"Top 5..." recognition is awarded for new products that will most benefit Church Production readers in their roles as church techs.
What a way to start 2017! The Church Production crew is just back from the Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, Calif., held January 19-22, 2017. By all accounts attendance was strong and the new product announcements did not disappoint. In fact, we'll go out on a limb and say it was the strongest NAMM show for church techs in quite a few years.
CPM had five people on site and several more “scouts” among the nearly 100,000 people who battled the wind and rain (it's normally sunny and warm) to attend this year's NAMM.
In addition to the many press conferences, the CPM staff was booked nearly every half hour seeing exhibitors during the show.
Of the thousands of new products introduced at NAMM 2017, the job assigned to our staff and writers who attended the show was to recognize new equipment that would most benefit our readers in their roles as church techs. With that in mind, Church Production Magazine is pleased to recognize the Top 5 Products for Churches from Winter NAMM 2017:
Allen & Heath dLive C Class Digital Mixing Consoles
Based on the company’s flagship dLive line of consoles, the new compact C Class includes three new MixRack I/O processors and three new control surfaces. The CDM32, CDM48 and CDM64 MixRacks house Allen & Heath’s XCVI Core, providing capacity for 128 inputs with full processing and 16 dedicated stereo effects returns, plus a fully configurable 64 mix bus architecture, with full processing on all mix channels.
The three new control surfaces include the rack mountable C1500, C2500 and twin screen C3500. Each surface and rack has a 128 channel I/O port, supported by a wide array of networking cards, including Dante, Waves, MADI, fibreACE optical and more. dLive C Class is also compatible with the ME personal mixing system and supported by a full ecosystem of remote control apps, Director software, and accessories.
Digico SD12 Digital Console
Despite being a compact console the new Digico SD12 features dual, 15-inch touchscreen monitors. The visual layout provides an expansive display with full parameters and up to 24 of the 72 possible channels visible at any time. Split screens can display channel and master bus layouts simultaneously. The screen layout also affords a high level of metering feedback, such as input gain, gain reduction, and gate action, simultaneously.
By all accounts attendance was strong and the new product announcements did not disappoint.
The new console features 72 input channels, 36 aux/group busses and matrix, each with full processing, 12 stereo effect units, 16 graphic EQs, 119 dynamic EQs, 119 multiband compressors and 119 DiGi-TuBes, 12 control groups (VCA), and SD Series Stealth Core 2 software, making it compatible with all other SD Series session.
For more information on the Digico SD12, read our First Impression article here:
PreSonus StudioLive Series III Console/Recorder
Now with motorized faders, the new PreSonus StudioLive Series III console/recorders include the 16-channel StudioLive 16, with 17 touch-sensitive, motorized faders and 17 recallable XMax preamps, as well as the top-of-the-line StudioLive 32, with 33 touch-sensitive, motorized faders and 33 recallable XMax preamps. The new 24- and 40-input consoles ship with PreSonus’ Capture software already installed, meaning up to 34 tracks can be recorded on the console’s SD card, including the ability to do virtual sound checks.
A new Scene Safe mode prevents changes to designated “safe” channels, even if the scene or layer is changed. Sixteen FlexMixes can be individually designated as aux, subgroup, or matrix mixes. These 16 FlexMixes are in addition to the four fixed subgroups, giving you a total of 20 mix buses, not counting the main mix, effects mixes, and solo buses. And with 24 DCAs, users can more easily and flexibly control groups of channels.
An AVB Ethernet connection allows connection of network-compatible computers and streaming of up to 55 channels of audio to and from a Mac or Windows PC. We’re told that more AVB-networked solutions, including stageboxes, personal monitor mixers, and increased third-party AVB interoperability, are coming later in 2017.
Users also get 38x38 recording via USB 2.0, providing a choice of computer recording methods. In addition to the AVB recording connection, StudioLive 32 consoles sport a 1 GB Ethernet port that can connect to a wireless router or directly to a computer, providing remote control of virtually all features via a wired or wireless connection.
One Church Production contributor who has reviewed several PreSonus products calls the new StudioLive Series III, “Very impressive, especially considering the price point.”
The StudioLive 32 digital console/recorders are available immediately, with a street price of $2,999.95; the StudioLive 16 will have a street price of $1,999.95 and will begin shipping later in the first quarter of 2017.
Sennheiser XS Wireless Systems
Ease-of-use and affordability are stand out features of the new XS Series wireless systems from Sennheiser. Introduced at Winter NAMM 2017, and available at your local dealer shortly thereafter, the new XS Series includes two versions: the XS Wireless 1 and XS Wireless 2. Built for larger, more sophisticated venues where a larger number of wireless units are operating simultaneously, the rackmountable XS Wireless 2 offers 12 available channels in eight UHF frequency splits. It also offers an additional LED screen that displays the transmission frequency. The down-market XS Wireless 1 provides just 10 available channels in eight splits.
The XS Wireless 1 Vocal Sets are available with Sennheiser’s e 825 or e 835 capsule. The XS Wireless 1 Headmic Set features a ME-3 II headworn mic. A Lavalier Mic Set includes Sennheiser’s ME 2-2 lav mic. The Brass Set version ships with the 908 T mini-gooseneck microphone. An Instrument Set version is also available.
The XS Wireless 2 Vocal Set ships with either the e 835 dynamic capsule or the e 865 pre-polarized condenser mic. Headset, lavalier, brass and instrument versions are also available.
Shure GLX-D Advanced Wireless Systems
Designed with mid-sized churches in mind, the new Shure GLX-D Advanced Digital Wireless system is an extension of the existing GLX-D series. New features include the GLX-D Advanced Frequency Manager, rack mount receiver system, remote antennas, and other accessories. Shure says that users can expect outstanding digital audio, automatic frequency management, intelligent rechargeable batteries and confidence in operating up to 11 systems simultaneously under optimal conditions.
With a new rack-mountable configuration, GLX-D Advanced allows up to six GLXD4R receivers to be linked to a GLX-D Advanced Frequency Manager via the RF ports. To simplify installation, the Frequency Manager automatically assigns optimal frequencies to all six receivers, utilizing patented data communication via the existing RF cables. Linking two Frequency Managers together enables the use of additional rack mount systems.
We’re told the rechargeable transmitter batteries have a 16-hour run time, and can save users up to $2,000 vs. disposable batteries.
Look for the “Top 5 Products for Churches from NAB 2017” coming shortly after the NAB Show held in Las Vegas, April 22-27, 2017.
