Studiomaster is promising new PA and mixer products for 2016.

Several new additions to the firm’s DRIVE series of two-way active, portable injection-moulded PA cabinets were aired for the first time at last month’s Music China show – the bDRIVE 10A and bDRIVE 10AU, and the DRIVE 12 AU and DRIVE 15 AU.  The dDRIVE models sport a different facia design, while AU suffixed models all feature an integrated digital media player, featuring Bluetooth wireless and USB media/SD card stereo playback, as well as USB / SD card stereo recording.

The new models join the initial DRIVE 12A and DRIVE 15A models introduced a few months ago. Best-in-class performance and build specifications, along with a competitive price tag, says the firm, greatly improve on the VPX and VSX series that DRIVE replaces. Key features include optimum power-to-weight and SPL ratios, making the DRIVE smaller, lighter and louder than some other comparable PA series. All models are fitted with 35mm speaker pole connectors and five M10 flying points and recessed side and top carry handles.

On the mixer front digiLiVE16 is Studiomaster’s new hybrid concept micro-mixer and entry into the high performance compact digital mixer sector. Featuring simultaneous fixed surface/remote tablet operation, digiLiVE marries moving-fader and touch-screen control of a physical mixing console with simultaneous remote tablet operation. Its compact form factor –350 x 380 x 150 mm – makes it one of the smallest professionally spec’d digital mixing consoles on the market.

A 16 input – 16 bus – 8 output configuration, the digiLiVE control surface integrates 7” (Android OS) high-resolution touch-screen and 100mm moving fader/hardware control operation. Simultaneous (iOS and Android) tablet operation facilitates both remote mix control and on-board extended graphical interface functionality when docked with the desk – with enhanced metering and display of other channel and buss functions. State-of-the-art DSP technology includes 40-bit floating point on 4th generation SHARC processing and proprietary mix algorithms, for EQ, dynamics and FX.

12 XLR mic input channels, 24 bit/192 kHz AD/DA conversion, and up to eight internal effects busses – with reverb, delay, 15 band EQ and modulation, are all included.  The eight ‘smart’ XLR analogue outputs are assignable. Its outputs also include digital AES/EBU and SPDIF. Two USB interfaces (1x front and 1x rear panel) support playback and recording, and scene storage and system updating. WiFi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity are supported.

Also in the micro-mixer product category are two new models in the CLUBXS series. The portable mixer series, featuring integrated Bluetooth wireless and USB media/SD card stereo playback, and USB/SD card recording from the main stereo mix buss, the new CLUB XS 6 and XS 12 complement the current X 8 and X 10 models.

Balanced XLR inputs and ¼ inch jack inputs, phantom power, three-band EQ, hi-pass filter, and built in compressor are featured on all mic/line input channels. Two stereo line input channels on each model feature two-band EQ; all channels feature channel mute and two Aux controls.  Other features include 60 mm faders, balanced XLR outputs, control room output, two sends and a stereo return, are featured along with on-board FX. XS 6 has two mic/line input channels; XS 8, four mic/line input channels; XS 10, six mic/line input channels; XS 12, eight mic/line input channels.