Meyer Sound Celebrates 50 Years with LINA Launch

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by Brian Grahn, Sales/Marketing

In 1979, Meyer Sound Laboratories was established in Berkeley, California, but founders John and Helen Meyer had met about a decade earlier during the Summer of Love in 1967. It’s from that time of their first date in a hi-fi shop that John and Helen are celebrating 50 years together this year, along with 50 years of innovative and creative audio solutions.

In celebration of this milestone anniversary, John and Helen have decided to tour the world putting on specially curated audio events, and one of their first stops was the LINA product launch in New York City.  TC Furlong Inc. was well represented at the event by General Manager Jeff Cech and the Owner TC Furlong. 

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Dating back to their very first patents for low distortion sound and trapezoidal loudspeaker cabinets, Meyer Sound Labs has been creating innovative, hand-crafted audio products, systems and ideas.  Those innovations continue with the newest addition to the LEO family of loudspeakers: the LINA line array loudspeaker.

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The smallest and lightest loudspeaker in the series, the LINA brings the linearity, low distortion and excellent power-to-size ratio of the LEO family to a wider range of applications.  Borrowing from the existing MINA footprint, LINA contains new drivers and redesigned amplifier and signal processing.  With improved high-frequency headroom, the LINA is able to faithfully reproduce audio with serious power, high intelligibility and minimized distortion.  To use Meyer’s terminology, they are “Simple. Small. Superior.”

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Designed with versatility in mind, the LINA can be used as a single cabinet, in front-fill or under balcony applications, or for use with a small number of cabinets for situations requiring precise, high-frequency vertical pattern.  Additionally, LINA pairs well as a supplemental fill in a larger LEOPARD system.  Paired with the companion 750-LFC low-frequency element, the operating range of the system can be extended down to 36 Hz.

Earlier last month, TC and Jeff were able to visit the factory in Berkeley, where Meyer Sound’s ingenuity and attention to detail are on full display.  All Meyer loudspeakers are designed, engineered and manufactured in Berkeley, CA, allowing meticulous quality control over all methods and materials used in the process.  This translates to a renowned unit-to-unit consistency and reliability of all products within the Meyer Sound brand.

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TC Furlong Inc. is proud to have been a Meyer dealer for the past 19 years.  Our trust in the quality and reliability of the product makes it easy for us to confidently recommend Meyer systems to our customers, and the reason we have built much of our rental inventory around Meyer’s brand.

For information on any Meyer Sound products, including the LINA, please contact the Sales Team at 847.367.9588 or sales@tcfurlong.com.

For more information on adding Meyer speakers to your next show, or any help with your next rental, please contact the Rental Team at 847.367.9588 or rentals@tcfurlong.com.

New In Rentals: EAW MW12 MicroWedges

By Oz, Sales/Marketing

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TC Furlong Inc. has added EAW MicroWedges to its extensive rental inventory of loudspeakers and monitor wedges.  The EAW MW12s are coaxial monitor wedges pairing a 12-inch woofer with a 3-inch voice-coil compression driver. Together, these provide full yet controlled 90-degree conical dispersion.

The coaxial design means that all frequencies emanate from the same point, making crossover region problems and time/phase irregularities virtually non-existent. It also allows the wedge to have an incredibly low-profile footprint.

The MW12 wedge has selectable full range or bi-amped modes. The port on the front of the cabinet enhances LF response in coupling with the floor and houses both the carrying handle and passive/active mode switch, as well as two NL4 connectors. The concealed connectors allow the wedges to be placed as close together as desired. Additional cable can be stored in the port without impacting LF response.

The MW12 features:

  • Highly coherent coaxial design (12-inch woofer)
  • Enhanced fidelity and power handling
  • Upgraded transducers and crossover design
  • Switchable full range/bi-amp modes
  • Convenient input connector location
  • Sturdy balance for console bridge monitor use

Our intention with this investment is to expand our substantial inventory of passive, conventionally powered, full range wedges, and standardize on the MW12. TC Furlong Inc. also has upwards of fifty bi-amped and self-powered wedges in rental stock.

For more information about adding our new EAW MW12 MicroWedges to your next rental, please contact our rental team at 847-367-9588, or rentals@tcfurlong.com.

TC Furlong Inc. also sells EAW loudspeakers, as well as all other major audio brands. For questions about purchasing EAW MicroWedges or anything else from our list of over 100 professional audio manufacturers, contact our Sales Team at 847-367-9588 or sales@tcfurlong.com

TC Furlong Live Event Group Supports Grand Opening

by Brian Grahn, Sales/Marketing

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On March 28, the Kellogg School of Management cut the ribbon on the new Kellogg Global Hub building at Northwestern University, and the TC Furlong Live Event Group was there to provide full production support, including audio, video and lighting. The newest addition to Northwestern’s campus, the Global Hub was designed by Toronto-based KPMB Architects and is six levels of classrooms, offices and communal creative space. 

“When the university approached us, we knew the purpose the event was to show off the space,” says Chris Wintz, who was the Project Manager for the event.   “We had to design our production to complement the architecture.”   That meant designing an audio, video, and lighting solution that was not only sufficient for the space, but also the smallest visual footprint possible.

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Planning for the event began well before the construction had been completed, so initial production meetings were based only on architectural drawings.  The ceremony was set to take place in the center of “Collaboration Plaza,” a beautiful and cavernous space at the center of the Global Hub. 

The audio system was designed around Meyer UPA, UPJ and UPM speakers to ensure high intelligibility.  A cantilevered yoke design at the top of box truss put the speakers in the correct position while maximizing sightlines to the stage and building.  The system was processed and mixed on a Yamaha CL1 with a Rupert Neve 5045 and Shure ULX-D and UHF-R wireless systems. 

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Small bands that were located on the balconies of different floors were sub-mixed with Allen & Heath Qu series consoles and sent to be mixed into the main PA with a wireless point-to-point connection.  On-stage, Countryman Isomax IV gooseneck microphones with UR3 plug-on transmitters complimented an acrylic lectern for the main presentation. 

TC Furlong Inc. also provided and coordinated lighting and video support.  Around the building, more than 70 wireless, battery-powered LED lights were used to highlight architectural features, and stage washes were hung on integrated ceiling lighting frames for the main presentation.   A Barco PDS-902 digital switcher drove two 90” displays that were on-stage for videos and slides.

“It was excellent to have the opportunity to work with the Kellogg team as they enter a new era,” says Chris Wintz. “We look forward to seeing all they have in store for their beautiful new space.”  The Kellogg Global Hub is now open for students and faculty to enjoy.

TC Furlong’s Live Event Group provides complete event solutions for concerts, broadcast originations and special events. Contact Jeff with TC Furlong’s Live Event group next time you have an important function that demands expert planning and flexible execution at 847.367.9588 or  jc@tcfurlong.com.

Assistive Listening & The ADA – Better Audio For All

By Josiah “Oz” Ostoich, Sales/Marketing

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It is important to know how the law affects you, and the Live Sound industry is no exception. Most venues are required by the ADA to have some sort of assistive listening capability or system available for those who live with a hearing disability. Depending on the size of the environment, the number of available seats, and several other factors, the configuration of the system can vary. Here are a few important things to keep in mind when thinking about your space and how to achieve ADA compliance:

What is the ADA?

The Americans with Disabilities Act is a law that prohibits the discrimination against Americans affected by disabilities. Part of this legislation includes provisions to accommodate those with hearing deficits.

 When do you need to include Assistive Listening?

You need an assistive listening system in any assembly area where being able to hear is an integral part of why it exists. An assembly area is defined as “a building or facility, or a portion therof that is used for the purpose of entertainment, education, civic gatherings, or similar purposes.” This means that most concert halls, performing arts centers, churches, and other spaces require assistive listening systems. It is also required if there is any kind of amplified sound. However, even some environments that do not have amplified sound may require assistive listening, such as courtrooms. If you are unsure if your space needs an assistive listening system, you can contact us and we can help you determine your needs.

Why should I comply with the ADA?

It is important to make sure that everyone who visits your space is able to participate with what’s going on. Doing so can be beneficial from ethical, legal, and business standpoints.

A large number of individuals in the US are affected by a hearing disability. By providing the ability for them to hear in these environments, you are allowing them to enter into an experience that otherwise might be closed to them. Providing an environment that is welcoming to all kinds of people can improve their experience and make more people feel welcome in your space. The sheer numbers of people affected by hearing loss means that there will usually be an opportunity to provide someone with a better experience via assistive listening.

There are also tax incentives available for businesses complying with the ADA in this way. You can read more here: https://www.ada.gov/archive/taxpack.htm

What do I need to provide in order to be compliant with the ADA?

What an ADA compliant assistive listening system is changes from venue to venue. A few factors affect how many and what kinds of listening devices you need, as well as signage and other compliance requirements.

The assistive listening system is required to cover the entire assembly area or areas. The number of assembly areas and total capacity of those areas change the number of devices. It is also important to plan where the devices are distributed and if they would be compatible across all areas. A certain number of those devices will also have to be compatible with t-coil hearing aids.

There are calculators online that can help you calculate the number of devices. You can find a few of them here and here.

It is also important to be sure to post the required signage to indicate that you have ADA compliant devices available.

If you are not sure about what you need, you can always contact us and we can help you determine the best way to comply with the ADA.

What are my options for assistive listening devices?

There is a wide variety of manufacturers, technologies, and configurations for assistive listning, and there are many ways to approach implementing a new assistive listening system into your space. TC Furlong Inc. believes that all audio systems, including assistive listening systems, are better when designed specific to each space. If you would like help determining your best options and designing your assistive listening system, feel free to contact our sales team at 847-367-9588 or sales@tcfurlong.com.

Better Audio By Design should be Better Audio For All.

 

Disclaimer: This blog post is intended to supply general information on the ADA and assistive listening systems. It should not be a substitute for legal advice or opinions from your own attorney.

New in Rentals: Clear-Com FreeSpeak II System

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by Brian Grahn, Sales/Marketing

TC Furlong has just added a Clear-Com Freespeak II wireless intercom system to its extensive rental inventory of intercom products.  Freespeak II is Clear-Com’s high performance wireless solution for large-scale communications applications.  Operating in the 1.9GHz frequency band, Freespeak II is the next generation in distributed wireless intercom.

The FreeSpeak II system comprises of the base station, beltpacks, transceiver antennas and splitter, and can be implemented as a standalone base station system or as an integrated wireless solution within a larger intercom system. Flexible cellular roaming technologies allow users to move freely between antennas without the worry of phasing or dropouts. The system provides point-to-point and group communication capabilities, in addition to the four channels of base station connectivity.

The FS-II-BASE-II is both a four channel intercom interface and wireless transceiver that can operate a mix of up to 25 1.9GHz and/or 2.4 GHz beltpacks on a single system.  The base station can be used in Main Station mode with Talk and Call soft keys or as a Headset Station for communication and monitoring from the panel.The base station’s digital displays allow easy system configuration directly from the base station or through the browser-based Core Configuration Manager tool. 

The FreeSpeak II digital beltpacks feature five-channel, full-duplex communication and were designed for the demands of large-scale operations.  The beltpacks are a similar form factor to the wired RS703 models and feature a rugged housing with four push-to-talk, one reply key and two rotary encoders that allow up to five communications routes to be assigned.  These can be any desired combination of channel, group and point-to-point communication assignments.  Large OLED display provides extensive information, including the names of beltpacks, assigned users and groups of each beltpack, battery level, and signal strength.

Clear-Com’s FreeSpeak II is an extremely flexible wireless intercom solution that can easily augment the functionality of any intercom system.  With a simple interface and easy connectivity, the FreeSpeak II wireless system will make any wireless communication a breeze.

For more information about adding our new Clear-Com FreeSpeak II system or any of our other wireless intercom products to your next rental, please contact our Rental Team at 847-367-9588 or rentals@tcfurlong.com.

TC Furlong also sells Clear-Com along with other major audio brands.  For questions about purchasing a FreeSpeak II system or anything from our list of over 100 professional audio manufacturers, contact our Sales Team at 847-367-9588 or sales@tcfurlong.com.

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