Manufacturer marketing speak is frequently thick with allusions to making integrators and live engineers’ working lives easier, but how many are actually translating their theory into practice? David Davies invited leading companies to nominate their latest and greatest solutions specifically designed to boost interoperability and ease of use
ALLEN & HEATH
What’s it called? The GLD-80 compact mixing surface When was it launched? January 2012
How much does it cost (RRP)? £4,499 ex-VAT (£5,738 with GLD- AR2412 Audio Rack, or £6,317 with GLD-AR2412 and GLS-AR84 Audio Racks)
Why is it helpful? Leon Philips, Allen & Heath product manager: “GLD-80 is a compact mixing surface based on the iLive digital mixing system. The surface layout can be completely customised by the installer/operator to suit the task in hand, and is designed to make it easy for ‘walk up and go’ users. Together with a comprehensive list of user log-in and permissions, this means the system can be configured to suit the level of competence of the operator without fear of the venue losing its regular settings. “With its ease of operation,
distributed audio options and scalability from 4 to 44 XLR inputs, [the GLD-80 is] an ideal solution for any multifunction venue involved with live sound. Our aim was to
take much of the complexity out of digital mixing, opening up the benefits of digital technology to a wider group of customers, such as the rental companies, houses of worship and live venues where our GL series analogue mixers have been working so successfully for years.
“The surface has a two-track
USB record/playback facility, and further interfacing for multi-track record-playback, audio networking, or system splitting/combining is offered through the range of 64-channel I/O cards compatible with the iLive range.”
AVIOM
What’s it called? The AllFrame Multi-Modular I/O System
When was it launched? January 2012
How much does it cost (RRP)? From $2,500
Why is it helpful? Chandler Collison, Aviom director of marketing: “Aviom’s AllFrame Multi-Modular I/O System, the newest addition to the Pro64 Series, replaces traditional analogue I/O boxes with a modular digital solution used in both permanent installations such as theatres, schools and conference centres, as well as for touring and portable live sound. By digitising the audio input signal where it connects to the network, the AllFrame system keeps analogue cabling to a minimum, reducing system complexity and labour costs while delivering improved performance and flexibility. “Like other Pro64 devices, the system supports any
combination of serial and parallel wiring topologies – without affecting signal flow at any point – so I/O points can be placed anywhere an application requires. Instead of soldering, terminating and testing scores of analogue connections, installing conduit, and pulling separate cables for each audio signal, the AllFrame requires only a single Cat5e or fibre connection, and
the unit can be powered over the Cat5e cable or from a dedicated DC power line using an external power supply. “Each AllFrame supports
Cat5e cable runs up to 120m between devices, with no loss of fidelity. With integrated fibre optic connectivity, cable runs can be extended to over a kilometre (multi-mode fibre) or tens of kilometres (single- mode fibre).”