AES 2005 Product Preview
A sampling of products to be featured at the 119th AES Convention, October 7-10, in New York.
Passive monitorsDual-mode consolesWireless audio systemSplit and sum deviceMicrophonesCardioid condenser microphoneSpeech intelligibility systemPowered line arrayRibbon microphonesActive monitor systemMixing consolePower amplification solutionDVI/RS232 extender
The Precision 6 and Precision 8 passive studio monitors from Tannoy combine the company’s Dual Concentric driver and WideBand technologies for near-field monitoring use. The Precision 6 features a 6-inch dual concentric, constant-directivity driver with a fiber paper pulp cone and two 1-inch titanium dome, both with neodymium magnet systems. The Precision 8 (pictured here) provides an 8-inch dual concentric driver and two 1-inch titanium domes. The Precision 6 offers a 62 Hz to 51 kHz frequency response, 60 W RMS (average) power handling, and a 6-ohm nominal impedance, while the Precision 8 features a 54 Hz to 51 kHz frequency response, 80 W RMS (average) power handling, and a 6-ohm nominal impedance. Price: $429 each (Precision 6); $539 each (Precision 8). Availability: currently available (both models). For more information, see Tannoy AES booth 3D12, or contact the company at 519-1158 or at www.tannoyna.com.
Soundcraft has added the MH2 dual-mode performance console, which is available in 24, 32, 40, and 48 mono-channel frame sizes, each with four comprehensive, full-function stereo inputs. The console features dual-mode (FOH/monitor) operation, eight subgroups, 10 auxiliary busses, eight VCA groups, six mute groups, and an integral 11×4 matrix. The MH2 offers a monocoque chassis with individual channel-printed circuit boards (PCBs), which provide a mixer solution for applications in touring sound, theatre, corporate events, and fixed installations. Price: $11,595 (24-channel version); $13,495 (32-channel version); $14,995 (40-channel version); $16,950 (48-channel version). Availability: currently available (all models). For more information, see Soundcraft at AES booth 226, or contact the company at 818-920-3212 or at www.soundcraft.com.
Shure has introduced the SLX Wireless System, which is designed to support up to 20 compatible systems (area dependent) in houses of worship, boardrooms, and lecture halls. The system works alongside Shure’s Performance Gear and ULX wireless lines, and operates using a variable compression ratio. The SLX offers more than 960 operating frequencies across 24 MHz of UHF bandwidth, and features rack-mount hardware, detachable 1/4-wave antennas, a backlit LCD display, 1/4-inch and XLR connectors, an in line power supply, and rear-panel volume control. The LCD displays channel, frequency, battery strength, and locked/unlocked status. The system is available with bodypack and handheld transmitter options. Price: Systems start at $850. Availability: currently available. For more information, see Shure at AES booth 219, or contact the company at 847-600-2000 or at www.shure.com.
The Three-Sum Multi-Band Split & Sum device from Drawmer provides individual processing of up to three frequency bands prior to re-summing. The device’s stereo signal is split into two or three frequency-adjustable bands, which can be sent to external processors before being recombined at the Three-Sum device. The unit offers a signal path that culminates in a variable threshold, brick wall limiter section with bypass. Price: $1,295. Availability: currently available. For more information, see Drawmer at AES booth 850, or contact the company at +44-0-1924-378669 or at www.drawmer.com.
TransAudio Group’s Heil Proline range of professional-grade microphones includes the PR-20 handheld mic, PR-30 internally shock-mounted mic, and PR-40 wide-bandwidth mic. The PR-20 is designed for speech articulation, and offers low handling noise via mounting its wide-frequency dynamic element into a sorbothane shock-mount system. Designed for broadcasting applications, the PR-30 incorporates a phasing plug assembly, which ensures a linear cardioid pattern and reduces proximity effects, according to the company. The PR-40 is targeted for use in music applications, and features a copper-wound voice coil and neodymium magnet structure. Price: $160 (PR-20); $289 (PR-30); $325 (PR-40). Availability: currently available (all models). For more information, see TransAudio Group at AES booth 851, or contact the company at 702-365-5155 or at www.transaudiogroup.com.
The AT2020 side-address condenser microphone from Audio-Technica features a fixed cardioid polar pattern, which enables isolation of a sound source. The microphone offers a 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz frequency response, 144 dB SPL handling, and a 124 dB dynamic range. The AT2020 requires 48 V phantom power provided via a mixer/console or a separate, in-line source. The microphone is available with a pivoting, threaded stand mount and a protective carrying pouch. Price: $169. Availability: currently available. For more information, see Audio-Technica at AES booth 608, or contact the company at 330-686-2600 or at www.audio-technica.com.
Designed for use in emergency and safety announcement systems in public venues, the TalkBox speech intelligibility system from NTI offers a standardized voice-like acoustical signal emission that simulates a human voice (according to IEC 60268-16), combined with a TNO-certified speech intelligibility signal at standardized levels. The system equalizes the STI-PA test signal and replays it at the correct playback sampling rate. Price: $1,750. Availability: currently available. For more information, see NTI at AES booth 262, or contact the company at 503-639-3737 or at www.nt-instruments.com.
D.A.S. Audio has released the Aero 38A powered line array system, which is designed for large-scale, outdoor/indoor live events in arenas, stadiums, or theaters. The Aero 38A consists of two 12-inch, low-frequency units with 4-inch voice coils, two 10-inch, mid-range devices with 3-inch voice coils, and one compression driver with a 4-inch voice coil and 1.5-inch exit geometry. A three-channel Class D power amplifier provides 1,000 W for the low-frequency section, 500 W for the mid section, and 500 W for the high-frequency section. Price: $6,670 Availability: currently available. For more information, see D.A.S. Audio at AES booth 955, or contact the company at 888-327-4872 or at www.dasaudio.com.
Crowley & Tripp’s new line of ribbon microphones includes the Studio Vocalist, Proscenium, Soundstage Image, and SPLx Custom. The Studio Vocalist is a full-size, figure-eight-patterned ribbon microphone designed for recording vocals. The Proscenium traditional response ribbon microphone is targeted for musical use in large halls. Designed for broadcast, soundstage, and orchestral applications, the Soundstage Image is a high-output, figure-eight ribbon microphone. The SPLx Custom is a multi-use, customizable microphone that features a tailored frequency response curve, bass boost, SPL handling, and asymmetric frequency response. Price: $1,395 (Studio Vocalist); $1,485 (Proscenium); $1,395 (Soundstage Image); $1,595 (SPLx Custom). Availability: currently available (all models). For more information, see Crowley & Tripp at AES booth 1066, or contact the company at 508-231-4515 or at www.soundwaveresearch.com.
The O 300 D three-way active studio monitor system from Klein + Hummel features three magnetically shielded drivers that prevent interference with video monitors or computers, according to the company. The system includes an 8-inch long-excursion cone woofer, a 3-inch mid-range, and a 1-inch high-frequency, titanium tweeter. The system offers a 112.8 dB maximum SPL and a 40 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response. The 6.3-pound speaker is available in a charcoal gray enamel finish or dark gray non-fiber nap with a removable metal grille. Price: $3,395 per speaker. Availability: currently available. For more information, see Klein + Hummel at AES booth 227, or contact the company at 301-888-2426 or at www.klein-hummel-northamerica.com.
Targeted for use in live sound reinforcement, theatre, and house of worship applications, the Kensington Series of mixing consoles from Inter-M includes 24-, 32-, and 40-channel models. The consoles offer 48 V phantom power supplied individually at each of the console’s inputs, a mic preamplifier, a four-band British EQ equalizer, sweep high-pass filtering, eight auxiliary sends with pre-fader switching, LCR planning, four mute groups, and direct outputs. All models feature six stereo returns, each of which incorporates a three-band EQ section, two auxiliary sends, full sub-group assignment, and a solo system. Price: N/A. Availability: currently available. For more information, see Inter-M at AES booth 1219, or contact the company at 866-636-5795 or at www.inter-m.net.
The C Series power amplification solution from Lab.gruppen includes three four-channel amplifiers that are available with the company’s NomadLink network interface and optional NomadLinkBridge-60E, a one rack space, daisy-chained network unit designed to connect to standard Ethernet/LAN for centralized control and monitoring of power and amplifier performance. The three four-channel amplifiers offer 400 W (C16:4), 700 W (C28:4), and 1,200 W (C48:4) per channel, respectively. Each amplifier enables individual adjustment of maximum voltage peak output, bridge-mono operation, and gain adjustment. Price: $2,795 (C16:4); $3,345 (C28:4); $4,195 (C48:4); $1,295 (NomadLinkBridge-60E). Availability: currently available (all models). For more information, see Lab.gruppen at AES booth 2D02, or contact the company at +46-300-56-28-00 or at www.labgruppen.com.
The DVI/RS232 extender from Gefen includes send and receive units designed to transmit high-definition and DVI video up to 150 feet to a display via two Cat5 cables. The extender features RS232 inputs/outputs that provide remote control of HD extended video. The device supports HDTV resolutions up to 1080p or 1920×1200 for computers and HDCP-compliant devices. The extender offers 1.65 GHz video amplifier bandwidth and a 1.2 Vp-p input video signal. Price: $599. Availability: currently available. For more information, see Gefen at AES booth 355, or contact the company at 800-545-6900 or at www.gefen.com.
