Spain - Amate Audio has enhanced and extended its premium performance Xcellence series of point source professional speaker cabinets, providing dedicated concert sound and club sound versions of models in the range.

The Xcellence series now comprises discrete concert sound and club sound ranges - branded Xcellence Touring and Xcellence Disco respectively; with models designated by a T or D suffix. The Xcellence Touring models are all self-powered with onboard DSP and network control features, while Xcellence Disco models are passive, featuring new "club orientated" styling and water repellent finish (for poolside installations in the Mediterranean, middle eastern and Asian markets), with standard black and grey colour scheme (custom colours schemes on request).

As well as the introduction of brand new models featuring revolutionary new drivers, the entire series ha

The Netherlands - With immersive audio and audio over IP (AoIP) set to be key talking points at ISE 2016, visitors to the Merging Technologies Stand 7-C160 will have an opportunity to experience a solution that "signals the future of audio in fixed installations".

This solution combines Merging Technologies' newly released Ovation 6 with Genelec's pre-production RAVENNA/AES67 powered 4420 model, in an 18 speaker array which delivers an unparalleled, high quality immersive experience.

"Immersive audio and AoIP are the spotlight and interest is really picking up amongst systems integrators, comments Chris Hollebone, sales and marketing manager of Merging Technologies. "For that reason we've created an installation that demonstrates how these two trends can combine in a powerful, captivating way. We're delighted to partner with Genelec on this, their reputat

Denmark - Pascal, the Danish based OEM manufacturer of high-power amplifier modules for the professional audio industry, has been awarded its third B°rsen Gazelle Award.

The prestigious industry honour is bestowed by leading Danish daily newspaper B°rsen on Danish companies that have generated continuous growth in turnover or gross profit over the last four years, and more than doubled their turnover or gross profit in that period. Pascal has now received the award for three years in a row.

On achieving the Gazelle award for third year running, CEO Lars Fenger comments, "This is the result of 10 years of really hard work, so I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Pascal team, as well as our customers who we work diligently to help grow, and who in turn help us to grow."

(Jim Evans)

Poland - Cadac's Polish distributor, Tommex, has installed a CDC six console in the Miejskie Centrum Kultury (MCK) in P?onsk, as part of the modernization of the town's cultural centre. This is the latest in a clutch of initial sales of Cadac's medium format live sound console across Europe, which has seen consoles ship to customers in Benelux, Denmark, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK. Consoles have also been sold and shipped to several Asian territories, including China.

The Tommex installation - the first in Poland - is in Miejskie Centrum Kultury's Kalejdoskop Cinema, a multipurpose hall. The MCK facility also features workshops, offices, a recording studio, conference room, dance studio and gallery. The CDC six and two MegaCOMMS connected CDC I/O 3216 stageboxes were chosen by the MCK P?onsk in a tender, providing a system configuration that met the venue's objectiv

UK - Next-generation wysiwyg R36 lighting design and previsualization software from CAST, is now shipping. After a user interface makeover, extensive beta testing and customer feedback, R36 is now available with many new features and enhancements.

In addition to the list of features previously released for beta testing, CAST has just added a couple of enhancements including support for 4K resolution and 4K image export in Shaded View for big picture thinking.

The Shaded View feature now exports image views of up to 4,096 by 4,096 pixels ensuring previsualization looks great on the big screen as well as in real life!

wysiwyg R36 has increased compatibility with the latest Sketchup 3D modelling software SDK and associated file formats. Users can import drawings directly from Sketchup into wysiwyg, and textures, layers, surfaces and object groupings are now preserved as they

UK - Cloud is shipping its new MK4 versions of the Industry Standard Z8 and Z4 Venue Zone Mixer.

The Z-Series of Venue Zone Mixer from Cloud Electronics, first introduced to the market in 2005, is established as a reliable solution for multi-zone audio applications in hospitality, leisure, retail and commercial markets. The Z-Series offers simple, intuitive control for end-users and straight forward installation for system integrators but with flexibility to provide independent zone source/volume selection per zone, paging per zone and independent remote input options per zone, all from a reliable, tried and tested analogue design.

The new MK4 versions have been developed directly as a result of listening to existing installers and system integrators and adding features to improve this already popular model. Whilst the familiar front-panel remains almost untouched, the back-

Europe - LED technology not only turned the industry on its head, it also created new complications in power-control system design. ETC has developed the ColorSource ThruPower cabinet for 230V lighting systems with this concept in mind. ColorSource ThruPower gives customers a relay and dimmer on every one of the cabinet's 12 or 24 circuits.

Changing settings from switched to dimmed power, or vice versa, can be done locally with the cabinet's user-friendly interface, while remote configurations are possible with integrated Remote Device Management (RDM) functionality. Customers can also expand the cabinet's capabilities by adding DIN-rail accessories - such as Ethernet, Echo Control Stations or Mosaic Show Controllers - for added system functionality.

ColorSource ThruPower is a solution for transitioning lighting systems between tungsten and LED on a daily or weekly basis. &q

Switzerland - Swiss manufacturer Schertler has announced the release of JAM, the third member of its "next generation" acoustic amplifier series. Representing an evolution of the company's best-selling JAM 150 amplifier, this new 5-channel "all-rounder" offers greater flexibility in both live performance and studio situations. The amp combines a comprehensive feature set with the updated technology and enhanced "look" that is characteristic of all the models in this series.

Equipped with a 1" dome tweeter and 8" woofer, and featuring an optimized 2-way bass reflex construction, JAM offers 200W (150W + 50W) of bi-amplified power. The amplifier includes a balanced microphone (XLR) input, an unbalanced mic/instrument input and an input offering both balanced microphone and unbalanced mic/instrument options. Both instrument inputs feature a B

The Netherlands - Analog Way is exhibiting at ISE 2016 in February and will present the new VIO 4K, a premium multi-format converter, along with the NeXtage 08, the latest premium seamless switcher added to the LiveCore series. Also showcased on the booth will be the new firmware version for the Vertige remote controller that brings new features.

VIO 4K is a powerful multi-format converter offering the latest generation of digital connectivity. Natively equipped with seven inputs, VIO 4K enables the conversion of a multitude of signals including: Dual-link DVI, DisplayPort, HDMI, 6G-SDI Optical, and universal analogue, into an impressive array of output signal formats up to 4K 30Hz. VIO 4K was designed to provide optimum versatility; it includes three slots for optional I/O modules, two for video processing with capacity to handle formats up to 4K 60Hz 4:4:4 and one for audio p

UK / Netherlands - Cloud Electronics has announced additions to the recently launched CS-C in-ceiling speaker series, and will unveil three new speaker models at ISE 2016 for contracting audio installations in retail, hospitality, commercial and leisure.

The new premium speaker models include the CS-C3, a 3" full-range in-ceiling speaker, the CS-S3, a 3" full-range surface speaker and the CS-SSUB8 a versatile 8" passive surface subwoofer, a companion for the surface and ceiling models. All speakers adopt an architectural aesthetic, are available in black or white and feature ZeroEdge grilles which makes them suitable for most environments including restaurants, hotels, leisure centres, houses of worship and retail stores.

Having already introduced a 5, 6 and 8-inch in-ceiling speaker range with the CS-C Series in 2015, the new full-range CS-C3 3" ceiling

The Netherlands - tvONE is launching CORIOmaster and CORIOmaster mini 4K input & output modules and a new AV over IP module at ISE in Amsterdam (stand 1-M60). It will also be revealing a completely new innovation - details are as yet undisclosed.

CORIOmaster and CORIOmaster mini video wall processors offer anything in, anything out capability fully covering 4K. With the new 4K and AV over IP modules, the processors can accept IP streams up to 1080p, 4K file playback via USB3.0 and 4K still images - all on one card, in one slot.

Also new at ISE is the tvONE 1T-MV-8474 4K Multiviewer, the latest product in its range of 4K enabled products. The Multiviewer can display up to four video windows simultaneously via sixteen different fixed layouts, which can be recalled to present content in a variety of combinations. This could vary from a straight forward Quad split, Picture-In-Pi

The Netherlands - Being launched at ISE 2016 will be Baldwin Boxall's latest microphone which features a clear, seven inch, capacitive touchscreen display. Using the same sleek profile as the BVRD and BDM microphone ranges Baldwin Boxall's new touchscreen microphone will be compatible with established VIGIL2 systems, providing users with the option to swap out current microphones, should they wish to do so.

The new touchscreen microphone is easy to use and enables total control of a VIGIL2 voice evacuation system. In the event of a fire, or other evacuation emergency, the new microphone has the ability to take top priority, enabling the operator to take full control of the situation.

During the commissioning stage of an installation, it will be a straightforward procedure to set up the microphone for any size of system. The layout and display (like Baldwin Boxall's already p

Italy - With the release of the latest version of Armonía Pro Audio Suite 2.7.0, Powersoft's proprietary digital signage monitoring and processing software, the company has unleashed further major features and DSP power in its continually evolving roadmap.

The update, now available for download, includes the new speaker preset v2 (.spk2) file format; this file can be copied directly onto X Series amplifiers with a USB stick, to be recalled later on desired channels via the WebApp interface.

X Series and Ottocanali DSP+D amplifiers are now able to act as totally configurable Dante sources, with the option to stream out eight processed or unprocessed signals. Standalone analogue to Dante converters are therefore no longer necessary in complex installations, and direct monitoring of the DSP processing can be easily achieved in third party measurement software such as Smaart v7

The Netherlands - Ampetronic will launch its new D Series, Digital Signal Processing (DSP), networkable driver range, at ISE Amsterdam in February 2016.

The D Series range will initially consist of 10 and 14 Amp dual output drivers. At a maximum of 14 amps per loop output the D14-2 driver is the most powerful product currently available and both drivers in the D Series are class D products; meaning a 60%+ increase in energy efficiency over existing solutions and unparalleled flexibility come as standard, says the company.

In another first for high-power Class D Induction Loop drivers, installation can be performed with confidence as unique multi stage filtering ensures compatibility with other system equipment as well as global EMC regulations.

Commissioning a system becomes more streamlined with the new D Series drivers; test tones are built in and the amplifiers can be

UK - FBT UK has announced the launch of the JTS US-36G2, a replacement for three previous JTS systems - the US-901, US-9001 and US-1000 series.

The US-36G2 is a second generation, true diversity wireless system based on the hugely successful US-901 system with completely revised circuitry and facilities to provide users with an affordable 36MHz professional grade wireless experience.

Offering 1441 selectable channels and six preset groups each of up to 23 channels, with autoscan, the new system comes as three units - the US-36G2 single channel true diversity receiver, the Mh-36G2 mic transmitter and an optional, newly designed, robust beltpack transmitter, the PT-36BG2.

Operating on the licensed Channel 38 in the UK, the US-36G2 offers a range of 200-480m operation with "crystal clear sound and the renowned JTS reliability in the field".

(Jim Evans)

Europe - Yamaha is constantly developing new innovations. The latest is the SWP1 series of advanced, plug-and-play network switches designed specifically for installed and live sound networking, with simple DIP switch Dante optimisation and a comprehensive graphic interface, via a Windows application.

Yamaha has two decades' experience of manufacturing networking equipment and has been leading the audio industry for much of that time. Starting with the CL consoles in 2012, almost all of Yamaha's digital professional audio products are now based on Dante networking. While Dante offers a huge increase in quality, scalability and redundancy for audio systems, when they grow complex IT equipment is needed to connect them together.

The SWP1 series is the first range of network switches designed and produced solely and specifically for the professional audio industry. Offering a c

USA - Distributor TransAudio Group is launching a new line at Winter NAMM in Anaheim later this month. Subwoofer Pros will provide subwoofers with best-in-class bass response and functionality for mission-critical recording and mixing environments, says the company.

Subwoofer Pros' first two products, Studio 12 and Studio 18 use a 400W integrated amplifier to deliver precise linear performance down to 8Hz at SPLs of 105dB and 113dB, respectively. A comprehensive set of inputs, outputs, and bass management protocols allow both subs to optimally integrate with an enormous range of existing professional monitoring setups.

"Because no other company was building subwoofers with the performance and feature set needed in high-end music and film control rooms, we approached a leading expert in subwoofer technology - Bag End Modular Sound - to see if we could fill that gap,"

The Netherlands - Yamaha Music Europe GmbH will be exhibiting on stand 3-A90 at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2016, where a number of innovative new products will be on show from the ever-expanding Commercial Installation Solutions (CIS) range.

Taking place at the Amsterdam RAI from 9-12 February, Yamaha is once again using ISE's high profile platform to demonstrate the many advantages of its CIS products to existing and future customers.

Leading the way in new products is the SWP1 series, the first range of network switches designed and produced specifically for the professional audio industry. Offering a comprehensive set of Ethernet features, the SWP1 series has very straightforward, plug-and-play operation. Flipping a single DIP switch allows an optimised Dante setup to be instantly recalled, making the switches ideal for audio engineers who have no expertise in IP net

Germany - The B22 is a multipurpose omnidirectional subwoofer from d&b audiotechnik. The B22-SUB houses two 18" neodymium drivers in an efficient bandpass horn design producing high Sound Pressure Levels and an extended frequency response.

The B2 is well known and loved around the world thanks to the signature sonic performance and after over twenty years of service, it's time for an update. Intended for ground stacked applications, the omnidirectional B22-SUB promises increased performance, a modern appearance and improved internal cabinet bracing.

The B22-SUB is the largest d&b omnidirectional subwoofer, but when used in multiples of three and in CSA mode (Cardioid Subwoofer Array), they exhibit impressive rejection towards the rear. To increase flexibility, the B22-SUB can also be operated in INFRA mode, which extends the frequency response to supplement other d&b su

The Netherlands - Avolites will be at on stand 8-K330 at ISE to launch its powered up new range of Ai R Series media servers and preview the feature-rich new Titan V10 software.

The company's redesigned, bespoke booth will feature a 'Media Integration Focus' area where visitors can get hands on with the latest in integrated lighting and video.

A highlight of the stand will be the new Ai R Series - Avolites' most powerful Ai servers yet, utilising a 6 Core i7 processor running at 3.5Ghz with 16Gb of fast RAM, solid state drives throughout, 1.2TB of Media Storage and benefits from up to 25% increased performance from the AMD W7100 due to twice as much GDDR5 memory and a significant increase in Bus speeds.

"We've packed the very best technology into the Ai R Series so we can be sure it satisfies even the most demanding of applications," says Avolites MD, Steve Warr

Japan - Pioneer Pro Audio has introduced the XPRS Series of high-powered active speakers. "The compact, portable, wooden enclosure XPRS Series combines Pioneer Pro Audio sound engineering heritage with the reliable, energy efficient power of Powersoft amps - to give you a versatile plug-and-play system that fills the room with a natural sound," the company says.

The Series comprises the XPRS15 and XPRS12 two-way full-range speakers, and the XPRS215S dual 15" subwoofer. All three have 15mm birch plywood enclosures for "a dynamic sound that works across all musical genres", say Pioneer. The XPRS15/12 have a 15/12" ferrite LF driver, a 1.75" titanium diaphragm compression driver and Pioneer Pro Audio's 'AFAST technology' which, the company says, delivers "a clear, clean sound with a deep bass range". Also featured are four EQ modes with

The Netherlands - At this year's Integrated Systems Europe in Amsterdam, Fohhn Audio AG (Hall 7, Stand 7-D177) will present the company's latest developments in digital technology and system integration, along with new design opportunities for Fohhn line source loudspeakers.

With a focus on audio network compatibility driving development during 2016, Fohhn will be showing the current models in its award-winning Linea Focus series with Beam Steering capabilities, which are equipped for networking via an Optocore fibre solution. A new 16-channel Dante to AES/EBU interface will also be previewed at the show.

In readiness for achieving future compatibility with all digital audio networks, the company has also announced that, going forward, all its active loudspeaker systems, amplifiers and controllers will be equipped with digital transformer-balanced AES/EBU inputs (AES-3 stand

The Netherlands - Sennheiser will be participating at this year's ISE, taking place from February 9-12 in Amsterdam. The audio specialist will be launching its new wireless conferencing solution, TeamConnect Wireless. One of two new additions to the TeamConnect family, TeamConnect Wireless delivers "excellent sound quality and unmatched ease of use in a portable system for up to 24 participants".

Sennheiser will also be launching TeamConnect Ceiling, an innovative ceiling mounted array microphone for fixed installations. Visitors to the Sennheiser booth (Hall 2, booth Nr. A45) can also experience the wide range of professional products for business communications and conferences, including its newly upgraded SpeechLine Digital Wireless microphone solutions, and Speakerphone series.

ISE 2016 sees Sennheiser start the year with some compelling new additions to its al

The Netherlands - Panasonic is set to showcase a new 1-Chip DLP SOLID SHINE laser phosphor projector, aimed at the education market, at next month's ISE2016.

Utilising the latest DLP module for WUXGA resolution and a new-generation of solid-state laser diodes, the PT-RZ570 has a four-segment Quartet Colour Harmoniser colour wheel that reduces energy loss from the light source, boosting perceived brightness and improving colour accuracy.

"The PT-RZ570 is a compact projector pitched at achieving an ideal price-to-performance ratio," said Panasonic projector marketing manager Hartmut Kulessa. "It balances 5,200 lumen brightness, brilliant picture quality, marathon 20,000-hour maintenance-free operation, and practical features which make it ideal for use in mid-size lecture rooms of about 50-student capacity."

The projector is equipped with DIGITAL LINK, w

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