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Road Tests

The SRM450v3 can double as a stage wedge

Mackie SRM450v3 and SRM1801 Powered Loudspeakers

I think it’s safe to say that the Mackie SRM450 qualifies as an industry standard. I certainly have encountered my share of them over the past 15 years and often still use some original 450’s that I got circa 1999. But Mackie’s latest revisions to this venerable speaker bring it more in line with modern diversified sound needs. Though at first glance the new 450 may look similar to the previous models, Mackie’s version 3 updates of the SRM450 contain many significant changes.

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-T’s free ISS app puts an RTA and a host of other useful audio tools into your iOS device.

Audio-Technica Installed Sound Support App

From a user standpoint, one of the downsides of reading reviews is perusing a discourse on some state of the art, megabuck 96-channel digital console when you’re getting by on a 16-channel desk for the shows you mix at your church, community center or Elk’s Lodge. “If only I could afford something cool that I just read about,” you might be thinking. Well, now you can.

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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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dbx DriveRack PA2

dbx DriveRack PA2

It has to be at least 15 years since dbx introduced the first DriveRack, and there is no doubt that since then, the DriveRack family has improved sound systems across the globe. That may sound like a huge, sweeping statement, but it’s probably true. A few years ago, I got a dbx DriveRack PA+ to go with my self-powered speaker rig. In a very short time, the DriveRack became my favorite piece of outboard gear. Mainly because dbx has skillfully crammed so many useful functions into a single rackspace package. Well, now there is the DriveRack PA2. After my experience with the PA+, I decided I had to get my hands on a PA2. However, it occurred to me that some of you may not know exactly what a DriveRack PA2 is, or what kind of magic it can do. So, here we go…

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Yamaha QL5 Digital Console

Yamaha QL5 Digital Console

Two years ago, Yamaha unveiled its popular CL series mixers to much fanfare. Here was a solid digital console with a great feature set, including Dante interfacing, onboard preamps, Dan Dugan automixing, Rupert Neve-designed signal processing and the fast GUI of Centralogic control. The CL Series was an immediate hit.

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The PLD family: the 1600W PLD4.2, the 2500W PLD4.3 and the 5,000W PLD4.5.

QSC PLD Series Amplifiers

A year ago, QSC debuted its PLD (for portable/live sound applications) and CXD Series (contracting/installed sound) amplifiers. Available in several power configurations, all are 2-rackspace, Class-D multi-channel amps with slight feature set variations catering to their intended use, but sharing a radical new channel-combining methodology, with flexible onboard signal processing as well.

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3 Zigma Audio CHI Series Microphones. Pictured here, the C-LOL-67 capsule on an HA-TL II head-amp

3 Zigma Audio CHI Series Microphones

Larry Villella is a musician, audio enthusiast and former Steinway piano dealer who turned his love of vintage mic collecting into a full-time business as ADK Microphones in 1998. Most of the ADK line centered around mics that emulated the sound of classic studio models. A couple years ago, he branched out with his new 3 Zigma line, which were more compact than the large body and tube models that ADK offered and employed the CHI (Capsule/Head-Amp Integrator) Series.

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Audio-Technica BP894 MicroSet Headworn Mic

Audio-Technica BP894 MicroSet Headworn Mic

Over the years, headworn microphones have become significantly more improved, with better performance from smaller, near-invisible packages. So last year, when Audio-Technica debuted its BP894 MicroSet — a design that takes a completely new approach to headworn microphones, I was intrigued about its performance — and sound.

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Alto Professional Stealth Wireless Speaker System

Alto Professional Stealth Wireless Speaker System

I’m one of those types who likes to avoid wireless if at all possible and I usually shake my head wondering why when a client or artist insists on using an RF mic when they never wander more than about five feet in any direction. So last year when Alto Professional announced its Stealth Wireless speaker system, I initially wasn’t too impressed. In most portable sound systems, adding another component (and level of complexity) just to replace 25 feet of cable feeds from a stagebox or snake to the mains just didn’t seem worth the extra effort.

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The Orbit 2 dual boom simplifies stereo mic placements from a single stand.

Triad-Orbit Advanced Microphone Stand Systems

I never thought I’d be reviewing a mic stand. But then again, Triad-Orbit’s Advanced Microphone Stand Systems aren’t ordinary mic stands. Actually, the real point here is whether I need another (or several) more mic stands. After all, I have a ton of them that I’ve bought over the years, ranging from cast base models to various folding versions.

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