115^th AES Convention

Part 1

  Solid State Logic was featuring their new all-singing, all-dancing C200 digital production console with its 24-bit/96kHz operation with full automation, fiber connection to remote locations, and much more. As per their website, "As with all Solid State Logic consoles, audio quality is a primary consideration. The C200 benefits from SSL's proprietary Centuri processing platform which is optimized for DVD Audio performance. The C200's Centuri processing technology is also 192kHz enabled."

Analog Devices new SHARC DSP ADSP-21262 is a third generation development with a 200MHz core capable of processing 1,200 MFLOPS. It has 32-bit and 40-bit floating point processing and more specs than i care to continue mentioning. In the end this new chip can process an amazing amount of audio data to offer equalization, limiting, reverb... Nearly anything that needs to be processed and also alter the signal chain. We can expect to see stickers saying SHARC Enabled on audio gear as we see Intel Inside on computers.

Naturally the Grammy folks had a booth to support the musicians.

Well respected loudspeaker Focal.JMlab does much more than audiophile systems. Seen here is their SM8 professional digital monitoring system with inverted dome tweeter and 8-inch Beryllium midrange/woofer. A top mounted flat radiator assists with lower frequency reproduction. This all DSP unit allows for digital control of the crossover points, crossover slope, levels, etc. via a Palm Pilot. Balanced analog input, AES/EBU digital input, MIDI in/out, and RS232 appear on the rear. While many audiophiles strive for so-called "purity", mixing/mastering and recording engineers demand high quality and flexibility.

Stage Accompany (SA) were featuring many of their large venue loudspeakers, yet also offer their SA 8535 Ribbon Compact Driver. Unlike many other ribbons that can handle only a handful of watts, the SA 8535 is capable of using 2,000 watts (peak) while also boasting a frequency response from 1kHz to 30kHz. SA claims that at 120dB of ear splitting levels this driver will have less than three percent distortion. This is an outstanding figure if true. Sensitivity is 103dB/W/m, though with H8537/70 waveguide it is increased to 107dB/W/m. And yes, i can hear the SE tube dude's brain working as they look for high-sensitivity drivers. 

ATR Services offers restoration and maintenance (spare parts, etc) of analog tape recorders. The ATR-102 is a machine they remanufacture. Seen below is the amazing Studer A827 2-inch unit. Analog is still alive and well in the pro audio marketplace of digital audio workstations (DAW) and the like.

Click here for Part 2