BUENA PARK, Calif.—Gand Concert Sound (GCS) has moved to new digs in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. After 18 years at their Glenview stronghold, GCS has relocated to a new warehouse that quadruples their space, doubles their docks, and adds a rail spur.

“We have been busting at the seams for the last few years and started looking for more space closer to O’Hare International Airport,� states Gary Gand, President. “Real estate being in a slump allowed us to scale up square footage without taking on more financially.�

The new Gand space features a 25’ ceiling allowing full size rigs to be flown for testing, and the layout allows for a concert-sized stage to be erected for full rehearsals of touring shows.
“We can now turn trucks around in a matter of hours without having to play Rubik’s Cube with the gear,� says VP Tim Swan. “GCS intends to expand their backline presence and may team up with other production vendors, all under one roof.�

In the timeliness of the move to the larger space, the company, also known as ‘the NEXO guys’, just took delivery of another 28-box NEXO GEO T speaker system, bringing their inventory up to five arena-sized rigs. The company already owns quite a stash of NEXO GEO S12, S8, Alpha, and PS series speakers and 4X4 NXAmps, making them one of the largest NEXO houses in the USA. GCS began their stable of GEO T systems with the first concert rig in the USA used at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta in 2003.

For more information on Gand Concert Sound, visit www.gandconcertsound.com.

For more information on NEXO products, visit www.yamahaca.com.

-END-

Photo ID: L to R: GCS Nick Dahl, Austin Swan, Tim Swan, Gary Gand, and Adam Rosenthal toast fifth NEXO GEO T System

About Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc.:
Celebrating 125 years of Passion and Performance, and 25 years in the manufacturer of high quality digital audio consoles, Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. (YCAS) provides a full line of integrated professional audio products offering complete systems solutions for the broadcast, sound reinforcement/installed sound, touring, commercial recording, and post production markets. With the addition of NEXO to the product line, the company remains the official U.S. and Canadian distributor for all NEXO speaker models. YCAS offers comprehensive in-house and field product training for its customers, a dedicated dealer network, and 24/7 technical support.

LIÈGE, Belgium — On the occasion of the restoration of the Opéra Royal de Wallonie (Royal Opera of Wallonia), a full L-ACOUSTICS system was put in place.

After more than two years of restoration work, the 1875-built Théatre Royal de Liège, home of the Opéra Royal de Wallonie (ORW), re-opened its doors to the public at the end of last year in Liège. The whole renovation project, unique in its kind, represented an investment of 31 million euros. more

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Nashville’s Country Radio Seminar (CRS) is an annual showcase week for the industry where new artists and music that will be released over the course of the year is presented to top country radio people and industry heavyweights. This year’s CRS took place at the Nashville Convention Center, February 27 through March 1 and wowed the more than 5,000 attendees with live performances by Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Darius Rucker, Gary Allan, Kellie Pickler and many more–all heard through HARMAN’s JBL VTX Series line arrays powered by Crown I-Tech HD amplifiers.

Live sound for the event was provided by Franklin, Tennessee-based CTS Audio, working with event production company DeLux Productions. CTS staff for the event included CTS vice president Mike Taylor, front of house engineer Jon Schwarz, monitor engineer Scott Heyniger and system techs Jeremy Bayne and Joey Eaker.

“We’ve supplied the sound for CRS for nine years and this is the first time we used JBL’s VTX line arrays for the event, so we were stoked to hear what they could do in this room,â€� Taylor said. CTS flew nine VTX V25 fullsize line array elements and eight VTX S28 subwoofers on each side of the 30×40-foot stage, complemented by four JBL VERTEC® VT4888 midsize line array elements used as delay speakers.

The V25 speakers and S28 subwoofers were driven by 32 Crown I-Tech 12000HD amplifiers, with 16 Crown VRACK 12000HD and four VRACK 4X3500HD complete amplifier management rack systems powering the VT4888 delay speakers. Because there wasn’t much room for the delay amp racks, the VRACK’s self-contained design, which houses three I-Tech 12000HD amps, an input panel and power management, proved ideal for the application thanks to its high 27000 watts of total power (into 4 ohms) contained in a smaller-footprint package. CTS used JBL HiQnet Performance Manager™ software and BSS Soundweb London BLU-80 signal processors for system control and tuning.

CTS Audio has been a JBL VERTEC user for many years and Taylor was impressed by the VTX line arrays. “We got a tremendous amount of headroom using the VTX, and as much as we continue to rely on VERTEC, the improvement in clarity, coverage and power output from these boxes was noticeable,� Taylor said. He also found the Crown amps to be an ideal match with the VTX speakers, thanks to their built-in DSP and HiQnet compatibility that enabled the amps to be easily and precisely tuned to get the most out of the VTX arrays during the event.

“The system performed flawlessly,� Taylor noted. “We didn’t have a single problem with the audio and got a lot of compliments from the other engineers in attendance. Even the front of house engineer at the Grand Ole Opry was raving about how good everything sounded.�

For more information on CTS Audio, please visit www.ctsaudio.com

Photo Credit: Kristen England

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 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for the twelve months ending June 30, 2012.

A Christie® digital projector was chosen to honor Barbra Streisand at the 40th Anniversary Chaplin Award Gala at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center on April 22, 2013. Former President Bill Clinton presented the pop culture icon with the prestigious Chaplin Award for her lifetime of achievements and contributions to the art of film. The Christie projection system screened a tribute montage of Streisand’s illustrious career, which includes her Academy Award®-winning performance in “Funny Girl� and her role as director, co-producer, co-writer, and star of the film “Yentl.�

A 40-year tradition, the Chaplin Award Gala is The Film Society of Lincoln Center’s major fundraising event, which helps support the organization’s “ongoing work in education, artist development, and cross-cultural film outreach,� according to the Film Society. Special guests included actors Pierce Brosnan, Blythe Danner, Amy Irving, and Kris Kristofferson, with musical performances by Tony Bennett, Wynton Marsalis, and Liza Minnelli.

“We were thrilled that Christie technology was chosen to deliver the visual experience that honored Barbra Streisand with this deserving award at Lincoln Center,� said Kathryn Cress, vice president, Global & Corporate Marketing, Christie. “We recognize that, with a sold-out audience filled with distinguished guests, a visual solution worthy of showcasing Ms. Streisand’s legendary performances was needed. And that we delivered, as our projectors are recognized for delivering the most brilliant, high-definition images in the industry today and with the reliability expected from the Christie brand.�

The Film Society of Lincoln Center chose Digital Media Systems to install a powerful and reliable projection solution for the gala at Avery Fisher Hall, one of Lincoln Center’s largest venues with a capacity of over 2,700 people. Digital Media Systems in turn selected a Christie Roadster HD18K 1080 HD DLP® Projector to light up a 32ft. screen throughout the event, confident that it would deliver an image that was bright and powerful enough to meet the demanding needs of the high-profile evening.

According to Gregg Paliotta, president and owner of Digital Media Systems, “We have done other projects for various Lincoln Center venues and events, and we always ensure that any projection and sound solution we use is world premiere standard. Quality and reliability are paramount. Absolutely nothing can go wrong once the curtains go up, which is why we choose Christie to deliver at these prestigious events. The Christie HD18K projector was the perfect solution for the challenging distance, angle, and space limitations of the projection booth.�

“This is an incredibly important event for us each year, as it helps support our organization through the celebration of those who have advanced the art and culture of film,� said Lesli Klainberg, managing director, The Film Society of Lincoln Center. “For the 40th Anniversary Chaplin Award Gala, we really wanted the clips from Barbra Streisand’s career to pop with bright, sharp images. We have worked with Gregg Paliotta of Digital Media Systems in the past, and are always impressed with the quality of the Christie projectors and the exceptional services he provides in setting them up for our most important functions.�

Part of the Christie HD Series, the Christie Roadster HD18K features full 1920 x 1080 resolution, proven 3-chip DLP® technology with Xenon® illumination, high quality optics and 10-bit image processing for the brightest, clearest HD imaging available in the industry today.

About The Film Society of Lincoln Center
Founded in 1969 to celebrate American and international cinema, the Film Society of Lincoln Center works to recognize and support new directors, and to enhance the awareness, accessibility and understanding of film. Among its yearly programming of film festivals, film series and special events, the Film Society presents two film festivals in particular that annually attract global attention: the New York Film Festival which just celebrated its 50th edition, and New Directors/New Films which, since its founding in 1972, has been produced in collaboration with MoMA. The Film Society also publishes the award-winning Film Comment Magazine and a year-round calendar of programming, panels, lectures, educational and transmedia programs and specialty film releases at the famous Walter Reade Theater and the new state-of-the-art Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center. For more information, visit www.filmlinc.com.

About Digital Media Systems
Digital Media Systems, Inc. represents the motion picture post production, distribution and exhibition communities for complete projection and sound services. It specializes in equipment and engineering support for world premieres and event screenings. It also provides multiplex and screening room installation service and maintenance. For more information, visit www.dmediainc.com.

NORTHRIDGE, California – New Zealand’s oldest and largest public art gallery, the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, recently underwent a massive restoration that transformed the building into a world-class cultural facility that now features a world-class audio system with HARMAN’s JBL loudspeakers. The upgrade was designed and installed by two New Zealand-based companies, Jands and Provision, working together to provide a networked audio system as part of the AV upgrade.

Opening in February 1888, the gallery has increasingly become a focal point of Auckland’s art scene, and now lies at the heart of the New Zealand art experience for both the local community and visitors alike. Stephen Ward, project manager and lead designer for the project, commented, “This project was unique, in that two of the buildings we were cabling were Heritage Buildings over 100 years old, and not linked, while demolition and construction continued around us. I was able to draw from my knowledge and experience from working and maintaining similar heritage sites in the UK, such as the Royal Society of Art and Tait Britain to assist with the planning and implementation of this project, allowing me the insight and understanding as to how the client would ideally use the spaces.â€�

In total, over 250 HARMAN JBL speakers were installed throughout the complex including Control 26CT, Control 24C and JBL Control 52 satellite speakers.

One of the design challenges was to provide an audio network with up to 25 discrete zones and over 100 patchable inputs (four per zone), as well as a separate BGM and paging level control per zone. Each of the 25 zones then needed the flexibility to be virtually patched to any combination of other zones. Fortunately the BSS Audio Soundweb London BLU-100 signal processors, featuring a 48-channel digital audio bus, gave the flexibility required to make this work within the tight budget.

Ward continued, “The audio was of high importance due to the changing nature of the open spaces in the art gallery and varying exhibitions and the use of Soundweb London allowed us complete flexibility in its design and linking. This provides the ability to expand the AV systems in a modular way and meet the users ever changing needs.â€�

Provision went about installing 10 Soundweb London BLU-100 devices between the five AV plant rooms. An audio network was setup between the plant rooms using fiber optic cable, which linked the digital audio bus and Ethernet control.

The mammoth task of mapping the level controls from 10 different Soundweb London DSP devices began.

Logan Bent, programmer for Provision with 15 years’ experience and dozens of existing projects involving BSS Audio went about the task of integrating the whole system. Logan comments, “The actual programming was relatively straight forward once a clear scope of works and client discussions in developing the interface were conducted. The most time consuming component during implementation and commissioning was the grand scale of the project. The greatest challenge with the interface was coming up with a way to overflow any of the inputs to any of the output zones. Along with that a simple way to disable a certain link was needed.â€�

For more information on ProVision, please visit www.provision.co.nz

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 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for the twelve months ending June 30, 2012.

Johannesburg-based Prosound adds HQView and FoveaHD ranges of image-processors to impressive brand roster

Calibre UK has extended its global reach still further with the appointment of Prosound as its new distribution partner for sub-Saharan Africa. Based in South Africa, Prosound is a hugely experienced distributor and rental company with several decades of expertise in supplying professional sound and lighting equipment under its belt.

With more and more of its customers also requiring hardware solutions for multi-screen shows and installations, the link with Calibre UK was a natural progression, according to Prosound’s Technical Director, Mark Malherbe:

“Our reputation has been built on using only market-leading products in both our sales and hire departments, so when the opportunity arose to add Calibre to our roster, we jumped at the chance.

“We supply a number of high-end production companies not just in South Africa but in East and West African countries as well. Whether they are putting on a small conference or a 10-screen, multi-input show, we believe we will have a Calibre UK image-processing solution that meets their needs, and which they can trust to be seamless and stable.�

Pauline Brooksbank, Managing Director, Calibre UK, adds: “The market for high-quality image processing in sub-Saharan Africa is growing very fast, and we believe Prosound is perfectly positioned to offer our entire range to this market including the HQView and FoveaHD ranges.

“The synergy between video production, sound and light is growing not just in the rental arena but in fixed installations as well, and we look forward to seeing more of our products being sold into all these sectors through the good auspices of the team at Prosound.�

www.calibreuk.com

SAUGERTIES, NY – April 25, 2013 – Markertek, a global supplier of specialized products to all television and broadcast networks, today released a full-line of multichannel fiber optic tactical snakes for outside broadcast, sports production and pro-audio long distance applications.

Markertek’s complete line of fiber optic tactical snakes includes 2-Channel up to 12-Channel versions with ST, LC, SC or MPO connectors. All cables are assembled with OCC brand tac-fiber with internal aramid strength members for crush resistance in high traffic areas. Fiber optic tactical snakes are available with Schill reels featuring inner hub fanout storage and a latching protection door. All assemblies are multi-stage machine polished and tested for <-55dB RL with test results for each channel supplied with each cable. Built in-house at our state-of-the-art LEMO trained fiber shop with full repair services and custom lengths & configurations available.

“Whether you’re running a Blackmagic ATEM camera converter or a yellobrik transceiver, a fiber optic tactical snake from Markertek completes the system with a reliable interconnect you can drive a tank over, â€� said Chris Fisher, VP of Engineering at Markertek. “The beauty of our Schill reel models is the ability to store your fanout inside the reel hub in a clean and safe environment. It is our goal to be the #1 supplier of custom fiber optic solutions to the broadcasting industry. Markertek has a LEMO trained staff and now offers SMPTE hybrid cables and breakout solutions for any application.â€�

To receive a free copy of the Markertek Fiber Edition Catalog visit www.markertek.com, email sales@markertek.com or call 800-522-2025. Digital versions are available for download either as a full PDF or in a ZIP file. Customers can also reach out to their existing Markertek sales contact for a quick quote or further details.

# # #

About Markertek
Markertek is a highly specialized broadcast and pro-audio supply house serving the technical side of the media industry with over 60,000 unique solutions at reasonable prices – supported with dependable advice from actual pro-audio and broadcast video professionals. The Markertek catalog has achieved cult-like status among digital media professionals as the ultimate design tool for creating the electronic infrastructure required to produce the majority of primetime television shows, feature films, commercials and chart-topping music hits, as well as all other areas in the audio and video industry.

Markertek is the #1 “Go-To� source in the industry for everything fiber optic including SMPTE Hybrid camera cables, 2-12 channel tactical fiber snakes, fiber rack mount solutions, fiber reels, fiber consumables and specialized tooling.

Visit www.markertek.com for more information.

SAUGERTIES, NY – April 24, 2013 – Markertek, a global supplier of specialized products to all broadcast and television networks, today launched an entire line of SMPTE Hybrid Fiber cables featuring LEMO connectors and Furukawa or Belden SMPTE 311M cable. Markertek’s expanded in-house fiber optic production facility is now ready to serve its worldwide customer base with off-the-shelf SMPTE Hybrid cables.

The Markertek Fiber Shop offers SMPTE Hybrid camera cables in three versions: Flexible studio, Riser-rated install and Outside Broadcast harsh environment. SMPTE hybrid to ST, LC and SC breakout cables are also available – with and without power options – for both internal rack and long distance distribution applications.

“Our LEMO trained fiber optic lab boasts the latest polishing and test equipment,� said Chris Fisher, VP of Engineering at Markertek. “We now have the ability to deliver the fastest turnaround time on both stock and custom fiber optic cable solutions. In true Markertek fashion, we have off-the-shelf solutions. You don’t have to get a quote or wait 3-4 weeks for a SMPTE Hybrid 311 cable.�

To receive a free copy of the Markertek Fiber Edition Catalog visit www.markertek.com, email sales@markertek.com or call 800-522-2025. Digital versions are available for download either as a full PDF or in a ZIP file. Customers can also reach out to their existing Markertek sales contact for a quick quote or further details.

# # #

About Markertek
Markertek is a highly specialized broadcast and pro-audio supply house serving the technical side of the media industry with over 60,000 unique solutions at reasonable prices – supported with dependable advice from actual pro-audio and broadcast video professionals. The Markertek catalog has achieved cult-like status among digital media professionals as the ultimate design tool for creating the electronic infrastructure required to produce the majority of primetime television shows, feature films, commercials and chart-topping music hits, as well as all other areas in the audio and video industry.

Markertek is the #1 “Go-To� source in the industry for everything fiber optic including SMPTE Hybrid camera cables, 2-12 channel tactical fiber snakes, fiber rack mount solutions, fiber reels, fiber consumables and specialized tooling.

Visit www.markertek.com for more information.

TURIN, Italy — In order to allow lessons to be streamed via the Internet at the University of Torino in Italy, integrator Leading Technologies srl (LTech) recently designed a technical AV infrastructure for more than 30 classrooms (and main assembly hall) in the Law & Political Science faculty. At the heart of the network is a complete HARMAN BSS Audio Soundweb London system, which allows for seamless management of the classroom’s audio and video control. The facilities include six lecture rooms, each containing approximately 150 seats, 28 classrooms — and a grand assembly hall with 300 seats, which is also occasionally used to stage small concerts.

LTech chose to place the system on a BSS Audio Soundweb London network, with its proprietary BLU link digital audio bus, to provide a powerful and rock solid backbone. “Our real achievement was the integration of the Soundweb London audio signals with video and our support for the design and programming of these systems. It was vitally important to have audio, video and web control all from a single brand of product,� explained Mauro Lavazza, Project Manager for LTech.

Playback is all through JBL loudspeakers. In the main hall eight JBL Control 29AV-1’s, chosen for their extremely flat, high-fidelity performance, extended bandwidth and well-controlled defined coverage, are driven by Crown XLS 1000 amplifiers, while two compact JBL Control 1 Pro loudspeakers, powered by Crown MA135 mixer amps, act as monitors for the speaker’s table.

In each of the six classrooms are four JBL Control 28 driven by a Crown XLS 1000 and two JBL Control 1 Pro operating with a Crown 135MA amplifier, as monitor speakers. Finally, in each of the 28 small classrooms either two or four JBL Control 25’s can be found — in all cases powered by a Crown XLS 1000 amplifier — with a pair of JBL Control 1 Pro, powered by a Crown 135MA, serving as monitors. Equalization of the large lecture hall and six classrooms has been carried out digitally in the Soundweb London processors, which also handle the automatic mixing of all signals and delay lines.

The six 150-seat classrooms share video and audio signals with the main hall through a central node with a video matrix, and by a Soundweb London BLU link ring consisting of six BSS Audio BLU-100 and six BLU-800 processors, with two BSS Audio BLU-BIB (8-input expander) and BLU-BOB (8-channel output expander) increasing the I/O capability.

The Soundweb London BLU-800 in the main hall shares audio with a Soundcraft Compact 16 via a CobraNet card so that all mic inputs normally handled automatically by the Soundweb London processor can be mixed in manual mode (plus analogue inputs during live concert performance).

In the smaller rooms, mic EQ is handled from a series of Soundcraft EPM-6 mixers. These have been specified throughout the 28 classrooms to handle mic mixing and computer signals.

In conclusion Mauro Lavazza stated, “This has been a successful integration which fully meets the client’s requirements. They were particularly enthusiastic about the performance of the Soundweb London processors that make up the heart of the system, for their flexibility and ease of programming. Without having any previous experience of this platform they have immediately created complete autonomy in the management and maintenance of their audio systems.�

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 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported sales of $4.4 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012.

SAUGERTIES, NY – April 23, 2013 – Markertek, a global supplier of specialized products to all broadcast and television networks, today unveiled its HYDAP line of SMPTE hybrid fiber adapter solutions designed to lower the cost of outside broadcast and sports production.

The HYDAP provides a solution to running expensive long length SMPTE 311 hybrid camera cables by converting the SMPTE hybrid connector to conventional single mode ST connections or Neutrik opticalCON LC connections. These robust in-line adapters feature an extremely durable extruded aluminum housing for harsh production environments. Fiber connectors are recessed to prevent damaged ends and a square housing design prevents rolling. HYDAP units are available in both SMPTE hybrid male and female models breaking out to either ST fiber or Neutrik opticalCON connections. Standard models are passive but are also available with power options.

“Now you can use conventional ST fiber or Neutrik OpticalCON cables with your SMPTE hybrid cameras,� said Chris Fisher, VP of Engineering at Markertek. “These SMPTE hybrid breakout solutions lower your cabling costs and offer a simple inline solution. The housing is so rugged we drove a Jeep over them and they survived.� Continued Fisher, “It is our goal to be the #1 supplier of custom fiber optic solutions to the broadcasting industry. Markertek has a LEMO trained staff and now offers SMPTE hybrid cables and breakout solutions for any application.�

To receive a free copy of the Markertek Fiber Edition Catalog visit www.markertek.com, email sales@markertek.com or call 800-522-2025. Digital versions are available for download either as a full PDF or in a ZIP file. Customers can also reach out to their existing Markertek sales contact for a quick quote or further details.

# # #

About Markertek
Markertek is a highly specialized broadcast and pro-audio supply house serving the technical side of the media industry with over 60,000 unique solutions at reasonable prices – supported with dependable advice from actual pro-audio and broadcast video professionals. The Markertek catalog has achieved cult-like status among digital media professionals as the ultimate design tool for creating the electronic infrastructure required to produce the majority of primetime television shows, feature films, commercials and chart-topping music hits, as well as all other areas in the audio and video industry.

Markertek is the #1 “Go-To� source in the industry for everything fiber optic including SMPTE Hybrid camera cables, 2-12 channel tactical fiber snakes, fiber rack mount solutions, fiber reels, fiber consumables and specialized tooling.

Visit www.markertek.com for more information.