Several months ago, we received a visit at the Springtree offices by a new manufacturer in town that specializes in in-ear monitors, hearing protection, and other audio services. Although Aurisonics is a relatively new company (just recently surpassed the 1 year mark), they have big plans and are looking to change the game in the in-ear monitor arena. We were visited by Dale Lott, the president, engineer, and creator of the Aurisonics line.

At first I was skeptical… another universal in-ear monitor in a crowded market. He handed us a pair of Aurisonics ASG-1 earphones, amped through a Fiio E11 headphone amp, with a selection of music playing from an iPad. The housing is different from your standard universal in-ears as they look like custom monitors because of the size and shape. The wires also wrap around the ear like most custom in-ear monitors. Great build quality and look.

Aurisonics ASG-1 shown with custom tips

I plugged in the headphones to the amp and Dale put on some music.  I’m sitting there listening to the intro thinking to myself, “yeah, ok what’s the big deal… same old thing” when BAM! The bass kicks in and my ears perk up a bit. As I continue to listen, I’m hearing detail in songs I’ve never heard before… and I own several pairs of high quality earphones and have listened to many top models from a number of high end earphone manufacturers.

The Aurisonics ASG-1 earphones are made with a single massive 15mm dynamic driver to represent a generally flat response across the frequency spectrum. Because of the large driver, these earphones are capable of taking quite a bit of equalization and sound excellent when powered by a good amplifier. The dynamic driver allows for a much more natural sound than many other earphones that use balanced armature drivers (which is most earphones). From a technical perspective, they can reproduce from as low as 8Hz to as high as  25kHz. That’s even outside of the range that the human ear can even hear (20Hz-20kHz)! The extensive range of these earphones allows you to really feel the power of the driver and provides incredibly detailed bass. The mid range has a slight boost in the vocal range around 1-2kHz so vocals and guitars can sound slightly more forward in the mix. The high end is clear and I would say somewhat smooth and extended but not harsh sounding. The separation of instruments and almost 3D like soundstage really allows for an immersive listening experience with great depth and width. Overall, the unanimous consensus of these earphones amongst our staff is that they ROCK! They are perfect for musicians on-stage and also great for general music listening.

Aurisonics hand makes their products here in the US… in fact, right across town from us in Nashville, TN! Most earphone manufacturers produce in mass quantities over seas, but Aurisonics takes the time to put individual attention to each set.

The packaging includes small, medium, and large tips, and a cleaning tool inside a clear hard shell Otterbox. The Otterbox is a very nice touch as it can take a beating and protect your earphones with ease.

Now here is the REALLY cool part… everything about these is upgradeable. The cable is upgradeable (although the cable that comes with it is very nice), you can get custom fit tips, and soon the faceplate will have upgrade options. Not only that, but when future models are created, the ASG-1 can be sent in to Aurisonics to be upgraded. This truly sets Aurisonics apart from other earphone manufacturers as they’ve made a universal earphone into a “custom”.

Although the Aurisonics ASG-1 earphones are brand new and have only been around for a short while, they’ve gained quite a bit of traction amongst the audiophile community. Take a look at this thread: Aurisonics ASG-1 Impressions and Reviews on Head-Fi which is a review site filled with earphones, headphones and other audiophile gear reviews.

Not only does Aurisonics make universal earphones, they also make custom in-ear monitors. Here’s where things get even more interesting… The custom monitors are made from impressions of your ears and are custom made for a perfect fit. There are a few different models available of the custom series, all of which at this time use the same 15mm driver found in the universal ASG-1 model.

AS-1B – Ambient and Bass Valve
AS-1A – Ambient Valve
AS-1 – No Valves
AS-1C – No Valves, Downward Wires

Yes, you read that right… ambient and bass valves. You can open up the ports on these earphones with the included tool so you can hear more of the room or tune the bass to your liking. This offers an insane amount of control over what you’re hearing. The ambient valve is great for musicians… You know when you see a musician on stage that has 1 ear open and the other with an in-ear monitor? They are trying to hear more of what’s going on around them on stage… this ambient port solves this problem and allows the musician to keep their in-ear monitors in at all times without missing out on the natural sound around them.

Call your favorite Springtree staff member to order a pair at our discount rate today whether you’re interested in the ASG-1 universal earphones or the custom models. We’ll be glad to discuss the sound signature and find the best model for your particular needs. As always, you may call (615-599-1505) or email us to receive our discount pricing on just about any product listed on our site.

Friday Springtree was presented with our Hitachi Select Partner plaque. This certifies that Springtree is a Select partner for Hitachi America LTD. Digital Media Division, Business Services Group. Thank you to all our customers who chose Springtree and Hitachi for their projection needs in 2011.

Springtree will be able to offer exclusive models of projectors that only select partners can provide in the near future.

View our selection of Hitachi Projects on Springtree.net

Springtree Media Group has recently completed the design and installation of lighting, sound and automation for the new DreamWorks Meet and Greets at The Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.  These included Shrek, Madagascar, and Kung Fu Panda.  We used 100% energy efficient LED lighting which allowed us to achieve different looks for the different segments throughout the day.  It was important to light the displays and accentuate the colors and details without making the fixtures part of the display. 

For Kung Fu Panda, powerful Springtree Multipar36 TRI LED fixtures were mounted high on the support structures across the walkway and linked using the Springtree WD-LCD Wireless DMX.  RGB9 LED fixtures were imbedded within the structure creating a dramatic up and down lighting effect on the façade.

JBL Control 25 Speakers were installed behind some ornamental windows where we removed the solid material and replaced it with a fabric that maintained the ascetics yet allowed the sound through.  Multiple lighting scenes were created for each location and recorded on the Elation AR32 DMX Recorder.  All music and automation is handled by Control4 and triggered by preprogrammed pushbuttons making “showtime” as simple as a one button push.

 
Madagascar presented a greater challenge for lighting and sound since there was so much to light but few places to hide the fixtures and speakers.  To accomplish the inner light of the bamboo hut we used over a dozen of the Springtree RGB9 LED fixtures, painted to blend in with the bamboo and affixed to the rim.  These fixtures are powered remotely through CAT5 cables allowing the wires to be run through the bamboo. 

Two additional RGB9’s were embedded into the Tikki standing guard giving it a dramatic look.

  
An American DJ Mega Bar RGB up lights the backdrop and several Springtree Flat12 TRI’s and Multipar36 Tri LED from adjacent hotel structures provide the general wash.
 

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For Shrek we used the Springtree Flat12 TRI to achieve the dramatic multi-color look with some RGB9’s to light the trunk and sign on grassy knoll. 
As in Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda,  JBL Control 25 speakers were used with the JBL Control SB210 Subwoofer hidden within the structure and Control4 providing the audio and lighting controls.

Above Springtree President and Napoleon Bissaillon (Special Events at Gaylord Opryland)

“It was a labor of love”  says owner and lighting designer Peter Vaque.  “The staff at the Opryland Hotel is exceptional-  courteous and very friendly and what a beautiful place be in.  If you have to work, I can’t think of a better place”

Hitachi CP-AW250N LCD Projectors Deliver a Striking “Surround Video” Viewing Experience in Hilton Nashville Hotel Installation

CHULA VISTA, California, December 5, 2011 — Six Hitachi CP-AW250N ultra-short throw LCD projectors were recently used at the Hilton Nashville Downtown as part of a one-of-a-kind presentation environment for CJ Advertising of Nashville, Tennessee as part of a client event. The uniquely configured audio/visual system was designed and installed by systems contractor Springtree Media Group of Franklin, Tennessee.

“CJ Advertising hosts an annual presentation for their clients and we’ve worked with them for five years,” said Jacob McDaniel of Springtree Media Group. “In the past, we’ve placed the projectors and the screens on the floor in the corners of the room–a pretty conventional approach. But this year CJ wanted to try something fresh and new that would deliver an unforgettable ‘wow factor’ for their clients.”

“Peter Vaque, the owner of Springtree Media Group, dreamed up a striking new look that involved creating a nearly 360-degree viewing experience by suspending six projection screens in the room,” McDaniel continued. “CJ Advertising loved the concept. But then, we had to figure out how to make it happen!”

Springtree Media Group uses Hitachi ultra-short throw projectors in its rental department because many events–including this one–don’t allow for the extra 16 feet typically needed between the projector and the screen. “Our Hitachi ultra-short throw projectors do an excellent job in restricted-space situations,” McDaniel said. “Also, CJ wanted to use 16:9 widescreen projection, so we looked at a number of Hitachi’s short-throw projectors with widescreen capability. The CP-AW250N looked like the perfect fit.”

From there, Springtree Media Group had to figure out how to mount the projectors and screens. “We settled on hanging a 36-foot truss from the ceiling,” McDaniel noted. “From that truss, we hung six widescreen projection screens, oriented so that all attendees could see a screen from any point in the room.”

McDaniel and his team connected I-Beams that ran perpendicular to the long truss and hung the CP-AW250N projectors from the I-Beams. They also attached LED lighting to the beams, to fill the presenter’s walking area with stage lighting and different colors. The installation was rounded out by four LCD monitors angled on the floor, one in each corner of the presenter’s walking area, so the presenter could always see his slides no matter where he walked.

“This installation required a lot of planning up front,” McDaniel said. “We had to run a few tests to determine which projector would work the best, and how big of a screen we could use with that projector. We wanted to make the screens as big as possible, but we had to make sure there was enough room for the presenter to walk underneath them without hitting his head. In addition, we had to figure out how to hang everything in a safe and effective manner.”

With the help of Hitachi’s CP-AW250N  projectors, the project came together beautifully. “The images were bright, sharp and vivid and the unique setup really kept everyone’s attention.

CJ Advertising and their clients were very happy with the final product,” McDaniel concluded.

For more information on Springtree Media Group please visit www.springtree.net

For more information on Hitachi visit www.hitachi-america.us/digitalmedia

ABOUT HITACHI

Hitachi America, Ltd., headquartered in Tarrytown, New York, a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., and its subsidiary companies offer a broad range of electronics, power and industrial equipment and services, automotive products and consumer electronics with operations throughout the Americas. For more information, visit www.hitachi-america.us. For information on other Hitachi Group companies in the United States, please visit www.hitachi.us.

Hitachi America, Ltd., Digital Media Division, Business Solutions Group markets LCD projectors, interactive panels and whiteboards and security and observation system products through value added resellers, system integrators, distributors and OEMs.

Hitachi, Ltd., (NYSE: HIT / TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 360,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2010 (ended March 31, 2011) consolidated revenues totaled 9,315 billion yen ($112.2 billion). Hitachi will focus more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes information and telecommunication systems, power systems, environmental, industrial and transportation systems, and social and urban systems, as well as the sophisticated materials and key devices that support them. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at http://www.hitachi.com

View this whole event album on the Springtree Productions blog, here..

From: Definition Bam

If you are looking for a great way to transform an event and bring an extra amount of detail to the table, an excellent approach would be to use uplighting techniques. Uplighting excels in several areas including truss lighting, architectural lighting, small room lighting, highlighting specific features at an event, and more.  It has become a very popular trend for weddings, DJ’s, parties, and many other events to effectively enhance the mood. Let’s take a look at some examples of these applications and how these simple techniques can transform your event (examples from some of our very own customers as well as Springtree Productions events):

Truss Lighting
Are you using truss at an event? Why not make that boring silver truss a bit brighter and colorful? There are several great new uplighting fixtures small enough to fit inside the truss and powerful enough to produce the light required. Some great options for truss lighting include: Springtree Flat-12 TRI, ADJ Mega Par Profile, Chauvet Slimpar series, Global Truss TW-RGB9, ADJ Micro Wash RGBW

Architectural Lighting
Another uplighting option that is sure to have your guests talking is to light entrances and exits. You can get a memorable effect by lighting columns and other structures as well. An excellent architectural uplight is the new Chauvet WELL (built-in wireless and battery powered). If you don’t want to go the battery route, the Elation OPTI TRI Par and the Chauvet COLORdash Par are great options.

(Photo Credit to Customer Express Entertainment Productions)

Small Room Lighting
Small rooms can use uplighting effectively by either using targeted beams or a wash over a larger portion of the room. Targeted beams are most commonly used to shoot straight up walls. Diagonal lines can also create an effective look. A great fixture with a targeted beam is the Chauvet COLORdash Par. A great “wash” fixture to light up a larger area is the ADJ Mega Bar Pro. A different uplighting effect can be created by alternating the wash fixtures and the targeted beam fixtures intermittently across a long wall.

Springtree offers several impressive and affordable options for uplighting.  Feel free to call us at 615-599-1505 and speak to our product specialists who will be glad to discuss your specific needs for your event and find the best solution within your budget.

Check out what three guys created with 128 LED diodes, an old old coffee table, and a Texas Instruments MSP430 controller.

They also wrote their own beat detecting software to power the table.

If you’re looking for a less DIY approach and touch sensitive actions check out the Acclaim cat walk seen here as a bar top.

Here’s a quick look how they achieved this effect, be sure to visit the TI post for full details

TI E2E Community [Via Engadget]

This isn’t just a cool video of a moving head fixture, it’s a moving head with a LED Video screen! Check it out, the possibilities are limitless.

Elation EPV762 MH 
Hi-Res LED Moving Head Video Panel

Full Product Specs

Hurricane Marina Concert on Center Hill Lake

Saturday July 16, 2011

Saturday, Springtree Productions  provided sound and lighting for The Leon Dowling Band right on the Marina. It was an impressive sight seeing 7 large luxury house boats tied together at the marina as the band entertained. Folks walked across from boat to boat, dancing on the decks and sampling all the great food.  The Blue Water Grill restaurant experienced the busiest days of the summer so far and we were happy to hear from many that the sound was the best they had ever had on the marina. 

Springtree Productions looks forward to be out there again next year!

Centerville Marina

A funny lighting strip, from the theater themed comic by Brooke McEldowney. Have a great weekend!

[9 Chickweed Lane Via iSquint.net]

I had my first opportunity to use the new Posse Personal On-Stage Sound Environment this last weekend and was pleasantly surprised at its flexibility. As a musician I am always searching for the best way to get what I need from a monitor system and as most of us know, most venues have a rudimentary monitor system at best which can be frustrating and gig ruining. When In-Ear monitors first hit the market, I was convinced that they were maybe the most important live performance tool since guitar amplifiers were brought to the masses. The only caveat was that they required a complicated monitor system in order to use them properly, so unless you were playing at a major club or out with a touring rig, they really could not be used to their full potential. Next came Aviom which provides a very flexible monitoring solution, but again requires a more complicated setup and is not really suited for the average gigging musician, but more for an installed rig. I think Posse has finally bridged the personal monitoring gap with an excellent entry into this category.

I would first like to point out that the Posse system comes as an “everything you need” package and includes: Carrying case, Power supply, Belt box, Mic Stand box with vocal mic cable, a very nice gooseneck Condenser Instrument mic, 6′ HDMI interface cable, Decent ear buds, 10′ DIN(MIDI) interface cable, Main Floor box and a 3′ instrument cable. In most circumstances you are ready to go right away and you get all this for less than most wireless in-ear systems!

For the review I decided to use the Posse during our annual 4^th of July party. I figured it would be a good choice since the set list has a huge variety of musical styles coupled with the fact that the covered porch we would be playing under has less than desirable acoustics to say the least. I found setting up the Posse system very straightforward: you essentially plug your mic and instrument into the Posse system and the system routes the signal to the mic stand box which gives you control of the signal and also splits it to the Main box which acts like a DI box and sends it to the snake with zero coloration of signal. I am just going to review this as a live monitoring system but there is a huge variety of ways you can use and set up this system, go to their website and check out all the different configurations for yourself!  http://www.mystagecafe.com/posse-monitor-system/posseapplications/

My set up for the night was a Marshall half stack and an acoustic guitar. For monitoring the Marshall I just used the built in stereo ambience mics on the Posse Mic Stand box. It gives you control of the amount of the stage that you want to hear. The results? In a rock set up this worked fantastic! It allowed me to blend my mic with the rest of the instruments perfectly so I was not left with the “isolated” feeling usually associated with using in-ear monitors. I was surprised how good this worked… several times I forgot I had earbuds in!!! As a side note, if we had used a monitor console I would have been able to send that into the Posse and control it via the AUX input and also blend the stage into that creating the ultimate mix.

As far as the acoustic goes I ran it directly into the Posse system. This is where the system really shines. For an acoustic act, the Posse is a God send! You can link systems together to create a custom mix for everyone in the group. The EQs seem perfectly sculpted for this application with both the vocal and the acoustic crisp and easily definable. Add to that, the built-in tuner on top of the Mic Stand Box really makes this a perfect tool for the acoustic musician. I cannot stress enough how well it worked with the acoustic set up….almost magical!

All in all, this is a great system for any level of musician given its flexibility and low price.