Events

Artistic Licence

Details: 14 March 2016

>Artistic Licence, enjoying its most successful PLASA Show to date, launched the Colour-Tramp, described as the company's "latest and greatest" product. An evolution of the original Lamp-Tramp control system, it is a control centre for two- and three-dimensional colour-changing arrays. The PC-based package combines the concept of lighting control with a graphic 'paint' package - and a free offline version is available which is usable with a USB dongle. Visitors to the stand were also expressing interest in the company's Art-Net, the only public domain Ethernet standard available in the market place.

LDDE

Details: 14 March 2016

>Marcus Komertzky, from Austrian lighting technology company LDDE, commented that the company was having an unbelievable show with huge amounts of interest shown in its innovative products. The snazzy Romulas desk light switches from white to blue light output and is suitable for use in a variety of applications. The compact X-Pen Advanced is the next generation of the X-Pen - a torch and DMX tester all in one. The updated version has a USB input and DMX512 interface and comes in a handy case.

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Tryka LED

Details: 14 March 2016

>Another LED-based colour changing tile was the Tile 600 from Tryka LED. It's only 8mm thick but can be used to provide light output front and back. Tryka's many other products are based around identical multiple modules of LEDs - 3- and 6-LED clusters, which controls costs, and allows for a range of custom collimated or lens diffusers to be fitted to any fixture. Flexible tools.

Loud Technologies // EAW

Details: 14 March 2016

>Mackie Designs announced its change of name to Loud Technologies during the Show, but whatever you call them, they had plenty of new product on stand. For studio types, Mackie Control is a control interface for software-based recording systems. A development of Emagic's former Logic Control interface, the new unit works with a range of products including ProTools, Logic Audio and Cubase. Alongside were pre-production prototypes of Spike, a two channel USB:audio interface with onboard processing, plus the 626 studio monitors and SRM350 active loudspeakers.

In the company's lower-priced Tapco range, the S5 active studio monitors were complemented by the 6306 six-channel mixer and three Juice series power amplifiers, delivering 800, 1400 and 2500W respectively into 4 ohms bridged.

EAW's Small Line Array Modules were enjoying their first UK outing, while the Avalon series of nightclub l

Chevin Research

Details: 14 March 2016

>Two new amplifiers were on show from Chevin Research - aimed at both touring and studio applications. The A1004 is a 2 x 1000W into 4ohm amp weighing just 13.3kg, whilst the Q1004 is 4 x 1000W into 4ohms, weighing just 3kg more.

Barbizon Lighting UK

Details: 14 March 2016

>Barbizon Lighting UK, formed just a year ago, was at the show for the first time, represented by the familiar faces of Garry Nelsson and Phil Bullock. Recently appointed as distributor, the company was promoting Matthews' Studio Equipment range of products, which complements Barbizon's already extensive range of fixtures and expendables for the entertainment lighting industry.

Shuttlesound

Details: 14 March 2016

>Although Midas provided the focus, Shuttlesound did not neglect its other clients. Electro-Voice has a new pole-mounted, self-powered mobile PA system: the Sx A1000 features a 12" and 1"" to horn rated at 200W. The Sb A750 is the powered sub to go with it, a dual voice coil device rated at 750W. EV's Gladiator is a three-way passive system with separate sub designed specifically for modern dance music. Dynacord's Madras system is augmented by the M18 Sub and M15 mid, all self-powered, to form the foundation of larger, pole-mounted type PAs.

ChainMaster

Details: 14 March 2016

>A prototype for a new chain hoist, the Star Lift was one of the main attractions on the ChainMaster stand. The 500kg hoist is small and light with a speed of 8m per minute. The company is also currently involved in the installation of 35 of the popular BGV-C1 hoists into the Kremlin in Moscow, with work due to commence in October. On the control software front, upgrades have been made which include touch screens for ease of use.

Bould Lighting Technology

Details: 14 March 2016

>First-time exhibitor Bould Lighting Technology launched both itself and its product this year. Interest in both came early on the opening day, with three serious enquiries before lunchtime about the BatPak, the company's6-channel, radio-controlled dimming system. The system is data cable free and the Bluetooth licence-free radio signal can be received from the transceiver at the control desk up to 100m away. Managing director Greg Bould said plans were underway to develop 12- and 18-way versions.

Peavey

Details: 14 March 2016

>The Pro 9200 completes the Pro 200 line-up from Peavey. The 9200 is the flagship system, a 2100W into 4 ohm amplifier and despite its high power rating, this 19" rack-mount device is just 12" deep. Peavey showed a pre-production model of its new Nion 6, described as "a big, fast, powerful Media Matrix for everything". To be more specific, this is a floating point, Cobranet-enabled DSP device based on the powerful Shark chip. 32-in, 32-out, grouped in blocks of four, the Nion 6 can be linked as a central system (up to 1000 channels, approx) but has internal scripting for local control so very much a building block device. Also of note, the X Bridge links Cobranet to X Frame 88.

Projected Image Digital

Details: 14 March 2016

>Formed in December 2002, Projected Image Digital, sister-company to Projected Image, was showing a selection of the Digital Media Servers it distributes, including IRAD's RADlite and High End System's Catalyst V3 software, which was outputting digital content from the growing Projected Image Digital Content Library.

Lamba

Details: 14 March 2016

>There were new and updated products in abundance on the Lamba stand. The company was showing products from its exclusive KAM entry-level mixer range, in addition to products from Cerwin Vega (see earlier copy), Nady, Road Ready and Stanton. The new Stanton ST-150 turntable was attracting particular interest after its star turn in winning the DJ-Turntable of the Year award at the DJ Magazine T-Scan Awards.

Stage Technologies

Details: 14 March 2016

>Repeatedly moving a bottle of champagne between an ice bucket and a table may not seem the most production-orientated of actions (unless perhaps for certain journalists or PR people), but this millimetre-accurate task was an excellent way of demonstrating Stage Technologies' Visual Creator system. The software removes the complex mathematics from three-dimensional stage automation, building a virtual environment through which the user plots the path that s/he wants an object to follow. With these developments seeming set to ensure that the use of multiple-motor stage automation will become more widespread in future, the PLASA Award for Design Excellence was well deserved.

MC2 Audio

Details: 14 March 2016

>Amplifier manufacturer MC2 Audio showed its new E Series (switchmode) range of amplifiers. These lightweight amplifiers have been designed for the touring market and will initially be available at 750W/channel into four ohms and 1250W/channel into four ohms, both in 2U chassis. The series will be expanded with a bigger amplifier (2000+W/channel into four ohms), also in a 2U chassis, later this year.

ShowCAD // Edirol

Details: 14 March 2016

>The well established show controller Artist, from ShowCAD, was for this year's PLASA augmented by two not-so-glamorous - but nevertheless essential - new pieces of kit. The EDMX is an Ethernet-to-DMX controller which allows DMX distribution by Cat5. The host computer is a 19" rack-mount unit specifically designed for Artist applications, in a 1U package. ShowCAD Artist also controlled the range of LED products on the Tryka stand, as well as running two product demos for Coemar. Artist's ability to operate remote and automatic pre-programmed performances is underlined by its use in the Chicago Rock Café and Wetherspoons Lloyds Number One venues which use the system's Real Time Clock function to run scenes and cues to change to suit the time of day, but with the option to override the systems via touch screens, digital input panels and MIDI interfaces.

Sharing the ShowCAD stand w

Mission

Details: 14 March 2016

>Well known as a producer of domestic hi-fi, Mission showed two new pro products; the FS Business Music System is literally an 'out of the box' (or rather briefcase) PA for business presentations and small (<40 persons) meetings. An amp, with mic and line input, tone and volume control, feeds to an NXT panel radiating sound front and rear. Small and very portable, the system can be scaled up with more panels. In the realms of concept speaker, Mission also presented the ViSound, an extension of a Swiss developed LD TV screen mounted into a bathroom mirror; Mission has added a discrete flat panel speaker fronted by a polycarbonate mirror along the top edge. IP rated (though not enumerated at the time) this device will doubtless appear in the bathrooms of many a posh hotel in the future.

DiGiCo

Details: 14 March 2016

>A celebratory mood abounded at DiGiCo, the company having signed a deal to supply an undisclosed number of D5 sound consoles to hire company Britannia Row. DiGiCo was also showing off its D5 Live FMX front-of-house/ monitors control package, which provides a work surface for monitors, a work surface for front-of-house and features the proprietary Gain Tracking system, which offers independent gain control for both FOH and monitor operators. It can also be split into two D5 live 56 EX packages for rental flexibility.

Robe Show Lighting

Details: 14 March 2016

>Robe Show Lighting's second year at the PLASA show saw the launch of two new moving head fixtures. The ColorSpot 575 AT has two separate gobo wheels and two separate colour wheels and features motorized multi-step zoom, iris and prism with a separate and variable frost effect and remote focus. The ColorSpot 250 AT is a new streamlined design with updated features including a new rotating seven position diachronic glass gobo wheel plus open, and a 10 position colour wheel plus open. Both these and the three facet-rotating prism are now replaceable. Entirely new software enables very smooth rotations of both gobos and prisms, and also offers the choice between 8 or 16-bit resolution for gobo indexing, prism indexing and dimmer, while an improved cooling system improves operating conditions for the lamp and reduces noise.

The ColorSpot 250 AT is aimed at TV studios, small to medium-size

e:cue

Details: 14 March 2016

>At PLASA for the second time, e:cue had a host of products and was having a great show with a well attended stand. e:cue programmer is the central programming interface for almost all products produced by the company: this is a PC-based software which offers all the opportunities of an advanced lighting controller. The e:node 512 Ethernet DMX interface is now offered with a choice of stylish colour fascias aimed at the architectural market.

Columbus McKinnon

Details: 14 March 2016

>The new Lodestar BGV C1 electric chain hoist was on show from Columbus McKinnon's Entertainment Division. Designed to meet the German standard for entertainment rigging, it's avaialable in capacities from 1/4 to 1 ton (250 to 1000kg) and speeds at 16fpm (4mpm). It has a 10:1 design factor to meet the most demanding rigging applications in the entertainment industry. CM's ProStar Hoists are now available in 227kg (500lbs) and 454kg (1000lbs) models. Other new products and the company's well-known, established rigging products, were also being shown and the team was enjoying a successful show.

PCM

Details: 14 March 2016

>PCM highlighted its new Unibar at PLASA, designed in collaboration with Slingco, and collected a Product Award along the way. A winch system that presents a cost-effective alternative to the more sophisticated power-assisted winch sets, Unibar is initially available in 250 or 400kg models with single or two-speed options. The entire Unibar unit is self-contained, with the motor unit positioned on the end of the track. Single or three-phase power options are offered, and dual brakes are also available as an option. Unibar supports any number of suspension cables and any length of suspension bar with the top and bottom limits contained within the unit's controls. Units can be positioned side by side with the suspension bars at 200mm centres - a vital requirement for all theatres. The control panel can either be fixed to the wall or operated by hand-held remote.

Clay Paky

Details: 14 March 2016

>The Clay Paky stand highlighted the new Point range of miniature colour changing fixtures. Point is a fixed bracket mounting unit; Point IN is a flush-mount version with adjustable angle and rotation, while Point MH adds full moving-body facilities. A lens kit for gobo projection is also available. For the outdoor market, the Rain Spot 575 effects projector offers four interchangeable lenses, rotating and fixed gobos, four rotating prisms and eight colour capability. Further innovative new products are promised from Clay Paky at LDI in Orlando this autumn.

Awards for Product Excellence - Staging

Details: 14 March 2016

>Award for Design Excellence
>PCM/Slingco

>Unibar

The Unibar system allows (a joint development between PCM and Slingco) for the quick and easy raising and lowering of suspension or lighting bars for scenery and lighting equipment with a motor-driven unit. The system has been designed to be installed onto any style of fixing or structure and will prove a cost-effective alternative to the more sophisticated power-assisted winch sets.

Initially available in 250 or 500kg models with single or two-speed options, the entire Unibar unit is self-contained, with the motor positioned on the end of the track. Single- or three-phase power options are offered, and other highlights include its simple, logical 'plug and play' operation.

Although initially designed for five suspension cables, thanks to flexibility in its design approach, the Unibar can be amended to support any number

MTI

Details: 14 March 2016

>A most unusual amplifier from Danish manufacturer MTI, the MPA82000 is a standard 19" rack-mount, eight channel, 1000W into 2 ohms (or other variants W-vs-ohms) that is just 550mm deep. Offering full DSP plus an 8-way matrix, it's possible to link up to 16 amps via RS485 and control laptop, with 16 resident programmable presets onboard. At 27.5kg, this is a highly flexible amp for complex installations.

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