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LEA Professional

LEA Amplifiers Power The Pearle Hotel & Spa

When Ontario’s newest hotel project kicked off, the vision for its AV system was clear—and so was the solution behind it. 🦈⭐

Because let’s be honest—nothing ruins a stay faster than questionable audio in a “luxury” space.

Take a closer look at how it all came together, from the big-picture goals to the technical details that brought this elevated audio experience to life.

THE SPEC

🎭 Venue: The Pearle Hotel and Spa

👷‍♂️ Integrators: Branch Audiovisual

🔊 Audio Spaces:  Entire Hotel

🦈 Products Used: CS168D (X1), CS88D (X1), CS704D (X1), CS84D (X2), CS354D (X4)

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THE VENUE

Located just steps from Lake Ontario, The Pearle Hotel & Spa officially opened to guests on the first of November, 2021. The hotel, which is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, boasts 151 guestrooms, two dining facilities, expansion meeting space, two large ballrooms, and a spa.

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THE INTEGRATOR

Branch AV, a relatively new Canadian audiovisual solutions company, was tasked with designing and integrating the entire AV system from the ground up. The company, which was established in 2020 by Bob Guy and George Puthenkulam supported by a team of experienced audiovisual professionals, works across various industries including performing arts, government, education and entertainment. The team are laser focused on providing the best user experience for their clients.

THE INSTALL

For The Pearle Hotel’s AV needs, the integrator turned to local partner SC Media who supplied nine LEA Professional Dante Connect Series amplifiers to power the new hotel’s sound system. George Puthenkulam, Partner at Branch AV, first made sure to understand exactly what the hotel would need from an AV system.

“The main thing hotel management was looking for from an audio system, was functionality,” said Puthenkulam. “However, I wanted to dig deeper, so we studied all their venues to see exactly how they are used. With that knowledge, we came up with a sound system design and user experience that they are happy with.”

The entire project was conducted during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic which meant delays in various equipment and constant changes.

“There were various iterations made throughout the project because the spaces kept changing,” said Puthenkulam. “With Covid happening it was pretty challenging trying to coordinate with all the trades, and make sure everything would be completed on time. Luckily the LEA amps were in stock and there were no delays from that end.”

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Branch AV utilized nine LEA Professional Dante Connect Series amps for this install to give them the channel count they needed including one Connect 168D, one Connect 88D, one Connect 704D, two Connect 84D and four of the Connect 354D amps. As the configuration of the spaces changed, so too did room for equipment racks.

“One of the challenges we had was finding space for racks,” explained Puthenkulam. “As you can imagine, a hotel of this size requires a lot of processing. What LEA provided us was the ability to do a certain amount of central processing, as well as decentralize it, but manage it all from one location, the entire system runs on a Dante audio network.”

Puthenkulam explained that using IP standard, network-based amplifiers had many benefits for the team, particularly as the design within the hotel changed.

“The placement of speakers is always a problem, especially when there are multiple trades trying to compete for real estate,” explained Puthenkulam. “We zoned the space well, so that our infrastructure could be coordinated with all the other trades, including lighting control, security, fire safety, et. which is necessary and required in a hotel of this sort. However, we did have new zone needs that came up; so, designing the system around network-based, multi-channel amplifiers gave us a lot of flexibility.”

Branch AV are utilizing the Connect Series Crestron Control Module to control and monitor essential functions and features within the LEA amplifiers. Third-party control plugins such as these are part of the LEA Professional control ecosystem, in addition to local area network amplifier control using LEA’s Web UI and Cloud Platform.

THE CONCLUSION

Branch AV has been using LEA Professional in all their AV projects and will continue to do so, not only because of their form factor and network-based design, but because of their confidence in the team behind the product.

“When Blake Augsburger and his team set up LEA a few years ago, we knew that they would have a completely different perspective than other manufacturers, and that LEA would build a product that puts the customer at the center,” commented Puthenkulam. “When you are customer-driven and are determined to rally around them it’s really special, and that’s the LEA way!” 🦈⭐

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Categories
Martin Audio Optimal Audio

MARTIN AUDIO BRINGS DISCRETE PUNCH TO LINA STORES IN SHOREDITCH AND MANCHESTER

GBR – Lina Stores, the Italian delicatessen founded in 1944 on Brewer Street in London’s Soho, was established “to offer the finest Italian produce to hungry Londoners and homesick Italians.” Now boasting twelve locations, the estate today encompasses ten restaurants and, inspired by Italy’s bar culture, most recently introduced the Bar Lina concept to four select sites.

Tasked with installing sound systems in two such openings in Shoreditch and Manchester, integrator Evolve AV specified Martin Audio solutions to deliver high-quality, discrete audio, also capable of providing real impact when the occasion calls for it.

Located on Shoreditch High Street, Lina Stores Shoreditch occupies a Grade II listed building originally built in 1868 as a bank. Elliot Patterson of Evolve AV was introduced to the project following a recommendation.

Recalling his original brief, Patterson begins, “Showing me around they explained they wanted good coverage and something that was really compact, but could pack a bit of a punch for parties and DJs.”

The nature of the interior space shaped many of his decisions. “It’s quite a big space with very low ceilings and we weren’t really in a position to put things in corners.” he continues. “I needed to be careful where I put speakers so they didn’t take over.”

Patterson specified Martin Audio CDD6 speakers from the outset. “Honestly I didn’t look at any other options,” he says. “I knew the CDD6 would give me the excellent coverage and quality sound from the exposed wall positions.”

HONESTLY I DIDN’T LOOK AT ANY OTHER OPTIONS

Elliott Patterson, Evolve AV

With a listed building and a strong design aesthetic to protect, visual integration was also key. “Some walls are bare brick, some stone concrete. The CDD6 actually works really well against that – it blends in really well.” he adds.

Upstairs in the Shoreditch restaurant, the system comprises six CDD6, while downstairs in Bar Lina the main cocktail bar area features four CDD5, reinforced by an SX210 subwoofer. “The CDD6 plus SX210 combination gave the space a discrete solution, and really great output – they’re a classic match,” notes Patterson.

Adjacent to the bar, the former bank vaults now provide seating cubicles and a lounge area. “All the doors and gates are still there,” he describes. For this lounge area six Martin Audio ADORN A55 speakers were selected, while ADORN A40 are deployed in upstairs private dining areas as well as in ancillary corridors and entrances.

System processing is handled by an Optimal AudioZone 8 —the ideal companion for control in distributed install applications from Martin Audio’s sister brand within the Focusrite group.

Music sources include dedicated audio players for both the restaurant and bar, plus DJ inputs. “Each area has a local on-wall Optimal Audio ZonePad, but most of the time they’re able to simply use iPads for control,” says Patterson.

The benefit of the Optimal Audio ZonePad’s additional local and Bluetooth inputs comes into its own in the vault areas. “Guests can just Bluetooth or plug in their phone directly to it,” he explains. “They’ve got their own room, they can play their own music, it’s super simple.”

Following a Shoreditch launch evening – impressed by both the audio quality and Evolve AV’s work – Lina Stores asked Patterson to support its upcoming Lina Stores Manchester opening located on Quay Street.

Once again Martin Audio CDD6 formed the backbone of the solution, with eight installed in the restaurant area, this time ceiling-mounted. “It’s quite a big room so we needed to get a lot of coverage and again, the CDD6 does it so well,” says Patterson. “As opposed to Shoreditch where they’re all wall mounted, in Manchester they’re ceiling mounted. We rotated the driver inside and they are all mounted in landscape orientation.”

In the Bar Lina area, six CDD6s are installed around the perimeter, supplemented by five Martin Audio Blackline X8 speakers, and with considerable low-end punch provided bya pair of Martin Audio SX212 2 x 12” subwoofers.

Patterson concludes, “The Martin Audio system provides a fantastic discrete background music system for the very beautiful cocktail bar, capable of turning into a powerful club system for their weekend DJs.”

Photos: Adam Firman/Lina Stores

Thanks to

Integration Partner: Evolve AV

Click here for original article.

Categories
Martin Audio

MARTIN AUDIO BRINGS HIGH-DEFINITION AUDIO TO SNEEK’S NOORDERKERKZAAL

NLD – The Noorderkerkzaal performing arts theatre in Sneek, Netherlands, has been equipped with a permanently installed Martin Audio sound system, specifically tailored to the hall’s demanding acoustic profile and diverse programming.

The Noorderkerkzaal is housed within the historic Reformed Church of Sneek, a landmark building originally constructed in 1881. After serving its congregation until 2001 and briefly functioning as an apartment building, the church underwent an extensive renovation and opened as a venue in 2010.

Now a centrepiece of the Sneek Cultural Quarter, the 200-capacity venue hosts a vibrant mix of concerts, theatre productions, and community gatherings – all of which require exceptional speech intelligibility, musicality, and consistent coverage.

IT ENSURES EVERY PERFORMANCE AND PRESENTATION IS SUPPORTED BY CLEAR, CONTROLLED, AND IMPACTFUL SOUND.

Martijn de Jong, Ampco Flashlight Sales

To meet these stringent technical and artistic requirements, the venue selected a new audio solution that balances high-output power with sonic refinement. Following the advice of Martijn de Jong from Martin Audio’s Dutch distributor, Ampco Flashlight Sales, the theatre has installed a Martin FlexPoint loudspeaker system, complemented by Martin SXC cardioid subwoofers and the latest iKON amplification with Dante connectivity.

The Martin Audio FlexPoint series is designed for high performance in fixed installations where clarity and predictable coverage are essential. The installed system provides controlled dispersion for even audience coverage within the venue and the flexibility to adapt to various layouts.

At the heart of the installation are three FlexPoint FP12 12” models positioned in a Left/Centre/Right configuration, supported by three FP8 8” models serving as frontfills. Low-frequency energy is managed by a pair of SXC115 15” subwoofers, their cardioid design essential in controlling bass buildup on stage and maintaining clarity.

The system is powered by iKON IK41 and IK42 Dante-enabled amplifiers, offering efficient multi-channel power, streamlined integration, and modern networked audio routing.

“With this upgrade, the Noorderkerkzaal now benefits from a future-ready audio system capable of delivering consistent results across a broad range of events,” comments de Jong. “It ensures every performance and presentation is supported by clear, controlled, and impactful sound.”

Photographer: Perry Graham

Thanks to

Distribution Partner: Ampco Flashlight Sales

Click here for original article.

Categories
Martin Audio

Superwaves Delivers 100+ Martin Audio Elements for Falguni Pathak at Korakendra Grounds, Mumbai !

IND – Chaitra Navratri at Korakendra Grounds, Borivali West, Mumbai unfolded as a large-scale festive celebration with Falguni Pathak at the heart of an atmosphere driven by music, movement, and community energy. For an event so deeply rooted in live participation, the audio system had to do much more than simply provide high output. It needed to preserve vocal clarity, rhythmic precision, and musical definition while carrying the excitement of the performance across an expansive venue measuring approximately 500ft x 236ft. In a setting where the audience is constantly engaged with every beat, chorus, and call-and-response moment, consistency across the grounds becomes essential. The sound had to remain powerful and immersive near the stage while still feeling controlled, balanced, and intelligible in the farthest listening zones.

Superwaves executed a major Martin Audio deployment designed for coverage, control, and musical impact. The system featured 32 Martin Audio WPL cabinets as the main PA, 20 Martin Audio WPC cabinets for delay coverage, and 12 Martin Audio WPM cabinets for outfills. Reinforcement was further enhanced with 8 Martin Audio Torus T1215 cabinets as centerfills and 6 Martin Audio Torus T1215 and T1230 cabinets for sidefills. Low-frequency performance came from 36 Martin Audio SXH218 subwoofers at FOH, 12 Martin Audio SX218 subwoofers in the delay section, and 4 Martin Audio WS218X subwoofers for sidefill support. With 12 Martin Audio LE200 stage monitors and a total of 40 Martin Audio iK42 amplifiers, the deployment reflected both technical depth and executional confidence.

Photographer: Perry Graham

Thanks to

Distribution Partner: VMT Enterprise
Installation Partner: Superwaves

Categories
LEA Professional

LEA Provides Professional-Grade Audio to 20-Zone Houston Residence

We’ve seen our amps power everything from packed stadiums to high-rise landmarks to buzzing restaurants and bars. But every now and then, a project comes along that feels a little more personal.

Set on five acres in Houston, this stunning home is more than just a residence—it’s a fully immersive audio experience. With 20 zones of seamless control, this residential AV system raises the bar for what’s possible at home.

Let’s take a closer look.

THE SPEC

🏡 Venue: Residential Property in Houston, TX | 6 Bedrooms, 5 acres

👷 Integrator: Sound Lab Designs

🔊 Audio Spaces: Full home including 6 Bedrooms, pool, patio, balconies, front and near lawns

🦈 Product Used: CS168 (x5), CS702 (x1), CS354 (x1) 

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THE INSTALL

A longtime customer of Texas-based AV integration company Sound Lab Designs, the homeowners were looking for an entirely new AV system across their six-bedroom home which is set over five acres of land in the middle of Houston. Sound Lab Designs designed and installed a new system from scratch to cover the interior and exterior of the large property. 

For Ernie Blumenthal, owner at Sound Lab Designs, this project was different from other residential installations he’s worked on because, for the first time, he used LEA Professional amplifiers. Blumenthal mapped over 20 audio zones in the property, many of which were external zones including the pool, patio, front and near lawns and balconies. Initially, for Blumenthal it was the style and form factor of the LEA amplifiers that convinced him to give them a try.

“Form factor was a huge plus, I knew I could really stack a lot of power in a home and not take up the whole rack,” commented Blumenthal. “I did my research on LEA and saw that the sound quality and the adjustability of the amplifier was highly regarded so I thought this would be a perfect installation to try this product.”

Sound Lab Designs installed five CS168, one CS702, and one CS354 in the home. The team chose to give the homeowners extra power and channel count so they would have plenty of headroom for future expansion.

The Cloud Platform provides systems integrators with powerful, reliable and secure remote monitoring and control capabilities across the entire lineup of IoT-enabled LEA Professional Connect Series amplifiers. Unique within the industry, all LEA Professional amplifiers leverage the built-in Amazon Web Services (AWS) IoT Core. The platform allows integrators to monitor critical operational data points that are integral to maintaining system health remotely. The capability delivers greater visibility to provide preventative maintenance, easier troubleshooting and fewer on-site maintenance requirements. 

“I really like the monitoring ability, you only need to go to one web page to see all the amplifiers and it means we are able to offer our clients a full end-to-end service,” commented Blumenthal. “The amplifiers provide great value and are reasonably priced for what you are getting so we will definitely be using them again.”

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THE CONCLUSION

Sound Lab Designs has received great feedback from the client and they are happy with how everything sounds and how it looks in their home. There have been no issues with the system so far but if anything does occur Ernie and the team know that with our cloud platform, they can quickly and easily address almost any issue.

We’d like to thank Ernie and his team at Soundlab Designs for choosing our amps for this killer installation and we hope that the audio systems will continue to deliver reliable audio for the homeowners for years to come.

Click here for original article.

Categories
TiMax

TiMax panLab v1.4 Launches with ADM-WAV Playback and New Lower Pricing

Spatial Audio pioneer, TiMax, has announced the release of TiMax panLab version 1.4. which introduces powerful new ADM-WAV playback capabilities alongside several workflow enhancements. The new version also ushers in a new, and lower, pricing structure, designed to make spatial audio tools more accessible to sound designers, integrators and immersive experience creators.

TiMax panLab is widely used as a flexible environment for designing, demonstrating and deploying spatial audio experiences across live events, installations and immersive environments. In version 1.4, users can play back and render audio files that contain Audio Definition Model (ADM) metadata, allowing immersive mixes created in studio environments to be imported directly into a TiMax spatial playback workflow. The software supports playback of WAV, AIF, AIFF and CAF audio files through any connected soundcard, while rendering ADM object position metadata directly to TiMax panLab Sources for output to mixing consoles, system processors or TiMax rendering platforms.

TiMax Product and Software Manager, Dan Higgott, explained, “At TiMax, we are focussed on creating seamless integrations between our products and existing production workflows. The ability to read and re-render ADM WAV files unlocks a professional pipeline from studio to stage. This integration allows sound designers to mix in Dolby Atmos in the studio and directly translate their creative intent to any live event loudspeaker system. This is game changing in the immersive production space, and I am excited to see how our customers take advantage of this new possibility.”

The capabilities available in version 1.4 significantly simplify the traditional workflow for immersive content delivery. Previously, spatial productions often required producers and sound designers to export audio in multiple stems, after which system operators would recreate object positioning and movement within the playback system.

With ADM-WAV support in TiMax panLab, the full creative intent, including audio objects, position automation and track metadata, can be preserved in a single file and rendered directly within the TiMax environment. This enables a much smoother collaboration between content creators and playback engineers, allowing immersive audio production pipelines to mirror the efficiency and clarity often seen in video workflows.

Higgott added, “This feature builds upon an exciting year of integration developments in the TiMax ecosystem, with Solid State Logic, Atlas Show Control, Grapes 3D and Spat AI all launching one click integration with TiMax2 Software. Our support for the ADM-OSC standard has added seamless support for products from Yamaha, Sound Particles, QLab and many more.”

TiMax panLab version 1.4. also introduces several usability improvements designed to streamline setup and operation. Users can now connect or disconnect from mixing consoles and system processors via OSC, while the software automatically reopens the last project file when launched. The ability to create multiple Sources simultaneously and add them directly to the 3D panner significantly speeds up file setup, while batch editing within the Source Manager allows parameters to be adjusted across multiple Sources at once.

Visualisation of spatial Zones has also been improved, offering clearer and more accurate indication of overlaps within the panner interface, and OSC handling has been optimised for smoother positional updates during snapshots, sequences and animated playback.

Alongside the software update, TiMax has also introduced new lower pricing across the TiMax panLab range, making the platform more accessible to a broader community of spatial audio practitioners. The revised pricing reflects the ongoing commitment of TiMax towards creative professionals, enabling the exploration and deployment of spatial audio workflows across live performance, immersive installations, themed environments and experiential events.

For more on TiMax panLab: https://timaxspatial.com/products/timax-panlab/

For Free Trial: https://timaxspatial.com/support/software-downloads/timax-panlab/

Click here for original article.

Categories
Martin Audio TiMax

TIFFANY’S SHOW PATTAYA CELEBRATES 50 YEARS WITH MARTIN AUDIO UPGRADE SPATIALISED BY TIMAX

THA – Tiffany’s Show Pattaya, one of Thailand’s most iconic and longest-running stage productions, has marked its 50th anniversary with a major audio upgrade that brings cutting-edge immersive sound to its world-famous performances. The project was led by Bangkok-based production company Mr. Team, in collaboration with Martin Audio, TiMax, and regional partners Fuzion Far East and Generation AV.

For five decades, Tiffany’s Show has built an international reputation for spectacular choreography, dazzling costumes, and high production values. In recent years, the venue had already invested heavily in visual production with large-format LED screens, new video content, upgraded props. However, the sound system – centred around an aging traditional stereo PA – had not kept pace.

“The system had been running eight hours a day, every day, for almost a decade,” explains Pok Sutat Kohkiat of Mr. Team Productions Co. “It had done its job, but with the 50th anniversary coming, the owners knew it was time to upgrade. At first, the idea was just to replace the existing stereo system. But once we looked at the production, we realised there was an opportunity to do something much more ambitious.”

Over time, Tiffany’s had moved away from generic backing tracks to custom-composed multitrack music for each show. This gave Mr. Team the foundation they needed to propose an immersive solution built around TiMax and a new Martin Audio system.

“For their 50th anniversary, we encouraged them to do something truly special – especially since the video, LED, and lighting were already at a very high standard,” describes Pok. “The audio needed to be on the same level.”

TORUS IS PERFECT FOR THAT CURVATURE AND THROW.

Pok Sutat Kohkiat, Mr. Team Productions Co.

To demonstrate the potential, Mr. Team set-up an immersive demo in their studio. “We set up a 7.1.4 environment using TiMax SoundHubas the processor, and we prepared A/B comparisons between stereo and spatial mixes,” Pok recalls. “We wanted them to experience the difference in a controlled studio setting before talking about changing anything in the theatre.”

Once the Tiffany’s team heard the spatialised mix, the reaction was immediate: “They described it as a completely new experience.”

Working closely with Fuzion Far East and Generation AV – Martin Audio and TiMax’s regional partners – Mr. Team developed a full immersive design for the theatre.

The main PA now consists of a Martin Audio TORUS LCR system comprising T1215 and T1230elements, chosen to match the relatively shallow depth of the auditorium while delivering wide, even coverage.

“The distance from downstage to the last row is not that deep,” notes Pok. “TORUS is perfect for that curvature and throw. It’s very punchy and gives a strong, stable image across the room.”

The LCR system is supported by flown Martin Audio SX218 subwoofers in the centre behind the main cluster – a necessity in a theatre where floor space is dedicated entirely to choreography and scenic movement. Immersive coverage is delivered by Martin Audio ADORN A80 loudspeakers deployed as surrounds and delays, including coverage for the balcony and two VIP rooms, where ADORN A55 loudspeakers are used.

“The theatre isn’t huge, so we rely on the A80s around the room for the immersive field,” says Pok. “We needed a lot of loudspeakers because there’s a balcony and multiple seating tiers, and we had to respect sightlines and choreography. Everything is flown, with custom rigging points.”

The installation presented a significant logistical challenge. Tiffany’s Show runs every day with no dark nights, and the production could not be interrupted.

“We had nearly two weeks to run entirely new cabling and put loudspeakers in place, but the old system had to stay live during that period,” Pok explains. “We only had one night to do the final switchover from the old system to the new LCR and TiMax infrastructure. That meant removing and repositioning loudspeakers, re-patching amplifiers, and matching all the original routing and presets, as well as introducing the new immersive paths. For a production company, we’re used to that kind of intense overnight changeover, but it was still a big challenge.”

All show content is run from QLab, which provides timecode to the TiMax SoundHub and other systems. Mr. Team is also responsible for remixing selected show material into immersive formats at their studio, then scaling and fine-tuning object movement and imaging on site at Tiffany’s.

“The first spatialised and immersive show, Crystal, opened on 28 February,” says Pok. “The entire new system was in and working in time for that grand launch. The response has been very positive. The client loves it, the audience feels a much more enveloping experience, and for Tiffany’s this is a big statement at their 50-year milestone – especially as a flagship destination in the LGBTQ+ and tourist sectors.”

Photographer: Perry Graham

Thanks to

Distribution Partner: Fuzion Far East
Installation Partner: Mr. Team Productions Co.

Click here for original article.

Categories
LEA Professional

LEA Amplifiers Power Clear Sound and Enhanced Learning Across a School District in Northern Virginia

When a Northern Virginia school district needed to modernize audio across more than 100 schools, standardization was key. 🔑

With LEA Connect Series amplifiers at the core, the district rolled out a flexible, high-performance solution designed to deliver clarity, consistency, and control at scale. 🎓🔊

THE SPEC

🎭 Venue: School District in Northern Virginia

👷‍♂️ Integrators: Artistic Concepts Group, Inc. (ACG)

🔊 Audio Spaces:  Across School District

🦈 Products Used: Connect Series 352, Connect Series 354, and Connect Series 702

THE VENUE

The history of the eastern part of Northern Virginia stretches back to the early colonial period of the United States. Established in the mid 1700s, the area was defined by agriculture, trade, and its strategic location along the Potomac River. It remained predominantly rural until the latter part of the 20th century, when suburban development accelerated as the Washington metropolitan area expanded westward, evolving the area from a quiet agricultural region into a major suburban hub while still preserving elements of its historical character.

The area now hosts one of the largest public school systems in the state, serving tens of thousands of students across more than 100 schools, emphasizing academic excellence, equity, and innovation while striving to meet the varied needs of its learners. The school district has navigated challenges posed by rapid population growth, demographic shifts, and evolving educational expectations, continually adapting its policies, facilities, and instructional practices to support student success and community engagement across the region.

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“The main challenge was delivering consistent audio across a large-scale venue with varied acoustic spaces — outdoor stands, indoor restaurants, hospitality suites, and public areas,” said Dwaine Schreuder, Head of Broadcast of Prosound. “The system needed to be network-based, reliable, and easy to control from a central location or even remotely. LEA’s growing global reputation as an innovator in networked amplifier technology and remote monitoring made them the obvious choice.”

THE PROJECT

To effectively manage its numerous schools, the school district adopted a phased approach to replacing outdated AV equipment. District staff reached out to Elspeth McCormick, Project Developer at Artistic Concepts Group, Inc. (ACG), to create a comprehensive rollout plan for both replacement and new hardware. The school district was looking for amplifiers that could meet all the needs of a variety of spaces — standardization was a high priority given the number of systems the client needed to support. McCormick thought LEA amplifiers would be a great fit for the school system’s requirements.

“There was a wide variety of spaces to accommodate, ranging from auditoriums with robust audio systems already in place to gyms and cafeterias with little to no equipment,” said McCormick. “LEA has one of the strongest amp lineups in the industry, so it was natural for us to recommend them.”

THE INSTALL

ACG installed a variety of LEA Connect Series amplifiers to address the diverse needs of the spaces within the school district, including multiple Connect Series 352, Connect Series 354, and Connect Series 702 models.

The CS352 and CS354 are 2- and 4-channel amplifiers, respectively, providing 350 watts per channel, while the 2-channel CS702 offers 700 watts per channel. All amplifiers in the Connect Series are professional-grade, IoT-enabled smart amplifiers suitable for installations of any size. They support both Hi-Z (70V or 100V) and Lo-Z, selectable by channel, eliminating the need for separate amplifiers to handle different speaker impedances, while streamlining installations and reducing equipment costs. The Connect Series also includes 96kHz DSP as a standard feature, providing a range of benefits that greatly enhance audio performance and system versatility.

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ACG’s technical team used LEA’s free SharkWare software to configure a base profile and push it to all pre-staged LEA amplifiers. SharkWare includes amplifier grouping, offline design, granular user access control levels, locked speaker tunings, and a graphical EQ. SharkWare also allows users to monitor the status of every amplifier connected to the network and the status and performance of individual channels. In addition, the software allows users to view and adjust channel settings, including input settings, signal generator, crossover, equalizer, limiter, and load monitoring, for all LEA Professional Connect Series amplifiers.

The Connect Series also delivers an industry-first professional amplifier family featuring cloud connectivity, a revolutionary advancement, and a significant benefit for anyone maintaining the systems. With LEA Cloud, AV integrators like ACG can remotely control and monitor amplifiers from anywhere, at any time, and with no subscription model or hidden costs. It’s completely free to use.

School and district staff are pleased with the audio upgrades. Audio clarity is exceptional, and the expanded capabilities in some rooms give instructors greater flexibility in their teaching methods. ⭐

THE CONCLUSION

“The form factor of LEA amplifiers is excellent. We often have limited space in our existing equipment racks, and the LEA amps help us and our clients save valuable space, sometimes even allowing us to avoid purchasing a larger rack,” said McCormick. “Additionally, we really appreciate LEA’s technical support team. They always answer the phone, are very knowledgeable about AV above and beyond LEA products, and we know LEA will provide support to keep our customers’ systems running efficiently. For these reasons and more, we will definitely be using LEA amps for this client in the future, as well as for many others!”

Click here for original article.

Categories
Martin Audio

STAIRWAY PRODUCTIONS STEPS UP CAPABILITIES WITH MARTIN AUDIO WPC INVESTMENT

NLD – Stairway Productions, a trusted name in the Dutch event industry for many years, has reached new heights in its evolution. Following a consistent path of strategic investment, the company has significantly bolstered its inventory with the acquisition of a Martin Audio WPC (Wavefront Precision Compact) line array system from Dutch distributor Ampco Flashlight Sales.

The journey for Stairway Productions began in 2007, with founder Menno Smit servicing small-scale gigs from his base in Delft, strategically located between Rotterdam and The Hague. In 2014, the company took the decision to expand from its original inventory to a more professional, rider-friendly solution. That led to the first investment in the Martin Audio catalogue in the form of a Blackline system as a versatile, multipurpose workhorse.

Step by step, from that initial investment through to the subsequent acquisition of a W8LM system, Martin Audio has played a central role in the Stairway Productions success story – delivering a powerful, consistent sonic signature that has proven its worth across countless applications.

I WAS INCREDIBLY IMPRESSED BY THE WPC’S PERFORMANCE AND CONTROL

Menno Smit, Stairway Productions

Driven by an uncompromising focus on audio quality and reliability, Smit and his team have now taken a major leap in both inventory and technical capability. The new investment comprises 24 Martin Audio WPC line array cabinets, complemented by the company’s existing stock of SX218 subwoofers.

The decision to move to Wavefront Precision was cemented during a hands-on demonstration. “I heard the systems during a Martin Audio Experience Day at the Gebr. De Nobel venue in Leiden,” Smit recalls. “I was incredibly impressed by the WPC’s performance and control; I knew instantly that this was the right direction for our next phase of growth.”

“With the Martin Audio WPC system now spearheading its inventory, Stairway Productions is primed for the next generation of productions,” comments Martijn de Jong at Ampco Flashlight Sales. “The system offers the scalability and flexibility required for larger festivals and complex indoor events, ensuring the same uncompromising reliability that clients have come to expect.”

One of the first high-profile deployments for Stairway’s new WPC system was UIT Week Utrecht—the city’s massive introduction week for new students. Throughout the week-long event, Stairway Productions provided full technical production across multiple locations, handling everything from live bands and background music to complex presentations and high-quality livestreams.

The festival’s closing day presented a significant challenge, with approximately 4,000 visitors and stringent urban noise regulations. The combination of advanced Wavefront Precision technology and meticulous preparation proved essential for the demanding environment. By utilising smart cardioid subwoofer configurations and continuous monitoring via the MeTrao measuring system, Stairway was able to deliver a high-impact audio experience while remaining strictly within permit requirements.

But for Smit, the success of Stairway Productions is built on more than just world-class equipment; it is about the people and the partnerships behind the scenes.

The collaboration with Ampco Flashlight Sales has been a cornerstone of this expansion. “The service and support we receive is exceptional,” concludes Smit. “It’s a relationship defined by short communication lines, proactive problem-solving, and support that goes far beyond the initial delivery of equipment.”

Photographer: Perry Graham

Thanks to

Distribution Partner: Ampco Flashlight Sales

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Martin Audio

PURPLE GROUP MAKES MAJOR INVESTMENT IN MARTIN AUDIO WPL AND WPC SYSTEMS

NLD – Purple Group, a premier production house in the Netherlands, has bolstered its inventory with a major investment in Martin Audio’s WPC and WPL Wavefront Precision line array systems, supplied by Ampco Flashlight Sales.

With over 30 years of expertise in lighting, sound, video, and rigging, Purple Group is no stranger to the Martin Audio family. Having previously fielded legacy systems – including W8LC, W8LM, and Longbow – the transition to a new generation of Wavefront Precision arrays was a natural evolution for the company.

The system’s daily operations at Purple Group are spearheaded by Guus Hoekstra and Robert de Loey. “I’ve enjoyed working with Martin Audio for years,” comments de Loey. “The brand has always proven to be reliable, delivering a sonic signature that immediately appeals to both artists and engineers.”

Working alongside Dutch distributor Ampco Flashlight Sales, Purple Group first identified the WPC system as a versatile solution for their rental needs. A 2 x 10”, medium-format, three-way bi-amped array, WPC delivers premium performance, consistency, and projection.

WPC AND WPL GIVES US THE FLEXIBILITY TO SERVE A WIDE VARIETY OF WPC AND WPL GIVES US THE FLEXIBILITY TO SERVE A WIDE VARIETY OF SHOWS, FROM FESTIVALS TO INDOOR EVENTS. SHOWS, FROM FESTIVALS TO INDOOR EVENTS.

Guus Hoekstra, Purple Group

The initial investment comprised 24 WPC elements paired with 24 SX218 dual-18” subwoofers, supplemented by TORUST1215 constant curvature loudspeakers serving as front fills – all driven by iKON multi-channel power amplifiers.

The WPC system wasted no time proving its capabilities in the field, delivering high-fidelity sound, uniform coverage, and substantial headroom – even in demanding large-scale outdoor environments.

Almost immediately after delivery, the rig was deployed at Zwarte Cross in Lichtenvoorde – the world’s largest motocross and music festival, attracting 220,000 visitors – as well as the Nirwana Tuinfeest rock festival.

High-profile acts such as Kensington and Triggerfinger performed through the new system, with the technical team reporting universal praise for its performance.

Following the resounding success and positive client feedback of the WPC deployments, Purple Group moved quickly to scale their capabilities. This led to a second significant investment, adding 24 WPL large-format 2 x 12” elements and 24 SXH218 high-output subwoofers to their arsenal.

“With this expansion, Purple Group now commands two powerful, flexible, and future-proof systems,” notes Martijn de Jong at Ampco Flashlight Sales.

Reflecting on the acquisitions, Purple Group’s Guus Hoekstra sums up the strategic value of the move: “The combination of Martin Audio’s WPC and WPL gives us the flexibility to serve a wide variety of shows, from festivals to indoor events. This makes it a valuable investment, both now and in the future.”

Photographer: Perry Graham

Thanks to

Distribution Partner: Ampco Flashlight Sales

Click here for original article.