TC Furlong

TC Furlong Pivots to Virtual Live Event for Virtual Digital Console Expo 2020

From December 1st – 3rd, TC Furlong Inc. hosted its 10th Annual Digital Console Expo as a three day virtual live event. This year’s Expo featured content from seven leading manufacturers of digital consoles, including Allen & Heath, AVID, DiGiCo, Lawo, Solid State Logic (SSL), Waves, and Yamaha.

The Digital Console Expo has traditionally been an in-person event, held each year at Moody Church in Chicago. When it became apparent that an in-person event would not be possible this year, we pivoted to using our experience in virtual and hybrid live event production to bring our Expo entirely online, with the goal of providing the same engaging and valuable experience attendees have come to expect from the events of years past.

A New Format

The Expo featured morning Main Session presentations by two or three of our manufacturer partners each day, followed by afternoon Breakout Q&A sessions, giving attendees the opportunity to engage in direct dialogue with presenters in a small group setting. Some manufacturers also presented additional Deep Dive webinar sessions in the evening each day.

Each manufacturer’s Main Session segment consisted of a short, pre-recorded presentation, followed by a brief live segment with a member of the TC Furlong Sales & Marketing Team. Those who watched the Main Sessions live were eligible for a chance to win giveaway prizes from each of the manufacturers.

The Breakout Q&A Sessions were 30-minute, open format Zoom meetings. A virtual alternative to stepping into a manufacturer’s booth at an in-person Expo, the Q&A sessions were an opportunity for attendees to ask questions that weren’t addressed during the main presentations, and dig in to details about specific products.

The Expo also featured Deep Dive webinars from Allen & Heath and Lawo. Allen & Heath presented three webinars on their SQ Series, dLive Series, and Avantis consoles. Lawo’s Deep Dive focused on their mc2 Series of digital consoles.

All of the Main Session presentations and Deep Dive webinars were recorded, and are available for review on our YouTube channel.

Behind The Scenes

Switching to a virtual event this year was not only a hurdle for the format of the event, it also presented a challenge to the TC Furlong Live Events team, who were tasked with putting together the entire production. The annual trade show-style, live event at Moody Church has always been a TC Furlong team effort, but this year’s event was truly an interdepartmental project with the necessary video, audio, lighting, and overall event production all being handled in-house at the Lake Forest, IL office.

The first step was designing the office layout including the presentation set, the video playback/control, and audio control suites in a safe and pandemic-responsible setup. To allow for appropriate social distancing measures, the set for the shoot was located in one of our warehouse spaces, while video switching, technical direction, and audio mixing took place in separate office spaces throughout the building. All of these spaces were tied together with the necessary cabling for audio/video I/O and each location had a multi-view monitor setup to see what was happening all over the office.

Technicians were using FreeSpeak II wireless intercom to stay connected and had a separate intercom channel dedicated to stage announce/aux inputs to talk to and hear back from the hosts of the event on-set. Audio for the program and other matrix outputs was mixed in our front lobby, and playback and Zoom audio returns were routed through monitors at each technician’s work area and into the in-ear monitors of the on-screen hosts.

The multi-camera shoot was routed to a video switcher in the office where a technician was able to handle switching duties. Video playback of manufacturer presentations was handled locally, while manufacturers joined us live via Zoom from across the country.

While we weren’t able to gather in person for this year’s event, we’re proud that we were able to provide much of the same great educational content and opportunities for conversation via a virtual alternative. We’d like to extend our thanks to our manufacturer partners, and everyone who attended, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to our next Digital Console Expo in 2021!

TC Furlong Inc. is proud to be an authorized dealer for the manufacturers featured at this year’s Expo. To request a quote, or more information about any of the featured products at this year’s show, reach out to our Sales Team at sales@tcfurlong.com or call 847-367-9588.

We also carry many of the brands featured at the Expo in our rental inventory. To learn more about renting a digital console, or anything else in our extensive rental inventory, reach out to our Rental Team at rentals@tcfurlong.com or call 847-367-9588.

Is your organization looking to host a virtual or hybrid live event? TC Furlong Inc.’s Live Events team can provide a full AV production solution for your next event. Contact Jeff Cech at jc@tcfurlong.com to get started.

Why Buy From TC Furlong?

It’s no secret that there are more options than ever before to purchase professional audio equipment. At any moment, you’re a Google search away from a staggering number of online retailers offering a wide array of gear at any price point imaginable. Many of them are reputable authorized resellers; some, less so.

Naturally, we’d like to be your first choice when purchasing gear, which begs the question: why choose TC Furlong Inc.? What sets us apart from the many other options available to you? We believe that our technical expertise, design focus, Warranty Support Advantage, after-sale support, and competitive pricing provide long-term value to our customers that can’t be found at online retailers.

Technical Expertise

TC Furlong Inc. is a company made up of audio engineers and all-around gear obsessives. Our Rentals and Live Events Departments use the equipment we sell on a regular basis, and our collective decades of experience as engineers and technicians mean we’re able to provide thoughtful recommendations on the best solution for your situation. Chances are we’ve been in that situation ourselves.

We don’t push cookie cutter solutions or whatever a manufacturer might be promoting at a given time, because we believe there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to audio gear sales. Every customer, every system, and every facility is unique. Our mantra is Better Audio By Design, which means we take the time to tailor every system we sell from the bottom up, so you can be sure that your particular requirements are met.

After-Sale Support

We stand behind every piece of gear we sell for the long haul. Our Warranty Support Advantage program is unique in our industry, and provides unparalleled peace of mind with every purchase. If any new item you purchase from us needs service within the manufacturer’s warranty period, we will provide you with a no-charge loaner from our rental stock inventory while we assist you in dealing with the manufacturer to solve the problem. If an item needs service after the manufacturer’s warranty expires, we will provide a 50% discount off the normal rental rate for an equivalent item while we assist you in dealing with the repair, for as long as you own the gear. You can learn more about our Warranty Support Advantage at https://tcfurlong.com/warrantysupport/.

In addition to acting as an advocate for our customers in warranty claims, we are an authorized repair center for many of the brands we sell. We can diagnose and repair many issues at our Lake Forest, IL office, or even on-site at your facility in many cases.

We’re also available to support you on a 24×7 basis through our Emergency Audio Response service. If you experience a show-related emergency outside of business hours, you can always reach our support operator, and receive a call back from a member of our management team, usually within five minutes. Learn more about our EAR Team at https://tcfurlong.com/support/.

Competitive Pricing

Perhaps the best and most surprising thing about the perks we’ve described here is that they all come at no extra charge to our customers. In fact, in most cases we are able to meet or beat the pricing you’ll find at online retailers. Whether you’re looking to purchase a single mic cable, a full PA system, or anything in between, we’re dedicated to providing the same high level of service and competitive pricing on every single sale.

We know that you have endless options when it comes to your next gear purchase. That’s why we put so much focus on our technical expertise and quality of service. Anyone can sell you a piece of equipment; we want to sell you the right equipment, along with the knowledge that we’ll have your back for the lifetime of that equipment and beyond.

TC Furlong Inc. is an authorized dealer for over 100 manufacturers of professional audio equipment – check out our line card for a full list. Reach out to our Sales Team for a quote by calling 847-367-9588 or sending an email to sales@tcfurlong.com.

TC Furlong Inc. Supports Hybrid Live Events

The live events landscape has shifted dramatically this year. Social distancing measures and travel restrictions have brought virtual events and livestreams to the forefront in ways they never have been before. The TC Furlong Inc. live events team has leveraged our collective decades of experience, vast inventory of professional equipment, and relationships with trusted partners throughout the AV production industry to support all manner of live events.

Recently, we’ve provided production support for several “hybrid” events. These are events that have a limited, socially distanced in-person audience, as well as a remote audience watching via livestream. An upside of the hybrid event model is that the audience is not limited by geography or venue size; several of our customers have found that their hybrid event’s virtual audience dwarfed what they would normally expect for a strictly in-person event. Special considerations for hybrid events often include distributed loudspeakers and video displays throughout the venue, allowing for proper social distancing, and a consistent experience for all attendees.

While virtual and hybrid event productions share many of the same principles of typical live events, additional care must be taken in order to create a safe environment for all crew members and presenters. Whether you’re hosting a traditional event with an in-person audience, a livestream, or a hybrid event combining both, we can take the stress off your shoulders and provide the high quality on-site AV production your event needs.

Here are some highlights of hybrid events we’ve supported in recent months:

University Commencement

Our production of the commencement ceremony for a major university involved a highly choreographed mix of live and pre-recorded segments. Originally designed as a hybrid event, the live audience had to be struck due to the increased risk of the pandemic. The event was still held in an auditorium to provide the feeling of a live event, and our team was able to create a matrix of audio and video confidence monitors to make interactions between presenters in different physical locations feel more natural and realistic. Through multi-camera video switching, we were able to create a comfortable and safe atmosphere for all presenters. The full scope of the production included a broadcast audio mix for the stream, a full TV control room with a video editor, closed captioning, a sophisticated intercom system, as well as a presidential-style teleprompter and operator.

Special Worship Services

Our team provided technical direction for High Holidays services with over 900 virtual attendees for several Chicago synagogues. The live broadcast included a mix of worship leaders (speaking and singing), a small orchestral group, and a choir. Multi-camera video switching and the usage of ambient room microphones in the livestream broadcast mix created an immersive environment for viewers. The broadcast team also integrated the audio stream with the in-house phone system to allow congregation members without internet access to call-in and listen.

Private Event

The production crew for this event consisted of over 16 technicians and engineers across multiple disciplines, including audio, video, and lighting, plus stage management and overall production management. The team integrated with the house sound and lighting systems, providing an audio split for separate in-house and broadcast mixes. We reinforced a 7-piece band with floor wedges. Again, another multi-camera shoot with video switching, the video was sent to the livestream, as well as audio/video displays set up at 3 different event spaces throughout the venue for the socially-distanced audience.

Each of the cases listed here was the first foray into hybrid live events for each of our customers. Whether you’re planning a hybrid event for the first time, and need guidance from start to finish, or you’re an experienced event producer just looking for a bit of extra help, our team has the know-how to make your event a success.

TC Furlong Inc.’s live event team can provide a full AV production solution for your next event. Contact one of our Project Managers next time you need flexible, expert planning, and flawless execution for your in-person, virtual, or hybrid event. Give us a call at 847-367-9588, or email Jeff Cech at jc@tcfurlong.com.

Demystify Audio: Direct Boxes

What does a direct box (or “DI”) actually do? What are the differences between passive and active DI’s? Which one is the best for my source? It’s well understood that direct boxes are an essential part of any stage package. However, as technicians, we probably put less thought into them than any other part of our signal chain. For a lot of us, the DI might just be a “magic box” that we know we’re supposed to use, but aren’t quite sure why. In this article, we’ll explore the basics of direct boxes, and give you some simple guidelines for using them.

What Does a DI Do?

Put simply, a DI is a device that takes a signal from a source, and adjusts it to the parameters your mixer or stagebox’s preamp will be happy with; namely a balanced, mic level, low impedance signal. To illustrate, let’s look at one of the most common sources that we use a DI with: the electric bass guitar.

The signal output from an electric bass is high impedance and unbalanced. The high output impedance means the signal will degrade quickly over a long cable run. Likewise, unbalanced cables are extremely susceptible to RF interference. For this reason, unbalanced cable runs should be kept as short as possible. A direct box will take the incoming signal, and convert it to a low impedance, balanced signal. The result? You can run a long XLR cable to your stagebox or console, without worrying about signal degradation or interference.

For another example, let’s consider a line level source, maybe an electric keyboard, CD player or other playback device. While there are a couple different standards for line level, both operate at an exponentially higher voltage than mic level, which will overload your mic preamp. A direct box steps down the voltage from a line level source, and again, outputs a balanced signal, which your preamp will accept.

Most DI’s have an input pad to attenuate particularly hot incoming signals, a ground lift to deal with any pesky hums, and a throughput (typically labeled “THRU”) to feed an instrument’s unaltered signal to the musician’s amplifier. Your DI might also have a polarity switch; if you’re running an instrument through a DI, and also have a mic on that instrument’s amp, it can be worthwhile to flip that polarity switch and listen to determine which setting sounds better.

Passive VS Active

Broadly speaking, there are two categories of direct box that achieve the described results in two different ways: passive direct boxes, and active direct boxes. Passive DI’s employ a transformer for impedance matching and balancing, while active DI’s use a preamplifier circuit. Active DI’s require a source of power – almost always 48V phantom power from the mixer. So, which should you use for any given source?

As a general rule of thumb, active direct boxes should not be used with devices that have “active” outputs – line level sources, like the keyboard described above. There’s no need to boost the strong line level input, so using an active DI would amount to introducing an unnecessary gain stage, and raising the noise floor in our signal chain.

Conversely, active DI’s can be hugely beneficial when dealing with particularly low signal levels from “passive” sources, like the electric bass we talked about earlier. While it will probably sound fine through any modern passive DI, the active DI’s preamplifier circuit can give the bass a little bit of a lift.

Conclusion

There are countless direct boxes on the market today. Maybe you need to plug in a phone or laptop for playback. Perhaps you’re looking for a DI to color (or even “colour”) your instrument’s sound to evoke vintage gear. Or, maybe you need a streamlined way to plug in multiple keyboards with stereo outputs. Our extensive rental inventory includes direct box options for all of the above, plus a lot more. Give our Rental Team a call at 847-367-9588, or email them at rentals@tcfurlong.com to make sure you have the right selection of DI’s on your next gig.

We’re also authorized dealers for all major professional audio manufacturers. For a purchase quote on a DI, or any other gear you may need, reach out to our Sales Team at sales@tcfurlong.com or call 847-367-9588.

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Electrical Safety Tools for Event Technicians

by Scott Helmke

Disclaimer: Extreme care should be taken with electricity. A/C voltages have the potential to cause serious harm, or even kill. The advice and guidance provided in this article cannot fully anticipate or predict the situations you may experience on a show site.

Something that we all depend on in the sound industry, but don’t always think about, is the need for a reliable source of electricity at a show site. On the one hand it’s almost always available, but on the other hand unreliable power can ruin a show with “mysterious” hums, buzzes, and equipment failures, or even injure and kill people. This article is about basic tools and tests to protect yourself, other people, and your gear from miswired or otherwise dangerous electrical outlets.

Here’s what the standard USA power receptacle looks like:

The “hot” connection should have an AC voltage in the range of roughly 115-125 volts. The other two connections should both have zero AC volts present. All the current that goes through the receptacle should only pass between the neutral and hot connections. The ground, better known as “safety ground”, is there to safely drain away any stray current that might result from defective or damaged equipment.

If any of these connections are wired incorrectly or not connected, bad things can happen. Even if the venue insists that “nobody else has had a problem with it”, it will still be a safety hazard.

Voltmeter

A voltmeter or digital multimeter (also known as DMM or VOM) is an essential tool for troubleshooting electrical systems. The first thing I do before plugging in any equipment at a venue is use a voltmeter to check that the wiring is correct. I do this for every outlet I’m planning on using, if it’s my first show in a venue or if I haven’t been there recently. It’s always possible that somebody came along and “fixed” an outlet the wrong way. Note that most voltmeters or digital multimeters are rated to handle 120 volts AC, but you should always verify that the model being used is properly rated (here’s an article that discusses voltmeter ratings).

I measure between hot and neutral for around 120 volts AC, and I measure between ground and neutral to make sure the voltage is less than 0.5 volts. I also measure between hot and ground for around 120 volts, to make sure that the ground is actually connected. The final test is to measure between hot and anything I can find nearby that will be grounded – maybe even just poking the test lead against a concrete floor. I want to make sure that the hot connection is actually “hot”, because sometimes a miswired outlet can have that backwards – a very dangerous situation (here’s a great article that explains the deadly ReverseBootleg Ground miswiring).

Three-Light Outlet Tester

You can also use a three-light outlet tester to do this basic wiring check, although it’s not as thorough as using a voltmeter as described above. These testers are good for quickly checking many outlets for basic wiring problems, but they will not catch certain types of wiring mistakes (again see Reverse Bootleg Ground article above).

Non-Contact Voltage Tester

One type of electrical tester that everybody should own is a Non-Contact Voltage Tester, aka NCVT. This is a clever little device that can identify the presence of high voltage (typically anything over 40V) without having to be connected. Some have the tip shaped to fit into outlet slots, but they can also be used to quickly check if any object or surface is carrying a voltage. Old “vintage” guitar amps are notorious for having dangerous voltages present, for instance. This is also the best way to test for the dangerous Reverse Bootleg miswiring, by inserting into the ground pin of an outlet.

Non-Contact Voltage Testers are now available for $10-25 at most hardware stores and big-box home improvement stores, and I consider them a necessary piece of safety gear to bring to every show I work. At TC Furlong we include one in every adapter kit we send to shows, along with a voltmeter.

Kill A Watt Meter

A final piece of test equipment that I’ve found very useful is a “Kill a Watt” meter. This is a little device that lets you easily measure the power used by a piece of electrical equipment. Very handy for figuring out what your gear really draws, which is often much less than the sticker on the back would indicate. Very handy for figuring out how many separate power outlets (on different circuits) you really need for a show.

Always exercise caution when you are operating any of these tools, and make sure that you are being as safe as possible while searching for miswirings or bad outlets. Not only can these preventative measures avoid possible injury, but you may also find problems that could cause equipment issues or just bad sound. You can never be entirely sure what you’ll find at any given venue, but proper use of the tools described in this article should uncover underlying issues before they have a chance to ruin your show.

The TC Furlong Inc. team has the equipment and expertise to safely support your next live event. Get in touch with one of our Project Managers by calling 847-367-9588.