Hardware

Speakers

The recommended speaker system for EncelaPulse is manufactured by Anchor Audio and sold through Sweetwater and other authorized vendors. The preferred setup includes one Mega2-XU2 base unit paired with Mega2-Air wireless companion speakers. Anchor Audio’s branded speaker stands and rolling travel cases are highly encouraged.

As of June 26th, 2025, the cost for:

• A 3-speaker array is $4,531
• A 4-speaker array is $5,758

These totals include the base unit, companion speakers, heavy-duty stands, and travel cases. 

The system can also double as a traditional rehearsal public address system with the purchase of wireless mics.

Sweetwater offers a free 2-year warranty. Anchor Audio provides a 2-year warranty on base transmitters and stations, a 4-year warranty on rechargeable batteries, and a 6-year warranty on most remaining components.

Based on field-tested experience, the metronome should be plugged directly into the base speaker with ¼-inch jacks. Bluetooth or wireless transmission introduces avoidable cut-out issues.

Other Hardware

Ictus Box

A neon-colored, goalpost-shaped ictus box with adjustable height is useful for demonstration and instructional use. Its bottom crossbar should align with the bottom of the drum major’s conducting pattern. This allows performers to visually pinpoint where the EncelaPulse click lands (how far before, exactly with, or how far after) compared to the ictus.

Neon Bicycle Flags

For instructional use…

Use two. One should mark the Sweet Spot, even if staff are located elsewhere. The second attaches to the center snare’s harness. This helps all performers assess their relative distance to both references.

• Performers significantly farther from the Sweet Spot than the Ref should play ahead of the hands.
• Those about the same distance can play with the hands.
• Those in the oval zone between the Ref and the Sweet Spot may listen back to the battery.
• Those significantly closer than the Ref and outside the oval zone should play behind the
• hands.

The delta in any of these zones is calibrated by EncelaPulse and can be rehearsed using

system-specific drills.

Live Playback

Immediate feedback matters. Musicians need to hear what the staff just heard. This is how they develop phase sensitivity and other aspects of musicianship. On a football field, this feedback loop is missing.As front-of-field electronics grow more complex, the opportunity to integrate live playback should not be overlooked. Musicians benefit from hearing a rep while it is still fresh in their mind.

While EncelaPulse does not currently provide a proprietary playback solution, we strongly recommend that ensembles implement one. If a rep is clean, the members deserve to hear that clarity for themselves. If it needs work, that feedback is even more valuable.