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BREAKING NEWS!

NEW GEAR PREVIEW FROM WINTER NAMM!

Numark, Alesis, Akai Pro and Alto Professional Product Showcase

We’re at the biggest show of the year and we have put together a sneak peek sampling of some of the best new gear ever, just for you. Have a look below at what is being announced live from the show, then click the included news links to see all announced products.

______________________NEW from Numark!________________________

Numark NS6: This Changes Everything
The NS6 is a 4-channel Digital DJ controller with complete built-in mixer and four decks of software control. NS6 is the first truly pro-grade DJ controller and standalone 4-channel mixer with effects. Simply put, there has never been this much versatility and control available for professional DJs.

The World’s Smallest DJ Controller: DJ 2 GO
Even the smallest DJ controllers range from being luggable requiring their own set of wheels. Numark has changed all that with DJ 2 GO. Now for the first time ever, DJs can throw their entire rig into a backpack and have room to spare. To learn more about this pocket-sized party controller, go here!

VIEW THE ENTIRE NUMARK LINE OF NEW GEAR FRESH FROM NAMM AT: http://www.numark.com/newgear2011

__________________________NEW from Alesis!_______________________________

DM8 Pro Kit: Perfect sound, feel, look, and size
Perfect. It’s a word that’s thrown around a lot these days. But with the DM8 Pro Kit, you might just find it. The Alesis development team painstakingly examined all aspects of what makes a kit the best possible choice – all with the goal of creating the perfect electronic drumset. Learn more here.

Meet StudioDock: Your iPad’s new Best Friend
Connect all of your audio gear to the entire world of apps for iPad with StudioDock! The StudioDock is a universal docking station specifically designed for the iPad, and it gives musicians, recording engineers, and music producers the connectivity they need to create and perform with iPad. Read all about it. Apple certification pending.

VIEW THE ENTIRE ALESIS LINE OF NEW GEAR FRESH FROM NAMM AT: http://www.alesis.com/newgear2011

_______________________NEW from AKAI Professional!_____________________________

EIE I/O
This is a tabletop I/O and USB audio interface perfectly tailored for your project and portable studio setups. This four-in, four-out (4×4) device enables you on Mac and PC-based systems to record up to 24-bit resolution into virtually any DAW, recording or performance software.

10 New Drool-worthy Analog Pedal

The Analog Custom Shop is a brand new series of boutique pedals that are among the funnest and coolest things we’ve ever produced. From Fuzz to Flanging, there are 10 pedals in all so get your groove in and check out the entire lineup of the Analog Custom Shop.

VIEW THE ENTIRE AKAI PRO LINE OF NEW GEAR FRESH FROM NAMM AT: http://www.akaipro.com/newgear2011

____________________NEW from Alto Professional!_________________________

TRUESONIC LINE
The TRUESONIC Series was designed from the ground up to be the most transparent loudspeaker money can buy. Rigorous testing and thousands of hours of listening have gone into making sure that what you pump into a TRUESONIC speaker is exactly what you get out.

MIXPACK LINE
Using an all-in-one PA system doesn’t have to mean you’re sacrificing your sound quality. All three MIXPACK systems boast impressive frequency response and wide dynamic range, and provide superior clarity when compared to other all-in-one portable PA systems. They also turn heads wherever you set them up.

VIEW THE ENTIRE ALTO PROFESSIONAL LINE OF NEW GEAR FRESH FROM NAMM AT: http://www.altoprofessional.com

Popularity: 11% [?]

The JBL PRX-512m is part of the PRX-500 Series of powered loudspeaker systems, of which there are seven models (two subwoofers and five full-range systems). All of these speakers are powered by built-in digital power amps engineered by Crown. In addition to these Crown power amplifiers, these systems contain state-of-the-art DSP (digital sound processing) that control functions like equalization, crossover accuracy, and system control/protection.

One thing that impressed me the most about the PRX-500 Series (including the smallest model, PRX-512m) is that they are NOT made in China — they were designed and engineered in the United States and then manufactured in North America in a very high-tech plant in Mexico. Then it appears they do final inspection, testing, packaging and shipping from their main plant in Northridge, CA….where my brand new PRX-512m’s were shipped from.

Upon removing from the box, I was impressed by the build quality and overall box integrity. They seem to be alot like the MRX and SRX in that regard. Nicely appointed with steel grills that have a lit up JBL & Crown logo. The weight of the PRX-512m is only 40 pounds, which is really light considering what’s inside:

In addition to the high performance and lightweight Crown amps, each PRX-512 utilizes the latest JBL loudspeaker technology. They have neodymium Differential Drive transducers with dual voice coils which are very light in weight, yet they provide high sound pressure levels with minimal harmonic distortion and power compression. When you combine highly engineered enclosures with sophisticated electronics like this, the result is supposed to be the highest performance-to-weight ratio in its class of PA equipment, a truly PORTABLE system that can really deliver the goods!

Back to the goodies: I love the Dura-Flex (TM) finish, as well as the nice build quality of the foam-backed grills. Not crazy about the handle on top, but this is a small cabinet; putting two handles in each side would have compromised the acoustics. With the matching JBL-Logo bag covers (not included), these speakers should survive the long wedding season intact, without any scratches (except on the speaker bottoms, which the bags do not cover).

One particular application for these is using them as main loudspeakers for wedding ceremonies. I could also imagine them being more than sufficient for cocktails, light jazz, and classic rock music.

The JBL PRX-512m features a dual-angle pole socket, which allows for more options in aiming the speakers toward the audience. This is really helpful because as a practical matter, you want neither tops or bottoms of the speaker visible from the listener’s perspective.

The actual components of the PRX-512m are a 12″ (JBL 262F) low frequency driver and a 1.5″ (JBL 2408H) high frequency compression driver. Even though the 512m is the smallest speaker in the PRX-500 Series, it uses the same HF Driver (2408H) as the PRX-515 as well as the PRX-525. Not only that, but the 500 watts of Crown amplification are the same as the PRX-515, both have the same 400 watt LF Crown amp, and the same 100 watt HF Crown.

What’s readily apparent, after some real world testing– these speakers are a clear step above from my previous Eon G2′s, both the 15s and 10′s. There is a sense of wider space, a bigger sound stage if you will. The highs are higher, clearer, more distinct. The midranges are clear, accurate and defined. Guitars and pianos stand out in particular, but other aspects like sibilance of high-hats and cymbals get more definition, that HF extention to 20k must be the reason!

However, this does not mean I think these loudspeakers are perfect. The lower bass is still too thin to operate by themselves in a typical mobile gig that requires playing hip hop or RnB music. Yes they work fine for funerals, ceremonies, cocktail music on a patio. Light rock and light jazz, no problem.

One song in particular, “Right Place Wrong Time” (Dr. John) stood out as a stellar example of why these speakers sound so good when they don’t get a lot of lower bass frequencies. With a true bottom end of 90 hz, these speakers are more like control monitors than full range loudspeakers. When you press the EQ button on the back control panel, the bass comes alive, extending the response down to 76 hz. Songs from the 60′s and early 70′s like this one were made for AM car radios, with little or no bass response.

However, when you play a song that is from the current era, or even a song from 20 years ago with heavy bass (for example, “The Way You Make Me Feel” by MJ), then the lack of lower bass response is more obvious. Both settings sounded thin and weak, with the “Main” setting providing barely adequate lower bass. Highs and mids were stellar though, I heard details lacking when played thru the eons.

On all songs tested, these speakers were able to make very loud sound pressure levels, despite the lack of bass. It is impossible to overdrive the mic (as I was prone to do with the Eon 15′s). Feedback is way less of a problem with the new speakers.

Overall, I’m very pleased with the PRX-512m because they were NOT purchased as a stand-alone Main Loudspeaker but rather, for using in combination with the matching PRX-718s Sub-Woofer. They not only look great, but they demonstrate to my audience that I’m constantly reinvesting in my productions with the latest technology. They’re a huge step up in quality from the Eon series they replaced, and much less worries about system failure with Crown amps!

When used with at least ONE sub, these speakers would provide the typical mobile Disc Jockey or small touring band with the ultimate portable PA loudspeaker system. Did I mention– only 40 pounds apiece? When you consider how much a typical passive amp weighs, its truly amazing what they’ve done with audio components!

Once the new PRX-718s Sub Woofer system arrives, I plan to do a follow-up on these speakers,
Meanwhile, I’ve used them in testing with Eon 518s, and B-52 ACT-18, with excellent results in both cases.

The JBL PRX-512m is available at Audiolines.com

Popularity: 33% [?]