The 143rd AES show is underway – and we’re on the show floor. Engineers, producers, and musicians from all over the world are making their way up and down the aisles for their first look at the hottest hardware and software from leading manufacturers. Of course, our team is onsite to bring you our favorites from this year’s show.
Rupert Neve Designs 535 Diode Bridge Compressor
Rupert Neve Designs’ 535 is a 500 Series diode-bridge compressor based on the topologies found in classic Neve designs such as the 2254. Considered by many to be the holy grail for colorful, punchy dynamics enhancement, the coveted 2254 module was designed for vintage Neve 80 Series consoles and became a legend for delivering weighty, harmonically rich tonality with the miraculous ability to bring thin vocals to life, punch up electric guitar and bass, and push drums to the forefront of a mix. The 535 serves up the attitude-packed, in-your-face sound of Rupert Neve’s renowned diode-bridge compressors, but with modern precision and flexibility — which makes it ideal on any source. Originally developed for the dynamics section of the acclaimed Shelford Channel, the 535 circuit features Rupert Neve Designs’ custom transformers and Class A output amplifiers: world-class RND tech, made-to-measure for the popular 500 Series format.
Chandler Limited TG Opto and TG 12345 MKIV
Chandler Limited is the only company in the world authorized to develop, manufacture and market the “Official Equipment” of EMI/Abbey Road Studios. So if you want the rich, warm, punchy sound of the optical compression used on the Beatles’ legendary Abbey Road album and Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of The Moon in the convenient 500 Series format, the Chandler Limited TG Opto is the way to go. This handmade, fully discrete, double-wide module draws its heritage from the EMI TG12413 compressor found on historic EMI TG12345 recording consoles of the late 1960s and early ’70s. Featuring selectable sharp and rounded knees; continuous controls for input, attack, release, and output; and true bypass, the Chandler Limited TG Opto puts the sweet sound of a legend in your 500 Series rack.
If you want the rich, warm, punchy sound of the “Curve Bender” EQ used on the Beatles’ legendary Abbey Road album and Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of The Moon in the convenient 500 Series format, the Chandler Limited TG12345 MKIV equalizer is the way to go. This handmade, fully discrete, single-width module draws its heritage from the channel EQs found on historic EMI TG12345 recording consoles of the late 1960s and early ’70s. Featuring presence and bass bands with continuous boost/cut and true bypass, the Chandler Limited TG12345 MKIV puts the sweet sound of a legend in your 500 Series rack.
sE Electronics sE2200 and V7x
The sE Electronics sE2200 is the latest update of the company’s venerable large-diaphragm cardioid condenser mic. The sE2200 delivers the same stunning, up-front sound and full feature set that made the original version such a huge hit. This is an incredibly versatile microphone, equally at home in front of a guitar cabinet as it is over a drum kit. And if you’re looking for that first truly special vocal mic, the sE2200 is an excellent choice.
The sE Electronics V7x delivers the perfect combination of great sound and impressive durability. Tailor-made for instruments, this microphone’s specialized aluminum voice coil imparts detailed highs and deep, clear lows to whatever you put in front of it. Experience excellent isolation from stage noise and massive amounts of gain before feedback, thanks to the V7x’s supercardioid design. Its integrated shockmount ensures that rumble and other distracting sounds won’t become a problem. And an internal windscreen prevents wind noise from ruining your performance. The V7x is built to last, with durable zinc alloy construction and a super-tough beveled spring steel mesh grille.
Dangerous Music CONVERT-AD+
Just when you thought analog-to-digital converter technology had plateaued, Dangerous Music shatters the status quo. Again. The CONVERT-AD+ is a no-compromise, mastering-grade stereo converter that delivers a huge, natural sound with unparalleled transparency and detail throughout the frequency range. The sonics are highly musical, with richly defined lows, liquid midrange, and silky highs. If superior sonics were all the CONVERT-AD+ offered, it would still be well worth the price of admission. But this converter is also packed with innovative features like switchable dual inputs for setup flexibility, proprietary Clip Guard technology for signal-integrity assurance, zoomable metering for a precision view of critical levels, switchable transformers for vintage-flavored heft, and emphasis control for variable coloration. All considered, the Dangerous Music CONVERT-AD+ is an unbeatable package.
Eventide H9000
The show floor was buzzing with news of the Eventide H9000. It features a quartet of quad-core ARM processors driving 16 DSP engines, eight channels of analog I/O, and a host of digital I/O. You can mix surround or process multiple channels of audio simultaneously, along with a cool new concept of FX chains, which lets you string together up to four effects to process voice, guitars, synths, or more.
PreSonus Faderport 16
Mixing will become easier than ever, thanks to the PreSonus FaderPort 16. This 16-channel control surface supplies you with 100mm motorized, touch-sensitive faders that handle effortlessly and follow automation precisely. Enjoy all the standard channel controls, such as level, pan, solo, mute, and record arm, and a full set of digital scribble strip displays also help to keep you on track. The FaderPort 16 features native support for PreSonus Studio One, and support for HUI and Mackie Control Universal protocols means that you can use it with virtually any DAW. If you want to gain hands-on control over your software, the PreSonus FaderPort 16 delivers.
Antelope Discrete 4 and 8
Putting one of Antelope Audio’s Discrete interfaces at the center of your studio is a sure way to invigorate your projects. Experience an expensive-sounding warmth, by virtue of eight console-grade mic pres, while Accusonic modeling arms you with an array of classic microphone and preamp emulations. Beyond that, Discrete’s built-in FPGA FX supply you with a sizable collection of spot-on vintage processor models. This audio interface offers incredible sound quality, thanks to Antelope’s legendary clocking and conversion. Discrete 8 includes an ample amount of I/O, and its comprehensive monitoring section includes a built-in talkback mic and up to four individual headphone mixes. Available in 4- and 8-channel versions.
Avid Pro Tools 12.8.2
Avid announced Pro Tools 12.8.2, an update that brings new enhancements and tweaks to the industry-leading software. Largely based around music creation, this update ups the ante on MIDI integration within Pro Tools. You can now move through MIDI notes using the right and left arrow keys, simplifying the editing of your MIDI. You can also now see MIDI input information in the Edit Window Toolbar, giving you insight into the MIDI data as it’s recorded and played back.
Want to get your hands on this year’s hottest gear from AES? Call your Sales Engineer to pre-order these AES releases!
