New Airlab Software.

D&R announces the availability of the new Airlab Windows XP version 2.0 soon.

This new operational software makes it possible to have control (among other new items) over the new Director's post for this succesfull On-Air console.

Mixers

D&R was showing off their line of consoles, and I have to say that this is a pretty impressively complete range. D&R used to sell some recording consoles like the Dayner and Cinemix in the US but according to the president, Duco de Rijk, they pulled out of the market in great part because they couldn't compete with the huge influx of low-end gear in the American market and the difficulty of supporting the American users.

But they do still still in Europe and what they sell is impressive. First of all, they still sell the Cinemix, which is one of the nicest and most convenient large-format consoles I have ever used. But they also sell a a smaller console series called the Vision, which is probably the smallest fully modular console I know of today. It can be configured anywhere from a 12->2 console, or an 8->8->2 console all the way up to a 44->2 console depending on the frame and modules you get. It can be set up as a side-by side recording console or as a flat PA consoles. Matrix modules are available for multiple monitor sends. It's really a slick little package and it is fully modular with all ICs socketed, and very high grade construction.

Then they make a small radio production mixer, the Airmate, and a little DJ mixer, the Clubmate, both much higher grade than you would expect from comparable gear in the American market. They make a huge digitally-controlled analogue console, the Octagon, and a whole variety of digital broadcasting console systems (the Sirius and Scorpius on-air mixers, and a slick little digital production mixer called the Lyra which is compact, clean, and quite minimalist and might have uses for classical recording work). They even make some processing gear like a compressor/limiter, outboard mike preamp, and a telephone hybrid, as well as a high resolution A/D and D/A box. You'll never see this sort of stuff in the US because it's just too expensive for a market that doesn't want to pay for this grade of construction and sound quality.

Conclusion

On the whole, it was a quiet and pleasant show, much quieter and much more serious than the American AES shows. Amsterdam was a fine city and a great place to stay and play tourist. I had such a good time I won't even complain about not being paid huge amounts of money for this review.