Coemar are using PLASA 2002 as a platform to launch the new Antari UK on its own dedicated stand. Smoke machine expert Jon Petts has joined the company to head up the initiative - which effectively becomes the Smoke & Effects division of Coemar UK, set up earlier this year by Ian Kirby. Petts believes the Taiwanese technology of Antari will make an immediate impact with the launch of the professional Fogger Fazer X range, aimed at the club and touring markets. This will complement the established Z range - and innovative products like the HZ-400 DMX-controlled professional hazer.
The new, aesthetically-styled X range, which will be on its first public exhibition duty anywhere in the world boasts a number of key features common to all models. These include aluminium casting heater, which offers longer-lasting dispersion and 25% more output; a modular design, providing easy maintenance and cost efficiency; an XMS interface in the form of an exchangeable remote module on all machines - and most importantly, an LCD-illuminated fluid tank, providing easy monitoring of fluid levels - vital in typically dark nightclub and concert situations.
The new products include: Fogger X-510 - equipped with non-clogging in the new 1000W heater system technology, concealed handle and safety ring, DMX controlled. Fogger X-515 - the new heat transfer system with die-cast aluminium 1500W heater, offering thermal protection and fast warm-up, provides high-volume, continuous fog production. Fazer X-310 - includes a built-in LED light, which blinks when the fluid chamber is
Following the success that AVW's motion control system Impressario has enjoyed over the last two years, culminating at this year's ABTT show where it won the Product of the Year award in the Engineering category, AVW is using PLASA to launch Impressario Advance!.
The most obvious change is the new-look silver console, but key changes have also taken place internally, including the use of the latest computer technology in the form of Windows XP. Hardware developments mean that a floppy disc is no longer necessary, now replaced with a CD R/W drive, whilst the Pentium II board had been replaced with a more powerful and faster Pentium IV.
Changes to the software include a new Cue List and Equipment List facility, which enables users to look at all cues/equipment on a single page rather than scrolling through as is currently the case. To provide more relevant information to stage managers, such as axis name and cue data, Impressario Advance! has an improved Print function, plus a new Swap Cue facility. It’s also been developed to allow extended group control, plus a Repertory function which will make the system particularly appropriate to theatres that regularly rotate their shows.
Impressario Advance! will be featured for the first time in the new Madness musical, Our House and at the RNT Cottesloe Theatre.
AVW can be found on Stand N9.
The PLASA Show at Earls Court is brimming with activity as it enters its third day. With increased visitor figures and a frenetic buzz on the show floor, many exhibitors at the show have reported to PLASA Media that the show has been extremely busy.
Monday saw a host of pro audio product introductions. Turbosound introduced a new raft of products, including the TQ-308SP, the latest addition to the Qlight range, plus a brand new range of passive loudspeaker systems, together with the LMS-D4, a new digital loudspeaker controller. New from JBL on the Arbiter stand, the AE (Application Engineered) Series, with 33 initial models in several formats and power ranges, designed for sound contractors. Tannoy introduced its new Ellipse 8, a fully time coherent, 3-way active system, the first in the new Wideband range for reference monitoring applications, plus new ceiling monitors and the new TA Series of power amplifiers ranging from 450 to 1050W into 2 ohms.
On the microphone front, Audio Technica, celebrating its 40th anniversary, continued its tradition of significant product launches at PLASA with three new additions to the Artiste Elite series of pro performance products - the AE100, AE3000 and AE2500 instrument microphones, as well as announcing the signing of an exclusive UK distribution agreement with Sabine, manufacturer of digital signal processors and spread spectrum wireless equipment. On the HW International stand, Shure introduced the KSM141, KSM137 and KSM109 - three new instrument condenser microphones; gave the the European debu
Visitors to the PLASA Show were able to see some of the latest innovations in lighting fixture technology. Across the show floor numerous product launches were rolled out . . .
Vari-Lite (F28) introduced the highest performance luminaires it has ever developed. The company unveiled its 1200W Series 3000 product line featuring the VL3000 Spot luminaire and the equally impressive VL3000 Wash luminaire. ETC (H8) has numerous new products, chief amongst them the Source Four MultiPAR which combines the optics and energy-savings of the acclaimed Source Four PAR (EA) with the functionality of the classic batten. New Zealand-based Selecon (H6) has unveiled three new products - the Pacific MSR Dowser which provides exact dimming of discharge light sources (MSR, MSD, CDM) used in the Pacific fixture; the Finelite II projector - a high resolution, large format, photographic image projector and an upgraded version of the company’s established Arena Theatre Fresnel.
Hard on the heels of the successful MP 700 Zoom, the latest product being shown by Coef (C32) is the new MP 700 Wash - a spot of minimal weight offering a high light output, CMY colour mixing and a comprehensive range of functions. Meanwhile, over at Coe-Tech (K19) visitors had a chance to see the first new lighting fixtures from Robe – the prolific moving light manufacturer from the Czech Republic. The ColorSpot 170 AT and ColorMix 250 AT will both have appeal in a wide range of applications.
James Thomas Engineering (E30) has joined the LED market with the laun
Martin Professional has launched the MX-10 - a high speed 250W scanner with a top quality achromatic lens system. Ideal for use in larger disco and nightclub environments, the MX-10 houses 12 replaceable colours with split colour possibilities, eight rotating gobo patterns, and a rotating, three-facet prism. For added flexibility, the prism, gobos and colours are all replaceable, allowing the MX-10 to be tailored to a wide variety of environments.
Martin Professional can be found on Stand E54/E56.
Responding to popular demand, ETC is bringing extreme dimming within the reach of any budget with the extreme portability and low cost of its new SmartPack dimmer, launched at PLASA 2002. If density and economy are critical but modularity is not required, SmartPack is the answer. ETC has put Sensor-level, thyristor-based technological elegance into a 19", 2U rack-mount unit - without messy wires and no sacrifice in performance, with 6 or 12 channels of dimming density in a highly compact space and maximum density at a competitive rate.
SmartPack’s all-magnetic circuit breakers are 100% rated to avoid nuisance tripping and users can safely plug in more lights, with the assurance of uninterrupted operation and extreme reliability. With built-in presets and a sequencer, SmartPack can run on its own - without a console - automating permanent displays and presentations. The Auto Re-start provides convenient hands-off operation, day after day. The Sequencer makes setting up fade times and hold times easy and intuitive.
Available with either six 15A dimmers or 12 x 10A dimmers, SmartPack is a great addition to an existing system or the foundation of a new equipment package for theatres, clubs, on location TV, ballrooms and road shows! Unlike other dimmers in the ultra-portable category, SmartPack is exceptionally quiet, so there is no interference with acoustics.
Like all ETC portable dimmers, SmartPack is extremely road worthy, the rugged all-steel case olerating extreme vibration up to 8g. For low maintenance, the tough front panel protects circuit breakers from
Following the success that AVW’s motion control system Impressario, culminating at this year’s ABTT show in London where it won the prestigious Product of the Year Award in the Engineering category, AVW has today introduced Impressario Advance! - a new product at PLASA 2002.
The most obvious change is the new-look silver console, but underneath its modern exterior Impressario Advance! makes use of the latest computer technology in the form of Windows XP. Hardware developments mean that a floppy disc is no longer necessary, being replaced with a CD R/W drive, whilst the Pentium II board had been replaced with a more powerful and faster Pentium IV.
Changes to the software include a new Cue List and Equipment List facility, which enables users to look at all cues/equipment on a single page rather than scrolling through as is currently the case. To provide more relevant information to stage managers, such as axis name and cue data, Impressario Advance! has an improved Print function, plus a new Swap Cue facility. Impressario Advance! has been developed to allow extended group control, plus a Repertory function which will make the system particularly appropriate to theatres that regularly rotate their shows.
Impressario Advance! retains all its predecessor’s functions and qualities, including suitability for any motor, a generous 500 programmable cue capacity, advanced cue following facilities, group control and group synchronization of scenery bars, plus a real-time virtual reality simulator. Developed within the space of three months Impressario Advanc
PLASA 2002 marks the international launch of L.U.C.A.S. XT, the latest addition to the highly acclaimed HK Audio active series. Featuring all the trademark performance specifications which have made the HK Audio active series such a huge sales success, from corporate to consumer use, the L.U.C.A.S. XT again offers premium quality, high-detail sound; this time in an even more compact unit size.
Utilising the established L.U.C.A.S. system format of subwoofer plus two satellite cabinets, the XT’s extremely compact design enables it to be placed in locations where available unit space is minimal, yet a powerful, punchy and detailed high-quality sound is required from a non-install sound reinforcement system.
Compact, lightweight and very portable indeed, the simple to operate L.U.C.A.S. XT offers a power amp-driven 250w RMS from its 10" sub driver, with 2 x 60w RMS power amps feeding the 6.5"/1" dome tweeter-equipped satellites. As with the other systems available in the HK Audio active series, the subwoofer cabinet conveniently holds all the power amps, crossover systems, built in multi-band limiters and phase correction, subsonic filters and operational componentry. However, with minimal wiring visible, connection hook-up via the supplied cables and connectors takes place in a matter of seconds, thanks to the L.U.C.A.S. XT’s system-based design concept.And like the other HK Audio active systems, L.U.C.A.S. XT does not have to be run at high volume levels to achieve good sound quality; even at low volumes, specially developed inbuilt compensatory
Dare Pro Audio is launching the RT Series at PLASA 2002. Also showing will be the New Micro Series products, as well as custom laminate metal and natural wood finishes. The POD RT Series is the natural progression from the award-wining Eclipse Series, and incorporates the patented Tractrix horn device, and therefore gives unprecedented levels of audio quality. The series consists of several modules designed with a building block philosophy in mind, consisting of POD-2 Passive, POD-2 Active, POD-2 Passive Wafer, POD-2 Active Wafer, RT-1 Bi Amp, RT-1 Tri Amp, RT-1 Bi Amp Wafer, RT-1 Tri Amp Wafer, RT-1 Single Sub and the RT-1 Twin Sub.
The RT-1 is an Active/Passive 3-way full-range enclosure that is also available in a tri-amped version - RT-1Tri, utilizing the patented POD Mid-Hi device in an unusually powerful one-box format. Custom drive units are used exclusively, comprising: one 15" Neo Spyder bass driver, one 6.5" Aerogell Mid driver, and a V7 1" compression driver, which are each loaded in to the POD Tractrix Mid-Hi advanced composite moulding. The POD-2P is the passive 2-way Mid-Hi-Pod that is also available in a bi-amped version - POD-2A, utilising the patented POD Tractrix Mid-Hi device in an unusually powerful and uniquely styled pod format.
Custom drive units are used exclusively, comprising one 6.5" Aerogell Mid driver, and a V7 1" compression driver, which are each loaded in to the POD Tractrix Mid-Hi Horn. The POD-2 is a dedicated installation version of the RT-1, designed specifically to fit into many types of venue ranging from cl
Hz International will use PLASA to launch its latest amplifier - the DPX15 Lite. This offers 750W per side into 4 ohms and features total short circuit protection with continuous clip limiting, achieved without compression. The amp has two speed fans so that when the going gets tough the amp gets cooler. Its weight has been reduced from 16 kilos to 8.5 kilos and its headroom - thanks to its extremely high damping factor - is almost twice that of the existing DPX1500.
Hz International can be found on J52.
Next week’s PLASA Show will see the launch of the largest collection of new products ever from Milos Structural Systems. Amongst the many launches planned are the QuickTruss M400 and M520 ranges for heavy-duty applications, including folding truss sections and Super-sized MR3 ground-support roof systems to cover areas up to 280sq.m. However, the central launch will be that of the X-Stage platform system. This is a lightweight range of fast assembling deck systems with high loading capacity offering a versatile solution for stage and touring applications.
Representatives from Milos, Milos UK and Milos America will all be at the show to welcome visitors to the stand.
Milos can be found on G45/H60.
Litec will show its new professional truss system designed for very heavy duty use, at PLASA 2002. This new range is designed to meet professional needs when a high loading capacity is required together with wide spans. It is particularly suitable for building large covered structures. The connection systems consist of aluminium or steel forks according to the model. The High Load line expands Litec's range in this demanding professional sector, where materials have to meet special needs and be highly reliable.
Litec can be found on Stand E16.
New Zealand-based Selecon is unveiling three new products at the PLASA Show this year. The first - the Pacific MSR Dowser - provides exact dimming of discharge light sources (MSR, MSD, CDM) used in the Pacific fixture.
MSR/HSR are popular discharge light sources combining high light output with a colour temperature of 5600-6000K. The modular design of the Pacific ensures this light source in combination with the dowser can be used in all of the Pacific range providing new opportunities for the entertainment lighting designer. With a black-out response time of less than 0.5 seconds and a fade duration defined by the control console, the Pacific Dowser provides a fade profile designed to match the response of a dimmed tungsten halogen lamp. Control is via DMX 512 with a choice of 8-bit or 16-bit resolution for long smooth fades.
The second new product is the Finelite II projector. This is a high resolution, large format, photographic image projector with single slide format or 20 image scroller. Utilizing the well known advantages of the Pacific heat management system, the Finelite delivers high quality affordable image projection for stage and presentation applications. Its compact size, ease of set up and focusing, low noise and wide range of light sources (MSR to CDM) combine to provide a cost-effective projection solution.
The third new release is an upgraded version of the company’s established Arena Theatre Fresnel. A favourite, lighting the stages of larger theatres around the world, the Arena Theatre Fresnel and PC have been redesigned to provide even be
The late seventies and early eighties saw the illuminated dance floor as a trend setting addition to many nightclubs and discotheques. Now thanks to the advances in technology which LEDs, modern plastics and aluminium have made, a major new product is to be launched at PLASA 2002.
ChromaDeck, jointly developed by Litestructures and Pulsar, is a hybrid of the industry-standard litedeck stage system and the successful Pulsar ChromaPanel. Controlled by the standard Pulsar controller and compatible with the Litedeck staging system, this new product can be used in either fixed installation or as part of a temporary or touring stage or set. Available either from Litestructures or Pulsar and any of their recognized distributors.
Litestructures can be found on C19 and Pulsar on G46.
Italian manufacturer Clay Paky is showing a number of new products for the first time in the UK at PLASA 2002. Stage Profile Plus SV combines the quality of a professional beam shaper with the versatility of a moving body projector. The patented profile system produces the exclusive ‘Total Curtain’ effect, the ‘Framed Moving Images’, ‘Morphing Effect’, quadrilateral and triangular shapes, and many other extraordinary effects.
CP Color 575 is the latest Clay Paky professional colour changer for exterior use (IP65-rated), with outstanding power and colour quality. It is designed for illuminating facades, monuments, fountains, colonnades and other architectural details. Colorwave 300 is a simple and versatile colour changer designed to enhance commercial environments, as well as entertainment and leisure settings. Finally, V.I.P. 1200 is the only projector specifically designed for long-distance projection of stationary and moving images, writing, logos and advertisements.
Clay Paky has nominated the Stage Profile Plus SV for a PLASA Product Excellence Award. See www.plasa.org/show for details.
Clay Paky can be found on stand G46.
JBL’s new SoundFactor SF25 is a portable two-way speaker system with two 15" low frequency transducers. Intended for live music and music playback/DJ applications, the SF25 reflects the increasing market acceptance of the dual 15" configuration, say JBL. The SF25, they say, is more of a three-way system in that the lower woofer is actually rolled off at a lower frequency than the upper woofer. While this results in a more expensive network, the improvement in mid-range performance makes it worthwhile. The SF25 is especially useful in applications where additional low frequency power is needed, but subwoofers are not practical. The SF25 has a power capacity of 500W (2000W) and maximum SPL of 133dB. SoundFactor's advanced network design for its crossover includes heavy gauge wire inductors for low distortion and SonicGuard high-frequency driver protection. The SF25 is constructed from carpet-covered 3/4" MDF - a material that is, say JBL, structurally and acoustically superior to the particleboard used by many competitive products. All-metal handles and an 18 gauge, full metal grille are also used.
(Lee Baldock)
Artistic Licence is proud to announce the launch of Power-Hub 4. Power-Hub 4 is a four-port ethernet hub which supplies low voltage power via the data connection. This allows Ethernet devices, such as the Artistic Licence’s Net-Lynx, to receive both data and power over the Cat5 cable. The product is designed to support the forthcoming IEEE802.3af 'Power over Ethernet' standard.
Power-Hub 4 is housed in a robust extruded case designed to withstand the rigours of touring. An optional adapter allows simple conversion to truss mounting. All data connections use the latching Neutrik Ethercon connector. The front panel provides a comprehensive range of indicators allowing fast fault analysis in show conditions. Power-Hub 4 is compatible with all 10BaseT ethernet equipment including the Artistic Licence Art-Net range. The Power-Hub 4 is totally self managed with no user controls.
The ethernet power outputs are designed to detect whether the connected equipment is capable of using power over ethernet. Power-Hub 4 is the first powered ethernet hub specifically designed for the rigours of the entertainment technology industry.
Artistic Licence has nominated three products - including the Power-Hub 4 - for PLASA Product Excellence Awards. See www.plasa.org/show for details.
Artistic Licence can be found on stand G24.
PLASA 2002 will see the first European showing of Pioneer's new CDJ-800 product. This brand new addition to Pioneer's Pro DJ range, built around the company's world-renowned Jog Wheel (first seen on its flagship CDJ-1000 model), also benefits from many of the functions that make the CDJ line-up so popular. Roger Sanchez and Smokin' Jo will be performing in Pioneer's live DJ Booth: they will be joined by Seamus Haji - all performing on Sunday 8 September.
Pioneer can be found on Stand D40.
Martin Professional has produced ‘A Guide to Animation Effects’ for the MAC 2000 Performance, designed to illustrate the effects possible from the profile spot’s gobo animation system. Released earlier in the year, the 1200W MAC 2000 Performance’s animation feature has proved instrumental in the fixtures’ popularity among lighting designers. The system offers lighting designers new projection possibilities through the use of animation discs - fire and flames, sky and clouds, waves and water, snow and flurries, and more. The gobo animation wheel system was recently enhanced with the launch of a set of six new animation wheel designs.
The guide explains the theory behind gobo animation and offers tips on how to achieve a wide variety of effects. It explains each animation disk in detail and how it is best used. Further in the guide are some specific examples of effects which can be achieved and the gobos necessary to recreate them. The guide is currently available on the Martin website as a download from the service section www.martin.dk/service and on the website’s MAC 2000 Performance page. It will also be incorporated into each MAC 2000 Performance user manual.
(Lee Baldock)
Lightfactor Sales has chosen the PLASA show to launch several new and innovative products and services. This year Xilver, the Dutch architectural lighting manufacturer, joins Lightfactor’s list of major brands, which also includes Apogee Sound, High End, LDR, LightProcessor, Par-Safe, Morpheus and SGM.
The Xilver Droplet LED moving light is an entirely new concept of an automated luminaire using the latest high power LED technology, is housed in the most expediant design yet seen in entertainment, display and architectural lighting. This curvy, compact luminaire provides full control of beam position, effects and colour selection. The high brightness diode light source offers the ability to create fluent and lightning-fast colour changes.
A new division at Lightfactor - the Cut Colour Company - opened in August and is officially launched at PLASA 2002. The Cut Colour Company is a new one-stop colour-call shop. Colour control media is available from stock in both roll and sheet formats from leading manufacturers including Lee Filters and Rosco and can be cut to size or scroll as required. Lightfactor’s experienced staff ensure a fast, reliable service for the supply of all leading brands of filter in all formats. Gobos, gobo holders, PVC and Gaffer tapes and other essential consumables are also stocked.
LightProcessor will launch the first models in a new range of Dimension Series dimmers. This range is specifically designed to offer a combination of features and performance not normally available at this price level. The D610 six-chann
Martin Professional is showing a number of new products at PLASA this year: the MAC 2000 Wash is a powerful new 1200W MAC Fresnel fixture, with a number of notable features including extremely high light output from an HMI 1200W source, full CMY colour mixing and variable CTC filters, multiple front lens options for various beam spreads, a fully motorized zoom system and more. For increased flexibility, an optional motorized barn door module allows you to cut the beam wherever desired.
Next up, the MAC 2000 Performance is a powerful 1200W profile framing spot and animation projector, featuring a 4-blade framing system for precise stage lighting and gobo animation wheel for extraordinary theatrical effects. The gobo animation system has been further enhanced with a set of six new animation wheel designs giving lighting designers an unparalleled range of artistic effects with which to enhance their shows.
The Maxxyz is Martin Professional’s new professional lighting console and the most advanced stage lighting console on the market today thanks to a string of highly original features and intuitive characteristics such as customizable LCD buttons for tailored programming, a built-in 3D Visualizer with real-time Preview mode, full multimedia capability, and much more.
Ego 1 and Ego 2 are the first in a new series of highly individual 250W DJ effect lights featuring new flower and gobo patterns and high quality projection optics. The MX-10 scanner is the latest in Martin's popular MX series, combining a quality achromatic lens system, a 250W lamp source, high velocit
Hz International will launch its brand new amplifier - the DPX-15 Lite - at the PLASA Show. The DPX-15 Lite, which replaces the DPX1500, provides 750W per channel into 4 ohms and features total short circuit protection with continuous clip limiting - without compression. The unit also includes two-speed fans to cater for varying workloads. Furthermore, the weight has been drastically reduced from 16 kilos down to 8.5 kilos. It also has massive headroom, say Hz, thanks to its extremely high damping factor - almost twice that of the existing DPX1500.
(Lee Baldock)
Interactive lighting specialist Optimusic is launching the new OptiBeam the OB2 at PLASA 2002. This latest interactive light unit boasts a very high light output and comes with focus function. Furthermore, due to changes in design and increased demand, Optimusic has announced that the price of the the OB2 is priced some 30% less than the OB1! Also on show is the latest version of the company’s OM-CS Control System - now 20% lower in price. The Optimusic stand will feature new and exciting applications for the innovative interactive lighting system - visitors can see the latest beam games such as BeamBowling and BeamFootball, the latest BeamDJ setting and more.
Optimusic can be found on stand J22.
Mackie Designs Inc has announced the arrival of Baby HUI into its growing family of high-performance touch-sensitive control surfaces. Baby HUI is the first affordable control surface that supports the HUI/MIDI-mapping protocol, allowing it to work right out of the box with any HUI-supported digital audio workstation (DAW) on PC or Macintosh platforms. The growing family of HUI-supported DAWs currently includes Mackie Broadcast Professional Soundscape 32, Mackie Mixtreme, Digidesign ProTools and Digi 001, MOTU Digital Performer, Steinberg Nuendo, and many others.
Baby HUI joins the emerging group of Mackie control surfaces designed to improve workflow and creativity by allowing users to interact with their favourite DAW through a familiar analogue style interface rather than a mouse. "With Baby HUI, users will no longer have to rely on a mouse to delicately move a fader or rotate knobs on screen," explained Keith Olsen, Corporate Director, Global Recording Market and Product Development at Mackie Designs Inc. "These simple actions can become frustrating and even time-consuming when attempted with a mouse. Baby HUI provides the ‘human touch’ of analogue faders and knobs. Actions that would require multiple mouse clicks can be accomplished with a simple push of a button, slide of a fader, or a turn of a knob."
Baby HUI features eight channel strips that each include a 60 mm touch-sensitive motorized fader, mute button, solo button and a signal LED. Multi-functional rotary encoders accompany each channel strip as well. These provide pan or s