Our Shure Rep, Mike from Audio Geer, was nice enough to bring a new toy with him to our open house earlier this week, the new UR1M (info | shop). This is the first time I’ve been able to see the micro bodypack from Shure since we saw the early design models on a secluded portion of a show floor a long time ago.

I must admit my first struggle with the bodypack was opening the battery compartment. There is a little switch like piece on the bottom of the pack which must be opened to gain access to the batteries and controls. I’m sure this was designed to keep talent out of the controls, but it seemed kind of a hassel to deal with. Maybe wtih time it will be easier for me to open the flap.

The unit seemed just like the pre produciton models we saw. Nicely built and an incredibly good use of space. It will take some getting used to for users to put AAA batteries in the unit instead of the AA batteries used in it’s big brother the UR1. Even more interesting is that they go in the same direction instead of alternating as in most other units. Removing the batteries was easy which is good since it can be a pane in some other units.

I didn’t have the opportunity to fire it up and listen to the sound coming through the airwaves. I’m sure that it sounds as good as we would expect from products in this range and is comperable to the other UHF-R products in audio dynamics and compression.

The controls were easy to use and the display was easy to read, a great must on all devices and something I was worried about with the smaller unit. It was weird pushing buttons on the bottom of the unit (once the battery compartment is open) as opposed to the buttons under the display on most other units (like the UR1). The buttons were firm and did not require special tools or toothpics.

I am a fan of the threaded TA4F input connector on the UHF-R series packs. I just wish that Shure would allow us to purchase elements with the threaded connectors already installed.

All in all, I’m looking forward to using the new micro bodypack even though I will probably not ever actually wear it or experience the benefits of it that a cast member would. I guess I’m just really happy that Shure has this addition to their line.

CBC is proud to announce that we have partnered up with Premier Mounts to bring our rental and sales customers with the best projector and LCD mounts in the industry.  Over the next few days we will be bringing these new products online for purchase at productionoutlet.com

Celebrating a 30-Year History of Excellence and Innovation

“As we proudly mark our 30th Anniversary, it seems fitting to reflect on a history of remarkable growth that has made Premier Mounts what it is today – one of the industry’s leading providers of quality mounts.

Premier Mounts’ parent company, Progressive Marketing Products Inc., opened its doors in 1977. Originally started as an audio-visual supply re/distributor, Progressive Marketing offered a diverse mix of products that provided President Len Dozier with an intricate and balanced knowledge of the entire industry. He also created a broad contact network of industry insiders that he maintains to this day.

In 1980, Len noticed a significant lack of durable, high-quality mounts and carts for projectors. By 1981, he began manufacturing projector ceiling and wall mounts as well as projector carts. These would eventually fall under the brand name of Premier Mounts.

Originally focused on LCD and CRT projectors, Premier Mounts was already well established in the industry when the plasma display market began to develop. Because mounting plasma displays was simply an extension of its engineering expertise, Premier Mounts developed one of the first after-market plasma mounts in the world. When LCD flat-panel monitors first appeared, again, Premier Mounts was there — measuring and fitting — its engineering gears constantly turning.

As the next new display technology begins to develop, Premier Mounts will certainly be developing the best mounts and adapters to complement it.”

CBC Technical, Incorporated has recently joined the Murrieta Chamber of Commerce and will be holding a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 10 a.m. The ceremony will be followed by an open house until approximately 1 p.m.

We hope you will come spend some time with us and be part of this ceremony. Please come, bring your friends and join us for a few minutes or hours as your schedule permits. Show up at the right time and you might even get a free lunch! RSVP’s are not required although they would certainly help us plan how much food to have catered.

All attendees will have the opportunity to enter to win prizes including microphones and the always coveted swag from leading industry manufacturers as well as CBC Technical! Do you have your CBC t-shirt yet?

RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY
Wednesday, August 27 10 a.m.
38372-C Innovation Ct Ste 308
Murrieta, California 92563
(951) 304-0640

Read more

Bosch recently named Quantum Sales & Technology the rep of the year. We are lucky enough to work closely with the guys from Quantum and are pleased that they were selected for this award. The effort they put into making sure we have the correct product and aren’t just pushing boxes at us has been much appreciated by our entire staff. The Quantum team has a lot of territory to cover and some interesting projects to ensure are getting the best setup possible. Quantum has pushed us to invest in education and is constantly bringing new solutions to the table.

To Buck and the team, thank you for all you do. Congratulations on your award!

NEW Duplicators Feature Rackmount Packages and New Media

Being a division of TEAC puts TASCAM on the cutting edge of media technology, which is how we can offer the most reliable CD and DVD duplicators. Continuing in this tradition, TASCAM is pleased to announce several new duplication products to consultants and integrators. The new DV-W11R and DV-W14R are rackmount duplicators based on the same high-speed, reliable TEAC optical drives as TASCAM’s current duplicators. The DV-W11R 1×1 duplicator is perfect for recording studios, houses of worship or anywhere else rackmounting is important. The DV-W14R includes a high-speed hard drive for saving disc images that can be written over and over. It has one master transport and four destination drives, and two can be chained together for 1×8 duplication. When the hard drive is used as a master source, the DV-W14R uses all fi ve drives for writing new discs. All of the machines feature 12x DVD drives for fast duplication. Two more new duplicators provide duplication for SD cards and USB Flash drives. The SSD/USB/11 duplicates USB Flash drives, making it ideal for giveaways, software distribution and other USB drive needs. The SSD/SD/11 copies SD Cards, making it essential for manufacturers, cell phone providers and retail chain displays. Each of the duplicators copies one source to as many as 11 destinations. As new media destinations develop, you can be sure that TEAC and TASCAM will continue to lead the way with essential new tools for cutting-edge applications.

For more information please call us at 877-4CBC-TECH or visit productionoutlet.com

We are excited to announce the UR1M Micro-Bodypack Transmitter. The UR1M’s small design, outstanding durability and robust RF performance make it the ideal solution when a comfortable, concealed wireless bodypack is desired. Great for use in broadcast, sporting events, theatre and touring productions.

The UR1M operates on the premium Shure UHF-R® wireless platform which includes Audio Reference Companding® for far superior wireless audio quality and Wireless Workbench® 5 for increased control.

Primary Features and Benefits:

• Compact size, lightweight design
  • Easily and comfortably concealed by actors, performers and speakers
• Operates on the premium Shure UHF-R wireless platform
  • Patented Audio Reference Companding delivers crystal-clear audio
  • Far superior to conventional wireless technology
• 60 MHz bandwidth*
  • Significantly more than any other bodypack on the market
  • Robust RF performance ensures flexible, easy setup and reliable operation
• Conformal coated circuit board
  • Extends sweat resistance of bodypack
  • Allows placement of bodypack next to skin on performers
  • Extends durability and lifespan of bodypack

* Except X1 frequency band

NOW SHIPPING

Order online at productionoutlet.com

Toft Audio Designs may be a new company to the professional audio industry, but the people behind it are seasoned veterans. Toft Audio Designs is dedicated to providing high quality, well engineered professional audio products at a very competitive price. Malcolm Toft, the designer behind the products has an excellent pedigree as a recording engineer with credits like the Beatles’ ‘Hey Jude’, David Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’, and James Taylor’s first album just to name a few. While an excellent engineer, Malcolm Toft’s ability as a designer of audio products is legendary. Malcolm Toft was the founder of Trident Audio Developments and the designer of the classic ‘A’ Range, Series 80, TSM, and Series 65 consoles. These consoles from the early 70’s are still making hits in today’s market. Malcolm’s design ability has always been present. His recent 980 console under the MTA banner was a huge success, and found in many professional recording studios all over the world.

CBC Techncial now has the entire Toft Audio Designs line availbe for sale online at productionoutlet.com

Elation Professional has added the top-of-the-line Antari HZ-500 professional DMX haze machine to its lineup of Antari atmosphere effects.  One of the most advanced and powerful hazers on the market today, the HZ-500 is designed to provide creative and dramatic atmospheric effects for concert tours, stage productions and large clubs, with a prolific haze output of 3,000 cubic feet/minute.  Yet, it is extremely quiet, easy to maintain and consumes relatively little haze liquid, while offering exceptional performance.

Despite its mighty output, the HZ-500 runs tremendously quietly, with a noise level of under 70dB at a 4-inch distance. The virtual silence of the HZ-500 enables it to be used in situations where low noise is desired, such as a stage production where microphones might otherwise pick up the sound of a motor running backstage.

An extremely efficient machine, the HZ-500 uses only one liter of haze liquid over 20 hours, despite its 3,000 cu. ft./minute output, making it a very economical hazer to operate.  What’s more, this low consumption rate means that the HZ-500’s 2.5-liter tank needs to be filled less frequently, a convenient feature for users –  allowing the show to go on for longer periods without interruptions for adding more haze liquid.

One of the reasons the HZ-500 has such a low liquid consumption rate is because it produces a high-quality haze that’s comprised of extremely small particles. This type of haze spreads over a wider area faster and farther, and because the smaller particles are lighter in weight, the haze stays higher in the air and lasts longer before dissipating.  The HZ-500 also produces a drier fog than that of many other hazers, preventing residual moisture that can lead to wet, slick surfaces, which are not only undesirable but can be a safety hazard, as well.

Another advantage of the HZ-500 is that it starts producing haze immediately after it is turned on, with no warm-up time required. This is because the HZ-500 uses an air compressor to produce haze, rather than the heater found in many other hazers, so it does not have to wait to reach a certain temperature for the effects to kick in.

A common problem with hazers and foggers is clogging of the intake valve.  Antari has addressed this issue by including a metal net and filter in the HZ-500’s intake valve to prevent particles from entering and damaging the machine – a feature that dramatically reduces service problems.  The net and filter are easily detached from the hazer for cleaning, requiring only a quick rinse in plain water – no soap or detergents are necessary – to be good as new.

“The Antari HZ-500 raises the bar for professional hazers with many new, outstanding features and innovations,” said Eric Loader, director of sales for Elation Professional, which is the exclusive North American distributor for Antari atmospheric machines. “Not only is it a very high output unit, it also offers unsurpassed performance, producing smaller and drier haze particles that last longer and are of higher quality.  It’s also very quiet, economical to operate, and easy to maintain.  The Antari brand is known as the premium world-class fog machine, and the HZ-500 takes this distinction to an even higher standard.”

As befitting a top-of-the-line hazer, the HZ-500 comes fully equipped and ready to go in its own flight case, which comes included with the machine.  The convenient, rugged case makes the hazer easy to carry and protects it against the rigors of travel

Compatible with any standard DMX_512 controller, the HZ-500 includes on on-board 5-pin DMX connector. This enables it to work in tandem with other effects and lighting fixtures to produce an easily coordinated visual show.

The HZ-500 features an LCD timer panel controller.  The unit weighs 69.5 lbs. and measures 20”L x 14.75”W x 13.75”H.  It should be used only with Antari HZL-1 Haze Liquid. Sold by Elation as X-Haze Oil or X-Haze H2O water based haze fluid.

The MSRP of the Antari HZ-500 hazer is $2,499.95.

For more information, call CBC Technical, Inc. toll-free at 877-4-CBC-TECH or visit www.productionoutlet.com to purchase now.

This month Midas is hard at work putting the final touches on a new member of their digital console family.

We’re ready.  Are you?

For more info visit: http://www.digital-consoles.com

For 80 years, EV has been behind some of the most significant innovations in the history of sound reinforcement. We continue to push the sonic envelope into the 21st century, providing application-specific solutions for all your pro audio needs.  Now after 80 years, EV and CBC Technical are proud to bring you two great new product lines.

PL Series Microphones