Bear Tracks Media is a multimedia consulting company that specializes in custom sound and recording projects for customers. They got started in 2006 as a garage-based recording studio and quickly evolved into mobile on-location recording. Over time, they grew to include graphic design, photography, and sound design, and feature award-winning music production in the industry.
In 2010, the Bear Tracks produced album, Midnite Express "Band of Brothers", won the Native American Music Award for Best Powwow Album of the year. With over 35 record albums produced, Bear Tracks has been a Grammy Foundation Voting Member and has specialized in on-location sound and systems consultation for businesses, schools, and Native American Tribes/Government Agencies.
Pro Acoustics was able to work with Bear Tracks Media on one of their recent projects that required a permanently mounted outdoor stadium sound system. The project was located in Northern Michigan, which meant that the arena sound system would need to be tough enough to withstand the hot humidity of summers and the cold snowy winters.
The wide selection of products offered by Pro Acoustics put us on Bear Tracks Media’s radar. They connected with Mark, one of our Sales Engineers, who “did a fantastic job. He was very knowledgeable and well informed about the product line we chose, Mark was always readily available to help answer any questions that arose.”
Mark guided Bear Tracks to an AtlasIED speaker system that would provide optimal sound for the large arena and Native American powwow music and vocal clarity required for these specific types of events.
Their sound system is anchored by 10 Atlas Sound FS12T-99 horn loudspeakers. These Atlas speakers work great for the Bear Tracks Media project because they are designed specifically to provide excellent voice and music reproduction while withstanding exposure to environmental conditions and providing long-lasting reliability. They provide 90° x 90° coverage in a lightweight enclosure and include a stainless steel U-bracket and fly-points allowing for easy mounting.
Three Crown CDi 4000 amplifiers power the system. Built for installed applications, these rugged, lightweight power amplifiers are extremely versatile and offer onboard DSP for loudspeaker signal processing.
When it came to the microphones for the system, Mark went with two Shure QLXD24/B58 handheld wireless microphone systems and three Shure SM58S vocal wired microphones. These mic systems made sense in the audio system because they are simple to set up and operate and can be installed in live performance spaces. He also included a Shure UA874US active directional antenna with gain switch and a Shure UA221 passive antenna splitter/combiner kit. The active directional antenna offers enhanced reception when directed toward the desired coverage area and the passive antenna splitter/combiner kit lets you split an incoming signal into two outgoing signals or combine two incoming signals into one signal.
The system also includes two DBX AFS2 advanced feedback suppression processors and two ART PS8-II professional power sequencers. The DBX AFS2 advanced feedback suppression processors come with a powerful DSP module that allows the AFS2 to provide all the processing and control necessary for both installation and live use. The AFS2 offers a dedicated feedback suppression processor that provides up to 24 filters per channel with filter Qs up to 1/80 of an octave. The ART PS8-II professional power sequencers are full-featured power conditioners with fast-acting breaker, EMI, and RFI filtering, as well as surge and spike protection to protect your system. They are designed to sequence and protect a wide range of equipment from sensitive tube preamps to powered speakers, large displays, or digital systems. These power sequences will allow Beat Tracks Media’s equipment to sound and work better and live longer.
Mark wrapped up the system with two Ashly Audio MX-508 stereo microphone line mixers, two Whirlwind WP2/4FW stainless steel wall mounting plates, and two ProCo WP2023 dual gang wall plates to allow for some portability and easy setup without having to run cable.
Since installing the new audio equipment, Bear Tracks Media says that they have seen “many times over improved sound quality and projection. In the past, sound systems were never able to reach areas outside the arena. Now, this new system is able to reach vendor row and campgrounds located several hundred yards from the arena.”
When asked to rate the quality of the equipment, Bear Tracks Media gave it a “10/10. Professional quality pro audio. I have seen this same setup at large stadium venues and know the quality is second to none.”
Bear Tracks Media says, “It was a pleasure to work with Pro Acoustics and I look forward to working with you again in the future on additional projects.”
We very much enjoyed working with Bear Tracks Media on this project and hope to partner with them again soon!
