Update on the 600 MHz Spectrum in Canada

In Audio, Extras, home_pageby tfwm

As the FCC, in the US, and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), continue to find new ways to make more spectrum available for mobile broadband wireless devices, we in the pro audio world must revise our wireless frequency use. A broadband wireless device is a smartphone or IPad etc. that can connect to the Internet and stream or download content without connecting through a local Wi-Fi network. This extremely popular activity is requiring more and more frequencies to handle the demand. The large pool of reserved for TV but mostly unused spectrum is being “repurposed” to accommodate the need. Unused that is, except by wireless microphones.

Since the mid-1980s, we in the Pro Audio world have been very fortunate to have had free access to all the locally unused UHF Broadcast TV channels from 14 through to 69 or 470 to 698 MHz for our wireless microphones, In-Ear Monitors and Wireless Intercom Systems. Using this large portion of the radio spectrum has allowed us to easily find multiple clear frequencies. The only conditions were, and still are, that we didn’t cause any interference to a licensed user (Broadcaster) and that we were prepared to accept interference to us, if it occurred. By just having the knowledge of which TV channels were locally occupied, this unofficial arrangement worked well for more than three decades.

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DPA’s d:screet SC4098 Podium Mic Delivers Beyond Expectations at Church of Notre Dame

In Audio, home_page, Install News, Uncategorizedby admin

When the Church of Notre Dame in Western Pennsylvania started to experience audio challenges with its existing boundary podium microphone, it knew a change was in order. The church was looking for a more versatile mic that was capable of clearly amplifying every person who spoke at the lectern. The new solution needed to be able to be mounted to the church’s all-marble podium, while also being long enough to reach over the height of the podium shelf where the speaker would place their reading materials.

Durisko also wanted a microphone that would sound neutral and pick up everyone from the quiet, non-projecting speaker to the professional. While researching microphone options for this application, John Durisko, parishioner and president of Satin Sound Systems Inc., decided to try out DPA Microphones’ d:screet SC4098 Podium Microphone after using it on previous projects.

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Point Source Audio to Donate $10,000 in Gear for 10th Anniversary

In Audio, home_pageby tfwm

Three nonprofit organizations will be awarded donations in PSA’s “Decade of Innovation” contest

Point Source Audio® (PSA), an audio equipment manufacturer specializing in the development of miniature microphones and headsets, announced that it is commemorating 10 years in business this month by donating $10,000 in Point Source Audio microphones, headsets and other gear in its “Decade of Innovation” contest.

With three patents granted for its in-house designed and engineered microphones and headsets, including two patents for its EMBRACE™ earmount microphones and another for the CM-i3 and CM-i5—the world’s first modular intercom headsets—the company has plenty of reasons to celebrate. To commemorate a decade of microphone innovations, PSA will donate three prize packages with a retail value of $5,000, $3,000, and $2,000 to three schools, nonprofits, community theaters, or church performance groups that participate in the Decade of Innovation contest.

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DPA Microphones Celebrates the Spirit of Christmas on Tour with GRAMMY® Award-Winning Singer/Songwriter Amy Grant

In Audio, home_page, Industry Newsby admin

As one of the music industry’s most highly respected studio and live mixing engineers, Russ Long recently embarked on the Christmas with Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith tour, which also features Jordan Smith, Season 9 winner of The Voice. Long needed a microphone that would capture Grant’s soft vocals without any handling noise. The solution was DPA Microphones’ d:facto™ Vocal Microphone.

Long has been using DPA mics for over a decade, but only recently tried out the d:facto vocal mic. “This past spring was my first time using the d:facto vocal mic,” says Long. “Amy’s voice is amazing and it sounds great through pretty much any mic I’ve heard her sing into. The challenge is, she sings extremely soft, so off-axis rejection is a big consideration, as is handling noise. Since she’s singing soft, the mic preamp has to be cranked up, so a mic that is only slightly susceptible to handling noise with another vocalist becomes a significant concern with Amy. Ryan Lewis, who was my system tech last year, has golden ears and insisted I give the d:facto a try. Once I did, there was no going back. It has virtually no handling noise at all and it sounds simply stunning.”

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ALLEN & HEATH ADDS SE ELECTRONICS TO PROFACTORY MIC PRESETS

In Audio, home_page, Product Newsby tfwm

Allen & Heath is pleased to announce the availability of the latest ProFactory channel libraries for its Qu series digital mixers. Following successful collaborations with Shure, Sennheiser and Audio Technica, the new presets cover a range of popular sE Electronics microphones, including the V3, V7, VR, 4400a and RNR1.

ProFactory Mic Presets offer engineers of all abilities an ideal starting point to get the best possible sound quickly and easily. The team at Allen & Heath worked closely with sound engineer Frederik Brandt Jakobsen at sE Electronics who developed the optimal settings for each microphone and instrument combination.

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Countryman Microphones Help Bring Clarity to King Jesus International Ministry’s Message

In Audio, home_page, Install News, Uncategorizedby admin

Tasked with bringing the supernatural power of God to this generation of worshippers, King Jesus International Ministry was founded by Apostle Guillermo Maldonado and his wife Prophet Ana Maldonado. Today, the ministry has a global reach that extends throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. To ensure their message is delivered clearly, church leaders rely on the clarity and natural sonic performance of E6 Earset and B3 Lavalier microphones from the catalog of Menlo Park, CA-based Countryman Associates.

Edward Puerta is the Director of Production and Engineering for King Jesus International Ministry. He is responsible for all production and the related technical disciplines at King Jesus Ministry facilities, including a 6000-person sanctuary, a 14,000-square foot TV studio, a University, and more. Additionally, he serves as the live event producer for all of Apostle Maldonado’s national and international events, which can range from small arenas for 2,000 people to outdoor, open fields with greater than one million people in attendance at any given time. Puerta discussed his fondness for Countryman microphones and provided insight to their use within the organization.

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Countryman Associates Debuts I2 Instrument Microphone

In Product Newsby tfwm

12Instrument_Mic_HiThe new I2 Instrument Microphone has been engineered from the ground up for smooth frequency response, low noise, and precise polar patterns with deep nulls and natural on- and off-axis response. Their combination of small size and sonic precision makes them ideal for X-Y, M-S, and other techniques that rely on accurate coincident positioning and consistent patterns. Their tiny size makes them perfect for distance miking that is invisible on camera. Flexible new close miking techniques are aided by Countryman’s new line of instrument mounts, which are designed to mount securely and gently to many different instruments. www.countryman.com


Sennheiser launches evolution wireless D1 – easy digital wireless for ambitious bands

In Product Newsby tfwm

ew D1 Instrument SetAt NAMM, Sennheiser has launched evolution wireless D1, a range of digital wireless microphone systems that lets bands go wireless the easy way. With systems for vocals or for instruments, a band’s life is made simpler: transmitters and receivers automatically pair and select suitable transmission frequencies, while multiple D1 systems can automatically coordinate themselves. ew D1 operates in the 2.4 GHz range, which is license-free worldwide. “D1 instantly readies you for making music – and takes the complexity out of wireless,” summarizes Martin Fischer, product manager at Sennheiser.

Ease of use is key

Bands can now just forget about frequency setting, matching transmitters and receivers, and getting the gain right – evolution wireless D1 offers true ease of use by doing all these time-consuming and sometimes error-prone chores for them. “Basically, all that is needed is to switch the system on”, said Martin Fischer. “The rest will happen automatically. In no time at all, you’re all set to start jamming – with all the levels right, and a stable wireless link.”

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Are you D1 and Only?

In Industry News, Product Newsby tfwm

To celebrate the launch of its new evolution wireless D1 digital microphone series, audio specialist Sennheiser is announcing a contest to find the ultimate cover version of “The One and …