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Jason Mraz on Tour with the QSC Audio WideLine-10 Line Array System
Jason Mraz's vocal-centric tunes are a rich musical amalgamation of influences consisting of reggae, pop, rock, folk, jazz, and hip hop performed by a equally diverse band consisting of acoustic and electric guitars and keyboards, ethnic percussion and brass instruments.
Out on an international tour continuing through all of 2009, supporting his multi-Platinum 2008 release, "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things...", featuring the Top Ten Single, "I'm Yours," the Virginia born and bred artist made a stop at Colorado's stunning 9,450-seat Red Rocks Amphitheater.
Adding some "dB push" to Mraz's melodically brilliant hit songs at, what is considered, God's greatest all-natural, acoustically perfect live performance venue, was a QSC Audio WideLine-10 Line Array loudspeaker system, consisting of 24 cabinets per side with a four-cabinet center array.
According to Matt Kornick, Sound Image systems tech and Jason Mraz tour crew chief, "In addition, 16 JBL Vertec 4880 Subwoofers, in a Cardioid Pattern, provided the low-end and the entire FOH system was driven by 32 Crown ITECH 8000 Amplifiers."
The Mraz tour cabinet inventory rounds out with 4 Audio Composite Engineering 1160's for center fills, 2 Sound Image CF Speakers, for Outfills, and 12 Sound Image G2 stage monitor wedges.
Sound Image sent a Venue Console out on the Mraz tour, because as Kornick puts it, "E.T simply loves it and prefers the tactile fell of the faders on the surface."
Michael Goldfarb relies on a Yamaha PM5D for the monitor console, as "he uses all of its onboard processing," states, Kornick. "Additionally, for an act like Mraz, Goldfarb will have at least 18 to mixes set at any given time, all capabilities that he finds the console can handle quite easily."
Jason's sponsorship of Shure microphones has the band out on tour with SM-57's, SM-58's, SM-81's, Beta 52, Beta 91, Beta 98's, a SM-86 for Jason's vocal, as well as Shure UHF-R Wireless components; UR4D Wireless Receivers, and UR-1 Instrument Pack Transmitters. In ear monitoring was handled by 4 Sennheiser G2 IEM Systems.
Stage manager and monitor engineer Michael Goldfarb, who has been on tour with Mraz since 2003, points out, "We were one of the first tours that, early adopter, Dave Shadoan of Sound Image sent out with the WideLine-10 System. That was Mraz's 2005 'Mister A-Z' tour, which hit all the leading theaters."
Goldfarb quickly and easily became acclimated to the WideLine-10 system, which on that tour consisted of 12 WideLine-10 cabinets per side. Now, after years of experience with the system, Goldfarb and front-of-house engineer, Ettore DeDivitiis (simplistically known as ET), are assuringly matter-of-fact when they refer to QSC Audio's WideLine-10 system as about as "plug-and-play" as you can get.
ET states, "The Wideline-10 is a great on-the-fly PA, especially for when you're in time-constraint situations, such as festivals. It runs nicely from the truck, to the air, through the show and back to the truck."
Goldfarb continues, "At Red Rocks, with chains in the air and with power, we have 24 boxes per-side up and active in 35-mintues."
Mraz's "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things..." tour traversed the United States hitting the major outdoor mega-theaters and sheds, such as the breathtaking Red Rocks and the legendary Jones Beach Amphitheater on Long Island, New York. Goldfarb quips, "When local sound professionals and promoters see the WideLine-10 system rolling off the truck, the reaction has consistently been, 'where's the rest of the PA?' Then they hear it. Anyone who knows anything about sound walks up to the soundman and says, "Man, that is really unbelievable.'"
Goldfarb adds, "This WideLine array's wavefront length is the same as 12 or more large format line array cabinets, and the one thing that the audio science guys will tell you; it's not the size of the speaker cabinet, it's the wave form from top to bottom. That's why we have 24 boxes per side, which is as long as 16 Vertec Boxes."
ET, who has worked with Mraz off-and-on for five years, has been on tour with the artist and hands-on with the WideLine-10 system now for a steady 18-months when the show rolled into Red Rocks. With several years of experience on WideLine, using the system on tour with Canadian singer/songwriter Tom Cochran, ET states, "For the whole production, WideLine is really easy to work with and they sound great."
Continuing, ET says, "Red Rocks is a big venue, and the long-throw capabilities here are impressive. For this venue, we shade 5 dB off the bottom three boxes and 4 dB off the next four boxes up, with the front-of-house volume running just under 100 dB A-weighted. With the WideLine-10 system, you don't need to punch it hard, like other systems, to get the fidelity."
Additionally, ET is using the QSC SC28 System Controller on his WideLine-10 system.
"The SC28 works really well and I haven't had to screw around with it beyond the presets. We've actually implemented setting changes during the show, especially when the set list changes on-the-fly, where I open up the splay setting to add a little brightness. Without having to reconfigure each cabinet, the presets make using the SC28 seemless."
As a result, very little "tweaking" time and measurement is needed. At Red Rocks, tuning consisted of little more than time-aligning the subs to the rest of the rig and doing a bit of amplitude shading.
ET is also quick to add, "Other systems will claim 120-degree horizontal dispersion. The QSC WideLine-10 system delivers a wonderfully true 140 degree dispersion that actually does cover every seat in that range."
ET notes that the WideLine's sound is exceptional, even at low volume, without muddiness. And it doesn't get brittle at loud volumes either, "which is critical to an artist like Mraz, who incorporates a lot of horns into his music." During the show, he also pointed out that the only dynamics processing he was using were the noise gates on the drums. Everything else was running full dynamic range, no compressors anywhere and the result was an unusually open and dynamic mix.
"The WideLine-10 system really has the qualities that audiences enjoy from a sound system, and it's probably the best and most musical PA system for vocals," ET says. "The instruments layer very nicely into mix, from the top to the bottom, fitting in perfectly to support the vocals. That's a big thing for me, as I work with a lot of artists like Mraz, Natalie Cole and Tom Cochran; these are all artists with a story to tell. It's even more important for the fans who want to clearly hear the lyrics." Goldfarb states, "For a fidelity mix, such as Mraz, that's vocal-centric, acoustic instrument-based music, the vocals really just jump out of the Wideline System. It's not hard to make a 'loud' speaker, but it is really hard to make a loudspeaker sound good right out of the box. There isn't another PA I would rather use for Jason Mraz."
Gear List:
PA: - 52 QSC WideLine 10 Cabs
- 16 JBL Vertec 4880 Subwoofers **(In a Cardioid Pattern)**
- 32 Crown ITECH 8000 Amplifiers
- 4 Audio Composite Engineering 1160's for Center Fills (not used at Red Rocks Show)
- 2 Sound Image CF Speakers (for Outfills)
- Drive Processing: 3 - QSC SC-28 Crossovers/Processors with 1 - KT DN-6000 RTA.
Consoles: - FOH - Digidesign Venue
- MON - Yamaha PM5D
Stage:
- Shure Microphones - SM-57's, SM-58's, SM-81's, Beta 52, Beta 91, Beta 98's, SM-86 for Jason's vocal
- DI's: Countryman Type 85, and Whirlwind Directors
- Shure UHF-R Wireless components: UR4D Wireless Receivers, and UR-1 Instrument Pack Transmitters
- 4 - Sennheiser G2 IEM Systems
- 12 - Sound Image G2 Stage Monitor Wedges
- 1 - QSC I215 Drum sub
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QSC Audio Introduces, "Understanding Sound Reinforcement: The Learner's Guide" DVD
The Learner's Guide,
January 14, 2010 - Costa Mesa, CA - QSC Audio, NAMM booth 6750, proudly introduces "Understanding Sound Reinforcement: The Learner's Guide" DVD.
Understanding the fundamentals of audio, acoustics and sound reinforcement can be challenging to the first-time learner. In this self-paced course, this knowledge is presented through narration, images and animation in a concise and easy-to-follow manner.
Whether the learner is an individual Sound Engineer, Musician, or DJ, or a member of a:
House of Worship, School, Public Facility, Community Organization or Private Enterprise, everyone will be able to comprehend, absorb and apply this wealth of sound reinforcement knowledge.
Learning applications included in the "Understanding Sound Reinforcement: The Learner's Guide":
Sound & Hearing
Signal Path & Gain Structure
Mixing Consoles
Equalization
Acoustics
Microphones
Signal Processors
Power Amplifiers
Loudspeakers
Cables, Connectors & Impedance
"Understanding Sound Reinforcement: The Learner's Guide" also includes chapter quizzes available online, free with product registration. Language formats are English and Spanish. No region encoding.
"Understanding Sound Reinforcement: The Learner's Guide" is $99 US Suggested List.
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QSC Audio's K-Series of Active Loudspeakers has been honored by being recognized as one of MIX Magazine's Top-20 hits of NAMM 2010!
MIX Magazine, one of the oldest and most prestigious magazines about the professional recording and audio industry, has been reporting on major audio/music trade shows for more than 30 years. Their acknowledgment of some of the more innovative products they've ever found at these events is one of the greatest and most esteemed honors a manufacturer can receive.
We at QSC Audio believe that the K Series product group has redefined the standard in compact, lightweight, high-performance powered loudspeakers, and first-and-foremost - we thank you, our loyal customers, for your recognition in making the K Series the #1 selling active loudspeaker series in the country. We humbly thank MIX Magazine for their acknowledgment and this wonderful honor.
To check out the complete list of MIX Magazine's Top-20 hits of NAMM 2010, visit this link:
http://mixonline.com/news/winternamm_2010_certifiedhits_0902/index2.html
For more details about the K-Series Active Loudspeakers, and to find a retailer near you when you can go and check them out, please visit the product page here: K Series
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DESPARATE HOUSEWIFE GETS PASSIONATE ABOUT QSC POWER AMPS
January 14, 2010 – Las Vegas, NV - With the success of her Hollywood restaurant, Tinsel Town’s hottest entrepreneur, Eva Longoria Parker, has brought Beso, a contemporary steakhouse with Latin flair, and Eve, her new 8,000-square-foot luxurious hotspot, to the Las Vegas Strip. The lavish establishments occupy two stories of Crystals, CityCenter’s spectacular retail and entertainment district adjacent from The Bellagio.
Eve’s impressive 60,000-watt QSC Audio PowerLight 3 Series-driven sound system was designed by Todd Konecny, partner of the Chicago-based Sound Investment AV, and the system was sold, and installation was supervised, by David Sullivan, SI AV’s Vegas-based National Sales Manager, in a blistering 3-weeks after being awarded the contract.
Guests are swept into the elegant atmosphere of Eve where a breathtaking 50-foot arched ceiling and lavish VIP booths accentuate the glamorous black interior with accents of sparkling gold, and mirrored windows that showcase the nighttime views outside. One-of-a kind colossal video screens surrounding the dance floor are a striking, state-of-the art feature unique to Eve alone. Renowned DJs and Sound Investment AV’s premium sound and SJA lighting system make Eve the ultimate nightclub to dance the night away.
Sound Investment AV utilized a mix of QSC Audio’s highly refined, all-switchmode PowerLight Series 3 model PL325s to drive the club’s eight 3-way bi-amplified horn loaded loudspeakers and two QSC Audio 8,000 watt PL380 amps drive the four dual 21-inch bass enclosures.
A 22-year systems integration veteran, Sullivan comments, “For the money, no other amp delivers more reliable and crystal clear power into as few rack spaces as QSC Audio’s PowerLight 3 Series. 21-inch diameter bass transducers require unrelenting dynamic power for consistent, accurate and musical low-end punch and the PowerLights never fail.”
The DJ Booth, with Pioneer, Technics, Rane equipment, with BSS Signal Processing, features a monitoring system of two-way full-range speakers and front-loaded 15-inch subwoofers driven by two QSC Audio PowerLight Series 3 PL325 amps.
Since Beso’s Hollywood grand opening in 2008, it has become the stomping ground for Hollywood stars attracting such names as David Beckham, Justin Timberlake, Zac Efron among others. With the impressive flair and panache that Eva has put into both Beso Vegas and Eve, it won’t be long before Sin City is welcoming a widee range of those that want to see and be seen to one of the most grandiose restaurants and clubs on the Strip.
“I am thrilled to be expanding my restaurant franchise, and cannot think of a more perfect location than Crystals at City Center,” said Eva. “Vegas is full of energy, excitement, and in the city of lights, Beso will be right at home.”
Dance Floor
8 - Funktion One Res2
4 - Funktion One F221 Dual 21 inch Subwoofers
4 - QSC - PL380 Amplifiers
1 - MC2 T2000 Amplifier
1 - MC2 T1000 AmplifierBar Area
8 - Funktion One F81 Loudspeakers
2 - SIA Custom Turbo Subs
2 - QSC - PL380 Amplifiers
DJ Booth
Pioneer CDJ-1000MK3
Professional CD Player
Technics SL-1210MK5 Professional DJ Turntable
Rane Serato Computer DJ Playback Software
Funktion One F81 Loudspeaker
QSC PL325
SIA TurboTCS-115C Loudspeaker Front Loaded Subwoofer
QSC PL325
Processing
BSS BLU160 2AIx2AO Networked Digital Signal Processor
BSS BluBOB2 BLU Link Output Expander
Mid Atlantic WRK-44-32 Equipment Rack
For more information about PowerLight Series 3 Amps, please visit qscaudio.com - QSC Audio Products, LLC is a leading manufacturer of power amplifiers, loudspeakers, signal processing, digital signal transport, and computer control systems for professional audio markets worldwide.
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A Band of Brothers Provides Hope for Haiti
February 25, 2010, Raleigh, North Carolina - Brian Blackmore, a great friend of QSC Audio and the esteemed editor of Church Production Magazine, reports that his band, Band of Brothers, recently used a QSC Audio K Series loudspeaker system for a benefit concert for the Hope for Haiti Foundation. Held at The Oxford Pub in Raleigh, North Carolina, the event raised over $16,000 for Haitian earthquake relief efforts.
Band of Brothers, featuring Blackmore on bass guitar, is a secular rock band composed of members of Raleigh’s Hope Community Church and the very popular The Josh Long Band.
Bob Blair of Raleigh’s ASP Integrated Systems, and technical director at Hope Community Church, provided the QSC Audio equipment and mixed the concert. Two K-12’s and two K-Subs per side comprised the front-of-house system for the well-attended benefit concert. Several K-12’s we deployed onstage as monitors.
Blair, a long-time QSC dealer, states, “We use QSC speakers and amps exclusively at all of the Hope Community Church locations – WideLine and PL3 in our main auditorium, HPR and ceiling speakers in our Chapel, HPR in our High School Auditorium, and K-Series for our Video Venue.”
With three acts performing during the Hope for Haiti fundraiser, Brian states, “It was an unusual experience for me to be able get out in front and hear the PA in the middle of a gig, since I’m usually on stage playing and listening through in-ears. With four K Series speakers and four K-Subs, two-of-each-per-side, the system had plenty of impact. Bob’s a great soundman and his mixes are always beefy with lots of low-end - just the way this bass player likes to hear it. The K-Series PA was a matched nicely to the size of the club, and they simply sounded great. ”
Blair also reports that his church recently launched its first satellite campus. In addition to its permanent location in Raleigh, they set up and tear down each Sunday in a school auditorium in Holly Springs, about 20 miles south of Raleigh. The same K Series PA configuration is also used as the main PA for the Holly Springs services.
Blackmore concludes, “The church’s goal is to launch additional satellite campuses and to standardize the technical infrastructure, so that our technical volunteers can work any campus and be familiar with the equipment: QSC speakers, Yamaha consoles, ETC lighting consoles, ETC, Megalite, and Coemar lighting fixtures, among other top flight gear.”
For more info:
Church Production Magazine
Hope Community Church
Hope for Haiti Foundation
ASP Integrated Systems
The Josh Long Band
All Band of Brothers photos courtesy of Laurie McCabe
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QSC Audio Donates Audio Support to Star-Studded Haiti Fundraiser
February 8, 2010, Bel Air, California - Food. Water. Shelter. Medicine. This is what Haiti needs now and QSC Audio was integral to a Star-Studded charity event that raised much needed funds to assist the people of this earthquake ravaged nation. On February 4, QSC Audio donated all audio support, with the assistance of West Coast Sound providing supplemental equipment and crew, to the Haiti Food Project: A Second Aid Benefit Concert for sustainable food programs that feed and nourish the Haitian children and the communities they live in.
Held at the American Jewish University in Bel Air, California, the event was held in collaboration with Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger, which since 1985 has granted over $50 million to prevent and alleviate hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds, and The Board of Rabbis of Southern California. The event was attended by a bevy of leading personalities, entertainers and politicians, including Deepak Chopra, Her Excellency, Geri Benoit, Haiti's Ambassador to the UN World Food Program and Former First Lady of Haiti, Robert Wexler, Beverly Todd, Lou Gossett Jr., Brenda Russell and many others.
According to Evan MacKenzie, QSC Audio's Director of Marketing & Communications, "When my colleagues at Innovation Protocol, the event's branding and marketing strategy agency, called me about this need, no one at QSC hesitated for one moment about getting involved. It's impossible to be passive when such devastating events take a tremendous toll on other nations. This is a privilege to donate our services and lend equipment to an event whose sole purpose is to relieve the suffering of others. It was a team effort and an honor everyone at Innovation Protocol, Mazon and QSC Audio, can be proud of."
Brian English, QSC Audio's Director of Concert System Solutions, an accomplished and talented soundman in his own right, lent his time and talent to run the PM5D console for front-of-house sound and David Cepeda, another QSC live sound engineer, who ran the M7 console for monitors.
The QSC Audio Wideline 8 system, consisting of six cabinets per side, augmented with two QSC Wideline WL212 dual-12 subs and GP218 dual-18 Ground Support subs per side, provided clear and articulate audio for the diverse program material of live musical performances by Dave Koz to spoken-word by Deepak Chopra and others.
A mix of QSC active loudspeakers provided foldback for entertainers and musicians, including two HPR153i 3-way loudspeakers for side fills, four HPR 122 12-inch two-way loudspeakers, one HPR181 subwoofer to augment low-end for the drummer, two K-10s and a wide range of QSC's new Concert Stage Monitors. All passive loudspeakers were driven by two racks of QSC Audio PL-340 and PL-380 power amps.
According to Steve Addison, Event Producer, "QSC's sound system literally made the show. To have world class sound and engineers for the event took it from being just good to being absolutely magic."
Dr. Eric Schockman, President of MAZON, creator of the event and program, stated, "The sound was breathtaking, and brought the crowd completely into the performances, giving us so many powerful moments that wouldn't have been possible without it."
From QSC
12 x WideLine 8s (6 per side stacked)
4 x WL212 subs (2 per side)
4 x GP218 subs (2 per side)
Amp Racks A & B with QSC PL-340 & Pl-380 amps (for house)
2 x Monitor amp racks QSC PL-340 & Pl-380 amps (8 bi-amp mixes)
AC Power Distro (Plus drops for stage power)
All CSM monitors.
2 x HPR 153 (side-fills)
1 x HPR 181 (drum sub)
4 x HPR 122s
2 x K10s
Red FOH rack (playback & drive)
AC cable trunk
Speaker cable trunk
CAT5 reels From West Coast Sound PM5D for FOH
M7 for monitors
FOH AC run
Snake & splitter
Full mic package with a wireless package
Full mic stand package
All mic cables & stage boxes
Com between FOH & monitors AC feeder cable
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QSC provides distribution hub for Shanghais Happy Valley theme park
February 9, 2010 - Shanghai, China - Happy Valley Amusement Park opened last summer in the Shanghai's Songjiang District. With seven themed zones and 12 top-tier entertainment facilities, spread across 900,000 square meters of land, it is the biggest and most advanced theme park in China. Nearly one hundred exciting features make up the park, including a 4,000 seat cinema theatre.
To meet the sophisticated sound system design, a flexible networking and intelligent broadcasting system was required. QSC's CX amplifiers and BASIS were selected to meet the controlling, zone splitting, monitoring and processing needs of the amplification systems over a QSControl.net network. All the QSC equipment was supplied by PCI, the company's Chinese distributor.
An amplifier room, containing BASIS, is located in each of the theme park's seven zones. For transmitting high quality audio signals and reducing the cost of analogue cable, a fiber network was deployed for the communication between the amplifier rooms and the main control room. As a result of BASIS's intelligent functionality, the park has been able to save considerably on labor and operation cost.
BASIS 922uz was used for DSP along with QSControl.net™ (QSC's proprietary network audio platform) for system management and monitoring. BASIS provides flexibility and ease of use for operators, allowing messages to be inserted at any time to any zone, as well as controlling amplifier power on/off remotely, monitoring temperature and checking impedance of loudspeakers. Once a fire alarm signal is received, BASIS will duck all other signal sources and immediately switch to emergency broadcast.
The twin-channel QSC CX1202V was selected to drive the public address system—not only for its stability but the customer was also impressed with the amplifiers' ‘green’ attributes, recognizing that this is a high efficiency, energy-saving system.
Thanks to QSC's advanced management system Happy Valley (Shanghai) has become a shining example of a new generation theme park.
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QSC extends Acoustic Design ceiling range with two high-output options
February 9, 2010 - Costa Mesa, California - QSC Audio has announced an extension to its AcousticDesign™ ceiling speaker range, with the release of two new high-output models: the AD-C1200 and AD-C820/C821.
The AD-C1200 High-output Ceiling Mount Loudspeaker System features 12-inch low frequency woofer, 1.75-inch diaphragm compression driver, 300W continuous power rating, and a 70V / 100V multi-tap transformer (enabling the system to operate in distributed or low-impedance mode).
The AD-C1200 has been designed for music playback, public address and distributed audio in applications that require high output from a ceiling mounted loudspeaker.
The AcousticDesign Series of installation loudspeakers has been designed for trouble free operation and versatility. Utilizing custom designed transducers and crossover networks, in combination with an acoustically optimized enclosure (AD-C1200BB), the AD-C1200 embraces the AD Series philosophy by bringing the same versatility and reliability to high-ceiling applications.
Each AD-C1200 includes the coaxial transducers, a transformer and a crossover network, factory mounted on a steel baffle. The baffle is designed to mount to the QSC enclosure or to any ~2.5 ft3 enclosure using industry standard transducer mounting dimensions. A square grille (AD-C1200SG) is available to complete the installation.
The 12-inch woofer is made with a treated paper cone on a steel frame. In the optimized enclosure the usable low frequency of the system extends to 37Hz. The 1.75-inch compression driver fires through the centre of the woofer and is acoustically mated to the woofer for a smooth transition at crossover. The system achieves 85° axisymmetric coverage.
High-current, low tolerance network components provide smooth full-range, passive performance. The included 70V/100V custom designed transformer is optimized for low line loss as well as accurate and transparent acoustic performance.
The AD-C1200 loudspeaker system measures 93dB sensitivity (1W/1m) and at full continuous power is capable of producing 117dB SPL (1W/1m) output.
This model is complemented by the AD-C820/C821, which features 8-inch low frequency woofer, 1.75-inch diaphragm compression driver, 200W continuous power rating, 70V / 100V multi-tap transformer (enabling the system to operate in distributed or low-impedance mode) and AD-C820 transducer/baffle assembly for separated backcan installation. The AD-C821 has been designed as a fully integrated blind-mount system.
The AD-C820 and AD-C821 are acoustically identical and designed for music playback, public address and distributed audio in applications that require high output from a ceiling mounted loudspeaker. Both models use custom designed transducers and crossover networks, in combination with an acoustically optimized enclosure (AD-C800BB), or as a fully integrated, sealed system (AD-C821). The AD-C800 series loudspeakers extend the AcousticDesign philosophy of bringing natural and accurate sound quality combined with versatility and reliability to high-ceiling applications.
Each AD-C820 includes the coaxial transducers, a transformer and a crossover network, factory mounted on a steel baffle. The baffle is designed to mount to the QSC enclosure.
The AD-C821 is a fully integrated, factory sealed system using a ‘dog ear’-style mounting scheme. An optional round (AD-C800RG) or square (AD-C800SG) grille is available to complete the installation.
The 8-inch woofer is equipped with a treated paper cone on a steel frame. In the optimized enclosure the usable low frequency of the system extends to 52Hz. The 1.75-inch compression driver fires through the centre of the woofer and is acoustically mated to the woofer for a smooth transition at crossover. The system achieves 105° axisymmetric coverage.
High-current, low tolerance network components provide smooth full-range, passive performance. The included 70V/100V custom designed transformer is optimized for low line loss as well as accurate and transparent acoustic performance.
The AD-C820 loudspeaker system measures 91dB sensitivity (1W/1m) and at full continuous power is capable of producing 114 dB SPL (1W/1m) output.
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QSC Audio gets band from TV!
February 3, 2010 - Hollywood, California - While most anyone would regret being banned from TV, QSC Audio is mighty proud get Band From TV. Band From TV is the Star-Studded rock band led drummer Greg Grunberg. Greg and his band mates just installed a new QSC Audio K Series loudspeaker system in their new private Hollywood rehearsal studio, and they couldn't be happier.
What started out as almost a lark - an offer to jump onstage and play a gig at the House of Blues with a couple of celebrities - has led Greg to create one of the most successful "Hollywood-Based/Celebrity-Laced" rock bands that play Rock and Roll at packed venues all over the nation for charitable causes.
Greg is also a veteran television actor who's appeared in Alias and Felicity and he's currently starring in the NBC hit HEROES. Band From TV is rounded out by Grunberg's friends, James Denton (guitar), currently starring in the ABC hit DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES; Hugh Laurie (keyboards & vocals), star of the FOX hit, HOUSE; Bob Guiney (vocals), who appeared on THE BACHELOR and is currently the host of GSN LIVE; Jesse Spencer (violin) who stars along with Laurie, on FOX's HOUSE; Adrian Pasdar (guitar) also on NBC's hit show HEROES, and the latest addition to the band, Scott Grimes (keyboards & vocals) from ER and American Dad. Rounding out the band are accomplished musicians Chris Kelley, Barry Sarna, Jon Sarna, Chris Mostert and child-star turned bass player Brad Savage.
"My oldest son has epilepsy and I saw this band as a wonderful vehicle to help raise money for the National Epilepsy Foundation," comments Grunberg. "Having band mates who also happen to be in some of the most popular shows on television creates an amazing opportunity to really reach out to our fans to help support these wonderful causes."
Grunberg states that Band From TV " has raised over $2 million in the last three years for the various charities that we represent," including TalkAboutIt.org, The Conservation Fund, Rush University Medical Center/Epilepsy Center, The Art of Elysium, The Child Abuse Prevention Program, The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Lupus LA, and The Indiana University-Kenya Partnership. Support for additional charitable organizations are in the works. Continuing, Grunberg states, "You cannot play with our band without giving us a charity to donate to, and every time we play, each celebrity gets to donate, at least, ten grand to a charity." Grunberg continues, "QSC Audio, Sears, Lowes, etc., love what we're doing, they love the fact that we support the charities that they support and they are able to help us out with what we need, which helps so many people."
Grunberg states, "We just recently completed this really cool place we call the Band From TV Showroom. For the past three years, we had a lock-out rehearsal space that we'd pay way too much for, but the key for us was to leave our equipment, come in a flip one switch and play. But we never had the great sound. But now that we've built our own space, we literally wanted - and I know this is going to sound like a commercial - the absolute best sound possible." While the Band From TV Showroom will be used primarily as a rehearsal space, it's has also been designed to be used to host small charity events of over 100 guests.
Grunberg continues, "In investigating all of the great products out there, after going to every leading retailer throughout all of Los Angeles, every sales person would say, you could go with this or with that brand, but if you really wanted to step-it-up, you should get a QSC K Series System.' I'm not kidding you that happened at least six times; three times to me, and three times to Brad Savage, our bassist! It was obvious. We were going to get the QSC Audio K Series."
Two QSC Audio K10s are suspended from the ceiling trusses, which provide the majority of the vocal foldback for all of the band members on stage, with two KSubs providing low-end punch. Two QSC K8's are used as stage monitors, with one of the K8s handling triple duty by providing foldback to Grunberg, the percussionist and the bassist, with the second K8 providing foldback to "the musicians up front and the back-up singers," he states.
Grunberg continues, "I don't use in-ear monitors, therefore I really need clear sound around me." Since Band From TV is a big band, with sometimes over 12 musicians onstage, Grunberg points out, "I need to have a clean mix, and I have to hear all the vocal cues, horns, fiddle, and the timing has to be right. The wedge I use has to have a really good mix for me and the K8 delivers."
With so many musicians onstage, Band From TV really puts the K Series loudspeakers through the paces. "QSC can take much, much more than any other amp or loudspeaker that I've listened to," states Grunberg. "And the K Series are capable of handling much more signal, which keeping it clean without distortion."
Upon getting the K Series loudspeakers down to the Showroom, Band From TV promptly played eight songs to evaluate their new tools, in their yet-unfinished rehearsal space. "We didn't have the sound dampening insulation installed, no fine tuning at all, we didn't put the speakers in the proper places, it was just a thrown-together rehearsal," states Grunberg. "And the speakers sounded sooooo good, and now with them properly installed and EQ-ed, they sound ten times better."
When asked if he notices that the band rehearses better, tighter, longer, and more efficiently, without ear fatigue and the nasty ringing left in one's head after a marathon rehearsal, Grunberg is adamant that the K Series speakers are a tremendous asset to the overall improvement of the band, simply stating, "Yes! Everyone trying to be louder than someone else, that's just the nature of not being able to hear yourself and hear others. As a drummer, I am always trying to play softer and have more dynamics to every song. You have to come from a place where the song is exciting. If you can't hear what's going on, and you're constantly playing louder, well, you don't have to do that with QSC K Series. It's a big difference."
And what does the future hold for Band From TV? "We have a lot of gigs coming up in 2010," states Grunberg, "and this studio is the one thing that we have finally done for ourselves in the three years we have been together as a band. And it's going to generate so much money for the Charities. Thank you to everybody from QSC Audio for helping us." For more info, news, pictures, video, 2010 tour dates, and/or to purchase the Band From TV DVD, please visit BandFromTV.org
For more information about K Series, please visit qscaudio.com - QSC Audio Products, LLC is a leading manufacturer of power amplifiers, loudspeakers, signal processing, digital signal transport, and computer control systems for professional audio markets worldwide.
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QSC Audio Knocks It Out of the Park at Live @ Shea Stadium
January 2010 Brooklyn, NY - In New York City and the surrounding five boroughs, it is not uncommon to see live bands with considerable "buzz" playing in basements, lofts, warehouses, and other makeshift venues'. In the growing Brooklyn music scene, a slew of DIY venues have popped up throughout the borough. While these are exciting times and exciting environments in where to see performances by the next generation of break out artists, live sound quality almost always suffers due to these circumstances. Live @ Shea Stadium is Brooklyn's first interactive recording studio/DIY venue/all ages show space committed to provided touring bands and local artists who cannot normally afford proper recording a chance to document their live set free of charge. Live @ Shea Stadium has largely built it's reputation through their spot-on live sound quality, thanks to their QSC Audio HPR Loudspeaker System. In comparison to the bevy of competition from other venues, many of which popped up in the last few years mimicking the Live @ Shea Stadium business model, it is well-known among local bands, DJs and live show fans that Live @ Shea Stadium is one of the best sounding loft/venues in Brooklyn, which can attributed almost entirely to the QSC Audio HPR Active Loudspeaker System. The venue uses little to no outboard gear, and the 16 x 8-channel snake is plugged directly into the Mackie Onyx (whose FireWire output enables Live @ Shea Stadium to record all of its shows), which is then rerouted to a Yamaha EMX board. Without fancy microphones and digital signal processing, the QSC HPR Series PA, consisting of two HPR153i three-way full range cabinets, augmented with a single QSC Audio HPR181i powered sub, delivers crystal clear audio quality, and unprecedented power without distortion. In addition to the HPR system's superb definition, they are also extremely durable against the gamut of small venue perils: crowd surfers, beer spills, power outages, etc. In a rather unstable show environment, the QSC Audio HPR Loudspeaker System knocks it out of the park every time.
Live @ Shea Stadium Equipment List:
(1) AKG D-112
(1) SHURE BETA 52
(1) SHURE BETA 54
(4) SHURE SM 57s
(4) SHURE SM 58s
(3) SENNHEISER e604s
(2) CAD GXL1200s
(1) SHURE AX7
Mackie Onyx 1640 w/FireWire card
Yamaha EMX5016CF
PROCO 16 x 8 Custom Snake
For more info about Live @ Shea Stadium, please check out: http://www.myspace.com/sheastadiumbk or email them at http://www.myspace.com/sheastadiumbk to book rehearsal and recording time.
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