Sound

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>Behringer unveiled 13 new products. These included three new 31-band equalizers - the Ultragraph digital DEQ1024, Ultragraph pro FBQ6200 and Ultragraph pro FBQ3102 - and a 15-band stereo-graphic equalizer, the Ultragraph pro FBQ1502. For DJs, there was the VMX1000 - a 7-channel, 19" DJ mixer and a new desktop DJ effects machine - the Tweakalizer. On the speaker side, the company launched the MS16 - a new compact stereo speaker system, and also extended its line of professional reference studio monitors with the launch of three new active and passive models - the Truth B2030A, Truth B2030P, and Truth B2031P.

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>The Denon stand featured the DNS-3000, a new, cut-down version of its DNS-5000 table top CD player. A motor-driven 'active platter' provides the turntable 'feel' for scratching and cueing CDs. The D4000 rackmount CD player was also enjoying its first show outing.

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>Crest showed its new budget console, the HP Eight - a well-featured 32-channel desk with 10 auxes and 8 groups. For the DJ market come two new mixers - the CP6210 and CP6220 - both six input mixers with all rotary controls. The latter model includes three-band EQ, level meters and cross-fader.

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>Despite the issues surrounding the future of Arbiter Pro Audio at the show, it still pulled together an impressive display of new products. Enjoying its UK launch - and winning the PLASA Award for Design Excellence in the Sound category - was AKG's WMS4000 UHF radio microphone system, offering software control and 1200 frequencies in each of six bands. Also showing was a modular upgrade of the Tri-Power and Emotion series microphones, allowing wired mics to be easily turned into wireless versions.

New from JBL Professional was the Precision Directivity PD5212/95 PA cabinet, plus the Dance5, Dance3 and CBT4 dance market loudspeakers, while from dbx came the launch of the AFX224 feedback suppressor and Driverack 260 loudspeaker controller.

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>A discretely-styled wedge, the M12 monitor from Community features a nifty cable management system, with input connector mounted to an indent on the underside, making this passive two-way 300W (continuous) system very attractive for use in TV studios. Also from Community, the Cloud12-66 is a high power ceiling speaker based upon a 12" with 1" coaxial driver, capable of handling 200W continuous. A dual transformer package (70.7V and 100V) and 60° x 60° control pattern makes this a useful solution for installers confronting high ceiling environments.

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>Since its foundation, Link has concentrated on manufacturing and distributing a wide range of cables, connectors and accessories dedicated to this sector. The company has recently introduced two new cables, specifically designed by Eurocable for Yamaha's PM1D system, and a copper interface between the CS1D console and DSP1D unit.

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>On the Bosch stand, Integrus took pride of place; a digital IR transmission-based conferencing system with light and nifty receiver belt-packs, Integrus can operate up to 32 channels, each individually configurable. In addition to a much improved signal-to-noise ratio (<80dB) the big advantage of this digital IR system is its ability to work in adverse conditions, not least broad daylight. Also from Bosch, the less sophisticated Ultro CCS80 system now has an acoustic feedback suppressor for hassle-free set-up on portable conferencing. Bosch also announced that it is licensed to sell the Intellivox system, developed by Duran Audio, and now badged to Bosch.

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>Remixer One and the simpler R1 titles are both applied to XTA's new DJ mixer. A departure for XTA, whose wares are more normally to be found in the realms of live concert, the R1 is a high spec mixer with a comprehensive EQ section that will shame many a rival. The usual toys are there - plug-in DJ effects modules for dynamic filtering, phlanging, crossfader - but it's the features such as balanced inserts which will set this unit apart. This was in prototype form, so expect production models soon.

Also from XTA was the DP6i, the install version of the highly acclaimed and well-known DP226. It has a tamper-proof front panel with just four buttons to access your own programmed presets. All the usual parameters and controls are accessed and set from your PC.

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>There were two new products from Formula Sound - the Q18 foldback mixer system for use in small studios and the AT-1 controller, a noise control device for use in conjunction with the company's Sentry unit for power socket control. Essentially, Sentry will cut power to club/bar audio systems where over-excited DJs feel impelled to exceed agreed noise level limits. AT-1 provides a more sophisticated intercept, taking the Sentry system measurements and controlling the output levels to the PA system.

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>In the market since 1982, Bryant Broadcast was a new exhibitor at PLASA this year, bringing a range of power distribution units, audio/video patch fields, flexible multi-pair audio snake cables, microphone and stage boxes and cable drums to the show. New products included a number of cost-effective 'hybrid' audio/video cables for digital projector systems in boardroom and education applications. Bryant's Bob Hart told L&SI that the company's power units and drums went down a bundle, adding: "If the number of catalogues and CD-ROMs we got through is anything to go by, then visitors were previously lacking in equipment suppliers like Bryant for the nuts and bolts of technical installs!"

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>The new V12HP and V6 installation loudspeakers were being shown by Tannoy. The former is an up-rated version of the V12 dual concentric enclosure, while the V6 - which will be available in November - incorporates a re-engineered 6.5" dual concentric driver. A range of lower-priced bracketry is now also available. For the studio market, the first fruits of the partnership between Tannoy and the TC Group were on show - the Ellipse iDP monitors, featuring integral digital signal processing. For its own part, TC Electronic, launched the EQ Station-8, EQ Station-4, EQ Station-2 and the MotoFader-64. Together with a PC/MAC editor, these products form a high-end equalizer system designed for use in touring monitor and FOH applications, as well as fixed installations in theatres and concert halls. Coming in 2-, 4- and 8-channel configurations, the EQ Stations are all 2U units featuring AD/

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>Two new PA ranges were the focus of the Cerwin Vega stand. Vision is the company's new flagship product, comprising four dedicated enclosures - 1200 and 1400W subs, plus 1200 and 700W mid/highs - along with a 12" coaxial unit which can be used either as a wedge monitor or small PA enclosure. Aimed at the entry/mid-level PA market, ProStax also features five models - two single 15" mid/highs, a dual 15" mid/high, sub and 12" coaxial wedge/PA unit.

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>Rolec Music and Marquee Installations were sharing a stand on the upper deck, with Rolec's VHD-3 video/music playback system for the installation market launched at the show. Available in SVGA, flat and touch-screen versions, the unit schedules and mixes audio, video and colour graphics into a seamless AV program. A pause facility allows DJs to select individual video tracks for mixing into their set. Rolec's other installation-based music management products were on show, including the low-cost PHD1 and the higher-spec'd LHD2 and LHD3.

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>RAT Music Stands showed its new Jazz and Performer stands: the Jazz stands offer a full range of height adjustment from under 40cm to 120cm. The stand has similar stability to a fixed-stand and a full size music tray with pencil shelf. Its patented design means that it can fold away in three moves to a flat pack no larger than the size of the tray (51cm x 38cm x 5cm). The aluminium alloy legs and stem make the stands lightweight but sturdy. The Performer stands, adjustable from 73-133cm, are aimed primarily at the schools market, and are tough, compact for storage and have no detachable knobs.

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>In pride of place on the Autograph Sales stand, Meyer's UPJ-1P enclosure, designed to fill the gap between the UPM-1P and UPA-1P, was given its world launch: "It's the one people have all been asking for," Autograph's Mike Mann asserted, his confidence underlined by four sales being made by 11am on the first day of the show. The Meyer MILO line array and LD-3 line driver was displayed, as were prototypes of Clear-Com's Eclipse digital matrix and CellCom digital wireless intercoms, the latter winning the PLASA Award for Technical Innovation in the Sound category.

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>Cheshire-based pro audio distributor VME Ltd showed new product from German loudspeaker manufacturer Kling & Freitag, including the Line 212-9, a horn-loaded, passive cabinet featuring the company's FLC (frequency-dependent line coupling) technology. Also from K&F is the SW112-SP, a self-powered, compact sub enclosure. Also shown, the Digital Intelli X - a 4-in, 8-out digital crossover/ processor incorporating parametric EQ, delay, matrix, HPF, LPF and output limiters, from Belgian audio processing manufacturer, Apex Audio. VME's Dion Davie told L&SI: "This year was fantastic for us - in the first two days we gave out nearly 2000 K&F catalogues. The new stand space and location downstairs was great - the whole vibe was so good. We just need now to convert the enquiries into orders!"

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>Suppliers of speaker systems to Manumission in Ibiza, HZ International had a new floor monitor, a polycarbonate enclosure based around a dual concentric 10" arrangement. Capable of handling 200W, this neat little monitor is designed to clip together with a second unit for simple, protected transportation. Also from HZ, the Nexus 1500 is a two-channel (750W/ch) power amp that weighs in at just 7.5kg.

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>Although seen here once before on a re-sellers stand, B-52 of America decided to take the bull by the horns this year in the search for a more permanent distributor. The company is widely known in the USA for its range of guitar amps and cabinets, less so for its PA systems. Typical is the Matrix1000 - a 700W self-contained three-way speaker system designed for portable karaoke or DJ'ing. The 15" sub cabinet contains all necessary amplification and electronic crossovers for the two satellite mid/high cabs (containing 10" and 0.75" compression driver on 90° x 40° horn). All that and a five-year guarantee for £750 doesn't sound bad.

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>Lake Technology's Lake Contour DSP processor appears to stand apart from this burgeoning market area by accessing "DSP technology no-one else knows about," according to Bruce Jackson, a live sound engineer of legendary reputation. Based in a 1U rack module, this is a 2-in, 6-out controller that provides precise control of all the usual parameters - crossover, dynamics and delays. The most striking demonstration of how this system differs was in the display of EQ curve, where selected frequencies could be adjusted on the graphics display (as is normal) but the resultant curve/peak/trough created is much tighter and more confined than the more usual 'flared skirt' we see on comparable devices. Carry such precise control through into the realms of setting crossovers, especially for prickly HF areas of line arrays, and the benefits become obvious.

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>Mackie Designs announced its change of name to Loud Technologies during the Show, but whatever you call them, they had plenty of new product on stand. For studio types, Mackie Control is a control interface for software-based recording systems. A development of Emagic's former Logic Control interface, the new unit works with a range of products including ProTools, Logic Audio and Cubase. Alongside were pre-production prototypes of Spike, a two channel USB:audio interface with onboard processing, plus the 626 studio monitors and SRM350 active loudspeakers.

In the company's lower-priced Tapco range, the S5 active studio monitors were complemented by the 6306 six-channel mixer and three Juice series power amplifiers, delivering 800, 1400 and 2500W respectively into 4 ohms bridged.

EAW's Small Line Array Modules were enjoying their first UK outing, while the Avalon series of nightclub l

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>Two new amplifiers were on show from Chevin Research - aimed at both touring and studio applications. The A1004 is a 2 x 1000W into 4ohm amp weighing just 13.3kg, whilst the Q1004 is 4 x 1000W into 4ohms, weighing just 3kg more.

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>Although Midas provided the focus, Shuttlesound did not neglect its other clients. Electro-Voice has a new pole-mounted, self-powered mobile PA system: the Sx A1000 features a 12" and 1"" to horn rated at 200W. The Sb A750 is the powered sub to go with it, a dual voice coil device rated at 750W. EV's Gladiator is a three-way passive system with separate sub designed specifically for modern dance music. Dynacord's Madras system is augmented by the M18 Sub and M15 mid, all self-powered, to form the foundation of larger, pole-mounted type PAs.

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>The Pro 9200 completes the Pro 200 line-up from Peavey. The 9200 is the flagship system, a 2100W into 4 ohm amplifier and despite its high power rating, this 19" rack-mount device is just 12" deep. Peavey showed a pre-production model of its new Nion 6, described as "a big, fast, powerful Media Matrix for everything". To be more specific, this is a floating point, Cobranet-enabled DSP device based on the powerful Shark chip. 32-in, 32-out, grouped in blocks of four, the Nion 6 can be linked as a central system (up to 1000 channels, approx) but has internal scripting for local control so very much a building block device. Also of note, the X Bridge links Cobranet to X Frame 88.

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UK - SJM Consultants, was recently commissioned as the main contractor by Richmond town centre management and Richmond tourist office to provide PA for the Totally London Tour, Great River Race at Richmond. The event took place on Saturday 6 September 2003 and SJM Consultants specified a system consisting of six Bose 802 cabinets, two AKG RM300 hand held radio microphones, two HH V800 amplifiers and controlled by an Audio Developments AD145 16-channel mixing desk. All equipment was hired from Richmond Film Services.

The afternoon entertainment was provided by The Allbeats, a four-piece R&R band who played a selection of covers from 60s bands originally from Richmond such as the Kinks, Small Faces and The Who. The event was a great success

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

  1. Lamba
  2. MC2 Audio
  3. Mission
  4. MTI
  5. Stardraw
  6. Shure Distribution UK
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