Meyer Sound News : News Briefs North America 1997

News Briefs North America 1997

Although Meyer Sound has grown exponentially since its inception in 1979, those who supported the company in its early stages remain close-knit members of the Meyer family. San Rafael-based sound company Ultrasound have been an integral part of this family since their early incorporation of UM Ultra Monitors and MSL-3s into touring rigs for the legendary jam band, the Grateful Dead.
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Sound designer Jim Van Bergen toured this holiday season as the production sound engineer for the Donald Byrd/The Group dance production of "The Harlem Nutcracker," a piece using Duke Ellington's jazz arrangements of the Tchaikovsky classic. Van Bergen designed the system using a mixture of Self-Powered and non-Powered products supplied by Meyer dealer Pro Mix, of Mt. Vernon, New York. The touring rig, which ties into the available house cluster, consists of 12 UPA-1C loudspeakers supplemented by 2 650-P Self-Powered subwoofers.

"I chose the UPA's because they are hardy, roadworthy, and readily available from all the major rental houses," Van Bergen explained. "The 1As' subtle, warmer sound works really well with a "music-first" production perspective."

The dance production played in venues ranging in capacity from 1,500 to 7,500 seats. Inputs from the 24-piece jazz orchestra and 5-person gospel choir are fed to a Crest 52 VX console.

Nashville, Tennessee rental company Blackhawk Audio employed a variety of Self-Powered and non-powered products for an autumn packed with sound reinforcement projects for holiday television specials. Owner Rick Shimer reported the following details:

"Stone Country," a TNN (The Nashville Network) show featuring country artist's renditions of Rolling Stones hits, taped on October 20th at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville. Featured performers included country stars Travis Tritt, Danna Carter, Little Texas, and Sammy Kershaw.

"When you're doing audio for television, the main thing is to make sure the sound system doesn't feed back," explained Shimer. "Everything revolves around the fact that a few thousand people see the show taping for millions to watch on TV. Not only did this show not feed back, but the house sound was incredible. We even had the owner of the audio truck, who has a pair of HD-1 monitors in his truck, listening to the Front of House PA!"

The sound system consisted of 3 MSL-4 Self-Powered loudspeakers and 2 UPA loudspeakers per side, paired with one 650-P Self-Powered subwoofer apiece. 14 UM-1C monitors made up the monitor system. Brian Evans and Jay Wright handled the stage audio, while Shimer controlled the FOH system. The show aired on TNN on November 25.

The success of "Stone Country" led to several other video tapings, including morning talk-show host Kathy Lee Gifford's Christmas special for CBS. Guests Cece Winans, Michael W. Smith, and Kenny Rogers provided music for the show, which taped at Viking Hall in Brystol, Tenneessee. The sound system for the arena needed to accomodate a 30-piece orchestra, 12 wireless lavalier microphones, and a five-piece band onstage. Blackhawk Audio flew 8 MSL-4 Self-Powered loudspeakers paired with 3 650-P Self-Powered subwoofers per side. Additionally, 2 UPAs per side served as down fills while monitor cabinet duties were handled by UM-1C monitors.

"Again, we received rave reviews from the producers, audience, and even the guys in the audio truck," Shimer reported. "Our Meyer Self-Powered speakers at Front of House and the UMs on stage made us look great!"

Blackhawk Audio also provided Meyer sound reinforcement for a TNN Christmas Special featuring popular country group Sawyer Brown. The special aired in December.

December, 1997

FEATURED PRODUCTS

650-P

HD-1

MSL-4