AES + SF = Gear

Oct 13, 2006 12:20 PM, By Gino Robair and Mike Levine

           
 

A report on the 2006 AES Convention.

MXL USB.006

USB mics are all the rage these days, and MXL Microphones is throwing its hat in the ring with the USB.006 ($169), a large diaphragm condenser that features a 3-position attenuation switch (0 dB, -5 dB, -10 dB). The mic, which ships in November, will come with a travel case, a desktop stand, a USB cable, and more.

With five ribbon mics already in its catalog, Nady has added the TRM-6 ($499), a powered ribbon mic with a tube preamp. Using a 12AX7A tube, and a 2-micron ribbon that is 45 mm long, the TRM-6 is designed to handle SPLs greater than 135 dB. The mic comes with a vinyl carrying bag, a padded aluminum flight case, a spider shockmount, and a 33-foot cable.

Novation XioSynth

Novation was showing off its new XioSynth, which combines a synthesizer, USB MIDI controller, and audio interface in one device. Available in 25- ($549) and 49-key ($599) versions, the 8-voice polyphonic (but monotimbral) XioSynth has 12 knobs, 11 function buttons, a phantom-powered mic input, an unbalanced 1/4-inch input, two unbalanced 1/4-inch outputs, a USB 1.1 port, and MIDI I/O.

PMI Audio announced that Studio Projects (which it distributes) is upgrading its entire mic line. One notable aspect of the revamped line will be the company's new "Halo" mount, an innovative device that's threaded on top and bottom. It allows two mics to be connected to it for stereo miking applications, or you could connect a mic and a pop screen to the same mount.

Presonus FireStudio and MSL

Over at the PreSonus booth, the new FireStudio ($899), an expanded version of the FirePod, was on display. The FireStudio offers 8 XLR mic preamps, MIDI ports, S/PDIF I/O, and a pair of ADAT optical ports. The total I/O of the unit is 26x26. Also included is JET PLL jitter elimination technology, which PreSonus says will give the unit "ultra-tight and robust" synchronization. FireStudio purchasers can opt to add the MSR, aka the Monitor Station Remote ($229), for additional control capabilities. The MSR is a desktop remote control unit that offers input switching; Track, Mix, and Surround modes; dim, mono, and mute switches, and more. The FireStudio is due to ship in mid October and the MSR in November.

Primacoustic announced the FullTrap ($269), a low-frequency absorber-panel kit. The large, heavy-duty absorber panel comes unassembled, allowing users to put it together themselves and save.

QuireTec is a new company that is the sole U.S. distributor of a number of important overseas product lines—including TL Audio, Waldorf, and Creamware—but promises to come out with its own products in the near future. Among the items demonstrated in its AES booth were the Creamware ASB line of synth emulations (including the Minimax, Pro-12, B4000, and Prodyssey) and TL Audio's Fatman line of tube-based processors (such as the Fat Funker) and consumer products (the FatFone headphones). The company also introduced an educational DVD by Francis Buckley called Essential Recording Concepts. The DVD is a soup-to-nuts look at recording, from setting up and tuning a personal studio to recording, mixing, and mastering.

Røde M3

Red Microphones showed the Type A microphone ($1,345), a tube-based version of the its popular bottle mic that accepts the company's interchangeable capsules, known as Redheads. The mic, which uses an ECC88 tube, has a dynamic range of 130 dB and can handle SPLs up to 139 dB. Also included is a power supply, cable, and an attractive red flight case.

Australian microphone manufacturer Rode Microphones previewed the M3 ($99), a permanently polarized cardioid condenser mic designed for use in the studio as well as in the field. The mic loosely resembles the AKG C 1000 and can run off of 48V phantom power or a 9V battery. Although only preliminary details were given, the M3 will include an onboard highpass filter and battery status LED, and it will come with a mic clip and wind screen.