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NEW PRESONUS AUDIO INTERFACES These AudioBox audio interfaces from PreSonus offer both realtime FX and processing...

These AudioBox audio interfaces from c

PreSonus has unveiled a line-up of three new audio interfaces – the AudioBox VSL series. The interfaces are notable for two reasons: firstly, because they give you the ability to add FX and sound processing to an audio stream in real time while recording/monitoring; secondly, because of the way they implement an architecture that combines hardware and software.

notable for two reasons: firstly, because they give you the ability to add FX and sound processing to an audio stream in real time while recording/monitoring; secondly, because of the way they implement an architecture that combines a

All three of the mixers – the 22VSL, 14VSL and flagship 1818VSL – use PreSonus’ high-end XMAX Class-A preamps, and all three offer the same effects line-up (Fat Channel compression, limiting, three-band semi-parametric EQ and high-pass filter) as featured on the company’s StudioLive desks. They’re able to do this because all three come bundled with PreSonus’ own Virtual Studio Live mixer/controller software (hence the VSL name), as well as a copy of PreSonus’ Studio One Artist DAW.

At the top of the range sits the 1818VSL, a 19-inch rackmount interface aimed at the professional end of the market. The 1818 features two front-panel XLR mic/1/4-inch instrument combo inputs and six front-panel XLR mic/1/4inch line inputs a all operating at up to 24-bit/96kHz quality and each with individual channel trim controls b from 0 to +35dBu, LED clip indicators and, of course, 48v phantom power for microphones. Around the back, an ADAT optical port gives you eight more channels of I/O at 44.1/48kHz (four at 88.2/96kHz), while S/PDIF coaxial digital I/O gives you two more input/output channels, making the total (maximum) number of channels 18 in and 18 out.

e

All three comewithPreSonus’ V mixer/controller software and the Studio One Artist DAW

Ensuring that all those channels give you the best possible sound, the 1818VSL is equipped with Class-A XMAX preamps running on 30v power rails (as opposed to the standard 10–18v) for deeper lows and smoother highs. Dynamic range is quoted at 114dB and a USB port, BNC word clock output, MIDI I/O and a 1/4-inch headphone output rated at 150mw complete the hardware spec sheet.

If money and/or space won’t stretch to the rackmount model, though, two more compact solutions are also available. The 44VSL features two combo mic/instrument and two combo mic/line inputs c on the front panel, a USB port, MIDI I/0, two balanced 1/4-inch main outputs and four balanced 1/4-inch auxiliary outputs. d It features the same XMAX preamps and internal DSP as its bigger brother, but comes wrapped in a rugged, road-friendly 1/2U box. PreSonus suggests that this would be the ideal unit for a small band to use: equipped with just a 44VSL and a laptop running the accompanying software, the soundtech would have everything he/she needs to record the band while simultaneously mixing down for both front of house and foldback – and all with Fat Channel compression and other FX/DSP applied in real time.

06 | October 2011 magazine Incoming MTM

d b

AdecadeandahalfofPreSonus PreSonus was founded in 1995 by musician and producer Jim Odom,whose aim it was to produce professional yet affordable production tools for musicians and audio engineers.

The company had its first HQ in Jim’s garage in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, before relocating to commercial premises downtown. Its first product, the DCP8, was an eight-channel compressor/limiter/gate that provided analogue control over digital circuitry, a facility that at the time was the domain of high-price mixing consoles only.

An analogue version of the DCP8 followed, the ACP8, and the success of these two products has enabled the company to develop more, often ground-breaking and award-winning, tools for the music creation industry, and to establish a software-specific arm in Ireland.

Completing the line-up is the 22VSL. The baby of the range, this is probably best suited to the individual musician recording at home or to the solo performer. There are just two of the now familiar front-panel combo XLR/1/4-in mic/ instrument inputs e plus two balanced 1/4-inch line outs, USB and MIDI. But inside the box, the usual XMAX/24bit/96kHz rules apply, and you still get the Studio One Artist DAW and Virtual Studio Live controller/mixer software.

All bundled versions of Virtual Studio Live share the same feature set, but each has a DSP mixer specific to itself – eg, with the 22VSL you get a 4x2 DSP, not the 26x8 matrix that comes with the 1818. Expected in the UK in November, the 22 will cost £189, the 44 £289, and the 1818 £479. Contact Source Distribution 020 8926 5080 Web www.presonus.com

Hear it on the radio

A flexible and affordable console from Harman’s Studer

Radio production can be an expensive affair at the best of times,

Radio production can be an expensive affair at the best of times,

Radio production can be an expensive affair at the best of times, so the announcement at this summer’s IBC in Amsterdam that Harman’s Studer has produced a flexible and affordable solution for the industry was always going to be greeted with a good degree of enthusiasm.

affordable solution for the industry was always going to be greeted with a good affordable solution for the industry was always going to be greeted with a good

Designed to be used both in on-air studios and also

Designed to be used both in on-air studios and also production rooms, the OnAir 1500 digital mixing console is primarily intended for radio professionals requiring a backup or secondary fader unit and I/O. The console includes integrated USB playback and record functions, plus simple point-to-point connectivity to make it easy to move around. Channel parameters such as EQ and dynamics can be edited without connecting it to a PC, though for more advanced functionality, this option is, of course, also available to you.

Promising flexibility at affordable prices, the 12-channel, six-fader console is expected to cost the equivalent of about $10,000. Contact Harman International +1 203 328 3500 Web www.studer.ch

SOUNDBYTES You’ll wonder how George Formby ever coped…

Is it just us imagining this or is everybody playing the ukulele these days? They seem to be everywhere… Either way, Fusion, British manufacturers of gig bags for all instruments, has also noticed this phenomenon and come up a line of uke cases. See them at www.fusion-bags.com Buy them from Aria Distribution: 01483 238720.

Camel Audio announces Ian Boddy: Analogica for Alchemy Boddy’s buddies with Camel

Established and widely respected sound designer Ian Boddy (whose albums include The Climb, Spirits and Phoenix) has teamed up with Camel Audio to compile an extensive collection of 150 presets and over 800MB of new sounds from an enviable synthesizer collection that includes modular setups from Analogue Systems, Doepfer, Roland and Serge, plus self-contained classics such as the EMS, VCS3, Minimoog and the more recent Moog Voyager – gently flanging pads, darting and weaving arpeggios, squelchy Minimoog basses… it’s all included.

Ian Boddy: Analogica works with Alchemy or the included Alchemy Player and retails at £39. It can be downloaded directly from the Camel Audio website – where you might also like to have a quick look at Guitar Mutations while you’re there… Contact support@camelaudio.com Web www.camelaudio.com directly from the Camel Audio website – where you might also like to have a quick look at Guitar Mutations while you’re there…

magazine October 2011 | 07