Alto's Latest iPA System Says Get Your Karaoke On!

I would like to dedicate this post to my friend Monika Ficcaglia , whom may have been the inspiration behind this brilliant traveling party speaker. The lovely and beautiful, innocent appearing woman, that receives love notes from her "tired" neighbors, asking her to please turn down the karaoke at night. 

The Alto iPA Music System Powered 10" Speaker aka party bus, is literally an event waiting to happen. It's unique iPad docking station in the rear screams, karaoke party! Let's not put it into a box with limitations, because it simply abounds with possibilities! 

The iPA Music System from Alto Professional is a powerful, portable loudspeaker with 400 Watts of power for amplifying your iPad apps, cranking up your iTunes library and singing karaoke like never before. Simply load your iPad into the iPA Music System dock, run your app of choice and crank up the volume. Alto uses a powerful internal amplifier to fill you club, event, or worship center with clear high fidelity sound. With an included Alto Professional ADM10 cardioid microphone and 10' cable, you're ready to throw unforgettable karaoke parties, add audio to video, or dance to your favorite song list, while learning new moves on your iPad. Add an additional speaker to expand your iPA Music system and play your iPad in stereo. Dock your iPad and rock the party with the iPA Music System from Alto Professional.
http://www.onlyfactorydirect.com/p-2186-alto-ipa-powered-speaker-2-way-for-i-device-ipa10.aspx


Specifications

• 400 Watt Powered Speaker for iPad
• Two-way speaker system with 400 Watts of peak power
• Fully integrated Universal Dock for iPad
• Includes Alto Professional ADM10 dynamic mic, holder and 10-foot (3m) cable
• Integrated mixer and high-efficiency power amp
• 10-inch (254 mm) low frequency transducer for deep bass
• Compact lightweight design for easy transport
• 35 mm socket for mounting on a speaker stand
• Designed and tuned in the USA
• 30-pin dock also charges iPad
• Contour switch instantly provides the perfect EQ for music playback and karaoke
• RCA input for playback of iPod, CD players and other music devices
• XLR-1/4" combo inputs with volume control
• XLR output to add more speakers
• 200 Watts of continuous power
• Dimensions (WxLxH): 20.2in x 13in x 12in
• Weight: 23 lb

Get a Free Speaker Bag With Any SRM450v2 or SRM350v2

Mackie pushing to finish a strong 3rd Quarter has announced a rebate program for their top selling SRMv2 series active speakers. The SRM series has been a decade long staple for Mackie, recently Mackie re-engineered the series and released the new SRMv2 Series. Mackie’s newly designed SRMv2 Series received rave reviews from their critics, recognizing the sophisticated electronics, featuring separate Linkwitz-Reilly 24dB-per-octave crossover circuits for the LF woofer and HF compression driver. The SRMv2’s electronic crossover circuitry effectively splits input signal frequencies into highs and lows for the transducers, and eliminates unwanted phasing issues. Also, the new Class-D with servo feedback fast recovery amplifier gives the SRM45v2 and SRM350v2  more power (300 W), and pair that with a second Class AB amp (100 W) that drives the new 1.75” high frequency titanium dome compression driver connected to a multi-cell horn and you get more clarity and punch than ever before.

Mackie is offering a Free speaker bag with any purchase of a SRM450v2 or SRM350v2 from an authorized dealer now through October 15th, 2011. Rebate forms are available at OnlyFactoryDirect.com or Mackie.com and must be submitted with receipt by October 31st, 2011. See rebate form for specific details.

How do the Podium Pro Audio PP1204CA Powered Speakers Stack Up?

As most musicians will tell you, finding good quality PA speakers without breaking the bank is no easy task. To make matters worse, many affordable products are either cheaply made, lack quality, or are totally void of important functions and accessories.  Well, I have discovered an exception to the rule; Podium Pro Audio’s PP1204CA Powered Speakers with built in Mp3 Player.  Although fairly unknown to most, Podium Pro Audio provides very functional and cost effective products backed by a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defect (something almost non-existent anymore in the music retail world). When stacked against other name brand items of similar caliber, the Podium PP1204CA not only held its own but outshined its higher priced competitors in some areas.

The PP1204CA is a powered 2 way PA speaker featuring a Class A amplifier that delivers 300 watts (RMS) & 600 watts (Peak Power) to a Deluxe 12"  woofer with a 75oz Driver with a 3” voice coil and wide dispersion titanium membrane tweeter. It also features an onboard MP3 Player that works with a USB thumb drive or SD card (a 4gb thumb-drive is provided), a very sensitive EQ with Master Volume, Treble and Bass Control Knobs. The PP1204CA powered speaker also offers two XLR or ¼ inch inputs, an additional XLR or RCA input, and an XLR or ¼ inch line level output to connect multiple speakers. The rugged ABS plastic housing features top & side handles, as well as wheels on the rear bottom for ease of transport. The rubber feet are also contoured so that they can be easily stacked on top of one another and can be elevated with speaker stands with the built in pole mounts.

               
Here are a few of the key ingredients that make this product a delectable delight. As I mentioned, the tone controls are very sensitive meaning the slightest adjustment makes a huge difference in the tonality of the speaker. Most on-board equalizers or tone controls make very slight changes in tone (ie: you turn up the treble and just get a tinnier sound but no added clarity), however these controls really work to sculpt and color your sound with very little effort. The built-in MP3 player is also great for all kinds of jam on the go type events (such as BBQ’s, tailgating, sporting events, church camps, etc.) and makes it very convenient to just plug in a small memory card and have hours of music at your fingertips.

Ease of connectivity and portability make these great speakers to take on the road, considering the wattage and sensitivity for a pair would suffice for larger gigs or a single speaker for smaller gigs or functions. I see the smaller version of these used throughout a live band set-up as monitors. With the addition of a few small accessories like an Alesis LineLink cable and a Sendstation PocketDock, one can easily and safely hook up a laptop or iPod giving you endless musical possibilities! The only real drawback is the 50 lbs weight per speaker, but with the added top handle and rear casters the weight issue is offset by such conveniences. 

 So if you’re in the market for an affordable PA system with great sound and tons of awesome features check out the Podium Pro Audio PP1204CA, available exclusively from www.OnlyFactoryDirect.com.

Review written by Scott “SVH” Von Heldt, professional touring/recording artist, author, and journalist.