Best New Tech Products for Worship 2012 NAMM Trade Show Gear OverviewVeteran Technical Director and CCI Solutions Church Relations Director, Duke DeJong found some hot new products at the 2012 NAMM show. Join Duke on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ccisolutions. & www.twitter.com/ccisolutions  I have long held the belief that successful church technical ministries are more about people than gear. Sure the gear is important, but just as it is with any tool, the person using it must be skilled for them to be effective. On top of that, in technical ministry we not only get a chance to help minister to our congregations but to minister to our fellow techs as well. If I have to choose between good people and talented techs versus amazing gear, I'll take the people any day. I've seen good, skilled people get way more out of aging or even failing systems than people who are untrained or uncommitted. That being said, having the right tools for the job gives good people the opportunity to do great things, and last week at NAMM many new products and product updates were announced. This is not an exhaustive list of what was announced at NAMM, but some things that we think will serve churches well. Consoles 
This Isn't Your Father's Docking Station - Mackie DL 1608
Mackie announced their new DL1608 iPad Mixer. While there are physical inputs and outputs and gain knobs on the mixer, the rest of the surface is in fact an iPad which can be docked on the mixer or controlled via wireless connection. A docked iPad can also playback stereo tracks from any app, and record stereo tracks as well. If you're looking for a 16 channel mixer and FOH is located in a less than ideal location, this mixer could potentially be a game changer. See more about the DL1608 here >>  Big, Cool, Less Money?
Allen & Heath GLD Series
Sporting 48 inputs and 24 outputs, the GLD series mixer from Allen & Heath offers a more affordable digital alternative to their popular I-Live series.
See more about the GLD Series digital consoles here >>
 Affordable Midas?
Behringer X32
Behringer created some buzz when they acquired Midas, and their first digital mixer since has some real promise. Featuring 32 inputs and 16 outputs, 25 motorized 100mm faders, color assignable scribble strips and more. Coupled with their own personal monitor mixers, this console seems to pack a lot of punch for not a lot of money.
See more about the Behringer X32 digital console here >>  A New Way to Think About Mixing
Line 6 StageScape
Offering you a very different way to mix, Line 6 threw its hat into the ring for a new, out-of-the-box thinking mixer. Much more visual based than the typical mixer, the M20d features a touch screen visual mixer, auto-sensing inputs and outputs, professional dynamics, EQ and effects on every channel, feedback suppression, multi-channel recording, and more.See more about the Line 6 StageScape here >> iPad Apps  Get Ready, Get Set, Get Out Your iPhone - PreSonus QMix Monitor Mix APP
Building on the highly successful StudioLive series, PreSonus announced their new wireless aux-mix control software for iPhone and iPod Touch. The one negative of iPad console control for most consoles has been the limitation of only having one connected at a time, limiting the ability to connect multiple devices for individual monitor control. PreSonus has changed that, allowing up to 10 musicians to simultaneously control their monitor mix. Find out more about the QMixer here >>  The Latest Version ROCKS
Yamaha Stage Mix 2.0
Also expanding their portable power is Yamaha with the announcement of StageMix 2.0. Already an extraordinary success, Yamaha has increased StageMix's functionality by adding Head Amp gain control for each input channel and scene memory management including Store, Recall and more.
See more about the Yamaha StageMix 2.0 iPad Software here >> Personal Monitor Mixers  It' All Right In Front of You
Elite Core PM-16
Releasing later this spring, Elite Core has built a new 16 channel personal monitor mixer that boasts a rugged metal frame, simple operation with every adjustable feature having it's own knob and a powerful headphone amp that makes the end mix sound fantastic. At a fraction of the price of similar Aviom systems, the PM-16's looks to be a great personal monitoring option for many churches. (And yes, we are an Elite Core dealer) Find out more about the Elite Core PM-16 Personal Monitor Mixer here >>  Have iPad Will Mix
Pivitec Monitor Mix Systems
If you're looking for a more robust and portable personal monitoring system, look no further than Pivitec's solutions, also coming out later this spring. Featuring 32 channels of mixing from your iPad, the Pivitec system provides more capability and features than most personal monitoring systems. Also featuring a high powered headphone amp, the sound we heard out of this system was also fantastic
See more about the Pivitec iPad Personal Monitor Mixing System here >> Wireless Mic Systems  Hot New Digital Wireless -
Shure ULX-D
Featuring a rugged metal housing on both the handheld and body pack, this new all digital wireless system is both functionally and physically robust. Some of the new features include an automatic gain ranging system to optimize gain while in use, interference detection and alerts, networkable receivers, 60 compatible channels per frequency band and Shure's new rechargeable battery system. Find out more about the Shure ULX-D Wireless Systems here >>  No Worries Wireless
Sennheiser XS
Sennheiser also had an announcement of their own, launching a new entry-level "no worries" wireless system. Focusing on sturdy mics, simple operation and high quality sound, the XS wireless systems set up easy and sound good.
See more about the Sennheiser XS Wireless System here >> Other  The Ultimate Earset Mic
DPA d:fine
The DPA d:fine mic was announced last year with much buzz and excitement, and the folks at DPA are expanding the line to make it even more impressive. This spring DPA will begin shipping a dual ear version of the d:fine, adding a second band to the original mic to make it a dual ear headset. Also coming is the d:fine Short, a less conspicuous version of the successful mic. Already have the standard d:fine and want these models too? The second band can be added to your existing d:fine and the standard boom can be replaced with a short boom. Find out more about the DPA d:fine Earset Microphone here >>  Portable Video Streaming for Less - Roland VR-3
A smaller, simpler and more portable version of their popular VR-5 mixer, the VR-3 is a 4 channel composite video switcher ideal for mixing lower resolution video sources for playback and/or web streaming. With the abilities such as keying, split screen, picture in picture and more, this touch screen based switcher can even run battery powered for portable needs. And with a USB video/audio output, streaming to your PC or Mac couldn't get any easier.
See more about the Roland VR-3 here >> Wrapping it Up!
If you have questions on these or any other new products, please don't hesitate to contact me or any of the other knowledgeable staff here at CCI Solutions. We're here to help you equip your people for success in technical ministry. Whether you need one or two items or a whole system designed for you, we would be honored to have the opportunity to serve you.Duke DeJong
Church Relations Director
CCI Solutions Duke has over 12 years of experience as a technical artist, trainer and collaborator for ministries. Duke travels around the country for CCI Solutions and is available to help your ministry. Join Duke on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ccisolutions. |