Iemke Roos Audio b.v., Nexo distributor for The Netherlands, has sold a complete Nexo Alpha system to Alpha Audio & Light b.v., a Dutch rental company based in Apeldoorn. In a joint venture, Alpha Audio & Light and Iemke Roos Audio have invested in a number of Nexo Alpha cabinets in order to offer a complete system, with a total number of 32 cabinets, including all flying hardware and completed with system racks with Nexo NX241 system controllers and Crown MA5000VZ and MA3600VZ amplifiers. For larger configurations, Alpha Audio & Light will be working closely together with other European Nexo partners.

The system will be used on many of the ‘in house’ productions of Alpha Audio & Light. The system will also be available, in combination with the complete range of FOH and Monitor equipment, as part of the ‘Alpha summerrent’ programme. This is a concept in which Al

Stardraw.com has announced that its complete range of ‘shrink-wrapped’ products, comprising Stardraw Audio, AV, Lighting 2D and the recently launched Stardraw Radio, is now available in Italian. This brings the number of language versions up to five with English, French, German and Portuguese already available. All language versions can be downloaded from the Starsraw website.

Thanks to the system architecture employed by Stardraw, translation into any language is a relatively simple task as all of the text in the program is held in an external file that can be edited using any word-processing package, even one as simple as Notepad.

(Ruth Rossington)

ARRI’s new Pocket Par systems are the ultimate small location lighting fixture, allowing the user to simply choose the wattage, reflector system and accessories required, such as the new Pocket Lite and Pocket Lighthouse.

The low-heat 200W and 400W Pocket Par system represent the latest development in ARRI’s line of high-performance daylight lampheads. Both models have been developed for fast and safe set-up and operation, providing the freedom to supply high quality light output where higher wattage lights were previously required. They are ideal for lighting commercials, interviews or feature films - in the studio or on location - or where space is at a premium. Both models offer interchangeable accessories to make the one light source perform in a variety of ways. The 200W Par has a four-lens set and the 400W Par adds a fifth lens for greater control. Both systems utiliz

CIE-Audio, the UK supplier of installation audio equipment, has announced the addition of another market-leading brand to their portfolio - the revolutionary new ‘i-ceiling’ from Armstrong. A brand new concept in integrated acoustic ceiling systems, the ‘i-ceiling’ is the latest development from the world’s number one manufacturer of ceiling products.

i-ceiling utilises flat panel speaker technology to provide a unique loudspeaker system which exactly matches Armstrong’s market-leading range of ceilings, to combine their existing aesthetic and sound absorption qualities with the acoustic benefits of NXT flat panel speaker technology. This allows for ‘invisible’ loudspeaker solutions which benefit from greatly increased sound dispersion, providing incredibly even levels of sound reproduction compared with the ‘hot and cold’ spo

Artistic Licence has launched two new DMX512 splitters: DMX-Split RDM and Rack-Split RDM. As the product names suggest, both are designed to support the forthcoming ESTA Remote Device Management protocol. RDM (officially BSR E1.20) is currently in development by the ESTA Technical Standards Program, of which Artistic Licence is an active participant.

RDM will have a major impact on all areas of lighting control. In essence, RDM allows data to flow in both directions on a DMX512 cable. Existing DMX equipment uses the first three pins of the XLR connector to send control data from the console to the moving lights or dimmers. RDM allows data to return (still using the first three pins) from the moving lights and dimmers. There are many benefits, but most significant is that the console can now ask ‘Who's out there?’. The moving lights reply in sequence, telling the console who

London based MCL (Media Control Europe Ltd) the integrated solution provider of Avesco plc group, recently purchased one of Acutek's eight channel hoist controllers. Part of Acutek's growing range of control products, the hoist controller meets or exceeds all European and UK legislative requirements.

Nick Whitehead, MCL's head of lighting, commented on the controller's performance on its first outing for a big corporate presentation at the ExCel centre in London's Docklands. "It's built well and has a good specification. Importantly, it complies with all current EU safety regulations, that's an essential consideration for us." The controller's features include a three-pole type 'C' MCB protection on each motor channel, allowing identification of a faulty motor or cable from the rack. The controller also auto-senses local voltage; provided the hoists are set to the correct vo

Hire company Yorkshire Audio recently evaluated Audio-Technica's AT4054 vocal condenser microphones during the UK leg of the James Brown international tour. Keith Birtwhistle, front of House engineer for the show, carried out the trial employing the mics on keyboard and main vocal positions and was very impressed with the results. "We are always on the look out for new products which improve sound quality and add to the artists’ performance, and I would certainly put the AT4054s into that category. They provide a powerful, clear sound and are a dream to mix."

(Ruth Rossington)

Tascam has introduced a new range of professional DJ scratch mixers. The XS-8, XS-4 OESuper Analog Series and XS-3, are affordable, two-channel scratch mixers, offering high sound quality and a range of features. These follow Tascam’s successful entry into the DJ equipment market with the advanced CD-302 DJ CD decks and flagship X-9 digital performance mixer.

The XS-8 is the top of the range ‘Super Analog Series’ model. As well as exceptionally high sound quality, this "advanced" scratch mixer features fully adjustable and reversible crossfader and channel fader curves, three-band EQ on each channel, as well as dedicated EQ control on the microphone input. Balance controls and cut switches and switchable Master and Cue monitoring are featured, and an effects loop, for connection of an external effects processor, with effects level control and in and out swit

Switchcraft has launched two new video patchbay ranges to meet the needs of broadcast studios, OB vehicles and post-production facilities. The standard size range has a rated bandwidth up to 2.4GHz (SMPTE292M) and can be supplied in 1U and 2U formats with 24 or 26 jacks, 75ohm or non-terminated, and normalled or non-normalled jacks.

Switchcraft's mid-size range provides a bandwidth of 3.0GHz, 32 jacks within 1U and 2U rack panel heights for higher density, the choice of 75ohm or non-terminated, and normalled or non-normalled jacks.

(Lee Baldock)

D.A.S. Audio has unveiled a new series of rigging accessories for its popular Sound Touring and Compact series products. The accessories include flying grids of different configurations as well as all the necessary connectors, slings and pull straps.

The new flying systems allow for varying combinations of up to nine boxes per grid with the possibility of multiple grids. The system uses L-track aeronautical fittings mounted on steel angles, which reinforce the box and provide for a secure rigging point on the top and bottom of the boxes. Rear-located pull straps provide infinite tilt angles for adjusting audience coverage. The D.A.S. flying systems provide a practical and secure means of rigging D.A.S. systems.

(Lee Baldock)

Avolites has launched its first installation dimmer - the ART2000i Install Dimmer - the latest addition to its ART 2000 digital series. The dimmer, which is aimed at theatrical, architectural, leisure and retail applications, has the same high specification as other dimmers in the ART 2000 range. It is currently available in modules of 24 x 16 Amp units or 12 x 32 Amp, and each Avolites ART Installation System is available in hybrid mixes of the two modules.

Main features include quick and simple installation; proven design reliability; the ability to operate in all types of environments - hot and cold; a hot patch option; 100% duty cycle on all channels simultaneously; virtually silent operation; thermostatically controlled fan in ducted, force cooling chamber; dual Isolated DMX inputs with merge and full soft patch; flexible dimming, mains distribution or contactor modules; intellige

The Selecon Arena 2.0/2.5kW Theatre Fresnel and P.C. have just received a redesign. The update has created some impressive beam angle ranges and equally impressive beam quality, a smooth field with little spill and minimal field angle. The key attributes include an automatic disconnect of the mains power when accessing the lamp; Selecon’s unique ‘posi-slide’ focus action, which delivers a fast and smooth focus action minimising lamp vibration as the reflector/socket assembly moves on machined teflon bearings along extruded guide rails; adjustable suspension yoke along the length of the fixture and focus reference scale. The redesign includes improved airflow around the filter holder to maximize filter life and remove unwanted light spill along with a new extruded cover for the accessory mounting slots. The Arena Theatre Fresnel, as with all Selecon fixtures, carries a t

The new ChromaScape from Pulsar is a compact, waterproof spotlight containing a combination of 80 red, green and blue LEDs. Its IP68 protection rating makes it ideal for outdoor use in any weather condition. Available in black only, it comes with an adjustable mounting bracket - for a variety of working positions. It offers an optional recessed/ground-mounting kit making it an extremely versatile fixture, suitable for a wide range of applications.

(Ruth Rossington)

In response to customer demand, Artistic Licence has released the Truss-Ear! This is a truss mount adapter, compatible with a range of Artistic Licence products, including Rack-Split RDM, Net-Link I/P, Net-Link O/P and the soon to be released Power-Hub 4. The Truss-Ear is simply retrofitted to the product by removal of the end plates and provides two thumb screws for added security in addition to dual safety chain mounts. Attachment points for cable ties are also provided, allowing the product cables to be secured.

(Ruth Rossington)

Avolites has launched Pearl Simulator, a useful, time-saving free software download, available from the company’s website, which provides a virtual interface for Avolites’ popular Pearl 2000 console. The photo-realistic software enables LDs, programmers and operators to start programming a Pearl without a physical console, or to edit existing shows, saving data to a Pearl compatible floppy. Pearl Simulator is also an ideal solution for those learning the desk or anyone wanting a first view of the Pearl 2000 Console and its user-friendly feature set.

Pearl Simulator is designed to work with the Avolites Visualiser emulation system - uniting both the console and lighting rig in a virtual environment. This is invaluable for situations where programming and set up time is at a premium. Down time can also be optimised and used efficiently - for example, on long haul plane jou

Starmax International has introduced the SX800 - a 10W, air-cooled, laser luminaire. Based around Starmax’s proprietary solid-state laser technology, the SX800 incorporates an innovative DPSS YAG laser which produces a brilliant 10W green output, enough power for the most demanding concert, nightclub and outdoor applications. The SX800’s features include: an integral beam scanning system coupled with a pan and tilt mirror to project beam arrays and atmospheric effects over a 180 x 45 degree area; full DMX control of all laser functions, scanned effects and mirror positioning, requiring only 115 VAC at 15 amps.

The system is packaged much like a standard intelligent lighting luminaire rather than a typical laser table configuration. Several units can be truss-flown and controlled from the LD’s standard DMX lighting board or controller, without the need for special com

ARRI GB used the recent Production Show at Olympia as a platform to expose the benefits of its X-series daylight luminaires. A full house of LDs and production staff attended the demonstration, presented by experienced television lighting director, Dave Lock.

With the aid of a butterfly net and chimera soft box, the talk did more to extol the virtues of soft lighting in confined spaces than live up to its rather laconic billing, ‘Lighting By The Seat Of Your Pants.’ Advocating the use of reflective, rather than direct lighting, Dave Lock explained that the ARRI X Series - the X2 (200W), X5 (575W - the model which was demonstrated), X12 (1200W), 25/40 (2.5K/4K) and X60 (6K) - were the result of the Japanese requirement for a 130° flood, non lens lamp producing a hard shape. He illustrated how much closer this could be operated to the butterfly net to produce the diffused ef

ARX Systems, known for its range of innovative signal processing solutions, has released the new CentreMIXX centre channel creator for speaker systems requiring a central cluster.

Central loudspeaker clusters are now becoming a standard in installations and live sound reinforcement systems, providing the operator with the ability to centre the voice and acoustic program material, whilst at the same time retaining the stereo image across the left and right loudspeakers. Until the advent of the ARX CentreMIXX, only users of high end mixing consoles equipped with a separate centre channel output were able to easily derive a vocal dominated mono centre mix. The ARX CentreMIXX allows even a very simple system to derive a centre channel from a summed mono mix of left and light, with a L-R mix accuracy of 0.1 dB.

(Ruth Rossington)

DMX Music has standardized all system design and documentation on Stardraw. The premier provider of professionally programmed music, imaging and message marketing has begun to roll out Stardraw AV on a national basis over many of its 26 offices in the United States. DMX Music carried out extensive research and testing of available products before they opted to standardize on Stardraw. Tim Dorwart, vice-president of Commercial Division for the Eastern US, cited the need for quality over and above other requirements: "After our evaluation process Stardraw came through as the clear winner for us in all categories, but certain areas stood out," Dorwart said. "The key factor was the quality of the symbols and the fact they all conform to the same standard, and the protection that this affords the database. There is far less likelihood of corrupt data or a virus sneaking into th

Symetrix has announced a new software upgrade for the popular 322 DSP engine, the latest generation hardware component in its Audio Workplace line and a "breakthrough in cost-effective technology". The 322 is a two-input, two-output, 24-bit multi-function DSP processor for engineered sound applications. The new software upgrade version 1.02 includes side-screen scrollbars for use with smaller (1024 x 768 or less resolution) monitors.

The software, in general drives the unit, providing real-time control via a Windows 98/2000 environment. "The 322 is loaded with all the audio processing and routing modules that system designers have been asking us for," says Jim Latimer, director of sales. "The 322 is particularly well suited to systems that are too small to warrant the use of larger multi-I/O platforms."

Unlike most compact DSP systems, the 322 offers a c

Rane has launched a new range of DSP multi-processor units, available in the UK from exclusive distributor Hayden Laboratories. The first of this family of devices, the RPM 88, offers any combination of mixers, switchers, crossovers, limiters, compressors, EQ, delays, VCA, etc. in an incredibly easy to use unit. The unit is faster and more cost-effective than many comparable products, and is suitable for a wide range of exhibition, conference, leisure and retail applications, including loudspeaker processing and management, audio system mixing, routing, equalisation and management and for paging control and teleconferencing.

Rane’s Drag Net software provides complete flexibility of the signal flow configuration. All the RPM’s parameters are software-controlled, with no rear panel switches! RPM units include drag and drop configurable DSP Box with up to 10 audio in/out chann

Adam Hall has announced the availability of the new Viperlight, which builds on the success of the Racklight to combine the flexibility of a gooseneck, the portability of battery power, and the versatility of a spring-loaded clip with durable Racklight technology to create the first ever portable LED gooseneck light. The Viperlight can quickly be attached anywhere, and will provide up to eight hours of cool, coloured illumination using a single 9-volt battery.

(Lee Baldock)

Laser Magic has introduced the DiscoScan, an electronic ‘mirror ball’ laser projector. The DiscoScan provides unique 360° laser show, shooting laser beams, logos and messages onto every surface. Where a laser system is already installed, the DiscoScan can be lionked to the existing system via a fibre optic input. For those without a laser, DiscoScan can be supplied with a built-in solid-state laser.

(Ruth Rossington)

ABTT 2002 sees Stagetec highlighting Compulite’s new Rave lighting console (previewed at PLASA last year). The Rave is a compact control option for clubs, DJs and venues wanting versatile, cost-effective lighting control. It offers simple and quick set-up and operation, plus either manual or fully automated playback.

Rave has one DMX output controlling up to 512 dimmers via 100 (conventionals) desk channels, up to 40 intelligent fixtures (with a maximum of 32 parameters) and up to 20 extra DMX-controlled devices (smoke machines, hazers, etc.). Playback devices include 20 playbacks with a fader and control soft key plus 20 virtual playbacks. Editing is quick and easy using the soft-keys, integrated LCD display, a joystick, tracking libraries, palettes and parameter banks, plus three wheels.

Set-up and patch is also very fast - via a wizard - with access to all patch features fo

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