GEAR OF THE YEAR 2013 >>> LIVE AND LOUD Allen & Heath QU-16
Announced at Musikmesse in Frankfurt, the QU-16 incorporates features from both the GLD and iLive mixing systems into a compact digital mixer. Designed for live, studio, and installations, the 19in rackmountable mixer features 16 mic/line inputs, three stereo inputs, four FX engines with dedicated stereo returns, 17 motorised faders with total recall, dSNAKE for remote I/O and personal monitoring, multichannel USB steaming to Mac, and the QU-Pad control app for iPad.
The bottom line: “Robust construction, iPad control, and all in a portable package. And a touchscreen! What more do you want?” Alistair McGhee, freelance broadcast and live sound engineer
>>> READY TO RECORD Zaxcom Maxx
A powerful and portable tool for location recordists, Zaxcom’s Maxx is a mixer, RF transmitter, recorder, timecode reader/generator, and visual timecode slate. The Maxx’s four analogue mic/line level inputs feature preamps with NeverClip technology that prevents input clipping by using two A-D converters for each input channel.
Cymatic Audio LR16
A new product from a new company, Cymatic Audio has quickly gained a following this year thanks to its budget-priced, yet powerful, LR16 multi-track digital recorder. The little unit features 16 line-level inputs designed primarily for recording live shows, but can also function as a 16-in 2-out 24-bit USB audio interface with sample rates up to 96kHz. It can even be ‘ganged’ together in pairs for 32-track recording.
The bottom line: “Just tiny, but a stunning all-in-one box PSC solution.” Simon Bishop, chairman, Institute of Professional Sound
>>> PLUGGED IN iZotope RX3 Advanced
One of the most talked about releases in the last few months of the year has been iZotope’s upgrade to its popular RX series of audio restoration software/plug-ins. Designed for everything from recording and post production to forensics,
RX3 features an intuitive spectral editor along with more than 10 modules that help get rid of clipping, noise, hum, and buzz. It even won a 2013 Engineering Emmy. (Read the review in Audio Media November 2013.)
The bottom line: “Sets new standards for audio restoration – the must have gold standard suite for the working pro.” Mike Aiton, owner, Mikerophonics Post
www.audiomedia.com
The bottom line: “The LR16 is the first product from Cymatic Audio, but what a product! If used with a PC it even features its own virtual desk and can be used as the front end of any DAW to provide very low-latency tracking.” Andrew Graeme, owner, The Byre studio
UAD Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveler Collection
One of the most iconic optical compressors, the warmth and smoothness of the original Teletronix LA-2A models have been captured with unrivalled accuracy in this collection for the UAD Powered Plug- ins platform. Each model has had its entire electronic path emulated including transformers, tube amplifiers, and luminescent cell aging process for added analogue character and colour.
The bottom line: “Having the luxury of all three versions of the classic LA-2A compressor is simply amazing. This is at the top of the desert island studio wish list. It oozes character and sonic richness – drums, bass, and vocals all come alive!” Alan Branch, Grammy award-winning producer and engineer
December 2013 25 SSL Live
As one of the most established console manufacturers for music, post production, and broadcast, it was only a matter of time before SSL moved into the live market. The SSL Live is centred around a high-resolution 19in touchscreen hub that gives constant visual feedback and access to configuration menus and the effects rack. The console is incredibly powerful with up to 976 inputs and outputs available and configurable as 192 audio ‘paths’ all running at 96kHz using SSL’s new Tempest 64-bit DSP platform. Look out for our review in Audio Media January 2014.
The bottom line: “Far from another digital mixer, the SSL Live brings a unique amount of flexibility for utilising processing power, which sets a new precedent to what modern full- scale consoles are capable of. A pro engineer’s secret weapon all in one box!” Simon Allen, freelance sound engineer
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