Mackie Ships DL1608 Digital Mixer

WOODINVILLE, WA  – Announced earlier this year, the highly anticipated Mackie DL1608 16-channel digital live sound mixer with complete iPad control is now shipping. To meet unprecedented demand, Mackie has increased production capabilities and shipments are now leaving the company’s North American manufacturing facility to customers worldwide.

“We are extremely excited to get the DL1608 into the hands of musicians and engineers,” commented Ben Olswang, Mackie product manager. “We’ve been addressing customer interest with a series of video podcasts that go over all the cool features. Plus, the Master Fader™ Control App has been fully updated with great new features that weren’t available in the preview version.”

BERKELEY, CA — Meyer Sound has begun delivering its CAL™ column array loudspeakers. Available in three models, CAL is a self-powered installation product that introduces an unprecedented level of vocal clarity in even the most reverberant environments. The recipients of the first shipments include a collegiate stadium and an indoor auditorium in the US as well as an Australian live performing arts center.

HUNTINGTON, WV — Newtech Systems, led by Tom Kibler, supervised the installation of a new sound system at Marshall University’s 9,100-seat Cam Henderson Center, which first opened in 1981.

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — The two-day Orion Music + More Festival, staged at Bader Field here recently, drew crowds that exceeded 33,000 per day with music from Metallica and 30 other hard-edged bands. ACIR Professional (Egg Harbor Township, NJ) supplied the new Yamaha CL5 digital console, two Yamaha PM5Ds and 10 Yamaha TX3n amps for monitors for the Damage Inc stage.

NORTHRIDGE, CA — Building on years of success with Soundcraft’s Vi1 digital mixer, Ray Davies used a Soundcraft Vi6 as the FOH console for his recent tour. Davies, co-founder of legendary rock band The Kinks, recently embarked on a North American tour, with Los Angeles-based group “The 88” serving both as opening act and his backing band. Davies performances spanned a catalog of hits including, ”You Really Got Me,” “All Day and All of the Night,” “Sunny Afternoon” and “Waterloo Sunset.”

Tristan Mallett (in photo) has been the FOH engineer for Davies for 15 years, working in coordination with monitor engineer Chris Wibberley, who has been with Davies for the past 12 years. Mallett is a longtime user of Soundcraft’s middle-footprint Vi4 digital console.

BELMONT, NC — South Point Baptist Church’s revamped 700-seat sanctuary includes a new sound system designed and installed by Russ Moore, owner of Hames Pro (Greenville, NC).

BELMONT, NH — John DeGange was installed sound manager at Daddy’s Junky Music Store last fall when it closed all 12 of its New England locations after 39 years in business. Armed with a client list, established industry contacts and a working knowledge of the industry, DeGrange didn’t panic. Instead, he launched DeGange Sound Solutions, LLC. He recently credited Symetrix’s Jupiter series and ARC-WEB smartphone-based control for giving the new business a significant edge.