Author: janice

Optimal Audio appoints Guangzhou Guidance as Chinese Distributor

Post author By janice
Post date July 27, 2021

Recently launched U.K. manufacturer Optimal Audio is pleased to announce the appointment of Guangzhou Guidance as distributor for China, including Hong Kong and Macau.

Optimal Audio, part of the Focusrite Group, manufactures a one-stop solution of control, amplification and loudspeakers for small to medium-sized commercial installations, with a focus on supporting multi-zoned venues. Its streamlined product-offering works seamlessly to deliver simple-to-install, high-quality sound systems that can be easily operated by anyone, not just engineers.

Newly established Guangzhou Guidance will distribute the brand in China. With team members who have vast experience in the Chinese audio industry, the Guangzhou-based company has quickly established a dealer network across the country and anticipates great success promoting Optimal Audio across the full commercial audio spectrum.

General Manager of Guangzhou Guidance, Xu (Rico) Ruixian comments:

“As the pandemic situation in China stabilises, the government is increasing its investment in education and conference infrastructure. With a complete product infrastructure of controllers, amplifiers and loudspeakers, we can see big potential in promoting Optimal Audio to these markets, as well as to the broader markets of hospitality and retail.”

David McKinney, Sales & Support, APAC, Optimal Audio adds:

“The expertise and experience of the Guangzhou Guidance team is of the highest order. They have a thorough understanding of the commercial audio sector in China and we’re confident that combining our fresh and innovative approach with their experience and excellent networks, will quickly establish a high profile for Optimal Audio in China. We look forward to working with them to deliver the best and most relevant solutions to dealers, integrators and end-users across this important market.”

Optimal Audio

Optimal Audio Appoints First Four APAC Distributors

Post author By janice
Post date July 27, 2021

Recently launched U.K. manufacturer Optimal Audio is pleased to announce the appointment of distributors in China, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.

Optimal Audio, part of the Focusrite Group, manufactures a one-stop solution of control, amplification and loudspeakers for small to medium sized commercial installations, with a focus on supporting multi-zoned venues. Its streamlined product-offering works seamlessly to deliver simple-to-install, high quality sound systems that can be easily operated by anyone, not just engineers.

Newly established Guangzhou Guidance will distribute the brand in China. With team members who have vast experience of the Chinese audio industry, the Guangzhou-based company has quickly established a dealer network across the country, and sees big potential in promoting Optimal Audio to the education and conference sector, as well as the broader markets of hospitality and retail.

In Thailand, Bangkok-based ProPlugin is an established and very well-structured company with a strong dealer channel network supported by a variety of retail and online stores. Its dynamic team sees Optimal Audio’s fresh approach to function and style as perfectly meeting the needs of its very broad base of customers.

ALVO Technology has been appointed as distributor for Singapore. Its experienced and dedicated team serves a wide dealer network and online platform, and is confident that the ease of installation of Optimal Audio’s turnkey, end-to-end solutions will prove very popular with integrators and end-users alike.

Completing the quartet is Duc Proaudio Technology of Ho Chi Minh City, who will handle distribution for Vietnam. The company has an impressive track record in the country’s audio installation sector and is in no doubt that Optimal Audio’s sleek and intuitive solutions will resonate strongly with its customers.

David McKinney, Sales & Support, APAC, Optimal Audio, comments:

“We are excited to announce partnerships with four strong and well-structured distributors. Each has an in-depth knowledge of the commercial audio market in their respective territories, and we’re confident that our fresh and innovative approach to the sector, combined with their experience and excellent networks, will quickly establish Optimal Audio as a leading brand in the APAC region. We look forward to working with them to deliver the best and most relevant commercial audio solutions to the widest possible range of dealers, integrators and end-users.”

Martin Audio

RITSUMEIKAN UNIVERSITY UPGRADES WITH CDD

Post author By janice
Post date July 21, 2021

Located in the north-west of Kyoto, which is known as the city of culture, Ritsumeikan University’s Kinugasa Campus recently installed a Martin Audio CDD system in two of its halls.

Ritsumeikan is a historical university founded in 1900 by Kojuro Nakagawa, originating from former prime minister Saionji Kinmochi’s private school. Surrounded by famous temples, its quiet atmosphere makes it perfectly suited for academic and research.

It was in the Igakukan (Institute of medical learning), located within Kinugasa Campus, that the upgrade took place in the two halls. The building itself contains various classrooms, common rooms and offices, as well as a cafeteria and a multipurpose hall.

CDD12 was adopted as the main speaker due to its wide coverage and clear sound which can be heard even directly in front of the stage. Several ADORN ACS-55T ceiling speakers were installed under the balcony on the second floor to cover the depth, adopting advanced FIR filter tuning.

The overall aim of this renovation was to expand the user base by providing a professional infrastructure, and Dante was selected for the main signal routing within a Symetrix DSP environment. Touch panel control which is provided at the side of the stage for users who are not familiar with sound system technology, facilitating easy adjustment of levels and playback of microphones and presentation materials. Even for larger events that require a more advanced approach, Dante signals are distributed to the control room, allowing professional operation via the mixer.

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Since Halls 101 and 102 are both connected via Dante, they can be combined, as well as share activity via video. For example, an event taking place in one venue can now be fully shared with another hall. Speakers using wireless mics can be heard equally in both halls, and communication with the hall during, say, a web conference is possible simply by connecting a USB.

Stated Mr. Kengo Kurashina of Ritsumeikan’s Office of Information Infrastructure, Information System Department: “Because of Covid-19, we still have to maintain social distance. However, I want our students to learn just as if they are present.

“I hope to have created those kind of conditions. Martin Audio’s speakers are as attractive as the sound is accurate and rich. I have used it previously in another campus and succeeded in achieving the quality of sound that is usually difficult to realise in the classroom.

“This hall is used for a wide range of student activities such as ceremonies, academic classes, theatre, dance performance shows and traditional performing arts. Therefore, I set a goal to be able to express not only speeches but also audio and music from the Web, with overall consistency.

“Also, since the audience needs to keep a distance, I wanted to expand the sweet spot as much as possible and so I made the decision to tune the speakers with FIR.”

Martin Audio

METINTERACTIVE INSTALLS NEARLY 750 MARTIN AUDIO SPEAKERS AT LIVE! CASINO

Post author By janice
Post date July 12, 2021

Nearly 750 Martin Audio components have been specified and fitted as part of a complete AV integration at the new $700m Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia.

The 510,000 sq. ft Cordish Companies development is set in the City’s Stadium District.The audio-visual design and implementation was managed by ECI (Entertainment Consulting International) as are all the entertainment complexes and sports arenas within the estate of their parent company.

Audio-visual requirements in the multi-zone space, incorporating a collection of sports bars and diverse restaurants, were specified by consultants, Las Vegas-based Coherent Design, with integration company, Metinteractive, providing the successful bid for the fit-out.

At the business end, the work was overseen by Dan Defendorf, Director of A/V & Corporate Music Programmer for 130 or so Cordish Companies properties—casinos, bar/restaurants, sports and entertainment venue complexes—spread across nine districts of the US. He planned the design in conjunction with the Ryan Dewey, Director of A/V at the Live! Casino & Hotel.

THE REASON WE HAVE USED SO MANY MARTIN AUDIO SPEAKERS ACROSS OUR BARS AND RESTAURANTS IS BECAUSE THEY ARE GREAT SOUNDING, OFFER GOOD DISPERSION AND HAVE AN IMPRESSIVE THROW. ALSO THEY ARE NOT TOO OBTRUSIVE, AND THEY HIT THE RIGHT PRICE POINT.
Dan Defendorf, ECI

Defendorf had already set up a relationship with Martin Audio, via Southeast Regional Sales Manager Brad Stephens. But the turning point came at InfoComm 2019 when he arrived at the manufacturer’s demo room, essentially looking for a reliable and discreet ceiling speaker at an attractive price point. Projects in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh were initially discussed with the company’s Northeast Regional Sales Manager, Martha Callaghan, and a loose template established.

Callaghan recalls that there was a myriad of featured areas that needed to be equipped with high quality audio and big screens in Philadelphia, since this is essentially a sports fanzone. It particularly applied to Sports & Social, a bar described as providing “the ultimate fan experience,” equipped with 65ft 4K media wall as well as 26 65″ HDTV’s, and on game days this is simulcast with the similarly high-octane R Bar. Hence top-quality audio, with high intelligibility, was also a prerequisite.

In fact both these spaces have been identically-specified, with 144 Martin Audio C8.1T ceiling speakers, underpinned with 60 x SX112 subwoofers, while CDD10 and CDD12 are set into the walls, acting as main speakers for DJ nights, and when something punchier is required. Further CDD10 can be found distributing voice announcements and background music from the central bar, while two other areas— Prime Rib, a contemporary fine dining steakhouse, and Luk Fu, specialising in sushi and Asian cuisine—feature the manufacturer’s CDD8.

Altogether, the vast space is populated with no fewer than 436 C8.1T (8”+1”) two-way vented ceiling speakers and 142 C6.8T (6.5”+0.8”), some run 70V line and some low impedance. These also route sound to a pair of private dining rooms, equipped with karaoke systems, as well as all the general and ancillary areas.

Dan Defendorf couldn’t be happier with his product selection. “The reason we have used so many Martin Audio speakers across our bars and restaurants is because they are great sounding, offer good dispersion and have an impressive throw. Also they are not too obtrusive, and they hit the right price point. The correct location of the speakers was vital when it came to the design.”

Admitting that the intervention of COVID had “slowed things down” in terms of the project development, he was relieved that once they arrived on site, the installation process had been so straightforward. “There were no issues whatsoever with the Martin Audio speakers, and so we didn’t really need technical support. With so many properties to look after it is the main reason for wanting to create a standardised template for upgrades going forward, based on trusted brands such as Martin Audio.”

Among them will be technical makeovers of properties within the nearby Xfinity Live! including the NBC Sports Arena.

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Optimal Audio

Commercial Audio. Done Differently.

Post author By janice
Post date April 20, 2021

At a special online event, Focusrite plc unveiled a new commercial audio brand, Optimal Audio.

Promising a fresh outlook, Focusrite Group CEO, Tim Carroll explained that Optimal Audio, which becomes the Group’s seventh brand, has been in development for three years, involving extensive R&D across product and software, in a bid to simplify the unnecessarily complex world of commercial audio:

“Optimal Audio provides a streamlined product offering working seamlessly together to deliver high quality sound that is easy to install and can be operated by anyone, not just engineers.

“Alongside its own dedicated staff, a number of colleagues from across the group – most notably within Martin Audio – have helped to bring Optimal Audio to fruition. In the long term, our ambition is that the brand will have its own distinct team.”

Dom Harter, now Managing Director for both Martin Audio and Optimal Audio, then gave an overview of the product eco-system and the focus of the brand:

“Optimal Audio offers a one-stop solution of control, amplification and loudspeakers for small to medium-sized commercial installations, with a focus on supporting multi-zone venues. At the forefront of the eco-system are four and eight-zone, powered and non-powered Zone controllers that have DSP at their heart. There is currently nothing else at this price point on the market which has the functionality and versatility to allow such a quick and simple setup. They have a flexible three-band EQ plus bandpass filtering on every output, alongside limiters and delay – features that are normally associated only with premium-priced offerings.”

Compatible with any device, Optimal Audio’s WebApp makes system set-up straightforward, allowing installers as much access as they require to configure EQs, devise presets and structure time-of-day routines. Once completed, venue staff can then be presented with a simple user interface which allows them to operate the system. Zone controllers can also be supplemented by elegant wall-mounted controllers called ZonePad, available in one-zone or four-zone formats, which ensure that operation by staff is simple, intuitive and within easy reach.

The next product category presented was amplifiers. Optimal Audio offers three SmartAmps with DSP, multichannel direct drive constant voltage, optimised presets and with half-rack and full-rack options available. SmartAmps provide a cost competitive fit for the commercial market to accompany the portfolio and maximise the performance of its loudspeakers.

Finally, Optimal Audio revealed its collection of loudspeakers. These comprise a range of five ceiling speakers appropriately named Up, a series of four on-wall wooden speakers called Cuboid, and two powerful yet compact subwoofer solutions, simply known as Sub. Whilst again being cost-competitive, sound quality is a hallmark of the loudspeaker category, with Harter promising a “rich and detailed sound that will surpass expectations in this price category.”

Summing up, Harter said, “Optimal Audio maybe a young brand, but as part of the Focusrite Group it has an impressive pedigree. We have combined innovation and experience to simplify commercial audio, and by launching more than twenty products at the outset, Optimal Audio has created a high-quality, comprehensive, multi-zone, one-stop, commercial audio offering.”

Press Releases

Generation AV expands in Asia Pacific and launches new website

Post author By janice
Post date March 1, 2021

Generation AV is pleased to announce its expansion in the region with the appointment of 3 well known industry figures located in Singapore and India.

David McKinney, MD of Generation AV comments “We started Generation AV in mid-2019 and hit the ground running. We got business established quickly and had some great successes before the whirlwind of 2020. Despite the challenges we have seen business steadily grow over the last year in various parts of the region and decided now was the right time to expand the team to capture the opportunities in the market. Business is returning albeit at different stages in different countries. We want to be set up and ready.”

Kevin Kee has started as Regional Sales Director to manage the video brands at Generation AV, based in Singapore. Kevin has spent over 20 years working in the video market in Asia with companies like Prism Dynamics, Visual Contact and Lightware Visual Engineering Asia. McKinney comments “Kevin has all the experience and knowledge we were looking for to be able to increase the exposure of Digital Light Windows’ LED solutions, and iMAGsystems software driven AV over IP solutions across the region.”

Also based in Singapore, David Wong joins as Director of Sales and focuses on the audio side of the business across the region. David has worked closely with McKinney over the years, including during his time at Harman, and at Electro-Acoustics Systems. McKinney comments “It is great to welcome David to the Generation AV team. His experience and relationships with system integrators and consultants across the region is a great advantage for the brands we work with. Good progress has been made with LEA and Martin Audio, being seen in many of the latest project tenders, and with HH in the portable PA market. David will be able to build on this and take things to the next level.”

Generation AV also took the opportunity to expand its focus on the Indian market with Prashant Govindan joining the team as Regional Consultant for India. Prashant was the GM of Harman Pro India for several years and was responsible for their success. “Having Prashant on the Generation AV team is a big win. His market awareness, customer relationships, and experience in the India market will really help to provide a strong local base for Generation AV and ensure we have a voice on the ground to support the business. Prashant will be initially focused on expanding the installation market for Martin Audio, LEA Professional, iMAGsystems, and DLW LED, and building up the portable PA market for HH Electronics.” said McKinney.

“I believe with the expanded sales team of Kevin, David and Prashant, and with applications support from Tony Sawyer located in Manila, Generation AV is now setup to take the business to the next level. At the same time, the brands we work with have been expanding and enhancing their product and technology offerings, including the Connect Series Cloud enabled amplifiers from LEA and the new TORUS constant curvature line arrays from Martin Audio. With the new team and the new product offerings, 2021 is going to be an exciting year ahead.”

“Generation AV is happy to announce the launch of our new website. We are missing face-to-face customer engagement and so having an improved online presence is important to us.” said McKinney. The website highlights not only the latest products available, but also provides a great place to watch the latest webinars, get trained on the products, find out what is happening at the brands, or even just to check out news on the latest installations completed. With support for both YouTube and Youku, the content on the website is available to view in all countries in Asia and will serve as a great resource for distributors, installers, consultants, rental companies, and engineers alike.

About Generation AV

Generation AV was established in Singapore in 2019 and represents Martin Audio, LEA Professional, HH Electronics, iMAGsystems and DLW LED in Asia Pacific. Generation AV provides technical and sales support for distribution partners, dealers, and customers across the region.

www.GenerationAV.net

Martin Audio Press Releases

MARTIN AUDIO ANNOUNCES SPECIAL ‘VIRTUAL’ LAUNCH EVENT

Post author By janice
Post date January 18, 2021

Martin Audio has announced a Special Event to take place on February 16th, 2021, getting its 50th Anniversary year off to an energetic start. The virtual presentation will provide important updates, including the announcement of major new product and software releases.

Their rationale for a virtual event is that with much of the global tradeshow calendar still in doubt, there are very few opportunities in the near future for in-person collaboration to highlight significant additions to the international pro audio industry’s arsenal.

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Martin Audio Press Releases

MARTIN AUDIO CDD FOR ITALY’S FAMOUS NORTH-EAST COVO NIGHTCLUB

Post author By janice
Post date January 13, 2021

Martin Audio’s ever-popular CDD loudspeaker series, has found another high-profile home … this time on the Italian Riviera in Santa Margherita Ligure at the famous Il Covo Di Nord-Est nightclub.

The venue features both indoor and outdoor spaces: the main bar is located in the former, while the dance floor and sofas, arranged differently every night, can be found outside. The main DJ area hosts local artists as well as more well-known names in the music industry, and it is here that the ultra-compact 2-way CDD loudspeaker solution was specified.

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Martin Audio Press Releases

MARTIN AUDIO SET TO CELEBRATE HALF A CENTURY AS SOUND PIONEERS

Post author By janice
Post date January 6, 2021

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Martin Audio is intent on turning 2021 into a year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary.

The company—founded by Australian Dave Martin in London’s Covent Garden, back in 1971—has consistently flourished despite the twists and turns of the last five decades.

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Martin Audio Press Releases

MARTIN AUDIO ANNOUNCES ADDITIONS AND UPGRADED VOICING TO CDD INSTALLATION SERIES

Post author By janice
Post date December 8, 2020

Martin Audio has announced new additions and upgraded voicing for its best-selling CDD™ series—as well as improved production capacity—as part of a concerted effort to meet the growing needs of installation applications.

CDD was original launched in 2015, bringing engineering innovation to installed applications, combining distinctive curved enclosures with patent protected Coaxial Differential Dispersion™ technology. Delivering class-leading performance, fidelity and coverage consistency to venues that demand the ultimate in cutting-edge technology and style, CDD is also pitched at a highly-competitive price point. Martin Audio further extended the range in ensuing years with both weatherised and marine editions to cater for all outdoor environments including cruise ships.

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