Audio production company, Major Tom has invested in 20 Luminex GigaCore 10 network switches to create one of the largest Milan AVB-compliant Meyer Sound touring PA systems in Europe.
With offices in the UK and USA, Major Tom has over 50 years of experience supplying some of the world’s leading international concert tours and events.
When it came to investing in network switches to work with its large inventory of Meyer Sound line arrays, it was important for Major Tom to go with a solution which was widely adopted, as well as being compatible with the new Milan AVB standard.
The company discussed its requirements with Steve Eaton, Senior Sales Executive in the dedicated Audio division of Luminex exclusive UK distributor, A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET).
Major Tom project manager, Andy Banks commented: “With Meyer Sound’s equipment supporting Milan AVB, it was absolutely vital that our choice of switch was also compatible with this, to benefit from the seamless interoperability between devices.
He added: “In addition to being compliant, with the Luminex GigaCores doing a VLAN so simply, we realised that this was a product we really needed in our inventory!”
Major Tom purchased the Luminex GigaCore 10 rack-mountable switches with Fiberfox fibre connectors, to use with its large existing fibre cabling inventory for running over long distances.
The company is currently providing a Milan AVB networked Meyer Sound PA system featuring GigaCore 10s for the European leg of the popular Danish rock band, Volbeat’s current tour, which is playing shows in up to stadium-size venues across 18 countries.
The Meyer system features over 180 speakers, including 134 Leo M, Lyon and Leopard linear line arrays; four JM1P arrayable loudspeakers; and 46 1100-LFC subwoofers.
Engineer, Dennie Miller is sending Milan AVB control from a Meyer Galileo Galaxy networked loudspeaker processor at FOH to the system control rack, which is on a long-distance fibre loop with the two main stage racks containing five Galaxy processors each side of the stage. There are a further two processors behind FOH for delays in some of the larger venues. The GigaCore 10s have also been utilised to deliver DJ Net software control for Calvin Harris’ CDJ set-up during various shows over the summer, as well as several other high-profile live events.
After purchasing the GigaCores, several of Major Tom’s technical team attended one of AC-ET’s free Luminex training events, which are held at the company’s Northern and Southern UK offices.
Summarising his experience using the GigaCores, Andy commented: “The Luminex switches are totally reliable, very rugged for touring, and simple to use. We love them! The ease of set-up with the Luminex Groups is amazing compared to other AVB-compliant switches we’ve tried. We are looking to make this Meyer touring system one of our standard PA systems now, so most things we do will have GigaCores on!”
