DPA Visits RockNRollRentals in Austin Texas.

Direct Pro Audio believes in sharing any information that is useful to other retailers in our industry. And, we found another company that feels exactly the same way. In this tough economy it is vital for companies to band together to help one another out, so we can weather the storm together. Although located 1000 miles away in Austin, Texas, Rock'nRoll rentals allowed me to visit and learn how they run the most awesome monthly rental program I've ever seen in the pro audio business. When I first walked in the door, my emotions completely ran away from me. I was simply awestruck by the sheer amount of pro audio gear available in their MASSIVE inventory.

Don't get me wrong, Direct Pro Audio has been doing weekend rentals since we opened our business. The main difference is, that Rock 'n Roll rentals offers their products at a very low monthly rental rate. A rate so low, that it is almost as cheap to rent the gear for a month as it is to rent for a weekend. The real beauty is, this cuts down on labor and wear and tear on the gear as it goes out, to someone who winds up taking care of it for however long they rent the gear.

My visit was in the middle of a rainy Wednesday afternoon. Not only was I surrounded by massive piles of rental gear, but happy customers drifted through the aisles checking out all the awesome offerings. So whether you're looking for a recording set-up, or a massive PA, Rock 'N Roll Rentals in Austin, Texas is the only name you need to know!

Visit them yourself online at rocknrollrentals.com, trust me, you'll be BLOWN away!

Norah Jones Rocks with Sennheiser and Neumann

MONTREAL - Singer/songwriter Norah Jones is supporting her fourth studio album, The Fall, with a tour and performances on late night TV. The album, produced by Jacquire King, is a rock ‘n' roll departure from Jones' earlier work. But Jones' voice has not changed, and FOH engineer Brett Dicus continues to rely on Neumann gear for vocals and a backline of Sennheiser wired mics and wireless PMs.

Depending on the acoustical circumstances, Jones sings into a Neumann KMS 104 cardioid or a KMS 105 super-cardioid. Both microphones deliver the Neumann studio sound with the handling required for a live performance. "Above all else, the most critical sound reinforcement tool that we bring with us to every date is Norah's Neumann vocal microphone," said Dicus. "She's been using some variant of a Neumann microphone or a Neumann capsule with a Sennheiser RF transmitter for almost all of her touring career. On those rare occasions where we're asked to use something else, we miss the studio-quality high-end and lifelike sibilance that we get ‘out of the box' with the KMS 104/105."

More at FOH Online

New Web Site: Hand Held Wireless Microphones

"A hand held wireless microphone allows me the freedom to express myself without worrying about being tethered to a cord. It is essential for my performance. ” — DJ Tasty Jay

For years, musicians around the globe have been cutting the cord and entering the world of hand held wireless microphones. Now, it has never been easier to get started!

Direct Pro Audio has built a new web site to organize the major brands of professional hand held wireless microphone systems. We carry only top brands, like Audio-Techncia, Shure, Sennheiser, and AKG.

We invite you to browse this web site and contact us with any questions!

Visit www.HandHeldWirelessMics.com

Crown Introduces new XLS Power Amplifiers

Today at the 2010 NAMM show Direct Pro Audio saw Crown's latest power amplifier. The new XLS series of power amplifiers promise to deliver huge amounts of power in a robust and affordable package. The XLS power amplifiers feature Class D output devices and weigh in at less than 10 pounds, making them perfect for mobile DJ applications. Best of all the new XLS amplifiers have onboard limiting as well as basic crossover functions.

To ensure compatibility with all types of audio devices the Crown XLS amplifiers feature XLR, quarter inch, and RCA inputs. As if that weren't enough, the Crown XLS power amplifiers are stable into a 2 ohm load.

To make sure your gig goes off without a flaw the Crown XLS amplifiers provide extensive protection and diagnostic capabilities including current limiting, DC protection, circuit breaker and thermal protection.

The best part is of course, the warranty. The Crown XLS amplifiers feature the famous three-year no-fault fully transferable warranty.

Direct Pro Audio Heads to NAMM 2010!

Direct Pro Audio is excited to be attending the 2010 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California!

Follow our NAMM 2010 Blog at:

• http://namm2010.blogspot.com/

Direct Pro Audio Family Remembers Trixie

Today Trixie, Direct Pro Audio's great friend and mascot passed away... We will miss her very much, as she has been with us since the very beginning. Godspeed Trixie!

New Ford Transit Connect van

Direct Pro audio recently purchased a brand-new Ford Transit Connect van. The Transit Connect van will be used for service calls and installs. It is the latest move in Direct Pro Audio's attempt to attain a greener carbon footprint. The Ford transit connect achieves 25 miles per gallon on the highway and 22 miles per gallon in the city.

The Ford Transit Connect is expected to save Direct Pro Audio thousands of dollars in fuel costs annually. Our service and install technicians have a fleet of E250 cargo vans that previously would go out half full. The new Transit Connect allows us to get around town easily, park anywhere, and burn much less fuel than ever before.

The new Transit Connect replaces a 1985 Ford E150 cargo van that the company had since its founding in 2003. Although the E150 was still reliable, it had over 389,000 miles on it. The harsh environment here in the Midwest also began to rust the E150. Although we were sad to see our old E150 go, the new Transit Connect has performed brilliantly.