USA - Apollo Design Technology has launched new product information resources, including its 2008 product catalogue and a redesigned website. Included in the Volume XIV catalog are over 160 new patterns, the Gel Miser, Gel Wraps, and the MXR.

Apollo's new website includes enriched keywords for easier and more accurate product searches, redesigned product pages with a tab system for easy scanning of more detailed information, and the search result format has been designed to reduce scrolling.

(Jim Evans)

USA - Mackie has entered the lightweight power amplifier category with its new FRS Series - the FRS-1300, FRS-1700, and the FRS-2800. FRS Series amplifiers combine Mackie's Fast Recovery circuitry with a modern switching power supply for exceptional sound and performance in portable applications, says the company.

"In true Mackie fashion, the FRS Series amps combine clean power and performance in a lightweight design," says Mackie product manager, Greg Young. "Fast Recovery means your sound stays clean, even when pushing them to their limits. These amps are perfect for the rig on-the-go, and give you more power for your dollar- so they won't break your back or your wallet."

The FRS Series include a high-resolution, six segment LED meter per channel, defeatable clip limiter, subsonic filter, and on-board protection circuitry (short, under-impedance, over-cur

Germany - Based on a two-in-six topology, the Electro-Voice DC-One is designed primarily for users of small- to medium-sized sound systems in both mobile and installed applications. While the unit is an all-new development based on a powerful SHARC processor, it is 100% compatible with all settings from other Electro-Voice signal processors, including the Dx38, says the company.

Though free PC-Editor software is available, the DC-One can be operated via the front panel. Direct access buttons, six predefined configuration modes (one being free configuration), straightforward output delay settings, and true professional metering all allow for safe operation.

DC-One's 'front-panel-access-control' allows the user to select a personal library of accessible presets (out of 60 factory and 20 user presets). In addition, the user can determine which individual parameters in each preset

UK - Cadac Electronics will be showing its S-Digital audio mixing console at this year's ProLight&Sound in Frankfurt, from 12-16 March, in conjunction with its German distributor, Amptown Sound & Communications (ASC). This will be the first public showing of the console as it moves into production, following a private unveiling to an invited international audience in London, taking place in February.

Designed specifically for theatre and live sound applications, Cadac's S-Digital represents a radical departure from other live sound console designs, by combining the familiar surface architecture, character and functionality of the Cadac J-Type, with the operational and creative benefits of digital audio control, says the company which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary.

(Jim Evans)

Germany - The compact Dynacord D-LITE 1000 system is designed for virtually all mobile audio system users, whether entertainers, mobile disk jockeys, or small- to medium-sized bands, says the company.

With its compact dimensions and a total weight of less than 45kg, the D-LITE 1000 fits comfortably into the boot of a small car. The system, comprised of two Dynacord D 8 satellites and the new active PowerSub 312, brings a combination of high SPL, long throw, and broad, even coverage to the ultra-compact class.

The PowerSub 312's integrated lightweight 800W + 2 x 250W digital power amplifier allows the connection of additional units, such as two D8 satellites and a passive Sub 112 as a bass extension.

(Jim Evans)

USA - Debuting at NAMM 2008, The EVID FM series of flush mount in-wall speaker systems is the next generation of high performance background and foreground installed speaker systems from Electro-Voice.

Comprising the FM6.2 (6" woofer, 6" tuned passive radiator, 1" tweeter) and the FM4.2 (4" woofer, 4" tuned passive radiator, 1" tweeter), the new members of the EVID product family offer "a combination of superb audio quality, sturdy sealed unit construction, and aesthetically pleasing in-wall design".

All components are housed in a shallow, fully-sealed enclosure for consistent performance and sound isolation from adjacent rooms. This low profile design also gives the FM series increased structural integrity: the specially designed ribbed back can eliminate flexing; the transformer is mounted on the back can surface, further enhancing sti

USA - The introduction of the Vue VI by Chauvet aims to take the pain out of centerpiece effects. The 6-channel DMX fixture features LED illumination, built-in automated programs, individual control of red, green, and blue LEDs for each pod, and a wide beam angle.

Equipped with over 250 LEDs distributed by colour into two pods, the Vue VI produces an extremely bright output that is reminiscent of a fireworks explosion, says the company. It incorporates the best of the Vue series and adds pod rotation. Weighing less than 7lb (3.2 kg), it consumes very little power, produces a beam angle of 110°, and has an additional power output.

With DMX control, the Vue VI becomes even more versatile, allowing control over red, green, blue, rotation speed and direction, and strobing. Where DMX control is not available, built-in sound activated programs provide a show that can be synchron

USA - The new Electro-Voice SB2A powered 12-inch subwoofer, introduced at NAMM 2008, eliminates the need for external system processing and amplification, addressing the demand for lightweight high performance portable sound systems, says the company.

Featuring dual 350 watt amplifiers, the SB2A's switchable powered speaker output can drive either an external 8 ohm passive subwoofer or full range loudspeaker.

Typical SB2A-powered system setups include: with a ZX1-90, as a standalone PA that fits in the front seat of your car; in clusters with SX100/300; with a passive SB122, for portable lightweight sub extension to replace bulky 15-inch two-way systems (two 16kg packages vs. one 40kg package); with an additional powered top box (such as the SXA100+).

The SB2A shares the same injection-molded enclosure as EV's popular passive SB122 subwoofer. Both utilise the EVS12S woofer,

Germany - Void Acoustics will be showing its recently-launched Waveform System loudspeakers at this year's Prolight + Sound (Frankfurt, 12 - 15 March).

Alongside the Waveform range, Void Acoustics is spotlighting its Air Series loudspeakers with the Air Motion and Airten systems, together with the Stasys point-source and Arcline line-source high-end touring systems.

Void's loudspeaker designs focus on a combination of sonic and visual impact, with a track record for creating the maximum result with the minimum number of enclosures.

Void is also hosting a one-night extravaganza - The Void Bunker Party - in a central Frankfurt nightspot on Thursday 13 March, giving its Air Series a major workout with a number of high-profile acts.

(Jim Evans)

USA - Having recently crossed its 60th year and more than two decades of producing the Macro-Tech Series of power amplifiers, Crown International is commemorating both milestones with a special, one-time production run of its MA-2402, MA-3600VZ and MA-5002VZ as Anniversary Edition models.

A limited quantity of these amplifiers will be produced - only 600 in total will be available worldwide - each of which will feature a visually striking copper-plated front panel (including handles, knobs, buttons, etc.) and be shipped in a custom wood crate.

The product will also be accompanied by a special brochure chronicling the history of the product from its initial concept through today as well as a specification sheet detailing the actual benchmarked performance of that very amplifier, signed and numbered by Crown senior VP of research Gerald Stanley, whose patented technologie

Canada - The Adamson Metrix Sub, officially introduced at the AES show in October 2007 now comes as standard with a built in pole mount socket for use with Metrix Wave-t's pole mount kit. It is designed for use with one or two of Adamson's 15° Metrix Wave-t enclosures providing 120° horizontal by up to 30° vertical coverage. The pole mount supports three different positions for the bottom Wave enclosure: -5°, -10°, -15° and can be mounted on top of a ground stack of Metrix Subs, or used independently with a stand. The Metrix AIR Rigging system on the Wave enclosure allows three positions; 10°, 13°,and 15°.

The Metrix Sub-t is a compact convertible cardioid sub, boasting two new 15" ND15S Neodymium Kevlar drivers, is flyable within the main array or behind the array using two light weight-t series aluminium rigging frames and a frame link

USA - The XLS Series, Crown's workhorse amplifier line for musicians and DJs, has now been extended with the addition of the new XLS 5000. Delivering 1800 watts per channel in four-ohm stereo mode, and 5000 watts in four-ohm bridge-mono mode, the XLS 5000 packs more than twice the punch of the next highest-powered model in the range, the XLS 802, says the company.

"Providing more watts per dollar than any other amplifier in its class, the XLS 5000 represents a tremendous value to end users who need a big amp without a big price tag," says Andy Flint, Crown vertical market manager, portable PA. "By pairing this amplifier up with JBL's MRX, SRX or VRX loudspeaker enclosures, our customers can now have access to a highly professional yet economical all-Harman solution."

Housed in a 3U, all-steel chassis, the XLS 5000 is equipped with an efficient forced-air fa

UK - Lifting and rigging sales specialists Lift-Turn-Move (LTM) will show a range of their standard products at ProLight &Sound 2008 in Frankfurt in March, including the Lodestar and Prostar electric chain hoists which are being highlighted at the show.

LTM started manufacturing hoist controllers in 2005 and has constructed systems for both Direct and Low Voltage controlled hoists. The past 12 months has seen the range expand from 4 channel to 42 channel units. These are available as movable, flight cased units and as wall mounted systems for permanent installations. LTM can design and construct bespoke control systems to fit a client's exact and specific requirements.

(Jim Evans)

Denmark - An outdoor version of Martin Professional's Cyclo fluorescent colour changing luminaire is now available in the US. Cyclo IP65 provides for dynamic outdoor illumination of facades and structures, with a slim linear design based on RGB and white fluorescent T5 tubes.

Cyclo IP65 can be programmed to generate smooth variations in light and colour, as well as 'daylight' variations in colour temperature from warm white to cool white. Each of the T5 tubes is electronically dimmable from 0-100%.

The Cyclo IP65 US version is available in a 54 W RGB model (Cyclo 03) with DMX interface. The luminaire comes in a UL approved polyester housing with a clear front cover. Luminaires can be surface-mounted or mounted on an adjustable bracket (available as an accessory) that can be tilted through 90°.

Cyclo fittings can be controlled in stand-alone operation or via DMX. For simp

UK - Artistic Licence has announced the launch of its latest DMX lighting tool, DMX-Fix. Artistic say this is a solution to "those occasional nasty compatibility problems - the ones that usually occur when the crew should all be relaxing in the bar!".

DMX-Fix aims to solve compatibility problems arising from products not quite up to speed with the latest advances in DMX512 and RDM (Remote Device Management). DMX-Fix is a combined DMX512 splitter and data filter, which automatically removes any 'clever' information from the data stream, ensuring compatibility with older or out of specification fixtures and dimmers.

The DMX512 input is optically isolated and the product offers five independent DMX512 outputs. The product performs a number of automatic functions, including stripping all non-standard start codes, passing only lighting level data; correcting stop bits, en

UK - Following the success of its S4 Racked 'n' Ready wireless microphone system, Trantec has now applied the same concept to its S5 range. This turnkey approach packs "everything you need into one easily transportable flightcase, combining world-class wireless with the convenience of a system that's always ready to roll".

The system is available in two formats, allowing the user to take advantage of the two price points on offer. The entry level version is the S5.3 which operates up to 12 simultaneous channels in nine banks within an 11MHz window (854-865MHz). Computer monitoring software comes as standard so users benefit from realtime system status. The S5.3 is already being recognised as a versatile performer and is proving particularly popular with semi-pro bands and theatre productions, says Trantec.

The S5.5 system caters for larger projects and can simultaneo

Germany - K.M.E. will introduce additions to its Versio series at ProLight & Sound in Frankfurt.

Versio VSS 15 is a completely digital system unit integrating a 15" subwoofer and three Class D amplifiers (1 x 750W + 2 x 500W) with a digital signal processor 24bit / 48kHz and weighs just 26kg. The analogue input signal is digitalised directly inside the input amplifier using an intelligent 24bit AD converter and remains digital to the Class D amplifiers' output. The new technology avoids conversion losses, increases the utilizing dynamic range and achieves a much better sound quality due to a precise reproduction of the audio signal, says the company.

Versio SD 3 and SD 4 are DSP-controlled active PA systems, while the Versio VL 240 is a small, powerful active 8" + 1" loudspeaker with two digital amplifiers of 200 W RMS bass/mid and 50W RMS power, which can be us

Denmark - Martin Professional's Controller Team has released a series of updates for the Windows-based lighting controller - LightJockey.

An updated version of the LightJockey software is now available that adds new fixture profiles for the MAC 575 Krypton, smartMAC, Exterior 1200 and Exterior 200 LED. Free of charge to all LightJockey users, Version 2.7.8 is available for download from the company's website.

New to LightJockey Manager is LED-Trix, a new LED effects engine for control of LED lights. The LED-Trix plug-in facilitates the programming of colour mixing fixtures, such as LED-based lighting fixtures. But it can do more then just LED lighting fixture control - any RGB, CMY, HSI, RGBAW or single dimmer channel can be controlled by LightJockey LED-Trix.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Artistic Licence has announced the launch of Rail-Flip. Housed in a DIN-Rail enclosure, Rail-Flip can switch four universes of DMX512 between A and B inputs.

The primary purpose of the product is the automatic 'fail-over' switching between two lighting consoles. In automatic mode, the product senses data on its 'A' input. If DMX512 stops on any universe, the 'B' input is selected. Rail-Flip also features detail configuration. This allows, for example, the user to configure how to handle data returning on the 'A' input.

Rail-Flip can also be switched manually which allows it to be used as a source selector between different lighting positions.

The product can be cascaded to increase the number of universes. Status and data indicators show both data activity and switch status. Rail-Flip uses electromechanical relays which ensure that the product will fail safe in a power

UK - The new Square One Splitter from Klark Teknik features a user-friendly, high-performance, Midas XL8-derived pre-amp design, packaged in a 2U, eight channel format.

To increase versatility and provide additional value, a third set of transformer-isolated independent (fixed gain) outputs are provided. The Square One Splitter also has the ability to function as a 1-16 media split.

(Jim Evans)

The Netherlands - Visual Productions' continued focus on supplying lighting control equipment for fixed installations has resulted in a new line of DIN Rail mounted control devices. The first device in this series to be released is the DIN Rail DMX Splitter.

The DIN Rail DMX Splitter provides six DMX ports and is designed with installers and system integrators in mind. The Splitter features a DIN Rail enclosure that allows easy mounting. All connections have detachable screw-connectors for a quick replacement of the unit.

The input port is protected through optical isolation, safe guarding the splitter/booster and its connected equipment against power surges and dangerous ground loops.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Navigator Systems Ltd. experts in rental management software design have released a significant update for their low cost, easy to use, software package, RentalDesk NX, which continues to sell in high volume to audio visual rental companies world-wide.

The software is now 100% Microsoft Vista compatible and has been designed with a new and improved user interface making RentalDesk NX even easier to operate, says the company.

RentalDesk NX is a complete software package and solution to help small to medium sized companies process bookings, schedule and bill equipment rentals. It includes many of the functionalities normally only present in larger packages and is available from a single user to five concurrent users.

As RentalDesk NX gains market dominance, the product is now more affordable than ever, says the company. For less than £200.00 (price of single user sy

UK - Strand Lighting's latest software promises "a completely new look and feel". Command operations are faster, simpler and more intuitive, says the company. Displays are more informative and flexible and the entire operator experience "will change the minute users begin to work with the software".

Users of the original Light Palette V6 and V8 consoles will recognise the heritage of this software with its familiar command line interface.

Version 10 builds on the strengths of Strand's years of experience in lighting control and improves thepower of moving light programming with its Universal Attribute Control.

Features in this release include full command line programming, enhanced colour control including gel manufacturers' colour libraries, Smart touring options with magic update, directive updates and fixture offset.

"We now have partial show lo

The Netherlands - Lumin AG presented its new Multitouch Terminal at this year's Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) in Amsterdam. The Multitouch Terminal is billed as a revolutionary new solution for human-computer interaction. The user controls the device with simple and intuitive movements directly on the screen.

Similar to the Apple iPhone, no keyboard or mouse is needed. The Plug and Play device is now available for purchase and can display presentations in conference rooms or at trade shows. The Lumin Multitouch can also be used to implement intelligent information systems in office building reception areas, museums, or point-of-sale locations. The included standard software allows customers to quickly adapt the device to their own applications.

The Lumin Multitouch standard terminal includes a 42-inch display and an integrated computer. It is operated with simple and intuiti

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