And although its sheer physical size was the first thing that grabbed concert goers’ attention, it was the aural impact that everyone remembered. While concert sound systems of this size are common today, the Wall of Sound was the first of its kind.
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Comprised of 48 McIntosh MC2300 amplifiers, it delivered 28,800 watts of distortion free power. The Grateful Dead unveiled the iconic "Wall of Sound" on March 23, 1974, at the San Francisco Cow Palace. The Dead worked on this problem for a long time and finally found a solution when they turned to McIntosh, the company that had powered Woodstock.
These PA systems may have been able to get loud, but they didn’t always produce a clear, distortion free sound. As they moved into larger arenas, they too became aware of the limitations of conventional PA systems. The level of concern they had for their fans receiving a quality performance has rarely been duplicated. It was then that sound professionals realized something bigger, something better was needed.īy the early 1970s, the Grateful Dead had become one of the premiere touring acts in the world. The Beatles experienced this problem firsthand when they played for 56,000 fans at New York’s Shea Stadium in 1965 – the crowd was so loud that the music could barely be heard. Learn how we've helped people find their sound in a variety of situations:ĭeadheads found the sound with the McIntosh powered "Wall of Sound"Īs concerts sizes began to grow during the 1960s from small clubs to larger arenas, stadiums and outdoor festivals, it became clear that the simple club style PA systems were not capable of providing enough power to these larger crowds. Anyone who can aid in this task, like the good folks at McIntosh and the gear that carries the message the artist puts forth, they are involved in an undertaking that goes beyond just doing business." You’re trying to reach for a truth that eludes words, that’s deeper and more profound than words, and that’s an artist's job. You work for a lifetime to be able to do that with your hands and your voice. Sound is spirit, it’s what all musical instruments are trying to do, trying to release spirit. "Sound is important to me, I felt honored to have the opportunity to voice the character of Sound in the film. In a world filled with noise, McIntosh clears the path for you to truly Find Your Sound.
Constantly pushing the boundary to channel pure, unadulterated sound as it was meant to be heard. Since 1949, McIntosh has harnessed the immense power of sound, guiding us on a journey through some of the most formative sonic moments in history. To wander onto one that wasn’t meant to be ours.
Sound brings us back to the best moments of our lives, shaping our identity through a perfect storm of physics, emotions and an undefinable spark that, once it makes its presence known, is never to be heard exactly the same way again. It was sound that signified the beginning of time – a Big Bang, and all that was to be, was.