PROJECT
FILE
Javier Fracchia ’ s studio in Buenos Aires has become the first mastering facility in Argentina to feature Genelec 8361A studio monitors , the flagship of “ The Ones ” range of coaxial three-way point source models .
“ My background is in live sound , so I know the advantage that coaxial systems bring to stage monitors , and reading all the positive comments about The Ones intrigued me ,” recalls Fracchia . “ When I was able to hear them at the CAPER show in Buenos Aires I immediately wanted to hear more .” Genelec ’ s local distributor Equaphon set up a demo of the 8351s at Fracchia ’ s studio . “ Listening to the 8351s in my studio just made me smile … The stereo image was just amazing , and I didn ’ t need to listen to anything else to make a decision . All the information I needed was there .”
At the Audi Brand Experience Center ( ABEC ) in Munich , Germany , there are 36 video panels overhead that could be mistaken for skylights , but they are part of a technology package installed by EXG MEDIA in the Plenum . In this flexible event space and automobile showcase , dynamic sound effects are made possible by Spacemap Go , the spatial sound design and mixing tool integrated into the Plenum ’ s complete audio system from Meyer Sound .
The ABEC ’ s media technology systems were designed and engineered by the consulting firm Planungsbüro Bertram under the direction of specialist planner Markus Endl . According to Endl , an initial proposal for an immersive sound system was shelved due to expense and the building ’ s sustainability requirements . “ But we had a time delay because of the pandemic , and during that time Meyer Sound introduced Spacemap Go ,” he explains . “ That put the idea back on the table . With a bit of expertise along with equipment that would be needed anyway — the Meyer Sound Galaxy 816 Network Platform — we were able to realize a spatial sound system without additional cost , as Spacemap Go works with all Galaxy processors .”
Brooklyn-based band MAKUTA spent their time during the pandemic building several new creative projects that will be released starting this fall . The four-sibling band worked together in their home studio , focusing almost exclusively on writing , recording , and mixing . All this work was tracked and mixed almost entirely using Flock Audio ’ s new PATCH System .
“ Flock was a really integral part for us during what happened this past year ,” says multi-instrumentalist , writer , vocalist , engineer , and producer Doug Makuta . With four EPs , collaborating on Hunter Hayes ’ projects , and a major ad campaign for Wells Fargo , MAKUTA didn ’ t have any time to waste . “ We had less than 24 hours to integrate PATCH into our system , and it only took 45 minutes , tops ,” Doug adds . “ If we didn ’ t get everything going in the first day , we would have had a problem . We live and die by our deadlines , and you can ’ t go to a big client or record company and say , ‘ I need a week to figure out my system !’”
62 PROFESSIONAL SOUND
The Stardome Observatory and Planetarium in Auckland , New Zealand recently upgraded its cinema and live performance venue with a complete Harman Professional networked surround sound system comprised of JBL Professional , Crown , BSS , and Soundcraft solutions . The venue features a panoramic theater with a full-dome concave screen , laser projectors , and IMAX angled seating for an immersive 360-degree viewing experience . Doubling as both a cinema and live performance venue , the Stardome needed a versatile sound system to support a wide range of events that was easy to use for the staff . AV Integration company Avid Automation and Harman distributor JPRO were hired to equip the planetarium .
JBL AM7215 / 95 high-power two-way loudspeakers provide highfidelity sound for left and right channels , while a single AM7215 / 26 loudspeaker with a 120- by 60-degree rotatable waveguide provides generous coverage for the centre channel . JPRO and Avid Automation selected JBL AC18 / 95 compact two-way loudspeakers for the surround channels , as their enclosure design allowed for installation close to the ceiling . Additionally , three JBL VTX B18 18-in . subwoofers provide a solid bass foundation . Two Crown DriveCore CDi 4 | 1200BL power amplifiers power the system . The amplifiers interface with a BSS BLU-806 signal processor via Dante , providing flexible signal routing and control . As well , a Dante interface card allows the Soundcraft Si Performer digital mixer to send output signals to the BSS and Crown backend , while a Soundcraft Mini Stagebox 16 provides additional inputs onstage for larger performances .