UK - Theatre sound specialist Orbital has announced a new addition to the market of software-based sound playback and control systems. The programme has been designed help automate and perfect not only theatrical shows but live events in general, and is already in use on the Little Britain and Mighty Boosh national tours.

The key difference with CSC to other systems is the use of a modular workspace, and a much more "hands on" approach to constructing a show. Designs are constructed around "real" objects - wave playback is similar to using traditional MiniDisc machines and CD players, and levels can all be changed at the touch of a button.

CSC presents the designer with tools to create a show, with whatever equipment they desire to use. Full MIDI support is provided, including a standard MIDI command module, a Show Control Module (MSC, MMC and

UK / Germany - Leading UK-based amplifier manufacturer MC2 Audio is expanding its lightweight (switchmode) E Series with the introduction of the E4-75 power amplifier. This latest addition of the E4-75 power amplifier to the highly successful E Series further underscores MC2 Audio's ongoing commitment to providing high quality, high performance solutions to the fixed installation and touring sound markets, the company says. The product will be shown at the ProLight&Sound exhibition in Frankfurt (29 March - 1 April).

Designed for use in a wide variety of applications, including touring monitor racks, the E4-75 is a 4-channel amplifier capable of producing 750W/channel into 4 or 8 ohms; it has automatic impedance sensing and changes the power accordingly. Inputs are via four XLR sockets, which can be linked to the next channel via a rear panel switch providing greater flexibility

USA / Germany - The forthcoming NSCA and Frankfurt exhibitions will be the first chance for British manufacturer XTA to show the world its flexible new offering for speaker system control.

XTA's Guy Lewis is spreading the news: "With hundreds of our 4 in, 8 out processors now driving audio systems worldwide, we are completing the family, and really giving every sound company and installer a flexible choice of how they structure their drive processing and speaker systems.

"If a 4 in, 8 out format is not perfect for your world, we can now offer either 2 or 4 inputs, with either 4, 6 or 8 outputs - plenty to choose from."

Lewis is referring to the new DP446, DP444, DP424 and the renamed DP448. "It does not matter if it is an LCR system, a two-way monitor rack, four-way front-of-house system or four-channel EQ front-end. Anyone can fit the processing to their

UK - The design chic of Blue Microphones is now available with USB connectivity for desktop recording applications. The new Snowball USB microphone is available from UK distributor Shuttlesound.

The Snowball USB Mic matches Blue's styling with high quality, versatility and ease of use. The mic's universal driver and plug-and-play USB compatibility allows for quick and easy recording into laptop or DAW, while its dual-capsule design and three-position switch dial in the desired sound for many applications, say Shuttlesound.

The Snowball's versatility is achieved by a unique dual-capsule design, with one capsule tailored for a cardioid pattern and the other for an omni-directional pattern. The three-position switch on the back of the mic lets the user change between the capsules. The first position activates the cardioid pattern capsule with a neutral sonic signature, ideal for

UK / Germany - Introduced at last year's ProLight & Sound Show, Tannoy Precision near field reference monitors, are already serving the demanding needs of professionals in recording, broadcast and post production environments.

iDP (Interactive Digital Programming) technology has now been incorporated within two new Precision monitors - Precision 6iDP and 8iDP - and these will be launched at this year's Show. These stunningly versatile and intelligent active monitoring systems bring together the unique Tannoy Dual Concentric and WideBand technology with the latest cutting edge digital processing from TC Electronic.

The built-in EQ capability of Precision iDP allows precise room optimisation with the user being able to compensate for acoustic anomalies in the room. Loudspeaker positioning compensation in the software guarantees the same reference sound irrespective of their plac

USA / Germany - Community Professional Loudspeakers is again taking a substantial stand at this year's ProLight&Sound in Frankfurt to show its wide range of products. The main focus of the stand will be iBOX, a range of premium quality, large format systems aimed at sound reinforcement in stadia, multi-purpose sports facilities, houses of worship, nightclubs, bars and live sound venues. The first iBOX models were introduced at Frankfurt last year but this year's exhibition will see the first showing of the complete range in Europe.

The first major installation of iBOX was at the Palavela Arena, recently host of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games. The main PA for this 6,600 capacity venue, used for the figure skating and short track speed skating competitions, consists of 96 Community iBOX loudspeakers: 32 iHP3594H, 26 iHP1596, 20 iHP1294 and 18 CPL42-94.

Complementing iBOX,

Italy - For the first time in her existence, Dutch sound system manufacturer Alcons Audio will be exhibiting at the SIB show in Rimini this year (11-14 March), mark the official launch of Alcons on the Italian market.

On the stand of Headroom from Besana, Alcons' newly appointed distributor for Italy, a selection of Alcons products will be on display, among which the LR14 ultra-compact ribbon line-array module featuring the patented RBN401 pro-ribbon driver. This line-array system is experiencing "enormous popularity", say the company, with the entry of line-array in performing arts theatres, with the musical Beauty & the Beast and Staatsoper Stuttgart being just two examples.

The system will be shown in flown and stacked configuration, with the unique bracket to have three units LR14 on stand mount, with full line-array functionality. The LR14 will be complem

UK / Germany - The forthcoming NSCA and Frankfurt exhibitions will be the first chance for British manufacturer XTA to show the world its flexible new offering for speaker system control. XTA's Guy Lewis says: "With hundreds of our 4 in, 8 out processors now driving audio systems worldwide, we are completing the family, and really giving every sound company and installer a flexible choice of how they structure their drive processing and speaker systems. If a 4 in, 8 out format is not perfect for your world, we can now offer either 2 or 4 inputs, with either 4, 6 or 8 outputs - plenty to choose from."

Lewis is referring to the new DP446, DP444, DP424 and the renamed DP448. "It does not matter if it is an LCR system, a two-way monitor rack, four-way front-of-house system or four-channel EQ front-end. Anyone can fit the processing to their way of working, without com

UK / Germany - Harman Pro is showing a several new products across its various brands at this year's ProLight&Sound exhibition in Frankfurt. Products being debuted in Europe include the new JBL VP Series powered reinforcement systems, Crown Xti and new XLS power amplifiers, Lexicon MX400 and MX400XL Dual Stereo/Surround Reverb Processors, and Alpha Desktop Recording Studio. Other new products being shown include the AKG WMS40 PRO wireless microphone series, the dbx DriveRack 4800, and JBL LSR4300 Linear Spatial Reference Series studio monitors.

The new JBL VP (Venue Performance) Series is described as "a best-in-class powered loudspeaker system family", and is intended to fulfil a wide range of professional installation and portable touring applications. The series of two and three way cabinets and a sub, integrates proven Differential Drive transducers, a 'next genera

USA - High End Systems (HES) has announced the release the Hog 3PC application as well as updated software for the Wholehog 3 lighting console. The Hog 3PC software transfers the advanced control technology of the Wholehog 3 console to personal computers as well as to the Hog iPC console. Users may download the free software and enhancement details from the Flying Pig Systems website.

The Wholehog 3 operating system is specified worldwide by leading tours, production companies, theatres and more. Hog 3PC enhances the abilities of the Wholehog 3 suite with a complete line of hardware products allowing users to create their own control solution.

Show files are completely compatible between Hog 3PC, Hog iPC and the Wholehog 3 console, thus providing off-line, backup and networking abilities between the various systems.Customers with existing USB DMX Widgets using Hog 2PC are enco

USA - Shure will distribute the HA-8089 Helical Antenna of Orlando-based Professional Wireless Systems (PWS), effective as of January 2006. As an in ear monitor (IEM) transmitter antenna or wireless microphone receiver antenna, the Helix minimizes RF dropouts and considerably increases the range over an omnidirectional antenna. Shure now recommends the HA-8089 antenna as accessory for their UHF-R Wireless Systems.

When using other antennas, such as log periodic paddles, maximum energy transfer can only be expected if the receiver paddle is positioned vertically or horizontally, respectively, say Shure. When used as wireless microphone receiver antenna, for example, the helical antenna will transfer maximum RF energy regardless of the polarization of the transmitted wave. As the RF energy from the IEM transmitter radiates out of the helical, it is continuously spun through 360°

Canada - The newest release of Vivien virtual event designer is now easier to use, ensuring planners can create stunning 3D images of events without complex CAD training. With its streamlined user interface, more intuitive and user-friendly tools, Vivien 1.2 has already received rave reviews, says manufacturer Cast Software.

"I've been showing it to people and they were more than excited-they were positively giddy!" says John Mordal, a Vivien user who recently demonstrated the latest in Vivien at The Event for Planners and Suppliers Expo in Minnesota. "I believe that the success of this product depends on how easy it is for the lay person to get up and running quickly, and Vivien 1.2 does it," he says.

The Vivien team gave tools like the Missing Coordinate and Shaded View more user-friendly names like Height and Virtual View. "We've listened to feedbac

USA - With sales of its award-winning P36 LED and P64 LED color par cans soaring, American DJ say it is building on the products' success by releasing white-light versions. The company has introduced the P36 LED WH and P64 LED WH, two DMX-compatible all-white LED par cans designed for applications where clear white light is desired.

The company believe the products are great for stage, club, corporate, display and architectural use, the P36 LED WH and P64 LED WH produce a true, warm white light. At the same time, they offer all the benefits of LEDs - including energy efficiency, low heat and super-long lamp life.

"Our groundbreaking color LED par cans - the P36 LED and P64 LED - received a great deal of acclaim in the industry, as well as from lighting users, for their superior technical innovation," said Scott Davies, general manager of the American DJ Group of Comp

Germany - KV2 will launch various new products at Prolight and Sound, Frankfurt including the new ES Series which has been given a cosmetic and ergonomic overhaul. This includes new style grilles and handles, improved wheel boards and covers and the addition of M20 pole mounts for the ES 1.0 cabinet. The new design, higher output ES 2.8 subwoofer will also be shown for the first time.

Plus, the company launch the new ERAC 2500R amplifier/controller package, a four-way, active control and amplification system specifically designed for the KV2 Audio ES Series modular loudspeaker systems. This draws technology from KV2's existing EPAK amplifier/controller and combines it with the company's VHD technology to produce a rack mounted amplifier/controller that incorporates digital alignment utilizing a DSD (Direct Stream Digital) 6.0 MHz delay line. It houses all signal processing and a

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

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