Germany - The VLink communication solution for RTS intercom matrix systems has become a key tool for broadcasters during the COVID-19 pandemic. The software-based virtual intercom platform has been a common part of the broadcast comms workflow for many years. However, it has become even more relevant in recent months as it has allowed broadcasters all over the world to work remotely during the international crisis, maintaining vital public information services while observing social distancing protocols. RTS VLink enables remote users to interface with their RTS intercom matrices via the Internet using a simple application, allowing a new degree of control and flexibility from anywhere in the world - including from home. “In the current pandemic, remote production is the new normal for broadcasters everywhere,” says Denis Castanet, director product management at RT
The Netherlands - The Power Of Entertainment, Highlite International’s latest campaign, is well on its way. The campaign contains several product introductions and continues with the presentation of the latest additions to the well-known Performer-series. Showtec adds seven new Performer models to the already successful Performer range. It starts with a house-light, the Performer Pendant Q6. This offers a six-colour RGB ALC LED engine with which a very broad colour spectrum can be achieved, resulting in a very high CRI level of over 90. It is very well equipped to be used in theatres, auditoriums and more. The new models continue with three Performer 1500 units, available as Q6, Tungsten and Daylight luminaires. The Daylight version has a colour temperature range between 4000K and 6500K while the Tungsten version starts at 2700K until 4500K. Controlling each unit c
USA - Point Source Audio’s CM-i family of lightweight in-ear intercom headsets has received a design upgrade. The new design - brought to market earlier than initially planned in light of the current health crisis - adds factors such as detachable earbuds for improved hygiene and accessibility to more easily customize with a user’s custom in-ear monitors. The upgraded design now features a connector common among in-ear monitor manufacturers that will allow for a much quicker change over should the user choose to personalize their headset with in-ear monitors from brands such as 64 Audio or Ultimate Ears. A further benefit of this important feature is for rental companies and venues that supply headsets for their techs. The comfort and noise-isolation of in-ear headsets are a no-brainer, but no one is comfortable sharing in-earphones no matter how well they may be c
USA - Avante Audio has expanded its Imperio Series by launching a collection of pre-configured systems designed to make the lives of audio professionals easier. Devised around specific applications and methods of deployment, each of the systems include everything necessary to get an Avante Audio Imperio PA up and running, including array modules, subs and rigging hardware. Imperio is a ‘mini array’ system that offers ‘a powerful, flexible and scalable active audio system that is ideal for installation in mid-size venues as well as for use by production companies working on one-off events or touring productions’. At the heart of the series is the versatile Imperio mid/top module, which offers a 90-degree x 15-degree dispersion angle and an integrated rigging system allowing multiple units to be connected together with splay angles of 0, 4, 8 or 12-degrees. The c
USA - Medialon has launched a new micro embedded solution for museum audio-visual (AV) control applications – Showmaster Mini. Showmaster Mini is suited to simple AV control applications and installation types. Its ruggedised and fanless small form factor makes it easy to mount where AV racks aren’t suitable, says the company. The ultra-compact design solution is available, as standard, with a reduced-feature version of Medialon Manager show control software which makes it a low-cost solution. Created for less demanding installations, Showmaster Mini can control up to 20 devices in its standard configuration, and is expandable in batches of ten devices, up to a maximum of 50 devices. Each Showmaster Mini unit measures 158 mm × 114 mm × 53.5 mm and weighs 1.2 kg. “For some installations, the requirement is for a control solution that simply needs to
France - Robert Juliat has announced the launch of Arthur, its new 800W LED long throw followspot capable of matching the lumen output of a 2500W HMI RJ Aramis followspot and delivering up to 29,000 lumens. This eagerly-anticipated move opens up the use of LED followspots into large venues such as opera houses, musical theatre and live music venues, concert and touring venues, both indoors and out, says the company. Arthur’s powerful LED engine, narrow beam angle (5.5° - 15°) and long-throw capability, ensures “invincible performances with a minimum output of 2000 lux at a distance of 40m (200fc at 130 ft), while offering premium light quality with a high CRI (>90) - an essential feature for a followspot whose main role is to shine a light on performers in the most sublime way possible”. A smooth flat beam with no hot spot is teamed with excellent gob
USA - Altman Lighting has introduced the Genesis lighting console. The desk combines physical fader and touchscreen control and provides advanced programming functionality with features such as Shape FX, Chases, Fan, and Individual Cue Timing. Additionally, the graphical user interface allows control of luminaire parameters via familiar icons, colour picker, movement targets or touch sliders. For moving light control, pan and tilt are also controlled via the touch pad adding a fine movement control for those critical focus points. The animate feature provides a simple and intuitive way to quickly create chases, sequencing, and patterned attribute control within a single cue. “Focused on giving programmers of all skill levels the operation simplicity of an instinctive console which boasts high-end features, we are very excited to be releasing Genesis,” adds P
USA/Europe - Wireless microphone developer Q5X and Shure have announced a collaboration to combine their expertise to provide “superior sound quality and security that today’s sports broadcasts require”. Together, Q5X and Shure have developed specialised Axient Digital-Enabled Q5X Wireless Transmitters that deliver the latest wireless digital technology “with unparalleled RF stability, encryption, and spectral efficiency”. “With the combination of Q5X and Shure, this is really the best of both worlds,” said Jens Rothenburger, director of pro audio marketing at Shure. “The new Axient Digital-Enabled Q5X Wireless Transmitters provide sound engineers and the sports industry with a complete solution in a superior, already-established form factor.” For more than a decade, Q5X has worked closely with professional sports leagues (like the NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB,
USA - Harman Professional Solutions has introduced the JBL Cinema Expansion Series sound systems for small to medium-size commercial theatres. The line, which includes JBL 3153 and 4253 3-way screen-channel loudspeakers, 3181F and 4281F subwoofers and 8102 surrounds is designed to cover rooms up to 85ft deep and up to 40ft wide. Harman has also debuted the two-channel, 1,300W Crown XLC 21300 amplifier, which supports Cinema Series speakers in a range of system configurations. “When we created the Cinema Expansion Series, we wanted to offer flexible solutions for cost-conscious theatre owners looking to provide a premium audio experience in every seat while maximizing their investment,” said Sunil Karanjikar, cinema product manager, Harman Professional Solutions. “Now, whether a theatre offers traditional 5.1 or more complex multichannel sound, it can offer the fi
Spain - The G7 from Amate Audio is the first in a new family of premium installation / integrator loudspeaker cabinets, designed to ‘provide compact high performance solutions, where looks and sound are everything’, in retail, hospitality, recreation, enterprise and culture application environments. A two-way system within an EN54-24 certifiable, hexagonal-form, reinforced ABS plastic enclosure, the G7 offers power handling capabilities rated at 120 W, providing for 112 dB SPL. So a lesser number of cabinets is required for any installation, operating well within their range of capability, leaving sufficient headroom for instances where higher output may be required. In addition to its Amate Audio cabinet design, features include the high-performance 6.5” carbon-fibre woofer and 1” titanium dome, neodymium tweeter, aluminium grille and hardware, outdoor ready c
USA - ADJ has announced the immediate availability of the new Focus Spot 5Z LED-powered moving head spot luminaire. Building on the success of ADJ’s popular Focus Spot 4Z, the new 5Z model takes the same LED engine and compact body, but adds additional beam-shaping tools to give lighting designers increased creative potential. As with the 4Z, the Focus Spot 5Z is built around a 200W cool white LED engine, which offers an impressive 50,000 hour lifespan. This is focused through high quality optics to allow the fixture to punch out sharp GOBO projections, in vibrant colours, that are equally suited to adding texture to a stage as they are to generating aerial effects over a dancefloor. Motorized focus, which allows for pinsharp Gobo projections over variable distance, is the signature feature of the entire ADJ Focus Series. In addition, the Focus Spot 5Z inherits the 4
UK - Harman Professional Solutions and UK distributor Sound Technology have announced immediate availability of the new AKG K371-BT professional studio headphones. The AKG K371-BT joins the previously announced AKG K361-BT headphones in the range. AKG K361-BT and K371-BT headphones are designed for mobile artists, engineers, podcasters and beatmakers who want the flexibility of wired or wireless connectivity combined with studio-quality sound. The K361-BT and K371-BT feature an over-ear, closed-back design that is precision-engineered to reproduce natural, balanced audio in exceptional detail, so users can make more confident decisions when mixing and editing. With a frequency response of 15 Hz to 28 kHz in the K361-BT and 5 Hz to 40 kHz in the K371-BT, they deliver “the deepest bass and highest highs in their class”. Both models offer the convenience of swit
Europe - BroaMan has announced that it will now offer its Multipurpose Fibre Extender for video, audio and intercom (MUX22) with 12G-SDI interfaces - to support greater resolution, frame rates and colour fidelity. The 12G addition to the existing 3G support means that BroaMan will not only continue to support 4K SDI transport formats but also routing and transport of high bandwidth data streams, such as 10G IP traffic for SMPTE 2110. Uniquely, the company offers not only single-mode but also multi-mode options for 12G fibre transport. BroaMan technical sales manager Maciek Janiszewski comments: "12G migration is our step into the future. Our customers have been asking about 12G and IP technologies, and the new hardware upgrade will allow us to meet all modern requirements; it means we can offer pure 12G-SDI, pure IP or a mixed 12G-SDI and IP transport solution.”
USA - Magmatic atmospheric effects has introduced Prisma, a range of advanced UV LED lighting products with weatherproof IP65 rating. Designed for use in clubs, EDM events, glow paint gatherings, or any production with a UV element, Prisma’s IP65 rating and fanless design mean they can be used in even the most challenging environment, says the company. Compact, lightweight and easy to handle, a variety of narrow to wide beam angles are available. Prisma combines true 365nm UV output for long and wide throw performance with the control and efficiency of LEDs. Because Prisma uses high quality, medical grade LEDs that emit UV light in the 365nm range, no visible light is emitted, meaning only the UV reactive material glows and nothing else.
Europe - Smode users are now able to benefit from improved 3D content design due to the integration of Notch Blocks within the platform. Smode combines tools for creating the optimum stage-show experience, with real-time rendering and 3D previewing. Notch is a graphics and video effects tool that gives creatives the power of real-time rendering. It has been used to create motion graphics for the live performances of artists including Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, The Brits, and numerous music festivals worldwide. Smode is an integrated real-time compositing and media server software, which allows users to change any parameter at any time. Creators can achieve an updated image immediately on screen, in the 3D simulation, or on the actual stage. Thanks to its layer-based system, creators can efficiently combine different pieces of content together to create the optimum stage-sh
USA - Lectrosonics has introduced the two newest members of the D Squared digital wireless family, the DPR digital plug-on transmitter and the DSQD/AES-3 receiver. The next extension of the D Squared wireless family platform which premiered in 2019, the DPR digital plug-on transmitter is fully compatible with the DSQD digital receiver and features a tuning range of 470 to 608 MHz (470 to 614 MHz for the export version). The new transmitter includes specially developed, high efficiency circuitry for extended operating time on two AA batteries, and offers RF power selections at 25 and 50 mW. Studio quality audio performance is assured by high quality components in the preamp, wide range input gain adjustment and DSP-controlled analogue limiting. Input gain is adjustable over a 55dB range in 1dB steps to allow an exact match to the input signal level, maximizing audio dyn
UK - Harman Professional Solutions and UK distributor Sound Technology have announced that the AKG Podcaster Essentials bundle, previously only available in the US, is now available in the UK with stock arriving this month. Designed to give podcasters, video producers and content creators a professional edge, the AKG Podcaster Essentials bundle includes the new AKG Lyra USB microphone, AKG K371 headphones, Ableton Live 10 Lite recording software, a four-part Berklee Online recording class, and a full set of audio cables including a headphone splitter. The AKG Lyra is an ultra-HD, multi-mode USB microphone that delivers pristine 24-bit, 192 kHz audio quality, with four versatile capture modes suited to a wide range of recording applications. AKG K371 headphones provide clear, detailed sound with largest-in-class 50mm drivers and a closed-back design for superb sound iso
USA - Harman Professional Solutions has introduced zoom lens accessories for the Martin ELP family of ellipsoidal LED light fixtures. Martin ELP Zoom Lenses broaden the functionality of ELP CL and WW LED ellipsoidal lights with two industry-standard beam ranges and two housing colours. Their six-lens design promises “stunning optics, providing the ultrabright output, unmatched flat projection and crisp focus of a static lens with the speed and flexibility of a zoom lens”. The lenses feature a mechanical anti-slip locking mechanism and a convenient service hatch for easy lens cleaning and maintenance. A gobo/accessory gate accommodates A/B-size gobos, and a colour gel frame is included. “Martin ELP LED ellipsoid fixtures are famous for their unrivalled luminance, output and light quality,” comments Mark Buss, product manager, entertainment lighting, Harman
The Netherlands Highlite International BV has launched its latest campaign, The Power Of Entertainment with publication of an updated catalogue, numerous activities and various product launches. One of these product launches concerns Showtec’s latest addition: the ACT series. With the ACT series, Showtec offers a range of compact entry-level luminaires with a high-class finish and high CRI levels. Due to their size and output they are well equipped for a wide range of applications and venues but also offer a lot of advantages for the rental business. The ACT series consists of five different models. It starts off with a 20WW and a 50WW Fresnel version which come complete with matching barndoors, followed by a 60 RGBW PC unit, a 50WW Profile spot and an Flood 80 RGBW. All, except the 20WW version, are controllable via 3p DMX, have easy to handle rotary kn
China - Following the launch of Aqua LED 1700 Framing, PR Lighting has announced another new shutter blade device, the XRLED 3000-W Framing. This new addition to the XRLED moving head series features the latest advanced 1200W white LED light source. In addition to its complete range of spotlight effects and features, the fixture’s four sets of framing blades offer “endless rotation, different size and shaped graphics, and a curtain effect in a module designed and patented by PR Lighting”. This bright and powerful spot, which is suitable for any type of project, comes in two versions. The 6500K, 70 CRI, 55000 lumen version is suitable for concerts, major events and exhibitions while the 5600K 92 CRI 41000 lumen spot has been designed specifically for theatres, TV studios and corporate events. Thanks to the design of the LED engine cooling system, the noise l
World - An app designed to serve as a pocketable all-in-one toolbox for the events industry has been released. Toolbox, developed by UK lighting, rigging and previsualisation services company ETS, combines over 20 virtual tools, converters and guides in a single app. Designed to make it easier for lighting, audio, and video technicians to get on with their daily tasks, Toolbox includes DMX, power, weight/length and currency converters; vehicle, wiring and knot guides; information for over 2,600 pieces of equipment; filter and gobo libraries; beam and patch calculators; a decibel meter, and more. The app is currently only available for iOS devices through the App Store (£9.99 for a lifetime licence) but ETS is working on an Android version, to be released by September.
USA - ClearOne has been awarded a strategic new patent relating to power transmission for Power over Ethernet (PoE) systems by the US Patent and Trademark Office. Awarded on 14 April, 2020, the patent describes a simple method for providing power to multiple devices in a ‘daisy-chain’ series connection using PoE. Use of the new method can eliminate the 100m Ethernet distance constraint for power and data transmission. ClearOne’s technology disclosed in this patent brings powerful benefits for at least two important applications. First, it is useful for devices such as audio products including microphones and speakers, security and conferencing cameras, remote sensors, smart home technologies like thermostats and alarm systems, as well as computers and displays, all of which can be freely deployed anywhere within the reach of an Ethernet cable. As an exam
China - Looking to improve its service and to enhance user convenience, Roe Visual has developed a ballast calculator. The purpose of the Ballast Calculator is to help adding the right amount of ballast on stacked LED screens. When you are building large video walls, one of the most prominent challenges is to do this safely. Even if you use the official Roe Visual LED stacking systems, in most cases it’s necessary to add extra ballast. Not all AV technicians are aware of the total weight a complete LED screen can amount to and what forces this can generate, even if you use it indoors. For Roe Visual it’s of paramount importance that its customers are aware of these factors and can build their LED wall safely. “Creating awareness on safe working practices is one thing, we frequently touch on these issues in the ROE Academy training sessions, but with this simple c
UK - Boutique mixer brand MasterSounds has launched a third generation of its Radius 2 and Radius 4 DJ mixers, which contain various technology enhancements. Originally launched in 2016, the two-channel Radius 2 rotary DJ mixer became an instant hit with the high-end DJ and club installation community, and was followed by the introduction of the four-channel Radius 4 mixer, two valve-based versions (the Radius Two and Four Valve), an FX unit and dedicated LinearPOWER supply accessory. "Four years on, and the brand has seen remarkable growth but the higher production costs of a premium rotary mixer rule them out for DJs on a tighter budget,” explains MasterSounds’ founder, Ryan Shaw. “Designer, Andy Rigby-Jones, and I decided to do something about it, by redesigning the compact Radius 2 and Radius 4 to make them more affordable but without compromising any of the
