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Production Intercom Blazon

One of PI’s most recognizable products in the market has always been the Blazon.  From its creation in 1986, it has undergone many changes.  The extrusion and lamp have been reduced to less than 25 percent of the original size, and it has gone from a plastic extrusion to a more rugged aluminum construction.

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Shure SM27, SM137 Microphones

Shure has expanded its SM line of microphones with the SM27, which replaces the KSM27, and the SM137, which replaces the KSM109. The SM27 is a large-diaphragm, side-address cardioid condenser microphone with a one-inch Mylar diaphragm for transient response, low frequency reproduction and a low self-noise — just 9.5 dB SPL. The SM137 is a cardioid probe microphone for instrument recording applications.

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Community MX41E Series Monitors

Community Professional Loudspeakers’ new MX41E series of stage monitors are compact two-way bass reflex floor monitors, available in 90-by-40-degree (MX41E-94) or 60-by-40-degree (MX41E-64) coverage patterns. The MX41E is voiced for live performance use, combining balanced, full-range musical performance with vocal range and focused coverage. Both models feature rotatable horns for narrower horizontal coverage. Angled backs allow the MX41E to be positioned at 30- or 45-degree angles. Other features include Community’s Ferrofluid-cooled LF driver technology, solid birch plywood construction, 16-gauge perforated, powder coated steel grille, steel handles, steel input panel with Passive/Bi-amp switch and Neutrik input connectors. MX41E monitors are also protected by Community’s PowerSense™ driver protection circuitry and come with a five-year warranty. Black and white finishes are available.

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Earthworks FlexWand Series

The Earthworks FlexWand Series combine a 30kHz HD microphone, boom and stand as a single unit for choir or musical instruments. It allows the microphone head to be positioned as high as 7 feet and as low as 1.5 feet from the floor. There are no visible wires or cables above floor level. Instead of having to find a mic, attach the mic clip to the stand and then dress the cable around the stand, users can just pick up the FlexWand, position it and plug the mic cable into the base. Along with a large flex section near the center of the stand that couples the stand and the wand, there is a mini-gooseneck between the end of the wand and the microphone head.

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Yamaha IMX644 Rack Mount Digital Mixer

Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems’ IMX644 rack mount digital mixer features six Euroblock mono inputs each with individual +48V phantom power, four RCA stereo inputs and an additional optical digital input. Outputs consist of two pair of stereo Euroblock connectors and two channels of mono outputs. The IMX644 is designed for compatibility with all 26 Installation Series loudspeakers. Advanced features can be accessed from a computer running IMX644 Manager Software via a USB connection. Software features include a feedback suppressor and automatic ducking on all mono inputs, six-band parametric EQ and digital delay and output balance on all outputs. Complete configurations can be saved to any one of 16 recalled scenes. GPI inputs and outputs are provided as well as an RS232-C remote connection, which allows remote control via third party systems such as AMX or Crestron. Available in March, the IMX644 rack mount mixer can be used for conference rooms, banquet halls, lounges and restaurants and has an MSRP of $2,099.

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Mid-Market Digital Consoles

For a PDF of the Feb. 2009 FOH Buyers Guide. CLICK HERE . 

Mid-line live production digital audio consoles. Remember just a few years ago when such a thing just didn’t exist? You either had $100K+ to spend or you could get toy from an MI mfg and pretend. (Hey, I actually did GIGS with one of those. OK I did ONE gig. One.) 

As prices fell and consoles got smaller and more powerful, about a year ago we did one of our Buyers Guides and put in a price limit of, I think, $60K and set off a firestorm of protest from the folks who didn’t make anything for less than $60K. So this time around we have raised the limit a bit to be a bit more inclusive.

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Winter NAMM 2009: Your Papers, Please

You know those old WWII movies where the hero is trying to make an escape from behind enemy lines, and some SS-type guys would always get on the train and walk down the aisle asking every one, “Your papers, please?” And then everyone would start digging for their official documents to prove they were not enemies of the state while our brave hero tried to figure a way out of the mess?

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Audio Technica AM3 Ambient Mic

Sometimes it is the seemingly small things that can make or break a gig. Most of us would love to see our artists go to personal monitors instead of wedges just cuz it cleans up the stage sound and gives us a “blank-er” canvas on which to mix out front. But one of the big things that performers bitch about with personal monitors is the feeling of isolation. Enter the Audio Technica AM3: Ambient omnidirectional condenser lavalier microphone, terminated with a right-angle 3.5 mm connector. For use with A-T’s M2 and M3 Wireless System Receivers, you plug one of these puppies in, clip it to  your artist and dial in the amount of ambient sound it picks up and feeds into their ear mix. It offers high intelligibility and Includes both a clothing clip and windscreen. Look for a full review of the system in the next issue of FOH. $119.00 U.S. MSRP.

For more information visit <a href="http://www.audio-tecnica.com">www.audiotechnica.com</a>

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d&b T-Series

The new d&b audiotechnik's T-Series is a small line array system that is also designed to work as a stand-alone point source system. The T10 cabinet (18.5” x 7.8” x 11.8”) is a passive 2-way design that houses two 6.5" drivers, a 1.4" exit HF compression driver and can be used either as a compact component in a multiple cabinet line array or, by rotating the horn as a high directivity point source loudspeaker. The HF driver is fitted to a waveguide horn producing vertical line source directivity with a 90° horizontal pattern that is maintained down to approximately 600 Hz. An acoustic lens placed in front of the horn widens horizontal dispersion to 105°; rotation of the horn by 90° relative to this produces an accurate point source dispersion transforming a vertically oriented T10 into a stand-alone full range loudspeaker with 90° horizontal and 35° vertical directivity pattern. The T-SUB shares the same width and integrated rigging fittings as the T10 for deployment either flown at the top of a T10 array, in a separate column or it can also be ground stacked. The T-Series is designed to match with d&b D6 and D12 dual channel amplifiers,

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USB and FireWire Mixers

To download a PDF of the Jan. 2009 FOH Buyers Guide chart, CLICK HERE

OK, you’re not going to do a Madonna show with one of these. In fact, you will be hard pressed—given the channel count on most of them—to do anything bigger than a five piece. But that is not the point. The point is that these small boards allow you to easily mix the show and record it without any extra gear. Some of them actually will work well in a small studio, which means you can use it to record during the week and pack it up on the weekend for gigs—and record the gigs as well with just the console and a laptop. 

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Audio-Technica In-Ear Headphones

In-ear dynamic headphones, featuring an ultra-compact design and delivering a clear, articulate high-fidelity audio signal, are compatible with M2 and M3 Wireless Systems. EP1 Headphones come with three sizes of interchangeable flexible earpieces (small/medium/large) and universal-fit foam tips for a custom fit, increased isolation and long-wearing listening comfort. A gold-plated right-angle stereo mini-plug with locking collar provides corrosion resistance and a secure connection.

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