Mackie Releasees Master Fader 3.1 for DL806, DL1608 and DL32R and DL DANTE Now Shipping

Master Fader 3.1 adds the following New Features and Enhancements:

• DL Dante Expansion Card Support
• Mute Groups masters are now actionable of Red (Finally!)
• The current parameter readout now shows information when making changes to the IP patch view
• Removed decimal from current parameter readout for Pan and Balance
• All Radio Buttons now activate on release instead of press

Plus there are around 30 Bug Fixes!

Also, the DL DANTE is shipping for $499!  Now you can stream and record up to 64 streams of audio over a LAN.

Questions or if you want to place an order:
Call ZinZen Audio at (503) 941-0907 or Email Us

*Mackie My Fader is not out yet, so if you need it, do not update to V3.

The new GUI is simply stunning.  The DL806 and DL1608 now has 4 subgroups and 4 VCA's!
The DL32R has 6 subgroups and 6 VCA groups at launch.
Now you can subgroup the drums, vocals and horns an apply some dynamics including PEQ and compression on your subgroups!   There are a ton of improvements here.  Mackie has not updated their quick start guide:
Master Fader v3.0 Release Notes (1.4 MB) pdf

Master Fader 3.0 consolidates all three interfaces into one application that you can use offline:

Similar to the Behringer-Air , Mackie has added an Overview so you can see all of your color coded inputs and output fader settings along with VU metering:

The entire DL series now has digital trim control, not just the DL32R

There is now a recording matrix that is quite thorough with Pre or Post DSP input recording, subgroups, aux sends, FX sends, Pre or Post fader master bus, etc.  You only get two track recording on the DL806 or DL1608.  There even is Dante option for the DL32R.

Here is Mackie's full description of the Master Fader 3.0 Update:

Description

The Mackie Master Fader™ app provides complete wireless control over your Mackie DL32R, DL1608 or DL806 wireless digital mixer. Proven at more than 2 million live mixes worldwide, the incredible intuitive Master Fader control app delivers fast control over powerful processing and a rich set of mixing tools for any professional application.

Mackie Master Fader v3.0 provides the perfect way to try out the functions of the DL32R, DL1608 or DL806 before you buy. For actual audio functionality, a Mackie DL mixer is required.

Features:

* Intuitive multi-touch control over every major mix function
* Grow and Glow™ clearly shows controls being adjusted
* Total recall of all mixer settings using snapshots and shows
* Overview delivers instant access to all inputs, outputs, groups and more
* Mixer view allows fast adjustment of channel controls including solo, mute, pan and level with full metering
* Channel view gives control over a choice of powerful DSP
-- Inputs: Choice of Vintage or Modern 4-band PEQ + HPF, gate and compression
-- Return Channels: 4-band PEQ and compression
-- Outputs: 4-band PEQ + HPF/LPF, 31-band GEQ, comp/limiter and alignment delay
-- Subgroups: 4-band PEQ and compression
-- FX: Wide choice of reverbs and delays with dedicated channels sends and returns to each output
* Recording/Playback view delivers wireless control over direct-to-disk multi-track recording/playback*
* VCAs and mute groups provide fast control over multiple channels at once
* 6 matrix busses for professional control of multiple mixes**
* Full I/O routing with A/B sources per channel**
* Fast navigation with view groups that provide customizable views
* Quick setup with tons of factory and user-definable presets
* Export presets, a complete system backup and more via Dropbox or email
* Access limiting prevents unwanted adjustments from other engineers/musicians
* Complete offline operation for simple pre-show setup
* Support for multiple iOS devices connected wirelessly so other engineers and musicians can control any aspect of the mix

** Only available on the Mackie DL32R

Requirements:

* Requires iOS 7.1 or greater. The original iPad is no longer supported.
* Wi-Fi router - For wireless control (required for DL32R), a Wi-Fi router is required. See the DL Series Reference Guide for complete information
* DL32R, DL1608 or DL806 Mixer - Master Fader does not mix audio on its own. It requires the DL Series mixer to fully function
* Wireless Compatibility - DL Series mixers are compatible with the iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad (4th generation), iPad (3rd generation), iPad 2, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 2 and iPad mini.
* Lightning Compatibility - Master Fader allows docked operation with the DL1608 or DL806 mixers with Lightning Connector with the iPad Air (using the optional iPad Air Tray Kit), iPad (4th generation), iPad mini 3, iPad mini 2 and iPad mini (using the optional iPad mini Tray Kit).
* 30-Pin Compatibility - Master Fader allows docked operation with the DL1608 or DL806 mixers with 30-Pin Connector with the iPad (3rd generation) and iPad 2.
* Master Fader v3.0 is compatible with Mackie My Fader v3.0 (available soon). It is not compatible with My Fader v2.0. Do not update to Master Fader 3.0 at this time, if you still need My Fader 2.0 control.

Mackie Web SiteMackie Master Fader Support

What's New in Version 3.0

**Master Fader v3.0 is compatible with Mackie My Fader v3.0 (available soon). It is not compatible with My Fader v2. Do not update to Master Fader 3.0 at this time, if you still need My Fader 2.0 control.**

Master Fader v3.0 adds support for the new Mackie DL32R. It also adds a ton of powerful new features for DL1608 and DL806 users.

After updating the app, the mixer firmware will also need to be updated. This will happen when you next connect Master Fader to your DL Series mixer. Please ensure you have enough time for both before your next gig.

DL1608/DL806 New Features:

* Upgraded user interface for faster workflow
-- More information available at a glance for faster navigation
-- New navigation bar with instant access to overview, mixer and channel view
-- Improved current parameter display that reads more clearly and includes channel color
-- Better access to secondary views
-- Updated channel strips provides more channel information at a glance
* Added Overview showing all input and output channels at once for fast, simple navigation
* Added 4 subgroups with stereo linking and dedicated processing on each subgroup.
* Added 4 VCAs for professional control over groups of channels
* Added digital trim on each input, providing additional input gain control when working wirelessly
* Added Routing view providing complete channel routing in one place for inputs, groups and outputs
* Added Custom Channel colors and Mix colors for visually differentiated channels, groups and outputs
* Updated Selector area adds mute group and view group controls along with a new Masters selector. Together, these 4 selectors control what inputs and outputs are visible.
* Updated Shows view allows user to add a comment to each show. Added created/modified dates to each show for improved organization.
* Added flexible Record Output patching with record levels.
* Added digital Level and Delay control for headphone output
* Updated Preset workflow with new location right at the channel
* Added ability to export presets, shows and backups via Dropbox or email
* Added ability to import presets, shows and backups from 3rd party apps supporting Open In...

Initial Thoughts on the PreSonus UC Surface and the new RM16AI and RM32AI

Full Disclosure:

I am writing this review after just installeing the driver without either reading the manual or actually playing with either RMAI.  Also, I am a PreSonus dealer.

 

PresSonus just released version 1.5.0.29399 of their Universal Control application/driver for their new 16RMAI and 32RMAI 4 rack unit digital mixers to the general public.  This is the first generation to have fully recallable, digitally controlled X-Max preamps.

 

 It is also the first generation of mixer to require remote control as the unit itself only has a few dedicated controls, including a mute all, solo mode and headphone volume, and an input meter toggle button that switches between level and per channel phantom power.

 

You can download the drivers and quick start manuals here:

http://www.presonus.com/products/StudioLive-RM-Series/downloads

 

 

The UC application is available for both 32 and 64 bit version of Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1.

I have not confirmed if it works for Window 8.  The UC application also works under Mac OS 10.8.5 - 10.9.X in both 32 bit and 64 bit.  PreSonus has submitted the iOS UC application and it should be available shortly.  Sorry Android and Linux users, you are currently unsupported unlike other manufacturers that have their engine run on Linux and have both online and offline editors that also run on Linux including Midas, Allen & Heath and DigiCO.  The good news is that you can demo either the new RMAI or SLAI mixers without having to connect to one, similar to their iOS applications.

You even get to choose between them!

Because this mixer does not have a control surface, it is imperative that the graphical user interface be both intuitive and easy to access all major features at a standard resolution of 1920x1080 or higher.  After plodding through the interface for a few minutes, I found some major flaws that would keep me from using it in it's current state.  First and foremost, it suffers from a lack of full screen mode or dual monitor modes.  Is there a full screen Metro style app coming soon?  I could span between two monitors, but this is a bit tricky without the ability to make windows full screen on each monitor.  I also couldn't manually resize the window height, only the width. 

Next up is the UC interface.  PreSonus likes a modern UI with grey, white and a light blue.  It looks cool, but it is hard to see in the daylight.  I struggle with the capture application all the time for the resize slider because the shortcut keys don't work until the session is done recording.  PreSonus should include an option to change the color scheme.  While they are at it, give us a construction set to rearrange the entire layout.

Ok, so the layout is simple.  You have your faders with panning, mute, solo and eq with built-in metering and clipping which is pretty standard.  Above the faders is a channel strip gain, phantom power, phase, label and input channel assignment.  You can select a picture, label it and toggle between pre or post send and link two channels odd channels together.  I couldn't get it to link even channels which I struggle with on their SL consoles all the time. 

Next up you have the rest of your fat channel setting including a noise gate with a key listen feature, a compressor with both auto attack and release and a soft knee.  I wonder if it is still a fixed attack and release on auto.  Shouldn't that be called something else besides auto?  Finally we have four bands of fully parametric equalization with a variable Q, a high pass filter and an A/B audition/swap feature that the SLAI mixers introduced.

I've played around with the Mackie DL series mixers and both families suffer from the same weakness.  Unless you memorize the color of the faders, you may not realize if you are sending aux's on faders or the output busses.  Please label each fader to what we are controlling and not just change the color like S or A(X).

We have 16 aux's to work with here.  They can be linked and they also can be set to pre1, pre2 or post.  You select any of the aux's,  the main buss, the four FX units, the talkback unit and the scenes/mutes groups in this section.  This is quick and easy.

There are two delay and two reverb units onboard with only one of the four FX units master output faders being visible at one time.  You can mute them and tap tempo along with bringing up the FX parameters.

How to record 72 Channels of Digital Audio with your Midas Pro Series Mixer?

I always find it ironic that you can purchase a relatively inexpensive prosumer digital console and have built in multi-channel recording via USB or Firewire of most of the inputs and select outputs.
If you purchase a more expensive professional console, you often need to purchase digital I/O cards that usually cost over $1,000.

Take the Midas Pro series consoles.  They use AES50 I/O that works great with their DL stageboxes at 96Khz.  The challenge is that your desktop or laptop computer may only have USB 2/3 or Firewire 400/800.

What do you do?

The answer is a network bridge called the Klark Teknik DN9650. With this single rack unit device, you can accept three 24 bi-directional channels of 24 bit 96 Khz AES50 audio streams that can be converted to Dante, CobraNet, EtherSound or good old MADI.  You simply need to purchase the appropriate network module that you want to convert from and to AES50.  Then you need to have the appropriate protocol on the recording side of your computer.

The DN9650 supports both internal and external clocking!

Audio Processing - DSP - Network Bridges
Klark Teknik DN9650 - $899.00
CM1CobraNet - $599.00
CM1DANTE - $799.00
CM1ETHERSOUND - $1,999.00
CM1MADI - $129.99

We recommend the Dante card.  With Dante, by Audinate, you can install a virtual soundcard and make your computer's Ethernet port into an ASIO, WDM or Core Audio compliant recording interface!

You can even download a free trial of the software here:
http://www.audinate.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=238

You can download an informative PDF here:
http://www.audinate.com/images/PDF/Dante_Virtual_Soundcard_10-december-2014.pdf

Livestream offers New Broadcasting Products including Google Glass

Livestream announced many new products today for the NAB 2014 in Las Vegas. 
Among the biggest surprises is the ability to stream video with Google Glass! 

http://new.livestream.com/producer/glass

Also announced are two new Control Surfaces, the Track Module and the Core Module, each retailing for $5,999.  The Track Module is used for audio mixing and the Core Module, shown below, gives you hardware control of your Studio Software.
They are housed in an aluminum enclosure, connect to any Livestream Studio with USB, include motorized faders by Penny+Giles, backlit buttons and color screens that look OLED, but the complete specifications are not available yet.




The Studio HD519 is a new all-in-one portable switcher that features a touch screen and supports 5 HDSDI inputs, 1 SDI/HDMI output, 2 remote cameras and 20 hours of internal recording time.  All this for $9,999.

Livestream also announced the Studio HD1710 which features an astounding 17 HDSDI inputs, 1 HDMI/SDI output, 2 remote camera tracks and 60 Hours of internal recording time.  All this for $29,999.

There is now a free version of Livestream Studio:

"To further Livestream’s mission to democratize live video,  every Livestream Platform producer can now download and use the Free version of Livestream Studio to upgrade their live event productions with multi-camera and graphics". For more information, visit http://new.livestream.com/studio.

Visit us at ZinZen Audio for more information

The PONO music player is finally coming out and we now have some new details!

We've been hearing so much about PONO, but there really hasn't been many details about this system. That is until now.  You can check out the site at www.ponomusic.com.

You can also watch a video here of music players, engineers and producers all gush about the difference in quality between analog vinyl, mp3, cd and now PONO.

Pono is the Hawaiian word for righteous. 
In a nutshell, the PONO player can playback up to 24 bit 192 kHz FLAC (PCM) files. 
FLAC has been the format of choice for high resolution downloadable and streamable audio since it was introduced in 2001.  Data compression is used to save space, but no audio compression is used, so it is thus a loss-less format with a smaller file size than .wav.
A 24 bit /192kHz two channel .wav file eats up about 4 gigabytes of data per hour!
http://www.theaudioarchive.com/TAA_Resources_File_Size.htm

OK, so isn't the same as HDtracks?  HDtracks was started in 2008 by David and Norman Chesky.
They offer digital rights management (DRM) free downloads of high resolution files also up to 24 bit 192kHz.  So, yes they both use Pulse Code Modulation - data compressed, metadata enabled FLAC files but HDtracks.  HDtracks also offers 3rd party media players and conversion software and even computer audio interfaces.

Here is a great article on the differences in perceived audio quality between 24 bit/96kHz and 24 bit/192kHz .wav/flac and 64x DSD and 128x DSD:

http://www.audiostream.com/content/dsd-v-pcm-file-comparison-16441-2496-24192-64x-dsd-128x-dsd

The $399 PONO player is a 4.5 ounce portable, triangle shaped device with a color touch screen, a micro USB port for both charging and syncing.  It contains both an 1/8" headphone output and an 1/8" line level output.  It will have 64GB of total internal memory and also include a 64GB microSD card.  It will be available in yellow or black.  It will come bundled with software for both Windows and Apple operating systems.

Here are a few questions that we would like answered:
1.  Does it support USB 3.0?  USB 2.0 is so 2001.
2.  Is there a balanced output option, possibly by using a USB adapter?
3.  What D/A converters does it use?  Burr-Brown?
4.  Can it connect to your computer or the PONO store via Wi-Fi? 
5.  Why doesn't it use an E-Ink display?  Color displays are nice, but a battery hog.
6.  Why doesn't it support Direct Stream Digital along with Pulse Code Modulation?
7.  How can it be an end to end system?  Wouldn't that imply that it would both record and reproduce sound waves?
8.  Why doesn't it have a larger internal storage drive? What type of storage does it use?
9.  Is the battery user replaceable?
10. Where is the device assembled?
11. What operating system does it use?  Linux?
12.  How much internal and external storage memory is available with the file and operating system?
13.  Will a future version support recording multi channel audio?
14.  Does it have ASIO or CORE audio support?  Can it be used as an audio interface?
15.  How fast is the internal ram?  What is the maximum capacity that it supports for external sd cards?

Allen & Heath expands QU line with new QU24 fort $2,799

Allen and Heath have done it again, thus blurring the lines between their pro iLive/GLD line with their less expensive QU series.  The QU24 has 24 microphone preamps with a range of -60 to +10db in 1db steps and 3 stereo inputs, 2 balanced and 1 unbalanced 1/8" (3.5mm) .  The outputs are mix 1-10 like the QU16 and Left/Right, but you also get 4 group outs and 4 Matrix outputs.
The user manual is available here:
http://www.allen-heath.com/media/Qu-Mixer-User-Guide-AP9372_1.pdf

 

 

The QU-24 supports both GLD Audioracks

 

AR2412

AR2412 provides 24 XLR inputs and 12 XLR outputs when connected to a GLD-80 mixer. Connection is over Cat5 cable running Allen & Heath’s dSNAKE protocol, allowing the AR2412 to be positioned up to 120m from the GLD-80. dSNAKE provides control to the remote preamp, and all mic preamps are scene recallable. For larger systems, a GLD-AR84 Expander AudioRack can be connected to the AR2412 to add a further 8 XLR inputs and 4 XLR outputs. AR2412 also includes an AviomTM Pro16 compatible Monitor port.

AR84

Each AR84 adds 8 XLR inputs and 4 XLR outputs to a GLD system. Up to two AR84s can be added to a GLD system, connected to a GLD-AR2412 AudioRack and / or direct to the GLD-80 mixer. Connection is over Cat5 cable running Allen & Heath’s dSNAKE protocol, allowing the AR2412 to be positioned up to 120m from the GLD-80. dSNAKE provides control to the remote preamp, and all mic preamps are scene recallable.

 

Midas Announces new M32 Digital Mixer based on the x32 architecture for $5,000. 32 Midas Pro series Preamps and 25 mix busses - Update

Initial shipments of the M32 have been released, but pre-orders have absorbed the bulk of them. 

We are now looking at January 2015 for new orders.

Call us when you are ready to place an order at (503) 941-0907!

 

News Flash:

The Midas DL16 is finally out for $1,299!!!!

The Behringer S16 is $899.

 

Will the DL16 work with an X32?

 

 

I've been able to finally examine the Midas M32 up close.  The M32 is the Lexus and the X32 is a Toyota.  What is that you say?  It runs the same operating system and audio engine and it a Music Group (Behringer) product.  This is a high low end or low high end, $5,000 mixer with Midas Pro series mic preamps and it looks the part.  The angled design, both a studier frame and softer outer materials, upgraded faders and back-lit buttons all enhance the experience.  Sound quality is vastly improved with more headroom, especially with the higher sample rates coming in the future.  Many users are interfacing their M32's with Midas DL digital stage boxes when used with the proper firmware running at 48kHz.

Let's compare the cost of the original and flagship X32 versus the M32.  The M32-IP has a street price of $4,999.00 and the X32 is currently $2,799.00.  Both have more local I/O than a Midas Pro1.
This means that you do not need to purchase a digital snake in order to have 32 stage inputs.
The current firmware is 2.0.8 and there is a PC, Mac and Linux editor and a remote control apps for both iPhone and iPad iOS devices.

Ever since the Midas designed X32 family was announced a few years ago, people have been lauding it's power and cursing it's name.  I must admit that I am also torn between the specs on paper and the build quality.  MUSIC Group must have been listening, or maybe it was their plan all along.  Without further ado (well maybe...the current ship date was April 15th) we have the new M32 Digital Console.  FYI, there is no PDF instruction manual,  PC/Mac drivers or even iOS/Android apps to download yet. 

You can view a few videos on YouTube shot at Winter NAMM, but none of them go into any detail and a noisy showroom floor, shot in real-time footage is not the most pleasant way to introduce a new product family.  We all want to know what the internal sample rate will be upgraded to in a future update.  It currently is running version 2 of the operating system.  It can share project files between both families.  Does the M32 have a new, faster processor?  More ram?  Will the X32 also get upgraded algorithms to support 96khz or even 192khz internal processing?

The design looks a lot better with an angled top, upgraded faders and better all around build quality with high end materials including aluminum and carbon fiber.  It supports up to 8 stereo onboard effects units and the same TFT non touch sensitive 7" screen is the X32.  There still is no mirroring option with an external monitor. 

Many are asking why they did not increase the channel count in order to further differentiate the two brands.  Others are wondering why putting the Midas badge really makes a difference.  Auto manufacturer's have been doing this for decades.  Toyota/Lexus and Nissan/Infinity, VW/Audi/Porsche.  There is also a big difference between designed by Midas and actually using Midas specifications.  Finally, Midas is accepted in most band riders, while Behringer is to be avoided like the plague. This attitude was brought on by years of negative brand image coupled with poor part availability.  Behringer became a brand that was a FRU or Field Replaceable Unit.  If the internal power supply died, you simply bought another one.  It was still cheaper than buying another brand.  Things have changed.  Behringer now handles their own support channel in Las Vegas.  They have redesigned their logo and even started to pave the way rather than simply copy the competition.  Besides, almost all Pro sound and lighting Companies are manufacturing in Asia now. 

PreSonus pioneered the Active Integration model where the speaker system is configurable without the need of an external signal processor.  Between a powerful digital console with parametric and graphic equalization, delay compensation and now internally modifiable speaker dsp,  we are at the dawn of a new era.  Behringer has copied the AI, but it stands for Acoustic Integration.  See the difference?  MUSIC Group's TURBOSOUND iQ line of speakers can be both fed and controlled with their Ultranet protocol.  How wonderful it will be to connect speakers in a home or building using internal Ethernet wiring instead of having to run speaker wire or Cat 5/6 cable.

Unlike the Pro series or even Yamaha or Allen & Heaths bigger consoles, you can multitrack record and return audio streams via USB/Firewire. 

How much does the M32 cost?  $5,000 and the latest February 1st Midas price guide has the part listed as M32-IP, but no availability.  They also have a new digital stage box called the DL-16 compared to the Behringer S-16.  They may release an M48 or possibly a new DL32 - 32 channel stage box at NEUTRON on March 12th -15th in Frankfurt Germany.  Remember, you heard it here first.  I will keep you posted.

Now, you may wonder what is the difference between the M32 and the Pro series?  Apples to Oranges my friend, except for the preamps.  I will cover the Pro series more in-depth in a future post as their is a lot of information to cover.

All Pro series consoles feature 96khz end to end A/D and D/A converters.
They also feature unique, touch sensitive controls, easy to navigate Population groups and a unique to Midas layout.

The Pro series is divided up into three categories with both installation and touring versions.
Here are the starting MAP pricing on each family which have dramatically come down in price:
Pro 1 and Pro 2 = $7,999 and $10,999
Pro 3/6/9 = $12,859
XL8 = $57,999 - Their first and flagship console with 112 inputs. 

The Pro 1 and 2 are the entry level Pro Series and the Pro 1 doesn't require an external digital stage box because it has 24 preamps.
The Pro 2 comes in both a compact and non-compact version and has more physical controls.
The Pro 3/6/9 all share the same layout, but processing power is dictated by upgradeable System Engines via DSP cards.