Buyer’s Guide

Bring on the revolution! Ideal for install or portable applications, here’s a snapshot look at some digital consoles capable of 24 or more channels, while having a fairly compact footprint and — at under 60 pounds each — could be moved by an average person. Prices are somewhat variable, depending on options and selected system package configurations, so check before purchasing.

There’s no denying that dynamic microphones have been the standard in vocal performance mics for decades. However, if you’re looking for extended bandwidth and fast transient response in a handheld, a condenser mic can be the perfect choice. So this month, we’ll look at some current condenser microphones designed for live performance. All models listed require phantom powering. No frequency response data is given; a “flat” response is rarely desirable and many models include LF or upper mid presence boosts to add character or intelligibility. Weight can be a factor, when certain vocalists use a handheld mic over extended periods. And street pricing is provided for your convenience.

The heart of many sound reinforcement speakers is the 15-inch low-frequency driver. Woofers have advanced considerably over the years and 15-inch models with neodymium magnet structures offer a combination of efficiency, power handling, low-to-upper bass punch and light weight that has made these ideal replacements in live sound systems. Looking at current offerings in 15-inch neodymium woofers, we found a wide range of models that are ideal for your restoration, rebuild or design project. We should also note these represent the tip of the iceberg and many of these are also offered in versions with 4-ohm impedances, higher/lower power variants and even ferrite models. We have included URL’s and (if applicable) booth numbers for this month’s InfoComm show for your convenience.

There are few more basic — or more useful — accessories than a direct box. These can range from simple transformer-in-a-case units to elaborate rack mount… Read More »Active Direct Boxes: Bring on the Basics

It’s not a surprise that wireless mics are making the transition to digital, just as consoles, signal processing and system control have eased into communicating via streams of zeroes and ones. And with the precision of packing more frequencies into smaller bandwidths, applying security encryption or transmitting directly to AES or Dante, digital wireless makes a lot of sense in many — but not all — applications. FRONT of HOUSE checked out some recent offerings, and we found systems that were well suited for nearly any application or budget. Note that pricing is omitted here, as systems can vary widely depending on transmitter/receiver choices and options, such as external antennas. Company URLs are provided for more information.

A couple years ago, this category didn’t exist at all. However, the notion of a rack-mount unit that’s remotely controlled via Wi-Fi (iOS and/or Android)… Read More »Tablet-Controlled Rack-Mount Digital Mixers

Big sounds can come in small packages, as evidenced by the products in this month’s Buyers Guide, focused on compact line array systems having LF… Read More »Mini-Size Line Array Systems

If sound is your business, then you’re aware that “stuff” happens. And when gear is moved, it is occasionally subject to rough handling. Here, a good case can make the difference between a show going on or being cancelled. Today, there are hundreds of companies building transport cases and we’ve presented a selection of them. Note that many companies also provide custom foam cutting and most have case templates for common equipment, so a “custom” design for your piece of gear may be fairly simple. And if you want custom colors or graphics, many companies can accommodate your request.

In terms of big sound with plenty of impact, double-18 subwoofers are the standard of the industry. Certainly, other variants can do the job, ranging… Read More »Self-Powered Double 18 Subwoofers

Sometimes size matters, especially when it comes to the really big shows. We checked out some large format digital consoles and found models to fit nearly anyone’s needs, especially if your channel requirements hover in the near-100 (or more) range. And in this rarefied world of large boards, customization is key, as these big guns typically come with a long list of user-selectable options and choices, making exact price comparisons difficult, unless you configure each model for your particular specific application. But when you’re ready to go large, these are just the first-class ticket.

Originally designed for studios, channel strips — in this case, single-channel units offering a mic preamp, EQ, dynamics (and sometime more) — have become popular… Read More »High-End Channel Strips

The concept of the column array speaker has evolved significantly since the days when the standard was set by a pair of Shure VocalMaster columns… Read More »Column Array Speakers