ProAudio Review - December 2008 - (Page 18)

studio review by Steve Murphy Zaxcom Fusion ENG Mixer and Multitrack Recorder It’s in the bag — Zaxcom’s portable mixer, IFB, and multitrack machine Technological innovation in the visual production circuit has been fast and furious in the last several years. As exemplified in the blurring — if not erased — line between film and HD video acquisition, the production scene has become a welcoming adopter of an across-theboard range of new technologies including a bevy of high-tech, onthe-set audio tools. So has the ENG market kept pace with its production brethren? As Jon Stewart says, “Not so much.” In a land oft ruled by fossilized dino-mixers that can be carbon-dated back to the early 1980s, evolution in audio tools (and attitudes) moves at a glacial pace. It is this general market — reality shows, news-gathering, independents, and other field-production work — that Zaxcom ambitiously targets with its Fusion ($7,995) production mixer/multitrack flash recorder. Features The Fusion is the latest in Zaxcom’s successful Deva multitrack hard-disk recorder line. As its name implies, the Fusion combines a number of mixing, recording, and cue functions into a fairly lightweight, highly portable package. While the other Deva units are more commonly found on audio carts in full productions, the Fusion’s mirrored Compact Flash recording system eliminates the weight, moving parts, and power consumption of hard disks, posi- tioning it well for typical PortaBrace case run-and-gun work. The Fusion measures 10.6 x 7.7 x 3.2 inches and weighs in at five pounds (without battery). All controls and indicators are found on its well laid-out front (or, when in a bag, top) panel, the only exception being its power switch, which is nicely tucked away on the left panel. Front-panel controls include generously large transport buttons, a number/cursor-control pad, and a set of eight duallayer function buttons — all brightly back-lighted. Also on the front is a set of eight user-assignable rotary faders, a built-in mic for use with the dedicated slate button, and the all-important 3 x 2.25-inch full-color touch screen that serves as the main user interface for settings and metering. Without venturing into overstatement, the Fusion has an immense Regular PAR Contributor Stephen Murphy has over 25 years of professional audio production experience. www.smurphco.com 18 ProAudioReview | December 2008 www.proaudioreview.com http://www.smurphco.com http://www.proaudioreview.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ProAudio Review - December 2008

ProAudio Review - December 2008 Contents Technically Speaking New Studio Products Opinion: Mastering Matters Review: BIAS Peak Pro XT 6 Review: Zaxcom Fusion ENG Mixer and Multitrack Recorder Review: Sound Devices 788T 8-Track Digital Audio Recorder Review: Universal Audio UAD-2 Solo DSP Accelerator Review: Chandler Limited Germanium Compressor Review: RME ADI-8 QS A/D-D/A Converter Feature: Converters and Clocks: Engineers on Their Choices New Live Products Opinion: From the Road Review: Yamaha IM8 Series Mixing Consoles Review: NTI Digirator DR2 Digital Audio Signal Generator Review: Sencore SoundPro SP495 Audio Consultant Test Set Single Slice

ProAudio Review - December 2008

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