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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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FRONT of HOUSE editor George Peterson

The Pro Bono Soundco?

Most of us are, by nature, really nice people. When there’s a noble cause or need, we’re all too glad to chip in. Truthfully, there are a lot of  important, meaningful charitable causes out there who could well use our services, and since most of them are non-profits, well it would be nice if we could just donate some of our time, staff, trucks and gear to the cause.

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The circular arrangement of the various tents and stages helped keep noise bleed to a minimum.

Bonnaroo: It Takes a Village

While the 13th annual Bonnaroo Music Festival included a Friday the 13th, it was nothing but good luck, good music, and good times for the 80,000 music-loving fans that showed up for the Manchester, TN event. With more than 200 acts over four days from June 12 to 15, 2014, including headliners Elton John, Kanye West, Jack White, Lionel Richie, Vampire Weekend and the Avett Brothers, it took several sound companies to make it a memorable festival.

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The line includes three 2,000-watt full range systems and a powered 18-inch sub.

PreSonus StudioLive AI-series Active Integration Loudspeakers

Well, it took a while, but PreSonus is finally shipping its much-anticipated StudioLive AI-series live sound speakers. The line includes three 3-way top cabinets and an optional single-18 subwoofer. The top cabinets have LF response extending well below 60 Hz, making them well suited for use without the subwoofer. They are fitted with 12 M10 rigging points and dual (flat and -10° downward) 35mm pole mount sockets, except the larger SLS315AI, which has one socket.

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