WorldStage, the new brand for Scharff Weisberg and Video Applications, Inc., has acquired Riedel Communications’ Artist 64 Digital Matrix Intercom system.

“It was time to move to a digital intercom so we chose Riedel, which is an industry standard and recognized as one of the best digital intercom systems available,” says WorldStage engineer Geof Gibson. “Riedel intercoms were used on the Olympics in London and Beijing.”

The Riedel Artist line is a true network infrastructure based on highly-modular matrix mainframes. Individual Artist matrix mainframes can be equipped exactly as needed; not only the mainframes are modular and expandable but also the system’s distributed architecture. The scalability and expandability of the Artist make it a secure long-term investment.

The Artist 64 has a maximum matrix size of 1024×1024 and a maximum of 64 ports per frame. It features hot swap of all modules, redundant power supplies and redundant node controller.

Digital matrix intercoms offer numerous advantages, including high-quality audio; increased flexibility, functionality and reliability; and nearly infinite scalability. In addition, digital matrix intercoms have the ability to interface with a wide array of both digital and analog industry-standard intercom systems.

“The Artist 64 gives us superior audio quality and has incredible flexibility today and moving forward,” Gibson notes. “We have already used our new system for Mercedes at the Detroit International Auto Show and at the Intel Sales Management Conference in Las Vegas.”

WorldStage Inc., the company created by the merger of Scharff Weisberg Inc and Video Applications Inc, continues a thirty-year legacy of providing clients the widest variety of entertainment technology coupled with conscientious and imaginative engineering services. WorldStage provides audio, video and lighting equipment and services to the event, theatrical, broadcast and brand experience markets nationally and internationally.

LOS ANGELES – Zylight, a leading manufacturer of innovative LED lighting solutions, will showcase its new F8 LED Fresnel at the 2013 NAB Show (Booth C5446), which runs April 8-11 in Las Vegas, Nev. Available in tungsten (3200K) or daylight (5600K) versions, the compact lighting instrument collapses to less than four inches thick for easy transport and storage.

“When we showed our F8 concept at NAB last year, we received an overwhelmingly positive response,� said Charlie Collias, senior vice president, worldwide sales. “We’ve taken the traditionally hot and bulky Fresnel technology and replaced it with compact LED technology. The F8 delivers all the performance of a traditional Fresnel lighting instrument in a much more portable and energy efficient design.�

As part of a special promotion, Zylight is offering a $200 rebate on all F8 orders for NAB attendees through May 15. Details will be available at the booth and at www.zylight.com.

Equipped with an eight-inch SCHOTT glass lens, the fully dimmable F8 maintains single shadow traditional Fresnel beam shaping, and offers a patented focusing system for spot and flood operations. Its beam spread is adjustable between 16-70 degrees for even coverage for widescreen HD productions.

The F8 draws only 90 watts but has close to the light output of a traditional 1000-watt Fresnel. While its silent operation makes it ideal for studio use, the F8 is also water resistant (IP54), so it can be used in challenging location conditions. The F8 can be powered by a worldwide AC adapter or standard 14.4V camera battery.

“The F8 is a really versatile, rugged light,� said Joseph Arnao, president. “It’s bright like an HMI but better suited for run-and-gun news ENG applications – you just snap on a battery and go. It’s also a great choice for studios that need to save space and reduce operating costs.�

Two speakers will share their shooting experiences with the F8 at Zylight’s NAB booth. Boston-based DP Tom Guilmette recently took the new Fresnel to the top of Mount Washington. On Monday, April 8, at noon, he will discuss how his Zylight performed in the mountain’s unforgiving weather conditions. On Tuesday, April 9, at 1 p.m., Matt Kearney, vice president of Fastec Imaging, will show how his company’s ultra-portable TS3Cine high-speed handheld camera works with Zylight’s flicker-free LED lights.

Like other Zylight models, the F8 is equipped with ZyLink wireless technology, which makes it easy to link multiple Zylights for simultaneous remote control. As a result, several F8s can be grouped together and linked for unique lighting scenarios. The F8 can also be controlled via DMX.

Barn doors and yoke mount ship with the F8. Additional options and accessories, including DMX motorized focus, pole yoke mounting, ZyLink controlled multi-head mount, hand grip, and kit box are available separately. The F8 has an MSRP of $2,400 and will ship in June.

ABOUT ZYLIGHT LLC

Zylight was founded in 2003 with one mission: Bring truly intelligent, time-saving lighting to the entertainment production industry. Our award-winning team has more than 80 years of combined industry experience, and we continue to develop innovative LED lighting solutions to help make your job easier. With more than 50 dealers worldwide, Zylight continues to grow its brand to a large international audience. More Than Bright – Zylight. Find out more at www.zylight.com.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – HARMAN’s dbx today introduced its PS6 power supply for the dbx PMC16 Personal Monitor Controller. The PS6 is a road-worthy power supply that can supply AC power for up to six separate PMC16 units. The PMC16 is ideal for everything from house of worship systems with a single compact mixing console to large-scale orchestra installations of up to 60 PMC16 units.
The dbx PMC16 Personal Monitor Controller is remote control designed to give performers the ability to set up and control their own personal mixes of up to 16 channels of audio. Each channel can be tweaked with EQ, panning, Stereo Width control and effects, including a choice of built-in Lexicon reverbs. The PMC16 can be used with traditional on-stage monitor systems, powered personal monitors, in-ear monitors, digital snakes and headphones.

“Since it began shipping our PMC16 has been met with wide acclaim from users from a variety of backgrounds. We designed a high-quality multi-power supply that provides users with a functional and flexible option that will allow them the ability to have a highly scalable setup as they add additional PMC16s,� stated Noel Larson, Market Manager for Portable PA, Tour and Recording at HARMAN Signal Processing.

The dbx PS6 connects to a PMC16 Personal Monitor Controller via a standard 12-volt DC center-negative cable. XX cables are included with the PS6. The PMC can be configured to operate with either 48kHz or 96kHz D/A conversion. Its built-in dbx PeakStopâ„¢ limiting prevents the possibility of signal overload. The PMC16 is future-ready, thanks to its USB port, DSC and Ethernet port for future updates.

The dbx PS6 power supply will be available in April 2013 at a price of $299.95.

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.

Michael Brammer and Jim Brammer, President of SES

Asked about the decision, SES spokesperson Michael Brammer responded, “The addition of 24 MLA, 24 MLX, and 48 MLA Compact enclosures gives us more flexibility in creating system configurations, and the ability to serve multiple tours with MLA at the same time. MLA is without question one of the finest sounding PA systems in the world, if not the finest.�

After coming off a sold-out weekend that included the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York’s Madison Square Garden and the Prudential Center in Newark, the consensus was that sound coverage at all of the shows was exceptional.

In Syracuse, tickets sold so well that the stage was moved further and further back until there was virtually no more space on the field. At this point, the distance from the PA to the rear seats had reached 465 feet with no delays, and coverage still wasn’t a problem.

At Madison Square Garden, an on site decision was made to reconfigure the system to get additional enclosures in the air, which proved to have a beneficial impact on the overall coverage. The sound at Prudential was also stellar.

With a total inventory of 72 MLA, 8 MLD, 48 MLX and 48 MLA Compact enclosures, SES is a leader in the growing MLA North American network of production companies.

“MLA has definitely paved the way toward new possibilities for us and I’m excited to see where it takes us moving forward,� concluded SES President Jim Brammer.

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

HOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 2013: On any given Sunday, the only thing packed tighter than a Houston megachurch’s pews is the radio frequency spectrum surrounding them. Today’s worship services are high-tech and high stakes – with pastors, musicians, and support staff relying on an increasing number of wireless audio devices to ensure each service goes smoothly for thousands of the faithful – and a potential nightmare for sound professionals responsible for delivering crystal-clear wireless audio.

No one knows this better than Wes Matthew, owner of Houston’s Puresound, a large provider of church audio/visual installations, rentals and sales. “Churches are going wireless with everything now,� said Wes. “Wireless nursery pagers, walkies, in-ears, instruments, hearing assistance, parking lot aids, security, and, of course, microphones.�

Even thirty miles outside the city, Wes discovered his RF scans at the church were consistently full. “I could never find an open frequency,� he remembered. “So I ended up just picking the least crowded channel and hoped for the best.�

For his installation, each room had seven lavaliers and a handheld wireless microphone fed to Sennheiser ew 100 G3 receivers with basic whip antennas. “After extensive troubleshooting, no matter what we did, we were still getting signal dropouts and hit with interference,� Wes said. “We dropped the RF Spotlight on the stage, and the mics have been solid. I haven’t gotten a call in the six months since the installation.� Chris Regan of RF Venue commented, “More and more devices are competing for less and less spectrum, so we designed the RF Spotlight to deliver spectrum efficiency to any brand of wireless system. We’re happy to be working with Wes and his clients to enable reliable performance under the toughest RF conditions.�

The RF Spotlight is designed to be placed on the floor or under a stage to optimize reception for nearby wireless microphones or IEMs, but minimize reception of unwanted devices outside of its local field. In churches, hotels and convention centers where multiple wireless systems operate simultaneously, the RF Spotlight enables wireless operators to increase the number of open frequencies available, lower transmitter power for longer battery life, and dramatically improve signal-to-noise ratio at the receiver.

ABOUT RF VENUE RF Venue manufactures wireless audio equipment including remote antennas, RF distribution equipment, and cable assemblies. The company’s primary antenna products include the interference mitigating RF Spotlight, the lightweight foldable helical antenna CP Beam, and the polarization diversity antenna dubbed Diversity Fin. For more information visit: www.RFvenue.com

ABOUT PURESOUND Puresound provides high-quality audio/visual installation, rentals, and sales to the Houston, Texas area and beyond. The company provides turnkey services for an extensive list of worship, theater, and commercial clients. The company specializes in digital audio system design, video projection and distribution, as well as stage theatrical lighting and control trussing. For more information about Puresound, visit: www.puresoundusa.com

Sydney, Australia – Fairlight announces today that their Audio Post Production systems XYNERGI and EVO now come with the new Dream Version 4 Software. The software includes countless new features and options with the aim to make it easier to use for new users, improve workflow, and deliver faster output.

New features of the Dream Version 4 Software include:

- Mouse based editing enhancements
- Single Screen Interface with comprehensive per-track controls and new Mix Panel choices
- Improved dynamics, side-chain and MaxLinking across groups
- Multi Client ASIO bridge for EVO to host other audio products (e.g. Protools, Nuendo)
- Clip Bin and Clip Store functions to store projects
- Speed increase and new features for the Audiobase sound FX database

To ensure continued software improvements, Fairlight also introduced a 12 month software license subscriptions scheme. The license subscription provides access to software releases and updates during a 12 month subscription period. Customers who purchased a XYNERGI or EVO in 2012, will get a 12 month Dream Version 4 software license subscription for free.

-end-
About FairlightUS:
FairlightUS is headquartered in New Jersey USA and is the exclusive distributor for Fairlight products in the North American market. Fairlight has been at the forefront of digital audio development since its inception in 1975. Fairlight designs and manufactures media creation tools including digital audio recording, editing and mixing systems for standard and high definition audio post, broadcast and music production applications. www.fairlightus.com

Kramer Electronics is pleased to introduce the high−performance VS−808TP 8X8 Twisted Pair Matrix Switcher for analog twisted pair signals.

The VS−808TP features eight inputs and eight outputs for remote connection with compatible TP transmitters and receivers. The switcher is designed to work with the auto−adjusting TP−133/TP−134 transmitter/receiver pair. An additional, switchable VGA, stereo audio and RS−232 local input (built−in transmitter) and output (built−in receiver) allows direct connection of the signals (analog video up to WUXGA, audio and RS−232) with these compatible units. The VS−808TP also includes audio−follow−video or breakaway switching for audio signals and 15 user−programmable presets for quick−change configurations.

The VS−808TP is designed especially for presentation and multimedia installations where a high level of control possibilities are required from extended distances. It utilizes economical TP (Twisted Pair) cabling, which is commonly pre−installed in buildings, schools, hospitals, etc. The unit routes and distributes signals both from a local and/or remote source, at extended ranges of up to 200m (656ft). Kramer recommends using Kramer BC−DGKat524, BC−DGKat623 and BC−DGKat7a23 cables for optimum range and performance.

Using Kramer’s TP−133 and TP−134 transmitter/receiver pair with a standard CAT−5 cable automatically makes the system equalize and de-skew the signal for different cable lengths.

The two−line LCD display of the VS−808TP shows separate routing information of video, audio or RS−232 signals. The unit is controlled via its front panel buttons, RS−232, RS−485 and Ethernet.

The VS−808TP is a standard 1U 19� rack mount size and comes with included rack “ears.�

The VS−808TP is currently in stock and available from Kramer Electronics sales companies around the world.

For more information about Kramer Electronics please visit www.kramerus.com.

Huntsville, Alabama – PESA, a leading U.S.-based custom design and build manufacturing company for professional audio and video signal distribution, today announced that Georgia Tech Online (formerly Distance Learning) is using a new PESA Cheetah 288XE digital video router at its Global Learning Center in Atlanta as part of its migration to HD production for its online professional education coursework. The new PESA router was installed in late December, and the Center is currently migrating to the new system.

Built in the heart of Georgia Tech’s Technology Square, the Center is the university’s main hub for online education, including professional and non-credit courses. When the building opened about 10 years ago, a PESA Tiger 144×144 router was installed to handle AV sources throughout the Center for recording to DVD. Eventually, a second router was installed to handle computer-based rich media capture.

According to Steve Allen, senior AV/IT support professional, working with two routers has been a “logistical nightmare,� because each router works from a separate, incompatible scheduling device. The new PESA Cheetah 288XE will eliminate the need for two routers and simplify scheduling. “I can handle it all in one router – and not worry about two routers or two different parallel paths,� Allen added.

Reliable routing is essential to Georgia Tech’s distance learning operation. Instead of dedicated codec stations for each room, the Center maintains a “codec farm.� All signals – including audio, video, and high-resolution computer-based content – are routed to a bank of capture stations that serve the entire facility. Not only does this create redundancy, Allen noted, but it saves on equipment costs.

The Center is using Cattrax Web, PESA’s Web browser-based control software, for monitoring and controlling its new Cheetah router. Allen said the user interface makes it easy to route resources on the fly, and the flexibility in naming sources (beyond the eight character limit of earlier routers) is helpful. He also uses the system’s unique password protected user profiles to restrict some users from accessing certain I/Os.

Three of the facility’s 16 studio classrooms have already been converted to HD, and plans are in place to convert a fourth room. Room upgrades include cameras, switchers, matrix switchers, and fiber connectivity, as well as PESA Vidblox extenders and QuadBlox units that are used to transport AV and rich media content back to the new Cheetah router. Allen said the Center’s transition to HD production is a slow process, as classes remain in session and classrooms cannot be shut down for an extended period of time.

After a “solid� 10-year run with a smaller PESA router, Allen was confident in trusting the Center’s upgraded HD routing requirements to PESA. “This is the heart of our system. I needed something I could count on,� he said. “I knew I could count on PESA.�

About PESA

As a leading provider of audio/video connectivity, PESA offers a wide selection of routing switchers, matrix switchers, extenders, converters, media extenders, and signal processing gear to support government, military, industrial, commercial, broadcast and mobile truck applications. PESA offers one of the widest ranges of AV products – from large scale fiber optic routing to single-point CAT-5 DVI extenders – each with the integrity and innovative high performance technology expected from PESA. Our products are available around the world from a leading team of channel partners offering local support and installation; and all of our products are supported by 24/7 technical support. To learn more about our technologies and services visit www.pesa.com. PESA is located in Huntsville, Alabama with regional offices throughout the United States.

All products mentioned herein are trademarked property of their respective owners.

WOODBURY, New York – At NAB 2013, Hitachi Kokusai Electric America will introduce the Z-HD6000 CMOS HDTV studio camera, featuring a new 2/3-inch CMOS camera processor at the 2013 NAB show taking place April 6-11 in the Las Vegas Convention Center. Hitachi Kokusai Electric America will exhibit in booth C4309.

With its 2.6 million pixel, 2/3-inch, 1920×1080 raster MOS RGB sensors, the new Z-HD6000 raises the bar on picture quality. The new Z-HD6000 improves operational and cost efficiency within studio environments because its camera head provides extra power, communication channels, and other built-in features not typically found in cameras of its class.

“We’ve designed the Z-HD6000 camera with integrated features that enhance the studio production workflow, while saving our customers money,� said Sean Moran, vice president of Sales, Broadcast & Professional Division at Hitachi Kokusai Electric America. “By incorporating useful operational features in the camera system, we’ve eliminated the need for external hardware and extra wiring; making our system simpler to use, integrate, and deploy.�

Access to power

Having built-in access points for extra power means that studio personnel can run a teleprompter in addition to a floor or studio monitor from the camera head without the need for external power sources. Joe Tymecki, chief technical officer of Vermont Public Television, owns four Hitachi SK-HD1000 digital HDTV studio cameras, which also have this feature. “Because the camera head provides a high amount of power for the teleprompter, it made integrating our system a lot easier,� said Tymecki. “It saved us the expense of the extra integration time and of having to acquire external power.�

Better communication

With built-in access to multiple communication channels, the Z-HD6000 also provides: two IFB channels for listen only, two aux feeds that can send video to the operator, two video feeds that can go to talent and studio monitors, a second intercom channel for the floor manager or spotter, and a tally viewable in the talent prompter, among other features. “Occasionally we need a floor director or additional production talent who do not have access to wireless headsets,� Tymecki explained. “It’s nice when these extra production people can just plug into a camera head in the studio without impacting the camera operators.�

The Hitachi Z-HD6000 also offers new features and functions including: ‘no vertical smear’, F12 standard sensitivity with over 60dB of signal-to-noise ratio, and an RLAC real-time lens aberration correction function. However, the Z-HD6000 also retains all the popular features and functionality inherent in the existing Hitachi HDTV camera line, such as: fiber or digital triax cable operation, external auto-setup, advanced color correction, and improved skin tone detail.

At the 2013 NAB Show, Hitachi will also exhibit the new SK-HD2200 full body HD production camera, featuring new 2/3-inch, 1080/60p progressively scanned Ultra-Advanced UAIT-CCDs; as well as the Hitachi SK-HD1200 native 1080/60p studio/EFP camera; SK-HD1000 dockable studio/field camera; Z-HD5000 HDTV studio/field camera; and DK-Z50 multi-purpose HDTV camera.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi, Ltd., (NYSE: HIT / TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 360,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2009 (ended March 31, 2010) consolidated revenues totaled 8,968 billion yen ($96.4 billion). Hitachi will focus more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes information and telecommunication systems, power systems, environmental, industrial and transportation systems, and social and urban systems, as well as the sophisticated materials and key devices that support them. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at http://www.hitachi.com.

BUENA PARK, Calif.— Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Sunrise Theatre in Fort Pierce opened its doors in 1923 as the largest theatre on Florida’s East Coast. Sixty years later, the theatre closed its doors due to the decline of the downtown area and refusal to convert to multi-screen operation. In 1988, the Main Street Fort Pierce Association was established and began its effort to save the historic theatre, and in 1997, the St. Lucie Preservation Association, Inc purchased it. By 2006, the theatre had been completely renovated to its original splendor and is now owned and operated by the City of Fort Pierce. The 1,236-seat theatre hosts’ national Broadway touring companies, concerts and comedy acts, and ballet and opera companies with full orchestras.

This year, the Sunrise Theatre upgraded its front of house console to digital by installing a Yamaha CL5 Digital Audio Console with Rio3224-D and Rio1608-D input/output boxes. Incoming engineers for Tony Bennett, Ziggy Marley, The Alan Parsons Project Live, and Hotel California have already gotten their hands on the theatre’s new console.

“John Wilkes, our executive director, announced in front an audience that we had two donors from our board of directors that wanted to donate money for a new FOH console,� states Eric Hatcher, front of house engineer. “I found out about that at the same time the audience did. It was very shocking and yet exciting at the same time. I was given the go ahead to research new boards within a specific budget and looked at a Yamaha PM5D, Avid Profile, Soundcraft Vi6, and several others. A visiting engineer told me about the CL Series, so I researched that as well. As I began to look into it, I immediately fell in love with the CL, and the rest is history. The demo I was given after the fact, was icing on the cake!�

Hatcher said he went on various online forums, and he and the theatre’s technical director, Marty Petlock, spoke with some of the engineers that were coming through to see if they were agreeable to use the CL even though his (Hatcher’s) decision had already been made that the CL console was what he wanted. “It sounds absolutely wonderful! I am an analog man but this was one of the few digital consoles out right now that really impressed me, especially with the updated VCMs and effects, iPad control, and, the Premium Rack.�

Hatcher says he is running Dante networking in redundant mode. “I’ve also hooked my computer up to the CL to use Nuendo Live—purely awesome! This was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, thanks to our executives and donors.â€�

The theatre complex is also home to a 220-seat Black Box theatre, a state-of-the-art venue offering a variety of national, regional, local programming, completely outfitted with Yamaha products.

For more information on the Sunrise Theatre, visit www.sunrisetheatre.com.

For more information on the Yamaha CL, visit www.yamahaca.com.

-END-

PHOTO ID: Eric Hatcher

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.