The industry is upbeat for the "Heart of the Studio" equipment over the next couple of years.

The market for professional audio mixers and consoles is estimated at Rs. 6 crore. While there was a decline in sales at the beginning of the year 2009; by the last quarter, the order book looked good.

The much awaited FM Phase III policy is expected to provide the requisite impetus to the audio mixers and consoles market as there are 790-plus FM frequencies listed for FM-III across 230 towns. The market will see huge demand for transmission/on-air consoles and as also for smaller dubbing, and production consoles once the bids are finalized and equipment procurement commences. The market is expected to post robust growth, as the FM industry is estimated at a CAGR of 16 percent over the next five years.

The Governments step towards digitization will prompt existing studios to move toward upgrading and replacement. This will be a key driver for this segment. Policy makers are contemplating mandating a sunset clause for channels to go completely digital, similar to some other developed nations in the world. Currently, 2017 is the deadline for Doordarshan to go completely digital.

The size of the Indian music industry is estimated at around Rs. 780 crore in 2009. The digital revolution is here to stay, and music companies have begun to upgrade. There was resistance initially as the digital medium is perceived to have upturned entire business models. Digitization has brought in a clearly defined consumer driven market, a demand for superior sound, clear picture quality, and an interactive medium.

2009 saw an increased acceptability of various digital distribution models, of music genres other than the Indian film industry. Sports events, broadcast and public performance licensing revenues, all have not only compensated for the decline in initial sales of audio mixers and consoles but are also expected to drive growth going forward.

With the near-infinite choices available to consumers, companies will adapt to the changing business environment and consumer patterns are those that are likely to succeed in the new digital age. Broadcasters are now gearing up and investing in high priced, feature-driven equipment to capture the world market, and cater to the aware and internet savvy consumer. The migration to digital platform is simultaneously putting pressure to look for more advanced digital mixers and consoles. The production houses, studios and broadcast facilities seem to be mulling over users demand for high quality and multi-channel audio formats.

Console gaming, accounting for over 62 percent, is emerging as one of the largest contributor to gaming revenues in India. Going forward, the console gaming industry in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19 percent from Rs. 490 crore in 2009.

The audio mixer and consoles are often referred to as being, "Heart of the Studio" for television and radio broadcasting. Broadcasters appreciate that the quality of their channels is as much dependent on audio as on video output, and investing in high quality consoles can, not only improve the quality of their channels but also improve their overall operation and migration path.

The major suppliers in audio mixers and consoles market are Aditya Infotech Ltd., AVF Distributors(I) Pvt. Ltd., Cineom, Electrodynamics, Horizon Broadcast Electronics Pvt. Ltd., Ideal Broadcasting, Real Image, Richardson Electronics Pvt. Ltd., Setron India Pvt. Ltd., Sun Infonet Pvt. Ltd.,and VTIPL,.

The major brands in audio mixers include Allen & Heath, AMS Neve, Axia Audio, Digidesign/Avid, Euphonix, Koltz Digital, Mackie, M Audio, Omnia, Oram, Otari, Samson, Shure, Solidyne, Sony, Soundcraft, Studer, Tascam, Wohler, Yamaha, and Zaxcom.

Allen and Heath

Allen and Heath, is represented by Sun Infonet Pvt. Ltd. in India. It has unveiled its smallest format mixers to date, the ZED-10 and ZED-10FX. Part of the ZED range of USB-equipped mixers for live performance, recording and production, the new additions are simple, ultra compact mixers built to a professional standard, which will suit a wide range of applications including solo artists, bands, schools, houses of worship, and conference facilities.

ZED-10 and ZED-10FX feature two innovative ultra high impedance discrete Class A FET (Field Effect Transistor) inputs, which allow an instrument to be plugged directly into the mixer, emulating the valve/tube input circuitry commonly found on instrument combos or amplifiers. There is also a 26dB gain boost switch, which caters for instruments with very low output pickups.

The ZED-10 can also manage up to four microphones and two stereo sources with MP3 player compatibility, provides separate 2-track record outputs and a stereo playback input for 2-track replay or interval music from a CD player, XLR main stereo outputs with inserts, comprehensive monitoring with headphones and separate monitor speaker outputs, 48V microphone phantom power, and DI level switching for sub mixing. There is also a USB send and return for PC or Mac recording, playback and effects.

Equipped with a 3-band swept-mid EQ on mono inputs and a 2-band EQ on the stereo channels, the ZED-10 has a wealth of professional standard features including high gain low noise pre-amps, two aux sends (one pre and one post fade) for monitors and FX, and a separately switched stereo bus, which can be routed to from any channel creating a selective recording bus, monitoring bus or stereo clean feed output.

The ZED-10FX has the same feature set as the ZED-10, and in addition, has a built-in FX processor with TAP tempo delay settings and a 24 bit/48kHz conversion rate. The ZED-10FX uses digital effects algorithms derived from Allen and Heath's pro touring digital mixing system, ranging from classic reverbs and cascaded delay plus reverbs to shimmering flanger and chorus effects.

AMS Neve

AMS Neve is represented by Cineom in India. Whether you work in film, TV, broadcast or the music industry you can be sure that AMS Neve has products which will exceed your expectations. Designers and engineers at AMS Neve work uncompromisingly to produce the world's premier audio recording and mixing equipment. As a result, AMS Neve products have long surpassed the most stringent requirements for sound quality and musicality - from countless legendary albums to the vast majority of each year's blockbuster films. The Neve Desktop Summing Package pairs the 8816 - a hand-wired 16-channel summing mixer, including custom Carnhill transformers on the stereo mix bus with the 8804 Fader Pack for long-throw fader control. Included as standard in the package are Neve's Total Recall software, table top legs for the 8804 and the 8816ADC digital output card. Available at a special bundle price, the Neve Desktop Summing Package provides DAW users with the complete 16-channel mixing solution.

Avid

Avid is represented in India by Real Image and Setron India Pvt. Ltd. The NRV10 from M-Audio/Avid is a new breed of gear that combines an 8 x 2 analog mixer and a 10 x 10 24-bit/96kHz digital audio interface in one convenient package, the perfect tool for computer-based recording and performance. Route and record mixer channels discretely to individual tracks in Pro Tools M-Powered 7.3 and greater (Pro Tools M-Powered 7.3 is a paid upgrade from earlier versions of Pro Tools M-Powered), Ableton Live 6 and other software studios.

ICON D-Control ES from Avid is a high-performance; expandable digital console for Pro Tools|HD. Mixing even the largest, most complex sessions can be a highly efficient affair. Powered by Pro Tools|HD, ICON D-Control ES puts the highest level of hands-on control and extended Pro Tools functionality at your fingertips, enabling you to record, edit, route, mix, automate, recall, and perform other Pro Tools tasks right from the console surface.

Avid has acquired Euphonix, a renowned name in professional audio., with an award-winning product line from high-end broadcast mixing consoles to more affordable media controllers Euphonix consoles and controllers offer uncompromised design and fully integrated networked control of external workstations on Mac and PC platforms.

Axia

Axia in India is represented by Horizon Broadcast Electronics Pvt. Ltd. Axia is successful the clear leader in IP-audio for broadcast, with over 1,500 Axia consoles installed around the world. Axia has introduced iQ networked redio console a new console engineered for either standalone studios or networked applications.

The iQ system is a family of console frames with different capabilities. Users start with the 8-fader iQ Main Frame, then add frames with phone controls, programmable routing controls or more faders as needed. Frames plug into the iQ Core, a fanless, convection-cooled console engine with audio I/O, console CPU, logic, mix engine, power supply and Ethernet switch. Backup power with auto-switching is also available.

Mackie

Mackie in India is represented by Aditya Infotech Pvt. Ltd. Mackie offers professional audio products, from loudspeakers and audio mixing consoles to studio and recording equipment.

The new Onyx 24.4 and 32.4 consoles from Mackie upgrade the performance and functionality of the legendary Mackie SR244 and 324, while retaining their convenient 24- and 32-channel footprint. The greatly enhanced Onyx feature set includes 100mm Panasonic faders, all-new mic preamps, completely redesigned analog circuitry, new Perkins EQ, and a built in assignable stereo compressor/limiter section at a price that would not break the bank.

Solidyne

Solidyne is represented in India by Richardson Electronics Pvt. Ltd. The series 2300 consoles are the overall solution for an AM or FM Radio station, since they incorporate all the facilities for broadcasting. Including 3 telephone Hybrids (2 for lines and one for cellphone), CUE Amplifier with loudspeaker, two 15 W Stereo Monitors for Control and Studio speakers with solid state muting. Guest headphones output with Distribution amp up to 8 headphones. The faders use ETM-VCA technology or digital control, with our exclusive conductive ceramic faders of guaranteed 2 million cycle life. All models have 48V phantom power for microphones. It is totally modular, including power supply and allows replacing modules Hot Swap (without need of turning off the console).

Solidyne is the only one console in the market offering the possibility to have microphones with individual audio processors.

S500 is a low cost professional console for small radio stations. It can manages 6 channels; five stereo audio plus one internal phone hybrid and conductive ceramic faders ETC-VCA for 20 years use.

Soundcraft

Soundcraft in India is represented by AVF, Ideal Broadcasting, and Setron India Pvt. Ltd. The mainly focused product range of Soundcraft includes Soundcraft Si2, Soundcraft Ghost LE, Soundcraft B800, Soundcraft GigRac series, and Soundcraft M series.

The Soundcraft B800 is finding the right desk for demanding professional broadcast applications has never been easy. The varied requirements of live TV broadcast, production and live radio work, and OB installations means that only highly customized versions of existing mixers have been suitable - especially when space is at a premium.

Whatever the mix of high-quality studio sources and unpredictable remote signals, the B800 ensures superior audio performance.

The Soundcraft Si2 is a smaller partner to the Si3, and is bound to appeal to those wanting a compact and highly-featured digital console at a competitive price.

Studer

AVF is the exclusive distributor of Studer in India. The Studer OnAir 2500 audio mixing console ensures a new standard in ease-of-use for TV and radio broadcast, and is available in both a fixed frame model for portability, or the Modulo version for recessed installation in studio furniture.

It addresses the medium segment of the live broadcast market including both private and public network stations. Its self-contained architecture without an external core reduces wiring complexity and setup time to a minimum. Modulo version simply offers the same functions in separate modules which are easily connected together when installed in tabletop furniture.

The OnAir 2500 even runs the same mature software platform as the OnAir 3000. Full compatibility with other systems of the OnAir family and a short learning curve for operators with OnAir 3000 experience are only two of many advantages. Studer's OnAir portfolio, the OnAir 2500 provides the operator with a wide and well-balanced broadcast feature set. The ergonomic design and the simple usability of the OnAir 2500 mean that it is ideally suited to stressful live on-air operation.

The Studer OnAir 3000 extends Studer's range of digital broadcast consoles with a completely new design aimed at the medium to upper segment of the Television and radio market including private and public network broadcast stations.

Tascam

Tascam is represented by Setron India Pvt. Ltd. in India. The Tascam DM-4800 is the ultimate digital console for professional users who demand a flexible, 64-channel mix platform that configures to fit their needs. A fat channel strip in the center of the board provides instant access to 4-band parametric EQ, dynamics and aux controls available for the first 48 channels.

Tascam's M-164 series is a lineup of affordable mixers for live bands, home recording or installation. Each of the mixers has six Tascam mic inputs with XLR ins and phantom power for great-sounding tracks. Mic inputs additionally have 3-band EQ with hipass filters for sculpting the mix.

Wohler

Wohler has been a well known name in the professional broadcast audio and video industry for well over two decades however, is relatively new to audio mixing as it is a recent extension of the audio monitors.

It has been noted that even though most customers require unique types of audio formats for mixing and monitoring as well as unique ways to mix and monitor in their specific workflows in a vast array of environments the AMP2-16 series is able to successfully and reliably accommodate each specific application as the product is modular, firmware based and has a well designed user/configuration interface in addition to being an all in one 2RU mixing/monitoring unit.

It is expected that production companies and broadcast facilities will place an increased emphasis on keeping pace with the users requests for higher quality multi channel audio formats which they enjoy in the cinema and their home cinemas

The AMP2-16 series platform currently can address Dolby decoding and remix the decoded audio with any other formats being received in the unit, with two types of loudness cards slated for release in mid Q3. As new signal formats, loudness or other audio related technologies are required. Wohler will be in strong position to serve the market with small incremental costs as the system is modular and a new card will be developed as opposed to customers needing to purchase a completely new system.

The AMP2-16 is a rack mount 2RU 16 channel modular card based combination audio mixer/monitor supporting up to 80 channels of audio I/O including 3G/HD/SD embedded, AES, Analog and Dolby formats. It is an extremely unique product specifically designed for total mixing/monitoring flexibility in space constrained environments. It was used heavily in a wide variety of mobile/OB/portable, sports and studio applications including extensive use at the Beijing Summer Games by the host broadcaster and also the Vancouver Winter Games.

Several major projects were undertaken in 2009 with the AMP2-16 Series deployed in various configurations predominantly in TV stations and mobile environments. The basic steps to undertake each is fundamentally the same do to the inherent modular design. Each customer will select the signal formats and number of inputs/outputs required for each mixer/monitor and order the basic unit with the I/O cards, an optional Dolby can also be ordered. The product will be assembled according to the customers required hardware configuration at the factory.

Yamaha

Yamaha mixers have earned the acclaim of top engineers around the world for their reliability, superb sound and intuitive operation. They have mixers for live sound, broadcast, surround production, installations and a variety of applications. The recent product range includes PM1D digital mixing system and PM5D-EX

PM1D digital mixing system: The PM1D digital mixing system was the first to take the acclaimed Yamaha PM-series live sound consoles into the fully digital domain. It features separate control surface, processing units and input/output units that are modular and network able. The PM1D offers digital flexibility and controllability along with enormous input/output capacity and data storage recall capability.

The PM5D has become a standard for digital live mixing, and the first choice of legions of discerning engineers and sound companies throughout the world. It offers extraordinary sound and versatility in a relatively small, lightweight system that is intuitive to use and delivers unmatched sound, control, and reliably without the need for additional outboard processing gear.