Neumann continues to pioneer digital microphone technology with quality and functionality, and the company has just announced that it will introduce the DMI-8 digital microphone interface at the upcoming AES (2009) convention in New York City.
An eight-channel version of the popular DMI-2 digital microphone interface, which provides remote digital microphone control and conversion from AES 42 to AES/EBU, the new DMI-8 offers more channels at less cost per channel in a space-saving rack-mountable chassis.
The DMI-8 also adds new features to the digital microphone interface concept, including computer-free gain adjustment, multi-unit cascading up to 128 channels, and a variety of industry-standard multi-channel output formats.
Like the Neumann DMI-2, the DMI-8 delivers flawless AES 42 to AES/EBU conversion; multiple-microphone synchronization even without a sample rate converter; automatic Word Clock or AES 11 synchronization; sample rate output from 44.1 to 192 kHz; and unparalleled control and storage of digital microphone settings from either a Mac or a PC using Neumann’s intuitive RCS software.
In addition, up to 128 digital microphones can be simultaneously controlled from cascaded DMI-8s or DMI-2s.
By popular request, the DMI-8 allows users to view signal and adjust gain right at the unit, even with no computer connected.
External commands, such as an “On Air” red light indicator, can be controlled via a nine-pin user port. Output formats are ADAT optical and D-sub 25 with Tascam and Yamaha pin assignments.
In addition, open architecture will allow later connection to other multi-channel interfaces and audio networks, such as EtherSound and MADI.
“In addition to sounding phenomenally rich, detailed, and accurate, Neumann digital microphones save time and money,” said Christopher Currier, product manager, Neumann USA. “We’re pleased to offer an eight-channel unit, which greatly reduces the per-channel cost and simplifies the setup of a digital microphone complement. While we were at it, we added requested features, such as in-the-box gain control, and extended the concept to include multi-unit control and cascading.”
MSRP: $3,498