109th AES Convention Report, Part 7

This is the seventh and final report in Sweetwater’s report from the floor of the 109th annual AES Convention and Show in Los Angeles. The full report with pictures is now available online in our Publications section.

AES 2000 has been another remarkable experience, so typical of industry get-togethers in our wonderful business. To have had the opportunity to see the latest new technology and rub elbows with the designers and creators of such incredible tools of our trade is a chance that I would not give up for anything. Having, once again, had the chance to see so many of the legends in our business, like Alan Parsons, Al Schmitt, Roger Nichols and so many more, is still a real thrill. Having had a few laughs, and a moment or two to talk shop, with those responsible for what we all do is priceless! To all of you who design, build, sell, or use this fantastic technology, I thank you for doing what you do. It gives me the opportunity to live a dream. That is why I so enjoy sharing what I have learned with all of you!

As I make my final rounds of this year’s show floor, here is what I am seeing:

HHB

The folks at HHB have announced the addition of a new budget priced CD-R recorder. It is being called the CDR830 “BurnIT.” Using high-precision 24-bit AD/DA converters, BurnIT provides the most requested professional features and audio quality in an easy to operate machine. It records on both standard and consumer CD-R and CD-RW discs and has SCMS-free digital input. It offers digital input gain control to match recordings made from different digital sources, including a digital balance control. BurnIT has 3 easy to use synchro record modes and a built-in sample rate converter. It also supports CD Text and has double speed finalization. The CDR830 BurnIT comes with a wireless remote and a very affordable price tag.

HHB has also released a new portable professional MiniDisc recorder in the image of their fine field DAT recorders, called the Portadisc. It is perfect for field recording and ENG applications. Portadisc offers a USB port for direct connection to computer-based workstations, as well as XLR mic inputs with phantom power, unbalanced analog outputs, optical and coaxial s/pdif digital inputs and outputs and a headphone output. It features on-board editing, a 6-second pre-record buffer, intuitive menu system with 5 user setups, and built-in SRC for digital sync recording. Portadisc can be powered with NiMH rechargeable batteries, standard AA alkaline batteries, 12-15V DC, or 120V AC. If you are in the market for a digital field recorder, this may be the unit for you.

EVENTIDE

The Ultra-Harmonizer has become even better! Eventide has announced the new DSP7000 as a major upgrade to the DSP4000 series. Featuring 4-times the processing power of the DSP4000, the new DSP7000 provides for higher effects density and superior audio performance. With 24-bit/96kHz conversion, the new DSP7000 gives the user hundreds of exciting preset programs including favorites from the DSP4000 line. It is even easier to use and is capable of extensive programmability and remote operation.

Eventide has also announced the new DSP7500. Like their earlier “500” series products, the DSP7500 is a DSP7000 loaded to the max. It offers hundreds of additional programs, plus 174 mono seconds and 87 stereo seconds of sampling with some special programs that make it the most versatile sampler ever. It features superb time compression/expansion and auto-replacement of audio. For those demanding the best, this is it!

A couple of new additions to the Orville line have also been announced. They’re the Orville/R and the Eve/Net. The Orville/R is an Orville with no faceplate controls. It is designed to be used exclusively with the Eve/Net Network Remote Control System. The Eve/Net links one or more Orville or Orville/R units together and provides complete control of all of the features and functions available within the Orville family. It is designed to be easy to learn and use and even works with the new DSP7000 or DSP7500 units.

WAVES

Waves has added a new member to their DSP Processing Software product line. The Renaissance Reverberator is the third in their series of processors that excel in recreating the warm sound qualities and simple operation of classic and vintage hardware in the digital domain. This new “plug-in” really sounds great! It is available in the Waves Gold TDM bundle, Waves Gold Native bundle, and in the new Renaissance Collection for TDM and Native.

Waves announces their new version 3.0 software along with a restructuring of their Native and TDM bundles. They now include the new Renaissance Collection, with the Renaissance EQ, Renaissance Compressor, and the new Renaissance Reverberator. They have put more processors in every bundle, added graphical enhancements, all new interfaces, and many processors now support 88.2/96kHz. Plus, Waves has discontinued the use of the dongle as their copy protection scheme, employing a challenge/response system with easy on-line authorization.

PANASONIC

Panasonic is showing their new 96kHz Series of A/D D/A converters. There are 3 models available, all with 24-bit/96kHz 128x oversampling converters. All of the models are 8 channels in 1 rack-space. They all offer 120db dynamic range and they all support the new AES Dual and Hi-Speed modes as well as ADAT Normal and Dual modes. The AD96M offers 8 channels of microphone preamplifiers with A/D conversion, the AD96 offers 8 channels of A/D conversion and the DA96 offers 8 channels of D/A conversion. They all feature XLR analog jacks, wordclock sync I/O, and AES/EBU and ADAT Lightpipe digital connections. An optional D-sub 25 pin card is available for AES/Dual Mode.

GENELEC

Genelec has released a new active subwoofer designed for the surround-sound market. The 1093A is a compact and powerful active subwoofer featuring a built-in 6.1 bass management system. It has a fixed crossover frequency of 85Hz and a dedicated LFE input. Two phase alignment switches allow compensation for delay caused by speaker placement or other speakers phase change. The internal amplification provides 250 Watts RMS power at extremely low THD and IM distortion. The amplifier also features a soft start power supply, soft clip function and short circuit protection. Balanced XLR connectors are provided for the system inputs and outputs.

MANLEY

Manley has introduced their 16×2 Tube Mixer. It is a very high-end analog mixer with few bells and whistles. It boasts exemplary sound quality and analog warmth. The tube stages are blended with ultra low noise ICs to develop a clean, rich, warm analog sound. It has lots of gain, and big VU meters. It has no EQ and has few knobs but does the job. It is available with 16 line inputs and 1 Aux, 16 mic inputs with 60db of gain, or as an 8 mic/8 line configuration. It has direct outs, phase reverse and inserts, and pan, solo and mute controls on every channel. Channel inputs are Neutrik combo connectors and outputs are XLR and TRS. With 36db of headroom and a beautiful vintage look this 5U-rack piece is perfect for those that will not settle for less than the very finest analog sound. It is not inexpensive, but greatness doesn’t come cheap.

Langevin has announced their new Vocal Combo. It is a 2-channel mic preamp with EQ and dynamics. This piece offers the best of two worlds as it combines the Langevin Stereo Microphone Preamplifier with EQ and the Stereo Electro-Optical Limiter at a price just slightly higher than only one of those popular pieces. It features 2 shelf equalizers and 2 channels of electro-optical limiters along with the 2 mic preamps. Analog VU metering and a classic look make this piece a solid choice for the reasonable price.

KURZWEIL

Kurzweil has announced a rackmounted version of the new PC2X keyboard, to be called the PC2R. It is a 1U module that offers 256 programs, including their brand new Triple-Strike Grand Piano, new stereo strings, multi-strike classic keyboards, organs, and KB3 tone wheel organ models from their K2600. The PC2R features dual stereo effects processing and real-time controller knobs. The unit has 64 voices of polyphony and is expandable to 128 voices, has expandable sound ROM and provides analog and digital outputs.

TASCAM

Tascam has announced a new small-format digital mixer. The DM-24 is a 24-bit/96kHz digital mixer with built-in automation, effects processing, and extremely good audio quality. This mixer is designed to interface with the new MX-2424 hard disk recorder. The on-board automation can hold up to 8 entire mixes internally, and provides flexible internal signal routing. The DM-24 has 16 channels of TDIF, 8 channels of ADAT, 2 AES and 2 s/pdif, and 16 analog inputs on XLR mic and TRS line connectors. There are 2 option slots open for 8-channel analog or digital expansion cards. This mixer offers gating, 4-band parametric EQ, and compression on each channel, along with an effects processor with high-quality reverb by TC Works and Mic and Speaker Modeling by Antares. It offers 100mm motorized faders and a full transport control. As the first affordable small-format 24/96k digital mixer, it is a certain success!

Well, this is it for this year’s edition of the Sweetwater AES Convention Report. I wish I had the room to write about all of the other fine products that were displayed at the show, rather than just the highlights. I hope you enjoyed learning about the year’s new products as much as I did. With any luck, we’ll communicate with you from next year’s AES Convention in New York. Until then, please don’t hesitate to contact Sweetwater regarding these or any other new products that you might be interested in.

Clay Stahlka
Senior Sales Engineer
clay_stahlka@sweetwater.com