Soundcraft’s Richard Ayers with Si Expression console
sources. The accompanying ME-U hub enables star connection of multiple ME-1 mixers and interconnection to other professional digital mixers via MADI, Dante or EtherSound. ME-1 receives 40 sources via
Cat5 (either mono or linked as stereo), and has a built-in ambient mic and local stereo aux input. The mixer’s flexible grouping function enables any combination of sources to be mixed and laid out on the surface from a simple two-button ‘Me and Everything else’ set-up to a full mix of 16 buttons, allowing the user to control the whole mix with just 16 or fewer keys. The configuration and up to 16 presets can also be stored, recalled and transferred via USB key for quick set-up or archiving. DPA Microphones
introduced the d:facto II Vocal Microphone, building on the success of last year’s d:facto
demonstrate the kit on the booth: this year, it was the turn of SHEL from Colorado, four talented sisters who play ‘nu- folk’ with a twist (and throw in a little beat-boxing for fun). While Hannah (keyboards) used the wired d:facto, the other sisters sang through wireless mics, each employing a transmitter from Sony, Lectrosonics or Shure. An adaptor for Sennheiser wireless systems will follow in April, says DPA’s head of marketing Anne Berggrein (who also ‘hand- modelled’ for PSNEurope). Loudspeaker venture VUE
Sara Elliott, vice president of operations for VUE Audiotechnik, with the al-4 Subcompact Line Array System
release. In addition to use with the new wired DPA handle, the d:facto II provides singers and engineers with the added benefit of a state-of-the-art adaptor system, which allows for seamless integration with many third-party wireless systems. As on previous occasions, DPA hired innovative musicians to
Audiotechnik made its NAMM debut – though company founders Ken Berger and Jim Sides will be familiar to many at the show. VUE’s latest release, for NAMM, is the l-4 Subcompact Line Array which uses a beryllium compression driver, Kevlar/Neo LF transducers, and precision amplification and DSP. “The highly scalable al-4 system brings pristine sound quality and coveted line array performance to more applications than ever before,” says VUE. PSNEurope had the opportunity to attend a panel session during this year’s show. Featuring a spectacular line-up of musicians, synthesizer legends and producer Alan Parsons, the ‘30 years of MIDI’ presentation saw Tom White of the MIDI Manufacturers Association hosting 90 minutes of discussion on the past, present and future of the universal interface protocol. While there was unanimous
praise for the format, Parsons remarked that, if he could design MIDI from scratch, he would implement a male and female In and Out socket; while pundit Craig Anderton wishes MIDI was capable of ‘device discovery’. White revealed to PSNEurope that, three decades after the original MIDI standard, the MMA was close to building prototypes of a
“MIDI 2.0” or “HD MIDI” system, though “we don’t know if we will get an agreement from enough manufacturers to get involved”. Never mind the MIDI and technological control breakthroughs, though: this is California! Crank up the guitars and let’s rock! (…If we really have to.) n
The NAMM ‘30 years of MIDI’ panel – (L-R): Tom Oberheim; George Duke; Alan Parsons; Dave Smith; Jordan Rudess; Tom White (MIDI Manufacturers Association); Craig Anderton