USA - TOA Corporation's NX-100 Network Audio Adapter has earned two prizes in the IPv6 Appli-Contest 2004 (sponsored by the IPv6 Promotion Council of Japan), both in the Implementation Category, including the Top Prize in the corporate category and the Grand Prix for being judged the product most likely to contribute to IPv6 applications today and in the future.
The IPv6 Appli-Contest was started in 2003 with the aim of bringing to light a variety of new ideas and needs that will arise as the Internet Protocol Version 6 (known as IPv6) takes its place in the networked society of tomorrow. The contest also hopes to stimulate interest in IPv6 among people in general. Applications for the 2004 contest, which were accepted from participants worldwide from June through September, included 371 products in three categories.
Mr. Kei Higashi from the Business Unit Department's Research Centre, who accepted the awards, said: "It is thanks to all involved that we were able to take the grand prize. The NX-100 as a product is the result of the efforts of a great many people. In addition to my own efforts on IPv6 compatibility, many others worked to support the project in various ways-for example those working on acquiring logo-usage eligibility, those handling the showroom product presentation, and many others-and it was through all of these efforts combined that we have been able to earn this prize. Everyone involved should be proud of their contributions, and I offer all of you my sincere thanks."
The NX-100 Network Audio Adapter incorporates new "packet
UK - The official opening of Shearer's Bar at Newcastle United's St James Park ground on 12 February was marked in grand Geordie style with guitar legend Mark Knopfler, with fellow Dire Straits member Alan Clark on keyboards, played a live version of Knopfler's 'Local Hero' film theme to a very enthusiastic home crowd. The 'Local Hero' connection comes from the fact that the song is played at every Newcastle United home game as the players take to the pitch. After agreeing to help out, Knopfler needed a PA system to enhance his own backline. Q Music (Northern) Ltd were on hand to provide a full 2.4kW HK Audio Actor system, together with two HK Audio D.A.R.T. monitors.
Q Music managing director Gary Nicholson commented: "The specification for this event obviously had to be of an extremely high standard, as befits a performer of Mark Knopfler's standing. The chosen rig would have to be assembled in a very short time and on a confined stage area. As usual, HK Audio provided us with the ideal professional solution in the form of their Actor self-powered active PA system. We were confident that this system would deliver the perfect sound and, via a combination of D.I. boxes and microphones we achieved the desired result."
Also at the same event, Q Music used another HK Audio Actor system together with a number of HK D.A.R.T. and F.A.S.T. monitors to provide a full PA System for a Frank Sinatra tribute band. Technical advisor Ray Scott note: "HK Audio's active systems provide us with a trouble-free solution every time. They are easy to assemble, powerf
USA / Germany - At the Frankfurt ProLight&Sound exhibition (6-9 April), Shure will preview its new UHF-R Wireless System - the new benchmark for high-performance, networkable wireless applications. Designed for the most demanding wireless applications and users. UHF-R features networked automatic set-up to minimise set-up time, integrated software for advanced, real-time network control, broad bandwidth for reliable, trouble-free operation and innovative technologies for exceptional audio quality.
Shure - booth D12 in Hall 4.1.
(Lee Baldock)
UK - Following the release of Stardraw Control Beta 1 last month, software provider Stardraw.com has announced the public availability of Stardraw Control Beta 2 with immediate effect, prior to its formal launch scheduled for NSCA next month. A community of nearly 600 systems specialists was involved in the Beta 1 test phase and further participants in the Beta 2 test phase are similarly invited. Stardraw Control Beta 2 offers enhanced stability and applicability over the first Beta version, which was developed on the Microsoft.net v2 platform, which is itself still in the beta testing stage. As there is no firm release date for MS.net framework v2, Stardraw has released Stardraw Control Beta 2 on MS.net v1.1, the current release version. "It will be very easy to port everything back over to MS.net v2 when it is formally released later this year," commented Stardraw.com CEO David Snipp. "In the meantime, MS.net v1.1 has the advantage of being a shipping product and therefore stable and fully supported."
Other key differences include a greatly enhanced user interface that gives a whole new look and feel to the authoring environment, several new features and an improved library list structure that allows product selection by protocol, manufacturer and type. Marketing director Rob Robinson says: "Given that the support of any protocol is a key element of Stardraw Control, the ability to search under protocol is a huge time-saver and a far more flexible way of getting to the product you're looking for."
Stardraw Control generates stand
USA - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) - the organization which awards the famous Oscars each year - plays a much wider role in the day-to-day workings of Hollywood. As a large organization holding many meetings and conferences, the Academy recently undertook an expansion and modernization of its main Los Angeles conference room, which includes the installation of Sennheiser' ME36 condenser microphone.
Los Angeles-based Offenhauser/Mekeel Architects oversaw the redesign of the AMPAS room, and Warner Constructors, the firm behind many of Disney's theme parks, spearheaded construction. To create the room's audio and video systems, and provide acoustic design, Offenhauser/Mekeel brought in Menlo Scientific Acoustics, who have brainstormed acoustical and presentation system designs for venues including the Getty Center and the Getty Villa Museums. Menlo principal Neil A. Shaw worked closely with the Academy and Offenhauser/Mekeel in the design, while Thomas Gregor Associates executed the AV concept.
The meeting room features state-of-the-art video and laptop equipment and is based around a 44-seat hand-crafted wooden conference table some 40ft in length. Creating a sonic environment on par with the room's aesthetics meant designing an AV system that was as efficient as it was invisible. Shaw explains: "One of our goals was to create a sound reinforcement system that had a natural sound while providing clear audio reinforcement. We wanted people around the table to be able to hear the sound from any point in the room in a natural manner,
UK / The Netherlands - MC2 Audio has appointed Match Audio and Vision to distribute its range of amplifiers in The Netherlands. "We have been active as a pro audio distributor since 1997," explains Robert Pigeaud, sales manager of Match Audio & Vision. "We were looking for a high-end amplifier brand to complete our range of products and, after being introduced to MC2 and meeting Ian McCarthy, we decided that we wanted to become their Dutch distributor. "Of course, the audio quality and reliability of all MC2 products played an important role in this decision, as well as the support of the people within the company.
"We believe that MC2 will become a serious competitor to the big Swedish and American brands because of its pricing, functionality and unmatched performance. We will be focussing on the Dutch rental market with the E-series and several rental companies have already taken delivery of, or placed orders for, the E45 and E25.
Match Audio's first big contract for MC2 is for 18 E-series amplifiers to be installed into De Rodenburg - a nightclub in Beesd, near Utrecht - to power three separate rooms within the club. De Rodenburg has been a famous nightspot in Holland for over 20 years, renown for its innovative attitude towards clubbing and 2,500 crowd capacity.
"There was a fire there in November, which totally destroyed the audio and lighting equipment," adds Pigeaud. "So the management of the club decided to go for a Logic System Ethos/MC2 sound system, which is due for completion by the end of February." <
Canada - An Adamson SpekTrix compact line array system has been permanently installed at the new Cats Theatre in Tokyo, Japan. The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats has enjoyed successful theatrical stagings across the globe, and although the Broadway and London productions have completed their extended, record-breaking runs, the popularity of Cats in Japan has never faded.
Running in the country since 1983, Cats, performed in Japanese by the Shiki Theatre Company, has been presented in a number of major cities including Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Shizuoka, Hiroshima and Sendai. Pulling in more than 5.7 million people over the course of almost 6,000 performances in Japan, the musical has returned to the city of Tokyo after an absence of eight years.
The specially-designed Cats Theatre can accommodate a capacity of 1,200 on two levels of seating. The seating surrounds the round thrust stage in a 220° semi-circle. The audience is situated very close to the performance - there is only a distance of 16.5m from the lip of the stage to the back row of balcony seating.
The Cats Theatre employs an Adamson SpekTrix system comprised of eight SpekTrix and four SpekTrix Subs. The system is ground stacked on stage and aimed to provide audience coverage for both floor and balcony seating. The compact size of the SpekTrix system allows it to become easily concealed among strategically placed stage props. Shiki's Kaname Morishita surmised that: "because the SpekTrix loudspeaker has 120° of horizontal coverage, it's a great fit for this theatre,
UK - Baldwin Boxall will launch its feature rich Vigil 'EVAS' master and slave units at the forthcoming ProLight&Sound exhibition in Frankfurt (6-9 April 2005), International Fire Expo in Birmingham (16-19 May 2005). A DSP processor-based routeing matrix designed for the voice alarm/voice evacuation market, the Vigil 'EVAS' is designed to meet all current, and even future, standards for Voice Alarm systems, including BS5839 part 8 and EN60849, say the company.
This new product comes in the form of the BVRD2M master and separate BVRD2S slave, both of which are housed within a 1U 19" rack-mounting format. The BVRD2M has eight electronically balanced inputs and seven electronically balanced outputs. Inputs 1 and 2 have an 'all call' processor bypass as well as a dedicated in-built 'all call' fail safe emergency message generator in the event of a processor failure. The BVRD2M has the facility to store six messages that can be easily changed via the front panel USB port.
By utilizing the slave unit, inputs are increased by a further 12, outputs by a further 16 and messages by a further 12. Up to five slave units can be added to the master to allow a maximum of 68 inputs, 87 outputs and 30 messages for a BVRD2M system. Networking facilities are also dramatically improved and up to 128 BVRD2M units can be linked to provide an extremely sophisticated de-centralised Voice Alarm network. Currently the system can be networked using fibre, copper or VO I/P.
The master unit also has a built-in real-time clock for detailed fault and history reporting, both of which c
UK - Seasoned pro audio technical salesman, Tim Shaxson, joins DiGiCo's sales department as technical sales to work alongside sales director James Gordon. Shaxson joins DiGiCo from HHB Communications where he spent 12 years as Senior Pro-Audio technical salesman and was consistently one of its highest achieving team members. His appointment comes during a period of exceptional growth in the digital mixing console market and the expansion of its sales department is a reflection of DiGiCo's continued confidence and increased demand.
"We had been looking for a suitable addition to our sales department for sometime and Tim's experience in the industry and relaxed customer style make him the perfect fit for DiGiCo," comments Gordon. "Tim is going to be focusing his activities on promoting Soundtracs and DiGiCo consoles both nationally and internationally in conjunction with our distribution network."
"Whilst working at HHB, I'd noticed how rapidly the DiGiCo consoles had gained acceptance in both the touring and install markets and had thought to myself 'now there's an interesting company to work for'," adds Shaxson. "So when the opportunity arose to join the company, I jumped at the chance. Great consoles, Great People."
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
USA - For the eighth consecutive year, Audio-Technica microphones was extensively deployed by the Grammy Awards show for star performances, and to provide backline signals for the major international broadcast event, televised in both HDTV and surround sound on the CBS High Definition Television Network.
Michael Abbott, audio coordinator for the 47th Annual Grammys, stated: "We are pleased that Audio-Technica has continued its support for the 8th year as a Grammy manufacturing partner. I would also like to commend A-T on the 5000 Series Wireless. Its high-fidelity and solid performance made it a go-to wireless for artists and engineers alike."
Audio-Technica's Artist Elite 5000 Series Wireless Systems were used for front-line vocals by artists such as: Gwen Stefani, Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez, Johnny Van Zant, Blind Boys of Alabama, Melissa Etheridge and John Mayer. In addition, Stevie Wonder, Brian Wilson, Alicia Keys, Steven Tyler and Billy Jo Armstrong also used Artist Elite 5000 Series Wireless Systems, in a special performance to raise money for tsunami relief efforts.
Among the broad selection of Audio-Technica wired microphones utilized throughout the show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, were ATM25 (toms), ATM35 (violins, violas, and cellos), AE5100 (ride, hi-hats, vibes, harp, cellos, and choir), AE5400 (Leslie and background vocals), and AT4050 (bass, guitar, trumpet, trombone, woodwinds, sax, Leslie, drum overheads, ride, and hi-hats). AE5400 microphones were also employed for lead vocals by Audio-Technica endorsers Los Lonely Boy
UK - The National Theatre has just completed a refit of the main proscenium loudspeaker system in the Lyttelton Theatre, using Opus Audio Developments loudspeakers, amplifiers and controllers. Adam Rudd, Sound Supervisor for the Lyttelton, together with members of his team, went through a lengthy evaluation process to find the system that gave them the most natural sound quality and best coverage.
Adam Rudd explains, "We've had various systems in the Lyttelton over the years, but never one we were completely satisfied with. Up for evaluation were the usual systems you'd list for top quality theatre and Alan Lochhead also approached us with the Opus products. I have to say that there was some scepticism before the listening tests but it soon became clear that the full Opus system of loudspeakers, amplifiers and controllers were in a league of their own as far as accurate, natural audio quality is concerned. We were very surprised at the colouration and limitations it showed up in other systems that had previously been considered the best. The power and coverage were also excellent so the system required is compact and discreet."
The system in the Lyttelton consists of four 800W OAD PSD800T 3-way bi-amped cabinets giving point source 120 degree conical dispersion from 40Hz-22kHz. These are flown two per side at different heights, to cover the stalls and balcony levels, and supplemented with four OAD SB218, two 18" 1200W active sub bass cabinets, extending the LF down to 28Hz. A further two OAD PSD800Ts are able to be flown as a central cluster when
Denmark - A large quantity of DPA Microphones including 14 DPA 4011 cardioid mics, 10 DPA 4022 compact cardioid mics, eight DPA 4006 omnidirectional mics, 32 4061 miniatures and 22 4066 miniatures are in use at the new Danish Opera House in Copenhagen. The opera house, which is one of the most advanced in the world, was inaugurated with a gala performance on 15 January 2005.
The new venue is a gift to the people of Denmark from Danish businessman Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller, and home to the Danish Royal Theatre, with whom DPA Microphones enjoys a close relationship. The Danish Royal Theatre has assumed technical responsibility for the venue, and the mics were specified by Claus Wolter, head of sound for the Royal Danish Theatre and Opera. "I have to believe in the quality of every single piece of equipment we use in our daily work, and that's why we always have different types of DPA microphones and accessories close to hand," explains Wolter.
"For performances and studio recordings by the Royal Danish Orchestra as well as all the visiting orchestras we use 4011s, 4022s and 4006s. For miking grand pianos we use DPA's fantastic magnet mount, and for all kinds of recordings we use the stereo boom, which is the easiest way to make a good stereo recording. When it comes to vocals and strings we normally use 4061 miniature microphones, with the special microphone holders for strings. We've found we can use these microphones anywhere; sometimes we have to hide them in the set or in furniture, to get as close to the source as we can without using wireles
UK - The Brit Awards, now celebrating its 25th year, saw Shure hard-wired and wireless mics plus personal monitoring being utilized. Many artists chose to use the combination of Shure Premier Wireless with a Beta 58A capsule. Those included four Brit nominee, Natasha Bedingfield who performed Chaka Khan's disco classic 'Ain't Nobody' with her brother Daniel. Another stunning duo to use Shure Premier Wireless were Jamelia and Lemar who performed a raunchy version of Robert Palmer's 'Addicted to Love'; both urban artists were nominated for several awards. Winner of Best UK Solo Artist, The Streets was another Shure wireless user delivering his recent UK number one track 'Dry Your Eyes'. Furthermore, arguably the highlight of the evening, Robbie Williams and Joss Stone chose to use Premier Wireless whilst performing Robbie's 'Angels', for which he received the Best Song Award. Joss picked up two awards for Best British Female Artist and British Urban Act.
Green Day performed their recent hit 'American Idiot' with a rich variety of Shure hardwired microphones, including the classic SM58 on lead vocals. Sir Bob Geldof received an award for his Outstanding Contribution to Music and wowed the audience with a stirring rendition of 'I Don't Like Mondays/Rat Trap' via a hard-wired Beta 58A whilst being accompanied by an orchestra.
Shure's Premier Wireless was also used in the backstage "studio" behind the scenes and on the "red carpet" where arriving artists were interviewed live. PA equipment and crew were all provided by Britannia Row Productions and
UK - Michigan-based Thunder Audio has invested in DiGiCo D5 Live and D1 Live digital mixing consoles for its current tour with Garbage. With 25 years' experience in sound and light rental, Thunder Audio is a premier audio and full production company in both the US and the rest of the world, and they have chosen to invest in DiGiCo as their first foray into the world of digital audio mixing.
"We always said that we would take the digital plunge when it was necessary," says Paul Owen, vice-president of Thunder Audio. "We chose to go for the D5 and D1 Live with fibre optic split because of DiGiCo's excellent reputation and the request for these particular consoles on the Garbage tour. We know that we're going to have them rented out for the coming 12 months and that makes for a very sound investment."
Geoff Lissaman, DiGiCo's vice-president - Concert Sound, adds: "We're very pleased to have Thunder Audio on board with DiGiCo. They are a great company providing quality service and we are proud they have chosen to add the D1 and D5 to their rental arsenal."
(Lee Baldock)
UK - Birmingham-based AV installation company Argus Services is creating something of a benchmark for sound reinforcement systems among the leading football clubs in the UK, having recently installed Martin Audio's AM Stadium Series loudspeakers cabinets at three Premier Division clubs.
The latest to install the specially-designed weather-proofed cabinets is West Bromwich Albion FC. Argus has added seven AM15 cabinets to the main stand at West Brom's Hawthorns stadium. Jerry Matthews of Argus explains that "it's a deep tiered stand, and, although there was already a single row of speakers at the front, the further you went up the rows, the less you could hear. We've had to mount a row of Martin Audio AM15s about 25ft up the stand, just about where the directors sit!" All the AM15's have been suspended on custom-built brackets. "These enable us to do everything from the roof; once the speakers are in place, about 40ft above the crowd, we don't need to gain access from below."
Argus has equipped Walsall FC and Birmingham City FC with Martin Audio AM Stadium systems, and is currently working with Aston Villa FC on the first phase of an upgrade at Villa Park. Once again, the AM Series loudspeakers feature prominently, with 10 AM15s being installed into the first of the stands to be refurbished. "We've tried other makes of cabinets, but the Martin Audio boxes just deliver what they say they're going to deliver," says Jerry Matthews.
The AM Series includes 10", 12" and 15" full-range cabinets, which can also be supplied
Australia - Australian hospitality entrepreneur, Geoff Haywood, has renovated one of Perth's 19th Century classic pubs, the Brisbane Hotel, appointing club specialists, Megavision, and audio suppliers, TAG, to install a new audio format.
The resurrected venue is a fusion of new design elements and classic tradition. From an audio perspective the main hospitality area splits into two zones - the Long Bar and the Beer Garden. Globally connected and able to be operated as a single system, each area can also run independently and has been custom-designed to best meet the expected use.
All the audio system zones are controlled by an 8 x 16 Allen & Heath iDR-8 digital mix processor with settings addressable via wall panels - including the eight fader PL-6 - via laptop, or using the iDR's TCP-IP address over the web.
Strategically located between The Long Bar and The Beer Garden is the DJ booth, complete with an Allen & Heath Xone:62 DJ Mixer. Via a large rear window, the booth has a 270-degree scope so that it is possible to achieve audio coverage in both the Long Bar and the Beer Garden.
The Long Bar, featuring a huge European oak bar, has audio coverage provided by 14 Martin Audio BlackLine F8's and a Blackline S15 subwoofer. Outside is a quintessential Australian beer garden, boasting flame trees, date palms and a water pond. FBT J-8 speakers with a polypropylene skin suitable for outside use were selected, and fitted with heavy duty 100v transformers to cater for live bands and DJ's. Amplification is all QSC with two dual channel ISA800's driving the FBT's and
UK - When Umbaba opened to a select clientele recently, it completed a trio of exclusive London West End venues equipped from the ground up with ATC transparent reference monitors. Overseen by acoustician Nick Whitaker, the Umbaba system came about as a development of the PA they had designed and installed at Aura and Chinawhite. The guiding influence had been Freddie Moss, who has a strong financial stake in both Aura and Chinawhite, and was introduced to the ATC sound by Whitaker himself.
ATC's method is to use recording studio quality loudspeakers in slightly greater numbers to give enhanced sound performance and extended listening comfort. "The major advantage in the greatly reduced distortion over a PA-type system," says ATC's R&D engineer, Ben Lilly. "Distortion is the major cause of listener fatigue and discomfort."
"We wanted hi-fi quality but with an element of coarseness. What ATC have done brilliantly is establish a balance between the two," continues Hartley. "When you leave the club you do so without any ringing in your ears. The rumble from the subs through the banquette seating is particularly popular with our customers.
As at Chinawhite, the Umbaba system format is for flown, full-range, active 3-way cabs - with passive subs installed into the club's seating areas. "This has allowed us to maximize the useable floor space, optimize the audio quality in the critical midrange and give excellent coverage," continues Lilly. The flown three-way active cabs are a development of ATC's SCM150ASL active stud
Fifty Line' is a compact, active, long-throw PA system in three modular units: the FL10 passive HF speaker, with horn-loaded 10" woofer and B&C 1" coaxial compression driver; the FL15 mid/bass unit, incorporating one 500W/RMS power amp and one 300W+100W/RMS power amp used to power the FL10 via a four-channel speaker cable; and the FL18 sub, driven by an 18" B&C woofer with an internal 600W/RMS class-H power amp.
The PU 901 M/L UHF wireless microphone system is digitally controlled with detachable antennae, 16 selectable frequencies, multi-channel capabilities and digital code squelch. Up to eight PU 901 systems can be operated simultaneously in a single TV channel, while an optional active antenna splitter - the AS 6 - is available for multi-channel installations. Hand and pocket transmitters are powered with a standard 9V battery; operating time exceeds 30 hours.
KT demonstrated Helix RCS (remote control software), together with V2.02 of the Elgar Library Manager Shell. The RCS software allows access to all of the functions of the Helix digital EQ from a PC, via the 'FastNav' page that shows every function of every channel. The new wireless tablet PCs are supported.
Elgar provides a single place to store, load and edit Add-Ins such as Helix RCS and the Heritage 1000 Library Manager, creating a framework within the PC that allows the Add-Ins to communicate with the relevant piece of hardware. The latest release, V2.02, features the Elgar Comms Manager, which allows multiple Add-Ins to be run simultaneously.
Helix can link to the DN6000 real-time audio analyzer to provide auto-EQ functions if required, and the NAMM launch of the Midas Siena adds another console - along with the Heritage and Legend ranges - which can use the Helix Solo Tracking System. This allows a channel of Helix assigned to a particular input or output to appear on the display of the Helix DN9340 master unit.
Part of the HiQnet cavalcade but a significant launch in its own right, the DriveRack 4800 is the next generation DriveRack. Familiar processing functions have been extended with new algorithms, including Advanced Feedback Suppression, 96kHz processing and an optional CobraNet card. Ethernet control is also available.
UK - Reynolds of Raphoe, directed by Liam and Declan Reynolds, was responsible for the sound installation of D.A.S. Audio products at the Quaywest Restaurant and Winebar located in Derry, Northern Ireland's second largest city. This unique space situated on the Foyle River offers an attractive ambiance spread over two floors. Good food and great music both play a part in the experience of a visit.
To differentiate the sound in the dinning area and the bar, Reynolds of Raphoe created two zones. For the restaurant area, located on the second floor, the system is based around the D.A.S. Factor 5W in white, providing the high quality background music required for a locale of this type. The bar area, requiring a more predominant sound, was fitted with white D.A.S. DS-8 two-way systems. These high-output, compact enclosures are ideal for a wide variety of installations requiring a high quality foreground system. In the service areas, flush-mount ceiling series speakers were used. The interior design handled personally by John McDonnell of McDonnell Design.
(Lee Baldock)
Not to be left out, Aviom Inc announced a new ASIC for A-Net with claims for increased data capacity and signal control, in a package designed not only for live sound applications but also recording, broadcasting, production and post production. A-Net Pro64 has been developed by the company specifically for complex audio transmission, and has built upon the original protocol's relatively limited functionality for stage monitoring - namely, a uni-directional 16 channels to the stage.
A-Net Pro is bi-directional and increases capacity to 64 channels on a single wire pair in a Cat 5 cable, while maintaining 24-bit resolution. This is expandable to 256 channels in custom networks, but the company is also keen to emphasise that using the system has not become a more complicated process as a result, and that its core values of uncompressed, low-latency audio through a 'plug-and-play' system are intact.
Mackie-associated brand Tapco has come up with the 'Blend' family of simple-to-use, affordable, compact mixers. First is the Blend 6, a six-channel analogue recording and live sound mixer designed by the Mackie engineering team.
Tapco also introduced the first in a new family of audio accessory products, the DI-1A and DI-1P active and passive direct injection boxes. These boxes provide signal and impedance matching for the direct connection of instruments to amplifiers and mixers. In addition, both feature a Thru/Out jack to allow a clean signal to be sent to any amplifier in addition to a mixer for greater control during live performances.
The DI-1A active model offers the option of power via a 48V phantom from a mixer or internally via two 9V batteries. The DI-1P passive model comes complete with a filter for enhancing bass and guitar sounds.
Finally, Tapco announced updates to its live sound amplifiers and processors, to be released later in 2005. The Juice Series of amplifiers, the Squeeze SQ·2 compressor/gate and the Tweeq T-231 31-band EQ are all to get enhanced performance, new features and a new look.
In among Harman Pro's grander announcements (see main copy), Crown ushered in two entry-level BGM, paging and zoning devices: the 180MA and the 280MA.