WELCOME to the R&R Music Centre news page. In this month’s edition, we give you the opportunity to see some new products up close. Here at R&R Music, we take the time to educate ourselves with the latest equipment and pass the information on to you, with the intention of giving you the insight you need to make a sound investment for your musical needs.

PRODUCT REVIEWS

PEAVEY KOSMOS -

Let’s begin with the PEAVEY KOSMOS. When we first witnessed the Kosmos, there were many experienced audio engineers around with their jaws dropped to the floor. What is the PEAVEY KOSMOS? The Kosmos is a Sub-Harmonic Generator. What does it do? The kosmos is a low energy and stereo image enhancement system that turns the minor foreshocks of an output signal into a sound that is off the Richter scale. It can provide planet-rattling bass while simultaneously causing the vocals to stand out in a mix.

In operation, its sub harmonic (QUAKE) processor watches the source material, analyzes the bass, then generates additional frequencies an octave below the original. The circuitry tracks the original bass without the mud of other processors, and is tuned to your speaker size for optimum performance. The QUAKE’s activity is seismically monitored and indicated by an LED. Its output level is fully adjustable.

In addition to the QUAKE process, there is an additional bass boost circuit (Thud) tuned an octave above the sub-harmonic range that can be used to fill in and fatten out the low end. The left / right stereo image can also be intensified with the XPANSE control, giving improved separation and clarity (atmosphere).

In a nutshell, my take on this amazing processor is, put in the mix your sound will be a cut above the rest. Be sure to listen for yourself at both of our locations.

BEHRINGER VIRTUALIZER PRO. -

This dual engine effects processor has many great qualities with the biggest attractor being the price. Behringer gear is getting rave reviews everywhere these days it seems for the quality, the look and most of all, the price.

Here are some of the features of the VIRTUAL PRO. This unit boasts 24bit digital signal processing. “Wave Adaptive Virtual Room” reverb algorithms calculated from precise mathematical room models give you ultra-natural reverb effect,32 breathtaking Reverb, Chorus, Flanger, Delay [ 10 sec. ], Pitch Shifter, Vocoder, Rotary Speaker effects and more.

More than 700 effects variations plus two individual parameters and separate low and high EQ section. 100 user-preset memories to store programs for instant recall. Two digital processing engines give you independent or coupled effects on left and right channels.

My take on the VIRTUAL PRO, top quality, clean effects and very user friendly. I quite liked the simple to use jog wheel to make any changes in parameters. I also can’t stress enough the price. Inexpensive gear that boasts an attractive price makes all the difference. Be sure to ask any of our qualified sales people to take you on the VIRTUAL PRO tour in our Sound Reinforcement departments.

The Lighter Side Of The Music Industry

GIG STORYS

Please correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t it true that the bar patron that perhaps by the time he or she has had sufficient amounts of alcohol is the sound engineer that you should have hired to set up your PA. Yes, this is the soundman you just didn’t happen to cross paths with at the right time, and now they have arrived to your gig to tell you everything you have done wrong with your sound. Yes it’s true. These sought after engineers never seem to be around when you are setting up, lifting lights, packing around those 200 pound bass bins, running snakes, finding ground loops and all of the other nightmares us musicians encounter.

I think there is a place where these so called sound professionals hang out all week and discuss the next venue they will attack with their plethora of knowledge about sound. Beware of these closet or armchair engineers, they live in every town, go to every bar and have mixed all the best from the very seat they end up sleeping at when last call hits and the ugly lights go on. Just a little message for all of these people I speak of- “HEY, WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO PLEASE YOUR EARS, NOW GO SIT AND LISTEN! Not to seem rude but us musicians work very hard to give you the best show we can so you can survive your next week of work. Please bare with us, we are only musicians.