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The Martin MLA System: Audio from the Audience Perspective

Fig. 1: MLA cabinet cutaway shows the horn loading of the various drivers.

The Martin MLA System: Audio from the Audience Perspective

I recently had the pleasure of journeying to On Stage Audio in Las Vegas and attending a hands-on training session on Martin Audio’s MLA system. The event was hosted by OSA vice-president Jim Risgin and skillfully taught by OSA’s director of engineering services, Martyn “Ferrit” Rowe. Over the past year, I have seen this innovative system in action at a tour stop at the venerable Sports Arena in San Diego; critically listened to and experimented with MLA arrays erected in the back parking lot of Delicate Productions (Camarillo, CA); and more recently, mixed a show on the MLA at a large outdoor venue.

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It’s Showtime – Do You Know Where Your Audience Is? (Advertisers Do)

We already know that the live event is the new locus of technology, but much of that has been developing along parallel and distinctly different tracks, between pro and consumer. Back of house, we’ve seen tremendous strides in areas like control systems, automation and LED’s. Out in the audience, smartphone apps have become ubiquitous, and we’re starting to see patrons texting and Twittering in their seats — possibly even more annoying than seeing them talking or making out. We now see them interacting with apps that, if they didn’t get them into the venue in the first place, told them where to park and where they can go for a bite after the show.

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Having a little (or more than a little) foreign currency isn't a bad idea while touring the world.

Tour Managing for the Weary

In the June and July 2013 issues of FOH, Steve LaCerra presented a two-part mini-series on the art and science of being both FOH mixer and tour manager. After an overwhelmingly positive response from readers, we asked him to add some more tips on the topic, so here we have the latest installment in our series on the adventures in tour managing. —ed.

As the old saying goes, sometimes you’re the windshield… and sometimes you’re the bug. In other words, sometimes you’re the headliner and sometimes you’re support. Regardless of which, please play nicely in the sandbox. It’s an unfortunate fact of life that when you’re a support act, you’re often at the mercy of the headliner.

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Mill City Church, a portable ministry that uses Colorado State University’s Center for the Arts building in Ft. Collins, found its mobile audio solution in the form of a DiGiCo SD11 console and a Tannoy system with VXP12Q mains and VNET DR218 subs.

Portable Sound

At my church, reaching out into the community is one of our biggest callings. The concept of outreach can range from visiting an elderly shut-in person to putting on a concert in the local park. Of course, if you plan on having a concert, or any outreach event that needs a sound system, the system you use will need to be easily portable as well.

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Illustration by Andy Au

A Blind Test, Sort of

My friend, a qualified engineer, posted the results of his blind listening test between a Mackie SRM450 and QSC K-12, EAW KF300, Martin XD12 and Martin W8VDQ loudspeakers. Claiming that there were no crossovers, processors or equalizers used in the test, he said that unanimously each engineer involved chose the Mackie as the best sounding speaker. They had to be high!

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HARMAN_iHeartRadio

Firehouse Supports iHeartRadio Music Festival with JBL VTX System

LAS VEGAS, NV – For the third year in a row, Firehouse Productions turned to JBL Professional and Crown Audio for the sound reinforcement system at the iHeartRadio Music Festival, deploying JBL VTX line arrays powered by Crown I-Tech HD amplifiers. The 2013 iHeartRadio Music Festival was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and featured performances by Paul McCartney, Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Muse, and more.

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W Lobby 2

CTSI Upgrades The W in DC with Martin Audio Gear

WASHINGTON DC – CTSI (Corbett Technology Solutions, Inc.), which had been brought in to upgrade the lighting systems for the beaux arts-style W Hotel near the White House here for a refurbishment in 2009, was then tasked with an upgrade to the luxury hotel’s audio system. CTSI specified a range of new equipment including Martin Audio OmniLine arrays and AQ Series speakers.

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Mikael Collin of AVP Sales and SSI's Chris Adams join VUE's global sales organization

VUE Names Distributors for Sweden and Latin America

SAN DIEGO, CA — VUE Audiotechnik named AVP Sales, led by Mikael Collin (pictured left) as the company’s distributor in Sweden. VUE also named Studio Sound International (SSI), led by Chris Adams (pictured right) as its sales representative for Latin America. Adams and SSI will be responsible for assembling and managing a distribution network for the company’s sound reinforcement technologies throughout the region.

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DPA Partner Conference Delegates

DPA Microphones Hosts 120 at Three-Day Partner Conference

ALLEROED, Denmark ― More than 120 pro audio distributors, dealers and opinion leaders from around the world traveled to Denmark recenlty for DPA Microphones’ Partner Conference. The three day event brought guests through meetings and seminars in Copenhagen and at DPA’s headquarters in Allerød as well as on a tour of DPA’s production facility in Asnæs.

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Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad in Romeo and Juliet - Photo by Carol Rosegg

Masque Sound Supports Return of Romeo & Juliet to Broadway

NEW YORK, NY — When William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet returned to the Broadway stage for the first time in 36 years, sound designer (and composer/percussionist) David Van Tieghem and associate sound designer David Sanderson turned to Masque Sound for a custom audio equipment package. The setup included Shure, AKG and Sennheiser cabled and wireless mics, a Digico SD8 console, XTA processing and Meyer Sound UPM-1Ps, UPM-2Ps, UPQ-1Ps and 600-HP subwoofer. The crew also makes use of D&B and EAW speakers and Sennheiser and Clear-Com headsets for the show’s intercom.  Masque Sound also provided all cabling and associated equipment.

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521_K

Earthworks Now Shipping 521 500 Series Preamp

MILFORD, NH – The Earthworks 521 ZDT Preamps for 500 series racks are now in stock and shipping. Based on ZDT Preamp technology designed by David Blackmer, the Earthworks 521 promises to bring the exacting standards of the ZDT Zero Distortion Preamplifiers to the convenient 500 series format, providing a pristine amplification option to the 500 series rack.

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