NADJ Northwest

Product Review by Derek Pengelly - McGregor SD15 Disco Console with Karaoke System

This has to be one of the most compact, complete DJ / KDJ systems I have ever seen. It measures just 516[w] x 596[D] x 278[H] and weighs only 25Kgs!

In this compact configuration you get a Citronic CD-1X Twin CD player with CDG coupled to the amazingly well specified McGregor SD15 Mixer / Amplifier.  The Citronic unit is a well established model that many DJs will be familiar with and therefore I will concentrate on the heart of this system which is the SD15.

The amplifier can be ordered in any of the following power outputs, [all rated at 4 ohms].

SD15/500/CDG.TFT 250watt + 250watt.
SD15/1000/CDG TFT 500watt+ 500watt.
SD15/1300/CDG TFT 650watt + 650watt.

The first thing we [me and the assembled group of NADJ members and guests] noticed about this McGregor unit was just how much had been crammed into such a small place, and how logically the various knobs, switches and sliders had been grouped together.

The left hand side of the unit includes three separate Mic channels, each with ¼ inch / XLR inputs. The Mic gain control is monitored by a PPI led and drives separate bass, mid, treble and dsp level controls. Voice override [VOX] with level indicator is standard as is mic mute switch on all three channels. There are also a couple of auxiliary connection sockets with phono / line switching and a provision for connecting 12volt XLR lamp units.

The Music section, in the centre, is controlled by four 60mm sliders and a seven band graphic equaliser. Separate headphone and Master level controls are also included.

On the right hand side of the unit you will find the Digital Effects Processor which has twelve selectable effects and has repeat, level, and footswitch control. Video output sockets and switching buttons are also to be found in this section.

The rear of the unit has an on / off switch, IEC mains socket with fuse protection, two Speakon sockets and a fan housing to keep everything running nice and cool.

The 7 inch Totally Flat Monitor is housed in the removable cover and when turned over and placed on the top of the case becomes an unobtrusive yet highly practical aid to the Karaoke host. The CD rack will hold your most popular selection of CDGs, and you are able to monitor your selection, right there in front of where you're working.

Within seconds of inserting a disc, setting the playback volume and adjusting the Mic levels, we had set the reverb and were up and running, belting out our rendition of YMCA!

This unit packs a lot of punch and can be fine tuned to suit any operator's requirements. The graphic gave us deep bass and crystal clear mids and highs. Voice override enhanced the professional presentation of our performance and the digital effects made even me sound great.

Any criticism? I guess if you have large fingers some of the buttons and switches may be a bit fiddly and the cross-fader is not the slickest I have ever used, but these are only minor points.

Imagine carrying this unit in to a gig in one hand and carrying a speaker in the other. Plug in the mains lead and connect your speaker and away you go! [OK so the other speaker would have to carried in by your missus]

McGregor have a reputation for building solid, reliable and virtually indestructible gear for the mobile DJ. The SD15 is a glowing testimony to the team of professionals at McGregor Amplification.