New Gear

The d&b audiotechnik E-Series expands with lightweight two-way passive E4 and E5 loudspeakers. They use a 4" and 5" LF driver and a coaxially-mounted wide dispersion dome tweeter. Both are mounted in highly compact enclosures and offer wide symmetrical dispersion patterns in the horizontal and vertical plane, and the cabinets may be mounted in either attitude.

Optocore's Y3R-TP module is designed to provide an interface for Opticore's SANE network via Yamaha mini-YGDAI slots. It is compatible with all Yamaha pro devices and offers 16 input/16 output audio channels through these mini-YGDAI slots, with word clock to/from the slot, to/from the network, and word clock transport to any device in the network.

Powersoft is now shipping its new 2- and 4-channel M Series DSP+ETH amplifiers. The M Series DSP+ETH promise to reduce the size and weight of gear used for both production and installation applications, providing two bi-amplified monitor mixes of power amplification with processing in just one rack unit, or eight bi-amplified mixes in just four rack units.

Earthworks' WL40V Wireless Vocal Microphone Capsule is the company's first wireless product. It has been adapted in wireless capsule form from the SR40V Vocal Microphone released earlier this year. Like its wired counterpart, the WL40V promises a vocal sound that requires little to no EQ, with a hypercardioid polar pattern and extended flat frequency response that have been designed for a natural on- and off-axis performance coupled with clarity and detail.

Fastlane Drop Over Cable Protectors are now available with optional Carpet Kit with Velcro brand fasteners and/or anti-slip rubber pads for use on smooth surfaces. These interlocking cable protectors reduce trip hazards and can be extended to any length. They are designed to be compact for easy setup, disassembly and storage.

Waves Audio's Bass Rider plugin is designed to ride bass levels automatically. A companion to Waves' Vocal Rider plugin, Bass Rider promises perfect bass levels without changing the natural sound of users' bass. Optimized especially for the frequency range and envelope characteristics of bass instruments, Bass Rider covers all the "basses:" DI, amplified, acoustic, synth, upright, etc.

The Waves H-EQ Hybrid Equalizer plugin features vintage and modern EQ inspired by British and American consoles. Included are seven different filter types per band: US Vintage, UK Vintage 1, UK Vintage 2, US Modern, UK Modern, Digital 1 and Digital 2, plus a newly-developed asymmetrical bell filter. A keyboard graphic lets users choose frequencies by clicking on notes, and MS Mode allows users to apply different EQ to Mid and Side content. A real-time frequency spectrum analyzer with multiple display options is included.

Riedel Communications' new suite of AVB products for the Artist digital matrix intercom platform is designed to let users transport AES3/EBU audio in real-time with guaranteed bandwidth and quality of service (QoS) via IP-based Local Area Networks (LAN).

Bag End Loudspeakers has updated the core models of its TA Series of Time-Aligned full range loudspeakers with a new high-performance, high-frequency driver to improve high-frequency response with lower distortion at extreme levels. The new systems are compatible with previous models and are available at the same prices.

AKG's IVM 4500 IEM in-ear monitoring package includes the SPR 4500 IEM diversity receiver, which automatically shows the number of free channels and supports TV channels with pre-programmed preset frequencies; the SST 4500 IEM transmitter, which is adjustable to 10, 20, 50 and 100 mW depending on country laws; and the IP 2 ear-channel headphones, providing excellent acoustics and low impedance. The SPC 4500 antenna combiner, the SRA 2 W directional antenna and the RA 4000 W omni-directional antenna complete the package.

JBL HiQnet Performance Manager software, an application-specific iteration of Harman's HiQnet System Architect connectivity and control software, has been developed with input from a group of 45 online beta testers around the world who have used the product since the beta version was featured at Prolight + Sound 2011 exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany earlier this year.

Midas' VeniceF-16R is a 16-channel rack mount variant of its new "digi-log" compact mixing console, the VeniceF. Designed by Alex Cooper, the VeniceF-16R comes with FireWire multi-channel digital audio interface, the full functionality of the Midas XL3 EQ and filter section, Midas mic preamps, 100mm faders, increased channel and input count, a dual 7×2 matrix and a reorganized master section layout. It is also bundled with Propellerhead recording and processing trial software.