New Digital Touring Console from EAW
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(Click for a close-up) |
October 7, 2005
LOUD Technologies is using the 119th AES convention to introduce the EAW UMX.96--a 24-bit/96kHz digital console purpose-built for live applications. The EAW UMX.96 features expandable on-board 56 x 44 analog I/O, 3 x 12 integrated loudspeaker processing, the first complete console integration of SmaartLive, a unique tactile rotary encoder, and a 15-inch full-color touch screen with an intuitive user interface--all for a projected list price of under $50,000.
"The UMX.96 ushers in a whole new era for EAW as well as the digital live mixer market," stated Ken Berger, co-founder of EAW and now Sr. Vice President of Marketing and Product Development at EAW's parent company LOUD Technologies. "The digital live console market is still young and as such, is still mostly undefined and under-leveraged. The UMX.96 is a much more sophisticated and mature product than what's currently available--one that proves how much more digital technology can do for live sound."
"With the UMX.96 our goal was to better leverage the capabilities of digital technology in order to provide functionality that more closely couples the mixer to the rest of the system," Continued Berger. "Most digital live consoles still rely on cumbersome user interfaces, or are based on recording console technology. We also wanted to deliver an interface that is fast and intuitive for live sound, while allowing more system wide control for the house mix and system engineers."
The UMX.96's ergonomics are designed specifically for ease of use in live sound environments. The console features a unique master section that combines a 15-inch touch-sensitive LCD display with a tactically dynamic rotary encoder that is able to change its "feel" depending on the specific parameter selected via the touch screen. A laptop computer can also be connected to expand the user interface.
The master section also incorporates eight touch-sensitive Penny & Giles VCA faders that bring the VCAs or desired channels to the center of the mixer for convenient access.
The channel section of the UMX.96 includes 48 Penny & Giles touch-sensitive faders arranged in stacked rows of 24. These faders provide dedicated control of all 48 input channels simultaneously or can be assigned in master groups of 8 to specific sections. This results in less bank switching and therefore further enhances the UMX.96's user experience.
The UMX.96 is the first live sound console to fully integrate all of SmaartLive's capabilities for instant system measurement and calibration. When selected, an input or output feeds SmaartLive which in turn provides an RTA overlay on the EQ screen of any channel in order to show the instant efffects of the EQ on the signal. Additionally, UMX.96 incorporates EQ, crossovers, and limiters based on EAW-designed filters that allow loudspeaker alignment, audio distribution and zoning to be done directly from the mixer. EAW's revolutionary new Gunness Focusing technology will be incorporated through an optional processing card.
EAW UMX.96 Key Features:
Fully integrated Smaart analysis tools:
- Included measurement mic with dedicated console input ensures perfect calibration for onboard SmaartLive 5 analysis software.
- Smaart Follows Select button: In this mode, the Smaart analysis software's reference input is fed by the selected input or output channel. The RTA output is simultaneously visible with the channel's EQ curve, providing visual support to the audible EQ changes.
- Dedicated SPL Meter: The onboard LCD SPL meter provides constant dB-SPL display.
On-board 3 x 12 EAW loudspeaker processor:
- Custom EAW-designed EQ, crossover, delay and limiter algorithms allow multi-way loudspeaker alignment, audio distribution and zoning directly from the mixer.
- Recallable presets allow the user to optimize crossover, EQ and alignment settings for EAW loudspeakers and others.
Highly intuitive and powerful user interface:
- Master section includes a unique Touch & Spin mix control that combines a 15-inch color touch panel with a tactically dynamic rotary controller. Simply touch an onscreen parameter and the knob will change its "feel" accordingly
- 48 P&G touch-sensitive Channel Faders arranged in two rows of 24 allow dedicated control of all 48 input channels simultaneously to significantly minimize "bank switching".
- Tri-color Channel Assign buttons provide at-a-glance indication of current channel assign functions for Mute Groups, VCAs, Aux/Groups, internal effects, and more.
Full On-board I/O - The UMX.96 standard configuration includes a vast array of I/O on the rear panel including:
- 48 remote controlled mic preamps: Snapshot recallable level, polarity, pad, and 48V settings. Includes balanced TRS send and return inserts plus a TRS direct output.
- 8 Stereo Line Inputs on dual XLR connectors
- 24 Aux/Groups: Each bus can be configured as an Aux Send with variable level, or as a Pre- or Post-Pan Group. Further configuration options accommodate multiple Aux Sends, Groups, or combinations of the two as needed.
- 16x8 Matrix Plus: Onboard matrix mixer is the largest of any console in this price range, and digital patching of any input or bus signal into the matrix also makes it the most flexible.
- 12 System Processor Outputs: Typically fed by the Left, Right and Center outputs, these offer flexible routing of any output signal to any of the 12 XLR outputs, including Mains, Aux/Groups, and Matrix outputs.
Professional Functionality
- 4 internal stereo multi-effects processors
- 16 Virtual Control Attenuator (VCA) Groups
- 8 Mute Groups
- 8 User Define keys
- 24 bit - 44.1/48/88.2/96kHz operation
- LCR and L/R+Mono Modes
- Powerful internal memory for virtually unlimited snapshot/venue/preset storage
- External power supply with redundant capability
- External Expansion rack box for card slot options and digital snake connectivity
- Modular channel design for easy drop-in field replacement
For more information, visit their web site at www.eaw.com. |
