ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA: For the second year in a row, Ashly’s extremely efficient and powerful KLR-4000 amplifiers powered Community loudspeakers and subwoofers at the 2012 NAMM “Wanna Play?” stage in Anaheim, California. Michael Bell of Bell Event Services handled production at the stage, which featured an inspiring collection of handpicked, up-and-coming artists. The stage takes its name from NAMM’s “Wanna Play?” campaign, which encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to take up a musical instrument and perform. Last year, the “Wanna Play?” stage used a similar Ashly/Community configuration that set off alarms in the parking lot next door!

The Ashly KLR Series amplifiers leverage the company’s decades of experience building reliable, high-performance amplifiers and uses the latest technologies and materials to dramatically increase efficiency, while maintaining sonic purity and decreasing cost. The Ashly KLR Series amplifiers are dual channel, and each of the nineteen KLR-4000s used at the “Wanna Play?” stage delivered 2,000 watts per channel into a two-ohm load.

The “Wanna Play?” stage was located just outside the convention center area, adjacent to the arena fountain. The impressive collection of Community loudspeakers and subwoofers comprised a four-way system and included four Solutions SLS960 bi-amped all horn-loaded array cabinets, four iBOX i215S double-15-inch bass cabinets, eight VLF218 double-18-inch subwoofers, iBOX i2W8′s for front fill, and six channels of M12 stage monitors.

This year was the largest NAMM show in its 110-year history. Registered attendees numbered over 95,000, a six-percent increase over last year. International registration was up 15%. These numbers, along with the 236 new exhibitors, appears to forecast a prosperous 2012.

ABOUT ASHLY AUDIO With a greater than thirty-seven year history, Ashly Audio Inc. is recognized as a world leader in the design and manufacturing of quality signal processing equipment and power amplification for use in the commercial sound contracting and professional audio markets. www.ashly.com

ABOUT COMMUNITY PROFESSIONAL LOUDSPEAKERS Community Professional Loudspeakers has been a leading supplier of professional sound systems since 1968. Headquartered in Chester, Pennsylvania, Community distributes its products to over fifty countries on six continents. Visit www.communitypro.com for more information.

Birmingham, AL – It was George Barber’s lifelong passion for racing that led him to become a driver with the Sports Car Club of America in the 1960s.

After his father’s death in 1972, the Birmingham native put his racing career on the back burner to take over the family dairy business. But by the late 1980s Barber’s obsession with collecting and restoring vintage cars and motorcycles eventually resulted in one of the most impressive collections in the world, and in 1995 he opened the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.

In 2003 Barber sold his dairy business and invested more than $50 million to build the Barber Motorsports Park. The sprawling 740 acre park, just east of Birmingham, is home to the Museum, as well as a 16-turn, 2.38-mile racetrack that has hosted both motorcycle and car racing events ranging from Grand-Am and NASCAR to AMA Superbike and Mustang Club of America.

“The state of Alabama has never had a race course as pristine as this one,” says Lee Brock of Birmingham-based Music Alley, the designer and installer behind the track’s high-end audio system. “It started out as a motorcycle course, but in no time at all it evolved to become one of the area’s most unique racing rings.”

As Brock explains, the track’s fast-growing popularity inspired a series of upgrades including a large-scale sound system covering the entire area. “When Indy got involved a couple of years ago, management decided it was time to get away from those old horns they were using and put in a system with full-range, high-quality sound,” says Brock. “They demoed a whole bunch of different loudspeaker products, and when we showed them the Community R-Series, that’s what decided it.”

The system is comprised of more than 100 Community R-Series loudspeakers, including a mix of R.25, R.5 and R.5SUB models. The R-Series’ legendary power and intelligibility was key to its selection, Brock observes. “The R-Series is unmatched when it comes to getting the announcers’ voices out there so people can understand it,” he says. “It delivers without having to work very hard.” QSC RMX and ISA-Series amplification powers the system, with a Rane RPM-88 providing digital signal processing.

The track hosts a wide range of events, from high-testosterone to more family-oriented fare, and Brock adds that the sound system had to be versatile enough to deliver both power and musicality. “Of course, for a racetrack environment volume is critical,” he says. “But their program material also employs quite a bit of music, from singing the National Anthem to a lot of high-energy material, and sound quality was an important consideration.”

Another major consideration was durability, says Brock. “We don’t get a lot of snow here, but we do get a lot of extreme heat and humidity in the summer, and some heavy winds in the spring. The R-Series loudspeakers survived the tornadoes we had in April, and were still sitting on the wheel fence. Honestly, the system’s been in place for a year now and we haven’t had to replace a single component.”

The track’s wide acreage presented one of the project’s biggest challenges, says Brock. “We had a number of speaker runs that were going to be well over half a mile, and that just wasn’t feasible using copper wire,” he explains. “But we were able to use the park’s existing fiber connections from Race Control over to four corner stations around the park, and convert it to analog from there. There are a lot of nice hills and turns where the fans can sit on the grass, put out a blanket and have a picnic, and now we can get them good quality sound wherever they are.”

McDonald’s founders Ray and Joan Kroc were known for supporting a variety of charitable causes, and their legacy continues with a multi-billion dollar donation to the Salvation Army for the construction of several community centers in cities across America. The latest Kroc Center, recently opened in North Philadelphia, is one of the largest facilities of its kind on the East Coast. Its 130,000 square feet includes a world-class aquatics center, state-of-the-art fitness center, worship and performing arts facilities, café and culinary education center, as well as a wide range of programs for kids, adults and senior citizens.

Powerful sound was a big part of the plan for the facility, explains RTS Unified Communications’ Joe Zamborsky. RTS specified a selection of Community Professional Loudspeakers for the project, including R-Series, WET-Series and CLOUD6 in-ceiling systems to cover the pool areas, worship center, fitness center gymnasium and numerous other areas.

“In any major project like this one, there are a number of challenges,” says Zamborsky. Clearly, the project’s tight six-month schedule was a demanding one, as was the need to be exceptionally flexible in the face of numerous logistical challenges. On more than one occasion, plans had to be altered due to unforeseen surprises during the construction process. “The number one most important thing is communication,” he observes. “We maintained a daily, ongoing dialogue with everyone involved in the project, and that was key to our ability to keep things moving.”

The Community loudspeakers fit the bill on multiple levels, says Zamborsky. “Particularly in the pool areas, which combined a tremendously reverberant environment with an exceptionally high humidity, the R-Series was the only choice. Not only do they look great, but they sound terrific.”

The competition pool area offered up additional challenges as well. “Aside from having to cover the pool area itself, we were tasked with creating a separate system to cover the stands, which are tucked away in their own alcove,” says Zamborsky. “We chose the Community WET Series to cover that area, because they provided both a tight, focused coverage pattern and a high degree of intelligibility.”

Not surprisingly, the facility has been overwhelmingly embraced by the local community. “This is a great place and a tremendous asset for the city of Philadelphia,” says Zamborsky. “We’re proud to have been a part of it, and proud to be able to deliver a great sounding environment for everyone using the facility.”

Charlotte, NC – February 6, 2012 – Episode Speakers (www.episodespeakers.com) –- the audio brand of custom solutions manufacturer SnapAV — is now shipping its first Soundbars and On-Wall LCRs. Shown for the first time at 2011 CEDIA EXPO, the models are the newest additions to an already robust 2nd generation lineup of home theater and 2-channel loudspeakers (presently totaling 73 models – many critically acclaimed), that have steadily come to market these past 24 months.

Containing 3-front-channels-in-1 for positioning underneath the flat panel TV in entertainment room and bedroom settings, the Episode 300 Series Soundbars are available in 30- and 40-inch widths at $499 and $599 MSRP respectively. For use as either individual front channel or surround sound speakers, also new are Episode 300 Series On-Wall LCRs for medium and large-sized TVs at $199 and $299 MSRP respectively. more

Santa Ana’s Galaxy Theatre, now under new management, splits into two venues and updated with acoustic treatments and KARAi system

SANTA ANA, California — Orange County’s 40-year-old Galaxy Theatre changed ownership back in August and has now undergone a significant metamorphosis into two separate live performance spaces: the intimate 350-capacity Constellation Room and much larger Observatory, which can accommodate an audience of over 1000. One of the primary improvements made to the venue in the process was the installation of an L-ACOUSTICS KARAi line source array system provided by Certified Provider Rat Sound Systems, Inc. of Camarillo, California. more

Philadelphia, PA, February 2012…  McDonald’s founders Ray and Joan Kroc were known for supporting a variety of charitable causes, and their legacy continues with a multi-billion dollar donation to the Salvation Army for the construction of several community centers in cities across America. The latest Kroc Center, recently opened in North Philadelphia, is one of the largest facilities of its kind on the East Coast. Its 130,000 square feet includes a world-class aquatics center, state-of-the-art fitness center, worship and performing arts facilities, café and culinary education center, as well as a wide range of programs for kids, adults and senior citizens.

Powerful sound was a big part of the plan for the facility, explains RTS Unified Communications’ Joe Zamborsky. RTS specified a selection of Community Professional Loudspeakers for the project, including R-Series, WET-Series and CLOUD6 in-ceiling systems to cover the pool areas, worship center, fitness center gymnasium and numerous other areas.

“In any major project like this one, there are a number of challenges,” says Zamborsky. Clearly, the project’s tight six-month schedule was a demanding one, as was the need to be exceptionally flexible in the face of numerous logistical challenges. On more than one occasion, plans had to be altered due to unforeseen surprises during the construction process. “The number one most important thing is communication,” he observes. “We maintained a daily, ongoing dialogue with everyone involved in the project, and that was key to our ability to keep things moving.”

The Community loudspeakers fit the bill on multiple levels, says Zamborsky. “Particularly in the pool areas, which combined a tremendously reverberant environment with an exceptionally high humidity, the R-Series was the only choice. Not only do they look great, but they sound terrific.”

The competition pool area offered up additional challenges as well. “Aside from having to cover the pool area itself, we were tasked with creating a separate system to cover the stands, which are tucked away in their own alcove,” says Zamborsky. “We chose the Community WET Series to cover that area, because they provided both a tight, focused coverage pattern and a high degree of intelligibility.”

Not surprisingly, the facility has been overwhelmingly embraced by the local community. “This is a great place and a tremendous asset for the city of Philadelphia,” says Zamborsky. “We’re proud to have been a part of it, and proud to be able to deliver a great sounding environment for everyone using the facility.”

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Community Professional Loudspeakers has been a leading supplier of professional sound systems since 1968. Headquartered in Chester, Pennsylvania, Community distributes its products to over fifty countries on six continents. Visit www.communitypro.com for more information.

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands – The new Kilden Performing Arts Centre (Konserthuset Kilden) in the Norwegian city of Kristiansand is one of the largest and most technologically sophisticated arts venues in Scandinavia. Constructed at a cost of 1.7 billion NOK (US $287.3 million) and covering a gross area of 15,000 square meters, Kilden features an advanced technological infrastructure across four separate halls. To meet the high demands of this prestigious new facility, territorial distributor LydRommet AS provided a massive variety of HARMAN audio components for the sound reinforcement systems in each space, including JBL VERTEC® line array elements, BSS Soundweb London digital networking, Crown CTs Series amplifiers and Soundcraft Vi Series consoles.

Owned by the Kristiansand Local Council and Vest-Agder County Council, who helped fund it, Kilden will be the joint center for Agder Regional Theater, Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra and Opera Sør (the regional opera company). ALA Architects of Finland designed the complex so that all halls can be used simultaneously. The Concert Hall is the largest space with 1,185 seats, while the Theater accommodates 700 seats, and the Multi Hall and Small Auditorium can seat 235 and 150 seats, respectively.

The Concert Hall is equipped with 24 JBL VERTEC VT4887DP-DA powered compact line array elements, a center cluster of two JBL VP7212/64DP-DA and one JBL VP7212/95DP-DA powered loudspeaker, eight JBL VPSB7118DP powered subwoofers, four JBL AC28 compact loudspeakers, 14 JBL AC2212/00 compact loudspeakers, four JBL AC26 ultra-compact loudspeakers, with Crown CTs amplifiers assigned to the non-powered loudspeakers. Processing was carried out in a BSS Soundweb London environment, with front of house mixing via a Soundcraft Vi6.

The Theater features 32 JBL VERTEC VT4886 subcompact line array elements powered by Crown VRack systems, a center cluster of two JBL VP7212/95DP-DA and one JBL VP7212/64DP-DA powered loudspeaker. An additional eight JBL AC26 ultra-compact loudspeakers and 12 JBL 8350 cinema surround loudspeakers round out the system, powered by Crown CTs amplifiers. The same Soundweb components were installed as in the Concert Hall, along with another Soundcraft Vi6.

The Multi Hall is equipped with three JBL VP7212/95DP-DA powered loudspeakers, with two JBL VPSB7118DP powered subwoofers, BSS BLU800 and BLU120 digital signal routers and a Soundcraft Vi4 digital mixing desk.

The Small Auditorium features a pair each of JBL VP7212/95DP-DA powered loudspeakers and VPSB7118DP powered subwoofers, complemented by a BSS BLU800 and BSS BLU 120, and Soundcraft Vi1 (along with Vi6 stage box).

Monitoring resources for all stages consist of 24 JBL VP7212MDP powered stage monitors, 14 JBL VP7210/95DP powered loudspeakers, 10 JBL AC15 ultra-compact loudspeakers, a Crown CTs 8200 amplifier and a Soundcraft Vi6 desk.

In addition to these, LydRommet has also equipped a 5.1 recording studio and control room with five JBL LSR6328P studio monitors and an LSR6312SP studio monitor subwoofer. The room also features a Soundcraft Vi4 desk and BSS BLU100 processing.The control room can pick up the MADI from the mixers in each of the four halls to record the performances. Patching can be either manual, or via an RME MADI bridge if also routed to either of the two OB vehicles outside, for which provision has been made in LydRommet’s clever cabling architecture.

The central sound distribution consists of a BSS BLU800 and BSS BLU120, with four BSS BLU16, and 50 JBL Control 25AV surface-mount loudspeakers. Kilden also features 30 channels of AKG DMS 700 wireless microphone systems.

For the official inauguration of Kilden on January 6, national broadcaster NRK brought its HD2 large TV bus and TR23 Soundbus, using its own Studer Vista 9 and Vista 8 mixing consoles respectively, in conjunction with the installed Soundcraft Vi6 and Vi4 (and three Soundcraft Si Compact boards).

The main music mix was carried out on the Vista 8 while a temporary control room was set up inside the building, where the 32-channel, 24-channel and 16-channel Soundcraft Si Compacts produced sub mixes for the TR23 OB—sending groups of strings from the symphony orchestra as well as groups from the 100-piece choir.

LydRommet had originally been invited to tender for the contract five years ago in a bid involving five companies. They successfully responded to a specification produced by Ivar Thommasen at Brekke & Strand Akustikk AS for a contract that included a video and digital signage section, a paging/show monitoring system and a stage management system in addition to the core speech and music reinforcement systems and complete cable infrastructure.

“The client asked for half-year adjustments to make the solution work in the best way defined for the job,� explained LydRommet project manager Alf Christian Hvidsteen. “This allowed us to optimize the system and make full use of the integrated solutions that HARMAN can provide.�

Working directly for the Kilden Project Group and alongside main contractor, AF Gruppen, LydRommet’s own in-house product specialists, Espen Andersen and Pål Solli, designed the sound reinforcement and distribution systems with the aid of AutoCAD, HARMAN HiQnet Performance Manager™, System Architect™, London Architect™ and JBL’s Line Array Calculator. The result was a show relay system incorporating 200 speaker stations—fed and controlled by IP over Ethernet.

“The results, to put it mildly, were stunning,� Hvidsteen said. “The preview concerts as well as the opening ceremony were a very good test of both the acoustics and our loudspeaker choices. All systems worked very well and the customer and audience were very pleased with the results.�

High-resolution photos of the Kilden Performing Arts Centre are available at http://www.definitionbam.com/downloads/2012/Kilden_pictures.zip

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.

BOSTON, January 30, 2012 — Systems integration firm Axxentos of Fort Lauderdale, Florida turned to Technomad upon evaluating the outdoor audio needs of Club Med Sandpiper in nearby Port St. Lucie. The new outdoor audio systems, featuring 14 Technomad weatherproof loudspeakers, comprise part of a property-wide renovation alongside indoor AV upgrades and general construction projects.

Club Med Sandpiper’s 400-square-mile resort property exists in southern Florida’s sweltering climate, requiring durable outdoor audio systems that can withstand the year-round heat, humidity and moisture. The resort also required high-quality loudspeakers that could power full-range, high-volume audio over long distances, and reproduce soothing background music at clearly audible levels.

“I’ve learned what gear can survive in harsh environments over the years, and from all the outdoor installations I have done, only one company reliably endures the elements — and that is Technomad,� said Olivier De Kegel, owner and president of Axxentos. “They also produce great sounding audio.�

The external pool system proved the biggest challenge as De Kegel had little guidance from the resort, other than that management wanted a nice-sounding background music system during the afternoon and a louder system in the evenings. He installed two Technomad Berlin loudspeakers, the largest loudspeaker in the company’s range, to handle both requests with one system. The Berlins accommodate every activity from Bingo to full-blown nightclub-style events.

Axxentos installed a 70-volt infrastructure to accommodate long cable runs from a new central audio headend to various areas, including the bar. Ten Technomad Vernal 70-volt loudspeakers power the bar zone, delivering music and entertainment to guests enjoying daytime activities and the nightlife.

Two Technomad Noho loudspeakers also welcome guests with high-energy music audio at the entrance as they check in, with lower-volume background music playing in between arrivals.

“The resort wanted a system they could easily manipulate at the welcome area to balance loud and soft audio, and the Nohos offer power that is closer to the Berlin but compact enough for installation at the entrance,� said De Kegel.

Elsewhere, Axxentos installed AV systems in new conference rooms, built a mobile DJ unit and renovated a large theater system, merging existing equipment with some new components. But the outdoor audio systems remain the crown jewel of the resort upgrades.

“This was my largest installation to date, with some interesting upgrades and unique challenges,� said De Kegel. “They went from being fully analog to a more digital, centralized model. There won’t be any dull nights with the high-quality audio systems they have, and the durability of the Technomads ensure they won’t have to replace the outdoor systems every two years.�

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 – HARMAN’s JBL Professional today announced that Belgium-based AV rental system provider AED Rent has signed on as the first adopter of JBL’s next-generation VTX V25 line array loudspeaker and as a Strategic Partner in the VTX Network. AED Rent is known throughout Europe as a market leader and a total system provider, making the company an ideal candidate to help introduce the revolutionary VTX Series to the industry.

“Our mission statement is quite simple: To develop and maintain a flexible group of companies on a Pan-European base that offers a total solution for the professional in the AV industry,� said Glenn Roggeman, CEO of the AED group. “AED Rent is not just a rental company but an equipment bank, not only in sound, but also in lighting, rigging and video equipment. What makes this business quite unique is large quantities, industry standards, state-of-the-art products, and a young rental fleet with fast and accurate service.�

The VTX V25 is a revolutionary product that builds on the company’s 65-year heritage of loudspeaker design innovation and groundbreaking technology development. Designed for portable and fixed-venue system operators alike, the VTX Series features JBL’s legendary sound quality coupled with the most advanced sound reinforcement technology and support available.

“We chose to purchase the JBL V25 because I think JBL has it spot-on for the future,� Roggeman said. JBL has always been known as the best component builder. Today, thanks to Paul Bauman, they not only have the components, but also the speaker boxes to make a terrific system.�

The VTX V25 is a full-size, 3-way, high-directivity line array element. The VTX V25 features two 2000W, 15-inch Differential Drive® woofers mounted in die-cast aluminum baffles, with four 8-inch Differential Drive mid-range transducers and three of the revolutionary new D2 Dual-Diaphragm Dual-Voice-Coil Compression Drivers mounted on a 3rd generation waveguide and patented RBI Radiation Boundary Integrator® assembly.

“The technology JBL is using in the V25 is on the cutting edge,� Roggeman added. “If you see how much power the system is driving, it’s way above any competition. If you see the weight of the cabinets—82 kg—this is another attractive element, because in the future, environmental issues will play a bigger role in our business. A cabinet of 110 kg that needs to be transported will be more expensive than a cabinet of 82 kg.�

“We are thrilled that AED Rent has chosen to support the groundbreaking VTX V25 product,� said Paul Bauman, Senior Manager, Tour Sound, JBL Professional. “AED Rent’s technical expertise and leading position in the industry will be tremendous assets in our introduction of the V25 to the market.�

For more information on AED Rent, please visit www.aedrent.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.

Clearwing Productions replaces auditorium’s PA with new KIVA-KILO system

GREENDALE, Wisconsin — Greendale High School (GHS), located less than 10 miles southwest of downtown Milwaukee, WI, recently capped off renovations to its Reiman Family Arts Wing with the installation of an L-ACOUSTICS KIVA line source system. Designed and installed by Clearwing Productions, the new loudspeaker and amplifier package is now delivering high-fidelity sound reinforcement for the school’s 876-seat Henry Ross Auditorium. more