The week of InfoComm, you’re invited to AV Networking World, a day-long event featuring interactive demonstrations, workshops, and panel discussions of real-world use cases in venues from conference rooms to houses of worship to stadiums. Enjoy a buffet-style lunch compliments of the event.

Vital stats:

AV Networking World
Tuesday, June 11
9 AM – 4 PM (Registration and coffee service begins at 8 AM)
The Rosen Centre Hotel
9840 International Drive
Orlando, Florida

Shure is proud to be a sponsor of this event. Plus, two industry veterans from Shure—Chad Wiggins, Wired Microphone Category Director, and Bob Abraham, Digital Audio Processing Senior Manager—will participate in panel discussions.

Register for AV Networking World

This year, the winners are:

GRAND PRIZE WINNER: Purchase College
Student Team Members: Trevor Fedele, Patrick Linehan, Joshua Pleeter, Brendan Williams, and Joseph Yonkers
Faculty Advisor: Silas Brown
Song Title: “Soviet Union”
Composer: Sean McVerry
View the Project Log (PDF)

RUNNER-UP: University of North Alabama
Student Team Members: Luke Hunter, Donnie Pitts, Ryan Speakman, Pace Collette,and Leo Taylor
Faculty Advisor: Walt Aldridge
Song Title: “Jaded”
Composer: Ashton Mabe
View the Project Log (PDF)

HONORABLE MENTION: Belmont University
Student Team Members: Dan Almond, Brien Pafford, Sean Davidson, Ian Zorbaugh, Tim Reitnouer
Faculty Advisor: Jim Kaiser
Song Title: “Hesitate”
Composer: Judah Akers
View the Project Log (PDF)

We congratulate you on your ingenuity and your skilled execution. (And your Shure gear prizes!)

Grand Prize Winners seated left to right: Joe Yonkers, Brendan Williams, Pat Linehan. Standing left to right: Peter Denenberg (Chair, Studio Production & Studio Composition Depts), Trevor Fedele, Josh Pleeter, Silas Brown (Faculty Advisor)

The seven other competing schools submitted excellent tracks. A high-five goes out to them for their hard work, as well as the pics and video updates that kept me smiling all year long.

• Anderson University
• Appalachian State University (Hayes School of Music)
• Berklee College of Music
• Ex’pression College for Digital Arts
• Peabody Institute of the John Hopkins University
• University of Miami (Frost School of Music)
• University of South Carolina

A huge thank-you to the following recording industry luminaries who judged this year’s competition:

Carlos Alvarez has worked with recording artists including Marc Anthony, Alejandro Sanz, Ricky Martin, Jose Feliciano, Mika, Luis Enrique, and Julio Iglesias.

Steve Churchyard has worked with recording artists including Sheryl Crow, Rascal Flatts, Shakira, Jason Mraz, and Herbie Hancock.

Billy Perez has received credit as an engineer for projects with The Rolling Stones, Wynton Marsalis, John Batiste, Ron Carter, and Alan St. Jon, among others.

Mark Rubel runs the Pogo Studio in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, where he has worked with artists including Alison Krauss, Luther Allison, Adrian Belew, and Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets.

Zoe Thrall runs Studio at the Palms in Las Vegas, where she has worked with artists including Rihanna, The Killers, Katy Perry, Alicia Keys, LMFAO, Maroon 5, and Lady Gaga.

Visit the Contests page on shure.com next fall to learn more about the annual competition, which challenges college students in audio education programs to make the best recording they can using only Shure gear.

At The NAB Show, we could barely contain our excitement about previewing our two new camera-mount shotgun mics, the VP83 LensHopper™ Camera-Mount Condenser Microphone and the VP83F LensHopper™ Camera-Mount Condenser Microphone with Integrated Flash Recording.

Both mics caught the eye of industry publications and came away from the show with awards.

Videomaker Magazine‘s write-up about the NAB 2013 Spotlight Award it bestowed on the VP83F gave us all a shiver of pride:

“Among the DSLR-centric products we’ve seen, none have done what Shure does with the VP83F LensHopper™…” Read Full Article

It also was an honor to receive Digital Video Magazine’s 2013 Black Diamond Award for VP83F.

Both LensHopper mics won a ProSoundNetwork NAB 2013 Best of Show Award and a TV Technology Magazine STAR 2013 Award, much to our surprise and delight.

Wondering when you can pick up a VP83 or VP83F? Both should be available this summer. Stay tuned…

NEW PRODUCT OVERVIEW: GLX-D DIGITAL WIRELESS SYSTEMS
Webinar Description
Join us for an in-depth look at the technological innovations that make GLX-D Digital Wireless a breakthrough for anyone needing great sound in a user-friendly, affordable wireless microphone or guitar system. In this 60-minute webinar, we will explore features including automatic frequency management and smart power options, and discuss available configurations.

Dates & Times
Monday, May 6, 2013; 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM CDT Register for the 5/6 Webinar

Wednesday, May 8, 2013; 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CDT Register for the 5/8 Webinar

HOW TO CHOOSE A SHURE SOUND ISOLATING EARPHONE
Webinar Description
Whether you use them onstage with personal monitor systems or with an MP3 player at the gym, Shure Sound Isolating Earphones deliver professional sound quality and block unwanted outside noise. Join us for a 60-minute webinar that will walk you through the different models and how to choose the right one for your application.

Dates & Times
Monday, May 20, 2013; 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM CDT Register for the 5/20 Webinar

Wednesday, May 22, 2013; 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CDT Register for the 5/22 Webinar

After you register, you’ll get a confirmation email that’ll tell you how to join the webinar.

System requirements for PC-based attendees: Windows® 7, Vista, XP, or 2003 Server. For Macintosh®-based attendees: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer required.

Happy learning!

View archives of our webinars at your convenience on shure.com.

Do you have your set list yet? Do you even know where to go? Allow me to assist you, at least with the where-to-go part:

Find National Open Mic Night Venues + Share Your Pics

Facebook not so much? Check out the venues list on the National Open Mic Night page on shure.com.

For a lot of folks at Shure who play music, open mics are a way of life. You might get up onstage as a new performer just getting your chops down, and next in the lineup might be someone who’s been gigging for decades. You meet, strike up a conversation, and next thing you know, you’re writing music together. And, if you’re acoustic and new to the scene, it might even be your first time using a mic. We’ll have different mics for you to try out at all the venues, so you’ll get a sense of what gear works for you.

Check out this video recap of last year’s event. Two guys in there pretty much sum up what makes open mic culture the great musical institution it is.

So, what are you sitting around watching videos for? Come out and play!

What makes them different? VP83F has an internal digital flash recorder while VP83 does not. In this short video, Chris Lyons explains the key features of each model.

Both mics will be available this summer.

Read more details about the VP83 LensHopper™ Camera-Mount Condenser Microphone and VP83F LensHopper™  Camera-Mount Condenser Microphone with Integrated Flash Recording on shure.com.

SCM820 offers selectable IntelliMix modes, dual mixer operation, and multiple connector variations. Plus, you can choose between standard Ethernet or Dante™ digital networked audio configurations.

Check out this short video, in which Gino Sigismondi walks through the key features of SCM820.

We’re offering a mail-in rebate on Beta Microphones purchased from April 1 through June 30. There’s a limit of six microphones per customer, and you can save up to $60, depending on the model.

View all the details, including which mics are eligible, and download the claim form on the Beta Microphone Rebate page on shure.com.

Find a local retailer that sells Beta Microphones or find an online retailer on the Where to Buy page on shure.com.

Go forth and save money!

BETA MICROPHONE BASICS
Webinar Description
Since the introduction of the original BETA 57 and BETA 58® microphones, the premium sound quality, road-worthy construction, and application-specific versatility of the Beta series have established it as the go-to microphone series for professional sound reinforcement.

This webinar will trace the development of the Beta line from the early supercardioid dynamic microphones to a full range of small- and large-diaphragm condenser microphones in a variety of pickup patterns designed to suit any application.

We’ll look at the differences among all the various models, and give you tips for choosing the right one for the job.

Dates & Times
Monday, April 1, 2013; 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM CDT Register for the 4/1 Webinar

Wednesday, April 3, 2013; 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CDT Register for the 4/3 Webinar

NEW PRODUCT OVERVIEW: BLX WIRELESS SYSTEMS
Webinar Description
This webinar will cover the features and options that make BLX Wireless the ideal wireless microphone system for performers, presenters, and houses of worship needing a rugged, easy-to-use, and great-sounding system.

Dates & Times
Monday, April 15, 2013; 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM CDT Register for the 4/15 Webinar

Wednesday, April 17, 2013; 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CDT Register for the 4/17 Webinar

After you register, you’ll get a confirmation email that’ll tell you how to join the webinar.

System requirements for PC-based attendees: Windows® 7, Vista, XP, or 2003 Server. For Macintosh®-based attendees: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer required.

Happy learning!

View archives of our webinars at your convenience on shure.com.

An Introduction to DIS
Webinar Description
DIS Discussion & Conference Systems offer a compelling alternative to traditional PA-based speech reinforcement systems. By providing users with localized sound reinforcement via small speakers integrated into the microphone units or through headphones, DIS systems make setup much easier. Simple connectivity and intuitive meeting control are but a few of the many benefits of both the DDS 5900 and DCS 6000 systems.

Join Technical and Education Communications Manager Chris Lyons and Product Marketing Manager Luis Guerra for a comprehensive look at the advantages of this style of conferencing and highlights of the features of the two DIS systems.

Dates & Times
Monday, March 4, 2013; 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM CDT Register for the 3/4 Webinar

Wednesday, March 6, 2013; 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CDT Register for the 3/6 Webinar

Troubleshooting Wireless Microphone Systems
Webinar Description
“My wireless microphone is dropping out. What should I do?” If you’ve ever asked yourself this question, or been asked to help someone else answer it, this webinar is for you. The vast majority of wireless microphone problems can be solved by following a few simple, but often overlooked, steps.

Join Shure Systems Support Engineer Tim Vear for step-by-step instructions for identifying the likely causes of dropouts, noise, or reduced operating range, as well as practical tips for maximizing the performance of your systems. Come prepared with questions!

Dates & Times
Monday, March 18, 2013; 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM CDT Register for the 3/18 Webinar

Wednesday, March 20, 2013; 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CDT Register for the 3/20 Webinar

After you register, you’ll get a confirmation email that’ll tell you how to join the webinar.

System requirements for PC-based attendees: Windows® 7, Vista, XP, or 2003 Server. For Macintosh®-based attendees: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer required.

Happy learning!

View archives of our webinars at your convenience on shure.com.

Since last fall, they’ve had the opportunity to experiment with different Shure mics in an effort to record the best track they can using only Shure gear. In this final installment of the competition video series, the teams recap what they learned in the process, and tell us what they thought of the mics they used.

Stay tuned: at the end of April, we’ll announce the winning schools as determined by our panel of recording industry luminaries.

Good luck to all, and thanks so much for sharing your creativity and ingenuity with us at Shure. It keeps us inspired (and maybe even young).

View videos from the planning and tracking phases of the competition:

Planning phase videos

Tracking phase videos

Learn more about the Fantastic Scholastic Recording Competition on our website.

There’s another part of NAMM season that keeps us on our toes, though. By then, products we’ve launched in the past year or so have been rigorously evaluated by users and industry experts alike, and it’s time to hear their thoughts. How do we know what they think? There are the reviews. And then, there are the awards.

We’re thrilled to have received the following awards recently. They inspire us to keep pushing the envelope year after year.

TEC Awards

The TEC Foundation recognized Axient® Wireless Management Network for Outstanding Technical Achievement in the Wireless Technology Category.

ProSoundWeb and Live Sound International Readers’ Choice Awards

Axient was named Wireless Microphone System of the Year. KSM9HS won in the Condenser Microphone Category, and PSM®1000 received its second Readers’ Choice Award as the sole winner of the In-Ear Monitor System Category.

Musical Merchandise Review’s Dealers’ Choice Awards

MMR polled more than 650 retailers across the country about their favorite products. The SM58® received the Microphone Line of the Year trophy at NAMM last month.

Pro Audio Review’s PAR Excellence Awards

The Pro Audio Review editors, contributors, and subscribers named ULX-D™ Digital Wireless System a winner in the Wireless Microphone Systems Category.

Music & Sound Retailer 27th Annual Music & Sound Awards

The Music & Sound Retailer editorial team stopped by our NAMM booth to award the KSM9HS the Best Cabled Microphone of the Year and ULX-D Digital Wireless the Best Wireless System of the Year.

Pro Sound Network’s Best of Show Awards

The Pro Sound News and Pro Audio Review editorial teams recognized the new GLX-D Digital Wireless System with a Best of Show award at NAMM.