Events

Shure Distribution

Details: 14 March 2016

Shure Distribution's extensive stand was evidence enough that this company provides more than just microphones: "We are a one-stop shop for our customers," said new marketing manager Uzo Onuora. With new products from Radial Engineering, a new distribution deal for Shure (including a range of DI boxes and mic splitters), Shure's very own Performance Gear radio microphone systems, Sound Devices' range of recording devices including the 702 and 722 two-channel units to name just few, visitors were treated to a feast of shiny electronics! The Sound Devices units were proving popular: the 702 records only onto removable Compact Flash cards, while the 722 is also able to record directly to its internal 40GB hard drive or Compact Flash.

"We have had a lot of really good quality customers come and see us on stand," enthused Onuora.

Sennheiser

Details: 14 March 2016

A dizzying array of new products was on display from Sennheiser, not least TourGuide 2020-D, a digital, six-channel, rechargeable headset system that automatically turns on when the head band is opened by the wearer. A personal volume control is built into the body of the headband - which hangs below the chin and is easily viewed - so too the channel selection. Weight is just 65g.

The A5000-CP is a circular polarised helical antenna that provides a more robust solution to difficult or cluttered stage environments. The A5000 is linear across the entire wideband range 450-960MHz; its unique propagation characteristics mean greatly reduced dropouts.

Also new, Sennheiser's SDC 8200 is a fully RoHS-compliant conference and interpretation system.

A smaller, smarter body pack transmitter, the SK 5212 runs on just one AA cell (six hours), is more frequency agile, and possesses a two

Yamaha

Details: 14 March 2016

Once again, Yamaha have done the Japanese thing and made an already good product even smaller and more affordable with the addition of a new digital desk, the LS9, aimed squarely at the small format analogue mixer market. In two variants, 16 or 32 channels, the LS9 uses many of the usual recall features from the highly successful M7CL launched at PLASA last year.

An ever-strengthening range of amplifiers sees the addition of the TN amplifiers, a range from 1900W to 2500W output (stereo at 2 ohms) and using Yamaha's high-efficiency, patented 'EEEngine'.

By licensing the Ethernet-based standard (announced worldwide from the PLASA show) Yamaha has made EtherSound networking technology part of its inherent strength, making the integration of Yamaha digital consoles into audio networks even easier. Plus, three new EtherSound-enabled DME Satellite models were added to the recently-launched

K.M.E.

Details: 14 March 2016

German loudspeaker manufacturer K.M.E. presented the CBA700D self-powered sub and the QL1215 down-fill unit at PLASA this year. The CBA700D contains a 15" direct radiating driver and Class D 500W amplifier, and is designed for use with K.M.E.'s CSA range. The QL1215, on the other hand, complements the company's PANO line array by giving 120° horizontal dispersion from two 8" and two 1" compression drivers.

San Ei Electric Co

Details: 14 March 2016

Xenon spotlight manufacturer the San Ei Electric Co from Japan had their XPS Series prominent on the stand. These are very highly engineered, fabricated from sheet steel and cast aluminium and finished in light and dark textured brown. The Xenon lightsources have a reverse polarity setting and magnetic controls to ensure flicker-free operation, and the current ripple is no more than 10% on full or standby.

Roden Staal

Details: 14 March 2016

A powered line shaft winch (known as the RSSEM) from Dutch manufacturer Roden Staal is such an obvious idea, it's amazing no-one has thought of it sooner. With the growing pressure of Health and Safety legislation forcing many theatres to contemplate the cost of replacing their counterweight flying systems with motorised bars, the RSSEM offers a logical and more economical alternative. Based upon the premise that most shows require maybe 10 to 12 fly-bars, why not mount self-contained motorised fly-bars on beam trolleys that enable them to be flexibly repositioned up or down stage by tracking along a wall-mounted 'I' beam each side of stage?

LMC Audio

Details: 14 March 2016

LMC Audio wins the prize for 'worst fake shivering mummy' on a stand at this year's show - although the ghoul did make an amusing background to the Monday evening's Awards ceremony. However, even a shaking rubber mummy is more scary than a new digital mixer (which was, of course, the company's point) so anyone making it past the vibrating monster could marvel at the latest offerings from Soundcraft in the shape of the Vi6 and M7CL digital console from Yamaha.

Outboard

Details: 14 March 2016

An exciting extension to the well-known facilities of the TiMax system from Outboard, Track the Actors (TTA) is a WiFi-based tracking system using the 2.45GHz band - available in most countries - developed by some enterprising audiophiles in Norway. Tiny digital transmitters with a 6-hour (rechargeable) battery on board are placed on up 64 actors and used to provide location information to TiMax so amplified vocalisation can literally follow the actor using the TiMax audio imaging manipulation. The clever bit is the 16 spiral antennas packed into a 10cm square plate that sits up in the flies and provides the triangulation needed to make this work.A worthy PLASA Award winner.

Lycian

Details: 14 March 2016

Breaking with convention, Lycian was actually highlighting an older product rather than their latest and newest! The Superstar 2.5 - a 2500W HMI spotlight has been in production for some years, and has always done well. However, the company has now decided that it's the most "European looking" of the range, and therefore are boosting the marketing campaign in this territory. It's also one of the brightest spotlights in its class. Lycian also brought three other spotlights to the show - from their range of over 25 models.

LiteStructures

Details: 14 March 2016

LiteStructures premiered Digitruss, a cable-free, modular truss system that incorporates live power circuits and data tails within a single structure. The data rail can carry both DMX and the architectural protocol DALI, so both conventional and intelligent lighting can be directly attached to the truss without the need for extension cables.

Stage Accompany

Details: 14 March 2016

Stage Accompany had several new products for PLASA. The Fractal (F24, F48 or F88) is a speaker management system with two-in four-out, four-in eight-out and eight-in eight-out respectively. The Fractal is designed for use with any loudspeaker system and is controlled via PC-based software, which can also be used to selectively secure any parameter - ensuring wandering fingers don't mess up all your hard work.

Total Solutions Group

Details: 14 March 2016

Despite Total Solutions Group concentrating on stage sets for the production industry (George Michael was in rehearsal as PLASA took place), the company continues to sell from its traditional trussing and roofing range. A big 30m by 30m ground support system of Slick Super Beam has just departed for Israel, and another of identical dimension to Dubai, while similar-sized TFL roofs are on their way to the Esplanade in Singapore, and to Indian rental company Reynolds, based in Bangalore.

Also on the stand, and indeed sharing space with TSG at their base in Birmingham, was Specialz, the solution provider for the set build sector that requires innovation and 'new thinking' when it comes to interfacing electronics and scenic elements. Recent output has seen Specialz work appear on tour with Franz Ferdinand (animated full-size female manikin dancers) the Pet Shop Boys (an exten

beyerdynamic GB

Details: 14 March 2016

A number of new products on the stand of beyerdynamic GB, both from its own brand and from the many lines the company distributes in the UK. First previewed at ISE in Brussels at the start of the year, Revoluto isa conferencing mic' based on the line array principal: four capsules in line can be pattern controlled by gain structure to maintain capture over a wide vertical spread.

Headzone is a 5:1 professional headphone system with a neat WiFi connection from headphone band to the processing software that keeps the listener spatially oriented relevant to the program source.

Opus 900 is a new 2,3 or 4-channel radio receiver with a new range of hand-held mics to go with it: one body takes five differing capsules. Nexia TC and VC from Biamp are processing units for echo cancellation and the like in tele- and video-conferencing systems.

Bittner has a new four-chann

Projected Image Digital

Details: 14 March 2016

Projected Image Digital offer digital media software and hardware solutions, and also produce video content. They were showcasing several 'household' brands such as Catalyst with the new v4 version of the Media Server, and UK partner Element Labs' 'Versa' LED range, which includes: Versa TUBEs, Versa TILES and Versa PIXELs etc.

The show saw the launch of new training initiatives from PID, and introduced some new faces to the team. PID has been elevated to full Apple reseller status.

Kam - Lamba

Details: 14 March 2016

Kam - Lamba's house brand - has expanded dramatically this year. The company had its new 128-page catalogue at the show, packed with over 300 products covering all genres including moving lights, wireless mics, DJ products, the i-Mix 100, the Extreme and Cobalt ranges of loudspeakers, a range of USB mixers and many more. Lighting-wise, it includes a batch of LED products and also a mobile Light Screen, the LED equivalent of the traditional light box.

Gala Systems

Details: 14 March 2016

Canada-based stage engineering manufacturer Gala Systems exhibited its understage lift systems and overstage prop handling machinery. The company reports that over 500 locations around the world now use its Spiralift tubular thrust screw lifts and motorised rigging systems.

Ortofon

Details: 14 March 2016

Ortofon, one of the sponsors of the DMC DJ World Championship Finals, was one the busiest stands on Sunday, where a host of world class DJs demo'd their mixing and scratching skills using Ortofon's famous DJ cartridges designed to work with time-coded vinyl. Guest slots were taken up by Tamara Sky, ID, Ms Vicious and many others who were also among artists from 91 countries performing at the 2-day Championship Finals, staged at legendary venue, Hammersmith Palais.

Audio-Technica

Details: 14 March 2016

PLASA saw the launch of Audio-Technica's new Artist Series of microphones. The ATM710 is a rugged, hand-held cardioid condenser, with the ATM610 and ATM410 being hypercardioid and cardioid dynamic respectively. Also included in the series are several microphones designed specifically for use on instruments, with the ATM450 being the most noteworthy with its 'side stick address' design allowing the microphone to be mounted in many different configurations with minimal obstructions. For drums, the AE250DE that combines both a cardioid condenser and a hypercardioid dynamic in the same housing.

Ayrton

Details: 14 March 2016

New from Ayrton (distributed in the UK by Lighting Effects Distribution) was a prototype of the DreamPanel outdoor video screen, based on the same PCB as their renowned flooring panels, IP rated and with a rugged build. Brand new was a selection of baffles for Ayrton's ModuLED three-cell LED fixtures, which clip on the front and vary the beam angle from 12 - 42°, increasing the unit's versatility. Very useful for rental companies and multi-purpose applications.

Soundcraft

Details: 14 March 2016

Soundcraft (Harman Pro) displayed a wealth of products with, of course, the flagship digital Vi6 Shure Distributiontaking centre stage, but with other low-cost mixers being launched too. The EPM series was announced and replaces the entry-level E-Series range. There are three models in the range featuring six, eight or 12 inputs plus two stereo inputs. The EPM6 retails at only £220 including VAT and all desks feature 48V Phantom Power, inserts and three-band EQ with swept mid.

Being shown for the first time in the UK was the new GB2 aimed at the venue, touring and audio-visual market. The GB2 is available in 16-, 24- and 32-channel versions; four sub group, plus stereo out and a 6x2 matrix.

Anytronics

Details: 14 March 2016

It was crowded as usual on the Anytronics stand where new products included the Quad ProDim 2.5 - a 4 x 10A portable dimming pack featuring circuit breaker protection on both Cee Form inlet and outlet sockets. Control is via either analogue or DMX. Also on show was Anycove - a T 5 fluorescent cove lighting system available in either a switching or dimming version.

Coda Audio

Details: 14 March 2016

Coda Audio, daughter company of BMS Electronik GmBH in Hanover, were at PLASA this year with several systems from its range. Of note was the D5 Tube co-axial ultra-compact loudspeaker. The passive two-way 5"/1" drivers provide a frequency response of 90Hz-30kHz with 90° dispersion from a small, aluminium wall- or ceiling-mounted enclosure.

Beadlight

Details: 14 March 2016

Beadlight launched an impressive seven new ice*lighting fixtures based on the technologies incorporated within its award-winning Super Batten. Driven by customer demand, new designs to complement the Super Batten include the Linear Batten, the Tube, the Stik, the Bar, the Blok and the Hexagon. These will open up a whole new range of design possibilities for this eye-catching effect - as demonstrated by the stylish bar-themed display at PLASA. All the units utilise Bead*light diffusion technology, eliminating LED pixelization. Video and animations can be played across any combination of the product range.

Columbus McKinnon

Details: 14 March 2016

Columbus McKinnon and the Lodestar motor needs no introduction to the industry. Their presence at the show illustrated the massive range of Lodestars available for all types of lifting, moving and rigging applications. Their stand had a choice location near to the Bandit Bar and was also close to many of the company's distributors.

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