Soundcheck deploys JBL VTX Series line arrays and Crown I-Tech HD amplifiers to power stellar performances by 5 Seconds of Summer, DNCE, Two Door Cinema Club and more

MANILA, PHILIPPINES—Soundcheck recently deployed a large-scale JBL Professional by HARMAN VTX Series system at In The Mix 2017, one of the largest music festivals in the Philippines.

The second annual festival was held on August 17, 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, and featured an eclectic line-up of international acts, including 5 Seconds of Summer, DNCE, Two Door Cinema Club, Zara Larsson and more. In order to provide the audience of 12,000 with a great-sounding concert experience, festival organizer Music Management International hired Soundcheck to deploy a full JBL VTX front-of-house system. The VTX system’s transparent sound quality enabled Soundcheck to accommodate the diverse line-up of artists, and its innovative lightweight design allowed them to overcome weight restrictions at the venue.

“We are quite familiar with the Arena and its challenges, particularly slapback from the glass fronted VIP boxes on the second level,” said Jaime Godinez, owner and chief engineer, Soundcheck. “The venue is quite vertical too—there are five levels and all were open for this show. To ensure that we provided the best sound experience for the audience, we relied on the JBL Vertec Line Array Calculator software, LAC3 to determine trim heights, inter-box angles and array size compensation, as well as the JBL Performance Manager 2.4 to configure the system setup.”

The system Soundcheck deployed included two main LR arrays of 15 VTX V25-II loudspeakers, two arrays of 10 VTX V20 loudspeakers for outfills, 18 VTX S28 subwoofers on the ground across the front of the stage, and six VRX932LA-1 loudspeakers for front fills. The entire system was powered by Crown VRack 4x3500HD and VRack 4x3500HD amplifiers. Audio processing is provided by a Soundcraft Realtime Rack processor. Soundcheck used JBL Line Array Calculator 3.0 and Performance Manager 2.4 software to configure, optimize and monitor the entire system.   

“The Rational Acoustics Smaart software embedded in Performance Manager software helped us ensure that the speakers were optimized to provide full coverage,” said Godinez. “When we put the VTX system through its paces, we decided to leave the FOH flat, as none of the FOH engineers felt the need to make adjustments. At the end of the day the audience, the organizer and the artists—including DNCE’s FOH mix engineer Brian Pomp—were pleased with the outcome and that is what really matters. The VTX speakers performed optimally to provide an unforgettable experience to the audience of 12,000.”

Ba Sao Investment selects JBL, Crown, dbx and Soundcraft audio solutions to enhance animal acts, magic shows and acrobat performances at historic circus venue

HANOI, Vietnam—Ba Sao Investment, Co., Ltd. recently installed a complete audio system by HARMAN Professional Solutions at the Central Circus Theatre.

Located in the Hai Ba Trung district and founded in 1956, the Central Circus Theatre is the oldest circus in Vietnam. The theater hosts five to seven performances per week by its own Vietnam Circus Federation, as well as occasional visits from international troupes. In order to enhance the facility’s sound quality and provide a more immersive performances experience for audiences, the Central Circus Theatre hired Ba Sao Investment to update the facility’s aging audio system with a cutting-edge integrated audio solution. Ba Sao Investment selected a complete HARMAN audio solution made up of JBL speakers, Crown amps, dbx signal processors and Soundcraft digital mixing consoles for their intuitive operation, unmatched flexibility and world-renowned sound quality.

“One key requirement of the audio system was that it needed to be powerful enough to cover our theater’s needs, and portable enough to suit our touring needs,” said Mr.Lê Quang Tuyến, Vice President, Central Circus Theatre. “Ba Sao Investment worked closely with HARMAN to provide us with a customized solution that includes a combination of passive and active JBL speakers. The HARMAN system offers us a lot of flexibility, and is a huge improvement over the previous system in terms of overall sound quality.”    

The HARMAN system in the Central Circus Theatre consists of 12 JBL STX825 two-way speakers, 6 JBL STX828 dual 18-inch subwoofers, 18 JBL PRX715 two-way portable powered speakers, Crown MA5000 power amplifiers, Soundcraft Si Performer 2 digital mixing consoles and dbx DriveRack 260 speaker management systems.

Boasting a wide frequency range and broad 90-degree by 50-degree coverage, the JBL STX825 is a dual 15-inch two-way speaker and provides maximum impact, portability and ease of use. The JBL STX828S dual 18-inch subwoofer delivers maximum low-frequency performance and 2,000 watts of continuous pink noise power handling. The system is powered by Crown MA5000i amps, and augmented by portable JBL PRX715 two-way powered speakers.

“The Central Circus Theatre is thrilled with the HARMAN system we installed,” said Nguyen Khac Anh, CEO, Ba Sao Investment, Co. Ltd. “The JBL speakers provide excellent clarity and coverage, and the dbx DriveRack 260 ensures the system is optimized for every performance. The small-format Soundcraft Si Performer 2 can handle any live mix situation, and its built-in DMX lighting controller makes it easy for one technician to control audio and lighting from one console.” 

“We are honored that our solutions are incorporated in Vietnam’s oldest circus,” said Ramesh Jayaraman, VP & GM, HARMAN Professional Solutions, APAC. “The proud tradition of the Central Circus Theatre is in line with HARMAN’s tradition of providing premium technical solutions. We thank the Central Circus Theatre for trusting HARMAN products to carry its time-honored legacy into the future, and Ba Sao Investment for their faith in our brand.”

Mahajak Development selects an integrated HARMAN AV audio solution for its advanced networking, intuitive operation and premium sound quality  

BANGKOK—Mahajak Development Co., Ltd. recently installed a complete HARMAN networked AV audio solution at AVANI Riverside Bangkok, an award-winning luxury hotel overlooking the Chao Phraya River.

In addition to 245 guest rooms and suites, the hotel features a lobby, grand ballroom, five conference rooms, multiple restaurants and a rooftop swimming pool. In order to provide audio coverage and networked AV for a wide range of specialized areas and environments, hotel owner Minor International hired Mahajak Development to install a complete HARMAN AV audio solution. It consisted of JBL Professional speakers, Crown amplifiers, BSS signal processors, Soundcraft audio mixers and AMX networked AV systems.

“We asked Mahajak Development to provide us with robust AV solutions to accommodate a spectrum of events and functions,” said Pakpoom Worakamolkul, Senior Engineering Manager, Minor International. “Thanks to the variety of speaker types and sizes in the JBL Control Series line, Mahajak was able to customize the solution in each different environment to deliver maximum coverage and intelligibility. The colors and grills of the speakers blend in with their surroundings perfectly. Furthermore, the HARMAN AV systems in our grand ballroom and meeting spaces are very flexible and easily optimized for different types of events.”  

The HARMAN AV system allows the AVANI Riverside Bangkok staff to produce weddings, business conferences, private parties and more. In the grand ballroom, JBL Control Series speakers are complemented by JBL EON Series powered speakers and JBL STX818S subwoofers for enhanced volume and bass response. The entire system is powered by Crown CTs Series, XLi Series and XTi 2 Series amplifiers.

Versatile and compact Soundcraft MFXi audio mixers enable staff and guest DJs to quickly craft professional mixes. BSS Soundweb London devices offer advanced routing and signal processing, while BSS BLU control panels make it easy for non-technical staff members to adjust the sophisticated AV system. AMX IS-SPX-1300 players are used to program digital signage panels located outside each event space, which indicate the current booking. Finally, an AMX ENOVA digital media switcher forms the “backbone” of the networked AV systems in the banquet spaces, enabling seamless audio playback and signal switching.

“AVANI Riverside Bangkok is very happy with the networked HARMAN AV system we installed,” said Pongsakorn Kanchanachayphoom, Project Director, Mahajak Development. “It was a challenge to design a large-scale system that fulfilled all of the technical requirements. Thanks to HARMAN’s never-ending inventory of professional solutions, we were able to provide the hotel with the AV system of their dreams.”   

Mahajak Development selects JBL Professional, Crown, Soundcraft, dbx and BSS solutions to create a versatile multi-zone audio system across a wide range of attractions

HUA HIN, THAILAND—Mahajak Development recently installed a multi-zone distributed audio system by HARMAN Professional Solutions at Vana Nava Jungle Water Park.

Located on eight acres outside of Hua Hin, Thailand, Vana Nava is Asia’s first “water jungle” and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region. In addition to over 20 water slides, rides, and a jungle with more than 200,000 species of plants and trees, Vana Nava features world-class restaurants, bars, music venues and private event spaces. In order to provide excellent sound quality for background music and announcements across a wide range of facilities and attractions, developer Proud Real Estate hired Mahajak Development to design and install a complete HARMAN networked multi-zone audio solution throughout the entire park.

“The project required a great number of loudspeakers, and the HARMAN constant-voltage speakers enabled us to extend the number of outputs and minimize power loss over long speaker cable runs,” said Roengrith Jantarima, Project Manager, Mahajak Development. “The park has been up and running smoothly for five years now, and we continue to provide Vana Nava with technical support and maintenance. Thanks to the durability and seamless integration of the HARMAN solutions, we haven’t had to replace anything due to equipment failure. The park’s audio system sounds as good today as the day it was opened.”

The system installed by Mahajak Development includes JBL loudspeakers, Crown amplifiers, Soundcraft mixers and BSS digital audio processors. The wide range of indoor and outdoor spaces at Vana Nava are outfitted with JBL Professional Control Contractor Series loudspeakers, offering a variety of surface-mount, in-ceiling and in-wall models for any architectural, aesthetic or system performance requirement. Additionally, the water park zone is augmented by JBL AE Series, EON500 Series and PRX700 Series speakers. The entire system is powered by Crown CDi Series and XTi 2 series amplifiers.

A Soundcraft FX16ii 16-channel mixing console sits at the center of the HARMAN system, while dbx DriveRack Series loudspeaker management systems handle the multi-zone processing and distribution of audio. A BSS Soundweb London BLU-80 device offers configurable I/O, signal processing and CobraNet audio. Finally, BSS BLU-8 wall-mount controllers enable intuitive level control and source selection in the different zones across the park.    

“It’s exciting to note that HARMAN provided a professionally controlled multi-zone sonic infrastructure for their complex networked audio system at Vana Nava Jungle Water Park in Thailand,” said Ramesh Jayaraman, VP & GM, HARMAN Professional Solutions, APAC. “Mahajak Development has been one of our long-standing partners and we are looking forward to seeing this relationship grow in the future.”

Lawrenson Group selects solutions by JBL, Crown, dbx and Soundcraft for their famed sound quality, unmatched versatility and intuitive operation

HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND—The Lawrenson Group recently installed a complete audio system by HARMAN Professional Solutions at the Outback Inn, a popular nightclub in Hamilton, New Zealand.

One of New Zealand's premier entertainment venues, the Outback Inn, hosts massive dance parties and performances by local DJs and touring artists, including Flux Pavilion, Twista, Peking Duk, and many more. The large facility can serve as a 2000-capacity venue, or can be divided into three distinct nightclubs. In order to accommodate the flexible room configuration and provide an exceptional music experience to its guests, owner and operator Lawrenson Group decided to upgrade the Outback Inn’s aging audio system with a complete HARMAN audio solution.

“The Lawrenson Group has been proud owners of HARMAN Professional Solutions audio gear in a large number of our venues for many years now, and naturally we were pleased to continue this relationship with our new nightclub expansion at The Outback Inn,” said Jeffrey Van Kempen, Technical Director, Lawrenson Group. “The majority of our nightclub venues use JBL STX Series speakers and Crown XTi 2 series amplifiers with very pleasing and reliable results, even while being ran more than 20 hours a week in very harsh environments.”

Trusted HARMAN distributor Jands New Zealand supplied all equipment for the Outback Inn’s new sound system. The system consists of JBL SRX800 Passive Series loudspeakers and subwoofers, Crown XTi 2 Series amplifiers, a dbx DriveRack Series speaker management system and Soundcraft Si Series digital audio consoles.   

“The HARMAN system was specified so that it can either operate as one large main PA when the venue is used as a performance venue or it can be broken down into three smaller nightclub systems for regular weekly use,” said Eli Murray, Director of Sales and Design, Jands New Zealand. “Portability, budget, set up and ease of use were all top of mind during the specification process.”

JBL SRX835 three-way speakers provide stunning full-range audio, while JBL SRX828S dual 18-inch subwoofers deliver powerful low frequencies needed to stimulate the dance floor. JBL SRX815 two-way speakers satisfy the venue’s flexibility requirements, serving as monitors, front- and side-fills, or portable PA speakers. The entire system is powered by reliable Crown XTi6002 and XTi 4002 amplifiers, and a dbx DriveRack VENU360 loudspeaker management system ensures maximum PA performance and coverage every time. A Soundcraft Si Performer 3 console takes care of the front-of-house mix in the main venue, while Soundcraft Si Impact consoles enable powerful and intuitive mixes in the smaller nightclubs.

“Earlier this year we hosted Peking Duk for our first large event,” explained Van Kempen. “It was also our first real chance to run the system in its entirety and we have literally been blown away with its performance. The results have been very impressive and the HARMAN solution has kept well within budget budget.”

“The Lawrenson Group’s confidence in HARMAN Professional Solutions products and solutions speaks volumes of our customer service, product reliability and world class standards which help elevate customer experiences,” said Ramesh Jayaraman, VP & GM  HARMAN Professional Solutions, APAC. “We are pleased that we are able to continue to meet their exacting standards and expectations in partnership with our NewZealand distributor Jands.”

Buzzworthy pop rock trio Evaride and rising R&B singer MJ Ultra join the HARMAN family to share their talent with music fans worldwide

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.—HARMAN Professional Solutions today announced that two of the industry’s most exciting new artists—Evaride and MJ Ultra—have joined the HARMAN Professional Solutions Ambassadors Program.

Within 24 hours of announcing their formation earlier this year, pop rock trio Evaride garnered more than 20,000 social media followers before they even released a song. Part of that excitement stems from the band’s lineup of seasoned musicians, including drummer Josh Devine (One Direction), guitarist Hayden Maringer (J.Lo, Demi Lovato, Daya), and vocalist Sean Michael Murray (Green Day's “American Idiot” and RENT on Broadway).

The soaring debut single “Heartless” catapulted the band onto a national level, with Evaride recently being named iHeartRadio’s "Emerging Artist". "Heartless” was also featured on iTunes’ "Hot Tracks" and "Top New Alternative Tracks" pages, as well as Shazam's "Best New Music" playlist. Based in New York and Los Angeles, the band is planning to release a full album in 2018, and is working on a music video by acclaimed director Dale ‘Rage’ Resteghini (Fall Out Boy, Pitbull, Lil Wayne) in association with HARMAN Professional Solutions’ JBL Professional and AKG brands.

“We’re extremely excited to partner with HARMAN Professional Solutions and represent legendary audio brands like AKG, JBL and Crown,” said Sean Michael Murray. “The support we’ve received from HARMAN has been incredible, especially as we head into the studio to record our album with the backing of these great brands.”

LA-based artist MJ Ultra has quickly established himself as one of R&B’s most exciting new voices. MJ Ultra is currently promoting his debut independent album, "Ocean Drive", and recently completed an extensive European summer tour. 

MJ has also scored original songs and music videos for several films, including "Bring It On: Worldwide #Cheersmack”, Justin Timberlake's "Friends with Benefits", Kevin James' "Here Comes the Boom", and the Netflix original "#RealityHigh”. His music has also been featured on “Dancing with the Stars” and “America's Got Talent”. MJ’s latest feature collaboration with Barcelona-based DJ duo Boxinlion, "Black & White", has amassed more than 12 million YouTube views and 4 million Spotify plays. 

“The HARMAN brands have been the backbone of some of the most iconic music recordings and performances in history and I’m honored to be part of that rich tradition,” said MJ Ultra. “This partnership will enable me to further my artistic vision, and open new opportunities to connect with fans across the world.”  

The HARMAN Professional Solutions Ambassadors program gives the world’s leading artists a powerful platform to share their passion for music and audio technology. More artist and audio professional partnerships will be unveiled in the coming months—from composers and engineers to breakout stars and veteran musicians.