After a hiatus in 2020, Drum Corps activity returned in the Summer of 2021. While tours were  a bit shorter, move-ins started later, and some things may have seemed a little different, one thing is for sure: PreSonus equipment was found on the field again this past summer! 

Our friends at Phantom Regiment, who have used PreSonus hardware and software since 2017, employed a full range of equipment including: a StudioLive Series III mixing ecosystem, CDL loudspeakers, ULT subwoofers, and Quantum audio interfaces. Their 2021 production “Harmonic Journey” brought an exciting mix of both acoustic and electronic sounds through their PreSonus setup.

At the heart of the setup, a StudioLive 64S digital mixer provided plenty of inputs to fit the  needs of their performances, which include  marimbas, vibraphones, synthesizers, hand percussion, and wireless microphones. Since setting up quickly is important in drum corps, a StudioLive 32R rack mixer in stagebox mode provided easy remote inputs on the field, all running to the main console via a single ethernet cable. 

To deliver the highest audio quality to the audience, Phantom Regiment chose the CDL series hybrid array speakers in a two-box high LCR setup, which allowed for a smooth response across the entire frequency range—particularly in the midrange, where many instruments in the marching arts reside. To provide ample low end, five ULT18 subwoofers were utilized underneath the CDL speakers. The setup provided plenty of volume and enhanced clarity for the audience in every stadium they visited.

For the synth, a Mac Mini running Mainstage performance software fed into a Quantum 2626 audio interface, which then sent multiple outputs for synth patches, samples, and effects to the StudioLive 32R . The Quantum 2626’s Thunderbolt 3 connection ensured that pristine audio was delivered to the system with ultra-low latency. Since the Quantum 2626 is rack-mountable, it made for a clean, easily-organized  setup in their beautiful Pageantry Innovations synth cart.

“Having the ability to be involved in every part of the process, from the gear selection to the audio design, I feel confident that the system far exceeded our expectations and left us with plenty of flexibility for whatever we needed to do for the 2021 production.” -Evan Brown, PreSonus Education Manager  and Phantom Regiment’s Sound and Audio Designer 

For more information on where you can find a drum corps show near you, visit www.dci.org

For more information on Phantom Regiment, visit www.regiment.org

PreSonus Education Market Manager Evan Brown traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana last week, where two spectacular events happened at the same time, the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, and the Bands of America Grand National Championships! PreSonus had a great showing at both events, here’s a few highlights!

At Grand Nationals, PreSonus was proud to have many ensembles using various products in their setups, as well as 3 of the top 12 Finalist bands utilizing PreSonus Live Sound Products!

• 2nd Place: Avon HS, IN with their StudioLive 64S and NSB16.8 Ecosystem
• 8th Place: The Woodlands HS, TX with their StudioLive 64S, NSB16.8 & NSB 8.8 EcoSystem
• 11th Place: Union HS, OK with their CDL Series Loudspeaker Setup

The Woodlands HS

Across the Street at PASIC, PreSonus was displayed on the show floor by our friends at Pageantry Innovations, showing CDL series loudspeakers, a StudioLive 32SX Mixing Console, a StudioLive 24R Rack Mixer, and ATOM! Evan spent time each day in the PI booth answering questions, meeting users, and showing off the product. On Friday afternoon, our friends at Lone Star Percussion hosted their Amplify sessions, wrapping up with a panel discussion featuring 5 experts in the marching activity, including PreSonus’ Evan Brown!

PreSonus continues to be committed to the education market and marching arts! For more information on PreSonus products & educational resources, visit edu.presonus.com

PreSonus announces the new PM-2 Matched Stereo Pair of Small-Diaphragm Condenser Microphones!

Ideal for stereo recordings of acoustic instruments, drum overheads, ensembles and more, the PreSonus PM-2 stereo microphone set provides the tools you need to create professional results. Each PreSonus PM-2 small-diaphragm cardioid condenser microphone is equipped with a ¾” gold-sputtered capsule housed in an ultra-light chassis, making it easier to perfectly position your microphones without fighting gravity. Sold as a sonically matched pair, the PM-2 comes equipped with a stereo bar for XY mic placement. PM-2 microphones can be used together or individually, making them an excellent addition for any home or professional recording environment.

Additionally, the PM-2’s find themselves equally at home as a great affordable option for marching ensemble mallet instrument amplification. A pair of PM-2’s under a marimba, or a single PM-2 under a vibraphone is a great option for the marching ensemble looking for high quality sound in a compact package!

For more information on the PM-2, click here.

It’s that time of year, when marching band is in full swing, and we are happy to provide new resources for how to get the most out of your PreSonus speakers, whether they be the AIR Series, the ULT Series, or the CDL series! Be sure to check out the videos below for Evan’s quick tips on setting them up for the best coverage and power possible!

Blue Devils, 2019 World Champions!
Photo Credit: Drum Corps International

PreSonus was on site for the 2019 DCI World Championships from August 8-10th at the beautiful Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana! Featuring 3 days of amazing performances by all, PreSonus was on display with many corps!

• Winning their 19th World Championship, the Blue Devils of Concord, CA performed “Ghostlight” utilizing the CDL Series Loudspeakers as front fills, while the Studio Series audio interfaces provided audio output for their software synth setups.
• A complete wall to wall PreSonus drum corps, Phantom Regiment’s StudioLive 64S Ecosystem, coupled with the CDL and ULT loudspeakers brought power and audio flexibility to their 2019 production, “I Am Joan”.
• Another wall to wall PreSonus drum corps, Spirit of Atlanta finished their season with a fantastic performance of “Neon Underground” in semi-finals, utilizing a StudioLive 64S Ecosystem over a long ethernet run to their impressive long distance front ensemble location, and a full compliment of CDL and ULT series loudspeakers.
• With a full compliment of ULT Series loudspeakers and a Series III Ecosystem, the Madison Scouts performed “Majestic”, finishing their season on Friday in semi-finals.
• From Austin, Texas, Genesis Drum & Bugle corps had their best finish yet, finishing 20th in Semi-Finals with their StudioLive 64S Ecosystem.
• Music City Drum Corps marked their second year in World Class competition with a full setup of ULT loudspeakers and a Series III mixing ecosystem
• Longtime PreSonus console users Jersey Surf put their Series III ecosystem to work in their 2019 production, “Fantasea”

PreSonus continues to be a driving force for audio in the marching arts. For more information on PreSonus marching audio solutions, click here!

This winter, for the WGI 2019 Season, long-time PreSonus users Music City Mystique deployed a unique new redundant live performance computer setup, utilizing the Quantum 4848 Thunderbolt Audio Interfaces for their audio input and output!

Closeup of McM’s Quantum 4848’s

“We chose the Quantum 4848’s for our production this year at MCM due to the incredibly low latency. To be able to do some intense live processing on up to 18 mics (9 wireless, 9 wired from our FOH mixer) at once while simultaneously being able to run software instruments with zero latency was pretty incredible. The DB25 connectors made cabling them into our rig way easier and cleaner as well! They were absolutely rock solid all year.” says Matt Jordan, Front Ensemble Arranger for Music City Mystique.

For more information on Music City Mystique, visit: https://www.musiccitymystique.org/

PreSonus Education Market Manager Evan Brown just arrived back from displaying and presenting at the 2019 Ohio Music Education Association Professional Development Conference!

PreSonus 2019 OMEA PDC Display

Spread over 3 days, the event featured an expo hall, where PreSonus proudly displayed Studio One DAW Software, Notion Notation Software, StudioLive AR and Series III Mixing Consoles, Eris Monitors, ATOM Pad Controllers, and more!

Brown also presented 2 hour long clinic sessions on Marching Audio. Thursday’s “Systems & Application” featured the basics of a modern field audio system from the ground up, and with the help of our friends Andy Wozniak from Pageantry Innovations, even the carts! Friday’s “Instrument Amplification” featured a deep dive into properly amplifying and setting up inputs for wind, percussion, and other acoustic instrument applications!

PreSonus Education continues to be on the road in 2019, with the 2019 TMEA Convention up next from Feb. 13th-16th in San Antonio, Texas!

This winter, PreSonus has welcomed Cap City Percussion to their growing list of WGI World Class Percussion Ensembles!

Cap City was envisioned in 2011 as a group for percussionists from the Central Ohio area to grow as musicians and performers. The ensemble began competing in both Winter Guard International and the Ohio Indoor Performance Association during the 2012 season in percussion independent A class. During the 2012 season, Cap City was promoted to Open class and finished its inaugural season in 9th place at WGI World Championships. Cap City followed up a strong first season with a WGI open class gold medal in 2013, a promotion to world class in 2014, and has been a perennial PIW Finalist since the 2017 season.

“Cap City couldn’t sound like we do without the amazing sound quality that PreSonus brings to the activity” says Donnie Ross, CEO of Cap City Percussion. PreSonus Education Market Manager Evan Brown is thrilled as well. “To have Cap City using PreSonus helps further extended our reach and commitment to the marching arts,  and with the help of partners like this, we can continue to improve and refine our products to meet the needs of marching programs all over the world!”, states Brown.

For the 2019 Season, Cap City has chosen a StudioLive 32 Series III Digital Mixing Console, coupled with a fleet of ULT loudspeakers, including the ULT15, ULT18S, and a ULT10 for center fill coverage.

For more information on Cap City Percussion, visit: https://www.capcitypercussion.com/