CLICK FOR PHOTOS

Hip-hop founding father and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Grandmaster Flash is recording his upcoming full-length album, “The Bridge,” with a new JBL Professional LSR4300 Series studio monitor system. Revolutionizing modern music by helping to create arguably the most popular genre of the past 30 years, Grandmaster Flash remains on the cutting edge of technology, recently installing a state-of-the-art recording studio that includes a pair of JBL LSR4326, bi-amplified 6-inch studio monitors, a pair of LSR4328, 8-inch studio monitors, and companion LSR4312SP subwoofer. In addition to “The Bridge,” Grandmaster Flash also uses the LSR4300 Series studio monitors to mix his syndicated Sirius Radio show, “The Flash Mash.”

Grandmaster Flash is recognized as the first DJ to use a turntable as an instrument, preceding the late-1970s emergence of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, one of the first groups to feature rapping over beats. These innovations placed Grandmaster Flash at the epicenter of hip-hop, and in 2007 Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five became the first hip-hop act to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Prior to beginning production on “The Bridge,” Grandmaster Flash learned about the JBL LSR4300 Series studio monitors. “A friend of mine brought me to Guitar Center and told me to check out these speakers,” Flash recalled. “I played a Dr. Dre song that I really love, and I couldn‘t believe what I heard. The vocal was right up front, the bass line was at my feet, the trumpets were right at my chest. I played a couple of songs that I mixed on other speakers, and I have to admit that when I listened to them on the LSR‘s, I was slightly pissed off because I was hearing things I never heard before! The LSR monitors will show you exactly where things are in the mix. They tell you the whole story.”

Grandmaster Flash most often uses his pair of LSR4326P, 6-inch monitors with the LSR4312SP sub, although he will sometimes use a setup with two additional LSR4328P 8-inch monitors for added output. (Or as he puts it, “When I want my head ripped off!”) Regardless of the setup, he consistently uses JBL‘s RMC™ Room Mode Correction software to correct any acoustical problems that may exist in the room. “I use the RMC feature, because my studio is shaped a little strangely, so when I‘m using the RMC I know I‘m getting the right sound. I used to spend tons of money having the room acoustically tested and treated every six months. Now I can correct the same problems with this software.”

While his eclectic and inquisitive approach to technology is at the core of his success, Flash has very specific criteria when it comes to studio monitors. “To create a great composition, you have to listen to the nuances, the tiny details,” he said. “It‘s not always about what‘s playing at that second, it‘s also about what hasn‘t been played yet. It‘s those spaces in between the notes. To trust the mix, I need monitors that are reliable enough so I can hear each minute detail, because everything has its place.”

While maintaining a steady schedule of live performances, Grandmaster Flash plans to have “The Bridge” ready for release later this year. “I‘m in the musical stages at the moment and haven‘t decided which vocalists I‘ll be working with yet, but I‘m having a lot of fun taking all these ideas I‘ve had on my voice recorder for the past 10 years and putting them together,” Flash said.

An artist that relies on spur-of-the-moment creativity, Grandmaster Flash has found himself pulling all-nighters in his studio since installing the LSR system–a difficulty in the past because of inevitable listener fatigue. “When I‘m using the 6-inch models, I can stay in the studio forever,” Flash said. “The other night, I started working in my studio around 9 p.m. and didn‘t get tired until I came out of the studio at 7 the next morning. My ears just don‘t fatigue with these speakers.”

Grandmaster Flash‘s memoirs, “The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash–My Life, My Beats,” penned by David Ritz, is scheduled for release June 10, 2008. Please visit www.grandmasterflash.com for more information.

CLICK FOR PHOTOS

Expanding on its immensely popular Application Engineered (AE) Series loudspeakers, JBL Professional has introduced eight new compact AE Series loudspeaker models. The new AE Compact loudspeaker series provides even more options for system designers and integrators in a variety of applications.

“The demand for loudspeaker systems that provide added flexibility and even greater sonic clarity continues to grow with the evolution of the systems integration industry,” said Jon Sager, Director of Market Development, Installed Sound, JBL Professional. “The new AE Compact loudspeaker series addresses these demands, enabling sound designers and installers to best meet the needs of any given environment, including performing arts venues, houses of worship, sports facilities, corporate board rooms, and dance clubs.”

The new AE Compact loudspeaker family consists of eight high-output, 2-way loudspeaker models incorporating either single or dual woofers, including 5.25-inch, 6.5-inch, and 8-inch transducers. The high-frequency sections include a one-inch dome tweeter for two models (AC15 and AC25), while the remaining six models incorporate one-inch exit compression drivers.

The AC18 and AC28 models offer the system designer a choice of rotatable Progressive Transition™ waveguides with coverage patterns of 90 x 50 degrees or 120 x 60 degrees. In addition to providing smooth, low-distortion sound, Progressive Transition waveguides deliver uniform off-axis frequency response to every point within the intended coverage area, not just in the horizontal and vertical planes. PT Waveguides combine outstanding pattern control with undistorted sound for natural music and intelligible speech. The AC25, AC26 and AC28 models incorporate JBL‘s Filtered Array Technology (FAT™), which allows each of the low-frequency transducers to be independently controlled for magnitude and phase response, resulting in smoother power response and constant coverage.

Adding to the flexibility of the AE Compact models are the multiple attachment points strategically located on each model for ease of mounting either with an optional U-bracket or with an OmniMount® type mounting bracket. Additionally, the AC16, AC26, AC18, and AC28 models include attachment points on the bottom of each enclosure for a stand mount accessory.

Every enclosure is constructed with multi-ply hardwood and finished with JBL’s proprietary DuraFlex™ paint for the utmost in strength and durability. Each loudspeaker system utilizes “best in class” components and is voiced to work with all AE Series loudspeaker systems. In addition, each transducer has been subject to JBL’s grueling 100-hour torture test to ensure years of trouble-free operation.

The new eight models in the AE Compact Series include:

• AC15 ultra-compact, 2-way loudspeaker system with one 5.25-inch low-frequency transducer, weighing 4.75 kg (10.5 lb), with a power rating of 150W Continuous, 600W Peak and a coverage pattern of 90 x 90 degrees.

• AC25 ultra-compact, 2-way loudspeaker system with one 5.25-inch low-frequency transducer, weighing 7.5 kg (16.5 lb), with a power rating of 225W Continuous, 900W Peak and a coverage pattern of 90 x 90 degrees.

• AC16 ultra-compact, 2-way loudspeaker system with one 6.5-inch low-frequency transducer, weighing 7.2 kg (15.8 lb), with a power rating of 200W Continuous, 800W Peak and a coverage pattern of 90 x 90 degrees.

• AC26 ultra-compact, 2-way loudspeaker system with two 6.5-inch low-frequency transducers, weighing 11.0 kg (24.3 lb), with a power rating of 300W Continuous, 1200W Peak and a coverage pattern of 90 x 90 degrees.

• AC18/95 compact, two-way loudspeaker system with one 8-inch low-frequency transducer, weighing 12.8 kg (28.2 lb), with a power rating of 250W Continuous, 1000W Peak and a coverage pattern of 90 x 50 degrees.

• AC18/26 compact, two-way loudspeaker system with one 8-inch low-frequency transducer, weighing 12.8 kg (28.2 lb), with a power rating of 250W Continuous, 1000W Peak and a coverage pattern of 120 x 60 degrees.

• AC28/95 compact, 2-way loudspeaker system with two 8-inch low-frequency transducers, weighing 18.6 kg (40.9 lb), with a power rating of 375W Continuous, 1500 Peak and a coverage pattern of 90 x 50 degrees.

• AC28/26 compact, 2-way loudspeaker system with two 8-inch low-frequency transducers, weighing 18.6 kg (40.9 lb), with a power rating of 375W Continuous, 1500 Peak and a coverage pattern of 120 x 60 degrees.