ProAudio Review - March 2008 - (Page 22)

g in r u or T ea G On The Road: Gear Preferences in 2OO8 By Heather Johnson he advents in audio technology over the past two decades have benefited the live sound industry more than any other facet. In the studio, a classic console will win over a new desk in most cases, but very few will argue that the mixing consoles and PA systems of the 1970s sound better than the systems of today. The latest digital consoles rival their analog counterparts in sonic quality while offering greater versatility and flexibility. Engineers can now analyze and tune a room via a laptop of tablet PC — a big timesaver. PA systems have gotten lighter and more transparent, and personal monitor systems ensure that the musicians clearly hear what by Heather Johnson their bandmates are up to. That said, the “array” of equipment used on the road runs the gamut from the latest digital ventures to time-tested analog gear. Pro Audio Review surveyed a few sound reinforcement pros to find out how they equip their touring arsenal and whether or not they anticipate or ignore the latest upgrades. CASE STUDY 1: DON LANIER, PEARL PRODUCTIONS When Pearl Pro Audio (www.pearl proaudio.com) acquired a Peavey QW Series PA system a few years ago, the business grew exponentially. “We started taking on larger jobs, and our clients and the bands that played through the gear were very happy with their sound,” says co-owner Don Lanier, who also serves as sales and production manager, principal system designer, and front-of-house engineer. In 2007, the company took another leap forward when it purchased Peavey’s VersArray 112 line-array system. “It’s a very high-tech piece,” Lanier says. “It has neodymium magnet woofers, ribbon drivers; to me, that was a statement that Peavey has taken a real stab at professional-level sound reinforcement equipment.” Working alongside Pearl Pro Audio coowner Earl Parrish, who handles most of the monitor engineer duties, Lanier has taken their VersArray system — a six-hang system comprised of six mid-high boxes and four subwoofers per side — to regional events such as the Alton Block Party, which draws upwards of 10,000 people in the company’s home base of Alton, Ill. They’ve also used the VersArray at the Route 66 Festival in Edwardsville, Ill., at the Laumeier Art Fair in St. Louis, MO. In addition to the VersArray, Lanier typically tours with the Architectural Acoustics Digitool processing system. “It allows us to have control of the system and tune the line array via an HP laptop and palm device,” says Lanier. “We’re considering using the Digitool with our monitor system, which would allow us to tune the entire system from the stage. Crest Audio HP-W and CV-20 consoles occupy the FOH and monitor positions. For effects and outboard processing, the company owns TC Electronic D-Two delays and M-One reverbs, Yamaha SPX Series processors, dbx EQs, and other tried and true pieces. Mics include Heil PR Series (“I consider Bob Heil a mentor,” Lanier says.), Audix OM and D Series, other models from Shure, Avlex, and Superlux, and the newly acquired Lectrosonics UTPR20 handheld wireless mic. Now that Peavey has released the VersArray 212 line-array system, which is designed for large concert halls and arenas, Lanier and company have their eye on upgrading yet again, surely indicating another business surge. “We enjoy using the Peavey gear,” says Lanier. “It’s cost-effective, road-worthy, and professional. I’m glad more audio professionals are giving it its due.” CASE STUDY 2: JOHN MCBRIDE AND ROBERT BULL Sometimes it’s best to stick with what works, especially when it involves mixing live for tens of thousands of people. Engineer John McBride — country chanteuse Martina McBride’s frontof-house engineer, studio engineer, and husband for more than 15 years — found an ideal pairing with the ATI Paragon console and the Clair i4 line-array system. An avid analog console user both on the road and in the studio, McBride remains loyal to the ATI Paragon for its sonic quality and ease of use. “Having a gate and compressor on each input is a nice touch,” he says. “The EQ section of the Paragon sounds musical, which is a big plus, and is highly functional with variable EQ points and Q. For an analog desk, it also has a good number of outputs, which comes in handy on the road.” Clair Bros. products have been a mainstay of the McBride touring arsenal for many years. His sound reinforcement company MD Systems, established in 1980, merged with Clair Bros. in 1997, but his reasons for sticking with Clair Bros. and the i4 extend beyond any business ties. “The i4s have the smoothest midrange of any speaker system I have ever used, and for female vocals, there is nothing better,” he says. “Martina has great tone to begin with, but listening to her through a big i4 rig is an audio orgasm. She rarely comes in for soundcheck, and if we had a different PA, I would be miserable. The quality, consistency, coverage, and tone of this speaker system is just incredible, and it has made live mixing 10 times as enjoyable as it ever was in the past.” On Martina McBride’s current tour, John McBride carries API 500-series mic pre’s for all 36 inputs, eight channels of SPL Transient Designer dynamics processor for drums, bass, piano, and acoustic guitar, a BBE Sonic Maximizer for the kick and snare, and an InnerTube Audio Atomic Squeezebox dual analog compressor for Martina’s vocals, which he ON THE ROAD continues on page 24 ➤ 22 | ProAudio Review | March 2008 Don Lanier from Pearl Pro Audio www.proaudioreview.com Fabrize Lechaze http://www.pearlproaudio.com http://www.pearlproaudio.com http://www.proaudioreview.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ProAudio Review - March 2008

ProAudio Review - March 2008 Contents Publisher's Page Studio News and New Products Sennheiser MKH 8040 Microphone Digidesign Mbox 2 Micro Studio Spotlight Upsampler X/Audio Live News and New Products Touring Gear From the Road Broadcast News and New Products ION Audio Tape2PC Cassette Archiving System Brauner VMA Large-Diaphragm Microphone Audio Ltd. RMS 2040 Series Post News and New Products First Look NAB Showcase Buyers Guide Single Slice

ProAudio Review - March 2008

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