ANAHEIM, CA – RCF featured a broad array of product updates and upgrades at the NAMM 2020 show in Anaheim, CA in mid-January.
More details from RCF (www.rcf.it):
Experience RCF Immersive Audio with D3PTH
Presented as a new, sophisticated tool for modern live events, the expanded realism of D3PTH Immersive Audio improves the acoustic landscape and the intelligibility for the audience, with an enhanced palette of mixing options for sound designers, audio engineers, artists and producers.
Stereo sound system in live venues would ensure a proper stereo image coverage of about 20% of the whole listening area; therefore, most live amplification systems are currently running in dual-mono configurations. On the other hand, users are increasingly becoming accustomed to enhanced stereo and immersive sound fields, either via headphones or soundbars, typically in confined spaces.
RCF is bringing the Immersive Audio listening experience to live events with the D3PTH product line, paying particular attention to practical speaker configurations. A frontal system setup, with line arrays arranged above the performing stage, is sufficient to create an Immersive Audio sound field that allows the listener to perceive an expanded stereo image, with increased transparency and intelligibility. Suggested configurations feature between five and nine line-array clusters, set up over the performing stage. The improvement over a traditional dual/mono setup is stunning, and a frontal system does not limit the sweet spot in which the enhanced stereo field is perceived, obtaining an expanded stereo coverage of around 70% in a typical venue setup.
RCF has validated and fine-tuned the Immersive Audio Engine specifically for a Frontal audio system layout, to ensure that setup and usage are straightforward. The E1 rackmount audio unit provides all the necessary processing to handle an Immersive Audio system and is controlled in real-time via the D3PTH Control Software. With more generic speaker layouts or 360° installations, the D3PTH E1 rackmount engine can handle a fully immersive by switching to the Full system mode.
D3PTH Immersive Audio technology, when applied to a frontal system, enhances the options to mix a live event creatively, gaining intelligibility and clarity, allowing rendering musical details at their best. The FOH engineer has several options in his hands. He can track the real position of performers on stage – therefore aligning visual and auditory cues – or he can distribute source material to different panning positions to enhance perceived separation of sources and improve overall mix quality. Secondary instruments, background vocals, synth cues, auxiliary percussive instruments can be perceived more clearly and contribute to improve the emotional involvement of listeners. Rendering of stereo signals is more precise, and their overall width can be adjusted to optimize the spaciousness they convey. As an overall result, the emotional content of a live event can be increased and made clearly evident, significantly more than isolated, headphone-based listening of recorded content.
To maximize the stereo envelopment of a frontal Immersive Audio system, a dedicated convolution-based reverb section has been fine-tuned and combined with an acoustics-related reverb section. The acoustical engine provides early reflections and contributions from a generic virtual room to improve the perception of audio object positioning and is affected by audio objects’ positions. The convolution-based section finds its use as a creative tool and is mainly intended as a replacement or improvement over the typical stereo reverb, usually available in digital consoles. The creative reverb section is designed to ensure a balanced and wide stereo tail so that the mix is not altered beyond the mixing engineer’s intentions. For each of the audio objects to be mixed in Immersive, dedicated Mode and Depth controls are available. Depending on the nature of audio signals and the artistic intent of the mixing engineer, these controls can be quickly adjusted to obtain the desired result.
NEW TTL/TTW/TTP 4-A FAMILY OFFERS MULTI-CONFIGURATION AND CONTROL, WITH ROTATABLE WAVEGUIDE, FiRPHASE AND RDNET ON BOARD
While RCF has continued to improve its flagship Touring & Theatre products, infusing them with RDNet and FiRPHASE as standard, it has also extended the range, notably with the three-product TT 4-A series.
The new series has been designed to deliver top quality sound for highly demanding events, both indoors or outdoors, and for small to medium sized areas. Its design provides the audio engineer with the best tonal balance and intelligibility while offering different design options, both in vertical and horizontal arrangement.
TTL 4-A (line array), TTW 4-A (wide dispersion) and TTP 4-A (point source) are equipped with 2 x 10” LF woofers and high performance 4.0″ compression driver on a rotatable/swappable waveguide. The TTL 4-A waveguide is 100° x 25°, the TTW 4-A offers 100° x 50° dispersion and the TTP 4-A is 60° x 25°. All models are powered by 2 x 1600W Class D amplifiers.
Due to the advanced rigging and 90° rotatable waveguide the series offers infinite possibilities. The TTL 4-A’s rotatable waveguide can be moved from the upper to the central position—swapping the woofer, and allowing the speaker to be arranged in vertical array or constant curvature clusters with up to six modules.
The TTW 4-A can used alone to generate a 100° x 50° homogeneous coverage, stacked/flown in a column or arranged in constant curvature clusters with up to four modules, the rotatable horn allowing the speaker to be used in both the vertical or horizontal planes.
The TTP 4-A elements can be used individually to generate a 60° x 25° homogeneous coverage, flown in a column or constant curvature clusters—again with vertical or horizontal orientation, with up to six modules per line.
This offers an immense flexibility to rental companies as these enclosures can either be run in series or intermixed.
All are equipped with FiRPHASE 0° linear phase and RDNet as standard. In fact, RCF now has five products with FiRPHASE and RDNet plugin fitted to its TT+ series, bringing unprecedented power, control and system monitoring.
NEW FIRMWARE AND RDNET ON TT+ SERIES SPEAKERS
Following a complete firmware redesign with improved sound, enhanced precision, and 0° phase response, RCF upgraded the speaker models TT 5-A II, TT 2-A II, TT1-A II TT 051-A II, AND TT 051-A II. RDNet network connection embeds now all the TT+ speakers and allows FiRPHASE technology. Older models can be upgraded by installing the optional RDNet board and then running a firmware upgrade from the RDNet software.
NEW FIRPHASE EQUIPPED NX 10-A AND ST SERIES UPGRADE
NX 10-A II
Following the success of other products in the NX series, RCF received many requests for a companion 10” system. They have now reworked the NX 10-A platform, developing a new transducer, new amplifier technology and a new cabinet shape, with FiRPHASE included.
The NX 10-A II is a flexible tool for deploying high power and pristine audio, whether as a stand along speaker, with sub extension or a stage monitor. It is also the perfect complement to the high-powered HDL systems or NXL arrays, while it incorporates much of the power and accessories of TT+.
Powered by internal 2-way 1400W class-D amplification, it comes in a solid aluminium structure, which stabilises the amplifier and assists with heat dissipation. The DSP has limiters and protection, as well as FiRPHASE filters to boost coherent distribution without phase distortion.
The NX 10-A II is loaded with a 10” woofer with 2.5” voice coil and 1.75” compression driver, with 1” voice coil assembly.
Finally, the NX 10-A II has been designed for easy installation, with multuiple built-in rigging points.
PRO SOUND: ST 15-SMA II, ST 12-SMA II
RCF has introduced two new 1200W amplifiers to its Pro Sound range, equipped with new DSP and the FiRPHASE processing.
ST Series is a practical solution for high intelligibility speech and audio applications. A key requirement for everyday audio systems, delivering simple ‘plug and play’ solutions, without compromising performance and portability.
Legendary RCF transducer technology coupled with state-of-the-art Class-D amplification topology resulting in a perfectly optimised loudspeaker series.
The ST Series provides high-end audio coverage even at extreme sound pressure levels, unmatched reliability and acoustic compatibility across the whole series.
DESKTOP DIGITAL MIXER: M 20X SERIES
FEATURE-PACKED M 20X IS A COMPLETE LIVE MIXER/RECORDER
Package includes 16 preamps, multiple recording options and intuitive GUI
When RCF introduced its first M series digital mixer, the M18, they were hardly prepared for the success of this new generation small-format digital mixer, which was designed for creative use with iOS and Android WiFi control platform. Boasting incredible processing power, it provided a complete backline set-up, complete with amplifiers, stomp boxes and FX at the musician’s fingertips.
Based on feedback received, RCF has now developed a complete, versatile range of four further M series mixers with added functionality—the M 20X, M 20R, M 20XD, M 20 RD—from the ground up. The DSP-rich consoles are fully recallable, with 11 motorized faders and 16 remote controlled preamps contained in a compact, ruggedly constructed chassis.
The new M 20 series features 20 input channels with 16 high quality Mic preamps, with eight XLR and eight Combo inputs, two TRS Inputs, a Stereo Input on Mini Jack. There are 10 Output channels, with eight XLR and two TRS as well as two Main output XLR’s. All outputs are routable.
The rear panel contains AES-EBU stereo output, USB audio 24×24 multi channel interface, and LAN port to connect external access point for wireless remote control.
There is a 5” capacitive high contrast touch screen with five encoders, for control of all the mixer’s capabilities.
In addition, there are four Function buttons that recall the main pages on the screen and eight programmable User Keys. The motorized faders include 10 for Inputs/Outputs, and one for the main master mix. There are four fader layers (Input 1-10, Input 11-20, four FX return and six Custom faders, while the fourth is dedicated to the 10 MIX outputs).
All channels contain hi-pass, gate, 4-band parametric EQ, compressor (ch 1-16) and gate, with four internal studio-quality Z.CORE FX engines.
The other key features of these M 20 mixers are three options for various multi-track real time recording and playback, with 20 tracks on SD card, in addition to a 24 x 24 channel USB 2.0 interface and stereo recording and playback on a USB key.
FX include two Reverb, Delay and Modulation (which can be swapped for a further delay). Finally, there’s a Phones output and RTA (Real Time Analyser) function to check the audio spectrum of any channel.
One of the two USB ports on the mixer’s surface allow connection of USB/MIDI controllers or 5 Volt USB devices, the second allows for a WiFi dongle to connect a third-party device such as a tablet. There is 8-band parametric EQ on all outputs and 30-band graphic EQ on the main mix, with compressor / limiter on all outputs.
Of the mixer designations, the M20 X is the standard device, while the M 20 XD adds a Dante interface for Audio over IP networking. There are 3U rack versions of each without the faders (M20 R and M20 RD) offering the same functionality and remote-control capabilities.
The M20 X represents the first time RCF has produced a complete digital mixer with motorized faders, and with its compact form factor will appeal to rental companies, musicians, as a conference system or sub-mixer for larger installations.
The next development will be an extended Control App for both iOS and Android. Via the Attach function users will have access to a larger touch surface and expanded screen to enhance the mixing experience.
PRO SOUND: HDL 50-A 4K; HDL 26-A
RCF’S FLAGSHIP HDL 50-A EXTENDS POWER TO 4K
RCF has introduced two additions to its popular HDL composite range, with the announcement of the HDL 50-A 4K and HDL 26-A.
The HDL 50-A 4K active 3-way line array module is a higher-powered redesign for the original HDL 50-A, supercharged with 8000W peak power (4.0kW RMS). Equipped with 2 x 12” woofers, four symmetrical 6.5” midrange and two 2” drivers, it offers excellent playback quality and enhance the SPL up to 143dB, with onboard FiRPHASE and RDNet networked management.
Using advanced neodymium magnets and a ground-breaking new housing constructed from lightweight plywood and polypropylene, the R&D department worked assiduously on all elements of design and componentry to achieve a remarkably low weight of just 56 kg.
Current HDL 50-A’s owners can seamlessly upgrade the system to 4K by simply replacing the onboard amplifier. Just as they have seen the hugely popular HDL 30-A become a worldwide standard in the medium-format range, RCF is now positioning the new HDL 50-A 4K to do the same in the large-format category.
A further advantage of the HDL 50-A 4K is that it comes with RDNet 3.1, which is dedicated to line array management, and thanks to this advanced software, it offers enhanced management, enabling control of every transducer, adjustment of humidity and temperature, bass shaping and many other attributes.
HDL26-A LINE ARRAY
Occupying the same footprint as the HDL 6-A, RCF HDL26-A is an ultra-compact bi-amped two-way active touring system for small and medium-sized events, both indoors and outdoors. Because of the advanced transducers’ design and the 2000W Class-D amplifier—among the best in its class—it is capable of an extended bottom-end and a pristine sound for a wide range of applications, either alone or in a line-array configuration. In addition to the inherent power, RDNet and FiRPHASE are fitted as standard.
Equipped with two 6” neodymium woofers, 2” voice coil and 1.4” titanium CD driver with 3” voice coil, aside from its impressive low end its design brief was to be best in class. On top of that it has an impressive low weight mass of just 13kg, making it ideal for the rental market and as a small installation system.
The low-frequency flyable companion designed for the HDL 26-A is the high-performance 15” active flyable subwoofer HDL 35-AS, compatible with the HDL rigging system and the RDNet Networked Management.
