With its compact size, high power-to-weight ratio, and exceptional energy efficiency, Meyer Sound’s Panther large-format linear line array loudspeaker is reaping savings in both operating expenses and greenhouse gas emissions in its first year of global touring. Two notable examples are Ed Sheeran’s ‘+ – = ÷ x’ (Mathematics) Tour and Michael Bublé’s ‘Higher Tour’.

The massive in-the-round system for Ed Sheeran’s tour, supplied by Major Tom, Ltd. and configured for large stadiums and festival grounds, is anchored by 212 Panther line array loudspeakers. “Compared to our prior tour’s loudspeakers, we have reduced what would have been five trucks down to three,” says Chris Marsh, production director, and FOH engineer for the tour. “That’s significant as I estimate we covered 7,000 miles around Europe, another 2,800 in Australia, and we have yet to start in North America.”

In their 2021 publication ‘Super-Low Carbon Live Music’, the UK-based Tyndall Centre highlighted how important surface transport is as a contributor to a tour’s carbon footprint. A typical diesel semi-truck consumes a gallon of fuel every 6.5 miles and each gallon emits 22.44 pounds of carbon content according to the US EPA. That means a single truck covering 10,000 miles would generate a carbon footprint of 17.3 US tons or 15.7 metric tons.

Ocean shipping, though more efficient than air, also has a carbon cost. Ocean containers also were cut from five to three on the Sheeran tour, and the reduced weight of Panther had an added bonus. “Because Panther is so light we were able to fit the steel staging ballast plates in the same containers to take weight up to the maximum permissible,” notes Marsh.

Configured primarily for A-level arenas, the system for Michael Bublé’s Higher Tour, provided by Solotech, relies on a complement of 76 Panther loudspeakers for the lion’s share of output power on both the main system and the unique mid-arena cluster that functions as both a massive delay system and as an in-the-round system when Bublé takes the B stage.

“All the speakers for the current PA fit into one truck,” says FOH engineer Craig Doubet. “We’re easily down a half truck from where we were before. And we had the same reduction in containers when we shipped from North America to Europe. It’s clear that Meyer Sound is taking the monetary costs and carbon emissions seriously.”

A Panther loudspeaker produces a maximum acoustic output of 150dB SPL yet weighs only 68kg. The compact dimensions — 969mm wide, by 377mm high, by 565mm deep — allow an efficient truck pack in both North American and European semi-trailers, while self-powered technology eliminates the need for amplifier racks. Since the amplifiers are contained in the loudspeakers, this further reduces the footprint for trucking. Power draw is also reduced by 20% compared to prior comparable loudspeakers. 

The same ‘green dividends’ inherent in the Panther line array loudspeaker will soon be augmented with the addition of the 2100-LFC low-frequency control element, slated for shipping in mid-2023. 

Attaining the ambitious goals for size, weight, and power draw reductions without sacrificing performance required hard work and innovation by the Meyer Sound engineering team, led by Engineering Director, Acoustical and Mechanical Katharine ‘Katie’ Murphy Khulusi. The team followed a holistic approach, with transducers, cabinet design, materials, electronics, and rigging meticulously coordinated to meet the objectives.

“When gathering input on the next generation of products, many of our customers mentioned that green issues were becoming more relevant,” says Meyer Sound Senior Product Manager Andy Davies. “These requests aligned with new research on the environmental impact of live productions. Also, going green is also good for business. Reducing power use, trucking costs, and raw materials all align with moving towards a greener economy, more efficient manufacturing, and better business solutions for our customers.”

Global acceptance of Panther has exceeded company forecasts. During its inaugural year, Meyer Sound Panther line arrays also powered UltraSound LLC tours including Dead & Company, Dave Matthews Band, and Ghost, along with the POOLgroup-supplied Volbeat tour, as well as main stages at festivals across the USA and in Europe. “Sustainability is finally becoming a concern for most of the organisations we work with,” concludes Chris Marsh. “It is the task of the production teams, the suppliers, and the manufacturers to develop solutions that will result in more efficient shows. Whilst we have a long way to go, we already are making great progress with the addition of Panther to our inventory.” 

Meyer Sound’s commitment to the environment extends beyond product design to encompass all phases of the business, with careful attention to energy efficiency, water conservation, and materials recycling throughout the manufacturing process. The Berkeley-based company has been recognised as a Green Business by the California Green Business Network since 2016.

“Meyer Sound has worked hard for more than four decades to become one of the most successful companies in professional audio,” says Senior Vice President John McMahon. “But we believe that this success carries with it an obligation to be a good global citizen. There is still more work to be done, but we will continue to make environmental responsibility a significant focus of all our activities going forward.”

Meyer Sound has introduced the MPS-488X, a new integrated power supply and signal distribution unit for multi-channel audio systems using the company’s exclusive IntelligentDC technology. By delivering both balanced audio signals and 48V DC for loudspeakers powering over a single composite cable, IntelligentDC uniquely combines the sonic superiority of self-powered loudspeakers with the installation ease of low-voltage systems. Each MPS-488X supplies eight channels of power and balanced audio signals.

The MPS-488X also incorporates a network connection as standard, with telemetry and control data accessed via an RJ45 connector on the rear panel. Critical data such as load status, current draw, fan speed, and temperature are reported for visual display and fault alerts in Meyer Sound’s Nebra software for Mac and PC. Current draw is reported for each output channel, enabling the operator to assess the status of connected loudspeakers. The Nebra software platform also allows the operator to mute or solo individual channels of the MPS‑488X.  

Unlike the predecessor MPS-488HP, the network connectivity on the MPS-488X does not require the use of an external RMServer device. However, for mixed system compatibility, both the MPS-488X and MPS-488HP with RMServer can report their status on the same Nebra interface.

“The MPS-488X now provides a direct link between IntelligentDC systems and Nebra, Meyer Sound’s new monitoring and control software,” says Meyer Sound Product Manager Gautam Sharma. “Through Nebra, the MPS-488X enables integrated monitoring and control of connected IntelligentDC loudspeakers. It also seamlessly works with mixed systems comprising both IntelligentDC loudspeakers and our new generation of fully networked larger loudspeakers such as the PANTHER line array loudspeaker.”

The MPS-488X also features a two-way Wink mode, which allows quick identification of the unit when multiple units are in a rack. Pressing a button on the unit identifies it in Nebra while clicking on it in Nebra winks an LED on the unit. In addition, a Safe Mode facilitates troubleshooting while a Restore option allows resetting to the original factory settings.

Designed principally for installed sound applications, the MPS-488X utilises 3-pin Phoenix connectors for balanced audio input and 5-pin Phoenix connectors for audio and DC power output. 

As with its predecessor, the MPS-488X has selector switches for each output which can select either the corresponding input or the signal from the adjacent lower channel — input 1 to output 1, input 2 to outputs 2, 3 and 4 etc, for example. Larger IntelligentDC loudspeakers typically require powering from a dedicated channel, but two or more smaller Ashby series loudspeakers often can be connected to a single channel, depending on power requirements.

The Meyer Sound IntelligentDC range includes the Ashby ceiling and MM-4XP miniature surface mount loudspeakers, along with powerful, true bi-amplified systems such as the ULTRA-X20XP compact wide coverage and HMS-15 surround loudspeakers. The IntelligentDC range also includes two subwoofers.

Meyer Sound has announced the introduction of Nebra, a new software platform that brings together multiple tools for specific tasks into a single integrated solution. The initial release is focused on fast and intuitive connectivity for endpoints in Milan AVB networks, including Meyer Sound’s PANTHER large-format linear line array loudspeaker, three ULTRA-X series point source loudspeakers, and the USW-112P compact subwoofer. Nebra also provides comprehensive system monitoring directly via the AVB network or, for other Meyer Sound products, through the existing RMS network via the RMServer. Nebra also will provide connectivity for Meyer Sound’s Galileo GALAXY Network Platform and for third-party network devices using the Milan protocol.

Nebra’s connectivity tools are designed for fast, trouble-free configuration and connection of complex Milan-based audio systems. “Many current audio-over-IP solutions are heavily text-based,” notes Andy Davies, Meyer Sound’s senior product manager. “Here, by displaying connections and monitoring in a clear visual layout, the system overview is much easier to understand. Connections are shown as graphical wires offering a clear picture of the system, while device icons change colour to quickly identify any potential points of failure.”

Nebra leverages the latest in sensor fusion technology to simplify the task of monitoring large and highly complex networked audio systems. Disparate system health information is collected from all connected devices, with sensor data combined from multiple sources and displayed in one simple summary. 

“A ‘traffic light’ indicator in the corner of the screen constantly displays overall system status,” Davies continues, “so all the user needs to see is that one green box to know everything is fine. In addition, critical system messages are brought to the user’s attention via banner alerts, so there is no need to constantly review the status of every device. If there is a warning, Nebra directs the user swiftly to the source of the problem.”

Nebra is a stand-alone solution for all Milan-based devices. For Meyer Sound loudspeakers using RMS technology, Nebra functions in parallel with Compass control software. Nebra is now available as a free download from the Meyer Sound website. Versions will be available for both Windows and Mac operating systems.

Nebra will immediately enable comprehensive connectivity and monitoring functions for Meyer Sound Milan equipped loudspeakers, the GALAXY Network Platform, Milan-certified AVB switches, and other Milan-certified devices. Nebra is conceived as a comprehensive software platform, and other functions will be incorporated into future releases.

In addition to the PANTHER linear line array loudspeaker, Nebra is compatible with the newly introduced Milan endpoint versions of the ULTRA-X20, ULTRA‑X22, and ULTRA-X23 loudspeakers and the USW-112P subwoofer.

“Nebra is unique in the way it applies software tools to groups and identifies large numbers of Milan endpoint devices, presenting an intuitive workflow when making a large number of connections, such as with PANTHER deployments. Touring sound users will benefit from the ability to quickly reconfigure systems for different venues, while installed sound users will benefit from a clear, easy-to-understand monitoring screen that operators can grasp with minimal training.”

The first use of the Nebra software platform was by rental company Major Tom, Ltd. on the massive, in-the-round Ed Sheeran +-= ÷x (“Mathematics”) Tour, underway since early 2022. Milan is a standards-based deterministic network protocol for real-time audio and video media. Certification by the Avnu Alliance assures that devices will work together for maximum convenience, reliability, and functionality.

Meyer Sound has announced the immediate availability of four more loudspeaker products that are now certified as stand-alone endpoints for direct connection to any AVB network compliant with the Milan interoperability protocol. Orders are now being accepted for new Milan input versions of the ULTRA-X20, ULTRA‑X22, and ULTRA-X23 full-range loudspeakers and the USW-112P compact subwoofer.

Meyer Sound’s new Milan-certified loudspeakers will debut at the 153rd AES Convention in New York on October 19 and 20, where it will showcase products in rooms 2D06 and 2D07 of the Jacob Javits Center. One of the products we will feature in the demo room is the PANTHER large format linear line array loudspeaker and, on request, Amie studio monitoring system listening experiences.

Already proven in the field with Meyer Sound’s PANTHER linear line array, the Milan input modules accept audio signals from any Milan-certified source via a certified switch. A single RJ45 connector carries high-resolution digital audio along with telemetry data for remote monitoring, resulting in simplified installation and reduced costs.

“The debut of these four Milan-certified loudspeakers marks a major milestone in the evolution of networked AV systems built around a user-driven protocol based on IEEE open standards,” says Andy Davies, Senior Product Manager at Meyer Sound. “Designers of installed systems for new construction can save on cabling and installation labor costs, while system renewals can utilise cabling already installed for existing Gigabit Ethernet networks — all with the inherent routing flexibility of digital networks.”

The availability of Milan-certified loudspeaker systems enables complete network AV solutions which not only offer simplified management and control but also are more cost-effective to deploy using IT industry infrastructures. Network solutions also maintain a fully digital workflow all the way to the end point, eliminating conversion stages that add latency and degrade performance.

“Milan is rapidly becoming the preferred digital transport solution because of its reserved bandwidth as well as guaranteed latency and presentation time,” adds Davies. “Indeed, for many applications, it is the only digital transport solution that meets the technical requirements. In addition, as an open standard, it will be supported for the life of the product. Meyer Sound products last for decades, and the network technology must do the same.”

Meyer Sound Milan-certified loudspeakers now offer the advantages of end-to-end networked solutions across a full range of applications, including but not limited to corporate and hospitality installations, theme parks and themed spectaculars, houses of worship, and retail spaces.

“The Milan-based network ecosystem is expanding rapidly,” comments Davies. “One major console manufacturer is now shipping Milan-certified products, and we also are seeing new endpoints and an increasing selection of certified switches. Alongside this, we can already see the benefits from Avnu Alliance’s new membership and testing initiatives. We are excited by the number of new products and manufacturers we expect to see added to the Milan world in the next few years.”

Aside from the input module, loudspeakers with Meyer Sound’s Milan-certified endpoint module are identical to those with the standard analog input. Although each of the loudspeakers in the ULTRA-X20 family offers a lightweight (12.3 kg) and compact form factor, they all have high SPL to size capabilities. The ULTRA-X22, for example, produces 128.5 dB (M-Noise) over an operating range of 60 Hz – 18 kHz. The USW-112P compact subwoofer (21.4 kg) also is a powerful performer, producing 123 dB over a 35 to 140 Hz range.

When these models are ordered with Milan-certified input modules, the user panel includes the new Neutrik etherCON TOP network connector and powerCON TOP AC line connector for weather-resistant connections. Remote monitoring capability is also included and utilises the common network connection rather than separate wiring. A weather protected option provides full IP54-rated protection for outdoor installations with no rain hood required.

The ULTRA-X20 family offers three coverage pattern options, coupled with rotatable horns and a wide selection of accessories. The result is a flexible range of systems equally at home in rental or permanent installs. Bringing this family into the Milan ecosystem, along with the powerful USW-112P, further enhances the flexibility and range of deployments possible with Meyer Sound solutions. 

At AES in New York, Meyer Sound also will be previewing new software for connection management and monitoring, and members of the Meyer Sound technical team will be presenting on panels throughout the convention.