By Nat Hecht
Ah yes, another year of AES in Downtown Los Angeles…still not everyone’s favorite location for one of the more important shows of the year for recording, broadcast, and production professionals, at least that is for the many out of towners who descend upon LA for the show. Never the less, AES 2002 was by all estimates a successful show for attendees and manufacturers, in much the same way the New York show last year was successful, despite the events of 9/11 that caused its postponement. The show seemed smaller than usual again this year, harking back to early AES shows that were more intimate and more serious, and despite some people claiming that AES is missing its mark lately, I for one do not believe that is the case. Manufacturers are more cautious than ever when it comes to their travel and trade show budgets, and this was reflected industry wide in all segments when reviewing the attendance and manufacturer participation at other shows held earlier this year. It is no great mystery as to why this is happening, we are all becoming quite used to it by now, and in many ways these times are the great "equalizer" for all parties, manufacturer and attendees alike. Manufacturers are more serious about what they are offering their customers, and attendees are not the underlings and tire kickers, but the decision makers who actually need to be at these shows. Unlike many other trade shows, the Audio Engineering Society was and continues to be the intellectual forum for research and new ideas, thinkers and teachers. In this area AES has not wavered, and the information and learning accomplished at this show year in and year out is without peer in our industry.
Despite the fact that AES is traditionally a show for the production side of our industry, there were in fact dozens of excellent products for the Sound and Video Contractor introduced and/or shown at the Expo this year, as is true of most years. In fact, one could say that with the lack of earth shattering technology that many attendees seem to think happens over night and with great regularity in our business, one could argue that contracting products really stole the show this year, as our segment of the industry has remained red hot despite the effects of the spurious economic times we have been experiencing. More and more products and technology introduced to the market in the broadcast and production category are making their way into installation-oriented products, with seemingly no end in sight. This will be a pretty long report cover all the new product developments and some of the industry news, so don’t lose interest halfway through or you might miss some really excellent products!
To kick off the list, Soundcraft announced a major restructuring of their representative force in the U.S. Marketplace effective this past Sept. 1st, essentially sharing the same rep base as the other Harman Pro Companies. Additionally, the main offices announced a merger of the AMEK, DAR and Soundcraft brands into one UK operation headed by Soundcraft sales director, Adrian Curtis. For more details on these changes check out their website at www.soundcraft.com . Also announced by Soundcraft at the show, a 56-channel version of their MH4 Live console, allowing for 56 mono/four-stereo-channels in the new frame size. Additionally, new upgrades to the 328XD digital mixing console were announced, now with dynamics processing on every channel, group, and mix path. The upgrade consists of a gate and compressor/limiter on each channel, user configurable direct outputs, two Lexicon effects processors, group routing capability for the effects, and full status recall upon powering up the console.
Inter-M Americas, Inc announced the official opening of their U.S. offices,
a newly constructed 10,000 sqft facility located in Chester, PA. The U.S. office
is a wholly owned subsidiary of Inter-M of Seoul, Korea, and will serve as the
central hub of all North and South American activities with Charles D. Moore
as VP and General Manager, and W. Douglas Wilkens as Director of Sales and Marketing.
The company will roll out a new lie of DSP signal processors and digital-to-analog
equalizers, as well as a CCTV line of products in the first quarter of 2003.
Two new products made their debut at AES, the MEQ-2000 is a new digital multimode
equalizer with 8 bands of parametric equalization, 31 bands of graphic EQ, limiting/compression,
6 notch filters, lo-cut and hi-cut filters, and a real-time spectrum analyzer,
all of which can be used individually or simultaneously in either 2 channel
or stereo mode. The new GEQ Series of graphic equalizers was also shown, the
single channel GEQ-1231D and the dual channel GEQ-2231D, both DSP based with
analog style faders. These units provide a dynamic range of over 100dB and an
extended bandwidth of 10 Hz — 30.5 kHz. Check out more information on these
at www.inter-m.net
XTA launched their new Series 2 Digital Signal Processors, four products in all: The C2 dual stereo compressor, the D2 Stereo Dynamic EQ, E2 Stereo Parametric EQ, and the G2 dual stereo gate. Featuring simple to operate features with an analog feel, but are packed with advanced functions that only DSP can bring such as look ahead attack times. Check out the details on their website at www.xta.com
Allen & Heath introduced four very interesting yet very different products this year, the iDR DSP Audio System, their new Xone:V6 Club Mixer, and the PA12-CP and PA20-CP Stereo Live consoles. The iDR is a software driven DSP based audio 8 + 2 in, 8 +2 out automatic mic mixer / zone controller / processor in a very small 2 rack unit high package. This unique product can be used for fixed install or live sound, being able to store up to 99 patches that can be recalled manually, via a series of remote control hardware units that are also available, or via timecoded events. Processing options available for all channels individually are preamp level, pad, fader, mute, polarity change, +48V phantom power, parametric, EQ, crossover filtering, compressors, gates with sidechain, limiter, level ducking, ambient noise sensing, automatic mic mixing, matrix, stereo/group linking, input and output patchbay, and pager capability and signal generation. The device can be completely pre-programmed via free software available from Allen & Heath before delivery of the unit to the job site, and once set does not need computer control for proper function. The Xone:V6 is a rotary club mixer with six dual stereo channels, RIAA/line inputs available on channels 1-4, and tube pre-amps on channels 5 and 6 for that warm feeling. P&G rotary faders with conductive plastic tracks are used, and stereo insert points are included on all channels. 2 band EQ , a sweepable high pass filter and illuminating cue switch are on each stereo channel. No op-amps are used in this mixer, it is all discrete circuitry, and the whole mixer has a "throwback" look to the early days of the UREI 1620 and Bozak models, with black bakelite knobs and VU style metering. Last but not least, the PA series mixers are powered with 500W RMS per side into 4 or 8 ohm amplifiers and packed with features like padless preamps, internal effects, SPDIF output and parametric EQ. Check it out in detail at their website www.allen-heath.com
Crest debuted a number of products for the installation market this year, as
well as the appointment of Richard Gentry as their new General Manager. The
Crest XRM is the newest addition to the X-Rack Series, a compact 10 rack space
mixer with the capability to provide 12 individual mono mixes and up to 6 stereo
mixes for in-ear monitoring systems. Other features include a 20 microphone
splitter system with ground lift, high pass filters, insert points, balanced
XLR outs, and four band EQ with high-mid and low-mid sweep EQs on all channels.
The XR-20 and XR-24 rack mount mixers have 20 inputs (12 mono and 4 stereo)
with the same 4-band EQ and high pass filters found on the XRM. Crest also showed
off their new NexSys and CKI series of power processing amplifiers, and the
new Pro 200 Series power amplifiers. Check out all the details at their website
at www.crestaudio.com
Gold Line launched a new palm-based RTA, the CSPCI at one inch thick is probably the smallest device of its kind available. The box will support a Palm PDA interface and can also be used with Gold Line’s DSP30 series analyzers. The device has features such as intelligibility testing, Distortion testing, RT60, Speaker Timing, NC, and can be configured in Octave, 1/3, 1/6, and 1/12 mode. Check it out at their website at www.goldline.com
RDL (Radio Design Labs) had a banner AES this year with four important introductions, the RC-5C multiroom controller system, the RLC-10R level controller, and the PT-AMG2 and PT-ASG1 handheld testers. The RC-5C provides mic and line level inputs for up to five rooms, background music, paging inputs, and also can link up to another unit to control an additional five rooms. Various input panels are also available, the RCX-J offers a mic input and RCX-J3 a line level input. Three different control panels are available for the system, the RCX-1 is a level control and source selection panel, the RCX-2 has a rotary encoder for level control with LED pointer indicator as well as source selection. The RCX-10R has only the rotary encoder level control. The control panel is customizable from RDL to show the actual room in the install so each system will be unique to the install it was designed for. The RLC-10R level control is both flexible and cost effective providing both up/down pulses and 0 to 10 Vdc allowing it to control not only RDL VCA products but also many other products with control inputs widely available from other manufacturers in our industry. A 16 LED virtual pointer display is included, and it is provided with a powder coated steel stylish face plate. Last but not least, the PT-AMG2 offers multiple functions for calibration and troubleshooting audio systems. The PT-ASG1 contains a 700 Hz tone generator so they can be used separately or together. Check out all the details at their website www.rdl.com
Jensen Transformers, Inc. introduced a new line that allows the use of their unique problem solving products into 35mm DIN rail systems that can be either rack or wall mounted. Up to 12 different modules can be mounted on a 3 rack space panel, or custom cut sections of DIN rail that is easily mounted on a job site. Since all of the modules are passive there is no external power supply needed, with one exception: the Mic splitter module DIN-MS-2P which will need a supply if used with the 48 V phantom powering option. Each module is housed in a gray flame retardant Noryl housing with quick disconnect tabs for easy installation and removal. Check them out at www.jensentransformers.com
Klark Teknik launched their new Helix DN9340 digital equalizer, a dual channel digital audio equalizer with five functions: dual 31-band graphic EQ with five selectable modes, dual 12-band parametric EQ, dynamic or Threshold dependent EQ, delay up to 1 second per channel, and four configurable filters on each channel. Its bright display is easy to read and intuitive to control. See it close up at their website at www.klark-teknik.com
Furman Sound, Inc. showed off their Metered Six Series of power conditioners, which are targeted at the contractor/installation and sound reinforcement markets, with six models, three at 15 amp and three at 20 amp capability. They are all 19" rack mountable. Check out all the details at their website at www.furmansound.com
Innova Son introduced a new digital mixing console for live performance, the new Compact Sy40 is a 40 input console with 27 mix busses in the same footprint as their Compact Live console but with enhanced functions and greater mixing capabilities. When linked up to the Innova Son stage box the console can be expanded up to 70 inputs and 48 outputs. Check it out in detail at their website www.Innovason.com
Another brand new launch for North America, DiGiCo showed their amazing D5 Live Music Mixing Console System, a console with so many features and unusual look and control surface that it is really much better off experienced in person. The console is completely digital, and is so completely self contained that it needs only its matching digirack and 100m of fiber optic cable between it and the stage for full function operation, even without outboard dynamics and effects. Containing 4 separate LCD touchscreens, all functions are instantly accessible without menu driven software and can provide extreme flexibility in configuration. See it online at www.digico.com
Yorkville announced a number of new product for the install market, the E12 and E15 loudspeakers in their new series of Elite cabinets, and the compact NX88 loudspeaker. The E 12 and 15 are modified trapezoidal shaped cabinets that can be use as FOH or monitor speakers. They also have integrated stand mount adapters, flyware, and recessed input jack panels. The NX88 is the smallest and most compact system in the NX line with a single 8" woofer and 1" horn driver allowing 70 Hz — 16kHz response with a 125W power handling capacity. It is UV and moisture resistant so they can be used for outside applications, and they can be arrayed due to their trapezoidal shape. Check these all out at the website: www.yorkville.com
Symetrix announced SymNet Designer v2.0, the third upgrade to their modular audio routing and digital sound processing system. This version adds programmable filters, low and high pass filters, band pass filters, 16 presets that can be externally triggered or triggered from the software, and additional channel options. See it all online at www.symetrix.com
Equi=Tech newest version of its balanced power wall system was added to the line at AES, the Model ET12.5WQ is the largest of their wall cabinet systems. It can handle up to 10 circuits and a 125amp main switch, and is designed for theaters and auditorium installs. This unit features the company’s Q transformer technology, magnetic and double Faraday shielding and additional EMI/RFI filtering as an optional spec. Take a look at it on the website at www.equitech.com
Terrasonde launched the first software application for its Audio Toolbox line, called TerraLink. TerraLink will allow Mac or PC users with a Toolbox to view their test results in real time on their computer screen. Also included is a management system to organize files for display and printing, as well as hard disk storage. This is a significant upgrade, since before TerraLink the system could only print by using third party programs. Take a look at the front end on the website at www.terrasonde.com
Auralex Acoustics, Inc introduced a new broadband absorber called VersaTile. Engineered with air cavities and in a unique shape, it can be placed on walls or ceilings and can be exposed to either side, increasing the product’s flexibility. It is available in 12 colors in is sold in 6 panel boxes or 24 panel master packs. See it on their website at www.auralex.com
DPA/Tannoy introduced their 4015 and 4016 wide cardioid microphones using the same capsule technology and preamp as in the 4011. Take a look at them on the website at www.tannoy.com
Lexicon, Inc. was exhibiting their new MPX 550, a true stereo dual channel processor powered by their Lexichip. It has 225 presets with 64 of them user definable and programs ranging from reverbs to dual processor programs. Simple adjustment of software parameters is accomplished by the use of four dedicated front panel knobs that permit up to 20 parameters to be adjusted and displayed on the front panel. Check this one out at their website at www.lexicon.com
