’s traditional point-source cabinets, I was eager to try out its foray into the compact line array market. 76 76 sponsored by My huge Yamaha rig, which I dearly love, only comes out now and then when I have an event for a really big number of people. Or sometimes for a medium-sized crowd, but in a marquee. Or when I know it’s going to be a rowdy crowd - 15-inch DXR speakers are hard to knock over!

But as lovely as they are, the total size and weight is a lot for running speakers at probably a quarter of their potential, so some time ago I invested in a compact array system which now gets used for around 90% of my gigs. And, with both sides using around the same space as just one of my DXR subs in the van, life is just easier. If you’re currently using traditional PA systems, and can afford to purchase a compact line array, I can pretty much guarantee you’ll end up using it for the majority of your jobs.

They take up less space in your vehicle and save your back. Now I have given you the perfect excuse to go and buy more speakers! You’re welcome!! But before you rush off to your nearest dealer to listen to all of the compact array systems available, allow me to introduce you to this latest entrant into this market – the Yamaha STAGEPAS 1K.

I recently had a conversation with a British speaker manufacturer who has chosen not to build their own equivalent of these systems as they feel that they may have “missed the boat”. Yet now we have no less than Yamaha entering the fray, and I’m sure they won’t have done this without conducting their research and making sure they are on to a winner. Having spent some time trying out this new system, the first thing to report is that it looks great and has a distinctly Yamahaesque feel.

My wife and business partner, Michelle, on first seeing it setup, immediately told me that she would be proud to see this system in a venue. That’s such a huge statement, I honestly can’t ever remember her having a view on any of the PAs we own! But she is right, it looks great – and is also unbelievably compact. The sub you see in the photos houses a 12-inch driver, which just doesn’t seem possible, however the ‘under the grill’ photo I have seen shows just how little room has been wasted, it really is a fabulous bit of engineering.

As well as the sub, which also houses a digital mixer, you get two spacers and an array speaker which houses 10 small 1.5” diameter drivers that provide 170˚ horizontal and 30˚ vertical coverage. Powering all of this is a 1000W Class D amplifier which is capable of delivering 119db SPL. YAMAHA STAGEPAS 1K Yamaha Stagepas 1k So, we have a compact line array iOS / Android app is PA system with plenty of punch, which can be used great looks and easy portability. mixer settings But where this PA really wins, save and recall custom for me, is in the onboard mixer.

A number of column array PA Finally, the unit is systems have them, but I’ve never two XLR output seen one as flexible. I’m not sure linking two systems Pro Mobile has enough room for and the other for me to tell you all of its features, separate monitor but I’ll give it a good go! well as a dedicated socket. The Link Designed to be used by DJs, used to connect but also singers, bands and for 1K systems corporate presentations, the different ways, one unit’s mixer section offers three believe is unique to channels of mono microphone/ More conventionally, line inputs and a separate output from one dedicated stereo channel.

Each as the master) can of the mono inputs features a to the Link input combination ¼” jack / XLR socket system to create a and can be switched between mic this configuration, and line level. In addition, two the master unit is of the channels also offer Hi-Z one on the second connectivity for direct input of redundant. Alternatively, musical instruments. The stereo outputs on both channel features a pair of ¼” connected to the jack inputs as well as a 1/8” mini the other system. jack socket and, as I’m sure you’d a monoaural setup expect, Bluetooth connectivity. mixers can be used with all connected Each channel has a dedicated level through both control as well as a 1-knob EQ allows the number that cleverly handles multi-band doubled, and is ideal processing simultaneously.

There is being used for a is also an integrated SPX digital reverb system (something I’ve So, enough about not seen built into a PA before), what’s it like to which can be easily customised pleased to report by another single knob control as having a good and applied variably to each of STAGEPAS 1K when the mono channels via additional home, I also got to dedicated dials. As well as the use it for background Master Level control there is also a speech at a networking third 1-knob control labelled Mode well as for one of which allows the compression where I got to really settings for the internal DSP legs (or speaker to be optimised for different applications such as Speech or On opening the Music.

This cleverly thought-out delivered in, I single knob system means that surprised to find sound setup is simplified, while a bags for all of the huge amount of processing power accessories such is packed into this extremely made carrying and compact system. What’s more, an 78 7788 also available to alter the remotely and also pre-sets. also fitted with sockets (one for together connecting a speaker), as Link input XLR sockets can be two STAGEPAS together in two of which I this product. the Link unit (which acts be connected on a second stereo pair.

In the mixer on used, while the unit becomes the Link systems can be Link inputs on This creates where both simultaneously, signals rooted speakers. This of inputs to be if the system live band. the features, use? Well, I’m that as well look at the it arrived at take it out and music and event, as my own DJ gigs stretch its cones). box it was was somewhat good quality parts and even as leads. This transporting YAMAHA STAGEPAS 1K get your / 3rd + 4th 5 - 6 O CT 2 0 1 9 Cranmore Cr a n more pa r k sol ihu ll, bir m ingh a m ' s 44 u nt i l tickets today at bpm october 2020 park, solihull #b p m2019 #thes howfor djs Yamaha Stagepas 1k the system very easy, and will ever had to cover a obviously also help to keep it between your vehicle safe and free from scratches and you needed to setup. scrapes in the longer term.

When used for Setup is quick and simple, using a good quality connection is intuitive and the the sound was controls are easy to use. I’d and concise. For the advise using the manual to set music it also sounded up Bluetooth – there are two then it was always Bluetooth buttons, one for pairing low volume, the and one for control. It helps if you be to take it out use the correct button and don’t own gigs… just press the first one you notice.

Yes, I really did! Because of the event, I wasn’t The columns all slot in with ease system truly rip. and the carry handle is perfectly the chance to test placed making manoeuvring the connection, playing unit (total weight: 23kg) very easy. music direct from On the subject of manoeuvring, worked flawlessly. there is also an optional dolly it was a regular available that is built specifically to try out the full for the STAGEPAS 1K and would system after the no doubt prove invaluable if you In the presence of 8800 long distance and management from the venue and where I turned the volume right up and the sound was very nice indeed – plenty of thump and very clear top speech (we were and middle, spread evenly across microphone), the room. exceptionally clear background The levels the unit was capable of great, but took the venue staff by surprise going to at – indeed a flustered restaurant real test would manager soon appeared telling on one of our us we were too loud, and the restaurant is some distance from where we were.

I wasn’t too nature of this worried about it to be honest, as able to let the the general manager (his boss) Although I did get was one of the team jumping up the Bluetooth and down to the house music I background was playing! my Mac, which Fortunately, as Speaking to the Yamaha UK guys venue, I was able at BPM, I know they have asked potential of the their development team for a guests had left. version without the mixer, as – several staff particularly for mobile DJ use – you would only really need one in any pair.

I can see the sense in that, but I’d personally always opt for the mixer in both sides for true flexibility. In my opinion, the only way this system could be improved is the addition of battery power. The potential changes coming to marriage licensing could open up a huge market for outdoor weddings, resulting in more business opportunities for us DJs to provide music and microphones. To sum up, Yamaha have arrived late to the compact array PA market, but they have arrived in style.

The STAGEPAS 1K is a fantastic bit of engineering that looks great, sounds fantastic and has class-leading flexibility. And I think it settles the argument as to whether this particular boat has been missed – if a player as big as Yamaha is entering the market now, then maybe compact array PAs are just getting going! YAMAHA STAGEPAS 1K 4-HEAD BEAM WITH ENDLESS B L A D 16 / MODES: DMX, AUTO, SOUND PIXEL LINEAR STROBE 1- ROTATES AT 135° ACTIVATED, MASTER-SLAVE MODE DIMMER 0-100% FLASHES/SECOND DISPLAY G H T .