2008

The RX Package Sound Systems combine the RX800 or RX1200 rack mixer with Carvin loudspeaker packages to create complete, transportable live-sound systems. The central advantage is that the mixer already contains four independent 300-watt amplifiers, allowing a stereo main system and two powered monitor mixes without carrying separate power amps. Four dedicated 7-band graphic EQs correspond to the four amplifier paths, while two 24-bit effects processors provide independent effects sends and monitor return capability. Carvin then scales the package by changing the loudspeaker section: LM15s provide the lightweight option, LS1503s step up to a conventional three-way cabinet, and LS2153s supply a dual-15 quasi-three-way solution.

• RX800: 8 channels
• RX1200: 12 channels
• 1200 watts total
• Four 300-watt internal power amplifiers
• Stereo L/R mains
• Two independently powered monitor mixes
• Four dedicated 7-band graphic EQs
• Two 24-bit effects processors
• 256 effects per processor
• Two monitor sends per channel
• Two effects sends per channel
• Adjustable microphone preamps
• +48V phantom power
• XLR main and monitor outputs
• Dedicated subwoofer output
• Speaker Guard protection
• Road Warrior rack enclosure
• Complete packages available with LM15, LS1503 and LS2153 loudspeakers

The DCM Series remains Carvin's broad professional power-amplifier platform in 2008, ranging from compact lower-power models to the large DCM4000. The series emphasizes continuous Class AB output rather than short-duration power figures, with Carvin specifically discussing its “kick drum test” as an example of the amplifiers' ability to maintain full output on transient material. High slew rates greater than 50 volts per microsecond, continuous high-current design and switchable opto-isolator limiters are intended to preserve transient response while protecting the system. Construction includes steel chassis, FR-4 fiberglass circuit boards, surface-mount assemblies and modular internal design. Protection includes soft start, DC detection, short-circuit, over-current, under-voltage and thermal safeguards.

• Wide power range from compact amplification to large-system use
• Class AB topology
• Continuous RMS output emphasis
• High-current output design
• Better than 50 V/µs slew rate
• Switchable opto-isolator limiting
• Steel chassis
• FR-4 fiberglass circuit boards
• Surface-mount construction
• Modular design
• Soft-start circuitry
• Speaker relays
• DC protection
• Short-circuit protection
• Over-current protection
• Under-voltage protection
• Thermal protection
• Bridge operation on appropriate models
• Balanced inputs
• DCM4000 serves as the highest-output model in the series
• Three-year amplifier warranty

The LS2153 is Carvin's compact dual-15-inch passive quasi-three-way loudspeaker in the 2008 LS Series. Its two 15-inch drivers do not perform identical jobs: the lower driver is dedicated primarily to low-frequency reproduction while the upper 15 covers low and mid frequencies. A titanium high-frequency driver on a 90° × 60° constant-directivity horn completes the three-way acoustic arrangement. This configuration gives the LS2153 the output and low-frequency capability expected from a dual-15 cabinet while maintaining a comparatively narrow, upright enclosure. Carvin positions it for front-of-house use in small-to-medium venues and as a high-SPL side-fill monitor.

• Dual 15-inch cabinet
• Quasi-three-way design
• Bottom 15 dedicated to low frequencies
• Upper 15 reproduces low/mid frequencies
• Titanium HF compression driver
• 90° horizontal × 60° vertical coverage
• Frequency response: 51 Hz–20 kHz ±3 dB
• Usable LF: approximately 45 Hz at -10 dB
• 800 watts continuous
• 1600 watts peak
• 101 dB SPL sensitivity, 1 W/1 m
• 133 dB maximum SPL specification
• 4-ohm nominal impedance
• Approximately 73 lb
• Intended for FOH and high-output side-fill use
• Offered in RX and Concert Series complete systems

The TRx218b occupies the larger low-frequency position in Carvin's TRx concert loudspeaker family. The cabinet uses two custom-engineered 18-inch drivers with high-Q, 4-inch voice coils, allowing Carvin to achieve substantial sub-bass output in a relatively compact enclosure. Its construction follows the rest of the TRx line with 13-ply cross-grain Baltic birch, DuraTex finish and Neutrik connectivity. Carvin pairs two TRx218b cabinets with a DCM2500 amplifier in the 2500-218b-2 package, while larger TRx systems combine the dual-18 subs with TRx153 three-way mains and dedicated amplifier/crossover racks.

• Dual 18-inch subwoofer
• Custom high-Q low-frequency drivers
• 4-inch voice coils
• Frequency response: 35 Hz–150 Hz ±3 dB
• Usable LF: approximately 29 Hz at -10 dB
• Catalog-rated 8-ohm / 800 W RMS specification
• 102 dB SPL sensitivity, 1 W/1 m
• Neutrik NL4 connectivity
• 13-ply Baltic-birch enclosure
• DuraTex scratch-resistant finish
• Approximately 40"W × 22.5"D × 24"H
• Approximately 143 lb
• Designed to match TRx153 mains
• Two-cabinet package paired with DCM2500 amplification
• Used as the low-frequency section of the larger TRx four-way concert packages

The VL812 is the full-stack configuration of Carvin’s Steve Vai Legacy amplifier system, combining the VL100 100-watt all-tube head with both the C412T top cabinet and C412B bottom cabinet. The Legacy platform uses dual channels for clean and overdrive/sustain sounds, with separate volume, bass, mid, treble, and presence controls for each channel, plus master reverb. The VL100 can operate at either 50 or 100 watts and uses five 12AX7 preamp tubes with a matched quartet of EL34 power tubes. Carvin also provides a bias switch for 5881, 6L6GC, or EL34 operation, a cabinet-voiced line output, effects loop, and selectable 4-, 8-, or 16-ohm speaker impedance. The VL812 package gives the Legacy its largest stage presentation with two 4x12 cabinets and is the catalog’s complete Steve Vai double-stack system.

• Steve Vai Legacy double-stack system
• 100-watt all-tube VL100 head
• 50/100-watt output switching
• Dual channels: clean and overdrive/sustain
• Independent volume, bass, mid, treble, and presence controls
• Five 12AX7 preamp tubes
• Four matched EL34 Groove Tubes
• Bias selectable for 5881, 6L6GC, or EL34 power tubes
• Master reverb
• Effects loop
• Cabinet-voiced line output
• 4-, 8-, and 16-ohm impedance selection
• Includes one C412T top and one C412B bottom cabinet
• Two speaker cables included in the catalog package
• Optional cabinet/head covers and removable casters

The 212 Bel Air is the larger dual-12 version of Carvin’s Vintage Series all-tube combo platform. It shares its dual-channel design with the Nomad but expands the cabinet to two 12-inch speakers for greater stage coverage and fuller low-frequency response. Channel One ranges from warm, mellow clean tones to brighter, glassier sounds, while Channel Two uses the SOAK control to move from blues-oriented breakup into sustained overdrive. The amplifier uses five 12AX7 preamp tubes and four matched EL84 power tubes, with a tube-driven Accutronics three-spring reverb system. Carvin rates the Bel Air at 50 watts and equips it with bass, mid, and treble controls optimized for each channel, clean-channel presence, an effects loop, cabinet-voiced line output, and selectable 4-, 8-, or 16-ohm speaker impedance.

• 50-watt all-tube 2x12 combo
• Dual-channel Vintage Series design
• Five 12AX7 preamp tubes
• Four matched EL84 power tubes
• Groove Tubes equipped
• Channel One designed for clean tones
• Channel Two includes SOAK control
• Bass, mid, and treble controls for each channel
• Acoustic Presence control on clean channel
• Tube-driven Accutronics three-spring reverb
• Cabinet-voiced line output
• External effects loop
• 4-, 8-, and 16-ohm impedance selection
• Strong poplar plywood enclosure
• Catalog dimensions: approximately 26"W × 10.25"D × 17.75"H
• Catalog weight: approximately 50 lb
• 112E and 212E extension cabinets offered for expanded rigs

The SBR1015 is a high-output 1200-watt bi-amped bass full-stack system built around the BX1200 dual-monoblock bass head. The package combines a BR410 4x10 cabinet with a BR115 1x15 cabinet, giving the system a split speaker arrangement that pairs the faster attack and upper-bass definition of the 10-inch drivers with the deeper low-frequency support of the 15-inch enclosure. The BX1200 provides the power and crossover capability needed to operate the system as a true bi-amped bass rig, while the complete package includes the head, both cabinets, and speaker cables. In the 2008 lineup, the SBR1015 represents one of Carvin’s larger complete BR systems for players who want a traditional full-stack format with substantially more power and flexibility than a single-cabinet bass rig.

• 1200-watt bi-amped bass full stack
• BX1200 bass head
• BR410 4x10 cabinet
• BR115 1x15 cabinet
• Combines 10-inch driver definition with 15-inch low-frequency extension
• Designed for bi-amped operation
• Complete head-and-two-cabinet stage system
• Two speaker cables included
• Optional three-piece cover set
• Optional removable casters for BR115
• Part of Carvin’s BR/BX professional bass system family
• Positioned above the smaller SBR410 and SBR610 systems in output and system scale