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We are all figuring out this Facebook thing, so be sure to "like" us to watch the flailing.


You have been warned.

Hmmm... shoulda bought some AT cans.

see more There I Fixed It

Breaking News from The Farm--We are DOUBLING DOWN!
With adversity comes opportunity, so why not double down?

It is with great pleasure that I announce the merger of

Loppnow & Associates

with The Farm!

Who is Loppnow? Well, they are a storied rep firm serving the Pacific Northwest including the states of Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho and Montana. In business for over 25 years, they have built and maintained the finest line card over time in their territory. Our merger brings a significant increase in our ability to serve you, our customer. First, by leveraging our technology, you will see improved access to secure documents and product information. Your personal rep will be easier than ever to reach with our unified communications platform.

Most importantly, your rep firm, THE FARM Technical Sales & Marketing, will be more important to the manufacturers than ever before. We sincerely hope we have established a reputation for truly being your advocate. We have been scolded by our factories many times for being too "customer-centric." A sales manager once made me read my title to him from my business card. "It says 'MANUFACTURERS REP'. Remember who pays you!" this gentleman told me. We no longer represent his brand.....

That being said, there will be some changes afoot in our look and feel as we strive to become the finest Professional Audio and Video firm around.

So, here are the changes to expect in the very very near future...like in a few days.

1) We are retiring a bunch of unused email addresses. Our TROUTFARM.CC addresses as well as our THEFARM-TSM addresses will no longer work. I was stupid when I came up with an address with a dash or a hyphen in it. It was too hard to type, read over the phone and was just plain lame. So, they are GONE effective soon. As far as the TroutFarm name, that is still our corporate name, but not our identity. We will now only receive emails to @TheFarmAV.com

2) Our website will look very different. Although we will truly become one company, we have no immediate plans to retire the Loppnow name in the Northwest. Jim Loppnow has a reputation for ethics and honor that is worth a lot to us -- not unlike that of my mentor, Brian Trankle. Our new site will be fusion of the firms. You will still have access to the price lists and secure documents like before.

3) We are going to publish and beg you to use our Direct Dial telephone numbers. We will keep the 800 number for sure....but with our fancy system, even when you dial me direct, or any of our ten people direct (wow....10 people!), you can always hit zero to ring the whole team! We have a long standing commitment to never leave you hanging. When you really need someone, we will always have someone there to talk to. A real person, that really cares, that is on YOUR SIDE!

4) There may be a couple of tiny tweaks to the line-card. All of our brands are on board and excited about this new larger firm, but focus will be key moving forward. Not everyone moves as fast as we do.

5) I am sure all of you have seen Local Pro AV by now www.join.localproav.com I am not a fan of waiting around. LPAV has made sales. As it continues to grow, you will see exponential results. Right now, sign up is free. When we get enough stuff up on this site to get the search results all of you want all of the time, it won't be free anymore. Please just click OK. With our new bandwidth, we will have more time and more people to help you get your stuff up on the net and SELLING to parts unknown! It is free with ZERO COMMITMENT FROM YOU to sign up. Sign up now and you won't have to pay to play!

6) We are moving. We have outgrown our current location. So, your rep is likely going to run out of business cards in the coming weeks before the move. Don't be too hard on him.

7) We are ditching our old servers. Yes, just to make it as exciting as possible, we are tossing our old computer system! We may have an email hiccup here or there in the coming days, but we are moving to a cloud computing model. Right now we literally employ 2 web designers, one hardware tech, one VOIP specialist and one database specialist. That is FOUR COMPUTER GUYS! It got crazy. We have 11 computers and 4 computer dudes actually doing stuff for an office of 5 people. Totally silly, but back in the day, it was the only way we could get it done. Now, we are going to leverage our SMALL size to be nimble and move onto the cloud. Fewer computers, more horsepower.

So, to summarize, we are doubling in size, getting an all new computer system, moving, and expanding to 5 more states....all in the next couple of weeks. No big deal.

Please welcome to YOUR team of The Farm representatives Jim Loppnow, Bob Connelly, Sue Loppnow, and Brendon Brown! They may be in another state, but the lines are the same as well as the values!

I don't know if you can see it in the print here, but I am pretty dang excited. From all of us at the Farm, we sincerely thank you for putting us in the position to make this happen. We know that you have so much gear available to you...every purchase order you place with our factories is meaningful. Without your continued success, we are nothing.


John Hood

Principal.
The Farm

Brand New from The Farm!!!

E-Commerce for ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS!!

http://www.join.localproav.com/
http://www.localproav.com/

The Farm is expanding your customer base to include EVERYONE ON EARTH. For those of you too busy, too tired, or just too overwhelmed, The Farm has created a marketplace on the net in which YOU get to do business with anyone you like on earth.

This marketplace is for YOU. The customers we attract via the finest search engine optimization plan around become YOUR CUSTOMERS. This website is a service . This is a VALUE ADD from a rep firm that truly values your business.

The Farm makes money when you buy and sell our stuff. We take a small piece of the action to finance this site…which you will see did not come cheap. This site is the real deal…not some hillbilly e-commerce in a box site.

SO, our cut is 7% for stuff we don’t rep….and for stuff we do rep we only take 4%. . That is less than Amazon, and we offer better search results. Give us a try. Signing up is FREE (for now). Eventually, if this is as successful as we think it will be, we will be charging a set up fee….so get rolling on this NOW.

If you have lots of stuff to put on our site, our team will help you import your data. If you have only a few items, our team will teach you how to get it done. In either case, there is nothing to lose.


Some quick FAQ’s

Is my company name gunna show up somewhere?
Your company name is listed with EACH ITEM YOU PUT ON THE SITE. These are YOUR customers, not The Farm’s.

Who is going to type all that crap in the boxes?
You are. We are going to get you piles of money that you get to keep.

Why should I do this instead Ebay…which is really cheap?
Ebay don’t do squat for Search Engine Optimization. We are all about Google Products. We love the Google….and the Google loves us back.

Just click on the Merchant Login section and SIGN UP TODAY.

What is there to lose?

The next phase of the internet is LOCAL business. Get in front of the wave TODAY. Click on the links above and take a tour. Give us a call if you have any questions at all...

What a Deal!

Community is pleased to announce a lower free freight threshold of only $500 for orders of DnD, MVP II and S-Series models beginning November 9, 2009 through December 31, 2009. Dealers who place a minimum net $500 order on these models are eligible to receive free surface freight under the terms of Community’s standard free freight policy.



www.communitypro.com

AT Charity Sale

Audio Technica
Charity Sale
Tuesday, November 10, 2009.
'nuf said.

1/2 off a DSP322ua

Just purchase a system that includes…

• One DSP 322ua processor
• Eight AD-C or AD-S loudspeakers
• Eight channels of CX amplification --Choose any mix of CX Series amplifiers, total channel count must be at least 8

…and receive a 50% discount on the DSP 322ua processor.*

clickable


*expires July 1, 2010

Grab a Forty

Today at www.audio-technica.com the new 40 Series microphones are introduced.

This includes Audio-Technica’s first-ever ribbon microphones, the AT4080 and AT4081; as well as two new condensers, the stereo AT4050ST and multi-pattern AT4047MP.

You won't be putting these forties in a bag!

The Farm adds CONEN to the SUITE....SWEET!

Check it out! CONEN Height Adjustable Stands.

Integration of an interactive

board into your system offers

several advantages!

• Increased ease of use

• Easily height adjustable at

any time

• Easily adjusted to

future changes such as a

new projector

• Additional whiteboard

wings available for more

writing surface

• The option of mobility

• No more shadowing

For you

• An interesting board

accessory adding true value

• Already installed systems

can easily be re-configured

• Modular system,

packaged as such, saving

valuable warehouse space

and transportation cost.

Call us today for Dealer Pricing, Project Registration Programs and MORE

Are you a Symetrix Master?

Syminar Online Master Class Announcement
Topic: Advanced Paging for SymNet Applications
Date/Time: Wednesday, September 23 – 11:00 am PST / 2:00 pm EST
(Duration: Approx. 1:30 hrs)
Instructor: Ryan Curtright / Sr. Systems Support Engineer
This online webinar is open to any integrator, consultant or rep who is interested in
learning in-depth information about advanced paging for SymNet applications.
The course will demonstrate the ability of SymNet to reflect paging status using ARC-MIC
LED’s across a RS-485 network.
Topics covered include:
• Paging Signal Flow
• ARC-MIC Programming
• ARC LED Programming
• Advanced Control Signal Logic
To receive webinar access details please RSVP via email to Ryan Curtright:
rcurtright@symetrixaudio.com

Too Much Demo Gear!

Our job is to work for YOU. Our gear is YOUR GEAR!

Right now, in our barn, we have some amazing stuff to demonstrate for your customers. All you have to do is make the call. We haul it, we set it up, we bring snack-treats!

We have a Digital Projection Titan 1080p 10k lumen projector! Yours for the takin'...

How bout a 16 box QSC Wideline 8 Line Array (racks and stacks)?

Community Entasys Line Array Column Speaker System...awesome for difficult spaces.

Atlas Sound/Singlewire IP Speaker Clock/Bell/Intercom System

QSC K Series EVERYTHING 12's 10's Subs, 8's

Audio Technica Spectrapulse 7 wireless mic giddy-up!

Audio Technica IR Wireless Discussion System....ready to use!

Allen and Heath I-Live and I-live T Digital Audio Console/Snake Systems.

And so much more.

We come set it up. We take it down. We talk about it (or not)....all you have to do is point us in the right direction. Once again, WE DO EVERYTHING. Give us a call.

Symetrix August Tech Tip

Axiomtek Touch Panel Configuration for SymVue

The GOT-5100T-830 is a 10.4" Intel® Atom™-based fanless touch panel for use with SymVue technology. It adopts a modern, super sleek and fanless design and is equipped with a 10.4" TFT LCD as well as Intel® Atom™ N270 1.6 GHz processor.

SymVue is a real-time user control panel application that displays control screens exported from SymNet Designer 9.0 functioning as a multi-user, multi-point control environment for SymNet systems. SymVue runs on any Windows-compatible device, including touch screen enabled PCs and tablets, which run Vista or XP.

The process of creating a graphical user interface and exporting it to off-the-shelf control hardware represents a significant savings in time and money when compared to third party control systems.

The Axiomtek GOT-5100T-830 met the high standards in quality, appearance, responsiveness, as well as the ease of use and installation that is required of all products engineered by Symetrix.

Question: Will the Axiomtek touch panel PC function in a similar manner to other third party touch panel control systems?

Answer: Absolutely! With two "minor tweaks" during the initial set-up you can have the Axiomtek touch panel booting directly to SymVue, automatically connecting to the hardware, and seamlessly controlling any SymNet or Integrator Series system.

Setting up the Touch Panel PC for SymVue:
Note: These procedures will require a USB keyboard connected to the Touch Panel.

Set the Touch Panel to Boot When Power is Applied:

1. Press the DEL key during at boot.
2. Select "Chipset"->"South Bridge Configuration"->Restore on AC Power Loss" change default setting to "Power on".
3. Press the "F10" key to save and exit BIOS settings.

Set the Touch Panel to Boot Directly to SymVue:

1. Export SymVue file. On Panel Configuration page be sure to select:
   • Open to full screen mode
   • Keep SymVue on top of other windows
2. Using a USB drive, move the SymVue file to the root of C: drive. Example: C:\SymVue.svl
3. Open the registry editor: Start->Run->regedit.
4. Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE->SOFTWARE->Microsoft->Windows->CurrentVersion->Run
5. Next, right click in the Run folder under all other string values and choose New->String Value and name it "SymVue" without the quotes.
6. Double click the SymVue String Value icon, when prompt opens, type in the location of the SymVue file from Step 2 for "Value data" field. Example: C:\SymVue.svl
7. Close the registry editor.

www.symetrixaudio.com

Symetrix Master Class!

The next Symetrix online Master Class will be held tomorrow, Wednesday August 26, at 11:00am PDT. The topic is:
Hear the Difference, Know the Difference: AirTools 2x Digital Voice ProcessorThis online Master Class is open to anyone who is interested in learning more about the 2x form and function. The host will be Ryan Curtright. To receive a link to attend please e-mail Ryan at rcurtright@symetrixaudio.com.

Q-SYS SOFTWARE...Its fun and its FREE

Q-Sys™ Designer 1.0 ReleaseThe Q-Sys Designer 1.0 software release is a free download from QSC Audio's website.

Download Q-Sys Designer 1.0 Q-Sys Designer software allows you to create designs for the Q-Sys Integrated System Platform. The system design environment was created specifically to be intuitive and easy to use. It is laid out without clutter or complicated, multi-level menus. You'll be able to apply your skills to designing the system – not figuring out the software.Q-Sys™ is a complete integrated system platform that encompasses everything from the audio input to loudspeakers. Q-Sys provides all the audio routing, processing, control and monitoring necessary for any facility while maintaining the audio quality and reliability QSC has come to be known for. Designed specifically for the rigorous requirements of large-scale applications, the power of Q-Sys is a logical choice for stadiums and arenas, attractions and theme parks, performing arts venues, transportation hubs, legislative and judicial chambers, hotels and casinos, houses of worship, corporate campuses, educational facilities or anywhere else the need exists for a powerful system-wide audio solution. Click here for more information about Q-Sys

Follow your FARM rep on TWITTER

Hey...it actually is kinda useful. Each FARM rep starts his/her day by posting where in Northern California, Northern Nevada, or Hawaii they will be working. For instance, Yesterday, I was in the "South Bay." That happened to mean Fremont. You can kinda see where we go. It isn't spam. It isn't noise. It is short, sweet, to the point and done.

Soon enough, we will beging tweeting price moves. We cannot share any private or confidential information with you on twitter, but we can suggest that you seek out updated price lists or any other documents when there is a change.

Just follow us, for cryin' out loud. If you don't have a twitter account, it takes 2 minutes to set one up. OH....and follow this blog too! We are acutally trying to SAVE you time and not litter your in-box with garbage..

Our twitter Usernames are

TheFarmJohnH
TheFarmJonS
TheFarmPhilK
TheFarmMarieH
TheFarmTaraw
TheFarmLarryL

Twitter is pretty cool.


jh

DVI Gear Joins up with THE FARM

The FARM AV has added a new member to the prestigious line card.

DVI GEAR brings us HDMI and DVI distribution, matrixing and cabling at a great price. From simple HDMI splitters to massive DVI Matricies, these guys do it all. They take all the hassles out of the dopy protection and Diplay identification hassles that go along with digital video.

Make sure and hit http://www2.dvigear.com/index.html

For certain, check out the HDMI to 5 wire converter. Now you can put up that 1080p projector and not have to pull new wire!