EAW is using this year’s NSCA show to introduce sound contractors to their revolutionary new UMX.96 Digital Recording Console. The EAW UMX.96 is a 24-bit, 96kHz digital live console with expandable on-board 56 x 44 analog I/O, 3 x 12 integrated loudspeaker processing, the first full integration of SmaartLive™, a 15-inch touch screen, and a unique tactile rotary encoder with intuitive user interface.

Ken Berger, Vice President of Marketing and Product Development for EAW’s parent company LOUD Technologies commented, “We’ve received significant interest the console since we previewed it at the AES Show last October. NSCA provides contractors with the opportunity to see and touch the console in person, as well as an environment in which we can share the latest developments for the UMX.96. I believe the NSCA crowd is going to be very impressed with where we are going.”

With a unique user interface that was designed specifically for ease of use in live sound environment, the UMX.96’s unique master section that combines a 15-inch touch-sensitive LCD display with a tactically dynamic rotary encoder that is able to change its “feel” to match the parameter selected via the touch screen. A laptop computer can also be connected to expand the user interface. The master section also incorporates eight touch-sensitive Penny & Giles VCA faders that bring the VCAs or desired channels to the center of the mixer for convenient access.

The channel section of the UMX.96 includes 48 Penny & Giles touch-sensitive faders arranged in stacked rows of 24. These faders provide dedicated control of all 48 input channels simultaneously or can be assigned in master groups of 8 to specific sections. This results in less bank switching and therefore further enhances the UMX.96’s user experience.

In addition, the UMX.96 is the first live sound console to fully integrate all of SmaartLive’s measurement capabilities for instant system measurement and calibration. When selected, an input or output feeds SmaartLive which in turn provides RTA on the EQ screen of any channel post EQ in order to show the instant efffects of the EQ on the signal. Additionally, UMX.96 incorporates EQ, crossovers, limiters that are based on EAW-designed filters that allow loudspeaker alignment, audio distribution and zoning to be done directly from the mixer. EAW’s revolutionary new Gunness Focusing™ technology will be incorporated through an optional processing card.

EAW UMX.96 Key Features:

Fully integrated Smaart analysis tools:
• Included measurement mic with dedicated console input ensures perfect calibration for onboard SmaartLive 5 analysis software.
• Smaart Follows Select button: In this mode, the Smaart analysis software’s reference input is fed by the selected input or output channel. The RTA output is simultaneously visible with the channel’s EQ curve, providing visual support to the audible EQ changes.
• Dedicated SPL Meter: The onboard LCD SPL meter provides constant dB-SPL display.

On-board 3 x 12 EAW loudspeaker processor:
• Custom EAW-designed EQ, crossover, delay and limiter algorithms allow multi-way loudspeaker alignment, audio distribution and zoning directly from the mixer.
• Recallable presets allow the user to optimize crossover, EQ and alignment settings for EAW loudspeakers and others.

Highly intuitive and powerful user interface:
• Master section includes a unique Touch & Spin mix control that combines a 15-inch color touch panel with a tactically dynamic rotary controller. Simply touch an onscreen parameter and the knob will change its “feel” accordingly
• 48 P&G touch-sensitive Channel Faders arranged in two rows of 24 allow dedicated control of all 48 input channels simultaneously to significantly minimize “bank switching”.
• Tri-color Channel Assign buttons provide at-a-glance indication of current channel assign functions for Mute Groups, VCAs, Aux/Groups, internal effects, and more.

Full On-board I/O - The UMX.96 standard configuration includes a vast array of I/O on the rear panel including:
• 48 remote controlled mic preamps: Snapshot recallable level, polarity, pad, and 48V settings. Includes balanced TRS send and return inserts plus a TRS direct output.
• 8 Stereo Line Inputs on dual XLR connectors
• 24 Aux/Groups: Each bus can be configured as an Aux Send with variable level, or as a Pre- or Post-Pan Group. Further configuration options accommodate multiple Aux Sends, Groups, or combinations of the two as needed.
• 16x8 Matrix Plus: Onboard matrix mixer is the largest of any console in this price range, and digital patching of any input or bus signal into the matrix also makes it the most flexible.
• 12 System Processor Outputs: Typically fed by the Left, Right and Center outputs, these offer flexible routing of any output signal to any of the 12 XLR outputs, including Mains, Aux/Groups, and Matrix outputs.

Professional Functionality
• 4 internal stereo multi-effects processors
• 16 Virtual Control Attenuator (VCA) Groups
• 8 Mute Groups
• 8 User Define keys
• 24 bit - 44.1/48/88.2/96kHz operation
• LCR and L/R+Mono Modes
• Powerful internal memory for virtually unlimited snapshot/venue/preset storage
• External power supply with redundant capability
• External Expansion rack box for card slot options and digital snake connectivity
• Modular channel design for easy drop-in field replacement

The UMX.96 is currently on display at NSCA, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, March 16-18, 2006, booth #2337 and demo room S220.