Sound Technology Ltd is closed from 12 noon on Tuesday 24th December, reopening on Thursday 2nd January.
We'd like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and happy New Year from everyone at Sound Technology.
Showing posts with label Sound Technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sound Technology. Show all posts
Friday, 20 December 2013
Tuesday, 17 December 2013
Soundcraft Vi4 provides O2 Academy Bristol with digital monitor solution
The 1600 capacity O2 Academy Bristol has moved entirely into the digital sound domain, with the purchase of a new Soundcraft Vi4 from Adlib Audio as its dedicated monitor mixing desk.
The decision was taken to retire the long-serving Soundcraft MH3 40-channel analogue desk in the main room — and after reviewing the complete Vi Series, with intuitive Vistonics II™ interface, Technical Manager, Mickey Spillane, and Assistant Technical Manager, Matt Royston-Bishop, opted for the Vi4 for a number of reasons.
Principle among these was the fact that the latest 4.7 software update enable bi-directional show file compatibility with Vi6 and increases the Vi4 channel count from 72 to 96 channels to mix. With the same high quality preamps and sonic performance as the larger Vi6, the only difference between the two is the number of inout faders - 24 on the Vi4 and 32 on the Vi6.
According to Matt Royston-Bishop the reduced frame size, with one less fader bank than the Vi6, enables it to be ideally accommodated in Monitor World.
He added, “There are now so many people touring with IEM’s that we needed much more I/O capacity — mainly outputs, for the stereo in-ear as well as wedge mixes. The MH3 only had 12 auxes and we now have 32 so nothing is an issue. From an investment perspective all these factors are important, as the desk has to last a long time.”
On top of that, he says, the analogue console, with its associated outboard racks, was becoming less and less acceptable as maintenance costs rose.
One of several MH3’s owned by Academy Music Group (AMG), Matt says that they will retain their larger analogue desk for the odd rider that still states ‘no digital’.
A frequent user of the entire Vi range, the O2 Academy Bristol technician was well aware that this user-friendly platform makes it the easiest desk on the market for a sound engineer to familiarise himself with. “We were looking for something that would be that easy to use, as it’s important all our freelancers can walk up to it quickly. The Vi4 provides us with tremendous flexibility.
“It is also a great sounding desk — something that we noticed straight away on stage; it’s a lot cleaner when compared with the inserts on analogue desks, and both the Vi6 and Vi4 use the same output stage and high quality preamps.”
Acceptability is another important issue, he says, and the Vi6 and Vi4 are increasingly being listed on tour riders.
He believes the investment will be future-proofed by Soundcraft's continual development of the platform, the next update being the imminent v4.8 software release which enables all existing 32 mono busses to become stereo making it even more suitable for high count IEM systems. Along with that is the fact that mix engineers no longer have to edit their show file when stepping down to a Vi4.
And Adlib Audio sales manager Nick Turner adds, “Vi’s are becoming the console of choice. They operate on the same platform across all venues and having a desk that anyone can walk up to is what’s needed for tours that are going through the O2 Academy circuit. It’s a desk that anyone can use.”
Soundcraft mixing consoles, and all Harman Professional brands, are distributed in the UK and Ireland by Sound Technology. For more information please contact us on 01462480000 or visit www.soundtech.co.uk/soundcraft
Further Links
Monday, 16 December 2013
Frameworks by Gator accessory line now shipping in the UK
Sound Technology Ltd is pleased to announce immediate UK availability of the new Frameworks by Gator brand of stands and accessories, suited to the MI, pro audio and AV markets.
For over a decade, Gator Cases has been providing top quality, heavy-duty case solutions for a vast array of music and audio related products. With the release of Gator’s new Frameworks line, the company breaks new ground with a full offering of high quality, innovative stands and support systems for Microphones, Speakers, Keyboards, Guitars, Sheet Music, and Tablet devices.
With the launch of this new series, it was important to Gator that Frameworks was not ‘just another stand company’. The Frameworks line was designed from the ground up with a sleek and modern look while also being compact and feature rich. Improving upon the current offering in the stand market was also a key factor of the release.
The initial Frameworks launch include over 50 stands and mounts across a broad spectrum of categories including Microphone, Speaker, Music, Guitar, LCD, Keyboard, and Tablet devices. The line will include the patent pending ID Series, featuring groundbreaking design and advanced ergonomics.
Frameworks Catalogue August 2013
For full information regarding the line please visit www.soundtech.co.uk/frameworks or call Sound Technology Ltd on 01462 480000. The Gator Frameworks catalogue can be downloaded here.
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Friday, 13 December 2013
HARMAN Wins 2014 Technical GRAMMY® Award for Lexicon Audio Brand
Harman International announced today that its Lexicon® brand has won a Technical GRAMMY® Award, which is presented to individuals and companies that have made contributions of outstanding technical significance to the recording field.
The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences announced their Special Merit Awards earlier today. Recipients are determined by vote of The Academy's Producers & Engineers Wing Advisory Council and Chapter Committees, as well as The Academy's Trustees. This year’s Technical GRAMMY Award recognises Lexicon’s contributions to the art and science of music recording and reproduction through innovation and excellence in product design. The Lexicon brand is in rare company: the only other such award is being presented posthumously to Emile Berliner, who invented and patented the “Gramophone” sound recording device in 1887.
Dinesh C. Paliwal, HARMAN Chairman, President and CEO; Blake Augsburger, President - Professional Division; and Noel Larson, Market Manager - Recording, Broadcast, Portable PA and Tour, will accept the award during the 56th Annual GRAMMY weekend festivities in Los Angeles January 24-26, 2014.
“We are deeply honoured that yet another HARMAN brand has been recognised with a Technical GRAMMY Award,” said Paliwal. “Lexicon products have long been admired both by recording industry professionals and the discriminating audiences they serve, and we are proud to be the only audio systems company to have received this prestigious validation multiple times from the Recording Academy.”
Founded in 1971, Lexicon is one of the world's premier manufacturers of digital effects processing electronics and home theatre systems. The company was among the first to produce commercially-available digital reverb systems which is used by 80 percent of recording artists, and was also an early pioneer in the hard disk recording sector. Lexicon also markets premium amplifiers for luxury cars, home theatre and distributed audio applications, featuring the brand’s exclusive Logic 7® surround sound processing algorithm.
“Earning this GRAMMY is a testament to the remarkable passion that Harman puts into the science of recording and reproducing great sound,” said Augsburger. “I am very proud of the contribution that our Lexicon team has made in creating some of music’s most memorable impressions, and congratulate my colleagues on this milestone achievement.”
HARMAN is the only manufacturer to earn multiple Technical GRAMMY Awards. The Company’s AKG microphone and headphone brand was honoured in 2010 for its more than 60 years of contributions to the art and science of sound. The JBL brand earned a Technical GRAMMY in 2005 for its state-of-the-art advancements in music recording, loudspeakers, and audio systems integration expertise. HARMAN Professional audio systems are used in the studio and on the road by leading performing artists, and are installed in thousands of performance, sporting and commercial venues worldwide.
Lexicon is distributed in the UK & ROI by Sound Technology Ltd. For more information please visit www.soundtech.co.uk/lexicon or contact us on 01462 480000.
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Andy Theakstone joins Crush Drums artist family
Crush Drums and UK distributor Sound Technology Ltd are pleased to announce Andy Theakstone (Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly., Paolo Nutini) as the latest addition to the ever-growing Crush artist roster.
Photo credit - Peter Killingbeck
Andy Theakstone has played around the world as a session drummer since 2006 - most notably with Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. Paolo Nutini, Liam Bailey, Amadou and Miriam and Py.
You can hear his playing on every Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly record since the debut album, ‘Chronicles of a Bohemian Teenager’ released on Atlantic records. His involvement in the Africa Express concerts, curated by Damon Albarn, has seen Andy perform with musicians from around the world including Baaba Maal, Amadou and Miriam and Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers).
Photo above: Andy Theakstone with the Crush Acrylic kit on stage at Glastonbury Festival 2013
Andy has toured extensively throughout UK, Europe and America as part of headline tours and has played on the main stages of Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds, T in The Park and Bestival festivals.
Aside from session drumming Andy is also an accomplished recording studio engineer and producer. He founded Unit Studios in 2006 which focuses on recording bands and developing singer songwriters along with sound design and composition for computer games.
Photo credit - Peter Killingbeck
Andy is currently using the Crush Limited Reserve Mahogany kit, Crush Acrylic kit and a 14" Crush Hand Hammered Copper snare.
Crush Drums are distributed in the UK and Eire by Sound Technology Ltd. For more information please call 01462 480000 or visit www.soundtech.co.uk/crush and www.crushdrum.com
Further Links
Tuesday, 10 December 2013
DigiTech Element and Element XP guitar multi-effects pedals now shipping
DigiTech and UK distributor Sound Technology Lts are pleased to announce immediate shipping of the latest DigiTech guitar multi-effects pedals, the DigiTech Element and Element XP.
The elements of perfect guitar tone start here. The new DigiTech Element and Element XP are two versatile guitar multi-effects pedals that offer hundreds of sounds, effects, amps and cabinets, drum machine and much more.
The DigiTech Element XP features an expression pedal and offers 38 effects, while the Element provides 34 effects. The Element XP and Element both deliver state-of-the-art effects processing with six classic overdrive and distortion stompboxes, 12 amps and cabinets and 28 pedals. The Element XP and Element both feature a pedalboard-style control layout that is simple to use and lets players quickly adjust and save their settings to fit their personal styles.
Photo above: DigiTech Element guitar multi-effects pedal
Photo above: DigiTech Element XP guitar multi-effects pedal
“Our new Element XP and Element multi-effects pedals bring an incredible array of classic and contemporary guitar sounds to players everywhere, at prices that offer outstanding value,” said Scott Klimt, marketing manager for DigiTech. “We spent a great deal of time and effort getting everything right, to give guitarists an affordable yet high quality guitar effects processor that is not just useful, but inspiring.”
Overdrive and distortion are elemental to every guitarist’s sonic arsenal, and the Element XP and Element offer stompboxes inspired by the legendary Ibanez® TS-9 Tube Screamer™, DOD® 250 Preamp/Overdrive, Boss® DS-1 Distortion, DigiTech Grunge, DigiTech Death Metal and Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi™. The amplifiers include many of the classics that defined the sound of rock and roll, like the ’57 Fender® Tweed Deluxe™, ’65 Fender “Blackface” Twin Reverb™, ’68 Marshall® Super Lead “Plexi” with slant Celestion® “Greenback” 4 x 12 cabinet, ’83 Marshall® JCM800™, ’63 Vox AC 30™ Top Boost with “Blue Back” speakers, ’01 Mesa/Boogie® Dual Rectifier™ and other all-time greats.
The Element XP and Element provide a dazzling array of effects: compressor, 3-band EQ, flanger, phaser, tremolo, vibrato, chorus, rotary simulator, envelope filter, step filter, spring reverb, room reverb, noise gate, an acoustic guitar simulator and many others. The Element XP adds four expression pedal-based effects including the Dunlop® Cry Baby™ wah wah, Vox® Clyde McCoy™ wah, a full-range wah and a volume pedal – even DigiTech’s dramatic Whammy™ pitch shift and YaYa™ and AutoYa™ wah effects.
Guitarists can choose from 100 factory presets that encompass a host of musical genres, and create and save 100 more custom preset sounds. 45 different drum tracks are available to jam and practice along with, and both models include a built-in tuner. The Element XP and Element feature a 1/4-inch guitar input and a 1/4-inch stereo output jack that can be connected to either an amplifier or a mixer for direct recording using the Amp/Mixer mode switch. The Element XP and Element have a dedicated headphone jack and an Aux input to jam along with favourite songs. Both pedals include a power supply so no batteries are needed.
The DigiTech Element and Element XP multi-effects pedals are available now at £69 and £89 RRP inc VAT respectively.
DigiTech is distributed in the UK/ROI by Sound Technology Ltd. For more information please call 01462 48000, email info@soundtech.co.uk, or visit www.soundtech.co.uk/digitech
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New Nord Piano Library and Stage 2 demo with Jim Watson
We recently met up with Jim Watson (Katie Melua, Manu Katché, and BBC Strictly Come Dancing Band) who was kind enough to record a series of demos of the Nord Piano Library on the Nord Stage 2 HA88. This second instalment features the Grand Upright piano.
The Nord Piano Library is a free library of expertly recorded pianos and electric pianos compatible with the Nord Stage 2, Nord Stage EX, Nord Electro 4, Nord Electro 3, Nord Piano and Nord Piano 2.
The Grand Upright offers a remarkably full and even sound. It has a rich, woody tone that gets a brilliant glassy bite when you lay some force into the keys.
This is a rather ambient piano that sings beautifully with the sustain pedal pressed down (thanks to its huge resonant body) that makes additional reverb somewhat unnecessary.
The audio in the video is recorded directly out of the Stage 2 with no external processing.
More Nord Piano Library info here:
http://www.nordkeyboards.com/main.asp?tm=Sound%20Libraries&cllibr=Nord_Piano_Library
Listen to more audio clips for the Piano LIbrary here: https://soundcloud.com/nordkeyboards/sets
With huge thanks to Jim Watson.
Nord releases new software update for Nord Lead 4
OS v1.22 now available - includes bug fixes as well as adding a number of new features.
Nord are please to announce a software update for the Nord Lead 4 performance synthesiser. The OS v1.22 is an important update that both fixes some bugs in the Nord Lead 4 as well as adding a number of new features, including:
- Performances are now organised in 2 Banks, A and B with 50 slots in each.
- When the Ladder M filter is selected, the filter and amp envelopes is switched into a more vintage like mode.
- Nord Sound Manager Program Bundles are now supported - requires Nord Sound Manager 6.34 or newer.
For complete details of all changes in v1.22, see the Nord Lead 4 Update History page.
The update is recommended for all users and can be downloaded in the Download section on the Nord website.
About the Nord Lead 4
The Nord Lead 4 is a 4-part multi-timbral synthesiser sporting a brand new 2-oscillator virtual analogue sound engine with 2x oversampling. In addition to the classic analogue waveforms there’s a Wavetable mode with unique new Formant Wavetables. Frequency Modulation and Hard/Soft sync options are available for mutilating your sound further and the True Voice Unison mode can stack up to four oscillators per voice for really thick, beefy leads and pads. The filter section boasts Low Pass (12/24dB), High Pass, and Band Pass filters and also stunning new simulations of two transistor and diode ladder filters capturing the squeaky, dirty character of the originals. A dedicated filter overdrive can distort your sound before it passes through the effect section.
The new 'Impulse Morph' buttons let you override multiple parameters of the synthesiser, instantaneously. Ever wanted to change LFO speed, Modulation routings and reverb amount - all at once, in the middle of a sound? With the Nord Lead 4 you can! With 7 assignable Impulse Morphs per program Nord Lead 4 gives you creative freedom to warp and improvise your sound live, both rhythmically and sonically and thanks to the Master Clock Synchronisation, it can be done in perfect sync to other layers or an external MIDI Clock.
Wednesday, 4 December 2013
TesseracT choose AKG for in-ear monitoring system
2013 has been a year to remember for progressive metal band TesseracT. Following the release of their second album 'Altered State' (recently voted by critics as the No.2 album of the year in PROG magazine), they have toured North America with Katatonia, Cult of Luna and Intronaut, then headlined their own tour of the US, Canada and Mexico. Upon their return to the UK they were main support for Karnivool on their UK tour. Prior to this touring cycle the band, in conjunction with AKG UK distributor Sound Technology, designed an AKG IVM4500 in-ear monitoring system with full HiQnet network remote control and monitoring.
Before setting off on a tour of Europe with Protest The Hero and The Safety Fire, the boys also found the time to record a live session at the legendary BBC Maida Vale studios for the BBC Radio One Rock Show - a perfect time to catch up with bass player Amos Williams, to find out how they have implemented the AKG IVM4500 in-ear system and what it has brought to their live set.
TesseracT recording their Radio One live session at BBC Maida Vale Studios (photo credit - Kristell Gathoye)
Looking back on the past five months Amos says, "TesseracT have gone through a bit of a metamorphosis over the last cycle of touring. We've gone from a band struggling to replicate the studio recordings in a live scenario, to a band that is not only able to equal the quality and production level of our studio recordings on stage, but also improve upon these. We put this largely down to the new In-Ear Monitoring system that we designed with AKG and Sound Technology".
AKG IVM4500 in-ear monitoring system rack-mounted components (photo credit - Kristell Gathoye)
He continues, "This system not only allows us to eliminate any stage noise, thus giving our FOH engineer, Aidan O'Brien a level playing ground when reinforcing our sound at gigs, but has had the added bonus of improving our level of playing. We can literally hear every little defect and bum note, as well as details in the tracks we had forgotten about from the studio production. It's like we can now deliver as close to the album production as possible, almost like the audience is in the studio with us, but with the added energy, atmosphere and euphoria of a live show.".
TesseracT at BBC Maida Vale studios - note the AKG IVM4500 rack behind Guitarist, Acle Kahney (photo credit - Kristell Gathoye)
AKG is distributed in the UK & ROI by Sound Technology Ltd, contact us on 01462 480000 or visit http://www.soundtech.co.uk/akg
Further Links
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
First look at SSL Matrix 2 in the UK at Music Production Show London this week
Solid State Logic and UK distributor Sound Technology Ltd will present the new SSL Matrix 2 for the first time in the UK at this week's Music Production Show in London (Sound Technology Ltd Stand number 38). Don’t miss the chance to get hands on with Matrix 2 - and the new SSL Sigma Remote Controlled Analogue Mix Engine - at the show which takes place at Emirate Stadium on Friday 29th November and Saturday 30th November.
Photo above: SSL Matrix 2 (click for hi-res)
Since its 2008 launch the SSL Matrix console has established a high profile clientele who value its unique capabilities as a genuinely hybrid production platform. Its combination of SSL analogue summing, streamlined integration of boutique analogue outboard mic pre's & processing (via its software controlled analogue patch system) and advanced DAW control surface, provides production power and flexibility like no other console. This new version of the Matrix takes feedback from customers and provides a collection of powerful new features.
One of the unique and much praised features of Matrix has always been the integrated software controlled patching of analogue channel inserts and this has been significantly upgraded in Matrix2. Hardware device inserts can now be loaded directly from the console hardware controls (previously this was done only via the remote browser software) with an intuitive new interface that facilitates loading individual processors, A/B comparison of different processors and building processor chains. The Matrix remote browser software has also been re-designed to provide a new ‘drag and drop’ style interface for loading processors and building chains.
The A-FADA (Analogue Fader Accesses DAW Automation) summing system used in Duality, AWS and the new SSL Sigma rack has been introduced to enable the analogue faders of Matrix2 to be driven by automation data from your DAW. A-FADA enables channel automation to be performed entirely in the analogue signal path but with the advantages of DAW automation data editing. The addition of A-FADA to Matrix2 facilitates project portability between different SSL products.
A powerful 'Fader Linking' system has been added to the console which allows two or more faders to be grouped, to facilitate stereo or 5.1 channel control or subgroup style mixing. And the previously optional 5.1 output card will now be included as standard pre-fitted in all units.
A collection of smaller new features have also been added including; 'partial TR setup save & import' which allows selected parts of the console setup to be saved and imported as setup templates, new Preset insert matrix 'scenes', Preset insert naming tools, "automatic dB readout" for Pro Tools users (allowing the scribble strip to automatically display fader values upon touch), modifier key 'press and hold' functionality for Cubase/Nuendo users and new DAW templates for Presonus Studio One and Ableton Live!
Matrix 2 will ship in Dec 2013.
All of these new features (excluding the 5.1 output card) will be available to existing customers as a free upgrade.
SSL is distributed in the UK by Sound Technology Ltd. Please call 01462 480000 for more information.
Find out more and buy tickets for the Music Production Show here.
Thursday, 21 November 2013
Washburn Parallaxe series guitars now shipping
Washburn Guitars and Sound Technology Ltd are proud to announce immediate shipping of the new Washburn Parallaxe series of electric guitars.
Utilising 130 years of guitar building experience, Washburn have created their most advanced rock and metal guitars yet. The Washburn Parallaxe series of electric guitars include, as standard, the most player-requested features in a guitar, forgoing the need for any after-market modifications.
Washburn Parallaxe guitars are designed specifically to meet the demands of the modern guitar player. No corners have been cut and no compromises have been made in design or features.
Washburn Parallaxe PXM10FRQTBLM
The Washburn Parallaxe line consists of three different body shapes currently totalling 16 different models. The PXM and PXS Series are both double-cutaway guitars. The PXL Series has a single-cutaway design.
Washburn Parallaxe PXS10FRDLWB
Every Washburn Parallaxe guitar is loaded with an arsenal of unique features for exceptional stage and studio performance. Washburn Parallaxe features include a Stephen’s Extended Cutaway (on PXM and PXS models) or full access set neck joint (on PXL models), Original Floyd Rose bridge, tremolo spring silencers, over-sized 36mm brass tremolo block, Grover 18:1 locking tuners, Seymour Duncan or EMG USA pickups, series/parallel switching (on Seymour Duncan's), the Buzz Feiten Tuning System, super jumbo frets, and full contact Babicz bridge (on PXL20 models).
Washburn Parallaxe PXL20EB
The Washburn Parallaxe series are shipping now starting at £559 RRP inc VAT. To view or download the Parallaxe brochure please click here.
Washburn is distributed in the UK by Sound Technology Ltd. For more information please visit http://www.washburn.com/parallaxe or www.soundtech.co.uk/washburn or call 01462 480000.
New Nord Stage 2 video demo by Jim Watson (Katie Melua, Manu Katché, and BBC Strictly Come Dancing Band)
We met up with Jim Watson (Katie Melua, Manu Katché, and BBC Strictly Come Dancing Band) who was kind enough to record a demo with the new Italian Grand piano from the Nord Piano Library on the Nord Stage 2 HA88.
The Nord Piano Library is a free library of expertly recorded pianos and electric pianos compatible with the Nord Stage 2, Nord Stage EX, Nord Electro 4, Nord Electro 3, Nord Piano and Nord Piano 2.
The Italian Grand is the latest grand piano to be added to the library. It's a medium sized Grand Piano brimful with character. It can be described as slightly ambient, brilliant and boasts an amazing dynamic range.
The audio in the video is recorded directly out of the Stage 2 with no external processing.
More Nord Piano Library info here: http://www.nordkeyboards.com/main.asptm=Sound%20Libraries&cllibr=Nord_Piano_Library
Listen to more audio clips for the Piano LIbrary here: https://soundcloud.com/nordkeyboards/sets
With huge thanks to Jim Watson.
Wednesday, 20 November 2013
Crush drum kits now shipping
Crush Drums and UK distributor Sound Technology Ltd are pleased to announce immediate shipping of Chameleon Ash, Sublime Maple E3, Limited Reserve Mahogany, Limited Reserve Wenge and Limited Reserve Birch kits.
Already proving most popular with retailers is the Chameleon Ash kit, with the majority of the first shipment of these kits being pre-sold. The 5-piece kit, available in gorgeously finished satin Trans Red, Trans Blue, Trans Green, Trans Black and Trans Orange, is priced at just £929 RRP inc VAT.
The Sublime Maple E3 kit is the newest kit in the Crush product line, reviewed recently in both Rhythm and iDrum magazines. This kit combines the best features from Crush's previously acclaimed Sublime Maple and Sublime Maple Tour series to create the ultimate maple drumset.
The Crush Limited Reserve kits are available in strictly limited numbers, featuring stunning natural satin finishes and complimentary satin finished drum hardware. These three kits are the flagship of the Crush product line.
A list of UK retailers is now published here - please call them for availability.
Crush Drums are distributed in the UK and ROI by Sound Technology Ltd. For more information on Crush visit www.crushdrum.com, or connect with us at facebook.com/crushdrumsuk and twitter.com/crushdrumsuk.
Larrivée featured twice in Acoustic Class of 2013
The new issue of Acoustic magazine includes a feature on the 'The Greatest Gear of 2013". Two Larrivée Guitars are included - the Larrivée OM-02E and the Larrivée 000-03E Vintage.
"Their can be little doubt that the OM-02E is a spectacularly good guitar for the money. Finding such immaculate, all-solid construction and shimmering, detailed tones for under a grand is not an easy thing to do, but Larrivée has managed it. This guitar is deliriously close to perfection. The OM-02E remains a stellar instrument and one that fingerstyle players in particular absolutely must try out. You won't regret it".
"The Larrivée 000-03E is, quite simply, one hell of a guitar. If you've even the slightest leaning towards vintage-inspired six stringers the combination of that spectacular finish, retro tuners and rootsy parlour body will be nigh on impossible to resist. The selling point here is the the sheer quality of the construction,and the masterful way in which the concept of a vintage-themed showstopper has been realised to absolute perfection".
The full round-up can be found in the latest issue of Acoustic magazine (December, Issue 86) on sale now. The Larrivée OM-02E and 000-03E Vintage are also available now at £999 and £1899 RRP inc VAT respectively.
Further Links
Tuesday, 19 November 2013
Sandown Park converts to BSS Soundweb London
RaceTech extends racecourse upgrade to superior digital platform
A little over a decade ago, RaceTech’s Head of Audio Engineering, Robin Dibble, systematically started placing the UK’s racecourses onto a BSS Soundweb digital audio network. However, with the improvement of algorithms, sampling rates and processing speed, the trusty old Soundweb SW9088’s, affectionately-known as the ‘Green’ boxes, slowly made way for a sleeker, supercharged series, with greater I/O flexibility, known as Soundweb London. The most recent high profile racecourse to benefit has been Sandown Park.
Photo above: Sandown Park, now equipped with a BSS Soundweb London audio network
“We had already quoted for the upgrade back in 2010, when we knew the ‘Green’ boxes were going to become obsolete, but we were only recently given the go-ahead to proceed,” said Dibble.
From the installer’s point of view it offers a number of advantages, he says. “Soundweb London devices provide increased processing power and more flexibility. They are easier to use and have better EQ. From the client’s point of view they run over Crestron touch screens which makes it much easier than the old system.”
In a straight swap-out, Robin Dibble has specified four fixed-format BLU-100’s, offering 12 inputs and 8 outputs. These are used with a BLU-120 and BLU-BOB break-out, which provides an additional eight outputs. This gives the facility a matrix capacity of 48 inputs and 48 outputs.
Photo above: BSS BLU-100 network audio processor
Sandown will depend heavily on that hub as they operate a thriving multi-purpose venue. Aside from the paging system and race day sound coverage they also host conferences, corporate entertainment, exhibitions and other events (including wedding receptions).
Photo above: Multi-purpose space at Sandown Park
Robin Dibble confirms that all the premier racecourses (where the BSS DSP solution was fitted) have now been converted to the Soundweb London backbone.
BSS Audio is distributed in the UK/ROI by Sound Technology Ltd.
Monday, 18 November 2013
Soundcraft introduces ViSi Remote 2.0
HARMAN’s Soundcraft is announcing Version 2.0 of its tremendously successful ViSi Remote iPad app, which allows remote control of Soundcraft Vi, Si Compact, Si Performer and Si Expression mixing consoles wirelessly from an iPad device. ViSi Remote 2.0 requires no additional hardware other than a wireless access router connected to the HARMAN HiQnet® Ethernet port of the console. With ViSi Remote 2.0, engineers are free to roam the venue and adjust mixes and other audio parameters directly from an iPad.
With 2.0 comes the ability for Si Compact, Performer and Expression users to adjust channel strip settings per channel including settings such as Gate, Compressor and EQ along with Pan, LR/Mono routing and phase invert switches. This functionality will be added to Vi consoles in a future update.
Soundcraft ViSi Remote 2.0 provides a variety of benefits for engineers including: optimize the front of house mix from anywhere in the room; adjust monitor levels while standing next to the artist; adjust channel strip settings remote from the console; extend the fader count of an existing control surface; use in standalone mode for familiarization with console functions; control a network of consoles (e.g. FOH and Monitor); provide a separate surface for DMX functionality (Si Performer only); and allow multiple users on the same console to control their own mixes.
App Store, Apple, iPad and iTunes are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.K. and other countries.
Software updates for Soundcraft Si Compact and Si Expression/Performer
Si Compact V3.0 software and Si Expression/Si Performer V1.5 software are now available for download.
Version 3.0 of Si Compact software provides several upgraded features including: six (6) stereo busses, stereo matrices, pre/post selection per channel per bus, and fully customisable fader layers. Version 3.0 also brings full show compatibility with Si Expression and Si Performer shows.*
Version 1.5 of Si Expression and Si Performer software includes software improvements and support for the upcoming release of V2.0 of the ViSi remote app. Si Compact V3.0 also includes support for ViSi V2.0.
All console software updates are accessed from the appropriate product page of the Soundcraft web site: www.soundcraft.com. To access the software downloads, go to www.soundcraft.com/downloads/software.aspx and select the appropriate console.
* Old Si Compact shows created on version 2.3 and earlier will not be compatible with version 3.0.
Dante Interfacing for Soundcraft Si Series Consoles
The Soundcraft® Dante™ option card is now available for Si Compact, Si Performer and Si Expression Series consoles. The card provides a 64 x 64 interface to any Dante compatible device from Harman or other 3rd party manufacturer.
Dante provides a digital audio network that uses standard Internet Protocols over both 100Mbps and 1 Gigabit Ethernet. Dante uses audio independent, high accuracy network synchronization standards to ensure all Dante devices are synchronized at all times. Dante runs on inexpensive off the shelf computer networking hardware, and does not require dedicated network infrastructure.
The Audinate® Dante Virtual Soundcard software allows connection of a PC/Mac to a Dante audio network. This system allows the computer to record from and playback to the Dante network using most common DAW packages. Dante Virtual Soundcard uses the Ethernet port on the computer to communicate with the Dante network; all that is required is the installation of the Dante Virtual Soundcard software.
Additional information about the Dante system including the latest software set-up and tools may be found on the Audinate® web site http://www.audinate.com/.
New Soundcraft® Multi Digital card now available for Si Compact, Performer and Expression Consoles
With the Soundcraft® Multi Digital card installed in a console, live recording couldn't be simpler! Standard mic/line input sources can be recorded through an Si Compact, Performer or Expression Console via the multi-digital card to a DAW or similar. This simple yet powerful solution is suitable for recording live gigs but is equally at home in the studio.
The Multi Digital card offers digital audio connection between an Si Series* console and Apple® Mac® enabled with Firewire (1394), or PC enabled with USB or Firewire. Audio capability across the Firewire or USB link is 32 channels in and 32 channels out at 48KHz. In addition to the Firewire/USB ports, the Multi Digital card provides 8 further channels of ADAT in and out at 48KHz. These additional channels expand the connectivity further for functions such as input or output expansion with any ADAT-compatible I/O device.
Connection and setup of the card to a PC is made simple with the use of the Soundcraft digital audio driver and associated control panel which can be downloaded from the Si Expression webpage at http://www.soundcraft.com/products/product.aspx?pid=191.
Firewire connection to a Mac requires no software or drivers.
*excluding Si1,2,3 or '+' plus variants
Friday, 15 November 2013
Rhythm Recommends - Crush Drums Acrylic kit
"A beautiful kit with an incredible sound to match - and all at a suprisingly wallet-friendly price".
The Crush Drums Acrylic drum set is built with high quality seamless shells and is the most affordable of its kind on the market. It is reviewed in the latest issue of Rhythm magazine where it receives the magazine's 'Recommends' award.
"On unpacking we can see that these are gorgeous drums...bearing edges are double 45º, and closer inspection shows that these are crafted with pinpoint precision".
"What first strikes us about the Crush kit is its simple beauty. The shells are seamless and crystal clear, and the hardware is sympathetic to the overall aesthetic".
"On putting stick to head, the kit's quality becomes abundantly clear. First off, the rack toms ring out a sweet ping, but they are also capable of incredible depth to their tone. Rolls between the 10" and 12" racks are beautifully articulated and with minimal tuning you really can make these drums sing".
The full review can be found in the latest issue of Rhythm magazine (Issue 223, December 2013) on sale now. The Crush Drums Acrylic kit will be available from December at £949 RRP inc VAT.
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