USA - The Pro FS 15R from Elation Professional is a high-output, medium-throw followspot with efficient Platinum source that projects "an exceptionally flat field beam with no hotspot". Useful wherever manual control of an intense lighting beam is required, and ideal for shows and venues of all sizes, it features a sharp 6-10 degree beam that projects effectively up to 150'.

An efficient optical system with anti-reflection lenses combine with a Philips MSD Platinum 15R lamp to produce 13,500 lumens of cool white 8000°K light (6010 Lux @ 20m). The ultra-efficient lamp runs at a max power consumption of only 320 watts and lasts much longer than a traditional discharge lamp. No adjustment or cleaning of the reflector or lamp is required.

The Pro FS 15R comes with seven interchangeable dichroic colours that reproduce perfectly with a variable CTB/CTO filter that allo

UK - Roland Systems Group (R-B12) will be bringing professional audio and video together at PLASA Focus (Leeds, 29-30 April 2014), providing total solutions for live performance as well as professional audio and video production. With a focus on newly launched products for live mixing, switching, recording and web streaming, Roland will exhibit the VR-3EX AV Mixer, the M-480 and M-200i Digital Mixing Consoles, the VR-50HD High Definition AV Mixer, V-800HD Live Video Switcher and S-2416 Digital Snake at the show.

Now available with a five-year warranty, the Roland M-480 48 Channel Digital Console offers an enhanced level of flexible audio processing with superb sound quality, powerful functions, expandability options and intuitive operation. With 48 mixing channels plus 6 stereo returns for a total of 60 channels, six built-in stereo (dual-mono) multi-effects and twelve graphic E

Australia - LSC has introduced a new intelligent dimming and power distribution unit, the GenVI Advanced Dimming System. GenVI is the sixth generation of dimmers to be manufactured by LSC since it first started making lighting products over 34 years ago. "GenVI has to be considered 'best in class' as it is more than a humble dimmer," says LSC. "GenVI is instead really a one-product solution for today's complex lighting and power control."

Equally at home in the lighting, sound and video markets, for portable or permanent installation, the new GenVI Advanced Dimming System allows any of its outputs to be configured as an 8 bit or 16 bit dimmer or alternatively as a direct power relay channel. This TruPower technology, introduced to the market by LSC over 5 years ago, enables the user to set some channels on the GenVI to dim traditional lamps and others to powe

Germany - European LED specialist RGGLED from Lithuania enjoyed a busy and productive time at the 2014 Prolight+Sound in Frankfurt where they exhibited their newest products.

Highlighted on the booth were RGGLED's range of standard LED screens, their new LED Soft Screen and their hard-wearing LED Video Floor.

Based in Lithuania, which is where all the product design and manufacturing takes place, RGGLED offers nearly 20 years' experience in this specialist market, and its products have become widely used throughout Europe and known for their rugged build and quality engineering.

RGGLED's standard LED Screen is available in a number of pitches including P-10, P-12, P-16 and P-24, but it was their new P-6 high definition and high brightness product that was turning heads at Frankfurt. This is an indoor / outdoor screen that is ideal for rental, staging and sporting application

UK - Allen & Heath has released a new firmware update for its Qu Series of compact digital mixers. Downloadable from the website, v1.4 introduces several new features, including multiple access user permissions, Windows drivers for multitrack streaming, per scene recall filters and FX user libraries.

V1.4 includes the much anticipated Windows drivers, enabling bit-perfect, ASIO and WDM compliant multitrack playback and recording.

New user permissions enable three types of user - admin, standard and basic - with different levels of access, for example, for volunteers operators in houses of worship, or guest engineers visiting venues. The Admin user has access to all functions and can protect selected functions and allocate passwords if required for the other users.

Other new additions include per Scene Recall Filters, FX User Libraries, RTA Peak Band indication, and Qu-Drive

Sweden - W-DMX by Wireless Solution Sweden AB is now coming OEM installed in the new W-DIM4 and W-DIMm3 by RC4 Wireless.

The next-generation W-DIM4 and W-DIMm3 wireless dimmers are the latest dimmers from RC4 Wireless, maker of award-winning low-voltage dimmers, for use with Wireless Solution W-DMX systems. The W-DIM4 is a four-channel wireless DMX receiver with four dimmers integrated into one small device. The W-DIMm3 is a wireless DMX receiver and three dimmers housed in a miniature device measuring only 80mm x 40mm x 20mm.

The W-DIMm3 is a miniature wireless DMX receiver and three-channel DC dimmer for use with Wireless Solution W-DMX transmitters. Its small size (80mm x 40mm x 20mm) is ideal for use in props, practicals and costumes. A comprehensive RDM implementation is accessible when RDM functionality is enabled in the host W-DMX system.

Each dimmer channel handles u

UK - The next generation of System reality from d&b audiotechnik has arrived from Stuttgart; there's simply no substitute for getting close up and familiar with these new arrivals at PLASA Focus, Leeds 29-30 April, held once again at The Royal Armouries.

First up on the who's who list of must-haves for all d&b users is Venue Editor in the d&b ArrayCalc simulation software. Responding to feedback, the new software update allows users to create virtual venues with astonishing accuracy: every curve and little nuance of a space can be reproduced along balconies or obstacles that need to be considered.

Leeds is the first public outing in the UK for the eagerly anticipated D80 amplifier. In conjunction with ArrayCalc and the latest version or R1 Remote control software V2, the D80 represents the culmination of a long development programme. A slimmer visual appearance belies the incr

Switzerland - Phoenix has released a new update for its Phoenix4 software with extended hardware support, major improvements and many new features.

Phoenix4 Showcontroller is a solution for professional control of lasers, lighting and special effects. The versions Phoenix LIVE (for live laser operation, Laser Jockey) and Phoenix PRO (for professional time line synchronous shows) have been updated to version 4.2 - a major update, that adds support for new hardware, like the MicroNET network laser control interface, and several new features.

There were also some improvements in terms of output quality and compatibility for the existing USB Interfaces, especially MicroUSB V2. As many customers requested extended support for SMPTE timecode synchronisation (important for large scale multi-media shows), Phoenix added optimised support for Motu MicroExpress interfaces (or similar). P

Germany - Ayrton delighted visitors to Prolight+Sound with the launch of several major new products: NandoBeamS6 and Ayrton's new range of lighting fixtures, the Radical Series (R Series).

NandoBeamS6, the Big Brother of the NandoBeamS3, received its official launch at the show. Twice as powerful as its little brother, NandoBeam S6 is a compact, ultra-fast moving head. Equipped with 37 RGBW LED emitters, NandoBeam S6 shares the S3's same lightweight optical system and ultra-fast 5:1 zoom.

Designed primarily for use on concert stages, events and in television production, NandoBeam S6 exhibits quick, dynamic movement along with Ayrton's fabulous colour palette and a powerful 8° to 40° beam spread.

Ayrton's new Radical Series has been developed to maximise the potential of each product, without compromise, to deliver the best performance possible. Taking its name and in

USA - Elation Professional's powerful Emulation DMX lighting control software has been updated with new features and software updates that make programming easier, more effective and more intuitive. Among the new features included in the new Emulation Pro are a Pixel Mapper engine, Timeline Editor, and user-friendly Command Line interface.

Emulation PRO is powerful DMX control software that runs on iOS (MAC), Windows or Linux operating system computers. Designed to control medium to large lighting installations in architectural and live-entertainment situations, it outputs control using Elation's ART SSC and ART IO solid-state hardware control interfaces and is capable of running up to 20 DMX universes.

It supports external trigger devices like UDP, Art-Net, OSC, RS232 and works with Midi Time Code, Smpte Time Code and DMX-in. Emulation Pro software is available for download w

UK - Orbital Sound will be showcasing its world-class portfolio of sound and communication systems on Stand No: RD14-15 at PLASA Focus, taking place at The Royal Armouries in Leeds, from 29-30 April. Among the "firsts" on show for 2014 will be Flare Audio's new SM15 Stage Monitor and X5 Vertical Point Source Array system, part of the company's innovative range of loudspeaker designs based on Waveform Integrity.

As a long-standing d&b audiotechnik UK Sales and Installation Partner, Orbital is spotlighting the new high-power high-density D80 amplifier, designed for both mobile and installation applications. Also on show will be other examples from the innovative Black & White product series, which include the T-Series small line array, the B4 Passive cardioid subwoofer, and a wide cross-section of solutions for professional touring and fixed installations.

Other innova

UK - The 5 Star Group will be exhibiting at PLASA Focus again this year showing a selection of its current products including flightcases and other solutions for the safe and convenient transportation of all types of equipment.

This year 5 Star will highlight its recently introduced Pro-Tect bags and covers.

Pro-Tect offers a range of standard and bespoke padded bags and covers. The products are manufactured in a separate new production unit based alongside 5 Star's existing case manufacturing plant in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.

Pro-Tect products are tough, hard-wearing and practical as well as a complement to the vast range of case and trunk products offered by the 5 Star Group.

Also showcased at the exhibition will be a selection of examples of custom built flight cases, featuring the updated Industrial Rack range, a new general-purpose storage system utilising a number of

Germany - Laserworld recently launched their new BeamNET series. Unlike previous show laser lights, the BeamNET are pure effect solutions without beam deflection, but as extra strong single beam units. Two models with single beam output and three bar-style models with 10 parallel beams each are available.

The BeamNET units are designed as easy-to-use solutions to provide additional effects to stages and big shows, without the need of complex control and setup: All BeamNET systems can easily be triggered through DMX/Artnet and allow easy control of every single laser source. The BeamNET Series can be integrated to an existing light show with every kind of common light desks.

As the BeamNET addresses professional applications, the power supply was standardised - and all units get powered through a PoE switch. This means only one LAN cable transports power and control signal. No

Italy - Now that Clay Paky has successfully lit the first Codega Award Ceremony (held in Venice last October), the Italian company's lighting systems are setting the scene for LedLab, a solid state lighting laboratory promoted by Assodel. The Codega Award is an international prize given to lighting professionals who have distinguished themselves for LED lighting projects and solutions

In cooperation with the Italian Lighting Designers Network, Clay Paky makes the Ventura Lambrate district shine during Milan Design Week (from 8 to 13 April at Milan Lambrate) with a series of temporary lighting installations. The NaturaLED lighting itinerary aims to guide visitors through a true lighting experience (LED experience) involving variations in light intensity and colour.

This partnership between Clay Paky and Assodel is part of a wide-ranging series of events devoted to solid state l

Germany - The Pulsar speaker series, remarkably popular since its late 2013 release, has been extended with a compact variant called PL 110 FA. It is loaded with a 10" woofer.

Like its larger siblings, the PL 112 FA and PL 115 FA, this enclosures also houses a 1,000-watt, bi-amped power system that delivers 650 watts to the woofer and 350 watts to the tweeter. An intelligent multi-band limiter tames spiking bass signals to ensure the audio image remains stable even at high volumes. This unit also features four combinable filter settings that voice the speaker array's frequency response to suit the given application.

Deployed as a stand-alone solution, the PL 110 FA is an designed for all live situations where the natural sound of the human voice and acoustic instruments are to be rendered in high-definition audio. Various 2.1, half-stack and full-stack systems may be conf

UK - BSc (Hons) Lighting and Live Event Technology students from the University of South Wales have showcased their best work at the successful Innovation Expo 2014 event, held at the Wales Millennium Centre. The two-day event, held on Tuesday and Wednesday 1-2 April, saw 27 students present nine different products to industry employers.

Each group were tasked with developing and building a product prototype and creating their business model before marketing their product to potential buyers. This was a six-month process in their final year of study where students took their existing skills and interests and then sought out new knowledge and techniques to enable them to realise their products.

Rob Locke, award leader for Live Event Technology BSc(Hons), said: "This is what makes our students stand out - the ability to learn new techniques and to deliver creative technical

USA - Following the extremely successful HedgeHog 4 launch at LDI 2013, High End Systems has further broadened its Hog 4 family with the addition of the HedgeHog 4N. This version adds the ability for the popular compact platform to network with other all other Hog 4 consoles and peripherals and will make it a perfect backup or dimmer city console.

Along with the RackHog 4, which was launched at Pro Light and Sound 2014, HedgeHog 4N will be shipping in Q2.

"We listened to our existing Hog customer base and HedgeHog 4N delivers exactly what they want," says Chris Ferrante, director of product management, "a compact console which can be moved easily, with the additional power of HogNet."

(Jim Evans)

UK - The PLASA Focus: Leeds show (29-30 April, Leeds, UK) will see the UK and IE launch of the brand new and exclusive range of Infinity moving heads. There are seven products in the range - five are LED units and two are lamped units.

All the fixtures have a built in Gravity sensor, making it easy to use the menu in any position, all units have a built in battery allowing for setting up of your fixture without mains power, all units are fixed with Neutrik powercon connectors and also three pole and five-pole XLRs and all units are equipped with quick lock brackets, which can be mounted in any position.

There are three new LED RGBW wash fixtures: the iW-715 (7 x 15W RGBW 4-in-1 LEDs), which has manual zoom from 7° to 50°; the iW-720 (7 x 20W RGBW 4-in 1 LEDs), with electronic zoom from 7° to 50°, with four section control on the LEDs; and finally the iW-915 (19

UK - Panasonic is set to launch a Full-HD, three-chip DLPTM projector to complement the award winning PT-DZ21K series.

The PT-DZ16K has been specifically designed to reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for customers seeking a reliable, high brightness and low-maintenance product.

The projector features low power consumption and has a long lamp replacement cycle of up to 3,000 hours and an up to 12,000 hours maintenance free eco filter.

Tom Gibson, marketing manager of Panasonic, said, "With a highly efficient optical design using four lamps, liquid cooling system and a relay mode for 24/7 operation, the PT-DZ16K projectors are ideal for events and use over an extended period, such as in permanent large venue installations.

"The compact projectors offer built-in edge blending and colour matching function as well as multi-unit brightness control for projections on

Germany - ArKaos PRO reports that it is "extremely happy" with the exposure it received at the recent Prolight+Sound, Frankfurt. "The number and quality of the visitors to the stand was excellent and we couldn't have asked for a better reception of our new products," says ArKaos PRO's Toon Servaes.

ArKaos PRO presented two new products at the show: LEDMasterpper and MediaMaster 4.0.

LEDMasterpper is an all-in-one solution that delivers professional LED show control in three easy steps. "Simply map, programme and playback," says ArKaos.

LEDMaster uses the ArKaos KlingNet protocol which adds a layer of 'intelligence' to any LED device. Through Kling-Net, the device's resolution and pixel format is sent to the LEDMaster which is then able to read and change parameters.

A new Live Pattern Generator provides hard-edged visuals based on the mapping

UK - SSL Live UK agent, HD Pro Audio, has two upcoming events where engineers can get to see and understand the new SSL Live console, with experienced advice on hand. The first is a demo session at the dBs Live venue in Plymouth on 23 April. Places are limited, so anyone interested in attending should contact HD Pro Audio's Andy Huffer or TomTurner on 01784 433687 or e-mail info@hdproaudio.co.uk

HD Pro is also exhibiting the SSL Live at PLASA Focus in Leeds on 29-30 April. The SSL console will take centre stage on the HD Pro stand, NA-26.

Andy Huffer comments, "The Live may be the first ever SSL live sound console, but it carries all of that SSL DNA and delivers something special. The Live presents a truly superb user interface that can work the way you work today and introduces a collection of powerful new features that could change the way you work tomorrow. It has proc

UK - At this year's show, Highlite UK will unveil an era of new products from there Dap Audio range of products.

The first is the introduction of the CX range of amplifiers. This range adds affordable and reliable amplifiers to the catalogue. They are available in five outputs varying from two 150W @ 8 ohms to two 1250W @ 8 ohms and feature various safety mechanisms, Fixed clip limiter, Overheat protect, Overload protect, DC voltage & soft start to guarantee a long user life. The connections are comprised of XLR inputs (with interconnection function) and Speakon outputs. Due to the small 256 mm depth of the amplifiers (except for the CX-3000), they can also be installed in rooms with limited space.

Second is the new exclusive M range of active bi-amped monitor wedge speakers for stage solution for optimal monitoring. A compact, light-weight and innovative designed cabinet, com

UK - For both a wealth of industry knowledge, and a comprehensive portfolio of audio solutions, RW Salt are a company you cannot afford to miss at PLASA Focus. The audio division of the Midwich Group is renowned as being a leading force in the industry and this year they are joined on their stand by two brands who represent the breadth of their portfolio - Revolabs and Traction Sound.

Revolabs will be showcasing their range of collaborative office solutions, with Brighton-based speaker manufacturer Traction Sound displaying why they are one of the UK's premier entertainment audio specialists.

On the RW Salt stand will be general manager John Nibloe, plus audio product manager Alison Charters, who will be happy to discuss any aspect of the RW Salt offering. With a product portfolio consisting of 45 brands, RW Salt deliver industry-leading technical support along with unsurpassa

UK - Having been launched in Frankfurt just over a month ago, Yamaha's new QL series digital mixing consoles make their UK trade show debut at PLASA Focus, being held on 29-30 April at the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds.

PLASA Focus will be the first opportunity for many UK sound engineers to get 'hands on' with the QL consoles, which are already shipping and have been used on their first shows in Europe.

"We were really pleased with the phenomenal interest shown in the QL series at ProLight+Sound and are looking forward to giving more sound engineers the hands-on opportunity at PLASA Focus to appreciate why we call it 'The Quintessential Compact'," says Karl Christmas, sales & marketing manager, Yamaha Commercial Audio (UK & ROI).

Yamaha is exhibiting on stand N-B27, where Karl and other key Yamaha staff will be on hand to guide visitors through the features of the

Latest Issue. . .