Jon Anderson & the Band Geeks, Road Test: CM38 Monitors & Contour System Stage Fill
Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks road-tested 1 SOUND’s Cardioid Monitor CM38s as stage concert monitors and the Contour CT28 and SUB215 systems for stage-side fills during their tour. Here’s what the band’s monitor engineer, Drew Gantert, had to say about his experience integrating and using these new loudspeakers in his show.
“I went into the experience of using these CM38 monitors having never (knowingly, at least) used a cardioid monitor. I had not yet considered the concept of cardioid array throws to a single enclosed floor monitor box. And I was giddy experiencing this for the first time.
The CM38 monitor package, paired with a set of side fills from 1 SOUND, readily offered plenty of volume, more than we required for the show, in the smallest footprint and profile I have ever come across. In a show where low sight lines are important, this speaker format offers a huge improvement over other bulky near or mid-throw stage monitors. “
Drew Gantert “in limbo” initial monitor check
“As for the CM38’s, the future is now! What a handsome, well-built, monitor. From line check to sound check through the show, it just kept getting better. The sound, the low profile, and the throw were all equally impressive
I foresee cardioid monitoring will be a new standard one day, hopefully not far off! Thank you, 1 SOUND for showing me the way!”
“During the band’s soundcheck, as I checked the lead vocal mixes, I immediately noted something that I can’t imagine being anything other than the result of years of research and developement, and a little black magic: whether I was directly on top of the monitors, or 8-10 feet away at either corner of the drum riser I could hear that monitor evenly the whole way. I had just experienced this cardioid monitor in all its glory. For a vocalist who uses a hybrid IEM/floor Monitor situation, this offers a vast improvement over aforementioned conventional wedges, which tend to create hotspots when paired up and lose coverage as you move away from the “sweet spot”.
The cardioid throw is perfect for both a discreet yet powerful monitoring system and a happy FOH engineer! Flanked by a drum riser and stage amplifiers, the CM38’s were barely noticeable among the pedalboards and kept the necessary stage volume aimed where it needed to be, at the stage.
As I dialed in the side fill mix during the post-line check / pre-sound check, I like to call “limbo”, the band, only half of them wearing ears at this point, complimented the sound of the stage and noted the “fancy speakers” (-Andy Graziano, with a wink and a point of his finger). At this point in my relationship with the band, I know from experience that they would tell me if something were off.
The side fill system, denying expectations given its small stature, seemed to out-perform in every way that I needed it to that day. I dared not turn it up to 11! Clear, articulate with excellent throw and plenty of punch. I like a good hefty side fill mix - the band deserves to feel the kick drum too. Easily achievable with these stacks of Contour CT28 & SUB215. I admit, though, I was a bit distracted by the CM38 monitor’s redefining how a single box can shape my stage sound.
Having done a gazillion shows in his lifetime, and with my knowing what he wants in his monitoring, I rarely get comments or direction from Jon unless something doesn’t feel quite right, yet he remarked after the show that the stage felt good, and the crowd did as well.
I did not mention to him the special monitoring situation that day, and I’m not sure if anyone else did either, but I always enjoy an impartial opinion.
It was a good day for me on stage left!”
“As for the CM38’s, the future is now, and I’ll take 5 of them! What a handsome, well-built, monitor. From line check to sound check through the show, it just kept getting better. The sound, the low profile, and the throw were all equally impressive
I am hesitant to encourage anyone to stand on a monitor ever, but the fact that the grill face will support my full body weight is simply a nod to the build quality.
I foresee cardioid monitoring will be a new standard one day, hopefully not far off! 1 SOUND is most welcome on my stage with @Jon&TheGeeks™️ any day.
Side fills were fantastic too. I can’t say it enough, the whole package was phenomenal. Thank you, 1 SOUND for showing me the way!”
Products Used: CM38, Contour CT28, SUB215
