CURRENT ABTB NEWS Hover over article to pause….

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    UNIVERSAL PARKWIDE CONTROL SYSTEM (UPCS) installed at Universal Studios Japan and is now running the most technically advanced and complex parade ever created.

    The ABTB difference.
    • Neither of our competitor's are in a position to advise a client on a total parade audio and control package

    • Competitor 1 - has an overly-complex control system that requires a less-than-intuitive approach to scripting.

    • They don’t provide:
      • Float audio speakers and amplification
      • Wayside audio speakers and amplification
      • wi-fi network
      • An accurate parade route map

    • They do have:
      • A finicky and expensive GPS-only float tracking solution
      • A non-user-friendly programming interface that requires compiling before most changes can take effect
      • The ability to design and program custom UI screens
      • Only one sole “parade” client

    • Competitor 2 - has a simple and basic playback and audio/video crossfading system.
      • They don’t provide:
        • Float audio speakers, dsp and amplification
        • Wayside audio speakers, dsp and amplification
        • A specific proven float tracking solution
        • Actual real-world experience with what it takes to design, set up, maintain and operate a parade in the real world.
        • They have no “parade” clients yet or have ever “done” a parade other than to provide playback hardware.
        • They allude to the supporting systems (Qsys DSP, wi-fi network, wheel encoder, etc.) but aren’t clear on the implications of each subsystem requirements or choice. 

    A park or client considering a parade needs to know much more than just that they can connect an Audio Delivery system to their existing speakers and have a quality parade. The devil is in the details at every step in the design and implementation process.

    • Float artistic design impacts audio quality and effectiveness.
    • Float power and wiring impacts ease in operation.
    • The number, location and type of speakers needs to be considered in an effective parade design.
    • Parade route design can also impact creative/music design considerations 
    • If a client is going to spend “parade-level money” they should want a quality parade; a show without good sound is a weak show, no matter the visual contents or concept. 

    So, ABTB can (individually or collectively) provide:
    • Experienced know-how to avoid a client from making costly mistakes in designing and mounting a parade !!
    • Experienced audio system design for onboard Float systems
    • Experienced audio system design for wayside audio reinforcement
    • Experienced music arrangement, recording, mixing and post production
    • Guidance on parade wi-fi network requirements and setup
    • A proven and flexible scripting and operation interface designed by the most experienced parade operators in the world

    UPCS is a:
    • Property-wide audio controller
    • Designed with parades and parade operation in mind 
    • Flexible system to allow for creative options to be implemented or changed quickly 
    • Automatic backup fail-safe operation
    • Direct on-board control interface via the off-board UPCS client
    • Driver modules for communicating with external systems 

    One of the key bottom lines for a client is to understand that “Parades are not as simple as you’d like them to be (or as simple as some would have you believe). Parades don’t have to be as complicated as others would have you implement. If you want a parade or park audio system, ABTB can and help you do it right.”

    Please     contact ABTB for further information re: UPCS - THANK YOU!!
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    Almost 4 years in the making!!

    “Universal Spectacle Night Parade: Best of Hollywood,” featuring Transformers, Jurassic World, Harry Potter, and Minions debuted! This cutting edge parade features moving projection mapping along the entire parade route–a state of the art technology developed by USJ–plus film-quality lighting, a cinematic score, and performances by live entertainers.

    USJ Nighttime Spectacle - Best of Hollywood Parade! Audio By The Bay is honored to be part of this "Game Changing" piece of Theme Park Entertainment. Close to four years ago, ABTB was asked to provide design and programming support for an entirely new parade route at USJ. The new route includes individually addressable speakers along the entire route as well as a new, ground breaking Park-wide controls system (UPCS) to perform a level of parade control not available though any other system until now. UPCS allowed ABTB to create a non-synchronous musical score to utilize a different piece of music for not only each IP but, for each float. It also allowed ABTB to produce sound design/SFX for each of the nine different projection mapping locations mimicking a surround sound movie at each location on the route that actually moves with the parade.

    CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ENTIRE TEAM!!!!

    Director: Kahori Kanaya
    Executive Producer: Mike Davis
    Video Designer: Bart Kresa
    Music Produced by: Paul Freeman, Bob Wackerman (ABTB)
    Music Engineered by: Paul Freeman (ABTB)
    Music Arrangements and Orchestrations: Alan Lee Silva (ABTB) / John Williams
    Audio System Design: Aaron Leishman (ABTB)
    UPCS Specialist: Don Dorsey (ABTB)
    UPCS Engineer: Pete Baines
    Special systems voicing and support: Erik Hockman (ABTB)
    Projection programming: Chris Hartwell (ESI)
    US Producer: Norm Kahn (Utopia)
    Japanese Producer: Makoto Ishida
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    Two More IAAPA BRASS RING Awards!!

    Audio By The Bay is very proud to have been part of the production teams for two Universal Studios Japan shows that won Brass Ring Award yesterday at IAAPA. Voice of An Angel won Best Theatrical Production and The Violin Trio Won Best Atmosphere/Street Show. Thanks to Michael Edward Davis and Kahori Kanaya for many years of collaboration and fun, and a big shout out to ABTB's own Joe Pileggi for directing and producing the music for the Violin show. Congrats to Jon Kubis as well for his great arrangements and collaboration.

    IAAPA Announces 2017 Brass Ring Award Winners Top Honors Celebrate Attractions Industry Excellence at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2017

    ORLANDO, Fla., US (Nov. 15, 2017) – The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) presented the 2017 IAAPA Brass Ring Awards on Nov. 15 during IAAPA Attractions Expo 2017 in Orlando, Florida. The annual awards recognize amusement parks, water parks, zoos, aquariums, museums, family entertainment centers (FECs), and suppliers from around the world for excellence categories including food and beverage, games and retail, human resources, live entertainment, marketing, new products, and exhibits.

    The tradition of the brass ring, a term now synonymous with spectacular achievement, dates back to the 1800s. Rings were suspended above carousel riders — low enough for them to grasp, but high enough to pose a challenge. Most rings were made of iron, but a few were made of brass, so grabbing the brass ring was a valuable treat. Skilled riders who grabbed a brass ring often earned prizes, including a free ride on the carousel.

    The IAAPA Brass Ring Awards are the most prestigious professional honors awarded, marking achievements of excellence throughout the international attractions industry. 

    The winners of the 2017 IAAPA Brass Ring Awards are:

    Best Theatrical Production: Annual Attendance More than 3 Million: “The Voice of an Angel,” Universal Studios Japan, Osaka, Japan; www.usj.co.jp/e/

    Best Atmosphere/Street Show Performance/Act: “Violin Trio,” Universal Studios Japan, Osaka, Japan; www.usj.co.jp/e/