From June 2 to 8, 2018 A/V communications and systems contracting professionals flocked to the InfoComm show, which returned to the Las Vegas Convention Center for its annual expo. In fact, the turnout was high, attracting nearly 43,000 registered attendees — 10 percent more than the last time InfoComm was held in Las Vegas in 2016. To be sure, most of those convention-goers were transfixed on the dazzling exhibits of video walls, hi-def projection systems, intercoms, automation panels and transducers — ranging from ceiling speakers to line arrays, but on the audio side, this year’s technology push seemed to be centered on mixing consoles. Here are a few examples of that trend.
Allen & Heath’s (www.allen-heath.com) 96kHz XCVI FPGA engine drive its new SQ-7, a 33-fader/36-bus digital console with 48 channels as 32 mic preamps and eight onboard FX engines with dedicated effects returns. For in-ear monitors, SQ-7 provides 12 stereo mixes (configurable as groups or auxes), while Automatic Mic Mixing makes it a suitable choice for conferences, panel talks and more. It also features a 32×32 USB record/play interface, AES output, 16 softkeys/eight rotaries (all assignable), 7-inch central touchscreen, 64-channel I/O audio networking port and more.
In collaboration with Shure, Allen & Heath also released its dLive V1.7 firmware – a major feature upgrade for its flagship digital mixing system featuring support for Shure’s Axient Digital ULX-D and QLX-D wireless systems.
Ashly Audio (www.ashly.com) is now shipping its digiMIX18 digital mixer, which features intuitive mix functionality that pros and beginners will appreciate – with real buttons and knobs, intelligent fader and meter bridge, a 7-inch touch screen interface, and has a free iPad app for wireless remote control. Additional features include 18 inputs, 12 output buses, comprehensive EQ and dynamics processing, two effects engines, auto-mixing functionality, optional Dante digital connectivity and supplied rack-mounting hardware. MAP is $899.
Avid (www.avid.com) was showing its expanded its VENUE | S6L family of live sound systems, with three new control surfaces, a new engine and two new I/O racks — all on a unified platform with 100% show file compatibility. Five available surfaces (with 16 to 48 faders) include the new S6L-48D, S6L-24C, and S6L-16C, which can be paired with a choice of three engines, including the new E6L-112, and connected to any combination of four I/O rack options, including the new Stage 32 (with Dante support) and Local 16. Shipping begins later this year.
Crest Audio (www.peaveycommercialaudio.com) launched its new XD-16 and XD-28 small format digital mixers. Available in 2-rackspace chassis, with 16- or 28-channel frames, XD Series offer optional 4×4 Dante networking as well as an integrated wi-fi module for remote control and monitoring from any Android, Windows or iOS device.
DiGiCo (www.digico.biz) is shipping its Quantum 7 software for the popular SD7 console. Based on 7th-generation FPGA devices, Quantum 7 expands an SD7 to over 600 channels of processing in 96k Hz operation and connecting to nearly 3,000 potential I/Os. The engine has eight assignable MADI connections and two DMI slots (DiGiCo Multi-Channel Interface) for AoIP and other connectivity options. Other enhancements include Nodal Processing (applicable to any node on the board’s aux section) and True Solo that speeds managing the potentially daunting number of available channels and buses.
Dan Dugan (www.dandugan.com) proved that power can come in compact packages. The new E-2A automatic mic mixing controller incorporates 28 channels of processing (12 balanced analog plus 16 ADAT) and supports all Dugan algorithms — Speech System, Music System and Gain Limiting. A six-bus pre/post matrix mixer with 56×6 capability is also provided. Four switched Ethernet ports are available for control. A bright OLED display enables fast, easy setup from the front panel or use the included Dugan Control Panel for Java, or optionally — the Dugan Control Panel for iPad or tactile control via the Dugan Model K Control Surface.
L-Acoustics (www.l-acoustics.com) announced an AAX DSP version of its L-ISA (Immersive Sound Art) source control plug-in for Avid’s VENUE | S6L console’s control surface, allowing sound engineers an expanded range of consoles in which they will be able to use a familiar workflow to manage immersive environments easily and intuitively. This integration offers many benefits in terms of show portability and live interaction, and the L-ISA loudspeaker layout can easily be adapted to location changes, while maintaining the spatial properties of the mix. Not to be outdone, DiGiCo’s SD range of mixing consoles offer native support of L-Acoustics’ L-ISA, for versatile object-based mixing technology directly from the console surface.
PreSonus (www.presonus.com) showed its entire StudioLive console range (including the new StudioLive 24.4.2AI) and announced expanded StudioLive plug-ins. Four Fat Channel plug-in models of classic PreSonus hardware processors are free, while additional Classic Studio, Modern Classics and Vintage Channel Strips bundles may be purchased individually.
Radial Engineering (www.radialeng.com) is shipping its Presenter mixer. Designed for grab-and-go gigs, this compact unit combines a mic preamp and a USB program input intended for presentations such as school lectures or corporate audio. The USB input connects to a laptop for high-quality audio playback and provides power, eliminating the need to carry around a separate power adapter; a 3.5mm stereo input jack is iis also provided. The XLR mic input has low and high EQ controls and a low cut filter. The mic and playback signals are mixed to stereo XLRs, for connection to a P.A. or powered speakers.
Solid State Logic (www.solidstatelogic.com) expanded its Live series offerings with the new L100 console. The compact, 12 + 2 fader frame (plus 17” touch screen), is expandable with the new SSL Remote Tile, and more screen space can be added via an external touch screen and iPad/Android control. Standard are 96 audio paths, configurable with up to 64 input channels, 36 aux sends, 12 stem groups, 12 VCAs and four masters. A 4×32 input, 12-out matrix is always available. The L100 Live console offers showfile compatibility across the entire SSL range (and all of the same I/O options) and it’s available now.
Studer (www.studer.ch) is shipping its Vista 5 Black Edition console. It’s available in 22/32/44-fader sizes, and standard features include the Vistronics interface and FaderGlow technology, as well as Studer’s Infinity Core’s advanced capabilities such as Dynamic EQ plug-ins and full Core redundancy with up to 1,000 MEQs (Mono Equivalent Channels) and support for the Infinity Core 300, 600 and 1000.
Yamaha (www.yamahaca.com) unveiled Dante-equipped Rio3224-D2 and Rio1608-D2 I/O rack units for its RIVAGE PM Series, including the new RIVAGE PM7 digital mixing system, but also useable with its smaller CL and QL consoles. Yamaha also announced firmware updates for its CL and QL consoles that will increase the number of supported Dante devices, including a total of 10 products such as digital wireless receivers, microphone preamps, processors, and more, from Rupert Neve Designs, Sennheiser, Shure, Sony, Stagetec, Nexo and certain Yamaha speakers and matrix processors.
We will be covering more new gear from InfoComm 2018 online here at fohonline.com, as well as in an expanded section of the July print issue of FRONT of HOUSE magazine. Meanwhile, InfoComm 2019’s exhibits return to Orlando from June 12 to 14, 2019. Buy those Disney World passes now!
