NORTHEASTERN PRODUCTION SYSTEMS CELEBRATES 35th ANNIVERSARY WITH JBL PROFESSIONAL LOUDSPEAKERS

NORTHRIDGE, CALIFORNIA, February 26, 2007 — Demonstrating the limitless possibilities when innovative technology is coupled to creativity and technical expertise, Northeastern Production Systems of Rochester, NY is celebrating its 35th Anniversary in 2007 and, by extension, its 35-year relationship with JBL. Since 1972, Northeastern Production Systems has evolved from a local sound production supplier to one of the region’s premier audio/lighting/video systems providers. Ongoing advancements in JBL loudspeaker technology have contributed to this evolution.

Over the years, artists for whom Northeastern Production Systems has provided live production services include Al Green, Heart, Patti LaBelle, Bill Cosby, KC and The Sunshine Band, Public Enemy, Chuck Mangione, the Spinners, and the Goo Goo Dolls. According to founder Ray DiBiase, the key to Northeastern Production’s success and growth has been its ability to provide a variety of different services as the company has evolved. “First we added lighting in the late 1970’s, then in 1990 we decided our destiny was in total production packages,” DiBiase said. “We proceeded to purchase staging, stage roofs, backline systems and concert barricades. The next step was power generators in the mid 1990s and in 2000 we started employing video projection.”

Since its first entry into the audio world, Northeastern Production Systems has been a JBL customer. “When our company began 35 years ago, so did our relationship with JBL,” DiBiase said. “The days of our component systems using JBL 4550’s for subs, and JBL 4560’s for low mids are long gone. During that period we had two different types of high-mid and high-frequency configurations. The first utilized 2482 phenolic high-mid drivers and 2420 high-frequency drivers for the really loud shows. The second utilized 2440’s and 2402 high-mid and high-frequency drivers for higher fidelity shows. Though the phenolic 2482’s never seemed to fail, we soon began to only use the 2440/2441 and 2405 combination for the improved audio quality. I can even remember bringing a couple dozen 2482’s to the JBL factory while on a West Coast tour in the early 1980s to have the top plates and diaphragms changed to 2441’s

In the early 1990’s, Northeastern Production Systems purchased its first two-box modular, packaged JBL system which consisted of the Concert Series 4850 top boxes and 4842 subwoofers. The company still has a 32-box Concert Series speaker system in operation with 16 JBL 4850 loudspeakers and 16 4842 loudspeakers. “In the right situations, this 4850/4842 front-loaded system still has a useful place in our world,” DiBiase noted.

As the standard for live audio loudspeaker systems evolved to line arrays, DiBiase chose JBL Professional’s revolutionary VERTEC® line array system to take the company into the future. Since purchasing its first line array system, Northeastern Production has purchased close to 100 VERTEC boxes for its internal inventory as well as installations. In 2006, Northeastern Production completed a package installation of sound, lighting and video at the newly rebuilt “CMAC,” formally known as the “Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center,” in Canandaigua, NY with a complete JBL VERTEC line array system.

"Veteran customers like Northeastern Production Systems really demonstrate the long-term business value of JBL transducers and systems," observed David Scheirman, Vice President, Tour Sound for JBL Professional. "From the early use of JBL components in custom boxes, to vintage JBL systems, to today's modular, high-performance array elements, Northeastern has experienced and participated in the growth and evolution of high performance concert rigs. We congratulate Ray DiBiase and his team on achieving their 35-year anniversary in the rental sound reinforcement industry."

About JBL Professional:
Headquartered in Northridge, California, JBL Professional is the world’s leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of professional loudspeakers for recording and broadcast, musician, cinema, touring sound, commercial sound and contracting applications. Celebrating its 60th Anniversary in 2006, JBL Professional is the proud recipient of the 2005 Technical GRAMMY® award. JBL Professional is part of the Harman International network of professional and consumer audio companies. For complete product and company information, go to the JBL Professional website at www.jblpro.com.

About the Harman Pro Group:
The Harman Pro Group (www.harmanpro.com) is the world’s largest provider of professional audio products and system solutions for commercial sound, contracting, tour sound, recording and broadcast, musician, portable PA and cinema applications. The Group is headquartered in Northridge, California and includes industry leaders AKG Acoustics, BSS Audio, Crown International, dbx, DigiTech, JBL Professional, Lexicon, Soundcraft, and Studer. The Group is part of Harman International Industries, Incorporated (NYSE: HAR), a leading supplier of high-quality, high fidelity audio products and infotainment systems for the automotive, home and professional markets.