Celebrating the organization’s 75th anniversary (it was founded in 1948), the 155th convention of the Audio Engineering Society took place Oct. 25-27 at New York City’s Jacob Javits Convention Center.
Participation jumped 15 percent over the 2022 AES convention, which was the first in-person event since the pandemic. With more than 8,100 registered attendees and 127 exhibitors, the 155th AES brought together audio pros from around the world.
As in past years, AES NY 2023 was co-located with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show New York, with the two events collectively attracting 20,000-plus registrants from all aspects of the broadcast, streaming, online, live and recorded entertainment and information industries.
It’s no secret that AES shows — at least in recent decades — are overwhelmingly focused on recording, and not live sound gear. However, at least the weather cooperated with attendees welcomed by unseasonably balmy weather, clear skies and — believe it or not — some interesting new technologies for live applications. Here are a few products that caught our attention.
Allen & Heath launched its 12-fader Avantis Solo digital console, which packs the punch of the full Avantis, but in a compact frame. Built on the same 64-input / 42-bus 96kHz mix engine as the award-winning Avantis digital console — with the only difference being the amount of physical control and I/O available on the mixer —new compact-frame Avantis Solo features a single 15.6” Full HD capacitive touch screen; 18 assignable SoftKeys; 12 faders in six layers; six analog and one stereo AES inputs; six analog outs and a single and stereo AES output. Price: TBA. allen-heath.com
DiGiCo came on strong with Fourier Audio, its new acquisition, spotlighting the new transform.engine. Housed in a rugged two-rackspace chassis, it’s a 64×64 in/out, Dante-connected server designed to run all VST3-native software plug-ins in a live environment, bringing premium studio software to live sound and broadcast applications. Compatible with any VST3 plug-in that can run on Windows, the processor offers engineers access to the very best studio-grade processing on a robust platform that’s specifically designed for the rigors and complexities of live productions. fourieraudio.com; digico.biz
Eventide unveiled the 50th anniversary Omnipressor Model 2830*Au, a faithful replica designed with the same circuitry and the same sound as the original 2830. The new *Au can link multiple units and is fitted with input and output transformers, a universal power supply, a backlit meter and convenient TRS/XLR connectors replacing the original terminal strip. MSRP is $1,999 when it ships in January. eventide.com
Fairchild USA showed its new faithful recreation of the classic Fairchild 670 stereo compressor limiter, built using the same tubes, custom wound transformers and point-to-point wiring as the original spec. The 5-year development project is the brainchild of Telefunken Elektroakustik founder / CEO Toni Fishman, and it’s available in limited quantities at $35,000. The 8U chassis weighs in at 65 pounds, so make sure your roadies are in shape before you spec these on your next tour. www.fairchildusa.com
Meyer Sound demoed its new 2100-LFC low-frequency control element, ULTRA-X40 compact loudspeaker, ULTRA-X20 compact wide coverage loudspeaker, UPQ full-size loudspeakers and Spacemap Go spatial sound design and mixing tool. Meyer Sound also introduced its NADIA integrated network-based digital audio platform for Constellation acoustic system installations, providing separate inputs, processing, and matrixing to enable Spacemap Go spatial sound with no performance compromises for either function. www.meyersound.com
Pliant Technologies is shipping its MicroCom 900XR Wireless Headset, with the same performance and functionality as the MicroCom 900XR beltpack, but engineered to fit inside the SmartBoom PRO headset ear cup. Its all-in-one design features an easy-to-read OLED display, two intercom channels with a dual-listen option, and support for up to 10 full-duplex users including unlimited listen-only and shared users. It’s available in single- and dual-ear configurations. www.plianttechnologies.com
Punqtum’s free-to-download app-based intercom for iOS and Android platforms works as an intercom system over any IP network and will be available to Android and iOS users with access to the brand’s new Q210 PW speaker station. Users can integrate up to four apps into their current punQtum Q210 PW system without the need for additional belt packs — ideal for production situations where extra crewmembers need a fast and flexible way to communicate with the wider team. www.punqtum.com
RCF Audio was showing TT+ Audio, an independent brand within the RCF family. TT+ Audio’s GTX Line Array System separates the power amplification from the speaker enclosures, moving it to touring racks, each with up to three XPS 16k-watt, 4-channel DSP amps communicating via RCF’s RDNet management platform. The line includes the GTX 12 three-way line array; GTX 10 two-way line array; and the double-19” GTS 29 high-performance sub — all with waterproof birch ply cabinets with optimized rigging hardware for touring or installs. www.ttaudio.com
Sennheiser hosted invitation-only educational sessions focused on its WMAS (Wireless Multichannel Audio System) under development. The technology multiplexes dozens of audio channels onto a single wideband RF carrier. Via WMAS, a single 8 MHz wide RF channel can support 64+ digital mic and/or IEM channels, each operating at 1.25 mW. www.sennheiser.com
Shure’s acquisition of AB Wavemark Oy brings WAVETOOL and WTAUTOMIXER V2 automixer apps to its portfolio. Compatible with Shure Axient Digital, ULX-D, SLX-D, Axient Analog and UHF-R receivers (and some third-party brands), WAVETOOL combines mic monitoring and RF quality monitoring into a single, efficient view. www.shure.com
Back to the Future
The next AES International Convention will be held in Madrid, Spain on June 15-17, 2024. And AES plans to return to New York’s Javits Center in October 2024. For more info, visit www.aes.org.
