Hot From NAB
Yamaha
MY8-SDI-D De-Multiplexer Card
Designed for broadcast applications, the Yamaha MY8-SDI-D ($3,199) allows the user to input HD-SDI-embedded audio signals directly to a host Yamaha digital console or DME (Digital Mix Engine). The card has one HD-SDI input with one HD-SDI Thru output, and can replace the need for conventional converters used to feed Yamaha digital mixing products. The unit has eight selectable channels (two groups of four channels) of the 16 channels of audio in HD-SDI, and the card can sync to video or audio signals. Fitting into the I/O option slots on Yamaha products, the MY8-SDI-D has a range of four, eight and 16 I/O options, enabling direct interfacing to EtherSound, CobraNet, AES/EBU, MADI, ADAT, mLAN and other formats.
Dancing With DAWs
Smart AV
Tango Controllers
Tango DAW controllers from Smart AV offer control over a range of Mac/PC production software. The 8 ($7,990), 20 ($14,980) or 32-fader ($23,370) units can customize screen layouts to suit user workflows between Logic, Nuendo, Cubase, Pyramix, Pro Tools and Final Cut Pro. Each channel strip has a dedicated Hold button, 100mm touch-sensitive motorized fader, Inject and Solo touch-points, mute and a touch-sensitive encoder/switch. The 16 inline soft controllers are tied to the screen graphics and conform to the task at hand, as do the active controls — a high-res Smooth Feel encoder, active button and touch-sensitive motorized pot — all assignable to any parameter with a touch of the screen. The user-definable touchscreen adds more control over parameters and quick switching between setups.
Up Close and Personal
Roland Systems Group
M-48 Live/Studio Mixer
For live or studio work, the M-48 Live Personal Mixer (price TBA) from Roland Systems offers individual musician mixes, controlling more than 40 audio sources managed in 16 assignable stereo groups. The M-48 features level, pan and solo controls; plus, there’s 3-band EQ on each group, with a built-in reverb, ambient mic for listenback and I/Os for multiple headphone/wedges and interfacing with iPods, metronomes and external recording devices. Units connect via Roland’s Ethernet Audio Communication (REAC) Cat-5e protocol from the RSS S-4000D splitter and power distributor, providing the digital audio stream and power to up to eight M-48s. Multiple S-4000Ds can be used in larger configurations.
High-Performance, Retro Styling
Equation Audio F.20
Equation Audio is shipping its F.20 ($699) large-diaphragm, side-address condenser microphone, which features a supercardioid transducer with a nearly 1-inch diameter (22mm) proprietary electret capsule, switchable 80Hz roll-off filter and 16dB pad. The mic’s advanced HR-2295 high-resolution head amplifier provides low-noise performance with 20-20k Hz response and 150dB max SPL handling.
Easy on the Ears
Ultrasone
Edition 8 Headphones
With their interior ear cups covered in fine Ethiopian sheepskin, the Ultrasone Edition 8s ($1,499) are surely comfortable. But beauty is not just (sheep)-skin deep; these headphones employ Ultrasone’s latest S-Logic™ Plus technology, promising an impartial acoustic feeling with a more spacious tonal perception. The closed-back headphones include Mu-metal shielding to reduce the amount of radiation directed to the listener by up to 98 percent, 40mm titanium-plated drivers, gold-plated adapters, 6-foot cord, 12-foot extension cable and leather storage/transport bag.
Let’s Share
SNS
Version 3 SANmp Software
A free upgrade, SANmp software Version 3 from Studio Network Solutions brings workflow enhancements and a new look/feel to its volume-sharing software for Fibre Channel and iSCSI SANs. Features include redesigned Admin and Client GUIs for faster access to the most important information about the SAN. New drive icons for the Mac Desktop offer at-a-glance indication of the status of mounted volumes, and new tool tip/shortcut keys allow operating SANmp without touching a mouse. The software is compatible with OS X Tiger and Leopard, Windows XP (32/64-bit) and Windows 2003. It also supports major Mac/PC applications, including Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, Avid and Pro Tools.
Tone Shaper
elysia
museq Equalizer
New from elysia is museq (price TBA), a 2-channel analog EQ offering sound-shaping capabilities and optimally matched parameters. Each channel has three parametric bands with switchable Q, along with outer bands featuring low/high shelving that can be separately switched into a low/high-cut mode with an extra resonance peak. Each gain controller can be used in Boost or Cut mode, and there’s a switchable option for adding more “color” to the signal. museq features discrete analog circuitry, an oversized transformer, conductive plastic pots and special current feedback amplifiers.
