>The refurbishment of J Type modules to 2003 standards might not sound revolutionary, but when you acknowledge that this Cadac console is the de facto standard for many theatres, and the J-type is over 10 years old, then such updates are of great benefit. A derivative of the J, the S-type is a smaller, less well-featured module designed to address the needs of the smaller theatres, but with the same multi-frame design (for growth and/or custom sizing) and audio quality.

>The unofficial L&SI staff award for 'Most Entertaining Press Pack' went to Logic System Pro Audio, who managed to combine all the necessary info on the company's new second-generation CM series wedge monitors without any of the over-the-top superlatives and PR bluster that press packs are inevitably weighed down with. The new monitors took pride of place on the company's stand, backed up by the range of CS, IS and LS enclosures.

UK - Chameleon Audio has Introduced a new range of professional digital amplifiers, with 'A' input and class 'T' output stages. The Atlas range is designed to offer clarity and power and also complement the highly respected Chameleon analogue range.

The AT-700 is two 350W per channel at 4 ohms and two 700W per channel at 2 ohms. The AT-1400 is two 700W per channel at 4 ohms and the AT-4/350 is four 350W per channel and four 700W at 2 ohms

Crosstalk is better than 80dB and signal to noise ratio is better than 100dB. The amplifiers require no fan for cooling and are light weight packaged taking up only 2U of a 19" rack

The Atlas range of amplifier products has been designed to be modular allowing for multiple amplifier versions or individual modules for OEM and loudspeaker retrofits. Factory upgrade retrofitting of modules to existing amplifiers is also a feature.

In

>Alcons Audio's primary display was its new LR6 compact line array system. Based on a twin 8" mid/high cabinet, the use of a 6" ribbon device for the high gives the system some unique characteristics. The simplified horn construction is the biggest benefit of this driver, obviously giving the potential for much reduced distortion and better transient response, peak power 1000W in 200msecs, 105dB 1W @ 1m. The horn is also rotatable, making a single cabinet positioned vertically a practicalstand-alone box.

>A new hard drive video player, the VHD3 from Rolec took centre stage on the company's stand. Currently on trial at the Edwards chain of bars (owned by brewers M&B), the high capacity MP2 player schedules audio, video and colour graphics seamlessly.

>Production line white speakers for churches and temples might seem an obvious change to make, but when it involves a whole range then it's apparent that Delta Loudspeakers has made a very positive commitment to this market. Also of interest was the 2015 - a new horn-loaded bandpass sub based on the company's own-design 15" speaker, capable of handling 500W continuous with a sensitivity of 93dB @ 1m 1W, SPL 123dB @ 1m; a lot of power from a cabinet just 20" square and 12" deep.

>Conference mic systems from Brähler ICS have been augmented this year with the introduction of the IRX, a 32-channel Infrared linked system. It offers improved sound quality and a new lighter belt pack with user access to channel and volume controls. A new alarm feature (to prevent users from inadvertently walking off with the listening hardware) is an optional addition. CDS VAN, or Virtual Audio Network allows for large rostrum mic and speaker systems to be daisy-chained with Cat5 cable; all controlled from the CDS software, which gives access to full audio DSP.

>A compact addition to its range, the Turbosound TXD-081 contains an 8" and a 1" driver with wide-angle dispersion characteristics and a Max SPL of 122dB peak, aimed squarely at the mobile DJ market. The TSB-110 is a passive sub with a 10" dual voice coil driver: compact, with big delivery. The wave-guide for the 1" driver on the well-established TQ440 brings better pattern control and smoother delivery to the HF.

>'Marketing by stealth,' as Chrys Lindop would have it, Garwood launched its new Tour Guide system without presenting the actual product on its stand. A radio-based system that can support a virtually limitless number of receivers, Tour Guide is an easy communications solution for leading and informing tour groups around museums and art galleries.

>An elegant line array system, the distinctive Butterfly from Outline was launched in Frankfurt back in March, but this is its first appearance in the UK. The sub cabinet features an 18" front speaker with a 15" at the rear for cardioid dispersion. The elaborately curved mid/high box, made from steam mould ply, contains 4 x 8" drivers, two diametrically opposed, and a 3" compression driver on a DPRWG (Double Parabolic Reflective Wave Guide). Its flying system is very neat, with a very simple toothed plate connector that allows angle variation between 0° and 12.5° on half-degree increments. GL-based (rather than Excel) software provides comprehensive array curve and delivery calculations.

>On a stand dominated by a display of the Nexo GeoT system, it is flightcases and supplementary packaging that SSE supply for this PA. Big users themselves in their rental operation, SSE has an unrivalled reputation for the logistical simplicity of its packaging. As UK distributor for InnovaSON, SSE also presented the new Sy80. This desk features 80 motorized faders (an unusually large number for any digital console, making it very 'hands-on') and 48 mix buses, the fact of 80 in/outs and multiplicity of buses making the console suitable for monitors or FOH, and at 94kg including dual PSUs, it's not a bad lift for a touring desk of this capacity.

>Audient showed a new range of Digiboxes from LA Audio (now an integral part of the Audient brand, but retaining its own established identity). Aimed at the broadcast and studio environment (though not without application for live use), these boxes included AES/EBU channel divider; word/superclock generator and 4-way S/PDIF splitter box, as you'd expect. Audient itself had three new products: the G400, C400 and GC400 are all four-channel devices - gate, compressor, and gate/compressor combinations as the names suggest.

>New from beyerdynamic were the Opus 300, 500MKII and 800 series wireless radio microphone systems. Alongside the company's own-brand products was a wide range of distributed products, including Bittner amplifiers, the UK debut of the Renkus-Heinz PNX102 line array, ClearOne's PSR 1212 audio matrix processor and XTA's new DP6I loudspeaker management system for the installation market. Biamp's Audia digital audio platform was showcased, along with two new versions - AudiaSolo and AudiaFlex. Complementing these was Cue's media control system line, while ASL's WS Series digital wireless intercom was also on display.

>Causing a bit of a stir at Marquee Audio was the Teqsas Reco wireless control system, an 8" touch-sensitive colour screen which will run any computer's software. Once the driver is installed on the computer and a wireless LAN connection established, total remote control is possible. Marquee was also showing the Optocore DD32 system - devised for the transmission of a maximum amount of digital data via optical fibre from a 1U rackspace - as well as Sabine SMW7000 wireless microphone systems (see Audio-Technica).

>Award for Design Excellence

>Arbiter Group Plc

>AKG WMS 4000

The AKG WMS 400 is an innovative wireless microphone system which will be welcomed by installers, contractors and sound companies in general. It is an incredibly versatile wideband UHF system with a True Diversity receiver, software control capability, 1200 frequencies in each of six bands - with different bands available for different countries - an innovative battery charging system, and a line of extremely useful accessories which will expand its potential applications.

Optimized for ease of use, all transmitters and receivers provide a backlit display for clear status indication and a turn/push jog control of single-handed adjustments. Frequency presets, auto set-up and frequency scanner functions make it easy to set up a multi-channel system. The frequencies can be set automatically or manually selected fro

>MilTec presented two new speakers from Ecler - the Philos 10" and Philos 15" polypropylene speaker cabinets, handling 200W and 300W respectively. MilTec's own MTG sb112 is a compact sub cabinet with a single 12" capable of handling 1200W peak (600W RMS).

USA - Louisville-based Axxis Inc has become one of the latest North American companies to become an L-Acoustics V-Dosc provider, having purchased a dozen V-Dosc and eight dV-Dosc loudspeakers plus eight SB218 subs and a variety of LA Series amplifier models. Specializing in the corporate event production market, the 30-year-old company has worked with clients including Arby's, Ford, GE, Intel, UPS and United Way.

In the short time since acquiring the equipment, it has already been used for 10 days of concerts at the Kentucky State Fair (Ted Nugent, Joan Jett, Michael W. Smith), at a large Nashville event called Acteens, in nearby Frankfurt for a Toyota Motors event, and as 'stacks and racks' for Sheryl Crow's Louisville tour stop.

Axxis Audio director Blake Harris comments on the purchase: "This has not been an overnight decision: we have been looking at line arrays very

The Netherlands - UK studio design professional, Munro Acoustics, has been awarded the contract for the acoustical and interior design and fit-out of a brand new Radio-TV complex in The Netherlands.

L1 Radio-TV is a regional public radio and television station that broadcasts to over 1.2million people in its home province of Limburg. Recent growth has enabled the station to amalgamate its operations and design a 4000sq.m broadcast centre to house all of its various media transmissions. The expansive new building will be fitted with two radio 'On-Air' studios, complete with control room and presenter studio, a Radio DJ studio, a 5.1 audio post-production facility with Pro-Tools studio and control room for live productions, three radio journalist production studios, a news TV studio including news and weatherman set, a current affairs TV studio, four TV edit suites and five edit/v

Europe - PMC has announced the appointment of Maurice Patist to the position of pan-European sales manager with responsibility for professional industry sales in Germany, Benelux, Switzerland, Ireland and Eastern Europe. The newly created role is intended to provide greater strategic support for PMC's current European sales networks and to develop channels into new territories and market sectors.

A former professional live sound engineer, Patist also brings extensive sales management experience to the position. A career extending over 11 years in the industry including professional sound engineering (in sound touring, theatre sound, event production and for the Royal Dutch Court), and sales management experience in IT, consumer and professional audio, and AV installation markets. Patist has held positions at IBM, Canon and Hecla Electronics. While Sales Director at Sound At Work

Germany - Behringer, the German manufacturer of pro audio tools, is expanding its product line to meet the growing needs of the pro audio and entertainment industry. At PLASA 2003, Behringer unveiled 13 new products developed in close collaboration with professional artists and engineers.

These include three new 31-band equalizers - the Ultragraph digital DEQ1024, Ultragraph pro FBQ6200 and Ultragraph pro FBQ3102 - and one new 15-band stereo-graphic equalizer, the Ultragraph pro FBQ1502. These new products feature ultra high-resolution stereo 24-bit/96kHz equalizers, combined with a patent pending FBQ Feedback Detection System that instantly reveals critical frequencies and can also be used as an audio analyzer. Super, rugged construction ensures long life even under the hardest of users.

For DJs, the new professional VMX1000 is a 7-channel, 19" ultra low-noise DJ mixer w

UK - Specialist Pro-audio product distribution company, LAX, launched a new range of Rodec amplifiers at last week's PLASA Show. The three new models are the PA 800, PA 1600 and PA 2400, which are being manufactured in the USA to Rodec's own specifications and they join the range of Rodec DJ and club mixers, aimed at the installation, professional and semi-professional DJ markets. Progressing the companies' philosophy that high quality equipment is vital to the DJ market, the amplifiers have been through a rigorous design and testing process during 2003 before going into manufacture.

The inclusion of good components, high build quality and effective protection and cooling circuitry ensure the new amplifiers will follow in the Rodec tradition of good sound and reliability, say the company. For this reason all Rodec equipment comes with a limited two-year warranty.

The amps have

UK - Stanton Magnetics scooped two of the top awards at this year's highly-prestigious DJ Magazine T-Scan Awards, held at fashionable London restaurant Momo, while their UK distributor Lamba plc, in turn won accolades from Stanton themselves.

The Sunday night of PLASA 2003 was Stanton's night, as for the second consecutive year they ran away with the Best MP3 Hardware Player (for Stanton's Final Scratch) and Best Turntable Award (for Stanton's new ST-150/STR8-150). Then, on the following night, the spotlight turned to UK distributor, Lamba plc, which walked away from the Stanton Distributors' Convention with the award for 'Exceptional Business Partner'.

"This award underpins the strength of the Lamba and Stanton relationship," said Lamba sales director, Gerry Frost. "It is testament to the work our sales and marketing teams have done in reinforcing the Stanton b

Germany - The Kulturpalast Dresden, situated at the Altmarkt in the heart of the town, is the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra's parent company, and hosts music events including important guest conductors and solo artists. The 2,433-seat auditorium is the biggest multi-purpose hall in what was formerly East Germany: it serves as a plenary and concert hall and ballroom, providing a flexible, variable room design.

The auditorium was this month equipped with a new sound system which exclusively features systems from the K.M.E.'s Prestige Series. The twin clusters and single loudspeaker positions for the stalls and the upper rank have been equipped with passive QS 1122 speaker systems. These are operated by K.M.E. amplifiers SPA 1200 MP. K.M.E. developed special installation accessories for the ceiling using a special simulation. The portal area is equipped with active QSA 500 D louds

Ireland - Soundcraft's MH3 multi-function console continues to stake its claim as the 'must-have' desk in the mid-price band. Since its launch at Frankfurt ProLight&Sound in March it has achieved success with sound engineers around the world and become one of Soundcraft's most heavily-specified mixing boards of all time.

One of the latest venues to take on board a 48-channel MH3 is Dublin's hybrid venue, the 700-capacity Temple Bar Music Centre, which doubles between live music and pure dance, and is linked up for recording. Audio Warehouse, Soundcraft's Southern Ireland distributors, supplied the desk. At the hub of the city's arts and music development, Temple Bar Music Centre has been run by proprietor Paddy Dunning since it opened seven years ago.

The venue operates in conjunction with The Sound Training Centre upstairs, which provides job-specific, product-based training

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