Sennheiser Introduces the New EK 3241 Receiver at NAB
by Mary Rodrigo
Sennheiser, the recognized leader in professional and consumer wireless audio, will introduce the lightweight EK 3241 true-diversity portable receiver at the NAB show in Las Vegas, April 16-19. While useful in myriad applications, the EK 3241 is specifically designed for location sound recording. It improves upon its predecessor, the EK 3041, by using a 36MHz switching bandwidth that is tunable in 5kHz increments to generate 7,200 frequency options, making it the perfect partner for the Sennheiser SKM 5200 and SK 5212 transmitters.
Weighing in at just over 7 ounces, the EK 3241 features a newly designed and remarkably easy to use interface along with the bulletproof reliability of Sennheiser that field recordists have come to rely on. It can be powered from a camcorder or via a rechargeable battery that delivers between nine and 18 hours of continuous operation. Battery status is displayed in detail. The unit ships with 32 custom frequencies preprogrammed, and users are free to store an additional 20 frequencies of their choosing in a user memory bank. As an optional feature, the EK 3241 offers a Command Channel function, which opens up a second audio channel to the mixer. Users can switch between the normal audio channel and the command channel, or they can mix the two.
"Because of the dramatically increasing use of wireless devices in recent years, field recordists must rely on frequency-agile products to avoid interference," noted Dawn Birr, product manager, professional systems. "The new EK 3241 delivers that flexibility with elegance and transparency that allows users to focus on their passion—capturing great sound!"
For more information, visit www.sennheiserusa.com.
Masterfonics Hosts ADAM Audio
ADAM Audio, providers of professional-quality active monitoring systems, recently held a day of critical listening at Masterfonics in Nashville, Tenn. In addition to their new A7 powered near field monitors, local audio professionals, Nashville AES chapter members and local retailers were treated to a listening experience that included ADAM's P series, S series and Mastering monitor systems.
The event included private demos held in conjunction with five local retailers: Corner Music, Ears Audio, GC Pro, Rack-n-Roll and Vintage King Audio. The evening session coincided with the Nashville AES chapter's monthly social event, and was host to more than 100 members, local producers and engineers.
"The sonic characteristics across ADAM's product lines vary to suit any number of criteria such as room size and type, musical genre and personal taste," said Jim Latimer, National Sales Manager, ADAM Audio USA. "The world-class acoustic environments at Masterfonics gave our guests the critical listening and confidence necessary to evaluate ADAM products."
ADAM monitors were presented in four different studios at Masterfonics. The new A7 near fields were set up in Mastering Studio 2. The P Series, which included the P11-A, P22-A and P33-A took up residence in Studio 7. Masterfonics' SSL-based mix room provided the perfect environment to highlight ADAM's mighty S Series: the S2.5A, S3A, and S5A MK2, while Mastering Studio 1 appropriately housed a pair of ADAM MP1 mastering pieces.
"We had a great turnout for the event," added Tommy Dorsey, head of the mastering department at Masterfonics. "ADAM monitors have become a popular tool for Nashville engineers and it was valuable for them to hear just how remarkably well they performed in our studio rooms. Engineers also agreed that ADAM mastering speakers provided a high critical listening standard for our master word clock comparison sessions."
Architectural Acoustics Debuts New Prolinx™ Audio Processing and Control DSP
Architectural Acoustics proudly introduces Prolinx, a fully programmable DSP audio processing, routing and control system for installers. Expanding on the robust capabilities of the Digitool®, Prolinx supports I/O matrix configurations from 12 x 12 to 96 x 36.
The Prolinx DX is the heart of the expandable, programmable Prolinx processing system and a versatile new tool for managing audio systems. The DX model can operate as a self-contained system at 12 x 12 I/O, but users can increase the total number of inputs/outputs to 96 x 36 by connecting additional EX and/or DX units. Built on 32-bit parallel SHARC processors, the Prolinx DX has a total of 1,320 MIPS allocated to input and output processing and an additional 400 MIPS of processing reserved for signal generation, frequency analysis and general communications.
Prolinx is fully configurable from the front panel using the high-resolution LCD display and controls. The front-panel LED signal indicators also function as momentary programmable controls. USB, Ethernet and RS-485 jacks provide easy configuration, monitor, control and upgrade.
Features include room combining, true automixing, wired or wireless networking, graphic EQ at each output and 12 mic/line inputs with 48-volt phantom power. The 2RU chassis includes a quarter-VGA LCD front panel display with programmable I/O indicator switches.
The Prolinx EX is an expander unit adding another 12 x 12 matrix with mic/line inputs. Each EX unit adds 660 MIPS of processing power. Both the EX and DX models utilize the Linx System backbone for processing and I/O expansion.
Prolinx DX
* 2RU chassis with quarter VGA LCD front-panel display and programmable I/O indicator switches
* 12 low-noise mic/line inputs with 48-volt phantom power
* 12 outputs with switchable balanced or unbalanced modes
* 96k samples/second system sample rate, <1 msec latency
* Processing and I/O expansion through Linx System backbone
* Front-panel USB connects to PC, flash drive and PDA
* Ethernet connection provides for wired or wireless networking, TCP/IP addressable LAN connector
* RS-485 support for external controllers (wall controls, etc.)
* Special audio features include true automixing and Graphic EQ at each output
* Control features include real-time control, scene changes and arbitrary control grouping to support room combining
* System setup and instrumentation functionality
* Upgrades to include exclusive Feedback Ferret® and KOSMOS® processing
Prolinx EX
* 1RU chassis with 12 programmable indicator switches
* 12 low-noise mic/line inputs with 48-volt phantom power
* 96k samples/second system sample rate
* Full power input processing DSP
* Provides input expansion to DX through Linx System backbone
