AVNation TV

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  • Music Artist Jack White with JBL Professional and Guitar Center Bring New Sound to American Legion Post

    Music Artist Jack White with JBL Professional and Guitar Center Bring New Sound to American Legion Post

    It is commonplace in the town known as Music City to find organizations deeply involved in music. So, it should be no surprise that Nashville’s American Legion Post 82 is one of them. Describing their mission as “Reintegrating Local Veterans Into the Community Through Music,” Post 82 regularly holds music events ranging from open mic nights and songwriter workshops to performances of all kinds.

    When Jack White – Nashville resident, Grammy-winning musician, and owner of recording studio/record label Third Man Records – went looking for a location in which to give an under-the-radar launch performance for his newest album, No Name, Post 82 was suggested, but there was a problem.

    “We were talking about which venues to play in Nashville and the American Legion was mentioned,” recalls Lalo Medina, White’s longtime tour manager. “but somebody told us they didn’t have the greatest PA in that room. So, Jack said, ‘Why don’t we do a fundraiser for them to get a new system and get JBL’s help with it?’ It really wasn’t about putting in a sound system so he could play on it, it was more just putting in a better system for people that go to that place to enjoy, because it is a really cool venue.”

    Mick Beisel, CEO of Vision2 Marketing, facilitated a partnership between JBL Professional and Guitar Center Custom House (GCCH, a Nashville-based collaboration between Guitar Center Professional and Guitar Center’s Audio Visual Design Group, known as AVDG) that resulted in Post 82 acquiring a new sound system consisting of equipment from several HARMAN Professional companies.

    The timing, however, was incredibly tight, reports Greg Glaser, GCCH’s Vice President of Artist Relations. “We literally got involved a week before the show was to take place,” says Glaser, a time frame so short it presented a challenge simply in transporting the equipment to the venue in time. “JBL freighted the equipment directly to the venue and we showed up the next day to install it,” Glaser explains.

    A local JBL support staffer had viewed the small venue (less than250-person capacity) and, working with GCCH, had specified a system based on four JBL SRX910LA two-way active line array cabinets (two for each side of the stage), bolstered by two SRX928S dual 18-inch subwoofers. Audio flows from five AKG D5 supercardioid dynamic microphones on the stage (plus any direct sources) through a Soundcraft Mini Stagebox 32i to a Soundcraft Si Performer 3 digital mixing console. Patrons in the bar area, located in a separate area of the building, get clear sound from a pair of PRX912 powered two-way loudspeakers.

    With time being so short, Glaser called on Ken Ferrel of AVDG to lead the lightning-fast installation. “I’ve been working with Greg on projects for years. Anytime he has an ‘I got to get this done and I need it to happen tomorrow,’ thing, it’s usually me he’s reaching out to,” Ferrel says, laughing. “Custom House is kind of the

    special forces of the Guitar Center organization. We can make stuff happen that people think is impossible. We’re that kind of group where nothing’s too crazy.”

    Before Ferrel could even start putting the new system in, the existing system needed to be removed. Glaser had showed up to pitch in and the vets at Post 82 were eager to help in any way they could. Then it was time to deploy the SRX910LA cabinets.

    “Acoustically it’s not a bad room: there’s ceiling tile, there’s a dance floor, but the rest of the room has carpet. However, it’s a wide, shallow room, so you have issues of coverage out to the sides, which the old system lacked. The people at the post told us that you would go out to the corners of the room and it was like they didn’t have a PA at all. But now, with the 910LAs, it doesn’t matter if they go out to the corners because it’s a wider coverage box. It’s the right box for the room.”

    The main system was ground stacked, with two 910LA cabinets on each side. Once the system was physically in place, configuration was easy, even though tuning the system was about as last minute as it could be, taking place the morning of White’s performance. “The system was super easy to set up. The software was great for configuring it, but I would have to say, honestly, I didn’t touch anything out of the box. Everything was just there. It was my first experience with those particular speakers and I was beyond pleasantly surprised with them; they sounded amazing. It really blew me away what they were getting out of that box.”

    Quality of sound was obviously essential to everyone, but White had one other major requirement. “The most important thing with Jack, about sound, is that he likes it loud,” Medina asserts. “He believes that a quiet rock and roll show is an oxymoron, and it’s something we always try to avoid.”

    Even on short notice, the show sold out the moment it was announced. Showtime came and White debuted six songs from the new album for the small but ecstatic crowd.

    So, was it loud enough for Jack? “It was loud enough,” confirms Medina. “It was plenty loud,” Glaser affirms, “and the system sounded phenomenal. We were backstage and Jack was to-the-moon happy. Tons of people said it was the best the room ever sounded.”

    His work there is done, claims White. “We’re on a mission for purity, we build spaces where nothing is translated, nothing impersonating something that it’s not,” he says. “Live music venues are like churches, they’re sacred spaces that need to give people what they want, something real. JBL gets that and it’s why they are obsessed with translating sound in such a pure way”

    Of course, Post 82 and its members were delighted with the show and the new system, and Ferrel and Glaser were both impressed with the enthusiasm the vets showed in helping get the old system removed and the new one in place. “They were probably the most welcoming group of people I’ve ever met,” Ferrel glows “They were just happy to have us there and happy to have this happening for them. Those guys helping me set things up were volunteers, not trained audio guys at all. But they were ex-military, so they knew how to follow direction and they were hard workers, willing and able to do anything and everything they could to help.

    Glaser emphasizes that close cooperation was the key to the show and the new system coming together so quickly. “This could not have happened if Jack, Custom House, the American Legion post, and HARMAN had not all worked together so tightly on it,” he concludes. “And now I’m really excited to see what this does for the community.”

  • LEA Professional Amplifiers Help Guests Reach the Stars at Planetariums in Hawaii and Canada

    LEA Professional Amplifiers Help Guests Reach the Stars at Planetariums in Hawaii and Canada

    Outer space is a vast expanse filled with mysteries and myriad celestial objects, and the teams at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hawaii and the Queen Elizabeth II Planetarium in Canada are doing their part to seek out discoveries every day. Recently, both planetariums went through retrofits to improve the facilities and the guest experience, and the teams turned to amplifiers from LEA Professional to provide the audio gravitas for retelling the epic tales of the stars above.

    Both planetarium teams contacted George Barnett, Co-Founder and Technical Director of SSIA Technologies and their long-term technical provider, to help them improve their audio systems. The planetariums wanted a more reliable and robust system that could immerse their guests in the storytelling of the vastness of space.

    “LEA won our hearts over with their first amplifiers,” said Barnett. “We just loved the engineering — it was fantastic. It had good power, a small chassis, lots of features, and a very clean design. When the planetariums allowed us to spec each system, I said, ‘I’m definitely going to use LEA. It’s the best way to go.’”

    ʻImiloa Planetarium

    A part of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, ʻImiloa is a science education center that opened its doors in February 2006. The $28 million, 40,000-square-foot exhibition and planetarium complex showcase the connections between the rich traditions of Hawaiʻi and current scientific research taking place in Hawaiʻi – from the depths of the ocean, to the summit of Maunakea and beyond.

    ʻImiloa’s 120-seat planetarium features a full-dome video projection system that assists in the sharing of Hawaiian wayfinding and other sciences under the night sky. Recently, NASA funded a $720,000 upgrade for the planetarium, including a 10K-resolution system using ten laser-illuminated projectors, superior graphic performance, and new features to greatly enhance user experience and the center’s unique science and wayfinding programs. Part of the funding was used to upgrade the audio to match the new visuals.

    The planetarium wanted to continue using the existing three-way loudspeakers. So, SSIA Technologies designed the system using a different amplifier to power the high-, mid- and low-frequency drivers on each. One LEA Connect Series 168D 8-channel amplifier was used exclusively for the high-frequency drivers. In contrast, two Connect Series 704D amplifiers powered the mid-frequency drivers, and four Connect Series 1504D amplifiers powered the low-frequency drivers and four separate 18-inch subwoofers. All three amplifier models include 96 kHz-capable Dante and AES67 connectivity options.

    The IoT-enabled 8-channel 168D provides 160 watts per channel. Conversely, each 4-channel 704D delivers 700 watts per channel, while the high-power 4-channel 1504D provides 1,500 watts per channel. All models support high-Z (70V or 100V) and low-Z selectable by channel and feature two Smart Power Bridge channels. The Smart Power Bridge capability appealed to SSIA Technologies because it allowed them to bridge one channel on each CS1504D to power the subwoofers without sacrificing channel count. The remaining channels were used to power the low-frequency drivers without requiring them to buy more hardware.

    Queen Elizabeth Planetarium

    The Queen Elizabeth II Planetarium is the first of its kind in Canada and an important historical landmark in Edmonton. Originally operating between 1960 and 1983, it served the youth of the Edmonton area, teaching them the science of astronomy. The stars were generated by passing light through several “star plates,” with holes drilled to reproduce their placement on the planetarium’s dome accurately. Rudimentary arm brackets were used to locate the planets in the sky for each daily presentation. The facility closed at the end of 1983, superseded by the adjacent Edmonton Space Sciences Centre (now the TELUS World of Science – Edmonton), which opened earlier that year. The planetarium fell into a poor state of repair, receiving little care or attention for the next 35 years.

    Seeing an opportunity to revitalize part of the city’s history, the Edmonton City Council granted the planetarium full heritage status in 2017 and began plans to modernize the building. The rehabilitation was intended to honor the heritage, historical, and architectural importance of the original exterior while increasing the interior’s functionality. Accessibility and sustainability were integrated into the redesign, along with the use of period-accurate materials and aesthetics. The 60-year-old building required many changes to meet modern building standards, and the project staff felt it appropriate to update the audio system during the restoration efforts.

    SSIA Technologies installed two Connect Series 354D amplifiers to power the immersive audio experience. With 96 kHz-capable Dante and AES67 connectivity options, the IoT-enabled 4-channel 354D provides 350 watts per channel, supports high-Z (70V or 100V) and low-Z selectable by channel, and features two Smart Power Bridge channels.

    “Most of our planetarium systems are 5.1 or 7.1,” said Barnett. “The beauty of these amplifiers was that we were able to use five channels and then bridge one channel from each amplifier to drive subwoofers. So we get double the output, which is really nice.”

    After four decades of sitting idle, the planetarium is back to serving its original purpose of educating the public about our place in the universe.

    LEA Cloud

    The Connect Series delivers an industry-first professional amplifier family to feature cloud connectivity, a revolutionary advancement and a significant benefit for anyone maintaining the systems. With LEA Cloud, AV teams can remotely control and monitor the amplifiers regardless of the location or time of day. Whether from within the planetarium or the mainland, controlling the Connect Series amplifiers from afar helps teams work more efficiently, reducing travel and saving time and money.

    “Between the state-of-the-art projection systems and improved audio, planetarium visitors experience immersive AV that makes the storytelling come alive,“ said Brian Pickowitz, VP of Marketing at LEA Professional. “The full-dome projections at both planetariums are breathtaking, and we’re pleased that our amplifiers could help do justice to the imagery.”

  • LIV Nightclub at Fontainebleau Miami Beach Installs New L-Acoustics L Series Professional Audio System

    LIV Nightclub at Fontainebleau Miami Beach Installs New L-Acoustics L Series Professional Audio System

    For the past 16 years, LIV at Fontainebleau Miami Beach has reigned supreme as the definitive nightlife experience, attracting the world’s most influential EDM performers. Now, the nightclub that set the standard for nightlife in Miami and beyond has added another powerful draw by becoming the world’s first nightclub to install a new L-Acoustics L Series loudspeaker system, making LIV not only the best place to “see and be seen,” but also the best place for clubbers and artists to “hear and be heard.”

    The two companies bring different approaches to the entertainment industry in which service is as important as the product. With over 18,000-square-feet of striking architecture, vibrant lighting, a soaring projection-mapped stage area, and iconic dome with steel truss boasting more than 400 video screens—affectionately referred to as “The Spider”—LIV has long set the benchmark for modern nightlife technology and design. In keeping with that distinction, Miami-based L-Acoustics Certified Provider Unreal-Systems recently installed and helped commission the 1,000-capacity, two-story venue’s latest and greatest loudspeaker system, L Series.

    “Seeing that the world’s top music festivals—including Miami’s own Ultra, Coachella, Lollapalooza, and many others—use L-Acoustics loudspeaker systems, we wanted to offer our guests and performers a professional sound system that was every bit on par with those top-shelf PAs,” says David Grutman. “In fact, we’ve gotten so many A-list artist requests for L-Acoustics monitor systems—better known as ‘Texas headphones’—that we knew we needed to further invest in LIV and make the upgrade to our house system. There is nothing else on the market that can touch the exceptional fidelity, high-energy impact, and rider-acceptability of L-Acoustics, and I know that we’re going to upgrade the experience for our DJs and clubgoers.”

    LIV’s new sound design features four hangs of L-Acoustics L2D enclosures, each positioned above a corner of the main dancefloor area. Efficiently powered by LA7.16i amplified controllers, two of the hangs serve as main left and right arrays flanking the DJ performance area at one end of the room, while two more border the main stage/lounge located on the opposite end. Here, left and right arrays of one KS21 sub over two A15 Wide also serve as a stage-fill system.

    Seven KS28 subs, end-stacked in three clusters on the floor at the main-stage end of the room and driven by LA12X amplified controllers, join four more KS28 mounted into the face of the DJ platform to supply the room with massive yet tight low-frequency reinforcement. Two LA4X-powered coaxial X8 enclosures flush-mounted into the wall above the KS28 offer a DJ system front-fill. Upstairs, a total of six X12 are flown over the six VIP skyboxes overlooking the dancefloor, with two more X12 covering the bar area at the back corner of the upper level.

    According to LIV Technical Director and Product Manager Max Moussier, narrowing down the system spec to an L Series design was an easy choice. “The incredibly compact format and clean lines of the new L2D allowed us to integrate them into our space with minimal distraction to our architectural and visual elements,” he says. “Unlike video and lighting, you don’t actually want people to see the sound system, but you certainly want them to hear and feel it. Our combination of L2D paired with KS28 sounds absolutely earth-shaking, yet incredibly articulate and crisp, both of which are so important to the electronic dance music genre. LIV Miami Beach has always prided itself on offering audiences and artists the very best, and now, with L-Acoustics, the experience here is even better!”

  • Southern Illinois University Transforms Multiple Athletic Venues with Game-Changing Watchfire Digital Displays

    Southern Illinois University Transforms Multiple Athletic Venues with Game-Changing Watchfire Digital Displays

    Southern Illinois University (SIU) selected Watchfire to revolutionize its athletic venues with advanced digital video displays and scoreboards. The installations represent a major upgrade, enhancing the gameday experience and operational efficiency of these Division 1 sports facilities in Carbondale, Ill. The state-of-the-art displays improve live game coverage, enable dynamic content delivery, and provide real-time data, benefiting athletes, coaches, fans, and event organizers.

    “The clarity is outstanding,” said Tim Leonard, athletic director at Southern Illinois University. “We’ve doubled our video output in the basketball arena, and the new boards integrate flawlessly to create a truly immersive experience for our fans. The Natatorium display is stunning, and our baseball and volleyball teams have never had anything like it. Each of these displays has significantly elevated the gameday atmosphere.”

    The Banterra Center, home to Saluki basketball now boasts a stunning 4-sided center-hung display with 3.9mm pixel pitch, each side measuring 10′ H x 16′ W. Additional features include top and bottom LED rings and two 8′ x 15′ wall displays, all designed to captivate the 8,284-seat venue’s audience. The displays provide real-time game data, player profiles, and highlight videos, while also serving as a platform for promoting university initiatives and community events. This blend of dynamic content keeps fans engaged and connected, both on and off the court.

    The Dr. Edward J. Shea Natatorium received a 12′ x 23′ 10mm display, revolutionizing how swimming and diving results are presented in the 600-seat, Olympic-sized pool facility. The state-of-the-art Watchfire display revolutionizes the spectator experience, offering crystal-clear visibility of swimmer stats, lane assignments, race details, and real-time results. Engineered to withstand the pool’s challenging, high-humidity environment, SIU now has a reliable, long-term solution that enhances both fan engagement and event management.

    At Richard “Itchy” Jones Stadium, baseball fans now enjoy a massive 17′ x 37′ videoboard with 16mm pixel pitch. Introducing video capabilities to the diamond for the first time, this new Watchfire display replaces the original fixed-digit scoreboard, dramatically modernizing the baseball experience. With its vibrant visuals and advanced features, the display enhances fan engagement by providing immersive video content, live game updates, and interactive elements. This significant upgrade transforms the entire game experience, making each moment more dynamic and engaging.

    Davies Gym, home of Saluki volleyball, has upgraded to a new 5′ H x 10′ W fixed-digit scoreboard, enhancing the game-day experience by making it easier for fans to follow scores, stats, and player information in real time.

    Leonard praised Watchfire’s commitment to customer service and their ability to work within the university’s unique requirements. “Watchfire hung with us every step of the way, ensuring we were completely satisfied. Their team’s creativity, expertise, and support made this a very pleasant experience that exceeded our expectations.”

    “We’re thrilled to support SIU in their mission to revolutionize their sports facilities,” said Clint Burges, major accounts manager at Watchfire. “Our cutting-edge displays enhance the overall experience for fans and athletes alike, reflecting SIU’s dedication to excellence. We’re excited about the possibility of expanding these advancements to more SIU teams, showcasing the university’s leadership and innovation in collegiate athletics.”

  • Avocor L Series Streamlines Collaboration and Boosts Efficiency at Midwest PMS LLC

    Avocor L Series Streamlines Collaboration and Boosts Efficiency at Midwest PMS LLC

    As a leader in the cattle feed industry for 50 years, Midwest PMS, LLC in Englewood, Colorado, is constantly striving for growth and innovation. Recognising the potential for a more collaborative work environment, the company decided to upgrade its main AV displays and related audiovisual equipment to a more user-friendly, touch-based system that would empower teamwork and expedite workflows. AVI Systems, its trusted AV integration partner for some time, stepped in to deliver a solution. After careful consideration of Midwest PMS’s needs, AVI recommended the Avocor L Series widescreen to address all key requirements.

    Midwest PMS operates a vast 67-acre facility, and their legacy AV system hindered effective team communication and collaboration. The engineering team at the company often perform complex tasks which can involve viewing long pipe runs on the display. It became apparent that a more interactive and user-friendly solution could improve teamwork and streamline workflows and decision-making processes. The L Series’ 105”ultra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio not only broadens the visual workspace but also enhances participation and creativity in a variety of meeting scenarios.

    For example, because the widescreen format of the L Series provides such a generous viewing area, Midwest PMS can now display large intricate diagrams and other visual content directly on the screen. Also, the expansive display eliminates the need for crowded huddles around screens or laptops. This allows multiple users to work simultaneously on the display, fostering a collaborative environment for brainstorming sessions and real-time project updates. Team members can now actively engage with content, manipulate on-screen data, and contribute ideas in real time.

    The Avocor L Series boasts a highly responsive touchscreen interface, enabling a truly interactive experience. Avocor displays also seamlessly integrate with popular platforms like TV1 and SharePoint. This integration eliminates compatibility hurdles and streamlines content sharing, fostering a more collaborative work style. As such teams can easily share documents, presentations, and other visual aids directly on the Avocor display, removing the need for cumbersome file transfers or multiple devices.

    “The implementation of the Avocor L Series has transformed the way Midwest PMS operates,” says Mario Mentana, Director of Information Technology at Midwest PMS. “Up to five team members can now work together on the Avocor L Series large touchscreen, to foster a dynamic environment for collaborative problem-solving. The ability to share ideas and manipulate data in real time fosters a more engaged workforce and leads to better decision-making. Tasks that once took an hour can now be completed in just 15 minutes.”

    One key benefit for the engineering team is the ability to effortlessly pull up long pipe run diagrams from Google Maps directly onto the Avocor display. This feature has transformed maintenance planning processes at Midwest PMS. This real-time visualization of their facility empowers teams to make informed decisions about repairs, and new installations, for example, by providing a central hub for visualizing data and collaborating on projects. The intuitive touch interface and streamlined content sharing capabilities allow teams to work smarter, not harder.

    John Dace, Account Manager at AVI Systems, commented: “Mario and the team at PMS were really impressed with the Avocor L Series when they saw our HQ demo model in action. They were impressed with the responsiveness of the touchscreen, as Mario said, it was the best he’d seen. The installation process was smooth and efficient, with minimal disruption to daily operations. As we already knew, the Avocor L Series is a reliable solution which delivers consistent performance ensuring a quick return on investment for Midwest PMS.”

    The L Series implementation at Midwest PMS demonstrates the transformative power of Avocor display solutions. By fostering a more interactive and collaborative work environment, the L Series has empowered Midwest PMS to achieve greater efficiency and unlock new levels of collaboration and productivity.

  • Alachua Equestrian Center Bolsters Audio Intelligibility with Amplifiers from LEA Professional

    Alachua Equestrian Center Bolsters Audio Intelligibility with Amplifiers from LEA Professional

    Gainesville is definitely “Gator Country” and a hub of activity. Home of the University of Florida Gators, Gainesville is the county seat of Alachua County, Florida, offering a plethora of memorable experiences in the most populous city in North Central Florida. With nearly 150,000 residents, visitors can immerse themselves in the world-class museums, be enthralled by the performing arts, and groove to live music. For those seeking adventure, there are eight nearby state parks with over 100 miles of trails for biking, birding, and hiking, promising exhilarating experiences for all.

    To expand research opportunities and community resources, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners partnered with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) to develop the Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center. The center was created to provide a comprehensive venue for livestock shows, agricultural fairs, equestrian events, and various community activities. To power outdoor speakers across the venue, the center turned to the award-winning Connect Series amplifiers from LEA Professional.

    The 37-acre site’s development involved the construction of new pole-barn structures, refurbishment of a 250’ x 150’ indoor equestrian arena, and construction of a new outdoor arena. These arenas included new lighting, PA systems, bleachers, and other infrastructure elements. When it came time to implement the PA system, facility staff contacted Daniel Hunt, Director of Business Development of JSC Systems, to design and deploy it.

    “The equestrian center wanted to make sure that speech intelligibility and audibility of the PA system was excellent in both arenas and the stables to ensure participants stayed well-informed,” said Hunt. “LEA amplifiers were my first choice to ensure the audio was exceptional.”

    One of the PA system requirements involved being able to page the stables from either arena using the Crestron-controlled system, so Hunt deployed Connect Series 704 smart amplifiers for the stables and the pole-mounted loudspeakers around the arenas. The IoT-enabled 4-channel 704D provides 700 watts per channel, supports Hi-Z (70V or 100V) and Lo-Z selectable by channel, and features Smart Power Bridge technology. With three ways to connect, the equestrian center can engage the built-in Wi-Fi access point, connect to the center’s Wi-Fi, or connect to the local area network via Cat5 or Cat6 cable.

    The Connect Series delivers an industry-first professional amplifier family to feature cloud connectivity, a revolutionary advancement and a significant benefit for anyone maintaining the systems. With LEA Cloud, AV teams can remotely control and monitor the amplifiers regardless of the location or time of day. Whether from within the equestrian center or offsite, controlling the Connect Series amplifiers from afar helps teams work more efficiently, reducing travel and saving time and money.

    “LEA Professional is proud to deliver crystal-clear audio for Alachua Equestrian Center spectators and participants,” said Brian Pickowitz, VP of Marketing for LEA Professional. “Our goal is for our technology to provide integrators and users with peace of mind knowing their audio systems will outperform expectations.”

  • All Creation Sings in 360° Immersive Sound with L-Acoustics L-ISA at Museum of the Bible

    All Creation Sings in 360° Immersive Sound with L-Acoustics L-ISA at Museum of the Bible

    Two blocks south of Washington, D.C.’s National Mall, home to the capital city’s many historic monuments and institutions, stands the six-story, 430,000-square-foot Museum of the Bible. Since 2017, the museum has welcomed millions of visitors through its 40-foot bronze doors to explore an extensive collection of biblical artifacts in a gallery that documents the collection of books’ narrative, history, and impact. But not everything in the building is “ancient history.” Recently, the museum opened All Creation Sings, a high-tech interactive exhibit that brings scripture to life through immersive technology.

    Ancient words meet immersive sound experience
    All Creation Sings offers a 45-minute immersive worship experience inspired by Psalm 148. Featuring content by CREATR of Costa Mesa, California, the 100-by-60-foot space surrounds visitors with interactive biblical storytelling. Atlanta-based Meptik, designed the visual spectacle, using 360-degree projection mapping and LiDAR sensors for interactive, generative effects.

    Central to the exhibit’s surround experience is L-Acoustics L-ISA immersive sound technology, bringing a new dimension to audio storytelling. Oklahoma City’s Skylark AV handled the installation of all the projectors, LiDAR cameras, and other technical gear, including a panoramic audio system comprising 16 of L-Acoustics’ new X8i coaxial loudspeakers, four KS21 subs, and seven LA2Xi amplified controllers.

    New X8i loudspeakers blend seamlessly while delivering impact
    “X8i is a fantastic installation speaker with a beautiful, low-profile design,” says Zach Kimrey, design engineer at Skylark AV. “Its compact size enabled us to invisibly hide them in a thin 12-inch black band running around the upper perimeter of the room without visually interfering with the projection surfaces. And despite their small format, they produce a surprisingly robust low frequency response with plenty of impact, which was ideal for this exhibit.”

    Kimrey notes that the LA2Xi amplified controllers each drive four loudspeakers, with a unique feed sent to each speaker to supply the immersive effect. “Signals are routed from the Disguise D3 media servers via Dante, converted to AES with Q-SYS, and then everything is one-to-one per speaker. So it’s 17 channels of drive: 16 X8i and one channel to feed the four KS21 subs, which are centrally located adjacent to the large columns in the middle of the room.”

    Unleashing creativity with L-ISA immersive audio
    L-ISA’s immersive audio mixing capabilities shine in this installation, offering creators unprecedented tools to craft captivating soundscapes. Notably, the project also demonstrates the flexibility of L-ISA technology. James Rudder, L-ISA Application Engineer at L-Acoustics, used an L-ISA Processor II for onsite spatial mixing, creating a fully immersive sound experience with spatial objects carefully placed to complement the visuals. “Once James had the perfect mix, he ‘printed’ those tracks for us, and we imported them into the D3 servers,” explains Kimrey.

    All Creation Sings is a showcase for how L-ISA can be implemented efficiently in fixed installations. “I didn’t realize you could have an L-ISA mix without having a processor permanently onsite,” explains Kimrey. “The immersive playback option is great for a fixed environment where the audio content doesn’t change. The application of L-ISA here is fantastic and absolutely brings the whole experience together.”

    “This project illustrates how L-ISA technology can enhance creativity and deliver exceptional audience experiences, even in scenarios with technical or budgetary considerations,” Kimrey adds. “It opens up new possibilities for immersive audio in a wide range of venues and applications. It’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever experienced.”

    Another satisfied customer
    “I’ve heard L-Acoustics loudspeakers in other venues, particularly worship environments, and I have always been impressed with their sound,” says Museum of the Bible IT Interactive Systems Manager Joel Conrad. “Initially, when Skylark recommended the brand for All Creation Sings, I figured that an L-Acoustics solution might be too expensive seeing that it’s a premium-quality product. But Skylark AV showed us that it wouldn’t add a significant cost, so we went for it, and their implementation turned out just beautiful. Skylark AV and L-Acoustics did the final mix in-room, so everything perfectly matches the visuals. The fidelity throughout the entire exhibit space feels warm, moving, and engaging. And you can tell by watching the crowds that our visitors are truly enveloped in the experience, which was exactly what we were hoping for.”

  • Captivating, Immersive Experience for Sports Betters Made Possible with Innovative Technology

    Captivating, Immersive Experience for Sports Betters Made Possible with Innovative Technology

    Collaborating alongside AV integrator Solutionz, Inc and dvLED supplier Unilumin, Peerless-AV® was tasked with installing an enormous custom video wall for the Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook at Mohegan’s flagship casino and entertainment destination in Connecticut, Mohegan Sun. In June 2021, Mohegan Sun commissioned AV integrator Solutionz to manage the project, which was no straightforward installation due to its size and scale.

    Mohegan Sun wanted to create an innovative and exciting addition to their facility. Working together with FanDuel, the concept of this visually stunning video wall came to life. This impactful display would serve sports betters with access to a world-class selection of live sports competitions from across the world with restaurant, bar and gaming offerings. This is what led them to contact Solutionz and the installation began in November 2021.

    The Challenge

    The location for the Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook had existing AV equipment that needed improvements to deliver a more impressive experience for guests. Mohegan Sun collaborated with FanDuel to conceptualize an enormous video wall that would be the center focus of the room.

    Solutionz specified a custom manufactured mount from the Peerless-AV team who would design, engineer, and deliver a unique SEAMLESS Bespoke Mounting System to support this triple XL curved video wall. The team carefully arranged Unilumin Uslim dvLED displays to create three individual video walls, including one main wall and two wing walls to form a concave appearance.

    Not only was the size, weight, and curvature of this video wall a challenge, but there were also adjustments along the way that allowed the teams’ adaptability and innovation to be showcased and still meet the deadline. The original installation plans included the colossal video wall to be mounted on the floor. However, the visible posts were not favorable by Mohegan Sun management. The team then revised plans to create a mounting system that suspended the 20,000lb curved video wall’s total weight from the ceiling and attached to the wall.

     The Solution

    Peerless-AV analyzed the room for any challenges or considerations by conducting an in-depth site survey. All parties collaborated on the perfect solution to where the mount would attach in the space.

    Known for its flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and superior customer service, SEAMLESS by Peerless-AV, the company’s dvLED Video Wall Integration Program, ensured start-to-finish project support – from the designing and manufacturing of custom Bespoke Series Mounting Systems to testing, project management, on-site installation consultation and commissioning.

    “I am a huge advocate of Peerless-AV, having worked with their custom dvLED team on other complex, large scale and high-profile projects such as the ilani Casino Resort, operated by both Mohegan and the Cowlitz Tribe in Washington,” said Kevin Reilly, Corporate Entertainment Technical Manager, Sports & Entertainment for Mohegan. “Peerless-AV was the obvious choice for this project, as there was no doubt that they had incredible product reliability, a great reputation, as well as quality servicing and support.”

    Findings from the investigation conducted by Peerless-AV resulted in the removal of the existing non-structural wall of 20g light-gauge framing and sheetrock, exposing the building structure. This would allow Peerless-AV to mount the video wall using a stable structure with supplemental steel to support and prevent issues of sagging or deflection from improper mounting. This steel was designed to handle accumulated snow and ice by flexing with the building. This stability started with the base building structure and was subsequently carried to the displays with the SEAMLESS Bespoke Mounting System framework. In addition to these structural benefits, it would also allow the team to push the dvLED video wall as far back as possible to maximize the common area and limit the protrusion of the video wall.

    The team at Mohegan Sun understood the risks of this installation and assisted greatly by providing load and deflection values so that the structural team could develop proper building attach points. This excellent teamwork was crucial to the eventual success of the installation.

     The Installation

    After the steel structure was in place, the SEAMLESS Bespoke Mounting System was installed, and the displays were mounted row by row so the whole video wall came together easily and flawlessly. The team included a half-inch vertical expansion gap between each of the sections to account for a potential difference between snow loading deflection that could impact the side sections of the curved video wall differently than the main wall.

    The main video wall featured a uniform yet gentle curve with a 179.8-degree angle between any two adjacent displays. The right and left sections each had a greater curve than the center, with a 176.7-degree angle between any two adjacent displays.

    Designed for visitors of the sportsbook to be able to view the display from any angle of the space, the total viewable surface of the dvLED video wall is 139ft W x 14.7ft H and 2,034 sq ft. 420 Unilumin Uslim dvLED displays were used for the enormous wall. The panels were arranged in an 84-wide by 5-high configuration. The bottom four rows contained 500 W x 1,000 H displays, totaling 336 cabinets, while the top row contained 500 W x 500 H displays, totaling 84 cabinets. In order to create a desired viewable size that is maximized to fit the space, this custom design had to accommodate these different cabinet sizes.

    “This was our first large scale project with Solutionz and Peerless-AV together,” said Patrick Dunn, EVP of Operations for Unilumin. “The entire team worked well together and never lost sight of our customer first approach. We look forward to many successful deployments in the future together.”

    Peerless-AV also developed a perforated custom rear cover for the side array located over an opened space to hide the back of the display. This cover blends in with the ceiling structure but allows for proper airflow, creating an aesthetically pleasing view from all angles, while still being practical and soundly designed.

    The Results

    The incredibly large video wall installation was an amazing success. As a result of the well-coordinated and dedicated efforts of all parties working on this project as one expert team, the installation went smoothly and the video wall is up and running with reliable performance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    “Mohegan Sun FanDuel sportsbook is a wonderful leisure and entertainment installation, and we are immensely honored to be part of it,” said Jim Miner, Vice President at Solutionz. “When we changed the design from three individual walls to a single large curved front video wall it demanded the best from our staff and our partners at FanDuel, Mohegan Sun, Peerless-AV and Unilumin. There were so many structural challenges that we needed a premium mount partner that could provide the support to the extent that was required. From start to finish, Peerless-AV was the right choice for this project.”

    Now the home to the largest video wall on the East Coast of North America, The Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook sets a high standard for the leisure and entertainment space. The Mohegan Sun and FanDuel teams were elated with the installation that brought their vision to life.

    “This installation at Mohegan Sun is a complex feat of engineering and is a success not only because of the technology but also because of team that delivered it,” said Reilly. “Everyone worked together in dedicated fashion, to deliver according to the immediacy of the set timescale.”

    The same sentiment about the final installation was shared at FanDuel.

    “As one of our marquee locations, the Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook had to be equipped with nothing but the best,” said Juan Torres, FanDuel Director of Design and Construction. “The partnership with Solutionz assured us a superb sports viewing experience, and Unilumin and Peerless-AV’s displays and mounting solutions took this project to the next level. The entire video wall aids in the creation of an energetic space that keeps the customer engaged and excited to be a part of the FanDuel brand.”

     Once the project was complete and all parties were satisfied with the incredible results, the teams had a moment to reflect on the hard work put into this installation.

    “I am so proud of this project,” said Megan Zeller, Senior Director, Business Development at Peerless-AV. “Not only have I seen the finished video wall for myself and been amazed but I was there with my dvLED install team to see the installation progress and the result is fantastic. The size of this sportsbook video wall competes with the best of the best in Vegas but what makes this most unique is the engineering aspect of the project and all the structural considerations that had to be resolved.”

    The result of the dedicated work between Solutionz, Unilumin, and Peerless-AV is a masterpiece that roused great excitement and created a captivating, immersive experience for sports betters. Peerless-AV is proud to have been part of the creation of this stimulating, high-tech environment for the Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook and all the visitors to come.

    Install Stats: Unilumin Uslim 2.5mm

    Peerless-AV Curved Wall Mount

    420 Panels | 3,024 Modules | 30,240,000 Pixels

    Total Weight of Video Wall: 20,000 lbs
  • Washington D.C.’s The Anthem and 9:30 Club Each Double Up with DiGiCo

    Washington D.C.’s The Anthem and 9:30 Club Each Double Up with DiGiCo

    The Anthem opened in 2017 with a mission: bring a purpose-built, mid-sized music venue—able to host arena-level artists that want a smaller, more intimate space in which to connect with fans, but that can still hold plenty of them—to the nation’s capital. The 57,000-square-foot, $60-million venue accommodating 2,500 to 6,000 patrons for as many as two shows a night needed top-tier technology from day one, and they found that in a pair of DiGiCo SD12 consoles, which served the venue for hundreds of shows since then.

    When it became clear that it was time for a technology update, independent concert promotion and production company I.M.P., which owns The Anthem, the 9:30 Club, and other venues in the area, decided to stick with a good thing: after moving the original SD12 desks to the famed 1,200-capacity 9:30 Club—named the number one nightclub by Rolling Stone, Billboard, and Pollstar more than any other venue in the country—The Anthem is now home to new pair of DiGiCo SD12-96 consoles at front of house and monitors, with expanded channel count and additional features that will help keep The Anthem a highly flexible and attractive venue. The new consoles, like their predecessors, were sourced and sold through Eighth Day Sound, a Clair Global brand.

    Drew Kot, Head of Audio for I.M.P., says keeping the venue a DiGiCo house consistently sends a positive signal to touring artists, as does the venue’s choice of a d&b audiotechnik J-series line array system, ready for any contract rider out there. “The SD12-96 has the additional inputs, but it’s also about the features that make it so flexible,” he says. “Visiting engineers who might not be familiar with DiGiCo—believe it or not, there still are a few!—like having the extra screen, as well as the extra set of dedicated rotaries. It just really makes it easy and flexible. There’s even been times where I’ve set them up on half the console on really hectic short-time days and we just use the other half, holding the next scene until we need it for a second act. It really just provides us that extra flexibility as a house console.”

    Touring artists of the caliber of most of The Anthem’s shows will often bring their own FOH consoles, but many of those visiting shows are also one-off fly dates and, says Kot, their engineers are delighted when they learn there’s a DiGiCo waiting for them at the venue. “A lot of shows like that do have expectations of the house console, and they’re pretty excited when they find out it’s an SD12-96,” he says.

    There’s plenty in that box waiting for them, too. “It was a big step up for us,” he says. “Even more than the input additional channels was the extra 12 aux buses and group buses. Just that extra processing power is huge. You can run out of those buses pretty quickly, once you start using stereo groups, so that kind of power is very useful for us.”

    Kot also cites the SD12’s processing noting the dynamic EQs and DigiTube on every channel and bus. “Everyone here swears by ’em,” he laughs. As important is the SD12’s configurability, allowing it to adapt to different types of events. “It’s not just music shows,” he says. “We’ve been doing a lot of private events recently, so we need a console that’s flexible and can bounce back and forth between all types of presentations.”

    Meanwhile, those “older” SD12 consoles now at the 9:30 Club are continuing to provide enormous value and ROI for I.M.P. “That was also a big step up for that venue,” he says. noting that they replaced an even older DiGiCo SD8 desk there. “Something more modern and updated has been a huge upgrade. It was just time for something refreshed and also smaller. The SD8 is kind of big, and space at front of house at the 9:30 Club is at a premium, especially because we do double shows there. So we have the late show headliner set up early, and then we have early show headliner set up before that, so we could have as many as three consoles in there, if the support act brought a desk. So we need to free up as much space as possible, and the SD12 is the perfect combination of power and a smaller footprint. We’re keeping it all DiGiCo, and it just gets better every time.”

  • Bob Clearmountain’s Apogee Studio Redefines Audio Excellence with the Power of Dante

    Bob Clearmountain’s Apogee Studio Redefines Audio Excellence with the Power of Dante

    Santa Monica is a city of contrasts. On one side are the white sand beaches synonymous with Southern California surfing and skateboarding culture, personified by the famous Santa Monica pier with its iconic Ferris wheel. On the opposite side is the multitude of corporate headquarters for Fortune 500 companies that dot the cityscape. The city itself has been made famous in song and cinema, with seminal movies and TV shows shot in and around the city, including Three’s Company, Baywatch, Sharknado, Iron Man, The Sting, Ruthless People, and many more.

    Located in the heart of Santa Monica is the outwardly understated but aptly named Apogee Studio. The studio is the brainchild of Bob Clearmountain, a name synonymous with audio excellence in the recording industry. While “legend” is a term often loosely bandied about these days, Clearmountain’s achievements and bona fides leave no room for argument that he is a genuine AV legend. He is well known for his work with major acts, including Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Roxy Music, The Pretenders, and Bryan Adams. He has mixed some of the most iconic live shows in music history, including Live Aid, The Concert for New York for 9/11, and the Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts.

    The large space adjacent to Apogee’s offices and warehouse has hosted legendary recording artists and up-and-coming artist showcases and serves as “The Lab” for Apogee’s product development and testing. In its short but impressive history, artists such as John Mayer, Alabama Shakes, Beck, John Legend, Common, Queen of the Stone Age, Gary Clark Jr, The Shins, and many more have recorded and performed at Apogee Studio. Clearmountain even recorded a piano album for Corey Henry in one day, which was nominated for a Grammy this year for Best Alternative Jazz Record. It was the first Grammy nominee for the studio.

    If you’re lucky enough to get on the guest list with up to 180 other music fans for a show at Apogee, it’s an intimate experience you’ll never forget. However, the audience interest was often greater than what the studio could hold, so Clearmountain turned to Dante to expand the studio’s listening options.

    “We actually have four rooms here, and I wondered how we can tie all the rooms together. It’d be great if we could do a live, immersive mix in the main studio with the old Neve 8068 console and have people be able to listen to it in other rooms,” said Clearmountain. “And then I thought, ‘Well, we could do it with a Dante network.’”

    The studio’s audio system is based around Apogee’s Symphony Mk II Special Edition, a multi-channel audio interface featuring Apogee’s flagship AD/DA conversion, modular I/O (up to 32 inputs and outputs), intuitive touchscreen display and optional microphone preamps. It supports three connectivity modules, including Thunderbolt, Pro Tools + Dante, and Waves SoundGrid. The protocols operate in different modes in the Symphony Mk II, so they turned to Dante Virtual Soundcard and a Dante network to propagate audio throughout all the rooms.

    Dante Virtual Soundcard is a software application that turns a PC or Mac into a Dante-enabled device, allowing Dante audio traffic to be transmitted and received between other Dante-enabled devices. In Apogee Studio’s case, a Symphony Mk II in the studio is equipped with an optional Dante hardware module. The audio is transmitted via a dedicated Dante network to the remote rooms, each equipped with a Mac running Dante Virtual Soundcard. Dante Virtual Soundcard allows people in each of the three other rooms to monitor the live immersive audio stream through their Symphony MK IIs, exactly as heard through the Atmos speakers in the main studio.

    The Dante integration now delivers pristine, low-latency audio to all the rooms so that the audience can experience the full, immersive performance regardless of location.

    “Setting up the Dante network was fairly painless. We just got a router to use as its own Dante network without any other stuff on it. And then ran cables where we needed them to go,” said Clearmountain. “It’s pretty easy, really.”