scoreboard. On each, a pair of stacked Danley Jericho J3s handle the far throw, whereas a single J3 handles the intermediate throw for the near- and medium-sideline stands. On each scoreboard, three vertically-stacked Danley TH-812 subwoofers collapse the low-frequency beam to provide throw. Ten smaller Danley SH-46 loudspeakers provide fill for areas on the north side of the stadium that are in the “shadows� of the larger boxes, such as very near the scoreboards and under the near balconies.

The system’s front end is straightforward. A Yamaha LS9 provides user control of input source selection and volume. Its output feeds a pair of Peavey MediaMatrix NION processors with Dante cards, which in turn feed HP ProCurve network switches over fiber. At each scoreboard, Lab.gruppen 7000- and 9000-series amplifiers power the Danley TH-812 subwoofers (with crossovers provided by the MediaMatrix NIONs) and the Danley SH-46 full-range loudspeakers. Prior to amplification for the Danley Jericho J3s, signal first enters a Danley DSLP48 processor. “In its processor, Danley has optimized the crossovers and processing necessary to get the very best performance from the J3,� explained Palavos. “You can’t really recreate that in another manufacturer’s processor.� All rack equipment is housed in environmentally-controlled conditions, which include both air-conditioning and heat. “Michigan starts its season humid and hot and ends it cold and snowy,� observed Palavos. An analog backup over fiber allows the system to operate even if the MediaMatrix NION or its Dante network go down.

Although never easy, tuning the new system at MSU was less challenging than it might have otherwise been because the Danley products are honestly specified and sound good out of the box. “In such a complex environment, having a well-designed and engineered product is essential,� said Palavos. “Danley does a good job of engineering up front, which means there is less time required at commissioning to get the system optimized. One of the surprises to the MSU staff was that the quality of their source material needed to be improved! With the previous system, they couldn’t hear what was lacking. But with the new Danley system, it was obvious.� Early reports indicate that the system measures +/- 3dB to each of the nearly 80,000 seats, a testament both to the Danley Jericho J3’s accuracy and to the skill of Lucas, Palavos, and their colleagues.

ABOUT DANLEY SOUND LABS Danley Sound Labs is the exclusive home of Tom Danley, one of the most innovative loudspeaker designers in the industry today and recognized worldwide as a pioneer for “outside the box” thinking in professional audio technology. www.danleysoundlabs.com

BOWLING SPRINGS, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 2012: Gardner-Webb University, a private institution serving 4,300 students in North Carolina, recently completed a $30 million construction project at the heart of the campus. University President Dr. Frank Bonner described the new Tucker Student Center as “the single-most impressive and most transformational building ever built on Gardner-Webb’s campus.� The building’s high-fidelity sound reinforcement system is consonant with that description. Its event space is equipped with a 7.2 surround sound system that is perfect for movie screenings and rider-ready for high-profile bands. Local A/V firm A Sound Experience designed and installed the system around a pair of Symetrix SymNet Edge processors networked together and with a Yamaha CL5 console via the new Dante protocol.

The heart of the audio system resides in the event space, which is a complex of divisible and combinable rooms that will host movie screenings, performing arts events, concerts, and meetings. However, its tendrils extend throughout the student center to provide high-quality background music in the building’s restaurants, store, recreation area, and common areas. “The new system at the Tucker Student Center is tremendously powerful and flexible, and just a few years ago a comparable system would have cost two or three times as much,� said Preston Hinson, systems engineer at A Sound Experience. “The SymNet Edge possesses a tremendous amount of processing power, and the use of the Dante network reduced the labor costs substantially while simultaneously improving system performance.�

Inputs to the system include six wireless microphones, Dante ports located in each of the divisible rooms, output from a 7.2 surround sound processor, several media inputs, and stage boxes. The SymNet Edge frame possesses a modular I/O topology, and one frame, dubbed “Dante In,� is fully loaded with sixteen analog inputs. Its considerable processing power is devoted to conditioning each input, which is then available anywhere in the system via the Dante network. “I’ve worked with virtually all of the older digital audio distribution protocols, and they were always tedious and somewhat problematic, said Hinson. “ In contrast, I simply plugged in Dante and it worked. The simplicity and robustness of it blew my mind. The Yamaha CL5 integrated seamlessly. This was the first job I have completed in which all of the patching is done via Cat5.�

The second SymNet Edge frame is dubbed “Signal Management� and handles all of the routing, combining, and output conditioning for the system. “Symetrix’ new SymNet Composer design software proved to be very intuitive,� said Hinson. “It was all drag-and-drop.� The second Edge’s modular I/O slots are outfitted with sixteen outputs for distribution to several loudspeakers and zones. The heart of the system is in the surround-sound room, where the Yamaha CL5 resides. Its loudspeaker complement is comprised of iSP HDL 3112 line array cabinets, iSP HDM 210 fills, and iSP dual twelve-inch horn-loaded subwoofers. Other rooms in the complex that combine also use the iSP HDM 210s. Elsewhere in the building, output from the SymNet Edge feed an iSP HDDS system, which distributes audio to iSP ceiling speakers via Cat5 cabling.

For expert users, the Yamaha CL5 provides the main point of control for the system. Keys allow different users to access different levels of control, ranging from full concert mixing access to modest volume changes for meetings. Students and staff access the video playback system from the surround sound processor, which has the look and feel of a consumer-grade stereo component. Elsewhere in the building, iSP wall plates allow users to plug in any line level source with an eighth-inch jack. However, when Hinson and the school’s A/V staff realized the potential of Symetrix’ ARC-WEB technology, they plan on using it in conjunction with ARC-WEB.

“ARC-WEB allows us to give staff and students customized control of the audio system – and anything with RS-232 control, such as the video playback system – via any smartphone or Internet-connected device,� said Hinson. “They are very excited about that. In addition to providing control of the video system, we may move all audio input sources to a common location and then let an ARC-WEB interface provide input selection and volume control.�

ABOUT SYMETRIX Sound professionals rely upon the performance, value and reliability of audio mixing, routing and processing products from Symetrix. For more information on Symetrix professional audio products, please visit www.symetrix.co or call +1 (425) 778-7728.

TEMPE, ARIZONA: The Wells Fargo Arena is the home of Arizona State University’s basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, and wrestling teams. At six stories high and with over 10,000 seats, it also hosts concerts, graduation ceremonies, and other events. Over its nearly forty years of service, the Wells Fargo Arena has had several sound reinforcement systems, all of which lacked power and were unintelligible to one degree or another. But that changed recently, when the school raised funds for a whirlwind renovation project that resulted in a new system centered on Danley Sound Labs full-range loudspeakers and subwoofers. The new system conveys impressive bass and highly-intelligible speech.

“From conception to commissioning, this job spanned a mere three weeks,� said Ron Klaus, design engineer with Phoenix-based Audio Video Resources (AVR). AVR had worked with Arizona State University on a number of projects in the past, and so the school trusted the firm to guide the project to a successful completion – even on such a compressed timeline. Anthony James Partners (AJP) served as the project consultant, and AVR partnered with the Arizona contingent of Clearwing Productions on the installation. Under the guidance of Project Manager Jared Bigelow, AVR managed the project and procured the equipment, whereas Clearwing Productions provided all of the speaker rigging, rack building, and cabling. Engineers at Danley Sound Labs designed the system in consultation with Anthony James Partners, Director of Audio Engineering, Larry Lucas.

The new system is comprised of a primary ring, together with a delay ring, for the upper tier. Twelve two-box hangs form the primary ring. On each, a Danley SH-69 delivers 60- by 90-degree coverage for the closest seats, whereas a narrower Danley SH-60 delivers 60- by 60-degree coverage for the mid-level seats. Twelve Danley SH-100s form the delay ring that covers the “nose bleed� section. Four Danley TH-118 subwoofers, one in each corner situated above a two-box hang, supplement the main boxes with generous low end. “The Danley engineers took the wire frame of the arena and optimized loudspeaker choice and placement in EASE,� explained Klaus. “The experts at Clearwing Productions turned those plans into reality, a process that was expedited by their familiarity with the rigging at the Wells Fargo Arena. Clearwing Productions is frequently contracted to do the staging for events at the Wells Fargo Arena.�

Everyone involved in the project, including Lucas and engineers from Danley Sound Labs, was present for the system commissioning. “The guys from Danley were very thorough,� said Klaus. “For example, they went into the processor and custom tuned the attack, release, and thresholds on the limiter for each box. It was well done.� Only two days after the booms were removed, the school was already sanding the floor to paint on new stripes for the rapidly approaching fall season.

“It’s an impressive system,� summarized Klaus. “Even when the arena is empty and its reverb time is hovering around five seconds, the direct sound coming from above is full and highly intelligible. Then you look up and realize that that big sound is coming from a couple of relatively small boxes. Moreover, the low-frequency extension is impressive, despite the fact that the system only possesses four subwoofers.� The Wells Fargo Arena marks the second largest Danley installation in the Grand Canyon State; further south, the University of Arizona’s football stadium employs four of Danley’s massive Jericho Horns to efficiently and effectively cover 52,000 seats.

Noted Mike Hedden, Danley Sound Labs’ president, “Using the current design trend, many design engineers would have chosen the line array approach. In comparison, the Danley Synergy Horn/Tapped Horn subwoofer solutions yield vastly better pattern control and frequency response in a fraction of the cabinets for substantially less money. Plus, from the time Danley Sound Labs received the order to the product being on the job sight was less than three weeks. Cutting edge technologies, delivered in extremely short time frames, at a very competitive price, these are some of the reasons Danley is enjoying such incredible growth.�

ABOUT DANLEY SOUND LABS Danley Sound Labs is the exclusive home of Tom Danley, one of the most innovative loudspeaker designers in the industry today and recognized worldwide as a pioneer for “outside the box” thinking in professional audio technology.
www.danleysoundlabs.com

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).

Christie Visual Display Solutions In A Class Of Their Own At Educause

Mario Almonte November 8th, 2012

Christie® is making the grade at the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference November 7-8 in Denver, Colorado, with visual display solutions tailored to the higher education market. Showcased products include the award winning Christie® MicroTiles® and select Christie projectors from a wide-ranging lineup including the brand new Christie DHD550-G 1-chip DLP® projector.

Christie DHD550-G – Exceptional Value
Ideal for use in classrooms, training rooms and labs, the Christie G Series are the brightest 1-chip DLP® projectors available on the market today, delivering an incredible 5600 lumens for WUXGA (1920 x1200) resolution, and 5500 lumens for the HD (1920 x 1080) model. The Christie G Series is designed for easy use and installation by offering features and options such as wireless connectivity, an intuitive user interface, a full suite of lenses, and input options that include HDMI, DVI and display port. Image quality is exquisite thanks to a Dynamic Contrast feature that boosts contrast ratios up to 5000:1 and a color wheel that provides superior performance and reduces image artifacts. And for multi-projector installations, the Christie G Series comes with color matching and an optional dual processing warp card that enables blending and warping.

Christie DHD550-G 1-Chip DLP Projector

Christie MicroTiles – The Brightest in Their Class
Also on display is a 1-unit wide by 5-unit high Christie® MicroTiles® tower. Christie MicroTiles are modular displays offering substantially brighter images, a much broader color palette, and a virtually seamless canvas compared to conventional flat panel LCD and plasma tiled displays. Built on proven DLP® and LED technologies and designed for maximum image quality in demanding indoor, high-ambient light environments, Christie MicroTiles have been installed at several higher education facilities including Northern Kentucky University, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Toronto. Another Christie MicroTiles 1-unit by 5-unit demonstration tower is on display at the Desire 2 Learn booth.

“Christie has a strong position within the higher education space,� stated Mark Hall, senior product manager at Christie. “The addition of these new 1-chip DLP® products will help to complete the wide range of visual display solutions that includes flat panels, LCD, and 3-chip projectors used in auditoriums and for 3D classrooms.�

For more information on the Christie G Series, Christie MicroTiles or the complete lineup of projectors and displays systems, visit Christie at booth # 1142.

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