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ION Center Stage converted to studio monitor

I needed a mini PA, something light and portable because presently I'm a part-time singer in a nursing home and I need a PA system that sound decent, not too loud and not heavy as I need to transport it if at all possible from one room to another.  I bought this item online from Maplin. It was smooth transaction quick delivery, although the box was like it was already opened and returned to them but still I go for it because I was intrigued of this item. Unboxing, checked if it was complete and looks like it was.  Tried to assemble the stands, speakers, etc and then now comes the leads what I got in my hand was the microphone lead and the lead for extension speaker wasn’t there.  I checked the microphone box and found that it was in there so may be the item was already purchased, opened and returned back to Maplin.


I still continued and assembled/connect everything. There are three inputs; one for microphone, one for guitar or instruments, and an RCA input for iPod, iPad, or Laptop.  First, I started testing the microphone and I was disappointed because it was rather a cheap microphone as well as the lead that comes with it. Microphone sound quality is rubbish.  There’s no echo or reverb or any effects like delay forthe microphone so it’s another minus factor.

Now the iPod/iPad input with the lead and holder that comes with this ION center stage, I tried testing it with iPhone and I was impressed. It was loud and crystal clear sound.  I tried it with my netbook and I was really impressed even with just one speaker minus the extension speaker, it can really punch a good sound not to mention that this is a 50 watt mini amp.

There’s a light at the end of the tunnel for me with this PA system because not only I will be using this  for home parties, karaoke and doing some activities in the nursing home where I work, I can also use this as a monitor for my home recording studio and not to mention that there's an RCA input as well as 1/4" instrument input so I can use either of the two.

Lastly, as I am a guitarist, I tried connecting my electric guitar directly onto the guitar input. It was brilliant. The sound of the guitar got bass even though the speakers itself is so small like a shelf
speaker but it can produce a loud, clear and bassy guitar sound.  Not too bad really.  I was even tempted to connect the microphone on the guitar input and yes it’s rather sounding good coz the unit doesn’t have equalizer, the guitar input got a bassy sound, it works with my voice.

Overall conclusion and suggestions, the unit is fairly decent depending on what you’re going to use it for. Easy to assemble and it’s like all-in-one for a performer like me. Got a guitar, backing track input via mp3, iPod, iPad or laptop and mic input.  The downside of ION center stage is that there’s no effects for microphone like delay, echo or reverb plus no tone or equalizer but most importantly the
effects.  I would suggest to ION to do away with the microphone because it was so useless and cheap and instead put on some effects to the unit. The best way to use this is to use it as a studio monitor, plain and simple.

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