L-Acoustics Spotlights AVB Networking at AES

This month, at the AES Convention held at New York City’s Javits Center, L-Acoustics team members will be leading and/or participating in seven AES presentations, several of which will focus heavily on AVB (audio video bridging) networking and newly Milan-certified solutions, including the L-Acoustics P1 processor.

The first event, presented in room 1E13 at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, October 16, will be a networked audio track panel session titled “Solution-Based Approaches for Networked Audio in Live Production.” Moderated by Sound & Communications editor Dan Ferrisi, L-Acoustics director of Electronics Genio Kronauer and fellow panelists will share “how to” tips on working with Milan and AVB networking and practical use-cases from end users implementing Milan in live sound projects.

Kronauer will also participate in an Avnu Alliance-led session on October 16 for the Live Production Stage, starting at 2 p.m. (LS04), titled “Milan Protocol: Deterministic AV Networks,” sharing an overview of the Milan product philosophy and benefits for the market, as well as case studies of live sound installations using a Milan network.

That same day, at 1:30 p.m. in room 1E12, L-Acoustics product manager Scott Sugden will deliver a sound reinforcement track event titled, “Large-Scale Loudspeaker System Calibration from Simulation-Based Design to Onsite Tuning.” The presentation will cover, among other things, the efficient implementation of the manufacturer’s Soundvision Autosolver tools, the benefits of Milan-compliant AVB networking as offered by P1, and the brand new M1 measurement platform, part of the upcoming LA Network Manager 3.0 release.

“Milan represents the pro AV industry coming together to define common protocols and ensure seamless interoperability between products, regardless of their brand,” says Kronauer. “What L-Acoustics and our fellow industry-leading manufacturers did with Milan was to take IEEE’s open AVB standard to a truly reliable and convenient ‘plug-and-play’ level—you simply connect a device and it works every time. This allows our users to focus on what they do best, which is creating amazing audio-video experiences for their clients and audiences.”

Over the past year, numerous audio professionals have already enjoyed Milan’s benefits that the L-Acoustics P1 has provided, including tours for Hugh Jackman, Mark Knopfler, Madness, and Rammstein, as well high-profile installations at the Wells Fargo Center—home to the Philadelphia 76ers—and the iconic Hollywood Bowl.

According to Hollywood Bowl Principal Mixer and Sound Designer Fred Vogler, “There’s a different show here almost every night and we have to stay on top of it every time. The Milan processors are easy to use and have a fidelity and a resolution that is really high. I’ve heard other types of digital transmission—we had AES in here—and it seems like the AVB Milan protocol is cleaner with enhanced fidelity, which makes it sound more natural. Also, in discussion with tours and other sound design folks that come through, we never get any pushback. We have to rely on it daily and alter or change it if necessary, so it is comforting to know that it’s easy to use, has a great sound, and is something that, industry-wide, people are comfortable using.”