UK - FocusTrack, the database system for tracking and documenting the use of both moving and conventional lights in shows, is now available in a new version - version 1.200, launched on 8 May. The new version adds a number of new features and refinements to FocusTrack, which has been put to use on numerous high profile shows since its launch in 2005. Many of the new features are based on user feedback from these productions.

Leading the list of new features are improved displays with alternate row shading and with new options to highlight each new set of focus groups, channels or cues. Individual lamp-focuses can be flagged to draw attention to those requiring regular focussing. New 'QuickFind' buttons allow direct access to particular focuses, lights, cues or more. New Photo Shoot and Focus Loop functions make it even easier to step through a rig either photographing focuses or

UK - Trident is adding a sunlight readable large format 32-inch LCD panel to its portfolio. The W32L300 display features transflective technology to allow viewing even in bright daylight, making it especially well suited to retail applications such as shop windows and estate agents.

The new WinMate transflective coating is a patent pending innovation that equips TFT LCDs with a reflective mode of illumination without compromising transmissive illumination. The display reflects ambient light passing through the LCD cell and employs the reflected light as its illumination. The stronger the ambient light, the brighter the LCD appears. As a result, the display can be viewed under all lighting conditions, including direct sunlight, regardless of the LCD's original brightness.

The new open-frame display has a 31.5-inch (800mm) diagonal viewing area with 16:9 aspect ratio. It has a t

UK - Centre Stage Engineering will be introducing their new Tri-Band Hoist and control system at this year's ABBT Show on the 14 and 15 June. This is a truss-mounted unit that has been designed with economy, safety, ease of installation and versatility in mind. It is aimed at venues such as schools, universities and theatres that do not require the sophistication or complexity of a full-blown power flying system.

It incorporates two braked geared motors, a four-way limit box with BGV-C1 rating and optional encoder and a safe working load of up to 500kg. Its control system provides fixed or variable speed up to 10 metres per minute via a touch screen HMI unit and a switching power matrix enables two inverters to control up to 10 hoists via a single 13A or 6A 240v supply. It can be mounted either directly onto a grid or fixed to roof steels so that no lateral load is placed on the

USA - Dutch dance virtuoso Tiësto was so taken by Pioneer's new DJM-800 mixer when he laid his hands on one for the very first time at club AgeHa in Japan that he wouldn't leave without carrying it away with him. Convinced of its greatness, Tiësto bagged the sample mixer from AgeHa's DJ booth and whisked it away to the Miami Winter Music Conference.

Once in Miami, Tiësto used the DJM-800 MIDI assignable digital mixer alongside four new Pioneer CDJ-1000Mk3 decks. Performing at two events held at the intimate Mansion club - including a special album launch party for his new In Search Of Sunrise 5 mix compilation, titled Los Angeles. This landmark mix was released via Black Hole Recordings on 27 April and to support its release Tiësto embarked on a three-week-long tour of Asia. In May he begins his tour of North America and will hit the Netherlands and the UK in June, wh

USA - BCi announces the release of a unique software upgrade for such a small DMX-512 console: dmXact.

The dmXact software has just finished beta testing at Element Labs following their request for this new capability for use on their video servers. Element has ordered six units for their use in sales and support.

Prior to this time, DMX users wishing to see real DMX output values were generally challenged by the use of a cursor based DMX test device or a full-featured console. With the advent of the dmXact chip, this powerful tool is now placed in the palm of any Pocket Console user.

dmXact allows the user to choose, from one of four methods, how they wish to see the output of the Pocket Console: DMX real values from 0-255; DMX % values from 0-100%; binHex values from 0-FF; No output readout. These choices are easily selected by depressing the last or next buttons while in

Germany - Software for clubs, DJ's, bars, lounges, shows and conventions, the keywords for this comprehensive lighting controller software are simple handling and an intuitive user interface, says the company.

The two effect pipelines for programming effects, as well as an output window offers direct and intuitive access to lighting effects. Madrix can be used for DMX remote-control by any DMX console (DMX-IN). Madrix can be controlled even more simply with a mouse, keyboard or monitor. With a soundcard and the Music2Light effects, it performs a 100% synchronised light show.

Using Madrix, RGB or RGBW light matrices can be controlled. Madrix makes it simple to program effects, colours, gradients, tickers, bitmaps or videos. Madrix is a user-friendly software package for triggering small and big LED- installations through DMX512.

A free demonstration can be downloaded from www

USA - The various audio/video interfaces on most of today's HDTV sources and displays do not always connect easily to each another. DVI, for example, doesn't transmit audio with its high definition resolutions up to 1920x1200 (1080p) though HDMI does.

The DVI Audio to HDMI adapter from Gefen allows you to send HD video to the display with digital audio in TOSlink and S/PDIF formats. The adapter comes equipped with one DVI, one TOSlink and one S/PDIF input. The HDMI display and audio receiver connect to the unit's digital outputs. Installation is plug and play with the unit running on its own 5v power supply.

The component audio to HDMI adapter is a unique device that connects component sources or VGA computers to an HDMI display, patching HD video together with two channels of audio (left and right) to the HDMI display. This offers the most convenient method of linking an anal

UK - A crucial factor when designing light fittings to replace existing technology is the overall efficiency of the system. Now available from Forge Europa is the world's most efficient power LED the Cree XR lamp with an efficacy of 47lm/w, says the company. At these levels LED technology is considerably more efficient than incandescent or halogen and is starting to encroach on the province of fluorescent lighting.

The XR series is available in a full range of colours including both warm and cool white and although white LEDs are often criticised for their lack of colour consistency, the CREE devices are all tested and sorted into tightly controlled bins for both colour and intensity. All parts are then supplied on reels of 1000 pieces with each reel only containing parts from one bin.

The Cree XR series also offers a number of other benefits including reduced thermal resistan

USA - Baxter Controls (BCi) announces the immediate availability of 100-240v Power Supplies (P/S) for the Pocket Console line of products for ease of use worldwide.

With the creation of this new P/S, specifically for the world market, The Pocket Console DMX can now be used virtually anywhere. Electricians, lighting technicians and designers worldwide can now find out why these very portable units have sold so well from Broadway to Hollywood. From backstage to soundstage, The Pocket Console is found anywhere in the US where DMX is found, says the company. For the professional, this may be the most convenient, economical access to DMX control in the market today.

Each "Wall Wart" comes with a full kit of standard 'clip-on" male A/C adapters making The Pocket Console user friendly around the globe.

The BCi line includes the Original Pocket Console DMX, the Wall-M

USA - Celestion has dramatically increased the versatility of its CDX range with the launch of two new compact, lightweight Neodymium compression drivers - the CDX1-1730 and CDX1-1731.

These two models provide designers with a choice of mounting options (the CDX1-1730 is flange mount and the CDX1-1731 screw mount), while specifications for both devices are the same: 75-Watt power rating, 8 Ohm impedance, 110 dB sensitivity, 1.2-20 kHz frequency range, 1.75" voice coil and 1" throat exit.

According to senior project engineer, Paul Cork: "These are very lightweight and compact compression drivers which bring together the best elements of technology used in all of our CDX range."

And, like other CDX compression drivers in the range, these new devices make extensive use of Celestion's industry-leading experience in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to optimize th

USA - After their month long Ear Candy contest and along with the announcement of the winner of Serial #001, API Audio is pleased to announce it's new product called the A2D.

The A2D integrates two 312 discrete mic preamps with API's new proprietary analogue to digital converters into a 1U rack space unit. It represents the first digital offering in API¹s successful line of microphone amplifiers and signal processing modules.

"When we began design of the A2D, we wanted to do it right. We knew the analogue to digital converters had to be the best possible to fully complement two of our 312 discrete mic amps, one of our most popular mic amp designs for over 25 years," says Larry Droppa, president of API. "And at the same time, we felt it was important to avoid the typical delays of announcing a new product and then shipping it much later. We're pleased to

USA - Renkus-Heinz will showcase its CF/CFX Series of high value, high performance loudspeakers at Infocomm with a live demonstration in demo roomW-203A. The self-powered CF Series incorporates the company's new PF-1 Intelligent Digital Amplifier, while the CFX Series is designed for use with external amplifiers.

The CF/CFX Series brings world-renowned Renkus-Heinz innovations, along with the brand's natural, balanced sonic performance, to a lower price point, says the company. Built to the company's stringent quality standards using the finest components and materials, each CF/CFX Series loudspeaker is rigorously inspected before shipping. To achieve cost efficiency, the CF/CFX Series uses simpler cabinet designs and offers fewer options than the product lines that have established Renkus-Heinz as a world leader in loudspeaker technology.

The CF/CFX Series includes six produc

UK - Crown International has launched its new 'Contractor Digital Intelligence' series 2-channel amplifiers, introducing new standards of cost performance ratio, and advanced features for the installed sound market, says the company.

The new CDi Series amplifiers feature the same Class-I (Balanced Current Amplifier) Crown patented technology as its I-Tech Series, coupled with advanced DSP functionality and USB computer connectivity, enabling setup and control via the included HiQnet System Architect software, on PC or Mac.

The CDi Series also sets a new standard in weight to power ratio for amplifiers of its class, both models - the CDi 1000 and CDi 2000 - weighing in at under 17lbs for a 2U rack space unit. The two models are identical except for their power rating, with the CDi 1000 and CDi 2000 respectively providing 500 watts and 700 watts per channel into four ohms. Other

USA - The Iconyx Series Digitally Controlled Array Systems will be at Infocomm following its launch last autumn. These loudspeakers will be demonstrated live at Infocomm 2006 in Orlando in Demo Room W-203A. An Iconyx system has also been selected to provide audio for the AV Awards Banquet on Tuesday evening - where, coincidentally, Iconyx is among the finalists in the Most Innovative Loudspeaker For Commercial Installations category.

The Iconyx Series uses advanced technology to provide natural music and intelligible speech in the highly reverberant environments typically associated with architecturally distinguished buildings. Their slender vertical profile mounts flat to the wall, blending easily with both classical and contemporary architecture. The integrated system inside provides a powerful new solution for consultants, contractors and architects who need pre

USA - The growing number of users of digital projectors in entertainment and events share a common problem: When the projector is projecting black, it is actually a dark grey that is quite obvious and distracting on a dark stage. The Projector Dowser from City Theatrical is an electromechanical device that sits next to or on top of a digital projector and swings a flag in front of the beam to change video black to a real blackout.

The Projector Dowser utilises a stepper motor controlled by one channel of DMX to swing a flag through an arc of up to 90 degrees. The flag is adjustable on a rotating shaft to allow users to position the flag and the control box in a convenient location. The included mounting kit features a flat base with screw holes, rubber feet, Velcro, and an Allen key for mounting the flag and hub to the Dowser's shaft.

The Projector Dowser also features dry clo

France - Rycote is showcasing a new and exciting range of smooth windshields at AES (Audio Engineering Society) in Paris this month. As well as providing very effective wind noise reduction, these new Rycote Smoothies can be personalised with a printed colour logo of your choice.

The Smoothies comprise a two-part foam cavity constructed of an open cell acoustic foam base, covered by a thin foam outer skin, reducing wind noise up to 22dB. A large range of sizes is available to fit most popular shotgun and condenser microphones (from 19mm to 25 mm diameter), as well as a variety of on-board camera microphones. There are five new Smoothie flavours to choose from: blackberry, strawberry, lime, banana and blueberry.

For increased wind protection a removable fur cover (Smoothie Windjammer) is available as an optional extra in the standard Rycote grey fur.

Rycote's managing directo

France - First announced at AES New York in October, the new EnergyPro brand will be exhibiting for the first time at a European AES in Paris, together with their distributor Analogue Audio/Pro Audio Services.

EnergyPro is the newly created professional division of Audio Products International Corp, manufacturer of the 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.

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 and API has used its R&D resources to design in digital compatibility and upgrade paths for this

USA - Zandar Technologies, a leading innovator in the design and development of high quality multi-source video display and management solutions, will be debuting their high-quality image processing products at InfoComm between 7 - 9 June, in Orlando, Florida, USA.

From the varied display requirements of audio visual, video conferencing and digital signage applications to the complex configurations required for high end command and control rooms, video surveillance and security monitoring centres, Zandar MultiViewers provide a specific multi-video display solution. The company shall be exhibiting its advanced range of MultiViewer solutions which provide one flexible, integrated interface for the display of multiple video and data sources at many demanding and diverse sites across the globe today.

Enhanced video display and monitoring will be showcased with the all new FusionPr

Spain - Time goes by with giant steps, so Work is introducing the new SION professional mixer series, aiming to satisfy the needs of the most demanding DJ's.

SION is a new and useful mixer series with two, three and four channels, bringing some new features and including new technical characteristics of the latest generation.

Input type selectors and three band equalizer on each channel, level adjustment and master/monitoring selector at the headphones output, front and back microphone inputs with talkover function, high intensity Led vumeters, recording outputs, an easy crossfader and line faders replacement system, and an excellent signal/noise ratio makes of the new SION series a must in the future DJ booths.

(Chris Henry)

USA - Danley Sound Labs is introducing the SH-100B at InfoComm 2006. This new addition to the popular SH Series gives the user the additional power of a tapped-horn subwoofer wrapped around the popular two-way Danley SH-100 loudspeaker.

With a maximum SPL in the upper 120dB range, a beamwidth of 110 x 110, and frequency response to below 40Hz, the SH-100B is destined to become a favourite loudspeaker solution for audio designers, contractors, and staging/rental companies, says the company. Its compact size, 29.5" x 20.5" x 19", make the SH-100B extremely mobile.

Applications for the SH-100B include houses or worship, commercial theatres, live music venues, performing arts centres, and discos.

"Pound for pound, dollar for dollar, the SH-100B is one of the most powerful loudspeakers out there," says Mike Hedden, president of Danley Sound Labs. "Us

Denmark - The Mania SCX series is Martin's response to the market demand for more powerful, compact and feature packed scanners. The latest in the series is the Mania SCX700, a far-reaching and blinding moving mirror effect driven by 150 watts of discharge power. The SCX700 also features crisp rotating gobos, a broad selection of colors and a fast strobe effect making it ideal for the all-night club dance floor.

This extraordinary discharge scanner effect houses the highest quality optical system for maximum light output and true high-definition image quality. It combines with a long life 150W discharge lamp (6000 hours, included) to kick out an impressively powerful array of graphics and color. And for easy serviceability, the lamp in the SCX700 is a breeze to replace.

The SCX700 features separate colour and gobo wheels for a multitude of brilliant effects. Included are seven

UK - The M1 Tubetracker is ideal for the home or project studio - especially when space is limited. The M1 follows on from the success of the hugely popular M4 tube console launched last year, which already has a large array of high profile users from Athlete to Lamb.

The M1 enables you to capture that acclaimed warm, smooth and clean TL Audio sound at the lowest price point ever achieved on one of their desks says the company, without compromising quality. The M1 offers you quality valve mic preamps on each channel, three band musical EQ with sweepable mid on each channel, two auxiliary sends per channel as well as effects returns and alternate two track returns and monitoring options.

It has been designed to maximize today's recording techniques, with the addition of an optional ADAT output for easy digital connection to your recording device and software. It makes the perfe

UK - RF specialist Trantec is delighted to announce that it has further expanded its range of innovative wireless radio mic systems with the addition of its new 4-channel UHF S4.4 system, which offers a cost effective and flexible alternative for vocals, presentations, and musical instruments.

Designed to the highest specifications at Trantec's London based HQ, the S4.4 systems offer four license-free switchable UHF frequencies which can operate simultaneously.

By virtue of its advanced diversity receiver, it optimises interference-free reception in the most challenging application environments and features an adjustable squelch function to guard against interference. In addition its unique dynamics processor ensures a crystal clear and natural sound.

The Vocal system comprises a hand-held transmitter with a dynamic capsule and a diversity receiver. Delivering a punchy and a

USA - Worldwide-automated lighting manufacturer High End Systems Inc. is today releasing an Apple Mac version of software to operate the Content Management Application (CMA) for the DL2 Digital Lighting fixture. Until now, the CMA was only operable on a PC. The software allows lighting professionals to seamlessly manage the content and configuration of their DL2 fixtures not only from a PC running Windows, but now also a Mac.

The Mac CMA is designed for OS 10.4.6 or later and supports G4-, G5- and Intel-based Macs.

HES DL2 product manager Scott Blair says: "We recognized the large and loyal existing Catalyst user base - many of whom started with us on the Catalyst years ago. We wanted to show our support for them by offering this software to allow them to use their existing show content on DL2."

The free software is now available for download on High End Systems' D

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