HARMAN's Soundcraft Continues "Mixing with Professionals" Program With Dates in New York and Pennsylvania Featuring Monty Lee Wilkes

NEW YORK, New York - HARMAN's Soundcraft is continuing its highly successful "Mixing with Professionals" program this May with new dates in New York City and Reading, Pennsylvania. Veteran front of house engineer Monty Lee Wilkes will host the workshops, scheduled for May 8 and 9.

The first session is scheduled for May 8 at Dale Pro Audio in New York City, continuing on to Sigmet Corporation's headquarters in Reading on May 9. Each day will feature two identical sessions (9 AM-Noon or 2 PM-6 PM).

Wilkes has been working in the live entertainment industry since the age of 15, having served as FOH engineer for a number of legendary artists that include The Replacements, Nirvana, Prince and The Smithereens. In recent years, Wilkes has been the FOH engineer for The Scissor Sisters, The B-52's, Jessica Simpson and R. Kelly.

"Monty is one of the most accomplished FOH engineers in the industry and his commitment to excellence goes hand-in-hand with our philosophy here at Soundcraft," said Katy Templeman-Holmes of Soundcraft Studer. "We are looking forward to meeting with attendees to learn more about their needs as technicians and engineers, while providing the opportunity for Monty to share his invaluable experience from working with such a broad range of accomplished artists!"

"Mixing with Professionals" attendance is free, registration is online at http://usa.soundcraft.com/mwp/events.aspx. The events are open to professionals wanting to learn more about the Soundcraft Vi Series digital consoles, those making the transition from analog to digital consoles, new engineers and others.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

I Mix the Songs: Front of House Engineer Ken Newman Chooses a HARMAN Soundcraft Vi6 Digital Console for Barry Manilow Tour

NORTHRIDGE, California - Barry Manilow needs no introduction as one of the most popular and recognizable artists of all time. His hits include "Could It Be Magic," "Mandy," Copacabana," "I Write the Songs," "Looks Like We Made It," "Can't Smile Without You" and many others, with sales of more than 80 million records worldwide. On February 29, Manilow kicked off his first US tour of the decade with a HARMAN Soundcraft Vi6 digital console as the front of house console for the tour. Eighth Day Sound Systems is providing the console for the tour.

"In mixing this show I have to make it sound exactly the way Barry wants it to," said Ken Newman, FOH engineer for the tour and owner of Newman Audio, Inc. "While some artists leave the sound to their engineers, Barry is very involved in rehearsal and sound check and will sit right next to me and tell me exactly how he wants to hear something. He is very particular about what should be heard because he put together many of the arrangements and wants the audience to feel the music the way it is intended to be felt."

"We're using a trimmed-down band setup, but we want it to sound like we have 30 to 40 musicians," continued Newman, who worked with Manilow from 1992 through 2002 as his FOH mixer. "As a result, the biggest challenge of mixing this show is keeping up with the changes of a very active mix. There's always something that needs attention. The logical layout and five illuminated touchscreens of the Vi6 make this part of the job much easier."

"Another key aspect is that the reverb has to be right," Newman continued. "It's critically important to him and has to sound good no matter what the venue. If I turn on the console and I don't have the reverb up, Barry will say it sounds wrong. If the reverb is up and it sounds right, he is happy."

Newman had to get ready for rehearsals quickly-and use a digital live console for the first time. "The last time I toured with Barry the console was analog, and from 2002 to 2011 when I was working for a corporate events firm I spent most of my time working on analog and smaller digital consoles," Newman noted. "When I got the call for the tour, I wondered how I was going to be able to do it."

The console selection process was quite involved, Newman pointed out. "I knew it would be totally impractical to use an analog console for the tour, and I looked at a number of digital consoles and what other music shows were using," Newman said. "I didn't feel confident that I'd be able to get the sound I was looking for with some of the consoles, as their internal effects and processing were marginal at best. With others, the control surfaces just weren't going to cut it for an old analog guy like me. Some consoles seemed too complicated to learn in the short time I had, or were just not the right 'fit' for me."

Newman asked the advice of Dave Lawler of Docktrdave Audio Inc. of Burbank, California. "My friend Dave Lawler suggested the Soundcraft Vi6. I could immediately see how operator-friendly it was with its five display screens, three user-configurable input fader configurations and other features. For me it was like the time I got my first Macintosh computer in 1984 after having used DOS-based computers."

"I need to see what is going on one channel at a time, and the Vi6 offers great access to everything and not limiting me when I'm mixing, in a console that's so nicely sized," Newman added. "The Vi6 is also intuitive enough where if I don't know exactly how to do something at first, I can figure it out easily enough."

"I'm using all 64 inputs from the stage, as well as the majority of the local rack inputs and outputs," Newman pointed out. "I'm using the board's internal processing for most of the inputs, and I have two external tube audio compressors for the main and spare vocal mics. I'm using some other external effects because they're the exact same units I had for the 2002 Manilow tour and I'm familiar with them. Given time and rehearsals, I might be able to eliminate some of those effects because the Vi6's built-in Lexicon effects, compressors and gates sound so great."

"This tour is the first time I've used the Soundcraft Vi6 for anything! Talk about putting something to the test - but I feel like I've found a new friend in the Vi6, and I look forward to using it for many years to come.


For more information on Eighth Day Sound Systems, please visit www.8thdaysound.com

For more information on Newman Audio, Inc., please visit www.newmanaudio.com

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

HARMAN's AKG HSC And HSD Headsets Recognized As Best Of Show At NAB 2012 By ProSoundNetwork

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - Following favorable reviews while showcasing its broadcast technology, HARMAN's AKG HSC and HSD professional headset line has been recognized as the Best Of Show by ProSoundNetwork's team of editors at NAB 2012.  The four models, two condenser mics - HSC 171 and HCS 271- and two dynamic mics - HSD 171 and HSC 271- meet the high demand for efficient and reliable equipment in the broadcast industry. 

The models' signature features, which include detachable cables, optional available cables and connector types, impressed the wide range of attendees visiting the HARMAN booth, leading to the honor.   The models also feature a flexible microphone arm, with a 210-degree arc.  When the mic is adjusted to a vertical position, it automatically mutes, while the headphones are powered down once they are taken off, by a headband switch.  The headsets are convertible for left or right address. 

AKG continues to design and manufacture high-grade, quality and reliable professional audio and broadcast equipment and the Best Of Show award from ProSoundNetwork is a testament to this commitment," stated Thomas Stubics, product marketing manager, AKG.  "AKG has raised the bar for the broadcast industry, which continuously offers the latest in equipment on a regular basis.  We are honored to be recognized as one of the leaders in the broadcast realm and thank ProSoundNetwork for the distinction."

AKG HSC and HSD headsets incorporate features that have been directly requested by professional users and offer excellent comfort, optimum ambient noise reduction and outstanding audio quality.  All four models have a closed-back earpiece design for high ambient noise attenuation and signal isolation. The HSC 271 and HSD 271 are circum-aural (full-size) and the HSC 171 and HSD 171 are supra-aural (on ear) designs.

For more information on AKG and the Best of Show Award, please visit http://www.akg.com or click here for a PDF description.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

Pick Of The Hits - AKG in Sound On Sound, May 2012

Pick Of The Hits - DigiTech in Music Inc, May 2012

 

MediaCom and DAT Provide Full HARMAN Upgrade To Luxury Radisson BLU Hotel In Tunisia

NORTHRIDGE, California - The five-star Radisson BLU Hotel, located in Tunisia, recently completed a full upgrade of their audio system to coincide with a comprehensive renovation. Local HARMAN distributor MediaCom SA designed a system including JBL, Crown, and BSS Audio components with the installation handled by local contractor, DAT. Situated on the resort island of Djerba, the luxury hotel's upgrades include new bars, restaurants, conference rooms and a spa.

For sound reinforcement MediaCom SA chose JBL Control 24CT loudspeakers, the Control 19CS 8" ceiling bass driver, as well as Control 25AV surface-mount speakers. Four of the conference rooms were equipped with the JBL Control 200 series, favoring the ultra-wide ceiling speaker coverage from the 6.5" coaxial drivers. Control 226C's, with integrated back can, were featured in the hotel's conference room. Control 227C's were deployed in the remaining rooms. The lobby, spa, and pool areas also utilized the Control 226C's.

The JBL speakers were assigned to a combination of six Crown CTs 8200A and two Crown CTs 4200A amplifiers. This system was networked with HARMAN HiQnet System Architect(tm), which allowed the amplifiers to deliver comprehensive monitoring and control functionality along with digital audio transport. Additionally, all signal processing in the new areas of the hotel is handled by BSS Audio Soundweb London devices.

Commenting on the system MediaCom chairman, Ridha Ourzli stated, "This audio solution provides great ease of use for the technical staff, the hotel's technical engineer can receive full system feedback and diagnostics on the networked audio system from his computer."

Ourzli added that since DAT are regular customers of HARMAN brands, their familiarity with the systems made the integration straightforward. "The client is delighted, and extremely satisfied with the solution we have provided."

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

HARMAN's Studer Continues UK Broadcast Academy Training Sessions

POTTERS BAR, United Kingdom -Studer is continuing its well-received Studer Broadcast Academy program with training sessions for its Vista and OnAir digital mixing consoles. The free, half-day seminars will be held on May 10, July 12 and September 27 at the Soundcraft Studer facility in Potters Bar, United Kingdom. The training will be particularly useful for freelance engineers and in-house engineers with little or no experience with Vista or OnAir consoles.

Ex-BBC sound engineer Micky Curling will be conducting the sessions in Studer's dedicated studios. They will provide a unique opportunity for attendees to get practical instruction and hands-on experience with the various consoles that are installed at the facility. To ensure that everyone has plenty of time to learn the capabilities of the consoles, the sessions will be limited to no more than six people per session.

Lunch, as well as morning and afternoon refreshments, will be provided. Participants will also be given a tour of the advanced production facilities where Studer consoles are manufactured, and visit the company's on-site museum that houses classic Studer tape machines and Soundcraft mixing consoles dating back to the 1950s.

The dates and times for the seminars are as follows:

May 10, 2012 - Introduction to Vista (morning session)
May 10, 2012 - Introduction to OnAir (afternoon session)
July 12, 2012 - Introduction to Vista (morning session)
July 12, 2012 - Introduction to OnAir (afternoon session)
September 27, 2012 - Introduction to Vista (morning session)
September 27, 2012 - Introduction to OnAir (afternoon session)

In the near future, Studer will also be offering in-depth, full-day training on the Vista series consoles. Two levels are currently planned:

Vista Foundation: includes a product overview, use of the Vistonics(tm) user interface and general operation, connection with third-party networks including OPTOCORE and Aviom(r), and integration with Riedel's RockNet and MediaNet.

Vista Intermediate: will cover more advanced topics including detailed examination of the console's DSP functions, I/O formats, Virtual Vista remote control and system redundancy.

To register for a session, please visit the following website: http://www.studer.ch/support/training_UK_registration.aspx

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

Berlin's Event Cinema Adds World-Class Audio System With HARMAN's JBL ScreenArray(r) Cinema Loudspeakers

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - The Event Cinema in Berlin's Sony Center at Potsdamer Platz recently upgraded its sound system with HARMAN's JBL 5742 ScreenArray(r) 4-way cinema loudspeakers, effectively raising its standards for audio quality. The Event Cinema at the Sony Center is the flagship cinema of the Cinestar chain, which has more than 500 screens in Europe.

The 5742 ScreenArray incorporates patented SSC(tm) Screen Spreading Compensation, which corrects for the high-frequency dispersion of a perforated movie screen when the speakers are placed behind the screen. The 5742's Focused Coverage Technology provides an asymmetrical coverage pattern tilted 10 degrees downward from horizontal to deliver uniform coverage in every seat.

In addition, the JBL 5742 ScreenArray cinema loudspeaker features a 4-inch titanium high-frequency compression driver operating in conjunction with a patented Optimized Aperture waveguide for uniform frequency response over a large area. The 5742 has a quad midrange array of four 8-inch Differential Drive(r) cone midrange drivers and the low-frequency section features two 18-inch woofers. It also has a shallow profile to accommodate minimum behind the screen depth requirements, and a Flat Front Waveguide design for easy baffle wall installation.

The Event Cinema at the Sony Center features three 5742 loudspeakers behind the screen. To accommodate multiple needs, the cinema also features 12 SRX725F high-performance PA loudspeakers to create an immersive audio experience.

A total of 16 Crown I-Tech 5000 HD amplifiers power the system with a total capacity of 80 kW, of which two are for each front-end system (four amplifier channels), six SRX725F (one amplifier channel per speaker) and four for the sub-bass (one channel per sub-bass). The I-Tech 5000 HD amplifiers feature Omnidrive HD DSP processing to handle the signal processing for each individual loudspeaker, including crossover functions.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

Santa Monica's Lotus Post Positions Itself for Success With HARMAN's JBL ScreenArray(r) Loudspeakers and LSR Series Studio Monitors

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - Located in the heart of Santa Monica, California, Lotus Post offers a broad range of audio services for movies, TV and music recording. In its new 6,000-square-foot facility with six post-production studios and another in the works, Lotus Post relies on HARMAN's JBL ScreenArray(r) cinema loudspeakers and LSR Series studio monitors for film projects including Outrun, The Fighter, Thor, plus TV projects for Fox, Discovery Channel and Speed TV.

"Our mission is to be the best independent audio post facility in Los Angeles and offer an environment that fosters quality and creativity," said Michael Perricone, CEO of Lotus Post. "We handle a variety of projects from feature films to promos to surround music mixing, with budgets ranging from $10,000 to $10 million."

JBL ScreenArray loudspeakers are created to provide extended frequency response, wide dynamic range and smooth, even coverage to every seat in a theater. JBL's LSR Series studio monitors provide high-resolution near field monitoring and feature technology that ensures accuracy at the mix position in any room. The use of JBL studio monitors in conjunction with JBL ScreenArray gives Lotus Post room-to-room consistency for mixes that consistently translate perfectly to theaters and homes.

"Every room at Lotus Post is designed to take advantage of today's audio technology to the maximum," Perricone noted. "We have to have sound we can believe in. The quality of our mixes can only be as good as the quality of what we're hearing-that's why it's crucial for us to have speakers that don't cut corners sonically."

"With our JBLs, I can believe what I'm hearing-there's no coloration, nothing to make the sound more 'exciting' than it really is," Perricone added. "JBL ScreenArray loudspeakers are used in movie theaters all over the world, and what we hear in Stage One is what we know people are going to hear when they go to the movies."

"A friend of mine had a pair of JBL LSR studio monitors and I heard them a few years ago and liked them very much," Perricone added. "When we started Lotus Post at our original space in 2009, we took over a facility that already had JBL ScreenArray loudspeakers in two of the rooms. After working with these speakers and getting such consistently good results, we decided to equip every room with JBL systems when we moved Lotus Post to our new facility in Santa Monica."

"The great thing about the LSR Series monitors," Perricone concluded, "is that they do the same thing-the same quality of sound we hear in our post-production rooms translates to the big theaters. Also, thanks to their RMC Room Mode Correction, I can go from room to room in our facility and know that I'm going to hear absolutely consistent sound, with no surprises."

Lotus Post has outfitted six of its rooms-Stages One through Six-with a range of models from the LSR6300 Series studio monitor line, plus JBL ScreenArray and cinema surround speakers in Stage One (Lotus Post's "Big Room") and cinema surround speakers in Stage Two.

For more information on Lotus Post, please visit www.lotuspost.com

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

Pick Of The Hits - AKG in Recording Magazine, May 2012

DutchView's New OB Van Hits the Road With a HARMAN Studer Vista 9 Console

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - With more than 1,500 television productions per year including The Voice, The Winner Is, F-1 Silverstone and DWDD, DutchView is the leading broadcaster in the Netherlands. Whether recording these programs in one of its 14 studios or on location, DutchView often relies on HARMAN's Studer digital consoles for high-quality sound mixing.

In 2007, DutchView equipped its DV2 OB van with a Studer Vista 8 for medium-sized productions. In 2010, DutchView added a Studer Vista 5 console at its Westergas Fabriek studio, from which two of the Netherlands' most popular primetime daily talk shows are broadcast.

In 2011, Heynen bv (Studer's supplier in the Netherlands) and DutchView came to an agreement for the upcoming years regarding the delivery of Studer digital mixing consoles. The choice for Studer was based on good pricing and a strong brand, but most of all it was based on DutchView's positive experiences with its previous Studer Vista consoles. In February, DutchView outfitted its new DV8 OB van with a 62-fader Vista 9 console-one of three Vista consoles it plans to add to its new OB vans in the near future.

The brand-new DV8 OB van is designed to serve a wide variety of customers in both low and high-end productions. DutchView is very pleased with the routing and layering capabilities of Studer digital consoles, especially in combination with providing the highest possible sound quality levels for any digital console. DutchView also finds the intuitive "analogue approach" of Vista consoles very attractive.

With 62 faders, DutchView is able to have all of its important sources directly on the faders, including EQ, dynamics and panning. In combination with FaderGlow and Vistonics(tm), this gives most audio engineers the ability to work in an intuitive and familiar manner. This is crucial when preparation time is getting shorter by the day.

Another advantage of the Vista 9 is its ability to handle a lot of different feeds, which is needed for huge events like Domino Day, where 30 receivers and 140 microphones were used. In these cases, the Studer compact stage box is also a good asset, especially for controlling the preamps directly from the desk surface.

The audio section in the OB van is very spacious, providing enough room for a professional 5.1 surround sound system. It even provides plenty of room for extra individuals, such as music directors, to sit comfortably. DutchView also adheres to the Loudness Recommendation EBU 128. "Thanks to the Vista 9, the DV8 OB van is very versatile and able to cover almost all types of broadcasts, including sports, festivals, entertainment, music or even a combination of these," said Peter Slot of DutchView. "In many cases, this will even save us from needing several OB's on the road to do just one job."

DutchView is very involved in Sustainable Broadcasting. By implementing all kinds of different innovative solutions the DV8 uses up to 40 percent less energy than comparable OB vans. This is possible by using more fibre optics instead of copper, a low emission engine, a balanced cooling system and the use of LED lightning. In turn, DutchView is pleased that both Heynen bv and Studer share the company's philosophy on Sustainable Broadcasting to help maintain the highest standards of quality and environmental responsibility.

At this moment, Studer is already building a second Vista 9 for the DV9 OB van, which will be identical to the DV8. It is expected to hit the road sometime in the second half of 2012. With these new OB vans and the intensive technical support of both Heynen and Studer, DutchView will continue its leading trend-setting role in the Dutch broadcast landscape.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

HARMAN's AKG Relaunches Classic Project Studio Line Of Condenser Microphones - C4500 BC Broadcast Mic Debuts At NAB

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - Originally launched in 1993, HARMAN's AKG C3000 condenser microphone brought a remarkable level of quality and performance to musicians and sound engineers with a foundation of audio perfection and reliability. With the C2000, C4000 and C4500 BC debuting in the following years, the Project Studio Line was born. Nearly 20 years later, AKG's has relauched the Project Studio Line, with a cost-effective, aesthetically beautiful set of mics, channelling the popular characteristics it maintained in the '90s.

The revamped Project Studio Line's C4500 BC is specially designed for on-air broadcast purposes. The mic is designed with cardioid pickup and offers legendary AKG sound quality thanks to its edge-terminated large diaphragm condenser capsule. The low proximity effect and the integrated multilayer pop-filter ensure best results even with lively speakers. Its low noise and 165dB maximum SPL capability make it an ideal tool for close micing of low instruments, such as bass drums, low brass and guitar amps as well.

"AKG's new Project Studio Line takes a fresh look at a technology that has stayed true to the audio industry for 20 years, which is testament to the quality and reliability of our world-leading microphones," stated Thomas Stubics, product marketing manager, recording and broadcast, AKG. "The C4500 BC's relaunch will offer a comfortable and reliable solution for any on-air micing or voice over application with amazingly clear and high-quality results."

The entire Project Studio Line's revamped mics apply to multiple facets of the live sound and recording industry, in addition to C4500 BC's broadcast capabilities. The C3000 is best used for miking lead vocals, electric and acoustics guitars and for drum overhead applications. Its switchable attenuation pad and low-cut filter enable high SPL up to 150dB and eliminates proximity effects.

The C2000 small-diaphragm condenser sounds like a real large-diaphragm microphone but at a more affordable price. It is ideal for vocals, brass and percussions thanks to its great transient response and remarkable low end. Its low-noise electronics ensure low distortion and a high dynamic range.

The C4000's high-performance, multi-pattern, large-diaphragm design provides exceptionally high headroom and low self-noise. With one of the widest dynamic ranges for condenser mics, the microphone provides users with excellent results in the studio or on stage. Its warm, dark-sounding character is perfect for thin vocals, bright brass and acoustic guitars.

For more information about AKG, please visit http://www.akg.com and http://www.youtube.com/AKGacoustics.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

Swiss Parliament Upgrades Media Centre With HARMAN'S Studer OnAir 1500 Consoles

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - SRG SSR, the Swiss public radio and television broadcaster, has taken delivery of three new Studer OnAir 1500 12-channel, 6-fader consoles. These are designed to provide a flexible, compact solution for radio broadcasting and production.

Purchased from Dr.W.A.Günther Distribution, the HARMAN Professional distributor for Switzerland, two of the desks will be used in the TV studios in the Media Centre of the Swiss Parliament building in Berne, while the third will be used for mobile/location work-such as election nights or other major events.

Both desks are equipped with a MADI card and connected to the central Nexus TV audio router over a MADI fibre cable, to give them access to most of the audio sources in the house. Replacing two older consoles they are working alongside nine OnAir 3000 and two OnAir 2500 consoles in the Media Centre's Studer armory-part of a complement of 14 Studer digital audio mixing consoles specified when the Media Centre was originally built in mid-2006.

This production hub forms part of SRG SSR National Services. According to Broadcast Systems Engineer, Werner Isch, these studios produce radio and television news broadcasts from Parliament, along with local news from the region of Berne, Freiburg and Wallis, for five enterprise units-Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF), Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS), Radiotelevisione Svizzera (RSI), Radiotelevisiun Svizra Rumantscha (RTR) and Swissinfo.

"In other words," Isch said, "we are house broadcasters for the Swiss Parliament. The Federal Parliament Media Centre records all debates in the National Council and theCouncil of States (the two houses of Parliament). Recordings can be followed live when Parliament is in session, while in addition to the activities of the executive and the legislature, SRG SSR provides coverage of 400 governmental press conferences annually."

Located within the Media Centre are a large 10-camera, 230-square-meter TV studio and three small single-camera Duplex studios, dealing with everything from live news to pre-production of MPs' speeches. The new OnAir 1500 consoles in Duplex studios 1 and 2 follow a third, larger Duplex studio, built in 2010, which houses a Studer OnAir 2500.

Isch added that it had been logical to upgrade with the Studer platform, since the 80-year-old organisation has worked with fellow Swiss manufacturers for at least half of that period.

The OnAir 1500 consoles also boast a similar operating concept as the OnAir 2500 and OnAir 3000, which provided a further compelling reason for this latest purchase. "We needed a 6-fader console with a small footprint that would be easy to use for both live and pre-production. Last year we tested a prototype of the OnAir 1500-and found the quality to be excellent," he said.

The incoming and outgoing feeds from Duplex 1 and 2 are transmitted over the fibre network and the Nexus audio router to the OnAir 1500 consoles. Other inputs include two microphones, servers and telephone lines (ISDN codec).

"All the users are happy with this purchase," Isch concluded. "The OnAir 1500 consoles are easy to use and offer a good price/performance ratio."

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

HARMAN's Studer Vista Consoles Get Integral Lexicon(r) FX

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - Users of HARMAN's Studer Vista consoles can now opt to add up to 24 channels of Lexicon Effects to their console with the release of the VISTA FX engine. The VISTA FX unit contains 8 channels of FX, and three units may be cascaded to allow up to 24 different mono channels per console.

Not only does each 2U lightweight VISTA FX unit provide the equivalent of 2 renowned and revered Lexicon PCM96 devices, but control and assignment of the effects and their parameters is all accomplished via the Vistonics(tm) user interface. Both real-time operation and snapshot-based control can be achieved through the touch-screen based system. The unit can be configured to provide 8 mono, 4 stereo or 2 surround signals; with hundreds of different presets available to the operator.

Additionally, BSS 30-band graphic equalizers are available for input channels, groups, masters and auxiliaries, with control of the bands either via the Vistonics rotary controls or via the faders on the console. Users can choose the starting band position on the fader bank to provide the most convenient location for the graphic EQ control. On the Vista 9, the FaderGlow(tm) turns red on the controlling faders to indicate that they are in EQ mode.

The option is available as an upgrade for all Studer Vista consoles which utilise the SCore Live DSP core.

Other new products from Studer at NAB include the new Studer Vista 1 Compact mixing console, Vista Compact Remote bay, RTW TM7 Metering Option for Vista consoles and an Axia Livewire(tm) AoIP card for the D21m system.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

Pick Of The Hits - Lexicon in Sound On Sound, May 2012

Camp Digital Is On the Move With HARMAN Soundcraft Vi4(tm) Console In Its New Thunderbolt HD Production Truck

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - Camp Digital is a partnership of Nashville video production professionals who created the full-service mobile video production company four years ago. In early 2012, Camp Digital's fleet got bigger and better with the company's new Thunderbolt HD truck, equipped with a HARMAN Soundcraft Vi4 digital mixing console.

Camp Digital specializes in music and entertainment events for television, home video and non-traditional media including the Internet, tablets and wireless devices. The company's five partners have more than 100 years of combined experience in TV and video production.

"Our concept with the Thunderbolt HD truck, as has been the company's philosophy all along, is to be able to get in and out of spaces that a tractor trailer can't, provide the highest HD production quality and still be budget conscious," said Tom Gregory, vice president of Camp Digital. "This gives us the ability to do jobs that other production trucks can't touch. Add to that the fact that we're extremely sensitive to today's production budgets, we think we're a great solution for a broad range of clients and productions "

It's a philosophy that's working. Since turning out the Thunderbolt HD truck in January, Camp Digital has produced several "RAM Country" live music events for Yahoo! Music. Thunderbolt was in Indianapolis during the week of Super Bowl XLVI to produce performances by Pitbull and 50 Cent for "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and was recently on location for Ron White's second annual "Comedy Salute to the Troops," expected to air April 22 on CMT. This is also Camp Digital's fourth year working with ABC and the CMA Music Festival, capturing performances by Keith Urban and Kix Brooks.

With a schedule like that, there's no room for equipment that can't handle the mileage. Because of his positive experience from using the Vi4 in the JOURNEY HD truck, Camp Digital added the console to Thunderbolt HD's system. "When we first purchased the Vi4, we needed a console that had a conservative physical footprint but still had the ability to handle well over 48 inputs and did not compromise on quality or flexibility," Gregory noted. "The Vi4 has all the features we need and then some."

"The Vi4 has been absolutely bulletproof," Gregory added. "We've had zero issues with it on any level. For the Thunderbolt HD truck, we're connected with fiber optic cable to the stage box, which gives us more distance to work with, and everything run perfectly."

Camp Digital's clients also like the Vi4's ergonomics. "Jimmy Kimmel's crew flew out from LA to do the Super Bowl tapings and they had to use our Vi4," he said." They were not familiar with the Vi4 in particular, but had worked with Studer consoles in the past. In no time at all they were comfortable with the Vi4 because of its similarity to other Soundcraft and Studer models. They're all quite logical and straightforward to use."

"I know Soundcraft specifically designed the Vi4 to deliver flexibility and performance in a compact size," Gregory stated. "They succeeded. The Vi4 is tailor-made for situations like ours."

Camp Digital captures and produces music and entertainment events all across North America for a variety of television network and music industry clients. Camp Digital is a full-service production company that also owns/operates Thunderbolt HD, a state of the art 12 camera video production truck with 64 tracks of Pro Tools audio recording capability managed through the Soundcraft Vi4 audio console. For more information on Camp Digital visit www.campdigital.net or contact them directly at 615-826-0122.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

Santa Monica's Lotus Post Positions Itself for Success With HARMAN's JBL LSR Series Studio Monitors And ScreenArray(r) Loudspeakers

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - Located in the heart of Santa Monica, California, Lotus Post offers a broad range of audio services for movies, TV and music recording. In its new 6,000-square-foot facility with six post-production studios and another in the works, Lotus Post relies on HARMAN's JBL LSR Series studio monitors and ScreenArray(r) cinema loudspeakers for film projects including Outrun, The Fighter, Thor, plus TV projects for Fox, Discovery Channel and Speed TV.

"Our mission is to be the best independent audio post facility in Los Angeles and offer an environment that fosters quality and creativity," said Michael Perricone, CEO of Lotus Post. "We handle a variety of projects from feature films to promos to surround music mixing, with budgets ranging from $10,000 to $10 million."

"A friend of mine had a pair of JBL LSR studio monitors and I heard them a few years ago and liked them very much," Perricone added. "When we started Lotus Post at our original space in 2009, we took over a facility that already had JBL ScreenArray loudspeakers in two of the rooms. After working with these speakers and getting such consistently good results, we decided to equip every room with JBL systems when we moved Lotus Post to our new facility in Santa Monica."

JBL ScreenArray loudspeakers are created to provide extended frequency response, wide dynamic range and smooth, even coverage to every seat in a theater. JBL's LSR Series studio monitors provide high-resolution near field monitoring and feature technology that ensures accuracy at the mix position in any room. The use of JBL studio monitors in conjunction with JBL ScreenArray gives Lotus Post room-to-room consistency for mixes that consistently translate perfectly to theaters and homes.

"Every room at Lotus Post is designed to take advantage of today's audio technology to the maximum," Perricone noted. "We have to have sound we can believe in. The quality of our mixes can only be as good as the quality of what we're hearing-that's why it's crucial for us to have speakers that don't cut corners sonically."

"With our JBLs, I can believe what I'm hearing-there's no coloration, nothing to make the sound more 'exciting' than it really is," Perricone added. "JBL ScreenArray loudspeakers are used in movie theaters all over the world, and what we hear in Stage One is what we know people are going to hear when they go to the movies."

"The great thing about the LSR Series monitors," Perricone concluded, "is that they do the same thing-the same quality of sound we hear in our post-production rooms translates to the big theaters. Also, thanks to their RMC Room Mode Correction, I can go from room to room in our facility and know that I'm going to hear absolutely consistent sound, with no surprises."

Lotus Post has outfitted six of its rooms-Stages One through Six-with a range of models from the LSR6300 Series studio monitor line, plus JBL ScreenArray and cinema surround speakers in Stage One (Lotus Post's "Big Room") and cinema surround speakers in Stage Two.

For more information on Lotus Post, please visit www.lotuspost.com

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

HARMAN To Offer Regional HiQnet System Architect(tm) and JBL HiQnet Performance Manager(tm) Software Training Courses

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - In association with rep firm Robert Louis Associates, HARMAN's System Development and Integration Group (SDIG) today announced it is to offer in-person training sessions for its HiQnet System Architect(tm) and JBL HiQnet Performance Manager(tm) software in Pennsylvania and Ohio. The training will be lead by HARMAN Product Application Specialist Emilian Wojtowycz, an expert in the implementation of System Architect and Performance Manger for installed and live sound applications.

The training sessions will take place at the following dates and locations:

April 30th - May 1st: HiQnet System Architect, Pittsburgh, PA
May 2nd: JBL HiQnet Performance Manager, Columbus, OH
May 3rd - May 4th: HiQnet System Architect, Columbus, OH

HiQnet is a communications protocol that enables all the compatible devices in the audio signal path, from mixing consoles to loudspeakers, to seamlessly communicate with each other. System Architect 3 is the software used to set up and configure a HiQnet system, by means of a series of control panels that are displayed on a PC and can be customized by the user.

System Architect enables designers to configure and control an installed sound system, using the HiQnet communications protocol that enables all the compatible devices in the audio signal path, from mixing consoles to loudspeakers, to communicate with each other seamlessly. System Architect 3 features a system design philosophy centered on workflow and the use of a diagrammatic representation of the installed or live sound venue. Devices are arranged by both their physical and logical placement allowing the designer to 'educate' System Architect about how they are to be used. In return the software is able to provide automation of many of the laborious system design tasks for free.

Attendees of the System Architect courses will learn:
* Design workflow modes
* Overview of Ethernet AVB technology and AVB routing
* Comprehensive design workflow and system tools
* Custom and master panel creation
* Going online and networking
* Day-to-day operation

Both System Architect courses award attendees with 5.5 InfoComm CTS RU credits.

JBL HiQnet Performance Manager is a software application derived from the System Architect core code but tailored for live sound operation. It is designed to configure networked audio systems within performance venues such as theatre, house of worship, and corporate and other performance sound events. It dramatically reduces design time, simplifies networking and automates control interface configuration.

Attendees of the Performance Manager course will learn the way in which Performance Manager guides the configuration of system design workflow:



* Working with array templates and the JBL Line Array Calculator II tool
* Adding passive or powered speakers automatically
* Adding and associating amplifier racks automatically
* Simplified drag-and-drop networking
* Using the built-in test, tuning and calibration control interfaces
* Running and monitoring the system with the dedicated show mode

"System Architect and Performance Manager are two powerful tools that make the design, setup, and tuning of audio systems faster and more efficient than ever before. These training courses will provide attendees with the knowledge to harness these resources for their everyday use," stated Adam Holladay, Market Manager, HARMAN System Development and Integration Group.

For more details please visit http://hiqnet.harmanpro.com. To apply for a course, please visit Robert Louis Associates at http://www.4rla.com.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

HARMAN's AKG Expands Perception Series

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - With a large selection of microphones, ranging from dynamic models, condensers and wireless solutions for the stage and recording, HARMAN's AKG's Perception Series has built a strong reputation for quality, providing high-value to artists, producers and engineers since its launch in 2005. AKG's new Perception Headphone series extends the Perception line, offering an entire range of solutions for enthusiastic musicians, producers and engineers. Three new headphone models, the K44 Perception, K77 Perception and K99 Perception, deliver AKG sound quality, a great design and comfort level at an affordable price.

"It is AKG's continued mission to offer the greatest in professional audio to industry professionals and the Perception line completes our range of affordable, high-quality headphones and microphones," stated Thomas Stubics, product marketing manager, recording and broadcast, AKG. "The Perception over-ear models provide powerful, clear sound for accurate listening experiences in the studio, whether broadcasting a live sound performance or recording and mixing for taped events."

The over-ear, semi-closed design of the K44 Perception provides a powerful low end and clean highs for an excellent sound, ranging from project studios to home recording. The K77 Perception is an over-ear, semi-closed headphone with powerful and convincing sound at an amazing value - ready to use for home or project studios. Both products include comfortable leatherette ear pads and a self-adjusting headband for extended wear, without discomfort and a 3-meter fixed, straight cable and convertible jack.

K99's high-performance, over-ear, semi-open headphones combine excellent sound quality with an astounding price-to-performance ratio. Its large, 40mm speakers provide a natural, uncoloured sound, ideal for the studio. K99 Perception is lightweight and self-adjusting for a pleasant fit for long sessions.

For more information about AKG, please visit http://www.akg.com and http://www.youtube.com/AKGacoustics.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

HARMAN's Studer Announces Integration of EMBER Protocol with Studer(r) Vista Consoles at NAB 2012

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - At NAB this year, HARMAN's Studer will show how efficiently it can control newsroom playout or production automation systems with its full range of broadcast consoles, demonstrating the expanded integration of the Ember protocol into Studer Vista consoles at booth C2619 in addition to the existing inclusion in Studer's OnAir range of consoles.

The Ember protocol provides seamless integration of Studer Vista and OnAir series consoles with 3rd-party broadcast control systems & newsroom production automation systems. Such a workflow enables broadcasters to add and expand newscasting without adding overheads in newsroom operations, and improves workflow and newsgathering ability while retaining the ability to go to manual override for breaking news.

"Supporting the networking and routing needs of broadcasters is nothing new for us at Studer," said Katy Templeman-Holmes, Marketing Manager for Studer in the USA. "Some of the world's largest broadcasters have trusted Studer for over a decade to manage the integrity of their network operations with the Route 3000, Route 6000, Pro-Bel and now we will further support broadcasters' needs with the integration of Ember."

Ember is a control protocol implementation that allows many audio console settings to be controlled over TCP/IP, in addition to the Pro-Bel SW-P-08 protocol that is supported already. An additional bonus to broadcast is Ember's ability to support multi-connection setups, making it an excellent choice for installations requiring redundancy.
Ember connectivity allows the external equipment to transfer signal labels, and to control input channel gains, solo, mutes, plus AUX send levels and mutes, along with N-X (mix-minus) bus levels and mutes. Master channel levels and mutes can also be addressed along with Group and Aux master channels.

EMBER control is available across the range of Studer consoles, including the new compact OnAir 1500 console, so it can be used from large-scale public broadcast situations to small local stations according to budget.

EMBER will be shown with the Vista 5 series of consoles on the HARMAN Studer booth C2619 at the NAB show, in addition to the showcase of Studer's five other new products being launched at the show. The new Vista 1 Compact will also support EMBER, in turn presenting a robust all-in-one solution for broadcasters looking to cost-effectively consolidate their studio operations.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

HARMAN's Studer shows RTW Loudness Metering on Vista 9 at NAB

REGENSDORF, Switzerland - Following the agreement with RTW of Koeln announced in February, HARMAN's Studer will be showing the RTW TM7 meter implementation in its Vista 9 console at NAB 2012 on booth C2619. The TM7 meter was chosen as it perfectly complements Vistonics(tm), the simple and elegant touchscreen user interface that Vista customers know and love.

The TM7 meter custom presets provide Loudness Metering to EBU R 128 and ITU BS1770, as well as traditional bar graph and moving needle metering to many international standards. This Loudness Meter may be retrofitted to all Vista 9 consoles.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

HARMAN’s Studer Shows Axia Livewire™ AoIP Card Development at NAB 2012

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - HARMAN'S Studer is showing its commitment to integration of the Livewire AoIP standard at NAB with the first showing of the D21m interface card that may be used on Vista and OnAir console systems.

Livewire is the broadcast networking system that utilizes Ethernet to provide an easy way to route and share audio and logic throughout the broadcast plant. Under the Livewire Limitless License (L3) introduced this year, Studer is licensed to build a Livewire interface into any or all of its products, allowing instant one-cable connection to Axia networks and products from more than 30 other Livewire hardware and software partners.

"We decided to adopt the Livewire standard from Axia following consultation with many customers on our new product strategy," said Andy Trott, HARMAN's Vice President and General Manager of Mixers, Microphones and Headphones (Soundcraft, Studer and AKG). "Studer is embracing a very 'open standards' philosophy as we launch more and more broadcast systems and this is the first of many new partnership initiatives that we will be announcing over the next 18 months to provide our customers with increasing flexibility."

"Axia clients realize that the value of the network isn't the network itself-it's the variety of devices the network can connect to," says Axia President Michael "Catfish" Dosch. "The addition of Studer products to the already-impressive list of broadcast equipment that connects to Livewire underscores just how strongly broadcasters value standards-based networking."

Other new products from Studer at NAB include the new Studer Vista 1 Compact mixing console, Vista Compact Remote bay, VISTA FX Lexicon engine, RTW TM7 Metering Option for Vista consoles, and integral EMBER control protocol for Vista systems.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

Portable Remote Control for HARMAN Studer® Vista Consoles to be Unveiled at NAB 2012

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - There are often times when a console operator would like to be able to stand in any place in a venue and change console settings. For HARMAN Studer Vista users, that dream is about to become reality.

At NAB, Studer is unveiling its new Studer(r) Compact Remote Bay, a portable controller hardly larger than a laptop, but containing 12 motorised Penny & Giles faders and 40 rotary controls which link to a 19" touch-screen running Studer's Virtual Vista software. This emulates the console's acclaimed Vistonics(tm) user interface.

As well as remote operation the Compact Remote Bay may also be used to extend the main control surface for a second operator on large shows. It can even be used as a standalone controller for the Vista's DSP core should the control surface not be available, with the provision of connections for local 5.1 monitoring and a headphone output.
For portability and transit protection, the screen folds down over the control surface.

Other new products from Studer at NAB include the new Studer Vista 1 Compact mixing console, VISTA FX Lexicon engine, RTW TM7 Metering Option for Vista consoles integral EMBER control protocol and an Axia Livewire(tm) AoIP card for the D21m system.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

HARMAN's Studer Introduces Radically Lower-Priced Vista 1 Compact Console at NAB 2012

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - Spearheading an amazing lineup of no less than six new products from HARMAN's Studer at NAB is the Studer(r) Vista 1 Compact, a true Studer Vista console in a compact and low-cost configuration that will surprise many engineers. The new desk comes complete as a single chassis, with control surface, I/O connections and DSP all integral, considerably reducing weight and footprint.

The new desk is highly suited to both fixed and portable systems, such as newsrooms and game shows, while its compact size makes it a natural choice for OB and ENG vans, with a price under $80,000.

The Vista 1 is based largely on the Vista 5, so existing Vista users will be immediately familiar with all the functionality of the Vistonics(tm) user interface and Studer Vista control surface, plus features such as true broadcast monitoring, talkback, red light control, GPIO, N-x (Mix Minus) busses, snapshot automation and DAW control.

With an integral DSP engine of 96 channels, the Vista 1 can handle mono, stereo and 5.1 inputs with ease, and is provided with 32 mic/line inputs, 16 line outputs and eight stereo AES inputs and outputs on rear panel connections. Both 32-fader and 22-fader models are available.

I/O can be expanded using the standard Studer D21m card slot on the rear, to allow MADI, AES, AoIP, ADAT, TDIF, CobraNet, Dolby E/Digital, SDI connections etc. A MADI link can connect to any of the Studer Stagebox range for XLR connectivity as well as other formats.

New to the Vista family on the Vista 1 is an integral jingle player, played from audio files on a USB jingle stick (such as station ID or background FX), and triggered by a series of eight dedicated keys in the master section.

The Studer Vista 1 also features a redundant PSU for peace of mind, and RELINK integration with other Studer Vista and OnAir consoles means the Vista 1 can easily share signals across an entire console network.

Other new products from Studer at NAB include a new Vista Compact remote bay, Lexicon FX engine, RTW MT7 Metering Option for Vista consoles, EMBER broadcast/news automation control protocol and a Livewire AoIP card for the D21m system.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

Lady Antebellum Owns The Night and the Stage With a HARMAN Soundcraft Vi6™ Console

ESCONDIDO, California - Currently on an extensive 8-month tour with GRAMMY(r) Award-winning country sensation Lady Antebellum, southern California-based Sound Image is deploying a HARMAN Soundcraft Vi6 digital mixing console at the monitor position.

Lady Antebellum, an American country pop group formed in 2006 in Nashville, Tennessee, consists of Charles Kelley on vocals, Dave Haywood with background vocals, guitar and piano, and Hillary Scott who sings lead and background vocals. The group has won seven GRAMMY Awards, including the 2012 Best Country Album for Own The Night.

Sound Image, which has enjoyed great success with HARMAN and Soundcraft throughout the years, chose a Vi6 as the monitor console for its sonic quality and ease of use. Peter Bowman, Monitor Engineer for Lady Antebellum, was new to the Soundcraft Vi6 when he first started the tour, but has quickly adapted. "I didn't care about a learning curve," he stated. "If it sounds better I'll go with it. But it also didn't take long to become familiar with the console."

Bowman uses the console for stage monitoring, in-ear mixes, wedges and matrixes. "Everything is packaged well," Bowman said. "There is no effort needed to get great sound. The double patching capability lets me double up on a lot of outputs, adding even more flexibility."

With so much varied talent in Lady Antebellum, the console perfectly fits Bowman's needs to adjust settings quickly. "Everything is easy to set during sound check and little adjustments can be made quickly on the fly when needed," he noted. "The console displays two user-defined auxiliary outputs on each channel, which along with fader flip mode allows me to see and change all three of the principles mixes at once."

For Bowman, having the Lexicon(r) effects onboard only adds to the value of the desk, and setting the different layers with inputs makes it easy for some of Lady Antebellum's acoustic sets. "I can jump between user pages quickly, and having them in my set order helps me to know where everything is based on the inputs for a given song. Nothing is ever too complicated."

"The touchscreen is always easy to navigate and makes transitions simple," Bowman added. "With selectable recall parameters, I am able to use scenes effectively. I can set EQs and gains to follow the scene or be fixed, depending on whether I need changes made throughout the show to remain from scene to scene or not."

The support that Bowman and his team have received throughout the tour is only a motivator to stay with Soundcraft. "We had some terrible weather, which damaged the first console. The assistance in getting us a new console and back up and running couldn't have gone better. We didn't miss a beat."

For more information on Sound Image, please visit: http://www.sound-image.com/

Photo Caption #1: Lady Antebellum is currently on an 8-month tour with a Soundcraft Vi6 monitor console. (Photo Credit: Flickr user Kittysocks)


HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

Mike Phillips’ Saxophone Sounds Off The Wall For Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour With HARMAN’s AKG Mics and Monitoring

VIENNA, Austria - Honoring the King of Pop through a hybrid performance of rock concert and Cirque Du Soleil acrobatics, Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour continues to showcase the late icon's style, music and mind-blowing performances across the globe. Saxophonist Mike Phillips clips on HARMAN's AKG C519ML microphone to his instrument, while monitoring the show through AKG's IVM4500 IEM in-ear monitoring system for the current second-largest grossing world tour.

"This show is loud - a lot is going on musically and visually, so it's important to ensure all aspects of the music are picked up and heard clearly," stated Phillips. "When I signed on to THE IMMORTAL World Tour, I told my producers I could only use AKG; I needed that reliability and quality to ensure the great Michael Jackson's music was held to a level of precision that would make him, his family and fans proud."

With such a visual show every night, Phillips finds himself moving all around the set, which has multiple pieces from the actual set of the tragically cancelled "This Is It" tour. Utilizing AKG's WMS4500 wireless system, his mic provides a clear sound from his WMS body transmitter anywhere on stage. "We're not stationary in any aspect," Phillips continued. "Throughout the show, I am on the sides of the stage, on top of the sets running around constantly. The AKG WMS system is very reliable and doesn't cut out when I'm moving. It's one less worry while performing."

During the 3-continent tour, the band is recording a live album. According to Phillips, the AKG C519ML mic does a great job picking up his saxophone, preventing bleeding from the other instruments in the band.

On off-nights, Phillips books smaller jazz shows in the cities where he performs to keep his solo career moving. With three solo albums, all of which debuted in the top five on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Charts, Phillips has sold more than 500,000 albums. With his own separate, personal arsenal of AKG, including an additional C519ML and IVM4500 monitoring set, he can easily drop into jazz clubs across the world, plug in and play.

"The reliability, durability and quality of AKG is apparent whether I'm performing solo or with the IMMORTAL tour," Phillips said. "AKG is my go-to system and I couldn't imagine my sound the way it is with another mic or wireless combination."

For more information AKG, please visit http://www.akg.com.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

Pick Of The Hits - Lexicon in Music Connection, April 2012

Engineer Bruce Sugar Gets A Sweet Sound For Joe Walsh and Ringo Starr With JBL LSR Series Studio Monitors

NORTHRIDGE, California - Bruce Sugar is a veteran recording engineer who began his career in the early 1980s working with country music greats like Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard, and has since recorded a diverse range of top artists including Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, Paul McCartney, Joss Stone, Dave Stewart, Edgar Winter, Hank Williams Jr., Ozzy Osbourne, Whitney Houston, Dionne Warwick, Hall and Oates and many more. For decades, Sugar has relied on JBL studio monitors.

"Currently, I'm using three sets of JBL LSR Series loudspeakers: two pairs of LSR6332 studio monitors for stereo recording, mixing and monitoring, and the LSR4328P studio monitors and LSR4312SP subwoofer in a 5.1 setup that is networked, configured and computer-controlled using LSR Control Center Software," Sugar said.

Sugar is currently putting the finishing touches on the upcoming Joe Walsh solo album, Analog Man, scheduled to be released in May. "It's his first solo album in 20 years, and we're really stoked," Sugar said. "Joe's guitar sound is one of the most iconic and recognizable in rock and can raise the hairs on the back of your neck. His playing, singing and sense of humor are all there in full force on this album."

"Whatever we put into the recording of Analog Man is what we get out of the JBL LSR4328 monitors," Sugar commented. "They sound really good, musical and pleasing to the ear and not at all harsh, while being extremely accurate and truthful."

"Because of the growing trend towards home and project studios, I have been doing more work in these types of environments, and where the rooms aren't all that acoustically sound," Sugar noted. "In these situations the LSR4300 Series' built-in RMC Room Mode Correction is a lifesaver in ensuring that I'm getting accurate, usable mixes."

Sugar also engineered the surround-sound mix of Ringo Starr's album, 5.1: The Surround Sound Collection, which earned a GRAMMY(r) nomination for Best Surround Sound Album. "I mixed the album in a converted bedroom that has been optimized for mixing," Sugar said. "The LSR4300's enabled me to get really good results in placing the vocals, Ringo's drums and the various instruments within a 360-degree sound field and getting a really immersive sense of being there."

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.

HARMAN Appoints Paul Shorter to Technical Services Manager for Soundcraft, Studer and AKG

NORTHRIDGE, California - HARMAN has appointed Paul Shorter to the position of Technical Services Manager for its Soundcraft, Studer and AKG brands. A 22-year veteran of the pro audio industry, Shorter joined HARMAN in 2009 as Field Applications Engineer, specializing in support for the Soundcraft and Studer digital console ranges. In addition to his new position of Technical Services Manager, Shorter continues as an active field engineer throughout the continental United States and provides technical sales support.

Shorter was one of the first digital console and editorial field service engineers in the world. For 20 years, he worked closely with some of the biggest names in the broadcast and post industries, such as BBC, NHK, Warner Bros, Disney, SWF, OPTUS TV, Carlton, and Shepperton and Pinewood Studios. At the beginning of 2000 he started his own company, Backup Audio Visual Ltd., providing a combination of pro audio and video services, including sales, rental consultancy and specialist support.

Shorter started his electronics career in 1979 as an apprentice for a small TV and video rental store and service department in southeast England. He studied TV and industrial electronics at Southend College of Technology (now known as the South East Essex College of Arts and Technology), then spent six years working for GEC/Marconi Avionics testing Airborne Radar line units for Tornado aircraft before entering the pro audio world in 1989 working for AMS.

"As the Soundcraft, Studer and AKG brands continue to grow in the United States, we embrace the responsibility of scaling our customer support infrastructure accordingly," noted Keith Watson, Marketing Director, HARMAN Mixing Group. "Having such a talented and experienced engineer as Paul Shorter already in the HARMAN fold made his appointment an easy decision and we can think of no individual more capable of tackling the challenges of his new position."

"Joining HARMAN two and half years ago was a wonderful opportunity and I consider myself very fortunate to be presented with my current challenges in this new position," Shorter said. "The combination of leading a great team of people to provide the best possible customer support, the ability to remain in the midst of a diverse customer base and the chance to work closely with our dynamic sales team on new projects is proving very exciting indeed. Having spent 20 years in post-production, I am enjoying the challenges broadcast and live sound are adding to my personal knowledge base."

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.2 billion for twelve months ending December 31, 2011.