HARMAN Professional launches program to help and inspire audio operators and performers

ELKHART, Indiana –HARMAN Professional today launched the Fall Into Big Savings rebate program that provides customers with compelling savings on a wide range of audio technologies in advance of the holiday buying season. The program—available from November 1st, 2012 at participating retailers nationwide—is uniquely versatile, rewarding customers on individual HARMAN components from JBL, Soundcraft, dbx and AKG or on HARMAN systems comprising those same brands.  However they choose to apply the rebates, customers can enjoy the world’s leading audio components and great savings.

Retailers can similarly benefit from the program designed with them and their customers in mind. According to Mark Posgay, Senior Director, US Sales, HARMAN Professional, the program offers deep savings on category-leading, award-winning products like $40 mail-in rebate on the dbx DriveRack PX and $50 mail-in rebate on the dbx DriveRack PA; $50 mail-in rebate on the JBL PRX412M and $60 mail-in rebate on the JBL PRX415M; HARMAN’s stunning new AKG WMS4500 system features a $100 mail-in rebate and the program includes a remarkable $250 saving on the Soundcraft Si Compact 16, 24 or 32 digital mixing consoles. Adding to the versatility of the program, HARMAN Professional is offering $100 instant rebates on Crown XTi 4002 amplifiers and $50 instant rebate on the Crown XTi 2002 and the Crown XLS 2500 amplifiers.

“This program is an excellent opportunity for musicians, DJs, rental companies and venues to upgrade their kit with some of the most advanced audio components in the market today,” Posgay said. “We looked closely at the components with the most appeal in retail and the end-product is a program that could amount to over $600 in system-wide savings, but there’s also the liberty to pick and choose as a customer’s needs dictate”

The HARMAN Professional Fall Into Big Savings rebate program runs for a limited time only, ending December 31, 2012.  Customers simply fill out a form, attach the receipt and UPC code and mail by January 31, 2013 to receive a rebate check in the mail.

“We worked with our retail partners in designing this program and as a result it's the most inclusive and versatile that we’ve ever offered,” Posgay added. “The timing is engineered to provide a boost for retailers and to put more great gear in the hands of great engineers, artists and DJs and to equip more small and mid-sized venues with the same technologies used on the world’s great stages”

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets — supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,900 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for year ended June 30, 2012.

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HARMAN’S Soundcraft “Mixing with Professionals” Series Rolls On with Sessions in Minnesota

BLOOMINGTON, Minnesota — HARMAN’s Soundcraft is continuing its popular “Mixing with Professionals” (MwP) series with two sessions in Bloomington, Minnesota on Wednesday, November 7. The sessions will provide attendees the opportunity to learn about Soundcraft’s Vi Series consoles from Ken Newman, front of house engineer for Barry Manilow and owner of Newman Audio. A top sound engineer since 1974, Ken Newman is currently touring with Manilow and has also mixed live sound for Chris Isaak, Anita Baker, Stevie Nicks, Liza Minnelli, Paul Anka and other top performers.

Newman will give MwP attendees formal training with plenty of hands-on time with Vi Series consoles in a classroom atmosphere. Participants will be given a USB stick so they can save their settings and take them on the road for their next gig, or continue working on their settings using the Soundcraft Virtual Vi offline editor, which is available free on the Soundcraft website.

“I have been using Soundcraft consoles for many years and have been working with a Vi6 for Barry Manilow’s shows in recent months,” Newman said. “My experience with Soundcraft products has been nothing but positive and I am looking forward to sharing these real-world experiences with attendees!”

The MwP sessions will be held on November 7 at Evergreen Church on 2300 East 88^th Street, Bloomington, Minnesota.

Two time slots will be available from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. The course is free to attend but registration is required and space is limited. Details are available at usa.soundcraft.com and participants can register via e-mail at Soundcraft-usa@harman.com.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets – supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 20 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported sales of $4.4 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012. 

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HARMAN Soundcraft Si Compact 32 Console Brings New Life to Petaling Jaya

PETALING JAYA, Malaysia — Based in the Malaysian city of Petaling Jaya (PJ), The New Life Restoration Centre recently installed a HARMAN Soundcraft Si Compact 32 digital mixing console at its group headquarters.

PJ is the hub of the New Life Group of Churches—an independent charismatic church founded in Malaysia over 30 years ago. The church in Petaling Jaya serves two distinct congregations—one English speaking, the other Mandarin. For the former the church conducts two Sunday services, with around 450 people attending each service, while around 400 members of the congregation are welcomed to the Chinese service.

According to New Life’s Media Executive Vince Seah, the Soundcraft desk is central to the new technical setup, as a series of source feeds need to be mixed, including the pastor mic, live and recorded music.

Seah said that after 20 years working with their trusty analogue desk, it was time to upgrade. “For our sound engineers to mix three live worship sessions, with three different groups of musicians in a single weekend was just too much for the old desk to take,” he said. “We were taking hours to sound check and sometimes had to forego this entirely, which often ended up with bad mixing.”

They were recommended the Soundcraft solution by local dealers AVF Trading. “After several meetings, they convinced us that the Soundcraft Si Compact 32 would solve our problems, based on the quality of the product, Soundcraft’s excellent reputation and good after sales support,” Seah noted.

Vince Seah confirmed that all 32 channels and eight auxes were currently being utilized, adding that New Life had immediately recognized the advantages of the Si Compact 32. In particular, he highlighted a number of features, including the multi presets, motorized faders, generous aux and bus capacity, quick response, recallable show settings and compact footprint.

Summing up, the New Life executive said, “The Si Compact 32 has been an excellent purchase and represents good value for money within the budget. As our first digital mixer it is providing us with a lot more than we anticipated and will enable our technicians to improve their abilities and indulge in more creative mixing.”

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets – supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 20 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported sales of $4.4 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012.

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HARMAN’s AKG Spotlights Pageant Contestants, Performances and Hosts During Miss Universe China

SHANGHAI, China – Talent show, swimsuit and evening wear and onstage questioning – the 61^st Miss Universe China competition was held in September 2012, where Miss Xu JIdan earned the prominent title.  HARMAN’s AKG microphones and digital wireless systems were deployed throughout the Shanghai Grand Theatre, where the largest and highest level of pageant competition in China was held. 

AKG’s DMS700 reference digital microphone system played a key role during the show, supporting 40 channels of wireless transmission during the broadcast.  The system itself was applied for the hosts and singers’ voice pickup and performed perfectly, providing reliable sound throughout the night. 

“DMS700’s professional wireless microphone system gave the show a high sound quality,” stated Li Yunfei, Miss Universe China sound engineer.  “Through our professional adjustments, it was easily able to cater to the special sound we required for the performers, hosts and contestants, in the large space of the venue.”

Performing as the house band, Rolf Becker and his 15-piece orchestra entertained the crowd during breaks.  AKG’s Drum Set Big 2 was clipped to the percussion line to bring outstanding sound to the entire room.

The competition’s judges were miked with six GN50 E’s, with CK31 condenser capsules, while the entire complex was supported through the SRA2 B/W active directional wide-band UHF antenna and PS4000 X active UHF antenna splitter for signal transmission. 

“Miss Universe China provided a platform to show the contestants’ elegance, in addition to showcasing AKG’s high sound quality and best-in-class performance,” continued Yunfei. “The two world-famous brands, AKG and Miss Universe, worked together in China once again for a wonderful event.”

For more information about AKG, please visit http://www.akg.com and http://www.youtube.com/AKGacoustics.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets – supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 20 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported sales of $4.4 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012.

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HARMAN’s DigiTech Shifts Into High Gear with the Debut of its Swing Shift e-Pedal for the iStomp™

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – HARMAN DigiTech’s is going full throttle with the introduction of its Swing Shift quad-pitch-shift e-pedal for its iStomp programmable pedal.  Swing Shift provides a four-voice pitch shift effect, letting guitarists mix Octave Down, Fifth Down, Octave Up and Fifth Up voices with their original note to create massive harmonized chords, riffs and solos.

“Sometimes guitarists want an effect that’s subtle – and sometimes they want something completely over the top,” said Scott Klimt, marketing manager for DigiTech. “Our Swing Shift lets them have it either way – it can add a hint of an upper or lower octave or perfect fifth to the original signal, or use all four intervals and generate a huge pipe organ-like sound.”

The DigiTech Swing Shift four knobs let users mix in any amount of octave down, fifth down, octave up and fifth up, individually or in any combination. By adding an overdrive or distortion pedal after the Swing Shift, guitarists can create huge-sounding power chords and polyphonic riffs.

The DigiTech iStomp is an entirely new concept in guitar stompboxes that allows musicians to turn the iStomp into any pedal in the Stomp Shop online pedal store. Offering almost limitless sonic possibilities, the iStomp connects to an Apple iOS device where musicians can use the Stomp Shop app to load it with the e-pedal of their choice. The Stomp Shop is a free app and comes with two of the most popular requested pedals, the DigiTech Total Recall Delay™ and the DigiTech Redline Overdrive™. It gives access to more than 40 additional pedals that musicians can browse, try out and purchase, with more e-pedals added every month.

The DigiTech Swing Shift e-pedal will be available in October 2012 at an introductory price of $0.99. This introductory price will run for 30 days. After the introductory period the price will change to $9.99.

The DigiTech iStomp is currently available at $229.95 suggested retail.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets – supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 20 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported sales of $4.4 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012.

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TV2 East of Denmark Expands its Horizons With HARMAN’s Studer Vista 5 M2 Console

(Left to Right) Peter Holmberg Pedersen; Tonni Manum;
Kasper Thor Larsen

VORDINGBORG, Denmark — In a move to bring its audio capabilities to the cutting edge, regional broadcaster TV2 East of Denmark recently purchased a 32-fader HARMAN Studer Vista 5 M2 digital mixing console for its studio in Vordingborg. The console was supplied by Studer’s Danish distributor Danmon.

TV2 East is primarily using the Studer Vista 5 M2 console for news (TV2 East broadcasts four news shows each day) and sports programming, along with regional talk shows and documentaries.

According to Kasper Thor Larsen, Head of Technology at TV2 East, the station was looking to upgrade to the latest and most sophisticated audio equipment. “We had a Yamaha PM1D console but it was time to replace the board,” he said. “So we have been researching and found Studer to be the best fit.”

The reasons for Studer being the best fit, Larsen continues, are multiple. “We wanted a true broadcast-quality audio board and we get that from Studer for sure,” he said. “This Vista 5 console has the best audio quality I’ve heard from a broadcast console, and its redundancy was another major factor in our decision. It’s very flexible and it can be easily configured to our needs.

In addition, the ability to control and automate the console via the EMBER protocol played a big factor in the decision process. For some applications, the console will be controlled from TV2 East’s Ross Overdrive automation system. The console will also work as an audio router and format converter in TV2 East’s infrastructure, giving them a simple and economic solution.

“The integration of Studer VISTA FX by Lexicon is also a perfect match for our requirements and gives easy control of the sophisticated effects in a very cost-effective way,” Larsen noted.

Larsen and his team also cited the Vista 5 M2’s TFT metering system as an attractive feature. This meter bridge is capable of displaying signal levels from mono through to 5.1 channels on each input, with a configurable lower area which can be used to display bus assignments, sound images or the unique History mode, where a scrolling audio waveform displays signal anomalies and highlights them for up to 50 seconds to allow the engineer to identify where the event occurred.

“Our audio team also found the console very easy to use,” Larsen said. The Vistronics™ control surface is a very nice way to build an audio board. The controls are simple to use and the entire operation is very intuitive. The possibilities are endless. This is the new world!”

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets – supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 20 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported sales of $4.4 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012. 

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HARMAN's Crown Audio Truck Visits Portland, Oregon

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HARMAN’s DigiTech Introduces Its HardWire® V-10 Power Block Pedal Power Supply

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – HARMAN’s DigiTech today announced the introduction of its HardWire V-10 Power Block 10-Pedal Isolated Power Supply, a top-quality pedalboard power supply with 10 fully isolated outputs that deliver dependable, noise-free power for effects pedals.

“A guitarist’s pedalboard is only as good as its power supply,” said Scott Klimt, marketing manager for DigiTech. “We designed the V-10 Power Block to be the best power supply on the market and give musicians the best sound and performance from all of their effects pedals, night after night.”

The HardWire V-10 Power Block features 10 totally isolated high-current outputs and a shielded low-stray-field toroidal transformer to eliminate hum and noise that can be caused by ground loops and interference. Four 9-volt outputs are provided, along with two pairs of 9V/12V merge-able outputs for power-hungry digital pedals, and two outputs with variable voltage from 5 to 12 volts.

The HardWire V-10 Power Block is built road-tough with a heavy-grade aircraft aluminum chassis that allows for maximum heat dissipation. Measuring 7.5" x 3.5" x 2.2", the V-10 mounts perfectly under Pedaltrain™ pedalboards. It utilizes standard 2.1 x 5.5mm barrel jack connectors and delivers 1200mA total DC current. The V-10’s front-panel LEDs provide ready indication of output jack status. The V-10 comes with 17 DC power cables from 18" to 30", including 2.1mm and 2.5mm barrel plugs with positive (+) and negative (-) centers, 3.5mm phone plugs and 9V battery clip.

The DigiTech HardWire V-10 Power Block carries a six-year warranty and will be available in October 2012 with a suggested retail price of $299.95.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets – supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 20 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported sales of $4.4 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012.

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HARMAN’s AKG Announces Discreet Acoustics Modular Plus Series Shipments

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VIENNA, Austria – With a wide range of goosenecks and installation modules available, HARMAN’s AKG Discreet Modular PLUS Series offers optimal adaptation for all types of room setups and speakers, with quick microphone capsule exchange. Today, AKG proudly announces the Discreet Acoustics Modular PLUS Series has begun shipping to clients across the globe.

The reliability stemming from the models’ LED Ring underscores the ability to reduce the risk of operating errors, sturdy material to reduce fatigue and improved protection from signal block outs.  The LED Ring uses special circuitry to operate off standard phantom power, as two separate leads carry supply voltage and provide extra shielding to the audio signal.

The Modular PLUS Series’ interface module connects the high-quality gooseneck to the phantom power source, which adds flexibility to all mounting modules.  The self-cleaning connector is reliable, inconspicuous and safe – allowing for simplified and cost-effective microphone replacement.  The goosenecks themselves are tested under extreme circumstances, bent and twisted into extreme shapes, ensuring their quality and flexibility.

“The Discreet Acoustics Modular PLUS Series is a testament to AKG’s continued offerings of the best in sound in any miked application,” stated Thomas Giczy, Business Development Manager Installed Sound and Conferencing, AKG.  “The variety offered through the Modular PLUS Series, from the power to the mounting and capsule modules, is the best in class and will provide optimum audio for videoconferencing or presentations around the world.”

The CK43 supercardioid condenser capsule offers users a 95-degree pickup angle, ideal for situations where unwanted noise pickup is a concern. The CK49 is a reference condenser capsule with an 80-degree pickup, with clean, off-axis response.  It is ideal for use with inexperienced speakers, focusing on the voice when the speaker is distant, and reducing pop if close to the mic.

AKG’s Gooseneck GN155M is a 155cm module with a heavy, shock-mount floor stand that works perfectly as a stand-alone unit or on stages placed in front of a large group of instruments or speakers.  HM1000M is a reference-hanging module used to fly mics from the ceiling to record or reinforce music or speech in houses of worship, theatres or conference halls.

AKG’s PAE M reference powering module offers the phantom power for fixed and mobile installation, providing a gold-plated, 3-pin XLR connector.  Its wide voltage range fits most mic mixers.  PAESP M is a programmable power module for fixed and mobile installation, fitted with a unique binary coded decimal switch to recall operating modes.  PAESP M’s noiseless mic switch reduces its level by 26dB, avoiding the irritating crackling sound when phantom power is interrupted.  The PAE5 M provides a 5-pin XLR connection allowing audio signal and central voltage to be fed separately.

The four different powering modules, five mounting modules and three capsule modules combine and add up to a total of 60 different microphones combinations.

For more information about AKG, please visit http://www.akg.com and http://www.youtube.com/AKGacoustics.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets – supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 20 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported sales of $4.4 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012. 

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HARMAN’s Soundcraft in Total Control at Sunflower Jam

Alice Cooper

LONDON, United Kingdom — Sunflower Jam is the brainchild of Jacky Paice, wife of Deep Purple drummer, Ian Paice, and was founded to raise money for underprivileged and sick children via the medium of live music. For this year’s event, SSE Audio Group deployed HARMAN’s Soundcraft Vi6 consoles for FOH and monitors respectively, each utilising 64 inputs, while the latest Soundcraft console offering, the Si Performer, received its live show debut. Connected digitally via MADI to the Vi6 at FOH, the Si Performer controlled all narrator mics and interval music.

This year’s Sunflower Jam, the sixth so far, was held at London’s Royal Albert Hall, and featured a star-studded lineup of international superstars including Brian May, Alice Cooper, Bruce Dickinson, Kerry Ellis, and Alfie Bowe.

“This gig is slightly unpredictable in that it’s never sufficiently rehearsed,” said HARMAN’s Gert Sanner, who has worked FOH at Sunflower Jam for the last five years, after developing a relationship with Jackie and Ian [Paice] from his days as Deep Purple’s FOH engineer. “We don’t change anything during the show, and everything has to be set up, ready to go at all times, which is why we need such a high channel count–it’s 64 real inputs, not hard disk or anything, which of course the Vi6 can deal with easily.”

This show also provided another HARMAN debut: AKG’s new D12 VR drum microphone was deployed on Ian Paice’s kick drum, which Sanner said worked particularly well.

“The D12 VR is a versatile mic, as you can select various presets—I am using ‘preset three’ which uses phantom power, and the sound quality is excellent,” Sanner said. “Ian has chosen to use a different kit than usual for this show, but we’ve had no problems at all in getting the right sound out of the kick.”

Sanner mixed all of the artists from the Vi6 and used no outboard gear. All processing came courtesy of the console, and everyone involved was happy with the results.

“[Monitor engineer] Ant Standring has an identical channel count to mine on his Vi6, and everything’s wedges and sidefills here – it’s old school, but that’s how they like it; the only complaint I’ll get from this band is that it’s not loud enough!” Sanner concludes. “It’s very much a family vibe, this event, and even more so perhaps this year; most of the crew are extended Deep Purple family, and with the recent passing of Jon Lord, it feels a bit like his goodbye concert too, which is kind of nice.”

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets – supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 20 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported sales of $4.4 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012.

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