New AV Products
ClearOne Introduces New DIALOG 10 USB Wireless Microphone System
ClearOne, Salt Lake City, Utah.-based provider of audio and visual communication solutions announced its DIALOG 10 USB wireless microphone system is now available. According to the company, the new system offers professional-quality audio with USB connectivity.
The company acknowledges that using right tools to communicate and create is paramount in an increasingly digital and content-driven environment. ClearOne adds that its DIALOG 10 USB wireless microphone system comes with high quality and convenient deployment. Thus, the company deems it a suitable fit for today’s applications.
The DIALOG 10 USB also offers plug-and-play simplicity and wireless convenience. According to ClearOne, this makes it apt for webcasting and cloud-based collaboration through various applications. These include Microsoft Teams, Zoom, WebEx, GoToMeeting and other apps.
Additionally, it has an easy setup with the included USB Type C cable that connects to any PC for audio, power and control. The DIALOG 10 USB requires no external power source or additional audio cables. This makes it an easy and fast solution to enjoy high-quality audio in any application.
The wireless microphone system offers a robust frequency-hopping spread-spectrum technology. It also has no frequency license restrictions worldwide. The auto-scan feature finds open channels for optimal reception. Moreover, the standards-based FIPS 197 AES-128 encryption ensures a secure link for wireless audio. Finally, the wide audio bandwidth provides speech clarity, and the ultra-low audio latency significantly enhances the audio experience.
As a result, the microphone is ideal for a variety of settings including:
- public events;
- live streaming;
- studio demonstrations;
- classroom presentations;
- personal events;
- meetings, and conferences.
Furthermore, ClearOne discloses that it offers a complete range of microphones for these settings. These come with Handheld, Boundary, and Gooseneck, plus Lanyard, Headset, and Lavalier Beltpack options. In multi-user environments, each user can be assigned their own microphone to pair with a common room receiver. The receiver has a large color LCD. This allows viewing battery life, received signal strength, and programmable microphone ID labeling. The microphones can be powered by common alkaline or environmentally friendly rechargeable NiMH AA batteries. Charging is also available via USB or optional charging dock.
According to ClearOne, the compact, plenum-rated receiver can be mounted in several areas. These include a desktop, credenza, under a table, behind a video display, or even hidden above a ceiling.
Audio Visual Projects
DiGiCo Amplifies Audio Experience at Minnesota’s Orchestra Hall
Orchestra Hall is the home to the award-winning Minnesota Orchestra. It features a Modernist architectural design and expansive glass façade. These are intended to symbolically present classical music as more widely accessible. Inside there are 114 large cubes. The cubes form a symmetrical “falling rock” pattern on the auditorium’s ceiling and the stage’s back wall along with the three balconies above and along the sides of the main floor. Thus, they act as a massive diffusion system.
This provides a heightened aural experience for the 2,089 patrons seated inside.
Installing the System
Last August and September, DiGiCo systems installed a suite of its systems to enhance this experience. DiGiCo is a U.K.-based manufacturer of digital mixing consoles.
According to DiGiCo, it creates a renewed audio infrastructure for the venue and ensemble. The setup includes a Quantum338 as the front-of-house console, an SD12 96 and an SD11i. The SD12 96 is used as the console for mixing orchestral and other performances for Minnesota Public Radio’s broadcasts. Meanwhile, the SD11i console is used as an auxiliary mixer able to be deployed as needed.
Additionally, the consoles are supported by three SD-Racks found at stage left, stage right and broadcast, plus two SD-MiNi Racks. One of the racks is located in the concert hall’s attic where mixes the hanging audience microphones. Together, the SD-Racks make 32-bit mic preamps available virtually anywhere in the venue. Furthermore, a DiGiCo 4REA4 processor distributes audio throughout the entire facility. It also distributes to as many as four customizable event spaces such as the lobby.
Also Read: Meyer Sound Updates Sound System for Philadelphia’s Verizon Hall Reopening
Moreover, a DMI-KLANG immersive in-ear mixing system is being applied in a unique manner. It provides immersive-surround sound for the orchestral broadcasts for listeners using headphones or earbuds. The other components include an Orange Box that is used as an interface for MADI for the Quantum338. There’s also two DiGiGrid MGB interfaces that connect the Quantum338 to a SoundGrid network and Reaper software used for recordings at 96 kHz resolution.
“It is a pile of DiGiCo gear, but every piece of equipment does a specific job and together they form a really unique audio infrastructure here,” Jay Perlman, head audio engineer for the Minnesota Orchestra, says. Perlman designed the new infrastructure in collaboration with local AV systems integrator, Audio Logic Systems. The systems integrator was also the vendor for the DiGiCo audio products.
Perlman states that the goal was to be able to access high-resolution audio in any part of the building. “…And as you can tell in how we applied the DMI-KLANG processor to the streaming broadcasts, we like to take chances and experiment, but it’s really created something special. We used the KLANG on a pilot livestream episode and found that it gives us great flexibility for future VIP content. What all of this DiGiCo technology has done is given us the power to solve problems and make new things happen. Altogether, it’s a unique and integrated solution, intuitive and seamless,” he adds.
Achieving the Enhanced Sound Experience
For Joel Mooney, the Minnesota Orchestra’s technical director, all these components create a DiGiCo ecosystem that increases the venue’s operational flexibility by an order of magnitude. “Before, we had all analog systems for audio, with no way to connect different parts of the building for sound, and it was also a group of different brands that weren’t designed to work together,” he recalls. “Now, everything is fully integrated and it’s all on an Optocore fiber network. The concert hall can connect to the lobby and to the broadcast center. It’s such a better operational environment.”
Mooney says he and the Orchestra’s management had reached out to a number of leading technology brands at the onset of the pandemic in 2020. They had asked for assistance in creating its streaming platform in order to keep the orchestra and its music connected to the community. “Everyone stepped up, especially DiGiCo, who were a tremendous help in enhancing the audio as we also upgraded our video and lighting,” he says.
Mooney then goes on to praise DiGiCo. He proclaims, “They are the number-one brand in live sound today. They have the tools and the flexibility to take anything we can throw at them. The Quantum console in particular has been a huge improvement—we have an event this weekend and we’re running monitors from front of house for it on an iPad. It doesn’t break a sweat. Orchestra Hall is a much better place for audio than it’s ever been.”
People and Places
Bluesound Professional Appoints Craig Cooper as North American Sales Manager
Canadian-based company Bluesound Professional announced the appointment of Craig Cooper as its North American sales manager. Bluesound Professional is a distributed audio ecosystem for commercial spaces.
Cooper will report to Graeme Harrison, VP and general manager of Bluesound Professional. His primary responsibility includes facilitating sales growth in the North American market. Here, he will work with reps, system integrators, consultants and end customers.
According to Bluesound, Cooper brings a wealth of experience in creative direction, regional brand growth and marketing strategy. He previously held executive positions at companies like Analog Way (AV manufacturer), Bormann Marketing (pro audio manufacturer) and Pinnacle Entertainment (end user). In his recent role as regional sales manager for Analog Way, Cooper established a strong presence for the AV manufacturing company in the Midwest Region. He also initiated and expanded relationships with key stakeholders and influencers.
Harrison expresses his excitement on the new addition. “…His appointment will allow us to focus more attention on our North American customers. Our sales have been increasing steadily throughout 2021 in North America and we are optimistic that having Craig on our team will further increase this trend in 2022 and beyond. Craig has experience as an end user, a rep and working for a manufacturer, and therefore uniquely equipped to understand the needs of our customers.”
Additionally, Bluesound states that Cooper’s managerial expertise will be complimentary to serving the links in the sales channel chain. He holds a degree in Business Administration from St. Louis University and currently resides in St. Louis, Miss.
XTEN-AV’s Vibhav Singh Gets Accepted into YEC
Vibhav Singh, co-founder & CEO, XTEN-AV, has been accepted into Young Entrepreneurs Council (YEC). YEC is an invitation-only community for the world’s most successful entrepreneurs 45 and younger. XTEN-AV, of course, is an AI-powered AV design software platform based in Union City, Calif.
According to the company, Singh was hand-selected to join YEC based on his accomplishments as an entrepreneur and proven industry leadership. As a member of YEC, he will have access to exclusive benefits. These include a curated network of influential peers, personal brand building and publishing opportunities on top media outlets. He will also have access to volume discounts on business services and VIP events.
XTEN-AV states that Singh has worked for several global manufacturers such as Harman, Biamp, and Music Tribe. After years of working in the hardware-dominated industry, Singh says he conceptualized the idea of a software platform that would reduce manual effort and exponentially increase productivity. This was achieved by utilizing the latest technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Singh expressed his joy and gratitude on being part of the YEC. “…It is a privilege to be a part of this organization that facilitates sharing goals, experiences, and business solutions with an influential network of fellow entrepreneurs and pioneers in their fields,” he adds.
Singh also hopes to propagate thought leadership as well as make meaningful relationships as part of YEC. “…I hope to create value for young entrepreneurs and hone the dreams of many to build successful businesses,” he states.
Scott Gerber, founder of YEC, also says, “We are honored to welcome Vibhav Singh to YEC. Our philosophy is that by curating the very best entrepreneurial minds around and providing them with a space to build meaningful relationships and access more opportunity, our members can further their success and the success of the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
Singh holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and also has a CTS certification from AVIXA.
