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January 2018

Audix Performance 40 Series Wireless Family

Audix Performance 40 Series Wireless

Before I get started, I should confess that I have been a fan of Audix gear since day one, especially its popular OM- and D-Series microphones. These have always yielded solid, dependable and great sounding results, making them a real favorite in my book. That said, I have no experience with the company’s wireless mics, making this outing with the new Performance Series RF systems a venture into some new territory, and I was anxious to check these out first-hand.

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The upgrade took place at the megachurch’s main Lake Forest, CA location. Photos by Jake Henricksen.

Saddleback Church

Sound Image Helps Upgrade System, Acoustic Elements

The systems integration division is a well-kept secret,” says Larry Italia, VP integration division. “We are well known for our concert projects, but lesser known is the amount and size of our installation work.” Just this year Sound Image has worked on the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood, the Newel and Jean Daines Concert Hall at Utah State University in Logan, UT, Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego and Arizona State University’s Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ. However, Italia adds, “the number one vertical market for us is the house of worship market.”

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Understanding Unity Gain: Waves H-Comp screenshot

Understanding Unity Gain

The concept of unity gain is deceptively simple: when the output level from a device is equal to the input to that device, you have achieved unity gain. It’s like a high level of Audio Zen, only better. When we say “device,” we can be referring to a hardware device or a plug-in — the concept applies equally in the analog and digital domains. The problem is that most “devices” are intended to mangle audio in some way or another, and that’s where simplicity goes out the window. Let’s look at a few examples.

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In Memoriam

The Passing of Two Masters

Somehow, 2017 brought the loss of so many legendary and influential musicians. Among those taken from us were South African guitarist/vocalist/writer/producer, Ray Phiri, and Cameroon’s celebrated guitarist/writer/arranger, Vincent Nguini. It was my immense honor and distinct artistic pleasure to have worked literally hundreds of shows with these gentlemen while both were members of Paul Simon’s touring band. Ray joined the aggregation for the 1987-89 Graceland tours after co-arranging and co-producing much of the landmark, scene-changing Graceland album. Vincent joined the tour in 1990 after collaborating heavily on what may be Paul Simon’s most intricate and luxuriant musical endeavor, The Rhythm of the Saints.

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