The Rubber Box Co is launching two new products at PLASA - a stage box designed for mounting on trussing and a 16A Y-Cord splitter. The stage box is fitted with 19-pin male and female connectors and six 16A sockets. By using two lightweight half couplers, the box can be quickly and securely clamped to trussing in seconds. The Y-Cord splitter removes the problem of trying to connect two cables into a plug. Manufactured from 2.5 sq.mm HO7RNF rubber cable, it can be supplied as a cable or fitted with plug and couplers.

Rubber Box can be found on Stand E13.

With the development of CAD drawing packages over recent years, it’s now possible for professional lighting designers to make a living designing in the virtual world.

Using WYSIWYG by Cast Lighting of Canada or the Martin Show Designer from Denmark, designers can create artistic lighting images and present them either as stills or as an animated movie providing an accurate photo-realistic rendition of environmental and show designs. Since he’s been one if its higher profile users, we invited LD Durham Marenghi, to explain why he’s so keen on the virtual route . . .

Over the past month I’ve been commissioned to create virtual designs with WYSIWYG for a temporary exhibition and event environment and a major car launch reveal, the intention in each case to provide a graphic presentation of what will eventually become reality.

Historically, artistic impressions

NXT, the developer of flat-panel loudspeaker technologies, has launched a new PA speaker system, featuring its SurfaceSound technology, in Europe and Asia. The system will be marketed in Europe by Carlsbro, a leading PA and music instrument amplification manufacturer based in the UK as the 'nlightn' and has been exhibited in prototype in Asia at PALA by Architectural Audio, part of the Singapore-based Swee Lee Group.

The new NXT-based PA speakers represent a departure from existing technology. Features of SurfaceSound include the fact that the dispersion characteristics from each of the PA speakers cover a 180° arc across all frequencies within their bandwidth so that there is no change in clarity, irrespective of the listening angle. Aside from the acoustic qualities of the flat panel speakers, NXT also offers a lightweight and compact design. Free of the heavy magnets of other speak

At PLASA 2001, TMB will be showing a number of new products. The Cam-Lok E2000 series power connectors are high-quality, single-pole locking connectors conforming to 2002 European safety standards and specifications. Available in current ratings to 400 Amps, and cable sizes to 150mm2.

New additions to TMB’s PowerPAR daylight fixture range include a hot restrike version, a remote ballast unit for an even lighter-weight and lower profile; an HID150 unit, using a high-output 10,000 hour lamp for architectural use, and multiple colours for company identification and corporate shows. Additionally, the original best-selling version now has reduced fan noise for quiet operation in Theatre and TV applications and an improved ballast with hot restrike capability.

Other new products inlcude the ProPlex Ethernet Cable - now available with two choices of extremely durable and innovative RJ

Salisbury-based Stagecraft unveiled its new Prolyte Arc Roof at this year's Salisbury Festival. Stagecraft is the first company within the UK to offer this unique staging system for hire. The Arc Roof can be adapted to suit individual events and will be seen in action throughout the summer at The Big Chill festivals, West Green House and Brockstock, a fundraising event for local charities. Stagecraft's involvement in this year's Salisbury Festival ranged from the hiring of stage equipment to the full installation and supervision of projects such as Prolyte Arc Roof's use in both the opening ceremony and fireworks finale in the Cathedral Close. Stagecraft also constructed a giant outdoor cinema screen in front of The Cathedral School to show silent movies, supported by the French band, Art Zoyd, as well as constructing a two storey front-of-house position, split level stages and PA wings,

August 2001 sees the launch of the new XtraMusic service from AEI Music. The new satellite service offers instant access to 47 channels of professionally programmed music for every genre, without the need for complex and expensive hardware or software. XtraMusic offers 47 channels of programmed music of every genre, from current chart hits and dance music to jazz, blues and the independent scene. Special events present no problem for XtraMusic with a range of channels, such as Salsa, 70s, 80s etc, perfect for theme nights. Using the latest digital technology XtraMusic is broadcast via satellite 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With no adverts and no CDs or tapes to change or replace the music is completely uninterrupted. No complex hardware or software is needed just a 60cm satellite dish, an XtraMusic listening card and a satellite receiver - all easily connected to an existing sound

Among the new product releases at this year’s PLASA event will be the range of maXim lighting desks from Australian lighting control systems manufacturer LSC Lighting Systems. Available in five model sizes, the maXim boasts extensive memory capacity, easy-to-use functionality, live sub-masters and a plug-in moving light (PATPAD) module on the larger consoles. The range extends from 24 to 120 channel faders, 108-810 sub-masters, up to 1024 DMX channels, with a well-appointed mastering section. Also on stand is the improved e24 dimming system. The e24 provides 24 channels of 13 amps with full integral hot-patching, with a choice of input power connectors and output load connectors to suit most configurations.

Visit LSC at PLASA on Stand D2

AKG is launching the new Emotion Series Microphone C 900 at PLASA 2001. This is a high quality condenser microphone for vocalists, and provides many unique features at an excellent price/performance ratio. Features include a 24-carat gold-plated transducer case for optimum protection from corrosion and humidity (the entire transducer element is shock-mounted in a special elastic ring). The microphone is also extremely insensitive to handling noise. The supplied Presence Boost Adapter can be installed to boost the 5 - 9kHz range by 2 to 4dB for improved high-frequency sound and better intelligibility.

AKG has also added to its best-selling WMS 40 system, a series of miniature devices that offer perfect solutions to various wireless miking problems. The new products are small enough to fit in a shirt pocket and have been named ‘microtools’. Microtools provide maximum flexibil

Making its UK debut at PLASA is Griven Italy’s new exterior gobo projector, the Goboclip. Sister product to the Kolorclip exterior colour changer and sharing Kolorclip’s compact IP55 rated main housing and 9000 hour 150W metal halide lamp, Goboclip has selectable 19 or 30 degree projection angles and uses ‘D’ size gobos with static image or three rotation speeds.

Griven can be found on Stand G42

LeMark Group and GAMProducts have co-developed a Strand SL version of the unique GAM FilmFX. A scenic projector designed to fit the drop-in iris slot of ellipsoidal spotlight, the 'FX' machine brings the concept of 'gobos on a roll' to reality. The new version will fit both the Strand SL Coolbeam spotlights in Mk 1 and Mk 2 versions. Exclusively available from Le Mark Group, the new accessory meets current CE requirements and will be officially launched at the PLASA Show in September. A range of standard stainless steel effect loops are available, plus the option of custom designs. This development compliments the original version of the FX designed for the ETC Source Four. Mark Gibbons, responsible for technical sales for Le Mark, comments: "The ability to offer the GAM FX in Strand version is very exciting. It means for the first time, we have a fully compliant Euro version of thi

High End Systems' Status Cue lighting console will have one final software release before the end of the year, adding Studio Beam, Studio Spot CMY and EC-2 to the fixture library. x.Spot will not be added due to the board's technical limitations in running a fixture as complex as x.Spot. There will also not be any other fixtures added from other lighting manufacturers. Status Cue was introduced in 1993 and has been upgraded over the years with new software to operate High End's DMX-512 lighting fixtures and competing products until this year's release of x.Spot. High End officially discontinued manufacturing the lighting console last year, but will continue to support the product through its customer service department. Jeff Pelzl, manager of HES Customer Service, says: "We will continue to provide parts and service to our customers in a variety of markets who have purchased Status

Powerhouse Distribution is to launch a new fibre-optic material at PLASA 2001. Titled ‘Supa Brite’ the new fibre-optic cable is claimed to be the brightest solid-core side-emitting fibre available. It is clad in a special jacket that is UV stabilised so as not to be affected by direct sunlight and contains algaecides that make it particularly useful for underwater applications. It is available on rolls of 20m or 60m and the diameter of the fibre is 14mm. Powerhouse managing director Phil Parsons said: "It is quite simply the brightest fibre I have ever seen, I am delighted by the prospect of being able to introduce this exciting product into the UK market - you really have to see it to believe it!"

Supabrite fibre will be displayed on the stands of Ohm Industries (C28), and Dare Pro Audio (D36).

Pioneer is launching its next generation twin-CD player, the CMX-3000, at PLASA 2001. Stylishly designed, with black rubberized buttons and a carbon finish, the CMX-3000 incorporates ground-breaking features only previously seen on Pioneer’s CDJ-1000, such as Wave display, onboard memory, hot cues and new pitch bend buttons. It also boasts a high-quality scratch mode, which allows scratching, scratch cue and backspin. The CMX-3000 brings the twin-CD player platform not only to the mobile DJ but also to small clubs, music bars and serious bedroom DJs. The Wave Display, patented to Pioneer, is a visual mapping of the landscape of each track. This is graphically represented in the display panel, showing the peaks and lows in the WAVE, and thereby guaranteeing accurate cueing on CD.

A further creative highlight of the CMX-3000 is the Hot Cue/Loop function, which memorizes up to eithe

The jewel in the British Film Industry’s crown, the National Film Theatre is generally acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest cinemas, offering the biggest and best choice of films dating back to the origins of the industry (it is the only public cinema that can still show inflammable nitrate film).

With three screens showing over 2,000 films, head of technical services, Richard Boyd knows that while they face a critical audience of purists, technologically times also move forward. The principal auditorium already boasted digital sound and recently the NFT decided to review its projection equipment. The 450-seat NFT1 boasts a 12.5ft high screen, and when it came to researching the market for the new generation of DLP digital video projection Boyd scrutinized the market closely before opting for a fully-featured, three-chip DLP Christie Digital Roadster X4, fitted with

Stage Accompany has launched its new Friend Series, specifically designed for the installation market and smaller rental market. This new series of small speaker systems consists of four models - F1, F5, F7 and F9 - and has a high grade of finish, with double Speakon connectors, steel grille and flush-mounted speakers to prevent baffle-reflection. Their rigid trapezoidal cabinet design, in combination with SA’s Protexture coating and a wide range of mounting options, make the Friends also suitable for mobile applications.

West London-based Ampekko was recently contracted by Lasalle Investment Management to supply a sophisticated voice alarm and public address system for the Swansgate Shopping Centre, situated in the heart of Wellingborough.

Ampekko worked closely with project manager Neil Horswood of Neil R Horswood Services, after winning the tender to design a dual-purpose system to be integrated into Swansgate’s four spacious shopping malls.

Before finalising the system, the company’s design team performed a number of acoustic modelling tests on-site, including a full RASTI test, required because of the harsh nature of surfaces throughout the centre. They then decided on an integrated PA and voice alarm system, based around Bouyer’s digital GD 2299 - a specialist spot-messaging hard disk recorder and player that allows for up to 100 voice messages to be stored and accessed when n

The new LiSA (Line-Source Array System) is the first Italian-manufactured line array system. Since it was designed for one of the country’s leading rental firms, Laboratorio Musica, Mike Clark talks to owner Vanis Dondi about the system.

Designed by a workgroup of three Italian acoustic researchers (Mario Di Cola, Davide Doldi and Davide Saronni), the system consists of three-way full-range high directivity line array elements for long-throw applications. Laboratorio Musicale’s Vanis Dondi, explains: "Two direct radiation 18" woofers reproduce the full bandwidth down to 32Hz, virtually eliminating the need for additional sub-woofers in many applications but, if necessary, there are also optional sub-woofers with three long excursion 18" for extra VLF power."

Three Stage Accompany neodymium ribbon compact drivers are the system’s cylindrical HF so

Announcing a UK exclusive distribution agreement, AC Lighting will use its presence at the PLASA exhibition to display the product range of leading German manufacturer, MA Lighting Technology Gmbh. MA Lighting will also be present at the show (J12) and in addition a private suite has been booked to provide facilities for in-depth product demonstrations away from the noise of the show floor.

Taking pride of place at PLASA will be the grandMA lighting console and the release of Version 3.00 software. This release facilitates advanced networking capabilities, including the ability for multiple operators to programme complex shows on the console and for full tracking back-up between consoles and replay units. The grandMA is the largest console in the range and harnesses the benefits of the latest technologies: a distinguishing feature is the three colour TFT touch displays with brilliant c

In what is claimed to be a UK first, high-end touring and installation manufacturer Chameleon Audio is exhibiting its Mac- and PC-compatible digital audio control system at PLASA. Developed over the last 18 months, it utilizes Apple Computers FireWire and Yamaha’s mLAN technologies.

Chameleon Audio managing director, Paul Houlden, decided to develop the system for several reasons. "Firstly, I feel remote control of audio equipment is the way forward and, secondly, there is an increasing demand from live sound companies for this type of technology. When substantial numbers of amplifiers and speakers are operated or flown in remote locations in large concert venues and stadia, should a fault occur, immediate detection of what piece of equipment has malfunctioned is virtually impossible without a sophisticated control system. Chameleon’s digital audio control system addre

New from Selecon at PLASA this year is the mechanical dowser accessory, which completes the Pacific MSR light system. The dowser continues the modular design philosophy of the Pacific: it is a separate accessory that simply drops into the Pacific lamphouse, onto which can be mounted any of the Pacific lens systems. Using graduated optical filters, the dowser provides a visually even fade from full output to blackout. Control is via DMX. The daylight colour temperature (5600K) and high efficiency of the 575W MSR lamp combine to deliver a high output, high impact beam. The Pacific heat management system ensures even energy distribution at the gate allowing for the use of dichroic glass patterns. Hot restrike, standard MSR and MSD lamps can be used with the Pacific. Power supplies include a universal electronic power supply and 220 - 240v magnetic ballasts for architectural applications. Th

Renkus-Heinz, worldwide distributor of EASE software for ADA, has announced the release of EASE 4.0, a generational change from EASE 3.0 to a more intuitive, easier-to-use format with more accurate calculations and more realistic presentations.

Originated and owned by Dr. Wolfgang Ahnert of ADA (Acoustical Design Ahnert), Berlin, EASE has developed since its introduction in 1990 into a standard for sound system simulation software. EASE 4.0 has an improved look that features icons and better menus, making its use much simpler and more intuitive. Easy-to-use wizards help to create new projects and simplify mapping functions and ray tracing. A new ‘Objects Function’ allows users to select any items in the drawing, including vertices, faces, edges, seats, lights or speakers, group them together and then save them into a separate file as an object. The object can then be import

Smoke Factory of Hannover, Germany, has earned a worldwide reputation as a manufacturer of professional fog-generators. The list of Smoke Factory innovations introduced over the years includes: 0-10 V control of output and output volume; DMX control of output and output volume; XLR standard connection for fog-generators; Radio remote control; Direct output volume control through lighting desk fader; Continual fogging and electronic temperature control.

The Tour-Hazer, being launched at the PLASA Show, is an addition to this Professional Touring Range. The DMX-controlled Tour-Hazer creates a fine haze instead of big clouds of fog. By filling the air with a perfect ‘designer mist’, the Tour-Hazer creates an ideal environment for beams and moving light shows. Unlike many other hazers, the Tour-Hazer does not need a compressor. It is small, easy to handle and to carry, comes wi

Pulsar has announced some new additions to the ChromaRange family of LED technology lighting fixtures. To complement the existing ChromaLight, ChromaDome and ChromaZone, these new items will allow further flexibility for the use of LED fixtures and provide a comprehensive solution for architectural and entertainment lighting design projects. The entire range will make their exhibition debut at this year’s PLASA and promise to be the highlight of the show.

ChromaBank contains 12 ChromaHearts packaged together in one linear lighting source featuring a total of 960 LEDs. It has a built in ChromaZone to power and control the unit, offering numerous internal effects and chases that can operate in stand-alone mode or with an external DMX/PMX controller. ChromaBanks are idea for TV, Theatre, Stage and Club applications providing incredible illumination and flexibility from a LED based f

In mid-July, Showsound hosted a demonstration of a new sound technology known as the Audio Spotlight. The device, which was demonstrated by inventor F. Joseph Pompei, represents what the company believes to be the first successful development of a truly directional loudspeaker. Whereas a traditional loudspeaker produces a large field of sound, the Audio Spotlight emits a narrow beam of sound - as little as just 3° at 3m.

In practice, the Audio Spotlight generates a beam of sound that can be accurately pointed at specific locations. People within the field of the beam will hear clear audible sound, whilst others standing just outside will not. The sound can be aimed directly at targets or reflected off almost any surface in a method known as Projected Audio.

Joseph Pompei has developed this innovative new system at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Media Laboratory.

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