One of the most enduring effects in the club scene is the Strobeflower from Luton-based lighting specialists, OPTI. When it was first launched, it proved an instant hit with promoters because it combined laser-like effects without the cost and complexity associated with true lasers. As a result, it has become one of the all-time classic effects for concerts, clubs and events all over the world.

Now it’s received an important updating which puts it right back into the forefront of dance music theatre. OPTI has introduced a DMX to Analogue converter box that can be used with its Club Strobeflower, Terrastrobe or the Shutter/Dimming option of the K Range projectors to allow easier control from a central lighting desk. Taking advantage of this development, UK lighting hire company Colour Sound Experiment (CSE) based in Park Royal, London, have converted their entire hire stock of OP

Shure unveiled its new Performance Gear Microphones at this year's Winter NAMM. The line, which is due to ship in the first quarter of 2002, is ideal for both the first-time buyer and the musician looking for reasonably-priced, application-specific microphones. Comprising six models designed for vocals and various instruments, all Performance Gear microphones come packaged with cables and mounting accessories to provide plug-and-play simplicity, as well as rugged reliability for onstage performance. As a complement to its individual models, the Performance Gear line additionally includes a pair of drum mic kits, both of which come in their own carrying cases.

Vocal models include the PG48 and PG58. The PG48, created for speech and karaoke, has a cardioid pick-up pattern and a smooth frequency response. For more demanding vocal applications such as lead and back-up vocals, the PG58 offe

Fostex Corporation Japan has announced the launch of a website dedicated to their new family of DVD-RAM professional audio mastering products (www.fostexdvd.net). Beginning with the DV40 Master Recorder, the first product of their DVD-RAM family, Fostex is set to revolutionise audio mastering for sound mixers, post production, recording studios, broadcast professionals and more by putting their experience of timecode and portable timecode DAT to the DVD-RAM platform.

"Since DVD-RAM is going to be an important future category for Fostex, we felt that a dedicated website was a sensible communication solution," states Hiroaki Kawahata, international sales and marketing manager at Fostex Japan. "DV40 is certainly a field developed product with much input gained from our existing PD-4 and timecode DAT users in both America and Europe. The web is an ideal way for them to stay

Artsitic Licence has launched an update to its award-winning Micro-Scope technology. Micro-Scope 3a, which is now shipping, provides a host of new features, many aimed at the forthcoming DMX512-A standard. Terms such as Text Packet, System Information Packet, Alternate Start Code and Network Test will be added to the lighting technician's dictionary when the new standard is launched and Micro-Scope 3a supports them all!

Micro-Scope 3a also provides a range of new features derived from customer feedback. A complete show patch can be downloaded from the new version of Mic-Edit. This allows Micro-Scope 3a to identify each and every channel by both lamp and function. The new version of Mic-Edit also provides a range of new features, including the ability to output DMX via Micro-Scope 3a. This feature alone will greatly speed the task of entering lamp personalities and test patterns. Mic-Ed

North London-based Powerhouse Audio were the first production company in Europe to stock the new EAW SM84 wedge monitors. Powerhouse, who handle a great deal of the high profile corporate production work in and around London, count some of the capital’s major names among their clients. These include companies such as Virgin Records, Channel 4 Television, BBC Radio 2, The BAFTAs and The Financial Times - to name just few.

Nigel Winer explains: "We worked on a TV dance programme, 'Flava' for Channel 4. We were responsible for the production of the studio sound for guest live acts. TV producers try to keep wedge monitors out of shot where possible. One of the advantages of the SM84s is the fact that they are so low profile. We had one in shot and the rest at the other end of the studio. The beauty of the EAW wedges is that the sound is there when you need it. Hence none of the

Marantz Professional Europe has announced a distribution deal with acclaimed UK manufacturer Mordaunt-Short for loudspeaker products suitable for use in professional surround sound and installation applications. Following careful evaluation of the newly-acquired Mordaunt-Short (MS) range, the Marantz team has introduced the Declaration THX Select System, Premiere System 300 and MS302 2-way cabinet to its professional collection.

Mark Perrins, European general manager, states: "The market is changing and we needed a high quality and visually stunning speaker range to complement our existing AV control and installation products for the boardroom, presentation and SI sectors. The MS systems sound great but they also offer a more relaxed choice of finishes to get away from the normal rugged standard."

Both pre-configured surround sound systems and the MS302 cabinet offer stylis

Barco Events, a division of BarcoProjection, has announced a new range of display and projection products. With the announcement of the new ELM R18 Director and SLM R8/G8 Performer projection platforms, Barco adds three state-of-the-art projectors to its product range.

The ELM R18 Director, based on the ELM platform, now becomes the first projector to reach brightness levels of 18,000 lumen, while also offering the added features of seamless switching and high contrast mode. It is equipped with an innovative Digital Light Processing (DLP) sub-system, including high-resolution Digital Mirror Devices (DMD) and a state-of-the-art optical system.

The SLM R8/G8 Performer platform now offers the market the first projector of this size with brightness levels of 8,000 lumen, as well as features geared specifically at the rental and staging markets. Barco also adds a new ultra-high resolution

Sony Broadcast and Professional UK has announced a significant enhancement to the triple award-winning DMX-R100 digital console, with the introduction of its DMBK-R109 MADI (Multichannel Audio Digital Interface) card. The interface expands to 108 the number of audio inputs that can be configured in a single DMX-R100 and supports the dual console cascade mode, providing an integrated 168-input, 112-channel, 48 fader digital mix system. Uniquely, the internal 32-bit fixed point Bus resolution is maintained between cascaded consoles, ensuring no compromise to the DMX-R100’s sound quality.

The powerful new DMBK-R109 utilizes the established AES 10 24-bit MADI I/O ‘bit-slip’ free standard and provides 48-channel digital I/O expansion compatible with other MADI devices such as the Sony PCM-3348HR DASH recorder. Compatibility with the expanding array of MADI stageboxes, audi

Carlsbro has launched what it claims to be one of the first efficient mobile or static monster speaker systems available in Europe. Following extensive trials in venues across the UK, at a recent rave in London, a sound check revealed that the system delivered a record 165db with no audible distortion. A pneumatic drill delivers 110db. This prompted one of the driver manufacturers to fly two engineers over from America to determine how this was achieved. Radio one DJ Dave Pearce listened to the system last week and is quoted as saying: "It is the best speaker system I have ever heard. It makes the Dance music I play come to life and the bass thump is wicked."

Meanwhile, a group of gospel singers from America flew into West Yorkshire to sing at Huddersfield Christian Fellowship where a multiple system delivered 22,000W of music to the 1,000 strong congregation. The choir, whic

The new Colour-Fresnel CFN-60, which will find many applications in architectural mood lighting, is the latest addition to the Artistic Licence range of digital lighting solutions. The product is based on additive colour mixing of red, green and blue high power light emitting diodes with the resultant light providing in excess of 16 million colour combinations.

Colour-Fresnel is housed in a Reggiani recessed fixture that provides rotation in two axes and a variable focus fresnel lens. The product, which is available in both a white and a silver finish, operates on a 24V, four wire control signal. It can be controlled and powered by either Power-Pipe or LVD-12, and can also be mixed with other Digital Lighting fixtures, providing further flexibility.

(Ruth Rossington)

Rolec has launched its new PHD-1 Music Store. The product is ideal for pubs, bars and cafes looking for a dynamic choice of music and a quick, simple and fuss-free device from which to play it. The unit can store up to 2500 tracks and the latest chart hits can be added thanks to a monthly update CD supplied by Rolec. Pre-programmed timed announcements, adverts, tag lines and promotional offers can also be stored. The machine’s internal clock is date-sensitive, offering the facility to recognize specific seasons and programme appropriate music up to a year in advance. It can also play standard audio CDs.

The Music Store offers all the flexibility of a computer-based system, operated through just four buttons on the front, but because it’s a dedicated player, it doesn’t hang up, like computer-based music systems can do, when the power is switched on and off. For playbac

Digital Projection International has released the Lightning 25sx projector. At 14000 ANSI lumens and SXGA resolution, the Lightning 25sx is one the world’s brightest projectors. It is complemented by a palette of more than 1 billion colours, absolute greyscale tracking and luminance uniformity greater than 90%. It is suited to a wide range of applications and the on-screen results are engaging video, HDTV and computer imagery with an inherent ‘Film Look’ appeal.

(Ruth Rossington)

MC2 Audio has announced the first sale of its amplifiers in the Sultanate of Oman. Bright Lights of Muscat made their first approach to MC2 Audio at the PLASA 2001 exhibition in London and their order for amplifiers from both the MC range and T Series followed in early February 2002. MC2 Audio’s Ian McCarthy commented: "We look forward to future collaboration with Bright Lights and wish them every success with our products."

(Lee Baldock)

SGM has launched a new range of professional moving head fixtures. The new Giotto Spot 400, Wash 400 and Profile 400 are professional moving head fixtures designed for use in high profile entertainment applications including concerts, theatres and television studios. All three fixtures are compact and lightweight and have a range of features including 400W hot re-strike MSR lamp, 9°-24° motorized zoom, electronic ballast (90-245V).

(Ruth Rossington)

Swiss manufacturer ETR Lighting has introduced the Terra 12 - a 12 x 10 digital dimmer, a lightweight unit designed for optimum ease of use and reliability. The Terra 12 operates on virtually any load, and operating characteristics can be set for every channel individually. Its electronically controlled ventilator ensures a safe and continuous operation even under maximum load. The dimmer features an optional differential current breaker and comes in a 19" 3U rack-mountable case or a portable table-top version. A wide selection of connectors makes the Terra 12 dimmer ready for use in virtually any environment.

(Lee Baldock)

QSC Audio Products Inc. introduces the 215PCM self-contained active subwoofer system with dual 15-inch drivers. The core module of QSC’s ISIS (Integrated, Self-Powered, Self-Processed Industrial Systems) speaker line, the 215PCM provides power amplification not only for itself, but also two channels for driving full-range or bi-amp ‘top box’ speakers. Thus, it serves as the core module for portable live sound reinforcement systems and is ideal for corporate and industrial events. Its optimum frequency response is 35-115 Hz at the -3dB down points. A second model, the 215SB, is the identical enclosure minus the amplification and DSP.

The power and processing electronics of the 215PCM are contained in a backpack mounted on the rear of the subwoofer enclosure. Powering the 215PCM is an integral 3000W amplifier (equivalent to a bridged-mono QSC PowerLight 230) for the sub

EVO, the intelligent loudspeaker system from JBL Professional, is now being installed in schools, houses of worship and small performance venues throughout the world. Automated set up and operation, anti-feedback control and excellent sound quality are just some of the features that are appealing for these customers. Now, with JBL's new Freeware computer program, EVO DCI (Digital Control Interface), the internal power of EVO can be accessed, edited and stored via Windows-based computers. The computer is simply plugged into the RS232 port on the front panel of the EVOi.net, which is the communications hub of an EVO system for up to four EVO Loudspeakers.

EVO DCI v1.0 is an easy-to-use software application that allows users to monitor and control EVOi.324 loudspeakers. The results and performance of many functions can be viewed, adjusted and stored for later use. This software program is

Vari-Lite Europe has taken delivery of their first VL1000 ellipsoidal reflector spotlight units and as soon as they arrived, they went straight back out again! 12 of the units will be used at the Roundhouse, Camden where the RSC is returning for the first time in 30 years to perform three of Shakespeare’s late plays, A Winter’s Tale, The Tempest and Pericles, which will run in repertory at the Roundhouse until transferring to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in August. Lighting designers for the shows are Hugh Vanstone for A Winter’s Tale, Tina McHugh for The Tempest and Jean Kalman for Pericles.

With its debut at LDI last year, the ground-breaking new VL1000 luminaire has made the professional automated luminaire affordable. The VL1000 is available for less than a conventional ERS with most of its popular accesso

JTS has announced the launch of a professional-class studio monitoring headphone set at a price easily affordable for home and project studio owners. JTS HP-535 headphones feature a closed design, with an adjustable frame and flexible ear-flap to ensure good fit and maximum comfort. Acoustic quality is assured by the use of a neodymium-ferrous magnet assembly in super-thin 40mm diaphragm drivers. The result is a frequency range of 20 - 20,000Hz, and a sensitivity of 104dB +/- 3dB/mW at 1,000Hz. The HP-535s come with both gold plated mini-jack and 1/4" RCA adaptor with a 3m cable.

UK distributor Proel International says that sound quality is far better than the low retail price might suggest and that the HP-535s are perfectly suited for lengthy monitoring sessions and all other demanding audio uses.

(Lee Baldock)

Barco has released the IQ G300 projector, the first in a new series of intelligent projection solutions. The IQ’s feature set provides intelligent solutions for high-end applications, such as meeting rooms, videoconferencing centres, training facilities and auditoriums.

The projector’s picture-in-picture (PiP) feature allows the presenter to display up to four resizable source windows on the screen simultaneously. Operators can display a spread sheet, video clip, presentation and videoconference all on the same screen. The IQ RGB analog input and D-sub input allows simultaneous connectivity of two data sources. These sources include laptops, PCs, Macs or workstations, which allows data to be compared easily and information to be retrieved quickly.

The IQ G300 utilizes 1.3" poly-silicon LCD panels with a native XGA resolution (1024 X 768 pixels), offering a maximum of

In response to feedback from end users, High End Systems has released a new, fully modular 2:1 zoom optic system for the x.Spot, along with a new faceted ‘flat field’ reflector. This version of x.Spot will be marketed as x.Spot HO (High Output).

Additional output is primarily achieved through the larger aperture (higher ‘f stop’) and greater efficiency of the 2:1 zoom lens system, while increased colour temperature and improved beam uniformity are a result of the faceted reflector. As a result, designers can now specify 4:1 zoom fixtures for shorter throw, wide projection applications and 2:1 zoom fixtures for longer throw or beamage applications where output is king and ultra wide zoom range is not critical.

High End will of course continue to offer x.Spot with 4:1 zoom optics: the 4:1 zoom unit will also now include the faceted ‘flat field’ refle

Maltbury has unveiled Metrodeck Ultra, its new lightweight modular staging system. The Ultra is based on Maltbury’s popular mid-weight staging system, Metrodeck, with which it is also fully compatible. The lightest and simplest to assemble of all the Maltbury systems, Metrodeck Ultra is particularly suitable for use by schools, hire companies and in the conference and exhibitions industry.

Weighing a mere 10kg for a 1x1m unit, Metrodeck Ultra consists of a lightweight top, constructed from a speciality ply sandwich board with a foam filling, and a durable aluminium frame. For construction, Velcro straps are used to connect adjacent units, with smaller straps joining the decks and larger ones securing leg to leg connections. In addition, eliminating the need for a spanner, T-bars can be used to secure, by hand, the legs of individual modules. With detachable alloy legs of varying

Responding to input from the marketplace, Tannoy has launched the V Series, a new range of point source, dual concentric sound reinforcement loudspeaker systems, which feature a modern cabinet design providing installation flexibility.

The Tannoy V Series combines the qualities and high performance of Tannoy’s established installation loudspeakers into a new dual-wedge cabinet shape. The flexible and discrete cabinet shape makes the speakers ideal for use as floor monitors and low profile ceiling mounting in landscape configuration. In addition, the V Series features a foam covered mesh grille, essential for the aesthetic needs of today’s installations.

The Tannoy V8 replaces the i8 and T8 and is designed for high quality music and speech reinforcement. It can also be used as a mini stage monitor, as its conical coverage pattern gives the performer greater freedom of move

Neutrik has released the Speakon SPX series, the next generation of the amplifier/speaker connector. The new unit offers the same reliability as the company’s NL4FC, whilst also offering increased power handling, connection security and flexibility, and is intended to replace its predecessor over the next few years.

The new SPX Series can deliver currents up to 50 Amps on all four contacts for audio applications. This means a single connector is capable of carrying the current load from amplifiers of over 1kW. Another unique design element is that electrical contact is made only after the connector is completely inserted and locked to prevent arcing when connected under load.

The new cable connector also consists of only three parts to make assembly faster and easier, and a one-piece internal chuck accepts cable diameters between 6 and 14mm. Termination is either with screw te

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