The EM Poll

AES + SF = Gear

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

           

A report on the 2006 AES Convention.

SE Electronics is about to ship its USB2200a ($599) USB microphone, and the latest version was on display in its booth. Although it has the same capsule, low-cut filter, and -10 dB pad as the SE2200a, the USB version includes a mix control for zero-latency headphone monitoring. You can also simultaneously record an analog signal from the XLR jack and a digital signal from the USB connection. The company says other USB-based products are sure to follow. SE Electronics and Sonic Distribution were also showing the Ghost studio baffles. Much of the system uses a building-block paradigm, with 2'-by-2' compressed-fiberglass absorber panels that can be stacked on gobo stands. A wedge trap and a corner bass trap are also available. The products are fully flame retardant.

Soundcraft MPM-12/2

Soundcraft unveiled two new compact mixers. The MPM 12/2 ($689) has 12 mono channels with mic preamps from the company's more expensive LX7ii and GB Series consoles, two stereo channels, two subgroups, three aux busses, and more. The MPM 20/2 ($969) is the same but with 20 mono inputs. Both units have three-band EQ; 60mm faders; and mute, PFL, and solo capabilities.

Two exciting new microphones where shown by Telefunken USA. The Ela M 260 ($TBA) is a small-diaphragm tube mic that comes with three interchangeable capsules (cardioid, hypercardioid, and omni) and uses an NOS Telefunken EF732 tube. With the included adapter, the mic can accept AKG CK-series and Blue Microphones capsules. The mic carries a 1-year warranty. Telefunken USA also showed the RM-5C ($TBA), a cardioid-pattern ribbon mic designed by Jerry Silvia and David Browning. The US-built mic feels solid and weighty, offering a frequency response of 30 Hz to 18 kHz and the ability to handle SPLs of 120 dB. Telefunken says both mics will be priced around a thousand dollars.

TC Electronic Konnekt 24D

One of the many highlights at the TC Electronic booth was its Konnekt 24D ($625) audio interface (announced originally at MusicMesse), which features built-in DSP. The unit gives users 2 XLR/1/4-inch combo inputs, 4 analog line ins and lines outs, ADAT I/O, MIDI ports and more. You also get TCs Fabrik R reverb and Fabrik C channel strip effects, which can be used as inserts of bus effects in your digital audio sequencer. The Konnekt 24D is now shipping.

True Systems unveiled the P-Solo Ribbon ($749) a ribbon-mic-optimized version of its P-Solo mic preamp. The single-channel unit has no phantom power or capacitors, and offers higher gain and higher impedance than the P-Solo. It also has a 1/4-inch instrument input with a 2.2 MHz instrument impedance. The unit is due to be available in January.

Universal Audio DCS Remote Preamp

There was plenty of activity over at the Universal Audio booth, where the company unveiled several new products. One of the highlights on the hardware side was the DCS Remote Preamp ($TBA). DCS is an acronym for Desktop Control System, and this new product is the first of a line of UA products aimed at the computer-recording musician or engineer. The DCS Remote Preamp's features include two trans-impedance-type mic preamps, a headphone amp with reverb and EQ (for monitoring only), and an MS decoder. It's expected to be out in early 2007. UA will be debuting additional products in this line starting at Winter NAMM. The first such device will be the Master Monitor Module, which will offer input switching and other monitor functions.

Yamaha took the wraps off of its two new powered monitors. Prices and ship dates for the MSP5 and MSP7 are not yet announced, but the prototypes demonstrated in the Steinberg booth sounded very good amid the hustle and bustle of the trade show floor.