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Neumann Goes DigitalNeumann has developed a new digital microphone system

called the Solution-D. The system consists of three com-ponents: the Digital Microphone D-01, the Digital Micro-phone Interface DMI-2, and Remote Control Software RCSthat permits operation and thus remote control of the micro-phone. Signal and data transmission of the microphoneconform to the new Standard AES 42-2001. Neumann helpeddevelop and push the new standard through, which identifiesthe transmission of output signals, power supply for themicrophones, and remote control of all typical microphonefunctions and parameters. All sounds very intriguing.

Amber Technology: (02) 9975 1211

MOTU Fire-WareThe 828 is an affordable, FireWire-based digital audio hard disk recording system for Mac OS and Windows. The 828 will, of course,

function with any computer equipped with a FireWire port but will arguably cause the biggest stir in the laptop area. And, with built inphantom-powered mic pre-amps and no-latency monitoring, you can do away with a mixer for portable recording.

Included with the 828 is theAudioDesk workstation softwarefor Macintosh, a single rack spaceI/O unit, and a 12-foot FireWirecable to connect the 828 to yourcomputer.

Intelliware: (08) 8277 1722

Better than SX?Tascam has introduced the SX-1 Integrated Audio Production Station. Combining

automated digital mixing, hard disk recording, Midi sequencing, ‘extremely powerful’editing, DSP plug-in technology and multi-format mastering capabilities, the SX-1 is theculmination of a joint development between Tascam and TimeLine Vista (the DAWpeople). It’s designed to accommodate the needs of project studios, professionalrecording facilities and film/video post production.

Here’s some of the features:A 40 by 8 digital mixing console with 100mm,

touch-sensitive faders, built-in dynamic automation,and 16 phantom-powered mic preamps.

A 24-bit/48k, 16-track hard disk recorder –additional drives can be connected.

Waveform, Midi, and automation dataediting via an internalrecording/editing engine.

Surround mixing capabilities withthe ability to record a 5.1 mix to theinternal HD in addition to the original 16 audiotracks.

A 128-track Midi sequencer – with Midi control from the mixer’s faders and pots.A built-in CD-RW drive for printing surround or stereo mixes, data backup and archiving, and importing sounds from

audio or data CDs.DSP plug-in technology that offers built-in effects by Tascam, TC Works and Antares.Extensive interfacing and sync support.Provisional pricing in The States is US$8,999. Tascam SRD: (03) 9682 0411

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DVD-RAM RecorderFostex has introduced the DV40 Master Recorder,

designed to record and play audio data directly onto aDVD-RAM disc – I think the idea here is to establish a

new mastering format, and good luck to them.The DV40 offers internal file conversion between four-

track or stereo files and multitrack mono files. File editingmodes offer non-destructive edit functions such as Copy,Paste, Insert, Cut and Erase. You can select between tworecording modes, New File and Insert. The Insert modeoffers Time Jump Undo functions supported by time anddate. In Tape mode (destructive mode) data security is inplace for accidental power loss – so our previousrecording is secured up to the point where the power lossoccurred. For back up and archiving a Disc Duplicatemode is available by installing an optional hard drive,while Audio file duplicate modes are possible on board.

Syntec International: (02) 9417 4700

More Plugs for UniversalAudio CardPreparing for the launch of its Powered Plug-Ins product line,

Universal Audio recently announced an addition to the initialrelease. Powered Plug-Ins will now include the Vintage Compressorplug-ins, emulations of UA’s own classic 1176LN and TeletronixLA-2A compressors.

Powered Plug-Ins, running on the ‘super-computing’ UAD-1 DSP

card, bring high-bandwidth processing to native digital audio work-stations. In addition to the Vintage Compressors, Powered Plug-Insalso include RealVerb Pro, CS-1 Channel Strip, a comprehensive setof quality effects; and the UAD-1 PCI DSP card.

The Universal Audio card will land in Australia very shortly.Music Link: (03) 9765 6565

Pulsar XTC Now ShippingPulsar XTC is now available in its version for Windows.

XTC features full integration with any VST-compati-ble software. It expands the recording system with theadditional computing power of six 32-bit SHARC DSPsand an extensive software package containing top-classeffects and virtual instruments.

Also, the Berlin-based software developmentcompany zplane.development presentsz.matrix – a surround tool for theCreamWare Scope and Pulsar II platforms.z.matrix enables you to flexibly pan up to 16sound sources between up to 16 loudspeak-ers. z.matrix also offers a grouping function,a Doppler effect and distance-dependentvolume automation.

A further addition to Creamware’sarmoury comes from Zarg Music’s RedDwarf, a virtual semi-modular synthesiser.The Red Dwarf concept provides a ‘synthesizerframework’ into which the user can fit a variety of oscilla-tors, filters, and effects modules. Building upon the foun-dation of predefined modulation and signal routings, youcan insert sound sources and filters of your choice intothe ‘slots’ provided to create your own custom design.

Major Music Wholesale: (02) 9545 3540

AIR in your MixDynaudio Acoustics and TC Electronic have released

the new AIR Series – a new range of ‘intelligentmonitor systems’. There’s built-in DSP which offerstools to adjust speakers for optimal performance indifferent acousticenvironments. Allaudio and controlinformation is dis-tributed in aninternal networkin-betweenmonitors, whichallows for internal5.1 (and stereo, ofcourse) featuresand conveniencesuch as bass man-agement simula-tions on the fly,central control oflevels, recall ofdifferent set-ups,solo/mute ofindividualspeakers etc.

Amber Technology: (02) 9975 1211

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Nuendo Mac updateSteinberg Media Technologies has announced that

Nuendo 1.5.1 for the Macintosh platform is shipping.Now both the PC and the Macintosh users have access toexactly the same feature set for professional audio pro-duction. In fact, Nuendo projects can be used across bothplatforms.

Music Link: (03) 9765 6565

Acid 3Sonic Foundry has

announced therelease of Acid Pro3.0. Listed is a few ofthe new features:

Beatmapper – create custom remixes of favourite songs by synchronisingexisting songs with music loops.

Video Scoring Track – import video files and score original music tocreate a music bed.

Chopper – slice up music loops and rearrange them to create drum fills,drum rolls, stutters, and DJ-style effects.

Intelliware: (08) 8277 1722

Samplitude NewsSamplitude has been given a kick along in Australia with new distribution. Sampli-

tude software comes in three different flavours:Samplitude Master – two stereo tracks of mastering and editing @ 32-bit float

resolution/192k sampling ($999); Samplitude Studio – 999 virtual tracks multitrack @32-bit float resolution/96k sampling ($1,299); Samplitude 2496 – 999 virtual tracksmultitrack @ 32-bit float resolution/192k sampling ($1,999).

Among some of Samplitude’s features are: 32-bit float 192k capability, ready forDVD authoring; 5.1 surround editing (in 24/96 only); real-time time-stretching andpitch-shifting; automation curves for volume, pan, surround and Midi controllers;object oriented editing; video linking and editing; and multi-band dynamics, FFTfilter, De-hisser, Room simulator, Reverb, and Delay.

Innovative Music Australia: (03) 9540 0658 or sales@innovativemusic.com.au

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StudioProjects MicsStudio Projects have released three

new gold-sputtered six microme-tre mylar condenser microphonesmanufactured to compete with the‘finest classic studio microphones butat a fraction of the cost’. StudioProjects use an capsule based on a1950s German design and hasimproved it sonically with advancedmanufacturing techniques. Modelsinclude the C1, C3 multi-pattern andT1 tube microphone.

Mixmasters Productions: (08) 8278 8506or www.mixmasters.com.au

More Black ButtaJeff ‘Madjef ’ Taylor has released the third in his rather

estimable Black Butta series of sample CDs.Black Butta 3 is again full of essential Hip Hop and

R&B loops.All theloops onthis 2CDset aredecon-structed toallow youto extractindividualrhythmelements,basslines,

keyboards, scratches etc.Check out www.Madjef.com for more.

NewAudio New MonitorsNewAudio has released a studio monitoring system called the

Spatial One Stomper Kit. The monitors are passive 6.5-inchwoofer and one-inch ferro fluid-cooled inverted dome kevlartweeter. The uniqueness of the monitors lies in their use of aReflective Phase Grate (RPG) under the tweeter. The RPG acts as aphase transformer between the tweeter and the acoustics of the

room. Greater acoustic power isdelivered through the RPG than con-ventional speakers, and roomacoustic colouration is reduced. TheRPG has the property that soundradiated off axis has ‘the same tightphase and transient as that radiatedon axis’, thus off-axis spatial informa-tion is preserved and the whole mon-itoring environment enjoys a largersweet spot.

The kit comes with the option of adding the Stomper One subwoofer. Furthermore, these monitors are Australian made and aresurprisingly affordable. NewAudio: sales@NewAudio.com.au

New Babies at ATCBased on the SCM10, the new SCM10A adds two amplifiers, an active crossover and a

new cabinet design incorporating laminated, machined MDF composite withaluminium extrusions. The curved exterior of the new cabinets and the structural rigidityprovided by their aluminium frame aimsto improves stereo imaging by eliminat-ing audio diffractions. The on-boardamplifiers incorporate ATC’s proprietary‘Grounded Source’ output stages thatoperate in Class A mode up to twothirds maximum output and provide atotal of 250w of continuous power(200w for Mid/Bass and 50w for HF).Matching the internal amplifiers, thedrive unit complement comprises aone-inch neodymium magnet fabricdome tweeter and a 4.5-inch ATC soft-dome mid-bass drive unit with hand-wound flattened OFC wire voice coil. Price: $3,995 apair (or $4,995 pair in New Zealand).

Technical Audio Group: (02) 9810 5300 or info@tag.au.com

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RADAR ADAT InterfaceiZ Technology has released a 24 bit, 24-track ADAT digital I/O interface card forRADAR 24 and RADAR 48. Features Include: 24-track, 24-bit digital input/output

through three ADAT light-pipe I/Os; 48k ‘single wire’ or 96k ‘dual-wire’ mode; automati-cally detects the presence of ADAT light-pipe inputs and syncs to an active input; con-venient status LEDs on the back panel indicate valid ADAT light-pipe inputs and thecurrent selected sync source; powerful ADAT input and output calibration override foruser-controlled sync selection, light-pipe data widths, and light-pipe input samplingpoints for improving performance in noisy clock environments; on-board field-upgrade-able chip for future firmware upgrades in RADAR24 and RADAR48.

Factory Sound: (03) 9690 8344

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Drawmer Six-PackDrawmer has introduced the Six-Pack, a 3U, six-channel multi-

dynamics processor which features comprehensive universallinking technology designed specifically for surround sound appli-cation. The unit can be configured so that any combination ofchannels can be linked to track each other’s levels preventingimage shift. For example: front left/right and rear left/right can beconfigured as two stereo pairs with individual channel control overboth centre and sub-bass (LFE). Channel six offers the option of aswitchable 120Hz low-pass filter in order that a sub-bass (LFE)channel may be derived from a five channel surround mix. Eachchannel comprises a soft knee compressor with switchable Autoor Manual Attack and Release, a variable threshold Limiter and a‘Programme Adaptive’ Expander/Gate with a variable Releasetime of up to five seconds to retain reverberant tails wherenecessary.

Studio Connections: (03) 9874 7222

10 System 5Bsgo to AuntieThe Australian Broadcasting Corporation

had entered into a contract for thepurchase of 10 System 5B consoles. Themajority of the new consoles will beinstalled in a new fleet of OB vans to bebased in capital cities throughout Australia.The sale represents Euphonix largest singleorder of The System 5 since its introductionin September 1999.

Technical Audio Group: (02) 9810 5300 orinfo@tag.au.com

Soundtracs D4Following on from the success of their DPC-

II and DS-3 consoles, Soundtracs haslaunched the D4 digital console. The consolecombines Soundtracs’ touch-screen worksurface topology, interfaced with a powerfuldigital engine. The result provides up to 320

full audio channels and 124output buses,all controlledby anintuitiveautomationsystem. The

D4 comes invarious frame

sizes (up to 96faders) with optional

rack expanders.Studio Connections:

(03) 9874 7222

New 48-track Prodigy2Prodigy2, Fairlight’s digital recording, editing and mixing

system, has now incorporated expanded functionality toprovide 32 buses, 48 tracks, 24 live feeds and up to 64 indepen-dent I/Os (32 analogue and 32 digital). In addition, Fairlight’sQDC technology improves the Prodigy2 noise and distortionfigures even further.

Fairlight: (02) 8977 9999

SADiE DSDMastering EditorSADiE has introduced a new DSD Mastering Workstation

capable of editing and mastering stereo DSD material andproducing finished masters for the Super Audio CD (SACD)format. Full equalisation and dynamics control will also beavailable. Based on SADiE’s standard editing user interface foroperator familiarity, the new DSD editor will also support down-conversion to 16-bit PCM for producing standard the red bookCD layer.

Neotec: (02) 9873 3994

Libra Live Series IIAMS Neve has added features to the Libra Live Series II digital

broadcast console with three major new features. A new meterpackage allows two layers of inputs to be displayed simultaneously.The control surface now supports a second central channel stripallowing easy access to channel controls from either side of thebigger sized consoles. Version 2.7 software features include dualmeter and dual centre strip support, slicker mix-minus controlincluding pre-fade sends, further Dolby E support and greatly sim-plified surround sound operation.

Syncrotech Systems Designs: (02) 9879 0800

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JBL MProTwo new ranges of sound reinforcement speakers have been introduced by JBL

Professional under the MPro name. The MPro 200 Series features carpet-coveredplywood enclosures and 250w power ratings (500w for the dual subwoofer in therange), while the MPro 400 Series comes coated in JBL’s patented hard-wearingDuraFlex material and has 300w to 600w power ratings.

The 200 Series currently consists of the MP215 15-inch two-way speaker ($1,295)and the MP255S 15-inch subwoofer ($2,295), while the 400 series comprises theMP410 10-inch two-way speaker ($1,695), and the MP418SP 18-inch powered sub($4,995). The sub is rather interesting as it features a two-channel Crown CE amplifier

around the back. The rationale hereis that the amp powers the sub anda passive satellite box pole-mountedon top of it.

MPro speakers feature a smoothone-piece baffle which aims toreduce distortion by keeping turbu-lence and diffraction effects at bay.High-frequency components areprotected by JBL’s SonicGuard.

Jands Electronics: (02) 9582 0909

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Shure SoundplexShure has launched its P4800 System Processor with Soundplex

digital signal processing. Here’s what they say about it: ‘So easy touse that most will have it up and running in under five minutes, thisversatile device employs an intuitive, drag-and-drop graphical userinterface offering control over just about any processing function imag-inable between the mixers and amplifiers within installed systems.’

Among the features found on the P4800 is a four by eight matrixmixing section, and processing modules like: DFR feedback reducer,EQ (graphic/parametric) and dynamics processing (gates, expander,compression, limiting, and auto gain control). All functions aremonitored through a standard personal computer via its RS232 port.

Jands Electronics: (02) 9582 0909

Proel MixersProel has introduced the new XS Series of mixers

and powered mixers. The XS Series is made entirelyfrom steel and features a well-organised control surfacewhere all connections, functions and knobs are easy toread and to reach. There’s a variety of frame sizes andpower ratings to choose from.

CMI: (03) 9315 2244

Telex BTR-800Telex has launched the RadioCom BTR-800 wireless intercom. Some of the features

include: full UHF operation, two intercom channel access from each beltpack, stageannounce output with relay closure, wireless talk around (ISO), enhanced ClearScan,talk/listen headset station at the base, and an easy to use LCD graphical user interface.

EVI Audio: (02) 9648 3455

LSW Opens DoorsLSW (Lightsounds Wholesale) has been launched and looks to be a formidable resource

for installers/entertainment specialists. On the agenda is 100V Line and CommercialSound products, Stage, Theatre, Special Effects, Computerised Lighting and MusicSoftware, Karaoke equipment, a wide range of Lasers, Surveillance, Security, DecorativeLighting, Trussing and Lifters, entertainment and DJ equipment. Probably easier to gethold of their catalogue to learn more.

LSW: (02) 9568 2100

InnovaSon ActorInnovaSon has announced a new range of digital Sensory consoles, the Actor Series,dedicated to theatre, operas and musical play applications.

These new consoles keep benefits of Live Series proven technologies (digitalmixing/processing, instant recall/reset, snapshot automation) and gain new advantageswith the new Smart Automation features provided for every model of the line: Time Codefunctions and Cross-Time Fade system.

Production Audio Services: (03) 9415 1585

QSC DropsPLX PricingAustralian retail prices of

QSC PLX amplifiers havebeen reduced by 10%. The PLXrange comprises five 2RUamplifiers each weighing 9.5kgand 34cm deep with poweroutputs from 400w up to1,200w/ch @ 4Ω. PLX nowstarts from $1,695.

Technical Audio Group: (02)9810 5300 or info@tag.au.com