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JPRO recently presented an exclusive demo of the JBL VTX A8 to a select group of entertainment and commercial industry representatives in Christchurch.

The VTX A8 is a compact line array system available in installed and tour formats for small to medium sized venues. VTX A8 and its bigger brother VTX A12 have impressed this year during NZ’s Summer Festivals – being used extensively with touring artists and music festivals such as Toto, UB40, Slayer, KORA, Sound Splash and The Hollies.

The demo took place at the newly rebuilt Christchurch Town Hall in the exquisite James Hay Theatre.

“It’s fantastic that we are able to use venues such as the James Hay Theatre to allow audiences to get a first-hand impression of the JBL VTX A8,” comments JPRO’s Tour Sound Manager Tim Robertson. “This is a new sound from JBL and it is important for people to experience the transparent, smooth sound for themselves. I enjoyed watching everyone’s response when the system is run in full range – we had jaws dropping when we told our guests that we were not running the subs.”

After a full range demo, JBL’s new generation of subwoofers, VTX B18 were used in 90 degree sub-array configuration, while the VTX M Series touring wedges were demonstrated on stage. The cardioid subwoofer configuration cancels out sub-bass spill on the stage, allowing for a quieter stage for performances.

Due to a tight schedule the crew were able to provide a fast setup – with final system checks ready to go in less than 90 minutes. “This is thanks to the VTX A-series newly devised world-leading rigging system, travel carts and packaging system, which allows crews to be far more efficient for transport, set up and pack down,” says Tim Robertson, Tour Sound Manager at JPRO. “The ease of use and information flow between system calculation and deployment is effortless. We have received comments stating that the rigging and system configuration is the best available. A special mention to our crews who did a marvellous job getting everything together.”

Following the success of the demo at James Hay and in Auckland, by popular demand a JBL VTX workshop and A8 demo is being planned for Wellington later in the year.

Image: JBL VTX A8
Image: JBL VTX A8
JBL VTX B18 subwoofer
Image: JBL VTX B18 subwoofer

“The response at James Hay from the industry has truly been overwhelming and we would like to thank everyone for attending,” says Andrew Sorrill, Customer Support and Marketing at JPRO. “We would like to get as many industry professionals in New Zealand as possible to experience the system for themselves. If you have not recently heard the new JBL VTX A Series, I encourage you to get in front of a system – please contact us and we will arrange for you to hear one.”

JBL VTX A12 LINE ARRAY POWERS NZ’S FAMED OHAKUNE MARDI GRAS

After a break of two years, NZ’s highly anticipated Ohakune Mardi Gras returned with an exciting line-up of local and international artists. The one-day spectacular is one of New Zealand’s much-loved winter parties for the past 20 years.

Production company NZ Sound provided the audio for the event that featured Pendulum and Home Brew as some of the headline acts. The main PA system consisted of JBL Professional’s latest line array system, the VTX A12.

“It was my first time mixing on the VTX A12 system by JBL. As soon as we turned the system on, I was blown away. Detailed and crisp high end, beautiful mid-range and deep, defined lows,” says Pendulum’s FOH Engineer Owen Charles. “The system threw an extremely long way back and I was more than happy with the coverage.”

JBL VTX A12 Ohakune

The main PA system featured a total of 24 JBL VTX A12 line array elements, with a ground shaking 18 JBL VTX G28 subwoofers. 4 Vertec 4888 were used as front fills and a number of JBL VTX M22 and M20 tour wedges were used for stage monitoring.

“Definitely my PA of the Day,” quips Tim Robertson, Tour Sound Manager for JPRO the NZ distributor for JBL Professional. “We are proud to have supported an event such as Ohakune with JBL VTX A12. “The system continues to impress locally and our aim is to have it added to more technical riders in the NZ market.”

JBL VTX G28 subwoofer Ohakune

All loudspeakers were powered by Crown V-Racks, which included I-Tech 12000HD and I-Tech 4x3500HD amplifiers, while system management and control were handled with JBL HiQnet Performance Manager software.

Featuring BSS OMNIDRIVEHD processing with linear phase FIR filters and the acclaimed LevelMAX Limiter Suite, both models provide crystal-clear amplification with ample headroom. Network connectivity via HiQnet and Ethernet protocols provides a high degree of control and real-time diagnostics.

“Let’s just say the JBL VTX A12 and A-Series line array systems are now going straight on my rider.”

The Impact

Owen Charles who currently mixes for Yungblud & Pendulum, has previously mixed audio for international artists such as Macy Gray, D’angelo, MF DOOM and Jay Electronica, adds: “When I was mixing on the Waves LV1 console, the JBL VTX A12 translated perfectly – what the artist and I were hearing in the studio during pre-production came out better than we could have hoped for on the day. Let’s just say the JBL VTX A12 line array and A-Series line array systems are now going straight on my rider.”

Forge Production Services, an event production company based in Auckland, New Zealand has increased its Soundcraft mixer inventory by investing in the Soundcraft Vi3000 digital mixing console.

Event Production has always been Forge’s passion – delivering clean sound, crisp images and purposeful lighting. Their aim is to provide exceptional technical service for customers looking at making their event memorable.

After conducting numerous tests with various brands, the Vi3000 was chosen because of its straightforward, analogue-like design that allows instant responses for operators, superb audio quality as well as its road-proven reliability. Featuring four Vistonics II touchscreens, built-in Dante capability and iconic Lexicon effects, the Soundcraft Vi3000 is a top choice for live sound engineers around the world.

“Our services are built around a comprehensive array of the best and most reliable audio, lighting and video solutions,” said Marc Benedict, Owner at Forge Production Services. “We’ve been using Soundcraft Si Expression consoles for a while, and we decided to upgrade to large format digital consoles with a high channel count to better meet our clients’ needs. The Vi3000 is an extremely dependable console with extensive I/O, and it’s easy to clock-sync with external devices. It’s perfect for satisfying our customers’ expectations at high-profile gigs.”

“Soundcraft mixers have always delivered industry-proven reliability and Vi3000 is building a legacy in the New Zealand digital console market,” adds Tim Robertson, Tour Sound Manager at Soundcraft supplier JPRO. “The console is loaded with features like the automix function, while the Faderglow colour coding on the faders is proving popular and the touch screens make mixing so simple and easy to follow. Vi3000 – and now with the addition of the compact Vi1000 and Vi2000 consoles – Soundcraft now have a professional digital console sized for every occasion.”

JPRO is the official supplier of Soundcraft Vi Digital Consoles in NZ.

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