The Matisse range of panel controllers combines elegance and sophisticated functionality, offering an affordable, high-quality solution for users wanting to achieve LED effects via a simple wall-mount interface.
The Matisse range comprises two series - mini and moody.
mini takes the form of a seven-fader panel, with options that emphasise control over different aspects of lighting. For example, mini Level provides multi-channel intensity control, mini Colour is designed for cove lighting and mini Hue enables colour control over multiple zones.
moody offers a rotary control panel, with a range of options: moody Level controls DMX output intensity, while moody Colour provides sophisticated control over a single zone.
Visitors to the PLASA Focus show in Leeds seemed particularly taken with the simplicity of operation of the Matisse controllers, which were set up for interactive demonstrations on the Artistic Licence stand. With the budget end of the range starting at just under £100, many were also pleasantly surprised at the affordability of the product, which is being pitched for volume sales.
The following week saw Artistic Licence in Berlin at the Smart Lighting conference and expo. The big news there was lightJuice, a technology that promises to fundamentally change the way power, control and monitoring are integrated in modern commercial spaces.
lightJuice eliminates the AC mains wiring that would conventionally power the electrical devices in an IT rich environment - such as a hotel or conference room containing LED feature and task lighting, occupancy sensors, electronic blinds, phones, USB charging points etc.
Instead, lightJuice powers and controls the device via the network cable, using the Power over Ethernet (PoE++) international standard. Although still in development, the standard promises power delivery of at least 49W; in practice, the silicon used in lightJuice is already delivering about 60W.
lightJuice combines the language of the DMX512 and DALI lighting protocols with PoE++ to open up new applications. Not surprisingly, LED control is a major theme of the lightJuice range, with constant current and constant voltage dimmers to suit a range of fixtures. Also in the initial line-up are DMX512 and DALI gateways, expanding the breadth of Power over Ethernet based applications.
Artistic Licence CEO, Wayne Howell comments, "The Matisse and lightJuice ranges are perfect examples of the breadth of Artistic's innovation. We are unusual in having longstanding expertise not only in lighting controls, but also network technology. We see this as vital in enabling us to meet the demands of a changing lighting market, with its increased emphasis on services and connectivity."
(Jim Evans)
