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Sound

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UK - Expanding on its Control Contractor line of installation speakers, JBL Professional introduced the Control 300 Series large format in-ceiling loudspeakers, including seven new models, at PLASA 2005. The line consists of six full-range point-source coax designs featuring 8" and 12" drivers, multiple power levels and transformer options, plus a 12" in-ceiling subwoofer.

Through the use of Constant Coverage waveguide design, claims JBL, the Control 300 models feature "exceptionally broadband pattern control, ensuring remarkably consistent sound throughout the listening space". The 8" model goes a step further with the addition of a 12" diameter waveguide, providing the pattern control of a 12" horn from an 8" driver.

The Control 300 models were designed to be easier to install than most large format ceiling speakers. The new EZ-Ra

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Ibiza - Pioneer reports a string of successes for its DJ products on the Mediterranean party island of Ibiza - a platform for the world's finest DJ talent. Clubbing lifestyle leaders are integrating the latest Pioneer equipment into their installations - including its "revolutionary" new digital 1000 series - the DJM-1000 mixer and EFX-1000 effects unit - and the world's first DVD/CD turntable - the DVJ-X1.

The DJM-1000 six-channel digital mixer (boasting an impressive three-band master isolator and choice of rotaries or faders) has been a breakthrough this year, say Pioneer. Installed at the party capitals of Cafe Mambo, Manumission, Pacha, and Space, the DJM-1000 seems to be the mixer of choice on the island. Providing a 24-bit/96kHz digital sampling rate and a 32-bit/96kHz digital sound processor, the DJM-1000 offers excellent connectivity and control, and can digit

PLASA Show 2025 - Banner - June-Aug 2025

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UK - Harman Pro UK has supplied Sound Division with an integrated audio solution including JBL speakers, BSS routing and processing, dbx zoning and Crown amplification for the impressive new Albannach venue in Trafalgar Square, one of London's most famous locations. The contemporary Scottish restaurant, bar, cocktail lounge and social space is top quality, independently-owned venture. Occupying a prime spot of London real estate, its breathtaking views include Nelson's column, the National Gallery and other historical landmarks. Albannach is at the very heart of the bustling and buzzing metropolis.

The venue is divided into three distinct areas - the bright and open main lounge bar on the ground floor as you walk in, featuring large windows, lots of natural light and the stunning urban views. The mezzanine restaurant area above the rear portion of main lounge bar is a cosier and

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USA - System Integration software developer D-Tools Inc has appointed Bill Johnson as director of business development. Johnson is charged with representing the interests of participating manufacturers in D-Tools' product database that populates their engineering and business management software suite.

D-Tools is the industry's leading provider of software solutions for audio/video and control system design, installation, job costing, project management and billing for designers and systems integrators for both residential and commercial applications.

"Johnson's role will be to develop programs that offer its manufacturer members of our Manufacturer Vantage Point program greater market visibility and measurable returns," said VP of sales and marketing, Matt Rubenstein. "He brings a good understanding of the unique issues manufacturers are most concerned with his

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UK - Following the introduction of several key new products and a renewed focus on the pro audio chassis market, Celestion International reports dramatically increased OEM sales in this sector during the first quarter of this financial year. Growth was demonstrated across the full range of cast chassis product including FTR, ultra-low distortion ceramic magnet drivers and NTi, inverted neodymium speakers. Sales were increased by 85% in F1 2006 compared with the same period last year (F1 2005), say the company.

At the same time, volume sales of CDX compression drivers have seen a year-on-year sales increase of more than 70%, which Celestion says "demonstrates the success of a clear strategy that concentrates on providing the highest level of service for our existing customers, while further extending our customer base". OEM sales manager Kevin Shove said: "Developi

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Building on the success of the V-Series in sound reinforcement, Tannoy is now offering a fully active version called VNET. By integrating its Dual Concentric point source, constant directivity drive unit with leading edge digital signal processing (DSP), network control and class D amplifier technologies into these high definition sound reinforcement (HDSR) loudspeakers, Tannoy says it is providing a fully monitored active speaker system; a turn key solution for the most demanding sound reinforcement applications.VNET's capabilities were demonstrated at PLASA 2005 via impressive live performances by former members of Wet Wet Wet

All VNET models are supplied with the active speaker system fully optimised; requiring only room equalisation to finalise the set up. Room EQ is simplified via user accessible signal processing based on the latest third generation SHARC DSP that can be used in

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UK / Ireland - After an absence of 10 years from British and Irish shores for the Carver brand, Newstagesound has now been appointed exclusive UK and Ireland distributor for the Carver Professional range of amplifiers. Carver, now a division of Phoenix Gold International Inc of Oregon, USA, says it has taken the best aspects of Bob Carver's original ideas, for redesign, refinement and further development to produce three state-of-the-art product ranges, the ZR, Xi and CV Series which cover all touring and installation requirements for the professional audio market.

The immediately available range includes the ground-breaking Class T (Tripath) lightweight designed ZR Series, the classic Class AB linear Xi Range and the convection cooled constant voltage commercial CV Series. In addition, optional signal processing modules, including mixers, zone pagers and DSP are available for t

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UK - EAW used PLASA 2005 to demonstrate a new family of self-powered loudspeakers that benefit from "a revolutionary DSP technology that represents the first fundamental leap forward in loudspeaker design for more than a decade".

Making its first appearance in EAW's new NT Series loudspeakers, Gunness Focusing (named for its developer, EAW's director of research & development David Gunness), is billed as "a revolutionary new approach for dramatically improving loudspeaker performance using the intrinsic advantages of digital signal processing (DSP). In contrast to conventional DSP implementations, however, Gunness Focusing represents digital correction done properly: algorithms tailored exactly to fix correctable loudspeaker anomalies. The result is sonic performance rivalling that of the best recording monitors."

EAW says that Gunness Focusing can theoreti

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UK - As a first time exhibitor, audio communications specialist HM Electronics enjoyed its debut at PLASA, exhibiting in conjunction with its UK distributor Orbital Sound. Building on the success of the show, Orbital is looking forward to bringing the potential of HME's range of wireless digital intercom systems to the UK market. This includes the Award-winning DX200 and HME's new Pro 850 2-channel UHF intercom. Chosen by HME as a specialist in their field, Orbital boasts the technical know-how and the sales customer base to expand its market share across applications as diverse as broadcast, theatre, conferencing, and live events.

Orbital's technical support team also provides the know-how and ability to offer 24/7 support in line with HME's rigorous standards. HME's sales manager, John Kowalski, commented: "The PLASA Show was terrific, we met dozens of excellent end clien

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UK - Digigram took advantage of the IBC and PLASA exhibitions this week to showcase the extension of its EtherSound product range for touring, installed sound, recording and broadcast markets. ES881, ES1241 and ES16161 form a range of rack-mount AES/EBU to EtherSound interfaces in a variety of I/O configurations that will connect any digital product to an EtherSound network.

ES881 offers four stereo AES/EBU inputs (eight ES channels) and four stereo AES/EBU outputs (eight ES channels) while ES1241 and ES16161 provide two stereo AES/EBU inputs (four ES channels) and six stereo AES/EBU outputs (12 ES channels), and eight stereo AES/EBU inputs (sixteen ES channels) and eight stereo AES/EBU outputs (16 ES channels) respectively. ES881 and ES1241 come with XLRs on the digital audio inputs and outputs while ES16161 features Sub-D connectors. All devices offer sample rate converters on

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The Netherlands - Alcons Audio has appointed Anders Uggelberg to develop the cinema market for the Alcons cinema product range. Uggelberg brings a wealth of knowledge to the company, having formerly been director of cinema products for Europe at Digital Theatre Systems (DTS). Before that, he co-founded A&T Ljudproduktion AB in Stockholm and as a consultant in Scandinavia, he was responsible for the projection and sound design of over 250 screens and several mix studios built during the nineties; including 100 THX certified premier run theaters.

Anders Uggelberg studied math, physics and architectural acoustics at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm and Industrial Design at the Swedish institute of arts and crafts. He is a board member of the ITEA and a member of AES and SMPTE. Anders Uggelberg says: "I have been part of the cinema industry for quite a while now,

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UK - Turbosound announced a new series of contractor products at PLASA 2005. The TCS Compact series is being promoted as a multi-model range, offering contractor-specific features that encompass installation, audio performance and aesthetics, says the UK manufacturer.

Designed to offer contractors a range of installation alternatives, the TCS Compact products can be supplied as standard in black-painted cabinets or with an all-over-white finish. They are also available as weather-resistant variants to IP54, and can be ordered in custom colours to suit specific interior design and architectural requirements. The range comprises the TCS-081C, TCS-101C, TCS-121C and the TCS-151C, fitted with 8", 10", 12" and 15" LF drivers respectively, together with the TCS-115C and TCS-118C single 15"and single 18" bass cabinets. TCS-215C double 15" and TCS-218C

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UK - Community launched four new models in its iBOX series of installation loudspeaker systems at PLASA 2005. The new iBOX iHP3500 series are high performance 3-way systems, based on a third enclosure dimension which is slightly larger than the existing 1200 and 1500 series.

The iHP3564 and iHP3594 are large format, full-range systems. The driver complement in both consists of a 15-inch (380mm) high power low frequency driver, an 8-inch (205mm) mid-range driver and a 1.4-inch (36mm) exit / 2.87-inch (72.2 mm) edge wound voice coil compression driver. High order crossovers minimize band overlap and the large format horn flare delivers well controlled dispersion, 60 x 40 degrees for the iHP3564 and 90 x 40 degrees for the iHP3594.

Both the iHP3564 and iHP3594 can be used in passive or bi-amp operating modes. The passive mode is designed to deliver "outstanding performance w

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UK - Lighting and sound design specialists Audiotech & The Lighthouse supplied sound and lighting design, equipment and crew to Manchester-based production company With, for the annual Virgin Vie sales conference, staged at the NEC, Birmingham.

The high energy one day event - "The Big One" - saw 5,200 Virgin Vie Cosmetics and Jewellery consultants and managers gather in the NEC's main arena for the highly theatrical conference. Phil Wiffen from The Lighthouse designed lighting. His brief was to produce an up-tempo show suggestive of the themes of opulence, glamour and the kind of lifestyle that successful Vie consultants might strive to achieve.

The show was produced by Sam Pole and Jenny Hazelhurst, with set design by Tim Wilding. Wiffen designed a U shaped truss overhead at the front and two gently angled mini-beam trusses at the back, which formed a subtle 'V' ove

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UK - Experienced sound engineer and system integrator François Paré recently completed a prestigious installation at Annabel's Club in London's Berkeley Square.

An institution of society clubbing in the capital since being set up by Mark Birley in 1963, the venue recently took delivery of a new Martin Audio sound system - supplied by dealers LMC Audio to fulfill a design conceived by François' company, Sonotec Ltd.

The contract had been offered to Paré, who had become known to the venue in his previous work capacity, when he would take Martin Audio demo rigs into the venue. "We had put on a show there using a Martin W2 system and they liked the sound and brand value," he said. Whilst competitive systems were proposed by other installers, Sonotec was awarded the contract on the strength of its design.

Paré was clear about his system configurat

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UK - Denon DJ had cause for a double celebration on the stand of parent company, D&M Professional Europe, at this year's PLASA Show in London. First they scooped a trio of trophies at the annual T-Scan Awards (sponsored by DJ Magazine at the elite Cobden Club) and on the same day one of the UK's top DJs, Jonathan Lisle, visited their stand to demonstrate the new DN-S3500 twin CD/MP3 player, arriving straight from the PLASA seminar room where he had joined the panel discussing the role of the digital DJ.

Denon's three gongs were for Best Dual CD Player (DN-D4000), Best DJ Mixer Under £800 (DN-X1500) and Best New Single CD Player (DN-S1000). Commenting on the success, D&M Pro Europe's technical sales and marketing manager, David Atkinson, said: "We are delighted that all three of these products have been recognized. The DN-S1000 needed to beat stiff competition in that

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UK - FX Rentals has announced a continuing investment in new equipment for its hire inventory. The new additions range from a RADAR V Nyquist 24 track hard disc recording system and Neve 2252 compressors through to backline and MI gear.

A recent welcome addition to live performance and recording is Aviom's A1611 16-channel personal monitor system which provides each musician with their own small mixer with level, pan and EQ control, linked with CAT5 network cables. FX first hired this out as part of a temporary studio installation for Franz Ferdinand's forthcoming album. "The Aviom's A16 was very well received by both the band and engineers," says FX technical manager Adam Pope. "The monitor mixers need only be connected by single network cable, so they could be located wherever required in the house."

The A16 is now out on an extended hire in France with M

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UK - Midas has announced its adoption of the AES50 standard interface for multi-channel digital audio, and that it has licensed the AES50 (SuperMAC) and HyperMAC technologies from Sony Pro-Audio Labs, Oxford for implementation in Midas and Klark Teknik equipment.

AES50, implemented by Sony as SuperMAC, can carry up to 48 bi-directional audio channels plus 5Mbps of generic Ethernet control data on a single CAT5 cable. HyperMAC can carry up to 384 bi-directional audio channels plus 100Mbps Ethernet on CAT6 cable or fibre.

Despite the current availability of many different proprietary methods for transmitting audio over Ethernet hardware, Midas believes that the AES50 approach has some key advantages - especially in live sound applications. Extremely low latency (less than 70 microseconds) allows multiple links to be used without unacceptable delay build-up, and robust error corr

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UK - By the time Paul 'Pab' Boothroyd received the call from Paul McCartney's producer Nigel Godrich to set up a music workshop for the former Beatle in the legendary Studio 2 at Abbey Road, he knew what mixing desk he wanted to use. Despite being given just 24 hours notice, and with Concert Sound rustling up the foldback, he was set on emulating some of the vintage tube sounds that characterised the Beatles' golden studio era.

He also realised that, with an audience of 50 people crammed into Studio 2, he would have a limited footprint on which to operate. A call to Digidesign's Mike Case and a Venue mixing environment (with the restricted surface requirements of the D-Show and sidecar) was shipped to site and shoehorned in behind the boom covers. Playing all the instruments himself, McCartney debuted eight songs from his forthcoming album Chaos And Creation In The Backyard

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UK - Yamaha's latest addition to its award-winning range of digital consoles, the M7CL, sits comfortably in the mid-point between the more studio/installation oriented DM and O series, and the flagship live mixing consoles PM1D and PM5D. Maintaining the classic feature set of the PM range, and the highly respected operational power of all Yamaha digital consoles, M7CL presents a uniquely accessible control surface.

"If there is any fear factor left for sound engineers in the concert fraternity, this is the desk that will lay that fear to rest," says the company's Karl Christmas. "Easier to use than a conventional analogue desk: That was the dream we set ourselves; the development of Centralogic being the interface which made that dream a reality. A completely intuitive touch-panel control surface guides the user through a natural progression thanks to a straightfo

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UK - There have been significant changes to the technical infrastructure at the Ministry of Sound, where the famous London club has recently replaced its sound set up with a premium Martin Audio system. The criteria for an undertaking of such magnitude had to be based on preserving the Ministry's reputation as the number one club in the world, and head of production, Dave Bradshaw knew from the beginning that his criteria needed to be based on sound quality, reliability and back-up service.

Dave has used Martin Audio for DJ monitoring in the Ministry of Sound's main room (The Box) for some years, and had received many plaudits from top DJs, who had remarked on how clean and powerful the system was. The club's resident DJs, Marc Hughes and Nick Bridges, used the same system in Singapore recently and said: "The Martin Audio sound gives us just what we want, really phat and pu

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UK - UK cabling specialist VDC Trading has appointed Nigel May as commercial director, with responsibility for implementing VDC's expansion into new market areas. After starting his career with MI retailer Macari's, May spent four years as a musician, recording and touring. He joined Turnkey in 1996 as manager of the company's guitar division and was eventually promoted to the position of sales director. While with Mediatools Plc, May was instrumental in much of the companies advertising, promotion and the launching its new websites, which during his time saw an increase in e-commerce way beyond all expectations.

Commenting on his appointment, VDC's managing director Niall Holden says: "Nigel's expertise in marketing and new media makes him a valuable addition to the VDC team, particularly at a time when we are expanding into new areas such as the musical instrument and Hi-

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UK - Lab.Gruppen has introduced the C Series, a new power amplification solution for permanent installations. The networkable C Series is designed to meet the consultant's expectation for great-sounding amplifiers, the contractor's need for flexible and easy installation and the customer's budget constraints, with the least compromise all-around, say the manufacturer.

At the heart of the C Series solution are four 4-channel amplifiers ranging from 400W to 1700W per channel, each packed with features true to the 25 years of research and development that exist in Lab.Gruppen products today. Each amplifier permits the individual adjustment of maximum voltage peak output, bridge-mode operation, gain adjustment; and as standard, features on-board network capability for monitoring and control. With these features it is now possible to specify identical amplifiers in an installation an

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UK - Cadac Electronics plc introduced the latest addition to its range of 19" rack-mounted portfolio at the recent PLASA Show, in the shape of the F16 DC Master Interface Unit. The F16 joins the existing line-up of high quality Cadac rack-mounted products, including the M16 remote controlled microphone amplifier and the D16 digital mix matrix. Designed for direct interfacing with the D16 digital mix matrix, the F16 enables the DC Master fader control of internal virtual faders from a single or multiple D16 devices, controlled from any current Cadac Live Production Console.

Cadac has focused on providing the maximum control flexibility with the F16, enabling every fader within the D16 to be assigned to any of the DC Masters available on the console. This allows any number of D16 input or output fader levels to be controlled. In addition to its ability to interface directly w

  1. Jazzing it up digital style with InnovaSON
  2. Nick Cook joins Yamaha Commercial Audio
  3. Software showcase is a hit for 5 Star
  4. Celestion introduces QX1215
  5. JFMG appoints new managing director
  6. New RF wireless systems at PLASA 2005
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