Harman International

Pick Of The Hits - Digitech in Electronic Musician, February 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:42:00 +0000

McCallum Theater Goes Digital with HARMAN’s Soundcraft Vi6™ to Complete Full HARMAN System

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:56:00 +0000

PALM DESERT, California — Known for providing entertainment and education through a variety of performing arts events that reflect the diversity of people, interests, and tastes of the Coachella Valley in California, the McCallum Theater recently updated its all-HARMAN audio system by adding Soundcraft's Vi6 digital audio mixing console for its front-of-house mixing needs.

The 24-year-old Theater needed an update to replace an aging Soundcraft Series 5 console. With the Vi6 in mind, James D. Anderson, Audio Director at the Theater, consulted with Bob Patrick, Principal of Hacienda Heights, California-based IPR Services, to install the console and ensure compatibility with the rest of the system, including JBL’s VERTEC VT4888 midsize line arrays and Crown I-Tech amplifiers. The upgrade included BSS Soundweb London signal processing for digital routing and flexibility. Dennis M. Kornegay, CTO, IPR Services, developed the London programming and user interface software.

Patrick was the project manager when the original system was installed, and knows the details of the hardware. “He was the logical choice to go to, both for purchasing and integrating the console,” stated Anderson. “I had done my research and knew I wanted the Vi6. I had never used a digital board before, but the ease of use and operation with Soundcraft’s Vistonics™ II was so good that I jumped right into it. I knew that my guest engineers would be satisfied.”

“It was a seamless transition going from the old analog wiring to the new digital system,” said Anderson. “I am still learning the aspects of digital mixing, but the board is everything I imagined and more. I chose the 96 input option.”

To learn the new board, Anderson attended Soundcraft’s “Mixing with Professionals” session, conducted by Gert Sanner in Northridge, California. “It was perfect,” stated Anderson. “The class was four hours long and I came away with information that made everything easier. My favorite feature on the console is the Vistonics, which allows me to see all channel settings at the same time. I also like the GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) for starting playback devices with the function keys or from a cue. The GPIO contacts appear on my patch bay, along with user interface connections to all playback devices, for easy configuration.”

“I am extremely happy with the console and the support I’ve received from HARMAN and Soundcraft. It is perfect for what we need and I am excited to keep learning more ways to use the board and discovering more functions and effects,” Anderson concluded.

For more information on the McCallum Theater, please visit: http://www.mccallumtheatre.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.

Pick Of The Hits - JBL in Guitar World, February 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:20:00 +0000

Moira Marquis Adds HARMAN’s Lexicon PCM Native Reverb and PCM Native Effects Plug-In Bundles To Her Sonic Toolbox at Mo’s Garage Recording Studio

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:59:00 +0000

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Moira Marquis was born to make music. Marquis attended New York University and earned a major in music business and technology. While still at school, she interned at Manhattan’s legendary Right Track Recording studios and was trained by Grammy award winning engineer Frank Filipetti. She worked with industry greats such as Bob Clearmountain, Ron St. Germain and Ed Stasium, and with artists including James Taylor, Kiss, Carly Simon and Mick Jagger.

Moira Marquis then moved to California where she expanded into engineering television and film soundtracks and working in music editorial services for TV and movies. She became a mom and wanted devote more time to her family yet remain in the music business. Her solution: the 2003 opening of Mo’s Garage, a private recording facility that has hosted an array of diverse artists and acts including Public Enemy, the US Marine Corps Band, The Fizzies, The Blood Arm and others.

Like many engineers, Marquis has been making the move from hardware effects to plug-ins. She’s recently added HARMAN’s Lexicon PCM Native Reverb Plug-In Bundle and PCM Native Effects Bundle to the sonic toolbox at Mo’s Garage, with impressive results.

“I first got a demo of the Lexicon Native Reverb and Native Effects at a trade show and heard enough to make me want to try them in Mo’s Garage,” said Marquis. “I can’t even begin to tell you how impressed I am with these products. I have never heard plug-ins that sound so great and perform so consistently, with no glitches that make you have to stop in the middle of a session, or latency issues where you get timing problems when recording or mixing.”

“I have been a long-time Lexicon fan. When I left Right Track and went out on my own I bought a Lexicon 480L and still have it, but in this age of mixing “in the box” on computer has become less and less practical for me to use it. Between all the cabling, in-and-out calibrations and patch points, the PCM Native Reverb and Native Effects plug-ins actually sound better, besides being easier and faster to use.”

“One of the ironies of engineering today is that we finally have all this excellent and super-convenient digital gear, yet many engineers, myself included, still like analog for that warm, rich sound. However, the Lexicon Native Reverb and Native Effects have that wonderful, rich, natural sound that I want from a reverb or effects unit – and they’re plug-ins.”

“The PCM plug-ins have been a life saver in a variety of situations at Mo’s Garage,” noted Marquis. “For a number of seasons my partner, Tom Banghart, was mixing all the live concerts recorded for the “Last Call With Carson Daly” TV show, including artists like the Decemberists, Death Cab for Cutie, Thievery Corporation and Interpol to name a few. Sweetening live material can be a very tricky situation, and the Lexicon plug-ins were perfect for creating a sense of the space seen on camera yet not necessarily captured in the audio feed.”

“I will be using the PCM Native Reverb and PCM Native Effects on all my projects from now on,” concluded Marquis. “I‘m about to start mixing a jazz/fusion record by the incomparable bass player Brad Russell with the equally incredible Gregg Bissonette on drums. I can’t wait to try the PCM plug-ins on that!”

For more information about Mo’s Garage please visit www.waymolive.com.

The Lexicon PCM Native Reverb and Native Effects Plug-In Bundles are designed to work with popular DAWs like Pro Tools and Logic, as well as with any other VST®, Audio Unit™ or RTAS®-compatible platform. Compatible with Windows® Vista, XP and 7 and Macintosh® computers, the plug-ins offer a host of unique Lexicon reverbs and effects, and hundreds of finely crafted studio presets including classics from Lexicon’s extensive library of sounds.

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.

Pick Of The Hits - Crown in Front Of House, January 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:34:00 +0000

HARMAN’s AKG DMS 70 Digital Wireless Microphone System Launches At Winter NAMM

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:28:00 +0000

ANAHEIM, California – Highlighting the latest in digital wireless capabilities, HARMAN’s AKG introduces its DMS 70 – a true uncompressed digital wireless system. The DMS 70 operates with 24bit 48 kHz transmission in the 2.4GHz ISM band, a worldwide license-free frequency range, to ensure top-quality audio for every customer.

“HARMAN’s AKG DMS 70 system offers exceptional studio-quality sound thanks to its uncompressed digital audio transmission capability,” said Thomas Umbauer, Product Manager, AKG. “The DMS 70 is designed for the most exacting applications where the highest level of wireless audio performance is required. It is especially recommended for guitar and bass because of its ideal frequency response between 20 Hz to 20 kHz.”

DMS 70 is ideal for live sound, club sound, conferences, seminars and school and universities – whenever quick and easy setup up is required. The entire DMS 70 package includes: AKG’s DSR 70 Quattro or DSR 70 Dual Receiver, DPT 70 Digital Pocket Transmitter and DHT 70 Digital Handheld Transmitter, available with patented D5 acoustics or DHT 70 Perception with standard supercardioid capsule. The DSR 70 Quattro includes a rack mount kit, power supply and other accessories. DMS 70 systems are fully compatible – able to be customized and combined for any customer’s needs.

All DMS 70 devices are available separately or in the following prepared packages: The Vocal Set, Instrumental Set and the mixed version of Vocal/Instrumental Set . The Quattro sets include two digital transmitters and the Dual sets, one digital transmitter.

All DMS 70 devices feature bidirectional communication between the transmitter and receiver. The dynamic frequency selection provides “intelligent” operation in the crowded 2,4 GHz band, enabled by digital diversity from receiver and transmitter side. Its easy setup functions make the system simple to use, even for less experienced operators, while the AES 128-bit encryption ensures secure 2-way wireless communication.

The DSR 70 Quattro receiver can work with up to four channels of audio in parallel, which can be mixed down directly to its balanced XLR sum output. The DHT 70 mic employs AKG’s patented dynamic D5 capsule to deliver outstanding sound quality with less feedback and handling noise.

Based on the bidirectional communication DMS 70 offers a number of additional new and unique features, including power off from receiver side for all connected transmitters, battery status monitoring, adjustable mic/guitar input level (DPT 70), high/low level gain switch (DHT 70) and more.

For more information about AKG and DMS 70, please visit http://www.akg.com and http://www.youtube.com/AKGacoustics.

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.

HARMAN’s JBL Professional Debuts PRX400 Series Portable PA Loudspeakers at Winter NAMM 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:10:00 +0000

ANAHEIM, California – HARMAN’s JBL Professional today introduced its PRX400 Series of passive portable loudspeakers, designed to bring true professional-quality performance, power handling and durability to more affordable price points. The new JBL PRX400 Series includes the 15-inch PRX415M, 12-inch PRX412M and dual 15-inch PRX425 loudspeakers, as well as the 18-inch PRX418 subwoofer.

The PRX415M and PRX412M can be used as either mains or monitors, and when used with the PRX418 subwoofer, provide a sat/subwoofer system capable of delivering 135dB of full-range, high-quality sound. The PRX425 dual-15-inch, 2-way speaker is ideal for DJs and bands that require powerful low-frequency extension from the convenience of a standalone cabinet.

“Since their introduction, our PRX600 Series portable PA loudspeakers have been tremendously popular with touring musicians, DJs and in a variety of live performance venues,” said Richard Ruse, Senior Director of Worldwide Sales, JBL Professional. “Our new PRX400 Series models offer the same exceptional sound and rugged reliability in a passive loudspeaker format, at pricing that offers outstanding value in its category.”

JBL PRX400 loudspeakers are designed to work hand in hand with Crown Audio’s powerful and innovative XTi2 Series amplifiers. Crown XTi2 amplifiers incorporate enhanced pre-set performance tunings for PRX400 Series loudspeakers, including crossover points for a sat/subwoofer setup, and optimized parametric filter that bring out the full potential of PRX400 Series loudspeakers. JBL PRX400 tunings will also be available in the dbx DriveRack® PA+ signal processor/complete loudspeaker management system.

JBL PRX400 Series loudspeakers utilize extremely high-quality, tour-tested drivers and components to deliver clear, detailed and dynamic sound for bands, DJs, nightclubs, schools, houses of worship or other professional touring and installed sound applications. They feature Neutrik® SpeakON combination connectors and are built from lightweight, yet extremely tough 18mm birch/poplar multi-laminate hardwood covered in JBL’s resilient DuraFlex™ covering. All PRX400 Series models feature rugged 16 gauge steel grilles.

JBL PRX400 Series loudspeakers offer versatile installation options. All full-range models incorporate twelve M-10 suspension points and hardened steel eyebolts for safe hanging in light-duty installations. Built-in dual-angle pole-mount sockets enable the PRX415M and PRX412M to be mounted either straight out or at a 10-degree downward angle to deliver the best audience coverage pattern. With a 10-degree down angle, the speakers can be aimed down at the audience, keeping sonic reflections off the back wall for better clarity and more efficient coverage. In addition, all PRX400 models feature ergonomic handles made from road-tough, lightweight glass-filled nylon.

In common with all JBL Professional products, PRX400 Series loudspeakers have survived JBL’s 100-hour power test, in which they are submitted to 100 hours of continuous, high-level input. The speakers also go through a barrage of unforgiving environmental and strength tests including harsh temperatures and humidity, ensuring they will perform perfectly anywhere. All PRX400 models incorporate JBL’s Sonic Guard speaker protection circuit that automatically attenuates the signal going into the high-frequency section of the speaker if too much input signal is detected, and restores normal operation when the overload condition passes.

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.

HARMAN’s Soundcraft Takes “Mixing With Professionals” Program to Winter NAMM 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:59:00 +0000

ANAHEIM, California — At Winter NAMM 2012, HARMAN's Soundcraft will host its "Mixing With Professionals" seminar, which is open to all NAMM attendees. The session is taking place on Sunday, January 22 at 11 AM, in Room 203 A-B. It will feature appearances by three of the most successful live soundmixers in the industry: Gert Sanner, FOH Engineer for Deep Purple; Monty Lee Wilkes, Monitor Engineer for Britney Spears; and Kenneth H. Williams, FOH Engineer and Production Manager for Erykah Badu.

“Mixing With Professionals” is for sound technicians and engineers, system operators and live performers, who want to learn first-hand how several top concert and live soundmixers practice their craft. Building a show on a digital console, and the trials and tribulations of live sound will be a focus of this lively discussion, featuring playback of actual performance mixes.

"We have received extremely positive feedback on our Mixing with Professionals sessions since launching the program in early 2011," said Keith Watson, Marketing Director, HARMAN Mixing Group. "Winter NAMM 2012 offers a tremendous opportunity for anyone in attendance with an interest in live sound mixing to converse with some of the most successful professionals in the industry, and hopefully learn a thing or two about Soundcraft's world-class line of digital consoles as well!"

For more information on “Mixing With Professionals” please visit www.soundcraft.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.

HARMAN’s HardWire™ Expands Its Product Line With New Gold-Plated Pedal Couplers and 5-Pedal Adapter Cable

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:39:00 +0000

ANAHEIM, California – HARMAN’s HardWire today announced that it is expanding its footprint by introducing a new line of accessories built to complement the HardWire pedal line and provide the same high-quality construction for durability and performance. The accessories can be used to power HardWire and other compatible effects pedals for use on guitarist pedalboards and gear racks. This new accessory line is launching with two new products: the HardWire Gold-Plated Pedal Couplers and HV-5 Power Adapter Cable.

The HardWire Gold-Plated Pedal Couplers are 1/4-inch-to-1/4-inch adapters that connect from the output of one effects pedal to the input of another. The premium-quality adapters are gold-plated to ensure maximum signal transfer and performance, and their shorter length enables more pedals to fit in a smaller space, reducing the size of a pedalboard.

The HardWire HV-5 5-Pedal Power Adapter Cable can power up to five effects pedals. One end of the HV-5 plugs into a 9-volt DC output of an effects pedal, such as the HardWire HT-6 Polyphonic Tuner, and the five additional connectors plug into the 9-volt power adapter inputs of other HardWire effects pedals, or other brands of pedals with a compatible 9-volt center-negative power adapter input.
“Our HardWire Gold-Plated Pedal Couplers and HV-5 5-Pedal Power Adapter Cable help ensure that there are no weak links in your pedalboard,” said Rob Urry, HARMAN Professional vice president and GM, of Signal Processing and Amplifier Business Units. “Lesser-quality couplers or cables can degrade your signal and tone, which is why using high-quality connectors like our Gold-Plated Pedal Couplers is important. In addition, our HV-5 Power Adapter Cable can save guitarists from spending their money on batteries or additional power supplies.”

The HardWire Gold Plated Pedal Couplers are sold in pairs at an MSRP of $19.95 per pair and are currently available. The HardWire HV-5 Power Adapter Cable carries a suggested retail price of $24.95 and will be available in February 2012.

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.

HARMAN Professional To Debut Crown HiQnet Band Manager™ 2 At Winter NAMM: Next Generation Connectivity And Control System For Portable PA Brings Adva

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:14:00 +0000

ANAHEIM, California – In an introduction that provides audio professionals, musicians and enthusiasts with advanced system set up and design capabilities coupled with a highly intuitive user interface, HARMAN Professional today introduced Crown HiQnet Band Manager™ 2 at the 2012 Winter NAMM Expo. In doing so, the company is providing the broad community of musicians, DJs, venue owners and managers with access to better sound through sophisticated system integration and optimization technologies but also via a highly evolved user interface that is reliable, comprehensive and easy to navigate. According to Andy Flint, Business Segment Manager Portable PA, Crown Audio, today’s introduction will make DJs, engineers and audio rental professionals more efficient and effective at their job and will enable musicians, venue owners and managers to enjoy better performance — and better value — from their systems investment.

“If you’re going to invest in an audio system and you’re genuinely interested in getting the best possible sound for your business or performance, then HiQnet Band Manager 2 is a must-have,” Flint said today. “HiQnet makes great systems sound even better without the hassle, without the programming and without the requisite setup time that traditionally comes with preparing for a gig!”

HARMAN HiQnet Band Manager is an iteration of HARMAN’s industry-leading HiQnet system configuration and control protocol. The core systems integration and connectivity capabilities of HARMAN HiQnet have been customized and packaged for the systems integration, tour sound and MI markets respectively in HiQnet System Architect™; HiQnet London Architect™, JBL HiQnet Performance Manager™ and Crown HiQnet BandManager 2.

Band Manager 2 will include control and monitoring for Crown Audio’s XTi 2 product line. Users will be able to manage up to eight XTi 2 amplifiers via quick and simple USB interface. Crown will also have a brand new set of JBL presets for the XTi 2 product line that take full advantage of the enhanced processing and Peakx Plus™ limiters. HiQnet Band Manager 2 will also include presets for all the JBL JRX, MRX, SRX, and VRX product families and continued support for the original XTi Series, now discontinued.

It’s not surprising, therefore, that HiQnet Band Manager 2 boasts the performance firepower of highly evolved systems but Flint is quick to point out that this in itself presented a considerable challenge in making HiQnet Band Manager 2 usable for the broadest community of users. “Our first challenge in making HiQnet Band Manager valuable was first to make it accessible,” Flint notes. “We worked closely with target end-users and also modeled it on a browser paradigm and some good ideas from consumer interfaces to make Band Manager 2 easy to understand and quick to learn. We put this front-end on a powerful, scalable engine and we’re offering it for free. This adds up to a very accessible, attractive proposition and I encourage NAMM goers and interested parties everywhere to download Band Manager 2 and try it for themselves.”

“No other manufacturer can offer this scale of integration, system performance or price leadership,” Flint adds. “In today’s challenging economy, we’re not simply giving more — we’re also empowering MI customers everywhere to demand more of their systems and system manufacturers! In meeting with customers and dealers around the globe, I am consistently told that the investment that HARMAN made in developing HiQnet has paid a considerable efficiency dividend to our end-users in how they do their job and craft their art. We’re equally grateful for their input, ideas and adoption and we look forward to Band Manager 2 extending the franchise and usefulness to new communities going forward.”

HARMAN HiQnet™ is the world's first connectivity and control protocol that integrates all product categories in the signal chain for professional audio systems of all types, size, and applications. HARMAN HiQnet no longer requires the user to manage multiple disparate operating systems or be responsible for programming individual signal processors, speaker controllers, wireless microphone systems, and mixing consoles. HiQnet was developed by engineers from across HARMAN’s Professional Division and is coordinated by the System Development and Integration Group (SDIG), a team of dedicated systems specialists based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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.

HARMAN’s AKG WMS 40 MINI 2 Dual Wireless Microphone System Launches At Winter NAMM

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:58:00 +0000

ANAHEIM, California – The latest addition to the successful line of HARMAN’s AKG WMS 40 MINI series now features a dual channel receiver. The AKG WMS 40 MINI 2 Dual wireless system, launched at Winter NAMM, offers high-definition audio performance, with efficient body pack and cardioid mic transmitters, ensuring advanced, reliable and quality sound for performances.

The WMS 40 MINI 2 Dual Package is available in three sets – the Vocal, Instrumental and Mix sets. The Vocal set features two HT 40 MINI dynamic cardioid microphones and the SR 40 MINI DUAL receiver. AKG’s Instrumental set includes two PT 40 MINI body packs - the smallest transmitters in its class that lasts up to 30 hours on one AA battery –the SR 40 MINI 2 and two guitar cables, while the Mix set offers one HT 40 MINI, a PT 40 MINI and the SR 40 MINI 2.

With swivelling antennae, easy-to-read LED meterings, volume control and the on-off switch on the front of the receiver, connecting and calibrating the plug-and-play system ensures engineers and musicians spend more time playing than worrying about the wireless technology itself.

“AKG’s WMS Series has proven to be very popular in the live sound industry and we are happy to continue offering reliable equipment to better serve musicians and engineers looking for their ultimate sound with minimal equipment,” stated Thomas Umbauer, product marketing manager – PPA, AKG. “Expanding the capabilities of WMS 40 in the new Dual system exceeds the industry standards for smaller, quality wireless systems. Our engineers continuously work to ensure our products offer the best in signal transmission and sound and WMS 40 MINI 2 Dual follows AKG tradition in every sense.”

The WMS 40 MINI 2 Dual system is available at an MSRP of $249.

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.

HARMAN’s BSS Audio Brings AVB to Soundweb™ London With Introduction of BLU-805 and BLU-325 Processors

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:21:00 +0000

ANAHEIM, California – HARMAN’s BSS Audio today introduced AVB (IEEE Audio Video Bridging) functionality to its acclaimed Soundweb London family of digital signal processors with the addition of two Soundweb London devices. The new Soundweb London BLU-805 and BLU-325 devices are AVB versions of the BLU-800 and BLU-320 CobraNet™ siblings from which they are derived.

The BLU-805 offers the same configurable signal processing capability as the existing BLU-800 device. Both new devices offer configurable inputs and outputs, compatibility with all Soundweb London input and output card options, logic processing capability, the 256-channel Soundweb London digital audio bus and GPIO.

Each device offers up to 16 inputs and outputs, configurable in banks of four. Card options include analog mic/line inputs with Phantom Power, analog outputs, digital inputs (AES/EBU and S/PDIF), digital outputs, the Soundweb London AEC Input Card and the Soundweb London Telephone Hybrid Card.

The BLU-805 and BLU-325 devices allow 64 incoming AVB channels and 64 outgoing AVB channels at 48kHz, or 32 incoming AVB channels and 32 outgoing AVB channels at 96kHz. Configuration, control and monitoring is provided by HiQnet™ London Architect.

Iain Gregory, Marketing Lead for Installed Sound at Harman Signal Processing stated, "Combining the proven and respected Soundweb London platform with the industry-supported AVB transport is a very natural evolutionary step for Soundweb London. It gives access to the incredible flexibility of Soundweb London and contemporary transport technology, all in a familiar environment.”

The BLU-805 and BLU-325 along with the other members of the Soundweb London family provide the building blocks of the perfectly tailored system solution.

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.

HARMAN’s AKG IVM4500 IEM In-Ear Monitoring System Debuts At NAMM, Offers Audio Quality Without Compromise

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:37:00 +0000

ANAHEIM, California – Following the success of its predecessor the IVM4, HARMAN’s AKG proudly launches its IVM4500 IEM In Ear Monitoring System at NAMM. Building on a leading global reputation in professional wireless audio solutions and monitoring, IVM4500 IEM supports users with high quality audio and radio performance, with reliable reference capability. Users in the tour and installed sound markets will find the easy-to-use technology ideal for onstage monitoring.

Designed, developed and manufactured in Austria, with the experience and skill of AKG’s engineering team, the IVM4500 IEM offers a highly diversified system, which includes high-end radio electronic and a manual radio signal attenuator for more RF dynamic; enhanced frequency setup to show the number of free channels and supported TV channels and quick frequency change functions to support monitors, all within a rugged housing. Battery life for the IVM receivers has been tested up to 10 hours.

“AKG’s IVM 4500 IEM in-ear monitoring hardware raises the bar for audio quality, as the user becomes more in-tune with their own sound,” stated Wolfgang Fritz, product marketing manager – tour sound, AKG. “AKG continues to set the standard of high-quality, reliable performance, while IVM4500 IEM adds another groundbreaking, performance-enhancing technology to the industry.”

IVM4500 IEM features antenna diversity, with two matched antennae and a new reference radio electronic design, all of which provide stable signals for the receiver. IVM4500 IEM’s audio quality boasts a high-end and powerful headphone amplifier, ultra linear frequency response and dual mode for individual mix. The quick frequency change functions support monitor engineers throughout performances to make their projects easily adjustable.

“The in-ear monitoring market has become far more mature over the years,” continued Fritz. “Artists demand, and rightfully so, an in-ear monitor that combines reliability, performance, power, comfort and quality audio – traits we’ve worked tirelessly on to ensure the IVM4500 IEM meets the standards of the performer.”

Included in the IVM4500 IEM system are the SPR4500 IEM diversity receiver, which automatically shows the number of free channels and supports TV channels with pre-programmed preset frequencies; the SST4500 IEM transmitter, which is adjustable to 10, 20, 50 and 100 mW depending on country laws; and the IP 2 ear-channel headphones, providing excellent acoustics and low impedance. The SPC4500 antenna combiner, the SRA2 W directional antenna and the RA4000 W omni-directional antenna complete the package.

For more information on IVM4500 IEM and AKG, please visit http://www.akg.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 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.

HARMAN’s Crown Audio Introduces Its New Flagship I-Tech 4x3500HD DriveCore™ Series Multichannel Power Amplifier At the 2012 Winter NAMM Show

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:02:00 +0000

ANAHEIM, California — In a move that redefines the performance capabilities of professional multichannel power amplifiers, HARMAN’s Crown Audio announced the introduction of its new flagship I-Tech HD Series 4x3500HD DriveCore™ Series 4-channel power amplifier. The 4-channel I-Tech 4x3500HD incorporates Crown’s sixth-generation Class I engine with DriveCore™ technology to deliver 3,500 watts per channel burst into four or two ohms, and offers a host of Crown’s most advanced features including a 4.3-inch TFT LCD with capacitive touchscreen, exclusive HARMAN HiQnet System Architect™ 2.0 control functionality and Version 5 DSP preset support for JBL Professional’s newly-launched VTX Series V25 plus VERTEC® Series line array loudspeakers.

The I-Tech 4x3500HD offers an unprecedented degree of operational flexibility. The 4.3-inch front-panel LCD touchscreen provides amplifier monitoring and access to key functions with color-keyed visuals that are similar to the at-a-glance FaderGlow™ indicators used on Soundcraft and Studer mixing consoles.

The Crown I-Tech 4x3500HD delivers 1,900 watts per channel into eight ohms, 2,000 watts per channel into four ohms and a massive 4,000 watts into four ohms bridged with all channels driven at full bandwidth all from an amplifier that measures just 2U rack spaces high. This remarkable power to size ratio is made possible by Crown’s exclusive DriveCore amplifier IC chip. The DriveCore chip combines the amplifier driver stage into the power output stage (along with additional audio-signal functions), to dramatically reduce overall size and power-consumption requirements and yield energy-efficient operation that conforms to HARMAN International’s GreenEdge™ environmental initiative.

DriveCore technology also gives the I-Tech 4x3500HD the ability to better control and more quickly recover from high-voltage transients, for a highly accurate reproduction of the input signal and better low-frequency response.

A common concern among tour and installed sound professionals is the relative lack of inputs and outputs on DSP-enabled power amplifiers. The I-Tech 4x3500HD provides an ideal real-world solution with its four analog inputs, four AES3 digital inputs and four AES inputs over VDrive and the ability to select four CobraNet® inputs. The amplifier also includes SpeakON or banana plug speaker connectors, as well as a Neutrik® PowerCON AC input connector to prevent the power cord from coming loose in transit.

The Crown I-Tech 4x3500HD provides more DSP sound-tailoring capability than any other amplifier on the market. Its proprietary BSS OmniDriveHD processing engine employs 32bit/192kHz A/D and D/A converters for superb sonic clarity and the ability to precisely tailor the amplifier’s audio output. Crown’s exclusive linear phase FIR and IIR filters provide optimized loudspeaker crossover points with improved midrange clarity and off-axis loudspeaker response.

The amplifier is compatible with the HARMAN HiQnet System Architect and JBL HiQnet Performance Manager™ sound reinforcement system design software. JBL HiQnet Performance Manager is a highly refined user interface that facilitates the design of touring and live performance venue sound reinforcement systems. The inclusion of JBL VERTEC Version 5 DSP preset tunings for VERTEC Series loudspeakers interface with the I-Tech 4x3500HD’s FIR filters to improve the loudspeakers’ sound quality and horizontal coverage performance. For enhanced control and monitoring capabilities the amplifier is also compatible with the Powered By Crown iPad/iPhone application.

“The I-Tech 4x3500HD DriveCore Series offers control, connectivity, DSP and system interfacing capabilities that have never been available in a professional high-power multichannel amplifier before,” said Brian Pickowitz, Market Manager, Tour Sound for Crown. “We designed it entirely without compromise to be the most flexible and useful multichannel amplifier on the market today.”

“The I-Tech 4x3500HD will be an integral part of our turnkey system package for the newly-released, VTX Series V25 flagship fullsize enclosure as well as a powerful, versatile platform that allows VerTec to achieve it’s full performance potential with V5 processing”, added Paul Bauman, Senior Manager, Tour Sound for JBL Professional.

The I-Tech 4x3500HD incorporates a host of additional useful features including Crown’s innovative LevelMax™ limiter technology that combines the operation of the amplifier’s Peak, Thermal and RMS limiters for more effective protection; a front-panel USB port that enables users to load preset amplifier settings or device files and update firmware.

Power per channel with all channels driven for two seconds is as follows: 1,900W at eight ohms; 2,000W at four ohms; 2,000W at two ohms; 3,800W at eight ohms bridged; 4,000W at four ohms bridged.

The Crown I-Tech 4x3500HD DriveCore Series will be available in February 2012.

HARMAN HiQnet™ is the world's first connectivity and control protocol that integrates all product categories in the signal chain for professional audio systems of all types, size, and applications. HARMAN HiQnet no longer requires the user to manage multiple disparate operating systems or be responsible for programming individual signal processors, speaker controllers, wireless microphone systems, and mixing consoles. HiQnet was developed by engineers from across HARMAN’s Professional Division and is coordinated by the System Development and Integration Group (SDIG), a team of dedicated systems specialists based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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.

HARMAN Now Offers Public Beta Version of Its JBL HiQnet Performance Manager™ Sound Reinforcement System Design Software

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:03:00 +0000

ANAHEIM, California – HARMAN Professional today announced that its JBL HiQnet Performance Manager™ sound reinforcement system design software is now available to users as a public beta version. JBL HiQnet Performance Manager had been previously available to a closed group of 60 worldwide beta testers.

JBL HiQnet Performance Manager is a highly refined user interface that facilitates the design of touring and live performance venue sound reinforcement systems. Created especially for touring and theatrical sound engineering, Performance Manager is an application-specific iteration of the category-leading HARMAN HiQnet System Architect™ configuration and control software application for professional-grade audio system integration.

“JBL HiQnet Performance Manager is a powerful tool that makes the design, setup and tuning of a JBL VERTEC loudspeaker system a lot faster and more efficient,” noted Adam Holladay, Market Manager, HARMAN System Development and Integration Group.

“The response from our beta testers has been extremely positive,” continued Holladay. “In venue after venue, JBL VERTEC system engineers have been able to achieve consistently higher levels of performance than before. They note that they are also able to set up a system more quickly, saving time and money. Now that we are making it available in a public beta version, many more users will have the opportunity to take advantage of the benefits of Performance Manager as a free download.”

The public beta version of Performance Manager is available at http://hiqnet.harmanpro.com. The beta version is functional except that users will need to apply for a license key in order to go online and access the online operate modes of certain system devices. An in-depth series of training videos can be viewed at http://hiqnet.harmanpro.com/training/. The full version of JBL HiQnet Performance Manager will be available in early 2012 at a suggested retail price of $399.

Winner of a 2011 PLASA Innovation Award and a finalist for the upcoming EMEA 2012 InAVation awards for which voting is currently open, JBL HiQnet Performance Manager provides a comprehensive, step-by-step workflow that directly corresponds to real-world system configuration, taking the workflow paradigm introduced in System Architect 2 to a higher level of functionality for any live performance audio application. It is fully integrated with JBL’s Line Array Calculator II loudspeaker configuration and acoustic modeling software.

The user begins by loading templates of the speaker arrays used in the system, and then runs Line Array Calculator II for each array as part of the initial sound design task of determining how many and which type of loudspeakers are required to cover a given venue. For each array, Performance Manager automatically loads the passive VERTEC or powered VERTEC DrivePack DPDA line array configuration into the main application workspace – the first of many automated design processes native to the software application. Loudspeakers can also be manually loaded into the templates if desired.

Once the user defines the required amplifier parameters for the passive loudspeakers within the arrays, Performance Manager automatically loads the correct number of Crown Audio VRACK or other user-determined amplifier racks into the audio system. The software then associates the amplifier outputs with the bandpass crossover inputs for the selected array and programs the amplifiers with the correct JBL preset data, as well as gain shading and JBL Line Array Control Panel equalization parameters that are determined in JBL’s Line Array Calculator II as part of the modeling process to optimize sound pressure level and frequency response over the defined audience geometry.

Representations of the bandpass inputs for each loudspeaker section are overlaid onto the arrays, enabling the user to easily visualize the array configuration, whether JBL DrivePack-powered or driven by external Crown power amplifiers. Performance Manager software also significantly simplifies system-networking configuration – the user can simply drag and drop devices discovered on the network onto the pre-configured devices within the Performance Manager workspace to synchronize all addressing and parameter values.

In addition, the Performance Manager graphical interface provides embedded control panels for array calibration, time alignment and system EQ which utilize input section digital signal processing resources available in either Crown I-Tech HD power amplifiers or JBL DrivePack-powered loudspeakers with DPDA digital audio input modules. Input attenuation, equalization, delay settings and bandpass controls are all readily accessible directly within the main application workspace along with flexible grouping and comprehensive solo/mute functionality for system testing.

Once system tuning is complete, Performance Manager’s Show Mode display is optimized for the actual live performance, offering appropriate adjustment control ballistics for equalization and dedicated monitoring interfaces for levels, speaker loads, thermal conditions and AC power requirements. The workspace for all stages of Performance Manager’s workflow has a common design motif, with monitoring functions overlaid on top of the same loudspeaker bandpass representations within the workspace, making visualization easier and more consistent across various workflow screens.

HARMAN HiQnet™ is the world's first connectivity and control protocol that integrates all product categories in the signal chain for professional audio systems of all types, size, and applications. HARMAN HiQnet no longer requires the user to manage multiple disparate operating systems or be responsible for programming individual signal processors, speaker controllers, wireless microphone systems, and mixing consoles. HiQnet was developed by engineers from across HARMAN’s Professional Division and is coordinated by the System Development and Integration Group (SDIG), a team of dedicated systems specialists based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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.

HARMAN’s JBL Professional Revolutionary D2 Dual Driver at the Heart of new VTX Line Array Series

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:27:00 +0000

ANAHEIM, California – With today’s introduction of HARMAN’s JBL Professional VTX Line Array Series, JBL is also unveiling the D2 Dual Driver—the revolutionary device that makes the VTX Series’ dramatic improvements in high-frequency sound and performance possible.

The D2 Dual-Diaphragm Dual-Voice-Coil Compression Driver overcomes the limitations of conventional compression driver technology: limited high frequency extension due to mass of the diaphragm and voice coil, and distortion characteristics that arise due to dome breakup modes. Merging two compression drivers into a single, compact transducer with a single acoustical output, the D2 Dual Driver utilizes two voice coils, each with its own lightweight, polymer, annular diaphragm, its own magnet assembly, and its own specialized phasing plug. Instead of the large and ‘heavy’ single voice coil metal dome diaphragm of conventional compression drivers, D2 is driven by two light but strong voice coils, two motive “forces” instead of one, acoustically connected to a single exit chamber.

“With two smaller diaphragms and voice coils working on the same acoustical load, the VTX Line Array Series provides high efficiency and SPL, plus increased extreme high-frequency reproduction due to the smaller moving mass of each diaphragm and voice coil,” said Paul Bauman, Senior Manager, Tour Sound, JBL Professional. “The D2 Dual Driver is a radical departure from traditional compression drivers and represents a monumental breakthrough in loudspeaker system design!”

The two annular polymer diaphragms have the same radiating area as a conventional single dome, and overall output and power handling are dramatically increased due to the lower moving mass and enhanced heat transfer obtained with two separate voice coils. The result is a compact compression driver with dramatically improved efficiency, power handling, smoother, extended high frequency response and significantly lower levels of nonlinear distortion.

Well-validated by objective measurements, D2’s performance has also gone through exhaustive subjective listening tests, demonstrating its superior sound quality compared to traditional metallic, mono structure drivers. D2 provides an extreme output advantage over conventional systems allowing significantly higher array power density.

Compared to a conventional system, the D2 has double the number of voice coils and more than double the power handling, but with a 30 percent reduction in weight. This results in a dramatic increase in pure high frequency sound pressure levels in the same physical footprint. The power handling of the three D2 drivers used in the VTX V25 are each 200 watts per AES standard.

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.

HARMAN’s JBL Professional Introduces Next Generation VTX Line Array Series at Winter NAMM 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:14:00 +0000

ANAHEIM, California – HARMAN’s JBL Professional today announced the introduction of the VTX Line Array Series—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.

“Of all the achievements JBL has made over the years, the VTX Series stands as a milestone in the practical application of creative engineering,” said Paul Bauman, Senior Manager, Tour Sound, JBL Professional. “VTX truly represents the next generation in line arrays—an evolution of JBL’s industry-standard VERTEC® that heralds a new era in performance, system integration and user-friendliness.”

The first product from the VTX Line Array Series is the VTX V25—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.

At the heart of VTX is the D2 Dual Driver, a revolutionary device developed by JBL that dramatically improves the sound and performance of high frequencies. D2 overcomes the limitations of conventional compression driver technology: limited high frequency extension due to mass of the diaphragm and voice coil, and distortion characteristics that arise due to dome breakup modes.

JBL’s patented Radiation Boundary Integrator combines the high frequency and mid-range sections of the VTX V25 so the transition across each band is uninterrupted, undistorted and seamless. A patent-pending, tuned resonant absorption chamber (TRAC) is integrated into the waveguide itself, effectively eliminating throat-related cancellations due to back pressure from the mid-range section. VTX’s refined RBI waveguide implementation provides improved horizontal coverage—broader and more stable.

The VTX Series draws from the expertise and integration of the entire range of HARMAN Professional audio technologies. As a result, in addition to the best sound possible, setup, tuning, networking and controlling the VTX Series is efficient, intelligent and truly a system solution. For example, the VTX Series features Crown Audio VRack DSP and amplification. VRack is a rugged touring rack fitted with three Crown I-Tech HD Series power amplifiers, power input panel, and custom-engineered input/output panels that is available in two configurations: VRack 12000 and VRack 4 x 3500 are loaded with three IT 12000HD and three IT 4 x 3500HD amplifiers, respectively.

Apart from the performance advantage of a standard package ensuring that VTX Series enclosures are optimally powered and processed, VRack ensures compatibility for cross rental between VTX Network Partners. Since VRack is supplied with all components installed and internally connected, there is also no need for laborious rack building; no chance that a component might be improperly connected; and a dramatically lower chance of connection failure.

The patented workflow paradigm of the Performance Manager interface guides the system designer through the complete system design, configuration and control process and, in many ways, the entire process feels and acts like a simple step-by-step wizard.

Using HARMAN’s JBL HiQnet Performance Manager™ control software and with reference to measured spatial response, circuit level gain and JBL Line Array Control Panel tapering adjustments are performed as a first step in system tuning with the VTX V25. Once SPL and frequency response has been optimized on a circuit level, global equalization can then be applied to the entire array to compensate for room-related effects. This patented approach to system tuning has been specifically designed into the workflow of Performance Manager.

VTX’s patented SAFE suspension system is streamlined for speed and efficiency with improved hardware for faster setup with fewer pinning operations and greater security. A custom-designed protective cover and dolly makes transport easy and the suspension process fast, efficient and safe.

All suspension hardware is integrated into the enclosure and strategically positioned for fast and secure operation. Front flip hinges and captive rear hinge bars utilizing a unique Angle Stop Mechanism (ASM) allow for efficient assembly that is not only secure, but anti-rattle. Also included is provision for mounting a Laser Sighting Module accessory for greater ease and precision in array focus and system tuning.

The VTX Series complies with HARMAN’s GreenEdge initiative, combining environmentally friendly design with dramatic energy savings without compromising the excellent performance for which HARMAN products are known.

Like all JBL Professional products, the VTX Series is comprehensively tested in JBL’s power testing facilities. Unique in the industry, during the design phase JBL power testing submits each component and system to 100 hours of continuous, high level input, ensuring that your system will deliver extraordinary sound even after years of hard use and thousands of hours of performance.

“The VTX Series is a result of JBL’s continued effort to deliver more powerful, more compact, lightweight and flexible sound reinforcement systems,” Bauman commented. “JBL has invested heavily in the tools necessary to design, measure, evaluate and refine components throughout the development cycle. In addition to state-of-the-art CAD systems, we have developed proprietary R&D tools unique to JBL. With these tools, we are assured of meeting each product’s intended design goals, able to find opportunities for even better performance, and perhaps most important, have the resources to develop technologies that never existed. The VTX System is a premier example of this.”

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.

HARMAN’s HardWire™ HT6 FastTuneTuner App Turns an iPod®, iPhone® or iPad® Into a Polyphonic Tuner

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:25:00 +0000

ANAHEIM, California – HARMAN’s HardWire today announced the introduction of its HT6 FastTuneTuner app for iPod, iPhone and iPad. The HT6 FastTune app enables those devices to function as a polyphonic tuner, letting guitar and bass players tune all their strings at once.

The HT6 FastTuneTuner app is based on the popular HardWire HT-6 Polyphonic Tuner floor pedal, which makes tuning instruments faster and easier by allowing the musician to simply strum all the strings at once, and view the display to see which strings are in or out of tune. The app works using the iPod, iPhone or iPad mic input, and it can also operate by plugging an instrument into the device’s headphone input or 30-pin connection. The FastTune app can be used with a guitar or four, five or six string bass.

The HT6 FastTuneTuner app provides an immediate visual indication of which strings are in tune, sharp or flat, and its display can be set to either polyphonic mode, or chromatic tuning mode if desired. The app offers automatic capo detection – it senses if a guitarist has a capo on the neck and adjusts the display to tune to the correct chord. Adding to its appeal, the app offers a Drop-D tuning mode for users of this popular alternate setting.

“The HardWire HT6 FastTune Tuner app is the most advanced guitar and bass tuning app available for any mobile device,” noted Rob Urry, vice president and GM, Harman Signal Processing. “It makes the same industry-leading chord recognition technology found in our HT-6 Polyphonic Tuner pedal available to any iOS device, for super-fast, accurate, on-the-go tuning.”

The HardWire HT6 FastTune app for iOS will be available in February 2012 from the iTunes Store® at a suggested retail price of $4.99.

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.

HARMAN’s DigiTech Introduces The iStomp: The World’s First Effects Pedal That Can Be Programmed With Any Sound

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:07:00 +0000

ANAHEIM, California – HARMAN’s DigiTech today announced the introduction of the iStomp pedal, an entirely new concept in guitar stompboxes that allows musicians to program the effect pedal with any sound they want – and change it at any time. Offering almost limitless sonic possibilities, the iStomp connects to an iPod Touch®, iPhone®, or iPad® enabling musicians to load the effect of their choice into the iStomp.

“The iStomp ushers in a new era in effects pedal functionality,” said Rob Urry, vice president, HARMAN Professional Division and general manager of Signal Processing and Amplifier Business Units. “Until now, guitarists and musicians had to buy a separate pedal for each effect they wanted and a separate pedal for different tones of the same effect. Now, musicians can buy an iStomp and configure an effect exactly the way they want, and later, they can simply download a different tone of that same effect or download an entirely different effect if they want to try something new.”

The iStomp pedal connects to an Apple iOS device using the DigiTech Smart Cable that comes with the iStomp. Once connected, the DigiTech Stomp Shop provides two of the most popular requested effects, the DigiTech Total Recall Delay and the DigiTech Redline Overdrive with the initial purchase. The app also offers access to additional effects that iStomp owners can browse, try out, and purchase for their stompbox. The iStomp pedal has four knobs to control effects parameters, which change their function according to which effect is loaded.

iStomp makes trying out new sounds easier than ever. Instead of having to go to a music store or look for online demos that might have been done with unfamiliar gear, a guitarist can try any pedal in the iStomp online store for free for up to 10 minutes – in their own home, using their own guitar and amp. Approximately 24 pedals will be offered initially, and the selection will expand to include exclusive pedals from DigiTech, officially licensed pedals from other manufacturers and classic legacy DigiTech and DOD products.

Every musician wants to create his or her signature sound, and many buy, sell and trade pedals constantly in their quest for the ultimate tone. With iStomp, users simply pay the cost of a download if they want to get something new. Multiple iStomp pedals can be authorized to the same iTunes account, allowing customers to purchase an effect once from the in-app store, and then load it into any iStomp pedal registered to them. All purchases are saved within the app, making it easy to build up a wide ranging effects collection.

The DigiTech iStomp will begin shipping in January 2012 at $229.95 suggested retail. The iStomp pedal comes with an iOS authorization cable, power supply and the two initial downloads. Additional downloads are available for $4.99 to $19.99 each.

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.

Pick Of The Hits - AKG in The Hard Music Magazine, January 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:47:00 +0000

HARMAN’s Soundcraft Si Compact Takes Giant Leap With V2

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:42:00 +0000

POTTERS BAR, United Kingdom – HARMAN Soundcraft’s popular small-format (but big-hearted) digital console Si Compact has received a major upgrade with the V2 software release.

The new free upgrade provides more than 23 major new features, updates and enhancements; the first welcome addition being eight additional DSP channels expanding the Si Compact 16 and Si Compact 24 to 32 and 40 inputs to mix, respectively.

Of particular note is the new user configurable fader layers allowing input channels to be reassigned anywhere on either input layer and any bus master reassigned to either master layer. Now an engineer can put the inputs and returns where he or she most needs them, for example, having the main vocal or presenter always in position 1 on both input fader layers, or mixing aux and matrix masters on a single bus layer to reduce the number of layer changes.

Another particularly useful function introduced in V2 is D.O.G.S (Direct Output Gain Stabilisation). A common frustration for engineers is when two consoles (FOH and Monitors) share the same source such as a mic on stage; the mix balance on the second (slave) console can be overridden if the engineer at the master console changes the mic gain and in some environments this could also result in feedback in the slave system. Using a connection topology where the slave console is fed from a pre-fade direct output of the master, DOGS can compensate for the gain adjustment maintaining original system gain between mic in and direct out. One of the unique advantages of DOGS is since stabilisation occurs ‘locally’ in the master console only this component requires the DOGS system and all other equipment connected to the master can benefit from the feature.

Selective Copy & Paste is now implemented allowing all or part of a selected channel or bus to be copied and pasted elsewhere. This basic functionality is augmented with the ability to copy and paste individual bus or matrix mixes and copy/paste FX presets between Lexicon processors. Enhanced MIDI control allows snapshots to be recalled from any external devices capable of sending simple program change messages.

A new security mode prevents unauthorised access to key functions; as well as ‘total lockdown’ security can be tailored for different ‘operator access’ levels for example locking out house EQ and processing for guest engineers whilst allowing access for in-house operators.

Other enhancements include additional information displayed in the Function Focus window on the touch screen, improved matrix mix facilities, show file & folder management, better navigation, improved default settings, HPF settings, added EQ curve graphics and much more.

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.

HARMAN Professional Division Bolsters Russia/CIS Leadership Team With Appointment of Sergey Trotskiy As Director Of Business Development

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:34:00 +0000

MOSCOW, Russia — Reaffirming its ambition to deepen customer and distributor engagement in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), HARMAN Professional today announced the appointment of Sergey Trotskiy as Director Of Business Development for the region.

In his new position, Trotskiy is responsible for enabling the best possible mutually beneficial working relationships between HARMAN Professional Division and its distributors and customers in the Russia and CIS region. “I am here to help realize management’s vision to unlock the potential of HARMAN’s Professional Division brands in the Russia and CIS markets,” Trotskiy said today. “These brands bring tremendous value in terms of performance, integration and quality build that will, in turn, impact the business performance of our distribution partners and ultimately the efficiency and effectiveness with which their customers — our end users —deploy HARMAN technologies.”

A seasoned veteran of the technical and commercial worlds of professional audio and systems integration, Trotskiy is a graduate of St. Petersburg University of Cinema And Television and has served in project management and business leadership positions with AFW Virtschaftsakademie, Bad Harzburg, Bose Professional Systems and at his own systems integration and automation company that he founded. Sergey Trotskiy joined HARMAN Division on December 12, 2011 and reports to Evgeny Konov, Country Manager HARMAN Russia and CIS.

Commenting on the appointment Konov noted, “When we began our initiative to better serve the Russia and CIS markets, we committed to listen to our distributors, to learn from them as partners and to put the resources at their disposal to serve more customers with HARMAN Professional system solutions. The appointment of Sergey Trotskiy — coupled with several other product and organizational moves we’re making — demonstrates HARMAN’s determination to meet this commitment. We welcome Sergey to our team and look forward to his contribution in the future.”

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.

The Adventure of Ten Hour Tours with HARMAN’s AKG DMS 700 Wireless System

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:32:00 +0000

SHANGHAI, China – Based on the international comedy, “Whose Wife is it Anyway,” the Hai Team, a touring group in China reconstructed The Adventures of Ten Hour with a delicate dramatic structure and the comedic, edgy style known from the group. In front of a crowded audience, the Hai Team relies on HARMAN’s AKG DMS 700 wireless system to ensure their eight channels perfectly and clearly execute winning acts.

Headlining at the Shanghai Grand Theatre, the seven actors in the show utilized AKG’s HC577L headset mics over 12 channels – eight live and four backups. The system consists of six DSR700 dual receivers, two PS4000W antenna splitters; a PSU4000 for power and an HUB4000Q network connector.

Action China, a distributor in China supplied the system and technical support during the show, which ran from December 14-18, 2011.

The performers wore their DPT700 pocket receivers connected to the headsets. During the five days of performances, the system worked flawlessly, even with multiple other performances in the venue and broadcasting trucks outside, both utilizing wireless systems.

“We were able to put on a great show with no interference with AKG DMS 700,” said Zhao Tao, the chief actor. “We take pride in our performances and always make sure the audience is entertained. With a clear frequency and zero interruption, we can make sure the audience completely enjoys the performances.”

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.

China’s New Year’s Countdown Party At National Stadium Supported by Complete HARMAN Solution

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:29:00 +0000

BEIJING, China – Counting down to 2012, China dedicated its entire CCTV channel resources for the first time for a show in the National Stadium to ring in the New Year. With a celebration theme underlining the combination of internationalization and Chinese elements, a host of performers were seen and heard, live in the arena and around the world with the help of two HARMAN Soundcraft Vi6 digital consoles.

With more than 40 performances, featuring singers, dancers, acrobatics, magic, martial arts and orchestras, including Michael Bolton, jazz singer Lisa Ono and Casablanca author Bertie Higgins, the sound reinforcement system had to be reliable, secure and stable for the global broadcast.

Along with the Vi6’s, Advanced Communication Equipment, the largest HARMAN distributor in China, deployed 24 JBL VERTEC VT4889 fullsize line array elements, 24 VT4888 midsize, line array elements, eight VT4887 compact line array elements and 16 VT4880 fullsize arrayable subwoofers around the stadium. Sixteen PRX512M monitors were set up on the stage for monitoring, while 64 Crown I-Tech digital amplifiers powered the setup and BSS digital units processed the show.

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.

HARMAN’s Studer Appoints Roger Heiniger as Product Manager

noreply@blogger.com (Kieran McGee) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:57:00 +0000

REGENSDORF, Switzerland– HARMAN’s Studer has appointed Roger Heiniger to the position of Product Manager. Heiniger’s primary responsibilities will include overseeing product development of Studer mixing systems and contributing to the company’s brand development programs. For the past six years, Heiniger has worked in Studer’s Regensdorf facility as Software Test Manager. Heiniger will report to Andrew Hills, who recently returned to Studer as Director of Product Management.

Heiniger has a great deal of broadcast experience, having worked for several years as an audio engineer at a Swiss broadcasting corporation in Zurich and having been the head of the radio production department before joining Studer six years ago.

“We are very excited that Roger has accepted this new role working with Andrew and I am convinced that he will be contributing a lot to our team in order to maintain Studer’s lead in the broadcast equipment field,” said Bruno Hochstrasser General Manager, Studer.

“I’m looking forward to this exciting new role and being part of creating great new products!” said Heiniger. “We have a great new team with very advanced technology ideas that I can’t wait to develop into new Studer products.”

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.