You can’t have missed the revolution in speakers that has taken place over the past 10 years – the compact array systems which have been flooding the market and saving many a DJ’s back. The latest new option in this arena is the Yamaha STAGEPAS 1K and, as a happy user of the brand’s traditional point-source cabinets, I was eager to try out its foray into the compact line array market.

My huge Yamaha rig, which I dearly love, only comes out now and then when I have an event for a really big number of people. Or sometimes for a medium-sized crowd, but in a marquee. Or when I know it’s going to be a rowdy crowd - 15-inch DXR speakers are hard to knock over!

But as lovely as they are, the total size and weight is a lot for running speakers at probably a quarter of their potential, so some time ago I invested in a compact array system which now gets used for around 90% of my gigs. And, with both sides using around the same space as just one of my DXR subs in the van, life is just easier. If you’re currently using traditional PA systems, and can afford to purchase a compact line array, I can pretty much guarantee you’ll end up using it for the majority of your jobs. They take up less space in your vehicle and save your back. Now I have given you the perfect excuse to go and buy more speakers! You’re welcome!!

But before you rush off to your nearest dealer to listen to all of the compact array systems available, allow me to introduce you to this latest entrant into this market – the Yamaha STAGEPAS 1K. I recently had a conversation with a British speaker manufacturer who has chosen not to build their own equivalent of these systems as they feel that they may have “missed the boat”. Yet now we have no less than Yamaha entering the fray, and I’m sure they won’t have done this without conducting their research and making sure they are on to a winner.

Having spent some time trying out this new system, the first thing to report is that it looks great and has a distinctly Yamahaesque feel. My wife and business partner, Michelle, on first seeing it setup, immediately told me that she would be proud to see this system in a venue. That’s such a huge statement, I honestly can’t ever remember her having a view on any of the PAs we own! But she is right, it looks great – and is also unbelievably compact. The sub you see in the photos houses a 12-inch driver, which just doesn’t seem possible, however the ‘under the grill’ photo I have seen shows just how little room has been wasted, it really is a fabulous bit of engineering.

As well as the sub, which also houses a digital mixer, you get two spacers and an array speaker which houses 10 small 1.5” diameter drivers that provide 170˚ horizontal and 30˚ vertical coverage. Powering all of this is a 1000W Class D amplifier which is capable of delivering 119db SPL.

So, we have a compact line array PA system with plenty of punch, great looks and easy portability. But where this PA really wins, for me, is in the onboard mixer. A number of column array PA systems have them, but I’ve never seen one as flexible. I’m not sure Pro Mobile has enough room for me to tell you all of its features, but I’ll give it a good go!

Designed to be used by DJs, but also singers, bands and for corporate presentations, the unit’s mixer section offers three channels of mono microphone/line inputs and a separate dedicated stereo channel. Each of the mono inputs features a combination ¼” jack / XLR socket and can be switched between mic and line level. In addition, two of the channels also offer Hi-Z connectivity for direct input of musical instruments. The stereo channel features a pair of ¼” jack inputs as well as a 1/8” mini jack socket and, as I’m sure you’d expect, Bluetooth connectivity.

Each channel has a dedicated level control as well as a 1-knob EQ that cleverly handles multi-band processing simultaneously. There is also an integrated SPX digital reverb system (something I’ve not seen built into a PA before), which can be easily customised by another single knob control and applied variably to each of the mono channels via additional dedicated dials. As well as the Master Level control there is also a third 1-knob control labelled Mode which allows the compression settings for the internal DSP to be optimised for different applications such as Speech or Music. This cleverly thought-out single knob system means that sound setup is simplified, while a huge amount of processing power is packed into this extremely compact system. What’s more, an iOS / Android app is also available which can be used to alter the mixer settings remotely and also save and recall custom pre-sets.

Finally, the unit is also fitted with two XLR output sockets (one for linking two systems together and the other for connecting a separate monitor speaker), as well as a dedicated Link input XLR socket. The Link sockets can be used to connect two STAGEPAS 1K systems together in two different ways, one of which I believe is unique to this product. More conventionally, the Link output from one unit (which acts as the master) can be connected to the Link input on a second system to create a stereo pair. In this configuration, the mixer on the master unit is used, while the one on the second unit becomes redundant. Alternatively, the Link outputs on both systems can be connected to the Link inputs on the other system. This creates a monoaural setup where both mixers can be used simultaneously, with all connected signals rooted through both speakers. This allows the number of inputs to be doubled, and is ideal if the system is being used for a live band.

So, enough about the features, what’s it like to use? Well, I’m pleased to report that as well as having a good look at the STAGEPAS 1K when it arrived at home, I also got to take it out and use it for background music and speech at a networking event, as well as for one of my own DJ gigs where I got to really stretch its legs (or speaker cones).

On opening the box it was delivered in, I was somewhat surprised to find good quality bags for all of the parts and even accessories such as leads. This made carrying and transporting
the system very easy, and will obviously also help to keep it safe and free from scratches and scrapes in the longer term.

Setup is quick and simple, connection is intuitive and the controls are easy to use. I’d advise using the manual to set up Bluetooth – there are two Bluetooth buttons, one for pairing and one for control. It helps if you use the correct button and don’t just press the first one you notice. Yes, I really did!

The columns all slot in with ease and the carry handle is perfectly placed making manoeuvring the unit (total weight: 23kg) very easy. On the subject of manoeuvring, there is also an optional dolly available that is built specifically for the STAGEPAS 1K and would no doubt prove invaluable if you ever had to cover a long distance between your vehicle and where you needed to setup.

When used for speech (we were using a good quality microphone), the sound was exceptionally clear and concise. For the background music it also sounded great, but then it was always going to at low volume, the real test would be to take it out on one of our own gigs…

Because of the nature of this event, I wasn’t able to let the system truly rip. Although I did get the chance to test the Bluetooth connection, playing background music direct from my Mac, which worked flawlessly. Fortunately, as it was a regular venue, I was able to try out the full potential of the system after the guests had left. In the presence of several staff and management from the venue I turned the volume right up and the sound was very nice indeed – plenty of thump and very clear top and middle, spread evenly across the room.

The levels the unit was capable of took the venue staff by surprise – indeed a flustered restaurant manager soon appeared telling us we were too loud, and the restaurant is some distance from where we were. I wasn’t too worried about it to be honest, as the general manager (his boss) was one of the team jumping up and down to the house music I was playing!

Speaking to the Yamaha UK guys at BPM, I know they have asked their development team for a version without the mixer, as – particularly for mobile DJ use – you would only really need one in any pair. I can see the sense in that, but I’d personally always opt for the mixer in both sides for true flexibility. In my opinion, the only way this system could be improved is the addition of battery power. The potential changes coming to marriage licensing could open up a huge market for outdoor weddings, resulting in more business opportunities for us DJs to provide music and microphones.

To sum up, Yamaha have arrived late to the compact array PA market, but they have arrived in style. The STAGEPAS 1K is a fantastic bit of engineering that looks great, sounds fantastic and has class-leading flexibility. And I think it settles the argument as to whether this particular boat has been missed – if a player as big as Yamaha is entering the market now, then maybe compact array PAs are just getting going!