We at The Audio Pros are constantly trying to find ways of better supporting our ever growing base of users. So over the coming few months we are looking to offer a range of online tools that will not only tell you about new products, offer tips and tricks, interviews with a variety of engineers and producers, but also help support those of you who already use our products.
We are pleased to announce that we have taken the first step which is to launch the Audio Pros Forum. The forum is open for chat and questions for anything to do our products or our sister companies (Synthax Audio) products. This includes RME Audio, Alva Cabling, SPL Audio, Lauten Mics, Heavyocity and of course the new Sonodyne range of reference monitors.
To enter the forum, follow this link or click the “forum” button on our navbar above. We look forward to seeing you in there.
The RAI Centre, Amsterdam once again played host to over 45,000 broadcast and media technology professionals at the IBC show last week (10th – 15th September 2009). As well as over 1300 exhibitors in 12 halls, IBC also brought together many areas of the industry to “learn, discuss and promote the current and future developments that are shaping the media world” by hosting a week of conferences.
Martin Warr (The Audio Pros) &
Anindya Mukherjee (Sonodyne)
IBC ‘09 also saw the European launch of Sonodyne Reference Monitors who have already enjoyed great success in Asia, and show also saw the official appointment of The Audio Professionals as their European strategic channel partner. The partnership is the culmination of months of discussions and rigorous product testing. Martin Warr (MD, The Audio Professionals) said of the show and the appointment "We were absolutely delighted with the unanimously positive response we received at IBC 09 to the new range of Sonodyne Studio Reference monitors. Our aim at the show was to attract qualified and interested partners with whom we can grow the brand throughout Europe over the coming months, and in this the show greatly surpassed our expectations. IBC 09 was a fantastic way for us to launch our relationship with Sonodyne in Europe."
As well as showing the SM 50 Ak, SM 100 Ak and the SLF 200 A (subwoofer), Sonodyne also, for the first time showed and demonstrated the new SM 200 Ak. Like its smaller siblings, the SM 200 Ak is classed as a high-end reference monitor with a Kevlar 8” driver, aluminium 26mm tweeter and is housed in a die cast aluminium front baffle cabinet.
The entire range was met with enthusiastic interest and many requests for further and more in depth demonstrations. So, we would like thank all at IBC and everyone who stopped by the stand.
New SPL Frontliner, Channel One and Track One Now Shipping
July '09
New SPL Frontliner Now Shipping
The SPL Frontliner was introduced at this year’s Frankfurt Musikmesse and takes their channel strips to a new level, and with a couple of interesting surprises. SPL have taken some of their key processors and wrapped them up in this very impressive 2u box, but what makes this world-class channel strip different is the ability to insert in to each processing stage. This makes the SPL Frontliner the perfect DAW front end for recording and also as a range of processors for mixing.
The brand-new Frontliner has all tools on board to record vocals and instruments in perfect quality. Positioned even above our bestseller Channel One, it merges SPL’s award winning preamp, de-esser, EQ and compressor. Find out more about the SPL Frontliner
New SPL Channel One and Track One Now Shipping
The new sexy silver fronted Channel One 2950 and Track One 2960 from SPL are now shipping. These tried and trusted channel strips still retain their long loved functionality and sound but benefit from their SPL silver new look.
In the words of Paul White (Editor, Sound On Sound) “Until you've tried something that works this well, the words 'smooth' and 'detailed' won't have nearly as much meaning as after playing with the Channel One. If you're wondering where that elusive 'produced' vocal sound is hiding, look no further – it's in here!" Find out more about the SPL Channel One 2950 and the SPL Track One 2960
We are pleased to announce that the RME Fireface UC is now shipping in the UK. This new USB 2.0 version of the Fireface 400 is an addition to the Fireface range, so both the 400 and the 800 continue to be available for firewire users.
The new RME Fireface UC boasts some very clever firmware technology that adapts the device to the OS that it is working with. And by circumventing current restrictions of typical USB audio interfaces, the Fireface UC offers some startling latency times, with 48 samples (on the shortest buffer) under Windows Vista and a very impressive 14 samples running on Mac OS X.
At a time when banking bosses are running to the hills with large bonuses tucked under their arms, car giants are receiving huge hand outs from governments and many currencies are about as stable as a bunch of drunks in a unicycle race , you could be forgiven for thinking that this years Frankfurt Musikmesse (2009) would be a tentative and subdued affair. But I am glad to report that was far from the case. In fact, this year saw the launch of at least seven new and innovative products from RME and SPL that could change and enhance the way that everybody from broadcasters to guitarists work.
RME Fireface UC
Click image to enlarge
The compact Fireface UC has been uncompromisingly optimized for highest performance under Windows and Mac OS. Based on a newly developed RME Hammerfall core the Fireface UC provides revolutionary ultra-low latencies even with multiple channels. It uses two different firmware versions with different transfer methods to remove current restrictions of typical USB audio interfaces. The unit’s operating mode Win or Mac can be changed directly at the unit at any time. Under Mac OS the Fireface’s MIDI ports are class compliant, the operating system therefore automatically uses the included MIDI driver.
Under both Operating Systems the available latencies* are simply sensational. The smallest buffer offered under Windows Vista has 48 samples, under Mac OS X 14 samples. With this RME provides a performance comparable to PCI Express interfaces - under USB 2.0.
18 Input / 18 Output channels • 8 x Analog I/O •1 x ADAT I/O or 1 x SPDIF I/O optical • 1 x SPDIF I/O coaxial • 2 x MIDI I/O • 1 x USB 2.0 • 2 x Mic Preamp with digitally controlled gain • Totalmix
RME's M-32 AD is a 32-channel high-end AD converter, easy to operate yet having a comprehensive feature set. The unit combines excellent analog circuit design with the latest converter chips and RME's superior SteadyClock, resulting in a state-of-the-art AD conversion - 32 times!
The unit's unique set of features includes analog limiters, three hardware reference levels up to +24 dBu, MADI and ADAT I/O up to 192 kHz, 6.3 mm TRS and D-sub inputs, remote control via MIDI, and operation across a wide range of mains voltages, all packed into a 2U enclosure. An extraordinary limiter, conceived and optimised for professional studio, stage, and broadcast applications, offers essential operational safety with its capability to limit an input's overload of up to 17 dB without audible distortion (max. input level + 30 dBu).
The M-32 provides multichannel conversion in reference quality - at an unbeatable price/performance ratio!
M-32 AD: 32 x Analog In • M-16 AD: 16 x Analog In • 1 x MADI I/O (optical and coaxial) • 4 x ADAT Out (TOSLINK) • 1 x ADAT In (Sync only) • MIDI I/O (5-pin DIN) • Word Clock I/O (BNC)
The Frontliner is the new flagship channelstrip from SPL, but it is unlike most channelstrips on the market today. As well as including five SPL world-class processors, the Frontliner allows you to independently insert into each of the processors.
So, you could use the mic pre and de-esser for vocals and the compressor for you bass and the EQ for your guitar..... all at the same time!
What do you get?
The hybrid preamp with discrete transistor stage and separate tube stage combines high performance and neutrality with the option for sound coloration by enhancing the harmonic content with the switchable tube drive.
The unique one-knob de-esser employs a phase cancelling technique to reduce sibilants.
The EQ section covers the complete frequency spectrum efficiently, and a tube saturation control allows to apply distortion to any signal from subtle to reckless levels.
The compressor offers all classic parameters and a controllable automation of attack and release which adjusts the setting of time constants to the input signal – pretty much like a cruise control.
Thanks to the individual analogue I/Os, it also means that the Frontliner is not reduced to a frontend device – DAW based studios can integrate high-grade analogue processing at any stage of the audio production process.
The incredible CABULATOR is a unique combination of variable power soak, speaker cabinet simulator and D. I. box. As a direct descendant of the Transducer it is perfectly suited for all live and studio applications. With the CABULATOR a fully torqued amp can always be played without necessarily being loud. Full analogue design guarantees authentic sounds for direct DAW recording or a hum-free connection for the live mix – provided in recording signal quality.
SPL is the first manufacturer to open a proprietary modular system for API 500 compatible modules. Project manager Hermann Gier: “Our focus on the RackPack system has always been the modular idea, not a proprietary platform. It was great to find out that API is just as open-minded as we are to offer new choices for our customers."
The new SPL RackPack 500 frame offers eight module slots to host four SPL and four API 500 modules.
The Auditor is a new headphone amplifier based upon SPL’s proprietary 120V technology. Besides their full-featured, 120V monitoring headphone amplifier Phonitor, the Auditor represents a straightforward, puristical concept. The sound results from its benchmarking specs can be experienced with all dynamic headphones from 30 ohms upwards.
North London based pro audio dealer KMR Audio, are one of the first to stock Mogami cabling in the UK. All Mogami cable assemblies are made with the finest cable, connectors, and assembly practices in the industry. Mogami are extremely proud of their reliability, and problems are quite rare. In fact, Mogami are so confident that should you experience trouble with their products, their Lifetime ("No Excuses") warranty to the original purchaser assures you are completely protected should something unfortunate occur.
The Sonic Reality crew with AP MD, Martin Warr (3rd from left) at NAMM 09.
Florida based sound development company Sonic Reality, has appointed The Audio Professionals as their UK and Eire distributor. Sonic Reality has built an extensive range of products which include the award winning “Ocean Way Drums”, developed and recorded at the legendary Ocean Way Studios in LA, and “Drum Masters” which offers some of the finest grooves available known to rhythm by celebrated drummers including Bill Bruford, Steve Gadd, Ed Greene and Jerry Marotta. Their recent launch of their NI powered expandable virtual instrument “Infinite Player” gives you 24 bit fidelity, disc streaming, key switching, custom controls per instrument and many advanced features that suit a wide range of sounds from Sonic Reality’s vast and growing sound catalogue.
Dave West (The Audio Pros Sales and Marketing Manager) said of the appointment “We are very excited to be working with Sonic Reality. They are a very experienced company who are well respected for their programming and development of their exceptional range of virtual instruments and sample products.”
