Lawo has released v4.16 software for its mc² series mixing consoles.

Included in the update is a doubling of the available DSP channel count. After v4.16 software installation, the current DSP boards offer 96 channels instead of 48 channels. The upgrading takes overall DSP performance up to 888 channels.

Also in this release, Lawo has developed Broadcast Channels that offer a feature set specially for broadcast applications, using a simplified signal flow while maintaining sound quality. Depending on the requirements of the production, sound engineers can select either the 48 'classic’ or the 96 'Broadcast Channels’ for the DSP boards – switchable on the fly.

The release also supports the new Lawo Dallis mic card. This offers very high dynamics at minimal distortion and has extremely low latency, and a keen cost/performance ratio.

The v4.16 software update is available for Lawo customers via the Lawo Download Center.

More: www.lawo.de

Lab.gruppen PLM Series

Working alongside both industry partners and leading end-users, engineers at Lab.gruppen and Lake are promising ‘new levels of functionality’, as the PLM Series now supports a new processing module type – extensive filtering can be used to create both crossover and driver EQ, facilitating linear phase, minimum phase or arbitrary phase filters. The filters can also be used to create classic crossovers and specific driver EQ. The new module, among other benefits, is capable of supporting EAW Focusing through the direct recall of EAW Greybox files into any PLM Series device via the Lake Controller software.

This unique feature unites the loudspeaker optimization of EAW Focusing parameters with the Lake Mesa EQ input stage on the PLM Series platform for the first time, to offer a fully integrated system solution for sound reinforcement. Users can now recall Greybox output processing files directly into PLM Series and then create groups and carefully tune even the largest EAW loudspeaker system at any granularity, all via the industry standard Lake Controller – negating the additional expense and inconvenience of a separate system EQ processor.

‘These updates represent the greatest leap forward in terms of innovation that Lake has witnessed since the company moved to Sweden in 2009,’ says Lake Product Manager, Håkan Gustafsson. ‘The supporting of EAW Focusing, coupled with the Lake Mesa EQ and the powerful performance of the PLM Series, means that we can provide end-users with the kind of functionality that is simply unrivaled in the world of pro audio.’

In addition to the new processing module, the new version of Lake Controller brings a raft of other benefits including general speed improvements for Windows 7, multicore processors and high resolution screens as well as faster synchronisation between Lake Controller and devices on the network. LM26 users also benefit from critical improvements to Dante routing, synchronisation and general stability.

Having identified performance anomalies that were linear, time invariant, spatially consistent and therefore correctable, EAW developed its EAW Focusing to address them directly in individual loudspeaker designs. This colouring of the audio is due to non-ideal horns and reflection. Likewise cone drivers have inherent resonances that cause distortion in the middle of the vocal range. With EAW Focusing parameters tailored for a specific loudspeaker type, these artifacts can be corrected.

Lake Controller v5.7 is available to download now from the Lab.gruppen website.

More: www.labgruppen.com
More: www.lakeprocessing.com

Soundcraft’s small-format digital console Si Compact has received an upgrade with a new software release.

The (free) v2 upgrade provides more than 23 major new features, updates and enhancements – the first addition being eight additional DSP channels expanding the Si Compact 16 and Si Compact 24 to 32 and 40 inputs to mix, respectively.

New user configurable fader layers allow input channels to be assigned anywhere on either input layer, and any bus master reassigned to either master layer. Inputs and returns can now be assigned where they are most needed – for example, having the main vocal always in Position 1 on both input fader layers, or mixing aux and matrix masters on a single bus layer to reduce the number of layer changes.

Another new function is DOGS (Direct Output Gain Stabilisation). A common frustration for engineers is when two consoles (FOH and monitors) share the same source such as a mic on stage; the mix balance on the second (slave) console can be overridden if the engineer at the master console changes the mic gain and in some environments this could also result in feedback in the slave system. Using a connection topology where the slave console is fed from a pre-fade direct output of the master, DOGS can compensate for the gain adjustment maintaining original system gain between mic in and direct out. One of the unique advantages of DOGS is since stabilisation occurs ‘locally’ in the master console only this component requires the DOGS system and all other equipment connected to the master can benefit from the feature.

Selective Copy & Paste is now implemented allowing all or part of a selected channel or bus to be copied and pasted elsewhere. This basic functionality is augmented with the ability to copy and paste individual bus or matrix mixes and copy/paste FX presets between Lexicon processors. Enhanced Midi control allows snapshots to be recalled from any external devices capable of sending simple program change messages.

A new security mode prevents unauthorised access to key functions; as well as ‘total lockdown’ security can be tailored for different ‘operator access’ levels for example locking out house EQ and processing for guest engineers whilst allowing access for in-house operators.

Other enhancements include additional information displayed in the Function Focus window on the touch screen, improved matrix mix facilities, show file & folder management, better navigation, improved default settings, HPF settings and added EQ curve graphics among other facilities.

More: www.soundcraft.com

Comprising the Intelli-X² 26 and Intelli-X² 48, the processors provide fast and intuitive control from desktop, laptop and tablet PCs – the interface mirroring the powerful but intuitive design of the hardware, with operation being predominantly icon driven.

The latest version of Intelli-Ware adds features including a ‘convenient and innovative’ ganging and copy/paste feature, which can be applied on three different levels – Devices, Channels or processing blocks.

With the new offline editing feature, every preset of any Intelli-X² unit in the network can be edited without recalling a preset in a device. This gives the advantage of being able to prepare a system offline, with the ability to copy and paste any part of the configuration of an existing preset to the current preset. This can be done between different Intelli-X² units, either via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Another new feature allows connection of an unlimited number of computers to the network, all working on a ‘real-time’ basis.

The auto-IP feature allows sound engineer to control the Intelli-X² without IT skills – the software automatically discovers network cards on a system, and scans them for possible Intelli-X² devices. Even when some cards are on one network and others on another, Intelli-Ware works seamlessly across all networks. This is a very useful feature in installation projects, as an Apex system does not absorb any of the available bandwidth of a general office network.

More: www.apex-audio.eu

New features include:

Updated data product library, including the new architectural series (Karai, SB18i).
New Kara-MiniBu and MiniBuEx Bumpers.

These are in addition to the features implemented in the previous version of the software:

Air absorption calculation, function of humidity and temperature.
Updated product library including K1, Kara, XT, P, SB28 and SB18.
Unified contour template for WST line sources
+8dBu maximum input level rule.
Ergonomic improvements such as mapping mode custom color scaling Compatibility with Ease 4.0 and Catt 8.0.

More: www.l-acoustics.com/download

Prism Sound has released Sadie 6 software.

In addition to other enhancements, the Sadie 6 editing software can now be used on any computer, anywhere in the world, through dongle-based security system. Sadie 6.0.2 supports dongle operations, and the dongles themselves are now shipping.

‘The new release software adds a number of advantages, particularly to editors with new functions in the trim editor that speed up workflow by allowing adjacent clips selection and pairing of clips,’ says Prism Sound/Sadie Broadcast Consultant, Pete Nash. ‘Stability with certain Windows issues have now been resolved and the dongle support is particularly useful to customers who are using Sadie 6 for location recording, or in organisations where the software is more likely to move from computer to computer.’

Dongles are now shipping and customers who would like one should contact Sadie so that they can be helped with their installation. The new version of Sadie 6 is available for download from the company’s website.

More: www.sadie.com

JoeCo has announced a major software update for its BlackBox Recorder series.

Version 2.2 adds improves working efficiency and includes benefits inherited from the development of the BlackBox BBR64-Madi and Dante Recorders. These include enhancements to the bespoke operating system and improved display of critical information, while maintaining the conceptual simplicity of the user interface.

Simple interface changes, from clarifying clock sources to flashing the transport controls while an operation is pending, provide a much slicker user experience, imparting more information to the user with greater speed and clarity. The Pre Fade Listen system, introduced in the BBR64-Madi development, now allows more rapid sweep through the channels with a quick return to ‘mix’ output.

It’s also quicker to enter record and to finalise the Broadcast WAV files thus created; time code reading is quicker and more accurate; master/slave performance has been enhanced and further support has been added for particular drive types. Additionally, the software now runs background checks on the drive to create a more accurate map of free space to further speed entering record.

The Player software add-on has taken advantage of improvements to triggering and now also supports v0 BWF files, which some older DAWs still produce. These and more enhancements are encapsulated in an upgraded field update manager.

‘With reliability and speed key to the BlackBox, we are constantly working to ensure that our users can achieve maximum working efficiency from their recorder’ says JoeCo Managing Director, Joe Bull. ‘Having worked hard to develop the new BBR64-Madi and Dante systems, we like to share the benefits of these developments with our existing customers wherever possible.’

Version 2.2 software can be downloaded free of charge from the End User area of the JoeCo website.

More: www.joeco.co.uk

Mong the new features of these updates are: an LA4/LA8 firmware updater add-on with improved reliability and user-friendliness; an LA-AES3 Monitor add-on for AES/EBU control and monitoring on LA4 and LA8; improved v1.4.1 LA4 and LA8 firmware with LA-AES3 card management and faster display interface; v2.2 LA4 and LA8 Preset Libraries, including Kara/SB18 enclosures and new 115XTHiQ Monitor presets.

Version 1.7 of Soundvision adds the new Kara and SB18 enclosures to its library.

More: www.l-acoustics.com

After two years of intensive real-world testing, VB Audio has made its MT128 software available to equipment makers and service providers in entertainment, radio, television and special events.

The MT128 is a player-recorder with 128 digital audio tracks and a unique graphical user interface compatible with a touchscreen. The system can readily be adapted to live recordings, rehearsals, continuous recording on TV sets, storage, digitising audio material, and other applications.

‘The MT128 project began in 2005 when it became clear that there was no recording software on the market adapted to operational situations and stressful environments,’ says VB Audio’s Vincent Burel. ‘We paid careful attention to comments from sound engineers regarding overly complicated generalist audio software unsuited to managing a large number of tracks and in situ constraints. This led us to launch a project to develop a digital audio 128-track player-recorder driven by a simple, efficient graphical user interface on a touchscreen.

‘The first constraint was to guarantee the system's reliability,’ he explains. ‘That's why the MT128 integrates measuring tools and a test protocol that validates the configuration point by point: stability of the DSP load in real time, stability of the digital audio streaming, load tests for disks, tests in situ, and endurance tests. The MT128 can even cope with power cuts, including during recording (the audio files are automatically repaired when the project is recharged).’

As well as being used by Innovason/Lawo as an embedded recorder – MT128 is the program behind the 64-track Mars player-recorder integrated into the Eclipse console – it is also now available in Germany and France through other suppliers.

The software is designed to be either embedded (as with the Eclipse console) or run on a dedicated PC. It includes administration functions (like disk formatting) that make it possible to hide the operating system or to limit access to a restricted number of users or just to administrators.

It gives users a dedicated system operated reassuring touchscreen interface as well as quick, stable functionality. Furthermore, the MT128 remains software, with all the advantages of simple, secure procedures to update and adapt.

MT128 licences are sold exclusively to industrial firms, equipment makers, and service providers who are looking for a turnkey recording solution. The MT128 is an application for use by professionals with the appropriate configuration and infrastructure.

Enquiries from parties interested in building turnkey solutions provided by the MT128, or to becoming an integrator/distributor are invited.

More: www.mt128.com

EFF addresses audio loudness violations in file-based media to ensure compliance with the latest ITU-R BS.1770, BS.1771 and EBU R128 standards. According to Emotion Systems, ‘it ensures that users make the right decisions to resolve audio level problems by efficiently analysing file-based media and using accurate modelling of analogue Peak Programme Meters and loudness detection parameters.’

‘It's no secret that commercials and promos have long been mixed to be louder than programmes, which is a considerable annoyance to many consumers,’ says Emotion CEO MC Patel. That has, in turn, prompted increasing levels of legislation worldwide to address their complaints. We developed EFF to take the pain out of compliance. It's fast,  accurate and easy to use and enables the user to manage critical file-based audio content to ensure loudness legislation compliance with total confidence.’

EFF is aimed at MCR, nonlinear video editing and online finishing applications, as well as broadcasters and postproduction facilities supplying file-based content media for broadcast delivery.

EFF will be showcased at the Dubai CabSat show in February.

More: www.emotionengines.tv