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Legendary reverb manufacturer Lexicon (Harman Pro) presented two new products, seen for the first time in Europe. The MX400 and MX400XL are both four-in four-out hardware reverb units for studio and live use. The 1U rack-mounted units have an independent processor on each channel, with the only difference between the units being the connectors on the XL sporting XLRs while the 400 is fitted with quarter-inch TRS jacks. The four inputs and outputs also allow for surround processing and effects are included, making the units an affordable way to enter the surround sound processing arena.

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Roland Systems Group and its Digital Snake system has been gaining market share since its relatively recent launch. On display at the show was a new interface for the unit, an AES/EBU module with internal and external sync' options and word clock. Also on display for the RSS was a REAC (Roland's Ethernet data transfer technology) ASIO driver, allowing 40 channels of audio to be connected directly into a PC and into a multi-track recording system - in this case Cakewalk's SONAR 5 or 6.

Nestling unassumingly in a nearby rack were the AR-3000R and AR200R audio announcement system. The AR-3000R will record, playback and edit samples for announcements and voice alarms, while the AR-200 is a half-rack playback-only version.

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Smoke connoisseurs were impressed by Swefog's latest high-power T26 smoke machine which offers very smooth output between 1 and 100% in 1% increments. Very compact in size, the machine includes an integrated fan outlet and DMX fan control, so it can be ramped up to impressively mega levels of 1800 cubic metres per minute for outdoor applications.

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ShowTex's see-through mirror is a mirror film that acts a mirror surface when in standard mode, becoming transparent when illuminated from behind. It comes complete with a frame, in lengths of up to 24m wide by 12m high, and is popular in theatre, film and television markets. They also showed their Chain Track scenery moving system.

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The judges also felt that there were three other products which deserved a special mention. These were:

Adam Hall's SM707 adjustable top-hat louspeaker mount - to adjust the cabinet angle, simply lift it slightly and lower again at the desired angle; an internal sprung-notch system uses the cabinet's weight to hold it in place.

Sennheiserpicked up two commendations, for its A5000 Antenna(for more on this, see this month's Technical Focus feature, beginning on page 124) and its TourGuide 2020D system - the first visitor guidance system with digital wireless transmission in the licence-free band.

No Environmental Award was presented this year, leaving the field open for new products that fit that criteria in 2007 . . .

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Mackie proudly displayed its new flagship subwoofer at PLASA. The SWA2801z 18" Active is said to provide greater performance than mere 'powered' loudspeakers. Mackie's Active electronics are customised for each new product, providing monitoring and real-time control over critical functions such as crossover and equalisation. The SWA2801z can be stacked or pole-mounted and can be easily integrated with other full-range Mackie products.

For the club scene, Mackie previewed its new four-channel mixer, the d.4 Pro. Due for launch in early 2007, the mixer features Onyx mic preamps, VCA and analogue filter effects and 3-band EQ.

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Zap Technology from Paris, France were in exceptionally good humour and demonstrated a prototype of their new Littlebig 3.0 3kW automated Xenon searchlight fixture - the latest in the BigLight range and the little brother of their flagship BigLite 4.5. The Littlebig 3.0 offers designers real-time CMY colour-mixing, diffusion with electronic strobe and many other customisable effects. With the current design style penchant for high-powered searchlight effects incorporated in larger stage shows, this should attract plenty of interest.

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ShowMagic highlighted their new Version 11.0 PC show control software, complete with new-look graphics, surround sound and "live" mode, allowing operators to work on the fly as well as in a pro-programmed domain.

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It was the first PLASA and indeed the first European trade show for Moving LED, a new US-based company with a manufacturing base in Hungary. They launched two new LED products for the European market - the MovingLED and the MicroStrip 48, both utilising Luxeon LEDs. Other new items included hinged C-Clamps that can live 'inside' their lighting fixtures - and will never get lost or separated!

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The new C-180 confetti cannon was among the new offerings from MBN Event Products - compact, keenly priced and with a constant output. MBN also had some new ProLED RGB LED bars available in one-and-a-half metre lengths.

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Lee Filters launched their new brochure, alongside the latest additions to the 700 series. Seven new colours have been added to the range, created by top lighting designers working in theatre, television, events and architectural lighting. Dane Henrik Hambro is the latest designer invited to create his own unique colours, which include: 706 King Fals Lavender; 710 Spir Special Blue; 740 Aurora Borealis Green; 741 Mustard Yellow; 773 Cardox Amber; 787 Marius Red; and 799 Special K.H. Lavender. Word on the street was that Mustard Yellow was proving a big hit . . .

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InfoTrace uses RDM for the control and management of DMX-controlled lighting devices. Consisting of InfoGate software, the system works on a combination of the following: 'IT' products from Wybron or RDM-compatible equipment from any manufacturer; Non-RDM-compatible devices equipped with an InfoChip (manufactured by Wybron); and an InfoStore web-based information aggregator. 'IT' products are equipped with sensors to detect light, temperature, voltage, current, fan speed and gel-string information - so an entire rig can, therefore, be identified, addressed and tested from a laptop or PDA.

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Martin Professional's focus was brand new products - 10 in all were launched at the show, and the stand this year was devoted entirely to them. First in line was the 1.2k TW1 tungsten washlight, which offers full spectrum colour mixing - impressive across the whole colour gamut from saturated through pastels and impressively into colour correction. The TW1 produces an even light distribution across a projected surface, light output is cool, plus fan cooling is controllable from the console and very quiet. It's the first and only tungsten fixture to feature internal and external dimming, thus maintaining colour temperature over a fade. The other recent moving head addition was the MAC 700 Wash, which offers soft-edge beam, quiet operation, full CMY colour-mixing and an indexable and rotatable beam-shaper.

Martin also launched two new LED products, which have already caused quite

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Media server specialists Green Hippo previewed its latest Hippotizer V3. Fusing the Green Hippo design team's video and lighting backgrounds, the company says it aims to make convergence a reality! The system offers multi-discipline operation. Key features include: timeline functionality, HippoNet advanced networking capability, media management and efficiency-focused features. Hippotizer can work autonomously, control other devices or be controlled externally.

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Chinese manufacturer PR Lighting illustrated their range of moving lights, the newest of which is their Professional series - with 1200 and 700W Spot and Wash fixtures and a 575 Spot. Coming soon as a 1200W unit with framing shutters.

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Belgium-based Laser Systems Europe highlighted their new 2 -10W Flash multicolour laser systems and their new Stage Blitz green laser, mounted on a moving light base.

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Cable ramps are the wallflowers of the temporary install, often neglected in the planning stage; they can be troublesome to fit after the cables are laid. Lewden has a solution - FastLane, a drop-over cable protector that fulfils all requirements of strength and stability in a pedestrian area.

Help is also at hand for those times when you've been fastidious and laid out your ramps properly, only to have additional wiring appear; CrossLink is a drop-in trough providing two extra cableways between adjacent existing ramp runs. A lock-on lid provides a five-ton rated bridge between the two existing ramp lids.

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First-time exhibitor Impact Products Europe Ltd showed off its latest product, the Light Space interactive dancefloor. This interactive spatial and pressure-sensitive modular LED tile system can withstand up to three tonnes weight-loading, making it suitable for any kind of interactive floor or wall application. Users can send SMS messages to it, play interactive games on it or run graphics and video through it. The company reported an excellent response to the product at the show.

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JBL (Harman Pro), never short of a few new products, didn't fail to please at PLASA, announcing two new additions to its product line in the form of the VRX915M 15" wedge to complement the VRX9000 constant curvature array, as well as the MRX500 lightweight, passive, portable PA system aimed at gigging musicians. Three monitors - the MRX512M, MRX515 and MRX525 - and two subs - the MRX518S and MRX528S complete the line-up.

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Element Labs introduced Stealth - a stunning configuration of which was hung as a central feature of the hall. The Stealth panel provides the building block of a transparent, large-scale video screen solution featuring low profile central support and fins - it's virtually transparent when not running. The lightweight Stealth is a modular system composed of 40cm square individual panels, and offering a high-resolution display (25mm pixel pitch). An integrated power supply and data routing unit mounts with each 64-panel section. Processing hardware converts a DVI, HD, SDI, s-video, component, or composite video signal which is routed to the individual panels. See a QuickTime video of the system in operation at PLASA on the company's website.

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Ecler's new products - distributed in the UK by MilTec - included the AC6 19" mixer, the Ambit 108 low impedance 100Volt line speaker and the Philos 10A active speaker. Also showing was their DPA, MPA, XPA and DJ amplifiers.

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French effects specialists Universal Effects launched a new range of medium-sized foam, bubble and confetti hardware which is cost-effective, but with all the features and build quality you could wish for. They also had a new range of carbon dioxide- or nitrogen-powered confetti blowers, allowing users to choose their gas of choice. The largest confetti cannon in the range takes an impressive 40kg of ammunition and is the most powerful in the industry . . .

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Visiting the Sifam Instruments stand was quite literally like being a kid in a sweetshop. The company, which makes sliders and knobs for many applications, provided a 'Pick and Mix' service, allowing visitors to purchase individual items for spares and repairs rather than having to work with Sifam's minimum supply quantity of 1,000. "It has been a really successful idea," said the company's Tony Nathan.

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Dutch manufacturer Lagotronics presented new and existing LED lighting products including the new DecaLED product line, one of the company's most used and frequently updated product lines.
  1. Slingco
  2. Sound Leisure
  3. Road Ready UK
  4. Adam Hall
  5. Funktion One
  6. Cornered Audio Systems
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