EQUIPMENT NEWS
INNOVATIVE QUALITY SOFTWARE announces a new Technical Support/Upgrade Policy. Effective October 1, a $100 annual subscription service entitles subscribers to full, unlimited technical support and BBS/Web site access to all updates for every registered IQS product they own throughout the year. If you don't subscribe, any update for any product is $50. New products from IQS include three SAW FX Plug-ins. The Reverberator ($299) adds reverb to each track of the SAW 6x and SAW Plus. The Meter Bridge ($199) adds an attractive set of output meters for the SAW 6x and SAW Plus. View individual or multiple tracks. The AVI Viewer ($199) is assigned to a track and will display an AVI Video File to the screen without the need for additional hardware. It links to the SAW 6x or SAW Plus and will track precisely with all MultiTrack cursor movements in any SMPTE mode with sub-frame accuracy. 702/435-9077, fax 702/435-9106, www.iqsoft.com, email
SUMMIT AUDIO debuts the MPC-100A Mic Pre-Amp/Comp-Limiter at the AES Convention in Los Angeles. The single channel unit features a tube preamplifier section followed by a separate tube compressor/limiter section. You get mic, Hi-Z, and line inputs, a switchable front panel VU meter that reads input, output, and gain reduction, compressor threshold and release controls and more. 408/464-2448, fax 408/464-7659.
MICRO TECHNOLOGY UNLIMITED introduces the Krystal, a 24-bit PCI-bus audio DSP engine that contains two Motorola (56301 and 56303) Digital Signal Processors. Krystal runs MTU's Windows-based MicroEditor software on Pentium computers with six to twelve times more power than the original MicroSound DSP engine. Standard features include sample rates of 11.025kHz, 16kHz, 22.05kHz, 44.1kHz, and 48kHz; A/D and D/A stereo 64x oversampling converters delivering -79dB THD+Noise; mic/line in, headphone/line out on 1/4" TRS connectors; AES/EBU and S/PDIF 16/18/20/24-bit digital I/O; MIDI and SMPTE I/O, and more. An optional 8-track expansion kit is slated for first-quarter '97. 919/870-0344, fax 919/870-7163, email
VESTAX MUSICAL ELECTRONICS CORPORATION unveils the HDRV8 8-Track Hard Disk Recorder. The follow-up to the HDR8 struts a main processor three times faster. Features include simultaneous recording on all eight tracks, eight direct outs, no data compression, eight "virtual reels," balanced TRS ins and outs, three auxiliary sends per channel, a built-in digital mixer with 3-band EQ with parametric mids, a front panel XLR mic input, and a 1G internal drive standard, upgradable to 4 gigs. You get all standard cut and paste editing functions. The price hasn't been announced yet, but it's expected to be VERY competitive. Also from Vestax, the Pro Series line of Graphic Equalizers starting with the GE33S single-fader stereo EQ with constant "Q" filters for $799. The GE31 ($440) is a mono EQ with the same features. The GE62 is a dual 31-band EQ with constant "Q" filters and balanced/unbalanced I/O ($799). The SL201MkII is a compressor that uses discrete circuits instead of VCAs. No pumping or breathing, balanced/unbalanced I/O ($999). 707/427-1920, fax 707/427-2023.
BROADCAST ELECTRONICS is shipping the AudioVAULT Version 5.2 Upgrade to existing AV users who request it, as well as with all new systems shipped. The upgrade is specifically designed to run under Windows 95 while still accommodating Windows For Workgroups. Other features include AV-Server For Windows, a new "traffic cop" that handles system communications more reliably through the use of improved memory management and the multi-tasking capabilities of Windows 95. AV-Scan automatically updates AV-Air's database when changes occur in the AudioVAULT inventory. Also new from BE is an upgraded NewsBoss, a PC-based newsroom system for Windows. The system now edits standard WAV files, includes a new "storm management system" for tracking weather-related closings, and more. 217/224-9600, fax 217/224-9607, www.bcast. com, email
MARTI ELECTRONICS presents The Smarti, a portable remote broadcasting tool that sends and receives 7.5kHz audio over a single standard analog phone line. Utilizing the fastest modem speed available today, the system automatically adjusts the speed to match line conditions, reducing line noise and providing a more stable signal. 817/645-9163, fax 817/641-3869, www.marti.bdcast.com, email
AUDIOARTS ENGINEERING introduces the R-5 on-air console. Features include two pairs of Sifam VU meters, full function tape remote controls, four mic preamps and more for only $5,795. 315/452-5000.
HHB COMMUNICATIONS adds the CDR74P CD-R disc to their line. The new disc employs a matt printable coating for application of custom graphics and labeling directly onto the disc using a laser or inkjet printer. The company also debuts the DH-2 De-Hisser from CEDAR AUDIO. The 2U rack-mount unit is designed for real-time hiss removal without the need for encoding/decoding. Also from the Cedar line, Cedar For Windows, a new suite of audio restoration modules that can be used concurrently, resulting in real-time restoration of audio including de-click, de-crackle and de-hiss in a single pass. 207/773-2424, fax 207/773-2422, email
E-MU SYSTEMS unveils the E4X and E4X Turbo Professional Digital Sampling Synthesizers. They come standard with 400MB of sound data. The Turbo features 128-voice polyphony, 64-voice for the E4X (which is upgradable to 128). Easy sampling automatically truncates, loops, normalizes, and places your sample in a preset. The E4X Turbo comes with 16MB of RAM and a 1GB hard drive. The E4X has 4MB of RAM and a 540MB drive. Both models are equipped with an 18-bit dual stereo effects processor. E-MU's new e6400 model is a low-cost, entry level version of the E4X models built with the same sampling and synthesis engine, and it allows you to add hardware features and upgrades as your budget allows. 408/438-1921.
SFX/MUSIC LIBRARY NEWS
NETWORK MUSIC announces the availability of the 5th Edition of the Network Music Catalog. This is a printed version including releases through Volume 152. OR, get the Trakfinder CD ROM version which includes the same info but adds a search and audition utility. The new Trakfinder version runs on both Macintosh and Windows platforms. 800/854-2075, www.networkmusic.com.
THE MIX
Congratulations to Johnny George/HotSpots!/WNAP, Indianapolis, IN on his Best Radio Commercial award from the Indiana Broadcasters Association's 9th Annual Spectrum Awards. A spot for Indy Lube picked up the win in the Large Market Size category. Also, Scott Robinson, Production Director at sister station WENS won the Most Humorous Commercial (Large Markets) for a spot for Sanders Office Supplies. If we get the tapes in time, they'll be on this month's Cassette! Way to go, guys!
Bob Hamilton, President of the New Radio Star, announces Radio Star Radio, an Internet radio station targeted to people in the radio and record industries. Programming includes live as well as pre-recorded material. Radio Star Radio Live offers industry news, music, interviews and more. Pre-recorded shows include recent shifts in their entirety from topjocks around the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand. You need a 14.4 or better modem, Internet access, a sound card, and the Streamworks player. Visit www.newradiostar.com for the scoop. 408/626-1571, fax 408/626-8862, email
Have you wondered what the heck this MPEG stuff is all about? PHILIPS Key Modules' M&D Business Unit announces the availability of a 6-page white paper entitled, "MPEG2: Advancing the Standard in Audio/Video Technology." The paper is an explanation of MPEG2 written in lay terms particularly for non-technical professionals. It concerns the development of the MPEG technology from MPEG1 through MPEG2, how and why the two technologies evolved, and specific applications appropriate to MPEG. It's free for the asking. Contact Morgan Rees at 408/453-7373, fax 408/453-6444.
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