RCF has launched its new digital Wi-Fi mixer, the M18, the first of the M Series, which received its world premier recently at Frankfurt Prolight+Sound. Designed as a practical, fader-free, portable self-contained enclosure, the M18 features an on-board Wi-Fi access-point with integrated internal antenna, enabling all the functions to be controlled wirelessly.
More details from RCF (www.rcf-usa.com):
Entering the world of digital mixers was a natural step in expanding RCF’s complete mixer solution to the professional audio market, following the announcement of the L-PAD analogue range at last year’s Frankfurt show.
M18 takes advantage of new available technologies that today allow incredibly advanced tools to be incorporated in a small chassis, where previously these facilities were only available for high level touring consoles. Thanks to RCF’s new M devices, musicians and sound engineers now have a complete range of on-board plug-ins and professional effects to enhance the mix.
The new tablet mixer sports a full suite of plug-in algorithms and effects, including several equaliser types and classic emulations of guitar and bass amplifiers, as developed by the well-known plug-in developer Overloud.
This product is a tool for musicians and small combos rather than sound engineers; in particular, guitarists and bass players will favour it, because two lines can be put into high-impedance mode, and a full range of appropriate effects are available.
The RCF Digital Audio Division design team has developed all M Series PCB boards and circuits, DSP codes, EQ and reverb algorithms.
The 4-band EQs on each channel feature three different modes: Standard, Vintage and Smooth, allowing a wide range of EQ sounds and tweaking capabilities. Up to 15 simultaneous effects can be inserted on the inputs, providing a flexible sound sculpting environment, without the need to bring along additional equipment.
The M18’s real engine is the back panel, which is populated with eight Mic inputs (with six XLR’s and two combos), 10 Line inputs, six Aux Out, Headphones Out and two XLR for Main Out.
In addition to the six Aux busses for stage monitoring or any other external effects, three separate Aux busses are available to feed the internal effects.
A footswitch socket for internal FX mute or program change, as well as MIDI In/Out, complement the control options.
Finally, a USB host port enables the use of external mass storage devices, such as hard drives and USB sticks, for the internal two-track player and recorder, while an Ethernet port is provided for computer connection when required.
The M18 will begin shipping in Q3 2015.
