NAB Show
Largely a broadcasting show, NAB (exhibits April 24-27) is hardly a sound reinforcement expo — although with a wealth of streaming tools on display, it might make sense to attend. Also, NAB has always been a mecca for microphones, consoles and other production essentials, so there’s a lot to see.
Allen & Heath (allen-heath.com; NAB Booth: C9816) will be demoing the native monitoring and control of Shure’s ULX-D, QLX-D and Axient Digital wireless systems from its Avantis digital mixer. It’s part of the console’s free V1.13 firmware update.
Audio-Technica’s (audio-technica.com; NAB Booth C5826) TND1061 Beamforming Ceiling Array Microphone solution for meeting spaces can be used singly or in multiples (for larger spaces) to capture every voice in a room with clear, natural audio. Its onboard DSP includes automix, acoustic echo cancellation, noise reduction, automatic gain control and 4-band EQ.
Clear-Com (clearcom.com; NAB Booth C6908) will host demos of its Arcadia Central Station, FreeSpeak Edge Base Station, Station-IC Virtual Desktop Client, and a new version of EHX, which brings important updates to the Eclipse HX Digital Matrix platform, an update to the Trilogy Mentor SPG.
DiGiCo/KLANG (g1limited.com; NAB Booth: C8008). Besides DiGiCo’s latest Quantum digital consoles, Group One will demo the KLANG:konductor in-ear mixing processor that delivers 16 immersive mixes from 128 input signals at up to 96k Hz, as well as the KLANG:kontroller hardware controller and KLANG:vokal. The latter lets 12 musicians pick up to 24 mono or stereo channels out of 64 Dante and MADI inputs to create 12 mixes.
DPA (dpamicrophones.com; NAB Booth: C8609) will feature its 4466 CORE Omnidirectional and 4488 CORE Directional Headset Microphones, which feature the brand’s popular 5mm round mic capsule. These latest offerings provide the security, durability and flexibility necessary for use in no-fail live performance applications.
Lawo (lawo.com; NAB Booth: C6932) offers a range of consoles and routing solutions consoles. Live sound pros will be interested in the new mc236 Mk II, which offers 160 inputs, 96 summing buses and an onboard 864-channel I/O capacity from either compact 16-fader (shown here) or 32-fader frames.
Lectrosonics (lectrosonics.com; NAB Booth: C6518) will demo the new version of its Wireless Designer frequency coordination and RF system management software for Mac or PC. Lectrosonics will also debut a number of yet-unannounced products for the show, so there will be plenty of new gear to check out.
Neumann (neumann.com; Booth: C6715) will make the first showing of its new Miniature Clip Mic System, which features a compact KK 14 cardioid capsule, 153 dB SPL handling and optional clip mounts to fit a variety of instruments and applications.
Neutrik’s (neutrik.us; NAB Booth: C6628) FiberFox fiber optic connection system is designed with an expanded beam connector for robust connectivity in challenging applications. Designed for dirty, dusty environments, FiberFox meets the requirements of MIL-DTL-83526 military specs.
Pliant Technologies’ (plianttechnologies.com; NAB Booth C7118) firmware update for its CrewCom wireless intercom adds new features, including a High Density mode that increases user densities, supporting up to 32 Radio Packs on a single Radio Transceiver.
Riedel Communications (riedel.net; Booth: C6925) will show its full line of comm solutions, including the new Bolero Standalone Application, a license-based upgrade for Bolero wireless systems. In standalone installations, up to 100 Bolero antennas and 100 beltpacks can be integrated into a single system.
SSL (solidstatelogic.com; NAB Booth: C8008) will feature the new L650 — its most powerful live console, with 288 (240 full, 48 dry) inputs in a 36-fader package that also includes integrated control of L-Acoustics L-ISA, Meyer Sound Spacemap Go Immersive and Shure ULX-D and Axient Digital wireless mics.
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PROLIGHT+SOUND 2022, FRANKFURT
Prolight+Sound returns to Frankfurt, Germany from April 26-29, 2022, for the first time without the Musikmesse component, which was cancelled — at least for 2022. The show’s pro production emphasis is popular with manufacturers of live loudspeakers. Here are a few highlights to check out.
DAS Audio (dasaudio.com; PL+S Booth 11-B23) will launch its new, self-powered (6,000-watt) cardioid line array (shown above), which is capable of 146 dB SPLs. More details to come when it’s officially unveiled on April 26, 2022, the first day of the show. DAS will also demo ALMA, its cross-platform Mac/Win real-time control and monitoring software for DAS Audio speaker systems. Designed for integrators and system designers, ALMA lets users manage basic or complex sound systems instantly and intuitively, with advanced features such as DASaim Digital Steering Technology and RS-485 and IP networking.
dBTechnologies (dbtechnologies.com; PL+S Booth 11-B09) will focus on its VIO line, including the newest, the VIO L1610 — a double-10, 3-way powered (1,600W) line array, featuring linear phase FIR filters, RD-Net for real-time remote control via Aurora Net software and a Dante option.
Electro-Voice (electrovoice.com; PL+S Booth 11-C20) will feature its large-format MTS series of single-box loudspeakers in point-source configurations with four 15″ woofers and two coaxial MF/HF compression drivers, capable of 151 dB SPLs. A cardioid version with two side-firing woofers is also offered.
Kling & Freitag (kling-freitag.com; PL+S Booth 11-A02) has upgraded its VIDA L column systems with selection of the coverage angle and inclination, but also the new J-Beam technology for setting the energy distribution within the beam itself — all with a free firmware update.
L-Acoustics (l-acoustics.com; PL+S Booth 11-B10) presents its entire loudspeaker line, but will spotlight the next-gen L-ISA Processor II 3D audio engine for immersive audio. It provides object-based mixing with spatial audio processing and virtual acoustics for up to 96 audio objects, and doubling the original unit’s capacity to 128 outputs.
LD Systems (ld-systems.com; PL+S Booth 11-A21) is secretive on the details, but will unveil a scalable system that is said to present a “new milestone” in its brand history. The unveiling happens on April 26, the opening day of PL+S.
Meyer Sound (meyersound.com; PL+S Demo Room Portalhaus PH.VIA A02) presents the first public unveiling of its flagship PANTHER line array and will demo the Spacemap Go spatial sound design/mixing tool (shown) that leverages the processing power of Meyer’s Galaxy network platform.
TW Audio (twaudio.de; PL+S Booth 11-B36) will show its PA-SYS-TWO modular sound system based on M12 12” point-source top cabinets, B30 subwoofers and a system amp rack with patch panel and a set of cables.
