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Large-Format Line Arrays

Large-Format Line Arrays

Outline Butterfly

OK, you have been reading these things for a while, so you know the drill. Chart comparing a bunch of line array boxes is on the following two pages. A couple of notes… First, remember that manufacturers provide this info. We do our level best to make sure that everyone provides info in a consistent manner, so it is an apples-to-apples comparison. We do not always succeed, but it should at least be fruit to fruit and not apples to doughnuts, if you know what I mean.

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Line Arrays — Do the Math

Figure 1

Getting into line-array speakers is a nice additional tool to have when deciding what gigs get what kinds of speakers. In fact, line-array speaker cabinets have been popping up in unconventional applications, such as being stacked two high for medium- to long-throw spot reinforcement in nightclubs. In this piece, I want to run through the typical line array application, determine the amplifier/speaker processor settings and take another look at when more compact arrays are used.

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Can I Hear Me?

Before I get into the subject this month, I would like to acknowledge all of you who volunteer to mix sound at your house of worship. For the most part in this country, you are the backbone of worship sound. Considering how important your job is, I have noticed that you guys and gals out there seem to have the least training. So, now you know my motivation for the last few months' worth of subjects. This month, we are going to look into monitors.

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InnovaSON SY48 Digital Console

InnovaSON SY48

The topic of today’s discussion is the InnovaSON SY48. I’m going to preface this review with a blanket statement — this console is so deep that it will be impossible for me to write everything down without being too long-winded. With that said, let us dive in.

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Cerwin-Vega CVA-118 and CVA-28

Cerwin-Vega CVA-28

My first real speakers were Cerwin-Vega. I can't remember the model number, but I can tell you that they incorporated a 15-inch woofer and one high compression horn, and they put out plenty of bass frequency response for that design. When I first bought them I felt like I had finally entered the pro sound world. This really has nothing to do with my review, but I was feeling a bit nostalgic when I received them.

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AKG D 40 Instrument Mic

AKG D 40

I find it refreshing that microphone makers can still bring out great product offerings instead of resting on their laurels, in some cases, for many decades. AKG is not resting, and the D 40 instrument microphone shows that it is listening to its customers and showing a bit of innovation.

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Allen & Heath MixWizard 12M

MixWizard 12M

Finding dedicated monitor mix mixing consoles is getting more difficult as time goes by. Sure the new digital console offerings have reasonably good flexibility, and the higher-end analog consoles have enough auxiliary sends to get the job done. But what about the market that needs inexpensive and simple-to-use monitor mixing gear? With every musician stealing two mixes for stereo in-ear monitoring, where are you going to get a dozen aux sends per channel and enough channels to handle modern music bands? Well, Allen and Heath’s new MixWizard line has just expanded to solve this dilemma.

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Making the Big Jump

R&B artist Chris Brown in concert at Dodge Arena

Big House Sound started when a PA guy and a monitor guy joined forces. The rest, as they say, is history.

So, what happens when a man with a PA bumps into a man with a monitor rig? In a move that parallels a television commercial, the two join forces and start up one of the most successful audio companies in Texas. Welcome to the overly simplified history of Austin’s Big House Sound, which dates back to 1991 when Rod Nielsen, who owned the house PA, met Roy Kircher, the monitor owner.

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On-the-Road Perspectives from The Best Damn Tour

Avril Lavigne’s The Best Damn Tour in concert

We get the inside scoop from crew on Avril Lavigne’s latest world tour.

Avril Lavigne’s The Best Damn Tour has been on the road since 2007, starting with promotional appearances and festivals throughout North America, Europe and Asia. The world tour launched in March of 2008 in Avril’s hometown of Victoria, British Columbia, and is currently finishing up within the next two months in Asia. Working with Nettwerk Management, supporting the tour on the audio side has been LMG, Inc., a full service provider of show technology with locations in Orlando, Las Vegas and Phoenix. Throughout the run of the tour has been Jim Yakabuski, FOH engineer and LMG tour technician, Monitor Engineer Matt Peskie, and throughout the U.S. and European leg, Evan Hall, systems engineer and LMG audio technician. They’ve contributed some “perspectives” from the road of their experiences, challenges and solutions supporting Lavigne.

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New Gear

Digidesign D-Show Profile Mix Rack System

Developed specifically for small- and mid-sized performance venues, houses-of-worship, touring and fixed installations, or as an upgrade for existing analog systems, the D-Show Profile Mix Rack System combines a D-Show Profile console with the new Mix Rack, a compact 11-space rack enclosure that incorporates all audio I/O (stage and local) and DSP into a single chassis. The resulting system combination is designed to offer a compact, portable and cost-effective way to take advantage of the power and flexibility of VENUE, including native control of a vast library of TDM plug-ins and tight integration with Pro Tools software for live multitrack recording and playback. www.digidesign.com/venue

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3-Ring Charity Circus

www.tonygleeson.com

So, there I was, minding my own business eating dinner at around 7:30 at night when my phone rang. I didn’t recognize the number on my caller ID, and thought to myself, maybe a new client. I answer the phone, and they began to tell me that they were promoting a show in my area. I asked for some details. They told me they needed a PA for four bands, and that it was to be held in a giant “steel” circus tent.

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Ravinia: Good People, Good Times, Good Music

Pictured at Ravinia Festival FOH position are, (L to R): Will Huffman, Local 2 monitor engineer; Tom Carlson, A Sound Choice FOH system tech; Mike Gotshall, A Sound Choice president; Norm Krueger, Local 2 FOH engineer; Tim Christenson, A Sound Choice monitor system technician; and Sam Amodeo, Local 2 master sound technician.

With a history of more than 100 years, Chicago’s Ravinia is unlike any festival out there.

Most festivals are just shows with a few more acts and a somewhat longer run. But Chicago’s Ravinia is not just another festival. Opening in May and ending in October with multiple acts almost every day, it is really more of an install — kind of semi-temporary, but an install all the same.

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