Musik MESSE/Prolight + Sound, in Frankfurt, is the audio industry’s largest tradeshow with more than 2000 exhibitors displaying their latest and greatest products. Mackie was there and, boy howdy, we looked good. Mackie’s mammoth booth not only gave show-goers the chance to get their hands on the latest gear, but also served as an oasis of comfort for those who had been on their feet all day. Click here to check out some photos of the booth. The stage was set and Mackie was ready, launching a whole mess of spanking new products.

The all-new U.Series Production Mixers certainly turned more than a few heads. They are the perfect solution for musicians, producers and DJs, providing all the right connections for multi-source setups. Plus, intuitive ergonomics let the creativity freely flow. Oh yeah, they also look really cool.

There was a "rehearsal space", complete with a full band backline, to show off the new PPM Series Professional Powered Mixers. The PPM608 and PPM1008 are super powerful box mixers, benefiting from 1000W ultra-light class-D amp sections and the all-new RMFX+™ effects processor. The PPM1012 is a 1600W powered desktop mixer featuring dual effects processors. The series has all the benefits of a Mackie mixer, plus a ton of raw power.

MESSE was also the Europe’s first look at the exciting products we launched at NAMM. The 402-VLZ3 and 802-VLZ3 were showcased alongside their larger siblings, and predecessors in the VLZ Evolution Museum. There was also an elevated plush lounge that displayed the SRMv2 Series Active Loudspeakers. People could interact in a working project studio featured the sweet new MR Series Mackie Reference Monitors or hang out in the “Amp Up!” bar and see what the all-new FRS Series Stereo Power Amplifiers can do. Guitarists were also happy to get their hands on the VT-12 Hotwire Guitar Amplifier. Offering an incredible array of vintage and modern tube tones, Hotwire is the world’s first mode-switching guitar amplifier. Class A/AB operation, selectable wattage (up to 120W) and a 12” neodymium speaker provide light but powerful performance. It is truly innovative and simply amazing.

All of our Mackoids have since returned from Germany, still reeling from the copious intake of beer and schnitzel, ready to get back to work designing exciting new products for you.

Posted by Mackie at 04:20 PM | Permalink

Munich-based opus-live studios was recently tasked with creating a soundtrack for an audio book based on the bestselling German novel Unheil, by Wolfgang Hohlbein. Soundtracks for audio books can often be rather complicated. Every bit of music and sound design must support and, ideally, elevate the emotions that the author intended. An engineer must be able to easily manipulate levels, effects and automation.

For this purpose, opus-live studios employed a full-on Mackie Control Universal Pro setup. A MCU Pro, two MCU XT Pros and a C4 Pro gave the team unparalleled control of the session. Working in Sony’s Acid Pro 6 was very easy, as the MCU Pro family is instantly recognized and all parameters are pre-mapped within the software.

HR624mk2 Studio Reference Monitors offered the necessary accuracy to ensure that the mix held up, regardless of the playback environment.

The end result conveys all the depth of the novel, but the imaginative score and sound design elements heighten the experience, bringing the written word to life. Click here to enjoy an extended version of the intro song.

Posted by Mackie at 04:20 PM | Permalink

The International Guitar Foundation is a UK-based institution that nurtures and celebrates the varied pleasures of music by staging educational seminars and workshops for aspiring musicians of all ages. They also promote awesome concerts, and Mackie is psyched to be a sponsor at a couple of killer events this summer. In fact, that we are providing loads of CFX20mkII mixers to support the mid-size venues.

This year, the London Guitar Festival (May 2-5) focuses on Latin and Flamenco guitar and takes place at the gorgeous Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. IGF will be presenting a selection of today’s very best flamenco guitarist including Vicente Amigo, Niño De Pura and José Antonio Rodriguez (Spain) as well as classical artists Luis Quintero (Venezuela) and Andrea Ventoretti (Italy).

The International Guitar Festival set in beautiful Bath, UK (july 25- August 9) is celebrating 15 years as Europe’s number-one summer school for guitar, drums and voice. There are a near infinite amount of workshops and performances that cater to a tremendous variety of musicians. Guitar workshops cover everything from strict classical training to a symposium dedicated to electric blues. Those with chubby, not-so-dexterous fingers can attend the many bass and voice workshops.

So, forget the conversion rate and head out to London or Bath this summer and attend these excellent events, sponsored by Mackie.

Posted by Mackie at 01:46 PM | Permalink

Since 1948, TAMIYA has been making top-quality model cars. Over the years, they evolved from sturdy wooden educational models to all-out radio controlled beasts that are world-renowned for their quality and accuracy. There are racing tournaments that span the globe and Mackie was honored to provide sound via SRM450s and a 1202-VLZ3 mixer for a TAMIYA racing event that took place in Johannesburg, South Africa.

RC enthusiasts of all-ages were scheduled to participate in 3-round qualifying races, culminating in a final race that would determine the grand champion. You can learn more about TAMIYA Cup rules and regulations here.

Besides running sound, Mackie also jumped the line with its Mackie-styled machine. South African Mackie distributor and loyal Mackoid, Rui Valentim, has been racing TAMIYA Cup for 4 years. “I wanted my car to be unique. At the time, I was racing a TB02 Evolution chassis and the idea hit me. Mackie’s 1604 Evolution concept would be perfect, hence the birth of a killer new car. Thanks to some fender bending and skilled nudging, Rui managed to rank fourth.

TAMIYA racing is huge in South Africa, but racing events can be found in almost every country on the planet. If one happens in your neighborhood, you will want to be there. Here are some more great photos
of the event. Also, check out the video to see what TAMIYA racing is all about.

Posted by Mackie at 04:20 PM | Permalink

The all-new SRMv2 Series Active Loudspeakers are re-activating the live sound scene one show at a time. Mackie re-designed the series from the ground up, putting a ton of new stuff under the hood. There's a lot that goes into creating an active loudspeaker that out-performs the original SRM Series, and Pro Sound News was all over it. You can read the Pro Sound News Tech Report to learn more about the technology behind the all-new lightweight, great-sounding SRMv2 Series. srm350v2 & srm450v2.

Posted by Mackie at 01:09 PM | Permalink

Studio monitors are among the most important pieces in your signal chain. You can have thousands of dollars invested in your preamps and outboard gear, but if your monitors suck, so does your mix. Mackie HR624mk2s bridge this gap by providing an ultra accurate image of your mix, while turning the average sweet spot into a full-on sweet zone.

Purchase a pair of HR624mk2s from a U.S. Mackie Authorized dealer between March 1, 2008 and April 15, 2008 to qualify for a $50.00 rebate. Buy TWO PAIR and get back $100.00!

Ask your U.S. Authorized Mackie dealer about this amazing offer. Rebate coupon with complete details can be downloaded here:

HR624mk2 REBATE FORM (pdf)

*Sorry, HR824mk2s are not eligible (we had to have SOME fine print)

Posted by Mackie at 12:01 AM | Permalink