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 The ongoing “Somewhere Back in Time" world concert tour by Iron Maiden, featuring an all-EAW main loudspeaker line-up, has come to North America, with the major portion of this tour leg kicking off on May 21 in San Antonio. (Click here to view the latest itinerary.)
ML Group continues to serve as the sound company for the tour, with a very large EAW KF760 Series line array contingent - optimized with EAW UX8800 digital processing - being the primary components of the large-scale sound reinforcement system.
ML Group Managing Director Gary Marks is coordinating system issues with partner companies around the globe, such as Norwest Productions of Sydney, Australia and Brantley Sound Associates of Nashville. (Thanks to Norwest Productions for the photo that accompanies this report.)
 Every year for two weeks, the small city of Vinarós in Castellón, Spain, is transformed with the celebration of the Carnaval de Vinarós, a huge fiesta featuring vibrant shows with various themes, with sound reinforcement for this year's recently concluded Carnaval led by EAW line arrays and subwoofers.
E.J.R. SYSTEMS S.L, a sound & lighting rental company based in Benicarló, headed the sound reinforcement effort, and they collaborated with production supplier Dodinuf, who provided a main system featuring 24 KF730 line arrays joined by and 12 EAW SB1000z subwoofers.
Further, Yapadú Produccions, provided Dodinuf with 8 more KF730 and 4 more SB1000z to complete the main system. Amplification was all Lab.gruppen - 10 fP6400, 8 fP3400 and 2 FP13000, with processing from Dolby Lake.
 ”Day after day, I honestly enjoy my job more," states Eduardo Soriano, Yapadú Produccions co-owner and sound technician specialist. " I’m working with an unbeatable team of world-class brands in EAW, Lab.gruppen and Dolby Lake. They are all exceptional - great to use, and the quickest and easiest set-up and adjustments I’ve ever experienced.
"For this event, we had a clear goal: excellent sound with a great sound pressure level. And we got it, as well as the congratulations from the organizer of the event,” Soriano adds. (Thanks very much to EAW distributor Pro3 & Co. S.L. for this report and the excellent photos.)
 The new Shuttle Launch Experience at Kennedy Space Center in Florida was recently awarded a TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement, with EAW selected to play a significant role in sound reinforcement for the attraction.
Conceived and designed by BRC Imagination Arts, the Shuttle Launch Experience is a $60-million project incorporating a wide range of production elements. Techno-media Solutions LLC provided technical AV systems integration, with the Shuttle Simulation Theater featuring an audio system incorporating EAW SB850z subwoofers, three EAW KF695z main loudspeakers, two more KF695z's joined by two EAW KF300z's for four surround sound channels, and an overhead channel with two EAW MK Series loudspeakers.
The project is the subject of an in-depth feature article written by Judith Rubin that appeared in the March 2008 issue of Sound & Communications magazine. Click here to check it out.
 Hugos Lounge and Skyy Bar of Sydney has been named "Nightclub Of The Year" at the recent 2007 Seventh Annual Australian Bar Awards, and a huge key to this success must be attributed to sound design and installation by DJW Projects.
Headed by Dave Coxon, DJW Projects is one of Australia's leading club sound providers, and they oversaw the system conversion to world-class status as Hugos transformed from a restaurant-oriented venue to one of the hottest nightspots in Sydney.
The large-scale system project encompasses Hugo’s Lounge, the cocktail bar, Skyy Bar one and two, as well as the entire outdoor balcony area and a private room.
 "We didn't cut any corners as we fit the entire venue with an array of EAW loudspeakers, ranging from Avalon Series DC5 and DC6 boxes for the dance floor, through to JFX88 as room fill and CIS400 ceiling loudspeakers for the balcony," explains Coxon. "Skyy bar has been fitted with cabinets from the MK Series range, and all aspects of the system are backed by sophisticated digital processing and zoning."
Other high-profile Sydney clubs outfitted with EAW loudspeakers by DJW Projects include Norths Rugby League Club, The World Bar, The Barclay, Springfields, Trademark Hotel, The Piano Room, and W-Bar.
 Proaktiv Systems just finished up a prestigious installation headlined by EAW Commercial loudspeakers and power amplifiers at the Singapore Changi International Airport Terminal 3, which opened to great fanfare earlier this year.
The $1.75 billion Terminal 3 is able to handle more than 2 million passengers a year, offering a multitude of facilities for travelers, including 140 retail shops and F&B outlets spread within the public and transit areas. Proaktiv Systems was awarded the contract to specify, supply, install and commission an Emergency Overriding system for numerous shops - Coach, Bvlgari, Vertu, Harry’s at T3 (a F&B outlet) and Luxury Fashion among them.
Proaktiv chose EAW Commericial components for the system, including CIS50 ceiling loudspeakers and SMS3 surface-mount loudspeakers driven by CXA160 power amplifiers. (The system also includes a Tapco Mix.120 mixer.)
 “As the coverage areas are small, we used EAW models that were small and compact yet did not compromise sound quality," explains Chandan Mahtani, managing director of Proaktiv Systems.
Proaktiv, which has offices in Singapore as well as Malaysia, Indonesia, Moscow and Central Asia, worked closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) on the project, as they've done previously. As a result, they were well aware of the stringent requirements and ensured that every specification was met with. With the EAW Commercial components already in their inventory, the company was able to deliver the project very quickly - within about a week from start time.
(Thanks to Proaktiv Systems for the information and photos, and to see more photos of their work at Changi International Airport Terminal 3, click here.)
Continue reading "Proaktiv Systems Selects EAW C For Singapore Airport" »
 A very good account of sound reinforcement for the European tour of the legendary Joe Cocker is provided in a recent issue of Die Referenz (The Reference), a leading German pro systems publication.
The report, presented in German language, was filed by Tom Becker, who also did the photo work. Tom details the system for the tour that was supplied by leading hire company Concert Sound, featuring EAW KF760 Series and KF730 Series line arrays, as well as other EAW loudspeakers. Click here to read the report. And, if you missed our initial report on the system for this tour, go here.
 The beautiful new Club Hotel in Thessaloniki, Greece, features a dynamic sound system headlined by EAW Avalon Series club loudspeakers courtesy of Eurosound S.A., EAW's distributor serving Greece.
The 500-square-meter nightclub features a wide range of entertainment as the newest premier nightspot in Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη), the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of Macedonia, the nation's largest region.
 Already one of the most prestigious (and largest) venues in the city, Club Hotel features an all-EAW loudspeaker line-up to meet all sound reinforcement needs. The system is headlined by six Avalon DC2 larger-format full-range loudspeakers spaced throughout the club, joined by six more Avalon DC4 smaller-format full-range loudspeakers, with both models featuring cutaway upper-rear cabinet corners that allow them to tuck up next to the ceiling while being angled downward to provide optimum coverage.
 Dual Avalon DCT1 supertweeter arrays (4 x 1.33-inch-exit tweeters) with an inverted pyramid configuration delivering optimized 360-degree horizontal high-frequency dispersion from centrally mounted locations. Low-frequency energy to fill out the sonic spectrum are supplied by six EAW SB1000zR dual-18-inch-loaded subwoofers. All loudspeakers are driven by Lab.gruppen amplifiers.
"The management of the club had first heard the EAW components in another club, and as a result of that dynamic demonstration of EAW quality, selected them for their own venue," notes Apostolos Kanakaris. (Our thanks to Eurosound for the excellent photos as well as the details in this report.)
 A recent evaluation process highlights the dramatic performance gains that can be realized by utilizing recent EAW technologies to enhance an existing sound reinforcement system.
The evaluation took place at Crossway Baptist Church in Victoria, Australia, which hosts worship services and other activities in an 1,110-seat, fan-shaped auditorium. The current house sound reinforcement system, installed in 1995 and still going strong, features a pair of EAW KF650E three-way full-range loudspeakers installed per side above the edge of the front platform, with a single EAW SB1000E subwoofer per side on the floor.
 Four EAW JFX200 compact loudspeakers along the front of the stage offer fill when needed, and they can also be utilized as spare stage monitor wedges (other monitoring is supplied by IEM systems). Additional front fill comes via four two-way loudspeakers mounted directly beneath the KF650E mains.
The system is under the direction of Media Pastor Peter MacLean, who is heading the evaluation process for possible upgrade of select components. Working closely with Production Audio Services Pty. Ltd., EAW’s distributor for the Australian pro audio marketplace, and also based in Victoria, a new EAW UX8800 digital processor was first implemented, in place of the system’s current digital processor. (Peter is shown at right in the above photo, with Graeme Stevenson and Ben Clarke of Production Audio Services.)
Continue reading "UMX.96, UX8800 Enhance Crossway Baptist Church System" »
 A new maintenance update of Smaart is now available for download here at EAW.com.
The maintenance update - Smaart 6.1 - offers a comprehensive list of user-visible (and some not-so-visible) changes, including:
- Named Pairs feature streamlines switching measurement inputs on multi-input devices, and provides a true Swap (invert) function for Frequency Response data
- Numerous user-driven usability tweaks to the legend dialog to make working with store traces faster/easier
- Horizontal Spectrograph option
- Continuous Impulse Response measurement
- ASCII-to-reference import feature
- Optimized painting and update scheduling for reduced CPU loading
- Improved compatibility with Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) and Windows Vista
- Improved overall stability
- And much, much more!
Click here to access the download of Smaart 6.1. And as always, visit the EAW Smaart Forum here at EAW.com to get further information from the Smaart users community.
 The new EAW SB1002 is a large-format dual-18-inch-loaded subwoofer that can be groundstacked or easily flown via an integral rigging system, making it ideal for a wide range of high-output live and installed sound applications.
Following in the footsteps of the legendary EAW SB1000z subwoofer, the new SB1002 offers a direct radiating design, with driver mounting that maximizes cone area and minimizes frontal area. The result is acoustical performance and physical configuration well suited for creating large subwoofer arrays.
The two 18-inch drivers – designed specifically for the SB1002 - offer very large (4.5-inch) voice coils as well as powerful neodymium magnet structures that also reduce weight. The operating range of the SB1002 is 27 Hz – 161 Hz (+/-3 dB), while maximum sound pressure levels are 129 dB (average) and 135 dB (peak).
Continue reading "New EAW SB1002 Large-Format Dual-18 Subwoofer" »
 Gracias to EAW distribuidor PRO3 & Company of Barcelona for a muy bueno overview of the new EAW NTL720 line array autoamplificado en Espanol.
Características técnicas and muchas fotografía also included. Click here to view the pdf file.
 The craze already starting to sweep the globe: MicroWedgin'!
It's about taking a stand (literally) to make a definitive statement of exuberant solidarity with the world's greatest stage monitors - the new EAW MicroWedge Series.
Inventor Dave Rat set the MicroWedgin' standard (at left), and others have taken the stand, as seen at the recent Prolight+Sound and Musikmesse convention in Frankfurt, Germany.
(Click to get a bigger view of the images.)
Make your MicroWedgin' stand and we'll feature it here on EAW.com, as well as the other web home for MicroWedge on Myspace. (Send your images via e-mail to EAW's Keith Clark by clicking here.)
 The 2008 Prolight+Sound Musikmesse last week in Frankfurt, Germany, proved to be one of the most memorable (and enjoyable) trade conferences at which we've had the privilege to exhibit in recent memory.
It's almost impossible to say what new EAW products garnered the most attention. Was it the UMX.96 digital console? (Moray McMillan is shown at right giving one of his constant demos to a crowd of interested audio pros.) Was it the new MicroWedge MW12, particularly when attendees had the opportunity to hear these wedges?
Or, was it the growing line of great new EAW Commercial products under the direction of Dave Raneses? Or, how about the new NTL720 self-powered line array? Or the UX8800 digital processor? Or Smaart v.6? One thing is certain: Jürgen Bachthaler and the EAW Germany team were superior hosts, and everyone really enjoyed their time in beautiful Frankfurt. (Click here to see more from Prolight+Sound 2008.)
Continue reading "EAW At 2008 Prolight+Sound Musikmesse - What A Show!" »
 The North Bondi RSL club in Sydney was definitely the place to be recently, with FOH Engineer Dave Coxon mixing the renowned Martini Club band as it worked the 2,500 (full) capacity turnout into a frenzy through the new EAW NTL720 (BLAM) self-powered "baby" line arrays that also feature revolutionary Gunness Focusing technology.
Coxon, of DJW Projects, says the heat coming off the dance floor was incredible and literally had water dripping off the walls. DJW Projects is a solution-based boutique service company based in Sydney, specializing in premium end, customized audio-visual design, install, and production.
 Only four NTL720's per side were required to get the entire venue absolutely rocking. Amazingly pristine audio from self-powered loudspeakers that weigh under 22 kilograms (48 pounds) each!
Thanks very much to the team at Production Audio Services, and Brendan Phillips in particular, for this report and photos.
 The March 2008 issue of
CX Magazine provides outstanding in-depth coverage of the systems technology being deployed for the current Iron Maiden "Somewhere Back In Time" world concert tour, in an article written by Andy MacKenzie.
The Iron Maiden concert system is headlined by EAW KF760 Series line arrays as well as UX8800 digital processing, with all sound design, equipment and technical support provided by ML Group. For the Australian shows, ML Group is working with Norwest Productions of Sydney, with Ewan McDonald of Norwest providing the first-hand system overview to MacKenzie.
Click here to read the entire article in pdf form. For more than 17 years, CX (short for Connections) Magazine has served as the leading voice of the entertainment technology industry in Australia and New Zealand. It is published by Juliusmedia, headed by Julius Grafton. We sincerely thank Juliusmedia for allowing us to present this coverage to you.
 Production Audio Services, EAW's distribution firm serving the Australia customer base, recently put on quite a "show within a show" at ENTECH '08. Recognized as THE entertainment technology show for the entire region, ENTECH includes the latest professional audio, lighting, broadcast, audio visual and staging products, supplies and services.
Held this year in mid-February at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre Darling Harbour, ENTECH attracted a huge crowd of professional technology users, and Production Audio Services had a fully stocked booth ready to provide them with a close look at the latest EAW and EAW Commercial products.
Just a few of the highlights included the new EAW NTL720 (BLAM) baby line array modules, CIS Series ceiling loudspeakers, UX8800 dual-mode digital processing with Gunness Focusing technology - and much more.
 The Production Audio Services staff worked the booth throughout the run of the show, offering expert insight into the new EAW products and technologies. It was topped by a booth presentation of exceptional professionalism.
Click here to find out more about Production Audio Services.
At the end of January, more than 300,000 descended upon Zocalo de la Ciudad de Mexico, the main square in Mexico City, to attend a rally regarding agricultural policies in Mexico - with leading sound company Consorcio Audiovisa S.A de C.V providing EAW KF730 Series line arrays as part of a comprehensive sound reinforcement package.
In fact, Consorcio Audiovisa of Mexico City - a member of ELAN and owned by Alejandro and José Luis Morales - deployed 56 EAW KF730 Series line array modules (driven by Crown I-Tech amplification) to serve six different regions/stages of the massive Zocalo area, including the four main streets leading to the square. Frontfill for one of the regions was supplied by EAW LA215 loudspeakers.
"We were able to attain great sound pressure levels throughout the square and its surrounding area, which was the primary goal," notes Alejandro Morales. Click here to see more of the system and event in photos supplied by Alejandro.
Continue reading "KF730 From Consorcio Serves Massive Mexico City Rally" »
You’re invited to participate in upcoming EAW Smaart School sessions in Montreal, March 5-7, 2008.
The intensive three-day training package will be presented at EAW Canadian market distributor SF Marketing’s Dorval, Quebec facilities as well as at Salle Claude-Champagne (l’Université de Montréal). (SF Marketing is the organizer of this educational event.)
Smaart Fundamentals and Applications will be covered the first two days, with the third day devoted to an Advanced User Seminar. Click here to find out more and to get cost/registration details.
Continue reading "Smaart School Slated For March 5-7 In Montreal" »
 Dubai-based Smart Vision LLC a leading Middle Eastern systems integrator, has recently commissioned an EAW-based system at the stunning new Elegante Club, already becoming the hottest nightclub in the region since its December opening.
With a capacity of more than 1,000, Elegante Club (housed within Dubai's prestigious Royal Ascot Hotel and managed by the Executive Group) presents diverse entertainment, including live music, special stage shows, top DJs of the region and renowned international DJs once a month. .
 "Elegante Club is unique, appealing to its clientele by featuring a one-of-a-kind light and laser grid, state-of-the-art liquid nitrogen Kryogenifex effects systems and of course, the absolute best sound system design and technology. It all combines to make for the latest evolution of nightlife artistry," explains Oussama Mansour Abou Faraj, who manages Smart Vision LLC as well as HI FI SERVICE of Beirut, Lebanon.
With excellent support from EAW Executive Audio, the Smart Vision LLC team members, including Khaled Abu Rislan (sound system installation) and Tony Mattar (lighting and video system installation) were crucial to the project.
Continue reading "Smart Vision Implements EAW For Dubai's Elegante Club" »
 Leading hire company ML Group will be supplying the largest EAW KF760 Series line array contingent ever to tour Europe as key components of a large-scale sound reinforcement system for the upcoming Iron Maiden “Somewhere Back in Time" 2008 world tour.
Kicking off in India early in February, the tour will visit more than 30 countries on several continents in the coming months. ML Executives Managing Director Gary Marks is coordinating system issues with partner companies around the globe, such as Norwest Productions of Sydney, Australia and Brantley Sound Associates of Nashville. Michael Hackman (pictured below) is serving as the KF760 Series line array system technician for the tour, also performing system analysis and optimization at each stop with an assist from EAW Smaart.
 "For the stadium tour in Europe, we'll be supplying four main hangs of 18 EAW KF760 modules and two EAW KF761 wide dispersion modules," explains Marks. "So, that's a total of 80 cabinets on the main four hangs, plus 24 EAW SB1000 subwoofers per side. Also, because the stages will be very wide, we'll use six more KF761 modules flown in the center to serve as a vocal fill."
We'll be providing updates on the progress of the system and tour as it goes along. Click here for the official tour itinerary.
You’re invited to participate in upcoming EAW Smaart School sessions in Vancouver, February 6-8, 2008.
The intensive three-day training package, presented by veteran Smaart School instructor Arthur Skudra, will be conducted at the beautiful Chan Centre for the Performing Arts (CCPA), located at the University of British-Columbia (UBC).
Smaart Fundamentals and Applications will be covered the first two days, with the third day devoted to an Advanced User Seminar. Click here to find out more and to get cost/registration details.
Continue reading "Smaart School: February 6-8 At Chan Centre, Vancouver" »
 Leading U.K. hire company Concert Sound just finished up providing a large-scale sound reinforcement system for the latest European concert tour by the legendary Joe Cocker, including extensive EAW line array and loudspeaker sets.
Concert Sound worked closely with FOH Engineer Chris Madden in formulating the system, which traveled throughout the European continent in support of the 2007 release of the acclaimed Hymn For My Soul album. The scalable system, under the care of System Engineer Dave Dixon, was comprised of left and right main hangs of up to 20 EAW KF760 Series large-format line array modules, with EAW KF730 Series small-format line array modules on the deck for front-fill.
 Side-fill came from up to eight EAW KF750 Series three-way concert loudspeakers flown per side, with a low-frequency contingent of up to 18 EAW SB1000z dual-18-inch-loaded subwoofers split left and right. “I loved the consistency of this system – it sounded great every day throughout the 13-week tour, performing in a widely differing variety of venues,” noted Madden. “The system also provided very fast load-ins and load-outs, and further, it didn't suffer a single component failure during the whole tour.”
A portion of the system as well as key sound team members are pictured above. Left to right - Ben Byford, Adrian Fitzpatrick, Chris Madden, Niall Slevin, and Dave Dixon. And, thanks to Moray McMillan of EAW Europe for the great photos!
 Stage Audio & Lighting Productions of Longwood, Florida, recently provided sound reinforcement and technical support at all venues for this year’s Florida International Festival in Daytona Beach, highlighted by a performance by the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), featuring a concert system based upon a variety of EAW loudspeakers line arrays and EAW digital processing.
Headed by Phillip Kovacevich (pictured below), Stage Audio & Lighting Productions is a leading live event company celebrating its third decade of serving touring artists and corporate event planners in the Eastern U.S. and the Caribbean, and the company counts live orchestra sound reinforcement as one of its specialties.
 Veteran free-lance audio professional Jeremy Goldstein, based in Orlando, brought his talents to the event as well. In addition to helping with system management throughout the festival, he also provided the live mix of the first half of the LSO concert.
The LSO show featured a “Pops” style that paid tribute to motion picture soundtracks, with “Darth Vadar” making an appearance to guest-conduct the “Star Wars” theme.
 The large-scale system assembled to serve the audience filling the 46,000-square-foot, multi-level Ocean Center arena in Daytona included EAW KF760 Series large-format line arrays optimized with the new EAW UX8800 dual-mode digital processors with Gunness Focusing technology.
Continue reading "Stage Audio Serves London Symphony With EAW" »
 EAW has established a new operation – exclusively focused on the EAW brand – that dramatically upgrades our ability to serve the crucial European professional audio marketplace.
The new EAW Europe, which officially opens its doors on January 2, 2007, is based in Wickford, Essex, UK, and is headed by veteran European Sales Manager Sean Martin (shown at right). He is directing a team of six full-time, highly experienced professionals who will work in support of the EAW brand and its European customer base.
The new operation offers the complete inventory of EAW products on the European continent in order to dramatically shorten delivery times. An expansive inventory of repair and replacement parts are kept on hand as well, with an EAW Product Service Centre also instituted in Wickford, in very close proximity to the offices of EAW Europe.
Continue reading "Dramatic Enhancement In Serving European Market" »
 Noted harpist Vincenzo Zitello, recognized as one of the finest Italian musical artists, performs live in concert with sound reinforcement by EAW NT Series self-powered loudspeakers with Gunness Focusing.
Also widely respected for his skills as a composer, Zitello's compositions have often been played in Saint Peter’s Square in Rome to accompany special worship services.
 For live performances, Zitello utilizes his own custom sound reinforcement system that even includes special microphones installed in his harps, along with several premium Neumann overhead mics.
The system, under the direction of Vittorio Sorrentino, Zitello's sound engineer, is led by NT26 loudspeakers, sometimes joined by NTS22 subwoofers. Sorrentino (pictured below) selected the NT Series following an evaluation of numerous loudspeakers.
 "The EAW NT26's are very high quality loudspeakers, and are the only ones that can reproduce the unique sound of the harp with all the harmonics and the complete dynamic range, without any coloration or distortion," explains Sorrentino. "We use two or four NT26, depending on the venue size. They are coupled with NTS22 subwoofers when Vincenzo performs with other musicians.”
In January, 2008, Zitello will be performing at Théâtre Max Jacob in Bretagna-France, a high award for an Italian artist to play Breton music in its homeland. (To learn more about Vincenzo Zitello, click here. Our thanks to Edoardo Ravelli of Exhibo for this information and the photos.)
 Leading hire company Canegreen of London recently deployed its EAW KF760 Series line array inventory for a series of events at London's ExCel Arena, the largest indoor arena venue in the U.K.
The multi-day event series included a live festival for Islam television, followed by Tamil Remembrance Day and then the two-day Nigerian Festival of Life, with attendance sometimes approaching 30,000.
 Canegreen was able to achieve excellent sound reinforcement with a main system headed by left and right line array hangs comprised of 10 KF760 modules above two KF761 wide-dispersion modules, and a dozen SB1000z subwoofers on the deck.
Renowned FOH Engineer Roger Lindsay provided the house mix for all three events (as he did last year), with Canegreen's Paul "PK" Knight and Ace McGrogan on hand throughout to provide expert system engineering and technical support. (Roger, PK and Ace are pictured directly above, left to right.)
 The accolades keep on coming for the UMX.96 digital console as it continues its tour with FOH Engineer Don Dodge in support of Foreigner's international tour.
The latest notice comes from Audio Pro International magazine, based in the U.K., which is featuring an exclusive interview with Don on his experiences with the UMX. Sample comment from Don: "The console has a ‘warmer’ sound to it than others, with analog pre amps and VCA section and a very analog layout.”
Be sure to check out the entire interview here.
 The online version of Harry Brill Jr's excellent article regarding tips and tricks for EAW Smaart v.6, written exclusively for Mix magazine, has now been posted in the publication's online edition.
In the article, Harry (shown at right handling Smaart duties at the recent ET Live) shares valuable information gained from his experiences with Smaart, including use of certain features that might not be readily apparent to some users. It's a must-read for anyone seeking to get the most from Smaart v.6. Click here to go directly to the article.
 EAW's Moray McMillan (UK Sales Manager) recently caught up with Foreigner FOH Engineer Don Dodge as he travels Europe with the UMX.96 digital console - the board's maiden voyage across the pond. Don reports all is going exceptionally well, both with the tour in general as well as the performance of the console. Moray sends along the recent photo he took at right, showing Don prior to a recent concert at Shepperds Bush.
More dates remain on the Foreigner swing through Europe. Click here to see where and when the tour is appearing in the coming weeks.
 Leading UK hire company Concert Sound continues to keep its EAW KF760 Series line arrays very busy, as evidenced by the recent two-day “Live ‘07” show by the Scout Association of the UK at the new 20,000-seat O2 Arena inside the London Millennium Dome. The dynamic event featured a wide range of live entertainment, including a 20-piece band, 90-piece orchestra and 30-plus member choir. (More than 140 inputs were required.)
Concert Sound elected to go with a main concert system headed by several arrays of KF760 Series modules, also including KF761 wide-coverage modules to attain extended dispersion in nearfield regions. The arrays easily delivered superb full-range output to every seat in the large-scale arena.
 Key system personnel working the event included Simon Wooler (FOH engineer), Matt Mannasse (orchestra engineer), Tim Peeling (system engineer) and Gary Sylvester (monitor engineer).
Concert Sound’s efforts at Live ’07 follows up their successful work with the Scout Association in support of the World Scout Jamboree this past summer, attended by more than 40,000 scouts from around the globe. (Credits for the excellent photos posted here to EAW’s Moray McMillan and the Scout Association.)
 The EAW UMX.96 digital console is making its European touring debut as the Foreigner tour and FOH Engineer Don Dodge move "across the pond" for the next two months, beginning with a show in Glasgow, UK, this coming Friday (November 9). The tour will make about 20 stops in the UK, Denmark, Latvia, Estonia, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary and Austria, and there will also be a few dates in South Africa.
Click here to go directly to the Foreigner tour itinerary.
 Karl Reed has joined us as the new EAW art director. He brings more than 15 years of professional graphic design experience to the position, working for a variety of leading advertising agencies and corporations, Honeywell among them.
Karl is responsible for graphic design and production for all facets of the EAW Brand Group (EAW, EAW Commercial and so on) including ads, collateral pieces, logos, web graphics, tradeshow graphics, and more.
Welcome aboard, Karl!
 Big touring news in Europe, where EAW's Moray McMillin reports that four large-scale tours are set to hit the road with EAW concert components in the very near future. U.K. hire company Canegreen will be providing EAW KF760 Series line arrays, as well as new EAW UX8800 digital processing, for a tour by Harry Connick Jr.
Canegreen will also be supplying KF760 Series line arrays for the Gypsy Kings as they tour the U.K. Further, U.K. hire company Concert Sound is supplying the legendary Joe Cocker with an extensive loudspeaker set for his upcoming tour, including KF760 Series joined by KF730 Series compact line arrays and KF750 Series three-way concert loudspeakers.
And, the EAW UMX.96 will be making its European touring debut as Foreigner and FOH Engineer Don Dodge make their way across the pond for a series of dates. (Click here to read more about the UMX.96 with Foreigner.)
Updated itineraries for these tours should soon be available at Pollstar.
 “Smaart has been one of our best investments as a sound company - we call it 'audio for our eyes'. And new Smaart v.6 is even better. The 'Repeat' feature is great for obtaining polarity information, saving a lot of headaches. Easily storing snapshots of frequency response is another invaluable feature, allowing us to conveniently keep all of our inventory 'in check' from show to show, year after year.”
Brent Milton
Owner, Pacific West Sound
Bakersfield, CA
 The September '07 issue of
Front Of House (FOH) Magazine includes a "Road Test" review of new EAW Smaart v.6 filed by Mark Amundson, the publication's technical editor.
Mr. Amundson concisely spells out his favorite features on v.6, and doesn't find much fault. At the outset, he poses the apt question, "Why upgrade?" and then proceeds to inform readers in very clear terms about the numerous advantages, in his view, of v.6.
We thank FOH magazine and Editor Bill Evans for publishing the piece, and also thanks to Mark Amundson for taking the time to check out Smaart v.6 and share his observations. Click here to read the review.
 Creative Events, a leading sound reinforcement company serving the Middle East, recently added EAW UX8800 digital processors with Gunness Focusing technology, as well as EAW KF760 Series and KF730 Series line arrays, to its growing inventory of top-flight professional audio equipment.
Creative Events is one of several companies of Creative Communication Group (CCG), a thriving full-service event management and production venture based in Qatar. Under the direction of Managing Partner Jalal Dudin (shown in photo above), Creative Events provides sound reinforcement systems and services to numerous high-profile concerts, theatrical productions, festivals and other events held throughout the Middle East.
For example, a notable Creative Events project was supplying all audio, video and technical support at more than 110 sports venues during the 2006 Doha Asian Games. In addition, they’ve supported first-time concert tours in the Middle East by performers such as Lionel Richie, Jose Carreras and the late Luciano Pavarotti, among many.
 “After extensive research and consultancy from our experts in the events business, we decided not to waste our time or money with any brands other than EAW for our audio supply,” states Jalal Dudin. “EAW is a worldwide technological leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance professional loudspeaker systems.”
Creative Events is a member of ELAN (EAW Line Array Network), a valuable association network provided by the company that allows members to promote their inventories as well as secure additional EAW inventory when needed. The UX8800 and KF Series line arrays join other EAW components utilized by Creative Events, including SB Series subwoofers, LA Series loudspeakers, SM Series stage monitors and more.
 Last weekend (September 15, to be exact), Mexico celebrated its national independence day, and our friends at Consorcio Audiovisa S.A de C.V. of Mexico City were on hand to provide EAW KF730 Series line arrays as the primary components of a sound reinforcement system for a civic ceremony in Tlalnepantla, one of the most important cities in the state of Mexico.
More than 15,000 converged on Tlalnepantla's Plaza Cívica Dr. Gustavo Baz for the ceremony, which featured remarks by the city president as well as a host of traditional festivities. To provide coverage throughout the plaza, Consorcio Audiovisa, a member of ELAN and owned by Alex and José Luis Morales, supplied 24 KF730 modules as well as 16 EAW SB1000z subwoofers as the key aspects of the system, backed by full technical support.
 All of these EAW loudspeakers were divided evenly into four groundstacked sets of six line array modules and four subwoofers, spaced equidistantly across the front of the plaza.
They were the exclusive source for all spoken-word presentations, and were also used to significantly bolster coverage for various musical performances, including Mariachi bands.
"Sound pressure levels generated by our system measured 105 dB at 60 meters," notes Alex Morales. "Overall, the results were amazing, with perfect coverage to every zone in the plaza."
 We're very pleased to welcome Andy Jordan as the newest member of the EAW Application Support Group (ASG) team, headed by ASG Manager Joe Fustolo.
Andy brings 10-plus years of working with EAW Engineering in hands-on loudspeaker design to his new role with ASG. Specifically, he flourished as the Technical Services Coordinator, responsible for leading a group of technicians in carrying out a variety of tasks in building and facilitating the overall documentation and testing of BTO and standard EAW products.
"We're confident that Andy's vast working knowledge of the engineering process and the internal workings of virtually all EAW loudspeakers is going to make him a highly valuable asset of ASG, allowing us to take another important step in further being able to assist and troubleshoot customer issues with even greater accuracy and efficiency," Joe explains.
The addition of Andy now means the ASG team includes four sound system designers, three phone technical support specialists, and a special projects coordinator.
 Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW) is pleased to announce that it will be the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of the renowned MicroWedge Series of stage monitor products under the terms of a new agreement between LOUD Technologies Inc. and MicroWedge developer Rat Sound Systems Inc. of Oxnard, CA.
The Perpetual License agreement between the two entities calls for current products to be branded “EAW MicroWedge,” fully supported by the resources of EAW. Further, Rat Sound Founder Dave “Rat” Levine, creator of MicroWedge and other acclaimed sound reinforcement designs, will be working closely with the EAW Engineering Department on the development of new MicroWedge models as well as other EAW touring products.
“In securing this preeminent floor monitor line for our worldwide customer base, EAW is once again demonstrating its commitment to true performance audio by bringing the best in both design and talent to the EAW brand,” explains Jeffrey Cox, Vice President of the EAW Brand Group, shown in the above photo with Dave Rat. “We continually populate the EAW family and brand relationships with experienced, talented visionaries who combine their unique skills to push audio forward. Our partnership with Dave is a prime example of this philosophy.”
Continue reading "EAW To Manufacture, Distribute MicroWedge Series" »
 Be sure to check out the cover story of the September '07 issue of InAVate magazine for the full story and great photos on a recent system project at a new large-scale stadium in Europe featuring a wide range of EAW and EAW Commercial loudspeakers.
Click here to go directly to the on-line edition of InAVate, and then click on the article noted in the table of contents that begins on page 38. The publication, with Chris Fitzsimmons serving as editor, does a fine job of covering AV technology, systems and applications, certainly exemplified by the September 07 cover story.
 Last week (September 9), Stock Audio & Light provided a high-end sound reinforcement system featuring dual EAW UX8800 digital processors in tandem with KF760 Series line arrays for a memorial concert by the Limburg Symphony Orchestra that marked the liberation of the Netherlands in World War II.
The concert, held on the grounds of the American Battle Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten, the Netherlands, was highlighted by a performance of Verdi’s Requiem, accompanied by the Vocal Collective, a 60-member choir from Belgium.
 Stock Audio, based in Geleen, the Netherlands, worked with the concert’s front-of-house engineer, Jo Smeets, to assemble a system providing enough headroom to reach a coverage area spanning beyond 150 meters (approximately 500 feet), while also capable of presenting a very natural sonic signature.
The sound team responded with a main system featuring dual line arrays, each comprised of six EAW KF760 modules above two KF761 wide-dispersion modules, flown stage left and right.
 Low-frequencies were reinforced with eight EAW LA400 subwoofers with bent horn technology, groundstacked in groups of four beneath the main arrays. All loudspeakers were driven with LabGruppen fp6400 power amplifiers, with a DiGiCo D1 serving as house console and a Midas XL4 for monitors, largely for pre-mixing string instruments.
Holland PA, EAW’s distributor for the region, supplied two EAW UX8800 digital processors with Gunness Focusing for evaluation with this system. During soundcheck the day prior to the concert, Stock Audio Owner Paul Pelen immediately noted the significant upgrade in sonic performance provided by the UX8800 units, and in fact, decided on the spot to purchase them.
Continue reading "Stock Audio: UX8800 Success Story At Orchestra Concert" »
 Jeffrey Cox, Vice President of the EAW Brand Group, is the subject of an exclusive interview in the current issue of Production Partner, the noted German professional audio publication. (Jeffrey is shown at left with Jürgen Bachthaler, who heads up EAW's offices in Germany.)
The discussion covers a wide range of topics, and is also tied into the recent EAW B4 Roadshow and educational training sessions that appeared across Europe.
Our thanks to Peter Brüning for arranging and coordinating this interview, conducted by Detlef Hoepfner.
There's only one catch - readers fluent in the German language will really enjoy the interview, while those of us who are not must be content with the nice photos. Click on the pdf links below to access the full interview.
Jeffrey Cox-Production Partner Interview, Page 1
Jeffery Cox-Production Partner Interview, Page 2
Jeffrey Cox-Production Partner Interview, Page 3
On the list of unusual installed sound reinforcement situations, the Olympic Oval in Calgary ranks toward the top, as evidenced by a recent project that saw the venue’s original sound system replaced by a widely distributed, multi-zone design to serve a decidedly unconventional indoor arena.
Constructed for the 1988 Winter Olympic Games, the venue offers a structure of pre-cast, pre-stressed concrete that completely covers a 400-meter long-track speed skating oval encircling two international sized ice rinks for short-track speed skating and ice hockey. The long-track is surrounded by a 450-meter running track, with other track and field amenities including a 110-meter sprint track, pole vault box and long jump pit.
 Spectator seating for more than 10,000 runs along one of the long sides of the oval, continuing around the curves a good distance, with portable grandstands able to be staged where needed along the hockey rink and short track.
Known as “the fastest ice on earth” for hosting an unprecedented number of speed skating world records (attributed most frequently to its rare status as a climate-controlled venue combined with the effects of high altitude), the Olympic Oval continues to serve as a premier speed skating site and training facility.
In addition, it hosts hockey games, track and field competitions (and practices), and, located adjacent to the University of Calgary, is connected both with that institution in general and specifically with its sports medicine and kinesiology programs. Constantly in use seven days a week, it’s also open at select times for public skating and a wide range of special events.
Continue reading "Profile: AX, MK Series Key System At Olympic Oval" »
 Here's a handy roster of links to access Martyn "Ferrit" Rowe's blog entries as an EAW UMX.96 digital console makes its inaugural tour with Foreigner and FOH Engineer Don Dodge.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Note From Don Dodge
 We just received the following note from FOH Engineer Don Dodge, who's been utilizing the EAW UMX.96 digital console on its maiden touring voyage with Foreigner this summer. Don and Ferrit are pictured at left.
"The console is working out like a dream - I’m totally loving it! We’re blowing everyone’s mind with this board. It just sings. So many people coming up after shows to tell me how good it sounded.
"Ferrit has been incredible - what a fantastic guy. It’s really easy to learn from him, and he’s so smart it blows your mind. He’s been such a great help.
"Thanks very much to EAW and Jeffrey for trusting in me enough to run with your new 'baby'."
- Don Dodge
 EAW's Martyn "Ferrit" Rowe is providing us with live reports as an EAW UMX.96 digital console makes its inaugural tour with Foreigner and FOH Engineer Don Dodge.
Verizon Center, VA Beach
August 18, 2007
I’m writing this from the front lounge of the Foreigner crew bus that has been my home for a couple of weeks, and I thought I’d include some pics of the folks working so hard on this traveling show. (Click here to see more photos.) Nine buses, nine 53-foot semi’s and over 50 production and support people.
I’d like to give a shout out to some of the great people who make it happen out here. So, in no particular order: Don Dodge, Robbie Price, Rocko, Gary Luizzo (Styx FOH), Pilgrim (Leppard’s monitor engineer), Alphonso, Dave the bus driver, Dan the truck driver, the FOH Karaoke crew (Ted Bible, Ronan and the lovely Leslie), LD’s Kenji-san, Libby, and Cosmo. And - the Foreigner crew: Jody, John, Roy, Ted and Barry. Sorry in advance if I left anyone out. Rock on, my brothers and sisters.
Foreigner has the opening slot today, and for a bit of a change, they've updated the set list to include “I Wanna Know What Love Is" and "Feels Like The First Time". After the set, the Foreigner crew is driving down to Florida for a corporate gig while Def Leppard is taking a two-day break. So as soon as the gear is packed, it’s a tearful goodbye and then they're off.
I stayed until the end of the show to get the UMX.96 packed and onto Foreigner's truck, and then I’m off with the runner to catch a 7 am flight home. I’ll be catching back up with the tour when it comes to my home town, Las Vegas, in about a week’s time. In the meantime, click the link directly below to check more photos.
Continue reading "Ferrit's Blog - UMX.96 On Tour With Foreigner, Day 10" »
 EAW's Martyn "Ferrit" Rowe is providing us with live reports as an EAW UMX.96 digital console makes its inaugural tour with Foreigner and FOH Engineer Don Dodge.
Nissan Pavilion, Washington DC
August 17, 2007
I forgot to mention that the last show day was also the anniversary of the Ferrit’s hatching. The Foreigner crew surprised me with a birthday cake! The recording we did at the previous show went very well - the delay established on the UMX.96 outputs to line up the tracks was within two samples, so it was real easy to slip the tracks for perfect sync.
Today was hot and humid, and an afternoon rainstorm didn't help matters. We had the middle slot again, which was lucky since Mick Jones, lead guitar for Foreigner, was flying up from NY and the weather grounded his flight. He landed at the local airport, rushed to the venue and made it with moments to spare! Once again Foreigner played a blistering set and 50 minutes went by just like that.
 A bit of drama during the show - Tom Gimbel’s saxophone wireless mic wasn’t working but the onstage crew got the spare up and running before the solo in “Emergency”... and nobody noticed. The stage guys have a whole host of “what-if” procedures planned and it’s almost automatic, like a well-oiled machine, they just “clicked” into place.
We recorded the show again and the 25,000 screaming fans almost overloaded the mic tracks. As a result, the sample rate was upped to 96 kHz, and we also deployed a bigger hard drive.
Another rapid load out (under two hours), and on to Virginia Beach.
 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.
 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 administ |
