Denmark - The RUSH Club Smoke Dual, Martin Professional's new hybrid smoke and haze machine, is now shipping and available from stock.

First unveiled in April at Prolight+Sound 2015, the new addition to the RUSH by Martin line of atmospheric effects is an innovation based on the Magnum Club Smoke system, installed in prestigious venues all over the world.

The Club Smoke Dual is a multi-head system, which utilizes up to six heads across three zones via DMX or an on-board digital display. This feature of the system allows the user to deploy fog, haze, or a combination of both using a specially formulated fluid. This means that fluid changeover is no longer required for the desired atmospheric effect. The separate base unit, which can be installed in a convenient remote location, contains a 10-liter fluid reservoir, ensuring continuous use throughout busy nights.

"After th

Switzerland - Derived from their successful Horus and Hapi family of RAVENNA-enabled networked audio interfaces, Merging Technologies has taken their expertise into the consumer market with the launch of their high-end audiophile D/A converter, NADAC.

NADAC, the first ever Network Attached Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC), is available in two versions - stereo or 8-channel - NADAC is the first device to bring the power of RAVENNA networking into the home, thus removing traditional limitations to boost performance to levels never yet experienced in a consumer setting.

So why a networked DAC, and why use RAVENNA? Merging's Chris Hollebone explains: "The modern world has become increasingly dependent on networks, both at home and in our professional environments. As network capacities have increased, more and more people are turning to IT networks for carrying both audio

UK - The new Crestron AIR Landscape speakers (LS4T and LS6T) and in-ground subwoofer (IGS82T) offer flexible installation in a range of popular sizes for outdoor applications. Weatherized construction, versatile installation options, and selectable 8 Ohm, 70 Volt, or 100 Volt operation make AIR speakers an iappropriate choice for enjoying music out on the deck, around the campus grounds, or in the garden, says the company.

"These powerful speakers fill the outdoor space and surround you with audiophile sound as if you were indoors, and they blend in with the landscaping so you can't tell where the music is coming from," said Stijn Ooms, Crestron EMEA product manager. "The long stakes and optional tether ensure that the speaker stay exactly where you put them."

The new speakers can be attached to a post or wall, or secured directly into the landscape using t

Spain - D.A.S. has launched the Sound Force series of club systems, designed for today's high-level dance venues where exceptional sound, imposing power and impressive looks are key requisites. The new series presently offers four models comprising mid-high, mid bass, and subwoofer options.

The SF-112 is a powerful mid-high 3-way cabinet which allows for passive or bi-amp operation. The mid-range is handled by the new D.A.S. 12HQ loudspeaker. High frequency reproduction is trusted to the D.A.S. M-75N neodymium compression driver used by D.A.S. on a number of their high-profile systems. Both components are mounted to fibreglass horns with a quality "polished" finish. The ultra-high frequencies are handled by twin "bullet" type tweeters mounted on supports.

The SF-215 is a bass system comprising two DAS 15" loudspeakers in a fourth order bass-reflex conf

UK - Showlogix, a developer of show and media control software for the entertainment market, has announced the release of its newest show and media control software, designed for multi-display shows and interactive attractions in museums, visitor centres and trade shows.

Version 1.5 is a significant step up from the previous version, offering many more features, greater flexibility, higher reliability and overall better performance.

As a multi-display control and presentation system, Showlogix Manager communicates with multiple display computers for control and synchronization. Each of these computers drives up to eight screens, creating a network of numerous displays with frame-accurate playback.

New to this version is the Display Map. Images may be mapped on any display arrangement, with any size, resolution and shape.

For further flexibility, Showlogix enables advanced

UK - Illuminate Design has announced that from 15 May they have become dealers for the GaffGun range of products.

The GaffGun, launched in October 2014 has seen massive sales throughout the USA. Now with GaffTech the company behind it looking to branch out into overseas markets, Illuminate Design has been chosen to help this development.

The GaffGun (patent pending) is billed as "a great advancement in floor tape since gaffer tape was invented". Saving over 90% of the time to lay tape over cables or rope, The GaffGun simplifies your job while saving time, money, and your back. Cables don't even have to be straight-the GaffGun uses a funnelling system to straighten and centre your cables and then lay tape over them.

GaffTech developed the patent-pending CoreLok tape to work in unison with the GaffGun, ensuring a consistent result with every tape run. GaffGun CoreLok

UK - The latest product from the Flare Audio stable - the tiny R2 in-ear headphones - continues the application of the company's technologies, which have already made quite an impact in pro audio. Launched along with a Kickstarter campaign this month (see below), these new in-ears target the high-end consumer market primarily, but there is a top-of-the-range R2PRO version. Milled from a cylinder of grade 5 titanium, these represent the most rigid build and "the highest possible quality of sound" available from the R2 range, say Flare.

I won't go into the details of Flare Audio's Space and Vortex technologies (these have already been covered extensively in LSi here and here), but it is worth repeating the company's central claim - that these technologies enable pure, distortion-f

USA - When Chauvet Professional's Ovation E-190WW won the WFX New Product Technology Award in 2013, the breakthrough LED ellipsoidal was hailed for combining an exceptionally beautiful flat, even field of warm white light with the efficiencies of LED technology. Now those who want a smaller, less powerful LED ellipsoidal can enjoy the same award-winning quality and versatile features provided by the original in a compact fixture that's less than half the size and one-fifth the weight - the Ovation Min-E-10WW.

As its name conveys, the Ovation Min-E-10WW was designed to be a "mini" complement to its acclaimed predecessor. Almost pocket-sized, it measures just 225 x 108 x 232 mm without lens extension, making it an ideal choice anywhere an excellent quality warm white ellipsoidal is needed for small spaces and discreet use - from theatres and churches, to concerts and pro

Germany - Following its presentation of the world's first 1U Recorder with up to 194 input channels, XI-Machines has now announce its official certification from software company Steinberg.

Steinberg's professional audio software Nuendo Live is billed as the ideal complement to the innovative multitrack audio system Recorder.1 from XI-Machines, which allows simultaneous use of up to 390 I/O channels.

Recorder.1 was designed for professional use with MADI or Dante audio networks. Record-ready in 33 seconds, the rugged 19" 1U rack-mounted solution allows 24+ hour recording in EBU-compliant RIFF64 format, is easy to use and features rock solid reliability even under extreme recording conditions.

"We are very pleased about the Recorder.1 certification from Steinberg," says Patrick Strenge, CEO of XI-Machines. "This compact recording unit makes optimal use of

USA - Clear-Com will present its latest communication and connectivity tools at InfoComm 2015.

The FreeSpeak II 1.9GHz roaming wireless solution has already proven to be an exceptional wireless intercom system for large scale productions. It supports up to five separate channels per wireless beltpack, providing more expansive roaming coverage using multiple antennas. When combined with the unrivalled flexibility of the Eclipse-HX Digital Matrix Frame, the result is a wireless intercom system with connections to well over 16 partylines and the flexibility to seamlessly cover difficult buildings and remote zones.

New for InfoComm and in addition to the 1.9GHz products, FreeSpeak II can also operate in the 2.4GHz frequency band with new system components. Even though the new FreeSpeak II 2.4GHz will have a separate yet similar set of beltpacks and transceiver antennas to the 1.9G

UK - Verbatim has launched two lines of LED track lights for impressive accent lighting in retail, museum and gallery venues. The non-dimmable product line - consisting of four different variants - is geared towards customers looking for easy track light installation and operation at low cost. The other line - which is dimmable - features six products delivering greater lumen output, efficacy and lifetime alongside enhanced luminaire housing design features.

Suitable for accent and spotlighting, the LED track light heads provide a white colour temperature ranging from 3000K to 4000K depending on which SKU is chosen. The products come with a range of accessories, including an anti-glare snoot for the dimmable line and a honeycomb louvre for glare reduction in the non-dimmable line.

Available in three power ratings (15W, 28W and 48W), the dimmable range of track lights delivers

UK - Creative Technology (CT) has expanded its inventory of Riedel Communications' pioneering real-time video, audio, data and communications solutions. Engineered to provide exceptional performance and flexibility even in the most demanding environments, the Riedel systems contribute to CT's ability to meet the communications and signal transport requirements of any sports, corporate, exhibition, or entertainment event.

"Our success as a staging services provider is a direct result of our innovative application of the latest technology alongside the very best technical and operational personnel," said Dave Crump, CT CEO for Europe and the Middle East. "We have been using Riedel equipment in the US for some time. This new investment underlines the confidence we have in Riedel equipment and the critical role it plays, in enabling our teams worldwide to provide high

UK - Panasonic has launched a new B2B Partner Portal, to cover more products and make it easier for distributors and resellers to access customer facing information and register new business.

The new web-based service is open to clients across the company's Visual Systems and Communications divisions Europe wide, and will be expanded to other business divisions later this year. Professionals who sign up for the scheme have access to the latest product information, sales news and business incentives, with rewards scaled according to the level of partnership.

The Partner Portal categorises clients between three different partner levels - Registered, Expert or Solutions - depending on the client's level of training and sales volume. This level tailors the content which partners can see, with more exclusive benefits for 'Expert' and 'Solutions' partners.

The Partner Portal featu

UK - d&b audiotechnik introduced three new products at PLASA Focus 2015 at the Royal Armouries in Leeds. The new D20 amplifier, the MAX2 stage monitor and ArrayProcessing, a significant new feature within the d&b ArrayCalc V8 simulation software, made their UK debut in the New Dock Hall.

ArrayProcessing is a new optional feature for optimising the tonal and level balance of d&b J, V and Y-Series line array systems across an entire listening area, significantly improving the consistency of performance. The D20 joins the D80 as part of the four channel 2RU amplifier family. It features intuitive user interfaces and fast, responsive remote control and monitoring via Ethernet, through the OCA protocol. The MAX2 is a flexible 15" stage monitor, which can be pole mounted on a d&b subwoofer and used as a small, full range system.

The Y-Series also made its first appearance at th

USA - d&b audiotechnik will introduce two new and much anticipated installation amplifiers at InfoComm 2015, Orlando. These amplifiers join the d&b family of dedicated installation products and reaffirm the company's focus and commitment to the market.

Roger Keim marketing manager, d&b audiotechnik USA said, "InfoComm is a key event in our calendar and we have good news at the show this year. Based on nearly 35 years experience in developing systems and, more importantly, from the interaction and feedback from our valued customers, our new installation amplifiers have been designed to give d&b performance in a package tailored specifically for installation."

The new amplifiers will be on display at the d&b stand (621) alongside the new Y-Series loudspeakers and D20 amplifier, which was launched at ProLight+Sound in Frankfurt, Germany in April. Visitors will be able t

Germany - ETC is getting ready for its first appearance at Berlin's Stage Set Scenery show, 9-11 June, in Berlin. The company is set to make a big splash, giving Europe its first ever look at ETC Rigging, on stand number 208 in Hall 2.2. ETC will also have a second stand at the show - number 210 in Hall 1.2 - to demo its popular lighting products, giving show visitors a lot of new gear to experience.

Introduced in the US in 2009, ETC Rigging has made a deep impression on the industry, with some of the best quality and most versatile equipment available. ETC designed its rigging family with the user in mind, with dealers able to supply turnkey hardware packages tailored to the customer's unique needs, budget and venue size. ETC Rigging includes innovative controllers and motorized hoists that have sophisticated technical features - such as slack-line detection and live status fee

Germany - This year's Stage Set Scenery will provide the stage for J&C Joel's global project team to unveil a number of new acoustics solutions this June.

J&C Joel, one of the world's leading manufacturers of flame retardant fabrics and flooring for the entertainment and event industries, will also be celebrating its rich textile heritage at the Berlin show.

The theme of J&C Joel's stand - The inspiration behind the performance - will see the company showcase its new brochure, website and rebrand as well as a number of new product innovations. In addition, the company's global project team will be demonstrating products used on some of the company's most high profile projects, including The New York University in Abu Dhabi.

J&C Joel will use the show to present a collection of new products designed to maximise the acoustic properties of any space, including: acoustic

UK - Audient reports that the highly anticipated bus-powered interface, iD14 is now shipping worldwide and available at all Audient dealers.

Launched to much acclaim at this year's MusikMesse in Frankfurt, iD14 offers two channels of Audient's classic console mic pres delivering 10 in/4 out with Burr-Brown AD/DA converters, all in a compact, stylish desktop package.

"The mic pres are exactly the same as those found in our flagship ASP8024 console and throughout the rest of the product range, delivering unbeatable audio quality for the price," says Tom Waterman, Audient's technical director.

One of the few USB audio interfaces in its price range to offer ADAT expandability, iD14 gives the option to add external mic pres - such as the soon to be available ASP800 - which increases the number of inputs by up to 10.

iD14 introduces Audient's revolutionary ScrollContro

Denmark - dnp is launching a range of optical flat screens for use in meeting rooms and smaller classrooms. With a highly attractive size-cost-quality profile, the new screens represent an important step in the evolution of this category, says the company. They meet the users' demands for larger display sizes (100") while remaining affordable for companies, educational institutions and homeowners.

"If the market is clear about one thing, it's that big is truly beautiful when it comes to display technology," states S°ren Kraemmergaard, VP global sales and marketing at dnp. "The problem is that when you take ordinary flat screens over 80" in size, there is a disproportionate price increase."

With its latest offer, dnp is changing this paradigm. Its new optical flat screens are based on optical screen technology, and powered by a laser projector

UK - Tascam has released the VL-S5 active studio monitor speaker. As the successor to Tascam's popular range of studio monitors, this latest monitor is designed for home studios and works seamlessly with audio interfaces such as Tascam's own US-2×2 and US-4×4. Designed to monitor sounds from computer, multi-track recorder or portable music player, this versatile monitor offers high-resolution monitoring for any environment, says the company.

Featuing a high-strength Kevlar 5 ¼-inch low frequency bass unit and a 1-inch silk dome high frequency tweeter, the VL-S5 monitor offers ample power thanks to the powerful bi-amped design. Each driver is driven by its own discrete amplifier, with 30 W available for the tweeter and 40 W for the bass unit. To remove unwanted phase distortion in the critical 1-2 kHz range, where vocals and guitars are most prevalent, the crossover has been s

USA - Dutch audio innovator Alcons Audio will be showing its latest pro-ribbon sound systems at InfoComm 2015, which takes place at the Orange County Convention Centre, Orlando, Florida from 17-19 June.

Alcons is exhibiting on Booth 779, as well as hosting off-site demonstrations during the show of the company's latest audio innovations, based around its patented Pro-Ribbon technology and the ongoing pursuit of audio perfection.

Highlight of the show will be two new pro-ribbon line-array systems, which are making their US trade show debuts.

The LR28 larger-format line-array is the result of five years development, with the last two years dedicated to beta testing for the 'proof of concept'. Together with continued extensive R&D, which has led to another two patents pending in addition to the existing four, user-input from the world's top engineers has produced the LR28's fin

UK - JoeCo has released its latest remote control software update for iPad, JoeCoRemote 3.0 which, along with two new hardware interfaces, JoeCo MultiRemote and JoeCo Bluetooth, offers even more flexibility for remotely controlling 24-channel and 64-channel BlackBox Recorders and Players.

JoeCoRemote 3.0 for iPad, used together with the JoeCo MultiRemote interface, enables up to 4 BlackBox systems to be simultaneously triggered, monitored and controlled using a single iPad. This new technology has been specially developed to meet increasing demands from customers for the remote control of projects involving multiple systems and larger track counts. Using the iPad, users can view input metering on each connected BlackBox and create a real-time monitor mix using expandable channel strips in each of the Monitor windows. Multiple fader groups can be created for easier handling.

A

Belgium / USA - ArKaos PRO will be exhibiting at InfoComm 2015 on the stand of its US distributor AC Lighting Inc (Booth 6171).

ArKaos PRO will present its Kling-Net protocol in conjunction with LEDMaster, its all-in-one solution for easy LED show control. LEDMaster uses Kling-Net to add a layer of intelligence to any LED device by automatically recognising and configuring it to make it ready for mapping. Parameters can be changed at will, visuals imported and live patterns generated. Scenes can be triggered live, automatically, randomly or sequentially. LEDMaster brings sophisticated LED control within the reach of all technical abilities: simply map, programme and playback.

ArKaos PRO will introduce and demonstrate the latest version of its successful professional MediaMaster software which has consistently remained at the forefront of the industry's creative projection and

USA - Lightconverse reports that Live Design has named it among their Products of the Year for 2014-2015.

Chosen and voted for by panels of leading industry experts in the fields of Lighting, projection and sound, Lightconverse 3D Show Platform v56 won Product of the Year in the Lighting Software category.

Awards will be presented to all winners during Live Design's New York Master Classes (NYMC), held from 2-6 June, 2015 at the NYU Tisch School of the Arts and The Gallatin School.

In a continual effort over the years to shrink the gap between virtual and reality, Lightconverse has steadily increased its feature set by delivering a dynamic array of capabilities in one complete platform, offering solutions for visualizing and integrating multiple show disciplines.

(Jim Evans)

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