Hey y’all, it’s wrapmaster MJ doin’ the InfoComm wrap, and I have DJ GP throwing in attitude and his two cents.
The last InfoComm in Orlando, back in 2021 was okay, but a little light in attendance. InfoComm 2023 was downright crowded, with aisles and booths packed with 29,325 people, to be exact. The place was rife with educational events and networking opportunities of the human protocol, and of course, gear. On the tradeshow floor, 700 exhibitors showcased pro AV products and solutions across 358,700 net square feet in the West Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center.
Many audio demo rooms quickly reached capacity, even to the point of standing room only, or overflowing.
Upon approaching the convention center, I couldn’t help but notice InfoComm’s mysterious, yet omnipresent logo for this year, which looked strangely similar to the Fitness app on my Apple Watch. Fortunately — or maybe unfortunately — due the size of the show, I was able to get most of my steps in each of the three days. Whew!
Speakers: “Immersive” Ruled Supreme
With apologies to the Bee Gees, “Immerse is the word, is the word, is the word…”
Practically every exhibiting loudspeaker company had some sort of immersive presentation happening in their demo rooms. Along with creating immersive environments in their demo spaces, each manufacturer strove to provide a little education regarding immersive technologies and their applications. Interestingly, much of the demo sources were generally live, solo or duo instrumentations or sparsely recorded high-resolution sources — piano, guitar, voices or drums to demonstrate dynamic range — but all instruments generally played individually or small ensembles.
Adamson Systems Engineering had a wide array of loudspeaker products to present at the show, but the thing getting the buzz was the company’s FletcherMachine immersive audio rendering processor. These are offered in versions that provide 32, 64, or 128 inputs and outputs. Adamson also showed its new Array Intelligence software platform for designing and deploying systems. The platform offers the capability to design a system for an environment, provide simulation, and include flow diagrams and system diagnostics to deliver total audio systems. adamsonsystems.com
Space by Coda was in full effect in the Coda Audio demo room. Comprised of multiple components including acoustic panels, original, contemporary artwork, and video panels, all thinner than the width of a credit card (2.75” deep). Coda displayed in full force the power, frequency response, and the immersive environment that can be realized with their Space system. codaaudio.com
d&b audiotechnik came to play with its SL-Series (featuring the XSL system, which brings SL-Series performance in an extra small package), A-Series, and custom solutions. Featured in its demo room was d&b Soundscape, which includes the En-Scene and En-Scape software modules. En-Scene calculates and accounts for time and level differences for up to 64 objects placed in an environment. En-Space simulates reverberation signatures of small, medium and large concert halls. dbaudio.com
L-Acoustics utilized the huge (2,643-seat) onsite Chapin Theatre to show off their new modular L Series which features the L2 mid-to-long throw element and the L2D short and wide throw element. Large-scale systems are easily configured simply by incorporating these two elements. While each element is larger than a typical line array enclosure, overall, they represent a significant amount of savings — in rigging time, in space on the truck (or in a warehouse) and the overall system size for its output. L-Acoustics claims that one L2 or L2D element provides the same contour as four of its K2 elements, yet it’s 46 percent smaller and 40 percent lighter. L-Acoustics also premiered the L-ISA 3.0 immersive audio software platform. l-acoustics.com
Meyer Sound actually took three demo room spaces and used two for system demonstrations and one for its lounge, where you could relax and chat with the Meyer team in-between demos. The two products making a splash in Meyer’s demo room were the 2100 LFC 21” low-frequency control element and the Spacemap Go spatial sound design and mixing tool. Keeping with the immersive trend, Meyer also demoed its Constellation variable acoustics solution and featured a sneak peek at the soon-to-be-released Nadia Control platform. Look for that sometime in the fall. meyersound.com
With roots in high-end consumer audio, Theory Professional, the new speaker kid on the block brought a line based on some basic units including: the sb25 (surface-mount multi-use, and in-wall models) and the ic6, with in-ceiling and pendant models. TP’s low-profile and durable enclosure designs make them applicable for nightclubs, restaurants, HOW and retail. theoryprofessional.com
Column Speakers
Of course, InfoComm wouldn’t be InfoComm without column speakers, which thankfully, have come a long way since the Shure Vocal Master days.
1SOUND’s fast-responding, deep bass SUB215 sub has two 15” tetracoil technology drivers capable of 140 dB max SPLs. The cabinet is only 17.8” wide when used vertically or 17.8” tall when deployed horizontally. The SUB215 is ideal for creating a full range system combined with 1SOUND’s CT28, Active Tube or any other satellite on top; while proprietary rigging points accommodate a Tower Rigging System for stacking the company’s LCC (Cardioid Column) Tower LCC44 or LCC84 speakers on top. 1-sound.com
Alcons Audio’s QRP40/90 vertical column system has high-Q directivity for installs or portable use. Loaded with an RBN1203 ribbon driver in a coaxial configuration with an array of eight custom 5” woofers in a sealed cabinet, the system has 90° horizontal dispersion, while 20° isophasic directivity offers side-lobe-free projection up to the highest frequencies. alconsaudio.com
Avante Audio’s new AS8 ACDC is a portable, battery-powered column P.A. for acoustic performers, small bands, mobile entertainers and any situation where amplified music is needed but power isn’t available. For more details on this and other DC-operated P.A. speakers, see the “Buyers Guide” on page 38. avanteaudio.com
Eastern Acoustic Works showed new accessories and mounting options for its AC6 2-way, full-range ADAPTive column speakers. Managed via EAW’s Resolution 2 software for coverage and directivity, the AC6’s ADAPTive Performance technology can create three-dimensional coverage. eaw.com
JBL Professional’s 24-inch COL600 and 32-inch COL800 slim column speakers feature wide horizontal and narrow vertical coverage with a built-in 10° down-tilt to optimize coverage while installed flat to the wall. Racetrack woofers maximize radiating area in a column form factor for 70V or 100V use, with switchable 8-ohm operation. All are installable indoors or outdoors with an IP54 rating for protection against dust or water ingress. jblpro.com
Renkus-Heinz demoed OmniBeam, a new precision beam-steering technology that replaces the previous best-fit approach of UniBeam for the company’s steerable column product line, including the DC12/2, Iconyx Compact, Iconyx Gen5, IC live Gen5 and IC Live X Series. renkus-heinz.com
Console-ation
Allen & Heath expanded its AHM audio matrix processor universe. AHM V1.4 software adds new room combining features for managing up to 16 rooms, along with speaker processing enhancements, front-panel channel metering and more. Also new is the DX88-P, a half-rack 96k Hz 8×8 expander that augments the analog I/O of an AHM unit. allen-heath.com
Audio-Technica is shipping an update of its ATDM-0604 Digital SmartMixer, designed for applications ranging from meeting spaces to educational facilities. Enhanced functions include improved echo and noise-cancellation, remote control of A-T’s ES954 hanging mic array, cascade connectivity for up to eight mixers, expanded compatibility and more — to bring improved performance for online or live meetings. audio-technica.com
DiGiCo brought the goods with its large-format Quantum852 that provide 384 mono input channels, 192 Aux/Sub-Group buses, a 64×64 Processing Matrix, 384 Nodal Processors, 128 Mustard Processors, and 32 Spice Racks. I can’t even count that high! They were also showing off the new Milan-certified DMI-AVB networking module. And DiGiCo’s partner in crime (or audio), KLANG showed off the new KLANG:Konductor immersive in-ear mixing processor, which will provide 16 3-D audio mixes and process 128 input signals. digico.biz
Front and center on their stand, Lawo featured the new mc236xp production console, which comes in 16, 32 and 48 fader models. The console supports up to 256 DSP channels and includes IP network and processing redundancy. By the way, the “xp” indicates that the console requires external processing, typically via a multi-slice console array, with up to seven other virtual or physical console surfaces sharing a single Lawo A__UHD Core processing unit. lawo.com
Solid State Logic’s V5.2 software update for its SSL Live performance consoles (including its flagship L650) is designed for touring, installed sound and house of worship users. It builds on SSL’s existing integrated control platform for Meyer Sound SpaceMapGo and L’Acoustics’ L-ISA, adding control of d&b audiotechnik’s Soundscape immersive loudspeaker system within the console’s ecosystem. V5.2 also adds enhanced “Rehearsal and Recorder” functionality, which includes multiple switching groups, flexible routing and locking override functions and Version 5.2 is compatible with the SSL’s entire range of consoles. solidstatelogic.com
Yamaha expanded its DM mixer series, displaying the new 120-channel DM7 ($29,999), the 72-channel DM7 Compact ($14,999) and an optional CTL-DM7 control expansion unit. Also at the booth were the DM3 and DM3-D (with Dante audio networking) models. Both DM3 versions offer 16 mono, one stereo, and two FX return channels and six Mix Send, two FX Send, one stereo and two matrix outs. The DM3 Series offers up to 96k Hz resolution sound quality, 18 types of effects and a 9-inch multi-touch screen. https://www.yamaha.com/2/proaudio/
Steppin’ Up to the Mic
While there wasn’t much in the way of new “traditional” microphones at the show, with conferencing and remote meetings being a priority for many companies and organizations, tools to help facilitate this technology are in high demand.
Audix showed solutions for meetings, conferencing and streaming. New products include the M45 “Shortgun,” M3WDK pendant-style and M70WD ceiling-mount mics; the MicroPod, M65 and USB12 tabletop mics; the M60 and M63 tabletop boundary mics; and the GS1 wall-mount mic; as well as DN4 and DN43 Dante and AES67 audio-over-IP interfaces for easy routing, mixing and live-casting. audixusa.com
Shure came to town with its Microflex Advance MXA902 Integrated Conference Ceiling Array for high quality capture and reproduction for small to medium sized applications. shure.com
Sennheiser came with its TeamConnect Bar 5 and TeamConnect Bar M all-in-one conferencing devices that feature built in mic, speakers and cameras. sennheiser.com
Networking News
Networking of the ones and zeros protocol was evident practically everywhere. Milan AVB was prominently in use with gear from d&b audiotechnik, L-Acoustics, Meyer Sound, Yamaha and DiGiCo. avnu.org/milan
In addition to Dante, Audinate’s well-known audio networking protocol, the new Dante AV variant allows high-quality video and audio streaming. Dante AV was incorporated into a number of other manufacturers booths and demo rooms, and the new platform helps facilitate interoperability, management, and monitoring of multiple devices from a single point of control. audinate.com
DirectOut’s MILAN.IO module for its PRODIGY Series of converters and processors supports up to 128 audio channels at 1FS, and marks DirectOut’s entry into the AVB/Milan community, adding to its support of Dante, RAVENNA/AES67 and SoundGrid. MILAN.IO features two redundant gigabit network interfaces with RJ-45 or SFP options at sample rates from 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz. MILAN.IO supports optional HD SRC technology, enabling state-of-the-art sample rate conversion as an alternative to FastSRC. directout.eu
And last but not least, BlackTrax BT-1 hardware and software was also used throughout many of the immersive demos. BlackTrax provided products as well as support for audio localization for people speaking or performing in an immersive environment, to follow spot lighting to ensure the subject was always lit, no matter their location. blacktrax.ca
The Wrap-Up
There was so much more to do and to see at InfoComm 2023 (I told you I was a wrap master) than space allows, so look for more InfoComm product news in future issues of FRONT of HOUSE and on fohonline.com.
Meanwhile, InfoComm returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center next year from June 8-14 (exhibits 12-14) 2024. For more info, visit avixa.org.
Mark Johnson is a semi-retired pro audio journalist / editor, educator, marketing exec, media guru and overall nice guy.
InfoComm 2023: Best of Swag
When visitors come to InfoComm 23, their primary purpose is to check out the latest gear or other offerings by technology manufacturers and service providers or take advantage of the vast educational offerings organized by AVIXA. They also come to renew industry relationships or start new ones… However, the other reason people go is to see what kind of cool swag they might be able to pick up while they are at the show.
FRONT of HOUSE thought it would be fun to see who brought in the coolest giveaways and booth swag this year. Here’s a review (and hopefully the first of many) InfoComm, Best of Swag. Since it was my idea, I’ll be serving as the judge and jury (hopefully not the executioner) in deciding just who brought the coolest stuff to InfoComm 23 to hand out to attendees.
The usual swag staples are hats and t-shirts, and there were enough of those. Having been in the biz for more than 45 years, I’ve gotten more than my fair share, but as those items are so commonplace, we were on the prowl for some truly cool and unique souvenirs. So in no particular order, here are InfoComm 2023’s Best of Swag winners:
“Honorable Mention” goes to d&b audiotechnik, if just for the volume and variety of stuff. They had logo stickers, logo pop sockets for your phone, little tins of branded mints, tubes of d&balm lip balm. It was German-flavored and provided broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection. For those who really want to know what German flavored is, well, it’s unflavored! But wait, there’s more… d&b also had pieces of individually wrapped Ghirardelli chocolates, branded (of course) and with the following technical specs:
Product Information
Choc-o-late: Noun; CHäk(ә)lat/, schokoláde; a food preparation in the form of a paste or solid block made from roasted and ground cacao seeds, typically sweetened
Performance Requirements: Unwrap happiness, one square improves efficiency and energieschub
Storage Temperature: 18-20°C
Three Versions: Intense Dark (60% cacao); Dark Chocolate-Sea Salt Caramel; Milk Chocolate-Caramel
“Coolest Show Swag” goes to Rational Acoustics for its much-loved “The 7 Bad System Dwarves” Tubby, Muddy, Boxy, Honky, Barky, Edgy, and Sibilant stickers. The RA crew have upped their game with a deck of playing cards and the face cards and jokers are the dwarves. The also had a cool pen that doubled, tripled, quadrupled as a ruler (inch and centimeters), level, small screwdriver with Phillips and flat-head blades and a tablet stylus.
“Honorable Mention” goes to L-Acoustics for their logo pin, small sharpie, and branded bottle opener. These in combination wouldn’t have ordinarily won them an honorable mention, but then they brought out a limited edition, sized hat (not adjustable) that features the L Series icon embroidered on the front. It’s black on black so it’s subtle, and it looks like a “J” (my last name is Johnson). It’s cool.
The “How Dry I Am” award went to local Orlando company Forward Thinking Designs (they provide Q-sys system design and programming services for theme parks, cruise ships and the like), win Most Unique. They had a couple of stickers and t-shirts, but the item that brought it home for them was a branded umbrella. For those of you who are familiar with Orlando weather in June, this is a necessity. Well done!
As they are in cahoots with each other, DiGiCo and KLANG are judged together, but either one of their entries probably would have gotten then a top #1 or #2 spot. So it’s a split-decision in the “And the Winner Is” category. DiGiCo doled out a real cool little tech bag with zippered pouches and little pocket for holding all the things we find we need when working a gig: the ever-elusive 1/4”-to-1/8” headphone adapters, Sharpies, small meters, maybe even a mic. The only thing that would have made it better would have been if they had put some of that stuff in it. But hey, I know that beggars can’t be choosers. DiGiCo’s buddies, KLANG offered up a substantial 20.9-ounce insulated (hot or cold) double-wall, stainless steel, thermal bottle with copper vacuum insulation and stainless-steel rim. With those entries, DiGiCo / KLANG are the runaway winners of this years’ contest.
In the category of “Anonymous Audio Award,” one final thing made the list. However, the company that provided it wishes to remain unknown; however, you may know them as an “intelligent” audio measurement company. This was for the exhibitors, in the form of Exhibitor Booth Bingo cards. A classic!
It did seem somewhat surprising that overall, the swag for this show (where technology reigns supreme) was decidedly NOT techy.
However, let this be the first of — hopefully — many more “Best of Swag” award presentations. I’m giving notice to all manufacturers to bring their “A” swag games when they come to InfoComm. Tech companies, I’m lookin’ at you!
—Mark Johnson
