Apr 28, 2009 11:50 AM, By the Mix Editors

Upsides and Downsides in a Tough Market

Lexicon demoed its PCM96 Surround Reverb/Effects Processor. The Surround version delivers 50 new Lexicon reverbs, delays and modulation effects, while at the same time offering more presets, configuration options and additional inputs and outputs. Designed for the modern studio, the PCM96 Surround can function as a control-only insert or FireWire streaming audio plug-in inside any Mac VST or Audio Units software.

The FCP (Final Cut Plug-in) is the latest release from the folks at SmartSound, the creators of Sonicfire Pro 5. The plug-in provides interoperability between Final Cut Pro and Sonicfire Pro 5, featuring the ability to set markers in Final Cut, which in turn enables Sonicfire to calculate the exact amount of music needed.

Mac networking experts Small Tree Communications offered scalable hard drive solutions for facilities running Final Cut Pro and Pro Tools. The company’s affordable new 600MB/s GraniteStor solution works with the Apple Xserve and offers editing of FCP video across the network in DV24, DV50, DVCProHD and ProRes formats.

D&M Professional unveiled the PMD661 Compact Digital Recorder. This handheld unit offers a streamlined form factor, upgraded feature set and the use of SD flash media. Features include stereo speakers, optional wired remote, improved mic preamps, digital in, mic/line in on XLRss, RCA line outs and included editing software.

VocalBooth touted its VB Mobile Studios™. The largest one, the 53-foot VB Mobile Studio, is housed in a full 18-wheeler truck trailer with a slide-out feature that includes a VocalBooth, mini bar, lounge, restroom, control room and performance space.

The R16 recorder/interface/controller from Zoom generated a lot of booth bling at NAB. This compact unit offers 24-bit/48kHz linear PCM recording, built-in stereo condenser mics, support for up to 32 GB of recording storage via inexpensive SDHC cards and simultaneous recording of up to eight tracks. If that isn't enough, it also features battery operation for remote recording, eight mic inputs (two with phantom power), more than 100 built-in effects, Mackie control emulation and much more. Street price is estimated at $399.

More to Come
There was more from NAB and we’ll present other products and updates (including video coverage from the show floor) on mixonline.com. Meanwhile, NAB returns to Las Vegas next year from April 10 to 15, 2010.

CERTIFIED HITS

Mix’s Top-10 Product Picks From NAB
Even with a somewhat more subdued NAB expo this year, there were a lot of interesting new products for audio pros. Selecting the show’s Top-10 product debuts wasn’t easy. Here are our Mix Certified Hits from NAB, listed alphabetically.

Audio-Technica BP896 subminiature lavalier mic
Calrec Audio Apollo console
Dolby Laboratories Dolby Pulse
Genelec 1038CF Tri-Amplified Active Monitoring System
JBL Professional LSR2300 Series monitors
SmartSound FCP (Final Cut Plug-in)
Solid State Logic C10 HD digital audio console
Sony Creative Software Vegas Pro 9
Studio Technologies StudioComm 76DB/77B surround monitoring system
Zoom R16 recorder/interface/controller

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