AES Offers New-Product Buzz

The AES Convention may no longer be a hotbed of product introductions, but last week’s edition was not without its newsworthy developments.

In the microphone area, AKG introduced its DMS 70 true uncompressed digital wireless microphone system, which operates in the 2.4 GHz ISM band. The entire DMS 70 package comprises the DSR 70 receiver, DPT 70 digital pocket transmitter, and DHT 70 digital handheld transmitter wireless mic, plus a DSR 70 rack-mount kit, power supply, and other accessories. The receiver can handle up to four channels of audio, which can be mixed down directly to its balanced XLR sum output. The DHT 70 mic uses AKG’s D5 supercardioid capsule to deliver outstanding sound quality with feedback and noise suppression.

Intercoms also saw development in Clear-Com’s new HME DX210 two-channel 2.4 GHz-band wireless intercom system, which provides users with the option of a single- or dual-channel intercom system. In single-channel mode, up to four 1RU base stations can be linked to support 16 full-duplex and 44 half-duplex beltpacks and/or wireless headsets.

For those interested in computer-based audio packages, CEDAR Audio’s new CEDAR Studio Suite is available as a range of RTAS and AudioSuite plug-ins for the Mac and PC. Each CEDAR Studio process has been selected from CEDAR’s Cambridge flagship and includes Adaptive Limiting, Declip, DNS One, and Debuzz. Host systems: Mac OS X 10.5.8 and 10.6.x and PC Windows XP/Vista/7.

TC Electronic introduced software update version 1.25 for its DB2 loudness-correction processor. Version 1.25 contains ITU BS.1770-2–based loudness adjustment plus dedicated new factory presets for stations conforming to any of the EBU R128, ATSC A/85, TR-B32, or OP59 standards. In addition to more processing and new presets, version 1.25 also introduces one-pass trickle-down processing from these new broadcast standards to help optimize simulcasts for mobile and IPTV.

Loudness was also addressed by RTW, which showcased a new loudness-range (LRA) instrument for many of its metering products. The combination instrument will be incorporated into software versions for the TouchMonitor (V2.x), SurroundControl 31900/31960 (V4.x), and the SurroundMonitor 11900 (V4.x).

The Cobalt Digital Fusion3G 9985 is an HD/SD-SDI loudness processor and frame sync with full embedded audio support. Linear Acoustic AEROMAX loudness processing uses a multiband approach, in which multifaceted loudness correction is specifically targeted to various frequency ranges and other characteristics within the program material, resulting in audio free from abrupt loudness or image shifts while preserving more of the original content than previously possible. Because the card processes audio loudness locally and in sync with the video, loudness is processed without the accumulated latency delay found in other loudness processors. Remote control is with the free DashBoard remote control software, or Cobalt’s OGCP-9000 remote control panels.

The 9085 also uses the Linear Acoustic AEROMAX technology and offers the same benefits. The card features 24-bit audio processing that supports 16 AES input/output channels, 16 de-embedded channels from the SDI input, and eight analog audio inputs. Sixteen re-embedded channels and 16 AES output channels can be sourced from any of the inputs.  It applies loudness control on up to six channels of audio from any embedded, AES, or analog input.  Full user remote and card-edge proc control allows adjustment of audio parametric control and routing.  With multiple selectable presets, several loudness processing profiles offer the best solutions for various types of program material.

Cobalt’s +LM Audio Loudness Meter software works with the award-winning OGCP-9000 Remote Control Panel and Cobalt’s new WinOGCP Desktop Virtual Control Panel to provide a flexible, complete solution for ingest or on-air loudness metering and assessment. A touch screen control interface offers simple session start and stop along with clear-cut clear pass/fail loudness assessment for QC operators. With true peak level detection, error tracking and logging, and intuitive interface with touch screen control, the metering option ensures thorough audio level and LKFS assessment information (ATSC A/85 and ITU BS.1770 compliant).

Cobalt Digital also offers logging/graphing capabilities on its Loudness Metering system. The option ensures thorough audio level and LKFS assessment, and is ITU BS.1770, ATSC A/85, and EBU R128 compliant. Cobalt’s Loudness Meter software integrates with the Company’s Fusion3G range and most 9000-series COMPASS cards, both openGear compatible, and works with the award-winning OGCP-9000 Remote Control Panel to provide a flexible, complete solution for ingest or on-air loudness metering and assessment. www.cobaltdigital.com

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