Recording
Universal Audio Apollo X Series
New Range of Thunderbolt 3 Rackmount Audio Interfaces
Universal Audio has been busy this year, with a host of new UAD plug-ins announced and an expansion into live sound with the UAD-2 Live Rack MADI Effects Processor. AES attendees can see the new Apollo X Series of Thunderbolt 3 rackmount audio interfaces for Mac and Windows. Featuring all-new, elite-class A/D and D/A conversion and HEXA Core UAD plug-in processing—yielding 50 percent more DSP for running UAD Powered Plug-Ins in real time—the Apollo X range can run Unison mic preamp models from Neve, Manley, API, Helios and SSL, and includes selectable +24 dBu operating levels, and comprehensive Surround Sound monitoring support for 5.1 and 7.1 formats. Each available configuration—Apollo x6 (16×22, 2 preamps), Apollo x8 (18×24, 4 preamps), Apollo x8p (18×22, 8 preamps) and Apollo x16 (18×20, with 16 channels of analog I/O via DB-25)—comes with “Realtime Analog Classics Plus” UAD plug-ins: 610-B Tube Preamp and EQ, legacy LA-2A, 1176, and Fairchild compressors, Pultec EQs, Marshall Plexi Classic, Ampeg SVT-R Classic Bass Amp and more.
Waves Abbey Road Chambers Plug-In
Captures That Legendary EMI Echo
Waves will no doubt have plenty of eyes and ears on its Abbey Road Chambers plug-in, which re-creates a defining part of the studios’ legendary sonic signature: the echo chamber used to create reverbs, delays and other unique spatial effects on countless classic recordings by The Beatles and others. Users get the controls to the Studio Two echo chamber, complete with the original valve Neumann KM53 microphones and Altec 605 speaker. Also featured is a complete re-creation of Abbey Road Studios’ original S.T.E.E.D. (Send. Tape. Echo. Echo. Delay.) setup, a system designed to extend the chamber’s natural sonic palette by splitting the signal and creating a feedback loop from the studio’s REDD desk, through a dedicated tape delay, via the RS106 and RS127 filters, and then to the chamber and back. A second set of filters is included as well. The plug-in also includes two other legendary spaces: Abbey Road’s famed “Mirror Room,” and the “Stone Room” from Olympic Studios, London.
iZotope RX7 Standard, Elements
Audio Repair Tools Aimed at Musicians
The seventh generation of iZotope‘s RX, a family of audio repair and enhancement software, builds on the company’s strengths in post-production and adds RX 7 Standard and RX Elements, aimed at solving musicians’ unique audio issues. RX 7 Standard includes: Repair Assistant (noise, clipping, clicks and more, with three suggestions for quick fixes), Music Rebalance (performs source separation by intelligently identifying vocals, bass, percussion and other instruments) and Remove/Isolate Vocals (for creating instrumental versions of songs by removing the vocal elements, or isolating the vocal to prepare a remix). RX Elements has been updated with a streamlined version of Repair Assistant, offering a single repair suggestion with a choice of three intensity levels.
Vienna Symphonic Library Smart Orchestra
A Full Range of Instruments at Your Fingertips
The Vienna Symphonic Library has released the Vienna Smart Orchestra, a complete package that offers a large orchestra and additional organic FX textures, mapped over the entire range of the keyboard. It comes with the new Vienna Synchron Player for playing all the main sections of the orchestra—strings, woodwinds, brass, mallets, drums and percussion—together or separately, with the possibility to add selected solo instruments and adjust the levels of each ensemble. A convolution reverb, featuring the acoustics of Synchron Stage Vienna, is integrated in the player’s multichannel mixer, resulting in balanced sound right out of the box. The package provides a large 140-piece orchestra with full dynamics, ready to play. Included FX presets provide a source of inspiration elements for creating hybrid soundscapes and organic textures.
Neutrik NA2-IO-DLINE
Line I/O Dante Interface Brings Analog to a Network
Neutrik keeps putting out quality connections, year after year. At AES, the company is featuring its NA2-IO-DLINE Line I/O Dante Interface. A 2-in/2-out device, the NA2-IO-DLINE simultaneously converts analog signals to Dante and Dante to analog. Genuine Neutrik input and output XLRs, along with a locking etherCON connector, provide professional-level connectivity. Four LED indicators provide network status as well as DANTE SYS and SYNC status. Optional mounting brackets and rackmount panels are available for attaching the NA2-IO-DLINE to floors, walls, tables or racks. With the ability to transmit signals up to 100 meters via Cat 5e cable, the NA2-IO-DLINE functions with nearly any network switch that provides Power over Ethernet or else a PoE injector. The NA2-IO-DLINE is AES67-compliant.
TASCAM Model 24 Recorder/Mixer/Interface
SD Card, 100mm Faders for Studio or Live
The versatile TASCAM Model 24, equally at home in studio or on stage, offers 24 tracks of 24-bit, 48 kHz audio capture (22 channels and a stereo main mix) and 22 playback tracks via either USB 2.0 or to the unit’s onboard SD Card recorder. The SD Card recorder offers quick, easy, one-touch recording and includes transport controls, auto and manual punch in/out, and overdub capability, with a built-in 22-channel mixer with 100mm long-throw faders. The two monitor returns, subgroup bus, and stereo main bus also are equipped with dedicated 100mm faders. The Model 24 offers 12 mono channels, each with XLR mic and 1/4-inch line inputs; 1/4-inch channel inputs 1 and 2 can be switched between line and instrument level, enabling users to plug in a guitar or bass, and feature a 1/4-inch TRS insert point. You also get four stereo channels with mono XLR mic and left and right 1/4-inch line inputs. All 16 microphone inputs sport a preamp gain control and an overload (clip) indicator for the channel’s premium TASCAM microphone preamp. Each of the first 20 channels includes mute and PFL solo.
Prism Sound SADiE 6 Software
Workflow Enhancements, 64-Bit Support for CEDAR Plugs
Prism Sound‘s SADiE 6.1 software introduces a number of enhancements for a more seamless user experience and project workflow. Available as a 64-bit version of SADiE 6 for native operation and also for the SADiE BB2 Radio Editor system and LRX2 Flexible Location Recorder, SADiE v6.1.13 delivers an update to the system’s core so that all are fully compatible with Windows 10. The Mastering Suite and Sound Suite versions of SADiE v6.1.13 offer WAV Master, ASIO Direct Monitoring and native support for timecode. ASIO Direct Monitoring is available in the Sound Suite version, while native LTC support is offered in the Mastering, Post and Sound Suite versions. Other feature updates include support for playback and recording to RF64 format and 64-bit support for the Cedar Retouch, Declick, Decrackle, Dethump plug-ins. The new software is available as a free download to any existing SADiE 6 users.
Audio-Technica 5000 Series
Third-Generation, True-Diversity UHF Wireless System
Audio-Technica will show its third generation 5000 Series Frequency-Agile True Diversity UHF Wireless Systems, designed for use anywhere from touring to houses of worship. The new dual receiver includes the company’s dual-compander circuitry that processes high and low frequencies separately, with a tuning bandwidth of 148 MHz: 470-608 MHz and 653-663 MHz (duplex gap). The full-rack chassis houses two independent receivers and offers antenna power, frequency scan, IR sync functionality, a ground-lift switch and a front-panel headphone jack. A second model adds Dante connectivity. Up to eight 5000 Series receivers can be cascaded to a single pair of antennas. The 5000 Series offers body-pack and handheld transmitters, both featuring rugged, ergonomic metal bodies, highly visible dual-mode OLED screens and switchable RF power (2 mW/10 mW/50 mW).
Genelec Two-Way S360A, 7382A Sub
High-SPL Smart Active Monitors Designed to Play Loud
Genelec will show its new high-SPL Smart Active Monitors—the two-way S360A and the 7382A subwoofer. The S360 SAM features a 10-inch high-efficiency woofer and 1.7-inch titanium diaphragm compression tweeter, with a short-term SPL capability of 118 dB and a long-throw capability that can provide reference-quality accuracy at greater than 33 feet. The 7382 SAM Studio Subwoofer houses three custom-designed 15-inch long-throw woofers, said to deliver precise low-frequency extension down to 15 Hz with output in excess of 130 dB SPL. The 7382 also works with GLM software to control bass management and solve issues of subwoofer placement in unpredictable rooms.
Sommer Cable SC-Micro Duo Aramid
Shielded Twin-Pair Design for Hanging Stereo Mics
With the advances in networking technologies, quality cables and connectors can make a huge difference in all kinds of situations, including at the mic. Sommer Cable is introducing the new SC-Micro Duo Aramid shielded twin pair cable for safely hanging stereo microphones. Aramid consists of synthetic polymers, related to nylon, that yield fibers of exceptional strength and thermal stability. Compared to steel ropes, the aramid fibers have no negative impact on the cable’s audio transmission quality. The low-capacitance SC-Micro Duo Aramid is AES/EBU and DMX capable (110 ohms), and the concentrically braided OFC wires ensure an optimized, neutral transmission.
Soundtheory Gullfoss
Intelligent EQ Modeled on the Human Brain
Soundtheory’s Gullfoss is an intelligent equalizer with a sophisticated algorithm that has modeled what the human brain likes to hear. The user can set and adjust parameters to the incoming signal, utilizing EQ changes in tremendous number and frequency (up to 100 times per second) and increase the perception of clarity, space and dimension—and all that without latency, artifacts or phase destruction. The advanced computational auditory perception model makes objective processing decisions to make mixes more consistent between different listening situations. Additionally, Gullfoss eliminates annoying resonances and cancellations and retains dynamics and reduces the need for multiband compression.
Sound Reinforcement
Steinberg Nuendo Live 2
Multitrack Recording from Corporate to HOW to Festivals
A month before AES, Steinberg announced the immediate availability of Nuendo Live 2, offering intuitive ease of use, rock-solid stability and outstanding audio quality—32-bit floating-point processing and up to 192 kHz resolution. A new meter view shows 32, 64, 96, 128 or 160 meters at once; the enhanced track view feature now displays the meter bridge on the bottom of the screen, with up to 64 tracks. Users will no doubt appreciate the all-new Advanced Session Management, with auto-naming of recorded files, multiple folder creation, easy-to-use marker track, auto-save and notepad. Nuendo Live seamlessly integrates with Yamaha CL and QL Series digital mixing consoles.
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Lectrosonics SPDR
All-Day, Dual-Channel Recording at 48/96 kHz
Lectrosonics, which made a big splash last year at AES by announcing its entrance into the live sound market with the Duet M2 digital in-ear monitor system, is back again with the SPDR, a stereo version of its acclaimed PDR micro digital recorder. Designed for use in ENG, film and video production, as a backup recorder, or for personal use, the SPDR records to a microSDHC memory card in Broadcast Wave format (WAV with iXML metadata) and 24-bit depth, at 48 kHz or 96 kHz sample rates. (A 32 GB memory card allows almost 30 hours of recording time at 48 kHz.) The unit can accept inputs from analog line level and AES digital sources, or from lav microphones wired for standard Lectrosonics 5-pin “servo bias” inputs. The SPDR has an external power input with internal battery switchover (two AA batteries). A high-quality headphone output is provided for playback and monitoring.
Sanken CS-M1 Shotgun Microphone
Small Profile Fits in the Tightest Locations
Sanken Microphones will be introducing the new CS-M1 super cardioid shotgun microphone to AES attendees. From professional boom pole TV and film location recording to DSLR camera-mounted applications, the short-shotgun (4 inches long, less than 2 ounces) CS-M1 delivers pristine quality audio with sharp directivity. Its small body is unobtrusive, making it ideal for tight mic situations. It is rugged and dependable, with a wide range of applications where sound clarity and noise rejection are critical requirements. Its unique components assure optimum resistance to humidity and adverse temperature changes.
Zaxcom ZMT3-Phantom 2
Re-Engineering of a Classic Wireless Transmitter
Zaxcom will be showing its re-engineered ZMT3-Phantom wireless transmitter, the ZMT3-Phantom 2. The new model supports both balanced phantom-powered microphones as well as compatible lavaliers. The original lightweight transmitter was designed for the top of the boom pole instead of the bottom, and accepted only condenser, dynamic or ribbon microphones. The Phantom 2 supports 12V, 24V, 36V and 48V balanced microphones and 3.3V lavalier microphones at the same size, weight and power consumption of the previous model. The new unit touts 100 percent digital transmission that’s described as rivaling hardwired audio without compander, noise reducer, limiter or compressor distortion.
Dan Dugan Sound Design Model E-2A
New Automatic Microphone Mixing Controller
Dan Dugan Sound Design will show the new Model E-2A, an automatic microphone mixing controller with analog and ADAT I/O. The E-2A incorporates 28 channels of processing (12 balanced analog, 16 ADAT) and supports all Dugan algorithms: Speech System, Music System and Gain Limiting. Channels may be grouped into three independent automixers. A six-bus pre/post matrix mixer is also provided, with 56×6 capability. Four switched Ethernet ports are available for control. The Model E-2A may be controlled remotely via the Dugan Control Panel for Java (included) or the Dugan Control Panel for iPad (sold separately); tactile remote control is available via the Dugan Model K Control Surface, also sold separately.
