11 July 2010

Ultrasone’s S-Logic™ Technology Wins Prestigious Innovation Plus X Award®

S-Logic™ Technology from German manufacturer Ultrasone, has been awarded the Innovation Plus X Award® for its state-of-the-art technology and future-proof design.The internationally renowned Plus X Award® is the largest technology, sports and lifestyle competition in the world. Winning technologies are selected by a panel comprised of 144 distinguished members, handpicked for their expertise in numerous industries, hailing from 32 different countries.

"To have our S-Logic™ technology recognised as a breakthrough innovation by one of the most renowned international design competitions is a tremendous honour,” remarked Michael Zirkel, Ultrasone’s COO. “Ultrasone’s goal has always been to design the world’s best sounding and safest headphones. We believe our patented S-Logic™ technology results in the purest and most elegant listening experience to be found anywhere, all while helping to protect the listener’s hearing."

S-Logic™ Technology
Ultrasone’s patented S-Logic™ technology is best described as a natural surround sound system. Rather than directing the audio signal to the listener’s ear canal, as most conventional headphones do, S-Logic™ technology employs decentralized drivers that direct audio to the listener’s outer ear. This technology not only gives the user a natural surround experience in a stereo headphone by utilizing the ear’s anatomy, but it also reduces sound pressure on the eardrums by an astonishing 40%.

About the Plus X Award®:
With 144 top-class jury members, neutral in terms of industry preference, from 32 nations, 38 professional partners and a marketing volume of more than four million euros, the Plus X Award® is the largest technology, sports and lifestyle competition in the world. Products that can be submitted for the Plus X Award® for technology are among others any such in the field of home appliances, IT products, car media, power tools as well as mobile and photo technology. The contest was initiated by the marketing agency media society networks as a project aimed at strengthening brand names and in 2009 celebrates its sixth year. Plus X Awards® are presented for special achievements in the categories Innovation, High Quality, Design, Ease of Use/Functionality, Ergonomics and Ecology. www.plusxaward.com

About Ultrasone
Based near Munich, Germany, Ultrasone AG has been manufacturing headphones for the audio market for over 17 years, during which time the company has developed and applied for more than 60 patents for its innovative technology. The company's unique, patented S-Logic™ technology creates natural surround sound without the use of additional electronic devices. Ultrasone headphones represent a safer listening experience by reducing sound pressure on the ear drum by up to 40% and also by offering shielding from EMF radiation up to 98% through the use of patented ULE (ultra low emission) technology. For more information about Ultrasone headphones, go to www.ultrasone.com.

Ultrasone Headphones are distributed in the UK by Synthax Audio (UK) Ltd.

29th April 2010

It was announced this week that our sister company “Synthax Audio (UK) ltd.” were the new distributors for no less than four new brands in the UK. Building on the success of RME and Alva, Synthax UK will be responsible for Studiologic (by Fatar) keyboards, Ultrasone headphones, True Systems analogue mic pre and Di solutions and the Lehmann Black Cube headphone preamp.

Studiologic (by Fatar) has for many years been the choice of keyboard for professional musicians world-wide, in fact it is likely that you will already be familiar with their SL range of weighted 88 note MIDI Controllers. Studiologic now also includes a comprehensive selection of keyboards from the Vintage and Numa ranges, including the new Numa Piano and Numa Organ.

Ultrasone is German headphone manufacturer who’s designs have enjoyed enourmous success. There are a pair of Ultrasone quality headphones for just about any application. The different ranges are as follows: Edition 8, Pro, DJ, Zino and HFI

True Systems is a no-compromise range of single, stereo and 8 way analogue mic pre's and DI's for a range of applications such as DAW and location recording. 

Lehmann Audio’s “Back Cube” headphone amp was described in Studio Magazine as "the reference class of its genre, with a relaxed, open, balanced and detailed faithful sound that hardly raises fears of fatigue, with a much better representation of space, depth and transients .. ."

Please contact us for further information.

Anindya Mukherjee talks about the new products at the Sonodyne launch at Frankfurt Musikmesse 2010

20th April 2010

Following in the footsteps of the already successful SM50Ak and the award winning SM100Ak, Frankfurt Musikmesse 2010 saw the launch of the new SM200Ak 2-way active mid-field monitor, the SLF210 powered subwoofer, a new avatar of the SM 50 Ak, and the BMS 205 DSP Bass management unit.

The Sonodyne SLF210 remote controlled powered subwoofer features a continuously variable 40 - 120 Hz crossover frequency and a 10” driver, which is powered by a custom designed and built 150 watt amplifier.  Used in conjunction with the SM series of reference monitors, the SLF210 offers low, precise and clear frequencies that will match systems at twice the cost.

The BMS205 features a 28/56 bit, 50 MIPS Audio DSP. It not only filters LF (at 3 crossover settings) from the main channels to the LFE channel, but also extracts an LFE signal from the L, R while keeping the L, R in either HP filtered or full range modes.  Additionally, a summed mono output is available so that an external subwoofer crossover may be employed. A Master Level control and Mute are available, as well as Level trims (+/- 6 dB) and ‘Mute’ for all 6 channels individually. A slim 1 RU device, it fits neatly into your rack or sits smartly on your desktop. 

The SMac50 is a variant of our popular SM50Ak in a classy blend of matt black and fine silver.  Aimed squarely at users requiring a professional near-field monitoring solution for the Mac Book Pro, we fondly call it the ‘SMac Pro’.

Please contact us for further information.

5th March 2010

This week, SPL announced the DrumXchanger, which is one of a few new products to debut at Frankfurt Muiskmesse 2010.

By inventing level-independent dynamic processing in the 1990's, SPL provided the foundation for all transient processing tools. They have once again utilised this proven and tested technology to develop their latest software tool: the DrumXchanger, a plug-in that can replace drum sounds in multitrack sessions irrespective of their level. According to SPL, it works in real time and replaces samples phase-accurately in the original signal.

DrumXchanger uses the Transient Designer technology for drum hit recognition rather than sound creation. Hence, all drum hits, including the faintest ghost notes, are faithfully recognized regardless of their dynamic level.

The samples can be mixed with the original sound and there is also a ducking function available, which only reduces the level of the original drum hit itself without affecting the ambience around it.

Two Transient Designers included!

Besides the basic functions to process the original and sample signals, DrumXchanger includes two fully operational Transient Designer processors, as well as high-pass and low-pass filters for the original, sampled and output signals.

All samples can be pitch-shifted one octave above or below in real time, while a delay control allows precise sample replacement.

Sample Library

SPL included a basic library with high-quality 24 bit/96 kHz samples. The library, created exclusively with SPL's preamps and processors, includes three drum kits with one snare, one bass drum and four toms each. Every multisample is made up of up to 80 sounds in sixteen dynamic levels and five variations.

Furthermore, users have the possibility to load their own WAV samples; the creation and import of multisamples, as well as the implementation of MIDI (In/Out) capabilities, are in the planning.

Pricing and availability

DrumXchanger will be available for a suggested retail price of $449 USD (299 EUR), excl. VAT. The native version includes RTAS, VST and AU support for Mac and PC. As part of the product launch campaign, SPL is planning to offer some special deals, which include discounts to owners of the Transient Designer plug-in.

The DrumXchanger beta version will be presented at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt from the 24th to the 27th of March, 2010. Release of the final version will be announced at the show. You can find the SPL stand (B82) in Hall 5.1

5th March 2010

Having an SPL modular rack system had never been so feasible: In addition to the much-praised, 19-inch eight-module frame available already, the German manufacturer introduces now a brand new four-module rack system, as well as a Dual-Band De-Esser to complete its range of modules available.

RackPack 4 is a compact and portable module frame that can fit up to four SPL RackPack modules and supply them with power. The sturdy rubber feet and handle make it easy to move around, while the especially manufactured fitting system allow it to sit comfortably in a 19-inch rack.
"We came to realize that there were lots of people interested in SPL modules like the Transient Designer or the Premium Mic Preamp, but they didn't want to go for eight modules at once," explains SPL's CEO Hermann Gier. "Besides, the four module frame is much more affordable and it is portable, so RackPack 4 users get three major advantages at the same time."

SPL Dual Band De-Esser

Back in the 1990's, SPL developed an alternative way to process signals in order to reduce sibilance based on phase cancellation. Unlike the traditional compression methods, this processing is much more unobtrusive and simplifies control to one single parameter. SPL's De-Esser quickly became a standard reference among recording studios, broadcast stations and live sound engineers.

The new Dual-Band De-Esser module expands on this concept by making use of two frequency bands. According to SPL, two de-esser stages increase the effectiveness of the processing without introducing any audible artifacts. At the same time, processing can be much more targeted, since the low and high bands can be used together or independently. Furthermore, input signals are automatically adjusted so the processing is uniform, regardless of the distance between source and microphone, and the Male/Female button allow it to perfectly adapt to male or female voices.

The RackPack 4 and the Dual-Band De-Esser will be displayed at Musikmesse in Frankfurt from the 24th to the 27th of March, 2010. You can find the SPL stand (B82) in Hall 5.1. 

Pricing and availability will be announced at Musikmesse.

21st February 2010

Contributing to the ongoing debate about M/S Mastering, SPL introduces a new powerful analog tool that can manage M/S signal separation and integrate external processors seamlessly – The M/S Master. World Premiere at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt.

The M/S Master allows a fully adjustable separation of stereo L/R signals (X/Y) into middle/side signals (M/S). M/S separation and positioning, as well as the stereo image, are defined by the Balance and Level knobs, while a switchable frequency filter for the Side signal controls the lower frequencies and the room ambience.

One of the main features of the M/S Master is that it can integrate external processors via switchable inserts. Thus, outboard gear can be easily integrated into the X/Y or M/S mix with a single button and without the need of any cabling. These processing possibilities make the M/S Master an essential tool in mastering environments.

The M/S Master will be at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt for all to see from the 24th to the 27th of March, 2010, stand (B82) in Hall 5.1.

M/S Mastering
The use of a middle (M) and a side (S) signal instead of the usual L/R (X/Y) signal results in a much more selective and musical processing. High-energy Middle signals (vocals, snare, bass guitars, etc.) can be easily separated from Side signals (guitars, keyboards, cymbals, etc.). Thus, a compressor can be used to process one element instead of the whole mix. The same applies to any kind of processing, making the M/S matrix an indispensable element in the mastering stage.

Shipping to be announced.

“I tried the SM100s with every style of music available to me and frankly I was stunned” and “The midrange is incredible” and “The bass response is also superb” and “Ultra highs are smooth and crisp and never get in the way of mids and bass” and “Getting the sound was straight forward, no dead spots, no moments of indecision” and “I have taken the unusual step of welding them to my speaker stands so the Audio Pros can’t get them back” were just a few of the comments by Stuart Bruce in his review of the Sonodyne SM100Ak’s in this month’s Future Music.

And it is because of this review that Future Music has awarded the Sonodyne SM100Ak’s their coveted “Platinum Award” AND “Value Award”.

Pick a copy up and read the whole review for yourself.

Left to right: Michael Miller (Sound Works), Dave West (The Audio Pros) & David Hyatt (Sound Works)

Sonodyne and The Audio Pros are pleased to announce that they have appointed Sound Works as the Danish and Swedish distributor for Sonodyne studio products.

Headed by Michael Miller, the Copenhagen based company have already been putting the Sonodyne range of studio reference monitors through their paces with some of Denmark’s leading recording and mastering engineers, and as a result, they already found some new Sonodyne fans.

Dave West of The Audio Pros said of the appointment “We are very excited to have Sound Works on board. They are an experienced and knowledgeable company who offer a very reliable and efficient service to their dealers and users. Michael and his team immediately understood that Sonodyne is a quality brand that is suited to range of applications including recording, mixing, post-production and of course broadcast.” He continued “They are genuinely nice guys to deal with and I think that they will do an excellent job of launching Sonodyne into Denmark and Sweden”

It has been confirmed that Sonodyne and The Audio Pros will be exhibiting at Frankfurt Musikmesse 2010. As well as showing the award winning SM100Ak and the SM50Ak, the new SM200Ak will be there for you to wrap your ears around.

As well as this is being the launch year for Sonodyne in Europe, 2010 is also a major celebration for Sonodyne as they are now in their 40th year of audio design and manufacture.      

So, this is the perfect time to stop by and hear these exceptional monitors for yourself, and maybe get a slice of birthday cake! Visit us in hall 8, stand number G.01. We look forward to seeing there.

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We recently received a VERY unusual repair request for an RME Fireface 400, in fact nobody at RME had heard of such a request before! It seems that David O’Brien had come home one day to find that his houseboat, complete with his project studio set up had sank into the Thames.

David O’Brien explains, "When our houseboat sank in the river Thames I assumed that anything electronic would be ruined, particularly after it had been on the bottom for two days. I had just moved in a collection of studio equipment including my treasured Fireface 400 so things were looking rather bleak.  I sent the unit back to RME and fully expected to have to pay for it to be replaced but apparently, it's water proof!  After two days in the cold, muddy river the Fireface is in perfect working order. Which is more than I can say for our boat..."

We are pleased that we were able to help get David back on track.