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d&b's Eclectic Range of New Products
The M4 is a visually discreet, 2-way high performance stage monitor employing an integrated 15" /1.3" exit coaxial driver with a CD horn and passive crossover network. In its standard 50° x 70° dispersion configuration it provides an accurately defined coverage area on stage and when used upright it is transformed into a powerful PA system. The M4 can optionally be operated in 2-way active mode by changing the d&b D12 amplifier's configuration without any modifications to the loudspeaker. For its compact dimension and mere 20 kg (44 lb) it produces an incredible 138 or 140 dB SPL when driven in passive or active mode respectively.
The J-Series began with a commitment to significantly extend the application boundaries of d&b's loudspeakers beyond the distances covered by the Q-Series and to further augment this success. The high output of the J-Series is designed for large-scale sound reinforcement applications, providing incredibly quick and easily configurable array solutions that draw on the long established d&b holistic approach of integrating loudspeakers, flying hardware, amplification, remote control, configuration design tools and transport solutions. This Series consists of three loudspeakers: the 3-way J8 and J12 full range loudspeakers that produce a flat vertical wave front and a symmetrical horizontal constant directivity dispersion pattern of 80° and 120° respectively that is maintained down to 250 Hz. They use the same driver complement, vertical directivity, size, weight and rigging fittings, while the J8 with its high output capability covers a distance range of over 100 m (330 ft) and the J12 with its wider horizontal coverage is useful for short and medium throw applications, up to 40 m (130 ft). The J-SUB cardioid subwoofer completes the Series and has a bass-reflex design using three 18" high excursion drivers, one of which radiates to the rear to produce cardioid or hypercardioid subwoofer performance. All these loudspeakers are acoustically matched and constructed to be mechanically compatible both in flown or ground-stacked arrays. The J8, J12 and J-SUB produce maximum sound pressure levels at one meter of 145 dB, 143 dB and 138 dB respectively. All the components required to suspend the loudspeakers within the bespoke three-point BGV C1 compliant J-Series flying system are integrated into the cabinets to ensure speedy deployment. The d&b ArrayCalc program uses a sophisticated mathematical model to predict the physical and acoustical performance of arrays, enabling simple, accurate and reliable system planning.
The D12 and E-PAC amplifiers that are specially designed and manufactured by d&b utilizing digital signal processing and extensive remote control facilities were also previewed running new firmware versions that are scheduled for release during April. The D12 is to include loudspeaker configurations for the J-Series and the M4 as well as specific configurations for the d&b MAX and MAX12, whilst the E-PAC is to include passive configurations for the M4, MAX and MAX12. Both amplifiers will also incorporate the d&b System check function.
New features of the d&b Remote network were also on display including the latest ROPE C Version 2 remote control software and the R10 Service software. ROPE C, apart from including objects for the J-Series, M4, MAX and MAX12 loudspeakers, now provides a workspace that may be arranged over ten pages allowing faster access in large or more complex systems. An additional Diagnostics view is available to check on the status of each device and it also supports the System check functions of the D12 and E-PAC amplifiers. The new R10 Service software enables the simultaneous firmware update of up to sixty-three d&b amplifiers from one location over the d&b Remote network.
"It's been an exciting time for us in the last years, building on our often quirky and sometimes obscure approach to the task of manufacturing and distributing loudspeaker systems. Equally, this is an exciting week for the J-Series; one system starts production rehearsals for a UK arena tour, while there is another in the Royal Albert Hall for this year's Teenage Cancer Trust performances Not to mention several confirmed summer festivals in France," said Simon Johnston, d&b's marketing director. "In fact it has been an exhilarating five years since we took over the helm at d&b. There have been some considerable and very successful updates to the product range, and we are especially pleased with the way our global distribution has developed and proud of the achievements these stakeholders have realized on our behalf. In this period d&b's business has virtually doubled, reinstating a solid financial basis on which further success can be cemented."
In picture: the: d&b stand at Frankfurt.
10th April 2006
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