Audio @ ISE 2018: New product launches for Lawo, Sennheiser and Wisycom
The world’s largest AV show, Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), is taking place at the Amsterdam RAI this week, and will feature a typically extensive selection of new product launches and range extensions. Manufacturers to feature in SVG Europe’s first round-up of products being shown at ISE include Lawo, Sennheiser and Wisycom.
Lawo has announced that it will focus on its IP-based signal processing and control solutions, namely the Power Core Audio Processor, the VisTool GUI Builder, and the VSM control and monitoring solution.
The Power Core is a networked 19”/1RU Audio Processing Unit with processing capacity providing 96 fully equipped DSP channels, 80 summing busses and a 1,920×1,920 routing matrix. The eight rear side slots accept any variety of IO cards for Mic, Line, AES, MADI and headphone interfaces in addition to the unit’s IP and MADI connectivity. Besides standard audio processing like dynamics and EQs, Power Core also features advanced audio assist systems such as one-touch AutoGain and 32 instances of AutoMix for automatically maintaining the balance of open mics.
The included touch-screen software VisTool allows for routing, mixing, processing and integration of third party web interfaces in an intuitive and customisable graphical user interface. Alternatively, Power Core can be paired with ruby hardware audio mixing panels with 4-60 faders per unit. The PowerCore’s DSP resources are sufficient to drive multi-room installations.
Elsewhere on the showfloor, Sennheiser will be placing an emphasis on digital workflows with a showcase that includes the latest version of its Control Cockpit software, geared towards enabling simpler operation, control and servicing of Sennheiser microphones. This latest updates adds the ability to achieve full control of other microphone solutions such as the Digital 6000 and the evolution wireless G3 series. The company is also hosting a number of presentations and lectures (in the Speaker’s Corner area) to inform attendees about the latest developments in digital communications.
Exhibiting on the booth of its Belgium distributor, RF Transmission, Wisycom is highlighting its MFL Wideband Optical Link and MPR52-ENG, along with other RF solutions that cater to the SI industry. Wisycom’s MFL Wideband Optical Link features up to four RF channels. The rack-mounted solution, designed to allow flexible and modular configuration, features a mainboard that can be fitted with up to four plug-ins. Two options include the TX: Laser optical transmitter (CDWM) and RX: Optical-receiver plug-in boards. The rack also features a real-time-clock with a backed-up static RAM to monitor, which records internal RF levels and service data.
Also on display is Wisycom’s latest receiver, the MPR52-ENG, featuring two built-in diversity receivers with both analogue and digital outputs. With up to 790 MHz bandwidth in the 470/1260 MHz range, the MPR52-ENG features next generation multiband front-end filtering. The software selectable wideband and narrowband DSP-FM operation gives users options based on their project requirements.
IP audio sessions
Not surprisingly, the continued adoption of IP-based audio will again be a prominent theme at this year’s ISE, and this will be reflected in a series of educational sessions organised by the Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS). On February 7 (1-1.20pm, Room 13-N110), ‘The Merging of Technology Between the Broadcast and Installed AV Industries’ will feature reflections from QSC’s Rich Zwiebel upon the ways in which broadcast and AV industries are growing closer, and the shared technologies, protocols, methods and standards that are continuing to emerge. Also taking place on Feb 7 (2-2.30pm, Commercial Solutions Theatre), ‘AES67 in Real World Applications’ will feature a panel of experts discussing the importance of the AES67 IP interoperability standard and its role as part of ST2100 for the broadcast market. Contributors are set to include Andreas Hildebrand (ALC NetworX), Nicolas Sturmel (Merging Technologies), and Claudio Becker-Foss (DirectOut Technologies).
On the following day, 8 Feb (1.30-2pm, Commercial Solutions Theatre), Hildebrand and RH Consulting’s Richard Northwood will consider ‘Why AV and IT Guys Need to Know About AES67 – the Common Standard for Audio Networking.’ In this seminar, the presenters will lay out the landscape on the use of networked audio technology based on the latest research. They will then explain what AES67 is and how it might offer IT professionals, AV integrators, and consultants a convenient way of deploying networked audio.
Finally, Bosch’s Ethan Wetzell will present ‘Protocols, Standards, and Solutions: Navigating the Road to Media Networking Technologies’ on Feb 9 (11.30am to noon, Commercial Solutions Theatre). In this session, Wetzell will discuss how Bosch’s OMNEO platform has combined and built upon protocols and standards to create a compelling solution, with the aim of helping the audience to find out more about these technical ‘building blocks’.
ISE 2018 marks the first event at AIMS and the Media Networking Alliance will exhibit as one combined organisation, having announced their merger in December 2017 in order to form a single trade association for promoting IP in the media and entertainment industry.
A further round-up of audio highlights from ISE 2018 will appear on the SVG Europe website later this week.