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Keeping It Safe

Keeping It Safe

There’s nothing common about common sense.

Ken: So Brian, here’s how it goes: I’m usually a vendor coming into someone’s venue. When I get there, I have trouble keeping the reins on the folks around me — getting them to do what’s best for the show. There always seems to be simple, common sense problems with the venue’s representative or another vendor. And they’re usually doing something wrong that eventually becomes dangerous. I try to give them suggestions, but the trouble usually starts when one of these guys feels the need to give me his verbal resume to convince me of something that I know is a bad idea. Saying “I told you so” just makes me the asshole. Putting this problem on paper makes me sound conceited, but what is a guy supposed to do?

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Taming the RF Beast

Several months ago in "The Bleeding Edge," we discussed the pending problem with the FCC’s threatened release of “White Space” broadcast frequencies for wireless broadband use and unlicensed transmission. [Check out www. fohonline.com/whitespace for a complete rundown —ed.] While this directly impacts wireless pro audio systems, any increased activity in the airwaves — such as that from microwaves, cell phone signals, and emergency-band communications systems — presents a threat to our never-ending quest for interference-free audio. Any wire that is carrying low-level audio — such as from a microphone or mixing console — acts like an antenna, and may actually attract radio interference. Furthermore, junctions where the audio system may have gaps in its shielding — such as where a cable is connected to the chassis of an audio device — are an invitation for EMI to weasel its way in. Several manufacturers are addressing these concerns with new ways of battling RFI and EMI to keep it out of wired audio.

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Yet Another Series of Random Thoughts

Here we go again, he can’t come up with something coherent to write about so he is going to throw together a bunch of random crap. Geez, why can’t this guy be all intellectual and organized like that guy who runs the magazine for the squints?

Because I can’t, that’s f#&%ing why so just shut up and deal with it.

OK, now where was I? Oh yeah random stuff…

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Symetrix Deuce 722

The latest product in the new Integrator Series is the Deuce 722, designed to solve numerous everyday audio processing problems for integrators. The Deuce 722’s toolset is designed to be applied to a variety of applications such as live sound speaker management, voice processing for public address, headphone processing and line sweetening for broadcast, nightclub system protection, and retail paging over background music or ambient noise compensation.

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New Tony Awards for Sound

NEW YORK — On June 19, the Tony Awards Administration Committee voted to add two new competitive categories for future Tony Awards ceremonies. The newly announced categories for which the upcoming 2007–2008 season’s productions will be eligible are Best Sound Design of a Play and Best Sound Design of a Musical. This is the first time the Tonys have recognized sound design along with the other production elements in the competitive categories.

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Cal State Fullerton Sounds Great with EAW

FULLERTON, CA — The 800-seat Meng Concert Hall at the new Performing Arts Center at California State University, Fullerton, features a sound reinforcement system designed by Multi-Media Consulting Inc. (MMC) of Los Angeles, incorporating EAW AX Series loudspeakers and SB Series subwoofers. MMC Founding Principal Rick Wells took the lead role in the system design process for Meng Concert Hall, specifying three sets of dual EAW AX366 loudspeakers to provide coverage throughout the room.

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VENUE by Digidesign Hits Major Sales Milestone

DALY CITY, CA — This spring, VENUE system sales hit an all-time high of 500 worldwide. Since its introduction in Spring 2005, the Digidesign VENUE live sound environment has become one of the most in-demand digital consoles available. Today, VENUE systems can be found on international tours, in fixed installations for theatre and houses of worship and in TV and radio broadcast environments. “The 500 mark is an amazing milestone for us to reach in such a short span of time,” says Robert Scovill, Market Manager for Digidesign’s Live Sound Products. “It’s just so rewarding to see mixers, systems integrators and even PA companies genuinely excited by what VENUE brings to their efforts."

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Humpin Hannahs Keeps Rockin with JBL

BOISE, ID — Humpin’ Hannah’s in Boise, Idaho, recently upgraded its sound system with JBL Professional VP Series powered loudspeakers to accommodate its high-energy, eclectic environment. Located in the heart of downtown Boise, Humpin’ Hannah’s has been a staple of the city’s nightlife since it opened almost 29 years ago, and the tri-level venue serves as both a live rock club and dance club.

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Face Audio F1200TS Amplfier

Face Audio's F1200TS is part of their Titanium Series. Four-ohm stereo power is rated at 1200 watts per channel with a two-ohm rating of 2350 watts per channel. The amplifier is a Class H design and occupies two rack spaces.

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New Research Confirms Widespread Hearing Loss Among Musicians

NILES, IL— Shure Incorporated has revealed the results of a study recently presented at the American Academy of Audiology annual meeting confirming that musicians suffer a higher incidence of hearing loss than the non-noise-exposed population at large. Based upon the joint research of Shanda Brashears-Morlet of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, Michael Santucci of Chicago-based Sensaphonics Hearing Conservation, and Thierry G. Morlet from the Auditory Physiology and Psychoacoustics Laboratory at the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del., the inquiry's results confirmed that musicians' hearing thresholds were worse across almost the entire range of human hearing, and that the use of hearing protection devices is effective in reducing the risks to hearing health.

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Danley & dB Help Transform Church from Gym to Sanctuary

GAINESVILLE, GA — Keith Armstrong, db Audio and Video's System Advisor, carefully planned the physical renovation for Meadowbrook Baptist Church using Danley Sound Labs SH-50 full range loudspeakers, Danley SH-100s and Danley TH-115 subwoofers, along with absorption and diffusion methods. To accommodate the growing congregation, the church had decided to move from its old, 550-seat sanctuary to the only other large room at the facility — the gymnasium.

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Tony Award Winners Announced

NEW YORK — In their acceptance speeches, Spring Awakening’s Michael Mayer, winner for Director (Musical) and Kevin Adams, Lighting Design (Musical) winner, supported the creation of a Tony award honoring Sound Design — a category many feel has been neglected for far too long. The musical Spring Awakening was the clear winner at the 61st annual Tony Awards on Sunday June 10, picking up eight awards, including the Tony for Best Musical. Tom Stoppard’s three-part epic The Coast of Utopia also did well, winning Best Play and six other Tonys.

A complete list of the awards follows:

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