The new SLX Wireless Systems are aimed at installed sound applications and working bands. They have Shure's patented Audio Reference Companding technology, along with automatic synchronization and support for up to 12 compatible systems per frequency band (country dependent). Features include Utilising Auto Frequency Selection and Auto Transmitter Setup, allowing the system to scan the landscape for clear channels. The transmitter then syncs automatically with the receiver frequency via an infrared link.

The bodypack transmitter works with headworn, lavalier and instrument mics and cables, while the hand-held transmitters are offered with SM58, SM86, Beta 58A, Beta 87A, and Beta 87C capsules.

Shure has also added the E3 sound-isolating earphones to its E Series in-ear earphones, design

UK - Sound Division recently provided sound, lighting, effects and DJ services for 40th anniversary celebrations of the promotion of the French food and wine industry in the UK. Hosted by Sopexa, an agency that specializes in marketing and PR for the French food and wine industry, the event was held at the Commonwealth club in London and targeted 200 industry professionals including journalists, importers and buyers as well as officials from the French embassy in London.

According to Sound division's Chris Baxter, who designed the system, this was one of Sound Division's more unusual events. "We do a lot of work in the corporate market, but I've never worked with quite so much food and drink on display that was not meant for consumption!" He continues: "I enjoyed the challenge, because lighting the food displays took some considerable expertise to create the right

Crown unveiled the all-new I-Tech Series as the new flagship amplifier series for the touring and corporate PA markets. All models are just 2U and weigh less than 28lbs/12.7kg, have rugged chassis designed 'for the road' and feature Crown's patented Class-I switching output for more power and less heat.

They have Crown's global regulated power supply, delivering full power regardless of AC mains voltage - from 120V to 277V and from 50Hz to 60Hz. Power Factor Correction (PFC) allows I-Tech to draw current from the mains more efficiently, providing more power from a single 20A breaker. The Class-I output and power supply promise the highest output voltage available, and a clearly audible difference through the speakers.

The Xs 1200 was also added to the Xs Series of power amplifiers, becoming the highest-powered model in the series. It provides 1,100W per channel into 4ohms and is desi

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Indochine X PixMob Fan Immersion

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's - 40 thousand LED pixels on a ceiling!!! Indochine's whirlwind tour transports fans to another level of the live experience - immersing them from floor to ceiling with PixMob's X4 wristbands, and an LED ceiling made entirely of its NOVA Minis! With the vision of Indochine's creative team, PixMob used its LED fan-technology to turn attendees and venues into an ocean of effects, and a starry sky of LED magic. Très très cool!

Read more about the Indochine tour in the latest issue of LSi

UK - Pro audio manufacturer Allen & Heath held a presentation last week to commend several members of staff who have been employees of the company for 20 years or more. The honours list comprised design manager Carey Davies, PCB supervisor Winnie Gerred, product tester Mandy Berry, SMT production engineer Mike Cock and production manager Chris Abbott. The selected members were presented with personalized gifts of their own choice, including jewellery, commemorative coins and a guitar.

Allen & Heath relocated to Cornwall in 1981 from premises in London. The presentation coincides with the company's 35th anniversary, which it plans to celebrate later in the year. "In the modern era of job mobility, somebody who has committed 20 years or more to the same company is a valued employee and should be recognized as such," commented managing director, Glenn Rogers. "Allen

BBE launched the MaxCom compressor/limiter/noise gate; the Max-X3 stereo 2-way crossover, also a mono 3-way crossover; and the Max-X2 stereo 2-way crossover. Each contains the BBE Sonic Maximizer circuit, plus the Sonic Maximizer process - as used in BBE's 482i and 882i Sonic Maximizer processors. They come with a solid steel chassis and faceplate, and a two-year warranty.

Italy - Eurovideo of Italy has recently used an Electrosonic Vector processor for an Italian TV show called Buona Domenica, shown on Channel 5 every Sunday at 2.00p.m. The celebrity guest show is presented by Maurizio Costanzo, one of the top anchormen in Italian television.

The large display installed by Eurovideo in the studio is a Lighthouse 10mm (pixel pitch) LED screen with additional image processing provided by Vector. The Lighthouse screen is made up of 64 10mm LED panels arranged in an 8 x 8 format, and requires four Vector outputs. The sources used are two SDI (digital video) feeds.

The advantage of using Vector in this application is that it can provide multiple outputs and multiple inputs. The video sources are applied to the Vector, which then provides multiple outputs to the Lighthouse LIP that prepares the image for the LED panels.

(Lee Baldock)

Crest Audio, now as distinct from Crest Performance, introduced the CD Series power amplifiers. These combine linear power supply with Class D output for heavy duty cycles and sonic integrity, and are aimed at "nightclubs and high school gymnasiums alike, and every application between".

CD Series power amps all include multiple protection circuits such as Active Clip Limiting, which automatically reduces gain at the onset of clipping; Instantaneous Gain Modulation, which monitors load current to protect against overloading; Autoramp, to prevent abrupt turn-on levels by gradually increasing gain; as well as short circuit, DC voltage, comprehensive thermal management, current in-rush turn on/off transient and sub/ultrasonic input.

Crest Audio also introduced the CM Series industrial power amplifiers, designed for multi-channel applications in nightclubs, restaurants, hotels,

Something of a co-star of the show (with the Midas Verona), the TT24 is a new 24-mic input digital mixer developed specifically for live sound applications such as clubs, theatres, houses of worship, rental companies, sound production companies and regional touring acts - plus what the company calls "weekend warriors". It's a 56x45, 24-bit, 96kHz capable digital live console with 100mm motorized faders, on-board analogue and digital I/O, full channel metering, digital recall, EQ, dynamics and effects.

Contributing to the small analogue mixer bonanza, Mackie also launched the Onyx Series complete with FireWire connectivity. The Onyx 1220, 1620 and 1640 all have new mic preamps, new Perkins 3- and 4-band EQ circuitry, full aux section a redesigned mix buss and summing amp section. Each also has a built-in talkback section with onboard mic.

Plus, the SRM 350 is a two-way activ

USA - American Audio, a division of the American DJ Group of Companies, has completed the expansion of its management team with the appointment of Tom Freret as audio sales manager. A well-known audio industry figure for nearly two decades, Freret will work closely with the company's current management staff - accounts coordinator Alfred Gonzales, technical director Joey Corral and consumer and artist relations manager Danny Cabrerra.

"Our entire audio team is delighted to welcome an individual as talented and knowledgeable as Tom on board," said Scott Davies, general manager of the American DJ Group of Companies. "Tom brings with him a unique blend of skills and experience. Not only does he have an extensive background in audio, he's worked in every facet of the business including retailing, so he has a hands-on understanding of our dealers' concerns and can prov

Japan - On 30 November, Yokohama, Japan's China Town, saw the opening of an original China Town attraction, Yokohama Daisekai ('big world'). Lighting design and supply for Yokohama Daisekai was completed by Q Works Corporation through Martin's Japanese representative, Martin Japan.

Yokohama Daisekai is a multi-story themed museum representing 1920s and 30s Shanghai. It consists of several different 'worlds' and attracts more than 20,000 visitors every week. The themed concept incorporates dynamic visuals in the form of intelligent lighting and video projection to create atmospheres in the various areas of the museum. Upon entering visitors receive a ticket to 'The Past World' and jump into an elevator that whisks them to the top (8th) floor. Here, the tour starts in Old Shanghai and descends through the different worlds and floors below where 26 MAC 250 Kryptons and three MAC 5

The AcousticDesign AD-S52 is a full-range, surface-mount loudspeaker with contemporary styling for multiple environments and applications, including hotels, restaurants, convention facilities, and multimedia environments. The LF driver is magnetically shielded for use near video monitors, and the enclosures are weather-resistant and paintable.

Part of the ISIS family, the QSC I-82H is an 8", 2-way, full-range loudspeaker for similar applications, while the ISIS WideLine line array speaker system is a full-range (55Hz-18kHz per enclosure), wide-coverage line-array designed for ballrooms, theatres, nightclubs, concert halls and houses of worship. RMX 505, finally, is an addition to the RMX Series power amplifier line.

Canada - Lighting industry veteran Todd Hucul has returned to Canada to assume the position of operations manager at Q1 Production Technologies' Vancouver facility. Todd began his career in the lighting industry at Westsun, first at its International head office in Winnipeg in the mid-80s, transferring in 1997 to Washington to serve as operations manager in Seattle before going on to set up the Las Vegas office. In 2002 Todd took a position as shop manager for VLPS in Los Angles.

"Being part of the lighting industry is the only thing I've ever really wanted to do, and coming back to Canada and Q1 gives me the opportunity to work with an amazing team that includes many of the people I started out with," says Hucul.

Hucul's expertise focuses on major concert tours, large corporate events and live theatre productions: "When I heard that Marc Raymond [founder of We

EAW announced the update of its 10-year standing KF850 Series touring mainstay, adding the latest proprietary technology and contemporary components. The resulting KF850z gains a neodymium Orbital Magnet Array HF driver offering increased surface area for better cooling and greater reliability. A new HF horn extends HF response and fidelity while minimizing throat distortion, while the MF subsystem is now based on EAW's Radial Phase Plug design used in the more recent KF650, KF750 and KF760 models. The LF section horn-loads the 15" woofer first used in the KF650z.

Two KF850z models are offered: the KF850zF for flown applications and the considerably lighter KF850zR for ground stacking. The SB850zR also updates the SB850R sub.

As of 1 March, KF850EFs, KF853Ds and KF855EFs will only be available by special order. On 1 July, they will be discontinued.

Soundcraft's integrated mixer/amplifier GigRac is the most compact sound reinforcement solution yet - and is among the most closely blended Harman technology so far. Only mics, speakers and cables are required to complete the system, which contains mic preamps, 2-band EQ, 7-band graphic EQ (designed by BSS Audio) and a selection of preset digital effects.

GigRac 300 has an integrated 300W power amp, while GigRac 600 has 2x300W amplifiers - enough for main PA and stage monitors too.

Soundcraft's flagship MH4 console, meanwhile, now has an updated mono input module. The new input expands the use of the 16 aux busses by adding true mono/stereo configurations.

UK - Following the successful launch of the new 8-bus Verona console from Midas, one of the very first purchasers was Surrey-based rental company, PMI Ltd, who purchased the console from LMC Ltd. Owner Peter Maciuk said: "A significant part of our business is corporate and the Verona is tailored to meet our needs in this market. It plugs the gap between the Venice, which although a great console, often proved to be too small to handle a mid-sized conference, and the Heritage, which is often physically too big. The Verona however, remains a compact console whilst still having eight sub groups, eight auxes and an eight by four matrix. The market has been crying out for a new desk like this, and the fact that it is Midas makes it instantly synonymous with the quality required for today's corporate market. The Verona is set to be a massive success for Midas.''

UK sales manager

USA - Mackie will use this year's NSCA show as a platform to introduce the commercial audio market to exciting new products including the new TT24 digital live console - a powerful 24-mic input digital mixer developed specifically for live sound applications such as clubs, theatres, houses of worship, rental companies, sound production companies and regional touring acts.

The TT24 is a 56 x 45, 24-bit, 96kHz capable console with 100mm touch-sensitive faders, on-board analogue and digital I/O, full channel metering, digital recall, EQ, dynamics, and effects. A unique control section combines a 5" touch screen, eight function buttons, and 12-parameter rotary encoders that work together to provide easy access to key live functions such as: Fat Channel overview, EQ, Dynamics, Group/Aux assignments, Aux masters, Snapshots, FX control, and Matrix. Absolutely nothing is out of im

Pennsylvania-based Aviom Inc showed enhancements to its digital audio 'snake', capable of transferring 24-bit audio over industry standard Cat-5 cable.

The AN-16/i input module, the AN-16/o output module, and the AN-16SB system bridge work with Aviom's proprietary A-Net protocol to ensure less than one millisecond of latency from analogue input to analogue output. All are compatible with Aviom's modular A-16 Personal Monitor Mixing System.

This gains a new A-Net product, the A-16D Pro A-Net distributor. The 2U device is designed to distribute the A-Net signal from an A-16T transmitter, the AN-16/i input module, the original A-16D distributor, or another A-16D Pro distributor.

Each A-16D Pro accepts one A-Net input signal and provides for eight simultaneous A-Net outputs using Cat-5 cable. The A-16D Pro also features a dedicated A-Net Thru jack that allows the A-Net signal to be sen

Sennheiser unveiled the Evolution wireless G2, the second generation of the successful Evolution series. This generation is said to extend the product features with an enhanced design concept, while maintaining the price level of its predecessor, and offers systems for vocals, instruments, presentations, camera work or wireless monitoring.

The G2 makes 1,440 channels available through a much broader 36MHz switching bandwidth, while the bodypack transmitters and mobile receivers have been reduced in size by about 30%. New features include a scan function that automatically searches for free channels, a new user menu and large backlit displays. A pilot tone squelch creates noise-free transmitter mic on/off, adjustable and compatible with first-generation units.Rental companies are expected to use a new reset function, restoring the system to initial settings for the next gig. Meanwhile,

USA - DiGiCo LLC has recently added seven new representative firms for various territories within the USA. The reps will handle the company's complete product line including the D5 Live digital mixing console and DiGiTRACS hard disk show and rehearsal recorder, plus the full range of Soundtracs digital post-production consoles.

Dobbs Stanford of Dallas, TX has been appointed to handle the territories of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Missouri and the western part of Tennessee. On the East Coast, Sigmet Corporation of Manalapan, NJ has taken on the Metro NY and Mid-Atlantic region while Millar Electronics now covers the south-eastern USA for DiGiCo and Meyer Marketing of Wellington, FL handles all of Florida.

In the West, GLS Marketing of Huntington Beach, CA is the appointed representative for southern California and southern Nevada; Plus Four Marketing of Concord, CA for norther

UK - When Walker Dance Park Music were invited to perform their unique style of dance at British Dance Edition 2004 in Cambridge, it was British Harlequin's Allegro flooring that organizers Dance East requested to convert a wooden concert stage into a suitable dance floor. Described as a 'distinct marriage of music and dance' Walker Dance Park Music, an associate company of the Royal Opera House, presented Silence of the Soul at the West Road Concert Hall in a performance sponsored by British Harlequin at BDE 2004.

Harlequin's Allegro floor, especially developed for such situations, is the thickest roll-out floor currently available and offers high quality protection against hard sub-floors, such as concrete, to provide a 'semi-sprung' dance floor. Allegro can be used as a loose lay floor that is tough, that always lays flat and provides an excellent dance surface to hel

UK - Marquee Audio has set up a new division to focus specifically on product marketing - and the first own brand product to come out, under the new 'Molto' name, is a hard disk system.

Having watched the development of hard disk delivery and other media streaming systems - aimed specifically at 'chameleon' licensed venues operating over an all-day trading pattern - Marquee Audio has waited for the market to mature and new-generation technology to kick in before making their move, according to MD Spencer Brooks: "As an essential part of our installation work we were increasingly being requested to supply a product which exceeds the performance of other proprietary hard disk systems on the market, and after putting Molto through a number of prototype stages we now believe we have a product that fulfils that."Molto will offer storage capacity for 600 albums' worth of mat

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