Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW), part of the fast-expanding Mackie Designs Inc group of pro audio manufacturers, hosted a demonstration of the new KF760 line array solution in Amsterdam during the recent Audio Engineering Society Convention. Delegates and press were treated to a full-scale workout for the array, installed at the Jaap Eden Hal ice rink just minutes from the RAI Convention Centre. Over 150 people attended the event, during which director of research and development David Guinness outlined the technology behind the KF760, and traced its evolution within the EAW family of products. "This is really our second-generation line array, after the KF860 - which became a highly specialized product for sight-line events such as television shows, the Superbowl and things like that," he said. "It never got used a lot in touring, however. It was a big cabinet, and we learned

Hayden Laboratories has supplied West London-based installation and audio consultants Phoenix Technologies with a large number of Denon multi-play CD players for an innovative North London installation. Their client Richard Abbott has a large house and a colossal CD collection. He was looking for a flexible, cutting-edge audio system that would allow him quickly and easily to locate and replay any CD or track in his vast music archive – numbering over 2000 discs! Richard set Phoenix a demanding brief for a versatile and robust systemThe Phoenix Team set about designing a system, and selected the Denon Multiplay DCM-5000 machines at an early stage in the process.

Phoenix specified the Denon machines because they wanted the most reliable technology available. They have used the Denon brand in a variety of other installs over the years. It was also essential that this system was exp

Due to be launched at PLASA 2001, the innovative ChromaRange is a new state-of-the-art family of LED technology lighting fixtures designed and manufactured by Pulsar Light of Cambridge. Each fixture houses 80 powerful, high efficiency LEDs. These comprise of a mixture of Red, Green and Blue types to allow endless RGB colour mixing - making 16.7 million colours possible. The LEDs have a rated life of 25,000 hours at full power white, but this is greatly increased if the fixture is dimmed or producing coloured light as in normal use. The units can crossfade slowly from any colour to another or strobe if required, as they feature fast-response electronics. Alternative clip-in diffusers will be available for different beam angles and shapes allowing various effects to be achieved. The LED units boast a high light output, and the infinite colour palette ranging from pastels to deep intense hu

The MTFX Party Cannon is a single-shot cannon which fires both confetti and streamers in to the air together using a built-in compressed air cylinder. Each cannon is pre-loaded with a mixture of both tissue confetti and metallic streamers in a wide variety of colours. The confetti shapes include stars, circles, bubbles and flowers as well as regular Flying Fetti!

The Party Cannon is available in four sizes to suit all venues and operators: the 200mm cannons are particularly suitable for smaller indoor venues as they fire the confetti and streamers to a distance of up to 4 metres. The 300mm cannons are ideal for larger parties and venues as they will fire the contents up to a distance of l0 metres. The 500mm cannons are aimed at very large venues and outdoor parties as they can shoot confetti and streamers to a distance of up to 20 metres. The 800mm cannons need to be reserved for footb

The Moving Light Company has added Vari*Lites to its extensive hire stock. The latest additions are the VL2202 spot luminaire and VL2402 wash luminaire. Both based around the same case design, familiar from Vari*Lite's popular VL6B luminaire, the VL2202 and VL2402 both use a 700W short arc lamp to provide high light output. The VL2202 spotlight offers a wide zoom range, fixed and indexing/rotating gobos wheels and an interchangeable colour wheel, while the VL2402 washlight, one of the most talked about products at last year's LDI trade show, offers CMY colour mixing coupled with a highly controllable variable beam.

Both units have already been specified for the forthcoming UK tour of Miss Saigon by lighting designer David Hersey, where they will replace the VL2C spot luminaire and VL4 wash luminaire used on the original London production. The Moving Light Company will be supplying Miss

PCM, UK and European distributors for Columbus McKinnon Lodestar hoists, will show a selection of the many types of Lodestar motors available, including standard rigging range, VGB 70/BGV C1 type and the FX range - now available for theatrical use. The company will also highlight its renowned and highly successful hands-on Motor School and Rigging School training courses.

A new version of the compact CM Prostar motor is also being launched at the show, with increased capacities and speeds. This new higher speed version will climb at six metres a minute and 10m/min (increased from the industry standard four metres a minute). A new 500 lb SWL @ 4m per minute version is also to be launched - an increase of 200 lbs over the pervious 300 lb SWL.

PCM - Stand F18

PLASA 2001 sees Avolites also launch the Art2000-US 20 Amp digital dimmer, specifically designed for America.

The Full Mains Patching, virtually silent operation and 100% duty cycle, 20 Amp channels will satisfy America’s sharply growing demand for portable, high density touring dimming systems.The Avolites Art-2000 dimmer is an established and proven design, and the American system utilises the flexible Dimming or Mains Distribution modular design that has made the Avolites Art dimmer popular around the world.

The system features a Mains Patch with four sockets per dimmer channel (total 192) to 162 Patch Cords connected to 25 Socapex and 12 Stagepin outlets. All patch cords are numbered, colour coded and utilise the 32 Amp rated ‘Multi-lam’ contacts. Mains connection is via 5 wire Camloc inputs complete with Camloc loop outlets. The Rack system is supplied with Vol

InnovaSon has announced the availability of V6.6, the latest version of its Sensoft software and is available for free download at the www.innovason.com download section. Sensoft 6.5 is still available for download. Sensoft is the software used to run a Sensory Live Console and can be installed also on a stand-alone PC or a laptop. The show can be set up anywhere, without the console, and transferred to the console via floppy disk.

Tannoy has launched two new in-wall speakers, and the new i7 Contour full range installation loudspeaker.

The in-wall products integrate the company’s highly-regarded cabinet-based speaker technology into a flush-mountable format. Designed to provide value for money, ease of installation and high performance, the new speakers are suitable for music and film playback, multimedia and teleconferencing applications in boardrooms, themed visitor attractions, shops and residential installations. The powerful m2iw is a two-way system with a 165mm (6.5") long-throw mid/bass driver, 25mm (1") soft dome HF unit and onboard crossover. The design offers the assurance of long-term reliability combined with excellent sound quality.

The high-performance S8iw features a Tannoy 200mm (8") Dual Concentric constant directivity driver with an integral crossover network to provide su

Hacousto International plans to unveil its new fully digital speaker array at PLASA.

"If our predictions regarding the industry’s response to this new digital speaker array prove as successful as our attempts to keep the design and specification under wraps until its launch at PLASA, we will have met our launch objectives," commented Hacousto’s Albert van der Hout. "Our evaluation of market needs has already been proven with a vote of confidence from one of the World Cup Stadiums. Following successful trials The Stadium has already committed to installing the new speakers," he continued. "We are sufficiently confident to invite the industry gurus to take up our challenge with a bench test. But only after the show," Albert concluded.Hacousto - Stand B24

Visitors to Baldwin Boxall’s stand will see a range of new products. These include the VIGIL Communicare, a product developed in response to the publication of BS5588, which states that every public building must have a communication link to each Refuge Point. The system enables a fire officer to remain in contact with any disabled person whilst they are in the safety of a refuge area. The main Communicare control panel will be available in four versions, covering up to 16, 32, 48 or 64 areas. Communicare will, of course, be compliant to BS5588 and BS5839 part 8.

Also new is the VIGIL Eclipse/BVCOM - a serial data port being designed to enable adecentralised VIGIL Eclipse/BVCOM to be controlled externally via the BVRM intelligent microphone. The company’s R&D team is also currently working on software which will enable the BVR20 to be programmed via a laptop. Finally, the

Out Board Electronics’ new Ibex programmable hoist controller has made an auspicious debut on two frontline tours with Vari-Lite Europe Ltd. Both the Roxy Music and Robbie Williams shows - currently out on tour - have had their lighting designed by Liz Berry, who has given the new hoist controller the thumbs up. The purchase of a single unit (and rental of a second) had been authorised by VLPS’ Matt Croft, who admitted that he had not heard of the Ibex until he started to prep both tours. "I looked at both jobs and each show had moving truss systems. In the past we would have used hoist commanders - but they involve a lot of hardware and personnel, so we were starting to look around. At the same time Out Board’s Lawrence Heron had contacted our rigging department independently to see if they were interested."

An advantage of the Ibex system, says Matt, is th

A whole range of Sennheiser audio equipment helped ensure the success of Planet 24’s recent production for ITV, Survivor, throughout seven weeks of filming on the remote desert island of Pulau Tiga in the South China Sea. Of particular note was the performance of Sennheiser’s new MKE-2 Gold lavalier clip mic, which successfully provided the principal means of recording broadcast quality sound in the extremely hostile and humid tropical environment.

The new mic is designed specifically for ‘high moisture’ resistance but provides the same acoustic performance as its industry standard counterpart design. "The conditions the microphones faced were very much a worse case scenario - humidity and salt water," explains Planet 24’s technical director Peter Johnston. 16 of the MKE-2 Golds were used, along with their associated UHF SK50 miniature belt pack

Brazil-based Selenium Loudspeakers has announced the appointment of Overt Light to Sound Ltd as its new exclusive distributor for the UK. Malcolm Burlow, managing director of Overt, has over 20 years’ experience in the pro audio industry, having previously worked for Numark UK. He says: "We are very proud to be associated with a loudspeaker transducer company with Selenium’s worldwide reputation. Few people realise that the company has been manufacturing loudspeaker components for over 50 years, utilized in some of the finest cabinets available. The market is looking for a high quality and competitively-priced alternative, and we are confident that Selenium will be their first choice."

Overt say that a new range of compression drivers and woofers will be available within six to eight months.

Cadac will be showing its innovative R-Type lightweight touring console on Stand S22 at the 2001 PLASA Show. The R-Type is already clocking up an impressive list of show credits since it went into production earlier this year: in Italy, appearances include the Pavarotti & Friends Concert in Modena, and the Heineken Jammin' Festival at Imola, and in London, the July Picnic with Pavarotti followed by Route of Kings - both in Hyde Park. Contained within a cost-efficient and easily re-configurable package, the R-Type provides comprehensive facilities for both FOH and monitor mixing. It gives rental companies a highly flexible console - using Cadac’s unique ‘plug-anywhere’ modules for fast installation - at a competitive price.

The R-Type features a new lightweight monocoque design and a slimmer module width - combining touring ruggedness with the respected Cadac audio qua

At PLASA 2001, Avolites is to unveil the next major step for lighting control, with the launch of its new generation top-level lighting console - the Diamond 4.

The Diamond 4 is designed for large-scale shows, festivals, concerts, events and multi-purpose venues - the design brief was to create a lighting console that’s intuitive to operate, offers minimum operator fatigue and the fastest, most cost-efficient creation of lightshows.

The D4 builds on the success of Avolites’ Diamond 3 console, incorporating many of the D3’s popular features and addresses the whole spectrum of production situations. For those with more time - and possibly with a designer away from the console - the D4’s newly designed programming panel allows entry and selection of fixtures and palettes by number, whilst the electronic palette gives entry by legend. These entry systems can be m

PCM/Pfaff-silberblau Ltd will launch two important new winch products at PLASA 2001 - the Tau Winch, specifically designed for flying people and aerial performance, and the Delta Winch - for the fast, efficient accurate scenery moving.

With the increasing popularity of aerial theatre and performance, PCM has designed and developed The Tau electric winch - the first winch to be designed and manufactured specifically for this specialist task. It features a host of inherent safety features, including a double brake system - one on the load, one on the motor, double limit switches, encoder feedback for accurate positioning and monitoring of over-speed and electronic overload protection.

The Delta winch is a quiet, very safe, accurate and durable device for flying scenery and set pieces in all performance situations. The near silent operation makes the delta winch ideal for operas and cla

California-based manufacturer American DJ has introduced the Light Saver, a competitively-priced two-channel lighting controller that reduces wear and tear on special effects fixtures, extending their working life. Designed to control two special effects units, for example Vertigo or Avenger units from American DJ, the Light Saver is equipped with an adjustable timer. At specified intervals, the timer will automatically shut off one of the two fixtures and start up the other. Then, when an equal amount of time has elapsed, it will switch back to the first fixture. By running special effects in on/off cycles, as opposed to continuous operation, the Light Saver conserves the units’ lamps and motors. This, in turn, will make each fixture last longer and prevent ‘outages’ that can occur from lamp burnout or motor failure, say the company.

"The Light Saver is a very

At PLASA 2001, Geni Electronics plans to launch a host of new products, including the OBY 5 575W moving head. This value for money fixture boasts powerful features including smooth and silent movement 570-degree pan and 270-degree tilt, two separate wheels with 11-dichroic colours plus white, 9+1 fixed gobos and 6+1 revolving gobos, allocated in two gobo wheels, various special effect lenses such as revolving three-facet prism, 10,000K and 6500K temperature correction filter, 3200K temperature correction filter, 1-7 flashes per second strobe, 0-100% mechanical dimmer, IRIS linear adjustment and automatic focus.

Geni is also launching the BURST 2X/4X - a 360-degree barrel scan effect with die-cast aluminum case. The first 360-degree full-barrel effect, the Burst-2X/4X generates spinning, flipping 14 colored images in all directions. The DMX controlled fixture can utilize HSD200 / MSD200

Moiré and Goboram II are the two latest products from Wybron Inc designed to help lighting designers create new moving effects with gobos. Moiré is Wybron’s first dual gobo rotator, enabling the user to rotate and change two B-sized glass or metal gobos. Controlled by a simple toggle switch, the two gobos are operated independently and can be rotated together, in opposite directions or with one static and the other moving. The user can control the speed of each gobo remotely simply by connecting Moiré to a light dimmer. Goboram II is a combined gobo changer, indexer and rotator in one, giving designers the ability to change and rotate up to three gobos, all in a single unit. Automatic, Goboram II can be programmed with show cues, as with Wybron’s colour changers. Just like its predecessor, Goboram II’s fast and smooth transitions between gobos allow the user to make

As an easily accessible point of reference for lighting designers and dealers alike, DHA Lighting has produced a poster featuring the 100 most popular gobo designs. As the original UK gobo manufacturer, DHA draws upon its 30 years of experience to design products that set industry standards, including over 1000 metal and 30 glass gobos, as well as providing an unmatched, high quality service.

Available in various sizes and designs, DHA's high quality gobos texture light, evoke a sense of place, project an image or create moods with these versatile tools. Standard gobos are precision etched onto stainless steel to fit most mainstream lanterns including the DHA Gecko, profile spots and moving lights. A range of complementary monochrome and dichroic glass gobo designs hold more intricate images allowing the projection of fine detail. The catalogue of gobo designs and the option of a same

Italian loudspeaker manufacturer Outline will be showing the Soundtracker - the first horn loaded ceiling tile sound system - at PLASA 2001. The Soundtracker has been designed specifically for discos and dance venues where high SPL is required but noise pollution is a problem. Other uses can be in Hotels or Airports etc, where control is needed on dispersion.

Also on show from Outline will be the Kangaru. First shown last year as a prototype, now revised and powered by Class D PWM amplifiers, the Kangaru now comes complete with removable wheelboard, transport covers and all cables and stands required to make the system work out of the box - the first truly 'plug and play’ system. A full 2kW system that can be transported in a Ford Fiesta!

Stonewood Audio Ltd is launching three new products to complement its existing Professional Intercom Range. Firstly, the Stonewood Audio SA-WBP1 is a multi-channel full duplex wireless belt pack (pictured). Features include frequencies programmable via PC, 16 selectable channels, fully EMC and ETS 300-422 approved, channel spacing 12.5kHz or 25kHz, and powered by four AA alkaline batteries to give better than eight hours use.

Secondly, Stonewood now offers a Professional Intercom System for Off Shore/Marine use, where system reliability under extreme conditions is a necessity. This product has been engineered so that all switches, level controls, connectors and the cases are to IP67 ratings, allowing the belt pack to be submersed in water. To complement the SA-OSBP1 two more products rated to IP66 are now available which are a full duplex loudspeaker outstation and a loudspeaker statio

Gemini has added several new lighting effects to its comprehensive catalogue. These include the Shooter multi-coloured centerpiece, which incorporates a rotating shutter effect that is sound activated. The 115V package includes a 120v/300W (64514) bulb, while the 230V option has a 230V/300W (64516) bulb.

Also new is the PB-6PAK 6" police-style beacon which features a reflector that revolves around a BL6-25W bulb, to create the kind of lighting effect that is more usually accompanied by the sound of sirens. Finally, comes the Phazer multi-coloured simulated laser light - an effect that is sound-activated and produces a total of 16 different patterns. The Phazer is supplied with a 24V/250W (EVC) bulb with a 300 hour lamp life.

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