Update: Shure PSM900 will now ship March 24.

That means the Shure PSM900 Pre-order Sale at JSS has been extended to midnight of March 23, 2010 CST

Be one of the first to get the new Shure PSM900. The units will ship first come first serve so get your order in now to ensure prompt delivery and to take advantage of our pre-order sale price.

Contact Jason Spence for pre-order SALE pricing at (615) 534-1190 Ext. 2 or Email Jason

The Shure PSM 900 wireless in ear monitor system is now available and ready to ship!

I am excited to report that I received word that I can start taking orders for the new PSM 900 and that the units will start shipping on March 1, 2010.

We design and build In Ear Monitor Systems. Call (615) 534-1190 Ext 2 or Email Me
to get started on your system today!

Although it is new to the market you will not be ‘rolling the dice’ on this new IEM system. I had the privilege seeing and listening to it at NAMM. My initial response was that it was extremely quiet, very tight low end and smooth high end. An already proven and rock solid RF technology based on the UHR wireless system, the PSM 900 will combine this reliability and a sound quality to propel this system to the new industry standard for in ear monitors.

I also had the privilege of testing the new Sennheiser 2000 series wireless system while mixing monitors on the 2010 CMA Awards. It was certainly one of the best sounding wireless in ear monitor systems I had ever heard to date. However, the price point on the system makes it out of reach for most users and a tough justification for most production companies. Mean while, there are rumblings going on about Shure’s new IEM system…

Let’s face it, Shure in my opinion has not come out with an in ear system that has sounded good since the PSM 600. Which I still use and spec the P6HW for a wired IEM system today, it still rocks!. Fast forward to NAMM 2010 and the debut of the PSM 900. I stop by Shure to take a look and listen. The RF, features and functions are no doubt impressive but how’s it sound? Since then I personally know that it has been used by Creed, Pete Townsend on the Super Bowl and many, many others. In the words of Frank Sgambellone (FOH for Godsmack, Monitors for Alter Bridge, & many more) “Shure’s knocked it out of the park with this one.”

The new Shure PSM 900 is $1099.00 and we’ll ship it to you for FREE!

The PSM 900 system is currently available to ship with the following components.

P9T Transmitter

P9R Body pack receiver

SE425CL Sound Isolating TM Earphones shown (not included)

Hear are list of Features and Functions that will set it apart from the rest of the IEM systems on the market. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to Email Me.

PSM®900 Technology

CueMode (patent pending): Hear what the performer hears, with the touch of a button! With CueMode a monitor engineer can, with a single bodypack, flip through and audition up to 20 different mixes to check levels, balance or anything else needed to keep the show running smoothly. IR sync makes it easy to set up the different mixes the engineer wants to link to, and once set up the channels are easily stored, replaced or deleted for quick and efficient set up.
Scan and Sync: PSM®900 systems utilize Scan and Sync technology, which vastly improves efficiency and ease of setup. Group Scan analyzes the RF environment for interference and identifies the group with the highest number of available compatible frequencies. Sync communicates the results of the scan to the TX over IR link and assigns the identified group and channel. Channel scan can then be performed to find the next clear channel to use, which can then be synced to the next TX in your set up. The whole operation can be done within a few seconds, and results in the clearest channels to use for your monitoring set-up.
Robust Front-End RF Filtering: A feature of the bodypack RX, and based on the premium filtering technology of UHF-R® wireless microphone systems. PSM®900 systems use an extremely precise RF filter that rejects potential RF interference from signals outside the RX’s bandwidth BEFORE traveling to the RX itself.
Active RF Gain Control: Just like how too much audio input gain can distort an audio signal, too much RF signal can cause distortion or dropouts on a wireless PSM® system. Active RF Gain Control automatically reduces the receiver sensitivity for 31dB of additional RF dynamic range before an overload can affect the system, reducing dropouts due to receiver overload and preserving audio quality.
RF Mute Switch: A convenient on/off switch for enabling RF transmissionlocated on the front panel of the receiver. When switched to the off position, the user can perform set up operations, such as adjusting audio level and signal flow, or other actions without disturbing the current RF environment.
Audio Reference Companding (ARC): Companding is the process of compressing the audio signal prior to transmission and expanding it after reception. All pro audio wireless needs companding to deliver a wide dynamic range. Audio Reference Companding is a more efficient, level-dependent companding scheme. Instead of companding across the entire dynamic range like most wireless systems (causing a whooshing audio artifact known as “breathing”), companding only occurs at high audio levels. These levels are high enough to make the companding artifacts inaudible. The result is an improved wireless sound quality that sounds more natural, with less noise and greater dynamic range than other wireless systems – no artifacts, lower noise floor, clearer sound at all audio levels.
MixMode® Technology: Shure MixMode® Technology enables you to balance the level of two separate channels while simultaneously listening to both signals in both ears. Use the controls on your bodypack to set your own levels and create the mix you want—without affecting anyone else’s.
Separate Level and Clip Indicators: With personal monitor systems, audio signal can be too hot as it comes out from the mixing board and into the TX, and/or when it is sent from the TX to the RX, making it difficult to tell why the signal is distorted when it gets to the artist’s ears. PSM 900 TX’s have separate clip indicators for both level input and TX output to help determine if the signal needs to be adjusted at the board or at the TX.
Loop Out: Handy L/R outputs on the back panel of the receiver that can be used with MixMode to daisy-chain signal from one unit to another, out to monitor wedges, recording devices, or any other audio input.

Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau 700 MHz Public Safety Spectrum

The 700 MHz Band comprises 108 megahertz of spectrum from 698-806 MHz and is designated for commercial and public safety uses. Currently, this spectrum is occupied by TV broadcasters in Channels 52-69. Congress has directed that TV broadcasters transition to digital broadcast technology and vacate the spectrum in order to accommodate wireless commercial and public safety uses of the spectrum. The Digital Television and Public Safety Act of 2005 (DTV Act) set a firm deadline of June 12, 2009, for the completion of the DTV transition. In July 2007, the Commission adopted the 700 MHz Second Report and Order that adopted a regulatory framework for the 700 MHz public safety band to facilitate the establishment of a nationwide, interoperable broadband communications network for the benefit of state and local public safety users.

What does this mean? It is no longer legal to operate a wireless system in the 700MHz bandwidth.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that manufacturers are offering rebates of up to $1000 toward updating your wireless system but TIME IS RUNNING OUT. Take advantage of these rebates before it’s too late.

Proper mic technique is as important with talking heads as it is with capturing vocals on a record. This video is an example of improper mic technique. Call us if you have a question, please! (615) 534-1190

Thanks Nolan!

This photo was taken in India, the place many of us reach when calling technical support with a question. Not the case at JSS. Whether a Royer ribbon microphone, a Yamaha digital mixer, or a Shure wireless system, we at JSS have the answer for the issue. Call us today and let us help you. (615) 534-1190. Our years continue to accumulate as we continue to use the gear, not just sell it.

Jason Spence
Audio Engineer/Owner
www.JSS.net

Procell Alkaline vs. NiHM & NiCad

Recently while mixing a taping of a multi act television show, the runner was sent out to bring back batteries for the Shure UHF-R and Sennheiser e300 wireless systems we were using. Upon her return, she was very proud of the deal she had found on the batteries we needed. I painted on a smile, congratulated and thanked her for her successful efforts. Then I turned and sighed with disappointment because the deal she had found was unfortunately on nickel-cadmium batteries as opposed to alkaline batteries. We made it through three days, around eight bands and only lost one RF mic. Thankfully it was not the lead singer that was in the camera shot the majority of the time. Because we were not clear to only get alkaline batteries we would really have to be on our toes about keeping the batteries changed between acts.

Rumors of battery life indicators on wireless systems being released in the near future that can monitor the drain of other types of batteries, such as nickel-cadmium (NiCad) or nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) exist but for now the wireless systems in the market account for the drain characteristics of an alkaline battery. Even if new technology on RF systems can consider other types of batteries and their drain characteristics, I’ll stick with a good ol’ high-drain, industrial Procell alkaline battery and here’s why.

The slope of the discharge curves between various batteries directly impacts the performance of your wireless system (Fig A). The discharge curve is calculated by the time of discharge versus the voltage drain of a batteries life. In other words, how long do you have before the battery will no longer power your wireless component.
The discharge curve slope of a NiCad and NiMH battery is quite steep (Fig A). What this means is that when this type of battery drops below the voltage your wireless system needs to continue to operate, it happens very fast. This is not a desirable discharge curve for our wireless system components. You may be in the middle of a show and loose your lead singers microphone without warning.

Fig A

There are two reasons I use Procells over other alkaline batteries. The Procell alkaline battery’s major advantages are a high energy density; the ability to operate continuously at relatively high discharge rates (in your wireless system) over a wide temperature range; and a shelf life in excess of four years. The second reason is cost. The cost of the alkaline battery, on a service life basis, is lowest in medium to high drain applications.

If your production has a tight budget or you just want to be more efficient – here are some simple tips to get more life out of your batteries.

(1) Turn it off after sound check (2) Use your batteries from the previous show for sound check (3) Always meter your batteries (4) Let JSS help determine your battery usage to. This will allow you to purchase at the highest quantities/lower cost without haaving them ‘on the shelf’ too long (5) RECYCLE! I feel extremely guilty for the amount of alkaline batteries I’ve tossed into our landfills around the world, thousands I’m sure. In an effort to remedy that, we at JSS are committed to not further damage our environment. If you bring JSS your used batteries we will apply a discount to your next battery purchase at JSS. If you don’t bring them to us, we urge you to find a recycling center near you that accepts them. Even if you didn’t purchase them from us, we’ll still gladly accept and dispose of them properly.

Jason Spence
Audio Engineer/Owner of JSS
(615) 534-1190
www.JSS.net

The Shure UHF-R Series Wireless Systems are truly the industry standard for professional touring wireless systems. With up to 2400 selectable frequencies there is no doubt you will be able to navigate to a clear frequency in any theater, stadium, or arena. All UHF-R systems include Shure’s patented Audio Referencing Companding, which provides crystal-clear sound quality that is unprecedented.

Versatility

UHF-R wireless systems can truly be used in any application. No matter if you want an SM58, SM86, SM87, KSM9, Beta58a, Beta87a, or even Beta87c, UHF-R has you covered. Any wireless microphone capsule Shure manufacturers can be connected to the UR2 handheld transmitter. If you are looking for something along the lines of a lavaliere microphone or a guitar wireless, Shure has the UR1 bodypack transmitter. Now we didn’t forget you theater folk, the Shure UR1M micro-bodypack transmitter is a miniature version of the UR1 which is lighter weight and physically smaller than the UR1 making it easier to conceal in a costume.

Wireless Workbench

When the UHF-R receiver systems are connected to Shure’s Wireless Workbench software you are able to scan the frequency spectrum in your room and navigate your system to the clearest frequency. Another benefit to using Wireless Workbench is that you are able to see the RF noise floor, any RF intermodulations from existing wireless pilot tones, and control all of your wireless systems from a single point interface. Wireless Workbench is available for both Windows Vista and Mac OSX and to top it off, it is a FREE application.

To be honest, there is nothing not to love about Shure’s UHF-R Systems. At JSS, we highly recommend the UHF-R systems because they are a product we can rely on to deliver extraordinary performance and superior audio quality along with providing a true solution to any wireless situation. If you have any questions regarding Shure UHF-R wireless, please do not hesitate to give me a call, I will be happy to help! Thanks again for reading!

Forrest Colegrove
JSS – Account Manager
fcolegrove@jss.net
615-663-4481
www.JSS.net