A new UX8800 and EAWPilot user forum has just launched on the forums section of EAW.com. The new forum, moderated by Joe Fustolo and Dave Gunness, was created because both UX and Pilot are evolving and maturing at a rapid rate, making it vital that users be well informed, and as completely and quickly as possible. Click here to go to the EAW forums.

Posted by EAW at 8:00 AM | Permalink

A big welcome aboard to Kati Naish, who’s joined the EAW team as Brand Administrative Coordinator. Based in the Woodinville facility, she has a wide range of responsibilities, including overall administrative support, meeting scheduling and planning, marketing project logistics, tradeshow and event planning, rep and distributor support - and just generally keeping the marketing department in line.

Kati offers a great background in administration and marketing, coming to EAW from previous stints at Microsoft as a Corporate Event Manager, as well as serving as a paralegal for a law firm and doing marketing work for a medical staffing company. Other vitals you should know: she plays softball, is a huge Seattle Seahawks fan, and her last name is correctly pronounced “Nash”.

Posted by EAW at 8:23 AM | Permalink

A completely reorganized Downloads section has just launched on EAW.com. Not only does the new section consolidate all EAW software, documents and other files for download to one location, but it also provides a very clear, easy-to-read navigation structure so you can access exactly what you're looking for - fast.

Click here to check it out or access it via the "Downloads" tab in the main site navigation.

Posted by EAW at 7:10 AM | Permalink

EAW Smaart Version 6 (v.6) has been nominated for a 2007 Technical Excellence & Creativity (TEC) Award in the category of Outstanding Technical Achievement, Ancillary Equipment, with online voting now open to Mix magazine subscribers. Click here to go directly to the voting location.

Smaart v.6 sound system measurement and analysis software features a comprehensive re-write of its underlying architecture that dramatically enhances multi-tasking, in addition to a new streamlined interface for simpler operation and for the first time ever, full compatibility with Macintosh OS X

The TEC Awards was established by Mix in 1985 to honor outstanding achievement in the professional recording and sound production industry. The nominations are made by a panel of approximately 165 audio industry professionals.

The winners of the 23rd Annual TEC Awards will be announced at a ceremony at the Marriott Marquis during the 2007 AES Convention in New York City.

Posted by EAW at 12:19 PM | Permalink

It’s often noted that audio is not “rocket science.” True enough - unless, of course, it is. Troy Gwin and his team at ACS Sound and Lighting, based in Columbia, S.C., recently took on an “audio as rocket science” challenge presented by the University of Sound Carolina on behalf of Lockheed Martin Corporation and NASA (U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration), utilizing sound reinforcement technology to test a Space Shuttle rocket component.

ACS was tasked with duplicating the acoustic noise conditions found inside of rocket fuel tanks during liftoff, specifically, testing the effects of high sound pressure levels on tiny (less than quarter-inch diameter) acoustic sensors designed by Lockheed Martin to monitor SPL within the tanks.

The test required generating electro-acoustic output (in this case, pink noise) matching a NASA response curve depicting constant SPL above 120 dB at 30 Hz to 10 kHz, with a peak in excess of 135 dB at 400 Hz. This output, conforming to the response curve, needed to be sustained for a period of three minutes at a distance of two feet.

To generate the output, ACS assembled a system comprised of three cart-stacked EAW KF760 large-format line array modules joined by two EAW BH760 horn-loaded subwoofers (a.k.a. “SuperSubs”), with the loudspeakers aimed outdoors through a large back door at the ACS warehouse to avoid slap-back and reverberation generated by wall surfaces. (Troy Gwin and Travis Banks of ACS are shown above right with the rig.)

Continue reading "ACS Deploys EAW System, Smaart In Rocket Science Quest" »

Posted by EAW at 10:58 AM | Permalink

"New Smaart v.6, simply, is an audio professional's dream come true. Start with the fact that it works natively in Mac OS X - no more lugging around two computers (separate Mac and Windows computers) to project sites!

“It's also extraordinarily fast, the new interface is a lot cleaner and makes the program a breeze to use, while the new ASIO/Core Audio driver compatibility shows forward thinking.

"The kicker to all of this is the ability to acquire unlimited snapshots, the ability to have a combination of any two traces being viewed simultaneously, as well as the new zoom feature. The ultimate tool we've been waiting for has definitely arrived.”

Arthur Skudra, Consultant
Hamilton, Ontario

Posted by EAW at 2:40 PM | Permalink

EAW is pleased to welcome Cowser-Lee Marketing as its new sales representative firm for Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. Headed by professional systems veterans Jim Cowser and Pat Lee, the team also includes Brendan Bishop, Greg Labruzzi, Chris Stephens and Kathy Cowser.

“We’re quite happy to be working with a firm offering such an excellent track record in the professional systems marketplace,” notes Scott Pizzo, EAW director of U.S. sales.

Find out more about Cowser-Lee Marketing www.cowserleemarketing.com.

Posted by EAW at 1:55 PM | Permalink

The word on the street regarding the new UX8800: nicely done, and then some. A wide range of users have been involved in beta testing, with reports filed by these audio professionals overwhelmingly positive.

For example, check out the application of UX8800 with a KF750 rig for concerts by Simply Red in Australia, with audio engineer Tim Millikan (pictured at left with UX8800) providing the details and commentary.

And take a look at this recent thread on the Live Audio Board (LAB) of ProSoundWeb, where again, users in the pro audio community who've been involved with beta testing weigh in with their observations, thoughts and comments.

More details on the UX8800 are available here and here.

Posted by EAW at 9:48 AM | Permalink

When the EAW engineering team formulated the MK Series of loudspeakers, to say they hit the mark would be a dramatic understatement. Introduced 10 years ago, this series of compact two-way systems has proven itself time and again, with thousands and thousands of units providing exceptional audio quality in diverse installations worldwide. (At right, MK Series loudspeakers installed by Boston Light & Sound at historic Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox.)

The MK Series began humbly, with four models shown at the 1997 NSCA Expo, all offering a design that eliminated the uneven coverage associated with "typical" two-way loudspeakers. During the engineering team's research, they discovered that the problem is the mismatch in the coverage angles at crossover between the woofer and the high frequency horn/compression driver.

The key is careful matching of the coverage patterns of high and low frequency subsystems at the crossover point to produce smooth power response. The optimal crossover point for any given coverage pattern is at, or near, the frequency where the woofer's pattern matches the coverage goal. Obviously, the design does what it's intended to do, and then some. (At left, MK Series loudspeakers installed by Parkway Electric for the chapel at Resurrection Life Church in Michigan.)

The MK Series is now comprised of 14 models, all continuing to set the standard for compact 2-way installation loudspeakers, with a plethora of coverage patterns and three woofer sizes available in a clever "mix and match" format.

MK products are ideal to use as the main PA for smaller venues, including houses of worship, A/V systems, hotel ballrooms, and meeting rooms. The series is also equally well-suited for distributed or fill purposes in larger venues, including houses of worship, auditoriums, theaters, arenas, stadiums, nightclubs, themed entertainment complexes... You name the application, and MK Series is up to it! (At right, an MK Series installation by Quiet Voice Audio at the San Diego Aerospace Museum.)

Posted by EAW at 2:38 PM | Permalink

The soon-to-be-released EAW UX8800 digital processor, bringing revolutionary Gunness Focusing technology to an ever-increasing number of conventional EAW loudspeakers, is making the testing rounds, where some audio professionals putting it through its paces at live gigs as well as doing evaluations in the shop. With true dual-mode capability, the 4-input by 8-output unit is equally adept as a loudspeaker processor or an overall system processor.

The EAW General Discussion Forum offers several threads with commentary on various aspects of the UX8800, including first impressions, operational issues, how it's working with various EAW loudspeakers, and so on. Want to get a glimpse of a future that's just about arrived? Click here to view and take part in the discussions currently ongoing in the forum.

An example: "We were able to listen to a side-by-side comparison of our previous processing against the UX8800. It sounded so much better that I almost felt bad for ever using them without the UX8800." - Troy Gwin, ACS Sound & Lighting, Columbia, SC

Posted by EAW at 12:42 PM | Permalink

Joe Fustolo is definitely someone at EAW you should know. This professional audio industry veteran was recently tapped to head up the EAW Application Support Group (ASG), our multifaceted team offering a wide range of specialized technical services to the EAW customer base.

What does your work with EAW entail?
Joe: As the manager of ASG, I handle loudspeaker designs for a lot of medium- and large-scale venues, worldwide. I also aid in teaching of our customers about how to best utilize our products to suit their needs. Another important part of the job is insuring that ASG maintains its very high standards in working with our clients to provide the best technical support in the industry.

What's your favorite aspect of working with EAW?

Joe: The people of EAW, and the best engineering team in professional audio, bar none.

Tell us about your previous audio-related experiences.

Joe: Well, let's see. Here's the list: recording engineer, monitor and FOH engineer, stage hand, technical director for the Lowell Auditorium in Lowell, MA, rigger, theatrical rigging installer, sound system sales/designer/installer...

What's your favorite thing to do outside of work?

Joe: Spend time with my family and kids.

Any hobbies?

Joe: Archery, hunting, target shooting, riding my motorcycle.

Best rock n' roll band ever?

Joe: Hmm.... that's a tough one, there are so many to choose from. How about this, or this, or this? Uh... just kidding! But "The Hoff" is something else, no? Just exactly what that something is, we can't be sure...

What's the best live show you've heard/seen, and why?

Joe: The most recent was Iron Maiden. It was truly amazing to see what the KF760/761 Series can do for a show of that nature.

What's your favorite EAW product?

Joe: The MQH1344e, due its sonic clarity, horsepower, and low-frequency pattern control. Truly one of the best loudspeakers ever, ahead of its time.

What's the most common audio/system question asked of you?

Joe: How does it sound? How can I make it sound better?

What's the most overlooked yet beneficial aspect of EAW?

Joe: We have the widest range of application specific loudspeakers in the industry, and the capabilities of designing any loudspeaker to fit any need required.

Last question. Why did the audio engineer cross the road?

Joe: Because the lighting guys wanted him to count to 3...

Posted by EAW at 8:29 AM | Permalink

EAW products and systems are utilized in thousands of demanding professional applications around the world, equally adept at exceeding expectations in both live and installed realms.

Now, the new EAW Application Reference Lists provide you with the opportunity to check out the venues and sound companies that utilize EAW products and systems. Not only are these lists updated and fresh and new, but they’re also available in handy printable pdf format by simply clicking a link at the top of each page. Click here to access the lists.

Posted by EAW at 1:21 PM | Permalink

EAW has named Scott Pizzo to the position of Director, U.S. Sales, with the appointment announced by Jeffrey Cox, Vice President of the EAW Brand Group.

Scott brings 20-plus years of pro audio experience to the position, where he will lead the company’s overall sales efforts in addition to directing EAW’s team of 17 U.S.-based independent sales rep firms. He will be based at theWhitinsville offices.

Scott joined EAW nearly five years ago as a member of the technical sales team working in the install, touring and retail channels with the company’s sales rep network. Previously he held a position in Technical Sales for Lexicon, and prior to that, he worked as an independent sound engineer.

“During his tenure with EAW, Scott has consistently demonstrated great responsiveness in serving the needs of our growing customer base,” Jeffrey noted. “His in-depth understanding of the market and technology are also a huge asset both for the company and our customers.” (Click here for more about Scott.)

Posted by EAW at 2:34 PM | Permalink

The B4 Roadshow team arrived in Milan, Italy around
1 pm, and upon figuring out that our hotel was near the famous Monza Motor Raceway, we set out on what we thought would be a quick stroll over to see it.

I should mention here that Bernie is a huge racing fan (shown here with Ferrit at a statue at the track), so for him this was more like a pilgrimage. After about and hour and a half of walking, it started to feel like Gilligan's Island to the rest of us: "A three-hour tour, a three-hour tour..."

Actually, we ended up walking though the Monza city park and it was absolutely gorgeous. We saw the Royal Palace at Monza, built by the Hapsburgs in 1777, and then, the location where the last king of Italy, Umberto I, was assasinated in 1900. We also saw some interesting art in the park that the boys promptly named "The Wicker Bundt Cake." (Pretty accurate description, according to the photo at left.)

Continue reading "B4 In Milan: Setting Up, Smaart School & Racing Fun" »

Posted by EAW at 7:58 AM | Permalink

All of us at EAW wish to express our sincerest condolences on the passing of Justin Warren, a valued member of the PCM Marketing team. Just 30 years of age, Justin died tragically in a motorcycle accident on April 19 while traveling to work.

"Justin was a great person and made us all better too," stated Alan Thiele of PCM Marketing. Justin started his career in the pro audio world by playing guitar in and mixing live bands throughout the Baltimore/Washington DC area, spent four years at the largest MI retailer running the audio department both inside and outside the store, and was providing excellent outside sales services for PCM Marketing at the time of his passing.

"From my perspective, Justin was on the ball and a pleasure to work with. He was eager to jump in and learn about our products," added Scott Jordan, EAW ASG Specialist. "When you establish relationships with reps, you start to not see them as a separate company, but more an extension of your own co-workers. Justin was certainly someone (along with the rest of PCM) who personified this. His loss is one that is certainly felt by all those who had a chance to work with him."

A trust fund has been established for Justin's family. Anyone wishing to contribute should make checks payable to “Justin Warren & Shawna Dixon’s Children Fund." Checks can be mailed to:

Justin is survived by his parents, Penny Todd and Jim Warren; brother, Gavin Warren; sister, Caitlin Warren; his long-term partner, Shawna Dixon; and their four children, Dashawn, Ahmad, Khalil and Hasaun.

Posted by EAW at 7:14 AM | Permalink

The ongoing B4 Roadshow, currently appearing at several locations across Europe before moving on to North America, has drawn the attention of the Live Audio Board (LAB) community on ProSoundWeb.

Click here to check out the LAB discussion, including comments from attendees.

Posted by EAW at 11:12 AM | Permalink

From EAW Marketing Director Karen Anderson

The B4 Roadshow team set off from Wolfach in the morning and drove south through the Black Forest and into the Swiss Alps. Absolutely gorgeous.

We didn't have an actual destination or any hotel reservations, but thanks to Bluetooth technology,we were able to hook into the Internet from the bus. Wiith Moray translating into Italian, we were able to find a hotel with six rooms available at the last minute. (May 1 is a national holiday in Italy so most everything was booked.)

The hotel is in a little town called Ispra, on Lake Maggiore in the Lombardy region of Italy. It took about eight hours to get there, as well as some expert driving from Werner as he navigated our 48-foot tour bus through mountain passes and narrow Italian hillside streets.

Continue reading "B4 In Europe: Through The Alps And On To Italy" »

Posted by EAW at 8:22 AM | Permalink

April 29, 07
On the bus

One of those memorable moments: 12:45 pm and everyone is upstairs in the rear lounge watching the Bourne Identity. Moray is sleeping in his bunk. I came down to watch the drive for a bit, and as I came down the stairs I could hear a bit of whistling coming from the forward cabin. It’s a bright balmy, lovely afternoon and we’ve just passed immigrations into Switzerland. We’re motoring down the Bahn, passing through the entrance into the Alps. It’s gorgeous, a storybook day.

I sat down in the forward/lower lounge and could hear Werner, our intrepid and wonderful driver (every bit Austrian) whistling along with something. Delightful, delicate, precise, joyful whistling. Not like passive, mumbling, meandering whistling, but flutelike, percussive, trilling Alpine whistling.

Suddenly he turns up his stereo in the driver’s compartment and I realize he’s whistling along with a classical concert on the stereo. Not just some soft, sweet, beautiful concert piece, but one of those Austrian masterpieces, loaded with flourish, undoubtedly written on just such a spring afternoon, where the sun bathes the countryside in clear light and the new leaves on the trees radiate a green that we only get to see in April in the mountains. The panorama is actually postcard.

So I sit quietly, slide down in a lounge recliner and watch with wonderment as the Swiss countryside glides by in a rolling slideshow of hills and church spires, cows and fences, chalets and Swiss flags, yellow mustard fields erupting in full voice, punctuating the rise and fall of Werner’s whistling concerto. He’s hitting every note. He knows this piece. As the concert rises to crescendo, Werner pushes his participation, steadfastly remaining part of the orchestra. Big Finish! Wow!! That was cool…

People can be so happy, so positive.

Life is good. Really good.

Posted by EAW at 6:35 PM | Permalink

From EAW Marketing Director Karen Anderson

On our way via the tour bus to Milan for the next stop of the B4 Roadshow, we stopped for the evening in Wolfach, Germany. All I can say is WOW - this place unbelievably gorgeous! It's a 1,000-year-old walled city on the Kinsig river. I can't really describe how lovely it is, so check out the pictures.

Besides that, it's Jurgen's hometown, and he and his wife Christiane hosted us for a great day of sightseeing and dinner.

Continue reading "B4 In Europe: The Journey To Milan" »

Posted by EAW at 3:34 PM | Permalink

From EAW Marketing Director Karen Anderson

Day two of the B4 Roadshow stop in Cologne was Smaart School day, and Jamie and Ferrit had a full class of 17 people at the Gahrens and Batterman training academy.

A huge thanks to G&B for letting us use their facility! (It's pictured below.)

While Jamie and Ferrit busily made the world a little "Smaarter" (sorry!), Bernie and Moray headed over to the Cologne Arena to visit Marcus from Gahrens and Batterman as they loaded in a huge corporate event for DHL, utilizing a KF730-based system.

Continue reading "B4 In Germany: Smaart School & Wireless Cafe Search!" »

Posted by EAW at 12:11 PM | Permalink

From EAW Marketing Director Karen Anderson

The DJP facility in Cologne (shown at left), site of this stop of the B4 Roadshow, was a great old factory which used to make boilers for steam engines. And, although cool to look at… it also came with about 7 seconds of reverb at 125 hz. That was cause for incredulous gasps from the group gathered around Jamie’s Smaart rig.