Several new loudspeaker designs from Europe made their first North American appearances earlier this month at the Home Entertainment Show (HE2003) in San Francisco.

Randy Bankert of O.S. Services, the California-based distributor of several quality hi-fi lines from the U.K., Italy and Germany, was on hand to demo new models from Cadence Audio, Revolver, and Aliante.

Cadence Audio Arista

The Arista is Cadence Audio‘s newest addition to their line of electrostatic hybrid loudspeakers. It is based on several technologies derived from Cadence’s flagship Arca speaker, and it comes priced at $5,495 (US) per pair.

Key features of the Arista include:

• a proprietary electrostatic panel which is impervious to humidity and which is designed to prevent arcing, thereby extending the useful life of the panels well beyond that of conventional electrostatic panels
• improved Linkwitz filters for smooth impedance curve and coherent wave propagation
• Eton Hexacomb mid-woofers with dual membranes stiffened with intra-laminar honeycomb elements, so that the cones are light and stiff to respond quickly to transients and peaks to provide better compliance with the extremely fast response of the electrostatic panel
• cabinets made of a proprietary composite material that reduces cabinet resonances
• solid front baffles formed from solid billets of certified plantation grown cherry, teak, mahagony, and other quality hardwoods

According to Randy Bankert, the Aristas are versatile in terms of associated equipment and listening environment, and capable of reproducing any genre of music faithfully, with a grace and ease that belies their potential for weight and authority when required. At the HE2003 demo, they were powered by a pair of Audion Golden Dreams 22W parallel single-ended 300B Level 6 monoblocks ($15,000 US per pair).

Aliante Stile SW

Italian manufacturer Aliante‘s new Stile SW was designed as an evolution of their Stile PF. It offers similar high-style aesthetics, and an improved level of accuracy and performance. The retail price is $1,495 (US) per pair.

The Stile SW uses a new 5″ mid-woofer driver, derived from the Linea PF model, replacing the 4″ woofer used in the Stile PF. It is fabricated in Italy according to Aliante’s proprietary design specifications, featuring an internal phase plug that optimizes dispersion of midrange frequencies. The new driver is said to improve the already commendable bass response and extension.

Aliante takes great care with cabinet fabrication and finish, aiming for maximum strength and rigidity. As with the best examples of modern design, form follows function, so stylish details such as the tilted front panel serve as essential parts of the functional design – in this case, providing a coherent phase between the drivers, increasing high frequencies dispersion and reducing internal standing waves. Similarly, the side bass reflex ports avoid spurious emissions without creating positioning problems associated with rear bass port designs.

The SW’s cabinet has been improved in several ways:

• the internal volume of the cabinet has been increased to produce a more accurate and deeper bass response with a higher extension in dynamics and sound stage than the Stile PF
• the cabinet is formed from solid wood staves hand-crafted by Aliante’s master woodworkers to provide an enhanced level of quality and workmanship

As with previous Aliante designs, the crossover is a first-order type, using high-grade components such as Aliante’s own AUDIOCAP polypropylene capacitors in an extended first order design with only nine elements.

Four speaker terminals and complete ground separation are provided, allowing for either single- or bi-wiring connections.

Revolver R33 Monitors and R45 Floor-Standing Loudspeakers

Also new to North America are the latest models from UK-based Revolver Loudspeakers. Both the R33 monitors ($895 US per pair) and the R45 floorstanders ($1,595 US per pair) are magnetically shielded to permit use in home theater applications, as well as standard 2-channel hi-fi.

Both new models feature advanced design and construction to improve performance and value, such as substantial MDF cabinets with circumferential bracing and laminated (2 part) top, bottom and baffle; custom-specified 6.5″ mid/bass driver (R33) and midrange and bass drivers (R45), with vented metal chassis and glass fibre diaphragm; anodized aluminium dome tweeter with powerful ring magnet for smooth and natural high frequency extension; bi-wirable inputs with gold plated terminals; and an easy 8 Ohm load with 90 dB/Watt sensitivity.

The hard-wired crossovers – 2-way for the R33, 3-way for the R45 – utilize air core and Ferrite inductors, metal film resistors and ICW polypropylene capacitors.

The Revolver R33 and R45 are each available in pearlized maple and cloth finishes: pale grey, burgundy, or black.

O.S. Services Web Site

Aliante Web Site

Cadence Audio Web Site

Paul J. Cox Systems, long known for its custom recording studio construction, installation and consulting services, has entered the equipment manufacture arena with the launch of a range of electronically balanced active Direct Inject systems.

Previously manufactured as integrated components of custom studio build or retrofit projects over the last five years, the DI systems are now being made generally available.

“We began building and installing these units into our studio systems many years ago,” explains owner and chief design engineer Paul J. Cox. “The demand from numerous artists, producers and engineers who had used our studios and loved the sound of the DI units prompted us to make them available as user equipment.”

Paul J. Cox Active DI Systems are installed at Westlake Audio, Mike Post Productions, Frontpage Recorders, the Mix Room, Firehouse and many other prestigious recording and post production facilities.

Active DIs are used to transform low-level, noisy, unbalanced audio signals such as keyboard, MIDI module, drum machine or sequencer outputs, into clean, balanced +4dB signals, resulting in major improvements to the recorded audio quality.

The Paul J. Cox Active DIs offer frequency response that is flat from 10Hz to 60kHz (+/-0.1dB), with an average -85dBu noise floor. They also provide 12dB of additional gain (optionally specified with up to 20dB), and offer 28dB of headroom.

The DI systems are available in a variety of configurations to suit all applications, from standalone 8-channel to customized rack-mounting multi-channel units with integrated patching capabilities, front or rear panel connectors, ground lift switching and custom pinout wiring. Units can be supplied with balanced inputs and outputs for integration with balanced buffer or distribution systems.

The standard 24-channel DI unit occupies a single rack space and is 8 inches deep. Front panel 1/4-inch unbalanced inputs, ground lift switches and rear panel 90-pin Elco balanced outputs wired to European/Amek, Harp or custom pinout requirements are included.

For permanent installation with consoles intolerant to unbalanced inputs, rear panel unbalanced inputs and balanced outputs on Tascam standard D-sub or 56- or 90-pin Elco connectors can be supplied. That allows the direct connection of unbalanced external equipment with balanced outputs to console user patchpoints, line or mic level inputs. All rack-mount DI systems are supplied with an outboard ± 18.65v linear power supply module that can run up to five 24-channel DI units.

Eight-channel systems are available either as standalone floor or counter-top units with top-mounted 1/4-inch inputs, ground lift switches and multipin outputs, or as a wall-mount or permanently installed unit incorporating multipin connectors for inputs and outputs. Standalone 8-channel DI units include an integral power supply.

Paul J. Cox Systems Web Site

Roland has announced a major software upgrade for both the VS-2480HD and VS-2480CD Digital Studio Workstations. Introduced in 2001, the VS-2480 series was the first self-contained recording workstation to offer 24-track/24-bit digital recording with 64-channel digital mixing, onboard effects processing, full mouse-based waveform editing, moving-fader automation, and optional on-board CD burning.

The new Version 2.011 System Software features a comprehensive Control Surface Mode. The new mode allows the operator to use the buttons, knobs, and motorized faders of the VS-2480 to control parameters of many popular software-based recording and sequencing programs.

Roland's powerful VS-2480 audio workstations become full-featured controllers for Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, Performer, and other recording software applications with the new Version 2.011 OS

This hands-on style of control frees the user from the constraints of mouse-based mixing. With its plethora of buttons, knobs, faders, and transport controls, the VS-2480 makes an excellent control surface for use with practically any software application.

The new software includes several pre-configured templates that map the VS-2480’s buttons, knobs, and faders to key parameters of popular computer-based sequencing and recording programs. Included are templates for Emagic Logic 5™, Steinberg Cubase™, and a HUI™ template for any software application that can be controlled by Mackie’s HUI controllers, such as Digidesign ProTools™ and Mark of the Unicorn Digital Performer™.

This update essentially turns the VS-2480 into a fully capable hardware controller for most audio recording and MIDI sequencing applications.

Version 2.011 also allows VS-2480 owners to design their own user templates for controlling and editing other programs or any hardware that responds to MIDI control. This means a musician can perform most major operations for supported programs directly from the VS-2480 without having to use the computer’s mouse or keyboard.

In addition to the Control Surface Mode, Version 2.011 enhances the VS-2480’s compatibility with the VS-2400CD Digital Studio Workstation. The 2480 can open and read sessions created in a VS-2400CD, and sessions created in the VS-2480 can be saved as a VS-2400 project. This provides totally seamless compatibility and exchange of song data and tracks between these two popular workstations.

Version 2.011 System Software is now available as a free download from the Roland US website. VS-2480HD and VS-2480CD owners can find the download at http://www.rolandus.com/support/updatesdrivers.

Roland U.S. Web Site

Archos is shipping its new AV320 and AV340 portable digital players, positioning them as the first true personal video players that can record and play back movies with stereo MP3 audio.

The Archos Video AV300 Series portables are no slouches when it comes to straight audio, with either 20GB or 40GB of hard-disc storage for MP3 audio files in any format: 30-320 Kbits/s, constant or variable bit rate. The new models also offer direct MP3 audio recording at 30-160 Kbits/s, variable bit rate only.

Audio connections include stereo analog line in and digital line in/out, as well as a built-in mic for voice recording. Video can only be recorded via analog composite video in, with playback through analog composite video out.

MusicMatch software is bundled with the players, allowing users to convert entire personal CD collections into MP3 format with ease.

The Archos AV340 Audio/Video Player/Recorder with Optional AVCam 300 Accessory Module Attached (left)

The AV300 Series models can be used for computer data back up and transport. A high-speed USB 2.0 interface (or optional FireWire connection) allows you to transfer data, video, music or photo files, to and from any desktop or notebook computer equipped with a high-speed connection.

The new portables can also handle photos with ease, offering direct transfer of photos from any digital camera using optional memory card readers, and capacity for up to 400,000 digital photos. An optional AVCam 300 accesory module ($199.95 US) turns the unit into a digital still camera.

Continuing the flexible modular design, the AV300 series also offers an optional FM tuner and recorder module ($29.95 US) that allows you to listen to radio stations or to record favorite songs in MP3 format direct from the FM tuner. A retro-record buffering system lets you record entire songs, even if you press the record button after a song has started.

Built-in video playback is through a 3.8-inch color LCD screen. But the real power behind the Video AV300 is in its ease to record video from any video source. On the go enthusiasts are able to record their favorite video content direct from any video source, TV, or VCR. They can also quickly download and save large volumes of MPEG-4 video files via the Internet. Once the video is saved to the Video AV300, users can play back the video either on the built-in color display or on any TV or PC in near-DVD-quality.

“At home people have TVs, stereos, DVD players and PCs for personal entertainment. Now consumers want to watch the latest release of a movie, a favorite TV show, or a music video while killing time, or additionally listen to MP3 music in the car or share videos and photos with friends, all while on the go,” said Henri Crohas, president and founder, Archos.

“People also want to record music from their stereos or video from a TV, but they do not want to have to go through a PC. The Video AV300 series provides a single personal device that does it all.”

Recording from analog video sources, and playing back in VHS resolution, the AV300 series allows for comfortable viewing of full-length movies, entire seasons of TV shows, complete collections of music videos, or simply a young producer’s own personal home videos.

Archos Web Site