"Our investment in this year's PLASA is our biggest yet", explains CUK Audio MD, Stuart Thomson. "All of our brands are showing new and updated products and four new brands complete our line up, offering the most comprehensive and advanced range of solutions from a UK distributor. Our fourth new brand, to be announced at the show, is a global leader and will be a big draw and talking point of the show."
Much of the sales growth in both the UK and export markets has come from the Ethos range of live sound products, which will be on show at PLASA. Ethos CA, shown in completed form at last year's show has found favour in the marketplace with its scalable flexibility, while the introduction of Ethos Nd bass options has also helped the larger Ethos VA system to achieve record sales, the company reports.
Having achieved success in both small and medium format array markets, it's time to move up in format and so PLASA08 sees the launch of Ethos LA - a long-throw array module designed to give existing Ethos users an upgra
Products on show will also include the entire range of DVS multi-purpose enclosures - including the brand new self-powered DVS 12 and 15 models and the Genius M 412 digital matrix (with 4 inputs and 12 freely configurable outputs in a single rack unit), controllable via proprietary software and fitted with the most powerful DSP on the market, say Outline.
Also on show will be the Kanguro 1215 NET SP system (1 x 15", 1 x 12", 1 x 1" and weighing in at just 42kg), the famous "sp
New high-density power and data modules have been added to the Han range of IP65/67 rugged multipole connectors. When fitted in space-saving Han-Modular Compact or combined in Han-Modular Twin hoods and housings, these products are suitable for motor drive and control applications. Also in the Han-Modular range, Han-Com contact inserts, rated at 40-100 A, are suitable for the latest high-power lighting dimmer control circuits.
Harting's range of industrial Ethernet switches to IP 20/30 or IP67 includes devices with managed or unmanaged
The Guardian controller range has been extended and six of these units will be displayed. A briefcase controller has been developed for direct control hoists with 4 or 8 channels. Local controls are fitted into the brief case and an optional pendant with Go and Emergency Stop is also available.
LTM have manufactured motor/ hoist controllers for many years, constructing systems for both direct control and low voltage controlled hoists. The Guardian controller range has steadily grown from the first simple 4 channel units to incor
The new PixelMax Pro features 288 red, green, blue and amber Luxeon Rebel LEDs - 18 independent RGBA cells in a 3x6 array. This product is designed to offer flexible possibilities across all markets - as it can be used as a high powered wash or a pixellation luminaire.
The PLASA stand will showcase 156 PixelArts and some old favourites, while a half-size mini PixelArt batten will also make its debut.
As a sponsor of the Arcola theatre and a participant in the Mayor's Office Green Theatre Action Programme, PixelRange will also light the Thea
Enttec's experience with DMX over Ethernet products, such as the DMXEthergate and Datagate, and the enormous success of their DMX/USB interfaces, has led to the development of the Open DMX Ethernet - a simple, low-cost DMX over Ethernet node.
The ODE is a truly plug'n'play Art-Net node. There are no dipswitches, thumb wheels or other fiddly settings to worry about. By default, it is set to output the first DMX Universe via Art-Net (Sub-net 0, Universe 0), making it easily compatible with a wide range of PC-based Lighting Controllers and Ethernet-enabled Lighting Consoles straight out of the box.
To access the full range of features, the ODE supports Enttec's free NMU (Node Management Utility) software, which allows the user to configure
After its initial preview at ABTT, Zero 88's Orb console is making its international debut. With a combination of theatrical control philosophy and an adaptable hardware platform, Orb provides intuitive control of both generics and moving lights. (Visit www.orbdesk.com for full product information).
Also launching at the show is a theatrical version of Zero 88's popular Jester consoles, bringing the power and flexibility of these consoles to those operating in theatre environments.
LightFactory PC-based console software will also be featured on the stand. New Programming and Playback wings are being launched at the show and visitors to the Zero 88 stand will also get a sneak preview of the latest software enh
Two of the new products, the DT125 and DT229, are designed for users looking to incorporate the RDM Remote Device Management bi-directional communication extension to the DMX512 standard into their lighting rigs.
RDM is designed to operate over existing DMX cabling, but requires new DMX splitters that can deal with the new communication from the lights back to the lighting controller. Both products are DMX/RDM splitters, DT125 offering one DMX input to five outputs, DT229 offering two DMX inputs with eight outputs. Both products also include a USB connector, allowing easy firmware updates if required as the DMX or RDM standards are revised over time.
The new dmXLAN node 3 extends RDM functionality to DMX carried over Ethernet; the unit is a DMX to ArtNet conversio
It is still a true "Plug and Play" digital to analogue pro audio interface, removing the need to use any existing sound card outputs, but now the output level can be modified quickly and accurately, external to the Computer.
It features full transformer balanced output isolation to eliminate earth loops / ground hum and other extraneous interaction noise and distortion.
The addition of the volume control allows the USB DI-VC to be used without a mixer. This is a very useful option when driving active loudspeakers from a laptop - the level control lets
A new addition to the UltraSeries, the UPQ-1P exhibits high power (136 dB peak SPL at 1m), low distortion, and a wide coverage pattern of 80-degrees by 50-degrees. The UPQ-1P has already been widely embraced by installed sound professionals, with an order of 48 units going to Westfalen Sound for its corporate account, Skoda Auto. The UPQ-1P has also been selected as part of the audio upgrade for the Phantom of the Opera production on the West End.
The self-powered MM-4XP miniature loudspeaker will be shown in a variety of custom colours. The M'elodie line arr
The Compact range, suitable for small to mid-sized venues, offers 250w from twin 8" drivers and a central tweeter in the full range 'top' speaker, with the subwoofer having an 18" 500w bass driver.
Providing sound quality for the larger venue, the Stadium system's top box is configured with two 12" 300w bass drivers, two 8" 200w mid-range drivers and two 50w tweeters, whilst the subwoofer packs a total of 1400w from two 18" bass drivers.
The hardware can be flown from a variety of rigging points and adjustable mounts allow top speakers to be shaped in the distinctive line array curve, further enhancing the rich sound. Alternati
FogScreen is offering AV Rental companies a special incentive to purchase the FogScreen One projection screen. The PLASA 08 show offer is a 2 x One projection screen at a reduced cost, together with Partner Program Gold membership in a chosen territory. For integrators, FogScreen One is especially interesting since it enables the creation of l
Theatre products include tiered audience seating, pit filler staging, make-up stations, costume racks and stage boxes. The performance equipment range embraces staging, orchestral chairs, choral risers, seated risers and conductors' equipment. Some of the music products on show will be from the Black Cat range of music stands and lights, posture chairs, instrument and sheet music storage, choral folders and piano accessories.
Black Cat Acoustics can offer a range of noise control treatments, acoustic shells such as Diva, as well as virtual acoustic environments and music practice rooms.
Black Cat Music is the exclusive representative of Wenger Corporation in the UK and Europe. European visitors to PLASA interest
This new desk is designed for live use on both touring sound systems and in fixed installations and boasts intuitive operation and high input and bus count makes it a perfect choice for House of Worship sound systems. Theatre users will also find the Soundcraft Si3 very applicable in their area.
The Si3 comes in one chassis - console surface, all input and output connections, power supply - so it can literally drop in and replace an existing analogue desk as almost certainly no additional cabling would be required to install it. This compact footprint desk can directly handle 64 mono inputs, 4 stereo inputs and has full connectivity for all 35 output busses (24 Aux/Group, 8 Matrix and Left/Right/Centre mix buses), and also boasts four Lexicon ef
(Lee Baldock)
The company will also launch Iconyx R, the new version of the successful Iconyx Digitally Beam Steerable installation line, with purpose-designed coaxial transducers, RHAON (Renkus-Heinz Audio Operations Network) technology and a slimmer, lighter weight enclosure.
IC Live is engineered to supply natural, musical and intelligible sound for live events from meetings with background music to high-energy theatrical productions and concert
The W-DMX BlackBox S-2000 is a 19" 1U Rack unit that is prepared for ACN Lite, ETC-NET and Strand ShowNET. This is billed as the world's first double universe transmitter that supports both RDM and Art-Net. BlackBox S-2000 is stackable for up to 32 DMX Universes and supports the W-DMX Co-Existence technology with plug-and-play ease.
With full RDM compatibility, the W-DMX BlackBox S-2000 supports remote addressing for up to 512 fixtures in both Point-2-Point mode in daisy chain by cable and in Point-2-Multi-Point mode. This translates to major time savings in big rental productions.
Wireless Solution will also be holding Wireless University during PLASA on Tuesday, 9 September
At PLASA08, the Philips MSR Gold 1500 FastFit will be on display for the first time, designed in a fixture from Italian manufacturer SGM; the Giotto 1500 family. This new high wattage FastFit lamp concept has an arc gap of 5.5mm and an efficiency of 82 lumens per Watt (which is unparalleled within the industry for this level of lamp wattage), combined with a high colour temperature of 6000° Kelvin and an excellent CRI of 80. Furthermore, the lamp has a flexible power range, dimmable up to 800W.
Since the initial launch of the Philips FastFit system just two-and-a-half years ago, 16 manufacturers have applied the FastFit lamp concept, releasing to date a total of more than 20 fixtures across 10 lamp t
The company will also launch IC Live at PLASA08, a new product line that applies the company's innovative Iconyx Digitally Steerable Array technology to live event production.
"Iconyx is one of our most successful products," says Renkus-Heinz vice president of operations Rik Kirby, "we've had lots of opportunities to see how the system performs in applications from cathedrals to cruise ships, courtrooms to corporate auditoriums. As we evaluated the total Iconyx system, we identified significant improvements in many areas."
Inside every Iconyx R model are new co-axial tran
Leading the new products is the SpectraLed120 Inground, an enhancement to the SpectraLed footlight fixture developed for the Oslo Opera House. The new product retains the fixture's high-powered five-coloured (RGB-amber-white) LED array and adds motorization, allowing the footlight to vanish from view when not required. When closed, the surface of the fixture can support a load exceeding one tonne.
LDDE will also introduce a new version of its SpectraConnecT5 four-colour (RGB-white) fluorescent batten at a competitive price designed to appeal to architectural projects, TV studios and rental companies.
Alongside these products, LDDE will show two variants of Apollo Design's RightArm motorised lighting yoke. The RightArm Pro is designed to i
This includes the popular Eurotrucker 3 general purpose road trunk, which will be on display complete with a striking new colour scheme.
The Eurotrucker won't be the only 5 Star case to have a new, unique or different visual appearance. Audio console manufacturer DiGiCo has worked closely with 5 Star to produce a new case for its new SD8 product .
5 Star's CNC machining facilities will once again be highlighted by a top of the range Pioneer VJ console. Pioneer is another brand with which 5 Star has collaborated very closely. The special console case will house the new Pioneer MEP7000 multi-media player, an SVM1000 Audio/Vision mixer and two DVJ1000 players.
A selection of smaller cases will also be displayed, including the n
Each four-bus mixer features ultra-low noise, high-headroom XENYX microphone preamps. Mono input channels feature three-band, semi-parametric mid-range EQ with Neo-classic "British" response. Stereo input channels provide precise four-band equalisation. Each input has four aux sends; with two sends switchable between pre/post fader, for a flexible mix of monitor and effects applications.
External signal processing racks can be largely eliminated, tha
Built on ArKaos' latest generation of technology, Media Master runs perfectly and reliably on standard laptops or can play up to eight full frames-per-second HD movies on an octo-core server, says the company.
Media Master's new interface has been designed to give lighting designers and video artists "the best ergonomics possible". Designed around one single window, it is possible to display all playing layers simultaneously, giving designers improved visibility of their shows. Supporting MSEX (Media Server Extensions) protocol, the ArKaos Media Master allows thumbnail display of media directly onto modern lighting consoles.
ArKaos has developed a new media management system for Media Master whi
