For many DJ shows we attend, it seems that the space and aura of the show itself matters just as much as the music, sometimes more.  The lights, venue and people present all come to together to make for a memorable show that listening at home can’t replicate.  Odyssey has thrown their hat into the ring with their own mood setter, the Odyssey Headliner, a large light backdrop screen that will illuminate your show in stunning ways.

This incredible lighting piece offers up dozens of effects patterns, as well as compatibility with DMX controllers, making for a highly versatile unit that can set any mood you want.  The included SD card offers up 100 programmed effects, leaving  no room for an out of place pattern.  A sound activation mode makes for dazzling synced shows, keeping time perfectly with audio.

Have a peace of mind about the Headliner’s stability and count on the aluminum frame and rubber feet to keep the backdrop upright and steady.  And for transport and storage, fold up the Headliner up flat for the maximum convenience.

To purchase this fantastic DJ lighting unit, head over to Hollywood DJ to preorder.

The post Front and Center: The Headliner appeared first on DJ Equipment and Pro Audio.

BTAir features advanced group options and customizations for your different fixtures, automatically grouping lights according to the line they belong to.  For instance, the BTAir compatible EZLink Par Q6 BT will be immediately recognized and grouped with other Par Q6 fixtures, making control that much simpler.  Create custom group names and members, keeping your rig in order and readily available to edit.  Offering six different pattern options, (fixed, fade, pulse, scroll, rainbow and sound activated) BTAir gives you all the different controls you may need right at your fingertips.

Chauvet’s compatible products include the following: EZLink Par Q6 BT, EZLink Par Q4 BT, EZLink Strip Par Q6 BT, EZLink FS BT, 4Bar LT Quad BT, SlimPAR T12 BT, SlimPAR Q12 BT and COLORband T3 BT.

BTAir is now available for download from the App store or Google Play.

Of course, what good is the BTAir app without fixtures to control?  Check out these offers from Amazon and Hollywood DJ!

www.hollywooddj.com

The post Chauvet DJ: BTAir appeared first on DJ Equipment and Pro Audio.

While they offer many products, Chauvet’s prestigious Intimidator series aims to fill all of the vital pieces to create beautiful and dynamic lighting effects.  Spot lights, wash lights, waves, beams, and hybrids are all available in this series.  Listed here are several of Chauvet’s options for each type, although there are others.

Spot

The Intimidator series seems to specialize in spot lights, with over a dozen different models.  For high power and clarity, the 475Z is a fantastic choice, featuring a 250 W LED that will illuminate the selected area in a stunning array of several color choices.  And if you desire a second color option, the Spot 360 comes in black or white.  Both models are powered with powerCON, making setup simple and bringing cable count to a minimum.

Wash

For your wash light needs, the Inimidator series offers the 450 IRC, a motorized moving wash with RGBW coloring for any of a plethora of lighting needs, from strobing to setting a quiet ambiance.  Linkable by DMX and powerCON, this fixture will tidy up your rig from those unnecessary cables.

Wave

For that dazzling sweep effect every chest bumping show requires, the Intimidator Wave IRC and 360 IRC are great options, although different in use.  The IRC features five independently moving and controllable 12 W heads that project clean-cutting RGBW LEDs.  270° tilt gives the heads wide sweeping space for the largest venues, and navigate the setup and settings via the onboard LCD screen.  Included in the package is mounting hardware for various positioning options.  The 360 IRC, while only having four moving heads, this fixture also swivels at the base for added options.

Beam

For that deep-cutting laser-like effect, the beam light is the way to go.  Less about illuminating and more about dazzling your audience, beam lights aim to make a cut across the sky or ceiling to direct attention to a focal point on stage, such as the featured artist.  Chauvet’s Beam 140SR fits this criteria well, emitting a 140 W 14+ color beam from a 360° rotating head.  With AC input and output power, link the units for an efficient use and setup rig.

Hybrid

However, if you desire the all-in-package to downsize your equipment count, check out the Hybrid140SR.  This 140 W LED can act as a spot, beam or wash light, with easy controls to make switching effortless.

Now, after all of that, Chauvet still has some singular offers.  Quite often it seems that one spot light for each rigging makes setup and the show itself far too complicated.  Chauvet provides a potential solution with their Duo Spot, Duo Spot 155, and Duo Spot 150.  Each one features two separately controllable heads on one base, making mounting and control that much easier.

For your controlling ease, Chauvet also offers the IRC controller, compatible with all aforementioned fixtures.  This simple accessory grants wireless lighting control to the user with a remote that fits in your hand.

Chauvet’s Intimidator series offers a wide range of versatile products that will fit your lighting needs beautifully and make setup and control easier than ever.  For some buying options, head over to hollywooddj.com and explore their entire Chauvet lineup, or check out these Amazon offers.

The post Chauvet’s Intimidator Series: Meant to be Seen appeared first on DJ Equipment and Pro Audio.

The DRM212 and DRM 215 models are simple but powerful 2-way loudspeakers, 12″ and 15″, while the DRM315 offers a 3-way 15″ option, all with an 1/8″ aux input included.  Each is designed for standing or floor monitor applications.  For any install and array needs, the DRM12A model is arrayable with 2000 W power and parallel XLR I/O.  And lastly, but most certainly not least, the DRM18S is the subwoofer of the series, an 18″ behemoth of bass that also packs 2000 W of power and max SPL of 135 dB.

Every model in the series is also flyable via 8 flypoints for the DRM212 and 215, 12 for the DRM315 and 7 on the DRM12A.  For the 18S sub, a flyware kit is offered by Mackie.  All models are pole-mountable and have covers available as well.

This series looks to have much promise, versatility and overall quality, even more so than Mackie’s previous products.  Available February, MSRP is as follows: $999.99 for the DRM212, $1099.99 for the DRM215, $1499.99 for the DRM315, $2099.99 for the DRM12A, and $1499.99 for the DRM18S.  For additional information, check out Mackie’s site and the video below.

The post Mackie: The All-New DRM Series appeared first on DJ Equipment and Pro Audio.

This stunning and much-anticipated turntable impresses at first sight with a sleek and minimalistic all-black design that screams sophistication.  From the gleaming table edges to the gently curving tonearm, the SL-1200MK7 deals with every aesthetic detail, producing a gorgeous turntable your audience will feast their eyes on.

While truly a beautiful machine, the SL-1200MK7’s components are more than eye candy.  From the bottom up, every piece is intentional and serves a purpose any DJ will be glad to have on their turntable.  The MK7’s four feet offer superior stability and can be individually adjusted to account for a level surface, all while absorbing inevitable vibrations to keep your sound clean.  And a white pop-up stylus light gives a great view of the stylus in your darkest venues in an easy to use package, plus the strobe light included in all SL-1200 models is also included, now switchable from red to blue.

The MK7 doesn’t skimp on sound quality either, with a high-performance tonearm that tracks smoothly with the record, reading with high-fidelity reproduction.  Its lightweight aluminum build will hold up to frequent jarring while not being cumbersome.  And the double layered rubber platter for the record will absorb any far reaching vibrations, while the solid aluminum chassis will keep the unit stable on any surface.

An upgrade from previous generations, the MK7 features a coreless motor to turn the platter that is impervious to the issue of cogging that has plagued DJs using other turntables.  This slow-rotating motor provides the power and torque necessary for a high-quality turntable that will run smoothly without adding problems with your sound.

For the serious DJ, you can’t go wrong with the SL-1200MK7.  The high quality components, useful features, great sound and beautiful look add up to create a turntable for professionals that would make a great addition to any setup.

The post The New SL-1200MK7 appeared first on DJ Equipment and Pro Audio.

TC Electronic’s guitar effect box line has such a vast and varying array of options, any guitarist could come close to filling their board with them exclusively.  For the sake of organization, listed here is one of several options of each of six main effects: reverb, overdrive, distortion, delay, phaser and chorus.

Reverb

For that rich, rolling reverb effect, the Fluorescence Shimmer Reverb is a fantastic option for the guitarist.  This effect can be worked with and altered to produce tones from a subtle after effect to a shimmering fade-out effect.  And this pedal’s simple construction makes setup and use easy.  Just an input and an output leaves no room for confusion, and the four compact knobs give ultimate control over sound while maintaining tone integrity.  For the mobile musician, the Fluorescence Shimmer Reverb has all basis covered.  Whether you need it on your pedal board, in a gig bag or just sitting on the floor in your bedroom, this box has you covered with either DC power or a 9 volt battery.

Overdrive

TC Electronic has a few options for overdrive effects pedals, but for that full, simple crunchy sound, the Cinders Overdrive pedal is the way to go.  This pedal will funk up your tone perfectly for that simple droning progression or that soothing lead line you’ve just learned.  For controls, the Cinders has three simple knobs with three simple functions: tone, volume and drive.  And in its signature, tank-like construction, you will not have to worry about damaging your box on the road.  Like the rest of its family, the Cinders can be powered with DC power or a 9V.

Distortion

Ah, that beautiful, mixed-up and ever-craved lead effect: distortion.  TC Electronic’s Dark Matter distortion pedal will wow your audience with its power and range of tone options.  The onboard controls can summon up sweet lead sounds or mind-blowing power chord tones to strengthen your mix.  Powered by DC or a 9V battery.  And if you desire a grungier, flatter tone, check out the Grand Magus overdrive pedal.

Delay

Few pedals can produce as many fascinating echoes as the TC Electronic Flashback 2 Delay pedal.  This stompbox has 3 knobs for delay, level and feedback, plus a fourth for choosing delay type.  But if the onboard sounds still don’t satisfy, check out the app TonePrint, a powerful addition to your rig that enables you to send custom made sounds directly to your TonePrint enabled pedal.  This combination of features will provide more options then you can sift through.  Powered by DC or a 9V battery.

Phaser

Looking to add that odd but powerful whaw sound to your tone?  TC Electronic has you covered with the Blood Moon Phaser, a stunning phaser effect that adds an incredible in-out effect that will blend seamlessly with your playing, whether a bouncy riff or a slow and simple chord progression.  Feedback, rate and depth can all be controlled from the three onboard knobs.  Powered by DC or 9V battery.

Chorus

One of the more subtle guitar effects, chorus is nonetheless vital to your signal chain.  And the Corona Chorus from TC Electronic is one of the best, able to create totally unique tones, or simply add a subtle effect to another one.  And contained in the compact package is four vital effects controls: speed, depth, FX level and tone.  Powered by DC or 9V battery.  Still not compact enough for your setup?  TC Electronic also offers the Corona Mini, a great option for the ultra-mobile guitarist.

Well, there you have it.  TC Electronic can meet all your pedal effects needs with these and more.  And if you’ve been persuaded one of these belongs in your rig, check out these Amazon listings.

The post TC Electronic: Effects Pedals for Every Application appeared first on DJ Equipment and Pro Audio.

Active or Passive?

Well, let’s start with what is passive and what is active?  A passive speaker requires external amplification and power, while active speakers are an all-in-one solution.  This means passive speakers have individually upgradeable parts and are easier to maintain or repair, while active speakers more often will require a professional.  However, there are certainly scenarios where one is more practical.

Smaller venues or events, such as club or bar shows, have more limited space and power accommodations, so generally, less gear is desirable.  Active speakers fit here nicely, as they contain all necessary components inside, and simply need a line from console to speaker.  This reduces setup times and improves image.  However, with large venues that have a lot of space to work with, passive speakers are a great option.  More customization abilities with the system, easier control from the booth and other benefits make passive speakers ideal for larger events.

So, now that we now the differences between active and passive, let’s check out QSC’s offering.  For each of the different speaker types, there will be active and passive options.  Let’s start with QSC’s loudspeaker lineup.

Loudspeakers

One of QSC’s most popular lines, the K.2 series offers everything loudspeakers should.  With 8″, 10″ and 12″ options, the K.2 speakers have you covered.  With powerful output levels and wide frequency ranges, you’ll sound your best with this lineup.

In addition to the K.2 series, QSC offers a more compact option in the CP series, a portable loudspeaker in two sizes that the traveling musician can use and set up without any hassle.  Prepare to be blown away with the levels that these speakers can put out.  And for your passive speaker needs, the E series loudspeakers have you covered.

Subwoofers

Ah, the big, the booming, the subwoofer.  QSC will soothe your cravings for that incredible bass line you wish would cut through the mix with their KW and KS series subs.  For superior portability, the dual 12″ driver KS212C will wow your audience with its power and unique look.  And for any big-ticket event, the KW181 subwoofer will cover your bass levels down to an astonishing 119 Hz.  Yet another setup option exists in the KLA181, which can be setup normally or flown.

For those desiring a passive subwoofer solution, QSC comes through again with their GP and E series subs.  These high-performance speakers offer the customizability and ease of maintenance that comes with passive speakers while still delivering the power and low-end spectrum output necessary in a sub.

Stage Monitors

While QSC has no passive option available for their floor stage monitors, their vast array of powered monitors can fit any need.  While the K.2 and CP series can also perform well as stage monitors, QSC also offers the KW122 active loudspeaker, an impressive yet practical solution for stage monitoring.  Your performing artists will never want to go back after using these powerful speakers in their setup.

So there you have it.  QSC’s reputation as a leader in PA solutions is not without warrant, as you can see for yourself with these exceptional speaker lineup.  And if you’ve decided one of QSC’s products would work great for you, check these buying options from Amazon and Hollywood DJ’s entire QSC lineup.

www.hollywooddj.com

The post QSC Speakers: Let’s Navigate appeared first on DJ Equipment and Pro Audio.

That is the goal that the Odyssey FFXGS12MIXBL DJ case meets, providing a robust way to transport and store any 12″ style DJ mixer with its black anodized powder exterior, plus removable foam strips for precision packing.  And it all comes in a stylish package with a gliding laptop platform and LEDs circling the edge.  The LEDs have 5 different settings, including fast or slow color changing, fade in and out, or sound activated, all at your finger tips with the included controller.  Cable management made easy, the FFXGS12MIXBL also has conveniently placed cable panels for simple hookup.

Looking for a way to protect gear that also provides a richer aura around your performance?  Look no further.

Specs and Features:

• Recessed latches and handles
• 7 LEDs with 5 settings and controller.
• Black anodized exterior
• Gliding laptop platform
• Fits any 12″ style mixer

Want to go further?  Check it out.

www.hollywooddj.com

The post The Odyssey FFXGS12MIXBL DJ Case appeared first on DJ Equipment and Pro Audio.

What are the Different Kinds of Tuners?

Let’s focus on perhaps the largest family of tuners: the guitar tuners. There are 7 important categories of then as defined by E-Home Recording Studio.

1. Handheld tuners
2. Clip-on Tuners
3. Pedal Tuners
4. Polyphonic Tuners
5. Rack Tuners
6. Sound Hole Tuners
7. App Tuners

Each of these tuners has its ups and downs and it’s important to understand what advantages you’re giving up or picking up when purchasing one.

Handheld Tuners

These guys are just what they sound like. Small tuning technology that can fit in the palm of your hand. Given the size of the original strobe tuners, folks were reasonably excited when these handheld tuners became available. Are they as spot-on accurate? No, they aren’t. However, they are accurate enough for most people and make up for their shortcomings in their affordability, compact size, and convenience.

Clip-on Tuners

Clip-on tuners are some of my personal favorites. As a classical musician, these tuners are fantastic for tuning in a large environment as they easily slip onto the bell of brass instruments, clarinets, saxophones, and even the stand for the flutes in the room. These ones work great for guitars too. They’re easy to use on acoustic or electric guitars. Most come equipped with a vibration sensor so they do not rely on input from the microphone alone. Small, compact, accurate and affordable. I never leave for a gig without one.

Pedal Tuners

Calling all the plugged-in musicians in the room. These tuners allow you to tune in the heat of the moment without needing to plug into any additional channels. Whats more, combine it with a mute pedal and discretion is now the name of your game, even if you’re onstage in front of a full house. These come in so many different styles and features that you really do have to do some deep digging to find out the one that works best for your set up.

Polyphonic Tuners

These are new tuner breed. Sick of sitting and plucking string after string? Now tune your whole guitar in one strum. These are the fancy tuners for the people that need to tune complex overtones and tune them quickly. These tuners normally are very expensive and not for the average Joe. However, these are the ones that make for impressive knowledge in the tuner trivia world. The top of the line of this type of tuner comes in at $3700 and is normally used by technicians tuning complex musical instruments. But hey, the more you know right?

Rack Tuners

These 19″ tuners are the ones for the musicians out there who primarily use a rack setup. These ones are built to stack in with the rest of your gear allowing for easy transportation and a clean performance setup. Looking for a bonus? These tuners come with a bunch of additional features. Beyond that, these are quite useful for studio use as they often have multiple inputs and play nicely in large setups. This kind of tuner can run between $99-$400 generally so be sure that this is the way that you want to go before investing.

Sound Hole Tuners

This one is specifically for guitar players. Beyond that, this tool is for the guitar players that don’t want to deal with one more small thing to keep track of. These tuners mount inside the guitar and are a permanent fixture. No more having to deal with small easy to lose tuners that have a tendency to disappear. More expensive models allow for silent tuning which gives you the freedom to prep even in the loudest of environments.

App Tuners

There are times when the only thing you have on you is a smartphone. I can say from personal experience that my app tuner has saved me in many a pinch when I couldn’t get to my case. There are so many app tuners on the market and many of them are free. My personal recommendation: TonalEnergy Tuner. This tuning app cost $4 in the app store and it is some of the best money I have ever spent. In addition to being a quite accurate tuner, this app provides a metronome, tonal analyzer, drone, and much more. It even comes with a transposition feature for all instruments not tuning in the key of C. Highly recommended.

Thoughts?

At the end of the day, every person has a system that is right for them. Explore the options of what goes in your gear bag. Something this essential, you want to make sure that you have found your perfect match.

Check out the article from E Home Recording Studio to see some of their top recommended products.

Tell us about your favorite tuners and what has worked best for you over the years in the comments.

Shop Today for Yours!

The post Time to Talk Tuners appeared first on DJ Equipment and Pro Audio.

Ultimate Support PRO-ST Pro Series Microphone Stand

The Ultimate Support PRO-ST stands rated as one of MUSICCRITIC’s top-rated stands of 2018. Surrounded by other brands such as Atlas and Hercules, this Ultimate Support stand came in number 3 on their list. This microphone stand is ideal for those that love to groove and move while on stage. Need to get your mic out quickly in the heat of the moment? No problem. This stand allows for easy, one-handed release. In fact, that trait is one of the biggest pros that earned this stand its spot in the top three of 2018.

Easy release not enough to convince you? These microphone stands have been labeled the workhorses of the industry. The weighted base and heavy-duty clutch provide plenty of stability. Say goodbye to the days of the foldable, rocking microphone stand. You can feel free to sneeze, dance, rock, and anything else around this stand. There is no need to worry about this one falling over. Beyond that, even if you do manage to drop it, the heavy duty finish and high-quality design ensure that your microphone stand can handle it. This is the perfect stand for audio engineers, touring musicians, and anyone else who is on the move. The scratch resistant finish is guaranteed not to rust and to handle any and all travel abuse.

Looking for versatility? No problem there either. This stand comes in a tripod, weighted, short height, regular height, and with or without telescoping and boom arms. This series has every combination to meet the need of whatever your performer needs. All these variations are easy to find under the PRO-ST series.

More Information?

Read here to find out about the other stands that MUSICCRITIC named as the top stands for 2018.

The post Pick the Best Microphone Stand appeared first on DJ Equipment and Pro Audio.