Miami, FL – November 2018… As both the co-founder of the rock band Linkin Park and a solo artist in his own right, guitarist / keyboard player, singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, and graphic designer Mike Shinoda is one very busy artist. He’s currently approaching the end of the current leg of his Post Traumatic Tour, which will resume in early 2019 when it picks up in Europe. Shinoda’s night after night tour schedule demands equipment that maintains sonic consistency and reliability throughout—and to ensure the best audio performance at monitor world, Shinoda and monitor engineer Kevin ‘Tater’ McCarthy rely on the performance of DAS Audio Event-121A powered subwoofers and Road 12A powered stage monitors.
Based in Detroit, MI, McCarthy delivers audio to Shinoda and the other band members on stage via a combination of in-ear monitors and conventional loudspeakers. McCarthy recently began using DAS Audio loudspeakers and has been very impressed. He shared his thoughts on the two Event-121A powered subwoofers and the two Road 12A powered stage monitors that he’s using on the tour.
“For the setup, I use one Event-121A powered subwoofer on each side of the stage to enhance the low end and give the stage some feel and body,” McCarthy explained. “The Road 12A’s are used for cue monitors. I use one for my personal cue at monitor world and the other for sound checks and rehearsals when the band members are not wearing their in-ear monitors. I can quickly place it up on stage and just run the specific instruments that they want to hear through it.”
When asked about those attributes that make the DAS Event-121A powered sub and Road 12A powered stage monitors the ‘right tools for the job’ in this type of environment, McCarthy offered the following thoughts. “To be honest, these loudspeakers are so easy to deploy being that they’re self-powered,” he said. “This simplifies system cabling and you needn’t concern yourself with selecting a power amp to drive them. Equally important, I love the protection that the rain jackets over the rear panel connectors provide. There’s no need to remove them. They just peel back and you’re ready to go. And of course, the sound must be there too. These DAS Audio enclosures deliver more than enough power and are extremely musical sounding.”
“I also really appreciate the fact that the Road 12A’s are packaged nicely in a clam shell case, so transporting them is quick and easy” McCarthy added. “These loudspeakers are high powered, light weight, and easy to handle. I don’t even run an EQ on them. I simply turn them up and go!”
With a schedule like McCarthy’s, responsive customer and technical support services are crucial. When queried about his experience with DAS Audio, he offered the following comments, “I work with Carlos Henao, the company’s Eastern Territory Manager and his team. They’re a great group of people that understand touring and know what it takes to deliver. Carlos’ enthusiasm and love for the product shows—and rubbed off on me. I love that.”
With several months of touring now in the rear view mirror, McCarthy reflected on his experience with DAS Audio. “So far, working with the DAS products is really uneventful—and that’s a very good thing. This may sound boring, but when you’re on the road, this is exactly what you want: no issues! These loudspeakers deliver great sound and ease of use. Simply plug them in. They work exactly as you expect them to and you’re on to the next job. I never worry about them, they just work and let me do my job.”
To learn more about the services of Kevin ‘Tater’ McCarthy, visit his website at www.tateraudio.com.
About DAS Audio
Headquartered in Valencia, Spain, DAS Audio is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of loudspeaker systems, power amplification, signal processing, and related components. DAS Audio products are found on tour with the world’s greatest performing artists and installed in many of the most prestigious facilities. For additional information about DAS Audio, visit the company online at www.dasaudio.com.
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