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Allen & Heath

PEARL TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYS AWARD-WINNING FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AV UPGRADE

A 2021 SCN Install of the Year honoree, diverse video and audio requirements are covered with a range of Allen & Heath audio equipment.

Peoria, Illinois is home to the fast-growing First United Methodist Church (FUMC). The vibrant and forward-looking congregation turned to veteran technology and IT services company Pearl Technology in a recent system upgrade which spanned their video production studio, recording studio, podcast studio, and sanctuaries — centered around the Allen & Heath dLive Digital Mixing System and ME Personal Mixing System.

Honored as a 2021 SCN (Systems Contractor News) Install of the Year, the project kicked off as FUMC reached out to Pearl Technology to discuss updating their ability to record and live stream their services, enabling new ways to create online content to spread the message of the church via podcasts and other engaging media. FUMC’s two main worship spaces include a traditional worship space with a full audio system, cameras, streaming, and simple video presentation. A second worship center is a more contemporary space with all the same features and an increased emphasis on the praise band and video. The upgrade process spawned the idea of bringing the separate production and streaming systems into one shared space for a more advanced audio and video capability.

Jeremy Caldera, CTS-D, CTS-I, Pearl Technology’s Senior Vice President, Audiovisual Technology, notes, “The camera and presentations systems from both spaces were routed down to the newly constructed production and broadcast room. This was done via HD-SDI over fiber and video IP transport. The audio utilized an upgrade to both sanctuary mixers and one larger console in the production and broadcast space. For this element we conducted a demonstration with the technical team at the church and ultimately selected dLive Allen & Heath mixing systems.”

The two main sanctuary spaces utilize the dLive C3500 and feed signals via Dante to the production and broadcast room housing a dLive S7000. dLive is Allen & Heath’s flagship mixing system, powered by a 96kHz XCVI 160×64 FPGA core which provides 128 input channels with full processing and 64 mix outputs with full processing per system. The worship center and praise band, in conjunction with the C3500, tap into the Allen & Heath ME Personal Mixing System.

Caldera continues, “The new system design is so flexible. The adjacent recording and podcast studio also routes all video and audio into the production room and allows for real-time transport around the building with a live mix engineer for both video and audio. All of these systems create a worship experience for tens of thousands of people each week that are unable to attend services in person.”

Jeff Hawley, Allen & Heath USA Director of Marketing, adds, “Jeremy and the Pearl Technology team has put together an amazing system design which demonstrates the malleability of the dLive range and our personal monitoring solutions. As FUMC continues to grow and push the tech boundaries, it’ll be fun to see how they put the dLive and ME systems to great use. Thanks for choosing Allen & Heath and congrats on the win. Well-deserved!”

https://pearltechnology.com/

https://www.fumcpeoria.org/

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Allen & Heath

PRODUCT AT WORK: CHEESECAKE FACTORY

TAB Technical Services is one of the first to design with Allen & Heath’s new range of install audio matrix processors and purpose-built touchscreens

By Sound & Video Contractor, Cynthia Wisehart

Todd Bermann started TAB Technical services in 1978, specializing in restaurants with a client roster that grew to include hundreds of franchise-wide locations of California Pizza Kitchen, Islands Restaurants, and over 300 worldwide locations of The Cheesecake Factory. The Hollywood Bowl and Walt Disney Concert Hall are also among their bespoke clients for services including CCTV, MATV, and back-of-house systems.

For an upcoming Cheesecake Factory in North Beach, Miami, Bermann and his team designed in two brand new products from Allen & Heath—the AHM-32 and AHM-16 matrix audio processors. TAB has been a longtime user (and fan) of the now-discontinued A&H iDR8 matrix mixers and has widely deployed them for The Cheesecake Factory.

In adopting the just released AHM-32 and AHM-16 and eventually standardizing on them, the TAB team will benefit from the innovations of another popular A&H product—the flagship AHM-64. The AHM-64 debuted two years ago and has found wide adoption in worship, theater, corporate, retail, and education. The AHM-64 was designed to support industry requests for scalable I/O and remote control, rapid setup, and Dante integration. The 96kHz FPGA engine supports high quality audio and low latency. Ready-made remote-control options include an array of PoE remote controllers and the BYOD-friendly Custom Control app.

Now technical features of the AHM-64 have been scaled into these two smaller options, making the AHM series more accessible and, as it turns out, perfect for the new Cheesecake Factory. Two purpose-built touchscreens are new part of the install range as well. The CC-7 and CC-10 will allow TAB to simplify the system design and give the Cheesecake Factory everything they need and nothing they don’t.

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Allen & Heath

SCALABLE INSTALL RANGE GETS BIGGER – AND SMALLER – WITH TWO NEW AHM MATRIX PROCESSORS

Allen & Heath has announced two powerful new Audio Matrix Processors, AHM-32 and AHM-16, supported by the most comprehensive ecosystem of scalable I/O, control and Dante solutions.  

Harnessing technology from the AHM-64 Audio Matrix Processor, AHM-32 and AHM-16 open up the platform to the full spectrum of installed audio environments – from a single boardroom to a complete campus – with emphasis on simplicity of programming and control, plus expandable audio networking and I/O capabilities.

“We are thrilled to see AHM-64 at the heart of so many installations, from global media networks to theme parks” says Nic Beretta, Head of Product at Allen & Heath. “Many integrators we spoke to were eager to see the same approach and technology deployed in a smaller package to suit a wider customer base, and we have delivered on those requests with the AHM-32 and AHM-16.” 

The AHM-32 is built on a 32×32 processing matrix with 12 local analogue inputs and outputs, making it an ideal choice for multi-room installations in hospitality, corporate and education environments. The optional Acoustic Echo Cancellation (AEC) module is available for teleconferencing and videoconferencing applications.  

The AHM-16 features a 16×16 processing matrix with 8 local analogue inputs and outputs. Out of the box, the AHM-16 is particularly well suited to single room applications and smaller multi-room environments including bars, restaurants, shops and school halls. 

Both units benefit from a 96kHz I/O port for audio expansion and networking, enabling the use of a 64×64 Dante card for integration into Dante networks and connection to Allen & Heath’s range of Dante equipped expanders. Alternatively, a SLink card can be fitted for Plug-and-Play connection to Allen & Heath’s comprehensive Everything I/O ecosystem of remote expanders.  

A range of remote-control options are supported, including an array of PoE remote controllers and the BYOD-friendly Custom Control app, enabling tailored user interfaces for multiple user and device types.  

Both models feature a powerful suite of processing tools derived from the AHM-64, including Automatic Microphone Mixing (AMM), Ambient Noise Compensation (ANC), Priority Ducking, an 8-band parametric EQ on every input and zone, plus speaker processing options. 

https://www.allen-heath.com/ahm-series/

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Allen & Heath

ST. LOUIS MUNY SELECTS ALLEN & HEATH AHM-64

A pair of Allen & Heath AHM-64 audio matrixes power the iconic venue.

For over 100 years, The Muny has captured hearts and sparked imaginations through music and movement. The Muny, short for The Municipal Theatre Association of St. Louis, is an outdoor musical amphitheatre, located in Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri. The theater seats 11,000 people with approximately 1,500 free seats in the last nine rows that are available on a first come, first served basis. Each summer, Forest Park is filled with the sights and sounds of Broadway — now powered via a pair of Allen & Heath AHM-64 audio matrixes.

A pair of AHM-64 Audio Matrix Processors have replaced the venue’s older distribution system.

Sound Designer David Patridge specified AHM-64 as the audio hub for the venue, replacing The Muny’s older distribution system with the next-generation 96kHz 64×64 Audio Matrix Processors. “A lot of power built into 2RU and at a price point that blows away alternatives,” notes Patridge. Utilizing the 64×64 channel Dante option card allows AHM-64 to connect to amplifiers, microphones and other devices on a Dante network, including 3rd-party audio consoles within the existing system design. “The AHM provides seamless connectivity to Dante and fits into an audio over IP system well,” he adds.

Dante modules are fitted to enable interfacing with amplifiers, microphones and other Dante equipped devices on the network.

AHM-64 deploys next-generation FPGA technology and a 96kHz sample rate, bringing acclaimed Allen & Heath sound quality and sub-millisecond latency to installations of all types. The audio engine has the power to deliver far more processing than the usual open architecture platforms, including 8-band PEQ, gate, compressor and delay on all input channels, and 8-band PEQ / 30-band GEQ, compressor, ANC, source selector, limiter and delay on all zone outputs.

The Muny is an 11,000-seat outdoor amphitheater originally opened in 1917 

“The system design that David put into place at The Muny is a perfect example of what AHM is designed to offer,” says Allen & Heath USA Marketing Director Jeff Hawley. “More and more consultants and integrators and designers are seeking out options that put audio quality first as they upgrade and configure installs of this type. With the Allen & Heath XCVI engine from SQ, Avantis and dLive behind the AHM-64, there is no question as to just how great things can sound. AHM comes with a well-established touring and critical audio application pedigree.”

The AHM-64 is a 96kHz 64×64 Audio Matrix Processor supported by a comprehensive ecosystem of control and I/O options.

Intuitive AHM System Manager software and AHM-64’s flexible architecture allow rapid configuration, striking a balance between the simplicity and set latency of fixed architecture, and the flexibility normally reserved for open architecture platforms. “The AHM-64 user interface is extremely intuitive and clear,” says Patridge. “With AHM System Manager on a Mac or PC we can easily handle sound management, paging, audio distribution, and speaker processing roles as needed. It’s a great system that we’ve put at the heart of the audio design at The Muny.”

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Allen & Heath

MEANWHILE BREWING COMPANY SELECTS ALLEN & HEATH SQ

On nearly four acres of oak tree-shaded land just outside of downtown Austin, Texas, Meanwhile Brewing Co. has positioned itself as one of the city’s premiere music venues. While it’s not completely unusual for an Austin brewery to be situated on an expanse of land with food trucks, delicious coffee, a cedar playground for kids, a soccer field, and a large brewing facility and taproom on-site, the one-year-old hotspot also touts a versatile outdoor event space. The stage gave numerous Austin and Texas musicians paid performance opportunities and residencies throughout the past year, a year when live performance gigs were hard to come by. Meanwhile has invested in state-of-art technology like the Allen & Heath SQ-6 and 96kHz DX168 portable expanders to create a versatile and intentional event space, thus changing the game for what breweries can be.

Jamie Wellwarth, Meanwhile’s Production Manager, with the venue’s SQ-6

The 720 sqft, outdoor stage has an adaptable lighting and sound grid to meet the needs of any event, from DJ to singer songwriter to full on rock band. The venue’s capacity sits at right around 1,000 people, with technical design executed by Meanwhile’s Production Manager, Jamie Wellwarth. In addition to his role at Meanwhile, Wellwarth is a 15 year veteran at Nomad Sound and has held down key audio, tour, and production manager roles for artists like Janes Addiction, Social Distortion, and The Revivalists. When it came time to select a world-class console for Meanwhile, Wellwarth chose the Allen & Heath SQ-6.

The 720 sq.ft outdoor stage has hosted numerous performances throughout 2021

“SQ has been a real game-changer for venues like Meanwhile,” notes Wellwarth. “There aren’t many consoles out there that strike the right balance of power and customization with workflow yet remain easy enough to operate for engineers of all levels. Once you throw in the solid build quality, great preamps, and the support of all the folks at Allen & Heath, there isn’t really the need to look anywhere else. The SQ fires out LR to a Neve MBP master buss processor and then to Nexo GEO S12 and RS18 mains. It also has a pile of flexible stereo mixes with both parametric and graphic EQ on every mix that we send to our QSC K12.2 monitors. What more could you ask for?”

Sporting a 3-tier, all metal chassis and an extruded aluminum light bar, the SQ-6 provides 48 channels and 36 busses of 96kHz audio for the venue. Utilizing the on-board SLink connection, audio can be routed as needed to and from a pair of DX168 portable expanders.

Meanwhile Brewing Co.’s headquarters near Austin, Texas.

“The work that Jamie and the Nomad crew put into Meanwhile Brewing Co. is really amazing,” says Allen & Heath USA Marketing Director Jeff Hawley. “SQ was designed to check all the boxes for these sorts of applications and it is cool to see more and more world-class venues like Meanwhile turning to SQ as they build out new spaces or aim to upgrade existing or even historic spaces. This particular project was extra special as the Meanwhile team shared the love with musicians, technical staff and music fans when times got tough — we are truly honored to be part of the mix.”

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Allen & Heath

ALLEN & HEATH ROCKS FURNACE FEST 2021

After an 18 year hiatus, Alabama’s famed heavy rock and metal Furnace Fest returned in a big way, proving good things come to those who wait. Held at the Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham, Alabama, admission for all 90 bands across three stages required vaccination card or proof of negative COVID test to be shown at the gates. Putting the decibel meter to the test this year were key acts such as August Burns Red, ERRA, Fit for a King, Mayday Parade, Motionless in White, and Underøath — all sporting an Allen & Heath console at FOH.

An Allen & Heath dLive C1500 duo at FOH for Alabama’s Furnace Fest 2021

A number of compact dLive C1500 surfaces and an SQ-5 were put to work over the course of the three day festival. Packed into the tiny 19” wide C1500 footprint are 12 faders over 6 layers, built-in audio I/O, an audio networking port, a 12″ capacitive touchscreen and the innovative Harmony UI for a fast and flexible workflow. Supporting a fully assignable layout, 72 fader strips, 19 assignable SoftKeys and daylight visibility, C1500 was right at home even in a large outdoor festival application — ready to tap into the 160X64 XCVI FPGA core power of the dLive Digital Mixing System. Also coming in at a diminutive 19” wide, an SQ-5 was selected by Mayday Parade at FOH for its 48 channel / 36 bus 96kHz rock solid performance.

“I’ve been touring with dLive since 2017 and it’s been awesome watching the platform grow and sport more and more new features in that time,” notes FOH engineer Chris Pollock (August Burns Red, ERRA). “Most recently with the V1.9 update, I’m already taking advantage of a lot of these new features. The RTA functionality is awesome for quickly pinpointing problem frequencies, and Source Expander has made a world of difference cleaning up my vocal mics.  Most impressive of all though is the Bus compressor. It’s so gooey and punchy, I’m really excited about the energy it brings to my mixes. I can’t wait to hear what A&H comes up with next!”

Powered by Allen & Heath’s revolutionary XCVI 96kHz FPGA engine, SQ-5 is right at home in commercial install, house of worship, club and even festival settings.

Allen & Heath recently announced dLive V1.9, the largest firmware release in the history of its flagship dLive mixing system. The free update incorporates feedback from audio engineers across the live sound, recording, streaming and installation markets. Additions include new RTA and sonogram tools, new DEEP expander and compressor models, a 12-band PEQ option for mixes, and Sennheiser wireless integration.

“It was great to see dLive bring brought in with the festival headliners,” adds Kevin Duthu, Business Unit Lead / Pro User Group, HWPco. “All of the engineers had great things say about the platform and specifically the 1.9 firmware. The ease of setup that the C1500 brings to a festival atmosphere allows a quick in and out of FOH without having to rearrange the entire tent—not to mention not having to bring an entire extra server of plugins, because they’re right in the desk! The best mixes of the day were without a doubt on Allen and Heath. It sounded like a blanket was taken off the PA when both SQ and dLive fired up.”

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American Music & Sound Makes Key Executive Changes 

Exertis | Jam, the leading Pro Audio, MI and CE distributor in the United States and Canada, today announced two key leadership appointments. Lynn Martin, the founder and long-time President of American Music & Sound will fill the new role of Director of Strategic Development for Exertis | Jam. Pat Sullivan has been tapped to fill the role of President of American Music & Sound. 

American Music & Sound, an Exertis | Jam business, has been led by Lynn Martin for almost 20 years. Given his stellar track record and keen eye for new products, companies and wider consumer trends, Martin will now fill a wider role as the Director of Strategic Development across Exertis | Jam. Replacing Martin as President, American Music & Sound is Patrick Sullivan, recent President of InMusic and past Vice President, Merchandizing at Guitar Center. 

Marty Szpiro, President, Exertis North America comments, “Lynn is an industry legend and a friend, he has done brilliant work developing and leading American Music and Sound (AM&S). Pat has had a stellar career and is highly respected across the Pro Audio and MI world. We welcome Pat and look forward to great things under his leadership.” 

Stuart Frenkel, President, Exertis | Jam states, “We are all delighted that Lynn will stay with the team and look forward to working with him in his new role. It’s great to have Pat on board bringing his exciting new view and ideas to our mission.” 

Despite sales exceeding $400 million annually, Exertis | Jam remains a customer-centric company at heart. Even as growth accelerated through acquisition and diversification, the company realized that each division – whether it be MI, CE, PA or lighting – had its own unique way of doing business. AM&S has demonstrated their high level of success from day one through superior supply chain management, excellent customer service for dealers and end users, superb sales management, world-class marketing and aggressive promotion. Today AM&S distributes and supports brands such as Allen & Heath, CAD, Focusrite, Fostex, Glorious, Hercules, Kurzweil, Nord, Novation, PLAYdifferently, Reloop, Studiologic and Xone. 

“What a great ride this has been with Jam and AM&S over the decades,” Martin notes. “I was there at the birth of the division, and have seen huge growth, all thanks to our great partnerships with fantastic brands. I am delighted to hand off the stewardship to Pat, we couldn’t have a better person in place for this transition. I look forward to playing an important role strategically in the future and will support Pat where I can.” 

Sullivan adds, “I am excited to join the growing Exertis | Jam team and build on the success that Lynn and the AM&S team have created. Their perspective on the opportunities within the industry match completely with my experience and vision for the future.”

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Allen & Heath

Allen & Heath Celebrates Multiple NAMM 2021 Believe in Music Week Wins

Cornwall, UK based audio mixer company presents nearly two dozen live sessions and continues winning streak

Allen & Heath stepped up and went big for the 2021 NAMM Believe in Music Week virtual trade event, hosting engaging interactive events, sponsoring key sessions and extending their award-winning streak. Taking place the week of January 18th, Believe in Music Week was a new online event and global gathering to unify and support people who bring music to the world. With the goal of providing a bit of something for everyone, Allen & Heath was highly visible throughout the week through their mix of product-focused demo sessions, ‘behind the scenes’ development stories, sponsored musical events and content premieres. 

Highlights within the calendar of twenty different live-streamed video events included sessions with veteran FOH and monitor engineer Michael Bangs (Aerosmith, Eric Clapton, Katy Perry, et al.) discussing how to successfully transition to broadcast mixing, a special Signal to Noise podcast episode with NAMM President & CEO Joe Lamond, ‘Dante in Worship’ case studies co-presented with Audinate, and Spanish language sessions showcasing the full Allen & Heath product range as well as a deep dive into its popular Avantis digital mixing console. Company representatives were also on hand during the show delivering tailored video chats and private product demos. 

“We were frankly blown away by the interest and the number of live viewers we saw throughout the week,” notes Allen & Heath USA marketing director Jeff Hawley. “Every session we hosted had many times the attendance we’d traditionally see for similar events held during in-person shows. Overall, we clocked well over ten thousand highly engaged live video views in our virtual booth alone — and many more beyond that when you count our sponsored events like Worship Musician Chapel TV with guest artist Lincoln Brewster. And of course this platform let us have fun with 1-on-1 video product demos to anyone who reached out for one, too. Totally cool.”

In addition to events for the general NAMM audience, Allen & Heath USA hosted their annual sales and marketing virtual awards ceremony which kicked off the 2021 theme, ‘REIMAGINE’. This year’s Rep of the Year distinction was bestowed upon Lawrenceville, Georgia-based HWPco. Outstanding Performance Awards went to firms which exceeded 2020 sales goals, including Brownestone, Excellence Marketing, Highway Marketing, HWPco, John B. Anthony Company (JBA), Mainline Marketing, Online Marketing, Richard Dean & Associates, and Samuel K. Macdonald (SKMac). Recipients of the Sales Bulldogs Award included Kevin Duthu (HWPco), Dennie Edwards (Highway Marketing), Joe Kokal (Excellence Marketing), Marco Marroquin (Mainline Marketing), Shawn McLoughlin (AudioBiz), Gilbert Perales (Brownestone), Zak Rickard (AudioGeer), Enrico Ruotolo (JBA), and Willy Seltzer (Image Marketing West). Enrico Ruotolo (JBA) was also honored with the 2020 Marketing Excellence Award. Sales Support Awards went to Sean Estrella (Richard Dean & Associates) and Julie Boatright (AudioBiz).

Allen & Heath was among the technical achievement winners at the 36th Annual NAMM TEC Awards, which celebrates the best in professional audio and sound production. The Avantis 96kHz 64 channel / 42 configurable bus console nabbed the top honors in Small Format Console Technology, netting a win for the third year in a row for Allen & Heath in the highly competitive category. Not to be left out, the company’s flagship dLive Digital Mixing System scored a big win in the SOS Awards as the ‘Best Live Sound Product’ of 2021, announced during Believe in Music Week and chosen by the readers of Sound on Sound magazine.

“We set out to look at the different format for NAMM Believe in Music Week as being an opportunity instead of a challenge,” adds Hawley. “This was a great chance for us to connect and share and support the industry we all love. We did our best to generate a lot of positive vibes and listen to our all-important sales partners, chat with the best fans on the planet, and get the Allen & Heath word out to more and more potential customers. Based on the numbers and the feedback I’m hearing, I think we can call Believe in Music Week a success!”

Allen & Heath was a proud sponsor of the Worship Musician Chapel TV livestream, featuring Lincoln Brewster.

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Allen & Heath

Allen & Heath’s Best of NAMM 2020

Leading manufacturer of mixing systems leaves Anaheim on continued winning streak; sets the stage for new product introductions

It was big, brash, and frequently overwhelming, and the only thing really missing amid the din of an incalculable number of floor demos was silence. When it was over all that you could feel was brain paralysis and your swollen feet, but there was one certainty: NAMM 2020 was a winning show to remember for Allen & Heath.


Visitors to the Allen & Heath booth may have noticed a number of awards on display. Topping the NAMM 2020 award roundup, the company’s SQ Series scored a repeat victory at the TEC Awards for the second year running in the Small Format Console Technology category. An achievement seldom seen in an age when today’s hot products rapidly become yesterday’s old news, this SQ Series win was aided in no small part by its V1.3 monitor-focused firmware update.

Beyond the TEC Awards, SQ’s winning ways continued at the show with the announcement of encore ProSoundWeb and Live Sound International Readers’ Choice Awards in the Console and Mixers category for the SQ-7 (Small Format Digital) and the SQ-5 (Digital Rack Mount Mixer), duplicating category wins for SQ initially picked up in 2019. Not to be left out of the repeat winning streak, MMR Magazine delivered a second coveted ‘Product of the Year’ award to the Allen & Heath booth to join its 2019 trophy.

Over at the AES Academy, crowds stormed the Allen & Heath training sessions. Allen & Heath USA live sound/touring manager Michael Bangs’ scheduled sessions were SRO, as was Billie Eilish FOH engineer Drew Thornton’s “Modern Front of House Mixing” session, which proved to be the most popular Live Sound Academy event of the show. Across the way in the arena, the second annual Loudspeaker Showcase at NAMM was managed from behind a dLive C1500, attracting a record crowd of its own as well as a most-ever number of 14 manufacturer participants.

Billie Eilish FOH Engineer Drew Thornton riffs during his standing room only “Modern Front of House Mixing” AES Live Sound Academy session.


NAMM was also the site of Allen & Heath’s annual Sales & Marketing Kickoff  Meeting, where Highway Marketing was named Rep of the Year, the Marketing Excellence Award went to Jaylon Shane of Pro Tech, a Sales Support Award went to both Rob Baker (Mainline Marketing) and Sheila Rose (Highway Marketing), and Bulldog Awards went to Brian Christ (AudioBiz), Shawn McLoughlin (AudioBiz), Wes Pitzer (Highway Marketing), Rich Nichols (John B. Anthony Co.), Kevin Duthu (HWPco), Jaylon Shane (Pro Tech), Zak Rickard (Audio Geer), Kyle Matthews (Audio Geer), and Gilbert Perales (Brownestone). Taking home Allen & Heath’s Outstanding Performance Award were Pro Tech, SK Macdonald, Online Marketing, Excellence Marketing, Highway Marketing, Richard Dean Associates, and HWPco. The gathering additionally featured presentations made by Allen & Heath USA senior staff members and guest presenter Chris Foreman, who analyzed macro trends within the US house of worship market.

On the new product front, Allen & Heath delivered a bolt from the blue by offering attendees an unannounced sneak peek at its new dLive CTi1500, the world’s first titanium mixer. Outfitted with 12 faders over six layers, built-in audio I/O, powerful audio networking, a 12-inch capacitive touchscreen, and a Harmony UI to quicken workflow, the new console weighs-in at well under 50 lbs. with its flight case, making it 14 lbs. lighter than a standard C1500, and perfect for fly dates.
“A heartfelt thanks needs to go out to all our fans and friends who provided their support throughout 2019 and during the show,” Allen & Heath USA Marketing Manager Jeff Hawley said shortly after the NAMM crowd had exited the building on the final day. “We wouldn’t have even made it here if it hadn’t been for our outstanding reps, dealers, and engineers out there who rely upon us for mixing everything from corporate gigs and weekend church services to sold-out world tours. We’re excited to hit 2020 and step it up another notch or two.”

The Allen & Heath booth was packed throughout the show with engineers putting an array of networked mixing consoles through their paces. 

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Allen & Heath

Allen & Heath Announces Plans for Expanded Winter NAMM 2020 Presence

Allen & Heath is diving into 2020 with a showing of its growing product line-up in booth #18219 that includes SQ, dLive, and the new Avantis. The company’s extensive array of I/O hardware will also be featured, including dedicated solutions for Dante integration.

A number of AES Academy live sound classes will be offered by the manufacturer at this year’s show as well, with veteran FOH and monitor engineer Michael Bangs (Aerosmith, Eric Clapton, Katy Perry, et al.) hosting hands-on Masterclass training offering insight into mixing techniques for festival, house of worship, broadcast, and other live applications. A special ‘Modern Front of House Mixing’ Masterclass will be presented by Parnelli Front of House Engineer of the Year Nominee Drew Thornton, FOH engineer for six-time Grammy Award nominated pop phenom Billie Eilish. Daily dLive certification courses round out Allen & Heath’s extensive AES Academy training offerings, with those enrolled earning CTS International Renewal Unit (RU) credits.

Allen & Heath dLive, SQ and Avantis

For those anxious to hear an Allen & Heath system in action, a compact dLive Wings rig comprised of a C1500 control surface and DM48 MixRack has been selected as the console of choice for the NAMM Loudspeaker System Showcase, mixing loudspeakers from 14 different companies in the Anaheim Convention Center Arena. Participating companies will be featured in multiple demos per day, during show days on Thursday, January 16 through Saturday, January 18.

Allen & Heath begins 2020 following a successful year of awards and new product introductions last year. Custom Control—a cross-platform control app for dLive mixing systems—added to the company’s laurels with a New Product Award at WFX in September, while Avantis took home its first award win October at AES with a Best of Show nod. Parnell Awards voting opened in November with dLive named as an Indispensable Audio Technology nominee. The SQ Series received news in December of its selection as Product of the Year for the second year running among MMR’s 27th annual Dealers’ Choice Awards. TEC Award nominations for 2020 were announced last month as well, with the SQ getting a repeat nod in the Small Format Console category, and dLive named as a competitor in the Large Format Console group. Not to be left out, the new DT168 Dante Expander also received a Music & Sound Awards nomination for Console Hardware of the Year before 2019 ended.

Looking back on all the company has accomplished in the last 12 months, Allen & Heath USA Marketing Manager Jeff Hawley is ready to call it a wrap and prepare to ring in 2020 with appropriate aplomb. “We’ve had a great time celebrating our 50th anniversary throughout 2019,” Hawley remarked recently. “It’s been a notable year for us on many fronts. Here’s to everyone in our industry for a sensational run going forward. We’re looking forward to seeing you all in Anaheim!”