FBT Goes to the Rodeo

FBT Goes to the Rodeo

FBT Goes to the Rodeo

When Dave Bartholomew says it’s not his first time at the rodeo, he really means it. In fact, after renting a system to the Isanti County Firefighter’s PRCA Rodeo last year and installing one this year, he’s now become their “go-to guy” for sound engineering. An event that’s attended by over 5,000 people annually, it’s one of the largest annual rodeos in the Midwest. Bartholomew, the Sales Manager and Project Manager of Allied Productions & Sales, says the importance of clear, quality sound is crucial, and that he’s chosen FBT to meet the challenges of this unique venue.

“The three-day rodeo takes place in a large oval-shaped arena, which presents a few challenges,” said Bartholomew. “For one thing when supporting an announcer, intelligibility is the most important factor. Second, there’s a covered ‘preferred seating’ area along one of the longer sides and the rest of the area is wide open with bleacher seats. The speakers needed to be raised high enough above the covered area to reach the rest of the arena to make sure the sound would be evenly dispersed and to not overpower the 70-volt speaker sound system that delivers sound to the attendees under the covering. We had some metal smiths who are associated with the rodeo custom build a system with extended poles and yokes to raise four all-weather FBT Shadow 112CTs – each a 12 inch full-range coax – up above. To be strategic, we also added two Subline 15As to round out the system. FBT was a deliberate part of that strategy, because their boxes are crystal clear when people are speaking, but they’re also very musical, very well tuned. We needed a speaker that would sound equally great when covering both the announcer and the music that’s often played as part of the event.”

“I also have to tell you,” he added, “I think FBT has been making plastic speakers longer than just about anybody else. Usually plastic boxes don’t usually resonate like wood does, they’ll even howl at certain frequency ranges. That’s just not the case with these speakers, though. There’s something about FBT’s internal design. The sound is absolutely incredible. You just have to hear it to believe it.”

The Shadows are also rated for all-weather use, rounding out the 30-year audio veteran’s reasons for choosing the brand.

Allied Productions & Sales was originally one of Bartholomew’s clients before they hired him to spearhead the sales and installation portion of their business 12 years ago. The company has grown since then, adding video and lighting divisions to their already successful audio and production services, and moving to a larger, newer facility in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. They’re now a leading player in both production and installation work in the Twin Cities area. In addition to being responsible for all Microsoft store grand openings in the U.S. and Canada, they’re also responsible for providing audio to the Minnesota State Fair, annually, which is the second largest state fair in the country. Bartholomew has developed expertise with various niche groups including houses of worship and live music venues. He also co-designs installations for military bases around the world, in addition to systems that support live performances for our troops.

Sought After Sound Designer Turns to FBT to Meet High Standards

Sought After Sound Designer Turns to FBT to Meet High Standards

For immediate release

For more information contact: LisaMarie DeSanto

  1. 674. 2927 or [email protected]

Sought After Sound Designer Turns to FBT to Meet High Standards

July 16, 2017 –  Portland, Oregon – Nick Moon is as passionate about sound quality as he is good music. As the owner of three companies – a studio (Tone Proper Mastering), an AV company (Tone Proper AV) and an acoustics business (Tone Proper Acoustics) – he’s spent countless hours working with professional musicians and sound technicians. His days are spent listening to the tiniest details of every note, on projects ranging from recording to live performances. And when it comes to his clients, he’s not willing to give them anything less than the very best a sound system can offer. Not all of his clients have big names or big budgets, though, so Moon used to struggle with the ability to recommend speakers in a lower price range that met his high standards on sound. Thanks to FBT, he says, he no longer faces this challenge.

Moon got his start in 1999 working in studios in Chicago and Texas before settling in Portland and starting his own businesses. Since then, he’s grown to work with heavy-hitting artists like Liv Warfield and Gino Vanelli, record labels like Universal and on well-known television programs such as the Arsenio Hall show. But he also works with musicians, sound engineers, companies and venues who want high quality, and don’t, he says, “have six figures to spend on a sound system.” Moon explained why FBT has become his “go to” brand for clients in these scenarios.

“Every speaker manufacturer ‘voices’ their speakers in a certain way,” said Moon, “and very few really get it right. I prefer brands where what you put into them is what you get out of them. FBT sounds natural and doesn’t require a lot of tweaking. They use B&C drivers and, maybe because they’re an Italian company, they’re as dedicated to design and manufacturing quality as they are to their sound. They’re also the only one of the brands in the lower to mid price range that have a winning combination of strong voicing, construction and customer service. Not every one of my clients can afford a top-of-the-line sound system, but they still deserve state-of-the-art sound. FBT lets me provide that to them, in a price range that they can manage.”

Moon has installed several Mitus 206LA’s in a few local churches, purchased a rig for his own personal use, and has plans to use the brand in several of concerts, festivals and live performances he’ll be doing this summer.

“One of the best parts about working with FBT as a brand is working with John Krupa and Italian Speaker Imports (I.S.I.), which is the distributor for the brand here in the states,” Moon continued. Saying that he prides himself on giving the best to his own clients, he explained why I.S.I.’s customer service is so crucial to his own business.

“If I want to give the best I can to my own clients, it’s important for me to be able to get answers, fill orders quickly, and have access to and a relationship with someone representing the equipment I’m suggesting,” said Moon. “With John and FBT, not only am I dealing with great equipment, I also have the added benefit of being able to actually talk to him directly – and that’s a big deal to me. He takes a personal interest in our business relationship and really bends over backwards to make sure that we have what we need when we need it. Other companies just don’t do that. As far as I’m concerned, if you have a brand that sounds fantastic and the company backing it backs you as a customer – well, that’s just a winning combination.”

Located just outside of Portland, Oregon, Tone Proper Mastering, AV and Acoustics were built from the ground up with a love for all things music. Dedicated to quality, they tout providing “old school ideas” with a “new school approach,” and desire to earn business “the old-fashioned way: by doing a great job.”

For more information, please contact:
LisaMarie DeSanto 845. 674. 2927 or [email protected]

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Everything Old is New Again

Everything Old is New Again

For immediate release

For more information contact: LisaMarie DeSanto

  1. 674. 2927 or [email protected] 

Everything Old is New Again

New York State’s Oldest Surviving Theater Restored and Retrofitted with FBT

July 6, 2017 (Hudson, NY) – When Hudson Hall at the Hudson Opera House decided to renovate their historic building, they were faced with a challenge common to any historic space: retrofitting it with modern amenities and equipment while maintaining its authenticity. There was one challenge, however, that proved to be unique to the performance hall – its sound system. Thanks to FBT, those challenges have been met and expectations exceeded, resulting in quality sound that supports performances by professional artists of the highest caliber, in styles ranging from contemporary and cultural to classical.

The opera house was built in 1855, abandoned in 1962 and, from 1996 until April, was operating at a fraction of its capacity –utilizing just a center hall art gallery and small performance space on the first floor. Fundraising efforts raised the $8.5 million necessary for renovations, including state historic preservation funds, which supported pulling up and reinforcing the original wood floor with steel before relaying it; supporting the truss, roof and foundation; and cleaning up thirty years’ worth of  evidence that pigeons had taken up a tenancy in the rafters. Next steps included fully modernizing the electricity and plumbing, no small feat when considering that maintaining the integrity of the building and its overall structure was a requirement by historical preservation standards.

A significant portion of the renovation funds were, necessarily, dedicated to the building’s historic nature, so by the time the organization was ready to consider their sound equipment, they had to be mindful of the budget they had left. Still, they refused to settle for anything less than a state-of-the-art system. They also knew that they’d need that system to be flexible enough to support musical performances on the stage, dance performances in the round on the hall floor, and everything in between. The round shape of the room was also a major concern, since the sound there had always been muddy before.

Simon Nathan, owner of Audio Production Services and a consultant at Italian Speaker Imports with a wealth of professional theater sound installation experience, stepped in to analyze the organization’s needs. He recommended FBT. Lighter than most, the boxes could be easily reconfigured on a performance-to-performance basis, and positioned to resolve the many issues raised by the room’s curved corners and ceiling. Boasting a price far lower than speakers in a higher price bracket, Nathan assured the staff at Hudson Opera House that not only would the speakers be an affordable solution, the sound quality would rival that of other brands. The decision proved to be ideal.

“With Simon’s guidance, we started by flying two line arrays – three Mitus 206la’s flown on each side of the proscenium.” said Sage Marie Carter, General Manager of Hudson Opera House. “They have a wide cone that covers most of the hall. As for the rest of the system, though, we purposefully kept it very reconfigurable to accommodate the wide variety of performances we present. In total, we have two 118FSA subs, two Stage Maxx 12MA’s and eight Ventis 112a’s that can also serve as wedges when we need more monitors. Sometimes we hang them from the truss or on side pipes when we’re doing performances in the round or on the floor. At others, we use them as center fills when our seating is close to the stage and some audience members aren’t in the path of the line array. We don’t always have a crew to help alter the set up from show to show, but the best part is, the speakers are so light and flexible that I can easily set everything up  myself.”

Smaller and lighter doesn’t mean the speakers are any less powerful, though.

Carter added, “Because the room is such a challenge, architecturally, we were really concerned that we’d never be able to tame it. As soon as we turned the system on, though, I was immediately impressed by its reach and how subtle and true the sound is. This new system allows us to project the sound to every seat in the house, and regardless of where you’re sitting it’s clean, crisp and clear. You can hear and appreciate every nuance – all of the details of a performance; it’s a pleasant concert experience now. We’ve only been open a short time, but the system has really exceeded our expectations. I have no doubt that it will continue to do everything we ask it to going forward.”

Hudson Hall’s mission is to inspire and promote the arts, and to play a pivotal role in the cultural and economic advancement of the Hudson Valley region. Ongoing programs include concerts, readings, lectures, exhibitions, theater and dance presentations, after-school programs, workshops, classes, and large-scale community arts events. For more information about the organization, visit: http://hudsonhall.org.

For more information, please contact:
LisaMarie DeSanto 845. 674. 2927 or [email protected]

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In New Restaurant, Food, Art and FBT Go Hand In Hand

In New Restaurant, Food, Art and FBT Go Hand In Hand

New York City is a foodie’s haven, and with thousands of restaurants to choose from, restaurateurs go to great lengths to offer a unique dining experience to their patrons. One such restaurant, set to open this spring, is Seawalk. Specializing in seafood and American cuisine, the restaurant will offer guests a top-notch culinary experience but, thanks to Aldo Ferraira and Stanley Ferrand, co-owners of Modest Technology, guests will also enjoy lighting that is artfully synchronized with an FBT sound system, making a meal there a multi-sensory experience.

“When we were asked to provide a sound system for Seawalk, we faced a challenge,” said Ferraira. “We needed to fill out the dining space with reliable sound, but we also needed to use speakers that were attractive – that matched the designer look of the restaurant. After a lot of research we decided on FBT. Their immersive sound is simply amazing but, equally important, they have a lean designer look that works with the environment of the restaurant.”

Ferraira and Ferrand used 18 J5 white speakers, spaced at eight-foot intervals around the venue, with three CLA208 subwoofers

Read the full story at Sound & Video Contractor

 

Manning Family Athletic Complex Overhauls with FBT

Manning Family Athletic Complex Overhauls with FBT

Isidore Newman School’s athletic program has a long history of excellence, but the facilities surrounding its storied football field needed a substantial upgrade. The school wanted to give a better viewing experience to spectators at Friday night football games, soccer, and lacrosse matches. That’s when Peyton Manning, along with his father and brother, Eli, decided to step in, spearheading fundraising efforts for a new practice field, sky deck, press box, and entrance plaza, all of which included a state-of-the-art FBT sound system. Now dubbed the Manning Family Athletic Complex, the total overhaul represents a $3 million project. The centerpiece of the new facilities is Reginelli Way, a fan plaza that honors the Manning’s now-retired high school coach, Tony Reginelli, and will support countless young athletes in New Orleans.

The Mannings led the fundraising and were joined by numerous generous donors from the Newman community, whose assistance was greatly appreciated. In addition to aesthetic improvements, the practicality of a new sound system was evident.
Read more

“Live Sound Products Shine at Rainy NAMM 2017” – FOH Online

“Live Sound Products Shine at Rainy NAMM 2017” – FOH Online

FOH Online featured the FBT Vertus CS-1000 compact, powered, vertical line array system in it’s cover story.

“…for 2017, with more than 1,500 exhibitors offering the latest music, recording, sound reinforcement and lighting technologies, there was plenty to see — and hear… here are some hot debuts that caught our attention.”

FBT Line Array Impresses Engineers – Reaches Thousands

FBT Line Array Impresses Engineers – Reaches Thousands

Leon Dwinga III, owner of Runaway Records Productions, LLC, has built a successful event production business on talent, technical skill and a reputation for professionalism when dealing with his many high-end and boutique clients. Recently, when he was asked to provide sound for one of those clients in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he considered which equipment he’d bring to cover their popular men’s event to be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Armed with just a Muse 210 line array and additional FBT support speakers, he surprised even his own engineers by providing outstanding sound – supporting a full band and multiple presenters who addressed a crowd of 3,000 people in a 24,000 square-foot space.

“This particular event – the Catholic Men’s Fellowship – is something we do annually, but this was the first time I’d brought FBT to the job. When one of my audio engineers, who happens to be the A1 for the Pittsburgh Penquins, saw that I was going to use two stacks of four boxes in a room that was 200 feet by 120 feet he was doubtful,” said Dwinga, “but only until he raised the fader 30 percent of the way, and then he was really impressed. I mean, that’s a big room and we needed to support a full worship band with drums, electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, sax and flute – We’re talking about the full range of tones that you could possibly get in a live scenario. We had two stacks of four FBT Muse 210LAs, two of their dual sublines and two more each of their outfills and two small center fills. Not only did we cover the room accurately – the sound was just mind-blowing. As good as the speakers sound with music, they’re at home with the spoken word. They have one of the smoothest midrange responses I’ve ever heard.” Read more

FBT Line Array Supports Stryper in Southwestern Concert

FBT Line Array Supports Stryper in Southwestern Concert

FBT Line Array Supports Stryper in Southwestern Concert

January 3, 2017 – Roswell, New Mexico – When a big-name act comes to town, they’re going to want a big sound – so when heavy metal band, Stryper was scheduled to play at The Liberty in Roswell, New Mexico, recently, John Pennell, owner of Total Productions, turned to FBT to supply a complete front-of-house rig. Thanks to a Mitus 206 line array and four Mitus 218A subs, the band was backed by a powerful system, and blew the audience away.

FBT Line Array StryperThe Liberty is a popular venue with bands making their way from Texas to Albuquerque on their tours, but it’s also a rental space for private events. With this in mind, Pennell has always had to be mindful of the need for a versatile system. From day to day, staging is resized or removed altogether to accommodate the varying events booked at the venue, which has a standing capacity of 500 people. They currently have their own Mitus 206 line array, but Pennell supplements with additional boxes, as needed.  Read more