EVER WISH YOUR LAPTOP HAD A VOLUME KNOB?
17 March 2015
The use of laptops for live performances has made a universe of difference to musicians and DJs, but trying to adjust your volume on-the-fly is like some kind medieval torture. Particularly if you don’t use a touchpad, try grabbing a mouse in-between chords for a micro-second and you’ll see what we mean.
Radial Engineering plans to make that kind of on-stage fumbling a thing of the past, with its announcement of Trim-Two, a passive stereo isolator which provides an easy access volume control for laptops. We think it should also come with a giant red ‘Volume’ flashing sign, and arrow pointing directly at the knob.
Roc Bubel, Sales Manager for Radial explains: “In recent years, there has been a steady shift towards the use of a laptop as a sound source for live performance instead of a CD player, keyboard or sound module. For instance, a laptop is easily combined with a master keyboard using a USB interface to provide a huge selection of digitally generated sound files plus a suitable data screen that can then be controlled as if a sound module. Where these setups fall short is the required use of a mouse for simple tasks such as adjusting the volume. The Trim-Two is a passive device that at once makes adjusting the volume easy while providing an isolated output to feed a PA system.”
The Trim-Two is completely passive, so no power is required and is made from 14 gauge steel with an I-beam frame that protects the inner electrics. It features dual ¼” jacks, left and right RCAs and a stereo 3.5mm input, wired in parallel to allow the signal to be split off to feed an alternate signal path such as monitors. Two Eclipse transformers are the heart of the unit, delivering a 20Hz to 18kHz linear frequency response and up to +15dB signal levels. With an accessible front panel stereo volume level control knob, but no flashing signs… So you’ll have to add your own big pointing arrow.
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
As yet there’s no word on a release date, or Australian prices. However, once it’s released its priced in the USA as US$149.99.
For more info, check: www.radialeng.com
AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTION: Amber Technology, Ph: 1800 251 367, Email: professional@ambertech.com.au, Web: www.ambertech.com.au
Excerpts from Press Release
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