Category Archives: Information

Cerevo Exhibits Leading Streaming Devices at NAB 2017

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Cerevo was founded in 2008 and is located in Tokyo, Japan with a branch office in Redmond, WA, USA. Cerevo is a small batch company focusing on making unique networked devices and connected solutions for both consumer and professional users based on its “Global Niche” concept. Cerevo will be exhibiting its complete line-up of leading streaming and IoT devices at NAB 2017.

LiveWedge is the award winning live streaming video switcher, mixer, and recorder with 4x HDMI inputs. It also broadcasts live video simultaneously via the internet. Easy user control is available via the free LiveWedge companion iOS/Android tablet app. It also supports PnP and chroma keying as well as all basic transitions such as wipe, fade, cut, etc.

LiveShell X is the latest and most advanced model in Cerevo’s line of award-winning LiveShell devices. It supports live broadcast streaming without a PC through HDMI input encoding at up to 1080/60p in H.265 or H.264 and real time recording via microSD and multicasting with up to 3 simultaneous streams. LiveShell X provides stable, professional quality streaming. It also supports simultaneous multi-streaming and the ability to add subtitles and lower third graphics.

LiveShell PRO is the Mid-range live streaming device supporting analog inputs as well as HDMI. The LiveShell PRO is a mid-range wireless video streamer. Video and audio is encoded in H.264 and AAC at 720p resolution and up to Mbps bit rate. The replaceable, rechargeable battery allows you to broadcast from anywhere with an internet connection.

LiveShell 2 is the world’s most cost effective PC-less live streaming device. The successor to “LiveShell”, Cerevo’s highly regarded live streaming device that was first released in 2011. This model retains the compact and portable design of its predecessor while adding support for HD streaming. Live streaming is possible via wired LAN or Wi-Fi. The addition of 5GHz Wi-Fi support means stable streaming is possible even in bandwidth-congested areas.

Visit Cerevo at Central Hall booth #C1046 at NAB 2017.

 

Point Source Audio Unveiling CO2-8WL Microphone at NAB 2017

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Point Source Audio will unveil the world’s first microphone with built-in backup at NAB 2017. The CO2-8WL Lavalier is two mics in one supporting two separate wireless transmitters.

Point Source Audio is an innovator of miniature microphone technology. They will introduce their latest advancement, a fully redundant dual element microphone – adding to its award-winning collection of miniature microphones on display at the 2017 NAB Show. The microphone offers precisely matched elements for redundancy in a single self contained housing and is ideal for talent requiring microphone backup assurance in live broadcasting and production environments.

The redundant microphone will offer broadcast and production technicians peace of mind with a fast and simple method of providing backup for critical on-air broadcasts of live talent. The mic’s one-of-a-kind design pairs two microphone elements into a single housing to create a form factor that is more streamlined and lower profile. Used with the company’s proprietary razor thin Slider mic clips or EMBRACE Earmounts, redundancy is accomplished with style – not cable clutter.

The built-in backup design mates the dual mics as well as their independent and continuous wire paths into a singlular housing and wire jacket giving technicians a clean alternative to cumbersome cable dressing. The mic cable splits approximately nine inches above connection to the body-pack transmitters to allow ample room for separation of the transmitters.

The matched redundant microphone will be available as a standalone lavalier (CO2-8WL) that is part of the company’s SERIES8 category of performance microphones. Additionally, it will be offered within the EMBRACE category of earmountable lavaliers when absolute mic concealment is needed.

Point Source Audio’s new redundant mic options will be demonstrated to attendees of 2017 NAB Show (booth #C1110) in Las Vegas and are expected to be available for purchase at a number of resellers and distributors worldwide beginning June 2017.

Small Batch Audio Introduces Podcaster Pro

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Small Batch Audio introduces the Podcaster Pro rig. This revolutionary USB audio device, no bigger than a book, is the first device specifically made to optimize human voice recording for podcasting.

Small Batch Studio is going to launch a Kickstarter. You can sign up for Adam Curry’s Kickstarter Update email list to get the latest about their upcoming Kickstarter.

Podcaster Pro is for podcasters who are tired of lugging professional musician equipment around, or resorting to post-production to “fix it in the mix”. The entire unit is driven by a Digital Signal Processing microchip, specifically chosen to deliver Zero Latency sound processing. This allows you to do what you never could with even the most powerful PC: adjust and monitor your ‘sound’ with all processing in place while recording (or livestreaming) your show.

A list of some Podcaster Pro features:

* 2 Mic/Line channels. Each has a custom pre-amp with phantom power

* Full processing chains for each Mic/Line input with individual Noise Gate, Compressor/Limiter and 5 band EQ

* A single USB2.0 connector puts two Digital Audio Devices on your computer

* The first sound device is used to get sound in and out of your PC/Mac/Linux computer or laptop

* Use the sound out with your favorite audio software. From a simple music player like iTunes, to a full blown soundboard, you use what feels comfortable. The Podcaster Pro also has a full processing chain for your PC audio with a Compressor/Limiter and 5 band EQ

* The second sound device is for Skype, or any other communications program you like to use such as FaceTime, Mumble or any VOIP application. It is already pre-configured as a ‘mix-1’ in Podcaster Pro and has its own noise gate, Compressor/Limiter and 5 band EQ to make your remote co-host or guest sound optimal.

* An analog output for recording your master signal to an external device

* Two headphone jacks, one on each side of the case for easy access by the host and a guest. Each has volume control that can be assigned to one of only two control knobs on the case, which are nice and big and allow for your guest to adjust their own volume as required.

* Any one of the three ‘soft buttons’ on the case can be assigned as a cough button.

Moniker Guitars Offers New Step Headstock

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Moniker StepTexas-based Moniker Guitars is like a dream-come-true for guitar enthusiasts. The company allows guitarists to custom design guitars online. Body shape, pickups, paint job, and more can be selected with the click of a button. Then, on-site artisans get to work, building those custom guitars by hand.

Moniker Guitars already offers plenty of options for players looking for a customized instrument. And the company recently expanded those offerings with the introduction of what it’s calling the Step headstock:

We’re excited to announce a new headstock shape… We’re calling it the “Step” due to the way the 3-D design steps down towards the bottom edge of the headstock.

The main color of the headstock will continue around the sides of the headstock and down the back of the neck. The “step” portion will have its own color which will continue as a binding stripe around the top edge of the headstock.

Moniker admits on its website that guitar players may have seen this design from other instrument manufacturers. But Moniker’s Step headstock is different from other brands because it offers the ability for designers to have two paint colors on the headstock, instead of just one:

…the fun part about our version is the ability to choose the two colors that make up the headstock. In the configurator, the primary color will be selected using the “Headstock” category. The step portion of the headstock can be customized under the “HS Step” category.

Moniker Guitars range in price, depending on individual customization requirements. Moniker’s online guitar building tool is free to use and available for everyone to try.

McDSP Plugins Now on Avid Marketplace with Special Intro Pricing

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6050 Channel StripThere’s one ultimate truth of audio production: You can never have enough plugins. These special pieces of software allow digital audio workstations (DAWs) to reach new levels of creative potential. Most DAWs ship with a handful of built-in plugins to get things started. But there’s a healthy and vibrant community of developers designing all kinds of plugins to be used with modern DAWs.

That’s where McDSP comes in. The company’s founder recently announced that McDSP’s plugins are now available on the Avid Marketplace, giving ProTools users easy access to McDSP’s products:

McDSP has one of the largest collections of AAX plug-ins on the planet. Our products support both the AAX Native and AAX DSP formats (along with AU, VST, and VST3). All McDSP plug-ins use a 64-bit internal data path for maximum audio fidelity, have real-time control smoothing just like analog gear, can operate at signal levels above 0 dB for maximum dynamic range, and support dsp chip sharing for the HDX cards. We also support fancy control surfaces like the Pro Tools | S6 and VENUE | S6L.

Effects included in the McDSP collection:

  • EC-300 Echo Collection
  • AE600 Active EQ
  • ML8000 Mastering Limiter
  • 6050 Ultimate Channel Strip (EQs, compressors, saturators, specialized filters, gates and expanders)

McDSP plugins can be found on Avid’s plugin finder, which includes links for purchasing the plugins.

Sennheiser’s MKE 2 Matches Audio to GoPro HERO 4 Videos

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Sennheiser points out that we can record extraordinarily vivid films on our actions cams. The audio, however, is often ordinary. That has changed!

Audio specialist Sennheiser has launched the MKE 2 elements microphone. Thanks to its innovative and windproof and waterproof design, the new microphone for GoPro HERO4 Black and Silver cameras lets you capture incredible, high-quality sound even in the most demanding conditions.

The Sennheiser MKE 2 elements is the first microphone to be GoPro-verified for seamless operation with the GoPro HERO4. And just like an ultra-rugged GoPro camera in its protective housing, the new mic has been specifically designed to be tough enough to go virtually anywhere, and easily withstand conditions such as water, wind and snow.

Rugged, waterproof, and uniquely capable of the elements, the MKE 2 elements can take on virtually anything GoPro users throw at it – even activities like surfing, climbing or mountain biking. It is based on a professional Sennheiser miniature microphone design that has been enhance to make it nearly immune to snow, water, ice, and wind, with an elastic suspension cutting out structure-borne noise.

It comes with a robust dedicated back cover for the GoPro HERO4 that ensures seamless, easy operation and a rock-solid waterproof connection with the camera housing. Further proof from the elements is provided by a special foam windshield that, unlike a conventional foam or hairy shield, continues to reduce wind noise for clear sound even when it gets wet.

The MKE 2 elements action mic for GoPro HERO4 Black and Silver cameras will be available starting April 24, 2017. Get ready for your next adventure!

Vaddio Announces New HDBaseT Solutions

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Vaddio is the premier global manufacturer of PTZ cameras, professional AV solutions and a full suite of Unified Communication and Collaboration products for the audiovisual, videoconference, and broadcast marketplaces.

Vaddio announced the addition of two new RoboSHOT PTZ Cameras with integrated HDBaseT technology, for transmission of ultra-high definition video and audio, Ethernet, controls, and power – all over a single cable. When paired with a Vaddio OneLink receiver, end-users can eliminate cable clutter and simplify installations, without compromising performance or quality.

The new RoboSHOT 12 and RoboSHOT 30 HDBT Cameras offer superior wide dynamic range (WDR) for clear detail in high-contrast, bright lighting conditions. The RoboSHOT 30 HDBT Camera is designed with an Exmor R image sensor which gives the camera better light gathering capabilities and provides incredible contrast, vivid colors, and sharp images in dimly-lit interiors.

The RoboSHOT 30 HDBT Camera features a 30x optical zoom lens and a 2.3-degree (tele) to 65-degree (wide) horizontal field of view, making it ideal for medium to large venues such as houses of worship, lecture theaters, and IMAG systems. The RoboSHOT 12 HDBT PTZ Camera provides a 12x optical zoom and a 73-degree wide horizontal field of view, making it perfect for video conferencing applications.

The new cameras also include Vaddio PTZ features including:

  • Tri-Synchronous Motion technology which allows all three axes of the camera (pan, tilt and zoom) to move simultaneously for ultra-smooth, natural camera motion
  • Simultaneous video outputs including HDBaseT, HDMI and IP (H.264) streaming
  • Web-based configuration and management

Visit Vaddio at NAB 2017 at Central Hall booth #C8012.

Sanken Microphones at NAB 2017

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Sanken is Japan’s oldest and most original microphone manufacturer. They design products for studio and location recording. When it comes to brilliant solutions to the rigorous challenges of action sound, today’s discerning professionals turn to Sanken, with its comprehensive lineup of versatile microphones designed to deliver optimum sound in the real world of broadcast.

Sanken’s lavalier microphones have become a de facto standard throughout the broadcast, film, and live theater industries. Ultra-miniature and boasting the original “vertical diaphragm” design, the COS-11D is easy to conceal and provides a full 20Hz to 20kHz natural sonic spectrum.

Shotgun microphones are a mainstay of field recording and Sanken has designed a model to meet virtually every need.

  • CS-1e: Only 7 inches in length, lightweight and simple to mount on cameras.
  • CS-2: Great sounding long reach microphone
  • CSR-2: Long reach with rear rejection, especially useful for crowds.
  • CS-3e: Flagship industry problem solver, great off axis rejection
  • CSS-5: Introduced as world’s first stereo shotgun, three modes of operation
  • CMS-10: Superior camera mount M-S mic
  • WMS-5: World’s first 5-channel surround mic in one unit

Visit Sanken at NAB 2017 in Central Hall booth #C3851

NASA Will Conduct First Ever Live 4K Video Stream From Space

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NASA Logo4K video streaming is definitely here to stay. In fact, 4K streaming is becoming so commonplace, it’s even possible to now stream live 4K video from space. That’s exactly what NASA is going to do during the 2017 NAB show, happening later this month in Las Vegas. NAB recently announced via mass e-mail that the space-vid stream will occur during a panel called Reaching for the Stars: Connecting to the Future with NASA and Hollywood:

The panel is co-produced by NAB Show, NASA, and Amazon Web Services (AWS), and will explore how advanced imaging and cloud technologies are taking scientific research and filmmaking to the next level. The live feed from 250 miles above Earth will be encoded AWS Elemental encoding software on board the International Space Station (ISS) and on the ground at Johnson Space Center.

During the NAB Show Super Session, a live 4K stream will enable NASA astronaut Dr. Peggy Whitson on the ISS to converse with AWS Elemental CEO and Co-founder Sam Blackman, who will be at the LVCC. In conjunction with the live 4K streaming event, NASA astronaut Dr. Tracy Caldwell Dyson and NASA Imagery Experts Program Manager Rodney Grubbs will take part in an LVCC-based panel discussion featuring Hollywood and technology leaders…

This presentation should appeal to video-production professionals and space/science buffs alike. The presentation will take place on Wednesday, April 26th from 10:30AM-11:30AM at spaces N249-251 during the NAB Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The presentation will also be live-streamed in 4K (with downscaled versions available for non-4K devices) and made available on-demand after the presentation is over.

Line 6 Variax Shuriken Guitar Now Available

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Line 6 ShurikenSince it first introduced the Variax guitar line over a decade ago, Line 6 has been working hard to improve the design and playability of what is often dubbed “the world’s first modeling guitar.” Line 6 took the Variax line to new heights with the JTV (James Tyler Variax) line that marked the first major upgrade to the Variax line. Now, Line 6 is taking Variax even further with the new Variax Shuriken guitar:

Featuring a longer scale length, advanced Variax HD technology and an assertive body shape, the Variax Shuriken guitar is the result of intense collaboration between Line 6, Yamaha Guitar Development, and guitarist Steve “Stevic” MacKay of Twelve Foot Ninja. Designed for heavier or more technical styles of music, Variax Shuriken delivers exceptional playability, clear and tight tone—plus the unrivaled versatility that Variax HD modeling provides.

If you like to perform with heavier strings and lower tunings, Variax Shuriken features a 27” scale length that delivers optimized playability and punchier, more-precise tones. The extended scale length also works in conjunction with Variax alternative tunings—so you can play in any tuning, regardless of the tension and feel of the strings. With Variax Shuriken, you can go far beyond the range of any standard 6, 7 or even 8 string guitar.

Variax Shuriken has all of the features of previous Variax guitars, with the ability to model a number of vintage electric guitars and acoustic stringed instruments. The increased scale length of Shuriken is new to the Variax line, and should be useful to players looking to get deeper, heavier tones. Variax Shuriken has Line 6’s Variax Digital Interface (VDI) built-in, so it works seamlessly with most VDI-equipped products.

Variax Shuriken is currently available for purchase from many musical-instrument vendors with a starting price of $1399.