Belgium - Le Maitre reports that its new world patented Stadium Hazer was well received at the recent ACF show in Brussels, where it was shown by Dirk de Graeve from the newly-formed Dees of Brussels.

The ACF show is held every second year on the site of the old Worlds Fair and is dominated by the Atomium - a huge, vaulted and well-lit space. After only a few minutes' operation, the Stadium Hazer was able to give the struggling show lighting maximum exposure, much to the delight of the exhibitors. Le Maitre's Rick Wilson explains: "The results were truly spectacular - we created a fine haze without the 'foggy' effect that one would associate with smoke machines."

Le Maitre also reports that several hire companies have ordered the Stadium Hazer, together with the new Dry Icer Pro, which when coupled with the Speedfogger Pro, was able to carpet the area in white clouds

USA - Chauvet has launched a new gobo effect unit, the DJ Squeeze. The four-channel DMX-512 fixture comes with 14 gobos plus open: four glass, eight monochromatic, one bi-colour and one quad-coloured. The unit allows patterns to seemingly inflate and deflate, bringing movement to dancefloor effects. Other effects include strobing, rotation, gobo bounce and blackout. Image sharpness is adjusted with manual focus control. Built-in stand alone programs are beat-activated and the fixture is programmable via any universal DMX controller. DJ Squeeze is cooled by an internal fan and automatically enters stand-alone mode when the DMX signal is lost. Other features include micro-stepping motors for smoother movements, a thermal switch and a 250W lamp (ELC3 24V), Switchable between 110V or 230V.

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

UK - Wavicle Ltd has been appointed by Opalec of California as approved UK distributor of its NewBeam LED retrofit kit for the Mini Maglite AA flashlight. Wavicle is now welcoming enquiries from genuine retailers, seeking wholesale prices for this innovative product. A dealer application form will shortly be available for download from the Wavicle website.

The Opalec Newbeam retrofit kit consists of a three-LED module, a black light guard (to replace the reflector) and a new front 'lens' and is designed to replace the standard bulb in a Mini Maglite AA flashlight. Installation of the NewBeam more than doubles the battery life, raising it to around 15 hour's continuous use. The unit is current regulated to provide constant, non-fading light output until the batteries are virtually exhausted, at which point a fourth, red LED illuminates to warn of low battery status.

The light e

UK - The latest CCS 800 Ultro analogue discussion system from Bosch Security Systems features built-in digital acoustic feedback suppression to ensure there is no annoying acoustic howl in conferences or discussions. Conference units such as the CCS 800 Ultro incorporate a microphone and a loudspeaker so there is always the possibility of feedback depending on volume levels etc. The new digital feedback suppression facility instantly suppresses any feedback interference right at the point of generation and prevents it from being fed into the system. As it is fully automatic, it acts much faster than any operator using a control unit.

According to Bosch, it's like having a skilled sound engineer permanently built into the unit. None of the participants will notice the sound adjustments - they simply benefit from howl-free sound whether speaking in a soft or a loud voice, with the

UK - At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Philips has launched its first full range of flat screen TVs to include NXT's patented SurfaceSound technology. The new Matchline range includes 32", 37" and 42" LCD and 50" plasma FlatTV models, all with built in NXT Distributed Mode Loudspeakers (DML). Disguised into the frame of the FlatTV models, the DML panels dispense with the need for speaker grilles and help Philips realise a design that matches consumers' increasingly high demand for products that blend in with designed environments.

The high definition television units also feature Philips' Ambilight technology, an advanced lighting system that provides emotive environment lighting and enhanced picture quality, and PixelPlus 2 technology, which creates sharper, more detailed pictures with a greater impression of depth, say Philips.

Commen

UK - Mission Pro is launching the briefcase-sized TecSonic portable PA system with product shipping during the second half of January. TecSonic is aimed at on-the-road executives and salespeople, corporate and educational presenters, or anyone looking for a high-quality portable PA solution.

Hotels, sports centres, schools and colleges can also benefit by providing multi-use rooms with PA, without the need for an expensive installed system and, for AV rental companies, the opportunity to offer an simple to use, cost effective package. The TecSonic package is a groundbreaking lightweight system that combines a specially designed full-range panel loudspeaker with an efficient mixer-amplifier. It features all necessary accessories for providing a sound reinforcement solution for PA presentation and background music applications. For easy and safe portability, the complete system is

USA - GAMproducts Inc has introduced the new Inno-Four 575W followspot, which uses the ellipsoidal optics and zoom focus mechanism of the ETC Source Four. The fixture is mounted on a ball bearing swivel yoke for smooth operation, and can be truss- or stand-mounted. It offers many automatic accessories such as a colour changer and dowser which, as an option, can be controlled from the followspot or from a light board.

The Inno-Four features balanced smooth and tilt operation and high intensity performance with only a 575W HMI lamp, whose light output is superior to that of 2500W HMI followspots for medium-throw applications. The lightweight 8lb ballast is completely silent and features instant hot restart with no audible starting noise, even at very close range, say GAM. It is also compact and lightweight, making it suitable for tight places such as a truss location and for trou

USA - Color Kinetics Incorporated (CKI) and City Theatrical Inc are collaborating to deliver a full line of versatile accessories for use with CKI's award-winning line of professional LED-based lighting systems. The accessories are designed to enhance the flexibility of the systems and expand creative options for lighting designers by providing greater control of light dispersion and effects.

The first release of accessories is designed for use with CKI's ColorBlast, ColorBurst, and ColorBlaze units. Standard accessories include accessory holders, top hats, half-top hats, spread lenses, egg crate louvres and barndoors. Recognizing the wide-ranging needs of lighting designers and consultants, the collaboration also accommodates the need for custom accessories, say City Theatrical.

Bill Sims, president and COO of Color Kinetics, says: "We're pleased to work with City Theat

UK - Digital media server and content specialist Projected Image Digital has announced two new products from D-Tek Industries for which it has exclusive distribution rights - the D-Switch and the D-Switch Pro. Both products are designed to aid the growing creative convergence between visual production mediums such as lighting and video, and both were previewed at PLASA.

Projected Image Digital's David March comments: "We're excited to be working with D-Tek Industries and products that are at the forefront of visual production and creativity. The industry is currently moving very fast, and these are the first of a whole series of related products."

The D-Switch, a DMX-controlled 4:1 video switch unit, is the first in a series of new products from D-Tek, developed to give lighting designers the power and flexibility to control the video elements of their show. The D-Sw

USA - American DJ has introduced a series of affordable Par Can Combo Kits, featuring complete Par can set-ups and available in three models - Par 46 Combo, Par 56 Combo and Par 64 Combo. Each Par Can combo kit contains a Par can, lamp, gel frame, four colour gels (red, blue, green, yellow), a clamp and a safety cable. The kits are ideal for bands, mobile entertainers, theatrical and stage productions, recital halls and places of worship, say American DJ.

"Our new Par Can Combo Kits offer the ultimate ease and convenience for stage lighting users," says Scott Davies, general manager of the American DJ Group of companies. "Each one comes as a ready-to-use turnkey package - all you have to do is plug it in."

(Lee Baldock)

Switzerland - At the forthcoming Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) exhibition in Geneva (3-5 February), AV systems specialist Electrosonic is showcasing new processing and media networks display solutions for use in command and control, and corporate communications applications.

The company's 'Visionetwork' is a new range of command and control technologies already in use in IT, utility and process control applications. The first product to be introduced is VN-2400, a network display processor that combines RGB, video and network application sources onto a videowall at low cost. Also being demonstrated will be VN-Commander, an easy-to-use graphical user interface; and the newly launched VN-Glimpse hardware agent, which is an RGB streaming encoder via ethernet.

Electrosonic Director advances the state of play of AV/IT integration by integrating audio, RGB, video, touch-panel cont

Denmark - Martin Architectural has introduced a 'long barrel' version of its popular outdoor CMY colour changer, providing more flexibility as a response to market requests for narrower beam options.

The Exterior 200 Long Barrel's greater length allows for narrower beam options for longer light throw, while maintaining a high intensity beam, say Martin. Two different options are available: 22° field angle (using Fresnel lens) and a 12° field angle (using the PC lens, which replaces the front glass). It is also possible to mount a beam-shaper glass to the underside of the PC lens, which provides an asymmetric beam shape of 14° x 69°. The new options mean that field angle possibilities for the Exterior 200 now range from 12° to 70° flood, with six different steps to choose from.

The Long Barrel's narrow angle options are also useful for illuminating columns and other narro

USA - Pro audio manufacturer Audient's ASP231 has come out on top in a "GEQ Shootout". Hardened audio enthusiasts gathered together towards the end of last year to determine which was the best 1/3rd octave equalizer for use with monitor wedges, and a day of gruelling tests ensued . . .

A total of 32 graphic EQs were put through their paces but the ASP231 captured the attention of the entire panel, which described it as "very smooth and clean" and rated it as a top contender in a 'most gain before feedback with minimal EQ' test, performed with a mic and a wedge monitor.

The competition was the brainchild of Michael 'Bink' Knowles and Michael Allen, who were instrumental in coordinating the day, which drew the attention of the entire community of sound engineers and technicians that regularly visit the Live Audio Board (LAB) on the popular www.live-audio.com

Germany - Pro lighting manufacturer GLP, based in Karlsbad, will be presenting its latest range of products at the forthcoming international trade fairs in Rimini and Frankfurt this spring.

At the SIB exhibition in Rimini, Italy (13-16 March) GLP will be exhibiting on stand 075-086 in Hall A1, where the new Startube 4 will be having its world premiere. This will be followed by its introduction to the German market at the ProLight+Sound exhibition in Frankfurt 31 March - 3 April) where the company can be found on stand B16A in Hall 9.0.

(Lee Baldock)

UK - MTR's PS-4 passive 4-way splitter has receives an upgrade in the form of the PS-4V, which sees two volume controls added, operating on channels one and four. The PS-4 will be familiar to many hundreds of school pupils in the music keyboard classroom and the computer classroom, as well as in home and project studios for headphone monitoring, and this improvement means they no longer have to listen at their neighbour's volume. MTR say the PS-4V is available now, and the regular PS-4 continues in production.

(Lee Baldock)

UK - Rycote's new Modular Windshield brings some subtle developments to the classic, proven zeppelin shape and cavity structure of the microphone windshield. The redesigned bayonet cap is not only easy and quick to locate but also reassuringly tactile in locking, say Rycote, while in addition to the usual rear-cap loading, users can also twist off the front cap, either for access to the microphone or to add an extension section for longer shotguns. Everything rotates into position with perfect alignment and noise or ringing is avoided with the use of diamond netting and resilient Hytrel mouldings.

Rycote's wide range of Modular Suspensions fit onto a new asymmetric filler strip and these - or the Sennheiser MZS-20/1, which is also compatible - glide smoothly over strong self-aligning structural joints and onto locating rails that accurately position the microphone. The Modular W

USA - QSC Audio's new AcousticDesign AD-S52 is a full-range, surface-mount loudspeaker with contemporary styling aimed at applications including hotels, restaurants, convention facilities and multimedia environments. The AD-S52's low frequency driver is magnetically shielded, making allowing for use near video monitors. Available in black or white, the weather-resistant enclosures can also be painted to match any specific decor.

The AD-S52 is a high output, 2-way design incorporating a 5.25" weatherproof LF transducer and a 1" neodymium tweeter, and has the added benefit of built-in dynamic power protection - ensuring system reliability in the event of overload conditions. The AD-S52T models are equipped with a 70V/100V matching transformer for distributed audio systems. There is a transformer tap switch on the rear panel for setting the power level of the loudspeaker:

UK - MEDC Ltd, the manufacturer of the Next Two range of loudspeakers for voice alarm and background music applications, will be launching a new BS5839 part 8 compliant range of loudspeakers at Firex South 2004. The SUB 200 and 500 range of music quality cabinet loudspeakers now have an option that makes them BS5839 part 8 compliant. This range has proved popular with installers and specifiers due to the easy-fit slide and swivel bracket and the quality of sound reproduction.

This range complements and further strengthens the Next Two range of BS5839, part 8 compliant loudspeakers which have been widely adopted for a number of prestigious projects worldwide including airports, hotels, commercial complexes and retail centres.

The Next Two range will be on show at Firex South 2004, Sandown Exhibition Centre, 23 - 24 March 2004 on Stand F10.

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

UK - Smart Sound Direct has announced the availability of Galaxy Audio's new trio of Check Mate meters, ideal for monitoring SPLs and to ensure that, wherever possible, they're not exceeded. The CM-130 has a dynamic range of 30dB and frequency range of 125Hz-8KHz, while those of the CM-140 and CM-150 are 50dB and 31.5Hz-8KHz respectively. All are fitted with an electret condenser microphone and are battery operated.

The top-of-the-line CM-150 also comes with an AC adaptor and RS-232 interface. The latter feature allows current SPL readings to be monitored, plus logging of SPL events over a period of time, with the information stored on a computer for future reference. The meters are ideal for councils, sound engineers, bands, DJs, club owners, theatres, schools and houses of worship, say the company.

(Lee Baldock)

Germany - The Ultragraph Pro - a 31-band stereo graphic equalizer with patent pending FBQ Feedback Detection System, is now available. Its powerful set of features makes it a perfect choice for studio use. The FBQ feedback detection system instantly reveals critical frequencies and can also be used as an audio analyzer.

Its dedicated mono subwoofer output with adjustable crossover frequency is a feature rarely found in this segment, say Behringer. Additional sweepable high and low cut filters for each channel remove unwanted frequencies such as floor rumble and tape hiss, while an accurate 12-digit LED output metering and input gain control provide for easy level setting. Ultra low-noise audio operational amplifiers are used throughout, offering outstanding sound performance. A relay-controlled hard-bypass with an auto-bypass function saves the day in the event of a power failu

Denmark - Martin Professional has introduced the new Wireless DMX-512 and Wireless DMX-512 Pro Diversity which, it says, are the easiest way to connect remote fixtures to your DMX system within line of sight. Both devices offer a fast and easy way of connecting and setting up a lighting system, especially where remote or hard to reach fixtures are involved, as no cables or expensive downtime is required. The Wireless DMX-512 and Wireless DMX-512 Pro Diversity mean that fixtures need only sit within range of the transmitter box.

The Wireless DMX-512 is designed for architectural, installation and smaller event applications. It has a range of up to 200m (650ft), can be set up via a PC and PC-based controllers such as the Martin LightJockey and can be configured as either a transmitter or receiver.

The Wireless DMX-512 Pro Diversity is a 19" rack-mount version aimed at stage

UK - Strict environmental health regulations are placing increasing pressure on all entertainment venues to limit the amount of noise that escapes from their premises. With music being the prime source of this nuisance noise, leading audio equipment manufacturer Formula Sound has launched a simple and effective solution which removes the risk of the music being cut off and the entertainment interrupted.

The company's new AT-1 intelligent controller has been specially developed to work with the company's existing Sentry Mk2 noise control unit and provide a complete, integrated solution. Used on its own, the Sentry Mk2 creates an effective method of shutting down an audio system by isolating the mains supply when the volume exceeds a preset threshold. The AT-1 links between an audio system's mixer and amplifier, and monitors SPL readings from the Sentry Mk2. As the volume approac

The Netherlands / Germany - Sound Projects will introduce its new line-array concept LineX at the Frankfurt ProLight&Sound show (31 March - 4 April). Building on the company's Sigma series of symmetrical true line-arrays, LineX features an eight-driver, horn-loaded design into a compact and lightweight cabinet. According to the manufacturer, the LineX's three-way configuration provides one of the highest full-range output to size ratio physically possible.

Use of specialized carbon-fibre composites together with calculated bracing and inner reinforcement structures, results in higher stiffness and yet a 30% lighter enclosure than a conventional wooden cabinet, say Sound Projects, adding that no less than 12 handles can be integrated within the housing, improving the handling of the system.

Sound Projects has developed the patented HF Wave-shape-transformer - a device which pro

Germany - IMG Stage Line has extended its successful series of STA amplifiers for stage and entertainment applications. This spring, the company reports that its new STA-121 amplifier, offering a powerful 300W from a 1U box and weighing 7.2kg, will come onto the market.

The STA-121 operates silently, say the company, due to its fanless cooling design. In addition to a power of 2 x 110W rms at 4 Ohms, the amplifier presents two level controls and four switchable line inputs which also recommend this amplifier for studio applications! Two unbalanced 6.3mm outputs, a speaker terminal L/R, LEDs for overload and protect and of course protective circuits against short circuit and overheating complete the concept.

(Lee Baldock)

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