AES Show Preview, Part 1: A Wide Variety of Intros Are Slated

The upcoming AES Convention (Oct. 9-12 at the Los Angeles Convention Center) will feature a slew of audio-product introductions, a combination of products new to the market, and some that debuted at the IBC2014 in Amsterdam last month. Here are some of the products that attendees will encounter next week.

EAW
Otto is the first subwoofer in EAW’s Adaptive family. In terms of functionality and performance, Otto provides three-dimensional directivity and coverage control through the manipulation of per-driver signal processing. Modules can be obstructed on two faces without compromising output, owing to the symmetrical design of the enclosure and the use of offset-aperture loading for the woofers. Omni, cardioid, and hypercardioid patterns are possible with a single module. Highly complex directivity patterns are possible with arrays. Otto modules use on-board IR transceivers to self-identify configuration without user input. As with the Anya system, power distribution and data cabling are included with Otto systems. External amplification is not required. www.eaw.com

Lawo
The newest mc² series console will debut at the AES Show. The mc²36 all-in-one mixing desk is completely self-contained, including a powerful DSP processing core and all I/O connections, and is available in 16, 24, and 40 fader configurations. Large touchscreen displays provide instant, touch-triggered pop-up menus for fast access to all mixing and routing parameters. Natively equipped with RAVENNA/AES67 technology, the mc²36 integrates seamlessly into IP infrastructures. Rear-panel connections provide 32 mic/line in, 32 line out on XLRs, eight AES in/out, eight GPIO, MADI, and three RAVENNA connections. For operational security, the console has both redundant power supplies and DSP. www.lawo.com/

NUGEN Audio
MasterCheck is an audio plug-in intended for loudness normalization in audio streaming. With it, audio engineers can apply loudness matching and dynamic-content analysis using such techniques as peak-to-loudness ratio (PLR) to compare audio output with existing productions. The advanced side-chain loudness matching can also be used to audition signal paths without increased loudness to understand precisely how various effects, such as compression, can change the sound with no influence from the loudness enhancement. MasterCheck is available this month priced at $129. Users are also able to download a beta version of the new Visualizer, with full release scheduled for later this year. www.nugenaudio.com

Salzbrenner
Salzbrenner will announce the North American debut of the network-controlled Polaris Evolution cloud-based digital-audio–mixing system with the Polaris Scala audio DSP unit, where controllers are connected via Ethernet or WiFi, resources are allocated for the tasks at hand, and where signal sources and output devices are connected. Each Polaris Scala can process up to 256 inputs, 128 matrix channels, and 256 output buses that connect to the outside world via MADI. For larger projects, several DSP units can be cascaded to control several thousand channels, all in a compact footprint. Controllers like Polaris Evolution’s 16-fader Access module, the Polaris View motorized multitouch screen, computers, tablets, and smartphones can be connected via either IP/Ethernet or WiFi. The number of controllers can be selected as required, depending on the nature of the project. The Polaris Evolution’s DSP power can be used to configure consoles to accommodate several simultaneous projects in broadcasting stations, OB trucks, onsite locations during live broadcasts, convention centers, or theater venues. In a multiuser setting, each operator has a monitoring and talkback line. www.stagetec.com

Yamaha
Yamaha will show its new RMio64-D I/O rack unit for Dante/MADI conversion in broadcast and live sound applications. Audio from a CL/QL live sound system can be converted to MADI and fed to an OB vehicle, or a MADI-based console can be integrated into a Nuage system for postproduction. The RMio64-D additionally supports MADI redundancy through simultaneous coaxial and optical connections. There’s also MADI Split (loopback) capability, in which a signal received at either the coaxial or optical input can be also retransmitted to the other output. The RMio64-D is scheduled to be released late this year. www.yamahaproaudio.com

For Part 2: Bob Moses Talks Transitions, CLICK HERE.