NEW PRODUCTS

Jun 1, 2003 12:00 PM, By Markkus Rovito

MACKIE TAPCO 6306

6-CHANNEL MIXER

Music professionals know Mackie as one of the most trusted names in the business, but beginning and budget-minded musicians want to get their Mack on, too. Now, that's easier than ever with Mackie's new Tapco line, which caters to the entry-level crowd while still offering the vaunted Mackie sound and construction quality. Tapco's inaugural product is the 6306 ($119.95) 6-channel mixer. Two of its channel strips include XLR inputs with low-noise mic preamps, and the other two channel strips include left and right ¼-inch instrument inputs. All channels have high and low EQs and mix knobs for the two aux sends. The 6306 has a stereo aux return to monitor, 8-segment LED meters and separate level controls for the phones and control room.

Mackie; e-mail sales@mackie.com; Web www.mackie.com

SENNHEISER 800 SERIES

MICROPHONES

Anyone in-tune enough to grimace at the opening rounds of American Idol probably deserves a decent vocal mic. Sennheiser's new 800-series mics present a trio of affordable vocal mics for any aspiring diva. The e 815 S ($218; pack of three) is suitable for vocals or instrument miking and has a noiseless, lockable on/off switch. Its cardioid pickup rejects rear sounds, so it's ideal when facing an audience. With a solid metal body, the mic's frequency response is 80 Hz to 15 kHz. Sennheiser includes a cable and a 10-year warranty. Also available are the e 816 S cardioid mic with a high output that enables it to cut through the mix, even at high stage levels. And the e 817 cardioid mic is specially designed as a lead vocalist microphone.

Sennheiser; e-mail info@sennheiser.com; Web www.sennheiser.com

BBE DI-1000

ACTIVE/PASSIVE DIRECT BOX

BBE is no longer a one-trick pony, but it is still up to its old tricks. The company most known for its Sonic Maximizer rack units has introduced a new line of direct boxes that include full-featured Sonic Maximizers with Lo Contour and Process knobs built in. The DI-1000 ($299) also includes a Jensen JT-DB-E impedance-matching transformer that ensures a flat frequency response. Road-worthiness is a top priority with an ⅛-inch-thick aluminum casing and switches recessed to prevent damage. The box offers input attenuation of up to 30 dB. Also onboard are a ground lift switch, balanced XLR output, a nonslip padded bottom and ¼-inch tip-sleeve input and throughput.

BBE; e-mail info@bbesound.com; Web www.bbesound.com

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