Public beta of new mobile app provides a centralized solution for intuitive setup, configuration and control for products in the HARMAN Connected PA system

NORTHRIDGE, CA—HARMAN Professional Solutions today announced the public beta of the HARMAN Connected PA mobile app for iOS and Android, available now. The HARMAN Connected PA is a complete, integrated system of live sound products that allows musicians and performers at any skill level to quickly and easily get professional results. The Connected PA app is at the center of the system, and provides one centralized interface for full audio system setup, configuration and control for products in the Connected PA product family.  

“The HARMAN Connected PA simplifies setup for PA systems and makes it easy to achieve great live sound quality, regardless of prior experience with traditional sound systems,” said Noel Larson, Senior Global Manager, HARMAN Professional Solutions. “The HARMAN Connected PA is the first completely integrated live sound system that makes it easy to set up and get professional sound in minutes, and the groundbreaking HARMAN Connected PA mobile app provides essential controls for the entire system. With the app and an iOS or Android device, musicians can streamline speaker and mixer setup, get amazing vocal and instrument sounds with genre-specific presets, instantly recall settings by just plugging in and much more. Now, musicians can focus on what matters most—playing music.”

Connected PA products are embedded with HARMAN’s exclusive ioSYS™ technology, which enables the different elements of the PA to recognize each other and be configured automatically with the HARMAN Connected PA app. The app automatically identifies and configures connected equipment, provides setup wizards for quick and easy system configuration, and offers access from a variety of devices, including iOS and Android tablets. Compatible products currently include:

• Soundcraft Ui12*, Ui16*, and Ui24R digital mixers
• JBL PRX800** loudspeakers
• dbx Di1 active direct box
• AKG P5i microphone
• AKG MDAi dynamic microphone adapter for Connected PA

HARMAN Professional Solutions plans to add additional new products to the Connected PA family to provide musicians with greater versatility and adaptable performance. 

*Requires firmware update to v6905 or higher   **Requires firmware update to v1.0.1.91 or higher

Availability
The HARMAN Connected PA app is now available from the Apple App Store and Google Play. Download the app, check it out with your compatible product and let us know what you think. 

The Soundcraft and JBL components mentioned in this announcement are all currently available but may require firmware updates to enable HARMAN Connected PA functionality. For additional information on the HARMAN Connected PA app and compatible products, please visit Connected-PA.com.

New streamlined mixing surfaces offer Lexicon digital signal processing, and USB I/O connectivity for computer-based music recording and playback 

PROLIGHT + SOUND (Hall 4.0, Stand F41), FRANKFURT—HARMAN Professional Solutions today introduced three new Soundcraft Notepad mixers. The Notepad-5, -8FX and -12FX are desktop analog mixing surfaces that include HARMAN signal processing, and USB I/O connectivity. Streamlined to meet today’s audio workflow challenges, the new Soundcraft Notepad surfaces offer exceptional value and performance for podcasters, singer-songwriters and audio professionals who require small format mixing solutions.

“Soundcraft Notepad mixers have a long history with musicians and audio professionals who need high-quality, small-format desktop mixing solutions,” said Scott Wood, Mixers Solutions Manager, HARMAN Professional Solutions. “The new Notepad generation maintains that trusted history, while adding legendary Lexicon signal processing and USB I/O connectivity, all at an entry-level price.”

Featuring trustworthy designs with high-quality components, Soundcraft Notepad mixers include professional microphone preamps with excellent audio quality for a variety of uses, XLR combination jack mic/line inputs for easy connection with professional audio gear, and 1/4" balanced inputs for connecting keyboards, playback devices and more. USB I/O connectivity enables easy recording and playback with digital audio workstations or video audio workstations. In addition, users of the Notepad-8FX and Notepad-12FX can also enhance their audio using renowned HARMAN Digital Signal Processing (DSP), including Lexicon reverbs, chorus and delay with tap tempo control.

Soundcraft Notepad mixers are designed for exceptional convenience and ease of use. A traditional channel strip layout provides fast and efficient access to desired channels and sends. Up to three EQ’s per channel are perfect for simple audio shaping on incoming audio signals. An Aux/FX send makes it easy to feed audio signals to external effects send or built in Lexicon digital processing. A master fader with LED metering provides XLR stereo output level control. A rotary headphone level provides simple control for master mix or aux output levels.

Availability

The Notepad-5, -8FX and -12FX are expected to be available in July 2017, with pricing as follows:

• Notepad-5: $123.75 (MSRP)
• Notepad-8FX: $161.25 (MSRP)
• Notepad-12FX: $198.75 (MSRP)

For more details, please visit http://www.soundcraft.com/en-US/product_families/notepad-series

Compact and accessible stageboxes provide additional I/O channels for Soundcraft Si consoles; firmware update expands the Soundcraft Si Impact mixing console to 80 inputs

PROLIGHT + SOUND (Hall 4.0, Stand F41), FRANKFURT—HARMAN Professional Solutions today announced the new Soundcraft Mini Stagebox 32i and Mini Stagebox 16i, offering customers multiple channels of remote controlled I/O for Soundcraft Si series products, including the Si Impact mixing console. The new rack-mount stageboxes are equipped with high-quality components, including Studer-designed preamps, to deliver exceptional sound quality, convenience and robust ease-of-use.

Additionally, HARMAN is releasing a free firmware update for the Soundcraft Si Impact mixing console in April that enables up to 80 mix tracks when used in conjunction with stageboxes. The update allows Si Impact owners to add a stagebox for additional inputs, while simultaneously using the existing console inputs. By adding a second MADI option card to the console, customers can add a second stagebox and select which inputs to assign to the 80 mixing channels. In addition, with up to 80 total mix tracks, customers can now handle more complex mixing scenarios, like adding an optional Dante card for receiving from a house router, or outputting to either the back of their console or the stagebox—all while recording up to 32 tracks over USB to a connected digital audio workstation.

“The new Mini Stagebox 32i and Mini Stagebox 16i are perfect for live sound engineers, houses of worship, bands, club owners and corporate customers that want affordable remote-controlled I/O for their Soundcraft Si series console,” said Scott Wood, Solutions Manager, Mixing at HARMAN Professional Solutions. “Mini Stagebox 32i and Mini Stagebox 16i deliver the input power, versatility and sound quality of large-scale traditional mixing solutions—all at an incredible value. Combined with the new Soundcraft Si Impact firmware update, the new stageboxes make the Si line more compelling and more flexible than ever.”

Soundcraft Mini Stagebox 32i and Mini Stagebox 16i provide multiple channels of MADI I/O via standard Cat5 cabling, eliminating the need to run expensive and heavy analog snakes from the stage to front-of-house mixing positions. Mini Stagebox 32i and Mini Stagebox 16i offer remarkable value while maintaining the industry-leading performance and dependability found in Soundcraft live solutions.

Mini Stagebox 32i and Mini Stagebox 16i feature a streamlined design that provides essential connections and features, including a MADI over RJ45 connector built right onto the chassis. No local hardware configuration or option cards are needed or required—engineers can simply plug in, power on, select inputs and control remotely using a Soundcraft Si console.

Dedicated XLR mic pre inputs allow 32 or 16 simultaneous channels of external analog input. Mini Stagebox 32i offers twelve analog outputs, while Mini Stagebox 16i offers eight analog outputs for easy connection to house and stage monitors and broadcast or streaming feeds.

Mini Stagebox 32i

• MADI over RJ45/Cat5 connectivity for 100M runs between stage and mixing console (328 feet)
• 32 remote controlled mic preamps and A/D converters
• 12 XLR analog line level outputs
• 3U Rack mount design

Mini Stagebox 16i

• RJ45/Cat5 connectivity for 100M runs between stage and mixing console (328 feet)
• 16 remote controlled mic preamps and A/D converters
• 8 XLR analog line level outputs
• 2U Rack mount design

Availability

Soundcraft Mini Stagebox 32i and Mini Stagebox 16i are expected to be available in June 2017. Pricing as follows:

• Mini Stagebox 32i: $1,873.75 (MSRP)
• Mini Stagebox 16i: $998.75 (MSRP)

For more information, please visit: http://www.soundcraft.com/product_families/stageboxes

HARMAN Professional Solutions’ JBL, Crown, BSS brands help provide sound and networked audio for multi-discipline racing track

BINH DUONG, VIETNAM – Opened in October 2016, Dai Nam Racecourse was created to boost tourism in the Dai Nam tourism park complex, 24.8 miles (40 kilometers) away from Ho Chi Minh City. With such a huge space, it was critical that audio coverage was even and clear throughout the Racecourse. Local systems integrator and HARMAN distributor, Ba Sao Investment, took on the responsibility of installing the audio system for Dai Nam. 

Spanning more than 460,180 square feet (42,753 square meters), the $100 million complex was built to accommodate five racing disciplines, with tracks for dog and horse racing, auto and motorboat racing, go-kart racing and fly-board performances. The large racecourse is able to accommodate up to 60,000 spectators with four grandstands that seats 18,000.

The biggest challenge that Ba Sao Investments faced was the tight schedule as the owners wanted to open the Race Course by 2017. Featuring a full HARMAN based system with the BSS BLU Link enabled the seamless ease of connectivity, thus helping the system integrator meet the deadline.

"I am extremely satisfied with HARMAN’s products and their Vietnam partner Ba Sao Investments’ services including installation, operation and timely completion of the project,” said Vo Kim Thanh, Vice President, Dai Nam Race Course. “Not only I am very happy with the quality of HARMAN’s products but the local television stations have also praised the products during their visit.”

The completed racecourse boasts an impressive lineup of technology, with 52 JBL AWC82 taking responsibility for main audio coverage within the stadium. Two JBL PRX710 speakers were installed for monitoring purposes, within the control room. Four AWC129 units were placed for coverage at the entrance of the racecourse and parking area. Driving the speakers are 15 units of Crown CTs2000 and one CTs3000.  Both the AWC82 and AWC129 are highly weather-resistant speakers that offer 1200 x 1200 dispersion and 900 x 900 dispersion respectively. Both speakers offer extraordinary clarity for speech, with extended frequency response for music, which is exactly what the Racecourse required.

A Soundcraft Si Expression 1 console handles mixing duties, with its massive mix capacity of 66 inputs, in a small format. One distinctive advantage with the Si Expression 1 console is the FaderGlow^TM that gives the user an additional level of status indication that helps to reduce operating errors. Several different functions can be assigned to a fader and to ease operations the FaderGlow^TM indicates the actual function type that is currently assigned to the particular fader.

BSS networked audio played an important role at the installation. A mix of five units of BLU-50, one unit of BLU-100, one unit of BLU-102 and six units of BLU-DAN integrate the digital signal processing into one seamlessly working audio system.

Speech reinforcement is offered via five units of AKG WMS470 Vocal Set D5. The set includes a HT470 handheld transmitter featuring a dynamic D5 capsule for well-balanced, powerful sound. The space diversity receiver offers both a microphone level and a line level output.

The AKG wireless system is also supported by two units of AKG CGN521 STS, which is a professional tabletop microphone set with excellent shock absorbing properties. Its features a CGN521 condenser gooseneck microphone with a cardioid polar pattern on a slim, 50 cm long gooseneck. The microphones are used for commentary purposes.

“We are extremely privileged to be associated with Dai Nam Racecourse and thank them for choosing HARMAN’s suite of solutions including our iconic JBL, Crown, BSS, dbx and Soundcraft products,” said Ramesh Jayaraman, VP & GM  HARMAN Professional Solutions, APAC. “We are sure HARMAN Professional Solutions will enhance the experience of Dai Nam customers and ensure complete satisfaction. Thanks to our partners Ba Sao Investments for their support and customer first approach.”

Products Used:

AKG CGN521 STS x 2
AKG WMS470 Vocal Set D5 x 5
BSS BLU 100 x 1
BSS BLU 102 x 1
BSS BLU 50 x 5
BSS BLU-DAN x 6
Crown CTs2000 x 15
Crown CTs3000  x 1
JBL AWC129 x 4
JBL AWC82 x 52
JBL PRX710 x 2
Soundcraft Si Expression 1 x 1

LydRommet oversees acoustically enhanced and reconfigurable design for Dokk1

AARHUS, Denmark – The magnificent new Dokk1 Library and Citizens' Services at Aarhus Harbor in Denmark is the largest public library in Scandinavia. HARMAN distributor, LydRommet, teamed up with A/V system integrators, Solutors, to bid successfully for the technical AV contract. Situated on the waterfront, and forming part of the larger Urban Mediaspace Aarhus project, it has been jointly financed by Aarhus Municipality and Realdania at a cost of $301.9M (2.1B DKK), and is spread over 64,000 square feet (60,000 square meters) of floor space.

From the beginning was essential to create a multi-purpose library with each room being multi-functional. LydRommet and Solutors’ technical designers, they were able to meet the audio requirements set out by consultant Anders Gade, from Gade Mortensen Akustik, by offering an integrated HARMAN solution.

“We offered Solutors design support and suggestions on how to create a complete solution based on HARMAN products, making sure that the required functionality was met with the specified products,” said LydRommet CEO, Flemming Bjerke. “We are delighted with the Dokk1 installation, as this is an extremely complex solution with a super simple user interface.

LydRommet’s Henrik Foldager and Karsten Ørkild oversaw the complex audio design, which is based on networked BSS Soundweb DSP and Crown DCi|N amplifiers, running on BLU link from Soundweb. The 54 amplifier channels and high number of individually powered JBL speakers are essential to maintaining the required versatility.

Two rooms have been equipped the main hall, which can be divided into two separate rooms, and a second smaller Kids Room. The main hall’s acoustic walls have several technical functions: concealed behind the perforated wall panels are acoustical curtains that can change the room acoustics, enhancing the reverberation; at the same time the wall speakers also provide the cinema surround sound and are individually powered. The room parameters can be changed between classical and jazz concerts and for presentations.

“An essential pre-requisite had been that the equipment should be simple to use, obviating the need for a technician to be on site during concerts or meetings,” stated Jannik Mulvad, technical spokesman for DOKK1.

In presenter mode the active AKG DMS800 wireless mics are sent to the distributed speech enhancement system in the ceiling. This is based on 18 individually powered JBL Control 28s while the program sound is delivered from a PC to the JBL VRX928LA system, in stereo. In cinema mode, a separate L/C/R system, using eight JBL AM5212s plus four subs from the VRX918S live PA system, comes into play. Surround sound speakers, concealed behind the perforated wall panels as well as 18 individually powered JBL Control 25 AVs, support this mode. In live sound mode the JBL VRX928 / VRX918S subs, along with a delay system set half way down the hall, is activated. The delay system is on a separate program feed for the latter half of the hall when the foldable wall divides the room into two. In acoustical mode all sidewall and ceiling speakers are individually amplified and these speakers discreetly provide the room’s reverb sound. There are eight AKG C480/CK61 mics at the stage area, which pick up the sound and 36 C25AV and C28 JBL speakers to reproduce the required reverberation.

Given the complexity of the installation, a combination of Dante, BLU link and MADI platforms are all used for the audio signal transport, with BSS BLU-806 processors forming the heart of the system. Connected to this on a Dante platform are AKG DMS800 wireless microphone systems, while a Soundcraft Si Performer 2 with Compact Stagebox, is linked via MADI, although the console itself is connected to the Soundweb on HARMAN’s proprietary BLU link. A second Performer 2 can be found in the Kids Room.

Bjerke continued, “The biggest challenge faced by LydRommet was clocking all the digital audio protocols in order to make the system both stable and reliable. This had to be possible without connecting the Soundcraft console, since this had to be portable, and there are a few user configurations that don’t use the console at all.”

Added Mulvad, “the technical solution we designed together with LydRommet is being used to its maximum. With more than a million visitors a year in the visitor center and library there is a lot taking place in the two auditoriums. There are simple setups, with just one microphone and a projector to advanced shows from opera to jazz concerts.”

JBL, Soundcraft, Crown and Martin Professional featured at Iceland’s Secret Solstice festival

REYKJAVÍK, Iceland – One of the fastest up-and-coming events on the European festival circuit, Secret Solstice, turned to HARMAN Professional Solutions to deliver a complete audio system and lighting solutions. ID Electronic and event partner, Hljodx, provided the gear for the festival which took place over the summer solstice weekend, allowing for 72 hours of continuous daylight.

The 2016 festival was a banner year with attendance numbers soaring to 17,000 after Radiohead signed on to headline the event. The band’s rider requested the cutting edge JBL VTX V25-II line array system, which ID Electronic and Hljodx were able to provide. One of the mobile festival stages was equipped with JBL VTX V25 (seven elements per side) as well as a Soundcraft Vi6, Vi1, for FOH and monitors, and JBL VRX915M stage wedges. They also chose fixtures from HARMAN Professional Solution’s lighting portfolio to outfit the main stage, second and third stages in addition to the two tents.

“With a number of other events, 2016 was the biggest challenge for us so far,” said ID Electronic manager, Ingó Arnarson. “Everyone was happy with the service we provided and the support of HARMAN Tour Sound Application Engineer Ed Jackson took a lot of the strain off our team.”  

With headliners such as Food Fights, The Prodigy and Richard Ashcroft, 2017 is on track to be the biggest year in the festival’s history. The ID Electronic and Hljodx teams are already gearing up for the 2017 festival in June with plans to expand the JBL VTX presence to all of the major stages and adding more products from Soundcraft, BSS, AKG, dbx, Crown and Martin.

Audio products for the 2016 festival included:

• 40 x JBL VTX V25
• 8 x JBL VTX V20
• 16 x JBL VerTec VT4886
• 12 x JBL VRX932LA
• 24 x JBL VTX V28 subs
• 6 x JBL VTX G28
• 6 x JBL CSR82L
• Soundcraft Vi6, Vi1 and Si consoles
• 24 x Crown I-Tech IT3500HD
• 24 x Crown IT12000HD.

Lighting products included:

• 32 x Martin MAC 600 washlights
• 20 x Rush MH3 Beams
• 12 x Martin Atomic LED and conventional strobes