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PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Clyne Media, Inc.
Tel: (615) 662-1616

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Genelec helps Japan’s ABC create futureproof new OB van

NATICK, MA, July 11, 2023 — Leading Japanese broadcaster Asahi Television Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has upgraded its “202” outside broadcast truck to create a 5.1.4 immersive environment. The upgrade relied on a combination of Genelec’s “The Ones” three-way coaxial monitors and GLM calibration software and has provided ABC with a futureproof OB solution for the next generation of broadcast standards. “Organizations like the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses are discussing standards for next-generation broadcasting, and three-dimensional audio is under consideration,” says Sadanari Iwahashi of ABC’s production engineering department. “When we thought about a broadcasting van that could be used 15 years in the future, we concluded that it’s necessary to support immersive sound.” The move is a coordinated initiative across the ABC group. In addition to the remote truck, its MA (Multi Audio) room has also been upgraded to a 5.1.4 immersive format. “When broadcasting starts to support immersive, we’ll be able to monitor the sound live from the site, and recordings can be brought into the immersive MA room for further processing,” says Iwahashi. “It makes sense to have an OB unit ready to record immersive sound for many reasons. For example, when we record a concert, we can approve the use of the sound in other events and programs as well. It’s also important that we have four monitors installed in the ceiling from the start, so we can just begin immersive monitoring without the hassle of setting up.” Nihon Onkyo Engineering Co. Ltd planned the acoustics, while Keisei Motors Ltd, a company with extensive experience in OB vans, manufactured the vehicle. The L-C-R channels are handled by three 8341 coaxial studio monitors, and thanks to a custom-designed 2.2 m high production room, ABC was able to mount four 8331 height monitors in recesses in the ceiling. As the smallest model in The Ones series, the 8331 is perfect for small rooms where space is limited, and this unusually high ceiling meant that they could be placed at the same distance from the listening position as the L-C-R monitors in the front. Low frequency duties are handled by a 7360 subwoofer. “The goal was to ensure as much distance between the monitors as possible,” says Iwahashi. “One particular challenge was the position of the left and right rear 8331 monitors, which due to the structure, would be closer than the L, C and R monitors. The ideal angle for rear channel monitors is 110 degrees +/- 10 degrees, but if we positioned these and the L-C-R channels equidistant to the listener using that angle, they would exceed the width of the van! So we compared the sound prioritizing the angle and then the distance many times, and in the end we decided to prioritize the angle. In order to maximize the distance, the rear monitors were also installed slightly above the horizontal position, at an elevated angle.” As Smart Active Monitors like The Ones integrate closely with GLM software, ABC was able to compensate each monitor for frequency response, playback level and distance delay. In fact, according to Iwahashi, GLM created the perfect environment for accurate immersive monitoring – despite the acoustic demands of the space. “We adjusted the angle of each monitor, fixed the reflections with sound absorption, calibrated them and then repeated the listening and fine-tuning process,” he explains. “GLM software was a great help in building an ideal monitoring environment. The visualizations of frequency dip points were easy to understand too. “We tested several different studio monitors during the installation process,” Iwahashi continues. “The Ones stood out because they reproduced sounds from all kinds of sources clearly, right across the frequency spectrum. Additionally, in an OB unit, a TV monitor must be set up in front of the mixer – and the monitors must be positioned in a way that doesn’t block it. This is easily achieved with the point source design of The Ones, since they can be orientated in either the vertical or horizontal position without any compromise in performance.” With Dolby Atmos now a household name, and 3D soundbars commonplace throughout millions of homes, Iwahashi is confident that ABC was right to step up to immersive when it did. “These developments support my initial feeling that an immersive system is an important and necessary feature for any OB van, and I’d like to continue to work harder in this format in the future as ABC creates more appealing programs in immersive.” For more information, please visit www.genelec.com.

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Photo file 1: ABC_PR_Image_1.JPG Photo caption 1: ABC’s Sadanari Iwahashi pictured in the new 202 OB truck Photo file 2: ABC_PR_Image_2.JPG Photo caption 2: ABC’s 202 truck features a Genelec 5.1.4 Smart Active Monitoring system Photo file 3: ABC_PR_Image_3.JPG Photo caption 3: Exterior of ABC’s 202 OB truck PDF file: ABC_Case_Study_FINAL.pdf PDF caption: Genelec ABC case study Genelec, the pioneer in Active Monitoring technology, is celebrating 45 years of designing and manufacturing active loudspeakers for true and accurate sound reproduction. Genelec is credited with promoting the concept of active transducer technology. Since its inception in 1978, Genelec has concentrated its efforts and resources into creating active monitors with unparalleled sonic integrity. The result is an active speaker system that has earned global acclaim for its accurate imaging, extremely high acoustic output from small enclosures, true high-fidelity with low distortion, and deep, rich bass. Genelec is also celebrating over 15 years of its Smart Active Monitoring™ technology, which allows studio monitors to be networked, configured and calibrated for the user’s specific acoustic environment. Each Smart Active Monitor or subwoofer is equipped with advanced internal DSP circuitry, which tightly integrates with the GLM (Genelec Loudspeaker Manager) software application, running on Mac or PC. GLM’s reference microphone kit allows the user’s acoustic environment to be analyzed, after which GLM’s AutoCal feature optimizes each Smart Active Monitor for level, distance delay, subwoofer crossover phase and room response equalization, with the option of further fine tuning by the user. By minimizing the room’s influence on the sound, Smart Active Monitors deliver an unrivalled reference, with excellent translation between rooms. Other brand and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. —For more information on the complete range of Genelec Active Monitoring Systems, contact: Genelec Inc., 7 Tech Circle, Natick, MA 01760. Tel: (508) 652-0900; Web: http://www.genelec.com/.