Martinsound Introduces PanMAX

Martinsound has entered into an agreement with OmniSound (San Rafael, CA) to assume production of its OPS-1 cinema panning system. Renamed PanMAX, it will be available from Martinsound in the fourth quarter of this year, replacing the current OmniSound system and offering additional enhancements not just for film and video post production but also music production, live performance and broadcast applications.

PanMAX is a fully automated surround sound panning solution that interfaces with any 8-bus mixing console or workstation to provide sophisticated control of dynamic sound movement for any type of audio production. It joins a growing family of surround sound solutions from Martinsound that includes the MultiMAX EX multiformat monitor controller, ForMAX surround monitoring formatter and VuMAX precision VU meter package.

PanMAX provides 8 outputs as standard and is expandable to up to 16 input channels. It offers automated dynamic control of sound positioning, including divergence and stereo width, with frame-accurate playback of recorded movements and parameters through SMPTE synchronization. The system also includes a step recording function with automatic interpolation between start and end reference points. PanMAX handles all current popular multichannel music and film production formats, some of them simultaneously, and incorporates automatic format translation capabilities.

The PanMAX remote control unit features a high resolution LCD display indicating system modes and sound position coordinates, an automated joystick and three 100mm faders for dynamic control of parameters. Multi-channel systems may be controlled by a single remote or by multiple units working in parallel.

The majority of stereo analog and many small-format digital mixing consoles offer only limited panning capabilities and provide only rudimentary monitoring functions for multiformat audio. Martinsound's surround sound solutions extend the productive life of any stereo mixing console or DAW when added in combination or as a cohesive package, allowing facilities to attract more business and maximizing profitability.