YAMAHA BRINGS VEGAS VENUE INTO DIGITAL DOMAIN

—Las Vegas Hilton Upgrades Theater With Dual PM1D Systems—

BUENA PARK, CA (May 23, 2003)—With a reputation for great sound, a large stage and a list of legendary performers, the Theater at the Las Vegas Hilton is known as one of the last remaining great classic showrooms in Las Vegas. Recent events include a production of the Broadway smash musical Rent with Damon Wayans, the television broadcast for Wheel of Fortune, corporate events for Microsoft, Sony and Intel, and concert dates for Natalie Cole, Lonestar, Sheena Easton, Kenny Rogers and the Doobie Brothers. As part of an ongoing audio-visual upgrade, the venue recently entered the digital domain with the addition of two Yamaha PM1D large-format digital mixing systems.

Two PM1D systems were recently installed in the Theater at the Las Vegas Hilton to accommodate its mix of concert, corporate and broadcast events.

"We've focused on using the room as a 'multi-purpose'-a mix of concert, corporate and broadcast events," explains Las Vegas Hilton technical director Mark Harman, who works in close conjunction with the Entertainment Director, and is responsible for all Entertainment Technical Operations, staffing and equipment acquisition for the Hilton's venues. "We wanted the sonic quality, flexibility and practicality that benefits all three types of event activity."

The new consoles are another step in an ongoing renovation that began in 1998 when the existing stage was replaced, seating reconfigured and a broadcast video infrastructure (including redundant pre-wired camera locations, dedicated fiber out of the building and comprehensive quick-disconnect truck AV interconnection panel) was installed. The lighting system has also been recently modified with the addition of Mac 2000s and a Whole Hog III control system. The theater's video includes of two motorized 10.5' x 14' rear projection screens, a Panasonic switcher and Sanyo 3000 lumen projectors. IMAG routinely accompanies concerts events, with digital video promotional playback during audience seating.

The new PM1D systems are located at the front of house (approx. 55' from the stage edge) and onstage monitor positions, with each Yamaha CS1D control surface adjacent to its own DSP1D engine. Other P.A. components include Clair Brothers model 12AM stage monitors, and EAW KF761 linear arrays driven by Crown Macro Tech amps and controlled by Crown IQ/USM-810 digital processing.

"We realized the desirability of all-digital very early," notes Mike Beyer, head sound engineer. "We carefully studied and listen-tested all the major contenders in the digital console market."

L to R: Mike Beyer, Head Sound, Las Vegas Hilton; Mark Harman, Technical Director, Las Vegas Hilton.

Designed for live and installed sound applications, the Yamaha PM1D performs all mixing and audio processing functions completely in the digital domain. Features include 32-bit internal processing, 48- and 96-channel configurations, 48 mix busses, 24 matrices, 12 DCAs, top-quality 28-bit A/D and 27-bit D/A conversion.

In making their equipment decisions, Harman and Beyer listened to the opinions of respected professionals who had extensive road experience with various digital desks. "We waited for an acceptance level on the part of the general population of touring engineers," Harman notes. "Only then did we make the decision and financial commitment to purchase the PM1D systems."

Harman sites reliability and product support as important factors, along with on-board processing which would minimize the need for outboard gear, total instant recall and sonic quality. "The ability to share effects from song to song, or artist to artist, is extremely useful," he explains. "For instance, when making a change to one or more channels, you can instantly add it to any, or all other scenes. That's a feature not found on most other recallable consoles. And, there's always a knob to grab or a fader to push. You're not stuck in a screen clicking a mouse!"

The venue has a flexible seating configuration for anywhere from about 600 to 2000. Typical activity is with approximately 1600 seats. Multiple acts are booked almost every weekend.

"Visiting engineers are increasingly using the PM1D," adds Harman. "All remarks have been superlative, particularly with regard to improved sonic quality."

For more information, contact Yamaha Corporation of America, Commercial Audio Systems Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622, telephone 714-522-9011, email infostation@yamaha.com or visit www.yamaha.com/proaudio.