TASCAM DSM7.1
The TASCAM DSM7.1 surround monitor controller features up to 7.1 channel surround monitor control from nearly any console or DAW, standard 8-channel TDIF/AES/EBU/EDAT connections for a stem recorder, eight input and output channels, 44.1/48/88.2/96 kHz operation, pull up/pull down operation via master clock, flexible downmixing options, and a built-in pink noise generator. Additional features include individual channel mute/solo, LED SPL display, individual channel delay compensation, standard monitoring controls, surround bass management, and integration with existing control room monitor output. For more information, contact TASCAM at 323-726-0303, or visit www.tascam.com.
JBL LSR6328 studio monitors
JBL Professional has unveiled their new flagship monitor line, including the LSR6328P biamplified reference monitor with 8-inch subwoofer and 1-inch tweeter; the LSR6328 reference monitor with 12-inch woofer, 5-inch midrange, and 1-inch tweeter; and the LSR6312SP subwoofer. These speakers feature JBLs patented transducer technology, a new Linear Spatial Reference technology to overcome problems caused by the room, and Room Mode correction circuitry for the subs. For more information, visit www.jblpro.com.
Mackie dXb Digital Production Console
The development of the dXb was a collaborative effort between Mackie and Sanewave Inc. It offers features include a 96 kHz digital mixing console with 72 x 72 channel I/O matrix, a 192 kHz digital mixing console with 36 x 36 channel I/O matrix, FireWire I/O cards for streaming audio to/from desktop or laptop computers, dual touchscreen graphic user interfaces plus mouse control, 25 100 mm Penny + Giles motorized optical touch-sensitive faders, and full dynamics and parametric EQ on every channel, input and output.
Additonal features include the ability to run select VST plug-ins internally, 8-channel surround mixing and monitoring capabilities, on-board UAD-1 card and Powered Plug-Ins bundle, tape-style transport with memory location recall and Jog/Shuttle wheel, and comprehensive automation system with event editing and dynamic/scene automation. A variety of I/O cards are available for support of all major analog or digital connections.
For more information, contact Mackie at www.mackie.com.
Digidesign Pro Tools|HD Accel
Pro Tools|HD Accel, the next generation of Pro Tools|HD offers PCI cards, deliver nearly twice the DSP power of first-generation cards, up to 50 percent increase in voice counts at all supported sample rates, support of HD Accel-compatible TDM plug ins, next-generation DSP hardware processing capabilities, and compatibility with Pro Tool|HD. It shares the following features with the entire Pro Tools|HD family: sample rates up to 192 kHz, support for up to 96 channels of I/O, support for up to 256 audio tracks and 192 simultaneous voices, and expandable DSP power and I/O capacity. For more information, contact Digidesign at 800-33-2137, or visit www.digidesign.com.
Yamaha SPX2000 Effects Processor
The Yamaha SPX2000 effects processor boasts 96 kHz audio DSP with 32 bit internal processing, and a new generation of Yamaha Reverb programs dubbed REV-X reverb algorithm. The 24-bit 128-times over-sampling AD/DA converters deliver 106 dB dynamic range and flat response (20 Hz to 40 kHz at 96 kHz sampling rate).
Three memory banks include PRESET, CLASSIC and USER. The PRESET bank contains 97 programs (17 of which are made with the REV-X reverb algorithm), including REV-X Hall, REV-X ROOM and REV-X PLATE. New parameters include ROOM SIZE and DECAY, producing higher definition and finer nuances. The remaining presets include refinements of popular trademark SPX programs: gate reverbs, delays, pitch, modulation and other special effects. The CLASSIC bank includes 25 programs reminiscent of the original SPX90 presets. The USER bank can store up to 99 user programs. The aluminum front panel features two sets of the familiar cross-keys navigation buttons.
Parameters are sorted in three groups for quick accessParameter, Fine Param, and Utility. Other dedicated buttons include Undo, Compare, Bank, Mode, Meter, Tap And Bypass. An Operation Lock function offers three levels of security, preventing Utility settings from being changed, protecting stored memories or even prohibiting operational choices altogether. The SPX2000 LCD display has been updated to offer five backlight color variations, which may be assigned to user programs. Preset programs are colored by effect type, giving the user instant recognition. Rear Panel connections include XLR-type and _-in. I/O analog connectors with cut/boost switches, AES/EBU XLR-type I/O digital connectors, BNC Wordclock In, and MIDI In/Out/Through, plus USB and To Host connectors for use with remote control, computer, Digital Consoles or MIDI devices. A foot switch connector for effect tempo control is located on the front panel. The unit retails for $1249. For more information, contact Yamaha at 714-522-9011, or visit www.yamaha.com/proaudio.
SSL Xlogic Multichannel Compressor
The Solid State Logic XLogic multichannel compressor unit is a 2U rack-mounted 6-channel compressor. It utilizes classic SSL center compressor design elements, within a SuperAnalogue design topology. To cope with the more complex challenge of 5.1 compression, the unit includes separate 5-channel and LFE channel compression controls that allow separate treatment of LFE signals that typically require different attack and release characteristics. Its Circular Max display shows which channel is contributing the most to the sidechain, giving an instantaneous indication of which channel is driving the compressor. Separate trim controls for L, C, R, and S channels provide different thresholds for each input, and dual Stereo allows either different compression to be applied to the surround channels, or for the unit to be used as separate 4-channel and stereo compressors. For more information, contact SSL at www.solid-state-logic.com.
SoundField Surround Zone
SoundFields Surround Zone is a new plug-in for SADiE Series 5 system that decodes and processes the discrete, 4-channel B-Format audio output from SoundFields MKV, ST250, and SPS422B surround microphone systems. Both the SoundField MKV and SPS422B microphone systems use four matched condenser capsules arranged in a phase-coherent, tetrahedral or equilateral triangle array. These capsules, along with the preamp/processor, deliver a three-dimensional representation of acoustical events from a single point in space. The three-dimensional acoustic representation delivered by a SoundField microphone and processor is conveyed over four audio channels called B-Format. The four channels are: X (front to back), Y (left to right), Z (up and down), and W (absolute pressure, like an omni-directional mic).
B-Format requires that X/Y/Z/W all must originate from a central point to be phase accurate. Once in B-Format, all output variations (mono, stereo, Mid/Side, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1) are derived using the SoundField processor or, now, with the Surround Zone plug-in running in SADiE Series 5. For more information, contact Soundfield at www.soundfieldusa.com
