Back in 2001, world leading studio microphone manufacturer Neumann unveiled its Solution-D generation digital microphones. These conformed to the new AES 42 data transmission protocol to allow its digital microphones to work in conjunction with digital workstations.

Now, NAB 2008 sees the fruits of a collaborative effort with UK-based digital mixing console manufacturer DiGiCo take this groundbreaking technology a stage further, allowing Neumann’s digital microphones interfacing directly with DiGiCo’s desks.

“Despite the development of the AES 42 interface, there wasn’t any easy way to directly connect Neumann digital series microphones to a console,” explains Sennheiser’s Senior Applications Engineer, Mike Pappas. “Now, with DiGiCo directly supporting AES 42, we have a digital path from microphone to speaker.”

The latest Neumann product on show at NAB will be the TLM 103 D, the next classic microphone to enter the digital realm. Its integrated, extremely fast peak limiter guarantees optimal recording levels at all times and the Neumann A/D converter built into the microphone eliminates the necessity of tedious experimentation with external converters and preamps.

“This ensures that the legendary Neumann sound is captured unchanged on the user’s hard disc, with optimal quality,” says Neumann’s President of Marketing/Sales, Wolfgang Fraissinet. “The addition of the DiGiCo console connection gives an added benefit to our customers by eliminating the need to use an external workstation, which makes the process even easier.”

“Although the AES 42 protocol was developed in 2001, the interconnection with consoles has moved slowly,” adds DiGiCo’s Marketing Director, David Webster. “Back then, the use of digital consoles still wasn’t that wide reaching. However, with their onslaught across the market, the desire to be able to stay digital throughout the audio chain is much greater.

“We’re very pleased to have been able to integrate AES 42 into the architecture of our consoles and, alongside Neumann, bring this added benefit to our customers.”

DiGiCo joins with Neumann and Sennheiser at NAB to showcase the interconnection of its consoles and Neumann’s AES 42 products on both company’s booths. DiGiCo can be found on booth N9133, Sennheiser/Neumann on booth N8207.