A-Designs Audio is proud to introduce the ATTY2′D (pronounced ‘attitude’), a multi-channel passive line level controller that is the big brother of the successful ATTY stereo passive line level controller introduced in 2004.

Housed in a 1U rack-mountable chassis, the ATTY2′D features two stereo and two mono channels–all four sporting their own individual mute switches and large aluminum cast rotary level controls. A single master mute switch is also located in the center of the front panel for fast termination of audio signal to all channels.

The ATTY2′D can allow engineers to gain control of their classic preamplifiers with no output attenuation by padding the line level signal to their AD converters without clipping. At the same time, it allows preamplifiers to be pushed harder for a completely different audio effect in the signal path.

As another example, the demand for active monitors coupled with today’s audio software can certainly create an issue when the computer crashes and the active monitors are set to 11. The ATTY2′D provides a solution by using the muting setup for separate channels or the master mute for all channels when working with more than one pair of active monitors or in 5.1 surround sound. And using the ATTY2′D for active speaker control is perfectly seamless; the unit is 100 percent passive, therefore no unwanted color/electronic signals are added to the audio path ensuring the purest signal possible.

Currently shipping, the ATTY2′D features a US list price of $585.00.

For more information, visit their web site at www.adesignsaudio.com.

Posted in Audio, Technology

FabFilter has released updates to FabFilter Twin and FabFilter Volcano. The new versions contain bug fixes as well as improvements and new features.

•Added MIDI program change handling. Any preset can now be loaded by sending bank select and program change MIDI messages.

•Added optional interactive help. When this feature is activated, help texts will appear when the user moves the mouse over any control in the plug-in interface.

•Fixed a bug that could cause Twin or Volcano to freeze on Apple G5 Quad systems when changing presets.

•Added a ‘polarity’ option to the LFO’s in Twin, which can be used to produce either waveforms between -1 and 1 (original behaviour) or positive-only waveforms between 0 and 1.

•Reduced memory usage of Twin by 50%.

•Slightly reduced memory usage of FabFilter Volcano and improved filters to use less CPU.

•Other minor bug fixes.

The new versions are fully backwards-compatible with earlier versions and should load songs and presets written by the older version without any problems. These updates are free for existing users and grants others a new evaluation period.

For more information, visit their web site at www.fabfilter.com.

Posted in Plug-Ins, Software, Technology, VST

Following Audio-Technica’s recent enhancement of its 3000 Series UHF True Diversity Wireless Systems with the addition of automatic frequency scanning, the company is now offering the new ATW-T371 handheld cardioid condenser microphone/transmitter in its ATW-3171a system.

Incorporating Audio-Technica’s Artist Series ATM710 cardioid condenser element, the ATW-T371 wireless microphone is designed to be handheld or mounted on a microphone stand. Featuring rugged metal construction, soft-touch controls and a multi-function LCD display, the microphone is powered by two 1.5V AA batteries with a life of 6-8 hours. A dual power switch permits selection of high power for maximum range, or low for extended battery life.

The 3000 Series is a 200-channel frequency-agile UHF wireless system designed for a wide range of applications including live performance, touring, fixed installation, public address and worship. Its Automatic Frequency Scanning function automatically determines and sets the best available frequency (open channel) - useful when employing multiple wireless systems, thereby avoiding interference and intermodulation. Up to 16 simultaneous systems per frequency band are compatible, with a total maximum of 32 simultaneous systems across two bands.

The 3000 Series systems and components are available in two UHF frequency bands: 795.500 to 820.000 MHz and 840.125 to 864.875 MHz, with 200 selectable frequencies in each band. Soft-touch controls offer quick, easy access to the most important functions during set-up and operation. In addition, the 3000 Series features Audio-Technica’s digital Tone Lock® squelch, plus an easy-to-read LCD information display in each unit that provides convenient visual indications of settings and operation status.

With estimated availability during late September, the ATW-T371 will retail at £319.95 (inc VAT).

For more information, visit their web site at www.audio-technica.com.

Posted in Microphones, Technology

Digidesign® is pleased to announce the D-Show 2.5 software upgrade for the VENUE live sound environment. D-Show 2.5 is the first release that offers support for both the D-Show™ and D-Show Profile™ mixing consoles.

Developed in response to user requests, D-Show 2.5 provides more flexibility to Matrix and PQ outputs and adds input libraries, a new Events List, and many other features to enhance the user experience with any VENUE console.

New Features in D-Show 2.5

Support for the D-Show Profile mixing surface
With the addition of the new D-Show Profile console to the VENUE family, D-Show 2.5 provides complete support for the entire VENUE product line. D-Show users who adopt the new console will be immediately familiar with the software and workflows.

Full portability of user setting and show files between VENUE consoles
D-Show 2.5 offers guaranteed show file compatibility between D-Show and D-Show Profile mixing consoles. And users won’t encounter any data loss when moving files between the two systems—if functions are unavailable, the software will preserve and restore settings.

Expanded Matrix and Personal Q (PQ) Routing
Mono or PQ matrices can now accept input from 12 sources, which can include any combination of groups, auxiliaries, LRM masters, and any of eight user-assigned inputs. All matrices can have their own input sources and all can be changed on a per-scene basis with snapshot automation.

New Event List functionality
The new Event List allows complete customization of function buttons, footswitches, and D-Show Profile’s General Purpose Interface (GPI), enabling users to speed up their workflow. Engineers can now create “macros” that allow the console to perform single or multiple functions with a single button push or switch closure from an external device.

Input Channel Presets
This additional input library enables complete channel settings storage on a per-channel basis, which allows faster set-up of similar channels and easy access to input-only settings to all show files. As with other preset libraries, input libraries can be transferred independently to a USB key.

Pricing and Availability
Digidesign expects to release the D-Show 2.5 software upgrade around 10/31/06. Customers will be able to purchase the upgrade either directly from Digidesign’s Customer Service Administration (CSA) or from their authorized VENUE reseller for $149 US MSRP. Customers must provide the serial number of their FOH Rack to qualify for the upgrade.

Amnesty Upgrades
D-Show 2.0 customers qualify for a free D-Show 2.5 upgrade provided they meet the following requirements:

Customers purchasing a D-Show 2.0 system or D-Show 2.0 upgrade kit between January 1, 2006 and July 31, 2006 must register their purchase with Digidesign Customer Service Administration on or before September 25, 2006 in order to qualify for a free D-Show 2.5 upgrade.

Customers purchasing a D-Show 2.0 system or D-Show 2.0 upgrade kit between August 1, 2006 and the release of D-Show 2.5 (late Oct / early Nov) must register their purchase with Digidesign Customer Service Administration on or before December 15, 2006 in order to qualify for a free D-Show 2.5 upgrade.

For more information, visit their web site at www.digidesign.com.

Posted in Mixers, Software, Technology

Digidesign® is proud to announce the addition of D-Show Profile™ to the VENUE live sound environment family. This compact mixing console is a size-conscious alternative to the wildly popular D-Show™, the flagship console of the VENUE line. D-Show Profile offers full compatibility with all existing VENUE hardware components, total file portability, and an incredibly compact footprint—all of which ensures the exact same sound quality, reliability, and flexibility for which VENUE is now well known.

Compact Form Factor
D-Show Profile features a 24-channel frame that’s smaller than the footprint of a single D-Show main unit. The console serves as the perfect alternative for sound reinforcement vendors, rental houses, and contractors that need to offer a powerful system in a compact form for small- to mid-size environments and applications, such as houses of worship, corporate events, theaters, mid-level concert venues, and remote broadcasts.

Total Show File Portability
D-Show Profile uses the same D-Show software as its big brother D-Show, enabling engineers to create and load files for use on either console. This also means that users won’t need to learn new software if they’re already familiar with D-Show. D-Show engineers can move straight on to D-Show Profile—and vice-versa—without additional software acclimation to start mixing or building show files. Plus engineers will no longer need to build new show files (as many currently do) when simply moving to a different console by the same manufacturer.

Full Hardware Compatibility
D-Show Profile works with all existing VENUE hardware components, such as FOH and Stage racks. For sound reinforcement vendors and rental houses, this can represent a tremendous amount of savings and alleviate fears of current inventory obsolescence. With the VENUE model of interconnectivity and flexibility, vendors can greatly widen the scope of their existing system applications by simply offering an alternative mixing console.

New Features
Profile features eight General Purpose Interface (GPI) inputs and eight GPI outputs to connect and control any external equipment that can react to simple switch closures. Used in conjunction with the new Event List in D-Show 2.5 software, engineers can design up to 999 simple or complex macros and use GPI to control external switches, devices, equipment functions, and more.

Digidesign will be showcasing the entire VENUE family at the PLASA ‘06 show in London (stand #K57) from September 10-13.

D-Show Profile is expected to ship in Q4 2006. A complete D-Show Profile System, which includes the Profile mixing console and VENUE FOH and Stage racks, will be available via authorized Digidesign dealers for $54,985 US MSRP. The Profile console will also be available separately for $17,955 US MSRP.

For more information, visit their web site at www.digidesign.com.

Posted in Live Sound, Mixers, Technology

T3 has released the T3-Volume 5: Sytrus sound bank. This new bank of settings for ImageLine’s award-winning synthesizer, Sytrus, contains 128 unique, inspiring, and passionately programmed presets. A broad sonic palette is presented through deep basses, wild leads, evolving pads and textures, inspirational sequences, and much, much more.

Also included in the package is T3’s Sytrus Toolbox: a collection of time-saving envelope settings, keyboard mappings, wave cycles, and other useful files, to aid users in the creation of their own sounds. The entire collection has been made available in Steinberg FXB/FXP format, as well as FLStudio’s own FST format for maximum compatibility.

The bank is available immediately from the T3 website and costs $20.00 (USD). Once your order is processed, you will be redirected to the download area for your product. Also, in order to use this product, you must update to the latest version of Sytrus (version 2.2).

For more information, visit their web site at www.t3.totcproductions.com.

Posted in Synth, Technology

Zaxcom today announced that its popular TRX900 wireless microphone system is now available with the Zaxcom Recording Wireless™ feature. This patent-pending option records up to 12 hours of audio directly to an internal memory card for later use in the post house, eliminating concern over audio loss due to RF or EMI interference during transmission.

The system’s new internal recording capability is particularly useful for reality television productions or other programming where ad lib dialogue is used frequently. Because the audio is recorded directly to the body pack, there’s no chance of missing anything, even if the sound mixer wasn’t expecting dialogue from a given actor or reality show participant. The sound mixer’s job is further simplified by the fact that perfect reception is no longer a concern — he or she can focus solely on sound mixing rather than trying to figure out the best place for an antenna or spending time installing a lengthy multicable run.

The TRX900 system features an ultra-compact design and will operate for up to five hours on a single battery. The units are completely remote controllable, allowing production staff to stop recording, replay audio, or begin recording all while the actor is wearing the body pack.

Each TRX900 system has a timecode receiver to ensure that all units are precisely synchronized with each other and with the cameras. This functionality creates a virtual multitrack recording system, allowing post-production teams to work independently with the audio from each unit while knowing they will easily synchronize with the master audio track and camera footage.

The Zaxcom Recording Wireless feature uses a mobile audio recording format developed by Zaxcom that prevents the burnout of memory cards typically experienced with other computer-based file systems. This unique file format also ensures that the system is fault tolerant, allowing users to recover audio from the memory card even when recording is stopped abruptly due to power loss.

For more information, visit their web site at www.zaxcom.com.

Posted in Microphones, Technology

Audio-Technica Ltd. is pleased to announce two new kits that offer greater flexibility for users of UHF wireless receivers and antennas.

Fewer antennas needed for the same performance quality
The ATW-49SP Active Antenna Splitter Kit includes two Active Antenna Splitters, each of which is a broadband device, (frequency range from 440 to 900 MHz), that splits an incoming RF signal into two identical outgoing RF signals. The Active Antenna Splitter provides unity gain, so there is no RF signal loss from the original antenna signal. One set of Active Antenna Splitters enables one set of antennas to feed two wireless receivers, which can also be of different frequency bands.

Perfect coverage even in the largest of areas
The ATW-49CB Active Antenna Combiner Kit includes two Active Antenna Combiners, each of which is a broadband device, (frequency range from 440 to 900 MHz), combining two incoming RF signals into one outgoing RF signal. The ATW-40CB also provides unity gain to compensate for RF signal loss associated with incoming signals. One set of Active Antenna Combiners enables two sets of antennas to feed one wireless receiver or distribution system.

Originally designed for use with the Audio-Technica 4000 and 5000 Series UHF wireless receivers and ATW-A49 LPDA antennas, both kits may also be used with a variety of other antennas from Audio-Technica and other manufacturers.

Available immediately, the ATW-49SP Active Antenna Splitter Kit and the ATW-49CB Active Antenna Combiner Kit both retail at £180.00 (inc VAT).

For more information, visit their web site at www.audio-technica.com.

Posted in Technology

NuGen Audio has announced the release of Visualizer 1.0 beta 3, introducing more functionality and several fixes for the audio analysis tool.

Available as a free download to anyone wishing to try. Users posting comments/suggestions to NuGen Audio will be entered into a prize draw to win the full release version.

Changes since 1.0 beta2:

• Snapshot views added
• Dynamic snapshot memory added

Level meter:

• dB scale zoom and scroll implemented
• 1dB, 0.5dB and 01.dB segments added at
• appropriate zoom level
• peak hold control enhanced

Spectrum Analysers:

• peak envelope colour selection now possible
• peak hold control enhanced
• Octave and 1/12 octave (chromatic) banding

Spectrograms:

• Octave, 1/3 octave and 1/12 octave (chromatic)

Vectorscope:

• Joined line option added to Lissajous view
• Polar view implemented
• Peak hold envelope control
• Envelope and Grid colour selection
• Freeze option
• Stereometer added

Correlation meter controls implemented:

• History
• Freeze
• Response time
• Colour spectrum picker

Stats and Setup tab added:

• FFT window selection
• Weighting curves and slopes made available
• Right click tone option added
• FFT window size parameter
• RMS window size parameter
• Pink noise generator (reduced file size in beta)
• Clip counters and setup

Fixes: Level meter

• margin fixed to follow primary meter
• RMS meter adjusted to give true reading

Visualizer 1.0b3 is available now from NuGen Audio.

For more information, visit their web site at www.nugenaudio.com.

Posted in Audio, Software, Technology

Audeon updates UFO software synthesizer to v1.02. UFO is a software synthesizer built upon Audeon’s proprietary TransModal Synthesis technology. Its oscillator model is controlled by perceptual attributes such as Periodicity, Brightness, Noisiness or Chaos, etc, lying on 2D controllers.

Programming a sound simply consists of balancing these attributes by placing dots on the controllers, and modulating them graphically by drawing arrows. The hundreds of simultaneous possible modulations offer unparalleled expressivity, while the very intuitive user interface makes sound programming particularly easy. It is available as a VST plugin for PC & Mac.

What’s new in v1.02:

• 50% more factory presets
• Improved graphics for better parameter readability
• Bug fix that could potentially have crashed the plugin
• “MIDI forget” feature now working
• Asks if you want to save the current preset only when it was actually modified

UFO Light is updated to V1.02 as well.

UFO Mac public beta also undergoes an update to 0.91 with enhanced graphics and presets.

For more information, visit their web site at www.audeon.fr.

Posted in Audio, Synth, Technology