Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/635406
Zaxcom usually has something new at every show and this was no exception. There was the long-anticipated Oasis console for the Nomad—giving sophisticated con- trol for Nomad cart mixing, and Nomad Touch software which adds touch-screen capability to the Nomad. But there were a couple of surprises too. The ERX3 IFB/ timecode receivers, with rubbery, better protected on/off/ volume control and a stunningly beautiful OLED screen, which is being rolled out in all the new transmitters or available as a retrofit. JoeCo had their award-winning BBR1MP 24-channel recorder at the show, featuring 24 balanced inputs or optional MADI or Dante, along with their 64-channel analog/Dante and analog/MADI recorders, and their slick wireless iPad remote control. Shure was showing a series of new USB-powered mics and iPad plug-in mics, from lavalieres made to plug into phones to a large diaphragm mic based on the R51. They include a free recording and control app called Motiv, which will let you do 24-bit 48 kHz recordings. They had an XLR/TRS interface too, and an MS mic whose pattern is controlled by the Motiv app. Solid State Logic had something I never expected to see: a 500 series lunchbox proto card, with front panel pots and switches. Build whatever you like on the proto board and plug it in. Lectrosonics was showing off its tiny new SSM trans- mitter, which will cover three frequency blocks at 25 mW or 50 mW with a proprietary swappable lithium battery pack. Here's a photo for scale—in Karl Winkler's hand. Audinate (the folks behind Dante), have a software app for routing audio signals on their network called Dante Via. Beyond routing there's local monitoring, the ability to find and connect devices to the network, create an audio network with computers running Dante and more. Zoom is growing into a legitimate company, despite what you may think of "Zoom on a stick" location sound. Their F8 eight-channel recorder seems fine for ISO backups, and lots of field recording situations, and they make a 1RU TAC 8 (8 analog in, 10 analog out, 10 digital in/out, to 192 kHz) mic pre/interface in Thunderbolt, and the UAC 8 (8 analog inputs, 16 analog outs; 8 ADAT and 2 SPDIF digital I/O) in USB 3 flavor. JoeCo BBR1MP 24-channel recorder Solid State Logic lunchbox proto card Lectrosonics SSM transmitter Shure mics (above) and Motiv control app (right) 10 W I N T E R 2 0 1 6 C A S Q U A R T E R L Y