The EAW UMX.96 digital console has officially landed, with three distributors in Europe taking delivery of fully tested and approved production models.

In addition, orders from several distributors in the Asian pro audio marketplace are being fulfilled as well. (UMX.96 Product Manager Martyn "Ferrit" Rowe is shown at left with consoles being readied for shipment.)

Final assembly of every UMX.96 is done at the Woodinville, WA facilities, along with exhaustive inspection, testing and verification. This is a “fine-toothed comb” process where every single component, and then the console as a whole, is addressed by the production team.

Highlights include a 72-hour static "burn-in" period, followed by a visit to the facility’s environmental chamber, where each UMX.96 runs continuous for 48 hours while being cycled through a range of thermal cycles. Further, every PC board is removed and examined via a precision “Micro-Vu” video inspection system, with boards only put back into place after passing this rigorous test.

”A final set of tests are performed on every input and output, as well as every DSP function,” adds Ferrit. “The consoles also must pass our own critical listening tests before we consider them suitable for our customers. The overall process calls to mind a ‘hand-built Ferrari’ approach.” (This news first broke as an exclusive in this month's Pro Sound News Europe magazine. Click here to read the full report.)