2 : £ It's 5:00pm, I'm in Frankfurt at the Musikmesse trade show, and I am stood next to an escalator ready to be escorted to a secret room. All I know is that I need to be up on level 4.2 and I will be met by a guy who will take me to a very special private demo. After about five minutes, a door opens and out pour half a dozen people followed by a tall handsome man (not too dissimilar to myself) wearing clothing emblazoned with the hallmark of the brand in question… QSC.

7766 Prior to arriving, I had already signed away my life in the form of an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) so I knew it was going to be something secretive – I just didn't know what! I was met by Matthijs, the QSC brand manager for Europe, and led in to an ‘off show-floor’ room. It was a dark, draped environment with several speakers on poles (I think eight in total) and one bass bin in the centre of the room, then the secret presentation began… For around half an hour I was treated to an exclusive viewing (and listening) of the new K Series from QSC, aptly called K.2.

For those who aren’t aware of the original K range, it is realistically one of the best-selling speaker ranges globally, from any brand. The numbers are just staggering; around 1 MILLION units have been sold worldwide. They are workhorse loudspeakers, with a reputation for a good sound, and have proved tremendously reliable for DJs and musicians all over the globe. Now, I have attended several ‘secret’ presentations in my time.

Usually you are sold the dream from the manufacturer, you get to hear the products, and you all walk out thinking they are great. However, you THE ART OF ADVQESRCT KIS1I2N.G2 aren’t able to compare them to anylove them; they thing else. With this demo QSC realis a very personal ly wanted us to know that they had like the punch upped their game and that the new the K12.2s. They K.2 range offers a distinct improvethat keep on ment on the original series.

QSC had loud, like loud-loud! spent considerable time mulling this boasts the sticker over and fine-tuning the new range I never believe – 8 years to be precise, since the know from original launch. At this demo, they not exactly a took the bold move of pitching the fancy a geek-fest new K.2 versions against the original they have got models, and boy could you hear the to the QSC difference! You have to think, the a practical DJ digital advancements alone, over the could easily past 8 years, have been tremendous. wedding without It was abundantly clear that the K.2 additional bass versions were sonically better, not to do want a little mention incredibly feature-rich.

Bass Bin is soon view to follow]. The new K.2 range features three active loudspeakers, the 8” K8.2, Handle aficionados 10” K10.2, and 12” K12.2. Following to know there the demo in Frankfurt, I was sent handles integrated a pair of K12.2 speakers to test. I This makes for have taken them out on a few difat over 17kg, ferent gigs and can honestly say I sticking them QSC K12.2 QSC K12.2 sound great.

Sound fans will be over-the-moon as you thing, but I really get not one, but two glorious holes and depth offered by to choose from! The second being are also speakers a tilted (7.5˚) option, which is pargiving too; they are ticularly useful if you are working ‘2000w per cab’ from a stage. The build quality is of on the front, but a very high standard and is inoffenstickers! As you will sive to look at; the QSC designers previous reviews, I am have opted for a sleek design but stats man.

So, if you haven’t tried too hard to do someto work out how thing different. The enclosure is to 2000w then head also wedged, so the speaker can be website. However, from used as a stage-monitor if required. perspective, these It is also worth mentioning the wide handle a 150/200 guest sound dispersion – at 75˚ coverage the need for an this gives a nice room fill too. bin. However, if you extra ‘thump’ a K.2 I alluded to the ‘feature rich’ nato be launched [reture of the K.2 Series earlier.

The back panel for the speakers in this range is a true leader in its class will be pleased with a 3-channel mixer built-in that are both side and top includes a 3.5mm stereo jack input into the casing. with a dedicated gain control, which easy handling and, is handy. The other two channel inthat really helps with puts are provided with combination up on stands. Top-hat ¼” jack / XLR sockets, so this is a .2 very flexible system that could easily other recently is be used for simple speech or backranty Wars’, offering ground music applications without longer manufacturer the need for a separate mixer. with the purchase of The K.2 Series speakers Interestingly, the QSC team have a whopping 6-year not opted to add Bluetooth.

I hear is worth taking into mixed reviews about Bluetooth usthe decision-making age and, at the end of the day, this choosing a new sound is a model aimed at professional entertainers. Personally I don’t I think you can think it is needed, but for some it this review that I could be seen as a missing feature. ries! I would even The back panel is really set apart when it comes to EQ and channel pre-sets. The internal DSP (Digital Signal Processor) – accessed via an LCD display – provides comprehensive individual EQ over channels one and two (labelled A and B).

Channel A can be switched between Mic and Line level, while Channel B offers a choice between Line and a highimpedance Instrument setting. In addition, you can then select from several pre-defined channel EQ presets that range from a bright ‘live’ setting to a ‘dance’ option that makes it sound like your graphic equaliser is smiling! There are also pre-sets for guitars, instruments, and a few stage-monitor settings too. The technology behind this EQ engine is lifted from the QSC Touchmix mixers, which offer loads of pre-sets, so you can easily achieve good EQ for a specific instrument or mic type at the touch of a button.

Adding this in to the speakers is another great stand-out feature of the K.2 Series. As with all speakers, it is best to hear them with your own ears either in-store or at an exhibition. Definitely worth a trip to a local store or BPM | PRO to have a listen. I haven’t personally pitched them side-by-side with another brand, but I can imagine they sit very well in this competitive field.

One way that brands have tried to get a competitive advantage over each 78 through ‘Warsay it is the best portable PA on the increasingly market. The K12.2s were certainly warranties the best set of tops on their own new speakers. that I have personally experienced. come with They are built to last and, even in warranty, which the hands of an idiot, sound good account during thanks to the inclusion of plenty of process when EQ pre-sets! system. Now when you add in the new probably tell from KS212C Cardioid sub… [you will like the K.2 Sehave to wait for that review next go as far as to issue…] THE EAQRSLCY KD1A2Y.2S by Showtec dangerously Shark Series More information: Phone: +31-(0)45-5667701 Shark cool moving heads Showtec Shark is a new series of compact sized moving heads with excellent features and an impressive output; a perfect lighting solution for mobile DJs, musicians, pubs, and bars.

The Shark series offers a range of intelligently designed fixtures which are easy to use by professional and non-professional users alike. Versatile macros and integrated sound-active programs are features that will enable you to create amazing shows without the need for complex programming. All Showtec Shark moving heads are equipped with IFS Technology, allowing users full control of various Shark fixtures within a single setup. Mail: · These fixtures should not be used underwater!