Midas introduced the new Venice console, bringing the high-quality Midas brand to smaller applications such as conferences or live band applications, for effects returns or additional inputs in large multi-console applications, in installation/contracting work, or as part of a small mobile system. It also provides an ideal feature set for live acts who need to mix their own FOH and monitor sound from on-stage. Three versions are available, and will be available in the UK from Shuttlesound. Midas also made it two wins in a row by again picking up the Live! Best Audio Console award for the Heritage 3000. Allen & Heath, meanwhile, were delighted to pick up the Silver award for the ML5000 mixing desk.
Fuzion has recently taken on distribution of Camco amplifiers, and the impressive new Camco Vortex units were shown for the first time by the company. The Camco Vortex is a very high-power (6000W into 4 ohms), yet lightweight 2U amplifier product which offers complementary advantages to the Crown range of amplifiers which Fuzion also distributes in the UK. The microprocessor-controlled amplifiers control and monitor all functions and internal ‘housekeeping’ tasks. Each has a three-stage switched-mode universal power supply, with reliable over-voltage protection up to 400 volts.
Soundcraft had the first UK showing of its Spirit M Series of consoles, seen for the very first time recently at NAMM in Los Angeles. The Spirit M4, M8 and M12 are a range of compact mixers available with 4, 8 or 12 mono input versions respectively, and all feature four stereo inputs, four stereo returns, 100mm faders and an S/PDIF digital stereo output.
Another important audio development was the announcement that RG Jones has become the first UK-based member of the Synco Network of production rental companies. RG Jones has purchased 50kW of the Renkus-Heinz Synco Touring System (RH-STS), along with amplifier racks, rigging equipment and 12 Synco CW121 stage monitor wedges. RG Jones joins five existing Synco Network members: Ampco Pro Rent, PAS Audio, Puro Audio, DEE Sound & Light and Flashlight/APR. Synco now carries over 1 million watts of RH-STS PA systems. Vari-Lite introduced to the UK market the new Virtuoso DX console and the two new luminaire configurations first seen at LDI in Las Vegas in October last year. In addition, the first UK rental company to offer the new 2000 Series Vari-Lite fixtures - Set Lighting & Sound - was also at the show, demonstrating the new VLs, as well as examples of its extensive stock of Martin Professional MAC luminaires. Martin Professional, meanwhile, were showing previously-launched products including the award-winning MAC 2000 (winner of the Lighting Product of the Year Award) and Exterior 300 luminaires, alongside their Mach Sound and Jem Smoke products.
Pulsar provided visitors to the show with an excellent chill-out area in a room away from the show floor, where Clay Paky’s Stage Line of intelligent luminaires were shown to good effect. Pulsar also picked up the Live! Award for Training in Excellence, presented for the company’s range of both Clay Paky and Pulsar technical seminars held at their Cambridge base, as well as for their involvement in the World Light Jockey competition and the Student Lighting Designer Award.
