News

OPTOCORE Establishes New Operations for North America

Munich, June 20, 2008

To respond to recent significant increases in business and associated technical support demands throughout the US and Canada, Optocore who has its headquarters in Munich are pleased to announce they will be moving their North America office to Toronto, Ontario from the previous location in Totowa, NJ.

As of June 1, 2008, all operational aspects will now be the responsibility of the newly appointed Managing Director - Bill Coons, known throughout the industry as the Director and owner of Contact Distribution who has been the Canadian distributor for Optocore for the last 1.5 years. Bill Coons commented, "In a very short period of time since we introduced the brand we have had great success having placed fiber optic network systems in various critical applications from broadcast, mobile recording and commercial installations across the country where no other product offered the functionality or the quality of Optocore devices. We've now got the country's leading consultants and designers standardizing on the product and a number of the top integrators and technicians having completed the OCT - Optocore Certified Training." Bill went on to add, "To date the existing rep network in the states has achieved similar success with some major production companies and integrators. From New Years Eve in Times Square to numerous installs in theme parks, performing arts centres, churches and large sports venues Optocore's abilities are being recognized creating a demand that we have to respond to."

Optocore's recent release of the DD2FE optical MADI network interface allows for Studer and Soundcraft digital consoles to be added to the expanding list alongside Yamaha and DiGiCo as the only unilateral fiber network platform that supports the major digital consoles.

Marc Brunke, Managing Director and head designer stated, "We've been impressed with Bill's enthusiasm and marketing talents and the initial response from the US reps share this as many have known him for years. We believe that we have got a great team together to support our existing customer base as well as the new opportunities we're being presented with."

Tine Helmle, Optocore Director of Sales and Marketing, said: "It's comfortable to know that our sales and marketing activities in North America are in Bill's hands. With him being in the professional audio business for so many years we can not think any one better to represent our company!"

Optocore products are considered the leading edge of fiber optic based premium audio and control transport having been used in high profile, critical applications throughout the world since the company's formation in 1994. The implementation of an Optocore fiber optic network into Mediaset's (Italy) new OB van, the European Song Contest in Belgrade, a fixed installed Optocore network at the American Garden Theater at Epcot Center, Orlando, Florida and the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing are only a few of the latest projects involving the company's state-of-the-art products.

OPTOCORE Supplies Six DD32E for the Realization of the European Song Contest 2008 in Belgrade/Serbia

Munich, May 30, 2008

The European Song Contest is annually held among the active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union. Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then gives votes for the other countries' songs in order to determine the most popular song of the contest. The competition has been broadcasted annually since its inauguration in 1956. It represents one of the longest-running television programmes in the world. The latest audience figures of the recent years quote the popularity of the event, up to 600 million people watching international wide. The show is not only broadcasted in Europe, a great number of countries worldwide follow the event despite the fact that these countries do not participate.

23 countries participated in the 53rd final of the European Song Contest in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. The complexity and the challenging procedure of the event call for dependable technical equipment. PROCON Group, responsible for the technical outfit and realization of the contest, focused on reliable professional audio companies in order to supply a trustworthy PA system. Six OPTOCORE DD32E network devices exchanged digital audio signals with two of Yamaha's PM5D and two DM2000 consoles along with a number of Yamaha AD8HR and AD824 modules. The DD32E with its four principal ports for connection and transport of 32 AES/EBU channels (64 digital audio channels) suited perfectly for this application. The channels are user definable as inputs or outputs, this offers utmost flexibility. Redundant fiber connections using the two provided optical LINK-interfaces offer a dual redundant ring structure providing maximum safety in a logical network along with an outstanding low latency. With Yamaha and Optocore microphone preamps, the DD32E enables the gain control of the preamps on stage from a Yamaha digital console at FOH.

OPTOCORE and Yamaha together offer outstanding solutions for the transport and exchange of digital audio signals. Their products and innovations provide the highest safety standards along with supreme sound quality, best suitable for any kind of permanent or mobile application, as well as for such big and complex events as the European Song Contest.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - OPTOCORE Appoints Thomsun Trading Establishment as its New Distributor for the Middle East

Munich, May 21, 2008

Just on time for the PALME 2008 in Dubai, the Middle East professional sound, light, music, audio visual and systems integration exhibition OPTOCORE appointed Thomsun Trading Est. as its new distributor for the UAE. Led by Managing Director Mr. K.V. Thomas and with an unexcelled network of sales and support teams along with dealers and partners in the region, Thomsun Trading Est. is a well-known and recognized distributor for pro-audio, audio visual and music instrument products and support.

Established in the UAE in 1976 by founding directors Mr. K.V. Thomas, Mr. P. Shrinivas and Mr. V.T. John, Thomsun Trading Est. puts heavy focus on niche markets and represents a multi-faced business enterprise. The diverse sectors cover pro audio, consumer audio and musical instruments; electro-mechanical products; printing and packaging industry; pre-press and digital printing solutions; logistics and distribution; seafood and meat processing industries; supermarkets and bakery; home furniture; IT training and consulting among others. The Thomsun Group has emerged as a market leader in its fields of operations through its focused approach, strong market intelligence, attention to details, sound deployment of modern technology and a commitment to quality. The ambition is to provide all customers with the most cutting-edge products along with the best possible service and support.

Mr. K.V. Thomas says: "OPTOCORE is a unique fibre-based network solution for the broadcast and live markets. It effectively integrates with our existing range of pro-audio products to provide these markets with a high quality end-to-end solution."

According to Mr. A. Ghurde, Thomsun Assistant Project Manager, the decision for OPTOCORE was quite easy. "As we are very active in the broadcast, fixed installations and live/rental markets in the region, OPTOCORE was simply the best solution we could offer to our customers in this market. The OPTOCORE technology was designed from the scratch for real-time transport of audio, video and control data. The OPTOCORE Network is the only solution of its kind based on fibre and provides a high performance, high bandwidth secure network for professional audio, video, studio, broadcast and installation industry. Besides the obvious advantages in terms of technology offered by OPTOCORE, the OPTOCORE advantage lies in the assurance of high quality products with consistent technical support and competitive pricing."

Mr. L. Kanikaraj, Thomsun Trading Division Manager points out, "We have added a great product to our portfolio which I am sure will benefit our customers in the region. I look forward to great things to happen in the future.

For Tine Helmle, OPTOCORE Director for Sales and Marketing, Thomsun Trading Est. is ideally positioned to distribute OPTOCORE systems with the long going customer service and support. "The traditions at Thomsun Trading strongly reflect the traditions at OPTOCORE. We are both deeply committed to listening to the needs of our customers and - not simply coming up with a solution - but delivering systems that meet the application challenges, technology requirements and commercial demands of distinct projects. We look forward to work with Mr. Thomas and his team and to advance the service and support OPTOCORE provides our customers in the Middle East region."

OPTOCORE is proud to announce close cooperation with Soundcraft and Studer

Munich, May 15, 2008

OPTOCORE has welcomed Soundcraft and Studer as the latest members of their increasing community of partners. The three companies share the interest of developing state-of-the-art products for the professional audio industry and together they have now initiated the DD2FE, formerly known as DD4ME OPTICAL MADI device. Tine Helmle, OPTOCORE Director for Sales and Marketing, points out, "We are more than pleased to have Soundcraft and Studer "on board", with DiGiCo, Yamaha, Soundcraft and Studer we do now work together with some of the most well-known digital console manufacturers."

Soundcraft and Studer digital consoles now benefit from this new MADI interface. The DD2FE provides two fiber optic MADI ports allowing access of up to 128 in- and 128 output audio channels in an OPTOCORE network. The huge amount of channels exchanged by one DD2FE makes it the ideal and most cost effective interface for digital console systems. The DD2FE offers redundancy and the unique possibility to connect two Vi Series digital consoles to a single stage box, so that both FOH and monitor desks can share the main I/O connection, the perfect solution especially when it comes to challenging events.

OPTOCORE, Soundcraft and Studer have already successfully worked together on the celebrations of New Year's Eve in Times Square, the symbolic center of New York City 2007. Audio signals were seamlessly exchanged between FOH located at 44th street and the two stages on 46th and 47th street. A Studer Vista 5 SR FOH console communicated via the Studer SCore Live with two DD4ME devices exchanging MADI signals. An OPTOCORE fiber loop transported the signals to the respective stages, equipped with one DD4ME device at each place, which exchanged the MADI signals with two Studer SCore Live racks and a Soundcraft VI6™ console. OPTOCORE and its outstanding technology was the only solution to this application due to the extremely long distances, the high channel count and the different stages in use. The longest OPTOCORE cable connection used covered 500 meters! The highest quality audio signals were guaranteed due to the fact that everything remained in the digital domain.

With the DD2FE, OPTOCORE offers an additional innovative device for its optical digital audio network and the transmission of audio and data signals via fiber. The DD2FE represents a smart device - ready to face all the upcoming challenges, offering even more flexibility.

De Préférence - France Top Address for the Special Events and a specialist for Optocore

Munich, May 01, 2008

Wissous, a small town located about twenty kilometers south of Paris / France, is the base for one of the exclusive companies for the realization of what one could call "the very special events". De Préférence is the name one should look out for if it comes to events beyond the usual show. Founded by Alain Français in 1989, De Préférence quickly established a well-known reputation all over the world. The creed of the company is to provide state-of-the-art equipment alongside with brilliant knowledge in order to solve even the most challenging situation of any event.

Back in the founding years, Alain Français and his team quickly realized the importance of reliable equipment and especially the capability of knowing how to run it. These qualities are most important in order to step out of the huge group of event companies. De Préférence serves the demanding event market with the most modern technology; hence, it is not surprising that the choice was made in favor of Optocore when the step from an analog to digital multicore had to be completed. "It was no easy decision for us when we took that step about four years ago. We were just rewarded with the job of the inauguration of the new Airbus A380 in Toulouse / France and it was clear to us that this will not be the easiest job to do, especially with an estimated microphone line of over 300 meters. It was apparent that copper cables could not be the right answer so we searched the market for a better solution. Of course we also had to keep the investment in mind, but as it came to Optocore we were convinced pretty fast that any investment into this product would be paid back a several times more," commented Alain Français.

The list of De Préférence first-class references is countless: The inauguration of the Airbus 380A, the presentation of prêt-á-porter collections in Paris, the presentation of the Renault Twingo at Stade de France in Paris, a two month tour and recording with Florent Pagny and a symphonic orchestra, the latest recording session of The Cure, several events in Qatar and the opening and closing ceremony of the Pan African Games in Algiers / Algeria are only some current examples.

Alain Français added: "The events we work for are usually live events and often put up a lot of challenges during realization. We therefore have to be able to rely on our equipment. We are on the safe side with Optocore, it offers best quality, we use less cable, there is no more buzzing, no loss in signal and as a result more dynamics and a lot of input. Optocore opens new opportunities regarding the transport of signals. We use Yamaha consoles and the compatibility with Optocore using the YG2 and YS cards brings further advantages. Our equipment includes several different Optocore devices such as YG and YS cards, DD32Es and DD4ME MADI devices; this offers us a broad flexibility. A good example is the two-month long Florent Pagny tour with venues changing almost daily. The tour was accompanied by a symphonic orchestra and brought along a high technical effort, especially during the show at the famous Olympia Hall in Paris where we did both PA and recording. I had to use a lot of different devices but the system ran perfectly and everybody was pleased."

De Préférence is already planning the future: amongst others, several recording sessions, a big show in Arabia and the big festival of fireworks in Chantilly / France are on the upcoming schedule and Optocore will be a reliable companion.

Optocore Appoints HD Pro Audio as UK Distributor

Munich, March 18, 2008

Optocore, the Munich-based world leader in optical network and multicore technology, is pleased to announce the appointment of HD Pro Audio as exclusive distributor for its products in the UK.

HD Pro Audio was established by Andy Huffer and Mark Brown, with a clear view that to be outstanding the company not only needed to provide a well-defined core range of exceptional brands for digital audio mixing, recording and networking systems. Experienced service and support were equally important to help customers choose the right products and gain the maximum benefit from their investment.

"Having been personally involved with Optocore for the best part of a decade now, I am very pleased that HD Pro Audio has been appointed as the new UK distributor", commented Andy Huffer. "As a key brand within a focussed portfolio of professional audio products, both HD and Optocore can only benefit from our concentrated approach to sales and distribution. We see great things for the future of Optocore in the UK".

Marc Brunke, Optocore Managing Director and founder, was equally enthusiastic, "It is an excellent move for Optocore to work with HD Pro Audio as they are specialists in professional audio sales and offer a strong range of state-of-the-art products along with the necessary support. We feel very comfortable with HD Pro Audio being our new UK distributor and look forward to a long and successful corporation. We are particularly happy that Andy Huffer is part of the team. We have known each other for many years and I consider Andy to be one of the top leading experts for Optocore in the UK."

Tine Helmle, Optocore Director of Sales and Marketing, added, "Everyone here at Optocore feels great about HD Pro Audio being our new distributor and we look forward to a flourishing future."

Optocore follows the maxim of highest standards regarding customer support and service, knowing that this is the only solution for happy clients and successful products. The pool of Optocore distributors all around the world follow the same dictum. HD Pro Audio has outstanding and experienced sales and support staff and is able to provide a wide range of services including high standard training. With all the years of experience behind HD Pro Audio, the team provides product support that is second to none - just the right company for the distribution of Optocore high-tech products.

HD Pro Audio are based in Egham, Surrey England and can be contacted on +44 (0)1784 433687.

More than 10 Optocore devices in less than 10 square meters - Mediaset's new OB Van 27

Munich, March 01, 2008

Located in Cologno Monzese (MI) Italy, Mediaset is one of Italy's leading TV broadcast networks providing broadcast contributions from various sectors such as news, showbiz, live- and sport events. Mediaset has already successfully used Optocore devices in the past; this made the decision easy to rely on the outstanding quality and reputation of Optocore devices for the technological heart of one of Mediaset's latest investments.

The new OB Van 27 is designed for the outside broadcast of soccer and MotoGP sports events and is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art audio-, video- and broadcast technology. The Mediaset Engineering Group around Aldo Medici and Luciano Consigli were responsible for the technical interior of the van. 12 x DD32E, 3 x YG2 and 15 x YS2 Optocore modules form the core of the new Mediaset OB Van 27. It brings together all audio sources (video camera, audio multiplexer and demultiplexer, video tape recorder, jingle machine, microphones, audio monitors etc.) with the main console, offering both transport and matrix functions.

Two interconnected Optocore rings form the heart of the system. The first is located inside the OB van and comprises 7 x DD32E digital I/O modules in addition with an YG2 and 7 x YS2 optical digital Mini-YGDAI cards for Yamaha devices. The cards are plugged into a set of Yamaha DIO8s that are part of the PM1D system, the main console of the van. The second ring includes a set of YG2 and YS2 cards hosted by a further DIO8s, also part of the PM1D, and an additional set of YG2 and YS2 cards plugged into a spare DM1000. Supplementary DD32Es complete the second ring for internal and external audio connections. The Yamaha PM1D console is the main crossing point for the audio signals between the two Optocore rings. The van also provides three racks used outside to collect and distribute audio signals. They are each equipped with a DD32E along with Yamaha AD8HRs and DA824 for A/D - D/A conversion. All installed Optocore devices are equipped with mono mode (9/125) fiber transceivers.

Mediaset is enthusiastic concerning their new OB Van 27. "After a successful couple of years with flawless usage of a simple 3 devices Optocore network for the MotoGP productions, when we had to decide the networking for the new OB Van, we didn't have any doubt about the choice. The availability of the new YG2 and YS2 made the choice of the PM1D very easy to take. The legendary reliability of the PM1D and the Optocore system allow our engineers to focus their attention totally on their job, not thinking about any emergency plan!" says Aldo Medici.

Luca Giaroli, International Sales and Technical Manager of Optocore, was responsible for the in-house support. He says: "It was an interesting and challenging project, especially concerning the synchronous connection of more than 450 channels of audio from and to more than 200 different devices, by means of a "simple" Optocore network. Mediaset project managers perfectly understood the great potential of Optocore, not only as digital optical fiber network, but also its great intrinsic matrix system. Most of the time people think about the fiber for long distances. In this project, more than 10 Optocore devices are installed in less than 10 square meters! The Mediaset engineers were astonished during the design process, a little skeptical during the debug session and very excited once everything was running."

Once again, Optocore proves its established and well-known reputation for reliable and high standard digital audio technology, especially in combination with Yamaha products. The Mediaset OB Van 27 and its outstanding design would have been impossible without Optocore.

Luca Giaroli - Optocore's new International Sales and Technical Manager - the best support for the worldwide growing request

Munich, February 20, 2008

An innovative idea from the early 90s showed the way to one of the worlds top leading companies for digital pro audio networks.

"The development and growth of our company over the past years is incredible," says Tine Helmle, Optocore Director of Sales and Marketing. "The OPTOCORE OPTICAL DIGITAL NETWORK SYSTEM has become very popular and the demand for our products as well as for support is increasingly growing. This development required some changes within our company in order to present utmost support for our customers. I am very proud to present my team with Luca Giaroli as our International Sales and Technical Manager and Thorsten "ThoSchu" Schulze as our Product Manager."

Luca is working for Optocore since 2001 and knows the company since its first steps. In all the years, he took the chance to gather all the knowledge concerning the Optocore system. He has made himself a wide-reaching well-known name with an enormous reputation, particularly due to his excellent customer support. Wherever people get to know Luca, they are overwhelmed by his knowledge and his ability to explain the system. With his background, Luca is predestinated to combine sales and technical management. This brings up the advantage to optimize the support for the customer and end user; not just the responsibility of selling products but also being able to offer technical support and know how.

"I am excited about my new role: with my technical background and knowing all our customers since day One, I will have the chance to work closely with all of them, offering constant support and prompt reaction. With the great help which will be granted by ThoShu as new Product Manager, my new role of Sales and Technical Manager will give Tine Helmle, our Director of Sales and Marketing, more time and focus on a stronger marketing action. We all feel the new team is now very well equipped and ready for any future challenges."

Optocore is now ready to challenge the ever increasing worldwide request in fixed installation, broadcast and live market. "With Luca we have a direct contact person coordinating all inquiries, technical requests, info, help for designs and projects. ThoSchu will assist in all questions or needs regarding hardware, firmware, and product matters. Additionally Thorsten will be responsible for the lecturing of the Optocore Certification Training (OCT)" says Marc Brunke the Managing Director of Optocore.

Optocore Personalia

Munich, January 23, 2008

Optocore welcomes Thorsten Schulze aka ThoSchu as a new member of staff. He will be in charge of product management and technical support. In addition Thorsten will be lecturing the Optocore Certification Training (OCT). ThoSchu has spent his years in the Pro Audio field working as sound engineer and designer as well as technical director and executive producer at mega events. He brings along a wealth of experience and a broad knowledge of the industry. Thorsten and his family will move from Berlin to Munich within January 2008.

"Joining Optocore is a tremendous opportunity," he explains. "I have experienced exciting years in the Pro Audio Industry and look forward to even more. It all began with me developing speaker systems as a hobby, which will probably haunt me beyond retirement. I've worked in all sorts of fields in the Pro Audio world for the past twenty years, for example as system designer, technical consultant, system operator and programmer. The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Audi, the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Mayday, the Papal visit in Cologne, Germany as well as Live Aid and Live Earth are some of the clients and projects I've worked for. I therefore feel quite comfortable with my new role. This is a chance for me to move on and create something new, which is very tempting."

ThoSchu has already worked with Optocore products since 2003 and has collected a lot of experience with them. He was mainly involved in planning and programming the Optocore system in the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. The challenging Papal visit in Cologne on the occasion of the World Youth Day, with over 1.3 Million visitors was also realized with Optocore along with Thorsten's experience and know-how. ThoSchu technically supported all Mayday parties, one of the world's biggest Techno event, held in Germany, Belgium, Poland, Russia and Hungary as the master consultant for sound from 1991 - 2006. The PA system of Mayday 2005 and 2006 included Optocore. Furthermore he has made himself a name as technical director and project manager for the sound system of the Waldbühne Berlin (Berlins famous open air theater). Classic performances such as the German Opera with Mozart's Magic Flute (also with Optocore) and the famous Lang Lang concert were under his management and supervision.

Marc Brunke, Optocore Managing Director, is delighted with the engagement, saying "We are very pleased to have someone with Thorsten's skills and professional approach joining the team. I have no doubt that Thorsten will come up with many new ideas. His status within the industry is outstanding and I am sure he will contribute a lot to our already successful company and its products, and will support us to achieve even greater success in the coming years."

Times Square NYC - Optocore and Studer work together and welcome the New Year

Munich, January 14, 2008

New Year's Eve in Times Square the symbolic center of New York City - the world holds breath and cheers as the clock strikes twelve. The famous New Year's Eve Ball descends from the flagpole atop One Times Square, Optocore took part in saying goodbye to the passing year and welcoming the year ahead.

As one of the world's leading production companies Maryland Sound International (MSI), Baltimore (www.marylandsound.com) has emerged as a leader and pioneer in sound reinforcement. MSI organizes once-in-a-lifetime events such as the Berlin Wall Concert, sports, television, corporate and concert events as well as mega events such as presidential inaugurations (using Optocore) and the New York's New Years celebration in Times Square.

Robert Goldstein, Owner and Managing Director, and Ryan Beck, MSI System Designer and FOH Engineer, enthusiastically used Optocore to realize the high duties and responsibilities of the New Years Eve mega event for the third time in a row. With the support of Optocore Support Engineer Marc Wesler four DD4ME dual MADI network devices were integrated into the system. Audio signals were seamlessly exchanged between FOH located at 44th street and the two stages on 46th and 47th street. A Studer Vista 5 SR FOH console communicated via Studer SCore Live with two DD4ME devices exchanging MADI signals. An Optocore fiber loop transported the signals to the stages. The respective stages were equipped with one DD4ME device, which exchanged the MADI signals with two Studer SCore Live racks and a Soundcraft VI 6 console.

Optocore and its outstanding technology was the only solution to make this installation with its extremely long distances, the high channel count and the different stages possible. The longest used Optocore cable connection covered 500 meters! Highest quality audio signals were guaranteed due to the fact that all remained on a digital format and level. "One definite advantage of the system!" Marc Wesler sums up the exciting evening. "It was a great pleasure for me to see how it all fit together perfectly. Once again I would like to thank MSI for the perfect cooperation."