Solstace Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Hi there... Just putting some stuff together for an upcoming gig and wondering where I can find specs online for the Hill Powercube Tops and Subs? Specifically I'm looking to integrate them with an installed system and am looking for their crossover point just so I'm not guessing on the day. On the other hand, the whole set of specs (max SPL, frequency response etc) would be good. C :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Lewis Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Rock-Tech have the data on their website. I would be interested in seeing the EASE data for this range of cabinets... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Magus Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 I've only come across Powercubes once, and those were an active design, each using a single 12" Volt dual concentric driver. There was no facility to alter the crossover frequency. They sounded good, as I would have expected them to, Volt drivers being among the best, in my opinion. Have a look at this website: http://www.rock-tech.co.uk/powercube.html It seems to have more information on powercubes than anywhere else. I seem to remember that Rock Tech is run by Malcolm Hill's son. It appears that they now use PD drivers. They have an 'interesting' and somewhat eccentric range of line array cabinets too, but Malcolm Hill's mixer and speaker designs were often somewhat out of the ordinary. I can't find any web presence for Malcolm Hill Audio - I don't know whether Roch Tech are simply keeping the name alive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solstace Posted October 10, 2008 Author Share Posted October 10, 2008 Cheers guys - that was the site I was looking for. My session with :D this morning didn't turn anything up which was what prompted me to come here. From the page and memory of using them before in another application, it seems a pair of these boxes would be perfect for the job I have in mind. For those who may be interested - I'm wanting to take some low-end work away from an installed Bose 802/402 system that currently runs "full-range" using a Driverack 260 for processing/delay duties. The idea is to get some more impact/dynamic range out of the system as a whole - thought not necessarily a higher average/continuous SPL. I know I could just hire some 302's and amps, but an active solution seems much easier and neater for the specific application I have in mind - unless anyone can confirm I'm about to make a terrible mistake? Cabling and processing problems can be overcome here - it's the physical space that's the problem... :D Source material is live orchestral/big-band-feel music, with a slightly contemporary feel (drums, bass, guitar etc) added to the mix. It's going to be quite a challenge in the particular building! Quite looking forward to it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Lewis Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 It appears that they now use PD drivers. They have an 'interesting' and somewhat eccentric range of line array cabinets too, but Malcolm Hill's mixer and speaker designs were often somewhat out of the ordinary.... Hence my comment above about EASE data. A well designed single dual concentric can produce a very acceptable sound - c.f. Tannoy's products. Putting 4 concentrics horizontally in a box to create a line array element somewhat strays from the conventional wisdom on the subject. I haven't heard anything larger than a single Powercube (which was pretty good) so cannot comment on the other boxes. Some measured data would be interesting to see. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Mellor Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 I was on the tech crew alongside Rock-Tech during the summer for a big Christian Youth Event and I have to say the Hill speakers are really good. http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj241/JDTechie/IMG00195.jpg Harvest 08, Rock-Tech provide Lighting & Sound using their M8 linearrays and M7 subs(6 both sides of stage) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Lewis Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 ......I have to say the Hill speakers are really good. I'm glad they sounded good. My point above was that I doubt if they are forming something that might be thought of approaching an acoustic line array across the whole audio spectrum. However, many other manufacturers offer solutions which do not meet this criteria either! I might just suggest that the term "line array" conjures up certain characteristics which would probably not be achievable with the configuration used in the M8. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete McCrea Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 From Memory I also believe the Hill/Rock Tech website proposed some 'interesting' reasons to use a 'Line Array' over a conventional point source system. I have also heard of the Power Cube's lovingly referred to as Power Pubes.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Alcock Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 Sound Foundation in Reading hire and use Hill Powercubes (they mend them as well), and their founder is a contributor on this forum from time to time. see www.soundfoundation.com for details and pictures. Powercube sub and top box form a phenomenally powerful "speaker on sticks". Not the most refined sound to my ears, nor does the single 15 go that low, but very quick and easy to set up and LOUD. Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundiesam Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 malcolm hill associates is now technically Rock-tech. I know all the rock tech guys well they build all the power cubes in house.. sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabz Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 I was on the tech crew alongside Rock-Tech during the summer for a big Christian Youth Event and I have to say the Hill speakers are really good. http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj241/JDTechie/IMG00195.jpg Harvest 08, Rock-Tech provide Lighting & Sound using their M8 linearrays and M7 subs(6 both sides of stage) Just came across this post, as Site Manager for the event which shared a venue with Harvest from this year I can back up the support for the Malcolm Hill system. This year we ran our event (Together at North, a regional bible conference for the church group newfrontiers) the week after Harvest. North was a worship conference event for just shy of 2000 people. The rig was adjusted slightly for the picture Jonathan shows. Whilst running at quieter volumes (only 4 subs a side) we were able to get excellent even coverage in an acoustically challenging venue. The M8 line array gave us extra wide coverage when compared to most other (mayer, d&b, etc) arrays. While in this situation a 'line array' was a more of a convenient way of flying speakers than a application of sound reinforcement theory. The benefit of having the same 12in dual concentric driver in the M8 array as the M9 stage monitors helped blend the stage spill with the front of house coverage. The M7 Subs based on an 18 inch driver produce tight, powerful bass in blocks of four giving a 'big' sound even at lower volumes. Also M9 monitors (and all the other M series units except the M8) have signal in / out on 3 pin XRL and power in /out on powercon. With use of powercon XRL combi-cables re-configuration of monitors and FOH is as easy as daisy chaining power and signal. Its a quick and efficient way to chain power and signal in an idiot proof system helps the time pressured rigs and late night de-rigs. The M9 'powercube' stands up as a versatile monitor and is a handy box to fly or pole mount as a delay / fill speaker. As with any active speaker they weigh a bit to lump around though. Bit of an off topic ramble but thats my 2p's worth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cedd Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Sorry to resurrect and old thread, but seems daft to start a new one. I've just come back from 5 days at a large Christian event (Soul Survivor) and spotted a set of these being used in one of the smaller venues. Sound contractors were SFL I believe. The setup looked to consist of 2 M5 power cubes as wedges, then a pair as tops and a pair of the M5 subs as well. I was really impressed by the sound they got out of them, especially for the small footprint. I did a bit of digging (on the rock tech site listed above as it happens) and saw that they are no longer manufactured and have been replaced by the M1 multipurpose shown here;http://www.rock-tech.co.uk/web-pages/id/31;display-details Anybody used these cabinets? Do the compare? What product (powered or passive) would you put them up alongside as a comparison? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Payne Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Hi I think you were at Stafford then.... Well we do still have some PowerCube and PowerSub and it still goes out and people still like it because it works!PQ is highy efficient and we get plenty of SPL here. You cant really go wrong in the "box on stick" application. I never did keep up with the later "M" evolutions of "SuperCube" and "Line Array" as SFL started to invest into d&b systems around this time (and adding L-Acoustics even more reciently). We kind of left the Powercube thing behind as a legacy product although we still have box stock and love it for what it does. I think it will always have a home in the corner of our warehouse. You could Speak to Phil at Rocktech who I think will still fix this stuff and may still make some of it. He is a nice bloke and will help you if he can. Cheers Mark Back to Stafford.... did you hear our "end fire" J Sub arrangement in the main venue?We used a half wavelength + time alignment and positioning trick to widen the bass image and reduce stack comb filtering.We were excited about it anyway ;-) We have other tricks up our sleeve for SS at Shepton Mallet which I might share later ;-) Mark Sorry to resurrect and old thread, but seems daft to start a new one. I've just come back from 5 days at a large Christian event (Soul Survivor) and spotted a set of these being used in one of the smaller venues. Sound contractors were SFL I believe. The setup looked to consist of 2 M5 power cubes as wedges, then a pair as tops and a pair of the M5 subs as well. I was really impressed by the sound they got out of them, especially for the small footprint. I did a bit of digging (on the rock tech site listed above as it happens) and saw that they are no longer manufactured and have been replaced by the M1 multipurpose shown here;http://www.rock-tech.co.uk/web-pages/id/31;display-details Anybody used these cabinets? Do the compare? What product (powered or passive) would you put them up alongside as a comparison? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cedd Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Back to Stafford.... did you hear our "end fire" J Sub arrangement in the main venue?We used a half wavelength + time alignment and positioning trick to widen the bass image and reduce stack comb filtering.We were excited about it anyway ;-) Oh so that's why the kick drum went straight through me! Sounded pretty good! We were always sat on the join between the stage right line arrays, was very impressed with the vocal clarity, and the band sounded great. The power cubes I heard were on the "Bandstand" section of the event, just looked really nice and neat.I'm possibly in the market for some 12" cabinets, having had some problems with vocals on a recent job. My 15" drivers just lacked the clarity and my 8" TOA cabinets didn't have the punch, I need something just inbetween! I was looking passive (having just inherited a set of Yamaha power amps - 400w ish at 4 ohms) but having seen the power cubes, was sold. Guess I'm looking ex-hire then! Will keep my eyes open and thanks for the useful info on Rock tech. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solstace Posted August 3, 2009 Author Share Posted August 3, 2009 I've had some fun with powercubes in my time. Loved them for our application in an underground church hall, speakers-on-sticks-with-matching-subs job. Made Onehundredhours sound very nice... Used the subs again as per the OP for this thread - worked well for the bodge I had in mind and it all turned out alright on the night. As for the tops - I didn't enjoy them so much for monitors - they just seemed to sound too "boxy" no matter what I did with them. Next time will be the D&B Max 12's or Max 15's I was originally aiming for... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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