GEAR OF THE YEAR 2013 >>> GAME CHANGERS Slate Raven
When it was first premiered at the 2013 Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, California, the new Raven series of multi-touch sound mixers turned a lot of heads. While some were drawn to its touchscreen, many realised that the unit could potentially change the way modern mixers work. The Raven comes in two forms: the MTX is a 46in touch-sensitive high-definition LCD virtual 32-fader sound mixer with built-in monitor controller (stereo or surround), while the MTI is a 27in version with no monitor controller available. (Read the review in Audio Media July 2013.)
The bottom line: “The Slate Raven is by far the most unique and paradigm-shifting product I have tried, ever. The mixing desk rethought – truly revolutionary and worthy of a technical Oscar.” Mike Aiton, owner, Mikerophonics Post
Studer VistaMix
The latest in a long line of enhancements to the company’s Vista range, VistaMix is an incredibly powerful solution for managing an array of microphones at once. When engaged, VistaMix dynamically opens and closes contributing microphones while keeping the overall level constant – a must-have feature for panel programmes, reality TV, conferences, as well as on stage. (Read the review in Audio Media August 2013.)
The bottom line: “From now on surely the ‘go-to’ solution for automixing, but don’t ever admit to the clients that we now have this!” Simon Bishop, chairman, Institute of Professional Sound
Yamaha Nuage
The collaborative effort of industry veterans Yamaha and Steinberg, Nuage is a new contender attempting to disrupt the post-production status quo. A complete system, Nuage is comprised of a fader-based controller, a master/monitor section, I/O cards and interfaces, the Syncstation, and Steinberg’s latest Nuendo 6 software. The system is modular and can use up to three different DAWs (not just Nuendo) simultaneously. Yet, it is the connectivity with one of the top DAWs for ADR and post production that makes Nuage such an appealing product. (See full review in Audio Media June 2013.)
The bottom line: “Nuage is an ‘out of the box’ solution for audio engineers that integrates (in my humble opinion) the best post-production DAW in the business with a superb dedicated hardware controller/interface platform.” Stephen Bennett, musician, engineer, writer
Waves DiGiGrid
2013 was a year of big collaborations. DiGiGrid, which combines the power of Waves DSP technologies with DiGiCo’s mixing consoles, provides users of Native DAWs, Pro Tools, and MADI-enabled devices direct access to the Waves SoundGrid real-time processing platform bringing powerful plug-ins to the live stage.
The bottom line: “The audio over Ethernet concept taken to a new extreme. I think this technology is the future for live and studio use, and Waves DiGiGrid is one of the best I’ve seen and heard. Waves plug-ins are now a standard for all my live FOH gigs.” Alan Branch, Grammy award-winning producer and engineer
>Ones to Watch in 2014
NEUMANN TLM107 Launched at the 135th AES conference in New York, the TLM107 is a large- diaphragm microphone from the German manufacturer and features a new capsule with five polar patterns.
AMS NEVE GENYSYS BLACK Blending the deep history of AMS Neve’s legendary microphone preamplifiers and analogue circuit design within a gorgeous, digitally controlled console, the Genysys Black is sure to start making appearances in studios next year.
www.audiomedia.com
Released at the tail end of the year, we weren’t able to get our hands on a few of these future Gear of the Year contenders. Take a look at a few of our picks for products to keep your eyes on in the coming year...
PRISM SOUND TITAN Building on Prism Sound’s Lyra 1 and 2 interfaces (Gear of the Year 2012 winners), the new, epically named, Titan offers both high-quality analogue and digital I/O at sample rates of up to 192kHz via a simple USB interface.
API ‘THE BOX’ Designed for the increasing cottagisation of the recording industry, API’s new analogue console packs the same circuitry, performance, and sound of the Vision, Legacy, and 1608 consoles into a smaller format desk.
December 2013 27
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