Mackie Chips in at Sturgis
The 2007 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally drew hundreds of thousands of people from all over world and Mackie was on hand at the legendary Buffalo Chip to support the multiple music stages and up and coming artists. The enormous crowds streamed in for nine straight days to attend the best party in world filled with music, motorcycles and mayhem. The roster of national headliners included Edgar Winter, Kenny Wayne Shepard, Toby Keith, Ratt, Poison, Grand Funk Railroad, Foreigner, Velvet Revolver, Buckcherry, ZZ Top, Seether, Papa Roach, Blue October, Daughtry, Dan Lawson and Charlie Brechtel.
Mackie provided sound systems for five different stages within the 250+acre Buffalo Chip compound. 
An area inside the main amphitheater was designated as the Mackie Redhook playground where Mackie sound systems and the Redhook Brewery provided the perfect compliment of Sturgis tools – Beer and Gear! The main Mackie stage was the focal point for talent in the Mackie Redhook playground where the bands (and patrons) provided non-stop entertainment. The stage played host to a variety of artist including national headliners, Dan Lawson and Charlie Brechtel, and special guests Midstokke – winners of the Sound Harley Davidson Rock the Sound Sturgis Bound competition. Additional performers included Laura Lynn, Lucas Hoge, Jason Green, Melissa Fuller, The Burnt River Band, Captain Jack and others. The Mackie Onyx 3280 took care of the FOH mix while an Onyx 2480 ran the monitor position. Both FOH and monitor positions were supported by racks of the Mackie digital Quad Comp/Gates and Quad EQ’s. The FR Series amplifiers cranked out the power for the dual S408 and S410 stacks and C300 monitors which delivered a wall of sound that grabbed everyone’s attention.
The Black Parrot bar was the hot spot outside of the main amphitheater. The inviting lagoon and sandy beach was a welcome site in the 100+ degree South Dakota heat. 
The Mackie sound system made sure all patrons were musically inspired. The SA1232z loudspeakers and SWA1801z subwoofers impressed the audience and band members alike. The Onyx 24-4 handled FOH and monitors while the FR Series amplifiers and C300z’s took care of monitor needs. One of the performing bands managers commented “this band has never sounded this good before. What are you doing to make it sound so good?” A member of another band was standing near by and simply responded, “It’s Mackie!”
Another Mackie system was upstairs in the Micro Brew Station, which consisted of an Onyx 1640, a pair of SAz1232’s and SWA1801z’s, FR Series amps and C300Z monitors. The sound system was clear as a bell but barely breathing when the acoustic acts were playing. Once the DJ kicked things in to high gear, the Mackie system sprang to life and proudly showed its true colors as Sturgis partiers rocked late into the night. 
Out in the middle of the 250+ acre Buffalo Chip campground the Pitchfork Fondue stage was the location of the nightly dinner theater where patrons enjoyed a home-cooked meal while listening to a variety of acoustic artists playing through SRM 350 loudspeakers and a CFX12. Back inside the main amphitheater the Jagermeister bar was always alive with music compliments of a pair of SRM450 loudspeakers and CFX12.
Rod Woodruff, owner of the Buffalo Chip, commented on the enormous value that the Mackie sound systems bring to the best party in the world. Mackie is proud to be working with the Buffalo Chip for the second year in a row and we are all excited about what next year has in store.
This post brought to you by Mackoid Keith Medley. All photos except the first one (aerial shot) courtesy of Mackoid Ryan Smith.
