Germany - Behringer announces immediate availability of the B-5 professional true condenser type microphone that offers versatility in a road-proof design at a cost-effective price. The microphone's two interchangeable capsules for selecting cardioid and omni-directional pickup patterns, low-mass gold sputtered diaphragm for definitive sound reproduction and high quality components throughout, make it the musicians and recording engineers microphone of choice for a variety of studio and live applications.

An ultra low-noise transformerless FET input eliminates low-frequency distortion. Owing to its super-wide frequency response and musicality, the B-5 is ideal for recording acoustic instruments, cymbals, drum overheads and voice, say Behringer. Its switchable low-frequency roll-off and -10dB input attenuation make the B-5 highly versatile. While rugged construction, a satin nic

USA - Gamproducts of Los Angeles introduce the new Gam SuperTube. SuperTubes are coloured sleeves for fluorescent lights that come with a two-year warranty. They are available in T5, T8, and T12 sizes. Steve Hoffman, sales manager of Gamproducts said: "SuperTubes are ideal for those lighting situations using high output Fluorescents which contain elevated levels of UV output."

SuperTubes use a double UV barrier system that gives twice the UV protection. Hoffman adds " With the two year non fade warranty, super tubes are the ideal economic solution to the problem of premature fading." SuperTubes pack flat for economical shipping and lengths may be cut with scissors to exact fit. They are available in any of the 138 Gam colours and are also reusable. The GamTube is the only flat folding sleeve for fluorescent lights. SuperTubes take over with their two-year non

UK - Gobo specialist, Projected Image, has announced the release of its latest catalogue and a new range of metal gobos, now available in an extensive collection of 'standard designs'. The company has expanded its gobo manufacturing facilities to produce metal gobos in-house, in addition to the glass gobos the company already manufactures.

The new catalogue was well received during its preview at PLASA where PI shared a stand with sister company Projected Image Digital, illustrating how gobo projection and digital images can work in tandem. The new catalogue also carries additional helpful information-based sections, including an introduction to Projected Image gobos and information on the basic understanding of metal and glass gobos.

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

USA - American Audio has introduced the HP-500 headphones - professional high-powered stereo headphones with replaceable earpads.

Scott Davies, general manager of American Audio said: "Because earpads take a lot of abuse, they typically wear out while the headphone itself is still in perfectly good condition. Now thanks to our new HP-500 Headphones, DJs and remixers no longer have to choose between living with uncomfortable, worn-out earpads or shelling out the cash for a new set of phones. They can simply replace the earpads whenever needed - at a much lower cost than buying new headphones."

The HP-500 Headphones come with one extra set of earpads as part of the package and include a headphone bag for storage and transport. Features include a flexible housing design that provides for either double or single ear monitoring and also allows the headphones to be folded

Denmark - Atomic Colors is a specially designed head that fits onto the front of Martin Professional's Atomic 3000 DMX. It allows for projection of up to ten brightly coloured strobe and blinder effects. The Atomic Colors comes with one string containing 10 colours plus clear. There are three optional strings - each with 10 colours plus clear - and the possibility of customized colour strings.

Easily attached with quiet running operation, Atomic Colors is a plug and play fixture, directly controllable via DMX 512-USITT controllers and to be used in combination with The Detonator - the primary DMX controller to the Atomic 3000). It is cable-connected to the Atomic 3000 DMX with an external power supply: MPU 02 / MPU 08.

The Atomic 3000 DMX is a high-impact strobe with 3000W of energy and dimmable from 0-100%. Flash duration is controllable and for ultimate flexibility and varie

Ushio has introduced upgraded versions of its popular HPL+ halogen lamp, designed in close cooperation with ETC for their Source Four. In the new HPL+ ceramic, again developed in close cooperation with ETC, the common metallic heatsink is replaced by a ceramic one, preventing leak-currents from the current-leading pins to the heatsink in surroundings with increased humidity. The HPL+ ceramic is recognizable by its white coloured heat sink.

The lamps are available in power ratings ranging from 375W, through the popular 575W to 750W. All worldwide common voltage ratings are available. Standard-life and long-life versions satisfy the need for either high brightness or extended life.

Following this announcement, Ushio has also added the HPL 750W long-life version to its popular HPL+ halogen range. The lamp with a rated life of 1500 hrs comes in either 230V or 240V (item description: HPL2

USA - SIA Software, a Loud Technologies brand, has announced its nomination for a Technical Excellence & Creativity (TEC) award for SmaartLive 5 software. Presented annually by the Mix Foundation for Excellence in Audio, the TEC Awards honour individuals, companies and technical sound innovations behind recordings, films, TV shows and live performances. The 19th Annual TEC Awards ceremony takes place on Saturday, 11 October, 2003 in New York City.

SmaartLive is an industry-standard for dual-channel FFT-based audio measurement software for real-time sound system measurement, optimization, and control. The software combines powerful audio frequency measurement, analysis and data logging capability with a highly intuitive, user-friendly interface and the ability to remotely control an extensive list of leading equalizers and DSP processors.

The latest release, Version 5.3, now in

UK - Milos Structural Systems' versatile X-Stage platform range has recently been enhanced with the introduction of a new Quick-Leg mechanism. The lightweight low-profile aluminium S2 deck system features a special leg receiver that enables either telescopic supports or standard 48.3mm scaffold tube legs to be quickly secured to the platform. A simple cam-lever locking mechanism enables legs to be securely fixed and easily removed from the standard S2 platform. The introduction of the new feature enables users to create low-cost fixed height platforms or risers using the standard 48.3mm material.

The X-Stage S2 platform is produced in 2m x 1m decks using a custom low-profile aluminium extrusion with a 22mm plywood surface. The deck, which is rated at 750kg per sq.m, weighs only 25kg and is just 100mm deep when stored making it extremely efficient for transportation, storage and

UK - Carlsbro has introduced a range of 8" and 10" passive and active moulded speaker cabinets for smaller fixed installations. Following the introduction of the Gamma range of 12" and 15" cabinets, the two new additions to the company's range are aimed at smaller applications.

Andrew Bishop, owner of Carlsbro, commented: "Repeat orders are flooding in from existing customers who are familiar with the Gamma range and we now need to spread the message to users who may have forgotten that Carlsbro, who have not been active in the installation market for some time, have speakers which will make your customers very happy - resulting in extra business for you."

(Lee Baldock)

UK - Wharfedale Pro has produced two complete powered systems, which will be making their debut at the Music Live expo, at the NEC in November. The PM500 and PM600 powered mixer systems have been designed to deliver optimum sound in a variety of applications - from live music performance and playback, to sound reinforcement or public address. Not only that, but they are road tough and simple to transport and set up.

The PM500 Series comprises of a PM500 powered mixer, two PT10 two-way 10" loudspeakers and a DM1.0 dynamic mic (with all cabling). The PM600 system incorporates the PM600 powered mixer, two PT12 two-way 12" loudspeakers and a DM1.0 mic (with cabling). The PT loudspeakers form an integral part of the system: these are high-output, high efficiency loudspeakers, featuring Wharfedale Pro proprietary drive units and a purpose-built high quality Electro-Dynamic H

USA - SIA Software, a Loud Technologies (formerly Mackie Designs) brand and Lake Technology, innovators in digital audio signal processing, announced the release of a new plug-in for Lake Contour that provides full integration between the Contour Controller software and SIA SmaartLive, the industry standard analysis package for sound system optimization. Available in October from Lake Technology, the SmaartLive plug-in shows spectrum, spectrograph and transfer functions directly within the intuitive Contour Controller graphical interface, giving engineers the power to listen, measure and adjust an entire performance sound system on a single display. Using the Contour wireless tablet, this can be done from anywhere in a venue in real-time - even during a live performance.

"This is the first time a loudspeaker processor like Contour has been fully integrated with professional

USA - At the AES Convention in New York, Mackie, a Loud Technologies Inc brand, has introduced to the industry its next generation digital production console. The Mackie dXb is a 96k/192k capable, 72 x 72 I/O matrix (36 x 36 at 192k) digital production console with dual integrated touch screens, internal DSP, powerful automation and control surface functionality, as well as FireWire I/O option cards for streaming audio to/from a desktop or laptop computer.

Development of the dXb was a collaborative effort between Mackie and Sanewave Inc, a Washington-based engineering and design company specializing in digital audio technology. Ken Berger, senior vice-president of marketing and product development at Loud Technologies, commented: "Sanewave was the perfect partner for the dXb because their group includes members of the original development team behind Mackie's award-winning

UK - Milos Structural Systems has recently introduced new accessories to their CellClamps range with Slim Swivel Couplers to suit 48mm-51mm tubes. The components are based on the popular 30mm wide low-profile aluminium extrusion used on the CELL207/208 Slim Half Couplers. These clamps are ideal for use with truss systems as the narrow profile provides greater fixing positions than traditional profiles. All Milos Cell Clamps are finished to the highest specification and fully certified by RWTÜV for the assurance of quality, safety and reliability.

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

International - The Technical Focus column in the November issue of Lighting&Sound International magazine will look at the technology related to Digital Audio mixing desks. The ever-increasing level of technology available today has resulted in the increase of 'all digital' desks, which process audio in the digital domain.

As with most things technological, the ability to perform digital processing continues to become cheaper as semiconductors drop in price, and accordingly digital desks are no longer the preserve of the major league, but are available in more compact versions and making in-roads into the smaller shows and venues. L&SI's article will go some way to giving the reader an insight into this technology, explaining the processes, methods and terminology - and will be followed by a brief profile of the main manufacturers and coverage of their key product(s).

L&SI wi

USA - With its new Mania series of inexpensive DJ lights that will eventually include effect lights, colour changers, strobe lights, deco effects, scanners, promotional lights, smoke machines and more, Martin Professional is going head to head with the established manufacturers of DJ lighting both European and in the US.

The first in the series, Mania EF-1, is a dynamic flower effect featuring 6 coloured patterns -useful as revolving dance floor motifs, wall projections or flying mid-air effects. The effect can be either sound triggered, moving to the beat of the music, or automatic, performing its own program independently.

While other lights fall foul to heat exhaustion, the Mania "cool" concept centres on Mania's ability to remain comfortably cool all night long. Simply put, Mania has no duty cycle, meaning you don't need to shut it down and wait for it to cool o

USA - Crown International has released an IQ Network software application for Pocket PC-compatible devices. Called Pocket IQ, this is a free application which allows audio control of TCP/IQ-based networks to be controlled from a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).

Stephen Morris, director of marketing for Installed Sound, Touring and Cinema markets for Crown commented: "This new application makes the IQ Network even more flexible and user-friendly. With Pocket IQ, you can easily walk around and make system adjustments with an off-the-shelf PDA that you may already own and use."

Pocket IQ works together with Crown's free IQwic software suite, enabling Pocket PC PDAs with Ethernet connectivity to control and monitor the audio functions of devices on an IQ Network. IQwic allows users to develop custom control screens for the Pocket PC, which are then imported into the Poc

UK - ACCO Multi Media Group has announced an initial three models in its range of Nobo digital multi-media projectors. All are based on Texas Instruments' market-leading DLP technology, offering high-end features and technology and significant price comparability with analogue LCD projectors.

The Nobo X20M, X11P and S11E are exclusively specified by ACCO to meet the requirements of users in the business, presentation and education market sectors. Portable, lightweight, compact designs, they offer performance specifications that include high luminosity and contrast ratios, almost silent operation, high reliability, long operating life and virtual plug and play operation, say ACCO.

All three models feature the Texas Instruments DLP, 12º double data rate Digital Mirror Device (DMD) chips, progressive scanning, Pixelworks image processing, 4:3 and 16:9 ratio display modes, PAL, S

USA - Stanton has introduced the DJ Pro 3000 professional headphone, which it says include the best of its previous models - includng swivel and folding capabilities for maximum comfort and a detachable cord - and add new features such as high- and low-pass filters and blue beat LEDs, complementing the silver look. With a pair of 50mm Neodymium drivers capable of handling the high headphone output of most DJ mixers (and the low frequency response needed for precise mixing), the DJ Pro 3000s are capable of reproducing a wide frequency range clearly and accurately, while the built-in low and high-pass filters can be adjusted to taste, making it easier to mix off the kick drum or hi-hats.

Designed for maximum comfort, the DJ Pro 3000s employ a spring-loaded rotating ear cup that makes it easy to wear them single-sided or in a shoulder rest position. The 10ft cord is detachable for

UK - Audio-visual specialist Integrated Circles has launched a new addition to its range of solid-state audio and video players - the SoundStore MP3 - offering solid-state audio playback and 10-year warranty for constant daily operation. Integrated Circles' latest product boasts high quality stereo playback as standard, vastly extended programme duration, built-in audio amplification and the option to interact with lighting and other special effects. Its ability to store up to 127 discrete audio passages makes it an ideal tool for Oral History playback, amongst many anticipated uses.

"Over the past 25 years we have dealt with a lot of different clients and their individual requirements," says Integrated Circles founder and technical director, Simon Beer. "With the SoundStore MP3 we aim to meet as many of these needs as possible. This latest addition to our product

Germany - As most moving light programmers have at some time experienced, automated fixtures and the profile in the lighting desk do not always match. This is often due to new fixtures or fixture software having not been implemented by desk manufacturers or because the fixture profile has to be written from spec sheets with no potential for checking against real life units.

Since the inception of the grandMA series, MA Lighting has given the option to programmers of modifying or even creating new fixture profiles directly from the desk. However, until now, there has never really been any common place for programmers to share information with the result that operators across the world may well be repeating the same programming processes on the same desks for the same units.

To cut down on wasted time and energy MA have developed a new website (address below), where users can be

USA - Martin Architectural has introduced a new variant of its full-colour mixing Cyclo 03 fluorescent washlight. Useful for decorative colour effects in a variety of indoor architectural environments, the Cyclo 03 is now available with three channels of onboard DMX control. The new DMX version also offers an improved design and a number of other special features thus ensuring trouble-free set-up.

The Cyclo 03 DMX is a surface mounted fixture using RGB technology to generate white light of any temperature, as well as virtually all colours and shades. True 0-100% intensity control of each tube means the fixture can be completely turned off via DMX. DMX addresses and stand-alone modes can be set via an on board DIP switch offering various preset programs at four speeds and with no controller required. A newly designed housing, with mounting brackets that can be pre-installed, allo

USA - LED lighting specialist Color Kinetics Inc (CKI) has introduced iColor Cove EC - a highly affordable LED-based solution for the generation of saturated colour and dynamic effects in under-cabinet, edge and alcove lighting. Joining the iColor Cove family of products, iColor Cove EC applies Chromasic technology to lower the cost of digital LED control, thereby significantly lowering the cost of the total system, say CKI.

iColor Cove EC extends these cost-saving benefits of LED lighting to the fixture itself, which is competitively priced to further advance LED systems as a viable alternative to conventional lighting methods. The custom-engineered Chromasic microchip combines digital LED control and communication technology in a single minimized package, which increases the ease of control while lowering the system's price. iColor Cove EC is ideally suited for low ambient exh

UK - Vertigo Rigging has launched Powertower, a stand-alone trussing tower for the flying of PA, video and lighting equipment. The Powertower has a weight loading capacity of 500kg at 10m high, and features dual pick-up heads to accommodate both lighting and PA trusses independently. This allows the neat and quick suspension of sound and lighting wherever there are flying restrictions.

The Powertower is based on a James Thomas Engineering 30.5cm self-climbing tower system with the addition of a lightweight, bolt-together, aluminium base with a footprint of 2.65m squared. The base also incorporates the ballast trays, housing a series 25kg test weights and eight adjustable leveling jacks for easy and safe positioning of the tower. Powertower is configurable in a variety of shapes and forms, and can be used in goal-post format for suspending video screens, for heavier screens, the

USA - Fox Television has purchased six 32-fader, 96 in-line channel Solid State Logic C200 Digital Production Consoles to serve their on-air promotion and sports departments. The first four consoles, slated for installation in late 2003, will be used for on-air promotion replacing the SSL Scenaria digital post-production mixing systems in use since 1992. The remaining two C200 consoles will arrive in early 2004 and be used for Fox Sports projects.

Fox Digital made a thorough and exhaustive evaluation of all market offerings, large and small, to find the right console for their future post-production needs. As part of the studio upgrade, they needed a console that would deliver great sounding audio, sophisticated routing capabilities and integrated surround sound mixing ability to address high definition audio standards. The C200 was the choice for both on-air promotion and sport

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