The Carvin StageMate S400D is a compact, easily portable, battery- or AC-powered PA system. It consists of a single loudspeaker, which contains a battery, amplifier and control panel.

There are two models of the StageMate: the S400 ($399.95) and S400D ($489.90). The D model includes a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) that creates 16 digital sound effects from chorus and flange to reverb and echoes.

The StageMate system is designed for events such as weddings, club meetings, church gatherings, company functions, auctions, parades, county fairs, sports events, beach events and fitness clubs.

Features

The system, as tested, included the optional Carvin Model 810 extension loudspeaker, a 40' cord with a 1/4" phone connector to join the speakers to each other and adjustable tripod-type speaker stands. Optional items available - not included in this test - are a remote footswitch for effects, a microphone, a mic stand, an extra battery, a vinyl cover and a 12 V automobile power cable.

Although the two speakers are the same size (12.75" wide, 11.5" deep and 18.5" high), the speaker with all the electronic goodies weighs 34 lb; the other speaker weighs about 18 lb. Both speakers have built-in, recessed carrying handles on the top and sockets for the tripods on the bottom.

The StageMate connects to a standard three-prong AC power outlet. The enclosed battery charges during AC operation, whether the system is being used or not - but the power switch has to be on for the battery to charge. Lose the AC and the maintenance-free lead-acid battery takes over.

There is also a 12 V input jack for connecting to an external 12 VDC power source, such as an automobile cigarette lighter. This can power and partially recharge the StageMate. Carvin recommends its C-25 12 V adapter. Other adapters may be used, but they must use at least 16-gauge wire and be fused at 10 amps.

The Carvin adapter has a 25' cord - much more practical than the typical 6' cord. A 12 V car battery will not fully charge the StageMate unless the engine is running.

Battery status LEDs on the control panel indicate whether the battery is being charged, fully charged, low or is dead. Charging time is approximately three hours. The StageMate rear panel controls are like a small mixer built into the back of the speaker. There are four channels with individual level controls: Master, Effects, and CD/Tape level control. There is also an RCA-type left and right CD/tape input, as well as 1/4" line out for external amp, effects send and return, footswitch and headphone jacks. Each of the four channels has a 1/4" input jack. Channel 1, the preferred place to run a guitar, has an acoustic switch that delivers a highfrequency boost, set at 11 kHz. This switch can be pushed in when using acoustic instruments for adding shimmer to the high frequencies.

Channel 1 provides a mid EQ control to reduce unwanted 750 Hz mids, which may dull the sound of a guitar. Channels 2, 3 and 4 only have high and low EQ.

Channels 2, 3 and 4 have female XLR connectors for microphones in addition to the 1/4" phone jacks. The mic XLR connectors are designed for professional low-impedance microphones. The 1/4" instrument jacks on Channels 2 through 4 may also be used at the same time as the XLRs. Since the instrument jacks 2 through 4 are designed for line-level inputs, such as a bass guitar, keyboard or drum machine, the sensitivity of these jacks is lower than for Channel 1.

The CD/tape level control adjusts the gain of the RCA CD/tape inputs. The EFF level control is the return adjustment for the effects loop and the internal DSP processor on the S400D model. Send and return jacks are provided for an external effects processor.

The DSP has a 16 detent Select knob that lets you choose the effect you want. The channel effects send and master effects level control determine the amount of your effects.

Echo effects are delays with a little plate reverb added. There are four Echo settings: 142 ms delay, 5% regeneration; 230 ms delay, 15% regeneration; 260 ms delay, 15% regeneration; and 272 ms delay, 43% regeneration.

There are two flange settings: high depth, low-speed modulation; medium resonance and low depth, medium-speed modulation, medium resonance. Reverb is offered along with echo. Four other useful effects include: Room-Warm; Room-Bright, Plate-Short decay and Plate-Long decay.

There are six Chorus settings: medium speed, no resonance; medium speed, medium resonance and medium speed, high resonance. There's also Chorus 1 with reverb, Chorus 2 with reverb and Chorus 3 with reverb.

The StageMate's published specifications state frequency response, microphone or line inputs of 20Hz - 20kHz ±2 dB. Total Harmonic Distortion is less than 1%; output power is 60 W rms into 8 ohms; 100 W rms into 4 ohms. Channel 1: three-band active EQ; low: 80Hz ±15 dB; mid: 750 Hz ±15 dB; high: 10 kHz ± 15 dB. Channels 2 through 4: At a Glance Applications: Light public address duty Key Features: 4-channel mixer; built-in signal processor (D model); AC, battery or 12 V operation Price: S4000; $399.95; S40OD; $489.90 Contact: Carvin at 800-854-2235; www.carvin.com; or circle Reader Service 129. two-band active EQ; low: 80Hz :1: 15 dB; high: lOkHz ±l5dB. Cabinet frequency response is stated as 85Hz to 16.5kHz.

The StageMate's loudspeakers, a bass reflex design, are quite efficient at 98 dB; SPL, I W at I meter, making good use of the available 100 W rms. Two 1/4" I/0 jacks share the back panel with Speakon (twist-lock) jacks. Take your choice.

The ported enclosure is made of 7-ply poplar plywood - light but strong. A black textured vinyl covering with black metal corner protectors and an expanded metal grille provide a tough package. Dispersion angles are 90 degrees horizontal and 45 degrees vertical. A 10" woofer handles the lows and a high-frequency hom goes beyond the limits of any ears over puberty. Power handling is rated at 100 W continuous.

In use

Upon unpacking the StageMate - not quite knowing what to expect - I found myself looking for the rest of the system. The compactness and simplicity of the design is impressive, but not unexpected from Carvin. With all the works built into the back of one of the speakers, you really can load up for the gig with only two trips to the car.

Inspection of the speakers, control panel and tripod stands revealed first-rate fit and finish, belying the StageMate's low price. The feel of the rotary pots on the control panel is smooth and consistent. The overall appearance is professional with easy-to-read screenprinted markings on a mat black finish.

Unlike some products that use plastic or nylon, the 1/4" I/0 plugs have steel nuts. The look is typical Carvin - slightly retro, which is refreshing in a day where most equipment's appearance lacks personality. The Carvin stuff looks like musician's equipment. There's a rightness to its appearance.

First-time setup took less than three minutes. With familiarity, setup only takes a minute. Plug in a microphone, instrument, CD or tape player, connect the loudspeakers to each other via the 40' cord with either the Speakon or 1/4" phone jacks, pop open the tripod speaker stands and throw the switch. It takes longer to write it than to do it!

Battery life depends on how hard the amp is driven (you knew that). Carvin's pulse-width MOSFET amplifier wrings a lot of output from the B400 battery. For the amplifier's intended use, producing loud volume will definitely not be an issue.

It would be nice if Carvin included a way to use the optional extra battery without having to unscrew the back panel and actually replace the depleted battery with the fresh battery. Perhaps something like a connector cord on the optional backup battery and an input plug on the back control panel so that the swap could be instantaneous. (According to the manufacturer, a B400 battery option ($39.95) can be installed in parallel to double battery run time. -Ed.)

While using the system, I also noticed that the optional extra speaker can be connected via a 1/4" phone plug or twist-lock connector that is wired in parallel. On the control panel of the main speaker, however, the output for the auxiliary speaker is 1/4" phone plug only. It's not possible to join the speakers with a cord that has twist-lock connectors. The cord would have to have a twist-lock on one end and a 1/4" phone on the other. The twist-lock is for auxiliary use in other systems. Ile 8 10 extension is available as a standalone PA speaker and can be used in systems other than the S400.

How does it sound? Characteristically Carvin - easy on the ears, sounding neither harsh nor shrill with Carvin's everso-slightly warm analog sound. Spoken words, using a flat Electro-Voice microphone, were clear and fairly natural. Musical reproduction sounded better than it had a right to, given the bargain price of the system.

The DSP functioned well, with reasonably good sounding reverbs on vocals, yet it wouldn't be mistaken for a more expensive standalone processor. But again, for the StageMate's intended use and its price, the $90 Digital Effects Processor option will be a convenient and welcome inclusion to an already nifty package.

Summary

Running CDs with high bass content quickly revealed the limitations of the 10"' woofers. After playing loudly for a day with a bassy CD hooked on repeat mode, the woofers loosened up and the bass noticeably improved.

The StageMate's many benefits include instant setup, lots of power and battery convenience for non-AC locations. Along with the bargain price, the ability to add equipment like Carvin's StudioMate 12 Channel mixer or its remote foot-pedal switch for controlling effects adds up to another great creation from Carvin.

Edd Forki, a reviewer for Pro Audio Review, is a sound reinforcement engineer who loves mixing Gospel groups.

Edd Forke - Pro Audio Review

 

 

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