USA - SpeakerCraft has announced three new models in its series of TIME motorised loudspeakers. Last year's introduction of the Theatre in Motion Experience (TIME) changed the way people looked at flush-mounted ceiling speakers, says the company.

The drivers in all three new models are mounted at a fixed 45° angle inside of a cylinder that smoothly descends out of the ceiling when the system is activated. During setup the installer manually rotates the cylinder to point the speakers toward the listening area. The speakers return to their flush position when desired. All of this is accomplished through the use of a rugged miniature motor assembly, which is controlled and powered by a Cat 5 cable.

The TIME Mini 2 is the smallest of the new offerings with an exterior diameter of 5.75" with a 2.5" full-range driver. The TIME Mini 5.1 and 5.3 models both have an exter

UK - Soundcraft will be emphasising the compact footprint of its range of mixers at PLASA 2007, displaying a selection of its multipurpose consoles ranging from the flagship Vi Series of digital desks to a trio of new effects mixers featuring on-board Lexicon processing.

The Soundcraft Vi Series of digital live sound consoles has lately been extended with the new Soundcraft Vi4 model, offering all the functionality and facilities of the Soundcraft Vi6, but in a smaller, more compact footprint better suited for space-conscious applications such as theatres, houses of worship, and venues or clubs with space-limited mix positions.

In just under 1.5m/5 feet, the Soundcraft Vi4 offers access to 48 inputs on 24 faders, with a total of 27 output busses available for use as masters, groups, auxes or matrices. All other features of the Soundcraft Vi6, such as the Vistonics II touch-scr

UK - At the PLASA Show this year, Anglo-French large format projection specialists E//T//C Image will demonstrate its versatile proprietary control software - OnlyView. This deals practically and flexibly with all the major challenges of large format projection programming including complex masking and soft-edging of the images, says the company.

The company has projected onto some of the most iconic buildings in the world including Buckingham Palace and Nelson's Column in London, St George's Hall in Liverpool, Edinburgh Castle, Scotland; The Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, Dubai International Financial Centre, Malta's Fort St Angelo in Valetta Harbour, the Château des Duc de Bretagne in Nantes and many more.

E//T//C has also provided large format projection solutions for some of the highest profile global events including the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2002 Manchester

UK - Batmink, one of PLASA's original members, will introduce a spread of new products at this year's show. International companies will be showcased alongside an extensive range of own brand LED and generic light fittings.

The Visage LED Video Floor Module is a new stage and club lighting product utilising RGB LED as a light source. Using advanced digital and video technology it can reproduce stunning motion effects as well as real time video, driven through PC DVI. A fully modular system, each floor panel measures 500mm x 500mm and inter-connect, allowing for total flexibility in both size and design. The panels use 12mm toughened glass as a faceplate, ensuring safety and durability.

This combination of form and function make this product suitable, not only for conventional dance floors but more unusual shapes such as catwalks and walkways.

Also debuting is the LED Truss P

UK - Community Professional Loudspeakers is exhibiting at PLASA 07 with UK distributor CUK Audio. On display will be an extensive selection from the recently introduced iBOX and VERIS installation loudspeakers, the all-weather R-Series and WET Series ll, CLOUD ceiling and I/O indoor/outdoor loudspeakers and, for professional musicians and portable applications, the new SONUS Series.

New at PLASA is an addition to the iBOX Series. The Community i2W8 is a two-way, full-range loudspeaker system designed to provide high quality music and voice reproduction in applications requiring smooth, ultra-wide, horizontal coverage. It provides an uncompromised musical system in a compact, attractive package, says the company.

Designed for use in distributed systems and for fill, the loudspeaker enclosure and baffle are constructed of 13-ply Baltic birch; LF cones are low mass, high stiffnes

USA - Elation Professional has introduced the Design Spot 575E, a larger 575-watt version of its popular Design Spot 250 "hybrid" effect, which functions as both a spotlight and a colour wash.

Like its more compact cousin, the Design Spot 575E is a professional-quality moving-head fixture that offers both Frost and Iris capabilities in one unit. The Frost feature is what allows it to function as a hybrid, taking away the hard edges of a spotlight and converting it to a wash-type fixture. The Frost is variable type, so users can control how much edge is taken away, from hard edge to soft to no spotlight edge whatsoever. The Iris allows users to pinpoint performers at any distance and is also capable of creating an eye-popping pulse effect.

Now in its brawnier 575W version, the 24-channel Design Spot 575E is designed for stage productions, churches, theatres, concert h

UK - The latest additions to the Turbosound TA-500 family of professional point source loudspeakers are the TA-500t and TA-500tDP touring enclosures. These two new products are aimed specifically at regional, national and theatre touring applications, taking advantage of a fully integrated rigging system.

Aspect system flybars are designed to offer both simplicity and flexibility, being available in 2-wide and 3-wide fixed angle configurations. They are designed with reference to international safety standards such as BGV C1, BS7905:2001, BS70906:2005, LOLER and ESTA, with a safety factor of 12:1.

The new additions bring the TA-500 Aspect Wide series up to a total of seven self-powered and bi-amped/tri-amped products, providing a spread of practical solutions for both flown and ground stacked touring, down-fill and in-fill use, as well as for fixed installations, while the TA-

UK - Theatre sound specialists Orbital Sound will exhibit at PLASA for the first time. With a big cat theme Orbital's stand will feature a number of new products.

Making it's UK debut is RockNet, billed as an advanced and fully scaleable, cost-effective network solution conceived and optimised for managing audio and control data for live sound. RockNet also features a plug-in card for Yamaha's M7CL, creating a fully integrated Cat 5-based multicore solution for this popular console.

As a d&b audiotechnik official sales and installation partner, Orbital's staff will be on hand to discuss its latest d&b installations and demonstrate the company's latest Remote Network Software solutions.

The latest digital mixing consoles from Yamaha and Digidesign will be showcased as will a host of wireless radio comms solutions from both HME and Telex. Also on display will be RTS Telex's ra

UK - Following a significant expansion into mainland Europe, Presteigne Broadcast Hire is taking this year's IBC in Amsterdam as the opportunity for its clients, both existing and potential, to meet the Presteigne team and learn a little more about its services, says the company.

"Over the last year or so, Presteigne has made a number of significant acquisitions, as well as taking the decision to open offices in The Netherlands and Germany," says managing director Mike Ransome. "This means we can service the Northern and Central regions of Europe on a more local level, which benefits our customers.

"We have invested heavily in equipment and have the latest in HD and SD camera equipment, VTRs, EVS hard disk recorders, lenses, RF links and de-rig systems available. We also took the decision last year to launch a broadcast audio rental division. We invested ov

UK - Riedel Communications has added several new products to its Performer digital partyline intercom series. The world's first digital partyline intercom system featuring high-quality digital audio now provides two and four-channel master stations, rack-mount, wall-mount and desktop speaker stations, call light indicators and two-channel beltpack headset stations.

The new Performer master stations CR-4 (4-channel) and CR-2 (2-channel) are designed for setting up a stand-alone digital partyline system. Depending on the setup, the integrated power supply of the 19"/1RU device can power up to 32 Performer devices - such as beltpacks, split-boxes or desktop speaker stations - per line. Additional power-supplies expand the possibilities.

The remote mic-kill function allows the user to silence any open microphone on the intercom channels. The CR-4/CR-2 features an additional p

UK - APB Dynasonics will be exhibiting at PLASA this year on the stand of its newly appointed UK and Eire distributor - Resolution Distribution (part of KV2Audio in the UK).

APB DynaSonics is an audio manufacturing company based in Totowa, New Jersey with the mission to design and build high performance analogue live performance mixing consoles offering superior sound quality in fixed and touring applications.

Chuck Augustowski, John Petrucelli and Taz Bhogal, leading audio designers with over 65 years of combined experience, founded APB in 2004 to bring analogue consoles to the next generation of development. Their expertise has produced innovative products such as the Spectra-C and Spectra-T consoles, and MixSwitch, all designed and manufactured in the United States.

On the stand will be the Spectra-Ti, a high performance analogue VCA console available with 24, 32, 40, 48

UK - Beyerdynamic will be taking part in the PLASA 07 four day DJ programmes. The company will be presenting, demonstrating and offering an opportunity to try out a 'plug and play' PA which highlights the versatility and intelligibility of its Dynacord D-Lite product range and the versatility and audible quality of the Dynacord XA2 system.

The seminar will last one-and-a-half hours on Monday 10 September from 1-2.30pm. It will be run using beyerdynamic radio microphones and Dynacord mixing desk and will be open to DJ's and dealers and anyone looking for simple cost effective solutions.

(Jim Evans)

UK - During a two-day workshop (10-11 September) at PLASA 07, a Columbus McKinnon representative will discuss the proper use of CM Lodestar products. He will also lead participants in hands-on disassembly and reassembly of a one ton CM Lodestar motor and discuss maintenance and troubleshooting techniques.

A Tomcat Representative will discuss the basics of truss theory, use and design. The workshop will emphasise safety and usage. Demonstrations of load scenarios and truss inspection will also be featured.

(Jim Evans)

UK Designed for schools, houses of worship, hotels, event organisers and more, IntelliStage Portable Stage Systems are billed as "the ultimate in portablilty and convenience". They consist of modular, lightweight platforms and risers that can be combined to create customised stages in various heights and configurations.

Easily assembled by a single person, each platform and riser are fastened together using an internal locking system and each platform can bear weight up to 185 lbs./sq.ft (900 KGS/sq.m).

Disassembly and storage are equally convenient. IntelliStage systems are available in kits with an optional compact storage flight case featuring integrated casters.

Platforms and risers are also available on an individual basis. Optional upgrade accessories like storage carts for larger systems and stage skirts are also available.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Over the past year, RCF has not only introduced a large number of ground breaking new products, but has now, launched the company on the Italian stock exchange with an annual turner over of €50 million.

At PLASA 07, RCF will be presenting a whole roster of new products. The TT 31-A is a 'mini' size two-way system, delivering very high output and dynamics plus extreme accuracy and high frequency extension. With its compact size the TTL31-A is suitable for indoor applications, live performances and multi- media events. The TTL12-AS active sub is a complement to the TTL31-A array module. The band-pass design promises the maximum output per size, the 4" voice coil vented design woofer offering the minimum of power compression.

RCF's Acustica P Series, coaxial weatherproof speaker systems are a new addition to the RCF Acustica range of 'Audio Contractor' installation spe

UK - Duran Audio will once again be exhibiting its AXYS brand of products at PLASA07 Show. A wide variety of products from the AXYS Intellivox and Target ranges will be on show. In addition to this the company will be previewing its second generation of self powered AXYS sound reinforcement products that boast on board Digital Signal Processing and advanced driver technologies.

During the Show, Dr Evert Start, from Duran Audio's R&D team, will be hosting a seminar entitled Modern Loudspeaker Array Theories and Technologies. The seminar will take place on Tuesday 11 September in lecture theatre 3, from 10.30am - 12.00pm.

The seminar will cover the basic physics of loudspeaker arrays and show how the directivity of loudspeaker arrays can be altered using 'beam steering' or Digital Directivity Technologies. "We will also investigate how these technologies can help ach

UK - APB Dynasonics will be exhibiting at PLASA this year on the stand of its newly appointed UK and Eire distributor - Resolution Distribution (part of KV2Audio in the UK).

APB DynaSonics is an audio manufacturing company based in Totowa, New Jersey with the mission to design and build high performance analogue live performance mixing consoles offering superior sound quality in fixed and touring applications.

Chuck Augustowski, John Petrucelli and Taz Bhogal, leading audio designers with over 65 years of combined experience, founded APB in 2004 to bring analogue consoles to the next generation of development. Their expertise has produced innovative products such as the Spectra-C and Spectra-T consoles, and MixSwitch, all designed and manufactured in the United States.

On the stand will be the Spectra-Ti, a high performance analogue VCA console available with 24, 32, 40, 48

UK - Harlequin will be exhibiting its Flying Ballet Wagon at PLASA 2007, developed in conjunction with the German company, Hoac. Designed originally for Het Muziektheater in Amsterdam who needed to remove and set out their dance floor easily and quickly but were faced with an old ballet wagon, which required extensive manpower and time to assemble.

Harlequin Liberty sprung panels already in use at the theatre had proved popular with dancers, so the solution was to build them into a new mobile wagon, retained by a special system allowing them to be stored vertically in the fly tower, but also ensuring that they perform exactly as intended when horizontal on the stage floor.

See Harlequin at PLASA on stand D73.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Building on 14 years of LED design and manufacturing expertise, Forge Europa has launched its Visible Solutions division, offering "the complete solution to your solid state lighting needs".

Visible Solutions combines Forge Europa's knowledge and expertise in the design, development and manufacture of LED components with the latest PCB technology, thermal design, heat sinks, LED drivers and secondary optics to offer OEMs technically superior LED assemblies, says the company.

"Our lighting and illumination solutions are not only designed for purpose but thanks to one of the most sophisticated LED test laboratories in the UK, custom designs are proved and tested to the highest standards to ensure that electrical, optical and thermal characteristics are exactly to specification and perform correctly within the final application," says a spokesman.

To co

UK - Ableton Live 6 tutorials have been added to the DJ Magazine sponsored seminar programme at PLASA 07. As well as the Torq range of DJ products, M-Audio is demonstrating music creation software Ableton Live 6 in the DJ Magazine sponsored seminar programme at PLASA 07.

All the Torq and other M-Audio DJ products, including Xponent, Trigger Finger and X-Session Pro, will be demonstrated, with the tutorials and workshops upstairs in the Cromwell Suite on level 2. The Ableton Live 6 tutorials will take place at 11am on Sunday 9 and Tuesday 11 September.

See M-Audio at PLASA 07 on stand N39.

(Jim Evans)

UK - This year's PLASA stand has been designed by lighting designer Vince Foster to showcase the innovative new PixelArt video batten.

PixelArt is a modular LED video product allowing designers to build their own custom display surfaces from a range of interconnecting modules. The first product in this new range is a 6 x 72 pixel linear batten with 15mm pitch. Data to each module is supplied by industry standard Cat 5 cable which connects to a master control unit and supports a variety of video input standards. Configuration software allows each module to be positioned at any point in the video space for ultimate flexibility.

PixelRange fixtures have featured on many high profile gigs this year, including the Live Earth shows across the world. The PixelLine 1044 is a design favourite and has earned its industry standard reputation.

Other new fixtures at PLASA include two Pix

USA - Chauvet has chosen GE Consumer & Industrial to be its primary supplier of metal halide discharge lamps. GE Showbiz CSR metal halide lamps will now fit the majority of Chauvet's signature, lamp-fitted luminaires, including the Q-series and Legend moving yokes, and the Spectrum architectural line. In addition to supplying lamps, GE engineers will assist in the design of future Chauvet optics.

"The lamps' superior quality, the strength of the GE brand name and the level of insight they have into optics have us excited about the possibilities," says Chauvet CEO Albert Chauvet. "Working closely with the engineering team at GE to develop new products and to optimise the systems and performance of our optical elements will allow our discharge fixtures to offer even greater value."

Chauvet fixtures and GE lamps are a perfect complement to one another and a gr

UK - Integrated System Technologies, a leading European LED driver design manufacturer, has released the new 210W 3-channel iDrive 1000 LED driver. The driver is a natural extension to the current iDrive range which includes the 3 channel 350mA driver, the iDrive Lite. Both products incorporate patented Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM) drive technology and ColourCool, a thermal management system to ensure optimum LED output and life.

The new iDrive 1000 delivers an industry leading level of energy efficiency provided through new patent pending technology which delivers twice the power density of the iDrive Lite. The breakthrough in combining high power density with leading PSU efficiency ensures the iDrive 1000 has a small footprint and does not require large heatsinks.

A new feature enables iDrive 1000 users to choose the forward current, independently on all three channels b

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