96-channels, superior performance and streamlined operation—now in a more compact form factor

NORTHRIDGE, CA—Soundcraft by HARMAN is pleased to introduce the Vi1000 Digital Mixing Console. Representing the culmination of the groundbreaking achievements and rich feature sets offered by Soundcraft’s acclaimed Vi Series, the new VI1000 is the most compact member of the Vi-000 family—at just 86cm x 81cm (34” x 32”) in size—yet it retains all the mixing and processing power of its two larger siblings, the Vi2000 and 3000.

The Vi1000 is designed for live touring, music venue and corporate AV customer with applications where a compact and cost-effective, but powerful console is required. Employing Soundcraft’s unique and highly intuitive Vistonics II^TM channel strip user interface, together with FaderGlow^TM, the console combines the operating principles and workflows from the highly successful Vi3000, 5000 and 7000 consoles with Soundcraft® SpiderCore^TM—a powerful built-in DSP and I/O engine based on STUDER technology, offering 40-bit floating point processing for class-leading audio quality. The Vi1000 also comes into its own as an additional remote-control surface for any of the larger consoles in the range, using their Mirroring feature.

In addition to gating and compression on all 96 channel paths, audio processing functionality includes the acclaimed BSS DPR901ii Dynamic EQ and Lexicon multi-effects via an insertable processing pool—plus the ability to insert up to 64 external devices. STUDER vMIX automatic voice mixing is built-in and BSS 966 graphic EQs are available on all output busses.

The Vi1000 comes with rear panel local I/O featuring 16 HQ mic/line inputs, 16 line outputs, and two 64 channel expansion slots that allow up to two MADI-based Stageboxes to be connected, or alternatively the slots provide access to an extensive range of D21m I/O option cards, that address all industry standard audio formats. Four channels of AES/EBU I/O plus USB and MIDI connections complete the back panel. The total I/O count of the console is 212 in x 212 out.

As is standard with all Vi000-series consoles, a built-in 64x64ch Dante^TM/MADI interface provides direct recording/playback connection via Ethernet to any Windows or Mac-based recording software, or allows the Vi1000 to integrate into an existing Dante network. The associated optical MADI interface allows an alternate record feed to MADI-equipped storage devices or connection of the Soundcraft Realtime Rack Plug-in engine, adding the power of Universal Audio UAD^TM-powered plug-ins to the console's expansive sonic palette.

The Vi1000’s built-in monitoring support for AKG, Shure and Sennheiser wireless microphone systems makes it easy to check battery power, RF levels and frequencies, plus audio level and clipping status of the attached wireless microphones—right on the channel strip that controls each mic.

Andy Brown, Soundcraft Product Manager, commented on the company’s new Vi1000, “The Vi1000 represents all that we’ve learned over the years with our Vi line and channels that knowledge and experience into a new desk that delivers superior audio performance and a world-class feature set—now delivered in the most compact form factor we’ve achieved so far.”

Availability

The new Soundcraft Vi1000 will be available in November. For more information, please visit http://www.soundcraft.com/en-US/products/vi2000.

Integrator Brad Schield installs a complete HARMAN audio and lighting solution to provide exceptional sound quality, flexibility and ease-of use for a broad range of performances

BERKELEY, Calif.—Brad C. Schield and Associates (BSA) recently designed and installed a complete audio and lighting system by HARMAN Professional Solutions in Cornerstone, a newly opened live music venue, restaurant and beer garden in Berkeley.

Cornerstone hosts performances by local bands, tribute acts and national touring artists, including The Offspring, Jefferson Starship, Third Eye Blind, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, and many more. In order to deliver an exceptional audio and visual experience for both music fans and artists, Cornerstone owner Alex Popov hired BSA to install a cutting-edge networked audio and lighting system for the 600-capacity venue.  BSA selected a complete networked HARMAN audio and lighting solution made up of JBL Professional speakers, Crown amplifiers, AKG microphones, Soundcraft consoles, BSS and AMX audio video control systems and Martin lighting fixtures for their professional performance, seamless integration and intuitive operation.

“HARMAN is an industry leader in innovative audio technology,” said Brad Schield. “They can provide me with a complete solution from microphones and mixers to speakers and amps, and it all works together seamlessly. I know I can shop one source, and there’s not going to be a weak link in the chain. HARMAN has been doing this longer than anyone—it’s an integrator’s dream.”

The audio system includes a main hang of 18 JBL VT4886 line array speakers, 6 JBL VT4883 subwoofers in the air, 4 JBL STX828S subwoofers built into the stage, and JBL SRX Series powered speakers for stage monitors. JBL SCS8 speakers deliver full-range audio inside the restaurant, while JBL AWC82 and JBL SB2210 speakers are installed in the beer garden. The entire system is powered by Crown I-Tech Series amplifiers and optimized by JBL V5 speaker presets. The system also includes a comprehensive collection of AKG microphones to handle any live sound scenario. To ensure maximum audio coverage in 13,000 square feet of venue space, BSA used JBL VERTEC Line Array Calculator II software to meticulously map out speaker placement and arrangement.

Plus Four Marketing commissioned, supplied and tuned the HARMAN system at Cornerstone. By using a single distributor and a complete HARMAN solution, BSA was able to streamline the installation process and complete the project quickly and efficiently.

“The HARMAN system installed at Cornerstone was near-perfect right out of the gate and needed very little EQ adjustment,” said Keith Erickson, Tour Sound & Large Venue Specialist at Plus Four Marketing. “The Soundcraft consoles are set up with preset recalls that allow audio to flow from either side of the venue. The audio is also synced with an AMX video system. The entire system is networked via Dante, without copper cable. It makes it very easy for the owner to operate the system. Plus, Alex was also able to use HARMAN's Finance program, which allowed to him to purchase all of the equipment he needed at one time. This made the installation much more streamlined and efficient.”

Soundcraft Vi2000 and Si Performer digital live mixing consoles not only provide unparalleled mixing power, they can be linked together via built-in Dante and BLU link interfaces to enable easy multi-track recording and flexible network routing options. Utilizing the Dante network and a BSS BLU link-equipped eight-channel Crown DC-I amplifier, audio can be routed to eight different zones throughout the restaurant and outdoor beer garden. The Dante network allows audio to be sourced from multiple locations in the facility. Separate shows can take place simultaneously in the venue and beer garden, or audio from the main venue can be routed to restaurant and outdoor patio, allowing guests to listen to the live performance from anywhere in the facility.

BSA also installed a lighting rig, consisting of 13 Martin RUSH MH6 CT and 4 Martin MH7 Hybrid fixtures. Controlled by Martin M-PC software, the lighting rig has more than enough flexibility for local acts and serves as a great foundation for touring acts that bring their own lighting package.

“We have the flexibility to provide a complete audio experience in every area of our space,” said Popov. “The audio systems work together seamlessly. When we were researching the sound system, we travelled to different venues around the country. I can’t think of a single place we visited that sounds better than the HARMAN system we have at Cornerstone. When The Offspring played here, they told us how great the room sounded. They’ve played some of the biggest and best venues in the world, so that was major validation of the HARMAN system. It was a great experience.”

Acclaimed performance from the G20 Hangzhou Summit deploys cutting-edge audio solutions by JBL, Soundcraft, Crown and BSS for its highly anticipated public debut

HANGZHOU, China—Impression Wonders Arts Development Co., Ltd.  recently deployed a complete HARMAN Professional Solutions audio system for the public debut of “Most Memorable Is Hangzhou.”

Staged with Hangzhou’s famous West Lake in the background, “Most Memorable Is Hangzhou” was originally created to welcome visitors to the opening gala of the 2016 G20 Hangzhou Summit. The G20 performance became an international sensation and even received praise from Chinese President Xi Jinping for its innovative visuals, breathtaking stage design and stunning musical performances.

Thanks to strong interest from the public, Impression Wonders Arts Development and director Zhang Yimou created a new version of “Most Memorable is Hangzhou” with enhanced visuals, interactive effects and an updated audio system design by Mr. Jin Shaogang, a legend in the Chinese audio industry.

The production presented several unique challenges. The seating capacity for the public performance increased from 1,200 to 2,000 with the addition of 800 retractable seats. Additionally, the seating was distributed sporadically throughout the venue, making it difficult to achieve consistent audio coverage. Furthermore, the audio system was deployed on the water in two boats, so it needed to withstand the elements.

Shaogang selected JBL VTX Series speakers, JBL AE Series speakers and JBL EON Series speakers to deliver a premium audio experience that would match the show’s stunning visuals. The entire system was powered by Crown I-Tech HD Series amplifiers, and mixed using Soundcraft Vi Series digital mixing consoles and BSS digital audio processors. HARMAN distributor ACE provided the audio solutions.

Multipurpose venue looked for flexible system to cater to different entertainment requirements

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – When installing a new sound system in their multi-use facility, The Mega Star Arena (MSA) team turned to HARMAN Professional Solutions to help implement a solution which would offer flexibility to produce a variety of events.

MSA, located in Kuchai Lama, is ideally located to cater to major events and performances in the country. The venue features an 18,000 square foot (1672 square meters) flat floor open plan hall that can be customized according to each events’ needs. The venue also features a vast array of the latest, fully integrated audio-visual technology solutions with free WiFi access. It is a multi-dimensional venue which acts as a performing theater, mega event venue, convention facility for corporates and seminars and even a church gathering on Sunday.

Mega Star Arena was conceptualized to be a one stop center not only to be able to cater to different events but also to ensure that it possessed state-of-the-art audio visual equipment thereby enabling the best experience for their clients and their customers. It was critical that the Audio-Visual technology is able to cater to a wide array of requirements from a corporate conference to a large scale concert. In this aspect the choice of sound system was an important factor.

“We wanted to provide a full-fledged audio visual system in house to cater to our customers’ requirements,” said Paul Wong, Owner, Mega Star Arena. “From a conference to large scale concert, we are able to provide expert and reliable assistance to ensure a customer’s vision is executed successfully and professionally. HARMAN Professional Solutions has helped us meet those requirements and ensure our customers are satisfied”. 

HARMAN Professional Solutions partners in Malaysia, Mahajak Trio, was hired by the MSA Group to help them achieve their objectives of flexibility and quality. Working with the MSA Group leadership team, technical director, sound architect and designers, HARMAN’s JBL range of products was determined to be the best suited for the arena.

The team chose the JBL VTX V25 3-Way line array loudspeaker, as the venue was to be treated as a large arena for which the product is aptly suited, along with achieving the MSA Group’s vision to invest in the best available technology and sound experience. The systems were provided as a test case for a few months and after sufficient ground trials for live performances, they were recognised for their quality and performance and purchased by MSA as part of their inventory.

In addition, the JBL VTX V25 loudspeakers were complemented with JBL VTX S28 Dual 18” subwoofers to handle the low frequencies. The V25 speakers deliver powerful sound in a compact, lightweight enclosure that is perfect for a venue such as MSA.  Ensuring flexibility for the sound system setup is the JBL VTX-V25-AF frame structure that enables suspended or ground-stacked configurations for the VTX24 and S28 speakers, with all the relevant frame and pin holes to assemble the systems in place quickly and effectively. Driving the speakers are Crown IT 1200 HTD and 4X3500HD amplifiers that are racked onto a rugged Crown VRack system that is not only mobile but is fully protected from rough handling.

Mixing duties is assigned to a Soundcraft Vi3000 digital sound console that offers 36 faders and 24 mono/stereo busses. The Vi3000 also boasts a black screen panel with four Vistonics II touchscreen interfaces. The four touchscreen interfaces offer the option for two engineers to operate the console at the same time.

The console is also complemented with a Soundcraft Realtime Rack Ultimate Sound Plug-in Engine that offers 74-plug ins. The Soundcraft Realtime Rack provides access to Universal Audio's acclaimed analogue audio processing emulations and award-winning UAD plug-ins. Realtime Rack software gives Vi console operators all the control they need to insert UAD plug-ins on individual channels, auxiliary channels, and master busses - just as easily as real hardware. A comprehensive snapshot system allows total recall of all plug-ins and their settings, while tight network integration with the Vi Series ensures that all settings of the application are stored inside the console. The Vi3000 with the Soundcraft Realtime Rack in essence offers operators a powerful console that is able to recreate the ideal sound specific to the event’s character.

“We are privileged to be associated with Mega Star Arena and happy to have met their requirements to build an outstanding convention center in Kuala Lampur working with our partners Mahajak Trio,” said Ramesh Jayaraman, VP & GM HARMAN Professional Solutions, APAC. “The HARMAN Professional Solutions’ suite of solutions at the venue showcase the ability of the systems to be deployed quickly for different configurations to meet the venue’s demands and enhance their customer experience.”

Products Used:

JBL VTX V 25-II
JBL VTX – S28
JBL V25 AF
Crown IT 1200 HTD
Crown IT 4X3500HD
Crown VRack
Soundcraft VI3000
Soundcraft Realtime Rack Ultimate

Prohibition-era performance venue selects a complete HARMAN audio and lighting solution to deliver exceptional sound quality and versatility for a wide range of events

FORT SMITH, Ark.—TempleLive, a unique performance venue with a prohibition-era aesthetic, recently installed a complete HARMAN audio and lighting solution comprised of JBL VTX V20 loudspeakers, Crown amps, Soundcraft consoles, AKG microphones and full array of Martin lighting fixtures. Originally constructed in 1928 as a Masonic Temple, the building was recently redeveloped as a modern performance and event center by Temple Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned affiliate of Beaty Capital Group, Inc. The end-to-end HARMAN system provides TempleLive with tour-grade production capabilities for a wide range of events, including concerts, plays, weddings, awards ceremonies, corporate meetings and more.

“The decision to go with the VTX line from HARMAN has substantially contributed to an enthusiastic reception from the live performance community regarding the performance space itself,” said Mike Brown, VP of Acquisition and Development, Beaty Capital Group, Inc. “TempleLive will host acts across all genres, including comedy, country, rock, symphonic, plays, sports and e-sporting events. The booking agencies have been excited about the location and very receptive to the venue overall.”

“We are honored to have been selected as the exclusive pro audio and lighting provider for TempleLive’s Arkansas venue,” said Eric Elwell, VP of Business Development, HARMAN Professional Solutions. “We are also excited about the possibility of outfitting other TempleLive venues, including the Masonic in Cleveland, with cutting-edge HARMAN audio and lighting solutions.”

TempleLive is a 1,200-capacity auditorium that features the artwork and architecture of the original space, including a three-tiered seating scheme. The highest tier contains balcony seating, followed by reserved seating on the main level in a downward slope toward the stage. Finally, the pit area closest to the stage can accommodate extra seating or standing room for general admission. With the new HARMAN audio system, TempleLive can deliver high quality sound and full audio coverage across the entire seating area for any concert or event.

“When choosing a system to meet the engineering specifications of the venue, HARMAN met or exceeded all of my requirements,” said Lance Dierker, audio engineer and acoustic consultant. “The VTX V20 rig delivers complete audio coverage over our entire seating area, ensuring that every guest receives the same superior listening experience. Integrating BSS processing into Crown’s long tradition of quality amplification made I-Tech and VRack systems an easy choice to drive the VTX PA rig. The Soundcraft Vi Console provides great versatility for traveling acts, whether they carry their own front of house rig or not. When they do have their own FOH, we use the Vi console as a versatile monitor desk to drive our JBL bi-amped wedges and three-way side fills. AKG microphones deliver top-of-the-line quality, and Martin Lighting has been making lighting designers very happy for years.”

Luxurious convention center equips five ballrooms and lobby with JBL Professional, dbx, Soundcraft and Martin solutions to deliver a premium guest experience 

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam—Opened in November 2016, the Capella Gallery Hall is an upscale convention center in downtown Ho Chi Minh City. Featuring striking modern architecture and gorgeous interior design, the multifunctional space hosts a wide variety of events, ranging from luxurious weddings and private parties to international business conferences and industry conventions.

To ensure a world-class guest experience in each of its five large ballrooms and main lobby, the Capella Gallery Hall hired systems integrator Ba Sao Investment to implement a complete HARMAN AV solution consisting of JBL speakers, Soundcraft mixing consoles, a dbx speaker management system and a Martin lighting rig.

“Since opening less than a year ago, we have quickly gained a reputation as one of the finest event spaces in the city, hosting very important conferences for local and international businesses alike,” said Quang Dat Vu, Technical Manager, Capella Gallery Hall. “In order to maintain a standard of excellence across all aspects of our events, I trust HARMAN products to deliver superior audio quality and reliable operation.

“Each of our grand ballrooms are outfitted with JBL Control 24CT ceiling speakers and dbx DriveRack VENU360 speaker management systems, which provide excellent clarity and perfect coverage,” he said. “JBL EON 600 series speakers and subwoofers provide high-impact sound reinforcement when our events feature professional entertainment, and Soundcraft Signature Series consoles ensure the mix is top notch.”

In addition to the HARMAN audio equipment, the Capella Gallery Hall installed Martin RUSH lighting fixtures in the Capella Gallery Hall’s grand ballrooms to enhance their elegant beauty and provide an engaging visual experience for guests. The Martin RUSH Multibeam 2 is a versatile fixture, providing powerful mid-air effects with its ten individually controlled long-throw beams. With fifteen gobos and seven colors, the compact and energy-efficient Martin RUSH Wizard delivers a large variety of dance-floor looks. The Martin M-Touch enables easy DMX control of the Martin RUSH lighting fixtures, allowing the staff to easily design unique looks to suit each event’s needs.

“The Capella Gallery Hall is a unique space that has been carefully planned to provide an exceptional guest experience,” said Ramesh Jayaraman, VP & GM, HARMAN Professional Solutions, Asia Pacific. “We are privileged to have our products utilized by the Capella Gallery Hall and we are very happy to help the Capella Gallery Hall surpass their guests’ expectations.”

Products Used

JBL EON 600 Series Speakers
JBL Control 24CT Ceiling Speakers
JBL CS Series Mixer/Amplifiers
Soundcraft Signature Series Consoles
dbx DriveRack VENU360 Speaker Management Systems
Martin RUSH Multi Beam 2 Lighting Fixtures
Martin RUSH Wizard Lighting Fixtures
Martin RUSH SM850 Fog Machines
Martin M-Touch DMX Controller