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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.)
 Josh Evans, an ace in working with EAW Smaart and now a system designer based in the Middle East, is offering a stable of audio tutorial videos on a channel he's set up on YouTube. The videos provide a load of useful information regarding subwoofer alignment and aux-fed sub techniques, as well as an ongoing series about lobes.
Click here to access the videos. Great job, Josh!
It was a full and very active two days last week (April 8-9) for the more than 20 attendees of the most recent Smaart School at the Holiday Inn Northshore in Skokie, Illinois, just north of Chicago. (The class and instructors are pictured above during a break.)
The educational sessions were led by Doug Fowler and Harry Brill, Jr., working with Audioseminars.com. Both of these veteran audio professionals are Smaart experts lauded for their teaching abilities. More Smaart School sessions are scheduled soon - click here to find out more. And thanks to Harry for the photo!
 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.
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" »
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" »
 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.
 Should you use a wireless reference microphone with Smaart? The quick answer might seem to be "no" - but - there's at least one wireless option that many veteran Smaart users can endorse.
Click here to check out the discussion in the very active Smaart section of the EAW Forums.
 At ET Live, held in conjunction with LDI 2007 in Orlando next month (November), EAW will be unveiling a wide range of exciting new and pending product developments – all working together as a full-scale live concert reinforcement system!
The fun starts with the newest loudspeaker design from EAW (more about this soon), which will be joined by flown KF730 Series line arrays as well as prototypes of another new loudspeaker, with Gunness Focusing and all other DSP courtesy of UX8800 dual-mode digital processors.
 Low-end will be provided with new, soon-to-be-released EAW SB Series subwoofers. Filling out the loudspeaker complement will be KF650z sidefills and SM12 stage monitoring. The entire system will be driven by Lab.gruppen amplification and tuned with new Smaart v.6; in fact, Smaart has been designated as the official measurement system for the entire event. (The scene at ET Live in Las Vegas last year is shown in the photo at left.)
Continue reading "Dynamic New EAW Developments At Upcoming ET Live!" »
 Want a discount on new Smaart v.6? Then visit the ongoing Mix Foundation TEC Awards Music & Sound Auction and put in a bid on a copy of Smaart v.6 donated by EAW!
The auction features new products, instruments and treasured music memorabilia, with proceeds benefiting foundation partner House Ear Institute in support of the Sound Partners Hearing Conservation Program and the House Ear Institute Teen Outreach Campaign "It's How You Listen that Counts".
The auction lasts for about another 24 hours, ending at noon (U.S. Eastern time) on Thursday, October 11. Update: The Smaart v.6 auction is now closed, with the winning bid coming in at $720.
 "Smaart has long been an invaluable tool for our company. It allows us to quickly and accurately align a PA system with repeatable and reliable results. To me, it’s definitely the best tool in the box.
And it’s a tool that’s gotten even better with the release of Smaart v.6, which is so much faster and very user-friendly."
Michael Hackman
System Technician
ML Executives
London & Miami
 “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.
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" »
Special Report By Ben Olswang
In addition to being out on the road with Foreigner, another EAW UMX.96 digital console has just been put through its paces at the Capital Hill Block Party in Seattle, where it garnered high praise from all who used it under the most stressful of all mix positions: monitor world. The event also marked another successful run for the new EAW UX8800 digital processor with Gunness Focusing.
The Block Party featured three stages hosting live music, with sound provided by EAW and Mackie components. The main stage system, under the direction of Carlson Audio, offered coverage from two stacks (left and right) of EAW KF750s paired with four SB1000 subwoofers, with processing courtesy of the UX8800. A second, networked UX8800 provided delay lines feeding five towers made up of Mackie SA1232z and SWA2801z covering each of the four streets intersecting the stage.
 Also at the main stage, the UMX.96 ran eight stage mixes for EAW NT59 stage monitors, Mackie SA1232z/SWA1801z side fills, and an SA1521z plus SWA2801z combination for drum monitor. All processing was done in the console, including EQ, compressors, and gates on inputs, and limiters and graphic EQs on the outputs. This made load in a breeze - no patching required other than inputs and outputs.
Monitor Engineer Tom Meyers (who’s also a Mackie tech support guru) was at the controls of the console for the whole day through the hot summer sun. It was a true festival with five different bands throughout the day and only a half-hour changeover between acts. Each group was very different, ranging from a two-piece drum and keys combo to a hip-hop act with a full band to a power rock quartet.
Continue reading "UMX.96 & UX8800 Key To Systems For Seattle Block Party" »
 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.
 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.
 “Smaart keeps getting better, and as a result, it’s one of our most utilized tools, right up there with multimeters — and our ears.
"With new Smaart v.6, we get access to modern, multi-channel sound interfaces (via USB and Firewire). The user interface has been streamlined, providing simplified operation yet more capability, and, the multi-mode operation lets you view multiple measurement types without changing operating modes.
 "The user interface has been streamlined, providing simplified operation yet more capability, and, the multi-mode operation lets you view multiple measurement types without changing operating modes. This is not just another version, but a new program that is far more powerful than ever. ”
James Woods, Owner
Woods Engineering Services
Madrid, Spain
 Stage Audio & Lighting Productions of Longwood, Florida is providing a top-shelf sound system, including EAW line arrays and UX8800 processing, for an exclusive "Pops" concert performance by the London Symphony Orchestra this coming weekend (7/28) in Daytona Beach.
Headed by Phil Kovacevich, Stage Audio & Lighting Productions is a leading live event company noted for its work in providing systems and superior technical support to touring and corporate clients. They will be supplying sound reinforcement to the 46,000-square-foot main arena at the Ocean Center in Daytona with a rig featuring EAW KF760 line arrays over KF730 line arrays, all finely tuned via UX8800 processing with Gunness Focusing. EAW's Jamie Anderson will also be on hand to support Stage Audio's efforts, including working with the company on optimization of the system utilizing EAW Smaart v.6.
In addition, a mix of EAW NT56 and NT59 self-powered loudspeakers with Gunness Focusing, as well as NTS22 subwoofers, will be deployed for various smaller events throughout the area, including live performances by string quartets and small ensembles. NT Series loudspeaker might also be utilized for supplemental fill during the main concert.
 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" »
 "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
The new UX8800 4-input x 8-output digital processor has been created expressly to provide revolutionary Gunness Focusing alignment and driver processing algorithms and protection technology to an ever-growing number of conventional EAW loudspeakers. And with true dual-mode capability, the UX8800 operates either as a standard system processor, or, using the uploadable Gunness Focusing settings, as a loudspeaker-specific processor. Get the full scoop here and here.
The UX8800 provides an unprecedented degree of consistency and interoperability between EAW systems. Users can be confident that cross-rented systems will all have the same starting processing settings. And because of Gunness Focusing, that starting point is phenomenal clarity and fidelity.
Another notable aspect is that in its dual role as a comprehensive digital system processor, the UX8800 is intimately linked to EAW Smaart and FChart acoustic measurement and analysis systems. This is crucial to users and engineers in that it guarantees both standard and “Grey Box” processing exactly matches the processor settings determined in the laboratory by EAW engineers.
Again, more details here and here.
 Attention audio professionals in Australia! (And anyone else who wants to travel in the quest of test and measurement enlightenment...) Production Audio Services will be hosting the first in a series of Smaart School sessions, starting in Melbourne next month (July '07).
Specifically, the two-day Smaart School session will be held July 10-11 at the Production Audio Services facility, 4-621 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham, VIC. Cost is $275 (including GST), and participants are required to have Smaart v.6 installed on their Mac or PC, and to bring along their own measurement kits.
For more information, talk to Tim, Graeme or Ben at Production Audio Services: (03) 92648000. (For more contact info, click here.) By the way, further announcements will be coming soon regarding more Australia Smaart School dates. Learn more here about Smaart School.
This just in: 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.
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 magazine 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.
Qualified Mix subscribers will make the final determination via an online ballot beginning August 1. (Don't forget to vote!) 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.
 From EAW Europe Sales Manager Sean Martin
The B4 Roadshow tour bus pulled up in the outskirts of Paris at the premises of Axente, France, close to Orly airport. The weather was cool and windy, which did not bode well for the next day's Bootcamp and Tradeshow.
Paris was the only destination on the tour that gave us the opportunity to actually hold the roadshow at the distributor's premises. In this case the Bootcamp was held in the massive car park of Axente and parent company Impact Evenement.
 This gave us for the first time, the opportunity of setting up the systems the day before we opened to the public, although the speed with which the scaffold towers went up did make us think that spare day could easily get
used up!
Continue reading "B4 In Paris: Concluding On A (Very!) High Note" »
 Leading up to the B4 Roadshow stop in Barcelona, we'd been hearing that attendance would be especially strong. But we were totally blown away with just how many audio professionals came - and stayed - for both full days.
System Bootcamp and Tradeshow was held in a venue plenty big to accommodate everyone and then some. The site, Velòdrom D'Horta, a bicycle racetrack built for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, was ideal to provide full-fledged demos of KF760 Series line arrays, the new SB1002 flying subwoofers, the coming-soon UMX.96 live digital mixing console and more. (The rig and venue are shown above.)
 And in what must be at least close to a record, Smaart School attracted more than 60 attendees! With so many audio professionals wishing to learn about recently released Smaart v.6 as well as solid test and measurement principles, we definitely could accommodate the crowd. A bit of reconfiguring, some great work by EAW distributor Pro 3 & Co., and everything worked out just fine.
A lot of people, a lot of learning, and even more fun. Now it's on to Paris for the final stop of the European leg of B4! (Click on the link below for more images from Barcelona.)
Continue reading "B4 In Barcelona: Great Facilities, Huge Attendance" »
 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" »
 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.
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" »
 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.
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" »
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!" »
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.
Bad for sound, but it sure makes a pretty Smaart screen. True to form, Jamie and the guys managed to make the best of the venue and get the rig sounding good.
So what do a bunch of audio guys do when they have a giant old factory, some empty roadcases and time on their hands? Invent the sport of case-luging, of course! Jamie also tried a little case surfing. We were working hard… honest!
Continue reading "B4 In Germany: Fun With Set-Up & Day One" »
 From EAW Marketing Director Karen Anderson
After a much needed change of clothes and some well-earned beers, the B4 Roadshow crew hopped on our tour bus, and with our trusty driver Werner at the wheel, took off for Cologne, Germany. Much merriment was had that first night on the bus… Most of which I can’t post on the web.
But suffice to say it included Moray, Ferrit and Steve practicing their moose mating calls (see picture above) learned the night before from a pair of comely, and drunk, Swedish gals.
 We crossed from Dover to Calais on the ferry sometime around midnight, and after a meal of ship-food and a really bad nap on hard plastic ferry chairs, we landed on the continent about 2 AM. At left we see Ferrit passing his new remote controlled Dalek to Bernie. (Doctor Who fans know what we're talking about.)
Then everyone hit their bunks, and tried to learn how to sleep on a moving, swaying bus. Someone’s Blackberry alarm went off around 6:30 AM and beeped incessantly for the next 90 minutes. Thus instigating the “cell phones off in the bunk area” rule.
 We pulled into the DJP facility in Cologne at about 9:00 in the morning, and met Jurgen, our German Sales Manager. The venue was a great old factory, which used to make the boilers for steam engines. More about this venue in my next post...
As we were all a little sleepy and bus-ruffled, Jurgen met us there with a car full of coffee and Marcus, Uli who helped us load in. Big thanks guys! (Jurgen's "coffee car" is shown below.)
The EAW team had a great time this week presenting the first B4 Roadshow at Bray Studios outside of London. After a full day of Smaart School followed by another full day of System Bootcamp and the EAW Tradeshow, it was time to go. In road-dog fashion, the team broke it all down, loaded it all on the truck, and then boarded the bus to move along to the next B4 Roadshow stop: Cologne, Germany.
Some final notes on the England stop from Karen Anderson: Bray Studios is a great film studio out in the English countryside near Windsor Castle. The facilities were wonderful and the staff could not have been nicer. Big thanks to Nathan Hendricks and everyone at Bray. Highly recommended for anyone looking to do a large format demo in England.
Load-in was relatively painless with the help of four of our pals from Concert Sound, and big high fives to them for all of their help.. not only during load in, but on the Roadshow in general. Couldn’t have done it without them!
With the help of more fine folks from Peak Sound and Concert Sound, who stuck around after the Tradeshow to help us load out, we were torn down and had the truck loaded in less than two hours! Everyone pitched in…. as evidenced by the pictures of Jeffrey and Sean (Martin) humping crates up into the truck. Who says execs don’t get their hands dirty?
 Day two of the B4 Roadshow in England featured System Bootcamp, led by EAW Technical Training Manager Bernie Broderick, as well as the EAW Tradeshow, where everyone got a look at current and coming-soon products and technologies. The Bray Studios facility (shown here) proved exceptional for hosting both of these facets.
 Interesting notes from EAW Marketing Director Karen Anderson: "Andrew Rowan owns SurgeSound, the EAW distributor for South Africa, and he came all the way up from there for the event. And Terje Engedahl is from Lyd-Systemer, our distributor for Norway. He brought two of his customers all the way from Norway (his customers are Eivind Boganes and Oyvind Aasen).
 Attendees also had plenty of opportunities to network and get the most up-close looks at all products, including SB Series subwoofers and KF Series line arrays shown here.
Next Up:
Cologne, April 26-27
Full schedule
 OK, we admit it: this post is largely an excuse to post the crazy photo of Ferrit (below).
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 After an intense full day of Smaart School, and with System Bootcamp and the EAW Tradeshow all set for tomorrow at Bray Studios, there proved to be a bit of time for the gang to visit a local establishment and blow off some steam. Well, that is, after Bernie got done spooling his cables.
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 Just one question: Does Ferrit's expression have anything to do with the empty glass in front of him? (Actually, thanks to him for being such a good sport.)
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Below is Jamie Anderson with EAW's Moray McMillin and Steve Badham.
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 April 23, 07
London
1:30pm
Peas and Chips! From mighty ‘ol England!!
First day of B4 European Roadshow and it’s actually working out beautifully. Wow!!
We all made it in on time, luggage arrived, hotel is “reasonable”, had a pint, Fish and Chips, drove on the wrong side of the road, got into the wrong side of the car, sitting by The River Thames, all the stations of the cross…
Today is the Smaart v.6 class, with Jamie Anderson conducting. Well attended and we’re at Bray Film Studios, out near Windsor Castle (Mum’s not in, the flags not waving). This studio is where a bunch of 50’s and 60’s British horror movies were filmed, including Dracula with Christopher Lee. Perfect location to assemble the tour and conduct the first presentations. This is where a lot of tours do pre-production rehearsals. Clapton usually sets up here.
8:00pm: Completed the set up, tested, checked and done for the night. Really good day. This is a wonderful bunch of people to work with.
G’night!!
-Jeffrey
 A new Smaart Forum has launched at the EAW.com Forums section, and in fact, it's already logged 200-plus posts from the Smaart community!
The new Smaart Forum replaces the previous online effort that served very well but had become outdated. Particularly with the recent launch of new EAW Smaart v.6, the new forum is proving invaluable as an efficient way to get questions answered as well as for the sharing of information among the user base.
The forum is expertly moderated by EAW's Calvert Dayton, Martin "Ferrit" Rowe, Joe Fustolo and Scott Jordan. In addition, great input is also provided by Smaart and test/measurement/analysis veterans. Click here to check it out.
 Bormann Marketing, a sales representative firm for EAW, will be hosting Smaart School training sessions later this month (April '07) in the Minneapolis area (Bloomington, MN) as well as in Chicago, both in conjuction with its 2007 "Bormannia" Roadshows.
Specifically, noted sound designer and veteran Smaart instructor Arthur Skudra (pictured below) of Sightsound Consulting will be presenting the Smaart School sessions, which will focus on the fundamentals of EAW Smaart and the new Smaart v.6 measurement and analysis software. Tips and techniques for large-scale system alignment and response optimization will also be presented.
 The Minneapolis area roadshow and Smaart School session will be held on Monday, April 23, at the Holiday Inn Select Airport in Bloomington, just south of Minneapolis International Airport. Both will run from 9 am to 4 pm. Cost to attend this Smaart School session is $200; the roadshow is free.
The Chicago roadshow will be held Thursday, April 26 and Friday, April 27, at the Irish American Heritage Center. Roadshow hours are 10 am to 4 pm. NOTE: the Smaart School session will be held BOTH days from 8 am to 4 pm. Cost to attend this two-day Smaart School session is $300; the roadshow is free.
Bormann Marketing will also be hosting a roadshow - without Smaart School session - in Milwaukee on Wednesday, April 25 at the Radisson Hotel Milwaukee Airport. Hours are 10 am to 4 pm. Cost is free.
Smaart School attendees are asked to bring their laptop computers and stereo I/O to get full, hands-on benefit of instruction.
For the ninth consecutive year, the Bormannia Roadshows will provide a great opportunity to check out all of the product lines handled by Bormann Marketing, including EAW. To register for Smaart School, contact Marcy of Bormann Marketing via e-mail at marcy@bormann.com or by calling 952-835-9161. Payment can be made with check or credit card.
For more information as well as to also register via e-mail, click here.
 At the upcoming PALME Middle East Exhibition in Dubai, Josh Evans of PMK International Consultants will be presenting "Smaart v.6 Overview: Additions and benefits of Smaart v.6 over SmaartLive 5." The class will be presented on Sunday, May 20, from 2 pm - 4 pm, in the Sharjah A room of the Dubai International Exhibition Centre.
The discussion will focus on:
- Fundamentals and benefits of dual-channel FFT measurements
- Differences between using a Real Time Analyzer (RTA), and a dual FFT complex magnitude response for the optimization of sound systems
- Determination of loudspeaker polarity
- Optimization of subwoofers using a complex measurement
- Interfacing measurement tools with mixing consoles
- Useful measurements for a live sound engineer
To register, go to the PALME website at http://www.palmeonline.com, click on the "Middle East" option, and then click on "Seminar Info" in the left column of the home page.
Kicking off EAW’s 2007 education initiative, the B4 Roadshow will be making its way through Europe starting April 23. This is an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in two full days of EAW product training, demonstrations, education and more! Each two-day B4 event will consist of a Smaart School, “System Bootcamp” and mini-tradeshow.
Smaart School:
The specially designed Smaart School is focusing on the fundamentals of Smaart and the new Smaart v.6, as well as tips and techniques for large-scale system alignment and response optimization. Taught by Smaart gurus Jamie Anderson and Martyn Rowe, cost for the Smaart School course is $300 (USD) and includes breakfast, lunch and all course-related materials.
Pre-registration is required - click here to register for the class of your choice. Online pre-payment via credit card is accepted, as is payment on-site at the time of the class (check or cash only). Attendees are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses.
Continue reading "B4 Roadshow, Smaart School Coming To Europe!" »
At NSCA Expo '07 in Orlando this week, EAW is unveiling the latest phase of its education initiative: B4 - "BEYOND Brains, Boxes & Beyond".
Based upon the highly successful B3 education sessions presented to hundreds of audio professionals in 2006, the B4 Roadshow indeed goes well beyond that landmark effort. EAW’s renowned training and educational staff – offering decades of collective real-world pro audio experience – is traveling the world in 2007, conducting more than 20 in-depth (and hands-on) training sessions.
 Throughout NSCA Expo, the education team will be in the EAW demo room providing a preview of what will be offered at every B4 stop. Note that these presentations will be done on the "even" hours - 10 am, noon, 2 pm and
4 pm.
Each actual two- and three-day B4 event will feature a full day of Smaart training followed by “System Bootcamp” where attendees are to be provided with diverse live and installed audio coursework as well as a step-by-step overview of configuring, rigging, powering, processing and tuning a full-scale EAW sound reinforcement system.
 And, where applicable, training is also being provided on exciting new EAW products such as the UX8800 digital processor providing Gunness Focusing for an ever-growing list of current EAW loudspeakers. Attendees are introduced to other new EAW developments including the UMX.96 digital live console, SB1002 flyable subwoofers, EAW Commercial CAM Series mixer-amplifiers and CXA Series power amplifiers, and more. It’s all topped off with a demonstration of EAW’s latest technologies and products in action, including a “traveling tradeshow” of the latest EAW and EAW Commercial installation products.
More information, including a schedule of B4 Roadshow events, will be posted here and on EAW.com soon.
 At the recent 2007 National Hockey League (NHL) All-Star Game, Gemini Sound of Dallas was called upon to provide a full-scale concert sound reinforcement system - headed by EAW KF760 Series line arrays - in support of several live music performances.
The event, held at the American Airlines Center arena in Dallas, was highlighted by two fully stocked stages that actually lowered from the ceiling to the hockey rink playing surface during the game’s period breaks for mini-concerts by country act The Wreckers (featuring Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp) and emerging alternative rockers Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.
Gemini Sound emerged from a competitive field as the choice of the NHL to provide sound reinforcement and support for the event, with company president Tim Cain and his team formulated a dynamic main system based upon EAW KF760 line arrays, with two arrays covering the two “sides” of the arena joined by single arrays to handle each “end.” (One of the "end" arrays and two of the "side" arrays can be seen in the photo above, with the existing house loudspeakers clustered above the scoreboard.)
Continue reading "Gemini Sound & KF760 Team Up For NHL All-Star Game" »
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