UK - Following its success in the pro sound market, Flare Audio is bringing its revolutionary technology to the listening public, with the launch of a campaign on Kickstarter to raise awareness of its ground-breaking innovation in consumer headphones. The campaign runs until 3 June 2015.

The British manufacturer has installed audio systems in venues including the iconic Olympic Studios (London) and The Leadmill, (Sheffield), as well as providing live audio to a wide range of artists, venues and festivals. The company is now using global crowd-funding platform Kickstarter to bring attention to its new distortion free Reference series of in-ear and over-ear headphones - dubbed "a revolution in listening" - and make them available for wider retail. The new R2s give the listener pure, distortion free, pressure-balanced sound with no ear fatigue, the company says.

The Kic

UK - Adastra's LA-600 mkII advanced induction loop amplifier is used for driving a cable loop around a room to provide assisted listening for hearing aid users.

Front panel controls including level controls for the 3 mic/line channels, bass, treble and loop current can be adjusted using a screwdriver. This model has a drive capacity for areas up to 600sq.m. square metres.

Key features include: suitable for hearing aids fitted with a "T" switch; mic/line level switch for each input; built-in siren for evacuation alert and peak current LED indication.

(Jim Evans)

UK - A.C. Special Projects (ACSP) Ltd. will be on hand at PLASA Focus, Leeds 2015 (stand N-E01) to discuss how they can provide bespoke integrated solutions of lighting, audio and AV equipment to the performance, architectural, educational, corporate and retail sectors - including the very latest technologies showcased on the adjacent stand of their sister company (AC-ET, stand N-E02).

The company's highly experienced project managers can handle all aspects of a project and have a diverse portfolio of previous client examples ranging from theatres to nightclubs and bars, restaurants, schools, houses of worship, cruise ships and live performance venues.

With access to over 200 leading brands, ACSP can cater for any size of installation from a simple six circuit lighting bar with dimming and control, to a full blown multi-media theatre system.

Staff will be happy to discuss th

UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) Ltd., a leading 'one-stop' international provider of cutting-edge professional equipment with over 40 years' experience supplying to the industry, will showcase a selection of the very latest solutions available from their vast portfolio of over 200 premium brands - on stand N-E02 at PLASA Focus 2015 in Leeds, UK.

Sales teams from company's four specialist product divisions will be on hand to demonstrate and discuss the latest technologies from leading marques which AC-ET are the exclusive UK dealer for - including Chroma-Q, Jands, Prolights, Spotlight, GLP, Columbus McKinnon Entertainment, BroadWeigh, Dynamic Audio Device, and Green Hippo. Other leading brands showcased include Manfrotto, Litec and Petzl, amongst others - all available from the company's multi-million pound inventory.

Also featured are AC-ET's in-house Cable Expres

UK - Twilight Trees will be exhibiting at Grow London this year, 19-21 June. Twilight Trees will "add a twist of sophistication and excitement to a one-off event or for use as a permanent installation".

The trees are made with sturdy resin base and are powered by 24v plug. The environmentally friendly LED lights are clustered within cherry blossom petals that illuminate the trees creating a charming, captivating and eye-catching visual experience. The trees are very easy to assemble and are available in 1.5m - 3m sizes.

(Jim Evans)

USA - Philips Vari-Lite reports that the new VL4000 BeamWash luminaire is now shipping worldwide. The VL4000 BeamWash combines wash capabilities with intense beam functionality and the ability to produce a powerful, collimated shaft of light all without the need to change lenses. Using a Philips 1200W lamp, one single fixture can now achieve multiple creative looks through its 43,000 lumens of output and amazing optics making it the beast of any lighting rig.

"As we strive to create the most powerful and innovative automated luminaires on the market, we are extremely excited to now be shipping the VL4000 BeamWash luminaire," said Julie Smith, Philips Vari-Lite general manager of the Americas. "Building on the success of the VL4000 Spot, the VL4000 BeamWash offers simplicity through its single front lens to achieve a multitude of exceptional wash, beam and shaft ca

UK - Lighting Resources will be making it premier UK tradeshow appearance at the 2015 PLASA Focus in Leeds.

"We are very much looking forward to seeing clients new and old, where will be take this opportunity to introduce them to some new brands that LR are exclusively representing in the UK, as well as our own brand LR Technology," says managing director Darren Jackson. "We will be exhibiting the entire Innov ativeand very desirable Ape Labs product range, including the Mobilight 4, Apelight, Lightcan and the never seen in the UK before - Apestick. We will be demonstrating how easy it is to control using the 2.4 Ghz Remote Control System."

There will also be product representation from: Eurolite, Ehrgeiz and Futurelight - as well as LR's range of LED Tape and LED flexible neon.

To register for PLASA Focus Leeds, visit:

UK - White Light returns to the Royal Armouries in Leeds this month for the annual PLASA Focus exhibition 12-13 May.

On stand N-C24 in New Dock Hall, visitors will find the latest lighting, effects and audio solutions including White Light exclusive products from manufacturers Altman Lighting, ArKaos Pro, Core Lighting, JB-Lighting, Interactive Technologies, Look Solutions, LSC Lighting and Wireless Solution; and from manufacturer EM Acoustics. White Light's display of products will focus on LED lighting, show control systems, special effects and loudspeaker equipment.

Visitors will find the latest in LED lighting technology from US manufacturer Altman Lighting, including the new Spectra Cyc 400 featured for the first time at the show. The fixture blends colours via a patented LED blending lens which reduces pixilation from direct view. The Phoenix LED 250W and 150W profiles w

Germany - Announcing several significant new products and with a stand that was perpetually busy throughout the show's four days, Coda Audio enjoyed a highly successful Prolight+Sound 2015.

A highlight of the new products was a first glimpse of the company's new AiRAY three-way, full-range line array system. Set for a full launch in the summer, AiRAY addresses the 'holy grail' of exceptional output and intelligibility, yet is half the size, weight and transport dimensions of conventional 2x12" systems.

Also on show for the first time was the High Output Point Source HOPS8, a passive two-way system with outstanding output-to-size ratio and 100° x 100° coverage. Optimised for near-field applications, the unit is available with two hardware options - HOPS8 for mobile applications and HOPS8i (fitted with M6 flying points) for permanent installations.

Coda also annou

UK - Leeds-based Production Room, one of the UK's premier stores for pro-audio, recording and hi-tech musical equipment, has recently extended its already impressive stock profile with a dedicated HK Audio display in their showroom.

Featuring practically everything from the German pro-audio manufacturer's portfolio including the compact and powerful Lucas Nano 300 and Nano 600 systems, the Elements and Elements + modular systems as well as the more traditional yet still innovative Premium PR:O, Pulsar and Linear 5 sound reinforcement units - including the popular Linear 5 Rock Pack and Big Venue Pack - complete systems optimised for live applications.

"In late 2014 Production Room made the decision to expand the business into the sound reinforcement market," says Paul Germain, director of Production Room Ltd. "HK Audio, supplied by our existing business partners

Germany - With Yamaha's flagship RIVAGE PM10 making its European trade show debut at Prolight+Sound, few were expecting the company to launch a new range of digital mixing consoles aimed at bringing its digital technology to a whole new market. But that was precisely what Yamaha did, with the TF Series attracting significant orders at the show.

The TF Series is aimed at small-to-medium sized venues and touring bands, education and houses of worship - in fact anywhere where high quality facilities with remarkable ease of use and an exceptional price point are required.

Adding to the surprise of the launch audience, the first TF1, TF3 and TF5 consoles will be shipping by the end of this month.

Attracting a constant stream of admirers throughout the four days of Prolight+Sound, significant orders were also placed by a number of high profile rental companies, including leading U

UK / Germany - Avolites proved its truly international appeal at Prolight+Sound 2015, teaming up with dealers, distributors and friends from around the world to celebrate the launch of its Arena console, the new Titan V9 operating system, and its industry-leading new features such as Autoblend.

Visitors to the Avolites Prolight+Sound stand came from more than 40 countries, and included a high number of potential new distributors, especially from North and West Africa and the Caribbean.

Now, the Avolites team is continuing the buzz by debuting its well-received new products in the UK at PLASA Focus, Leeds, on stand N-D01.

"The Arena consoles attracted a huge amount of attention during April's Prolight+Sound in Frankfurt - we were inundated with lighting designers, rental companies and specifiers, generating a fantastic response from many of the people who came to see the

UK - Coomber has announced the launch of the market's first range of bespoke sound amplifiers. Coomber Electronic Equipment, one of the UK's leading maker of audio and visual equipment for the education sector, has announced the launch of the market's first range of bespoke sound amplifiers only months after the firm was purchased by a consortium of county businessmen.

Heralded as a major change in direction for the business, the new 44500 Sound Amplifier Series will be fully manufactured to the individual requirements of its customers at the firm's purpose built design facility in Worcestershire.

The range, which will be targeted at both the UK and international markets, allows customers to have total control over the functionality of their sound systems; specifying the number of CD drives required, microphone sockets, multiple speakers and tablet or smartphone integration.

Germany - Acoustic Development enjoyed a very successful Pro Light & Sound in Frankfurt, reporting orders totalling £250,000 received at the show.

"We look to the future with great enthusiasm and determination to develop our innovative technology into the absolute market leader within our industry," says the company. "Our designs gained a lot of attention at Frankfurt causing many strange looks and flashing of cameras. It seems many visitors including the competition were curious as to how we loaded 10 transducers into our AD2000LA which measures just 750 x 270 x 500mm.

"While our industry is very conservative our ground breaking developments can't be ignored. We are applying the laws of physics to real world audio solutions that are clearly the basis for a major shift in sound system design. We welcome the challenge and look forward to building on th

Germany - Laserworld has introduced the RTI Velox laser moving head, available from 1.7W RGB up to 14W RGB. The RTI Velox is initially presented as the RTI Velox RGB 2.5 laser, but more versions will be available within the next few weeks - with laser powers of up to 14W RGB.

The extreme torque of 15Nm and the resulting high rotation speed of up to 180rpm make this unit the perfect gear for highly spectacular show productions and effects. Due to the high end laser system with great colour balance and extremely fast scanners, a use for TV productions or high profile shows is no problem at all.

The ILDA control signal can be fully used for laser control, and the Velox moving yoke itself is controlled via the standard DMX512 protocol. A DMX-only operation is also possible.

When a laser show system is moved on a yoke, it is absolutely essential, that it repositions accurately -

USA - Behringer has announced a major reduction in the U.S. MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) of the company's best-selling X32 and X32 Compact Digital Mixing Consoles, and their respective Touring Packages (TP). The new pricing takes effect on 15 May.

"Sales of our X32 Digital Mixing Console have far exceeded our expectations, with the X32 rapidly becoming the industry's best-selling digital mixer of all time. The X32 mixer has revolutionized the market and until today offers an unprecedented audio quality with Midas designed preamps and connectivity with the P16 Personal Monitor system. High profile customers include Earth, Wind & Fire and the famous Whisky a Go Go club in Los Angeles," stated Music Group senior manager, Experience Joe Sanborn.

"We decided the best way to celebrate X32's three-year anniversary was to make it even more affordable. It's our way of

UK - The SSL Live L300 console is making its PLASA Focus Leeds debut with UK dealer HD Pro Audio on stand N-A26. HD Pro Audio will also be showing the new V3 software that introduces over 40 new software and hardware features and updates for the SSL Live console range.

"With impeccable sound quality, the SSL Live consoles have created serious interest and demand since their introduction," said Andy Huffer of HD Pro Audio. "PLASA Focus gives us the opportunity to show the powerful V3 release for the first time at a UK exhibition, so we're looking forward to a very busy show."

In addition to the SSL Live, HD Pro will be showing selected products from L-Acoustics and the other leading brands the company represents.

To register for PLASA Focus Leeds, visit: www.plasafocus.com/leeds.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Cadac is debuting its brand new CDC six digital live sound production console in the UK at PLASA Focus 2015. Launched worldwide last month at Prolight+Sound, Cadac claims that the CDC six features the fastest, most intuitive user interface and highest possible audio performance of any audio mixing console available.

Cadac will be exhibiting a pair of CDC six consoles at the show, along with Cadac's MegaCOMMS networking products, including the CDC MC Router, the CDC MC MADI audio network bridge and the new Version 2 CDC MC Dante MegaCOMMS bridge.

The CDC six is based around a further development of Cadac's advanced, highly acclaimed gesture-operation user interface. With the same superlative audio performance and incredible low latency of the CDC eight, the CDC six represents a major ergonomic advance in user operation. The traditional fixed physical controls have been rep

Switzerland - The Laserworld Diode Series is a well-established laser product which has become more and more popular. Especially for users that want to make the step from hobbyist laser use to a semi-pro level, the series offers a pure diode system with many professional features, but at a low price level.

Following the success of the already established DS-900RGB, DS-1800RGB and DS-3300RGB, Laserworld has added the new DS-2400RGB to the product line. This product is designed to fill the gap in available power levels between the 1.8W and 3.3W systems. It was also designed to provide a great white balanced output. The power range between 2W and 3W has become increasingly in demand, as the prices for such systems have dropped substantially in recent years.

With the DS-2400RGB, Laserworld has completed the Diode Series range. It has all those features in common with the other uni

USA - InfoComm 2015 will mark the US debut of the new Meyer Sound Leopard line array loudspeaker and its accompanying 900-LFC low-frequency control element. The smallest and most versatile members of the flagship Leo family, the new system will be demonstrated live during the show, along with a range of other high-performance loudspeakers for installations and touring.

Boasting tremendous power-to-size ratio with ultra-low distortion, Leopard and the 900-LFC element offer an unprecedented level of clarity, power, precision, and ease of use. To hear the full power and capability of the Leopard system, visit the Valencia Ballroom during the show to attend the public listening sessions on Wednesday and Thursday at 15:00, 16:00, and 17:00. Friday demos will take place at 15:00 and 16:00.

As part of the InfoComm University education programme, Buford Jones, live audio and education

China - PR Lighting has now added a beam fixture to its XR130 range of discharge effects. Housing an Osram Sirius HRI 132W (8800K, 6000hrs) this fully featured luminaire delivers a beam angle of 0°-3°. In terms of optics it features a colour wheel (14 colour filters plus white), a rotating gobo wheel (eight rotating gobos and four fixed gobos), an 8-facet prism (bi-directional rotation), frost filter and CTO (plus white).

Focus is 0-100%, linearly adjustable by DMX and double dimmer shutter blade strobe (0.3-25fps, with macro). Pan is 720° or endless rotation and tilt is 270° with auto position correction. Made from composite plastic (IP20-rated) the fixture weighs just 13.2kg.

As for the XR 130 Spot, this is also powered by an Osram Sirius HRI 132W (8800K, 6000hrs) lamp.

The full set of dynamic effects includes a colour wheel (with 13 colours and CTO (plus o

USA - As the festival and outdoor concert season kicks into high gear, lighting/production designers have a new tool that will make it easier for them to set up ultra-bright, weatherproof video walls at these events - the PVP X6IP high-resolution LED panel from Chauvet Professional.

Featuring a pixel pitch of 6.9mm, the PVP X6IP is an outdoor LED video panel rated at IP65 for its ability to withstand rain, while being brilliant enough to produce images that stand out in the daytime sun. It is also very touring and rental friendly, thanks to an innovative design that allows for quick and secure assembly, easy serviceability in the field, and the versatility to be used indoors as well, says the company.

"We looked at everything lighting and production designers, installers and dealers wanted in a high resolution outdoor video screen, and we created the PVP X6IP to do it all

Denmark - In response to overwhelming demand for the hybrid lighting fixture, Martin Professional has announced increased production for the MAC Viper AirFX. Already a staple on many major tours and in the rental market, the AirFX is one of the most prominent members of the MAC Viper family, one of the most successful product suites in Martin's history.

In order to provide bigger output with a smaller footprint, the AirFX was engineered to replace 1500 W fixtures, which were previously seen in a lot of shows mainly for mid-air effects, with no projection and often with a few simple gobos. Ideal for tours and festivals, the AirFX gives lighting designers everything that makes the MAC Viper family so effective in one versatile fixture.

Lighting designer Rob Sinclair recently deployed the AirFX on the Queen + Adam Lambert tour and Kylie Minogue's Kiss Me Once tour. "For both

USA - Elation Professional's new ELAR Q1 is an ultra-compact, colour-changing PAR light with outdoor IP65 rating that can be used just about anywhere dynamic colour is required. Measuring less than 3.0" high (75mm) and weighting only 1.1 lbs. (0.5kg), the ELAR Q1's small size allows it to hide virtually anywhere for use as a pixel source, pin spot, truss toner, accent or decorative light, and can even be used for landscape lighting.

Whether mounted on its yoke or recessed into a stage, set or ceiling, its narrow 7-degree beam and single 18W RGBW LED source provide a surprisingly bright effect for direct viewing or illumination of objects. The ELAR Q1 delivers an output of 9,310 LUX @3.3 ft. and consumes a low 18W of max power. Suitable for highlighting or enhancing set pieces, the RGBW LED is capable of emitting a wide palette of colours from saturates to more subtle pastel

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