Audica Professional expands its MICROseries audio system capabilities with the launch of the MULTIzone.

Aimed at retail, bars and restaurants, as well as hotels, museums and other public spaces requiring independent zone input and output control, the MULTIzone is a four-zone control mixer with six music inputs, plus a microphone input for paging. Each of the four outputs can be independently configured to provide music from any one of the inputs plus the paging microphone and the relative levels are set by front panel controls. The music is automatically ducked to allow for announcements to be heard clearly. Up to seven MULTIzone units can be linked for systems of up to 28 zones.

The Rotel RA-1570 integrated amplifier provides 120W of power in an 8-ohm load, with a choice of analog and digital inputs highlighted by analog XLR balanced connections compatible with high-performance CD players or phono preamps.

An asynchronous USB port allows use with PCs and digital music players. The amp handles 24-bit/192kHz high resolution audio files, and Wolfson WM8740 stereo DACs take care of precise digital data to analog conversion.

Through an over-sized toroidal transformer and T-Network capacitors the RA-1570 receives the exact voltage and current to ensure fast and consistent power delivery.

For convenience Rotel also includes a front-mounted USB port allowing the easy docking of Apple and Android devices.

Go Rotel RA-1570 Integrated Amplifier

The handle might make it look like a bucket, but the Soundcast Melody is actually a speaker-- specifically an omni-directional Bluetooth speaker ideal for outdoor use.

It features a water- and UV-resistant all-weather plastic enclosure (complete with a sturdy handle) and a high-capacity rechargeable battery promising 20 hours of playtime, as well as x4 bass radiators and x4 full-range speakers pushing 360-degree audio.

At 4kg it is also not too heavy.

Connectivity comes through Bluetooth and 3.5mm jack, while charging options include USB, AC and 12V car adapter.

by Brian McCormick, Stewart Audio

InfoComm is a good event to check out the latest solutions. Stewart Audio's Brian McCormick is counting on you to add networked audio to your shopping list. He starts off with a bit of math...

Why is the number 340 undecillion important?

340 undecillion is 340 trillion trillion trillion. That's the number of new IP addresses now available because we want to connect everything to everything via internet addresses. It's not just your network-- it's your smart phone, wristwatch, washing machine even your car. So what does this Internet of Things got to do with audio?

Every one of your customers has a network-- and, like it or not-- everything is eventually going to connect to that network. That includes audio. For their network manager, it seems to be simply a matter of CAT5, digital transport, control and monitoring,"So what's not to like? At a high level, which audio protocols do I need? Dante, CobraNet and AVB?"

Companies like Stewart Audio and our friends at AtteroTech are specialists in network audio and can share briefly some thoughts on these three protocols.