Blogs

Now shipping, the Waves Primary Source Expander (PSE) plug-in for live sound lets users reduce stage bleed and sensitivity to feedback when a mic is idle by automatically lowering mic levels between musical phrases. At the heart of the plug-in is a precision expander, tailored for melodic sources such as vocals, guitars, strings, brass, woodwinds and more. PSE works like a fader that smoothly attenuates the channel’s level when the source goes below the threshold that’s been set. The user determines both the threshold and the amount of attenuation. Reducing stage noise leakage when microphones are idle will help users get an overall mix that is more coherent, more focused and has better phase relations.

Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW) has added to its Radius line of loudspeakers with the Radius RSX12M stage monitor, available now. RSX12M is equipped with onboard bi-amplified electronics (500W per channel) featuring technologies such as Focusing and DynO for a pristine impulse response at any output level. A 12-inch vented cone with 2.5-inch voice coil drives the low end while a 1 x 1-inch exit, 1.77-inch voice coil compression driver handles HF, oriented in a coaxial configuration. The RSX12M offers a uniform coverage pattern of 105 x 105 degrees.

DPA introduces the Microphone Base for its d:screet Podium Microphone. Designed to be placed on a table or podium, or attached to the ceiling or even the wall, the Microphone Base is available in a choice of black and white and comes with either a MicroDot connector, an XLR connector, or unterminated leads for connections to Phoenix blocks. A gooseneck at the top and the bottom of the stand allows users to position the mic. The products are sold separately from microphones, so customers can mix and match connectors, base colors and gooseneck lengths.

Radio Active Designs announces the availability of the TX-8 Wireless Antenna Combiner for the 900MHz band, the TX-8/900M, which can be used with any UHF in-ear monitoring (IEM) or IFB systems operating in the 900MHz band. The TX-8/900M offers convenience in streamlining wireless system configurations.

The ADI-2 Pro High-End AD/DA Converter is designed for mastering and measurement applications, plus hi-res audio playback for multiple audio applications. Based on the connections being made, the ADI-2 Pro will automatically switch to AD/DA converter, USB interface or analog preamp mode. The ADI-2 Pro’s USB 2.0 port is fully Class Compliant (UAC 2) for connection with compatible iOS devices and Mac OS computers, and it can be easily powered via battery, opening up mobile applications.

Klang:technologies designed its in-ear and headphone mixing tools for studio, musical and live productions. Now, to make this next generation in-ear mixing tool available to a wider range of users, a MADI BNC interface is available for Klang:fabrik, next to Dante and ADAT. Its switchable second MADI BNC input/output port, together with Klang:fabrik’s flexible I/O routing matrix, offers various format conversions between ADAT, Dante and MADI in addition to the in-ear mixing functionality.

German manufacturer Lawo announces new features for its mc2 series of consoles with the software release of v5.8, based on demand from the install, house of worship and live sound markets. Lawo also announced a new interface card for its modular Nova73 processing and routing core, providing native Dante support for its mc2 mixing consoles.

Rational Acoustics’ Smaart v8.1 is the first major version update for Smaart v8, which includes improved data handling as well as a host of new feature additions for usability, security and efficiency. The update is free to all registered Smaart v8 users and may be downloaded from the website.

Audio-Technica is now shipping its new ATM350a Microphone Systems in six specially designed systems for woodwinds, strings, brass, percussion, drums and piano. With its UniMount components, the new instrument mic offers multiple instrument mounting solutions.

JoeCo expands the capabilities of its BlueBox Workstation Interface Recorder with new drivers for Windows 7/8/10 platforms, in addition to the Mac support also offered. BlueBox is both a multi-channel DAW audio interface and a stand-alone, live, multi-channel audio acquisition solution and includes 24 high-quality line/mic pre inputs, 24 line outputs and two stereo headphone outs — all operating at up to 24bit/96k Hz. In a live environment, audio files are recorded to an external FAT-32 Mac/PC USB-2/3 drive as Broadcast WAV files and can feed a laptop running DAW software as a backup if required. Mics connect via rear D-Sub ports or an optional 2U breakout panel with XLR connectors.

Sennheiser’s Digital 6000 wireless uses the same proprietary digital audio codec as its flagship Digital 9000 and operates from 470 to 714 MHz. Features include true bit diversity, transmission error correction, switchable AES 256 encryption and an OLED display of the RF signal, link quality, audio signal, battery status and frequency. The SKM 6000 handheld transmitter has Sennheiser’s standard capsule mount for mic heads from the 2000 and 900 series as well as evolution units. Receiver outputs are AES digital, XLR/TRS analog and a Dante option. The series ships in March 2017.

Audinate, creator of the audio networking technology Dante, has announced the immediate availability of the Dante Analog Output Module, a complete, small form factor PCB that allows for rapid development of Dante-to-analog endpoints. Manufacturers can use this module in a variety of small footprint enclosures with appropriate analog connectors to rapidly bring finished products to market.