From June 8 through 14, 2013, more than 35,000 audio-visual professionals made the trek to Orlando for the annual InfoComm conference and expo. This year’s event had more than 900 exhibitors and an attendance increase of 2.5 percent over last year — definitely positive signs of overall health and good times ahead as the industry moves forward. All eyes (and ears) were on the three days of exhibits, although the audio demo rooms were also open the day before the exhibit hall debuted, giving showgoers an additional day to actually hear systems in a slightly more realistic environment. The show occupied a massive 470,000 net square feet of exhibit and expo space. And with more than 200 audio exhibitors present, we uncovered a wealth of new products of interest to sound reinforcement and audio installation professionals.
Here are a few highlights.
Mixing it Up
Avid’s (avid.com) S3L digital mixing system offers the performance of its VENUE series in a modular, networked design, supporting AVB Ethernet and EuCon open network standards. The scalable system combines an HDX-powered mix engine running VENUE software, AAX DSP plug-ins, remote I/O stage boxes that expand the system from 16 to 48 inputs, a compact control surface and Pro Tools software for integrated mixing/recording. (For video, go to www.fohonline.com/foh-tv)
Allen & Heath (allen-heath.com) intro’d the GLD-112, a larger version of the GLD-80 mixer, with an extra bank comprising eight control strips, increasing the channel count to 28 fader strips in four layers. The larger GLD is scene compatible with the existing GLD-80 mixer, and at the heart of both mixers is the same audio core.
Cadac (cadac-sound.com), in addition to demoing its new 16-fader CDC Eight-16 digital mixers, announced its MegaComms network protocol, which enables transmission of 256 channels of 96k Hz/24-bit audio on a single stream up to 150 meters over coax.
DiGiCo (digico.biz) was showing its SD7T and SD9T mixers, which feature a software-based feature set specifically optimized for live theatre. The company also launched SD Convert, a new application that lets users easily transfer session files one SD Range console to any other.
Audio products do run in cycles and for this show, new speaker designs were the rage.
SPEAKING OUT
Adamson Systems (adamsonsystems.com), continuing its 30th anniversary celebration, demoed the new mid-sized e12 full-range line array module and e218 subwoofer additions to its flagship Energia line.
Bose Professional (pro.bose.com) expanded its RoomMatch array module speaker line with 22 models having horizontally asymmetrical coverage patterns that reduce side-wall reflections without the need to “yaw in” array aiming. All full-range modules combine two 10-inch woofers with six Bose compression drivers for a 60 Hz to 16k Hz response.
Carvin (carvinproaudio.com) came on strong with a versatile TRx3903 column line array (with nine high-output three-inch cone transducers); it’s designed for use in pairs with subwoofers. On that subject, Carvin also showed the TRx3118, a 4,000W, single-18 sub that’s equally adept when used in flying or ground-stacked systems.
Community Professional (communitypro.com) showed 13 new entries in its WET Series weather-resistant outdoor loudspeakers. The 12- and 15-inch, two-way, full-range WET X models offer 1.4-inch exit compression drivers on with six rotatable horn patterns in a compact enclosure, a downfiring dual 18-inch subwoofer is optional.
D.A.S. Audio’s Aero 40A (dasaudio.com) made its InfoComm debut. This mid-sized 3-way line array with a rear-loaded 12-inch driver in a bass-horn, 8-inch cone midrange/horn assembly and two D.A.S. M-75N compression drivers has 2,000 watts of Class-D power, onboard DSP with FIR filters, and DASnetTM remote monitoring/control software.
d&b audiotechnik (dbaudio.com) demoed its new ArrayCalc V7 acoustic modeling software and showed its 10AL small-format line array. The 10AL’s are 2-way modules combining a 10-inch neodymium driver with two 1-inch compression drivers as constant directivity HF line sources with either 75- or 105-degree horizontal coverage.
EAW (eaw.com) provided an off-campus demonstration of its new Anya system at the House of Blues. Each Anya enclosure has nearly 10kW of onboard Class-D power, internal DSP and network control and carries a 22-driver complement with two 15-inch woofers, six horn-loaded 5.25-inch cone midranges and 14 horn-loaded 1-inch exit compression drivers.
Eminence (eminence.com) has added the PSD:3014 — a 1.4-inch exit compression driver — to its line of HF products. Specs include a 100W AES power rating and a 3-inch voice coil. The company is also now shipping the stand-alone version of its D-fend SA30, designed to protect passive loudspeakers from excessive power conditions.
JBL Professional (jblpro.com) showcased its CWT128 loudspeaker, featuring an all-new extremely wide-angle coverage design. It has two 8-inch Symmetrical Field Geometry™ LF drivers and two 1-inch neodymium compression drivers loaded in different directions using JBL’s Crossfired Waveguide Technology to provide seamless horizontal coverage across a full 160 degrees.
L-Acoustics (l-acoustics.com) is shipping its 5XT ultra-compact coaxial speaker and SB15m compact single-15 subwoofer. The smallest member of the company’s XT coaxial series, the 5XT has a one-inch diaphragm compression driver that’s coaxially loaded on a five-inch low-mid transducer mounted in a ported birch ply enclosure.
Line 6 (line6.com) expanded its StageSource family with the L2-series high-powered, portable loudspeakers. The StageSource L2m and StageSource L2t feature digital networking for fast setup, DSP control, feedback suppression and a modular, scalable architecture. Both are bi-amped, 800W, 10-inch two-way systems; the L2t version adds an onboard mixer for self-contained P.A
Martin Audio’s (martin-audio.com) new MLA Mini expands its MLA series. It’s ultra-compact, yet a 12-box array can handle venues up to 1,000, with individual cells under software control so “hard avoid” areas can be programmed to reduce sound spill. Each MLA Mini has two 6.5-inch LF drivers and three 1.4-exit HF drivers on a 100-degree horn. A companion MSX 15-inch flyable sub houses amplification, networking and DSP to power itself and control four MLA Mini’s. Systems can be flown, ground-stacked or pole mounted.
Meyer Sound (meyersound.com) toasted the first year of success of its LEO large-format/long-throw line arrays, now proven in a variety of tough, high-profile events and installs. Also on display was the new 6-in/16-out Galileo Callisto 616 array processor, designed for driving and aligning Meyer loudspeaker arrays. The Mac/PC controllable 616 features a digital matrix processor, user-defined shaping filters, low/high-pass filters for sub bass control and an extensive equalization architecture.
Outline’s GTO C-12 (outlinearray.com) made its official U.S. launch. Derived from the larger dual-15 GTO, the GTO C-12 line source array has dual 12-inch woofers, four 6.5-inch cone midrange units and two 3-inch throat compression drivers. Its footprint is the same as all the other modules in the GTO range, allowing full mechanical compatibility with GTO, GTO-SUB, GTO-LOW and GTO-DF in terms of rigging, flying hardware and wheel boards.
Radian Audio Engineering (radianaudio.com) was showing a selection of compression drivers and replacement diaphragms featuring high-performance beryllium, offered in end-user and OEM packages.
RCF (rcf.it.com) was touting its new ultra-long throw — up to 150 meter — HL stadium series loudspeakers which pack two 12-inch woofers and a 4-inch horn-loaded compression driver into a compact box with 22.5-degree horizontal dispersion and 40/40/90-degree vertical coverage. A single-18 sub is optional.
SLS Loudspeakers (slsloudspeakers.com) offered its new LS6600CP, a micro line source array based on a 6.5-inch neodymium low-mid driver with an axially mounted PRD 500 ribbon HF element.
Vue Audiotechnik’s (vueaudio.com) al-8 compact line array has a two 8-inch woofers flanking four 4-inch Neodymium mid drivers and a central pair of 1-inch exit, neodymium compression drivers with beryllium diaphragms. Vue also showed SystemVUE networking/control software for all VUE DSP-enabled loudspeakers and processors. But what really stole the show at InfoComm was Vue’s VUEPoint process, which combines the company’s sophisticated DSP integration with Berlin-based AFMG Technologies’ FIRmaker software to optimize line array performance in virtually any environment.
Amps Ahoy!
Ashly Audio’s nX Class-D amplifiers (ashly.com) deliver up to 12,000W while drawing less than 1W in sleep mode. Available with selectable 70/100V or low-Z outputs, nX model variants include Ethernet control, onboard Protea DSP, load monitoring and a five-year warranty. Amplifiers include four- or two-channel models at 3,000W or 1,500W per channel (at 2 Ohms). (For video, go to www.fohonline.com/foh-tv)
Lab.gruppen’s (lab.gruppen.com) LUCIA (Localized Utility Compact Intelligent Amplification) are half-rack-sized, intelligent stereo amp modules that puts power (up to 120W/side), DSP, control and I/O where you need it.
QSC’s (qsc.com) PLD series (for live events) and CXD Series (for installed applications) are Class-D amplifiers with advanced DSP/loudspeaker management along with innovative Flexible Amplifier Summing Technology for better power allocation by actively distributing total amplifier power across one, two, three or all four outputs enabling amp channels to be combined for maximum current or voltage output, with the largest models capable of up to 5,000 watts.(For video, go to www.fohonline.com/foh-tv)
Production Essentials
Along with big ticket items, we also found a few useful gadgets to make your life easier.
Kaltman Creations (kaltmancreationsllc.com) was demoing RF-Vue, a true handheld (or stand mount) wireless spectrum analyzer with touchscreen control that lets users look for open RF space for channel selections, interference avoidance or interference troubleshooting — all in real-time. It also features a Click-to-Listen feature and an RF Congestion Scale™ to gauge the severity of local RF.
Rational Acoustics (rationalacoustics.com) released Smaart V7.2 a streamlined, two-channel version of the Smaart v.7 analysis software. This simplified Windows/Mac version of Smaart v.7 is significantly easier to configure and operate, yet does not sacrifice the measurement power of the Smaart v.7 Spectrum and Transfer Function measurement engines. Retail is $595.
More to Come!
There was no shortage of cool technology at InfoComm 2012 and we’ll present more new product coverage on fohonline.com as well as in future print issues of FRONT of HOUSE. Meanwhile, next year’s InfoComm show will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from June 18 to 20, 2014. See you there!
______________________
TECHNOLOGY SPOTLIGHT
VUE Audiotechnik VUEPoint Beam Steering
It was just a year ago that VUE Audiotechnik debuted its first products and emerged as a force in loudspeaker design and the innovations from the company just keep coming. In fact, VUE has tendered a lot of new approaches during that short time, including the use of beryllium diaphragms for its higher-end drivers; debuted its Compound Force isobaric and hybrid configuration Active Compliance Management approaches to subwoofer designs; system-optimized amplification and DSP options with network control and remote monitoring; and earlier this year, two scalable line array designs — the subcompact al-4 and mid-sized al-8.
So when VUE Audiotechnik had a major announcement for this year’s InfoComm show, there was more than casual interest that something big was going on. This came in the form of VUEPoint, a new system optimization process that brings digital beam steering to mainstream line array applications. The emphasis on the software was to remove the complexity from the steering process, while retaining precision control of directivity.
VUEPoint is based on FIRmaker from acoustic measurement/room modeling software specialists AFMG Technologies. FIRmaker can process a complex collection of room and system information including basic venue geometry, array location/configuration and high-resolution EASE GLL loudspeaker modeling data to generate customized, precision FIR (Finite Impulse Response) filters to specifically optimize the line array’s coverage, response and overall output characteristics for a given venue.
Despite its power and versatility, the VUEPoint process is a surprisingly straightforward four-step workflow. The system designer first inputs venue/system parameters (room geometry, audience/listening areas, line array location and specific configuration — including all angles) into EASE Focus 2, which generates a venue model. This can then be manually tweaked to fine-tune output and coverage needs. This EASE Focus 2 model, with a description of the design goals is then sent to VUE or a certified VUEPoint contractor and fed into FIRmaker, resulting in a set of customized FIR filters for the specific room/system configuration. The user can then choose from a number of options (such as maximum SPL versus optimal response, level variations within the listening area, etc.) and review the selections within EASE Focus 2. Once the design is finished, the customized FIR filters are uploaded into the line array’s V4 or V6 System Engine via the company’s free SystemVUE Mac/Windows app.
“Most beam steering technologies are proprietary, and either limited in capabilities or prohibitively expensive,” says VUE CEO Ken Berger. “Our objective with VUEPoint is to make beam steering more accessible than ever before.” —George Petersen
