Daking has unveiled two new products for this years AES: a two channel limiter called FET3 and a API 500-series mic pre (the Mic Pre 500, obviously).

On the FET3:

The FET3, which is essentially two independent limiters in a single 2RU unit, uses audio summing for stereo linking, a much more accurate method than the control voltage summing supported by the FET II design. The FET3 stereo link is continuously variable from 0 to 100%, which allows the operation of each limiter channel to be tied together to a greater or lesser degree.

The Mic Pre 500 fits any 500 series chasis (the Lunchbox) and would probably look and sound real nice next to your other 500 series modules.

Like the Mic-Pre One, the Mic Pre 500 shares the gain structure and Class A, fully-discrete transistor circuitry design of Daking’s popular Mic Pre IV. Front panel controls include a variable high-pass filter (0-200 Hz) as well as continuously variable input gain. An eight-segment tri-color LED meter with simultaneous VU and Peak is included.

Press releases for both products after the jump.

TRANSAUDIO GROUP TO INTRODUCE THE DAKING

DUAL-CHANNEL FET3 COMPRESSOR AT AES

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 2009: TransAudio Group has announced the introduction of the Daking FET3, a new dual-channel limiter incorporating Class A discrete compressor circuitry and gain stages that is built in the U.S. by Geoffrey Daking. The FET3 builds on the quality and performance benchmarks set by the renowned Daking FET II single-channel limiter while adding several unique front panel features for enhanced user control.

The Daking FET3 design utilizes the same audio path and detector circuits as the FET II limiter, which has become highly regarded for its speed, high performance and unique ability to sound great on an extraordinary variety of sources. The FET3 adds new variable high-pass filters – from 0 to 200 Hz – at the detector stage to improve and customize the behavior of each limiter channel. Signal content below the user set HPF frequency will not trigger the limiter, a design feature that is extremely beneficial in fine tuning limiter behavior on bass-heavy material, for example.

The FET3, which is essentially two independent limiters in a single 2RU unit, uses audio summing for stereo linking, a much more accurate method than the control voltage summing supported by the FET II design. The FET3 stereo link is continuously variable from 0 to 100%, which allows the operation of each limiter channel to be tied together to a greater or lesser degree.

All FET3 front panel controls are fully variable rotary pots, which provide the ability to fine-tune the behavior of the unit in the studio. The FET II will continue to be produced for users, such as mastering engineers, who prefer the repeatability of switches.

Inputs and outputs are electronically balanced through the inclusion of a new design in differential amps that offers superior signal quality. The common mode rejection in the FET3 is equal to that of the FET II. The unit offers an output level of +24 dB. The unit, which is fully RoHS compliant, provides storage in the back panel for the external power supply.

“The new Daking FET3 offers tremendous features and outstanding performance at a fantastic price point,” said Brad Lunde, president, TransAudio Group. “I wanted a new stereo Daking compressor that sounds like the FET II but was under $2,000. The added features, such as variable high-pass filters and variable stereo linking, put the FET3 in a unique class, outperforming many other high-end, stereo limiters for less.”

TRANSAUDIO GROUP TO INTRODUCE THE DAKING MIC PRE 500 AT AES

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 2009: Geoffrey Daking and Company, Inc. will launch the new Mic Pre 500 single-channel microphone/instrument preamplifier module at the 127th AES Convention in New York. Derived from the company’s Mic Pre One freestanding unit, the Mic Pre 500 is designed for installation in 500 Series format equipment – including the new Daking 500 Rack. The new mic pre features switchable phase, 20 dB mic input pad, +48V phantom power, and a selectable quarter-inch line/hi-z instrument input.

Like the Mic-Pre One, the Mic Pre 500 shares the gain structure and Class A, fully-discrete transistor circuitry design of Daking’s popular Mic Pre IV. Front panel controls include a variable high-pass filter (0-200 Hz) as well as continuously variable input gain. An eight-segment tri-color LED meter with simultaneous VU and Peak is included.

Made in the USA, the Daking Mic Pre 500 has an MSRP of $650.00.

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