Monday saw a host of pro audio product introductions. Turbosound introduced a new raft of products, including the TQ-308SP, the latest addition to the Qlight range, plus a brand new range of passive loudspeaker systems, together with the LMS-D4, a new digital loudspeaker controller. New from JBL on the Arbiter stand, the AE (Application Engineered) Series, with 33 initial models in several formats and power ranges, designed for sound contractors. Tannoy introduced its new Ellipse 8, a fully time coherent, 3-way active system, the first in the new Wideband range for reference monitoring applications, plus new ceiling monitors and the new TA Series of power amplifiers ranging from 450 to 1050W into 2 ohms.
On the microphone front, Audio Technica, celebrating its 40th anniversary, continued its tradition of significant product launches at PLASA with three new additions to the Artiste Elite series of pro performance products - the AE100, AE3000 and AE2500 instrument microphones, as well as announcing the signing of an exclusive UK distribution agreement with Sabine, manufacturer of digital signal processors and spread spectrum wireless equipment. On the HW International stand, Shure introduced the KSM141, KSM137 and KSM109 - three new instrument condenser microphones; gave the the European debut of the SM86 hand-held vocal microphone and previewed the latest in personal monitoring - the full-featured and affordable PSM 200 Personal Monitor Systems.
Sennheiser had a number of announcements, including the introduction of the MKE Platinum lavalier mic, the SKM 5000-N hybrid Neumann/Sennheiser condenser wireless microphone, the SDC digital conferencing system, the new DTC (Dual Tube Channel) advanced microphone signal processor from MindPrint, two complete new amplifier ranges (the fP and iP ranges) from Lab Gruppen, plus the new Compact 18 Sub and Compact 2 loudspeakers from D.A.S Audio.
New from Cadac is the S-Type compact live production mixing console, designed to meet the needs of smaller theatres and venues, as well as the touring and industrial markets. Alllen & Heath presented the new iDR system of highly flexible and cost-saving DSP installation units, along with the highly engineered audiophile Xone:V6 rotary mixer - for which they "threw away the costings rule book". Cloud Electronics introduced the 46/50 zone mixer amplifier, providing a one-stop power and control solution for a range of differing venues, offering direct connection of up to two microphones and six music sources which can be fed to four output zones in any combination.
The full round-up of all the new developments at PLASA 2002 will appear in the October issue of Lightin&Sound International magazine.
