"Can I get more me in my monitor?" If you've ever worked live sound, then you've probably heard something like this, and if you're a regular performer, then chances are, you were the one saying it. From the beginning, Galaxy Audio has made products to address this specific issue. From personal stage speakers to wireless in-ear systems, engineers and artists rely on Galaxy products every day to provide the clear monitoring that's a vital part of any professional-level performance. Beyond that, Galaxy makes testing gear, headset microphones, and many other purpose-built tools for live sound, and Sweetwater is proud to provide them.
Almost everyone involved with live sound has heard of the Hot Spot, and generations of performers have sworn by them. In fact, while Galaxy Audio has been around for over 40 years, their legacy goes back to 1969, when founders Brock Jabara and Jim Pearce began their first company, Superior Sound. Superior Sound was a sound-reinforcement company, providing PA equipment and engineering for acts ranging from Aretha Franklin and the Bee Gees to Janis Joplin and James Brown.
The Hot Spot itself came from an extended tour with keyboardist Mike Finnigan (Jimi Hendrix and Crosby, Stills, and Nash), who could never get enough monitor volume. As Jabara and Pearce ran sound for all their productions, they immediately recognized the need for a specialized, high-volume speaker to accommodate the star performer. As other acts caught wind of this precursor to the Hot Spot, demand grew, and the pair of innovators found themselves in a whole new business.
Even the earliest Hot Spot prototypes showcased many of the features that make these personal monitor speakers so popular today. For example, these compact speakers mounted to mic stands and could handle impressive wattage. In fact, their design immediately required the newly formed Galaxy Audio to create custom, fluid-cooled speakers and lightweight fiberglass/polymer housings.
By their second generation, Hot Spots reliably handled 200 watts and weighed a mere 8 pounds! What's more, they were affordable enough for musicians, not just sound-reinforcement companies. Today, you'll find the full range of active and passive Hot Spot models everywhere from working musicians' rigs to live venues, schools, houses of worship, and beyond.
One of the things we at Sweetwater appreciate most about Galaxy Audio is that it's clear how steadfastly they keep their finger on the pulse of the live sound industry. Expanding their product range into the realm of wireless in-ear monitoring was a logical step for the makers of the Hot Spot. Any Spot systems feature a wonderful balance of reliable UHF PLL stereo audio transmission and affordability. This makes them an ideal choice for performing artists who can't rely on venues to provide wireless monitoring.
Beyond monitoring systems and their affordable headset microphones, Galaxy Audio offers a number of live sound essentials Sweetwater Sales Engineers are always happy to recommend. For instance, many of us consider their Check Mate series SPL meters essential to any sound-reinforcement engineer's toolbox. Other great tools include cable testers, splitters, mic stand weights, and more. Bottom line: if you need specific monitoring tools and live sound accessories, then you won't go wrong with Galaxy Audio.
