New Product Introductions and Interactive Tech Bars Highlight ISE Presence
At this year’s Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) show in Barcelona, Meyer Sound will introduce a new product expected to have a significant impact on portable touring and installed sound industries. Only a year ago, the company debuted the phenomenally successful PANTHER™ large-format linear line array loudspeaker, setting a new standard for the industry and a new direction for Meyer Sound technologies.
“At ISE, we will introduce a powerful new Milan-equipped loudspeaker that extends and complements the clear benefits that already have earned global acceptance in PANTHER.”
John McMahon, Meyer Sound Senior Vice President
Also featured at the Meyer Sound stand (Hall 5, 5F100) will be a single PANTHER cabinet, unattached and available for team lifting to demonstrate its light weight of 150 lb (68 kg) and compact size. The class-leading acoustical performance of PANTHER is already proven in the real world and backed up with the latest technology, including a Milan AVB endpoint as standard.
The always-popular Tech Bar has been doubled for ISE 2023. One tech bar will feature the Spacemap® Go spatial sound design and mixing tool using a range of compact IntelligentDC™ loudspeakers. The other Tech Bar will focus on the networked power and flexibility of new ULTRA-X20™ loudspeakers and USW-112P™ subwoofers, also with integrated Milan endpoints.
Both Tech Bars will demonstrate Meyer Sound’s new Nebra™ software platform, which provides fast and intuitive connection of Milan-based audio networks along with comprehensive system monitoring over the same network or, for backward compatibility with existing systems, via the RMServer™.
Meyer Sound also will introduce another new Nebra-compatible product that is optimized for installation applications.
“Meyer Sound experienced a record year in 2022 and we will build on that momentum in 2023 starting at ISE,” says McMahon. “Our team looks forward to meeting in person in Barcelona with customers from around the world.”
ISE 2023 will take place in Barcelona, Spain at Fira Barcelona from January 31 to February 3, 2023.
ApexPro, the sole distributor of Meyer Sound solutions and products in Southern Africa, will be represented by Brendan Venter at ISE 2023.
FOH Engineer Kenny Kaiser and Monitor Engineer Marty Beath rely on DPA’s Live Sound Solutions
Always on the lookout for the newest audio solutions for the rock band, The Killers, FOH Engineer Kenny Kaiser and Monitor Engineer Marty Beath were immediately intrigued by DPA’s new 4055 Kick Drum Mic. Among the first to get their hands on the mic, the duo put it to the test at production rehearsals before heading out on the band’s “The Killing the Mirage” tour. After receiving universally positive feedback, the decision was made: DPA’s 4055 Kick Drum Mic was joining The Killers’ touring gear line-up alongside the group’s existing DPA solutions, such as the 4099 CORE Instrument Mics, 4011 Cardioid Condenser Mics and d:facto™ 4018 Vocal Microphone.
Before solidifying their kick drum mic of choice, Kaiser and Beath tested out three variations of a mic setup. “We had a plate mic, a ribbon mic and then the new DPA,” explains Beath, “and we were swapping between them, listening to what we could get out of each combination. Because the DPA is linear, you have to shape it, but that’s great because that’s what you want—to have control and not be dictated by the voicing of the mic. So, I think it’s fantastic for this drum, but it will also translate across multiple drum kits.”
Beath continues, saying, “It can handle the SPL, no problem whatsoever, and we’ve pretty much maintained our normal placement. We’ll probably experiment as we go along and get more comfortable with it, but so far, it’s mind-blowing.” Kaiser also notes that the mic’s voicing is one of the key standouts for the pair. “The overall design of this [mic] answers that famous line of optimize or compromise,” Kaiser explains. “The compromise for us is we have a very loud stage, so being able to design everything around that is huge.”
On the rest of the drum set, the pair utilizes DPA’s 4099 CORE Instrument Mics for tom toms and under the cymbals, along with 4011 Cardioid Condenser Mics on snare top and bottom, as well as on the hi-hat. “I’ve used the DPA CORE technology on lots of other acts and thought that it would be the greatest solution for [’The Killers’] kit because it is so small,” explains Beath. “We try to under-mic the cymbals because of the spill from the wedges, so we get a lot more isolation…and can control the stereo image more.”
The duo also notes that the 4011s provide the transient attack that people love without having to manage it too hard. “The previous mics we had, you had to do more finessing to get the tonality we wanted and lost a lot of that [transient sound],” explains Kaiser. The pair also loves the simplicity and subtlety of the DPA solutions, which allow for less mic stands and a neater stage presence without compromising on sound quality.
Also on stage are the d:facto 4018 Vocal Microphones, which Kaiser and Beath rely on for backing vocals. Working front of house, Kaiser’s main concern was loudness and trying to manage that volume. “I’m typically about 75 feet off from front of house,” he explains, “and I’m at 96 dB(A) with the PA off with just the wedges―it’s loud.” The d:facto makes this task a breeze, with Beath adding, “it’s simple to prove the rejection from a d:facto. You turn it 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and there’s nothing. You scream into the back and there’s nothing. It’s tightened everything up, and there’s no bleed―it’s amazing.”
The Killers closed out the U.S. leg of their tour on October 12. The band is now making stops throughout South America, New Zealand, and Australia to wrap up 2022.
ApexPro is the recognized distributor of DPA Microphones in Africa. Reach out to us to find out if DPA is the right solution for your installation or touring needs.
Award winners will be announced Saturday, April 13, 2023, at The NAMM Show in Anaheim, California.
Genelec, the leader in active monitoring technology for over four decades, is proud to announce that it has been nominated for two Technical Excellence & Creativity (TEC) Awards. Genelec’s GLM 4.2 GRADE™ (Genelec Room Acoustic Data Evaluation) has been nominated for Outstanding Technical Achievement in the Production Essentials category, and the 6040R Smart Active Loudspeaker has been nominated for Outstanding Technical Achievement in the Studio Monitors category. The 38th annual TEC Awards will be held Saturday, April 13, 2023, at The NAMM Show in Anaheim, California. For invited members, voting in each category will begin on December 21 and end on March 1, 2023. Finalists from the 22 categories will be selected by industry professionals across major music, sound, and game audio associations, along with pro audio-focused media groups.
“It is a tremendous honor that our GLM 4.2 GRADE technology and our 6040R loudspeakers have been nominated by industry professionals for outstanding technical achievement. It is great to be recognized by our peers for the Genelec organization’s hard work, dedication and innovation, resulting in these tools being brought to the marketplace.”
Will Eggleston, Genelec Inc. Marketing Director
Presented annually by NAMM during The NAMM Show, The NAMM TEC Awards recognize the individuals, companies, and technical innovations behind the sound of recordings, live performances, films, television, video games, and other media in Technical and Creative Achievement Categories. The Les Paul Award is given at the event in tribute to musical artists and others whose work has exemplified the creative application of audio technology. Through its Hall of Fame, The TEC Awards also honors the pioneers of audio technology and the music industry’s most accomplished producers and audio technicians. The NAMM Foundation’s TECnology Hall of Fame celebrates innovations and groundbreaking technical achievements of the past. For more information, visit www.tecawards.org
About Genelec GLM GRADE™:
GRADE™ (Genelec Room Acoustic Data Evaluation) is a powerful new reporting tool in GLM that creates a full analysis of room and monitoring system performance, revealing the information needed to effectively fine-tune acoustic treatment, adjust monitor and listener positioning, and optimize bass management.
About the Genelec 6040R Smart Active Loudspeaker:
Genelec’s two-way 6040R Smart Active Loudspeaker was introduced as the first model in its Signature Series. 20 years after the launch of the original 6040A, the newly re-imagined 6040R now features professional-grade LF drivers, proprietary Class D power amplifiers, and tight integration with our GLM calibration software. This allows the 6040R to deliver clean performance, a consistently smooth frequency response, precise imaging and low distortion – even in challenging acoustic environments. Created in conjunction with celebrated Finnish industrial designer Harri Koskinen, the floor-standing 6040R fuses the very best of Finnish technology and design, bringing exceptional performance and beautiful aesthetics to all lovers of high-quality audio.
ApexPro is the sole distributor of Genelec Professional products in Southern Africa.
ApexPro Managing Director, Justin Acers meets with Meyer Sound Director of Global Marketing, Tim Boot at Infocomm 2022, Las Vegas 2022
Last week, Meyer Sound premiered the new Panther large-format linear line array loudspeaker at it’s booth at InfoComm Show 2022, in Las Vegas.
Our managing director, Justin Acers, had the pleasure to meet with Meyer Sounds Director of Global Marketing, Tim Boot, to experience the power of the Panther firsthand!
“We are very excited to bring the Panther to the African market. No other line array comes close to matching PANTHER’s remarkable output of over 150 dB in such a compact cabinet. PANTHER delivers unrivaled linearity and headroom, only achievable with a self-powered system.” ApexPro technical director Mark Malherbe points out.
