The new DS-12RF from DAS Audio provides an instant plug-in and go solution to a whole range of indoor and outdoor conferencing, presentation, small PA, and wireless communication links applications. The DS-12RF is a fully integrated, UHF wireless equipped, two-way self-powered speaker cabinet. The high pressure injection-moulded cabinet features high density, mineral-loaded polypropylene construction, combined with extensive internal structural reinforcement to provide a cabinet of exceptional rigidity and acoustic dampening, while maintaining a considerable weight advantage over equivalent wood or MDF type construction. The cabinet features a high power handling, low compression 12" low/mid driver and 1" HF compression driver with 2" throat, coupled to a constant directivity HF horn. Internal amplification circuits deliver 150W RMS to the low/mid driver and 50W RMS to the

Hayden Laboratories, UK distributor of Rane products has announced the availability of the new Rane TTM 56 scratch mixer. This is a flexible, durable, and feature-packed unit with clear audio quality which is ideal for use in the most demanding of live venues, recording studios or for live broadcast applications.

Features include non-contact crossfader and channel faders. Rane's new proprietary magnetic fader is the fastest, most accurate, and long lasting on the planet. The design uses non-contact magnetic position sensor technology - previously used only for challenging aerospace and industrial applications. Unlike optical non-contact faders, the magnetic fader is impervious to smoke, moisture, temperature and aging. The electrical performance of these faders is totally unaffected by heavy use, and the mechanical life of the magnetic fader exceeds 10 million operations.

Other featu

California-based Apogee International has announced the launch of a new line of internally powered loudspeakers. The line consists of seven models - four full-range loudspeakers and three subwoofers. Each model offers integrated amplifiers, matched to its driver's power requirements, plus internal signal processing and control electronics that eliminate the need for outboard crossovers and controllers.

Three models of full-range powered loudspeaker are presently available: the APL-800, APL-500, and APL-220, with the APL-110 scheduled for release early in 2002. Both the APL-800 and APL-500 feature dual 400W amplifiers and are fully arrayable and highly effective when used alone or as the building block for a large system. The APL-220, also with dual 400W amplifiers, is designed for applications requiring extremely high power and tight directional control. The APL-110 features a 300W low

QSC Audio has introduced the new RMX 1850HD two-channel power amplifier, aimed at performing musicians, mobile DJs, and anyone needing a portable PA system. The RMX 1850HD features a high-current toroidal transformer coupled with enhanced thermal performance and is designed to deliver higher continuous power to 2-ohm stereo or 4-ohm bridge mono loads. The amplifier includes low-frequency filters to boost system response, protect speakers, and ensure low-end tightness by accurately matching the amplifier’s range to the loudspeakers. Each channel can be independently adjusted - 50 Hz for most full-range systems, 30 Hz for subwoofers and large full-range systems, and full-range for studio monitoring.

Independent clip limiters are included on the RMX 1850HD to reduce distortion without sacrificing performance. Other features include front-mounted gain controls for easy access, signal

Le Mark Group, the specialist provider of adhesive tapes and labels and lighting accessories, and the UK distributor for Great American Market (GAM) and City Theatrical Inc, has announced that it is to become the UK distributor for the Apollo Design range of gobos and lighting accessories from the US.

Apollo Design offers a wide range of glass and steel gobos, including the SuperResolution and ColourScenic ranges which feature an exceptionally high printing quality of 20,000dpi resolution. Le Mark will also offer Apollo's Roto-Q single gobo rotator, which comes ready to use, complete with built-in speed and directional control.

Sennheiser has redefined miniaturisation in terms of wireless technology with its latest SK 5012 UHF beltpack transmitter, which, according to the company, is the smallest commercially available UHF transmitter yet designed.

The latest addition to the 5000 series, the SK 5012 is a third shorter than the current SK 50A beltpack model (itself one of the smallest available lavalier transmitters). Weighing in at just 130g, including two AAA Alkaline cells, on which it operates continually for approximately seven hours, the SK 5012 provides the lowest profile of any available professional RF transmitter while incorporating the full range of the 5000 series' features. Additionally, the all metal casing design provides greatly improved protection against moisture and humidity levels, while a new antenna design provides the SK 5012 with an RF power out put of typically 30mW - optimised for mul

Hardware Xenon's projection balloon is an innovative solution to the problem of high quality projection in lit areas, particularly suited to exhibitions, conferences, product launches and events. This projection balloon (registered model) which gives a very bright spherical image, can be placed at the top of a mast or hung in trussing.

The spherical balloon is inflated with air and classified M1 non-inflammable. The standard model is two metres in diameter and is placed at the top of a mast 3.4 metres high. This fits into the space normally available in exhibitions between the top of the stands and the authorized maximum height of five meters. At this height the balloon can be seen from afar, while the occupied ground space under the balloon is reduced to a minimum: the aluminium mast required is only 12cm square. For clients with particular needs, balloons of different diameters and m

Mackie Industrial, the contractor products division of Mackie Designs, has introduced the DX 10E Expansion Card for the Mackie Industrial DX8 digital audio mixer and signal processor. The DX 10E Hardware/Software expansion kit transforms the DX8 into a sophisticated programmable 8x10 matrix mixer with enhanced signal processing capabilities. The kit also includes upgraded control software and an improved user interface.

"We've said since the introduction of the DX8 late last year that we were creating a platform capable of supporting the needs of systems integrators into the future," comments Costa Lakoumentas, product director for Mackie Industrial. "The DX 10E turns the DX8 into an incredibly powerful matrix mixer and signal processor unrivalled in functionality and value. Whether you need a sophisticated matrix mixer, a speaker processor, a paging controller or any on

Autograph Sales Ltd, an authorized distributor for Digital Talkback, has reported an excellent response to the company’s new DTB-2001 system since its launch at the PLASA Show in September. One of the major advantages of the DTB-2001, say Autograph, is its total compatibility with all two- and four-wire communications systems, including Clear-Com, for which Autograph Sales is the UK distributor. In addition, the DTB-2001 is the first system of its kind to exploit DECT technology, widely used in the telecoms industry. This form of digital frequency agility saves set up time and is licence exempt in the EU and many other countries worldwide.

Autograph Sales has sold and shipped over 30 Digital Talkback units since the product was launched at September's PLASA show. These units went to a variety of users, including broadcast clients, theatre and concert service providers, such as Gr

The new FiberSource CMY 150 from Martin Professional is a fibre illuminator for permanent outdoor and indoor installations. The fixture's full CMY colour mixing capability and unprecedented brightness for a fibre optic source open up new possibilities for fibre optic applications, say Martin. Intended for permanent installations, the FiberSource CMY 150 is designed around a robust IP44-rated housing. It is based on a very efficient 150W lamp giving 6000 hours of lamp life.

The FiberSource CMY 150 features an extremely broad color spectrum achievable from a full CMY color mixing system. Additionally, a full range dimmer gives the user an added effect dimension. The large fiber port accepts up to 800 pieces of 1mm fiber optic cable. The fixture features DMX control and a very comprehensive stand-alone operation including real-time clock activation.

The combination of Wybron's award-winning Eclipse II and TMB's PowerPAR attracted a great deal of attention from New York's professional lighting community at ETC's very successful New York Open House, held on Thursday 6 December. The Eclipse II is an innovative dimming shutter that works like an iris, giving smooth even light output and consistent colour temperature at all intensities. The PowerPAR combines the convenience and optics of ETC's Source 4 Par with a high-output HMI source. Brian Dowd, TMB NY general manager says: "Many lighting designers are interested in the PowerPAR, because it is incredibly bright. They've been asking us if it is dimmable. Now we can tell them yes!"

The Eclipse II received top honors for "Major Technical Advancement in the Field of Professional Lighting" from the 2001 EDDY Awards the following evening. TMB is a value-added distribut

Outline has launched the new H.A.R.D. 212 'low-profile' stage monitor, ideal for no-nonsense television studio and live band applications. Its unique acoustic architecture, with a folded waveguide (patent pending) for reproducing mid/high frequencies, has enabled the cabinet's maximum height from the floor to be limited to just 33cm, combining compactness with high quality performance.

Fitted with three neodymium loudspeakers - 2 x 12" woofers and a 3" compression driver loaded with the waveguide, the H.A.R.D. 212 can produce a maximum SPL of 135dB (AES), 141 peak, from 60Hz to 17kHz, with an almost constant polar response over a listening distance of between 0 and 3 metres. Another interesting feature of the enclosure is its lack of susceptibility to feedback, even at high SPLs, say Outline. The use of speakers with neodymium magnets has allowed the system's weight to be red

Sennheiser has added three new professional models to its range of professional headphones and headsets. All three models are closed back, circumaural designs. Two new broadcast/location sound recording headsets, the HMD 280 pro and HMD 281 pro, combine neodymium-equipped drivers, providing an 8Hz - 25kHz, virtually linear frequency response for critical monitoring, with a high quality noise compensating microphone system. Designed for live presentation, reporting, talkback and intercom applications, the HMD 280 combines an excellent quality and comfortable 102dB SPL headphone monitoring system, with 32dB ambient noise rejection and a super-cardioid boom mic. Mounted on a flexible either-side boom with especially low structure-borne noise, the high directivity microphone capsule ensures clarity of speech, even in the most noisy production environments.

The similarly specified, single-s

Orbital Sound has recently added a range of outdoor Rock speakers from US-based manufacturer Rockustics to its extensive hire portfolio. For intrepid outdoor sound engineers, the company can supply a variety of Rocks to suit every outdoor application. Products include Punk Rocks, Octa Rocks, Econa Rocks, Rocky Too, Rocky Junior and even a Sub Rock! Designed to withstand both wind and water erosion, the Rocks can exist in sub-zero temperatures beneath snow and ice for months at a time.

Daniel Parton of Orbital¹s hire department, commented: "The Rocks blend seamlessly into any outdoor environment and offer innovative alternatives for a variety leisure-build installations. Their their unique aesthetics offer huge potential for any themed environment and have been used successfully for a number of exhibition stands and special events."

High End Systems' Catalyst recently received a top honour for lighting products at the 10th Anniversary of the EDDY Awards in New York, hosted by Entertainment Design magazine. High End's Al Ridella and Brad Schiller accepted the award during the ceremony, which took place on December 7, at John Jay College Theatre.

This is the fourth award for Catalyst. It won two top awards at PLASA in September for Design Excellence and Technical Innovation, and Product of the Year for Lighting/Entertainment at LDI 2001 in November. Catalyst is currently making its splashy debut at New York's Madison Square Garden for the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers games.

The Wife, a new DMX tester from Martin Professional, is a sophisticated, battery-powered DMX 512 and MIDI analyzer with simple to operate characteristics that will find any fault in a lighting rig of intelligent lights. This new DMX tester receives, generates and/or re-transmits DMX 512 or MIDI data streams and includes automatic moving light test facilities. An auto-backup tool features a double and single-ended cable test procedure and displays both update rates and the number of channels. The Wife also houses 15 preset memories.

And why is it named The Wife? Well, if there’s a fault, she’ll find it!

For bi-amped monitor applications utilizing HK Audio's VT115X multi-function 15"/2" cabinets, HK Audio has now introduced a dedicated VT115X Monitor Application Module. This is run in conjunction with HK's AC 22 Controller and VX2400 power amps. When run in bi-amp mode, the VT115X delivers more headroom and 'cut through', often needed on larger stages in particular. The AC 22 stereo controller with the VT115X Monitor Module provides two channels of two-way frequency crossover with +24dB/octave system frequency correction, with circuit protection offered by HK Audio's onboard dynamic limiters.

(Lee Baldock)

MA Lighting has announced the latest software release for its Scancommander lighting desk. In the new version 4.3.1 further 36 moving heads were integrated in the products' library.Accordingly this list includes now also the following types: Clay Paky Golden Spot 1200, Coemer CF7 Zoom Wash, High End Studio Spot CMY, Martin MAC2000 Profile, Vari*Lite 2402 and 2406 and many more.

All customers who use a Scancommander with a 4.xx software version will get the new release free of charge.

(Lee Baldock)

Following its first public showing at the PLASA exhibition in September 2001, the new Diversitronics Mark 3000 Super High Intensity DMX Strobe is now being shipped by AC Lighting Ltd. The strobe features a long life high power quartz xenon lamp and delivers 24,000W peak flash intensity. Built into a streamlined housing with extensive aluminium heat sinking and automatic fan cooling, the unit is rated for continuous duty.

A major feature of the Mark 3000 is the ability of the strobe to accept both DMX and analogue remote control, as well as operating in stand-alone mode with integral speed control. To facilitate ease of connection, the strobe is fitted as standard with DMX input and through 5-pin XLR connectors and analogue (0 -10V) input and through 4-pin XLR connectors.

The Mark 3000 operates over a speed range from 15 flashes per minute to 15 flashes per second and features a Hyper

Midas and Klark Teknik recently welcomed over 40 customers from Germany to their factory in Kidderminster to introduce them to the Midas Legend tri-purpose mixing console which has already won two awards for technological innovation. Customers were also treated to a Klark Teknik presentation on the DN9848 digital loudspeaker processor and a full factory tour as well as plenty of entertainment and sightseeing over the two days of their visit.

According to KTG marketing director, David Webster, the trip was a success for a very simple reason. "It's all about what we do best, which is to offer high quality professional equipment which offer solutions to customers' problems, and to do it in style! And we do our best to try and make it simple. Each distributor has their own DVD presentation on Legend in the language of their territory, as well as any other type of marketing back-up the

A coveted TEC (Technical Excellence & Creativity) Award, presented during the AES New York Convention in December, rounded off a record year for the Sony DMX-R100 digital console. With over 1200 worldwide sales and a hat-trick of major pro-audio awards, the console has carved out an enviable reputation for itself.

Notable for being voted for by a large number of magazine subscribers, the Mix Foundation TEC award for best product in the Small Console Format Technology category is regarded internationally as one of the key accolades for technical professionals. The 48 channel DMX-R100 also scooped both the Studio Sound Award in the UK and MIPA (MusikmesseInternational Press ‘High End Digital Mixing Desk’ Award) in Germany earlier in the year.Sony has recently launched a Version 2.0 software upgrade for the desk, and there are plans for a forthcoming MADI implementation and op

American DJ has introduced the Dual Gem and Super Jewel, upgraded versions of two of its most popular sound-activated moonflower effects. As its name suggests, the Dual Gem is a double version of the Color Gem. The Super Jewel is similar to the American DJ Jewel, but has sharper optics and a bigger beam spread to provide even more impact.

The Dual Gem includes an FX switch, which allows it to be operated in sound active, static or continuous rotation mode. A special sensitivity knob has also been added to control the degree of intensity with which the beams respond to the music. With the sensitivity adjustment, DJs can set the effect for high-energy movement or for calmer effects.

The Super Jewel features a high-power LL-64514 120V, 300W lamp. In addition to its increased brightness, new colours and wider beam spread, the Super Jewel now includes an FX switch for operation in sound a

CIE-Audio has been appointed exclusive UK distributor for the newly launched ‘Euromet’ range of professional stands, trussing and audio/lighting hardware. The new product range is CIE-Audio’s latest move in its plans to develop a new ‘leisure-based’ music range which will complement CIE-Group’s existing portfolio of integrated product solutions (currently comprising installed sound, data & telecommunications and CCTV & security).

Chris Edwards, CIE-Group marketing manager told us: "These new products will give our existing customers a complete hardware range, from audio and lighting stands, brackets and fittings, to staging and event technology such as trussing and portable staging. Euromet will also form a vital part of our new ‘leisure’ product range, which will see CIE-Audio moving further into the AV, events and lighting markets

American DJ has launched the XP-3 intelligent moving head - a high performance DMX-compatible fixture with a fully rotating head and an affordable price tag. "In the past, moving head fixtures were beyond the price range of the average club and professional DJ," said Scott Davies, general manager of American DJ. "The XP-3 offers those who have a smaller budget the excitement of a moving head fixture, without a high price tag."

The XP-3 features a fully rotating head, with pan and tilt. It includes four DMX channels and incorporates smooth stepper motors and an easy-to-read digital display. Features include 17 gobos plus spot, six colours plus white and four multi-colours and strobe. The XP-3 can be operated with any standard DMX controller. It can also be used with American DJ’s Utopia/C Controller (sold separately) to control black out, slow scan and strobe a

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