ODA — Yes way SIS

DDA's proprietary Spatial Imaging System (SIS) is now standard on the CS range of mixers. SIS was developed to overcome the limitations imposed by conventional left-right systems including phase cancellation, reduced tonal consistency, and poor vocal intelligibility, and to ensure continuity of sound throughout the audio spectrum.

Because SIS is built into the CS3, configuration is very straightforward. Pan controls on SIS-equipped consoles are switchable between conventional stereo and SIS operation, and are supplied on the group outputs as well as the input modules in mode; the centre position routes the signal to a separate centre output, and can be panned left-to-centre or right-to-centre.

There are said to be immediate benefits in vocal clarity and mix dispersion. For example, instruments might be positioned in the stereo image and switched to the centre for solos; backing vocals could be panned slightly to the left and right to improve intelligibility, whilst keeping the lead vocal front and centre. As a result, audiences are treated to a stronger stereo image regardless of their position in the auditorium.

A colour brochure describing the benefits and applications of SIS is available now from DDA dealers or by calling Mark IV Pro Audio Group. Do the guys a favour and call, as every brochure they get rid of takes them one more step towards salvation, and their entrance into paradise.

Mark IV PAG. (Contact Details)

TiMax improves your image

Before the advent of amplified sound in theatre, an audience heard the direct sound of an actor's voice. Today, with the growing popularity of close microphone techniques using radio mics, the audience tends to hear the amplified signal through a loudspeaker placed in a different location resulting in confusing audio imaging. Using the Precedence principle of creating a stereo image by signal delays (first extensively investigated by Helmut Haas in the 1930s), Out Board Electronics created TiMax, a new DSP-based, fully automated audio matrix, offering static and dynamic control of level and time delay at every matrix cross point. Furthermore, TiMax is amongst the first audio matrix systems ever to make time delay panning and the use of the Haas effect possible, in any distributed or surround sound system, thus providing a solution in the form of clear amplified sound with improved audio imaging. And all the while here was me thinking the Precendence principal related to what needs eating first in a MacDonald's happy meal.

Out Board Electronics. (Contact Details)

Sabine go SOLO

The affordable Sabine 620 Series of HMM feedback eliminators has been honed and improved with the introduction of the new FBX-SOLO 620 Series. Still designed for single channels, the 620 Series now has increased headroom, switchable input/output levels, and simpler input/output connector configurations.

The FBX-SOLO provides more "gain before feedback, increased sound clarity", and real-time automatic feedback control during setup and performance. Like Sabine's other FBX Feedback Exterminators, the SOLO automatically senses feedback and quickly places a narrow one-tenth octave adaptive digital filter directly on the resonating frequency. FBX filters are 10 times narrower than one-third octave graphic EQ filters (which are actually on full octave wide, space out on one-third octave centres), so the FBX gives back more than 90 percent of the power lost with a graphic EQ. Not bad, huh?

Fuzion. (Contact Details)

Damme fine cable!

Cable specialists VDC have launched a new, free, 270 page catalogue that illustrates their expanded product range. Of particular interest to SOStage readers is the Van Damme oxygen-free range of cable. The large range includes single leads, looms and multicore systems, plus connectors, racks, mains distribution accessories, and metal work. The majority of products are fully illustrated and described in VDC's catalogue.

VDC Trading Ltd. (Contact Details)

Campaign Supernova

MartinSound Inc, a leading supplier of high quality mixing and signal processing systems, recently completed joint development of a new Assignable Mixing Control Surface for Level Control Systems, a firm that specializes in the design of multi-channel audio control and playback systems for theatrical and live sound environments. The new RIF Series of Control Surfaces features an expandable array of motorized faders and system control switches that can be used to provide tactile control of LCS' new Supernova Digital Audio Series of digital mixers.

Installation of the first RIF-280, equipped with 80 servo-controlled moving faders, recently took place at the Ford Theater, Toronto (Canada), for the new musical Ragtime. The remote controller will be used to provide automated mixing of the in-house orchestra, as well as other sound sources being routed to a number of loudspeaker arrays throughout the Ford Theater.

"The RIF Controller houses a user-selectable number of servo-driven faders, laid out in single or double banks of eight." explains LCS' CEO Steve Ellison. "We have a high-speed, balanced serial link that transfers control and interrogation data between the controller and our LD-88 digital mixers, which feature eight fully programmable inputs and eight fully programmable outputs. The RIF Controller can be located up to 5,000 feet from the bank of LD-88 units, and its companion LD-CS1 System Controller."

In addition to 80 motorized faders, the RIF Series controller features four switches per channel to control a variety of mix parameters, including input levels, mutes, PFL, groups, and matrix assignments. An integrated LED meter bridge provides level information for up to 80 inputs and outputs.

MartinSound, USA. (Contact Details)

AKG are introducing a new range of low cost dynamic mics called the Emotion Series. The series uses a new styling concept and incorporates their Varimotion diaphragm technology and the patented AKG Doubleflex shockmount for optimum handling noise compensation.

The D770 is designed for instruments (wind instruments, harmonica, guitar, percussion) and background vocals. AKG Varimotion diaphragm technology looks to provide a crisp response, high feedback resistance, and a frequency independent cardioid polar pattern. The D880/D880 S are dynamic supercardioid vocal microphones, which combine the high gain before feedback of a hypercardioid and the excellent off-axis response of a cardioid pattern.

AKG believe the Emotion Series will provide the powerful sound and high gain before feedback that is essential on any rock stage, "cutting through the loudest stage mix easily".

Harman Audio. (Contact Details)

Beyer go under the microscope

New for 1997 is the Beyerdynamic MCE 7 omnidirectional miniature clip-on microphone. This little tiddler aimed at the theatre and broadcast market is said to be smaller than its competitors, making it the "smallest transducer in the world". At first glance, it looks like the end of the cable, because it is only 4mm in diameter, but the MCE 7 still has the wide frequency response and dynamic range as required by demanding professional applications.

Optional black or flesh tone finishes and various models for wireless systems are available to ensure the success of the MCE 7. One word of warning about the flesh tone finish — given the size of the transducer, people have spent days trying to locate a misplaced MCE 7 on their person, having accidentally lodged itself in the inner ear or entered the abdomen via the belly button.

A single-sided version of the DT 250 Dynamic Studio Headphone is now available. The DT 252 offers the same compact and lightweight construction as its bigger brother but has only one reference quality closed earpiece for ambient monitoring. Standard impedance is 80 Ohms, but a special order 250 Ohms is also available.

Beyerdynamic. (Contact Details)

Apogee AmpNet

Apogee Sound will provide Musikmesse attendees with hands-on experience of AmpNet, the "world's first" power amplifier software control package with truly intelligent remote monitoring and control, at the Frankfurt Show at the end of this month.

"AmpNet allows a virtually limitless number of amplifiers to be individually monitored, grouped, and controlled from a personal computer, and then goes further," says Jim Sides, Vice President and Director of International Sales. "Any adjustment performed at any computer or amplifier on the network will be simultaneously displayed on the computer monitor and the amplifier front panel. This degree of accurate information delivery is unprecedented, and exclusive to Apogee."

The system starts with Apogee's DA Series Digitally Controlled Amplifiers. Every DA Series amp features an on-board microprocessor and front panel display that monitors amplifier temperature, line voltage, load impedance, output voltage, attenuation value, and other critical parameters in real-time. Diagnostics, such as monitoring of impedance, can be performed in seconds. Unlike other amplifiers, the Apogee DA Series provides this information even if the DA amplifier is not connected to a network, and no external hardware is required for impedance measurements.

AmpNet control software allows DA Series amplifiers to be networked right out of the box with Apogee's Network Interface Adapter (NIA), which can be connected/disconnected from the amplifier without disturbing the setup.

Apogee Sound, USA. (Contact Details)

KAM — more for the DJ

Lamba have extended the KAM GMX range of mobile mixers with the addition of three units, including an entry-level product.

The GMX 250, GMX 450, and GMX 800, all designed in the UK, give the DJ and bedroom mixer greater flexibility with the popular KAM range. All units boast LED output meters, replaceable crossfades, microphone inputs, and headphone pan — including the entry level GMX 250, a compact eight-inch mixer offering two line and two phono inputs and separate input gain controls for each channel (as well as a "smooth" replaceable crossfade). The GMX 450 is a sturdy two line, two phono sampling mixer in a sturdy 11-inch chassis. The sampler is assignable and has a 16 second memory capacity, while the Varispeed control enables speed modification of the samples. The 12-inch, four-channel GMX 800 scratch mixer comes complete with three line and three phono inputs; gain, bass, mid, and treble controls are on each channel. The module also comes with beat indicators, selectable crossfade, and a booth output.

Lamba Plc. (Contact Details)

New merging Technologies

You can't combine MIDI datastreams just by joining wires together, so you may need a MIDI merge unit. Clever firmware design has earnt Philip Rees MIDI merge units a first class reputation. Those techniques have been extended and refined and given powerful hardware to create two new high-performance models. The new 5M combines the data from five MIDI inputs, while the new 9M can deal smoothly with an impressive nine! Both devices have a singlar MIDI out port, which carries the merged datastream, and both require an external DC power source.

The sophisticated data handling features of these devices include intelligent interlocks on clocks and pitchbend. These units can readily handle all types of MIDI data, including MIDI timecode and System Exclusive.

Philip Rees. (Contact Details)