Ok, here's a rundown of my first day at AES.
Started out with a tour of CurrenTV as the runner up to the sold out Meyer Sound tour.
Although definitely not my expertise, it was an impressive and innovative facility that seems to be putting some really innovative content on the air, but most especially in a very innovative way.
Their master control is just two Macs that control the playlist for the show via some simple playlist control software for the content packages and, yes, itunes for the music. A couple of guys sit there and choose what music to play and control the content as well as watch the backhauls from cable and direct tv. Their music licensing doesn't allow them to synch music to content, so the control guys also choose whatever music to play right as content is airing. Their employees are all really young which gives the place a great vibe.
They have no programming schedule and shift content sometimes minutes before it airs. All content is rendered only 3 minutes prior to air. They have a very very integrated network and everything is very ad hoc.
They have 5 digidesign suites in house.
I was really impressed and it made me wish I had digital cable.
On to the important stuff: the exhibit.
There was no extraordinary theme this year, as everyones digital consoles have been out for awhile. Also, no real extraordinary products.
I took a look at the LS9, which I do like a whole lot. I put some info up on the LS9 thread, but it might be a little vague, so if there are more questions, do let me know.
To answer some specific questions:
Lectrosonic's SM transmitter is very verrrrry impressive. The rep had a little trouble getting the control device to talk to the transmitter when he was showing me how it worked, but it was a loud environment. It started working alright and it's programmable with the control unit from a good distace. For those that don't know, the control unit sends out an auditory control signal which can reprogram the body pack in the event it's on an actor and too difficult to get to. Very handy indeed. Plus, I was wooed with a t-shirt. It is sssspensive, but it seems just right for the features and size. Plus their rackmount control unit is nice. It's compact on both ends.
The smaller unit gets 4 hours on a supplied rechargable battery and their identical bigger unit that just takes another battery goes 9 hours.
Shure had nothing impressive, sadly. Is the KSM9 a new mic? If so, that was something new. Totally meaningless, though, without being able to hear it.
Other interesting stuff:
EAW's NT speakers with Gunness Focusing sure sounded really nice. Great phase response.
Harmon's Hi-Q net looks incredibly useful, for those that like to control a show huddled in a dark broom closet with their laptop. Everything they make networks on this protocol. It sure gives their group of companies a boost, having what looks like the most finite and robust protocol.
I would really have liked to see their VRX series of speakers, but they had nothing there. It was sad really, with all these companies integrated under Harmon Pro, none of them really got enough space to show off.
Soundcraft has a new line, the MPM, but there's nothing interesting about it. Even the info on their website is sort of lackluster. I guess just sort of reinvigorating their lower end consoles.
It was interesting to see all the digital consoles that weren't there the last time AES was in San Francisco. Each one has some sort of gimicky thing, but they're all basically the same as far as function goes. Not to say they have similar interfaces. I just think at this point, that's all they're marketing on: individual preference. Seems weird, but I guess it hasn't been any different with analog. I think in terms of usability, I like the Vi6. Maybe it's just how pretty it is.
Dan Dugan has a nice digitally controlled automixer unit. I'm not into that myself, but I sure appreciate the genius of such a unit.
I would have liked to see more/new monitors, especially because I'm in the market for some, but alas.
Other than that, not much to speak of. If I've left anything out, I'll remember it tomorrow or sunday. Hit me with questions, if you'd like.
Cheers
-Jack
Started out with a tour of CurrenTV as the runner up to the sold out Meyer Sound tour.
Although definitely not my expertise, it was an impressive and innovative facility that seems to be putting some really innovative content on the air, but most especially in a very innovative way.
Their master control is just two Macs that control the playlist for the show via some simple playlist control software for the content packages and, yes, itunes for the music. A couple of guys sit there and choose what music to play and control the content as well as watch the backhauls from cable and direct tv. Their music licensing doesn't allow them to synch music to content, so the control guys also choose whatever music to play right as content is airing. Their employees are all really young which gives the place a great vibe.
They have no programming schedule and shift content sometimes minutes before it airs. All content is rendered only 3 minutes prior to air. They have a very very integrated network and everything is very ad hoc.
They have 5 digidesign suites in house.
I was really impressed and it made me wish I had digital cable.
On to the important stuff: the exhibit.
There was no extraordinary theme this year, as everyones digital consoles have been out for awhile. Also, no real extraordinary products.
I took a look at the LS9, which I do like a whole lot. I put some info up on the LS9 thread, but it might be a little vague, so if there are more questions, do let me know.
To answer some specific questions:
Lectrosonic's SM transmitter is very verrrrry impressive. The rep had a little trouble getting the control device to talk to the transmitter when he was showing me how it worked, but it was a loud environment. It started working alright and it's programmable with the control unit from a good distace. For those that don't know, the control unit sends out an auditory control signal which can reprogram the body pack in the event it's on an actor and too difficult to get to. Very handy indeed. Plus, I was wooed with a t-shirt. It is sssspensive, but it seems just right for the features and size. Plus their rackmount control unit is nice. It's compact on both ends.
The smaller unit gets 4 hours on a supplied rechargable battery and their identical bigger unit that just takes another battery goes 9 hours.
Shure had nothing impressive, sadly. Is the KSM9 a new mic? If so, that was something new. Totally meaningless, though, without being able to hear it.
Other interesting stuff:
EAW's NT speakers with Gunness Focusing sure sounded really nice. Great phase response.
Harmon's Hi-Q net looks incredibly useful, for those that like to control a show huddled in a dark broom closet with their laptop. Everything they make networks on this protocol. It sure gives their group of companies a boost, having what looks like the most finite and robust protocol.
I would really have liked to see their VRX series of speakers, but they had nothing there. It was sad really, with all these companies integrated under Harmon Pro, none of them really got enough space to show off.
Soundcraft has a new line, the MPM, but there's nothing interesting about it. Even the info on their website is sort of lackluster. I guess just sort of reinvigorating their lower end consoles.
It was interesting to see all the digital consoles that weren't there the last time AES was in San Francisco. Each one has some sort of gimicky thing, but they're all basically the same as far as function goes. Not to say they have similar interfaces. I just think at this point, that's all they're marketing on: individual preference. Seems weird, but I guess it hasn't been any different with analog. I think in terms of usability, I like the Vi6. Maybe it's just how pretty it is.
Dan Dugan has a nice digitally controlled automixer unit. I'm not into that myself, but I sure appreciate the genius of such a unit.
I would have liked to see more/new monitors, especially because I'm in the market for some, but alas.
Other than that, not much to speak of. If I've left anything out, I'll remember it tomorrow or sunday. Hit me with questions, if you'd like.
Cheers
-Jack
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