Merging Has Major Product Enhancements At IBC 2014

A variety of new hardware and software on show to broadcasters

Puidoux, September 2014: The sensational launch of the latest in Merging’s Networked Audio range of interfaces has proven that the family of products was just what the market was looking for. Hapi has been shipping in increasing numbers over the last few weeks. In a step to significantly enhance the practicality of both Hapi and Horus, on stand # 8.E96, Merging will show a new AD and DA combination board that will instantly double the quantity of analogue I/O available on the units. A staggering 48 in/48 out on Horus makes it the ideal stagebox for many applications. For Hapi, this allows a number of exciting possibilities. 16 in/16 out or 8 in/8 out with MADI are likely to be big sellers. Despite the extra component density, the performance of the ADA8 AD and DA option card is virtually identical to the AD8 and DA8 components that are still in the range and can be “mix and matched” to form a huge range of I/O combinations. Able to work up to 192 kHz with better than 120dB dynamic range, these Swiss designed masterpieces have the same exceptional transparency and headroom on the mic preamplifiers. There is no loss in functionality either. Each ADA8 board comes equipped on the input stage with Mic/Line input selection, Phantom power, LPF and phase invert. The output stage is also equipped as the DA8 card is, with a Dip switch controlled line up level up to +24dBu and a digitally controlled output trim. All parameters can be controlled from the front panel or remotely via the RAVENNA LAN connection. The ability to control all of the Networked Audio range via a simple web browser means that stand alone operation is a breeze. To connect to any DAW, the addition of CoreAudio and ASIO drivers mean this level of quality is available for any number of software programs.

After the NAB launch of the new 64-bit versions of Pyramix, Ovation and VCube, they will all have moved to *.1 versions by IBC. Major enhancements for Pyramix relate to Virtual Transport improvements, archiving metadata workflows and digital album publishing for DSD/DXD multi-channel releases.

VCube gets a complete update on rendering options and now supports a range of video cards from Blackmagic Design for capture and playback. These cost efficient and high quality PCI Express cards and USB video interfaces significantly enhance the value offering throughout the VCube range.

Ovation is hot from powering the Commonwealth Games opening and closing ceremonies and is now well established as the most versatile Audio & Event Sequencer available. To make the broadcaster’s life even easier, there is now the option to enable or disable the playback logging function, either manually or on a time cues. This ensures that no false logs are made during set-up or rehearsal but nothing gets missed as soon as the show goes live.

A powerful selection of VS3 and VST plug-ins from companies like Flux, Vincent Burel, Algorithmix and AudioEase are now available for Merging’s new 64-bit world and there will be a great offer running throughout IBC and beyond. The Vincent Burel offering of reverberation, a full set of dynamics processors, EQ and measurement tools plug-ins have acquired a multitude of fans worldwide and these will be available to new customers at a 50% reduction from September 1 through to October 31. There are also great upgrade deals for existing VB customers.

Finally on show will be the Iris Networked Post System which is not only acquiring serious fans in broadcast and film post, it has also been used recently for recording and live sound reinforcement duties. A live concert in DXD is already a reality and the musicians and the audience certainly appreciate the difference!



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