Newly built Korean church is equipped with Fohhn loudspeaker systems

2nd May 2012. Fohhn Audio loudspeaker systems and DSP-controlled amplifiers have been installed in the Doonsan First Methodist Church, Daejeon, Korea. The recently built church accommodates up to 2500 worshippers and has been equipped with state-of-the-art technology including several high quality sound systems.

The main system comprises 2 x 12 Fohhn PT-9 line array systems, flown to the left and right of the altar and stage areas, in combination with two bass arrays each including eight Fohhn PS-4 high-powered subwoofers. Four AT-10 Arc series speakers function as front fills, with eight XM-4 wedges used for on-stage monitoring. The system is powered by a number of Fohhn DSP amplifiers.

Fohhn loudspeaker systems have also been installed in smaller worship areas and childcare facilities on various floors of the 10-storey building. Six worship rooms on the 7th floor have each been equipped with Arc Series AT-40 high-capacity lightweight loudspeakers, while sets of AT-10 speakers have been installed in the childcare rooms on the 3rd floor. Fohhn’s compact AT-05 systems also provide coverage in two mother and child rooms at the back of one of the galleries.

The installation also provided an opportunity for Fohhn engineers to trial some new, specially developed beam steering software for bass arrays. “A technical feature has been the ability to apply the beam steering principle from our Linea Focus loudspeaker series to the PS-4 bass arrays using specially developed new software,” said Fohhn Planning Engineer Frank Strohmer. “This has enabled the beam characteristics of the bass arrays to be perfectly adapted to the acoustics of the main worship area, giving the best possible results when transmitting both speech and music to a large congregation.”

The installation was carried out by Stagenet Co. Ltd, Seoul.

www.fohhn.com

Manufacturer announces latest addition to DSP-controlled digital amplifier series

24th April 2012. Fohhn Audio announces the upcoming release of its new multi-channel D-4.1200 digital amplifier, the latest in a series of powerful, 19-inch, DSP-controlled amplifiers that have been specially developed for demanding fixed installations and mobile applications.

Weighing just 11kg, the compact 4-channel D-4.1200 is nevertheless built to deliver robust and reliable performance capability. Featuring state-of-the-art Class D amplifier technology and Fohhn DSPs for the best possible sound quality, the D-4.1200 generates 4 x 1200W of power at 4 Ohms. An integral 4-in-6 matrix enables each input channel to be independently routed to the 4 powered and 2 auxiliary outputs. (The auxiliary outputs can also be used for controlling an additional standard amplifier.)

The D-4.1200 is equipped with extremely quiet fans and is designed to generate a minimal amount of heat when operational. Fohhn Mains Control constantly monitors the mains supply to the amplifier, interrupting it if the maximum permitted range is exceeded. By automatically switching on at the mains voltage zero crossing, the initial current input surge is also minimized on power-up.

As with all Fohhn products, system integration and control are key factors. The D-4.1200 features an integrated speaker database for all Fohhn loudspeaker types. Two separate Fohhn DSP engines are also included – one exclusively for speaker control and the other for user control of the onboard audio tools that include 10-band parametric EQ, delay, dynamics, crossover etc. Channels can be directly edited via the amplifier’s blue 4-line front panel display, turning the D-4.1200 into a practical plug-and-play system for mobile applications. For larger installations, the amplifier can be remotely controlled and networked using Fohhn Audio Soft software and a laptop.

The D-4.1200 has an unlimited range of applications in venues that include concert halls, opera houses, theatres, churches and industrial settings.

www.fohhn.com

Launch of new Farida A-SR Steve Rothery acoustic guitar to be reinforced by Swiss manufacturer’s acoustic amplifiers.

16th April 2012. Schertler and Systems Workshop join forces with Farida UK to support the launch of Farida’s latest “artist designed” acoustic guitar – the new Farida A-SR Steve Rothery model. Marillion guitarist Rothery has worked together with Farida to design the new guitar, which will be officially unveiled at the Red Door in Chester on 20^th May. Schertler’s UK distributor Systems Workshop is supplying Unico and David Deluxe compact acoustic amplifiers for the event, which will feature performances by Steve Rothery, Matt Prior (Bonnie Tyler) and Dave Foster (Mr So&So).

One of four guitar models in Farida’s new “artist designed” series, the A-SR Steve Rothery is a high-end addition to the UK manufacturer’s comprehensive range of acoustic, electric, jazz and bass guitars. The small-bodied acoustic has a solid spruce top and rosewood back/sides and is fitted with a Fishman Aura Eclipse system. Only 24 individually numbered instruments are available for sale.

Swiss manufacturer Schertler’s compact acoustic amplifiers are specifically designed to enhance the natural sound qualities of acoustic instruments. The Unico and David Deluxe versions offer 280 and 150W of power capability respectively and contain Class A preamplifiers, high-end speakers and a headphone preamp. Designed to suit a range of performance situations, the amplifiers have intelligent inputs that automatically recognise the impedance of the pickup or microphone, with no DI box or buffer required. Each channel has a 4-band EQ and a special dedicated filter for additional warmth.

Systems Workshop’s Phil Beaumont says: “We are delighted to be onboard at this special event. Schertler’s amplification systems have been carefully developed to bring out the best from acoustic instruments in a live performance environment and we are really looking forward to hearing the new guitar played through these systems.”

Sam Salisbury, Farida UK Brand Manager says: “This event should be a very special evening indeed, a real treat not just for Marillion fans but for anyone interested in guitars. We’re incredibly proud of the Farida A-SR model that we have designed with Steve, and can’t think of a better way of celebrating its release than a great evening of music and conversation with some gifted performers. We’re also extremely happy to have Schertler amps on board for the evening, ensuring that the sound will be absolutely top drawer.”

70 passes are available for the launch on a first-come, first-served basis. The passes cost £10.00 each. For further details, contact Dave Foster at Dawsons Music on 01925 582420.

Proceeds from the event will go to Hope House Children’s Hospice in Morda, Nr. Oswestry.

www.systemsworkshop.com
www.schertler.com
www.faridaguitars.co.uk

4th April 2012. Audio manufacturer Fatman launches Mi-Tube, the latest addition to its range of designer valve-based audio systems. Combining high quality classic sound with a contemporary look, the sleek round amplifier makes its debut at The Gadget Show Live in Birmingham next week.

Despite its compact dimensions (183x145mm), Mi-Tube delivers a powerful 28W of audio per channel, with an output impedance of 4/8 Ohms and signal to noise ratio of 86dB. The amplifier also utilizes a radical new hybrid valve design, the basis of which was first suggested in a theoretical paper produced over 50 years ago.

Like other products in the Fatman range, Mi-Tube has been designed to enable portable device users to benefit from the high level of sound quality that a valve-based amplifier system has to offer. In addition to two standard pairs of RCA phono inputs for connecting CD players and other line level sources, Bluetooth connectivity enables audio to be streamed wirelessly, allowing the amplifier to be used with any compatible Bluetooth-enabled device, as well as with Smartphones, Laptops, iPhones, iPads and iPods.

Mi-Tube is currently available in glossy white and black finishes, but several custom top covers are also planned including a Union Jack in readiness for the UK’s Diamond Jubilee and Olympic celebrations and a crystal encrusted “bling” top for the fashion conscious.

“We’ve already had a very positive response to Mi-Tube,” says Fatman founder Tony Larking. “As always we have tried to combine high quality valve technology with a contemporary look and feel that appeals to a wide range of listeners. The Bluetooth facility looks set to be popular as it enables users to remotely switch tracks from wherever they are in the room, which is handy for living rooms and work spaces, as well as being great for parties!”

Mi-Tube and other Fatman products can be seen at The Gadget Show Live 2012, NEC Birmingham, UK, 11-15 April. Visit Fatman on Stand B80.

www.fat-man.co.uk
www.gadgetshowlive.net

Prolight + Sound 2012 debut for latest BlackBox development

20th March 2012. JoeCo Limited introduces the latest product in its BlackBox range of multi-channel live audio recorders and players in the form of the new BLACKBOX BBR64-DANTE RECORDER that can record or replay 64 channels.

The BBR64-DANTE is the result of JoeCo’s collaboration with Audinate, creators of the award-winning Dante digital media networking solution. The original BBR-DANTE system was released in 2011 and was able to record up to 32 channels of audio from a Dante network. The new BBR64-DANTE now doubles that track count to 64, while still occupying just one rack unit of space. The BBR64-DANTE Recorder connects to any Dante-enabled network device from a range of console and converter manufacturers. In addition to recording 64 channels at standard sample rates, it can also record 8 channels of analogue alongside 56 channels of Dante for capturing audience and ambience. Higher sample rate recording (88.2kHz and 96kHz) is also possible at a reduced track count.

As with all other BlackBox Recorders, audio is recorded in Broadcast WAV format to an external USB2 (FAT32 formatted) drive and can be instantly imported into any Mac- or PC-based Digital Audio Workstation for re-purposing. The BBR64-DANTE will also continue to offer all the standard BlackBox Recorder safety features, such as “Safe ‘n’ Sound Record Recovery” as well as providing hi-resolution metering and headphone monitoring of individual/pairs of channels via internal PFL bus.

Audinate is leading the way networks are connected by transporting high-quality media over standard IT networks. Its Dante products deliver a no-hassle, self-configuring, true plug-and-play digital audio network that uses standard Internet Protocols. Dante offers a market leading solution today, while taking the risk out of future developments by providing a migration path to upgrade to new standards such as the IEEE Audio Video Bridging (“AVB”).

JoeCo Managing Director Joe Bull said: “We are delighted to be showing the new 64-channel BBR64-DANTE Recorder at Frankfurt. Having successfully launched the 64-channel MADI product last year, we have been able to incorporate much of that core technology to create the BBR64-DANTE – it’s a completely different machine internally. Continuing support from our friends at Audinate has made this possible in a remarkably short time.”

“The BBR64-DANTE Recorder provides a high channel recording solution for 64 channels of networked audio,” said Dave Anderson, Director of Sales at Audinate. “The BBR64-DANTE Recorder can interoperate directly with all Dante products on the network using standard off the shelf network switches, eliminating the need for expensive audio routers.”

Visit JoeCo at Prolight + Sound, Frankfurt, Hall 8.0, Stand G22.
www.joeco.co.uk