Attracting particular attention was Clarity, a new control system from Australian manufacturer LSC. Offering seamless integrated control of lighting equipment of all types, Clarity is a software-based system running on either PC or Mac that offers an interface familiar to users of existing lighting controls, but also a host of new techniques for controlling the complexities of modern lighting - moving lights, LED arrays, media servers - even when busking shows live.
LDDE had numerous new products on show, including the SpectraWow+ IP65-rated architectural LED floodlight, the SpectraWow Aqua outdoor spotlight with 3x3W full colour LEDs, and the SpectraLine20* full colour RGB system. The company also showed its Bluelite wireless DMX system, which uses Bluetooth rather than the more common WiFi technology for radio transmission.
More LED technology was on show in the JB Lighting JBLED A4 Zoom, a 'baby brother' to the award-winning A7 Zoom moving LED washlight. Using 60 Luxeon high-power LEDs as its lightsource with RGB colour mixing plus a CTC control channel, the A4 retains the zoomable beam of the A7, with the beam angle variable from 8-28 degrees. However, with a more compact head design the A4 offers high speed beam movement and extremely quiet operation all in a package weighing just 8.8kg.
Applying LED technology in a different way was Coemar, for whom White Light is now the exclusive UK distributor for TV and Theatre. Coemar's StageLite LED FX uses the advantages of LEDs to replace traditional cyclorama floodlighting techniques. The new 1500W Infinity Spot XL and a preview of the compact Infinity M range (Spot Wash, ACL), which can use a range of lamp types and powers, were also on show.
Away from lighting fixtures, effect manufacturer Look Solutions debuted the Viper S, a 650W, DMX-controlled smoke machine for smaller stages and clubs.
With White Light at its heart, the White Light Zone in Earls Court 2 also featured Robert Juliat, Rainbow colour changers, ELC, Tomcat, Illieum and Wireless Solution as well as LSC, LDDE, JB Lighting, Coemar and Look Solutions.
"We were delighted to be surrounded by our friends and colleagues from all of these industry-leading companies, all of whom we are proud to represent in the UK," comments White Light's managing director, Bryan Raven. "All of their products attracted a great deal of interest from visitors during PLASA, and we look forward to introducing them to many more people in the coming months."
(Jim Evans)