AKG Acoustics launched the PR 81 pocket receiver, a lightweight, durable and feature-packed miniature diversity receiver based on AKG’s WMS 81 wireless technology. The company sees its compactness and plug-and-play operation as ideal for small broadcast and video production houses. AKG also unveiled the WMS 40 UHF wireless system, a fully-featured transmitter/receiver system at what AKG says is a 'breakthrough price' for a product of its ability.
Allen & Heath staged the US debut of the ML4000 dual-function (FOH/monitor) console. Slotting in between the GL400 and the recently-launched ML5000, it's a VCA-equipped 12 aux, eight audio group mixer with eight mute groups, a four-way matrix and enhanced LCR and IEM facilities. VCA groups and the LCRplus panning system join ML5000-derived features such as an angled fader bay, 32-, 40- and 48-channel formats, all with two dual stereo channels and a compact footprint.
Audio Technica promises ‘a new benchmark in wireless performance’ with its ATW-7373 handheld condensor wireless system, which comprises the ATW-T73 handheld condensor microphone/transmitter and the ATW-R73 true diversity receiver. At the heart of the ATW-T73 is the same element used in the AT4033 microphone, a mainstay of recording studios, a combination which A-T says adds up to studio quality sound with road-proven toughness.
Cadac launched its R-Type desk, aimed squarely at the touring market and packaged in a new, lightweight 24-channel modular format. A slimmer module width and lighter monocoque frame design marks a radical move for the company, but traditional Cadac features are retained, including the ability to configure the module layout freely, and the R-Type provides facilities for both front-of-house and monitor mixing.
Crest Audio introduced its CT Series loudspeakers for touring and fixed installations. The trapezoidal CT Series is comprised of six models: four trapezoidal enclosures (the CT1, CT2, CT3, and CT4 subwoofer), and two floor monitors (the CT1m and CT3m). Crest also showed its X-VCA console, featuring VCA control of input channels, analogue subgroups and linked stereo dynamics, including compression, limiting and gating on all subgroups, plus powerful EQ and MIDI scene mute systems.
Crown Audio highlighted six new Contractor Series amplifiers for the installation market. The CH1, CH2 and CH4 offer both low and high impedance outputs per channel, while the CL1, CL2 and CL4 are engineered for high power, low impedance loads and provide 2, 4 and 8 ohm options per channel. The company also announced its Internet Industry Partnership (I2P) with Crestron Electronics, designed to allow partner manufacturers’ products to operate seamlessly in a Crestron systems environment via Crestron e-Control.
EAW unveiled three additions to its SM series of wedge monitors. The SM84 is a high-output two-way stage monitor with a revolutionary 4 x 8" low frequency driver configuration and split baffle design, it employs a 1.4" exit neodymium compression driver on a 90°H x 40°V angled-front horn. The SM12 two-way stage monitor has a 12" low-frequency driver, 1.4" exit neodymium compression driver on a 60°V x 40°H constant directivity horn. Similar to the SM12, the SM15 is a high-output, two-way stage monitor system with a 15" low frequency driver. Also new from EAW is the E-Powered Series, with rugged internal amplifier packages.
Electro-Voice was one of the key line array protagonists. The company showcased its new X-Line Series of line array speakers, designed to provide wide horizontal dispersion from a single vertical line array with highly coherent wavefront summing in the vertical plane, delivered by EV’s proprietary high-frequency wavefront alignment device. The X-Line system consists of the
