QSC are a pro audio brand that need very little introduction particularly when discussing compact powered PA speakers.
The pioneering audio company, although relatively fresh faced when compared to a handful of stalwart brands, have been paving the way and redefining what it means to create an efficient, high powered and reliable powered speaker. For singer/songwriters with an acoustic instrument and a vocal, there’s no better way to amplify your sound than with an uncoloured, transparent and powerful system. QSC possess this in spades, especially in their K Series and CP series speakers, available in various power, onboard mixer and speaker options. Whatever you need, QSC have it, and this is what made them such a perfect pairing for Melbourne’s Cole Clark Guitars.
With a discerning build and quality control process, Cole Clark are in the business of tying together the best of both the acoustic and the electric worlds, their guitars featuring world-class electronics to more accurately amplify their incredible acoustic sound.
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Beginning with the K.2 series, trusted wholeheartedly by Cole Clark, we have a glorious display of an incredible balance between power and nuance. More power can mean more headroom, but more power can also lead to systems being too powerful to use in every scenario. The K.2 series blends form and function into three models with the K8.2, K10.2 and K12.2 speakers, with 8”, 10” and 12” woofers respectively. All three speaker options feature 1.4-inch titanium compression drivers for the high frequency information, essential when amplifying the beautiful, dynamic response of some of the Australian tonewoods that Cole Clark commit to using.
Cole Clark guitars
“Cole Clark have a mission to make you sound the same on the stage as you would playing acoustically at home.” says Lloyd Spiegel, an Australian singer and songwriter, as well as a long-time Cole Clark devotee.
“QSC speakers best represent the nuance and tone that you get unplugged at home,” Spiegel continues. “It was kind of a revelation for me.”
Cole Clark’s CEO, Miles Jackson, speaks further to this revelation, explaining that when he came on board in 2012, they needed a new PA system accurate enough to test their guitars.
“We bought [QSC] on board and then had that as a benchmark. It’s really important that we’re able to hear if there’s a face sensor that’s not properly adjusted, or some other component that’s not properly adjusted. The final inspection of the guitar is actually plugging in, making sure it’s got ‘the Cole Clark sound’, and QSC allows us to do that.”
The K2 system accepts mic, line, Hi-Z and instrument level input, all with added onboard DSP via QSC’s Intrinsic Correction for tuning, and optimising the performance of your choice of speaker for your requirements.
Cole Clark’s Electronic R&D department, headed by Paul Gale, needs a powerful, high headroom amplifier with a large dynamic range that doesn’t distract from the sound itself. The dispersion of the Directivity-Matched Transition in the K.2 series offers a supremely accurate sweet spot, offering crystal clear sound whether in a big room or small room at the Cole Clark factory, the QSC speakers offering the same great, and most of all accurate, sound wherever you are in front of the speaker.
“They go hand in hand with our Cole Clark guitars as far as I’m concerned,” begins Paul. “If you don’t sound good when you’ve got a Cole Clark guitar, you should go out and buy a QSC.” he concludes with a laugh.
The CP series are another great solution, and one we’ve explored before here at Mixdown. A great solution to amplifying a great sound requires crystal clear transmission and little to no colour. What helps the CP series to excel here is the Contour control, and while seemingly a simple addition, it’s a little extra tonal shaping depending on your needs, the venue, the vibe and your taste!
The Default setting allows for a full range, flat sound to be amplified through the CP speaker, i.e. for amplifying a beautiful instrument like a Cole Clark guitar. If you’re expanding into a more involved and complete system, like multiple speakers and a sub, you can shape and refine the speakers with Default Ext. Sub for crystal clear sound, split across your multi-speaker system.
Beyond this, the Contour allows you different settings for both inputs… did we forget to mention that?! The CP series features two combo XLR/1/4” inputs for a guitar and vocal, for example, though with plenty of gain and a Limiter on board, you could amplify just about anything!
Conventionally, guitar amplifiers have been a source of colour, tone, distortion and more, but not when amplifying an instrument as masterfully crafted as a Cole Clark guitar. High headroom, powerful and clear amplifiers are a match made in heaven for acoustic instruments, and it’s for that reason that Cole Clark trust QSC monitors for R&D and quality control. Cole Clark devotee Lloyd Spiegel uses them to test guitars at the factory, as well as at home and on the road!
A combination of sweet spot, dispersion and power make QSC the perfect pairing for Cole Clark, the K.2 and CP series both featuring a whole lot of control to further refine your sound if you need it! There’s a lot under the hood of both QSC speakers and Cole Clark guitars, both allowing each other to sound their best!
Buy any QSC CP or K.2 Series Powered Loudspeaker in-store for your chance to WIN a brand-new Cole Clark Acoustic Guitar valued at $1,299. Keep reading about all the details here.
