Archive for December 6th, 2011

NEW YORK, NY- The grand Thanksgiving Day Parade in Manhattan requires a massive effort to capture the excitement of this traditional procession for millions of television viewers nationwide. Production crews for the event used three Studio Technologies Model 46 Dual 2-Wire to 4-Wire Interface units to streamline intercom setup and operations to help deliver the action. From the giant floats, bands and performers, to Santa passing by the procession stand, the Model 46 units performed flawlessly, helping to herald in the holiday season.

“The advantages of the Studio Technologies Model 46 are two-fold,” says Peter Erskine, freelance audio technician specializing in wireless systems for the parade that included the wireless comms. “First, it provides power to the intercom belt packs worn by the camera operators and support crew. This eliminates having to haul and set up many additional power supplies, and the need to run supply wires to each belt pack, thereby streamlining the entire operation. With live events like the parade, everything needs to work flawlessly, so the faster the crew can set up, the more time is available to test the integrity of the intercom system. Second, it provides a very good, micro-processor-controlled, hybrid automatic null capability, where you push a button and it’s done. The Model 46 delivers reliable performance and clean, clear sound.”

The parade’s main production trucks were located on the west side of Broadway between 34th and 35th streets. The grand procession stand was located around the corner from the trucks on the north side of 34th Street. Fiber optic cables that carried HD video, audio and communications signals were run from the production trucks, down into the subway under 34th Street and back up to a tower on the south side of 34th Street. From there the cables were run overhead on special poles to the production platform across from the procession stand – a run of hundreds of feet. The platform was raised to accommodate normal foot traffic.

Intercom audio was sent over the fiber system to the production platform where the original, digitized four-wire signal was converted to analog. “For each channel of intercom signal sent from the truck, we would get a four-wire send and receive line of audio that was plugged into the Model 46 to convert it back into the two-wire audio format necessary to feed the belt packs,” Erskine explains. “The hardware belt packs were then distributed along the street for all the different departments to use, including cameras, staging and teleprompters. The Studio Technologies Model 46 made the parade much easier to accomplish, while delivering the audio quality necessary for high-level, critical communications. I have worked with many production companies over the years and frequently use different Studio Technologies units. The Model 46 units delivered an outstanding performance.”

About Studio Technologies, Inc.
Studio Technologies, Inc. provides tailored, high-performance video, audio and fiber optic products for the professional audio and broadcast markets. The company was founded in 1978 with a commitment to design and manufacture dependable, individualized solutions for broadcast studio, stadium and corporate environments. Known for “designing for the way professionals work,” the company is recognized as an industry leader that has never wavered from its individualized design pledge. Product categories include fiber-optic transport, broadcast support, mobile broadcast, intercom and IFB, announcer consoles, loudspeaker monitor control systems, distribution amplifiers, cable testers and sound pressure level monitor systems. For more information, please visit the Studio Technologies Web site at www.studio-tech.com or call 1.847.676.9177.

Former President Ken Swanton Named CEO, Rob Flory Becomes Board Chairman, Ron Gruner Added as Board Member

Billerica, Massachusetts – Following several new innovations that enhance its leadership product line of integrated video production systems, Broadcast Pix™ today announced a series of personnel changes to strengthen the management of the company. Broadcast Pix President Ken Swanton has been promoted to CEO, financier Robert H. Flory, Jr. is now Chairman of the Board of Directors, and entrepreneur Ron Gruner is now a member of the Board of Directors.

Broadcast Pix recently introduced and began shipping: Mica systems – powerful integrated HD production system from $16,900; Granite 6000 systems – the largest integrated production systems; and VOX – innovative voice-automated production systems. These products are now being used by leading customers in broadcast, internet, radio and projection applications.

“Rob Flory and Ron Gruner bring tremendous expertise in managing rapidly growing businesses,” said Swanton. “Broadcast Pix has grown every year, and now with our new HD product family that’s used by leading customers worldwide, Rob and Ron will help raise Broadcast Pix to the next level.”

Swanton’s career in the video and computer industries has helped him combine the two in today’s Broadcast Pix live production systems. He has led Broadcast Pix since co-founding it in 2002, and previously served as president of Echolab for five years. For the sixteen years before that he was at Digital Equipment Corporation, which was the world’s second largest computer company, where he served as vice president.

Flory has been president of Flory Investments, Inc., a privately owned investment company, since 1995. Since 2004, he has also been chairman of portfolio company, Chemogen, Inc., which created a patented antigen-specific test for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in HIV patients. In addition to playing an active role at Chemogen and now Broadcast Pix, he also oversees some of the sales and marketing activities of Eberle Winery, a portfolio company since 1996.

Gruner is chairman and co-founder of Sky Analytics. Previously he founded Shareholder.com (originally Direct Report Corporation) in 1991 and served as its president until 2006, when it was purchased by NASDAQ. Before that, he co-founded and was president of Alliant Computer Systems which became a public company. Gruner holds 24 patents from his extensive work in the computer industry.

About Broadcast Pix Broadcast Pix is the leader in integrated live video production systems. Its systems provide the best control surface for combining cameras, clips and graphics to create compelling live video. These surfaces enable total control of the built-in multi-format switcher, clip store, graphics system with a Harris or Chyron CG, and device controls. Its Fluent™ workflow enables files and data to be easily incorporated from other parts of the studio. Broadcast Pix systems are a fraction of the cost of a conventional control room to buy, staff and operate. System range from small systems controlled by a touch-screen or voice-automation to sophisticated 2 M/E control panels. Customers include leading broadcast, corporate, education, religious, government, webcast, entertainment and mobile studios in more than 90 countries. Learn more at www.broadcastpix.com.

Broadcast Pix and Fluent are trademarks of Broadcast Pix, Inc. Patented.

FLUID, New York has launched audio post studio “Mr. Bronx” and added David Wolfe as Lead Mixer/Engineer. Marc Schwartz, Managing Partner of the Fluid Companies noted, “It became appropriate to brand our mixing facility as its own entity, and with the addition of David, the timing was right.” This move adds Mr. Bronx to a family of companies that includes respected sonic collective Butter Music and Sound, and editorial studio FLUID Editorial.

Wolfe, with a strong background in high-end audio postproduction, is well equipped for his new position. His post experience includes years at renowned sound house audioEngine, and he boasts a music-industry resume that includes work at Webman Associates, and BMG.

According to Wolfe, “FLUID has the right approach when it comes to the future of postproduction. They have done a great job gathering talented, selfless individuals who collaborate phenomenally well together to produce great work.”

“David has all the characteristics of a great commercial mix engineer: he has solid ears, incredible audio problem-solving skills, and he is friendly, knowledgeable, motivated, and willing to ride the crazy tech-wave of broadcast and its many formats,” notes Fluid Partner and Butter CD Andrew Sherman.

Wolfe’s past work includes projects for Hellmans, Lands’ End, Kayak, Budwieser, and Calvin Klein. His film credits include The New Orleans Film Festival’s Best Short Comedy Sweetie and the forthcoming feature film Supporting Characters, starring Arielle Kebbel, Kevin Corrigan and Melonie Diaz.

Mr. Bronx is located within the Fluid Studios.

Visit Fluid

About Fluid
Fluid, comprised of a team of award-winning editors, provides editorial services complemented by a family of in-house creative partners: graphics and CG from Piranha; VFX, retouching, and finish from Ride; and audio post from Mr. Bronx, and original composition and sound design from Butter. All located in their Soho loft studios, this wealth of creative and technical resources allows for a uniquely collaborative environment.

More info: TRUST 646 452 3388 (NY) 310 451 5153 (LA) trustcollective.com

High Resolution Systems LLC has begun selling its popular UDC (Universal Device Controller) software online using a new modular pricing structure that enables customers to pay only for the features they truly need.

“With this a la carte shopping experience built right into our website, customers will have the ability to pick and pay for just the features they want. The pricing model gives us the ability to better serve our customers and provides a very cost-effective entry to the control systems market,” says sales engineer Drew Taylor.

“We’re also making upgrades easier to obtain by integrating our online shopping cart into our software so customers can add more features right from the UCD software or buy online through our new purchasing terminal,” he reports.

The base cost of UDC software, which offers powerful functionality in the core product, is $995. Features included at this price point include the ability to configure up to 30 devices, choose from system command sets, build custom command sets to control any device, add as many virtual UDC 400 controllers as desired, and take control of an AV system via a simply configured GUI. Also available in the base cost are matrix router functions to control multiple routers with a common XY panel; the ability to create macros for device control; and the use of TCP, UDP, RS232 serial, Contact Closure, IR and other protocols for device control.

Numerous add-ons and upgrade features are also available for $995 each. They include web-enabled device control; listen & learn capabilities; scheduling for automated control solutions; protocol translation for ArtNet, Sony -9pin and more; the ability to build custom control interfaces; a security package; and the ability to turn a PC into a controlled device.

In addition to the UDC Software category on the High Resolution website, there are product categories for the UDC 400, UDC 210 and UDC Touch Controllers, all of which require UDC software; and all other Touch Controllers, which run standalone on embedded systems and do not require UDC software but work with UDC software to display controllers via the web server feature.

An Accessories category has also been included and will feature third-party products that act as accessory items to UDC software as they become available.

About High Resolution Systems
High Resolution Systems, a member of the Society of Broadcast Engineers is a company with a strong systems engineering and applications background. Its founders have decades of experience in the audio visual rental and staging industry, broadcast applications, A/V installations and system design. This combined experience allows them to provide the highest possible quality solutions to its customers in the most efficient manner. For more information, visit www.hrscontrol.com.

Superlounge Director Jeannette Godoy brings Zest’s iconic jingle back into our showers with a modern twist. Full of singing and smiles, the spot revitalizes the brand’s famous slogan by catching people lathering up in the shower while singing the catchy, iconic jingle.

To view the spot, please visit: http://bit.ly/SuperloungeZest

Jeannette Godoy coaxes energetic performances filled with effervescent smiles that give an invigorating and squeaky-clean feeling that has all of America singing, “You’re not fully clean unless you are Zestfully clean!”

“I had a great experience working with Jeannette as we teamed up to reintroduce the Zest brand and its unmistakable jingle,” explains Michael Asphar, Group Creative Director at C O L A N G E L O. “Jeannette was refreshing. Her personality, passion and energy as well as her unique vision/eye sense of choreography made her an ideal collaborator for this project. What could have been a challenging production given schedule and budget was made effortless and fun.”

Other recent projects for Jeannette Godoy include a poignant PSA, “Find-A-Cure,” for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Los Angeles and a truly gorgeous spot for Bridgestone Tires entitled “A Boy and His Tire,” which marked Jeannette’s directorial debut. Recently short-listed for “Shots” “New Director of the Year” Award, Jeannette was also selected to “Shoot” Magazine’s “New Director Showcase” for 2011, short-listed for the “Young Director Award” at Cannes, and was profiled as an up-and-coming Director in “Shots.”

Credits:
Client: Zest
Agency: Colangelo SM
Executive Producer: Ilene Richardson
Executive Creative Director: Lee St. James
Group Creative Director: Michael Asphar
Associate Creative Director: Toby Trygg
Associate Creative Director: Stephen Tredennick
Group Account Director: Dan Liu

Production Company: Superlounge
Director: Jeannette Godoy
Executive Producer: Dave Farrell
Producer: Joel Todaro
DP: Toshiaki Ozawa
1st AD: Ken Stapleton
Production Designer: Walter Pluff
Casting: Beth Melsky Casting

Post: Fluid
EP: Laura Relovsky
Editor: Zeke

Color: Nice Shoes
Colorist: Ron Sudul

Music/Audio: Duotone
CD: Pete Nashel
CD: Jack Livesey

About Superlounge:
Original, wry & sublime; Superlounge was launched by Director Jordan Brady and EP Dave Farrell in Fall 2010. In addition to Brady, Superlounge features the talents of award-winning comedy director Tom Schiller and AICP Show honoree David Neham; as well as the visual stylings of Jeannette Godoy, and newly signed Richie Keen. Recent projects for the Superlounge team include an online digital campaign for Xbox and MasterCard. The Superlounge team is in the midst of production on commercial campaigns for AIU, Toyota, and Trojan.

For more on the company, please visit: www.superlounge.tv and “Like” them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Superlounge.
Because they like to be liked….

Creative collection expands links with Filmworkers and Vitamin as a “Trilogy of Talent” focused on cross-platform services for broadcast, interactive and print.
CHICAGO— Giannini Creative, one of the advertising industry’s leading providers of creative retouching, CGI/3D art and pre-media services, has opened a production studio in Dallas.

In Dallas, Giannini Creative will operate from the same facility as its creative partners, the broadcast post production facility Filmworkers, and the design and animation studio Vitamin. The three companies are aiming to replicate the success they have enjoyed in Chicago where they have pooled resources to provide advertising agencies with packaged creative services for broadcast, interactive and print media. The companies have coined a name for their combined service offering: Trilogy of Talent. more

(LOS ANGELES/LONDON/LINKÖPING) Image Systems has announced today that CBS News, the news and information arm of CBS Corporation, has purchased a second Nucoda HD for their New York facility. The new grading and mastering system is in addition to the Nucoda HD that CBS News bought in 2008. Both systems are a key part of the CBS Broadcast Center where “60 Minutes,” “CBS News Sunday Morning,” “48 Hours Mystery,” and specials are created. Precision panels have also been installed on both Nucoda HD systems.

For the past three years, the original Nucoda HD system acquired by CBS News has been utilized on “CBS News Sunday Morning,” the 32-year old newsmagazine hosted by Charles Osgood. First purchased for “60 Minutes,” that installation laid the groundwork for the system and its integration with the news division’s Avid editorial pipeline. Nucoda’s integration with an end-to-end, file-based, Avid-centric workflow was an important feature for this broadcast environment.

Colorist Neal Kassner, a 30-year veteran of CBS News, has been working on the Nucoda HD for the past two years. With the migration of primetime’s single-topic “48 Hours Mystery” to HD, an additional Nucoda HD was required for the series and the special-events programming such as “9/11: 10 Years Later.”

Kassner’s job, whether on a news magazine or investigative piece, is to maintain a sense of reality, creating a look that’s natural for both shows. “This is news; we’re cognizant of not misleading the public. I’m aiming for consistency with footage that may have been shot days or weeks apart,” he explains. “Whether it’s main character interviews, B roll, or archival footage, I need to keep each element looking the same so nothing jumps off the screen because it feels out of place. I am able to accomplish that easily with the Nucoda HD.”

Kassner recently completed “9/11: 10 Years Later,” a two-hour special from the “48 Hours Mystery” production group. Much of the program recapped the 2002 documentary by the French filmmaking brothers Jules and Gedeon Naudet, who were following a New York City firefighter on a typical day when he rushed to respond to the crisis at the World Trade Center. Their documentary contains what is believed to be the only video footage shot inside Ground Zero. The rest of the new program brought viewers up to date with the same characters a decade later.

“One of my first jobs on the Nucoda color grading system was with the Naudets in 2007 for their documentary, ‘In God’s Name,’” Kassner recalls. He reteamed with the brothers for the color grading of the re-edited version of their 2002 documentary, which comprises the bulk of “9/11: 10 Years Later.” “I had to get close to matching what had been done with the previous color correction system,” he says. “In the original documentary each brother’s camera had a separate signature look. Nucoda HD gave me the ability to control the image in ways I couldn’t have done 10 years ago.” He also color corrected HD footage that was captured this year.

Martin Bennett, MD of Media for Image Systems, comments, “We are delighted to extend our long-standing collaboration with the CBS News team. This additional Nucoda HD installation is a testament to the power and versatility of the Nucoda toolset in response to the extreme imagery and scheduling demands in the broadcast environment. ’60 Minutes’ is a preeminent investigative television program in the United States that has garnered numerous awards over the years. We are proud to be part of its creation.”

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About Image Systems
Image Systems Media Unit, formerly Digital Vision, is a division of Image Systems AB, which specializes in high-resolution image processing, film scanning and motion analysis solutions. Headquartered in Linköping, Sweden, Image Systems has offices in Hägersten, London and Los Angeles. The company has three business units: Media, Defense and Motion, managed via a global network of qualified distributors. Its Nucoda and Phoenix image grading and restoration software solutions and Golden Eye range of scanners provide innovative tools to create and master media in HD, 2K/4K and stereoscopic 3D. The TEMA software platform provides a range of user friendly, high-speed motion analysis solutions for the automotive industry and other industrial test and design applications. The TrackEye system provides image analysis solutions for the military reconnaissance and testing markets. For additional information, visit www.imagesystems.tv.

For information Contact:
Image Systems USA Marketing Contact:
Alexa Maza
Email: alexa.maza@imagesystems.se
Tel: +1 (818) 769-8111

Image Systems USA PR Contact:
Christine Purse
Ignite
Email: chris@ignite.bz
Tel: +1 818 303 8088
Mobile: +1 323 806 9696

Image Systems EMEA & Asia PR Contact:
Kate Ford
Jump PR
Tel: +44 (0) 1932 240001
Mobile: +44 (0)7740 948 065

Product Demonstration and Networking Gathering at Nashville’s Legendary Sound Stage Studios Showcases HARMAN Professional Division’s AKG Acoustics®, JBL® and Lexicon®

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (December 5, 2011) — The Recording Academy® Producers & Engineers Wing®, together with The Academy’s Nashville Chapter, partnered with HARMAN Professional Division’s audio brands AKG®, JBL® and Lexicon® to present an exclusive event titled “The Hang with HARMAN,” on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, at Nashville’s famed Sound Stage Studios. An eclectic gathering from Nashville’s professional audio community, ranging from top engineers and producers to studio personnel and music recording students, gathered for a cocktail reception featuring live recording demonstrations highlighting the latest microphone, signal processing and monitoring technologies from HARMAN Professional Division.

With three-time GRAMMY Award®-winning engineer /producer Chuck Ainlay (Mark Knopfler, Miranda Lambert, George Strait) behind the 9000 J Solid State Logic console in the George Augspurger-designed and recently renovated Front Stage, a musical group performed, consisting of Jim Long on acoustic guitar along with wife Cherrill and daughter Betsey on vocals, and attendees were able to experience various models of JBL studio monitors, AKG headphones and AKG microphones in action. Concurrently, in the control room of Back Stage, new Lexicon PCM Native Reverb software plug-ins were demonstrated throughout the evening.

“The Hang with HARMAN was a very successful event,” stated Maureen Droney, Sr. Executive Director of the P&E Wing. “Our members appreciate being able to audition, and get hands-on with, the latest audio equipment in a great acoustical environment like Sound Stage. Our partnership with HARMAN is consistently win/win. They share our goal to raise awareness of the value and importance of high quality audio and those who create it.”

Peter Chaikin, Senior Manager, Recording and Broadcast Marketing for JBL, commented, “We have been working with the P&E Wing for several years, and we always find these kinds of events extremely valuable. The Hang with HARMAN was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our products and exchange information with the uniquely qualified and talented Nashville P&E Wing members.

HOLLYWOOD – The Hollywood Edge has announced the release of Segue Surround 5.1 HD, a first-of-its-kind sound effects toolkit featuring more than 1,100 whooshes, stingers, impact effects, atmospherics and other transitional elements created in true 5.1 surround sound. The large collection is well suited for films, broadcast television, radio, commercials, trailers, interactive media, podcasts and other types of programming requiring special sound treatments. more

— Enhanced sequencer and synthesizer features add versatility and impact —

MELVILLE, NY, December 2, 2011 — Korg has released System Version 2 for the Monotribe Analogue Ribbon Station. This major update greatly augments the sequencer functions of Monotribe, in addition to other new features. The update is available as a free download from Korg.com. Light, compact, and portable, Monotribe is well-suited for on-the-go use. Equipped with a built-in speaker and powered by six AA batteries, it is completely self-contained. Monotribe can also be used with an additional amp, etc.

Highlights of Monotron Version 2 include:

Sequencer Functions:
• Synth part resolution has been doubled to 16 Steps
• Volume Automation has been added to the synth part
• The number of active sequencer steps can be specified for each part
• Drum Roll capability has been added
• Gate Time Hold function has been added

Synthesizer Parameters:
• Sample and Hold (S&H) function added to the LFO

Sync Modes:
• Connected sequences allow multiple Monotribe units to play in rotation
• Half Tempo function has been added

Short Cut Keys:
• Four convenient shortcuts for creating patterns quickly

Using classic analog components (VCO, VCF, EG, LFO), the Monotribe brings back the vintage sound of the analog synthesizer. In addition to the analog synthesizer voice, the Monotribe provides a three-part rhythm section (bass drum, snare, and hi-hat) powered by discrete analog circuitry. These sounds were key elements in a generation of analog beat making and are still in demand today. Monotribe incorporates the popular Electribe step-key interface, with a dedicated button for each of eight steps. This allows real-time, hands-on step editing of drum parts as well as any synth part sequence played on the ribbon keyboard.

As with drum parts, the synth part now provides timing information in between the steps in a sequence, allowing a pattern to achieve a total of 16 steps. Volume Automation allows the synth volume to be recorded during playback to create more detailed sequences. The Active Step function can specify which steps are played or jumped for each instrument when playing back the step sequencer. By specifying a different number of steps for each part, complex polyrhythms can be quickly created. In addition, a roll can now be added to any drum part. The speed of the roll can be controlled using the ribbon controller keyboard. For creating those slightly random stepped-filter effects so famously used in analog synthesizers, a new Sample & Hold waveform has been added to the LFO.

The Link Sequence feature is a completely new sync method for using multiple Monotribes. When sequence playback reaches the designated step, the first Monotribe automatically stops and the next Monotribe will start playing. By loop-connecting the SYNC jacks, the playback can keep cycling through multiple units – in true modular fashion.

The Gate Time Hold function allows the ribbon controller keyboard to play and record new pitch information while retaining the gate times recorded in the sequencer. Also new is the Half Tempo function, which cuts the tempo in half when synchronizing to an external input from the SYNC IN jack. In addition, there are now four shortcut keys that instantly initialize various types of sequence data or active step settings.