New Gear

At 2010 Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany, L-Acoustics launched KARA, their new modular line source system, which is pictured here. The company also launched their new SB18 high powered subwoofer.

McCauley's M88, pictured here, is a high output precision subwoofer system designed to scale from single unit deployments to large scale sound reinforcement applications. The M421 subwoofer, meanwhile, aims to set a new standard for low distortion, high impact, bass reproduction.

Like its 16-channel sibling, the 24-channel StudioLive 24.4.2 is designed for both studio recording and live sound, without compromising the requirements for either. It has the same user interface, features and I/O configuration as the 16.4.2 but with many enhancements.

QSC's new KW series, featured at Prolight+Sound 2010, is a more lightweight and compact addition to QSC's K series loudspeaker range, which was launched at Prolight+ Sound 2009. The KW, however, is built in a second generation premium grade birch wooden enclosure and aims to set new standards for wood enclosure loudspeakers. Pictured here are QSC's Ray van Straten and Justin O'Connor.

Soundcraft previewed a new range of low-cost digital consoles called Si Compact at Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany. The line will include 16, 24 and 32 motorized fader models, all equipped with Lexicon and BSS processing and connectable to a stagebox, as well as having all the I/O on the rear panel. The range is reported to be under $10,000 list price.

Westone Music Products announced a new removable cable option with the Westone UM2 and UM3X, set for release in May 2010. The new development will give users the quick option of replacing cables as necessary.

DiGiCo unveiled their new SD9, also called the "Red Snapper." Made from rolled and anodized aluminium rather than steel, it is strong and light – the whole desk weighs less than 110 lbs. It has a D-Rack digital stage interface and CAT5E digital multicore, and has the capability to record up to 56 channels direct onto a multitrack recorder or DAW.

The S-0808 Digital Snake is an 8in/8out compact, lightweight digital snake that supports multiple power options including battery-power, embedded-powered over REAC and power over Ethernet (PoE). The inputs offer remote controllable preamps, phantom-power, 24-bit 96kHz A/D conversion as well as choices of XLR, TRS line and even Hi-Z capability to reduce the need for direct boxes.

Waves Audio is now shipping WavesLive MultiRack Native, the first-ever software application designed to run Waves plug-ins with live analog and digital mixing consoles. MultiRack Native is a software host that lets FOH and Monitor engineers run multiple simultaneous instances of the same Native Waves plug-ins used in recording studios and mixing rooms the world over.

Crest Audio E-Lite Series amps are available in both DSP and non-DSP versions and are built on a class D design with a switch-mode power supply that reduces weight while increasing reliability, thermal efficiency and output power.