TECHNOLOGY
LI V E SO UN D N E WS
AU T U M N 2009
Soundcraft unveils new Si1 compact console The very successful Si Series family has been joined by a third member, the even more compact Soundcraft Si1 digital live sound console. The new Si1 has a very compact footprint of just 1200mm width, meaning it fits nicely into space-restricted areas such as theatres, small venues, and Houses of Worship, and of course comes at an extremely competitive price. As standard the Si1 has 32 mic inputs mapped on 16 faders, and with four dedicated Stereo Line channels, four dedicated FX Returns from the four stereo Lexicon FX processors can mix up to 48 inputs. Eight balanced insert sends and returns are provided, along with 24 Group/Aux busses, 8 matrix busses and a full comple-
ment of monitor talkback and main bus outputs. These buses may be freely assigned to any of the 16 physical XLR connectors in addition to the dedicated MIX and monitoring output XLRs. Every bus has a dedicated 30band BSS Audio graphic EQ, permanently patched in with no additional drain on DSP resource. Such is the power and topology of the Si Series that the separate DSP and control engines allow you to make any system or function changes live with no interruption in the audio. Like the Si3 and Si2, the Si1 uses a combination of rotary encoders and OLED screens on every channel so the engineer mixes at source, without recourse to a central screen, an interface welcomed by many engineers since the Si3’s launch last year.
Using the center section and channel encoders, it is possible to simultaneously monitor and control input EQ, input dynamics and output EQ. Four assignable on-board lexicon effect engines supplement 4 stereo inputs to provide a really powerful mix package in a width of 1.2m for a UK list price of under £14,000. Soundcraft’s offline editor program, Virtual Si, can also be used to setup and manage complete shows offline, for later download to an Si1 console through a USB memory key. With a wealth of input and output connections and power supply on board, the Si1 can simply drop in where an existing analogue console sat, utilising existing copper cable snakes and splitter systems. > www.soundtech.co.uk/soundcraft
BlackBox Recorder wins innovation award The recently-released JoeCo BLACKBOX RECORDER has won the prestigious PLASA Award for Innovation. The revolutionary recorder for capturing multi-track live audio received recognition from a panel of industry judges during this year’s PLASA Show at Earls Court in London.
Designed to attach to the inserts of any live mixing console, the JoeCo BLACKBOX RECORDER captures up to 24 tracks of live audio at 24 Bit / 96kHz, with-
out the need to have a computer at the performance. Audio is recorded in industry-standard Broadcast WAV format onto a regular USB2, FAT32 formatted drive. By feeding back the BLACKBOX RECORDER’s outputs to the console’s insert returns, any console is enabled to have a Virtual Sound Check facility. After recording, the hard drive can be plugged directly into any Mac- or PCbased Digital Audio Workstation for editing, remixing and repurposing, without the need for any file conversion or copying. For larger performances, up to four BLACKBOX RECORDER units can be chained, enabling the simultaneous capture of up to 96 channels of multi-track audio. > www.soundtech.co.uk/joeco
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AKG updates legendary C 414 family AKG has updated the classic C 414 microphone range with several new and much-requested features. While the capsule design and sonic identity of the microphones remain unchanged, the new C 414 XLS and the C 414 XLII offer nine polar patterns, further enabling engineers to choose the perfect setting for every application. The polar pattern, filter and attenuation switches now have a Lock mode to prevent the settings being changed accidentally or by a loss of phantom power – a feature particularly useful in live sound environments. Finally there is a new peak hold function, which reacts to overloads of as little as a fraction of a second. If the output level exceeds 2dB below the overload limit the polar pattern LED will be changed to red for three seconds, ensuring even the shortest signal peaks do not go unnoticed by the engineer. > www.soundtech.co.uk/akg
Vi Series console training from Sound Technology Sound Technology offer free Soundcraft Vi console training to professional sound engineers. The half-day course takes place monthly at Soundcraft’s headquarters in Potters Bar, Herts and is open to freelance or employed sound engineers.
Power upgrade for Crown Macro-Tech i Crown has updated its Macro-Tech i series of amplifiers with increased power and dual network port capability. Comprised of three models, the MA-5000i, MA-9000i, and MA-12000i, the Macro-Tech i series features patented Class-I circuitry, which delivers greater power while reducing the amplifier’s weight by more than half.
Crown has also added a second network port, allowing users to daisy chain the network control down the rack of amplifiers instead of having to run a separate cable from a switch to each individual amplifier. All Macro-Tech i amplifiers are also equipped with comprehensive status, fault, and load monitoring via standard Harman HiQnet™ System Architect™ software. The course is free to attend but registration is required. For latest dates and availability, to book a place on a course or for further information please contact Sound Technology on 01462 480000 or visit the website below. > www.soundtech.co.uk/soundcraft.
TECHNOLOGY
The MA5000i is now rated at 2500W per channel, the MA-9000i at 3500W per channel and the MA-12000i at 4500W per channel (all figures quoted at 4 Ohms. For full power specs, please visit www.crownaudio.com) > www.soundtech.co.uk/crown
DMS700: AKG’s revolutionary digital wireless AKG has launched the DMS 700 digital wireless system, offering a state-of-the-art feature set including pristine audio quality, digital encryption and an ultra-wide tuning range. Digital audio transmission eliminates distortion and noise levels at the higher audio frequencies that can affect analogue systems. The DMS 700 offers an ultra-wide bandwidth, which provides robust and versatile operation and ability to operate up to 100 channels simultaneously. The encrypted digital audio transmission enables users to broadcast sensitive audio information confidentially. The 19” rack mountable DSR 700 digital receiver contains internal digital signal processor providing an array of essential audio features such as a
low cut filter, 3-band EQ, dbx® compressor and dbx limiter. The DMS 700 also incorporates Harman‘s HiQnet™ technology allowing it to be incorporated into large audio networks whilst also allowing for easy software updates the system components. An infra-red link between receiver and transmitter offers a quick system setup for easy and user-friendly operation.
The DPT 700 bodypack transmitter accepts both microphone and line-level input signals with no need to adjust the input sensitivity. The audio input supports a broad range of AKG headsets, lavalier and instrument microphones. The DHT 700 Handheld transmitter is offered with AKG’s D 5 dynamic or C 5 condenser capsules. Operation time on both transmitters is an impressive eight hours from two AA batteries and both are compatible with the CU 700, a fast charger that rapidly charges rechargeable batteries without damaging the cells’ elements. > www.soundtech.co.uk/akg/dms700
New DriveRack PA+ from dbx Professional dbx® Professional has introduced the new DriveRack® PA+, the next generation of the best-selling loudspeaker management system, the DriveRack PA. The original DriveRack PA, known for setting the standard for complete speaker management, has given users an easier way to make their speaker systems sound better than they ever imagined. The new PA+ builds on this strong reputation by staying true to its predecessor while providing more great features and improved functionality. The DriveRack PA+ includes an updated library of stored speaker and amplifier settings, a feature only found on dbx DriveRack products. A USB connection has also been added that will now
allow users to update the preset settings. Other new features include fulltime RTA, front panel mute buttons, a faster Auto EQ® Wizard and an enhanced Setup Wizard process, which now includes a new industry-first Auto Level™ Wizard.
Feedback Suppression (AFS®) system to eliminate feedback, and the bass thumping dbx 120A subharmonic synthesizer function.
While the new DriveRack PA+ has been updated with new features and functionality, it still has all the groundbreaking features that made the original DriveRack PA so popular. These hallmark features include an industry-standard dbx compressor/limiter module, a high-quality 6-channel output system that includes parametric EQs, and Peak Plus™ limiters, the patented dbx Advanced
It also continues to have two independent signal paths, linked DPS processing power and linkable 28-Band Graphic Equalizer. These features, combined with the easy to use crossover function and alignment delay, help PA+ users deliver optimal, all-inclusive sound processing for almost any speaker system. > www.soundtech.co.uk/dbx
Soundcraft previews Vi2 control surface At PLASA 09 Soundcraft previewed a new Vi Series control surface for applications where space is very tight. The Soundcraft Vi2 inherits all the functionality of its larger brothers the Vi4 and Vi6, but measures just 850mm in width, around half the size of a Vi6. The Vi2 can handle as many inputs as a Vi4 or Vi6 (72 and 96 channels respectively) using the standard stagebox and local rack hardware. > www.soundtech.co.uk/soundcraft
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Subcompact system extends JBL Professional’s VERTEC® line array series JBL Professional has introduced the smallest system enclosures in the VERTEC® product family, the VT4886 passive 3-way high-directivity line array element and its companion VT4883 cardioidarrayable subwoofer. Incorporating innovative acoustical technologies and purpose-built transducers, they are specifically designed for standalone use or in conjunction with other existing VERTEC models. Designed to be one of the most versatile tools in a hire company’s stock, the new subcompact models are suitable for use in a broad range of suspended-array, ground-based and fill speaker applications thanks to a comprehensive range of array and suspension accessories for the new system. Given its very compact dimensions, the VT4886 is ideal for distributed front fill or under-balcony use, can be suspended in large multi-box arrays or ground-stacked, either standalone or with the VT4883 low-frequency extension. Mixed VT4883/VT4886 arrays can be suspended and supplemented with additional, large-format ground-stacked VERTEC subwoofers for extendedrange FOH use. U-bracket and pole mount fixtures also enable three to four VT4886 enclosures to be used with a tripod stand, or an extension rod in
coordination with VT4883 subwoofers. Integral suspension hardware enables the quick, secure assembly of variable-curvature vertical arrays with adjustable splay angles from 0 to 15 degrees, or modular, constant-curvature horizontal line arrays, following JBL’s patented, road-proven mechanical design established with larger models in the VERTEC family. Since the VT4886 is a true 3-way system with JBL’s integrated mid/high waveguide providing optimized vertical and horizontal wavefront control, system users can expect better horizontal coverage stability and overall throw compared to other 2-way designs on the market. And, with 10 voice coils instead of three as found in most other similar products, the VT4886 has the highest component density in its class and a healthy 3-6 dB maximum SPL advantage. The companion VT4883 sub/low enclosure, specifically designed for gradient cardioid arraying, will allow VERTEC system owners to apply the same cardioid and electronic delay steering techniques to small- and medium-scale configurations that is implemented in larger scale touring situations using full-size VERTEC subwoofers. > www.soundtech.co.uk/jbl
New v4.0 software for Soundcraft Vi consoles Soundcraft have unveiled v4.0 of the Vi Series operating software, which brings several enhancements for operators. User-configurable fader layers allow an engineer to map out their own channels on any of 3 user layers so that a combination of inputs can be placed on one layer, as opposed to the standard set of sequential channels on the 3 fixed layers.
aux masters can be used on one layer for instant access to multiple in-ear sends, or VCA masters assigned alongside aux masters. Further extending the layout control is the ability to assign output busses to the channel faders for immediate control, making access to the bus masters much faster.
This allows, for example, the main vocalist mics to be programmed to appear in the same location on every layer, so they are always accessible.
By touching any of the output meter windows on the master section screen, the corresponding output channel strips are assigned to the right hand 8 channel faders, leaving the left hand side of the surface still handling input channels.
Output fader layers may also be customised in a similar way, meaning, for example, that 8 stereo
The update also brings a number of new tools to the Vi worksurface which will find great favour
with theatre sound engineers. Snapshot recalls can now use crossfades to smoothly transition from one setting to the next, while a new snapshot preview mode allows the engineer to check in advance what settings are about to be recalled, and also allows editing of other cues without affecting the audio. A number of ‘under-the-hood’ optimisations have also been made to the software, which speed up the operation of layer changing and other functions. Follow the link below to see the new features in an online video demo: > www.soundtech.co.uk/soundcraft
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