m802 remote controlled microphone preamplifier
m802 system

Our Flagship m802 eight channel remote controlled microphone preamplifier is now shipping!!

Boulder, Colorado (August 16, 2005) – Grace Design announced today that it has begun shipping its new m802 8-channel remote controlled mic preamp system. The m802 has been designed for audio professionals in the music recording, film scoring, live sound and fixed installation markets. As the successor to Grace’s renowned model 801R system, the m802 represents a new standard in capabilities and performance for remote controlled mic preamps.

The m802 preamp is comprised of two components; the 2U, 19” rack mount 8-channel preamp and an external 1U, half-rack linear power supply. The m802 enclosure shares the same industrial design as the company’s m series monitoring systems. A fully configured m802 system can be comprised of 8 units, which provides 64 channels of remote controlled mic preamplification. The optional m802RCU remote control unit can control up to 8 m802s at a distance of up to 1,500 feet.

The m802 includes 8 balanced mic level inputs on female XLR connectors, 8 balanced line level outputs on male XLR connectors and 8 balanced line level outputs available on a 25 pin D-sub connector. Both sets of 8-channel analog outputs can be used simultaneously. The signal path of the m802 is fully balanced from start to finish which provides a dynamic range improvement of up to 3dB over that of the model 801R. Output current has also been increased in the m802 providing for even longer audio cable runs than that of the model 801R.

The m802 can optionally be fitted with 130V inputs on a per channel-pair basis to accommodate customers using DPA 130V microphones. MIDI control has been implemented which provides compatibility with Digidesign’s Pro Tools|HD® workstations and control surfaces as well as many other MIDI based hardware and software platforms. Grace also intends to offer an optional high performance, 8-channel, 24-bit, 192kHz ADC for the m802 in the future.

The m902 reference headphone amplifier

The m902 reference headphone amplifier has been nominated for the 2005 TEC Award (Technical Excellence & Creativity). The TEC nomination comes from an impartial member of the professional audio community, so receiving one is a true honor. Click here to learn more about the Mix Foundation for Excellence in Audio and the TEC Awards. Also, a ballot to place your vote can be found in the August Mix Magazine, and you can find the m902 under the 'amplifier technology' category. Thanks!

<<Dealer Spotlight >>


ProAudioLand

ProAudioLland's little rocket

For better or worse, the internet has had a profound affect on how we buy and sell stuff- of which the pro audio industry is a prime example. For pro audio end users, google research instantly reveals a plethora of facts, figures and prices for just about any piece of gear. For retailers, marketing to a vast customer base with the web and email is increasingly easy and inexpensive. So everybody knows everything. Everybody has access to the same information. Record numbers of internet retailers are reaching record numbers of educated audio professionals.

As a manufacturer, Grace Design takes a keen interest in these changes and how they affect our business. While we believe service, selection, and price are tantamount to building a quality pro audio retail business, paramount is the living person who greets the customer on the phone or in the store or who replies to the email.

ProAudioLand.com is a great example of the successful modern day internet based pro audio retailer. In business for only three years, they have quickly become one of our (and many other manufacturers) top selling US dealers. This is not only because they provide excellent selection, service and price, but they also have a sales staff that takes an earnest interest in the customer and their particular needs. Their sales people learn everything they can about the customer's particular recording/ studio setups and how they wish to expand, enhance or improve their setups over time. Through this, the sales person and the end user develop a working relationship; trust is developed and everybody wins.

We are lucky to be able to catch up with General manager Michael
Monsalve to get a little more insight into this wonderful company.

Thanks Mike!

Q. Can you give us a little history about yourself and ProAudioLand? How did you end up in pro audio and how did ProAudioLand come about?
Well Eben, after about 15 years of running a successful distribution
company, it was time to focus on the end user. We had been selling to contractors, casino's, government agencies, military, touring companies, music stores, and all kinds of venues. Over 10 years ago, we started promoting by concentrating on email blasts to our customer base - focusing on key items, package deals, new product, etc. Due to the build up of our enormous data base, it was finally time to create a great website. ProAduioLand.com was born.

Q.What are some of the specific things that ProAudioLand land does to drive customers to your website?
Mainly via email blasts, but some banner adds, and other internet tricks that are top secret!

Q. You have had such a phenomenal success selling our m902 headphone amplifiers. Why do you think this particular product has been such a home run for you?
Customer satisfaction. One of the things we will do on a "special promotion" blast is actually post real customer feedback from customers who already purchased the product from us. There's nothing like getting real comments from a guy who is not a salesman and actually using the product.

Q. I've got some pictures of your amazing ProAudioLand race car, which I gather is used for some charitable fundraising. Could you tell us more about this side of your business?
We race the car at all the major tracks on the west coast. The last weekend of August, we will be sponsoring a Make A Wish event at Laguna Seca Raceway. We raise money by donating pro audio items to a silent auction (this year we will donate some Bose home audio products). During lunch, we take these kids around the track for the ride of their lives. It's quite an emotional experience..

Q. Any other big future plans for ProAudioLand you'd like to discuss?
For our website, we are always trying to find ways to make it easy to use. We try not to clutter it up with too much stuff. To me, a lot of websites just look too busy and I have to go through many pages to find what I want. Our site is very simple for the end user to use, yet the underlying technology is very advanced and powerful, which makes the site fast for everyone. Other than that, I just want to give a shout out to all our customers who have continued to support us over the years. We really appreciate all of you.