UK - Robe Show Lighting is launching two new software packages - Media Fusion and Media Fusion Qube Control. Both products are the latest additions to Robe's versatile Digital Series product line.

Media Fusion software is designed for lighting designers wanting to mix images and video clips in the same way as they handle their lighting visualisations and setup.

Media Fusion's powerful features include video playback, looping and processing from a library of 60 realtime video effects on up to 8 layers. The Media Library can contain up to 61,200 visuals including a folder for video inputs or external camera feeds. All the parameters - like visual selection, positioning, mapping, tiling, blending and masking, effects selection, etc - are accessible via DMX using ROBE's Dream Box device.

Media Fusion Qube Control software builds on Media Fusion, and has been specifically develop

Italy / UK - The DGlink digital audio distribution system manufactured by Rome-based Link s.r.l, is a true modular touring grade distribution system for live sound applications, the company says. DGLink offers a system that can substitute, or integrate with, traditional audio distribution (analogue and digital) during live applications, utilizing one, or potentially multiple, digital standards over Cat 5 or 6 cables.

DGlink's flexible control scheme supports multiple industry standard digital transport protocols, maintains a modular system (with respect to inputs/outputs, digital/analog 19" panels), and may be mounted in custom stage boxes and installation panels.

Link says the current model offers up to 64 mic/line level inputs (microphone, phantom, polarity and gain setting) and up to 64 line outputs (foldback), supports 48 kHz/24-bit audio, offers remote control of all

UK - Sensoft is the operating system at the heart of all InnovaSON digital mixing consoles. The latest version, released at the end of June 2007, is Sensoft 11.1, which will be shown in public for the first time at PLASA 2007.

The release of Sensoft 11.1 coincides with the launch of InnovaSON's new universal output module, the UM-8PO which combines analogue and digital outputs, all boasting their own 31-band graphic EQs, parametric EQ, compressor/limiter, gate/expander.

Sensoft 11.1, which is delivered with the UM8-PO, enables full management of the 31-band graphics in addition to the management of up to four DioCores (InnovaSON's EtherSound-enabled stage box) enabling the dispatch of I/O resources over five remote audio racks (four DioCores plus a Stage Box). Another key feature of Sensoft 11.1 is that the firmware allows you to connect a DioAV interface to the console, provi

UK - Smoke Factory of Hannover, Germany, has been regarded as an "innovator in fog" for almost 20 years. Their first appearance at the PLASA Show was in 1990, followed by hundreds of successful UK installations, from major West End musicals to the Imperial War Museum.

Florian von Hofen, owner of Smoke Factory, comes from a practical special effects and touring background himself and as a result has always concentrated on developing equipment for live and touring professionals. Many of his innovations have become features of fog machines today: transportability, 0-10V control, radio remote control, DMX interfacing, flow control and "permanent ready" function to name a few.

In its home market Smoke Factory machines are an industry standard to any rental company. Europe's largest rental company, Procon, has recently standardised on 'Captain D' as its fogger of

UK - Allen & Heath chose PLASA07 to launch a new range of small format, USB-equipped mixers for live performance, recording, and production. The first mixer to appear in the range is the ZED-14 stereo mixer, which provides 13 independent sources to the mix; 10 independent outputs; 2 pre-fade and 2 post-fade aux sends; a USB send and return for PC or Mac recording, playback and effects; a unique dual stereo input capability; and advanced monitoring facilities.

The ZED-14 has 6 mono channels with a responsive 3-band, swept mid-channel EQ, and 4 stereo channels with a 2-band EQ, in 100mm faders. In addition to the twin TRS jack inputs, flexible dual input options include Stereo RTN on RCA, 2TRK on RCA, and USB interface are provided to enable the engineer to control and route any source.

The ZED-14 features a high performance preamp designed by R&D manager, Mike Griffin. The Duo

UK - Meyer Sound has announced the new self-powered MM-4XP miniature loudspeaker - a tiny product, just four inches square, which is certain to garner a very big response from sound professionals who deal with jobs involving space limitations. The MM-4XP miniature loudspeaker is the long-awaited self-powered version of the MM-4 miniature wide-range loudspeaker, another Meyer Sound innovation that has become one of its most popular products.

The MM-4XP contains all amplification and corrective processing onboard, and receives 48V DC from an external power supply on a five-pin EN3 connector that also carries balanced audio. The Switchcraft EN3 connector has been successfully used on the weather-protected version of the MM-4 for years, and offers the dual advantages of small size and excellent protection against adverse environmental conditions, facilitating use of the MM-4XP in ou

UK / France - Following the development of the Studer EtherSound interface card, Soundcraft and EtherSound network developer Digigram have announced a similar interface card for the Soundcraft Vi4 and Soundcraft Vi6 digital live sound consoles.

Designed with versions to fit into either the Vi Series' Local Rack or Stagebox, the card will allow up to 128 channels of audio (64 inputs/64 outputs) to be connected to the rack via a single CAT5 connection. A second Cat 5 connection allows daisychain or redundant ring topologies, the latter allowing for the network to remain uninterrupted should a cable be broken. One of the advantages of EtherSound in the live sound domain is its extremely low latency.

Inputs and outputs can be patched internally within the console on the console's own routing screens.Digigram's own control software can be used to route signals between different Eth

UKYamaha has announced that it will further extend its line-up of power amplifiers with the introduction at PLASA 2007 of the new flagship TXn series amplifiers which consists of three models, TX6n, TX5n and TX4n.

The TX4n at 2,200W, the TX5n at 2,500W, and the TX6n at 3,000W per channel into 2 ohms, offer sophisticated onboard DSP. All three TXn models incorporate a 24-bit 96-kHz DSP engine that delivers "an extraordinary range of control and processing capabilities".

In addition to basic amplifier control and status monitoring, there is enough DSP power built in to provide extensive speaker processing capabilities that will make external equalisers, delays and speaker processors unnecessary in most applications, says the company.

All models feature both analogue and direct digital inputs, with automatic failsafe redundancy switching between digital and analogue i

UK - Today at the PLASA Show, Roland Systems Group announced and demonstrated what it is calling a breakthrough live digital sound solution. The RSS V-Mixing System incorporates the new RSS M-400 V-Mixer live digital console, configurable digital snakes with high quality remotely controlled mic preamps, and a multi-track recording option.

This new fully-digital system eliminates the bulk and noise susceptibility typically associated with analogue snakes and replaces it with Cat 5e (Ethernet/LAN) cable. It's easy to use and sets up in minutes by plugging in one lightweight Cat 5e cable from a Digital Snake stage unit to the M-400 V-Mixer, says RSG. The company says: "The system generates superior sound quality by converting analogue inputs to 24-bit digital streams at the stage, via high-quality mic preamps located near the source. The V-Mixing System then secures the qualit

UK - As part of its quest to constantly improve the quality of their gobos, Goboland today launched another innovative product in the form of black steel gobos.

Each gobo is coated with a black heat-resistant coating (patent pending), the formula of which Goboland are keeping a closely-guarded secret. The coating minimises internal reflection to produce a crisper image with no halo effect and does not burn or peel off under extreme heat.

"Lantern optics have improved considerable over the years," explains Goboland consultant Wyatt Enever, "but the basic nature of the gobo has remained the same...until now! Goboland is known for the work it does on glass gobos, now we are extending our development to our steel range as well. We have found a successful formula to coat steel gobos which does not interfere with the fine detail of the image and withstands the interna

UK - At PLASA07, Outline is presenting a number of new products, including the :Kanguro System. Launched in 2000 and winner of the 2001 PLASA Award for Product Excellence, the Kanguro system - "the speaker within a speaker" - has been upgraded, achieving an even better performance:price ratio, says the company.

The acoustic and mechanical designs haven't undergone any important changes, so the 130-plus dB SPL with hi-fi quality is still ensured, as is the clear sensation of "big" sound and easy adjustment. The two-channel 1000-Watt PWM amplifier module + DSP and top class components (a 15", a 12" and a 1" driver) ensure astonishingly high headroom for a cabinet with such dimensions, adds Outline.

The Kanguro 2008's DSP can be controlled in such a way as to exploit its capacity to the utmost. Thanks to an RJ 485 connector mounted on the sub's

UK - ETC's staff on their stand at PLASA 07 are preparing for a busy few days ahead of them as they demonstrate the company's latest products. Traditionally the busiest day, yesterday (Sunday) proved no different, as visitors flocked to stand H49 to see the company's two newest consoles: the multi-award winning Eos system, for sophisticated control over multimedia lighting productions, and SmartFade ML, the ultra-compact, portable and easy-to-use desk which brings moving light control to any production - no matter how small or budget-challenged.

Eos won a Lighting product award at Showtech 2007, the control system's second such honour - last year it took the Product of the Year Award for debuting product when it was introduced at LDI. But the Showtech award was the first ever European award for an ETC desk and marks ETC's strong presence in the European entertainment lighting ma

UK - Allen & Heath has introduced the Xone:2D, the combination of a 9 stereo channel USB2 soundcard and MIDI controller, which DJ's can connect to their existing analogue mixer to integrate leading DJ software such as Ableton Live and Traktor DJ Studio, and create a complete digital DJ mixing system.

The 96kHz 24 bit USB2 soundcard can send four stereo channels to the PC and receive 5 stereo channels from the PC. A large array of connectors is provided for easy interfacing into any DJ setup, and the 2D can also be directly connected to turntables, CD players or linked to an external mixer. Digital inputs and outputs (optical and coax) are also provided. Any combination of the soundcard outputs can be monitored using the headphone system.

The Xone:3D BPM counter with LED display is included, which is capable of detecting a beat in music presented on any of the three analogue so

UK - Visual Productions of the Netherlands have addressed the need for lighting control software designed exclusively for the control of matrix setups, creating the Canvix dedicated Matrix Server. Canvix software is the world's first dedicated matrix control system and can work as a matrix control plug-in to the majority of today's lighting consoles, bridging the gap between lighting and video.

"The fixtures and applications for LED technology are growing daily, allowing us to create astonishing new lighting effects and visuals, especially when applying them in matrixes. When using matrix formation, it is essential to find a system that is designed to control this in a fast, flexible and creative way," the company states. "On the lighting control side, very few traditional lighting boards can handle the control and programming of fixtures in a matrix formation, ye

UK - Tuesday saw the launch of the Goboland ALDO Double Gobo Rotator Kit. Named in memory of co-founder Aldo Scorpati, who sadly passed away two years ago, the ALDO is a double gobo rotator for use in the ETC Source Four, Selecon Pacific, Altman Shakespeare and Strand SL fixtures. Offering counter-rotating gobos with onboard manual control of speed and direction, the Goboland ALDO can also be set to carry out pre-programmed effects using a simple system of dipswitches.

"We identified a need for a gobo rotator within the Goboland product range but wanted to go a step further in providing an instantly useable solution for our customers," explains Dielen. "We are therefore supplying the ALDO complete with a set of our new black steel gobos, a selection of gels and a coloured dichroic glass."

The Aldo is available for demonstration on the Goboland stand F31.

UK - Following the initial unveiling of the CV 20 concept at PLASA 2006, the 2007 trade show sees the very first production model of Crest's flagship live sound analogue console, bearing the serial number 001.

More features have been added since its first public appearance, the most significant being an A/D and D/A NexSys module option. Any number of analogue audio outputs per module can be converted to digital EtherSound and CobraNet protocols, with support for other protocols to be added in the near future. This will allow for a digital snake to interface directly into the CV 20. The module can also covert digital audio into analog, thus making the CV 20 an ideal back-up partner for digital consoles. One NexSys module will allow for up to 16 channels of A/D and D/A conversion. Multiple modules can be plugged into the console back frame.

The new CV 20 provides complete flexib

UK - Robert Juliat chose PLASA 07 to launch the latest in its range of followspots on the White Light stand.

"We wanted to create a followspot with similar physical dimensions to a 1.2K followspot but with a light out put closer to a 2.5K unit," stated Francois Juliat during the presentation.

They succeeded with the Victor 1.8K MSR, working closely with Philips who produced the 1.8K lamp exclusively for Robert Juliat. The Victor has the same dimensions as their award winning 1.2K Super Korrigan but offers an increase in light out-put of up to 50%.

Available in long throw (7-14deg Victor) and short throw (14-23deg Flo) versions, the new 1.8K units offer the expected, high quality features of Juliat followspots: a flat, even beam even at low levels, crisp image projection, A size universal gobo holder, fully closing iris with protective backplate, roll bar mechanical

UK - 5th September saw DiGiCo unveil its concept of the future, the SD7, in front of 120 of its distributors, sound engineers, designers and rental companies who were invited to an exclusive party held at London's Tower Bridge. The company then unveiled the SD7 in front of members of the pro audio press on the opening day of the PLASA Show in London.

The SD7 is based around a new technology developed at DiGiCo, called "Stealth digital processing", and could ultimately bring a whole new dimension to digital mixing, the company says.

"The party was mainly to celebrate our MBO," says DiGiCo marketing director David Webster. "But it also gave us the chance to let our guests have a sneak preview of what we're working towards. The SD7 is purely a concept, but who knows what the real possibilities could be."

Stealth is a culmination of embedded FPGA an

UK - OmniLine is a versatile, micro-line array designed for installation in a wide variety of architectural environments. Its modular approach and scalability extend its use from foreground applications to sound reinforcement in large acoustic spaces. Intelligent software enables an array to be configured to deliver sound precisely over any vertical angle to fit the venue profile without spilling onto surfaces where sound is not required. Additionally, elimination of high-frequency side-lobes gives OmniLine the advantage over currently available DSP steered columns, making it suitable for high quality music reproduction as well as speech in large, reverberant spaces, says the company.

Each OmniLine array is constructed by connecting together multiple array modules. Up to 32 modules can be connected where both high output and vertical focussing down to low/mid frequencies are req

UK - Robert Juliat benefited from perhaps one of the biggest projection surfaces at the exhibition, placed as they were on the front of the White Light zone with the entire entrance wall of Earls Court 2 in front of them. This suited the collection of followspots and fixtures on displayed, especially long throw Lancelot and Victor followspots.

The Victor was successfully launched at the show yesterday whilst the Lancelot was running the first DMX operated modules of the NORIA 6-way gobo wheels and CHRO-MIX colour mixing system. These DMX versions are now in full production and confirm the Lancelot's position, not only as an exceptional long throw followspot, but as the most powerful effects projector.

There was a noticeable migration of people throughout the show between the Robert Juliat and Goboland stands. The reason for this became clear as customers viewing the new Tempes

UK - Theatre sound specialists and Orbital Sound is exhibiting at PLASA for the first time. Making it's UK debut is RockNet, an advanced and fully scaleable, cost-effective network solution conceived and optimized for managing audio and control data for live sound. RockNet also features a plug-in card for Yamaha's M7CL creating a fully integrated CAT5 based multicore solution for this popular console.

As a d&b audiotechnik official sales and installation partner, Orbital's staff are on hand to discuss its latest d&b installations and demonstrate the company's latest Remote Network Software solutions.

The latest digital mixing consoles from Yamaha and Digidesign are being showcased as are a host of wireless radio comms solutions from both HME and Telex. Also on display is RTS Telex's range of wired comms systems.

Orbital's is also showcasing its unique CSC audio playback and

UK - Wednesday saw the appearance of some mysterious Black Holes on the Goboland stand! Etched out of black coated steel, the Goboland Black Hole is a high-tech 'donut' which sharpens gobo projection by removing excess light and lengthening depth of field. The blackened surface also helps reduce reflections.

"The development of our new black steel process was perfect for a product such as the Black Hole as its non-reflective coating does not exacerbate reflection problems as previous products have done in the past," explains Goboland Consultant, Wyatt Enever.

The Black Hole is marked with pop-out segments - graded in exact photographic f-stops - to enable accurate manipulation of light output, reducing glare by between 6% and 50%. The resulting lengthened depth of field makes it easier to sharpen an image across its full diameter even when projected at an angle. This

USA - Metric Halo has developed a Jensen Transformer-based front-end option for the ULN-2 stereo mic pre.

According to Joe Buchalter, president of Metric Halo: "The ULN-2 is an incredibly good mic pre, but sometimes you want something that isn't quite 'so pristine' - a certain amount of low-order harmonic distortion has a way of adding depth and sheen to everything that passes through it, thus the high regard applied to classic transformer coupled preamps.

"With the transformer option installed, the ULN-2 acquires that classic character. A second benefit is that the transformer completely electrically isolates the preamp from the source, raising the common mode rejection above its already excellent performance, and providing a measure of confidence when dealing with the unknowns of location sound."

(Jim Evans)

UK - Dialight Lumidrives has launched Colourdriver XP, its new LED driver aimed at meeting the needs of high power LEDs. It provides LED users in the architectural, entertainment and leisure industries with more choice and flexibility over the control of colour changing LEDs than ever before, says the company.

Colourdriver XP meets the needs of high power LEDs like Luxeon K2 and provides high power operation up to 1000mA together with the option of a white or amber mix in addition to the three standard RGB channels. Colourdriver XP is designed for both interior and exterior use, including downlighting, floodlighting, linear wall washes and landscaping.

Control options now available for the first time include Dali, DMX or even power line control with remote device management (RDM).

The heart of the new system is the power supply module that can be used as a stand-alone driver

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