Professional Audio Design (PAD)recently unveiled Aurora Audio International’s new Mini-Mixer at AES 2003. PAD will be the exclusive distributor of the mixer, which was designed by Geoff Tanner, co-owner of Aurora Audio. The Mini-Mixer is primarily geared towards digital audio workstations (DAW) and plug-in users.
“We’re very excited about this mixer and we expect it to be well received by the industry,” states Dave Malekpour, president of PAD. “All of the equipment in a studio is crucial, whether it be the audio editing system or the outboard gear associated with it. This mixer will provide lots of features and conveniences to the user not typically seen on this type of gear. We’re looking forward to working with Aurora Audio to get the Mini-Mixer out there to the user, as well as continuing to distribute the GTQ2 mic-pre EQ.”
The new modular rack-mounted unit interfaces directly with various workstations. The Mini-Mixer is a line input mixer that allows engineer’s using DAW’s to perform a complete monitor mix-down through it. The pre-fade insertion line balance is paired with a VU meter that will tell the user if the signal is hot on the input, and the unit also has a pre-fade Cue mix with a separate control. The remote fader option and phase meter, as well as the meters on all inputs and outputs, make this product unique.
“Lots of people are making simple boxes that will mix multiple sources down to a stereo output. I wanted to provide something extra, aimed particularly at the project studio with a PC/Mac running a digital editing suite like Pro Tools. It has balanced pre-fade insertions on all the inputs and the stereo output and provides many of the features that you will find on a full size console.”
Also featured at the show was Aurora Audio’s GTQ2 mic-pre equalizer. The two-channel, Class A, three-band EQ has a transformer I/O, DI input and an 80Hz high-pass filter. The GTQ2, which fits in a 1RU unit, is “NEVE inspired,” and was also designed by Tanner. The unit is stepped gain adjustable in 5db steps from –10db to +80db. The three-band EQ provides +15db adjustment at 80Hz (bass), 12KHz (treble) and mid-frequencies of 400Hz and 3,200Hz.
“I’ve taken my many years of working in the industry with NEVE as well as being an independent engineer, listened to what the users were asking for and came up with these designs,” states Tanner. “We have a very high quality standard and we’ve got unique ideas for future products. Now we’re focused on getting these products out there to the users.”
Tanner adds, “After we produced the final products, what we wanted for a distributor was serious expertise and somebody with a reputation for selling great gear and also a reputation for being able to service it, much more so than a retail outfit, and that’s PAD.”
About Professional Audio Design, Inc.:
Professional Audio Design (PAD), a leading dealer of high-end recording systems, has been supplying equipment and services to the professional audio industry for more than 10 years. The company specializes in systems integration for new and existing facilities, with services including facility design, wiring and equipment installation. With a highly experienced staff providing warrantied refurbishing and technical service, PAD specializes in custom studio monitors and is the exclusive, factory-authorized re-seller and service center for pre-owned Solid State Logic consoles in the United States. PAD’s full-line catalog of more than 18,000 products, including parts, cables, accessories and studio furniture from more than 100 manufacturers, can be found on the company Web site at www.ProAudioDesign.com, or by calling 781-982-2600.
About Aurora Audio:
Aurora Audio International manufactures an exciting range of top-quality audio products, including the GTQ2 stereo mic-pre amplifier and three-band equalizer, and the new 8-channel 4-bus Mini-Mixer that is expandable with 8 channel add-on sections. New products for 2004 will include 4-band equalizers and a stereo limiter compressor. More details can be found at the company Web site www.auroraaudio.net, or by calling 323-462-4373.