Education

SPLnet: Managing SPL Levels With Accuracy & Precision (Part 2)

By Oz, Sales & Marketing

A few months ago, we posted a blog about how TREND SPL metering software can help manage and regulate the difficult-to-determine SPL levels in your space. While TREND is a great standalone product, the more options there are for this kind of regulation, the better.

“Better audio” includes design and implementation of live sound pressure level monitoring and management such as TREND or Studio Technologies SPLnet.

Studio Technologies SPLnet is an sound pressure level monitoring system that operates through sound and information technology. The platform provides professionals with the data needed to monitor and manage sound and noise on a real-time basis. The systems can be built for either environmental monitoring in places like construction sites, industrial or commercial sites, or transportation, or they can be built for live event systems such as outdoor concerts, indoor performances, sporting events, or houses of worship.

An SPLnet system is made up of two main parts: A Main Electronics Unit (MEU) and a measurement microphone. There are two kinds of each of these parts. The MEU comes either powered over Ethernet (POE) or conventionally powered with a power supply. The microphones come in either Class 1 or Class 2. Depending on the environment and the required measurements, some combination of these two will fit most needs.

Studio Technologies also makes a software called SPLcapture that is able to record and visualize the data recorded by the system’s hardware. It graphically displays audio spectra data and industry-standard algorithms provided by the SPLmonitoring unit, records SPL data in a log file, provides standard reports, and integrates seamlessly with SPLmonitoring units.

An added feature of the SPLnet hardware is that it is cross compatible with the TRENDpro software. The integration of the two allows for more adaptive and expanded systems that can measure at multiple points simultaneously and allow for easy-to-read displays of all metering environments. The SPLnet microphones and MEUs add accuracy to the measurements for TRENDpro. To read more about TRENDpro, you can check out our blog post.

If you are interested in getting more information about SPLnet or other SPL monitoring options, you can contact our sales team at sales@tcfurlong.com or 847-367-9588.

We also carry these systems in our rental inventory. For more information about renting this system or anything else in our extensive rental inventory, contact our rental team at rentals@tcfurlong.com or 847-367-9588.

How Loud Is It? Managing SPL Levels With Accuracy & Precision

By Oz: Sales & Marketing

How loud is it? In many cases, this is a difficult question to answer because variables will affect the perceived loudness of any given space and performance. The perception of loudness is very subjective. Sometimes, it is critical to get accurate and repeatable measurements in order to maintain consistency and safety.

TREND SPL Reporting Systems Software is objective and easy to use. The system eliminates the difficult task of guessing at sound pressure levels by providing a simple, real-time, and intuitive readout of SPL. It also has a logging system, which allows for consistent levels and documentation over long periods.

The TREND software is built specifically to give users tools needed to accurately manage the loudness of their venues while eliminating the guesswork of measuring with just ears. The features of TREND provide a flexible and adaptable system that can be used out of the box or custom tailored to any environment. The two major versions, “TREND” standard and “TRENDpro”, let users choose the system that best fits their needs.

Here are some of the features offered by the two different versions:

TREND:

Uses Galaxy CM-170 as primary input
Displays real-time SPL readings on a visual loudness meter
Uses real-time Time Weighted Average
Can be set to either OSHA standards or custom settings for maximum threshold
All settings can be saved and recalled
Sends on-screen and email notifications when a specified threshold has been exceeded
Logs all information including custom events, triggers, interval changes, and summaries
Can be synced with iCal for automatic launching, restarting, and capturing
External beacons or “traffic light” indicators can be interfaced via USB
Ideal for small venues where accurate and consistent SPL measurements are important

TRENDpro

Includes all of the features of TREND
Expands the display to include the “Exposure Targeting” engine which allows you to see and monitor how long a target level can be reached without causing damage
Includes visual counters for each violation or alert
Can use the Galaxy CM-170 or interface with Studio Technologies SPLnet hardware
Can be custom configured to include multiple inputs and features with TRENDmanager and TRENDfreq add-ons.
Ideal for large venues with expanding or custom needs for SPL measurement

With all of the factors that contribute to measuring SPL, TREND makes it all incredibly simple and straightforward. Whether you are monitoring services to maintain consistent levels or making sure concert attendees are safe, TREND is a great solution.

If you have questions about TREND or would like to get information on ordering, contact the sales team at sales@tcfurlong.com or at 847-367-9588.

TC Furlong Inc. Visits InfoComm 2017

by Oz, Sales/Marketing

TC Furlong Inc. is dedicated to keeping up with the latest and greatest in the live sound industry. I recently traveled to Orlando for InfoComm 2017. The convention meets every year and covers audio, video, and lighting. Here are some gear highlights I took away from Infocomm 2017:

Shure:

Axient Digital:

The Axient Digital system was announced a few months ago, but the full system made an appearance at InfoComm. I had a chance to get my hands on the new equipment.

Axient Digital system has a few major advancements making it the most versatile wireless microphone system that Shure is currently offering. Here are a few major features of the new system:

Axient Digital transmitters and receivers are both wide band spanning 184 MHz. This means that users don’t have to own and manage multiple frequency blocks. All Axient Digital systems are compatible with each other.
The dual and quad receivers are the same for both the basic AD transmitters and ADX transmitters. This makes upgrading even a single channel of Axient Digital very simple. It also means that an Axient Digital system can operate with AD and ADX transmitters simultaneously.
The Axient Digital system is capable of operating in high density mode, allowing upwards of 47 channels operating per 6 MHz TV band and 63 channels per 8 MHz TV band.

Microflex Complete:

Shure announced the release of their new conferencing system called Microflex Complete at InfoComm 2017. The systems are intended to be a complete audio system designed for conferences and meetings ensuring that every participant can hear and be heard clearly. The system is available in wired or wireless configurations. The system is able to be either mobile or installed and can be tailored to each individual application as needed.

d&b audiotechnik:

d&b audiotechnik was featuring their brand new Soundscape processing engine as well as their new 24S loudspeaker and 21S subwoofer. I sat in on a demo for both of these new products.

The Soundscape system has the impressive ability to locate a sound source in an environment rather than simply using a stereo image. Placing a sound in the stereo field produces positional information for only a small section of the audience. Now, its true location, or origin, can be realized. The system creates a natural auditory picture that intensifies the visual environment.

The system is powered by the DS100 signal engine which routes and distributes large channel counts across multiple locations. The signal engine is a Dante enabled 3 RU matrix processor that provides 64 inputs and 64 outputs, with level and delay adjustments at all cross points, EQ, input/output processing and recallable presents. It seamlessly integrates with the DS10 Audio network bridge, which interfaces between the Dante audio transport protocol and the AES3 inputs of the d&b amplifiers. The system is managed by the R1 Remote control software.

The demonstration was an impressive show of the versatility of the Soundscape system and had me smiling the whole time. It will be interesting to see what applications this system will be used for.

The 24S full range two-way loudspeaker and its companion 21S Subwoofer were also featured in the demo, providing impressive support for the Soundscape system. d&b systems have always been impressive when it comes to their sound, and these additions to their lineup are no exception.

Yamaha

The new Yamaha CS-R10-S surface is the newest addition to the Rivage system lineup. The surface is approximately two thirds the size of the existing CS-R10, but offers the same operability. There is an up-coming dual console function will allow the CS-R10 and CS-R10-S to be connected to a single DSP-R10 DSP engine so that the surfaces can be used as FOH and monitor positions. The addition of this new surface represents an ongoing effort by Yamaha to introduce more options for building a versatile mixing system.

While it’s hard to try and see everything at a convention of this size, I was able to get an exciting glimpse into the near future of professional audio. If you have any questions about any of the products featured in this blog, feel free to contact me or Brian at sales@tcfurlong.com or 847-367-9588.

600MHz Auction: How will it affect you?

By Oz, Sales/Marketing

FCC Spectrum Auction

**UPDATE: Shure has extended their 600MHz rebate program through October 31, 2018. More information can be found at wirelessrebate.shure.com **

It is growing ever more important to be aware of the changing RF landscape. Since the FCC finished the incentive auction for the 600 MHz band, the implications of that sale have become clear.

The sale of the 600 MHz band will displace many TV channels in the 600MHz band. The FCC has re-assigned them to empty space in the lower part of the spectrum. This “repack” will make the space that is usable by standard UHF wireless systems even more crowded and will affect how legal wireless microphones systems will work.

Whether you are considering purchasing new wireless or simply wanting to ensure the usefulness of what you already have, here are a few important things to keep in mind:

If any of your current wireless systems can operate somewhere between 614-698 MHz, they will be illegal to use as of July 2019. This expanded time period is intended to give TV channels and other users time to shift their systems out of that part of the UHF spectrum. However, the companies who purchased a large portion of the spectrum have already received approval to begin testing in the 600 MHz space. This could mean that systems operating in the 600 MHz range will become less viable and more difficult to tune to open frequencies.
If you own a wireless system that operates in the 600 MHz range, the best course of action is to replace it with a system that operates outside of that range. Shure Inc. is offering a rebate program to encourage these upgrades, and it is likely that other manufacturers will follow suit soon. We will continue to update our website with more rebate information as it comes available.
The TV channel repack will crowd the remaining open portions of the UHF spectrum. Systems that up until now have operated fine will likely be less able to find open operating frequencies. It is becoming more and more important to diversify operating frequencies. As far as we know now, this process will not begin in the Chicago area for another two years, but it may begin sooner in other metropolitan areas.
Due to the auction and re-pack, many manufacturers have begun building systems that operate outside the UHF spectrum. While switching away from UHF may be a potential safeguard against current or future issues, it is important to recognize all of the implications of making a switch, including needing new antennas, encountering other interference, or issues integrating systems that operate in different parts of the spectrum.

While the continued spectrum changes do present challenges to the live sound industry, TC Furlong Inc. is dedicated to staying on top of all the newest information and making sure you know what to expect. For regular updates on the 600 MHz sale and the TV channel re-pack, sign up for our 600 MHz newsletter below. If you have any questions about this information, feel free to contact our sales team at 847-367-9588 or sales@tcfurlong.com.

Meyer Sound Celebrates 50 Years with LINA Launch

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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