Germany - The dates of this year's prolight+sound exhibition 29 March - 1 April, present d&b audiotechnik with a considerable dilemma, whether to be serious or not with the show culminating on this universally asinine day of the year. The origins of All Fool's Day are not just hundreds of years old but can be traced back to the Centurions when 1 April was effectively their new year. With the instigation of the Gregorian calendar in the 1500s this was changed to January 1st, however communications being what they were in those days many people did not know this for several years. Remorselessly ridiculed, they were often sent on fools' errands or were made the butt of other practical jokes. Knowing the expanse of the prolight+sound exhibition, d&b hopes that the communication of their latest offerings will be more rapid than in those days when news only travelled by foot.

Neverthe

Belgium - At the event and entertainment exhibition SIB in Rimini (Italy) Philips has introduced FastFit, a new lamp concept for Philips MSR Gold 700 SA/SE, Philips MSR Gold 1200 SA/SE and Philips Hi-Brite 1200Watt. The rear load lamp base system, developed by Philips and Bender & Wirth, enables easy lamp replacement and adjustments in seconds in difficult stage conditions and reduces the overall lamp considerably.

Philips FastFit for both halogen and HID: Fast replacement and adjustment aren't the only benefits, the overall lamp length, including the lamp holder, can be reduced by more than 25%. This makes more compact and lighter fixture designs possible. Furthermore, the FastFit technology will be used for both HID and Halogen lamps that brings about multi-usage of the fixture.

In close partnership, several leading manufacturers are introducing fixtures suitable for

USA - At the NSCA Expo, D&M Professional, the parent company of Denon Professional, has announced it is now shipping its flagship DN-V755 Network Audio Visual Player. The new DN-V755 provides system integrators and contractors with a complete visual messaging solution and was developed based on direct feedback from leading end-users and consultants in the field, say the company.

Designed to meet the increasing demand for digital signage multimedia solutions the DN-V755 offers extensive playback capabilities through its built-in 40 GB hard drive and extended range of compatible formats. The DN-V755 also features true drag-and-drop content uploads and an RS-232 port for integrated onsite system control.

Media Transfer has never been easier than with the DN-V755. The user is able to upload MPEG video, still pictures, WAV and other media directly from a computer. In addition to ea

Italy - At SIB 2006, Rimini - the international reference point for technology, audio, video and lighting for shows and new entertainment - the company showed the new iSpot Extreme. The Coemar stand will also hosted heats of 2006 Bologna Music Festival, a European contest for emerging artists from all over Italy and various other European countries, presented by Guido Mandreoli and Federica Calabrò. Participants fought it out note by note, beneath Coemar's light show and in front of a jury made up of expert musicians, record label executives and members of the national radio and TV broadcast industry. TV coverage by Milan's Cinevideostudio.

The iSpot Extreme is Coemar's ultimate moving yoke projector and was expressly designed for 2006 Winter Olympics' opening ceremony in the Stadium of Turin, where both the iSpot Extreme and other Coemar luminaries played at their best.

It p

UK - Bosch Security Systems has obtained approval from the independent and internationally recognized TÜV Product Service GmbH testing authority in Germany for its Plena Voice Alarm System.

The Plena Voice Alarm System has been independently TÜV tested to EN/IEC60849 certification for 'Sound Systems for Emergency Purposes'. This means Bosch can assure not just installers but also fire departments, consultants/specifiers and end-users that the voice evacuation systems they are using comply with the strictest requirements of the EN/IEC60849 standard for public buildings - such as hotels, schools, entertainment venues, sport centres, railway stations and termini, retail stores, shopping centers and exhibition centers.

TÜV approval for the Plena Voice Alarm System follows that of Bosch's Praesideo Public Address and Emergency Sound System, which obtained TÜV approval in 2003.<

Germany - Le Maitre will be at Prolight in Frankfurt, exhibiting with their German distributor LMP Lichtechnik. Le Maitre's sales director Rick Wilson will be on the LMP stand with a range of products including the Stadium Hazer, the new Fake Flame and the new MVS Hazer.

The Le Maitre Stadium Hazer is the top of the range of hazing machines. It utilizes a proven, patented conversion technique to provide a truly awesome output and is eminently suited for large venues. At the same time, electronic control of the output issue enables its use in smaller areas where rapid atmosphere fills are required, say the company.

The non-toxic fluid used to provide the unique haze form, departs from undesirable oil type use, and can only be converted by the advanced techniques employed. By maintaining a narrow band, cyclic temperature operation, consistent micron sized particles are formed, c

Germany - First announced at AES New York in October, the new EnergyPro brand will be launched in Europe at ProLight+Sound on stand D41 in Hall 5.1 with Germany, Austria and Switzerland distributor Analogue Audio/Pro Audio Services.

EnergyPro is the newly created professional division of Audio Products International Corp, manufacturer of the world famous consumer brands Energy, Mirage and Athena Technologies. Based in Toronto, Canada, APIC is the third largest loudspeaker manufacturer in North America and one of the ten largest speaker manufacturers in the world, say the company.

The first products created under the new brand are a comprehensive line of studio monitors, focussed on the recording, post production, project studio and broadcast markets. Stereo, surround, passive, active, analogue and digitally controlled systems are all featured.

The products on show at Frankfu

USA - American DJ has released two new two new Blinder versions of its LED Par fixtures - with the P36 and P64 LED Blinders. The P36 LED Blinder comprises eight P36 LED pinspot Par cans, while the P64 LED Blinder brings together four of the wider-beam P64 LED Par cans. Both Blinders are designed to colour-wash larger areas and are great for stage use, rentals, clubs and working bands. They can be set up either on the floor or mounted on American DJ's LTS-6 lighting stand, giving them the flexibility to fit a variety of lighting applications.

Both the P36 LED Blinder and P64 LED Blinder are DMX-compatible, so users can operate them with any standard DMX-512 controller. Both units offer direct DMX connection, so no power pack is required to plug them into the controller. The Blinders also offer manual focus of the wash coverage area, say American DJ.

(Lee Baldock)

Germany - ETC will introduce the new Transtechnik NTX lighting control console to the public for the first time at this year's ProLight & Sound exhibition in Frankfurt. As the successor in the successful NT line, a well known and respected product primarily in Germany, the new NTX marries the best of the Prisma NT and Focus NT console tradition with the latest advances in control technology, say ETC.

The NTX line, with new hardware and a Linux operating system, concentrates on "the essential in lighting control", say ETC, "while offering incredible processing speed and efficiency, backed up by the NT reputation for reliability".

All NTX units have on-board interfaces and can therefore forego additional external devices. Along with expanded functionality as well as fast and convenient control of moving lights, colour changers and media servers, NTX units com

UK - Ultimate DJ Gear (UDG) have redesigned their popular universal Denon tabletop CD bag - to accommodate the new flagship DN-S3500 player (which is based on a slightly different footprint from its predecessors).

As a result the burgeoning DN-S3500 now fits snugly into one of these ever-popular soft accessory bags - so favoured by DJ's as they offer the ultimate protection, without the weight of a traditional hard case.

David Morbey, D&M Professional product manager, says: "The DN-S3500 has been such a massive seller for us in the past six months that we're delighted that UDG have updated the bag. As with all their products this is by far the best soft case option available for the S3500 - we take them everywhere; they're especially handy for plane journeys when visiting our dealers and distributors around Europe."

UDG's international sales director, Tony Moore sa

Germany - The ProLight+Sound show in Frankfurt (29 March - 1 April), will include a chance to see and hear HK Audio systems live in a large-scale application. In the outdoor area in front of Hall 8, the new ProLounge will be equipped exclusively with HK Audio: the main system will be a 2x10 Cohedra system and stage monitoring will consist entirely of the company's new ConTour Series.

As a special highlight of the show, Deep Purple members Ian Paice (drums) and Don Airey (keys) will be playing live in the ProLounge on Friday, 31 March, and Saturday, 1 April, at 11:30am and 4:00pm - together with Thomas Blug, who has been called "Europe's Best Strat Player". Every day of the show at 3.00 pm, there will be a "meet-and-greet" event with Don and Ian at the HK Audio Portable Sound booth D31 in Hall 4.1.

The ProLounge will also host a world premiere of the HK Audi

UK - Baldwin Boxall has re-designed is popular Vigil Eclipse wall-mountable voice alarm / public address system. Despite its smaller size - measuring only 480mm in width, 200mm in depth and 680mm in height - the new Vigil Eclipse2 has the capacity to handle up to seven single or four dual circuit zones, say the company.

At the heart of the new Eclipse2 is the new Vigil2 EVAS routeing matrix, which offers beneficial features including parametric EQ on all eight inputs and seven outputs, ambient noise sensing, auto amplifier changeover, USB2 port (allowing system configuration/message revision via a laptop), fault and history logging and realtime clock. The unit also houses one 2U amplifier mainframe providing space for the power supply and two amplifiers from Baldwin Boxall's Vigil2 Class D range.

Vigil Eclipse2 provides a highly-efficient solution to the voice alarm market and

Denmark - Martin's popular Maxxyz lighting controller is now available in a PC-based version. This new computer-based version of the Maxxyz console is an off-line and online editing tool that gives full Maxxyz functionality from the ease and convenience of a PC or laptop, say Martin.

Maxxyz PC can be used for off-line programming and can be linked to Martin's Universal DMX interface device or Ether2DMX Router for direct control of fixtures. Featuring dongle-protected software without the need for expensive hardware, it is the ideal programming platform for a large variety of shows.

Maxxyz PC is the most scalable PC-based lighting software in the industry. The software is free of charge. However, to output DMX, a USB license dongle and a DMX interface device are needed. The USB interface device outputs 2 universes or uses ArtNet via the PC's Ethernet port.

Maxxyz PC is an att

USA - Lectrosonics is unveiling three new additions to the SM Super Mini transmitter line - which it says are the world's smallest professional audio wireless transmitters. The SM transmitter filled a niche for users who wanted a high-powered, cost-effective, advanced wireless transmitter in a small and splash-proof package, say the company.

The first of the three new additions to the SM family is the SMD (SM-Dual) transmitter using two AA batteries and therefore doubling the battery life of the original unit. Next is the SMQ (SM Quarter Watt) transmitter which has been designed to deliver 250mW power for longer range and greater resistance to interference than the standard SM (100mW transmitter) - also using two AA batteries. Finally the RM (Remote unit) was created for programming and operation of the SM transmitter family, including the new SMD and SMQ units. The RM communica

Germany - At ProLight&Sound, G-LEC has launched what it calls the first walk-through LED system. The G-LEC Tube follows the same principles as the company's highly acclaimed transparent LED frame systems - but without the frame. Each individual transparent tube hangs free, so walking through the G-LEC Tube is like walking through a slash or beaded curtain.

The ability to create a 'forest' of LEDs, with different lengths of individual tubes, brings enormous potential to lighting and set designers, say G-LEC, from having performers literally walk through the set, to dramatic 3D designs. Like the G-LEC Classic and the PhantomFrame systems, the G-LEC Tube is transparent to light, audio and wind and can be used to hide or reveal speaker stacks or an orchestra without affecting acoustics.

The G-LEC Tube can be constructed in different lengths, from 10cm up to 6m, in 10cm increments

Germany - At ProLight&Sound in Frankfurt, German manufacturer K.M.E. has launched two active professional stage monitors, the CLP 320 and CLP 350, to add to its Cluster Series. The CLP 320 is equipped with 12" + 1" neodymium loudspeaker, the CLP 350 with a 15" + 1" speaker combination. Both models are equipped with a 350W class D amplifier for high quality audio and maximum operation safety through comprehensive protective circuitry.

The input module is equipped with two independent audio inputs with two-band EQ and switchable 48 volts phantom power. Input 1 has an additional Cinch connector for signal sources as CD/MP3-players, and input 2 is equipped with an line-out connector for daisy-chaining. Master volume pot and master limiter are rounding out the professional features of both units.

Both monitors feature an optimized dispersion, due to the 80° x 6

USA / Belgium - US-based DJ equipment manufacturer Numark has announced a strategic alliance with ArKaos, the Belgium-based software provider, to provide audio and video integration into live DJ performance. The announcement was revealed at the ProLight&Sound trade show in Frankfurt, Germany.

Numark and Arkaos have created a powerful video controller, NuVJ, which it says will invite any DJ to instantly transform into a multimedia VJ (Video Jockey). The software is compatible with a Mac or a PC.

Representatives of Numark and ArKaos point out that the NuVJ is an entirely new product offering that capitalizes on the strengths of both companies and is designed as a video counterpart to a DJ's existing audio setup. Numark CEO John E. 'Jack' O'Donnell commented: "Numark has a proven track record of innovation in the DJ market and is always looking for opportunities to further e

USA - High End Systems (HES) is now shipping the fourth version of its Catalyst software and Media Server. Catalyst software, which was first introduced in 2001, fuses lighting with digital media, allowing the user to create virtual scenery and unlimited visual effects for markets ranging from tours and corporate events to cruise ships and houses of worship.

The new Catalyst v4 is enhanced with support for additional input/output devices as well as complementary products. This support includes cue lists and pixelMAD functionality, expanding the possibilities for users, say HES. Version 4 also enables Catalyst to be controlled by video- and music-industry standard controllers such as Mackie and MIDI controllers. This is the first version of Catalyst to not require a DMX controller. The Pro version of Catalyst features four independent on-screen output mixes and 10 independent ass

Italy - Italian pro audio manufacturer Outline has issued the following statement regarding its intellectual property and the agreement reached with Stamer Musikanlagen GmbH and Music & Sales Professional Equipment GmbH, the parent company of German manufacturer HK Audio, in which Outline says it has agreed to 'tolerate' the design of HK Audio's COHEDRA line array system. The statement also warns other manufacturers whose line array design infringe on Outline's intellectual property of possible legal action.

"It is hereby announced that an important agreement has been concluded between Outline di Noselli G. & C. s.n.c., owner of the Italian design model BS200O000020, the international design model DM / 062394 and the US-American design model D500,306 S, and Stamer Musikanlagen GmbH and Music & Sales Professional Equipment GmbH. Persuant to this agreement, Stamer Musikanlage

UK / Italy - Lightfactor Sales has taken on exclusive UK and Irish distribution of the Novalight range of products from Italy. Lightfactor - one of the UK's longest established and leading lighting sales operations - was particularly interested in the Novalight High-Ground range of high powered fixed and moving yoke luminaires, which perfectly complements the existing SGM range of moving lights.

Lightfactor's Peter Coles comments: "We needed to fill the gap in the 3 - 5k high power luminaire range, for both indoor and outdoor applications. The High-Ground is ideal - it can be floor or truss mounted and it is versatile, well made and extremely cost effective." He adds that they will be announcing some major High-Ground sales shortly, and that hopes Novalight's new Nova-flower will be just as successful.

The DMX-controlled Novalight High-Ground uses a 2000W MSR lightso

Germany - Midas have announced the worldwide unveiling of the XL8 live performance system. This greatly-anticipated launch heralds the console manufacturer's entry into the digital mixing realm. XL8 offers an incomparable design combining exemplary sound quality, flexibility and reliability and ease of use unrivalled by other digital control surfaces, says the company. XL8 is the first of a new generation of open-architecture, cross-platform, integrated audio control and distribution systems, which brings control of not only audio, but other aspects of live performance to a single, intuitive control centre.

XL8 represents a new generation of networked systems, requiring only mics, amps and speakers to provide a complete audio system. However its open architecture ensures that third-party devices can easily be integrated into the system.

"Digital technology has now matured

Germany - Martin Audio used Pro Light+Sound in Frankfurt to release a new, aesthetically-styled range of LE stage monitors, raising both the looks and performance of the classic LE range which has toured with the world's leading bands over the past 15 years. Also shown for the first time was the new W8L Longbow large-scale, three-way line array enclosure.

With their sleek, rounded profile, it was the three new low-profile monitors that really caught the eye. The series comprises: the LE2100, three-way biamp, high-power differential dispersion monitor, incorporating 2 x 12in motor bass drivers, 6.5in midrange driver and 1in compression driver; the LE1500, an active/passive version, with single 15in driver and 1.4in exit compression driver, and finally, the LE1200, featuring a single 12in driver and 1.4in exit compression driver. The enclosures can also be used as flown infills vi

UK - UK distributor for HME's range of advanced wireless intercom products, audio experts Orbital Sound, is announcing the expansion of its fleet of HME solutions with the addition of the new WH200 ComLink.

ComLink is set to significantly enhance the potential of two-way communications in the UK's broadcast, live performance, corporate presentation and installed sound markets, says the company. ComLink is a digital 2.4 Ghz all in one headset that offers a total comms solution, which comes complete with the entire range of functions offered by the standard BP200 belt pack.

ComLink's feature-packed and ergonomically designed headset augments the operational capacity in any environment application and offers greater freedom of movement, eliminating any cable snagging and obtrusive un-aesthetic belt-packs.

Boasting the same battery life as its sister product - the BP 200, it run

UK - Slingco, the UK representative for US manufacturer Vortek's award winning rigging system, announces the UK launch of the new Vortek Point Hoist module.

The unique and versatile Vortek Point is lightweight, self contained, portable and rugged, and ideal for theatrical and entertainment type applications, says the company.

Features include a speed and lifting capacity of 0 - 180 ft/min at up to 1200 lbs of lifting capacity or 0 - 90 ft/min at up to 1400 lbs of lifting capacity - with additional load/speed combinations available. A standard travel distance (for vertical and horizontal mounts) of 65 and 100 ft is available, and the wire rope is available in both 3/16" (5 mm) & 1/4" (6 mm) gauges.

Vortek Point Hoist modules can be attached to a single I-beam (replacing chain hoists), or wheeled to a position on the grid, with dual zero fleet angle lift lines droppi

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