GEAR OF THE YEAR 2013 >>> IN THE MIX Avid S6
With Avid’s acquisition of Euphonix in 2010, the company set about combining the creative powers of the Icon, Pro Tools, and Euphonix teams. The result? S6 – a fully customisable and scalable modular control surface incorporating intelligent studio controls, extensive visual feedback, and an ergonomic design providing deep
integration with Pro Tools and other DAWs. (Read the review on page 38.)
The bottom line: “With an aesthetic that wouldn’t seem out of place in a sci-fi film and every feature you could want, the S6 should solidify Avid’s position as one of the leaders in the world of post production.” Jory MacKay, Audio Media
>>> LOUD AND CLEAR Genelec M Series
Owning a pair of Genelec monitors is on most home studio owners’ lists and the new M Series is designed to fulfill that dream. The speakers, available in both 5in and 6.5in versions, are biamplified with cooler running Class D amplifiers and provide a level of neutral, truthful detail that Genelec is known for. Add to this the M Series’ environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing design and you’ve got a monitor that sounds good while making you feel good about owning it. (Read the review in Audio Media August 2013.)
The bottom line: “Whether recording and mixing, or editing, composing, and writing, these small boxes offer all the creative appeal needed for music creation.” Strother Bullins, Pro Audio Review
>>> BANG FOR YOUR BUCK KRK Rokit 8 G3
A longstanding competitor in the budget and home studio market, the latest and largest version of KRK’s Rokit series brings a level of performance not usually found in this price range. The monitors’ 1in soft dome tweeter and 8in glass-Aramid composite woofer provide more than substantial bass response while maintaining vocal clarity and accuracy. (Read the review in Audio Media September 2013.)
The bottom line: “The Rokit 8 G3s shatter the price/performance barrier with a surprisingly mature presentation that will suit many day-to-day audio tasks.” Nigel Palmer, owner, Lowland Masters
26 December 2013 Calrec Callisto
As budgets get tighter there is an increased demand for affordable products that still provide the level of functionality required for major events. The Calrec Callisto answers those needs for live broadcasters, combining an intuitive and simple control surface with much of the same power and performance of the larger Artemis and Apollo consoles.
The bottom line: “With everyone feeling the crunch financially, Callisto is bound to be a serious contender for both new builds and
upgrades.” Jory MacKay, Audio Media
www.audiomedia.com PMC twotwo.8
The final piece in the twotwo trilogy, the twotwo.8s build on features that made its smaller siblings 2012 Gear of the Year winners. The new flagship model is designed and built in Britain and employs an advanced transmission line cabinet housing an 8in bass driver and PMC’s DSP and amplification technology. They are ideal for nearfield monitoring and can be operated either vertically or horizontally.
The bottom line: “An incredibly beautiful design that supplies even more bass and power than the smaller models – it’s no wonder you see PMCs in so many professional studios.” Jory MacKay, Audio Media
The bottom line: “Whether in the studio or on the stage, the new PreSonus StudioLive AI consoles are powerful, intuitive, and, most of all, reliable. The increased integration with software solutions just further shows PreSonus’ commitment to staying ahead of the curve.” Jory MacKay, Audio Media
PreSonus StudioLive AI
The ever-growing ‘studio live’ category of consoles has had some fierce competition this year but PreSonus’ offering brings something a little extra to the table. Based around the idea of Active Integration (where the AI in the name comes from), the 32.4.2 can be controlled over WiFi by a PC or tablet, or via Ethernet using Dante and AVB networking.
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