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Studiomaster has widened its FOH loudspeaker portfolio coming out of Q1, with a line up of new and uprated replacement series and brand new product type designs; including several revealed during the NAMM and ISE shows at the beginning of the year. Four completely new active loudspeaker series offer compact columns, 2-way point-source cabs, and vertical and horizontal compact line arrays, with designs offering significantly improved feature sets, utility and price to performance advantages; increasing the brand’s competitive edge in key market segments.
The DIRECT MX series column array is a highly versatile, 127 dB / 2000 W column array design, available in two system configurations; with the 6x 3” mid frequency / 1x high frequency 1” precision compression unit armed column array, respectively (and literally) coupled with a compact 10” and 12” reflex sub enclosure in the DIRECT 101 MX and DIRECT 121 MX.
The DIRECT MX boasts a complement of on-board power and control features, enabling it to function as a stand-alone sound-reinforcement solution without the requirement for any outboard equipment. A 4-channel mixer, angle-mounted on the rear of the sub, has 2x switchable MIC / LINE inputs with discrete gain and reverb controls, 1x Hi-Z instrument jack input, and a stereo input on L/R phono connectors or Bluetooth 5.0 for external playback sources. A 24-bit DSP with a simple one-control encoder offers 3 pre-configured operating modes – music, speech and DJ – 3-band master EQ with sweepable mid, overall digital Gain control, high-pass filter, dual-channel limiter, and recallable user programmable presets. An XLR mix output operates in combination with a digital delay line of up to 100 m in providing for the properly time-aligned configuration of several DIRECT MX column arrays within larger venue spaces. An independent sub level control is also included in the mixer section.
Whether it is for powerful and portable sound for performing-artist, DJ, event or presentation applications, or small and medium venue sound-reinforcement – including hospitality, worship, fitness, education, and all manner of performance spaces – the DIRECT MX provides a self-contained, scalable solution with exceptional throw and coverage, offering both vocal intelligibility and musical power. One that can be rapidly deployed and set up in minutes, without rigging, flying or mounting loudspeakers, or requiring external mixer and processing equipment. With its unique combined secure mating and fixed internal connectivity system (no cables), the all-wood constructed two-piece column assembly and sub enclosure are instantly fixed or dissembled; and can be packed and safely transported in the available padded carrier bags and sub cover. DIRECT MX systems are available in both black and white colour schemes.
The VORTEX series is Studiomaster’s latest iteration of the active 2-way, mid/top portable PA format. VORTEX combines innovative electro-acoustic and digital electronic technologies in creating a new loudspeaker with a structurally ergonomic, lightweight form-factor; engineering an outstanding price performance ratio, making these sonically exceptional cabinets the most affordable PA offering in the brand’s new PA line up.
The injection-moulded cabinets sport full-face steel mesh grilles and are designed around a proprietary-developed, high precision coaxial driver. VORTEX 10A, 12A and 15A models are loaded with 10”, 12” and 15” variants of this transducer, respectively. Driven with high performance 1400 W (peak), 2-channel integrated amplifier modules, the cabinets deliver highly intelligible, low distortion audio, with exceptionally accurate sound imaging and uniform frequency response.
Pole mounting and rigging are provided for with dual top-hats and five M10 flying points. While integral top and side handles make for easy lifting and carrying. The cabinets’ asymmetrical trapezoidal form, provides a horizontal axis tilt, enabling the cabinets to be used in stage monitoring applications. The onboard electronic feature set includes four input sources – 2x MIC / LINE and a stereo line level mini-jack with discrete gain control; and the additional provision of Bluetooth 5.0 stereo playback connectivity, and a LINK output on XLR. A 24-bit DSP, with a simple rotary select and push encoder, offers selectable pre-configured operating modes – music / speech / live / DJ / monitor – 3-band EQ with sweepable mid, Gain, high-pass filter, dual-channel limiter, and a digital delay line of up to 100 m to enable time-alignment in multiple loudspeaker systems.
The accompanying 15SA and 18SA active compact sub bass cabinets offer a choice of LF reinforcement, with 2400 W (peak) onboard amplification delivering up to 132dB and 134dB LF SPLs, down to 45 Hz and 43 Hz respectively. Onboard DSP provides for high-pass filter, gain and delay line control.
Two new V-series ultra-compact active line array systems were also debuted at NAMM and ISE. The V26, comprising the miniature V26A horizontal array element and V26SA compact 15” sub, and the V6 lightweight, PP injection-moulded, 2-way conventionally configured line array and V6SA compact 15” sub.
Measuring just 354mm high, 205mm across and 340 mm deep, and weighing just 8.5 kg, the V26A is loaded with 2x vertically aligned 6.5” MF drivers and a waveguide mounted multi-drive HF array of 8x 1” transducers. Delivering an outstanding 120° x 8° (H x V) coverage, its narrow form factor offers a line array solution for much smaller venues or spaces presenting challenging infill requirements.
Integrated dual channel power amplification delivers 400 W MF and 150 W HF power, making the diminutive cabinet capable of up to 129 dB SPL. The A26SA has a 1200 W power amplifier with a near identical SPL capability, and exceptional LF response down to 40 Hz. DSP on both the V26A and V26SA provides control of gain, 3-band EQ, crossover points, hi-pass filter, delay line and output level.
From two to eight V26A elements can be stacked or flown (with up to two subs), or two V26A pole mounted on a sub, with elements coupled together at adjustable angles of 0° to 8°, and the V26 mounting cradle securely locking the whole system in place.
The V6A presents a more conventional line array element profile with its 2x 6.5” MF drivers loaded either side of a 3” HF unit. Its reinforced composite PP enclosure makes it remarkably tough, while its powerful 550 W onboard 2-way power amplification and high 132 dB max SPL and compact dimensions – together with the 2000 W powered V6SA compact 15” sub – make it ideal for all manner of small and medium sized venues and events. The tough construction, lightweight easy handling and sonic performance makes it an ideal option for local PA hire outfits and sound companies. Like the V26 the V6 has onboard DSP providing gain, 3-band EQ, crossover, hi-pass filter, delay and output level parameters. And like the V26, the V6 has a remote control capability via RS485, running on Windows 10 / 11 and providing more extensive control parameters including phase reverse, input / output gains, multi-band parametric EQ, compressor / limiters and more.
V26/V26SA V6/V6SA
Studiomaster General Manager Patrick Almond commented, “These new models are already having a positive impact on our order books, with the DIRECT MX and VORTEX series in particular making significant inroads in the mobile DJ sector; undoubtedly due to their combination of outstanding performance, versatile features, aesthetic appearance and highly competitive price points. The V26 and V6 systems bolster our line array offering with our first truly compact systems, offering the option of line array solutions within a much wider range of application environments and project budgets.”
For more information: www.studiomaster.com
About Studiomaster
Studiomaster is among the most famous brand names in professional audio – the British company credited with pioneering the development of modern, affordable PA systems, throughout the 1980s and 90s, making the first high powered, pro audio power amps and practical live mixing desks, and going on to effectively create two more highly successful product classes, with the first home recording mixers and portable powered mixers. Today the company’s catalogue of loudspeaker systems, analogue and digital audio mixers, and accessories is extensive, covering everything from portable PA systems and self powered, DSP controlled sound reinforcement, to both compact and large-scale audio installation loudspeaker series, for all manner of music venues and commercial AV applications.
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