AudioMedia - December 2008 - (Page 36) GEAR OF THE YEAR 2008 > iZ Technologies ADA The ADA is iZ a Technologies high-end, multi-channel unit featuring A/D and D/A converters that the company claims, “brings the rich purity of analogue recording to the world of workstations.” Featuring iZ’s well-respected converters, an innovative modular I/O structure, intuitive touchscreen controls, and direct interfacing to native DAWS and Pro Tools, the ADA should provide a high quality front-end for capturing analogue sources. www.izcorp.com “The only question that pops into your mind is: Why has it taken so long for iZ to put these converters into a stand-alone unit?” (Simon Tillbrook, Audio Media, Nov 2008) EDITOR’S COMMENT “Pretty much the first thing that anyone says when they mention their RADAR is ‘great converters’. It’s taken a while, but making those converters available without the rest of that recorder must be one of the most requested product developments in recent times.” Mercenary Audio KM-69 M e rc e n a r y Au d i o’s M F G KM-69 microphone was born as a modern replacement for the hard-to-come-by classic Neumann KM-84. Mercenary says the microphone is very close to the KM-84, but has been tweaked to give ‘a tad better clarity and detail without sacrificing depth, making it a stunner for acoustic instruments. It was given a little more air on top, and the sound was carefully balanced so as not to take away from the subtle richness and ‘velvet’ sound’. www.mercenary.com “If you are looking for clarity and presence of the highest order, this is one of the microphones you can reach for without breaking the bank.” (Andrew Graeme, Audio Media, Nov 2008) EDITOR’S COMMENT “It was clear from the review that, more than simply another vintage copy, the KM-69 is an excellent microphone in its own right. What price do you put on confidence in your tools?” Midas PRO6 The PRO6 Live Audio System is a digital audio system from Midas. Employing technologies developed from the XL8, the PRO6 offers the same exemplary audio performance in a compact package. The PRO6 standard system comprises a Control Centre and only two 7U 19” rack units. It can provide up to 80 simultaneous input processing channels, and up to 32 (+3) discrete mixes in monitor mode – all of which feature EQ and a choice of many dynamics processing options. By adding additional I/O hardware the PRO6’s network can be expanded up to 264 inputs and 264 outputs. www.midasconsoles.com “Quote here from Dec '08 Issue.” (Simon Allen, Audio Media, December 2008) EDITOR’S COMMENT “Much is expected of any Midas console, and if the performance of the XL8 is anything to go by this new offering will fit in very nicely. The backbone is inherited from the XL8, as are the control, connections, and ergonomics. The genetics of technology in action.” Lexicon PCM96 Merging Technologies ADR Module The new package for Pyramix from Swissbased Merging Technologies is described as the ultimate total solution for ADR, Foley, and Foreign Dialogue Replacement. It has customisable audible and visual countdowns, wipes, and even GPI/Os for triggering external cue lights and so on. Installed in a single custom chassis with the option of GPI/Os, a dedicated custom keyboard, and Merging’s Isis edit controller and fader extension unit, it effectively replaces the need for a separate mixing console. www.merging.com “The new ADR package for Pyramix is one such special item, designed from the ground up to make the dialogue replacement or Foley session preparation and operation as easy as it can be, but as flexible as it needs to be.” (Paul Mac, Audio Media, June 2008) EDITOR’S COMMENT “While it’s not ‘whole’ without the complete system, the ADR Module for Pyramix has to be one of the great workflow assets to emerge this year. Anything that takes the pain out of long dialogue sessions has got to be worthy of note.” Olympus LS-10 Olympus’ new LS-10 Linear PCM Recorder is a pocketsized unit with 2GB internal memory along with a SDHC Card slot. It ships with Steinberg Cubase LE, and offers up to 24-bit/96kHz sampling rate and PCM recording (WAV/WMA, and MP3 formats in Normal, Wide, and Zoom modes). The LS-10 comes complete with a carrying case, USB cable, audio cable, and two mic windshields. www.olympus.co.uk “The LS-10 is a great little tool for just about anybody who records – whether it hangs out in your top pocket waiting to be useful (and it will be) or whether it stays glued to your palm as you roam.” (Paul Mac, Audio Media, May 2008) EDITOR’S COMMENT “Olympus makes a lot of handy recorders, but this is the first that will make it in pro-audio. To a large degree the manufacturer has shown many other pretenders how it should be done.” Lexicon’s slick-looking PCM96 represents its latest pro effects processor in either stereo or surround versions. As such, following in the footsteps of the legendary PCM60 and PCM70, the PCM96 offers a comprehensive selection of classic Lexicon reverbs and effects, including the Concert Hall reverb, together with more modern innovations like the Hardware Plug-In feature, DAW automation dual Ethernet and FireWire connections, and more. www.lexiconpro.com ”The classic bloom of reverb that comes from every algorithm is quite definitely amazing and something to behold if you’ve never used a high end reverb before. In any application, the PCM96 provides versatility and sound that is unmistakably Lexicon.” (David Helpling, Audio Media, October 2008) EDITOR’S COMMENT “Many people have suggested that this unit might be a return to the kind of quality and sweetness expected of Lexicon over the many years it has been designing delay and reverb processing, but at a lower cost. The surround version, especially, will be one to watch.” 36 AUDIO MEDIA DECEMBER 2008 http://www.izcorp.com http://www.mercenary.com http://www.midasconsoles.com http://www.lexiconpro.com http://www.merging.com http://www.olympus.co.uk
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