POTTERS BAR, United Kingdom — Celtic punk band Flogging Molly is currently touring the world with HARMAN’s Soundcraft Vi1 as its monitor console. For nearly 15 years, Flogging Molly has played its blend of traditional Irish sounds, hard-edged punk and thoughtful, socially conscious lyrics to millions across the globe.

The year 2011 saw the release of the band’s most important and ambitious album to date, Speed Of Darkness, which debuted in the Top 10 (#9 overall). The album was praised for its “call to arms� during these troubled economic times by such press outlets as The Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone, Alternative Press, Associated Press, USA Today, Parade Magazine, Huffington Post and many more.

Flogging Molly’s tour manager Aaron Glas has been fond of Soundcraft boards from his experience working with the Vi4 and Vi6 at several venues including the famous Boston, Massachusetts House of Blues. “Once I got comfortable with the Soundcraft consoles, it was noticeable how easy they are to use and how good they sound,â€� he said. “When I found out they made a smaller and more affordable board using the same Vi series architecture including the Vistonicsâ„¢, I had to have it for our live show. The Vi1 is very compact which makes it the perfect size for our traveling production. It’s always nice on the road to have consistent, great sound when going in and out of many different types of venues; we knew we’d have a console to rely on that wouldn’t fail.”

Glas even mentioned, “Venues like the House of Blues which have a good variety of HARMAN equipment always sound awesome. HARMAN makes everything easy, and on nights like that, everything works toward a killer show with amazing sound.�

When working with a group that has seven band members, a compact board with plenty of inputs and outputs made the Vi1 an attractive option. “I really didn’t want to have to get a bigger board, and the Vi1 gave me everything I needed and more with enough outputs to do a number of wedges and in-ear mixes,â€� Glas said. “Other competing boards in the same range couldn’t work for us, since we needed a very compact console with lots of inputs and at least 24 outputs to mix our show”

Chris McCleary, Monitor Engineer, added, “Mixing such a fast-paced show, the Vi1′s intuitive layout allows me to make the fast mix adjustments demanded by such a vast musical diversity on stage.”

For Glas and many others who have relationships with HARMAN and Soundcraft, the support has been excellent. “After developing a relationship with HARMAN, they made it even easier to travel with Soundcraft by helping us source a Vi1 in Europe,� he said. “We brought our show files over and are even able to record using the MADI card in a convenient, efficient way. Everything about the board and the support we’ve received is excellent. I can’t think of a better fit for what we need.�

McCleary summed up, “The ease of use, warmth and clarity gained from using the Vi1 far exceeds that of any competing model.â€�

For more information on Flogging Molly, please visit: http://www.floggingmolly.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.

ISE Stand #7P215

Woodland Park, NJ (1 December 2011) — FSR, manufacturer of audio and video switching, control products, and connectivity boxes, will be showcasing their Flex-LT self-contained control system at ISE 2012. The award-winning, affordable system will be demonstrated in FSR’s Stand #7P215 beside the Company’s wide variety of table, wall, and floor boxes, Twister Pro transmission systems, and expanded IPS line of instant connectivity.

FSR’s FLEX-LT room control system offers a vast number of features, ability to operate a full-range of AV equipment with simple fingertip operation, and an appealing price point. The versatile unit mounts in a wall or sits on a surface to present an operator-friendly color touch screen. Non-technical users can operate the system effortlessly, control the various sources, change the volume, turn lights on and off, raise or lower the shades or screen, and much more with a simple touch.

The user friendly, easy-to-afford touch screen system is designed to accommodate educational facilities, entertainment, corporate and hospitality venues, and government installations of varying sizes and requirements. The FLEX-LT can control nearly every aspect of a room with a simple touch of a button.

The Flex Configuration Utility features an uncomplicated method to maximize system capabilities. The contractor merely follows drag ‘n drop programming methodology; eliminating the need to learn another programming language. This allows easier updates if system equipment changes.

The FLEX-LT family is available in 4 models to suit the needs of each installation. In addition, FSR offers Flex Remote, a Windows based application that can remotely control a Flex panel, and Flex Manager, a comprehensive Windows application to schedule, monitor and manage all of the Flex panels in an installation.

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

ISE Stand #7P215

Woodland Park, NJ — FSR, manufacturer of audio and video switching, control products, and connectivity boxes, has announced plans to launch its T6E table box, a European version of its widely successful T6 model at ISE 2012. The unit will be on show alongside a full complement of AV products in Stand #7P215 at the RAI. The table box, FSR’s newest, answers the need for an expandable, elegant unit in a conference room environment.

“We are delighted to debut the T6E, a table box designed specifically for our European customers, at our first ISE exhibition!� exclaimed Jan Sandri, FSR’s president. “The unit has been extremely well received in every region where it’s been introduced, and we’re confident it will exceed expectations in the European market as well.�

The T6E provides easy access to audio/video equipment, computers, telephones or any device requiring electronic connectivity from a conference or boardroom table. The unit features two configurable compartments that can contain Wonpro universal power outlets and either keystone audio, video, control and data connectors, IPS plates or a cable pull option.

The T6E is available with a round or square cover in black, aluminum or brass to match the décor of the room. Both round and square shapes fit in a 152mm round hole making installation extremely simple. Its cover can be closed while in use with cables exiting through the milled openings.

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

Middle Atlantic Products is proud to announce that it has expanded its product offering to include Wiremold® solutions from Legrand, the industry’s largest selection of end-to-end wire and cable management and pathway products. With an emphasis on increasing value to its integrator partners, Middle Atlantic’s goal is to help streamline the specifying, ordering and shipment of electronics system support products.

Building on its commitment to ship quickly from its warehouse locations throughout the US and Canada, Middle Atlantic will now stock Wiremold product families ideal for AV applications, including Floor Boxes, Poke-Thrus, and Overfloor and Surface raceways. The company will also offer ordering and support capabilities for Wiremold Vista Columns.

The company has also expanded its capabilities to offer full customer and sales support for the Wiremold product lines, providing a single source for infrastructure needs – the products that provide the framework for supporting and protecting AV systems. The AV consultant and installer community will benefit from one sales contact to help select and specify products for their projects, one number to call for customer service and tech support across all product lines and a single shipment including Middle Atlantic and Wiremold products.

“The success of our customers remains our primary focus,� said Mike Baker, President of Middle Atlantic. “Anchoring the Commercial AV Division of Legrand is opening up many exciting opportunities to continue supporting our installing partners in new and diverse ways. The availability of Wiremold solutions is our first step of many towards becoming an infrastructure company that delivers innovative products and exceptional support like no other.�

For technical specifications and in-depth information about Middle Atlantic Products, please click to www.middleatlantic.com or call 1.800.266.7225.

Waterloo, ONT––As part of its ongoing effort to support the growth of the network for its award-winning Multi-cellular Loudspeaker Array system, Martin Audio has appointed Jim Jorgensen (UXM) to the newly created position of MLA Support Specialist.

A respected audio veteran, Jorgensen has been working with Martin Audio products since 1978. His career includes work with regional sound companies such as his own Genesis Productions in Phoenix, as well as Sunbelt Scenic Studios, and Clearwing Productions in Milwaukee and Arizona.

Jim has also toured with leading artists such as Missy Elliott, Stevie Wonder, Tower of Power and, most recently, Sammy Hagar and Chickenfoot.

“Having known and worked with Jim for 20 years, I am thrilled to welcome him to our team in North America,� said Rob Hofkamp, Director of Operations for Martin Audio. “Jim’s knowledge of the industry and the pedigree for this unique product will offer our MLA partners and users the very best support.�

Asked to describe his position as MLA Support Specialist, Jorgensen says he “will cover the middle ground between sales and training in the MLA network, putting an identity on this remarkable system and managing the user experience for engineers and production company owners.

“In terms of MLA, I’m excited to be working with the future of audio. There’s technology happening here that will change the way that systems work in the future.�

For more information about MLA, Jim Jorgensen can be reached at jimj@martin-audio.com.

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

About MLAâ„¢ (Multi-cellular Loudspeaker Array)
The result of many years of intensive R&D, MLA’s methodology replaces trial-and-error array design with intelligent numerical optimization of the array’s output based on a highly accurate acoustic model. The multi-cellular format has six individual cells in each enclosure, each with its own DSP and amplification.

With up to 24 enclosures, each MLA array has up to 144 cells — too great a number to optimize manually, or by ear. Instead, Martin Audio’s proprietary Display2â„¢ system design software automatically calculates FIR DSP filters for each cell and a redundant-ring audio network (U-NETâ„¢) downloads the settings into each array enclosure. Martin Audio’s VU-NETâ„¢ software provides real-time control and monitoring of the system.

MLA delivers a frequency response and SPL consistency never before achievable; a very high system output (140dB peak, per cabinet @1m); Automatic optimization of the array, both physically (splay angles) and electronically (DSP); Computer control and monitoring of the entire system, and total control of sound system balance for engineers and sound technicians.

MLA is fully integrated, with Class D amplification, DSP and U-NET digital audio
network built into each enclosure. MLA complete systems are ready-to-use, with MLA, MLD and MLX enclosures, flying hardware, software, cabling and training all supplied. Everything needed is included. All ancillary items — from tablet PC and Merlin™ controller to network interconnects and mains distro — are also included in the complete system package. This ensures full compatibility worldwide, down to cabling and accessories.

Additional features include 90° x 7.5° dispersion; a compact size (1136mm wide x 372mm high x 675mm deep), one-box-fits-all (festivals to theaters) application range and a global voltage, power factor corrected power supply.

MLA’s compact size and very high output allows it to be shipped using smaller trucks, offering considerable savings and reduced carbon footprint. The system also includes the MLX powered, flyable subwoofer capable of an unprecedented measured peak output of 150dB @ 1m; MLD downfill cabinet, and Merlin 4-in/10-out system controller and network hub. Audio input is via analog, AES3 or U-NET.

By adopting these principles and system components MLA is optimized for every member of the audience — from a 2,000 capacity theater, to a 20,000-seat arena, to a 100,000-person festival site. It will deliver the engineer’s exact mix to every seat (up to over 150 meters) with precision, exceptional power and clarity.

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.

LAKELAND, FLORIDA: Known as one of Central Florida’s most venerable entertainment complexes, The Lakeland Center challenges the notion that a facility can’t be all things to all people. The sprawling complex includes venues for sports, entertainment, events, meetings and hospitality and despite the breadth of offerings The Lakeland Center consistently exceeds the expectations of its clients, attendees and guests. Creating such a professional atmosphere requires tremendous flexibility on the part of The Lakeland Center’s facilities and staff, a fact underscored by its recent upgrade to a Symetrix Room Combine 788 processor in one of its three modular meeting/event spaces. The Symetrix Room Combine 788 allows The Lakeland Center’s technical staff to merge or split any combination of rooms using an intuitive interface, with comprehensive, high-fidelity signal processing as a bonus!

Using air walls, the 25,000 square-foot facility divides into as many as eight separate spaces of varying size. The old room combiner was installed in the mid-1990s and operated on outdated mechanical relays. “It worked okay,” said Joseph Havens, the technical director at The Lakeland Center. “We installed it and used its limited flexibility to create a few common configurations. It had no DSP and no analog processing of any kind. Recently, the unit gave up the ghost.” Havens removed its carcass and committed to finding a modern replacement.

Based on its flexibility and power, he chose the purpose-built Symetrix Room Combine 788, which takes up to twelve inputs and matrix mixes them into eight outputs. “As many of the technicians on my staff do not have expertise in the arena of installed sound, I had to have a combiner that was intuitive to operate,” said Havens. “The user interface on the 788 is second to none. The new system is very friendly and not at all intimidating.” Indeed, Symetrix’ simple-to-use software allowed Havens to draw a schematic of the event space on the user interface with each of the eight smaller sections outlined. To combine or un-combine sections, his technicians simply highlight the relevant sections on the schematic.

To allow clients a measure of control, Havens positioned a Symetrix ARC-K1 rotary encoder in each of the eight sections to control volume. Because each ARC-K1 receives its power and communicates with the Room Combine 788 via a single Cat5 cable, the installation was painless. “At each position, we used the cable from the old system to pull a fresh Cat5 into place,” said Havens.” That allowed us to keep the power supply in the main rack with the 788. The ARC-K1s communicate with the processor and, ultimately, each other (their controls become redundant when sections are combined) via a star topology. It couldn’t have been easier.”

Although The Lakeland Center was, first and foremost, installing a new room combiner, it received a hi-fi bump as a bonus. “The existing loudspeakers and amps were in good shape, so we left them alone,” said Havens. “Nevertheless, just hooking up the Symetrix Room Combine 788, without turning any processing on, significantly improved the system’s fidelity. Before, it had always had that ‘ceiling speaker’ sound, with an emphasis on the midrange. Now it was fuller and richer.” Havens didn’t stop there however, he used the Room Combine 788′s collection of filters, equalizers, and dynamics processors to dial in an even finer sound.

Havens’ experience installing the Symetrix Room Combine 788 was so pleasant, and the functionality it affords The Lakeland Center is so substantial, he now plans to preempt failures in the center’s two other large, combinable event/meeting spaces by installing 788s there as well. “In those spaces, we’ll definitely take advantage of the unit’s ability to combine non-adjacent rooms,” he said.

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.

BOSTON, January 5, 2012 — Two illustrious high school stadiums in the Tacoma Public Schools system enjoyed vastly improved sound for the 2011 football season, thanks to comprehensive distributed audio system upgrades at both locations.

Lynwood, Washington-based systems integration firm Electrocom managed the upgrades, installing Technomad advanced audio loudspeakers and high-powered amplifiers among other components at Stadium High School and Lincoln High School. Electrocom handpicked the systems to replace aging horn components that were in disrepair and bleeding into adjacent neighborhoods — prompting a flurry of complaints.

The stadiums’ long, rich histories are evident in their grandeur: large, bowl-shaped venue designs with concrete bleachers and expansive sideline space. This made sound improvements — especially even, venue-wide coverage — unusually challenging.

“These are not typical press box installations where we mount and blast away,� said Matt Wright, project manager at Electrocom. “We positioned narrow-dispersion loudspeakers at multiple points, with enough SPL, or sound pressure, to cover the distance of the field in some cases. We also needed a wireless amplifier solution at each stadium to remain under budget. It would have been expensive and complicated to run wires the length of the field and trench into the concrete.�

Technomad PowerChiton4 high-power amplifiers provide the wireless solution for pole-mounted loudspeakers on the visitor sidelines at each stadium. The IP66-rated amplifiers offer a waterproof design for outdoor audio, and a compact, modular form factor for greater proximity to loudspeakers. The 1600-watt amplifiers also pack plenty of power for loud stadium environments.

Wright adds that Technomad loudspeakers provide exceptional audio quality and are among the best at containing audio within the confines of a stadium or similar venue. “The end users are very happy with the audio quality,� he said. “The Technomad systems have improved intelligibility and increased audio isolation from the neighbors at both stadiums.�

Electrocom installed Berlin 9040 and 6040 narrow-dispersion loudspeakers at both stadiums. All Stadium High School loudspeakers mount to four large steel light poles — two above and behind the home side bleachers, and two above and behind the visitor side. Each home side pole supports two Berlin 9040 loudspeakers aimed toward the front row at a steep angle to cover the audience. One Berlin 6040 aims outward to cover the field.

One visitor-side pole supports two Berlin 9040 loudspeakers powered by a Technomad PowerChiton4 amplifier and RF solution to cover one end of the bleachers. A second pole supports two Berlin 9040 loudspeakers and a PowerChiton4 for the near bleachers; and a single Berlin 6040 with a dedicated PowerChiton4 amplifier to cover an extension of the bleacher away from the cluster. Allen PoleStar mounting hardware supports all loudspeakers.

A mix of Berlin 6040 and 9040 loudspeakers cover the Lincoln High School field from three locations behind the home bleachers, including the end zones for audio during track and field events. Berlin 6040s and PowerChiton4 amplifiers cover the visitor side from the front corners of the bleachers.

“These are among the largest stadiums we’ve done and there were plenty of challenges,� said Wright. “Technomad loudspeakers provide high-quality audio, high-frequency intelligibility and strong SPL along with a weatherproof design. And the PowerChiton amplifiers provided a way to get audio to difficult places without being cost-prohibitive.�

ABOUT TECHNOMAD
Technomad LLC, founded in 1995, designs and manufactures loudspeaker systems for the professional audio and security/military technology industries. The company invented the first reliable full-range weatherproof loudspeaker and now offers nine models ranging in power from 60-watt loudspeakers to 1250-watt subwoofers — most available in Turnkey PA System packages featuring amplifiers, mixers and other signal processing equipment in pre-wired racks. The company also manufactures a variety of audio infrastructure and communications equipment including playback and recording systems, weatherproof power amplifiers and turnkey remote audio systems. Contact Technomad at 617-275-8898 or visit www.technomad.com for more information.

NORTHRIDGE, California – The 39th annual American Music Awards broadcast featured a star-studded lineup of artists, nominees and presenters including Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj, Enrique Iglesias, will.i.am, David Hasselhoff, Christina Aguilera, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson and a host of others. Held at the Nokia Theatre LA Live on November 20, the American Music Awards (AMA) featured more than a dozen live performances, all heard through a sound reinforcement system comprised of HARMAN’s JBL VERTEC® line arrays.

ATK Audiotek of Valencia, California has worked on countless television productions, special events, conventions, installation and concert tours. For the AMA broadcast, ATK Audiotek brought in an audio system that included 70 VERTEC VT4889 fullsize line array loudspeakers, 15 VT4887 compact line array loudspeakers and five VRX932LA Constant Curvature loudspeakers. In addition, more than a dozen JBL VT4880A fullsize arrayable subwoofers that were already installed in the Nokia Theatre LA Live were employed for the live broadcast.

“With any live TV awards show, there are a number of specific considerations to deal with and the American Music Awards broadcast was no exception,â€� noted Mikael Stewart, VP of Special Events, ATK Audiotek. “A primary concern was that we had to make sure the house sound was loud enough–but also make sure that we didn’t intrude on the audio for the broadcast and overwhelm it with ambient noise.â€�

“In order to accomplish this, we went with JBL VERTEC mains and subwoofers,� Stewart added. “The VERTEC speakers give us more control over directionality, with fewer reflections off the theater’s walls and better accuracy in being able to cover all the seats. VERTEC’s focused coverage patterns are also an advantage in such a large venue, where reverberation and ambient noise can be a problem if you excite the room too much and don’t keep these factors under control.�

ATK Audiotek arranged the VT4889 speakers in eight clusters–four main arrays of nine, 10, 10 and nine speakers each, and four delay clusters of seven, nine, nine and seven each. In addition, five VRX932LA’s were placed under the balcony for additional coverage. The VT4880A subwoofers that were already installed throughout the theater were used to support the low end.

“Another very big advantage is that JBL VERTEC speakers are an industry standard and their performance capabilities are well known,� noted Stewart. “When we do these types of music awards shows, we can have something like 12 to 18 different artists and bands – and they all have their own sound engineers. It’s a big advantage for them to know the characteristics of the speakers that they are working with.�

“The Nokia is a very large and versatile ‘black box’ kind of theater,� Stewart pointed out, “and you can rig speakers just about anywhere in the room. There were no balcony hangs to contend with and it gave us more placement freedom than we’ve had in other theaters. Also, JBL VERTEC line arrays are lighter than most PA speakers, which adds to their rigging flexibility and the ability to place them at almost any angle.�

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.

NORTHRIDGE, California – With a diverse event schedule featuring appearances by major touring artists, Merrillville, Indiana’s Star Plaza Theatre recently turned to Broadway Music to upgrade its sound system with HARMAN’s JBL VERTEC® line arrays. Star Plaza Theatre decided to make the investment after repeatedly needing to rent loudspeaker systems to accommodate the needs of larger productions. The new VERTEC system perfectly fills the 3,400 -seat venue with crystal-clear sound, from the main floor through to the mezzanine level.

Brian Wynn of Merrillville-based Broadway Music used his expertise, 25-year relationship with the Theatre and personal experience with JBL to provide Star Plaza Theatre with the best sound system possible. The main PA system features left-right arrays of eight VERTEC VT4888DP-DA midsize powered line array elements each, with a center array of three VRX932LAP powered Constant Curvature loudspeakers. VT4880ADP-DA powered fullsize arrayable subwoofers are hung three per side above the stage.

With a full schedule that also includes theatrical and orchestral productions, it was important to keep the subwoofers off the stage so they would not affect performances. Utilizing the self-powered speakers also pleased the engineers at the Star Plaza Theatre, as there was no need for additional amplifiers behind the stage.

“We’ve seen plenty of systems go in and out of the Star Plaza Theatre and we ended up at a point where there was no reason for the Theatre to continue renting or dealing with acts hauling their own VERTEC in, leaving the in-house system cold,� said Wynn. “Some of these bands already have saved settings for VERTEC so it’s almost a plug-and-play situation when they begin their setup and sound checks.�

“I could not believe that one of the best sounding venues in the world could sound even better,� said Mark Bishop, General Manager, Star Plaza Theatre. “The JBL VERTEC line arrays enhance the acoustically acclaimed Star Plaza Theatre to a whole new sound level. The folks at JBL and our friends at Broadway Music were a pleasure to work with throughout this project. The entire staff at Star Plaza Theatre is grateful, and I’m sure our audiences will appreciate the system for years to come.�

“The system sounds excellent,� Wynn concluded. “We have great coverage, even with the extremely high ceilings. There is definitely a significant difference in the performances and it is a positive one with JBL.�

For more information on Broadway Music, please visit https://www.facebook.com/broadwaymusic.

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.

NEWARK, Delaware — The University of Delaware recently purchased a HARMAN Soundcraft Vi1 audio mixing console for use at its football games and other major events around campus. Joe Dombroski, Audio Engineering Technician and his colleagues at IT-University Media Services were looking for a new board to complete the expanding audio needs of the University’s large events. After comparing a number of products they chose the Soundcraft Vi1. The board was purchased through New Jersey-based Total Video Products.

“This board is perfect for University Media Services needs,� stated Dombroski. “It’s mostly used for entertainment during home football games and larger events around campus including commencements. I’ve worked with Soundcraft for a long time and I still have a Soundcraft Series 5 that I will never get rid of. It’s a classic.�

Dombroski found the Vi1 to be an ideal fit for a variety of reasons. “It has so much horsepower in a small footprint, it’s great to be able to run every channel through one CAT5 cable and know it can support it all,� he said. “I believe that sonically the Vi Series are the best boards out there. They have warm sounding pre-amps that draw you in and the Lexicon reverbs make everything so smooth and natural. It’s surprising sometimes that it isn’t an analog board, considering how good it sounds.�

Dombroski also spoke highly of the Vi1’s Common Mode Rejection Ratio—the preamps’ ability to reject noise. “So many boards have issues with grounding and interference,� he said. “They are quiet in the studio or on the bench but they light up with noise in the real world. I’ve never had a buzz or any sort of noise come out of the console. The number-one challenge of live audio is keeping things quiet—as soon as you have even five dB of extra noise it will degrade a mix.�

Along with the overall sound quality, Dombroski praised the setup and ease of use that the Vi1 offers. “The Vistonics™ is wonderful, having the ability to scan across the board and see clearly what the settings are is great,� he said. “It saves time and hassle instead of scrolling through many different menus. The multiple MADI cards are great and so convenient, giving so much flexibility to do a house mix or a multi-track mix, with endless options.�

The University of Delaware relies on other HARMAN equipment as well, including JBL VRX and VP Series loudspeakers, along with BSS Audio processing.

For Dombroski, IT-University Media Services and the University of Delaware, the Soundcraft Vi1 could not be any better to suit their audio needs. “I’ve compared a lot of boards, and nothing is as good as the Vi1. Even when paying for more expensive boards you won’t get the same audio quality that you do with Soundcraft,� Dombroski concluded.

For more information on the University of Delaware, please visit: www.udel.edu

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.