Technology Spotlight

Founded in 1984 by Dr. Christian Heil, L-Acoustics was never about creating “me-too” products. Even from the company’s earliest days, L-Acoustics designs took a breakthrough approach, incorporating solid science and real-world physics into speakers, from its first coaxial system (1989’s MTD115/LLC) to the Wavefront Sculpture Technology three years later and 1994’s landmark V-DOSC system. The latter introduced the concept of the modern line array and forever changed the face of concert sound systems, even to this day.

Digital technology has been a godsend for pro audio, bringing more flexible and powerful products to a wide array of users. However, with many devices, a massive feature list is often accompanied with a complex and involved learning curve. And there’s the rub, especially in certain environments, such as performance spaces, and the educational and house of worship markets, where audio gear may be used by a mix of experienced pros and volunteer or novice operators.

It has been almost exactly three years since PreSonus launched the second generation of its flagship StudioLive 32.4.2AI, which then carried a street price of $3,999/street. Now PreSonus has unveiled its new frontrunner, the PreSonus StudioLive 32 Series III digital console, which takes the original concept way over the top, and adds a host of new features — ranging from a faster improved workflow, direct recording/virtual sound check playback to onboard SD media to the much-requested moving faders — and brings it in at a $2,699 street pricing.

For more than four decades, Bose Professional loudspeakers have advanced the integration of new technologies for performing arts centers, auditoriums, houses of worship, sports facilities and live music venues. A major breakthrough was unveiled in 2011. Known as the RoomMatch™ series of array module loudspeakers, the system offered versatile scalability and configurability for venues of any size, shape or acoustical signature.

A Popular Mixing Platform Takes a Big Leap Forward

QSC has a long history of excellence from its earliest days as an amplifier-only manufacturer. And when the company first branched out into building loudspeakers, it did so methodically and waited until its new offerings were rock solid before launching them onto the world.

Audio manufacturers unveil new lines of gear — particularly speakers — on a fairly consistent basis. After all, technology marches forward and change is an inevitable part of life in the pro audio lane. While newer designs can incorporate more powerful, more feature-laden elements, the downside of any new technology — whether in the form of smartphones, audio over IP or advanced sound reinforcement systems — is that all this sophistication is nice, but only if it is also is easy for the user to access and use in everyday situations.