The Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps from Canton, Ohio, are the 2024 Drum Corps International (DCI) World Champions. After a summer tour across the U.S., performing at over 25 events and travelling more than 8,000 miles, the Bluecoats emerged victorious at Lucas Oil Stadium, showcasing not only their precision in marching and music but also their state-of-the-art mobile sound system powered by RCF.

DCI, a non-profit organisation, promotes marching music for youth and supports the development of drum and bugle corps across North America. The Bluecoats, like many other corps, have evolved from traditional marching bands to fully professional ensembles that require high-level audio equipment for their performances. Aaron Beck, the Bluecoats’ audio systems designer, has been instrumental in upgrading the corps’ sound system. He explains how the demand for bigger sound has grown as drum corps performances have become more sophisticated.

Starting with basic prosumer equipment in the early 2000s, the Bluecoats have since transitioned to a professional-grade setup. In 2015, Beck led a shift to high-end gear, including an Allen & Heath D-Live console with over 100 inputs, 40 channels of RF wireless, and 48 outputs. Their system also includes RCF HDL line array boxes mounted on custom mobile carts. The flexibility of this system allows for precise sound control across large stadiums, delivering powerful sound that complements the natural acoustics of the corps’ instruments.

Beck chose RCF for its perfect balance of performance, size, weight and cost. “RCF has been a game changer for us,” says Beck. “We’ve been using their equipment since 2018, and it’s been one of the best decisions we’ve made. The RCF system delivers concert-quality sound, even in a challenging touring environment.”

Jerrod Douglas, marketing manager at Pageantry Innovations, which customizes the mobile carts for the Bluecoats’ sound system, adds, “We have found new markets for our mobile systems based on what we’ve built for drum corps. Our goal is always to ensure the gear is road-tough and performs reliably, even under heavy use.”

With their high-quality RCF system, the Bluecoats not only sounded better than ever but also demonstrated the power of professional audio technology in a competitive, mobile environment. “RCF has delivered rock-solid performance, is easy to use, and sounds great,” Beck concludes. “We are incredibly proud of our touring system.”

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www.rcf.it