JBL Professional announces VTX F Series

Studio monitor sound quality in a multipurpose fill enclosure

JBL Professional VTX F Series delivers studio monitor sound quality in a line of premium two-way multipurpose cabinets featuring point and shoot flexibility, uncompromised sound quality and the patented D2 Dual Diaphragm Dual Driver used in the VTX V25 and M2 Studio Reference Monitor.

A design collaboration with the world-renowned Firehouse Productions, VTX F Series features a premium transducer upgrade of a tried-and-tested design that has always delivered for their most demanding clients. Ideal for point-and-shoot fill, F12 and F15 are a perfect sound design complement to VTX V25 due to the sonic consistency provided by common large format D2 driver technology. When paired with the F18S subwoofer, F12 and F15 provide a premium-quality, compact Front-of-House or Sidefill Monitoring solution and with their clean lines, F-Series is perfectly suited for demanding tour sound stage monitoring requirements. Standard pole mount socket, M10 mount points and an optional U-bracket accessory allow VTX F Series to be used in a wide variety of distributed fill applications – you name it – F Series is a versatile sound design tool.

Five Key Features

1. FILL For point-and-shoot fill such as stereo in-/out-fill, F12 and F15 are a perfect sound design complement to VTX V25 due to the sonic consistency provided by common large format D2 driver.

2. FOH Standalone (pole-mounted) or when paired with the F18S subwoofer, F12 and F15 provide a premium-quality, compact Front-of-House or Sidefill Monitoring system.

3. FLOOR MONITOR With their clean lines, high performance components and dedicated V5 processing, F-Series loudspeakers are perfectly suited for demanding tour sound stage monitoring requirements.

4. FLEXIBLE Standard pole mount socket and M10 mount points along with an optional U-bracket accessory allow F Series to be used in a wide variety of distributed fill applications – you name it – F Series is a versatile sound design tool.

5. FIREHOUSE F Series is a design collaboration between JBL Professional and the world-renowned Firehouse Productions. VTX F Series is a premium transducer upgrade of a tried-and-tested design that has always delivered for Firehouse and their most demanding tour sound clients.

 

 

 

• Download JBL VTX F-Series Brochure
• Visit JBL VTX F-Series web page 

 

JBL Professional is distributed in the UKROI by Sound Technology Ltd. For more information please call 01462 480000, info@soundtech.co.uk

 

 

Soundcraft Vi1 for Epstein Theatre

Soundcraft became associated with the famous name of Brian Epstein, the Beatles’ legendary manager, when a Vi1 digital mixing desk was recently installed in the Liverpool Theatre that bears his name.

Ever since 1913 this landmark venue in Hanover Street — formally known as Cranes Music Hall, Cranes Theatre and most recently The Neptune Theatre — has provided live entertainment to the city’s residents.

Following a £1.2 million refurbishment — and rebrand as The Epstein Theatre — it has celebrated its centenary by commissioning a permanently installed sound reinforcement system, courtesy of locally-based installer/distributors Adlib Audio, who had previously been supplying on a long-term rental basis.

With the capacity to seat 410 on its two levels, and a new Soundcraft Vi1 at front-of-house, technical manager Tony Carter is delighted that audiences will now be treated to a consistent sonic experience.

“We had been hiring in from Adlib Audio and using desks like the Soundcraft Si Performer and Si Compacts — which I loved. But we needed to step up and have now purchased our own system,” he confirmed.

Tony was already familiar with the Vi1, having used it at various festivals. He discussed the idea with Adlib Audio MD, Andy Dockerty, who has worked closely with the theatre since the beginning, and the order was placed.

“I always knew the Vi1 was the right desk for us,” he says. “Because we present such a variety of performance — from tribute bands, comedy, serious theatre, kids events etc — the desk needed to be versatile and intuitive.”

Tony Carter recalls last Christmas panto season — featuring a Big Brother winner — when they used a giant analogue desk and wishing he had been able to programme the mutes as cues to excise some of the graphic language. “That was when we realised we needed to go digital to take us to the next stage.”

The Vi1 package enables 32 channels of analogue input to 27 analogue outputs, plus six digital inputs, four stereo FX returns and six digital outputs in a compact chassis. “This enables us to assign six channels of monitors from FOH, which is extremely easy to do,” continues Carter. “We’ve never needed a separate monitor desk.

“In addition, being able to store presets for different performances — such as the panto season — makes the job a lot easier. The desk is so intuitive and it’s easy to programme cues so there is a lot less to go wrong.”

Although Adlib Audio provided the Soundcraft solution — as well as a premium PA system — hands on training was scarcely needed. “We generally set a generic patch and then tweak it according to the event. With longer runs like panto we will use snapshots but with a one-off event we will mix on the fly. It’s an easy desk to walk up to.”

Finally, he states that the venue has never sounded so good. “It’s a 100 year old theatre — a nice acoustic building which is sonically now even better. The sound of the desk, is fantastic; the I/O count is more than adequate and we've not had a show yet in which the capacity has been stretched!

“As a result, we now have a little AV area in the stalls, including the lighting desk, which can double as a stage management position — and with the Vi1, it frees up about a third of the old analogue desk space required.”

In conclusion, he says, “I can’t speak highly enough of this desk and everyone who has used it says the same.”

And Adlib Audio sales manager, Nick Turner, who processed the sale, adds, “Customers also like Soundcraft for its reliability — which has been tried and tested over the years. It’s one of the most reliable desks we’ve got and the back-up we receive from Soundcraft and Sound Technology [the exclusive UK and Ireland Harman Professional distributors] is second to none. This, in turn, means that we can support [the desk] a lot easier.”

Soundcraft is distributed in the UK/ROI by Sound Technology Ltd.  For more information please call Sound Technology Ltd on 01462 480000 or visit www.soundtech.co.uk/soundcraft and www.soundcraft.com

Related Links

• Epstein Theatre
• Soundcraft Vi1
• AdLib Audio
• Sound Technology Ltd

Sandown Park converts to BSS Soundweb London

RaceTech extends racecourse upgrade to superior digital platform

A little over a decade ago, RaceTech’s Head of Audio Engineering, Robin Dibble, systematically started placing the UK’s racecourses onto a BSS Soundweb digital audio network. However, with the improvement of algorithms, sampling rates and processing speed, the trusty old Soundweb SW9088’s, affectionately-known as the ‘Green’ boxes, slowly made way for a sleeker, supercharged series, with greater I/O flexibility, known as Soundweb London. The most recent high profile racecourse to benefit has been Sandown Park.

Photo above: Sandown Park, now equipped with a BSS Soundweb London audio network

“We had already quoted for the upgrade back in 2010, when we knew the ‘Green’ boxes were going to become obsolete, but we were only recently given the go-ahead to proceed,” said Dibble.

From the installer’s point of view it offers a number of advantages, he says. “Soundweb London devices provide increased processing power and more flexibility. They are easier to use and have better EQ. From the client’s point of view they run over Crestron touch screens which makes it much easier than the old system.”

In a straight swap-out, Robin Dibble has specified four fixed-format BLU-100’s, offering 12 inputs and 8 outputs. These are used with a BLU-120 and BLU-BOB break-out, which provides an additional eight outputs. This gives the facility a matrix capacity of 48 inputs and 48 outputs.

Photo above:  BSS BLU-100 network audio processor

Sandown will depend heavily on that hub as they operate a thriving multi-purpose venue. Aside from the paging system and race day sound coverage they also host conferences, corporate entertainment, exhibitions and other events (including wedding receptions).

Photo above:  Multi-purpose space at Sandown Park

Robin Dibble confirms that all the premier racecourses (where the BSS DSP solution was fitted) have now been converted to the Soundweb London backbone.

BSS Audio is distributed in the UK/ROI by Sound Technology Ltd.

Software updates for Soundcraft Si Compact and Si Expression/Performer

Si Compact V3.0 software and Si Expression/Si Performer V1.5 software are now available for download.

Version 3.0 of Si Compact software provides several upgraded features including: six (6) stereo busses, stereo matrices, pre/post selection per channel per bus, and fully customisable fader layers. Version 3.0 also brings full show compatibility with Si Expression and Si Performer shows.*

Version 1.5 of Si Expression and Si Performer software includes software improvements and support for the upcoming release of V2.0 of the ViSi remote app. Si Compact V3.0 also includes support for ViSi V2.0.

All console software updates are accessed from the appropriate product page of the Soundcraft web site: www.soundcraft.com. To access the software downloads, go to www.soundcraft.com/downloads/software.aspx and select the appropriate console.

* Old Si Compact shows created on version 2.3 and earlier will not be compatible with version 3.0.

Dante Interfacing for Soundcraft Si Series Consoles

The Soundcraft® Dante™ option card is now available for  Si Compact, Si Performer and Si Expression Series consoles. The card provides a 64 x 64 interface to any Dante compatible device from Harman or other 3rd party manufacturer.

Dante provides a digital audio network that uses standard Internet Protocols over both 100Mbps and 1 Gigabit Ethernet. Dante uses audio independent, high accuracy network synchronization standards to ensure all Dante devices are synchronized at all times. Dante runs on inexpensive off the shelf computer networking hardware, and does not require dedicated network infrastructure.

The Audinate® Dante Virtual Soundcard software allows connection of a PC/Mac to a Dante audio network. This system allows the computer to record from and playback to the Dante network using most common DAW packages. Dante Virtual Soundcard uses the Ethernet port on the computer to communicate with the Dante network; all that is required is the installation of the Dante Virtual Soundcard software.

Additional information about the Dante system including the latest software set-up and tools may be found on the Audinate® web site http://www.audinate.com/.

New Soundcraft® Multi Digital card now available for Si Compact, Performer and Expression Consoles

With the Soundcraft® Multi Digital card installed in a console, live recording couldn't be simpler! Standard mic/line input sources can be recorded through an Si Compact, Performer or Expression Console via the multi-digital card to a DAW or similar. This simple yet powerful solution is suitable for recording live gigs but is equally at home in the studio.

The Multi Digital card offers digital audio connection between an Si Series* console and Apple® Mac® enabled with Firewire (1394), or PC enabled with USB or Firewire. Audio capability across the Firewire or USB link is 32 channels in and 32 channels out at 48KHz. In addition to the Firewire/USB ports, the Multi Digital card provides 8 further channels of ADAT in and out at 48KHz. These additional channels expand the connectivity further for functions such as input or output expansion with any ADAT-compatible I/O device.

Connection and setup of the card to a PC is made simple with the use of the Soundcraft digital audio driver and associated control panel which can be downloaded from the Si Expression webpage at http://www.soundcraft.com/products/product.aspx?pid=191.

Firewire connection to a Mac requires no software or drivers.

*excluding Si1,2,3 or '+' plus variants