Events

Special EFX

Details: 14 March 2016

>A contemporary-looking ice bucket, pre-programmed to change colour, was one of the latest, stylish offerings from Special EFX. The company is the exclusive UK importer of Mood-Light, a range of LED lighting panels and objects. New products in the range include the frame-less, flat fronted Tile, which enables multi-panel displays without seams and the Reflector panel, which acts as a mirror when not illuminated. The panels can be utilized in installations for walls, ceiling and floors.

Digigram

Details: 14 March 2016

>Digigram's EtherSound ES8 in/out modules were nominated for a PLASA award this year. As the names suggest, each module allows up to eight analogue inputs into an Ethernet sound network and eight out for playback. The unit offers transmission of 24bit at 48kHz resolution with a claimed latency of just 1-2msecs. Both modules manage GPIOs and use RS232 for bi-directional control and thus simplify the installation of complex systems as the need to run back to a central hub is removed. Also from Digigram, the Audio Manager a very user-friendly control interface, not just for Digigram systems, but also other network set-ups such as Cobranet.

L-Acoustics

Details: 14 March 2016

>L-Acoustics showed the latest enhancement to its well-known V-Dosc line array system - the V7 Preset Library, offering a smoother mid/high response and revised processing for the LF section, including optimized low end shelving EQ - resulting in a claimed 2dB increase in overall efficiency and output. The company also points to the greater flexibility offered by the V7 Preset Library, now with increased subwoofer combinations for a wide variety of applictions. Finally, L-Acoustics has introduced new panel, cabling and adapter packages for small to large format FOH applications for its ARCS, dV-Dosc and XT lines, maintaining compatibility with V-Dosc.

Ayrton

Details: 14 March 2016

>Ivano Burato of recently-formed Paris-based company Ayrton, was having a busy show, reporting that all items on the stand were sold, plus orders taken. Ayrton launched EyeColor, an LED moving head fixture, which has been in production since June. A forerunner in the professional LED moving-head fixture arena, its 18 high-power LEDs have a 10-year life span and offer users an infinite palette of rich saturated colours. Maintenance of the fixture is extremely easy as its has no lamps or colour mixing systems. Its low IR emission and non-existent UV radiation enables it to be used close to the objects it illuminates without any risk of damage.

Rubber Box

Details: 14 March 2016

>Rubber Box had a very busy and productive show this year, which they say was greatly assisted by the new floor plan making it easier for visitors to find them! New products included the Type 420 Box, designed as a baby brother to the Type 550 Box which was launched at last year's show. The 420 fills a size gap in the company's products and would usually be fitted with 63A to 400A incomers and any type or size of sockets. Endless configurations are possible. Rubber Box's Paul bates told L&SI: "We believe the increase in orders during September and continuing into October was a direct result of exhibiting at PLASA and we look forward to next year's show when we hope to be launching two more new products. Watch this space!"

Swefog

Details: 14 March 2016

>Swefog showed prototypes of its new Live X-Power series smoke machine. The Live foggers will be available in two versions - the Live 22 with an 1800W capacity and the Live 26 which can produce an impressive fog curtain with its 2600W heater. Further standard features involve timer control, precise fog output control - from a light, hazy effect to dense smoke, short warm-up time, powerful output, DMX 512 control, advanced LED display and overheating protection system.

Midas // KlarkTeknik

Details: 14 March 2016

>The launch of the Heritage 4000 monitor console from Midas underlines this company's continuing commitment to live touring consoles. With all the existing features of the Heritage 3000 (one of the most ubiquitous monitor consoles in the industry), the H4000 adds 40 aux sends, ably addressing the increasing demands from performers using in-ear monitoring systems. Midas has added eight stereo mixes to the original 24; the first 24 can be configured as pairs of audio sub-groups, as stereo mixes for IE systems, or as two mono sends: the extra eight pairs are dedicated stereo mixes.

From the joint Midas//Klark Teknik stable comes Elgar, an integrated software suite - essentially a 'shell' into which one or more plug-ins will fit to allow control of any Klark Teknik or Midas devices. Elgar enables remote control via PC simultaneously, from a single application. The first module to run under

Cloud Electronics

Details: 14 March 2016

>Aimed at the installation market, Cloud Electronics' CX462 audio system controller was launched, featuring six-input stereo and four-input microphone sections. A tamper-proof cover prevents unauthorized interference with the unit's settings, while a range of optional accessories is available.

Out Board

Details: 14 March 2016

>With the company's range of UK-built chain hoist controllers continuing to enjoy success and TiMax also enjoying a high profile (currently on the West End production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), Out Board's Robin Whittaker confirmed a healthy amount of international interest at the show. "It's been much better than the last two shows," he commented, citing (along with several other exhibitors) that the new layout seemed to be having a positive effect. Whittaker also confirmed that several prestigious projects will be featuring TiMax over the coming months - watch this space.

Wybron

Details: 14 March 2016

>Wybron launched the Nexera range of lighting fixtures. This range of profiles and fresnels is equipped with Wybron's new dichroic CMY colour mixing facility. With no fans, the luminaires are very quiet, and will be shipping in December. Wybron also showed the Watchdog III Control System for Remote Device Management (RDM), the new open standard for status monitoring and configuration. The System consists of a gateway, controller software, and unique converter modules (called 'DogBones'). Placing one DogBone into each device's DMX line receiver socket makes non-RDM equipment RDM-compatible.

VXCO Lighting Systems

Details: 14 March 2016

>One of the smallest USB-to-DMX512 interfaces in the world was the new attraction on the VXCO Lighting Systems stand. The DMXCreator 512Basic contains all its electronics in the plug, and connects directly to the USB port on computers, requiring no external power supply. It is designed to work with the DMXCreator software.

BSS Audio

Details: 14 March 2016

>A new filter for the highly successful Omnidrive speaker system processing unit was introduced by BSS Audio. The Thiele filter, identified by the 366T suffix, eliminates the phase anomalies experienced by those using FIR, making for a louder and clearer system sound. On the same stand, Soundcraft had no new product for the show, but reported excellent sales of the MH3 since its launch earlier this year.

Rainbow Colour Changers

Details: 14 March 2016

>A testimony to the durability of Rainbow Colour Changers comes in the fact that the same scroller units have been in place on the show Starlight Express for 15 years with very few replacement units. There have been no recent changes to the technology (no need to fix what ain't broke), but Rainbow has introduced a new string service to ensure a custom service to suit the needs of the client.

MDG Fog Generators

Details: 14 March 2016

>No new products this year to add to MDG Fog Generators' impressive range of products, but plenty of projects on the go. Commercial manager Martin Michaud told us they've been extremely busy working on a number of high profile projects from Celine Dion in Las Vegas to LegoLand in Germany and the new Cirque du Soleil show, Zumanity.

Martin Audio

Details: 14 March 2016

>The W8LM is a mini line array with its own dedicated sub from Martin Audio. The WLX is a single 18" hybrid folded horn/reflex cabinet capable of reaching down to 35Hz (up to 150Hz). The main mid/high box contains dual 8" and dual 1" tightly fit to a cabinet just 243mm high. A fully designed flying system accommodates both cabinets, the mids giving a claimed consistent 100° horizontal which, if it's anything like its forebear the W8L, will prove to be the case. An early vote of confidence was revealed by the announcement that the Synco Network has already made a significant commitment to the W8LM system.

Tomcat // Brilliant Stages

Details: 14 March 2016

>There were two new products from Tomcat: Swing Wing Trussing, winner of a 2003 Eddy award, is an old idea given a new make-over. Still 30" by 30", this trussing is purpose-designed to take a whole variety of modern automated lights 'permanently' mounted within (or at least for the duration of your touring production). Also from Tomcat comes Dek, a re-designed extrusion to improve on the existing stage deck system from sister company Brilliant Stages. The extrusion includes an M10 nut rail to allow the fitting of a host of accessories, not least handrails and steps.

Cadac

Details: 14 March 2016

>The refurbishment of J Type modules to 2003 standards might not sound revolutionary, but when you acknowledge that this Cadac console is the de facto standard for many theatres, and the J-type is over 10 years old, then such updates are of great benefit. A derivative of the J, the S-type is a smaller, less well-featured module designed to address the needs of the smaller theatres, but with the same multi-frame design (for growth and/or custom sizing) and audio quality.

Logic System Pro Audio

Details: 14 March 2016

>The unofficial L&SI staff award for 'Most Entertaining Press Pack' went to Logic System Pro Audio, who managed to combine all the necessary info on the company's new second-generation CM series wedge monitors without any of the over-the-top superlatives and PR bluster that press packs are inevitably weighed down with. The new monitors took pride of place on the company's stand, backed up by the range of CS, IS and LS enclosures.

Audace

Details: 14 March 2016

>Of principal interest on the Audace stand was the latest software for the SuperHub AV controller. A popular device for installers, the new software enables IR control interface and is an easy upgrade for existing installs. The new Ani-Touch, a touch screen controller for SuperHub, has some of the functions of SuperHub integrated within it and can thus be used stand-alone to control a simple system.

Strong

Details: 14 March 2016

>Jack Schmidt said Strong Entertainment Lighting was having a great show, with a very busy Sunday. Eight of the company's new Gladiator IV 4kW Xenon followspots, designed for fixed use in large venues or for touring, have recently been sold to Spot Rental BV in Europe.

Slingco

Details: 14 March 2016

>Aside from the Unibar, new for Slingco this year is the Unibar hoist, a cost-effective system developed in tandem with PCM, which allows easily controlled raising and lowering for general lifting purposes. The company has also had a busy year with its popular Cablenet 'virtual floors'. Sales engineer Matt Dykins said they were working on more installations and more applications of the system than ever before.

Specialz

Details: 14 March 2016

>An unusual visitor to PLASA, and a new one, Specialz provide PAT tested, CE marked solutions to set designers (TV, concert, wherever) who wish to place lights and other electrical devices into scenic elements. "We also provide low-tech solutions to complicated problems," said co-director Dave Smith. Two good examples were on the stand; a dimmable ballast for fluorescent tubes, flicker and 'plasming' free between 2%-100% fade; and a delightful pair of roving headlamps built for the Weasley family's Ford Anglia, as used for the recent Harry Potter launch at the Royal Albert Hall.

Alcons Audio

Details: 14 March 2016

>Alcons Audio's primary display was its new LR6 compact line array system. Based on a twin 8" mid/high cabinet, the use of a 6" ribbon device for the high gives the system some unique characteristics. The simplified horn construction is the biggest benefit of this driver, obviously giving the potential for much reduced distortion and better transient response, peak power 1000W in 200msecs, 105dB 1W @ 1m. The horn is also rotatable, making a single cabinet positioned vertically a practicalstand-alone box.

Element Labs

Details: 14 March 2016

>Inevitably, PLASA 2003 saw the biggest range yet of LED-based lighting products. Winner of the PLASA award for Design Excellence in the Lighting category, the Element Labs' Versa Tile is a modular, LED-based panel matrix with front diffuser, each panel corresponding to an individual pixel of a computer screen. A relatively small array of Versa Tiles offers a bright, cartoon-like feel, whereas a bigger installation could deliver high resolution imaging. It's currently available in a 5 x 5 pixel unit (50cm x 50cm), but the company's Jeremy Hochman confirmed that both larger and smaller units are in development.

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