Three Audio Products Debut

By Dan Daley
Dolby, Sony, and Neutrik have announced products to meet a wide range of audio needs, from loudness measurement to a male/female cable connector.
Dolby
Dolby Labs Media Meter, slated to ship in mid September, will bring program-loudness measurement to a software environment.
Intended to measure perceived loudness differentials as broadcast viewers experience them, the Media Meter uses Dialogue Intelligence technology adapted from Dolby s DP600 Program Optimizer, which automatically detects and then measures loudness only during the presence of speech in an audio track. It can be used as a standalone application or as a plug-in, with audio workstations performing either real-time or LE-based measurements. The meter uses the ITU-R BS.1770-1 algorithm, and measurements can be done either with or without Dialogue Intelligence.
The Dolby Media Meter runs as a Mac (Power Mac G5 with dual 2.3 GHz or faster, Mac OS X version 10.4.2 or later) or Windows (Windows XP or
Vista) standalone application; as a Digidesign Pro Tools AudioSuite or RTAS plug-in; and as a plug-in for Minnetonka AudioTools AWE. It supports Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby E, and PCM audio formats.
All versions of Dolby Media Meter can produce and save log files.
Used as a standalone product, Digidesign AudioSuite plug-in, or Minnetonka AudioTools AWE plug-in, Dolby Media Meter is a faster-than-real-time, file-based application. This is useful for creation and quality-control applications in audio production, postproduction, and broadcast.
As a Pro Tools RTAS plug-in, Dolby Media Meter measures loudness in real time, so that users can track levels during the mixing process to help meet network delivery requirements. The RTAS plug-in can simultaneously display short- and long-term loudness levels that are based on the dialogue in the mix.
MSRP is $795.
Sony
Sony s new digital wireless microphone system (DWT-B01 bodypack transmitter and DWR-S01D slot-in-type two-channel receiver) takes audio to HD, with 24-bit/48-kHz sampling.
The receiver and transmitter are available in two channel ranges: 30 32 or 42 50. A proprietary Sony codec delivers dynamic range of more than 106 dB, frequency response of 20 Hz to 22 kHz, and system latency of 3.6 ms.
Other features include simultaneous multichannel operation with intermodulation-free, equally spaced channel allocation (up to 12 channels of simultaneous operation is possible on a 6-MHz-bandwidth TV channel in the
U.S. ); password-protected operation; and preprogrammed frequency groups.
A dual-channel portable receiver (DWR-S01D) is priced at $3,245; a body-pack transmitter (DWT-B01), at $2,575.
Neutrik
Neutrik s ConvertCon is a unisex three-pin XLR male/female cable connector in a single housing. Sliding the housing back and forth transforms ConvertCon from male to female and enables a single connector to mate with either a male or female three-pin XLR.
Part of Neutrik s XLR XX series, the ConvertCon is also available with black-chrome housing and gold contacts, features an improved chuck-type strain relief, and makes assembly easier and faster. ConvertCon s zinc die-cast shell creates a durable and dependable connection. It s priced about $18.