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SSL Bus +

The Bus+ is a stereo bus compressor based on the stereo bus compressor in the SL4000 console. It uses a 2181 THAT VCA and has four modes of operation and 3 different coloration choices. It adds all this along with a Dynamic EQ, Transient Expander.

Peluso Microphones

The P-280 is a large diaphragm tube condenser that uses a FET and miniature pentode tube combination. It has 9 polar patterns selectable at the power supply and uses a 32mm center-terminated capsule The P-24 is a stereo condenser tube microphone with rotatable capsules for X/Y , Mid-Side, and Blumlein pattern configurations. Both capsules have nine independent polar patterns available for far-field to mid-field recordings. It uses a single 6072AM tube for both 32mm edge- terminated capsules.

The Novo N28 is an active stereo ribbon mic with a pair of figure-of-8 ribbons rotated 90-degrees from each other for Blumlein configured recording in the mid-field--8 inches to 3-feet. These new designed ribbons are smaller for more accurate reproduction of transits and also making the whole mic smaller and good for Mid-Field recordings. The N28 is said to have a mid-range forward sound with minimal proximity effects and good for recording darker sounds. https://aearibbonmics.com/products/n28/

Focal jumps into pro audio with two studio monitors models: the Utopia Main 112 at $30,000 USD per pair, and Utopia Main 212, a dual driver version at $50,000 per pair. These two new Focal monitors are a notable entry into the field of main monitoring systems that are designed for either soffit-mounting or stand-alone.

The Utopia Main 212 features two 13" W cone woofers; two 5" M-shaped mid-range drivers, and a 1.5" M-shaped Beryllium tweeter.

The Utopia Main 212 features a single 13" W cone woofers; one 5" M-shaped mid-range drivers, and a 1.5" M-shaped Beryllium tweeter.

Each model's enclosure with its bass-reflex port and is made from 30mm-thick MDF. For soffit-mounting, Focal showed their patented amplifiers for both the UM 112 and UM 212. it uses a combination of a Class H design with a current-mode amplification, offering the most natural and transparent amplification possible. Combined with analog filtering, these amplifiers achieve the lowest THD level ever measured in Focal's anechoic chamber.

Both models' frequency response range (@ -3db) is 28Hz to 40kHz, with Max SPL for the UM212 at 123dB, and the UM112 at 120dB

The Trinnov Nova is a monitor/loudspeaker/room acoustics Optimizer. Trinnov is the primary and acknowledged research/developer and leader in this field. The Trinnov Nova is a new expandable and customized model in a 1U cabinet that will work as an insert processor in your monitoring chain or as a full-on, monitoring controller on its own.

Trinnov measures and analyzes audio for anomalies in Frequency, Level, and Phase. It measures from the listening position many parameters and applies correction to the audio signal presented to your monitoring system. And I got to have it!

It has four analog inputs, and works stereo up to 6-channels with individual outputs for stereo 2.1, 5.1 surround. It is configurable from software running on your computer and has memory of all the different monitor systems you may encounter. It uses Web-based interface and control software for fast, measurements, calibration and setup with automatic updates coming from the company. You can also have them go through your settings and make adjustments remotely.

It has 6 analog XLR outputs and two XLR inputs. It also has AES/EBU, SPDIF/Lightpipe, and will connect as a Dante device; a Virtual Soundcard over a Cat-6 cable to your LAN. For lap top users there is no need to bring an interface for monitoring on location. It comes with the small desktop, programmable LA Remote controller when using Nova as your studio's monitor controller. It also comes with their specialized 3D microphone for measurement; that no longer uses a battery as did the previous version. The mic connects over a CAT 6 network cable.

Trinnov Description

Wolff Audio

Wolff Audio's flagship Console ST series was at the show. This is the first console released by Wolff Audio that is an all-analog, inline, modular design capable of configurations ranging from 8 to 48 channels with a range of customizable features.

Designed for both tracking and mixing or hybrid--a mixed Analog/DAW system. Each channel strip featuring a Wolff mic preamp (or any other 500 series mic pre) that's followed by Wolff's FREQ 500 series EQ. The master section provides eight open 500 series slots for additional signal processing.

The console's "inline" architecture splits each input channel into two, independent paths. In DAW mode, the large fader controls levels from coming back from the digital audio workstation while the small fader manages tracking/recording levels.

The ProPatch 128R has been expanded with Dante and a USB-C digital I/O and remains the only relay-based automated analog patch bay that is designed for mixing or mastering work. It now includes optional A/D/D/A converters and 32-bit, 192kHz via Dante or USB-C.

Now you can have the ProPatch serve as a studio interface, or have as part of a larger system. It is a do anything you want for tracking, mixing, mastering and live stage setups.

API Audio

API had their new ASM164 Summing Mixer, a 16-Channel Analog Summing Mixer based on the summing section of THE BOX Console but in 2U rack space.

Line-Level, DB-25 Connectors, Proprietary API 2510 (not 2520s) Input Op-Amps, Insert Send/Returns, 2 Stereo Program Buses--Mix-A and Mix-B. Each Channel Assignable to Mix-A or Mix-B, Continuously Variable Panning and a 31-Step detented Level Control and Balanced Stereo External Input (Assignable to Mix-A and/or Mix-B) Signature API 2520 OpAmps and There are Proprietary Output Transformers, Analog Stereo Output Level VU Meters, External Power Supply.

I reviewed H2 Audio's 5011 in Mix Magazine and this reissued the Helios Type 69, 0011 Channel strip is as close as possible to the original the original Type 69 channel module from the British Helios console. There are two 500 modules: the 2128 mic pre and 5011 EQ. The sound of the low frequency section of this EQ sounds like the low end of some classic British Invasion bands.

The mid-range and low frequency sections are inductor-based EQs much like a Pultec EQP-1A but with a slightly narrower Q. Also with large boosts, that EQ sections begins to saturate in a lovely way. An awesome sound. Another feature is that the Q changes drastically between peaking and cutting. A small toggle switch changes between a broad peak and very narrow cut for "slicing out" an annoying peak without dulling the rest of the sound.

The DI-1256 RTZ's 500 DI module. It has a Front panel 1/4-inch, built-in adjustable Limiter, simple, 3-band EQ and Warm effect. This is coming out soon and not quite out of final testing. I have used RTZ pre-amps before and they are very good sounding similar to a Neve 1272 pre and well made.

AMS/NEVE 88C Dual Desktop Dynamics

This is two, linkable channels of the Neve 88R VCA Compressor in a module. It is USB powered, has brick-wall limiting, auto-release, variable sidechain filtering, and runs either as mono/dual/stereo. It has Adaptive Attack Technology and Optimized Gan Reduction with an intelligent auto release. It comes in a half rack width case and seems very rugged.

Shure Microphones New Products

Shure Microphones announced several new products beginning with three new Nexadyne microphones and the KSM11 hand-held condenser mic. The KSM11 has a super the cardioid pattern and Erik Zobler and I checked it out at their booth wearing a pair of headphones. Super rejection--if you move off axis at all, you're gone. The three Shure instrument mics are shown in the pictures; the Nexadyne 2 is for kick, the Nexadyne 5 for guitar cabs--you can hang it off the cabinet, and the Nexadyne 6 is a tom-tom or snare drum mic.

Rupert Neve Master Bus Transformer

Transformers, EQ, Colorful Compressor/limiter, Stereo Width, and Neve's Super Silk on in one, 2U box. I didn't have a lot of time for this mastering piece but it looks good and one to have in the studio rack to record music.

BlackMagic Design DaVinci Resolve Studio 19's Fairlight

This is an advanced DAW system aimed at audio for video. Its capabilities are closely connected to the video production

The IntelliTrack AI point tracker automatically generates precision, 3D audio panning when tracking people or objects as they move across 2D and 3D spaces on the screen. With AI audio panning to video, you can quickly pan multiple actors in a scene, controlling their voice positions in the mix environment.

The Music Remixer FX will remix voice, drums, bass, guitar and other sources so you can adjust music to fit with the style of your show. Controls include mute and level adjustments for voice, drums, base, guitar and more. You can turn a vocal piece into an instrumental, automate changes and refocus the music mix to the instruments you want to hear.

The AI based dialogue separator FX lets you rebalance dialogue against background sound and the reverberant sound of the room. You get controls for voice, background and ambience so you can reduce, remix or remove competing sounds. It's perfect for field recordings and interviews in busy locations.

The ducker track FX lets one track auto adjust the level of another track without the need for setting up complex side chain compression or automation curves. You can automatically set music or background noise to lower when dialog is present, then fine tune the audio mix with advanced controls.

Record, mix, monitor and deliver full spherical Ambisonic surround soundtracks. Fully integrated native operation with 1st to 5th order busses and tracks, native effects processing, 2D and 3D spherical panning, binaural and channel-based monitoring, dynamic in-viewer metering and head tracking support.

The DaVinci Neural Engine uses AI to classify audio clips based on their content, making editing choices faster when reviewing unfamiliar materials. After analysis, audio clips appear in collections bins for dialogue, music and effects with detailed sub categories such as explosions, water or insects.