Sound System

Tried and tested touring sound system

Since 2009. Thanks to the cyclists!

Reaction Sound System

For us, a sound system needs to be able to reproduce the low note on a bass guitar properly.  So we had bass in mind when we set about building  sound system. After a lot of R+D we now use a variety of different speaker setups and can choose a sound combination which works best for your musical genre and venue size.

We hire the sound system with or without the bike generators and can power it entirely from bike-power or with solar power or even entirely from the mains. Either way you get the benefits of reduced power consumption and stadium style high quality line array speakers. We have a crew of excellent Djs and engineers so your event can run smoothly and with a relaxed positive atmosphere. We are all about pleasant sound and low bass. We want the right volume. No ego competition and ear splitting screeching tops. We care for the planet and peoples hearing.

There are lots of variations in the design of loudspeakers. Even though they all look boxy on the outside there can be some complicated shapes inside. These shapes, like the horn of a gramophone, serve to amplify the sound.

Most commercial manufacturers prefer simple designs because they are easier and cheaper to produce and although  efficiency is compromised they can make up for that by adding bigger amplifiers. This has lead to a kind of inflation of power use. Unfortunately almost everyone uses the maximum power rating of the speaker/amplifier to quantify sound systems. Eg “its a 10k rig” (i’ve even seen 100,000kw advertised!)

In the old days of the dawn of large scale amplified music events the largest amplifiers available were 100watts. Work was put into designing loudspeaker boxes which maximized the volume ( sound pressure level (SPL (measured in Db (decibels)) possible with these small amplifiers.

While sound systems are often measured in KW (power) not Db (actual volume) there will always be an incentive for sound systems and manufacturers to keep producing less efficient speaker designs so they can appear louder to event organisers.

The speakers we use are compact coaxial horns and are arrayed in a vertical line array of the type used in stadiums and at really large events. Made using Fsc certified birch Ply right here in Leeds Yorkshire. They are great for outdoor use and for large venues as they focus the sound down to where you need it with much reduced time delay issues when compared to horizontal arrays. The towers we use to raise the speakers above head height allow relatively uniform sound coverage as the speakers are not just pointed at and muffled by peoples heads. We have loads of different sized setups to cater for smaller and difficult acoustic conditions so it’s best to know what venue you want to do the event at when contacting.

With all this talk of loudness, it’s worth noting that at many events in the uk there is a restriction on how loud you can have a sound system. Mostly this is enforced by the event organisers in co-operation with local residents. We generally find it easy to reach that level and are used to running at an agreed level in co-operation with organisers.

We use digital amplifiers which have a much greater efficiency at all output levels. Our bass amplifer is 2.500watts max power and we drive our mid tops with up to 650watts a side. But we normally use less power than that.

Powerful thinking and others are using diesel generators burning reused veg oil which can technically reduce the greenhouse impact of small events but this comes with a dose of air pollution in your highly populated event. Same as any diesel engine.

So we provide a good alternative for small events who wish to be greener and move away from fossil-fuel generators . After ten years of doing pedal power sound system at  festivals  we are still here so we must be doing something right! Get in touch to see if it’s right for your event too!

Read more here and check out the images and video below