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Ten Tips for International Touring

Fig. 1: An AC step-down transformer, such as this Whirlwind Power Link, is a must when carrying 110 VAC gear overseas.

Ten Tips for International Touring

Summertime is touring time and hopefully you’ll be busy, busy, busy. Before departing for your next overseas soirée, here are some things to contemplate.

#1: The Voltage Over There Ain’t the Same as Here

Unless you’re going to Canada or Mexico, expect the AC mains voltage to be different from that in the U.S., which in theory is 120 volts AC with a frequency of 60 Hz (in practice it varies from 110 to 120 VAC with an average around 117 V). Let’s examine voltage as it relates to two popular power supply types used for audio and MI gear: external “wall wart” and internal.

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First Baptist Church in Lawton, OK, recently installed a new P.A. system consisting of Bose RoomMatch asymmetrical array modules.

To Upgrade or Not to Upgrade

It has been my general experience that many — though certainly not all — houses of worship will wait until their house sound systems are completely falling apart before they consider investing in a new one. Well, I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to wait that long to upgrade (or completely replace) your church system. For that matter, you simply have to use your ears and check the worship house bank account and you will know whether it’s time. That said, you sometimes only have to upgrade a single piece of gear or two to make a huge improvement in the sound of your system.

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Illustration by Andy Au

The Rider

Years ago, I played in a “Top 40” band that traveled from hotel to hotel amusing a drunken clientele with very good covers of the popular tunes of the day. To stay current with the newest tunes and thus ensuring our income, we would read Billboard magazine and learn the most up-to-date tunes as they entered the charts. Most tunes that finally topped the charts usually started out in a lower position and worked their way up. Some tunes moved up the charts quicker than others while others dropped off the charts without ever climbing very high.

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Hometown Hero Regional Sound Company Nominees Chosen, Voting Begins

Hometown Hero Regional Finalists Chosen, Voting Begins!

LAS VEGAS — The 2014 ballot that forms the basis of the Hometown Hero Sound Company of the Year competition has been finalized. It’s posted online, and the voting process, which extends through Aug. 31, has begun. Follow the jump to find the link to the 2014 ballot for sound companies vying for Hometown Hero honors.

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