Meyer Sound will be on hand with an expanded presence when Baltimore, MD welcomes the USITT Conference and Stage Expo from March 2–5, the first in-person gathering for the organization since 2019. The long-awaited event also will mark the first major North American conference/trade show to feature Meyer Sound’s recently introduced Spacemap® Go spatial sound design and live mixing tool.
“Because of the strong education focus, USITT is critically important to the future of Meyer Sound in the theater world,” says Meyer Sound Training & Education Manager Robyn Bykofsky. “USITT aligns with our own commitment to education, and a strong contingent of students allows us to connect with our future users and customers.”
Meyer Sound will occupy an expanded footprint at the revived show, as in addition to the Stage Expo booth (#625), the company is an Equipment Sponsor and will be supplying a complete immersive sound system for Hall A. The full spatial sound capabilities of the system will be showcased during a wide-ranging panel presentation, Sound from Everywhere: Spatial Sound for Theatre and Live Events as well as during Spacemap Go and Immersive Audio for Everyone, focused on the Meyer Sound technology.
The system for the 10,000 square foot Hall A comprises a total of 21 Meyer Sound loudspeakers, including ULTRA-X40™ loudspeakers for LCR, side, and rear surrounds; ULTRA-X22™ loudspeakers for front fill and overheads; UPA-1P loudspeakers for delays; and 900-LFC™ low-frequency control elements for sub-bass.
Presenters for Sound from Everywhere: Spatial Sound for Theatre and Live Events include Meyer Sound’s Digital Products Solutions Architect Richard Bugg and (via virtual link) Application Architect, Spatial Audio Specialist Ianina Canalis along with sound designers and representatives for other spatial sound technologies. Spacemap Go and Immersive Audio for Everyone will be hosted by Meyer Sound Senior Technical Support Specialist Josh Dorn-Fehrmann.
In its public address mode, the Hall A system also will be used for several larger events and presentations, including the Annual Membership Meeting and a variety of sessions covering live event photography, lighting for live broadcast, adding laser lights to shows, and the open Sound Commission Playback Party.
Spacemap Go also will be demonstrated in the Meyer Sound booth using a system of ULTRA-X20™ loudspeakers and USW-112P™ subwoofers.
“Sound for theater has been in Meyer Sound’s DNA since Abe Jacob first introduced the UPA to Broadway more than 40 years ago,” notes Bykofsky, “and USITT is the only show primarily focused on theater sound. Coupled with the strong emphasis on promoting education, this makes USITT one of the most important events for Meyer Sound. I look forward to reconnecting with educational institutions and rebuilding the strong relationships we’ve enjoyed in the theater sound community — among veteran professionals as well as students ready to explore new possibilities.”