Lectrosonics SRa to SRb upgrades start mid-November or early December! Changes include updates to the front end, mixer, IF strip, IF filters and firmware; improved sensitivity, and the ability to better handles multiple transmitter and overload situations.

Please contact us at [email protected] or at 212-629-9430 if you'd like to upgrade your unit with the block and serial number of your receiver. We will contact you once a board in that block becomes available. Board replacement cost is $250 (not including shipping.)

Sennheiser

Buy any qualifying Sennheiser G3 wireless microphone system and get your choice of a free ME2 lavalier or HD429 headphone with rebate. Offer applies to the ew 100 ENG,  ew 112-p, ew 122-p, and ew 135-p. Some conditions apply. Call or e-mail for details. Offer valid through May 31st, 2012.

 
NABbed
NAB's acronym turned out to be unfortunately prognosticative this year, as both the Zaxcom and Lectrosonics booths had a large quantity of equipment stolen. The serial numbers are here for Zaxcom and here for Lectrosonics, so please keep an eye out for this gear on the used market. Thanks!
 
300
Zaxcom has just introduced the latest generation of their alternative to wireless microphones, the ZFR300. This lightweight, mini timecode-referenced audio recorder is the perfect size to stash on an actor in reality television or any challenging production environment or when there's simply too much interference and it's available right now.

Zaxcom has also debuted the TRX742 plug-on transmitter. It includes internal recording and Zaxnet and can be conifgured for use with a whole host of microphones. Neat!

See Zaxcom president Glenn Sanders showcase their new devices at NAB 2012.

 
You Can Lead a Transmitter to Water...
And in this case, fully submerge it! Lectrosonics has just announced their new watertight transmitter, the WM. It's got all the usual fidelity and features of a Lectro transmitter plus remote operation. It's expected to ship second quarter this year.

Check out Jerry Cudmore introducing the WM at NAB 2012

 
The Buddy System
 

The future of syncing timecode wirelessly marches on, as Timecode Systems Ltd adds the Timecode Buddy to the contenders. Consisting of the Timecode Buddy: master and the Timecode Buddy: tx, with a free iOS app available, it's a simple and reliable way to sync your timecode across set, and it works with gear you already have. This equipment is still pending authorization from the FCC and may not be sold until it is granted.

See company founder Paul Scurrell talking about the system at NAB 2012.

  
Franklin R. Haber, R.I.P.
 

We're sad to note the passing of Frank Haber at the age of 72 on March 19, 2012. He had an illustrious 30 year career sound engineering and mixing for motion pictures. Frank fixed my first Nagra and was incredibly generous with his time and advice and I'll always be grateful for the help he gave to me as a young mixer. Our condolences to his friends and family.

- Peter Schneider

Lectrosonics recently released photos of a nifty new mockup: the 4 unit SRa receiver holder, more colloquially known as an Octopac.