By George Petersen
This month, from Oct. 8-10, 2024, the Audio Engineering Society’s annual U.S. exhibition (aesshow.com) comes to New York City’s Javits Convention Center, and is once again co-located with the NAB NYC show, offering attendees even more dazzling technogadgets. (Please note that your AES or NAB badge allows access to both exhibit floors.)
While the AES show is centered on recording technologies, there’s also a treasure trove of cool new items for sound reinforcement professionals to check out.
ON THE SHOW FLOOR…
Allen & Heath’s V2.0 update for dLive adds enhanced features, improved performance and streamlined workflows. Also new? A RackUltra FX card opens dLive to the next generation of onboard effects like vocal processing, reverbs, distortion and intelligent harmonies. Meanwhile, the latest firmware V1.2 takes the ultra-compact CQ mixer line to the next level with DCAs, mute groups and more. allen-heath.com; AES Booth 241
Audio-Technica is now shipping its System 20 PRO, a self-managing, plug-and-play 2.4 GHz digital wireless system designed for easy, hassle-free RF deployment, dependable high-quality audio and scalability up to 20 channels. audio-technica.com; AES Booth 447
Avid’s Venue 7.2 software adds more routing capabilities for the S6L console. Users can patch any input source from anywhere on the S6L platform or connected network to any input channel with Automatic Delay Compensation. Users can also access any source on the platform, such as stage and local inputs, and from MADI-192 or Milan-192 option cards. avid.com; AES Booth 518
Cedar Audio’s (now Dante-enabled) DNS 8D multi-channel dialog noise suppressor offers eight channels of noise suppression. Ideal for use in theaters, concert halls, conference venues and places of worship, it removes general background noise from audio signals, helping compensate for poor acoustic conditions, bad microphone placement and excessive reverberation, keeping the P.A. and the room reflections out of vocal mics. cedaraudio.com; AES Booth 440
Clear-Com’s Gen-IC system is a secure, low-latency cloud-managed virtual intercom service enabling real-time partyline workflows without requiring intercom hardware. Gen-IC is scalable for small and large teams while providing connectivity to existing onsite intercom systems, and it can integrate with Clear-Com’s hardware infrastructure over LAN, WAN and Internet. clearcom.com; AES Booth 129
DiGiCo’s Quantum326 digital console packs the punch of its Quantum338 in a compact footprint for smaller performance spaces and tours with tight logistic constraints. It offers 128 input channels, 64 buses, a 24×24 matrix (all with full channel processing), 24 100mm faders and two user-assignable faders, each with high-res metering, matched with two 17-inch, high-brightness multi-touch screens, 58 TFT channel displays, “Ultimate Stadius” 32-bit ADC and DAC conversion and more. A theater-specific Quantum326T version is also available. digico.biz; AES Booth 219
Eartec’s UltraLITE PRO16 wireless intercom systems are easy to use and offered in single and dual-ear headset versions that can link up to 16 users with clear audio in full-duplex without a base station or hub. eartec.com; NAB Booth 547
Fohhn Audio’s Gallery processor/server is a DSP platform for creating immersive 3D sound worlds and complex multi-channel projects, handling rendering and signal management, supporting I/O formats from binaural headphone playback, 5.1, Dolby Atmos, IMAX 3D to full-dome environments with 128 channels. fohhn.com; AES Booth 349
Fourier Audio’s transform.engine v1.2 lets users easily recall Cues over a MIDI connection from either a mixing console or show control software, and also support multiple Cuelists, to run VST3-native plug-ins at low latency in live environments. fourieraudio.com; AES Booth 219
Harrison’s $14.99 LiveTrax multitrack recording / virtual soundcheck software offers integration with Allen & Heath mixers. With no track count limit, LiveTrax captures performances of all sizes, along with scene changes from A&H consoles, inserting them as markers on the timeline, ready for virtual soundcheck and timecode automation. LiveTrax can also open sessions created in Waves Live Tracks and export sessions to Harrison’s Mixbus DAW. harrisonaudio.com; AES Booth 123
Hear Technologies’ PRO Connect, a new, free desktop application for Hear Back PRO Mixers and PRO Hubs, combines legacy apps with new functions to configure and control your HB PRO personal monitoring system:
- Web-Based Control for accessibility regardless of device or OS
- Matrix Mixing & Submixing creates different layouts for each musician, mapping audio on a per-Mixer basis.
- Multiple Mobile Users can control their mix via a Wi-Fi browser-based interface.
- Session Management saves / recalls settings for all Mixers from a session or band.
- Visual Hub Wizard easily configures your Hub.
- Channel and Mixer Naming for linking stereo channels, displaying Mixers and individual channel names on your Mixer Digital Overlays.
- Channel Soloing: Instantly isolate any channel from the rest of the mix.
- Mixer Grouping/Mirroring: Group PRO Mixers to keep all Mixers within a group synched. Changing your mix on one Mixer reflects on the other Mixers.
- Improved Metering: More accurate input channel level displays.
- Compressor/Limiter: Adjust threshold, attack and release on each mixer’s onboard limiter.
heartechnologies.com; AES Booth #538
KLANG:technologies’ software upgrade for its :vokal immersive 3D in-ear monitor mixing system can transform an existing :vokal processor into a :vokal+, increasing the product’s input channel count from 24 to a full 64 channels for all 12 binaural mixes. klang.com; AES Booth 219
Lake People’s G103-D-4 dual stereo headphone amp incorporates Dante Ultimo 4 connectivity via a standard Ethernet connection. 24-bit/192kHz DACs offer 105dB S/N ratios and low 0.01% THD. Power supply options include PoE, USB-B and USB-C, and both 1/4″ and 1/8” headphone jacks are provided for each stereo channel. lake-people.de; AES Booth 241
Lawo mc2 Series console upgrades offer new capabilities, including compatibility with Waves’ new SuperRack LiveBox, providing access and control of most studio-grade VST3 plug-ins, with snapshot-specific parameter saves and recalls. lawo.com; NAB Booth 1013
Lectrosonics’ DSSM miniature, water-resistant digital wireless bodypack transmitter is offered in A1B1 (470-614 MHz), B1C1 (537-691 MHz) and 941 (941-960 MHz) frequencies. The all-metal construction unit has removable SMA mount antenna; standard 3-pin locking input connector and a removable LB-50 LiOn battery. lectrosonics.com; AES Booth 334
Meyer Sound’s new Ultra-X80 concentric- driver point-source design couples two 12-inch neodymium drivers on a rotatable 95°x40° waveguide coupled to a 4” comp. driver with Class-D amplification delivering 141 dB peaks in a cabinet weighing just 130 pounds. An Ultra-X82 variant offers a more tightly focused 50°x40° pattern at 142 max dB SPL. meyersound.com; AES Booth 227
Pliant Technologies’ SmartBoom LITE Headset has a comfortable fit, field-replaceable cable and swivel earcup. Other features include on/off mic muting; ambidextrous, swiveling mic boom; and noise-cancelling cardioid mic. It’s available in 4-pin XLR-F, 5-pin XLR-M, 6-pin mini-XLR-F (TA6F) and unterminated versions; with electret or dynamic mic capsules. plianttechnologies.com; NAB Booth 1331
RCF celebrates 75 years with 20 new products, including: High-power neodymium 19” and 16” long-excursion woofers and seven additions to the popular ART 7 Series, with 8” to 15” woofer MK5 models equipped with FiRPHASE and XBOOST algorithms for optimal sound. rcf.it; AES Booth 319
Riedel’s punQtum Bolero Connect feature offers users a direct connection to Riedel’s Bolero wireless intercom system. Used with punQtum’s Q210 P speaker station, this affordable solution for deployment across large-scale events requiring several channels of partyline, working as a single network connection between the Q210 P and Bolero, making the system slimmer and more cost-effective. riedel.net; NAB Booth 821
RME’s MADIface XT II is a 394-channel, 192 kHz USB 3.0 audio interface with comprehensive connectivity and control options for live and studio work, while surpassing the first generation MADIface XT with significantly improved analog and digital performance. Standard are two mic/line preamps, two balanced XLR line outs, headphone out, digital signal options (MADI coaxial and optical, MIDI/AES, word clock) and an additional PCI Express connection. rme-usa.com; AES Booth 329
RTS’ NEO Intercom Management Suite expands the capabilities of RTS AZedit configuration software; speeds up day-to-day tasks for RTS matrix intercom systems of any size and complexity; and offers multi-window and multi-screen support for intuitive configuration and control support for Windows and macOS. rtsintercoms.com; NAB Booth 1312
Shure’s Nexadyne dynamic vocal mics are offered in cardioid NXN8/C and supercardioid NXN8/S patterns; as well as interchangeable capsules for standard 1.25” / screw-mount wireless handhelds. Shure’s Nexadyne capsules are also now shipping with its Axient Digital, ULX-D, QLX-D, and SLX-D handheld transmitters. Also new is Shure’s low-profile WL18Xm pro lavalier condenser mic for corporate, education and worship environments. shure.com; AES Booth 540
Solid State Logic’s Live Bundle console packages for touring, installed sound and church audio are scalable to meet end-user requirements and budgets. SuperAnalogue Dante and MADI-based I/O bundles are ideal for church, theater or event spaces. For touring, SSL Live consoles with Blacklight II Concentrator interface connect multiple SuperAnalogue ML 32.32 MADI stageboxes shared across two SSL Live consoles for plug-and-play simplicity. solidstatelogic.com; AES Booth 119
Sonifex expands its line of Dante interface solutions with the AVN-DIO14 (Dante to XLR analog stereo inputs/outputs); AVN-DIO15 (four analog XLR inputs to Dante); and AVNDIO16 (Dante to four analog XLR outs). All are PoE powered and are AES67 and Dante Domain Manager compliant. sonifex.co.uk; AES Booth 442
Sound Devices’ A20 SuperNexus is a 16-channel (expandable to 32-channel) wireless mic receiver, designed to remove that RF receiver clutter at the FOH or monitor positions. It can also add native Optocore connectivity directly to DiGiCo consoles, for all your Sound Devices beltpack transmitters. sounddevices.com; AES Booth 318
StageTec will be showing V1.20 software for its Avatus consoles. Features include: a preview mode for Cues; a redesigned routing display on the metering screen; ACC routing for buses and VCA groups; and a Windows editor. stagetec.com; AES Booth 318
Telefunken‘s new wireless mic capsules are designed to mate with Sennheiser transmitters. The new M80-WH2 and M81-WH2 wireless capsule heads offer the same sonic characteristics as Telefunken’s M80 and M81 dynamic microphones. Featuring the same low-mass diaphragm and custom-wound output transformer as the handheld and low-profile versions, the M80-WH2 and M81-WH2 provide the impressive sound quality and reliability one expects from a Telefunken Dynamic Series microphone. telefunken-elektroakustik.com; AES Booth 335
TT+ Audio’s 148 dB GTX 12 3-way line array module is designed for large-scale applications (flyable in arrays up to 24 modules); with its compact GTX 10 two-way line array module for mid-large scale and installed indoor / outdoor sound applications. ttaudio.com; AES Booth 319
Wisycom’s MTH610 handheld wireless transmitter features dual-band capability in the 470-1,260 MHz range, remote control via Bluetooth using the Wisycom app, an onboard 32-bit floating point internal micro-SD card recorder and adapters that accept a variety of interchangeable mic capsules. (Shown here with a DPA 2028). wisycom.com; AES Booth 634
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The AES Show runs from Oct. 8-10 at New York’s Javits Convention Center. For more info, visit: aesshow.com.
