Anyone who has ever had their vehicle stolen will understand exactly how radio broadcast engineer Jay Rose felt when his truck was taken from a hotel car park in Las Vegas. But what made his experience so much worse is that not only did he lose his vehicle, he also lost a collection of tools and audio test equipment that had taken him more than 30 years to accumulate.
“It was absolutely gut-wrenching,” Jay Rose explains. “I was in Vegas working on a project for KVEG when the truck went. I was in total chaos and I can honestly say it was one of the worst days of my life.”
But it seems that even the blackest cloud has a silver lining because the loss all his equipment gave San Francisco-based Rose the opportunity to re-evaluate what he needed, particularly in terms of audio test equipment.
“I was effectively starting again, so I decided to use the opportunity to look at what was new on the market.” he says. “After much research I kept running into the name Prism Sound. I made a few calls and found myself talking to the company’s US representative Doug Ordon. When he heard what had happened, he jumped on a plane and brought me a Prism Sound dScope Series III audio analyzer to demo. We spent the whole day together and I drilled him on every possible function of the unit. I was so impressed that I immediately bought the unit and wouldn’t let Doug take it back with him. I spent the next two days familiarizing myself with it and writing my own test configurations. Losing everything I’d worked so hard to build up was dreadful, but buying the dScope Series III went a long way towards making things better.” more
For the first time ever, BBC coverage of the UEFA European Football Championship will be broadcast in both High Definition and 5.1 surround sound when the 2008 tournament gets underway on June 7th.
To ensure the quality of its surround sound signal, BBC Resources is equipping its gallery at the IBC Centre in Vienna with MSD600M++ and PT0660M audio meters, supplied by Danish manufacturer DK-Technologies. Both meters accept up to 32 input signals and have 4 configurable input slots and 4 output slots. Available modules include analogue, AES3 and SD-SDI formats.
The MSD600M++ offers multi-channel audio metering, along with DK’s proprietary StarFish™ display technology, which makes it ideal for surround sound applications. It also has ITU-Recommended algorithms to control perceived loudness of the broadcast signal – an issue that many broadcasters are looking to address.
DK-Technologies is supplying the MSD600M++ meter with its recently launched BLITS 5.1 surround sound test tone sequence software, which BBC Resources will use as a BLITS generator, thus saving valuable rack space in the studio.
Rio Rancho, NM - May 2008… If there‘s one thing that, above all else, brings electronic equipment to its knees, it‘s water. The very prospect of wiring a surfer with the necessary equipment to capture the ambient sounds that occur while riding the waves is enough to cause most audio pros to say, “Not with my gear!” For years, onscreen surfing action was akin to the silent movies of yesteryear–until Tim Denmark came along. Equipped with an arsenal of Lectrosonics wireless systems, Denmark has created a niche for himself that brings the excitement of surfing–complete with crashing waves and the slap of the surfboard over the water–right into the homes of television viewers the world over. more
Hilversum, The Netherlands Netherlands-based Cinevideogroup caused a stir recently with the acquisition of two new RTS-equipped high-definition OB vehicles.
Cinevideogroup’s new OBV’s (Outside Broadcast Vans), equipped with high-end components including a RTS ADAM matrix intercom, are widely used in mobile productions throughout Europe. Some recent productions include the games of the Spanish first division clubs Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and FC Valencia for the American Rainbow Sports Network. The trucks have also been used to record a show of the Dutch Starkomikers Sjaak Bral, a Berlin concert by The Cure and a Simply Red concert in Sicily. more
NHK Science & Technical Research Laboratories (NHK STRL) centre has recently taken delivery of a custom 600 Channel Constellation system to support the development of its three dimensional surround sound system. The unique surround sound format is deployed as part of NHK STRL‘s Ultra High Vision (UHDTV) TV format which features 22.2 speaker placements in conjunction with super high resolution video.
The massive Constellation system is configured with three of Fairlight‘s powerful CC-1 engines. Using latest generation FPGA technology each engine is capable of delivering in excess of 200 audio channels. Every channel in the system is supported with a full complement of audio processing including six bands of EQ and three stages of Dynamics. A specially designed three dimensional panning system provides automated panning control in 3 dimensions to provide precise placement of audio within the 22.2 sound field.
Stuart DeMarias Fairlight Sales and Marketing Director commented “We are delighted to be able to support NHK STRL in the development of this exciting new standard.”
In a move that extends the already impressive capabilities of Fairlight‘s Dream 2 platform, Fairlight has announced the release of Dream 2 Software Version 1.5.
Packed with over 50 new features, the new software delivers a convergence of audio and video never seen before in any audio production platform. All Dream 2 systems are supplied standard with on board video. The new release extends the capabilities to include support for a comprehensive array of video and audio interchange formats as well as providing support for a wide range of commonly used media file formats. more
Nashville, TN - May 1, 2008… When it comes to state-of-the-art audio capabilities, you‘d be hard pressed to find a more advanced mobile audio production facility than MTV Networks‘ Remote Unit 8. Equipped with a 56-fader Lawo mc®66 console that serves as the truck‘s primary mix station–coupled with a second, smaller mc®66–Remote Unit 8 handles televised music shows, large scale concerts, and a wide assortment of other high profile projects. MTV Networks (MTVN) recently completed installation of Lawo‘s new Plug-in Server, which adds dramatically more signal processing capability. The system was first placed into service for the 2008 CMT (Country Music Television) Music Awards on April 14th. more
Buena Park, CA - May 2008… Hosa Technology, the leading innovator of analog and digital connectivity solutions for the modern musician and audio/video professional and distributor of Da-Cappo Micro Microphones throughout the Americas, is pleased to announce that the Da-Cappo DA12 Single-ear microphone, the DA04 Lavaliere microphone, and the DA11 “The Stick” microphone are now shipping. more
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — With the success of its FREE Personalized Room Analysis Form, providing one-on-one expert acoustical advice, Auralex Acoustics is taking its solution one step further by now offering a FREE Large Room Analysis Form. As the industry leader in innovative sound control solutions, Auralex can now offer the same free acoustical analysis, which includes product recommendations and placement, to customers facing the challenges of larger spaces, such as churches and gymnasiums.
Customers can download both the original Personalized Room Analysis and new FREE Large Room Analysis forms as PDFs from Auralex‘s home page (www.auralex.com) or can call Auralex directly to have a copy of either form faxed. Once the form is downloaded, customers must print it out and fill out all sections. The more information included, the more accurate the recommendations from Auralex‘s expert engineers. Info required includes room type, use and dimensions, to name a few. more
April 28, 2008 … Lawo, recognized globally as a leading manufacturer of digital audio networking and console systems for production, post production, broadcast, and related applications, today announced that it has acquired a majority shareholding in French digital mixing console manufacturer INNOVASON. The move officially terminates the receivership period for INNOVASON and provides a strong partner for future development. more
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Hilversum, The Netherlands Netherlands-based Cinevideogroup caused a stir recently with the acquisition of two new RTS-equipped high-definition OB vehicles.
