Shopping for sound reinforcement pros is no easy task. Face it, you probably won’t get that 163-mph Tesla Model X-Plaid you wanted this year, but here are some essential — and highly useful — items any sound reinforcement pro could use. These are perfect for anyone your gift list, or even yourself. In that case, just tear out this page, grab a Sharpie and circle what you want. Then leave this lying around where the right person can find it. And voila… in a few weeks, you (hopefully) will receive gifts you’ll truly appreciate. So here are our FRONT of HOUSE selections for the well-accessorized sound pro.
It’s Priceless…
The best gifts need not be the most expensive. In fact, this will cost you nearly nothing. Simply give your pro audio colleagues holiday cards with a warm greeting and the URL below, which will provide them with a complimentary print or digital subscription to FRONT of HOUSE. See? Now wasn’t that easy?
www.fohonline.com/subscribe-to-foh
Pale Blue Earth Rechargeable Batteries
Between IEM beltpack receivers and wireless mic transmitters, we all use a LOT of batteries. Rechargeable AA and AAA cells have been around for a long time, but Pale Blue Earth reinvented the process with a line of fast-charging lithium-ion batteries. There’s no hardware charger; an included USB-A to four USB-C tails breakout cable plugs into a USB-C port on the side of each AA or AAA battery. An LED lightpipe ring at the top of each cell flashes during charging and glows solid to indicate a full charge. The charge system avoids the “oops, I left the charger at the shop” scenarios, as a battery can easily charge from a phone cable. Batteries are good for an estimated 1,000 charge cycles, carry a lifetime warranty and are sold in $29.99 4-packs (with 4-to-1 cable and plastic storage case). A $24.95 two-pack of 9-VDC cells is also offered.
RF Venue RF Explorer
This handheld RF analyzer delivers comprehensive RF spectrum data with a high-res 8” touch screen for optimizing wireless mic and IEM audio systems. Its integrated 6 GHz spectrum analyzer, frequency coordination and WiFi analysis tools offer intuitive operation. Advanced modes such as Waterfall 2D and 3D views are presented on a bright touch screen, while onboard memory automatically records, saves and replays spectrum data scans with a video-style playback slider. Price: $1,399.
Sensaphonics dB Check Pro IEM Sound Level Analyzer
This “speedometer for your ears,” the dB Check Pro precisely shows dBA-SPL level and safe listening times for IEMs or headphones. Programmed for use with more than 140 earpieces from 12 manufacturers, dB Check Pro automatically displays “how loud, for how long” info, including safe exposure time under NIOSH and OSHA guidelines. An integral microphone indicates ambient room levels as well. The unit operates 11 hours on a full charge, has no effect on sound quality and can even pass audio with power off. Price is $500 — a bargain when it comes to helping protect your hearing.
Microphone Coloration!
For many audio applications, an uncolored microphone is the best choice — at least in terms of frequency response. However, here are a few suggestions for some transducers that truly stand out from a visual — rather than an aural — sense and are just the thing to bring out the festive nature in any of us, in a wide assortment of colorful custom finishes.
Few people are aware of this, but Neumann’s Made-to-Order (MTO) team can help customers get creative with any of the company’s mics, such as exotic finishes, custom designs and special editions for individuals, organizations or dealers. The supercardioid KMS 105 handhelds are particularly suited for live performance, and finishes include galvanic surface treatment with metals such as gold, white gold, rose gold, palladium rhodium, white rhodium and nickel; or paint in any RAL color — gloss or matte.
The NT1 Signature Series is RØDE’s latest generation of its original large-diaphragm cardioid condenser and features both XLR and USB connectivity and ultra-low 4 dBA self-noise. Built in Sydney, Australia, the mic is an affordable $159 USD (with shock mount and pop filter) and the series is available in six colors — including the classic stagehand black finish.
As part of its 25th anniversary, Royer Labs is issuing limited editions of its SF series ribbon mics in a Black Eclipse plating and a choice of custom colored screens. The mono SF-2’s onboard active electronics boost its sensitivity to that of phantom-powered condenser mics — ideal on acoustical instruments or classical miking, providing extremely natural reproduction of strings, woodwinds and the like. Colored editions are $100 above the standard model pricing.
Telefunken Elektroakustik offers its supercardioid M80 and M81 dynamic handhelds and wireless capsules in an assortment of painted and metallic finishes, along with optional oak or cherry wood bodies (paired with painted to match, silver or gold-tone grills) for a truly distinctive look. A year ago, I gifted an all-pink M80 to a vocalist I frequently work with and not only does it sound great, but this ensures her mic won’t get mixed up with any venue mics when she performs.
www.telefunken-elektroakustik.com
