Steven Slate debuts The SIREN D3 Monitoring System

[Steven Slate]

January 19th 2012
Anaheim, CA
NAMM 2012 Hall A #6921

Innovation: Meet the Speaker
What does it take to produce the most innovative new pro audio speaker in the recording industry? Science, technology, and the vision to create something not just newer, but better.

The Siren D3 Monitoring System uses exclusive custom drivers and over 1000 watts of Clear Path™ Class A/B and D power per speaker. But what makes the Siren D3 unique are several important innovations developed by the Slate Pro Audio engineering team.

First, at the heart of the Siren D3 is a DSP Powered Time&Phase-Linear crossover. What does a Time&Phase-Linear crossover sound like? Nothing.

The Siren D3 brings your music alive with clarity, true response and transparency like you've never heard before.

To make the ultimate monitor for the professional audio industry, we first needed to enter the mind of the audio engineer. What would help an engineer work better, faster, easier, and maximize their skills?

Reference Response Modeling
Audio engineers commonly use several sets of reference monitors so that they can hear how their work will translate in a variety of playback situations. The Siren D3's Reference Response Modeling system, or RRM, eliminates the need for multiple studio monitors. Using the RRM presets, the Siren can become the studio mains, nearfileds, club speakers, or even home Hi-Fi. Each Reference Response is achieved not by simply using EQ curves or captured impulses which would not truly reproduce the sound of a different speaker, but by using the powerful Slate DSP core to alter crossover points, driver levels, curves, and crossover delays. The RRM Presets were crafted by ear by the Slate professional audio team to provide the engineer with a complete monitor toolkit, ensuring the ultimate translation of the final mix. Each Response is instantly selectable via iPhone, iPad, iPod or your computer.

RRM Presets

RRM1 – FLAT
The first RRM response is simply called FLAT, and as its name suggests, it is the flattest, most phase accurate response, with accurate imaging, spectacular depth, lightening fast transients, and a clear soundstage. This is the ultimate reference for creating, mixing, and mastering music.

RRM2 – MID FOCUS
The second RRM response is called MID FOCUS. It starts with the flat, fast, and clear response of the FLAT RRM preset, but puts a magnifying glass on the midrange by adjusting crossover delays, levels, and curves. This extra mid focus accentuates the vocals, drum transients, guitars, and overall punch of the music in a very natural way. Using the MID FOCUS response, you can easily discern the careful balance of vocals vs guitars, or even fine tune an entire mix by making sure that all the prominent midrange elements have proper space and definition.

RRM3 – LOW FOCUS
The third RRM response preset is called LOW FOCUS. It starts with the FLAT RRM, and then adjusts the crossover levels, delays, and curves in a way that enhanced the clarity of the low end, just as the MID FOCUS RRM magnifies the midrange. Using LOW FOCUS, its easy to determine the proper balance of your kick drum and bass guitar, and also makes it easy to ensure that the low end is tight and defined.

RRM4 - COMBO
The fourth RRM is called COMBO. It combines both the MID FOCUS and LOW FOCUS presets to create a reference that makes it very easy to hear problems in the mix’s crucial low end and upper midrange. It also ensures proper balance and spacing among the instruments in those ranges.

RRM5 - ANALOG
The ANALOG preset adjusts the crossover delays, crossover frequencies, and curves to provide a more classic analog speaker response. Due to the slight phase shift in the crossover, the transients become thicker, the imaging softens, and the high end becomes smooth and rich.

RRM6 – HOME HI-FI
The HOME HIFI RRM adjusts the crossover delays, crossover frequencies, crossover levels, and curves, to create the classic hifi home listening speaker response. The very top end is accentuated, the lower midrange is attenuated, and the deep lows are enhanced. The result is an ultra flattering response that is great as a general reference, or to provide your clients with a more familiar sound that will be sure to leave them impressed.

RRM7 - CLUB
CLUB is an RRM preset that adjusts the crossover delays, crossover frequencies, crossover levels, and curves to produce the ultimate low end dominating soundstage reminiscent of a huge club sound. Perfect for referencing dance and club remixes, urban, hip hop, or to impress clients who demand a stunningly present bass response.

RRM8 - NEARFIELD
The NEARFIELD RRM preset adjusts the crossover delays, crossover frequencies, crossover levels, and curves to produce a small soundstage reminiscent of a nearfield speaker. The low end is reduced and the response is very close to that of small console top speaker, perfect for ensuring your music will translate properly in televisions, laptops, and even small earbud headphones.

Conclusion
The Slate Pro Audio Siren D3 Monitoring System redefines the professional studio speaker through breakthrough sound, innovative features, and a seductive look.

PRESS CONFERENCE #6921 1PM January 19th 2012

[benoïde]

Looks very interesting... Estimated price please? What kind of budget are we talking about? PM me if necessary.

[MannyTheAvatar]

Looks gorgeous. Steven, are you trying to take over the world this year?!?!

How do you control the RRM selection - USB? Ethernet? Active/passive?

[analogexplosions]

Way to go Steve Slate for making something that's COMPLETELY AWESOME, without looking like a friggin' Ed Hardy t-shirt!!

These look seriously interesting, and I even like the side graphics. Can't wait to hear them.

[by-tor]

WOW. Cool!

[Steven Slate]

The RRM presets are selectable via the Siren iphone app or a mac/pc desktop app.

[Graal]

Nice, but what's the price?

[by-tor]

Yes..Price. So I know if I can stop drooling.

[Matt@Oracle.]

I'm expecting at least 5k for the pair I'd say.

Edit: You know what, probably quite a bit more I'd say.

[ARIEL]

Wow Steve ! your on fire with innovation ! this is brilliant and it will surely clean up valuable studio real-estate space that is much needed !!

[benoïde]

Originally Posted by Matt@Oracle.

I'm expecting at least 5k for the pair I'd say.

Edit: You know what, probably quite a bit more I'd say.

Yup, I'd say something more in the realms of Barefoot, ATC or B&W - not that I know anything about it really, but if the reality of these speakers matches their marketing, this is going to be a very good product indeed.

[beau_mckee]

Looks awesome Steven

[Lui]

I would buy a pair, but please make a plain black version without that graphic on the side. Will they be available in Europe?

[George Necola]

today is April first or did I misunderstood something in my physics education?

good luck!

[G-Spot]

Two 8", 10" or 12" drivers?

[Pd-Baraka]

i like everything slate has done so far.

i like to see him succeed and expand his wisdom.

for that reason i hope he puts his name on only top quality and dont slip into "lets make it because we can" and im not saying thats the case.

i hope you can see my perspective and fears for a company that i like.

i would personally like to see a ADDA and some 500 series, and im sure they are considered.


JohnO

[KT1]

MY GOD! Even ability to get club/hi-fi reference. :o

How much?!

[beau_mckee]

Originally Posted by Pd-Baraka

i like everything slate has done so far.

i like to see him succeed and expand his wisdom.

for that reason i hope he puts his name on only top quality and dont slip into "lets make it because we can" and im not saying thats the case.

i hope you can see my perspective and fears for a company that i like.

i would personally like to see a ADDA and some 500 series, and im sure they are considered.


JohnO

Totally! Slate has only excellent products - no crappy ones for sure, so I definitely hope this awesome continues for as long as man walks the earth

[grooveminister]

Originally Posted by George Necola

today is April first or did I misunderstood something in my physics education?

It´s eigther both - or none of em!

[rectifried]

put a bird on it!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XM3vWJmpfo

[Arksun]

I wonder why they went with Class D rather than Class AB or variant of AB (like Class G/H etc)?

[tanakan]

wrong topic post

[GREENFENDR]

Originally Posted by rectifried

put a bird on it!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XM3vWJmpfo

DAMN! Beat me to it!

[fowler137]

$9500!!!!

Slate Digital Siren D3 Monitoring System Announcement - YouTube

[by-tor]

Ouch.

[Retinal]

Originally Posted by fowler137

$9500!!!!

Slate Digital Siren D3 Monitoring System Announcement - YouTube

lol.. unsubscribin'

[thehightenor]

$9500!

Roland just released a new studio V-Drums kit for like about $7000!

It seems there's a real market in the 1%.

$10K for this - $10K for that, no problem.

I starting to think I'm doing something wrong!

I must say though, having bought the more modest VCC and SSD4 that Mr Slate as his team deserve every success. So far I'm really impressed by their products.

tht

[mixmixmix]

Can you please remove the birds and release in cherry wood? Can you make a version without DSP crossover? It will introduce phase problems. Thanx

[javahut]

Originally Posted by Steven Slate

What does it take to produce the most innovative new pro audio speaker in the recording industry?

My initial thought was "something other than drivers mounted on a rectangular box".

[Pd-Baraka]

i`m looking more towards SE`s new speakers for innovation.

9500 is alot.