FOH hit the convention floor for a firsthand tour of new gear that stood out in the crowd.
OK, so for an MI guitar show there was a respectable amount of new audio gear at Winter NAMM. Nothing earth-shattering, but enough to keep things interesting. Here is some of what floated our boats…
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Soundcraft GB2R
This 19-inch rack-mountable mixer is designed specifically for smaller installations in churches and performance venues, or for small portable PA systems. Available in two versions, the GB2R offers either 16 mono inputs to a stereo mix output, or a 12.2 version with 12 mono inputs, two full-feature stereo inputs and two group busses, each model having six auxiliary sends.
Or is it PLASA in review? With the big Euro show and the most significant U.S. audio show just weeks apart, it is hard to really tell. Some of this stuff was introduced in September in London, and you are sure to see all of it in New York in October. Now, if there were only an actual show that actually focused on live event production — especially the audio side — all would be right with the world. Meanwhile, here are some new goodies…
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OVO Systems Lava Line Array
OVO Systems’ compact line array, the Lava, is a small vertical array designed to have a combined output of 1200 Watts RMS. The Lava System is composed of four mid-highs and one low cabinet. Each of the four mid-highs uses two 6.5-inch woofers and a 2-inch compression driver; the low contains two 12-inch woofers, as well as housing a four-channel class H power amplifier. The amplifier wattage is designed to work with all com-ponents in the system and enables the user to easily control the frequency from 80 Hz to 250 Hz on the amplifier itself. The system also allows for 16 positions of display angles for better dispersion of sound.
OVO Systems • 210.684.2600 • www.ovosystems.com
QSC's WideLine-8 is designed to give full-size line array performance in an ultra compact package measuring less than 20-inches (508 mm) wide and 9-inches (229 mm) high. Each tri-amplified WideLine-8 element uses a pair of high-power, neodymium magnet, 8-inch low-frequency drivers. Both cover low frequencies, while only one extends into the mid-range, thus maintaining horizontal dispersion control at crossover. High frequencies are handled by a premium, 3-inch diaphragm, neodymium compression driver mounted to QSC's patented, 140-degree multiple aperture diffraction waveguide. WideLine's wide coverage is designed to deliver a broader stereo image to reduce the need for supplemental fill speakers and allow for more placement options. The WideLine-8 sub houses a pair of 4-inch voice-coil, long-excursion 12-inch woofers and produces 135 dB (peak) SPL and has LF extension to 32 Hz.
QSC Audio – 800.854.4079 – www.qscaudio.com.
Read More »It would be easy to write NSCA off as a place for straight install guys to get the latest scoop on security systems and outdoor speakers built to look like rocks. Easy, but a mistake. While the show floor itself could have been more active (at times it seemed like green “Exhibitor” badges outnumbered all others combined by a ratio of about three-toone), the educational and training sessions were, by all reports, full, and the demo rooms were humming pretty much continuously. Let’s take a look at what was new starting — in a novel switch from how we usually do things — in the middle of the signal chain.
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Crown Audio Xti4000
By Mark Amundson
Put yourself into Crown Audio's product managers' shoes: You have the renowned touring audio power amplifier line called the I-Tech, and you have the task to create a smaller mass music market version that sells for a competitive price but still has the features and power ratings this market wants. In this pursuit, I believe Crown has succeeded very well with the XTi line of amplifiers.
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