It seems that Bay Area-based Spider Ranch Productions is spinning a wider web. The ambitious, fast-growing company recently invested in a new Outline GTO sound system. But that’s not the most surprising news to come out of the regional sound company.
Read More »
Previously in FRONT of HOUSE, we discussed some of the complications behind getting product certified — such as UL — for safety or electromagnetic emissions. That topic quickly devolves into alphabet soup, and can become rather expensive headache for companies designing product. It also drives tradeoffs beyond those involving the raw performance of a product.
Read More »
You’ve heard it before. Under the right (or wrong) circumstances, some types of cellular phones are capable of interacting with audio equipment and causing audible interference. Since the first GSM-type mobile networks went up, the alien clicks and buzzes (sometimes known as “Blackberry buzz”) have terrorized audio professionals everywhere. I’m sure you know the characteristic blip-blip-blip bzzzzzzz all too well.
Read More »
Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts and Technology (ICAT) has created an immersive 3-D audio environment. Christened “The Cube,” this unique four-story theater and high-tech laboratory features one of the highest-channel count 3-D audio systems in the world. The facility combines multi-screen video and 3-D sound from 145 loudspeakers to bring creative artists, educators and audiences together in a four-story, black box theater that’s one of the largest on the East Coast.
Read More »Clair Brothers was established 49 years ago when brothers Gene and Roy Clair had their first gig — supplying sound for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons at F&M College in Lancaster, PA — and over the years, the company has grown into a major force in touring, installations and technologies for live sound reinforcement. In fact it was just two years after that first defining gig that the company debuted its first large-scale system (powered by the then-new Crown DC300 amplifiers), doing sound for Cream in 1968 at the Philadelphia Spectrum for 18,000 fans.
Read More »
The new SRX800 line of active loudspeakers from JBL Professional was unveiled during Winter NAMM 2015. The series consists of the 12-inch, two-way SRX812P; the 15-inch two-way SRX815P; the three-way 15-inch SRX835P and single (SRX818SP) and double-18 (SRX828SP) subwoofers.
Read More »
Whirlwind, Inc. is a name well known to anybody in the music industry, with good reason. Makers of some of most ubiquitous and long-lasting electronic infrastructure equipment you’re likely to find on the road, they’ve been a leader in creating high-quality audio interfaces for more than 40 years.
Read More »
Coinciding with the June 16 release of the Before This World CD, the James Taylor organization scheduled a series of television and radio performances to showcase many of the new songs. Before This World is the first collection of all new material written and performed by James Taylor since the release of October Road in 2002. The level of anticipation was very high and the pre-release reviews had all been extremely positive. We were prepared for a very busy and exciting week in New York that would include appearances on the Today Show, The Tonight Show, Live! With Kelly and Michael, Late Night with Seth Meyers and a live Sirius/XM concert broadcast from the Apollo Theater.
Read More »
The last concert the Beatles ever played was on a rooftop. Now Capitol Records, the label that distributed the Fab Four’s records in the U.S., is bringing that moment full circle. In addition to a refresh of the recording studio at the iconic platter-shaped building that sits on Vine St., near its legendary intersection with Hollywood Blvd., the label is also hosting live music performances on the roof. It’s another indicator of how the narrative arc of the music business has changed, with live music now the dominant revenue generator.
Read More »
Are you doing everything possible to maximize the performance of your wireless microphones, instrument and IEM systems? As the airwaves grow more crowded with activity from cellular signals, routers and terrestrial broadcasts (not to mention those pesky Martian game show broadcasts), our MI wireless systems face more competition — and are therefore more susceptible to interference than ever. Here are some tips on squeezing the most out of your RF gear.
Read More »
Many of today’s churches are struggling with how to best utilize technology, and are wrestling with how to best deliver their message via broadcast or Internet streaming. My church is going through many of these technological growing pains right now. Sure, we have digital consoles, a line array and LED lighting, but we have yet to make the leap into multi-camera video streaming of full services. Most of our discussions about delivering content online have centered on the video production aspects, such as cameras, switchers, graphics and recording.
Read More »
As we all know, everybody does production management. From stagehands to company accountants, it seems anyone who’s ever worked on a concert or an event — in any capacity — can then be qualified as a “production manager.” While there may be some truth to this (in certain instances), it might be best to understand the various nuances associated with the title “Production Manager,” as not all production managers are created equal nor are their jobs all the same.
Read More »