UK / Canada - Richmond Sound Design (RSD) of Vancouver, Canada, and London, England, has introduced the new Model AB64, the latest model in the line of award-winning AudioBox sound and show controllers. The AB64 series offers up to 64 channels of sound recording, playback, shaping and manipulation, plus enhanced show control capabilities, all in a 2U rack-mountable modular mainframe. This comprehensive re-design, headed by HFI lead engineer Tim Bartoo, quadruples the capacity of the previous model without requiring any additional rack space, say the company.

As a sound controller, the new AB64 can mix simultaneously up to 64 live analogue input signals, 64 live digital input signals and 64 pre-recorded audio signals from the unit's internal hard drives. The unit is capable of both synchronous and non-synchronous audio file playback. Each input channel can be gain leveled, panned

Belgium - In response to "an ever increasing market demand to utilise LED display technology in a creative way", Barco has launched three products - MiSphere, Creative MiPix and Creative Olite.

"Adding a creative dimension to LED technology attests Barco's technology leadership in the international events and architectural lighting industry. Most of the products have been developed in close partnership with leading show designers and can now be offered as a true solution to the market. Let's break the mold and unleash the creativity!" comments Stephan Paridaen, president of Barco Media & Entertainment.

A MiSphere consists of 4 full colour high performance LEDs that reside inside an opaque, light-defusing capsule. With 360-degree viewing angles, and the ability to play both full video & data, the MiSphere bridges the gap between existing video and lighting p

UK - Baldwin Boxall Communications is well-known for being at the forefront of the emergency voice communication market. As such the company acted quickly upon learning about the new Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) by providing disabled refuge systems from September 2001 - some three years prior to the DDA coming into effect in October 2004.Listening to input from leading outside sources and from their own research, Baldwin Boxall developed Vigil CommuniCare and then, more recently, Vigil CommuniCare Advance.

Vigil CommuniCare Advance is a disabled refuge system which is easy to install and use, says the manufacturer. The special features of the CommuniCare Advance include raised luminescent script, Braille and a built-in induction loop - making it suitable for the majority of applications. Upon occupation of the specified area, a single button press on the unit is all that

Germany / USA - Look Solutions will show its new Unique2 water-based hazer at the 2005 ETS-LDI Show in Orlando (11-13 November 2005). The German manufacturer of high performance fog and haze equipment revolutionized the hazer industry in 1999, when they introduced the Unique with independent pump/fan incremental output - a technology that's now standard in water-base hazers. The Unique² takes this technology to a new level with improvements in performance and reliability, say the company.

The Unique2's heater does not need to be cleaned or serviced and will not clog provided that nothing but pure Unique Fluid is used. Other features of the Unique2 include: DMX, analogue, and standalone controls, digital timer, practically silent operation, minimal fluid consumption, 60 second warm-up time, and high output. The Unique2 also comes with a Money Back Guarantee.

Look Solutions can

Denmark - Following the introduction of a new series of System 6000 stereo plug-ins for Pro Tools HD, TC Electronic has announced that it will be taking over worldwide distribution of all its TDM plug-ins going forward. Effective immediately, distribution of Master X3 will switch from Digidesign to TC Electronic and TC Tools will be discontinued.

With the four new TDM plug-ins from System 6000, some of the most sophisticated dynamics, reverbs and effects processing algorithms for mixing and mastering will be available for the Pro Tools platform. TC Electronic expects VSS3 to ship in October 2005, MD3 to ship late November 2005, and DVR2 and NonLin2 to ship during the first months of 2006. Master X3 is a mastering plug-in for Pro Tools that is the virtual incarnation of the TC Electronic Finaliser. It supports Pro Tools 24 Mix and HD and can operate at sample rates up to 96kHz.

USA - Digigram, owner and supplier of the EtherSound technology, revealed at this week's AES convention in New York the specifications of Gigabit-EtherSound that will include 512 audio channels over a single cable (256 channels in each direction) as well as a bandwidth of 100 Mbit/s for control and IP data transport, while maintaining all current EtherSound features including the ultra-low latency of only 125 microseconds.

Digigram will be showcasing the technology for the first time at the next Systems Integration Expo (formerly NSCA) and Prolight+Sound trade shows in March 2006. A technology upgrade will then be made available to all EtherSound licensees in the second quarter of 2006.

EtherSound business development manager Jimmy Kawalek is enthusiastic about the evolution: "We are thrilled about the possibilities that Gigabit-EtherSound will offer. Imagine how quickly

USA - Furman Sound has developed a new 20-amp regulator that delivers a stable 120 volts of AC power to protect equipment from problems caused by AC line voltage irregularities. Furman says that the AR-20 II is the only 20-amp voltage regulator that also filters and purifies AC power, assuring that electronic equipment performs at optimum levels while also providing full protection from spikes and surges with Furman's exclusive SMP+ technology.

"Voltage irregularities like sags, brownouts, and overvoltages are commonplace in AC lines and can cause sensitive electronic equipment to malfunction or sustain damage," said Dave Keller, executive vice president of Furman Sound. "In addition, electrical noise on the line prevents equipment from achieving optimal performance. The AR-20 II not only protects electronics from damaging power, but also filters out the noise usi

Australia / UK - LSC Lighting reports positive feedback to the product developments it unveiled at PLASA 2005. The new-look maXim took centre-stage and LSC previewed Version 2 of the software. The new code supports double the number of moving lights; syncopated Tap To The Beat; Global Chase Speed; Reload of a single playback, and new Stack Control with GoTo command.

The new e24v2, a natural evolution of the established LSC e24 compact touring dimmer system that includes a touch-sensitive LCD control panel and networking, caused considerable interest.

The DNAnet/R rack mount DMX/Artnet converter which can convert two DMX512 Universes to Ethernet, or vice versa, was well received as was the new ePLATE series of architectural controllers specifically designed to be used with the EKO range of dimming systems but which can also be used with the new e24.

(Jim Evans)

USA - Lasernet will be showing the Trinity and Matrix entertainment RGB laser systems at LDI in Orlando in November. "The full colour, solid state RGB laser systems feature the latest in laser technology, the diode laser," says Lasernet president Tom Harman. "By aligning an array of diodes into a single white light laser beam, we step into the future by eliminating the traditional laser requirements of 3-phase power and water-cooling. Now the lasers are truly 'Plug and Play'.

"To be honest, I never thought I'd see the day when we could have full colour lasers without the water and 3-phase power. These long life diodes are a technical breakthrough that's going to change the way everyone looks at laser shows from now on."

(Jim Evans)

UK - LxDesigns has announced the release of LxActive an add-on for its popular lighting design package. This add-on allows the DMX stream from the lighting console to be monitored and the plan automatically updated. With this enhancement it means LxDesigner users do not have to redraw their plans in a third party piece of software to enjoy the benefits of actively monitoring their rigs, says the company.

(Jim Evans)

Denmark - DPA Microphones has launched two new instrument mics, which offer musicians "flexibility and quality at an affordable price point, whether live or in the studio". The 4090 and 4091 mics feature an omnidirectional condenser capsule in a lightweight aluminium housing with a 3-pin XLR connector.

The DPA 4090 and 4091 microphones are housed in a 19mm anodised black aluminium barrel casing which tapers down to the 5.4 mm capsule. The mics, which are a total length of 12 cm, fit neatly into the mic clip included.

"Studio and live sound users who wish to experience DPA's quality and open, natural sound at an affordable price can now do so with the new 4090 and 4091 microphones," says Craig Parrish, sales and marketing manager at DPA. "The price level will mean that every studio and rental company will be able to own a pair."

For the 4090 caps

UK - Launched at PLASA this year, Audio-Technica's re-engineered UniPoint range of full-line, miniaturized, condenser installation-sound microphones, now features unique Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) shielding. The new UniPoint range, comprising gooseneck, hanging, boundary and handheld models, enables improved standards of audio reinforcement in the increasingly hostile RF environments associated with commercial and industrial AV installations.

The original full-line miniaturized, condenser installation-sound microphones, UniPoint remains a market leader within the commercial audio and AV integrator sectors. Comprising over 30 different models, UniPoint is designed for the widest range of applications, in corporate, institutional, civic and religious installations, including sound reinforcement, broadcast and recording. Audio-Technica's proprietary UniGuard shielding est

UK - Clockaudio has launched the MR88 digital automatic microphone mixer which has been developed for use in conference suites, meeting rooms, courts of justice, houses of worship and general AV applications.

The MR88 is billed as an effective solution for a variety of audio installations where multiple microphones are in use together and where there is a need to eliminate the requirement of a live operator. The mixer is based on the successful MR66 and includes a number of new features which have been developed following feedback from Clockaudio clients.

The MR88 incorporates advanced DSP technology and has been designed to give outstanding performance and flexibility while maintaining simplicity of set-up and use. Eight input channels, fully adjustable for microphone and line level, can be set up to be put on to either or both of the two output channels.

Active input chann

UK - The Mach CW 115, CW 215, CW 118 and CW 218 are the last four subwoofers - and the last speakers - to be introduced in Mach's new C-Range of installation speakers. All products in Mach's C-Range are now on the market - providing "a competitive line of high-quality products for various venue sizes".

The CW series is a line of reflex loaded subwoofers which give a deep and fast bass output. Built for heavy-duty use in professional environments, the subwoofers are constructed with sturdy Baltic plywood cabinets and feature a SafeCoat coating to give optimal strength.

Like all speakers in the Mach C-Range, the CW subwoofers are designed to fit unobtrusively into any install environment and feature the same flying point principles used on the C-Range top boxes.

All four subwoofers feature: Reflex loaded, compact cabinet design; improved excursion control and lineari

USA - Chauvet Lighting's Colorsplash 196 will debut at LDI 2005. The 7-channel, linkable DMX-512 can fixture is fitted with 196 bright red, green and blue light emitting diodes that produce a "high-output, richly colored wash suited for architectural, ambience-setting and entertainment applications".

The diodes are distributed in seven individually controlled, concentric circles and they can produce a wide spectrum of colours via RGB mixing. Colorsplash features seven static colours, a colour change program with 10 selectable speeds, 5-color pattern chase programs with adjustable speed and sound-active mode via the LED-BOSS optional controller.

The lifespan of the diodes (85 red, 51 green, 60 blue) is estimated at up to 100,000 hours. Power is switchable, 115V/230V or 230V.Each unit weighs 4lb (1.8kg) and measures 6" x 8" x 7.5" (152.4 mm x 203.2mm x 1

USA - The new Starhazer II DMX from CITC has double the output of the previous StarHazer - plus DMX on-board, insulation for quiet operation, cycle/direct/remote operation, a seven-filter system, and a dual opening for wide coverage, say the company.

The DMX 512 capability includes a convenient 5-pin XLR 'In' and 'Send' feature for setting up other units on the same DMX line. Also included is the remote control featuring buttons which allow either manual 'on' and 'off' operation, or timed operation. StarHazer II DMX also comes with a control switch that allows for direct power - ideal for rental companies that don't want to send out the remote control units, say CITC. No heat is used to run the machine.

UK - Bosch Security Systems is enhancing its Praesideo Public Address and Emergency Evacuation System with a new Remote Call Station and Call Station Interface that use CAT-5 (Category 5) cabling.

The use of CAT-5 cabling, the industry standard for data communications in computer and IP networks, gives the Praesideo system even more flexibility in system design. The new Remote Call Stations can be located up to one kilometre away from the Call Station Interface. Other advantages of using CAT-5 cabling are that it does not add to the Praesideo's system bus length and it makes call station installation easier, says Bosch.

The new Remote Call Station - the LBB4438/00 - can be powered either by the Call Station Interface or from a local power supply if a large number of keypads are to be used at long distance. The LBB4438/00 can be extended with up to 16 keypads each with eight co

USA - City Theatrical's new PDS-50 is a power/data supply designed for Color Kinetics ColorBlast, ColorBurst, and iColorCove LED lighting fixtures. Its breakthrough technology combines both WDS wireless DMX data and either battery or mains operation, giving it the ability to be a totally wireless DMX controlled LED lighting fixture.

The low power consumption of LEDs and the reliability of City Theatrical's WDS Wireless Data System give designers and users the ability for the first time to light with: No AC power or generators; No power distribution to hook up; No power cables to run; No dimmers; No data cables to run; A setup time of minutes; Built in colour mixing; Low heat; No dimmer noise; 20 hours of battery life on a rolling fade or seven hours of battery life at full output (mixing white light) when using a City Theatrical Battery Base.

The PDS-375TR is a six circuit ver

Europe - An array of new products and technologies is being launched by Bose this autumn during a roadshow that will take place in eight European countries and showcase the new lines to more than 1,000 of the company's ProPartners, authorised dealers, consultants and press from 22 countries. The road show, titled 'Performance by Design' underlines the ability of Bose and its partners to offer totally integrated solutions for engineered sound systems and multi-zone background applications.

Each show will act as the launch pad for a number of new products which either complement existing product ranges such as the Panaray LT loudspeaker family, or are a completely new addition to the Bose range, such as the ControlSpace systems. The latest version of MODELER sound system software and the patented Auditioner playback system will raise the bar in terms of sound system simulation cap

UK - The new PixelEight fixture from James Thomas Engineering is the first in a new series of contemporary versions of classic lighting instruments. Traditionally called a 'blinder' or '8-lite' this LED version allows the exploration of innovative design ideas using the latest technology, say the company.

Ideal for audience and stage/studio illumination, the fixture offers long-throw capability and a 6° beam. The independent control of each LED cell allows creative programming opportunities and the powerful internal effects engine produces colour strobing and colour scrolling effects. There is no heat projected by the unit, allowing it to be positioned in close proximity to performers, stage sets, screens or drapes. It can also be hung vertically or horizontally for further flexibility. It is robustly designed for touring and boasts extremely low power consumption. Black powder

Worldwide - Yamaha Commercial Audio reports that sales of its new M7CL digital mixing desk - launched to a worldwide audience at the PLASA Show in London last month - have significantly exceeded their own "ambitious" expectations.

"We've been astonished and delighted," said Nick Cook, recently appointed general manager for Commercial Audio in the UK. "The level of interest in the M7CL has exceeded all our expectations. In the UK alone we've already sold over 40 units since PLASA, which must be something of a record."

Not only in the UK have sales exceeded all expectations, worldwide, over 250 sales have been made since the PLASA Show.

The new desk with its Centralogic interface is simplicity itself to use and is likely to appeal even to those purists who remain wedded to analogue desks. Chris Headlam of Orbital Sound is in no doubt of the desk's

UK / USA - White Light's Digital Festoon System, launched at the 2004 PLASA Show where it won a PLASA Award for Innovation, found its way onto a number of UK lighting projects this summer, and is now on its way to the ETS-LDI Show in Orlando, Florida.

A radical re-think of traditional festoon lighting, the Digital Festoon System offers users the ability to individually control the level of each bulb along a length of festoon, while still being formed from a traditional two-core festoon cable.

The first to use the system in a real-world project was lighting designer Gary Collins, on a large outdoor event for VS Creative. "VS Creative had asked me to come up with an efficient and cost-effective way to light a 400m path through the woodland grounds of the venue, allowing guests to return to the car park after dark," Collins explains. "Light levels had to be generou

UK - Audient highlighted the ACS8024 at this year's AES in New York. The Audient console on display at US distributor Audio Exchange International's (AXI) booth proved very popular and was sold to singer/songwriter Bill Champlin of Chicago fame.

Chris Walsh, AXI sales director reports: "Champlin liked the ACS8024 so much that he bought it before the show had even finished! It was exactly the solution he was looking for."

The ACS8024 combines the feature mix of the ASP8024 with an additional control section bay with Command 8 fitted for ProTools control. This brings the control of ProTools right to the traditional listening position: the centre of the console.

Walsh comments: "With the advent of digital recording and expectations of engineers at an all time high, coupling Audient's high quality analogue design with the digital interface means they get the best

UK - The new Opus 89 handheld vocal mic from beyerdynamic has a hypercardioid polar pattern offering "excellent isolation, allowing maximum monitoring volume with minimum feedback", say the company.

The Opus 89 is a premium microphone, delivering true uncoloured sound and a real sense of control for the performer, say beyerdynamic, offering wide frequency response for clear top-end and extended vocal depth. The Opus 89 is of heavy-duty construction, and robust enough for touring, say the company.

(Lee Baldock)

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