equipment news

Robe at Frankfurt with Eleven New Products

Robe lighting gets 2010 off to a proactive start with 11 new product launches on stand C35 in Hall 11.1 at Prolight+Sound Frankfurt 2010. The popular new generation ROBIN Series of moving lights is expanded to include a powerful and versatile 600 range and a Classic 300 range of fully-featured value-conscious units.

The ColorBeam 2500E AT is added to Robe's AT Series, taking the concept of concentrated high powered lightsources into a new dimension, and Light4ce is a new robust and very bright range of indoor and outdoor LED fixtures.

Following the phenomenal success of Robe's ColorBeam 700E AT, a brand new high powered ColorBeam 2500E AT fixture is launched - and becomes the most powerful moving head yet to be designed and produced by Robe. ColorBeam 2500E AT delivers an exceptionally bright and intense beam light output, and is designed for the large scale applications where extremely powerful tight beam-effect fixtures are required. A Multi-step zoom facility provides variable beam size from between 1.5 and 10 degrees. Rotating gobos and rotating prisms can be used to create spectacular mid-air effects and there is also full CMY/CTO and variable frost for creating fabulous washing effects in a wide variety of colours. This very exciting product has been developed in response to feedback from designers and specifiers of all types, and is in a class of its own. It uses a compact high-pressure Philips MSR Gold 1500 FastFit metal halide lamp and has a dichroic glass reflector for maximising the light efficiency.

The Profile version of Robe's flagship ColorSpot 1200E AT series drew a lot of interest from theatre and TV market after its preview at the last PLASA show.

On top of many the features and functions of the ColorSpot 1200E AT it has inbuilt modular framing shutters that enable the fixture to be used like any standard profile discharge lightsource, when very precise framing and pin-pointing of objects and areas onstage is required. For full flexibility, the framing shutter module uses 4 rotating blades, and the final framed image can also be rotated. A newly included linear variable frost allows smooth scene transitions and blends.

The ROBIN 600E Spot has an incredibly bright light output - thanks to a special optical system and new Philips 575W discharge lamp it is giving the same or higher output than 700W fixtures on the market today, which makes it also a super energy-efficient. The very strong light-output can be maximised by using ROBE‘s unique HotSpot Control system together with the linear iris to create very powerful beam effects. The hot spot intensity is even brighter than that of 1200W fixtures!

An innovative patented cooling system ensures the best lamp operating temperatures and allows DMX controlled noise reduction. Users have complete control of all features on this fixture, making it ideal for environments where noise levels are critical and light output requirements are high. The lightsource is a brand new compact high-pressure metal halide Philips MSR Gold 575/2 MiniFastFit lamp, just launched at the Frankfurt show.

The ROBIN 600E Wash also features a fantastic light output and lower power requirements - thanks to the new 575W lamp and optimized optical path comprising of carefully selected components. A unique silent control system enables users to carefully adjust the desired noise levels while maintaining the best lamp operating temperatures, due to the newly patented lamp cooling system. All "top hat" accessories are compatible with the new ROBIN 600E Wash fixture.

The ROBIN 600E Beam has an amazing linear iris ranging between 1 and 6.5 degrees. By implementing this feature over a wider range, users can have full control over the beam size. It has also enabled the provision of more gobos in the gobo wheels for customizable beam shaping. Two ‘black-hole' positions are available for a full and fast blackout in dark-sensitive environments. The extended focusing range also allows for very precise focusing, starting with the closer distances. Robe's ROBIN ‘Classic' series offers all the functionality and quality engineering of the ROBIN brand in a compact and cost-effective package ideal for multiple applications.

The Robin 300 Beam Classic uses a Philips MSD Gold 300/2 Mini FastFit lamp and has a beam angle of 1.5 °- 6.5 °, complete with dichroic glass reflector for maximising the light output. There is a colour wheel with seven replaceable ‘Slot&Lock' dichroic filters, plus both static and rotating gobo wheels. A variable frost effect ensures a smooth transition in effect from a beam light to a regular wash light and there is also full dimming, variable strobe effect and pan/tilt of 540/260 degrees.

The lamp is a compact high-pressure metal halide Philips MSD Gold 300/2 MiniFastFit

The ROBIN 300 Spot Classic fixture has a host of specially designed modular features including a 12°-36° zoom, colour wheel, rotating gobo wheel, colour/gobo wheel, rotating prism and many others. The ROBIN 300 Spot Classic is a punchy profile fixture with features such as linear zoom, a full package of rotating gobos, colour - gobo wheel including four colours and five static gobos and a standard colour wheel. Up to 24 colour mixes can be achieved with a combination of the colour and colour/gobo wheels.

The ROBIN 300 Wash Classic is a flexible, lightweight, silent fixture with a zoom range of 10 °- 35 °. The compact dimensions of the ROBIN 300 Wash Classic make it easy to conceal in smaller spaces and for more discreet installations, whilst providing an extremely efficient light output and a stunning colour range from the gentlest of pastels to the richest of saturates. The enhanced CMS system mixes real colour correction quickly and accurately. The 7+1 colour wheel with its easily replaceable magnetic positions can spin rainbow effects at high and low speeds.

Robe uses its considerable expertise and resources in LED manufacture to launch Light4ce - a new series of LED products. LEDForce LED PARs have been developed to complement and/or replace conventional PARs in clubs, installations, rental applications and any other market needing a true "workhorse" fixture. Bringing all the advantages of low power, LEDForce products are virtually maintenance free and have a massively longer life expectancy than conventional PARs.

The LEDForce 7 RGB/RGBW unit utilises a new compact tri-colour and quad-colour LED technology driven by a 7 x 3 in 1 RGB LED or a 7 x 3 in 1 RGBW LED multichip, all in a tough small housing. The fixture features a very bright beam, smooth homogenised colour mixing with no pixelating or multi-colour shadows.

The LEDForce 18 eXterior RGB/RGBW & LEDForce 18 RGB/RGBW fixtures also use tri-colour and quad-colour LED technology with an 18 x 3 in 1 RGB LED or an 18 x 3 in 1 RGBW LED multichip. It is IP 65 rated for external use, and has superior colour mixing with no multi-colour shadows. The extremely bright beam has a 25° angle, and it's housed in a tough aluminium die cast shell. The LEDForce 18 RGB/RGBW fixture is an indoor unit with exactly the same spec as the LEDForce 18 eXterior RGB/RGBW.

In addition to all these launches, Robe will be showing a new range of Fog & Haze machines on its stylish and busy stand - C35 in Hall 11.1 - including the CitySkape 48, the CitySkape Xtreme and the CitySource 96 architectural LED fixtures and the hugely popular ColorBeam 700E AT? all of which have been enormous successes since their release six months ago.

In picture: ColorBeam 2500E AT, ROBIN 600E and LEDForce 18 eXterior.

www.robe.cz

 

Sapsis Rigging Chain Runners

Now at a reduced price, Sapsis Rigging Chain Runners are designed to control power, audio and data cables in a moving truss application. The Chain Runner clamps around the chain on electric chain hoists and rides up and down with the hoist as it is operated. By placing the appropriate number of Chain Runners on the chain you can neatly and safely page the cables out of the way without the need for an expensive cable take up reel or an ad hoc rope rigging contraption

Pulsar Product Guarantee Extended

With over 40 years of innovation, design and manufacturing experience in the United Kingdom, backed by the support of our worldwide network of distributors, Pulsar has a long standing reputation for creating products that stand the test of time and are proven to be solid long term investments for our global customers.

In line with their commitment to the highest levels of customer support, Pulsar has extended their product guarantee to three years with immediate effect.

All Pulsar product ranges are now automatically covered by the Pulsar Three Year Product Guarantee. This serves to endorse Pulsar's investment in quality, design and manufacturing processes for their ChromaRange LED fixtures and lighting control system products alike.

Pulsar will be at ProLight+Sound in Frankfurt in Hall 11.1 on stand E51.

Meyer Sound Launches MINA

Meyer Sound has announced MINA?, the newest and smallest member of the acclaimed MILO family of self-powered line array loudspeakers that include MILO, MICA, and M'elodie.

Designed for live sound and installation applications facing size and weight limitations, MINA carries the same remarkable musicality and intelligibility that define other members of the MILO family loudspeakers of which many thousands are in use around the world today. With MINA, smaller venues such as theatres, ballrooms, and houses of worship can provide their audiences with superb sound transparency and impact, while benefiting from the directional vertical coverage of a Meyer Sound line array.

MINA is less than 18.5 inches wide, yet capable of producing up to 128 dB SPL at one meter. Its operating frequency ranges from 75 Hz to 18 kHz over a wide 100-degree horizontal coverage area. In addition to sightline advantages, each MINA loudspeaker weighs only 47 pounds, making it an excellent component for integrators working with historic theatres and other venues with strict rigging requirements.

Like all Meyer Sound loudspeakers designed and built in Berkeley, Calif., the low-distortion MINA exhibits the cabinet-to-cabinet consistency essential for a line array to accurately project energy where it is needed. MINA can be installed as main arrays, and can integrate seamlessly with M'elodie and MICA line arrays as fill subsystems. With its flexible rigging options and benefits as a self-powered system, sound rental companies will also find MINA a versatile and transport-friendly option for AV events and tours.

In a Meyer Sound-patented trapezoidal enclosure, a three-inch high-frequency compression driver is coupled to a low-distortion, constant directivity horn through a new acoustical combining manifold derived from the proprietary REM ribbon emulation manifold. Two 6.5-inch neodymium magnet cone drivers produce the low and mid frequencies. MINA deploys Meyer Sound's new three-channel Class-D power amplifier and has 950 Watts of output (1900 W peak). The optional RMS remote monitoring software reports all operating parameters of each amplifier to the system operator's computer. Other available options include weather protection and custom colors. A small footprint, light weight, and high output are all key features that distinguish MINA in the sound reinforcement marketplace.

Meyer Sound's MINA line array loudspeaker will begin shipping in June 2010.

Griven Parade at ProLight+Sound

Using all the advantages of groundbreaking LED technology, the new GoboLED 80 from Griven allows for manifold gobo projection in indoor and outdoor locations, using a single white LED instead of a traditional metal halide lamp. GoboLED 80 projects a bright and accurate rendition of any graphic design or logo. A manual zoom facility combines with more inbuilt projection angle options to provide maximum flexibility with projection distance and image size. With GoboLED 80's projection possibilities, advertising messages can reach target audiences almost anywhere you choose in an environmental friendly way.

Also new is WaterLED, a high quality LED colour changer, specifically engineered for underwater applications. WaterLED's RGB colour mixing system, using high brightness and efficiency LEDs, is shared with the other LED fixtures of the Griven range, offering the same innumerable benefits and control options. Especially developed to meet the great demand for lighting fittings to be used in fountains, WaterLED, with its stainless steel housing, features an IP68 (Full Dry) weather protection rating and is the appropriate choice also for a huge variety of other lighting submerged installations.

Various models are available with different beam angle options.

Finally, designed for refined architectural decoration, Parade D-RGB-10 enriches the renowned Griven Parade series for innovative, new cost-saving solutions, spreading the well-known, high-level performances of this series to a wider market segment. This super flux and high luminance colour changer for exterior use incorporates state of the art electronic colour mixing and high reliability, meaning powerful and real colour rendering and minimal maintenance, where the additional benefits are durability, low power consumption, cool running and a quick light source response time.

Superb output with real uniform colour coverage even on close-up installations is provided by the elliptical optics that can capture a great fraction of light with high transmission efficiency. Parade D-RGB-10 can be installed in any position and in any orientation, featuring an IP67 weather protection along with a compact size and light weight manageability. A truly comfortable set up is guaranteed by the total absence of external power supply box requirement. The digital control system, obtainable from any four-channel remote DMX512 control desk, includes also stand alone functions and master and slave mode.

Creative Freedom for Luminaire Designers

Flexibility, great freedom of design and high efficiency - these are the main advantages of the new PrevaLED Core Light Engines by OSRAM. The PrevaLED range is designed using a modular principle and thanks to fixed interfaces reduces both development effort and time to market for luminaire developments. The system consisting of light engine and electronics control gear is small, easy to use and extremely powerful.

PrevaLED light engines enable luminaire manufacturers - despite the fast development cycle of LED - to significantly reduce the effort of developing new luminaires and thus to save costs. Design ideas can be evaluated and realized much quicker.

The PrevaLED Core product family provides a wide range of lumen output options from 800lm to 3.000lm at a system efficiency of up to 75lm/W and is available in the colour temperatures 3.000K and 4.000K. A special feature of this system is its outstanding light quality with a colour rendering index (CRI) >90, without compromises in system efficiency. Active control of the light engines reduces the tolerances between single light engines below the limit of visual perception and ensures top quality of light in the application.

Thanks to intelligent system design, currently available lumen packages will be available for years, independent of increased LED efficiency, thus permitting a future-proof luminaire design.

Irrespective of the lumen output, all round modules have the same dimensions (50mm diameter) and feature the same integrated reflector mounting options. Thanks to the wide beam angle of 140° these light engines are ideally suited for light shaping with reflectors. The light engines can be flexibly combined with various control gears allowing the simple integration of additional functions such as dimming, if so required. The combination of these features and their compact size make PrevaLED Core light engines ideally suited for use in downlights and spots of various output powers.

wysiwyg R25 Beta Testing Begins

CAST Software of Toronto, Canada has announced that wysiwyg R25 Beta version has been released for beta testing by the carefully selected Beta Test Team.

CAST's beta testing program aims to uphold the high level of dependability and robustness, for which wysiwyg is renown, by enlisting typical members to test drive it in the field under real conditions. CAST carefully monitors the testers and ensures a reasonable cross-section of uses in order to optimise the usefulness of the feedback. One thing the testers have agreed: that the last three Releases are CAST's biggest and best to date.

As an incentive to collect feedback by 22 Mar 10, CAST is offering an incentive for the testers. Chosen at random, the prizes include a free one-year membership renewal and five free Luminair Apps.

One particularly handy addition to R25 is the new 3rd party application extension to work with Luminair 2.0, the next generation of the wireless multi-touch DMX control software for the iPhone and iPod touch, developed by Synthe FX of Cincinnati, Ohio. wysiwyg can download fixture POV and the necessary DMX data to these handheld devices so users are able to see what a specific fixture's focus should be and adjust the fixture accordingly. Once that fixture is focused the user can turn that light off and the next one on from the remote location viewer, leading to download and trigger abilities for looks.

Synthe FX founder and lead product developer Ryan Hisey says, "Never before have lighting professionals had the option of designing looks on a master console, recording snapshots, and building a simple show that they can carry in their pocket. We are very excited to be working with CAST Software, which is a highly respected industry leader, on such a groundbreaking new feature for lighting pros." Full details, videos, and screenshots can be seen at http://synthe-fx.com/products/luminair.

CAST is encouraging professionals from all segments who use wysiwyg to apply to join the R25 Beta team. Testers must already own wysiwyg Design or Perform and their membership must be current to apply. Visit www.cast-soft for full information.

CAST anticipates the full Members' R25 release by early April. Releases are free to current wysiwyg Members. In fact, being a Member is the only way to get a fully operational copy of the software. CAST has also developed a new wysiwyg DV, which includes four sample plots, so manufacturers can test and also demonstrate their hardware using the best.

Members will also be pleased with the new Library Additions included with the R25 release.

No Ugly Duckling

The newest addition to the Wybron family, the Cygnus 200W Wash, is now in production. Recently, the company's Colorado Springs facility put together an order of 12 white Cygnus units, a special request for Fordham University, who ordered them through PRG New Jersey.

Fordham's snowy-coloured Cygnuses will provide an unparalleled LED experience. Cygnus, one of the only LED luminaires on the market to employ an integrated RGBW quad die, greatly eliminates rainbow shadows caused by other LED lights. It also employs in-lens colour-mixing, meaning that the colour seen on the fixture is the same seen on the stage.

It's also astoundingly bright - up to five times as bright as competing fixtures - and provides excellent colour as well as whites up to 92 CRI. "We've finally achieved output levels and colour rendering quality that allow LED fixtures to become something more than a novel wall wash," says Wybron director of technologies, John Sondericker III.

Before they're shipped, each Cygnus is individually colour calibrated using an advanced proprietary process. Wybron's history with gels and dichroics, in which there sometimes can be wide variation, has informed the current system, which employs RDM to ensure that each unit's components are working correctly to provide consistent colour. This means that every Cygnus that ships will produce the same colour, whether in the same batch or separated by months or years.

Also instrumental to consistency is Cygnus' advanced thermal management system. Many LED lights can suffer from high temperatures at the junction, which over time can affect the light output, allowing the colours to degrade and the luminous flux to wane. Wybron has solved this issue with an active cooling system that continuously oversees and adjusts Cygnus' temperature and ensures a long, long life of consistent colour and maximised output. This system also contributes to the efficiency of the device.

V4 Pro Show Controller Now Available

Alcorn McBride is now shipping the V4 Pro, the newest addition to the Pro line of show controllers. The V4 Pro is a highly reliable show controller designed for smaller shows. It offers many of the advanced features of the larger V16 Pro, providing flexibility without the downtime of PC-based products. Alcorn McBride show controllers are engineered for high-use applications including theme parks, retail stores, and museums.

The V4 Pro has four RS-232 or RS-422 serial ports, one MIDI port and two Ethernet ports - one for local show control and one for WAN or Internet connection. The V4 Pro can communicate with network devices supported by UDP, HTTP (server), FTP, SNMP, and NTP. Users may control, monitor, or update the controller across a LAN or across the Internet. Like the V16 Pro, the V4 Pro works with Touch interface design software (free) and ShowTouch, Alcorn McBride's rugged touch screen interface.

CompactFlash cards store virtually unlimited show events; programming with WinScript Live allows for instantaneous script changes without downloading. A front panel knob and display provides status and quick access to configuration options.

"The V4 Pro is a natural extension of our product line," said Jeremy Scheinberg, Alcorn McBride COO. "Our clients have been really excited about the new features and flexibility in the V16 Pro. With the V4 Pro, we can now offer that great new functionality and ease of use to shows of any size."

New Yamaha Products and Technology at ProLight+Sound 2010

Yamaha's new M7CL-48ES digital console, MY8-SDI-ED interface card and highly versatile TLF loudspeaker technology will be showcased at ProLlight+Sound, being held at Messe Frankfurt from 24 - 27 March.

Exhibited on stand F50, Hall 8.0, the latest M7CL replaces the 48 internal mic pre-amps with two EtherSound ports, keeping the MY card slots free for other uses such as multitrack recording, the Dante communication protocol or the use of Waves effects plug ins. A third port also allows permanent connection of the console to a computer while using EtherSound in ‘ring' mode.

To make setup quick and easy, the M7CL-48ES auto-configures its connection to the Yamaha SB168-ES stage box and it features the updated V3 software, recently introduced for all M7CL consoles.

Another new product on show at Frankfurt is the MY8-SDI-ED interface card, which offers from eight to 64 I/O channels (depending on the console and number of cards used) of HD-SDI embedded audio signals.

Compatible with all of Yamaha's digital mixing consoles / DME series digital mixing engines, the card features one HD/SD-SDI input, two HD/SD-SDI outputs (same signal), and one thru-output (reclocked). Each card is able to de-embed up to two of the four audio groups (four channels per group; total eight channels), multiplexed in an HD-SDI signal, and to embed two audio groups into an HD/SD-SDI signal for output.

With SDI now being the standard in the broadcast market, but many broadcasters still using both the HD and SD systems, the MY8-SDI-ED interface card now it makes extremely easy to include Yamaha digital audio mixers and digital mixing engines into any broadcasting system.

In addition to these highlights, a full range of Yamaha Commercial Audio amplifiers, loudspeakers, mixers and audio processors will be on display, with company staff on hand to discuss and demonstrate. A product they will be actively seeking industry opinion on is the company's new Thin Light Flexible (TLF) loudspeaker technology.

Potentially taking commercial audio into a completely new realm, TLF is a prototype technology which has produced a revolutionary and highly versatile loudspeaker, which Frankfurt will see demonstrated for the first time outside Japan.

TLF is around one millimetre thick and highly flexible, allowing it to be hung and rolled up like a poster. It's also extremely light and the additional attached cloth layer can be printed with any image or design, using a printing process such as silk screening or an inkjet printer.

Acoustically, the technology is highly directional, emitting flat audio waves which mean sound can only be heard when the listener is standing directly in front of the speaker. Any number of TLF speakers can be hung side by side, with minimal ‘crosstalk' from one to the next.

The technology also produces a gradual decay curve which, together with the high directivity, means the possibility of feedback is virtually eliminated, compared with traditional loudspeaker design.

With many potential applications in the retail, advertising, public information and leisure markets, Yamaha is keen to gauge reaction to the technology and sees ProLight+Sound as the ideal opportunity to discuss its development.

SGM to Show IP 55-rated Palco Full Color with Rebel LED

SGM will show the IP55-rated Palco Full Color LED fixture at this year's Pro Light+Sound exhibition in Frankfurt.

Adopting the same footprint as the other models in the Palco range, Palco Full Color is the latest technical evolution in this popular family: an extraordinarily powerful fixture that can be used anywhere and is able to create washes and scenarios with an effectiveness and quality of illumination never seen before.

Palco Full Color uses REBEL LED, a light source with a new concept and a maximum performance of 80 Lumens. It has been designed to accommodate 105 LED in a matrix of 35 lenses, each with a power of 9 Watts, enabling a total brightness of 5,500 lumens (RGB) -12,000 lumens (WA) - to be output.

To optimize the effect of the REBEL LED, the fixture uses a brand-new color mixing system, which enables the red, blue and green Rebel LED to be mixed within a single lens, thus occupying a minimum space.

Perfect light diffusion is ensured by an option of three new different lenses: narrow, medium and wide.

The result is a color-changer able to generate much more powerful light beams, with exceptionally even color on the illuminated surfaces and elimination of any colored shadow defects. Perfect color uniformity is also guaranteed even when viewing the fixture's LED matrix directly from the front.

Palco Full Color exceeds the already remarkable standards of the other units in the Palco fixture range, enabling increasingly large and distant areas to be illuminated clearly, and with rich color.

The functional upgrade has run hand in hand with mechanical evolution: based on the experience gained with the other fixtures in the range, SGM has made Palco Full Color even more resistant to bad weather, thus greatly increasing the unit's application possibilities.

www.sgm.it

SGM Hits on the Right Idea

SGM will be showing a family of moving heads with different beam apertures at Pro Light+Sound under the ‘IDEA' banner - giving them the capabilities of deliver high powered profile and wash lighting with superior colour mix.

Performing well above its weight, Idea Spot 300 contains features typical of a top-of-the-range unit - such as an electronic ballast, which ensures the fixture runs flicker-free. With its linear zoom, which enables instant adjustment of the light beam from 16° to 35°, CMY colour mixing system, seven interchangeable gobos and effects wheel, Idea Spot 300 is able to meet an endless variety of creative requirements.

This lightweight fixture (weighing just 28 kg) can be installed anywhere: with the rechargeable back-up battery that powers its display, the fixture's display menu address can even be set when it is switched off, while the innovative wireless DMX connection, fitted as standard, greatly increases its installation possibilities.

Idea Beam 300 incorporates a 300W lamp for a very narrow, highly concentrated light beam. The beam can be colored and shaped by applying the vast range of effects provided: CMY color mixing system, color wheel with eight colors + white, eight rotary indexable and customizable gobos, rotary three-facet prism.

The wireless DMX system, which eliminates troublesome cables and wires, and the back-up battery, which powers the setting display even when the unit is switched off, make it an avant-garde and versatile instrument that is easy to install and ready for use. Idea Beam 300 is the perfect instrument for touring, television studios and nightclub venues.

Idea Wash 300 projects a perfectly even wash beam even at short distances. Fitted with a colour wheel with eight dichroic filters, beam shaper and CMY colour mixing system, it is able to create a wide range of atmospheres and effects with the same quality as more powerful fixtures of a higher category.

Idea Wash 300 has standard functions and features that make it a convenient avant-garde product for its class, such as electronic ballast, which ensures a flicker-free light beam, and wireless DMX interface, which increases the application possibilities of a fixture that is already easy to handle and light weight.

Thanks to its back-up battery, Idea Wash 300 can even be set in ‘off' mode.

Www.sgm.it

SGM Announce Ribalta Full Color

SGM will show for the first time at ProLight+Sound 2010 the Ribalta Full Color fixture, the result of top technology for brilliant performance. The unit uses REBEL LED, the new concept in light sources with a maximum efficiency of 100 Lumens/Watt that guarantees perfectly blended colours and produces an incredibly uniform beam, with absolutely no colour shadows. The fixture also uses a brand-new colour mixing system, which enables the mix of red, blue and green Rebel LEDs within a single lens, as a result occupying a minimum space.

Ribalta Full Color is available in two versions: Full Color (55 Red LED, 55 Green LED, 55 Blue LED) - 8.500 Lumens and Full White and Amber (110 White LED, 55 Amber LED) - 15.000 Lumens

Applications range from sales outlets to art galleries and from television studios to theatres and touring.

www.sgm.it

Functionality and Performance Enhanced: grandMA2

MA Lighting has consistently enhanced the hardware and software of grandMA2 since its introduction to the market. Recognising the needs of this market is top priority, and MA Lighting is single-mindedly focused on getting the best results for the user.

The grandMA2 has already proven its reliability on numerous productions, performances, shows and events and is setting new standards in this segment - just like the grandMA ‘series 1' did in its time. A special focus is on theatre and opera as well as TV and studio work.

Moreover many small programming and user functions for which MA is renowned have already been implemented. Furthermore, features like effects on preset-basis, timecoded-Shows, the online-help-browser and interactive help functions boost the popularity of the grandMA2, making day-to-day work much more effective, powerful and comfortable.

grandMA2 is also the first universal hardware platform available on the market because it's possible to choose between working in the classic grandMA ‘series 1' mode as well as in the new grandMA2 mode. Additionally MA Lighting offers an extremely powerful future-ready hardware with the grandMA2.

With the development of the MA VPU (Video Processing Unit) MA Lighting has expanded its system solution with a fast, easy-to-use and powerful video control facility. Together with the grandMA2 consoles, networking components like the MA NPU (Network Processing Unit), the MA dimmer range and MA software tools like grandMA 3D and grandMA onPC, it is a unique and effective system.

www.malighting.com

Close to the action with Yamaha's YSP-4100 Digital Sound Projector

Yamaha have unveiled the latest high performance addition to their sensational award-winning range of digital sound projectors - powerful one-box full cinema surround sound solutions that dispense with the need for multiple speakers and a system spaghetti of wires.

The new slimline YSP-4100 'Digital Sound Projector' has already been awarded 5 star status from Stuff Magazine and What Hi-Fi and looks set to keep Yamaha well ahead of the game in this highly competitive area.

Designed primarily for 40 inch and 42 inch flat screen televisions, the elegant YSP-4100, delivers powerful, high definition, clear and rich cinema surround sound throughout the frequency spectrum. It works by firing beams of sound off the walls so they reach the listener from many different angles and produces a sensational multi-channel listening experience.

Unlike traditional multi-speaker systems, set-up is a cinch thanks to the automatic calibration system. Optimum beam angles, levels and frequency response are all measured and the whole process takes a matter of seconds.

The soundbar also benefits from utilising Yamaha's very own AirWired technology for wireless and lossless signal transfer from iPod and iPhones. Not only this, but should an optional subwoofer be desired, an AirWired subwoofer kit may also be added to the set-up giving the user the freedom to position the sub anywhere in the room.

The YSP-4100 model offers a fantastic spread of effects across the entire sound field courtesy of it's 11 Cinema DSP programmes: three movie, three music and five entertainment. The complex Cinema DSP sound fields are based on acoustic patterns developed from a vast database of actual venues and input from film technicians. This all combines to make you feel as though you're placed in the very scene you are watching.

One of the most distinctive aspects of the Yamaha system is its ability to decode high definition audio formats so you can enjoy the higher bit-rates that these formats offer, you listen also in a variety of modes including stereo, 5.1 and even seven channel surround sound.

The YSP-4100 is complemented by the new YSP-5100 sound projector, a slightly larger version designed for larger screens.

Waves Launches SoundGrid Interface Card for Yamaha Digital Consoles

Leading audio plug-ins manufacturer Waves has launched a mini-YGDAI interface card which will allow users of Yamaha digital mixing consoles to process up to 32 channels of audio with Waves plug-ins, via the company's proprietary SoundGrid Server system.

With SoundGrid bringing the worlds of studio and live sound closer than ever before, the introduction of the WSG-Y16 sees Waves bringing the networking and processing capabilities of SoundGrid functionality to the live sound realm for the first time.

Announced at the Winter NAMM show in January, the WSG-Y16 card will be available from mid-March and follows on from the existing Waves Y96K, eight in eight out, plug-in DSP card for Yamaha digital consoles.

Using a SoundGrid-compatible PC as the plug-in host and Ethernet connectivity, the system allows users to run large numbers of Waves plug-ins with ultra-low latency. The WSG-Y16 card allows users of Yamaha LS9, M7CL, PM5D, DSP5D, 01V96, 02R96, DM1000 and DM2000 digital mixing consoles, as well as the DME64N and DME24N digital mixing engines, direct connection to the SoundGrid platform.

Users simply connect the PC to the Yamaha mixer, route a channel to a WSG-Y16 channel and process the audio signal with Waves plug-ins hosted on the SoundGrid PC. Additionally, the WSG-Y16 supports MIDI input for plug-in control directly from the console or an external control surface.

The WSG-Y16 supports 16-channel processing at 44.1 and 48kHz, with eight channel processing at 88.2 and 96kHz. Users of Yamaha products with a single MY card slot (01V96, LS9-16 and DME24N) can run up to 16 channels of audio via the WSG-Y16, the other compatible models allow up to 32.

"Waves announcement of the WSG-Y16 card is another demonstration of how the connectivity of Yamaha's current digital consoles allows integration with the latest technology from a wide range of manufacturers," says Karl Christmas, deputy general manager, Yamaha Commercial Audio.

"We believe that choice is one of the key advantages of digital audio and this product gives users who like the sound of Waves plug-ins the flexibility of using them alongside the Yamaha effects installed on the consoles.

"Even our entry-level and most budget-conscious digital console, the 01V96VCM, now has options to incorporate the highest level of professional audio processing - something we believe that no other console manufacturer is able to offer."

Ateis Launches Teleconferencing System

Ateis International will address a problem that has long plagued teleconferencing with its latest product that will be showcased at Pro Light + Sound, Frankfurt on stand C18 in Hall 8.

The ECS-Teleconference unit is an echo cancellation system (ESC) that is designed o produce clear audio for teleconferences, with no delays or doubletalk. At the heart of the system is a digital signal processor using DYNAMIC Automatic Echo Cancellation, based on a wideband acoustic echo cancelling algorithm developed by Ateis' R&D department.

This groundbreaking technology enables the ECS to produce natural, full duplex speech with a bandwidth of 20Hz to 27kHz, which brings huge benefits during conversations involving large numbers of people.

The ECS range currently comprises eight units, which provide a range of tools for producing clear, successful teleconferences. The system features integrated compressor-limiters, equalisation, matrixes and delay capability, augmented by configurable routers and comprehensive signal processing.

This is all controlled from the ATEIS-NET graphical user interface, while additional components are available from the ECS DSP library to create larger, more fully functioned systems. These include Automatic Gain Control, Feedback Killers, Meters, Generators and Automatic Microphone Mixers.

Users are able to program how audio signals are processed within the ECS to suit their personal preferences or the demands of the installation. The entire system can be configured using PC software and controlled using specific screens, RS232 or optional remote controllers. Multiple ECSs can be run over Ethernet, ATEIS netLink or ATEIS Fibre-NetLink.

ECS features up to 16 wideband AES software modules and a maximum of 24 configurable hardware units, which have electronically balanced inputs and outputs. Also included are a telephone interface, Ethernet port and a remote control bus.

"Teleconferencing is vital in these days of fast-paced international business but there is an even greater need for clear communications with no delays," comments Ateis' international sales manager, Albert van der Hout. "The new ECS gives excellent audio quality and allows users to program it to suit their needs. We see ECS as an important new tool for businesses around the world."

ETC Introduces Fire and Ice LED Fixture

Responding to demand for more of its Selador LED lighting fixtures, ETC is introducing two bold colour spectrum specific versions: Fire and Ice. Fire features a warm wash of saturated reds, oranges and ambers never before seen from LEDs or gels. Ice provides, in one powerhouse fixture, a palette of brilliant deep indigo, blue, cyan, green (and a touch of red) - the gamut of blue washes that designers seek for their lighting plots. Integral to the new Selador Vivid lineup, Fire and Ice offer these rich, lush colours while equalling or exceeding the brightness performance of conventional tungsten PAR fixtures and saving dramatically on electricity. In-depth product information, videos and photometrics can be found at http://www.etcconnect.com/selador  

As Tom Littrell, ETC fixtures product manager, explains: "These are truly the tools of a new stage lighting design: super high intensity LED colour washes bright enough to blend seamlessly with the output of your conventional luminaires - while cutting power consumption. Ice, with its bright, rich hues, is up to 90% more efficient than conventional PAR wash lights gelled in certain blues."

In a typical colour application, Fire and Ice fixtures produce more light and consume less than 70 watts of power compared to their gelled tungsten counterparts at 575 watts. "Most productions regularly employ deep colours in their rigs - keeping blues and reds in use at all times," says Littrell. "Fire and Ice provide those coveted colour spectrums at brightness levels that are usable all over the stage."

Going beyond theatre or broadcast production use, Fire and Ice are smart eco-friendly choices for any special lighting application. By replacing high powered single colour warm and cool conventional luminaires in themed environments (theme parks, museums, restaurants, retail, casinos, etc.), facility managers can reap real savings in both power and maintenance. Fire and Ice can be used for dramatic accent lighting as well, lowering power consumption in any installation.

Changes in LED technology have also prompted ETC to upgrade its popular Vivid fixture to the new, more eco-friendly Vivid-R, which provides much higher light output than the original - a stunning 50% increase - while consuming 10% less power. Vivid-R combines high power Luxeon Rebel LEDs and high efficiency lenses for its colour production and lighting punch. And because of the low heat output of all Selador Series LED fixtures, Vivid-R's colours can be blazing without overheating the talent.

www.etcconnect.com

CRMS Sound "Seen" from All Angles

Alcons' CRMS reference-quality sound reproduction system has fully matched loudspeaker, processing and amplifier components. It is designed to offer the most realistic (surround) sound-for-picture reproduction possible, making it the ideal choice for high-end home theatre theatres, digital cinema mix/screening rooms, post-production facilities, dubbing stages and quality-conscious cinemas with less than 100 seats or room depth less than 15m/45ft.

The CRMS, Cinema Ribbon Monitor System is a unique hybrid 3-way main- /2-way surround-system. Each system consists of a separate mid-high frequency ("MHF") section, featuring one RBN401 pro-ribbon driver HF with non-vented 8" MF and a low frequency 15" ("LF") section, with low power-compression 4" voice-coil.

The MHF section is specifically designed to act both as MHF section for the main/front system, as well as full-range surround system. This unique design results in a very uniform and high resolution sound stage throughout the entire listening area.

Featuring the patented RBN401 pro-ribbon driver, the CRMS combines a remarkable clarity and intelligibility, with a unusually high headroom SPL. The Alcons pro-ribbon drivers have up to 90% less distortion than any conventional mid/high transducer (at same SPL). Due to the "direct-drive" principle of the pro-ribbon transducer (no compression threshold), the system has the same tonal balance from the lowest to the highest SPLs.

The patented "Real-90" horizontal dispersion of the RBN401 extends the stereo-imaging to a larger number of seats in the auditorium and/or widens the sweet-spot in near-field (studio) applications.

The very high peak power handling of the RBN401 pro-ribbon driver (800W) offers true Digital-Cinema-ready performance, with a 1:16 dynamic ratio, while enabling maximum screen compensations without any audible stress on the HF driver.

Due to the absence of a large (compression) horn, the system depth is only 33.5cm/ 13.2in. enabling flush-mounted or free-standing installation in even the most shallow spaces.

Powered and controlled by the ALC (Amplified Loudspeaker Controller), the CRMS system has its own dedicated speaker drive, making a complete synergetic sound reproduction chain with precisely matched components. There's a choice of analogue (SDP) and digital (DDP) processing modules, where the analogue system offers non-latency pre-set controlling, and the digital system offers system settings, "on-board" parametric equalizing, delay per section, user presets, etc.

The so-called "Signal Integrity Sensing" in the ALC ensures complete cable and connector resistance compensation, raising the damping factor to a mere 10.000. This results in a tight and accurate mid and bass response. Furthermore, SIS pre-wiring reduces distortion, both linear (uneven frequency response) and non-linear (InterModulationDistortion).

By exclusively focusing on component quality, Alcons developed a new "sound-for-picture" reference system, with which the absolute maximum performance of a.o. Digital Cinema is obtained. As a result of Alcons' tight manufacturing standards, all system cabinets are within "matched pair" tolerance.

In picture: Alcons CRMS Cinema Ribbon Monitor System, with CRMS front system, CRMS surround system and ALC + DDP processed powering.

www.alconsaudio.com

i-Pix Launches New 4 and 6 Lamp Power Bars

LED specialists i-Pix has developed a new 4 and 6 lamp Power Bar, to which its versatile new BB1 LED fixtures can be fitted. This is ideal for all types of portable applications from film and TV shoots and location work to small stages live concerts and performances, site-specific theatre, exhibitions and conferences, etc.

The BB1 is a sealed, low voltage, self-contained fixture, requiring only power and data, offering completely homogenised optics for the smoothest of output and available in either 20 or 35 degree beam angles. Its powerful customised RGB LED light engine has incredible colour mixing capabilities including the effortless sourcing of tungsten and daylight colour temperatures. The BB1 is fully RDM/DMX enabled, with remote address mode and detailed fixture feedback.

The Power Bar provides low voltage to the BB1 and is equipped with an onboard user interface. This allows each fixture to be individually addressed and the 'operating' mode to be adjusted. Both power and data are fed neatly through a combined data/LV power cable.

The user interface will receive and transmit either 8 or 16 bit DMX to the fixtures, and will run in stand-alone mode - whereby up to 20 memories can be stored, and a chase created from these.

The Power Bar is fitted with Camlock mounts for connecting to the Omega bracket on the BB1 unit, to facilitate quick and easy truss or boom rigging. As well as these suspension points, there is a centrally located spigot position for rigging onto stands of all types.

Combined power and data in and outs are useful for feeding multiple Power Bars from a single power/data feed.

A tough (optional) rain cover is available for outdoor use, and the Power Bar is also fitted with a connection for the attachment of a remote battery and wireless DMX facility.

i-Pix has also developed a new waterproof Battery Bag that uses standard 12 volt batteries and provides complete stand-alone flexibility where power or lack of rigging time are issues. The Battery Bag can be used to power either a single BB4 fixture or the Power Bars individually.

Each bag comes with the option of wireless control, courtesy of City Theatrical, which also provides a local DMX outlet for other technology that might be adjacent to the Power Bars. Runtime is a 35-hour life for an RGB chase, 16-hour life for a CYM chase (with two colours on at once) and 9 hours for full intensity - measured using a BB4.

www.i-pix.uk.com

Easy DMX SO is Latest Generation Lighting Control

The new EASY DMX SO lighting control unit from Osram enables users to achieve effective colour moods, simulate daylight transitions and create dynamic lighting effects. The DMX control unit is available in three versions for 16, 32 or 64 individually controllable light points and it is simple to configure.

Osram's Easy DMX SO is a new lighting control unit that is suitable for serial installation and is capable of working with any other device in the Easy professional lighting management product family. It has been designed to control dimmers and luminaires which use the DMX protocol as control input. With the Easy DMX SO, Osram offers an ideal solution for lighting planners and architects to implement functional lighting with white light or mood lighting with dynamic colour changes and light scenes.

The Easy DMX SO is available in 16x4, 32x4 and 64x4 versions. In the Easy DMX 64x4 SO, 256 DMX channels and a total of 64 independent light points can be controlled, regardless of whether RGB lighting, RGB + white light or dimmable functional lighting with white light are used. With DMX signal amplifiers each device can be connected with an unlimited number of luminaires.

Up to 64 scenes and four sequences can be programmed. Combined with the appropriate DMX dimmers and controls from the Easy product family, the control unit is ideal for a whole number of applications such as effect, accent and mood lighting. The device is also very well suited for use with Osram or Traxon LED solutions.

Four dynamic sequences are pre-programmed in Easy DMX SO control unit - with optional saturated colours, pastel shades or hot and cold colour combinations. Own scenes and sequences can be configured with the Easy colour control software, which enables the management of a number of independent light points and many light scenes and sequences. Scenes and sequences can be stored in the Easy DMX SO and accessed either via the software or the remote controls.

The Easy DMX SO offers different operating modes which allow the manual control of groups of luminaires and light scenes, sequences or daylight simulations.

As an extension, Osram offers the Easy system coupler. This works as a signal amplifier and enables bidirectional communication between connected systems. By using the coupler, several sections with 64 light points each can be connected together.

In picture:Osram's Easy DMX SO makes professional light management very easy.

Change the Mood in a Flash with Easy Color Control

With the Easy Color Drive and Easy Hybrid Remote of Osram's Easy Color Control lighting management system, luminaires can now be controlled flexibly - even wirelessly. With a jog-wheel the user can control lighting scenes, light colour and intensity or even dynamic sequences. Apart from their functions, the distinctive features of both controls are their self-explanatory, user-friendly concept, high-quality design and their customizability.

Light today is more than a means to an end; light arouses emotions, underlines moods and if used properly it can even contribute to wellbeing. There is no such thing as a proper light colour or strength. Instead, each can vary according to the application or time of the day. With the Easy Color Drive and Easy Hybrid Remote from its Easy Color Control lighting management system Osram now offers simple solutions to control light quickly and flexibly and adapt it to the user's needs.

The Easy Color Drive and Easy Hybrid Remote are operated by jog-wheel. One turn on the wheel is enough to access colours, brightness, colour changes and various sequences in attached lamps. With plug and control the controls can be integrated easily. Their appealing, classic, minimalist design in a piano lacquer finish means they can be used in any style of room.

The Easy Color Drive intended for wall mounting can be custom-configured with two integrated transmission paths. Apart from its menu functions, background lighting can also be adjusted to the user's needs. The control can transmit signals via cable as well as wirelessly. A PC port allows it to be configured from a computer. At 103mm high, 90mm wide and 24mm deep, all the device's functions can be operated using only five buttons and the jog-wheel, no matter whether a classic white, RGB or changeable white lighting with different colour temperatures needs controlling.

Light control with the Easy Hybrid Remote is especially convenient. Thanks to hybrid transmission technology, users can choose between infrared and RF signals to control the connected luminaires. You can conveniently control up to eight channels, eight light scenes and four sequences. As with Easy Color Drive, menu functions and background lighting can be individually adjusted with the Hybrid Remote measuring 187 x 57 x 23 millimetres. The practical wall mount also has a port for configuration from a PC.

In picture: with Easy Color Drive lighting management is simple with a few buttons and a jog-wheel.

L-Acoustics Releases Soundvision 1.6 Upgrade

L-Acoustics has introduced the new Soundvision 1.6 electro-acoustic simulation software. Features include: air absorption as a function of humidity and temperature, affecting target SPL calculation and an updated data product library including the new K1, K1SB, 8XT, 12XT, 108P, 112P, SB15P, and SB28 products. Also the adoption of the unified contour template for WST line sources and a gain structure matching the new V2.0 preset libraries. This allows each product to reach the maximum SPL with the same input level. Ergonomic improvements such as mapping mode custom colour scaling and new, programmable quick keys offeer faster operation. There is new balloon export data for all WST and Point Source systems (except V-DOSC, dV-DOSC, and K1) compatible with EASE 4.0 and CATT 8.0.

Multiform Serves a Cocktail of Light from the MultiBar

Providing a budget priced LED stage lighting system for small bands, dance groups, exhibition displays and mobile DJs, the MultiBar comprises four MultiSpot Eco RGB fixtures, mounted on a 1m. extruded ali cross bar housing the 16 Channel DMX controlled power supply. With a mains input of 90-250 V 50/60 Hz theMultibar will operate in most countries of the world.

The MultiBar can be mounted on a 35mm diameter. tripod stand, or suspended from a truss or lighting bar using a pair of hook clamps. Rugged metal brackets allow each fixture to be tilted and swivelled individually The sophisticated switched mode power supply has four Internal and three DMX modes of operation. FADE (29 selectable fade patterns) - AUTO (33 selectable chase patterns), COLOR (19 selectable colour presets) - COLOR PATTERN (mixed scene mode with 9 presets), DMX PRESET (5 DMX channels to remotely control internal presets), DMX (16 DMX channels to control each luminare via RGB + master/strobe) and SLAVE (12 DMX channels to control each luminaire via RGB).

Situated at the rear is the user interface with three buttons, rotary control and a three-digit LED display. An internal microphone and jack socket for a LC400F foot switch allows on stage sound to light control by musicians. Finally, DMX IN and OUT sockets with switched termination facilitate easy connection of several MultiBars in Master/Slave operation or control by an external lighting desk.

The MultiBar Eco LS4195 is supplied in a road proof flight case, with compartments for an

optional LC400F footswitch and a MultiLED LC300H controller.

Scheduled for release at the Pro Light & Sound show in Frankfurt (March 24-27) the MultiBar will be available from Multiform's distributors in April.

projectiondesign Advances Functionality with ProNet 2.0 Management Software

The very first edition of projectiondesign's upgraded ProNet 2.0 scalable network asset management software was shown on the projectiondesign stand at Integrated Systems Europe 2010 in Amsterdam last week. The new software is designed for managing an unlimited number of projectors from a single site, using standard TCP/IP or RS232 communication.

It includes tools for accurate colour calibration, efficient network-based management and also pixel-perfect blending and geometry correction when used with the company's Multi-image Processing System (MIPS).

ProNet 2.0 is compatible with the entire range of projectiondesign projectors and MIPS processors, and includes management features which will maximise their use, minimize downtime, and therefore increase the return on investment, all without unnecessary wiring, additional hardware or programming. It is available in various configurations.

ProNet.enterprise is for projector management across multiple sites. It manages and consolidates reporting from an unlimited number of licensed projector installations, enabling easy planning and budgeting of consumables, such as lamps or filters; it also monitors and alerts required or configured maintenance intervals.

ProNet.calibrator is an add-on to the ProNet suite and is designed to simplify projector calibration to imaging standards such as REC.709 and DCI, and make it easy to perform colour- and gain-matching across multiple projectors used in applications such as simulator or dome. ProNet.calibrator reduces system set-up to a fraction of the time needed for standard calibration methods.

ProNet.MIPS is a set-up tool for the MIPS processor. It is a single interface that provides easy access to all MIPS features and enables pixel-perfect setup of projected images on any surface or in any configuration. At the same time it asset manages any number of MIPS processors and projectors.

Finally ProNet.site is ideal for managing several projectors in a single location or in complex multi-channel installations such as domes and simulators, where periodic maintenance and monitoring can be a challenge. It features configurable scripting and management tools, as well as a reporting tool to the centralised ProNet.enterprise.

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