Antari, the smoke machine company from the Far East, appointed Coemar UK as its distributor just prior to the show and, shortly afterwards, Jon Petts, previously synonymous with JEM, crossed the wire. Consequently, we can look forward to some interesting developments from that camp in the years to come. Right now it has a broad range of smoke machines for many applications, mostly entry level units. However, the new ‘X range’ includes four models - three foggers and a Fazer. The X310 Fazer is everything from hazer to fogger, hence the name. Three sizes of fogger feature in this range, these being the 1000W X510, 1500W X515 and the massive 3000W X530.
The best thrill to be had at the show was standing several feet away from the Backstage Technologies stand and getting blasted by the new Terrafog cryogenic fog cannon, which nearly blew people off their feet whilst engulfing them in a freezing fog! The Terrafog has been converted from using liquid nitrogen to using liquid air, so there are no adverse health risks and it is aimed primarily at nightclubs.
Dominic Brezac of Brezac Artifices was at PLASA for the first time showing his company’s spectacular range of pyrotechnics and effects. Of particular interest was the new DMX control for the automated launchers of streamers and confetti - a control system which is available for both outdoor and indoor use.
Cardiff M Sound & Light made its presence felt again with a vast range of disco and mobile DJ products, including NJD’s Chaos II W colour changing effects (exclusive to Cardiff M) with 250W lamp, Autofon cartridge products and Source lights, effects and fog machines.
Eurotec UK is an Epsom-based manufacturer making lights for VJs in discos and smaller clubs. New products included the Dichro Plus DMX colour changing image projector, featuring nearly 300 images, and the 3D - a disco image projector with 11 3D gobos and continuous colour changing.
JEM has added to its extensive line of fog and haze machines with the launch of three Magnum series machines - the Magnum 550, Magnum 950 and Magnum Hazer Pro. The Magnum 550 houses a 600W ECO-Mass Vaporizing System for economical and even distribution of haze, with a fast heat-up time, whilst the Magnum 950 houses a more powerful 1500W system. The JEM Hazer Pro is a high-precision DMX haze generator using digital technology and a high velocity centrifugal blower. Together with the latest in innovative ECO-Mass vaporizing system design and V.G.A. (variable geometry airflow), it can produce very small, highly refractive airborne particles to deliver the perfect optically translucent canvas of haze.
Le Maitre offered two new products. The new Pro-Stage firing system will now connect to any form of pyro device, previous versions having only had dedicated PyroFlash connectors. On show in prototype form was the new Maxi Hazer, which uses sugar-based fluid to produce an astonishing amount of haze, yet consumes just 2.5 litres when running continuously for eight hours flat out! Using the same principle as the Neutron, this variable output hazer looks to be a world-beater.
The MBN Aircone is, as the name suggests, an air-inflated cone of shot silk in 3m and 4m high versions. The Aircone will take a 150W HT colour-changing lamp, but is also available without the light fitting.
MDG Fog Generators’ vice-president, Martin Michaud, noted that the Canadian company was "having a great show". On display was the new Ice Fog Compack, a reasonably-priced machine aimed at smaller theatres. With export accounting for 92% of the company’s business, it has recently expanded its overseas market by taking on distributors in three new countries.
S &
