Exquisite jazz sounds with the EV NetMax N8000, DYNACORD PowerH and EV XLD/XLC

The Jazz on the Danube festival, now in its twentieth year, is one of the ten biggest jazz festivals in the world. It's an event characterized by music of exceptional quality, an intimate atmosphere, excellent organization and the finest equipment, with this year's jubilee event — in which Latino star Juanes, Randy Crawford & the Joe Sample Trio, and Klaus Doldinger's Passport all delivered highly acclaimed performances — thoroughly living up to what is now a great tradition.

The team of soundmen led by Ingo Haasch and the systems they deployed made a considerable contribution to the success of the event. The key elements of the sound concept were a combination of compact line array systems from Electro-Voice (XLD 281, XLC 215), DYNACORD PowerH amps, and two EV NetMax N8000 digital audio controllers — a set-up that had never before been used at a major event and immediately convinced musicians, the sound men of the various bands performing at the event, and audiences alike.

Decisive importance was attached in the sound concept to the two EV NetMax N8000 digital audio controllers. The left and right sides of the PA (with eight input and twenty-four output channels each) were controlled separately. The new FIR filters were responsible for the equalization of the main PA and proved to be of enormous benefit. Commented Franz Lermer, Manager of Digital Development with EVI Audio: "The sound team had never worked with FIR filters before and were highly enthusiastic right from the start." Franz Lermer was part of EVI Audio's support team at the JAD 2006. The team found the project design, developed by Peter Hallstein and Günter Krauss of EVI Audio using IRIS-NetTM software, utterly convincing, needing only to add " a few details, such as EQs" on site.

It was above all the wide-ranging possibilities of the NetMax N8000 that impressed the professionals working the FOH. The nerve centre of the IRIS-NetTM is a modular digital audio signal processor with 32 inputs and 32 outputs — all accommodated in a space-saving 2U case. The NetMax N8000 is equipped with four module slots for local audio inputs and outputs, a CobraNet slot for digital audio network connection, and Ethernet, CAN-Bus and RS-232 interfaces for the purpose of control and supervision. The system, which is equally suitable for fixed installations and mobile professional applications, offers FOH engineers all they could wish for.

Commented Ingo Haasch: "The EV XLD system, like the XLE, is ultra-flexible. It's tops for small to medium-sized jazz, theatrical and classical music events, but also provides a solid foundation for medium to large rock concerts. By adding in XSub basses — flown, perhaps — you can arrive (with very little expenditure) at a line array system that is quite something." He was equally enthusiastic about the DYNACORD PowerH amplifiers: "ultra-virile, ultra-tight power amplifiers generating oodles of wattage. I was totally convinced by them."

With acts like Juanes, Randy Crawford & the Joe Sample Trio, Roy Ayers, Klaus Doldinger's Passport, Lyambiko, Nils Lundgren Funk Unit, Marcus Miller and The Big Chris Barber Band, the Jazz on the Danube festival 2006 offered a varied programme and music of a very high standard. Ralph Huber, who was one of the organizers, was more than satisfied: "I think we managed once again this year to put together an attractive line-up, with the good weather and exceptional quality of the audio system being the icing on the cake."
The next Jazz on the Danube festival will run from the 19th to the 23rd July 2007. For further information, visit jazzanderdonau.de