11 Mar, 2020 | ETC
We all
know that ETC provides 24-hour service to Broadway shows, concert tours, and
high-profile installs – but to airports?
When
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (billed as “America’s Friendliest
Airport”) was looking to replace its aging control system, they recognized the
legendary products and services ETC had supplied to the entertainment business
and decided to apply them to the airport.
“What you
get with ETC is excellence. ETC’s work at Disney and Universal Studios were
clear examples to our client that they would receive the same high-level
customer support,” says Stuart Pieloch, the VP of Controls and Technical Service
for RC Lurie, the local Phoenix ETC rep agency. “They could have gone a more
traditional route, but chose ETC.”
In return,
ETC gave them the gear and support they needed to centrally monitor and control
lighting across the whole airport, over a complex network, without losing sight
of the fine details. “If a light goes out at a gate, that information can be
relayed back to maintenance and be corrected very quickly,” explains Pieloch.
“There’s a high level of awareness.”
Each area
being renovated at the airport features an ETC Paradigm Processor networked
back to a Paradigm Central Control Server for facility-wide monitoring and
control. ETC Echo Relay Panels provide 277V power switching for large circuits
of lights, with 0-10V dimming based on light and occupancy sensors, plus
time-of-day scheduling for terminal operations.
Recently
completed projects include a brand-new Terminal 3 South Concourse expansion,
the Terminal 3 main “Processor” upgrade (Ticketing, TSA security, and baggage
claim), and a just-started North Concourse remodel. Outside Terminal 3, several
stand-alone buildings – such as the Command Center, parking garages, bus
station buildings – have also been remodeled and outfitted with ETC gear.
“Only ETC
could bring together that many points of control spread across literal miles of
real estate and all under a 24/7/365 support system that is the standard
against which all other companies are measured,” finishes Pieloch.
6 Mar, 2020 | Meyer Sound
At ISE 2020 in Amsterdam, Meyer Sound is introducing two new compact,
self-powered loudspeakers that leverage a new generation of technologies to
provide exceptional versatility for covering a wide range of installed and
portable applications.
ULTRA-X20 Compact Point Source Loudspeaker
The new ULTRA-X20 compact point source loudspeaker is a junior-sized version
of the award winning ULTRA-X40 loudspeaker introduced at last year’s ISE show.
It offers the same revolutionary design principles and advanced technologies
but employs smaller drivers in a lighter and more compact package — a design
that is new to Meyer Sound.
The ULTRA-X20 incorporates two 5” cone drivers, one 2” diaphragm compression
driver and a rotatable 110°x 50° horn in a coaxial configuration. Power comes
from a highly efficient three-channel Class D amplifier with sophisticated DSP,
with everything fitted inside a compact cabinet that measures a mere 7.5” /
19.5 cm wide by 19.04” / 48.4 cm high by 8.6” / 21.8 cm deep and weighs only 26
pounds / 11.8 kg. Preliminary performance specifications give an operating
frequency range of 60 Hz to 18 kHz, phase response of ±45° (100 Hz – 16 kHz)
and linear peak SPL of 123.5 dB measured with M-Noise.
“The ULTRA-X20 is a breakthrough in power-to-size ratio,” says Pablo
Espinosa, Meyer Sound’s vice president and chief loudspeaker designer. “It is
30 percent smaller and 7 percent lighter than our UPJunior loudspeaker yet it
offers equivalent output power and — thanks to the new coaxial design — much
more consistent pattern control below the crossover point.”
The ULTRA-X20 may be ordered with any one of three connector panel options.
The two AC powered versions both have looping Powercon connectors with choice
of 3-pin XLR for audio or 5-pin XLR for audio and RMS remote monitoring. Another
version is offered for integration in IntelligentDC systems (audio and remote
DC powering on a single cable) and a 5-pin Phoenix connector.
Two additional variants are offered, identical except for the patterns of
the rotatable horn: ULTRA-X22 (80°x 50°) and ULTRA-X23 (110°x 110°).
Transport, mounting and rigging options are offered for every conceivable
application. A carry handle is standard but easily removable. Two integral M8
rigging points on each end enable use of a pole mount, single point hang, wall
or ceiling mounting, or yoke mount in horizontal or vertical orientation at any
angle. Four additional M6 points on the heatsink are compatible with most
industry-standard wall mount brackets. A weather protected version is available
with sealed connectors that eliminate the need for rain hoods.
For extended low frequency power, the ULTRA-X20 may be paired with the new USW-112P
subwoofer, the 750-LFC low-frequency control element or USW-210P subwoofer. The
ULTRA-X20 is natively aligned with the 750-LFC to maximize ease of use in
portable applications to allow rapid deployment with minimal effort.
USW-112P Subwoofer
The USW-112P compact subwoofer packs robust low frequency performance into a
slender, self-powered package measuring less than 12” / 30 cm deep. The slanted
connector panel allows placement flush to walls, in vertical or horizontal
orientation, making the USW-112P an ideal choice when stage or installation
space is limited.
The USW-112P houses a single 12” long-excursion driver along with a highly
efficient class D amplifier and advanced digital signal processing. The cabinet
design features a low velocity port, based on the USW-210P, with optimized
tuning for linear response and low distortion. Preliminary performance
specifications include a linear peak output (measured with M-Noise signal) of
123 dB SPL across an operating frequency range of 35 Hz to 140 Hz. Phase
response measures ±30° from 45 Hz to 120 Hz.
The USW-112P subwoofer measures 23.50” / 59 cm high by 13.50” / 34.3 cm wide
x 11.95” / 30 cm deep. Weight is 47 pounds / 21.3 kg.
Versions of the USW-112P are offered with either direct AC powering or for
integration into systems using IntelligentDC, Meyer Sound’s exclusive
technology for supplying both DC power and audio from a remote, rack-mount unit
over a single cable. The USW-112XP is the most powerful subwoofer offered with
IntelligentDC. Optional facilities also are offered for Meyer Sound’s RMS
system for comprehensive remote monitoring.
The USW-112P is supplied standard with a removable carry handle and M8
rigging points on the top and bottom. A side-mounted, 35mm/M20 thread pole
mount receptacle is available as an option. Using an M20 to M8 thread adapter,
the USW-112P can be flown from a single eyebolt. An optional U-bracket
facilitates mounting to a truss, ceiling or wall. A weather protected version
uses sealed connectors (IP-X4 or higher rating), eliminating the need for rain
hoods.
“The USW-112P is an extraordinarily versatile subwoofer,” says Pablo
Espinosa, Meyer Sound’s vice president and chief loudspeaker designer. “With
its shallow footprint and light weight, it can go anywhere and fit anywhere,
from churches and clubs to restaurants and small theatres.”
4 Mar, 2020 | ETC
Home to both the Boston Bruins and the Boston Celtics, TD Garden is bustling
with sporting events and concerts throughout the year. Recently, the arena has
been turning heads with a massive, two-year expansion currently underway. As
part of its renovation, the Garden tapped ME Engineers and Port Lighting
Systems to revamp its aisle lighting. ME Engineers designed an aisle lighting
solution with layout and lighting calculations while Port Lighting Systems
provided the controls solution and upgraded lighting in the aisles as well as
additional sections of the arena.
TD Garden faced a unique challenge when rethinking its aisle lighting. The
old system featured an odd voltage, which meant the entire arena’s wiring would
need replacing to complete the aisle light upgrade—and would come at a hefty
cost.
ME Engineers was ready with an alternative solution, having completed a
renovation at Madison Square Garden with a similar issue. In that project, LED
fixtures were used to light the aisles from the catwalk—a solution ME Engineers
has also designed for Staples Center, United Center, and nearly 20 other new
and renovated arenas and stadiums nationally and internationally.
Once ME confirmed this approach would comply with local code regulations, TD
Garden called Port Lighting Systems—its collaborator for over a decade.
Together, the team selected aisle lighting fixtures ideally suited to the
arena’s needs.
Port Lighting Systems recommended the UL-924-listed ETC ColorSource Spot LED
fixture to meet National Electrical Code (NEC) section 700.24—a new requirement
stipulating that fixtures installed for emergency lighting must be
specifically listed for use in emergency lighting. This recently added
code section has proven nearly impossible to meet, as most lighting
manufacturers do not provide UL-924 listed luminaires.
“In addition to meeting code, the ColorSource fixtures provide aisle
lighting for all uses including emergencies, and offer both white and
color-changing options,” says Ron Kuszmar, Vice President of Architectural
& Theatrical Lighting at Port. “We knew the Garden team would love this
flexibility to display appropriate colors for Bruins games versus Celtics games
versus events calling for standard white light and so on.”
TD Garden approved the plan and the lighting upgrade was completed during
summer 2019. Port Lighting Systems also added master control elements to Levels
2 and 9, installed a new lighting solution for the Coors Light HUB Bar, and
continues to prepare additional upgrades as construction progresses.
26 Feb, 2020 | ApexPro News
Dear Valued Clients and Suppliers,
Our big move has started, and we are relocating our Johannesburg Offices from Hillfox Centre, to Unit A6, Northlands Deco Park Phase 2, New Market Road, Northriding.
Unfortunately, this will result in interrupted service from Thursday, 27.02.2020 to Monday, 02.03.2020.
Obviously we will do our best to minimise any impact this may have.
Should you require urgent assistance during this period, please see the contact details below:
Andre Buys: +27 (0) 83 680 4585
Justin Acres: +27 (0) 82 960 0134
Mark Malherbe: +27 (0) 83 779 6550
Buyiswa Mgedezi: +27 (0) 82 904 6552
Brendan Venter: +27 (0) 72 206 1576
We thank you for your continued support.
Our website and email address remain unchanged.
Thank you.
ApexPro
24 Feb, 2020 | Meyer Sound
At ISE 2020 in Amsterdam, Meyer Sound presented preview
demonstrations of Spacemap Go, a new spatial sound design and mixing
tool that leverages the processing power of the company’s GALAXY network
platform. Following installation of software and firmware updates for
GALAXY, the new Spacemap Go iOS app will provide a flexible and
easy-to-use touch pad interface for Spacemap multi-channel panning,
using one or more connected iPads.
With nearly 4,000 GALAXY loudspeaker processors sold to date, Spacemap Go
immediately enables this large existing user base to configure, program and
implement sophisticated spatial sound mixing with unprecedented ease and
cost-effectiveness.
“Although immersive sound has come into focus as a new trend, our company’s
experience in sophisticated spatial sound mixing goes back more than 25 years,”
says Tim Boot, Meyer Sound’s global brand strategist. “Spacemap is at the heart
of the world’s largest and most complex immersive sound productions and
performing arts venues, such as Cirque du Soleil’s The Beatles’ LOVE and
National Sawdust in Brooklyn, NY. With Spacemap Go for GALAXY, now we can offer
most of these same creative capabilities in a far more accessible and
affordable solution.”
Spacemap Go can be used in a system of up to four GALAXY loudspeaker
processors in any combination including GALAXY 408, GALAXY 816 and GALAXY
816-AES3, affording a wide range of input and output configurations. The iOS
app will be released concurrently with updates to Compass and Compass Go
control software and GALAXY firmware. All Spacemap programming and real-time
operation is handled by Spacemap Go; Compass and Compass Go will continue to
provide access to system parameters such as EQ and delay. Multiple iPads may be
used simultaneously, allowing a single operator or multiple users to customize
workflow to suit the requirements of the performance.
“Spacemap Go provides a re-imagined spatial sound design experience for a
wide range of users, including FOH engineers, theatre sound designers, and
musicians who want to explore spatial sound on their own terms. Spacemaps can
be designed for both simple and complex multichannel installations, and
Spacemap Go will provide templates to get you up and running quickly. Once
configured, you’ll make complex moves in the matrix with the touch of your
fingers,” says Steve Ellison, director, spatial sound. “And the matrix will
always be visible, so you’ll know exactly what’s going on behind the scenes.”
Spacemap Go is compatible with automated and live on-the-fly workflows. Full
integration with QLab and popular DAWs is anticipated at the time of release.
Meyer Sound is also working with leading makers of digital consoles to
implement control of Spacemap in GALAXY into their products. Because GALAXY
utilizes OSC protocols, integration with third party controllers such as
tracking systems is expected.
Spacemap Go is currently being used by Tony Award-winning sound designer
Leon Rothenberg in the off-Broadway production Dracula/Frankenstein,
now running in repertory at New York’s Classic Stage Company. “I have been able
to automate the spatial mix in ways that I would not have been able to do
without Spacemap, and certainly not as quickly. It opens up a whole new
creative direction when the machine makes it easy — to move something around
literally adds zero time to the process. And the possibilities are really
exciting.”
Currently in beta testing, Spacemap Go will be offered as a value-added
standard feature of the GALAXY network platform later this year, with the iOS
app freely available from the App Store. The user need only supply the iPads
required for the production.
21 Feb, 2020 | Bosch
Bosch has updated its Dicentis conference system with software update V3.2, offering a platform-independent secure and scalable interface based on JSON and web sockets.
The system is capable of supporting connectivity with conference management and control devices such as touch panels and video switchers from third party suppliers via a software interface that operates independently from computer operating systems.
Extron has aligned its control interfaces with the Dicentis product portfolio, with current Extron touch panels becoming compatible with the Dicentis conference system.
Up to 100 interpreter-provided languages can be supported, with discussion management, simultaneous interpreting, language selection, voting, multimedia functions, live video feed, internet access, document viewing and third-party app support.
The system is based on OMNEO IP architecture and includes support for Dante and PoE.
