On the amp front, Crest extended its Pro 200 range with the Pro 9200, another 2U, 25lb model capable of 2,100W per channel into 4 ohms, or 6,500W bridge mode. Not a million miles away from Digigram's EtherSound modules, Aviom's AN-16 input and output modules - and system bridge - use Cat 5 cable to transfer up to 64 channels of 24-bit audio either unidirectionally or bidirectionally, promising similar cost savings in cabling and installation.
As promised, BSS Audio's Soundweb Lite 3088 was there, an 8-in, 8-out version for smaller installations and also run within Soundweb Designer. And adding to the frisson of NYC associations, Soundweb is now used on Jay Leno's Tonight Show, it transpired. Tascam's AV-452 combines a mic mixer, audio/video receiver, infra-red remote control and digital amplifier in one unit, addressing the modern PowerPoint and video clip-led presentation market head on. As well as live mic/AV switching, it can integrate paging and alarm systems and even mute itself when called upon.
The show bristled with related industry news. Sennheiser US is to distribute HHB, including the Portadrive, while the company's 3072s were very distinctively hand-held by Britney, Madonna and Christine Aguilera at the recent MTV Awards here. Adamson's Y-Axis line array had been spotted on tour in Colombia, while Meyer Sound speakers were once again to be found all over Broadway. Nexo's PS Series was lined up for the new Cirque du Soleil production Zumanity, opening in Las Vegas, and InnovaSON had furnished the FOH console at Microsoft's mega Global Briefing in New Orleans.
Peavey drew attention to the fact that it's MediaMatrix's 10th anniversary this year; EAW meanwhile celebrated its Silver Jubilee at Avalon, an East Village church converted into a night spot, and a place where they hide the $10 mixers from you behind the bar so that you can't share them between two or more drinks.
Harman took everybody over the road to the Copacabana, where JBL unveiled the PD5212/95 large venue loudspeaker amid choreographed presentations by every brand in the family. No sign of Lola, though.
At the 'Surround Live' symposium on the day before the show started, sound designers, acoustical technicians, mix engineers and many others converged on the Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom to discuss exactly how surround sound could be developed in the live performance sector. Gear demos came courtesy of DiGiCo, Meyer, Shure and TC, and Marvin Welkowitz (professor of live sound reinforcement at New York University, no less) summed up AES on a good day when he said: "Where else are you going to find these kinds of professionals, top in their field, giving you information that you can soak up and take home with you?"
Peter Gabriel's 'Growing Up' tour won a TEC Award at the annual bash, allowing FOH engineer Jim Warren and monitor engineer Bryan Olsen to thank their mums and dads. Warren was in New York for two Radiohead shows at Madison Square Garden, and these became a golden opportunity for a bit of corporate hospitality fo
