Volume 6, Issue 10 — October 30, 2017
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House of Worship Trends The Future of HOW Editorial
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AVIXA, Open Standards and the HOW Market
By Anthony Coppedge House of Worship Technology Consultant
When an organization with the legacy of the International Communications Industries Association (ICIA) changes its name to AVIXA (Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association), it heralds not only a branding move but also signals a shift to an agile approach for aligning to the rapid changes in the audiovisual industry. Perhaps above all, AVIXA represents a new opportunity to set new open standards for industry-wide protocols as well as specific market segments (such as the house of worship market) with a clean, objective slate.
I submit that with open standards and protocols instead of the proprietary control languages used by audiovisual manufacturers, the industry could take a giant leap forward in creating standardized systems, processes, and application programming. Plus, it would also allow systems design standards to be adopted by systems integrators.
AVIXA can directly learn from another group that has seen the value of creating open standards: the Information Technology industry. Within IT, perhaps the single greatest example of open standards that has a direct correlation the audiovisual industry is the Information Technology Infrastructure Library, better known as the ITIL framework. ITIL is a set of detailed practices for IT Service Management that focuses on aligning IT services with the needs of businesses. ITIL describes processes, procedures, tasks and checklists which are not organization-specific but is helpful for establishing integration with an organization’s strategy, delivering value and maintaining a minimum level of competency. It allows the organization to establish a baseline from which it can plan, implement and measure. Further, it is used to demonstrate compliance and to measure improvement.
For example, the ITIL framework is often defined first within in two key functional areas: management and operation. As such, there are extensive libraries built around key areas common to all IT services, including:
The IT service management sets:
- Service Support
- Service Delivery
Other operational guidance:
- Infrastructure management
- Security management
- Application management
- Software asset management
The beauty of ITIL is that it is not dictated by manufacturers, though manufacturers can help speak to new methodologies and security issues, for example, to keep the framework up-to-date with advances in technology.
I submit that AVIXA should leverage the success of ITIL as a blueprint for describing the processes, procedures, tasks and checklists that should be adopted universally across the AV industry.
To highlight the value of this with a common example, the security protocols for IT networks have multiple flavors, if you will, but they are each addressed and understood within a larger framework. As such, it would be highly valuable for end-users to have the same level of tooling included across all networked AV devices for security protocols.
Similarly, while the GUI of menus will look different based on the operational functions, there could be a pattern for mapping features to common terms and protocols. Without this kind of shared open standard, the mess that currently exists between manufacturers (and sometimes even within model lines of the same manufacturer) when it comes to accessing certain features seems as if it was dependent upon the mood of the engineer during the manufacturing process.
While the term “open standards” is, well, open to some level of debate depending upon the industry, there’s a general understanding that states that an “open standard” is only open if it can be freely adopted, implemented and extended. While open standards are considered non-proprietary in the sense that the standard is either unowned or owned by a collective body (like AVIXA), it can still be publicly shared and not tightly guarded. The three biggest examples today of open standards include the GSM phones (adopted as a government standard), Open Group that promotes UNIX and the like, and the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), which created the first standards of SMTP and TCP/IP. Buyers tend to prefer open standards, which they believe offer them cheaper products and more choice for access due to network effects and increased competition between vendors.
There are significant upsides to identify a framework of best practices and technology standards so that manufacturers, systems integrators and end-users alike can benefit from agreed-upon technology methodologies. And while open standards would be clearly beneficial in general terms, I submit that the house of worship market could be one of the earliest vertical segments to reap the benefits of certain open standards because of the high percentage of volunteers operating audio, video and lighting technology at church venues. The greater the agreement upon technology implementation standards, operational management, and application management, the easier it is to standardize training and operational preparedness for staff and volunteer users alike.
Manufacturers and systems integrators willing to be early adopters of these new open standards under AVIXA would have a significant sales advantage to church clients who are worn out from the inevitable finger-pointing that frequently happens when something goes wrong with an AV technology integration.
Further, the vertical markets themselves benefit directly from a set of open standards that follow the ITIL model of determining service and support models. This level of clarity ensures the expectations are known and documented as part of an industry standard and is not left up to the integration firm. As a result, it becomes much, much easier to sell service as part of the technology solution when there is a clear set of standards that both identifies the best practices and provides the client with a set of expectations for operational stability that’s based on real-world parameters. Of course, these types of open standards make it crystal clear for church purchasing decision-makers to understand the cost-per-service value of service with holistically documented protocols for ensuring high availability of audiovisual technology.
While AVIXA is brand new, it’s welcoming to already see the newly-named organization promoting some standards today, as well as active working groups to come up with new standards. Perhaps best of all is a way to submit a new standard via a button on the bottom of the page.
AVIXA is listening. It’s up to us to push for more than new standards, but an open standards framework like ITIL. Leave a Comment
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To the Pastors of the Future
By Anthony Coppedge House of Worship Technology Consultant
This is an open letter to the future church pastors who will have grown up with the Internet, mobile devices and real-time social media their entire lives so that they can leverage future technology to serve the local church effectively.
The local church you’ll lead will not look much like the churches of today because you will have a built-in perspective that sees the world through the lens of a digital native. Whereas the rapid changes in technology that shaped the end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st centuries found their ways into local churches slowly and with apprehension, the church you’ll lead will include augmented reality that will be used day-in and day-out by you and your congregation. The ubiquitous nature of technology will mean that how you think about church gatherings, venues, and operational management will not be based on the old patterns of weekend church services, but have a cadence that is more organic than structured. It will have a more community-infused flavor of relational dynamics that will make physical proximity to a church campus less important than it is viewed as today.
Your view of technology is your default. It simply is a part of your day-to-day. There is no part of you that makes a distinction between life with and life without technology. It permeates every part of your life and the culture you live in. While your parents have adopted technology into the fabric of their lives, you have only known it to be an ever-present part of your life. Because of this, your leadership will be informed by this viewpoint such that the use of technology will not be in support of the local church you’ll lead, but as part of the local church. Where your grandparents had fights over the use of video projection in the auditorium in the 1990’s or the addition of a “.com” to the church name in the 2000s, you will see technology as an extension of work and ministry.
In the early 21st century, the rise of multi-site churches heralded the first major adoption of technology as a service. For the first time, technology played a leading role in the delivery of weekend services. From this, the local church learned how to decentralize and empower local church campuses to facilitate the work and ministry previously done in one location. The need for technology — especially audiovisual technology as it was called back then — was paramount and the technological advancements made it possible. You’ll still see vestiges of this around your in other churches, but what you may not know is that many of those churches once started out as a satellite/multi-site campus from one large church. The network effect had its heyday in pushing for the expansion of churches via sermon-on-demand. However, the emergence of ultra-high speed broadband internet to most locations combined with the rapid growth of augmented reality, the need to replicate the ‘mothership’ church service to other campuses declined and was replaced by micro-sites and church resources on demand. The ability to share and connect with augmented reality devices meant relational proximity held a place of greater prominence than physical proximity.
It is the micro-site that allows you the freedom and flexibility to forgo expensive venues that are primarily opened only on weekends, and these are empowered through technology infrastructure that is scalable, portable and easily affordable. The ‘meet anytime, anywhere’ mantra you’ve heard applies to you and the church you’ll lead one day, largely because the technology shifted from major installations to the proliferation of micro-communities that are a part of your congregation. No longer tethered exclusively to permanent facilities, your church has the ability to reach and influence far beyond the staffing considerations of a local venue. Sure, you still have a pool of people and resources, but what we called in our day ‘remote employees’ is your normal. From your way of thinking, of course, people work from wherever they live, right? It wasn’t always that way. Augmented reality isn’t common yet as I write this letter to you, future pastor, and it’s seen as more of a novelty today than a normal part of connecting with people for work, life and ministry.
Where we had to overcome technology considerations to implement the connecting of people to the message, you get to take for granted the technology that you’ve known your entire life. What this means for you, however, is to not look to technology as the answer, but as the opportunity to build relational bridges. In our time, social media was used primarily for either personal gain (or vanity) or business promotion. For you, it’s a real-time pulse into the narrative of community. Shaping technology to serve people is as important for you as it was for us. Otherwise, the tail will wag the dog.
Though you may feel more connected to your circles of family, friends and influence due to almost-instant access to most anyone, what must be guarded is relational empathy. There is no level of technology that will ever replace the warmth of another person’s touch, the invisible connection that happens when meeting eye-to-eye (without technology) or the hope that is transferred when you simply serve another person in a tangible way.
You may have the technology we always dreamed of in our day at your fingertips, future pastor, but your responsibility and calling is the same as it has always been: to be a shepherd of hope, love and truth for people. No amount of technology can do what you were made to do; in some cases, even the best technology will still get in the way. Leave a Comment
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A 500 Million Dollar Mistake
By Dr. Frederick Ampel President & Principal, Technology Visions Analytics
In the previous rAVe HOW article, we discussed the value and application of acoustical treatment(s) to almost any existing house of worship (HOW) facility. Unless acoustics was considered and incorporated when the building was created, it is very likely that acoustical issues were not properly dealt with or solved. This is especially true for the subject of this article — the enormous number of small worship spaces (congregations under 400) that make up the vast majority of HOWs in North America.
Our industry has, as a kind of unwritten rule, largely either ignored or failed to consider this group of worship spaces as a viable market for services, hardware, support, retrofit or almost anything else, based on the greatly mistaken belief that, because they are small, they do not have any financial resources. Couple that with the accurate perception that the technical cadre for these worship spaces is more than likely 99 percent volunteer and you have a mix that seems to be a powerful repellent for integrators.
And just to exacerbate this situation, our industry’s trade press (of all types) has chosen to not cover this multi-hundred thousand group of facilities with any level of focus. The published stories, based on our non-scientific look back though the last five years of available online archives for most of the publications, show that 90+ percent of the articles and other coverage centered on the large, glamorous, high dollar showcase HOW spaces.
The rise of the megachurch (see below) only made this coverage gap worse as those large, complex, high-technology facilities made for what seems to be “better” stories, at least based on the number of articles which covered that small subset of the much larger HOW market.
If you think this analysis is unfair or the information is wrong, let me offer some independent research and statistics to back it up.
Let’s Do the Math
There is no official directory for all the congregations in the country, so sociologists of religion have to rely on statistical estimates extrapolated from surveys (sources used in this article are listed at the end).
These estimates are often disputed and to complicate matters, thousands of new churches open each year, while thousands of others close.
The Hartford Institute estimates there are roughly 350,000 religious congregations in the United States. This estimate relies on the RCMS 2010 Religious Congregations Census. Of those, about 314,000 are Protestant and other Christian churches, and 24,000 are Catholic and Orthodox churches. Non-Christian religious congregations are estimated at about 12,000.
The Largest 25 Denominations/Communions from the 2012 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches are below.
Notes:
- Excludes Orthodox denominations.
- Non-denominational/independent-evangelical (summed estimated total) is the second largest Protestant group in the country with over 35,000 congregations and over 12,200,000 adherents. This group represents almost 80 percent of the mega-churches listed in the database, the balance of mega-churches were from various Baptist denominations.
- If the available estimates of the non-reporting denominations and non-Christian congregations are included, the total exceeded 165 million or roughly 45 percent of the total North American 2017 population estimate of 367 million.
- Nine of the 25 largest churches did not report updated figures: the Church of God in Christ; the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.; the African Methodist Episcopal Church; the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America; Churches of Christ; the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.; the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church; and Christian Churches and Churches of Christ.
Data courtesy of: The 2012 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches
Factoring in the adjusted growth rate for worship locations (2 percent median growth, minus 1.7 percent median dissolution) produces an annual growth rate of around 0.4 percent
This accumulated growth over the five years since the last hard-data survey was conducted and released would produce a total number of congregations approaching 400,000. This is a statistically valid but non-verified estimate. For the purposes of this article we have adjusted the working total downward by 10 percent to account for potential inaccuracies in the databases, and the uneven growth rates shown by the top 25 denominations over time.
The Mega-Church
While the total number of mega-churches is somewhat fluid, overall they represent about 0.6 percent or about 2,000 congregations out of the total North American worship congregations. Yet they garner a level of attention, press and influence that far outweighs their small number, because they showcase the big, powerful, high technology side of the HOW market. For reference, here is a breakdown of the mega-church space.
The Mega-Church Breakdown
According to this definition, a mega-church is any congregation which regularly has at least 2,000 congregants
The same study cited above also showed that:
- Average attendance of all mega-churches: 3,943 persons
- Median attendance of all mega-churches: 2,770 persons
- 1,846 churches — total average weekly attendance (estimated) = 7,100,000 people*
Denominational Distribution:
These top 10 affiliations account for nearly 82 percent of all mega-churches (as of the 2015 date of the Study).
*NOTE: Life.Church (formerly known as LifeChurch.tv, Life Covenant Church and Life Church), an American evangelical multi-site church with multiple locations. As of August 2017, there were 27 Life.Church locations in eight states across the United States. Life.Church is officially linked denominationally to the Evangelical Covenant Church and did not report numbers, and is not included in the totals.
DATA Courtesy of Hartford Seminary’s Hartford Institute for Religion Research
For a reasonably complete listing of the mega-churches in the United States, go here.
The “Small” House of Worship
Based on the data above we have a working total of >360,000 congregations in North America.
The research data shows that approximately 65 percent of these congregations would be classified as “small,” which is under 400 members, with most of those in the 100 to 200 member range. (The median attendance reported in the studies we examined for the small congregations was 98, which means 50 percent were below that number and 50 percent were above it.)
The 500 Million Dollar Bank Account
If we take the total of 360,000 congregations and calculate 65 percent of that number it produces the 234,000 shown in the table below.
If we then take that 230,000+ total and multiply it by the median attendance (rounded up to 100 for mathematical convenience), we get an average of 23,400,000 congregants attending these small churches on any given primary worship day (denominationally dependent).
If we then project that each of those 23+ million congregants can contribute $2 per month (the mean average as reported by a 2015 analysis of fiscal support for the worship service and included in some of the Hartford Institute findings) to their worship location, we produce an estimated potential revenue stream of just under $47 million per monthly cycle. Multiply that monthly revenue estimate by 12 calendar months and you get $560+ million dollars flowing into the assets of these “small” worship facilities every year. (See the table above for the math).
Even if the mathematical calculations are off by a bit, there is still A LOT of money flowing into these worship spaces every year. This should definitively put the kibosh to the assumption that there is no potential budget in the small HOW markets.
The available capital may not be large per location, but remember there are 200K-plus locations, which means there are a number in any given geographic area (even remote rural areas — historically sidelined by our industry). Collectively, these locations represent a potential market for a wide range of services and products that is largely being forgotten or deliberately ignored.
The Problem
The “small” HOW, by its very nature, is usually lacking in access to the training, development, ideas and support they need to sustain and grow healthy ministries. They are not often able to attend the large national HOW events, seminars, workshops or other gatherings where they could garner such information, support and help. The largely part-time volunteer base that supports their services and uses the technology available is also not as well trained or knowledgeable as their counter-parts in the larger more affluent HOW locations and facilities.
Does this mean they should be ignored or left to fend for themselves?
A Modest Proposal
With apologies to the 18th century legendary writer Jonathan Swift, I hereby offer a modest proposal to change the way we deal with this segment of the HOW market, and all small businesses in general for that matter.
For decade upon decade we have always approached potential clients/customer/buyers/end-users from a hardware perspective. That is to say we look at their situation, and immediately gravitate towards looking for a technical/hardware/software based solution, rather than actually doing a proper needs assessment and analysis. It’s almost biologically ingrained into the industry by now to come at any project from this angle.
The problem this presents when approaching the small HOW market is that we also instinctively ‘believe’ that we know they don’t have a real budget and thus cannot really afford to solve their problem with technology. To quote the original sub-head for this whole series of article for rAVe “What gets us into trouble is not what we don’t know, it’s what we know for sure that just ain’t so.” – Samuel Clemens.
And that assumption and mistake is precisely what is causing the lack of attention to, and services provided for, the small HOW facilities. Just because they can’t spring for a multi-thousand dollar high-technology digital console should not relegate them to the servants entrance into our world.
Instead of focusing on hardware, technology and dollars, what if we focused on what we used to do best — building relationships by offering service and support? This approach is exactly what will open the doors to these congregations, and give you a chance to develop fulfilling long term growth-based relationships that may easily prove more fruitful than that one-time, big-bucks sale of two 40K consoles to a mega-church.
Sell Help and Support, Not Hardware
As noted earlier, and in the previous article in this series, the biggest problem faced by, but not solved for, these small congregations is the acoustics of their worship space, and all the concomitant problems it can create.
This is a golden opportunity to open a door to these congregations. Acoustic materials for a 3,000-square-foot space are a very low cost item (probably less than $1,000-$2,000 dollars) and can be self-installed under your supervision and direction.
All it would take is some 1×3 framing lumber, some wire to attach and hang the framed panels and their volunteer labor.
Rather than leaving the congregation on its own, offer to provide advice, counsel and guidance to help them improve their acoustics, and thus their quality of service. True it’s not a big profit item, or a large sale, but it gives you the chance to establish contact, develop a working relationship and become their go-to provider as they grow and experience other needs. It also shows that you’re not in it just for the money, and are not looking for a quick sale and a ride into the sunset.
Maybe it’s not acoustics. Maybe it’s a simple re-wire and cable replacement to solve that 60Hz hum they’ve had for years, or that intermittent microphone connector. It doesn’t matter which small but significant problem you solve, it’s the fact that you helped them solve it that counts.
Try it — let me know what happens.
____________________
Author’s Note: The data used for this article was aggregated from four primary sources:
- The Religious Congregations Membership Study (RCMS) – the 2010 US Religion Census report
- Religious Congregations and Membership Study, 2000
- The American Mosque
- The Hartford Institute for Religious research
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Allen & Heath Showcases ME-500 Personal Mixer Allen & Heath announces the ME-500 Personal Mixer, an accessible personal monitoring solution for houses of worship, rental companies and performing artists. As a 16-channel complement to the existing 40-channel ME-1, the ME-500 allows musicians to quickly and independently build and control their own monitor mixes with simplified setup and controls. Like the ME-1, the new ME-500 is plug and play compatible with Allen & Heath’s digital mixer range or with third party digital consoles via the ME-U hub.
ME-500 features include a crisp, dimmable display, 16 backlit select keys, mute and solo buttons, a master level with limiter and EQ, plus a single rotary encoder for all main navigation and control. Each ME-500 can store and recall eight user presets for different mixes, users and shows and save them to a USB thumb drive. Outputs include a mini jack and ¼” headphone jack and a TRS mono out for wedge monitors.
Any number of ME-500 and ME-1 personal mixers can be added to a system. Secure EtherCon connectors allow ME-500s to be daisy-chained, or deployed in a star topology using the ME-U or an off-the-shelf PoE switch.
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Extron DMP 128 Plus Audio DSP Processors with VoIP Now Shipping Extron just announced the immediate availability of two more DMP 128 Plus models, completing this line of audio DSP processors. The DMP 128 Plus C V and DMP 128 Plus C V AT include up to eight VoIP lines, with standard and wideband codec support, that can be configured as individual extensions or with multiple call appearance channels to support local conferencing applications. Utilizing SIP 2.0 for the widest possible of compatibility with existing and new VoIP installations, a single V model of the DMP 128 Plus Series can be used as a multiple-line device with conference calling support on a single VoIP line. The DMP 128 Plus C V and DMP 128 Plus C V AT models offer network-specific VoIP configuration managed through a dedicated web interface, where real-time SIP transaction logs eliminate the need for network capture software. This segregation of VoIP configuration allows IT and network administrators to manage the VoIP functions of DMP128 Plus devices without the need to develop a detailed knowledge of audio DSP configuration.
The DMP 128 Plus Series is the next generation of Digital Matrix Processors featuring Extron ProDSP 64-bit floating point technology. DMP 128 Plus Series processors are equipped with 12 analog mic/line inputs, eight analog outputs, up to four channels of digital audio input and output via USB, up to eight audio file players and new configurable multi-device macros. An ACP bus makes it easy to connect one or more ACP Series audio control panels, offering an economical solution for audio system control.
For detailed information on VoIP technology and compatibility, go here. For information about the DMP 128 Plus Series, go here. Leave a Comment
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JBL Pro Intros JBL PRX800 Series of Wireless PAsThe JBL PRX800 series from JBL claims to be the most advanced PA in its class. Wi-Fi technology and DSP give you control over system tuning and performance via the free PRX Connect app. An efficient 1500-watt class-D amplifier and patented JBL Differential Drive technology provide best-in-class power and reduced weight. And the rugged all-wood cabinets feature a redesigned input panel and universal power supply for operation worldwide.
JBL Pro says the PRX800 is the first PA system in its class to feature complete wireless control via Wi-Fi. The PRX Connect mobile app for iOS and Android connects wirelessly to every speaker, offering full control over the powerful built-in DSP.
Walk around the venue during sound check and fine-tune your speakers to sound better as a system. Use the 8-band EQ, speaker delay, mute, gain and more to make sure your audience hears great sound from every corner of the room. It’s easy to configure shows offline and save presets. You can even find any connected speaker instantly with the useful Locator function.
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Alcons Extends Coverage Of The QR24 Line-Source ColumnThe QR24/110 is a modular two-way column loudspeaker to be used as scalable vertical array system, for both permanent and (limited) portable applications. It combines a 1:1 linear and dynamic sound reproduction with superb intelligibility and throw, in even the acoustically most challenging environments. The symmetrical acoustic design, in combination with the wide, patented 110-degree horizontal dispersion of the RBN High Frequency drivers (all the way up to 20 kHz), offers a coherent horizontal pattern control with seamless coverage; this widens the “stereo sweet spot” significantly, for the off-axis positioned audience.
By using only two 12″ RBN pro-ribbon transducers for the mid-high frequencies, the system’s 90 percent active frontal radiation results in a sharply-controlled vertical dispersion. This offers a unique, SPL-independent intelligibility-over-distance, without the necessity of DSP-based beam-shaping.
The flat frequency response and the fast transient response of the RBN mid-high frequency transducers, in combination with the sharply controlled dispersion, brings a maximum “gain-before-feedback” up to directly in front of / under the system. Each purpose-designed RBN1203 12″ pro-ribbon driver has a peak power handling of 2.000W (200 millisecond), creating a virtually infinite system MHF headroom of 4.000W from 1kHz up.
The low-mids are taken care of by 4x high-excursion, vented 6.5″ transducers, which are co-axially mounted behind the pro-ribbon drivers, delivering a frequency response of 74 Hz — 20.000 Hz (-3dB). The controlled (cylindrical) projection can be extended down to the lower frequencies by enlarging the array length through adding extra QR/QM modules (extending the “near field”). Up to two QR24 units can be combined on a single tripod stand, forming a 1.32-meter / 52-inch tall array; in flown configuration, up to 11 cabinets QR24 can be connected, with the integrated flying hardware under a safety-rating of 10:1, forming arrays of more than 7 meters / 24 feet tall.
The passive filtering allows multiple modules to be combined on one amplifier channel, up to three units. The QR24/110 is powered and controlled by the ALC amplified loudspeaker controller; Through the integrated processing and feedback, the ALC offers QR24-specific drive processing with optimal response and reliability and utmost user-friendliness.
The Signal Integrity Sensing pre-wiring dynamically compensates for speaker cable/connector influences between the QR24 and ALC; This offers a 1:1, undistorted, natural sound reproduction, regardless of cable length and amplifier impedance load (system damping factor 10.000).
The QR24 is also available as QR24/80, with 80-degree horizontal dispersion and can be combined with the QR24/110 in the same array. Certified EASE data for the QR24’s with a 1-degree resolution accuracy is available on the Alcons website.
You an find Alcons here. Leave a Comment
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HARMAN Pro Ships JBL Professional 7 Series Powered Monitors HARMAN Professional Solutions today announced JBL Professional 7 Series Powered studio monitors are now shipping. The new JBL 705P and 708P self-powered models deliver superb imaging and neutral response in any room.
The 7 Series Powered studio monitors feature newly developed JBL high- and low-frequency transducers driven by dual 250-watt power amplifiers to deliver what JBL says is two-to-three times the output of conventional studio monitors, as well as exceptional dynamic range for demanding music and film production applications. Proprietary JBL waveguide technology provides neutral response and room-to-room consistency, while built-in room EQ solves common low-frequency issues. The system includes balanced analog and AES/EBU inputs for connecting to a broad range of sources. A HARMAN HiQnet Network port is provided for future upgrades.
When combined with the JBL Intonato 24 monitor management and tuning system, 7 Series monitors offer an exceptional monitoring platform for audio mix control of all sizes. Intonato 24 simplifies monitor system setup while offering precise automated calibration and complete control of monitor systems in stereo, surround and immersive-audio configurations. Intonato 24 includes a calibration microphone and innovative Automated Speaker Calibration process that tunes each 7 Series speaker to compensate for speaker placement and room acoustics, delivering a neutral response to the mix position — even in less-than-ideal workspaces. The elegant Intonato Desktop Controller provides instant access to Intonato 24’s master volume, scenes, mute and solo, bass management, aux send and talkback capabilities.
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Allen & Heath’s New SQ Series Is a Compact, 96kHz Digital Mixing SolutionWith its 96kHz XCVI FPGA engine, Allen & Heath’s new SQ Series Digital Mixers bring the high-resolution audio performance of the company’s dLive Digital Mixing System to a compact, cost-effective and customizable platform. SQ Series mixers are designed for a wide range of applications. Live sound engineers can customize the mixer’s workflow using a capacitive touchscreen, illuminated rotary controls and softkeys with custom naming on fader strips. Houses of worship can use scenes and layers to configure the mixer for worship, broadcast and special events while simplifying setup for volunteers. Rental and production companies will find SQ Series mixers well suited to music festivals and touring artists and can use the integrated auto-mixer for corporate events and conferences.
With the built-in “SQ-Drivem,” recording engineers can capture high resolution stereo and multitrack to a USB drive. In the studio, an SQ Series mixer can become a plug ‘n play, Core Audio or ASIO compliant, 32×32 96kHz audio interface, with MIDI and DAW control capabilities. To complement the SQ Series built-in EQ, compression and effects, users can add Allen & Heath’s optional boutique plug-ins while the mixer’s DEEP processing architecture maintains class-leading <0.7ms latency.
Two models offer a choice of size and control configuration. The rack-mountable SQ-5 has 16 onboard preamps, 17 faders and 8 softkeys while the SQ-6 provides 24 preamps, 25 faders, 4 assignable rotary controls and 16 softkeys. Both models support up to 56 input channels via remote expanders and both feature a networking slot for optional Dante, Waves and other cards, expanding the applications for installed systems, FOH-to-monitor splits and multitrack recording. An ecosystem of apps, remote expanders, networking cards and personal mixers multiply the SQ Series’ expansion and integration possibilities. The new SLink intelligent port allows connection to Allen & Heath’s 96kHz and 48kHz expanders and can link to another SQ Series mixer or to a dLive system.
SQ Series pricing starts at $2,999. Here are all the specs.Leave a Comment
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Roland’s Rubix Line of Audio Interfaces Is Now AvailableRoland announces the availability of Rubix, a line of audio interfaces for Mac, PC and iPad. The Rubix audio interface line consists of the Rubix22, 24 and 44. Each multi-platform interface is low noise with transparent mic preamps and support for audio resolutions up to 24-bit/192kHz.
Rubix22 is a two-in/two-out model with dual mic preamps. When coupled with an iPad, it creates a highly portable recording or performance rig. Rubix24 adds two extra outputs and a hardware compressor/limiter for controlling highly dynamic sources. Rubix44 adds two additional mic preamps for a total of four inputs and four outputs.
The Roland Rubix series is available with pricing as follows:
- Rubix22: $149
- Rubix24: $199
- Rubix44: $299
All the specs are here. Leave a Comment
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Acoustic Geometry Launches Pro Room Packs Acoustic Geometry announces the launch of Pro Room Packs, a grouping of acoustical products aimed at the professional audio market.
Available as Pro Room Packs 6, 8, 10, and 12, these groups combine phase-coherent diffusion, low-frequency room mode mitigation, and broadband sound absorption. All Pro Room Packs include Fabric-Wrapped Panels and Ceiling Clouds (absorbers), Curve Diffusors, CornerSorbers and all mounting hardware.
Pro Room Packs provide pro audio and audiophile professionals with a combination of proven acoustical products, which will greatly benefit nearly all audio spaces, including recording studios, audio post-production rooms, stereo listening rooms, and high-end home theaters.
Pro Room Packs are available in six ‘ship-from-stock’ fabric color options and 23 additional colors requiring a bit longer lead time. Colors range from Onyx and Birch, to unique color textures such as Beach Glass and Sandy Pebble.
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Epson Intros PowerLite 2000-Series Wireless and Portable Projectors Epson today announced the PowerLite 2247U, 2142W, and 2042 – three new wireless, portable projectors that are designed to excel in a variety of environments, including rooms with lots of ambient lighting. The PowerLite 2000-Series is aimed at higher education, corporations, and houses of worship. In addition, the new series features a compact and versatile form factor for portability or installation, and comes equipped with enterprise level security.
Epson projectors feature 3-chip LCD technology and inputs include MHL and HDMI as well as network ports. The high-end PowerLite 2247U and 2142W models offer wireless screen mirroring from a smartphone or streaming device using Miracast. The PowerLite 2142W is native WXGA (1280×800) resolution, and the PowerLite 2247U is WUXGA (1920×1200) resolution. In addition, the PowerLite 2042 with XGA (1024×768) resolution provides 4,400 lumens of color brightness and 4,400 lumens of white brightness. The PowerLite 2247U and 2142W models provide 4,200 lumens of color brightness and 4,200 lumens of white brightness. All of the projectors are spec’d to allow for 12,000 hours operation in ECO Mode.
The PowerLite 2247U will be available in November, and the PowerLite 2142W, and PowerLite 2042 models will be available in December. More information is here. Leave a Comment
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Audio-Technica Ships AT5047 Cardioid Condenser Microphone Audio-Technica is now shipping its new AT5047 Cardioid Condenser Microphone. The most recent addition to Audio-Technica’s acclaimed 50 Series (which also includes the AT5040 vocal microphone and AT5045 instrument mic), the AT5047 is a studio microphone that features the same capsule as the AT5040 but with a transformer-coupled output and optimized electronics. It is equally at home capturing instruments and vocals.
The AT5047 features four rectangular two-micron-thick diaphragms, which function together to provide a combined surface area twice that of a standard one-inch circular diaphragm. Advanced internal shock mounting decouples the capsule from the microphone body and the included advanced-design AT8480 shock mount provides isolation.
AT5047 specifications:
- Element: Fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized condenser
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Frequency Response: 20 to 20,000 Hz
- Open Circuit Sensitivity: -29 dB (35.5 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa
- Impedance: 150 ohms
- Maximum Input Sound Level: 148 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.
- Noise: 6 dB SPL
- Dynamic Range (typical): 142 dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 88 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa
- Phantom Power Requirements: 48V DC, 2.7 mA typical
- Weight: 592 g (20.9 oz)
- Dimensions: 165.3 mm (6.51”) long, 57.0 mm (2.24”) maximum body diameter
- Output Connector: Integral 3-pin XLRM-type
The AT5047 is now available with a list of $3,499. Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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DPA Microphones Introduces New Amplifier Technology Called CORE DPA has just launched CORE, a new amplifier technology that lives within its line of miniature lavalier and headset microphones.
Looking to minimize distortion as well as increase the dynamic range, or workable area, of its d:screet and d:fine lines of microphones, DPA developed this new amplifier to create an even clearer sound from the highest of the highs to the lowest of the lows. The dynamic range has been expanded in all ‘CORE’ miniature capsules. For example, the dynamic range of the d:screet 4061 and the d:fine 4066 has been increased by 14 dB at 1 percent THD. DPA says that CORE technology gives the microphones a more clear and open sound in the whole level range.
Located in the capsule of its miniature mics, CORE is currently available in the d:screet 4060, d:screet 4061, d:fine 4066 and d:fine 4088 mics. Microphones purchased with the new technology will come in CORE packaging and will have a blue label near the serial number on the cable to differentiate between these and the original versions. A very discreet laser engraving stating ‘core’ has been incorporated at the microphone capsule as well. The remaining d:screet and d:fine microphones and full range of color options will be available with CORE technology in early 2018.
The new ‘CORE’ omnidirectional microphones will also provide water and moisture resistance through nano coating and hermetic sealing of the sensitive electronics.
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PreSonus Announces Quantum 2 Thunderbolt Interface PreSonus has expanded the series with the release of the new Quantum 2. Slightly smaller than the original Quantum, the 22×24-channel Quantum 2 has a Thunderbolt 2 bus and a direct-to-DAW signal path to achieve extremely low latency. Using 24-bit, 192 kHz converters with 120 dB of dynamic range and PreSonus’ recallable XMAX microphone preamps, you can stack up to 4 Quantum 2 interfaces via Thunderbolt to create a monster 80×80 system.
The Quantum 2 offers two combo mic/instrument inputs and two combo mic/line inputs, each with a digitally controlled XMAX preamp and +48V phantom power. You also get four ¼-inch TRS line outputs, and a headphone output with dedicated volume control. With ADAT Optical I/O and S/PDIF stereo digital I/O, you can have up to 18 additional digital inputs and outputs for a total of 22 in and 24 out. BNC word clock I/O ensures your Quantum 2 and other digital audio devices operate in tight sync. Of course, you get MIDI I/O, too.
With the Quantum 2, your audio interface is an integrated extension of your recording environment. Launch the included PreSonus Studio One Artist DAW, and you’ll find full preamp control functions integrated into your recording environment. Most of the Quantum 2’s features can also be controlled in PreSonus’ free UC Surface control software, so even if you use third-party recording software, you can remotely access the features. To top it off, Quantum 2 owners get the Studio Magic Plug-in Suite free.
With its pro features, flexible software and abundant I/O, the Quantum 2 joins the original Quantum as PreSonus’ most powerful combination audio interfaces/studio command centers and fits into any recording and production environment. The Quantum 2 interface will start to become available in late October 2017 at an anticipated MAP/street price of $699.95.
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Mackie Launches New Onyx USB InterfacesMackie today announced a new line of mobile, high-resolution audio interfaces – Onyx USB Interfaces. Designed for home studios, content creators and inhalers and available in two models, the Artist 12 and the Producer 22, Onyx USB Interfaces feature Mackie’s renowned Onyx mic preamps, 24-bit/192kHz recording, zero-latency direct monitoring, and more, plus a full license for Tracktion T7 DAW + DAW Essentials Collection.
Combining high-resolution converters with Mackie analog circuit the bus-powered Onyx USB Interfaces are the ultimate combination of modern recording technology and proven Mackie analog sound quality.
Both the Artist 12 and Producer 22 are powered by USB for recording anywhere and are equipped with boutique-quality Onyx mic preamps, zero-latency direct monitoring, 48v phantom power, dedicated ¼” monitor outputs, headphone outputs and more.
Artist 12 features one Onyx mic pre and a dedicated ¼” line input with Hi-Z instrument switch perfect for a microphone and a guitar or keyboard. The Producer 22 features dual Onyx mic pres with XLR/TRS combo inputs and Hi-Z instrument switches per channel. Get the perfect blend between DAW audio and direct monitoring with the mix control. Full MIDI I/O allows for connection of controllers, synths, and more.
Included with Onyx USB Interfaces is a full license for the multi award-winning Tracktion T7 DAW recording software plus the DAW Essentials Collection which includes 16 plugins including Equaliser, Compressor, Reverber8 and more. Utilizing the very latest algorithms and coding techniques, the plugins feature extraordinary sound quality in an extremely efficient package, allowing the plugins to be used liberally across a wide range of native computer systems.
The Mackie Onyx USB Interfaces include the Artist 12 and Producer 22 and are available worldwide now. Sold individually, the US MSRP pricing is $139.99 for the Artist 12 and $209.99 for the Producer 22.
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For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe HOW out there, hopefully you enjoyed another opinion-packed issue!
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Everything we publish is Opt-in — we spam NO ONE! rAVe ProAV Edition is our flagship ePublication with what we believe is a reach of virtually everyone in the ProAV market. rAVe HomeAV Edition, co-published with CEDIA and launched in February 2004, is, by far, the largest ePub in the HomeAV market. We added rAVe Rental [and Staging] in November 2007, rAVe ED [Education] in May 2008 and then rAVe DS [Digital Signage] in January 2009. We added rAVe GHGav [Green, Healthcare & Government AV] in August 2010 and rAVe HOW [House of Worship] in July 2012. You can subscribe to any of those publication or see ALL our archives by going to: https://www.ravepubs.com
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